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Computerized pool cue and controller

  • US 6,220,963 B1
  • Filed: 05/12/1999
  • Issued: 04/24/2001
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/30/1997
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. An electronic controller apparatus and cue stick for pool or billiard simulation games, comprising:

  • a housing adapted to move over an underlying surface and having;

    a top, a bottom, sidewalls interconnecting said top with said bottom for providing said housing with an interior space, a stalk rotatably mounted within said interior space of said housing, said stalk having an upper end extending from the top of said housing, and a lower end terminating within said interior space of said housing proximate said bottom of said housing;

    a first support member disposed in said interior space at said bottom of the housing to support the lower end of said stalk;

    a second support member disposed within said interior space near said top of said housing to support said upper end of said stalk;

    a control receptacle mounted to said upper end of said stalk;

    a cue stick having a coating of rubber compound along a portion of an exterior surface thereof, said cue stick constructed and arranged for movement within and in contact with said control receptacle;

    a first sensor assembly mounted to said upper end of said stalk and exposed to said control receptacle for generating a signal responsive to movement of said cue stick in contact with said receptacle;

    a second sensor assembly mounted to an exterior surface of said stalk for generating a signal responsive to rotational movement of said stalk about a longitudinal axis of said stalk;

    a first control button extending from a sidewall at a first region of said housing between said top and bottom of said housing;

    a second control button extending from a sidewall at a second region of said housing between said top and bottom of said housing;

    a spring supported by said first support member for coaction with said lower end of said stalk for biasing said stalk in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of said stalk;

    a mouse ball disposed within said interior space of said housing, a portion of said mouse ball extending through said bottom of said housing to contact said underlying surface;

    a third sensor assembly mounted within said interior space of said housing for generating a signal responsive to movement of said mouse ball along said underlying surface;

    a circuit board disposed within said interior space of said housing;

    means for interconnecting said circuit board with said stalk, said control receptacle, said first, second and third sensor assemblies, and said first and second control buttons;

    wherein movement of said stalk, mouse ball, cue stick, and first and second control buttons generates signals to said circuit board with information about movement of said cue stick for display of the effects of cue stick movement.

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