Methods and apparatuses for time-constrained games of billiards, pool and the like

Abstract

The present invention is generally directed to novel methods for playing billiards, pool and the like. The methods generally include associating a first player with a first timer set to a first value of time and a second player with a second timer set to a second value of time. The players generally take turns according to the rules of a game of pool or billiards while having the time in the first timer expire during said first player's inning or set of innings and the time in the second timer expire during said second player's inning or set of innings. The game generally ends whenever (a) a player's timer completely expires or (b) a player succeeds in achieving the object of the game before said player's timer completely expires. The winner is generally the player having time remaining while said player's opponent's time has completely expired or the player who achieved the object of the game before said player's time completely expired. A billiards table functionally associated with a timing device is also disclosed. The device generally includes a first timer adapted to be set to a first value greater than zero and a second timer adapted to be set to a second value greater than zero. One or more timer controllers are available to control the timers. Timer displays show the time remaining in each timer.

1 . A billiards table, the billiards table further comprising:
 a first button adapted to control at least a first timer;   a second button adapted to control at least a second timer;   wherein said first timer is adapted to be set to a first value of time and said second timer is adapted to be set to a second value of time.   
   
   
       2 . The billiards table of  claim 1 , wherein said first button is adapted when actuated to cause said first timer to become active and start expiring the time available in said first timer and said second button is adapted when actuated to cause said second timer to become active and start expiring the time available in said second timer. 
   
   
       3 . The billiards table of  claim 2 , wherein said first button when actuated is further adapted to cause said second timer, if said second timer is active, to pause and retain the last value said second timer held at the time said first button was actuated. 
   
   
       4 . The billiards table of  claim 2 , wherein said second button when actuated is further adapted to cause said first timer, if said first timer is active, to pause and retain the last value said first timer held at the time said second button was actuated. 
   
   
       5 . The billiards table of  claim 1 , wherein said first timer is functionally associated with a first timer display and said second timer is functionally associated with a second timer display. 
   
   
       6 . The billiards table of  claim 1 , wherein the billiards table further comprises a value accepting mechanism, wherein successful actuation of said value accepting mechanism makes billiards balls available for play. 
   
   
       7 . The billiards table of  claim 6 , wherein successful actuation of said value accepting mechanism re-sets said first and second timers. 
   
   
       8 . The billiards table of  claim 1 , wherein the billiards table further comprises an input pad for setting said first and second timers. 
   
   
       9 . (canceled) 
   
   
       10 . The billiards table of  claim 1 , wherein the billiards table further comprises a first indicator adapted to indicate when said first timer's time has fully expired and a second indicator adapted to indicate when said second timer's time has fully expired. 
   
   
       11 . A billiards table, the billiards table comprising:
 a first timer, wherein said first timer is adapted to be set to a first value greater than zero;   a second timer, wherein said second timer is adapted to be set to a second value greater than zero;   an input pad for setting said first and second timers;   a timer controller, wherein the timer controller when actuated alternatively initiates and pauses, respectively, said first and second timers;   a first timer display and a second timer display, wherein the first timer display displays the value of said first timer and the second timer display displays the value of said second timer;   a value accepting mechanism adapted to activate said timing device when said value accepting mechanism is successfully actuated;   a first indicator adapted to indicate when said first timer's time has fully expired;   a first indicator adapted to indicate when said second timer's time has fully expired.   
   
   
       12 . A timing device functionally associated with a billiards table, wherein the timing device comprises:
 a first timer functionally associated to a first timer display, wherein said first timer is adapted to be set to a first value greater than zero;   a second timer functionally associated to a second timer display, wherein said second timer is adapted to be set to a second value greater than zero;   wherein said timing device is functionally associated with a timer controller;   wherein actuating said timer controller activates said first timer causing expiration of the time available in said first timer, and thereafter, actuating said timer controller causes the active timer to pause while activating the alternate of said first and second timers causing expiration of the time available from the last value at which said alternate timer was last paused.   
   
   
       13 - 20 . (canceled)