Games using tangible projectile – Player held and powered – nonmechanical projector – per se,... – Club
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-06
2001-12-04
Graham, Mark S. (Department: 3711)
Games using tangible projectile
Player held and powered, nonmechanical projector, per se,...
Club
Reexamination Certificate
active
06325732
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to broom ball sticks and heads for broom ball sticks and also to related sticks used in other sports.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Broom ball is continually increasing in popularity. Factors related to the increase in popularity of broom ball include the building of ice rinks in more temperate regions, a societal move towards more health conscious activities and the growth of skating activities in general such as in-line skating and the like. In the state of Minnesota, for example, there are over 30,000 registered broom ball players.
Referring to
FIGS. 1A-1B
, front and side longitudinal views of a conventional broom ball stick
10
are respectively shown. Stick
10
consists of a shaft
12
, often formed of aluminum, a wooden insert
14
and a rubberized head
16
which is formed about insert
14
and the base of shaft
12
. The insert often extends into the shaft and the shaft normally extends about an inch into the head. The insert may be secured to the shaft with glue and possibly a bolt
18
.
Insert
14
provides structural reinforcement of the head and gives a player better control of movement of the head. The insert is usually made of wood because wood can be readily machined to provide the necessary taper from the circular base of shaft
12
to the bottom edge of the head (shown in FIG.
1
B).
A disadvantageous aspect of this configuration, however, is that these sticks tend to break where the wood insert enters the shaft. This break line is labeled A—A in
FIGS. 1A-1B
. The break line region of the stick receives maximum force during a slap shot or brace, etc. Another disadvantageous aspect of prior art broom ball sticks is that the aluminum shaft that is commonly used is insufficiently strong to withstand forces related to the game, such as a player falling on the stick and the like, and thus tends to bend too readily.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a broom ball stick with a shaft and head configuration that reduces the incidence of the head breaking off.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a broom ball stick in which the shaft extends further into the head than in prior art broom ball sticks.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a broom ball stick with at least one substantially straight head surface.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a broom ball stick with ball control protrusions formed on the outer surface of the head.
It is another object of the present invention to teach the retrofitting of a broken off head in such a manner that reduces the incidence of the head breaking off again.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a broom ball stick that has a shaft that is lightweight and has increased resistance to bending.
These and related objects of the present invention are achieved by use of an improved stick for broom ball and related sports as described herein.
In one embodiment, a hollow metallic or the like material shaft (lightweight and durable) is provided that extends more deeply into a broom ball stick head than in prior art configurations. The increased penetration of the shaft into the head without altering the shape of the head may be achieved by retrofitting a broken-off head or by de novo formation with a longer metallic shaft.
Retrofitting may be achieved by drilling out portions of the original wooden insert and forming a new shaft that is tapered and is capable of descending further into the head than prior art configurations. A reinforcement shaft, fill material and glue are preferably provided within the tapered portion of the tapered shaft to provide structural reinforcement (while retaining a low overall weight). The reinforcement shaft is preferably connected to the remainder of the wooden insert to provide additional stability and control of the head.
One embodiment of de novo formation may be achieved by cutting a shaft in a unique pattern that permits bending and shaping into a tapered configuration that has structural integrity, extends as far into the head as desired (in place of the previously used wooden insert) and permits formation of heads having desired side profiles or side cuts as discussed below.
Another embodiment of de novo formation may be achieved by forming a shaft to have one side (that will ultimately be aligned with a head surface) that is substantially straight. The opposing surface is preferably tapered but may be straight or otherwise configured.
The present invention also includes the provision of ball control bumps or protrusion on the outside surface of the head.
In addition, the present invention includes methods for forming the retrofit and de novo embodiments.
The attainment of the foregoing and related advantages and features of the invention should be more readily apparent to those skilled in the art, after review of the following more detailed description of the invention taken together with the drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3671038 (1972-06-01), Liard
patent: 4222562 (1980-09-01), Gardner
patent: 5674141 (1997-10-01), Laforest
patent: 5718647 (1998-02-01), Titola
patent: 935442 (1963-08-01), None
LandOfFree
Broom ball stick does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Broom ball stick, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Broom ball stick will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2567217