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Non-spherical billiard ball

Non-spherical billiard ball description/claims

This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled “Game Utilizing a Non-Spherical Billiard Ball” filed on even date herewith, and which is incorporated in its entirety by reference herein.

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to balls used for games or other types of entertainment or amusement, and more specifically to balls used for billiards or other such games.

2. Description of the Related Art

Billiards is a general category of games which are played with balls on a table. Billiards includes carom games in which the object is to roll a cue ball to contact one or more other balls and a predetermined number of cushions or rails of the table. Billiards also include pocket billiard games (e.g., snooker and pool) in which the object is to roll a cue ball to hit one or more other balls into pockets of the table. Typically, the cue ball in billiards is rolled by striking it with a cue stick.

The size, weight, and shape of billiard balls are specified in regulations for each type of billiard game. For example, for pocket billiards, regulation balls are spherical with a diameter of 2¼ inches (57.15 millimeters) and a weight between 5½ and 6 ounces (156 to 170 grams). As another example, snooker balls are spherical with a diameter of 2 1/16 inches (52.4 millimeters) and balls for three-cushion billiards are spherical with a diameter of 2 7/16 inches (61.5 millimeters).

In certain embodiments, a billiard ball comprises a generally incompressible body. The body has an ellipsoidal or ovoidal shape with a generally smooth outer surface lacking a concave portion.

In certain embodiments, a billiard ball comprises a generally incompressible body having an ellipsoidal or ovoidal shape with a generally smooth outer surface lacking a concave portion. The body has a weight between about 5 ounces and about 8 ounces. The body has a first diameter along a first direction and a second diameter along a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The first diameter is larger than the second diameter. At least one of the first diameter and the second diameter is in a range between 2 inches and 2.5 inches.

These and other features will now be described with reference to the drawings summarized below. These drawings and the associated description are provided to illustrate various embodiments, and not to limit the scope of the invention.

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an example billiard ball compatible with certain embodiments described herein.

FIGS. 2A-2E schematically illustrate examples of billiard balls having an ellipsoidal-shape body.

FIGS. 3A-3D schematically illustrate examples of billiard balls having an ovoidal-shaped body.

FIG. 4 schematically illustrates an example billiard ball having a covering in accordance with certain embodiments described herein.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an example method of playing a game in accordance with certain embodiments described herein.

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