Telescoping pool and billiard cue bridge

Abstract

A bridgestick having a telescoping handle and a quick disconnect bridge. The handle incorporates internal locking elements to prevent separation of the telescoping segments. Each joint between segments includes an internal stiffener that minimizes deflection of the handle when fully extended. The bridge includes a hollow receptacle for receiving an end of the handle. The receptacle and handle utilize a pin and socket arrangement to removably connect the bridge to the handle.

1 . A bridgestick having a telescoping handle comprising a plurality of telescoping hollow tubes characterized by relative sliding stiffness between each of the tubes and having a similar resistance to rotation, the handle comprising a holding mechanism comprising a one piece partial sleeve sized to fit snugly about a respective one of the telescoping tubes, the sleeve having a crimped portion extending radially inward over an axial extent of the sleeve intermediate opposite circumferential ends thereof, the one of the tubes having an axially extending first slot adjacent a first end thereof, the first slot having axial and circumferential dimensions corresponding to the crimped portion of the sleeve for receiving the crimped portion when the sleeve is positioned on the one of the tubes; another of the telescoping tubes positioned in sliding engagement over the one of the tubes and having one end terminating in a necked down portion having an inner diameter larger than an outer diameter of the one of the tubes and smaller than a diameter of the sleeve when the sleeve is positioned on the one of the tubes whereby the one end of the another one of the tubes cannot pass over the sleeve on the one of the tubes; 
 a plurality of stiffeners having an outside diameter sized to fit snugly within an inside diameter of an associated tube, each stiffener positioned in an end of the associated tube remaining within an adjacent larger diameter tube when in an extended state and having an axial length at least as long as an overlap length of the associated tube and the adjacent larger diameter tube when in the extended state; and    a bridge removeably coupled to an end of the handle.    
   
   
       2 . The bridgestick of  claim 1  wherein the stiffener further comprises a second axially extending slot having axial and circumferential dimensions corresponding to the crimped portion of the sleeve for receiving the crimped portion when the stiffener is positioned in the one of the tubes and the sleeve is positioned on the one of the tubes with the crimped portion extending through the first slot.  
   
   
       3 . The bridgestick of  claim 2  wherein the axial length of the stiffener is greater than the overlap length.  
   
   
       4 . The bridgestick of  claim 3  wherein the stiffener includes a cap having an outside diameter substantially the same as the associated tube outside diameter to prevent the stiffener from slipping further into the end of the associated tube.  
   
   
       5 . The bridgestick of  claim 4  wherein the stiffener is formed from a polymer.  
   
   
       6 . The bridgestick of  claim 1  wherein the bridge has a central hollow extension adapted for receiving an end of the handle, the extension having at least one L-shaped slot, the end of the handle including at least one radially extending pin adapted for fitting in to the slot and for locking the handle to the bridge when the handle is rotated to position the pin in a circumferential portion of the L-shaped slot.  
   
   
       7 . The bridgestick of  claim 6  and including a spring positioned in the hollow extension for reacting against the end of the handle.  
   
   
       8 . A bridgestick comprising a telescoping handle and a releasable bridge, the handle having one end adapted for coupling to the bridge, including a radially extending pin fixed to the one end of the handle, the bridge having a central hollow extension adapted for receiving an end of the handle, the extension having at least one L-shaped slot for receiving the radially extending pin, the pin being adapted for sliding into the slot and for locking the handle to the bridge when the handle is rotated to position the pin in a circumferential portion of the L-shaped slot.  
   
   
       9 . The bridgestick of  claim 8  and including a spring positioned in the hollow extension for reacting against the end of the handle.  
   
   
       10 . The bridgestick of  claim 9  wherein the spring comprises a coil spring.