Patent Application
20140349785
No part of this invention was a result of any federally sponsored research.
The present invention relates to tools for improving hockey stickhandling strength and speed. The present invention relates to methods of use for improving hockey stickhandling strength and speed by utilizing a hockey-stickhandling-tool. The present invention relates to systems for improving hockey stickhandling strength and speed by utilizing the hockey-stickhandling-tool, a hockey stick, and hockey pucks.
A portion of the disclosure of this patent application may contain material that is subject to copyright protection. The owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrights whatsoever.
Certain marks referenced herein may be common law or registered trademarks of third parties affiliated or unaffiliated with the applicant or the assignee. Use of these marks is by way of example and should not be construed as descriptive or to limit the scope of this invention to material associated only with such marks.
For a hockey player (hereinafter, “player”) to improve at playing the sport of hockey, players have traditionally practiced, exercised and trained with various added weights. Much like weight training is used in a multitude of sports to increase both strength and speed. With respect to hockey specifically, the art teaches four mechanisms of weight training. These four mechanisms are: (1) weighted hockey-pucks, (2) taping hockey-pucks to hockey-sticks; (3) attachable weights, and (4) a Puck Sock®. Each of these weight training mechanisms has problems associated with the particular mechanism that this invention seeks to remedy.
For example, players using only weighted hockey-pucks may not safely perform some drills, such as shooting drills at a live goalie.
Taping hockey-pucks to the hockey-stick is time consuming both in preparing the hockey-stick and in removing the tape after training is finished from a session. Additionally, the weight distribution of where the hockey-pucks were taped to the hockey-stick may vary from one training session to the next, which may not be an optimal way to weight train, as there may be a lack of consistency from one training session to the next.
Attachable weights are generally a weight, other than weighted hockey-pucks, which may be retrofitted onto the hockey-stick. Such attachable weights are not desirable because they increase the traveling weight of overall hockey gear that must be transported, which without such added weight is already considerable.
The Puck Sock® may be a sock which removably attaches to the hockey-stick and wherein the sock may hold a hockey-puck to add weight to the hockey-stick. The Puck Sock® however has several problems associated with its use.
First, the Puck Sock® may take too long to securely attach to the hockey-stick, because the sock and its associated metal ring must first be slid down the handle towards the blade. Then the Puck Sock® must be zippered closed around the blade. It would be desirable if a weighted mechanism could be attached (and detached) more quickly to the hockey-stick than the Puck Sock®.
Secondly, because the Puck Sock® entirely circumscribes the blade, when practicing with the Puck Sock® the player will wear down a material of construction of the Puck Sock® over time. That is, a bottom portion of this material will consistently be struck against the surface of a practice medium, such as a concrete driveway surface. This repeated striking and frictional rubbing will prematurely wear the material down. The attachable weight noted above also suffers from this same problem. It would be desirable if the weighted mechanism did not completely circumscribe the blade to avoid this problem.
Thirdly, because ice hockey is played on ice, any weighted mechanism will become wet. Once the Puck Sock® becomes wet, its weight will increase. Furthermore, a wet Puck Sock® because of is fabric materials of construction, is prone to mildew and mold degradation of the product. It would be desirable if the weighted mechanism did not change its weight when weight and was resistant to mildew and mold degradation.
Fourthly, the Puck Sock® does not allow for good hockey-puck control of hockey-pucks remaining on the training surface medium, such as the hockey rink surface. That is, the lateral sides of the Puck Sock® do not resemble the lateral and flat surfaces of the blade of the hockey-stick. Thus training with the Puck Sock® it is difficult to control hockey-pucks. Furthermore, this problem is exacerbated by the Puck Sock® being able to move slightly around when attached to the hockey-stick (both longitudinal and vertical movement are permitted), since it is the metal ring which prevents the Puck Sock® from slipping off of the hockey-stick. This slight movement, makes it difficult for consistent training since where hockey-pucks strike the lateral sides of the Puck Sock® may vary from strike to strike due to this slight movement. It would be desirable if the weighted mechanism had flat lateral surfaces areas which resembled the blade's surface areas. Furthermore, it would be desirable if the weighted mechanism after being removably attached to the hockey-stick, did not have any longitudinal nor vertical movement of the weighted mechanism with respect to the hockey-stick.
There is a need in the art for a weighted mechanism that addresses the above problems.
It is to these ends that the present invention has been developed.
To minimize the limitations in the prior art, and to minimize other limitations that will be apparent upon reading and understanding the present specification, the present invention describes a hockey-stickhandling-tool, methods of use, and a system for improving a player's hockey stickhandling strength and/or speed. The hockey-stickhandling-tool may comprise: a puck-receiver and a stick-attachment-means. The puck-receiver may be sized to removably hold at least one hockey-puck, by the puck-receiver providing at least one wall to partially enclose the at least one hockey-puck. For example, the at least one wall may partially enclose the at least one hockey-puck against the hockey-stickhandling-tool, such that the at least one hockey-puck may be removably held when the player practices with the hockey-stickhandling-tool. The stick-attachment-means may be configured to removably attach to the hockey-stick (e.g. by frictional gripping). The puck-receiver and the stick-attachment-means may attached to each other such that use of the puck-receiver does not interfere with the stick-attachment-means and use of the stick-attachment-means does not interfere with the puck-receiver. When the player may consistently practice with the hockey-stick, wherein the hockey-stick may be removably attached to the stick-attachment-means, and wherein the puck-receiver may be remobably holding the at least one hockey-puck, the player may improve (and/or increase) hockey stickhandling strength and/or speed.
It is an objective of the present invention to provide a hockey-stickhandling-tool wherein because of the structure, geometry, and materials of construction, the overall weight of the hockey-stickhandling-tool is minimized. In some exemplary embodiments, this overall weight of the hockey-stickhandling-tool may be less than 0.5 lbs. Minimizing overall weight of the hockey-stickhandling-tool may be desirable for transporting the hockey-stickhandling-tool to and from areas of practice, training, and exercise. Such embodiments may constitute an improvement over attachable weights.
It is another objective of the present invention provide a hockey-stickhandling-tool that may removably hold different weights.
It is another objective of the present invention provide a hockey-stickhandling-tool that may removably hold one or more hockey-pucks, including weighted hockey-pucks, wherein the one more hockey-pucks function as weights.
It is another objective of the present invention provide a hockey-stickhandling-tool that may removably hold one or more hockey-pucks, such as weighted hockey-pucks, affixed to the hockey stick, such that the player may practice normally, but with an effectively weighted hockey-stick, including running shooting drills on a live goalie.
It is another objective of the present invention provide a hockey-stickhandling-tool that may be removably hold one, two, three, four, five, or six hockey-pucks, including weighted hockey-pucks.
It is another objective of the present invention provide a hockey-stickhandling-tool such that the hockey-pucks which may be removably held by the puck-receiver, may be ice-hockey pucks of a cylindrical geometry and/or spherical hockey-pucks.
It is another objective of the present invention provide a hockey-stickhandling-tool that may be removably attached to the hockey-stick.
It is another objective of the present invention provide a hockey-stickhandling-tool that may be removably attached to the hockey-stick in a way that may be faster than existing alternatives.
It is another objective of the present invention provide a hockey-stickhandling-tool that may be removably attached to the hockey-stick by a frictional gripping means.
It is another objective of the present invention provide a hockey-stickhandling-tool that may be removably attached to the hockey-stick by snapping and/or clipping the hockey-stickhandling-tool onto the hockey-stick in one continuous motion that may be executed quickly (e.g. quicker than existing alternatives).
It is another objective of the present invention provide a hockey-stickhandling-tool that once removably attached to the hockey-stick minimizes any translation between the hockey-stickhandling-tool and the hockey-stick.
It is another objective of the present invention provide a single hockey-stickhandling-tool that may be shared and/or utilized for team training because the single hockey-stickhandling-tool may be transferred from hockey-stick to hockey-stick in a quick fashion (e.g. quicker than existing alternatives).
It is another objective of the present invention provide a single hockey-stickhandling-tool that may be removably attached to either a left-handed hockey-stick or a right-hanged hockey stick, without any modification to the single hockey-stickhandling-tool.
It is another objective of the present invention provide a single hockey-stickhandling-tool that may be removably attached to either a junior hockey-stick or a senior (professional) hockey-stick, without any modification to the single hockey-stickhandling-tool.
It is another objective of the present invention provide a hockey-stickhandling-tool that may not completely circumscribe the blade when the hockey-stickhandling-tool may be removably attached to the blade.
It is another objective of the present invention provide a hockey-stickhandling-tool that may not change significantly in weight when the hockey-stickhandling-tool becomes wet.
It is another objective of the present invention provide a hockey-stickhandling-tool that may resist mildew and mold degradation.
It is another objective of the present invention provide a hockey-stickhandling-tool that may resist cold weather, such as present in ice hockey environments.
It is another objective of the present invention provide a hockey-stickhandling-tool that may resist repeated striking upon hard and often cold surfaces.
It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide a hockey-stickhandling-tool that may comprise lateral sides (e.g. planar-extensions) which may resemble the surfaces of the blade to aid in better stickhandling control of hockey-pucks.
These and other advantages and features of the present invention are described herein with specificity so as to make the present invention understandable to one of ordinary skill in the art, both with respect to how to practice the present invention and how to make the present invention.
Elements in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale in order to enhance their clarity and improve understanding of these various elements and embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, elements that are known to be common and well understood to those in the industry are not depicted in order to provide a clear view of the various embodiments of the invention.
a) depicts an exemplary embodiment of a hockey-stickhandling-tool, removably attached to a left handed hockey-stick, all shown from a longitudinal top view. Here, no hockey-pucks are depicted.
b) depicts an exemplary embodiment of a hockey-stickhandling-tool, removably attached to a right handed hockey-stick, all shown from a longitudinal top view. Here, no hockey-pucks are depicted.
A hockey-stickhandling-tool is described and disclosed. Various embodiments of the hockey-stickhandling-tools may removably attach to hockey-sticks and provide a means for adding additional weight to the hockey-sticks, such that players may practice with the added weight removably attached to the hockey-sticks. In exemplary embodiments, the weights may be hockey-pucks that may be removably held to the hockey-stickhandling-tool. The player whom consistently practices, exercises, and/or trains with the hockey-stick with said hockey-stickhandling-tool removably attached to the hockey-stick, wherein the hockey-stickhandling-tool may be removably holding one or more hockey-pucks may increase the player's hockey stickhandling strength and/or speed.
In various exemplary embodiments, the hockey-stickhandling-tool may comprise a puck-receiver and a stick-attachment means. The puck-receiver may be sized to removably hold at least one hockey-puck by the puck-receiver providing at least one wall to partially enclose the at least one hockey-puck. For example, the at least one wall may partially enclose the at least one hockey-puck against the hockey-stickhandling-tool, such that the at least one hockey-puck may be removably held when the player practices with the hockey-stickhandling-tool. The stick-attachment-means may be configured to removably attach to the hockey-stick. For example, and without limiting the scope of the present invention, the stick-attachment-means may be by frictional gripping to the hockey-stick. The puck-receiver and the stick-attachment-means may be attached to each other such that use of the puck-receiver may not interfere with the stick-attachment-means. The puck-receiver and the stick-attachment-means may be attached to each other such that use of the stick-attachment-means may not interfere with the puck-receiver. In some embodiments, the puck-receiver and the stick-attachment-means may be integral to each other, such that the puck-receiver and the stick-attachment-means are a single article of manufacture (e.g. made by injection molding).
In the following discussion that addresses a number of embodiments and applications of the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part thereof, where depictions are made, by way of illustration, of specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.
In an exemplary embodiment, hockey-stickhandling-tool 100 may be removably attached to blade 901 such that a longitude of hockey-stickhandling-tool 100 may substantially matche a longitude of blade 901. In some exemplary embodiments, openings for removably attaching hockey-stickhandling-tool 100 to blade 901 may be found at a bottom of hockey-stickhandling-tool 100, such that hockey-stickhandling-tool 100 may be slid onto a top of blade 901 (and then frictionally grip blade 901).
Hockey-stickhandling-tool 100 may comprise a puck-receiver and a stick-attachment-means. The puck-receiver may be sized to removably hold at least one hockey-puck 950 by the puck-receiver providing at least one wall to partially enclose the at least one hockey-puck 950. For example, the at least one wall may partially enclose at least one hockey-puck 950 against hockey-stickhandling-tool 100, such that at least one hockey-puck 950 may be removably held when the player practices with hockey-stickhandling-tool 100.
The stick-attachment-means may be configured to removably attach to hockey-stick 950. The puck-receiver and the stick-attachment-means may be attached to each other such that use of the puck-receiver may not interfere with the stick-attachment-means. The puck-receiver and the stick-attachment-means may be attached to each other such that use of the stick-attachment-means may not interfere with the puck-receiver. In some embodiments, the puck-receiver and the stick-attachment-means may be integral to each other, such that the puck-receiver and the stick-attachment-means are a single article of manufacture.
When the puck-receiver removably holds at least one hockey-puck 950 and the stick-attachment-means is removably attached to hockey-stick 900 (e.g. to blade 901), the player practicing, exercising, and training with the hockey-stick (and necessarily with hockey-stickhandling-tool 100) may increase the player's hockey stickhandling strength and/or speed.
In some embodiments, the at least one wall (of the puck-receiver) may comprise more than one wall. The at least one wall (of the puck-receiver) may comprise: a longitudinal-sidewall 101, a first-width-side-wall 102, a second-width-side-wall 103, and a bottom-wall 104. First-width-side-wall 102 may be substantially parallel with second-width-side-wall 103. Longitudinal-side-wall 101 may be disposed between first-width-side-wall 102 and second-width-side-wall 103. Bottom-wall 104 may be substantially perpendicular to longitudinal-side-wall 101, to first-width-side-wall 102, and to second-width-side-wall 103. Longitudinal-side-wall 101 may be substantially perpendicular to first-width-side-wall 102 and to second-width-side-wall 103. If the bottom of hockey-stickhandling-tool 100 were resting upon a flat surface, then longitudinal-side-wall 101, first-width-side-wall 102, and second-width-side-wall 103 may all be vertical; while bottom-wall 104 may be horizontal (and substantially parallel to the flat surface).
In some embodiments, first-side-wall 102 may connected to longitudinal-side-wall 101. Longitudinal-side-wall 101 may be connected to bottom-wall 104 and connected to second-width-side-wall 103. In some embodiments, such connections between walls may be integral, such that all the walls are manufactured as a single article of manufacture. In some embodiments, such connections between the walls may form seams and/or edges where any two such walls meet.
In some embodiments, first-side-wall 102 may connected to longitudinal-side-wall 101 at a substantially 90 degree angle. Longitudinal-side-wall 101 may be connected to bottom-wall 104 at a substantially 90 degree angle and connected to second-width-side-wall 103 at a substantially 90 degree angle. In other embodiments, other angles may be possible between two adjacent walls.
In some exemplary embodiments, longitudinal-side-wall 101, first-width-side-wall 102, second-width-side-wall 103, and bottom-wall 104 may bound an interior 106 of a pocket. The pocket may further comprise an opening 107. Opening 107 may provide access to interior 106 of the pocket. Interior 106 may be sized to removably hold at least one hockey-puck 950, for example by frictional gripping. In some embodiments, interior 106 may be sized to removably hold at least one ice-hockey-puck of a cylindrical shape. Interior 106 may be sized to removably hold at least one spherical-hockey-puck, i.e. a ball.
Note in some embodiments, the puck-receiver of hockey-stickhandling-tool 100 may not comprise a back side wall (i.e. a side wall disposed opposite of longitudinal-side-wall 101). In such embodiments, the back side wall function may be provided by blade 901 (or handle 902). However in some other embodiments, the at least one wall may further comprise a stick-side-wall 108. Stick-side-wall 108 may be substantially parallel with longitudinal-side-wall 101. Stick-side-wall 108 may be separated from longitudinal-side-wall 101 by first-width-side-wall 102 and second-width-side-wall 103. Stick-side-wall 108 may be closer to hockey-stick 900 (particularly to blade 901 in some embodiments) when the stick-attachment-means may be removably attached to hockey-stick 900 than longitudinal-side-wall 101.
Longitudinal-side-wall 101 may be named as such because longitudinal-side-wall 101 may be substantially parallel with the longitude of hockey-stickhandling-tool 100. Longitudinal-side-wall 101 may be named as such because longitudinal-side-wall 101 may be substantially parallel with the longitude of blade 901, when the stick-attachment-means is removably attached to blade 901. First-width-side-wall 102 and second-width-side-wall 103 may be named as such because each width-side-wall (e.g. 102 and 103) may comprise a linear dimension that accommodates fitting a width of hockey-puck 950. Bottom-wall 104 may be named as such because bottom-wall 104 may provide bottom support to hockey-puck 950. Stick-sidewall 108 may be named as such because stick-side-wall 108 may be closer to hockey-stick 900 (e.g. closer to blade 901) than longitudinal-side-wall 101 is. That is, stick-side-wall 108 may function as a back side wall, disposed opposite from longitudinal-side-wall 101.
In some embodiments, bottom-wall 104 may transition into first-width-side-wall 102 by a first-curved-segment 109. Bottom-wall 104 may transition into second-side-wall by a second-curved-segment 110. Each of these two curved-segments may include a substantially similar radius. Each substantially similar radius may resemble a radius of at least one hockey-puck 950.
In some exemplary embodiments, longitudinal-side-wall 101 may comprise planar-extensions 170. Planar-extensions 170 may extend from longitudinal-side-wall 101. See e.g.
In some exemplary embodiments, the puck-receiver may comprise at least one pair-of-puck-receivers. The at least one pair-of-puck-receivers may comprise a first-puck-receiver 120 and a second-puck-receiver 121. See
In some embodiments, first-puck-receiver 120 may be attached to second-puck-receiver 121 at two regions, a first-attachment-region 130 and a second-attachment-region 131. First-attachment-region 130 may be formed by first-width-side-wall 102 of the first-puck-receiver 120 merging into first-width-side-wall 102 of second-puck-receiver 121. Second-attachment-region 131 may be formed by second-width-side-wall 103 of first-puck-receiver 120 merging into second-width-side-wall 103 of second-puck-receiver 121. These areas of width-side-wall merging may be at a top of hockey-stickhandling-tool 100. See e.g.
In some exemplary embodiments, the at least one pair-of-puck-receivers may comprise a first-pair-of-puck-receivers 140 and a second-pair-of-puck-receivers 141. See e.g.
In some embodiments, each single pair-of-puck-receivers (e.g. 140 or 141) may removably hold two hockey-pucks 950. Two pairs of the pair-of-puck-receivers (e.g. 140 and 141) may removably hold four hockey-pucks 950.
In some exemplary embodiments, the coupling-means may comprise an accordion-structure 150. Accordion-structure 150 may comprise a first-strut 151 and a second-strut 152. Each strut (151 and 152) may connect second-attachment-region 131 of first-pair-of-puck-receivers 140 to first-attachment-region 130 of second-pair-of-puck-receiver 141. See
In some exemplary embodiments, accordion-structure 150 may permit some flexion (because of the zigzag geometry) between first-pair-of-puck-receivers 140 and second-pair-of-puck-receivers 141. Longitudinal-side-walls 101 of first-pair-of-puck-receivers 140 may not be parallel with longitudinal-side-walls 101 of second-pair-of-puck-receivers 141 when the stick-attachment-means may be removably attached to a curved blade 901 of hockey-stick 900. Such flexing functionality of accordion-structure 150 may permit hockey-stickhandling-tool 100 to be removably attached to either a left-handed hockey-stick (lefty stick) (see
In both
In some embodiments, the coupling-means (e.g. accordion-structure 150) may be integral with respect to first-pair-of-puck-receivers 140 and second-pair-of-puck-receivers 141, such that the coupling-means, first-pair-of-puck-receivers 140, and second-pair-of-puck-receivers 141 may all be one article of manufacture. The coupling-means (e.g. accordion-structure 150) may be integral with respect to second-attachment-region 131 of first-pair-of-puck-receivers 140 and with respect to first-attachment-region 130 of second-pair-of-puck-receivers 141.
In some embodiments, the coupling-means may connect second-attachment-region 131 of first-pair-of-puck-receivers 140 to first-attachment-region 130 of second-pair-of-puck-receivers 141 by one or more connection-means selected from the group comprising ultrasonic welding, heat welding, solvent bonding, chemical adhesive bonding (e.g. gluing), and the like.
In some embodiments, the coupling-means may connect second-attachment-region 131 of first-pair-of-puck-receivers 140 to first-attachment-region 130 of second-pair-of-puck-receivers 141 by one or more structural-connection-means selected from the group comprising snap connectors, Velcro®, locking protrusions and complimentary protrusion receiving ports, threading and complimentary threading, and the like.
In some exemplary embodiments, the stick-attachment-means may comprise a pair-of-stick-attachment-means. The pair-of-stick-attachment-means may comprise a first-stick-attachment-means 160 and a second-stick-attachment means 161. First-stick-attachment-means 160 and second-stick-attachment-means 161 may each comprise a clip. The clip may comprise a clip-opening 162. Each clip-opening 162 may be disposed opposite of each opening 107 of each pocket. The clip may be configured to frictionally grip blade 901 of hockey-stick 900. In other embodiments, the clip may be configured to frictionally grip handle 902 of hockey-stick 900 (e.g. in a neck region). In some embodiments, the clip may comprise a spring to increase frictional-gripping.
In some embodiments, first-stick-attachment-means 160 may be located at first-attachment-region 130 extending downwards away from openings 107 of the pockets. Second-stick-attachment-means 161 may be located at second-attachment-region 131 extending downwards away from openings 107 of the pockets. First-pair-of-puck-receivers 140 may comprise at least one first-stick-attachment-means 160 and at least one second-stick-attachment-means 161, such that first-pair-of-puck-receivers 140 may comprise two clips. Second-pair-of-puck-receivers 141 may comprise at least one first-stick-attachment-means 160 and at least one second-stick-attachment-means 161, such that second-pair-of-puck-receivers 141 may comprise two clips. Hockey-stickhandling-tool 100, which may comprise first-pair-of-puck-receivers 140 and second-pair-of-puck-receivers 141, may then comprise four clips. In other embodiments, a different number of stick-attachment-means (e.g. clips) may be used.
In some embodiments, the stick-attachment-means may be configured to removably attach to either junior or senior (i.e. professional) hockey-sticks 900.
In some exemplary embodiments, hockey-stickhandling-tool 100 may be substantially constructed of a plastic suitable for forming with injection molding. In some embodiments, hockey-stickhandling-tool 100 may be substantially constructed of one or more materials selected from the group comprising acrylonitrile-butadiene styrene (ABS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene (low density PE and/or high density, i.e. HDPE), polypropylene, polycarbonate, nylon, acrylic, fiberglass, carbon fiber, and the like. Various plastic formulations may comprise fillers to alter various properties of the cured and formed plastic, such as adding glass fibers for increasing tensile strength. It may be desirable for the cured and formed plastics to retain structural integrity (and avoid becoming brittle) in cold weather commonly associated with playing of ice hockey. It may be desirable for the cured and formed plastics to retain structural integrity (and avoid becoming brittle) upon repeated striking against hard surfaces, such as a surface of a hockey rink, which may be ice or other surfaces.
In some exemplary embodiments, flexible-union-member 250 may be a separate component from first-pair-of-puck-receivers 140 and second-pair-of-puck-receivers 141. In some exemplary embodiments, flexible-union-member 250 may comprise a first-attachment-end 251 and a second-attachment-end 252. Second-attachment-end 252 may be disposed opposite of first-attachment-end 251. Second-attachment-end 252 may be separated from first-attachment-end 251 by a bridge 253, i.e. bridge 253 may link first-attachment-end 251 to second-attachment-end 252. Visually (from a top viewpoint), first-attachment-end 251, bridge 253, and second-attachment-end 252 may resemble a capital letter “H” or “I.” First-attachment-end 251, bridge 253, and second-attachment-end 252 may all be integral with respect to each other, i.e. a single article of manufacture. First-attachment-end 251 may be configured to attach to second-attachment-region 131 of first-pair-of-puck-receivers 140. Second-attachment-end 252 may be configured to attach to first-attachment-region 130 of second-pair-of-puck-receivers 141.
In some embodiments, flexible-union-member 250 may connect second-attachment-region 131 of first-pair-of-puck-receivers 140 to first-attachment-region 130 of second-pair-of-puck-receivers 141 by one or more connection-means selected from the group comprising ultrasonic welding, heat welding, solvent bonding, chemical adhesive bonding (e.g. gluing), and the like. These connection-means may be permanent.
In some embodiments, flexible-union-member 250 may connect second-attachment-region 131 of first-pair-of-puck-receivers 140 to first-attachment-region 130 of second-pair-of-puck-receivers 141 by one or more structural-connection-means selected from the group comprising snap connectors, Velcro®, locking protrusions and complimentary protrusion receiving ports, threading and complimentary threading, and the like. These structural-connection-means may be permanent or removable.
For example, and without limiting the scope of the present invention, the structural-connection-means of how flexible-union-member 250 links first-pair-of-puck-receivers 140 to second-pair-of-puck-receivers 141 may be removable, such that one, two, or three pairs-of-puck-receivers may be removably connected to each other, in a modular fashion, and then subsequently removably attached to hockey-stick 900 (e.g. at blade 901). Note, due to inherent length limitations of blade 901 (and handle 902) there are inherent limitations to the number of the pairs-of-puck-receivers that may be removably attached to each other and then subsequently removably attached to hockey-stick 900 (e.g. at blade 901).
In some exemplary embodiments, flexible-union-member 250 may be a different material from materials of first-pair-of-puck-receives 140 and second-pair-of-puck-receives 141. In some exemplary embodiments, flexible-union-member 250 may be substantially constructed of an elastomeric material. In some embodiments, flexible-union-member 250 may be substantially constructed of various silicones, various rubbers (natural and/or synthetic), polyether block amides (PEBA), chlorosulfonated polyethylene (e.g. Hypalon®), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), and the like.
In some exemplary embodiments, flexible-union-member 250 may permit some flexion between first-pair-of-puck-receivers 140 and second-pair-of-puck-receivers 141. Longitudinal-side-walls 101 of first-pair-of-puck-receivers 140 may not be parallel with longitudinal-sidewalls 101 of second-pair-of-puck-receivers 141, when the stick-attachment-means is removably attached to the curve of blade 901. Such flexing functionality of flexible-union-member 250 may permit, hockey-stickhandling-tool 200 to be removably attached to either the left-handed hockey-stick (lefty stick) or the right-handed hockey-stick (or righty stick) (similar to what is depicted in
In an exemplary embodiment of hockey-stickhandling-tool 300, the stick-attachment-means may comprise a sleeve 360. Sleeve 360 structurally and geometrically may comprise a cylinder wherein a hollow cavity of the cylinder may be configured to fit snugly around blade 901. Such snugly fitting of sleeve 360 around blade 901 may be a frictional fit. In such embodiments, sleeve 360 may be pulled onto (and off of) blade 901. Such a hollow cylindrical structure may be constructed of a single cylindrical material, such as a fabric and/or an elastomeric material formed, stitched, welded, and/or glued into the single cylinder.
In some exemplary embodiments, sleeve 360 may be substantially constructed of an elastomeric material. In some embodiments, sleeve 360 may be substantially constructed of various silicones, various rubbers (natural and/or synthetic), polyether block amides (PEBA), chlorosulfonated polyethylene (e.g. Hypalon®), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), and the like. In addition, various elastomeric materials in a foam or foam like formulation may be used for substantially constructing sleeve 360, such as various ester foams, polyurethanes, EVA in foam formulations, and Neoprene®. Sleeve 360 may be flexible. Sleeve 360 may be substantially constructed of a fabric, a natural fabric (e.g. cotton, wool, hemp, and the like) and/or a synthetic fabric (e.g. Neoprene®).
In some embodiments, sleeve 360 may be formed from a substantially rectangular material, as opposed to the single cylindrical material, wherein two opposing edge of the substantially rectangular material may be attached to each other to form the single cylindrical structure. In such embodiments the two opposing edges may be removably attached to each other by various means, such as Velcro®, zippers, snap connectors, straps with various connectors (e.g. side release buckles), and the like.
In exemplary embodiments, sleeve 360 may comprise an exterior-surface 361. At least one puck-receiver 370 may be located on exterior-surface 361. Puck-receiver 370 may comprise different types of puck-receivers (i.e. utilizing different means for removably holding hockey-puck 950). Puck-receiver 370 may comprise puck-receiver-single-strap 371, puck-receiver-tri-strap 372, puck-receiver-pocket 373, puck-receiver-with-cover 374, and the like.
Puck-receiver-single-strap 371 may comprise a single strap. See
Puck-receiver-tri-strap 372 may comprise a longitudinal strap as well as a strap element providing support for the bottom of at least one hockey-puck 950. See
Puck-receiver-pocket 373 may comprise a pocket structure for removably holding at least one hockey-puck 950. See
In various embodiments, materials of construction for the various embodiments of puck-receiver 370 may be the same as the materials for sleeve 360. It should be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, that other embodiments of puck-receiver 370, in addition to the above four embodiments, may also be used and still fall within the scope of the present invention.
In some embodiments, hockey-stickhandling-tool 300 may comprise at least one puck-receiver 370. In some embodiments, hockey-stickhandling-tool 300 may comprise one, two, three, four, five, or six puck-receivers 370. An exemplary number of puck-receivers 370 may be four, with two to each side of blade 901, as shown in
In some embodiments, puck-receiver 370 may removably hold hockey-puck 950 to blade 901, such that a flat surface of hockey-puck 950 may be substantially parallel with a flat surface of blade 901. This may be important for when the player actually utilizes hockey-stickhandling-tool 300 in practicing, exercising, and training to provide a flat surface area to engage hockey-pucks 950 which may not be removably held by puck-receiver 370, i.e. the hockey-pucks 950 that may be laying upon the rink surface that the player is working with.
Note, some embodiments of hockey-stickhandling-tool 100 and hockey-stickhandling-tool 200 may be exemplary over some embodiments of hockey-stickhandling-tool 300. This may be so, because hockey-stickhandling-tool 100 and hockey-stickhandling-tool 200 may comprise planar-extensions 170 which may provide the flat surface area that more resembles the flat surface area of blade 901, as compared to exterior surfaces of puck-receivers 370, which subsequently may result in hockey-stickhandling-tool 100 and hockey-stickhandling-tool 200 allowing for better hockey-puck 950 control (of hockey-pucks 950 which are not being removably held).
This may be so, because hockey-stickhandling-tool 100 and hockey-stickhandling-tool 200 may comprise materials of construction (e.g. various rigid and/or semi-rigid plastics) which may not gain significantly in weight when wet, as opposed to some fabric materials of hockey-stickhandling-tool 300 which may wick moisture and water and increase in weight when wet.
This may be so, because hockey-stickhandling-tool 100 and hockey-stickhandling-tool 200 may comprise materials of construction (e.g. various rigid and/or semi-rigid plastics) which may not be prone to degradation from mildew and mold, as opposed to some fabric materials of hockey-stickhandling-tool 300 which may have problems with mildew and mold from becoming wet.
This may be so, because hockey-stickhandling-tool 100 and hockey-stickhandling-tool 200 may comprise materials of construction (e.g. various rigid and/or semi-rigid plastics) which may weigh less (whether wet or dry) as compared to materials of construction for hockey-stickhandling-tool 300. Weighing less may be desirable to facilitate traveling with various hockey-stickhandling-tool embodiments.
This may be so, because hockey-stickhandling-tool 100 and hockey-stickhandling-tool 200 may comprise materials of construction (e.g. various rigid and/or semi-rigid plastics) and methods of manufacturing (e.g. injection molding) which may take significant advantage of economies of scale, such that per unit cost to manufacture may be significantly lower than with hockey-stickhandling-tool 300, even at comparable production rates.
This may be so, because hockey-stickhandling-tool 100 and hockey-stickhandling-tool 200 may be removably attached and removably detached from hockey-stick 900 faster than with hockey-stickhandling-tool 300.
Note with respect to all the various materials of construction noted above, it is not desired nor intended to thereby unnecessarily limit the present invention by reason of such restricted disclosure.
In various exemplary embodiments, players consistently practicing, exercising, and/or training with hockey-stickhandling-tools (100, 200, and/or 300), which may be removably holding one or more hockey-pucks 950 may improve and/or increase their hockey stickhandling strength and/or speed by players comprising the following steps (method steps):
Step 1: Removably attaching hockey-stickhandling-tool (100, 200, or 300) to hockey-stick 900 by use of the stick-attachment-means. In some embodiments, removably attaching hockey-stickhandling-tool (100, 200, or 300) to hockey-stick 900 by use of the stick-attachment-means may take under one second, regardless if hockey-stick 900 may be left handed, right handed, junior, or senior. In some embodiments, removably detaching hockey-stickhandling-tool (100, 200, or 300) from hockey-stick 900 by use of the stick-attachment-means may take under one second, regardless if hockey-stick 900 may be left handed, right handed, junior, or senior.
Step 2: Placing at least one hockey-puck 950 within the puck-receiver such that the puck-receiver may removably hold at least one hockey-puck 950. In some embodiments, for each hockey-puck 950 removably held by the puck-receiver, it may take about one second to slide one hockey-puck 950 into the puck-receiver. In some embodiments, for each hockey-puck 950 removably held by the puck-receiver, it may take about one second to slide one hockey-puck 950 out of the puck-receiver. Each removably held hockey-puck 950 within the puck-receiver may be held with enough frictional pressure to be held in place when the player conducts sweeping motions of hockey-stick 900 typical of playing hockey.
Step 3: Player then practicing, exercising, and/or training with hockey-stick 900 which may be removably attached to hockey-stickhandling-tool (100, 200, or 300), and wherein the puck-receiver may be remobably holding at least one hockey-puck 950. The player may practice, exercise, and/or train with hockey-stick 900 which may be removably attached to hockey-stickhandling-tool (100, 200, or 300), and wherein the puck-receiver may be remobably holding at least one hockey-puck 950, as if hockey-stickhandling-tool (100, 200, or 300) was not removably attached to hockey-stick 900. Player may use planar-extensions 170 to engage hockey-pucks 950 which may be laying upon the rink's surface.
In some embodiments, Step 1 may be replaced by Step 1a, Step 1b, or Step 1c. In Step 1a, hockey-stickhandling-tool (100, 200, or 300) stick-attachment-means may be removably attached to blade 901. In Step 1b, hockey-stickhandling-tool (100, 200, or 300) stick-attachment-means may be removably attached to handle 902. In Step 1c, hockey-stickhandling-tool (100, 200, or 300) stick-attachment-means may be removably attached to both blade 901 and to handle 902, about the neck of hockey-stick 900.
In some embodiments, Step 2 may be replaced by steps wherein two, three, four, five, or six hockey-pucks 950 are removably held by the puck-receivers. Such removably held hockey-pucks 950 may be weighted above the normal game playing weight of hockey-puck 950.
In some embodiments, a method for improving (and/or increasing) hockey stickhandling strength and/or speed of the play may comprise the steps:
Step A: Removably attaching hockey-stickhandling-tool (100, 200, or 300) to hockey-stick 900 (e.g. to blade 901) by use of the stick-attachment-means. As noted above, hockey-stickhandling-tool (100, 200, or 300) may comprise: the puck-receiver and the stick-attachment-means. The puck-receiver may be sized to removably hold at least one hockey-puck 950 by the puck-receiver providing at least one wall to partially enclose at least one hockey-puck 950. For example, the at least one wall may partially enclose at least one hockey-puck 950 against hockey-stickhandling-tool (100, 200, or 300). The stick-attachment-means may be configured to removably attach to hockey-stick 900. The puck-receiver and the stick-attachment-means may attached to each other such that use of the puck-receiver does not interfere with the stick-attachment-means and use of the stick-attachment-means does not interfere with the puck-receiver.
Step B: Place at least one hockey-puck 950 within the puck-receiver such that the puck-receiver may removably hold at least one hockey-puck 950.
Step C: The player then practices with hockey-stick 900, wherein hockey-stick 900 may be removably attached to the stick-attachment-means, and wherein the puck-receiver may be remobably holding the at least one hockey-puck 950.
In some embodiments, the puck-receiver may be configured to removably hold one, two, three, four, five, or six hockey-pucks 950. At least one hockey-puck 950 may comprise one, two, three, four, five, or six hockey-pucks. The puck-receiver may be removably holding one, two, three, four, five, or six hockey-pucks 950. In some exemplary methods of use embodiments, the puck-receiver may be removably holding four hockey-pucks 950, two to each side of blade 901.
A system for improving and/or increasing the player's hockey stickhandling strength and/or speed may comprise: hockey-stick 900, at least one hockey-puck 950, and hockey-stickhandling-tool (100, 200, or 300). The player may practice, exercise, and/or train with hockey-stick 900 which may be removably attached to hockey-stickhandling-tool (100, 200, or 300), and wherein the puck-receiver may be remobably holding at least one hockey-puck 950, as if hockey-stickhandling-tool (100, 200, or 300) was not removably attached to hockey-stick 900.
In some embodiments, a system for improving (and/or increasing) the player's hockey stickhandling strength and/or speed may comprise: hockey-stick 900, at least one hockey-puck 950, and hockey-stickhandling-tool (100, 200, or 300). Hockey-stick 900 may comprise blade 901, neck and handle 902. The neck may be disposed between blade 901 and handle 902, i.e. the neck may join blade 901 to handle 902.
As noted above, hockey-stickhandling-tool (100, 200, or 300) may comprise: the puck-receiver and the stick-attachment-means. The puck-receiver may be sized to removably hold at least one hockey-puck 950 by the puck-receiver providing at least one wall to partially enclose at least one hockey-puck 950. For example, the at least one wall may partially enclose at least one hockey-puck 950 against hockey-stickhandling-tool (100, 200, or 300). The stick-attachment-means may be configured to removably attach to hockey-stick 900. The puck-receiver and the stick-attachment-means may attached to each other such that use of the puck-receiver does not interfere with the stick-attachment-means and use of the stick-attachment-means does not interfere with the puck-receiver.
In such systems, when the player may consistently practices with hockey-stick 900, wherein hockey-stick 900 may be removably attached to the stick-attachment-means, and wherein the puck-receiver may be remobably holding at least one hockey-puck 950, the player may improve (and/or increase) hockey stickhandling strength and/or speed.
In such systems, the puck-receiver may be configured to removably hold one, two, three, four, five, or six hockey-pucks 950. At least one hockey-puck may comprise one, two, three, four, five, or six hockey-pucks 950. The puck-receiver may be removably holding one, two, three, four, five, or six hockey-pucks 950. In some exemplary system embodiments, the puck-receiver may be removably holding four hockey-pucks 950, two to each side of blade 901.
In some embodiments, at least one hockey-puck 950 may be an ice hockey-puck 950 of the cylindrical geometry and/or the spherical hockey-puck 950. In some embodiments, at least one hockey-puck 950 may comprise the weighted hockey-puck 950.
A hockey-stickhandling-tool, a method using such hockey-stickhandling-tools, and various systems have been described. The foregoing description of the various exemplary embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and disclosure. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching without departing from the spirit of the invention.
While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/826,313 filed on May 22, 2013, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61826313 | May 2013 | US |
