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Billiards shot training device and methodBilliards shot training device and method description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20090258718, Billiards shot training device and method. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
1. Field of the Invention The invention pertains to the field of billiards. More particularly, the invention pertains to training devices and methods for improving billiards play. 2. Description of Related Art Playing pool well requires sound knowledge combined with solid execution. Knowledge is the understanding of the interactions between the cue ball and the balls being pocketed, as well as the interactions between the balls and the table. Execution is effectively applying one\'s knowledge using solid fundamentals to arrive at the desired result. To become an accomplished billiards player, one must not only be able to pocket a target ball but also to be able to set up the subsequent shot by placement of the cue ball after the current shot to an advantageous position. Therefore, a total shot in pool has three parts: making the ball, plotting the position route, and speed control. Making the ball includes aiming the cue ball on the correct line to pocket the object ball. Plotting the position route includes planning the path the cue ball travels after contacting the object ball. Speed control includes hitting the cue ball with the correct force such that it comes to rest at a specific spot along the position route. Cue ball direction and speed control are collectively referred to as “position play”. Playing position means to maneuver the cue ball to a place on the pool table that is favorable to making the next shot. Devices for training a billiards player on aiming a cue shot are known in the art. Devices currently on the market include the Billiards Aim Trainer by Billiards Training Company, the Porper Ghost Ball Aimer, the EZ Shot Ghost Ball, the Ghostball Aim Trainer by Elephant Balls, the Elephant EZ Shot Cue Ball by Elephant Balls, the Jim Rempe Training Pool Ball by Aramith, the Aiming By The Numbers Method, the Elephant Practice Pool Ball Kit by Elephant Balls, and the AcCueShot Aim Trainer by Sterling Gaming. All of the above-mentioned training devices address the aiming aspect of a billiards shot but do not help the user to learn cue ball speed and cue ball direction after collision with a target ball. Current devices and method provide a variety of ways to learn aiming. A laser device has been used for aiming. Cardboard and plastic “ghost ball” aiming devices have been used. Also, markings on a target ball have been used to aid in aiming. Most devices currently on the market can not be left in place during the shot. Having to remove the device before the actual execution of the shot severely hampers the student\'s learning development, because the shot is harder to execute with the device removed, and there is no point of reference to determine why the shot was missed. For example, the student sets up the device, tries to memorize the angle to the target ball, removes the device, and performs the shot. Also, repetition is extremely valuable in learning how to play billiards, and moving the device before actually performing the shot does not allow the student to reproduce the exact same shot. Many inexperienced players learn by trial and error or by trying to apply instructions from a book or video. Some books discuss cue ball direction and speed control (see for example, The Science of Pocket Billiards by Jack Koehler), but the present inventor is not aware of any hands-on device that brings all three components, aim, direction, and speed control, together in one device. The shot training device is used as a training aid for learning to play pocket billiards. The device aids the student in learning the three major components of a shot for pocket billiards: pocketing the object ball, cue ball direction, and cue ball speed control. The device includes an object ball circle for placement of an object ball. The device also includes an imaginary cue ball circle for aiming the cue ball. The device further includes cut angle lines and cue ball path lines for determining a cut angle to the object ball and plotting a path of the cue ball after impact with the object ball. A kit and a method of training a user to play billiards are also disclosed. In a first embodiment of the present invention, the alignment device includes a top layer, a bottom layer, and a middle layer. The top layer is transparent to light and has a top surface texture mimicking the playing surface of a billiards table such that the alignment device does not alter a billiards shot occurring on the alignment device. The bottom layer has a smooth bottom surface with a reusable adhesive on the bottom surface. A plurality of artwork is printed on at least one surface of at least one layer of the alignment device. The artwork includes an object ball circle, an imaginary cue ball circle tangent to the object ball circle, a target line, a plurality of cut angle lines, and a plurality of cue ball path lines. The target line extends from the object ball circle and is collinear with a line from the center of the object ball circle to the center of the imaginary cue ball circle. The cut angle lines extend toward the center of the imaginary cue ball circle on the side opposite the object ball circle with each cut angle line denoting a cut angle of a cue ball with respect to an object ball. The cue ball path lines extend toward the center of the imaginary cue ball circle on the side of the object ball circle and correspond to the cut angle lines. In a second embodiment of the present invention, the kit includes at least one alignment device, at least one landing pad disk, at least one ball marker disk, and a user\'s manual. The alignment device includes an object ball circle for placement of an object ball and an imaginary cue ball circle tangent to the object ball circle. The alignment device also includes a target line extending from the object ball circle and collinear with a line from the center of the object ball circle to the center of the imaginary cue ball circle. The alignment device further includes a plurality of cut angle lines extending toward the center of the imaginary cue ball circle on the side opposite the object ball circle with each cut angle line denoting a cut angle of a cue ball with respect to an object ball. The alignment device also includes a plurality of cue ball path lines extending toward the center of the imaginary cue ball circle on the side of the object ball circle and corresponding to the cut angle lines. In a third embodiment of the present invention, the method includes placing an alignment device on a surface of a billiards table such that a target line of the alignment device points toward a pocket of the billiards table and placing an object ball in an object ball hole on the alignment device. The method also includes placing a cue ball on a cue ball spot on the billiards table behind a 90-degree reference line on the alignment device and determining a cut angle of the cue ball to the object ball using a plurality of cut angle lines on the alignment device. The method further includes determining a post-impact cue ball path of the cue ball using a plurality of cue ball path lines on the alignment device. Continue reading about Billiards shot training device and method... Full patent description for Billiards shot training device and method Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Billiards shot training device and method patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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