WO2018112624A1

WO2018112624A1 - A kit for extending the shaft of a hockey stick

Info

Publication number: WO2018112624A1
Application number: PCT/CA2017/051546
Authority: WO
Inventors: Pascal GIGUÈRE
Original assignee: Giguere Pascal
Priority date: 2016-12-20
Filing date: 2017-12-20
Publication date: 2018-06-28
Also published as: CA3047831A1; US20190299071A1

Abstract

It is disclosed a kit for extending the shaft of a hockey stick comprising a fixing module, at least one extension module and an attachment module. The extension modules are adapted to nest one in the other and are adapted to nest in the top of the fixing module. The attachment module secures the extension modules one to the other and to the fixing module. A method for adjusting the length of a shaft of a hockey stick is also disclosed herein.

Description

Title of the Invention

A kit for extending the shaft of a hockey stick Cross-Reference to Related Applications

[0001] The present patent application claims the benefits of priority of commonly assigned US Patent Application No. 62/436,839, entitled "Kit for extending the shaft of a hockey stick" and filed at the USPTO on December 20, 2016.

Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention generally relates to sport gear, and in particular to a kit for adjusting the length of a hockey stick. More particularly, the present invention relates to kit for extending the shaft of a hockey stick for kids when the kids are growing up.

Background of the Invention

[0003] An adequate length for a hockey stick consists in having the end of the shaft of the hockey stick facing around the nose of the user when the stick is vertical on the floor. When a kid playing hockey is growing up, the length of its hockey stick needs to be regularly adapted. Conventionally, the stick is replaced by a new longer stick, which can be costly. Another method consists in adjusting the length of a hockey stick by replacing the shaft with a new shaft that has a longer length. This method is not always convenient in that the longer of the shaft is not adjustable in view of the kid's size.

[0004] Furthermore, other methods for adjusting the length of a hockey stick require some adjustments and modifications to be done on the shaft of the hockey stick to render it adapted to receive extension components. Thus, such a method makes the shaft of a hockey stick confronted to many risks of deterioration and damage during machining operations.

[0005] Some devices are known for extending the length of a golf stick. For instance, the device disclosed in the US patent n°. 8,814,718 Bl, uses complex extension components to prevent the undesirable sudden detachment of the extension system from the shaft of a golf stick. These components are considered complex since they also comprise extending structural elements in order to prevent the inter-module rotation. Generally, the machining of such components is demanding and costly.

[0006] Finally, the devices for extending the length of a golf stick disclosed in the US patent application n°.2011/0159982 Al, do not allow having an optimal length of the stick since the extension components have all the same length.

[0007] There is a continuous need for extension systems for hockey sticks.

Summary of the Invention

[0008] The aforesaid and other objectives of the present invention are realized by generally providing a kit for extending the shaft of a hockey stick. [0009] In one aspect, there is provided an extension kit for a non-circular shaft of a hockey stick having a hollow end and an outer surface, the extension kit comprising an attachment module; a shaft fixing module comprising: an external surface, configured to fit inside the hollow end, an orifice, configured to mate with the attachment module, and an end portion; at least one extension module, each extension module comprising: a bottom end, an orifice, configured to enable the passage of the attachment module, and a top end, configured to mate with the bottom end of another extension module, wherein the end portion of the shaft fixing module and the bottom end of the at least one extension module are configured to mate with one another, and wherein the attachment module is configured to pass through the at least one extension module and be removably attach the at least one extension module to the shaft fixing module.

[0010] The orifice of the shaft fixing module may be an inner threaded hole and the attachment module may be an outer threaded cylinder. The external surface of the shaft fixing module may be configured to slideably fit inside the hollow end of the hockey stick. The external surface of the shaft fixing module may be configured to be pressure- fitted fitted inside the hollow end. The end portion of the shaft fixing module may comprise a collar configured to abut an external surface of the hollow end. The collar may have an external surface configured to match the outer surface of the hockey stick. The at least one extension module may comprise an external surface configured to match the outer surface of the hockey stick. [0011] The end portion of the shaft fixing module may comprise a female section and the bottom end of the at least one extension module may comprise a male section, the female section of the shaft fixing module and the male section of the bottom end of the at least one extension module being configured to mate with one another. The top end of the at least one extension module may comprises a female section, the female section of the top end of the at least one extension module and the male section of the bottom end of the at least one extension module being configured to mate with one another.

[0012] The extension kit may comprise a cap, the cap comprising: a bottom end configured to mate with the top end of the at least one extension module, and an orifice, configured to enable the passage of the attachment module. The bottom end of the cap may comprises a male section, the male section of the bottom end of the cap and the female section of the top end of the at least one extension module being configured to mate with one another.

[0013] The attachment module may have a top end, the top end of the attachment module being configured to mate with the top end of the at least one extension module. The attachment module may have a top end and the cap may have a top end, the top end of the attachment module and the top end of the cap being configured to mate with one another.

[0014] The extension kit may comprise at least a first and a second extension module, a distance between the bottom end and the top end of the first extension module being different than a distance between the bottom end and the top end of the second extension module.

[0015] It is disclosed a kit for extending the shaft of a hockey stick. The kit comprises:

• a fixing module comprising:

- an external surface configured to be inserted into the hollow end of the shaft, - an inner central threaded hole having an axis; and

- an end portion comprising a collar configured to abut the end of the shaft and to fit with the outer surface of the shaft, the end portion further comprising a female section adapted to host a male section of an extension module;

• at least one extension module, each extension module comprising:

- a main body having a contour matching the collar and the shaft, - a male section extending from the main body and configured to fit either the female section of the fixing module or a female section of a second extension module to increase the length of the hockey stick;

- a female section defined within the main body and configured to fit either with a male section of a subsequent second extension module or a male section of a cap; and

- a central hole having an axis and going through the extension module, the axis of the central hole and the axis of the inner central threaded hole of the fixing module being aligned when the extension module is in place in the fixing module; and

• an attachment module long enough to pass through all extension modules and to be attached in the inner central threaded hole of the fixing module to firmly link the extension module(s) to the fixing module to form an extended shaft of the hockey stick.

[0016] The cap may have an outer surface configured to match the contour of the main body of the at least one extension module. The cap may have an outer surface configured to be radially further away from the axis of the central hole of the at least one extension module than the contour of the main body of the at least one extension module.

[0017] In another aspect, there is provided a method for extending a non-circular shaft of a hockey stick having a hollow end and an outer surface, the method comprising: securing a shaft fixing module within the hollow end, the shaft fixing module having an inner threaded hole and an end portion; abutting at least one extension module, having an inner hole, to the end portion of the shaft fixing module, the hole of the at least one extension module being coaxial with the inner threaded hole of the shaft fixing module; sliding a threaded fastener through the hole of the at least one extension module; and using the threaded fastener to removeably secure the at least one extension module to the end portion of the shaft fixing module.

[0018] The step of abutting at least one extension module may comprise abutting at least 2 extension modules of different sizes. [0019] The method may further comprise the step of matching an external surface of the at least one extension module to the outer surface of the hockey stick.

[0020] The kit according to the present invention aims to facilitate the change of a hockey stick's length by offering a faster, easier and less expensive system and method than the ones currently existing. Besides, the kit for extending a hockey stick aims to provide more flexibility to get an optimal and suitable length for a user since it comes with different modules having different lengths.

[0021] The present invention further allows an easy and secure mounting of the extension kit to the shaft of a hockey stick thanks to the clipping modules. With such a system, the user does not have to prevent the sudden detachment of the system due an undesirable inter-rotation between the modules.

[0022] Other and further aspects and advantages of the present invention will be obvious upon an understanding of the illustrative embodiments about to be described or will be indicated in the appended claims, and various advantages not referred to herein will occur to one skilled in the art upon employment of the invention in practice.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023] The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following description, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which: [0024] Figure 1 illustrates a hockey stick comprising an extension kit in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

[0025] Figure 2 is a front view of a kit for extending a shaft of a hockey stick in accordance with a preferred embodiment.

[0026] Figure 3 is an attachment module for mounting the kit for extending the shaft of a hockey stick in accordance with a preferred embodiment.

[0027] Figure 4 is an exploded view of the kit illustrated on Figure 2.

[0028] Figure 5 is a shaft fixing module of the kit illustrated on Figure 2. [0029] Figure 6 is an assembled kit for extending the shaft of a hockey stick in accordance a second preferred embodiment.

[0030] Figure 7 is an exploded view of the kit illustrated on Figure 6.

[0031] Figure 8 is an assembled kit for extending the shaft of a hockey stick in accordance a third preferred embodiment.

[0032] Figure 9 is a side view of the shaft fixing module of the kit illustrated on Figure 8.

[0033] Figure 10 is an exploded front view of the shaft fixing module illustrated on Figure 9.

[0034] Figure 11 is a bottom view of the shaft fixing module illustrated on Figure 9, comprising a reinforcing element in accordance with a preferred embodiment.

[0035] Figure 12 represents a cap (12A) and different extension modules of different sizes (12B, 12C and 12D) in accordance with a preferred embodiment.

[0036] Figures 13A, 13B and 13C are 3D representative views of different extension modules of different sizes in accordance with a preferred embodiment. [0037] Figure 13D is a 3D representative view of a cap of the kit for extending the shaft of a hockey stick in accordance with a preferred embodiment.

[0038] Figure 13E is a 3D representative view of a shaft fixing module of the kit for extending the shaft of a hockey stick in accordance with a preferred embodiment.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

[0039] A novel kit for extending a shaft of a hockey stick will be described hereinafter. Although the invention is described in terms of specific illustrative embodiments, it is to be understood that the embodiments described herein are by way of example only and that the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited thereby.

[0040] In reference to Figure 1, a hockey stick 100 is illustrated. The hockey stick 100 generally comprises a head 10 connected to a lower portion 32 of a shaft 30. The shaft 30 comprises a hollow tubular structure presenting a hollow end 31. As aforesaid, an adequate length for a hockey stick consists in having the end of the shaft facing around the nose of the user when the stick is vertical on the floor. [0041] The hockey stick as shown in Figure 1 also comprises a kit 20 for extending the shaft 30 of the hockey stick 100. The kit 20 is configured to be attached to the hollow end 31 of the shaft.

[0042] Figures 2 to 5 illustrate a first preferred embodiment of a kit 21 for extending the shaft of the hockey stick.

[0043] The kit 21 comprises a shaft fixing module 13 adapted to be inserted in the hollow end 31 of the shaft and a plurality of extension modules 50 configured to nest one in the other. The kit 21 may further comprise an attachment module 37 (Fig. 3) long enough to pass through all extension modules 50. The kit may also comprise a cap 39 adapted to nest in the top of the last extension module 50

[0044] The shaft fixing module 13 comprises an external surface 15 configured to be inserted into the hollow end 31 of the shaft of the hockey stick, an orifice, in the current embodiment an inner central threaded hole 17 characterized by an axis 44, and an end portion 18 preferably comprising a collar 19. The collar 19 is configured to abut the shaft fixing module 13 on the hollow end 31 of the shaft 30 and optionally to fit with the outer surface of the shaft. The end portion 18, in the current embodiment further comprising a female section 22, is adapted to host a bottom section 27, in the current embodiment a male section, of an extension module 50.

[0045] In a preferred embodiment, each extension module 50 of the kit comprises a main body 25 having a contour matching the end portion 18, the collar 19 and the shaft 30. Each extension module may further comprise a bottom male section 27 and a top female section 29. The bottom male section 27 extends from the main body 25 and is configured to fit either to the female section 22 of the shaft fixing module or to the top female section 29 of another extension module to increase the length of the shaft of the hockey stick. The top female section 29 is defined within the main body 25 of an extension module and configured to fit either to the bottom male section 27 of a subsequent extension module or to a bottom male section 41 of the cap 39.

[0046] In a preferred embodiment, each extension module comprises a central orifice or hole 35 going through the module and characterized by a longitudinal axis 43. Each axis 43 of each central hole 35 is adapted to be aligned with the longitudinal axis 44 of the inner central threaded hole 17 of the shaft fixing module when the extension module 50 nest in the top of the shaft fixing module 13.

[0047] In a preferred embodiment, all the axis 43 of all the central holes 35 of all the extension modules 50 are adapted to be aligned when the extension modules 50 nest one in the other.

[0048] The extension modules 50 preferably have different length as shown in Figures 4, 7 or 12, allowing precisely adjusting the length of the extension kit in function of the person.

[0049] In reference to Figure 3, the attachment module 37 may be long enough to pass through all extension modules 50 and to be attached to the inner central threaded hole 17 of the shaft fixing module 13 to firmly link the extension module(s) to the shaft fixing module 13 to form an extended shaft of a hockey stick.

[0050] In a preferred embodiment, the kit 20 may have a cap 39 to cover the last extension module and nest in the top of the attachment mean 37. [0051] Figures 6, 7 and 8 illustrate other embodiments of a kit 20 for extending the shaft of a hockey stick. The bottom male section 27 of the extension module 50, the female section 22 of the shaft fixing module 13 and the top female section 29 of the extension module 50 may have a square or rectangular shape to firmly clamp the extension modules one to the other. Such a shape allows easily maintaining the extension modules in place before receiving the attachment module 37.

[0052] Now referring to Figures 8 to 11, where another embodiment of a shaft fixing module is shown, the shaft fixing module 13A comprises a blind hole 17A adapted to receive a fastener 2, such as, but not limited to a nut, preferably made of a metallic material or any material resisting to wear. The insertion of the fastener 2 inside the shaft fixing module 13A also aims to provide better mechanical properties for the shaft fixing module once assembled to the extension modules.

[0053] In another preferred embodiment, the shaft fixing module 13A may comprise a hole presenting at least two different inner diameters adapted to receive the fastener 2. The shaft fixing module may enlarge or extend transversally once the attachment mean is inserted in the shaft fixing module.

[0054] In another embodiment, the extension modules may compress or extend transversally to nest one in the other or to nest in the shaft fixing module. [0055] It is to be understood that other shape for the bottom male section 27 and top female section 29 of the extension module 50, the female section 22 of the shaft fixing module 13 may be adapted once it allows the extension modules to correctly nest one in the other, to correctly nest in the shaft fixing module and to correctly receive the cap 39. Similarly to the extension module 50 having a main body 25 with a contour matching the end portion 18, the collar 19 and the shaft 30, cap 39, when attached to such extension module 50, may have an external surface adapted to match the contour of such main body 25 (and therefore matching the outer surface of the shaft 30 of the hockey stick 100). Alternatively, cap 39 may have an external surface, when attached to extension module 50, radially further away from axis 35 than the contour of main body 25 of extension module 50; this may be accomplished by having a female bottom section 41 of cap 39 being large enough to be placed around the contour of main body 25 (it is understood by someone skilled in the art that other types of caps 39, adapted to form a knob at an extremity of the hockey stick 100, are possible pursuant to the invention). Such a cap is advantageous as many users of hockey sticks have a need for knobs at the extremity of their hockey sticks (and often end up using hockey tape to accomplish this).

[0056] Any shape of holes may be adapted for both the extension modules and the shaft fixing module once all the axis of all the central holes of all the extension modules are adapted to be aligned when the extension modules nest one in the other and once each axis of each central hole is adapted to be aligned with the axis of the inner central threaded hole of the shaft fixing module when the extension module nest in the top of the shaft fixing module.

[0057] It is also disclosed a method for extending the shaft of a hockey stick. The method comprises inserting the external surface 15 or 15A into the hollow end 31 of the shaft of the hockey stick. The external surface can be glued inside the shaft of the hockey stick. The method further comprises inserting the bottom male section 27 of a first extension module 50 into a female portion located on the top of the shaft fixing module 13 or 13A in a way that the axis of the extension module 50 is aligned with the axis of the shaft fixing module 13 or 13A. Furthermore, the method comprises inserting the fastener mean 37 through the extension module 50 and to be attached to an inner central threaded hole 17 of the shaft fixing module 13 or 13A to firmly link the extension module(s) to the shaft fixing module 13 or 13A to form an extended shaft of the hockey stick.

[0058] In another embodiment, the method may further comprise inserting the bottom male section 27 of a second extension module 50 into the female portion of the first extension module 50 in a way that the extension modules nest one in the other. [0059] Finally, the method comprises inserting a cap 39 to cover the last extension module 50 and nest in the top of the attachment mean 37.

[0060] Advantageously, the kit disclosed herein offers a faster, easier and less expensive system and method for adapting hockey stick's length than the ones currently existing.

[0061] Besides, the kit provides more flexibility to get an optimal and suitable length for a user since it comes with different modules having different lengths.

[0062] The kit further provides an easy and secure mounting to the shaft of a hockey stick thanks to the clipping modules. With such a system, the user does not have to prevent the sudden detachment of the system due an undesirable inter-rotation between the modules. [0063] While illustrative and presently preferred embodiments of the invention have been described in detail hereinabove, it is to be understood that the inventive concepts may be otherwise variously embodied and employed and that the appended claims are intended to be construed to include such variations except insofar as limited by the prior art. For example, whereas in a previously described embodiment the external surface 15 of the shaft fixing module 13 slideably fits and is glued inside the hollow end 31 of the shaft 30 of the hockey stick 100, it is possible to have a shaft fixing module 13 with an external surface being pressure-fitted inside to the inner surface of the hollow end 31 of the hockey stick 100 such that glue is not necessary; any other combination where the external surface of the shaft fixing module 13 is securely connected (for the purpose of preventing the extension kit from detaching itself from the hockey stick 100 during use) to the inner surface of the hollow end 13 of the hockey stick 100 is possible pursuant to the invention. In a further example, whereas in a previously described embodiment the end portion 18 of shaft fixing module 13 comprises a female section 22 adapted to host a male bottom section 27 of an extension module 50, it is possible pursuant to the invention for end portion 18 to comprise a male section adapted to host a female section of an extension module 50; any other combination, where the end portion 18 of shaft fixing module 13 and bottom section 27 of extension module 50 are configured to mate with one another, is possible pursuant to the invention. Similarly, whereas in a previously described embodiment the top female section 29 of an extension module 50 is adapted to host a male bottom section 27 of an extension module 50 (and to also host a male bottom section 41 of a cap 39), it is possible pursuant to the invention to have a top male section of an extension module 50 adapted to host a female bottom section of an extension module 50 (and to also host a female bottom section 41 of a cap 39); any other combination, where the top section 29 of extension module 50 and the bottom section 27 of extension module 50 (and the bottom section 41 of a cap 39) are configured to mate with one another, is possible pursuant to the invention.

Claims

1. An extension kit for a non-circular shaft of a hockey stick having a hollow end and an outer surface, the extension kit comprising:

an attachment module;

a shaft fixing module comprising:

an external surface, configured to fit inside the hollow end,

an orifice, configured to mate with the attachment module, and

an end portion;

at least one extension module, each extension module comprising:

a bottom end,

an orifice, configured to enable the passage of the attachment module, and a top end, configured to mate with the bottom end of another extension module,

wherein the end portion of the shaft fixing module and the bottom end of the at least one extension module are configured to mate with one another, and

wherein the attachment module is configured to pass through the at least one extension module and be removably attach the at least one extension module to the shaft fixing module.

2. The extension kit of claim 1, wherein the orifice of the shaft fixing module is an inner threaded hole and the attachment module is an outer threaded cylinder.

3. The extension kit of any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the external surface of the shaft fixing module is configured to slideably fit inside the hollow end of the hockey stick.

4. The extension kit of any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the external surface of the shaft fixing module is configured to be pressure-fitted fitted inside the hollow end.

5. The extension kit of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the end portion of the shaft fixing module further comprises a collar configured to abut an external surface of the hollow end.

6. The extension kit of claim 5, wherein the collar has an external surface configured to match the outer surface of the hockey stick.

7. The extension kit of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the at least one extension module further comprises an external surface configured to match the outer surface of the hockey stick.

8. The extension kit of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the end portion of the shaft fixing module comprises a female section and the bottom end of the at least one extension module comprises a male section, the female section of the shaft fixing module and the male section of the bottom end of the at least one extension module being configured to mate with one another.

9. The extension kit of claim 9, wherein the top end of the at least one extension module comprises a female section, the female section of the top end of the at least one extension module and the male section of the bottom end of the at least one extension module being configured to mate with one another.

10. The extension kit of any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a cap, the cap comprising:

a bottom end configured to mate with the top end of the at least one extension module, and

an orifice, configured to enable the passage of the attachment module.

11. The extension kit of claim 10, wherein the bottom end of the cap comprises a male section, the male section of the bottom end of the cap and the female section of the top end of the at least one extension module being configured to mate with one another.

12. The extension kit of claim 1, wherein the attachment module has a top end, the top end of the attachment module being configured to mate with the top end of the at least one extension module.

13. The extension kit of any one of claims 10 and 11, wherein the attachment module has a top end and the cap has a top end, the top end of the attachment module and the top end of the cap being configured to mate with one another.

14. The extension kit of any one of claims 1 to 13, comprising at least a first and a second extension module, a distance between the bottom end and the top end of the first extension module being different than a distance between the bottom end and the top end of the second extension module.

15. An extension kit for a non-circular shaft of a hockey stick having a hollow end and an outer surface, the extension kit comprising:

a fixing module comprising:

a external surface configured to be inserted into the hollow end of the shaft, an inner central hole having an axis, and

an end portion comprising a collar configured to abut the hollow end of the shaft and to fit with the outer surface of the shaft, the end portion further comprising a female section adapted to host a male section of an extension module;

at least one extension module, each extension module comprising:

a main body having a contour matching the outer surface of the shaft, a male section extending from the main body and configured to fit the female section of the fixing module and a female section of a second extension module,

a female section defined within the main body and configured to fit the male section of a subsequent second extension module, and

a central hole having an axis and going through the extension module, the axis of the central hole and the axis of the inner central threaded hole of the fixing module being aligned when the extension module is connected to the fixing module; and

an attachment module configured to pass through all extension modules and to removeably secure all extension modules to the fixing modules.

16. The extension kit of claim 15, wherein the inner central hole of the fixing module is threaded and the attachment module is threaded to as to be capable of being removeably attached to the inner central threaded hole of the fixing module.

17. The extension kit of any one of claim 15 to 16, further comprising a cap configured to fit the female section of the at least one extension module.

18. The extension kit of claim 17, wherein the cap has an outer surface configured to match the contour of the main body of the at least one extension module.

19. The extension kit of claim 17, wherein the cap has an outer surface configured to be radially further away from the axis of the central hole of the at least one extension module than the contour of the main body of the at least one extension module.

20. A method for extending a non-circular shaft of a hockey stick having a hollow end and an outer surface, the method comprising:

a) securing a shaft fixing module within the hollow end, the shaft fixing module having an inner threaded hole and an end portion;

b) abutting at least one extension module, having an inner hole, to the end portion of the shaft fixing module, the hole of the at least one extension module being coaxial with the inner threaded hole of the shaft fixing module;

c) sliding a threaded fastener through the hole of the at least one extension module; and

d) using the threaded fastener to removeably secure the at least one extension module to the end portion of the shaft fixing module.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the step of abutting at least one extension module comprises abutting at least 2 extension modules of different sizes.

22. The method of any one of claim 19 to 20, further comprising the step of matching an external surface of the at least one extension module to the outer surface of the hockey stick.