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 length of the pool cue shaft at predetermined distances indicative of game parameters such as stroke lengths, bridge hand locations, or stroke speed indicator lengths. The icons are adapted to enable easy peripheral observation of pool cue stick motion, including 3-axis rotations, while shooting pool with the eyes focused on an object billiard ball. The icons may additionally indicate physical properties of the pool cue shaft. The icons may additionally have decorative or commercial uses. In some embodiments, an icon location may be adjustable between two or more predetermined distances.

1 ) A pool cue system including a pool cue shaft for training to improve the quality of pool shooting and for playing pool, the 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 along the length of 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 has a relationship to at least one stroke parameter.  
   
   
       3 ) The pool cue system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one predetermined distance further has a relationship to at least one pool cue shaft property.  
   
   
       4 ) The pool cue system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one predetermined distance further relates to at least one external factor.  
   
   
       5 ) 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.  
   
   
       6 ) 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.  
   
   
       7 ) 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.  
   
   
       8 ) The pool cue system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one icon comprises at least one sequence of discrete icons arranged longitudinally.  
   
   
       9 ) The pool cue system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one icon comprises at least one sequence of discrete icons arranged circumferentially.  
   
   
       10 ) The pool cue system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one icon comprises at least one trademark logo.  
   
   
       11 ) A pool cue shaft for improving the quality of pool shooting in practice and during competition, the 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 shaft comprising: 
 at least one icon appearing on the exterior surface of said pool cue shaft observable within a user's peripheral vision when the pool cue shaft is in use; and    at least one bridge length separating said at least one icon from the ferrule-receiving portion of said pool cue shaft.    
   
   
       12 ) The pool cue shaft of  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 at least one second icon; and    at least one stroke length separating said at least one icon from said at least one second icon.    
   
   
       13 ) The pool cue shaft of  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 at least one icon; and    at least one stroke length separating said at least one icon from said ferrule-receiving portion.    
   
   
       14 ) The pool cue shaft of  claim 11 , wherein said at least one icon and said at least one second icon further comprise at least one linear sequence of icons along a portion of the length of said pool cue shaft, wherein said at least one linear sequence of icons is configured to improve peripheral observation of stroke speed by a pool cue user.  
   
   
       15 ) The pool cue shaft of  claim 11 , wherein said at least one icon further comprises at least one trademark logo.  
   
   
       16 ) A pool cue shaft for improving pool shooting in practice and during competition, the pool cue shaft having a length, a longitudinal axis, 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 shaft comprising the combination of: 
 a plurality of icons on the pool cue shaft that are peripherally observable by a pool cue user during shot preparation and shooting;    at least one predetermined distance between at least one icon of said plurality of icons and said ferrule-receiving portion of the pool cue;    wherein said at least one predetermined distance represents at least one of at least one bridge hand location, at least one stroke length, and at least one stroke speed indicator length; and    wherein said plurality of icons is configured to improve peripheral observation of cue shaft horizontal alignment to a shot direction, cue shaft vertical alignment to a shot direction, and cue shaft rotation about said longitudinal axis.    
   
   
       17 ) The pool cue shaft according to  claim 16 , wherein at least one icon of said plurality of icons is located to indicate at least one physical property of said pool cue shaft.  
   
   
       18 ) The pool cue shaf according to  claim 17 , wherein said at least one physical property of said pool cue shaft comprises a spine, wherein said at least one icon of said plurality of icons is located to indicate said spine.  
   
   
       19 ) The pool cue shaft according to  claim 16 , wherein at least one icon of said plurality of icons comprises a trademark logo.  
   
   
       20 ) The pool cue shaft according to  claim 16 , further comprising projection means for projecting said at least one icon onto said exterior surface of said pool cue shaft.