Hi-does predator have a patent on the uni-loc joint?
Steven
Steven
Patent on uni-loc joint by predator
- Thread starter justabrake
- Start date
justabrake said:
Steven, I would doubt it. They did not go to a uni-lock joint until a few years ago, and they did not invent it. A distributer from Florida who also has cues produced for their company in China, like Predator was the first to use these joints for there cues. The company is called Cue and Case, and their cues consist of the Lucasi, Players, Vintage, Rage, and the GW-Series cues. To my knowledge the Lucasi brand of import cue was the first cue to start using the Uni-lock joint system. Many other brands listed above have also adopted this joint system and another similar system they call Acu-lock.
I am uncertain who if anyone currently holds the rights to a patent on this joint, if fact I also do not know who invented it. However, other companies have tried to make similar joints under different names, and they have all faded away. Currently I suspect that this system will be the only survivor long term.
By the way, I suspect that Predator has paid royalties to use this type of joint in their cue.
Hope this helps, I got carried away!!!!!
Have a good night!!!!!
justabrake said:
To my knowledge only Uni-Lock has the patent.
Atlas Billiard Supply has exclusive sales rights.
There were cuemakers using the real Uni-Lock joinnt pin system but others use a lower quality knock off.
Uni-Lock is a much more precise pin and insert system than the copy cat look-a-likes.
If I were going to use a quick disconnect pin in a cue costing more than $200 I would use the real deal.
I thought Bill Stroud owned the patent then sold it?
Uni-loc of America, I believe is owned by Mr. Paul Costaine,
manwon said:
There are more companies which deliver accu-loc joints? I got one on a Kruger - it's the cue-line of Oliver Ortmann which is built by BCE in England.
Up to now I was not aware that any other company offers accu-loc-joints.
Regards,
Detlev
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Lucasi offered the accu-loc joint on upper end players cues...haven't checked with Cue & Case Sales (Lucasi) lately, though. Bought quite a few joint pins and inserts for both accu-loc and uni-loc from them in the past.
Uni-loc of America, I believe is owned by Mr. Paul Costaine,
Tap, Tap, Tap...and I would recommend not to copy it...
Tap, Tap, Tap...and I would recommend not to copy it...
I see no benefit from a Uni-Loc joint, other than maybe a break/jump handle joint, but I do see drawbacks. Why is the speed needed putting together and taking apart a cue. Fact is, it's nice to have more negotiating time between sets for a bigger or smaller spot while unscrewing your cue. On top of being expensive, one large drawback is if the least bit of dirt or chalk gets into the joint it can lock up and making getting apart almost impossible without damage to the cue.
Dick
Dick
rhncue said:
They should insist customers buy joint protectors at the time of sale,
Preventive maintenance:
Once in a while use a cue tip and maybe some alcohol or lacquer thinner customers can use nail polish remover, something that dries fast without any residue,
If it's going to bind, it will happen when taking it apart, so there is a small space to work with,
5 steps to unloc a uni-loc that froze,
1- Put some lacquer thinner in an epoxy syringe and squirt it inside, or tilt the cue tip down and mask off the rings,
2- use your air hose, this will make the thinner go up inside the insert,
two times should do the trick.
3- take it apart
4- use a cue tip on the insert to remove any dirt and check for burrs
5- wet sand the pin carefully with 2000 to remove any burrs and polish.
Hope this helps some.