Patent Publication Number: US-2012034987-A1

Title: Enhanced friction tip for pool cue

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to games such as pool and billiards, and more particularly to a construction of the tip of a pool cue or the like. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Games such as pool, billiards, and the like, hereinafter representatively referred to as pool, require that a player impart momentum to a cue which in certain situations require, tangential contact between the tip of the cue stick and the ball. For example, it may be necessary to avoid having the ball strike a particular ball which lies between the ball being struck and the intended destination of the ball being struck. This may be performed for example by moving the cue stick at an extreme angle to the playing surface while contacting the ball to be struck tangentially. The goal of this maneuver is to impart spin or english to the ball as well as to propel the ball from its resting place on the playing surface. 
     Pool players must a considerable degree of skill to perform this type of play and to obtain the desired results in so doing. Mere application of skill may not be sufficient to overcome unwanted effects of contact between pool cue and ball. It may be necessary to alter friction characteristics of the pool cue to assist in achieving the intended goal. Heretofore, there have been limited options in affecting friction characteristics. Use of chalk is widely practiced. However, chalk dust may serve as a solid lubricant which does not increase frictional engagement of the smooth surface of the typical ball by the cue stick. 
     There remains a need for increasing frictional engagement of a cue ball by a cue stick. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a way of increasing frictional engagement of a cue ball by a cue stick. In the present invention, a cue stick is improved by providing it with a mildly resilient plastic tip. The plastic tip has surface characteristics which in the course of playing pool assure superior engagement of the ball by the cue stick than has formerly been the case. 
     A cue stick improved according to the present invention may be utilized in breaking or initiating play, and to impart english to assist with causing a struck cue ball to jump over intervening balls. 
     It is an object of the invention to improve engagement of the smooth, hard surface of a cue ball by a cue stick. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof by apparatus for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable, and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes. 
     These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various objects, features, and attendant advantages of the present invention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of a cue stick according to at least a first aspect of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of a cue stick according to at least a second aspect of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded side elevational view of a cue stick according to at least a third aspect of the invention, wherein the cue stick is associated with at least two dissimilar replaceable sections. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring first to  FIG. 1 , according to at least one aspect of the invention, a pool cue stick  100  for playing games such as pool is seen to comprise a generally conventional elongated shaft  102  having a proximal end  104  and a distal end  106 . The distal end  106 , which is that end intended to make contact with cue balls (not shown) may be conventional. A hollow removable tip  108  made from a mildly resilient synthetic polymer such as nylon is configured to engage the distal end  106  and be retained thereon by friction for example. Of course, fasteners (not shown) may be used if desired. The hollow removable tip  108  is shown slightly exaggerated in size in  FIG. 1  to better illustrate the hollow  110 . The hollow removable tip  108  assures that after installation, and in the course of play, the distal end  106  is lined with a mildly resilient polymer. 
     A currently preferred polymer is nylon 6/12. Commercial nylons may include the designations of nylon 6, nylon 4/6, nylon 6/6, nylon 6/10, nylon 6/12, nylon 11 and nylon 12. The numerical portion of the designation for any of these nylons is taken from the number of carbon atoms in the constituent diamine and dibasic acid monomers used in its manufacture. The ratio of carbon atoms gives each specific nylon species unique characteristics. Nylon 6/12 has limited moisture absorption, a consequence of the specific chemical formulation, and is resistant to swelling. Nylon 6/12 enjoys significant heat resistance, resistance to foreign chemicals, and displays good dimensional stability. 
     Nylon 6/12 is readily shapable on a lathe. One way of fabricating a suitable removable tip or corresponding polymeric tips of other embodiments to be presented hereinafter is to turn nylon 6/12 in rod stock form on a lathe. 
     The removable tip  108  may take on other configurations. For example, the removable tip  108  may comprise a male projection (not shown) which cooperates with a corresponding female orifice (not shown) formed in the elongated shaft  102 . Rod stock may have a diameter in the range of 0.5500 inch to 0.6500 inch. For example, nylon 6/12 is available in rod stock form having a diameter of 0.6125 inch, which diameter is commercially available. 
       FIG. 2  shows a pool cue stick  200  comprising a generally conventional elongated shaft  202  having a proximal end  204  and a distal end  206 . The distal end  106 , which is that end intended to make contact with cue balls (not shown) may be bonded or otherwise permanently attached to a polymeric tip  208 . The polymeric tip  208 , shown in  FIG. 2  to be joined by a layer of permanent adhesive  210 , may be made from the same polymer as its counterpart in  FIG. 1 , namely the removable tip  108 . The cue stick  200  is intended to be used only for breaking and imparting english or spin. A conventional cue (not shown) may be used at other times in the play of the game. 
       FIG. 3  shows a pool cue stick  300  comprising a generally conventional elongated shaft  302  having a proximal end  304 . The distal end bearing the contact tip is replaceable by selectively installing a first distal section  305 A or a second distal section  305 B. The first distal section  305 A may have a permanently attached or removably attached polymeric tip  308 A. The second distal section  305 B may have a conventional tip  308 B. Attachment of the first distal section  305 A and the second distal section  305 B to the elongated shaft  302  may be in any suitable way. A pool player may substitute either of the first distal section  305 A and the second distal section  305 B at will. Using the same elongated shaft  302  may maintain a familiar feel which may be less disorienting or distracting in play than would be the case if using two entirely different pool cues for breaking and spin shots on one hand and other shots on the other hand. 
     The invention may be thought of as a method of modifying friction of a pool cue stick having a proximal end and a distal end for engaging a cue ball. The method may comprise the step of terminating the distal end with a resilient polymer such as nylon, and most preferredly nylon 6/12. 
     The present invention is susceptible to modifications and variations which may be introduced thereto without departing from the inventive concepts. For example, the tip which is provided may comprise a multipart assembly terminating in the specified constituent friction material, and need not be limited to a member made solely from the specified constituent polymeric friction material. Illustratively, the invention may comprise a short extension formed from one or more structural materials such as metals, wood, hard plastics or resins, fiberglass, ceramics, synthetic stone compounds and the like. The short extension may be tipped with a friction material such as nylon 6/12. 
     In another variation, the polymeric tip of a novel pool cue stick according to the invention may be internally modified, such as by incorporation of lubricants, fibers, and other substances and inclusions which are different in constituency from the polymeric material constituting the polymeric tip, such as nylon 6/12. 
     In still a further variation, a polymeric tip of a novel pool cue stick according to the invention may be textured as desired. For example, ridges which may be imparted in the lathe turning operation or other fabrication technique may be intentionally left on that portion of the polymeric tip which contacts a struck cue ball. Surface texturing other than by lathe turning may be provided. 
     While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the present invention is not to be limited to the disclosed arrangements, but is intended to cover various arrangements which are included within the spirit and scope of the broadest possible interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass all modifications and equivalent arrangements which are possible.