Pocket billiards instructional device

Abstract

Provided is a pocket billiards instructional device including a stand, a target optical head, and an object optical head. The target optical head defines a principal axis and is selectively rotatable thereabout. The target optical head is operative to emit a target optical beam and is attachable to the stand. The object optical head is operative to emit an object optical beam, is selectively rotatable about the principal axis relative to the target optical head and is attachable to the stand.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to billiard games, and more particularly, to a uniquely configured pool instructional device and methodology specifically adapted for illuminating a strike point of an object ball and illuminating a projected path of the object ball to a target pocket.

Pocket billiards is a recreational game enjoyed by many people of various ages, interests, and skill levels. As is well known, the object of pocket billiards is to sink a certain number of object balls into various pockets of a pool table using of a cue ball and a cue stick. In the course of sinking an object ball, a pool player must understand how to properly aim the cue ball so that it strikes the object ball and causes the object ball to follow a path towards the target pocket. As many may testify, the skill of aiming is often a difficult one to hone.

In developing the skill of aiming the cue ball, a player should visualize the geometric linear relationship between the cue ball, the object ball and the target hole. Most players understand that when struck by the cue ball, the path along which the object ball travels is dependent upon the position on which the object ball is struck. For example, a player may know that striking an object ball from the left causes the object ball to move to the right, and vice versa. Nevertheless, despite the simplicity of the geometric linear relationship, the player may realize that the object ball must be struck precisely in order to achieve a desired result. More specifically, the object ball will travel along a straight line originating at where the cue ball contacts the object ball and extending through a center of the object ball.

Applying this principle generally, where the object ball need not rebound from an edge of the pool table to enter the target pocket, the player may visualize the straight line passing from the target pocket and through the center of the object ball to a strike point on the surface of the object ball. It is this strike point that a player must hit when contacting the object ball with the cue ball in order to cause the object ball to enter the target pocket. Thus, according to this methodology, in order to strike the object ball for a precise result, the player must visualize not only the straight line originating from the target pocket through the center of the object ball, but the player must also visualize the strike point of the object ball.

Included in the prior art are several devices and methods directed towards aiding a pool player in refining the skill of aiming a cue ball. For example, some prior art devices attach a laser sighting device to a cue stick in order to aid the player in visualizing the path of a cue ball. Similar inventions place the laser guide inside of the cue stick. Yet other inventions utilize optical mirrors spaced along the edges of a pool table in conjunction with the aforementioned laser sighting device. However, applicant is unaware of any device which displays the aforementioned straight line that the object ball must travel in addition to displaying the strike point of the object ball.

As can be seen, there exists a need in the art for a pool instructional device that accurately indicates the location of the strike point on an object ball as well as the projected path of the object ball toward the target pocket once hit at the strike point. Furthermore, there exists a need in the art for a pool instructional device configured to provide a visual display of an approach path of the object ball as it approaches the edge of the pool table and the reflection path of the object ball.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention provided is a pocket billiards instructional device. The pocket billiards instructional device comprises a stand, a target optical head, and an object optical head. The target optical head may define a principal axis and may be selectively rotatable thereabout. The target optical head may be operative to omit a target optical beam and may be attachable to the stand. The object optical head may be operative to emit an object optical beam and may be selectively rotatable about the principal axis relative to the target optical head. The object optical head may be attachable to the stand.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the object optical head may be independently rotatable about the principal axis. In this regard, the target optical beam may be projectable generally within a target plane defined by the principal axis and a target pocket sensor point. The target optical beam may be projectable toward a target pocket for illuminating a target path on a pocket billiards table. The target beam may be configured as a laser line. According to another aspect of the present invention, the object optical beam may be projectable generally within an object plane defined by the principal axis and an object ball center ball. Thus the object optical beam may be projectable toward an object ball for illuminating one of a strike point on the object ball and an approach path on the pocket billiards table. The object optical beam may be configured as one of the laser line and a laser point.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the target optical head may further define a transverse target axis. The transverse target axis may be oriented orthogonally relative to the target plane. The target optical head may be selectively rotatable about the transverse target axis. The object optical head may further define a transverse object axis. The transverse object axis may be oriented orthogonally relative to the object plane. The object optical head may be selectively rotatable about the transverse object axis.

The stand may be a tripod stand. Additionally, according to another aspect of the present invention, the stand may be removably attachable to an edge of the pocket billiards table. In this regard, the target optical head may include a target angle measuring tool that is operative to indicate an angle of incidence of the target path relative to a reference line, the reference line being oriented orthogonally relative to the edge of the pocket billiards table. The object optical head may also include an object angle measuring tool that is operative to indicate an angle of reflection of the object path relative to the reference line. In this regard, the target optical beam and the object optical beam may be lasers. Additionally, the target optical beam may be emitted from a target optical diode disposed within the target optical head and the object optical beam may be emitted from an object optical diode disposed within the optical head.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of pocket billiards instruction utilizing a pocket billiards instructional device is provided. The method of pocket billiards instruction may be directed towards illuminating a strike point and a target path of an object ball toward a pocket. As was earlier mentioned, the pocket billiards instructional device including a principal axis, a target optical beam and an object optical beam. The target optical beam and the object optical beam may be generally coplanar within a target plane defined by the principal axis and a target pocket center point.

The method of pocket billiards instruction may comprise the steps of linearly aligning an object ball center point with the target pocket center point to define the target path; positioning the pocket billiards device along the target path with the object ball intermediate the pocket billiards instructional device and the target pocket; orienting the object optical beam toward the strike point of the object ball and target optical beam towards the target pocket center point; and illuminating the strike point of the object ball with the object optical beam and the target path of the object ball with the target optical beam. In this regard, the aligning step may further include utilizing one of the target optical beam and the object optical beam to align the object ball center point with the target pocket center point.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method of illuminating an approach path of an object ball towards at least one edge of a pocket billiards table and illuminating a target path of the object ball reflecting off of the edge toward a target pocket is provided. The method may utilize the pocket billiards instructional device including the principal axis and the target optical beam being selectively rotatable thereabout. The target optical beam is projected generally within a target plane defined by the principal axis and a target pocket center point. The object optical beam being selectively rotatable about the principal axis relative to the target optical head and being projected generally within an object plane defined by the principal axis and an object ball center point wherein the object plane intersecting the target plane at the principal axis.

The method may comprise the step of positioning the pocket billiards instructional device adjacent the edge of the pocket billiards table; orienting the object optical beam generally toward the object ball center point and the target optical beam generally toward the target pocket center point, the orientation of the object optical beam relative to a reference line defining an angle of incidence of the approach path. The reference line is oriented orthogonally relative to the edge of the pocket billiards table. The orientation of the target optical beam relative to the reference line defines an angle of reflection of the target path. The angle of incidence is generally equivalent to the angle of reflection. The method includes the steps of illuminating the approach path of the object ball with the object optical beam and illuminating the target path of the object ball with the target optical beam.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the method may further include an object angle measuring tool and a target angle measuring tool, the object angle measuring tool being operative to indicate the angle of incidence of the approach path relative to the reference line, and the target angle measuring tool being operative to indicate the angle of reflection of the target path relative to the reference line. In this regard, the orienting step may further include utilizing the object angle measuring tool and a target measuring tool to generally equate the angle of incidence to the angle of reflection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An illustrative and presently preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings (with phantom lines depicting solely environmental structure which forms no part of the claimed device) in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pocket billiards instructional device illustrating the relationship of a stand, a target optical head, and an object optical head;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the pocket billiards instructional device as utilized for illuminating a strike point and a target path of an object ball toward a target pocket; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the pocket billiards instructional device as utilized for illuminating an approach path of the object ball toward an edge of a pocket billiards table and a target path of the object ball reflecting off of the edge toward a target pocket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating preferred embodiments of the present invention only and not for purposes of limiting the same, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pocket billiards instructional device 10 including a stand 12, a target optical head 14, and an object optical head 20. The target optical head 14 may define a principal axis 16 and may be selectively rotatable thereabout. The target optical head 14 may also be operative to emit a target optical beam 18 and may be attachable to the stand 12. The object optical head 20 may be operative to emit an object optical beam 22 and may be selectively rotatable about the principal axis 16 relative to the target optical head 14.

As shown in FIG. 1, the object optical head 20 may be attachable to the stand 12. It is contemplated that the principal axis 16 may be coincident with the stand 12 as shown in FIG. 1. However it is also contemplated that the principal axis 16 may be located distally from the stand 12 in other embodiments. In this regard, it is contemplated that the object optical head 20 may be independently rotatable about the principal axis 16. Nevertheless, according to one aspect of the present invention, the object optical head 20 may rotate about the principal axis 16 relative only to the target optical head 14. Thus, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the principal axis 16 may be coincident with the stand 12. In this regard, the object optical head 20 and the target optical head 14 may be attached to the stand 12 such that the target optical head 14 and the object optical head 20 rotate about the stand 12 and the principal axis 16 with the object optical head 20 rotating relative to the target optical head 14. It is contemplated that this effect may be achieved by rigidly attaching the object optical head 20 to the stand 12 with the target optical head 14 being freely rotatable with respect thereto.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, according to an aspect of the present invention, the target optical beam 18 may be projectable generally within a target plane 24 defined by the principal axis 16 and a target pocket center point 26. Additionally, the target optical beam 18 may be projectable toward a target pocket 28 for illuminating a target path 30 on a pocket billiards table 32. In this regard, the target optical beam 18 may be configured as a laser line 34. Such a configuration may allow the projection of a laser line 34 along the full distance of the target path 30 toward the target pocket 28. Nevertheless, it is contemplated that the target optical beam 18 may be configured in other geometrical configurations.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the object optical beam 22 may be projectable generally within an object plane 36 defined by the principal axis 16 and an object ball center point 38. The object optical beam 22 may be projectable toward an object ball 40 for illuminating one of a strike point 42 on the object ball 40 and an approach path 44 on the pocket billiards table 32. In this regard, the object optical beam 22 may be configured as one of the laser line 34 and the laser point 46. It is contemplated that the laser line 34 may be a preferred configuration of the object optical beam 22 when the object optical beam 22 is utilized to illuminate an approach path 44 on the pocket billiards table 32. Additionally, when the object optical beam 22 illuminates a strike point 42 on the object ball 40, it is contemplated that a laser point 46 may be a preferred configuration of the object optical beam 22. Nevertheless, it is also contemplated that when illuminating the strike point 42 on the object ball 40, the object optical beam 22 may similarly be configured in the shape of a cross or other geometric configuration to indicate the strike point 42 on the object ball 40.

Referring again to FIG. 1, in accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the target optical head 14 may define a transverse target axis 48. The transverse target axis 48 may be oriented orthogonally relative to the target plane 24. The target optical head 14 may be selectively rotatable about the transverse target axis 48. Additionally, the object optical head 20 may define a transverse object axis 50. The transverse object axis 50 may be oriented orthogonally relative to the object plane 36. The object optical head 20 may be selectively rotatable about the transverse object axis 50. It is contemplated that the transverse target axis 48 may intersect with the principal axis 16. However, the transverse target axis 48 may be located distally from the principal axis 16. In the same regard, it is contemplated that the transverse object axis 50 may intersect with the principal axis 16. However, it is also contemplated that the transverse object axis 50 may be located distally from the principal axis 16. In this regard, it is also contemplated that the target optical head 14 and the object optical head 20 may be configured with the principal axis 16 intersecting with the transverse target axis 48 and the transverse object axis 50.

According to another aspect of the present invention, it is contemplated that the stand 12 may be a tripod stand 52, as shown in FIGS. 1-3. However, it is also contemplated that the stand 12 may be of any configuration such that the pocket billiards instructional device 10 may be suitably supported and balanced on a pocket billiards table 32 or an edge 54 of a pocket billiards table 32. However, it is contemplated that the stand 12 may be attached to a structure located remotely from the pool table. For example, it is contemplated that the stand 12 may be attached to a ceiling above the pool table, and the stand 12 may be configured to provide movement of the object optical head 20 and the target optical head 14 with a respect to the pool table such that the pocket billiards instructional device 10 may be utilized as disclosed herein. Additionally, it is contemplated that the stand 12 may also permit the pocket billiards instructional device 10 to be positioned adjacent the pool table on the ground and likewise permit the pocket billiards device to be utilized as disclosed herein. The stand 12 may also be removably attachable to the edge of the pocket billiards table 32. It is contemplated that the stand 12 may connect with a track placed about the periphery of the pocket billiards table 32 to facilitate the removal and attachment of the stand 12 to the edge of the pocket billiards table 32. It is also contemplated that other configurations may be utilized to further facilitate the removal and attachment of the stand 12 to the edge of the pocket billiards table 32.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3, according to a further aspect of the present invention, the target optical head 14 may include a target angle measuring tool 56. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the target angle measuring tool 56 may be operative to indicate an angle of incidence 58 of the target path 30 relative to a reference line 60 wherein the reference line 60 is oriented orthogonally relative to the edge of the pocket billiards table 32. The reference line 60 is an imaginary line that emanates from the edge at the point where the object ball 40 strikes the edge in order to rebound toward the target pocket 28. It is contemplated that the exact location of the reference line 60 may be found through adjusting the position of the pocket billiards instructional device 10 along the edge of the pocket billiards table 32. Additionally, the object optical head 20 may include an object angle measuring tool 62. The object angle measuring tool 62 may be operative to indicate an angle of reflection 64 of the object path relative to the reference line 60. It is contemplated that the target angle measuring tool 56 and the object angle measuring tool 62, as shown in FIG. 1, may be a physical measurement of the rotation of the respective ones of the target optical head 14 and the object optical head 20 about the principal axis 16.

It is contemplated that the target angle measuring tool 56 and the object angle measuring tool 62 may provide a digital readout indication of the respective ones of the angle of incidence 58 and the angle of reflection 64. Further, it is contemplated that the target angle measuring tool 56 and the object angle measuring tool 62 may be rigidly attachable to the stand 12 such that rotation relative to the stand 12 of the respective ones of the target angle measuring tool 56 and the object angle measuring tool 62 may provide an indication of the respective ones of the angle of incidence 58 and the angle of reflection 64. Furthermore, it is also contemplated that the target angle measuring tool 56 and the object angle measuring tool 62 may function cooperatively to indicate the respective ones of the angle of incidence 58 and the angle of reflection 64. Such an embodiment may be utilized if the object optical head 20 is rotatable about the principal axis 16 relative to the target optical head 14 and the target optical head 14 is rotatable about the principal axis 16. In this regard, the target angle measuring tool 56 and the object angle measuring tool 62 may also be integrally formed.

It is further contemplated that the angle of reflection 64 should equal the angle of incidence 58 in order to approximate the geometric behavior of the object ball 40 as it approaches the edge of the pool table and bounces off the edge of the pool table. As mentioned above, the exact point of the reference line 60 may be found by adjusting the position of the pool instructional device along the edge of the pocket billiards table 32. When the angle of incidence 58 is equal to the angle of reflection 64, as shown through geometry, the object ball 40 may reflect off of the edge and rebound toward the target pocket 28. It is contemplated that the target angle measuring tool 56 and the object angle measuring tool 62 may be configured to properly indicate the angle of incidence 58 of the target path 30 relative to the reference line 60.

It is contemplated that the target optical beam 18 and the object optical beam 22 may be lasers. Nevertheless, it is also contemplated that the target optical beam 18 and the object optical beam 22 may also be other visible beams suitable for the pocket billiards instructional device 10 disclosed herein. According to an aspect of the present invention, the target optical beam 18 may be emitted from a target laser diode 66 disposed within the target optical head 14. Additionally, the object optical beam 22 may be emitted from an object laser diode 68 disposed within the object optical head 20. Nevertheless, it is also contemplated that the object optical beam 22 and the target optical beam 18 may be derived from a common laser source. Such an embodiment may utilize an optical switch or other device in order to provide a dual laser output from a single source.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, according to another aspect of the present invention, a method of pocket billiards instruction utilizing a pocket billiards instructional device 10 for illuminating a strike point 42 and a target path 30 of an object ball 40 toward a target pocket 28 is provided. The pocket billiards instructional device 10 may include a principal axis 16, a target optical beam 18 and an object optical beam 22. The target optical beam 18 and the object optical beam 22 may be generally coplanar within a target plane 24 defined by the principal axis 16 and the target pocket center point 26. The method may include the steps of linearly aligning an object ball center point 38 with the target pocket center point 26 to define the target path 30; positioning the pocket billiards instructional device 10 along the target path 30 with the object ball 40 intermediate the pocket billiards instructional device 10 and the target pocket 28; orienting the object optical beam 22 toward the strike point 42 of the target ball and the target optical beam 18 toward the target pocket center point 26; and illuminating the strike point 42 of the target ball with the object optical beam 22 and the target path 30 of the object ball 40 with the target optical beam 18. Although an aspect of the present invention provides for exact geometries, it is contemplated that the alignment, positioning, and orienting steps may be executed with precision approximating the exact geometric requirements contemplated by an aspect of the present invention.

It is also contemplated that the method may further include utilizing one of the target optical beam 18 and the object optical beam 22 to align the object ball center point 38 with the target pocket center point 26. In this regard, it is also contemplated that the object ball center point 38 and the target pocket center point 26 may be visually aligned to define the target path 30. Additionally, it is also contemplated that the pocket billiards instructional device 10 may be located either proximate or distal to the object ball 40 according to the preferences of a pool player utilizing the pocket billiards instructional device 10. In this regard, as is mentioned above, the pocket billiards instructional device 10 may be configured to allow the stand 12 to provide versatile and remote attachment of the pocket billiards instructional device 10 so as to facilitate the movement of the pool player when attempting to play pool.

As illustrated now in FIG. 3, in accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, a method of illuminating an approach path 44 of an object ball 40 toward at least one edge of a pocket billiards table 32 and a target path 30 of an object ball 40 reflecting off of the edge toward a target pocket 28 is provided. The method may utilized a pocket billiards instructional device 10 including an principal axis 16 and a target optical beam 18 being selectively rotatable thereabout, the target optical beam 18 being projectable generally within a target plane 24 defined by the principal axis 16 and a target pocket center point 26, an object optical beam 22 being selectively rotatable about the principal axis 16 relative to the target optical head 14, the object optical beam 22 being projectable generally within an object plane 36 defined by the principal axis 16 and an object ball center point 38, the object plane 36 intersecting the target plane 24 at the principal axis 16.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the method may include the step of positioning the pocket billiards instructional device 10 adjacent the pocket billiards table 32; orienting the object optical beam 22 generally toward the object ball center point 38 and the target optical beam 18 generally toward the target pocket center point 26, the orientation of the object optical beam 22 relative to a reference line 60 defining an angle if incidence of the approach path 44, the reference line 60 being oriented orthogonally relative to the edge of the pocket billiards table 32, the orientation of the target optical beam 18 relative to the reference line 60 defining an angle of reflection 64 of the target path 30, the angle of incidence 58 being generally equal to the angle of reflection 64; illuminating the approach path 44 of the object ball 40 with the object optical beam 22; and illuminating the target path 30 of the object ball 40 with the target optical beam 18.

It is contemplated that the pocket billiards instructional device 10 may be configured to facilitate the attachment and removal of the device from the edge of the pocket billiards table 32. However, it is also contemplated that the pocket billiards instructional device 10 may be positioned adjacent the edge of the pocket billiards table 32 with the stand 12 of the pocket billiards instructional device 10 supported on a floor adjacent the pocket billiards table 32. It is contemplated that in positioning the pocket billiards instructional device 10 adjacent the edge of the pocket billiards table 32, the principal axis 16 of the pocket billiards instructional device 10 is oriented orthogonally relative to the pocket billiards table 32 and tangentially to the edge of the pocket billiards table 32. In this regard, the pocket billiards instructional device 10 may indicate with greater exactness the approach path 44 and the target path 30 of the object ball 40 as it reflects off of the edge of the pocket billiards table 32.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the pocket billiards instructional device 10 may further include an object angle measuring tool 62 and a target angle measuring tool 56, the object angle measuring tool 62 being operative to indicate the angle of incidence 58 of the approach path 44 relative to the reference line 60, the target angle measuring tool 56 being operative to indicate the angle of reflection 64 of the target path 30 relative to the reference line 60, and the method may further include utilizing the object angle measuring tool 62 and the target angle measuring tool 56 to generally equate the angle of incidence 58 to the angle of reflection 64.

This description of the various embodiments of the present invention is presented to illustrate the preferred embodiments of the present invention, and other inventive concepts may be otherwise variously embodied and employed. The appended claims are intended to be construed to include such variations except insofar as limited by the prior art.

Claims

1. A pocket billiards instructional device comprising:

a. a stand;

b. a target optical head defining a principal axis and being selectively rotatable thereabout, the target optical head being operative to emit a target optical beam and being attachable to the stand; and

c. an object optical head being operative to emit an object optical beam and being selectively rotatable about the principal axis relative to the target optical head, the object optical head being attachable to the stand.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the object optical head is rotatable about the principal axis independent of the rotation of the target optical head.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the target optical beam is projectable generally within a target plane defined by the principal axis and a target pocket center point, the target optical beam being projectable toward a target pocket for illuminating a target path on a pocket billiards table.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein the target optical beam is configured as a laser line.

5. The device of claim 3 wherein the object optical beam is projectable generally within an object plane defined by the principal axis and an object ball center point, the object optical beam being projectable toward an object ball for illuminating one of a strike point on the object ball and an approach path on the pocket billiards table.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein the object optical beam is emitted as one of the laser line and a laser point.

7. The device of claim 5 wherein the target optical head further defines a transverse target axis being oriented orthogonally relative to the target plane, the target optical head being selectively rotatable about the transverse target axis.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein the object optical head further defines a transverse object axis being oriented orthogonally relative to the object plane, the object optical head being selectively rotatable about the transverse object axis

9. The device of claim 8 wherein the stand is a tripod stand.

10. The device of claim 8 wherein the stand is removably attachable to an edge of the pocket billiards table.

11. The device of claims 8 or 10 wherein the target optical head includes a target angle measuring tool being operative to indicate an angle of incidence of the target path relative to a reference line, the reference line being oriented orthogonally relative to the edge of the pocket billiards table, the object optical head including an object angle measuring tool operative to indicate an angle of reflection of the object path relative to the reference line.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein the target optical beam and the object optical beam are lasers.

13. The device of claim 12 wherein the target optical beam is emitted from a target laser diode disposed within the target optical head and the object optical beam is emitted from an object laser diode disposed within the object optical head.

14. A method of pocket billiards instruction utilizing a pocket billiards instructional device for illuminating a strike point and a target path of an object ball toward a target pocket, the pocket billiards instructional device including a principal axis, a target optical beam and an object optical beam, the target optical beam and the object optical beam being generally coplanar within a target plane defined by the principal axis and a target pocket center point, the method comprising:

a. linearly aligning an object ball center point with the target pocket center point to define the target path;

b. positioning the pocket billiards instructional device along the target path with the object ball being positioned intermediate the pocket billiards instructional device and the target pocket;

c. orienting the object optical beam toward the strike point of the object ball and the target optical beam toward the target pocket center point; and

d. illuminating the strike point of the object ball with the object optical beam and the target path of the object ball with the target optical beam.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein step (a) further includes utilizing one of the target optical beam and the object optical beam to align the object ball center point with the target pocket center point.

16. A method of illuminating an approach path of an object ball toward at least one edge of a pocket billiards table and a target path of the object ball reflecting off of the edge toward a target pocket utilizing a pocket billiards instructional device including a principal axis and a target optical beam being selectively rotatable thereabout, the target optical beam being projectable generally within a target plane defined by the principal axis and a target pocket center point, an object optical beam being selectively rotatable about the principal axis relative to the target optical head, the object optical beam being projectable generally within an object plane defined by the principal axis and an object ball center point, the object plane intersecting the target plane at the principal axis, the method comprising:

a. positioning the pocket billiards instructional device adjacent the edge of the pocket billiards table;

b. orienting the object optical beam generally toward the object ball center point and the target optical beam generally toward the target pocket center point, the orientation of the object optical beam line defining an angle of incidence of the approach path oriented orthogonally relative to the edge of the pocket billiards table, the orientation of the target optical beam relative to the reference line defining an angle of reflection of the target path, the angle of incidence being generally equal to the angle of reflection;

c. illuminating the approach path of the object ball with the object optical beam; and

d. illuminating the target path of the object ball with the target optical beam.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the pocket billiards instructional device further includes an object angle measuring tool and a target angle measuring tool, the object angle measuring tool being operative to indicate the angle of incidence of the approach path relative to the reference line, the target angle measuring tool being operative to indicate the angle of reflection of the target path relative to the reference line, wherein step (b) further includes utilizing the object angle measuring tool and the target angle measuring tool to generally equate the angle of incidence to the angle of reflection.