Patent ID: 7438655
Filing Date: 2008-10-21
Classification: A63B,B29C,B29K,B29L

Abstract:
1. A method for forming a hockey stick blade having improved stiffness, the method comprising: providing a mold corresponding to the shape of the hockey stick blade, said mold including a longitudinal length corresponding to the longitudinal length of the hockey stick blade, a top surface, a bottom surface, a front surface and a rear surface and defining a first cavity therein, the rear surface including at least one raised region, the raised region having a longitudinal length, a substantially rounded outer surface, a width, and a depth defined as the distance between said rear surface of said mold and said substantially rounded outer surface of said raised region, said depth of said raised region varying along said longitudinal length of said raised region: coupling a sheet of plastic wrap to said front surface of said mold; coupling another sheet of plastic wrap to said rear surface of said mold and said raised region: introducing a first reinforcement strip onto said bottom surface of said mold; introducing a second reinforcement strip onto said top surface of said mold; introducing an inner foam core material within said first cavity between said plastic wrap on said front surface of said mold, said plastic wrap on said rear surface of said mold, said first reinforcement strip, and said second reinforcement strip; closing said mold; introducing heat and pressure within said mold to cure said inner foam core material and to expand said foam core material within said first cavity against said plastic wrap located along said front surface and said rear surface of said mold; said inner foam core material also expanding against said first reinforcement strip and said second reinforcement strip; and removing the hockey stick blade from said mold; wherein, due to said at least one raised region, the resultant hockey stick blade has a visible, exposed and substantially rounded rib stiffening system of varying depth defined in a rear surface thereof.