1075results about "Billiards" patented technology

A golf club head is formed by integrally welding a face portion and a back portion with each other. The face portion has a circumferential edge portion in its back surface. The circumferential edge portion is made of a flat surface all over its circumference. In the rear surface of the face portion, the part other than the circumferential edge portion is formed as a recess portion. In the bottom surface of the recess portion, a first bottom surface which is the deepest, a second bottom surface which is the second deepest, a third bottom surface which is the third deepest, and a fourth bottom surface which is the shallowest are formed in descending order. Three ribs are provided vertically to extend through the recess portion.

The present invention contributes to advancements in the art of inventory management and distribution by providing a system and method for processing, distributing, and tracking reusable inventory items. Reusable articles, such as surgical garments and accessories, are adapted with radio frequency identification (“RFID”) tags having unique identification numbers. A “reader” is used to retrieve stored information from the tags without requiring direct contact or clear line-of-sight. The reusable articles are processed and distributed using an inventory management system wherein lifecycle data is obtained for each reusable article. The reusable articles are distributed to the end users from central processing facilities, used, returned, cleaned, inspected, folded, sterilized, and returned to inventory for re-distribution. Periodic quality control inspections are conducted in response to predetermined usage parameters. The use of RFID tags and a corresponding computer network allows for the acquisition of data corresponding to each reusable article within a distribution system having multiple remote distribution and processing facilities. The acquired data is transmitted to a central computer processing system via a secured wide area computer network for use and analysis. Data processing computer servers at each remote distribution and processing facility electronically linked to a central data processing server provide a fail-safe network for acquired data.

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.

A golf club head is disclosed that comprises a body having a striking face, a rear cavity and a sole bar, wherein a recess is formed in the sole bar that extends generally from the rear cavity. An insert is located within the sole recess, the insert including a core and an intermediate layer that separates the core from the recess wall. The intermediate layer has a hardness and a modulus of elasticity that are less than that of the core, such that when the golf club head is used to strike a golf ball, the resulting vibrations are dissipated by compression of the intermediate layer and movement of the core with respect to the intermediate layer.

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.

A golf club head is composed of elastic substructures having moderate elasticity and consisting of a face, outer shell, and inner structure in which said elastic substructures that cooperate so as to provide larger impulses to the ball at impact, due to combined elastic properties of the club face for hits at all locations on the face. This allows better distance of shots when loft angle and other design details are appropriately chosen. The structure also minimizes variations of angular orientation of the face surface at the point of impact for all such hits. The elastic substructures can take several forms such as an internal elastic support around the periphery of the face structure, an internal support for the central part of the face structure, and an elastic structure attached to the front side of the face structure, an elastic outer shell, and their combinations. The structure also provides adequate strength, and minimum weight such that a maximum amount of concentrated mass can be located in advantageous places as far as practical from the center of gravity of the head so as to realize maximum moments of inertia about the center of gravity.

A golf club head having a cavity back arrangement and a sandwich construction is disclosed. The club head contains a thin strike face, a metal back flange and a light weight insert located between the strike face and the back flange to provide structural support to the strike face. The insert is in contact with at least a portion of the strike face and is made from light weight materials including magnesium and titanium. The club head is constructed to move the center of gravity lower and toward the back of the club head and to increase the moment of inertia. The insert provides the necessary support with adversely affecting either the center of gravity or the moment of inertia.

The invention relates to a novel plastic-base enhanced foaming composite material which is prepared from the following raw materials in parts by weight: 100 parts of thermoplastic resin, 20-50 parts of continuous fiber, 5-10 parts of filling, 2-8 parts of foaming agent, 2-8 parts of compatilizer, and 0.1-1 parts of processing aid. The invention also discloses a preparation method of the novel plastic-base enhanced foaming composite material, and applications of the material in the preparation of a cue and a table tennis bat. Compared with the prior art, the novel plastic-base enhanced foaming composite material provided by the invention can be directly injection-molded, and the obtained product has the advantages of pretty high strength, pretty high modulus, good toughness, good wear resistance, simple molding and the like.

The invention discloses a projection-type billiard training system and an implementation method thereof. The system comprises a billiard table, an image acquisition apparatus, a billiard lamp, and a projection apparatus, wherein the head end of the image acquisition apparatus mounted in the billiard lamp is flush with the lower end of the lamp, and is suspended at a certain high position above the billiard table to be over against the center of the billiard table; and the projection apparatus is hung beside the billiard lamp and is controlled by a computer. The system implementation method comprises the following steps of: establishing a standard database of training courses and the related video files; reading the above data and files by selecting junior training course to senior training course when the system program runs, and displaying the desired images, such as demonstration video, auxiliary lines, ball positions, aim point and simulated motion trajectory of the cue ball and the target ball through the projection apparatus; and capturing shot video when training according to the video, inputting the shot video to the computer for analysis, and giving suggestions for the next shot by the image acquisition apparatus. The projection-type billiard training system is more scientific, accurate, intuitional and convenient in billiard training, thereby improving the shot accuracy and the cue ball control capability.

The present invention contributes to advancements in the art of inventory management and distribution by providing a system and method for processing, distributing, and tracking reusable inventory items. Reusable articles, such as surgical garments and accessories, are adapted with radio frequency identification (“RFID”) tags having unique identification numbers. A “reader” is used to retrieve stored information from the tags without requiring direct contact or clear line-of-sight. The reusable articles are processed and distributed using an inventory management system wherein lifecycle data is obtained for each reusable article. The reusable articles are distributed to the end users from central processing facilities, used, returned, cleaned, inspected, folded, sterilized, and returned to inventory for re-distribution. Periodic quality control inspections are conducted in response to predetermined usage parameters. The use of RFID tags and a corresponding computer network allows for the acquisition of data corresponding to each reusable article within a distribution system having multiple remote distribution and processing facilities. The acquired data is transmitted to a central computer processing system via a secured wide area computer network for use and analysis. Data processing computer servers at each remote distribution and processing facility electronically linked to a central data processing server provide a fail-safe network for acquired data.

The invention relates to a projection type billiard hitting intelligent auxiliary system and method. The projection type billiard hitting intelligent auxiliary system comprises an image collecting device, a projection device and a computer, the signal output end of the image collecting device is connected to the input end of the computer, the input end of the projection device is connected with the output end of the computer and controlled by the computer, and a hollow billiard lighting lamp and an infrared light supplementation lamp are further arranged. The method includes the steps that a billiard environmental model is built in the computer; when billiards are static, images of the billiards on a billiard table are captured, and coordinates of the billiards are obtained; when a user bends over to enable a billiard rod to be aligned with a cue ball, the coordinates of the two end points of the billiard rod and the hitting directions are captured in real time, and the first billiard which a rod head of the billiard rod points to serves as the cue ball; according to the coordinates of the billiards, to-be-operated tracks of the cue ball and the other billiards are calculated in cooperation with the preset billiard rod hitting force and the preset included angles between the hitting points and the horizontal direction of the billiard rod; the to-be-operated tracks of the cue ball and the other billiards are projected to the billiard table. By means of the projection type billiard hitting intelligent auxiliary system and method, when the user uses the billiard rod for aligning, the aligning line and the operation tracks of the billiards can be drawn on the billiard table in a projection mode in real time for assisting hitting by the user, and the projection type billiard hitting intelligent auxiliary system and method are convenient to use and visual.

An iron golf club head includes a head main body and an FRP body. The head main body includes a face portion, a first face along the face portion, second faces, and a recess behind the head portion. The second faces continue from a rear face of the face portion to the first face. The recess is defined by the first face and the second faces. The hollow FRP body is disposed in the recess, overlaps the first face and the second faces, and closes an opening portion of the recess. At least a part of crossing corner portions between the first face and the second faces has a curved face.

A video game apparatus as a sound output apparatus includes a CPU, and the CPU detects acceleration data included in input information data transmitted from a controller. The acceleration data is numerical value data for accelerations in three axial directions set to the controller. For example, a swinging motion of the controller in a right direction or a left direction is determined based on the acceleration in a direction of one axis (x-axis) out of three axes. In addition, a downward swinging motion of the controller and a posture of the controller at the time of end of swing are determined based on the acceleration in directions of two axes (y-axis and z-axis) other than the one axis. Accordingly, for example, a performance of a musical instrument displayed on a game screen is individually instructed.

A rotatable game assembly is provided that includes a plurality of game modules or surfaces for playing games such as billiards, foosball, and hockey. The game assembly is rotatably supported by two spaced apart, upright supports and rotated to advance a selected game module into the active game orientation. A retaining member is provided to retain or lock the selected module in the active playing orientation. The game assembly may include two, three, or four different game surfaces that are each advanced into the active game orientation by rotation. Additionally the game assembly may include a game surface that is pivotally supported by one of the support members, which pivots between an open and closed orientation.

Air freshener products and methods for freshening air are disclosed. In some embodiments, the air freshening product may include a container for storing an air freshening composition that may contain compressed gas such as compressed air, nitrogen, nitrous oxide, inert gases, or carbon dioxide. When the container is completely filled with propellant and air freshening composition, the air freshening composition may be released from the container at a flow rate of from about 0.0001 grams / second to about 1.2 grams / second. The method of freshening air, in certain embodiments, provides improved delivery of an air freshening composition using a non-hydrocarbon propellant. If malodor counteractants are used, the method may also provide a reduction in malodors.

A pool cue having attachable weight includes a pool cue, at least one weight, and a weight retainer. A threaded hole is formed in a butt end of the pool cue. A weight retainer preferably includes a bumper cap and a threaded rod. The threaded rod extends from one end of the bumper cap. The threaded hole is sized to threadably receive the threaded rod. A hole or a slotted opening is formed through the weight to receive the threaded rod. A location projection is preferably formed on one end of the weight and a location cavity is preferably formed on the other end of the weight. The location cavity is sized to receive the location projection. The location projection and cavity ensure that a plurality of weights will be concentric to each other.

A pool table carriage for supporting a pool table at an elevated position above a horizontal support structure, and for transporting the pool table between locations without damaging the pool table. The pool table carriage comprises two support plate assemblies and a main frame interposed therebetween. Each support plate assembly selectively supports one of the legs of the pool table, when the pool table carriage is being deployed. Each support plate assembly further has four selectively extendable rotatable jackscrews, and two wheel assemblies each having wheels. The jackscrews are extendable in two opposite directions. Rotation of the jackscrew in one direction causes the jackscrew to retract upward, thereby allowing the wheels to contact the support structure, thereby allowing the pool table carriage to roll between different locations. Rotation of the jackscrew in the other direction causes the jackscrew to extend downward, thereby raising the wheels above the support structure, thereby immobilizing the pool table carriage.

The invention relates to a television system for analyzing displacement of billiards, which consists of a slide rail system, an image sensor, a television functional module, a communication module, a remote controller and related software and is concretely characterized in that a slide rail is hung on a ceiling, and the image sensor and the communication module are arranged on the slide rail; a television display is hung on the slide rail and can slide along the slide rail, the condition corresponding to the field billiards in the display can be observed easily when people play billiards by moving the position of the display, and simultaneously, advance routes, rotation ways, impact angles and other key information of a cue ball and an object ball can be simulated and displayed on the display; corresponding simulative routes and the rotation angles of the billiards can be changed correspondingly by freely changing the impacting way and the impacting position; and simultaneously, after the object ball is impacted by the cue ball, a microprocessor can compare and analyze the actual displacement routes and the simulative routes of the billiards to continuously correct the simulative routes, so that a billiard practicer can learn about the displacement changes of billiards caused by the change of impacting, thereby quickly helping the practicer to improve the billiard technic.

The present invention is generally directed to novel methods for playing billiards, pool and the like. The methods generally include associating a first player with a first timer set to a first value of time and a second player with a second timer set to a second value of time. The players generally take turns according to the rules of a game of pool or billiards while having the time in the first timer expire during said first player's inning or set of innings and the time in the second timer expire during said second player's inning or set of innings. The game generally ends whenever (a) a player's timer completely expires or (b) a player succeeds in achieving the object of the game before said player's timer completely expires. The winner is generally the player having time remaining while said player's opponent's time has completely expired or the player who achieved the object of the game before said player's time completely expired. A billiards table functionally associated with a timing device is also disclosed. The device generally includes a first timer adapted to be set to a first value greater than zero and a second timer adapted to be set to a second value greater than zero. One or more timer controllers are available to control the timers. Timer displays show the time remaining in each timer.

A cavity back golf club head having a bridge member is disclosed. The bridge member extends across a first rear cavity connecting a heel and a toe of the golf club head to control the trajectory of a golf ball. For the longer iron clubs, a wall extending from the sole portion of the cavity back golf club head to the bridge member defines a second cavity to further influence the trajectory of the golf ball. For the shorter iron clubs, the wall extends from the top portion of the cavity back golf club head to the bridge member.

A portable scoreboard system comprising of a microcontroller running a software algorithm that keeps score of a sports game and officiates the game to ensure fair play according to the rules of the sport. The official rules of all the sports are stored in the device memory. The updating of the score is carried out with wireless remote control modules worn by the players and / or users. The score is only updated when the algorithm has confirmed no game rule violations. The real time score information is then displayed on the scoreboard panel plus appropriate audio sounds are played. Game related scores and user settings are stored into memory on a real time basis and can be retrieved externally for post-game analysis.

A billiard tournament management system utilizes a base computer which is in communication with individual microprocessor touch screen display units which are associated with specific billiard tables. The base computer and microprocessor / display units together are programmed to receive, store and display identifying indicia for each tournament participant, build and maintain a tournament bracket, receive, store and display results of games being played in the tournament, and assign tables to ensuing games. Data can be inputted into the system through both the base computer and the individual microprocessor / display units.

The invention is applicable to the technical field of billiard balls, and provides a billiard ball game scoring system which comprises a camera shooting device, a computer and an output device, the camera shooting device is used for acquiring video information of a table top containing a billiard ball table and billiard balls on the table top, the computer is used for analyzing the video information based on a pre-constructed module to obtain position information of the billiard balls, determining current game scene states according to the position information, scoring and / or acquiring a current striking party based on the scene states and rules corresponding to kinds of the billiard balls, and the output device is used for outputting scoring information of game parties and the current striking party. According to the system, the scoring information of the game parties and the current striking party are automatically outputted, scoring efficiency is improved, and the billiard ball gamescoring system is simple to operate and has high practicability and usability.

A method for play of a parlor entertainment unit including a remote activation assembly and an activation-sensing unit. The activation-sensing unit, which may be battery operated and housed in the entertainment unit, may be in an energy-conserving sleep mode until the activation-sensing unit receives a wake-up signal. In one embodiment, the wake-up signal may be generated by the engagement of an activation mechanism, such as a coin slide. After being awoken, the activation-sensing unit may transmit an inquiry to the remote activation assembly as to whether the associated entertainment unit has been selected for play and / or whether there is a sufficient number of credits available for play. If that entertainment unit has not been selected for play, the activation-sensing unit may return to a sleep mode. However, if sufficient play credits are available for the entertainment unit, play may commence.

A billiard rack laser system for positioning a rack for a billiard game includes a pool table having an alignment mark and a pool rack having a laser operably connected thereto such that when the rack is placed on the table, the laser is equipped to illuminate a beam which when directed at the alignment mark illuminates the same thereby indicates a proper spot of the rack for positioning the same on the table.

An instructional billiard glove worn on a player's bridge hand provided with a first, second, third, fourth and fifth releasable securing means positioned on a thumb stall bottom side, thumb stall distal end, an index finger stall interstice, index finger stall distal end, and a middle finger stall interstice, respectively. Open bridge formation is instructed by releasably securing the first and third releasable securing means. Closed bridge formation is instructed by releasably securing the first and fifth releasable securing means while releasably securing the second and fourth releasable securing means. Releasable securing means are preferably mating hook and loop fasteners fixed to the finger stalls.