Hockey stick shaft

Details Hockey stick shaft Hockey stick shaft

1999-09-08

2001-05-01

Graham, Mark S. (Department: 3711)

Games using tangible projectile

Player held and powered, nonmechanical projector, per se,...

Club

Reexamination Certificate

active

06224505

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a hockey stick shaft, although the shaft could be used with other implements. The shaft includes a core of rectangular cross-section running the full length of the shaft. A cloth fabric is wrapped around the perimeter of the core and extends from the shaft blade end at least partways toward the shaft opposed end. A wood veneer covering is then wrapped around the core/cloth fabric and preferably extends from the shaft opposed blade end at least partways toward the shaft blade end, with a space between the end of the wood veneer and the shaft blade end where the cloth fabric is exposed.
(b) Description of the Prior Art
It is known to provide hockey stick shafts into which a removable blade is attached. There are several ways in which a removable blade is confined within the shaft for play. The blade may have a tenon which contains an adhesive thereon. Generally, the shaft blade insertion end and the blade tenon are heated. With the adhesive softened, the blade tenon is inserted into the shaft blade insertion end. Upon cooling, the adhesive retains the blade tenon within the shaft. The shaft of the present invention is designed to be used with this “hot melt” process.
An alternative to this “hot melt” adhesive is to provide a way to expand the blade tenon once it is inserted into the shaft. This tenon expansion provides for a non-adhesive friction retention of the blade tenon within the shaft. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,901 teaches a blade with expandable tenon. This blade can also be used with the shaft of the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,217,221 teaches a hockey stick formed of composite materials. The reference teaches a unitary wood veneer outer layer extending the length of the hockey stick handle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a hockey stick shaft. The shaft includes a core of rectangular cross-section running the full length of the shaft. A cloth fabric, such as an aramid fiber cloth, is wrapped around the perimeter of the core and extends from the shaft blade end at least partways toward the shaft opposed end. DuPont's Kevlar® aramid fiber fabric is the preferred fabric. A wood veneer covering is then wrapped around the core/cloth fabric and preferably extends from the shaft opposed blade end at least partways toward the shaft blade end, with a space between the end of the wood veneer and the shaft blade end where the cloth fabric is exposed. Spacing the wood veneer covering from the blade end permits heat to be applied to the shaft for removal and/or insertion of a “hot melt” blade without damaging the wood veneer. While the preferred removal/insertion method involves the use of a 1200 to 1500 Watt hair dryer, it is known that players use torches having exposed flames to change hot melt blades. Using a torch would cause damage to any wood veneer that the torch flame contacted or to which excessive heat is applied by a hair dryer or other heating appliance.
More particularly, the present invention comprises a hockey stick shaft including a core having a blade end, an opposed end, and a length; a cloth engaging said core and extending from said blade end at least partways toward said opposed end; and, an outer veneer covering, said veneer having a lower end spaced from said blade end.


REFERENCES:
patent: 3638942 (1972-02-01), Bassett
patent: 5217221 (1993-06-01), Baum
patent: 5312100 (1994-05-01), Ilacqua et al.
patent: 5607154 (1997-03-01), Meumann et al.
patent: 5823901 (1998-10-01), Burger

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