Sports equipment with adaptive stiffness and / or other enhanced characteristics

Abstract

Described is an article of sports equipment for a user engaging in a sport, with a stiffness-altering mechanism including an elongate member and an actuator and configured to alter a stiffness of the article of sports equipment during the sport, and a controller configured to operate the actuator for controlling movement of the elongate member to alter the stiffness of the article of sports equipment during the sport. An article of sports equipment can be a hockey stick including a sensor and a processing entity configured to determine information regarding hockey play by the hockey player based on the sensor. A first sensor can be configured to output a first electronic signal that represents the movement of the article of sports equipment and a second sensor configured to output a second electronic signal that represents the flexure of the article of sports equipment.

Description

[0001] SPORTS EQUIPMENT WITH ADAPTIVE STIFFNESS AND / OR OTHER ENHANCED CHARACTERISTICS

[0002] FIELD

[0003] The present disclosure relates to the field of sports equipment such as hockey sticks and more particularly to stiffness and / or other characteristics of such equipment.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Typical sports equipment has a fixed set of characteristics regardless of game play or other situations that a user may be in. This can be non-ideal, considering the wide range of situations to which the user may find himself or herself exposed. Specifically, in some situations, a first given set of characteristics may be preferable to enhance the feel of the sports equipment to the user and even enhance performance, while in other situations, a second set of characteristics different from the first given set of characteristics may be preferable. As a result, the user's choice of sports equipment may be dictated by a compromise between the different sets of characteristics that are preferable in the different situations, which may lead to inadequate performance in at least some of the situations. Alternatively, the user may purchase multiple items of sports equipment, each with a different set of characteristics; however, this may be cumbersome and expensive, whereas switching between the different items of sports equipment may simply be impractical in an actual game or other environment.

[0006] For example, a hockey stick is a key element in performance of hockey players, such as for shooting, passing and handling a puck or ball. A stick with a characteristic of a high rigidity is preferable when more force is used during a shot to the puck or ball during slap shots while a more flexible stick is more effective for wrist shots, passes and handling. However, hockey sticks cannot change their stiffness while in use, thus limiting the performance of each shot or other movement of the puck or ball. Players therefore currently use sticks whose rigidity is not ideal for all types of shots and other movements, the flexibility of the stick being a compromise for all situations.

[0007] Additionally, detailed data of player movements can provide beneficial information that permits analysis of potential improvement for the player, whether in terms of training, equipment choice, etc. Complete analysis of the motion carried out during a hockey match or practice would make it possible to automatically determine, for example, ice time, time on the bench, periods of puck handling, number of shots, etc. Cameras and motion analysis is often employed to obtain these data, but limited information can be obtained from users during play using such methods.

[0008] Accordingly, for at least these reasons, intelligent sports equipment with adaptative characteristics would be welcomed.

[0009] SUMMARY

[0010] An article of sports equipment described herein may be worn or manipulated by a user. For example, the article of sports equipment may be a striking implement (such as a hockey stick, a lacrosse stick, a bat or a racquet) or a wearable article (e.g., skate, helmet, protective pad). The article of sports equipment may refer to other types of sports equipment and to equipment used in other sports as well, such as skis used in skiing.

[0011] In accordance with various embodiments, the article of sports equipment has an alterable characteristic that is altered autonomously. The characteristic may be a functional (e.g., mechanical) characteristic, such as its geometry or the stiffness of the article of sports equipment. In some embodiments, the sports equipment has variable, asymmetrical stiffness. This stiffness can be adjusted manually or automatically by a stiffness-altering mechanism (e.g., one or more lockable or otherwise movable tension strips or other elongate members).

[0012] For example, current hockey sticks have a given rigidity distribution along each axis that is determined by their design (e.g., the arrangement and choice of different layers of materials that form a composite in a typical hockey stick) that is fixed during manufacturing. This unique rigidity may be a compromise stiffness that is not optimized for any type of shot or may be most suitable for only one type of shot. To overcome this lack, described herein is a hockey stick with variable stiffness. This variability in stiffness allows the hockey stick to adapt and thereby permit the player to use the appropriate rigidity level and distribution for each type of shot or other movement (e.g., wrist shots, passing, and handling only require low stiffness while slapshots and one-timers use high stiffness). The devices described herein make it possible to modify, in a time-sensitive manner, the rigidity of a hockey stick during use.

[0013] Features of the adaptive sticks include first, being predictive. That is, a detection algorithm is based on data that is measured by sensors of the device continuously during action by the player and immediately preceding a shot or other movement, which uses an in-depth kinematic analysis of the different shooting, passing and other moving styles specific to a broad population of players. Electronics integrated into the hockey stick sense stick motion data (such as speed and acceleration) and, when needed, other parameter like the deformation in real time, which is used by the algorithm to determine, based on several criteria, whether there will be a shot or other movement soon. This entire process takes place in fractions of seconds, e.g., in milliseconds. For example, the algorithm predicts a shot at least 150 milliseconds before it occurs, and then triggers an electronic signal to activate the stiffness-altering mechanism that changes the rigidity of the hockey stick.

[0014] Second, the stick stiffness-altering mechanism is fast, operating quickly enough to take place between the instant the intention to shoot is detected but before the shot is completed (e.g., the moment the stick touches the ice and / or puck or ball, the moment the puck is released). For instance, in some embodiments, the mechanism described is based on a quick and simple movement of a stopper such as locking of a strip into a fixed position. The mechanism allows stiffening in less than 100 ms since it involves only blocking (or in some embodiments, freeing) the movement of a stop of the mechanism, e.g., less than 75 ms, less than 50 ms, less than 25 ms, less than 10 ms.

[0015] Third, the devices are lightweight. As mass is a key performance factor in stick design, the electronics and stiffening mechanism may be very light (e.g., less than 40-50 g). For instance, in some embodiments, the mechanism described is based on the use of an axially-loaded carbon fiber strip, allowing the mass of the stick to be minimized.

[0016] Fourth, the devices are inexpensive. The components used are readily available, allowing costs to be kept down.

[0017] Further, the on-board electronics for the stick stiffening process also make it possible to provide analysis of the stick kinematics for statistical purposes, without human intervention. That is, the device has a passive mode that allows performance monitoring without providing adaptive stiffness.

[0018] The devices described allow for the stiffening of a hockey stick in anticipation of a particular type of shot. The mechanism has the advantage of compensating for any looseness that may develop over the cycles of use of the stick. These characteristics provide sports equipment with variable, asymmetrical rigidity and are adjustable manually or automatically. The autonomous electronics integrated into the stick makes it possible to determine the movements of the stick in real time and at high frequency. The software installed on the electronics (e.g., the algorithm) can provide several high-quality metrics to monitor the different tasks of a hockey player and make predictions in real time. In particular, the software can effectively predict slap shots at least 150 milliseconds before their arrival, whether in match conditions or in training.

[0019] In some embodiments, an article of sports equipment for a user engaging in a sport, the article of sports equipment includes a stiffness-altering mechanism including an elongate member and an actuator and configured to alter a stiffness of the article of sports equipment during the sport, and a controller configured to operate the actuator for controlling movement of the elongate member to alter the stiffness of the article of sports equipment during the sport.

[0020] Implementations can include one or more of the following features: the controller is configured to operate the actuator to allow the movement of the elongate member such that the stiffness of the article of sports equipment is relatively lower, and restrict the movement of the elongate member such that the stiffness of the article of sports equipment is relatively higher. To restrict the movement of the elongate member, the controller is configured to operate the actuator to prevent the movement of the elongate member. The article of sports equipment is a sporting implement including a holdable member configured to be held by the user and an object-contacting member configured to contact an object intended to be moved in the sport. The elongate member extends along the holdable member, over at least one quarter of a length of the holdable member, over at least one third of a length of the holdable member, over at least a majority of a length of the holdable member, over a front face of the holdable member, over a back face of the holdable member. The actuator is configured to use no energy while the object-contacting member makes contact with the object or other surface. The sport is hockey, the sporting implement is a hockey stick, the holdable member is a shaft, and the object-contacting member is a blade. The controller is configured to operate the actuator to allow the movement of the elongate member relative to the shaft such that the stiffness of the article of sports equipment is relatively lower, and restrict the movement of the elongate member relative to the shaft such that the stiffness of the article of sports equipment is relatively higher. To restrict the movement of the elongate member relative to the shaft, the controller is configured to operate the actuator to prevent the movement of the elongate member relative to the shaft. The controller is disposed in a proximal end portion of the shaft. The elongate member is a strip, and the strip includes composite material. The actuator includes a solenoid. The actuator includes an electric motor. The actuator includes a screw engaged by the electric motor to axially move a blocking head for selectively blocking and unblocking the movement of the elongate member. The blocking head has a variable stopping clearance when engaged by the screw. The actuator compensates for any looseness by causing the screw that is engaged by the electric motor to rotate through an additional angle and cause the blocking head to block the elongate member with a constant force over time.

[0021] In further implementations, the controller is configured to operate the actuator to alter the stiffness of the article of sports equipment by at least 5%. The controller is configured to operate the actuator to alter the stiffness of the article of sports equipment such that the stiffness of the article of sports equipment is nonlinear. The controller is configured to operate the actuator to alter the stiffness of the article of sports equipment such that the stiffness of the article of sports equipment can have at least three different values. The controller includes a sensor and is configured to detect an intent of the user to perform a particular movement with the article of sports equipment based on the sensor. The controller includes a sensor and is configured to detect an intent of the user to perform a particular movement with the hockey stick based on the sensor. The particular movement with the hockey stick is one of a plurality of different types of shots including a slap shot and a wrist shot. The controller causes the stiffness of the hockey stick to be relatively lower if the particular movement with the hockey stick is the wrist shot and relatively higher if the particular movement with the hockey stick is the slap shot. The sensor includes an inertial measurement unit (IMU). The controller is configured to cause the stiffness of the article of sports equipment during the sport to be altered in no more than 600 ms. The controller is configured to cause the stiffness of the article of sports equipment during the sport to be altered in no more than 170 ms. The controller is configured to cause the stiffness of the article of sports equipment during the sport to be altered in no more than 60 ms. The sport is skiing and the article of sports equipment is a ski. The sport is snowboarding and the article of sports equipment is a snowboard.

[0022] In some embodiments, a hockey stick for a hockey player includes a stiffness-altering mechanism including an elongate member and an actuator and configured to alter a stiffness of the hockey stick while the hockey player plays hockey, and a controller configured to operate the actuator for controlling movement of the elongate member to alter the stiffness of the hockey stick while the hockey player plays hockey.

[0023] Implementations can include one or more of the following features: the controller is configured to operate the actuator to allow the movement of the elongate member such that the stiffness of the hockey stick is relatively lower, and restrict the movement of the elongate member such that the stiffness of the hockey stick is relatively higher. The elongate member, the controller is configured to operate the actuator to prevent the movement of the elongate member. The elongate member extends along a shaft of the hockey stick. The elongate member extends over at least one quarter of a length of the shaft. The elongate member extends over at least one third of a length of the shaft, or over at least a majority of a length of the shaft. The controller is configured to operate the actuator to allow the movement of the elongate member along the shaft such that the stiffness of the hockey stick is relatively lower, and restrict the movement of the elongate member along the shaft such that the stiffness of the hockey stick is relatively higher. To restrict the movement of the elongate member along the shaft, the controller is configured to operate the actuator to prevent the movement of the elongate member along the shaft. The controller is disposed in a proximal end portion of the shaft. The elongate member is a strip. The strip includes composite material. The actuator includes an electric motor. The actuator includes a screw engaged by the electric motor to axially move a blocking head for selectively blocking and unblocking the movement of the elongate member.

[0024] In further implementations, the controller is configured to operate the actuator to alter the stiffness of the hockey stick by at least 5%. The controller is configured to operate the actuator to alter the stiffness of the hockey stick such that the stiffness of the hockey stick is nonlinear. The controller is configured to operate the actuator to alter the stiffness of the hockey stick such that the stiffness of the hockey stick can have at least three different values. The controller includes a sensor and is configured to detect an intent of the hockey player to perform a particular movement with the hockey stick based on the sensor. The particular movement with the hockey stick is one of a plurality of different types of shots including a slap shot and a wrist shot. The sensor includes an inertial measurement unit (IMU). The controller causes the stiffness of the hockey stick to be relatively lower if the particular movement with the hockey stick is the wrist shot and relatively higher if the particular movement with the hockey stick is the slap shot. The controller is configured to cause the stiffness of the hockey stick during the hockey to be altered in no more than 600 ms, in no more than 170 ms, in no more than 60 ms.

[0025] In some embodiments, a hockey stick for a hockey player includes a shaft configured to be held by the hockey player, the shaft including an elongate stiffening member that extends along the shaft, is fixed at one longitudinal end of the elongate stiffening member, and is disposed to be in tension or compression during bending of the shaft, and a blade configured to contact a puck or ball. Implementations can include one or more of the following features: the elongate member extends over at least one quarter of a length of the shaft. The elongate member extends over at least one third of a length of the shaft. The elongate member extends over at least a majority of a length of shaft. The elongate member is a strip. The strip includes composite material. A second elongate stiffening member that extends along the shaft, is fixed at one longitudinal end of the second elongate stiffening member, and is disposed to be in tension during bending of the shaft, or disposed to be in compression during bending of the shaft. The second elongate stiffening member has a stopping clearance that is different from a stopping clearance of the first elongate member.

[0026] In some embodiments, a hockey stick for a hockey player includes a sensor, and a processing entity configured to determine information regarding hockey play by the hockey player based on the sensor.

[0027] In some embodiments, an article of sports equipment includes a first sensor configured to output a first electronic signal that represents the movement of the article of sports equipment, a second sensor configured to output a second electronic signal that represents the flexure of the article of sports equipment, and a processing entity configured to process the first and second electronic signals to determine a change of movement of the article of sports equipment.

[0028] Implementations can include one or more of the following features: a component that is switchable between a first mode and a second mode in response to the change of movement, wherein the component of the article of sports equipment is caused to switch from the first mode to the second mode based on the determined change of movement. The first mode the article has a first rigidity and in the second mode the article has a rigidity that is higher than the first rigidity. A memory configured to save information related to the first electronic signal and the second electronic signal. The second sensor is distal from the first sensor along a shaft of the article of sports equipment. The second sensor is connected to a slat that extends within the shaft to place the second sensor into a desired position. The desired position is between about 10% and about 45% of a length of the shaft. Support material to support the slat and the second sensor within the shaft. The support material is a foam or an inflatable bladder. The second sensor is a resistive, capacitive, piezoresistive, or optical flex sensor. The first sensor is an inertial movement unit. The change of movement is preparing for a slap shot. ln some embodiments, an article of sports equipment for a user engaging in a sport includes a geometry-altering mechanism including an elongate member and an actuator and configured to alter the geometry of the article of sports equipment during the sport, and a controller configured to operate the actuator for controlling movement of the elongate member to alter the geometry of the article of sports equipment during the sport.

[0029] Implementations can include one or more of the following features: the sport is skiing and the article of sports equipment is a ski. The sport is hockey and the article of sports equipment is a hockey stick. The elongate member is a strip. The strip includes composite material. The actuator includes an electric motor. The actuator includes a screw engaged by the electric motor to axially move a blocking head for selectively blocking and unblocking the movement of the elongate member.

[0030] Herein, the terms “stiffness” and “rigidity” are used interchangeably, both referring to the extent to which an object resists deformation in response to an applied force. Stiffness is contrasted by “flexibility” or “pliability”; the more flexible an object is, the less stiff it is.

[0031] Other aspects and features of the present disclosure will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments of the disclosure in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

[0032] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0033] In drawings which illustrate embodiments:

[0034] FIG. 1 illustrates an article of sports equipment in the form of a hockey stick having a controller and a component with an alterable characteristic.

[0035] FIG. 2A is a block diagram showing the controller coupled to the component, and sensors forming part of the article of sports equipment.

[0036] FIG. 2B is a block diagram showing the controller coupled to the component, with sensors and a screen external to the article of sports equipment.

[0037] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing components of the processing entity.

[0038] FIGS. 4 and 5 are various articles of sports equipment to which various embodiments may be applied. FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of the component comprising an actuator and moving part.

[0039] FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate the principle of varying rigidity in a hockey stick having a multi-layer structure.

[0040] FIGS. 8A-8C are views of a portion of the shaft of the hockey stick including a stiffness-altering mechanism.

[0041] FIGS. 9A and 9B are cross section views of the stiffness-altering mechanism of the hockey stick in two differing configurations.

[0042] FIGS. 10A-10C are graphs illustrated asymmetric and stepped stiffness configurations for a hockey stick with stiffness-altering mechanisms.

[0043] FIGS. 11 and 12 are flowcharts illustrating methods that may be executed by the processing entity of the controller for determining a shot prediction event.

[0044] FIG. 13 is a schematic of components within a shaft of the hockey stick that permit detection of shaft bending using a flex sensor.

[0045] FIG. 14 illustrates the effect of positioning on a flex sensor along the shaft of a hockey stick.

[0046] FIG. 15 illustrates an article of sports equipment in the form of skis having a controller and a component with an alterable characteristic.

[0047] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0048] FIG. 1 shows an article of sports equipment 10 used by a user 12 and that includes a controller 20 and a component 30 controllable by the controller 20 during use of the article of sports equipment 10 for altering a characteristic (e.g., stiffness or geometry) thereof.

[0049] In this embodiment, the article of sports equipment 10 is a sporting (e.g., striking) implement such as a hockey stick, a lacrosse stick, a bat or a racquet for use by the user 12 engaging in a sport. As shown in FIG. 4, the sports equipment 10 comprises an elongate holdable member 412 configured to be held by the user 12 and an object-contacting member 414 configured to contact an object (e.g., a puck or ball) intended to be moved in the sport. More particularly, in this embodiment, the sport is hockey and the striking implement 10 is a hockey stick for use by the user 12, who is a hockey player, to shoot, pass or otherwise move a puck or ball. The elongate holdable member 412 of the hockey stick 10 is a shaft and the object-contacting member 414 of the hockey stick 10 is a blade.

[0050] The shaft 412 is configured to be held by the player to use the hockey stick 10. A periphery 420 of the shaft 412 includes a front surface 416 and a rear surface 418 opposite one another, as well as a top surface 422 and a bottom surface 424 opposite one another. Proximal and distal end portions 426, 428 of the shaft 412 are spaced apart in a longitudinal direction of the shaft 412, and define a length L of the shaft 412.

[0051] A cross-section of the shaft 412 may have any suitable configuration. For instance, in this embodiment, the cross-section of the shaft 412 has a major axis 436 which defines a major dimension D of the shaft's cross-section and a minor axis 438 which defines a minor dimension W of the shaft's cross-section. In this example, the cross-section of the shaft 412 is generally polygonal. More particularly, in this example, the cross-section of the shaft 412 is generally rectangular, with the front surface 416, the rear surface 418, the top surface 422, and the bottom surface 424 being generally flat. Corners between these surfaces of the shaft 412 may be rounded or beveled. The cross-section of at least a portion of the shaft 412 may be hollow.

[0052] The shaft 412 may have any other suitable shape and / or be constructed in any other suitable way. For example, in some embodiments, the cross-section of the shaft 412 may have any other suitable shape (e.g., the front surface 416, the rear surface 418, the top surface 422, and / or the bottom surface 424 may be curved and / or angular and / or have any other suitable shape, possibly including two or more sides or segments oriented differently, such that the cross-section of the shaft 412 may be pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal, partly or fully curved, etc.). As another example, the cross-section of the shaft 412 may vary along the length of the shaft 412.

[0053] The blade 414 is configured to allow the player to pass, shoot or otherwise move the puck or ball. The blade 414 comprises a front surface 452 and a rear surface 454 opposite one another, as well as a top edge 456, a toe edge 458, a heel edge 459, and a bottom edge 460. The blade 414 comprises a toe region 461 , a heel region 462, and an intermediate region 463 between the toe region 461 and the heel region 462. The blade 414 has a longitudinal dimension that defines a length of the blade 414, a thickness dimension that is normal to the longitudinal direction and defines a thickness of the blade 414, and a height dimension that is normal to the longitudinal direction and defines a height of the blade 414. A cross-section of the blade 414 may have any suitable configuration. For instance, in this embodiment, the cross-section of the blade 414 varies along the longitudinal direction of the blade 414 (e.g., tapers towards the toe region 461 of the blade 414), with the front surface 452 and the rear surface 454 curving so that the front surface 452 is concave and the rear surface 454 is convex. Corners between the front surface 452, the rear surface 454, the top edge 456, the toe edge 458, the heel edge 459, and the bottom edge 460 may be rounded or beveled.

[0054] The blade 414 may have any other suitable shape and / or be constructed in any other suitable way in other embodiments. For example, in some embodiments, the cross-section of the blade 414 may have any other suitable shape (e.g., the front surface 452, the rear surface 454, the top edge 456, the toe edge 458, the heel edge 459, and the bottom edge 460 may be curved differently and / or angular and / or have any other suitable shape, etc.).

[0055] The shaft 412 and the blade 414 may be interconnected in any suitable way. For instance, in this embodiment, the shaft 412 and the blade 414 are integrally formed with one another (i.e., at least part of the shaft 412 and at least of the blade 414 are integrally formed together) such that they constitute a one-piece stick. In other embodiments, the blade 414 may be secured to and removable from the shaft 412 (e.g., by inserting a shank of the blade 414, which may include a tenon, into a cavity of the shaft 412).

[0056] While in this embodiment the hockey stick 10 is a player stick for the user that is a forward, i.e., right wing, left wing, or center, or a defenseman, in other embodiments, as shown in FIG. 5, the sports equipment 10 may be a goalie stick where the user is a goalie. The goalie stick 10 may be constructed according to principles discussed herein.

[0057] In this embodiment, the goalie stick 10 comprises a paddle 497 that may be constructed according to principles discussed herein. For instance, in some embodiments, the paddle 497 may be disposed between the shaft 412 and the blade 414. The paddle 497 is configured to block hockey pucks from flying into the net. A periphery 430 of the paddle 497 includes a front surface 416 and a rear surface 418 opposite one another, as well as a top edge 415 and a bottom edge 419 opposite one another. Proximal and distal end portions of the paddle 497 are spaced apart in a longitudinal direction of the paddle 497, respectively adjacent to the shaft 412 and the blade 414, and define a length of the paddle 497. Although in these specific embodiments the sports equipment 10 is a sport implement that is a hockey stick or goalie stick, in other embodiments the sports equipment 10 may be any other implement used for striking, propelling or otherwise moving an object or a user in a sport.

[0058] The hockey stick 10 may be implemented in any other suitable manner in other embodiments.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 2A, in this embodiment, the controller 20 comprises a processing entity 204 operatively coupled to the component 30. A power source 230 such as a battery is provided to power the controller 20 and other parts of the hockey stick 10.

[0060] Referring as well to FIG. 3, the processing entity 204 may include at least one processor 202 (e.g., CPU) that reads and executes computer-readable instructions stored in a memory 205. The computer-readable instructions define program logic that, under certain conditions, results in a decision to send a control signal CTRL_SIG 216 to the component 30 to alter a characteristic thereof. As such, the decision to send the control signal CRTL_SIG 216 is rendered autonomously by the processing entity 204, based on execution of the program logic. It should be appreciated that, in some embodiments, the computer-readable instructions may encode a machine-learning algorithm (or other form of artificial intelligence) that is implemented by the processing entity 204 (e.g., which may comprise a neural network previously trained on reference data and possibly fine-tuned thereafter).

[0061] In executing the program logic, the processing entity 204 may collect, aggregate and process inputs from one or more sensors, examples of which include but are not limited to a camera, a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a magnetometer, a gravity sensor, a linear acceleration sensor, a vibration sensor, a thermometer, and a pressure sensor, to name a few non-limiting examples.

[0062] In one example, shown in FIG. 2A, the hockey stick 10 may itself comprise at least one sensor. Illustrated are two sensors 206A, 206B, from which the processing entity 204 receives sensor signals SENS_SIG 218 via wired connections.

[0063] In another example, shown in FIG. 2B, the processing entity 204 also receives a sensor signal SENS_SIG 219 from one or more remote sensors via a receiver (such as an antenna 203). The remote sensor that may be anywhere within range of the antenna 203, such as a sensor 208A disposed on a different article of sports equipment, a sensor 208B embedded within a sports infrastructure component (e.g., goal posts, hockey rink boards, basketball court net), or a sensor 208C held by a spectator in the stands. It should be appreciated that wireless communication via the antenna 203 may occur in accordance with any suitable protocol, including but not limited to Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC. In some embodiments, both a sensor embedded in the hockey stick 10 and an external sensor may be provided. Any suitable emitter-receiver technology can be used.

[0064] In another specific non-limiting example, the controller 20 is in communication with a media such as screen 240. The processing entity 204 is configured to collect, aggregate and process the one or more sensor signals SENS_SIG 218, 219 in accordance with program logic to determine information to be displayed on the screen 240 and to send a control signal CTRL_SIG 228 to the screen 240 to control what is displayed thereon.

[0065] In some embodiments, it is possible that the control signal CTRL_SIG 228 is sent manually, e.g., by the pressing of a button or an area of a touch-screen. For example, the screen 240 can be a touch screen with an icon that when pressed, causes a signal to be sent to the controller 20 which causes the controller 20 to in return send signals to the screen 240 that causes the screen to show data collected by the controller 20 (e.g., raw data, or summary information about actions in the ongoing play). In further embodiments, a control signal can be sent from the screen 240 can cause the controller 20 to alter the hockey stock 10. Further, it is possible to send signals to the user, e.g., with haptic feedback such as a smart watch worn by the user to vibrate.

[0066] In a specific non-limiting embodiment, the processing entity 204 may be configured to send the control signal CTRL_SIG 216 to the component 30 in response to determining that the user 12 and / or the hockey stick 10 exhibits a particular movement. To this end, in this embodiment, the sensor 206A may be an inertial movement unit (IMU) that measures and reports data about the hockey stick 10, including, for example, acceleration, angular rate, and orientation, using a combination of accelerometers, gyroscopes, and in some cases magnetometers.

[0067] The processing entity 204 may be configured to process the output of the sensor 206A that is configured as an IMU to recognize movement of the user 12 or of the hockey stick 10 and to determine whether this movement matches sufficiently closely one of a possible plurality of predetermined movement patterns, which may be represented by data stored in the memory 205. This comparison can be done in various ways, including algorithmic processing, look-up tables, principal component analysis and using machine learning. In machine learning, a trained model uses parameters, which are internal configuration variables whose value can be estimated from the given data. Different parameters represent different movement patterns, depending on the classification.

[0068] For example, in this case where the article of sports equipment 10 is a hockey stick, the plurality of predetermined movement patterns may include a first movement pattern indicative of gearing up for a slap shot and a second movement pattern indicative of gearing up for a wrist shot. The processing entity 204 may thus be configured to send a first type of control signal CTRL_SIG 216 causing a first amount of change in the characteristic of the component 30 (e.g., send a first voltage level, duration, or sign) in the case where the detected movement pattern is indicative of gearing up for a slap shot. The processing entity 204 may be configured to send a second type of control signal CTRL_SIG 216 causing a second change in the characteristic of the component 30 (e.g., send a first voltage level, duration, or sign) in case the second detected movement pattern is indicative of gearing up for a wrist shot. More than two different signals corresponding to more than two different states in the characteristic of the component 30 are possible. In some instances, the first or second signal may be no signal.

[0069] Active stiffening of the stick

[0070] In this embodiment, the component 30 comprises a stiffness-altering mechanism configured to cause a change in a stiffness of at least part of the shaft 412 of the stick 10 based on a received control signal CTRL_SIG 216. The processing entity 204 receives the sensor signal SENS_SIG 218, 219, processes it, and sends the control signal CTRL_SIG 216 to the stiffness-altering mechanism 30 to cause a change in the stiffness of the shaft 412 of the stick 10.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 6, in this embodiment, the stiffness-altering mechanism 30 comprises an actuator 612 that is used to modify a mechanical characteristic of the hockey stick 10 to be alterable, which in this case is the stiffness of the hockey stick 10. The stiffness-altering mechanism 30 comprises a movable part 614 that is movable relative to a base part 616 of the hockey stick 10 during use. The actuator 612 may restrict (e.g., prevent) movement of the movable part 614 relative to the base part 616 such that the movable part 614 and the base part 616 are not or less movable relative to one another in response to the control signal CTRL_SIG 216. This restricted (e.g., precluded) movement of the movable part 614 relative to the base part 616 can be referred to as “locking”. The stiffness of the hockey stick 10 may be greater when the movable part 614 is locked (i.e., unmovable or less movable) relative to the base part 616 than when the movable part 614 is unlocked (i.e. , movable or more movable) relative to the base part

[0072] 616.

[0073] FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate the principle of varying rigidity in a body 700 having a multi-layer structure, such as multiple layers making up at least a portion of the shaft 412 of the hockey stick. The body 700 includes a stack of several layers 710. In FIG. 7A the layers 710 can slide with respect to each other and the overall structure renders the body (e.g., the hockey stick) quite flexible. However, when the layers are held immobile relative to each other as in FIG. 7B, the body becomes instantly stiffer. In some embodiments, the actuator 612 moves the movable part 614 to cause the layers 710 to be immobile relative to each other (e.g., as in FIG. 7B), rending the hockey stick stiffer than its previous configuration (e.g., as in FIG. 7A).

[0074] Referring to FIGS. 8A-8C, in this embodiment, the movable part 614 of the stiffness-altering mechanism 30 of the hockey stick 10 comprises an elongate member 820 extending along and movable along the shaft 412. More particularly, in this embodiment, the elongate member 820 is a strip (e.g., slat) and extends along at least a substantial portion of the length of the shaft 412. For example, in some embodiments, the elongate member 820 may extend over at least one quarter, in some cases at least one third, in some cases at least one half, and in some cases at least a majority of the length of the shaft 412. The elongate member 820 may be fabricated from carbon fiber, composite material, or any other suitable material. The elongate member 820 is generally wide and thin. For example, the elongate member 820 may have a thickness that is less than 10% of the thickness of the shaft 412, e.g., less than 5%, less than 2%, less than 1 %, and have a width that more than more than a third of the width of the surface of the shaft 412, e.g., more than 40%, more than 45%, more than 50%

[0075] In some embodiments, the elongate member 820 is fixed (e.g., by a screw) to an attachment plate 830 at one end of the elongate member (typically at the proximate end of the elongate member). Positioning the mechanism at the proximate end typically minimizes the weight perceived by the user. The attachment plate 830 holds the end of the elongate member 820 to a mobile housing 845 that is configured to slide axially within the shaft 412, and thereby permit the elongate member 820 to slide axially along the outside of the shaft 412. In other embodiments, the elongate member 820 is glued to the attachment plate 830. In still other embodiments, the elongate member 820 and the attachment plate 830 are a single piece. When it is unlocked by the actuator 612, the elongate member 820 can freely slide along the shaft 412, such that the shaft 412 and thus the hockey stick 10 are relatively less stiff (as in FIG. 7A). Conversely, when it is locked by the actuator 612, the elongate member 820 is precluded from freely sliding along the shaft 412, thereby causing the shaft 412 and thus the hockey stick 10 to be relatively stiffer (e.g., by at least 5%).

[0076] Referring as well to FIGS. 9A and 9B, in this embodiment, the actuator 612 of the stiffness-altering mechanism 30 of the hockey stick 10 comprises an electric motor 815 configured to rotate a lead screw 840 and thereby axially move a blocking head 850 along the shaft 412 for selectively blocking and unblocking the mobile housing 845 secured to the elongate member 820 via the attachment plate 830. When the electric motor 815 has moved the blocking head 850 away from the mobile housing 845, the elongate member 820 is allowed to freely move along the shaft 412, thus making the stiffness of the shaft 412 and the hockey stick 10 relatively lower, as shown in FIG. 9A. By moving the blocking head 850 against the mobile housing 845, the electric motor 815 causes the elongate member 820 to be fixed, placing the elongate member 820 under axial tension along its length and thereby increasing the stiffness of the shaft 412 and the hockey stick 10, as shown in FIG. 9B. Also, in this example of implementation, the electric motor 815 and the lead screw 840 are such that any play or looseness that may develop in the mechanism is compensated for with each new stiffening, e.g., by causing the lead screw 840 to rotate through an additional angle and cause the blocking head 850 to be blocked against the mobile housing 845.

[0077] FIG. 8B illustrates the proximal end portion 426 of the shaft 412 of the hockey stick 10. Most of the parts making up the component 30, in this embodiment, are located primarily at the proximal end portion 426 of the shaft 412 and fit within the periphery 420 of the shaft 412. In this embodiment, the elongate member 820 and the attachment plate 830 alone are visible outside of the periphery 420. FIG. 8C illustrates the proximal end portion 426 with the periphery 420 removed. Removing the enclosing sleeve of the periphery 420 makes visible an electronic module 810 implementing the controller 20 that is inserted into the proximal end portion 426 of the shaft 412. The electronic module is connected to and configured to control the electric motor 815. The electric motor 815 is configured to affix or release the elongate member 820 that is visible outside of the periphery 420.

[0078] More particularly, in this embodiment, the sensor 206A embodied as an IMU is within the electronic module 810 and is inserted into the stick 10 to measure the behavior of the stick 10. Once the controller 20 within the electronic module 810 recognizes a specific pattern in the signals measured by the sensor 206A, it sends a control signal CTRL_SIG 216 to the electric motor 815 to control movement of the elongate member 820 of the shaft 412 to, for example, increase the stiffness of the shaft 412 during a slapshot and reduce the stiffness of the shaft 412 during a wrist shot. The change in stiffness is typically between about 10% and about 20%. Accordingly, different levels of the control signal cause the stiffness-altering mechanism 30 to impart different degrees of stiffness. For example, the control signal CTRL_SIG 216 sent to the electric motor 815 can have a first value representing the lowest stiffness of the stick 10 (as in FIG. 9A). The control signal CTRL_SIG 216 can have a second value representing a higher stiffness of stick (as in FIG. 9B). It can also have a third value that acts to increase the axial load on the elongate member 820 even further than with the second value, so that the elongate member 820 is prevented from any movement and the stick 10 has a maximum stiffness. Accordingly, the stick 10 can have at least three different stiffness values. In some implementations, more than three values are also possible.

[0079] In some embodiments, the elongate member 820 that is used to increase the stiffness of the stick is not positioned over the front surface 416 as is shown in Figs. 8 and 9. Instead, the member can be positioned beneath the front surface 416. The elongate member can also be positioned over or beneath the rear surface 418.

[0080] In some embodiments, the stick 10 can have more than two stiffness values, such as three or more values. For example, the stick can have more than one elongate member such as described above. A second (or third or more) elongate member can be placed on the opposite face of the stick from the first elongate member. Alternatively, a second (or third or more) elongate member can be placed parallel to the first elongate member. In still further implementations, a first elongate member can be positioned over the front surface 416 while a second elongate member is positioned beneath the front surface. A third and fourth elongate member can be positioned above and below the rear surface 418. Two or more mobile housings 845 can be used, one for each elongate member. Locking or not locking the respective mobile housings 845 in combinations can permit different overall rigidity values to be achieved. Multiple stiffness values that change in stages can be achieved.

[0081] In other embodiments, the stick 10 can attain non-linear stiffness values. The mobile housing 845 can be moved to different positions, allowing different combinations of free and blocked motion of the elongated member, changing the average stiffness value. Alternatively, the elongate member(s) may be composed of different materials or thicknesses along its length.

[0082] Detection of the player’s shooting intention

[0083] Detection of the player's intention to shoot is carried out through the installation in the stick of motion sensors and electronics which feed the shot detection algorithm. This algorithm operating in real time makes it possible to determine, at the appropriate moment (before the shot is made), the player's intention to make, for example, a slap shot. Each type of shot having its own kinematic signature, real-time analysis of stick movements makes it possible to differentiate between types of shot. The detection of these events can be used to activate the different modes of operation of the hockey stick (increased vs. regular stiffness).

[0084] Various criteria can be used to detect that the player is about to execute a slap shot or one-timer that would benefit from increased stiffness of the stick. One, two, three, or more criteria can be used. In some embodiments, an orientation criterion examines the orientation of the stick to determine if the player has raised the stick. For example, the IMU 206A can relay a signal to the processing entity 204 that the player has swung the stick up and back in preparation for the shot. Orientation criteria can also include the direction the blade is pointing. Kinematic criteria can examine one or more motion vectors of the stick and their levels, (e.g., if a linear or angular velocity, acceleration, or jerk is higher than a threshold, then the player has started pushing the stick hard to begin a hard shot like a slap shot). When these criteria are met, the algorithm determines that a shot prediction event has been created. The shot prediction event determined by the algorithm has been found to be 100% effective on at least 95% of the population of players tested at positively predicting the taking of a slap shot. In some instances, the criteria used to determine a shot prediction event can be calibrated for each use or player. More advanced algorithms are also possible, like training machine learning algorithms on the raw measurements of the sensors

[0085] FIG. 11 illustrates the general steps carried out by the processing entity 204 to determine a shot prediction event 1040. At step 1110, the processing entity 204 processes the received sensor signal(s) SENS_SIG 218. In accordance with the program logic, it determines whether the prediction are met to determine a shot prediction event 1040, at step 1120. Various techniques may be used, such as algorithmic processing, machine learning, look-up tables and principal component analysis. If it is determined that the shot prediction event 1040 has occurred, the processing entity 204 is configured to generate and send the control signal CTRL_SIG 216 to the component 30 to alter its stiffness characteristic (step 1130). Included in this mode of operation is testing for typically three different conditions and issuing a particular version of the control signal CTRL_SIG 216 in response to a combination of the three conditions being met.

[0086] FIG. 12 illustrates more detailed the steps carried out by the processing entity 204. The sensor(s) 206A are continuously monitoring the movement of the stick, at step 1210. At step 1220, the algorithm detects that the user is about to carry out a slap shot by detecting the three criteria outlined with respect to FIG. 10. For instance, this detection may take place no more than 1250 ms, in some cases no more than 1200 ms, in some cases no more than 500 ms, and in some cases no more than 60 ms before the stick makes contact with the ice and / or the puck or ball. For example, the detection may take place between about 170 ms and about 600 ms before the stick makes contact with the ice and / or the puck or ball.

[0087] The controller then sends signals to the electric motor 815 which acts to cause rapid stiffening of the stick, step 1230. In this embodiment, the stick is stiffened by blocking the elongate member 820 (juxtaposed to the front of the shaft 412). This strip finding itself in uniaxial tension during bending of the stick thus adds to the initial rigidity of the stick. The elongate member 820 is blocked by the actuator 612 including the electric motor 815 being activated to adjust the position of the lead screw 840 between detection of the player's intention and contact of the stick with the ice. This period available for activation allows stiffening of the stick without requiring a large energy demand, the stick not being mechanically loaded during the aerial phase of the movement. In addition, the use of the lead screw 840 integrated into the mechanism makes it possible to compensate for any play or looseness that may have developed over the activation cycles. In some embodiments, it is also possible to release the blocking mechanism while the stick is in contact with the ice (e.g., under load), requiring very little energy use.

[0088] The user then carries out the shot, at step 1240. The processing entity 204 then signals the release to the electric motor 815 and allows the stick 10 to return to its initial stiffness after a predetermined interval, step 1250. The interval may be, for example, approximately 3 seconds. In some embodiments, the stick 10 returns to its initial stiffness when another condition is meet, e.g., once the sensors determines that the shot is completed.

[0089] The stick advantageously is already locked into its new configuration by the time the player strikes the puck and / or ice. Accordingly, no further energy is required when the stick undergoes deformation due to the striking action, as the actuator 612 is no longer using energy to cause the electric motor 815 to displace the mobile housing 845.

[0090] Other applications and embodiments

[0091] Electronics only

[0092] While the device as described provides for the automatic stiffening of the hockey stick, the analysis of the kinematics of the stick using only the electronics developed to provide the stiffening function can also provide beneficial information without implementing the shot prediction.

[0093] The on-board electronics used in the hockey sticks 10 described above allow the analysis of the kinematics of the sticks, which provides all the information necessary to calculate game statistics (e.g., ice time, rest time, possession time, etc.) without human intervention. In some embodiments, the hockey stick 10 has the electronic module 810 integrated into the shaft 412 of the hockey stick 10 which includes the IMU sensor 206A and the component 30 may or may not be integrated into the hockey stick 10. The processing entity 204 may not include or may not use the functionality that sends CTRL_SIG 216.

[0094] Complete analysis of the signals acquired during a hockey match using such an electronic module 810 would make it possible to determine, for example, ice time, time on the bench, periods of puck handling, number of shots, etc.

[0095] Elongate member only

[0096] The use of a flexible elongate member alone, without electronics, also provides advantages for a stick that is in “passive” mode.

[0097] For example, even without a locking mechanism, adding an elongate member (or elongate members) as described above to a hockey stick allows for asymmetrical rigidity. As illustrated in Figs. 10A and 10B, the flexion along the major axis of the hockey stick will vary when the stick is subjected to force from the front side differently than when the stick is subjected to force from the rear side. Accordingly, the flexibility of the stick will be different when bent in the direction towards and away from the elongate member. While in passive mode, the stick can therefore have a first stiffness for an ordinary shot and a second stiffness for a backhand shot. A non-linear rigidity profile can also be produced by installing elongate members having different stopping clearances. A stick equipped with an elongate member in a passive configuration also allows for multiple stiffness values that change in stages, such as shown in Fig. 10C. Such configurations can be achieved in different ways. For example, more than one elongate member such as described above can be used with different stopping clearances. A second (or third or more) elongate member can be placed on the opposite face of the stick from the first elongate member. A second (or third or more) elongate member can be placed parallel to the first elongate member. Alternatively, the elongate member may be composed of different materials or thicknesses along its length.

[0098] Additionally, the elongate member can be used to displace of the kick-point (the point of maximum flexibility) of a stick. The kick-point can be displaced as desired by changing the length of the elongate member, for example. The same hockey stick design could be used with different elongate members that can be swapped one for another, making it feasible to customize a single overall hockey stick design for different players.

[0099] The stick with elongate member has the potential to lower the level of mechanical stress when bending the stick, thus increasing the lifespan of the stick. According to the same principle, for a level of constraint similar to the current level, it would be possible to lower the mass of the stick, the mass of the stick being a key element for the players.

[0100] In alternate embodiments, the component 30 can be used to modify other features of the stick 10 rather than the stiffness. For example, the component 30 can be used to modify the geometry of the stick 10.

[0101] Additional sensors

[0102] FIG. 13 illustrates an embodiment of a stick 10 that includes the electronic module 810 integrated into the shaft 412 of the hockey stick 10 which includes the IMU sensor 206A as well as a flexure or flex sensor 206B that is distal along the shaft 412 from the electronic module 810. A slat 1315 extends within the shaft 412 to position the flex sensor 206B at a specific point along the shaft 412. Support material 1325 is used to support the slat 1315 and the flexure sensor 206B so as to minimize vibrations and to encourage the flex sensor 206B to deform with the stick. The support material 1325 can be, e.g., a type of foam or an inflatable bladder.

[0103] Many different types of flex sensors 206B could be used, including a resistive, capacitive, piezoresistive, or optical flex sensor. The flexure sensor 206B can be implemented as a strain gauge; however, using a flex sensor of a longer length (5-10 cm instead of 5mm) advantageously minimizes the sensor's subjectivity to vibrations.

[0104] Both the IM II 206A and the flex sensor 206B can be used together to accurately differentiate key events during the game.

[0105] FIG. 14 illustrates the criteria in selecting the point where the flex sensor 206B is mounted along the shaft 412 so as to most accurately differentiate between slap shots, wrist shots, and passes. In particular, the shaft 412 of the stick 10 may comprise one or more sensor(s) 206B which, in this embodiment, are flex sensors or pressure sensors disposed over a delimited portion of the stick 10. In use, the user may grip the shaft 412 in the region 1410 for a slap shot, which is generally lower than the region 1420 gripped for pass or wrist shot. The flex sensors 206B of the stick 10 may be disposed below region 1410 of the shaft 412 that is typically gripped by a lower hand of a hockey player when preparing for a slapshot to maximize the difference of signal measured between slap shots and wrist shots / passes, i.e., below the lower hand in both slap shots and wrist shots. This location is about 45% of the stick length when measured from the heel 1459 of the stick and above about 10% of the stick length. Such positioning produces a strong enough signal that can differentiate slap and wrist shots while minimizing the length / weight of the blade that holds the flex sensor. Note that the bending of the stick is generally proportional to the bending moment.

[0106] In this embodiment, when the sensors 206B are activated above a predetermined threshold (e.g., by the lower hand of the hockey player) and the sensor signal SENS_SIG 218 is above a predetermined threshold, the processing entity 204 may consider that the stick 10 is being used for a slapshot and may generate the control signal CTRL_SIG 216 which will increase the stiffness of the shaft 412 of the stick 10 to increase stored energy and power transfer during the slapshot. If the flex sensors 206B are not activated above the predetermined threshold (e.g., because there is no hand gripping the delimited region 1410 of the stick), the processing entity 204 may consider that the stick 10 is not being used for a slapshot and may not generate any control signal, effectively maintaining the original (lower) stiffness of the shaft 412 of the stick 10 to increase puck control. In the case of a wrist shot, the opposite may be done, i.e., a lower stiffness right as the shot is being made. In some instances, the sensors 206B can be embodied as pressure sensors. ln some embodiments, the elongate member 820 that is used to increase the stiffness of the stick could be used to sense the deformation of the stick. This prevents the need to add a sensor below the lower hand and allows for simpler sensors to be used. This reduces the weight down the shaft, the manufacturing complexity and the costs. To do so, one can add a position sensor to monitor the position of the moving end of the blade (at the upper hand). When not locked in place to stiffen the stick, this extremity moves freely to accommodate the flexion of the stick. This motion could be used during an initial calibration phase to tune the algorithms used to differentiate passes, wrist shots and slap shots, or detect any missed detection once the stick is calibrated (i.e. , when the blade is not locked in place while it should). Additionally, a force or strain sensor could be added to this end of the blade to detect if the stick is flexed when the blade is locked.

[0107] Other sports

[0108] In other embodiments, the article of sports equipment 10 may be for a snow gliding sport such as alpine skiing, cross-country skiing or snowboarding. A ski 1500 is illustrated in FIG. 15, that has a component 30 that can be used to change a characteristic of the ski. The component 30 used on the ski would be a lightweight and fast system, as for a hockey stick.

[0109] The component 30 can be used to change the stiffness of the ski. The component 30 can also be used to change the geometry of the ski. The geometry change renders the ski suitable either for hard or soft snow by changing the tip rocker, the camber, the contact zone between the ski and the snow, etc.

[0110] In some embodiments, an elongate member would have a default configuration that places the ski in a first stiffness and / or geometry. Activation of the elongate member could lock it in place while the ski is deformed to minimize the energy and power requirements. This could be achieved while the ski is flexed in the middle of the turn, or during the transition from one turn to the other.

[0111] Changing the geometry could render the ski suitable either for slow or fast speed (e.g., increased agility vs. increased stability).

[0112] Additional embodiments can include different mechanisms for increasing the rigidity than those described in detail above. For example, embodiments including levers, solenoids, and other features are also contemplated. In some embodiments, any feature of any embodiment described herein may be used in combination with any feature of any other embodiment described herein.

[0113] Certain additional elements that may be needed for operation of certain embodiments have not been described or illustrated as they are assumed to be within the purview of those of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, certain embodiments may be free of, may lack and / or may function without any element that is not specifically disclosed herein.

[0114] In describing the embodiments, specific terminology has been resorted to for the sake of description but this is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is understood that each specific term comprises all equivalents.

[0115] In case of any discrepancy, inconsistency, or other difference between terms used herein and terms used in any document incorporated by reference herein, meanings of the terms used herein are to prevail and be used.

[0116] While specific embodiments have been described and illustrated, such embodiments should be considered illustrative of the subject matter described herein and not as limiting the claims as construed in accordance with the relevant jurisprudence.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An article of sports equipment for a user engaging in a sport, the article of sports equipment comprising: a stiffness-altering mechanism comprising an elongate member and an actuator and configured to alter a stiffness of the article of sports equipment during the sport; and a controller configured to operate the actuator for controlling movement of the elongate member to alter the stiffness of the article of sports equipment during the sport.

2. The article of sports equipment of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to operate the actuator to allow the movement of the elongate member such that the stiffness of the article of sports equipment is relatively lower; and restrict the movement of the elongate member such that the stiffness of the article of sports equipment is relatively higher.

3. The article of sports equipment of claim 2, wherein, to restrict the movement of the elongate member, the controller is configured to operate the actuator to prevent the movement of the elongate member.

4. The article of sports equipment of claim 1 , wherein the article of sports equipment is a sporting implement comprising a holdable member configured to be held by the user and an object-contacting member configured to contact an object intended to be moved in the sport.

5. The article of sports equipment of claim 4, wherein the elongate member extends along the holdable member.

6. The article of sports equipment of claim 5, wherein the elongate member extends over at least one quarter of a length of the holdable member.

7. The article of sports equipment of claim 5, wherein the elongate member extends over at least one third of a length of the holdable member.

8. The article of sports equipment of claim 5, wherein the elongate member extends over at least a majority of a length of the holdable member.

9. The article of sports equipment of claim 5, wherein the elongate member extends over a front face of the holdable member.

10. The article of sports equipment of claim 5, wherein the elongate member extends over a back face of the holdable member.

11. The article of sports equipment of claim 4, wherein the actuator is configured to use no energy while the object-contacting member makes contact with the object or other surface.

12. The article of sports equipment of claim 4, wherein the sport is hockey, the sporting implement is a hockey stick, the holdable member is a shaft, and the object-contacting member is a blade.

13. The article of sports equipment of claim 12, wherein the controller is configured to operate the actuator to allow the movement of the elongate member relative to the shaft such that the stiffness of the article of sports equipment is relatively lower; and restrict the movement of the elongate member relative to the shaft such that the stiffness of the article of sports equipment is relatively higher.

14. The article of sports equipment of claim 13, wherein to restrict the movement of the elongate member relative to the shaft, the controller is configured to operate the actuator to prevent the movement of the elongate member relative to the shaft.

15. The article of sports equipment of claim 14, wherein the controller is disposed in a proximal end portion of the shaft.

16. The article of sports equipment of claim 1 , wherein the elongate member is a strip.

17. The article of sports equipment of claim 16, wherein the strip includes composite material.

18. The article of sports equipment of claim 1 , wherein the actuator comprises a solenoid.

19. The article of sports equipment of claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises an electric motor.

20. The article of sports equipment of claim 19, wherein the actuator comprises a screw engaged by the electric motor to axially move a blocking head for selectively blocking and unblocking the movement of the elongate member.

21. The article of sports equipment of claim 20, wherein the blocking head has a variable stopping clearance when engaged by the screw.

22. The article of sports equipment of claim 20, wherein the actuator compensates for any looseness by causing the screw that is engaged by the electric motor to rotate through an additional angle and cause the blocking head to block the elongate member with a constant force over time.

23. The article of sports equipment of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to operate the actuator to alter the stiffness of the article of sports equipment by at least 5%.

24. The article of sports equipment of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to operate the actuator to alter the stiffness of the article of sports equipment such that the stiffness of the article of sports equipment is nonlinear.

25. The article of sports equipment of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to operate the actuator to alter the stiffness of the article of sports equipment such that the stiffness of the article of sports equipment can have at least three different values.

26. The article of sports equipment of claim 1, wherein the controller comprises a sensor and is configured to detect an intent of the user to perform a particular movement with the article of sports equipment based on the sensor.

27. The article of sports equipment of claim 12, wherein the controller comprises a sensor and is configured to detect an intent of the user to perform a particular movement with the hockey stick based on the sensor.

28. The article of sports equipment of claim 27, wherein the particular movement with the hockey stick is one of a plurality of different types of shots including a slap shot and a wrist shot.

29. The article of sports equipment of claim 28, wherein the controller causes the stiffness of the hockey stick to be relatively lower if the particular movement with the hockey stick is the wrist shot and relatively higher if the particular movement with the hockey stick is the slap shot.

30. The article of sports equipment of claim 26, wherein the sensor comprises an inertial measurement unit (IMU).

31. The article of sports equipment of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to cause the stiffness of the article of sports equipment during the sport to be altered in no more than 600 ms.

32. The article of sports equipment of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to cause the stiffness of the article of sports equipment during the sport to be altered in no more than 170 ms.

33. The article of sports equipment of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to cause the stiffness of the article of sports equipment during the sport to be altered in no more than 60 ms.

34. The article of sports equipment of claim 1 , wherein the sport is skiing and the article of sports equipment is a ski.

35. The article of sports equipment of claim 1, wherein the sport is snowboarding and the article of sports equipment is a snowboard.

36. A hockey stick for a hockey player, the hockey stick comprising: a stiffness-altering mechanism comprising an elongate member and an actuator and configured to alter a stiffness of the hockey stick while the hockey player plays hockey; and a controller configured to operate the actuator for controlling movement of the elongate member to alter the stiffness of the hockey stick while the hockey player plays hockey.

37. The hockey stick of claim 36, wherein the controller is configured to operate the actuator to allow the movement of the elongate member such that the stiffness of the hockey stick is relatively lower; and restrict the movement of the elongate member such that the stiffness of the hockey stick is relatively higher.

38. The hockey stick of claim 37, wherein, to restrict the movement of the elongate member, the controller is configured to operate the actuator to prevent the movement of the elongate member.

39. The hockey stick of claim 36, wherein the elongate member extends along a shaft of the hockey stick.

40. The hockey stick of claim 39, wherein the elongate member extends over at least one quarter of a length of the shaft.

41. The hockey stick of claim 39, wherein the elongate member extends over at least one third of a length of the shaft.

42. The hockey stick of claim 39, wherein the elongate member extends over at least a majority of a length of the shaft.

43. The hockey stick of claim 39, wherein the controller is configured to operate the actuator to allow the movement of the elongate member along the shaft such that the stiffness of the hockey stick is relatively lower; and restrict the movement of the elongate member along the shaft such that the stiffness of the hockey stick is relatively higher.

44. The hockey stick of claim 43, wherein to restrict the movement of the elongate member along the shaft, the controller is configured to operate the actuator to prevent the movement of the elongate member along the shaft.

45. The hockey stick of claim 44, wherein the controller is disposed in a proximal end portion of the shaft.

46. The hockey stick of claim 36, wherein the elongate member is a strip.

47. The hockey stick of claim 46, wherein the strip includes composite material.

48. The hockey stick of claim 36, wherein the actuator comprises an electric motor.

49. The hockey stick of claim 48, wherein the actuator comprises a screw engaged by the electric motor to axially move a blocking head for selectively blocking and unblocking the movement of the elongate member.

50. The hockey stick of claim 36, wherein the controller is configured to operate the actuator to alter the stiffness of the hockey stick by at least 5%.

51. The hockey stick of claim 36, wherein the controller is configured to operate the actuator to alter the stiffness of the hockey stick such that the stiffness of the hockey stick is nonlinear.

52. The hockey stick of claim 36, wherein the controller is configured to operate the actuator to alter the stiffness of the hockey stick such that the stiffness of the hockey stick can have at least three different values.

53. The hockey stick of claim 36, wherein the controller comprises a sensor and is configured to detect an intent of the hockey player to perform a particular movement with the hockey stick based on the sensor.

54. The hockey stick of claim 53, wherein the particular movement with the hockey stick is one of a plurality of different types of shots including a slap shot and a wrist shot.

55. The hockey stick of claim 53, wherein the sensor comprises an inertial measurement unit (IMU).

56. The hockey stick of claim 54, wherein the controller causes the stiffness of the hockey stick to be relatively lower if the particular movement with the hockey stick is the wrist shot and relatively higher if the particular movement with the hockey stick is the slap shot.

57. The hockey stick of claim 36, wherein the controller is configured to cause the stiffness of the hockey stick during the hockey to be altered in no more than 600 ms.

58. The hockey stick of claim 36, wherein the controller is configured to cause the stiffness of the hockey stick during the hockey to be altered in no more than 170 ms.

59. The hockey stick of claim 36, wherein the controller is configured to cause the stiffness of the hockey stick during the hockey to be altered in no more than 60 ms.

60. A hockey stick for a hockey player, the hockey stick comprising: a shaft configured to be held by the hockey player, the shaft comprising an elongate stiffening member that extends along the shaft, is fixed at one longitudinal end of the elongate stiffening member, and is disposed to be in tension or compression during bending of the shaft; and a blade configured to contact a puck or ball.

61. The hockey stick of claim 60, wherein the elongate member extends over at least one quarter of a length of the shaft.

62. The hockey stick of claim 60, wherein the elongate member extends over at least one third of a length of the shaft.

63. The hockey stick of claim 60, wherein the elongate member extends over at least a majority of a length of shaft.

64. The hockey stick of claim 60, wherein the elongate member is a strip.

65. The hockey stick of claim 64, wherein the strip includes composite material.

66. The hockey stick of claim 60, further comprising a second elongate stiffening member that extends along the shaft, is fixed at one longitudinal end of the second elongate stiffening member, and is disposed to be in tension during bending of the shaft.

67. The hockey stick of claim 60, further comprising a second elongate stiffening member that extends along the shaft, is fixed at one longitudinal end of the second elongate stiffening member, and is disposed to be in compression during bending of the shaft.

68. The hockey stick of claim 66 or 67, wherein the second elongate stiffening member has a stopping clearance that is different from a stopping clearance of the first elongate member.

69. A hockey stick for a hockey player, the hockey stick comprising: a sensor; and a processing entity configured to determine information regarding hockey play by the hockey player based on the sensor.

70. An article of sports equipment comprising: a first sensor configured to output a first electronic signal that represents the movement of the article of sports equipment; a second sensor configured to output a second electronic signal that represents the flexure of the article of sports equipment; and a processing entity configured to process the first and second electronic signals to determine a change of movement of the article of sports equipment.

71. The article of sports equipment of claim 70, comprising a component that is switchable between a first mode and a second mode in response to the change of movement, whereinthe component of the article of sports equipment is caused to switch from the first mode to the second mode based on the determined change of movement.

72. The article of sports equipment of claim 71 , wherein in the first mode the article has a first rigidity and in the second mode the article has a rigidity that is higher than the first rigidity.

73. The article of sports equipment of claim 70, comprising a memory configured to save information related to the first electronic signal and the second electronic signal.

74. The article of sports equipment of claim 70, wherein the second sensor is distal from the first sensor along a shaft of the article of sports equipment.

75. The article of sports equipment of claim 74, wherein the second sensor is connected to a slat that extends within the shaft to place the second sensor into a desired position.

76. The article of sports equipment of claim 75, wherein the desired position is between about 10% and about 45% of a length of the shaft.

77. The article of sports equipment of claim 75, further comprising support material to support the slat and the second sensor within the shaft.

78. The article of sports equipment of claim 77, wherein the support material is a foam or an inflatable bladder.

79. The article of sports equipment of claim 70, wherein the second sensor is a resistive, capacitive, piezoresistive, or optical flex sensor.

80. The article of sports equipment of claim 70, wherein the first sensor is an inertial movement unit.

81. The article of sports equipment of claim 70, wherein the change of movement is preparing for a slap shot.

82. An article of sports equipment for a user engaging in a sport, the article of sports equipment comprising: a geometry-altering mechanism comprising an elongate member and an actuator and configured to alter the geometry of the article of sports equipment during the sport; anda controller configured to operate the actuator for controlling movement of the elongate member to alter the geometry of the article of sports equipment during the sport.

83. The article of sports equipment of claim 82, wherein the sport is skiing and the article of sports equipment is a ski.

84. The article of sports equipment of claim 82, wherein the sport is hockey and the article of sports equipment is a hockey stick.

85. The article of sports equipment of claim 82, wherein the elongate member is a strip.

86. The article of sports equipment of claim 85, wherein the strip includes composite material.

87. The article of sports equipment of claim 82, wherein the actuator comprises an electric motor.

88. The article of sports equipment of claim 87, wherein the actuator comprises a screw engaged by the electric motor to axially move a blocking head for selectively blocking and unblocking the movement of the elongate member.

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