BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a billiard cue, and more particularly to a billiard cue constituted in stick shape by jointly connecting the end parts of a butt and a shaft, and being bored a first hollow hole in the rear end part of the butt, thereby storing a first weight to adjust a weight balance (gravity center).
(2) Description of the Related Arts
Conventionally, being various a frame or a playing style of a player, the most important thing for a billiard cue is to be adjusted according to appropriate weight and balance for each player, and for example, a cue with a structure in which a gravity center (weight balance) is adjusted by a weight, which is received in a hollow hole bored inside a stick-shaped body, extending from a ball hitting tip part toward a rear end part, has been known.
[Cited Reference 1]
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- Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 38-4351(Page. 1, FIG. 1)
The examples of related art will be described referring to FIGS. 10 and 11. FIG. 10 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a conventional cue, in which a gravity center is adjustable.
As shown in FIG. 10, in one embodiment of a conventional cue, a stick-shaped body 70 is provided, wherein a shaft 90 consisting a ball hitting tip part and a butt 80 consisting a rear end part, is jointly connected, in a joint part 72. Being bored a hollow hole 70a in the center part of the body 70, is inserted a screw lever 84, which is jointly connected to a knob 83 to extend from a rear end (a rear end of the butt 80), and a weight 82, which is slidable, is screwed to the screw lever 84 (cited reference 1).
In such an embodiment of a conventional cue, by giving the screw lever 84 a turn to the right or the left holding a knob 83, the weight 82, which is screwed to the screw lever 84, moves backwards and forwards in the hollow hole 70a, such that a gravity center can be adjusted suitably.
On another front, there has been known another embodiment of a conventional cue, which is distinct from the already described embodiment, in that an inner structure of a hollow hole is more simplified. FIG. 11 is a block diagram, in which is shown such a conventional cue with a simplified inner structure.
In the conventional cue shown in FIG. 11, a stick-shaped body 100 is formed by jointly connecting the end parts of a butt 110 and a shaft 120 with joint members 102, being bored a first hollow hole 110a in a rear end of the butt 110, in which a weight 112 is received to adjust a weight balance. The weight 112 has a screw shape and is inserted from a first hollow hole 110a, being screwed in an inner part, so that a weight balance of the entire body 100 can be adjusted. Moreover, the joint members 102 are respectively attached in second hollow holes 110b and 120b, which are bored respectively in the end parts of the butt 110 and the shaft 120, where the butt 110 and the shaft 120 are jointly connected. The joint members 102 are consisted of a joint pin 114, attached in the second hollow hole 110b of the butt 110 to have a stick-shaped male screw protruded, and an approximately tubular joint cylinder body 124, received in the second hollow hole 120b of the shaft 120, in inner periphery of which having a female screw, and these two members are screwed together to jointly connect the butt 110 to the shaft 120 in stick shape.
In the conventional cue shown in FIG. 11, a weight balance of the body 100 is adjusted according to the weight of the weight 112, and a gravity center has been changed by changing a shape of the screw or a material of the screw, such as duralumin or stainless.
In such a manner, in a conventional cue, one weight has been received in a hollow hole bored in a stick-shaped body, so that the cue is adjusted to have appropriate weight and balance for each player, according to her/his frame or playingstyle. Accordingly, a conventional cue has been consisted so that a free adjustment of a gravity center of the entire body is possible, and difficult techniques such as follow shot or draw shot, for which is important a whole balance, can be well achieved.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION However, as for such a conventional cue, both of the bodies 70 and 100, respectively shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, being of a structure of storing just one weight (82, 112) in a hollow hole (hollow hole 70a, a first hollow hole 110a) bored in one place, a problem has been that it is difficult, only with the one weight 82 or 112, to make a fine adjustment of a weight balance of the entire body extending in stick shape, such as adjustment of only the weight balance, without changing the weight of the entire cue, or adjustment of only the weight, without changing the weight balance.
The object of the present invention is to solve these problems and provide a billiard cue of a simple structure, in which a weight balance of the entire cue can be free and finely adjusted.
To solve the problems described above, in the present invention, is provided a billiard cue, in which the end parts of a butt and a shaft are jointly connected by the joint members in a manner to form the billiard cue in stick shape, and is bored a first hollow hole in the rear end part of the butt, thereby storing a first weight, so that a weight balance is adjustable. In the billiard cue of the present invention, a second hollow hole is bored in each connecting end of the butt and the shaft, and in either one of the second hollow holes, after being received a second weight, joint members are attached.
At this point, joint members comprise a joint pin, fixed in a second hollow hole of either of a butt or a shaft, having a stick-shaped male screw protruded, and an approximately tubular joint cylinder body, received in the other second hollow hole, having a female screw in inner periphery. It is preferable that the butt and the shaft are jointly connected in stick shape, by screwing these two members together. Moreover, in another embodiment of the joint members, it is preferred that the joint members comprise a joint pin, fixed in a second hollow hole of either of a butt or a shaft, having a stick-shaped male screw protruded, and a joint hole, which is provided in another second hollow hole, having a female screw directly in its inner periphery, and that these members are screwed together to jointly connect the butt and the shaft in stick shape. In addition, it is preferable that, in the second hollow hole, from the end part of an attached joint cylinder body or an attached joint hole, a tubular weight joint having a female screw in its inner periphery, is also attached consecutively, and in the weight joint, a second weight is received by being screwed. Additionally, it is preferred that a joint cylinder body and a weight joint are integrally formed to be received in the second hollow hole. Besides, it is preferable that as the second weight, which is screwed and received in the second hollow hole from its open part side, a screw having a head part or a screw not having a head part is selectively used.
As described above in detail, according to the present invention, a first weight and a second weight are attached in the body consisted of a shaft and a butt, allowing a fine adjustment of the weight balance of the entire body extending in stick shape, such as an adjustment of only the centroid balance, without changing the weight of the entire cue, or an adjustment of only the weight, without changing balance.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a first embodiment of the cue according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 shows a first weight shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 shows a second weight shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 shows an inner structure of the cue shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 shows another embodiment, in which are interchanged a joint pin and a joint cylinder body, respectively put in a butt and a shaft shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a second embodiment of the cue according to the present invention.
FIG. 7 shows another embodiment, in which are interchanged a joint pin and a integrally formed joint, respectively attached in a butt and a shaft shown in FIG. 6.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a third embodiment of the cue according to the present invention.
FIG. 9 shows another embodiment, in which are interchanged a joint pin and a joint hole, respectively attached in a butt and a shaft shown in FIG. 8.
FIG. 10 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a conventional cue.
FIG. 11 is a block diagram of another embodiment of a conventional cue.
FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a fourth embodiment of the cue according to the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a fifth embodiment of the cue according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Secondly, referring to the accompanying drawings, the embodiments of the cue will be described in detail. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a first embodiment of the cue according to the invention. FIG. 2 shows a first weight 12 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 shows a second weight 22 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3(a) shows a second weight 22a having a head part, and FIG. 3(b) shows a second weight 22b not having a head part. FIG. 4 shows an inner structure of the cue shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4(a) shows the state using a second weight 22a having a head part, and FIG. 4(b) shows the state using a second weight 22b not having a head part. FIG. 5 shows another embodiment, in which are interchanged a joint pin and a joint cylinder body, respectively put in a butt and a shaft shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a second embodiment of the cue according to the present invention. FIG. 6(a) shows the state using a second weight 22a with a head part, and FIG. 6(b) shows the state using a second weight 22b not having a head part. FIG. 7 shows another embodiment, in which are interchanged a joint pin 14 and an integrally formed joint 30, respectively put in a butt 10 and a shaft 20 as shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a third embodiment of the cue according to the present invention. FIG. 8(a) shows the state using a second weight 22a having a head part, and FIG. 8(b) shows the state using a second weight 22b not having a head part. FIG. 9 shows another embodiment, in which are interchanged a joint pin 14 and a joint hole 41, respectively put in a butt 10 and a shaft 40 as shown in FIG. 8.
Additionally, FIG. 12 is another embodiment, in which is shown one example of a jointing structure, which has a weight balance structure, having an insert screw in the shaft side, and a weight balance screw (male screw) having the same screwing shape as a joint pin (male screw). Moreover, in FIG. 13, being omitted an insert screw of a structure shown in FIG. 12, is shown one example of a structure, in which a weight balance screw (male screw) can be directly screwed with the shaft side.
Embodiment 1 As shown in FIG. 1, a first embodiment of the cue according to the present invention, as well as related art shown in FIG. 11, has a body 1 formed in stick shape by being jointly connecting the end parts of a butt 10 and a shaft 20 by the joint members 2, and a first hollow hole 10a is bored in the rear end part of the butt 10, thereby storing a first weight 12, with which a weight balance is adjusted. On the other hand, the first embodiment differs from the related art shown in FIG. 11, in that the second hollow holes 10b and 20b are respectively bored in each of the two connecting ends, with which are jointly connected the butt 10 and the shaft 20, so that the joint members 2 are attached therein. Moreover, in a second hollow hole 20b of either of the butt 10 or the shaft 20 (In FIG. 1, the one of the shaft 20 is used.), is received the second weight 22, with which a weight balance is adjusted, and the joint members 2 are put in as they cover each end part. Thus, in the first embodiment, a first weight 12 and a second weight 22 are respectively attached in two parts, that is, in each rear end part of the butt 10 and the shaft 20 as shown in FIG. 1, so that a weight balance of an entire cue can be finely adjusted by these two weights.
Accordingly, adjustment of a weight balance of a cue is primarily made by moving a weight disposed in the butt side hold by a player in play, or changing the weight of the weight. At this point, as a related art shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, in a structure of having one weight in a butt, an adjustment of appropriate weight balance for various players has its limitation. Therefore, in the present invention, by putting two weights respectively in the end part of a butt held by a player, and near the joint part, where are jointly connected the butt and the shaft, is provided a structure in which can be made an appropriate adjustment of a weight balance for an each player in both end parts of the butt, and more fine adjustment can be made.
At this point, the butt 10 and the shaft 20 respectively have joint members 2. The joint members 2 are consisted of a joint pin 14, fixed by being inserted in the second hollow hole 10b of the butt 10 in a manner to have a stick-shaped male screw protruded, and an approximately tubular joint cylinder body 24, received in the second hollow hole 20b of the shaft 20, having a female screw in an inner periphery. By screwing the joint members 2 together, the butt 10 and the shaft 20 are jointly connected in stick shape. Moreover, the butt 10 and the shaft 20 are made, for example, from wood, glass fiber, carbon fiber, and graphite.
Additionally, just like related art, a first hollow hole 10a is bored from the rear end of the butt 10, to be inserted and screwed a first weight 12 therein. Furthermore, the first hollow hole 10a is sealed by a bumper 13 so as not to be exposed the first weight 12. Moreover, the first weight 12 has a screw shape such as a hexagon bolt having a head part, a pan head screw shape, a flat countersunk head screw shape and a truss screw shape (In FIG. 2 is a flat countersunk head screw shape.), and for example, by changing a material such as duralumin or stainless and a shape such as length, the first weight 12 is formed to have suitable weight for an adjustment of a weight balance. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the first weight 12 has a fitting part on the head part (In FIG. 2 is a cross groove.), in which a tool (not shown) can be coupled to turn the first weight 12. A shape of the fitting part is not limited to a groove shape as shown in FIG. 2, but also can be other shapes such as a recessed hole or a protuberance, to be coupled a tip of a tool. In such a manner, the first weight 12 is inserted in the first hollow hole 10a of the rear end of the butt 10, and further, from this end part a tool is also inserted, to be coupled with a fitting part of the head part, so that the first weight 12 can be turned to be screwed.
On another front, as for a shaft 20, in the second hollow hole 20b in which a joint cylinder body 24 is provided, a tubular weight joint 23 having a female screw in inner periphery is also attached consecutively in the end part, and in the weight joint 23 a second weight 22 is received by being screwed. Moreover, as a second weight 22, two types are provided. One is as shown in FIG. 3(a), has a head part in the rear side of the screwing direction and the other is as shown in FIG. 3(b), does not have a head part. These weights, in the second hollow hole 20b, when being screwed in a weight joint 23 to be received therein, either one is selectively used according to the state of a weight balance. Additionally, the second weight 22, just like the first weight 12, is formed in a manner to have a suitable weight for an adjustment of a weight balance, by being changed a shape of the screw such as length, or a screw consisting material, such as duralumin and stainless. Moreover, the second weight 22 has a fitting part in one of the two ends, in which a tool (not shown) is coupled to turn the second weight 22. The second weight 22 is screwed in the weight joint 23 to be received in the second hollow hole 20b of the shaft 20, and the joint cylinder body 24 is attached to seal the second hollow hole 20b. Moreover, for being screwed the second weight 22 with the weight joint23, the tool is inserted in from outside through the hollow part of the joint cylinder body 24 (a female screw part, therein a joint pin 14 is screwed), wherein a tip of the tool is coupled with the fitting part of the head part and turned in a predetermined direction.
In the first embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 4(a), all the members described above are respectively put in the butt 10 and the shaft 20, and a joint cylinder body 24 and a joint pin 14 are jointly connected to form a stick shape. At this point, in the shaft 20, before jointing the joint pin 14 with the joint cylinder body 24 attached in the end of the second hollow hole 20b, a tool is inserted through the hollow part of the joint cylinder body 24 to couple with a fitting part of the second weight 22 and turn the second weight 22 to a desired position, so that a good weight balance can be obtained. In such a manner, as for the shaft 20, with the second weight 22 the best suitable weight balance of the entire body 1 can be obtained. While, as for the butt 10, the best suitable weight balance can be obtained by inserting a tool into the first hollow hole 10a, detaching a bumper 13 from the rear end, to drive the first weight 12 until getting to the desired position.
It should be noted that the shape of the second weight 22 is not limited to the one like the second weight 22a having a head part, as shown in FIG. 4(a), but it is also possible to be used the shape like a second weight 22b shown in FIG. 3(b), which does not have a head part. When using such a second weight 22b not having a head part, as shown in FIG. 4(b), the head part does not abut against the screw starting end of the weight joint 23, allowing the second weight 22b to be screwed to the end. Therefore, the distance between the second weight 22b and the first weight 12 of the butt 10 shown in FIG. 4(a) can be freely set, and a weight balance can be adjusted more finely.
Moreover, as for the joint cylinder body 24 and the joint pin 14, although in FIG. 4(a) the joint pin 14 is attached in the butt 10, while the joint cylinder body 24 being attached in the shaft 20, the attachment is not limited thereto. For example, it is also possible to be attached the joint cylinder body 24 in the butt 10, while the joint pin 14 being attached in the shaft 20. When attaching the joint cylinder body 24 in the butt 10, and the joint pin 14 in the shaft 20, as shown in FIG. 5, as well as the joint cylinder body 24 also the weight joint 23 and the second weight 22 are attached in the butt 10. As a result, the adjustment of both the first weight 12 and the second weight 22 can be made in the butt 10. At this point, as well as the joint cylinder body 24, also the weight joint 23 is attached in the butt 10. It is because, in the case of putting the weight joint 23 in the side of the joint pin 14, there is not provided the hollow part in which is inserted a tool to turn the second weight 22. Accordingly, the joint cylinder body 24 and the weight joint 23 are consecutively put in the second hollow hole 20b as one pair. In such a manner, when attaching the joint pin 14 in the shaft 20 and the joint cylinder body 24 in the butt 10, the adjustment of both the first weight 12 and the second weight 22 can be made in the butt 10, and the operation such as a balance adjustment or an assembly is facilitated.
In such a manner, according to the first embodiment of the cue of the present invention, by attaching the first weight 12 and the second weight 22 in the stick-shaped body 1 consisted of the butt 10 and the shaft 20, fine adjustment of the suitable weight balance for a player can be made in two parts, that is, the rear end part and the approximately centered engaging part of the body 1. Thus, a fine adjustment can be made easily, such as an adjustment of only the centroid balance, without changing the weight of the entire cue, or an adjustment of only the weight, without changing balance.
Second Embodiment Secondly, referring to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.
In the present embodiment, all of the component elements, except for the integrally formed joint 30 shown in FIG. 6 and 7, are the same as the ones in the first embodiment. Therefore, the same numbers are assigned for the component elements, and descriptions of the overlapping contents are omitted.
As shown in FIG. 6(a), in the second embodiment of the cue according to the present invention, as well as in the first embodiment, is provided a body 1 which is formed in stick shape by jointly connecting the end parts of a butt 10 and a shaft 20 by a joint member 2. In the rear end of the butt 10 is bored a first hollow hole 10a, thereby storing a first weight 12a, with which a weight balance is adjustable. Moreover, in the second embodiment, in each of the connecting ends of the butt 10 and the shaft 20, second hollow holes 10b and 20b are bored respectively, to have the joint member attached therein. As for the joint member 2, unlike in the first embodiment, a joint pin 14 is attached in the second hollow hole 10b of the butt 10, and in a second hollow hole 20b of the shaft, in which the joint pin 14 is screwed, an integrally formed joint 30 is attached. The integrally formed joint 30 is formed by integrating the joint cylinder body 24 and the weight joint 23, screwed with the second weight 22, which are described in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 4. As a result, the number of parts and assembling steps are reduced.
At this point, the shape of the second weight 22 is not limited to the one like the second weight 22a having a head part, as shown in FIG. 6(a), but it is also possible, as in the first embodiment, to be used the shape like a second weight 22b shown in FIG. 3(b), which does not have a head part. When using such a second weight 22b not having a head part, as shown in FIG. 6(b), the second weight 22b does not abut against the screw starting end of the weight joint 23, allowing the second weight 22b to be screwed to the end. Therefore, the distance between the second weight 22b and the first weight 12 shown in FIG. 6(a) can be freely set, and a weight balance can be adjusted more finely.
Furthermore, in the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, it is also possible to attach a joint pin 14 in the shaft 20, while an integrally formed joint 30 in the butt 10. When attaching the joint pin 14 in the shaft 20, while the integrally formed joint 30 in the butt 10, as shown in FIG. 7, both the integrally formed joint 30 and the second weight 22 are attached in the butt 10. As a result, the adjustment of both the first weight 12 and the second weight 22 can be made in the butt 10. In such a manner, by attaching the joint pin 14 in the shaft 20 while the integrally formed joint 30 in the butt 10, both the first weight 12 and the second weight 22 can be adjusted in the butt 10, and the operation such as a balance adjustment or an assembly is facilitated.
In such a manner, according to the second embodiment of the cue of the present invention, by attaching the first weight 12 and the second weight 22 in the body 1 consisted of the butt 10 and the shaft 20, the same effect as the one of the first embodiment can be obtained. Moreover, by attaching the integrally formed joint 30 of the first embodiment consisted by integrating the joint cylinder body and the weight joint, the number of parts and assembling steps can be reduced.
Third Embodiment Next, referring to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, a third embodiment of the cue of the present invention will be described in detail. In the present embodiment, all of the component elements, except for a shaft 40, a weight joint 50 shown in FIG. 8, and a butt 60 shown in FIG. 9, are the same as the ones in the first embodiment. Therefore, for the component elements the same numbers are assigned, and descriptions of the overlapping contents are omitted.
As shown in FIG. 8(a), in the third embodiment of the cue according to the present invention, as well as in the first embodiment, is provided a body 1 which is formed in stick shape by jointly connecting the end parts of a butt 10 and a shaft 40 by a joint member 2. In the rear end of the butt 10 is bored a first hollow hole 10a, thereby storing a first weight 12, with which a weight balance is adjusted. Moreover, in the third embodiment, unlike in the first embodiment, in each one of the two end parts, wherein being jointed the butt 10 and the shaft 40, second hollow holes 10b and 40b are, bored, wherein are attached a joint pin 14, put in a second hollow hole 10b of the butt 10 to have a stick-shaped male screw protruded, and a joint hole 41, in a inner periphery of which directly having a female screw. The joint pin 14 and the joint hole 41 are screwed together, so that the butt 10 and the shaft 40 are jointly connected in stick shape. Moreover, in the second hollow hole 40b of the shaft 40, a weight joint 50 is put in, which is fixed by screwing the second weight 22 from the end of the joint hole 41. Accordingly, in the third embodiment, the joint cylinder body 24 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 4(a) is omitted and a female screw is directly formed in the second hollow hole 40b of the shaft 40, so that the number of parts and assembling steps are reduced, and the entire body 1 weigh less than in the first and second embodiments.
At this point, the shape of the second weight 22 is not limited to the one of the second weight 22a having a head part, as shown in FIG. 8(a), but it is also possible, as in the first and second embodiments, to be used the shape like a second weight 22b shown in FIG. 3(b), which does not have a head part. When using such a second weight 22b not having a head part, as shown in FIG. 8(b), the second weight 22b does not abut against the and of the weight joint 23, allowing the second weight 22b to be screwed to the end. Therefore, the distance between the second weight 22b and the first weight 12 shown in FIG. 8(a) can be freely set, and a weight balance can be adjusted more finely.
Furthermore, in the third embodiment, as in the first and second embodiments, it is also possible to attach a joint pin 14 in the shaft 20, while a joint hole 61 in the butt 60. When attaching the joint pin 14 in the shaft 20, while the joint hole 61 in the butt 60, as shown in FIG. 9, as both the joint hole 61 and the weight joint 50 are put in the butt 60, it is possible to adjust both the first weight 12 and the second weight 22 in the butt 60, and the operation such as a balance adjustment or an assembly is facilitated.
In such a manner, according to the third embodiment of the cue of the present invention, the first weight 10a and the second weight 22 are respectively attached in the body 1 consisted of the butt 10 and the shaft 20, and directly in the body 1 are formed the joint holes 41 and 61, in which the joint pin 14 is screwed. As a result, the number of parts is reduced, allowing the same effect as the one obtained in the second embodiment. Consequently, a weight of the entire cue can be lightened in comparison with a weight in the first and second embodiments.
Fourth Embodiment FIG. 12 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention. As the features of the present embodiment, the cue has a weight balance structure of having an insert screw IN1 (female screw) in the side of a shaft S1, and a weight balance screw WB1 (a second weight), screwed inside the cue with an insert screw IN1 attached inside the shaft S1, has the same screwing structure as a joint pin J1 (male screw) in the side of a butt B1. In such a manner, a joint structure is provided, in which screwing two members, the joint pin J1 and the weight balance screw WB1, are screwed continuously in a screw part in the insert screw IN1, wherein a head part of the weight balance screw WB1 abuts against the end part of the insert screw IN1 and stops. In addition, it should be noted that although in FIG. 12, the insert screw IN1 and the weight balance screw WB1 (a second weight) are disposed in the side of the shaft S1, while the joint pin J1 being disposed in the side of the butt B1, it is not limited thereto. That is, the shaft S1 and the butt B1 may have an opposite structure each other.
Fifth Embodiment FIG. 13 shows a fifth embodiment of the cue according to the present invention. A feature of the present embodiment is that the insert screw of the structure shown in FIG. 12 is omitted. At this point, a weight balance screw WB2 (a second weight) is directly screwed with a screw part SN2, provided in a shaft S2. Moreover, although also in FIG. 13, the screw part SN2 and the weight balance screw WB2 (a second weight) are attached in the side of a shaft S2, these can be attached also in a butt B2.
While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described above, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. On the contrary, it will be recognized and understood that various modifications can be made in the invention and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications which may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, although in the embodiment described in detail, a joint pin is at all times attached in either one of a butt or a shaft, it is not limited thereto. For example, a joint pin maybe directly formed in either of a butt or a shaft.
