Games using tangible projectile – Player held and powered – nonmechanical projector – per se,... – Club
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-23
2001-02-06
Graham, Mark S. (Department: 3711)
Games using tangible projectile
Player held and powered, nonmechanical projector, per se,...
Club
Reexamination Certificate
active
06183384
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the field of hockey sticks and the like. In particular, the invention relates to the blade portion associated with hockey sticks and its use in relation with hockey balls and hockey pucks. Thus, the present invention is particularly intended to be used in the practice for and play of roller hockey or street hockey, each of which is played with a ball or a puck.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Hockey sticks, in their present form, have been employed for use in both street hockey and ice hockey for many years. With the emergence of in-line skates throughout the past decade, the popularity of roller hockey has been on the rise. Like in street hockey, roller hockey is most commonly played with a ball or a puck. However, hockey sticks when forced across a hard cement or paved surface when playing hockey create friction and often erode the blade. In addition, the blade often catches on discontinuities in the hard cement or paved surface. When playing ice hockey, the stick blade glides freely on the ice surface with little resistance. The desire to reduce drag specifically associated with the use of hockey sticks in both street and roller hockey is the focus of this invention. Limitations of the prior art encompass difficulties in terms of erosion of present day hockey stick blades and the friction associated with the use of these blades when playing both street hockey and roller hockey. It is a key feature of the present invention to facilitate a balance between outdoor in-line skates and sticks and ice hockey as it is known today. It is the intention of this invention to improve the movement of the hockey stick blade in dry land situations, most commonly street hockey and roller hockey.
A hockey stick blade for roller or street hockey in keeping with the present invention avoids the previously described limitations of the prior art. A hockey stick blade for roller or street hockey in keeping with the present invention comprises a toe end, a heel end, a top edge, a bottom edge, a set of identical ball bearings, a set of identical sockets, at least one opening, and a shaft portion. Each respective identical ball bearing is captured by one of each respective identical sockets and is built into the bottom edge of the hockey stick blade. The bottom edge of the hockey stick blade is split into two portions so as to accommodate the mounting of each respective identical ball bearing together with each respective identical socket on the bottom edge. The split along the bottom edge of the hockey stick blade is re-fastened typically by adhesive followed by heat and compression. Each of the ball bearings and their respective sockets are spaced along the length of the blade starting at the toe end working toward heel end. The opening formed through the thickness of the blade projects a distance above the uppermost surface of each of the identical ball bearings so as to allow the unencumbered rotation through 360 degrees in every direction, of each of the identical ball bearings. The opening is symmetric about its respective longitudinal axis extending from the toe end to the heel end of the hockey stick blade. The shaft portion is suitably connected through fasteners, bolts, screws or other suitable means to the heel end of the hockey stick blade and is adapted for fitment on the handle portion of a hockey stick. When such a blade is assembled to the handle portion of a hockey stick, the stick no longer need be carried while running or skating across a hard surface, instead it will pass freely over the cement or paved surface. Each of roller hockey and street hockey are particularly suited for the use of such a hockey stick blade so as to allow the free movement of the hockey stick across the cement or paved surface as well as increasing the opportunity for contact with the ball or puck in play.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
U.S. Pat. No. 3,529,825 issued to WHITE Sr. teaches a hockey stick road adapter in which a number of balls are placed in a spaced relationship along the bottom edge of a hockey stick blade. Retainers hold the balls in an attached relationship with a blade-like attachment, and this blade-like attachment is mounted on one of the faces of the hockey stick blade. The blade-like attachment has a series of graduated sized chambers which enclose the balls. The blade-like assembly may be inserted into a notched-out portion of a hockey stick blade.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,511,776 issued to HURU teaches a roller hockey stick blade for use with a standard roller hockey ball. The blade as taught comprises a heel end, a toe end, a bottom edge, a top edge, and a elongated slot. The key to this blade is the elongated slot which is designed to cup the ball and achieve better control. The elongated slot is designed to lessen the possibility of the ball riding up on the blade making it difficult for the stick user to make an accurate shot.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hockey stick blade for use in roller or street hockey. The hockey stick blade comprises a toe end, a heel end, a top edge, and a bottom edge which define the general shape of the blade. There is a shaft portion which is suitably connected to the heel end of the hockey stick blade and is adapted to receive the handle portion of the hockey stick. There is also a set of identical ball bearings, a set of identical sockets, and at least one opening.
Each of the identical sockets formed from two identical truncated four-sided pyramids are joined together along their respective base edges and each truncated surface is parallel to the base edge. The base of the first truncated four-sided pyramid is joined to the base of the second four-sided pyramid to form a single socket. The midpoint of each identical socket is along the adjoined base edges and a centreline extends through the midpoints of each of the identical sockets. This centreline is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the opening.
Each of the identical ball bearings is spherical and has a smooth surface. Each identical ball bearing is captured by a respective one of the identical sockets. The midpoint of each identical socket is located at the midpoint of each identical ball bearing and together each socket and ball bearing pair are mounted on the bottom edge of the hockey stick blade. Each ball bearing and socket combination mounted on the bottom edge of the hockey stick blade is able to freely rotate through 360 degrees in any direction.
The opening formed in the hockey stick blade extends through the thickness of the hockey stick blade projects at least a distance above the uppermost surface of each identical ball bearing so as to allow the unencumbered rotation of each of the identical ball bearings. The opening is symmetric about its respective longitudinal axis extending from the toe end to the heel end of the hockey stick blade. The opening in the hockey stick blade may be a series of openings. The number of openings is equivalent to the number of identical ball bearings. In a second instance, the opening is an elongated slot that extends from the first of the identical ball bearings to the last of the identical ball bearings.
The bottom edge of the hockey stick blade is split into two portions. The split is designed to accommodate the mounting of the respective identical ball bearing and identical socket pairs on the base edge of the hockey stick blade. The two portions of the bottom edge of the hockey stick blade are re-fastened by suitable means, typically an adhesive followed by heat and compression.
The hockey stick blade has at least two identical ball bearing and identical socket pairs mounted on the bottom edge of the hockey stick blade. Where more than two ball bearing and sockets pairs are desired, spacing of these ball bearing sockets pairs is along the bottom edge of the hockey stick blade.
The width of the bottom edge of the hockey stick blade is at least equivalent to the diameter of each of the identical ball bearings plus a distance of at least o
(Marks & Clerk)
Graham Mark S.
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