Pool cue systems

Abstract

Pool cue systems are disclosed which include at least one graphical icon on the pool cue shaft adapted to be observed with 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 such as stroke lengths. 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. An icon location may be adjustable. Methods of use, making, and doing business are integral to the pool cue systems.

1 . A pool cue system including at least one pool cue shaft having a length, an exterior surface, a tip end, a distal end, and a ferrule-receiving portion of the pool cue shaft proximate the tip end, said pool cue system comprising: 
 at least one icon appearing on the exterior surface of the pool cue shaft observable within a user's peripheral vision when the pool cue shaft is in use,    wherein said at least one icon is located at least one predetermined distance axially along the pool cue shaft from the ferrule-receiving portion of said pool cue shaft; and    said at least one predetermined distance has a relationship to at least one game parameter.    
   
   
       2 . The pool cue system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one predetermined distance further relates to at least one pool cue shaft property.  
   
   
       3 . The pool cue system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one predetermined distance further relates to at least one external factor.  
   
   
       4 . The pool cue system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one icon comprises two icons and said at least one predetermined distance comprises two distinct predetermined distances providing a distance between at least part of each icon of said two icons.  
   
   
       5 . The pool cue system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one icon comprises at least one icon disposed circumferentially about said pool cue shaft.  
   
   
       6 . The pool cue system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one icon comprises at least one feature of at least one larger iconic design.  
   
   
       7 .  
   
   
       8 . The pool cue system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one icon comprises at least one trademark logo.  
   
   
       9 . The pool cue system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one game parameter is related to at least one stroke parameter.  
   
   
       10 . The pool cue system of  claim 1 , wherein the pool cue shaft is integral to a pool cue stick.  
   
   
       11 . A pool cue system including at least one method of using at least one pool cue stick having at least one icon appearing on the surface of a pool cue shaft of the at least one pool cue stick, wherein the at least one icon is located at least one pool cue stick and wherein the atleast one predetermined distance is related to at least one game parameter, the method of use comprising the steps of: 
 a) establishing a line of sight from a cue ball to an object ball;    b) aiming a pool shot, and    c) observing with peripheral vision the at least one icon having a predetermined distance related to a game parameter while stroking the pool cue shot.    
   
   
       12 . The pool cue system according to  claim 11 , further comprising the step of observing the at least one icon with peripheral vision while making preparatory motions with the at least one pool cue stick.  
   
   
       13 . The pool cue system according to  claim 12 , wherein the at least one icon comprises at least two icons and the step of observing the at least one icon comprises the step of observing motion of the at least two icons relative to the established line of sight to the object ball.  
   
   
       14 . The pool cue system according to  claim 11 , wherein the step of observing the at least one icon comprises the step of observing at least one pool cue stick motion.  
   
   
       15 . A pool cue system including at least one method of doing buisiness with at least one pool cue stick having at least one icon appearing on the surface of a pool cue shaft of said at least one pool cue stick, wherein the at least one icon is located at least one predetermined distance from a ferrule-receiving portion of the at least one pool cue stick and wherein the at least one predetermined distance is related to at least one game parameter, the method of doing business comprising the steps of: 
 using at least one trademark logo for the at least one icon having a predetrmined distance related to a game parameter; and    displaying said at least one trademark logo during a game of pool.    
   
   
       16 . The pool cue system according to  claim 14 , wherein the step of displaying said at least one trademark during a game of pool comprises displaying said trademark logo to a television camera.  
   
   
       17 . A pool cue system including a method of forming at least one pool cue stick having at least one icon appearing on an exterior surface of a pool cue shaft of said at least one pool cue stick, wherein the at least one icon is located at least one predetermined distance from a ferrule-receiving portion of the at least one pool cue stick and wherein the at least one predetrmined distance is related to at least one game parameter, the method of forming comprising the steps of: 
 providing a pool cue shaft;    providing at least one icon;    causing said at least one icon to appear on the surface of the pool cue shaft at an axial location related to at least one game parameter.    
   
   
       18 . The pool cue system according to  claim 17 , wherein the step of causing said at least one icon to appear on the surface of the pool cue craft comprises the steps of: 
 providing at least one material adapted to form an icon to the at least one pool cue shaft.    
   
   
       19 . The pool cue system according to  claim 18 , wherein the step of fixing comprises the step of building in said material during construction of the pool cue shaft.  
   
   
       20 . The pool cue system according to  claim 17 , wherein the step of causing said at least one icon to appear on the surface of the pool cue shaft comprises the steps of: 
 a) providing at least one image projection apparatus adapted to project at least one image of at least one icon; and    b) projecting the at least one image of te at least one icon to the surfacce of the at least one pool cue shaft.    
   
   
       21 . The pool cue system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one ferrule, wherein at least one portion of said at least one icon appears on the surface of said at least one ferrule.  
   
   
       22 . A pool cue system including at least one pool cue shaft having a length, an exterior surface, a tip end, a distal end, and a ferrule-receiving portion of the pool cue shaft proximate the tip end, said pool cue system comprising: 
 at least one icon appearing on the exterior surface of the pool cue shaft observable within a user's peripheral vision when the pool cue shaft is in use,    wherein said at least one icon is located at least one predetermined distance axially along the pool cue shaft from the ferrule-receiving portion of said pool cue shaft; and    said at least one predetermined distance is predetermined to have a relationship to at least one of stroke length, stroke speed, and bridge hand location.    
   
   
       23 . The pool cue system of  claim 22 , wherein said at least one icon comprises at least one feature of at least one larger iconic design.  
   
   
       24 . The pool cue system of  claim 22 , wherein said at least one icon comprises at least one icon disposed circumferentially about said pool cue shaft.  
   
   
       25 . The pool cue system of  claim 22 , wherein said at least one predetermined distance further relates to at least one pool cue shaft property.  
   
   
       26 . The pool cue system of  claim 22 , wherein said at least one icon comprises at least one trademark logo.  
   
   
       27 . A pool cue system including at least one pool cue shaft having a length, an exterior surface, a tip end, a distal end, and a ferrule-receiving portion of the pool cue shaft proximate the tip end, said pool cue system comprising: 
 at least one icon inlaid in the exterior surface of the pool cue shaft observable within a user's peripheral vision when the pool cue shaft is in use,    wherein said at least one icon is located at least one predetermined distance axially along the pool cue shaft from the ferrule-receiving portion of said pool cue shaft; and    said at least one predetermined distance is predetermined in relationship to at least one of stroke length, stroke speed, and bridge hand location prior to inlaying said at least one icon.    
   
   
       28 . The pool cue system of  claim 27 , wherein said at least one icon comprises at least one feature of at least one larger iconic design.  
   
   
       29 . The pool cue system of  claim 27 , wherein said at least one icon comprises at least one icon disposed circumferentially about said pool cue shaft.  
   
   
       30 . The pool cue system of  claim 27 , wherein said at least one predetermined distance further relates to at least one pool cue shaft property.  
   
   
       31 . The pool cue system of  claim 27 , wherein said at least one icon comprises at least one trademark logo.  
   
   
       32 . The pool cue system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one predetermined distance comprises one predetermined distance of ten inches and further wherein said one predetermined distance further defines a bridge hand location.