Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
HOCKEY STICK WITH SPINE-REINFORCED PADDLE
FIELD
[01] This disclosure relates generally to fabrication of molded structures.
More particularly,
aspects of this disclosure relate to hockey blade and paddle structures.
BACKGROUND
[02] The fast pace at which the game of hockey is played requires players to
react quickly in
order to score goals, and conversely, as in the case of the goalie as well as
the defensive
players, to prevent goals from being scored against. Reducing the mass of
equipment,
and in particular, the hockey stick, can, in certain examples, be desirable in
order to
reduce inertia and decrease the time it takes for a player to move his/her
stick to a desired
position. Aspects of this disclosure relate to improved methods for production
of a
reinforced hockey stick blade and paddle having reduced mass and equal or
improved
structural characteristics.
SUMMARY
[03] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a
simplified form that
are further described below in the Detailed Description. The Summary is not
intended to
identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor
is it intended
to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[04] Aspects of the disclosure herein may relate to fabrication of a formed
hockey blade and
paddle structure. In one example, the formed hockey blade and paddle structure
may
include a reinforcing spine that provides structural rigidity to the paddle,
and one or more
recessed areas that reduce the overall mass of the paddle. The fabrication of
the formed
hockey blade and paddle structure may include molding one or more layers of
fiber tape
by heating and cooling within a mold to produce a formed hockey blade and
paddle
structure.
1
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-05-17
[04a] According to one aspect, this disclosure relates to a hockey stick
apparatus. The hockey
stick apparatus comprises: a shaft, having a proximal end and a distal end; a
blade,
having a heel end and a toe end, a paddle comprising a top edge and a bottom
edge, the
paddle having a length extending between a proximal end and a distal end, and
a first
width extending between the top edge and the bottom edge, the distal end of
the paddle
coupled to the heel end of the blade, and the proximal end of the paddle
coupled to the
distal end of the shaft. The paddle further comprises: a front face; a back
face. The back
face further comprises: a spine extending along a portion of the back face,
the spine
coupled to and protruding out from the back face, the spine having a second
width less
than the first width, a proximal end, and a distal end; a first transition
element coupled to
a first side of the spine; a second transition element coupled to a second
side of the spine,
wherein the first transition element and the second transition element further
comprise a
foam core; and a recessed area, the recessed area having a first thickness,
wherein a
second thickness of the paddle between the front face and a back surface of
the spine is
greater than the first thickness.
104b] According to another aspect, this disclosure relates to a hockey stick
blade and paddle
structure formed by a method. The method comprises: forming a first foam core
of the
blade; wrapping the first foam core of the blade with a layer of fiber tape to
form a
wrapped blade core; forming a front face and a back face of the paddle,
coupled to a
proximal end of the wrapped blade core, by layering fiber tape; forming a
spine by
wrapping a mandrel with fiber tape; forming first and second transition
elements by
wrapping first and second transition element foam cores with fiber tape;
positioning the
spine on the back face; positioning the first transition element at a proximal
end of the
back face of the paddle and the second transitional element at a distal end of
the back
face of the paddle; wrapping the front face and the positioned spine and
transition
elements on the back face with fiber tape to form a wrapped paddle structure;
placing the
wrapped blade core coupled to the wrapped paddle structure in a mold; heating
the mold;
cooling the mold; and removing the mandrel from the spine and a formed hockey
stick
blade and paddle structure from the mold.
la
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-05-17
[04c] According to another aspect, this disclosure relates to a method of
fabricating a formed
hockey stick blade and paddle structure. The hockey stick blade and paddle
structure
comprises: forming a body of the paddle structure having a front face and a
back face by
layering fiber tape; forming a spine by wrapping a mandrel with fiber tape;
forming first
and second transition elements by wrapping first and second transition element
foam
cores with fiber tape; positioning the spine on the back face; positioning the
first
transition element at a proximal end of the back face of the paddle and the
second
transitional element at a distal end of the back face of the paddle; placing
the body of the
paddle, the positioned spine, and the first and the second transition elements
in a mold;
heating the mold; cooling the mold; and removing the mandrel from the spine
and the
formed hockey stick blade and paddle structure from the mold.
[04d] According to another aspect, this disclosure relates to a hockey stick
apparatus. The
hockey stick apparatus comprises: a shaft, having a proximal end and a distal
end; a
blade, having a heel end and a toe end, a paddle comprising a top edge and a
bottom
edge, the paddle having a length extending between a proximal end and a distal
end, and
a first width extending between the top edge and the bottom edge, the distal
end of the
paddle coupled to the heel end of the blade, and the proximal end of the
paddle coupled
to the distal end of the shaft. The paddle further comprises: a front face; a
back face. The
back face further comprises: a spine extending along a portion of the back
face, the spine
coupled to and protruding out from the back face, the spine having a second
width less
than the first width, a proximal end, and a distal end; a rib structure,
coupled to the spine
and the back face, and extending from the spine to the top edge or the bottom
edge; and a
recessed area, the recessed area having a first thickness, wherein a second
thickness of
the paddle between the front face and a back surface of the spine is greater
than the first
thickness.
[04e] According to another aspect, this disclosure relates to a hockey stick
apparatus. The
hockey stick apparatus comprises: a shaft, having a proximal end and a distal
end; a
blade, having a heel end and a toe end, a paddle comprising a top edge and a
bottom
edge, the paddle having a length extending between a proximal end and a distal
end, and
lb
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-05-17
a first width extending between the top edge and the bottom edge, the distal
end of the
paddle coupled to the heel end of the blade, and the proximal end of the
paddle coupled
to the distal end of the shaft. The paddle further comprises: a front face; a
back face. The
back face further comprises: a bifurcated spine extending along a portion of
the back
face, the bifurcated spine coupled to and protruding out from the back face,
the bifurcated
spine having a second width less than the first width, a proximal end, and a
distal end;
and a central recessed area, the central recessed area having a first side, a
second side,
and a third side. The first side and the second side are formed by the
bifurcated spine.
The third side is formed by the paddle.
[04f] According to another aspect, this disclosure relates to a hockey stick
blade and paddle
structure formed by a method. The method comprises: forming a first foam core
of the
blade; wrapping the first foam core of the blade with a layer of fiber tape to
form a
wrapped blade core; forming a front face and a back face of the paddle,
coupled to a
proximal end of the wrapped blade core, by layering fiber tape; forming a
bifurcated
spine by wrapping a mandrel with fiber tape; forming first and second
transition elements
by wrapping first and second transition element foam cores with fiber tape;
positioning
the bifurcated spine on the back face; positioning the first transition
element at a proximal
end of the back face of the paddle and the second transitional element at a
distal end of
the back face of the paddle; wrapping the front face and the positioned spine
and
transition elements on the back face with fiber tape to form a wrapped paddle
structure;
placing the wrapped blade core coupled to the wrapped paddle structure in a
mold;
heating the mold; cooling the mold; and removing the mandrel from the
bifurcated spine
and a formed hockey stick blade and paddle structure from the mold.
[04g] According to another aspect, this disclosure relates to a method of
fabricating a hockey
stick apparatus. The method comprises: forming a shaft, having a proximal end
and a
distal end; forming a blade, having a heel end and a toe end; and forming a
paddle
comprising a top edge and a bottom edge, the paddle having a length extending
between a
proximal end and a distal end, and a first width extending between the top
edge and the
bottom edge, the distal end of the paddle coupled to the heel end of the
blade, and the
1 c
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-05-17
proximal end of the paddle coupled to the distal end of the shaft, the paddle
further
comprising: a front face; a back face. The back face further comprises: a
bifurcated spine
extending along a portion of the back face, the bifurcated spine coupled to
and protruding
out from the back face, the bifurcated spine haying a second width less than
the first
width, a proximal end, and a distal end; and a central recessed area, the
central recessed
area haying a first thickness, wherein a second thickness of the paddle
between the front
face and a back surface of the spine is greater than the first thickness. The
central
recessed area comprises a first side, a second side, and a third side. The
first side and the
second side are formed by the bifurcated spine. The third side is formed by
the paddle.
id
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-05-17
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[05] The present disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not limited
in the
accompanying figures in which like reference numerals indicate similar
elements and in
which:
[06] FIGS. 1A and 1B depict a respective back side and front side of a hockey
stick, according
to one or more aspects described herein.
[07] FIG. 2 depicts a stage of a process for fabricating a hockey stick paddle
and blade
structure, according to one or more aspects described herein.
[08] FIG. 3 depicts another stage of a process for fabricating a hockey stick
paddle and blade
structure, according to one or more aspects described herein.
[09] FIG. 4A schematically depicts an example of a wrapped blade and paddle
structure,
according to one or more aspects described herein.
[10] FIG. 4B schematically depicts a cross-section of a portion of FIG. 4A,
according to one
or more aspects described herein.
1111 FIG. 5 depicts a molded hockey blade and paddle structure, according to
one or more
aspects described herein.
[12] FIG. 6 depicts the molded hockey blade and paddle structure of FIG. 5
with recessed
areas visible, according to one or more aspects described herein.
[13] FIG. 7A depicts a portion of a molded paddle, according to one or more
aspects described
herein.
[14] FIG. 7B depicts a cross-sectional view of a portion of the molded paddle
of FIG. 7A,
according to one or more aspects described herein.
[15] FIG. 8A depicts another portion of a molded paddle, according to one or
more aspects
described herein.
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Date recue/date received 2021-10-28
[16] FIG. 8B depicts a cross-sectional view of a circled portion of the molded
paddle of FIG.
8A, according to one or more aspects described herein.
[17] FIG. 9 schematically depicts an implementation of a hockey stick that has
a spine-
reinforced paddle, according to one or more aspects described herein.
[18] FIG. 10 schematically depicts an implementation of a hockey stick that
has a spine-
reinforced paddle, according to one or more aspects described herein.
[19] FIG. 11 schematically depicts an implementation of a hockey stick that
has a spine-
reinforced paddle, according to one or more aspects described herein.
[20] FIG. 12 schematically depicts another implementation of a hockey stick
that has a spine-
reinforced paddle, according to one or more aspects described herein.
[21] FIG. 13 schematically depicts an implementation of a hockey stick that
has a spine-
reinforced paddle with reinforcement ribs, according to one or more aspects
described
herein.
[22] FIG. 14 schematically depicts another implementation of a hockey stick
that has a spine-
reinforced paddle, according to one or more aspects described herein.
[23] FIG. 15 schematically depicts another implementation of a hockey stick
that has a spine-
reinforced paddle and a recessed area extending across at least a portion of a
paddle and
blade structure, according to one or more aspects described herein.
[24] FIG. 16 schematically depicts another implementation of a hockey stick
that has a spine-
reinforced paddle, according to one or more aspects described herein.
[25] FIG. 17 schematically depicts another implementation of a hockey stick
that has a spine-
reinforced paddle, according to one or more aspects described herein.
[26] FIG. 18 schematically depicts another implementation of a hockey stick
that has a spine-
reinforced paddle, according to one or more aspects described herein.
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[27] FIG. 19 schematically depicts another implementation of a hockey stick
that has a spine-
reinforced paddle, according to one or more aspects described herein.
[28] FIG. 20 schematically depicts another implementation of a hockey stick
that has a spine-
reinforced paddle, according to one or more aspects described herein.
[29] FIG. 21 schematically depicts another implementation of a hockey stick
that has a spine-
reinforced paddle with reinforcing ribs, according to one or more aspects
described
herein.
[30] FIG. 22 schematically depicts another implementation of a hockey stick
that has a spine-
reinforced paddle with reinforcing ribs, according to one or more aspects
described
herein.
[31] FIG. 23 schematically depicts another implementation of a hockey stick
that has a spine-
reinforced paddle with reinforcing ribs, according to one or more aspects
described
herein.
[32] FIG. 24 schematically depicts another implementation of a hockey stick
that has a spine-
reinforced paddle, according to one or more aspects described herein.
[33] FIG. 25 schematically depicts another implementation of a hockey stick
that has a spine-
reinforced paddle, according to one or more aspects described herein.
[34] FIG. 26 schematically depicts another implementation of a hockey stick
that has a spine-
reinforced paddle with a bifurcated spine structure, according to one or more
aspects
described herein.
[35] FIG. 27 schematically depicts an example cross-section of a hockey stick
paddle and
spine, according to one or more aspects described herein.
[36] FIG. 28 schematically depicts another example cross-section of a hockey
stick paddle and
spine, according to one or more aspects described herein.
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[37] FIG. 29 schematically depicts another example cross-section of a hockey
stick paddle and
spine, according to one or more aspects described herein.
[38] FIG. 30 schematically depicts another example cross-section of a hockey
stick paddle and
spine, according to one or more aspects described herein.
[39] FIG. 31 schematically depicts another example cross-section of a hockey
stick paddle and
spine, according to one or more aspects described herein.
[40] FIG. 32 schematically depicts another example cross-section of a hockey
stick paddle and
spine, according to one or more aspects described herein.
[41] FIG. 33 schematically depicts another example cross-section of a hockey
stick paddle and
spine, according to one or more aspects described herein.
[42] FIG. 34 schematically depicts another example cross-section of a hockey
stick paddle and
spine, according to one or more aspects described herein.
[43] FIG. 35 schematically depicts another example cross-section of a hockey
stick paddle and
spine, according to one or more aspects described herein.
[44] FIG. 36 schematically depicts another example cross-section of a hockey
stick paddle and
spine, according to one or more aspects described herein.
[45] FIG. 37 schematically depicts another example cross-section of a hockey
stick paddle and
spine, according to one or more aspects described herein.
[46] FIG. 38 schematically depicts another example cross-section of a hockey
stick paddle and
spine, according to one or more aspects described herein.
[47] FIG. 39 schematically depicts another example cross-section of a hockey
stick paddle and
spine, according to one or more aspects described herein.
[48] Further, it is to be understood that the drawings may represent the scale
of different
component of one single embodiment; however, the disclosed embodiments are not
limited to that particular scale.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[49] In the following description of various example structures, reference is
made to the
accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way
of
illustration various embodiments in which aspects of the disclosure may be
practiced.
Additionally, it is to be understood that other specific arrangements of parts
and
structures may be utilized, and structural and functional modifications may be
made
without departing from the scope of the present disclosures. Also, while the
terms "top"
and "bottom" and the like may be used in this specification to describe
various example
features and elements, these terms are used herein as a matter of convenience,
e.g., based
on the example orientations shown in the figures and/or the orientations in
typical use.
Nothing in this specification should be construed as requiring a specific
three-
dimensional or spatial orientation of structures in order to fall within the
scope of this
invention.
[50] Aspects of this disclosure relate to systems and methods for production
of a paddle of a
hockey stick with a spine that provides structural rigidity, as well as
recessed areas that
reduce the mass of the paddle structure.
[51] FIGS. 1A and 1B depict a respective back side and front side of a hockey
stick 100,
according to one or more aspects described herein. In particular, hockey stick
100 may
be utilized as a goalie stick. However, the various disclosures described in
relation to
hockey stick 100 may be utilized in other stick implementations (e.g. non-
goalie stick
types), without departing from the scope of these disclosures. As depicted,
hockey stick
100 has a curve and is intended to be gripped with a player's right hand.
However, it is
to be understood that the same disclosures described in relation to hockey
stick 100 may
be utilized in a stick with an opposite curve and may be configured to be
gripped with a
user's left-hand, without departing from the scope of these disclosures.
[52] Hockey stick 100, which may otherwise be referred to as a hockey stick
apparatus 100,
may include a shaft 102 that has a proximal end 104 and a distal end 106.
Additionally,
the hockey stick 100 includes a blade 108 that has a proximal end 110,
otherwise referred
to as a blade heel 110 and a distal end 112, otherwise referred to as a blade
toe 112. The
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hockey stick 100 may also include a paddle 114 that has a length 116 that
extends
between a proximal end 118 and a distal end 120. The paddle 114 may also have
a width
117 that extends between a top edge 119 and a bottom edge 121. Accordingly,
the distal
end 120 of the paddle 114 may be coupled to the proximal end 110 of the blade
108, and
the proximal end 118 of the paddle 114 may be coupled to the distal end 106 of
the shaft
102. Additionally, the paddle 114 may include a front face 122, and a back
face 124. A
spine 126 may extend along a portion of the back face 124, with the spine 126
coupled to,
and protruding out from the back face 124, the spine 126 may have a second
width 123
that is less than the first width 117 of the paddle 114. The spine 126 may
include a
proximal end 131 and a distal end 133. A first transition element 128 may be
coupled to
the proximal end 131 of the spine 126 and the proximal end 118 of the paddle
114, and a
second transition element 130 may be coupled to the distal end 133 of the
spine 126 and
the distal end 120 of the paddle 114. The paddle 114 may additionally include
recessed
areas 132 and 134. The paddle 114 may have a first thickness at the recessed
areas 132
and 134 that extends between the front face 122 and the back face 124.
Further, the
paddle 114 may have a second thickness, greater than the first thickness,
measured
between the front face 122 and a back surface 135 of the spine 126.
[53] In one implementation, it is contemplated that the paddle 114 and the
blade 108 are
integrally molded as a structure. In another implementation, the shaft 102,
paddle 114,
and blade 108 may all be integrally molded as a single hockey stick structure
100.
Additionally, it is contemplated that a complete hockey stick structure 100
may be
integrally molded from one or more subcomponents that were formed and/or
molded
separately before a final one or more molding processes to produce a
integrally molded
hockey stick 100. In particular, the paddle 114 and blade 108 may be molded
together
during a first set of molding processes, and the hockey shaft 102 may be
rigidly coupled
to the blade 108 and paddle 114 structure using one or more subsequent
processes.
Additionally or alternatively, one or more of the shaft 102, the paddle 114,
and/or the
blade 108 may be configured to be removably coupled to the hockey stick
structure 100.
It is additionally contemplated that the hockey stick structure 100 may
include additional
or alternative elements, such as a tacky outer surface on the shaft 102 to
provide
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enhanced grip for a player, and/or an end cap on the shaft 104, without
departing from the
scope of these disclosures.
[54] Advantageously, the elements of the paddle 114 provide enhanced
structural and
weighting characteristics to the hockey stick 100. In one example, the spine
126 may be
configured to provide structural rigidity that includes resistance to bending
and/or torsion
of the paddle 114. Given the structural rigidity provided by spine 126, the
back face 124
may include one or more recessed areas 132 and 134 that would otherwise
include
additional structural elements on conventional hockey stick paddles.
Accordingly, the
depicted implementation of the hockey stick paddle 114 may include less
structural
material than conventional implementations to achieve equal or better
structural rigidity,
and thereby reduce the overall mass of the paddle 114 and stick 100. Further,
the
structure provided by the spine 126 may allow the front face 122 to be
constructed from
additional layers of material (e.g. carbon fiber tape), and thereby increase
the impact
resistance and mass of the front face 122, while reducing the overall mass of
the paddle
114, when compared to conventional paddle implementations. In one
implementation, the
front face 122 may have a thickness in certain areas that is approximately
double that of a
conventional hockey stick paddle structure. As such, the front face 122 may
have an
impact resistance/ strength that is approximately 25-100% higher than a
conventional
paddle. However, it is contemplated that additional or alternative
implementations may
be utilized, such that the front face 122 of the paddle 114 may have further
increased
impact strength, without departing from the scope of these disclosures.
[55] In one implementation, the paddle 114 may have a longitudinal axis
approximately
parallel to the top edge 119 and bottom edge 121. Further, the spine 126 may
include a
shaft that extends along at least a portion of the back face 124 approximately
parallel to
this longitudinal axis. In one example, the shaft that makes up the spine 126
may have a
rectangular cross-section. However, additional spine 126 geometries are
contemplated,
without departing from the scope of these disclosures. For example, the shaft
may have a
circular or semicircular cross-section, or a triangular cross-section. Indeed,
the shaft that
makes up the spine 126 may include any prismal geometry, without departing
from the
scope of these disclosures. In yet another example, the shaft of the spine 126
may have
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an I-beam geometry, or C-shaped geometry, without departing from the scope of
these
disclosures. It is further contemplated that the spine 126 may be partially or
wholly
hollow and have a cavity extending along at least a portion of the spine 126
in a direction
approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis of the paddle 114.
[56] In one example, the paddle 114 may have a stiffness that supports
approximately 50-65
lbs./inch of deflection on a 20-inch span between supports, and approximately
35-55
lbs./inch of deflection on a 22-inch span. However, it is contemplated that
the paddle 114
may have different stiffness values, which may be larger than 65 lbs./inch and
55
lbs./inch on 20-inch and 22-inch spans, respectively, without departing from
the scope of
these disclosures. In contrast, a conventional implementation of a paddle of a
hockey
stick that does not include the spine 126 may have stiffness values that are
approximately
10% lower than the paddle 114. In still further examples, a conventional
implementation
of a paddle of a hockey stick may have stiffness values that are more than 10%
lower
than paddle 114. As such, the depicted implementation of a paddle 114 having
spine 126
may increase the paddle stiffness by approximately 10% or greater when
compared to a
conventional hockey stick paddle implementation. However, it is contemplated
that the
hockey stick 100, or other stick implementations described throughout this
disclosure,
may use different geometries to achieve further increased stiffness than the
approximately 10% increase, without departing from the scope of these
disclosures.
[57] In one example, the paddle 114 may have a strength that supports a static
load of
approximately 300 to 360 lbs. or more before breaking on a 20-inch span across
the
paddle 114. In contrast, a conventional implementation of a paddle of a hockey
stick that
does not include the spine 126 may have a strength that is approximately 15-
20% less
than paddle 114. However, it is contemplated that the hockey stick 100, or
other stick
implementations described throughout this disclosure, may use different
geometries to
achieve further increased strength, without departing from the scope of these
disclosures.
[58] In one implementation, the implementation of the paddle 114 with the
spine structure 126
may have a mass that is approximately 5-8% lower than a conventional paddle
structure
that does not have a spine 126, and hence, cannot be implemented with the
recessed areas
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132 and 134 which allow for reduced mass while maintaining or enhancing
structural
strength and/or stiffness. It is contemplated that further increased weight
savings may be
possible by using different implementations of a spine-reinforced paddle,
similar to
paddle 114, as described throughout these disclosures.
[59] FIG. 2 depicts a stage of a process for fabricating a hockey stick paddle
and blade
structure similar to that paddle 114 and blade 108 described in relation to
FIGS. 1A and
1B. In certain examples, the method may include forming a first foam core 202
of a
blade structure 204. This foam core 202 may be wrapped with a layer of fiber
tape to
form a wrapped blade core. In certain examples, foam core 202 of blade 204 may
be a
polymethacrylimide (PMI) foam.
In one specific example, a Resin Infusion
Manufacturing Aid (RIMA) low density PMI foam may be utilized in the foam core
100.
This type of foam is a high strength foam that can withstand the shear and
impact forces
that result when a hockey blade strikes a hockey puck. Also in certain
examples,
multiple core structures can make up the core 202 of the blade. The multiple
core
structures may also be formed of varying density core structures. In certain
examples, a
higher density core can be placed toward the bottom of the hockey blade where
many of
the impacts occur, and a lower density core may be placed at the top of the
blade. The
core may also include epoxy and may also be formed with expandable
microspheres.
However, it is contemplated that additional or alternative foam materials may
be utilized
to construct the foam core 202, without departing from the scope of these
disclosures. In
an alternative example, the foam core 202 may be removed following one or more
molding processes of the hockey stick blade 204. As such, the final blade
structure may
be formed of composite structures; carbon fiber walls that are reinforced by
pins and
molded with epoxy. In this alternative example, the foam may be removed by one
or
more mechanical processes (one or more machine tools may be utilized to remove
the
foam core 202, chemical processes (the foam may be degraded/dissolved by the
addition
of/ exposure to a reactant/catalyst/solvent).
[60] The paddle 206 may be formed by layering one or more layers of fiber
tape. These one
or more layers of fiber tape form the front face (not depicted in FIG. 2) and
the back face
208, which are similar to the front face 122 and back face 124 of paddle 114.
A spine
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210, similar to spine 126, may be formed by wrapping a mandrel with one or
more layers
of fiber tape. In one example, the mandrel may be constructed from a silicone
material,
and may be removed from the spine 210 following one or more molding processes,
producing a hollow spine structure similar to that described in relation to
spine 126. First
and second transition elements 212 and 214 may be formed by wrapping first and
second
transition element foam cores (not depicted in FIG. 2) with one or more layers
of fiber
tape. It is contemplated that the first and second transition element foam
cores may
include one or more of the same foam materials as the hockey blade foam core
202. As
depicted, the spine 210 may be positioned on the back face 208, the first
transition
element 212 may be positioned at a proximal end 216 of the back face 208, and
the
second transition element 214 may be positioned at a distal end 218 of the
back face 208.
[61] One or more additional layers of fiber tape may be wrapped around the
front face, the
spine 210, and the transition elements 212 and 214, which have been positioned
on the
back face 208, to form a wrapped paddle structure 300, as depicted in FIG. 3.
Prior to
one or more molding processes, this wrapped paddle structure 300 may be
loosely
positioned proximate, or coupled to the wrapped blade core 204 by one or more
structural
elements (interlocking or otherwise), fasteners, adhesives and/or layers of
fiber tape.
[62] It is contemplated that the systems and methods described herein directed
to a spine-
reinforced paddle and blade structure of a hockey stick may utilize carbon
fiber-
reinforced structural elements that are molded together. The carbon-fiber may
be applied
as one or more tape layers that are pre-impregnated with epoxy, and which are
heated and
cooled to bond the structural elements together. However, it is contemplated
that the
systems and methods described herein may be applied to hockey stick
implementations
using additional or alternative materials, including thermoplastics reinforced
with carbon
or glass fibers (short or long fibers), thermoset resins reinforced with
carbon, glass,
aramid, basalt, plastic fibers (such as polypropylene or polyethylene, among
others),
and/or non-reinforced thermoplastics and thermosets (polyurethane, polyether
ether
ketone (PEEK) and/or nylon, among others).
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[63] It is further contemplated that the various structures described
throughout this disclosure
(e.g. blade 204, paddle face 208, spine 210, and/or transition elements 212
and 214,
among others) may utilize certain reinforced structures that form bridges
between the
faces of the blade 204 or the paddle. In one example, the core forming the
blade or the
paddle can be formed of multiple core elements that are individually wrapped
with one or
more of pre-preg or dry fibers. In this example, when the blade or paddle is
molded the
fibers can create one or more bridges between the faces of the blade or the
paddle.
Further details pertaining to blade bridges are described in U.S. Patent Nos.
7,097,577,
7,850,553, and 7,789,778. In other examples one or more fibers can be inserted
into the
core structure to create one or more bridges between the faces of the blade or
the paddle.
In another example, fiber pins (e.g. carbon fiber pins) may be injected into a
foam core
prior to molding of fiber-tape around the foam core. These fiber pins may
provide
enhanced strengthening to the various structural elements. Further details of
this pin
reinforcement methodology are described in U.S. Patent App. No. 15/280,603,
filed 29
Sept. 2016.
[64] FIG. 4A schematically depicts another example of a wrapped blade and
paddle structure
400. The wrapped blade and paddle structure 400 includes a blade 402, which
may be
similar to blade 204, and a paddle 404, which may be similar to paddle 300.
Additionally,
FIG. 4A schematically depicts plug structures 406 and 408, which may be
positioned on
the paddle 404. The plug structures 406 and 408 may be configured to remain on
the
wrapped blade and paddle structure 400 during one or more molding processes
and may
be subsequently removed to reveal one or more recessed areas, similar to
recessed areas
132 and 134, described in relation to FIG. 1A. In one example, the plug
structures 406
and 408 may be constructed from a hard silicone material, and may be loosely
positioned
on the wrapped blade and paddle structure 400 prior to one or more molding
processes, or
may be removably coupled by one or more fasteners and/or adhesives to
structure 400.
However, additional or alternative materials may be used to construct the plug
structures
406 and 408, which may include metals, alloys, polymers, and/or fiber-
reinforced
materials, without departing from the scope of these disclosures.
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Date recue/date received 2021-10-28
Additionally, it is contemplated that the plug structures 406 and 408 may have
different
geometries to those depicted in FIG. 4A, which may be utilized to produce
recessed areas
of differing shapes, without departing from the scope of these disclosures.
[65] FIG. 4B schematically depicts a cross-section in the direction of the
schematic cut line
and arrows 4B-4B of FIG. 4A. The cross-section in FIG. 4B schematically
depicts the
wrapped blade and paddle structure 400 within a mold. As depicted, the mold
may
include two mold halves 410 and 412. FIG. 4B further depicts a cross-sectional
view of a
spine structure 414 having a silicone mandrel 416 positioned within. It is
contemplated
that the mold halves 410 and 412 may additionally impart a specific curvature
to the
blade 402, such that any blade curvature may be utilized, without departing
from the
scope of these disclosures. Further, it is contemplated that the mold halves
410 and 412
may apply pressure to the wrapped blade and paddle structure 400, and/or may
be heated
in order to fuse one or more of the structures of the wrapped blade and paddle
structure
400 together. Accordingly, where used throughout this disclosure, a fiber
tape, or carbon
fiber tape, may include a carbon fiber material that is preimpregnated with
one or more
adhesives/ resins that are activated by application of heat (i.e. heating
within a mold, such
as that mold formed by structures 410 and 412). As such, the adhesives/resins
may be
heated to a temperature at or above a melting point (e.g. above a melting
point of the
resin preimpregnated into carbon fiber tape). Upon cooling, the adhesive/resin
solidifies,
and maintains the shape of the mold upon extraction from the mold (e.g.
maintains the
desired hockey blade and/or paddle geometries). As such, the activation of the
adhesive/resin within preimpregnated fiber tape may cause the adhesive /resin
to melt and
flow, and thereby result in adjacent structures being strongly bonded to one
another upon
cooling and solidification of the adhesive.
[66] It is contemplated that any heating temperature and duration may be
utilized, without
departing from the scope of these disclosures. Further, any heating technology
may be
utilized, without departing from the scope of these disclosures. In one
implementation, a
molded hockey blade and paddle structure may be passively or actively cooled
within, or
following removal from the mold. It is further contemplated that the molded
hockey
blade and paddle structure may be formed with one or more recessed areas,
similar to
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those recessed areas 132 and 134 described in relation to FIG. 1A, without the
use of the
removable plug structures 406 and 408, such that the mold (e.g. upper half 410
and/or
lower half 412) may include geometric features configured to impart the
desired recessed
area geometries on the molded hockey blade and paddle structure. Additionally,
it is
contemplated that the mold structure used to form the geometry of the hockey
blade and
paddle may utilize female-female, or female-male, and/or or male-male mold
configurations, and the mold halves 410 and 412 depicted in FIG. 4B are merely
schematic representations.
[67] FIG. 5 depicts a molded hockey blade and paddle structure 500, according
to one or more
aspects described herein. In particular, FIG. 5 depicts the molded hockey
blade and
paddle structure 500 that includes a blade 502, and a paddle 504. The molded
hockey
blade and paddle structure 500 additionally includes a spine 506 and first and
second
transition elements 508 and 510. Additionally, FIG. 5 depicts the molded
hockey blade
and paddle structure 500 with plug structures 512 and 514 coupled to the
structure 500
following one or more molding processes. FIG. 6 depicts the same molded hockey
blade
and paddle structure 500 after the plug structures 512 and 514 have been
removed to
reveal the recessed areas 516 and 518. It is contemplated that the molded
hockey blade
and paddle structure 500 may have one or more layers of a polymer coating
applied to the
molded structure 500, and which may include graphics and stick colorations,
without
departing from the scope of these disclosures.
[68] FIG. 7A depicts a portion of the molded paddle 114, according to one or
more aspects
described herein. FIG. 7B depicts a cross-sectional view of a portion of the
molded
paddle 114 in FIG. 7A, as indicated by the schematic cut line and arrows 7B-7B
of FIG.
7A. As depicted, the rectangular spine 126 may be at least partially hollow,
and have a
cavity 702 extending along at least a portion of the back face 124
approximately parallel
to a longitudinal axis of the paddle 114. In one implementation, a top edge
119 and/or
bottom edge 121 of the paddle 114 may be rounded toward the back face 124 of
the
paddle 114.
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[69] FIG. 8A depicts another portion of the molded paddle 114, according to
one or more
aspects described herein. FIG. 8B depicts a cross-sectional view of a portion
of the
molded paddle 114 in FIG. 8A, as indicated by the schematic cut line and
arrows 8B-8B
of FIG. 8A. As depicted, the cross-sectional view extends through the
transition element
130, and depicts the cavity 702 of the spine 126 that extends into the
transition element
130. Additionally, transition element foam cores 802 and 804 are depicted,
which make
up a portion of the internal structure of the transition element 130.
[70] FIG. 9 schematically depicts an implementation of a hockey stick 900 that
has a spine-
reinforced paddle 902. Similar to hockey stick 100, hockey stick 900 includes
a shaft
904 and a blade 906. A spine 908 extends along a longitudinal axis of the
paddle 902
between transition elements 910 and 912. The depicted backside of the paddle
902
further includes recessed areas 914 and 916 that extend along the longitudinal
axis of the
paddle 902 such that the spine 908 is centered on the back of the paddle 902.
The cross-
section of the spine 908, at the depicted cross-section arrows 27-34-27-34,
may have
any of the geometries described in relation to FIGS. 27-34, among others.
[71] FIG. 10 schematically depicts another implementation of a hockey stick
1000 that has a
spine-reinforced paddle 1002. Similar to hockey stick 900, stick 1000 includes
shaft
1004 that is coupled to the paddle 1002, and the paddle 1002 is further
coupled to a blade
1006. The depicted backside of the paddle 1002 also includes a spine 1008
extending
between transition elements 1010 and 1012. Additionally, the depicted backside
of the
paddle 1002 includes recessed areas 1014 and 1016. Further, the recessed areas
may be
non-planar, and include, in one example, ridge elements 1018 and 1020. The
cross-
section of the spine 1008, at the depicted cross-section arrows 35-35, may
have the
geometry described in relation to FIG. 35, among others.
[72] FIG. 11 schematically depicts another implementation of a hockey stick
1100 that has a
spine-reinforced paddle 1102 that is coupled to a shaft 1104 and a blade 1106.
In one
example, the spine 1108 may extend along the depicted back side of the paddle
1102, and
the spine 1008 may extend to a bottom edge of the paddle 1102 at area 1109.
The paddle
may include multiple recessed areas 1110 and 1112 along a bottom edge, and a
single
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recessed area 1114 along a top edge. However, it is contemplated that one or
more of the
bottom edge and the top edge may include additional recessed areas to those
depicted in
FIG. 11, without departing from the scope of these disclosures. The cross-
section of the
spine 1108, at the depicted cross-section arrows 36-36, may have the geometry
described
in relation to FIG. 36, among others.
[73] FIG. 12 schematically depicts another implementation of a hockey stick
1200 that has a
spine-reinforced paddle 1202 that is coupled to a shaft 1204 and a blade 1206.
In one
example, the paddle 1202 may include a first recessed area 1208 separated from
a second
recessed area 1210 by a spine 1212, such that the first recessed area 1208 is
smaller than
the second recessed area 1210, and such that both of the recessed areas 1208
and 1210
have trapezoidal geometries. The cross-section of the spine 1212, at the
depicted cross-
section arrows 27-34-27-34, may have any of the geometries described in
relation to
FIGS. 27-34, among others.
[74] FIG. 13 schematically depicts another implementation of a hockey stick
1300 that has a
spine-reinforced paddle 1302 that is coupled to a shaft 1304 and a blade 1306.
A spine
1308 may extend along at least a portion of the paddle 1302, and rib
structures (e.g. rib
structures 1310, 1312, 1314, and 1316) may extend from the spine 1308 to one
or more
of a top edge 1318 and a bottom edge 1320 of the paddle 1302. The spine 1308
and rib
structures 1310, 1312, 1314, and 1316 may enclose recessed areas 1322, 1324,
1326,
1328, 1330, 1332. The cross-section of the spine 1308, at the depicted cross-
section
arrows 27-34-27-34, may have any of the geometries described in relation to
FIGS. 27-
34, among others.
[75] FIG. 14 schematically depicts another implementation of a hockey stick
1400 that has a
spine-reinforced paddle 1402 that is coupled to a shaft 1404 and a blade 1406.
In one
example, a spine 1408 may extend along a portion of the depicted back side of
the paddle
1402, and may additionally include a central area 1410 that extends to a top
and a bottom
edge of the paddle 1402. The cross-section of the spine 1408, at the depicted
cross-
section arrows 37-37, may have the geometry described in relation to FIG. 37,
among
others.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2022-05-17
[76] FIGS. 15-17 schematically depict additional hockey stick implementations
that include
spine-reinforced paddles and different recessed area geometries. In one
example, hockey
stick 1500 from FIG. 15 includes a recessed area 1502 on a top edge of the
stick that
extends from a paddle 1504 to a toe 1506 of a blade 1508. FIGS. 16-17
schematically
depict hockey sticks 1600 and 1700 that have recessed areas 1602 and 1702 with
rounded
geometries.
[77] FIGS. 18-20 schematically depict different implementations of hockey
sticks 1800, 1900,
and 2000, with spine-reinforced paddles, and having recessed areas 1802, 1902,
and 2002
with different trapezoidal geometries. FIGS. 21-23 schematically depict
different
implementations of hockey sticks 2100, 2200, and 2300 that have paddles
reinforced by
spines 2102, 2202 and 2302, and different rib geometries 2104, 2204, and 2304.
FIGS.
24-26 schematically depict different implementation of hockey sticks 2400,
2500, and
2600. In one example, hockey stick 2400 has a central reinforcing spine 2402,
a recessed
area 2404, and stud elements 2406 that are at least partially surrounded by
the recessed
area 2404. In one implementation, the stud elements 2406 may have a thickness
greater
than a thickness of the recessed area 2404.
[78] The cross-sections of the spines of sticks 1500, 1600, 1700, 1800,
1900, 2000, 2100, and
2200 at the depicted cross-section arrows 27-34-27-34, may have any of the
geometries
described in relation to FIGS. 27-34, among others. The cross-section of the
spine 2302,
at the depicted cross-section arrows 36-36, may have the geometry described in
relation
to FIG. 36, among others. The cross-section of the spine 2402, at the depicted
cross-
section arrows 39-39, may have the geometry described in relation to FIG. 39,
among
others.
[79] FIG. 25 schematically depicts the hockey stick 2500 having a spine
structure 2502 that is
positioned on a bottom portion of a back side of a paddle 2504. Further, the
paddle 2504
may have a recessed area 2506 on a top portion of the paddle 2504. FIG. 26
schematically depicts an alternative implementation of a hockey stick 2600
having a
bifurcated spine 2602 and a central recessed area 2604, according to one or
more aspects
described herein. The cross-section of the spine 2502, at the depicted cross-
section
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arrows 36-36, may have the geometry described in relation to FIG. 36, among
others.
The cross-section of the spine 2602, at the depicted cross-section arrows 38-
38, may
have the geometry described in relation to FIG. 38, among others.
[80] In addition to the rectangular cross-section of the spine 126, as
depicted in FIG. 7B,
various alternative spine cross-sections may be used, without departing from
the scope of
these disclosures. FIGS. 27-39 schematically depict various alternative hockey
stick
paddle cross-sections, and it is contemplated that the relative sizes and
dimensions of the
various schematically-depicted elements may have any values, without departing
from
the scope of these disclosures. It is further contemplated that the various
elements
depicted in FIGS. 27-39 may be constructed using any materials and/or
processes as
previously described throughout these disclosures. FIG. 27 schematically
depicts a first
example cross-section, with a rectangular spine cross-section 2702 and a
paddle face
cross-section 2704 that is substantially planar. In one example, the
rectangular spine
cross-section 2702 and the paddle face cross-section 2704 may have
approximately equal
thicknesses.
[81] FIG. 28 schematically depicts another example cross-section, with a
rectangular spine
cross-section 2802 and a paddle face cross-section 2804 that is substantially
planar. In
one example, the paddle face cross-section 2804 may have a greater material
thickness
than the rectangular spine cross-section 2802.
[82] FIG. 29 schematically depicts another example cross-section, with a
rectangular spine
cross-section 2902 and a paddle face cross-section 2904 that is substantially
planar. In
one example, the rectangular spine cross-section 2902 may have a greater
material
thickness than the paddle face cross-section 2904.
[83] FIG. 30 schematically depicts another example cross-section, with a
trapezoidal spine
cross-section 3002, and a paddle face cross-section 3004 that is substantially
planar. In
one example, a longer length of the trapezoidal spine cross-section 3002 may
be coupled
to the paddle face cross-section 3004, as schematically depicted in FIG. 30.
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[84] FIG. 31 schematically depicts another example cross-section, with a
trapezoidal spine
cross-section 3102, and a paddle face cross-section 3104 that is substantially
planar. In
one example, a short or length of the trapezoidal spine cross-section 3102 may
be
coupled to the paddle face cross-section 3104, as schematically depicted in
FIG. 31.
[85] FIG. 32 schematically depicts another example cross-section, with a bell-
curve spine
cross-section 3202 and a paddle face cross-section 3204 that is substantially
planar.
[86] FIG. 33 schematically depicts another example cross-section, with a
rounded spine cross-
section 3302 and a paddle face cross-section 3304 that is substantially
planar.
[87] FIG. 34 schematically depicts another example cross-section, with a
rectangular spine
cross-section 3402 and a paddle face cross-section 3404 that has thickened and
rounded
edges 3406.
[88] FIG. 35 schematically depicts another example cross-section, with a
trapezoidal spine
cross-section 3502 and a paddle face cross-section 3504.
[89] FIG. 36 schematically depicts another example cross-section, with a
partial curve spine
cross-section 3602 and a paddle face cross-section 3604.
[90] FIG. 37 schematically depicts another example cross-section, with a
curved spine cross-
section 3702 and a paddle face cross-section 3704.
[91] FIG. 38 schematically depicts another example cross-section, having two
curved portions
of a spine cross-section 3802 and a paddle face cross-section 3804.
[92] FIG. 39 schematically depicts another example cross-section, having three
curved
portions of a spine cross-section 3902 and a paddle face cross-section 3904.
[93] In one aspect, a hockey stick apparatus may include a shaft that has a
proximal end and a
distal end, a blade that has a proximal end and a distal end, and a paddle
that has a length
extending between a proximal end and a distal end, and a width extending
between a top
edge and a bottom edge. The distal end of the paddle may be coupled to the
proximal
end of the blade, and the proximal end of the paddle may be coupled to the
distal end of
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the shaft. The paddle may also include a front face, and a back face, with the
back face
having a spine that extends along a portion of the back face. The spine may be
coupled
to and protruding out from the back face, and the spine may have a second
width that is
less than the first width. The spine may also have a proximal end and a distal
end, with a
first transition element coupled to the proximal end of the spine and to the
proximal end
of the paddle. A second transition element may be coupled to the distal end of
the spine
and the distal end of the paddle. The back face of the paddle may also include
a recessed
area, with the recessed area having a first thickness, such that a second
thickness of the
paddle between the front face and a back surface of the spine may be greater
than the first
thickness.
[94] The spine of the hockey stick apparatus may include a rectangular shaft,
a circular shaft,
a semicircular shaft, a triangular shaft, or an I-beam shaft that extends
along a portion of
the back face approximately parallel to a longitudinal axis of the paddle.
[95] The spine of the hockey stick apparatus may be at least partially hollow
and have a cavity
extending along at least a portion of the back face approximately parallel to
a longitudinal
axis of the paddle.
[96] The paddle of the hockey stick may also include a rib structure that is
coupled to the
spine and to the back face, and extending from the spine to the top edge or
the bottom
edge. At least a portion of the rib structure may have a thickness
approximately equal to
the second thickness of the paddle between the front face and a back surface
of the spine.
[97] The paddle may also include a stood that is coupled to and protruding out
from the back
face. The stud may have a third thickness between the front face and a back
surface of
the stud that is greater than the first thickness between the front and back
faces of the
paddle. The stud may be at least partially surrounded by the recessed area on
the back
face of the paddle.
[98] The recessed area may extend to a portion of a back face of the blade of
the hockey stick
apparatus.
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[99] At least a portion of the top edge of the bottom edge of the paddle may
be rounded back
toward the back face.
[100] The front face of the paddle may be substantially planar, concave, or
convex, or
combinations thereof
[101] A width of the first and second transition elements may vary between the
first width of
the paddle and a second width of the spine.
[102] The shaft, the paddle, and the blade of the hockey stick may be
integrally molded
together.
[103] The spine may extend at least partially into the first and second
transition elements of the
hockey stick apparatus.
[104] In another aspect, a hockey stick blade and paddle structure may be
formed by a method
that includes forming a first foam core of the blade, and wrapping the first
foam core of
the blade with a layer of fiber tape to form a wrapped blade core.
Additionally, the
method may include forming a front face and a back face of the paddle, which
is coupled
to a proximal end of the wrapped blade core, by layering fiber tape. A spine
may be
formed by wrapping a mandrel with fiber tape, and first and second transition
elements
may be formed by wrapping first and second transition element foam cores with
fiber
tape. The spine may be positioned on the back face. The first transition
element may be
positioned at a proximal end of the back face of the paddle, and the second
transition
element may be positioned at a distal end of the back face of the paddle. The
front face,
as well as the positioned spine and transition elements on the back face may
be wrapped
with fiber tape to form a wrapped paddle structure. The wrapped blade core,
which may
be coupled to the wrapped paddle structure, may be placed in a mold, and the
mold may
be heated and cooled. The mandrel may be removed from the spine, and the
formed
hockey stick blade and paddle structure may be removed from the mold.
[105] The method for forming the hockey stick blade and paddle structure may
additionally
include positioning a plug element on the back surface of the paddle beside
the spine
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prior to heating the mold, and removing the plug element from the back surface
following
the molding to reveal a recessed area.
[106] The mandrel used to form the spine may include a silicone material.
Further, the spine
may include a hollow rectangular, circular, semicircular, or triangular shaft.
[107] In another aspect, a hockey stick paddle structure may be formed by a
method that
includes forming a front face and a back face of the paddle by layering fiber
tape. A
spine may be formed by wrapping a mandrel with fiber tape, and first and
second
transition elements may be formed by wrapping first and second transition
element foam
cores with fiber tape. The spine may be positioned on the back face. The first
transition
element may be positioned at a proximal end of the back face of the paddle,
and the
second transition element may be positioned at a distal end of the back face
of the paddle.
The front face, as well as the positioned spine and transition elements on the
back face
may be wrapped with fiber tape to form a wrapped paddle structure. The wrapped
paddle
structure may be placed in a mold, and the mold may be heated and cooled. The
mandrel
may be removed from the spine, and the formed hockey stick paddle structure
may be
removed from the mold.
[108] The present disclosure is disclosed above and in the accompanying
drawings with
reference to a variety of examples. The purpose served by the disclosure,
however, is to
provide examples of the various features and concepts related to the
disclosure, not to
limit the scope of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will
recognize that
numerous variations and modifications may be made to the examples described
above
without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
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