Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
2 1 76849
AID FOR PARTICIPANTS IN THE SPORT OF CURLING
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a device used in the sport of
5 curling, and more particularly to a device which allows a curler to launch
a curling stone from a st~n-linp~ position.
Back~round of the Invention
Conventional floor curling is done on a long, highly waxed,
10 horizontal floor. Curlers deliver 3 pound stones 71/2 inches in diameter
by sliding them along the floor. The objective is to place curling stones
closer to the center of a target than curling stones of an opponent and to
bump opponent's curling stones away from the center of the target.
Conventional ice curling is done on a long specially pebbled
ice surface. The objective of ice curling is generally the same as the
objective in floor curling. In ice curling a curler can cause a curling stone
to follow a curved trajectory by putting a clockwise or counterclockwise
spin (curl) on the curling stone. By turning a stone, the curler can cause
20 the stone to curve around a guard stone into a protected position.
Standard stones for ice curling weigh 40 pounds.
Curling stones generally have standard sized handles. In the
course of normal play, curlers must adopt very low kneeling or sqll~tting
25 positions to grasp and launch the low curling stones. In ice curling,
curlers deliver curling stones from a low sqll~ttin~ position while they
are sliding along the ice surface. Curlers suffering from ankle, knee, hip
or back problems, or curlers who are overweight may find it difficult
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and/or uncomfortable to adopt these low kneeling or squ~ttin~ positions.
Consequently they quit the sport of curling.
A few attempts have been made to fasten vertical rods or
5 extended handles to individually owned curling stones. These have
proven to be impractical for various reasons.
Zembrod, U.S. Patent No. 4,844,463, discloses a modified
curling stone having a bore through the stone body, a bottom-mounted
10 carrying disc of a material specifically suited for a given playing surface,
and a detachable elong~te~l handle attached to the carrying disc. Removal
of the handle releases the bottom-mounted carrying disc.
Summ~ry of the Invention
The inventor has recognised that there is a need for a device which
would allow a curler to launch a standard curling stone from an upright
positlon.
This invention provides a curling aid which allows a st~n-ling
curler to remotely manipulate a standard curling stone. The inventor
considers that a curling aid should ideally have the following attributes:
(a) The curling aid should permit the curler to execute the
launch of a curling stone with a natural motion, as learned
in unaided play;
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(b) The curling aid should permit a curler to launch a curling
stone from an upright position thereby avoiding the physical
discomfort associated with low kneeling position or
sql~tting positions;
s
(c) The curling aid should afford control over the velocity,
direction, and spin of the curling stone;
(d) The curling aid should function with a standard curling
stone, thereby allowing aided curlers to reintegrate into
curling culture by being able to compete against, and share
equipment with, unaided curlers; and,
(e) The curling aid should keep the cost of participation low by
precluding the need to acquire modified curling stones.
Accordingly, a first aspect of the invention provides a curling aid
comprising an elongated rigid member; an arm brace located near an
upper end of the rigid member; a curling stone handle receiver located
20 at a lower end of the rigid member, the receiver defining a downwardly
facing pocket for receiving a standard curling stone handle; and a hand
grip projecting from the rigid member between the arm brace and the
receiver.
In a preferred embodiment the pocket is lined with a resiliently
compressible material. In a most preferred embodiment, the compressible
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material is compressible by no more than about 25% of its relaxed
thickness.
Another aspect of the invention provides a curling aid having a
5 receiver which has a rearwardly sl~nting rear wall. Most preferably, the
rear wall of the receiver slants rearwardly at an angle of about 20~ to
the vertical.
Yet another aspect of the invention provides a curling aid having
10 a curling stone handle receiver with a pocket wherein a rear portion of
the pocket is deeper than a front portion of the pocket.
Another aspect of the invention provides a curling aid for assisting
in the launching of a standard curling stone. The curling aid comprises:
15 an elongated rigid member of a length, the elongated rigid member
comprising an upper tubular member, and a lower insert member
slideably received within the upper tubular member; a securing means for
releasably coupling the upper tubular member to the lower insert
member; an arm brace located near a top end of the upper tubular
20 member, the arm brace comprising a pair of curved members projecting
outwardly from the upper tubular member, the arm brace having an
inside face lined by a resiliently pliable layer; a grip located on the upper
tubular member in a position between the arm brace and a bottom end of
the upper tubular member, the grip comprising a thumb rest portion; a
25 receiver for receiving a curling stone handle, the receiver comprising a
top wall, an outwardly slanted rear wall and a pair of outwardly slanted
side walls defining a forwardly and downwardly open pocket within the
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receiver, a resiliently compressible layer lining the pocket, and a
forwardly protruding loop; and a connector pivotally attaching the
receiver to a bottom end of the lower insert member, the connector
comprising a pair of radially ribbed surfaces, one mounted to each of the
5 receiver and the bottom end of the lower insert member and an adjustable
fastener whereby said radially ribbed surfaces may be adjustably fastened
together. The curling aid may also comprise a caliper mechanism located
in a fixed position with respect to the housing. The caliper mechanism
comprising a pair of opposed spring biased pivotally mounted caliper
10 jaws. The jaws have a normal open position wherein the jaws are spaced
apart and an actuated closed position wherein the jaws are pressed
together inwardly adjacent the pocket. A caliper actll~tin~ lever or
"trigger" is provided adjacent the grip. A linkage extends between the
caliper mechanism and the trigger.
The foregoing features of the invention will be more readily
understood upon consideration of the following detailed description of the
invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
20 Brief Description of the Drawings
In drawings which illustrate specific embodiments of the invention,
but which should not be construed as restricting the spirit or scope of the
invention in any way:
FIG. lA is a side elevational views of a curling aid adapted for
floor curling according to a first embodiment of the invention;
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FIG. lB is a side elevational view of a curling aid adapted for ice
curling according to a second embodiment of the invention;
FIG lC is a side elevational view of a curling aid adapted for ice
curling and capable of lofting a curling stone according to a second
5 embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2A is a side elevational detail view of a housing portion of
the curling aid shown in FIG. lA;
FIG.2B is a side elevational detail view of a housing portion of the
curling aid shown in FIG. lC;
FIG. 3 is a rear elevational detail view of the housing portion of
the curling aid shown in FIG. lA;
FIG.4A is a front elevational detail view of the housing portion of
the curling aid shown in FIG. lA;
FIG.4B is a front elevational detail view of the housing portion of
the curling aid shown in FIG. lC;
FIG.Sis a top detail view of the housing portion of the curling aid
shown in FIG. lA;
FIG.6is a bottom detail view of the housing portion of the curling
aid shown in FIG. lA;
FIG. 7 is a outside elevational detail view of a caliper jaw for the
curling aid of FIG. lC;
FIG. 8 is an rear elevational detail view of a caliper jaw for the
curling aid of FIG. lC; and,
FIG. 9is top view of the upper tubular member of the curling aid
shown in FIG. lA.
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Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments
Referring now to the drawings, FIG. lA shows a first embodiment
of a curling aid 10A, for manipul~ting a curling stone 15 on a playing
surface 19. The embodiment of Figure lA is adapted for floor curling.
5 Curling aid 10A has a receiver or "clasper" or "housing" 20 for
receiving a curling stone handle. An elongated rigid member 24 connects
receiver 20 to an arm holding means comprising an arm brace 26 and a
hand grip or "handle" 28. Arm brace 26 has curved members 27 for
grasping a curler's forearm in a snug comfortable fit. An inner side 30
10 of arm brace 26 is padded with a layer of p~(kling 32, such as sponge
rubber. Hand grip 28 is strong and ergonomically form fitting. Hand grip
28 preferably extends at an angle of about 60~ to rigid member 24. Arm
brace 26 and hand grip 28 provide two point arm control so that a curler
can use curling aid 10A to accurately guide a curling stone 15.
Receiver 20 defines a pocket 40 for receiving a curling stone
handle 17, thereby allowing the curler to remotely manipulate a curling
stone. Receiver 20 is connected to member 24.
Preferably the length of member 24 is adjustable to compensate for
differences in height between different persons. Member 24 is preferably
telescopically adjustable in length. Most preferably, member 24
comprises an upper tubular member 42 and a lower tubular insert
member 44. Member 24 can be adjusted to a length desired by a curler
and then fastened at that length. A plurality of opposed aperture pairs 46
are located near the bottom end 48 of tubular member 42. When one of
the aperture pairs 46 on tubular member 42 is aligned with an aperture
~ . - 8 - 2176849
on insert member 44, a locking member 50 is inserted through the
apertures to releasably couple tubular member 42 to insert member 44.
Locking member 50 is, for example, a bolt.
Preferably the connection 52 between receiver 20 and member 24
allows the angle between receiver 20 and member 24 to be adjusted. For
example, in the embodiment shown in Figure lA, connection 52
comprises a star wheel / bolt assembly. When the bolt in the star wheel
/ bolt assembly is tightened, the angle between receiver 20 and member
24 is locked.
As shown in FIGS. 2A, 3A, 4A, 5A and 6A, receiver 20 defines
an inverted "U" shaped pocket 40 dimensioned to receive the handle 17
of a curling stone 15. Curling aid 10A of Figure lA is dimensioned to
receive the handle of a standard floor type curling stone which is 71h
inches in diameter and weighs about 3 pounds. In use, pocket 40
receives, and enables a curler to firmly hold, a handle 17 of a curling
stone.
Front parts of pocket 40 are preferably shallower than rear parts
of pocket 40 to allow for a clean release of a curling stone, especially
when the stone's handle 17 is released at an angle to the direction of
delivery to curling stone 15. For example, the top surface of pocket 40
may be inclined forwardly at an angle of about 5~. The side walls 54 of
pocket 40 slope outwardly, preferably at angles of about 15~, to allow
the handle 17 of a curling stone 15 to be easily inserted into pocket 40
and subsequently smoothly released.
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The rear wall 56 of pocket 40 comprises a plate which slopes
rearwardly, preferably at an angle of about 20~. This helps a curler to
more smoothly release a curling stone. It can be appreciated that, when
curling aid 10A is used, the main thrust on a curling stone is provided
5 through contact between handle 17 of the curling stone and the rear wall
56 of pocket 40. During the final portion of the delivery the curler's arm
is extended forwardly and curling aid 10A is at a lower angle to the
curling surface, and to handle 17.
Pocket 40 of receiver 20 is preferably lined with an inner layer 58
made of suitably resilient compressible material such as closed cell foam
rubber. Preferably, layer 58 should compress by no more than about 25 %
of its relaxed thickness to provide good control of curling stone 15 during
play.
In the embodiments illustrated in Figures lA through lC, an
extension 60 in the form of a loop extends forwardly and slightly
downwardly from receiver 20. Preferably extension 60 depends
downwardly at an angle of about 25~. When a handle 17 is received in
20 pocket 40 of receiver 20 the forward portion of extension 60 prevents
handle 17 from sliding forwardly out of pocket 40. This permits a curler
to draw a stone lS back in preparation for thrusting stone 15 forwardly.
A curler may also use extension 60 to pull a curling stone lS from a
rack, slide or lift the curling stone lS onto a carpet, move the stone lS
25 on the carpet to clean the lower sliding surface of stone lS of foreign
material that might affect the performance of stone 15, and move stone
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15 into position for delivery. Extension 60 can be hooked under handle
17 of a curling stone 15 to lift curling stone 15 when necessary.
To propel curling stone 15 along playing surface 19, a curler
5 places his or her arm in arm brace 26, grasps hand grip 28, places
receiver 20 over the handle 17 of a curling stone 15, pulls curling stone
lS backward then pushes curling stone 15 forward with curling aid 10A.
The curler lifts curling aid 10A off of handle 17 at the end of the
delivery. Curling aid 10A acts essentially like an extension of the curler's
10 arm and allows the curler to guide curling stone 15 accurately during
delivery. Hand grip 28 acts like an extended handle 17 of stone 15.
In testing a curling aid which lacked a forearm brace 26 it was
found that all aspects of curling delivery could be achieved, including
15 obt~ining delivery weight and curl but that directional control over the
curling stone was inadequate. The inventor considers that this is due to
the fact that, without an arm brace 26, curlers do not have confidence
that curling aid is delivering the curling stone in the correct direction and
so the curlers look down at the stone and its direction rather than at the
20 target at the other end of the curling rink.
Figure lB shows an alternative curling aid 10B according to the
invention. Curling aid 10B is adapted for pushing a standard 40 pound
ice curling stone along an ice surface. Curling aid 10B is subst~nti~lly
25 identical to curling aid 10A with the exception that receiver 20 is
dimensioned to receive the handle of a standard ice curling stone, which
is somewhat larger than the handle of a standard floor curling stone.
1 - 21 76849
Figure lC shows a curling aid 10C according to a further
alternative embodiment of the invention. The embodiment of Figure lC
allows a curler to loft a curling stone 15. Curling aid 10C is similar to
curling aid 10B with the exception that it includes a grasping mechanism
5 70 for grasping the handle 17 of a curling stone 15 and rigid member 24
is slightly shortened to permit a curler to swing curling stone 15
rearwardly in an arc in preparation for delivery.
An exemplary grasping mechanism 70 is shown in FIGS. 2B and
10 4B. Grasping mechanism 70 comprises a pair of calipers 72 which are
pivotally attached to a caliper housing 15 on rigid member 24 by pivots
76. Pivots 76 may, for example, be 1/4 inch diameter stainless steel bolts.
Calipers 72 are fastened onto pivots 76 with locknuts. Calipers 72 are
made from a strong material, such as 1/4 inch thick alllrnimlrn, so that
15 they do nor flex. Calipers 72 are pivotally movable between an "open"
position in which jaws 78 on calipers 72 are retracted outwardly from
pocket 40 and a "closed" position in which jaws 78 meet below pocket
40 to retain the handle 17 of a curling stone 15 in pocket 40.
Calipers 72 are biased into their "open" position by springs 80
which extend between the upper ends of each of calipers 72 and caliper
housing 15. Springs 80 may, for example, be 2 pound pull stainless steel
extension springs. Calipers 72 may be moved to their closed position by
pulling trigger 75. Trigger 75 is connected to calipers 72 by a linkage 82
comprising a flexible cross member 79 extending between the upper ends
of calipers 72 and by a wire rope 84. Wire rope 84 is preferably a strong
flexible nylon coated aircraft type wire rope. Pulling trigger 75 pulls
- 12 - 2 ~ ~68~9
cross member 79 upwardly and draws the upper ends of calipers 72
together, thereby closing caliper jaws 78. Trigger 75 is preferably
pivoted to a structural extension 77. This provides a mechanical
advantage while exerting pull on wire rope 84. The mechanical advantage
5 provided by linkage 82 permits a curler to hold jaws 78 in their closed
position with sufficient force to hold a 40 pound curling stone with 3 or
4 fingers on trigger 75.
A clamp 85 is provided to allow the length of wire rope 84 to be
10 adjusted when the length of rigid member 24 is adjusted. Fine adjustment
of the length of wire rope 84 and the operation of calipers 72 is provided
by a turnbuckle 86.
Grasping mechanism 70 should be precisely made. Gaps between
15 jaws 78 of calipers 72 and the handle 17 of a curling stone 15 can result
in handle 17 slipping out of receiver 20. The resilient lining 58 inside
pocket 40 helps to provide a firm tight fit of handle 17 in pocket 40. The
lower ends of jaws 78 are curved inwardly to conform with the standard
diameter of a curling stone handle. Shoulders are provided on either side
20 of calipers 72 to ensure that the lower portions of calipers 72 do not
make frictional contact with caliper housing 15 as calipers 72 are opened
and closed.
When a curler has placed a handle 17 of a curling stone 15 into
25 pocket 40 and pulled trigger 75 so that jaws 78 of grasping mechanism
70 have occluded the downwardly facing opening of pocket 40 the curler
can lift curling stone 15 off playing surface 19.
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A curler can use curling aid 10C by engaging the handle 17
of a curling stone 15 in pocket 40, pulling trigger 75 to hold handle 17
in place and lifting curling stone 15. With stone 15 lifted, the curler can
swing curling stone 15 in a rearward arc to develop the necessary
S delivery weight and then smoothly swing curling stone 15 forwardly and
place curling stone 15 on the ice surface. Before completing the delivery,
the curler releases trigger 75. This allows springs 80 to retract jaws 78
of calipers 72 into their fully open position. At this point the curler holds
curling aid 10C with thumb rest 29 and the stone's handle is still engaged
10 in pocket 40. At the end of the delivery, the curler applies "curl" to the
stone and lifts curling aid 10C to cleanly release the stone.
It can be appreciated that a curling aid according to the invention
can be used with conventional unmodified curling stones 15. It is not
lS necessary to attach anything to the curling stone that could inconvenience
other curlers.
As will be apparent to those skilled in the art in the light of
the foregoing disclosure, many alterations and modifications are possible
20 in the practice of this invention without departing from the spirit or scope
thereof. It is intended that all matter contained in this specification shall
be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense. Accord-
ingly, the scope of the invention is to be construed in accordance with the
substance defined by the following claims.
