Title:

Power cue stick

United States Patent Application 20040077428

Kind Code:

A1

Abstract:

A cue stick is provided such that a handicapped person can play pool/billiards using one arm/hand from a wheelchair if desired. The spring-loaded 2 section cue stick can be cocked and made to propel the cue ball into the object ball or rail by means of a tensioning and trigger release system that allows the player to cock, position and shoot in one connected motion with one arm/hand. The stick is also equipped with variable tension positions, or settings, affording the player the ability to select the amount of force with which the cue tip strikes the cue ball; thus producing a hard or soft shot. A variable height foot is provided near the cue tip end of the stick to allow the player to raise or lower the impact point of the cue tip on the cue ball. The foot also provides a means for the player to bridge over top of a ball close to the cue ball.

Inventors:

Oliver, Darryl R. (Cockeysville, MD, US)
Oliver, Glenn W. (Daytona Beach, FL, US)

Application Number:

10/277012

Publication Date:

04/22/2004

Filing Date:

10/21/2002

Export Citation:

Click for automatic bibliography generation

Assignee:

OLIVER DARRYL R.
OLIVER GLENN W.

Primary Class:

473/44

International Classes:

A63D15/08; A63D15/10; (IPC1-7): A63D15/08

View Patent Images:

Download PDF 20040077428

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Primary Examiner:

GRAHAM, MARK S

Attorney, Agent or Firm:

GLENN W. OLIVER (DAYTONA BEACH, FL, US)

Claims:

We claim:

1. An improved cue stick of a selective spring-loaded type having 2 concentric tubes comprises: a cue tip at one end and a trigger release mechanism at the other end. an adjustable height or foot device to be arbitrarily set by the player. A 2 position tension setting device to be set at the player's discretion.

2. An improved cue stick as described in claim 1 that is totally operated with one hand/arm therefor being handicapped friendly.

3. An improved cue stick as described in claim 2 wherein cue tip replacement is accomplished without the use of any tools.

4. An improved cue stick as described in claim 3 requiring no maintenance or lubrication.

5. An improved cue stick as described in claim 4 that can not warp, due to being made of stainless steel.

Description:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to pool and billiard games, and most important, an apparatus designed to be operated using one arm/hand, instead of two, as in 2. Below. The apparatus also incorporates features such as selective forward thrust, as deemed fit by the player/operator. The invention also is especially suitable for use by the handicapped; i.e. those who are wheelchair bound or only have the use of one arm/hand.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] Heretofore cue sticks used for playing pool/billiards were traditionally aimed by the player using 2 hands to facilitate a “shot”; i.e. one hand being placed near the cue tip to steady the stick, the thrust of forward motion being delivered by the other hand, striking the cue ball, thus facilitating the “shot”. The prior art/discipline usually dictated that the cue sticks be made of wood which, over a period of time, varying with the ambient humidity, produce warps, which are permanent, not allowing for an accurate shot.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] It is the object of the present invention to provide a power cue stick that may be used by handicapped and/or wheelchair bound individuals to play pool/billiards using only one hand/arm.

[0006] The power cue stick is nearly effortless to operate and affords the player a much more accurate shot than the previous method of using a conventional cue stick and trying to steady it on the side of the pool/billiard table in an unstable fashion. The present invention offers warp free, maintenance free operation due to the materials of construction. The invention also provides for cue tip replacement with no tools needed no lubrication required and rust free operation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a billiard cue showing a cue tip and adjustable toot on one end, and a tensioning and release mechanism on the other end.

[0008] FIG. 2 is and exploded partial perspective view of the cue stick showing the parts of the invention as they would be assembled.

[0009] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the release mechanism, or trigger assembly.

[0010] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the adjustable height foot assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Reference is now made to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout. A power cue stick 12 is shown in FIG. 1 with the cue tip 3 capping the end of the thrust tube 2 at one end, and a trigger release assembly 5 near the other end, attached to the main body 1. The extreme end is fitted with a rubber boot 7 that provides a duel function of covering the tension spring 10 stop limit bolt 11, and providing a cushion for the hand when cocking the stick

[0012] The adjustable foot assembly 4 is clamped to the outer body 1 and provides a means of raising or lowering the strike point of the cue tip with respect to the cue ball. The extended movable portion of the foot 4 is shown in the extended position in FIG. 1 and in the retracted position in FIG. 2.

[0013] The aligning slots 9 provide a means of keeping the thrust tube 2 in alignment with the main body 1 to set the trigger assembly 5 for cocking and releasing. The thrust limit pin 8 when retracted, provides a means of releasing the thrust tube 2 in the direction of the cue ball.

[0014] The trigger assembly 5 depicted in FIG. 3 shows the trigger assembly mounting saddle 6 providing the trigger bar pivot point 18 for the trigger release bar 14 to function. The trigger release bar 14 when in the cocked, or ready to shoot position, allows the trigger release pin 13 to join concentrically the strategically located holes 26 in the thrust tube 2 and the main body 1, producing a cocked condition. The trigger bar tension release spring 17 is shown as being affixed to the trigger release bar by means of a bolt/nut assembly 15, holding the trigger bar spring guide plate 16 in check concentrically with the aligning hole 25 provided in the trigger release bar.

[0015] FIG. 4 depicts the foot mounting saddle 24 which is affixed to the main body 1 by a locking nut/bolt assembly 22. The swing arm 20 can be rotated manually to extend 90 degrees in reference to the main body 1, producing a lift of 3½″ to the striking point of the cue tip 3 and the cue ball. The swing arm 20 may also be retracted to produce only 1½″ of lift to the strike point of the cue tip 3, thus allowing the stationary pads 21 on the saddle 24 to rest on the pool/billiard table as a steadying platform.

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