Nine-Ball Billiard Game
A nine ball set which provides visual reference points to the player to assist the player in aiming a cue that the ball. All of the billiard balls are striped, including balls 1-8. The striped pattern provides visual reference points on the ball for aiming the cue. The one ball and the nine ball used in this set have different colors to distinguish them from one another. Preferably the color of one of them is similar to the yellow color used by a conventional nine ball set, but changed such that it is visually distinctive from the other ball. In the preferred embodiment, the eight ball is striped, but an alternative embodiment provides for a solid eight ball with white stripes to provide a visual reference point.
The present invention relates to billiard games. In particular, it relates to a modified nine-ball game which uses a unique set of ball patterns to assist players by providing reference points on the ball to help them strike the ball with the cue at the proper point so that they can control the motion of the ball.
The traditional game of nine-ball uses balls 1-9 of a conventional billiard balls set along with conventional cue ball. Because balls 1-8 have a solid color with only a number marking, it is difficult to determine the amount of English on the ball when watching the ball after it is hit. It would be desirable to have a nine ball set which provides the player with the ability to more accurately observe the English on the ball.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention provides a new design for a nine ball set which provides visual indications to the player which help the player determine the new striped ball by establishing reference points on the ball. The improved set uses billiard balls in which all balls are striped, including balls 1-8. The striped pattern provides a greater visual indication for the player which allows the player to more accurately selected point to strike the ball. In the preferred embodiment, or nine ball used in this set has its original yellow color, and the one ball uses a different color to distinguish it from the nine ball. Preferably the color used by the one ball is similar to the yellow color used by the conventional nine ball, but changed such that it is visually distinctive from the nine ball. Alternatively, the one ball and remain its original yellow and the color of the nine ball can be changed. In the preferred embodiment, the eight ball is striped, but an alternative embodiment provides for a solid eight ball with white stripes to provide points of reference.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Prior to a detailed discussion of the figures, a general overview of the system will be presented. This invention provides an improved set of billiard balls for the game of nine ball. In a conventional nine ball game, the billiard balls use balls 1-9 of the conventional billiard ball set. A drawback associated with a conventional set of nine balls is that balls 1-8 have a solid color which make it particularly difficult to determine the proper spot to strike the ball. It is difficult because there is no point of reference which the player can use when aiming at the ball. Only the nine ball is striped in a conventional nine ball set. The nine ball, because of the striping, provides a much better visual reference point which in turn helps player's game by improving the player's ability to select proper spot to strike the ball. Unfortunately, this is the only ball in a conventional nine ball set which provides a visual reference point.
The new set of billiard balls, provided herein, use a striped configuration for all of the balls except the cue ball. Due do this, the player will have convenient reference points on every ball when aiming the cue, which will result in the ball being hit more accurately. This improves the player's game by providing visual reference information which allows the player to modify the player's shots accordingly.
An alternative embodiment provides an eight ball which is not striped, but instead has upper and lower rings to assist the player by providing similar reference points.
Those skilled in the art will recognize that several modifications can be made to this configuration. For example, the width of the striping can vary, the size of the numerals used on the ball, and the size of the white circle which surrounds the numerals can vary widely, etc.
The colors can also be changed to any suitable color. However, those skilled in the art will also recognize that keeping the same color for balls will be more convenient and comfortable for the players, because those are the colors they are used to. Of course, the color for ball nine should be different than the color for ball one. In the preferred embodiment, the color of ball one is changed, but those skilled in the art will recognize that ball one can remain unchanged while ball nine is changed.
The materials used to fabricate the balls can be any suitable for the purposes.
Having discussed in general the new billiard ball configuration for the game of nine ball, we turn now to a more detailed discussion of the figures.
For ease of illustration, the area covered by the colored stripes 21-29 are indicated by diagonal lines. Of course, the actual stripes on the balls would have unique colors.
Those skilled in the art will recognize that while it is preferred to use colors similar to those used in a conventional billiard ball set, any particular color scheme can be used, provided that each ball has a unique color. Likewise, any material can be used to fabricate the balls so long as they are suitable for their purpose. In addition, the width of the stripes 21-29 can vary to suit any design scheme. Not only can the stripes vary in width, but the circle surrounding the numerals, and the numerals themselves can also vary.
For ease of discussion, invention has been presented using a simple lateral stripe which is configured in a similar manner to the lateral stripes used in the 9-15 balls of a conventional billiard ball set. However, the stripes need not be laid out in this matter they can be vertical, diagonal, multiple stripes, parallel, etc. The only requirement is that the markings used by the nine ball set provide sufficient visual reference points to assist the player in determining the proper place to strike the ball. It should also be noted that while the invention has been illustrated with white areas 11, 12 on the upper and lower portions of the balls, it can also be implemented with a single white area on upper lower or intermediate area of the ball, or by colors other than white. The only requirement is that the area selected should be sufficient to provide adequate visual reference point to properly aim the cue.
While the invention has been described with respect to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit, scope, and teaching of the invention.
Claims
1. A nine ball set, further comprising:
- a set of nine billiard balls having unique numerals;
- the new balls each having a colored marking and at least one white area such that the ball provides visual reference points for aiming a cue.
Type: Application
Filed: May 22, 2006
Publication Date: Nov 30, 2006
Inventor: David Schmall (Boca Raton, FL)
Application Number: 11/308,887
International Classification: A63B 37/00 (20060101);