CA2442390A1 - G-force puck - Google Patents

Abstract

"A hockey puck also known as LePuck will utilize aerodynamic and ground effect forces to reduce the friction that is found between the puck and the playing surface.
G Force puck is cylindrical in shape with strategically located elliptical holes positioned radially around the periphery of the puck, with openings on the tap and bottom of the radial surface. The elliptical hole placements are symmetrical about the center plane of the puck, which is parallel, and midway between the two planar faces. This ensures that regardless of which planar face is interfacing with the playing surface the hole orientation is such that the ground effect forces are acting against the force of friction. G Force Puck also has circular pockets on each planar surface. The upper-most elliptical holes exit to the pocket on the opposing planar face and similarly the lower mast elliptical holes exit to the pocket on its opposing planar face. The upper most holes are positioned such that they are out of any boundary layer, or unmoving air mass, that may exist on the playing surface. This takes full advantage of the free stream air as the puck moves across the surface. The upper most holes will direct free stream airflow to the opposing pocket and thereby create ground effect forces that assist to counteract the frictional forces found between the puck and the playing surface. When the G-Force puck becomes airborne, the ducted airflow directed to the lower planar surface of the puck will have no playing surface contact, negating ground effects, and thereby forces an bath sides of the puck will be equalized. Airborne G-Force pucks will behave as per the desired flight characteristics of existing ice hockey pucks. The roller hockey version of G-Force puck will also incorporates low coefficient of friction coasters radially placed on the edge of each planar face to assist in minimizing the effects of friction. The reduction in frictional forces will allow consistent puck movement in game play, increase speed of puck movement, will minimize the effect of degrading playing surfaces on the puck behavior i.e snow build-up, chipped ice, debris) and increase puck life, while handling characteristics will remain unchanged. The G-Force puck will have different weights for different playing surfaces, age groups, and skill level".

Description

SP~CIFICATIO1~S
"The invention described as G-Force puck is a puck design that uses flee dynamics of air flow around a moving body to assist in overcoming the unwanted forces of friction that inherently exist between two opposing surfaces."
Ice Hockey pucks made of hard rubber have been used for some time. As recently as the last couple of years many ne~.v puck patents have been i~led primarily for rollerl:inline hockey. Today we have foam, rubber and silicon made pucks. Prior art demonstrates that no prior invention of the past has taken the puck to an aerodynamic level.
Canadian patent # Z 109040 is cylindrical in shape, it is identical to an ice hockey puck but with nylon knob-like projections facing outwards. Canadian Patent # 2i?46957 is puck with (3) rolling balls incorporated into its body in order to reduce friction. Canadian Patent #
21U6336 is a puck with light reflecting surfaces to enhance television viewing of the puck. Canadian patent # 121?'~95 is a shinny puck made of a soft polymer for use in games where little or no equipment is used. Same as regular ice hockey puck with soft outer ring and used on ice playing surfaces only. None of the above referenced puck patent designs have any aerodynamic ducting or venting that functions to reduce the forces of friction as is found in vhe G-Force Puck."
~r G-Force puck will have no r~aoving parts, be cylindrical in shape (consistent with current puck dimensions), have friction reducing coasters (roller hockey design only) and use incorporated geometry and <aerodynamic forces to further assist in minimizing the unwanted forces of friction"
"Qur invention has significant amount of distinguishing and revolutionary features and functionality that make G-Force puck superior to any past attempts. All past inventions have no aerodynamic ducting or venting properties to reduce the frictional forces imparted by the puck/surface interface, and minimize the forces of the oncoming airflow."
"This invention functions best when used during practice or in game play situations."
"In drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention, Figure 1 is the G-Force puck Figure 2 illustrates the G-Force puck presenting the components of the invention.

Claims (7)

The embodiment of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows"

1 The G-Force Puck of claim 1 is a derivative of a standard roller hockey puck and the materials remain unchanged.

2 The G-Force Puck of claim 2 consists of features that include elliptical holes that are bored through the outer diameter of the puck, radially toward the center. The holes are angled such that they exit to the center of the opposite face.
G-Force Puck of claim 2 is descried as having elliptical holes in order to capture and direct the free stream airflow produced by a moving puck. The elliptical geometry assists in allowing the airflow to be directed to the opposing face of the puck as it spins.

3 The G-Force Puck of claim 3 explains how the holes of LePuck are ducted to the opposing face of the puck. The top row of holes on the puck outside diameter exists to the bottom face of the puck. tiny surface where there is a boundary layer, which is roughly 25". The forces affecting the puck are the forward force imparted by the stick or boards, the weight, and frictional forces.

4 The G-Force Puck of claim 4 explains that elliptical holes will allow airflow and thereby reduce drag. As well the dusting of these elliptical holes to the bottom face will cause forces (ground effect) to be produced that will onset the puck weight enough to counteract and reduce the frictional forces, thereby producing the sliding characteristics of an ice hockey puck.

The G-Force Puck of claim 5 postulates that due to ground effect, will only be produced on the bottom side of the puck (i.e. side of puck on the surface) and once airborne, ground effect forces will be eliminated and the puck will be unchanged in its behavior. The holes will only perform their intended function when the puck is sliding on the surface.

6 The G-Force Puck of claim 6 incorporates an interchangeability weighting system that consists of cylindrical disks of various weights that can be attached either permanently or temporarily to attain a desired G-Force Puck weight that is consistent with level of play and/or training application.

7 The G-Force Puck of claim 7 will have different weights for different playing surfaces, age groups, and skill level.