IES85474Y1 - A hurley - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT The present invention relates to a hurley stick. More specifically, the invention relates to a hurley having a handle with a bas at one end ofthe handle. Such hurlcy sticks are used in playing games such as hurling, camogie or shinty. The invention comprises a hurley having one or more through-holes in the bets. This results in improved performance in the hurley.

Description

A Hurley Introduction The present invention relates to a hurley stick. More specifically, the invention relates to a hurley having a handle with a bas at one end of the handle. Such hurley sticks are used in playing games such as hurling, camogie or shinty.

The game of hurling is widely played though-out Ireland and in areas abroad where the Irish have settled. Similar games such as shinty and camogie are also played.

The game of hurling comprises two teams of players using hurley sticks to hit a ball called a sliotar so as to score points and goals. The hurley has a handle with a bas at a lower end of the handle. A hand grip is provided at an upper end of the handle and the bas comprises a rounded area having opposing ball-striking faces on each side thereof.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a hurley stick or the like that will provide an improved performance.

Statements of Invention According to the invention there is provided a hurley comprising a handle with a bas at one end of the handle characterised in that the has comprises one or more through-holes.

In this way, the hurley provides more accurate control of the sliotar or other ball, allowing for more control by the player over the sliotar. The through-holes in the bas reduce the disturbance in the air as the hurley moves through the air, thereby reducing the effect of the disturbed air on the sliotar before and during the striking of the sliotar by the hurley.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a hurley in which the through- holes comprise elongate slots. This is a particularly effective arrangement of through-holes in the bas. ;.05e% In another embodiment of the invention there is provided a hurley in which the slots are generally in alignment with the grain of wood in the bas.

In a further embodiment of the invention there is provided a hurley in which the elongate slots are substantially parallel. Again, this is a particularly effective arrangement of through—holes in the bas. and additionally, is convenient to manufacture.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention there is provided a hurley in which the through—ho|es are centrally located in the bas. This is particularly useful as ideally, the centre of the bas is the area that will in contact with the ball during use.

In an embodiment of the invention there is provided a hurley in which at least one of the through—ho|es is a different size to another through-hole. This allows for suitable positioning of the through-holes in the bas, as they should not be located too close to the edge of the hurley.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a hurley in which each through—ho|e has a length of at least four times the width of the through-holes.

In another embodiment of the invention there is provided a hurley in which the through~ho|es have a width of approximately 6mm. This is a particularly convenient width for the through-holes as it will not interfere with the sliotar during striking.

Detailed Description of the Invention The invention will be more clearly understood by the following description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings. in which: Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a hurley according to the invention; Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail perspective view of a bas of the hurley in Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail perspective view of a bas of an alternative embodiment of the hurley according to the invention.

Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated a hurley according to the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 1. The hurley 1 has a handle 2 with a has 3 at a lower end of the handle 2. A hand grip 4 is provided at an upper end of the handle 2. A metal band 5 may be provided around portion of the bas 3. In accordance with the present invention, a number of spaced-apart through-holes, in this case substantially parallel elongate slots 6. are provided in the bas 3 extending through the bas 3 between opposite ball striking faces on each side of the bas 3.

With reference in particular to Figs. 2 and 3. it will be noted that in the embodiment of hurley 1 shown the slots 6 are centrally located on the has 3 and the slots 6 are generally in alignment with the grain of the wood in the has 3. It is envisaged however that various other arrangements of the slots 6 in the bas 3 could be provided .

Referring now to Fig. 2, there is shown a detail of a bas having four parallel slots, wherein the lowest slot is shorter than the remaining slots. Referring now to Fig. 3, there is shown a detail of a bas having three parallel slots, wherein the three slots are substantially the same size and shape.

In this case slots 6 of width approximately 6mm and having a length of between 30 and 55mm are provided. Here again it is envisaged that slots 6 of different dimensions may be provided in alternative embodiments of the invention.

In use, the Hurley 1 is used in a conventional manner in playing the game of hurting.

The player strikes the sliotar or other ball using the ball striking face of the hurley, which face includes the through-holes.

The provision of the slots 6 in the bas 3 facilitates improved accuracy and control of shots when hitting a sliothar or ball with the hurley 1.

While the invention has been described with reference to a hurley stick, it will be appreciated that the invention may equally be applied to camogie sticks, shinty sticks and the like also. The invention can be applied to wooden hurley sticks and also to hurley sticks of composite construction or of plastics material.

It will be understood by the person skilled in the art that the through-holes of the invention are not limited to elongate slots and may comprise circular or other shape through-holes.

In the specification the terms ‘comprise’. ‘comprises’, ‘comprised’ and ‘comprising’ or any variation thereof and the terms ‘include’, ‘includes’, ‘included’ or ‘including’ or any variation thereof are considered to be totally interchangeable and they should all be afforded the widest possible interpretation.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described which may be varied in both construction and detail within the terms of the claims.

Claims (5)

1. A hurley comprising a handle with a bas at one end of the handle characterised in that the has comprises one or more through-holes.

2. A hurley as claimed in claim 1 in which the through-holes comprise elongate slots.

3. ‘ A hurley as claimed in claim 2 in which the slots are generally in alignment with the grain of wood in the bas.

4. A hurley as claimed in any preceding claim in which the through-holes are centrally located in the bas.

5. A hurley as hereinbefore described in relation to the accompanying drawings.