Abstract: An adapter assembly for use in the cue/billiards sports. The adapter assembly includes a first part, also referred to as a sleeve, and a second part, referred to as an adapter. The adapter assembly inserts into a hollow cue shaft. When the first end of the adapter assembly is inserted into the hollow cue shaft, the adapter of the adapter assembly is configured to receive an insertion pin of a cue handle and to hold the cue handle in position relative to the cue shaft.

Abstract: A weight adjustable javelin includes an elongated shaft having a leading end and a trailing end. A nose piece includes a conical shape, a nose tip, a nose base, and an internal nose slot defined along a longitudinal axis of the nose piece. The nose base includes an opening leading into the internal nose slot. A tail piece includes a tail tip, a tail base, and an internal tail slot defined along a longitudinal axis of the tail piece. The tail base includes an opening leading into the internal tail slot. The nose base is releasably secured to the leading end of the elongated shaft. The tail base is releasably secured to the trailing end of the elongated shaft. The internal nose slot and the internal tail slot are configured to receive and retain different sized and weighted rods therein.

Abstract: A water slide for a recreational pool or other body of water, the water slide including a ladder section and a chute rotatably coupled to one another to simplify disassembly and transport of the water slide when not in use. The water slide may further include a brace supporting the ladder section and chute, and a water tank designed to further stabilize the water slide during use.

Abstract: A pool cue includes a butt having: an elongate central butt core, extending uninterrupted from a rearmost end of the butt to a foremost end of the butt; one or more oversleeves arranged about the central butt core and abutting one another; and a forward threaded butt connector positioned on the foremost end of the butt, the forward threaded butt connector operable to mate with a corresponding threaded shaft connector of a cue shaft. A shaft has: an elongate shaft sleeve, extending from a rearmost end of the shaft to a foremost end of the shaft; an elongate central shaft core, extending uninterrupted from the rearmost end of the shaft to the foremost end of the shaft; and a rearward threaded shaft connector positioned on the rearmost end of the shaft, the rearward threaded shaft connector operable to mate with the threaded butt connector.

Abstract: Apparatus for billiards break shot practice, comprising a lightweight force absorption pillow and a triangle rack pattern combination. Game player breaks with maximum force to achieve greatest transfer to cue ball travelling to break up game balls, but using a reduced three-game-ball configuration with assistance of pillow and pattern that well-simulates virtually the same resistance of full fifteen-game-ball tournament game ball formation. A player saves tremendous time and effort in game ball setup and can practice break shots in rapid succession to develop high levels of breaking skill. Head and cue ball travel are observed in more iteration per practice session. The pillow has a storage flap to hold pattern, making it portable and quick to layout. Aligning pillow and pattern different distances apart simulates different ball resistances for game variations like 9-ball or 10-ball, or for different table sizes.

Abstract: A lightweight grip assembly is disclosed herein. The lightweight grip assembly comprises a rigid support structure comprising a hollow portion and a grip portion comprising a substantially uniform thickness, wherein the grip portion is disposed on an external surface of the rigid support structure. The lightweight grip assembly may be used in connection with golf club shafts and heads having one or more adjustable features to increase the amount of overall discretionary weight available to a golfer.

Abstract: Disclosed, in general, is a cue stick that is defined by: a shaft; a butt; and a joint that holds the shaft and butt together. In one embodiment, the butt features a window, an internal reservoir filled with a fluid, an external image, and internal image; and wherein rotating the stick moves the fluid inside of the internal reservoir so that the internal image is viewable via the window.

Abstract: A cue stick for billiards sports has an elongated outer housing having a first end, a second end opposing the first end, and an elongated inner cavity. The outer housing is formed from a rigid material and a resilient filling material is disposed in the inner cavity. The filling material radially adjoins an inner surface of the elongated outer housing. The inner cavity extends only partially through an axial length of the outer housing. The filling material is compressed into the inner cavity until it presses against an end of the inner cavity, whereby the filling material axially adjoins the inner surface of the elongated outer housing.

Abstract: A cue stick for billiards sports has a forearm with an elongated inner cavity that is filled with a filling material. The filling material may be cork, or a similar material that is resilient and/or deformable to provide improved dynamic characteristics upon striking a cue ball. The forearm may also include an improved geometric structure at its joint end which connects with the shaft, whereby an outer housing of the forearm has a solid construction at its joint end with a joint collar affixed thereto.

Abstract: A pool cue shaft assembly includes a thermoplastic support body extending along a shaft axis from a tip end to a collar end. The support body defines at least three fin members extending radially from a geometric center of the support body. Spaces between the radially extending fin members define at least three longitudinal grooves. At least three inlay members are coupled to the thermoplastic support body. Each inlay member is disposed within a respective longitudinal groove and extends from the tip end to the collar end.

Abstract: A pool cue includes a hollow shaft arrangement having a first end and a second end. The shaft arrangement is formed with a bore extending throughout an entire length of the shaft arrangement between the first and second ends. A carrier for mounting the shaft arrangement thereon includes a central section disposed to be received in the bore. The central section has a first end disposed to be engaged against a first end of the shaft arrangement, and a second end provided with a threaded area disposed to extend beyond the second end of the shaft arrangement. The threaded area is connected to other pool cue structure, such as a joint collar or a shaft section, or both, disposed at the second end of the shaft arrangement.

Abstract: A new type of pool game which can account for different levels of player skill and also be enjoyable for more than two players, teams or participants. The game can be played on conventional pool, snooker or billiard tables and includes plurality of balls including at least one cue ball and a plurality of object balls of which at least three types of object ball are identifiable.

Abstract: A pool cue shaft assembly includes a thermoplastic support body extending along a shaft axis from a tip end to a collar end. The support body defines at least three fin members extending radially from a geometric center of the support body. Spaces between the radially extending fin members define at least three longitudinal grooves. At least three inlay members are coupled to the thermoplastic support body. Each inlay member is disposed within a respective longitudinal groove and extends from the tip end to the collar end.

Abstract: A pool game system includes a pool table having a playing surface, rails and pockets, pool balls and at least one cue stick. A plurality of illuminating components are within the rails of the pool table. A plurality of contact sensors are each within the rails and pockets of the pool table. A computer within the pool table causes one illuminating component to flash when one contact sensor detects one pool ball propelled by the at least one cue stick, when in a first instance the pool ball bounces off a rail and when in a second instance the pool ball enters a pocket of the pool table.

Abstract: A pool cue includes a hollow shaft arrangement having a first end and a second end. The shaft arrangement is formed with a bore extending throughout an entire length of the shaft arrangement between the first and second ends. A carrier for mounting the shaft arrangement thereon includes a central section disposed to be received in the bore. The central section has a first end disposed to be engaged against a first end of the shaft arrangement, and a second end provided with a threaded area disposed to extend beyond the second end of the shaft arrangement. The threaded area is connected to other pool cue structure, such as a joint collar or a shaft section, or both, disposed at the second end of the shaft arrangement.

Abstract: A replaceable cushion bumper for coupling a butt extension with a butt end of a pool cue is disclosed. The cushion bumper includes a male stub to be screwed into the butt end and a cushion overwrapping the male stub. The male stub includes a female thread extending through the center so as to receive a male thread of the butt extension. The cushion also includes a bumper bore extending to the female thread of the male stub so as to receive the male thread of the butt extension. A pool cue with the cushion bumper is also disclosed.

Abstract: A cue stick handle includes: an exterior casing of conical members; a rigid inner core, which includes linearly interlocked and glued components, including (a) a rigid tube composed of a hard, tensile material that provides steel-like characteristics, including rigidity and stiffness and (b) a pin holder composed of a strong composite or plastic material, having a high tensile and high bending strength, and adhesively coupled to the tube. The first end of a joint pin is securely inserted within the pin holder and a second end of the joint pin extends in an axial direction away from the tube. The tube is filled with a vibration-dampening, foam-like material. The rigid inner core may include a wood core securely mated to an end of the rigid tube. A pair of collars is coupled to each end of the rigid inner core to secure the rigid inner core inside the exterior casing.

Abstract: A cue stick handle includes: an exterior casing of conical members; a rigid inner core, which includes linearly interlocked and glued components, including (a) a rigid tube composed of a hard, tensile material that provides steel-like characteristics, including rigidity and stiffness and (b) a pin holder composed of a strong composite or plastic material, having a high tensile and high bending strength, and adhesively coupled to the tube. The first end of a joint pin is securely inserted within the pin holder and a second end of the joint pin extends in an axial direction away from the tube. The tube is filled with a vibration-dampening, foam-like material. The rigid inner core may include a wood core securely mated to an end of the rigid tube. A pair of collars is coupled to each end of the rigid inner core to secure the rigid inner core inside the exterior casing.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a billiard cue comprising a shaft having a tip end and a butt end, wherein the shaft has a non-linear tapered section with reduced diameter compared to a linear tapering at the tip end. Also, a manufacturing process is disclosed which is simple and cheap. The cue of the present invention is low-cost and shows superior low deflection properties.

Abstract: A cushion for a billiard table is disclosed. The cushion includes an extruded member having a substantially triangular or L-shaped cross-section and a layer of tape on one surface thereof for affixing the cushion to a billiard table. Also disclosed is an improved cue for billiards wherein a substantial portion of the weight of the cue is disposed in a distal portion of the cue located near the tip of the cue, which is used to strike a ball. The cue is preferably modular to allow substitution of various portions of the cue to permit it to be customized to a specific player. Also disclosed is a device for metering the speed of the surface of a billiard table. Also disclosed is a quick-change tip for a cue which includes an elastomeric material that is sized to snugly fit over the distal end of a cue to releasably secure the quick-change tip to the cue.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a billiard cue comprising a shaft having a tip end and a butt end, wherein the shaft has a non-linear tapered section with reduced diameter compared to a linear tapering at the tip end. Also, a manufacturing process is disclosed which is simple and cheap. The cue of the present invention is low-cost and shows superior low deflection properties.

Abstract: A shaft of a billiard cue includes a first section and a second section connected to the first section. The first section is made of natural wood and has a front end to be a top end of the shaft and a rear connecting end to connect to the second section. The second section is not made of natural wood but of a material with a hardness being greater than that of the first section. The second section has a front connecting end to connect with the rear connecting end of the first section and a rear end to be a bottom end of the shaft.

Abstract: The present invention is a method, system and/or apparatus for achieving a level balance through the use of one or more fluids, solids and/or gases (identified herein as “liquidwick”), whether individually applied or applied in selected combination, or whether applied through phase-shifting combinations, the liquidwick being partially or fully placed in a closable container which is securely insertable into a cavity within an instrument desired to achieve balance (such as, for example, a pool stick or a golf club).

Abstract: The bank shot guide for billiards has at least one visible marking which may be disposed on a pool cue shaft, tape measure, floor, or floor accessory adapted to be easily observable by the shooter while setting up a pool shot on a pool table. The markings can be aligned along the length of the pool cue shaft, tape measure, floor, or floor accessory at predetermined distances to provide graphical symbols that can aid a player in calculating bank angle game parameters applicable to the game table being played on. The markings are designed to represent extensions of readily observable existing diamond markings typically located on the pool table side rails. Groups of the markings may be color coded and/or rotationally separated from each other to visibly display the appropriate group of markings applicable to a particular length of pool table being used.

Abstract: A pool cue adapted to be used in the game of pool may include a butt plate member, a butt sleeve member being detachably connected to the butt plate member, and a wrap member being detachably connected to the butt sleeve member. The detachable connection between the butt plate member and the butt sleeve member may be a threaded connection, and the detachable connection between the butt sleeve member and the wrap member may be a threaded connection. The butt plate member may include a bumper member, and the butt sleeve member may include a double female connection to provide an interchangeable sleeve member. A first ring may be positioned between the butt plate member and the butt plate sleeve member, and a second ring may be positioned between the butt plate member and the butt plate sleeve member.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a billiard cue (11) comprising a shaft having a tip end (2) and a butt end, wherein the shaft has a non-linear tapered section with reduced diameter compared to a linear tapering at the tip end.

Abstract: A shaft of a billiard cue includes a first section and a second section connected to the first section. The first section is made of natural wood and has a front end to be a top end of the shaft and a rear connecting end to connect to the second section. The second section is not made of natural wood but of a material with a hardness being greater than that of the first section. The second section has a front connecting end to connect with the rear connecting end of the first section and a rear end to be a bottom end of the shaft.

Abstract: A cue stick includes a shaft, a solid force-transmitting pipe, a butt, and a wooden fitting portion. This shaft includes a tip, a solid portion, a hollow portion and a connecting portion. This solid force-transmitting pipe contains an inner space. The butt connects with the shaft. The wooden fitting portion fills in the inner space. The density of the wooden fitting portion is between 80% and 120% of the density of the solid portion. So, the weight and size are nearly same as the ones of a traditional solid wood cue stick. The total weight of the cue stick is proper. Its internal force transmission is evenly distributed. Plus, the feedback feeling for striking the cue ball is excellent.

Abstract: A cue stick includes a shaft, a solid force-transmitting pipe, a butt, and a wooden fitting portion. This shaft includes a tip, a solid portion, a hollow portion and a connecting portion. This solid force-transmitting pipe contains an inner space. The butt connects with the shaft. The wooden fitting portion fills in the inner space. The density of the wooden fitting portion is between 80% and 120% of the density of the solid portion. So, the weight and size are nearly same as the ones of a traditional solid wood cue stick. The total weight of the cue stick is proper. Its internal force transmission is evenly distributed. Plus, the feedback feeling for striking the cue ball is excellent.

Abstract: A cue stick (100) utilizes a tip plate (120) directly attached to the tip (110) and shaft of a cue stick (100). The tip plate may be constructed of a lightweight, high stiffness material, such as a carbon fiber composite or resin material. A tip plate (120) may increase the durability and strength of adhesion of the tip (110) to the remainder of the cue stick (100), while decreasing the mass of the tip (110) end relative to other attachment methods utilized in the prior art.

Abstract: A sports stick portion includes a pin secured to a stick portion. The pin can have a male threaded region for engaging a mating stick portion and a distal end. A collar can concentrically surround the male threaded region and the distal end of the pin.

Abstract: A replaceable cue tip assembly is provided to enable the easy and quick replacement of tip pads of cue sticks. The cue tip assembly includes a tip ferrule that is attachable to a cue stick shaft or to conventional shaft ferrule. It also includes a tip pad holder to which a tip pad is to be fixed. The tip pad holder has a non-threaded conical surface that seats upon a mating non-threaded conical surface of the tip ferrule. The outside diameter of the tip ferrule may be less than local thickness of the cue shaft under certain conditions. Various means of connecting the tip pad holder and the tip ferrule together are disclosed. Cue sticks having the replaceable cue tip assemblies are also disclosed as are tip pad holder tools for use in attaching and removing the tip pad holders.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sports cue for improving the consistency of a player's shot. The sports cue includes a tapered length of material having a longitudinal axis therethrough, wherein the density of material above the longitudinal axis is less than that below the longitudinal axis to form a “bottom-heavy” cue.

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: 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 stick handle includes: an exterior casing of conical members; a rigid inner core, which includes linearly interlocked and glued components, including (a) a rigid tube composed of a hard, tensile material that provides steel-like characteristics, including rigidity and stiffness and (b) a pin holder composed of a strong composite or plastic material, having a high tensile and high bending strength, and adhesively coupled to the tube. The first end of a joint pin is securely inserted within the pin holder and a second end of the joint pin extends in an axial direction away from the tube. The tube is filled with a vibration-dampening, foam-like material. The rigid inner core may include a wood core securely mated to an end of the rigid tube. A pair of collars is coupled to each end of the rigid inner core to secure the rigid inner core inside the exterior casing.

Abstract: A cue stick handle includes: an exterior casing of conical members; a rigid inner core, which includes linearly interlocked and glued components, including (a) a rigid tube composed of a hard, tensile material that provides steel-like characteristics, including rigidity and stiffness and (b) a pin holder composed of a strong composite or plastic material, having a high tensile and high bending strength, and adhesively coupled to the tube. The first end of a joint pin is securely inserted within the pin holder and a second end of the joint pin extends in an axial direction away from the tube. The tube is filled with a vibration-dampening, foam-like material. The rigid inner core may include a wood core securely mated to an end of the rigid tube. A pair of collars is coupled to each end of the rigid inner core to secure the rigid inner core inside the exterior casing.

Abstract: A cue stick comprises a base shaft having improved warp resistance, a tip end piece having a high compressive and bend strength to weight ratio, and a sleeve having a high band strength to weight ratio. The base shaft comprises multiple rounded, longitudinal sections and a longitudinal cavity. A dampening material may be disposed in the longitudinal cavity. The sleeve comprises a plurality of stacked wood layers. Methods of making the cue stick and components thereof are also provided.

Abstract: A shaft of a cue stick for billiards or pool, includes an elongated tapered body laminated of a plurality of wood strips, each of the wood strips in cross-section having a sector section with an arcuate outer surface and an arc inner notch such that when the wood strips are laminated together, the arcuate outer surfaces form an outer surface of the body and the inner notches define an axial hole through the body; and a circular core tube made of a material having a greater rigidity than wood and having a shorter length than the axial hole, the tube being firmly received in the axial hole in such a way that the cue sticks body has a front hollow section extending a predetermined length along its axis from larger diameter to the smaller diameter end.

Abstract: A pool cue having a deformable grip for the handle that does not transmit vibration to the user, the grip having a hydrogel member incorporated therein.

Abstract: A pool cue having a shock-absorbing grip on its handle composed of an open-celled, viscoelastic, contour form memory material.

Abstract: A billiard cue includes a shaft having a hollow bore extending for a predetermined distance from a first end of the shaft to reduce the tip end weight of the shaft. In one aspect, where the shaft is formed of a composite material consisting of fibers in a binder, such as carbon fibers in an epoxy resin, the bore forms an outer wall in the tip end of the shaft having a thickness between about 0.005 and about 0.05 inches The shaft material has a modulus of elasticity of at least 4.3×106 psi. The bore extending from the first end of the shaft, the thin wall thickness of the tip end of the shaft and the material forming the shaft combine to decrease the mass of the tip end of the shaft while maintaining substantially all of the stiffness of a conventional solid wood shaft formed of a hard maple to minimize buckling of the tip end of the shaft and thereby substantially decrease deflection of the cue ball from its intended path of movement along a path parallel to the stroke axis of the shaft.

Abstract: A unique and improved billiard cue shaft is disclosed. The billiard cue shaft includes a core of light wood such as spruce and a skin of composite material such as carbon fiber/epoxy. The very light core combined with the extremely strong composite skin allow the billiard cue shaft to be very stiff where required without being too heavy and very light in areas where low mass is most critical for maximum performance while maintaining adequate stiffness. The shaft can be capped watertight at both ends to have none of the stability problems of a wood shaft while maintaining substantially all the feel and sound of a solid wood shaft.

Abstract: Pool cue systems are disclosed which include at least one graphical icon on the pool cue shaft adapted to be observed within the shooter's peripheral vision while shooting pool. The icons are preferably aligned along the longitudinal axis of the pool cue shaft at predetermined distances indicative of game parameters, which are stroke lengths, bridge hand locations, and stroke speeds. The icons are adapted to enable easy peripheral observation of pool cue stick motion while shooting pool with the eyes focused on an object billiard ball. The icons may additionally be decorative. Methods of use, making, and doing business are integral to the pool cue systems.

Abstract: A pool cue includes a butt that has a butt sleeve and a groove. A shaft extends from the butt and includes a tip. A grip is positioned within the groove. The grip is formed of a generally soft, elastomeric material. The grip is positioned in the groove such that a smooth continuous surface is defined with an outer surface of the butt. The grip is constructed of a material that is elastic enough to roll or slide over the butt sleeve and into the groove during assembly.

Abstract: A jump cue stick for use in the game of billiards having a first and second hollow shaft members that are releasably connected and very light weight, the jump cue stick does not employ a conventional wood handle or wood shaft but has a carbon/graphite handle end and a carbon/graphite shaft. The jump cue stick of present invention has one embodiment for causing a struck cue ball to be jumped over a obstructing ball and having an overall total weight of less than one half of a conventional jump cue stick and by elevating the handle end of the jump cue to an appropriate height, which is higher than if a conventional jump cue were used, and striking the cue ball at an appropriate angle with an appropriate amount of force enabling the player to facilitate the ball-jumping effect from a much closer distance to the blocking balls.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a cue stick member is disclosed. A stiffness characteristic Sf factor for a series of wood strips can be tested and determined. The wood strips that have matching stiffness characteristic factors Sf can be selected within a predetermined tolerance for laminating together.

Abstract: The present invention is a method, system and/or apparatus for achieving a level balance through the use of one or more fluids, solids and/or gases (identified herein as “liquidwick”), whether individually applied or applied in selected combination, or whether applied through phase-shifting combinations, the liquidwick being partially or fully placed in a closable container which is securely insertable into a cavity within an instrument desired to achieve balance (such as, for example, a pool stick or a golf club).

Abstract: A sports stick portion includes a pin secured to a stick portion. The pin can have a male threaded region for engaging a mating stick portion and a distal end. A collar can concentrically surround the male threaded region and the distal end of the pin.

Abstract: An improved billiard cue shaft is disclosed. The shaft includes a tapered and tubular shaft body made of a composite material such as carbon fiber/epoxy and may also include a plastic foam core. The thickness of the wall of the shaft body increases continuously along the length of the shaft from a low at the smaller front end to a high at the larger back end. The shaft, when correctly used to form the body, or a portion of the body of a billiard cue, will facilitate a more efficient transfer of energy to the cue ball.