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Patent Searching and Data


Title:
CUE TIP
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2007/113535
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
A cue tip (1) for attachment to the end of a cue, the cue tip (1) having a striking surface (17) wherein at least part of the striking surface (17) is convexly curved; the cue tip (1) is of a resilient material; the cue tip (1) has a diameter related to the diameter of a ball (18) it is adapted to strike; the curvature, the resilience and the co-efficient of friction of the striking surface (17) being chosen such that the desired amount of spin and momentum is reliably imparted to a ball (18). This application also related to a detachable cue tip (1) .

Inventors:
JONES MALCOLM ARTHUR (GB)
JAMES ALAN CHARLES (GB)
Application Number:
PCT/GB2007/001201
Publication Date:
October 11, 2007
Filing Date:
April 02, 2007
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
JONES MALCOLM ARTHUR (GB)
JAMES ALAN CHARLES (GB)
International Classes:
A63D15/12
Foreign References:
US5938536A1999-08-17
US5016877A1991-05-21
US2072484A1937-03-02
GB190927079A1910-09-08
GB220750A1924-08-28
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
BARKER BRETTELL (Edgbaston, Birmingham B16 9PW, GB)
Download PDF:
Claims:

CLAIMS

1. A cue tip for attachment to the end of a cue, the cue tip (1) having a striking surface (17) wherein; at least part of the striking surface (17) is convexly curved; the cue tip (1) is of a resilient material; the cue tip (1) has a diameter related to the diameter of a ball (18) it is adapted to strike; the curvature, the resilience and the co-efficient of friction of the striking surface (17) being chosen such that the desired amount of spin and momentum is reliably imparted to a ball (18) .

2. A cue tip according to claim 1, in which the whole striking surface (17) is convexly curved.

3. A cue tip according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which the whole of the striking surface (17) is hemispherical.

4. A cue tip according to claim 3, in which the radius of curvature of the striking surface (17) is substantially between 6mm to 10mm.

5. A cue tip according to any preceding claim 1, in which the diameter of the cue tip (1) is at least 20% of the diameter of the ball (18) it is adapted to strike.

6. A cue tip according to any preceding claim, in which the diameter of the cue tip (1) is at least 24% of the diameter of the ball (18) it is adapted to strike.

7. A cue tip according to any preceding claim, in which the diameter of the cue tip (1) is at least 25% of the diameter of the ball (18) it is adapted to strike.

8. A cue tip according to any preceding claim, in which the tip is of a synthetic elastic material.

9. A cue tip according to any of claims 1 to 7, in which the tip is of natural rubber.

10. A cue tip according to any preceding claim, in which the striking surface (17) of the cue tip (1) is textured.

11. A cue tip according to claim 10, in which the texture is a dimpled texture.

12. A cue tip according to claim 10, in which the texture is a ridged texture.

13. A cue tip according to claim 12, in which the ridged texture comprises concentric circular ridges originating from the apex of the convexly curved surface.

14. A cue tip according to claim 10, in which the texture comprises suckers or hairs.

15. A cue tip according to any of claims 1 to 9, in which the striking surface (17) is smooth.

16. A cue tip according to any preceding claim, in which the cue tip (1) is detachable.

17. A cue tip according to claim 16, in which the cue tip (1) is attached to a body (3) part that includes a connecting portion for detachably connecting the cue tip (1) to a cue.

18. A cue tip according to any preceding claim, in which the body (3) part is weighted.

19. A cue tip according to any preceding claim, in which the body (3) part and cue tip (1) weigh between 2 and 20 grams.

20. A cue tip according to any preceding claim, in which the body (3) part and cue tip (1) weigh between 3 and 6 grams.

21. A cue tip according to claim 17, in which the connecting portion comprises gripping legs to surround the end of a cue.

22. A cue tip according to claim 21 , in which the body (3) part is adapted to receive a securing collar to urge the legs into gripping contact with the cue.

23. A detachable cue tip of the form defined in claim 1 and a connecting portion for connecting the detachable cue tip (1) to the end of a cue.

24. A detachable cue tip according to claim 23, in which the detachable cue tip (1) weighs between 2 and 20 grams

25. A detachable cue tip according to claim 23 or claim 24, in which the detachable cue tip (1) weight between 3 and 6 grams.

Description:

CUE TIP

This invention relates to a cue tip for a cue used to play games such as snooker, pool or billiards or the like. In particular, it relates to a detachable cue tip that is of assistance for performing masse shots.

Cue tips are conventionally made of a leather material that is attached to the tip of a cue by a ferrule. The cue tip is usually covered in chalk by rubbing the tip into a chalk block. The chalk covered cue tip allows for a reliable transfer of momentum from the cue to the cue ball. The chalk is of particular use when the cue ball is struck off-centre to impart spin, for example. The chalk improves the contact between the tip and the cue ball so that the cue tip does not glance off the cue ball when struck. Thus, momentum and spin can be reliably transferred to the cue ball.

Spin is used to alter the behaviour, such as the speed and direction, of the cue ball as it travels along the table or once it strikes another ball or the cushions/rails. Spin can be used to make the cue ball follow a curved path, which is known as a swerve shot. An extreme form of swerve shot is known as a masse shot wherein the direction of travel of the cue ball is radically changed shortly after being struck due to the spinning ball gripping the cloth of the table. A masse shot is performed by elevating the cue butt high above the cue ball so that the cue is vertical, or almost vertical, and the cue tip is directly over the cue ball. The cue is then brought rapidly downwards to strike the cue ball so as to impart significant spin. Thus, the shot is played as if forcing the cue, and thus the cue ball, downwards through the table. For this reason, it is possible for the cue tip to strike the cloth of the table, which may cause damage to the cue, cue tip, cloth and/or the table itself.

Where the cue ball is struck governs how it will spin; if the ball is struck off-centre towards the back, the ball will get backspin and will momentarily move forwards and then, as the spinning ball grips the cloth, it will shoot backwards. Thus, while the cue ball initially moves with a component of the direction in which it is struck (i.e. away from the cue tip), the spin imparted urges it to travel in a different direction.

A masse shot is rarely played, as it is particularly difficult to consistently judge the power required and where the cue ball should be struck so that the cue ball follows the desired path. In particular, it is difficult to gauge how effectively the cue tip will engage with the cue ball to impart the desired translational and rotational motion. Further, due to the elevated cue position and conviction with which the shot needs to be played, miscueing is common for the inexperienced player, which is likely to result in a penalty or foul shot.

According to a first aspect of the invention, we provide a cue tip for attachment to the end of a cue, the cue tip having a striking surface wherein; at least part of the striking surface is convexly curved; the cue tip is of a resilient material; the cue tip has a diameter related to the diameter of a ball it is adapted to strike; the curvature, the resilience and the co-efficient of friction of the striking surface being chosen such that the desired amount of spin and momentum is reliably imparted to a ball.

This is advantageous as the combination of properties of the cue tip of the invention allows a reliable contact to be made with a ball so that a consistent amount of spin and momentum can be transferred to a ball. It

also reduces the probability of a miscue and prevents damage being caused to the table or ball.

Preferably the whole striking surface is convexly curved. Most preferably, the whole of the striking surface is hemispherical. Preferably the radius of curvature of the striking surface is substantially between 6mm to 10mm.

The diameter of the cue tip may be at least 20% of the diameter of the ball it is adapted to strike and preferably at least 24% or 25%.

The tip may be of a synthetic elastic material, preferably polyurethane or a synthetic rubber. Alternatively the tip may be of natural rubber.

The striking surface of the cue tip may be textured. Preferably the texture is a dimpled texture. Alternatively the tip may have a ridged texture. The ridged texture may comprise concentric circular ridges originating from the apex of the convexly curved surface. Alternatively, the texture may comprise suckers or hairs. The striking surface may, however, be smooth.

Preferably the cue tip is detachable. Preferably, the cue tip is attached to a body part that includes a connecting portion for detachably connecting the cue tip to a cue.

The body part may be weighted. Preferably, the body part and cue tip weigh between 2 and 20 grams, but preferably between 3-6 grams.

Preferably the connecting portion comprises gripping legs to surround the end of a cue. Preferably the body part is adapted to receive a securing collar to urge the legs into gripping contact with the cue.

According to a second aspect of the invention, we provide a detachable cue tip having a cue tip of the form of the first aspect of the invention and a connecting portion for connecting the detachable cue tip to the end of a cue.

Preferably, the detachable cue tip weighs between 2 and 20 grams, but preferably between 3-6 grams.

There now follows by way of example only a detailed description of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in which;

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 shows a side view of the embodiment of Figure 1 striking a ball;

Figure 3 shows a detachable cue tip striking a ball;

Figure 4 shows an exploded and cut-away view of an embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 5 shows an assembled and cut-away view of the embodiment of Figure 3.

A detachable cue tip 1 is shown in Figures 1 and 2 comprising a head portion 2 and a body part 3. The body part 3 is cylindrical and has a connecting portion 4 that comprises three circumferentially spaced gripping legs 5. The gripping legs 5 depend from the body part 3 and are of the form of a cylindrical hollow tube having longitudinal cut-outs that

form gaps 6 between the legs 5. The legs 5 are flexible and of a material such as polyurethane or nylon.

The legs 5 define a blind bore 7 between them in which the end of a cue is received. The detachable cue tip 1 is adapted to be connected to the end of a snooker, pool or billiards cue. The diameter of the blind bore 7 will be sized to receive the cue. For example, snooker cues usually have an end of relatively small diameter compared with an American pool cue and thus the bore 7 of the detachable cue tip 1 will be sized accordingly.

The body part 3 is adapted to receive a securing collar 8 that is slidably mounted on the body part 3 such that it is able to slide longitudinally along the body part including the legs 5. Accordingly, the body part 3 includes a step 10 that separates a larger diameter portion 11 from a smaller diameter portion 12 from which the legs 5 extend. Further, the outwardly facing surface 13 of the distal end 14 of the legs 4 includes an outwardly projecting flange 16. The step 10 and flange 16 limit the movement of the securing collar 8.

The head portion 2 is substantially hemispherical and is attached to the body portion 3 by its base. The head portion 2 has a convexly curved striking surface 17 that, in use, is adapted to strike a pool, snooker or billiard ball or the like. In the present embodiment the head portion 2 is a solid part, although it will be appreciated that the head portion may comprise a core part having a hemispherical shell moulded thereon to form the striking surface 17. The diameter of the base of the head portion 2 is equal to that of the body part 3, such that the circular edge of the base of the head portion 2 is flush with the body part 3. This ensures that the resilient head portion 2 is supported by the body part 3.

The diameter of the head portion 2 is important to ensure it successfully and consistently transfers momentum and spin as it strikes the cue ball thereby reducing the chance of a miscue. The most effective diameter for the head portion 2 depends on the diameter of the balls it is adapted to strike. The balls range in diameter depending on whether they are for snooker, pool or billiards and on the size of the table. However, typically they range from 45mm to 58mm in diameter. It has been found that a head portion having a diameter at least 25% of the diameter of the ball is particularly effective. However, successful and consistent cue ball striking has been achieved with head portion diameters of 28%, 30%, 32%, 34% and 36% of the diameter of the ball to be struck.

The material of which the head portion 2 is made and, in particular, the resilience of the material is also important for consistently performing masse shots. If the head portion 2 is of a relatively hard material that is not particularly resilient, then when the hemispherical cue tip strikes the ball, only a small area will contact the ball. This results in a good transfer of momentum as the tip will not absorb much energy but it will be more difficult to impart spin. Conversely, if the tip is relatively deformable then it will deform when it strikes the ball thus engaging a larger area and making it easier to impart spin. However, a deformable cue tip will absorb energy and reduce the power of the shot. Figure 3 shows the detachable cue tip 1 striking a ball 18 in a downward direction as if performing a masse shot. It can be seen that the hemispherical head portion 2 has deformed over region 20. This deformation increases the surface area over which the head portion 2 contacts the ball 18 thereby increasing the friction between them. This helps to convert the linear movement of the cue (shown by arrow 23) to rotational spin on the ball (shown by arrow 24) .

Preferably the head portion 2 and, in particular, the striking surface 17 has a shore hardness of between 40 and 100 A durometers and in particular between 60 and 80 A durometers. In the present embodiment it has a hardness of 72 A durometers. It has been found that a softer material is preferable when the cue tip is adapted to strike a larger sized ball and that a harder material is preferable when the cue tip is adapted to strike a smaller sized ball.

The striking surface 17 is also textured to enhance the friction between the cue tip 2 and the ball 18. The texture (not shown) may comprise a plurality of small (i.e. less than 0.5mm and preferably approximately 0.1mm) ridges arranged concentrically around the apex of the hemispherical head portion 2. It will be appreciated that any surface texture, such as dimples, projections, suckers or hairs, which increases the friction between the striking surface 17 and the ball 18 may be used. The texture or material used for the striking surface must not be abrasive such that it could cause damage to the cue ball or table. Further, any texture that is applied must not separate from the head portion 2.

As discussed above, the friction between the striking surface 17 and the ball 18 is important if spin is to be successfully transferred to the ball. Thus, the frictional characteristics of the material and surface texture should be chosen so that the striking surface gains sufficient purchase on the ball. Preferably the coefficient of friction is between 1.0 and 2.0.

The shape of the head portion 2 must be such that it presents a striking surface 17 to the ball 18 even when the ball is struck off-centre. This is represented in Figure 3, in which the centre of the ball relative to the cue is represented by dashed line 21 and, as can be seen from dashed line 22, the cue strikes off-centre (below centre) . The hemispherical head portion 2 presents region 20, although it will be appreciated that

other shaped head portions 2 could be effective at presenting a sufficiently large contact area to impart spin. As it is usually an outer portion of the cue tip that contacts the ball when playing a masse shot, the form of the apex is not of primary importance. Thus, the head portion 2 could be substantially conical having a wall that curves convexly from the junction with the base to the apex. Primarily, the head portion 2 needs to at least have a striking surface that, when attached to a cue, is inclined to the longitudinal axis of the cue between 30° and 60° . The use of a convexly curving head portion 2 allows a range of inclinations to be presented for effective striking of the ball 18 at various off-centre locations. The use of a hemispherical head portion 2 allows, of course, a range of inclined striking surfaces to be presented from 0° at the apex to almost 90° at the junction between the striking surface 17 and the body part 3.

The weight of the detachable cue tip 1 affects how much momentum is transferred from the cue to the ball. The weight of the cue tip 1 is between 3 and 6 grams, although it may be between 2 and 20 grams, in particular 4, 5, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 or 18 grams.

In use, the detachable cue tip 1 is attached to a cue by inserting the end of a cue into the blind bore 7 defined by legs 5 with the securing collar 8 abutting step 10. Once the cue is inserted in the bore 7, the securing collar is slid towards the distal end 14 of the legs 5. When the collar 8 is located adjacent the step 10 the diameter of the bore 7 is substantially constant along its length (as shown in Figure 2) . However, the outwardly facing surface 13 of the legs 5 increases in diameter from proximal end adjacent the head portion 2 to the distal end 14. Thus, when the collar is slid toward the distal end it causes the legs 5 to be urged together thereby decreasing the diameter of the bore 7 and gripping the cue. The diameter of the cue will determine how far the securing collar 8 needs to slide

before the detachable cue tip 1 is securely attached, although it will be prevented from sliding off the distal end 14 by flange 16.

The construction of the detachable cue tip 1 is shown in Figures 4 and 5. The body part 3 includes a metal washer 25 having a plurality of holes 26 therein. The metal washer 25 may provide weight in the detachable cue tip 1. The weight could alternatively be separate from the washer 25 and be mounted in the body part 3.

During a first stage of construction of the detachable cue tip 1, the body part 3 including the connecting portion 4 is moulded around the washer 25 wherein spigots in the mould ensure that the holes 26 remain free of moulding material. Thus, in the unexploded view of Figure 5, the washer 25 is located in aperture 27. The body part 3 is typically moulded of polycarbonate and polyurethane. In a second stage, the head portion 2 is moulded onto the body part 3 such that moulding material extended through the holes 26 and forms a layer on an underside 28 of a ledge 30. This ensures that the head portion 2 is securely fixed to the body part 3. This is important to ensure an effective transfer of energy from the cue to the ball. Further, by moulding the head portion 2 through the body part 3, the total volume of the head portion is increased, which improves the resilience of the head portion 2 thereby improving the "feel" of the contact between the cue tip and the ball.