CN108295443B

CN108295443B - Hockey stick

Info

Publication number: CN108295443B
Application number: CN201810026104.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 迈克尔·辛恩
Original assignee: Adidas AG
Current assignee: Adidas AG
Priority date: 2017-01-13
Filing date: 2018-01-11
Publication date: 2021-11-02
Anticipated expiration: 2038-01-11
Also published as: DE102017200502B4; EP3348309A2; CN108295443A; US20180200592A1; EP3348309A3; EP3348309B1; DE102017200502A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a hockey stick (21, 41) comprising a shaft (22, 42) and a head (23, 43). The head (23, 43) comprises a distal portion (24, 44), a proximal portion (25, 45) integral with the first end (26, 46) of the stem (22, 42), and a bend (27, 47) between the distal portion (24, 44) and the proximal portion (25, 45) such that an inner edge (28, 48) of the distal portion (24, 44) faces an inner edge (29, 49) of the proximal portion (25, 45). The bend angle between the inner edge (28, 48) of the distal portion (24, 44) and the inner edge (29, 49) of the proximal portion (25, 45) is between 30 and 70 degrees. The inner edge (28, 48) of the distal portion (24, 44) is straight or concave.

Description

Hockey stick

1. Field of the invention

The invention relates to a hockey stick.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The hockey stick includes a handle and a head. The wand is held by the player via a handle. The head is part of a hockey stick that contacts the hockey ball and includes a generally J or U shape. One general objective is to provide the player with a hockey stick having maximum control over hockey. Various attempts have been made to achieve this goal.

For example US4,512,573 relates to a hockey stick having a head connected to a handle in such a way that the free end of the head is bent 180 ° relative to the handle. The hockey stick is formed from multiple laminates, and the head has a thickened portion. The distance between the free end of the head and the handle is such that the hockey ball cannot pass therethrough.

US6,547,683 relates to a hockey stick having a head with an enlarged gap with an extended toe height. The stick exhibits a cyclic effect whereby when placed face down on a ball and the lowest part of the outer rim of the stick is in contact with the ground, the stick can twist in one direction to open the stick striking position and reverse the stick striking position in the other direction, while the spatial position of the stick is unchanged and the outer rim is in rolling contact on the ground and does not interfere with the ball. The head also provides enhanced capture features which provide significantly enhanced control of the ball during a stroke.

Hockey sticks with J-shaped, U-shaped, or similarly shaped heads typically have a certain bend angle at the scoop portion of the head. This bending angle is usually relatively small, e.g. about 30 degrees, which leads to the disadvantage of poor control of the hockey ball. With such a small bending angle, it is difficult to receive the hockey at the scoop portion of the head, since only a small portion of the perimeter of the hockey is received therein.

In addition, existing hockey sticks often have raised inner edges at the spoon of the head. When a hockey ball strikes and contacts such a hockey stick head, the hockey ball will easily bounce off the head of the stick in random directions and will easily slide past the head.

Fig. 1 shows a prior art hockey stick 11 and a hockey stick 13 of conventional size (i.e., according to the FIH rules), for reference. The inner edge 14 of the head of the hockey stick has a convex shape. As mentioned above, the smaller bend angle 12 and convex inner edge result in a more unpredictable movement of the hockey stick when struck and received by the hockey stick.

Furthermore, prior art hockey sticks typically have a rounded back face and a flat front face. This rounded back results in limited control of the hockey, particularly when the player wants to lift the ball, for example for dragging a quick hit.

Therefore, there is a need to provide a player with a hockey stick having better and optimized control over hockey. It is an object of the present invention to provide a hockey stick with improved ball control when stopping and when playing.

3. Summary of the invention

According to a first aspect of the invention, a hockey stick comprises: a rod portion; a head, comprising: a distal portion, a proximal portion integral with the first end of the stem, a bend between the distal portion and the proximal portion such that an inner edge of the distal portion faces an inner edge of the proximal portion, wherein a bend angle between the inner edge of the distal portion and the inner edge of the proximal portion is 30-70 degrees and the inner edge of the distal portion is straight or concave.

The hockey stick according to the present invention includes a shaft and a head. The head generally includes a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein the proximal portion is disposed closer to the shaft and the distal portion is disposed further from the shaft. Thus, the terms "proximal" and "distal" may also be defined in the usual manner with respect to the hand of the player gripping the hockey stick, i.e., with respect to the grip at the upper end of the shaft.

The proximal and distal portions of the head form a bend, i.e. the distal portion is bent relative to the proximal portion. According to the invention, the bending angle between the inner edge of the distal portion and the inner edge of the proximal portion is 30-70 degrees. An example of how such a bending angle can be defined will be given below. With such a bending angle, the opening or scoop formed between the proximal and distal portions of the hockey stick head is able to receive a larger hockey ball perimeter. In other words, with such a bending angle, the hockey is received more stably at the scoop of the hockey stick, thus enabling more prediction of the hockey movement and providing the player with better control and more reliable guidance of the hockey.

Another feature of the present invention is that the inner edge of the distal portion is straight or concave. The inventors have found that the combination of a 30-70 degree bend angle with a straight or concave inner edge of the distal section results in further improved ball handling of the hockey stick. The hockey stick of the present invention may more easily and reliably receive and guide hockey and thus provide the player with greater control over the hockey ball during the stroke.

In one embodiment, the inner edge of the distal portion may be straight, and the bend angle may be an angle between a tangent line passing through the inner edge of the proximal portion to a closest point of the shaft and a line as a line segment including the straight inner edge of the distal portion.

In another embodiment, the inner edge of the distal portion may be concave, and the bending angle may be an angle between a tangent line passing through the inner edge of the proximal portion to the closest point of the shaft portion and a line passing through two points at which the inner edges of the distal portion are at the farthest distance from each other, wherein the distance is measured along the inner edge of the distal portion.

The inner edge of the distal portion may be integral with the inner edge of the proximal portion at a bend such that the transition between the inner edge of the proximal portion and the inner edge of the distal portion is rounded. This avoids sharp transitions between the inner edges of the proximal portion and the inner edges of the distal portion.

The bend angle may be 50-65 degrees. The inventors have found that such an angular range further improves the control of hockey. Specifically, in one embodiment, the bend angle may be 62 degrees.

The scoop formed between the inner edge of the proximal portion and the inner edge of the distal portion may be used to receive hockey balls having a circumference of 224mm to 235 mm. This corresponds to the hockey perimeter of hockey 2017 according to FIH (International Union of hockey) regulations. Thus, a hockey stick in accordance with the present invention will provide optimized control for such hockey.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a hockey stick, comprising: a rod portion; a head, comprising: a front surface including a flat portion; and a back surface opposite the front surface, wherein the back surface includes a flat portion.

This back flat allows the player to lift hockey at significantly different angles and in different playing conditions. In other words, the player has greater flexibility and choice to play the ball in different ways during the game.

The rising angle between the flat portion of the back surface and the flat portion of the front surface may be 20-80 degrees. More specifically, the rise angle may be 35-55 degrees. The rise angle is defined as the angle between the flat portion of the front surface and the flat portion of the back surface. Thus, when the hockey stick is held vertically with the handle at the top of the head, the rising angle is typically at the bottom of the hockey stick. With the rising angle in the range, the hockey stick may be stably positioned and adapted to a horizontal plane when the hockey stick is tilted. This allows the player to lift the hockey more easily and forcefully.

The front and back faces may define a compartment in the hockey stick that is enclosed by the front and back faces. The compartment in the head may be at least partially hollow. This results in a lighter head for the hockey stick.

The back surface may include a plateau surface and two outer side surfaces connecting the plateau surface to the front surface. The plateau surface may have a width less than a width of the front surface such that the head has a trapezoidal cross-sectional shape. Such a geometry provides the player with optimal control over the ball direction during ascent.

The distance between the front surface and the plateau surface may define the thickness of the head. The thickness is tapered from the bend of the head toward the distal end of the head and toward the proximal portion of the head. Such a geometry allows the player to flexibly and efficiently use different parts of the head to strike and/or guide hockey. For example, a player may hit hockey forcefully at a head curvature having a greater thickness, while a player may use a head distal end having a lesser thickness to easily guide and control the hockey.

The plateau surface and the two lateral side surfaces may merge gradually into one flat back surface at the distal end of the head. Having a flat back face and a flat front face at the distal end of the head makes it easier for the player to tilt the hockey stick and more flexible control of the hockey stick.

According to all aspects of the invention, the head may have a minimum thickness at the distal end of the distal portion. Thus, the distal end can easily be located under a portion of the hockey ball for lifting the hockey ball. Also, with such a smaller distal thickness, the player can more easily control and guide the hockey.

According to all aspects of the invention, the head may comprise a thickening at the bend of the head. This part will contact the ground when lifting the hockey and act as a pivot to allow leverage.

According to all aspects of the invention, the shaft may have a first end integral with a proximal portion of the head and a second end opposite the first end and integral with the handle of the hockey stick, the shaft having an elliptical cross-sectional shape at the second end and transitioning toward the first end to a trapezoidal cross-sectional shape with rounded corners. Thus, the cross-section of the shaft may continuously transition into the cross-section of the head according to the invention, which avoids any discontinuities.

The edge of the hockey stick may be rounded and may have a continuous smooth profile. This minimizes the risk of injury and also facilitates predictable reception and impact of hockey.

According to the present invention, a hockey stick may incorporate the features of both aspects of the present invention as described above. Accordingly, the hockey stick may include: a rod portion; a head, comprising: a distal portion, a proximal portion integral with the first end of the stem, a bend between the distal portion and the proximal portion such that an inner edge face of the distal portion faces an inner edge of the proximal portion, wherein a bend angle between the inner edge of the distal portion and the inner edge of the proximal portion is 30-70 degrees and the inner edge of the distal portion is straight or concave. The head may further include: a front surface including a flat portion; and a back surface opposite the front surface, wherein the back surface includes a flat portion.

4. Description of the drawings

Aspects of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the following figures. These figures show that:

FIG. 1 is a prior art hockey stick;

FIG. 2 is an exemplary embodiment of an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an exemplary embodiment of an aspect of the present invention;

FIGS. 4A-4H are exemplary embodiments according to aspects of the present invention; and

fig. 5 is a different view of an embodiment including the cross-section of fig. 4A-4H.

5. Detailed description of the preferred embodiments

Fig. 2 shows a hockey stick 21 according to a first aspect of the present invention. The hockey stick 21 includes a shaft 22 and a head 23. The head 23 comprises a distal portion 24, a proximal portion 25 integral with the first end 26 of the stem 22, a bend 27 between the distal portion 24 and the proximal portion 25 such that an inner edge 28 of the distal portion faces an inner edge 29 of the proximal portion 25. The angle of bend 27 between inner edge 28 of distal portion 24 and inner edge 29 of proximal portion 25 is typically 30-70 degrees. In the exemplary embodiment of fig. 2, the bend angle 27 is 62 °. In other examples, the bend angle 27 may be 50-65. Also, in accordance with the present invention, the inner edge 28 of the distal portion 24 is straight or concave. In the exemplary embodiment of fig. 2, the inner edge 28 is straight.

The hockey stick in accordance with all aspects of the present invention may be made from any suitable material. Suitable materials include wood, carbon fiber, and fiberglass, among others. This list is non-limiting. Also, the hockey sticks according to all aspects of the present invention may be manufactured according to different methods and methods or new methods available in the art.

In the exemplary embodiment of fig. 2, inner edge 28 of distal portion 24 and inner edge 29 of proximal portion 25 are straight. The bending angle 27 is therefore defined as the angle between the (straight) extensions of the inner edges, which in this example is 62 °. If the inner edges have different geometries, the bend angle may be defined, for example, as the angle between a tangent line passing through the inner edge 29 of the proximal portion 25 to the closest point of the shaft 22 and a line as a line segment including the straight inner edge 28 of the distal portion 24. If the inner edge 28 of the distal portion 24 is concave, the bend angle 27 can be defined, for example, as the angle between a tangent line passing through the inner edge 29 of the proximal portion 25 to the closest point of the shaft 22 and a line passing through the two points at which the inner edges 28 of the distal portion 24 are at the farthest distance from each other, as measured along the inner edge 28 of the distal portion 24. It should be noted that these definitions of the bending angle 27 are merely exemplary and that different geometries of different portions of the hockey stick head 23 may have different defined bending angles.

In the example of fig. 2, inner edge 28 of distal portion 24 is integral with inner edge 29 of proximal portion 25 at bend 27 such that the transition between inner edge 29 of proximal portion 25 and inner edge 28 of distal portion 24 is rounded. However, in other examples, this transition may not be circular, but may be a discontinuous generation.

In the example of fig. 2, scoop 210 formed between inner edge 29 of proximal portion 25 and inner edge 28 of distal portion 24 is configured to receive hockey 211 having a perimeter of 224mm to 235 mm. This corresponds to the perimeter of the hockey in accordance with FIH (International Union of hockey) rules for hockey 2017. However, the present invention is not generally limited to such a range of perimeters.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, the hockey ball 211 may be more stably received at the scoop 210 due to the greater bending angle of the head 23 of the hockey stick 21 and the straight inner edge 28 of the distal portion 24. The majority of the circumference of the hockey ball 211 is received at scoop 210 between the two points of contact where the hockey ball 211 is in contact with the hockey stick 21 on inner edge 28 of distal portion 24 and inner edge 29 of proximal portion 25, respectively.

Another aspect of the invention is shown on the left hand side of figure 3. The exemplary hockey stick 31 of this exemplary embodiment includes a shaft 32 and a head 33. The head 33 includes: a front surface 34 comprising a flat portion, and a back surface 35 opposite the front surface 34, wherein the back surface 35 comprises a flat portion 36. It should be noted that fig. 3 shows the hockey stick 31 in two positions, i.e., a more vertical position and a more inclined position, where reference numerals refer to the more vertical position.

In the exemplary embodiment, the front face 34 is defined as the surface to the left of the hockey stick 31 when the hockey stick 31 is vertically disposed and when the hockey stick handle extends away from the player closer to the body and head 33 of the player. Thus, the back face 35 is opposite the front face and is on the right side of the hockey stick 31 when the hockey stick 31 is positioned as described above.

As shown in fig. 3 in the more inclined position of the hockey stick, the flat portion 36 of the back face 35 may rest on the ground, i.e. mate with a flat surface. This configuration of the flat portion 36 of the back 35 allows the player to lift the hockey with greater strength and more forceful because the flat portion 36 may act as a lever. In addition, the player may lift hockey at significantly different angles and different playing conditions.

The right hand side of fig. 3 shows a conventional hockey stick with a fully rounded back instead of at least a flat portion on the back of the head. It will be seen and understood that without the flat portion of the rear face it is more difficult to lift the hockey ball, because the rounded rear face cannot be held stably against the ground, and because only a relatively small portion of the hockey stick may be placed under the hockey ball to lift it.

In the example of fig. 3, the rising angle 37 between the flat portion 36 of the back surface 35 and the flat portion of the front surface 34 is 45 °. In other examples, the rise angle may be 20-80 for different requirements. More specifically, the rise angle may be 35-55.

Fig. 4A-4H illustrate a hockey stick 41 in accordance with aspects of the present invention, where fig. 4A shows an interior view, fig. 4B shows the head 43 of fig. 4A in greater detail, fig. 4C shows a rear view, fig. 4D shows a front view, fig. 4E shows an exterior view, fig. 4F shows the head 43 of fig. 4E in greater detail, fig. 4G shows a top view, and fig. 4H shows a bottom view.

The hockey stick 41 includes a shaft 42 and a head 43. The head 43 includes a distal portion 44, a proximal portion 45 integral with a first end 46 of the stem 42, and a bend 47 between the distal portion 44 and the proximal portion 45 such that an inner edge 48 of the distal portion 44 faces an inner edge 49 of the proximal portion 45. The angle of bend 47 between inner edge 48 of distal portion 44 and inner edge 49 of proximal portion 45 is typically 30-70. In the exemplary embodiment of fig. 4A-4F, bend angle 47 is 62 °. Further, the inner edge 48 is preferably straight. This construction corresponds substantially to the embodiment of fig. 2. Therefore, what is described in relation to fig. 2 is also valid for the embodiments of fig. 4A-4F.

The head 43 of the exemplary embodiment of fig. 4A-4F further includes: a front surface 411 including a flat portion, and a back surface 412 opposite the front surface 411. The back surface 412 includes a flat portion 413. Such a configuration is shown in fig. 4C-4H and corresponds substantially to the embodiment of fig. 3. Therefore, what is described in relation to fig. 3 is also valid for the embodiments of fig. 4A-4F.

Referring to fig. 4F, the back surface 412 may include a plateau surface 414 and two outer side surfaces 415, 416 that connect the plateau surface 414 with a front surface 411 (not shown, and hidden behind). In the example shown in fig. 4F, one of the outer side surfaces 415 is preferably flat and may be considered a flat portion of the back surface 412, which may be referred to as the flat portion 413 shown in fig. 4D. That is, the lift angle is formed between the flat outer side surface 415 and the front surface 411. The flat outer side surface 415 is preferably located at the bottom of the head 43 of the hockey stick 41, as shown in fig. 4F, and may rest and stabilize on the ground when the hockey stick 41 is tilted. In other words, when the hockey stick 41 is used to lift hockey, the outboard surface may contact the ground and act as a pivot to allow leverage.

Optionally, the plateau surface 414 has a width smaller than the width of the front surface 411, so that the head 43 has a trapezoidal cross-sectional shape, which is surrounded by said front surface 411, the plateau surface 414 and the two outer side surfaces 415, 416. This is shown in fig. 5, where the trapezoidal cross-section is indicated with reference numeral 51.

Referring to fig. 4F and 4H, the head 43 preferably includes a thickening at the bend 47 of the head 43, i.e., the portion of the head 43 between the proximal portion 45 and the distal portion 44. This portion of the head 43 at the bend is normally used to strike the hockey stick when the hockey stick contacts the hockey stick at the front face. The thickening at or near bend 47 helps to transfer more power when hitting a ball with the hockey stick, thus providing a stronger and more efficient ball for the player during play.

Another advantage of the new back face 412 of the head 43 of the hockey stick 41 is improved stiffness of the hockey stick at the bend. Stiffness and power are often contradictory and are not compatible with existing hockey sticks. But with this new back 412, the player is able to hit the hockey ball more strongly at the point of contact without losing control of the ball and comfort to the player.

Also, as shown in FIG. 5, the distance between the front surface and the plateau surface defines the thickness of the head 43. The thickness tapers from the bend 47 of the head 43 toward the distal end 52 of the head 43 and toward the proximal portion 45 of the head 43. Further, as shown in fig. 5, the plateau surface 414 and the two lateral side surfaces 415, 416 gradually merge into one flat back surface at the distal end 52 of the head 43. Thus, the head 43 has its minimum thickness at the distal end 52 of the distal portion 44 of the head 43. This tapering of the thickness is also visible in fig. 4G and 4H.

In the exemplary embodiment of fig. 5, the stem portion 42 has an elliptical cross-sectional shape 54 at an upper end that transitions toward a trapezoidal cross-sectional shape 55 with rounded corners at a lower end that is integral with the head portion 43. Of course, the transition position of the shape can be flexibly adjusted according to different requirements and requirements.

In all embodiments of the present invention, the edge of the hockey stick is preferably rounded and has a continuous smooth profile.

It should also be appreciated that a hockey stick in accordance with embodiments of the present invention may have additional features that are feasible and suitable for use with a hockey stick. For example, the hockey stick may have different levels of bow at different positions relative to the hockey stick handle. The level and position of the bow may be selected and adjusted according to different needs and types of hockey sticks. Preferably, the maximum depth of the arch is 25mm in accordance with FIH (International conference on hockey) rules for hockey 2017.

Claims

1. A hockey stick, comprising:

a rod portion;

a head, comprising:

-a front surface comprising a flat portion; and

a back side opposite to the front side, wherein the back side comprises a flat portion,

wherein the rear face comprises a plateau surface and two outer side surfaces connecting the plateau surface with the front face, a first of the two outer side surfaces at the bottom of the hockey stick head being flat,

the flat portion of the back face refers to the first outer side surface,

wherein the plateau surface and the two lateral surfaces gradually merge into one flat back surface at the distal end of the head;

wherein the rise angle between the flat portion of the back surface and the flat portion of the front surface is between 20 and 80 degrees.

2. The hockey stick of claim 1, wherein the elevation angle is between 35 and 55 degrees.

3. The hockey stick of claim 2, wherein the elevation angle is 45 °.

4. The hockey stick of claim 1, wherein the front face and the back face define a hockey stick compartment that is enclosed by the front face and the back face.

5. The hockey stick of claim 4, wherein the compartment of the head is at least partially hollow.

6. The hockey stick of claim 1, wherein the width of the plateau surface is less than the width of the front surface such that the head has a trapezoidal cross-sectional shape.

7. The hockey stick of claim 1, wherein the distance between the front face and the plateau face defines a thickness of the head that tapers from the curvature of the head towards the distal end of the head and towards the proximal end of the head.

8. The hockey stick of claim 1, wherein the head comprises:

-a distal portion,

-a proximal portion integral with the first end of the stem,

-having a bend between the distal portion and the proximal portion such that the inner edge of the distal portion faces the inner edge of the proximal portion, wherein the bend angle between the inner edge of the distal portion and the inner edge of the proximal portion is between 30 and 70 degrees and the inner edge of the distal portion is straight or concave.

9. The hockey stick of claim 8, wherein the inner edge of the distal portion is straight, and the bend angle is the angle between a tangent line passing through the inner edge of the proximal portion to the closest point of the shaft portion and a line comprising the straight inner edge of the distal portion as a line segment.

10. The hockey stick of claim 8, wherein the inner edge of the distal portion is concave, and the bend angle is the angle between a tangent line passing through the inner edge of the proximal portion to the closest point of the shaft and a line passing through the two points at which the inner edges of the distal portion are the farthest distance from each other, wherein the distance is measured along the inner edge of the distal portion.

11. The hockey stick of claim 8, wherein the inner edge of the distal portion is integral with the inner edge of the proximal portion at a bend such that the transition between the inner edge of the proximal portion and the inner edge of the distal portion is rounded.

12. The hockey stick of claim 8, wherein the bend angle is between 50 and 65 degrees.

13. The hockey stick of claim 8, wherein the scoop formed between the inner edge of the proximal portion and the inner edge of the distal portion is adapted to receive hockey balls having a perimeter of between 224mm and 235 mm.

14. The hockey stick of any one of claims 1-13, wherein the head has a minimum thickness at the distal end of the distal section.

15. The hockey stick of any one of claims 1-13, wherein the head includes a thickening at the bend of the head.

16. The hockey stick of any one of claims 1-13, wherein the shaft has a first end integral with a proximal portion of the head and a second end opposite the first end, the second end integral with the handle of the hockey stick, the shaft having an elliptical cross-sectional shape at the second end, and the shaft transitioning toward the first end into a trapezoidal cross-sectional shape with rounded corners.

17. The hockey stick of any one of claims 1-13, wherein the hockey stick's edge is rounded and has a continuous smooth profile.