Abstract:
A hockey stick blade is splayed so as to provide two curved surfaces that are disposed oppositely with respect to one another. By providing two opposed curved surfaces, the hockey stick blade of the present invention provides the advantages of blade curvature for forehand shots and passes, as well as for backhand shots and passes. The problems of inaccuracy and instability that can result from backhand shooting or passing are thereby minimized or eliminated. The area between the opposed curved surfaces can optionally be filled in.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to sports equipment, and more particularly, to an improved hockey stick. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Hockey is a fast-moving team sport in which players use sticks to control a puck or ball. The players attempt to shoot the puck or ball into the opposing team&#39;s net, while preventing the opposing team from scoring. 
         [0005]    Many forms of hockey exist, including for example: ice hockey, in which the players skate on an ice surface; field hockey, which is played on gravel, grass, or artificial turf; street hockey, played on a hard surface such as a street; roller hockey, in which the players skate on roller skates; floor hockey, played in a gymnasium or other indoor location; and the like. Depending on the particular type of hockey being played, the game can be played with a ball, rubber puck, or other object. 
         [0006]    Hockey sticks can be made of any of a number of different materials, such as wood, aluminum, Kevlar, fiberglass, carbon fiber, other composite materials, and/or any combination thereof. 
         [0007]    Each player&#39;s hockey stick typically includes a shaft and a blade, although the particular configuration of the stick varies depending on the type of hockey being played. In general, the shaft of the stick is a long, straight upper portion, while the blade is a flattened lower section that may be oriented at an angle with respect to the shaft. The player grips the stick by the shaft, while the blade is used to maneuver the puck/ball along the playing surface. The particular dimensions of the stick and its components can vary widely, depending on various factors such as the type of hockey being played, as well as player height and personal preference. For example, for ice hockey, the shaft is typically between about 46″ to 63″, and the blade is typically about 12″ long. The blade is typically oriented at an angle with respect to the shaft, for example at an angle of approximately 45 degrees. 
         [0008]    For some forms of hockey, such as ice hockey, many players prefer a curved blade, as it allows for a faster and more accurate passes and shots, and makes it easier for a player to elevate the puck/ball when taking a shot at the net. A curved blade also makes it easier for a player to put a spin on the puck; this imparts greater stability to the puck while it is in motion. Some players apply cloth tape to the blade, so as to add adhesion and to help the puck spin. The degree of curvature is subject to individual preference, and many players manually curve their blade by heating and shaping it. The degree to which sticks may be curved can vary, depending on the type of hockey being played, league rules, and other factors. 
         [0009]    One problem with curved blades, however, is that they only provide an advantage for forehand shots and passes. Backhand shots and passes, where the puck/ball is propelled by the back side of the blade (i.e., the side opposite that of the direction of curvature), do not benefit from curvature, and indeed may be made more difficult by the curvature. Blade curvature may also make stick-handling more difficult, as such stick-handling usually involves alternately controlling the puck with opposite sides of the blade, thus forcing the player to contend with the unpredictability of the puck/ball&#39;s motion as it comes into contact with the back side of the blade. The greater the degree of curvature, the greater the problems such curvature may cause for backhand shots and/or for stick-handling. 
         [0010]    What is needed, therefore, is a hockey stick that provides the advantages of a curved blade, but limits or eliminates the disadvantages. What is further needed is a hockey stick that provides the advantages of a curved blade for both forehand and backhand shots. What is further needed is a hockey stick that addresses the above-described limitations of existing sticks, and that is easy to use by both novice and experienced hockey players. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    The present invention is a hockey stick blade that is splayed so as to provide two curved surfaces that are disposed oppositely with respect to one another. By providing two opposed curved surfaces, the hockey stick blade of the present invention provides the advantages of blade curvature for forehand shots and passes, as well as for backhand shots and passes. The problems of inaccuracy and instability that can result from backhand shooting or passing are thereby minimized or eliminated. Thus, the hockey stick blade of the present invention provides players with improved accuracy, shot speed, and puck stability for backhand shots and passes. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    The accompanying drawings illustrate several embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. One skilled in the art will recognize that the drawings, and their accompanying descriptions, are merely exemplary of particular implementations of the present invention, and that other embodiments can be constructed without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention as claimed. Accordingly, the drawings and description should not be considered to limit the claims in any way. 
           [0013]      FIG. 1A  is a diagram depicting an example of a hockey stick having a straight blade, according to the prior art. 
           [0014]      FIG. 1B  is a diagram depicting an example of a hockey stick having a curved blade, according to the prior art. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a top-view diagram illustrating the advantages and disadvantages of blade curvature according to the prior art. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a diagram depicting a hockey stick having a splayed blade, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a top-view diagram depicting the use of the splayed blade of the present invention for forehand and backhand shots/passes, according to one embodiment. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a top-view diagram depicting the use of the splayed blade of the present invention for forehand and backhand shots/passes, according to one embodiment. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a top-view diagram depicting an alternative embodiment wherein the area between the splayed sections of the blade is filled in. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0020]    The present invention is now described more fully with reference to the accompanying Figures, in which several embodiments of the invention are shown. The present invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be complete and will fully convey the invention to those skilled in the art. 
         [0021]    In the following description, the invention is set forth as a hockey stick blade for ice hockey. However, one skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be implemented in other ways as well. For example, the techniques of the present invention can be used in connection with hockey sticks for other forms of hockey, such as for example field hockey, roller hockey, street hockey, and the like. References to a “puck” herein are provided for illustrative purposes and for clarity of description; however, one skilled in the art will recognize that the hockey stick blade of the present invention can be used for maneuvering a ball or other object, and that the use of the term “puck” should not be considered to limit the invention in any way. It will be apparent from the description provided herein that many other variations are possible, and that the particular embodiments set forth herein are intended to be exemplary and not limiting. 
         [0022]    Referring now to  FIG. 1A , there is shown an example of a hockey stick  100  having a straight blade  101  according to the prior art. Hockey stick  100  includes shaft  102  and blade  101 . Hockey stick  100  can be made of any of a number of different materials, such as wood, aluminum, Kevlar, fiberglass, carbon fiber, other composite materials, and/or any combination thereof. 
         [0023]    Referring now to  FIG. 1B , there is shown an example of a hockey stick  100  having a curved blade  101  according to the prior art. Blade  101  may be curved at the time of manufacture, or it can be bent into the curved shape after manufacture (for example by heating and shaping it). As described above, curved blade  101  may provide improved accuracy when shooting and passing puck  103 . 
         [0024]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a top-view diagram illustrating the advantages and disadvantages of blade  101  curvature according to the prior art. When shooting puck  103  in a forehand direction (to the right, in  FIG. 2 ), curved blade  101  provides improved accuracy by allowing the player to scoop puck  103  and propel it in the desired direction. However, when shooting puck  103  in a backhand direction (to the left, in  FIG. 2 ), curved blade  101  causes unpredictability in the direction of the shot, thus hampering the player&#39;s ability to make an accurate pass or shot. Accordingly, as seen in  FIG. 2 , conventional techniques for curving blades  101  only act as an advantage for forehand shots and passes, and are indeed a disadvantage for backhand shots and passes. 
         [0025]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a hockey stick  300  having a splayed blade  301 , according to an embodiment of the present invention. Blade  301  has two sections  302  that diverge from one another to form curvature on both sides. This configuration allows a player to reap the advantages of blade  301  curvature for both forehand and backhand shots and passes. In one embodiment, splayed blade  301  is formed by splitting blade at the end farthest from shaft  102 , forming the two sections  302 , and then bending each section  302  to the desired degree of curvature. In one embodiment, one section  302  can be bent while the other remains straight, or the two sections  302  can be bent to different degrees, depending on the player&#39;s preference. 
         [0026]    In another embodiment, splayed blade  301  is formed by joining together two sections  302 . Sections  302  can be curved prior to assembly, or they can be bent into shape after being joined together. Again, if desired, one section  302  can be bent while the other remains straight, or the two sections  302  can be bent to different degrees, depending on the player&#39;s preference. 
         [0027]    In one embodiment, the two sections  302  of splayed blade  301  can be curved according to the player&#39;s wishes. The player may decide, for example, to temporarily curve both sections  302  in the same direction so that they are no longer splayed, causing blade  301  to function in a manner similar to a conventional blade  101 . In one embodiment, the player can easily switch between such a conventional arrangement and the splayed arrangement, by simply changing the curvature of sections  302  as desired. Such flexibility can be useful, for example, if a player is playing in different leagues or environments, and wherein the splayed configuration is permitted in some situations but not in others. 
         [0028]    Sections  302  may be angled independently of one another, as well as curved, depending on the player&#39;s preferences. Thus, a player can shape sections  302  so that they both angle upward slightly, improving the player&#39;s ability to lift a shot off the ice. 
         [0029]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , there is shown a top-view diagram illustrating the use of splayed blade  301  of the present invention for forehand and backhand shots/passes, according to one embodiment. When shooting or passing in the rightward direction, the rightmost section  302  makes contact with puck  103 ; when shooting or passing in the leftward direction, the leftmost section  302  makes contact with puck  103 . Thus, whichever direction the player is shooting or passing, the section  302  making contact with puck  103  provides advantageous curvature for improving the speed, accuracy, and stability of the shot or pass. 
         [0030]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , there is shown a top-view diagram depicting an alternative embodiment wherein the area  501  between splayed sections  302  of blade  301  is filled in. Filling in area  501  can provide greater stability and rigidity to sections  302 , and can help avoid unwanted entry of puck  103  into the area between sections  302 . Area  501  can be filled with any suitable material, such as moldable-foam packaging material, Styrofoam, any other type of foam, plastic, wood, or the like. The material used to fill in area  501  can be moldable or rigid, or it can be a material that is initially moldable but becomes rigid. It may be removable or non-removable. It may be affixed to the inside edges of sections  302  by glue or some other adhesive, screws, nails, clips, or any other suitable mechanism, or any combination thereof. 
         [0031]    Alternatively, the entire blade  301 , including blade sections  302  and filled-in area  501  between them, may be constructed from a single solid (or hollow) block that has been molded, cut, or otherwise shaped. The block can be made of wood, plastic, or any other suitable material. In such an embodiment, blade  301  can be shaped so that it tapers from a widest portion farthest from shaft  102  to a narrowest portion nearest shaft  102 . The tapered edges can be given concave shape so as to provide the desired degree of effective curvature to each edge, as depicted in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0032]    In the above description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the invention can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the invention. 
         [0033]    Reference in the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment”means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. 
         [0034]    As will be understood by those familiar with the art, the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. For example, the particular architectures depicted above are merely exemplary of one implementation of the present invention. In one embodiment, the device of the present invention can be used for functions other than the dispensing of medication. 
         [0035]    The functional elements and method steps described above are provided as illustrative examples of one technique for implementing the invention; one skilled in the art will recognize that many other implementations are possible without departing from the present invention as recited in the claims. Likewise, the particular capitalization or naming of the modules, protocols, features, attributes, or any other aspect is not mandatory or significant, and the mechanisms that implement the invention or its features may have different names or formats. Accordingly, the disclosure of the present invention is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention, which is set forth in the following claims.