G-FORCE PUCK

RONDELLE A FORCE G

English Abstract

"A hockey puck also known as LePuck will utilize aerodynamic and ground effect
forces
to reduce the friction that is found between the puck and the playing surface.
G Force
puck is cylindrical in shape with strategically located elliptical holes
positioned radially
around the periphery of the puck, with openings on the tap and bottom of the
radial
surface. The elliptical hole placements are symmetrical about the center plane
of the
puck, which is parallel, and midway between the two planar faces. This ensures
that
regardless of which planar face is interfacing with the playing surface the
hole orientation
is such that the ground effect forces are acting against the force of
friction. G Force Puck
also has circular pockets on each planar surface. The upper-most elliptical
holes exit to
the pocket on the opposing planar face and similarly the lower mast elliptical
holes exit
to the pocket on its opposing planar face. The upper most holes are positioned
such that
they are out of any boundary layer, or unmoving air mass, that may exist on
the playing
surface. This takes full advantage of the free stream air as the puck moves
across the
surface. The upper most holes will direct free stream airflow to the opposing
pocket and
thereby create ground effect forces that assist to counteract the frictional
forces found
between the puck and the playing surface. When the G-Force puck becomes
airborne, the
ducted airflow directed to the lower planar surface of the puck will have no
playing
surface contact, negating ground effects, and thereby forces an bath sides of
the puck will
be equalized. Airborne G-Force pucks will behave as per the desired flight
characteristics
of existing ice hockey pucks. The roller hockey version of G-Force puck will
also
incorporates low coefficient of friction coasters radially placed on the edge
of each planar
face to assist in minimizing the effects of friction. The reduction in
frictional forces will
allow consistent puck movement in game play, increase speed of puck movement,
will
minimize the effect of degrading playing surfaces on the puck behavior i.e
snow build-
up, chipped ice, debris) and increase puck life, while handling
characteristics will remain
unchanged. The G-Force puck will have different weights for different playing
surfaces,
age groups, and skill level".

Claims

CLAIMS
The embodiment of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is
claimed
are defined as follows"
1 The G-Force Puck of claim 1 is a derivative of a standard roller hockey puck
and the
materials remain unchanged.
2 The G-Force Puck of claim 2 consists of features that include elliptical
holes that are
bored through the outer diameter of the puck, radially toward the center. The
holes are
angled such that they exit to the center of the opposite face.
G-Force Puck of claim 2 is descried as having elliptical holes in order to
capture and
direct the free stream airflow produced by a moving puck. The elliptical
geometry assists
in allowing the airflow to be directed to the opposing face of the puck as it
spins.
3 The G-Force Puck of claim 3 explains how the holes of LePuck are ducted to
the
opposing face of the puck. The top row of holes on the puck outside diameter
exists to the
bottom face of the puck. tiny surface where there is a boundary layer, which
is roughly
25". The forces affecting the puck are the forward force imparted by the stick
or boards,
the weight, and frictional forces.
4 The G-Force Puck of claim 4 explains that elliptical holes will allow
airflow and
thereby reduce drag. As well the dusting of these elliptical holes to the
bottom face will
cause forces (ground effect) to be produced that will onset the puck weight
enough to
counteract and reduce the frictional forces, thereby producing the sliding
characteristics
of an ice hockey puck.
The G-Force Puck of claim 5 postulates that due to ground effect, will only be
produced on the bottom side of the puck (i.e. side of puck on the surface) and
once
airborne, ground effect forces will be eliminated and the puck will be
unchanged in its
behavior. The holes will only perform their intended function when the puck is
sliding on
the surface.
6 The G-Force Puck of claim 6 incorporates an interchangeability weighting
system that
consists of cylindrical disks of various weights that can be attached either
permanently or
temporarily to attain a desired G-Force Puck weight that is consistent with
level of play
and/or training application.
7 The G-Force Puck of claim 7 will have different weights for different
playing surfaces,
age groups, and skill level.

Description

CA 02442390 2003-09-22
SP~CIFICATIO1~S
"The invention described as G-Force puck is a puck design that uses flee
dynamics of air
flow around a moving body to assist in overcoming the unwanted forces of
friction that
inherently exist between two opposing surfaces."
Ice Hockey pucks made of hard rubber have been used for some time. As recently
as
the last couple of years many ne~.v puck patents have been i~led primarily for
rollerl:inline
hockey. Today we have foam, rubber and silicon made pucks. Prior art
demonstrates that
no prior invention of the past has taken the puck to an aerodynamic level.
Canadian
patent # Z 109040 is cylindrical in shape, it is identical to an ice hockey
puck but with
nylon knob-like projections facing outwards. Canadian Patent # 2i?46957 is
puck with (3)
rolling balls incorporated into its body in order to reduce friction. Canadian
Patent #
21U6336 is a puck with light reflecting surfaces to enhance television viewing
of the
puck. Canadian patent # 121?'~95 is a shinny puck made of a soft polymer for
use in
games where little or no equipment is used. Same as regular ice hockey puck
with soft
outer ring and used on ice playing surfaces only. None of the above referenced
puck
patent designs have any aerodynamic ducting or venting that functions to
reduce the
forces of friction as is found in vhe G-Force Puck."
~r G-Force puck will have no r~aoving parts, be cylindrical in shape
(consistent with
current puck dimensions), have friction reducing coasters (roller hockey
design only) and
use incorporated geometry and <aerodynamic forces to further assist in
minimizing the
unwanted forces of friction"
"Qur invention has significant amount of distinguishing and revolutionary
features and
functionality that make G-Force puck superior to any past attempts. All past
inventions
have no aerodynamic ducting or venting properties to reduce the frictional
forces
imparted by the puck/surface interface, and minimize the forces of the
oncoming
airflow."
"This invention functions best when used during practice or in game play
situations."
"In drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention, Figure 1 is the G-
Force puck
Figure 2 illustrates the G-Force puck presenting the components of the
invention.