128results about "Bagatelles" patented technology

A faceplate for golf clubs, such as a putter, iron or driver designed to control the spin of a golf ball after impact. The volume immediately behind the striking face comprises a plurality of angled elements which may be holes, slots or objects such as pixels, bars, or pins. Compression and rebound of the faceplate upon impact imparts spin to a golf ball according to the choice and arrangement of the angled elements. The invention can be used to start a ball rolling at impact with a putter head, thus enhancing the accuracy of a putts. The invention may also apply corrective spin to off-center putter hits, increase backspin for greater loft and chipping control, or correct for hooking and slicing side-spin in off-center hits with iron or drivers.

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for accurately positioning a robotic pool-playing device. The system comprises a computer controlled robotic positioning device, such as a gantry robot, that can position a cue over the pool table and place a shot. A global camera is mounted on the ceiling looking down at the table, and the acquired images are transmitted to the computer for analysis to determine the identity and locations of the balls within the table coordinate reference frame. The computer also automatically determines which ball to strike. An aspect of the invention is the use of a local camera, mounted on or near the robotic end-effector in a fixed relationship with the cue, to improve the positioning error of the robotic device prior to placing a shot. By comparing the ball locations perceived from the vantage of the local camera with the known ball locations determined from the global camera image, the invention can calculate the acquired robotic positioning error, which can then be corrected for prior to placing the shot.

An arcade game including a progressive bonus apparatus connected to a plurality of individual game units. The progressive bonus apparatus receives score contributions from each game unit to increase a progressive score. When players achieve a predetermined task on a game unit, they receive a non-monetary award based on the progressive score. Each game unit connected to the progressive bonus apparatus may take the form of an arcade-type game with a rotating wheel on which to base scoring. A playing piece is directed down a playing surface towards a target end, and the wheel is rotated according to the target that was hit by the playing piece. The position of the wheel when it stops rotating affects the score. A non-monetary award based on the score is dispensed to the player when the game is completed.

A game machine (2, 200) which includes a playing field (6, 301) traversed by objects, such as balls (320). The playing field can have plural drop zones (381-383) which can be selected by the player using deflectors (108-110) that control where the balls are launched. Detectors (22, 392) indicate scoring positions assumed by the balls. A payline display (28, 335) displays scored events. A symbol selector is included to select symbols which are variably assigned to the scoring positions and displayed on displays (20, 397). Balls score symbols which can be displayed in the payline display and affect winning or bonus play. Game machine (200) includes traditional slot machine reels which can work in conjunction therewith.

A miniature golf game involving a miniature golf hole having a playing surface including a tee-off area and a ball-receiving cup. The hole includes a pachinko game or other game of chance, which may be positioned within the playing surface or otherwise adjacent the cup. The game of chance is operable to select one a predetermined plurality of prizes. The player putts the golf ball along the playing surface and into the cup. The game of chance is operated to select a prize for award to the player. The travel of the ball within the game of chance may determine the selection of the prize. Such operation may occur automatedly or manually in response to receipt of the ball in the cup. The player is awarded the prize selected by the game of chance. Prizes may be dispensed in an automated fashion, and may include a counter for accounting purposes.

A billiard table sideboard includes a fixing wall at the outer circumference of a frame under a billiard table, and a sideboard positioned at the outer side of the fixing wall. The fixing wall has its lower edge flush with that of the frame, and the height of the sideboard is longer than that of the fixing wall, so the sideboard extends down below the fixing wall. The sideboard is secured with the fixing wall contacting each other by thumb screws. Thus the sideboard can be separated from the fixing wall so as to save the cost for the size in packaging and transporting.

A game unit including an indicator wheel and an award dispenser. In certain embodiments, when players achieve a predetermined result on a game unit, they receive a non-monetary award such as a ticket or token. Preferably, a game unit may take the form of a game with a rotating wheel which displays a result of a game event or status.

A convertible game table has a multi-sided and multi-functional table top which is rotatably mounted upon a frame for selective orientation between pool/billiards and ping-pong game playing surfaces. A frame which surrounds the table top houses pool ball pockets and compartments. Rotational pin mounts between the table top and frame have keyed locks to prevent rotation of the table top from one of the horizontal playing positions.

An ordinary golf ball is cleaned and then heated with an emulsion depositing in the dimples a hologram having the capacity to reflect a pre-selected wavelength of laser-beam. If a player temporarily losses such ball, a hand-held unit directs an infra-red laser beam of said pre-selected wavelength, desirably one not absorbed by atmospheric moisture, such as 1310 nm. Said hand-held unit contains an analyzer evaluating the light reflected back to such analyzer and attributable to such laser bean of said pre-selected wave-length. By evaluating the intensity of such reflected light, the golfer can target the location of the temporarily lost ball. Upon approaching the lost ball the angle at which the unit would be held would be modified for focusing on the lost ball. Earphones, meters, or other diagnostic equipment can monitor the intensity of the light reflected back from such laser beam. Such hand held analyzer of reflected light involves an investment which is small enough that a golf club can include the rental of such a unit as a part of the rental for a golf cart. Preliminary estimates indicated that any country club failing to utilize the present invention will encounter greater losses from lost balls than those practicing the present invention, because the cost of periodically regenerating the hologram for a ball represents such a small fraction of the cost of a replacement ball.

This invention is a table type game that requires both billiard skills and bowling skills to play. Scaled down bowling lanes, gutters, pins and approach are provided. The scaled down bowling balls are regulation size billiard balls that are struck and driven by regulation size billiard cues. The approach is covered with a billiard table type felt material and is raised approximately ¼ inch above the lane to allow the billiard balls to replicate the sounds of a bowling alley during play. Standard bowling scoring is used.

An improved golf clubhead having a hollowed strike-barrel (10) centrally located and positioned parallel on the golfer's intended target line for more precise alignment and efficient on-target stroke. The mass of strike-barrel walls (16) in a graduating manner providing additional force behind the usual-mis-hit-area, therefore compensating for the misdirection and the loss of velocity on off-center strikes. The strike-barrel pocket (12), and any additional pockets in the rear of arms (40), hosel (44), and the heel and toe (42), providing a significant air drag when the clubhead is swung back from the ball, thereby slowing the golfer's backswing. The strike-barrel (10) having gun-barrel type bead-mark sights (49) and (28) on its parallel axis along the target line for improved alignment and stroke. An elongated hosel-base (32) provides assistance to the golfer in keeping the clubhead on track longer.

Improvements for use with table games include a first set of improvements which allow a player of a table game to more securely hold a paddle used in playing the table game. A second set of improvements provides a visual barrier which obscures a player's view of a playing surface of a game table, providing for more dynamic, challenging and entertaining play. A third set of improvements provides an elevated platform allowing players of significantly differing heights to comfortably, conveniently and safely use a table game with a table surface of a fixed height.

A billiard table includes a table top, two pairs of brackets secured to the table top and each having one or more openings, two pairs of bars each having one or more ears easily and quickly hooking to the openings of the brackets, for easily and quickly hooking and securing the bars to the table top, and for allowing the billiard table to be assembled by the users. A number of angles are secured between the bars for securing the bars together and to the table top. A bottom plate may be secured to the bars, and a support device may be secured to the bottom plate.

A gaming device including a playing field having a substantially planar surface, and a target setter arranged to pivot relative to the playing field between a first position and a second position, the target setter including a reservoir and at least one channel extending from the reservoir, wherein the reservoir is adapted to receive and store at least one substantially spherical object therein when the target setter is in the first position, and the at least one channel is operatively arranged to direct a substantially spherical object from the reservoir to the playing field when the target setter is in the second position.