US20010018378A1 - Composite hockey stick handle with resilient shroud - Google Patents
Composite hockey stick handle with resilient shroud Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20010018378A1 US20010018378A1 US09/813,088 US81308801A US2001018378A1 US 20010018378 A1 US20010018378 A1 US 20010018378A1 US 81308801 A US81308801 A US 81308801A US 2001018378 A1 US2001018378 A1 US 2001018378A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- shaft
- mandril
- layup
- hockey stick
- sheath
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B59/00—Bats, rackets, or the like, not covered by groups A63B49/00 - A63B57/00
- A63B59/70—Bats, rackets, or the like, not covered by groups A63B49/00 - A63B57/00 with bent or angled lower parts for hitting a ball on the ground, on an ice-covered surface, or in the air, e.g. for hockey or hurling
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B60/00—Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like
- A63B60/06—Handles
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B60/00—Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like
- A63B60/06—Handles
- A63B60/08—Handles characterised by the material
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B60/00—Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like
- A63B60/06—Handles
- A63B60/10—Handles with means for indicating correct holding positions
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B2102/00—Application of clubs, bats, rackets or the like to the sporting activity ; particular sports involving the use of balls and clubs, bats, rackets, or the like
- A63B2102/22—Field hockey
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B2102/00—Application of clubs, bats, rackets or the like to the sporting activity ; particular sports involving the use of balls and clubs, bats, rackets, or the like
- A63B2102/24—Ice hockey
Definitions
- This invention relates to hand-held implements, especially sports equipment, such as hockey sticks. More specifically, the instant invention is directed to a hockey stick handle formed from composite material having an integrally formed outer elastomeric shroud to protect the composite material and improve gripping ability.
- This invention is directed toward addressing the problems of providing an anti-fracture gripping means to an elongate member, such as a hockey stick shaft, wherein that gripping means will protect the underlying composite and still will be substantially free from unwanted vibration, slipping, bunching, or rolling up on itself vis-á-vis the shaft.
- this invention provides a means for integrally forming a grip to a shaft. This integral formation is accomplished, essentially, by forming the grip and shaft composite as an integrated unit and ultimately heating the shaft and grip combination at a desired temperature to integrate both the shaft and grip into one.
- a heat susceptible medium By first wrapping epoxy-impregnated uncured graphite about a heat conductive mandril to form a shaft, a heat susceptible medium is provided. By next placing the mandril and shaft combination into a vacuum tube lined with the grip on the tube interior by evacuating the tube to conform the grip to the tube, the graphite shaft receives the grip by releasing the vacuum and next providing some pressure on the now grip-lined shaft. Thereafter, by heating the shaft and rubber sheath combination at an appropriate temperature for an appropriate amount of time, the integration of the shaft and sheath is accomplished by vulcanization. All then that remains is the removal of the mandril from the core of the shaft to provide an elongate hollow shaft integrated with a grip. With this grip provided over the entire shaft or substantially all of the shaft, it is also far less susceptible to damage versus the prior art.
- the hockey stick handle is also to be provided with a rubberized cuff at one end to receive a blade thereafter in a hollow of the shaft.
- a rubberized cuff at one end to receive a blade thereafter in a hollow of the shaft.
- the overall object of the present invention is to provide a handle and grip means which are integrally formed for a long-handled or shafted device, particularly a hockey stick.
- a hockey stick comprising, in combination, a shaft, a blade attached to the shaft, the shaft formed from a composite layup including a hollow core, and a sheath formed from resilient material ensconcing the shaft.
- a hockey stick comprising, in combination, a shaft, and a blade attached to the shaft, the shaft formed by laying up a plurality of uncured resin-impregnated sheets of composite material, forming the plurality of sheets about a mandril, defining a layup wrapped mandril, ensconcing a resilient sheath over the layup wrapped mandril, vulcanizing the sheath and layup wrapped mandril combination, and removing the mandril.
- a shaft for a hockey stick comprising, in combination, a composite layup including a hollow core, and a sheath formed from resilient material ensconcing the shaft.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of composite layers on a vacuum table.
- FIG. 1A is an exploded perspective view of the composite layers shown in FIG. 1.
- FIG. 2A is a side view of a device for wrapping layup about a mandril in an open position.
- FIG. 2B is a side view of a device for wrapping layup about a mandril in an closed operational position.
- FIG. 3A is a cutaway perspective view of a vacuum pipe and rubber sheath.
- FIG. 3B is the cutaway view of FIG. 3A with a layup wrapped mandril therein.
- FIG. 3C is a perspective end view of a layup wrapped mandril enshrouded with elastomer.
- FIG. 4 is a front cross-sectional view of that which is shown in FIG. 3C.
- FIG. 5 is a cutaway perspective of a heating chamber.
- FIG. 6 is a side view of a mandril being removed from the invention.
- FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the invention.
- FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the method of the invention.
- reference numeral 10 (FIG. 7) is directed to a hockey stick integrally formed with a shaft and gripping means thereabout according to the present invention.
- the grippable shaft 10 is formed of three main components: layers of a thermoset synthetic material 12 ; an elastic sheath 30 ; and a hockey blade B having a hosel 13 .
- a grippable sheath 30 is integrally formed with a plurality of fabric layers 12 wherein the fabric layers 12 are preferably pre-impregnated graphite epoxy and wherein the sheath 30 is preferably then a rubber tube. Whereas the sheath 30 becomes integrally formed with the fabric layers 12 and the elastic cuff 14 by means of a heating and curing process.
- the elastic cuff is preferably made of urethane.
- urethane strip 14 is added atop the stack and the entire layup 56 is placed within vacuum table 48 supported by legs 54 .
- a vacuum is produced via vacuum holes 50 , causing sheets 12 and strip 14 to be pressed together (had uppermost and lowermost transfer sheets 58 not remained, adherence to the lid 52 and/or table 48 would likely result).
- the size of urethane strip 14 is preferably less than both the length and width of fabric layers 12 . More preferably, strip 14 's length L is as long as the circumference of mandril 18 .
- the shaft 10 is formed by first providing multiple epoxy-impregnated graphite sheets 12 , having the remaining transfer sheets 58 now removed, and a urethane or rubber elastomer 14 thereby which are then wrapped about a mandril 18 .
- the sheets 12 are preferably the graphite type wherein the grains of graphite can be a mixture of longitudinal, latitudinal or crossed grains. That is, each individual graphite sheet 12 may have the same or different grain varieties included. One, for instance, may have graphite strands all longitudinally drawn. Another sheet 12 may have all the graphite grains perpendicular to the previous sheet 12 .
- Yet another sheet or sheets may have the grains of graphite running at various angles. By utilizing different grain striations on sheets 12 , different shaft strength characteristics can be achieved. By providing a strip of elastomer such as urethane 14 immediately next to sheets 12 , the elastic receptacle or cuff 14 can later be formed.
- the device is made up of the following.
- FIG. 2A when lever 68 is in a resting (or open) position, belt 16 is loosely wrapped about rollers 20 .
- Motor 22 coupled to motor wheel 88 by belt 90 , will cause belt 90 to turn motor wheel 88 , thereby causing belt 92 to likewise rotate wheels 20 via belt 16 .
- tension means of pump 26 causes arm 28 to raise and tension the upper roller 20 , thereby tensioning conveyor belt 16 about the plurality of rollers 20 .
- lever 68 is moved in the opposite direction of arrow O to unlock the device 100 so that the layup wrapped mandril may be removed therefrom.
- a supporting frame 74 provides a rigid structure for the above-described apparatus.
- FIGS. 3A and 3B Thereafter, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the mandril 18 wrapped with sheets 12 is inserted into an air pressurized sheath 30 , which is clamped about a pipe 64 at both ends to cause cavity 72 to be formed.
- sheath 30 is longer than pipe 64 , and once inserted into pipe 64 , the ends of sheath 30 are wrapped back onto the outside of pipe 64 to be clamped by clamp means 60 .
- Pipe 64 therefore, has an inside diameter greater than the mandril 18 and layup 56 combination.
- the cross-section of pipe 64 can be circular as depicted or any other shape as necessary.
- the sheath 30 is expanded via an air pressure means 62 , or evacuated, to so accommodate the mandril-wrapped shaft. Then the vacuum between sheath 30 and sheets 12 and mandril 18 is released from valve 62 , so that sheath 30 conforms completely about the mandril-wrapped sheets 12 as shown in FIGS. 3C and 4. At this point, the grippable sheath 30 is frictionally affixed to sheets 12 which are wrapped about mandril 18 .
- FIG. 5 shows a rack 36 of a plurality of the inventions with an inner mandril core 18 wrapped with sheets 12 encased in sheath 30 having an elastic receptacle 14 combined therewith, ready for heating by element 66 .
- racks 36 are removed from oven 34 where the shafts have been vulcanized. They are thereafter allowed to cure.
- heating at 350° F. to 550° F. (176° C.
- thermoplastic prior to applying the rubber sheath 30 .
- heating at 150° F. to 350° F. (65° C. to 177° C.) for one to two hours is preferred.
- the mandril 18 can be removed from within the core of the sheets 12 by sliding the shaft to a stop 40 and pushing or pulling mandril 18 out from within as depicted in FIG. 6. Thereafter, one has a grip ensconced shaft as depicted in FIG. 7 which may be mated, preferably with a blade B, by inserting blade B's hosel portion 13 into receptacle or cuff 14 to form a hockey stick 10 .
- the entirety of this process is depicted in a flowchart at FIG. 8.
- the sheath 30 ensconces the entirety of the shaft, In another, the sheath 30 initially ensconces the entirety of the shaft, but later, a few inches are melted off during the blade mating process.
Abstract
A hand-held implement grip and protectant, preferably for a hockey stick, is described. The invention mainly consists of a blade attached to a composite shaft integrally enshrouded with a rubber sheath. A method of forming the same is also provided as laying up a number of sheets of composite material, wrapping those sheets about a mandril, enshrouding the layup with a rubber sheath, vulcanizing the combination, removing the mandril, and inserting a blade therein.
Description
- This invention relates to hand-held implements, especially sports equipment, such as hockey sticks. More specifically, the instant invention is directed to a hockey stick handle formed from composite material having an integrally formed outer elastomeric shroud to protect the composite material and improve gripping ability.
- The necessity for adequately gripping hand-held implements has been a long-known and recurring problem. A variety of grips have been explored, but problems still persist. Although it is known to include a rubberized grip about the handle of an implement, certain drawbacks still exist.
- One problem encountered with prior art gripping means (such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,050,289 and 5,005,254) is the slippage of the grip vis-á-vis a handle. Whether a grip is glued to a handle or friction-fitted, such rubberized grips have a tendency to dislodge from a shaft. Furthermore, the longer the shaft, and the longer the grip vis-á-vis the shaft, the greater the likelihood of the grip rolling up on itself or slipping. Many attempts have been made to correct this problem, but to no avail. Ultimately, the hand-held implement is either replaced, or the grip is replaced, wasting much time and material.
- Another problem involves the now frequent use of hockey stick shafts formed from composite material. “Space-age” materials, such as Kevlar®) boron and graphite, while extremely strong in compression, tension and flexing, have been found to be susceptible to fracture when sharply impacted, such as by a hockey puck or another hockey stick.
- It is desirable therefore to provide a hand-held implement with a resilient grip capable of extending a greater distance along the hockey stick shaft, and providing a grip that endures greater impacts and pressures without fracture or slippage.
- One particular application where a shock damping is desirable along an entire shaft and where a grip is required to adhere strongly is that of a hockey stick. Currently, hockey stick grips tend to be just near the top of a shaft and are of a short length. If extended further down the shaft, or preferably all the way down the shaft, the grip tends to slip, roll or bunch in the prior art. To overcome these problems would be a great benefit to the sport and overall safety.
- The following prior art reflects the state of the art of which applicant is aware and is included herewith to discharge applicant's acknowledged duty to disclose relevant prior art. It is stipulated, however, that none of these references teach singly nor render obvious when considered in any conceivable combination the nexus of the instant invention as disclosed in greater detail hereinafter and as particularly claimed.
INVENTOR ISSUE DATE PATENT NO. 2,201,706 Sukohl 05-21-1940 2,649,133 Just 08-18-1953 2,674,557 Boggs 04-06-1954 2,964,065 Haroldson, et al. 12-13-1960 3,020,192 Stephens, et al. 02-06-1962 3,125,478 Pratt 03-17-1964 3,606,326 Sparks 09-20-1971 4,016,640 Briggs 04-12-1977 4,080,879 Hoden, et al. 03-28-1978 4,134,198 Briggs 01-16-1979 4,273,601 Weingart 06-16-1981 4,579,617 Oberg, et al. 04-01-1986 4,923,541 Burger 05-08-1990 5,005,254 Uffindell 04-09-1991 5,024,712 Lecourt, et al. 06-18-1991 5,050,289 Uffindell 09-24-1991 5,373,616 Biersdorf, et al. 12-20-1994 5,458,330 Baum 10-17-1995 5,655,981 Reed 08-12-1997 - The prior art listed above, but not specifically discussed, teach gripping devices and further catalog the prior art of which the applicant is aware. These references diverge even more starkly from the references specifically distinguished above.
- This invention is directed toward addressing the problems of providing an anti-fracture gripping means to an elongate member, such as a hockey stick shaft, wherein that gripping means will protect the underlying composite and still will be substantially free from unwanted vibration, slipping, bunching, or rolling up on itself vis-á-vis the shaft. To overcome these problems, this invention provides a means for integrally forming a grip to a shaft. This integral formation is accomplished, essentially, by forming the grip and shaft composite as an integrated unit and ultimately heating the shaft and grip combination at a desired temperature to integrate both the shaft and grip into one.
- The most common shaft types (wood, metal, plastic) will not optimally accept heating to combine with a grip. This invention provides, in particular, for resin pre-impregnated into fiber, such as graphite impregnated with epoxy, to be heated and cured together with the grip and the invention also alternatively provides for a similar integration with thermoplastic.
- By first wrapping epoxy-impregnated uncured graphite about a heat conductive mandril to form a shaft, a heat susceptible medium is provided. By next placing the mandril and shaft combination into a vacuum tube lined with the grip on the tube interior by evacuating the tube to conform the grip to the tube, the graphite shaft receives the grip by releasing the vacuum and next providing some pressure on the now grip-lined shaft. Thereafter, by heating the shaft and rubber sheath combination at an appropriate temperature for an appropriate amount of time, the integration of the shaft and sheath is accomplished by vulcanization. All then that remains is the removal of the mandril from the core of the shaft to provide an elongate hollow shaft integrated with a grip. With this grip provided over the entire shaft or substantially all of the shaft, it is also far less susceptible to damage versus the prior art.
- In particular, in a hockey stick, the hockey stick handle is also to be provided with a rubberized cuff at one end to receive a blade thereafter in a hollow of the shaft. Prior to this invention, such a shaft/grip combination was not provided in the hockey sports industry.
- The overall object of the present invention is to provide a handle and grip means which are integrally formed for a long-handled or shafted device, particularly a hockey stick.
- It is a specific object of the present invention to provide a grip means on an elongate shaft that is not susceptible to slipping and delamination vis-á-vis the shaft.
- It is another object of the present invention to provide a grip means on an elongate shaft that is not susceptible to rolling or bunching on the elongate shaft.
- It is another object of the present invention to provide an elongate shaft, such as a graphite impregnated epoxy-type shaft cooked and cured with a rubber sheath for gripping about the entirety of the shaft to protect the graphite.
- It is another object of the present invention to provide a method of manufacturing an elongated shaft having a grip means provided about its entirety and integrated therewith to cushion sharp blows to the shaft.
- Viewed from a first vantage point, it is an object of the present invention to provide a hockey stick, comprising, in combination, a shaft, a blade attached to the shaft, the shaft formed from a composite layup including a hollow core, and a sheath formed from resilient material ensconcing the shaft.
- Viewed from a second vantage point, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method for forming a hockey stick, the steps including, laying up a composite material, forming the layup of composite material about a mandril defining a layup wrapped mandril, ensconcing a resilient sheath over the layup wrapped mandril, vulcanizing the sheath and layup wrapped mandril combination, removing the mandril, and inserting a hockey blade hosel in a central core of the layup formed by removal of the mandril.
- Viewed from a third vantage point, it is an object of the present invention to provide a hockey stick, comprising, in combination, a shaft, and a blade attached to the shaft, the shaft formed by laying up a plurality of uncured resin-impregnated sheets of composite material, forming the plurality of sheets about a mandril, defining a layup wrapped mandril, ensconcing a resilient sheath over the layup wrapped mandril, vulcanizing the sheath and layup wrapped mandril combination, and removing the mandril.
- Viewed from a fourth vantage point, it is an object of the present invention to provide a shaft for a hockey stick, comprising, in combination, a composite layup including a hollow core, and a sheath formed from resilient material ensconcing the shaft.
- These and other objects will be made manifest when considering the following detailed specification when taken in conjunction with the appended drawing figures.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of composite layers on a vacuum table.
- FIG. 1A is an exploded perspective view of the composite layers shown in FIG. 1.
- FIG. 2A is a side view of a device for wrapping layup about a mandril in an open position.
- FIG. 2B is a side view of a device for wrapping layup about a mandril in an closed operational position.
- FIG. 3A is a cutaway perspective view of a vacuum pipe and rubber sheath.
- FIG. 3B is the cutaway view of FIG. 3A with a layup wrapped mandril therein.
- FIG. 3C is a perspective end view of a layup wrapped mandril enshrouded with elastomer.
- FIG. 4 is a front cross-sectional view of that which is shown in FIG. 3C.
- FIG. 5 is a cutaway perspective of a heating chamber.
- FIG. 6 is a side view of a mandril being removed from the invention.
- FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the invention.
- FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the method of the invention.
- Considering the drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like parts throughout the various drawing figures, reference numeral10 (FIG. 7) is directed to a hockey stick integrally formed with a shaft and gripping means thereabout according to the present invention.
- The
grippable shaft 10 is formed of three main components: layers of a thermosetsynthetic material 12; anelastic sheath 30; and a hockey blade B having ahosel 13. - As seen in FIGS. 4 and 7, a
grippable sheath 30 is integrally formed with a plurality of fabric layers 12 wherein the fabric layers 12 are preferably pre-impregnated graphite epoxy and wherein thesheath 30 is preferably then a rubber tube. Whereas thesheath 30 becomes integrally formed with the fabric layers 12 and theelastic cuff 14 by means of a heating and curing process. The elastic cuff is preferably made of urethane. - In manufacture, as first depicted in FIG. 1, as a first step, adhesive transfer sheets are removed from
sheets 12 to expose the resin thereunder toother sheets 12, save for the uppermost andlowermost sheets 12, wheretransfer sheets 58 remain temporarily. Next,urethane strip 14 is added atop the stack and theentire layup 56 is placed within vacuum table 48 supported by legs 54. Whenlid 52 is closed, a vacuum is produced via vacuum holes 50, causingsheets 12 andstrip 14 to be pressed together (had uppermost andlowermost transfer sheets 58 not remained, adherence to thelid 52 and/or table 48 would likely result). The size ofurethane strip 14 is preferably less than both the length and width of fabric layers 12. More preferably, strip 14's length L is as long as the circumference ofmandril 18. - Next, as depicted in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the
shaft 10 is formed by first providing multiple epoxy-impregnatedgraphite sheets 12, having the remainingtransfer sheets 58 now removed, and a urethane orrubber elastomer 14 thereby which are then wrapped about amandril 18. Thesheets 12 are preferably the graphite type wherein the grains of graphite can be a mixture of longitudinal, latitudinal or crossed grains. That is, eachindividual graphite sheet 12 may have the same or different grain varieties included. One, for instance, may have graphite strands all longitudinally drawn. Anothersheet 12 may have all the graphite grains perpendicular to theprevious sheet 12. Yet another sheet or sheets may have the grains of graphite running at various angles. By utilizing different grain striations onsheets 12, different shaft strength characteristics can be achieved. By providing a strip of elastomer such asurethane 14 immediately next tosheets 12, the elastic receptacle orcuff 14 can later be formed. - As the
strips 12 andelastomer 14, known aslayup 56, progress down theconveyer belt 16 as depicted in FIG. 2B, they are wrapped around and adhered to a heatconductive mandril 18.Conveyor belt 16 is rotated bymotor 22 coupled to pulleys orrollers 20. Likewise,belt 16, also driven bymotor 22 when tightened by movinglever 68 along arrow O and activating tension means 26 and thereby raisingarm 28, will thereby rotatemandril 18 around arcuate arrow R and wraplayup 56 about it in turn.Mandril 18 withsheets 12 andurethane 14 wrapped about it is then removed. - As relates more particularly to
mandril wrapping machine 100, the device is made up of the following. As shown in FIG. 2A, whenlever 68 is in a resting (or open) position,belt 16 is loosely wrapped aboutrollers 20.Motor 22, coupled tomotor wheel 88 bybelt 90, will causebelt 90 to turnmotor wheel 88, thereby causing belt 92 to likewise rotatewheels 20 viabelt 16. Thereafter, whenlever 68 is moved in the direction of arrow O aboutpivot 80, resulting in the FIG. 2B, tension means ofpump 26 causesarm 28 to raise and tension theupper roller 20, thereby tensioningconveyor belt 16 about the plurality ofrollers 20. That tensioning causes thebelt 16 to tightly wrap around amandril 18. In particular, whenlever 68 is moved along arrow O, the V-shapedcoupling 76 likewise rotates intoarcuate notch 78, locking the device into a closed position andtensioning tension support 82 coupled toarm 84 whenarm 84 likewise pivots aboutpivot point 86. When tightly tensioned as indicated above,mandril 18 will be caused to rotate around arcuate arrow R bybelt 16 next to bight 94 as contained byhooked stop 70. As thelayup 56 is conveyed alongbelt 16 tomandril 18,layup 56 will likewise be tightly wrapped aboutmandril 18 and held in place byhooked stop 70 at the end ofguide arm 84. After, to remove the layup wrapped mandril fromapparatus 100,lever 68 is moved in the opposite direction of arrow O to unlock thedevice 100 so that the layup wrapped mandril may be removed therefrom. A supportingframe 74 provides a rigid structure for the above-described apparatus. - Thereafter, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the
mandril 18 wrapped withsheets 12 is inserted into an air pressurizedsheath 30, which is clamped about apipe 64 at both ends to causecavity 72 to be formed. As can be seen in FIGS. 3A and 3B,sheath 30 is longer thanpipe 64, and once inserted intopipe 64, the ends ofsheath 30 are wrapped back onto the outside ofpipe 64 to be clamped by clamp means 60.Pipe 64, therefore, has an inside diameter greater than themandril 18 andlayup 56 combination. The cross-section ofpipe 64 can be circular as depicted or any other shape as necessary. Thesheath 30 is expanded via an air pressure means 62, or evacuated, to so accommodate the mandril-wrapped shaft. Then the vacuum betweensheath 30 andsheets 12 andmandril 18 is released fromvalve 62, so thatsheath 30 conforms completely about the mandril-wrappedsheets 12 as shown in FIGS. 3C and 4. At this point, thegrippable sheath 30 is frictionally affixed tosheets 12 which are wrapped aboutmandril 18. - To further integrate
sheath 30 withsheets 12, the combination must be allowed to be heated and cured, or vulcanized, as the process is known, as depicted in FIG. 5 inheating chamber 34. FIG. 5 shows arack 36 of a plurality of the inventions with aninner mandril core 18 wrapped withsheets 12 encased insheath 30 having anelastic receptacle 14 combined therewith, ready for heating byelement 66. Once heated to the desired temperature and cooked for the desired period of time, racks 36 are removed fromoven 34 where the shafts have been vulcanized. They are thereafter allowed to cure. For thermoplastics, heating at 350° F. to 550° F. (176° C. to 288° C.) for thirty seconds to ten minutes with a subsequent dwell or hold time to allow bubbles and gases to escape, is preferred. It may be beneficial to heat the thermoplastic prior to applying therubber sheath 30. For epoxies, heating at 150° F. to 350° F. (65° C. to 177° C.) for one to two hours is preferred. - Once cured and cooled, the
mandril 18 can be removed from within the core of thesheets 12 by sliding the shaft to astop 40 and pushing or pullingmandril 18 out from within as depicted in FIG. 6. Thereafter, one has a grip ensconced shaft as depicted in FIG. 7 which may be mated, preferably with a blade B, by inserting blade B'shosel portion 13 into receptacle orcuff 14 to form ahockey stick 10. The entirety of this process is depicted in a flowchart at FIG. 8. In one form, thesheath 30 ensconces the entirety of the shaft, In another, thesheath 30 initially ensconces the entirety of the shaft, but later, a few inches are melted off during the blade mating process. - Moreover, having thus described the invention, it should be apparent that numerous structural modifications and adaptations may be resorted to without departing from the scope and fair meaning of the instant invention as set forth hereinabove and as described hereinbelow by the claims.
Claims (39)
1. A hockey stick, comprising, in combination:
a shaft;
a blade attached to said shaft;
said shaft formed from a composite layup including a hollow core; and
a sheath formed from resilient material ensconcing said shaft.
2. The hockey stick of wherein said composite layup is comprised of a plurality of graphite sheets.
claim 1
3. The hockey stick of wherein said graphite sheets are impregnated with resin, and affixed to each other by said resin.
claim 2
4. The hockey stick of wherein said resilient material runs the length of said shaft.
claim 3
5. The hockey stick of wherein said resilient material is rubber.
claim 4
6. The hockey stick of wherein said layup further comprises a urethane sheet.
claim 5
7. The hockey stick of wherein said urethane sheet defines an innermost layer of said shaft.
claim 6
8. The hockey stick of wherein said blade includes a hosel coupled into said shaft hollow core, said urethane layer overlying said hosel.
claim 7
9. The hockey stick of wherein said urethane sheet has a lesser length than said graphite sheets.
claim 8
10. A method for forming a hockey stick, the steps including:
laying up a composite material;
forming said layup of composite material about a mandril defining a layup wrapped mandril;
ensconcing a resilient sheath over said layup wrapped mandril;
vulcanizing said sheath and layup wrapped mandril combination;
removing the mandril; and
inserting a hockey blade hosel in a central core of said layup formed by removal of the mandril.
11. The method of wherein said ensconcing includes opening the sheath and inserting said layup wrapped mandril.
claim 10
12. The method of wherein said opening is effected by applying a vacuum on an outside surface of said sheets.
claim 11
13. The method of further including placing the vacuum on a tube after deploying the sheath in the tube and fixing sheath end at the tube termini.
claim 12
14. The method of wherein said composite material includes a plurality of uncured resin-impregnated sheets.
claim 13
15. The method of wherein said vulcanizing includes heating at 150° F. to 350° F. for 30 minutes to 2 hours.
claim 14
16. The method of wherein said composite material is comprised of a thermoplastic.
claim 13
17. The method of wherein said vulcanizing step includes heating at 350° F. to 550° F. for 30 seconds to 10 minutes.
claim 16
18. A hockey stick, comprising, in combination:
a shaft; and
a blade attached to said shaft;
said shaft formed by laying up a plurality of uncured resin-impregnated sheets of composite material, forming said plurality of sheets about a mandril, defining a layup wrapped mandril, ensconcing a resilient sheath over said layup wrapped mandril, vulcanizing said sheath and layup wrapped mandril combination, and removing the mandril.
19. The hockey stick of wherein said blade is attached to said hockey stick by inserting a hockey blade hosel in a central core of said layup formed by removal of the mandril.
claim 18
20. The hockey stick of wherein said ensconcing includes opening said sheath and inserting said layup wrapped mandril.
claim 19
21. The hockey stick of wherein said opening is effected by applying a vacuum on an outside surface of said sheets.
claim 20
22. The hockey stick of further including placing said vacuum on a tube after deploying said sheath in said tube and fixing sheath ends at the tube termini.
claim 21
23. A shaft for a hockey stick, comprising, in combination:
a composite layup including a hollow core; and
a sheath formed from resilient material ensconcing said shaft.
24. The shaft of wherein said resilient sheath runs the length of the shaft.
claim 23
25. The shaft of wherein said resilient sheath is rubber.
claim 24
26. The shaft of wherein said composite layup is comprised of a plurality of graphite sheets.
claim 25
27. The shaft of wherein said graphite sheets are impregnated with resin and affixed to each other by said resin.
claim 26
28. The shaft of wherein said layup further comprises a urethane sheet.
claim 27
29. The shaft of wherein said urethane sheet defines an innermost layer of the shaft.
claim 28
30. The shaft of wherein said composite layup is comprised of thermoplastic materials.
claim 25
31. The shaft of wherein said layup further comprises a urethane sheet.
claim 30
32. The shaft of wherein said urethane sheet defines an innermost layer of the shaft.
claim 31
33. An apparatus for wrapping a layer about a mandril, comprising, in combination:
a belt having a first surface to support the layer;
said first surface including tension means to constrain the mandril within a bight portion of said belt;
means to release the mandril upon relaxing said tensioning means;
whereby the layer, when placed on said first surface, and when said tensioning means is enabled, wraps on the mandril,
further comprising a frame wherein said belt is rotatably coupled to said frame,
a lever pivotally coupled to said frame and said tensioning means for enabling and disabling said tensioning means, and
a guide arm pivotally coupled to said frame and movably coupled to said lever to further facilitate constraint of said mandril.
34. The layer wrapping apparatus of wherein said belt is a closed loop belt.
claim 33
35. The layer wrapping apparatus of further comprising a motor means drivably coupled to said belt.
claim 34
36. The layer wrapping apparatus of further comprising rotating means rotatably coupled to said belt for rotating said belt.
claim 35
37. The layer wrapping apparatus of further comprising a hooked stop coupled to one end of said guide arm, the same end facilitating the constraint.
claim 36
38. The layer wrapping apparatus of wherein said rotating means are driving rollers.
claim 37
39. An apparatus for making tubular articles from pliable sheets, comprising, in combination:
a frame;
a lever pivotally coupled to said frame;
a guide arm having a hooked stop at one end, said guide arm pivotally coupled to said frame and movably coupled to said lever;
a closed loop wrapping belt supported on said frame by tension and driving rollers for conveying said pliable sheets, said wrapping belt guided by said hooked stop;
a bight portion of said wrapping belt to form a working gap behind said hooked stop;
an elongated mandril seated in said gap;
means to drive said wrapping belt;
means to tension said wrapping belt to rotate said mandril, said means coupled to said lever.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US09/813,088 US20010018378A1 (en) | 1997-12-23 | 2001-03-19 | Composite hockey stick handle with resilient shroud |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US08/997,344 US6206793B1 (en) | 1997-12-23 | 1997-12-23 | Composite hockey stick handle with resilient shroud |
US09/813,088 US20010018378A1 (en) | 1997-12-23 | 2001-03-19 | Composite hockey stick handle with resilient shroud |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US08/997,344 Continuation US6206793B1 (en) | 1997-12-23 | 1997-12-23 | Composite hockey stick handle with resilient shroud |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20010018378A1 true US20010018378A1 (en) | 2001-08-30 |
Family
ID=25543909
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US08/997,344 Expired - Lifetime US6206793B1 (en) | 1997-12-23 | 1997-12-23 | Composite hockey stick handle with resilient shroud |
US09/813,088 Abandoned US20010018378A1 (en) | 1997-12-23 | 2001-03-19 | Composite hockey stick handle with resilient shroud |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US08/997,344 Expired - Lifetime US6206793B1 (en) | 1997-12-23 | 1997-12-23 | Composite hockey stick handle with resilient shroud |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US6206793B1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2256139C (en) |
Cited By (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20040147346A1 (en) * | 2003-01-24 | 2004-07-29 | Casasanta Joseph G. | Grip for a hockey stick with a hollow-ended shaft |
US20050197219A1 (en) * | 2004-03-08 | 2005-09-08 | Casasanta Joseph G.Jr. | System and method for making a customized cushioned grip on a handle |
US7862456B2 (en) | 2003-05-15 | 2011-01-04 | Easton Sports, Inc. | Hockey stick |
US7914403B2 (en) | 2008-08-06 | 2011-03-29 | Easton Sports, Inc. | Hockey stick |
US7963868B2 (en) | 2000-09-15 | 2011-06-21 | Easton Sports, Inc. | Hockey stick |
US20130047376A1 (en) * | 2011-08-22 | 2013-02-28 | Erik Ahlberg | Sporting Equipment Handle Grip Improvement Apparatus |
US20140066234A1 (en) * | 2011-11-30 | 2014-03-06 | Stephen Robert Lowden | Hockey stick shaft protector |
US11406865B2 (en) | 2017-11-27 | 2022-08-09 | Beijing Kingsmith Technology Co., Ltd. | Running deck assembly and treadmill |
US11446543B2 (en) * | 2017-11-27 | 2022-09-20 | Beijing Kingsmith Technology Co., Ltd. | Running deck assembly and treadmill |
Families Citing this family (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CA2330083C (en) * | 2000-01-07 | 2010-04-13 | Jas. D. Easton, Inc. | Hockey stick |
CA2357331C (en) * | 2000-09-15 | 2010-07-20 | Jas D. Easton, Inc. | Hockey stick |
FI113624B (en) * | 2001-06-28 | 2004-05-31 | Montreal Sports Oy | Process for making one to one hockey club and a shaft |
CA2428925C (en) * | 2002-11-05 | 2007-05-01 | Ray Blotteaux | One-piece shaft construction and a method of construction using bladder molding |
EP1691902A2 (en) * | 2003-11-19 | 2006-08-23 | Timm J. Frischmon | Apparatus and method for repairing a hockey stick shaft |
US20070155548A1 (en) * | 2005-11-16 | 2007-07-05 | Easton Sports, Inc. | Hockey stick |
US8636306B2 (en) * | 2011-04-25 | 2014-01-28 | Stephen L. McBride | Skate board paddle |
CA2792370A1 (en) * | 2012-10-10 | 2014-04-10 | Flextherm Inc. | Floor heating system with flexible and stretchable anti-fracture membrane |
Family Cites Families (25)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CA557838A (en) * | 1958-05-27 | Kline Stanley | Hockey stick construction-hockey sticks and goal sticks made of rubber and aluminum | |
US2201706A (en) | 1936-09-21 | 1940-05-21 | Sukohl Heinrich | Method of coating the blades of air propellers |
US2649133A (en) | 1940-08-05 | 1953-08-18 | Himanit Ag | Method and device for producing high-pressure tubes of hardening materials as cement |
GB637779A (en) * | 1948-06-04 | 1950-05-24 | Dunlop Rubber Co | Improvements relating to hockey sticks |
US2674557A (en) | 1949-03-11 | 1954-04-06 | H D Boggs Company Ltd | Process of making nonmetallic pipe |
US2964065A (en) | 1958-04-30 | 1960-12-13 | Continental Diamond Fibre Corp | Polytetrafluoroethylene tubing and method of making the same |
US3020192A (en) | 1958-10-08 | 1962-02-06 | Gustin Bacon Mfg Co | Method and apparatus for applying resilient sleeves |
US3125478A (en) | 1959-10-16 | 1964-03-17 | Method of making plastic tubular members of | |
US3606326A (en) | 1968-09-25 | 1971-09-20 | William J Sparks | Grip for hand powered implements |
US4016640A (en) | 1975-08-27 | 1977-04-12 | `Totes` Incorporated | Method of fabricating and installing the grip of a hand-held implement |
SE404997B (en) | 1975-12-23 | 1978-11-13 | Kooperativa Foerbundet | PROCEDURE FOR MANUFACTURING A SLEEVE OF A HEAT SEALABLE FOIL PIECE, AND DEVICE FOR PERFORMING THIS PROCEDURE |
US4273601A (en) | 1977-10-31 | 1981-06-16 | Structural Composites Industries, Inc. | Method for the production of elongated resin impregnated filament composite structures |
US4212461A (en) * | 1978-07-10 | 1980-07-15 | Fansteel Inc. | Composite high strength to weight structure having shell and weight controlled core |
SE446084B (en) | 1983-06-27 | 1986-08-11 | Dynatrans Technology Ltd | SET TO MAKE TANKS, CONTAINERS AND Pipes |
US4591155A (en) * | 1985-02-20 | 1986-05-27 | Yutaka Adachi | Method of making hockey sticks |
FR2622506B1 (en) | 1987-11-03 | 1990-04-13 | Aerospatiale | METHOD AND MACHINE FOR MANUFACTURING TUBULAR PARTS FROM AT LEAST ONE STRIP OF FLEXIBLE MATERIAL, AND TUBULAR PARTS THUS OBTAINED |
US4923541A (en) | 1988-10-22 | 1990-05-08 | George Burger | Method for making composite reinforced tubes |
US5050289A (en) | 1989-09-12 | 1991-09-24 | `Totes`, Incorporated | Handle grip |
US5005254A (en) | 1989-09-12 | 1991-04-09 | `Totes`, Incorporated | Handle grip |
US5458330A (en) | 1990-05-04 | 1995-10-17 | The Baum Research & Development Company | Composite baseball bat with cavitied core |
US5114144A (en) | 1990-05-04 | 1992-05-19 | The Baum Research & Development Company, Inc. | Composite baseball bat |
US5419553A (en) | 1992-09-30 | 1995-05-30 | Ronald Salcer | Hockey stick shaft |
US5373616A (en) | 1993-03-31 | 1994-12-20 | Boa, Inc. | Apparatus for applying hangrips to articles such as sports equipment and the like |
US5439215A (en) | 1994-01-25 | 1995-08-08 | Power Stick Manufacturing, Inc. | Composite, pultruded fiberglass resinous hockey stick, method and device for manufacture thereof |
CA2169216A1 (en) | 1995-02-09 | 1996-08-10 | Richard A. Reed | Metalized hockey stick |
-
1997
- 1997-12-23 US US08/997,344 patent/US6206793B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1998
- 1998-12-16 CA CA002256139A patent/CA2256139C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2001
- 2001-03-19 US US09/813,088 patent/US20010018378A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (15)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US8517868B2 (en) | 2000-09-15 | 2013-08-27 | Easton Sports, Inc. | Hockey stick |
US8216096B2 (en) | 2000-09-15 | 2012-07-10 | Easton Sports, Inc. | Hockey stick |
US7963868B2 (en) | 2000-09-15 | 2011-06-21 | Easton Sports, Inc. | Hockey stick |
US20040147346A1 (en) * | 2003-01-24 | 2004-07-29 | Casasanta Joseph G. | Grip for a hockey stick with a hollow-ended shaft |
US20060128508A1 (en) * | 2003-01-24 | 2006-06-15 | Casasanta Jr Joseph G | Grip for a hockey stick with a hollow-ended shaft |
US7288036B2 (en) | 2003-01-24 | 2007-10-30 | Casasanta Jr Joseph G | Grip for a hockey stick with a hollow-ended shaft |
US7862456B2 (en) | 2003-05-15 | 2011-01-04 | Easton Sports, Inc. | Hockey stick |
US20050197219A1 (en) * | 2004-03-08 | 2005-09-08 | Casasanta Joseph G.Jr. | System and method for making a customized cushioned grip on a handle |
US7914403B2 (en) | 2008-08-06 | 2011-03-29 | Easton Sports, Inc. | Hockey stick |
US20130047376A1 (en) * | 2011-08-22 | 2013-02-28 | Erik Ahlberg | Sporting Equipment Handle Grip Improvement Apparatus |
US8876620B2 (en) * | 2011-08-22 | 2014-11-04 | Erik Ahlberg | Sporting equipment handle grip improvement apparatus |
US20140066234A1 (en) * | 2011-11-30 | 2014-03-06 | Stephen Robert Lowden | Hockey stick shaft protector |
US8905873B2 (en) * | 2011-11-30 | 2014-12-09 | Stephen Robert Lowden | Hockey stick shaft protector |
US11406865B2 (en) | 2017-11-27 | 2022-08-09 | Beijing Kingsmith Technology Co., Ltd. | Running deck assembly and treadmill |
US11446543B2 (en) * | 2017-11-27 | 2022-09-20 | Beijing Kingsmith Technology Co., Ltd. | Running deck assembly and treadmill |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CA2256139C (en) | 2006-02-21 |
US6206793B1 (en) | 2001-03-27 |
CA2256139A1 (en) | 1999-06-23 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US6206793B1 (en) | Composite hockey stick handle with resilient shroud | |
US5482270A (en) | Handgrip for a bat | |
US5538769A (en) | Graphite composite shaft with reinforced tip | |
US7985314B2 (en) | Method of making an all-weather grip | |
US5373616A (en) | Apparatus for applying hangrips to articles such as sports equipment and the like | |
US6352662B1 (en) | Integral molded grip and shaft | |
US3483055A (en) | Method for forming a fiber glass racket frame | |
US5533723A (en) | Composite baseball bat with cavitied core | |
CA2883875C (en) | Composite blade for hockey stick having openings | |
US5540877A (en) | Method of making a continous fiber reinforced resin transfer molded frame for a game racquet | |
US6261500B1 (en) | Method for making a thermoplastic composite tubular member such as a golf shaft | |
US20050277494A1 (en) | Lacrosse stick having a composite shaft | |
JP3985201B2 (en) | Reinforced wooden bat and recipe | |
CA2088468C (en) | Composite hockey stick shaft and process for making same | |
US8491410B2 (en) | Golf club shaft | |
WO2012033616A2 (en) | Method of improving a handle grip | |
US7288036B2 (en) | Grip for a hockey stick with a hollow-ended shaft | |
US4022470A (en) | Grip for implement handle | |
US5493807A (en) | Line shooter | |
US20110100535A1 (en) | Matrix composite golf club shaft and madrel | |
US5368465A (en) | Ice-cream scoop with forearm appendage | |
US4506887A (en) | Racket frame comprised of a single continuous filament and resin | |
CN210200428U (en) | Vertical tape winding machine with protection device | |
US6475580B1 (en) | Manufacture of elongate articles | |
US20090170626A1 (en) | Two hang grip |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- AFTER EXAMINER'S ANSWER OR BOARD OF APPEALS DECISION |