US3507498A - Combined curling stone handle assembly - Google Patents

Description

April 21, 1970 I H. SPENCER 3,507,498

COMBINED CURLING STONE HANDLE ASSEMBLY Filed June 16, 196'? I N VENT 0R.

United States Patent O 3,507,498 COMBINED CUlRLlNG STONE HANDLE ASSEMBLY Hugh Spencer, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, assignor t Ailsa Craig Curling Stones Limited, Toronto, Ontario,

Canada, a corporation of Canada Filed June 16, 1967, Ser. No. 646,640 Int. Cl. A63b 67/14 U.S. Cl. 273--128 10 Claims ABSTRACT 0F THE DISCLOSURE A curling stone handle and plate assembly characterized in that a relatively large diameter circular plate having a dished center and an outwardly and downwardly inclining rim or flange of diminishing altitude as between diametrically opposite points thereon is centrally screwed to the stone upon the upper surface thereof the handle being secured integrally to the plate eccentrically with respect to the vertical central stone-axis, and merging curvilinearly into said dished center on the high side of said rim to overlie said plate diametrically toward the low side of said rim. This particular way of attachment of the handle assembly to the upper surface of the stone forms a spring biassed connection at the contacting flange perimeter. An identifying colored disc may be inserted in a recess on the handle assembly to designate which stone corresponds to each player. Furthermore, stiifening ribs may be used in the neck portion of the plastic or other material of the handle assembly to strengthen the connection between the handle assemblys neck or handle and its base plate.

The present invention relates to curling stone handle assemblies, a novel object and feature of improvement comprising, importantly, the provision of such an assembly in which the handle is combined integrally with a base of enlarged diameter, said base in virtue of its particular configuration and large diameter, being secureable to a conventional curling stone with ususually great tightness and rigidity and particularly against loosening by rotation due to a certain resiliency in the design of the base, whereby it is held in spring-biased or spring loaded screwthreaded attachment to the stone, it being understood that ordinarily, with conventional handles, having only a small central boss, loosening of such a conventional assembly with respect to the stone is common due to the considerable mass and inertia of the stone when rotated about its vertical axis, against the resistance of the handle as held by a player..

A further novel feature of the present invention resides in the forming of an integral curling stone handle and base therefor wherein there is no conventional central wooden gripping portion or bail upon the handle situated between two metallic end portions. In such conventional construction, the wooden central bail portion must of necessity be secured in place by a screw-threaded boss at the distal end of the handle, which again can become loose so that the bail rotates undesirably from the players point of view, and to the disadvantage of the exercise of the greatest possible skill, in projecting the stone over the ice.

A further novel feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a handle in combination with an enlarged base which latter is of such configuration, that the same has greater resiliency in the region below the distal end of the handle such that an exceedingly slight, but nevertheless advantageous downwards yielding of the handle at the distal end may be experienced in projecting the associated stone over the ice, such downward yielding assisting in a desirable feel, and a responsiveness, par- 3,507,498 Patented Apr. 21, 1970 ticularly as the handle leaves the hand and as the stone is tossed on its way over the ice.

Another important novel feature of the herein disclosed invention and one which co-operates with that stated in the last preceding paragraph resides in the particular cross-sectional configuration of the handle which handle while having upwardly convex and downwardly convex upper and lower surfaces respectively has relatively parallel, vertical, and at sides or flanks such that a very definitely greater degree of control is achieved, than is the case with an uncontrollable handle of a circular transverse cross-section.

Another important novel feature of the present invention resides in the formation of a handle, and an enlarged integral base there below wherein the connecting neckportion of the handle Hows into the base and merges outwardly and downwardly in the form of outwardly, downwardly, semi-circularly extending and outwardly widening stiffening ribs which also form the boundary of a concave centre portion below the handle, the just described structure providing stitfeuing and buttressing means at the connecting neck-portion in virtue of which a very rigid connection between the handle and the large base plate is secured against fracture by horizontal torque as between the handle and the plate due to the inertial mass of the stone if rotated against the resistance of the hand held handle.

A further novel feature of the present invention resides in the provision of an enlarged central boss embedded in the plastic of the base plate with the surrounded plastic constituting an embodiment complementing the peculiar arcuate perimetrical formation of the rim of the boss whereby fracturing rotation of the handle is further prevented, it being understood that the enlarged central boss just referred to is integral with a handle armature clad with the plastic, or surrounded by it so that an unbreakable rigid unit is achieved, so far as rupturing under torque is concerned.

A still further novel feature of the present invention resides in the construction of a unitary, integral, handle and base plate in a curling stone handle assembly which, being of plastic, is less cold than the ordinary conventional curling stone handle and can therefore comfortably be grasped by the player without gloves. A further novel and inventive feature of the present assembly resides in the provision in an integral plastic handle and enlarged base plate of permanent and clearly visible identifying means in virtue of which a player may easily identify his pair of stones from any angle and whereby the set of stones belonging to a particular sheet of ice in a rink having several sheets of ice, may be particularly easily identified.

A still further novel feature and one adding greatly to the enjoyment of play through easy identification is, that being made of plastic, the eight stones of one team may be color contrasted with the eight stones of the opposing team, it being contemplated that, for the most part, the stones of one team will be provided with white plastic handle assemblies, and those of the other team of red plastic handle assemblies, although, in this connection, it is to be understood that the present invention need not necessarily be of plastic, but may if desired be of some other material, such as cast aluminum, capable of being color-anodyzed.

A still further special feature inherent in the present invention consists of the provision of a base plate having a perirnetrical, outwardly and downwardly inclining skirt or flange which is steeper in the vicinity of the connection of the handle to said plate than it is in the diametrically opposite region (that is to say beneath the distal end of the handle). By virtue of this novel disposition of base plate material, greater rigidity is achieved in the vicinity where the handle is connected to the plate, as between the skirt and the stone than at the opposite end. The provision of such outwardly inclining skirt however, both where it is stiifest and steepest as well as where it is shallowest and most resilient permits the application under screw-threaded rotation of the main connecting bolt to expand or flatten very slightly, downwards, against its inherent resilience so that an exceptionally tight frictional engagement is achieved and this over a wide perimeter.

A still further feature resides in the amalgamation of all the foregoing constructionally novel features into a curling stone handle assembly of conspicuously pleasing appearance and relative ease of manufacture whereby the same may be purchased at a reasonable price.

With the foregoing considerations in View, and such other objects, purposes or advantages as may become apparent from consideration of this disclosure and specification, the present invention consists of lthe inventive concept embodied in the method, process, construction, arrangement of parts, or new use of any of the foregoing, as herein particularly exemplified in one or more specific embodiments of such concept, reference lbeing had to the accompanying figures in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation of the invented curling stone handle assembly in situ upon a curling stone with a portion of the latter fragmented to depict the manner in which the assembly is attached and to suggest and convey the manner in which extremely minute flexure or yielding downwardly at the left end or distal end of the handle is possible due to the thinning down of the plate at the left end or region.

FIGURE 2 is a plan View of the invented curling stone handle assembly.

FIGURE 3 is a section on the line 3 3 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is an elevation of the invented assembly as viewed from the left towardthe right, normal to the picture plane, with reference to the accompanying FIG- URE 1.

FIGURE 5 is an elevation of the invented assembly as viewed from the right toward the left, normal to the picture plan, with reference to the accompanying FIG- URE 1.

FIGURE 6 is an underside plan view of the base plate forming part of the invented assembly.

In the drawings, like characters of reference designate similar parts in the several figures.

By way of a preliminary summary of the inventive concept, the illustrated assembly comprises, in combination a base plate collectively designated A, having an at least approximately circular outer perimetrical portion collectively designated B (which may also equally well be described as an outwardly and downwardly inclining skirt or flange), which in situ, is in tight friction-bearing contact with the upper surface C of a curling stone D, and a handle generally designated E surmounting the aforesaid base plate and integral therewith, the diameter of the -plate being at least equal to the length of the handle, and means generally designated F for securing the aforesaid assembly to stone D.

Having thus set forth a consistory summary of the present invention, a more detailed description thereof follows wherein numerals will generally be substituted for the foregoing letters for greater particularity.

Notwithstanding the high degree of skill with which the game of curling has become invested increasingly, due to the improvements in the uniformity and quality of the stones or rocks with which the game is played, the more even ice surface over which it is played, and the analysis of, and instruction in the dynamics of projecting and guiding the stones, including the technique of sweeping the ice for the desired guidance of the stone, nevertheless, the handle unit has remained unimproved over a long period of time, and is considered to suffer from such limitations in design as seriously to limit the potentialities for the exercise of skill and increase in enjoyment of the game. Such limitations include the great susceptibility to loosening of the whole handle unit with respect to the stone, and loosening of the handle unit with respect to its parts, and particularly that of the bail or wooden portion.

Base plate A consists of the aforesaid perimetrical B, and, in addition, a downwardly concave, finger accommodating center portion generally designated 10 below handle E. Handle E is secured to the base plate by means of a neck portion collectively designated 11.

Handle E, as best indicated in the accompanying FIG- URES 4 and 5 has a cross-sectional profile delineating an upper surface 12 which is of shallow, upwardly convex configuration, and an under surface 13 of relatively deep, downwardly convex configuration. In addition, the handle includes flanks 4 which are at least nearly fiat, vertical and parallel. Due to this configuration it will be apparent that such a handle can be grasped in the palm of the closed hand in such a way that when a rotary movement is imparted to the wrist, such movement will be transmitted to the handle in such a way that the assembly and hence the stone, may be rocked to a certain extent as indicated by double headed arrow, 15. Finally, in connection with this description of the superficial configuration of the handle, attention is directed to the distal end 16 thereof, which, by best reference to the accompanying FIGURE 1 is seen to incline downwardly so that, here again, the stone may be experienced by the player as leaving his hand in a smooth, satisfying followthrough and the inclined end surface portion 17 may in itself, in the sensitive hand of a skilled player also add to control of the path of the stone over the ice aided in the view of some experts by the ygreater length X (FIG. l).

The neck portion 11 merges outwardly and downwardly into plate A in what is described as a stratum 18 of parallel, horizontal, superposed planes, the material limits of which extend outwardly with respect to the vertical longitudinal axial plane of the handle as specifically' depicted at 19 and 20 of FIGURE 5. The neck portion thus increases widely downward with respect to the aforesaid axial plane to strengthen the connection between the handle and the base plate. Thus the portions designated 19 and 20 constitute buttresses as also well illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2 and may also be equally well described as a pair of outwardly and downwardly semi-circularly extending widening, stiiening ribs ou either side of the handle. Equally also they may be considered as the rim which bounds the finger accommodating center portion 10.

In addition, neck-portion 11 also merges into plate A below handle E at 21, specifically, into the finger accommodating neck portion 10 of the plate, further to strengthen the connection between the handle and the plate against fracture due to torque between these parts, but also against excessive pressure downward upon the distal end 16 of the handle, and which excessive pressure downward can occur when a stone turns over as is sometimes the case.

It will lbe seen that the flange B is steeper and vertically deeper in the vicinity 22, which is that of the neck-portion, than is the flange in the region 23 diametrically opposite vicinity 22. The greater steepness and greater vertical depth just referred to is also to assist further in strengthening the connection between handle E and base plate B against fracture due to torque as already stated. However, it is also, in combination with the relatively thinned-down region 23 for the purpose of permitting greater flexibility and spring biassed frictional contact under screw-tightening between the upper surface of the stone in the area 24 than the region 23 which is seen to decrease in steepness and vertical depth from the neck portion vicinity 22, resulting in resiliency in the region 23.

It has already been indicated that the present invention is preferably manufactured as a plastic. Embedded therein is an enlarged central boss collectively designated 25 preferably of metallic substances. The rim of this boss, as viewed in plan FIGURE 6 has opposite portions each provided with an outwardly arcuate perimeter 26 and 27, and other opposite portions each provided with an inwardly arcuate perimeter 28. For purposes of orientation as between the accompanying FIGURES 3 and 6, the surface 29 is thus designated. From the foregoing it will be recognised that the portion 29 and the portion 30, together constitute a ange which conforms lto the rim 26, 27 and 28. Extending upwardly from boss 25 and merging with increasing width thereinto, is an integral handle-armature 31, it being seen from FIGURE 3 that the same is clad with plastic. The provision of the boss 25 and the handle armature 31 together assist further in preventing independent fracturing rotation as between the handle and the base plate A resulting from rotation of the stone against the resistance of the hand held handle.

The generally circular lines 32 of FIGURE 6 represent the underside of the ribs 19 and 20 as best seen in the accompanying FIGURES 2 and 4.

The attaching assembly F also includes the downwardly projecting internally screw-threaded bushing 34 with which engages the connecting bolt 35 having at its lower end the frusto-conical upset head 36 receivable into the countersunk aperture 37 formed within the stone coterminous with the central passageway 39 therein. In this connection it should be explained that generally the relative diameters of parts 35 and 39 is such that the difference -between them is in the range of one eighth of an inch. It will thus be apparent that the -bolt 35 is free to move to a limited extent in the passageway 39.

It will also be observed that a plenum -40 exists between the upper central concave surface 41 of the stone, and the interior (generally designated 42) of the underside of plate A. By a contempla-tion of the accompanying FIG- URES 1 and 3 therefore, it will -be apparent, that upon the invented curling stone handle assembly being screwed tightly onto the stone D in the manner which will now be obvious, a very tight frictional engagement must take place as between the underside rim 43 and the surface of the stone immediately adjacent thereto.

Located centrally with respect to the vicinity 22 is a disc or the like 44 upon which the number of the sheet (f ice) will be placed so that it will always -be known that that stone is intended to be played on that particular sheet or strip of ice. Upon either side of the handle E, and within the center portion 10, 2 further discs 45 are provided. These discs will each bear the same number, which number will be the number of the player, it being understood that in the game of curling there are 4 members to a team, numbered 1 through 4, each member having 2 stones. Each of his two stones will be identically marked upon the discs 45. Such discs may also be characteristically colored, thus for example, the pair of stones played -by player #1 will both have discs 45 colored yellow, player #2 green, player #3 blue, player #4 black.

The discs 44 and 46 are shown to be contained within shallow recesses in the accompanying FIGURE 3. However, if desired, these discs may each have a perimeter which is bevelled either from the upper or the lower edge only, or outwardly and equally from kboth edges so as to present a central surrounding projecting ridge between the upper and lower surfaces of the disc. Other perimetrical cross-sectional gurations may be employed. Whatever the configuration however, these may, in virtue of the resiliency of the disc, and the resiliency of the surrounding plastic of the base, be press-inserted securely into apertures extending clear through the thickness of the base, having perimeters which are complementary to the perimeter of the discs as aforesaid. By this means, the rigidity of the vicinity 22, and the region 23 may be varied. Also of course the rigidity may be varied by the depth of the shown recesses in which the shown discs are recessed, all according to the nature of the plastic and the amount of resiliency found to be best suited to conditions generally.

Various modifications can be made within the scope of the inventive concept disclosed. Accordingly, it is intended that what is set forth herein should be regarded as illustrative of such concept and not for the purpose of limiting protection to any particular embodiments thereof, and that only such limitations should be placed upon the scope of protection to which the inventor hereof is entitled, as justice dictates.

What is claimed is:

1. A curling stone handle in combination with a curling stone, comprising a single base plate formed of resilient material wholly concentrically overlying and secured against the upper surface of said stone having an at least approximately circular outer perimetrical portion which normally is held in tight spring-biassed friction-bearing contact with said upper surface of said stone, a handle surmounting said `base plate and integral therewith, the diameter of said plate being at least equal to the length of said handle, and means securing said base plate to said stone, said plate having a downwardly concave lingeraccommodating center portion below said handle, said base plate also having a surrounding outwardly and downwardly inclining flange to provide a plenum between the underside of said plate and said upper surface of said stone substantially :bounded by said perimetrical portion, said securing means comprising a screw-threaded stone attaching assembly in said plate and occupying the center of said plenum whereby said base plate may be threadably secured to said stone with the outer perimeter of said plate in yielding spring-biased outward and downward contact with the upper surface of said stone.

2. The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said handle includes a neck portion connecting the same to said base plate, said flange being steeper and vertically deeper in the vicinity of the neck portion of said handle than it is in the region substantially diametrically opposite from said neck portion, whereby to better accommodate and further strengthen the connection between said handle and base plate against fracture due to torque and to permit greater flexibility between the upper surface of said stone and said diametrically opposite region, said flange as viewed in elevation with the longitudinal axis of said handle normal to the line of vision being seen to decrease in steepness and vertical depth from said neck portion vicinity to said diametrically opposite region.

3. The combination as defined in claim 2 in which the diameter of said base plate is substantially greater than the length of said handle.

4. The combination as defined in claim 1 in which the diameter of said base plate is substantially greater than the length of said handle, said handle being attached to said plate by a neck portion which includes a pair of outwardly and downwardly semi-circularly extending widening stitfening ribs at the opposite sides thereof, said neck portion also merging into said plate below said handle to strengthen the connection between said handle and said plate against fracture due to torque between these parts and against excessive downward pressure upon the end of the handle remote from said neck portion.

5. The combination as delined in claim 1 in which said base plate is formed from plastic material and in which said attaching assembly includes an enlarged central boss embedded in the plastic material of said plate, the rim of said boss as viewed in plan having opposite portions each provided with an outwardly arcuate perimeter and other opposite portions each provided with an inwardly arcuate perimeter, an embodiment surrounding said perimeters in the form of a tlange conforming to said rim, a handle armature integral with said boss and clad with plastic, said embedment coacting with said arcuate perimeters to assist in preventing tracturing rotation of said handle with said boss independendently of said stone.

6. The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said handle is connected to said base plate at one end only and its opposite end is free, the incline of said flange being steeper in the vicinity of the connected end of the handle than in the vicinity of its free end.

7. The combination as dened in claim 1 in which said base plate is formed from plastic material and in which said handle includes a neck portion connecting the same to said base plate, said attaching assembly including an enlarged metallic boss embedded in the plastic material of said plate, and a plastic-embedded handle armature extending upwardly from said boss through the neck portion of said handle.

8. The combination as dened in claim 7 in which said ange is provided with at least one recess, and a disc press insertable in said recess.

9. The combination as` defined in claim 1 in which the profile of said handle includes an upper surface, an under surface and a pair of flanks joining the upper and under surfaces, said upper surface being shallow upwardly convexed, said under surface being relatively deep downward- References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,772,804 8/1930 GillisV 273-128 2,147,907 2/1939 MacChesney 273-64 3,206,202 9/1965 Evans 273-64 FOREIGN PATENTS 696,933 11/1964 Canada.

ANTON O. OECHSLE, Primary Examiner T. ZACK, Assistant Examiner

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