CAM ACTUATED REPLACEABLE CUE STICK TIP ASSEMBLY
United States Patent 3554544
A tip construction assembly for cue sticks in which one part is mounted to the modified end of a cue stick and a detachable part includes a cue tip on a member which is detached and attached to the mounted member by an improved cam lever and spring combination, said detachable part further having means to form an interlock with the front end of the mounted part against rotational movement.
US Patent References:
Billiard cue, ferrule, and tip
Medvec - September 1922 - 1429752
Holder for cue tips and the like
Dukes - June 1941 - 2245655
Billiard cue with readily replaceable tip
Foy - December 1965 - 3226119
Billiard cue, ferrule, and tip
Medvec - September 1922 - 1429752
Holder for cue tips and the like
Dukes - June 1941 - 2245655
Billiard cue with readily replaceable tip
Foy - December 1965 - 3226119
Application Number:
04/794131
Publication Date:
01/12/1971
Filing Date:
01/27/1969
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Primary Class:
International Classes:
A63D15/12; A63D15/00; A63D15/12
Field of Search:
273/70,68
Primary Examiner:
Pinkham, Richard C.
Assistant Examiner:
Apley, Richard J.
Claims:
I claim
1. In combination, a cue stick and tip construction for mounting on the end of said cue stick, said tip including:
2. A tip construction in claim 1 which further includes mounting means within the cylindrical part dividing said rearward passageway from said forward passageway, said pivotable means comprising a pivot pin passing through said cam lobe between said mounting means, said cam lobe extending between said mounting means into said rear passageway when the cam lever is in operating closed position.
1. In combination, a cue stick and tip construction for mounting on the end of said cue stick, said tip including:
2. A tip construction in claim 1 which further includes mounting means within the cylindrical part dividing said rearward passageway from said forward passageway, said pivotable means comprising a pivot pin passing through said cam lobe between said mounting means, said cam lobe extending between said mounting means into said rear passageway when the cam lever is in operating closed position.
Description:
This invention relates to a construction for the end of a cue stick in which cue tips may be replaced by attaching and detaching a cue tip member in an improved manner to attain a securely held position on the cue stick.
Cue tips constructed of leather or the like are mounted to the ends of tapered cue sticks by bonding materials, and it is recognized that such cue tips have to be periodically replaced by first removing the worn cue tip and then bonding a new cue tip to the end face of the cue stick. This is a time consuming operation which is objectionable, particularly where the user does not wish to lose the use of his cue stick for that period of time. Additional problems arise because of possible damage to the end face of the cue stick in removing the worn cue tip by shearing, cutting, or the like.
Attempts have been made in the art to provide replaceable cue tips by various means and mechanisms, one of which may be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 629,217, issued in 1899. This old teaching represents an approach in the art wherein a cue tip mounted on a plate is removably attached and detached to a connecting link joined to a cam lever. The cam lever is pivoted in the end of the cue stick and has a handle or operating portion which is accessible through the wall of the cue stick to release the cue tip and plate member for replacement. Such means to solve the foregoing problem have engendered their own peculiar problems, particularly problems of attaining a secure mounting of the detachable cue tip so that it does not become displaced during use. It would be desirable to attain a secure mounting of a detachable cue tip part in a way which is similar to conventional bonding of cue tips to the ends of cue sticks. Even if mechanisms and means provide fairly secure mounting of the replaceable cue tip so that it can not be separated from the end of the cue stick, it is further required that the cue stick in mounted position be not displaced through rotation. Such displacement can lead to the undesired misalignment of the cue tip from the end of the cue stick, that is, a displacement of the axes of the cue tip from a coaxial alignment with the axis of the cue stick.
It is accordingly one important object of the present invention to provide a construction tip assembly for a cue stick in which a cue tip may be detachably associated in an improved manner for replacing worn cue tips.
It is another important object of the present invention to provide a construction tip assembly for cue sticks in which a replacable cue tip member is attached and detached by an improved cam lever and spring combination which provides secure locking position of the cue tip against undesired displacement.
Another important object of the invention is to provide a construction tip assembly in which a cue tip member may be replaced by securely attaching a cue tip member against displacement axially or coaxially, further preventing displacement around the axis of the cue tip member.
The foregoing objects are attained, as well as still other objects which will occur to practitioners from time to time, by considering the following disclosure including drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the construction tip assembly shown mounted on the end of a cue stick;
FIG. 2 is a sectional view along a plane through the longitudinal axis of the construction tip in released position;
FIG. 3 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 2, but in locked position;
FIG. 4 is a sectional view along line 4-4 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is an end elevational view of the construction tip assembly of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the cam lever shown in FIGS. 3 and 4;
FIG. 7 is a portional side elevational view of a cue stick showing the end being modified to receive the construction tip assembly shown in FIGS. 1 and 2; and
FIG. 8 is an elevational view in section of an alternative removable tip.
Referring to the drawings, the construction tip assembly has a base or mounted part 8 fixed to the end of a cue stick indicated at 9. The mounted part is shown in the shape of a cylindrical member having a continuous wall 10. The cylindrical member has a rear cylindrical passageway 14. A cylindrical cavity 16, having larger diameter than passageway 14 has an annular edge 16a and an annular shoulder 16b which provide a seat for detachable member shown generally as 18.
The detachable or replaceable member 18 includes a cue tip bonded to a circular plate member 20. A reduced diameter body 22 is secured to the inside face of the plate member, and said body has fixed thereto a rib or flange 24 which lies in a plane normal to the plane of the inside face of plate member 20, by a spring shown generally as 28, releasably engages aperture 26 of detachable part 18. A trailing end 32 has an upward branch 34 and a turned in end 36 engageable with cam lever shown generally as 38.
The cam lever 38 is pivotally mounted between side members 40 and 42 which flank a reduced width passageway 44. The side members and reduced width passageway demarcate the rear passageway 12 from the forward passageway 14. The cam lever is pivotally mounted between the side members by pin 48 which passes through pin aperture 50 of cam lobe 52. The cam lobe is joined to elongated cam lever handle 54. The inwardly bent portion 36 of the trailing end of the spring is secured to aperture 58 in the cam lobe. When the cam lever is moved to the unlock or release position as shown in FIG. 3, the spring attachment aperture 58 is substantially below pivot pin aperture 50. When the cam lever is moved to the locked, operating position as shown in FIG. 4, the spring attachment aperture moves from the low cam lobe surface to the high cam lobe surface, or to a position substantially to the side of pivot pin aperture 50, and rearwardly thereof. This movement of the cam lever extends the spring 28 longitudinally as the trailing end of the spring is moved over center to the rearward or high cam surface position. The spring torsion holds the detachable part 18 with the cue tip 19 securely seated against annular edge 16a and annular shoulder 16b at the front end of the cylindrical member. Detachable part 18 is prevented from misalignment from the common axes of the cylindrical member 8 and the detachable part 18.
The detachable part 18 is also prevented from rotational movement, that is, from movement about its axes by interlocking the part 18 within the open end of the cylindrical member 8. The annular edge 16a and annular shoulder 16b have opposite and inwardly angled slots 62 and 64. The opposite arcuate edges of rib or flange 24 are adapted to engage these inwardly angled slots to form the interlock against rotation when the detachable part 18 is fully mounted.
The cam handle 54 is accessible for actuation in the continuous wall 10 of the cylindrical member. The elongated handle 54 is positioned within elongated slot 66, which slot communicates with forward cylindrical passageway 14. The elongated handle 54 is disposed within elongated slot 66 when the cam lever is in locked, operating position. When the cam lever is removed to release, nonoperating position, the handle is angularly disposed to the elongated slot as indicated in the view of FIG. 3. Downward manual pressure on the elongated handle rearwardly of pivot pin 48 will move the cam lever to the release, nonoperating position. The cam lever is moved to operating, locked position by flicking the cam handle downwardly at a point forward of pivot pin 48.
The forward end of a tapered cue stick is modified in construction to receive the mountable part 8. The modification shown in FIG. 7 is adapted for the cylindrical member shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The reduced diameter cylindrical stub 70 is separated from the original diameter of the cue stick 72 by shoulder 74. The face of the reduced diameter stub has a recess 76 which is shown as a groove extending across the face of the stub. The face 78 of the stub will abut against the rearward faces of the mounting members 40, 42. The recess 76 will accommodate the rear edge of the cam lobe when the cam lever is moved to locked, operating position, as indicated in the view of FIG. 4. The rear annular edge of the cylindrical member will then engage shoulder 74 of the cue stick. The mounting may be by frictional contact or fasteners may be used, or other means.
FIG. 8 illustrates a model replaceable tip member 80 in which a cue tip 82 has a reduced diameter base 88. The cue tip 81 is preferably bonded to circular plate member 83 which has a reduced diameter body 84 and a rib or flange 85 with an aperture 86 for engaging the end of a coil spring. The plate member has a substantially circular well 88 defined by continuous angular edge 87. Well 88 and edge 87 receive a close fitting engagement base 82 of cue tip 81.
The invention may now be practiced in the various ways which will occur to practitioners, and it should be understood that such practices will constitute a part of the present invention so long as they fall within the terms of the following claims as given further meaning by the language of the preceding specification.
Cue tips constructed of leather or the like are mounted to the ends of tapered cue sticks by bonding materials, and it is recognized that such cue tips have to be periodically replaced by first removing the worn cue tip and then bonding a new cue tip to the end face of the cue stick. This is a time consuming operation which is objectionable, particularly where the user does not wish to lose the use of his cue stick for that period of time. Additional problems arise because of possible damage to the end face of the cue stick in removing the worn cue tip by shearing, cutting, or the like.
Attempts have been made in the art to provide replaceable cue tips by various means and mechanisms, one of which may be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 629,217, issued in 1899. This old teaching represents an approach in the art wherein a cue tip mounted on a plate is removably attached and detached to a connecting link joined to a cam lever. The cam lever is pivoted in the end of the cue stick and has a handle or operating portion which is accessible through the wall of the cue stick to release the cue tip and plate member for replacement. Such means to solve the foregoing problem have engendered their own peculiar problems, particularly problems of attaining a secure mounting of the detachable cue tip so that it does not become displaced during use. It would be desirable to attain a secure mounting of a detachable cue tip part in a way which is similar to conventional bonding of cue tips to the ends of cue sticks. Even if mechanisms and means provide fairly secure mounting of the replaceable cue tip so that it can not be separated from the end of the cue stick, it is further required that the cue stick in mounted position be not displaced through rotation. Such displacement can lead to the undesired misalignment of the cue tip from the end of the cue stick, that is, a displacement of the axes of the cue tip from a coaxial alignment with the axis of the cue stick.
It is accordingly one important object of the present invention to provide a construction tip assembly for a cue stick in which a cue tip may be detachably associated in an improved manner for replacing worn cue tips.
It is another important object of the present invention to provide a construction tip assembly for cue sticks in which a replacable cue tip member is attached and detached by an improved cam lever and spring combination which provides secure locking position of the cue tip against undesired displacement.
Another important object of the invention is to provide a construction tip assembly in which a cue tip member may be replaced by securely attaching a cue tip member against displacement axially or coaxially, further preventing displacement around the axis of the cue tip member.
The foregoing objects are attained, as well as still other objects which will occur to practitioners from time to time, by considering the following disclosure including drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the construction tip assembly shown mounted on the end of a cue stick;
FIG. 2 is a sectional view along a plane through the longitudinal axis of the construction tip in released position;
FIG. 3 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 2, but in locked position;
FIG. 4 is a sectional view along line 4-4 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is an end elevational view of the construction tip assembly of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the cam lever shown in FIGS. 3 and 4;
FIG. 7 is a portional side elevational view of a cue stick showing the end being modified to receive the construction tip assembly shown in FIGS. 1 and 2; and
FIG. 8 is an elevational view in section of an alternative removable tip.
Referring to the drawings, the construction tip assembly has a base or mounted part 8 fixed to the end of a cue stick indicated at 9. The mounted part is shown in the shape of a cylindrical member having a continuous wall 10. The cylindrical member has a rear cylindrical passageway 14. A cylindrical cavity 16, having larger diameter than passageway 14 has an annular edge 16a and an annular shoulder 16b which provide a seat for detachable member shown generally as 18.
The detachable or replaceable member 18 includes a cue tip bonded to a circular plate member 20. A reduced diameter body 22 is secured to the inside face of the plate member, and said body has fixed thereto a rib or flange 24 which lies in a plane normal to the plane of the inside face of plate member 20, by a spring shown generally as 28, releasably engages aperture 26 of detachable part 18. A trailing end 32 has an upward branch 34 and a turned in end 36 engageable with cam lever shown generally as 38.
The cam lever 38 is pivotally mounted between side members 40 and 42 which flank a reduced width passageway 44. The side members and reduced width passageway demarcate the rear passageway 12 from the forward passageway 14. The cam lever is pivotally mounted between the side members by pin 48 which passes through pin aperture 50 of cam lobe 52. The cam lobe is joined to elongated cam lever handle 54. The inwardly bent portion 36 of the trailing end of the spring is secured to aperture 58 in the cam lobe. When the cam lever is moved to the unlock or release position as shown in FIG. 3, the spring attachment aperture 58 is substantially below pivot pin aperture 50. When the cam lever is moved to the locked, operating position as shown in FIG. 4, the spring attachment aperture moves from the low cam lobe surface to the high cam lobe surface, or to a position substantially to the side of pivot pin aperture 50, and rearwardly thereof. This movement of the cam lever extends the spring 28 longitudinally as the trailing end of the spring is moved over center to the rearward or high cam surface position. The spring torsion holds the detachable part 18 with the cue tip 19 securely seated against annular edge 16a and annular shoulder 16b at the front end of the cylindrical member. Detachable part 18 is prevented from misalignment from the common axes of the cylindrical member 8 and the detachable part 18.
The detachable part 18 is also prevented from rotational movement, that is, from movement about its axes by interlocking the part 18 within the open end of the cylindrical member 8. The annular edge 16a and annular shoulder 16b have opposite and inwardly angled slots 62 and 64. The opposite arcuate edges of rib or flange 24 are adapted to engage these inwardly angled slots to form the interlock against rotation when the detachable part 18 is fully mounted.
The cam handle 54 is accessible for actuation in the continuous wall 10 of the cylindrical member. The elongated handle 54 is positioned within elongated slot 66, which slot communicates with forward cylindrical passageway 14. The elongated handle 54 is disposed within elongated slot 66 when the cam lever is in locked, operating position. When the cam lever is removed to release, nonoperating position, the handle is angularly disposed to the elongated slot as indicated in the view of FIG. 3. Downward manual pressure on the elongated handle rearwardly of pivot pin 48 will move the cam lever to the release, nonoperating position. The cam lever is moved to operating, locked position by flicking the cam handle downwardly at a point forward of pivot pin 48.
The forward end of a tapered cue stick is modified in construction to receive the mountable part 8. The modification shown in FIG. 7 is adapted for the cylindrical member shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The reduced diameter cylindrical stub 70 is separated from the original diameter of the cue stick 72 by shoulder 74. The face of the reduced diameter stub has a recess 76 which is shown as a groove extending across the face of the stub. The face 78 of the stub will abut against the rearward faces of the mounting members 40, 42. The recess 76 will accommodate the rear edge of the cam lobe when the cam lever is moved to locked, operating position, as indicated in the view of FIG. 4. The rear annular edge of the cylindrical member will then engage shoulder 74 of the cue stick. The mounting may be by frictional contact or fasteners may be used, or other means.
FIG. 8 illustrates a model replaceable tip member 80 in which a cue tip 82 has a reduced diameter base 88. The cue tip 81 is preferably bonded to circular plate member 83 which has a reduced diameter body 84 and a rib or flange 85 with an aperture 86 for engaging the end of a coil spring. The plate member has a substantially circular well 88 defined by continuous angular edge 87. Well 88 and edge 87 receive a close fitting engagement base 82 of cue tip 81.
The invention may now be practiced in the various ways which will occur to practitioners, and it should be understood that such practices will constitute a part of the present invention so long as they fall within the terms of the following claims as given further meaning by the language of the preceding specification.