Clip/fastener with wheel, ball bearing, or roller device or apparatus: Junior shark guiding wheel

Abstract

Novice players who participate in billiards, pocket billiards or pocket pool will find this clip/fastener with wheel, ball bearing or rollers device/invention, in one form referred to as a “Junior Shark Guiding Wheel” helpful to protect the costly fabric covering for the playing table and will find that the device will assist them in developing their cue stroke.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This is a continuing application relative to provisional patent application 61 / 191,962STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT[0002]“Not Applicable”THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT [0003]“Not Applicable”INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC[0004]“Not Applicable”BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONField of the Invention[0005]Description of Related Art including information disclosed under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98.[0006]As with the invention described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,053,153, “this invention pertains to a training aid device for use in increasing a player's ability in the game of billiards, which name in all of the following includes the game of pocket billiards or pocket pool regardless of the size of the table used in the game. The object of a billiards game is to strike one ball, called the cue ball, with the end of a shaft called a cue stick in such a manner and direction t...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015]This device may be used as a training apparatus in the sports / games of billiards or pocket pool to help avoid damage to the felt covering of a pool / billiards table. This device will also aid players who are wheel chair confined or people with physical limitations to enjoy these games when they might not otherwise be able to. To our knowledge, there is not another item like this product in the prior art. This has been confirmed through the last year of broad exposure throughout the pool / billiards industry as this invention has been named a “Best New Product of 2009” by Billiards.com. This invention works with no electricity or batteries. It is a variation of a wheel and axle machine with special adaptations not previously found in the prior art.

[0016]In its preferred embodiment, this invention, when fastened onto a cue stick reduces the risk of damage to the felt covering of the pool / billiards table by guiding the stroke parallel with the playing surface. This invention also assists novice, physically limited, or any less experienced players in developing their stroke with minimal effort once the invention is fastened to the cue stick. Other embodiments for this invention would be for other games or activities that have similar conditions.

[0017]This apparatus may allow the user to train or participate in an activity with confidence that they may avoid costly repairs to the felt covering of a pool / billiards table. This clip or fastener with attached wheel, ball bearing or roller may be used as a training device or for added enjoyment in the game of pool / billiards or other sports with similar conditions. The invention has no electricity, batteries or power to turn off or on.

Problems solved by technology

The prior art did not provide similar protection because the prior art was either stationary and / or was designed such that the tip of the shaft could, at some point in the stroke, be angled steeply downward and risk digging into the fabric covering the playing surface.

The prior art in billiards training aids has often not attached the aids to the cue stick, and has therefore required the user to consciously focus on the training aid and may have interfered with the user's sense of freedom and enjoyment.

As such, the prior art wheeled bridge did not prevent a steep downward angle in the stroke.

The device was expensive to manufacturer and too wide for use in any shot where neighboring balls were close to the stroke path.

None of these prior art devices have been small enough to permit use unless there was adequate clearance on either side of the stroke path because the prior art devices were wider than the cue stick.

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