Billiard cue

Abstract

A billiard cue comprises of a shaft portion and a bat portion which is coupled to the shaft portion. Both the shaft portion and/or the bat portion is shaped into a bar body in which a space is formed. The space is formed along a longitude of the bar body and has a cylindrical shape. The space may have a truncated cone shape. In addition, the space may be partially formed in the bar body. Furthermore, the space may have plural cylindrical space sections which are arranged along the longitude of the bar body. The cylindrical space sections have diameters which are different from one another. Bumps are positioned between the cylindrical space sections, respectively. Inasmuch as the shaft portion and/or the bat portion have the spaces, respectively, it is possible to make the billiard cue lighter.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to a billiard cue.

[0002] In general, a billiard cue has a shaft portion and a bat portion which is detachably coupled to the shaft portion. Both the shaft portion and the bat portion may be made of a wood material. In the billiard cue, Both the shaft portion and the bat portion are shaped into a slender truncated cone shaped bar form which has a slightly tapered outer surface. A single material or a multilayer structure material is filled as a filling material for both the shaft portion and the bat portion.

[0003] The applicant proposed a billiard cue having a multilayer structure which is made of a material such as the wood material in patent application Tokugan Hei 11-251799. In addition, the applicant proposed a billiard cue having a multilayer structure which is made of materials different from one another, as in patent application Tokugan 2000-10979.

[0004] Even if the billiard cue is made of the single material or the billiard cue has the multilayer structure of the single material, the single material or the multilayer structure is filled as the filling material in the billiard cue. Even if the multilayer structure is made of materials different from one another, the multilayer structure is filled as the filling material in the billiard cue. The filling material makes the billiard cue become comparatively heavy when the filling material is filled in the billiard cue. As a result, it is inconvenient for a woman to handle the billiard cue in the case where the woman has comparatively weak biceps. In addition, it is inconvenient for a child to handle the billiard cue when the billiard cue is come comparatively heavy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The object of this invention to provide a billiard cue that a woman and a child can easily handle.

[0006] Other objects of this invention will become clear as the description proceeds.

[0007] According to the first aspect of this invention, there is provided a billiard cue comprising of a shaft portion and a bat portion which is coupled to the shaft portion. At least one of the shaft portion and the bat portion is shaped into a bar body in which a space is formed.

[0008] According to the second aspect of this invention, there is provided a billiard cue comprising of a shaft portion and a bat portion which is coupled to the shaft portion. At least one of the shaft portion and the bat portion is shaped into a bar body in which a cylindrical space is formed along a longitude of the bar body.

[0009] According to the third aspect of this invention, there is provided a billiard cue comprising of a shaft portion and a bat portion which is coupled to the shaft portion. At least one of the shaft portion and the bat portion is shaped into a bar body in which a truncated cone shaped space is formed along a longitude of the bar body. The truncated cone shaped space extends along the longitude of the bar body.

[0010] According to the fourth aspect of this invention, there is provided a billiard cue comprising of a shaft portion and a bat portion which is coupled to the shaft portion. At least one of the shaft portion and bat portion is shaped into a bar body in which a partial space is formed.

[0011] According to the fifth aspect of this invention, there is provided a billiard cue comprising of a shaft portion and a bat portion which is coupled to the shaft portion. At least one of the shaft portion and the bat portion is shaped into a bar body in which a cylindrical space is formed along a longitude of the bar body. The cylindrical space has a number of cylindrical space sections which are arranged along the longitude of the bar body. The cylindrical space sections have diameters which are different from one another. Bumps are positioned between the cylindrical space sections, respectively.

[0012] According to the sixth aspect of this invention, there is provided a billiard cue comprising of a shaft portion and a bat portion which is coupled to the shaft portion. At least one of the shaft portion and the bat portion is shaped into a bar body having a multilayer structure having plural material portions which are integrated towards a direction perpendicular to a longitude of the bar body. A space is formed in at least one of the shaft portion and the bat portion in correspondence to the multilayer structure along the longitude of the bar body.

[0013] According to the seventh aspect of this invention, there is provided a billiard cue comprising of a shaft portion and a bat portion which is coupled to the shaft portion. At least one of the shaft portion and the bat portion is shaped into a bar body having a multilayer structure having plural material portions which are integrated towards a direction perpendicular to a longitude of the bar body. At least one partial space is partially formed in at least one of the shaft portion and the bat portion in correspondence to the multilayer structure along the longitude of the bar body. A remaining section except the multilayer structure has a material similar to a lower material portion of the multilayer structure.

[0014] According to the eighth aspect of this invention, there is provided a billiard cue comprising of a shaft portion and a bat portion which is coupled to the shaft portion. At least one of the shaft portion and the bat portion is shaped into a bar body having a multilayer structure having plural material portions which are integrated towards a direction perpendicular to a longitude of the bar body. At least one partial space is partially formed in at least one of the shaft portion and the bat portion in correspondence to the multilayer structure along the longitude of the bar body. A remaining section except the multilayer structure has a material similar to an upper material portion of the multilayer structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] FIG. 1 shows a front view for describing a shaft portion and a bat portion of a billiard cue according to this invention;

[0016] FIG. 2 shows a prospective view with a partial cross section for describing a shaft portion of a billiard cue according to the first embodiment of this invention;

[0017] FIG. 3 shows a longitude sectional view of the shaft portion of the billiard cue illustrated in FIG. 2;

[0018] FIG. 4 shows a prospective view with a partial cross section for describing a shaft portion of a billiard cue according to the second embodiment of this invention;

[0019] FIG. 5 shows a longitude sectional view of the shaft portion of the billiard cue illustrated in FIG. 4;

[0020] FIG. 6 shows a prospective view without both ends for describing a shaft portion of a billiard cue according to the third embodiment of this invention;

[0021] FIG. 7 shows a longitude sectional view of the shaft portion of the billiard cue illustrated in FIG. 6;

[0022] FIG. 8 shows a prospective view without both ends for describing a shaft portion of a billiard cue according to the fourth embodiment of this invention;

[0023] FIG. 9 shows a longitude sectional view of the shaft portion of the billiard cue illustrated in FIG. 8;

[0024] FIG. 10 shows a prospective view without both ends for describing a shaft portion of a billiard cue according to the fifth embodiment of this invention; and

[0025] FIG. 11 shows a longitude sectional view of the shaft portion of the billiard cue illustrated in FIG. 10.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0026] Referring to FIG. 1, the billiard cue comprises of a shaft portion 1a and a bat portion 2a which is detachably coupled to the shaft portion 1a. In the illustrated example, the shaft portion la has first and second end portions 11a and 11b. A female screw 11 is formed on the second end portion 11b. The bat portion 2a has primary and secondary end portions 21a and 21b. A male screw 21 is formed on primary end portion 21a. The male screw 21 is screwed into the female screw 11 as shown by a short and long dashed line in FIG. 1 so that the bat portion 2a is coupled to the shaft portion 1a. Both the shaft portion 1a and the bat portion 2a is shaped into a slender truncated cone shaped bar form. The truncated cone shaped bar form has a slightly tapered outer surface.

[0027] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a description will be made in regards to a billiard cue according to the first embodiment of this invention. Attention will be directed to the shaft portion 1a. The shaft portion 1a has a two-layer structure which is made of materials different from each other. The two-layer structure has first and second material portions 4a and 5a. The first material portion 4a is a hollow portion which is shaped into a cylindrical form. The outer surface 40a of the first material portion 4a is covered with the second material portion 5a. As a result, the first material portion 4a is positioned inside the second material portion 5a. The first material portion 4a may be called an inner material portion. The second material portion 5a may be called an outer material portion. The first material portion 4a forms an inner surface 30a of the shaft portion 1a. The second material portion 5a forms an outer surface 10a of the shaft portion 1a.

[0028] As readily understood from the above-description, the first material portion 4a has a cylindrical space 3a which is defined by the inner surface 30a of the shaft portion 1a. The cylindrical space 3a extends along a longitude direction of the shaft portion 1a. The length of the cylindrical space 3a is approximately equal to the length of the shaft portion 1a.

[0029] Both the first and second material portions, 4a and 5a, are made of a material which is selected from a group comprising of alloy, light alloy, metal, wood, plywood, natural leather, artificial leather, string, natural rubber, synthetic rubber, soft synthetic resin, hard synthetic resin, glass fiber, reinforced plastic fiber such as carbon fiber, and the like. As described above, the first material portion 4a is different in the material from the second material portion 5a. In the example being illustrated, the first material portion 4a is composed of the carbon fiber. The second material portion 5a is composed of wood.

[0030] Although the bat portion 2a is not illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the bat portion 2a may have a two-layer structure similar to the two-layer structure described in conjunction with the shaft portion 1a illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0031] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, description will made in regards to a billiard cue according to the second embodiment of this invention. Only the shaft portion is illustrated in each of FIGS. 4 and 5. The illustrated shaft portion is different in structure from the shaft portion 1a illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 and therefore designated afresh by a reference numeral 1b. The shaft portion 1b is shaped into a slender truncated cone shaped bar form. The truncated cone shaped bar form has a slightly tapered outer surface. The shaft portion 1b has a two-layer structure which is made of materials different from each other. The two-layer structure has first and second material portions 4b and 5b. The first material portion 4b is different in the material from the second material portion 5b.

[0032] The first material portion 4b is a hollow portion which is shaped into a tube shaped form. The outer surface of the first material portion 4b is covered with the second material portion 5b. The first material portion 4b forms an inner surface 30b of the shaft portion 1b. The second material portion 5b forms an outer surface 10b of the shaft portion 1b. In the example being illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the first material portion 1b has a truncated cone shaped space 3b which is defined by the inner surface 30b of the shaft portion 1b. The truncated cone shaped space 3b extends along a longitude direction of the shaft portion 1b. The length of the truncated cone shaped space 3b is approximately equal to the length of the shaft portion 1b.

[0033] In as much as the first material portion 1b has the truncated cone shaped space, the inner surface 30b is tapered along the longitude direction. The inclination of the inner surface 30b is greater than that of the outer surface 40b. Furthermore, the inclination of the inner surface 30b is greater than that of the outer surface 10b. The wall thickness of the first material portion 4b becomes thicker from one end of the shaft portion 1b to the other end of the shaft portion 1b.

[0034] Both the first and the second material portions 4b and 5b are made of a material which is selected from the group comprising alloy, light alloy, metal, wood, plywood, natural leather, artificial leather, string, natural rubber, synthetic rubber, soft synthetic resin, hard synthetic resin, glass fiber, reinforced plastic fiber, and the like.

[0035] Although the inclination of the inner surface 30b is greater than those of the outer surfaces 40b and 10b in the above description, the inclination of the inner surface 30b may be approximately equal to those of the outer surfaces 40b and 10b. As a result, the wall thickness of the first material portion 4b is constant. In addition, the wall thickness of the second material portion 5b is constant.

[0036] Although the bat portion is not illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the bat portion may have a two-layer structure similar to the two-layer structure described in conjunction with the shaft portion 1b illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0037] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, description will be made in regards to a billiard cue according to the third embodiment of this invention. Only the shaft portion is illustrated in each of FIGS. 6 and 7. The illustrated shaft portion is different in structure from the shaft portion 1a illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 and therefore designated afresh by a reference numeral 1c. The shaft portion 1c is shaped into a slender truncated cone shaped bar form. The truncated cone shaped bar form has a slightly tapered outer surface. The shaft portion 1c has a two-layer structure which is made of materials different from each other. The two-layer structure has first and second material portions 4c and 5c. The first material portion 4c is different in the material from the second material portion 5c.

[0038] The first material portion 4c is a hollow portion which is shaped into a cylindrical form. The outer surface of the first material portion 4c is covered with the second material portion 5c. The first material portion 4c forms an inner surface 30c of the shaft portion 1c. The second material portion 5c forms an outer surface 10c of the shaft portion 1c. In the example being illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the first material portion 4c has a cylindrical shaped space 3c which is defined by the inner surface 30c of the shaft portion 1c. The cylindrical shaped space 3c extends along a longitude direction of the shaft portion 1c. The length of the cylindrical shaped space 3c is shorter than the length of the shaft portion 1c. The second material portion 5c has a filler portion 6c which is for use in the part of the shaft portion 1c.

[0039] As readily understood from the above description, the cylindrical shaped space 3c is formed in the shaft portion 1c. Plural cylindrical shaped spaces may be formed in the shaft portion 1c. In this case, the cylindrical shaped spaces are arranged along the longitude direction of the shaft portion 1c separate from one another. More specifically, the filler portion 6c is positioned between the cylindrical shaped spaces.

[0040] Both the first and the second material portions 4c and 5c are made of a material which is selected from the group comprising of alloy, light alloy, metal, wood, plywood, natural leather, artificial leather, string, natural rubber, synthetic rubber, soft synthetic resin, hard synthetic resin, glass fiber, reinforced plastic fiber, and the like.

[0041] Although the bat portion is not illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the bat portion may have a two-layer structure similar to the two-layer structure described in conjunction with the shaft portion 1c illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7.

[0042] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, description will be made as regards a billiard cue according to the fourth embodiment of this invention. Only the shaft portion is illustrated in each of FIGS. 8 and 9. The illustrated shaft portion is different in structure from the shaft portion 1a illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 and therefore designated afresh by a reference numeral 1d. The shaft portion 1d is shaped into a slender truncated cone shaped bar form. The truncated cone shaped bar form has a slightly tapered outer surface. The shaft portion 1d has a two-layer structure which is made of materials different from each other. The two-layer structure has first and second material portions 4d and 5d. The first material portion 4d is different in the material from the second material portion 5d.

[0043] The first material portion 4d is a hollow portion. The outer surface of the first material portion 4d is covered with the second material portion 5d. The first material portion 4d forms an inner surface 30d of the shaft portion 1c. The second material portion 5d forms an outer surface 10d of the shaft portion 1c. In the example being illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, the first material portion 4d has a cylindrical shaped space 3d which is defined by the inner surface 30d of the shaft portion 1d. The cylindrical shaped space 3d extends along a longitude direction of the shaft portion 1d. The length of the cylindrical shaped space 3d is shorter than the length of the shaft portion 1d. The first material portion 4d has a filler portion 6d which is for use in the part of the shaft portion 1d.

[0044] As readily understood from the above description, the cylindrical shaped space 3d is formed in the shaft portion 1d. Plural cylindrical shaped spaces may be formed in the shaft portion 1d. In this case, the cylindrical shaped spaces are arranged along the longitude direction of the shaft portion 1d separate from one another. More specifically, the filler portion 6d is positioned between the cylindrical shaped spaces.

[0045] Both the first and the second material portions 4d and 5d are made of a material which is selected from the group comprising alloy, light alloy, metal, wood, plywood, natural leather, artificial leather, string, natural rubber, synthetic rubber, soft synthetic resin, hard synthetic resin, glass fiber, reinforced plastic fiber, and the like.

[0046] Although the bat portion is not illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, the bat portion may have a two-layer structure similar to the two-layer structure described in conjunction with the shaft portion 1c illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9.

[0047] Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, description will be made in regards to a billiard cue according to the fifth embodiment of this invention. Only the shaft portion is illustrated in each of FIGS. 10 and 11. The illustrated shaft portion is different in structure from the shaft portion 1a illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 and therefore designated afresh by a reference numeral 1e. The shaft portion 1e is shaped into a slender truncated cone shaped bar form. The truncated cone shaped bar form has a slightly tapered outer surface. The shaft portion 1e has a multilayer structure made of materials which may be different from one another. The multilayer structure has first and second material portions 4e and 5e.

[0048] The first material portion 4e comprises of primary and secondary members 41e and 42e. Both the primary and secondary members 41e and 42e may be, for example, a cylindrical member. Each of the primary and secondary members 41e and 42e extends along a longitude direction of the shaft portion 1e. In addition, a length of the primary member 41e is shorter than that of the secondary member 42e. A bore of the primary member 41e is smaller than that of the secondary member 42e.

[0049] As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the outer surface of the secondary member 42e is covered with the second material portion 5e. The outer surface of the primary member 41e is covered with the secondary member 42e. The second material portion 5e forms an outer surface 10e of the shaft portion 1e.

[0050] In the example being illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, the primary member 41e has a cylindrical shaped space 31e which is defined by an inner surface of the primary member 41e. Furthermore, the secondary member has a cylindrical shaped space 32e which is defined by an inner surface of the primary member 42e. The diameter of the cylindrical shaped space 31e is smaller than that of the cylindrical shaped space 32e. The cylindrical shaped spaces 31e and 32e are arranged along the longitude direction of the shaft portion 1e. As a result, a bump 7 is formed on the inner surface of the shaft portion 1e.

[0051] As readily understood from the above description, the cylindrical shaped spaces 31e and 32e are formed in the shaft portion 1e. Plural cylindrical shaped spaces, which have diameters different from one another, may be formed in the shaft portion 1d. In this case, the cylindrical spaces are arranged along the longitude of the shaft portion 1e.

[0052] Both the first and the second material portions 4e and 5e are made of the material which is selected from the group comprising alloy, light alloy, metal, wood, plywood, natural leather, artificial leather, string, natural rubber, synthetic rubber, soft synthetic resin, hard synthetic resin, glass fiber, reinforced plastic fiber, and the like.

[0053] Although the bat portion is not illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, the bat portion may have a multilayer structure similar to the multilayer structure described in conjunction with the shaft portion 1c illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11.

[0054] All of the spaces described in conjunction with FIGS. 2 to 11 may be formed in the shaft portion and/or the bat portion. In addition, the shaft portion and/or the bat portion may have a single-layer structure when spaces are formed in the shaft portion and/or the bat portion, respectively. Furthermore, the shaft portion and/or the bat portion may have a multilayer structure which is not less in number than three.

[0055] When the shaft portion and/or the bat portion have the single-layer structure or have the multilayer structure which is not less in number than three, the shaft portion and/or the bat portion are made of the material or materials which are selected from the group comprising of alloy, light alloy, metal, wood, plywood, natural leather, artificial leather, string, natural rubber, synthetic rubber, soft synthetic resin, hard synthetic resin, glass fiber, the reinforced plastic fiber such as the carbon fiber, and the like.

[0056] In the multilayer structure, layered materials are joined to one another with adhesive. It is desired that space is formed in at least the shaft portion.

[0057] As described above, it is possible to obtain a good connection between the billiard cue and a ball, during billiard play, due to the billiard cue's hollow portion according to this invention. Furthermore, sound effectively echoes when the billiard cue hits the ball, due to the billiard cue's hollow portion. In addition, the sound or tone varies when the billiard cue hits the ball in the best condition or when the billiard cue fouls the ball, due to the billiard cue's hollow portion. As a result, it is possible to render services to improve of billiard technique due to the increase of accuracy of hit.

[0058] The billiard cue becomes light due to the billiard cue's hollow portion. As a result, it is possible for a woman to easily handle the billiard cue even if the woman has a comparatively weak biceps. In addition, it is possible for a child to easily handle the billiard cue.

[0059] As described above, the space formed in the billiard cue is not simple as the billiard cue has a combination of plural materials which are different from one another. Therefore, it is possible to obtain greater strength than that of the conventional billiard cue. It is possible to transfer a touch from a player's hand when the player jabs the billiard cue toward the ball.

[0060] In addition, it is possible to delicately change the way in which a spin is given to a ball on jabbing the ball. It is possible to delicately change the way in which the ball curves on jabbing the ball. As a result, it is possible for unexpected moves to be played during a game.

[0061] While this invention has thus far been described in conjunction with the preferred embodiments thereof, it will readily be possible for those skilled in the art to put this invention into practice in various other manners.

Claims

1. A billiard cue comprising a shaft portion and a bat portion which is coupled to said shaft portion, wherein at least one of said shaft portion and said bat portion is shaped into a bar body in which a space is formed.

2. A billiard cue comprising of a shaft portion and a bat portion which is coupled to said shaft portion, wherein at least one of said shaft portion and said bat portion is shaped into a bar body in which a cylindrical space is formed along a longitude of said bar body.

3. A billiard cue comprising of a shaft portion and a bat portion which is coupled to said shaft portion, wherein at least one of said shaft portion and said bat portion is shaped into a bar body in which a truncated cone shaped space is formed along a longitude of said bar body, said truncated cone shaped space extending along the longitude of said bar body.

4. A billiard cue comprising a shaft portion and a bat portion which is coupled to said shaft portion, wherein at least one of said shaft portion and said.bat portion is shaped into a bar body in which a partial space is formed.

5. A billiard cue comprising of a shaft portion and a bat portion which is coupled to said shaft portion, wherein:

at least one of said shaft portion and said bat portion is shaped into a bar body in which a cylindrical space is formed along a longitude of said bar body;

said cylindrical space having plural cylindrical space sections which are arranged along the longitude of said bar body, said cylindrical space sections having diameters which are different from one another; and

bumps being positioned between said cylindrical space sections, respectively.

6. A billiard cue comprising of a shaft portion and a bat portion which is coupled to said shaft portion, wherein:

at least one of said shaft portion and said bat portion is shaped into a bar body comprising a multilayer structure having plural material portions which are integrated towards a direction perpendicular to a longitude of said bar body; and

a space being formed in at least one of said shaft portion and said bat portion in correspondence to said multilayer structure along the longitude of said bar body.

7. A billiard cue comprising of a shaft portion and a bat portion which is coupled to said shaft portion, wherein:

at least one of said shaft portion and said bat portion is shaped into a bar body having a multilayer structure having plural material portions which are integrated towards a direction perpendicular to a longitude of said bar body;

at least one partial space being partially formed in at least one of said shaft portion and said bat portion in correspondence to said multilayer structure along the longitude of said bar body; and

a remaining section except said multilayer structure having a material similar to a lower material portion of said multilayer structure.

8. A billiard cue comprising of a shaft portion and a bat portion which is coupled to said shaft portion, wherein:

at least one of said shaft portion and said bat portion is shaped into a bar body having a multilayer structure having plural material portions which are integrated towards a direction perpendicular to a longitude of said bar body;

at least one partial space being partially formed in at least one of said shaft portion and said bat portion in correspondence to said multilayer structure along the longitude of said bar body; and

a remaining section except said multilayer structure having a material similar to an upper material portion of said multilayer structure.