Domed tip pads for cue sticks and cue sticks having same

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.

1 . A dome-seated tip pad having an arc segment value in the range of between about 15 and about 90 degrees. 
     
     
         2 . The dome-seated tip pad of  claim 1 , wherein the arc segment value is in the range of between about 20 and about 70 degrees. 
     
     
         3 . The dome-seated tip pad of  claim 1 , wherein the arc segment value is in the range of about 22 and about 52 degrees. 
     
     
         4 . The dome-seated tip pad of  claim 1  comprising one layer of leather. 
     
     
         5 . The dome-seated tip pad of  claim 1  comprising at least two layers of leather. 
     
     
         6 . A domed tip ferrule having an arc segment value in the range of between about 15 and about 90 degrees. 
     
     
         7 . The domed tip ferrule of  claim 6 , wherein the arc segment value is in the range of between about 20 and about 70 degrees. 
     
     
         8 . The domed tip ferrule of  claim 6 , wherein the arc segment value is in the range of about 22 and about 52 degrees. 
     
     
         9 . A combination of a dome-seated tip pad and a domed tip ferrule, wherein the dome-seated tip pad and the domed tip ferrule each has an arc segment value in the range of between about 15 and about 90 degrees and the dome-seated tip pad is attached to the domed tip ferrule. 
     
     
         10 . The combination of  claim 9 , wherein the arc segment value is in the range of between about 20 and 70 degrees. 
     
     
         11 . The combination of  claim 1 , wherein the arc segment value is in the range of between about 22 and 52 degrees. 
     
     
         12 . The combination of  claim 9 , wherein the domed tip ferrule comprises:
 a) a tip ferrule having an outer radial periphery and opposing first and second ends, the first end being adapted to attach to a cue shaft, and the second end having a conical surface terminating on the outer radial periphery of the tip ferrule; and   b) a domed tip pad holder having a cylindrical outer surface and opposing first and second ends, the first end having a conical surface terminating at the cylindrical outer surface, and the second end being attached to the dome-seated tip pad;   wherein the tip assembly may be assembled for use by removably seating the conical surface of the first end of the domed tip pad holder upon the conical surface of the second end of the tip ferrule.   
     
     
         13 . A cue stick comprising:
 a) a striking end; and   b) a combination of a dome-seated tip pad and a domed tip ferrule;   wherein the dome-seated tip pad and the domed tip ferrule each has an arc segment value in the range of between about 15 and about 90 degrees and the dome-seated tip pad is attached to the domed tip ferrule and the combination is attached to the striking end of the cue stick.   
     
     
         14 . The cue stick of  claim 13 , wherein the arc segment value is in the range of between about 20 and about 70 degrees. 
     
     
         15 . The cue stick of  claim 13 , wherein the arc segment value is in the range of between about 22 and about 52 degrees. 
     
     
         16 . The cue stick of  claim 13 , wherein the domed tip ferrule comprises:
 i) a tip ferrule having an outer radial periphery and opposing first and second ends, the first end being adapted to attach to the cue shaft, and the second end having a conical surface terminating on the outer radial periphery of the tip ferrule; and   ii) a domed tip pad holder having a cylindrical outer surface and opposing first and second ends, the first end having a conical surface terminating at the outer cylindrical surface, and the second surface being attached to the dome-seated tip pad;   wherein said tip assembly may be assembled for use by removably seating the conical surface of the first end of the domed tip pad holder upon the conical surface of the second end of the tip ferrule.   
     
     
         17 . The cue stick of  claim 16 , wherein the arc segment value is in the range of between about 20 and about 70 degrees. 
     
     
         18 . The cue stick of  claim 16 , wherein the arc segment value is in the range of between about 22 and about 52 degrees. 
     
     
         19 . The cue stick of  claim 16 , further comprising a shaft ferrule, wherein the tip ferrule is attached to the cue shaft by means of the shaft ferrule. 
     
     
         20 . The cue stick of  claim 19 , wherein the arc segment value is in the range of between about 20 and about 70 degrees. 
     
     
         21 . The cue stick of  claim 19 , wherein the arc segment value is in the range of between about 22 and about 52 degrees.