Measure Your Shot Patent

US 2013 0059671 A1
(19) United States

(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2013/0059671 A1
Nelson (43) Pub. Date: Mar. 7, 2013
(54) MEASURE YOUR SHOT (52) U.S. Cl. ........................................................... 473/2
(76) Inventor: Frank Lee Nelson, Garden City, MO
(US) (57) ABSTRACT
(21) Appl. No.: 13/134,961 MEASURE YOUR SHOT (M.Y.S.) is a methodology and
technology of two billiard balls, each ball including nine (9)
(22) Filed: Sep. 7, 2011 one quarter inch (1/4") lines scribed 360 degrees, the lines are
Publication Classification scaled to diamonds on rails of a billiard table. With the aid of
the diamonds and lines it becomes simple for a user and
(51) Int. Cl. spectators to recognize the type of shot. The training balls
A63D I5/00 (2006.01) provide a tool for improving a user's shot.
252,2500
lines xx''''''''''
O,2500
O), O625 3&S.) typ, citr,
stroke : sy, to C,
typ,
red concentric rings black concentric ring
typ. (shown hatched)
black caps
Patent Application Publication Mar. 7, 2013 Sheet 1 of 26 US 2013/0059671 A1
sdeoxp?q
SS
€ERITYSDIE
2.
g
6
O
2 :
EE
s
85
s2
--
-•
?
)=*
•
!=*
•
?=
***- - -
•
•
***- - -
***_ _-
***- -
***--->
-*
•
--?***
----***
-•
~S?OBu
ees?ZIS||n?JOJOLeun6?
|eqgoºppSuo?ISOd
6=Hnela
peulo|dulp!
?Z?S||n?JOJZLeeseun6?
SJoºppluop?eSOqd
puoe ld|
puz
*6?
1,
Ileq
pueol deu|!p
eesez?s||n?JOJ9],eun6?
JoºpplSuo?IeSOqd
puz
*6?
1,
lleq
eesJo!9!,ezu|sn|6n?!
|eqjoºppSuo?ISOd
OJ|?ZeOunI6J?S€0
|eqJoºppSuo?ISOd
?ods
*=-
N
N
eesez?s||n}JOJZZeun6?
JoºpplSuo?eISqOd
?ods peu|oldue]p
N
•
eesez?s||ngJoyyzeun6?
goºpplSuo?eISqOd
==
•
__--***
----***
peulo|deulp]
puz
'6?
||
Ileq
eesez?s||ngJoy9zeun6?
|eqJoºppSuo?ISOd
,
US 2013/0059671 A1 Mar. 7, 2013
MEASURE YOUR SHOT matches a right number to a left number to find the contact
point. Zero (0) is always to face short rail and 9 faces the long
FIELD OF THE INVENTION rails.
0001. The present invention relates to table games, such as 0014) Jim Rempe has a training ball out. My understand
pocket billiards. More specifically, the present invention ing is he has two sides. One side shows the stop, follow, draw,
right English and left English; the other side has a circle with
relates to training balls and a method of using them for the numbers showing how much low, high, left and right on it.
purposes of improving a player's aim in these table games to 0015 I saw another on UTUBE with cross in the middle.
cause an object ball to roll in the desired direction after being 0016. Another on UTUBE has four red dots; to show rota
struck by a cue ball. tion is all it is for to my knowledge.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 0017 Patent search on Google, and there are many, none
like mine.
0002. In my prior work, I worked operating cranes. Then I 0018 None of the above references or books lead to the
started Research Consultants, investigating large construc same end result as the present training balls.
tion accidents, and built scaled mocked-up models in order to SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
reproduce the scene of the accident(s) for the jury in the
Superior and Federal Court to see and make decisions. That’s 0019. The present invention is generally directed to a
how the idea came to me to position lines on the cue balls that device and method of aiming pocket billiardballs for training
is scaled to correspond to the diamonds on the rails of the purposes. In accordance with the present invention, a training
billiard tables. ball is used for aiming to impact an object ball for motion of
0003 Various known aiming systems are available, how the object ball in a desired direction. The training ball has a
ever, there are no known training balls available that have the series of lines on the outer Surface that includes at the equator
correct number of lines scribed 360 degrees around the full a center black line and four red lines on each side of the
circumference of the two inventive blank colored cue balls. equator. A black cap is positioned on a top and bottom of the
0004. There are no training balls available, that have the training ball.
visuals to allow a user to see, or the simplicity for the user to 0020. In operation, the combination cue and object ball are
use, the present invention provides both the visuals and the used for training purposes to improve the overallaiming skill
use of use as shown and described. of the player. The object ball and the cue ball are placed on the
0005. There are numerous books which outline and show playing surface at a desired position to simulate a given bil
all the one, two, and three rail diamond systems. They use the liard shot. Using the method of the present invention, as
diamonds for banks and kicks, but none of the books scale the described herein, the object ball, relative to the desired aiming
ball to the diamonds for precision results if practiced after line, falls on a given sight line on the playing Surface. This
being taught properly and have the mechanics and talents. sight line determines the angle of the shot to be played and
0006. By way of example the following books are avail indicates which indicia are to be used on the object ball and
able for review: the cue ball to impact the object ball to ensure that it is
0007 Billiard Digest directed on the desired aiming line.
0008. The Science of Pocket Billiards. There are many 0021. Accordingly, it is a primary object of the instant
instructional DVDs on how to do each and every shot and invention to provide a training ball to improve a players
systems, but none I have found with just two balls with 9 nine aiming in the game of billiards.
lines scaled to the diamonds on any pool table. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
0009 Kid Delicious Instructional DVD. Show position,
play-run out-trick shots, etc. with just regular cue ball plus (0022 FIG. 1: 3D view of the training ball of the present
numbered billiard ball. His aiming system is, a flat plain view invention
of imaginary clock face using face numbers as aiming indi 0023 FIG. 2: top view of the training ball of the present
cators. (No training ball. copy writes video). invention
0010 Private Lessons with Don “The Preacher” Feeney. 0024 FIG. 3: front view of the training ball of the present
He has a full course of instructional videos. His lessons are invention
also with white cue ball and solid colored balls; no numbers (0025 FIG. 4: right side view of the training ball of the
on them. His short course on aiming is Double The Distance, present invention
found by locating the imaginary dot on object ball straight in (0026 FIG. 5: bottom view of the training ball of the
pocket to be shot at. He thenrolls his cue tip from center of cue present invention
ball to imaginary dot line and rolls cue Stick tip that distance (0027 FIG. 6: back view of the training ball of the present
again. That is the shooting line. invention
0011 billiards and trick shots, using regular cue ball plus (0028 FIG. 7: left side view of the training ball of the
numbered billiard balls. He has an aiming segment. present invention
0012. The system is parallel lines found by aiming center (0029 FIG. 8: top view of a billiard table showing the Nine
of object ball to one of four lines on cue ball and at halfball (9) diamond locations
changing to side of object ball to one of four lines on cue ball 0030 FIG.9: drawing of 1st diamond shot on the billiard
Also he said he sometimes uses clock face on flat plain view, table
the numbers on clock are now his aiming lines. 0031 FIG.10: enlarged drawing of 1st diamond shot ball
0013 Joe Tucker Aiming Workout. He has two white positions
cue balls with 19 numbers, 0 in the center and 9 numbers on 0032 FIG. 11: drawing of 2nd diamond shot on the bil
right side mirrored on left side. My understanding is he liard table
US 2013/0059671 A1 Mar. 7, 2013
0033 FIG. 12: enlarged drawing of 2nd diamond shot ball count the diamonds in between the two bench markers, this
positions will be the line of impact. The drawings clearly show this
0034 FIG.13: drawing of 3rd diamond shot on the billiard concept.
table 0.052 Like a legend on a map, /4" on the ball equals one
0035 FIG. 14: enlarged drawing of 3rd diamond shot ball foot on the table. The lines on the balls, vertical and turned to
positions horizontal, will teach a user how to make all the shots. The
0036 FIG. 15: drawing of 4th diamond shot on the billiard lines can be applied on any blank colored cue ball to execute
table the intended purpose.
0037 FIG. 16: enlarged drawing of 4th diamond shot ball 0053. The present training ball assists, if not dictates, the
positions feet position for alignment of each shot.
0038 FIG. 17: drawing of 5th diamond shot on the billiard 0054) Gives bench markers that not only the player, but
table T.V. audience plus live audience seated in bleachers, chairs or
0039 FIG. 18: enlarged drawing of 5th diamond shotball standing, can identify the shot to be made.
positions 0055 Gives aiming line, shooting line, which in drawings
0040 FIG. 19: drawing of 6th diamond shot on the billiard are only cut shots, spin not added, but will be shown in DVD,
table video and book to follow after patent is awarded.
0041 FIG. 20: enlarged drawing of 6th diamond shot ball 0056 Gives contact point, which if you explode drawings,
positions is always about /2 of diamond count. Shot angle is available
0042 FIG.21: drawing of 7th diamond shot on the billiard if you choose to use a protractor on Straight in bench marker
table to the diamond countbench marker.
0043 FIG. 22: enlarged drawing of 7th diamond shot ball 0057 The black center equator line, plus four red lines on
positions each side of the equator, then the black caps has the beauty for
0044 FIG. 23: drawing of 8th diamond shot on the billiard ornamental design, but also shows the rotation of the balls
table while doing the work they were designed to do.
0045 FIG. 24: enlarged drawing of 8th diamond shot ball 0.058 As noted the ball has an equator at the center of the
positions ball which is a black line. There are four redlines on each side
0046 FIG.25: drawing of 9th diamond shot on the billiard of the equator. There is black cap at each side ofball. The caps
table are approximately one eighth of an inch. The number of lines
0047 FIG. 26: enlarged drawing of 9th diamond shot ball which is nine (9) is divided by two which equals four and one
positions half (4/2). Any shot beyond the ninth line is a fan or miss or
you turn the cue ball lose for a scratch, so it leaves a branding
DETAILED DESCRIPTION space for whoever buys the rights to the designed utility balls
for their logo for advertisement.
0048. A conventional billiard table includes a plurality of 0059. The drawings not only show the claimed invention
diamonds on each side rail and end rail. In order to design the but also show all the standard and spin shots that can be made
inventive cue ball, a diamond is placed in each table pocket that are not addressed. The lines on the training ball extend are
and three equally spaced diamonds is placed in between each 360 degrees, the full circumference of the sphere. There is one
pocket, by doing so, a total of nine (9) diamonds is positioned black line in the center (equator), four red lines on right side
on each side rail; in total there will be a total of eighteen (18) of black line and four red lines on left side of ball. The black
diamonds positioned on the railing Surrounding the playing caps on each side, are as thin as a player should ever try to cut
surface. This leads to six (6) segments offive (5) diamonds in for any kind of results, which can also be used for the manu
a row on any pool table, the diamonds can be counted easily facturers branded logo for sales and marketing. The drawings
and quickly from any given pocket. showing the 3D model show 3/4 of the ball as you would see it
0049. The inventive lines on the cue balls must be large rolling; the remainder of the ball is mirrored of the other side
enough to be visible from a distance of 9 feet. To determine and bottom. The drawing scale is full size, lines are 4 inch
the number and the thickness of the lines on the cue balls the scale, and the two black caps are /8 inch, matched together
following parameters are taken into consideration: 1) the size equal/4 inch when struck together is a 9 diamond scaled shot,
of the cue stick tip which ranges in size from 8.5 mm to 16 or it can be a spin shot if stance is aligned properly.
mm, and the number of diamonds on the side rails of the 0060. The drawings showing a pool table depicts 9 shots
billiard table which is nine (9). The result is /4". "A" is then that can be made on any size pool table. The two training
divided by the diameter of the cue ball which is 2/4" which billiard not only cut the pool shots depicted by the pockets,
equals nine (9), therefore nine (9) lines are circumferentially but also spin the ball in the pockets, using proper alignment
placed on the inventive cue ball. for each made shot. The drawings show the shot is from the
0050. With the 4" scale, you can impact the center of the left side pocket to the right corner pocket, as is indicated by
lines with the center of the cue tip, this can be accomplished the straight dark lines. The drawings further show an object
with any size tip accurately and measured with closer preci ball, a ghost ball, a make-believe ball and a fantasy ball
Sion. making contact, this is the magic-spot all pool players hope to
0051) To determine the aiming line for the object ball as find and hit. “Benchmarker' is a term I am using to describe
well as selecting the impact point on the training ball/cue ball, the straight-in line for the object ball to hit a pocket. The Next
first you select the object ball that is going to be pocketed in “benchmarker' is where the object ball and cue ball are
a straight line, this will be the first bench marker, as in sur aligned in a straight line, where these two lines Strike the rail,
veying. Secondly, you determine the straight line between the the diamond counts-in the lines that match up on the cue ball
cue ball and the object ball. This line comes back to the rail on and the object ball which shows you the actually shooting
both balls, this will be the second bench marker. Next, you line. The broken lines depict the diamond count and 1 through
US 2013/0059671 A1 Mar. 7, 2013
9 shots. For the training ball of this invention to work as 0068. In FIG. 12, Shooting two diamonds to right, the first
intended, a diamond is added in the center of each pocket So red line on the right of the black center line on the cue ball is
a correct count can be obtained. matched up with the black center line on object ball, the user
0061 FIGS. 1-7 show side and top view of the inventive should bend over allowing the cue stick to roll in his/her hand,
training balls, the back and bottom of the balls are mirror the stick should then be rolled over to the center line of the
images of the front and top of the balls. The preferred dimen cue, which in this case is the shooting line. You also can
sions are as shown in the drawings. The ball indicia which parallel step with right or left foot to shooting line, being
includes a center black line and nine red lines extend 360 accurate is a must for achieving the proper shot.
degrees on the circumference of the spherical training balls. 0069 FIGS. 13-17, FIG. 17 demonstrates shot #5 halfball
The center black line is positioned on the equator of each ball, shot, left corner pocket to right corner pocket. Notice the
four red lines are positioned above the center black line and parallel lines are now aiming at inside of cue ball to center of
four red lines are positioned below the center black line of object ball. This is better observed in FIG. 18 which shows the
each ball. A pair of caps, preferably black is positioned on the enlarged view of the balls.
top and bottom of each ball. It should be noted that the (0070 FIGS. 19 and 20, now show aiming line at outside
preferred colors for the center line and cap is black and red for edge of object ball and with first red line to right of black
the remainder of the lines. However, any other color combi center line, then roll stick or step to center black line of cue
nation can be used. The caps can be used for positioning ball, shooting line on drawing.
manufacturers branded logo. The 3D model shown in FIG. 1,
depicts about 3/4 of the training ball. A preferred line thickness 0071 FIGS. 20 through 25 and 26, continue moving aim
is /4" and each cap is /s inch, the thickness of the two caps ing red lines outside and roll to marker number one straight
equals /4", a side view of the training ball will show nine lines in, first bench through nine which is 9th bench number one
which correspond to the nine diamonds on the table railing. straight-in, first bench through nine which is 9th bench. Using
By using the training balls and the nine diamonds a user can the drawings as a guide line for carrying out the proper shot.
practice nine-diamond scale shot or a spin shot if the user's 0072. The inventive device is called “Measure Your Shot 99
stance is aligned correctly. or (M.Y.S.) for short is exactly what is says, two training balls
0062 FIG. 8, depicts 9 possible shots that can be made on that have nine (9) color-coded lines around the circumference
any size pool table. The present invention revolves around of the two balls extending, 360 degrees around each of the two
properly aligning two training balls which aid in carrying out training balls. Nine (9) lines and a center black line which is
a correct pool shot while adding spin to the shot. the equator is depicted on each training ball,
0063 FIG. 8 also shows the shot is from the left side 0073 the right side of each ball has four (4) red lines, and
pocket to right centerpocket, this is demonstrated by the Solid a black cap is positioned on either end that is /s inch, the left
straight lines. The point between an object ball, a ghost ball, side cap is mirror image of the right side cap. The nine (9)
make believe ball or a fantasy ball is the “magic spot” which lines are /4 inch scale, which equals the scale of the diamonds
all pool players hope to find and hit. “Benchmarker' is a term on the rails on the circumference of a conventional pool table.
that is used throughout this application for describing the “ 0074 To begin, the user can line-up the two training balls
straight-in line for the object ball to hit a pocket. The second in a straight line to any one of the table pockets, with cue Stick
“benchmarker' is where the object ball and cue ball form a in hand, the user will then place left hand on the stick (for right
straight line, the diamond from where these two “bench handed users, the reverse is carried out for left-handed users).
marker' lines strike the rail, is counted to determine the line At this point, the user's body and the stick become “a full
number on the training balls, this will allow the user to find the unit'. The user then places his/her right foot on the black
line of shot between the cue ball and the object ball. FIG. 8 center line. The user's elbow is placed against the user's hip
also demonstrates in dashed-lines the diamond count for all
or ribs and the user's dominant eye is focused on the center of
nine shots. As can be seen for this system to work, a diamond the cue tip. The user then steps parallel with left foot and
is added in the center of each pocket. places the cue tip in line with the black center line of the
0064 FIG. 10, depicts the full scale training balls, the training balls, as the user bends over to shoot, he/she lets the
straight-in shot is determined by matching the “black line' stick roll in his/her hand.
with the black center line on the training balls. 0075) Next, the object ball is placed back on the playing
0065 FIG. 11 depicts shot number two, using two dia Surface at the previous position and the cue ball is moved to
monds for making a straight-in shot. The dotted lines shown the right one diamond, the object ball and the cue ball are then
in FIG. 11 are parallel, the prior art does not teach or Suggest positioned at the point where the black line and redlines of the
the use of two parallel lines for making a straight-in shot. The training balls face each other.
present inventive system of aligning the scaled lines on the 0076. The user now aims at the first red line which is
training balls with the scaled diamonds on the billiard table is positioned to the right of the black center line of the object
not only simple to use and aids in easily finding and recog ball, right foot on the red line toward the black center line on
nizing the correct line of shot, but also dictates to the user object ball, step straight ahead with left foot parallel and when
proper stance line up, and insists on good mechanics for the down roll your stick back to center line on cue ball, or when
user's body. you step parallel you can let the Stick roll in your hand if
0.066 The drawing depicts an aiming line and a shooting necessary to have tip on black center line of cue, you now
line. FIG. 12, further shows the enlarged parallel lines. ready to shoot. When standing cue tip on red and pointed
0067 FIG. 12 shows an enlarged view of FIG. 11 which toward black line, notice when you are down ready to shoot
shows a straight-in shot, depicting all the facets needed for you will be looking at the first red line on left of black line.
this shot, the parallel lines have been enlarged for a better You are ready to move the cue ball to second diamond, adjust
understanding of the invention. balls to be straight on, and repeat the same routine again.
US 2013/0059671 A1 Mar. 7, 2013
0077. In order to aid the user in remembering the various the cue ball is not turning in any direction, instead the ball is
types of shots, I have used a system called the “MONEY AS skidding. With the appropriate stroke, the center of the cue
MY MEMORY SYSTEM: ball can be struck allowing the user to achieve the intended
0078. When the balls are straight-on to shoot in the pocket, shot. The further the ball is positioned, the lower the selection
I call this a quarter shot or 0.25 cents shot. of the red line with respect to the center black line, and the
0079 First diamond to the left or right is the 0.50 cent shot more difficult the stroke. Follow shots is the same, the ball is
or 2 quarters, this is two diamonds from being straight-in hit one redline above the black center equator, roll so far, line
shot. higher, same stroke a diamond farther, so on for gauging a
0080. Third diamond is the 0.75 cent shot or three quarters stroke; drawing is below the black line, same procedure as
from being straight-in shot. before, using a draw stroke. Jump shot is just changing the
0081 Fourth diamond is the one dollar (S1.00) or 4 quar attitude of your cue Stick to steeper degree and, kind of a wrist
ters from being straight in-shot. Snapshot, and the masse, is a steep attitude with cuestick with
0082 Five diamonds is the one dollar and quarter shot a type of fast Snap follow-through.
(S1.25) or 5 quarters, five diamonds from being straight in I claim:
shot that is the halfball shot, you are on the fifth diamond 1. I claim my design, U.S. Pat. No. D669550, to be used as
and fifth red line on cue ball aiming at black center line on a cue ballanda objectball for the teaching and learning the art
object ball. of pool and billiard games, the balls are easier for the student
0083 Sixth diamond is the S1.50 shot or 6 quarters, this is to learn because the lines be pointed to at any time and very
achieved by repeating the same exact routine, only this simple to understand.
time you aim the first red line past the black center line at 2. I claim measure your shot (M.Y.S.) is the methodology
the SIDE OF OBJECTBALL, instead of the center of the and techology of two billiard balls with this new design of
object ball. nine (9) one quarter inch lines scribed 360 degrees, that are
0084. Seventh diamond is the one dollar and seventy five scaled to the diamonds on the rails of all billiard and pool
cent shot (S1.75) or 7 quarters, seven diamonds and lines tables a new system to teach beginners, intermediates. And
from being straight-in. advanced players to a higher game. The visurals of diamonds
I0085 Eight diamond is the two dollar shot ($2.00) or 8 and make it simple to recognize what shot you have and can
quarters, eight diamonds and eight lines from straight-in. be seen by players plus audience present in bleachers and on
I0086 Nine diamonds is the two dollar and twenty five cent televisions.
shot ($2.25) or 9 quarters, nine diamonds and nine lines on 3. I claim the memory of the lines while practicing come
the ball, in this shot the two black caps are aligned for aim. easy, when you switch to the white cue ball and object ball.
0087. The best method to see and recognize the shots, is to 4. I claim the lines are color coded, centerline is black with
find the intended pocket to shoot the object ball in, the line four red lines mirrored on each side of the black line, with
will go straight through th cue ball and object ball straight black Solid circle on top and bottom, measuring one eighth
back to the diamond on the rail or in the pocket. This is what inch (/s),
is referred to as the first “benchmarker. 5. I claim for the scaled lines to diamond system to work
0088. The second step, is to find where the cue ball and properly with an imaginary diamond must be placed in center
object ball meet Straighton, draw another imaginary lineback of each pocket. (see drawings).
to the rail, where the two imaginary lines meet will determine 6. I claim when pool table drawings with all said lines; are
the diamond number, this diamond is considered the second veiwed and blown-up to offical size balls will show the AIMI
“benchmarker. ING LINE, SHOOTING LINE AND CONTACT POINT,
0089. The third step is to count the diamonds between the parallel lines are very visiable.
first and second benchmarkers, this will determine the line 7. I claim these two training balls not only show new
number for lining up the balls. This aiming explanation is for improve aiming system but also all the indicas showing where
the cut-shot only. to strike the cue ball for all the facets of billiards and pool
0090. It should be noted that when the lines are in the games the indicas are simple to see understand.
vertical position, "curves' can be shot, by moving the cue to 8. I claim when the lines are vertical from table up, the axis
the right or left of the black center line, the curves become is also vertical, you can mix and match lines to aim for
more severe toward the edges of the cue ball on the 4 inch red diagonal cut shots, or parallel lines for spin shots.
lines, the attitude and stroke of the stick makes a great differ 9. I claim lines vertical, you can also engineer and shoot,
CCC. curves shots, masse shots, kick shots and bank shots.
0091. The training balls in this application allow a user to 10. I claim when the lines are horizonal you can engineer
achieve the intended shots. By rotating the black centerline or and shoot, stop shots, follow shots draw shots, jumpshots, slip
shots.
equator from the vertical position to the horizontal position
the axis can be changed, allowing a user to learn the stop i.e.

Measure Your Shot Patent

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Measure Your Shot Patent

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

US 2013 0059671 A1

(19) United States

You might also like