Abstract: A cue stick including a butt shaft having a proximal end and a distal end. A first vibration damping insert can be secured within the distal end of the butt shaft and can be formed of vibration damping material. A first joint member can be secured within the first vibration damping insert. The first joint member is for securing to a mating cue stick portion.

Abstract: Cue sticks, shaft sections of cue sticks, and methods of using such devices are disclosed, where the devices are configured to reduce the phenomenon of cue ball deflection. In particular, limits upon the mass of the cue stick in a section extending from the tip to a predetermined distance toward the butt end are revealed to improve cue ball deflection characteristics. Other embodiments of the invention place a lower limit on the bending stiffness of the tip end of a cue stick or shaft to reduce accentuation of cue ball deflection under high offset/high velocity conditions. As well, an upper limit on specific section modulus is described for deterring the phenomenon of double strike in off center ball strikes.

Abstract: A joint for a cue stick where the cue stick has first and second cue stick portions. The joint can include a first joint member for securing to the first stick portion. The first joint member can have a joint securing male threaded region and a locating tip at a distal end. A second joint member can be included for securing to the second stick portion. The second joint member can have a bore for receiving the locating tip, and a joint securing female threaded region for engaging the joint securing male threaded region of the first joint member for coupling the first and second joint members together. The locating tip can have a pivot structure that is configured to engage the bore and pivot against the bore such that the first joint member is capable of pivoting about the pivot structure to compensate for misalignment of the first and second joint members.

Abstract: A cue tip shaper for shaping and reshaping a shapeable cue tip on a cue stick utilized for playing pool or billiards. The cue tip shaper comprises a planar base, and an arrangement of articulable guides for receiving and aligning a cue stick tip with a tip shaping scuff member. The cue stick is received between the guides and pressable against the scuff member. The tip is typically leather. A scuff surface is arranged on the scuff member secured in the planar base, and is in alignment with the movable guides.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the invention, a universal shaft fitting for a cue stick comprises a universal adapter with an extension having external threads, adapted to be bonded into the butt end of a shaft of a cue stick, and an insert adapted to be bonded to internal threads of the universal adapter. The insert also includes internal threads for detachably mating a pin attached to another segment of a cue stick. Other embodiments include universal shaft fittings with various pin configurations and universal shaft fittings that do not utilize an insert. The universal shaft fittings may be utilized as components of a kit for adapting shafts to receive segments of cue sticks with various pin configurations. The universal shaft fittings may also be utilized in a method of supplying shafts to fit segments of cue sticks.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the invention, a vibration damping shaft of a cue stick comprises a shaft that is configured to form an axially rigid ensemble by mating with another segment of a cue stick. The shaft includes damping material that reduces the vibration of the shaft when a ball strikes the shaft. The damping material may have a density greater than wood. The damping material may be configured as an annular region in the shaft, or in any other configuration that reduces shaft vibration. Damping materials include composites, such as piezoelectric materials, with fibers that are generally aligned to reduce shaft vibration. Another embodiment of the invention utilizes a universal shaft insert, allowing the shaft to fit another segment of a cue stick having a particular joint pin configuration. Features of the a vibration damping shaft may also be incorporated into a cue stick that is not collapsible.

Abstract: A cue tip shaper for shaping and reshaping a shapeable cue tip on a cue stick utilized for playing pool or billiards. The cue tip shaper comprises a planar base, and an arrangement of articulable guides for receiving and aligning a cue stick tip with a tip shaping scuff member. The cue stick is received between the guides and pressable against the scuff member. The tip is typically leather. A scuff surface is arranged on the scuff member secured in the planar base, and is in alignment with the movable guides.

Abstract: A joint for a sports stick having first and second stick portions includes a first joint member for securing to the first stick portion. The first joint member includes a coupling rod having a joint securing male threaded region and a centering pin. A second joint member is included for securing to the second stick portion. The second joint member has a cavity for receiving the coupling rod. The receiving cavity includes a joint securing male threaded region, a loose fit inner diameter, and a close fit inner diameter region positioned between the female threaded region and the loose fit inner diameter region. The male threaded region of the coupling rod engages with the female threaded region of the receiving cavity for securing the first and second joint members together and the centering pin closely engages the close fit inner diameter region.

Abstract: A multiple piece cue stick includes multiple stick portions which are coupled together by a sleeve bushing secured to one stick portion and a coupling rod secured to another stick portion. The coupling rod has a elongate shaft which fits within a smooth bore of the sleeve bushing and is coupled to the sleeve bushing by engaging male threads of the coupling rod with female threads of the sleeve bushing.

Abstract: A multiple piece cue stick includes multiple stick portions which are coupled together by a sleeve bushing secured to one stick portion and a coupling rod secured to another stick portion. The coupling rod has a elongate shaft which fits within a smooth bore of the sleeve bushing and is coupled to the sleeve bushing by engaging male threads of the coupling rod with female threads of the sleeve bushing.

Abstract: A multiple piece cue stick includes multiple stick portions which are coupled together by a sleeve bushing secured to one stick portion and a coupling rod secured to another stick portion. The coupling rod has a elongate shaft which fits within a smooth bore of the sleeve bushing and is coupled to the sleeve bushing by engaging male threads of the coupling rod with female threads of the sleeve bushing.

Abstract: A multiple piece cue stick includes multiple stick portions which are coupled together by a sleeve bushing secured to one stick portion and a coupling rod secured to another stick portion. The coupling rod has an elongate shaft which fits within a smooth bore of the sleeve bushing and is coupled to the sleeve bushing by engaging male threads of the coupling rod with female threads of the sleeve bushing.

Abstract: A multiple piece cue stick includes multiple stick portions which are coupled together by a sleeve bushing secured to one stick portion and a coupling rod secured to another stick portion. The coupling rod has a elongate shaft which fits within a smooth bore of the sleeve bushing and is coupled to the sleeve bushing by engaging male threads of the coupling rod with female threads of the sleeve bushing.

Abstract: A multiple piece cue stick includes multiple stick portions which are coupled together by a sleeve bushing secured to one stick portion and a coupling rod secured to another stick portion. The coupling rod has a elongate shaft which fits within a smooth bore of the sleeve bushing and is coupled to the sleeve bushing by engaging male threads of the coupling rod with female threads of the sleeve bushing.