Billiard cue

Abstract

A billiard cue includes a shaft section, a bumper, and an assembly of a butt section and an extender segment connected to the butt section and formed as a transparent hollow shaft. The assembly is disposed between and is connected threadedly to the shaft section and the bumper. The extender segment includes a first end wall, a second end wall opposite to the first end wall in a longitudinal direction, and a tubular surrounding wall that extends between and that is connected to the first and second end walls so as to confine a compartment.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The invention relates to a billiard cue, more particularly to a billiard cue with an extender segment that can enhance the aesthetic appeal of the billiard cue.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional billiard cue 1 is shown to comprise a shaft section 11 and a butt section 12. The shaft section 11 is formed with a ball-striking tip 111, and a joint end opposite to the tip 111 and formed with an internally threaded bore 112. The butt section 12 has a joint end provided with an externally threaded stub 121 for threadedly engaging the bore 112. Strands are woven around the butt section 12 so as to define a grip portion 122 of the same.

[0005] It is known in the art to connect an extender segment (not shown) to the butt section 12 in cases where the length of the billiard cue has to be lengthened so that a cue ball can be struck in a desired manner. Conventional extender segments are made completely of wood and lack the facility of enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the billiard cue.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Therefore, the main object of the present invention is to provide a billiard cue with an extender segment that can enhance the aesthetic appeal of the billiard cue.

[0007] According to the invention, a billiard cue comprises a shaft section, a bumper, and an assembly of a butt section and an extender segment connected to the butt section and formed as a transparent hollow shaft. The assembly is disposed between and is connected threadedly to the shaft section and the bumper.

[0008] Preferably, the extender segment includes a first end wall, a second end wall opposite to the first end wall in a longitudinal direction, and a tubular surrounding wall that extends between and that is connected to the first and second end walls so as to confine a compartment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a conventional billiard cue;

[0011] FIG. 2 is an exploded schematic view showing the first preferred embodiment of a billiard cue according to the present invention;

[0012] FIG. 3 is a fragmentary schematic view to illustrate an extender segment of the first preferred embodiment when a compartment thereof is filled with a liquid;

[0013] FIG. 4 is a fragmentary schematic view to illustrate the extender segment of the first preferred embodiment when the compartment thereof is used to contain an article therein;

[0014] FIG. 5 is an exploded schematic view showing the second preferred embodiment of a billiard cue according to the present invention; and

[0015] FIG. 6 is an exploded schematic view showing the third preferred embodiment of a billiard cue according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the first preferred embodiment of a billiard cue 2 according to the present invention is shown to comprise a shaft section 3, a bumper 6, and an assembly of a butt section 4 and an extender segment 5.

[0017] The shaft section 3 has first and second end portions 31, 32 that are opposite to each other in a longitudinal direction, e.g. the longitudinal axis of the billiard cue. The first end portion 31 is formed with a ball-striking tip 33. The second end portion 32 is formed with a first threaded connector 34. In this embodiment, the first threaded connector 34 is an internally threaded bore.

[0018] The butt section 4 has first and second end portions that are opposite to each other in the longitudinal direction. The first end portion of the butt section 4 has a second threaded connector 41, in the form of an externally threaded steel stub, mounted thereon for threadedly engaging the first threaded connector 34. The second end portion of the butt section 4 is formed with a third threaded connector 42. In this embodiment, the third threaded connector 42 is an internally threaded bore. Strands are woven around the butt section 4 so as to define a grip portion 43 of the same. A plastic ring 44 is mounted on a bottom end face of the second end portion of the butt section 4. The plastic ring 44 presses tightly against ends of the strands on the butt section 4 so that unwinding of the strands from the butt section 4 can be avoided. The extender segment 5 is formed as a transparent hollow shaft and is made of acrylic plastic. The extender segment 5 includes a first end wall formed with a fourth threaded connector 51, a second end wall opposite to the first end wall in the longitudinal direction and formed with a fifth threaded connector 52, and a tubular surrounding wall 53 that extends between and that is connected sealingly to the first and second end walls so as to confine a sealed compartment 54. In this embodiment, the fourth threaded connector 51 is in the form of an externally threaded rod for threadedly engaging the third threaded connector 42 on the butt section 4, whereas the fifth threaded connector 52 is in the form of an internally threaded bore. The sealed compartment 54 may be filled with a liquid 7, such as a mixture of mineral oil and water, as shown in FIG. 3, or may have an article 7′ contained therein, as shown in FIG. 4.

[0019] The bumper 6 is made of a resilient material, such as rubber, and has a sixth threaded connector 61, in the form of an externally threaded steel rod, mounted thereon for threadedly engaging the fifth threaded connector 52 of the extender segment 5.

[0020] During assembly, the shaft section 3 and the extender segment 5 are connected to opposite ends of the butt section 4, and the bumper 6 is connected to the extender segment 5. In this way, when the assembled billiard cue 2 is disposed to stand on a ground surface, the bumper 6 can prevent the extender segment 5 from contacting the ground surface. In addition, the extender segment 5, which is not made of wood, can extend the length of the billiard cue 2.

[0021] Referring once again to FIG. 3, when the sealed compartment 54 is filled with a liquid 7, such as a mixture of mineral oil and water, a lively effect is created therein when the billiard cue 2 is in use. As shown in FIG. 4, the sealed compartment 54 can also be used to contain an article 7′ for conveying information, etc., thereby enhancing the utility and consumer appeal of the billiard cue 2.

[0022] FIG. 5 illustrates the second preferred embodiment of a billiard cue 2′ according to the present invention. Unlike the previous embodiment, the sixth threaded connector 61′ of the bumper 6′ is longer to increase the weight of the billiard cue 2′. The second end wall of the extender segment 5′ is formed with an axial extension 55 which, in turn, is formed with the fifth threaded connector 52′. A protective sleeve 8, which is made of wood, is sleeved fittingly on the extension 55, thereby concealing the threaded engagement between the extender segment 5′ and the bumper 6′.

[0023] FIG. 6 illustrates the third preferred embodiment of a billiard cue 2″ according to the present invention. Unlike the first preferred embodiment, the fourth threaded connector 51″ of the extender segment 5′ is connected to the first threaded connector 34″ of the shaft section 3″, the fifth threaded connector 52″ of the extender segment 5′ is connected to the second threaded connector 411″ of the butt section 4″, and the sixth threaded connector 61″ of the bumper 6″ is connected to the third threaded connector 42″ of the butt section 4″.

[0024] While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.

Claims

1. A billiard cue comprising a shaft section, a bumper, and an assembly of a butt section and an extender segment connected to said butt section and formed as a transparent hollow shaft, said assembly being disposed between and being connected threadedly to said shaft section and said bumper.

2. The billiard cue as claimed in claim 1, wherein said extender segment includes a first end wall, a second end wall opposite to said first end wall in a longitudinal direction, and a tubular surrounding wall that extends between and that is connected to said first and second end walls so as to confine a compartment.

3. The billiard cue as claimed in claim 2, wherein said shaft section is connected to said butt section, and said bumper is connected to said extender segment.

4. The billiard cue as claimed in claim 3, wherein:

said shaft section has first and second end portions that are opposite to each other in the longitudinal direction, said first end portion being formed with a ball-striking tip, said second end portion having a first threaded connector;

said butt section having first and second end portions that are opposite to each other in the longitudinal direction, said first end portion of said butt section having a second threaded connector for threadedly engaging said first threaded connector, said second end portion of said butt section having a third threaded connector;

said first end wall of said extender segment having a fourth threaded connector for threadedly engaging said third threaded connector, said second end wall of said extender segment having a fifth threaded connector;

said bumper having a sixth threaded connector for threadedly engaging said fifth threaded connector.

5. The billiard cue as claimed in claim 4, wherein said first threaded connector is an internally threaded bore, and said second threaded connector is an externally threaded stub mounted on said first end portion of said butt section.

6. The billiard cue as claimed in claim 4, wherein said third threaded connector is an internally threaded bore, and said fourth threaded connector is an externally threaded rod.

7. The billiard cue as claimed in claim 4, wherein said fifth threaded connector is an internally threaded bore, and said sixth threaded connector is an externally threaded rod mounted on said bumper.

8. The billiard cue as claimed in claim 4, wherein said second end wall of said extender segment is formed with an axial extension which, in turn, is formed with said fifth threaded connector, said billiard cue further comprising a protective sleeve sleeved fittingly on said extension so as to conceal threaded engagement between said extender segment and said bumper.

9. The billiard cue as claimed in claim 8, wherein said protective sleeve is made of wood.

10. The billiard cue as claimed in claim 2, wherein said shaft section is connected to said extender segment, and said bumper is connected to said butt section.

11. The billiard cue as claimed in claim 1, wherein said extender segment is made of acrylic plastic.

12. The billiard cue as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bumper is made of a resilient material.

13. The billiard cue as claimed in claim 12, wherein said resilient material is rubber.

14. The billiard cue as claimed in claim 2, wherein said compartment is filled with a liquid.

15. The billiard cue as claimed in claim 14, wherein said liquid contains mineral oil.

16. The billiard cue as claimed in claim 2, further comprising an article contained in said compartment.