GB2432124A

GB2432124A - A hurley

Info

Publication number: GB2432124A
Application number: GB0612654A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Grehan; Thomas Wright; Stephen Lee
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-11-09
Filing date: 2006-06-27
Publication date: 2007-05-16
Anticipated expiration: 2026-06-27
Also published as: IE20060476A1; CN2868352Y; GB0612654D0; GB2432124B

Abstract

A hurley comprises a tubular thermoplastic core 10 extending along the shaft of the hurley and curving round in the boss 12, a cellular reinforcing body 14 located in the boss inside the curve of the core, and at least one layer of resin-coated fabric 16 wrapped around the core and reinforcing body. Preferably the fabric comprises fiberglass, carbon fibre or Kevlar (RTM) . Optionally the cellular reinforcing body comprises a net, lattice, ripple or beehive structure.

Description

A Hurley This invention relates to sports equipment, in particular an

improved hurley.

Traditional hurleys are usually made of timber, most usually ash. It is well known that timber can deform due to changes in the environment. When using a hurley made from timber, structural problems can occur over time, causing the hurley to warp and this in turn effects the consistency and reliability of the hurley.

Also, lack of consistency in the quality of the ash due to increasing demand is affecting the quality of the traditional timber hurley.

An object of the invention is to overcome or mitigate the existing problems of timber-based hurleys, by providing a hurley which is strong in structure, accurate and consistent in its use and stroke, steady to hold, and not easily deformed by the environment.

According to the invention there is provided a hurley comprising a tubular thermoplastic core extending along the shaft of the hurley and curving round in the boss, a cellular reinforcing body located in the boss, and at least one layer of resin-coated fabric wrapped around the core and reinforcing body.

The invention further provides a method of making a hurley comprising: providing an elongated tubular thermoplastic core curving round at one end, locating a cellular reinforcing body inside the curve of the core, applying at least one layer of resin-coated fabric wrapped around the core and reinforcing body, placing the wrapped structure in a mould having the shape of the hurley, heating the mould to soften the core, pressurising the interior of the core to expand the structure to fill the mould, and cooling the expanded structure.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a longitudinal cross-section through a hurley according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 shows the two halves of a mould used in the manufacture of the hurley of Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows the mould closed.

Figure 4 is a longitudinal cross-section through the closed mould.

Referring to Figure 1, the hurley comprises an elongated thermoplastic, e.g. nylon, tube 10 as its core. The tube 10 extends along the shaft of the hurley and curves round through approximately 180 in the boss (hitting area) 12. A cellular reinforcing body 14, formed for example from polystyrene, is located in the boss 12 on the inside of the curve of the core. (In variations of the embodiment shown, the body 14 may extend along a portion of the shaft.) Substantially the entire core and reinforcing body are wrapped in resin-coated fabric 16 which is moulded to the desired shape of the hurley. The cellular body 14 may comprise a net, lattice, ripple or beehive structure. The presence of the body 14 ensures a more effective "sweet spot" and increases the hitting intensity of the hurley when it comes in contact with the ball (sliothar) . The fabric 16 can be fibreglass, carbon fibre or Keviar, applied in one or more layers.

To make the hurley, a straight thermoplastic tube 10 is closed at one end, and the closed end, intended to be within the boss of the hurley, is bent round to form a curve. A cellular reinforcing body 14 is located inside the curve, and one or more layers of resin-coated fabric 16 are wrapped completely around the core and reinforcing body except at the handle end of the hurley where the end 18 of the tube 10 is open.

Before the resin is cured, the fabric-covered tube 10 is placed in the cavity 20 of a two-part mould 22 and 24, Figures 2 to 4, the cavity 20 being in the shape of the desired hurley. The two halves of the mould are pressed together and heated to a temperature of between 100 C -160 C. The fabric-covered tube remains in the mould for between 10 -60 minutes.

Inside the closed mould the interior of the tube 10 is in communication with an air hole 26 via its open end 18. During the moulding process the interior of the tube 10 is subjected to an air pressure of 3 to 10 bars (-300-l000kPa) via the air hole 26. This expands the fabric-covered tube structure so that it fills the mould cavity 20 and the fabric 16 is forced into intimate contact with the inner walls of the cavity, so that the structure assumes the shape of the cavity.

After moulding, the expanded structure is removed from the mould and cooled so that the resin sets. The hole at the end 18 of the tube is sealed with a stopper material and the hurley is then finished by applying another layer of plastic, followed by a final coat of paint or other finish.

A hurley designed and manufactured by the above process and materials has many advantages: -Consistency in the quality of the finished hurleys.

-The "Sweet Spot" is well defined and delivers higher hitting intensity due to the beehive structure in the hitting area (boss).

-The fabric structure makes the hurley more elastic.

-The consistency delivers "hand feeling" when compared to traditional hurleys.

-It is a simple structure, easy to replicate with consistency.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment described herein which may be modified or varied without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims 1. A hurley comprising a tubular thermoplastic core extending

along the shaft of the hurley and curving round in the boss, a cellular reinforcing body located in the boss, and at least one layer of resin-coated fabric wrapped around the core and reinforcing body.

2. A hurley as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fabric comprises fibreglass, carbon fibre or Keviar.

3. A burley as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the cellular reinforcing body comprises a net, lattice, ripple or beehive structure.

4. A method of making a hurley comprising: providing an elongated tubular thermoplastic core curving round at one end, locating a cellular reinforcing body inside the curve of the core, applying at least one layer of resin-coated fabric wrapped around the core and reinforcing body, placing the wrapped structure in a mould having the shape of the hurley, heating the mould to soften the core, pressurising the interior of the core to expand the structure to fill the mould, and cooling the expanded structure.

5. A burley substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

6. A method of making a hurley substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.