Abstract:
An pool cue aiming apparatus for billiards games includes a cue provided with a source for a narrow collimated beam of light emerging from the playing tip along the longitudinal axis of the cue. An electrical communication system is located within the cue, having a pressure sensitive handle housing batteries, thereby transmitting electricity when the handle is depressed and closes an electrical circuit. Electricity generated from the batteries is transmitted to a light source in the tip portion of the cue and the light therefrom moves through a longitudinal bore along the length of the cue to emerge from an orifice located at the striking tip. The collimated light allows a user to learn proper striking technique in the game of billiards.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/648,881, filed Aug. 25, 2000, abandoned. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to pool cues for use in playing the game of billiards and, more particularly, to a pool cue having two removable, interchangeable striking tips, one tip modified to contain beam generation means to aid in targeting the pool cue to a proper position and angle, wherein the beam generation means is activated by the touch of a user. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Billiards continually ranks among the most popular of the recreational or sporting activities that many people enjoy. Ranging in intensity from the casual types that shoot pool periodically to the serious shooters that play several times a week, thousands of people play pool on a daily basis. As is common with all sports and hobbies, the participant strives for continual improvement and refinement. While practice and coaching from more advanced players will certainly help in this regard, there is a lack of products on the market to help the novice to average pool player. This is in stark contrast to other sports, such as golf, baseball, soccer or football, in which products and training aids flood the market and fill virtually all sporting goods stores. 
     Specifically, aiming is required in every shot in billiards or pocket billiards. In pocket billiards, the cue propels the cue ball at a first target ball in order to direct the target ball in a certain path either directly or indirectly toward a pocket while trying to avoid scratching, i.e. entry of the cue ball into a pocket. The trajectory of the target ball and the cue ball are both controlled by the manner in which the cue stick contacts the cue ball. The spot at which the cue stick hits the cue ball determines its spin during and after contact with the target ball. For example, if the point of the cue stick contacts the cue ball below its mid point, reverse spin is applied to the cue ball and it will tend to return toward the cue stick after contacting the target ball. 
     Conversely, if the spot at which the cue stick makes contacts is above and mid point of the cue ball, forward spin is applied to the ball and it will tend to follow the target ball after contact therewith. Similarly, right-hand and left-hand spin can then be applied to the cue ball by choosing a contact spot to the left or the right of a vertical plane through the mid-point of the cue ball. 
     It is very rare to find any play situation in which the pocket, target ball and cue ball are all positioned in a straight line. This is the simplest aiming combination in which the player attempts to propel the cue ball in a straight line at the target ball which after impact rolls in a straight line into the pocket. In all other cases, the cue ball and target ball are out-of-line and the target ball must be contacted with the cue ball from a very acute angle on one edge of the target ball to a very acute angle on the other edge to propel the target ball over almost 180° of different lines of motion. 
     Another necessary skill that is common to both billiards and pocket billiards is the design and execution of banking shots. Banking requires traverse of the cue ball and/or target ball against at least one cushion before the ball comes to rest or enters a pocket. Many times the ball will contact three or four cushions and each time at a different angle. These shots are very hard to plan and to aim, especially if the table is crowded with many balls, as it is at the start of a rack. 
     Another way to estimate the pattern of travel of a ball during banking is to use diamond shaped marks spaced along the table rail behind the cushions and mentally project the point of contact of the ball between adjacent diamonds. Of course, a mechanical, mathematical device such as a protractor could be used to estimate or calculate the angle of travel. 
     A problem in aiming is that the player is positioned a substantial distance behind the cue ball and is sighting along a long cylindrical surface toward a spherical surface. It is difficult to align the cylindrical cue stick with the spherical cue ball, since there are no sharp points or edges for sighting. Secondly, the pointer spot of contact is usually hidden or obliterated by the cue stick itself. 
     A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention; however, the following references were considered related. 
     The following patents disclose a pool cue stick with a guiding rib: 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,704,842 issued in the name of Petrusek; and 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,389,911 issued in the name of Castiglione. 
     The following patents describe a pool cue alignment device with a laser mounted to the shaft: 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,554,075 issued in the name of Glazer, and 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,688,796 issued in the name of Wright. 
     The following patents describe a variety of pool cue alignment devices: 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,558,584, issued in the name of Brown, discloses a pool cue with a sight or aiming aid; 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,275,398, issued in the name of Compton, describes an apparatus for use with a billiard table including a stick assembly and arrays of light reflectors; 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,181,718, issued in the name of Valentine, discloses a pool stick mounted in a biased relationship within a rifle stock; 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,178,694, issued in the name of Bonney, describes a point-of-aim indicator for the game of billiards; and 
     U.S. Pat. No. D 378,393, issued in the name of Marshall et al., discloses an ornamental design for a billiard table aiming system. 
     Of considerable relevance is U.S. Pat. No. 4,688,796, issued in the name of Wright. However, while the user of a collimated light source in combination with a pool cue stick is incorporated into this invention in combination, other elements are designed to overcome many problems that result from such a device as described in Wright. For example, such a device anticipates a central shaft, creating a hollow pool stick that would lack in weight, balance, and strength. Also, the battery power source being in the striking tip of the stick would also cause problems with weight, balance, and strength of the stick. Finally, such a device would be ineffective during the initial “break” of a billiards game, as well as potentially being subjected to damage due to the shock or jolt from such a strike. 
     Accordingly, and in keeping with advanced technology, there is a continual need for new and innovative features and improvements that will serve to enhance the game of billiards. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide for pool cue having two removable, interchangeable striking tips. 
     It is a feature of the present invention that one such striking tip is modified to contain collimated light beam generation means to aid in targeting the alignment of the pool cue at a proper position and angle. 
     It is a further feature of the present invention to provide a pair of inductive wires embedded on the surface of the pool cue handle, wherein a user&#39;s hand completes a circuit between the wires and activates the projection of the beam. 
     Briefly described according to one embodiment of the present invention, a pool stick is provided with an integral laser aiming device for use in playing billiards. The invention resembles a conventional pool stick, having a linearly elongated shape with a taper at the striking end. A small hole can be viewed in the end of the pool stick away from the handle. A low power laser, similar to that used in a laser pointer for business presentations, is installed in the end of the pool cue and projects out from the small opening. The laser light axis is in perfect alignment with the centerline of the pool cue. A pair of small wires, running parallel along the top surface of the pool cue, act as capacitive touch switches and transmit power from a battery or batteries to effectuate transmittal of the laser. 
     To use the invention, the user lines up the stick behind the cue ball in the conventional manner, grasping the handle so as to close the circuit between the pair of wires and activating the capacitive touch switches. The tip of the stick is then raised slightly above the ball and aimed at the angle the user desires to strike the cue ball. The user then aligns the laser dot on the subject ball by moving the handle, while holding the tip in a relatively constant position. When the user is happy with the alignment, the handle is held in that position, the tip is lowered back down and the shot is completed in the normal manner. The invention is a three-piece design that allows the user to take it apart for transportation ease. The electrical connections would be made using internal electrical connectors that automatically make and break electrical current flow when the invention is assembled and disassembled. Additionally, the upper end of the cue stick having the laser is replaceable with a conventional cue stick end for break shots so the laser is not subjected to high forces and possible damage during such shots. 
     The use of the present invention allows billiard players the opportunity to improve their game in a manner which employs high technology in a fun, easy and efficient manner. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a multi-component, pool cue alignment training aid in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is an enlarged detail in perspective of the handle of the pool cue of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a view in section taken along the line III—III of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a view in section taken along the line IV—IV of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 5 is a view in section taken along line V—V of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 6 is a view in section taken along line VI—VI of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the posterior end of the handle taken along the line VII—VII of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a pocket billiard table; 
     FIG. 9 is a view in section taken along the line IX—IX of FIG. 7 showing the aiming system of the present invention incorporated therein; and 
     FIG. 10 is an alternative embodiment of the pressure sensitive handle, in which the handle is a hinged lever which contacts a wire to complete an electrical circuit and allow the flow of electricity. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     1. Detailed Description of the Figures 
     Referring now to FIGS. 1-7, a multi-component pool cue  10  is composed of a base handle portion  12 , and a pair of removable tip portions  14  for interchangeably affixing to the distal end of the handle  12 . The handle  12  is pressure sensitive so as to actuate the flow of electricity when a user grasps the handle  12  with a hand. The removable tips portions  14  include the combination of a threadable breaking tip  14   a  and a threadable aiming tip  14   b.    
     In greater detail as shown in FIGS. 2-4, the handle  12  forms a shaft that has a cylindrical cross section which gently tapers from the handle  16  toward a tip portion  14 . At the proximal end of the handle  12  (FIG.  3 ), a resilient bumper  15  can be removably attached to the handle end of the cue, and thereby providing access to a centrally bored chamber formed in the shaft  12  and forming a battery compartment  20 . A threaded opening  26  receives a threaded stud  28 . The stud  28  is also received into a threaded bore  30  in the rearward end of the handle portion  12 . The threaded stud  28  can also serve as one electrical connector, as will be described further below. The stud  28  extends into the battery compartment  20  and contacts the upper terminal base  38  of the battery  40 . A spring  43  is mounted over the lower end  42  of the batteries  40  to provide a resilient force on the battery  40 . An electrical communication system is provided to transmit electrical current from the batteries  40  to a light source  74 . A first electrical conductor  48 a and a second electrical conductor  48   b,  in electrical connection with the upper terminal base  38  and lower terminal base  42  of the batteries  40 , respectively, penetrate the sidewall of the battery compartment  20  through a pair of conductor orifices  49 , and are guided along the handle  12  by one of a pair of wires  50   a  or  50   b  (the pair best seen in cross-section in FIG.  7 ), and shown here as the first wire  50   a.  The arrangement of the second wire  50   b  is a mirror image of the first wire  50   a.  The first wire  50   a  and the second wire  50   b  are positioned along the outer surface of the handle  12 , running parallel to one another. The first and second wires  50   a  and  50   b  are capacitive touch switches, wherein when a user&#39;s hand grasps the handle  12  so as to cover the two wires  50   a  and  50   b,  an electrical circuit is closed and electricity is allowed to flow. When the user releases the handle  12 , the circuit is opened and electricity flow is stopped. 
     At the distal end of the handle  12  (FIG.  4 ), a tip receiving socket is formed in the handle  12  and forms a connection compartment having a threaded distal opening  52  for receiving one of the two tip portions  14 . The first electrical conductor  48   a  passes through the first wire  50   a  and is in electrical communication with a conductive washer  54  that terminates the tip end of the handle  12 , and functions as a first conductor attachment point as will be described below. The second electrical conductor  48   b  also passes through the first wire  50   a  and is in electrical connection with the conductive washer  54  and functions as a second conductor attachment point by penetrating the sidewall of the tip receiving compartment through a conductor orifices  56 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 5, a breaking tip  14   a  is shown for removable, threaded attachment to the tip receiving socket such at to provide a rigid mechanical connection to the shaft handle  12 . In this manner, the multi-compartment pool cue  10  can then be used as any otherwise conventional pool cue. It is anticipated that in this configuration, the pool cue  10  would be used during the initial “breaking” of the “racked” pool balls during a came of pocket billiards or the like. The threaded distal opening  52  receives a threaded tip stud  58 . The tip stud  58  is also received into a threaded bore in the rearward end of the tip portion  14   a  formed as a tapered, solid body member having a cylindrical cross section which gently tapers from the handle toward a tip portion, and is terminated by a striking surface  60 . Conventionally, the striking surface is formed of a leather disc coated on the exterior tip with chalk. 
     Referring now to FIG. 6, an aiming tip  14   b  is shown for removable, threaded attachment to the tip receiving socket such at to provide a rigid mechanical connection to the shaft handle  12 . The threaded distal opening  52  receives a threaded tip stud  68 . The tip stud  68  is also received into a threaded bore in the rearward end of the tip portion  14   b  and provides access to a centrally bored chamber formed in the aiming tip  14   b  and forming an laser aiming compartment  70 . The tip portion  14   b  is formed as a tapered member having a cylindrical cross section which gently tapers from the rear end to a front end, wherein the rear end is adjacent to and threadably attaches to the distal opening  52  of the handle  12 . The tip  14   b  is terminated by a striking surface  60 . The threaded tip stud  68  forms a central conduit through which a third electrical conductor  49   c  can pass, and a fourth electrical conductor  49   d  is further in contact with and communicates between the mating surface  72  of the base of the tip  14   b  that contacts the conductive washer  54  that terminates the tip end of the handle  12 , and the laser aiming compartment  70 . A collimated light source  74 , such as a conventionally available laser pointer, is placed within the laser aiming compartment  70 , and is in electrical communication with the conductors  49   c  and  49   d,  and thereby is powered by the batteries  40  in the handle when the tip  14   b  is secured to the handle  12 . A light orifice  76  is formed at the tip, through the striking surface  60 , to provide access to the laser aiming compartment  70  and allow beaming of the collimated light source  74  directly from the distal end of the aiming tip  14   b,  and the beam passes through a cylindrical opening in the resilient tip member as a highly collimated, narrow directional beam which is directed onto a spot on a cue ball or other billiard ball or pool ball. 
     The pool cue  10  can also be utilized in conjunction with reflectorized bumpers as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. A conventional pool table  200  includes a bed  202  of a hard but somewhat resilient material such as slate or marble in rectangular shape covered by a soft playing surface such as a layer  204  of felt. A raised perimeter is formed by a set of four rails  206 . End pockets  208  are provided at the intersections of the side and end rails and side pockets  209  are provided at the midpoints of the side rails. The inner surface of the rails is provided with a set of bumpers  210  in the form of an inwardly facing triangle terminating in an apex  212  forming an overhang  214 . The bumpers  210  may also be covered with a layer  216  of felt. A reflector system is formed in accordance with the invention by mounting a vertical reflector or mirror strip  220  within the overhang and beyond the point at which the apex  212  will be compressed during contact with the cue ball or other ball. 
     The strip  220  may be mounted on a triangular block  222  of resilient material which may be temporarily placed under each overhang  214 . The strips may be secured by strips of interlocking fabric such as velcro. Six removable blocks  222  are required in order to form a complete reflectorized system for a pocket billiard table. Only four blocks  222  would be required for a regular billiard table. 
     Referring now to FIG. 8, the pool cue  10  is placed on the rail  206 . When the cue is in position  223  or  224 , it will project a bank shot  226  or  228  into corner pockets  203 . However, when the cue is in position  230  or  232 , aiming patterns  236  and  238  will be projected showing that the cue ball will not enter any pocket. 
     Referring now to FIG. 10, an alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein the handle  12  includes a lever  90 . The lever  90  is a curvilinearly elongated, semi-arcuate member affixed at one end to the handle  12  by a hinge  92 . When the lever  90  is squeezed downwardly toward the handle  12 , the electrical circuit is closed, thereby allowing electrical current to flow and generate a laser. When the lever  90  is in a resting position, the electrical circuit is open, thus electrical current flow is blocked and no laser is generated. The electrical circuitry may comprise the two wire system describe above (the first wire  50   a  and the second wire  50   b ), or a one wire system (either the first or second wire  50   a  or  50   b ). 
     2. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment 
     In operation, the present invention is can be used in many ways. Primarily, by attaching the breaking tip  14   a  to the base handle portion  12 , the pool cue  10  can be used for the initial “break” portion of conventional pocket billiards. Thereafter, the breaking tip  14   a  can be unthreaded, and replaced by the aiming tip  14   b.  Upon subsequent strikes at the cue ball, an aiming light can thereafter be generated from the distal end of the pool stick  10  as described above. 
     Further, the present invention can be used as a training an practice item. With the aiming tip  14   b  in place upon the handle  12 , the cue stick can then be aligned behind a cue ball with the collimated light source shining onto the surface of the ball. As the user moves the cue stick back and forth, the dot of light on the ball should remain neat the same spot at all times, with only slight up and down motion. However, if the dot of light moves excessively, or in random directions, then the user can practice the proper drawing of the stroke, keeping a smooth pendulum action as a result of this visual feedback. 
     Alternately, availability and use of the present invention can allow for unconventional play with pocket billiards as well. For example, use of flourescent colored balls, and in combination with black lighting can allow for playing variations of pocket billiards in the dark while still allowing the user to utilize his or her aiming skills. And, in combination with a table having reflectorized bumpers as described above, and in further combination with the use of a fog generating means, various visual reflective effects can be generated. 
     As designed, a device embodying the teachings of the present invention is easily applied. The foregoing description is included to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiment and is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. As one can envision, an individual skilled in the relevant art, in conjunction with the present teachings, would be capable of incorporating many minor modifications that are anticipated within this disclosure. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be broadly limited only by the following claims.