GB2370238A

GB2370238A - Portable cue tip shaper

Info

Publication number: GB2370238A
Application number: GB0128439A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan Christopher Rhodes
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-11-27
Filing date: 2001-11-28
Publication date: 2002-06-26
Anticipated expiration: 2021-11-28
Also published as: GB2370238B; GB0128439D0; GB0028845D0

Abstract

A portable cue tip shaper 1 comprising a main housing 2 which houses a drive means, in the form of an electric motor 6 powered by batteries 8, which rotates an abrasive shaper head 4 via a drive shaft 7. The abrasive shaper head 4 having an abrasive surface 5. The shape of the abrasive surface 5 is such that it shapes a cue tip so as to maximise its contact area with a cue ball, thus improving the quality of contact between the cue ball and the cue tip. The abrasive shaper heads are removable from the drive shaft 7 so that alternative heads can be attached, wherein each abrasive shaper head 4 is shaped appropriately for a particular cue ball size. When not in use, the alternative shaper heads 10 are stored in a storage compartment 9 within the housing 2.

Description

PORTABLE CUE TIP SHAPER Field of the Invention This invention relates to the field of cue tip shapers and more specifically to the hand-held variety thereof.

Background of the Invention Ball and cue games, such as snooker, pool and billiards, are a popular past time for many people. The quality of a given game can be greatly affected by the standard of the equipment being used and thus its enjoyment value. A bent cue for example would reduce the accuracy of a player's cueing action, thus reducing the chance of the player building a'break', which is a common aim for players (especially during practice).

Another key element that can affect the quality of the game is the type of contact the cue tip makes with the cue ball. One method used to improve the contact made between the cue tip and the cue ball is the application of chalk to the cue tip.

The use of chalk is very effective in improving the contact between ball and cue.

However, when the game is played at a higher standard (i. e. club standard and above), the player may wish to perform more difficult shots, for example where spin is applied to the ball, chalk alone may not provide the best possible contact.

The shape of the face of a cue tip is very important in determining the quality of the contact made with the cue ball. Ideally, the cue tip face has a shape that is complimentary to the shape of the cue ball. This allows the maximum amount of surface interaction between the cue ball and the cue tip, which in turn provides the best possible contact and thus allows the player to more easily line up the shot.

The ideal shape of a cue tip can soon be lost due to the repetitive impact of the cue tip on the cue ball and as a result, the quality of play may suffer. At present, when a cue tip's shape is not of a high enough standard, the player can shape the tip by hand, using sand paper or an abrasive tool such as a file, but it can be difficult and time consuming to achieve a suitable finish to the cue tip.

Also, when the player replaces his cue tip with a new one the player must shape it to his desired shape before he can use it.

There is a need for a cue tip shaper that can apply a precise shape to a cue tip easily and efficiently, therefore allowing the player to get more use out of his present cue tip.

Summary of the Invention The invention provides a portable cue tip shaper comprising, a shaping head having a concave abrasive surface, a drive means for rotating the shaping head with the abrasive surface in contact with a cue tip, and a housing for the drive means which also serves as handle for the user.

Preferably, the concave shape of the abrasive surface is complementary to the contact surface of a cue ball. The complementary nature of the shaper means that the shape formed on the cue tip allows the maximum surface contact with the cue ball, thus providing the optimum striking of the ball.

In a preferred embodiment the drive means may comprise an electric motor, wherein the motor is preferably powered by batteries.

Alternatively, the drive means may comprise a mechanical mechanism. It is appreciated that the mechanical mechanism may be a wind up mechanism.

Preferably, the drive means may comprise a locking mechanism, which can be engaged to permit the user to manually shape the cue tip and then released when required.

The size of cue balls can vary and therefore it may be necessary to provide different shaping heads for different cue ball sizes and thus preferably the abrasive shaping head is removable from the drive means, so as to allow the interchange of different shaper heads.

Where the shaper heads are removable, it may be advantageous for the shaper head to have a lock and key interaction with the drive means, wherein the drive shaft can only be inserted into the shaper head at a particular orientation. For example, the shaper head has a half moon shaped hole into which drive means, which has a complementary shaped end. is fitted. This arrangement will prevent the connection between the shaper head and the drive means becoming loose due to continuous removal of the head, thus preventing the loss of rotational force.

The housing means may preferably have a storage compartment, which can be used to store alternative shaper heads and replacement cue tips.

Brief Description of the Drawings In the drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention: Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the portable cue tip shaper; Figure 2 shows an exposed view of the portable cue tip shaper in figure 1; Figure 3 illustrates the complementary shaping of the abrasive shaper head with relation to a cue ball ; Figure 4 Illustrates the interaction between the shaper head and a cue tip.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment The portable cue tip shaper 1 comprises a main body 2, which houses the drive means (not shown). The drive shaft 7, which is driven by the drive means, projects from the main body 2 and locates with the abrasive shaper head 4. The shaper head 4 presents an abrasive surface 5, such as sandpaper, which is arranged to cut a cue tip to the shape of the shaper head 4. The drive shaft 7, powered by the drive means, causes the shaper head to rotate, thus abrading the cue tip to the desired shape.

In the preferred embodiment the abrasive shaper head is removable to permit the interchange of different shaper heads, thus providing for the formation of alternative cue tip shapes, as is required.

The interaction between the shaper head and the drive shaft is one of a lock and key style arrangement, in that the drive shaft has an irregular shape, which can only be inserted into the corresponding hole in the shaper head in one orientation. In the preferred embodiment, the irregular shape is a half moon.

The internal arrangement of the portable cue tip shaper can be better appreciated from figure 2. The main body 2 houses the drive means, which is provided by an electric motor 6 in the preferred embodiment. It will be appreciated that the motor must be of a suitable power to maintain a rotation of the shaper head against the friction generated by the cue tip. The main body 2 also houses the batteries 8. which provide the energy source to power the electric motor. It is appreciated that the cue tip shaper may be arranged so that the batteries can be recharged without removing them

from the housing. Within the main body 2 there is also a storage compartment 9, in which replacement shaper heads 10 or spare cue tips are stored.

The portable cue tip shaper is operable by an on/off switch (not shown), which controls the electric motor. In the preferred embodiment, when the switch is in the off position a locking mechanism is engaged which prevents the drive shaft from being rotated. This permits the cue tip shaper to be used manually by the operator. i. e. by the user applying a twisting force manually for greater control.

It can be seen from figure 3 that the shape of the shaper head 4 is identical to the contact surface that the cue ball 12 presents to a cue tip when the ball is being cued. It will be appreciated that different sized balls will present different shaped contact surfaces and thus alternative shaper heads are required.

In figure 4 the interaction between the cue tip 14 and the cue tip shaper 1 can be appreciated. The cue tip, which is attached to the end of a cue 13, is engaged by the abrasive shaper head 4. The shaper head 4 is then rotated, by the drive shaft, thus imparting an abrasive force on the cue tip 14, which moulds the cue tip to the desired shape.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A portable cue tip shaper comprising, a shaping head having a concave abrasive surface, a drive means for rotating the shaping head with the abrasive surface in contact with a cue tip, and a housing for the drive means which also serves as handle for the user.
2 A cue tip shaper according to claim 1, wherein the concave shape of the abrasive surface is complementary to the contact surface of a cue ball.
3. A cue tip shaper according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the drive means comprises an electric motor.
4. A cue tip shaper according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the drive means comprises a mechanical mechanism.
5. A cue tip shaper according to claim 4. wherein the drive means comprises a wind up mechanism.
6. A cue tip shaper according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the drive means comprises a locking mechanism, which can be engaged to permit the user to manually shape the cue tip.
7. A cue tip shaper according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the shaper heads is removable from the drive means.
8. A cue tip shaper according to claim 7, wherein the shaper head has a lock and key interaction with the drive means.
9. A portable cue tip shaper substantially as described with reference to, or as shown in, the drawings.

9. A cue tip shaper according to any preceding claim, wherein the housing means has a storage compartment, which can be used to store alternative shaper heads and replacement cue tips.

10. A portable cue tip shaper as substantially described with reference to, or as shown in, the drawings.

CLAIMS 1. A portable cue tip shaper, comprising a shaping head having a concave abrasive surface, a drive means for rotating the shaping head with the abrasive surface in contact with a cue tip, and a housing for the drive means which also serves as handle for the user, and wherein the concave shape of the abrasive surface is complementary to the contact surface of a cue ball.

2. A cue tip shaper according to Claim 1, wherein the drive means comprises an electric motor.

3. A cue tip shaper according to Claim 1, wherein the drive means comprises a mechanical mechanism.

4. A cue tip shaper according to Claim 3, wherein the drive means comprises a wind up mechanism.

5. A cue tip shaper according to any preceding claim, wherein the drive means comprises a locking mechanism, which can be engaged to permit the user to manually shape the cue tip.

6. A cue tip shaper according to any preceding claim, wherein the shaper head is removable from the drive means.

7. A cue tip shaper according to Claim 6, wherein the shaper head has a lock and key interaction with the drive means.

8. A cue tip shaper according to any preceding claim, wherein the housing means has a storage compartment, which can be used to store alternative shaper heads and replacement cue tips.