HOCKEY STICK CAPABLE OF BEING RESHAPED

Abstract

A thermoplastic hockey stick is disclosed. The hockey stick is conventional in nature and is provided complete with a shaft and a blade including a curved face a heel and a toe. All parameters of the hockey stick may vary in size and configuration as is typical with conventional hockey sticks, with varying sizes and configurations for all ages from child to adult and skill levels from beginner to professional. However, all internal materials of all sections of the present invention would comprise reinforcing fiber such as fiberglass or carbon and a thermoplastic polymer. The thermoplastic polymer and the reinforcing fiber is formed with heat and pressure, but without any chemical reaction.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to sporting equipment. In particular, this invention relates to a hockey stick that can be reshaped and give opportunity for reusing composites from one product to future products.

BACKGROUND

A hockey stick is a piece of sports equipment used by the players in all the forms of hockey to move the ball or puck either to push, pull, hit, strike, flick, steer, launch or stop the ball/puck during play with the objective being to move the ball/puck around the playing area using the stick, and then trying to score.

The word “stick” is a very generic term for the equipment since the different disciplines of hockey require significant differences in both the form and the size of the stick used for it to be effective in the different sports. Field/ice/roller hockey all have a visually similar form of stick with a long shaft or handle which can be held with two hands, and a curved and flattened end; the end and curvature of these sticks are generally the most visible differences between the sticks for these sports. A modern underwater hockey stick bears little resemblance to any field/ice/roller hockey stick.

Ice hockey sticks have traditionally been made from wood, but in recent years, sticks made of more expensive materials such as aluminum, aramid (brands Kevlar, Nomex, Twaron, etc.), fiberglass, carbon fiber, and other composite materials have become common. In addition to weighing less, composite sticks can be manufactured with more consistent flexibility properties than their wooden counterparts. They also do not have the natural variations that wooden sticks possess therefore a batch of the same sticks will all perform roughly the same. Some of these sticks have replaceable wood or composite blades, while others are one-piece sticks without a replaceable blade. Composite sticks, despite their greater expense, are now commonplace at nearly all competitive levels of the sport, including youth ice hockey. These new sticks are lighter and provide a quicker release of the puck, resulting in a harder, more accurate shot. More expensive ice hockey sticks usually are the lightest sticks on the market (390-470 grams in a senior stick). In addition to the increased torque that these composite sticks possess, the sticks do not warp or absorb moisture like their wooden counterparts.

Currently, sticks are broken in normal use cases and on average a player will go through three to seven (3-7) sticks per year. This makes a big case for recycling and being able to reuse instead of using exclusively new “virgin” materials.

Currently hockey sticks are separated by handedness. A player will choose a left handed model if they grip the stick in a fashion that their right hand is placed furthest from the blade. A player will choose a right handed model if they grip the stick in a fashion that their left hand is placed furthest from the blade. On top of handedness a multitude of stick shapes, lengths, and blade “patterns” or curvatures exist to accommodate player preference, position, and ability.

Conventional hockey sticks, typically formed with a thermoset composite use a thermoset polymer, which can be referred to, but not limited to resin, epoxy or poly. The thermoset polymer utilizes a chemical reaction during forming, and as such, cannot be reformed after its initial forming. To shape a hockey stick blade a separate mold is required for each shape identified. Most manufacturers use unique molds for each stick to accommodate player handedness and preference of blade curvature. With current technology of what is referred to as a “true” one piece unique mold the size of a full hockey stick is required for each style change. By being able to reshape utilizing thermoplastic technology, significant mold costs can be saved.

Accordingly, and in light of the foregoing, it would be desirable to be able to reheat, reform, and reshape a hockey stick over and over again for an unlimited number of times. It would be advantageous to produce a hockey stick with limitless variations of the blade curves using a single mold. This would allow retailers to maintain a supply of standard hockey sticks with blades that are customizable for a user. It would be ecologically friendly to produce a “green” product that reduces waste and consumption of water, energy, and raw materials.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of the thermoplastic based composite hockey stick 10, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the thermoplastic based composite hockey stick 10, as seen along a line I-I, as shown in FIG. 1, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and,

FIG. 3 is a life cycle flow and process flow diagram of the thermoplastic hockey stick 10, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTIVE KEY

• • 10 thermoplastic based composite hockey stick
  • 15 shaft
  • 20 blade
  • 25 face
  • 30 heel
  • 35 toe
  • 40 reinforcing fiber
  • 45 thermoplastic polymer
  • 50 internal area
  • 51 hollow interior
  • 52 indentations
  • 53 rounded corners
  • 55 usage scenarios
  • 60 broken hockey stick
  • 65 grinder
  • 70 raw thermoplastic based composite—short strand feedstock material
  • 72 raw thermoplastic based composite—long strand feedstock material
  • 75 thermoplastic molding machine

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within FIGS. 1 through 3. However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment, and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one (1) particular configuration or exemplar shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims.

The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one (1) of the referenced items.

1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Referring now to FIG. 1, a side view of the thermoplastic hockey stick 10, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. The thermoplastic hockey stick (herein also described as the “hockey stick”) 10, provides for an otherwise standard ice hockey stick made from a unitary thermoplastic composite. The hockey stick 10 is conventional in nature and is provided complete with a shaft 15 and a blade 20 including a curved face 25 a heel 30 and a toe 35. All parameters of the hockey stick 10 may vary in size and configuration as is typical with conventional hockey sticks 10, with varying sizes and configurations for all ages from child to adult and skill levels from beginner to professional. As such, the teachings of the hockey stick 10 shall not be limited to any particular size, style, or configuration. However, all internal materials of all sections of the present invention would comprise reinforcing fiber 40 such as fiberglass or carbon and a thermoplastic polymer 45. The thermoplastic polymer 45 and the reinforcing fiber 40 is formed with heat and pressure, but without any chemical reaction. As such, the reinforcing fiber 40 and the thermoplastic polymer 45 may be reheated and reshaped an almost unlimited number of times. This is in sharp contrast to conventional hockey sticks, typically formed with a thermoset composite, which while still using a reinforcing fiber 40, uses a thermoset polymer in lieu of the thermoplastic polymer 45. The thermoset polymer utilizes a chemical reaction during forming, and as such, cannot be reformed after its initial forming.

Referring next to FIG. 2, a sectional view of the hockey stick 10, as seen along a line I-I, as shown in FIG. 1, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is depicted. The internal area 50 is homogenous in nature and would comprise the reinforcing fiber 40 and thermoplastic polymer 45 as described previously. The shaft 154 will be created from continuous long-strand reinforcing fibers as they are necessary to achieve the correct strength and flexure across the long span of the shaft 15. The blade 20 (not shown in this FIGURE) will be comprised of short-strand reinforcing fibers and thermoplastic polymer 45. It is noted that the cross-sectional area as depicted would be similar for any and all cross-sections taken of the hockey stick 10, but with differences confined only to the exterior perimeter and not the composition up of the internal area 50. A hollow interior 51, indentations 52, and/or rounded corners 53 may or may not be provided. The presence or lack of presence of the hollow interior. 51, indentations 52, and/or rounded corners 53 is not intended to be a limiting factor of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, a life cycle flow and process flow diagram of the hockey stick 10, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. The process or life cycle begins with a hockey stick 10 in new condition. As expected, it is used in various scenarios 55 such as games, practice, and the like. During such scenarios 55, the usage of the hockey stick 10 yields similar configuration characteristics when compared to conventional thermoset hockey sticks with regards shape of the blade 20 (as shown in FIG. 1) and flexure of the shaft 15 (as shown in FIG. 1). However, the thermoplastic based composite hockey stick 10 is envisioned to provide improved usage characteristics with regards to superior dampening, and impact performance when compared to conventional thermoset hockey sticks. As expected in the sport of hockey, hockey sticks 10 will break under common usage scenarios and produce many broken hockey sticks 60. Such broken hockey sticks 60 may be collected at a common collection point, via return to the manufacturer, retailer, or wholesaler, or as part of return policy with purchase of a new thermoplastic based composite hockey stick 10. The broken hockey stick(s) 60 are placed into a grinder 65 which produces raw thermoplastic based composite feedstock material 70 in the form of short-strand, ground, or any of the like composites that are not of virgin or first time usage. The raw thermoplastic based composite feedstock material 70 is then used in a thermoplastic molding machine 75 to produce a significant portion of the new hockey stick 10 to complete the process or life cycle process. It is also noted that 72 raw thermoplastic based composite—long strand feedstock material 72, either of virgin or recycled nature, may also be used in the manufacturing process. The nature of the thermoplastic material allows for ready re-forming and re-shaping after initial molding. This post-processing allows for individual customization of the hockey stick 10 without the use of specialized and expensive molds that are typically required for uniquely shaped products. This usage produces a “green” product that is ecologically friendly by reducing waste and consumption of water, energy, and raw materials, and allows for continuous and unlimited recycling.

2. OPERATION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. It is envisioned that the hockey stick 10 would be constructed in general accordance with FIG. 1 through FIG. 3. The user would procure the hockey stick 10 from conventional procurement channels such as sporting goods stores, hockey supply wholesalers, discount stores, mail order and internet supply houses and the like. Special attention would be paid to the overall size and configuration of the hockey stick 10 such that it meets the needs of the user as with any hockey stick.

During utilization of the hockey stick 10, the user is afforded improved performance with regards to superior dampening and impact performance when compared to conventional thermoset hockey sticks, and other performance characteristics equal or similar to thermoset hockey sticks.

The user and manufacturer of the present invention also benefit from another advantage which is the ability to shape the blade 20, and particularly the curve of the blade 20, to suit the preference of the user. Typical thermoset hockey sticks require separate molds to produce blades 20 with different curves, which are costly for manufacturers, and require retailers to carry numerous sticks 10 of different curves and lies, which cannot be changed by a typical user. By contrast, the example of the present invention would allow a manufacturer to produce hockey sticks 10 with limitless variations of blade curves using a single mold; would allow retailers to maintain an optimal supply of standard hockey sticks 10 with blades 20 that can be customized, and would enable a user to alter the blade 20 as many times as desired.

Should the hockey stick 10 become broken for whatever reason, the broken hockey sticks 60 would be returned to a central processing facility, where it would be ground into raw thermoplastic based composite feedstock material 70 by a grinder 65 and reformed into a new hockey stick 10 to allow for continued usage in a repeating and cyclical manner.

It is envisioned that the features of the hockey stick 10 provide the following benefits: old hockey sticks 10 can be readily recyclable to create new hockey sticks 10; the hockey stick 10 is customizable after initial molding; there is an improved feel and performance for the player via dampened blade reduction of the hockey stick 10; there is a reduction of waste during manufacturing; there is a reduced need and lower cost for raw materials; there is a lower cost of a new hockey stick 10 with a possible “buy-back” or core charge replacement program; there is a lower cost of inventory for different bladed hockey sticks 10; there are a fewer molds required to produce specialized hockey sticks 10; there is reduced consumption of water, energy, and raw materials in the manufacturing process; and, there are social and marketing benefits of manufacturing and using “green” products.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms or markets disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Claims

1. A hockey stick capable of multiple reshaping, the hockey stick comprising:

a shaft, the shaft having a first internal area;

a blade, the blade having a curved face, a heel, a second internal area and a toe, the blade being coupled to the shaft; and

wherein each of the shaft and the blade being made of a reinforcing fiber.

2. The hockey stick according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing fiber being formed with a heat and a pressure, wherein the heat and the pressure causing no chemical reaction.

3. The hockey stick according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing fiber being combined with a thermoplastic polymer to create a composite material.

4. The hockey stick according to claim 1, wherein the first internal area being homogeneous material.

5. The hockey stick according to claim 4, wherein the first internal area consisting of the reinforcing fiber and the thermoplastic polymer.

6. The hockey stick according to claim 1, wherein the second internal area being homogeneous.

7. The hockey stick according to claim 7, wherein the homogeneous second internal area consisting of the reinforcing fiber and the thermoplastic polymer.

8. The hockey stick according to claim 1, wherein the blade comprising a short strand, wherein the short strand is made of reinforcing fibers.

9. The hockey stick according to claim 1, wherein the shaft having long-strand reinforcing fibers.

10. The hockey stick according to claim 1, wherein the curve of the blade configured to be remolded.

11. The hockey stick according to claim 1, wherein the curve of the blade being configured in a different shape.

12. The hockey stick according to claim 12, wherein the blade is configured to be remolded as many times as desired.

13. The hockey stick according to claim 1, wherein the shaft is configured from a first mold.

14. The hockey stick according to claim 13, wherein the blade being configured from a second mold.

15. The hockey stick according to claim 14, wherein the first mold is different than the second mold.

16. The hockey stick according to claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic polymer configured for post-processing of the shaft.

17. The hockey stick according to claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic polymer configured for post-processing of the blade.

18. The hockey stick according to claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic polymer is configured to be re-forming of the shaft after initial molding of the shaft.

19. The hockey stick according to claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic polymer is configured to be re-shaping of the blade after initial molding of the blade.