Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02929477 2016-05-06
,
END CAP OF A HOCKEY STICK OR OTHER SPORTS IMPLEMENT
FIELD
The invention relates to sports implements and, more particularly, to hockey
sticks
and other sports implements (e.g., lacrosse sticks).
BACKGROUND
Sports implements are used in various sports to strike, propel, or otherwise
move a
puck, ball, or other object.
For example, in hockey, a player uses a hockey stick to move, pass, and shoot
a
puck or ball during a game. Notably, the hockey stick comprises a shaft for
holding
by the player and a blade for handling the puck or ball. When not in use, it
is
generally desirable to have a manner in which to display and/or store the
hockey
stick. For instance, a retailer may wish to display a selection of hockey
sticks at a
point of sale (e.g., a store), or in some cases, the player may wish to
display his/her
hockey stick(s) at home.
A hockey stick's structure may not provide many options for displaying and/or
storing
thereof. For example, traditionally, retailers display their selection of
hockey sticks
on a rack on which the hockey sticks may be disposed vertically by standing
each
hockey stick on its blade, or in other cases, on a wall support on which the
hockey
sticks may be disposed horizontally and supported on their shafts. Other
variations
of display and storage solutions exist, but in general, they involve
supporting the
hockey stick on its shaft and/or its blade.
Similar issues often arise in other sports, such as lacrosse, in which players
use
sticks or other sports implements.
1
For these and other reasons, there is a need for improvements in hockey sticks
and
other sports implements.
SUMMARY
According to a first broad aspect, the invention provides a hockey stick. The
hockey
stick comprises a blade, a shaft to be held by a player, and an end cap
mounted to
the shaft. The end cap comprises an end portion comprising an end of the end
cap
to that defines a longitudinal end of the hockey stick, and a hanging
portion comprising
a hanger to hang the hockey stick. The hanger is adjustable.
According to another broad aspect, the invention provides an end cap for a
hockey
stick. The hockey stick comprises a blade and a shaft to be held by a player.
The
end cap is mountable to the shaft and comprises an end portion comprising an
end
of the end cap to define a longitudinal end of the hockey stick, and a hanging
portion
comprising a hanger to hang the hockey stick. The hanger is adjustable.
According to another broad aspect, the invention provides a method of
providing a
hockey stick. The hockey stick comprises a blade, a shaft to be held by a
player, and
an end cap mounted to the shaft. The end cap comprises an end portion
comprising
an end of the end cap that defines a longitudinal end of the hockey stick. The
end
cap also comprises a hanging portion comprising a hanger to hang the hockey
stick.
The hanger is adjustable such that the hanger is movable relative to the shaft
between a first state in which the hockey stick is hangable by the hanger and
a
second state in which the hockey stick is precluded from being hung by the
hanger,
the hanger being exposed in the first state and concealed in the second state.
The
method comprises causing the hanger to be in the first state and the hockey
stick to
be hung by the hanger and causing the hanger to be changed to the second
state.
2
Date recue/date received 2022-05-02
According to another broad aspect, the invention provides an end cap for a
sports
implement. The sports implement comprises an elongated member that comprises a
handle to be held by a player. The end cap is mountable to the elongated
member
and comprises an end portion comprising an end of the end cap to define a
longitudinal end of the sports implement, and a hanging portion comprising a
hanger
to hang the sports implement. The hanger is adjustable.
According to another broad aspect, the invention provides a hockey stick. The
hockey stick comprises a blade; a shaft to be held by a player; and an end cap
mounted to the shaft. The end cap comprises an end portion comprising an end
of
the end cap that defines a longitudinal end of the hockey stick; and a hanging
portion comprising a hanger to hang the hockey stick, the hanger being
adjustable
such that the hanger is movable relative to the shaft between a first position
in which
the hockey stick is hangable by the hanger and a second position in which the
hockey stick is precluded from being hung by the hanger, the hanger being
exposed
in the first position and concealed in the second position.
According to another broad aspect, the invention provides an end cap for a
hockey
stick. The hockey stick comprising a blade and a shaft to be held by a player.
The
.. end cap is mountable to the shaft and comprises an end portion comprising
an end
of the end cap to define a longitudinal end of the hockey stick; and a hanging
portion
comprising a hanger to hang the hockey stick, the hanger being adjustable such
that
the hanger is movable relative to the shaft between a first position in which
the
hockey stick is hangable by the hanger and a second position in which the
hockey
.. stick is precluded from being hung by the hanger, the hanger being exposed
in the
first position and concealed in the second position.
According to another broad aspect, the invention provides an end cap for a
sports
implement, the sports implement comprising an elongated member that comprises
a
handle to be held by a player. The end cap is mountable to the elongated
member
and comprises an end portion comprising an end of the end cap to define a
2a
Date recue/date received 2022-05-02
longitudinal end of the sports implement; and a hanging portion comprising a
hanger
to hang the sports implement, the hanger being adjustable such that the hanger
is
movable relative to the shaft between a first position in which the hockey
stick is
hangable by the hanger and a second position in which the hockey stick is
precluded
from being hung by the hanger, the hanger being exposed in the first position
and
concealed in the second position.
According to another broad aspect, the invention provides a hockey stick. The
hockey stick comprises a blade; a shaft to be held by a player; and a hanger
configured to hang the hockey stick, the hanger being adjustable to change
between
a first state for hanging the hockey stick and a second state for using the
hockey
stick.
According to another broad aspect, the invention provides a hockey stick. The
hockey stick comprises a blade; a shaft to be held by a player; and an end cap
mounted to the shaft. The end cap comprises a base, an end portion comprising
an
end of the end cap that defines a longitudinal end of the hockey stick; and a
hanging
portion comprising a hanger to hang the hockey stick, the hanger being movable
relative to the base to adjust the hanger.
These and other aspects of the invention will now become apparent to those of
ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following description of
embodiments of
the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A detailed description of embodiments of the invention is provided below, by
way of
example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figures 1A and 1B show an example of a sports implement in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention, in which the sports implement is a hockey stick;
2b
Date recue/date received 2022-05-02
Figure 2 is a side elevation view of the hockey stick;
Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a shaft of the hockey stick taken along
line 3-3
of Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a side elevation view of a blade of the hockey stick;
Figure 5 shows an example of a construction of the blade;
Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the blade of Figure 5;
Figure 7 is a perspective view of an end cap of the hockey stick;
3
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-08-03
CA 02929477 2016-05-06
,
,
Figures 8 to 11 are respective front, side, top and rear views of the end cap
of Figure
7;
Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of the end cap taken along line 12-12 of
Figure 8;
Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of the end cap taken along line 13-13 of
Figure 8;
Figure 14 shows the end cap in engagement with the shaft of the hockey stick
when
a hanger of a hanging portion of the end cap is in its hanging state such that
the
hockey stick is hangable by the hanger;
Figure 15 shows the end cap in engagement with the shaft of the hockey stick
when
the hanger of the hanging portion of the end cap is in its non-hanging state
such that
the hockey stick is not hangable by the hanger;
Figure 16 shows the hockey stick being hung by the hanger of the hanging
portion of
the end cap on a support;
Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view of the end cap in an example of a variant
in
which the hanger of the hanging portion of the end cap can be adjusted from
its
hanging state to its non-hanging state without change the position of the
hanger;
Figure 18 is a perspective view of an end cap in accordance with a variant in
which
the end cap comprises a hanging portion and an attachment that are separate
from
one another;
Figure 19 shows the end cap of Figure 18 when a hanger of the hanging portion
is in
in its non-hanging state such that the hockey stick is not hangable by the
hanger;
and
4
CA 02929477 2016-05-06
Figure 20 shows a cross-section of the end cap of Figure 18 as it is engaged
in the
hockey stick when the hanger is in its hanging state such that the hockey
stick is
hangable by the hanger.
It is to be expressly understood that the description and drawings are only
for the
purpose of illustrating certain embodiments of the invention and are an aid
for
understanding. They are not intended to be a definition of the limits of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
Figure 1 shows an example of a sports implement 10 for use by a player playing
a
sport, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The sports implement
10
comprises an elongate member 12 configured to be held by the player and an
object-contacting member 14 configured to contact an object (e.g., a puck or
ball)
intended to be moved in a game. In this embodiment, the sport is hockey and
the
sports implement 10 is a hockey stick for use by the player to pass, shoot or
otherwise move a puck or ball. The elongate member 12 of the hockey stick 10
is a
shaft, which comprises a handle 20 of the hockey stick 10, and the object-
contacting
member 14 of the hockey stick 10 is a blade.
In this example, the hockey stick 10 is a "mini" hockey stick, i.e., a
miniaturized
version of a hockey stick, which can be used by the player (e.g., a child or
other
individual) for playing "mini" hockey (e.g., with a miniaturized version of a
hockey
goal). In other examples, the hockey stick 10 may have a regular size (i.e.,
not be a
mini hockey stick) to be used by the player to play regular hockey (e.g., ice
hockey,
roller hockey, or street hockey).
The hockey stick 10 comprises an end cap 30 defining a longitudinal end 32 of
the
hockey stick 10, which can sometimes be referred to as a "butt end" of the
hockey
stick 10. In this embodiment, the end cap 30 is provided to aesthetically
complete
the hockey stick 10 and to enhance use of the hockey stick 10, such as by
protecting
5
CA 02929477 2016-05-06
the player and/or helping the player manipulate the hockey stick 10 when
playing.
In addition, in this embodiment, as further discussed below, the end cap 30
allows
the hockey stick 10 to be hung, such as at a point of sale (e.g., a store) or
another
location where the hockey stick 10 may be displayed.
The shaft 12 is configured to be held by the player to use the hockey stick
10. The
shaft 12 includes a front surface 16 and a rear surface 18 opposite one
another, as
well as a top surface 22 and a bottom surface 24 opposite one another.
Longitudinal
proximal and distal end portions 26, 28 of the shaft 12 are respectively
adjacent to
the handle 20 and the blade 14 and define a length of the shaft 12. A length L
of the
hockey stick 10 is measured from a proximal end 34 of the shaft 12 along the
top
surface 22 of the shaft 12 through the blade 14, as shown in Figure 2. For
example,
in some embodiments, since the hockey stick 10 is a mini hockey stick in this
example, the length L of the hockey stick 10 may be no more than 30 inches, in
some cases no more than 25 inches, in some cases no more than 20 inches, in
some cases no more than 18 inches, and in some cases no more than 16 inches,
and in some cases even less.
A cross-section of the shaft 16 may have any suitable configuration. For
instance, in
this embodiment, with additional reference to Figure 3, the cross-section of
the shaft
12 has a major axis 36 which defines a major dimension D of the shaft's cross-
section and a minor axis 38 which defines a minor dimension W of the shaft's
cross-
section. In this example, the cross-section of the shaft 12 is generally
polygonal.
More particularly, in this example, the cross-section of the shaft 12 is
generally
rectangular, with the front surface 16, the rear surface 18, the top surface
22, and
the bottom surface 24 being generally flat. Corners between these surfaces of
the
shaft 12 may be rounded corners.
In this embodiment, the shaft 12 is a composite shaft. That is, the shaft 12
is at least
mainly (i.e., mainly or entirely) made of composite material. For example, in
this
embodiment, the shaft 12 comprises a wall 40 made of the composite material
and
6
CA 02929477 2016-05-06
forming a cavity 42 which extends along at least part, in this case all, of
its length.
The cavity defines an internal surface 45 of the shaft 12. The cavity 42 may
be
hollow or may contain a filler (e.g., foam). For instance, the shaft 12 may be
a fiber-
matrix composite shaft comprising fibers disposed within a hardened resin
matrix.
The fibers may be aligned and oriented in defined directions with an outer
layer often
being a woven fiber. Various fibers may be employed including carbon, aramid,
boron, glass, etc. The shaft 12 may have aligned layers of fibers and a woven
outer
layer. The shaft 12 may be formed by wrapping plies over a mandrel and then
curing
or by overlaying fibers around a mandrel that is then fed into a heating
element to
cure the resin.
The shaft 12 may have any other suitable shape and/or be constructed in any
other
suitable way in other embodiments. For example, in some embodiments, the cross-
section of the shaft 12 may have any other suitable configuration (e.g., the
front
surface 16, the rear surface 18, the top surface 22, and/or the bottom surface
24
may be curved and/or angular and/or have any other suitable shape) and/or may
vary along the length of the shaft 12. As another example, in some
embodiments,
the shaft 12 may comprise wood, aluminum or any other suitable material (e.g.,
the
shaft 12 may be a metallic shaft made of aluminum or other suitable metal, may
be
made of a combination of metal and fiber composite, or may be a wooden shaft).
The blade 14 is configured to allow the player to pass, shoot or otherwise
move the
puck or ball. With additional reference to Figure 4, in this embodiment, the
blade 14
comprises a shank 44, a heel 46 and a blade element 48. The heel 46 is located
at a
junction of the shank 44 and the blade element 48. The shank 44 interfaces
with the
shaft 12. In some embodiments where the blade 14 is adapted to be inserted
into a
hollow space of the shaft 12 (e.g., the cavity 42), the shank 44 may comprise
a
tenon for insertion in that hollow space. A periphery 50 of the blade 14
comprises a
front surface 52 and a rear surface 54 opposite one another, as well as a top
edge
56, a tip edge 58 and a bottom edge 60.
7
CA 02929477 2016-05-06
In this embodiment, with additional reference to Figures 5 and 6, the blade 14
comprises a foam core 62 wrapped with one or more layers of fiber material 64.
The
foam core 62 may include one or more foam materials (e.g., polyurethane foam,
etc.). The layers of fiber material 64 may include fibers (e.g., glass fibers,
carbon
fibers, aramid fibers, etc.) that may have been preimpregnated with resin to
be taped
on the foam core 62 during manufacturing. In some embodiments, the layers of
fiber
material 64 may be stitched to the foam core 62 during manufacturing.
The blade 14 may have any other suitable shape and/or be constructed in any
other
suitable way in other embodiments. For example, in some embodiments, the blade
14 may comprise a wooden core. Also, the blade 14 may be a replaceable
component of the hockey stick 10 and thus removable from the shaft 12.
The end cap 30 is mountable to the shaft 12 adjacent to the handle 20 to
define the
longitudinal end 32 of the hockey stick 10. In this embodiment, the end cap 30
forms
an enlargement that is larger than the cross-section of the shaft 12 at the
handle 20.
This may be useful, for instance, to help the player pick up the hockey stick
10 when
it is dropped. Also, in this embodiment, the end cap 30 is removably mountable
to
the shaft 12 such that it can be mounted and removed from the shaft 12 as
desired.
With additional reference to Figures 7 to 13, the end cap 30 comprises an end
portion 66 comprising an end 68 of the end cap 30 that defines the
longitudinal end
32 of the hockey stick 10 and a hanging portion 70 comprising a hanger 72 to
hang
the hockey stick. The hockey stick 10 may be hung by the hanger 72 on a
support
74, which may comprise a hook, a bar, a pin, or any other device on which the
hockey stick 10 can be hung.
The hanger 72 is adjustable. That is, the hanger 72 is changeable in state,
i.e., in
position, configuration, and/or one or more other aspects. Notably, in this
embodiment, the hanger 72 can be adjusted depending on whether the hockey
stick
10 is to be hung on the support 74 or used to play.
8
CA 02929477 2016-05-06
, ,
The end cap 30 extends from the end 68, which is a first end, to a second end
69
along a longitudinal axis 75 which defines a longitudinal direction of the end
cap 30.
The end portion 66 of the end cap 30 is configured to be precluded from being
inserted into a hollow space of the shaft 12 adjacent to the handle 20 (e.g.,
the
cavity 42). To that end, the end portion 66 has cross-sectional dimensions
that are
larger than the cross-sectional dimensions of the shaft 12. More particularly,
a cross-
section of the end portion 66 normal to the longitudinal direction of the end
cap 30 is
larger than a cross-section of the shaft 12 normal to the longitudinal
direction of the
shaft 12. In this embodiment, the end cap 30 has a plurality of lateral sides
761, 762,
763, 764, including a first lateral side 761 opposite to a second lateral side
762, and a
third lateral side 763 opposite to a fourth lateral side 764. In use, the
first and second
lateral sides 761, 762 of the end cap 30 face the front and rear surfaces 16,
18 of the
shaft 12 respectively while the third and fourth lateral sides 763, 764 of the
end cap
30 face the top and bottom surfaces 22, 24 of the shaft 12 respectively.
In this embodiment, the end cap 30 is generally rectangular and thus has four
lateral
sides. However, in other embodiments, for example where the shaft 12 may have
more or less than four lateral sides (e.g., in cases where the shaft has a
hexagonal
cross-section), the end cap 30 may have more or fewer lateral sides in order
to
match the sides of the shaft 12.
Also, in this embodiment, contrary to the end portion 66, the hanging portion
70 of
the end cap 30 is configured to be inserted into the cavity 42 of the shaft
12. To that
end, the cross-sectional dimensions of the hanging portion 70 are made smaller
than
the cross-sectional dimensions of the end portion 66. More particularly, the
cross-
section of the end portion 66 of the end cap 30 normal to the longitudinal
direction of
the end cap 30 is larger than a cross-section of the hanging portion 70 normal
to the
longitudinal direction of the end cap 30.
9
CA 02929477 2016-05-06
The hanging portion 70 comprises an attachment 78 defining the second end 69
of
the end cap 30. In this embodiment, the attachment 78 is such that it fits
tightly into
the cavity 42 of the shaft 12 to prevent the end cap 30 from being
accidentally
removed from the hockey stick 10 when used by the player. As such, the
attachment
78 is configured to engage the internal surface 45 of the shaft 12. More
particularly,
in this embodiment, the attachment 78 is configured to engage the internal
surface
45 of the shaft 12 via a press-fit. In other words, the attachment 78 is a
"press-fit"
attachment that engages the internal surface 45 of the shaft 12 by a press-fit
of the
hanging portion 70 in the cavity 42 of the shaft 12. As such, the attachment
78
frictionally engages the internal surface 45 of the shaft 12. To that end, in
this
embodiment, the attachment 78 comprises a plurality of attachment members 80i-
80A that are spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction of
the end
cap 30. Each attachment member 80; engages the internal surface 45 of the
shaft
12. The attachment 78 comprises a core 82 from which the attachment members
801-80A project outwardly (in use, towards the internal surface 45 of the
shaft 12). In
this embodiment, a cross-section of the core 82 normal to the longitudinal
direction
of the end cap 30 varies in size in the longitudinal direction of the end cap
30. More
specifically, in this example of implementation, the core 82 tapers in the
longitudinal
direction of the end cap 30 away from the end portion 66 of the end cap 30.
In this embodiment, the hanger 72 of the hanging portion 70 comprises a body
portion 84 and an opening 86 in the body portion 84 for receiving the support
74 for
the hockey stick 10. More specifically, in this example of implementation, the
opening 86 is disposed in a recess 88 in the body portion 84 and extends from
the
first lateral side 761 to the second lateral side 762 of the end cap 30. The
opening 86
may extend from the third lateral side 763 to the fourth lateral side 764 of
the end cap
in other embodiments.
In this example of implementation, the hanger 72 is adjustable between a
"hanging
30 state" in which the hockey stick 10 is hangable by the hanger 72 (e.g.,
on the
support 74) and a "non-hanging state" in which the hockey stick 10 is not
hangable
CA 02929477 2016-05-06
by the hanger 72. Thus, the hanging state of the hanger 72 is for displaying
the
hockey stick 10 while the non-hanging state of the hanger 72 is for using the
hockey
stick 10 to play hockey.
In this embodiment, the hanger 72 is adjustable such that the hanger 72 is
movable
relative to the shaft 12. That is, a position of the hanger 72 relative to the
shaft 12 is
different in the hanging state of the hanger 72 and in the non-hanging state
of the
hanger 72. In particular, the hanger 72 is movable relative to the shaft 12
between a
hanging position in which the hockey stick 10 is hangable by the hanger 72 and
a
non-hanging position in which the hockey stick 10 is not hangable by the
hanger 72.
In the hanging position, the hanger 72 is exposed such that the hanger 72 is
accessible. In the non-hanging position, the hanger 72 is concealed such that
the
hanger 72 is inaccessible. More specifically, in the non-hanging position, the
hanger
72 extends deeper into the cavity 42 of the shaft 12 than when the hanger 72
is in
the hanging position.
The hanging portion 70 further comprises a retainer 90 to retain the hanger 72
relative to the shaft 12 to allow the hanger 72 to hang the hockey stick 10.
More
specifically, the retainer 90 retains the hanger 72 in the hanging position
such that
the hanger 72 is exposed and accessible. To that end, the retainer 90 is
configured
to engage a longitudinal end of the shaft 12, notably the proximal end 34, to
resist
insertion of the hanging portion 70 of the end cap 30 into the cavity 42 of
the shaft
12 beyond the retainer 90. In this example of implementation, the retainer 90
comprises a retaining projection 92 projecting transversally to the
longitudinal
direction of the end cap 30. In this embodiment, the retaining projection 92
extends
on the first lateral side 761 of the end cap 30. That is, the retaining
projection 92
extends on a single one of the lateral sides 761, 762, 763, 764 of the end cap
30. In
other embodiments, the retaining projection 92 may extend on more than one of
the
lateral sides 761, 762, 763, 764 of the end cap 30.
11
CA 02929477 2016-05-06
,
The retainer 90 is deformable to adjust the hanger 72. In particular, the
retainer 90 is
deformable such that it deforms when an increased load is applied on the end
cap
30 to insert the end cap 30 into the cavity 42 of the shaft 12 beyond the
retainer 90.
That is, the retainer 90 resists insertion of the hanging portion 70 of the
end cap 30
into the cavity 42 of the shaft 12 as long as a load applied on the end cap 30
to
insert the end cap 30 into the cavity 42 is smaller than an insertion load
FIN. Once
the load applied on the end cap 30 to further insert the end cap 30 into the
cavity 42
is equal to or greater than the insertion load FIN, the retainer 90 deforms
thus
allowing further insertion of the end cap 30 into the cavity 42 of the shaft
12 to move
the hanger 72 into its non-hanging position. As such, the retainer 90 is
deformable to
move the hanger 72 between the hanging position and the non-hanging position.
In this embodiment, the end cap 30 comprises an elastomeric material. For
instance,
in this example, the end cap 30 comprises rubber. In other embodiments, the
end
cap 30 may be made from any other suitable material.
Also, in this embodiment, the end cap 30 is a one-piece end cap. That is, an
entirety
of the end cap 30 is integrally made and thus constitutes a single component.
More
specifically, in this embodiment, the end cap 30 is molded to constitute a
molded
one-piece end cap. In this example of implementation, the end cap 30 is
injection
molded. The end cap 30 may be molded in any other suitable way.
Thus, the hockey player or retailer wishing to display and/or store the hockey
stick
10 causes the hanger 72 to be in its hanging state such as to hang the hockey
stick
10 by the hanger 72 (e.g., via the support 74). At a point of sale, this may
be useful
to hang multiple hockey sticks on a single support 74. Once it is no longer
desired to
hang the hockey stick 10 by the hanger 72, the hockey player or retailer
causes the
hanger 72 to be changed to its non-hanging state. For example, an instruction
is
provided to change the hanger 72 to its non-hanging state once the hockey
stick 10
is removed from the support 74 at the point of sale of the hockey stick 10.
12
CA 02929477 2016-05-06
The hockey stick 10 may be constructed in various other ways in other
embodiments.
For instance, in a variant, the hanger 72 can be adjusted from its hanging
state to its
non-hanging state without changing the position of the hanger 72. For example,
as
shown in Figure 16, the hanger 72 may comprise an adjustment mechanism 94 for
adjusting the hanger 72 from its hanging state to its non-hanging state. In
these
cases, the retainer 90 of the hanging portion 70 abuts the longitudinal end 34
of the
shaft 12 to preclude insertion of the end cap 30 into the cavity 42 of the
shaft 12
beyond the retainer 90 (e.g., the retainer 90 may not be deformable and/or is
dimensioned to prevent insertion of the end cap 30 into the cavity 42 beyond
the
retainer 90). In this example of implementation, the adjustment mechanism 94
comprises a filling member 96 configured for filling the opening 86 of the
hanger 72.
In the hanging state of the hanger 72, the opening 86 is unfilled such that
the hockey
stick 10 can be hanged by the hanger 72. In the non-hanging state of the
hanger 72,
the opening 86 of the hanger 72 is filled by the filling member 96 such that
the
hockey stick 10 is not hangable by the hanger 72. It is noted that in this
variant, the
hanger 72 is exposed both in the hanging state and in the non-hanging state of
the
hanger 72.
In this specific example of implementation, the filling member 96 of the
adjustment
mechanism 94 is integrally made with the end cap 30. That is, the filling
member 96
of the adjustment mechanism 94 and the end cap 30 are a one-piece component.
For instance, the filling member 96 may be connected to the remainder of the
end
cap 30 (e.g., to the body portion 84 of the hanger 72) by an arm 98.
In another variant, the end cap 30 may not be removable from the hockey stick
10.
That is, in some embodiments, the end cap 30 may be a permanent component of
the hockey stick 10.
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In another variant, the end cap 30 may comprise components that are movable
relative to one another and interact to allow the end cap 30 to behangable and
non-
hangable.
For instance, Figures 18 to 20 show an end cap 130 that is similar to the end
cap 30
but functions differently. The end cap 130 comprises a hanging portion 171 and
a
base 178 that are separate from one another. The base 178 is such that it fits
tightly
into the cavity 42 of the shaft 12 to prevent the end cap 130 from being
accidentally
removed from the hockey stick 10 when used by the player. As such, the base
178
is configured to engage the internal surface 45 of the shaft 12. To that end,
the base
178 comprises an attachment portion 179 configured in a similar manner to the
attachment 78 described above in respect of the end cap 30. Notably, in this
example of implementation, the attachment portion 179 of the base 178
comprises a
plurality of attachment members 1801-180A that are spaced apart from one
another
in a longitudinal direction of the end cap 130. Each attachment member 180;
engages the internal surface 45 of the shaft 12. The attachment portion 179
also
comprises a core 182 from which the attachment members 1801-180A project
outwardly (in use, towards the internal surface 45 of the shaft 12). The core
182 is
similar to the core 82 described above.
In this example, the base 178 also comprises an end portion 176 that is
enlarged
relative to the core 182 and the attachment members 1801-180A. More
specifically,
the end portion 176 is sized such that it abuts the longitudinal end 34 of the
shaft 12
to preclude insertion of the base 178 into the cavity 42 of the shaft 12
beyond the
end portion 176.
The hanging portion 171 comprises a hanger 172 that is configured similarly to
the
hanger 72 described above in many respects, notably comprising a body portion
187
and an opening 186 in the body portion 187 for receiving the support 74 for
the
hockey stick 10. The hanger 172 also comprises an end portion 190 that defines
the
longitudinal end 32 of the hockey stick 10. The hanger 172 is adjustable
between a
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CA 02929477 2016-05-06
hanging state in which the hockey stick 10 is hangable by the hanger 172 and a
non-
hanging state in which the hockey stick 10 is not hangable by the hanger 172.
The
hanging state of the hanger 172 is for displaying the hockey stick 10 while
the non-
hanging state of the hanger 172 is for using the hockey stick 10 to play
hockey.
The hanger 172 is movable relative to the base 178 in the longitudinal
direction of
the end cap 130 to be adjusted. Thus, a position of the hanger 172 relative to
the
base 178 is different in the hanging state of the hanger 172 and in the non-
hanging
state of the hanger 172. In particular, the hanger 172 is movable relative to
the base
178 between a hanging position in which the hockey stick 10 is hangable by the
hanger 172 and a non-hanging position in which the hockey stick 10 is not
hangable
by the hanger 172. To that end, the hanger 172 is disposed in a cavity 184 of
the
base 178 that extends in the longitudinal direction of the end cap 130. The
cavity
184 is defined by an inner surface 186 of the base 178 and, in this example,
traverses an entirety of the base 178, including the core 182 and the end
portion 176
thereof. In the hanging position, as shown in Figures 18 and 20, the hanger
172 is
exposed such that the hanger 172 is accessible. In the non-hanging position,
as
shown in Figure 19, the hanger 172 is concealed such that the hanger 172 is
inaccessible. More specifically, the hanger 72 extends deeper into the cavity
184 of
the base 178 when in the non-hanging position than when in the hanging
position.
The hanger 172 is configured to be retained in the cavity 184 of the base 178
such
as to resist movement of the hanger 172 relative to the base 178. For
instance, the
body 187 of the hanger 172 comprises an exterior peripheral surface 188 that
engages the inner surface 186 of the base 178 such that a frictional
engagement
between the exterior peripheral surface 188 of the body 187 of the hanger 172
and
the inner surface 186 of the base 178 retains the hanger 172 in the cavity 184
of the
base 178.
In this embodiment, the hanger 172 is movable relative to the base 178 by
applying
an insertion force on the end portion 190 of the hanger 172, as shown in
Figure 19.
CA 02929477 2016-05-06
=
The insertion force that is applied to move the hanger 172 relative to the
base 178
must be sufficient to overcome a frictional force generated between the
external
peripheral surface 188 of the body 187 of the hanger 172 and the inner surface
186
of the base 178. Thus, by applying the insertion force, the hanger 172 can be
pushed further into engagement with the base 178. Alternatively, the hanger
172 can
be pulled away from the base 178 by applying a pulling force that will
overcome the
frictional force generated between the external peripheral surface 188 of the
body
187 of the hanger 172 and the inner surface 186 of the base 178. The
resistance to
movement of the hanger 172 relative to the base 178 provided by the
interaction
between the surfaces 186, 188 may prevent removal of the hanger 172 from the
base 178 or may make it sufficiently difficult to remove such as to prevent
accidental
removal of the hanger 172 from the base 178.
In this example of implementation, the hanger 172 is also configured to be
prevented
from entering too far into the cavity 184 of the base 178. To that end, the
hanger 172
comprises a protrusion 191 at the end portion 190 of the hanger 172. The
protrusion
191 is configured to engage the base 178 such as to prevent insertion of the
hanger
172 into the cavity 184 beyond the protrusion 191. This may be achieved by
sizing
the protrusion 191 such that it does not fit within the cavity 184 of the base
178.
Furthermore, in this example, the protrusion 191 is configured to engage a
recess
192 of the base 178 that is sized such as to receive the protrusion 191. Thus
at least
a portion of the protrusion 191 is received within the recess 192. In some
cases, this
may allow the end portion 190 of the hanger 172 to be flush with a top surface
175
of the base 178 when the hanger 172 is in its non-hanging position.
Although in this embodiment the sports implement 10 is a hockey stick, in
other
embodiments, the sports implement 10 may be any other implement used for
striking, propelling or otherwise moving an object in a game of another sport.
For
example, in other embodiments, the sports implement 10 may be a lacrosse stick
for
a lacrosse player, in which the object-contacting member 14 of the lacrosse
stick 10
comprises a lacrosse head for carrying, shooting and passing a lacrosse ball.
16
CA 02929477 2016-05-06
Any feature of any embodiment described herein may be combined with any
feature
of any other embodiment described herein in some examples of implementation.
Certain additional elements that may be needed for operation of certain
embodiments have not been described or illustrated as they are assumed to be
within the purview of those of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, certain
embodiments may be free of, may lack and/or may function without any element
that
is not specifically disclosed herein.
In describing embodiments above, terminology is resorted to for the sake of
clarity
but the invention is not intended to be limited to specific terms used, and it
is
understood that each specific term comprises all equivalents.
Unless otherwise indicated, the drawings are intended to be read together with
the
specification and are to be considered a portion of the entire written
description of
the invention. As used in the preceding description, the terms "horizontal",
"vertical",
"left", "right", "up", "down" and the like, as well as adjectival and
adverbial derivatives
thereof (e.g., "horizontally", "rightwardly", "upwardly", "radially", etc.),
simply refer to
the orientation of the illustrated structure. Similarly, the terms "inwardly,"
"outwardly"
and "radially" generally refer to the orientation of a surface relative to its
axis of
elongation, or axis of rotation, as appropriate.
Although various embodiments and examples have been presented, this was for
the
purpose of describing, but not limiting, the invention. Various modifications
and
enhancements will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art and
are
within the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims.
17
