Abstract: A foreign material exclusion device that is adapted to seal an area of a construction, such as a tube or pipe or other cavity, from foreign material or debris temporarily, wherein the device includes a cylindrical plug that has a plurality of resilient bodies for holding the device within a particular construction. The bodies are substantially planar, and semicylindrical in shape wherein two bodies are utilized. A flexible cover includes a first pouch which contains a first body therein and desirably a second pouch of the cover contains a second body therein, with the cover having a hinge between said first and second pouches. When the device is not in use, the bodies can be folded against one another in a closed position until they are inserted into a tube or pipe whereupon they can be opened to an open position and generally form a disk having a snug, fitted connection with a wall of the tube or pipe.

Abstract: A method of leveling a table using a leveling system that includes placing at least three sensor bars on a top surface of the table. Each sensor bar includes a (+) end and a (?) end which correspond to lines on a manual level. Each sensor bar is connected to a controller system and acts as an electronic level. Activating a leveling algorithm of the controller system to adjust leg height of the table using a leg movement system connected to the controller system to level the table. Leveling the table using the leveling algorithm to monitor data readings of the sensor bars, changing the height of any of the legs using the leg movement system and continuing to monitor data readings of the sensor bars during leg movement until the table is level.

Abstract: A leveling system for leveling a table having a top surface and at least three legs. The leveling system including at least three sensor bars that act as individual digital levels adapted to be placed on top surface of the table. The leveling system including a leg movement system adapted to be attached to the table and adapted to raise and lower the legs to achieve a level top surface. The leveling system including a controller system that is connected to the sensor bars to receive data from the sensors bars and to the leg movement system to command movement of the leg movement system that is adapted to raise and lower the table, the controller system including a leveling software algorithm which inputs the data from the sensor bars and controls activation of the leg movement system.

Abstract: A billiard table having a leveling system to level the slate bed by precise increments at predetermined locations. The leveling system includes a plurality of leveling devices each having a leveling wedge and a corresponding wedge incline of the table crossmember. A drive mechanism may be used to translate the leveling wedge relative to the crossmember wedge incline.

Abstract: A playing surface for a gaming table includes a composite sheet including concrete and at least one fiber component. The composite sheet has a density of approximately one to two grams per cubic centimeter (1-2 g/cm3).

Abstract: A system is provided for visually enhancing a game structure having a game surface and objects that move on the game surface. The system includes a projector that projects digital augmentation content or themed images onto the game surface, with the images including static and animated images. The system includes a tracking mechanism that generates tracking data from the game surface and game objects, with the tracking data defining positions of the game objects relative to the game surface. The system includes a controller that processes the tracking data to determine the positions of the game objects. The controller modifies the augmentation images in response to the determined positions of the game objects. The augmentation images include a video stream made up of a base image that is mapped to the game surface and an object enhancing image mapped to one of the game objects and its current position.

Abstract: A game manager receives a request from a user to play a cue sport, which includes a table and a plurality of balls. The game manager retrieves user attributes corresponding to the user that include a user skill level. Next, the game manager detects ball locations for each of the plurality of balls, and determines one or more beginning shot opportunities based upon the user skill level and the plurality of ball locations. In turn, the game manager provides the beginning shot opportunities to the user.

Abstract: The invention comprises, in one form thereof, a number of improvements to the assembly and installation of a game tables, such as a pool table. Particularly, the improvements include an indexing system for assisting in the placement of the slate segments on a table frame; for assisting in the placement of a synthetic table bed on a table frame; a magnetic interlock system for sealing the seams of table leaves; an interlocking interface for accurately assembling the slate segments of the playing surface; a pocket and rail assembly system for easily assembling the pockets to the rails; a leg leveling system; a systems for attaching the rail cloth to the rails, and an engineered box beam table frame.

Abstract: A recreational amusement includes a shuffleboard accessory utilized on and in connection with a billiard table to provide a table-type shuffleboard game. At least one rail cushion of an otherwise conventional billiard table is utilized to form a rebounding cushion for use in play of the shuffleboard game. Protective sheets or a rigid tray may be variously included for protecting materials forming the billiard table.

Abstract: A playing surface for a gaming table includes a composite sheet including concrete and at least one fiber component. The composite sheet has a density of approximately one to two grams per cubic centimeter (1-2 g/cm3).

Abstract: A playing system comprises a playing table and a mechanism situated vertically above the playing table, where the mechanism can be used to accommodate one or more dancers to dance above the playing table while the players play on the playing table. The mechanism may comprise a dancing pole where the one or more dancers may perform exotic dance.

Abstract: A billiard panel and a billiard table coupled with the billiard panel are provided. The billiard panel includes a medium-density fiberboard formed with openings at the periphery of the medium-density fiberboard. An imitation marble decorative layer is provided on an upper surface of the medium-density fiberboard. The billiard panel composed of the medium-density fiberboard and the imitation marble decorative layer is to substitute a marble slate, which has a lighter weight compared with the marble slate, is cost-effective and is convenient for transportation. The billiard panel applied to the billiard table will not cause deformation after a period of time and is easy and convenient to assemble without the need for a professional.

Abstract: Q Ball consists of at least some of the following: a tabletop attached to a base and having pockets and bumper rails, touch screen visual display units, and a felt surface. Q Ball also utilizes cue and object balls, break lines and a center dot on the felt surface, color emblems on the edges of the table, and a rack. Two or more players alternate turns attempting to pocket object balls by striking a cue ball into the object balls. Whenever a player pockets the appropriate object ball, he attempts to answer a trivia question from the touch screen visual display units. If he is successful, he gets to shoot again. The winner is the player that pockets all of the appropriate object balls first.

Abstract: A faceplate of a billiard table comprises a piece of entire substrate on which a block of entire slate is adhered or at least 2 blocks of flat slates may be put together. One or many blocks of slates are assembled on the piece of full light substrate, which is instead of the design with a single marble, in order to reduce the thickness of slate and effectively lower the cost of slate and make easy and convenient the entire faceplate for achievement of easy assembly. On the other hand, with the edge board, the exterior of substrate is properly wrapped in design so that the form of faceplate is consistent, which effectively avoids the exposed substrate from layering and then effectively exalts the texture of outline and presently heightens the grade of a product.

Abstract: A covered billiard table with seating clearance for diners is a billiard table that also serves as a dining table. The table has two end covers and two middle covers that span across it. The covers rest upon a billiard table of slates upon a frame with four legs. To play billiards, people remove the covers to reveal the playing surface: cloth covered slates with side rails and perpendicular end beams joined at corners, shown with pockets. This table has the clearance beneath the frame for a seated person's legs. The frame has a pattern of supported braces joined to beams upon the side panels and to the end beams and end panels. The frame and beams have sufficient stiffness to limit deflection of the slates and to provide clearance for a person to sit beneath the table.

Abstract: A computer system enabling mutual exchange of information between users and digital content, in a manner corresponding to each individual disk, comprises a plurality of computers each capable of being loaded with a disk having a unique disk ID, and a verification server capable of being connected with the computers via a network. Each disk has a unique ID, and the verification server has a user database for accumulating user information corresponding to the disk ID. The verification server identifies the disk based on the disk ID, and transmits data corresponding to the disk to the computer.

Abstract: A playing surface that introduces “movement” or “motion” as a fourth dimension to the traditional game of billiards by altering the natural inertia of the billiard balls is disclosed. In one embodiment of the playing surface, “motion” is introduced through turning or rotating of a portion of the playing surface of the billiards table in the same plane as the playing surface. By affecting introducing a new element that would affect the inertia of the balls, players would then be required to not only make judgments about the distance, angle and force that the cue ball should strike the target ball, but must also consider how those factors may be effective by the introduction of an element that may alter the typical movement of the balls. Accordingly, players will be faced with moving targets, moving obstacles and the possible redirection and/or change in speed of the target balls as they attempt to hit the balls into the pockets of the table.

Abstract: A games table such as a billiards table (1) has an upper support pad (7) on each leg (3, 4) and a planar glass playing surface (9) supported on the support pads. Pockets (11) are formed around the periphery of the playing surface and cushions (13) are positioned around the periphery of the playing surface. The cushions are fastened to the playing surface. A transparent liquid or gel layer (42) is provided on the playing surface with a flexible transparent liquid impervious material (44) over the liquid gel to provide a rolling resistance and sound deadening on the surface of the table. A laminate (27) for use as a ball playing surface which provides rolling resistance is also provided.

Abstract: A bottom board for a playing table includes a board body, at least one anti-slip cloth layer enclosed around the board body entirely, and at least one fiber cloth layer enclosed around the anti-slip cloth layer entirely. Each of the board body, the anti-slip cloth layer and the fiber cloth layer has a surface sprayed with a resin layer. Thus, the bottom board has a reinforced hardness, so that the bottom board will not be dimpled due to a violent hit, thereby enhancing the lifetime of the bottom board. In addition, the bottom board is formed integrally and has a smaller volume and a light weight, thereby facilitating assembly, transportation and storage of the bottom board. Further, the bottom board has a waterproof feature so that the bottom board can be used outdoors.

Abstract: A pool table or the like (10) is formed from a trough (20) whose edges support the bed (12) of the table and have the cushions (34) attached to them. The trough includes means for directing potted balls in a particular manner, which may be in the form of channels (28). Sound-deadening material may be provided on the trough. The cushions can be attached to the trough by clips (56), pegs (90) or conventional means. The invention also extends to the trough itself, and to a method of assembling a table with a trough.

Abstract: A pool table or the like (10) is formed from a trough (20) whose edges support the bed (12) of the table and have the cushions (34) attached to them. The trough includes means for directing potted balls in a particular manner, which may be in the form of channels (28). Sound-deadening material may be provided on the trough. The cushions can be attached to the trough by clips (56), pegs (90) or conventional means. The invention also extends to the trough itself, and to a method of assembling a table with a trough.

Abstract: An upper wood frame member carrying a slate bed is spaced apart from and in parallel to a lower wood frame member. An upper plate is affixed to the bottom surface of the upper frame member with screws through mounting holes. A lower plate is affixed to the upper surface of the lower frame member with screws through mounting holes and has a threaded aperture aligned with a bore through the lower frame member. A vertically adjustable support screw extending downward into the bore is threaded through the threaded aperture and has an axially aligned pin extending upward which fits into a congruent cavity in the upper plate open to the bottom surface. The vertically adjustable support screw has a cap head at the bottom end disposed within the bore through the lower frame member upon which torque may be exerted with a socket wrench.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for leveling a playing surface, the apparatus preferably comprising an externally-threaded support rod, a collar threaded upon the support rod, a support surface or member upon which the playing surface rests, and a fastener securing the apparatus to an underlying surface. In one preferred embodiment, the support surface or member is part of the collar, and the threaded rod is fitted with a foot which rests upon the underlying surface. By turning the threaded rod with respect to the collar, the collar is moved up or down the support rod, thereby lifting or lowering the playing surface. In another preferred embodiment, the support surface or member is an annular element secured on the support rod against axial movement along the support rod, the collar being rigidly secured to the underlying surface. By turning the support rod with respect to the collar, the support rod is threaded out of or into the underlying surface, thereby lifting or lowering the playing surface.

Abstract: A game table fabric to be applied to the game table bed of a game table is provided, wherein the game table fabric comprises a woolen fabric having a nonpermanent releasable adhesive applied to a back side of the woolen fabric so that the game table fabric may be directly applied to the game table bed and the game table fabric of the present invention is readily repositionable during installation and removable after an extended period of use. The nonpermanent releasable adhesive is formed of a low tack polymeric material which is suitable for releasably adhering the game table fabric to the game table bed. By applying the game table fabric of the present invention directly to the game table bed, the use of additional glues or adhesives to adhere the game table fabric to the game table bed is essentially eliminated.

Abstract: A multiple ball hitting station and a method related thereto are provided. The hitting station preferably has three balls, each movable and each being positioned along a common line. The station is useful for teaching and practicing a level swing, a down swing or an up swing, and helps the hitter to keep the hitter's lead shoulder in for a longer period of time, and provides the hitter with a wider view of the baseball swing area. The method provided involves providing the hitting station and having the batter hit all of the balls with the bat during a single swing.

Abstract: Time consuming, unreliable leveling of the playing surface of a billiard table is eliminated in a billiard table including a base frame (10) adapted to be supported above the underlying terrain by legs. The base frame has an upper top plate (12) of generally rectangular configuration and a slate bed made up of at least two slate sheets (24) with planar upper surfaces (26) disposed in a generally side by side abutting relation overlying the top plate (12). A plurality of nuts (52) are secured to the top plate (12) at predetermined locations thereon and a plurality of leveling screws (62) are provided, one for each nut (52). Each leveling screw includes a threaded shank (62) received in the associated nut (52) in a radially outwardly directed flange (64) at one end of the shank at the interface of the top plate (12) and the slate sheets (24) and engaging one of the slate sheets (24).

Abstract: The invention provides a pool table body made as a single integral moulding of reinforced synthetic resin material for supporting a covered slate bed providing the playing surface and a pool table including such a body. This construction facilitates construction and transport and enables coin operated mechanisms controlling the pool balls to be housed therein.

Abstract: A billiards table comprises a playing bed (12) of sandwich construction having a playing surface which mimics the bounce of slate for a billiards ball, an edge member (16) for the surface formed of moulded plastics and having a cushioned surface, and legs (15) fixed to the underside of the table. The edge member (16) incorporates channel formations (21) to receive the balls, which communicate with the pockets through the edge. The playing surface may be cloth covered (as is conventional) or may have a simulated cloth surface moulded on a plastic top layer.