AU2006222676A1 - A cue - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT (Original) APPLICATION NO:

LODGED:

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION LODGED:

ACCEPTED:

PUBLISHED:

RELATED ART: NAME OF APPLICANT: ACTUAL INVENTOR(S): ADDRESS FOR SERVICE: INVENTION TITLE: Consolidated Leisure and Sport Pty Ltd LORD AND COMPANY, Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys, of 4 Douro Place, West Perth, Western Australia, 6005, AUSTRALIA.

"A CUE" DETAILS OF ASSOCIATED PROVISIONAL APPLICATION NO: AUSTRALIAN PROVISIONAL PATENT APPLICATION NUMBER 2005905338 FILED ON 28 SEPTEMBER 2005 The following Statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to me/us:

TITLE

"A CUE" The present invention relates to a cue.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a cue comprising light means arranged to be illuminated by motion or vibration.

The cue of the present invention is particularly envisaged for use in table ball sports such as billiards, pool and snooker.

Preferably the drawings of the present invention comprises a shaft having at least one hollow portion with an outer casing formed on translucent or transparent material and containing a motional vibration sensitive light means.

More preferably the light means is battery operated.

Further, the light means may be arranged to be illuminated by means of a trembler switch.

Still further, the light means may comprise a plurality of spaced electrically integrated LEDs in electrical contact with the trembler switch.

Further it is preferred that the light means is arranged to be illuminated by longitudinal vibration or motion.

The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cue in accordance with the present invention; and Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of an end portion of the cue of Figure 1.

In Figure 1 of the drawings there is shown a cue 10 having a shaft 11 with a first end 12 and a second end 14.

As shown, the shaft 11 tapers inwardly from the second end 14 to the first end 12.

Further, the cue 10 is envisaged for use in certain table ball sports such as billiards, pool and snooker where the cue 10 is used to strike a ball in known manner.

The cue 10 is provided with a cue tip 16 at the end 12 of the shaft 11. Further, there is a handle portion 18 adjacent the end 14.

The cue 10 is further provided with a hollow intermediate portion 20 with an outer casing formed of translucent or transparent material. Contained within the portion 20 is a vibration or motion sensitive light means 21 which is preferably battery operated.

Further, an additional hollow portion 22 adjacent the handle portion 18 also has an outer casing formed of translucent or transparent material. The portion 22 also contains a vibration or motion sensitive light means 23 which is preferably battery operated.

Further, the shaft 11 may be formed in more than one portion. For example, there may be a threaded connection (not shown) between the portion 20 and the handle portion 18.

Such a threaded connection conveniently allows access to a battery housing in the portion for insertion and replacement of batteries.

Similarly, there may be a threaded connection (not shown) at the end of the portion 22 adjacent the end 14 which facilitates access to a battery housing to permit insertion or replacement of batteries.

In Figure 2 there is shown a portion of the cue 10 adjacent the end 14 in longitudinal section. As can be seen, there is provided a clear tube 30 extending longitudinally of the portion 22. The clear tube 30 is supported radially by spacers 32 so that it is disposed substantially centrally of the portion 22. The tube 30 is provided with LEDs 34 at spaced intervals. The LEDs are electrically interconnected by an electrical wire 36 which is in electrical contact with a trembler switch 38. The trembler switch 38 is electrically connected to a battery 40 mounted in the end 14 as described hereinabove. The end 14 comprises an end cap 42 which is threadedly engaged with the shaft 11, and an inner cap 44 which is threadedly engaged with a housing 46 for the batteries 40 and the switch 38.

The portion 20 also contains a similar arrangement of LEDs, trembler switch and battery.

In use, the light means 23 contained in the portion 22 is arranged to become illuminated s when the cue 10 is moved quickly or is subject to vibration such as when striking a ball.

The light means is typically illuminated for a relatively brief period of time such as about to 15 seconds after each movement or contact.

The light means 21 in the portion 20 operates in similar manner to the light means in the portion 22.

The trembler switch 38 powered by the battery 40 is activated by vibration or motion causing an electrical current to be supplied to the wire 36 and the LEDs 34. This causes the LEDs to become illuminated.

The cue 10 is preferably mainly formed of wood except for the portions 20 and 22.

Preferably, the light means is illuminated by longitudinal vibration or motion rather than lateral vibration or motion Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention

Claims (4)

1. 3. A cue according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the light means is battery operated.
2. 4. A cue according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the light means is arranged to be illuminated by means of a trembler switch. A cue according to claim 4, wherein the light means comprises a plurality of spaced, electrically interconnected LEDs in electrical contact with the trembler switch.
3. 6. A cue according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the light means is arranged to be illuminated by longitudinal vibration or motion.
4. 7. A cue substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1 or Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.