CA2540942C - Ice hockey player replica - Google Patents
Ice hockey player replica Download PDFInfo
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- CA2540942C CA2540942C CA2540942A CA2540942A CA2540942C CA 2540942 C CA2540942 C CA 2540942C CA 2540942 A CA2540942 A CA 2540942A CA 2540942 A CA2540942 A CA 2540942A CA 2540942 C CA2540942 C CA 2540942C
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- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- wind
- ice hockey
- collecting means
- recess
- spindle
- 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
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F03D—WIND MOTORS
- F03D3/00—Wind motors with rotation axis substantially perpendicular to the air flow entering the rotor
- F03D3/06—Rotors
- F03D3/062—Rotors characterised by their construction elements
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F7/00—Indoor games using small moving playing bodies, e.g. balls, discs or blocks
- A63F7/22—Accessories; Details
- A63F7/24—Devices controlled by the player to project or roll-off the playing bodies
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F9/00—Games not otherwise provided for
- A63F9/001—Games or toys connected to, or combined with, other objects; Objects with a second use as a toy or game
- A63F2009/0033—Display or decorative devices
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F7/00—Indoor games using small moving playing bodies, e.g. balls, discs or blocks
- A63F7/06—Games simulating outdoor ball games, e.g. hockey or football
- A63F7/0604—Type of ball game
- A63F7/0632—Hockey
- A63F7/0636—Ice-hockey
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
- F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
- F05B2220/00—Application
- F05B2220/25—Application as advertisement
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
- Y02E10/70—Wind energy
- Y02E10/74—Wind turbines with rotation axis perpendicular to the wind direction
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Multimedia (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Sustainable Development (AREA)
- Sustainable Energy (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Toys (AREA)
Abstract
There is provided an ice hockey player representational device comprising a body having an upper, head-representing portion and a lower, laterally extending puck playing portion-representing piece, such as a hockey stick-representing portion, or a goaltender's glove representing piece. The device has a swivel mounting attached to the lower part of the body portion and having surface engaging means at the lower end thereof, at least one wind-collecting means mounted on the body portion, a rotatable vane structure rotatably mounted on the lower laterally extending puck playing portion, and comprising a spindle, a plurality of laterally extending arms mounted on the spindle, and wind collecting means on each laterally extending arm. The device, when mounted outdoors, rotates about a substantially vertical axis on the swivel mounting in response to wind engagement with the body-mounted wind-collecting means, and the rotatable vane structure is caused to rotate relative to the body on wind engagement with the arm-mounted wind collecting means, to imitate an ice hockey player in action.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to sports devices. More particularly, it relates to sports player replicas of an animated, decorative and aesthetically appealing nature.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIQN
The gwne of ice hockey is noted for its speed and the intricate dexterities of its players. It has a substantially following of fans and spectators, many of whom identify with a particular professional team, and possess and display paraphernalia characteristic of that team, as a show of their afFinity and support. Many fans of the game go further, and identify specifically with a star player of their chosen team, sporting replica uniforms, jerseys, numbers and names of the star player.
Dolls and nlodels of ice hockey players, dressed in team un.iforms, have an appeal to many fans, and are sold in significant numbers. However, their appeal is limited to a large extent by their static nature on display, which does not properly convey the impression of speed and dexterous movement from which ice hockey derives much of its appeal.
BRIEF REFERENCE TO THE PRIOR ART
This invention relates to sports devices. More particularly, it relates to sports player replicas of an animated, decorative and aesthetically appealing nature.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIQN
The gwne of ice hockey is noted for its speed and the intricate dexterities of its players. It has a substantially following of fans and spectators, many of whom identify with a particular professional team, and possess and display paraphernalia characteristic of that team, as a show of their afFinity and support. Many fans of the game go further, and identify specifically with a star player of their chosen team, sporting replica uniforms, jerseys, numbers and names of the star player.
Dolls and nlodels of ice hockey players, dressed in team un.iforms, have an appeal to many fans, and are sold in significant numbers. However, their appeal is limited to a large extent by their static nature on display, which does not properly convey the impression of speed and dexterous movement from which ice hockey derives much of its appeal.
BRIEF REFERENCE TO THE PRIOR ART
Games of table hockey are available, in which two opposing competitors operate model players on a board representing an ice hockey rink. The model players are movable in slots along the board. The opponents control the movement and turning of the model players by means of rods connected to the players and extending to the ends of the board. The shape of the model player on such games is somewhat characteristic, comprising a hunched body holding an imitation hockey stick portion protruding laterally from the bottom of the body. While such games are less popular than previously, with the advent of electronic video sports games, there is a nostalgia factor among adult ice hockey fans for such old-style manual table ice hockey games, and the dexterity which is required to play them successfully. The image of the typical table hockey game model player is often strongly nostalgic.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel ice hockey player representational device which is reminiscent of table hockey figures.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a novel ice hockey representational device which is animated to give impression of speed and dexterity associated with the game of ice hockey.
SUMMARY OF'THE INVENTION.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel ice hockey player representational device which is reminiscent of table hockey figures.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a novel ice hockey representational device which is animated to give impression of speed and dexterity associated with the game of ice hockey.
SUMMARY OF'THE INVENTION.
From one aspect the present invention provides an ice hockey player replica which has the overall, general shape of a table hockey player. It is rotatable about a vertical axis in response to wind, so that it can be mounted outdoors for viewing. It is further equipped with a hockey puck-imitating carousel containing rotatable puck imitations which pass through an aperture in a portion of the figure, also responding to wind.
The aperture is disposed in a puck contacting representative portion, such as the stick blade portion of the player in the case of a skater (forward, defenseman) or the glove portion of a goaltender representing figure.
When mounted outdoors, in response to wind the entire figure rotates and the puck carousel rotates relative to the body, to give the impression of player movement and puck handling on the part of the player.
Thus according to the present invention, from one aspect, there is provided an ice hockey player representational device comprising;
- a body having an upper, head-representing portion and a lower, lateral extension representing a puck playing portion;
- a swivel mounting attached to the lower part of said body portion and having surface engaging means at the lower end thereof;
- at least one wind-collecting means mounted on said body portion;
The aperture is disposed in a puck contacting representative portion, such as the stick blade portion of the player in the case of a skater (forward, defenseman) or the glove portion of a goaltender representing figure.
When mounted outdoors, in response to wind the entire figure rotates and the puck carousel rotates relative to the body, to give the impression of player movement and puck handling on the part of the player.
Thus according to the present invention, from one aspect, there is provided an ice hockey player representational device comprising;
- a body having an upper, head-representing portion and a lower, lateral extension representing a puck playing portion;
- a swivel mounting attached to the lower part of said body portion and having surface engaging means at the lower end thereof;
- at least one wind-collecting means mounted on said body portion;
- a rotatable vane structure rotatably disposed on said lower lateral extension and comprising a spindle, a plurality of laterally extending arms mounted on the spindle, and wind collecting means on each said laterally extending arm;
whereby the device, when mounted outdoors, is caused to rotate about a substantially vertical axis on said swivel mounting in response to wind engagement with said body-mounted wind-collecting means, and said rotatable vane structure is caused to rotate relative to the body on wind engagement with said arm-mounted wind collecting means.
According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a kit of parts for assembling an ice hockey player representational device, and comprising:
- a body having an upper, head-representing portion and a lower, lateral extension representing a puck playing portion;
- a swivel mounting for attachment to the lower part of said body portion and having surface engaging means at the lower end thereof;
- at least one wind-collecting means for mounting on said body portion;
- a vane structure for rotatable disposition on said lower lateral extension and comprising a spindle, a plurality of laterally extending arms mounted on the spindle, and wind collecting means on each said laterally extending arm;
- means for attaching the swivel mounting to the lower edge of the body;
- means for attaching the wind collecting means to the intermediate portion of the body;
- and means for rotatably attaching the vane structure to the lower lateral extension of the body.
BRIEF REFERENCE TO THE DRAWING
Figure l of the accompanying drawings is a front perspective view of an ice hockey player representing figure, forward or defenseman (skater) according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a similar view of an ice hockey goaltender representing figure according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.
DESCRLPTI4N OF THE PREFERRED EMBUDIMENTS.
The body portion of the device of the present invention is preferably a flat sheet, of weather durable material, such as treated wood, light sheet metal such as aluminum, or, most preferably, synthetic resin such as polyethylene, impact polystyrene, ABS resin or polyester. Tt should be receptive to decoration, since it is anticipated that it will be decorated in imitation of a specific team uniform and/or player characteristics. As an outdoor item also, suitable protection of its moving parts, namely the rotation joints, is preferably provided.
The device can be provided in a variety of different sizes, depending upon the chosen location for mounting. Larger versions can be mounted on the ground, with the surface engaging means comprising spikes to embed in a lawn or a garden bed. Smaller versions can be mounted on deck railings, fences, fence posts, walls and the like with the surface engaging means comprising brackets, clips etc for bolting or screwing to the supporting surface.
The entire device is simple and economical to manufacture, and requires no power other than natural wind power for its operation. Indeed, it can if desired be provided with an appropriate small dynamo generator, so that it acts as a power source. The generated power could be used to power lamps, e.g. to illuminate the device itself as it turns in the wind, thus fitrther enhancing its decorative effects. It can be readily supplied as a kit of parts as aforesaid, with the means for attachment constituted by standard nuts and bolts, with pre-drilled locating holes, for example, so that the purchaser-assembler can properly locate and mount items such as the wind collecting means. The device can also be disassembled for storage and transportation. The kit may also include indoor floor mounting, shelf mounting or wall mounting brackets and fasteners, so that it can be mounted and displayed indoors during winter periods.
In addition to its decorative and hockey player imitating appeal, the device, with its two different types of rotational movement in response to wind, has utility as a bird scarer.
SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION OF THE MOST PREFERRED
EMBODIMENT.
In the accompanying drawings, like reference numerals indicate like parts.
With reference to the accompanying Figure 1, an ice hockey skating player representational device according to the preferred embodiment of the invention is comprised of a body 10 of sheet-like fornt, in the overall shape of a table ice-hockey playing figure. Thus the body 10 has an upper, head-representing portion 12, an intermediate, player body representing portion 14 and a lower edge 16. One laterally extending portion 18 of the lower edge 16 of the body, integral with the body, is of generally rectangular shape, representative of puck contacting portion of the figure, namely the blade of an ice hockey stick held by the player on the ice surface. A rectangular aperture or recess 20 is provided in the laterally extending portion 18, extending upwardly from the lower edge thereof Outwardly from the recess 20 and extending vertically through the laterally extending portion 18 is a spindle 22, to the lower end 24 of which, below lower edge 16, are rotatably mounted four laterally extending arms 26, 28, 30 and 32, each carrying at its lateral extremity a respective wind collecting means in the form of open, part-cylindrical, vertically mounted cups 34, 36, 38, 40, the open faces of which are presented in procession around the spindle 22. As part-cylindrical items, the cups 34 etc. resemble hockey pucks in overall general appearance.
These cups 34 etc may be rigidly mounted on their respective atms 26 etc. as shown, or freely rotatably mounted for rotation about their respective vertical axis.
Near the centre of the lower edge 16 of the body 10, there is provided a swivel mounting 42, comprising an elongated horizontal bracket 44 attached to the lower edge 16, a downwardly projecting pivot pin 46 rigidly attached to or integral with the bracket 44, and a pipe 50 in which the pivot pin 46 is rotatably received, in an appropriate ball bearing or roller bearing assembly (not shown). The pipe 50 has four orthogonal radially outwardly extending arms 52, 54, 56, 58 rigidly attached thereto, each with a downwardly extending spike for ground engaging purposes.
The pipe 50 also has a downwardly extending spiked end 60, terminating substantially at the same level as the spikes on the arms 52, etc.
The intermediate portion 14 of the body 10 is provided on its opposed faces with respective wind vanes 62, 64. These are rigidly mounted, in vertical orientation, near opposed lateral edges of the intermediate portion 14, with wind collecting faces presented in opposed directions so as to cause or facilitate rotation of the body 10 about the pivot connection of pivot pin 46 and pipe 50. In the embodiment illustrated, the wind vanes 62, 64 are shallow dishes ("saucers") in shape, with concave, wind collecting faces presented so that the body 10 will rotate to the right (counter-clockwise) on wind incidence.
In Figure 2 of the drawings, there is illustrated a goaltender representing figure according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. This is generally similar in structure and operation to the skater figure shown in Fig, 1, but differs in that the head representing portion 12a is in a more upright position and a hockey stick representing portion 66 is disposed diagonally across lower part of the body 10, in more accurate representation of the action position commonly adopted by a goaltender. More significantly, however, the puck contacting representative portion 18a of the device of Fig. 2 is disposed at a higher level on the body, but still in the lower part and extending laterally, to represent the goaltender's glove. Portion 18a is similarly provided with a recess 20a through which rotate wind collecting means 34a, 36a, 38a and 40a, disposed and mounted as in Fig. I, on the extremities of respective radially extending arms 26a, 28a, 30a and 32a of a spindle 22a secured to the body 10. These wind-collecting means are part-cylindrical vertically-mounted cups with open faces presented in procession, to catch the wind. As part cylindrical items, they give the general appearance of hockey pucks. As in the case of the device illustrated in Fig. 1, these cups may be freely rotatable about a vertical axis, or rigidly affixed to their respective arms.
In operation, the device is secured into the ground, outdoors, by firmly implanting spiked end 60 of the pipe 50 and the downwardly extending spiked ends of the arms 52, 54, 56, 58 into the ground at a chosen location, with the body 10 in a substantially upright position. Wind catches the wind vanes 62, 64 and causes the body to rotate about pivot pin 46 and pipe 50, to give the visual impression of an ice hockey player in action. At the same time, the wind catches the cups 34, 36, 38, 40 and rotates them through the recess 20 in the ice hockey stick representing lateral extension 18, to give the visual impression of puck hatidling being conducted by a moving ice hockey player, in the device of Fig. 2, or catching a fast-moving puck, in the case of the goaltender device of Fig. 2. The combined rotational motions of the body as a whole and the puck-imitating "carousel" relative to the body, gives an attractive, decorative representation of an ice hockey player in playing action.
The device according to the invention may be provided in a variety of different sizes and for a variety of different mounting locations. The illustrated embodiment can be life sized or smaller (for example 30 - 36 inches tall), and is intended for mounting on a soft outdoor surface such as a lawn or a garden bed. In one alternative, the swivel mounting includes a clamp instead of the ground engaging arrangement of arms and spiked ends, so that it can be mounted on top of a post, fence, railing, etc., in an outdoor environment. For mounting on wooden fences, decks, railings etc., plates for bolting to the surface structure below the rotatable connection can be provided. Any suitable mounting means can be adopted as long as it is sufficiently rigid to allow the relative rotation. Such fence-mounted devices would normally be of smaller size, for exainple 6-12 inches tall body 10 with appropriate reductions in sizes of component parts. Indoor mounting equipment may also be supplied, so that the device(s) can be floor mounted, wall mounted or shelf mounted indoors, for indoor display during winter periods.
Suitable materials for construction of the body 10 of the device include wood, sheet metal and plastic such as polyethylene and the like.
Weather resistance is required for a long-lasting outdoor device, along with coverage for the moving parts, namely the pivot points, to reduce weather deterioration. The material for the body 10 should also be chosen with a view to its ease of decoration e.g. by painting, and its durability to maintain its shape and appearance after painting, in outdoor conditions. Manufacture of the body is a simple cutting or pressing operation.
The device according to the invention is amenable to decoration, e.g.
by painting, so that it can be made more closely to imitate a player of a certain team, by application of team logos, colours and uniform characteristics of the team, to the body portion. The head portion 12 may carry the likeness of a particular player's face, further to personalize the device to the star player of a particular team.
Commonly, the device according to the invention is manufactured and supplied to the consumer as a kit of parts. The body part 10 is factory manufactured, and is preferably drilled at the factory to provide for mounting of the spindle 22 through the lateral extension. Wind vanes 62, 64, swivel mounting 42, bracket 44, spindle 22 and arm and cup parts 26, 32 etc. may be supplied separately, but as components of a kit of parts, for home assembly by the purchaser with simple tools and according to instructions provided.
While specific embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described in detail herein, it is to be understood that these are exemplary only, and the invention is not to be construed as limited thereto. The scope of the invention is defined in the appended claims, reasonably interpreted.
whereby the device, when mounted outdoors, is caused to rotate about a substantially vertical axis on said swivel mounting in response to wind engagement with said body-mounted wind-collecting means, and said rotatable vane structure is caused to rotate relative to the body on wind engagement with said arm-mounted wind collecting means.
According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a kit of parts for assembling an ice hockey player representational device, and comprising:
- a body having an upper, head-representing portion and a lower, lateral extension representing a puck playing portion;
- a swivel mounting for attachment to the lower part of said body portion and having surface engaging means at the lower end thereof;
- at least one wind-collecting means for mounting on said body portion;
- a vane structure for rotatable disposition on said lower lateral extension and comprising a spindle, a plurality of laterally extending arms mounted on the spindle, and wind collecting means on each said laterally extending arm;
- means for attaching the swivel mounting to the lower edge of the body;
- means for attaching the wind collecting means to the intermediate portion of the body;
- and means for rotatably attaching the vane structure to the lower lateral extension of the body.
BRIEF REFERENCE TO THE DRAWING
Figure l of the accompanying drawings is a front perspective view of an ice hockey player representing figure, forward or defenseman (skater) according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a similar view of an ice hockey goaltender representing figure according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.
DESCRLPTI4N OF THE PREFERRED EMBUDIMENTS.
The body portion of the device of the present invention is preferably a flat sheet, of weather durable material, such as treated wood, light sheet metal such as aluminum, or, most preferably, synthetic resin such as polyethylene, impact polystyrene, ABS resin or polyester. Tt should be receptive to decoration, since it is anticipated that it will be decorated in imitation of a specific team uniform and/or player characteristics. As an outdoor item also, suitable protection of its moving parts, namely the rotation joints, is preferably provided.
The device can be provided in a variety of different sizes, depending upon the chosen location for mounting. Larger versions can be mounted on the ground, with the surface engaging means comprising spikes to embed in a lawn or a garden bed. Smaller versions can be mounted on deck railings, fences, fence posts, walls and the like with the surface engaging means comprising brackets, clips etc for bolting or screwing to the supporting surface.
The entire device is simple and economical to manufacture, and requires no power other than natural wind power for its operation. Indeed, it can if desired be provided with an appropriate small dynamo generator, so that it acts as a power source. The generated power could be used to power lamps, e.g. to illuminate the device itself as it turns in the wind, thus fitrther enhancing its decorative effects. It can be readily supplied as a kit of parts as aforesaid, with the means for attachment constituted by standard nuts and bolts, with pre-drilled locating holes, for example, so that the purchaser-assembler can properly locate and mount items such as the wind collecting means. The device can also be disassembled for storage and transportation. The kit may also include indoor floor mounting, shelf mounting or wall mounting brackets and fasteners, so that it can be mounted and displayed indoors during winter periods.
In addition to its decorative and hockey player imitating appeal, the device, with its two different types of rotational movement in response to wind, has utility as a bird scarer.
SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION OF THE MOST PREFERRED
EMBODIMENT.
In the accompanying drawings, like reference numerals indicate like parts.
With reference to the accompanying Figure 1, an ice hockey skating player representational device according to the preferred embodiment of the invention is comprised of a body 10 of sheet-like fornt, in the overall shape of a table ice-hockey playing figure. Thus the body 10 has an upper, head-representing portion 12, an intermediate, player body representing portion 14 and a lower edge 16. One laterally extending portion 18 of the lower edge 16 of the body, integral with the body, is of generally rectangular shape, representative of puck contacting portion of the figure, namely the blade of an ice hockey stick held by the player on the ice surface. A rectangular aperture or recess 20 is provided in the laterally extending portion 18, extending upwardly from the lower edge thereof Outwardly from the recess 20 and extending vertically through the laterally extending portion 18 is a spindle 22, to the lower end 24 of which, below lower edge 16, are rotatably mounted four laterally extending arms 26, 28, 30 and 32, each carrying at its lateral extremity a respective wind collecting means in the form of open, part-cylindrical, vertically mounted cups 34, 36, 38, 40, the open faces of which are presented in procession around the spindle 22. As part-cylindrical items, the cups 34 etc. resemble hockey pucks in overall general appearance.
These cups 34 etc may be rigidly mounted on their respective atms 26 etc. as shown, or freely rotatably mounted for rotation about their respective vertical axis.
Near the centre of the lower edge 16 of the body 10, there is provided a swivel mounting 42, comprising an elongated horizontal bracket 44 attached to the lower edge 16, a downwardly projecting pivot pin 46 rigidly attached to or integral with the bracket 44, and a pipe 50 in which the pivot pin 46 is rotatably received, in an appropriate ball bearing or roller bearing assembly (not shown). The pipe 50 has four orthogonal radially outwardly extending arms 52, 54, 56, 58 rigidly attached thereto, each with a downwardly extending spike for ground engaging purposes.
The pipe 50 also has a downwardly extending spiked end 60, terminating substantially at the same level as the spikes on the arms 52, etc.
The intermediate portion 14 of the body 10 is provided on its opposed faces with respective wind vanes 62, 64. These are rigidly mounted, in vertical orientation, near opposed lateral edges of the intermediate portion 14, with wind collecting faces presented in opposed directions so as to cause or facilitate rotation of the body 10 about the pivot connection of pivot pin 46 and pipe 50. In the embodiment illustrated, the wind vanes 62, 64 are shallow dishes ("saucers") in shape, with concave, wind collecting faces presented so that the body 10 will rotate to the right (counter-clockwise) on wind incidence.
In Figure 2 of the drawings, there is illustrated a goaltender representing figure according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. This is generally similar in structure and operation to the skater figure shown in Fig, 1, but differs in that the head representing portion 12a is in a more upright position and a hockey stick representing portion 66 is disposed diagonally across lower part of the body 10, in more accurate representation of the action position commonly adopted by a goaltender. More significantly, however, the puck contacting representative portion 18a of the device of Fig. 2 is disposed at a higher level on the body, but still in the lower part and extending laterally, to represent the goaltender's glove. Portion 18a is similarly provided with a recess 20a through which rotate wind collecting means 34a, 36a, 38a and 40a, disposed and mounted as in Fig. I, on the extremities of respective radially extending arms 26a, 28a, 30a and 32a of a spindle 22a secured to the body 10. These wind-collecting means are part-cylindrical vertically-mounted cups with open faces presented in procession, to catch the wind. As part cylindrical items, they give the general appearance of hockey pucks. As in the case of the device illustrated in Fig. 1, these cups may be freely rotatable about a vertical axis, or rigidly affixed to their respective arms.
In operation, the device is secured into the ground, outdoors, by firmly implanting spiked end 60 of the pipe 50 and the downwardly extending spiked ends of the arms 52, 54, 56, 58 into the ground at a chosen location, with the body 10 in a substantially upright position. Wind catches the wind vanes 62, 64 and causes the body to rotate about pivot pin 46 and pipe 50, to give the visual impression of an ice hockey player in action. At the same time, the wind catches the cups 34, 36, 38, 40 and rotates them through the recess 20 in the ice hockey stick representing lateral extension 18, to give the visual impression of puck hatidling being conducted by a moving ice hockey player, in the device of Fig. 2, or catching a fast-moving puck, in the case of the goaltender device of Fig. 2. The combined rotational motions of the body as a whole and the puck-imitating "carousel" relative to the body, gives an attractive, decorative representation of an ice hockey player in playing action.
The device according to the invention may be provided in a variety of different sizes and for a variety of different mounting locations. The illustrated embodiment can be life sized or smaller (for example 30 - 36 inches tall), and is intended for mounting on a soft outdoor surface such as a lawn or a garden bed. In one alternative, the swivel mounting includes a clamp instead of the ground engaging arrangement of arms and spiked ends, so that it can be mounted on top of a post, fence, railing, etc., in an outdoor environment. For mounting on wooden fences, decks, railings etc., plates for bolting to the surface structure below the rotatable connection can be provided. Any suitable mounting means can be adopted as long as it is sufficiently rigid to allow the relative rotation. Such fence-mounted devices would normally be of smaller size, for exainple 6-12 inches tall body 10 with appropriate reductions in sizes of component parts. Indoor mounting equipment may also be supplied, so that the device(s) can be floor mounted, wall mounted or shelf mounted indoors, for indoor display during winter periods.
Suitable materials for construction of the body 10 of the device include wood, sheet metal and plastic such as polyethylene and the like.
Weather resistance is required for a long-lasting outdoor device, along with coverage for the moving parts, namely the pivot points, to reduce weather deterioration. The material for the body 10 should also be chosen with a view to its ease of decoration e.g. by painting, and its durability to maintain its shape and appearance after painting, in outdoor conditions. Manufacture of the body is a simple cutting or pressing operation.
The device according to the invention is amenable to decoration, e.g.
by painting, so that it can be made more closely to imitate a player of a certain team, by application of team logos, colours and uniform characteristics of the team, to the body portion. The head portion 12 may carry the likeness of a particular player's face, further to personalize the device to the star player of a particular team.
Commonly, the device according to the invention is manufactured and supplied to the consumer as a kit of parts. The body part 10 is factory manufactured, and is preferably drilled at the factory to provide for mounting of the spindle 22 through the lateral extension. Wind vanes 62, 64, swivel mounting 42, bracket 44, spindle 22 and arm and cup parts 26, 32 etc. may be supplied separately, but as components of a kit of parts, for home assembly by the purchaser with simple tools and according to instructions provided.
While specific embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described in detail herein, it is to be understood that these are exemplary only, and the invention is not to be construed as limited thereto. The scope of the invention is defined in the appended claims, reasonably interpreted.
Claims (15)
1. An ice hockey player representational device comprising;
a body having an upper, head-representing portion and a lower, lateral extension representing a puck playing portion;
a swivel mounting attached to the lower part of said body portion and having surface engaging means at the lower end thereof;
at least one wind-collecting means mounted on said body portion;
a vane structure for rotatable disposition on said lower lateral extension and comprising a spindle, a plurality of laterally extending arms mounted on the spindle, and wind collecting means on each said laterally extending arm, wherein the lower lateral extension includes a recess extending from an edge of the lateral extension, the recess being configured for the arm-mounted wind collecting means to pass through on wind-engaging rotation;
whereby the device, when mounted outdoors, is caused to rotate about a substantially vertical axis on said swivel mounting in response to wind engagement %filth said body-mounted wind-collecting means, and said rotatable vane structure is caused to rotate relative to the body on wind engagement with said arm-mounted wind collecting means.
a body having an upper, head-representing portion and a lower, lateral extension representing a puck playing portion;
a swivel mounting attached to the lower part of said body portion and having surface engaging means at the lower end thereof;
at least one wind-collecting means mounted on said body portion;
a vane structure for rotatable disposition on said lower lateral extension and comprising a spindle, a plurality of laterally extending arms mounted on the spindle, and wind collecting means on each said laterally extending arm, wherein the lower lateral extension includes a recess extending from an edge of the lateral extension, the recess being configured for the arm-mounted wind collecting means to pass through on wind-engaging rotation;
whereby the device, when mounted outdoors, is caused to rotate about a substantially vertical axis on said swivel mounting in response to wind engagement %filth said body-mounted wind-collecting means, and said rotatable vane structure is caused to rotate relative to the body on wind engagement with said arm-mounted wind collecting means.
2. The ice hockey player representational device of claim I wherein the body portion is of sheet-like form.
3. The ice hockey player representational device of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the spindle of said rotatable vane structure is mounted to extend outwardly of said recess.
4. The ice hockey player representational device of claim 3 wherein said rotatable vane structure has at least four arms disposed substantially at right-angles to one another, each arm being equipped with a wind collecting means.
5. The ice hockey player representational device of any one of claims 2 to provided with two body-mounted wind-collecting means, one on each major surface of the body.
6. The ice hockey player representational device of claim 5 wherein the body-mounted wind-collecting devices are dishes with one concave surface to face and collect wind, said dishes being mounted with concave faces presented in opposed directions to facilitate rotation due to wind impingement.
7. The ice hockey player representational device of claim 4 wherein said arm-mounted wind-collecting means are cup-shaped, with open, concave surfaces presented in procession around the spindle.
8. The ice hockey player representational device of any one of claims 1 to 7, having the overall shape of a table hockey game playing piece.
9. The ice hockey player representational device of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the body is made of durable, weather resistant, substantially rigid sheet resin.
10. The ice hockey player representational device of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the lateral extension representing a puck playing portion is an ice hockey stick representing portion, at the lower extremity of the body, and the recess is an upwardly extending recess.
11. The ice hockey player representational device of any one of claims 1 to wherein the lateral extension representing a puck playing portion is an ice hockey goaltender's glove representing portion, at a lateral side of a lower part of the body, and the recess is an inwardly extending recess.
12. A kit of parts for assembling an ice hockey player representational device, and comprising:
a body having an upper, head-representing portion and a lower, lateral extension representing a puck playing portion;
a swivel mounting for attachment to the lower part of said body portion and having surface engaging means at the lower end thereof;
at least one wind-collecting means for mounting on said body portion;
a vane structure for rotatable mounting on said lower lateral extension and comprising a spindle, a plurality of laterally extending arms mounted on the spindle, and wind collecting means on each said laterally extending arm, wherein the lower lateral extension includes a recess extending from an edge of the lateral extension, the recess being configured for the arm-mounted wind collecting means to pass through on wind-engaging rotation.
a body having an upper, head-representing portion and a lower, lateral extension representing a puck playing portion;
a swivel mounting for attachment to the lower part of said body portion and having surface engaging means at the lower end thereof;
at least one wind-collecting means for mounting on said body portion;
a vane structure for rotatable mounting on said lower lateral extension and comprising a spindle, a plurality of laterally extending arms mounted on the spindle, and wind collecting means on each said laterally extending arm, wherein the lower lateral extension includes a recess extending from an edge of the lateral extension, the recess being configured for the arm-mounted wind collecting means to pass through on wind-engaging rotation.
13. The kit according to claim 12, further comprising:
means for attaching the swivel mounting to a lower edge of the body;
means for attaching the wind collecting means to an intermediate portion of the body; and means for rotatably attaching the vane structure to the lower lateral extension of the body.
means for attaching the swivel mounting to a lower edge of the body;
means for attaching the wind collecting means to an intermediate portion of the body; and means for rotatably attaching the vane structure to the lower lateral extension of the body.
14. A sports player representational device comprising;
a body having an upper portion and a lower portion;
a swivel mounting extending downwardly from said body, and having surface engaging means at a distal end thereof; and a rotatable vane structure attached to said body, and comprising a spindle and a plurality of laterally extending arms mounted on the spindle;
wherein the lower portion of the body includes a recess extending from an edge thereof, and said recess is configured for the laterally extending arms to pass through, whereby, in response to wind, said body is caused to rotate about a substantially vertical axis on said swivel mounting and said rotatable vane structure is caused to rotate relative to the body.
a body having an upper portion and a lower portion;
a swivel mounting extending downwardly from said body, and having surface engaging means at a distal end thereof; and a rotatable vane structure attached to said body, and comprising a spindle and a plurality of laterally extending arms mounted on the spindle;
wherein the lower portion of the body includes a recess extending from an edge thereof, and said recess is configured for the laterally extending arms to pass through, whereby, in response to wind, said body is caused to rotate about a substantially vertical axis on said swivel mounting and said rotatable vane structure is caused to rotate relative to the body.
15. A kit of parts for assembling a sports player representational device comprising:
a body having an upper portion and a lower portion;
a swivel mounting for attachment to said body, and having surface engaging means at a distal end thereof; and a rotatable vane structure for attachment to said body, and comprising a spindle and a plurality of laterally extending arms mounted on the spindle, wherein the lower portion of the body includes a recess extending from an edge thereof, and said recess is configured for the laterally extending arms to pass through on wind-engaging rotation.
a body having an upper portion and a lower portion;
a swivel mounting for attachment to said body, and having surface engaging means at a distal end thereof; and a rotatable vane structure for attachment to said body, and comprising a spindle and a plurality of laterally extending arms mounted on the spindle, wherein the lower portion of the body includes a recess extending from an edge thereof, and said recess is configured for the laterally extending arms to pass through on wind-engaging rotation.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2540942A CA2540942C (en) | 2006-03-24 | 2006-03-24 | Ice hockey player replica |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2540942A CA2540942C (en) | 2006-03-24 | 2006-03-24 | Ice hockey player replica |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2540942A1 CA2540942A1 (en) | 2007-09-24 |
| CA2540942C true CA2540942C (en) | 2014-03-18 |
Family
ID=38561846
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2540942A Expired - Fee Related CA2540942C (en) | 2006-03-24 | 2006-03-24 | Ice hockey player replica |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2540942C (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN111622907A (en) * | 2020-06-15 | 2020-09-04 | 国电联合动力技术(保定)有限公司 | Heating system power supply device in wind generating set |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CA183304S (en) | 2018-09-04 | 2019-08-28 | Caissy Inc | Practice goalie |
-
2006
- 2006-03-24 CA CA2540942A patent/CA2540942C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN111622907A (en) * | 2020-06-15 | 2020-09-04 | 国电联合动力技术(保定)有限公司 | Heating system power supply device in wind generating set |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2540942A1 (en) | 2007-09-24 |
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| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |
Effective date: 20180326 |