Circular pool table according to Billiard Congress of America and/or World Pool-Billiard Association

Abstract

A circular pool table comprises features that provide the player with a sensation of playing on a rectangular pool table. In particular, the circular pool table comprises a circular cushion whose geometry resembles that of the cushion of a rectangular pool table as specified by the Billiard Congress of America and/or World Pool-Billiard Association. The playing surface, rail, and pockets of the circular pool table mimic the features of a corresponding rectangular pool table. In particular, the slate including the cloth, the rail including the sub-rail, and the pockets including the pocket openings are configured so as to further convey the experience of playing on a recreational and/or tournament-qualified rectangular pool table.

Description

COPYRIGHT

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention is related to a circular pool table that incorporates the features of a rectangular pool table as specified by the Billiard Congress of America (BCA) and/or World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA). In particular, this invention relates to a circular pool table that comprises a circular cushion having a geometric shape of the cushion of a corresponding rectangular pool table in order to provide the player with the sense of playing on a rectangular pool table. The pool table further comprises a playing surface, rail, and a plurality of pockets that mimic the corresponding features of a rectangular pool table according to the BCA and/or WPA to further convey the experience of playing on a tournament-qualified rectangular pool table.

BACKGROUND

In an effort to popularize circular pool tables in professional tournaments as well as usage for recreational purposes, a circular pool table is disclosed that incorporates one or more features of a corresponding rectangular pool table as specified by the BCA and/or WPA. Recreational/tournament players accustomed to rectangular pool tables built to BCA/WPA standards, respectively, may play on the circular pool table of the present invention with minimal changes in the sensation associated with playing on a rectangular pool table.

Rectangular pool tables have been adopted by the BCA and/or WPA as standard equipment for pool tournaments. (See for instance, http://www.bca-pool.com, http://www.www.wpa-pool.com, and Billiard: The Official Rules & Records Book, 2005 Edition, the content of which are incorporated herein in their entireties.) A rectangular pool table comprises a rectangular playing surface bounded by a rail. The rail comprises a sub-rail of a particular profile that is used to mount a cushion, also referred to as a bumper, according to the BCA and/or WPA. The cushion is made of molded rubber and has a particular geometric shape, namely K-66, K-55, or L-shaped according to the particular type of rectangular pool table. The playing surface of the rectangular pool table comprises a slate with a specific thickness and flatness and includes a cloth whose property is also defined by the BCA and/or WPA. The rectangular pool table also has a plurality of pockets that receive the pool balls either directly or via the banks of the rectangular pool table, i.e., the cushions.

The rail of a rectangular pool table includes a sub-rail of a specific geometry. The rail width including the cushion is within a specific range of allowable dimensions as specified by the BCA and/or WPA. It includes a number of sights located at specific positions to assist the player when making bank-shots.

The cushion of a rectangular pool table deflects pool balls upon impact. The ball trajectory is a function of its speed and direction as well as the rail, cushion, and playing surface geometry and material including the cloth that covers the pool table. The cushion of a rectangular pool table is a molded rubber that includes a control fabric molded to the top and base area of the cushion and which mounts on the sub-rail of the rail that is made up of wood. The profile of the cushion is of a particular geometry as specified by the BCA and/or WPA. For the conventional rectangular pool tables, the triangular K-66 profile is used while on carom tables, the triangular K-55 profile is used. For snooker tables, either the triangular K-66 or L-shaped snooker cushion profile is utilized.

The playing surface of a rectangular pool table comprises a slate of a specific strength that is capable of maintaining a particular flatness and deflection when loaded. The slate is further supported by a wooden frame of a specific thickness. The playing surface, as well as certain areas of the rail, is covered by a special cloth of specific property.

Rectangular pool tables comprise both corner and side pockets. The pockets include pocket openings that are of specific dimensions and profiles. Pocket mouth, throat, vertical angle, shelf, drop point slate radius, horizontal cut angle, facing, and liner are among the attributes of a pocket that are unique to rectangular pool tables as specified by the BCA and/or WPA.

All these features are critical to a player who relies solely on his/her skills to win. Furthermore, a tournament pool player would rather not experience a new playing sensation from one table to another. Therefore, a circular pool table that purports to become as popular as the rectangular pool table should incorporate one or more features of a corresponding BCA and/or WPA-approved rectangular pool table as practicable.

Although various circular pool tables have been devised, none has incorporated the features of rectangular pool tables that are critical to providing the player the feel of playing on a rectangular pool table as in the present invention. For instance, the Ellingsberg patent, U.S. Pat. No. 6,371,861, discloses a bumper pocket billiard table that is circular and comprises at least one adjustable bumper post positioned on the playing surface adjacent to but spaced apart by a selected dimension from the lip edge of an associated pocket opening. The Howell patent, U.S. Pat. No. 4,610,450, discloses a circular pool table having a plurality of pockets equally spaced around the table with the pocket opening spaced radially inward from the perimeter of the table. The Meyers et al. patent, U.S. Pat. No. 3,700,235 discloses a circular pool table having a number of pockets equally spaced around a circular bumper which includes one or more flat bumpers that project inwards toward the center of the table. The Chasley patent, U.S. Pat. No. 296,677 discloses a circular pool table comprising a circular rail and cushion secured to the edge of the table that are vertically adjustable to conform to various sizes of balls.

Circular pool tables do not have the popularity of rectangular pool tables. The BCA and WPA have well-defined specifications for standard rectangular pool tables, in particular those that will be utilized in billiard tournaments. In an attempt to popularize the circular pool table, one or more of the features critical to a player familiar with rectangular pool tables have been incorporated in the circular pool table of the present invention.

SUMMARY

The present invention discloses a circular pool table comprising a circular playing surface, rail, cushion, cloth, and a plurality of pockets constructed in such a way as to provide the player, to the extent practicable, with the sensation of playing on a rectangular pool table as specified by the BCA and/or WPA. Preferably the cushion comprises a geometric shape according to the geometric shape of a BCA and/or WPA rectangular pool table. Preferably, the cushion comprises at least one of the conventional K-66, K-55, and L-shaped profile as specified by the BCA and/or WPA. Preferably, the cushion is made of molded rubber including the control fabric according to the molded rubber used in a rectangular pool table as specified by the BCA and/or WPA. Preferably, the height of the cushion, including the cloth covering said cushion, is equal to the height of the cloth-covered cushion of a rectangular pool table as specified by the BCA and/or WPA. Preferably, the cushion further comprises a plurality of inwardly projecting cushion which may be straight, concave, and/or convex.

In one aspect, a circular pool table is disclosed comprising a circular playing surface, rail, cushion, cloth, and a plurality of pockets constructed in such a way as to provide the player, to the extent practicable, with the sensation of playing on a rectangular pool table as specified by the BCA and/or WPA. Preferably the rail includes a sub-rail whose profile is according to the profile of the sub-rail of a rectangular pool table as specified by the BCA and/or WPA. Preferably, the width of the rail is equal to the width of the rail of a rectangular pool table as specified by the BCA and/or WPA. Preferably, the rail further comprises a plurality of sights positioned equally spaced around the circular pool table. The rail may be constructed from one or more pieces, preferably from six (6) separate pieces equally spaced around the pool table.

In another aspect, a circular pool table is disclosed comprising a circular playing surface, rail, cushion, cloth, and a plurality of pockets constructed in such a way as to provide the player, to the extent practicable, with the sensation of playing on a rectangular pool table as specified by the BCA and/or WPA. Preferably the diameter of the circular pool table is within four (4) to twelve (12) feet. Preferably, the playing surface comprises a slate according to the slate of a rectangular pool table as specified by the BCA and/or WPA. Preferably, the thickness of the slate is equal to the thickness of a rectangular pool table as specified by the BCA and/or WPA. Preferably, the slate is configured to maintain an overall flatness within either the lengthwise or widthwise flatness of a rectangular pool table as specified by the BCA and/or WPA. Preferably, the slate including the cloth covering said slate is so configured to render a bed height of the circular pool table equal to the bed height of a rectangular pool table as specified by the BCA and/or WPA.

In another aspect, a circular pool table is disclosed comprising a circular playing surface, rail, cushion, cloth, and a plurality of pockets constructed in such a way as to provide the player, to the extent practicable, with the sensation of playing on a rectangular pool table as specified by the BCA and/or WPA. Preferably the pockets are equally spaced around the circular pool table. Preferably, the pockets openings are according to the side pocket opening of a rectangular pool table as specified by the BCA and/or WPA. Preferably, the mouth and throat of said pockets are according to the side pocket mouth and throat of a rectangular pool table as specified by the BCA and/or WPA. Preferably, the vertical pocket angle of each pocket is equal to the vertical pocket angle of a rectangular pool table as specified by the BCA and/or WPA. Preferably, the horizontal pocket cut angle of each pocket is equal to the horizontal pocket cut angle of a rectangular pool table as specified by the BCA and/or WPA. Preferably, the shelf associated with each pocket is according to the shelf of a rectangular pool table as specified by the BCA and/or WPA. Preferably, each pocket comprises a rubber facing according to the rubber facing of a rectangular pool table as specified by the BCA and/or WPA. Preferably, the pockets each comprise a pocket liner according to the pocket liner of a rectangular pool table as specified by the BCA and/or WPA. Preferably, the pockets are arranged so as to render the circular pool table as either a drop pocket or automatic ball return configuration according to the pocket arrangement of a rectangular pool table as specified by the BCA and/or WPA. Preferably, the drop point slate radius of the pockets is equal to the drop point slate radius of a rectangular pool table as specified by the BCA and/or WPA.

In another aspect, a method for converting a rectangular pool table, as specified by the BCA and/or WPA, into a circular pool table is disclosed. The method comprises providing a circular playing surface, rail, cushion, cloth, and a plurality of pockets constructed in such a way as to provide the player, to the extent practicable, with the sensation of playing on a rectangular pool table as specified by the BCA and/or WPA. Preferably the cushion comprises a geometric shape according to the geometric shape of a BCA and/or WPA rectangular pool table.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a circular pool table according to a preferred embodiment.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a cushion of a circular pool table according to a preferred embodiment.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of a cross sectional view of a circular pool table according to a preferred embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a sub-rail of a rail of a circular pool table according to a preferred embodiment.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic diagram of a top view of a circular pool table according to a preferred embodiment.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic diagram of a cushion including an inwardly projecting segment according to a preferred embodiment.

FIG. 7 shows a schematic diagram of a pocket/rail configuration of a circular pool table according to a preferred embodiment.

FIG. 8 shows a schematic diagram of vertical pocket angle of a pocket of a circular pool table according to a preferred embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 depicts a schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of a circular pool table 100, including a circular playing surface 112, rail assembly 102, and cushion 104 comprising a geometric shape according to the geometric shape of the cushion of a rectangular pool table as specified by the BCA and/or WPA. The playing surface 112 is bounded by the rail assembly 102 of a diameter 110 around its perimeter and may be supported via legs in various manners. In one preferred embodiment the playing surface comprises a slate that is supported via a slate support, cabinet, and leg assembled similar to a rectangular pool table. (See for instance, http://www.bestbilliard.com/resources/buildtable/cutout.cfm.) The playing surface 112, cushion 104, and certain areas of the rail assembly 102 are covered by a cloth 324 (see FIG. 3). In one preferred embodiment, the circular pool table 100 may further comprise one or more pockets 108 and one or more inwardly projecting cushions 106. It should be clear to a skilled artisan that although the present embodiments refer to a circular playing surface, other non-circular playing surfaces such as oval or octagonal playing surfaces are within the scope of the circular pool table of the present invention. It is contemplated that incorporating a BCA and/or WPA standard cushion in the circular pool table provides the same feel as playing on a rectangular pool table as the player executes shots causing the balls to contact the cushion and travel over the playing surface to the pockets.

FIG. 2 depicts a schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of a cushion 200 which is made from the conventional triangular shape rubber cushion molded with the conventional K-66 profile as specified by the BCA and/or WPA. The K-66 profile has a nose height 202 and base 204 equal to one (1) inch and one and three sixteenth (1 3/16) inches, respectively, as specified by the BCA and/or WPA. The cushion 200 further comprises a control fabric (not shown but known to skilled artisans) molded to the top and base area of the cushion 200. In one embodiment, the cushion 200 is made from the conventional triangular shape rubber cushion with the conventional K-55 profile, such as that used for carom pool tables, and in another embodiment, the cushion 200 is made form the conventional L-shaped profile, referred to as snooker cushion, such as that used for snooker tables.

The cushion 200 is glued or otherwise attached to a sub-rail 400 (see FIG. 4) of the rail assembly 102 (discussed in more detail below), and is covered by the cloth 324 (discussed in more detail below), providing a cushion height 328 (see FIG. 3) equal to the cushion height, also referred to as the rail height, of a rectangular pool table as specified by the BCA and/or WPA. In one embodiment, the cushion height 328 (nose-line to table-bed) is sixty three and one half percent (63½%) or between sixty two and one half percent (62½%) and sixty four and one half percent (64½%) of the diameter of a standard BCA and/or WPA billiard ball. The cushion 200 when glued to the sub-rail 400 of the rail assembly 102 and covered by the cloth 324 provides a width 326 (see FIG. 3) equal to the cushion width of a rectangular pool table as specified by the BCA and/or WPA. In one embodiment, the width of the cloth-covered cushion is between one and seven eighths (1⅞) and two (2) inches when measured from the outer edge of a featherstrip 614 (see FIG. 6) to the nose of the cushion 200.

The aforementioned rubber material used to mold the cushion 200 is such that its influence on the speed of the circular table 100 is equivalent to the speed of a corresponding rectangular pool table. The BCA and/or WPA gauges the rubber material property as that which influences the speed of the rectangular pool table in such a way that with placement of a ball on the head spot, shooting through the foot spot, using center ball English, with a level cue and firm stroke, the ball must travel a minimum of four (4) to four and one half (4½) lengths of the rectangular pool table without jumping. It is contemplated that incorporating a BCA and/or WPA standard cushion, which has the same profile, material, and measurements as that of a corresponding rectangular pool table, causes the pool balls to bounce and travel in a manner that provides the same sensation as playing on a rectangular pool table.

FIG. 3 depicts a schematic diagram of a cross sectional view of a preferred embodiment of a circular pool table 300. The rail assembly 102 comprises a rail 306 and a sub-rail 322. The playing surface of the circular pool table 300 comprises a circular slate 320 and a circular slate backing 318.

The rail 306, sub-rail 322, and cushion 302 are configured in such a way as to provide a rail width 330 equal to the rail width of a rectangular pool table as specified by the BCA and/or WPA. In one embodiment, the rail width 330 is between four (4) and seven and one half (7½) inches. In one embodiment, the rail assembly 102 further comprises a plurality of sights 508 (see FIG. 5) which are equally spaced around the circular pool table 100. In one preferred embodiment there are eighteen (18) sights according to the number of sights used in a rectangular pool table as specified by the BCA and/or WPA. The center of the sight 508 is located on the rail 502 in such a way such that a distance 510 from the center to the nose of a cushion 520 is equal to an equivalent distance of a rectangular pool table as specified by the BCA and/or WPA. In one embodiment, the distance 510 is equal to three and eleven sixteenth (3 11/16) inches. It is further contemplated that incorporating a BCA and/or WPA standard rail and sub-rail, which has the same profile, material, and measurements as that of a corresponding rectangular pool table in addition to the aforementioned cushion, will provide for the same kinetic energy exchange upon impact between the pool ball and rail causing the former's trajectory to be substantially similar as in a rectangular pool table thereby providing the player with the same experience as playing on a rectangular pool table.

The circular playing surface of the circular pool table 300 comprises a circular slate 320 and a circular slate backing 318 whose material and geometry, to the extent practicable, are according to the slate and slate backing of a rectangular pool table as specified by the BCA and/or WPA. In one embodiment, the circular slate 310 has a thickness 332 at least one (1) inch thick and is configured in such a way so as to be able to maintain an overall flatness within at least one of the lengthwise and widthwise flatness of a corresponding rectangular pool table. The BCA and/or WPA specifies a lengthwise flatness of twenty one thousandth (0.020) of an inch and a widthwise flatness of ten one thousandth (0.010) of an inch. Additionally, the circular slate 310 is configured so that when subjected to a force of two hundred (200) pounds at its center, its deflection does not exceed thirty one thousandth (0.030) of an inch according to the deflection of a rectangular pool table as specified by the BCA and/or WPA. In one embodiment the circular slate 320 is made up of two separate semi-circular slates. The circular slate backing 318 has a thickness equal to that of the thickness of a slate backing of a rectangular pool table as specified by BCA and/or WPA. In one embodiment the circular slate backing 318 is made of wood and has a thickness 334 of at least three quarters (¾) of an inch. In one preferred embodiment, the circular slate 320 is positioned in such a way so that the circular pool table 300 has a bed height 336, measured from the bottom of the table leg to the playing surface, between twenty nine and one quarter (29¼) and thirty and one quarter (30¼) inches. It is further contemplated that incorporating a BCA and/or WPA standard slate and slate backing, which has the same profile, material, and measurements, to the extend practicable, as that of a corresponding rectangular pool table in addition to the aforementioned cushion and rail, will provide for the same sensation as that when playing on a rectangular pool table.

FIG. 4 depicts a schematic diagram of the sub-rail 322 in more detail which has a profile 400 according to the profile of a corresponding rectangular pool table as specified by the BCA and/or WPA. It should be clear to a skilled artisan that although the sub-rail 322 is constructed as a sub-assembly to the rail assembly 102, the latter could be constructed as a one-piece rail whose profile is as that shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

FIG. 5 depicts a schematic diagram of a top view of a preferred embodiment of a circular pool table 500. According to this embodiment, the circular pool table comprises six (6) separate rail assemblies 502, each having a profile as that shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, equally spaced around the table. There are also six (6) pockets 506 which are equally spaced around the circular pool table 500. The cushion 520 has a plurality of inwardly projecting cushions 504 which are also equally spaced around the circular pool table 500.

The circular pool table 500 may further comprise one or more pockets 506 equally spaced around the table 500, wherein the pockets are configured according to the side pockets of a rectangular pool table as specified by the BCA and/or WPA. A standard rectangular pool table comprises both side and corner pockets with relatively differing geometries. The circular pool table 500 comprises one or more pockets with pocket opening and measurements according to the side pocket opening and measurements of a rectangular pool table as specified by the BCA and/or WPA. The pocket 506 comprises an opening having a mouth and throat according to the side pocket mouth and throat of a rectangular pool table as specified by the BCA and/or WPA. In one embodiment, the mouth of the pocket 506 is between five and three eighths (5⅜) inches and five and five eighths (5⅝) inches, and the throat of the pocket 506 is between four and three eighths (4⅜) inches and four and seven eighths (4⅞) inches. In another embodiment, the mouth of the pocket 506 is between five (5) and five and one hundred twenty five thousandths (5.125). The pocket 506 is configured to have a vertical pocket angle 524 according to the vertical pocket angle of a rectangular pool table as specified by the BCA and/or WPA. FIG. 8 shows a representative vertical pocket angle 802 in more detail. In one embodiment, the vertical pocket angle 524 is between twelve (12°) and fifteen (15°) degrees. The pocket 506 is further configured to have a horizontal pocket cut angle 526 according to the horizontal pocket cut angle associated with the side pocket of a rectangular pool table as specified by the BCA and/or WPA. Due to the circular geometry of the circular pool table, this angle may be defined as the angle between two lines defining tangents at the point where the cushion nose changes direction. In one embodiment, the horizontal pocket cut angle 526 is one hundred and four (104°) degrees (+1).

FIG. 6 shows a preferred embodiment of an inwardly projecting cushion 606 that has a straight edge, similar to the straight edge of the cushion of a rectangular pool table. The inwardly projecting cushion 606 has a length 616 which can be varied, and it is transitioned into the circular portion 618 via a transition surface 620. It is contemplated that players will utilize the inwardly projecting cushions 606 to execute bank-shots similar to when playing on a rectangular pool table. In other embodiments, the inwardly projecting cushions can be made convex or concave to introduce new and more challenging games.

FIG. 7 depicts a schematic diagram of a cutout 700 of the circular pool table 500 of FIG. 5, illustrating a pocket 704 and rail 702 in detail. According to this embodiment, the pocket 704 is further configured to have a shelf 706 according to the side pocket shelf of a rectangular pool table as specified by the BCA and/or WPA. In one embodiment, the shelf 706 is between zero (0) and three hundred seventy five thousandths (0.375) inches. In a preferred embodiment, the pocket 704 further comprises a rubber facing 708 and pocket liner 714 according to the rubber facing and pocket liner, respectively, of the pocket of a rectangular pool table as specified by the BCA and/or WPA. In different embodiments, the pockets 506 of the circular pool table 500 can be configured to provide for a drop pocket with a basket capacity of at least six (6) balls or an automatic ball return according to BCA and/or WPA standards pertaining to rectangular pool tables. The pocket 704 is further configured to have a drop point slate radius 710 according to the drop point slate radius of a rectangular pool table as specified by the BCA and/or WPA. In one embodiment, the drop point slate radius 710 is between one eighths (⅛) and one quarter (¼) inches. It is contemplated that incorporating BCA and/or WPA standard pockets, which has the same geometry, measurements, or otherwise attributes, to the extend practicable, as that of a corresponding rectangular pool table in addition to the aforementioned cushion, rail, and slate, will enable the player to make a smooth transition from a rectangular pool table to the circular pool table of the present invention.

The forgoing discloses a circular pool table comprising a substantially circular playing surface, rail, and cushion wherein the cushion comprises a geometric shape as that of a rectangular pool table according to the BCA and/or WPA. The circular pool table further comprises a plurality of inwardly projecting cushions and pockets which are configured to mimic the features of the corresponding rectangular pool table in order to provide the player a playing sensation that is similar to playing on a rectangular pool table.

The foregoing explanations, descriptions, illustrations, examples, and discussions have been set forth to assist the reader with understanding this invention and further to demonstrate the utility and novelty of it and are by no means restrictive of the scope of the invention. It is the following claims, including all equivalents, which are intended to define the scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A circular pool table, comprising:

(a) a substantially circular playing surface;

(b) a substantially circular rail bounded on a perimeter of said playing surface; and

(c) a substantially circular cushion coupled with said rail;

wherein said cushion comprises a geometric shape according to the geometric shape of the cushion of a rectangular pool table as specified by at least one of the Billiard Congress of America (BCA) and World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA).

2. The circular pool table of claim 1, wherein said geometric shape comprises a triangular shape with a profile according to at least one of the conventional K-66 profile, K-55 profile, and L-shaped profile according to the profile of the cushion of a rectangular pool table as specified by at least one of the Billiard Congress of America (BCA) and World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA).

3. The circular pool table of claim 1, wherein said cushion comprises a molded rubber according to the molded rubber of the cushion of a rectangular pool table as specified by at least one of the Billiard Congress of America (BCA) and World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA).

4. The circular pool table of claim 1, wherein said cushion further comprises a cloth that covers the cushion according to the cloth of the cushion of a rectangular pool table as specified by at least one of the Billiard Congress of America (BCA) and World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA).

5. The circular pool table of claim 4, wherein a height of said cloth-covered cushion is equal to the height of the cloth-covered cushion of a rectangular pool table as specified by at least one of the Billiard Congress of America (BCA) and World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA).

6. The circular pool table of claim 1, wherein said cushion further comprises a plurality of inwardly projecting cushions equally spaced around the circular pool table.

7. The circular pool table of claim 6, wherein said inwardly projecting cushions comprises at least one of a straight, concave, and convex cushion.

8. The circular pool table of claim 1, wherein said rail comprises a sub-rail with a profile according to the profile of the sub-rail of a rectangular pool table as specified by at least one of the Billiard Congress of America (BCA) and World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA).

9. The circular pool table of claim 1, wherein a rail width of said rail is equal to the rail width of a rectangular pool table as specified by at least one of the Billiard Congress of America (BCA) and World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA).

10. The circular pool table of claim 1, wherein said rail further comprises a plurality of sights equally spaced around the circular pool table.

11. The circular pool table of claim 10, wherein a distance between a center of each sight and a nose of the cushion is equal to the distance between the center of a sight and nose of the cushion of a rectangular pool table as specified by at least one of the Billiard Congress of America (BCA) and World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA).

12. The circular pool table of claim 1, wherein said rail comprises six (6) separate circular rails equally spaced around the circular pool table.

13. The circular pool table of claim 1, wherein a diameter of the circular pool table is within four (4) to twelve (12) feet.

14. The circular pool table of claim 1, wherein said circular playing surface comprises a slate according to the slate of a rectangular pool table as specified by at least one of the Billiard Congress of America (BCA) and World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA).

15. The circular pool table of claim 14, wherein a thickness of said slate is equal to the thickness of a rectangular pool table as specified by at least one of the Billiard Congress of America (BCA) and World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA).

16. The circular pool table of claim 14, wherein said slate is configured to maintain an overall flatness within one of lengthwise and widthwise flatness of a rectangular pool table as specified by at least one of the Billiard Congress of America (BCA) and World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA).

17. The circular pool table of claim 1, wherein a bed height of said circular pool table is equal to the bed height of a rectangular pool table as specified by at least one of the Billiard Congress of America (BCA) and World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA).

18. The circular pool table of claim 1, wherein said circular pool table further comprises a plurality of pockets equally spaced around the circular pool table and wherein each pocket comprises a pocket opening according to the side pocket opening of a rectangular pool table as specified by at least one of the Billiard Congress of America (BCA) and World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA).

19. The circular pool table of claim 18, wherein each pocket comprises a mouth according to the side pocket mouth of a rectangular pool table as specified by at least one of the Billiard Congress of America (BCA) and World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA).

20. The circular pool table of claim 18, wherein each pocket comprises a throat according to the side pocket throat of a rectangular pool table as specified by at least one of the Billiard Congress of America (BCA) and World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA).

21. The circular pool table of claim 18, wherein a vertical pocket angle of said pockets is equal to the vertical pocket angle of a rectangular pool table as specified by at least one of the Billiard Congress of America (BCA) and World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA).

22. The circular pool table of claim 18, wherein a horizontal pocket cut angle of said pockets is equal to the horizontal pocket cut angle of a rectangular pool table as specified by at least one of the Billiard Congress of America (BCA) and World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA).

23. The circular pool table of claim 18, wherein each pocket comprises a shelf according to the side pocket shelf of a rectangular pool table as specified by at least one of the Billiard Congress of America (BCA) and World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA).

24. The circular pool table of claim 18, wherein each pocket comprises a rubber facing according to the rubber facing of a rectangular pool table as specified by at least one of the Billiard Congress of America (BCA) and World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA).

25. The circular pool table of claim 18, wherein each pocket comprises a pocket liner according to the pocket liner of a rectangular pool table as specified by at least one of the Billiard Congress of America (BCA) and World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA).

26. The circular pool table of claim 18, wherein each pocket is configured to provide at least one of a drop pocket and automatic ball return according to the pocket of a rectangular pool table as specified by at least one of the Billiard Congress of America (BCA) and World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA).

27. The circular pool table of claim 18, wherein a drop point slate radius of said pockets is equal to the drop point slate radius of a rectangular pool table as specified by at least one of the Billiard Congress of America (BCA) and World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA).

28. The circular pool table of claim 1, wherein said circular pool table further comprises a cloth according to the cloth of a rectangular pool table as specified by at least one of the Billiard Congress of America (BCA) and World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA).

29. A circular pool table, comprising:

(a) a substantially circular playing surface;

(b) a substantially circular rail bounded on a perimeter of said playing surface; and

(c) a substantially circular cushion coupled with said rail, said circular cushion comprising a plurality of inwardly projecting cushions equally spaced around the circular pool table;

wherein said cushion comprises a geometric shape according to the geometric shape of the cushion of a rectangular pool table as specified by at least one of the Billiard Congress of America (BCA) and World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA).

30. A circular pool table, comprising:

(a) a substantially circular playing surface comprising a slate wherein said slate is according to the slate of a rectangular pool table as specified by at least one of the Billiard Congress of America (BCA) and World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA);

(b) a substantially circular rail comprising a sub-rail bounded on a perimeter of said playing surface, said sub-rail having a profile according to the profile of the sub-rail of a rectangular pool table as specified by at least one of the Billiard Congress of America (BCA) and World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA);

(c) a substantially circular cushion coupled with said rail, said circular cushion comprising a plurality of inwardly projecting straight cushions equally spaced around the circular pool table wherein said cushion comprises a geometric shape according to the geometric shape of the cushion of a rectangular pool table as specified by at least one of the Billiard Congress of America (BCA) and World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA); and

(d) a plurality of pockets equally spaced around the circular pool table wherein each pocket comprises a pocket opening according to the side pocket opening of a rectangular pool table as specified by at least one of the Billiard Congress of America (BCA) and World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA).

31. A method for converting a rectangular pool table as specified by at least one of the Billiard Congress of America (BCA) and World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA) into a circular pool table, comprising:

(a) providing a substantially circular playing surface;

(b) providing a substantially circular rail bounded on a perimeter of said playing surface; and

(c) providing a substantially circular cushion coupled with said rail;

wherein said cushion comprises a geometric shape according to the geometric shape of the cushion of the rectangular pool table as specified by at least one of the Billiard Congress of America (BCA) and World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA).

32. The method of claim 31, further comprising providing a cloth according to the cloth of a rectangular pool table as specified by at least one of the Billiard Congress of America (BCA) and World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA).

33. The method of claim 31, further comprising providing a plurality of inwardly projecting cushions equally spaced around the circular pool table.

34. The method of claim 31, further comprising providing a plurality of sights equally spaced around the circular pool table.

35. The method of claim 31, further comprising providing a plurality of pockets equally spaced around the circular pool table and wherein each pocket comprises a pocket opening according to the side pocket opening of a rectangular pool table as specified by at least one of the Billiard Congress of America (BCA) and World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA).