Patent Publication Number: US-11376481-B2

Title: Puck and method for manufacturing a puck

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of copending International Application No. PCT/EP2016/072189, filed Sep. 19, 2016, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     The present invention relates to a puck and a method for manufacturing same. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Generally, a puck is a cylindrical gaming device (disk) that serves the same functions in various games as a ball does in ball games. Examples of such games are ice hockey and roller hockey. The term “puck” may also be applied to similar (though often smaller) gaming discs in other sports and games, including novuss, shuffleboard, table shuffleboard, box hockey and air hockey. Generally, a puck may be made of vulcanized rubber or plastic. 
     A puck, which is quite small and travels at extremely high speeds, can be almost impossible to follow, even by the most attentive spectators. Thus, there have been attempts to integrate electronics into a puck to make the puck visible using microwave- and infrared-based tracking systems. As shown on this website, an off-the-shelf ice hockey puck is separated in the middle of its cylindrical mantel, i.e. on half height of the cylinder, resulting in two equally sized parts. Subsequently, a cavity was formed for a to-be-inserted object (such as an electronic circuit with infrared light emitting diodes) by hollowing out the two parts. Additionally, the two parts exhibit recesses along the circumference to enable fitting with light emitting diodes. After loading with the electronic circuit, both halves are being assembled supposedly by adherence. Due to the tolerances in the manufacturing and mechanical postprocessing of the puck the two halves most probably do not have a common outer surface line and therefore generally, a good and seamless fit cannot be guaranteed. 
     In US 2015/0375076 A1 a puck is disclosed suitable to be fitted with a ballast member to enhance the ability to slide on ice and non-ice surfaces. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 5,269,520 A, a multi-layered puck is disclosed for use on paved surfaces. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 5,207,720 A, a puck is disclosed configured to indicate an energy acting on the puck when being struck. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,184,820 A discloses a puck with at least three symmetrically spaced projections which may have a lower coefficient of friction than the body of the puck. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 4,078,801 A, a puck is disclosed for playing an ice hockey-like game on untraditional surfaces. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 5,564,698 A, a puck is disclosed configured to emit some electromagnetic radiation to enable localization of the puck. 
     For integration of arbitrary products, such as electronics, into a cylindrical gaming device (movendi), for example a puck, aside of a concentrically fitting of a cover to a base body high mechanical stress acting on the movendum plays a decisive role. The described modularly manufactured pucks suffer due to the modularity from low robustness of their assembly and a non-cost efficient complex manufacturing process. 
     Therefore, a desire exists for a modularly manufactured puck offering a higher robustness and a more cost efficient production. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to an embodiment, a puck may have: an outer shell formed using a cylindrical body and a circular cover, a first groove and tongue structure formed in an axial end surface of the cylindrical body, which surrounds a cavity formed in the cylindrical body, the cavity extending through the center axis of the cylindrical body; a second groove and tongue structure formed in a surface of the circular cover and fitting to the first groove and tongue structure, wherein the circular cover is attached to the cylindrical body using the first and second groove and tongue structures, wherein the thickness of all parts of the circular cover located radially inside the groove and tongue structures is larger than the thickness of the part of the circular cover located radially outside of the groove and tongue structures. 
     According to another embodiment, a method for manufacturing a puck having an outer shell formed using a cylindrical body and a circular cover may have the steps of: providing the cylindrical body with a first groove and tongue structure on an axial end surface of the cylindrical body, which surrounds a cavity formed in the cylindrical body, the cavity extending through the center axis of the cylindrical body, and providing the circular cover with a second groove and tongue structure on a surface of the circular cover and fitting to the first groove and tongue structure, attaching to each other the cylindrical body and the circular cover using the first and second groove and tongue structure, wherein the thickness of all parts of the circular cover located radially inside the groove and tongue structures is larger than the thickness of the part of the circular cover located radially outside of the groove and tongue structures. 
     Embodiments provide a puck, such as a hockey puck. The puck comprises an outer shell formed using a cylindrical body and a circular cover. Furthermore, the puck comprises a first groove and tongue structure formed in an axial end surface of the cylindrical body, which surrounds a cavity formed in the cylindrical body. Moreover, the puck comprises a second groove and tongue structure formed on the surface of the circular cover and fitting to the first groove and tongue structure. Additionally, the circular cover is attached to the cylindrical body using the first and second groove and tongue structures. 
     The described puck can be beneficial due to the modularity of its outer shell, as components may be arranged inside the puck and as separately manufacturing of the cylindrical body and the circular cover can lead to reduced manufacturing costs. Moreover, the described attachment of the cylindrical body to the circular cover by means of the first and the second groove and tongue structure may provide a robust hockey puck. The puck may be robust against high mechanical stress and the provided robustness is crucial for deployment of the puck in the game the puck is intended for, such as an ice hockey game. The cylindrical body and the circular cover may be suitable for mass production and can thereby be used for cost efficient production of the puck. 
     According to embodiments, the cylindrical body and the circular cover are attached to each other by vulcanization. Attachment of the circular cover and the cylindrical body by vulcanization is especially suitable to increase the robustness of the puck. The described puck can be visually indistinguishable from a non-modularly manufactured puck. 
     According to embodiments, the cylindrical body comprises the cavity configured to hold an insert. Such embodiments may be advantageous as the same enables loading of the puck with an insert. For example, the insert could be an electronic device simplifying localization of the puck. Localization of the puck can be useful, for example, for spectators watching an ice hockey game. 
     According to embodiments, the cavity is configured to preserve a center of gravity of the puck when the cavity of the cylindrical body of the puck is loaded with the insert. Preserving the center of gravity may be crucial for acceptance of the puck by players. 
     According to embodiments, diameters of the circular cover and of the cylindrical body correspond to a total diameter of the puck. Thereby, a more robust puck may be achievable, as protruding edges may be avoided by the coinciding diameters. 
     According to embodiments, the groove and tongue structures comprise at least a tongue having a rounded edge. Thus fitting or attachment of the circular cover to the cylindrical body may be simplified. 
     According to embodiments, the outer shell is configured to provide a joint of the cylindrical body and the circular cover on a rough surface of the puck or on a border of a smooth surface and a rough surface of the puck. Having a joint in the described way is suitable for hiding a modular construction of the puck. Furthermore, the hidden joint is less prone to strain applied from the outside, increasing the durability of the puck. 
     According to embodiments, the groove and tongue structures comprise annular continuous groove and tongue structures. Having a continuous annular groove and tongue structure can be beneficial to increase robustness of the puck. The increased robustness may be achieved due to the increased surface area involved in the attachment provided by the continuous structure all around the axial end surface of the cylindrical body. 
     According to embodiments, the outer shell may be formed using the cylindrical body, the circular cover, and a second circular cover. A third groove and tongue structure may be formed in a second axial end surface of the cylindrical body, which surrounds the cavity or another cavity formed in the cylindrical body. Additionally, the second circular cover may comprise a fourth groove and tongue structure formed in a surface of the second circular cover and fitting to the third groove and tongue structure. Moreover, the second circular cover may be attached to the cylindrical body using the third and fourth groove and tongue structures. Such embodiments are beneficial as they allow a fully modular manufacturing of the puck. The modularity can be useful to enable a cost efficient production of the puck. 
     Furthermore, when loading the puck with an insert with a complex geometry, having access to a cavity from both ends of the circular body may simplify loading the puck with the insert. 
     Embodiments provide for a method for manufacturing a puck comprising an outer shell formed using a cylindrical body and circular cover. The method comprises: providing the cylindrical body with a first groove and tongue structure on an axial end surface of the cylindrical body, which surrounds a cavity in the cylindrical body, providing the circular cover with a second groove and tongue structure on a surface of the circular cover and fitting to the first groove and tongue structure, attaching to each other the cylindrical body and the circular cover using the first and second groove and tongue structure. The described method for manufacturing a hockey puck is especially beneficial due to its low complexity which in turn enables a cost efficient production of robust hockey pucks. 
     According to embodiments, the method comprises attaching the cylindrical body and the circular cover by vulcanization. Attachment of the cylindrical body and the circular cover by vulcanization bonding improves durability and robustness of the produced puck. 
     According to embodiments, the method comprises molding of the cylindrical body and the circular cover, for example injection molding. Molding the components may be beneficial since the components may be produced with accurate dimensions. In particular, the groove and tongue structures may be produced accurately and a precise fitting may increase robustness. Furthermore, by using a molding process cost efficiency of the production can be ensured. 
     According to embodiments, the method comprises putting an insert inside a cavity of the cylindrical body prior to attaching the cylindrical body and the circular body. Putting an insert into the cylindrical body enables creation of pucks with flexible content, e.g. loading with an electronic device. 
     According to embodiments, the method further comprises: providing the cylindrical body with a third groove and tongue structure formed in a second axial end surface thereof, which surrounds the previously mentioned cavity or another cavity in the cylindrical body; providing a second circular cover comprising a fourth groove and tongue structure formed in a surface thereof and fitting to the third groove and tongue structure; and attaching to each other the cylindrical body and the second circular cover using the third and fourth groove and tongue structures. The method allows for a fully modular assembly of pucks and therefore offers, for example, flexibility in loading the puck with an insert. 
     Embodiments enable a seamless integration of arbitrary products into a cylindrical gaming device generally called puck. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments of the present invention will be detailed subsequently referring to the appended drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a hockey puck; 
         FIG. 2A-C  show schematic views of the cylindrical cover of the puck shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  shows a schematic view of the cylindrical body of the puck shown in  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 4  shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a hockey puck according to another embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In embodiments, the puck may be a hockey puck. In embodiments, the puck may be an ice hockey puck, a roller hockey puck, a box hockey puck or an air hockey puck. In other embodiments, the puck may be configured for other games, such as novuss, shuffleboard or table shuffleboard. 
       FIG. 1  shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a hockey puck according to an embodiment of the invention. The hockey puck comprises an outer shell  10  formed using a cylindrical body  12  (base body) and a circular cover  14 .  FIG. 2A  shows a perspective view of the circular cover  14 ,  FIG. 2B  shows a bottom view (relative to the orientation of the puck shown in  FIG. 1 ) of the circular cover  14 , and  FIG. 2C  shows a side view of the circular cover  14 .  FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of the cylindrical body  12 . 
     The cylindrical body  12  is a hollow cylindrical body and comprises a circular end surface  15  and an annular end surface  16 . The annular end surface  16  surrounds a cavity  18  of the cylindrical body  12 . The cavity  18  is closed at one end (the lower end) of the cylindrical body  12 . An annular groove  20  is formed in the annular end surface  16 . The groove  20  represents a first groove and tongue structure. The circular cover  14  comprises an annular tongue  22  representing a second groove and tongue structure. The first and second groove and tongue structures fit to each other in that the shapes and dimensions thereof are adapted to each other. 
     The cylindrical body  12  and the circular cover  14  are attached to each other using groove  20  and tongue  22 . Thus, cavity  18  is closed by circular cover  14 . To this end, tongue  22  is inserted into groove  20  and engages groove  20 . The dimensions of tongue  22  may be slightly larger than the dimensions of groove  20  to obtain at least a medium fit. 
     In embodiments, vulcanization may be used to attach the cylindrical body  12  and the circular cover  14  to each other. Alternatively or in addition, an adhesive may be used to additionally attach the cylindrical body  12  to the circular cover  14 . 
     Thus, the cylindrical body  12  and the circular cover  14  are attached to each other at a joint  24 . The area in which the cylindrical body  12  and the circular cover  14  are attached to each other is increased by the groove and tongue structure when compared to a case in which the groove and tongue structures are not provided. The precise alignment of cover  14  and base body  12  and the enlarged area used for adhesion leads to a more robust joint able to better resist acting forces. 
     The outer diameter of the cylindrical body  12  may correspond to the diameter of the circular cover  14 . Thus, a substantially smooth outer cylindrical surface is obtained upon attaching the cylindrical body  12  to the circular cover  14 . As shown in  FIG. 2C , the thickness D 1  (in the axial direction) of the part of the circular cover  14  located radially inside of tongue  22  may be larger than the thickness D 2  of the part of the circular cover located radially outside of the tongue. The shape of the end surface  16  of the cylindrical body  12  is adapted accordingly. To be more specific, the distance between the circular end surface  15  and the part of the end surface  16  located radially inside of groove  20  is less than the distance between the circular end surface  15  and the part of the end surface  16  located radially outside of groove  20 . The increased thickness in the central portion of the circular cover  14  may beneficial to increase a stability of the outer shell  10  of the puck. 
     An insert (not shown) may be loaded into cavity  18  before the cylindrical body  12  and the circular cover  14  are attached to each other. The insert may be, for example, an electronic device useful for locating the hockey puck. The insert may also be a weight which can be useful to improve the physical properties of the hockey puck when playing hockey with it. 
     Accordingly, on the inside of the cover  14  a continuously annular tongue  22  is located which is fitted to a groove  20  of a base body  12 . In this manner, cover  14  and base body  12  can be attached and aligned to each other accurately, so that none of the two parts is protruding on any point of joint  24 . This enables a higher durability so that the adhesion can better resist strain acting from the outside. To simplify engagement of the cover  14  and the base body  12 , the edges of the tongue  22  may be rounded off, as it is indicated in  FIG. 2C . 
     The groove  20  and the cavity  18  are located on the side of the cylindrical body  12  facing the cover  14 . The cavity  18  may be loaded with an insert and the shape of the cavity may be adapted to the shape of the insert. For example, the cavity  18  may be cylindrical or may be star-shaped in a plan view. The shape of the axial end surface surrounding the cavity depends on the shape of the cavity in a plan view. If the cavity is circular in a plan view, the end surface will be completely annular. In either case, the axial end surface surrounds the cavity like a frame and, therefore, may be regarded as being frame-shaped. 
     Furthermore, the position of the cavity  18  may be adjusted to the insert, for example an electronic device, so that the center of gravity of the puck is not altered despite of loading with the insert. The puck may comprise several layers with differing densities (base material of the puck, circuit board, battery, etc.). In order to achieve playability, which is for example identical to an conventional puck, the center of gravity of the puck can be located in the center of the cylindrical body of the puck, if not the puck may fall on one side or is played from one side (see “jam sandwich principle”). When the insert is symmetrically assembled (e.g. a circular circuit board located in between two button cells), the physical center of gravity lies in the geometric center of the insert. Therefore, in this case the density distribution of the outer shell can be symmetric, to make the physical center of gravity coincide with the geometric center, as it is the case with conventional pucks. This can be achieved by an identical material thickness in radial direction (coaxial alignment of cavity  18 ) and in axial direction (central alignment of cavity  18 ), which leads to an identical material thickness above (i.e. in the center of cover  14 ) and below (i.e. in the center of base body  12 ) cavity  18 . 
       FIG. 4  shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a hockey puck according to another embodiment of the invention. The hockey puck shown in  FIG. 4  comprises an outer shell  10   a . The outer shell  10   a  is formed using a cylindrical body  12   a , a first circular cover  14   a  and a second circular cover  14   b . The cylindrical body  12   a  comprises a cavity  18   a , which is open at both ends of the cylindrical body  12   a . Thus, the cylindrical body  12   a  is ring-shaped and has two annular end surfaces  16   a  and  16   b . A first annular groove  20   a  is formed in the first annular end surface  16   a  and a second annular groove  20   b  is formed in the second annular end surface  16   b . The circular cover  14   a  comprises a first tongue  22   a , and the second circular cover  14   b  comprises a second tongue  22   b . The first circular cover  14   a  is attached to the cylindrical body  12   a  using the first groove  20   a  and the first tongue  22   a . The second circular cover  14   b  is attached to the cylindrical body  12   a  using the second groove  20   b  and the second tongue  22   b . Thus, the puck comprises two joints  24   a  and  24   b.    
     Thus, when compared to the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 to 3 , the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4  comprises a cylindrical body with two open ends and two covers. For the rest, the explanations given herein with respect to the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 to 3  also apply for the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4  and need not be repeated. 
     In embodiments, the single cavity  18   a  shown in  FIG. 4  may be replaced by two cavities separated from each other, wherein a first one is covered by cover  14   a  and a second one is covered by cover  14   b.    
     Generally, portions of an outer cylindrical surface of a puck may be rough or patterned surface portions. In embodiments, the cylindrical body may comprise a rough or patterned outer surface portion  30 , see  FIG. 3 . A rough surface may be useful for increasing friction when playing hockey with the puck. In embodiments, the joints between the respective cover and the cylindrical body may be arranged so that they are substantially invisible. To this end, the joints may be placed on a border between a rough surface and a smooth surface of the puck. Alternatively, the joints may be placed within the rough surface and at least portions of an outer cylindrical surface of the cover may be rough as well. 
     In embodiments, the groove and tongue structures are continuous annular groove and tongue structures which are beneficial since the surface used for attaching the respective cover to the circular body may be maximized due to the continuity. 
     In embodiments, the components of the outer shell of the puck may be formed of a material suitable for vulcanization, such as rubber or polymer. In embodiments, the components of the outer shell of the puck may be formed of plastic. 
     Generally, the cylindrical body and the circular cover may be arranged coaxial. As used herein, the term axial relates to the longitudinal center axis of the cylindrical body. 
     In the embodiments described referring to the Figures, the cover comprises a tongue and the cylindrical body comprises a groove. In other embodiments, in which the cover has a larger thickness, the cover may comprise a groove and the cylindrical body may comprise a tongue. Alternatively the cover may comprise a tongue and a groove and the cylindrical body may comprise a tongue and a groove. In embodiments, several tongues and grooves, such as several coaxial tongues and grooves, may be formed in the cover and/or cylindrical body. In embodiments, the groove and tongue structures may be provided in the shape of intermittent tongues and grooves. The term “groove and tongue structure” as used herein is intended to cover such cases. 
     In embodiments, the joint may be shifted to another position when compared to the described position. For example, thicker covers could be used so that the joint is moved more toward the center in the axial direction. In addition, asymmetrical groove and tongue structures could be used. 
     Embodiments relate to an approach for implementing hockey pucks, which is fundamentally different from other approaches and may enable potential future mass production. The approach may comprise a separate production of the cover and the base body, for which an injection molding process may be chosen. The injection molding process offers a narrow tolerance range in terms of accuracy and thereby enables an exact fitting of cover and base body. 
     A diameter of the cover and the base body may correspond to a total diameter of the puck. In addition, the cover and the base body may be arranged coaxially. A joint between these two parts may therefore be located on the cylindrical outer surface (mantel) of the puck and can be arranged, so that it coincides with an edge of a corrugated, or rough, surface, which may comprise an elevated labeling, and a smooth surface, which may comprise a planar imprint. Thereby, it can be ensured that the joint is not visible from the outside. 
     The cover and a base body are attached to each other by means of groove and tongue structures. On the inside of the cover for example a continuously annular tongue is located which is fitted to a groove of a base body. In this manner, cover and base body can be attached and aligned to each other accurately, so that none of the two parts is protruding on any point of the joint. This enables a higher durability so that the adhesion can better resist strain acting from the outside. To simplify the fitting of the cover and the base body, the edges of the tongue may be rounded off. 
     Embodiments provide movendum pucks fitted with a technical product, which are indistinguishable from conventional pucks, neither optical (invisible joints) nor from its playing characteristic (identical center of gravity). This leads to an improved acceptance of the players for intelligent playing devices. 
     According to a further aspect, an approach enables large scale production for loading arbitrary products into cylindrical playing devices, wherein the outer shell of the movendum comprises several individual parts which are produced in a more accurate production process than off-the-shelf playing devices. The tedious detour of mechanical post processing of standard products thereby becomes obsolete. 
     According to a further aspect, the precise alignment of cover and base body and the strongly enlarged area used for adhesion leads to a more robust joint able to better resist acting forces. 
     According to a further aspect, the joints between the circular cover and the cylindrical body can be located on an arbitrary location on the puck. 
     Although some aspects have been described in the context of an apparatus, it is clear that these aspects also represent a description of the corresponding manufacturing method. Thus, description of the respective features in connection with an apparatus is to be regarded as a description of corresponding features of a manufacturing method and such a description was not repeated in this specification. 
     While this invention has been described in terms of several embodiments, there are alterations, permutations, and equivalents which fall within the scope of this invention. It should also be noted that there are many alternative ways of implementing the methods and compositions of the present invention. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims be interpreted as including all such alterations, permutations and equivalents as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.