US20040018882A1

US20040018882A1 - Billiard cue having a haft portion with a reverse taper

Info

Publication number: US20040018882A1
Application number: US10/201,629
Authority: US
Inventors: Claude Church; Roy Selinger; Dusan Djokic
Original assignee: Dufferin Games Ltd
Current assignee: Dufferin Games Ltd
Priority date: 2002-07-24
Filing date: 2002-07-24
Publication date: 2004-01-29

Abstract

A billiard cue is provided comprising an elongate rod having a ball striking tip at a first end thereof, and a haft portion extending along one-third of the length of the rod from the second end thereof. The haft portion is wider than the tip and has a first tapered section narrowing toward the second end. In use in striking a ball, the cue may be held at a position along the haft portion closer to the second end than an associated widest part of the first tapered section.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to equipment for playing the game of billiards and more specifically relates to billiard cues and billiard cue assemblies.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In billiards (which, as used below, is intended to refer to all billiards games, including snooker, pool and carom), a billiard cue is used to strike a ball. A billiard cue is a tapered rod having a tip at one end for striking a ball, and a butt end at the opposite end. The half of the tapered rod adjoining the butt end is typically called the butt, while the half of the tapered rod adjoining the tip is typically called the shaft. Often, the shaft and butt portion are detachable. In use in striking a ball, the billiard cue is typically held at a haft portion close to the butt end.

The taper provided to the rod is typically a positive taper. That is, the thickness of the billiard cue will gradually diminish moving away from the butt end towards the tip. At some segments of the rod, the length may remain constant. For example, it is common for billiard cues to have a positive taper along the butt and at that portion of the shaft that is closer to the butt, and to have a portion of the shaft closer to the tip that is of substantially constant thickness.

To use the billiard cue, a user will typically hold the cue along a haft portion adjoining the butt end of the cue, and will provide a bridge for a shaft of the cue using the other hand. The user then moves the billiard cue in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal dimension of the cue, to strike the cue ball into the other balls. The user sights along the cue to the bridge hand to aim the shot.

When the cue strikes the cue ball, there will be some jarring of the cue as momentum is transferred to the cue ball. This jarring is increased for break shots or for shots that are delivered off the side of the billiard table, which must be delivered with great force, but also with great accuracy. This jarring may cause the user's hand to slip forwardly on the haft portion, possibly causing the shot to go astray.

It is also important that a user be able to consistently place their hand on the same place on the cue, as placement of the hand on different positions on the cue will add an additional variable that may affect any shot that is made. Specifically, the position of the hand on the cue will affect the elbow and arm position. In billiards, precision and accuracy are absolutely crucial. Thus, it is important, that a player consistently adopt a consistent position in order to provide the muscle memory required for this precision and accuracy. Professionals can often tell where their hand is on a cue. However, less experienced players will often vary their hand position without realizing it.

Accordingly, a cue that impedes the gripping hand from moving forward on the haft portion of the cue, and thus permits a user to hold the cue with a lighter touch, is desirable, as is a cue that helps a user to consistently place the gripping hand at the same point along the length of the cue.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of an aspect of the present invention is to provide an improved billiard cue that addresses these points, obviating or mitigating the problems of known cues.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a billiard cue. The billiard cue comprises an elongate rod having a ball striking tip at a first end thereof, and a haft portion extending along one-third of the length of the rod from the second end thereof. The haft portion is wider than the tip and has a first tapered section narrowing toward the second end. In use in striking a ball, the cue may be held at a position along the haft portion closer to the second end than an associated widest part of the first tapered section.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a butt of a billiard cue assembly for attachment to a shaft of the billiard cue assembly to form a billiard cue. The shaft has a ball striking tip at one end thereof and an attachment means at the opposite end thereof. The butt comprises a mating attachment means at one end thereof for attachment to the attachment means of the shaft to attach the shaft and the butt together; a second end at the other end thereof; and, a haft portion extending along two-thirds of the length of the butt from the second end thereof. The haft portion is wider than the tip and has a first tapered section narrowing toward the second end. In use in striking a ball, the cue may be held at a position along the haft portion closer to the second end than an associated widest part of the first tapered section.

In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided grip for attachment to a butt of a billiard cue. The billiard cue has a ball striking tip at a first end thereof, and a haft portion extending along one-third of the length of the cue from a second end thereof. The grip is adapted for mounting on the cue and comprises an inner surface adapted to retain the grip on the haft portion when the grip is mounted on the cue; and, an outer surface providing a first tapered section narrowing toward the second end of the cue when the grip is mounted thereon. When the grip is mounted on such a cue, the cue may, in use in striking a ball, be held by the grip at a position on the grip closer to the second end than an associated widest part of the first tapered section of the grip.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A detailed description of the preferred embodiments is provided herein below with reference to the following drawings, in which: [0012]
FIG. 1A, in a side view, illustrates a billiard cue in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention; [0013]
FIG. 1B, in a side view, illustrates a billiard cue assembly in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention; [0014]
FIG. 2, in a side view, illustrates a portion A of the butt of the billiard cue of FIG. 1A, and the billiard cue assembly of FIG. 1B; [0015]
FIG. 3, in an oblique view, illustrates the portion A of the butt of FIG. 2; [0016]
FIG. 4, in an enlarged side view, illustrates the portion A of the butt of FIG. 2; [0017]
FIG. 5 shows a sectional view of the portion A of FIG. 4 along the line A-A; [0018]
FIG. 6 shows a sectional view of the portion A of FIG. 4 along the line B-B; [0019]
FIG. 7 shows a sectional view of the portion A of Figure along the line C-C; [0020]
FIG. 8 shows a sectional view of the portion A of FIG. 4 along the line D-D; [0021]
FIG. 9 shows a sectional view of the portion A of FIG. 4 along the line E-E; [0022]
FIG. 10A, in a side view, illustrates a billiard cue in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention; [0023]
FIG. 10B, in a side view, illustrates a billiard cue assembly in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention; [0024]
FIG. 11, in a side view, illustrates a portion A of the billiard cue of FIG. 10A, and of the billiard cue assembly of FIG. 10B; [0025]
FIG. 12, in an enlarged side view, illustrates the portion A of the butt of FIG. 11; [0026]
FIG. 13 shows a sectional view of the portion A of FIG. 12 along the lines A-A; [0027]
FIG. 14 shows a sectional view of the portion A of FIG. 12 along the lines B-B; [0028]
FIG. 15 shows a sectional view of the portion A of FIG. 12 along the lines C-C; [0029]
FIG. 16 shows a sectional view of the portion A of FIG. 12 along the lines D-D; [0030]
FIG. 17 shows a sectional view of the portion A of FIG. 12 along the lines E-E; [0031]
FIG. 18 shows a sectional view of the portion A of FIG. 12 along the lines F-F; [0032]
FIG. 19 shows a sectional view of the portion A of FIG. 12 along the lines G-G; [0033]
FIG. 20 shows a sectional view of the portion A of FIG. 12 along the lines H-H; [0034]
FIG. 21, in a side view, illustrates a billiard cue having a grip attached thereto in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the invention; [0035]
FIG. 22, in a lengthwise sectional view, illustrates a portion A of the grip-covered butt of FIG. 21; [0036]
FIG. 23, in a side view, illustrates a billiard cue having a grip attached in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the invention; and, [0037]
FIG. 24, in a lengthwise sectional view, illustrates a portion A of the grip-covered butt of FIG. 23.[0038]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1A, a [0039] billiard cue 30 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in a side view. The billiard cue 30 comprises a tapered rod having a tip 32 for striking a cue ball at one end and a butt end 34 opposite the tip 32. The billiard cue 30 includes a butt 36 and a shaft 38. A portion A of the butt 36 that includes the butt end 34 of the billiard cue 30 embodies the invention.
Referring to FIG. 1B, a [0040] billiard cue assembly 31 in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in a side view. In the description that follows, the same reference numerals are used to designate analogous elements of the billiard cue 30 of FIG. 1A and the billiard cue assembly 31 of FIG. 1A.
A [0041] billiard cue 30 is formed by a shaft 38 and a butt 36. As is conventional, the butt 36 includes a threaded protrusion 40 that is dimensioned to fit within a mating threaded aperture (not shown) of the shaft 38. The shaft 38 has a tip 32 for striking a cue ball at one end and the threaded aperture at an opposite end 42. The butt 36 has a butt end 34 at one end and the threaded protrusion 40 at the other. When the butt 36 and shaft 38 are joined together, a billiard cue 30 similar to that shown in FIG. 1A is formed. A portion A that includes the butt end 34 of the butt 36 of FIG. 1B embodies the invention.
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the portion A of the [0042] billiard cue 30 of FIG. 1A and the portion A of the butt 36 of FIG. 1B is illustrated in a side view and an oblique view respectively.
Referring to FIG. 4, the portion A of the [0043] butt 36 of FIGS. 1A and 1B is illustrated in an enlarged side view. From the side view, it is apparent that the diameter of the butt 36 is less at section C-C, than it is at either section B-B or section D-D on either side of section C-C. That is, there is a positive taper from section B-B to section C-C, as the thickness of the butt 36 diminishes moving forward from the butt end 34, and there is a reverse taper from section C-C to section D-D as the thickness of the butt 36 increases moving away from the butt end 34. From section D-D to section E-E, there is a positive taper as the thickness of the butt 36 diminishes moving forward from the butt end 34. From section A-A to section B-B, there is a negative taper as the thickness of the butt increases moving forward from the butt end 34. This geometry is also apparent from FIGS. 5 to 9 that illustrate the sections marked in FIG. 4.
Referring to FIG. 5, the butt of FIG. 4 is illustrated in a sectional view along the line A-A of FIG. 4. A diameter of the [0044] butt 36 at section A-A is marked D₁on FIG. 5. Referring to FIG. 6, the butt 36 of FIG. 4 is shown in a sectional view taken along the line B-B of FIG. 4. The diameter of the butt 36 at section B-B is marked D₂on FIG. 6. Referring to FIG. 7, the butt 36 of FIG. 4 is shown in a sectional view along the line C-C of FIG. 4. The diameter of the butt 36 at this point is marked D₃. Referring to FIG. 8, the butt 36 is shown in a sectional view along the line D-D of FIG. 4. At line D-D, the butt 36 has a diameter D₄. Referring to FIG. 9, the butt 36 of the billiard cue 30 is shown in a sectional view along the line E-E of FIG. 4. The diameter of the butt 36 at line E-E of FIG. 4 is designated D₅.
According to the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 through 9, the diameter of the [0045] butt 36 gradually increases from diameter D₁at section A-A adjoining the butt end 34 to diameter D₂at section B-B. Moving from section B-B away from the butt end 34, the diameter of the butt 36 gradually diminishes to the smaller diameter D₃at section C-C. Continuing in the same direction, the diameter of the butt 36 then gradually increases to the diameter D₄at section D-D, and then again gradually diminishes to the smaller diameter D₅at section E-E. Thus, there is a reverse taper from larger diameter D₂at section B-B to smaller diameter D₁at section A-A, a positive taper from smaller diameter D₃at section C-C to larger diameter D₂at section B-B, a reverse taper from larger diameter D₄at section D-D to a smaller diameter D₃at section C-C, and a positive taper from smaller diameter D₅at section E-E to larger diameter D₄at section D-D.
Preferably, as shown in FIG. 4, the slope of the [0046] butt 36 resulting from its changing thickness changes without any discontinuity. Thus, on each side of the sections D-D, C-C, and B-B the slope of the butt 36 gradually becomes zero such that there is no abrupt discontinuous change in the slope of the butt surface. Instead, the slope of the butt 36 between sections D-D and C-C smoothly merges into the slope of the butt 36 between sections C-C and B-B. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 4, there is an elongated constant diameter section around section C-C to facilitate gripping.
In using a [0047] billiard cue 30 having the butt 36 of FIG. 4, a user would hold the butt 36 at a haft portion between sections B-B and D-D. The thickness of the butt 36 between the sections C-C and D-D increases towards the tip 32, such that the resulting slope will tend to resist the user's hand slipping forward on the butt 36. This slope will also serve as a non-visual aid to the user placing his or her hand, as the change in thickness of the butt 36 will provide a sensation to the user that is directly proportional to the distance of the hand along the butt 36. At the same time, however, due to the smooth surface provided, the slope of the butt 36 will not adversely affect the aesthetic appearance of the butt 36, nor will it provide any rough surfaces that may catch on obstructions to ruin a shot.
Referring to FIG. 10A, a [0048] billiard cue 60 in accordance with a third preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in a side view. The billiard cue is formed by a tapered rod having a tip 62 for striking a cue ball at one end and a butt end 64 opposite the tip 62. The billiard cue includes a butt 66 and a shaft 68. A portion A that includes the butt end 64 of the billiard cue 60 embodies the invention.
Referring to FIG. 10B, a [0049] billiard cue assembly 61 in accordance with a fourth preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in a side view. In the description that follows, the same reference numerals are used to designate analogous elements of the billiard cue 60 of FIG. 10A and the billiard cue assembly 61 of FIG. 10B. A billiard cue 60 is formed from the assembly 61 by joining a shaft 68 and a butt 66. The shaft 68 has a tip 62 for striking a cue ball at one end and a threaded aperture (not shown) at an opposite end 72. The butt 66 has a butt end 64 atone end and a threaded protrusion 70 at the other. As is conventional, the threaded protrusion 70 is dimensioned to fit within the mating threaded aperture of the shaft 68 to attach the butt 66 and shaft 68 together. When the butt 66 and shaft 68 are joined together, a billiard cue similar to that shown in FIG. 1 OA is formed. A portion A that includes the butt end 64 of the butt 66 of FIG. 10B embodies the invention.
Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, the portion A of the [0050] billiard cue 60 of FIG. 10A and the portion A of the butt 66 of FIG. 10B is illustrated in a side view and an enlarged side view respectively. Referring to FIG. 13, the butt 66 of FIG. 12 is illustrated in a sectional view along the line A-A of FIG. 12. A diameter of the butt 66 at section A-A is marked D_Aon FIG. 13. Referring to FIG. 14, the butt 66 of FIG. 12 is shown in a sectional view taken along the line B-B of FIG. 12. The diameter of the butt 66 at section B-B is marked D_Bon FIG. 14. Referring to FIG. 15, the butt 66 of FIG. 12 is shown in a sectional view along the line C-C of FIG. 12. The diameter of the butt 66 at this point is marked D_C. Referring to FIG. 16, the butt 66 is shown in a sectional view along the line D-D of FIG. 12. At line D-D, the butt 66 has a diameter D_D. Referring to FIG. 17, the butt 66 of FIG. 12 is shown in a sectional view along the line E-E of FIG. 12. The diameter of the butt 66 at line E-E of FIG. 12 is designated D_E. Referring to FIG. 18, the butt 66 of FIG. 12 is shown in a sectional view along the line F-F of FIG. 12. The diameter of the butt 66 at line F-F of FIG. 12 is designated D_F. Referring to FIG. 19, the butt 66 of FIG. 12 is shown in a sectional view along the line G-G of FIG. 12. The diameter of the butt 66 at line G-G of FIG. 12 is designated D_G. Referring to FIG. 20, the butt 66 of FIG. 12 is shown in a sectional view along the line H-H of FIG. 12. The diameter of the butt 66 at line H-H of FIG. 12 is designated D_H.
According to the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 10 through 20, the diameter of the [0051] butt 66 gradually increases from diameter D_Aadjoining the butt end 64 to diameter D_Bat section B-B, and again increases from section B-B to the diameter D_Cat section C-C. Moving from section C-C to section D-D, the diameter of the butt 66 is unchanged. Moving from section D-D to section E-E, the diameter of the butt 66 diminishes slightly to D_E. Moving from section E-E to section F-F, the diameter of the butt 66 diminishes more markedly to diameter D_F. Moving from section F-F to section G-G, the diameter diminishes only very slightly to diameter D_Gand continues to diminish moving to section H-H to a smaller diameter D_H. To summarize, D_Ais less than D_B, D_Bis less than D_C, D_Cis equal to D_D, while D_Dis greater than D_E, D_Eis greater than D_F, D_Fis greater than D_Gand D_Gis greater than D_H.
According to a specific implementation of the third and fourth embodiments of the invention, D[0052] _Aequals 0.929 inches, D_Bequals 1.10 inches, D_Cequals 1.129 inches, D_Dequals 1.129 inches, D_Eequals 1.126 inches, D_Fequals 1.104 inches, D_Gequals 1.099 inches and D_Hequals 1.060 inches. According to this specific implementation, the distance between section A-A and section B-B is four inches. This is also the distance separating section B-B and section C-C, section E-E and section F-F, section F-F and section G-G, and section G-G and section H-H. The distance separating section C-C and section D-D, and separating section D-D and section E-E is two inches. As will be apparent from reviewing these example dimensions, the slope of the surface of the butt 66 can be quite small. However, the invention may readily be implemented by providing much greater slopes along the surface of the butt 66 at portion A.
As will be apparent from FIGS. 11 and 12, the slope of the [0053] butt 66 resulting from its changing thickness changes without any discontinuity. Thus, around sections C-C and D-D, the slope of the butt 66 gradually becomes zero such that there is no abrupt discontinuous change in the slope of the butt surface. Instead, the slope of the butt 66 around sections C-C and D-D smoothly merges.
In using a [0054] billiard cue 60 having the butt 66 of FIG. 11 or 12 to strike a cue ball, a user would hold the butt 66 at a haft portion between section C-C and section A-A. The slope of the butt 66 between these sections increases towards the tip 62, such that this slope will tend to resist the user's hand slipping forward on the butt 66. This slope will also serve as a non-visual aid to the user placing his or her hand, as the changing thickness of the butt 66 will provide a sensation to the user that is directly proportional to the distance of the hand along the butt 66. At the same time, due to the slope of the butt 66 being smooth and continuous, the aesthetic appearance of the butt 66 is not adversely affected. Further, no rough surface is provided that may catch on obstructions to ruin a shot.
Referring to FIG. 21, there is illustrated in a side view, a [0055] billiard cue 130 having a grip 131 attached thereto in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the invention. Billiard cue 130 comprises a tip 132 for striking a cue ball at one end, a butt end 134 opposite the tip 132, a butt 136 and a shaft 138. The grip 131 is mounted on a portion A of the butt 136 that includes the butt end 134. The grip 131 may also be mounted on a butt of a billiard cue assembly.
Referring to FIG. 22, the portion A of the [0056] butt 136 of FIG. 21 having the grip 131 mounted thereon is illustrated in a sectional view taken along the length of the butt 136. The grip 131 is generally tube-shaped. The grip 131 includes an inner surface 140 and an outer surface 142. The inner surface 140 is designed to retain the grip 131 on a haft portion of the butt 136. The thickness of the grip 131 varies over its length such that the outer surface 142 provides a series of tapered sections along the haft portion of the cue 130 when the grip 131 is mounted thereon.
As can be seen from FIG. 22, the [0057] grip 131 is thicker at sections D-D and B-B, then it is at sections E-E, C-C and A-A. This provides the cue 130 with a negative taper from section A-A to section B-B, as the combined thickness of the butt 136 and grip 131 increases moving forward from the butt end 134. Then, from section B-B to section C-C, there is a positive taper as the combined thickness of the butt 136 and the grip 131 decreases moving forward from the butt end 134. From section C-C to section D-D, there is again a negative taper as the combined thickness of the grip 131 and the butt 136 increases moving forward from the butt end 134. Finally, from section D-D to section E-E, there is again a positive taper as the combined thickness of the butt 136 and grip 131 diminishes moving forward from the butt end 134. The grip 131 ends just after section E-E.
Preferably, the slope provided by the changing combined thickness of the [0058] butt 136 and the grip 131 changes without any discontinuity. Thus, on each side of sections D-D, C-C and B-B, the slope of an outer surface 142 of the grip 131 gradually becomes zero such that there is no abrupt discontinuous change in this slope. Instead the slope of the outer surface 142 between sections D-D and C-C smoothly merges into the slope of the outer surface 142 between sections C-C and B-B. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 22, the outer surface 142 of the grip 131 provides an elongated constant diameter section around section C-C to facilitate gripping.
In using a [0059] billiard cue 130 having a grip 131 mounted thereon, a user would hold the butt 136 via the grip 131 at the haft portion between sections B-B and D-D. The combined thickness of the butt 136 and grip 131 between the sections C-C and D-D increases towards the tip 132 such that the resulting slope will tend to resist the user's hand slipping forward on the butt 136. This slope will also serve as a non-visual aid to the user placing his or her hand, as the change in combined thickness of the butt 136 and grip 131 will provide a sensation to the user that is directly proportional to the distance of the hand along the butt 136. At the same time, however, due to the smooth surface provided, the slope of the outer surface 142 of the grip 131 will not adversely affect the aesthetic appearance of the butt 136. Further, rough surfaces that may catch on obstructions to ruin a shot are minimized.
Referring to FIG. 23, a [0060] billiard cue 160 having a grip 161 in accordance with the sixth embodiment of the invention is shown in a side view. The billiard cue 160 comprises a tip 162 for striking a cue ball at one end, a butt end 164 opposite the tip 162, a butt 166 and a shaft 168. The shaft 166 includes a haft portion at which the butt 166 is gripped to make a shot. In FIG. 23, the grip 161 is shown mounted on the haft portion of the butt 166 at a portion A of the butt 166.
Referring to FIG. 24, the portion A of the [0061] butt 166 is shown in a sectional view taken along the length of the butt 166. The butt 166, at the haft portion included in portion A, has the grip 161 mounted thereon. As with the grip 131 of FIGS. 21 and 22, the grip 161 of FIGS. 23 and 24 is generally tubular in shape. The grip 161 includes an outer surface 172 and an inner surface 170. When mounted on the butt 166, the inner surface 170 is adapted to retain the grip 161 on the haft portion. The grip 161 varies in thickness along its length, such that when the grip 161 is mounted on the cue 160, the outer surface 172 provides tapered sections along the length of the butt 166 that are different from the taper of the butt 166.
From the side view, it is apparent that the combined thickness of the [0062] butt 166 and grip 161 increases from section A-A to section B-B, and increases again from section B-B to section C-C. From section C-C to section D-D, the combined thickness of the butt 166 and grip 161 is substantially constant. Moving from section D-D to section E-E, the combined thickness of the butt 166 and grip 161 diminishes slightly. Moving from section E-E to section F-F, the combined thickness of the butt 166 and grip 161 diminishes more markedly. Moving from section F-F to section G-G and from section G-G to section H-H, the combined thickness of the grip 161 and butt 166 continues to diminish. The grip 161 ends just after section H-H.
As will be apparent from FIGS. 23 and 24, the slope of the [0063] outer surface 172 of the grip 161 resulting from its changing thickness as well as the changing thickness of the butt 166, changes without any discontinuity. Thus, around sections C-C and D-D, the slope of the outer surface 172 of the grip 161 gradually becomes zero such that there is no abrupt discontinuous change in the slope of the outer surface 172. Instead, the slope of the outer surface 172 around sections C-C and D-D smoothly changes direction.
In use, the [0064] grip 161 is mounted on the butt 166 of the cue 160. This may be done in a variety of different ways. First, the tubular grip 161 may be slid over the cue 160 from an end thereof. Alternatively, the grip 161 could be wrapped around the butt 166 and then secured in place. Alternatively, the grip 161 may be sprayed on the butt 166.
In using a [0065] conventional billiard cue 160 having the grip 161 mounted on the butt 166 of the cue 160, a user will hold the grip 161 at a haft portion of the butt 166 between sections C-C and A-A. The slope of the outer surface 172 between these sections increases towards the tip 162, such that this slope will tend to resist the user's hand slipping forward on the butt 166. The slope will also serve as a non-visual aid to the user placing his or her hand, as the changing thickness of the butt 166 will provide a sensation to the user that is directly proportional to the distance of the hand along the butt 166. At the same time, as a result of the slope of the outer surface 172 being smooth and continuous, the aesthetic appearance of the butt 166 is not adversely affected. Further, rough surfaces that may catch on obstructions though on a shot are minimized.
Other variations and modifications of the invention are possible within the sphere and scope of the invention as defined by the claims appended hereto. [0066]

Claims

1. A billiard cue, comprising:

an elongate rod having a ball striking tip at a first end thereof, and having a haft portion extending along one-third of the length of said rod from the second end thereof,

said haft portion being wider than said tip and having a first tapered section narrowing toward said second end,

such that in use in striking a ball said cue may be held at a position along said haft portion closer to said second end than an associated widest part of said first tapered section.

2. The cue as defined in claim 1 wherein said first tapered section extends from said associated widest part thereof to said second end.

3. The cue as defined in claim 1 wherein

said haft portion has a second tapered section between said ball striking tip and said first tapered section, and

said haft portion narrows from an associated widest part of said second tapered section towards said ball striking tip.

4. The cue as defined in claim 3 wherein said first tapered section and said second tapered section are contiguous.

5. The cue as defined in claim 1 wherein said first tapered section has an associated variable slope diminishing to zero at said associated widest part of said first tapered section.

6. The cue as defined in claim 5 wherein

said haft portion has a second tapered section closer to the ball striking tip than said first tapered section,

said haft portion narrows from an associated widest part of said second tapered section towards said ball striking tip; and

said second tapered section has an associated variable slope diminishing to zero at said associated widest part of said second tapered section.

7. The cue as defined in claim 6 wherein said second tapered section, at said associated widest part thereof, merges with said first tapered section at said associated widest part thereof such that said associated slope of said first tapered section merges smoothly into said associated slope of said second tapered section.

8. The cue as defined in claim 3 wherein

said first tapered section extends back from said widest part thereof toward said second end to a slender section;

said haft portion comprises a third tapered section between said slender section and said second end; and

said third tapered section widens toward the second end.

9. The cue as defined in claim 8 wherein

said first tapered section has an associated variable slope diminishing to zero at said slender section; and

said third tapered section has an associated variable slope diminishing to zero at said slender section;

such that said first tapered section and said third tapered section merge smoothly at said slender section.

10. The cue as defined in claim 8 wherein said elongate rod comprises a fourth tapered section adjoining and narrowing toward said second end.

11. The cue as defined in claim 10 wherein

said third tapered section extends back from the slender section toward said second end to an associated widest part; and

said fourth tapered section is contiguous to said third tapered section at said associated widest part and extends back from said associated widest part to said second end.

12. The cue as defined in claim 11 wherein

said fourth tapered section has an associated variable slope diminishing to zero at said associated widest part; and

said associated variable slope of said third tapered section diminishes to zero at said associated widest part such that said third tapered section merges smoothly into said fourth tapered section.

13. A butt of a billiard cue assembly for attachment to a shaft of the billiard cue assembly to form a billiard cue, the shaft having a ball striking tip at one end thereof and an attachment means at the opposite end thereof, the butt comprising

a mating attachment means at one end thereof for attachment to the attachment means of the shaft to attach the shaft and the butt together;

a second end at the other end thereof; and,

a haft portion extending along two-thirds of the length of the butt from the second end thereof, said haft portion being wider than said tip and having a first tapered section narrowing toward said second end;

14. The butt as defined in claim 13 wherein said first tapered section extends from said associated widest part thereof to said second end.

15. The butt as defined in claim 13 wherein

16. The cue as defined in claim 15 wherein said first tapered section and said second tapered section are contiguous.

17. The butt as defined in claim 13 wherein said first tapered section has an associated variable slope diminishing to zero at said associated widest part of said first tapered section.

18. The butt as defined in claim 17 wherein

said haft portion has a second tapered section between said ball striking tip and said first tapered section,

19. The butt as defined in claim 18 wherein said second tapered section, at said associated widest part thereof, merges with said first tapered section at said associated widest part thereof such that said associated slope of said first tapered section merges smoothly into said associated slope of said second tapered section.

20. The butt as defined in claim 13 wherein

said third tapered section widens toward the second end.

21. The butt as defined in claim 20 wherein

22. The butt as defined in claim 20 further comprising a fourth tapered section adjoining and narrowing toward said second end.

23. The butt as defined in claim 22 wherein

said third tapered section extends back from the slender section toward said second end to a associated widest part; and

24. The butt as defined in claim 23 wherein

25. A grip for surrounding a billiard cue, the billiard cue having a ball striking tip at a first end thereof, and having a haft portion extending along one-third of the length of the cue from a second end thereof, the grip being adapted for mounting on the cue and comprising:

an inner surface adapted to retain said grip on the haft portion when said grip is mounted on the cue; and,

an outer surface providing a first tapered section narrowing toward the second end of the cue when the grip is mounted thereon;

such that when said grip is mounted on such a cue, the cue may, in use in striking a ball, be held by the grip at a position on the grip closer to the second end than an associated widest part of said first tapered section of said grip.

26. The grip as defined in claim 25 wherein, when said grip is mounted on a cue, said first tapered section extends from said associated widest part thereof to said second end.

27. The grip as defined in claim 25 wherein, when said grip is mounted on a cue,

a second tapered section is provided between said ball striking tip and said first tapered section, and

said second tapered section narrows from an associated widest part of said second tapered section towards said ball striking tip.

28. The grip as defined in claim 27 wherein, when said grip is mounted on a cue, said first tapered section and said second tapered section are contiguous.

29. The grip as defined in claim 25 wherein, when said grip is mounted on a cue, said first tapered section has an associated variable slope diminishing to zero at said associated widest part of said first tapered section.

30. The grip as defined in claim 29 wherein, when said grip is mounted on a cue,

a second tapered section is provided closer to the ball striking tip than said first tapered section,

said second tapered section narrows from an associated widest part thereof towards said ball striking tip; and

31. The grip as defined in claim 30 wherein, when said grip is mounted on a cue, said second tapered section, at said associated widest part thereof, merges with said first tapered section at said associated widest part thereof such that said associated slope of said first tapered section merges smoothly into said associated slope of said second tapered section.

32. The grip as defined in claim 27 wherein, when said grip is mounted on a cue,

a third tapered section is provided between said slender section and said second end; and

said third tapered section widens toward the second end.

33. The grip as defined in claim 32 wherein, when said grip is mounted on a cue,

34. The grip as defined in claim 32 wherein, when said grip is mounted on a cue, a fourth tapered section is provided adjoining and narrowing toward said second end.

35. The grip as defined in claim 34 wherein, when said grip is mounted on a cue,

36. The grip as defined in claim 35 wherein, when said grip is mounted on a cue,