Patent Publication Number: US-6711926-B2

Title: Method of manufacturing a hockey puck

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not applicable to this application. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable to this application. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to hockey training devices and more specifically it relates to a method of manufacturing a hockey puck for enhancing a hockey player&#39;s skills, strength and endurance. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Hockey pucks have been in use for years. A conventional hockey puck is typically comprised of vulcanized rubber molded into a three (3) inch diameter disk structure weighing between five and one-half ounces (5½ oz.) to six ounces (6 oz.) and having a thickness of one (1) inch. A conventional hockey puck is utilized by players practicing their shooting, passing, guiding and stopping of the hockey puck. Hockey training devices exist that assist hockey players with the shooting and maneuvering of a hockey puck, however, they are typically relatively expensive, complex and susceptible to breakage. 
     The main problem with the usage of a conventional hockey puck during practice and training sessions is that the hockey player is unable to capitalize upon the well-known conditioning principle of specific adaptations to imposed demands (SAID). An hockey player practicing with a conventional hockey puck comprised of vulcanized rubber weighing between five and one-half ounces (5½ oz.) to six ounces (6 oz.) and having a diameter of three-inches will require additional time and practice to achieve improved skills. 
     While these devices may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they are not as suitable for enhancing a hockey player&#39;s skills, strength and endurance. Conventional hockey training devices are relatively expensive, complex to utilize and are susceptible to breakage over extended usage thereof. 
     In these respects, the method of manufacturing a hockey puck according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of enhancing a hockey player&#39;s skills, strength and endurance. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of hockey training devices now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new method of manufacturing a hockey puck construction wherein the same can be utilized for enhancing a hockey player&#39;s skills, strength and endurance. 
     The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new method of manufacturing a hockey puck that has many of the advantages of the hockey training devices mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new method of manufacturing a hockey puck which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art hockey training devices, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
     To attain this, the present invention generally comprises the steps of severing a disk member off a solid metal shaft, rounding perimeter edges of the disk member, and pressing a gripping into an outer perimeter surface of the disk member. The metal shaft may be comprised of various types of metal such as but not limited to aluminum and steel. The disk member is preferably 2-5 times heavier than a conventional hockey puck depending upon the metal utilized. The disk member is preferably three inches in diameter in order to simulate the size of a conventional hockey puck, however the disk member may have diameters greater or less than three inches depending upon the type of training the hockey puck is to be utilized within. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
     In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     A primary object of the present invention is to provide a method of manufacturing a hockey puck that will overcome the shortcomings of the prior art devices. 
     A second object is to provide a method of manufacturing a hockey puck for enhancing a hockey player&#39;s skills, strength and endurance. 
     Another object is to provide a method of manufacturing a hockey puck wherein the hockey puck is comprised of a simple structure. 
     An additional object is to provide a method of manufacturing a hockey puck that provides a hockey puck with significant training advantages compared to conventional hockey pucks. 
     A further object is to provide a method of manufacturing a hockey puck that provides a hockey puck that increases a hockey athlete&#39;s conditioning, strength, power, endurance without the usage of expensive equipment. 
     Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become obvious to the reader and it is intended that these objects and advantages are within the scope of the present invention. 
     To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is an upper perspective view of an elongate metal shaft. 
     FIG. 3 is an upper perspective view of a puck member severed from the elongate metal shaft. 
     FIG. 4 is an upper perspective view of the removed puck member with the perimeter edges rounded. 
     FIG. 5 is an upper perspective view of the removed puck member being rolled between two wheel members that press a gripping into an outer surface of the puck member. 
     FIG. 6 is an upper perspective view of the puck member. 
     FIG. 7 is a side view of the puck member. 
     FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view taken along line  8 — 8  of FIG.  6 . 
     FIG. 9 is a side cutaway view of an alternative embodiment of the puck member with the upper and lower portions partially removed forming cavities within. 
     FIG. 10 is a side cutaway view of another alternative embodiment illustrating a coating surrounding the metal puck member. 
     FIG. 11 is an upper perspective view of another alternative embodiment illustrating the usage of apertures within the puck member to adjust the weight of the puck member. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 1 through 11 illustrate a method of manufacturing a hockey puck  10 , which comprises the steps of severing a disk member  30  off a solid metal shaft  20 , rounding perimeter edges of the disk member  30 , and pressing a gripping into an outer perimeter surface  36  of the disk member  30 . The metal shaft  20  may be comprised of various types of metal such as but not limited to aluminum and steel. The disk member  30  is preferably 2-5 times heavier than a conventional hockey puck depending upon the metal utilized. The disk member  30  is preferably three inches in diameter in order to simulate the size of a conventional hockey puck, however the disk member  30  may have diameters greater or less than three inches depending upon the type of training the hockey puck is to be utilized within. 
     As shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings, an elongate metal shaft  20  is provided. The elongate metal shaft  20  is comprised of a rigid and hard metal such as but not limited to aluminum, steel or stainless steel. It can be appreciated that the metal shaft  20  may be comprised of various compositions of metals in order to achieve various weights for the disk member  30 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawings, the elongate metal shaft  20  has a first end  22 , a middle portion  24  and a second end  26  opposite of the first end  22 . The elongate metal shaft  20  has a constant outer diameter approximately the outer diameter desired for the disk member  30  in final form. The outer diameter of the elongate metal shaft  20  may range between 2-4 inches in order to achieve various weights and handling characteristics. For example, if the usage of the disk member  30  is for increasing shooting and passing accuracy, a diameter smaller than 3 inches is desirable since the smaller the diameter is of the disk member  30  the more difficult it is for the individual to control thereby following the SAID principle. If the usage of the disk member  30  is mainly for endurance and strength training, a diameter of 3 or more inches is acceptable. 
     After the elongate metal shaft  20  is provided, the user then determines a location along the metal shaft  20  wherein to cut into thereby providing the desired thickness for the disk member  30 . A disk member  30  preferably is comprised of a 1 inch thickness, therefore the user measures 1 inch from the first end  22  into the middle portion  24  of the metal shaft  20 . However, a greater or lesser thickness may be utilized for the disk member  30  depending upon the desired usage thereof. For example, the thickness of the disk member  30  may be less than 1 inch if the main purpose of the disk member  30  is to assist in handling and shooting practice. Furthermore, the thickness of the disk member  30  may be adjusted proportionately to the diameter of the disk member  30 . The disk member  30  may have various thicknesses between 0.5 to 1.5 inches. 
     After determining the desired cutting location, the user then severs the first end  22  of the disk member  30  utilizing a conventional cutting means such as but not limited to a saw or laser as shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings. Various other cutting apparatus may be utilized to cut through the elongate metal shaft  20  as can be appreciated. 
     The disk member  30  has a circular shape with a constant thickness as shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 7 of the drawings, the disk member  30  has an outer perimeter surface  36 , a first surface  32 , and a second surface  34  opposite of the first surface  32 . As shown in FIG. 7 of the drawings, the outer perimeter surface  36  is defined as the surface of the disk member  30  between the first surface  32  and the second surface  34 . The disk member  30  also has a pair of opposing sharp cornered edges as shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings. 
     Once the disk member  30  is removed from the metal shaft  20 , the user then forms the perimeter edges into an arcuate shape as shown in FIG.  4 . The first arcuate edge  38  and the second arcuate edge  39  of the disk member  30  may be formed utilizing conventional metal working tools that are capable of removing metal in an arcuate manner. The radius of curvature for the first arcuate edge  38  and the second arcuate edge  39  may vary, however the radius is preferably sufficient so as to facilitate smooth movement of the disk member  30  upon a surface such as but not limited to ice. 
     The user then positions the disk member  30  between a first press wheel  12  and a second press wheel  14  as shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings. The press wheels  12 ,  14  have a desired knurl pattern that is to be pressed into the outer perimeter surface  36  of the disk member  30 . The press wheels  12 ,  14  rotate in the same direction thereby rotating the disk member  30  in a counter direction as shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings. After the outer perimeter surface  36  is fully encompassed with the knurls  37 , the user then removes the disk member  30  from the press wheels  12 ,  14 . It can be appreciated that various other machining methods and tools may be utilized to knurl the outer perimeter surface  36  of the disk member  30 . It further can be appreciated that various knurl patterns may be utilized upon the outer perimeter surface  36  in various manners. In addition, the knurls may extend adjacent to the opposing edges  38 ,  39  as best shown in FIG. 7 of the drawings. 
     The user then may polish the first surface  32  and the second surface  34  to provide a smooth gliding surface. It can be appreciated that the polishing of the surfaces  32 ,  34  may occur immediately after severing the disk member  30  from the elongate metal shaft  20 . 
     In a first alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 9 of the drawings, the first surface  32  and the second surface  34  have a concave structure for reducing the weight of the disk member  30 . In a second alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 11 of the drawings, a plurality of apertures  31  are extended into the disk member  30  for reducing the overall weight of the disk member  30 . It can be appreciated that the first and second alternative embodiments may be combined into a single disk member  30 . 
     In a third alternative embodiment of the present invention, a coating  40  is attached to the exterior surface of the disk member  30  for protecting the metal disk member  30  from corrosion and similar deteriorating processes. The coating  40  may be comprised of rubber, plastic or other material capable of bonding to the exterior surface of a metal disk member  30 . The coating  40  may also be comprised of paint directly applied to the exterior surface of the disk member  30 . The paint may also be bonded within the metal utilizing an anodization process. The third alternative embodiment may also be combined with the first and second alternative embodiments. 
     As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. 
     With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed to be within the expertise of those skilled in the art, and all equivalent structural variations and relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Index of elements for Method Of Manufacturing Hockey Puck 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                   
                 ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS 
               
               
                   
                 10. Method Of Manufacturing A Hockey Puck 
               
               
                   
                 11. 
               
               
                   
                 12. First Press Wheel 
               
               
                   
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                 14. Second Press Wheel 
               
               
                   
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                 20. Metal Shaft 
               
               
                   
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                 22. First End 
               
               
                   
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                 24. Middle Portion 
               
               
                   
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                 26. Second End 
               
               
                   
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                 30. Disk Member 
               
               
                   
                 31. Apertures 
               
               
                   
                 32. First Surface 
               
               
                   
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                 34. Second Surface 
               
               
                   
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                 36. Outer Perimeter Surface 
               
               
                   
                 37. Knurls 
               
               
                   
                 38. First Arcuate Edge 
               
               
                   
                 39. Second Arcuate Edge 
               
               
                   
                 40. Coating 
               
               
                   
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