Abstract: Gear hooks may be attached to the exterior of a bag, such as a sports bag, to carry gear outside of the bag. In some embodiments, a gear hook may include a base portion, an attachment portion extending from the base portion, a neck portion extending transversely from the base portion, and an arm portion extending transversely from the neck portion. The arm portion may be spaced apart from the base portion to form a gap configured to receive one or more objects (gear) for carrying the one or more objects on the outside of the bag. The attachment portion may be stitched into or onto the bag. In some embodiments, the attachment portion may include a flange extending outwardly from the base portion and generally parallel to the base portion. In some embodiments, the attachment portion may include a spine extending transversely from the base portion.

Abstract: A hockey skate includes a fiber-reinforced, composite frame, or an injected plastic frame, including a boot form and integral pedestals that serve as a blade-holder. The pedestals are integral with the bottom of the boot sole and are optionally spaced relatively far apart to provide a long span between them. An optional bridge assembly may be used to connect the blade to the pedestals. The bridge assembly may provide increased stiffness and vibration damping, as well as customized fit options.

Abstract: Gear hooks may be attached to the exterior of a bag, such as a sports bag, to carry gear outside of the bag. In some embodiments, a gear hook may include a base portion, an attachment portion extending from the base portion, a neck portion extending transversely from the base portion, and an arm portion extending transversely from the neck portion. The arm portion may be spaced apart from the base portion to form a gap configured to receive one or more objects (gear) for carrying the one or more objects on the outside of the bag. The attachment portion may be stitched into or onto the bag. In some embodiments, the attachment portion may include a flange extending outwardly from the base portion and generally parallel to the base portion. In some embodiments, the attachment portion may include a spine extending transversely from the base portion.

Abstract: A boot form for a hockey skate is made of multiple plastic materials having different hardness properties, or different flexural moduli, and is formed via an injection-molding process or another similar process. One or more of the plastic materials may be reinforced with fibers of glass, carbon, aramid, or another stiffening material to strengthen one or more regions of the boot form. For example, pellets of a first plastic material having a flexural modulus of approximately 190 MPa (e.g., a polyamide elastomer block amide) may be injected into a mold to form a softer upper region of the boot form. And pellets of a second plastic having a flexural modulus of approximately 20,000 MPa (e.g., a Nylon 12 with long glass fibers) may be injected into the mold to form a stiffer lower region of the boot form. Additional skate components may then be attached to the boot form.

Abstract: Gear hooks may be attached to the exterior of a bag, such as a sports bag, to carry gear outside of the bag. In some embodiments, a gear hook may include a base portion, an attachment portion extending from the base portion, a neck portion extending transversely from the base portion, and an arm portion extending transversely from the neck portion. The arm portion may be spaced apart from the base portion to form a gap configured to receive one or more objects (gear) for carrying the one or more objects on the outside of the bag. The attachment portion may be stitched into or onto the bag. In some embodiments, the attachment portion may include a flange extending outwardly from the base portion and generally parallel to the base portion. In some embodiments, the attachment portion may include a spine extending transversely from the base portion.

Abstract: A boot form for a hockey skate is made of multiple plastic materials having different hardness properties, or different flexural moduli, and is formed via an injection-molding process or another similar process. One or more of the plastic materials may be reinforced with fibers of glass, carbon, aramid, or another stiffening material to strengthen one or more regions of the boot form. For example, pellets of a first plastic material having a flexural modulus of approximately 190 MPa (e.g., a polyamide elastomer block amide) may be injected into a mold to form a softer upper region of the boot form. And pellets of a second plastic having a flexural modulus of approximately 20,000 MPa (e.g., a Nylon 12 with long glass fibers) may be injected into the mold to form a stiffer lower region of the boot form. Additional skate components may then be attached to the boot form.

Abstract: A hockey skate includes a fiber-reinforced, composite frame, or an injected plastic frame, including a boot form and integral pedestals that serve as a blade-holder. The pedestals are integral with the bottom of the boot sole and are optionally spaced relatively far apart to provide a long span between them. An optional bridge assembly may be used to connect the blade to the pedestals. The bridge assembly may provide increased stiffness and vibration damping, as well as customized fit options.

Abstract: A hockey skate includes a fiber-reinforced, composite frame, or an injected plastic frame, including a boot form and integral pedestals that serve as a blade-holder. The pedestals are integral with the bottom of the boot sole and are optionally spaced relatively far apart to provide a long span between them. An optional bridge assembly may be used to connect the blade to the pedestals. The bridge assembly may provide increased stiffness and vibration damping, as well as customized fit options.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing a shell for a batting helmet includes interchangeable mold-core portions configured to form a cavity for receiving molding material. The mold-core portions include a first base mold-core portion and a plurality of inner side mold-core portions configured to form an interior contour of the shell. The mold-core portions further include a second base mold-core portion and a plurality of outer mold-core portions configured to form an exterior contour of the shell. Mold-core portions are interchangeable, removable, and replaceable from an interlocked position relative to other mold-core portions. A method of manufacturing batting helmet shells includes selecting mold-core portions corresponding to various helmet shell configurations having various protective features, assembling the mold-core portions into a mold assembly, and providing molding material into a cavity in the mold assembly.

Abstract: A hockey skate includes a fiber-reinforced, composite frame, or an injected plastic frame, including a boot form and integral pedestals that serve as a blade-holder. The pedestals are integral with the bottom of the boot sole and are optionally spaced relatively far apart to provide a long span between them. An optional bridge assembly may be used to connect the blade to the pedestals. The bridge assembly may provide increased stiffness and vibration damping, as well as customized fit options.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing a shell for a batting helmet includes interchangeable mold-core portions configured to form a cavity for receiving molding material. The mold-core portions include a first base mold-core portion and a plurality of inner side mold-core portions configured to form an interior contour of the shell. The mold-core portions further include a second base mold-core portion and a plurality of outer mold-core portions configured to form an exterior contour of the shell. Mold-core portions are interchangeable, removable, and replaceable from an interlocked position relative to other mold-core portions. A method of manufacturing batting helmet shells includes selecting mold-core portions corresponding to various helmet shell configurations having various protective features, assembling the mold-core portions into a mold assembly, and providing molding material into a cavity in the mold assembly.

Abstract: A boot form for a hockey skate is made of multiple plastic materials having different hardness properties, or different flexural moduli, and is formed via an injection-molding process or another similar process. One or more of the plastic materials may be reinforced with fibers of glass, carbon, aramid, or another stiffening material to strengthen one or more regions of the boot form. For example, pellets of a first plastic material having a flexural modulus of approximately 190 MPa (e.g., a polyamide elastomer block amide) may be injected into a mold to form a softer upper region of the boot form. And pellets of a second plastic having a flexural modulus of approximately 20,000 MPa (e.g., a Nylon 12 with long glass fibers) may be injected into the mold to form a stiffer lower region of the boot form. Additional skate components may then be attached to the boot form.

Abstract: A hockey skate includes a fiber-reinforced, composite frame, or an injected plastic frame, including a boot form and integral pedestals that serve as a blade-holder. The pedestals are integral with the bottom of the boot sole and are optionally spaced relatively far apart to provide a long span between them. An optional bridge assembly may be used to connect the blade to the pedestals. The bridge assembly may provide increased stiffness and vibration damping, as well as customized fit options.

Abstract: A chest protector may include a flexible panel configured to generally conform to a user's chest and abdominal regions, one or more retention elements connected to the flexible panel and positioned to hold the chest protector on the user, and one or more high-friction elements positioned on an anterior outer surface of the flexible panel, the one or more high-friction elements configured to reduce angular momentum, or change rotation, of a ball impacting at least one of the one or more high-friction elements. The high-friction elements may include elements of tacky material, such as one or more dots or other elements of tacky material.

Abstract: A boot form for a hockey skate is made of multiple plastic materials having different hardness properties, or different flexural moduli, and is formed via an injection-molding process or another similar process. One or more of the plastic materials may be reinforced with fibers of glass, carbon, aramid, or another stiffening material to strengthen one or more regions of the boot form. For example, pellets of a first plastic material having a flexural modulus of approximately 190 MPa (e.g., a polyamide elastomer block amide) may be injected into a mold to form a softer upper region of the boot form. And pellets of a second plastic having a flexural modulus of approximately 20,000 MPa (e.g., a Nylon 12 with long glass fibers) may be injected into the mold to form a stiffer lower region of the boot form. Additional skate components may then be attached to the boot form.

Abstract: A hockey skate includes a fiber-reinforced, composite frame, or an injected plastic frame, including a boot form and integral pedestals that serve as a blade-holder. The pedestals are integral with the bottom of the boot sole and are optionally spaced relatively far apart to provide a long span between them. An optional bridge assembly may be used to connect the blade to the pedestals. The bridge assembly may provide increased stiffness and vibration damping, as well as customized fit options.

Abstract: A hockey skate includes a fiber-reinforced, composite frame, or an injected plastic frame, including a boot form and integral pedestals that serve as a blade-holder. The pedestals are integral with the bottom of the boot sole and are optionally spaced relatively far apart to provide a long span between them. An optional bridge assembly may be used to connect the blade to the pedestals. The bridge assembly may provide increased stiffness and vibration damping, as well as customized fit options.

Abstract: A boot form for a hockey skate is made of multiple plastic materials having different hardness properties, or different flexural moduli, and is formed via an injection-molding process or another similar process. One or more of the plastic materials may be reinforced with fibers of glass, carbon, aramid, or another stiffening material to strengthen one or more regions of the boot form. For example, pellets of a first plastic material having a flexural modulus of approximately 190 MPa (e.g., a polyamide elastomer block amide) may be injected into a mold to form a softer upper region of the boot form. And pellets of a second plastic having a flexural modulus of approximately 20,000 MPa (e.g., a Nylon 12 with long glass fibers) may be injected into the mold to form a stiffer lower region of the boot form. Additional skate components may then be attached to the boot form.

Abstract: A boot form for a hockey skate is made of multiple plastic materials having different hardness properties, or different flexural moduli, and is formed via an injection-molding process or another similar process. One or more of the plastic materials may be reinforced with fibers of glass, carbon, aramid, or another stiffening material to strengthen one or more regions of the boot form. For example, pellets of a first plastic material having a flexural modulus of approximately 190 MPa (e.g., a polyamide elastomer block amide) may be injected into a mold to form a softer upper region of the boot form. And pellets of a second plastic having a flexural modulus of approximately 20,000 MPa (e.g., a Nylon 12 with long glass fibers) may be injected into the mold to form a stiffer lower region of the boot form. Additional skate components may then be attached to the boot form.