POOL TABLE HAVING TWO POCKETS AND POOL TABLE KIT

Abstract

A pool table including all of the same components as a standard pool table but with only two regulation pockets, one disposed midway between each of the short sides of the playing surface.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of pool tables and, in particular, to a reduced size pool table and kit having two pockets.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The inventor of the present invention has spent nearly 30 years in the billiard industry and is an experienced player, pool room owner, league operator, retailer, and designer/builder of pool tables. He enjoys what he does tremendously, but he has always pondered how to get more people, especially younger people, involved in the sport.

As shown in FIG. 1, a regulation pool table 10 includes a playing surface 12 that is disposed within a rectangular frame 18, referred to in the industry as the rail. As required by the Billiards Congress of America (BCA), the playing surface 12 of a regulation pool table 10 takes the form of a rectangle having a length dimension that is twice the width dimension. The frame 18 is supported by a base 20, sometimes referred to as the table, which is shown as separate legs in FIG. 1 but can take many forms. Rail cushions 16, sometimes referred to as bumpers, are disposed upon all four sides of the frame 18 proximate to the playing surface 12. Finally, six pockets 14 are disposed through the playing surface 12, rail cushions 16 and frame 19, with one pocket 14 disposed at each corner and two pockets 14 disposed opposite form one another at the midpoint of the long side of the rectangular playing surface 12. The pockets 14 must dimensionally conform to the requirements set forth by the BCA with regard to mouth, throat, vertical pocket angle, shelf and drop point slate radius and a pocket 14 that meets each of these requirements is referred to herein as a “regulation pocket.” The playing surface 12 and rail cushions 16 are each covered with a cloth material that is commonly referred to as felt but is actually a woven fabric with a nap on one surface.

The preferred playing surface, and the only one sanctioned by the BCA. is natural slate. It is quite dense, with the amount in a typical table weighing 450 lb (200 kg) or more. This mass helps keep the table stationary during play. Slate is prepared at the quarry, where computer-controlled, diamond-blade saws are used in conjunction with laser measuring devices to cut it into very flat sheets 0.75-1 in (1.9-2.5 cm) thick. As shown in FIG. 2, the slate sheets are shipped in sets of three panels, which are certified as having been cut from the same slab. Three-section table surfaces are preferred because the smaller sections are lighter and safer to lift, less prone to break, and easier to level during installation. Drilling holes through slate for the pocket openings and screws to attach the slate to the base is tricky and specialized equipment is required to avoid fracture of the slate during these operations. Accordingly, properly sized holes are drilled in the slate for the pockets and for the bolts and screws that will be used to attach the slate to the table and rails prior to shipment. This results in the sizes of slate sheet for use in manufacturing playing surfaces being limited. Accordingly, most non-standard sized pool tables use pressed board, synthetic slate or plastic honeycomb sheets, which are of inferior quality.

Unlike many other games and sports that people enjoy, a pool table requires a fair amount of room inside a home. This becomes a major obstacle to many that have tried and enjoyed playing pool and would consider purchasing a table to use at home . . . if it would fit.

Building a smaller pool table for a small room is not new and the market for these tables has been saturated with them for years. Unfortunately, these tables have significant drawbacks that make them less enjoyable to play on. They have six pockets and are generally made to look like a standard eight foot or nine-foot sized pool table, but they are scaled down to fit into smaller spaces. This also means scaling down the accessories, including balls, cue sticks, racks, etc., many of which are manufactured out of plastic and are not easily modified. Even with smaller balls, the playfield is too crowded. In addition, the high-quality slate bed playing surface is replaced with pressboard or other materials that are hard to keep level and don't last long. The end result is always the same: they don't play well, aren't as fun to use, and usually fall apart quickly. Consequently, they generally don't hold the user's interest and end up being discarded.

Decades ago, the go-to for playing pool in a small space was bumper pool and a typical prior art bumper pool table is shown in FIG. 3. Many bumper pool tables were, and still are, produced with slate beds and use phenolic resin balls just like a standard pool table; although they are usually 2⅛″ in diameter, a bit less than the 2¼″ standard pool table balls. However, bumper pool tables have significant differences from standard pool tables that make them less desirable for use in small spaces. First, there are eight posts in the center of the playing surface, which makes the table awkward to navigate and make the game difficult for recreational players and children to play. Consequently, they inadvertently become obstacles to enjoying the game. Second, to score, a ball must be gently directed towards a hole that is literally drilled through the slate bed, which then drops vertically into a catch box. Children tend to hit things a bit harder than adults, and some adults simply enjoy hitting the cue ball with a solid stroke and rocketing the object ball into the pocket. In either case, the object ball quite often just bounces around or across the rim and out. Conversely, pool table pockets actually catch the ball as it is driven horizontally, at almost any speed, and drop it vertically into the basket portion of the pocket. Some skilled pool players enjoy bumper pool, but most casual players find it irritating because of the two issues listed above.

Therefore, there is a need for a reduced size pool table that appeals to today's youth and adults that like to play pool but do not have space for a standard pool table, and which can be economically manufactured from high quality components that play well and are long lasting.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a pool table that the inventor refers to as a “bantam pool table.” In its most basic form, the bantam pool table includes all of the same components as a standard pool table but only includes two regulation pockets, one disposed midway between the short sides of the playing surface. Like a standard pool table, the playing surface is free from all obstructions, such as the bumpers found in bumper pool tables.

The preferred bantam pool table is manufactured from a single slate sheet having the same dimensions as those used as the center sheet on the manufacture of a three sheet nine foot regulation pool table. In such embodiments, the slate sheet dimensions are between ⅞″ thick and 1″ thick, has a short side dimension of 36″ and a long side dimension of 57.″ However, it is recognized that the bantam pool table may take many forms and, in some embodiments, the overall dimensions of the table may mirror those of regulation pool tables.

The bantam pool table is designed to appeal to today's youth in several ways. There are millions of children involved in organized hockey (both ice and field), soccer, and lacrosse these days, and participation in these sports is at record levels. All of these sports have one thing in common: two netted goals, one on each end of a playfield. The bantam pool table's two-pocket design is the same format and children involved in the above sports are in familiar territory the moment they see this table.

Advanced players that may be involved in local league play find the Bantam very enjoyable because of the lack of corner pockets. A whole different world opens up as far as 3, 4, 5, and even six rail bank shots. The lack of corner pockets brings into play the older world of pure billiards, which many of today's players have never experienced.

The playability and overall quality of the bantam pool table are maintained at a high level by utilizing the same high-quality components as are used in regulation pool tables, including a real slate bed, regulation pockets, and regulation 2¼″ phenolic resin balls. A full length 58″ cue may be used, although children will generally fare better with a 52″ or 48″ cue stick. A standard 13-millimeter diameter cue shaft works just as well with the Bantam as it does with a regulation pool table. In the preferred kit, the bantam pool table will come with a set of regulation balls. In other embodiments of the kit, different racks for playing different games are also provided.

Because the ball diameter of the bantam pool table remains at 2¼″, it is preferred that there are fewer of them on the smaller playing area, which is 50″ by 29″ nose of cushion to nose of cushion. Popular pool games like 9-ball and 7-ball can be enjoyed on this table. Short-rack 8-ball (four stripes, four solids, 8-ball and cue ball) can also be played. For a quicker game, fast rack 8-ball utilizes three stripes and three solids, 8-ball and cue ball. There is plenty of room to play these games, particularly for skilled players. However, a number of novel methods of use may also be employed.

For example, children that play hockey, soccer, or lacrosse enjoy a pool game we call 3-on-3. There are three yellow balls and three red balls, with the black 8-ball being analogous to a puck or soccer ball, in which the ball that must be pocketed, similar to scoring a goal, for a point.

The seven balls are racked up in the center of the table. One player breaks from behind the “blue line”. If the breaking player makes a ball on the break, he/she can choose either color as their “team”, and keeps shooting. Calling shots is unnecessary, but you have to contact one of your color balls first when shooting the cue ball; anything that falls in either pocket entitles the shooter to keep going until they have pocketed all three of their colored balls, then they can shoot directly at the 8-ball, pocketing it in either pocket for a win.

Anytime that the 8-ball goes into either pocket, the shooter gets a point so long as they contact their colored ball first with the cue ball for that shot. Lucky bounces do count, and are part of the game; just like on the ice or soccer field!

Failing to contact one of your team's color balls first with the cueball is a foul, just like pocket scratching with the cue ball, resulting in ball-in-hand for the opponent. Scratching on the 8-ball shot, either by failing to contact the 8-ball first with the cue ball, or by the cue ball falling into a pocket, is not a loss. If the 8-ball is pocketed during any shot during which a cueball foul occurs, the 8-ball is spotted in the center of the table and it is ball-in-hand for the opponent. It is only ball-in-hand for the opponent if the 8-ball is not contacted by the cue ball first.

Obviously, the rotational rule requirements of standard 9-ball and 7-ball, in which player must contact the lowest numbered ball on the table first with the cue ball, may be too difficult for beginning players and children, in which case starting with the 3-on-3 game or fast-rack 8-ball is preferred.

As a player's skill levels increases, they can make subtle changes to the 3-on-3 game, such as calling the 8-ball shot, or having to pocket all your color balls into one pocket. Playing 7-ball in rotation will be a big challenge to beginners but may be more fun as they improve their skill level. Advanced players can raise the bar by calling every shot, and by only counting balls that fall into one particular pocket; usually at the opponent's end.

It is recognized that a wide variety of other pool games may be created by playing on the bantam pool table and those methods of use described herein are not the only methods that may be employed.

Therefore, it is an aspect of the invention to provide a reduced size pool table that appeals to today's youth.

It is a further aspect of the invention to provide a reduced size pool table that appeals to adults that like to play pool but do not have space for a standard pool table.

It is a further aspect of the invention to provide a reduced size pool table that can be economically manufactured from high quality components that play well and are long lasting.

These aspects of the invention are not meant to be exclusive and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art when read in conjunction with the following description, appended claims and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art regulation pool table.

FIG. 2 is a top assembly view of the three sheets of slate assembled to form the playing surface of a prior art regulation pool table.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a prior art bumper pool table.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the kit of the present invention including the preferred pool table, regulation balls and a rack.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the preferred embodiment of the pool table of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a partially assembled pool table of the present invention showing the preferred slate sheet attached to the base.

FIG. 7 is a top view of an alternative set of regulation balls and hexagonal rack.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIG. 4, perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the kit of the present invention is shown. The kit includes the preferred pool table 100, a set of regulation balls 50 and a rack 60.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the pool table 100 includes a playing surface 12 that is disposed within a rectangular frame 18 having two long sides 28 and two short sides 30. The frame 18 is supported by a base 20, which is shown in FIG. 4 as a trestle table style base but can take many forms. Rail cushions 16 are disposed upon all four sides of the frame 18 proximate to the playing surface 12. Finally, two pockets 14 are disposed through the playing surface 12, rail cushions 16 and frame 18 with one pocket 14 located at the midpoint of each short side 30 frame 18. Each pocket 14 includes a pocket opening 25 through the playing surface 12 and a basket portion 15 and is preferably dimensioned to conform to the requirements set forth by the BCA with regard mouth, throat, vertical pocket angle, shelf and drop point slate radius such that each pocket 14 is a regulation pocket. Finally, the playing surface 12 and rail cushions 16 are each covered with a cloth material that preferably conforms to BCA requirements.

FIG. 6 shows partially assembled pool table 100 of the present invention showing the preferred slate sheet 24 that forms the playing surface 12 attached to the base. The preferred pool table 100 is manufactured from a single slate sheet 24 having the same dimensions as those used as the center sheet on the manufacture of a three sheet nine-foot regulation pool table. In such embodiments, the slate sheet 24 dimensions are between ⅞″ thick and 1″ thick, has a short side dimension of 36″ and a long side dimension of 57.″ However, it is recognized that the pool table may take many forms. The slate sheet 24 includes a pocket opening 25 at the midpoint of each short side.

FIG. 7 is a top view of a set of seven regulation balls 50 and hexagonal rack 60. The regulation balls 50 may be colored numbered or have other indicia and may be sold as part of the kit with different numbers of balls 50 having different indicia. The rack 60 of FIG. 7 is preferred for use in the method of use discussed above with regard to the 3 on 3 game, but may be used in connection with other games. Further, the rack 60 of the kit may be a conventional triangular eight ball rack, diamond shaped nine or seven ball rack, or may take a multitude of other forms.

Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions would be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the invention should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein.

Claims

1. A pool table comprising: a base;a rectangular frame disposed upon and supported by said base, said frame having a length defined by two short frame sides and a width defined by two long frame sides;a plurality of rail cushions disposed within and along said frame;a rectangular playing surface disposed within said frame and supported by said base, said playing surface consisting of a substantially planar surface having two short sides, two long sides, and a pocket opening disposed through each of said short sides of said playing surface proximate to said frame;a fabric material covering said playing surface and said rail cushions; anda pair of pockets disposed through said frame and said rail cushions, wherein each of said pockets is formed by said pocket openings through said playing surface and by a basket portion disposed through said frame and said rail cushions and attached to said frame.

2. The pool table as claimed in claim 1 wherein each pocket is a regulation pocket.

3. The pool table as claimed in claim 1, wherein said rectangular playing surface is a natural slate playing surface.

4. The pool table as claimed in claim 1, wherein said rectangular playing surface is a natural slate playing surface having a thickness of between seven eights of one inch and one inch.

5. The pool table as claimed in claim 1, wherein said rectangular playing surface is manufactured from a single slate sheet having substantially the same dimensions as a center sheet on a three sheet nine-foot regulation pool table.

6. The pool table as claimed in claim 1 wherein said fabric material is a woven fabric having a top surface, a bottom surface and a nap on said top surface.

7. The pool table as claimed in claim 2, wherein said rectangular playing surface is a natural slate playing surface.

8. The pool table as claimed in claim 2, wherein said rectangular playing surface is a natural slate playing surface having a thickness of between seven eights of one inch and one inch.

9. The pool table as claimed in claim 2, wherein said rectangular playing surface is manufactured from a single slate sheet having substantially the same dimensions as a center sheet on a three sheet nine-foot regulation pool table.

10. The pool table as claimed in claim 2 wherein said fabric material is a woven fabric having a top surface, a bottom surface and a nap on said top surface.

11. A pool table kit comprising: a pool table comprising: a base;a rectangular frame disposed upon and supported by said base, said frame having a length defined by two short frame sides and a width defined by two long frame sides;a plurality of rail cushions disposed within and along said frame;a rectangular playing surface disposed within said frame and supported by said base, said playing surface consisting of a substantially planar surface having two short sides, two long sides, and a pocket opening disposed through each of said short sides of said playing surface proximate to said frame;a fabric material covering said playing surface and said rail cushions; anda pair of pockets disposed through said frame and said rail cushions, wherein each of said pockets is formed by said pocket openings through said playing surface and a basket portion disposed through said frame and said rail cushions and attached to said frame;at least one rack; anda plurality of balls, wherein said plurality of balls are dimensioned to fit within said rack and wherein each of said plurality of balls is dimensioned to fit within said pockets in said pool table.

12. The kit as claimed in claim 11, wherein each pocket of said pool table is a regulation pocket.

13. The kit as claimed in claim 11, wherein each of said plurality of balls is a regulation ball.

14. The kit as claimed in claim 11, wherein said rack is a hexagonal rack.

15. The kit as claimed in claim 14, wherein said plurality of balls comprises seven balls.

16. The kit as claimed in claim 11 wherein said rectangular playing surface is a natural slate playing surface.

17. The kit as claimed in claim 11, wherein said rectangular playing surface is a natural slate playing surface having a thickness of between seven eights of one inch and one inch.

18. The kit as claimed in claim 11, wherein said rectangular playing surface is manufactured from a single slate sheet having substantially the same dimensions as a center sheet on a three sheet nine-foot regulation pool table.

19. The kit as claimed in claim 11 wherein said fabric material is a woven fabric having a top surface, a bottom surface and a nap on said top surface.