• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    Table with a table top which is provided at its circumference with an upright bumper with a height adapted for bouncing balls of a predetermined diameter rolling over the table top, the bumper being provided with heating means for heating the upright bumper , which heating means are positioned in the table at a height above the table top.
    公开号:BE1022683B1
    申请号:E2014/5040
    申请日:2014-10-30
    公开日:2016-07-14
    发明作者:Thierry Maria René Carl Gabriels
    申请人:Loontjens Biljarts；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    Billiard table
    The present invention relates to a table with a table top which is provided at its circumference with an upright bumper with a height adapted for reflecting balls with a predetermined diameter rolling over the table top. Such tables are thus adapted for playing ball games on the tabletop. Examples of such tables are snooker tables, pool tables and billiard tables.
    With such tables it is known to heat the tabletop. Typically, the tabletop is heated over its entire surface to a temperature that is between 25 ° and 30 ° C. Alternatively, a table is heated to a temperature that is X degrees above ambient, where X is typically between 2 and 15 degrees. This is mainly done for professional and semi-professional players. The reason for this is that players have the impression that playing uniformity is noticeably higher when the tabletop is heated. Playing uniformity also relates to the way balls roll and collide on the table. Mainly humidity of the tabletop, in particular of the textile that is part of the tabletop, has a notable influence on the delay that the ball undergoes when the ball rolls over the tabletop. By heating the tabletop, a more uniform humidity of the tabletop is obtained.
    A drawback of such tables with heated tabletop is that these tables significantly heat up the space in which the table is located. This warming up is unpleasant for the players and these rooms are then in practice provided with air conditioning that cools the ambient air in the room. For example, energy is used at the table to heat the table top in order to achieve a high playing uniformity, and at the same time the air conditioning is used to cool the room. These two systems counteract each other, which is unnecessarily energy consuming.
    It is an object of the invention to provide a table that allows a high playing uniformity and that generates less heat.
    To this end, the invention provides a table with a table top which is provided at its circumference with an upright bumper with a height adapted for reflecting balls with a predetermined diameter rolling over the table top, the bumper being provided with heating means for heating the upstanding fender, which heating means are positioned in the table at a height above the table top.
    Tests have shown that heating the bumpers has an unexpected positive effect on playing uniformity. Therefore, in the table according to the invention, heating means are provided in the fender, i.e. at a height that is located above the table top. The table according to the invention thus distinguishes itself from known billiard tables and snooker tables which have heating elements mounted under the table top. Because the heating means are mounted in the fender at a height above the table top, these heating means will only heat up the fender and no longer the entire table top. Because of this, the total heated volume of material, to get a high playing uniformity, is noticeably smaller than when the entire table top is heated. As a result, the high playing uniformity can be achieved in a considerably more energy-efficient manner with the table according to the invention. By heating the bumps, the moisture of the textile is checked at the bump. The moisture of the textile at the location of the bumper has a major influence on the coefficient of friction between the ball and bumper when the ball collides with the bumper. The moisture of the textile thus determines the angle at which the ball is reflected at the location of the bumper.
    Preferably, the raised fender further has a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the fender. By measuring the temperature of the bumper with a temperature sensor, the heating means can be controlled in an intelligent manner to keep the bumper at a predetermined temperature. To this end, the temperature sensor is preferably operatively connected to the heating means and provided with a controller to keep the bumper at a substantially constant and predetermined temperature. Because the temperature can be adjusted and controlled via the temperature sensor and the controller, the game experience can be made more uniform in an energy-efficient manner.
    The raised bumper preferably has several segments, each of which is provided with heating means. In addition, each segment is preferably also provided with a separate temperature sensor. Further preferably, the temperature sensor of each segment is operatively connected to the heating means of the respective segment via the controller to keep each segment of the bumper at a predetermined temperature. Tests have shown that the temperature of a bumper can strongly depend on the position of the table in the environment. A table placed next to a window where the sun shines in has a bump located near the window, which is typically warmer than the baffle furthest from the window. In another situation, a table can be placed in a room where there is a draft, where the bump segment in the draft has a noticeably lower temperature than another segment that is not in the draft. By providing different segments with different heating means and with respective temperature sensors, the temperature of each segment can be controlled such that the bump over the entire circumference of the table has substantially the same temperature regardless of external influences. As a result, a high playing uniformity is significantly improved for tables that are placed in a non-uniformly conditioned environment.
    The table top is preferably rectangular and a segment of the bumper is formed by a straight side or a part of a straight side of the table. As a result, the table has at least four segments, each with a temperature sensor and a heating means such that the four segments can be set to the same temperature. The temperature of each straight side of the table can be controlled separately. When the table is formed as a snooker or pool table, each longitudinal side is typically provided with a hole in the bumper. In such a table, each straight longitudinal side will contain two segments, one on either side of the hole, so that the table contains a total of 6 segments.
    The heating means are preferably formed by an electrical resistor. An electrical resistance is easily controllable and can be controlled by a controller. Furthermore, an electrical resistance can easily be built into a bump of the table.
    Preferably, the upright bump comprises a basic structure which is provided with a finishing layer, with the bump band further and directed towards a center of the table. The buffer is preferably formed from a resilient material. The heating means are preferably positioned between the basic structure and the buffer. Tests have shown that the temperature of the buffer has a great influence on the resilience of the buffer, and consequently on the way in which a ball is reflected by the buffer after collision with it. By mounting the heating means between the basic structure and the buffer, the heating means are close to the buffer, whereby the effect of heating by means of the heating means directly influences the temperature of the buffer. This allows the game uniformity to be increased in a highly energy-efficient manner.
    The tabletop is preferably provided with tabletop heating means which are positioned under the tabletop and which can be controlled independently of the heating means. By providing tabletop heating means under the tabletop, in addition to the heating means in the buffer and by making the tabletop heating means independently controllable from the heating means, tabletop and bumper edges can be heated at different temperatures. In addition, the temperature of the buffer can be considerably higher than the temperature of the table top. By heating the table top, a uniform humidity of the table top is obtained. For this, tests have surprisingly shown that in many situations it is not necessary to strongly heat the table top. A temperature of the tabletop that is a few degrees above the ambient temperature will be sufficient to check the humidity of the tabletop and thereby increase the playing uniformity. The bumpers can then be heated to a higher temperature, for example a temperature that is several degrees higher than the temperature of the table top. However, these bumpers have a relatively low mass and relatively small surface, at least in comparison with the table top, so that the influence of this heating on the environment is minimal.
    Preferably, the tabletop is formed as a stone plate and a textile is stretched over the tabletop and at least a portion of the bumper. Further preferably, the table is selected from a billiard table, a snooker table and a pool table, more preferably the table is a billiard table. With billiard tables, it is important that the ball collides with the bumps in a predictable and uniform way. That is why the invention is extremely suitable for billiard tables.
    The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to an exemplary embodiment shown in the drawing.
    In the drawing: figure 1 shows a table that is suitable for applying the invention; figure 2 shows a section of an edge of the table in which the invention according to an embodiment is applied; Figure 3 shows a basic plan view of a table in which the invention according to a further embodiment is applied.
    In the drawing, the same reference numeral is assigned to the same or analogous element.
    Figure 1 shows a table 1 with a table top 2. The table top 2 is provided at its peripheral edges with an upright bumper 3. This bumper 3 is provided for reflecting balls with predetermined properties that roll over the table top 2 when the balls collide with the bumper 3. The fender 3 is optionally provided with openings at the corners of the table 1 and at the center of the longitudinal sides of the table 2, which openings are provided for allowing the balls with predetermined properties to pass. Such tables are generally billiard tables, pool tables, carambole tables and snooker tables.
    Figure 2 shows a schematic cross-section of the table 1 at the location of a raised edge 3 of the table 1, some elements of a preferred embodiment of the table 1 being illustrated. Figure 2, for example, shows how the bumper 3 contains a basic body 5 which is provided with a bumper 4 on an inner side of a bumper 3. The inner side of the bumper 3 is defined here as the side of the bumper located at the table top 2. . The buffer 4 is preferably made from an elastic material such as rubber such that the buffer 4 has predetermined elastic properties. As a result, a ball bumping against the buffer 4 will be reflected in a predictable manner by the buffer 4. This behavior of the buffer 4 forms the basis for playing ball games on the table 1. A finishing layer 16 can further be provided on the base body 5 which determines the visual impression of the bumper 3. A further aspect that influences the reflection of the ball which bumps against a buffer 4 is the moisture of the textile 9 which is typically stretched over the buffer 4. This humidity influences the coefficient of friction between ball and buffer 4.
    The fender 3 is formed on the inside such that the fender 3 at least partially overhangs the table top 2. This is illustrated in Figure 2, is generally known and is often used with such tables 1. The farthest overhang of the fender is 3 always formed by the bump band 4, and typically positioned at a height of the table top 2 that is substantially equal to the radius of the balls with predetermined properties. For example, a ball which, rolling over the table top 2, collides with the buffer 4, will be reflected substantially parallel to the table top. As a result, the ball will not have a noticeable tendency to fly up or be pushed down when reflected.
    The table top 2 is typically formed by a stone or slate 11. Theoretically, any material with a high hardness and a high stiffness, in other words with a hardness and a stiffness that is functionally comparable to that of stone or slate, can be used as a table top 11 A cloth 9 is then typically stretched over this sheet 11, which cloth 9 is also stretched over at least a portion of the inside of the bumper. Figure 2 shows an example in which the fender 3 is provided with a groove 8 in which the cloth 9 can be attached. At the location of the connection 10 between the bumper 3 and table top 2, the cloth can be fixed by known techniques. For example, cloth 9 can be clamped between sheet 11 and base body 5 so as to tension the cloth 9. Alternatively, the cloth 9, which is shown in the figure as being formed from one piece, is made of several pieces, a first piece being stretched over the sheet 11, and wherein a second piece is stretched over at least a portion of the bumper 3. The person skilled in the art is familiar with techniques for tensioning the cloth 9, and therefore this cloth 9 is only shown in principle in the figure.
    Figure 2 shows how the fender 3 is provided with a heating element 6. The heating element 6 is positioned in the table 1 at a height above the table top 2. Thus, the primary purpose of the heating element is to heat the fender 3. The heating element 6 is preferably placed between bumper 4 and base body 5 of the bumper 3. When the heating element is active, the heating element 6 will heat the bumper 4 and at least a part of the base body 5 of the bumper 3. Tests have shown that the temperature of bumper 4 has a surprisingly large influence on the elastic properties of the bumper 4. As a result, the temperature of the bumper 4 has a large influence on the impact properties when a ball collides with the bumper 4. In order to achieve a high playing uniformity, the collision properties are preferably as continuous as possible. This means that the temperature of in particular the buffer 4 must be as continuous as possible over the entire circumference of the table 1. Therefore, heating element 6 is preferably elongated and heating element 6 preferably extends over substantially the entire circumference of the table 1. As a result, the bumper 4 will be temperature-adjustable over the entire circumference of the table 1 by the heating element 6. The bumper 3 is preferably provided with at least one temperature sensor 7 for measuring the temperature of the bumper. This temperature sensor 7 can be placed, considered the cross-section of the bumper 3, in several places (also called transverse position) and is preferably provided near the bumper 4. By placing a temperature sensor 7, the heating element 6 can be controlled by a controller (see figure 3) can be controlled in an intelligent way to a predetermined temperature. For example, the fender 3 is heated to a predetermined temperature that is relative to an ambient temperature and that is preferably more than 3 ° C higher, more preferably more than 5 ° C higher and most preferably more than 7 ° C is higher, preferably less than 20 ° C, more preferably less than 15 ° C higher than the ambient temperature. The table is preferably provided with an ambient temperature sensor (not shown) which is operationally connected to the controller 12 (see figure 3) such that the heating means can be dynamically controlled relative to the ambient temperature.
    The elongated heating element 6 is preferably provided in a plurality of segments. In this case, one temperature sensor 7 is most preferably provided for each segment. By segmenting the heating elements and providing respective temperature sensors, the fender 3 can be set to one predetermined temperature, regardless of external temperature influences. Examples are described above of environments that have an influence on the temperature of the bumpers 3, which influences can be compensated for by the segmented heating element 6.
    Figure 3 shows an example of a table 1 which is provided with a heating element 6 in four segments 61, 62, 63 and 64. In the example, each straight side of the table is provided with a segment. Furthermore, each straight side of the table is provided with a separate or unique temperature sensor 71, 72, 73 and 74. Each of the segments of the heating element 6 and each of the temperature sensors is connected to a controller 12. The controller is provided for controlling the heating element segments 61, 62, 63, 64 based on the respective temperature measurements of temperature sensor 71, 72, 73 and 74. The controller 12 may be operatively connected to input means (not shown) that allow a user to be connected via the input means can set a predetermined temperature for the bumper 3 or set a relative temperature with respect to the ambient temperature.
    Preferably further heating means 13 are placed under the table top 2. These further heating means 13 are primarily intended for heating the table top 2. Thereby, the further heating means 13 (table top 2) can be controlled separately from the heating means 6 (bump 3). Further temperature sensors (not shown) can be placed on the table top 2 to measure the temperature of the table top. Further heating means 13 can thus be controlled to a predetermined temperature by controller 12, or to a temperature that is relative to the ambient temperature.
    Preferably, controller 12 is provided for controlling the temperature of the bumps 3 via heating element 6 to a first predetermined temperature, which may be absolute or relative, and controller 12 is provided for controlling the temperature of the table top 2 via further heating means 13 to a second predetermined temperature, the first predetermined temperature being higher than the second predetermined temperature. Preferably, the first predetermined temperature is substantially higher than the second predetermined temperature. Notably, higher is defined as a minimum of 2 degrees higher, preferably a minimum of 4 degrees higher, more preferably about 5 degrees higher.
    The controller 12 is preferably provided for setting the second predetermined temperature (temperature of the table top 2) to approximately the ambient temperature or to a maximum of a few degrees above the ambient temperature. As a result, the effect is generally obtained that the tabletop has a uniform humidity and is pleasant to play on, but it is prevented that the tabletop 2 warms up the surroundings appreciably. Because the first predetermined temperature, this is the temperature of the bumps 3, is preferably noticeably higher than the table top temperature 2, the bump band 4 can be brought in a simple manner to a constant temperature over the circumference of the table 1. As a result achieve a high level of playing uniformity, which is particularly appreciated by professional and semi-professional players. The bumpers 3 are then heated to a temperature that is noticeably above the ambient temperature, but the impact thereof on the environment will be minimal because the bumpers 3 have a small mass or surface area (at least in comparison with the tabletop).
    Figure 3 shows one temperature sensor per segment of heating element 6. Thereby, the temperature sensor 71 is positioned substantially centrally in the longitudinal direction of bumper 31, while temperature sensor 72 is primarily angled in the longitudinal direction of bumper 32. This is to illustrate that the temperature sensor multiple longitudinal positions can be placed without departing from the principles of the invention. It is noted in this context that it is also possible to place several temperature sensors per heating element segment. Alternatively, multiple heating element segments can also be placed per temperature sensor. The temperature sensors are preferably chosen to perform an optimum temperature measurement within a temperature range between 15 ° C and 50 ° C.
    The heating element 6 can be technically implemented in various ways. The heating element 6 is preferably formed by an electrical resistor. An electrical resistor 6 is inexpensive and can easily be built into a bump 3. Furthermore, an electrical resistor 6 is easily adjustable by a controller. Alternatively, the heating element can also be formed by liquid channels, whereby liquid with a predetermined temperature can flow through certain channels so as to influence the temperature of the bumper 3.
    According to an alternative embodiment of the invention (not shown), heating element 6 is formed as a heat-conducting element, the heat source being spaced apart from heat-conducting element 6. Thereby, it is theoretically possible to position the heat source at a height below the table top, however since the heat is conducted to the buffer 4 by means of a heat-conducting material specially provided for this purpose in the buffer 3, such a configuration will nevertheless be regarded as a configuration in which heating element 6 is placed above the table top. Namely the definition of the position, above the table top, relates to the location where the heat fulfills its function being near the buffer 4.
    It will be clear to those skilled in the art that the invention can be applied to billiard tables, snooker tables, carambole tables or pool tables. The above description and accompanying figures are merely illustrative of some examples of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention. The scope of protection will therefore only be defined in the claims.
    权利要求:
    Claims (13)
    [1]
    Conclusions
    A table with a table top which is provided at its circumference with an upright bumper with a height adapted for reflecting balls with a predetermined diameter rolling over the table top, wherein the bumper is provided with heating means for heating the upright fender, which heating means are positioned in the table at a height above the table top, wherein the upright fender further comprises a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the fender, wherein the temperature sensor is operatively connected to the heating means and is provided with a regulator to keep the fender at a substantially constant temperature.
    [2]
    2. Table as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the raised bumper has several segments, each of which is provided with heating means.
    [3]
    Table according to claim 2 and claim 4, wherein each segment is provided with a temperature sensor.
    [4]
    Table according to claim 3 and claim 5, wherein the temperature sensor of each segment is operatively connected to the heating means of the respective segment via said controller to keep each segment of the bump at a substantially constant temperature.
    [5]
    Table according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the table top is rectangular.
    [6]
    The table of claims 2-4 and claim 5, wherein a segment of the bumper is formed by a straight side of the table.
    [7]
    Table according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the heating means are formed by an electrical resistor.
    [8]
    Table as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the upright bump contains a basic structure which is provided with a finishing layer, wherein on the basic structure a bump band directed to a center of the table is further fixed, wherein the bump band is formed from a resilient material .
    [9]
    9. Table as claimed in claim 8, wherein the heating means are positioned between the basic structure and the buffer.
    [10]
    10. Table as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the tabletop is provided with tabletop heating means which are positioned under the tabletop and which can be controlled independently of the heating means.
    [11]
    11. Table as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the table further comprises an ambient temperature sensor and wherein the table is provided for controlling the heating means relative to the ambient temperature.
    [12]
    12. Table as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the table top is shaped like a stone plate and wherein a textile is stretched over the table top and at least a part of the bumper.
    [13]
    A table according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the table is a billiard table.
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    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    BE1022683A1|2016-07-14|
    CN107206275A|2017-09-26|
    KR102359992B1|2022-02-07|
    BE1022683A9|2016-10-07|
    KR20170091099A|2017-08-08|
    WO2016068704A1|2016-05-06|
    引用文献:
    公开号 | 申请日 | 公开日 | 申请人 | 专利标题
    GB190819794A|1908-09-21|1909-03-18|Frederick Arthur Alcock|
    GB208905A|1922-12-19|1924-01-03|Frederick Thomas Brearley|Improvements in or connected with flexible pipes, tubes, and the like|
    EP0731623A2|1995-03-08|1996-09-11|Ernesto Marelli|Heating device with automatic thermoregulation|
    KR20110075576A|2009-12-28|2011-07-06|주식회사 코스모스산업|Heating system of a billard table|
    WO2014139141A1|2013-03-15|2014-09-18|Zheng Liqing|Anti-condensation control systems and methods|
    CN201329170Y|2008-12-25|2009-10-21|北京星伟体育用品有限公司|Damp-proof billiard table plate|
    KR20110006697U|2009-12-28|2011-07-06|주식회사 코스모스산업|a illuminated billiad table|
    CN202637922U|2012-01-17|2013-01-02|北京星伟体育用品有限公司|Electronic constant temperature heating and dehumidifying system of billiard table|
    法律状态:
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    BE20145040A|BE1022683A9|2014-10-30|2014-10-30|Billiard table|BE20145040A| BE1022683A9|2014-10-30|2014-10-30|Billiard table|
    CN201580068006.5A| CN107206275A|2014-10-30|2015-10-28|Heat billiard table|
    KR1020177014748A| KR102359992B1|2014-10-30|2015-10-28|Heated billiard table|
    PCT/NL2015/050749| WO2016068704A1|2014-10-30|2015-10-28|Heated billiard table|
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