CA2992873A1

CA2992873A1 - A height adjustable base for use in a stick handling training system

Info

Publication number: CA2992873A1
Application number: CA2992873A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Jonathan Theriault; Christian Gautreau; Todd Smith
Original assignee: Hockeyshot Inc
Current assignee: Hockeyshot Inc
Priority date: 2018-01-25
Filing date: 2018-01-25
Publication date: 2019-07-25
Also published as: CA3031496A1; US20190224547A1

Abstract

The present invention discloses a stick-handling training system intended, but not limited to, sports like hockey, ringette and field hockey. The system is comprised of height adjustable bases and cross members. The height adjustable bases are vertically adjustable and elevate the cross members from the ground at heights that can vary based on the object used to be passed underneath in stick-handling training.

Description

A HEIGHT ADJUSTABLE BASE FOR USE IN A STICK HANDLING
TRAINING SYSTEM
Field of the invention The present invention is in the field of stick handling training system and more specifically to a height adjustable base for use in such a system.
Background Stick handling training systems are known and used by hockey players around the world. The conventional stick handling training systems are fixed systems for a certain height. Therefore, there is a need for a stick handling training system which has an adjustable height and can allow .. different items such as a puck, ball or any other item used for stick handling training exercises.
Summary The present invention provides a height adjustable base for use in a stick handling training system and stick handling training system using a height adjustable base.
In a first aspect, the present invention provides a height adjustable base for use in a stick handling training system comprising an inner core for interconnecting cross-members used in the stick handling training system and a shell for receiving the inner core. The base also has a range defined by a first position of the inner core within the shell and a second position of the inner core extended away from the shell and raising cross members interconnected to the inner core.
In a second aspect, the present invention provides a stick handling training system comprising two or more height adjustable bases for use in a stick handling training system comprising an inner core for interconnecting cross-members used in the stick handling training system and a shell for receiving the inner core. The base also has a range defined by a first position of the inner core within the bases and a second position of the inner core extended away from the bases and raising cross members interconnected to the inner cores and one or more cross members interconnected to the two or more height adjustable bases.

Parts Labelled in the Drawings 010 Variable Height Hockey Stick-Handling Device 100 Cross Member 110 Cross Member End Connector 111 Cross Member End Connector Soft Grip feature 115 Cross Member End Connector Locking Groove feature 500 Height adjustable base 501 Height adjustable base Top Surface 510 Height adjustable base Outer shell 511 Height adjustable base Outer shell Top Surface 512 Height adjustable base Outer shell Side Access for Button 513 Height adjustable base Outer shell Top Opening 514 Height adjustable base Outer shell Internal Sides 520 Height adjustable base Inner core 521 Column Connection Socket 522 Cross Member Release Tab (located on the Column Inner core) 523 Cross Member Locking Protrusion (located on the Column Inner core) 524 Cross Member Release Tab Slits (located on the Column Inner core) 525 Height adjustable base Inner core Connection Socket Wall 526 Height adjustable base Inner core Connection Socket Bottom 527 Height adjustable base Inner core Side Buttons 528 Height adjustable base Inner core Side Vertical Wall 530 Height adjustable base Feet 540 Height adjustable base Ice Spikes 550 Outer lip on inner core 560 Inner lip on shell 700 A first position from the range of the inner core 710 A second position from the range of the inner core 720 A transition position from the range of the inner core .

2 Brief Description of the Drawings It will now be convenient to describe the invention with particular reference to one embodiment of the present invention. It will be appreciated that the drawings relate to one embodiment of the present invention only and are not to be taken as limiting the invention.
Further more, it shall be understood that the embodiments are not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in the attached drawings.
Figure 1 illustrates a perspective top view of a random configuration that may be achieved using the embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 illustrates a perspective top view of a simple arrangement according to one embodiment of the present invention. This view is in exploded state to show how the cross member and height adjustable bases interact together;
Figure 3 illustrates a perspective side view of the cross member according to one embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 3A illustrates a magnified perspective side view of the cross-member end connector as shown in Figure 3 according to one embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 4A illustrates a perspective top view of the height adjustable base, at it's lowered position, according to one embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 4B illustrates a perspective top view of the height adjustable base, at it's raised position, according to one embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 4C illustrates a detailed perspective top view of the height adjustable base according to one embodiment of the present invention. This view is in exploded state to show how the components of the height adjustable bases interact together;
Figure 5 illustrate an elevational view of a cross-section detailing a cross-member inserted into a height adjustable base's connection socket according to one embodiment of the present invention.

3 Figure 6A illustrate an elevational view of a cross-section detailing the height adjustable base in it's elevated state according to one embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 6B illustrate an elevational view of a cross-section detailing the height adjustable base in it's lowered state according to one embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 7A illustrates a top view of the height adjustable base inner core according to one embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 7B illustrates a perspective top view of the height adjustable base inner core according to one embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 7C illustrates a perspective top view of a cross-section, as sketched in Figure 7A, detailing the height adjustable base inner core according to one embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 8A illustrates a top view of the height adjustable base outer shell according to one embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 8B illustrates a perspective top view of the height adjustable base outer shell according to one embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 8C illustrates a perspective top view of a cross-section, as sketched in Figure 8A, detailing the height adjustable base outer shell according to one embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 9 illustrates a top view of a height adjustable base which is shown in cross sections under .. Figures 9A-9C in order to further illustrate the range of the height adjustable base according to one embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 9A illustrates a first position of the range for the inner core according to one embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 9B illustrates a second position of the range for the inner core according to one embodiment of the present invention;

4 Figure 9C illustrates a transition position of the range for the inner core according to one embodiment of the present invention;
Detailed Description The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred and other embodiments of the invention are shown.
No embodiment described below limits any claimed invention and any claimed invention may cover processes or apparatuses that are not described below. The claimed inventions are not limited to apparatuses or processes having all the features of any one apparatus or process described below or to features common to multiple or all of the apparatuses described below. It is possible that an apparatus or process described below is not an embodiment of any claimed invention. The applicants, inventors or owners reserve all rights that they may have in any invention claimed in this document, for example the right to claim such an invention in a continuing application and do not intend to abandon, disclaim or dedicate to the public any such invention by its disclosure in this document.
FIGS. 1-2 illustrates a front perspective view of a stick-handling training system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The hockey stick-handling system 10 includes a plurality of cross members 100 and height adjustable bases 500. In operation, the height adjustable bases 500 are vertically adjustable and elevate the cross members 100 from the ground at optimum heights that can vary based on the object used for stick-handling (such as a hockey puck or ball) to pass underneath them. The columns 500 also have multiple insertion points 521 for cross members connectors 110 that allows a modular approach where more than one cross member 100 may be connected to a column 500 and the cross members 100 can rotate about the connecting point 521. The connection interface between the two parts is such that it easily enables the assembly to be lengthened or shortened as needed and collapses for easy transportation.
The cross member 100, as shown in FIG.3 is characterised by its elongated body that has, at both ends, a cylinder-type feature 110 pointing downwards that effectively acts as the pivot and connection point with the height adjustable base 500. This cylinder pivot 110 is further

5 characterised by two distinctive features, the first one being the addition of a soft-type material 111 that slightly extends past the side surface of the cylinder 110 up to a point where it creates a small resistance against rotational movement when inserted in the height adjustable base cavity 521. The said feature is particularly useful where it allows for the user to effortlessly place the .. cross-member 100 at a desired angle in relation to the height adjustable base 500 but also provide for a locking force strong enough to keep the apparatus in place, was the object used for stick-handling training to come in contact with one of the members of the system 10.
The second feature on the said connection cylinder 110 is the semi-circular shaped groove 115 around its axis that works in conjunction with a locking feature 523 (that will be further detailed) .. intended to keep the cross-member 100 and height adjustable base 500 together in such a way that it prevents disassembly caused by a vertical motion. For example, if the system 10 is to be picked up as a whole by the user grabbing the cross-members 100 only, this locking feature will prevent the height adjustable bases 500 from falling down.
The height adjustable height adjustable base 500, as represented in FIG. 4A in its lowered position, is most predominantly characterized by its ability to be easily raised up (as shown in FIG. 4B), increasing clearance between the training ground and the cross-member 100, thus allowing the user to train with a wide variety of objects; whether it be low-laying (such as a hockey puck), or needs more clearance (like a ball). The height adjustable base 500 also features more than two connecting points 521 where the cross-members 100 can be docked, allowing for a modular approach and enabling users to develop more intricate training patterns than when using a traditional chain-type product. The exploded view FIG. 4C displays the individual components making up the height adjustable base 500; the outer shell 510, the inner core 520, the base feet 530 and ice spikes 540.
The inner core 520, as shown in FIGS. 7A-7C, is characterized by the cylindrical cavities 521 located at the top, used as connection points for the cross-members connectors 110. Those cavities are each featuring a tab 522 that includes a protrusion 523 which, when a cross-member 100 is inserted, sits within the locking groove 115 of the cross-member connector 110, effectively preventing both parts to be separated when a force is applied along the axis of the cylindrical cavity 521 while still allowing for rotational movement about the said axis. The body .. of the tab 523 makes up a section of the cylindrical cavity wall 525 wherein slits 524 on each

6 side of the tabs 522 grant independent movement from the cylindrical wall 525.
It is also extended past the bottom of the cavity 526 so that the user can release the cross-member 100 by pushing the tab 522 away from the cylinder 521 center.
The inner core 520 also features two buttons 527, located on opposite sides, that extend slightly beyond the vertical sides 528 of this piece. The described button 527 is used to lock the inner core 520 in position in relation to the outer base 530 in either raised (FIG.
6A) or lowered position (FIG. 6B). When in raised position, the button 527 sits atop the outer base's top surface's edge 511. In the lowered position, an opening 512 with the same shape of the button 527 on either side of the outer base 510 allows for the button 527 to spring back in the rest position, keeping the inner core 520 in place.
The outer shell 510, as shown in FIGS. 8A-8C features an opening 513 at the top with a geometry that allows for the inner core 520 to slide in and out of. The internal sides 514 of the outer shell are vertical and acting as a sliding guide for the inner core 520.
Openings 512 are located on each side in a manner that when the inner core 520 is in the lowered position, the side buttons 527 are released within those holes 512 and the top surfaces 501 of both the inner core 520 and outer shell 510 are sharing the same plane. The outer shell 510 also features feet 530 made of a soft material (like rubber, or polyethylene) that provide grip to hold the apparatus 001 in place when in use on hard training surfaces. In situations where the columns 500 are resting on slippery surfaces such as ice, sharp-tipped screws 540, threaded into the outer shell 510, may be raised or lowered as deemed necessary by the user.
With reference to Figures 9-9C a height adjustable base according to one embodiment is shown with a range of height defined for the inner core 520. With specific reference to Figure 9A, the inner core 520 is in a first position 700 which is defined by the inner core being enclosed within shell 510. A second position 710 is defined with the inner core 520 extended away from the shell as shown in Figure 9B. A transition position is shown in Figure 9C with the inner core 520 being in the range in between the first and second positions 700 and 710. The range of inner core 520 is defined by the range of movement of the inner from the first and second positions.
With further reference to Figure 9B and according to one embodiment of the present invention, outer lip 550 on inner core 520 restricts the movement of the inner core by contact with inner lip

7 560 on shell 510. The contact between lips 550 and 560 assures inner core will remain within the shell 510.

8

Claims

Claims:

1. A height adjustable base for use in a stick handling training system comprising:
a) An inner core for interconnecting cross-members used in the stick handling training system;
b) A shell for receiving the inner core; and c) A range defined by a first position of the inner core within the shell and a second position of the inner core extended away from the shell and raising cross members interconnected to the inner core.

2. A stick handling training system comprising:
a) two or more height adjustable bases for use in a stick handling training system comprising:
i) An inner core for interconnecting cross-members used in the stick handling training system;
ii) A shell for receiving the inner core; and iii) A range defined by a first position of the inner core within the bases and a second position of the inner core extended away from the bases and raising cross members interconnected to the inner cores.
b) and one or more cross members interconnected to the two or more height adjustable bases.

3. Any invention as may be defined in the above description.