Abstract: The disclosed invention relates an improved laterally reinforced billiard cue tip. One or more lateral reinforcing layers, internal or external to the tip, may be provided to limit lateral expansion of the tip and provide a tip that has the playing characteristics of both hard, and soft, traditional tips, as well as improved shape and playing characteristics.

Abstract: The fencing sword comprises a handle, a guard, and a short shaft in place of the blade. Weights may be added/removed from the shaft to adjust the weight of the fencing sword. The weights can additionally be added/removed from other fencing swords having different handle designs from other forms of fencing. In some embodiments, a laser pointer is mounted to or near the shaft. The laser may register on a target mimicking scoring a touch in a bout and can be used to train a user's accuracy.

Abstract: A handle weighted bat according to various embodiments can include an elongated barrel portion. A handle weighted portion is included such that the largest concentration of mass is provided in the handle portion and for positioning the center of gravity within the handle portion of the bat. The handle weighted portion is configured as a one-piece, solid body construction that forms an integral knob and rod portion.

Abstract: Strap systems for securing feet into articles of footwear or other foot-receiving devices include one or more strap members formed or engaged together in a continuous path along an upper for an article of footwear or other foot-receiving device. One or more structures for applying a force to the strap member(s) is provided so as to shorten a length of the continuous path and thereby apply tension to the strap member(s). Such strap systems can be arranged so that the strap tightens during plantar flexion or dorsiflexion. Additional aspects of this invention relate to bootie members for supporting such strap systems, upper members or bootie members including such strap systems, and articles of footwear and other foot-receiving devices including such strap systems.

Abstract: An improved ferrule for Cue/Billiard sticks. The Tungsten Carbide Ferrule is a cylindrical metal body with an interior bore through the entire length. The Tungsten Carbide Ferrule is attached to the shaft of the Cue/Billiard stick by means of a tenon formed on the shaft. This will allow the ferrule to tightly engage the shaft of the cue and is secured by typical means of attachment, normally glue or epoxy. The tenon is extended to the end of the ferrule. A tip of leather or other material can then be attached using normal gluing methods.

Abstract: A system for promoting physical activity for video game players. A video game player wears an article of footwear with a physical activity monitor or “game pod” mounted thereon while exercising or performing some other type of physical activity. The game pod measures the amount of the player's physical activity, and records that amount in a memory. When the player desires to play a video game according to the invention, the player disengages at least the memory from the article of footwear, and then engages the memory with the computer hosting the video game through a computer interface. The computer then obtains the recorded amount of physical activity, and provides a computer function associated with the recorded amount of physical activity.

Abstract: An improved one or more piece Pool/Billiard Cue/Shaft including those with a butt shaft and a proximal and a distal end utilizing a metal ferrule. The ferrule is a cylindrical metal body with an interior bore through the entire length. The ferrule can be of any metal material but specifically polished Stainless Steel. The ferrule is attached to the shaft of the Pool/Billiard cue by means of a tenon formed on the shaft. This will allow the ferrule to tightly engage the shaft of the cue and is secured by typical means of attachment, normally glue or epoxy. The tenon is extended to the end of the ferrule. A tip of leather or other material can then be attached using normal gluing methods.

Abstract: A billiard cue has a changeable cue tip/ferrule assembly wherein the ferrule has a conical projection fitting snugly into a congruent receptacle in a fixed tenon of the cue. Vibration of the ferrule is limited by being locked to the rigid cue. The configuration is also useful in establishing a concurrent center line of the cue stick and changeable cue tip assembly. The ferrule's cone has a hollow surface whose axis is aligned with the ferrule's longitudinal axis. The invention teaches that the cue, with the ferrule attached, may now be rotated in a lathe with the ferrule's cone's hollow surface mating with a live center in the lathe tailstock. Thus the final tapering and finishing of the cue stick shaft is accomplished in the lathe with the axis of the ferrule's cone defining the cue stick/changeable cue tip mutual centerline.

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: Dome-seated tip pads and domed tip ferrules for cue sticks obviate the conventional problem of strike-location pad thickness variability. These items have arc segments in the range of between about 15 and about 90 degrees. These items may be provided in the form of a cue tip assembly that permits the easy replacement of the domed-seated tip pad. Such cue tip assemblies include a domed tip pad holder having a conical surface which seats upon a mating conical surface of a tip ferrule. Cue sticks having the dome-seated tip pads are also disclosed.

Abstract: A leather billiard cue tip has an insert embedded in the surface of the cue tip having a higher coefficient of friction relative to the cue ball than that of the leather tip itself. The insert has a mechanical compliance compatible with that of the leather tip, and is contoured to form a continuous smooth surface at the apex of the leather tip. The leather tip has a hardness that is not less than, i.e., that is equal to or greater than, the hardness of the insert. The composite of leather and insert provide a cue tip having enhanced friction when contacting the cue ball, diminishing sliding between the cue tip and cue ball during an off center billiard shot that significantly reduces the risk of miscuing while optimum hardness of the leather tip insures substantial maintenance of the structural geometry of the tip during and after a billiard shot.

Abstract: A cue stick tip tool includes a shaper that can contour the tip to a nickel or dime radius by using an abrasive formed within a hollow shaper body. Also included is a ferrule guide surface leading to abrasive material usable to trim a side of the cue tip while holding the ferrule clear of the abrasive material to avoid scuffing the ferrule. Another included tool has a concave cylindrical grid of upstanding pointed spikes that can be rolled over the cue tip to make a pattern of chalk holding indentations in the cue tip. The tool package preferably also includes a conical recess for burnishing a side of the cue tip, arcs to measure nickel and dime radii of the cue tip, and a container holding a chalk block and talcum powder—all arranged to be carried on a belt clip.

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 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: 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 conical surface that seats upon a mating conical surface of the tip ferrule. Various means of connecting the tip pad holder and 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: An improved billiard cue construction includes a cue tip mounted on a cue tip stabilizer. The stabilizer is constructed with a convex mounting surface that can provide support to the tip and reduces the tendency of the cue tip to deform during use. The stabilizer may be integral with the billiard shaft or separately attached.

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 billiard cue includes a shaft, a ferrule engaged with the shaft and a tip mounted on the ferrule. The shaft includes a tenon defining an outward annular shoulder. The ferrule includes an opened end, an opposed closed end and an interior bore. The bore has a front portion and a rear portion. The diameter of the front portion is larger than that of the rear portion to define an inward annular shoulder therebetween. The tenon of the shaft is received in the front portion of the bore in such a way that the top surface of the tenon snugly leans against the inward annular shoulder, the end surface of the opened end of the ferrule is snugly seated against the outward annular shoulder of the shaft, and a buffer space is defined by the rear portion of the bore of the ferrule.

Abstract: A cue stick for use in the game of billiards having a one-piece ferrule-tip. The cue stick does not employ a conventional wood cue tip but rather has a modified ferrule-tip which serves as a resilient tip for striking a cue ball. The cue stick of the present invention has one embodiment for causing a struck cue ball to be jumped over an obstructing ball by elevating the handle of the cue stick to an appropriate height, which is lower than if a conventional cue stick were used, and striking the cue ball at an appropriate angle with an appropriate amount of force, which is less than if a conventional cue stick were used. The cue stick having a ferrule-tip of the present invention thus enables the player to strike a cue ball with a lower elevated angle and less force than with a conventional cue stick having a conventional tip, thereby facilitating the ball-jumping effect.

Abstract: An improved ferrule of a billiard/pool cue includes a generally cylindrical body with an open end and an opposed closed end. An interior bore is formed in the body and extends inward from the open end of the body for a predetermined distance toward the closed end of the body. An isolated hollow room is formed in the body and located between the inner end of the bore and the closed end of the body. The ferrule is attached to a shaft of a billiard/pool cue by means of a tenon formed on the shaft. Whereby the ferrule can tightly engage with the shaft of the cue and in the same time absorb the impact forces generated during the impact of the cue on a ball.

Abstract: An improved ferrule of a billiard/pool cue includes a generally cylindrical body with an open end and an opposed closed end. An interior bore is formed in the body and extends inward from the open end of the body for a predetermined distance toward the closed end of the body. An isolated hollow room is formed in the body and located between the inner end of the bore and the closed end of the body. The ferrule is attached to a shaft of a billiard/pool cue by means of a tenon formed on the shaft. Whereby the ferrule can tightly engage with the shaft of the cue and in the same time absorb the impact forces generated during the impact of the cue on a ball.

Abstract: A slip-on ferrule assembly for billiard cues includes a ferrule having a side wall and an end wall. The side wall has an outer surface and an inner surface. The end wall has an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surfaces of the side wall and the end wall define a chamber in the ferrule. A tip is mounted on the outer surface of the end wall of the ferrule. A tenon is provided on one end of a conventional cue and inserted into the chamber of the ferrule. Means for tightly securing the ferrule to the tenon is fitted between the ferrule and the tenon.

Abstract: A cue stick for use in the game of billiards having a one-piece ferrule-tip. The cue stick does not employ a conventional wood cue tip but rather has a modified ferrule-tip which serves as a resilient tip for striking a cue ball. The cue stick of the present invention has one embodiment for causing a struck cue ball to be jumped over an obstructing ball by elevating the handle of the cue stick to an appropriate height, which is lower than if a conventional cue stick were used, and striking the cue ball at an appropriate angle with an appropriate amount of force, which is less than if a conventional cue stick were used. The cue stick having a ferrule-tip of the present invention thus enables the player to strike a cue ball with a lower elevated angle and less force than with a conventional cue stick having a conventional tip, thereby facilitating the ball-jumping effect.

Abstract: A removable billiard cue tip that can be placed on the end of a conventional billiard cue and subsequently removed easily. The removable tip includes a body having a frustoconical outer surface and a chamber therein as defined by an inner sidewall and an endwall with a soft cushion. An o-ring is mounted in a groove in the inner sidewall, and seats against the outer surface of the conventional cue tip when the removable tip is mounted in place.

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: A removable billiard cue tip that can be placed on the end of a conventional billiard cue and subsequently removed easily. The removable tip includes a body having a frustoconical outer surface and a chamber therein as defined by an inner sidewall and an endwall with a soft cushion. An o-ring is mounted in a groove in the inner sidewall, and seats against the outer surface of the conventional cue tip when the removable tip is mounted in place.

Abstract: The invention provides a system associated with the games of pool and billiards for the recovery of a chalk cube from a position of repose on any of the rails that define a pool-playing surface or other surfaces in the playing environment. The system or combination broadly comprises a chalk cube fabricated with a material of a first kind such as a paramagnetic material that is subject to engagement and retention with a material of a second kind such as a permanent magnet material incorporated near the tip end of a cue. The player using the cue of this invention can reach a chalk cube constructed in accordance with this invention and engage and retain the cube against a portion of the cue in the proximity of the tip end for recovery and use in the course of play.

Abstract: A pool cue tip repair apparatus comprises a cue clamp including a pair of opposing jaws having mating recesses defining a passage adapted to grip a pool cue stick, and a clamping device adapted to apply the jaws to the pool cue stick; and a tip clamp member detachably mountable on the cue clamp and having an operating screw axially oriented so as to be generally parallel with a longitudinal axis of the passage.

Abstract: A cue tip mounting system. A system for releasably securing a leather cue tip to a cue stick is provided. The system provides a tip mount for permanent mounting in the distal end of a cue stick. The tip mount has a threaded shaft extending outward along central axis for releasable threaded engagement with interior threads provided in a detachable mounting ferrule. The mounting ferrule has, at the tip end thereof, a centrally located nipple with flat distal surface for providing a centering force on a leather tip which is adhesively bonded to the tip end of the mounting ferrule. The tip is provided with a nipple accepting cup adapted to receiving the centering nipple protruding from the in the mounting ferrule. Preferably, the tip mount is provided in brass, and the ferrule in brass or aluminum, for absorbing shock.

Abstract: A cue stick for use in the game of billiards having a one-piece ferrule-tip. The cue stick does not employ a conventional wood cue tip but rather has a modified ferrule-tip which serves as a resilient tip for striking a cue ball. The cue stick of the present invention has one embodiment for causing a struck cue ball to be jumped over an obstructing ball by elevating the handle of the cue stick to an appropriate height, which is lower than if a conventional cue stick were used, and striking the cue ball at an appropriate angle with an appropriate amount of force, which is less than if a conventional cue stick were used. The cue stick having a ferrule-tip of the present invention thus enables the player to strike a cue ball with a lower elevated angle and less force than with a conventional cue stick having a conventional tip, thereby facilitating the ball-jumping effect.

Abstract: A pool cue tip sharpening device includes a cue tip dimpler within a block. The tip dimpler includes a recess having a dimpling wheel rotatably mounted on a first axis. The dimpling wheel has protrusions. The device also includes a tip shaper, wherein the tip shaper includes a concave recess within the block. A cue tip trimmer/burnisher is also within the block.

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: A cue tip mounting system. A system for releasably securing a leather cue tip to a cue stick is provided. The system provides a tip mount for permanent mounting in the distal end of a cue stick. The tip mount has a threaded shaft extending outward along central axis for releasable threaded engagement with interior threads provided in a detachable mounting ferrule. The mounting ferrule has, at the tip end thereof, a centrally located nipple with flat distal surface for providing a centering force on a leather tip which is adhesively bonded to the tip end of the mounting ferrule. The tip is provided with a nipple accepting cup adapted to receiving the centering nipple protruding from the in the mounting ferrule. Preferably, the tip mount is provided in brass, and the ferrule in brass or aluminum, for absorbing shock.

Abstract: A jump tip apparatus for pool cues having a ferrule end for releasable securement to the tip end of a pool cue in longitudinal alignment with the pool cue, and a resilient striking end in longitudinal alignement with the ferrule end. The resilient striking end having an annular ring on the striking end, with a concave depression extending within the annular ring. The striking end of the jump tip apparatus having a tapered angular profile extending exteriorily from the annular ring towards the ferrule end. The ferrule end of the jump tip apparatus may have external or internal threads sized to threadably engage existing threads on the tip end of the pool cue. Alternately, the ferrule end may be rigid or resilient, with an internal aperture sized to receive the tip end of the pool cue therein.

Abstract: A ferrule mounted on one end of a billiard/pool cue shaft has greater compressibility than the compressibility of the shaft to compress on impact of a tip mounted on the ferrule with a ball to absorb a portion of impact forces and to provide easy outward flexure with minimal buckling of the end of the shaft during impact. A bore extends a predetermined distance from the one end of the shaft toward a butt end of the shaft. The bore in the shaft communicates with a bore in the ferrule when the ferrule is mounted on the shaft. The ferrule is mounted on the shaft by means of a tenon formed on one end of the shaft or on the ferrule, which tenon tightly engages the other of the ferrule or shaft. The tip has a smaller than conventional radius to centralize impact forces toward the line of stroke extending along the longitudinal axis of the shaft.

Abstract: The english and trajectory assistant is a device to aid a player of ball and pocket games to properly strike his primary target ball, resulting in a favorable shot. The device is an attachment which can be fastened to any existing playing stick. The assistant simultaneously projects cross hairs onto the primary and secondary target balls without moving the stick from the shooting position. The device is easily removed and replaced with a traditional stick end. The tip is easily replaced by being unscrewed. Shape, balance, and weight of the stick are not altered.

Abstract: A cue tip is provided from a polyurethane elastomer having a hardness between Shore A 60 to Shore D 50. The cue tip has a hemispherically shaped striking surface having a diameter of between 7.0 and 15 millimeters and exhibiting a high coefficient of friction with billiard balls in an unchalked condition.

Abstract: A net support structure is disclosed which provides for easy assembly and disassembly at any location for enabling games such as tennis and volleyball to be played as well as providing a rebound net or safety net for use in other sporting games or for the practice of sporting games. The net support structure includes a plurality of modules (12, 22, 24 and 26) which are joined together by an elastic cord (50) or springs (100) and which when connected together tension the modules to form a net support structure and which can be collapsed by disconnecting the modules and allowing the modules to be folded whilst at the same time keeping the modules joined by the tensioning means. Elbows (30) are provided which form corners and which are permanently or releasably joined by the cord (50). If releasably joined the elbows (30) can be repositioned to alter the configuration of the net support structure.

Abstract: A ferrule mounted on one end of a billiard/pool cue shaft has greater compressibility than the compressibility of the shaft to compress on impact of a tip mounted on the ferrule with a ball to absorb a portion of impact forces and to provide easy outward flexure with minimal buckling of the end of the shaft during impact. A bore extends a predetermined distance from the one end of the shaft toward a butt end of the shaft. The bore in the shaft communicates with a bore in the ferrule when the ferrule is mounted on the shaft. The ferrule is mounted on the shaft by means of a tenon formed on one end of the shaft or on the ferrule, which tenon tightly engages the other of the ferrule or shaft. The tip has a smaller than conventional radius to centralize impact forces toward the line of stroke extending along the longitudinal axis of the shaft.

Abstract: A billiard cue 10 comprises a handle section 12 and a cue tip section 14. This cue tip assembly comprises a ferrule 30, a cue tip insert 40 and a cue tip pad 50. The ferrule 30 and the tip 18 of the billiard cue are cooperatively constructed so that the ferrule 30 fits over and around the outer-most part 20 of the cue tip 18 and seats on an annular land 22 at the base of part 20. The cue tip insert 40 and the ferrule 30 are cooperatively constructed so that insert 40 can be releasably joined to ferrule 30. In this combination of the cue tip assembly 14 and the billiard cue shaft 13, a variety of cue tip pads can be alternately attached to the same shaft 13 (each unique in diameter and/or hardness so as to reduce or enhance cue ball deflection) simply by substituting one insert 40 for another.

Abstract: The invention is an improved pool cue with a spring loaded tip is mounted in a hollowed out portion at the front of the cue or stick and is freely movable forward and backward within the confines of the hollowed out portion. A spring biases the tip to the back of the hollowed out portion and allows for the tip to be compressed at the moment of striking the ball. The area where the spring is mounted is encased in silicone for further compressibility.