Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
DETACHABLE SEMI-RIGID PROTECTIVE SLEEVE FOR GOALTENDERS'
HOCKEY STICKS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention rela~es to new and useful
improvements in detachable protective devices for goalten-
ders' hockey sticks.
Goaltending hockey sticks are relatively expen-
sive and while this may not be a factor in professional
hockey, it constitutes a considerable--expense for amateur
and semi-professional hockey clubs.
Goaltending sticks are not used extensively dur-
ing the game because only a relatively small number of shots
are made on goal, but during practice, the sticks are in
use all of the time and often become damaged, resulting in
a requirement for many sticks during the hockey season.
Previous patents attempt to reinforce the stick
by means of permanent attachments to the blade thereof and
examples include U.S. Patent 4,148S482 which teaches a tex-
tile tubing slipped over the blade after which a resinous
coat is applied over the tubing incorporating it permanent-
ly to the blade.
U.S. Patent 4,172,594 shows a hockey stick blade
which is reinforced with glass fibre and impregnated with
a resin plastic, once again becoming a permanent part of
.
the blade.
U.S. Patent 3,353,826 discloses a reinforced
hockey stick blade which is covered wi~h a soft fibreglass
yarn knitted with a very fine filament which is then cover-
ed with a layer of synthetic resin9 once again becoming apermanent part of ~he stick.
U.S. Patent 2,912,245 illustrates a hockey stick
blade which is covered with a sleeve which is fabricated
integrally with the blade.
All of these, while reinforcing the blade, form
part of the actual manufacture of the stick and if they
become damaged, they require complete replacement.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention overcomes these disadvan-
tages by providing a semi-rigid protective sleeve for de-
tachable securement to a goaltender's hockey stick blade
and consists of a relatively tight fitting sleeve engage-
able over the blade, heel and part of the handle of the
stick and means to detachably secure the sleeve in position.
This means that the sleeve can be used to pro-
tect the goaltender's hockey stlck during practice or pre-
game warmup periods yet can be removed, if necessary,
for actual piay.
Another advantage of the invention is that the
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sleeve can be used on cracked or slightly damaged sticks
for practice thereby eliminating further damage or breakage
occurring and preventing parts of the blade from perhaps
breaking off and damaging other players.
A further advantage of the invention is that the
sleeves can be formed or bent in the desirable curvature
to suit the goaltender's blade and can be manufactured ~o
suit blades and handlés of the various lies.
One embodiment of the invention shows a struc-
ture which can be used for right-handed sticks with an op-
posite handed structure being used for left-handed sticks.
Another embodiment shows what might be termed a universal
sleeve which can be used on left or right-handed sticks.
Finally, a further advantage of the invention
is to provide a device which is simple in construction,
economical in manufacture and otherwise well suited to the
purpose for Whirh it i5 designed.
With the foregoing in view, and other advanta-
ges as will become apparent ~o ~hose skilled in the art to
which this invention relates as this specification proceeds,
the invention is herein described by reference to the accom-
panying drawings forming a part hereof, which includes a
description of the best mode known to the applicant and of
the preferred typical embodiment of the principles of the
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present invention, in which:
DESCRIPTION OF _ HE DRAWINGS_ __ _ ___
Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of a
goaltender's stick with one embodiment of the invention
_ situ.____
Figure 2 is a rear view of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a front elevation of Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3, but show-
ing a universal left and righthanded embodiment i__situ.
Figure 5 is an isometric view of the sleeve of
Figures 1 and 2.
Figure 6 is a top plan view of an embodiment show-
ing the blade engaging portion arcuately curved.
Figure 7 is a fragmentary front elevation of the
heel portion of the sleeve showing a reinforcement locat-
ed at this point.
Figure 8 is a cross sectional view substantially
along the line 8-8 of Figures 7 and 9.
Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 7, but show-
ing the reinforcement extending along the base of the
blade portion of the device.
Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 5 and show-
ing an alternative embodiment.
Figure 11 is a view similar to Figure 5 but
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showing an alternative embodiment.
Figure 12 is a cross sectional view similar to
Figure 8 but showing an alternative embodiment.
Figure 13 is an end view of a further modification
of the design.
In the drawings like characters of reference
indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Proceeding therefore to describe the invention
in detail~ reference should first be made to Figure 5 in
which reference character 10 illustrates the invention.
It consists of a semi-rigid sleeve formed from
synthetic plastic moulded to the configuration or from
glass fibre cloth impregnated with resin and formed in
the configuration illustrated. Other material such as
metal may be used.
It is designed to be engaged over a goaltender's
hockey stick collectively designated 14 which includes
a handle portion 15, a heel portion 16 and a blade portion
17.
The sleeve 10 is designed to be a relatively
close fit over the blade, heel and a portion of the handle
of the stick and may be detachably secured in position
by means such as the conventional tape wrapped around the
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stick and the sleeve and illustrated in Figure 1 by re-
ference character 18.
The sleeve includes a blade engaging portion 11,
a heel engaging portion 12 and a handle engaging portion
13 and in the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the
blade engaging portion 11 includes a pair of spaced apart
planar side panels 19 and 20 joined across the lower edges
thereof by means of a base panel 21 with the side panels
converging towards one another as clearly shown in Figure 5
thus enabling them to be sprung apart slightly for engage-
. ~
ment over the portion of the stick and blade and to grip
same relatively snugly.
In the embodiment shown in Figures 1, 2 and 5,
the side panel 19 engages the front face 22 of the blade
and the side panel 20 engages the rear face 23 thereof with
the base 21 engaging the base 24 of the blade portion 17.
It will be noted that the depth of the panel
19 is such that it terminates adjacent the upper edge 25
of the front face of the blade whereas the depth of the
panel 20 terminates spaced below the upper edge 26 of the
rear face of the blade. This enables full protection to
be given to the front face of the blade, which of course
is the operating face and the exposed strip 28 together
with the upper edge 29 of the blade, enables the securing
lS tape 18 to adhere to the blade thus assisting in holding
the sleeve firmly in position and preventing any relative
movement from occurring. This difference in heights of the
two faces continues around the heel portion 16 and along
the handle 15 terminating at a location indicated by re-
ference character 30. However, it will be appreciatedthat the handle engaging portion may extend as far along
~he handle as desired.
Figure 3 will also show the preferred direction
of the wrapping of the tape 18 indicated by arrows 18A.
It will also be appreciated that the stick
shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 is a right-handed stick and
that the reverse situation will apply to left-handed sticks
insofar as the faces and panels are concerned with the
tape wrapping also bein8 opposite to that shown in Figure 3.
Figure 4 shows what might be termed a universal
sleeve in which the side panels l9A and 20A are the same
depth and terminate adjacent the upper edges 25 and 26 of
the blade portion 17. This can be used on a right or left-
handed goaltender's stick with the taping preferably fol-
lowing the direction indicated in Figure 3 or the opposite
direction if used on a left-handed stick.
It will also be appreciated that the sleeves
can be manufactured in different lies to suit the lie of
the stick and that, if desired, the blade portion 11 may
be arcuately curved as shown in Figure 6, in either direc-
tion and to the degree required, depending upon the con-
struction of the stick blade. With certain plastics, this
arcuate curve may be formed after manufacture by steam
heating in a manner similar to the curving of the blades of
hockey sticks.
Figures 7, 8 and 9 show a reinforcement strip
31 embedded within the base 32 of the heel portion 12 of
the sleeve. This can be formed from a thin metal insert
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which may be curved to follow the contour of the base of
the heel and, if desired, this metal insert may be extend-
ed forwardly along the base 21 of the blade portion as in-
dicated by reference character 31A in Figure 9.
This reinforces the underside of the sleeve
which is a part which takes considerable impact and wear
when in use.
Although the embodiment is illustrated and de-
scribed, with the engagement opening being formed along
the upper edge between the edges of the two side panels,
nevertheless it will be appreciated that other construc-
tions can be utilized to facilitate the engagement and dis-
engagement of the sleeve with the blade, heel and part of
the handle portion of a goaltender's hockey stick.
Furthermore, other forms of detachable secure-
ment can be provided such as ~lips, ties and the like.
Figures 10~ 11 and 12 show alternate embodiments.
Figure 10 which is similar to the embodiment in Figure 5,
shows a closed front end 33 extending across the front
edges of the side panels 19 and 20 and also engaging with
the front of the base 24. This can be moulded in one
piece and protects the end of the stick.
Figure 11 shows a somewhat similar embodiment
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in which the side panels 19 and 20 extend ~o just above
the upper edge of the stick and having a top plate 34
formed thereon enclosing the entire front portion of the
sleeve and leaving the rear part open from the heel por-
tion 12 to the upper end of the handle engaging portion,so that the stick is then inserted at the rear through
the entrance or open rear and upper portion 35.
It is preferable that the inner surfaces of the
side panels 19 and 20 be coated or provided with a resi-
lient foam lîke material 36 which may be formed from sheetfoam or the like and adhesively secured to the inner sur-
faces or alternatively, may be sprayed upon these inner
surfaces. This assists in maintaining the sleeve snugly
upon the blade as well as absorbing the shock of the puck
striking the sleeve and reducing considerably any noise or
rattle which might occur when in use. Any such material
may be used to accomplish ~hese advantages.
Although in some embodiments the sleeve is taped
into position, this may not be necessary particularly with
the embodiment shown, for example, in Figure 11 or if the
sleeve fits tightly enough when engaged upon the blade,
heel and handle.
The sleeve of any of the embodiments may be
made by injection moulding, vacuum forming or ultrasonic
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or vibrational welding of sheets of material or any other
preferred method of construction such as casting in a
mould or the like.
Also the metal reinforcement 31 and 31A can con-
S sist of a strip of tougher plastic or other substance em-
bedded within the sole or base of the sleeve, or the sleeve
itself may be manufactured from a tougher material with
the sides and remaining parts of the sleeve being secured
to the base by conventional means.
It should be understood that the various embodi-
ments or additions such as the padding 36, reinforcing
material 31 and 31A, the end 33 and the upper portion 34
may all be interchanged with the various embodiments shown.
It should also be noted that the stick engaging
portion may be cut down, if desired, when being fitted to
the stick in the first instance, if this is desirable.
In Figure 11, the upper edges of the side walls
of the handle engaging portion 13 are chamfered or tapered
inwardly as at 13A to relieve or eliminate the step or
shoulder at this point. This is an optional construction
which can be used in any of the embodîments.
It should be noted that one or both sides of the
sleeve in any of the embodiments disclosed may be perfor-
ated or formed in an open mesh conflguration, if desired,
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in order to reduce the weight of the protection device.
An example is shown partially in Figure 5 insofar as the
apertures are concerned or in Figure 7 showing an open
mesh portion.
Figure 13 shows a view similar to Figure 3 but
with the rear face 30 terminating approximately half way
and having a tapered upper edge 37. This embodlment also
may have an apertured or mesh formation over al] or part
of either of the sides 19 or 20.
DRAWINGS SUPPORTED BY THE SUPPLEMENTARY DISCLOSURE
Figure 14 is a side elevation of the prefered
embodiment with the sleeve shown with the maximum lie.
Figure 15 is a view similar to Figure 14 but
showing the sleeve adjacent the minimum lie.
Figure 16 is a view similar to Figure 15 but
showing an alternative embodiment with the sleeve being
shown with the minimum lie.
Figure 17 is a view similar to Figure 16 but
showing the sleeve approaching the maximum lie.
Figure 18 is a view along the line 17-17 of
Figure 14.
Figure 19 is a view similar to Figure 18, but
showing an alternative embodiment.
Figure 20 is the same as Figure 18 but showing
a yet further embodiment.
In accordance with the prefered aspect of the in-
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vention, there is provided a semi-rigid protective sleeve
for detachable securement to a goaltender's hockey stick
comprising in relatively tight fitting sleeve engaging
over the blade, heel and part of the handle stick, means
to detachably secure said sleeve in position and means to
adjust the lie of the sleeve to the lie of the stick.
Figures 14 through 20 show the preferred embodi-
ment in which one sleeve is adapted for use with sticks
having different lies. The lie of a stick is the rela-
tionship of the angle between the longitudinal axis of the
blade and the longitudinal axis of the handle and the
closer this relationship is to 90 , the greater the lie.
Conversely, the shallower the angle, the lower the lie.
Such lies are given numbers with the maximum lie
being approximately 15 and the minimum lie being approxi-
mately 11.
The sleeves of the preferred embodiment are
shown as having side panels 19 and 20 of equal height and
with no front portion 33, but of course any of the embodi-
ments hereinbefore described can be used in forming a
sleeve with an adjustable lie.
The adjustment of the lie is provided by means
of a slit 37 formed through both side panels 19 and 20 and
situated between the portions 38 of the side panels engag-
ing the blade of the stick and the portions 39 of the side
panels embracing the handle of the stick. This slit ex-
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tends from the upper edges 40 of the side panel portions
38 and 39 to adjacent the base of the base 41 of the heel
portion 13 so that the two portions 38 and 39 may hinge
transversely, within limits, from a position, for example,
shown in Figure 14 to a position approaching the minimum
lie shown in Figure lS, it being understood that the slit
is defined by the adjacent edges 42 and 43 of the portions
38 and 39 respectively.
Means are provided to facilitate this hinging
action between the portions and Figures 14 through 18 show
the preferred method. A small aperture or hole 44 is
formed one upon either side of the base 21 and adjacent
the lower end of the slits 37.
Figure 19 shows an alternative embodiment in
which a line of weakness 45 extends between the lower ends
of the slits across the base of the heel.
Figure 20 shows a living hinge 46 extending be-
tween the lower ends of the slits 37 and across the base
of the heel.
In Figures 14 and 15 which show the preferred
construction, the edges 42 and 43 are contiguous when the
sleeve is engaged over a stic~ having a maximum lie. As
the lie of the stick decreases, these edges move apart so
that they diverge from the lower end thereof forming a V-
shaped gap as clearly shown in Figure 14.
In Figures 16 and 17, an alternative method is
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shown with the edges 42 and 43 being contiguous when the
sleeve is engaged over the stick having a minimum lie. As
the lie is increased, one edge either 42 or 43 of each of
the relevant side portions overlaps the other edge as
clearly shown in ~igure 17.
In all cases, the sleeves may be secured by tap-
ing as hereinbefore described, may have reinforcement
strips 31 as shown in the other embodimen-ts and may have
the cushioning material or padding 36, depending upon de-
sign requirements.
Since various modifications can be made in my in-
vention as hereinbefore described, and many apparently
widely different embodiments of same made within the
spirit and scope of the claims without departing from such
spirit and scope, it is intended that all matter contained
in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as
illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.
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