Goalie hockey stick

Abstract

A goalie hockey stick includes: a handle portion with a paddle connecting end; and a paddle portion that includes: an upper paddle portion; and a blade portion to contact a playing surface and that forms an L-shape with the upper paddle portion, the upper paddle portion including: a first end that is connected to the paddle connecting end of the handle portion; a second end that is connected to the blade portion; first and second sides; a front face between the first and second sides; a rear face that is opposite the rear face, that is between the first and second sides, and that is to face the goalie; first and second convex portions on the rear face; and a concave portion on the rear face.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present disclosure is a PCT International Application of U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 463,714, filed on 3 May 2023. The entire disclosure of the application referenced above is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to hockey sticks and, more particularly, backs of stick portions of goalie hockey sticks.INTRODUCTION

[0003] The introduction description provided here is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure.

[0004] Blades of hockey sticks can be made out of a monolithic piece of material, such as wood. Hockey stick blades can additionally or alternatively be made out of a composite material, such as high strength fibers (e.g., carbon fibers) that are embedded within a polymeric material (e.g., epoxy). In the example of composite materials, a pre-preg material is wrapped around a relatively stiff core member, and the pre-preg material is then cured (e.g., via heat) and molded to form the hockey stick blade.

[0005] The pre-preg material can be wrapped such that the fibers are in a predetermined orientation such that the hockey stick blade exhibits advantageous force distribution properties, stiffness, etc. This type of hockey stick blade can be relatively low weight to such that the hockey stick can be maneuvered relatively quickly and easily.SUMMARY

[0006] In a feature, a goalie hockey stick includes: a handle portion with a paddle connecting end; and a paddle portion that includes: an upper paddle portion; and a blade portion to contact a playing surface and that forms an L-shape with the upper paddle portion, the upper paddle portion including: a first end that is connected to the paddle connecting end of the handle portion; a second end that is connected to the blade portion; first and second sides; a front face between the first and second sides; a rear face that is opposite the rear face, that is between the first and second sides, and that is to face the goalie; first and second convex portions on the rear face; and a concave portion on the rear face.

[0007] In further features, the first convex portion is vertically above the second convex portion when the blade portion is in contact with the playing surface.

[0008] In further features, the concave portion is disposed between the first convex portion and the second convex portion.

[0009] In further features, the first convex portion is disposed adjacent to the first end, the second convex portion is disposed adjacent to the second end, and the concave portion is disposed between the first convex portion and the second convex portion.

[0010] In further features, a thickness is defined between the front face and the rear face.

[0011] In further features, the thickness at the first convex portion is greater than the thickness at the concave portion.

[0012] In further features, the thickness increases moving from the first end toward the first convex portion, decreases moving from the first convex portion to the concave portion, and increases moving from the concave portion to the second convex portion.

[0013] In further features, the thickness decreases moving from the second convex portion to the second end.

[0014] In further features, the thickness decreases at a constant rate from the second convex portion to the second end.

[0015] In further features, the first convex portion is circular, the second convex portion is circular, and the concave portion is circular.

[0016] In further features, the first convex portion has a first radius of curvature, the second convex portion has a second radius of curvature, and the concave portion has a third radius of curvature.

[0017] In further features, first, second, and third radii of curvature are equal.

[0018] In further features, at least one of the first, second, and third radii of curvature is a different value than the other ones of the first, second, and third radii of curvature.

[0019] In further features, the blade portion is one of curved and straight.

[0020] In further features, the goalie hockey stick includes carbon fibers and an epoxy.

[0021] In further features, a first width between the first and second sides is greater than a second width of the handle portion.

[0022] In further features, the first convex portion, the second convex portion, and the concave portion lie along the longitudinal axis of the upper paddle portion.

[0023] In a feature, a goalie hockey stick includes: a handle portion with a paddle connecting end; and a paddle portion that includes: an upper paddle portion; and a blade portion to contact a playing surface and that forms an L-shape with the upper paddle portion, the upper paddle portion including: a first end that is connected to the paddle connecting end; a second end that is connected to the blade portion; first and second sides; a front face between the first and second sides; a rear face that is opposite the rear face, that is between the first and second sides, and that is to face the goalie, wherein the paddle portion has: a first thickness between the front face and the rear face at the first end along a longitudinal axis of the upper paddle portion; a second thickness between the front face and the rear face at location along the longitudinal axis that is between the first end and the second end, the second thickness being less than the first thickness and being attributable to the rear face tapering toward the front face; and a third thickness between the front face and the rear face at the second end along the longitudinal axis, the third thickness being greater than the second thickness and being attributable to the rear face tapering away the front face.

[0024] In further features, the rear face tapers toward the front face at a constant rate from the first end to the location.

[0025] In further features, the rear face tapers away the front face at a constant rate from the location to the second end.

[0026] Further areas of applicability of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description, the claims and the drawings. The detailed description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The present disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0028] FIG. 1 is a front view of a hockey stick;

[0029] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an example blade portion of a hockey stick, such as taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1 or the example hockey stick of FIG. 3;

[0030] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of a goalie hockey stick;

[0031] FIG. 4 is a rear / back perspective view of a paddle portion of the goalie stick;

[0032] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the paddle portion of the goalie hockey stick illustrating changes in thickness of the paddle portion;

[0033] FIG. 6 includes a perspective view of the goalie stick and multiple vertical planes through a midsection of the paddle portion;

[0034] FIG. 7 includes example cross-sections of the midsection at the vertical planes, respectively; and

[0035] FIG. 8 includes example area moments of inertia (Mols) of the midsection at the vertical planes, respectively, in inches to the fourth power.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Referring to FIG. 1, a hockey stick 10 is illustrated. The hockey stick 10 includes a handle portion 12, which a player 14 holds, and a blade portion 16 (i.e., blade), which is used for controlling a hockey puck 18 or a ball.

[0037] The hockey stick 10 shown in FIG. 1 is a hockey stick for a position other than goalie. Goalie hockey sticks (used by goalies) are different than the hockey stick shown in FIG. 1. The concepts described below, however, may also be applicable to the non-goalie hockey stick 10 of FIG. 1. While the example of an ice hockey stick will be provided, the present application is also applicable to other types of sports equipment, such as field hockey sticks, roller hockey sticks, etc.

[0038] The handle portion 12 can be elongated and longitudinally straight. In some embodiments, the handle portion 12 can include a hollow core that is embedded and wrapped within a covering (e.g., composite material with carbon fibers).

[0039] The handle portion 12 includes a blade connecting end 13. The blade portion 16 is fixed to the blade connecting end 13 of the handle portion 12. The blade portion 16 can be fixed to the blade connecting end 13 in any suitable manner. The handle portion 12 and the blade portion 16 can be manufactured separately and subsequently attached together. Alternatively, the handle portion 12 and the blade portion 16 may be manufactured together.

[0040] The blade portion 16 generally includes a front face 20, which can be used for receiving and moving the hockey puck 18 (e.g., passing, shooting, etc.), and a rear face 22 (e.g., FIG. 2), which can also be used for receiving and moving the hockey puck 18. The blade portion 16 also includes a first end 28 that is connected to the blade connecting end 13 of the handle portion 12. The blade portion 16 also includes a second end 30 that is opposite to the first end 28.

[0041] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the blade portion 16, such as along plane 2 of FIG. 1. The blade portion 16 also includes an upper edge 24 and a lower edge 26 that is opposite the upper edge 24. The upper edge 24 is typically spaced away from a playing surface (e.g., ice). The lower edge 26 may contact the playing surface. The upper edge 24 is opposite the lower edge 26.

[0042] Both the upper and lower edges 24 and 26 extend between the first and second ends 28 and 30 of the blade portion 16. The upper and lower edges 24 and 26 and the front and rear faces 20 and 22 can have a curvature between the first and second ends 28 and 30 such that the front face 20 is concave while the rear face 22 is convex. Alternatively, the front and rear faces 20 and 22 and the upper and lower edges 24 and 26 may be straight.

[0043] Referring to FIG. 3, a goalie hockey stick 310 is illustrated. The hockey stick 310 includes a handle portion 311, which a goalie holds, and a paddle portion 316. The paddle portion 316 includes an upper paddle portion 304 and a blade portion 308. The paddle portion 316, and more specifically the upper paddle portion 304, is connected to the handle portion 311. The blade portion 308 is used for controlling, blocking, or otherwise playing a hockey puck or a ball.

[0044] The handle portion 311 can be elongated and longitudinally straight. In some embodiments, the handle portion 311 can include a hollow core that is embedded and wrapped within a covering (e.g., composite material with carbon fibers).

[0045] The handle portion 311 includes a paddle connecting end 313. The paddle portion 316 is fixed to the paddle connecting end 313 of the handle portion 311. The paddle portion 316 can be fixed to the paddle connecting end 313 in any suitable manner. The handle portion 311 and the paddle portion 316 can be manufactured separately and subsequently attached together. Alternatively, the handle portion 311 and the paddle portion 316 may be manufactured together.

[0046] The paddle portion 316 is generally L-shaped. The upper paddle portion 304 and the blade portion 308 form an L-shape. The upper paddle portion 304 and the blade portion 308 may be a single piece or multiple pieces that are joined together. The angle between the blade portion 308 and the upper paddle portion 304 may be 90 degrees or greater than 90 degrees, such as shown in the example FIG. 3. The angle may be measured between an axis of the blade portion 308 and an axis of the upper paddle portion 304.

[0047] FIG. 3 illustrates a front side 320 of the goalie stick 310. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a back side 404 of the paddle portion 316 of the goalie stick 310. The goalie stick 310 may be made of or include carbon fiber and an epoxy.

[0048] The paddle portion 316 generally includes a front side 320 (FIG. 3) and a back side 404 (FIG. 4). The back (rear) side 404 typically faces the goalie during play with the goalie stick 310.

[0049] The blade portion 308 also includes a first end 328 that is connected to the upper paddle portion 304 and a second end 330 that is opposite the first end 328. A cross-section of the goalie stick 310 may be similar to the example cross-section of FIG. 2.

[0050] The blade portion 308 also includes an upper edge 324 and a lower edge 326. The upper edge 324 is typically spaced away from the playing surface (e.g., ice). The lower edge 326 may contact the playing surface. The upper edge 324 is opposite the lower edge 326.

[0051] Both the upper and lower edges 324 and 326 extend between the first and second ends 328 and 330 of the blade portion 308. The upper and lower edges 324 and 326 and the front and rear faces 320 and 322 can have a curvature between the first and second ends 328 and 330 such that the front face 320 is concave while the rear face 22 is convex, such as illustrated in FIG. 4. Alternatively, the front and rear faces 320 and 322 and the upper and lower edges 324 and 326 may be straight.

[0052] The upper paddle portion 304 includes a first end 404 that is connected to the paddle connecting end 313 of the handle portion 311. The upper paddle portion 304 includes a second end 406 that is opposite the first end 404 and that is connected to the first end 328 of the blade portion 308.

[0053] The upper paddle portion 304 includes a midsection that extends between the first end 404 and the second end 406. The midsection includes a first (inner) edge 416 and a second (outer) edge 420. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the goalie stick 310 toward the second edge 420.

[0054] According to the present application, on the back (rear) side / face of the upper paddle portion 304 includes a first convex portion 504 that extends outwardly from the back side and away from a center of the upper paddle portion 304. The back side of the upper paddle potion 304 also includes a concave portion 508 that extends inwardly from the back side and toward the center of the upper paddle portion 304. The back side of the upper paddle portion 304 may also include a second convex portion 512 that extends outwardly from the back side and away from the center of the upper paddle portion 304. As illustrated, the concave portion 508 is disposed between the first and second convex portions 504 and 512. In various implementations, the second convex portion 512 may be omitted.

[0055] The concave and convex portions 504-512 may be, for example, circular and have a radius of curvature. The radius of curvature may be the same for each of the concave and convex portions 504-512, two of the concave and convex portions 504-512 may have the same radius of curvature, or each of the radii of curvature may be different. Thickness may be maximum values at apexes of the convex portions 504 and 512. Thickness may be a minimum value at an apex of the concave portion 508. The upper paddle portion 304 being made of or including carbon fiber and an epoxy may make the inclusion of the convex and concave portions possible. Thickness may be measured along the longitudinal axis (e.g., the plane).

[0056] In other words, the midsection is thicker at the first convex portion 504, thinner at the concave portion 508, and thicker at the second convex portion 512. Thickness may be the distance between the front face (FIG. 3) and the back face (FIG. 4) and is illustrated by FIG. 5. The thickness may decrease at a constant rate between the second convex portion 512 (e.g., an apex) and the second end 406.

[0057] FIG. 6 includes a perspective view of the goalie stick 310 and multiple vertical planes through the midsection. The vertical planes are a mold open / paddle start vertical plane, vertical planes P1-P5, and a right plane. FIG. 7 includes example cross-sections of the midsection at the vertical planes, respectively. Changes in the cross-sections of FIG. 7 illustrate the first convex portion 504, the concave portion 508, and the second convex portion 512.

[0058] FIG. 8 includes example area moments of inertia (Mols) of the midsection at the vertical planes, respectively, in inches{circumflex over ( )}4. The vertical planes may be perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the upper paddle portion 304.

[0059] The midsection of upper paddle portions of goalie sticks may have a consistent or increasing stiffness moving from the first end toward the second end and blade portion. The convex and concave portions 504-512 formed on the back side of the upper paddle portion 304 create the opposite situation and provide a decrease in stiffness in a middle area of the midsection. The convex and concave portions 504-512 may be disposed along the longitudinal axis 804 of the upper paddle portion 304.

[0060] Goalies move the puck or ball with their bottom hands much higher on the goalie stick than other positional players (e.g., FIG. 1). By making the middle portion of the midsection at the concave portion (e.g., 508) less stiff and less thick, the goalie stick 310 provides a more efficient transfer of energy to the ball or puck. The decrease in thickness at the concave portion 508 also decreases weight of the goalie stick 310. As illustrated by FIG. 8, the area MOI also decreases in the middle area (midsection) near the concave portion 508 as illustrated by the area MOIs at vertical planes P2 and P3.

[0061] While the example of two convex and one concave portion is provided, in various implementations, the goalie stick 310 may include three convex portions and two concave portions with the convex and concave portions disposed in an alternating fashion. This may provide two points of decreased stiffness on the midsection with a point of increased stiffness between the two points of decreased stiffness.

[0062] The foregoing description is merely illustrative in nature and is in no way intended to limit the disclosure, its application, or uses. The broad teachings of the disclosure can be implemented in a variety of forms. Therefore, while this disclosure includes particular examples, the true scope of the disclosure should not be so limited since other modifications will become apparent upon a study of the drawings, the specification, and the following claims. It should be understood that one or more steps within a method may be executed in different order (or concurrently) without altering the principles of the present disclosure. Further, although each of the embodiments is described above as having certain features, any one or more of those features described with respect to any embodiment of the disclosure can be implemented in and / or combined with features of any of the other embodiments, even if that combination is not explicitly described. In other words, the described embodiments are not mutually exclusive, and permutations of one or more embodiments with one another remain within the scope of this disclosure.

[0063] Spatial and functional relationships between elements (for example, between modules, circuit elements, semiconductor layers, etc.) are described using various terms, including “connected,”“engaged,”“coupled,”“adjacent,”“next to,”“on top of,”“above,”“below,” and “disposed.” Unless explicitly described as being “direct,” when a relationship between first and second elements is described in the above disclosure, that relationship can be a direct relationship where no other intervening elements are present between the first and second elements, but can also be an indirect relationship where one or more intervening elements are present (either spatially or functionally) between the first and second elements. As used herein, the phrase at least one of A, B, and C should be construed to mean a logical (A OR B OR C), using a non-exclusive logical OR, and should not be construed to mean “at least one of A, at least one of B, and at least one of C.”

Claims

1. A goalie hockey stick, comprising:a handle portion with a paddle connecting end; anda paddle portion that includes:an upper paddle portion; anda blade portion to contact a playing surface and that forms an L-shape with the upper paddle portion,the upper paddle portion including:a first end that is connected to the paddle connecting end of the handle portion;a second end that is connected to the blade portion;first and second sides;a front face between the first and second sides;a rear face that is opposite the rear face, that is between the first and second sides, and that is to face the goalie;first and second convex portions on the rear face; anda concave portion on the rear face.

2. The goalie hockey stick of claim 1 wherein the first convex portion is vertically above the second convex portion when the blade portion is in contact with the playing surface.

3. The goalie hockey stick of claim 1 wherein the concave portion is disposed between the first convex portion and the second convex portion.

4. The goalie hockey stick of claim 1 wherein the first convex portion is disposed adjacent to the first end, the second convex portion is disposed adjacent to the second end, and the concave portion is disposed between the first convex portion and the second convex portion.

5. The goalie hockey stick of claim 1 wherein a thickness is defined between the front face and the rear face.

6. The goalie hockey stick of claim 5 wherein the thickness at the first convex portion is greater than the thickness at the concave portion.

7. The goalie hockey stick of claim 6 wherein the thickness increases moving from the first end toward the first convex portion, decreases moving from the first convex portion to the concave portion, and increases moving from the concave portion to the second convex portion.

8. The goalie hockey stick of claim 7 wherein the thickness decreases moving from the second convex portion to the second end.

9. The goalie hockey stick of claim 8 wherein the thickness decreases at a constant rate from the second convex portion to the second end.

10. The goalie hockey stick of claim 1 wherein the first convex portion is circular, the second convex portion is circular, and the concave portion is circular.

11. The goalie hockey stick of claim 1 wherein the first convex portion has a first radius of curvature, the second convex portion has a second radius of curvature, and the concave portion has a third radius of curvature.

12. The goalie hockey stick of claim 11 wherein first, second, and third radii of curvature are equal.

13. The goalie hockey stick of claim 11 wherein at least one of the first, second, and third radii of curvature is a different value than the other ones of the first, second, and third radii of curvature.

14. The goalie hockey stick of claim 1 wherein the blade portion is one of curved and straight.

15. The goalie hockey stick of claim 1 wherein the goalie hockey stick includes carbon fibers and an epoxy.

16. The goalie hockey stick of claim 1 wherein a first width between the first and second sides is greater than a second width of the handle portion.

17. The goalie hockey stick of claim 1 wherein the first convex portion, the second convex portion, and the concave portion lie along the longitudinal axis of the upper paddle portion.

18. A goalie hockey stick, comprising:a handle portion with a paddle connecting end; anda paddle portion that includes:an upper paddle portion; anda blade portion to contact a playing surface and that forms an L-shape with the upper paddle portion,the upper paddle portion including:a first end that is connected to the paddle connecting end;a second end that is connected to the blade portion;first and second sides;a front face between the first and second sides;a rear face that is opposite the rear face, that is between the first and second sides, and that is to face the goalie,wherein the paddle portion has:a first thickness between the front face and the rear face at the first end along a longitudinal axis of the upper paddle portion;a second thickness between the front face and the rear face at location along the longitudinal axis that is between the first end and the second end, the second thickness being less than the first thickness and being attributable to the rear face tapering toward the front face; anda third thickness between the front face and the rear face at the second end along the longitudinal axis, the third thickness being greater than the second thickness and being attributable to the rear face tapering away the front face.

19. The goalie hockey stick of claim 18 wherein the rear face tapers toward the front face at a constant rate from the first end to the location.

20. The goalie hockey stick of claim 18 wherein the rear face tapers away the front face at a constant rate from the location to the second end.

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