AU644891B2

AU644891B2 - Multiple piece cue

Info

Publication number: AU644891B2
Application number: AU81334/91A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Patrick Bernard Miller
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-07-25
Filing date: 1991-07-25
Publication date: 1993-12-23
Anticipated expiration: 2011-07-25
Also published as: AU8133491A

Description

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT e g.

5 g 0@ S S

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Name of Applicant: Address of Applicant: Actual Inventor: Address for Service: PATRICK BERNARD MILLER 12 Tetworth Cres.

Nollamara 6061 Western Australia PATRICK BERNARD MILLER GRIFFITH HACK CO.

256 Adelaide Tce Perth 6000 Western Australia

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*0 Complete Specification for the invention entitled: MULTIPLE PIECE CUE Details of Associated Provisional Applications: PK 1654 Details of Parent Application for Divisional Applications: The following is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- 2 MULTIPLE PIECE CUE The present invention relates to a multiple piece cue for use in billiards and the like.

It is known to have two piece cues having a tip portion and a butt portion capable of being joined together by threading of a bolt at one end of the tip portion into a threaded hole in an end of the butt portion. End faces of the tip portion and the butt portion at the join are disposed substantially perpendicular to an axis of the cue so as to e 0 achieve proper alignment of the tip portion and the butt portion along the axis. The threaded engagement then merely S brings the two faces into intimate contact so as to achieve such alignment. A disadvantage of such cue joining techniques is that there is a relatively small area of the two faces in which to achieve alignment and the diamneter of the bolt threadedly coupling the tip portion to the butt portion is relatively small. The result is that accurate alignment of the tip portion and the butt portion along a single axis is difficult to achieve. Also, failure of the threaded hole can :2"b occur due to excessive tightening of the bolt into the hole in an attempt to maintain intimate contact of the two faces.

Ertry of foreign matter into the hole or between the faces can result in misalignment or in weak coupling of the tip portion to the butt portion.

Therefore, it is desirable to provide a multiple piece cue in which the tip portion and the butt portion are joined together in a manner achieving a relatively large area of contact between the tip portion and the butt portion thus alleviating the problem of alignment and reducing the likelihood of fracture or breakage of the joint.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a multiple piece cue for use in billiards and the like wherein alignment of the pieces of 'the cue upon an axis is achievable even without the need for face to face butt contact of the pieces with each other.

In accordance with the present invention there is 3 provided a multiple piece cue for use in billiards and the like, the cue comprising, a tip portion having a tip for striking a ball at one end, the tip portion having a thread at its other end, wherein the thread has a diameter substantially equal to or smaller than the diameter of tip portion immediately adjacent the thread; and, a butt portion having a thread at one end for threaded engagement with the thread of the tip portion for joining the 10 tip portion and the butt portion together; 066@ whereby, longitudinal alignment of the tip and butt portions along an axis is achieved by engagement of the threads of the tip portion and the butt portion, the alignment being achievable irrespective of the existence or absence of face to *4e*r* 05 face butt contact of the ends of the tip and butt portions.

es A further disadvantage of prior art multiple piece cues is that once disassembled the two pieces must be stored.

Usually a fabric material bag or a box is provided for the purpose. In some embodiments of the present invention the tip *&too* 20 portion can be stored in the butt portion to protect the tip eS* portion and obviate the need for separate container.

Four embodiments, being examples only, of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a multiple piece cue shown with a tip portion stored within a butt portion S of the cue; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a butt portion; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional side view of a further embodiment of a butt portion; and, Figure 4 is a perspective view, seen from above, of another embodiment of a multiple piece cue.

In Figure 1 there is shown a multiple piece cue comprising a tip portion 12 and a butt portion 14.

The tip portion 12 has an elongate and tapered shaft p 15, a ferrule 16 located at a thin end of the shaft 15, the 4 ferrule 16 having a leather tip 18 fixed upon it for striking a ball. The tip portion 12 also comprises a further ferrule located at an opposite thick end of the shaft 15. The ferrule 20 has an external thread 22 located intermediate its length, a stop means in the form of a flared end 24 and a plurality of trimming weights 26 disposed within the flared end 24. Typically, the thread 22 extends along approximately millimetres of the ferrule 20, the length of the thread 22 being greater than the diameter of the thread 22. The ferrule 20 has a bore 28 which receives a tapered rod 30 of the shaft 15 for gluing of the ferrule 20 onto the tapered rod Typically, the shaft 15 of the tip portion 12 is made o.o. of wood as is conventionally the case with billiard cues.

Typically, the ferrules 16 an 20 are formed of brass and are 5 glued to the shaft 15 with epoxy glue such as that sold under the trade mark ARALDITE. Typically, the shaft is made from wood.

The butt portion 14 comprises a uniformly tapered tube 32 terminated at its thin end at a neck 34 with a 2f cylindrical portion 36 having an internal thread 38. The taper is preferably at the same angle as the taper of the tip portion 12. Also, the bore of the butt portion 14 is designed so that the tip portion 12 can telescopically extend out of the butt portion 14 from the position shown in Figure 1. The butt 25 portion 14 also has a balance weight 39 located intermediate s. its length and in its interior for intimate engagement with its bore. An end stopper 40 is attached to a rear end 42 of the tube 32 for closing off the tube 32. A removable cap 44 is provided for fitment over the cylindrical portion 36 for sealing off the other end of the tube 32.

The thread 22 of the tip portion 12 is intended to threadedly engage with the thread 38 of the butt portion 14.

The threads 22 and 28 are of a relatively fine pitch for achieving intimate coupling between the tip portion 12 and the butt portion 14. The intimate coupling achieves alignment of the tip portion 12 and the butt portion 14 along an axis even where there is no face to face butt contact of the ends of the tip and butt portions 12 and 14. Or put another way the object of the present invention can be met by using intimately coupling threads 22 and 38 alone. When the threads 22 and 38 are fully engaged thr- lared end 24 bears against the neck 34 of the butt portion 14 proximate the thread 38 to prevent further rotation of the tip portion 12 in the butt portion 14 and to lock the tip portion 12 and the butt portion 14 together.

The tube 32 of the butt portion 14 is typically formed of metal material and the balance weight M and the trimming weight 26 are provided to give the cue 10 the same balance point and weight as a conventional cue. It is 3? envisaged that the material of the balance weightqN may be altered and the positioning of the balance weight may be changed so as to obviate the need for the trimming weight 26.

However, the trimming weight 26 may still be desirable for persons who wish to be able to adjust the balance position of the cue to their own requirements.

The threads 22 and 38 are preferably formed in S*268 cylindrical portions of the tip portion 12 and the butt portion S 14, respectively, since it has been discovered that threaded engagement of tapered portions is inherently unreliable and difficult to achieve.

The length of the butt portion 14 is intended to be approximately 55% of the length of the cue 10 and the length of the tip portion 12 is intended to be approximately 45% of the length of the cue. Accordingly, the tip portion 12 may readily be located within the butt portion 14 as shown in Figure 1. The removable cap 44 and the rubber stopper retain the tip portion in the butt portion 14. Typically, the overall length of the cue 10 when assembled is approximately 146 cm, which corresponds to conventional lengths for competition cues.

It is envisaged that a spiral leather grip could be would around the butt portion 14 for gripping by a player when in use. It is envisaged that other forms of grips could also be applied or fixed to the butt portion 14.

6 Fabrication of the cue 10 is achieved by turning the shaft is of the tip portion 12 forming tapered rods at each end of the shaft 15 for receiving the ferrules 16 and respectively. Adhesive is placed in the bore of the ferrules 16 and 20 and the ferrules 16 and 20 are then located onto the respective rods., Tip portion 12 is then placed into an alignment tube of substantially similar shape to that of the butt portion 14. A plug having a bore of identical shape to the ferrule and the end of the shaft 15 is threaded into engagement with an internally threaded end of the alignment g.o tube for aligning the ferrule 16 on the same axis as the shaft 15. A centralising plug is located in the bore of the alignment tube for aligning the ferrule 20 on the axis of the shaft 15. A stopper is then attached to the open end of the 5 alignment tube for holding the tip portion 12 in its assembled form in the alignment tube.

The butt portion 14 is typically formed from tapered 36 aluminium tube with the cylindrical portionj13 welded at its 39 narrower end. The balance weight, 8 is glued or blind riveted 2 into the bore of the tube.

In use, the cue 10 can be assembled by removing the cap 44 from the cylindrical portion 36, telescopically s6 extending the tip portion 12 out of the butt portion 14 until the thread 22 engages with the thread 38. The tip portion 12 and the butt portion 14 are then rotated in opposite directions to propel the tip portion 12 further out of the butt portion 14 until the flared end 24 bears against the neck 34 of the butt portion 14 whereat the tip portion 12 is locked in position in the butt portion 14. The cue 10 may then be operated in conventional manner for striking balls. Due to the 3

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location of the balance weight43S and the optional trimming weight 26 the weight and balance of the cue 10 may be identical with that of conventional cues.

Upon completion of play, the cue 10 may be disassembled by unthreading the threads 22 and 38 and lowering the tip portion 12 into the butt portion 14 and replacing the cap 44 over the cylindrical portion 36.

7 In the embodiment of Figures 2 and 3 the tip portion 12 is identical to the tip portion 12 of the cue 10 shown in Figure 1. The butt portion 50 shown in Figure 2 comprises a cylindrical tube 52 swaged at one end to form a cylindrical portion 54 which is provided with an internal thread 56 similar to the thread 38 of the cue 10 of Figure 1. At the other end of the tube 52 there is provided a balance tube 4 fixed upon the outside of the tube 52 so as to increase the diameter of the tube 52 and to provide proper weight and balance for the overall cue 10. A stopper 57 similar to the stopper 42 is provided over the balance tube 4 5d to close off one end of the butt portion The tip portion 12 is housed within the tube 52 in S similar manner in that shown in Figure 1.

*goose f 5 Use of a cue 10 having the butt portion 50 is

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identical to the use of the cue 10 with the butt portion 14.

In Figure 3 there is shown another butt portion formed of a cylindrical tube having an internal sleeve 62 sweat soldered into one end of it. The sleeve 62 has an internal r S21 thread 64 identical to the thread 38. The remainder of the .0q go 0 butt portion 60 is of similar construction to the butt portion 14.

0S S0' In use a cue 10 having the butt portion 60 is assembled and disassembled in identical manner to that of the cue 10 having the butt portion 14.

In Figure 4 there is shown a cue 70 having a tip portion 72 and a butt portion 74. The cue 70 is similar to the cue 10 and like numerals denote like parts. The ferrule 20 is provided with a shoulder 76 for bearing against an end 78 of the butt portion 74. The shoulder 76 is not intended to assist in alignment of the tip portion 72 with the butt portion 74 but merely prevents further rotation of the tip portion 72 into the butt portion 74 and thus achieves prescribed length for the assembled cue In this embodiment, the butt portion 74 may be hollow for storage of the tip portion 72 by entry through an end opposite to the end 78. Alternatively the butt portion 74 may 8 be solid such that the tip portion 72 must be stored adjacent the butt portion 74.

In use, the cue 70 is assembled by threading the ferrule 20 into the butt portion 74 until the shoulder 78 bears against the end 78. imfg Disassembly of the cue 70 is achieved in reverse manner.

The present invention achieves contact between the tip portion 12 and the butt portion 14 of approximately 21cm 2 whereas prior art cues typically have an area of contact of approximately 6cm 2 Also, the alignment achieved in prior art 4060, multiple piece cues is by face to face alignment perpendicular to the axis of the cue whereas in the present invention alignment is provided by the intimate engagement of the threads 22 and 38 and is parallel to the axis of the cue. Accordingly, 5 the alignment achieved in the present invention is more faithful and less likely to be effected by conditions in use such as grit or the like.

Also, the cue of the present invention enables storage of the tip portion 12 in the butt portion 14 which 20 provides for more convenient storage and lesser likelihood of damage to the tip portion 12. Also, in such embodiments the threads 22 and 38 tend not to be exposed to the outside environment and are less prone to becoming enc-usted with grit and the like. Finally, all of the characteristics of a conventional cue can be achieved by the provision of the wooden shaft 15 of the tip portion 12 and the adjustment of the weight 39 and balance of the cue by the balance weightsM8 andA3 and the optional trimming weights 26.

Modifications and variations such as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed within the scope of the present invention. For example, the thread 22 could be an internal thread of the ferrule 20 and the thread 38 could be an external thread of the cylindrical portion 36 however, storage of the tip portion 12 within the butt portion 14 could only be achieved by insertion through the rear end 42 since the diameter of the cylindrical portion 36 would be less than the diameter of the ferrule

Claims

1. A multiple piece cue for use in billiards and the like, the cue comprising: a portion having a tip for striking a ball at one end, th- tip portion having a thread at its other end, wherein the thread has a diameter sutbstantially equal to or smaller than the diameter of tJp portion immediately adjacent the thread; and, a butt portion having a thread at one end for threaded engagement with the thread of the tip portion for joining the tip portion and the butt portion together; whereby, longitudinal alignment of the tip and butt portions along an axis is achieved by engagement of the threads of the tip portion and the butt portion, the alignment being achievable irrespective of the existence or absence of face to face butt contact of the ends of the tip and butt portions.

2. A multiple piece cue according to claim 1, I in which the length of each of the threads is greater than the diameter of the threads.

3. A multiple piece cue according to claim 1 or 2, in which the threads engage intimately for affecting the alignment of the tip and butt portions on the axis. 4

4. A multiple piece cue according to any one 25 of the preceding claims, also having a stop means for preventing screwing of the threads along each other passed a predetermined location. 9 A multiple piece cue according to claim 4, in which 10 the thread of the tip portion is carried upon a ferrule and the ferrule has a shoulder for bearing against an end of the butt portion for limiting threading of the tip portion into the butt portion.

6. A multiple piece cue according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the butt portion is hollow and the tip portion is stored within the butt portion and can be telescopically extended out of the butt portion for threaded engagement *se therewith. o .r qJ \0 7. A multiple piece cue according to claim 6, also having a stop means for preventing screwing of the tip portion out of the butt portion passed a predetermined location.

8. A multiple piece cue according to claim 7, in which 0 the butt portion is tapered, the thread of the tip portion is carried upon a ferrule and the stop means is a flared end of the ferrule designed for engaging with a neck end cof the butt portion for preventing further screwing of the tip portion out of the butt portion.

9. A multiple piece cue according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the butt portion has a balance weight located intermediate its length for altering the weight and balance of the cue for approximating the weight and balance of a conventional cue. A multiple piece cue according to claim 8, in which the tip portion has a trimming weight in the ferrule 20 for adjusting the balance of the cue. 11

11. A multiple piece cue according to claim 3, in which the butt portion is cylindrical and is swaged at one end and provided with an internal thread thereat for threadedly engaging with the tip portion, and a balance tube fixed to it for achieving a balance and weight comparable to the balance and weight of a conventional cue.

12. A multiple piece cue substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in any one of the accompanying drawings. 4I t 10 Dated this 25th day of July 1991. PATRICK BERNARD MILLER By His Patent Attorneys GRIFFITH HACK CQ. Fellows Institute of Patent .5 Attorneys of Australia. 9 I *WQ I 12 ABSTRACT A multiple piece cue (10,70) having an improved joining for its tip piece (12) and its butt piece (14) for providing more accurate alignment and stronger joining. The joining is by way of threads (22 and 38) which have a diameter substantially equal to or slightly smaller than the diameter of the respective tip and butt portion (12 and 14) which thus provides a greater area of contact between the tip and butt portions (12 and 14). Engagement of the threads (22 and 38) alone is sufficient to align the tip and butt portions (12 and 14) on an axis irrespective of the presence or absence of face to face abutment of ends of the tip and butt portions (12 and 14). A flared end (24) or a shoulder (76) are provided for Slimiting the amount of screwing of the threads (22 and 38) 1S along each other. In several embodiments the tip portion (12) can be stored in the butt portion (14) and teleLtcopically extended therefrom for assembly. Alternatively, the butt portion (14) may be solid such as in a conventional cue butt. *e