Cue Stick Guide Structure for Hands-Free Stroke Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cue sports training aids are cumbersome, restrictive, or ineffective in providing stable, hands-free guidance for cue stick alignment and stroke consistency, often requiring manual handling or visual aids, and are not easily transportable.
Innovation Solution
A portable, versatile training device with a base and stabilizing structure that attaches securely to the billiards table, featuring vertical arms and a suction cup, allowing hands-free operation and guiding the cue stick along the intended shot line, adjustable for various angles and positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a harness and post system is worn by the player to restrict and guide arm movement, then stroke guidance is provided, but the player's natural range of motion is restricted and the device is cumbersome to transport
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the guidance function from the player's body (harness) and relocates it to a stationary base mounted on the billiards table. The vertical arm and guide structure provide stroke guidance externally, eliminating the need for restrictive wearable equipment while maintaining guidance reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a stationary base with vertical arm as an intermediary structure between the player and the cue stick. This mediator provides guidance through the cue support mechanism without directly restraining the player's arm, thus maintaining natural range of motion while ensuring stroke accuracy.
2Loss of information
If laser modules are attached to the cue stick to project visual guides, then visual feedback is provided, but physical guidance to ensure stroke consistency is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges visual feedback (laser module) with physical guidance (vertical arm and cue support) into a single integrated system. The laser provides visual alignment information while the vertical arm simultaneously provides tactile and mechanical constraints, ensuring both visual accuracy and physical stroke consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The vertical arm acts as a physical intermediary that translates visual alignment information into tactile guidance. The cue support mechanism mediates between the player's stroke and the desired trajectory, providing physical constraints that reinforce the visual feedback from the laser module.
3Ease of operation
If a hand-held guide device is used, then manual guidance is provided, but the device requires manual handling and adjustment during stroking
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transforms the hand-held guide into a self-positioning system. The base is mounted on the billiards table and the vertical arm automatically maintains its position and orientation. The cue support mechanism self-adjusts to guide the cue stick along the correct trajectory without requiring manual handling or adjustment during stroking.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having the player hold and maneuver the guide device, the invention inverts the arrangement by mounting the guide structure on the stationary billiards table. The player interacts with the fixed structure rather than manipulating a handheld device, eliminating manual handling complexity.
4Reliability
If basic guide structures are provided, then physical support is given, but the devices are not easily transportable and are cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the guide system into modular components: a base unit that mounts to the billiards table, a vertical arm assembly, and a cue support mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while facilitating easy assembly and disassembly for transport, reducing overall cumbersome-ness.
Solution Approach 2:
The base unit is designed with universal mounting capabilities that can attach to various billiards table configurations. This multi-functionality allows the same device to be used across different tables and locations, enhancing transportability without compromising the reliability of physical support during use.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances stroke consistency and alignment by providing physical guidance without manual handling, improving players' muscle memory and visual accuracy, and is easy to use and transport.
Implementation Method 1
A portable, versatile training device with a base and stabilizing structure that attaches securely to the billiards table, featuring vertical arms and a suction cup
Data Source
AI summary
A training device for cue sports provides hands-free guidance for improving cue stick alignment and stroke consistency. The device includes a base configured to attach to a stable non-playing surface, such as a shelf or rail of a billiards table, and a stabilizing structure with two opposing arms that form an opening for receiving and guiding a cue stick. The arms constrain lateral movement of the cue stick during stroking action, particularly near the back gripping hand, which is a common source of misalignment. The stabilizing structure may be pivotable, adjustable, and detachable, with optional low-friction surfaces and modular support pads to enhance stroke fluidity and usability. The device enables both alignment and stroke training, helping players build visual accuracy and muscle memory. It is compact, portable, and may be assembled or disassembled without tools. The invention offers a significant improvement over existing aids by ensuring repeatable, precise cue alignment without interfering with natural player movement.