Billiards Aiming Ring and Goniometer for Reflection Angle Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Billiards players face challenges in accurately determining the direction of a billiard ball after it has been struck, particularly due to the ball's radius and bumper compression, which affect the reflection angle and path.
Innovation Solution
The use of tools such as a flat circular aiming ring, a billiards goniometer, and magnetically detectable equatorial lines on the balls to help players precisely aim and predict the trajectory of the cue ball and target ball, accounting for the ball's diameter and bumper compression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional aiming methods are used without accounting for ball radius and bumper compression, then the aiming process is simple, but the directional precision of the billiard ball after contact is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary tool (aiming device with goniometer and alignment indicators) that mediates between the player's aim and the physical realities of ball radius and bumper compression. This intermediary calculates and displays the corrected reflection angle, allowing precise directional control without requiring the player to mentally compute complex geometric corrections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual geometric calculation and mental estimation with a mechanical/optical aiming device that automatically computes reflection angles. The goniometer and alignment indicators provide direct visual feedback, substituting complex mechanical reasoning with a straightforward visual alignment process.
2Measurement precision
If the ball's radius and bumper compression are taken into account, then the reflection angle can be determined more accurately, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring the precise contact point increases
Solution Approach 1:
The aiming device serves as an intermediary that eliminates the need for direct measurement of the contact point between ball and bumper. Instead of measuring the elusive contact point, the device uses the measurable incident angle and pre-programmed ball/bumper geometry to calculate the reflection angle, converting an unmeasurable quantity into measurable ones.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a geometric model (copy) of the ball-bumper interaction that captures the essential relationships between ball radius, bumper compression, and reflection angle. This model allows the device to predict reflection angles without directly observing or measuring the actual contact dynamics, which are difficult to detect.
3Measurement precision
If visual aids such as equatorial lines and aiming rings are added to the table, then the precision of determining ball direction is improved, but the complexity of the equipment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses visual markers (colored equatorial lines on balls, colored aiming rings on the table) to enhance visibility and provide clear reference points for alignment. These color-coded visual aids make it easier for players to identify key geometric features and maintain proper alignment, improving precision through enhanced visual perception.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a vertical dimension to the aiming system by placing equatorial lines around the balls and using an aiming ring that spans vertically across the table surface. This third dimension provides additional reference planes for alignment, allowing players to check both horizontal and vertical alignment simultaneously, thereby improving directional precision.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
These tools enable more accurate strikes and predictions of the ball's direction, improving the player's precision in directing the cue ball towards targets on the billiards table.
Implementation Method 1
The target ball and the cue ball can be modified such that a magnetically detectable or ferrous central axis line or an equatorial line is placed on both balls
Data Source
AI summary
A tool for assisting a billiards player to easily and accurately aim and direct the cue ball to strike a target ball an propel the target ball towards a target such as a pool table pocket. An aiming ring is placed on the billiards table adjacent to the target ball that allows the billiards player to automatically aim the cue ball and propel the target ball into a pocket or other desired location. A billiards goniometer tool is described to assist with bumper shots.