Multilayer Anti-slip compact structure for individual/joint application on the forehand and backhand side of the hockey stick blade

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hockey stick and blade surface treatments fail to provide adequate puck or ball control, durability, and weight reduction, as traditional tapes are prone to damage, weight increase when wet, and do not address temperature variations, leading to suboptimal performance.

Innovation Solution

A multilayer anti-slip compact structure comprising a backing carrier with a fibre/net structure and an anti-slip layer, featuring a protective adhesive layer that is thermally resistant and water-repellent, applied to the hockey stick blade, which includes a resin layer and coarsening grains for improved grip and durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional textile tape is used for surface treatment, then puck control is improved, but the tape has short life span and requires replacement after partial damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepuck controlVSAvoidtape life span
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses a composite structure consisting of a textile carrier combined with a polymer adhesive layer containing particles. This composite material provides both the puck control properties of textile and the durability of polymer, resolving the contradiction between reliability and duration of action.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If textile tape is used for surface treatment, then puck control is improved, but the tape catches snow and ice leading to weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepuck controlVSAvoidhockey stick weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the physical and chemical parameters of the adhesive layer by incorporating particles with specific properties (hardness, shape, size) that create a surface resistant to snow and ice accumulation. This maintains puck control while preventing weight increase from water absorption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If rubber patches with spikes are placed on blade, then coarseness is increased, but the patches are thicker and heavier than textile tapes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface coarsenessVSAvoidblade weight
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses a thin film polymer adhesive layer containing particles, which provides the necessary surface coarseness without the thickness and weight of rubber patches. The thin film structure maintains blade weight while achieving the desired grip enhancement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Strength

If adhesive layer with firm particles is sprayed, then coarsening is achieved, but additional weight is added to hockey stick

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface coarsenessVSAvoidhockey stick weight
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies particles in a controlled manner within the adhesive layer, providing sufficient surface coarseness for puck control without excessive particle concentration that would increase weight. This partial action approach achieves the necessary grip enhancement while minimizing weight addition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides enhanced puck control, improved shooting accuracy, increased durability, and reduced weight, while maintaining a thin and lightweight design, with minimal water absorption and easy residue-free removal.

Implementation Method 1

an adhesive layer with thermal resistance from - 15°C to +40°C

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal resistance: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

The first layer is formed by a fibre/net structure with thickness max. 0.3 mm as measured in accordance with ISO 5084 standard and tensile strength min. 400 N as measured in accordance with ISO 13934-1 standard and weight max. 130 g/m 2 The coating can be preferably applied on the both sides of the first layer, i.e. to the face and reverse side.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWater resistance: Hydrophobe

Implementation Method 3

All surface treatments of hockey stick and blade have smooth surface. But smooth surface does not provide good puck or ball control during handling, passes and shooting, because puck or ball would slide on the smooth surface.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3678747B1Multilayer Anti-slip compact structure for individual/joint application on the forehand and backhand side of the hockey stick blade
Publication Date: 2022.11.02 SPECTER SPORTS AS
  • EP3678747B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3678747B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP3678747B1 patent drawingFigure 7~9

AI summary

Multilayer anti-slip compact structure for individual/joint application on forehand and backhand side of the hockey stick blade, which consists of backing carrier (A) and anti-slip layer (B) applied on said backing carrier (A) wherein the backing carrier (A) is formed by the first layer with thickness max. 0.3 mm and tensile strength min. 400 N and weight max. 130 g/m2;on the first layer a second resin or glue layer (3) with thickness max. 0.1 mm containing polyurethane, polyacrylate, organic resin or suitable polymer or their combination is applied; and the anti-slip layer (B) is formed by the third resin layer (5) with content of epoxide and/or phenol or polymer with thickness max. 0.1 mm and weight max. 250 g/m2. The first layer of the backing carrier (A) is formed by the plastic film (1) from polymer or net structure (2) from fibres containing cotton, viscose, glass fibres or plastic fibres, preferably from polyester, or their combination.