GB2222091A - Snooker cue - Google Patents

Abstract

A snooker cue, comprising two parts (1, 2) which in use are joined together by securing means (5, 6) is provided with reinforcing means to prevent splitting of the wood of the cue part (2) in the region of the threaded bore (6). The reinforcing means can be afforded by an annular (cylindrical) reinforcing member which is located in an annular slot provided in a transverse end face (8) of the cue part (2), extending around the threaded bore of the cue part, by an annular member integral with an end plate, or by a simple ring (26) - Figure 6. <IMAGE>

Description

Title: "Snooker Cue" Description of Invention This invention relates to cues for ball games such as snooker, billards and pool, referred to hereinafter generically as "snooker cues".

It is known to manufacture a cue which comprises a plurality of separate, mutually securable and releasable parts, conventionally wholly or predominantly of wood. There may for example be two such parts, in which case the cue is customarily divided roughly half-way along its length, or as is becoming increasingly popular, about 3/4 way along its length.

The advantage of such multi-part cues over one-part cues is that they are more conveniently transported when the parts are separated because a one-part cue is rather long.

In order to function effectively when the parts are joined together however, the parts of a multi-part cue must be joined very securely so that they do not move relative to one another.

Commonly employed securing means for such purposes comprise a threaded member provided at one end of a first cue part which is receivable in a threaded bore provided at one end of a second cue part to which the first cue part is to be secured, the parts being tightly screwed together when the cue is to be used.

The disadvantage of such joints between parts of a multi-part cue is that lateral pressures are exerted on the wood in the region of the joints when the parts are joined together or if the cue is flexed and these pressures can cause the wood to split.

The present invention overcomes or reduces this problem by the provision of reinforcing means which are located in the wood of at least one of the cue parts in the region of the joint.

According to a first aspect of the invention we provide a snooker cue which comprises at least two separate parts, connecting means by which the two parts may releasably be secured together to provide the cue, and reinforcing means provided at or adjacent the end of at least one of said parts.

In this manner, damage to said end or ends during securing together of the parts or during flexing of the cue may be reduced.

The or each reinforcing means may comprise a respective reinforcing member which is located in a recess provided in a transverse face of the end reinforced by that member.

The recess may be shaped to accommodate and to be complementary to the reinforcing member.

Preferably the recess is annular and preferably the reinforcing means is secured in the recess.

Preferably the cue is essentially circular in transverse section over the region of the joint and the recess is provided between a perimeter or circumference of the transverse face and a centre thereof.

Preferably the recess and the reinforcing member are each cylindrical, either wholly or at least in part.

The reinforcing member may comprise a metal element and preferably it comprises a brass element, and may be provided on and integral with a part of the connecting means by which the parts are mutually connected.

According to a second aspect of the invention we provide a snooker cue comprising at least two parts, which parts are adapted releasably to be secured together by connecting means provided at one of two opposite ends of each part, in- which a reinforcing means is provided adjacent said connecting means to prevent or reduce damage to the cue in the region of the ends.

According to a third aspect of the invention we provide a part of a snooker cue comprising, at at least one end of the part, means by which the part may releasably be connected with further means provided at an end of a further cue part, and reinforcing means which prevents or reduces damage to said at least one end.

Thus in relation to the second and/or third aspects of the invention, risk of damage during securing/connecting other, or disconnetion/taking apart, of the parts, or due to flexing of the cue may be reduced.

Preferably the cue is in accordance with more than one aspect of the invention.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention we provide a method of reinforcing an end of at least part of a snooker cue, which end, in use, may releasably be connected to and end of a further cue part, comprising the steps: (a) introducing a recess into a transverse face of the end and (b) locating a reinforcing member in the recess.

Thus, where the cue parts comprise respective male and female formations, the reinforcing means may be afforded on that cue part provided with the female formation, reducing tendency for damage to be caused.

Alternatively or in addition, reinforcing means may also be afforded on that cue part provided with the male formation.

Naturally, where the securing means is afforded by two female formations on the respective cue parts, into both of which an adjustable male securing member may be located, reinforcing means may similarly be provided on both cue parts.

In either case, the reinforcing means preferably comprises an annular ring such as of brass located in a recess provided in the end face of the cue part, which ring may if desired by integral with a face plate extending across the end face of said cue part.

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE 1 shows a two part snooker cue.

FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal section through ends of a two part cue which are adapted releasably to be secured together.

FIGURE 3 is an end view of the end of cue part 2 of Figure 2 in the direction of arrow A.

FIGURE 4 is a longitudinal section of an alternative embodiment of an end region of a cue part 2, and FIGURES 5, 6, 7 and 8 are longitudinal sections of further embodiments of the invention.

Referring to the drawings a two part snooker cue comprises a part 1 which may provide hand grip portion 3 if desired and a part 2 which provides a tip 4 which is, in use, suitable for contacting billiard, snooker or pool balls.

It will be understood that the invention can be applied to cues comprising more than two parts and also to connections between complete one-part cues and extension handles therefor.

Each of the parts 1, 2 provides at the ends thereof which are, in use joined, securing means 5, 6 which mutually interact releasably to secure together the parts 1 and 2. In the example shown in the drawings the securing means 5 comprises a threaded bolt member and the securing means 6 comprises a threaded bore into which the bolt member may be received.

It will be understood that, alternatively, the bolt member may be provided on the cue part 2 and the threaded bore may be provided on the cue part 1 if desired.

It will also be understood that means other than a screw threaded bolt and screw threaded receiving bore might be employed to mutually secure the cue parts 1, 2 such as, for example, other spigot and socket means.

In order to prevent splitting of the wood of the cue part 2 in the region of threaded bore 6 when lateral forces are exerted on the wood by screwing in the bolt member 5, or by flexing the assembled cue, an annular slot 7 is introduced into a transverse face 8 at the end of the cue part 2.

The slot 7 is of such depth and dimensions as to closely complement and accommodate a reinforcing member 9.

Snooker cues are generally circular in transverse section, at least in the region of the joint, and slot 7 is approximately concentric with the circumference of the cue.

It will be understood that the reinforcing member 9 could be applied to a non-circular transverse section cue part.

The reinforcing member 9 is preferably a cylinder of circular transverse section but other shapes of reinforcing member 9 and slot 7 could be provided if desired, for example, octagonal or hexagonal, as long as the reinforcing member 9 complements the shape of the slot 7.

The reinforcing member 9 and slot 7 are shown in Figure 2 as extending into the transverse face 8 of the cue part 2 a distance less than the depth of the threaded bore 6 but it will be understood that they could extend into the cue part 2 a distance equal to or greater than the depth of the bore 6.

The reinforcing member 9 is preferably a brass ring but a ring of any other suitable metallic or non-metallic material which is very resistant to cracking may be provided instead.

It will be appreciated that a reinforcing member similar to 9 could be applied to the cue part 1 which provides the threaded bolt 5 as well as or instead of to the cue part 2 which provides the threaded bore 6.

It will be appreciated that in the embodiment of Figures 1 to 3 a smooth wood-to-wood transition is achieved at the joint in the assembled cue, with aesthetic benefits and smoothness of handling where the cue is required to slide through the hand in use.

Figure 4 shows a further embodiment of the invention in which the threaded bore 6 of the cue part 2 is provided on and integral with a cap 10 which is applied to the end region of the cue 2 to finish it. In such a construction, the rim 11 of the cap affords the reinforcing member, to reduce tendency for the end face of the cue part 2 to become damaged, said rim 11 being located in a circumferential recess lia provided on a cue part.

Preferably however in additional to the reinforcement provided by the rim 11, an additional reinforcing member 9 is provided which is integral with the cap 10, and which is located in an annular recess 7, as with the embodiment described and illustrated in relation to Figures 1 to 3.

It has been found that whilst the reinforcement provided by the rim 11 is of advantage, and reduces to some extent the tendency for damage to occur, the provision in conjunction with the rim 11 of said further reinforcing member 9 provides a reinforcement which is significantly more effective than that provided by the rim 11 alone.

The embodiments above described illustrate and describe the use of a reinforcing member in the end portion of the cue part which is provided with a threaded female formation, which in itself weakens the end part of the cue.

However if desired reinforcing means may similarly be provided in the end face of the cue part 1, extending around the screw threaded (male) formation 5.

In the embodiments illustrated in Figures 6, 7 and 8, a two-part cue is illustrated which utilises an adjustable securing means 20, one end portion 22 of which being screw-threaded into a bore 24 provided in one of the cue parts, the opposite end 23 of the screw-threaded element 20 being recieved in a threaded bore in the other cue part.

In accordance with the invention a metal ring 26 is set into the face of the cue part around the bore 24, being retained in a complementary recess by adhesive, to strengthen the end face of said cue part.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 7, the reinforcing ring 26b is formed integrally with a face plate 28, conveniently secured by adhesive to the end face of the cue part.

It will be understood that a reinforcing member 9 may also be provided integral with or separate from and in addition to a finishing cap which provides a threaded bolt 5 on a cue part.

In a further alternative embodiment of the invention, shown in Figure 5, the reinforcing member 9 is formed integrally with a flat or generally flat annular plate 12 which in use lies against the otherwise exposed end face 8 of the cue part 2. The outer edge 14 of the plate 12 lies flush with, or slightly inwardly of, the laterally peripheral surface 16 of the cue part 2.

Figures 6 and 7 illustrate the application of the invention to a snooker cue the two parts of which are secured together by a bolt 23. In the Figure 6 embodiment, a ring 26 is secured flush with the end face of the cue part, and in the Figure 7 embodiment the ring 26b is integral with an end plate 28. Of course if desired both cue parts may be provided with a reinforcing ring 26.

In any of the embodiments, the reinforcing member 9 is, preferably, fixed in the slot 7 of the cue part by means of, for example, adhesive.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, or a class or group of substances or compositions, as appropriate, may, separately or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims (19)

1. A snooker cue which comprises at least two separate parts, connecting means by which the two parts may releasably be secured together to provide the cue, and reinforcing means provided at or adjacent the end of at least one of said parts.

2. A snooker cue according to Claim 1 wherein the or each reinforcing means comprises a respective reinforcing member which is located in a recess provided in a transverse face of the end reinforced by that member.

3. A snooker cue according to Claim 2 wherein the recess is shaped to accommodate and to be complementary to the reinforcing member.

4. A snooker cue according to one of Claims 2 and 3 wherein the recess is annular and the reinforcing means is secured in the recess.

5. A snooker cue according to any one of Claims 2, 3 and 4, the cue being essentially circular in transverse section over the region of the joint, the recess being provided between the perimeter or circumference of the transverse face and a centre thereof.

6. A snooker cue according to any one of Claim 2 to 5 wherein the recess and the reinforcing member are cylindrical, either wholly or in part.

7. A snooker cue according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the reinforcing member comprises a metal element.

8. A snooker cue according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the reinforcing member is provided on and is integral with the connecting means by which the parts are mutually connected.

9. A snooker cue comprising at least two parts, which parts are adapted releasably to be secured together by connecting means provided at one of two opposite ends of each part, in which a reinforcing means is provided adjacent to said connecting means to prevent or reduce damage to the cue in the region of the ends.

10. Part of a snooker cue comprising, at at least one end of the part, means by which the part may releasably be connected with further means provided at an end of a further cue part, and reinforcing means which prevents or reduces damage to said one end.

11. A method of reinforcing an end of at least part of a snooker cue, which end, in use, may releasably be connected to an end of a further cue part, comprising the steps: (a) providing a recess in a transverse face of the end, and (b) locating a reinforcing member in the recess.

12. The invention according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the cue parts comprise respective male and female formations, the reinforcing means being afforded on that cue part provided with the female formation.

13. The invention according to anyone of the preceding claims wherein the reinforcing means is afforded on that cue part provided with a male formation.

14. The invention according to any one of Claims 1 to 11 wherein the securing means is afforded by two female formations on the respective cue parts, into both of which an adjustable securing member may be located.

15. The invention according to any one of Claims 12, 13 and 14 wherein the reinforcing means comprises an annular ring located in a recess provided in the end face of the cue part.

16. The invention according to Claim 15 wherein the ring is integral with a face plate extending across the end face of said cue part.

17. A snooker cue constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings.

18. A method of reinforcing a part of a snooker cue, when carried out substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings.

19. Any novel feature or novel combination of features as herebefore described and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.