Chalkless pool cue tip

Abstract

A pool cue tip comprises a generally cylindrical portion and a spherical cap portion that meets the generally cylindrical portion at a base. The base has a diameter that is less than a diameter of the generally cylindrical portion so that the generally cylindrical portion defines an annular lip. The pool cue tip can comprise a polymeric material. The polymeric material can have a tackiness that is greater without a layer of chalk than with a layer of chalk so that the pool cue tip can be used without chalk. A pool cue can comprise a pool cue tip including one or more of such aspects.

1 . A pool cue tip, comprising:
 a generally cylindrical portion having a first end, a second end, a diameter, an axis, and a first height; and   a spherical cap portion extending a second height from the second end of the generally cylindrical portion, wherein the spherical cap portion is axially centered about the axis of the generally cylindrical portion and meets the generally cylindrical portion at a base of the spherical cap portion,   wherein the base of the spherical cap portion has a diameter that is less than the diameter of the generally cylindrical portion so that the second end of the generally cylindrical portion defines a planar annular lip having a width that extends from the spherical cap portion to an edge of the generally cylindrical portion, wherein the planar annular lip is substantially parallel with the generally cylindrical portion and substantially perpendicular to axis of the generally cylindrical portion, and   wherein the generally cylindrical portion and the spherical cap portion are comprised of a single piece of polymeric material, and wherein the polymeric material has a shore A durometer hardness of 60.   
     
     
         2 . The pool cue tip of  claim 1 , wherein the planar annular lip is configured to improve contact between the pool cue tip and a pool ball. 
     
     
         3 . The pool cue tip of  claim 1 , wherein the planar annular lip is configured to provide contact between the pool cue tip and a pool ball upon the spherical cap portion losing contact with the pool ball. 
     
     
         4 . The pool cue tip of  claim 1 , wherein the width is greater than 0 millimeters and less than or equal to 2 millimeters. 
     
     
         5 . The pool cue tip of  claim 1 , wherein the planar annular lip comprises a major diameter and a minor diameter, wherein the width comprises the distance between the major diameter and the minor diameter, and wherein the spherical cap portion defines a spherical surface that extends along the minor diameter. 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The pool cue tip of  claim 1 , wherein the polymeric material comprises an aromatic polyether-based a thermoplastic polyurethane. 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . The pool cue tip of  claim 1 , wherein the polymeric material has a shore D durometer hardness of between 25 and 30. 
     
     
         10 . The pool cue tip of  claim 1 , wherein the polymeric material has a rebound resilience between 30% and 60% according to the ISO standard 4662. 
     
     
         11 . A pool cue, comprising:
 a shaft;   a ferrule coupled to the shaft at a first end; and   a cue tip coupled to an end of the ferrule opposite the shaft, the cue tip comprising:
 a generally cylindrical portion having a first end, a second end, a diameter, an axis, and a first height, and 
 a spherical cap portion extending a second height from the second end of the generally cylindrical portion, wherein the spherical cap portion is axially centered about the axis of the generally cylindrical portion and meets the generally cylindrical portion at a base of the spherical cap portion, 
 wherein the base has a diameter that is less than the diameter of the generally cylindrical portion so that the second end of the generally cylindrical portion defines a planar annular lip, having a major diameter and a minor diameter, wherein the planar annular lip is substantially parallel with the generally cylindrical portion and substantially perpendicular to axis of the generally cylindrical portion, and 
 wherein the generally cylindrical portion and the spherical cap portion are comprised of a single piece of polymeric material, and wherein the polymeric material has a shore A durometer hardness of 60. 
   
     
     
         12 . The pool cue of  claim 11 , wherein the planar annular lip is configured to improve contact between the pool cue tip and a pool ball. 
     
     
         13 . The pool cue of  claim 11 , wherein the planar annular lip is configured to provide contact between the pool cue tip and a pool ball upon the spherical cap portion losing contact with the pool ball. 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . The pool cue of  claim 11 , wherein the polymeric material has a shore D durometer hardness of between 25 and 30. 
     
     
         16 . The pool cue of  claim 11 , wherein the polymeric material has a rebound resilience of about 30% and 60% according to the ISO standard 4662. 
     
     
         17 . A shaft for a pool cue comprising a cue tip, the cue tip comprising:
 a generally cylindrical portion having a first end, a second end, a diameter, and an axis; and   a spherical cap portion extending a first height from the second end of the generally cylindrical portion, wherein the spherical cap portion is axially centered about the axis of the generally cylindrical portion and meets the generally cylindrical portion at a base of the spherical cap portion,   wherein the base of the spherical cap portion has a diameter that is less than the diameter of the generally cylindrical portion so that the second end of the generally cylindrical portion defines a planar annular lip having a width that extends from the spherical cap portion to an edge of the generally cylindrical portion, wherein the planar annular lip is substantially parallel with the generally cylindrical portion and substantially perpendicular to axis of the generally cylindrical portion, and   wherein the generally cylindrical portion and the spherical cap portion are comprised of a single piece of a polymeric material that has a sufficient tackiness to provide grip to a pool ball, and wherein the polymeric material has a shore A durometer hardness of 60.   
     
     
         18 . The shaft of  claim 17 , wherein the polymeric material comprises an aromatic polyether-based a thermoplastic polyurethane. 
     
     
         19 . The shaft of  claim 17 , wherein the base has the diameter that is less than the diameter of the generally cylindrical portion so that the second end of the generally cylindrical portion defines the planar annular lip, having a major diameter and a minor diameter that is configured to mitigate negative effects of a miscue. 
     
     
         20 . The shaft of  claim 17 , wherein the polymeric material comprises a tackiness that is greater without a chalk coating than a chalked leather tip. 
     
     
         21 . The shaft of  claim 17 , wherein the planar annular lip is configured to improve contact between the pool cue tip and a pool ball. 
     
     
         22 . The shaft of  claim 17 , wherein the planar annular lip is configured to provide contact between the pool cue tip and a pool ball upon the spherical cap portion losing contact with the pool ball.