Billiards Practice Device Gravity Track Dispensing

Solution Overview

Problem

In billiards or pool, manually positioning and resetting balls for practice shots is time-consuming and energetically demanding, limiting the amount of effective practice that can be done in a given time.

Innovation Solution

A device featuring a track with a dispensing mechanism that allows pool or billiard balls to be quickly and repeatedly positioned on a billiards or pool table, utilizing gravity or mechanical means to dispense balls individually, reducing the time and effort required to set up and take practice shots.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If balls are manually positioned and reset for each practice shot, then shot accuracy and technique can be practiced, but time consumption and energy expenditure increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepractice shot consistencyVSAvoidtime to set up and reset balls

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The device pre-positions multiple balls on a track in advance, so that when practice begins, balls are already ready for dispensing. This eliminates the need to manually position balls before each shot, as the track maintains balls in predetermined positions for rapid sequential dispensing during practice sessions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The device automatically retrieves and repositions balls after they are used in practice shots. The retrieval mechanism collects balls from the table surface and automatically returns them to the track, eliminating the need for manual ball collection and repositioning, thereby enabling continuous practice without interruption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If balls are manually retrieved and replaced for each practice shot, then practice shots can be repeated, but energy expenditure increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of practice shotsVSAvoidenergy to manually handle balls

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The device automatically retrieves and repositions balls after they are used in practice shots. The retrieval mechanism collects balls from the table surface and automatically returns them to the track, eliminating the need for manual ball collection and repositioning, thereby enabling continuous practice without interruption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical action of picking up, carrying, and placing balls is replaced by an automated retrieval mechanism that uses mechanical components (such as conveyors, arms, or suction systems) to automatically collect and return balls to the track, significantly reducing the physical energy required from the user.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If continuous manual ball positioning and resetting is performed, then practice shots can be taken, but the ratio of effective practice time decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffective practice time ratioVSAvoidease of ball handling

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device pre-positions multiple balls on a track in advance, so that when practice begins, balls are already ready for dispensing. This eliminates the need to manually position balls before each shot, as the track maintains balls in predetermined positions for rapid sequential dispensing during practice sessions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The device automatically retrieves and repositions balls after they are used in practice shots. The retrieval mechanism collects balls from the table surface and automatically returns them to the track, eliminating the need for manual ball collection and repositioning, thereby enabling continuous practice without interruption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

The device significantly reduces the time and energy needed to set up and take practice shots, allowing for more efficient and focused practice by automating the ball positioning process, thus enhancing the effectiveness of training sessions.

Implementation Method 1

The track feeds the balls thereon towards the mechanism, such as under the influence of gravity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS11439891B2Billiards practice device

Publication Date: 2022.09.13 RITENOUR THOMAS

AI summary

A ball dispensing device for selectively dispensing and/or replacing pool or billiard balls enables an individual to quickly and repeatedly position balls for taking a shot. The device includes a track on which a number of pool balls are positioned and a dispensing or releasing mechanism disposed adjacent the track. The track feed the balls thereon towards the mechanism, such as under the influence of gravity, and the mechanism enables the balls to be dispensed individually from the track onto the table surface. Depending on the number of balls positioned on the track, the device enables an individual to quickly and readily position each of the balls from the track to quickly take a number of the shots as desired utilizing the balls.