Billiards table

Abstract

A billiards table including an octagonal body, an octagonal playing surface located in a cavity of the octagonal body to accommodate billiard balls, and eight openings spaced about a perimeter of the octagonal playing surface. The playing surface includes a plurality of indicia arranged radially for indicating a location placement of a billiard during play.

Description

[0001] BILLIARDS TABLE TECHNICAL FIELD [1] The present invention relates to a billiards table. In particular, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to an octagonal billiards table. BACKGROUND [2] Any references to methods, apparatus or documents of the prior art are not to be taken as constituting any evidence or admission that they formed, or form part of the common general knowledge. [3] Billiards tables, particularly rectangular billiards tables, are a common fixture in many venues, such as pubs and bars, and in people’s homes. However, these tables often take up a large amount of space, which can make their place in a home difficult to justify. [4] Rectangular tables can also make it difficult for a player to hit the desired shot due to the raised edge of the table surrounding the playing surface in combination with the space between the table and any physical objects (such as walls) in the surrounding environment. [5] Thus, there is a need for an improved billiards table. SUMMARY OF INVENTION [6] In an aspect, the invention provides a billiards table comprising: an octagonal body; an octagonal playing surface located in a cavity of the octagonal body to accommodate billiard balls; and eight openings spaced about a perimeter of the octagonal playing surface, each opening configured to receive billiard balls therein, wherein the playing surface includes a plurality of indicia arranged radially for indicating a location placement of a billiard during play. [7] Preferably, the eight openings are equidistantly (or uniformly) spaced about the perimeter of the octagonal playing surface. Preferably, each one of the eight openings is spaced equidistantly from another two of the eight openings adjacent the one of the eight openings. Alternatively, the eight openings are irregularly spaced about the perimeter of the octagonal playing surface. [8] In another aspect, the invention provides a billiards table system comprising: a billiards table comprising: an octagonal body; an octagonal playing surface located in a cavity of the octagonal body to accommodate billiard balls; eight openings spaced about a perimeter of the octagonal playing surface, each opening configured to receive billiard balls therein, wherein the playing surface includes a plurality of indicia arranged radially for indicating a location placement of a billiard during play, and a billiard rack configured to receive billiard balls, the billiard rack having an octagonal body. [9] Preferably, the octagonal body of the billiard rack includes four walls having a first length and four walls having a second length, wherein the second length is less than the first length. Preferably, each of the four walls having the first length is directly opposed another of the four walls having the first length. Preferably, each of the four walls having the second length is directly opposed another of the four walls having the second length.

[0010] Preferably, a secondary member is connected to each of the four walls having the first length. Preferably, the secondary member is a parallelepiped. Preferably, one end of the secondary member abuts one of the four walls having the second length.

[0011] Preferably, the octagonal body of the billiards table includes four walls having a first length and four walls having a second length, wherein the second length is less than the first length. Preferably, each of the four walls having the first length is directly opposed another of the four walls having the first length. Preferably, each of the four walls having the second length is directly opposed another of the four walls having the second length.

[0012] Preferably, each of the eight openings is centrally located between two corners of the octagonal body. Alternatively, each of the eight openings is located on a corner of the octagonal body.

[0013] Preferably, the system further comprises a tabletop member attachable to the billiards table to provide the billiards table with a planar top surface.

[0014] Preferably, the tabletop member comprises two or more separable portions. More preferably, the tabletop member comprises two separable portions.

[0015] In another aspect, the invention provides a method of playing a billiards game, the method including the steps of: providing a billiards table having an octagonal body, an octagonal playing surface located in a cavity of the octagonal body to accommodate billiard balls, and eight openings spaced about a perimeter of the octagonal playing surface, each opening configured to receive billiard balls therein, wherein the playing surface includes a plurality of indicia arranged radially for indicating a location placement of a billiard during play; providing a billiard rack configured to receive billiard balls, the billiard rack having an octagonal body; placing the billiard rack on the octagonal playing surface and arranging a plurality of billiard balls within the billiard rack, the plurality of billiard balls including a black billiard ball in a centre of the billiard rack, a first sub-plurality of billiard balls of a first colour and a second sub-plurality of billiard balls of a second colour; positioning the black billiard ball over a central indicia of the plurality of indicia; positioning a white billiard ball over any of the plurality of indicia except the central indicia; removing the billiard rack from the octagonal playing surface; and designating one of two players to commence the game by using a cue to direct the white billiard ball towards the plurality of billiard balls.

[0016] Preferably, a first player of the two players has the objective of depositing all of the first sub-plurality of billiard balls of the first colour into one or more of the eight openings before depositing the black billiard ball into one or more of the eight openings; and a second player of the two players has the objective of depositing all of the second sub-plurality of billiard balls of the second colour into one or more of the eight openings before depositing the black billiard ball into one or more of the eight openings.

[0017] In another aspect, the invention provides a billiards table comprising: an octagonal body; an octagonal playing surface located in a cavity of the octagonal body to accommodate billiard balls; and an opening located on a perimeter of the octagonal playing surface, the opening configured to receive billiard balls therein, wherein the playing surface includes a plurality of indicia arranged radially for indicating a location placement of a billiard during play. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a billiards table according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective of the billiards table in Figure 1 with a billiard rack and billiard balls; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the billiard rack; Figure 4 is an overhead view of the billiard table having a tabletop portion attached thereto; Figure 5 is an overhead view of the billiard table showing alternative opening positions; Figure 6 is an overhead view of a billiards table according to another embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 7 is an overhead view of a billiards table according to an embodiment of the present invention including additional openings in the centre of the playing surface. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] Figures 1 to 5 illustrate an embodiment of a billiards table 10 according to the present invention.

[0020] The billiards table 10 has a substantially octagonal body 100 connected to a base 102 that elevates the octagonal body 100 above a surface that the billiards table 10 is located on.

[0021] In the illustrated embodiment, the octagonal body 100 of the billiards table 10 includes four walls (long walls 104) having a first length L1 and four walls (short walls 106) having a second length L2, where the second length L2 is less than the first length L1.

[0022] In a particular embodiment, the first length is 600mm and the second length is 425mm.

[0023] Each of the four walls having the first length L1 is directly opposed another of the four walls having the first length L1 and each of the four walls having the second length L2 is directly opposed another of the four walls having the second length L2.

[0024] In some alternative embodiments, a billiards table 20 having an octagonal body 200 includes eight walls of equal length L (see Figure 6).

[0025] The billiards table 10 also includes an octagonal playing surface 108 located in a cavity or recess formed in the top of the octagonal body 100. The recessed octagonal playing surface 108 allows the billiards table 10 to accommodate billiard balls and prevent the balls from leaving the octagonal playing surface 108 when travelling horizontally. The octagonal playing surface 108 confirms to the shape of the octagonal body 100 of the billiards table 10.

[0026] In order to make the billiards table easier to use, the billiards table includes a bevelled edge 110 on an inner side of the octagonal body 100 where the octagonal body 100 meets the octagonal playing surface 108. The portion surrounding the bevelled edge 110 may be raised above the top of the openings 112 (as illustrated) or in line with the openings 112 to provide easier access to the balls in play.

[0027] There are eight openings 112 formed about a perimeter of the octagonal playing surface 108. These openings 112 (which may also be referred to as pockets) are configured to receive billiard balls therein, as the openings in a standard billiards table would. As can be seen in Figure 1, the openings 112 are connected to a receptacle 112a located underneath the octagonal body 108 for receiving and holding billiard balls deposited into the opening 112.

[0028] In the illustrated embodiment, the openings 112 are spaced equidistantly (or uniformly) about the perimeter of the octagonal playing surface 108. As can be seen in the figures, each one of the eight openings 112 is spaced equidistantly from another two of the eight openings 112 adjacent the one of the eight openings 112. That is, the space between any two adjacent openings 112 is equal.

[0029] In the illustrated embodiment, each of the eight openings 112 is centrally located between two corners of the octagonal body 100.

[0030] Each of the eight openings 112 is directly opposite another of the eight openings 112 located on an opposing edge (or wall) of the octagonal playing surface 108. However, the eight openings 112 may also be irregularly spaced about the perimeter of the octagonal playing surface 108 to increase difficulty and provide variety.

[0031] In some alternative embodiments, each of the eight openings 112 is located on a corner of the octagonal playing surface 108. In Figure 5, alternative opening locations are shown where the openings 113 are located in the corners of the octagonal playing surface 108.

[0032] The octagonal playing surface 108 also includes a plurality of indicia 114 arranged radially for indicating a location placement of a billiard during play, including a central indicia 114a that is located on the centre of the octagonal playing surface 108.

[0033] In some embodiments, there is provided a billiards table system 1 including the billiards table 10 and a billiard rack 116 configured to receive billiard balls.

[0034] The billiard rack 116 has an octagonal body 118 with eight sides.

[0035] In the illustrated embodiments, the octagonal body 118 of the billiard rack 116 includes four walls (long wall 120) having a first length and four walls (short wall 122) having a second length that is less than the first length.

[0036] Each of the four walls having the first length is directly opposed another of the four walls having the first length and each of the four walls having the second length is directly opposed another of the four walls having the second length.

[0037] In some alternative embodiments, the eight walls of the octagonal body 118 of the billiard rack 116 are of equal length.

[0038] In some embodiments, a secondary member is connected to each of the four walls having the first length (i.e. the long wall 120). These secondary members are located on the inner side of the octagonal body 118 of the billiard rack 116.

[0039] Each secondary member is a parallelepiped shaped member 124. Each of the parallelepiped shaped members 124 has two elongate walls connected by two end walls.

[0040] An elongate wall of the parallelepiped shaped member 124 abuts one of the four walls having the first length and one end wall of the parallelepiped shaped member 124 abuts one of the four walls having the second length.

[0041] In some embodiments, the billiards table system 1 further comprises a tabletop member 126 attachable to the billiards table to provide the billiards table 10 with a planar top surface.

[0042] The tabletop member 126 may include multiple separable portions. In the illustrated embodiment, the tabletop member 126 comprises two separable portions 126a, 126b.

[0043] In some embodiments, the billiards table system 1 also includes one or more blocking members (not shown) for blocking an opening 112. The blocking members are shaped reciprocally to the openings 112 such that the blocking member fits within the opening 112 to be blocked. Any number between one and eight blocking members may be provided.

[0044] Turning now to how a game of billiards is played, an embodiment of the invention provides a method of playing a billiards game.

[0045] The method of playing the billiards game includes first providing a billiards table as described in any of the embodiments of a billiards table described herein.

[0046] For the purposes of illustration, the billiards table system 1 will be referred to and is provided in a first step.

[0047] Next, the billiard rack 116 is placed on the octagonal playing surface 108 and a plurality of billiard balls are arranged within the billiard rack 116 including a black billiard ball 128a in a centre of the billiard rack 116. The plurality of billiard balls also include a sub-plurality of yellow balls 128b and another sub-plurality of red balls 128c.

[0048] In some embodiments, the plurality of billiard balls includes a first sub-plurality of billiard balls and a second sub-plurality of billiard balls. The first sub-plurality of billiard balls is different in some way to the second sub-plurality of billiard balls. For example, the plurality of billiard balls includes a first sub-plurality of billiard balls of a first colour and a second sub-plurality of billiard balls of a second colour. Alternatively, each billiard ball of the plurality of billiard balls may be a different colour and / or differently marked to indicate belonging to a particular group or sub-plurality.

[0049] The black billiard ball 128a is positioned over the central indicia 114a of the plurality of indicia on the octagonal playing surface 108 and a white billiard ball (not shown) is positioned over any of the plurality of indicia 114 except the central indicia 114a.

[0050] The billiard rack 116 is then removed from the octagonal playing surface 108 and one of two players is designated (or otherwise selected) to commence the game by using a cue to direct the white billiard ball (not shown) towards the plurality of billiard balls. This is known as “breaking” in the art.

[0051] In some embodiments, a first player of the two players has the objective of depositing all of the first sub-plurality of billiard balls into one or more of the eight openings before depositing the black billiard ball into one or more of the eight openings and a second player of the two players has the objective of depositing all of the second sub-plurality of billiard balls into one or more of the eight openings before depositing the black billiard ball of the third colour into one or more of the eight openings.

[0052] Two examples of game play rules will now be provided. The steps of the method described above are completed before following the steps of either of the examples below.

[0053] In a first example, once the billiard balls have been broken, alternating turns are taken by the two players, where each player on their respective turn attempts to deposit a first ball into one of the eight openings. Each turn includes one or more shots whereby the active player uses the cue to hit the white billiard ball at the other balls.

[0054] When a first ball is deposited, if more than one ball is deposited in the same shot and the balls are different colours (or belonging to different groups), the first ball to go in will decide which set of billiard balls the player that has deposited said ball is assigned and will attempt to deposit before the second player deposits the other set of billiard balls.

[0055] If the above has occurred (i.e. two or more balls are deposited in a single shot) then the second player will receive two shots in the next turn as both balls were not the same colour (or belonging to different groups).

[0056] If, at any time, the white billiard ball is deposited into an opening, this will award two consecutive shots to the other player in the next turn. When commencing the next turn, the active player places the white billiard ball on any dot on the table to take the first shot off their two shots.

[0057] If, at any time, any ball, other than the white and black ball, leaves the billiards table through the actions of one of the players (other than through being deposited in an opening on the playing surface, that ball must be paced on any dot on the table by the other player. The other player also receives two shots on the next turn.

[0058] If the black billiard ball leaves the playing surface, in any way including being deposited into an opening on the playing surface, the game is over and the player that has caused the black billiard ball to leave the playing surface loses the game.

[0059] If, at any time, one of the two players deposits a billiard ball in an opening where that billiard ball does not belong to the set of billiard balls assigned to that player, the billiard ball remains deposited and the other player receives two shots on the next turn.

[0060] When one or both players have deposited all billiard balls of their set of billiard bills into the openings, and the white billiard ball is subsequently deposited into an opening by one of the players, the white billiard ball will be removed from the opening and placed on any indicia on the playing surface by the other player. If no billiard balls other than the black billiard ball remain in play when the white billiard bill is deposited then two shots will not be awarded to the other player. If billiard balls other than the black billiard ball remain in play when the white billiard bill is deposited then two shots will be awarded to the other player.

[0061] If the white billiard ball is deposited into an opening by one of the players before any other billiard balls are deposited (excluding the black billiard ball), the white billiard ball is placed onto any indicia on the playing surface by the other players.

[0062] If one of the two players first strikes a billiard ball with the white billiard ball during a shot that does not belong to their set of billiard balls (including the black billiard ball), the other player receives two shots on the next turn.

[0063] If one of the players directly (i.e. with their body) or indirectly (e.g. with their cue or another object) impacts any billiard ball other than the white billiard ball, the other players receives two shots on the next turn. Furthermore, if one of the players directly impacts any billiard ball, the other player receives two shots on the next turn.

[0064] In some embodiments, if one of the players does not impact any other billiard ball on the playing surface with the white billiard ball during a shot, the other player receives two shots on the next turn.

[0065] In another example, the openings on the playing surface are all blocked using blocking members. The rules and steps set out in the first example apply to this example unless stated otherwise.

[0066] In this example, the objective for each player is to deposit their set of billiard balls in a numerical sequence (either ascending or descending) and then finally deposit the eighth ball (the black billiard ball) to win. For the purposes of this example, it should be assumed that the billiard balls must be deposited in ascending numerical order. The billiard balls will be referred to as “the first ball”, “the second ball”, and so on.

[0067] Following the first turn during which the balls are broken, one of the blocking members is removed.

[0068] When one of the players deposits the first ball of either set of billiard balls into the only unblocked opening, a second blocking member is removed to make a second opening available.

[0069] Subsequently, when one of the players deposits the second ball of their set of billiard balls into one of the two unblocked openings, a third blocking member is removed to make a third opening available.

[0070] The above process continues until a seventh ball of one of the sets of billiards balls is deposited into an opening and the eighth opening is unblocked, leaving all openings unblocked.

[0071] If, at any time, one of the players deposits a billiard ball into one of the openings out of sequence, that ball is removed from the opening and placed on the indicia on the playing surface closest to the opening that ball was deposited into. The other player receives two shots on the next turn.

[0072] A player may impact any billiard ball in their set of billiard balls out of sequence.

[0073] If no billiard balls have been deposited and one of the players deposits either the white billiard ball or a billiard ball not in their set of billiard balls into an opening, no penalty is applied.

[0074] In some embodiments, the invention provides a billiards table including an octagonal body, an octagonal playing surface located in a cavity of the octagonal body to accommodate billiard balls, and an opening located on a perimeter of the octagonal playing surface. The opening is configured to receive billiard balls therein. The playing surface includes a plurality of indicia arranged radially for indicating a location placement of a billiard during play. These embodiments may include more than one opening located about a perimeter of the octagonal playing surface.

[0075] There may be any number of openings between one and eight provided about the perimeter of the octagonal playing surface. The openings may be equally spaced about the perimeter or irregularly spaced.

[0076] In a further embodiment shown in Figure 7, billiards table 10 includes four additional openings 130 formed in the playing surface 108. These additional openings 130 are the same size as the eight openings 112 about the perimeter of the playing surface 108.

[0077] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. The term “comprises” and its variations, such as “comprising” and “comprised of” is used throughout in an inclusive sense and not to the exclusion of any additional features.

[0078] It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect.

[0079] The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A billiards table comprising: an octagonal body; an octagonal playing surface located in a cavity of the octagonal body to accommodate billiard balls; and eight openings spaced about a perimeter of the octagonal playing surface, each opening configured to receive billiard balls therein, wherein the playing surface includes a plurality of indicia arranged radially for indicating a location placement of a billiard during play.

2. A billiards table according to claim 1, wherein the eight openings are equidistantly or uniformly spaced about the perimeter of the octagonal playing surface.

3. A billiards table according to claim 1, wherein each one of the eight openings is spaced equidistantly from another two of the eight openings adjacent the one of the eight openings.

4. A billiards table according to claim 1, wherein the eight openings are irregularly spaced about the perimeter of the octagonal playing surface.

5. A billiards table system comprising: a billiards table comprising: an octagonal body; an octagonal playing surface located in a cavity of the octagonal body to accommodate billiard balls; eight openings spaced about a perimeter of the octagonal playing surface, each opening configured to receive billiard balls therein,wherein the playing surface includes a plurality of indicia arranged radially for indicating a location placement of a billiard during play, and a billiard rack configured to receive billiard balls, the billiard rack having an octagonal body.

6. A billiards table system according to claim 5, wherein the octagonal body of the billiard rack includes four walls having a first length and four walls having a second length, wherein the second length is less than the first length.

7. A billiards table system according to claim 6, wherein each of the four walls having the first length is directly opposed another of the four walls having the first length.

8. A billiards table system according to claim 5 or 6, wherein each of the four walls having the second length is directly opposed another of the four walls having the second length.

9. A billiards table system according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein a secondary member is connected to each of the four walls having the first length.

10. A billiards table system according to claim 9, wherein the secondary member is a parallelepiped.

11. A billiards table system according to claim 9 or 10, wherein one end of the secondary member abuts one of the four walls having the second length.

12. A billiards table system according to claim 9, wherein the octagonal body of the billiards table includes four walls having a first length and four walls having a second length, wherein the second length is less than the first length.

13. A billiards table system according to any one of claims 5 to 12, wherein each of the four walls of the octagonal body of the billiards table having the first length is directly opposed another of the four walls having the first length and / or each of thefour walls of the octagonal body of the billiards table having the second length is directly opposed another of the four walls having the second length.

14. A billiards table system according to any one of claims 5 to 13, wherein each of the eight openings is centrally located between two corners of the octagonal body.

15. A billiards table system according to any one of claims 5 to 13, wherein each of the eight openings is located on a corner of the octagonal body.

16. A billiards table system according to any one of claims 5 to 15, wherein the system further comprises a tabletop member attachable to the billiards table to provide the billiards table with a planar top surface.

17. A billiards table system according to claim 16, wherein the tabletop member comprises two or more separable portions.

18. A method of playing a billiards game, the method including the steps of: providing a billiards table having an octagonal body, an octagonal playing surface located in a cavity of the octagonal body to accommodate billiard balls, and eight openings spaced about a perimeter of the octagonal playing surface, each opening configured to receive billiard balls therein, wherein the playing surface includes a plurality of indicia arranged radially for indicating a location placement of a billiard during play; providing a billiard rack configured to receive billiard balls, the billiard rack having an octagonal body; placing the billiard rack on the octagonal playing surface and arranging a plurality of billiard balls within the billiard rack, the plurality of billiard balls including a black billiard ball in a centre of the billiard rack, a first sub-plurality of billiard balls of a first colour and a second sub-plurality of billiard balls of a second colour; positioning the black billiard ball over a central indicia of the plurality of indicia;positioning a white billiard ball over any of the plurality of indicia except the central indicia; removing the billiard rack from the octagonal playing surface; and designating one of two players to commence the game by using a cue to direct the white billiard ball towards the plurality of billiard balls.

19. A method according to claim 18, wherein a first player of the two players has the objective of depositing all of the first sub-plurality of billiard balls of the first colour into one or more of the eight openings before depositing the black billiard ball into one or more of the eight openings; and a second player of the two players has the objective of depositing all of the second sub-plurality of billiard balls of the second colour into one or more of the eight openings before depositing the black billiard ball into one or more of the eight openings.

20. A billiards table comprising: an octagonal body; an octagonal playing surface located in a cavity of the octagonal body to accommodate billiard balls; and an opening located on a perimeter of the octagonal playing surface, the opening configured to receive billiard balls therein, wherein the playing surface includes a plurality of indicia arranged radially for indicating a location placement of a billiard during play.

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