Abstract: A hockey stick having an angled shaft extension comprises an elongate shaft having an upper end and a lower end and defining a shaft longitudinal axis, and is graspable by a hockey player. The upper end has a substantially hollow central portion. A blade is securely connected to the elongate shaft at its lower end and is for contacting a hockey puck. A shaft extension has a grippable portion having a lower end and an upper end, and defining a grip longitudinal axis extending between the lower end and the upper end, and an insert portion securely connected to the grippable portion at the lower end thereof. The insert portion is insertable into the substantially hollow central portion of the upper end of the elongate shaft, to thereby securely connect the shaft extension to the elongate shaft such that the grip longitudinal axis is angled below the shaft longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A field hockey training device includes a handle having a shaft. The shaft includes a first end and a second end with a longitudinal axis extending between the first end and the second end. The training device includes a head shaped and dimensioned for playing field hockey extending from the first end of the shaft. The handle further includes a first gripping member positioned along the handle adjacent the second end of the shaft and a second gripping member positioned along the handle adjacent to the second end of the shaft located between the first gripping member and the first end of the shaft. The second gripping member is supported on the shaft for rotation about the longitudinal axis of the shaft.

Abstract: A hockey stick comprising a shaft portion and a blade portion, the shaft portion including means having preformed stresses to induce a flexural resistance at about mid-span so as to create in the shaft portion induced stresses which are neutralized as stresses are further induced in the shaft portion at impact on the blade portion to thereby provide a stiffer and more rigid shaft portion.

Abstract: A field hockey stick including a handle, a throat adjoining the handle, and a head adjoining the throat opposite to the handle. At least one portion of one of the handle, the throat, and the head is hollow. The at least one portion has variable wall thicknesses that enhance the performance and feel of the stick, e.g., providing back weighting and/or edge weighting.

Abstract: A field hockey stick is disclosed that allows a player to have improved handling of the ball. The field hockey stick of the present invention includes at least a portion of a ball-contacting surface that is positioned on an angle relative to the front surface of the shaft.

Abstract: A hockey stick-handling device comprises cross members and support columns. The support columns elevate the cross members from a training surface to allow an object for stick-handling to be passed underneath. The cross members are rotatable with respect to one another to allow the hockey stick-handling device to be arranged in various configurations for stick-handling as well as to be collapsed for storage. The hockey stick-handling device is modular in nature such that it can be lengthened or shortened to a desired length.

Abstract: An attachment for a blade of a playing stick such as a hockey stick. The attachment includes a floor portion with a leading edge that digs under an object to be flung by the stick. The attachment includes a base portion that engages the blade. The floor portion may be flexed between an L-shaped position and a V-shaped position, relative to the base portion or blade. The attachment may include a finger for engaging the heel end of the blade, ceiling portion, a seat on the floor portion, an undulating leading edge, a slot for being engaged by a tether that wraps about the blade, and a base portion that is curved for a curved blade.

Abstract: The present invention is a method, system and/or apparatus for achieving a level balance through the use of one or more fluids, solids and/or gases (identified herein as “liquidwick”), whether individually applied or applied in selected combination, or whether applied through phase-shifting combinations, the liquidwick being partially or fully placed in a closable container which is securely insertable into a cavity within an instrument desired to achieve balance (such as, for example, a pool stick or a golf club).

Abstract: The present invention provides a field hockey stick having a substantially straight grip portion and a bowed hitting portion. In one embodiment, a stick has a substantially straight handle, a bowed throat, and a bowed head. In another embodiment, a stick has a substantially straight handle and a bowed throat, with at least a portion of the playing surface of the head in substantially the same plane or line as the front face of the handle. In another embodiment, a stick has a substantially straight handle and a bowed throat, with the playing surface of the head set back from the plane or line of the front face of the handle.

Abstract: A sporting good item or other product includes a “shrink-label” formed from a shrink-sleeve, shrink-wrap, or a stretch-sleeve adhered to or otherwise affixed to an outer surface of the item. The shrink-label includes pre-printed graphics and closely conforms to the item's outer surface, including any contours or tapered regions, so that the graphics may be displayed anywhere on the item. The shrink-label may optionally be applied to the item via an automated device. A clear coat or other protective layer may optionally be applied to an outer surface of the shrink-label to increase its durability and resistance to abrasion, which is particularly beneficial when the shrink-label is applied to an item intended for impact applications, such as a ball bat.

Abstract: A substantially non-deformable all-steel player hockey stick for the purpose of training includes a blade having a heel portion and a hollow rectangular tubular shaft formed to receive the heel of the blade. The shaft includes four side walls with each side wall having a thickness ranging from about 1.6 mm to about 3.2 mm. The shaft also exhibits a stiffness of about 250 pounds per inch of deflection. Support tabs extend from opposing side walls proximate a distal end of the shaft and receive the heel of the blade therebetween, whereby each support tab attaches to the heel of the blade to connect the blade to the shaft. The combined weight of the shaft and the blade exceeds one kilogram.

Abstract: A two-piece sports stick exhibiting a superior strength to weight ratio. A two-piece sports stick comprising two identical sections, each comprising a substantially smooth external portion and an internal portion possessing at least one cutaway; and a multiplicity of construction pegs. The sports stick of claim 28 wherein said striking surface is adaptable to multiple sports selected from the group consisting of a lacrosse head, a blade, a racquet, and a golf club head. The sports stick design allows for decreased flexure, increased rigidity and increased durability, which lend to greater generation of force, accuracy, reliability and longer life expectancy. The sports stick also affords enhanced strength in the direction of a shot and receipt of a pass. The sports stick also provides for channeling away of fluids throughout the length of the stick.

Abstract: A handle is adapted to be held by a player and a striking end is adapted to contact and propel an object A structure for a hockey stick is described by using multiple composite tubes bonded to one another, wherein apertures, or “ports,” are molded between the tubes to improve the stiffness, strength, aerodynamics and comfort of the hockey stick.

Abstract: Described is a grip for attachment to a sport stick having a shaft. One end of the shaft has a opening extending longitudinally into the shaft. The grip comprises an elongated grip portion having a hilt. The hilt has a longitudinal dimension sized for being grasped by the hand of a user. The grip also comprises an insertion portion at one end of the elongated grip portion. The insertion portion is sized to provide close insertion into the opening at the one end of the shaft.

Abstract: A pressure grip for a goalie hockey stick includes a support boot and a hand grip. The support boot includes a paddle portion and a handle portion. An inside perimeter of the paddle portion is sized to receive a paddle of the hockey stick and an inside perimeter of the handle portion is sized to receive a handle of the hockey stick. A thumb grip preferably extends from the handle portion. A grip slot is formed through the handle portion to receive the hand grip. The hand grip preferably includes a pivotal handle, a projection plate and at least one spring. The pivotal handle and the projection plate are pivotally retained by the support boot. The at least one spring is preferably retained in the pivotal handle. The projection plate includes a plurality of projections. The plurality of projections dig into the handle of the hockey stick.

Abstract: A game stick for playing a game with a spherical ball is disclosed. The game stick is used for propelling and controlling the ball over a flat playing surface. The stick includes a toroidal body having a downwardly facing cup-shaped frusto-spherical depression and a shaft allowing a running or skating player to propel and control the ball.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a hockey stick comprising a shaft and a blade, the shaft including a top side, a bottom side, a front side, a back side, an upper end, a lower end, and a length extending between the upper end and the lower end, the shaft including a first straight section and a second section. The first section extends from the lower end of the shaft to the second section and the second section extends from the first section to the upper end of the shaft. The second section is disposed at an angle relative to the first section, the angle being defined generally along a plane extending from the top side of the shaft to the bottom side of the shaft, wherein the second section starts at about ½ to about ? of the length of the shaft from the lower end of the shaft.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods and apparatus for repairing fractured, hollow-shafted hockey sticks. In one aspect, the invention comprises a shaft repair insert for joining together a broken hockey shaft so as to define a unitary, repaired hockey stick. In another aspect, the invention comprises a shaft repair sleeve for joining together a broken hockey shaft so as to define a unitary, repaired hockey stick. In another aspect, the invention is directed to a blade receiving insert capable of repairing a hockey shaft having a fracture proximate a blade receiving end. In another aspect, the invention is directed to a shaft extension member for repairing or adjusting the length of hockey shaft.

Abstract: A hockey stick handle has an inner shaft member which provides flexing characteristics and an outer tubular member in which the inner shaft member is fitted and which provides protection for the inner shaft member.

Abstract: A hockey stick that includes an elongated hollow shaft with a bottom end and a top end, at least one weight with apertures formed therethrough, and an elongated metal support that releasably supports the weight thereon. The support is adapted to be inserted within the shaft and extend therethrough. The support includes an elongated metal rod with a top end, a bottom end, an aperture formed in the top end, and a plurality of apertures formed along the length thereof. An end piece is located adjacent the top end of the shaft. The end piece has an aperture formed therethrough. A screw may be inserted through the top aperture of the rod and the aperture of the end piece so that the support is secured within the shaft. A plurality of varying weights may be supported on the elongated metal support at diverse locations along the support.

Abstract: A hockey stick comprises a shaft and a blade. The blade is configured to impact and exert energy on a hockey puck. The blade comprises a core that is generally enclosed within an outer layer. The core comprises a foam-filled cell structure having cell walls that define foam-filled cells. The cell walls of the core structure extend in a direction generally from the front face toward the rear face of the hockey stick blade.

Abstract: A hockey stick shaft is a hollow, thin-walled tube formed of titanium or a titanium alloy. The tube wall has a thickness which may be uniform, tapered or stepped. The titanium or titanium alloy is of an alpha, a near-alpha, an alpha-beta or a highly-aged beta type. The titanium or titanium alloy has an elastic modulus greater than 13 million pounds per square inch (psi), a yield strength above 50,000 psi and a wall thickness ranging from 0.020 to 0.045 inches. An alternate hockey stick shaft has a titanium or titanium alloy core and exterior formed of a composite material. The titanium or titanium alloy core is of an alpha, a near-alpha, an alpha-beta or a beta type and has a yield strength above roughly 40,000 psi and a wall thickness ranging from 0.010 to 0.040 inches.

Abstract: A field hockey stick including a head, a shaft adjoining the head, and a vibration damper. The shaft has a first end proximate the head and a second end opposite the first end. The vibration damper is disposed in the second end of the shaft and includes a core and a jacket surrounding the core. The material of the core has a higher specific gravity than the material of the jacket.

Abstract: Hockey stick configurations and hockey stick blade constructs are disclosed. The blade is comprised of one or more inner core elements, surrounded by one or more walls made of reinforcing fibers or filaments disposed in a hardened matrix resin material. One or more of the inner core elements comprises an elastomer material.

Abstract: A composite hockey stick having a tubular hollow rectangular shaft and a blade is disclosed. The shaft comprises an inner layer and an outer layer, each of the inner and outer layers are formed of uni-directional substantially continuous fibers disposed in a hardened resin matrix and wrapped and molded around a middle elastomer layer. A new manufacturing method is also disclosed in which a cured hollow tubular composite hockey stick shaft is inserted between the front and back faces of an un-cured composite hockey stick blade and the blade is then cured in a mold around the hockey stick shaft to form a unitary composite hockey stick.

Abstract: The hockey stick and golf club of the present invention is generally formed of a shaft and a blade. The shaft has a grip at one end and a hosel at the opposite end. Similarly, the blade has a heel at one end and a toe at the opposite end. An incrementally locking indicia assembly rotatably attaches the heel end of the blade to the hosel of the shaft. The indicia assembly includes a scale for indicating the angle of the blade to the shaft. To adjust and customize this angle, the blade may be incrementally rotated up or down relevant to the shaft and locked into location for a trial skate by a hockey player or swing by a golfer. The lie angle of the blade may be adjusted after is each trial skate to achieve maximum blade contact with a hockey puck or golf ball and increase shooting accuracy.

Abstract: The hockey stick and golf club of the present invention is generally formed of a shaft and a blade. The shaft has a grip at one end and a hosel at the opposite end. Similarly, the blade has a heel at one end and a toe at the opposite end. An incrementally locking indicia assembly rotatably attaches the heel end of the blade to the hosel of the shaft. The indicia assembly includes a scale for indicating the angle of the blade to the shaft. To adjust and customize this angle, the blade may be incrementally rotated up or down relevant to the shaft and locked into location for a trial skate by a hockey player or swing by a golfer. The lie angle of the blade may be adjusted after each trial skate to achieve maximum blade contact with a hockey puck or golf ball and increase shooting accuracy.

Abstract: This invention embodies a newly designed cross-sectional configuration for a hockey stick shaft and only that aspect of said hockey stick shaft; That cross-sectional configuration (design) being a true, pure, and natural concave/sided oval (CSO); Notwithstanding, this true, pure, and natural concave/sided oval (CSO) cross-sectional configuration runs approximately eighty-two percent (48.5 inches+/−5%) of the overall length (58.5 inches+/−10%) of the hockey stick shaft; The bottom section of the hockey stick shaft, approximately twelve percent of the overall length (7 inches+/−7%), comprises of a hollow rectangle for the receipt of a replaceable hockey stick blade, in most cases this blade is made from wood or graphite; The transitional section is the area where the concave/sided oval (CSO) section of the hockey stick shaft transitions to the rectangular section of the hockey stick shaft.

Abstract: A method for coating an article, including the steps of: (a) coating a surface of the article with an unsolidified resin composition that, upon solidification, forms a polymeric matrix on the surface of the article; (b) applying particles of rubber to the coated surface prior to solidification of the resin composition; and (c) causing or permitting the resin composition to solidify on the surface to form the polymer matrix with the rubber particles embedded therein. Also, an article coated by the method. In a preferred embodiment, the article is a hockey stick.

Abstract: The hockey training aid is a blade having a shank for inserting a stick handle and containing a channel along the lower edge of the blade. A string is fastened at one end to a puck and at the other end to a ball-shaped bead that is freely movable within the channel. The string attached to the bead extends outward from the channel through a slit that also extends along the length of the channel. During use, as the puck moves back-and-forth during stick-handling drills, the bead freely moves back-and-forth within the channel and the tether freely moves along the slit. An additional optional hole is provided at the top of the blade for use as an alternative stationary attachment of an elastic tether to the blade.

Abstract: A hockey stick having a composite blade and a shaft is disclosed. The composite blade includes a heel section that is recessed relative to the front and back faces of the blade. The recessed heel section is configured to be received by a hockey stick shaft or an adapter member configured to connect the blade to the shaft. The composite blade preferably comprise a foam inner core overlaid preferably with substantially continuous fibers disposed in a matrix material and may include an internal bridge structure extending from one side of the blade to the other. The blade may also be preferably comprised of a core comprising non-continuous fibers disposed within a matrix material. In another aspect, processes for manufacturing the previously described hockey stick blade(s) are described.

Abstract: A blade portion for a hockey stick comprising a wooden shank portion, a blade element made of synthetic material and a ground contacting portion comprising a first segment formed of the lower edge of the wooden shank portion and a second segment formed of the lower edge of the blade element extending from the front side of the wooden shank portion to the distal end of the blade element.

Abstract: A hockey stick has a head (3) with an enlarged gape (20) with an extended toe height (T). The stick exhibits a circulation effect whereby when placed face down on a ball with the lowermost part of the outer edge of the stick in contact with the ground, the stick may be twisted in one direction to the open stick playing position and in the other direction to the reverse stick playing position, whilst the spatial position of the stick is not varied and the outer edge is in rolling contact with the ground and without disturbing the ball. The head also provides enhanced catching features which provide significantly increased control of the ball during play.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a shaft of an ice hockey stick, or the like, and a shaft. The shaft comprises an inner, first body part formed of binding material and reinforcing fibers that cross one another. Onto the first body part there is formed a second, substantially co-axial, body part containing binding material and longitudinal reinforcing fibers. The cross-section of the inner profile of the first body part is oval and the cross-section of the outer profile of the second body part is substantially rectangular, the shaft being thus provided with wall thickness that is greater at the corners than at the sides.

Abstract: A variable hand placement sports equipment handle, such as a lacrosse stick handle, hockey stick handle, or field hockey stick handle, that includes a shaft and at least one overlay attached to the shaft at a location of frequent hand placement. The overlays are specially located and structured to provide the shaft with structural and tactile features that correspond to and accommodate the way in which a player moves his hands along the shaft and grips the shaft. The structural and tactile features, such as ribs, grooves, and hourglass and conical shapes, are located on the shaft to enhance a player's control of the shaft when performing various skills.

Abstract: A new and improved baseball batting system for abating accidental release of a bat from a player's hand following a swing is provided. An attachment member includes a ring which has an interior aperture adapted to be located on the gripping area end of a bat adjacent to the knob. The ring has a short radial projection which extends outwardly therefrom and a long axial projection which extends parallel with the axis of the bat as an extension of the short projection remote from the ring. This configuration defines a region between the bat and the short and long projections for the receipt of a batter's hands.

Abstract: This invention embodies a newly designed cross-sectional configuration for a hockey stick shaft and only that aspect of said hockey stick shaft; That cross-sectional configuration (design) being of a true, pure, and natural (elliptical) oval; Notwithstanding, this true, pure, and natural (elliptical) oval cross-sectional configuration runs approximately eighty-two percent (48.5 inches +/−5%) of the overall length (58.

Abstract: A multilayer hockey stick is provided having improved impact resistant and energy absorbing characteristics. The hockey stick includes a shaft having a body, an energy absorbing layer and an impact resistant layer. The energy absorbing layer and impact resistant layer are applied to select areas of the shaft of the hockey stick which are prone to failure due to stick-to-stick contact.

Abstract: Hand interfaces (11), (111), (188), (201a), (201b), (202a), (202b), (204), (211), (311), (411), (511), (611), (711), (811), and (911), which improve the performance of many items including: racquets for tennis and other sports; rotary hand tools such as screwdrivers; hockey sticks; and kayak oars. Relative rotation between one of the hand interfaces and a corresponding implement is selectively stopped, and torque is selectively transmitted between the hand interface and the implement, when a user squeezes the implement's handle. The hand interface can be rotated in either direction on the implement, and relative movement stopped at an infinite number of positions. The hand interface amplifies the opposing effects of either a firm grasp or a relaxed grasp.

Abstract: A hockey stick comprising a blade and a shaft adapted to being joined together. The blade portion having an upper portion and a lower portion and a face. The upper portion being comprised of a defined region having a reduced width dimension in a direction that extends generally perpendicular from the face of the blade when measured relative to regions in the upper portion of the blade that border either side of the defined region. The defined region may also be comprised of a reduced longitudinal bending stiffness in a direction that extends generally perpendicular from the face of the blade when measured relative to regions in the upper portion of the blade that border either side of the defined region.

Abstract: A hockey stick handle shaft comprising a substantially rectangular cross-sectional core member. The substantially rectangular cross-sectional core member includes first and second major surfaces, with each major surface positioned opposite one another. The core member further includes a first member adhered to the first major surface and a second member adhered to the opposite second major surface, the first and second members increasing the structural integrity of the core member.

Abstract: An ice hockey stick of the type with an elongate handle having a generally straight main portion and a blade attached to the handle at the lower end so as to project outwardly to one side of the straight line of the main portion is modified by the provision of a portion of the handle at its upper end which is curved from the straight line of the main portion such that a butt end of the curved portion is offset to one side of the line of the main portion in a direction generally opposite to that of the blade. The curved portion is short so as to be between 4 to 6 inches long and is smoothly curved to an angle of the order of 30 degrees. The curved portion joins smoothly with and has a smoothly contiguous outer surface with the shaft.

Abstract: A shaft with a reinforcing core is provided for use in a hockey stick that improves the stiffness to weight ratio and durability of the shaft compared to a traditional wood shaft yet costs substantially less than an all composite shaft.

Abstract: An variable shaft, for example for a golf club. A hollow shaft has a cable or wire in the center, and means for varying the tension of the cable or wire. Increasing tension on the cable or wire places the shaft in compression and thereby reduces its bending stiffness. Preferably, the variation means are designed so that the wire tension may be quickly and easily varied by the user.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a blade of a hockey stick or the like, a blade and a blade core used in the blade. The blade core is manufactured of a plastic material, recesses for arranging a strengthening layer being provided in vertical sides thereof. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the sides of the blade core are provided with two recesses within each other. Furthermore, a reinforcing element cut off from a wooden plate can be used as an inner strengthening layer of the blade core.

Abstract: A hockey stick having a handle and a blade wherein the handle is resilient and has at least a portion with a triangular cross section. The handle is configured to deflect out of at least two different bending planes, each parallel with a different side face of the triangular cross section. A distal end of the handle which is coupled to the blade has a rectangular cross section. The handle has a transition section between the rectangular distal end and the triangular portion with a cross section which is partially rectangular and partially triangular.

Abstract: A racket for a ball to be hit and guided at the ground includes a frame of an oval shape and surrounding a central opening through the frame. The frame has opposite arcuate-shaped top and bottom portions being oppositely curved away from another and opposite arcuate-shaped lateral end portions extending between the top and bottom portions and being oppositely curved away from one another so as to provide the frame with the oval shape. The racket also includes a striking face mounted to the frame and extending across the central opening thereof and an elongated shaft joined with the frame at one of the arcuate-shaped lateral end portions thereof and extending from the frame in a generally tangential relationship to the frame. The striking face has a pair of opposite sides.

Abstract: A sports apparatus with variable directions of stiffness and flexibility, including sports equipment having a body; and a flexure resistance spine that is elongated and is stiffer and less flexible in one direction than in a different direction. The spine is fixed against rotation at two spaced apart locations along the body.

Abstract: A handle for a sport stick comprising a body portion and a grip portion. The body portion extends longitudinally and has a longitudinal body axis and mutually perpendicular major and minor transverse body axes. The grip portion, having a longitudinal grip axis and mutually perpendicular major and minor transverse grip axes, extends obliquely from the body portion so that the longitudinal axes thereof are disposed to each other at a first angle, and the major transverse axes thereof are disposed to each other at a second angle.

Abstract: A sports apparatus with variable directions of stiffness and flexibility, including sports equipment having a body with an elongated cavity; and a stiffening rod that is elongated and has a longitudinal axis in a direction of elongation of the stiffening rod, the stiffening rod being inserted within the cavity and stiffer in one direction than in a different direction and being more flexible in the different direction than in the one direction, both the one direction and the different direction being directed transverse to the longitudinal axis.