CA2205781A1 - Replaceable hockey stick blade assembly - Google Patents
Replaceable hockey stick blade assemblyInfo
- Publication number
- CA2205781A1 CA2205781A1 CA 2205781 CA2205781A CA2205781A1 CA 2205781 A1 CA2205781 A1 CA 2205781A1 CA 2205781 CA2205781 CA 2205781 CA 2205781 A CA2205781 A CA 2205781A CA 2205781 A1 CA2205781 A1 CA 2205781A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- hockey stick
- hozel
- blade
- blade assembly
- ended
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B59/00—Bats, rackets, or the like, not covered by groups A63B49/00 - A63B57/00
- A63B59/70—Bats, rackets, or the like, not covered by groups A63B49/00 - A63B57/00 with bent or angled lower parts for hitting a ball on the ground, on an ice-covered surface, or in the air, e.g. for hockey or hurling
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B2102/00—Application of clubs, bats, rackets or the like to the sporting activity ; particular sports involving the use of balls and clubs, bats, rackets, or the like
- A63B2102/22—Field hockey
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B2102/00—Application of clubs, bats, rackets or the like to the sporting activity ; particular sports involving the use of balls and clubs, bats, rackets, or the like
- A63B2102/24—Ice hockey
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B60/00—Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like
- A63B60/52—Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like with slits
Abstract
A replaceable hockey stick blade assembly for installation onto a reusable hollow-ended hockey stick shaft comprises a blade member including an upwardly extending shaft fitting hozel portion having a tapered portion that narrows toward a top end of the hozel portion. A wedge member is adapted to securely fit in wedging relation between the tapered portion of the hozel portion and an interior surface of the reusable hollow-ended hockey stick shaft. A
locking member is securely connected to the wedge member and is selectively movable between a locking position whereat the locking member abuts against a co-operating substantially downwardly facing receiving surface on the blade member, and a non-locking position whereat the locking member is removed from abutment against the co-operating substantially downwardly facing receiving surface on the blade member. When the locking member is in place in the locking position, the locking member locks the wedge member in place along the longitudinal axis with respect to the blade member, thereby precluding the wedge member from being unwantedly removed from the wedging relation between the hozel portion and the interior surface of the reusable hollow-ended hockey stick shaft, and accordingly precluding the blade member from becoming unwantedly removed from secure operative installation in its the in-use position on the reusable hollow-ended hockey stick shaft.
locking member is securely connected to the wedge member and is selectively movable between a locking position whereat the locking member abuts against a co-operating substantially downwardly facing receiving surface on the blade member, and a non-locking position whereat the locking member is removed from abutment against the co-operating substantially downwardly facing receiving surface on the blade member. When the locking member is in place in the locking position, the locking member locks the wedge member in place along the longitudinal axis with respect to the blade member, thereby precluding the wedge member from being unwantedly removed from the wedging relation between the hozel portion and the interior surface of the reusable hollow-ended hockey stick shaft, and accordingly precluding the blade member from becoming unwantedly removed from secure operative installation in its the in-use position on the reusable hollow-ended hockey stick shaft.
Description
CA 0220~781 1997-0~-21 REPLACEABLE HOCKEY STICK BLADE ASSEMBLY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION:
This invention relates to replaceable hockey stick blade assemblies, and more particularly to a replaceable hockey stick blade assembly where the blade assembly is quickly and easily installed into and removed from the hollow end of a reusable hollow-ended hockey stick shaft.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
Sports sticks, such as ice and field hockey sticks, comprise a shaft for holding the stick and a blade at one end of the shaft.
Until recently, these types of sticks have typically been constructed so as to be a unitary entity. Accordingly, breaking of the blade necessitates replacement of the entire stick, including the shaft.
Recently, there have been developments with respect to two-piece stick construction where the shaft is reusable and the blade is removably mountable onto the shaft. By way of example only, there have been recent developments in hockeysticks which include reusable shafts made from aluminum or various composite materials, which shafts are fitted with replaceable wooden, plastic, or composite construction blades.
One form of replacement blade for a reusable aluminum or composite shaft requires that hot melt glue be applied directly to the shank of the blade. The hot melt glue is heated up and melted at the time of fitting the shank into the shaft.
When the glue has reset, it secures the blade to the shaft.
Although the above hot melt glue system does provide a very positive interlock between the shank of the blade and the shaft, there are a number of problems associated with it. It requires significant heating, which is inconvenient CA 0220~781 1997-0~-21 and undesirable, and it is time-consuming because it is difficult to force the blade onto the shaft as substantial force is required. Also, the shafts tend to crack because they are subjected to repeated heating and cooling and also because of the significant force required to mount the blade onto the shaft. Further, it is generally not possible to replace a blade during a hockey game, if a blade should break, but must be done later.
With such two-piece type hockey sticks where glue is used to help retain the blade in place on the shaft and also with conventional one-piece wooden hockey sticks, it is necessary, and indeed mandatory, in some hockey leagues, to have at least two, or preferably three, hockey sticks, at the start of each game. In the event that a player's hockey stick breaks, there is always a hockey stick in reserve.
Owning three or more hockey sticks, however, can be prohibitively expensive, especially the two-piece type hockey sticks. Further, it is necessary to carefully select each shaft of a two-piece hockey stick or each conventional one-piece wooden hockey stick, in order to obtain a desired weight, size, balance, and so on, which is time consuming and undesirable.
More recently, mechanical systems have been developed for interlocking a hockey blade with a reusable aluminum shaft. These systems include threaded interlocking components fitted completely through and exposed on opposite sides of the shank of the blade. The system is threadibly adjustable between a release and an interlock position.
Such mechanical interlock systems provide a somewhat effective interlock between the blade shank and the shaft; however, because a hole must be drilled completely through the shank for receiving the interlock system, the shank is substantially weakened, thus leading to potential del~min~tion problems, which could result in premature breakage of the blade at the shank.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a replaceable hockey stick blade assembly for secure operative installation onto a reusable hollow-ended CA 0220~781 1997-0~-21 hockey stick shaft wherein the blade is quickly and easily installable and replaceable.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a replaceable hockey stick blade assembly for secure operative installation onto a reusable hollow-ended hockey stick shaft, wherein no heat is required for such installation.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a replaceable hockey stick blade assembly for secure operative installation onto a reusable hollow-ended hockey stick shaft, wherein no adhesive is required for such installation.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a replaceable hockey stick blade assembly for secure operative installation onto a reusable hollow-ended hockey stick shaft, wherein a substantial force is not required for such installation.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a replaceable hockey stick blade assembly for secure operative installation onto a reusable hollow-ended hockey stick shaft wherein the end of the shaft is not weakened by installation of the blade thereon.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a replaceable hockey stick blade assembly for secure operative installation onto a reusable hollow-ended hockey stick shaft wherein a broken blade can be removed and a new blade installed "on-the-go", such as during a hockey game.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a replaceable hockey stick blade assembly for secure operative in~t~ tion onto a reusable hollow-ended hockey stick shaft in an in-use position at the hollow end of the hockey stick shaft. The replaceable hockey stick blade assembly comprises a blade member including a bottom ice-contacting blade portion and an upwardly extending shaft fitting hozel portion having a generally centrally disposed longitudinal axis and a tapered portion that narrows toward a top end of the hozel CA 0220~781 1997-0~-21 portion. A wedge member is adapted to securely fit in wedging relation between the tapered portion of the hozel portion and an interior surface of the reusablehollow-ended hockey stick shaft when the blade member is securely operatively installed in its the in-use position at the hollow end of the reusable hollow-ended hockey stick shaft such that the wedge member and the hozel portion of the blademember together impart wedging forces against the interior surface of the reusable hollow-ended hockey stick shaft, and the interior surface of the reusable hollow-ended hockey stick shaft imparts corresponding wedging reaction forces against the wedge member and the hozel, to thereby retain the blade member securely operatively installed in its the in use position on the reusable hollow-ended hockey stick shaft. A locking member is securely connected to the wedge member and is selectively movable between a locking position whereat the locking member abuts against a co-operating substantially downwardly facing receiving surface on the blade member, and a non-locking position whereat the locking member is removed from abutment against the co-operating substantially downwardly facing receivingsurface on the blade member. When the locking member is in place in the locking position, the locking member locks the wedge member in place along the longitudinal axis with respect to the blade member, thereby precluding the wedgemember from being unwantedly removed from the wedging relation between the hozel portion and the interior surface of the reusable hollow-ended hockey stickshaft, and accordingly precluding the blade member from becoming unwantedly removed from secure operative installation in its the in-use position on the reusable hollow-ended hockey stick shaft.
BR~EF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:
The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the present invention, as to its structure, org~ni7~tion, use and method of operation, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the CA 0220~781 1997-0~-21 following drawings in which a presently preferred embodiment of the invention will now be illustrated by way of example. It is expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. Embodiments of this invention will now be described by way of example in association with the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the replaceable hockey stick blade assembly according to the present invention;
Figure 2 is an exploded side elevational view of the replaceable hockey stick blade assembly of Figure l;
Figure 3 is an exploded front elevational view of the replaceable hockey stick blade assembly of Figure 1;
Figure 4 is a front elevational view of the replaceable hockey stick blade assembly of Figure 1;
Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the replaceable hockey stick blade assembly of Figure 1, taken along section line 5 - 5 of Figure 4;
Figure 6 is a perspective view of a first alternative embodiment of the replaceable hockey stick blade assembly according to the present invention;
Figure 7 is a side elevational view of the first alternative embodiment of the replaceable hockey stick blade assembly of Figure 6; and Figure 8 is a front elevational view of a second alternative embodiment of the replaceable hockey stick blade assembly according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:
Reference will now be made to Figures 1 through 5, which show a preferred embodiment of the replaceable hockey stick blade assembly of the present invention, as indicated by the general reference numeral 20. The replaceable hockey stick blade assembly 20 is for secure operative installation onto a reusable hollow-ended CA 0220~781 1997-0~-21 hockey stick shaft 22, in an in-use position at the hollow end 24 of the hockey stick shaft 22.
The replaceable hockey stick blade assembly 20 comprises a blade member, as indicated by the general reference numeral 30, including a bottom ice-contacting blade portion 32, an upwardly extending shank portion 34, and an upwardly extending shaft fitting hozel portion 36. In the preferred embodiment, the bladeportion 32 and the hozel portion 36 are wooden and are integrally formed one with the other, preferably of a laminated construction, for purposes of strength. Other suitable materials may also be used. The hozel portion 36 has a generally centrally disposed longitudinal axis "A" and a substantially planar tapered portion 37 that narrows towards the top end of the hozel portion 36. The hozel portion 36 is substantially rectangular in cross-section, having a front surface 36a and a rear surface 36b interconnected by opposed first and second side surfaces 36c, 36d. In the preferred embodiment, the tapered portion 37 is disposed on the first side surface 36c and may just as readily be disposed on the second side surface 36d.
The second side surface 36d, which is disposed opposite to the tapered portion 37, is substantially planar for intimate contact with an interior surface of the reusable hollow-ended hockey stick shaft 22.
The replaceable hockey stick blade assembly 20 further comprises an interlock member, as indicated by the general reference numeral 40, constructed by injection molding from a plastic material, such as nylon, which plastic is quitestrong, yet somewhat flexible. The interlock member 40 includes a wedge member 41, first and second opposed substantially parallel flanges 44, 46, a stop lip 48, and a locking member 50 generally extending downwardly from the first flange 44.
Disposed on one side of the wedge member 41 is a hozel contacting surface 42.
The wedge member 41 is adapted to securely fit in wedging relation between the tapered portion 37 of the hozel portion 36 of the blade member 30 and an interior surface of the reusable hollow-ended hockey stick shaft 22, with the hozel CA 0220~781 1997-0~-21 contacting surface 42 being in intim~te contact with the tapered portion 37. As can best be seen in Figures 4 and 5, the wedge member 41 securely fits in wedging relation, as described above, when the blade member 30 is securely operatively installed in its in-use position at the hollow end 24 of the reusable hollow-ended hockey stick shaft 22 with the interlock member 40 in place between the blade member 30 and the reusable hollow-ended hockey stick shaft 22. When the blade member 30 is in its in-use position, the wedge member 41 and the hozel portion 36 of the blade member 30 together impart wedging forces against the interior surface of the reusable hollow-ended hockey stick shaft 22, and the interior surface of the reusable hollow-ended hockey stick shaft 22 imparts corresponding wedging reaction forces against the wedge member 41 and the hozel, to thereby retain theblade member 30 securely operatively installed in its in-use position on the reusable hollow-ended hockey stick shaft 22.
The first and second opposed substantially parallel flanges 44,46 extend outwardly from the wedge member 41, so as to be disposed substantially perpendicularly to the hozel-contacting surface of the wedge member 41, and are positioned, shaped, and dimensioned to engage the front and rear surfaces, respectively of the hozel portion 36 of the blade member 30. In this manner, theinterlock member 40 wraps around, at least to a significant degree, the hozel portion 36 of the blade member 30 so as to be retained in correct placement thereon.
The wedge member 41 is moveable with respect to the first and second opposed substantially parallel flanges 44,46, inwardly towards the generally centrally disposed longitudinal axis "A" of the hozel portion 36, so as to facilitate entry of the wedge member 41, the first and second opposed substantially parallel flanges 44, 46, and the hozel portion 36 into the hollow end 24 of the reusable hollow-ended hockey stick shaft 22.
The position of the interlock member 40 within the reusable hollow-ended hockey stick shaft 22 is determined by the stop lip 48.
CA 0220~781 1997-0~-21 The interlock member 40 and the blade member 30 are precluded from unwantedly moving one relative to the other along the centrally disposed longitudinal axis "A" by means of the locking member 50 that is preferably integrally formed with the wedge member 41, but is at least securely connected thereto. The locking member 50 comprises a tether arm portion 52 that extends downwardly from the first flange 44 of the wedge member 41 substantially along the generally centrally disposed longitudinal axis "A" for a distance of about one cm to about two cm, so as to be disposed over the shank portion 34 of the blade member 30. Alternatively, the locking member 50 may extend downwardly from the second flange 46, or two locking members 50 may be employed one extending downwardly from each of the first and second opposed substantially parallel flanges 44,46. The tether arm portion 52 preferably extends downwardly from the first flange 44 so as to be disposed at the front surface 34a of the shank portion 34, thus being more readily visible and accessible. A pin member 54 is formed integrally with the tether arm portion 52 as part of the locking member 50 and projects substantially transversely to the generally centrally disposed longitudinal axis "A", and also substantially transversely to the front surface of the hozel portion 36.
The front surface 34a of the shank portion 34 of the blade member 30 has a socket 38 formed therein at the end of a channel 39. The channel 39 is shaped and dimensioned to receive the tether arm portion 52 therein and the socket 38 is shaped and dimensioned to receive the pin member 54. Alternatively, the socket 38 may be disposed in the rear surface 34b of the shank portion 34, depending on the positioning of the tether arm portion 52. A downwardly facing receiving surface 35 that is shaped and dimensioned to receive a portion of the pin member 54 in abutting relation, forms part of the socket 38.
It can be seen that the pin member 54 is substantially cylindrical in shape, but also may be of any other suitable shape. For instance, a straight elongate shape CA 0220~781 1997-0~-21 could be used to provide an increased area of contact with a co-operatingly shaped downwardly facing receiving surface.
The locking member 50 is selectively movable, by way of bending of the tether arm portion 52 between a locking position and a non-locking position. When the locking member 50 is in its locking position, the locking member 50 assumes the natural rest configuration of the plastic material. Accordingly, the lockingmember 50 remains in its locking position until purposely moved to its non-locking position. In the locking position, the pin member 54 is received in the socket 38 so as to abut against the co-operating substantially downwardly facing receivingsurface 35, thus precluding the blade member 30 and the interlock member 40 frommoving with respect to each other, along the centrally disposed longitudinal axis "A", and thus retaining the blade member 30 in its in-use position. In the non-locking position, the locking member 50 is removed from aforesaid abutment against the co-operating substantially downwardly facing receiving surface 35, and the blade member 30 and the interlock member 40 are allowed to move with respectto each other, along the centrally disposed longitudinal axis "A", thus permitting the blade member 30 to be removed from its in-use position.
In the preferred embodiment, the tether arm portion 52 of the locking member 50 includes a readily frangible reduced portion 56 that will break upon movement of the pin member 54 from its locking position to its non-locking position. In this manner, after a broken blade member 30 has been removed, the interlock member 40 cannot be reused. Instead, a new interlock member 40 must be used each time a blade is replaced. This is advantageous in that it ensures that the plastic interlock member 40 is relatively new and therefore is not cracked or otherwise fatigued, thus minimi7ing its chances of unwanted breakage of the plastic interlock member 40 during use.
When the locking member 50 is in place in its locking position, the locking member 50 locks the interlock member 40 in place along the generally centrally CA 0220~781 1997-0~-21 disposed longitudinal axis "A" with respect to the blade member 30. In this manner, the wedge member 41 is precluded from being unwantedly removed from aforesaid wedging relation between the hozel portion 36 and the interior surface of the reusable hollow-ended hockey stick shaft 22. Accordingly, the blade member 30 is precluded from becoming unwantedly removed from secure operative installation in its aforesaid in-use position on the reusable hollow-ended hockey stick shaft 22.
Reference will now be made to Figures 6 and 7, which show an alternative embodiment of the replaceable hockey stick blade assembly 60 of the present invention. An interlock member 61 comprises a wedge member 62, and first and second opposed substantially parallel flanges 64, 66, which flanges 64, 66 are substantially smaller than in the preferred embodiment. Further, the first and second opposed substantially parallel flanges 64, 66 have respective ridges 65, 67 thereon, which ridges 65, 67 engage in sliding relation respective tracks 68, 69 in the hozel portion 70 of the blade member 72. The tether arm portion 74 has an upper arm portion 74a formed as part of the wedge member 62, and a lower portion 74b that extends a short distance downwardly therefrom. The upper portion 74a and the lower portion 74b are separated one from the other by a stop lip 75. A pin member 76 projects from the lower portion 74b of the tether arm portion 74, which pin member 76 is shaped and dimensioned to engage a receiving aperture 78 in the blade member 72.
In a second alternative embodiment of the present invention, as can be seen in Figure 8, the replaceable hockey stick blade assembly 80 has an interlock member 82 with a locking member 84 configured differently than in the preferred embodiment shown in Figures 1 through 5. The tether arm portion 86 of the locking member 84 is substantially hook shaped and does not include a pin member.
The channel 88 is co-operatingly shaped and has a downwardly facing receiving surface 89 formed therein. In use, the hook shaped tether arm portion 86 abuts CA 0220~781 1997-0~-21 against the downwardly facing receiving surface 89 of the co-operatingly shaped channel 88.
It can readily be seen that the replaceable hockey blade assembly of the present invention has many advantages over the prior art. The blade member is quickly and easily replaceable, even during a hockey game, thus permitting a player to have available during a hockey game only one reusable shaft and three or moreblade members, which is significantly less expensive than owning three complete two-piece hockey sticks. Further, a player does not have to find more than one shaft that has an ideal weight, size, balance, and so on.
Other modifications and alterations may be used in the design and manufacture of the apparatus of the present invention without departing from thespirit and scope of the accompanying claims.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION:
This invention relates to replaceable hockey stick blade assemblies, and more particularly to a replaceable hockey stick blade assembly where the blade assembly is quickly and easily installed into and removed from the hollow end of a reusable hollow-ended hockey stick shaft.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
Sports sticks, such as ice and field hockey sticks, comprise a shaft for holding the stick and a blade at one end of the shaft.
Until recently, these types of sticks have typically been constructed so as to be a unitary entity. Accordingly, breaking of the blade necessitates replacement of the entire stick, including the shaft.
Recently, there have been developments with respect to two-piece stick construction where the shaft is reusable and the blade is removably mountable onto the shaft. By way of example only, there have been recent developments in hockeysticks which include reusable shafts made from aluminum or various composite materials, which shafts are fitted with replaceable wooden, plastic, or composite construction blades.
One form of replacement blade for a reusable aluminum or composite shaft requires that hot melt glue be applied directly to the shank of the blade. The hot melt glue is heated up and melted at the time of fitting the shank into the shaft.
When the glue has reset, it secures the blade to the shaft.
Although the above hot melt glue system does provide a very positive interlock between the shank of the blade and the shaft, there are a number of problems associated with it. It requires significant heating, which is inconvenient CA 0220~781 1997-0~-21 and undesirable, and it is time-consuming because it is difficult to force the blade onto the shaft as substantial force is required. Also, the shafts tend to crack because they are subjected to repeated heating and cooling and also because of the significant force required to mount the blade onto the shaft. Further, it is generally not possible to replace a blade during a hockey game, if a blade should break, but must be done later.
With such two-piece type hockey sticks where glue is used to help retain the blade in place on the shaft and also with conventional one-piece wooden hockey sticks, it is necessary, and indeed mandatory, in some hockey leagues, to have at least two, or preferably three, hockey sticks, at the start of each game. In the event that a player's hockey stick breaks, there is always a hockey stick in reserve.
Owning three or more hockey sticks, however, can be prohibitively expensive, especially the two-piece type hockey sticks. Further, it is necessary to carefully select each shaft of a two-piece hockey stick or each conventional one-piece wooden hockey stick, in order to obtain a desired weight, size, balance, and so on, which is time consuming and undesirable.
More recently, mechanical systems have been developed for interlocking a hockey blade with a reusable aluminum shaft. These systems include threaded interlocking components fitted completely through and exposed on opposite sides of the shank of the blade. The system is threadibly adjustable between a release and an interlock position.
Such mechanical interlock systems provide a somewhat effective interlock between the blade shank and the shaft; however, because a hole must be drilled completely through the shank for receiving the interlock system, the shank is substantially weakened, thus leading to potential del~min~tion problems, which could result in premature breakage of the blade at the shank.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a replaceable hockey stick blade assembly for secure operative installation onto a reusable hollow-ended CA 0220~781 1997-0~-21 hockey stick shaft wherein the blade is quickly and easily installable and replaceable.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a replaceable hockey stick blade assembly for secure operative installation onto a reusable hollow-ended hockey stick shaft, wherein no heat is required for such installation.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a replaceable hockey stick blade assembly for secure operative installation onto a reusable hollow-ended hockey stick shaft, wherein no adhesive is required for such installation.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a replaceable hockey stick blade assembly for secure operative installation onto a reusable hollow-ended hockey stick shaft, wherein a substantial force is not required for such installation.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a replaceable hockey stick blade assembly for secure operative installation onto a reusable hollow-ended hockey stick shaft wherein the end of the shaft is not weakened by installation of the blade thereon.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a replaceable hockey stick blade assembly for secure operative installation onto a reusable hollow-ended hockey stick shaft wherein a broken blade can be removed and a new blade installed "on-the-go", such as during a hockey game.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a replaceable hockey stick blade assembly for secure operative in~t~ tion onto a reusable hollow-ended hockey stick shaft in an in-use position at the hollow end of the hockey stick shaft. The replaceable hockey stick blade assembly comprises a blade member including a bottom ice-contacting blade portion and an upwardly extending shaft fitting hozel portion having a generally centrally disposed longitudinal axis and a tapered portion that narrows toward a top end of the hozel CA 0220~781 1997-0~-21 portion. A wedge member is adapted to securely fit in wedging relation between the tapered portion of the hozel portion and an interior surface of the reusablehollow-ended hockey stick shaft when the blade member is securely operatively installed in its the in-use position at the hollow end of the reusable hollow-ended hockey stick shaft such that the wedge member and the hozel portion of the blademember together impart wedging forces against the interior surface of the reusable hollow-ended hockey stick shaft, and the interior surface of the reusable hollow-ended hockey stick shaft imparts corresponding wedging reaction forces against the wedge member and the hozel, to thereby retain the blade member securely operatively installed in its the in use position on the reusable hollow-ended hockey stick shaft. A locking member is securely connected to the wedge member and is selectively movable between a locking position whereat the locking member abuts against a co-operating substantially downwardly facing receiving surface on the blade member, and a non-locking position whereat the locking member is removed from abutment against the co-operating substantially downwardly facing receivingsurface on the blade member. When the locking member is in place in the locking position, the locking member locks the wedge member in place along the longitudinal axis with respect to the blade member, thereby precluding the wedgemember from being unwantedly removed from the wedging relation between the hozel portion and the interior surface of the reusable hollow-ended hockey stickshaft, and accordingly precluding the blade member from becoming unwantedly removed from secure operative installation in its the in-use position on the reusable hollow-ended hockey stick shaft.
BR~EF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:
The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the present invention, as to its structure, org~ni7~tion, use and method of operation, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the CA 0220~781 1997-0~-21 following drawings in which a presently preferred embodiment of the invention will now be illustrated by way of example. It is expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. Embodiments of this invention will now be described by way of example in association with the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the replaceable hockey stick blade assembly according to the present invention;
Figure 2 is an exploded side elevational view of the replaceable hockey stick blade assembly of Figure l;
Figure 3 is an exploded front elevational view of the replaceable hockey stick blade assembly of Figure 1;
Figure 4 is a front elevational view of the replaceable hockey stick blade assembly of Figure 1;
Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the replaceable hockey stick blade assembly of Figure 1, taken along section line 5 - 5 of Figure 4;
Figure 6 is a perspective view of a first alternative embodiment of the replaceable hockey stick blade assembly according to the present invention;
Figure 7 is a side elevational view of the first alternative embodiment of the replaceable hockey stick blade assembly of Figure 6; and Figure 8 is a front elevational view of a second alternative embodiment of the replaceable hockey stick blade assembly according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:
Reference will now be made to Figures 1 through 5, which show a preferred embodiment of the replaceable hockey stick blade assembly of the present invention, as indicated by the general reference numeral 20. The replaceable hockey stick blade assembly 20 is for secure operative installation onto a reusable hollow-ended CA 0220~781 1997-0~-21 hockey stick shaft 22, in an in-use position at the hollow end 24 of the hockey stick shaft 22.
The replaceable hockey stick blade assembly 20 comprises a blade member, as indicated by the general reference numeral 30, including a bottom ice-contacting blade portion 32, an upwardly extending shank portion 34, and an upwardly extending shaft fitting hozel portion 36. In the preferred embodiment, the bladeportion 32 and the hozel portion 36 are wooden and are integrally formed one with the other, preferably of a laminated construction, for purposes of strength. Other suitable materials may also be used. The hozel portion 36 has a generally centrally disposed longitudinal axis "A" and a substantially planar tapered portion 37 that narrows towards the top end of the hozel portion 36. The hozel portion 36 is substantially rectangular in cross-section, having a front surface 36a and a rear surface 36b interconnected by opposed first and second side surfaces 36c, 36d. In the preferred embodiment, the tapered portion 37 is disposed on the first side surface 36c and may just as readily be disposed on the second side surface 36d.
The second side surface 36d, which is disposed opposite to the tapered portion 37, is substantially planar for intimate contact with an interior surface of the reusable hollow-ended hockey stick shaft 22.
The replaceable hockey stick blade assembly 20 further comprises an interlock member, as indicated by the general reference numeral 40, constructed by injection molding from a plastic material, such as nylon, which plastic is quitestrong, yet somewhat flexible. The interlock member 40 includes a wedge member 41, first and second opposed substantially parallel flanges 44, 46, a stop lip 48, and a locking member 50 generally extending downwardly from the first flange 44.
Disposed on one side of the wedge member 41 is a hozel contacting surface 42.
The wedge member 41 is adapted to securely fit in wedging relation between the tapered portion 37 of the hozel portion 36 of the blade member 30 and an interior surface of the reusable hollow-ended hockey stick shaft 22, with the hozel CA 0220~781 1997-0~-21 contacting surface 42 being in intim~te contact with the tapered portion 37. As can best be seen in Figures 4 and 5, the wedge member 41 securely fits in wedging relation, as described above, when the blade member 30 is securely operatively installed in its in-use position at the hollow end 24 of the reusable hollow-ended hockey stick shaft 22 with the interlock member 40 in place between the blade member 30 and the reusable hollow-ended hockey stick shaft 22. When the blade member 30 is in its in-use position, the wedge member 41 and the hozel portion 36 of the blade member 30 together impart wedging forces against the interior surface of the reusable hollow-ended hockey stick shaft 22, and the interior surface of the reusable hollow-ended hockey stick shaft 22 imparts corresponding wedging reaction forces against the wedge member 41 and the hozel, to thereby retain theblade member 30 securely operatively installed in its in-use position on the reusable hollow-ended hockey stick shaft 22.
The first and second opposed substantially parallel flanges 44,46 extend outwardly from the wedge member 41, so as to be disposed substantially perpendicularly to the hozel-contacting surface of the wedge member 41, and are positioned, shaped, and dimensioned to engage the front and rear surfaces, respectively of the hozel portion 36 of the blade member 30. In this manner, theinterlock member 40 wraps around, at least to a significant degree, the hozel portion 36 of the blade member 30 so as to be retained in correct placement thereon.
The wedge member 41 is moveable with respect to the first and second opposed substantially parallel flanges 44,46, inwardly towards the generally centrally disposed longitudinal axis "A" of the hozel portion 36, so as to facilitate entry of the wedge member 41, the first and second opposed substantially parallel flanges 44, 46, and the hozel portion 36 into the hollow end 24 of the reusable hollow-ended hockey stick shaft 22.
The position of the interlock member 40 within the reusable hollow-ended hockey stick shaft 22 is determined by the stop lip 48.
CA 0220~781 1997-0~-21 The interlock member 40 and the blade member 30 are precluded from unwantedly moving one relative to the other along the centrally disposed longitudinal axis "A" by means of the locking member 50 that is preferably integrally formed with the wedge member 41, but is at least securely connected thereto. The locking member 50 comprises a tether arm portion 52 that extends downwardly from the first flange 44 of the wedge member 41 substantially along the generally centrally disposed longitudinal axis "A" for a distance of about one cm to about two cm, so as to be disposed over the shank portion 34 of the blade member 30. Alternatively, the locking member 50 may extend downwardly from the second flange 46, or two locking members 50 may be employed one extending downwardly from each of the first and second opposed substantially parallel flanges 44,46. The tether arm portion 52 preferably extends downwardly from the first flange 44 so as to be disposed at the front surface 34a of the shank portion 34, thus being more readily visible and accessible. A pin member 54 is formed integrally with the tether arm portion 52 as part of the locking member 50 and projects substantially transversely to the generally centrally disposed longitudinal axis "A", and also substantially transversely to the front surface of the hozel portion 36.
The front surface 34a of the shank portion 34 of the blade member 30 has a socket 38 formed therein at the end of a channel 39. The channel 39 is shaped and dimensioned to receive the tether arm portion 52 therein and the socket 38 is shaped and dimensioned to receive the pin member 54. Alternatively, the socket 38 may be disposed in the rear surface 34b of the shank portion 34, depending on the positioning of the tether arm portion 52. A downwardly facing receiving surface 35 that is shaped and dimensioned to receive a portion of the pin member 54 in abutting relation, forms part of the socket 38.
It can be seen that the pin member 54 is substantially cylindrical in shape, but also may be of any other suitable shape. For instance, a straight elongate shape CA 0220~781 1997-0~-21 could be used to provide an increased area of contact with a co-operatingly shaped downwardly facing receiving surface.
The locking member 50 is selectively movable, by way of bending of the tether arm portion 52 between a locking position and a non-locking position. When the locking member 50 is in its locking position, the locking member 50 assumes the natural rest configuration of the plastic material. Accordingly, the lockingmember 50 remains in its locking position until purposely moved to its non-locking position. In the locking position, the pin member 54 is received in the socket 38 so as to abut against the co-operating substantially downwardly facing receivingsurface 35, thus precluding the blade member 30 and the interlock member 40 frommoving with respect to each other, along the centrally disposed longitudinal axis "A", and thus retaining the blade member 30 in its in-use position. In the non-locking position, the locking member 50 is removed from aforesaid abutment against the co-operating substantially downwardly facing receiving surface 35, and the blade member 30 and the interlock member 40 are allowed to move with respectto each other, along the centrally disposed longitudinal axis "A", thus permitting the blade member 30 to be removed from its in-use position.
In the preferred embodiment, the tether arm portion 52 of the locking member 50 includes a readily frangible reduced portion 56 that will break upon movement of the pin member 54 from its locking position to its non-locking position. In this manner, after a broken blade member 30 has been removed, the interlock member 40 cannot be reused. Instead, a new interlock member 40 must be used each time a blade is replaced. This is advantageous in that it ensures that the plastic interlock member 40 is relatively new and therefore is not cracked or otherwise fatigued, thus minimi7ing its chances of unwanted breakage of the plastic interlock member 40 during use.
When the locking member 50 is in place in its locking position, the locking member 50 locks the interlock member 40 in place along the generally centrally CA 0220~781 1997-0~-21 disposed longitudinal axis "A" with respect to the blade member 30. In this manner, the wedge member 41 is precluded from being unwantedly removed from aforesaid wedging relation between the hozel portion 36 and the interior surface of the reusable hollow-ended hockey stick shaft 22. Accordingly, the blade member 30 is precluded from becoming unwantedly removed from secure operative installation in its aforesaid in-use position on the reusable hollow-ended hockey stick shaft 22.
Reference will now be made to Figures 6 and 7, which show an alternative embodiment of the replaceable hockey stick blade assembly 60 of the present invention. An interlock member 61 comprises a wedge member 62, and first and second opposed substantially parallel flanges 64, 66, which flanges 64, 66 are substantially smaller than in the preferred embodiment. Further, the first and second opposed substantially parallel flanges 64, 66 have respective ridges 65, 67 thereon, which ridges 65, 67 engage in sliding relation respective tracks 68, 69 in the hozel portion 70 of the blade member 72. The tether arm portion 74 has an upper arm portion 74a formed as part of the wedge member 62, and a lower portion 74b that extends a short distance downwardly therefrom. The upper portion 74a and the lower portion 74b are separated one from the other by a stop lip 75. A pin member 76 projects from the lower portion 74b of the tether arm portion 74, which pin member 76 is shaped and dimensioned to engage a receiving aperture 78 in the blade member 72.
In a second alternative embodiment of the present invention, as can be seen in Figure 8, the replaceable hockey stick blade assembly 80 has an interlock member 82 with a locking member 84 configured differently than in the preferred embodiment shown in Figures 1 through 5. The tether arm portion 86 of the locking member 84 is substantially hook shaped and does not include a pin member.
The channel 88 is co-operatingly shaped and has a downwardly facing receiving surface 89 formed therein. In use, the hook shaped tether arm portion 86 abuts CA 0220~781 1997-0~-21 against the downwardly facing receiving surface 89 of the co-operatingly shaped channel 88.
It can readily be seen that the replaceable hockey blade assembly of the present invention has many advantages over the prior art. The blade member is quickly and easily replaceable, even during a hockey game, thus permitting a player to have available during a hockey game only one reusable shaft and three or moreblade members, which is significantly less expensive than owning three complete two-piece hockey sticks. Further, a player does not have to find more than one shaft that has an ideal weight, size, balance, and so on.
Other modifications and alterations may be used in the design and manufacture of the apparatus of the present invention without departing from thespirit and scope of the accompanying claims.
Claims (15)
1. A replaceable hockey stick blade assembly for secure operative installation onto a reusable hollow-ended hockey stick shaft in an in-use position at the hollow end of said hockey stick shaft, said replaceable hockey stick blade assembly comprising:
a blade member including a bottom ice-contacting blade portion and an upwardly extending shaft fitting hozel portion having a generally centrally disposed longitudinal axis and a tapered portion that narrows toward a top end of said hozel portion;
a wedge member having a hozel-contacting surface and being adapted to securely fit in wedging relation between said tapered portion of said hozel portion and an interior surface of said reusable hollow-ended hockey stick shaft with said hozel-contacting surface being in intimate contact with said tapered portion, when said blade member is securely operatively installed in its said in-use position at the hollow end of said reusable hollow-ended hockey stick shaft such that said wedgemember and said hozel portion of said blade member together impart wedging forces against said interior surface of said reusable hollow-ended hockey stick shaft, and said interior surface of said reusable hollow-ended hockey stick shaft imparts corresponding wedging reaction forces against said wedge member and said hozel, to thereby retain said blade member securely operatively installed in its said in-use position on said reusable hollow-ended hockey stick shaft; and a locking member securely connected to said wedge member and being selectively movable between a locking position whereat said locking memberabuts against a co-operating substantially downwardly facing receiving surface on said blade member, and a non-locking position whereat said locking member is removed from abutment against said co-operating substantially downwardly facing receiving surface on said blade member;
wherein, when said locking member is in place in said locking position, said locking member locks said wedge member in place along said longitudinal axis with respect to said blade member, thereby precluding said wedge member from being unwantedly removed from said wedging relation between said hozel portion and said interior surface of said reusable hollow-ended hockey stick shaft, and accordingly precluding said blade member from becoming unwantedly removed from secure operative installation in its said in-use position on said reusable hollow-ended hockey stick shaft.
a blade member including a bottom ice-contacting blade portion and an upwardly extending shaft fitting hozel portion having a generally centrally disposed longitudinal axis and a tapered portion that narrows toward a top end of said hozel portion;
a wedge member having a hozel-contacting surface and being adapted to securely fit in wedging relation between said tapered portion of said hozel portion and an interior surface of said reusable hollow-ended hockey stick shaft with said hozel-contacting surface being in intimate contact with said tapered portion, when said blade member is securely operatively installed in its said in-use position at the hollow end of said reusable hollow-ended hockey stick shaft such that said wedgemember and said hozel portion of said blade member together impart wedging forces against said interior surface of said reusable hollow-ended hockey stick shaft, and said interior surface of said reusable hollow-ended hockey stick shaft imparts corresponding wedging reaction forces against said wedge member and said hozel, to thereby retain said blade member securely operatively installed in its said in-use position on said reusable hollow-ended hockey stick shaft; and a locking member securely connected to said wedge member and being selectively movable between a locking position whereat said locking memberabuts against a co-operating substantially downwardly facing receiving surface on said blade member, and a non-locking position whereat said locking member is removed from abutment against said co-operating substantially downwardly facing receiving surface on said blade member;
wherein, when said locking member is in place in said locking position, said locking member locks said wedge member in place along said longitudinal axis with respect to said blade member, thereby precluding said wedge member from being unwantedly removed from said wedging relation between said hozel portion and said interior surface of said reusable hollow-ended hockey stick shaft, and accordingly precluding said blade member from becoming unwantedly removed from secure operative installation in its said in-use position on said reusable hollow-ended hockey stick shaft.
2. The replaceable hockey stick blade assembly of claim 1, wherein said hozel portion is substantially rectangular in cross-section, having a front surface and a rear surface interconnected by opposed first and second side surfaces.
3. The replaceable hockey stick blade assembly of claim 2, wherein said tapered portion is disposed on one of said first and second side surfaces.
4. The replaceable hockey stick blade assembly of claim 3, wherein said tapered portion is substantially planar.
5. The replaceable hockey stick blade assembly of claim 4, wherein the side surface disposed opposite to said tapered portion is substantially planar.
6. The replaceable hockey stick blade assembly of claim 5, further comprising first and second opposed substantially parallel flanges extending outwardly from said wedge member so as to be disposed substantially perpendicularly to said hozel-contacting surface, and being positioned, shaped, and dimensioned to engage said front and rear surfaces, respectively, of said hozel portion.
7. The replaceable hockey stick blade assembly of claim 6, wherein said blade portion and said hozel portion are integrally formed one with the other.
8. The replaceable hockey stick blade assembly of claim 7, wherein said blade portion and hozel portion are wooden.
9. The replaceable hockey stick blade assembly of claim 8, wherein said locking member is integrally formed with said wedge member.
10. The replaceable hockey stick blade assembly of claim 9, wherein said locking member comprises a tether arm portion extending downwardly substantiallyalong said generally centrally disposed longitudinal axis and a pin member projecting substantially transversely to said generally centrally disposed longitudinal axis.
11. The replaceable hockey stick blade assembly of claim 10, wherein said receiving surface on said blade member forms part of a socket adapted to receive said pin member.
12. The replaceable hockey stick blade assembly of claim 11, wherein said socket is disposed in one of said front and rear surfaces of said hozel portion.
13. The replaceable hockey stick blade assembly of claim 12, wherein said arm portion of said locking member includes a readily frangible reduced portion that will break upon movement of said locking member from said locking position to said non-locking position.
14 14. The replaceable hockey stick blade assembly of claim 13, wherein the plane of said substantially planar tapered portion on said hozel portion of said blade member is oriented at an angle of about 10° with respect to the plane of the opposite side surface.
15. The replaceable hockey stick blade assembly of claim 14, wherein said wedge member is moveable with respect to said parallel flanges, inwardly towards said generally centrally disposed longitudinal axis of said hozel portion, so as to facilitate entry of said wedge member and said hozel portion into said hollow end of said reusable hollow-ended hockey stick shaft.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US84887597A | 1997-05-01 | 1997-05-01 | |
| US08-848,875 | 1997-05-01 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2205781A1 true CA2205781A1 (en) | 1998-11-01 |
Family
ID=25304519
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2205781 Abandoned CA2205781A1 (en) | 1997-05-01 | 1997-05-21 | Replaceable hockey stick blade assembly |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2205781A1 (en) |
-
1997
- 1997-05-21 CA CA 2205781 patent/CA2205781A1/en not_active Abandoned
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
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| FZDE | Dead |