Hockey puck receiver and storage bag

Abstract

A hockey puck receiver and carrier comprises a container having an open end, a closed end, three or more substantially flat sides, each side terminating in a side edge at the open end, and a ramp hingedly affixed to each side edge. In the preferred embodiment, the enclosure is three-sided, and the sides are at least semi-rigid. A carrying handle attached to the container is preferably provided. The enclosure is preferably constructed from a rigid frame covered with an inner or outer skin of material. A flap of material is adjoined at each edge, each flap having a first edge co-extensive with a respective one of the side edges, and an opposing, second edge including a draw-string tunnel. The carrying handle comprises a drawstring dressed through the tunnels. A plurality of dump handles are preferably provided, each having a first end and a second end, each first end being attached to a respective one of the flaps, and wherein all the second ends are joined at a point proximate to the closed end. Advertising or informational indicia are optionally imprinted on one or more of the sides. Methods of collecting hockey pucks according to the invention are also disclosed.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to sports equipment and, in particular, to an article that may be placed on an ice surface to receive hockey pucks, then picked up by one or more handles for transport.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Particularly during hockey practice, it may be the case that dozens of hockey pucks are used on the ice. Collecting these at the end of a practice session may be very inconvenient, since the process must be carried out manually. Although there are hockey puck carrying bags available, none of them allow the players to shoot a puck into the bag. This capability would certainly make puck collection much more convenient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to a hockey puck receiver and carrier. Broadly according to the invention the article comprises a container having an open end, a closed end, three or more substantially flat sides, each side terminating in a side edge at the open end, and a ramp hingedly affixed to each side edge. In the preferred embodiment, the enclosure is three-sided, and the sides are at least semi-rigid. A carrying handle attached to the container is preferably provided.

Also in the preferred embodiment, the enclosure is constructed from a rigid frame covered with an inner or outer skin of material. A flap of material is adjoined at each edge, each flap having a first edge co-extensive with a respective one of the side edges, and an opposing, second edge including a draw-string tunnel. The carrying handle comprises a drawstring dressed through the tunnels.

A plurality of dump handles are preferably provided, each having a first end and a second end, each first end being attached to a respective one of the flaps, and wherein all the second ends are joined at a point proximate to the closed end. Advertising or informational indicia are optionally imprinted on one or more of the sides.

A method of collecting hockey pucks according to the invention comprises the step of providing a container having an open end, a closed end, three or more substantially flat sides, each side terminating in a side edge at the open end, and a ramp hingedly affixed to each side edge. This article is placed on an ice surface such that one of the flat sides and associated ramp rests thereon. The method continues by shooting one or more pucks into the receiver and carrier and lifting the article off the ice surface with the pucks contained therein.

If the inventive receiver and carrier includes dump handles, a method according to the invention further includes the step of lifting the receiver and carrier off the ice surface using the carrying handle with the pucks contained therein, and dumping the pucks out of the receiver and carrier using one or more of the dump handles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hockey puck receiver and storage bag according to the invention placed on an ice surface to receive pucks;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the hockey puck receiver and storage bag of claim 1 in position for carrying and storage; and

FIG. 3 is a drawing of an alternative embodiment of the invention constructed from rigid panels.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 1 generally at 100 in position on an ice surface allowing a puck 101 to be shot thereinto. The articles comprises an enclosure 102 formed using a rigid frame 106, covered on either or both sides with skin material 102-104. In terms of materials, the frame 106 may utilize any rigid, preferably lightweight members, such as aluminum, steel tubing, plastic, and the like, whereas skins 102, 104 may be comprised of any suitable durable material, such as nylon, rip-stop nylon, canvas, and the like.

The article includes an open end 110 into which the pucks are shot. To facilitate a smooth transition into the bag, ramps 112, 114, 116 are provided at the open edges of each wall. These ramps are hingedly affixed to the wall edge, such that when the enclosure is thrown or placed onto an ice surface, the ramp at the bottom folds down, creating a smooth transition for puck receiving. Again, the ramps may be made from any suitable thin rigid materials, such as aluminum, plastics, and so forth.

Also attached to the edges of the opening 110 are flaps 122, 124, 126, each having an opposing tunnel, into which a drawstring is dressed, creating loops 140, 150, 160. When the article is in a carrying position, as shown in FIG. 2, these loops are held together, creating a cinched closing at the top of the article, keeping pucks 101 better contained therein.

The preferred embodiment preferably also includes dump handles 132, 134, 136, each having one end attached to a respective one of the flaps, preferably near its mid-section, and another end connected to the other ends of the dump handles. The lengths of these handles is sufficiently loose, that when the carrying handles are pulled for transport as shown in FIG. 2, the dump handles 132, 134, 136, are pulled more snugly against the side of the article, as opposed to the receiving position shown in FIG. 1 whereas these handles are relatively loose, but nevertheless contained about the bag.

The container preferably has a plurality of substantially flat sides, such that it is self-righting when placed or thrown on ice. Thus, at a minimum, a three-sided article is used, though other geometries having a greater number of sides are certainly accommodated by the invention. In terms of dimensions, the length L, shown in FIG. 2, is preferably on the order of 16 inches to 2 feet or more, whereas the width W is preferably on the order of 1 foot or more. Although these are preferred dimensions, the invention is not limited in this regard.

As opposed to a fabric-covered frame, rigid panels may alternatively be used as shown in FIG. 3. These panels may be metal or, more preferably, plastic, which may be molded or bonded into a shape having three or more flat sides. The “ramps” in this case, would consist of shaping the entrance portion 310, so that the edge nearest to the ice surface is relatively thin, thereby creating a puck-gliding surface. Handles 304, 306, may be formed simply by removing some of the material along an edge. Although fewer handles may be provided in this way, a set of handles 304 is preferably provided for carrying, whereas a separate set of handles 306 are preferably provided for dumping. To retain pucks and keep the back wall from breaking or cracking, this embodiment preferably includes a thick pad or other resilient layer 320, constructed of foam, or the like, to absorb impact.

Claims

1. A hockey puck receiver and carrier, comprising:

a container having an open end, a closed end, and three or more substantially flat sides, each side terminating in a side edge at the open end; and

a ramp hingedly affixed to each side edge.

2. The hockey puck receiver and carrier of claim 1, wherein the sides are at least semi-rigid.

3. The hockey puck receiver and carrier of claim 1, wherein the enclosure is three-sided.

4. The hockey puck receiver and carrier of claim 1, further including a carrying handle attached to the container.

5. The hockey puck receiver and carrier of claim 1, wherein the enclosure is constructed from a rigid frame covered with an inner or outer skin of material.

6. The hockey puck receiver and carrier of claim 1, wherein the enclosure is constructed from a rigid frame covered with an inner and outer skin of material.

7. The hockey puck receiver and carrier of claim 1, further including:

a flap of material adjoined at each edge, each flap having a first edge co-extensive with a respective one of the side edges and an opposing, second edge including a drawstring tunnel; and

a drawstring dressed through the tunnels forming a carrying handle.

8. The hockey puck receiver and carrier of claim 1, further including:

a flap of material adjoined at each edge, each flap having a first edge co-extensive with a respective one of the side edges and an opposing, second edge including a drawstring tunnel;

a drawstring dressed through each tunnel; and

a plurality of dump handles, each having a first end and a second end, each first end being attached to a respective one of the flaps, and wherein all the second ends are joined at a point proximate to the closed end.

9. The hockey puck receiver and carrier of claim 1, further including advertising or informational indicia imprinted on one or more of the sides.

10. A hockey puck receiver and carrier, comprising:

a container having an open end, a closed end, and three or more substantially flat sides, each side terminating in a side edge at the open end;

a ramp hingedly affixed to each side edge;

a flap of material adjoined at each edge, each flap having a first edge co-extensive with a respective one of the side edges and an opposing, second edge including a drawstring tunnel;

a drawstring dressed through the tunnels forming a carrying handle; and

a plurality of dump handles, each having a first end and a second end, each first end being attached to a respective one of the flaps, and wherein all the second ends are joined at a point proximate to the closed end.

11. The hockey puck receiver and carrier of claim 10, wherein the enclosure is three-sided.

12. The hockey puck receiver and carrier of claim 10, wherein the enclosure is constructed from a rigid frame covered with an inner or outer skin of material.

13. The hockey puck receiver and carrier of claim 10, wherein the enclosure is constructed from a rigid frame covered with an inner and outer skin of material.

14. The hockey puck receiver and carrier of claim 10, further including advertising or informational indicia imprinted on one or more of the sides.

15. A method of collecting hockey pucks, comprising the steps of:

providing the hockey puck receiver and carrier of claim 1;

placing the receiver and carrier such that one of the flat sides and associated ramp rests on an ice surface;

shooting one or more pucks into the receiver and carrier; and

lifting the receiver and carrier off the ice surface with the pucks contained therein.

16. A method of collecting hockey pucks, comprising the steps of:

providing the hockey puck receiver and carrier of claim 10;

placing the receiver and carrier such that one of the flat sides and associated ramp rests on an ice surface;

shooting one or more pucks into the receiver and carrier;

lifting the receiver and carrier off the ice surface using the carrying handle with the pucks contained therein; and

dumping the pucks out of the receiver and carrier using one or more of the dump handles.

17. A hockey puck receiver and carrier, comprising:

a container having an open end, a closed end, and three substantially flat sides constructed from a rigid frame and skin material, each side terminating in a side edge at the open end;

a ramp hingedly affixed to each side edge;

a flap of material adjoined at each edge, each flap having a first edge co-extensive with a respective one of the side edges and an opposing, second edge including a draw-string tunnel;

a drawstring dressed through the tunnels forming a carrying handle; and

a plurality of dump handles, each having a first end and a second end, each first end being attached to a respective one of the flaps, and wherein all the second ends are joined at a point proximate to the closed end.

18. The hockey puck receiver and carrier of claim 17, wherein the frame is covered with an inner or outer skin of material.

19. The hockey puck receiver and carrier of claim 17, wherein the frame is covered with an inner and outer skin of material.

20. The hockey puck receiver and carrier of claim 17, further including advertising or informational indicia imprinted on one or more of the sides.