Cue tip installation apparatus

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6363595
  • Patent Number
    6,363,595
  • Date Filed
    Saturday, July 24, 1999
    26 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, April 2, 2002
    23 years ago
  • Inventors
  • Examiners
    • Watson; Robert C.
Abstract
A cue tip installation apparatus is provided comprising a clamp frame having a top portion that includes a threaded screw ram reception channel, and another portion that includes a pair of clamp wings. A cue reception channel is located between the clamp wings and is in alignment with the screw ram reception channel. A screw ram is received in the screw ram reception channel. More specifically, the screw ram includes a threaded screw shaft that is received in the screw ram reception channel. A handle is connected to one end of the screw shaft for driving the screw shaft, and a tip compression head is attached to another end of the screw shaft. The clamp wings include threaded clamp screw reception channels and at least one threaded clamp screw causing the clamp wings to laterally engage the tip of a pool cue and facilitate installation of cue tips onto the end the pool cue stick by operation of the screw ram.
Description




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




1. Field of the Invention




The present invention relates generally to the field of the games of pool and billiards and, more particularly, to cue sticks used in pool and billiards.




2. Description of the Prior Art




When a cue stick has been in use for a period of time, it is often desirable or necessary to replace the tip of the cue stick. In a conventional approach to replacing a cue tip, a two-piece tool set is often employed which employs slide compression on the front end of the cue stick shaft. Employing such slide compression can damage or remove finish or scar the shaft of the cue stick. In this respect, it would be desirable if a device were provided that does not employ slide compression for installing a cue tip onto a cue stick.




Still other features would be desirable in a cue tip installation apparatus. For example, it would be desirable if a single cue tip installation apparatus could be provided that can be employed for installing different size and different weight cue tips. In addition, to ensure accurate placement of a cue tip onto a cue stick, it would be desirable if a cue tip installation apparatus were provided that maintained installation components in proper alignment during the installation process.




If desired, to stabilize a cue tip installation apparatus, it would be desirable if the cue tip installation apparatus could be attached to a stable support and could be used during attachment to the stable support.




Thus, while the foregoing indicates it to be well known to use a device for attaching a cue tip to a cue stick, the foregoing does not teach or suggest a cue tip installation apparatus which has the following combination of desirable features: (1) does not employ slide compression for installing a cue tip onto a cue stick; (2) can be employed for installing different size and different weight cue tips; (3) maintains installation components in proper alignment during the installation process; (4) can be attached to a stable support and can be used during attachment to the stable support; and (5) achieves a compact lightweight apparatus facilitating easy removal of a pool cue after tip installation.




The foregoing desired characteristics are provided by the unique cue tip installation apparatus of the present invention as will be made apparent from the following description thereof. Other advantages of the present invention over the prior art also will be rendered evident




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




To achieve the foregoing and other advantages, the present invention, briefly described, provides a cue tip installation apparatus which comprises a clamp frame having a top portion that includes a threaded screw ram reception channel, and another portion that includes a pair of clamp wings. A cue reception channel is located between the clamp wings and is in alignment with the screw ram reception channel. A screw ram is received in the screw ram reception channel. More specifically, the screw ram includes a threaded screw shaft that is received in the screw ram reception channel. A handle is connected to one end of the screw shaft for driving the screw shaft, and a tip compression head is attached to another end of the screw shaft. The clamp wings include threaded clamp screw reception channels and at least one threaded clamp screw causing the clamp wings to laterally engage the tip of a pool cue and facilitate installation of cue tips onto the end the pool cue stick by operation of the screw ram.




The above brief description sets forth rather broadly the more important features of the present invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contributions to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will be for the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.




In this respect, before explaining a preferred embodiment of the invention in detail, it is understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood, that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.




As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for designing other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.




It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved cue tip installation apparatus which has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.




It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved cue tip installation apparatus which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.




It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved cue tip installation apparatus which is of durable and reliable construction.




An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved cue tip installation apparatus which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such cue tip installation apparatus available to the buying public.




Still yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved cue tip installation apparatus which does not employ slide compression for installing a cue tip onto a cue stick.




Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved cue tip installation apparatus that can be employed for installing different size and different weight cue tips.




Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved cue tip installation apparatus which maintains installation components in proper alignment during the installation process.




Even another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved cue tip installation apparatus that can be attached to a stable support and can be used during attachment to the stable support.




Yet another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved cue tip installation apparatus that is compact and lightweight and facilitates easy removal of a pool cue after tip installation.




These together with still other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS




The invention will be better understood and the above objects as well as objects other than those set forth above will become more apparent after a study of the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawing wherein:





FIG. 1

is a perspective view showing a preferred embodiment of the cue tip installation apparatus of the invention.





FIG. 2

is a side view of the embodiment of the cue tip installation apparatus shown in FIG.


1


.





FIG. 3

is a front view of the embodiment of the cue tip installation apparatus of

FIG. 2

taken along line


3





3


thereof.





FIG. 4

is a bottom view of the embodiment of the cue tip installation apparatus of

FIG. 3

taken along line


4





4


thereof.





FIG. 5

is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG.


1


.





FIG. 6

is a perspective view showing an alternatively preferred embodiment of the cue tip installation apparatus of the invention.





FIG. 7

is a side view of the alternatively preferred embodiment of the cue tip installation apparatus shown in FIG.


6


.





FIG. 8

is a front view of the alternatively preferred embodiment of the cue tip installation apparatus of

FIG. 7

taken along line


8





8


thereof.





FIG. 9

is a bottom view of the alternatively preferred embodiment of the cue tip installation apparatus of

FIG. 8

taken along line


9





9


thereof.





FIG. 10

is an unfolded elevational view of a portion of the alternatively preferred embodiment of the invention shown in

FIGS. 6-9

.





FIG. 11

is a bottom view of the alternatively preferred embodiment of the cue tip installation apparatus of

FIG. 10

taken along line


11





11


thereof.











DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT




With reference to the drawings, a new and improved cue tip installation apparatus embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention will be described.




Turning to

FIGS. 1-5

, there is shown an exemplary embodiment of the cue tip installation apparatus of the invention generally designated by reference numeral


10


. In its preferred form, cue tip installation apparatus


10


comprises a clamp frame which includes a frame bottom portion


14


, a frame riser portion


16


extending upward from the frame bottom portion


14


, and a frame top portion


18


extending transversely with respect to the frame riser portion


16


. The frame bottom portion


14


also extends transversely with respect to the frame riser portion


16


and is parallel to the frame top portion


18


. The frame top portion


18


includes a threaded screw ram reception channel


26


, and the frame bottom portion


14


includes a pair of clamp wings


20


. A cue reception channel


22


is located between the clamp wings


20


and is in alignment with the screw ram reception channel


26


. A screw ram is received in the screw ram reception channel


26


. More specifically, the screw ram includes a threaded screw shaft


24


that is received in the screw ram reception channel


26


. A handle


28


is connected to one end of the screw shaft


24


for driving the screw shaft


24


, and a tip compression head


30


is attached to another end of the screw shaft


24


. A wing clamp clamps the clamp wings


20


together.




The clamp wings


20


include threaded clamp screw reception channels


34


, and the wing clamp includes a threaded clamp screw


36


received in the clamp screw reception channels


34


. The clamp screw


36


includes a threaded clamp screw shaft portion


40


and a clamp screw handle portion


38


for driving the clamp screw shaft portion


40


.




To use the cue tip installation apparatus


10


for installing a cue tip


42


on a pool cue


44


, the end of the pool cue


44


onto which the cue tip


42


will be installed is first cleaned. The back side of the cue tip


42


to be installed is lightly sanded. A light coat of adhesive is placed on the back side of the cue tip


42


, and a light coat of adhesive is placed on the cue stick end


46


. The adhesives are allowed to set for approximately three minutes. A damp cloth is used to wipe excess adhesive off of the sides of the plastic ferrule


48


which is on the pool cue


44


adjacent to the cue stick end


46


. Ferrules range in size from 11 mm. to 15 mm. The tip compression head


30


is inserted into the end of the screw shaft


24


. The tip compression head


30


has a size in a range of 11 mm. to 15 mm. The plastic ferrule


48


portion of the pool cue


44


is placed in the cue reception channel


22


, and the clamp screw handle portion


38


is turned to turn the clamp screw shaft portion


40


to tighten the clamp wings


20


onto the plastic ferrule


48


. Then, the cue tip


42


is placed on the cue stick end


46


of the pool cue


44


. The handle


28


is turned so that the tip compression head


30


presses the cue tip


42


onto the cue stick end


46


. Only a slight pressure is applied. The pressure of the tip compression head


30


on the cue tip


42


is maintained until the adhesive sets. After the adhesive sets, the clamp screw shaft portion


40


is turned to loosen the grip of the clamp wings


20


on the plastic ferrule


48


. Then, the pool cue


44


with the attached cue tip


42


is removed from the cue tip installation apparatus


10


. Once the pool cue


44


is removed from the apparatus, the cue tip


42


can be sanded, formed, and finished. A number of tip compression heads


30


can be provided to accommodate different cue tips


42


. For example,

FIG. 5

illustrates a first tip compression head


30


and a second tip compression head


31


that can be used alternatively.




If desired, the cue tip installation apparatus


10


of the invention could be attached to a stable support, such as a table or bench, and could be used for attaching a cue tip to a cue stick while the apparatus is attached to the stable support.




Turning to

FIGS. 6-11

, there is shown an alternatively preferred exemplary embodiment of the cue tip installation apparatus of the invention generally designated by reference numeral


10




a.


In its preferred form, cue tip installation apparatus


10




a


comprises a clamp frame which includes a frame top portion


54


, a first frame riser portion


56


extending downward from the frame top portion


54


at one thereof, and a second frame riser portion


58


extending downward from the frame top portion at the other opposed end thereof. In the assembled, operative position (FIGS.


6


-


9


), the first fame riser portion


56


and the second frame riser portion


58


extend generally parallel to each other and perpendicular to the frame top portion


54


and are of similar shape, size and extent. By this arrangement, the clamp frame forms what might be described generally as an in inverted U-shaped clamp frame member (FIG.


8


). This is in contrast to the first described embodiment where the clamp frame forms what might be described generally as a C-shaped clamp frame member.




The frame top portion


54


includes a threaded screw ram reception channel


60


substantially centrally located thereon. A screw ram is received in the screw ram reception channel


26


coaxially to the imaginary central axis defined by the screw reception channel


60


. More specifically, the screw ram includes a threaded screw shaft


62


that is received in the screw ram reception channel


60


. A handle


64


is connected to one end of the screw shaft


62


for axially advancing or backing-off the screw shaft


62


, and a cue tip compression head


66


is attached to another distal end of the screw shaft


62


. The cue tip compression head has a suitable concave bottom surface


68


for engaging the top surface of a cue tip. A first screw insert in the form of a collar


65


having an internal female screw-threaded surface is fixedly received within screw ram reception channel


60


preferably by being press fitted therein which female screw-threaded surface is complimentary to the external male screw-threaded surface on screw shaft


62


.




First frame riser portion


56


includes a rectangular shaped upper portion


70


and an integral enlarged circular shaped bottom portion


72


substantially as illustrated. Protruding inwardly from the bottom circular portion is a first rectangular shaped clamp wing


74


having a first cylindrical or curved clamping surface


76


the imaginary axis of which is substantially parallel to the imaginary central axis defined by screw reception channel


60


. The circular shaped bottom portion


72


includes a first aperture


78


and a second aperture


80


. In the folded condition of the frame clamp (FIGS.


6


-


9


), first aperture


78


has an imaginary axis orthogonal to the imaginary axis of screw reception channel


60


and second aperture


80


has an imaginary axis orthogonal to the imaginary axis of screw reception channel


60


with the axes of the first and second apertures being spaced laterally from the imaginary central axis defined by circular shaped bottom portion


72


such that the axes of these apertures straddle the first rectangular shaped clamp wing


74


. A second screw insert in the form of a collar


82


having an internal female screw-threaded surface is fixedly received within second aperture


80


as by press fitting therein.




Second frame riser portion


58


includes a rectangular shaped upper portion


84


and an integral enlarged circular shaped bottom portion


86


substantially as illustrated. Protruding inwardly from the bottom circular portion is a second rectangular shaped clamp wing


88


having a second cylindrical or curved clamping surface


90


, the imaginary axis of which is substantially parallel to the imaginary central axis defined by screw reception channel


60


. The circular shaped bottom portion


86


includes a third aperture


92


and a fourth aperture


94


. In the folded condition of the frame clamp (FIGS.


6


-


9


), third aperture


92


has an imaginary axis orthogonal to the imaginary axis of screw reception channel


60


and fourth aperture


94


has an imaginary axis orthogonal to the imaginary axis of screw reception channel


60


with the axes of the third and fourth apertures being spaced laterally from the imaginary central axis defined by circular shaped bottom portion


86


such that the axes of the third and fourth apertures respectively straddle the second rectangular shaped clamp wing


88


. A third screw insert in the form of a collar


96


having an internal female screw-threaded surface is fixedly received within fourth aperture


94


as by press fitting therein.




When in the assembled, folded, operative position (FIGS.


6


-


9


), the first aperture


78


is in axial alignment with the fourth aperture


94


whereas the second aperture


80


is in axial alignment with the third aperture


92


. A first threaded clamp screw is received in the aligned first and fourth apertures


78


,


96


and includes a threaded clamp screw shaft portion


104


and a clamp screw handle portion


106


for axially advancing and backing-off the clamp screw shaft portion


100


. A second threaded clamp screw is received in the aligned second and third apertures


80


and


92


and includes a threaded clamp screw shaft portion


100


and a clamp screw handle portion


102


for axially advancing and backing-off the clamp screw shaft portion


104


. The threaded clamp screw shaft portion


104


of the first threaded clamp screw extends through aperture


78


and matingly engages the third screw insert (collar


96


) having an internal female screw-threaded surface whereas the threaded clamp screw shaft portion


100


of the second threaded clamp screw extends through aperture


92


and matingly engages the second screw insert (collar


82


) having an internal female screw-threaded surface.




Hence, by tightening the first and second clamp screws, the confronting clamp wings


74


and


88


may be compressed against the tip of pool cue stick


44


(broken lines,

FIG. 8

) to thereby maintain the end of the stick in position so that subsequent tightening of the screw ram will apply an appropriate axial force on the cue tip placed on the end of pool cue stick


44


. Similarly, by loosening the first and second clamp screws and slightly flexing the first and second riser portions outwardly, the pool cue stick with its installed cue tip easily may be withdrawn from the apparatus along the direction of the imaginary axis defined by threaded screw shaft


62


.




From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that an important feature of the alternatively preferred embodiment of

FIGS. 6-9

is the ability of the first and second frame riser portions to flex laterally relative to the frame top portion, such flexural displacement being indicated by arrows


108


in FIG.


10


. More specifically, in accordance with the alternatively preferred embodiment of the invention, the first and second frame riser portions are attached to the top frame portion by necked-down sections


110


and


112


which latter define flexure or hinge axes extending perpendicular to a horizontal imaginary plane passing through the frame top portion as viewed in FIG.


10


. Thus, necked-down sections


110


and


112


permit flexural displacement of the first and second frame riser portions relative to frame top portion from an unfolded condition (solid) lines to a folded condition (broken lines) as viewed in FIG.


10


. When the clamp frame is molded from a suitable thermoplastic material as preferred, the necked-down sections


110


and


112


define so-called “living hinges.”




To assemble the clamp frame of

FIGS. 6-11

, the screw threaded screw shaft


62


is mated with first insert


65


in the screw ram reception channel


60


and the cue tip compression head


66


is suitably attached to the distal end of screw shaft


62


(see previous embodiment). The first and second frame riser portions then are flexed relative to frame top portion from an unfolded condition to a folded condition and the first and second clamp screws are inserted into the aligned first and fourth apertures and second and third apertures, respectively, to produce the assembly illustrated in

FIGS. 6-9

. In use, the apparatus is employed as in the prior described embodiment with the exception that the cue tip end of the pool cue


44


is clamped between the curved clamping surfaces


76


and


90


of the rectangular shaped clamp wings


76


and


88


by suitable operation of the first and second clamp screws


100


,


104


which straddle the rectangular shaped clamp wings


74


and


88


substantially as illustrated. The clamp wings and the first and second clamp screws thus define a reception channel for receiving an end of a pool cue stick along the imaginary axis defined by threaded screw shaft


62


(

FIGS. 6

,


8


and


9


).




The clamp frame of the alternatively preferred embodiment may advantageously be formed of a material selected from the group comprising thermoplastic polymers using conventional plastic fabrication methods such as injection molding. Polypropylene or polyethylene are mostly preferred materials selected from this group. The first, second and third inserts preferably are fabricated of a durable hard metal with brass being mostly preferred. The screw ram and the clamp screws may be metal or plastic. By permitting the first and second riser portions to flex relative to the top riser portion, easy removable of a pool cue after the tip is installed thereon is facilitated, and an extremely compact and lightweight apparatus is achieved.




As to the manner of usage and operation of the instant invention, the same is apparent from the above disclosure, and accordingly, no further discussion relative to the manner of usage and operation need be provided.




It is apparent from the above that the present invention accomplishes all of the objects set forth by providing a new and improved cue tip installation apparatus that is low in cost, relatively simple in design and operation, and which may advantageously be used to install a cue tip onto a cue stick without employing slide compression. With the invention, a cue tip installation apparatus is provided which can be employed for installing different size and different weight cue tips. With the invention, a cue tip installation apparatus is provided which maintains installation components in proper alignment during the installation process. With the invention, a cue tip installation apparatus is provided which can be attached to a stable support and can be used during attachment to the stable support. With an alternatively preferred embodiment of the present invention, a compact lightweight apparatus is achieved, facilitating easy removal of a pool cue stick after tip installation is completed.




Thus, while the present invention has been shown in the drawings and fully described above with particularity and detail in connection with what is presently deemed to be the most practical and preferred embodiment(s) of the invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications thereof may be made without departing from the principles and concepts set forth herein, including, but not limited to, variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use.




Hence, the proper scope of the present invention should be determined only by the broadest interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass all such modifications as well as all relationships equivalent to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification.




Finally, it will be appreciated that the purpose of the annexed Abstract is to enable the U. S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. Accordingly, the Abstract is neither intended to define the invention or the application, which only is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.



Claims
  • 1. Apparatus for installing a cue tip on an end of a pool cue stick, said apparatus comprising:frame means, said frame means having a reception channel for receiving an end of a pool cue stick along a first axis, clamping means on said frame means for affixing said end of said pool cue stick received in said reception channel to said frame means, and ram means for applying a compressive force to the end of said pool cue stick along said first axis, and wherein said frame means is substantially U-shaped.
  • 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said clamping means includes means for engaging said end of said pool cue stick received in said reception channel along a second axis substantially perpendicular to said first axis.
  • 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said frame means includes a top portion and at least one riser portion attached to said top portion, said ram means being connected to said top portion and said clamping means being connected to said riser portion.
  • 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said ram means includes a ram screw rotatably translatable along said first axis, and said frame means top portion includes a ram screw reception channel for receivably engaging said ram screw therein.
  • 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said ram screw includes a first end and a second opposed end, handle means attached to said first end, and pool cue stick compression head means attached to said second opposed end.
  • 6. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said clamping means includes a pair of clamp wings attached to said at least one riser portion, said pair of clamp wings defining said reception channel for receiving an end of a pool cue stick along a first axis, and wing clamp means for clamping said clamp wings together.
  • 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said pair of clamp wings includes clamp screw reception channels oriented substantially parallel to said second axis, andsaid wing clamp means includes a clamp screw received in said clamp screw reception channels.
  • 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said clamp screw includes a threaded clamp screw shaft portion and a clamp screw handle portion for driving said clamp screw shaft portion.
  • 9. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said frame means includes a top portion having first and second ends, first and second riser portions attached to said top portion first and second ends, respectively,and wherein said clamping means includes a pair of clamp wings attached to said first and second riser portions, respectively, said pair of clamp wings defining said reception channel for receiving an end of a pool cue stick along a first axis, and wing clamp means for clamping said clamp wings together.
  • 10. Apparatus for installing a cue tip on an end of a pool cue stick, said apparatus comprising:frame means, said frame means having a reception channel for receiving an end of a pool cue stick along a first axis, clamping means on said frame means for affixing said end of said pool cue stick received in said reception channel to said frame means, and ram means for applying a compressive force to the end of said pool cue stick along said first axis, wherein said clamping means includes means for engaging said end of said pool cue stick received in said reception channel along a second axis substantially perpendicular to said first axis, wherein said frame means includes a top portion and at least one riser portion attached to said top portion, said ram means being connected to said top portion and said clamping means being connected to said riser portion, wherein said frame means includes a top portion having first and second ends, first and second riser portions attached to said top portion first and second ends, respectively, and wherein said clamping means includes a pair of clamp wings attached to said first and second riser portions, respectively, said pair of clamp wings defining said reception channel for receiving an end of a pool cue stick along a first axis, and wing clamp means for clamping said clamp wings together, and wherein said pair of clamp wings includes first and second clamp screw reception channels oriented substantially parallel to said second axis, and said wing clamp means includes first and second clamp screws received in said clamp screw reception channels, respectively.
  • 11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said clamp screws each includes a threaded clamp screw shaft portion and a clamp screw handle portion for driving said clamp screw shaft portion.
  • 12. Apparatus for installing a cue tip on an end of a pool cue stick, said apparatus comprising:frame means, said frame means having a reception channel for receiving an end of a pool cue stick along a first axis, clamping means on said frame means for affixing said end of said pool cue stick received in said reception channel to said frame means, and ram means for applying a compressive force to the end of said pool cue stick along said first axis, wherein said clamping means includes means for engaging said end of said pool cue stick received in said reception channel along a second axis substantially perpendicular to said first axis, wherein said frame means includes a top portion and at least one riser portion attached to said top portion, said ram means being connected to said top portion and said clamping means being connected to said riser portion, wherein said frame means includes a top portion having first and second ends, first and second riser portions attached to said top portion first and second ends, respectively, and wherein said clamping means includes a pair of clamp wings attached to said first and second riser portions, respectively, said pair of clamp wings defining said reception channel for receiving an end of a pool cue stick along a first axis, and wing clamp means for clamping said clamp wings together, and wherein said first riser portion has a first end and a second end, said first end being hingedly connected to said first end of said frame means top portion.
  • 13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said second riser portion has a first end and a second end, said first end being hingedly connected to said second end of said frame means top portion.
  • 14. Apparatus for installing a cue tip on an end of a pool cue stick, said apparatus comprising:frame means, said frame means having a reception channel for receiving an end of a pool cue stick along a first axis, clamping means on said frame means for affixing said end of said pool cue stick received in said reception channel to said frame means, and ram means for applying a compressive force to the end of said pool cue stick along said first axis, wherein said clamping means includes means for engaging said end of said pool cue stick received in said reception channel along a second axis substantially perpendicular to said first axis, wherein said frame means includes a top portion and at least one riser portion attached to said top portion, said ram means being connected to said top portion and said clamping means being connected to said riser portion, wherein said frame means includes a top portion having first and second ends, first and second riser portions attached to said top portion first and second ends, respectively, wherein said clamping means includes a pair of clamp wings attached to said first and second riser portions, respectively, said pair of clamp wings defining said reception channel for receiving an end of a pool cue stick along a first axis, and wing clamp means for clamping said clamp wings together, wherein said pair of clamp wings includes first and second clamp screw reception channels oriented substantially parallel to said second axis, said wing clamp means includes first and second clamp screws received in said clamp screw reception channels, respectively, and wherein said first and second clamp screw reception channels straddle said pair of clamp wings.
  • 15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said first riser portion has a first end and a second end, said first end being hingedly connected to said first end of said frame means top portion, andwherein said second riser portion has a first end and a second end, said first end being hingedly connected to said second end of said frame means top portion.
  • 16. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said first clamp screw reception channel extends through said first riser second end and said second riser second end, and wherein said second clamp screw reception channel extends through said first riser second end and said second riser second end.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority based upon my copending Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/095,024, filed Aug. 3, 1998.

US Referenced Citations (1)
Number Name Date Kind
165562 Gravelius Jul 1875 A
Provisional Applications (1)
Number Date Country
60/095024 Aug 1998 US