Patent ID: 7128669

Claim:
A hockey stick shaft comprising: an elongated body having opposed first and second end, said body comprising an inner constraining element having opposed first and second major wall components spacing apart opposed third and fourth major wall components, said first and second major wall components being wider than said third and fourth major wall components, said inner constraining element providing the structural strength of the shaft, said first and second major wall components comprising first and second flat side surfaces disposed on the exterior thereof, said third and fourth major wall components comprising third and fourth flat side surfaces disposed on the exterior thereof, said first, second, third and fourth side surfaces each being overlaid with a layer of viscoelastic material along said inner constraining element, the thickness of said viscoelastic material on at least two of said first, second, third and fourth side surfaces being thicker than on said remaining side surfaces, said body further comprising a protective element comprising opposed first and second thin-shelled components spacing apart opposed third and fourth thin-shelled components, said protective element being disposed on said layer of viscoelastic material, wherein said viscoelastic material being of a sufficient thickness to provide protection to said inner constraining element from impacts applied to said protective element.