Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TITLE: ~ANDLE COXPONENT FOR A HOCREY STICR AND A METHOD
; ~ OF NANUFACTURE ?HEREOF
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;FIELD OF THB INVENTION
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The present invention relates to the art of
;! manufacturing sporting implements, more particularly, to
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a handle component for a hockey stick reinforced with
layers of synthetic fibers having different network
configurations to impart increased resistance to the
handle component. The invention also extends to a method
for manufacturing the handle component.
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BACXGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In order to reinforce the handle of a hockey stick,
the prior art teaches to apply on the lateral surfaces of
the handle which are parallel to the plane of the blade,
relatively thin layers of synthetic fibers, such as glass
fibers, which extend longitudinally on the handle. The
fibers are embedded in a suitable matrix such as synthetic
resin forming a bonding medium to intimately retain the
fibers to the handle component.
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- By virtue of the high tensile strength of the
~ synthetic fibers the resistance of the handle component to -
; bending stresses is increased. Such bending stresses are
developed in response to curvature induced by an external
load, such as when the player severely strikes the puck
with the blade of the hockey stick.
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'! It is believed, however, that further improvement to
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!l the resistance of the handle of the hockey stick can be
achieved by combining together a plurality of reinforcing
-~ layers having different fiber network configurations.
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~' OBJECTB AND eTATENENT OF THE INVENTION
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An object of the present invention is a novel handle
component for a hockey stick which is highly resistant to
bending efforts.
~ Another object of the invention is a method for
;~ 20 manufacturing the aforementioned handle component. :
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A further object of the present invention is to
~ provide a hockey stick utilizing the aforementioned handle
-~ component.
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As embodied and broadly described herein the
invention provides a handle component for a hockey stick,
comprising:
- - a core of wooden material having a pair of
- 5 generally opposite main faces extending along a
longitudinal axis of the core;
,3 - first and second reinforcing layers of synthetic
fibrous material applied against each main face of the
-~ core in a superposed relationship, the first reinforcing
-l 10 layer including crossing fibers extending in different
directions, the second reinforcing layer includlng
generally parallel fibers extending along the longitudinal
axis; and
- a matrix binding the reinforcing layers to the core
to form a structurally integral assembly.
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3 In a most preferred embodiment, the first reinforcing
,: 3~ layer comprises glass fibers united in yarn-like bundles
extending transversely and longitudinally relative to the
wooden core. The yarn-like bundles are arranged in a
~;~ woven network, in other words, the yarn-like bundles
--~ interlace each other in the manner of a textile fabric. -~
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~ It has been found that the combination of reinforcing
- 25 layers using bidirectional and unidirectional fiber
configurations, donates to the handle component a
significantly higher resistance to bending stresses.
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As embodied and broadly described herein, the
invention also provides a method for manufacturing a
handle component for a hockey stick, comprising the
~` following steps:
- providing a core of wooden material having a pair
of generally opposite main faces extending along a
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3~ longitudinal axis of the core;
- applying on each main surface of the core first and
second reinforcing layers o~ synthetic fibrous material in
a superposed relationship, the first reinforcing layer
including crossing fibers extending in different
2`1 directions, the second reinforcing layer including
generally parallel fibers extending along the longitudinal
axis; and
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- bonding the reinforcing layers to the core to form ;~
a structurally integral assembly.
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Most preferably, the various layers of the handle
component are deposited in a superposed relationship in a
curing mould having a suitable shape and uncured binder is ~
applied between the various layers of the assembly. The ;
mould is then closed to create a mechanical pressure on
the laminated structure and the temperature of the mould
is elevated to cure the binder.
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8RIEF DE8CRIPTION OF THE DRAWING8:
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:1 - Figure 1 is a perspective view of a hockey stick
constructed in accordance with the present inv~ntion;
.1 - Figure 2 is a highly enlarged cross-sectional view
: taken along lines 2-2 in Figure 1; and
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~-`J~ - Figure 3 is an exploded view of the handle
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10 component of the hockey stick shown in Figure 1.
DE8CRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
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~? With reference to the annexed drawings, the present
~'1 15 invention provides a hockey stick designated
? comprehensively by the reference numeral 10, comprising an
~', elongated handle component 12 to which is mounted a blade
~ 14.
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The object of the present invention is an improved
handle component 12 of the hockey stick whose structure is
~¦ best shown in Figures 2 and 3. More particularly, the
handle component 12 comprises a core of soft wooden
;1 material 16 which extends longitudinally throughout the
.": 25 entire length of the handle 12. The wooden core 16 is
preferably an assembly of smaller wooden components glued
to one another to form a larger unit, or alternatively it
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may be a unitary piece of wood. On the lateral main
surfaces of the wooden component 16 are applied veneers 18
of hard wood.
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On the outside surface of each veneer 18 is
positioned a first reinforcing layer 20 constituted by
fine glass fibers united in yarn-like bundleis which are
-. weaved to form a textile-like fabric structure. More
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specifically, the yarn-like bundles cross and interlace
each other, extending transversely and longitudinally
relative to the wooden core 16.
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on each reinforcing layer 20 is mounted a second
reinforcing layer 22 in the form of a board comprising
parallel, longitudinally extending glass fibers in binder
matrix.
The method for manufacturing the handle component 12
consists of placing in a superposed relationship the
various components of the handle in a shaping mould and
~, applying between the layers a suitable bonding agent such
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'!j as synthetic resin which when cured acts as a strong
~ adhesive to maintain these layers intimately associated to
"Jl one another. ~he shaping mould is then closed to create
^ 25 a mechanical pressure on the assembly and the temperature
s in the mould cavity is elevated to cure the bonding
medium.
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The mould is then opened and the handle component i5
then transferred to further processing stations for
attaching the blade 14 to its lower end, polishing,
cleaning, applying various marking~, etc.
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Most preferably, the layers 22 are selected to be
translucent allowing the reinforcing layers 20 to be
visible. This feature enhances the aesthetical appearance
of the handle by allowing the network structure of the
reinforcing layers 20 to show.
The above description of a preferred embodiment of
this invention should not be interpreted in any limiting
~ 15 manner as it may be refined and varied in several ways
;~ without departing from the spirit of the invention. The
; ~cope of the invention is defined in the annexed claims
and their equivalents.
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