Pool cue weighting system

Abstract

The invention is a weighting system for a pool cue and methods of using the weighting system. The weighting system includes a first internal cavity in a handle portion of the pool cue. A plurality of weights are provided within the internal cavity. By removing the externally threaded rods from the internal cavity, a user may tailor the weight characteristics of the pool cue in accordance with the user's preferences.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A weighting system for a pool cue having a handle portion and a shaft portion, the handle portion having a terminal end, the weighting system comprising: 
 an internal cavity proximate the terminal end;    a plurality of weights removably installed within the internal cavity, wherein the weights are capable of being individually removed to incrementally reduce the total weight of the pool cue to a desired level.    
     
     
         2 . A weighting system for a pool cue having a handle portion and a shaft portion, the handle portion having a terminal end, the weighting system comprising: 
 a first internal cavity in the handle portion proximate the terminal end and having an internally threaded wall;    a plurality of externally threaded rods, each rod having: 
 a predetermined diameter;  
 a first end and a second end; and  
 a tool fitting formed within at least the first end,  
   wherein the threaded rods are adapted for threaded engagement with the internally threaded wall and wherein the first internal cavity is of sufficient length to accommodate installation of multiple threaded rods therein.    
     
     
         3 . The weighting system for a pool cue of  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 an end cap plug; and    a second internal cavity in the handle portion terminal end adapted to releasably receive the end cap plug;    wherein the second internal cavity is axially aligned with the first internal cavity and is located between the handle portion terminal end and the first internal cavity.    
     
     
         4 . The weighting system for a pool cue of  claim 2 , wherein the weight of the threaded rods is between about one-half of an ounce and about one ounce.  
     
     
         5 . The weighting system for a pool cue of  claim 2 , wherein each threaded rod is about three-eights of an inch in diameter.  
     
     
         6 . The weighting system for a pool cue of  claim 2 , wherein each threaded rod is between about one inch and about two inches in length.  
     
     
         7 . The weighting system for a pool cue of  claim 2 , wherein the length of the internally threaded wall of the first internal cavity is about six inches.  
     
     
         8 . A weighting system for a pool cue having a handle portion and a shaft portion, the handle portion having a terminal end, the weighting system comprising: 
 an internal cavity in the handle portion proximate the terminal end, the cavity having a total length, a closed end and an open end;    a plurality of rods, each of the rods having a length,    a plug, at least a portion of the plug being adapted to be releasably received in the internal cavity;    wherein: 
 the rods are slidingly received within the cavity;  
 the rods are held in place within the cavity by the plug; and  
 the first internal cavity is of sufficient length to accommodate installation of multiple rods therein.  
   
     
     
         9 . The weighting system for a pool cue of  claim 8 , further comprising a plurality of plugs of different lengths, each plug corresponding to a particular combination of rods such that the sum of the length of the portion of the second end of each plug received in the internal cavity and the length of the particular corresponding rod combination matches the total length of the cavity.  
     
     
         10 . The weighting system for a pool cue of  claim 8 , wherein the plug includes a compressible portion proximate the first end and a head portion proximate the second end.  
     
     
         11 . The weighting system for a pool cue of  claim 9 , wherein: 
 a portion of a wall of the cavity proximate the open end is provided with an internal thread;    at least a portion of the head portion is provided with an external thread; and    the head portion is releaseably received in the cavity by threaded engagement.    
     
     
         12 . A method of tailoring weight characteristics of a pool cue to preferences of an individual user, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a pool cue having a handle portion and a shaft portion, the handle  30  portion having a terminal end, and an internal cavity proximate the terminal end;    providing a plurality of weights removably installed within the internal cavity, and    individually removing the weights to incrementally reduce the total weight of the pool cue to a desired level.    
     
     
         13 . A method of tailoring weight and balance characteristics of a pool cue to preferences of an individual user, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a pool cue including a handle portion and a shaft portion, the handle having a terminal end and an internal cavity in the handle portion proximate the terminal end, the internal cavity having an internally threaded wall;    providing a plurality of externally threaded rods, each rod having the same predetermined diameter, a first end, a second end and a tool fitting formed within at least the first end;    installing a sufficient number of the plurality of externally threaded rods within the internal cavity to provide the pool cue with the weight characteristics in accordance with the user's preferences; and    positioning the sufficient number of threaded rods within the internal cavity to provide the pool cue with the balance characteristics in accordance with the user's preferences.    
     
     
         14 . A method of tailoring weight characteristics of a pool cue to preferences of an individual user, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a pool cue including: 
 a handle portion and a shaft portion, the handle having a terminal end;  
 an internal cavity in the handle portion proximate the terminal end, the internal cavity having a closed end and an open end; and  
 a plug releasably received in the open end of the internal cavity;  
   providing a plurality of weight rods;    removing the plug from the open end of the internal cavity;    installing a sufficient number of the plurality of weight rods within the internal cavity to provide the pool cue with the weight characteristics in accordance with the user's preferences; and    replacing the plug to secure the weight rods within the internal cavity.