Joseph H Oshins

US Patent:

57162832, Feb 10, 1998

Filed:

Jul 26, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/507702

Inventors:

Thomas E. Simpson - Dublin OH
Joseph H. Oshins - Columbus OH

Assignee:

Elephant Balls, Inc. - Dublin OH

International Classification:

A63B 3700

US Classification:

473 2

Abstract:

A practice ball system for training in the playing of pool or pocket billiards. The system includes a cueball having a generally spherical outer surface extending about an axis of revolution circumscribed by a central meridian, and which is movable along a playing surface from impact by a cue having a tip of a given outer diameter. The cueball has first indicia on the outer surface defining the central meridian which is visually perceptible as the ball is moving along the playing surface for discerning the rotation of the ball. The system also includes an object ball having a generally spherical outer surface extending about an axis of revolution circumscribed by a central meridian, and which is movable along a playing surface from impact by the cueball. The object ball has a first hemisphere having an outer surface of a first color, and a second hemisphere having an outer surface of a second color generally contrasting with the first color. The first and second hemisphere meet along a circular locus defining the central meridian of the object ball, which meridian is visually perceptible as the ball is moving along the playing surface for discerning the rotation of the ball.