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Cue stick supportRelated Patent Categories: Games Using Tangible Projectile, Billiards Or Pool, Practice Device Or Device To Aid In Aiming Cue Or Cue Ball During Shots (e.g., To Assist In Bank Shots, Etc.)Cue stick support description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070219005, Cue stick support. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] The invention relates generally to a training device for use in the games of billiards, pool and the like. The invention is particularly useful for aiding children and other inexperienced players in the development of billiard skills. The invention assists players in learning billiards while also protecting billiard tables from damage commonly caused by inexperienced players. [0002] Billiards is a popular activity that generally encompasses a variety of games played on an oblong table with a plurality of small balls. Players can score by causing a cue ball to strike in succession two object balls, or by driving balls into one of six pockets. Billiard tables generally have a size of 44 inches by 88 inches or larger. As such, it can be particularly difficult for children when beginning to play billiards. Often a child attempting to strike the cue ball with a cue stick is unable to properly stabilize the stick resulting in the front end of the cue stick being driven into the surface of the table when the child attempts a shot. This causes damage to the billiard table, which can be an expensive item. Accordingly, there is a need for a device to overcome the aforementioned problems. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0003] Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a cue holder that can assist a billiard player by stabilizing the cue stick. [0004] It is another object of the invention to provide a cue holder that helps prevent damage to the billiard table by preventing players from accidentally striking the surface of the table with the tip-end of the cue stick. [0005] It is yet another object of the invention to provide a cue holder that can slide on the surface of a billiard table without damaging the table. [0006] It is yet another object of the invention to provide a cue holder having the general appearance of a billiard ball. [0007] These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in the preferred embodiments disclosed below by providing a cue holder including a billiard-size ball having an opening extending therethrough and sized to receive a tip-end portion of a cue stick. The ball supports the cue stick in spaced apart relation to a billiard table surface, and the ball can slide on the billiard table surface in unison movement with the cue stick. The cue holder helps prevent damage to the billiard table surface. [0008] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the opening is a bore, and retention means cooperate with the ball and cue stick to retain the ball at a predetermined position on the cue stick. [0009] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the ball has a diameter in the range of 4.5 to 5.5 centimeters. [0010] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the opening is a bore defined by an interior surface of the ball, and retention means cooperate with the ball and cue stick to releasably retain the ball at a predetermined position on the cue stick. The retention means include a lining covering the interior surface of the ball. [0011] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the lining includes an elastomeric material. [0012] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the lining includes one or more materials selected from the group consisting of foam rubber and foam plastic. [0013] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the lining includes molded rubber. [0014] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the bore is tapered to conform to the tapered shape of the cue stick. [0015] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the bore has an entrance end and an exit end, and the diameter at each of the ends is less than the diameter at a point between each of the ends such that the lining is not in complete frictional engagement with the stick. [0016] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the cue holder includes first and second attachment members positioned at opposite ends of the ball for maintaining the ball at a predetermined position on the cue stick. [0017] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the first and second attachment members include a pair of washers. [0018] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the opening includes a bore defined by an interior surface of the ball, and a compressible foam layer is positioned on the interior surface for frictionally engaging the cue stick such that the ball is releasably maintained at a predetermined position on the cue stick. [0019] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, a method for equipping a billiard cue stick for training play includes the steps of providing a billiard size ball, and forming a bore in the ball defined by an inner surface of the ball. A cue stick is positioned within the bore such that the ball is positioned at a desired location on the cue stick, and supports the cue stick in spaced-apart relation to a billiard table surface. The ball is retained at the desired location on the cue stick so that the ball can slide on the billiard table surface in unison movement with the cue stick. [0020] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the inner surface of the ball defining the bore is covered with a compressible foam layer. [0021] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, a first compressible foam washer is positioned in the entrance end of the opening and a second compressible foam washer is positioned in the exit end. Each of the washers has a hole for receiving the cue stick so that the first and second foam washers frictionally engage the cue stick. [0022] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, a method of making a cue holder includes the steps of providing a billiard sized ball, and forming an opening in the ball. A compressible foam layer is positioned within the opening, and a hole is formed within the compressible foam layer sized to receive a cue stick so that the ball can support the cue stick in spaced apart relation to billiard table surface. Continue reading about Cue stick support... Full patent description for Cue stick support Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Cue stick support patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Cue stick support or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Method and system of positionable covers for water amusement parks Next Patent Application: Dual-function table Industry Class: Games using tangible projectile ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Cue stick support patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.33353 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Medical: Surgery , Surgery(2) , Surgery(3) , Drug , Drug(2) , Prosthesis , Dentistry 174 |
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