GB2491608A - Cue with sculptured grip - Google Patents

Abstract

A snooker, billiard or pool cue or the like comprises a proximal butt end with a sculptured or shaped grip to enable the players fingers and thumbs to fit into tailor made grooves in the cue. The butt of the cue may be detachable and secured to the main shaft, or it may be as a part of a complete one piece cue.

Description

A sculptured grip for a Snooker, Billiards, Pool cue or the like Fieltof the invenjion This invention relates to the Shape, design and construction of a cue that can be tailored to suit individual players of different ages and sizes.

This invention relates to the grip at the butt end of the shaft of a cue.

The contact point that a player has with the cue is fundamental to the success of the shot.

A TraIitional cue Traditionally the cue is an ambidextrous, smooth, circular tapered shaft larger in diameter at the proximal butt or handling end than the distal tip end.

Current cues are constructed largely of polished wood.They are in single pieces or two parts for easier transportation. These have fixtures on both parts to enable them to be screwed together.

A striking leather tip is added to the thin end of the cue to aid perfect contact when striking the cue ball with the cue.

The material, weight and overall length of the cue is of personal preference. The butt end can be hollowed out to accommodate a change in weight of the cue.

Use pf a flclllional cutdu ring a typicaLshot The player holds the butt end lightly, draws back his hand behind him, opens his fingers slightly so not to block the wrist, and gain a smooth forward pivot action from the elbow whilst maintaining a stationary, consistent,light grip with his hand on the butt.

Depending on the shot needed the hand can be positioned at any point along the butt end.

The other hand is used to balance and stabilise the end of the shaft at the table by making a bridge with the hand.This allows the cue to rest in the inter metacarpal spaces of the hand whilst the fingers are placed on the table. The distal tip end of the cue is then in line with the ball and ready for the strike.

Description of the invention

According to the present invention providing sculptured grooves in the butt end would give an enhanced bed for the players fingers and thumb when wrapped around the cue.This would provide a more perfect contact between the players hand and the cue.

The invention facilitates an excellent way to increase the proprioceptive feedback to the player, provides a stable position for the cue and gives support and comfort for the hand.

This invention is deemed to to establish a relaxed, correct grip in order to make an accurate shot at the ball.

The concept of a cue with a sculptured grip made of suitable material was devised.

The grip concept can be as part of a one piece or two piece cue.

DescriptiQft of Drawings Figures 1/6-5/6 are by example of a two piece cue, the drawings are also in accordance to the invention for a one piece cue ref fig 6/6 FJgurel /6 This is the side view of a Proximal (Butt)end of a two piece cue in longitudinal section according to the invention.

The distal end (ref.E-F and ref G-H) is circular and the distal end is tapered smaller in diameter than the grip end in accordance of a traditional cue.

The butt proximal end is sculptured into a grip in accordance of the invention (ref l-J).

The thumb and finger indents are situated through the length of l-J to enable a change of position of grip more distally for certain shots.

The number of indents are deemed variable and are by example only in this diagram.

Figure 1/6 also shows where three cross sections are taken through various sections of the butt.

Cross section of the ridges can be viewed in figure 216(A-B), Cross section of the finger indentations viewed in figure 3/6 (C-D) Cross section of the butt end where it is attached to the shaft in a two piece cue viewed in figure 4/6( E-F) Figure 216 Ref figure 1/6 A-B cross section According to the invention,This is a cross section of the butt end of the cue showing the shape of the circular superior portion where the palm would rest and the raised ridges which would settle between the fingers and thumb.

The upper portion of the butt is shaped to fit the palm of the handThis shape is by example only and shows the more spherical shape of a sculptured grip.

flgure3/Q Ref Figure 1/6 C-D According to the invention,This is a Cross section of the butt end showing the indentation in which the palmer aspect of the fingers and thumb would rest during the gripping of the cue.

Fig ure4/6 Ref figure 116 E-F According to the invention this shows the cross section showing the attachment of the butt end to the shaft by a suitable fixing.lt also shows the circular cross section of the shaft of the cue as it tapers to the tip.

flgute5f6 According to the invention,This shows an impression of the angle of the thumb imprints which are slightly angled forwards in accordance to a clasped hand Fig 5/6(ref 1).

The finger imprints on the butt are more perpendicular to the shaft and on the inferior aspect of the shaft.Fig 5/6 and 6/6 (ref 2) This shows the indents may be situated through the length of the butt ref Fig 1/6 and 5/6 (l-J) The superior portion of the butt is smoother and more circular, to fit the palm of the hand.FigS/6 & 6/6 (ref 3) Eigur&616 According to the invention this shows an impression of the invention incorporated into a traditional one piece cue with a standard tip.

The longitudinal section shows the distal end of the cue as a traditional circular tapered cue Fig 6/6 ref K-L with a traditional tip (ref 5).

It shows the butt end in accordance to the grip invention, Fig 6/6(ref I-J) Finger grooves (ref 2) Palmar aspect (ref 3)

Claims (8)

1. Qlaims 1. A cue for playing snooker, pool, billiards or the like, which comprises a proximal butt end with a sculptured grip portion, consisting of gentle grooves and bumps so as a hand would fit comfortably and have maximum surface contact when holding the cue.

   As described in the above description, abstract and figures 1-616
2. 2. A cue according to claim I can be as part of a one piece or two piece cue.
3. 3. A cue according to claim I is devised to improve the players grip technique when delivering their cue action.
4. 4. A cue according to claim 1 adds stability to the cue when in the shot position.
5. 5. A cue according to claim 1 adds comfort to the player.
6. 6. A cue according to claim 1 adds proprioceptive feedback to the player by means of guiding bumps and indentations on the butt end of a cue and provides a larger surface area of contact for the hand with the cue.
7. 7. A cue according to claim 1 allows the player to relax his grip without loosing stability of the cue.
8. 8. A cue according to claim 1 allows the player to open his hand during the back swing, unlock the wrist and thereby increase the leverage of the follow through shot,thus allowing r' greater control of the cue ball. r no,