US20150126311A1 - Hockey blade with enhanced crown - Google Patents

Hockey blade with enhanced crown Download PDF

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Publication number
US20150126311A1
US20150126311A1 US14/070,265 US201314070265A US2015126311A1 US 20150126311 A1 US20150126311 A1 US 20150126311A1 US 201314070265 A US201314070265 A US 201314070265A US 2015126311 A1 US2015126311 A1 US 2015126311A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
crown
region
blade
hockey
stick
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US14/070,265
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Stephen J. Davis
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Bauer Hockey LLC
Original Assignee
Easton Hockey Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Easton Hockey Inc filed Critical Easton Hockey Inc
Priority to US14/070,265 priority Critical patent/US20150126311A1/en
Assigned to EASTON SPORTS, INC. reassignment EASTON SPORTS, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: DAVIS, STEPHEN J.
Assigned to WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION reassignment WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION SECURITY INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: EASTON SPORTS CANADA, INC., EASTON SPORTS, INC.
Priority to PCT/US2014/063501 priority patent/WO2015066514A2/en
Priority to CA2929263A priority patent/CA2929263C/en
Priority to EP14858132.5A priority patent/EP3062894B1/de
Assigned to EASTON HOCKEY, INC. reassignment EASTON HOCKEY, INC. CHANGE OF NAME (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: EASTON SPORTS, INC.
Publication of US20150126311A1 publication Critical patent/US20150126311A1/en
Assigned to EASTON HOCKEY, INC, EASTON HOCKEY CANADA, INC. reassignment EASTON HOCKEY, INC RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.
Assigned to BAUER HOCKEY, INC. reassignment BAUER HOCKEY, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: EASTON HOCKEY, INC.
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A63B59/14—
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B59/00—Bats, rackets, or the like, not covered by groups A63B49/00 - A63B57/00
    • A63B59/70—Bats, rackets, or the like, not covered by groups A63B49/00 - A63B57/00 with bent or angled lower parts for hitting a ball on the ground, on an ice-covered surface, or in the air, e.g. for hockey or hurling
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B60/00—Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2102/00—Application of clubs, bats, rackets or the like to the sporting activity ; particular sports involving the use of balls and clubs, bats, rackets, or the like
    • A63B2102/22—Field hockey
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2102/00—Application of clubs, bats, rackets or the like to the sporting activity ; particular sports involving the use of balls and clubs, bats, rackets, or the like
    • A63B2102/24—Ice hockey

Definitions

  • Hockey sticks generally include a blade and an elongated shaft. Many modern hockey sticks are constructed from lightweight, fiber-reinforced composite materials that provide excellent maneuverability and performance, as well as a sleek appearance. The light weight and resilience of modern hockey sticks enable players to propel pucks at high velocities, which results in high-impact loads to the blade. Further, the hockey-stick blade, or “hockey blade,” is subjected to impacts from other stick blades and shafts, arena boards, goal posts, skate blades, and so forth. A high performance hockey blade, therefore, must be able to withstand many loads, including impact loads, bending loads, and torsional loads.
  • a hockey stick functions by preloading or flexing the shaft (storing energy) then releasing this energy to the blade to propel a puck or ball (collectively referred to hereinafter as a “puck,” for ease of description).
  • a hockey stick Much of the energy generated by a hockey stick is stored in the flexed shaft. The transfer of this energy from the shaft to the blade determines the velocity and efficiency of a shot.
  • the hockey blade itself also flexes and releases during the shot. Indeed, the hockey blade is subjected to bending and twisting forces. On a typical shot, the hockey blade contacts the ice or ground prior to contacting the puck. During such contact, the shaft and blade both undergo flexure. A location of meaningful deflection is at the “elbow” where the blade and the shaft meet. Bending and torsional deflections are often highest in this elbow region. Accordingly, the blade must adequately resist deflections in this region and be resilient enough to return to its original form.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates one example of a traditional composite hockey blade 5 .
  • the blade 5 includes a hosel 6 and a tenon 8 to which a stick-shaft may be attached.
  • a crown region 7 runs along the top edge of the elbow region of the blade 5 . As shown in FIG. 2 , the crown 7 has dimensions that are substantially equal to the dimensions of neighboring blade regions.
  • a hockey stick includes a blade and a shaft meeting at an elbow region.
  • a crown located along the top edge of the elbow region has an increased width, an increased height, or both, relative to crowns found in existing hockey blades.
  • FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an existing hockey blade.
  • FIG. 2 is a sectional view, taken along Section A-A, of the crown region of the hockey blade shown in FIG. 1 .
  • FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a hockey blade with an enhanced crown, according to one embodiment.
  • FIG. 4 is a side view of the hockey blade shown in FIG. 3 .
  • FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken at Section A of FIG. 4 .
  • FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken at Section B of FIG. 4 .
  • FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken at Section C of FIG. 4 .
  • a hockey-stick blade 10 or hockey blade 10 , according to one embodiment, is shown separate from a hockey-stick shaft.
  • the hockey blade 10 could alternatively be integrated into a one-piece stick.
  • the illustrated hockey blade 10 has a left-handed curvature for use by a left-handed player.
  • the blade 10 could alternatively be straight or have a right-handed curvature for use by a right-handed player.
  • the various blade regions may be made of composite laminates or of other suitable materials, such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,097,577 and 7,144,343, or in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/954,799, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
  • the hockey blade 10 includes a hosel 12 and a tenon 13 that is attachable to a shaft.
  • the blade 10 also includes a heel region 14 , a striking region 16 , and a toe region 18 , as well as a top edge 20 , a bottom edge 22 , and a toe edge 24 .
  • An enhanced or increased crown 17 is located along the top edge 20 of the blade 10 generally in the elbow region between the tenon 13 and the striking region 16 of the blade 10 .
  • the enhanced crown 17 occupies approximately the upper 8 to 12 mm of the blade 10 in the elbow region.
  • the blade 10 includes a front face 26 and a rear face (not visible in the figures) separated in a lateral direction by a cavity.
  • the cavity may be hollow or it may be filled with one or more core elements made of a foam material, such as a syntactic foam, a pre-cured polyurethane foam, or a lightweight flexible foam, or of one or more elastomeric materials, or one or more other suitable materials, such as those described in incorporated U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,097,577 and 7,144,343, or in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/954,799.
  • the core elements may be wrapped in one or more fiber-reinforced plies, such as plies reinforced with carbon, aramid, boron, glass, or other suitable materials.
  • the enhanced crown 17 extends along the top edge 20 of the blade 10 from a region near the end of the hosel 12 to a region overlying the heel 14 of the blade 10 .
  • the crown 17 widens in a lateral direction (i.e., in a direction generally perpendicular to the blade face 26 ) as it approaches its midpoint, then gradually narrows until it smoothly merges with the neighboring blade regions at the crown's two end regions.
  • the crown 17 may be symmetrical along its length such that its width is equal or substantially equal in both lateral directions at every position along its length.
  • the enhanced crown 17 may also increase in height from its endpoints to its midpoint.
  • the enhanced crown 17 may begin at or near the shape of a traditional blade near the end of the hosel 12 , then increase in width or height to a maximum size near its midpoint, then taper back down to smoothly blend into the blade near the heel or mid-region of the blade 10 .
  • FIG. 5 illustrates the starting point for the enhanced crown 17 at a position near the end of the hosel 12 where the crown 17 has not yet begun to appreciably widen or increase in height.
  • FIG. 6 illustrates a position near the midpoint of the crown 17 at which the width is increased (relative to the starting point) in each lateral direction by a distance X, and in the vertical direction by a distance Y.
  • the distance X is approximately 0.06 to 0.08 inches
  • the distance Y is approximately 0.05-0.07 inches. Any other suitable dimensions may alternatively be used.
  • FIG. 7 illustrates a position near the terminal end of the crown 17 at which the width is increased (relative to the starting point and to the adjacent “non-crown” region of the upper blade) in each lateral direction by a distance X′, and in the vertical direction by a distance Y′.
  • the distance X′ is approximately 0.02 to 0.04 inches
  • the distance Y′ is approximately 0.03 to 0.05 inches. Any other suitable dimensions may alternatively be used.
  • the starting point may vary according to the blade design.
  • some blades are formed integrally with their respective shafts, so it is not necessarily clear where the hosel ends.
  • Other blades may extend a greater or lesser distance in a vertical direction, such that the shaft-end of the hosel is located farther from or closer to the heel 14 of the blade.
  • the starting point of the enhanced crown 17 may be located a vertical distance Z of approximately 4.0 to 4.25 inches above the horizontal surface.
  • the starting point could alternatively be located at a greater or lesser distance from the horizontal surface.
  • the crown 17 may start as high as approximately 8.0 inches above the horizontal surface, or it may start nearer the bottom of the hosel 12 at less than 4.0 inches above the horizontal surface.
  • the enhanced crown 17 extends along the top of the blade 10 a longitudinal length L of approximately 4.0 to 5.0 inches.
  • the crown 17 may alternatively extend any other suitable length.
  • the crown 17 may extend a greater distance to approximately the mid-region of the top edge 20 of the blade 10 .
  • crown 17 is widest at or near its midpoint, and is symmetrical along its length about a longitudinal centerline of the blade 10 , other configurations are possible.
  • the crown 17 could extend further laterally in one of the forward or rearward directions, or could have an asymmetrical profile along its length.
  • the enhanced crown 17 helps to transfer load (or energy) from the shaft to the blade in the elbow region where such transfer is limited by existing designs. It does so without sacrificing puck handling and control, since the puck-contacting faces of the blade are not affected by the presence of the crown 17 . Indeed, the stiffer elbow region may actually improve control of the puck.
  • a hockey player When shooting a puck, a hockey player “loads” the stick by flexing the shaft prior to contacting the puck.
  • the loading of the stick is a combination of bending and twisting of the shaft and blade.
  • the elbow region undergoes significant deformation resulting from the focus of these stresses.
  • the shaft and blade then recover and accelerate the blade toward the puck.
  • the enhanced crown 17 improves the transfer of energy from the shaft to the blade, resulting in a faster, more controlled shot.
  • traditional hockey blades have a decreased thickness in the elbow region that results in a high degree of flexibility.
  • a blade that is too flexible in the elbow region responds more slowly in transferring energy from the shaft to the blade.
  • Providing an enhanced crown 17 improves stiffness in this area, which helps transfer the energy of the shaft to the blade.
  • the blade width in regions near the enhanced crown 17 may be reduced due to the presence of the stiffer elbow region. Reducing the width in these regions produces a lighter blade, which is preferred by some players.
  • Another shooting technique is to load the toe of the blade and induce bending and twisting of the blade with less contribution from the shaft.
  • This type of shot referred to as a “wrist shot,” involves increased blade energy that is loaded and released to propel the blade toward the puck.
  • a wrist shot requires less time than the typical “one timer” or slap shot, and is frequently used during play.
  • the properties of the blade are particularly important because more blade flex is induced than shaft flex.
  • the deformation of the blade is focused in the elbow area during a wrist shot.
  • Providing an enhanced crown 17 in the elbow region of the blade allows the blade to transfer more blade energy to the puck.
  • the loft of the blade increases, often resulting in shots with a higher trajectory than desired.
  • Providing a stiffer crown 17 helps to control the loft angle of the blade and improve control of the shot.
  • the enhanced crown 17 may also act as a bumper to assist in trapping bouncing or rolling pucks. Pucks that collide with the underside of the crown 17 , for example, will generally be guided downward toward the ice for improved control, as opposed to hopping over the blade 10 .
  • the enhanced crown 17 is relatively easy to produce. Indeed, the enhanced crown can be made of the same composite (or other) materials used to construct the remainder of the hockey blade 10 . Thus, labor and materials are only minimally increased relative to the manufacture of existing hockey blades.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
  • Golf Clubs (AREA)
  • Organic Low-Molecular-Weight Compounds And Preparation Thereof (AREA)
US14/070,265 2013-11-01 2013-11-01 Hockey blade with enhanced crown Abandoned US20150126311A1 (en)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US14/070,265 US20150126311A1 (en) 2013-11-01 2013-11-01 Hockey blade with enhanced crown
PCT/US2014/063501 WO2015066514A2 (en) 2013-11-01 2014-10-31 Hockey blade with enhanced crown
CA2929263A CA2929263C (en) 2013-11-01 2014-10-31 Hockey blade with enhanced crown
EP14858132.5A EP3062894B1 (de) 2013-11-01 2014-10-31 Hockeyblatt mit verbesserter krone

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US14/070,265 US20150126311A1 (en) 2013-11-01 2013-11-01 Hockey blade with enhanced crown

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20150126311A1 true US20150126311A1 (en) 2015-05-07

Family

ID=53005394

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US14/070,265 Abandoned US20150126311A1 (en) 2013-11-01 2013-11-01 Hockey blade with enhanced crown

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US20150126311A1 (de)
EP (1) EP3062894B1 (de)
CA (1) CA2929263C (de)
WO (1) WO2015066514A2 (de)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11517800B2 (en) 2017-12-14 2022-12-06 Bauer Hockey, Llc Hockey stick with variable stiffness shaft
US12029951B2 (en) 2017-12-14 2024-07-09 Bauer Hockey, Llc Hockey stick and blade for hockey stick
US12042706B2 (en) * 2017-12-14 2024-07-23 Bauer Hockey, Llc Hockey stick with variable stiffness blade

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5435548A (en) * 1994-03-07 1995-07-25 Leduke; Larry Hockey stick blade
US20050090339A1 (en) * 2003-10-24 2005-04-28 Adam Gans Hockey stick blade
US7008338B2 (en) * 2003-03-13 2006-03-07 Mission Itech Hockey, Inc Durable high performance hockey stick
US20060100044A1 (en) * 2000-01-07 2006-05-11 Jas. D. Easton, Inc., A California Corporation Hockey stick
US20110028250A1 (en) * 2009-07-30 2011-02-03 Sport Maska Inc. Ice hockey stick

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB436898A (en) * 1934-04-30 1935-10-21 Ernest Charles William Evernde Improvements in or relating to hockey sticks
US2569395A (en) * 1948-06-16 1951-09-25 Lovell Mfg Co Laminated hockey stick
USD230166S (en) * 1971-08-13 1974-01-29 Mylec Inc Hockey stick blade
US4452451A (en) * 1982-09-13 1984-06-05 Dubreuil J Real Hockey stick blade safety pad
US6926629B2 (en) * 2002-11-04 2005-08-09 Martin L. Dehen Attachment for blade of hockey stick
CA2427975A1 (en) * 2003-05-06 2004-11-06 Arthur Hong Hockey stick blade
US8608597B2 (en) * 2011-09-08 2013-12-17 Tzvi Avnery Hockey stick
US20150196817A1 (en) * 2014-01-16 2015-07-16 Warrior Sports, Inc. Hockey stick with improved blade construction

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5435548A (en) * 1994-03-07 1995-07-25 Leduke; Larry Hockey stick blade
US20060100044A1 (en) * 2000-01-07 2006-05-11 Jas. D. Easton, Inc., A California Corporation Hockey stick
US7008338B2 (en) * 2003-03-13 2006-03-07 Mission Itech Hockey, Inc Durable high performance hockey stick
US20050090339A1 (en) * 2003-10-24 2005-04-28 Adam Gans Hockey stick blade
US20110028250A1 (en) * 2009-07-30 2011-02-03 Sport Maska Inc. Ice hockey stick

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11517800B2 (en) 2017-12-14 2022-12-06 Bauer Hockey, Llc Hockey stick with variable stiffness shaft
US12029951B2 (en) 2017-12-14 2024-07-09 Bauer Hockey, Llc Hockey stick and blade for hockey stick
US12042706B2 (en) * 2017-12-14 2024-07-23 Bauer Hockey, Llc Hockey stick with variable stiffness blade

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2015066514A2 (en) 2015-05-07
EP3062894A4 (de) 2017-06-14
CA2929263C (en) 2018-11-27
WO2015066514A3 (en) 2015-11-19
EP3062894B1 (de) 2019-10-30
CA2929263A1 (en) 2015-05-07
EP3062894A2 (de) 2016-09-07

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Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: EASTON SPORTS, INC., CALIFORNIA

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:DAVIS, STEPHEN J.;REEL/FRAME:032144/0062

Effective date: 20140122

AS Assignment

Owner name: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NEW YORK

Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:EASTON SPORTS, INC.;EASTON SPORTS CANADA, INC.;REEL/FRAME:033647/0374

Effective date: 20140827

AS Assignment

Owner name: EASTON HOCKEY, INC., CALIFORNIA

Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:EASTON SPORTS, INC.;REEL/FRAME:034193/0480

Effective date: 20141011

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION

AS Assignment

Owner name: EASTON HOCKEY, INC, CALIFORNIA

Free format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.;REEL/FRAME:038044/0422

Effective date: 20160113

Owner name: EASTON HOCKEY CANADA, INC., CANADA

Free format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.;REEL/FRAME:038044/0422

Effective date: 20160113

AS Assignment

Owner name: BAUER HOCKEY, INC., NEW HAMPSHIRE

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:EASTON HOCKEY, INC.;REEL/FRAME:038609/0157

Effective date: 20160113