CA2452731C - Angular curling brush - Google Patents
Angular curling brush Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2452731C CA2452731C CA 2452731 CA2452731A CA2452731C CA 2452731 C CA2452731 C CA 2452731C CA 2452731 CA2452731 CA 2452731 CA 2452731 A CA2452731 A CA 2452731A CA 2452731 C CA2452731 C CA 2452731C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- curling
- brush
- handle
- brush head
- curler
- 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.)
- Expired - Fee Related
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Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A46—BRUSHWARE
- A46B—BRUSHES
- A46B5/00—Brush bodies; Handles integral with brushware
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B67/00—Sporting games or accessories therefor, not provided for in groups A63B1/00 - A63B65/00
- A63B67/14—Curling stone; Shuffleboard; Similar sliding games
- A63B67/148—Curling brooms or brushes
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A46—BRUSHWARE
- A46B—BRUSHES
- A46B2200/00—Brushes characterized by their functions, uses or applications
- A46B2200/30—Brushes for cleaning or polishing
- A46B2200/308—Curling brooms
Landscapes
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
- Brushes (AREA)
- Rehabilitation Tools (AREA)
Abstract
A push type curling brush which has an angular bend in the handle at a point above the brush head which is downward and to the rear of the brush head and which allows the user to be positioned directly above the brush head and thereby transmit the force being applied by the user with maximum efficiency to said brush head. The brush head is attached perpendicular to the proximal end of the brush handle and has its posterior edge extended downward such that when the curling brush is laid down on the ice surface the posterior edge of the brush head and the distal end of the brush handle contact the ice surface and create a curling crutch which can be used during the delivery of the curling stone.
Description
ANGULAR CURLING BRUSH
TECHNICAL FIELD
A curling brush with a modified handle and brush head BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The sport of curling involves the use of a curling brush for sweeping the ice in front of a moving curling stone and for assisting a curler in balancing while delivering/throwing a curling stone. Curling brushes consist of a handle portion and a head portion.
Curling brush heads include a brush surface for engaging an ice surface.
Curling brush heads exist in many different styles and configurations and may be constructed of many different materials. A typical curling brush head is comprised of a lower part and an upper part.
The upper part provides the structure or frame of the curling brush head and is comprised of a rigid material as well as the mechanism for attaching the head to the handle. The lower part attaches to the upper part by various means and is made of various materials depending upon the brush head.
For example, the brush surface of curling brush heads may be constructed as fibres or pads and may be made from either natural or synthetic materials. All of these lower part materials are designed to create friction with the ice surface when sweeping a curling stone. In the delivery position it is undesirable for this friction material to contact the ice surface as it creates a drag effect which negatively influences the curling delivery. As a result, a.ll curling brushes are designed with a low friction edge or surface that can be employed during the delivery. Because of the typical rearward tilt of the handle on most curling brushes, this low friction edge is usually found on the front edge of the curling brush head. When a curler wishes to use the brush in the delivery position they turn the brush 180 degrees so now the front edge of the curling brush (with its low friction surface) is now in contact with the ice surface and the higher friction material does not impede the delivery.
Curling brush handles are elongated shafts which are conventionally straight along their entire length. One part of the sport of curling consists of sweeping the ice in front of a moving curling stone. The purpose of this sweeping action is to control both the distance the stone will travel and the rate of curl of the stone. The more force and speed that can be applied to the brush head by the curler the more control can be exercised over the stone. In order to transfer the force of the curler through the handle of the curling brush into the brush head with maximum efficiency, the curler must apply the force as close to the brush head as possible. With a straight handled curling brush this means that the curler must bend over quite low in order to get as close to the brush head as he/she can. An efficient sweeping technique is thus very difficult to master as it requires a curler to balance on a slippery ice surface while bent over quite low and applying force to a brush head in a rapid back and forth sweeping motion while maintaining position in front of a moving curling stone.
TECHNICAL FIELD
A curling brush with a modified handle and brush head BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The sport of curling involves the use of a curling brush for sweeping the ice in front of a moving curling stone and for assisting a curler in balancing while delivering/throwing a curling stone. Curling brushes consist of a handle portion and a head portion.
Curling brush heads include a brush surface for engaging an ice surface.
Curling brush heads exist in many different styles and configurations and may be constructed of many different materials. A typical curling brush head is comprised of a lower part and an upper part.
The upper part provides the structure or frame of the curling brush head and is comprised of a rigid material as well as the mechanism for attaching the head to the handle. The lower part attaches to the upper part by various means and is made of various materials depending upon the brush head.
For example, the brush surface of curling brush heads may be constructed as fibres or pads and may be made from either natural or synthetic materials. All of these lower part materials are designed to create friction with the ice surface when sweeping a curling stone. In the delivery position it is undesirable for this friction material to contact the ice surface as it creates a drag effect which negatively influences the curling delivery. As a result, a.ll curling brushes are designed with a low friction edge or surface that can be employed during the delivery. Because of the typical rearward tilt of the handle on most curling brushes, this low friction edge is usually found on the front edge of the curling brush head. When a curler wishes to use the brush in the delivery position they turn the brush 180 degrees so now the front edge of the curling brush (with its low friction surface) is now in contact with the ice surface and the higher friction material does not impede the delivery.
Curling brush handles are elongated shafts which are conventionally straight along their entire length. One part of the sport of curling consists of sweeping the ice in front of a moving curling stone. The purpose of this sweeping action is to control both the distance the stone will travel and the rate of curl of the stone. The more force and speed that can be applied to the brush head by the curler the more control can be exercised over the stone. In order to transfer the force of the curler through the handle of the curling brush into the brush head with maximum efficiency, the curler must apply the force as close to the brush head as possible. With a straight handled curling brush this means that the curler must bend over quite low in order to get as close to the brush head as he/she can. An efficient sweeping technique is thus very difficult to master as it requires a curler to balance on a slippery ice surface while bent over quite low and applying force to a brush head in a rapid back and forth sweeping motion while maintaining position in front of a moving curling stone.
Another piece of equipment that has recently been introduced to the sport of curling is the curling crutch. This equipment has several different forms and designs but all are designed to assist the curler during the delivery of the curling stone by providing greater stability for the curler and by raising the stabilizing arm of the curler so that his/her shoulders are level with the ice surface and square to the direction of delivery. Both of these factors combine to improve the curlers shooting performance. Curling crutches are generally designed as a separate piece of equipment from the curling brush although there are some designs which attach to curling brush handles. While improving curling stone delivery performance, the disadvantages of crutches that attach to curling brush handles are that they increase the weight of the curling brush and create extra bulk to the curling brush handle thereby interfering with efficient sweeping technique during the sweeping portion of the game. The disadvantage of the separate crutches is that the curler must now purchase two pieces of equipment, the brush and the crutch. The nature of the game of curling is such that curling stone delivery alternates from one end of the ice sheet to the other.
This means that the crutch or the brush is often at the opposite end of the ice then where it is needed and this results in time wasted going to exchange the brush for the crutch or vice versa. For this reason, many curlers have resorted to having two crutches, one for each end of the ice.
The present invention improves upon the conventional curling brush in three ways:
1) In order to transfer the maximum amount of the curlers exerted force to the brush head, the curler is required to be directly above the brush head. This is not possible with a conventional curling brush because the curler would have to bend over too low to achieve this position. Any gains made to transfer efficiency are lost due to lack of balance and stability and the ability to exert the same amount of force. By bending the handle as in this invention, the curler can now be positioned directly over the brush head without having to bend over any more than they already do. Thus for the same amount of energy expended by the curler, more force is transferred to the brush head and using this brush, improvements in force transfer can be achieved without changing the curlers current sweeping position.
2) This invention is designed in such a way that it can be used as a curling crutch or stabilizer without affecting its performance. It is a one piece unit with no moving parts and no bulky attachments and weighs the same whether used as a crutch or a brush.
This means that the crutch or the brush is often at the opposite end of the ice then where it is needed and this results in time wasted going to exchange the brush for the crutch or vice versa. For this reason, many curlers have resorted to having two crutches, one for each end of the ice.
The present invention improves upon the conventional curling brush in three ways:
1) In order to transfer the maximum amount of the curlers exerted force to the brush head, the curler is required to be directly above the brush head. This is not possible with a conventional curling brush because the curler would have to bend over too low to achieve this position. Any gains made to transfer efficiency are lost due to lack of balance and stability and the ability to exert the same amount of force. By bending the handle as in this invention, the curler can now be positioned directly over the brush head without having to bend over any more than they already do. Thus for the same amount of energy expended by the curler, more force is transferred to the brush head and using this brush, improvements in force transfer can be achieved without changing the curlers current sweeping position.
2) This invention is designed in such a way that it can be used as a curling crutch or stabilizer without affecting its performance. It is a one piece unit with no moving parts and no bulky attachments and weighs the same whether used as a crutch or a brush.
3) For those curlers who have difficulty bending, this invention allows them to exert the same amount of force on the brush head from a higher position on the handle and thereby not have to bend over as much. This position also has the advantage of giving the person more balance and stability on the ice.
Canadian Patent Application #2358307 (Herbut), Canadian Patent Application #
2297466 (Ferland), Canadian Patent # 1251611 (Downer), Canadian Patent #
1177612 (Booth), Canadian Patent # 1275765 (Busse et al.), Canadian Patent # 2173629 (Asham), Canadian Patent Application # 2317964 (Oleson), Canadian Patent # 1218204 (Downer), Canadian Patent # 2226465 (Herbut), Canadian Patent Application # 2279025 (Kuzych) all describe curling brooms, brushes or brush heads or handles. None of these patents describes a curling brush handle which is bent or angled in any way. Nor do they discuss the use of the curling brush as a curling crutch.
Canadian Patent # 1251611 (Downer) describes a push type curling broom wherein the leading edge of the head part extends beyond the peripheral plane confines of the brush part in order to provide an ice contacting support runner. Downers invention has the "leading" edge of the brush head extending straight out. My invention has the "trailing" edge of the brush head extending downward. Downers invention must be rotated 180 degrees for this function to work whereas this is not the case in my invention.
Canadian Patent # 2164251 (Newton), Canadian Patent # 2179329 (Fletcher), Canadian Patent 1222265 (Gibbons) all describe angular or offset hockey stick handles. These patents describe the addition of a short, bent handle or grip to the end of a hockey stick handle such that the hockey player will be more able to hold on to the end of the hockey stick. The shaft of the hockey sticks are not bent or angled.
Canadian Patent # 2187238 (Morns) describes a curling stabilizer device which attaches to a curling brush handle. The curling brush handle remains straight.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is comprised of a push type curling brush comprising a handle and a brush head, the handle of which has a length of between three and six feet and which has a proximal end attached to the brush head and a distal end being the opposite end of the handle. The brush head is attached to the proximal end of the handle and has a lower part made of high friction material that contacts the ice during sweeping and an upper part made of low friction material that has a posterior edge which is that edge closest to the distal end of the handle. The improvement comprises a single angular bend in the handle which occurs between 6 and 9 inches from the proximal end of the handle and such that this angular bend forms an angle of between 50 and 80 degrees from the vertical when the curling brush is placed on a horizontal surface and the lower section of the brush handle is dead vertical. The curling brush head is designed such that it is attached perpendicular to the bottom of the handle and has its posterior edge extended downward such that when the curling brush is laid down on the ice surface the posterior edge of the brush head and the distal end of the brush handle contact the ice surface and create a curling crutch which can be used during the delivery of the curling stone.
The invention may be constructed of any material or combination of materials which are suitable for use in a curling brush. For example, the material may be comprised of wood, plastic, fiberglass, metal or composite materials.
The invention may be comprised of a solid cross section, a hollow cross section or a combination of both. A hollow cross section may be reinforced or unreinforced.
A solid cross section may be made of several laminations of material. The choice of cross sections is dependant upon the choice of material or materials.
Canadian Patent Application #2358307 (Herbut), Canadian Patent Application #
2297466 (Ferland), Canadian Patent # 1251611 (Downer), Canadian Patent #
1177612 (Booth), Canadian Patent # 1275765 (Busse et al.), Canadian Patent # 2173629 (Asham), Canadian Patent Application # 2317964 (Oleson), Canadian Patent # 1218204 (Downer), Canadian Patent # 2226465 (Herbut), Canadian Patent Application # 2279025 (Kuzych) all describe curling brooms, brushes or brush heads or handles. None of these patents describes a curling brush handle which is bent or angled in any way. Nor do they discuss the use of the curling brush as a curling crutch.
Canadian Patent # 1251611 (Downer) describes a push type curling broom wherein the leading edge of the head part extends beyond the peripheral plane confines of the brush part in order to provide an ice contacting support runner. Downers invention has the "leading" edge of the brush head extending straight out. My invention has the "trailing" edge of the brush head extending downward. Downers invention must be rotated 180 degrees for this function to work whereas this is not the case in my invention.
Canadian Patent # 2164251 (Newton), Canadian Patent # 2179329 (Fletcher), Canadian Patent 1222265 (Gibbons) all describe angular or offset hockey stick handles. These patents describe the addition of a short, bent handle or grip to the end of a hockey stick handle such that the hockey player will be more able to hold on to the end of the hockey stick. The shaft of the hockey sticks are not bent or angled.
Canadian Patent # 2187238 (Morns) describes a curling stabilizer device which attaches to a curling brush handle. The curling brush handle remains straight.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is comprised of a push type curling brush comprising a handle and a brush head, the handle of which has a length of between three and six feet and which has a proximal end attached to the brush head and a distal end being the opposite end of the handle. The brush head is attached to the proximal end of the handle and has a lower part made of high friction material that contacts the ice during sweeping and an upper part made of low friction material that has a posterior edge which is that edge closest to the distal end of the handle. The improvement comprises a single angular bend in the handle which occurs between 6 and 9 inches from the proximal end of the handle and such that this angular bend forms an angle of between 50 and 80 degrees from the vertical when the curling brush is placed on a horizontal surface and the lower section of the brush handle is dead vertical. The curling brush head is designed such that it is attached perpendicular to the bottom of the handle and has its posterior edge extended downward such that when the curling brush is laid down on the ice surface the posterior edge of the brush head and the distal end of the brush handle contact the ice surface and create a curling crutch which can be used during the delivery of the curling stone.
The invention may be constructed of any material or combination of materials which are suitable for use in a curling brush. For example, the material may be comprised of wood, plastic, fiberglass, metal or composite materials.
The invention may be comprised of a solid cross section, a hollow cross section or a combination of both. A hollow cross section may be reinforced or unreinforced.
A solid cross section may be made of several laminations of material. The choice of cross sections is dependant upon the choice of material or materials.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure One is a view of the invention.
Figure Two is a view of a typical curling brush head - Prior Art Figure Three is a view of the curling brush head of the invention Figure Four is a view of the invention in use by a curler to sweep a curling stone Figure Five is a view of the invention in use by a curler to deliver a curling stone DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present invention is directed at a push type curling brush with modifications to the handle and the head.
Referring to Figure One, as with a typical curling brush, the invention is comprised of a curling brush handle (1) and a curling brush head (2). The curling brush handle (1) has a length of between three and six feet and has a proximal end (3) attached to the brush head (2) and a distal end (6) being the opposite end. The curling brush head (2) is attached to the proximal end (3) of the curling brush handle (1). The curling brush head (2) may be either permanently or removably attached to the curling brush handle ( 1 ) and may be attached to the curling brush handle ( 1 ) using any structure or apparatus which will provide a suitable connection between the curling brush handle (1) and the curling brush head (2).
The curling brush head of the invention (2) is comprised of a brush surface (4) for engaging an ice surface during a curling game. The brush surface (4) may be comprised of any suitable material. For example, the brush surface (4) may be constructed of fibres or pads and may be made from either natural or synthetic materials. The head is designed such that it is attached perpendicular to the proximal end of the handle (3) and has its posterior edge (5) extended downward such that when the curling brush is laid down on the ice surface the posterior edge (S) of the brush head (2) and the distal end of the brush handle (6) contact the ice surface and create a curling crutch which can be used during the delivery of the curling stone. The posterior edge (5) of the curling brush head is the edge which is closest to the distal end (6) of the handle.
The curling brush handle of the invention (7) has a single angular bend in the handle which occurs between 6 and 9 inches from the proximal end (3) of the handle and such that this angular bend forms an angle of between 50 and 80 degrees from the vertical when the curling brush is placed on a horizontal surface and the lower section of the brush handle is dead vertical.
Referring to Figure Two - Prior Art, a typical curling brush head is shown.
Curling brush heads include a brush surface for engaging an ice surface and they exist in many different styles and configurations and may be constructed of many different materials.
A typical curling brush head is comprised of a lower part (4A) and an upper part (17A). The upper part (17A) provides the structure or frame of the curling brush head and is comprised of a rigid material as well as the mechanism for attaching the head to the handle (18A). The lower part (4A) attaches to the upper part (17A) by various means and is made of various materials depending upon the brush head.
For example, the lower part (4A) of the curling brush head may be constructed as fibres or pads and may be made from either natural or synthetic materials. All of these lower part (4A) materials are designed to create friction with the ice surface when sweeping a curling stone. In the delivery position it is undesirable for this friction material to contact the ice surface as it creates a drag effect which negatively influences the curling delivery. As a result, all curling brushes are designed with a low friction edge or surface that can be employed during the delivery. Because of the typical rearward tilt of the handle on most curling brushes, this low friction edge is usually found on the anterior edge (19A) of the curling brush head. The anterior (19A) edge of the curling brush head is the edge which is farthest away from the curler when they are holding the brush by the handle in a typical sweeping position and is farthest away from the distal end of the handle. The posterior edge (SA) of the curling brush head is the edge which is closest to the curler when they are holding the brush by the handle in the typical sweeping position and is also closest to the distal end of the handle. When a curler wishes to use the brush in the delivery position they turn the brush 180 degrees so now the anterior edge (19A) of the curling brush (with its low friction surface) is now in contact with the ice surface and the higher friction material is now facing upward and so does not impede the delivery.
Refernng to Figure Three, the curling brush head of the invention is shown. As with a typical curling brush head, the curling brush head of the invention includes a brush surface for engaging an ice surface and is comprised of a lower part (4) and an upper part (17). The upper part (17) provides the structure or frame of the curling brush head and is comprised of a rigid material as well as the mechanism for attaching the head to the handle (18). In the invention the handle is attached perpendicular to the top of the curling brush head. The lower part (4) attaches to the upper part (17) by various means and is made of various materials. For example, the lower part (4) of the curling brush head may be constructed as fibres or pads and may be made from either natural or synthetic materials. All of these lower part (4) materials are designed to create friction with the ice surface when sweeping a curling stone.
In the curling delivery position it is undesirable for this friction material to contact the ice surface as it creates a drag effect which negatively influences the curling delivery. As a result, all curling brushes are designed with a low friction edge or surface that can be employed during the curling delivery. Because of the unique rearward angular tilt of the handle on the invention, this low friction edge which is usually found on the anterior edge (19) of the curling brush head, is found on the posterior edge (5) of the curling brush head of the invention. The anterior edge (19) of the curling brush head is the edge which is farthest away from the curler when they are holding the brush by the handle in a typical sweeping position and is farthest away from the distal end of the handle.
The posterior edge (5) of the curling brush head is the edge which is closest to the curler when they are holding the brush by the handle in the typical sweeping position and is also the closest edge to the distal end of the handle. The posterior edge (5) of the curling brush head of the invention is extended downward such that when the curling brush is laid down on the ice surface this posterior edge (5) of the curling brush head and the distal end of the brush handle contact the ice surface and create a curling crutch which can be used during the delivery of the curling stone (see Figure Five).
This posterior edge (5) is extended downward only to the extent required to lift the higher friction surface off the ice whep the invention is laid down and does not contact the ice surface when the invention is used in the sweeping position.
Refernng to Figure Four, the invention is shown in use by a curler to sweep a curling stone.
In this Figure, the curling stone (8) would be moving in a direction towards you the viewer (9). The curler is thus positioned in front of this moving curling stone (8) and has positioned the curling brush head (2) of the invention (7) in direct contact with the ice surface (10) and in front of the curling stone (8). While moving in the same direction (9) as the curling stone (8), the curler is applying a downward force through their forearm (11) and onto the curling brush handle (1) portion of the invention. This force is transmitted through the curling brush handle (1) to the curling brush head (2) and then to the ice surface (10). Simultaneously, the curler moves the invention (7) such that the curling brush head of the invention (2) is moved from side to side in a direction (12) which is approximately perpendicular to the direction of motion (9) of the curling stone (8).
Refernng to Figure Five, the invention is shown in use by a curler to deliver a curling stone. In this Figure the curler, the curling stone (8) and the invention (7) are sliding along an ice surface (10) and all have the same direction of motion (13). This sliding motion is created by the curler pushing off with their hind leg (14) and crouching into position on their foreleg and foot (15) in the typical curling stone delivery position. When the curler believes that the curling stone (8) is at the correct speed and trajectory, they will release the curling stone (8) to travel to the opposite end of the ice sheet as in a typical game of curling. This curling delivery requires the curler to balance their weight on their foreleg and foot (15) and in a proper delivery the curler must not rely on the curling stone (8) to aid them in achieving this balance because this will adversely affect the speed and trajectory of the curling stone (8). The invention (7) is used as an aid in achieving this balance. The curling brush head (2) of the invention and the distal end of the curling brush handle (6) of the invention are placed so that they contact the ice surface (10) and provide a stable crutch that can be used by the curler to aid them in achieving the proper balance.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure One is a view of the invention.
Figure Two is a view of a typical curling brush head - Prior Art Figure Three is a view of the curling brush head of the invention Figure Four is a view of the invention in use by a curler to sweep a curling stone Figure Five is a view of the invention in use by a curler to deliver a curling stone DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present invention is directed at a push type curling brush with modifications to the handle and the head.
Referring to Figure One, as with a typical curling brush, the invention is comprised of a curling brush handle (1) and a curling brush head (2). The curling brush handle (1) has a length of between three and six feet and has a proximal end (3) attached to the brush head (2) and a distal end (6) being the opposite end. The curling brush head (2) is attached to the proximal end (3) of the curling brush handle (1). The curling brush head (2) may be either permanently or removably attached to the curling brush handle ( 1 ) and may be attached to the curling brush handle ( 1 ) using any structure or apparatus which will provide a suitable connection between the curling brush handle (1) and the curling brush head (2).
The curling brush head of the invention (2) is comprised of a brush surface (4) for engaging an ice surface during a curling game. The brush surface (4) may be comprised of any suitable material. For example, the brush surface (4) may be constructed of fibres or pads and may be made from either natural or synthetic materials. The head is designed such that it is attached perpendicular to the proximal end of the handle (3) and has its posterior edge (5) extended downward such that when the curling brush is laid down on the ice surface the posterior edge (S) of the brush head (2) and the distal end of the brush handle (6) contact the ice surface and create a curling crutch which can be used during the delivery of the curling stone. The posterior edge (5) of the curling brush head is the edge which is closest to the distal end (6) of the handle.
The curling brush handle of the invention (7) has a single angular bend in the handle which occurs between 6 and 9 inches from the proximal end (3) of the handle and such that this angular bend forms an angle of between 50 and 80 degrees from the vertical when the curling brush is placed on a horizontal surface and the lower section of the brush handle is dead vertical.
Referring to Figure Two - Prior Art, a typical curling brush head is shown.
Curling brush heads include a brush surface for engaging an ice surface and they exist in many different styles and configurations and may be constructed of many different materials.
A typical curling brush head is comprised of a lower part (4A) and an upper part (17A). The upper part (17A) provides the structure or frame of the curling brush head and is comprised of a rigid material as well as the mechanism for attaching the head to the handle (18A). The lower part (4A) attaches to the upper part (17A) by various means and is made of various materials depending upon the brush head.
For example, the lower part (4A) of the curling brush head may be constructed as fibres or pads and may be made from either natural or synthetic materials. All of these lower part (4A) materials are designed to create friction with the ice surface when sweeping a curling stone. In the delivery position it is undesirable for this friction material to contact the ice surface as it creates a drag effect which negatively influences the curling delivery. As a result, all curling brushes are designed with a low friction edge or surface that can be employed during the delivery. Because of the typical rearward tilt of the handle on most curling brushes, this low friction edge is usually found on the anterior edge (19A) of the curling brush head. The anterior (19A) edge of the curling brush head is the edge which is farthest away from the curler when they are holding the brush by the handle in a typical sweeping position and is farthest away from the distal end of the handle. The posterior edge (SA) of the curling brush head is the edge which is closest to the curler when they are holding the brush by the handle in the typical sweeping position and is also closest to the distal end of the handle. When a curler wishes to use the brush in the delivery position they turn the brush 180 degrees so now the anterior edge (19A) of the curling brush (with its low friction surface) is now in contact with the ice surface and the higher friction material is now facing upward and so does not impede the delivery.
Refernng to Figure Three, the curling brush head of the invention is shown. As with a typical curling brush head, the curling brush head of the invention includes a brush surface for engaging an ice surface and is comprised of a lower part (4) and an upper part (17). The upper part (17) provides the structure or frame of the curling brush head and is comprised of a rigid material as well as the mechanism for attaching the head to the handle (18). In the invention the handle is attached perpendicular to the top of the curling brush head. The lower part (4) attaches to the upper part (17) by various means and is made of various materials. For example, the lower part (4) of the curling brush head may be constructed as fibres or pads and may be made from either natural or synthetic materials. All of these lower part (4) materials are designed to create friction with the ice surface when sweeping a curling stone.
In the curling delivery position it is undesirable for this friction material to contact the ice surface as it creates a drag effect which negatively influences the curling delivery. As a result, all curling brushes are designed with a low friction edge or surface that can be employed during the curling delivery. Because of the unique rearward angular tilt of the handle on the invention, this low friction edge which is usually found on the anterior edge (19) of the curling brush head, is found on the posterior edge (5) of the curling brush head of the invention. The anterior edge (19) of the curling brush head is the edge which is farthest away from the curler when they are holding the brush by the handle in a typical sweeping position and is farthest away from the distal end of the handle.
The posterior edge (5) of the curling brush head is the edge which is closest to the curler when they are holding the brush by the handle in the typical sweeping position and is also the closest edge to the distal end of the handle. The posterior edge (5) of the curling brush head of the invention is extended downward such that when the curling brush is laid down on the ice surface this posterior edge (5) of the curling brush head and the distal end of the brush handle contact the ice surface and create a curling crutch which can be used during the delivery of the curling stone (see Figure Five).
This posterior edge (5) is extended downward only to the extent required to lift the higher friction surface off the ice whep the invention is laid down and does not contact the ice surface when the invention is used in the sweeping position.
Refernng to Figure Four, the invention is shown in use by a curler to sweep a curling stone.
In this Figure, the curling stone (8) would be moving in a direction towards you the viewer (9). The curler is thus positioned in front of this moving curling stone (8) and has positioned the curling brush head (2) of the invention (7) in direct contact with the ice surface (10) and in front of the curling stone (8). While moving in the same direction (9) as the curling stone (8), the curler is applying a downward force through their forearm (11) and onto the curling brush handle (1) portion of the invention. This force is transmitted through the curling brush handle (1) to the curling brush head (2) and then to the ice surface (10). Simultaneously, the curler moves the invention (7) such that the curling brush head of the invention (2) is moved from side to side in a direction (12) which is approximately perpendicular to the direction of motion (9) of the curling stone (8).
Refernng to Figure Five, the invention is shown in use by a curler to deliver a curling stone. In this Figure the curler, the curling stone (8) and the invention (7) are sliding along an ice surface (10) and all have the same direction of motion (13). This sliding motion is created by the curler pushing off with their hind leg (14) and crouching into position on their foreleg and foot (15) in the typical curling stone delivery position. When the curler believes that the curling stone (8) is at the correct speed and trajectory, they will release the curling stone (8) to travel to the opposite end of the ice sheet as in a typical game of curling. This curling delivery requires the curler to balance their weight on their foreleg and foot (15) and in a proper delivery the curler must not rely on the curling stone (8) to aid them in achieving this balance because this will adversely affect the speed and trajectory of the curling stone (8). The invention (7) is used as an aid in achieving this balance. The curling brush head (2) of the invention and the distal end of the curling brush handle (6) of the invention are placed so that they contact the ice surface (10) and provide a stable crutch that can be used by the curler to aid them in achieving the proper balance.
Claims
1. A push type curling brush comprising a handle and a brush head, the handle of which has a length of between three and six feet and which has a proximal end attached to the brush head and a distal end being the opposite end of the handle and the brush head of which is attached to the proximal end of the handle and which has a lower part made of high friction material that contacts the ice during sweeping and an upper part made of low friction material that has a posterior edge which is that edge closest to the distal end of the handle and wherein the improvements comprise:
a single angular bend in the handle which occurs between 6 and 9 inches from the proximal end of the handle such that this angular bend forms an angle of between 50 and 80 degrees from the vertical when the proximal end of the handle is perpendicular to the ice surface.
and the posterior edge of the upper part of the brush head extends downward such that when both the posterior edge and the distal end of the brush handle contact the ice surface, the lower part of the brush head is lifted off the ice surface, thereby creating a crutch which will assist a curler during the delivery of a curling stone.
a single angular bend in the handle which occurs between 6 and 9 inches from the proximal end of the handle such that this angular bend forms an angle of between 50 and 80 degrees from the vertical when the proximal end of the handle is perpendicular to the ice surface.
and the posterior edge of the upper part of the brush head extends downward such that when both the posterior edge and the distal end of the brush handle contact the ice surface, the lower part of the brush head is lifted off the ice surface, thereby creating a crutch which will assist a curler during the delivery of a curling stone.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2452731 CA2452731C (en) | 2003-12-24 | 2003-12-24 | Angular curling brush |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2452731 CA2452731C (en) | 2003-12-24 | 2003-12-24 | Angular curling brush |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2452731A1 CA2452731A1 (en) | 2005-06-24 |
| CA2452731C true CA2452731C (en) | 2005-11-29 |
Family
ID=34683029
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2452731 Expired - Fee Related CA2452731C (en) | 2003-12-24 | 2003-12-24 | Angular curling brush |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2452731C (en) |
-
2003
- 2003-12-24 CA CA 2452731 patent/CA2452731C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2452731A1 (en) | 2005-06-24 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |
Effective date: 20191224 |