Abstract: A method of forming a sporting implement includes placing a plurality of fibers in a cavity formed in a first portion of a mold, the mold having an inlet and an outlet. A second portion of the mold is positioned in contact with the first portion such that the cavity cooperates with the second portion of the mold to define a chamber. A first material is mixed with a second material to form a thermoplastic resin. The thermoplastic resin is injected into the chamber through the inlet. The inlet and outlet are closed, and the thermoplastic resin completely polymerizes so as to form a fiber reinforced sporting element in the chamber, and the sporting element is removed from the chamber.

Abstract: A method of forming a sporting implement includes placing a plurality of fibers in a cavity formed in a first portion of a mold, the mold having an inlet and an outlet. A second portion of the mold is positioned in contact with the first portion such that the cavity cooperates with the second portion of the mold to define a chamber. A first material is mixed with a second material to form a thermoplastic resin. The thermoplastic resin is injected into the chamber through the inlet. The inlet and outlet are closed, and the thermoplastic resin completely polymerizes so as to form a fiber reinforced sporting element in the chamber, and the sporting element is removed from the chamber.

Abstract: A sporting implement, such as a blade or shaft for a hockey stick, may include a boron-enhanced fiber material configured to increase the strength and reduce the weight of the structure. This boron-enhanced material may form all or a portion of the sporting implement.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating a 3D braided material and exemplary 3D braided material for sporting implements are disclosed. The exemplary braids can be incorporated into any sporting implements, such as, baseball bats, lacrosse sticks, hockey sticks, rackets, helmets, and other protective equipment. The example sporting implement can be constructed, partially or entirely, with a braided three dimensional structure. The 3D braided material can be a multi-directional layup having tows oriented in three directions (X, Y and Z) and also at any angle created by the combination of two or three directions. A single woven preform can be formed that can have a near net shape of the formed product, with the fibers oriented in a way that will be optimal for the particular application.

Abstract: A sporting implement, such as a blade for a hockey stick, may include an outer layer, a core, and a recovery gel positioned between the core and the outer layer. The recovery gel can form a film, be compressible, shape recoverable, and pressurized to a predetermined pressure. The recovery gel can be configured to provide an integrated agent for filling cracks that appear during use of the blade and configured to absorb energy impacts between the outer layer and the core. When a crack appears, the predetermined pressure can be relieved inside the crack and fills a cavity formed by the crack to provide cohesion between the outer layer and the core to recreate a new material in the place of the crack. The recovery gel can be configured to help prevent cracks from propagating and actively heals potential damages by reducing stiffness loss caused by cracks.

Abstract: A construct for a hockey blade that includes a foam core. The foam core includes a first core face, a second core face, and a bottom core edge and a top core edge. Multiple pins are injected into the foam core, and one or more layers of resin preimpregnated tape are wrapped around the foam before forming a hockey blade structure in a heated mold.

Abstract: A hockey stick or other sports implement for a player. The hockey stick or other sports implement comprises an elongated member to be held by the player and an end cap mounted to the elongated member. The end cap comprises an end portion comprising an end of the end cap that defines a longitudinal end of the elongated member, and a hanging portion comprising a hanger to hang the hockey stick or other sports implement. The hanger is adjustable.

Abstract: A construct for a hockey stick formed from layers of fiber tape and a reinforcing nanofiber material. The nanofiber is integrated into the molded hockey stick to increase the strength and toughness of inter-laminar bonds between the fiber tape. The nanofiber may include carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: A construct for a hockey blade that includes a foam core. The foam core includes a first core face, a second core face, and a bottom core edge and a top core edge. Multiple pins are injected into the foam core, and one or more layers of resin preimpregnated tape are wrapped around the foam before forming a hockey blade structure in a heated mold.

Abstract: A construct for a hockey stick formed from layers of fiber tape and a reinforcing nanofiber material. The nanofiber is integrated into the molded hockey stick to increase the strength and toughness of inter-laminar bonds between the fiber tape. The nanofiber may include carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating a 3D braided material and exemplary 3D braided material for sporting implements are disclosed. The exemplary braids can be incorporated into any sporting implements, such as, baseball bats, lacrosse sticks, hockey sticks, rackets, helmets, and other protective equipment. The example sporting implement can be constructed, partially or entirely, with a braided three dimensional structure. The 3D braided material can be a multi-directional layup having tows oriented in three directions (X, Y and Z) and also at any angle created by the combination of two or three directions. A single woven preform can be formed that can have a near net shape of the formed product, with the fibers oriented in a way that will be optimal for the particular application.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating a 3D woven material and exemplary 3D woven material for sporting implements are disclosed. The exemplary weaves can be incorporated into any sporting implements, such as, baseball bats, lacrosse sticks, hockey sticks, rackets, helmets, and other protective equipment. The example sporting implement can be constructed, partially or entirely, with a woven or braided three dimensional structure. The 3D woven material can be a multi-directional layup having tows oriented in three directions (X, Y and Z) and also at any angle created by the combination of two or three directions. A single woven preform can be formed that can have a near net shape of the formed product, with the fibers oriented in a way that will be optimal for the particular application.

Abstract: A sporting implement, such as a blade for a hockey stick, may include an outer layer, a core, and a recovery gel positioned between the core and the outer layer. The recovery gel can form a film, be compressible, shape recoverable, and pressurized to a predetermined pressure. The recovery gel can be configured to provide an integrated agent for filling cracks that appear during use of the blade and configured to absorb energy impacts between the outer layer and the core. When a crack appears, the predetermined pressure can be relieved inside the crack and fills a cavity formed by the crack to provide cohesion between the outer layer and the core to recreate a new material in the place of the crack. The recovery gel can be configured to help prevent cracks from propagating and actively heals potential damages by reducing stiffness loss caused by cracks.

Abstract: A sporting implement, such as a blade for a hockey stick, may include an outer layer, a core, and a recovery gel positioned between the core and the outer layer. The recovery gel can form a film, be compressible, shape recoverable, and pressurized to a predetermined pressure. The recovery gel can be configured to provide an integrated agent for filling cracks that appear during use of the blade and configured to absorb energy impacts between the outer layer and the core. When a crack appears, the predetermined pressure can be relieved inside the crack and fills a cavity formed by the crack to provide cohesion between the outer layer and the core to recreate a new material in the place of the crack. The recovery gel can be configured to help prevent cracks from propagating and actively heals potential damages by reducing stiffness loss caused by cracks.

Abstract: A construct for a hockey stick formed from layers of fiber tape and a reinforcing nanofiber material. The nanofiber is integrated into the molded hockey stick to increase the strength and toughness of inter-laminar bonds between the fiber tape. The nanofiber may include carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: A method of forming a sporting implement includes placing a plurality of fibers in a cavity formed in a first portion of a mold, the mold having an inlet and an outlet. A second portion of the mold is positioned in contact with the first portion such that the cavity cooperates with the second portion of the mold to define a chamber. A first material is mixed with a second material to form a thermoplastic resin. The thermoplastic resin is injected into the chamber through the inlet. The inlet and outlet are closed, and the thermoplastic resin completely polymerizes so as to form a fiber reinforced sporting element in the chamber, and the sporting element is removed from the chamber.

Abstract: A construct for a hockey blade that includes a foam core. The foam core includes a first core face, a second core face, and a bottom core edge and a top core edge. Multiple pins are injected into the foam core, and one or more layers of resin preimpregnated tape are wrapped around the foam before forming a hockey blade structure in a heated mold.

Abstract: A construct for a hockey blade that includes a foam core. The foam core includes a first core face, a second core face, and a bottom core edge and a top core edge. Multiple pins are injected into the foam core, and one or more layers of resin preimpregnated tape are wrapped around the foam before forming a hockey blade structure in a heated mold.

Abstract: A construct for a hockey blade that includes a foam core. The foam core includes a first core face, a second core face, and a bottom core edge and a top core edge. Multiple pins are injected into the foam core, and one or more layers of resin preimpregnated tape are wrapped around the foam before forming a hockey blade structure in a heated mold.

Abstract: A hockey stick or other sports implement for a player. The hockey stick or other sports implement comprises an elongated member to be held by the player and an end cap mounted to the elongated member. The end cap comprises an end portion comprising an end of the end cap that defines a longitudinal end of the elongated member, and a hanging portion comprising a hanger to hang the hockey stick or other sports implement. The hanger is adjustable.