GB2550975A

GB2550975A - Cue training device

Info

Publication number: GB2550975A
Application number: GB1609807.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alfred Desmond Peter
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-06-05
Filing date: 2016-06-05
Publication date: 2017-12-06
Also published as: GB201609807D0

Abstract

A hand held item of sports equipment which may include a snooker or pool cue or golf club may be equipped with a mechanical or electronic means to measure the impact force between the equipment and a corresponding ball. The means may be a sensor, which may be a transducer 6 which is acted upon by a ball bearing 7. The device may be battery powered 5. The device may be attached to the end of a billiard cue (Fig 3, 1) via a threaded stud 3. The device may display the load generated during contact 2. The information may be stored on the display. Alternatively a mechanical inertia device may be used. The device may be attached to a cue or the shaft of a golf club via a fixing strap (Fig 3, 5).

Description

CUE TRAINING DEVICE DESCRIPTION

Traditionally much time and practice is involved in acquiring the necessary skills required to strike a cue ball or golf ball with just the right amount of impact force to achieve the desired path of the ball with the desired end result.

This invention as described in the accompanying Drawings 1 & 2 is designed to enable a snooker, billiard, pool or golf player to have a direct readable and or audio indication of a precise measure of the level of impact force used when striking a cue ball or golf ball and so providing the player with a practical reference tool and guide to enable the player to adjust the striking impact force level and refine the required judgmental skill desired and so help to perfect general playing ability.

The preferred device Drawing l.fig.l.2.&3 is a lightweight device being attached or fixed to a cue Drawing 1 fig.3.9 or club that is activated and responds to the impact force on striking a ball, the forward inertial movement generated by load, weight or member such as a ball bearing Drawing 1 fig. 1.7 or similar or by just inertia acts upon or activates a sensor type or transducer type Drawing 1 fig. 1.6 which registers and operates a display Drawing 1 fig.l.2&3.2 showing a visual type or digital display or other incremental type display. The device having a on/off switch and a button to zero the ‘frozen’ display reading after each shot.

The device Drawing 1 fig.l.2&3 is preferred as a lightweight portable self contained modular type unit which can be easily fixed or attached to a cue or golf putter or club that is battery operated Drawing 1 fig. 1.5 for precise operation using low cost readily available electronic type sensor or transducer type device Drawing 1 fig. 1.6 numerous types being commercially available and adaptable for the desired purpose.

The device Drawing 1. constructed as a portable self contained unit which can be made of lightweight metal or plastic or moulded plastic for the housing which has a short threaded or formed spigot Drawing 1 fig.l&2.3 fixed centrally at one end, the purpose of the spigot on this portable device is to mate with a threaded or formed bore hole at the butt end of a cue Drawing 1 fig.2&3.8 which is normally used to fit an extension piece to the end of the cue.

Other means of fixing or attaching the device to the cue can be used.

The back end of the housing has a soft rubber or plastic pad insert Drawing lfig. 1&2.4 to reduce any accidental impact force that may be subjected to the device at the cue Drawing 1 fig.3.9 butt Drawing 1 fig.3.8 end.

The device Drawing 2 fig. 1.1 with display Drawing 2 fig. 1.2 can be incorporated in the cue Drawing 2 fig. 1.4. as a built in unit as shown Drawing 2 fig. 1 and can conform to the shape of the cue shaft preferably at a position between the cue butt Drawing 2 fig. 1.3 where it meets the cue shaft Drawing 2 fig. 1.4.

The invention as described in Drawing 1 fig.l can also be constructed as a lightweight portable device which can be attached to the shaft of a cue Drawing 2 fig.2&3 by means of a fixing strap an expandable strap or clip Drawing 2 fig.3.5 to keep the device firmly attached to the cue, the device housing Drawing 2.fig.2&3.1 having a rubber or soft plastic pad on the bottom surface of the device housing that makes firm contact with the cue shaft. The device having a on/off switch and a button to zero the ‘frozen’ display reading after each shot. A mechanically operated system to indicate the striking impact force is an alternative form of construction maintaining the principle of the invention, this can be achieved by using the same or similar type of housing as the electronic type but using the inertial forward impact movement of a predetermined load or weighted activating member controlled by friction which is connected to a moving member having a visual type of display or incremental type of display with or without audio.

The device having a means to zero the ‘frozen’ display reading after each shot.

Claims

CUE TRAINING DEVICE CLAIMS

1. A device as described in the accompanying Drawings 1&2 that can be portable, fixed, attached or built into a snooker, billiard or pool cite or similar cue or a golf putter or golf club that has a readable visual or digital or other incremental display type with or without audio that registers and indicates a precise level of impact striking force used by the player when striking or hitting a cue ball or golf ball. The inertial impact force generated on striking or hitting a cue ball or golf ball being determined, measured and displayed by the activation of a electronic sensor type or transducer type or mechan ical type component as a result of the forward pressure exerted on it by load, weight or inertia. The level of impact force being indicated by a visual display or digital display or other incremental type of display. The reading on the display being ‘frozen’ after each ‘shot’ for the players information and reset to zero by a button by the player as required enabling the player to adjust the striking force level and improve and hone the finer skill required for playing the more delicate type of ‘shots’ as in snooker or on the putting green.

2. A device as described in Drawings I&2 that can be battery, electronically or mechanically operated.

3. A device as described in Drawings J&2 using a inertial sensor type or transducer type component Drawing 1 fig.1.6 to measure the forward impact force used when striking a cue ball or golf ball during play and registering and displaying Drawing 1 fig. 1.2&3.2 the level of force generated for the players information and benefit.

4. A device as described in Drawings 1&2 that can be portable, fixed, built in or attached to a cue or golf putter or club.

5. A device as described in Drawings 1&2 that has a visual display together with or without audio addition showing mid or sounding the level of impact force used when striking a cue ball or golf ball.

6. A device as described in Drawings 1&2 that uses the impact inertia generated when striking a cue ball or golf ball to operate a electrically or mechanically readable display that registers and indicates the level of impact striking force used when striking a cue ball or gol f ball.

7. A device as described in Drawings 1&2 that has audible means to convey the measure of impact force used when striking the ball in play.