CA1230898A - Shaft structure for sports equipment - Google Patents
Shaft structure for sports equipmentInfo
- Publication number
- CA1230898A CA1230898A CA000463915A CA463915A CA1230898A CA 1230898 A CA1230898 A CA 1230898A CA 000463915 A CA000463915 A CA 000463915A CA 463915 A CA463915 A CA 463915A CA 1230898 A CA1230898 A CA 1230898A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- laminate
- shaft structure
- fiber reinforced
- reinforced plastic
- diametrically opposed
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
- 241000771208 Buchanania arborescens Species 0.000 claims abstract description 9
- 239000011152 fibreglass Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 8
- 239000011151 fibre-reinforced plastic Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 229920000049 Carbon (fiber) Polymers 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 229920005830 Polyurethane Foam Polymers 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000011496 polyurethane foam Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon Chemical compound [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims 2
- 229910052799 carbon Inorganic materials 0.000 claims 2
- 239000004760 aramid Substances 0.000 claims 1
- 229920006231 aramid fiber Polymers 0.000 claims 1
- 229920003235 aromatic polyamide Polymers 0.000 claims 1
- 239000004918 carbon fiber reinforced polymer Substances 0.000 claims 1
- 239000004620 low density foam Substances 0.000 claims 1
- 229920002430 Fibre-reinforced plastic Polymers 0.000 abstract description 4
- 239000002023 wood Substances 0.000 description 8
- 239000003365 glass fiber Substances 0.000 description 7
- 239000006260 foam Substances 0.000 description 6
- 239000004917 carbon fiber Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000002131 composite material Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000003822 epoxy resin Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229920000647 polyepoxide Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 2
- 241000238876 Acari Species 0.000 description 1
- 206010013710 Drug interaction Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 241001536352 Fraxinus americana Species 0.000 description 1
- 238000005273 aeration Methods 0.000 description 1
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002657 fibrous material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011121 hardwood Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003993 interaction Effects 0.000 description 1
- VNWKTOKETHGBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-N methane Chemical class C VNWKTOKETHGBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011022 opal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003763 resistance to breakage Effects 0.000 description 1
Landscapes
- Laminated Bodies (AREA)
- Compositions Of Macromolecular Compounds (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT
This invention relates to a shaft structure for use in an ice hockey stick or a similar item of sport equipment. The shaft comprises a low-density core surrounded by a pair of light wood laminates and a pair of fiber reinforced plastic laminates. The resulting structure is then surrounded by a glass fiber reinforced plastic wrapping.
This invention relates to a shaft structure for use in an ice hockey stick or a similar item of sport equipment. The shaft comprises a low-density core surrounded by a pair of light wood laminates and a pair of fiber reinforced plastic laminates. The resulting structure is then surrounded by a glass fiber reinforced plastic wrapping.
Description
1~30~3~38 SHALT STRUCTURE FOR SPORTS EQUIPMENT
- or ~vr~10~
The present invention relates two a shaft struck lure for use in an ice hockey stick or any other item of sport equipment requiring characteristics similar to those of an ice hockey stick. Some of these kirk-teristics are lightness, balance, stiffness and high lo resistance to breakage.
Traditionally, ice hockey sticks have been cons-txucted of white ash. This wood is resistant to impact breakage and is quite flexible and light. however, the amount of high quality hardwood suitable for producing hockey sticks has become more and more limited and has considerably increased the cost of production of ice hockey stick. Moreover, the conventional wood hockey stick has an obvious disadvantage in that the wood has a tendency to crack under impact loads imposed upon the wood during usage and therefore a wood ice hockey stick has a short life span.
In more recent years, there have been proposed and patented different alternatives to the traditional ice hockey stick blaze and shaft structures. Various attempts have been made up to now to replace wood by another material such as aluminum, glass fiber reinforce Ed plastic, wood laminates or certain combinations of these materials.
1~30898 For example, blade structures have been cons-durably improved by the use of various plastics and glass fiber reinforced plastics.
Also, various attempts have been made to improve the lightness, stiffness and breakage characteristics of ice hockey stick shaft structures. A number of these attempts involve the use of composite, laminated or partially hollow shaft structures. See, for example:
Canadian Patent 1,043,065 (opal et at) Canadian Patent 1,072,142 (Died Reich) Canadian Patent 1,099,761 turns) Canadian Patent 1,145,371 (Buchanan et at) Canadian Patent 1,1~7,767 (Airedale et at) Canadian Patent 1,151,693 (Goupil et at) US. Patent 2,730,367 (Babylike) However, these attempts have always resulted in a shaft having certain improved characteristics but at the expense of other important characteristics.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
It ill a general object of the invention to provide an improved shaft structure for use in an ice hockey stick or a similar item of sports equipment, presenting improved characteristics required by advanced and professional hockey players.
It is a more specific object of the invention to provide a light weight hockey stick shaft while main-twining high strength and stiffness characteristics.
~23i~
t is also an object of this invention to provide a light weight hockey tick shaft which can be easily balanced to meet the users' requirements.
The stick shaft structure, according to the invention, comprises a low-density core. A light wood laminate is attached to two opposing sides of the core while a fiber reinforced plastic laminate is attached to the remaining periphery of the core. The resulting structure is then wrapped with glass fiber reinforced plastic.
GENERAL DISCRETE OF THY DRAWINGS
The above an other objects and advantages of the invention will be better understood ill the light of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments which are illustrated, my way of example only, in the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 it a perspective sectional view ox the free end of an ice hockey stick shaft embodying the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF A PROOFED EMBODIMENT
Attention is first directed to Figure 1, in which the shaft structure of stick 10 or use in ice hockey or an equivalent game is seen to include four components: a low density core 20; side walls 30 and 31 made of a fiber reinforced plastic laminate; side walls 40 and 41 made of a light wood laminate and glass giber reinforce plastic wrapping So.
1230~.9~.
It will be noted that the laminates 30, 31, 40 and 41 together with wrapping 50 form a torsion box 60 while the core 20 gives the initial dimensional stability and prevents the torsion box 60 from collapsing.
The core 20 may be made of a polyurethane foam.
The use of such a polyurethane foam mixes the hockey stick exceptionally light, such foam having a density of from 10% to 20~ of that of the wood normally used in the manufacture of ice hockey stick shafts. Moreover, the mechanical properties of the foam, particularly in its inner friction, will result in high dampening of the vibration that occurs on impact as the blade hits the 1' puck during a slap shot.
Furthermore, a portion of the foam can easily be removed from the end of the ice hockey stick shaft and replaced with a heavier material (for example, lead, steel, etc.) thus allowing the stick to be effectively rebalanced if required by the user.
The fiber reinforced plastic laminate acts as the main carrier of the loads applied on the stick shaft and its mechanical properties govern the rigidity or stiffness of the shaft when a puck is shot. This rigidity or stiffness can be varied by changing the dimensions of laminates 30 and 31 or by using or adding different fiber materials such as glass fibers, carbon fibers, armed fibers, etc. This provides the posse-ability of producing custom tailored or tuned ice hockey sticks not only in form but also in "behavior".
~LZ~398 For example carbon fiber composites have a high strenght-to-weight ratio, a high stiffness-to-weight ratio (60% of the stiffness of steel at 20~ its weight), high creep resistance, and good fatigue resistance.
Armed fibers (available under the trade mark CAVALIER) have a high weight-to-stiffness ratio, very good resistance to stretch and excellent vibration-dampening characteristics. Their slash and cut resistance are also considerably higher than those of glass or carbon fibers. m e use of armed fiber composites can produce weight savings of up to 40~ when compared to glass and increased stiffness. Hybrid composites made of two or more of carbon fibers, armed fibers and glass fibers can also be used.
The light wood laminates 40 and 41 give the stick its lateral stiffness thus reducing considerably the warping of the stick when shooting a puck. this results in much improved accuracy when shooting a puck.
The dimensions and type of material used for laminates 40 and 41 play an important role in the redaction and "feel" of an ice hockey stick. Airplane veneer is appropriate for this use.
The glass fiber reinforced plastic wrapping So is bounded to the exterior of laminates 30, 31, 40 and 41 and ensures tight connection of these components which results in the inter-action of all the parts which give the stick its unique properties. the wrapping 50 also adds to the torque resistance of the shaft.
lZ3~g8 EXAMPLE
For example, a rectangular core of 22 mm by 17 mm having the appropriate length is made of a puller-than foam having a density of 200 g/liter.
An airplane veneer laminate having a thickness of 4 mm, a width of 17 mm and the desired length is glued unto the each 17 mm side of the foam core.
Subsequently a laminate made of glass fibers embedded in an epoxy resin having a thinness of 1.2 mm, a width of 30 mm and the desired length is glued unto each 30 mm side of the foam/wood assembly. It should be noted that the glass fibers drawings should extend longitudinally. For increased stiffness, 10 drawings of carbon fibers can be distributed in each such laminate.
The four edges of the resulting shaft structure a then rounded by sanding or other known method to provide the desired grip.
Finally, the shaft structure is introduced into a woven tube made from glass fibers which tube is then encased or embedded in an appropriate plastic such as an epoxy resin.
Although the invention has been described in association with a shaft having a rectangular cross-section, the invention is also useful in shafts having square, oval or round cross-sections, although better results are obtained if a generally rectangular confi-aeration is chosen. similarly the invention has been described by the use of certain proportions and mate-fiats. It is important to note that these can be changed without departing from the present invention.
However, any such changes will modify the overall pro-parties of the shaft and will allow the construction of ice hockey ticks according to the varied requirements of ice hockey players.
- or ~vr~10~
The present invention relates two a shaft struck lure for use in an ice hockey stick or any other item of sport equipment requiring characteristics similar to those of an ice hockey stick. Some of these kirk-teristics are lightness, balance, stiffness and high lo resistance to breakage.
Traditionally, ice hockey sticks have been cons-txucted of white ash. This wood is resistant to impact breakage and is quite flexible and light. however, the amount of high quality hardwood suitable for producing hockey sticks has become more and more limited and has considerably increased the cost of production of ice hockey stick. Moreover, the conventional wood hockey stick has an obvious disadvantage in that the wood has a tendency to crack under impact loads imposed upon the wood during usage and therefore a wood ice hockey stick has a short life span.
In more recent years, there have been proposed and patented different alternatives to the traditional ice hockey stick blaze and shaft structures. Various attempts have been made up to now to replace wood by another material such as aluminum, glass fiber reinforce Ed plastic, wood laminates or certain combinations of these materials.
1~30898 For example, blade structures have been cons-durably improved by the use of various plastics and glass fiber reinforced plastics.
Also, various attempts have been made to improve the lightness, stiffness and breakage characteristics of ice hockey stick shaft structures. A number of these attempts involve the use of composite, laminated or partially hollow shaft structures. See, for example:
Canadian Patent 1,043,065 (opal et at) Canadian Patent 1,072,142 (Died Reich) Canadian Patent 1,099,761 turns) Canadian Patent 1,145,371 (Buchanan et at) Canadian Patent 1,1~7,767 (Airedale et at) Canadian Patent 1,151,693 (Goupil et at) US. Patent 2,730,367 (Babylike) However, these attempts have always resulted in a shaft having certain improved characteristics but at the expense of other important characteristics.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
It ill a general object of the invention to provide an improved shaft structure for use in an ice hockey stick or a similar item of sports equipment, presenting improved characteristics required by advanced and professional hockey players.
It is a more specific object of the invention to provide a light weight hockey stick shaft while main-twining high strength and stiffness characteristics.
~23i~
t is also an object of this invention to provide a light weight hockey tick shaft which can be easily balanced to meet the users' requirements.
The stick shaft structure, according to the invention, comprises a low-density core. A light wood laminate is attached to two opposing sides of the core while a fiber reinforced plastic laminate is attached to the remaining periphery of the core. The resulting structure is then wrapped with glass fiber reinforced plastic.
GENERAL DISCRETE OF THY DRAWINGS
The above an other objects and advantages of the invention will be better understood ill the light of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments which are illustrated, my way of example only, in the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 it a perspective sectional view ox the free end of an ice hockey stick shaft embodying the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF A PROOFED EMBODIMENT
Attention is first directed to Figure 1, in which the shaft structure of stick 10 or use in ice hockey or an equivalent game is seen to include four components: a low density core 20; side walls 30 and 31 made of a fiber reinforced plastic laminate; side walls 40 and 41 made of a light wood laminate and glass giber reinforce plastic wrapping So.
1230~.9~.
It will be noted that the laminates 30, 31, 40 and 41 together with wrapping 50 form a torsion box 60 while the core 20 gives the initial dimensional stability and prevents the torsion box 60 from collapsing.
The core 20 may be made of a polyurethane foam.
The use of such a polyurethane foam mixes the hockey stick exceptionally light, such foam having a density of from 10% to 20~ of that of the wood normally used in the manufacture of ice hockey stick shafts. Moreover, the mechanical properties of the foam, particularly in its inner friction, will result in high dampening of the vibration that occurs on impact as the blade hits the 1' puck during a slap shot.
Furthermore, a portion of the foam can easily be removed from the end of the ice hockey stick shaft and replaced with a heavier material (for example, lead, steel, etc.) thus allowing the stick to be effectively rebalanced if required by the user.
The fiber reinforced plastic laminate acts as the main carrier of the loads applied on the stick shaft and its mechanical properties govern the rigidity or stiffness of the shaft when a puck is shot. This rigidity or stiffness can be varied by changing the dimensions of laminates 30 and 31 or by using or adding different fiber materials such as glass fibers, carbon fibers, armed fibers, etc. This provides the posse-ability of producing custom tailored or tuned ice hockey sticks not only in form but also in "behavior".
~LZ~398 For example carbon fiber composites have a high strenght-to-weight ratio, a high stiffness-to-weight ratio (60% of the stiffness of steel at 20~ its weight), high creep resistance, and good fatigue resistance.
Armed fibers (available under the trade mark CAVALIER) have a high weight-to-stiffness ratio, very good resistance to stretch and excellent vibration-dampening characteristics. Their slash and cut resistance are also considerably higher than those of glass or carbon fibers. m e use of armed fiber composites can produce weight savings of up to 40~ when compared to glass and increased stiffness. Hybrid composites made of two or more of carbon fibers, armed fibers and glass fibers can also be used.
The light wood laminates 40 and 41 give the stick its lateral stiffness thus reducing considerably the warping of the stick when shooting a puck. this results in much improved accuracy when shooting a puck.
The dimensions and type of material used for laminates 40 and 41 play an important role in the redaction and "feel" of an ice hockey stick. Airplane veneer is appropriate for this use.
The glass fiber reinforced plastic wrapping So is bounded to the exterior of laminates 30, 31, 40 and 41 and ensures tight connection of these components which results in the inter-action of all the parts which give the stick its unique properties. the wrapping 50 also adds to the torque resistance of the shaft.
lZ3~g8 EXAMPLE
For example, a rectangular core of 22 mm by 17 mm having the appropriate length is made of a puller-than foam having a density of 200 g/liter.
An airplane veneer laminate having a thickness of 4 mm, a width of 17 mm and the desired length is glued unto the each 17 mm side of the foam core.
Subsequently a laminate made of glass fibers embedded in an epoxy resin having a thinness of 1.2 mm, a width of 30 mm and the desired length is glued unto each 30 mm side of the foam/wood assembly. It should be noted that the glass fibers drawings should extend longitudinally. For increased stiffness, 10 drawings of carbon fibers can be distributed in each such laminate.
The four edges of the resulting shaft structure a then rounded by sanding or other known method to provide the desired grip.
Finally, the shaft structure is introduced into a woven tube made from glass fibers which tube is then encased or embedded in an appropriate plastic such as an epoxy resin.
Although the invention has been described in association with a shaft having a rectangular cross-section, the invention is also useful in shafts having square, oval or round cross-sections, although better results are obtained if a generally rectangular confi-aeration is chosen. similarly the invention has been described by the use of certain proportions and mate-fiats. It is important to note that these can be changed without departing from the present invention.
However, any such changes will modify the overall pro-parties of the shaft and will allow the construction of ice hockey ticks according to the varied requirements of ice hockey players.
Claims (4)
1) A shaft structure for use in an ice hockey stick or a similar item of sports equipment comprising a low-density core surrounded by a laminate of stiff material, the resulting structure being wrapped with a glass fiber reinforced plastic.
2) A shaft structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the core is made of a low-density foam.
3) A shaft structure as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the core is made of a low-density polyurethane foam.
4) A shaft structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein the cross-sectional shape of the shaft structure is generally rectangular.
5) A shaft structure as claimed in claims 1, 2 or 4, wherein at least two diametrically opposed sections of the laminate are formed by a light wood laminate;
6) A shaft structure as claimed in claims 1, 2 or 4, wherein two diametrically opposed sections of the laminate are formed of a light wood laminate and the remaining portions of the laminate are formed by a glass fiber reinforced plastic laminate.
7) A shaft structure as claimed in claims 1, 2 or 4, wherein at least two diametrically opposed sections of the laminate are formed by a airplane veneer laminate.
8) A shaft structure as claimed in claims 1, 2 or 4, wherein two diametrically opposed sections of the laminate are formed of a light wood laminate and the remaining sections of the laminate are formed by a carbon and glass fiber reinforced plastic laminate.
9) A shaft structure as claimed in claims 1, 2 or 4, wherein two diametrically opposed sections of the laminate are formed by a light wood laminate and the remaining sections of the laminate are formed by an aramid and glass fiber reinforced plastic laminate.
10) A shaft structure as claimed in claims 1, 2 or
4) A shaft structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein the cross-sectional shape of the shaft structure is generally rectangular.
5) A shaft structure as claimed in claims 1, 2 or 4, wherein at least two diametrically opposed sections of the laminate are formed by a light wood laminate;
6) A shaft structure as claimed in claims 1, 2 or 4, wherein two diametrically opposed sections of the laminate are formed of a light wood laminate and the remaining portions of the laminate are formed by a glass fiber reinforced plastic laminate.
7) A shaft structure as claimed in claims 1, 2 or 4, wherein at least two diametrically opposed sections of the laminate are formed by a airplane veneer laminate.
8) A shaft structure as claimed in claims 1, 2 or 4, wherein two diametrically opposed sections of the laminate are formed of a light wood laminate and the remaining sections of the laminate are formed by a carbon and glass fiber reinforced plastic laminate.
9) A shaft structure as claimed in claims 1, 2 or 4, wherein two diametrically opposed sections of the laminate are formed by a light wood laminate and the remaining sections of the laminate are formed by an aramid and glass fiber reinforced plastic laminate.
10) A shaft structure as claimed in claims 1, 2 or
4, wherein two diametrically opposed sections of the laminate are formed by a light wood laminate and the remaining sections of the laminate are formed by a carbon and aramid fiber reinforced plastic laminate.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000463915A CA1230898A (en) | 1984-09-24 | 1984-09-24 | Shaft structure for sports equipment |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000463915A CA1230898A (en) | 1984-09-24 | 1984-09-24 | Shaft structure for sports equipment |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1230898A true CA1230898A (en) | 1987-12-29 |
Family
ID=4128771
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000463915A Expired CA1230898A (en) | 1984-09-24 | 1984-09-24 | Shaft structure for sports equipment |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1230898A (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6033328A (en) * | 1996-11-04 | 2000-03-07 | Sport Maska Inc. | Hockey stick shaft |
| CN103990259A (en) * | 2013-12-10 | 2014-08-20 | 桐乡波力科技复材用品有限公司 | Hockey ball batting board and manufacturing method |
-
1984
- 1984-09-24 CA CA000463915A patent/CA1230898A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6033328A (en) * | 1996-11-04 | 2000-03-07 | Sport Maska Inc. | Hockey stick shaft |
| CN103990259A (en) * | 2013-12-10 | 2014-08-20 | 桐乡波力科技复材用品有限公司 | Hockey ball batting board and manufacturing method |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |