Air-lock joint patent

[MikeWooldridge]

Mike what a great career move by Mark Hughes today! Marvellous man he is!!!

an ex utd player...

are you sure he's not a mole for ferguson?

[ADR147]

the whole point of brass and why its used is that unlike stainless steel we can turn it down to be flush with the cue - if it is resistent to wear it is by definition harder to usefor a cue?

[trevs1]

nevertheless, innovation is an important thing, and should be given a fair chance.

if the join works well, then it will, without doubt, be a desirable feature for many players.

i doubt anyone will actually think it will improve their game, but i know lots of people who don't use their extensions cos they can't be bothered to undo their cue.

maybe they would if it was as quick and simple as it appears...

of course, a few turns of a thread never hurt anyone, but if a new design works faster (and well), then i can only see it as an improvement.

however, having said that, i've experimented with all types of quick release join, including cam-locks and partial threads, but to be honest, in time, they all seem to lack the reliability of a standard (ish) screw thread.

i've got an open mind on this.

but i do think you should re-phrase this line stan:

increasing the accuracy of shot for beginner and professional player alike.

cos that's what's known in the trade as bulls**t!....

and also, i have a question:

We have developed the system using the expertise of custom and volume cue makers and have received positive feedback from all over the world.

who are the custom and volume producers? and where did the positive feedback come from? cos i don't know anyone who has even seen the join. and i know a lot of people...

not knocking it mate, i'm looking forward to seeing it. just wondering who exactly was entrusted to thoroughly test this item before it came to market.

anyway, i hope it does work, cos like i said at the beginning, innovation is an important thing....

I can see where you are coming from Mike and I agree totally that innovation is a good thing, but......

A cue joint is a cue joint in truth, whether it be a standard threaded type or some exotic looking quick release jobby. The ultimate goal of any joint is to connect two or more parts of a cue to enable use in play.

My point was purely that it isn't going to offer anything we have'nt seen before in some guise or another. How many times to your knowledge does a player have to 're-tighten' one of your cues during normal play?

Never I'd bet.

How much vibration does the 'joint' cause in one of your cues in normal play?

None I'll bet.

How much better would one of your cues perform with a different type of joint?

No better I'll bet.

These are the issues I have with new products relating to cue sports.
It's easy to claim something makes SUCH a difference, but quite another to PROVE that difference or improvement.

I know that you know that a joint alone is NOT what makes great cues.

Interesting nonetheless though.

[moglet]

the whole point of brass and why its used is that unlike stainless steel we can turn it down to be flush with the cue - if it is resistent to wear it is by definition harder to usefor a cue?

Forgive this intrusion into a well worn thread, you mention stainless steel - why can you not turn this down like brass? All you need are slower feed speeds and very sharp tools. As far as I can see the basic material is, well, immaterial.

[trevs1]

Very true that, but I think he is considering the workability of brass in the finishing process relating to abrasion as opposed to stainless, which is lots harder to abrade as you'll know Moglet.

Otherwise, there's no reason why stainless can't be used in cue manufacture, I' have made a few with stainless joints and ferrules and they were fine.

It is easier in brass though for sure, and cheaper too.

Edit..

Oh, nice puns by the way.

[stan-mullin]

New Joint

So many questions....
One of the things I did notice in visiting cuemakers was there didn't seem to be a market leading type of joint. Most were a variation of a theme, and it is true all do a job.
However, as a player I wanted a good reliable jointed cue, that I never have to check during play, a mini butt that goes on quickly and gives the cue the same feel as before (and doesn't break my concentration because it takes so long to attach), and a solid transfer of power between the butt of my cue to the tip. And if possible I would like both the joints to be the same.
Everybody is welcome to see the joints when they are ready, as they are not like anything else on the market.
It is made of brass, to match my customers requirements, stainless is not a problem, cast zinc, titanium, steel, plastic, almost anything!

[Argee1977]

So many questions....
One of the things I did notice in visiting cuemakers was there didn't seem to be a market leading type of joint. Most were a variation of a theme, and it is true all do a job.
However, as a player I wanted a good reliable jointed cue, that I never have to check during play, a mini butt that goes on quickly and gives the cue the same feel as before (and doesn't break my concentration because it takes so long to attach), and a solid transfer of power between the butt of my cue to the tip. And if possible I would like both the joints to be the same.
Everybody is welcome to see the joints when they are ready, as they are not like anything else on the market.
It is made of brass, to match my customers requirements, stainless is not a problem, cast zinc, titanium, steel, plastic, almost anything!

Hmm, i might see if Mike can get one made out of unobtainium for my cue

[stan-mullin]

lol.........get me one too!

[moglet]

I have a one piece cue, oh dear, so joint technology is pretty much academic for me. I do some innovative engineering work myself so if I were to split my cue, god forbid, I would be looking to make the joint myself, threads are fine (sorry trevs1, forgive yet another pun) but I would be thinking along the lines that stan-mullin has, assuming there is sufficient axial taper included the locking mechanism it looks fine and workable, if it is a parallel spigot and female socket, however good the radial lock may be is needs to lock equally well axially, it is not clear from the website demo if this is the case. It would be self centering too, unlike some thread systems used.

[stan-mullin]

I have a one piece cue, oh dear, so joint technology is pretty much academic for me. I do some innovative engineering work myself so if I were to split my cue, god forbid, I would be looking to make the joint myself, threads are fine (sorry trevs1, forgive yet another pun) but I would be thinking along the lines that stan-mullin has, assuming there is sufficient axial taper included the locking mechanism it looks fine and workable, if it is a parallel spigot and female socket, however good the radial lock may be is needs to lock equally well axially, it is not clear from the website demo if this is the case. It would be self centering too, unlike some thread systems used.

Moglet
If you ever decide to split your cue, give me a shout, a FOC joint would come your way, I will be putting some technical drawings on the site in the near future which may satisfy your engineering curiosity.
Stan

[MikeWooldridge]

Hmm, i might see if Mike can get one made out of unobtainium for my cue

lol. nuff said....

[MikeWooldridge]

A cue joint is a cue joint in truth, whether it be a standard threaded type or some exotic looking quick release jobby. The ultimate goal of any joint is to connect two or more parts of a cue to enable use in play.

of course

My point was purely that it isn't going to offer anything we have'nt seen before in some guise or another.

understood, but it sounds good, and i'm a romantic. always dreaming of better things...

I know that you know that a joint alone is NOT what makes great cues.

amen.

[MikeWooldridge]

Forgive this intrusion into a well worn thread, you mention stainless steel - why can you not turn this down like brass? All you need are slower feed speeds and very sharp tools. As far as I can see the basic material is, well, immaterial.

my tools are blunt and always have been. give me brass...

[MikeWooldridge]

[QUOTE=stan-mullin;314361]So many questions....
QUOTE]

but you never answered mine. who tested these joins and who gave you worldwide feedback?

[MikeWooldridge]

I have a one piece cue, oh dear, so joint technology is pretty much academic for me. I do some innovative engineering work myself so if I were to split my cue, god forbid, I would be looking to make the joint myself, threads are fine (sorry trevs1, forgive yet another pun) but I would be thinking along the lines that stan-mullin has, assuming there is sufficient axial taper included the locking mechanism it looks fine and workable, if it is a parallel spigot and female socket, however good the radial lock may be is needs to lock equally well axially, it is not clear from the website demo if this is the case. It would be self centering too, unlike some thread systems used.

spigot, axial taper, mechanism, radial lock? female socket, ooo-er!

wtf!!!

moglet, would you like a job? you clearly have a lot more understanding than i...