This invention relates to a games table top for playing a ball game of the type in which a player strikes a cue ball against an object ball. According to the present invention we provide a games table top for playing a ball game of the type in which a player strikes a cue ball against an object ball wherein the table top has a playing area of trapezium shape in plan view, The table top preferably has a base providing a fiat playing surface for the balls surrounded by a peripheral wall upstanding from the base to retain the balls on the playing surface and defining therewith the playing area of trapezium shape. The peripheral wall preferably comprises a pair of opposed parallel end walls of different length and a pair of opposed side walls of equal length.

The .SSble" top preferab±y has at—leas-b-one-pocket for receiving the object ball during play. Preferably there are two corner pockets. One -in the comer-between each side wall and the longer end wall, two side pockets, one in each side wall spaced from the corner pocket, and a centre pocket in the base spaced from the side and end walls on a ^' longitudinal centre line extending between the end walls.

The base preferably has one or more buffers spaced from the side and end walls. Preferably there are two buffers, one adjacent to the corner between each side wall and the longer end wall.

The table top may have a flat surface on the underside for mounting the table top on a table or similar flat support. Alternatively, the table top may be provided with support legs or stand on the underside

which may be collapsible and/or detachable to facilitate storage.

The table top may be adapted for coin or token operation. For example, the pockets may be arranged to direct the balls to a selection device for retaining the object ball and releasing the cue ball for continued play.

The invention will now be described in more detail by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawing of apparatus for playing a ball game incorporating the table top according to the present invention.

The apparatus shown in the accompanying drawing includes a table top 1 having a playing area 2 of trapezium shape in plan view, a cue ball 3 and a plurality of object balls consisting of a first set of seven plain balls indicated by reference numeral 4, a second set of seven striped balls indicated by reference numeral 5 and a single black ball indicated by reference numeral 6. It will be appreciated that any suitable combination of colour and/or surface markings could be used to distinguish between the three different types of object ball.,

The table top 1 has a base 7 providing a flat playing surface 8 for the balls surrounded by a peripheral wall 9 upstanding from the base.7 to retain the balls on the playing surface 8 and defining therewith the trapezium shaped playing area 2.

In known manner the inwardly facing surface of- the wall 9 is constructed to provide elastic rebound of the balls and together with the playing surface 8 is covered with baize cloth of green or any other colour.

The peripheral wall 9 comprises a pair of opposed parallel end walls lOst,10b of which one wall 10a is shorter than the other wall 10b and a pair of opposed side walls 11a,lib of equal length. The table top 1 further includes five pockets for receiving the object balls during play and consisting of a centre pocket 12, two corner pockets 13 and two side pockets 14. The centre pocket 12 is provided in the base 7 on the longitudinal centre line extending between the end walls l0a,10b. The corner pockets 13 are provided at the wider end of the table top 1 between each side wall 11a,lib and the longer end wail 10b. The side pockets 14 are provided in each side wall lla,lib spaced from the corner pockets 13. The pockets 12,13,14 may be of any suitable type allowing free access to the balls, for example simple net pockets may be provided. Alternatively, the table top may be adapted for coin or token operation by arranging the pockets to direct the balls to a selection device for retaining the object balls and returning the cue ball only.

The table top 1 also has two buffers 15 each positioned on the base 7 at the wider end of the table top adjacent to a respective corner pocket 13 and spaced from the side walls lla,lib and end wall 10b so as to allow a ball to pass therebetween. The buffers 15 are constructed to provide elastic rebound of the balls.

The object balls are positioned for the start of the game as shown with the black ball 6 on a spot (not shown) in front of the centre pocket 12 and the two sets of balls arranged in a chevron with the apex ball on a spot (not shown) behind the centre pocket 12. A rack (not shown) may be provided for arranging the

Q - balls in the chevron to facilitate setting up of the balls.

Adjacent to the narrower end of the table top, a line marking indicated by reference numeral 16 extends 05 across the playing surface 8 between the side walls lla,lib and defines a balk area 17 from where the cue ball 3 is played. A further line marking indicated by reference numeral 18 extends between the side walls lla,lib and defines a penalty area 19 within the 10 balk area 17 into which balls obstructing the black spot may be placed as described in the exemplary set of Rules for playing the game given later herein.

The apparatus above-described is suitable for playing a game between two players or two teams each 15 using a cue to strike the cue ball 3 against selected object balls with the winner being the first player or team to pocket all the balls of one set followed by the black ^"" ball. ^"

One set of Rules for playing the game will now be 20 given but it will be understood that the invention is not limited thereby: 1. Each shot must be taken with the player's feet behind the balk end of the table with the cue ball positioned in the balk area. If the cue ball 25 returns to the balk area after a shot the next shot is taken from where the cue ball lies. If the cue ball does not return to the balk area it is re-placed anywhere within the balk area by the player taking the next shot. The cue ball must be

30 played away from the balk end and cannot be played backwards even if the only available ball is behind the cue ball.

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2. On the break at least two balls must hit the side walls.

3. The first player or team to pocket a ball from either set must pocket the remaining balls in that set and the other player or team must pocket the balls of the other set.

4. Shots are taken alternately except as follows:- a) a ball is pocketed in the centre pocket or the next ball to be pocketed is the black ball. In either case a further shot may be take . b) a foul shot is played. In this case the next player may take his own shot and one free shot with further shots being permitted as set out in 4(a) .

5. Poul shots are deemed as follows:- a) a player misses his own ball or, if these have "been pockete , the black-bail.— b) a player strikes his opponent's ball first. c) a player moves the black ball from its spot or if its spot is occupied from where it lies before pocketing all the balls in his set. d) a player pockets the cue ball. e) a player plays a ball behind the balk line and the ball does not pass over the balk line out of the balk area.

6. If snookered after a foul shot there is no free table. The next player must play a ball from his set or, these have been pocketed, the black ball.

7. The black ball can only be pocketed in the side and corner pockets and a pla er must nominate the pocket before taking his shot. If a player pockets the black ball in the centre pocket or in

a pocket other than that nominated or pockets the cue ball of the black ball he loses the game. A player also loses the game if he pockets the black ball in any pocket before pocketing all the balls in his set. 8. If the black ball is moved from its spot as a result of a foul shot, it is replaced on its spot before the next shot. If the black spot is occupied by a ball from either set after a foul shot the following applies:- a) if the ball belongs to the player who did not foul it remains there and may be played in the normal manner with the black being replaced as soon as the spot is free. b) if the ball belongs to the player who fouled it is removed and placed in the penalty area and the black replaced on its spot. It will ^• be appreciated-that -the invented -table•top is not limited as to the size of the playing area and that the number and disposition of the pockets and buffers may be changed whilst retaining the overall trapezium shape of the playing area. Also the number of balls making up each set may be changed.