US Patent:
20030096656, May 22, 2003
Inventors:
Jerrold Pechauer - Green Bay WI, US
Joseph Pechauer - Green Bay WI, US
International Classification:
A63D015/08
Abstract:
The present invention is a joint assembly that enables the rapid and precise self-alignment of two portions of a pool cue. The joint assembly comprises a bushing and a pin, one coupled to each of the two cue portions, the bushing and the pin coupling in the normal male-female fashion to connect the pool cue portions. The bushing has a closed base to prevent glue from leaking into the bushing when the bushing is fastened to a portion of the pool cue. The interior of the bushing comprises a threaded region proximate to the closed base with a tapered portion where the threaded region meets a smooth bore region, and an angled entrance region between the bore region and the opening of the bushing. The pin is fastened to another portion of the pool cue and comprises a threaded head portion to engage the threaded region of the bushing for coupling the pin to the bushing, a middle portion located between the head and tail portions, the middle portion having a smooth surface and a diameter approximately equal to an internal diameter of the bore region of the bushing, the middle portion aligning the pin with the bushing during coupling, and a truncated nose portion atop the head portion, the nose portion having a smooth surface and a slightly pointed tip, the nose, head and middle portions of the pin being of a length and size to enable a simultaneous contact between the nose of the pin and the tapered region of the bushing, and between the middle portion of the pin and the bore region of the bushing when the pin is inserted into the bushing in a usual male-female coupling to secure the first portion of the pool cue to the second portion of the pool cue.