HOCKEY TRAINING STICK
United States Patent 3863917
Hockey equipment, particularly for practicing puck control, comprising a hockey stick with a plurality of apertures in the blade of the stick, a puck, and an elastic cord for detachably connecting the puck to the blade of the stick through one of the apertures.
US Patent References:
Ball
Quin - July 1924 - 1502058
Tennis racket with captive ball apparatus
Heimers et al. - July 1960 - 2945695
Golf practice device and method
Pickler - June 1964 - 3137507
Baseball glove and tethered ball
Lewis - October 1964 - 3153537
HOCKEY STICK WITH CURVED BLADE
Franck et al. - January 1970 - 3489412
Ball
Quin - July 1924 - 1502058
Tennis racket with captive ball apparatus
Heimers et al. - July 1960 - 2945695
Golf practice device and method
Pickler - June 1964 - 3137507
Baseball glove and tethered ball
Lewis - October 1964 - 3153537
HOCKEY STICK WITH CURVED BLADE
Franck et al. - January 1970 - 3489412
Application Number:
05/417196
Publication Date:
02/04/1975
Filing Date:
11/19/1973
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Primary Class:
International Classes:
A63B67/20; A63B59/14
Field of Search:
273/1B,26E,29A,67A,167E,2R,76
US Patent References:
| 3635475 | PRACTICE BAT AND BALL | January 1972 | Brown |
Primary Examiner:
Shapiro, Paul E.
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Swabey, Alan Mitchell Robert E.
Claims:
I claim
1. Hockey equipment for practicing puck control comprising a hockey stick having a blade, a hockey puck, and flexible tie means connected to the puck, the blade of the stick having a plurality of spaced-apart locations for selectively receiving the tie means whereby the puck will return to a different portion of the blade depending on the location on the blade at which the tie means is received.
2. Hockey equipment as claimed in claim 1 wherein each location is defined by an aperture in the blade of the stick.
3. Hockey equipment as claimed in claim 2 wherein the tie means comprises a flexible cord and connector means at one end thereof.
4. Hockey equipment as claimed in claim 3 wherein the connector means comprises an elongated toggle-like member sized to pass endwise through any one of the apertures.
5. Hockey equipment as claimed in claim 3 wherein the connector means comprises a slotted, threaded stud receiving one end of the cord and insertable partway through any one of the apertures, and a threaded cap cooperating with the stud to hold it in the aperture and to hold the cord in the stud.
6. Hockey equipment as claimed in claim 3 wherein the tie means is, at least in part, elastic.
7. Hockey equipment as claimed in claim 1 wherein the tie means is, at least in part, elastic.
8. Hockey equipment as claimed in claim 1 wherein the puck has a circumferential groove for receiving the tie means.
1. Hockey equipment for practicing puck control comprising a hockey stick having a blade, a hockey puck, and flexible tie means connected to the puck, the blade of the stick having a plurality of spaced-apart locations for selectively receiving the tie means whereby the puck will return to a different portion of the blade depending on the location on the blade at which the tie means is received.
2. Hockey equipment as claimed in claim 1 wherein each location is defined by an aperture in the blade of the stick.
3. Hockey equipment as claimed in claim 2 wherein the tie means comprises a flexible cord and connector means at one end thereof.
4. Hockey equipment as claimed in claim 3 wherein the connector means comprises an elongated toggle-like member sized to pass endwise through any one of the apertures.
5. Hockey equipment as claimed in claim 3 wherein the connector means comprises a slotted, threaded stud receiving one end of the cord and insertable partway through any one of the apertures, and a threaded cap cooperating with the stud to hold it in the aperture and to hold the cord in the stud.
6. Hockey equipment as claimed in claim 3 wherein the tie means is, at least in part, elastic.
7. Hockey equipment as claimed in claim 1 wherein the tie means is, at least in part, elastic.
8. Hockey equipment as claimed in claim 1 wherein the puck has a circumferential groove for receiving the tie means.
Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of The Invention
This invention is directed to hockey equipment. The invention is more particularly directed to hockey equipment to be used by hockey players to more easily practice and develop various puck control skills.
2. Description of Prior Art
Good hockey players must have the ability to control the puck during play in a hockey game. A good hockey player, for example, should be able to receive passes without losing control of the puck when it strikes the blade of his hockey stick. A good hockey player should also be able to accurately deflect a puck in passage or flight to score "tip-in" goals, or to relay passes.
Hockey players practice to develop ability at the above-mentioned puck control skills. However, a lot of practice time is normally wasted in chasing loose pucks and in having to practice such skills at least in pairs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIon
The present invention relates to equipment which allows a player to practice various puck control skills individually, and without having to chase loose pucks, thus permitting more efficient use of available practice time.
The equipment of the present invention for practicing puck control consists of a hockey stick having a blade, a hockey puck, and flexible tie means for connecting the puck to the blade of the hockey stick. Preferably, the flexible tie means is, at least in part, stretchable or elastic with the elastic part of the tie means connected to the blade. In addition, it is preferred to provide different locations on the blade of the stick to any one of which the tie means can be detachably connected.
The player, when using the equipment, manipulates the hockey stick to move the puck away from the blade of the stick and then toward it as if passed. When the puck moves back toward the blade, the player can practice deflecting the returning puck or receiving it properly on the blade of the stick as if taking a pass. Since the puck is tethered, no time is wasted in chasing it after deflecting it or if it is missed. If using elastic tie means, the puck will automatically return to the point on the blade where the tie means is connected after the puck has been shot away from the blade. Thus no manipulation of the stick to return the puck from the end of its tether is necessary.
In being able to detachably connect the tie means to different parts of the blade, practice is provided in receiving passes or deflecting shots, at or from, different parts of the blade such as the heel or toe parts. The different connection locations on the stick blade are preferably defined by two or more apertures in the blade. Preferably, a plurality of apertures are provided spaced along the length of the blade. Additional apertures can also be provided spaced vertically at different locations along the blade.
The apertures in the blade not only serve as connection locations for the tie means, but also serve to reduce air resistance encountered by the blade in shooting a puck and thus the apertured stick can be used without the tie means to shoot faster.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The invention will now be described in detail having reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 illustrates the equipment of the present invention in use;
FIG. 2 is a detail of one embodiment of the blade of a hockey stick of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a detail view of the puck and tie means of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a detail view showing how the puck receives the tie means;
FIG. 5 is a detail of one type of connector on the tie means;
FIG. 6 is a detail of another type of connector on the tie means; and
FIG. 7 is a vertical cross section of a puck showing another manner of connecting the puck to the tie means.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The equipment 1 to practice puck control is shown in FIG. 1 and includes a hockey stick 3 having a handle 5 and blade 7. A puck 9 is connected to the blade 7 of the stick bby suitable, flexible tie means 11. The tie means 11, at least in part, is elastic or stretchable with the elastic part being connected to the blade. Preferably, the tie means 11 includes an elastic cord 13, of any practical length. In one example, a cord of about three feet in length was used. One end of cord 13 is connected, preferably permanently, to the puck 9. Puck 9 has a circumferential groove 15 about its edge 17, as shown in FIG. 4, to receive the one end of the cord. The one end of the cord can be suitably connected to itself after it is encircled about the puck in the groove.
The other end of the cord 13 is preferably detachably connected, by suitable connecting means 19 forming part of the tie means 11, to the blade 7 of the stick 3 at one of several locations. These locations preferably are defined by apertures 21 formed in the blade. The apertures can be arranged in one or more rows extending the length of the blade between the heel 23 and the toe 25.
As shown in FIG. 5, the connecting means 19 can comprise a substantially rigid, toggle-like member 29. This member 29 can be formed from a sheet 31 of suitable crimpable plastic or metal material, folded upon itself to provide a longitudinal slot 33. The other end of the cord 13 is laid in slot 33 to emerge centrally therefrom. The member 29 is crimped, as at 35, to permanently retain the other end of the cord within the slot.
To connect the tie means 11 to the blade 7, the toggle-like connecting member 29 is passed endwise through one of the apertures 21 in the blade, and then turned to lie against one side of the blade spanning the aperture. The cord 13 passes from the member 29 through the aperture to the puck which is on the opposite side of the blade.
In operation, the player manipulates the hockey stick to flip or move the tethered puck away from the blade a distance limited by the length of the tie 11. The puck can then be quickly drawn back toward the blade by manipulating the stick to move the puck back via the tie means 11. With an elastic tie means, however, the puck will snap back toward the blade without further manipulation due to the resiliency of the tie. When the puck moves back to the blade, toward the point at which the tie connects it to the blade, it can be deflected, or trapped by the blade, as if receiving a pass. The point of connection of the puck to the blade can be varied by withdrawing the toggle-like member 29 endwise through one hole 21 and inserting it endwise through another hole. Thus the puck can be connected close to the heel or to the toe as desired, or even near the top edge of the blade, in order to give the player practice handling the puck with different parts of the blade.
Connecting means other than the toggle-type member 29 can be employed. As shown in FIG. 6, suitable connecting means 19' can include a threaded stud 43. The stud 43 has an pg,6 enlarged base 45 at one end and a longitudinal slot 47 at the other end. A bore hole 51, through base 45, connects with the bottom of slot 47. A cap 53, having internal threads 55, is provided to screw into stud 43. To employ connecting means 19' to connect the other end of elastic cord 13 to the blade 7, the other end of the cord 13 is passed through hole 51 into slot 47 of stud 43. Stud 43 in turn passes through a selected hole 21 in blade 7 with its base 45 abutting one side of the blade. Cap 53 is threaded onto stud 43 from the other side of the blade to prevent removal of stud 43 and to narrow slot 47 thus tightly holding the other end of cord 13 in place.
The tie means 11 can be attached to the puck other than by having a groove in the periphery of the puck. For instance, the puck could be provided with a pair of bores 61 and 62 meeting at right angles as shown in FIG. 7. A pin 60 is tightly fitted within the bore 62 along the vertical axis of the puck, while the tie means 13 passes through the bore 61 and is attached to the pin 60.
1. Field of The Invention
This invention is directed to hockey equipment. The invention is more particularly directed to hockey equipment to be used by hockey players to more easily practice and develop various puck control skills.
2. Description of Prior Art
Good hockey players must have the ability to control the puck during play in a hockey game. A good hockey player, for example, should be able to receive passes without losing control of the puck when it strikes the blade of his hockey stick. A good hockey player should also be able to accurately deflect a puck in passage or flight to score "tip-in" goals, or to relay passes.
Hockey players practice to develop ability at the above-mentioned puck control skills. However, a lot of practice time is normally wasted in chasing loose pucks and in having to practice such skills at least in pairs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIon
The present invention relates to equipment which allows a player to practice various puck control skills individually, and without having to chase loose pucks, thus permitting more efficient use of available practice time.
The equipment of the present invention for practicing puck control consists of a hockey stick having a blade, a hockey puck, and flexible tie means for connecting the puck to the blade of the hockey stick. Preferably, the flexible tie means is, at least in part, stretchable or elastic with the elastic part of the tie means connected to the blade. In addition, it is preferred to provide different locations on the blade of the stick to any one of which the tie means can be detachably connected.
The player, when using the equipment, manipulates the hockey stick to move the puck away from the blade of the stick and then toward it as if passed. When the puck moves back toward the blade, the player can practice deflecting the returning puck or receiving it properly on the blade of the stick as if taking a pass. Since the puck is tethered, no time is wasted in chasing it after deflecting it or if it is missed. If using elastic tie means, the puck will automatically return to the point on the blade where the tie means is connected after the puck has been shot away from the blade. Thus no manipulation of the stick to return the puck from the end of its tether is necessary.
In being able to detachably connect the tie means to different parts of the blade, practice is provided in receiving passes or deflecting shots, at or from, different parts of the blade such as the heel or toe parts. The different connection locations on the stick blade are preferably defined by two or more apertures in the blade. Preferably, a plurality of apertures are provided spaced along the length of the blade. Additional apertures can also be provided spaced vertically at different locations along the blade.
The apertures in the blade not only serve as connection locations for the tie means, but also serve to reduce air resistance encountered by the blade in shooting a puck and thus the apertured stick can be used without the tie means to shoot faster.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The invention will now be described in detail having reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 illustrates the equipment of the present invention in use;
FIG. 2 is a detail of one embodiment of the blade of a hockey stick of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a detail view of the puck and tie means of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a detail view showing how the puck receives the tie means;
FIG. 5 is a detail of one type of connector on the tie means;
FIG. 6 is a detail of another type of connector on the tie means; and
FIG. 7 is a vertical cross section of a puck showing another manner of connecting the puck to the tie means.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The equipment 1 to practice puck control is shown in FIG. 1 and includes a hockey stick 3 having a handle 5 and blade 7. A puck 9 is connected to the blade 7 of the stick bby suitable, flexible tie means 11. The tie means 11, at least in part, is elastic or stretchable with the elastic part being connected to the blade. Preferably, the tie means 11 includes an elastic cord 13, of any practical length. In one example, a cord of about three feet in length was used. One end of cord 13 is connected, preferably permanently, to the puck 9. Puck 9 has a circumferential groove 15 about its edge 17, as shown in FIG. 4, to receive the one end of the cord. The one end of the cord can be suitably connected to itself after it is encircled about the puck in the groove.
The other end of the cord 13 is preferably detachably connected, by suitable connecting means 19 forming part of the tie means 11, to the blade 7 of the stick 3 at one of several locations. These locations preferably are defined by apertures 21 formed in the blade. The apertures can be arranged in one or more rows extending the length of the blade between the heel 23 and the toe 25.
As shown in FIG. 5, the connecting means 19 can comprise a substantially rigid, toggle-like member 29. This member 29 can be formed from a sheet 31 of suitable crimpable plastic or metal material, folded upon itself to provide a longitudinal slot 33. The other end of the cord 13 is laid in slot 33 to emerge centrally therefrom. The member 29 is crimped, as at 35, to permanently retain the other end of the cord within the slot.
To connect the tie means 11 to the blade 7, the toggle-like connecting member 29 is passed endwise through one of the apertures 21 in the blade, and then turned to lie against one side of the blade spanning the aperture. The cord 13 passes from the member 29 through the aperture to the puck which is on the opposite side of the blade.
In operation, the player manipulates the hockey stick to flip or move the tethered puck away from the blade a distance limited by the length of the tie 11. The puck can then be quickly drawn back toward the blade by manipulating the stick to move the puck back via the tie means 11. With an elastic tie means, however, the puck will snap back toward the blade without further manipulation due to the resiliency of the tie. When the puck moves back to the blade, toward the point at which the tie connects it to the blade, it can be deflected, or trapped by the blade, as if receiving a pass. The point of connection of the puck to the blade can be varied by withdrawing the toggle-like member 29 endwise through one hole 21 and inserting it endwise through another hole. Thus the puck can be connected close to the heel or to the toe as desired, or even near the top edge of the blade, in order to give the player practice handling the puck with different parts of the blade.
Connecting means other than the toggle-type member 29 can be employed. As shown in FIG. 6, suitable connecting means 19' can include a threaded stud 43. The stud 43 has an pg,6 enlarged base 45 at one end and a longitudinal slot 47 at the other end. A bore hole 51, through base 45, connects with the bottom of slot 47. A cap 53, having internal threads 55, is provided to screw into stud 43. To employ connecting means 19' to connect the other end of elastic cord 13 to the blade 7, the other end of the cord 13 is passed through hole 51 into slot 47 of stud 43. Stud 43 in turn passes through a selected hole 21 in blade 7 with its base 45 abutting one side of the blade. Cap 53 is threaded onto stud 43 from the other side of the blade to prevent removal of stud 43 and to narrow slot 47 thus tightly holding the other end of cord 13 in place.
The tie means 11 can be attached to the puck other than by having a groove in the periphery of the puck. For instance, the puck could be provided with a pair of bores 61 and 62 meeting at right angles as shown in FIG. 7. A pin 60 is tightly fitted within the bore 62 along the vertical axis of the puck, while the tie means 13 passes through the bore 61 and is attached to the pin 60.