| Field hockey stick having an edge configured to minimize ball loft -> Monitor Keywords |
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Field hockey stick having an edge configured to minimize ball loftRelated Patent Categories: Games Using Tangible Projectile, Player Held And Powered, Nonmechanical Projector, Per Se, For Projecting Aerial Projectile By Striking; Part Thereof Or Accessory Therefor, Club, Having Elongated Blade (e.g., Hockey Stick, Etc.)Field hockey stick having an edge configured to minimize ball loft description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060194656, Field hockey stick having an edge configured to minimize ball loft. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/649,092, filed Feb. 3, 2005, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. BACKGROUND [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates generally to field hockey sticks, and more particularly, to a field hockey stick having an edge configured to strike a ball with minimal loft. [0004] 2. Background of the Invention [0005] As shown in FIG. 1, a field hockey stick 100 typically has a handle 102, a throat 104, and a head 106. The handle 102 starts at the top and extends through to the throat 104. The handle 102 and throat 104 together define the shaft of the stick 100. The stick 100 curves at the base of the throat 104 to form the head 106. A horizontal line (such as line 115) drawn through the point at which stick 100 begins to curve marks the end of throat 104 and the beginning of head 106. The head 106 is also considered the base of the stick 100. The head 106 includes a toe 108 and curves horizontally and upwardly to form toe 108. The front (or left hand side, as shown in FIG. 1) of the stick 100 has a flat playing surface and the back is typically rounded and not playable in the game. The edges, disposed between the flat playing surface and the non-playing surface, are legal for play in the game. Generally, the flat playing surface includes all of head 106 and at least a portion of throat 104. All sticks are suitable for "right handed" play. [0006] Traditionally, field hockey sticks have been constructed of relatively standard dimensions, due primarily to widely accepted rules of the game. These rules dictate aspects of the stick such as weight, length, shape, and cross-section. As one example, the rules require that the playing portion of the stick have a flat face and that every cross-section of the stick be able to pass through a two-inch ring. In meeting these rules, the traditional field hockey stick has typically featured a flat front face and a curved back and back head of a relatively uniform shape. The edges of the field hockey stick have traditionally been constructed as rounded extensions of the curved back surface. [0007] The total weight of a field hockey stick as defined by widely accepted rules must not exceed 737 grams. Within these parameters, field hockey sticks, including field hockey stick heads that are curved and have rounded backs, have a traditional shape and weight disbursement. [0008] In the game of field hockey, as players increase in skill level, they typically play lower to the ground and therefore can utilize more of the stick as a hitting surface, including the rounded edges of the stick between the playing and non-playing sides. In addition, at this level of play, it is increasingly important for players to execute passes, shots, and clears that are controlled, hard, and strong. Indeed, the more powerful the hit, the better chance the pass or shot has of eluding defenders. [0009] However, this increase in power and use of the rounded edges of the stick increases the chance of losing control of the ball, especially in terms of a misdirected shot or pass. In using an edge of the stick to pass or shoot, a player typically sweeps the stick from a squatting position, with the ball arcing off the edge of the stick and traveling on or near the ground in a straight line. A miss-hit ball often rises up in the air, which can result in the loss of possession and can be harmful to other players. Thus, a principal object of a powerful sweep is to keep the ball close to the ground. The object is to hit the ball hard but minimize its loft. Keeping the ball low helps control passes. Players therefore prefer field hockey sticks that meet this need. [0010] Field hockey sticks are typically made of a wood or composites. As used herein, composites refer to field hockey sticks made by bladder molding or by wrapping sheets of uncured fiber-reinforced thermosetting resin around a mandrel, which is then withdrawn to form a hollow tubular lay-up. Examples of the materials used in the resin include fiberglass, carbon, and aramid. Composite sticks have been available on the market for several years and have been approved for use in international play for over a year. [0011] It is widely believed that the edge of the stick provides a quicker, stronger hit than the front playing surface. With this additional power, however, comes a potential for loss of control, especially if a ball is unintentionally lofted during the hit. Minimizing this loft would therefore result in players delivering a more powerful hit without compensating ball control. Therefore, field hockey sticks, especially composite field hockey sticks, would benefit greatly from a feature that minimizes the loft that can occur upon contact with a ball, and the resulting loss of ball control. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0012] The present invention provides a field hockey stick having an edge that minimizes loft and imparts an improved feel when striking a ball with the stick. The edge has, for example, a flattened or concave surface. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0013] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a conventional field hockey stick. [0014] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a front isometric view of an exemplary field hockey stick having edges with flattened surfaces, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [0015] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a back isometric view of the field hockey stick shown in FIG. 2. [0016] FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram of an exemplary field hockey stick having edges with flattened surfaces, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [0017] FIG. 4B is a schematic diagram of a cross-section of the field hockey stick shown in FIG. 4A taken along line 4B-4B. [0018] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a cross-section of a conventional field hockey stick. [0019] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a cross-section of a field hockey stick having edges with concave surfaces, according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0020] The present invention provides a field hockey stick having an edge configured to strike a ball with minimal loft. The striking surface of the edge can be, for example, flattened or shaped to generally match the contour of a field hockey ball (e.g., concave). Such striking surfaces can minimize loft and impart an improved feel when striking a ball with an edge of the stick. Such striking surfaces can also increase the hitting surface of the edge that contacts the ball, therefore increasing the accuracy of a hit. In addition, by configuring the edge to strike a higher point on the ball, with a surface that is closer to perpendicular to the ground (when the stick is striking a ball), the present invention reduces both the chance of a miss-hit and also the likelihood of ball loft. Continue reading about Field hockey stick having an edge configured to minimize ball loft... Full patent description for Field hockey stick having an edge configured to minimize ball loft Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Field hockey stick having an edge configured to minimize ball loft patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Field hockey stick having an edge configured to minimize ball loft or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Lacrosse head having a flexible stringing member and a recessed scoop Next Patent Application: Means and method for producing improved strength in objects that may have extremely durable, water repellent, sure-grip gripping surfaces, and the objects so improved Industry Class: Games using tangible projectile ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Field hockey stick having an edge configured to minimize ball loft patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.1184 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Qualcomm , Schering-Plough , Schlumberger , Seagate , Siemens , Texas Instruments , 174 |
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