US20080287224A1

US20080287224A1 - Hockey Stick-Handling Device with Sensor and Effects

Info

Publication number: US20080287224A1
Application number: US12/163,351
Authority: US
Inventors: Bryce Salvador; Scott D. Pittorf; Brian Michael McKinney
Original assignee: KP VISIONARIES LLC
Current assignee: FAN-TASTIC SPORTS LLC
Priority date: 2007-04-04
Filing date: 2008-06-27
Publication date: 2008-11-20

Abstract

A hockey stick-handling device comprises cross members and support columns. The support columns elevate the cross members from a training surface to allow an object for stick-handling to be passed underneath. The cross members are rotatable with respect to one another to allow the hockey stick-handling device to be arranged in various configurations for stick-handling as well as to be collapsed for storage. The hockey stick-handling device is modular in nature such that it can be lengthened or shortened to a desired length. The hockey stick-handling device has sensors adapted to sense an object passing under the cross member. The sensor output may drive controls for illuminating lights, sounding horns, and/or actuating timers associated with the stick-handling device.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 12/059,287, filed Mar. 31, 2008, now pending, which claims the benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 60/921,736, filed Apr. 4, 2007, both disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

The disclosed embodiments generally relate to a hockey training aid. More particularly, the disclosed embodiments relate to a system and method for providing a hockey stick-handling device that is capable of multiple configurations and may be expanded and collapsed without repeated assembly, and includes sensors for timing and illumination.
A key skill in the sport of hockey is stick-handling. As a result, hockey players of all ages consistently strive to improve their stick-handling abilities, often through drills that utilize training aids. In most applications, it is desirable that the stick-handling training aid be durable, portable, easy to assemble, and adaptable to different drills, players, and surfaces.
Prior art stick-handling training aids present significant disadvantages for their users. Some training aids, such as the SweetHands Hockey Trainer produced by Sweet Hockey Products, L.L.C., are portable and capable of being expanded. However, the SweetHands device is capable of only one configuration (a straight line) and requires a multi-step take-down and reassembly process following each use of the device.
Thus, a need has long existed for an improved hockey stick-handling training aid that is capable of multiple configurations and may be expanded and collapsed without repeated assembly. The disclosed embodiments overcome the problems associated with prior art hockey stick-handling training aids by providing a versatile and convenient hockey stick-handling device that is durable, easy to assemble, and adaptable to a variety of drills, players, and surfaces.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

As described and claimed in the parent application, the hockey stick-handling device includes cross members and support columns wherein the support columns elevate the cross members from a training surface to allow an object for stick-handling to be passed underneath. The cross members are rotatable with respect to one another to allow the hockey stick-handling device to be arranged in various configurations for stick-handling as well as to be collapsed for storage. The hockey stick-handling device is modular in nature such that it can be lengthened or shortened to a desired length. As disclosed and claimed herein, the utility of the stick-handling device has been improved by providing sensors and lights for illumination to assist the trainee in training and developing stick handling skills.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a plan view of a hockey stick-handling device in an expanded, zig-zag configuration;

FIG. 2 illustrates a plan view of an upper cross member of the stick-handling device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a plan view of a lower cross member of the stick handling device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 illustrates a plan view of an upper support disc of the stick handling device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 illustrates a plan view of a lower support disc of the stick handling device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 illustrates an elevational view of a hockey stick-handling device segment;

FIG. 7 illustrates a plan view of a hockey stick-handling device portion;

FIG. 8 illustrates a flow chart of the process of using a hockey stick-handling;

FIG. 9 illustrates a plan view of a hockey stick-handling device in a collapsed/storage configuration;

FIG. 10 illustrates a plan view of a hockey stick-handling device in an expanded, straight-line configuration;

FIG. 11 illustrates a plan view of a hockey stick-handling device in an expanded, arcuate configuration;

FIG. 12 illustrates a plan view of a hockey stick-handling device in an expanded, arcuate configuration with lights and sensors; and

FIG. 13 illustrates further detail of a link of the hockey stick-handling device of FIG. 12, comprising support columns and a cross member with a sensor and light associated therewith.

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of certain embodiments of the disclosure, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustration, certain embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should be understood, however, that the embodiments are not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates a plan view of a hockey stick-handling device 100 and includes a plurality of upper cross members 110, a plurality of lower cross members 120, a plurality of rotatable connecting points 130, a plurality of intermediary support columns 140, and two terminal support columns 150, one at each end of the device 100. In operation, the support columns 140 and 150 support the cross members 110 and 120 such that the cross members 110 and 120 are elevated from a training surface by a height sufficient to allow an object for stick-handling (such as a hockey puck or ball) to pass underneath them. When a plurality of cross members 110 and 120 and support columns 140 and 150 are connected in series, as shown in FIG. 1, an expandable hockey stick-handling device 100 is formed. One cross member 110,120 and its associated support columns 140, 150 may be referred to as a link. The hockey stick-handling device 100 is modular such that it may be configured to a desired length by increasing or decreasing the number of cross members 110 and 120 and intermediary support columns 140.
A first end of the upper cross member 110 is connected to a second end of the lower cross member 120 at rotatable connecting point 130. For example, a screw bolt may be passed through an opening in the first end of the upper cross member 110 and through an opening in the second end of the lower cross member 120. By doing so, the screw bolt connects the upper cross member 110 and the lower cross member 120 at rotatable connecting point 130 and creates a pivot around which the upper cross member 110 may be rotated in relation to the lower cross member 120. The rotatable connecting points 130 are located above the intermediary support columns 140 only. There are no connecting points 130 above the terminal support columns 150.
The rotatable connecting points 130 allow the hockey stick-handling device 100 to be positioned to form a variety of working configurations or shapes, such as a zigzag configuration as shown in FIG. 1, a straight line configuration as shown in FIG. 10, and a curved configuration as shown in FIG. 11. Additionally, the rotatable connecting points 130 allow the hockey stick-handling device 100 to form a stowed configuration in which the cross members 110 and 120 are arranged substantially parallel to one another as shown in FIG. 9.
As explained further below, the shape of the hockey stick-handling device 100 can be adjusted by loosening the stop nut 540 of FIG. 5 and rotating the cross members 110 and 120 in relation to one another to a desired configuration and subsequently retightening the stop nut 540. In alternative embodiments, the upper cross member 110 and the lower cross member 120 may be connected at rotatable connecting point 130 in a variety of ways. For example, the screw bolt used to connect the upper cross member 110 and the lower cross member 120 may be replaced by an unthreaded rod. In alternative embodiments, the upper cross member 110 and the lower cross member 120 may be connected with a hinge or a bearing at rotatable connecting point 130. In alternative embodiments, the upper cross member 110 of the hockey stick-handling device 100 may be configured to lock into one or more desired positions in relation to the lower cross member 120. For example, the upper cross member 110 may be locked into position at any of 30 degrees, 45 degrees, 60 degrees, 90 degrees, and 180 degrees in relation to the lengthwise direction of the lower cross member 120. This locking functionality may be accomplished by a variety of mechanisms or hardware, such as removable pins. The support columns 140 and 150 are not required to be cylinder-shaped. For example, alternative embodiments may employ cube-shaped support columns.
In alternative embodiments, the hockey stick-handling device 100 may be made from a variety of different materials. For example, the cross members 110 and 120 and the support columns 140 and 150 may be created from high-density polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC), acrylic, plastic, wood, or composite material. Additionally, hardware such as screw bolts or hinges used for rotatable connecting point 130 may be made from stainless steel or other metals, wood, plastic, or composite material.
FIG. 2 illustrates a plan view of an upper cross member 110 that includes a first end 210, a first washer 220, a first screw bolt 230, a second end 250, a second washer 260, and a second screw bolt 270. In operation, the first screw bolt 230 is passed through the first washer 220 and an opening in the first end 210 of the upper cross member 110. The second screw bolt 270 is passed through the second washer 260 and an opening in the second end 250 of the upper cross member 110. As described below with regard to FIG. 3, the first screw bolt 230 and the second screw bolt 270 are subsequently passed through openings in other cross members of the hockey stick-handling device 100 of FIG. 1. The alternative material compositions and connection mechanisms described above with regard to FIG. 1 also apply to the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 2.
FIG. 3 illustrates a plan view of a lower cross member 120 and includes a first end 310, a first opening 340, a second end 350, and a second opening 380. In operation, as described above with regard to FIG. 1, the lower cross member 120 may be connected to the upper cross member 110 of FIG. 2. To create such a connection, the first screw bolt 230 of FIG. 2 is first passed through the first washer 220 of FIG. 2 and an opening at the first end 210 of the upper cross member 110. Next, the first screw bolt 230 is passed through the second opening 380 at the second end 350 of the lower cross member 120. Configuring the first screw bolt 230 in this fashion creates the rotatable connecting point 130 of FIG. 1.
If desired, an additional connection may be made between the lower cross member 120 and another upper cross member 110. To create this second connection, the second screw bolt 270 of the other upper cross member 110 is first passed through the second washer 260 and an opening at the second end 250 of the other upper cross member 110. Next, the second screw bolt 270 of the other upper cross member 110 is passed through the first opening 340 at the first end 310 of the lower cross member 120. In this fashion, additional connections between upper cross members 110 and lower cross members 120 may be made as desired. The alternative material compositions and connection mechanisms described above with regard to FIGS. 1-2 also apply to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3. Additionally, the hockey stick-handling device 100 may be configured such that there are no designated upper cross members 110 or lower cross members 120. More specifically, the hockey stick-handling device 100 may be configured such that, at one end, a given cross member is the first cross member to receive the bolt, and at the second end, that same cross member is connected below the first cross member to receive the bolt. Effectively, in this configuration, each cross member functions as an upper cross member at one end and a lower cross member at the other end.
FIG. 4 illustrates a plan view of an upper support disc 400 that forms an upper portion of the support columns 140 and 150 of FIG. 1 in some embodiments disclosed herein. The upper support disc 400 includes a support opening 410. In operation, the first screw bolt 230 of FIG. 2 is first passed through the upper cross member 110 and the lower cross member 120 as described above with regard to FIGS. 1-3. After this has occurred, the first screw bolt 230 is passed through the support opening 410 of the upper support disc 410. The upper support disc 400 may also comprise a non-circular shape, such as a cube. The alternative material compositions and connection mechanisms described above with regard to FIGS. 1-3 also apply to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4. FIG. 5 illustrates a plan view of a lower support disc 500 that forms a lower portion of the support columns 140 and 150 of FIG. 1 in some embodiments disclosed herein. The lower support disc 500 includes a washer 530 and a stop nut 540.
In operation, the first screw bolt 230 of FIG. 2 is passed through an opening in the lower support disc 500 after the first screw bolt 230 is passed through the upper support disc 400 as described above with regard to FIG. 4. The first screw bolt 230 is then passed through the washer 530. To secure the connection at the rotatable connecting point 130 of FIG. 1, the stop nut 540 is threaded onto the first screw bolt 230. In a preferred embodiment, the lower support disc 500 includes a recess at its bottom end. This recess prevents the first screw bolt 230, the washer 530, and the stop nut 540 from extending beyond the bottom edge of the lower support disc 500. This recess is described in further detail below with regard to FIG. 6.
In alternative embodiments, the lower support disc 500 may be configured in a variety of ways. For example, the lower support disc 500 may include a textured surface on at least one end in order to increase friction between the lower support disc and the surface upon which the hockey stick-handling device 100 is set. To accomplish this same objective, a spike, end cap, or other gripping feature may be added to one end of the lower support disc 500. In alternative embodiments, the bottom end of the lower support disc 500 may not include a recess. The lower support disc 500 may also comprise a non-circular shape, such as a cube.
In alternative embodiments, the upper support disc 400 may be removed from the hockey stick-handling device 100. In this configuration, the lower support disc 500 directly contacts the lower cross member 120 of FIG. 3. Additionally, the alternative material compositions and connection mechanisms described above with regard to FIGS. 1-4 also apply to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5.
FIG. 6 illustrates an elevational view of a hockey stick-handling device segment 600 that includes the upper cross member 110 of FIG. 2, the first end 210 of FIG. 2, the first screw bolt 230 of FIG. 2, the second end 250 of FIG. 2, and the second screw bolt 270 of FIG. 2. The device segment 600 also includes the lower cross member 120 of FIG. 3, a second lower cross member 121, the upper support disc 400 of FIG. 4, a second upper support disc 401, the lower support disc 500 of FIG. 5, a second lower support disc 501, the washer 530 of FIG. 5, a second washer 531, the stop nut 540 of FIG. 5, and a second stop nut 541. Additionally, the device segment 600 further includes a first upper recess 610, a second upper recess 611, a first spacer 620, a second spacer 621, a first lower recess 630, and a second lower recess 631.
The upper cross member 110 is connected to the lower cross member 120 and the second lower cross member 121. At the first end 210 of the upper cross member 110, the first screw bolt 230 is first passed through an opening located in the first upper recess 610. Next, the first screw bolt 230 is passed through the first spacer 620, the lower cross member 120, the upper support disc 400, the lower support disc 500, and the washer 530, as shown in FIG. 6. Finally, the stop nut 540 is threaded onto the end of the first screw bolt 230, such that the stop nut 540 and the end of the first screw bolt 230 are within the first lower recess 630. At the second end 250 of the upper cross member 110, the second screw bolt 270 is first passed through an opening located in the second upper recess 611. Next, the second screw bolt 270 is passed through the second spacer 621, the second lower cross member 121, the second upper support disc 401, the second lower support disc 501, and the second washer 531, as shown in FIG. 6. Finally, the second stop nut 541 is threaded onto the end of the second screw bolt 270, such that the second stop nut 541 and the end of the second screw bolt 270 are within the second lower recess 631. As described above with respect to FIGS. 1 and 9-11, the hockey stick-handling device 100 may be positioned to form a variety of shapes or configurations. To adjust the shape of the hockey stick-handling device 100, the stop nut 540 may be loosened by the assembler and tightened again after the assembler has moved the upper cross member 110 and the lower cross member 120 to the desired position.
At both ends of the hockey stick-handling device 100, this construction is slightly modified. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the outermost cross members are lower cross members 120. The terminal support columns 150 do not support an upper cross member 110. Accordingly, shorter screw bolts—than the previously described screw bolts 230 and 270—are employed through the terminal support columns 150 at the ends of the hockey stick-handling device 100.
In alternative embodiments, the outermost cross members may be upper cross members 110. In such a configuration, the terminal support columns 150 may include additional or thicker spacers—than the previously described spacers 620 and 621 of FIG. 6—in order to maintain the outermost upper cross members 110 parallel to the ground. In alternative embodiments, the hockey stick-handling device 100 may include an upper cross member 110 as the outermost cross member at one end and a lower cross member 120 as the other outermost cross member at the other end.
In alternative embodiments, modifications to the device segment 600 may be made. For example, the first and second spacer 620 and 621 of FIG. 6 may be removed. Additionally the first and second upper recesses 610 and 611 of FIG. 6 may be removed. In alternative embodiments, the first washer 530 and the second washer 531 of FIG. 6 may be removed. Moreover, the alternative configurations described above with regard to FIGS. 1-5 also apply to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6.
FIG. 7 illustrates a plan view of a hockey stick-handling device portion 700 that includes the intermediary support column 140 of FIG. 1, a second intermediary support column 141, the upper cross member 110 of FIG. 2, the first washer 220 of FIG. 2, the first screw bolt 230 of FIG. 2, the second washer 260 of FIG. 2, the second screw bolt 270 of FIG. 2, the lower cross member 120 of FIG. 3, and the second lower cross member 121 of FIG. 6.
In operation, the first screw bolt 230 is passed through the first washer 220 and an opening in the upper cross member 110. The first screw bolt 230 is then passed through the lower cross member 120 and the intermediary support column 140. The second screw bolt 270 is passed through the second washer 260 and another opening in the upper cross member 110. The second screw bolt 270 is then passed through the second lower cross member 121 and the second intermediary support column 141. As described above with regard to FIG. 1, the configuration of the first screw bolt 230 forms the rotatable connecting point 130 of FIG. 1, and the configuration of the second screw bolt 270 forms a similar rotatable connecting point. The alternative configurations described above with regard to FIGS. 1-6 also apply to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7.
FIG. 8 illustrates a flow chart of the process of using the hockey stick-handling device 100 of FIG. 1. First, at step 800, the user selects the hockey stick-handling device 100 of a desired length. (As mentioned above, the length of the hockey stick-handling device 100 may be modified by increasing or decreasing the number of cross members 110 and 120 and intermediary support columns 140.) Next, at step 810, the hockey stick-handling device 100 is positioned into a desired shape. At step 820, the hockey stick-handling device 100 is placed on a desired training surface. Then, at step 830, an object, such as a hockey puck or a ball, is stick-handled through the spaces created by the hockey stick-handling device 100 structure. Finally, at step 840, the hockey stick-handling device 100 is collapsed for storage until its next use.
Potential training surfaces upon which the hockey stick-handling device 100 may be used include ice and hard dryland surfaces, such as an asphalt surface or the floor of an athletic court. If the hockey stick-handling device 100 is used on ice for ice hockey training, the preferred object for stick-handling is an ice hockey puck. If the hockey stick-handling device 100 is used on a hard dryland surface, the preferred object for stick-handling is a ball.
Additionally, the degree of elevation of the cross members above the training surface can be adjusted to allow objects of different heights to pass underneath them when being stick-handled. This can be accomplished by using spacers and/or support discs of varying thicknesses and in varying quantities (depending on the height of the object to be stick-handled and the amount of clearance desired).
In alternative embodiments, the steps comprising the process of using the hockey stick-handling device 100 may be combined, separated or reordered in ways that do not affect the overall process. For example, the step 810 of placing the hockey stick-handling device 100 on a desired surface may be performed before the step 800 of positioning the hockey stick-handling device 100 into a desired shape. As another example, the step 830 of collapsing the hockey stick-handling device 100 for storage until its next use is unnecessary and may be omitted if the user wishes to keep the hockey stick-handling device 100 in the same configuration or on the same surface until the hockey stick-handling device 100 is next used. Additionally, the hockey stick-handling device 100 may be used in conjunction with other objects besides pucks or balls that may be stick-handled through the spaces created by the hockey stick-handling device 100.
In alternative embodiments, the hockey stick-handling device 100 may be collapsed without the user having to loosen or tighten the stop nut 540. Instead, the collapsing mechanism may be, for example, a hinge or a system of removable pins. Additionally, the alternative configurations described above with regard to FIGS. 1-7 also apply to the process illustrated in FIG. 8. The alternative material compositions and connection mechanisms described above with regard to FIGS. 1-7 also apply to the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 9-11.
FIG. 12 shows a top view of a hockey stick-handling device 100 with lights 900 and sensors 902 associated with each link 904 in the series of connected cross members and support columns. FIG. 13 shows additional detail associated with a single link. It should be appreciated that one or more links of the stick-handling device may have the configuration shown in FIG. 13, and that a sensor or light may be omitted from any link as may be desired. The sensor 902 associated with each link 904 senses when an object such as a hockey puck passes under the cross member (i.e., upper cross member 110 or lower cross member 120). The sensor 902 may comprise a transmitter portion 906 mounted adjacent to the support column 140 adjacent to one end of the cross member 110 and a receiver portion 908 mounted adjacent to the other support column 150 adjacent to the other end of the cross member. The transmitter and receiver portions 906,908 may comprise the upper support disks 400, 401 or the lower support disks 500,501, or may be disposed between the upper support disks and lower support disks. The transmitter and receiver portions may also be mounted to the support disks 400,401,500,501 or mounted to the screw bolts 230,270. The sensor associated with each link may also be mounted on an underside of a cross member. The sensors may be individually powered, for instance, individually battery operated, or the sensors may be powered together as a group via a common power source 920.
Lights 900 and other effects (including, for example, a centrally located horn or buzzer 922) may also be operatively connected to the sensors 902 to produce an effect. The lights 900 and other effects associated with each link may be mounted in an area adjacent the support column and/or the cross member. Preferably, the lights are mounted in such a way to be readily visible to the user of the stick handling device, and may comprise LEDs or bulbs protected in a plastic translucent casing. The lights and/or other effects may be individually powered, for instance, individually battery operated, or the lights may be powered together as a group via a common power source 920.
A control 930 may be also operatively connected to the lights 900, sensors 902 and/or effects 922 to generate output commands based upon an object passing under the cross member. For instance, in response to an object passing under the cross member, the control 930 may generate an output command to illuminate the light associated with a link in the series. The control may also have programming to determine a time lapse from when an object passes under the cross member of the first link in the series to when the object passes under the cross member of the last link in the series, or any other link in the series. As a further example, the control may generate an output command to illuminate a start light 932 and/or an end or finish light 934. The start light and/or end light may be separate lights or the light associated with the first and last link in the series, respectively. The control may generate an output command to sound the horn or buzzer 922 when the object passes under the last link in the series. Preferably, the horn or buzzer is mounted in a convenient place to reduce wire runs, although it may be provided on a link. The control may also drive a display 936 that displays the time lapse between the object passing under the first link of the series and the object passing under the last link in the series, or any other link in the series. The control may have an output interface adapted to transmit signals representative of the time lapse to a remote device wirelessly, or through a hardwired connection or via a network. As a further example, in response to an object passing under the cross member of a link of the series, the control may generate an output command to illuminate a next successive light in the series, for instance, a cross member mounted light or a light mounted adjacent a support column, to guide the participant in a path through the drill. The control may also work independently from the sensors and generate output commands to illuminate the lights of the links in succession along the stick-handling device to guide the user through a drill without regard to whether the user was successful in stick-handling the object under the cross member. The control may be provided with a mode switch 938 to allow the user to switch between any of the aforementioned modes of operation, including using the sensors only without lights. The display 936 may display menu options though actuation of the mode switch 938 to facilitate selection and operation of the device. The control 930 may be provided locally on a cross member or support column, or a non-functioning cross member 940 as shown, or the control may be centrally located receiving inputs from the link-based sensors through hard-wired connections or wirelessly.
Depending upon the location and mounting method used for the sensor, lights, effects, and control, wires associated with the sensors, lights and control are preferably directed through channels and conduits formed in the cross members or support columns. For instance, with the sensor transmitter and receiver mounted in position on the support columns via the screw bolts, wires for the sensor may be directed through the support openings 410 of the support disks. Wiring for the sensors, lights, effects, or control may also pass under, over, or through internal channels formed in, the cross member(s). The wiring associated with each link may have a plug/connector to allow connection and disconnection of wiring as necessary when links are added or removed from the stick-handling device. The power supply 920 may be provided to supply power to the control, lights, effects, and sensors, and may be located with the control as shown, or located on a cross member or support column, or a remotely via a hard-wired connection.
As described herein, the disclosed embodiments offer valuable solutions to the problems associated with traditional hockey stick-handling training aids. The disclosed embodiments meet the long-felt need for an improved hockey stick-handling training aid that is capable of multiple configurations and may be easily expanded and collapsed without repeated assembly. The disclosed embodiments provide a versatile and convenient hockey stick-handling device that is durable, easy to assemble, and adaptable to a variety of drills, players, and surfaces.
While particular elements, embodiments and applications have been shown and described, it is understood that the disclosed embodiment are not so limited as modifications may be made by those skilled in the art, particularly in light of the foregoing teaching. It is therefore contemplated by the appended claims to cover such modifications and incorporate those features which come within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A hockey stick-handling device, comprising:

two cross members, each of said cross members configured to be elevated from a training surface by a height sufficient to allow an object for stick-handling to pass underneath said cross member;

three support columns, each of said support columns configured to support an end of one of said cross members, said cross members being rotatable with respect to one another at one of said three support columns; and

a sensor adapted to sense an object passing under the cross member.

2. The hockey stick-handling device of claim 1, further comprising a light operatively connected to the sensor illuminating when an object passes under the cross member.

3. The hockey stick-handling device of claim 2, wherein said cross members are rotatable to form a working configuration, said working configuration being one of the group consisting of a straight-line configuration, a curved configuration, and a zigzag configuration.

4. A hockey stick-handling device, comprising:

a plurality of interconnected links arranged in a series, each link comprising a cross member supported by a support column at opposite ends of the cross member, the support columns positioning the cross member at a height sufficient to allow an object to pass underneath the cross member, each support column allowing rotation of a cross member of each link relative to another cross member of the next adjacent link, at least one of the links having a sensor, the sensor being adapted to sense an object passing under the cross member of link and generate a signal indicative of an object passing under the cross member of the link.

5. The hockey stick-handling device of claim 4, further comprising a light associated with each link.

6. The hockey stick-handling device of claim 5, further comprising a control operatively connected to the link sensor.

7. The hockey stick-handling device of claim 6, wherein in response to an object passing under the cross member, the control generates an output command to illuminate the light associated with the link.

8. The hockey stick-handling device of claim 5, wherein the control has programming to determine a time lapse from when an object passes under the cross member of a first link in the series to when an object passes under the cross member of a last link in the series.

9. The hockey stick-handling device of claim 8, further comprising a start light associated with the first link in the series.

10. The hockey stick-handling device of claim 9, wherein in response to an object passing under the cross member associated with the first link in the series, the control generates an output command to illuminate the start light.

11. The hockey stick-handling device of claim 8, further comprising an end light associated with the last link in the series.

12. The hockey stick-handling device of claim 11, wherein in response to an object passing under the cross member associated with the last link in the series, the control generates an output command to illuminates the end light.

13. The hockey stick-handling device of claim 11, wherein in response to an object passing under the cross member associated with the last link in the series, the control generates an output command to sound a horn.

14. The hockey stick-handling device of claim 8, further comprising a display adapted to display the time lapse.

15. The hockey stick-handling device of claim 4, wherein said cross members are rotatable to form a working configuration, said working configuration being one of the group consisting of a straight-line configuration, a curved configuration, and a zigzag configuration.

16. The hockey stick-handling device of claim 8, wherein the control has an output interface adapted to transmit signals representative of the time lapse to a remote device.

17. The hockey stick-handling device of claim 16, wherein the output interface transmits wirelessly.

18. The hockey stick-handling device of claim 6, wherein in response to an object passing under the cross member of a link, the control generates an output command to illuminate a light of a next successive link in the series.