Bumper pool game

Abstract

A new and improved method and apparatus for bumper pool adds considerably to the interest and challenge of playing the game. The bumper pool game may be played on larger tables, as compared to conventional bumper pool, with more balls, offering options for players with differing skill levels. The bumper pool game may provide for a variety of different shaped and sized bumpers. The bumper pool table may be designed for coin-operation by a ball return stop mechanism and controls the release of the balls to their respective sides of the table. A ball return set-up may return the balls to their respective ends of the table for quick and easy set up for playing the next game.

1 . A game comprising:
 a table having side rails about the periphery thereof;   a plurality of bumpers disposed on the table;   first and second scoring holes disposed at opposing ends of the table; and   scoring circles circumscribed about the first and second scoring holes.   
     
     
         2 . The game of  claim 1 , wherein the shape of at least one of the plurality of bumpers is not round. 
     
     
         3 . The game of  claim 1 , further comprising first and second ball return conduits, the first ball return conduit adapted to receive balls dropped into the first scoring hole and returning the balls to a first ball reservoir at a first end of the table, and the second ball return conduit adapted to receive balls dropped into the second scoring hole and returning the balls to a second ball reservoir at a second, opposite end of the table. 
     
     
         4 . The game of  claim 1 , wherein the scoring circles is coaxially disposed about the first and second scoring holes, the scoring circles having a diameter from about 30 to about 40 percent of the width of the table. 
     
     
         5 . The game of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of balls, the balls adapted to fit through the first and second scoring holes, the balls including indications thereupon to differentiate a first set of balls and a second set of balls, the first set of balls and the second set of balls each including a first-to-be-holed ball and a last-to-be-holed ball. 
     
     
         6 . The game of  claim 3 , further comprising a coin-operated dispenser adapted to selectively retain and release balls in the first and second ball return conduits. 
     
     
         7 . The game of  claim 6 , further comprising a ball capture device, the ball capture device actuated by an actuator mechanism of the coin-operated dispenser, the ball capture device configured to move between a first position, retaining balls in the first and second ball return conduits, and a second position, permitting passage of the balls through the first and second ball return conduits. 
     
     
         8 . The game of  claim 1 , wherein the bumpers are interchangeably and removably attached to the table, thereby allowing a user to change bumper size or bumper shape. 
     
     
         9 . A bumper pool game comprising:
 a table having side rails about the periphery thereof;   a plurality of bumpers disposed on the table;   first and second scoring holes disposed at opposing ends of the table;   scoring circles circumscribed about the first and second scoring holes;   first and second ball reservoirs positioned at the opposing ends of the table; and   first and second ball return conduits, the first ball return conduit adapted to receive balls dropped into the first scoring hole and returning the balls to the first ball reservoir, and the second ball return conduit adapted to receive balls dropped into the second scoring hole and returning the balls to the second ball reservoir.   
     
     
         10 . The bumper pool game of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a coin-operated dispenser adapted to selectively retain and release balls in the first and second ball return conduits; and   a ball capture device, the ball capture device actuated by an actuator mechanism of the coin-operated dispenser, the ball capture device configured to move between a first position, retaining balls in the first and second ball return conduits, and a second position, permitting passage of the balls through the first and second ball return conduits.