Concrete-Fiber Composite Gaming Table Surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing billiard and snooker table playing surfaces, either made of slate or wood, face challenges such as high cost, environmental impact, difficulty in installation, brittleness, and susceptibility to deformation or warping, along with issues of density and smoothness.
Innovation Solution
A composite sheet made of concrete and fiber components with a density of 1-2 g/cm3, manufactured using a semi-solid deposition and compression method, forming a single, seamless, and flexible playing surface that is lighter and more durable than slate, and less prone to deformation than wood.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If slate is used for the playing surface, then density and flatness are improved, but weight and cost increase substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters by using a composite of concrete and fiber components instead of natural slate, achieving comparable density and flatness properties while reducing weight. The composite material has a density of 1-2 g/cm3 and can be manufactured in thinner sections (1/4 to 1/2 inch) while maintaining structural integrity through the fiber reinforcement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies composite materials by combining concrete with fiber components (such as steel fibers, glass fibers, or synthetic fibers) to create a playing surface that exhibits both the density and flatness of slate while being lighter and less brittle. This composite structure allows the material to maintain rigidity and smoothness without the excessive weight of traditional slate.
2Reliability
If slate is used for the playing surface, then density is improved, but ease of installation and transport deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the density parameter by using a composite material with density of 1-2 g/cm3, which is sufficient for optimal ball rolling but represents a reduction from traditional slate density. This parameter change enables the material to be handled and installed more easily while maintaining the required performance characteristics for the playing surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite playing surface can be manufactured in smaller, more manageable sections or panels that are easier to transport and install compared to large slate slabs. The fiber-reinforced concrete composite allows for segmentation without compromising the overall flatness and density requirements, facilitating easier handling during installation.
3Weight of moving object
If wood is used for the playing surface, then weight is reduced, but density and durability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite material combining concrete with fiber reinforcements to achieve a density of 1-2 g/cm3, which is significantly denser than wood while remaining lighter than slate. This composite structure provides the necessary durability and resistance to deformation that wood lacks, while maintaining a manageable weight for installation and transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the density parameter from wood-level density to a higher density range (1-2 g/cm3) achieved through the concrete-fiber composite. This parameter change ensures optimal ball rolling and surface stability while the composite structure maintains flexibility and resistance to warping that pure concrete or stone would not provide.
4Weight of moving object
If wood is used for the playing surface, then weight is reduced, but susceptibility to deformation and warping increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fiber-reinforced concrete composite material provides superior dimensional stability and resistance to warping compared to wood. The fiber components (steel, glass, or synthetic) distributed throughout the concrete matrix create a stable structure that resists moisture-induced deformation and maintains structural integrity over time, eliminating the warping issues associated with wood playing surfaces.
5Manufacturing precision
If slate is used for the playing surface, then smoothness is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The concrete-fiber composite material can be manufactured using standard concrete processing techniques, making it easier and less expensive to produce than natural slate. The composite structure allows for consistent smoothness to be achieved through controlled manufacturing processes rather than requiring selection and processing of natural stone, reducing both manufacturing complexity and cost.
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 composite playing surface provides optimal ball rolling, is easier to manufacture and transport, and offers improved durability and flexibility, reducing the risk of breakage and warping, while maintaining the density and smoothness required for competitive play.
Implementation Method 1
depositing the semi-solid composite material onto a rotating drum
Implementation Method 2
depositing the semi-solid composite material onto a rotating drum
Implementation Method 3
compressing the at least two layers of the semi-solid composite material at a predetermined pressure for a predetermined amount of time
Data Source
AI summary
A playing surface for a gaming table includes a composite sheet including concrete and at least one fiber component. The composite sheet has a density of approximately one to two grams per cubic centimeter (1-2 g/cm3).