Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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CURLING BROOM HANDLE
TECHNICAL FIELD
A handle for a curling broom.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The sport of curling involves the use of a curling broom for sweeping the ice
in
front of a moving curling stone and for assisting a curler in balancing while
throwing a curling
stone. Curling brooms consist of a handle portion and a head portion.
Curling broom heads include a brush surface for engaging an ice surface.
Curling
broom heads exist in many different styles and configurations and may be
constructed of many
different materials. For example, curling broom heads may be configured either
as sweeping
brooms or as push brooms and the brush surface may be constructed of fibers or
pads and may be
made from either natural or synthetic materials.
Curling broom handles are elongated shafts which are conventionally
substantially circular in cross-section. One advantage of a circular cross-
section is that it is an
efficient shape which can provide equal strength and rigidity in all
directions. This advantage is
of some importance because a curling broom handle may be exposed to high
stresses in a variety
of directions. A second advantage of a circular cross-section is that because
of its continuously
rounded surface it is relatively comfortable to hold.
One disadvantage of a circular cross-section is that a circular shape may tend
to
rotate in a curler's hands. A second disadvantage of a circular cross-section
is that a curler
cannot sense with a circular handle by grip alone the orientation of the
curling broom head
relative to either the curler or the ice surface.
The advantages and disadvantages of a curling broom handle with its circular
cross-section may be compared with the advantages and disadvantages of the
shape of a hockey
stick handle, which typically has a rectangular cross-section.
Advantageously, the rectangular cross-section of a hockey stick handle does
not
have the same tendency to rotate in a hockey player's hands as does the
circular cross-section of
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a curling broom handle, thus potentially making a hockey player's grip on the
handle more
positive. A second advantage is that the rectangular cross-section of a hockey
stick handle does
facilitate the sensing by grip alone of the orientation of the blade of the
hockey stick relative to
the hockey player and the ice surface.
Disadvantageously, the rectangular cross section of a hockey stick handle does
not
provide consistent strength and rigidity in all directions. Typically, the
handle is oriented so that
the top face and the bottom face of the cross-section are shorter than the
front face and the rear
face of the cross-section. As a result, a hockey stick handle is quite rigid
and strong along the
bending axis created when a player leans on the stick, but is less rigid and
strong along the
bending axis created when a player shoots a puck with the stick. As a result,
although hockey
stick handles provide good flexing action during the taking of a shot, they
are also most often
broken or damaged during shot-taking. A second disadvantage is that hockey
stick handles are
not particularly comfortable to hold, since the corners of the rectangular
cross-section do not
provide an ergonomic fit in the hand of the hockey player.
The art pertaining to hockey stick handles describes modified cross sections
for
hockey stick handles which are intended to overcome the disadvantages
associated with a
rectangular cross section.
Canadian Patent Application No. 2,106,178 (Scherz), U.S. Patent No. 4,361,325
(Jansen), U.S. Patent No. 5,306,003 (Pagotto), U.S. Patent No. 5,423,531
(Hoshizaki et al), U.S.
Patent No. 5,577,725 (Pagotto) all describe modified rectangular cross
sections for hockey stick
handles.
PCT International Publication No. 01/14019 A1 (Sulenta) and U.S. Patent No.
5,967,913 (Sulenta) both describe a triangular cross section for a hockey
stick handle.
U.S. Patent No. 3,712,659 (Kneissl) describes an oval shaped handle for an
implement such as an ice axe, which handle has a coating of a synthetic
material for improving
the rigidity and durability of the handle.
None of these prior art references describe a cross section which would be
suitable
for use in a curling broom handle. In particular, none of these references
describes a cross
section which preserves the advantages while addressing the disadvantages of a
circular cross
section in a curling broom handle.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is comprised of a modified transverse cross section for
a
curling broom handle.
In one aspect, the invention is an elongated handle for a curling broom, the
handle
having a length, and being of the type having a substantially circular
transverse cross section,
wherein the improvement comprises a pair of truncations of the substantially
circular transverse
cross section of the handle, the truncations being comprised of two
diametrically opposed
parallel planar surfaces and each of the pair of truncations having a length
extending along at
least a portion of the length of the handle.
The handle may be constructed of any material or combination of materials
which
are suitable for use in a curling broom handle. For example, the material may
be comprised of
wood, plastic, fiberglass, metal or composite materials. Preferably the
material is comprised of
wood, fiberglass or an aluminum alloy.
The handle may be comprised of a solid cross section or may be comprised of a
hollow cross section. A hollow cross section may either be reinforced or
unreinforced. The
handle may also be comprised of a combination of solid and hollow cross
sections along its
length. The choice of cross sections for the handle is somewhat dependent upon
the choice of
material or materials for the handle.
A hollow reinforced cross section may be reinforced in any manner which
provides added strength and rigidity to the handle. Preferably reinforcement
of a hollow cross
section is provided by one or more reinforcing members which are contained
within the hollow
cross section. These reinforcing members may or may not be partially or fully
interconnected
with each other.
In a first preferred embodiment the handle is comprised of a reinforced hollow
cross section which is constructed of an aluminum alloy material. In this
preferred embodiment
the hollow cross section is reinforced by a plurality of interconnected
reinforcing members which
are contained within the hollow cross section. Any number and any
configuration of
interconnected reinforcing members may be used. Preferably, however, either
three or four
interconnected reinforcing members are contained within the hollow cross
section.
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The interconnected reinforcing members may be interconnected in any manner.
Preferably the interconnected reinforcing members are interconnected in a
manner so that they
each span between an interior surface of the hollow cross section and a hub
located within the
hollow cross section. This combination provides a handle which is relatively
light and which is
also quite strong and rigid.
In a second preferred embodiment the handle is comprised of an unreinforced
hollow cross section which is constructed of fiberglass.
In a third preferred embodiment the handle is comprised of a solid cross
section
which is constructed of wood.
The curling broom handle of the invention may be manufactured and sold
separately from a curling broom head so that the handle is connectable with a
variety of different
curling broom heads and/or so that the handle can be used as a replacement
handle for an existing
curling broom. Alternatively, the curling broom handle of the invention may be
manufactured
and sold as a component of a curling broom, including both the handle and a
curling broom head.
In either case, the handle may be comprised of a distal end for connection
with a
curling broom head, and the handle may be further comprised of a curling broom
head which is
attached to the distal end of the handle.
The curling broom head may be attached to the distal end of the handle in any
manner which facilitates such attachment. Furthermore, the curling broom head
may be attached
to the handle so that the pair of truncations are facing any orientation which
may be desired by
the user.
In a first preferred embodiment, the curling broom head is attached to the
distal
end of the handle such that the pair of truncations define a front face of the
handle and a rear face
of the handle. In a second preferred embodiment, the curling broom head is
attached to the distal
end of the handle such that the pair of truncations define a top face of the
handle and a bottom
face of the handle.
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The pair of truncations may extend along any portion of the length of the
handle.
Each of the pair of truncations may be the same length or may have different
lengths. Preferably,
each of the pair of truncations extends along substantially the entire length
of the handle.
The shape and relative dimensions of the modified circular transverse cross
section may take many forms within the scope of the invention. Preferably, the
shape and
relative dimensions of the transverse cross section preserve the advantages of
a substantially
circular cross section while providing the additional advantages resulting
from the pair of
truncations.
Preferably the amount of truncation of the transverse cross section is an
amount
which is sufficient to provide both an improved grip of the handle and
improved sensory feel for
the orientation of the handle, but which is not so great as to compromise the
comfort and strength
of the handle in a curler's hands.
To this end, the transverse cross section of the handle has a diameter and
each of
the pair of truncations has a width. Preferably the width of each of the
truncations is less than or
equal to about one half of the diameter of the transverse cross section of the
handle. More
preferably the diameter of the transverse cross section of the handle is less
than about 30
millimeters and the width of the truncations is less than about 15
millimeters. In the preferred
embodiments the diameter of the transverse cross section of the handle is
about 28 millimeters
and the width of the truncations is about 14 millimeters.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a view of an unreinforced hollow transverse cross section for a
curling
broom handle in accordance with the invention.
Figure 2 is a view of a solid transverse cross section for a curling broom
handle in
accordance with the invention.
Figure 3 is a view of a first embodiment of a reinforced hollow transverse
cross
section for a curling broom handle in accordance with the invention.
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Figure 4 is a view of a second embodiment of a reinforced hollow transverse
cross
section for a curling broom handle in accordance with the invention.
Figure 5 is a side view of a curling broom, including a curling broom head and
a
curling broom handle in accordance with the invention.
Figure 6 is a transverse cross section view of the curling broom handle
depicted in
Figure 5, taken along section line 6-6 of Figure 5.
Figure 7 is a transverse cross section view of an alternate configuration
relative to
the curling broom head for the curling broom handle depicted in Figure 5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present invention is directed at a modified transverse cross section for a
curling broom handle. More particularly, the invention relates to
modifications to the
conventional substantially circular transverse cross section of a curling
broom handle.
Referring to Figure 5, a typical curling broom (20) is comprised of a curling
broom handle (22) and a curling broom head (24). The curling broom head (24)
is attached to a
distal end (26) of the curling broom handle (22). The curling broom head (24)
may be either
permanently or removably attached to the curling broom handle (22) and may be
attached to the
curling broom handle (22) using any structure or apparatus which will provide
a suitable
connection between the curling broom handle (22) and the curling broom head
(24).
The curling broom head (24) is comprised of a brush surface (28) for engaging
an
ice surface (not shown) during a curling game. The brush surface (28) may be
comprised of any
suitable material. For example, the brush surface (28) may be constructed of
fibers or pads and
may be made from either natural or synthetic materials. In the preferred
embodiment the brush
surface (28) is comprised of a covered foam pad, both of which are formed from
synthetic
materials.
The curling broom handle (22) has a transverse cross section (30). A
conventional curling broom handle (22) has a transverse cross section (30)
which is circular in
shape and which has no "flat" or "planar" sections.
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Referring to Figures 1-7, the curling broom handle (22) of the invention has a
transverse cross section (30) which is substantially circular in shape but
which also comprises a
pair of truncations (32) of the substantially circular transverse cross
section (30). The truncations
(32) are comprised of two diametrically opposed parallel planar surfaces.
The truncations (32) are preferably exactly diametrically opposed, are
preferably
exactly parallel to each other and are preferably exactly planar. However,
deviations from these
preferred characteristics are not intended to be excluded from the scope of
the invention, as long
as the truncations (32) are substantially diametrically opposed, are
substantially parallel to each
other and are substantially planar.
Each of the pair of truncations (32) has a length extending along at least a
portion
of the length of the curling broom handle. Each of the pair of truncations
(32) may be the same
length or the truncations (32) may have different lengths. In the preferred
embodiments depicted
in Figures 1-7 each of the truncations (32) has the same length and each of
the truncations (32)
extends along substantially the entire length of the curling broom handle
(22).
The curling broom handle (22) may be comprised of a solid cross section, a
hollow cross section, or a combination of solid and hollow cross sections.
These cross sections
may be formed using any suitable method of fabrication, including but not
limited to molding,
casting, injection molding, extrusion, pultrusion and layering. The cross
sections may also in
some cases be cut, carved or sculpted from larger pieces of material.
A hollow cross section may be unreinforced or reinforced. Typically, a
reinforced
hollow cross section facilitates a thinner wall thickness and may result in a
more strength and
rigidity in comparison with an unreinforced hollow cross section. A solid
cross section may
result in even more strength and rigidity than a reinforced hollow cross
section, but depending
upon the choice of materials may be substantially heavier than either an
unreinforced or a
reinforced hollow cross section.
As a result, the choice of solid cross section, unreinforced hollow cross
section or
reinforced hollow cross section depends upon a number of factors, including
the selected
material or materials for the curling broom handle (22), the desired strength
and rigidity of the
curling broom handle (22), the desired weight of the curling broom handle
(22), and cost
considerations.
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In the case of a solid cross section as depicted in Figure 2, a preferred
material is
wood, which is relatively lightweight and inexpensive and yet has strength and
rigidity properties
which are adequate for use in a curling broom handle (32). Any other natural
or synthetic
material or combination of materials having suitable properties may also be
used for a solid cross
section.
In the case of a hollow cross section, the choice of an unreinforced or
reinforced
will be governed to some extent by the choice of material or materials.
For an unreinforced hollow cross section, fiberglass is a preferred material
because it is relatively lightweight, provides adequate strength and rigidity
and is relatively
inexpensive. Fiberglass is, however, somewhat difficult to fabricate as a
reinforced hollow cross
section. As a result, fiberglass may be a preferred material for the
unreinforced hollow
transverse cross section depicted in Figure l, but may not be a preferred
material for reinforced
hollow cross sections such as those depicted in Figure 3 and Figure 4. Many
natural or synthetic
materials or combinations of materials other than fiberglass may also be
suitable for use in an
unreinforced hollow cross section.
For a reinforced hollow cross section, plastics or metal alloys are preferred
materials because they can typically be fabricated as reinforced hollow cross
sections without
great difficulty using such techniques as extrusion and pultrusion.
Particularly suitable materials
for use in reinforced hollow cross sections are aluminum alloys, which provide
ease of extrusion
and light weight as well as high strength and rigidity. As a result, aluminum
alloys are preferred
materials for the reinforced hollow cross sections depicted in Figure 3 and
Figure 4. Many
natural or synthetic materials or combinations of materials other than
aluminum alloys may also
be suitable for use in an reinforced hollow cross section.
A reinforced hollow cross section preferably includes one or more reinforcing
members (34) contained within the hollow cross section. Reinforcing members
(34) either may
or may not be interconnected.
The preferred embodiments depicted in Figure 3 and Figure 4 include a
plurality
of interconnected reinforcing members (34). In these preferred embodiments the
interconnected
reinforcing members (34) span from an interior surface (36) of the hollow
cross section to a hub
(38) located within the hollow cross section. The reinforcing members (34) may
be integrally
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formed with the interior surface (36) and the hub (38) or they may be welded
or glued or
otherwise attached thereto.
The curling broom handle (22) of the invention may be constructed of a single
material and a single cross section over its entire length, or it may be
constructed of a plurality of
materials and different cross sections extending along its length. Natural,
synthetic and
composite materials may all be suitable for use in constructing the curling
broom handle (22)
The two principal objects of the invention are first, to provide a more
positive grip
on the handle (22) in comparison with a curling broom handle having a
completely circular
transverse cross section and second, to provide a sensory reference by grip
alone for the position
of the curling broom head (24) relative to the curler.
These two objects can be achieved regardless of the orientation of the
truncations
(32) relative to the curling broom head (24) when the handle (22) is attached
to the curling
broom head (24).
Figure 6 and Figure 7 depict two preferred orientations for the truncations
(32).
In Figure 6 the distal end (26) of the curling broom handle (22) is attached
to the curling broom
head (24) such that the truncations (32) define a front face (40) and a rear
face (42). In Figure 7
the distal end (26) of the curling broom handle (22) is attached to the
curling broom head (24)
such that the truncations (32) define a top face (50) and a bottom face (46).
The two principal objects of the invention as described above are preferably
balanced with a third object of preserving the advantages associated with a
circular curling
broom handle. With this third object in mind, and referring to Figures 1-4 and
Figures 6-7, the
transverse cross section (32) of the curling broom handle (22) has a diameter
(48) and each of the
truncations (32) has a width (50). Each of the truncations (32) may have the
same width (50) or
they may have different widths (50). The width (50) of the truncations (32)
may also vary along
the length of the curling broom handle (22).
The minimum width (50) of the truncations (32) is any width (50) which
achieves
the two principal objects of the invention.
Since the transverse cross section (32) is substantially circular and since
the
truncations are diametrically opposed, parallel and planar, it can be seen
that the width (50) of
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the truncations (32) is inversely related to the thickness of the handle (22)
in a direction
perpendicular to the plane of the truncations (32). In other words, the
greater the width (50) of
the truncations (32), the thinner the handle (22) in the perpendicular
direction. The width (50) of
the truncations (32) should not therefore exceed a width (50) which will
materially compromise
the strength and/or rigidity of the curling broom handle (22).
In addition, preferably the width (50) of the truncations (32) should not
exceed a
width (50) which results in the transverse cross section (30) of the handle
(22) being other than
substantially circular in shape.
In the preferred embodiments depicted in Figures 1-7 both of the truncations
(32)
have the same width (50) extending along substantially the entire length of
the curling broom
handle (22). In the preferred embodiments depicted in Figures 1-7 the width
(50) of the
truncations (32) is approximately one half of the diameter (48) of the
transverse cross section
(30) of the handle (22). It has been found that this width (50) achieves the
two principal objects
of the invention without significantly reducing the strength and/or rigidity
of the handle (22).
As a result, preferably the width (50) of the truncations (50) is less than or
equal
to one half of the diameter (48) of the transverse cross section (32) of the
handle (22). Preferably
the diameter of the transverse cross section of the handle is less than about
30 millimeters and the
width of the truncations is less than about 1 S millimeters. In the preferred
embodiments the
diameter of the transverse cross section of the handle is about 28 millimeters
and the width of the
truncations is about 14 millimeters.
The curling broom handle (22) of the invention may be manufactured and sold
together with a curling broom head (24) as part of a complete curling broom
(20) or it may be
sold and manufactured separately for combination with a curling broom head
(24). As long as
the distal end (26) of the curling broom handle (22) is compatible for
attachment with a particular
curling broom head {24), the handle (22) may be combined with that curling
broom head (24) to
form a new curling broom (20) or the handle (22) may be used as a replacement
handle (22) for
that curling broom head (24).
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