Patent Publication Number: US-2020290243-A1

Title: Hockey Stick

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/144,145, filed on Sep. 27, 2018, which is a continuation in part of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/430,150, filed on Feb. 10, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,226,881, issued on Mar. 12, 2019, which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/087,915, filed on Nov. 22, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,616,600, issued on Apr. 11, 2017, which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/227,735, filed on Sep. 8, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,608,597, issued on Dec. 17, 2013. The entire teachings of the above application(s) are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Hockey stick blades typically are formed from a core such as wood or foam that is wrapped with cloth having reinforcing fibers, such as fiberglass or carbon fibers, and bonded in resin. Such a design is susceptible to delamination as the blade wears during use, resulting in breakage. In addition, with carbon fiber cloth reinforced blades, the high stiffness of the bonded carbon fiber prevents impact absorption when stick handling a hockey puck. Such high stiffness typically causes the puck to easily bounce off the blade, reducing the ability of the user to feel and sense when and where the puck is on the blade without looking, which is most of the time during a play. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention can provide a blade for a hockey stick which can readily absorb impact from the puck, and can allow the user to feel the puck on the blade in contrast to conventional carbon fiber blades. The blade can include a blade member integrally formed of composite material having discontinuous fibers bonded within thermosetting resin. The blade member can have a blade periphery surrounding a central blade region. The central blade region can have a plurality of openings arranged in a pattern to form series of elongate criss crossing ribs that extend between and connect different sides of the blade periphery to each other. The fibers in the blade periphery can be in a generally jumbled orientation, and the fibers in the central blade region can be positioned within the ribs in a manner wherein each rib contains a plurality of fibers that substantially extend in said each rib&#39;s elongate direction. 
     In particular embodiments, the plurality of openings in the central blade region can be arranged in a diagonal pattern relative to the blade member to form a series of criss crossing elongate diagonal ribs. The openings can be rectangular openings that are each oriented at an angle as a diamond shape. The fibers can be about 1-3 inches long, and can be selected from the group consisting of carbon fiber, glass fiber and aramid fiber. The blade member can have opposite front and rear blade faces. At least a portion of the blade periphery can have a layer of unidirectional fibers laminated thereon, on at least one of the front and rear blade faces. The blade member can include a series of spaced raised protrusions on at least a front blade face. The raised protrusions can extend about 0.04 inches, and can be spaced about ⅛ to ¼ inches apart from each other. The blade member can be formed from a sheet of prepregnated composite material. About 33% to 63% of the central blade region can be open area formed by the plurality of openings. 
     The present invention can also provide a blade for a hockey stick including a blade member integrally formed of composite material having discontinuous carbon fibers bonded within thermosetting resin. The blade member can have a blade periphery surrounding a central blade region. The central blade region can have a plurality of openings arranged in a diagonal pattern relative to the blade member to form a series of elongate criss crossing diagonal ribs that extend between and connect different sides of the blade periphery to each other. The fibers of the blade periphery can be in a generally jumbled orientation, and the fibers in the central blade region can be positioned within the ribs in a manner wherein each rib contains a plurality of fibers that substantially extend into each rib&#39;s elongate direction. 
     The present invention can also provide a hockey stick having a blade including a blade member integrally formed of composite material having discontinuous carbon fibers bonded within thermosetting resin. The blade member can have a blade periphery surrounding a central blade region. The central blade region can have a plurality of openings arranged in a pattern to form a series of elongate criss crossing ribs that extend between and connect different sides of the blade periphery to each other. The fibers in the blade periphery can be in a generally jumbled orientation, and the fibers in the central blade region can be positioned within the ribs in a manner wherein each rib contains a plurality of fibers that substantially extend in each rib&#39;s elongate direction. A shaft can be connected to the blade. 
     The present invention can also provide a shaft for a hockey stick including first and second elongate edges spaced apart from each other. A series of regularly spaced connecting members can extend between and connect the first and second elongate edges to each other in a truss-like configuration. The elongate edges and the connecting members can be integrally formed together from composite material having fibers bonded within thermosetting resin. 
     In particular embodiments, the connecting members can be connected to the first and second edges at right angles. In one embodiment, the first and second edges can include two parallel spaced apart elongate members. In another embodiment, the connecting members can be connected to the first and second edges at angles in a zig zag pattern. 
     The present invention can also provide a mold for molding a blade for a hockey stick including a first mold half having a first blade periphery cavity half surrounding a first central region. A second mold half having a second blade periphery cavity half can surround a second central region. At least one of the first and second central regions can have a plurality of raised protrusions arranged in a pattern. The first and second mold halves can join together under pressure for compression molding prepregnated composite material. The first and second mold haves can combine to form a completed blade periphery mold cavity surrounding a completed central region in which the plurality of the raised protrusions arranged in the pattern form a series of criss crossing cavities that extend between and connect different sides of the completed blade periphery mold cavity to each other. The raised protrusions can substantially align a plurality of fibers in the composite material with the criss crossing cavities while the fibers remain unaligned in the completed blade periphery mold cavity. 
     In particular embodiments, the first central region can have a plurality of first raised protrusions arranged in a first pattern and the second central region can have a plurality of second raised protrusions arranged in a second pattern. The plurality of the first and second raised protrusions in the first and second patterns can respectively align with each other. 
     The present invention can also provide a method for forming a blade for a hockey stick including integrally forming a blade member from composite material having discontinuous fibers within thermosetting resin to have a blade periphery surrounding a central blade region. The central blade region can have a plurality of openings arranged in a pattern to form a series of elongate criss crossing ribs that extend between and connect different sides of the blade periphery to each other. The blade periphery can be formed in a manner in which the fibers are in a generally jumbled orientation. The fibers in the central blade region can be oriented within the ribs in a manner wherein each rib contains a plurality of fibers that substantially extend in said each rib&#39;s elongate direction. 
     In particular embodiments, the blade member can be formed from a sheet of prepregnated composite material. The sheet of prepregnated composite material can be molded in a mold and the plurality of openings in the central blade region can be formed with mold protrusion members. The mold protrusion members can also position and orient the fibers within the ribs. The plurality of the openings in the central blade region can be formed in a diamond pattern relative to the blade member, thereby forming a series of elongate criss crossing diagonal ribs. The openings can be formed as rectangular openings that are each oriented at an angle as a diamond shape. The blade member can be formed from composite material having fibers about 1-3 inches, and the fibers can be selected from the group consisting of carbon fiber, glass fiber and aramid fiber. A layer of unidirectional fibers can be laminated on at least a portion of the blade periphery, and on at least one of front and rear blade faces of the blade member. A series of spaced raised protrusions can be formed on at least a front blade face. The raised protrusions can be formed to extend about 0.04 inches, and about ⅛-¼ inches apart from each other. The central blade region can be formed with about 33%-63% open area, with the plurality of openings. 
     The present invention can also provide a method of forming a blade for a hockey stick including integrally forming a blade member from composite material having discontinuous carbon fibers within thermosetting resin to have a blade periphery surrounding a central blade region. The central blade region can have a plurality of openings arranged in a diagonal pattern relative to the blade member to form a series of elongate criss crossing diagonal ribs that extend between and connect different sides of the blade periphery to each other. The blade periphery can be formed in which the fibers are in a generally jumbled orientation. The fibers in the central blade region can be oriented within the ribs in a manner wherein each rib contains a plurality of fibers that substantially extend in each rib&#39;s elongate direction. 
     The present invention can also provide a method of forming a hockey stick including integrally forming a blade member of a blade from composite material having discontinuous fibers within thermosetting resin to have a blade periphery surrounding a central blade region. The central blade region can have a plurality of openings arranged in a pattern to form a series of elongate criss crossing ribs that extend between and connect different sides of the blade periphery to each other. The blade periphery can be formed in which the fibers are in a generally jumbled orientation. The fibers in the central blade region can be oriented within the ribs in a manner wherein each rib contains a plurality of fibers that substantially extend in each rib&#39;s elongate direction. A shaft can be connected to the blade. 
     The present invention can also provide a method of forming a shaft for a hockey stick including spacing first and second elongate edges away from each other. The first and second elongate edges can be connected to each other in a truss-like configuration with a series of regularly spaced connecting members extending therebetween. The elongate edges and the connecting members can be integrally formed together from composite material including fibers bonded within thermosetting resin. 
     In particular embodiments, the connecting members can connect to the first and second edges at right angles. In one embodiment, the first and second edges can each be formed from two parallel spaced apart elongate members. In another embodiment, the connecting members can be connected to the first and second edges at angles in a zig zag pattern. 
     The present invention can also provide a method of molding a blade for a hockey stick including providing a first mold half having a first blade periphery cavity half surrounding a first central region. A second mold half can have a second blade periphery cavity half surrounding a second central region. At least one of the first and second central regions can have a plurality of raised protrusions arranged in a pattern. The first and second mold halves can be joined under pressure and can compression mold prepregnated composite material therebetween. The first and second mold halves can be combined to form a completed blade periphery mold cavity surrounding a completed central region in which the plurality of the raised protrusions arranged in the pattern can form a series of criss crossing cavities that extend between and connect different sides of the completed blade periphery mold cavity to each other. The raised protrusions can substantially align a plurality of fibers in the composite material with the criss crossing cavities while the fibers remain unaligned in the completed blade periphery mold cavity. 
     In particular embodiments, the first central region can have a plurality of first raised protrusions arranged in a first pattern and the second central region can have a plurality of second raised protrusions arranged in a second pattern. The plurality of the first and second raised protrusions in the first and second patterns can be respectively aligned with each other. 
     The present invention can also provide a hockey stick including a blade member integrally formed of composite material having discontinuous fibers bonded with thermosetting resin. The blade member can have a blade periphery surrounding a central blade region. The central blade region can have a plurality of openings arranged in a pattern to form a series of elongate criss crossing ribs that extend between and connect different sides of the blade periphery to each other. Fibers in the blade periphery can be in a generally jumbled orientation, and the fibers in the central blade region can be positioned within the ribs in a manner wherein each rib contains a plurality of fibers that substantially extend in each rib&#39;s elongate direction. The blade member can have opposite front and rear blade faces. At least a portion of the blade periphery can have at least one layer of strengthening fiber laminate thereon, on at least one of the front and rear blade faces. In particular embodiments, the at least one layer of strengthening fiber laminate can include a layer of unidirectional fibers. The layer of unidirectional fibers can extend along the blade periphery from the front blade face to the rear blade face with a generally U-shaped cross section. The at least one layer of strengthening fiber laminate can further include a layer of multidirectional fibers over at least a portion of the layer of unidirectional fibers, wherein the fibers in the layer of multidirectional fibers are oriented transverse to the direction of the fibers in the layer of unidirectional fibers. 
     The fibers in the layer of multidirectional fibers can extend in different first, second and third directions, transverse to each other but lying along a common plane. The second and third directions can be oriented about 60° and 120° apart respectively, from the first direction. The fibers extending in the first direction in the layer of multidirectional fibers can be oriented generally perpendicular to the direction of the fibers in the layer of unidirectional fibers. A shaft can be connected to the blade member. In some embodiments, a tacky adhesive coating can be on at least a portion of at least one of the front and rear blade faces. In some embodiments, the adhesive coating can be hydrophobic. 
     The present invention can also provide a method of forming a hockey stick including integrally forming a blade member of a blade from composite material having discontinuous fibers within thermosetting resin to have a blade periphery surrounding a central blade region. The central blade region can have a plurality of openings arranged in a pattern to form a series of elongate criss crossing ribs that extend between and connect different sides of the blade periphery to each other. Fibers in the blade periphery can be in a generally jumbled orientation. The fibers in the central blade region can be oriented within the ribs in a manner wherein each rib contains a plurality of fibers that substantially extend in each rib&#39;s elongate direction. The blade member can have opposite front and rear blade faces. At least a portion of the blade periphery can have at least one layer of strengthening fiber laminate thereon, on at least one of the front and rear blade faces. In particular embodiments, the at least one layer of strengthening fiber laminate can include a layer of unidirectional fibers. The layer of unidirectional fibers can extend along the blade periphery from the front blade face to the rear blade face with a generally U-shaped cross section. The at least one layer of strengthening fiber laminate can further include a layer of multidirectional fibers over at least a portion of the layer of unidirectional fibers, wherein fibers in the layer of multidirectional fibers are oriented transverse to the direction of fibers in the layer of unidirectional fibers. 
     The fibers in the layer of multidirectional fibers can extend in different first, second and third directions, transverse to each other but lying along a common plane. The second and third directions can be oriented about 60° and 120° apart respectively, from the first direction. The fibers extending in the first direction of the layer of multidirectional fibers can be oriented generally perpendicular to the direction of the fibers in the layer of unidirectional fibers. A shaft can be connected to the blade member. In some embodiments, a tacky adhesive coating can be applied on at least a portion of at least one of the front and rear blade faces. In some embodiments, the adhesive coating can be hydrophobic. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing will be apparent from the following more particular description of example embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of an embodiment of a hockey stick in the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged view of a portion of the blade of the hockey stick of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic drawing of an embodiment of the composite material in the blade periphery of the blade. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic drawing of an embodiment of the composite material in the central blade region of the blade. 
         FIG. 5  is a front schematic of a blade showing fiber orientation. 
         FIG. 6  is a simplified front schematic view of a blade striking a hockey puck. 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic drawing of an embodiment of a hockey stick in the present invention striking a hockey puck. 
         FIG. 8  is an enlarged view of a portion of another embodiment of a blade in the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is an enlarged view of a portion of yet another embodiment of a blade in the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a front schematic view of still another embodiment of a blade in the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a sectional view of the blade in  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 12  is a sectional view of the bottom of another embodiment of a blade. 
         FIG. 13  is a chart comparing test results between a conventional carbon fiber stick and the present invention. 
         FIG. 14  is a graph depicting the test results of  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a portion of an embodiment of a shaft of a hockey stick in the present invention. 
         FIG. 16A  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a shaft. 
         FIG. 16B  is a schematic drawing of another embodiment of a shaft. 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of a shaft. 
         FIG. 18  is a schematic drawing of an embodiment of a mold in the present invention for molding a blade for a hockey stick. 
         FIG. 19  is a schematic drawing of an embodiment of one mold half. 
         FIG. 20  is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a mold insert for one mold half. 
         FIG. 21  is a front schematic view of another embodiment of a blade in the present invention. 
         FIG. 22  is a sectional view of the bottom of the embodiment of  FIG. 21 . 
         FIG. 23  is a schematic drawing of the fiber orientation of an embodiment of a laminate layer for the embodiment of  FIG. 21 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-5 , hockey stick  10  can include a hockey stick paddle or blade  12  that is connected to a hockey stick shaft  14 . The blade  12  can have a paddle or blade portion or member  16  and a transition area or region  12   b  extending at an angle therefrom, where the shape of the blade  12  narrows or transitions from the blade member  16  into a shaft-like shape. In some embodiments, the blade  12  can have a connecting or securement member, post, protrusion or extension  12   a , extending from transition region  12   b , that can be inserted or extended into a corresponding connecting or securement cavity, hole or opening  14   a  in the shaft  14  for securement thereto, in a manner as known in the art. The shaft  14  can be a standard shaft, or can be specifically made for blade member  16 . The securement member  12   a  and the opening  14   a  can each have rectangular cross sections. In some embodiments, the blade  12  and shaft  14  can be integrally formed together. The blade  12  can be straight, or curved to one side or the other for left handed or right handed players. 
     The blade member  16  and transition region  12   b  can be integrally formed together in one piece from composite material  26 , which can be solid and have relatively short chopped discontinuous fibers  28  bonded within a resin  30  such as a thermosetting resin ( FIG. 3 ). In one embodiment, the fibers  28  can be carbon fibers that are bonded within thermosetting resin  30  such as vinyl ester, which can provide high strength blade  12  that is light weight. In other embodiments, the fibers  28  can be other suitable fibers such as fiberglass, aramid, boron, etc., and other suitable thermosetting resins  30  can be used such as polyester, epoxy, phenolic polyamide, etc. In other embodiments, other polymeric resins or materials can be used, including thermoplastic resins, such as nylon, ABS, polycarbonate, etc. 
     The blade member  16  can have a blade periphery, ring or rim  16   a  encircling, extending around or surrounding an inner or central blade region or area  16   b . The blade periphery  16   a  and the central blade region  16   b  can be generally elongated in shape, extending laterally along the blade member  16  generally in the direction of lateral or horizontal axis H ( FIG. 5 ). The blade periphery  16   a  can have an elongate generally lateral lower or bottom portion, edge or side  18   a , an upwardly extending or upright slightly rounded or curved distal toe portion, end, edge or side  18   b , an elongate generally lateral top or upper portion, edge or side  18   c , and an upright or upwardly extending proximal heel portion, end or side  18   d , that are connected together around the central blade region  16   b  in a relatively narrow or thin perimeter rim or ring. 
     The central blade region  16   b  can have a plurality of regularly or evenly spaced apertures, holes or openings  20  extending laterally therethrough between front and rear faces  21  that are arranged along axes O in a grid-like or matrix pattern, to form a series of narrow elongate regularly or evenly spaced integrally connected criss crossing or intersecting ribs  22  that extend along axes R between and integrally connect different portions or sides of the blade periphery  16   a  in a generally regularly or evenly spaced grid-like, matrix-like or net-like manner. The openings  20  and ribs  22  can be angled relative to the blade member  16 , for example about 45° relative to vertical axis V or horizontal axis H, to form a plurality or series of angled regularly or evenly spaced integrally connected criss crossing ribs  22  extending between and integrally connecting the bottom portion  18   a  to portions  18   b ,  18   c  and  18   d , and extending between and integrally connecting top portion  18   c  with portions  18   d ,  18   a  and  18   b , and form a stiff resilient net. In one embodiment, the openings  20  can be rectangular or square, and oriented to be diamond shaped, and arranged or oriented in a diamond pattern at 45°. Such openings  20  and angled criss crossing ribs  22  can provide a blade member  16  that is light weight with reduced wind resistance while at the same time has a configuration that is strong and has strength against torsional stresses exerted on the blade member  16 . A series of spaced protrusions, knobs or nubs  24  can be positioned on the blade periphery  16   a  and central blade region  16   b  of one or both of the front and rear faces  21  of the blade  12  or blade member  16 , which can frictionally or penetratably grip a hockey puck during stick handling for improved control. The front and rear faces  21  can be identical for a straight blade  12 , and for a curve blade  12 , the front face  21  can be concave, and the rear face  21  can be convex. In some embodiments, the openings  20  and ribs  22  do not have to be equally spaced or sized. 
     The fibers  28  of the composite material  26  in the blade periphery  16   a , heel  32 , blade transition region  12   b  and securement member  12   a , can be generally jumbled, amorphous, scrambled, mixed, multi or non directional, circuitous or bent ( FIG. 3 ), within resin  30 , while the fibers  28  in the resin  30  of the composite material  26  in the central blade region  16   b  within the integrally connected ribs  22  are directed to extend substantially or generally in the longitudinal or elongate direction of the ribs  22  and their axes R. Some fibers  28  in the ribs  22  can have portions that bend or curve around openings  20  to extend along a rib  22 . As a result, each rib  22  can contain a plurality of fibers  28  that substantially extend in the rib&#39;s  22  elongate or longitudinal direction ( FIG. 4 ), resulting in a high bending or tensile strength along axes R for each rib  22 . Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the blade periphery  16   a  and the central blade region  16   b , formed of composite material  26  having integrally connected regions with amorphous fibers  28  and generally aligned fibers  28 , respectively, can provide a ring of amorphous composite material  26  surrounding and integrally connecting to generally aligned fibers  28  in criss crossing ribs  22  of the central blade region  16   b , which have longitudinal strength along axes R due to the aligned fibers  28 . This can form a high strength central blade region  16   b , and by having angled ribs  22 , can provide high torsional strength to the blade member  16  despite the openings  20  providing a large percentage open area. The composite material  26  in the blade periphery  16   a  and the ribs  22  can be solid in the z direction or generally across the thickness or width of the blade member  16  between the front and rear faces  21 . 
     When striking a hockey puck  15 , the ribs  22  can each be resiliently loaded in tension T along the longitudinal lengths and axes R of the ribs  22  that connect the different sides of the blade periphery  16   a  to each other, which can help propel the puck  15 . The ribs  22  can form resilient strings or members secured or strung in a frame, such as in a tennis racket, which can be resilient deflected or loaded for generating power to aid in propelling the hockey puck  15 , such as during a slap shot. The tennis racket effect for generating power can also increase the size of the effective sweet spot  25  for shooting the puck  15  with consistent speed or velocity, so that the puck  15  does not have to be struck on an exact particular spot for consistency. The center of the sweet spot  25 , for example, can be at the central location along vertical axis V with the sweet spot  25  extending over a surrounding area. The openings  20  in the central blade region  16   b  decrease the weight of the blade  12 , and provide less wind resistance for swinging the stick  10  during a slap shot, such that the blade  12  can be swung at higher velocity. In addition, since the blade member  16  is integrally formed into a solid integral piece, all the fibers  28  in the composite material  26  can be consistently completely immersed in the resin  30  and bonded to remain in an exact position, even under loading. Consistently completely immersing the fibers  28  in the resin  30  can allow all the fibers  28  in the blade member  16  to be simultaneously, instantly and quickly loaded for optimum, maximum quick efficient energy transfer, force and acceleration to the puck  15 , and have optimum fatigue capability. 
     Consequently in use, referring to  FIG. 7 , when striking a hockey puck during a slap shot, the blade  12  of the hockey stick  10  is swung along a path  13 . The large number of openings  20  in the central blade region  16   b  makes the blade  12  light in weight, and allows air  19  to pass through to provide less wind resistance while being swung. This can allow the blade  12  to be swung at a higher velocity along path  13 , thereby striking the puck at a higher velocity than a typical prior art stick, which can increase the velocity of a shot. Striking the puck at higher speeds also requires the blade  12  to be stronger than in slower prior art sticks. When the blade  12  strikes the puck  15 , the criss crossing diagonal ribs  12  connected to the interior of the blade periphery  16   a  can provide a tennis racket effect and generate additional resilient power for striking and propelling the puck  15  in the direction of arrow  17 , which can additionally increase the velocity of the shot. The completely immersed and bonded fibers  28  allow the blade  12  to instantly transfer energy, force and acceleration to the puck  15 , which can further increase the velocity of the shot. In some embodiments, an increase of about 5 mph for an average player in a slap shot can be obtained over prior art sticks. As previously mentioned, the configuration of the ribs  22  in the central blade region  16   b  can increase the size of the sweet spot  25  of the blade member  16  for consistently shooting a puck  15  with a consistent maximum velocity despite not striking the puck  15  at the exact center of the sweet spot  25 . The solid blade periphery  16   a , with the bottom portion  18   a  having a height H 1  that is higher than the height H 2  of the top portion  18   b , and the solid heel  32  and transition region  12   b , positions more of the mass or weight of the blade  12  near the bottom of the blade  12 , which not only can contribute to the larger sweet spot  25 , but can also strike the puck  15  with more force and provide a more dynamically balanced apparatus during the shot which ensures more consistency in speed and direction. A more dynamically balanced apparatus also provides a more stable shaft during play which further improves the players ability. The bottom portion  18   a  can be also slightly thicker than the top portion  18   b.    
     Additionally, by having short discontinuous, amorphous scrambled or jumbled fibers  28  within the resin  30  in the blade periphery  16   a , heel  32  and transition region  12   b , the fibers  28  do not readily transmit vibrations along the length of the blade  12 , since the ends of each short fiber  28  terminate within the resin  30 , which can dampen the vibrations rather than readily propagating the vibrations. Vibrations propagated along the ribs  22  within the central blade region  16   b  can be dampened by the integrally connected blade periphery  16   a  surrounding the central blade region  16   b  in a ring. The short scrambled fibers  28  can transmit vibrations only a short distance within the blade  12  before being dampened by the surrounding resin  30 . With the scrambled fibers  28  extending in all directions, x, y and z directions, the vibrations can be dispersed in all directions and then dampened. By spreading out the vibrations in all directions, the dispersed vibrations can be more readily dampened by the surrounding resin  30 . Such vibration dampening of the blade periphery  16   a , heel  32  and transition region  12   b , can also contribute to a larger sweet spot  25 . The solid bottom portion  18   a  of the blade periphery is also wear resistant in comparison with prior art blades, which have a thin outer laminated fiber cloth layer that typically quickly wears, frays and delaminates. In addition, by being solid in the z direction or thickness of the blade member  16 , the blade member  16  can be strong in the z direction, in comparison to blades in the prior art that have layers of laminated cloth. 
     The vibration dampening effect of the short scrambled amorphous fibers  28  in the blade periphery  16   a , heel  32  and transition region  12   b , also allows the user  23  to better control and feel the puck  15  during stick handling and receiving passes, in a manner similar to wooden blades. Embodiments of blade  12  can have a modulus of elasticity of about 7,000,000 psi. In conventional carbon fiber blades, the carbon fibers are typically long fibers which can extend on the outer surface of the blade, the length or height of the blade, or both. This results in a very stiff higher modulus outer blade surface in which the long fibers readily transmit vibrations the length of the blade, such that the puck has a tendency to uncontrollably bounce off the blade when receiving passes and stick handling in contrast to wooden blades, and blades in the present invention. The high modulus surface typically prevents impact absorption when the puck hits it, and the puck bounces off the blade easily. This bounce off the blade reduces the ability of the user to sense or feel when and where the puck is on the blade without looking. In the blade  12  of the present invention, the vibration dampening effect of the scrambled amorphous fibers  28  allows for impact absorption when the puck  15  strikes the blade  12 , and also dampens vibrations travelling along the length of the blade  12 . This provides less bounce off the blade  12  than in conventional carbon fiber sticks and gives the user  23  a much better feel or sense of when and where the puck  15  is on the blade  12 . In addition, the protrusions  24  on the face  21  of the blade  12  and blade member  16  when tactilely engaging and gripping the surface of the puck  15 , can also contribute to the user&#39;s  23  feel for the puck  15 . The edges of the ribs  22  can additionally tactilely engage and grip the surface of the puck  15  for further contributing to the user&#39;s  23  feel for the puck  15 . The tactile gripping of the puck  15  by these surfaces on the face  21  of the blade  12 , allows the blade  12  to be used without hockey tape wrapped around the blade  12 , if desired. The integral construction of the blade member  16  allows the blade  12  to be heated and bent so that each user  23  can tailor the curve of the blade  12  to his preference. Although the resin  30  is typically thermosetting resin, heating and bending is possible. 
     In one embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the composite material  26  can have carbon fibers  28  that are about 1-3 inches long and bonded within vinyl ester. The length of the blade  12  from portion  18   b  to  18   d  can be around 11 inches, and the height of the blade can be about 2½ inches close to the heel  32 , and about 3 inches near portion  18   b . The bottom or lower portion  18   a  of the blade periphery  16   a  can have a height H 1  of about ½ and a thickness of about ¼ of an inch near portion  18   d  and tapering to a thickness of about 0.23 inches at the central location of axis V and about 0.15 inches at portion  18   b.    
     The top or upper portion  18   c  of the blade periphery  16   a  can have a height of about 0.3 inches and can have a thickness of about ¼ inch near portion  18   d  and tapering to a thickness of about 0.2 inches at axis V and about 0.14 inches at portion  18   b . The central blade region  16   b  can have a thickness which matches and tapers with the adjoining portions  18   a ,  18   b ,  18   c  and  18   d  of the blade periphery  16   a , to provide faces  21  with continuously connected surfaces. The protrusions  24  can be about 0.040 to 0.050 inches in diameter and protrude about 0.040 inches from the faces  21 . The openings  20  can be about ¼ inch square or 0.254×0.254 inches square, and can have corners with a slight radius, such as 0.033 inches, for reducing stress concentrations. The ribs  22  can be about 0.10 inches or 0.098 inches wide. The central blade region  16   b  can be about 10 inches long, with a height about 1½ inches close to the heel  32  and about 2¼ inches near portion  18   b . Such openings  20  and ribs  22  can provide about 52% open area for the central blade region  16   b , and about 32% open area for the combined area of the central blade region  16   b  and the blade periphery  16   a . The width or size of the openings  20  to the width of the ribs can be about a 2.6 to 1 ratio. The blade  12  can be used with openings  20  exposed or alternatively, can be covered with hockey tape or a thin light weight skin. In some embodiments, one face of the blade  12  can be formed with a smooth face, with the openings  20  and ribs  22  being seen on the opposite face. 
     In another embodiment, referring to  FIG. 8 , the openings  20  can be about 0.204×0.204 inches square, and the ribs can be about 0.15 inches wide. Such openings  20  and ribs  22  can provide about 33% open area for the central blade region  16   b , and about 20% open area for the combined area of the central blade region  16   b  and the blade periphery  16   a . The width or size of the openings  20  to the width of the ribs  22  can be about a 1.4 to 1 ratio. 
     In another embodiment, referring to  FIG. 9 , the openings  20  can be about 0.281×0.281 inches square, and the ribs  22  can be about 0.073 wide. Such openings  20  and ribs  22  can provide about 63% open area for the central blade region  16   b , and about 39% open area for the combined area of the central blade region  16   b  and the blade periphery  16   a . The width or size of the openings  20  to the width of the ribs  22  can be about a 3.8 to 1 ratio. In other embodiments, the openings  20  do not have to be squares that are oriented at 45° to form diamonds in a diamond pattern, but can be oriented at other angles between 30° and 60° and can be other shapes including round holes, or other suitable polygonal shapes including rectangles, hexagons and octagons. In some embodiments, the holes  20  and the ribs  22  can be arranged to provide vertical and horizontal ribs  22 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , in another embodiment, thin layers or laminates  34  having elongate or long unidirectional or parallel fibers  34   a  can be bonded to portions of the blade periphery  16   a  on one or both faces  21  of the blade member  16  to increase strength of the blade  12 . Fibers  34   a  can be the same material as fibers  28 , and can be carbon fiber, glass fiber, aramid fiber and boron fiber. The laminates  34  can extend along a substantial portion of the blade periphery  16   a , such as along the bottom portion  18   a  and the top portion  18   b . As shown in  FIG. 10 , the laminates  34  can start in the hosel area, extend around heel portion  18   d , along the bottom portion  18   a , around the toe portion  18   b  and back along the top portion  18   c , past heel portion  18   d  up into the hosel area. This can form a thin U-shaped beam, which can increase the vertical strength as well as the lateral strength of blade  12 . In one embodiment, the fibers  34   a  can be carbon fiber, and the laminates  34  can be formed from a ribbon 1 inch wide. The laminates  34  can have a height slightly higher than the bottom  18   a  and top portions  18   b , overlapping into the central blade region  16   b , and can be incorporated into the ribs  22 , as shown in  FIG. 11 . In some embodiments, two laminates  34  can be bonded to opposite faces  21  of the blade member  16 . In another embodiment, a single laminate  34  can be laminated, which can be wrapped around both faces  21  of the portions  18   a ,  18   b  and  18   c  to form a generally U-shaped cross section, as shown in  FIG. 12 . 
     A stick  10  having an embodiment of  FIG. 10  with a blade member  16  as in  FIG. 1 , having openings  20  that are 0.254×0.254 inches square and ribs  22  that are 0.98 inches wide, was tested by a recreational hockey player with 10 slap shots and compared with 10 slap shots taken with a conventional carbon fiber hockey stick made by Easton. As shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , the average speed of a slap shot taken with a conventional carbon fiber stick was 56.3 mph, with the fastest shot being 60 mph, the slowest 53 mph, resulting in a variation of 7 mph or 6.19%. In contrast the average speed of a slap shot taken with the embodiment of the present invention stick  10  was 60.5 mph, which is an average increase of 4.2 mph or 7.5% over the average speed with the conventional carbon fiber stick, with the fastest shot being 63 mph, and the slowest being 58 mph, resulting in a variation of only 5 mph or 4.13%. It was concluded that not only did the tested stick  10  of the present invention shoot the puck  15  faster than the conventional carbon fiber stick, but that the smaller variation by 33% in shooting speed between the fastest and slowest shots confirms that the blade  12  had a larger sweet spot  25  for consistently shooting the puck  15  at optimum speed, than the conventional carbon stick. 
     Referring to  FIG. 15 , shaft  40  is another embodiment of a shaft in the present invention and can be secured to blade  12  or integrally formed therewith. The shaft  40  can have two elongate edges  42  formed of elongate members  42   a  which are spaced apart from each other by a series of regularly spaced connecting members  44  extending between and connecting to the edges  42  at right angles in a truss-like configuration, with rectangular openings  46  therebetween. The edges  42  and connecting members  44  of the shaft  40  can be integrally formed from composite material  26  with the scrambled amorphous fibers  28  in thermosetting resin  30 . The connecting members  44  can be spaced apart from each other about 1.5 inches, and the shaft  40  can have a cross section that is about 1.19×0.69 inches. The shaft  40  can be used in this truss-like configuration to provide even less wind resistance, or if desired, can have a thin light weight skin. If desired unidirectional fibers  28  can be included. 
     Referring to  FIG. 16A , shaft  50  is another embodiment of a shaft which differs from shaft  44  in that connecting members  48  are connected to the elongate members  42   a  at angles in a zig zag pattern, forming triangular shaped openings  52  therebetween. In some embodiments, additional connecting members  48  can be included to form an x shaped pattern in addition to the zig zag pattern, as seen in  FIG. 16B . 
     Referring to  FIG. 17 , shaft  55  is another embodiment of a shaft which differs from shaft  44  in that the elongate edges  42  can each be formed of two parallel spaced elongate members  42   a  having spaces or openings  56  between the elongate members  42   a  and the connecting members  56 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 18-20 , mold  60  is an embodiment of a mold in the present invention that can be used for making blade  12 . Mold  60  can have first  62   a  and second  62   b  mold halves which can be opened for loading a blank  65  of prepregnated composite material  26 , and then joined together under pressure P, for example up to 100 tons of pressure P with a hydraulic press for compression molding. The blank  65  can be a sheet of moldable composite material  26  ( FIG. 3 ) with the short discontinuous scrambled amorphous fibers  28  that can be 1-3 inches long premixed, prepregnated or preloaded with thermosetting resin  30  to near 100% saturation. The blank  65  can be cut to the appropriate size and shape and inserted between first  66   a  and second  66   b  mold cavity halves, which together form the completed mold cavity  66  of mold  60 . If laminates  34  are used, the laminates  34  can be included into or applied to the blank  65  in the proper location and orientation. The first  62   a  and second  62   b  mold halves can have first  70   a  and second  70   b  blade periphery cavity halves surrounding first  72   a  and second  72   b  central protrusion regions. The mold halves  62   a  and  62   b  can include first and second mold inserts  68   a  and  68   b  which can include the blade periphery cavity halves  70   a  and  70   b  and/or the central protrusion regions  72   a  and  72   b . The central protrusion regions  72   a  and  72   b  can include first and second patterns or matrixes of evenly spaced raised mold protrusions or protrusion members  74  arranged and extending along axes O and spaced apart from each other by criss crossing or intersecting grooves or cavities  76  that extend along axes R between and connect different surrounding sides  78   a ,  78   b ,  78   c  and  78   d  of the blade periphery cavity halves  70   a  and  70   b  to each other, and which corresponds with openings  20  and ribs  22  of blade member  16 . In the embodiment shown, the protrusions  74  have a square cross section which is oriented at a 45° angle to appear as a diamond, and the protrusions  74  are arranged in a diamond pattern corresponding to that in  FIG. 1 . When the mold halves  62   a  and  62   b  are joined together under pressure P, the blade periphery cavity halves  70   a  and  70   b  combine to form a completed blade periphery mold cavity or portion  70  which surrounds a completed central protrusion region  72 . The completed blade periphery mold cavity  70  molds the composite material  26  with amorphous fibers  28  therein into the blade periphery  16   a . The protrusions  74  of the first  72   a  and second  72   b  central protrusion regions, combine to form a completed central protrusion region  72  in which the protrusions  74  of one region  72   a  are aligned with the protrusions  74  of the other region  72   b  to form a series of criss crossing or intersecting cavities that extend between and connect different surrounding sides  78   a ,  78   b ,  78   c  and  78   d  of the blade periphery mold cavity  70 . As the mold halves  62   a  and  62   b  join or move together, the aligned protrusions  74  moving towards each other push or penetrate into the composite material  26  ( FIG. 3 ) of the blank  65  and when coming together, position, orient, push, move and align the fibers  28  to extend around the protrusions  74 , thereby aligning and molding portions of each fiber  28  into the cavities  76  therebetween, and molding a plurality of fibers  28  that substantially extend along the axis R of the ribs  22  of the blade member  16  ( FIG. 4 ). At the same time, the fibers  28  remain unaligned in the blade periphery mold cavity  70  and the resulting blade periphery  16   a . If desired, an insert member can be included for forming the securement member  12   a , and can be removed after the mold  60  is opened. Ejection pins can help remove the finished blade  12 . The mold  60  can be heated for curing the prepregnated composite material  26 . The thermosetting resin  30  that is chosen preferably flows immediately and cures quickly. Heat and pressure in the mold  60  can complete the cross linking to cure the resin  30 . In some embodiments, the mold cavity  66  of mold  60  can also be configured for molding a shaft integrally with the blade  12 . In some embodiments, only one mold halve  62   a  or  62   b  or insert  68   a  or  68   b  has protrusions  74 , and if desired, one face  21  of the finished blade  12  can have a smooth face. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 21-23 , another embodiment of the present invention, sports or hockey stick  35  can include a sports or hockey stick, paddle or blade  12  having a paddle or blade portion or member  16  that differs from that shown in  FIGS. 10-12 , in that a thin layer or laminate  36  having multidirectional fibers  36   a ,  36   b  and  36   c  can be bonded with resin  30  over at least a portion of the thin layers or laminants  34  having the unidirectional fibers  34   a . The laminate  36  can extend along the blade periphery  16   a  starting at a location  37   a  at about a lower part of the proximal heel portion  18   d , extending along the bottom portion  18   a , around the toe  18   b , along the upper portion  18   c  and ending at a location  37   b  at about an upper part of the proximal heel portion  18   d . The laminate  36  can be the same height as laminate  34  such as ½ inch and can extend from the front face to the rear face  21  and can be generally U-shaped in cross section, forming a U-shaped reinforcement beam further strengthening the laminate  34  and/or the blade member  16 . In other embodiments, the laminate  36  can be applied to opposite faces  21  of the blade member  16  but not wrap around one face  21  to the other face  21 . 
     In some embodiments, the laminate  36  can be about 0.010-0.020 inches thick, such as 0.015 inches thick, but in other embodiments can be thinner or thicker. The laminate  36  can have multidirectional fibers  36   a ,  36   b  and  36   c  that are triaxial or tridirectional, and extend along three different directions or axes  1 ,  2  and  3  that are transverse to each other, but lie along a common plane  39  parallel to the plane of the unidirectional fibers  34   a  of laminate  34 . Fibers  36   a  extending in the first direction, or axis  1 , can be oriented generally transverse or perpendicular to the direction of the unidirectional fibers  34   a  of laminate  34  that extend along axis  34   b . Fibers  36   b  extending in the second direction, or axis  2 , can be oriented about 60° from the fibers  36   a  along the first axis  1 , and are also oriented transverse to the direction of the unidirectional fibers  34   a . Fibers  36   c  extending in the third direction, or axis  3 , can be oriented about 120° from the fibers  36   a  along the first axis  1  which is also about 60° from the fibers  36   b  along the second axis  2 , and is also transverse to the direction of the unidirectional fibers  34   a . The laminate  36  can provide strength to the blade periphery  16   a  in the generally +/− upright, +/−60° and +/−120° directions on the top and bottom sides, in addition to the strength provided by the laminate  34  in the generally horizontal direction on the top and bottom sides by the unidirectional fibers  34   a , thereby thereby providing greater strength to the blade member  16 . The axes  1 ,  2  and  3  change orientation relative to the blade member  16  as it moves around the blade member  16 , such as wrapping around the toe  18   b , with the fibers  36   a  along axis  1  still being generally perpendicular to the direction of fibers  34   a  of laminate  34 . On the top and bottom lateral surfaces of the blade member  16  that face upwardly and downwardly, the fibers  36   a  can be laterally perpendicular to fibers  34   a  of laminate  34  and fibers  36   b  and  36   c  can be 60° and 120° relative to fibers  34   a  in the lateral direction. This can allow the blade member  16  to be made 10% thinner while still being resistant to breakage during use. It is understood that the laminate  36  has numerous fibers  36   a ,  36   b  and  36   c  that each extending along their own respective directions or axes  1 ,  2  and  3 , and like kind directional fibers  36   a ,  36   b  or  36   c  can be parallel to each other. In some embodiments, the laminate  36  can be biaxial with fibers extending in two transverse directions or axes. Fibers in the laminate  36  can be the same as described for laminate  34 , and in one embodiment can be carbon fiber. In some embodiments, laminate  36  can be used alone (with laminate  34  being omitted), and can include fibers in a fourth direction along axis  34   b.    
     In some embodiments, a tacky adhesive layer or coating  38  can be applied to one or both faces  21  of the blade member  16  to provide better grip or traction of the puck  15 , such as when stick handling. The adhesive coating  38  can be about 0.5 mils to 5 mils (0.0005 to 0.005 inches) thick when in a state that is ready for play. In other embodiments, the adhesive coating  38  can be about 0.5 mils to 4 mils (0.0005 to 0.004 inches) thick, in still other embodiments about 0.5 mils to 3 mils (0.0005 to 0.003 inches) thick, and in further embodiments about 0.5 mils to 2 mils (0.0005 to 0.002 inches) thick, for example about 1 mil (0.001 inches) thick. The coating  38  can be applied by spraying or rolling and can be performed when manufactured, or by the user before play. Examples of the adhesive can be contact cement or water based adhesive. In some embodiments, a hydrophobic adhesive coating  38  can be used, which can resist water to maintain tackiness over longer periods of time. The adhesive coating  38  can provide stick  35  with a similar grip and feel to the puck  15  as a conventional stick covered with friction tape, but without having the weight of the tape itself. 
     While this invention has been particularly shown and described with references to example embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention encompassed by the appended claims. 
     Although particular dimensions, shapes and sizes have been described, it is understood that these can vary depending upon the situation at hand. It is also envisioned that the sticks  10  and  35  and blade  12  in the present invention do not have to be just an ice hockey stick or blade, but can also be or be for other sports sticks or apparatuses such as a floor, field or street hockey stick or blade. In addition, the periphery  16   a  and central region  16   b  can be formed into a paddle or racket shape. As a result, member  16  can be a paddle or racket shape having a frame or rim  16   a  that dampens vibrations of the “strings” formed by the ribs  22  of the central region  16   b . The shaft  14 ,  40 ,  50  or  55  can be the handle of the racket or paddle sports apparatus. Various features of the embodiments can be omitted or combined together.