U.S. patent application number 12/408844 was filed with the patent office on 2010-09-23 for retractably tethered hockey puck and sports balls.
Invention is credited to Mark Steven Des Roches.
Application Number | 20100240476 12/408844 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42738143 |
Filed Date | 2010-09-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100240476 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Des Roches; Mark Steven |
September 23, 2010 |
RETRACTABLY TETHERED HOCKEY PUCK AND SPORTS BALLS
Abstract
A hockey puck and sports ball training device for practicing
puck or ball control, dribbling, shooting, passing and pass
receiving is disclosed. The hockey puck or the sports ball uses a
spring powered retracting mechanism which provides a retracting
force on the tether and to automatically return the puck or ball to
location of the retracting mechanism. In another embodiment of this
invention, the retracting mechanism is built inside the hockey puck
and the puck is attached to the hockey stick by a tethering device.
The tethering device and puck can be easily attached or removed
from the hockey stick. This invention is intended to improve
players' stick handling, shooting, passing and pass receiving
skills. Also to strengthening arm and writs of players' shots and
passes.
Inventors: |
Des Roches; Mark Steven;
(Mscouche, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
NASSER ASHGRIZ
7805 Bayview Ave., # 1510
Thornhill
ON
L3T 7N1
CA
|
Family ID: |
42738143 |
Appl. No.: |
12/408844 |
Filed: |
March 23, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/423 ;
473/446; 473/575; 473/588 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 69/0088 20130101;
A63B 69/0026 20130101; A63B 69/0024 20130101; A63B 69/0002
20130101; A63B 69/0071 20130101; A63B 69/0086 20130101; A63B 67/20
20130101; A63B 2210/58 20130101; A63B 69/0095 20130101; A63B
2210/50 20130101; A63B 69/0079 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/423 ;
473/575; 473/588; 473/446 |
International
Class: |
A63B 69/00 20060101
A63B069/00 |
Claims
1- A hockey puck having an inbuilt retractable string mechanism,
said puck comprising: an outer casing having the same dimensions as
a conventional hockey puck; said casing having an open inner
cavity; and a retractable mechanism fit inside said casing
cavity.
2- The hockey puck of claim 1, wherein said retractable mechanism
comprising: a. a spool having an outer hub and an inner hub; b. a
string which is windable on the outer hub of said spool and it
extends out of said puck casing through an aperture on the casing;
c. said string having its first end connected to the spool, and its
second end connected to a fixture outside of the puck; and d. a
spring which is located in the inner hub of the spool; whereby, the
spring becomes loaded as the string is pulled out of the puck and
unwinds from the spool, thereby storing retracting energy, and will
retract the string once the puck stops.
3- A hockey puck of claim 2 wherein said fixture outside of the
puck is a hockey stick, whereby the string is connected to a hockey
stick for practice.
4- A hockey training device comprising: a. a hockey stick having a
handle and a blade; b. a hockey puck tethered to the hockey stick;
c. said puck having a retractable spring means built inside the
puck; d. a string having two ends; e. one end of said string having
means to connect to the hockey stick and the other end of the
string having means connect to the spring mechanism inside the
puck; whereby the puck returns towards the stick after it is
hit.
5- (canceled)
6- A hockey practice device comprising: a. a puck and a hockey
stick; b. a spring powered retractable mechanism; c. a string or
cable having one end connected to the retractable mechanism and the
other end attached to the puck or the ball; d. said retractable
mechanism fixed at a location other than on the puck or the hockey
stick, whereby, said puck is automatically retracted to its
original position after it is hit by the hockey stick due to the
action of the spring inside the mechanism.
7- A hockey puck or a sports ball practice device of 6, wherein
said spring means comprising of a positive gradient spring, whereby
the incremental force on the spring increases as the string
unwinds.
8- A hockey puck or a sports ball practice device of 6, wherein
said spring means comprising of a constant force spring, whereby
the force on the spring remains constant as the string unwinds.
9- A hockey puck or a sports ball practice device of 6, wherein
said spring means comprising of a negative gradient spring, whereby
the incremental force on the spring decreases as the string
unwinds.
10- (canceled)
11- (canceled)
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to retractably tethered hockey
puck and other sports balls for practice hitting, throwing
shooting, dribbling, passing or receiving a pass. The tethering
mechanism can either be inside the puck or the ball, or can be
attached to fixtures outside the puck or the ball.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
[0002] Balls are used in a variety of sports, such as basketball,
volleyball, baseball, softball, lacrosse, ball hockey, rollerblade
hockey and ice hockey. In all these sports, players wish to improve
their handling of the ball by practicing throwing the ball, as in
basketball and baseball, or hitting the ball as in volleyball. In
some other sports, such as hockey, a stick is used to shoot a puck.
Hockey players spend many hours practicing handling and shooting a
puck, and to improve their skills and power shooting the puck.
[0003] In all these sports, it is desired to have a tethered puck
or ball so that the player does not have to retrieve them after
they are hit, shot or passed the loose puck or ball; therefore, the
time in chasing the loose puck or ball is prevented. In addition,
players practice passing a puck or a ball between each other to
improve their passing and handling skills. This practice is
difficult to do alone and it requires at least two players or the
use of some kind of aid. One method to help players practice their
skills and improve their power and strength is by using a tethered
puck or ball.
[0004] The prior art provides numerous ways to tether a puck. Many
of the tethered pucks use elastic cords, which returns the puck
after certain stretch distance. For instance, U.S. Pat. Nos.
3,863,917, 4,111,419, 5,120,055 and 5,816,945 disclose a practice
hockey puck removably coupled to an elastic cord which includes a
fastening device at the opposite end for fastening to a hockey
stick. These types of elastic cords have long unstretched lengths
and slack that lay on the ground and may disturbance the
player.
[0005] Another type of tethered puck is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
4,023,797 issued to Sarrasin, discloses a tethering line attached
to a hockey puck and wound on the spool of a reel assembly mounted
on a hockey stick. The hockey puck can only travel length of line
on the spool of the reel assembly. In order to pull the puck back,
a crank, which is affixed to the spool on the stick is manually
turned to rewound the line onto the spool. The process of rewinding
the line is time consuming and tedious. This device is good for a
single shot at a time.
[0006] Other practice hockey puck relate to the method of
connecting the puck to the hockey stick. For instance, U.S. Pat.
No. 6,716,120 issued to Normand discloses a hockey blade having a
shank for inserting a stick handle and contains a channel along the
lower edge of the blade. A string is fastened at one end to a puck
and the other end to a ball shaped bead which can move freely
within the channel.
[0007] The above disadvantages can be overcome by the present
invention, by having an inbuilt spring assembly inside the hockey
puck. With this system, the puck quickly retuned to the player
after it is hit. The distance it travels and its time of return can
be controlled and adjusted by the type of spring used in the
mechanism.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] One object of the present invention is a hockey training
device comprising a hockey stick with a blade tethered to a hockey
puck having an inbuilt spring system. This type of puck can be used
in ice hockey, rollerblade hockey and ball hockey.
[0009] Another object of present invention is to have a puck that
allows a hockey player to practice puck control and shooting
without the help of a partner; and also, to train a player to shoot
with more accuracy and power (strength).
[0010] Another object of present invention is to save the hockey
players training time by not having to retrieve loose pucks or use
multiple number of pucks.
[0011] Another object of the present invention is to have a device
that can help players build strength. Having a strong spring
mechanism attached to a puck makes it harder for players to shoot
the puck, thus increasing their power and strength with repeated
use of this invention.
[0012] The other object of present invention is to train players to
keep their stick on the ice, as the puck returns to the stick
almost instantly after the shot. This is extremely good practice
for receiving passes due to the almost instant retraction of the
puck to the stick. Therefore, this invention allows shooting and
receiving practice at the same time.
[0013] The other object of the present invention is to train
players to develop proper follow through straight line stick to
target.
[0014] The other object of the present invention is to have spring
loaded tethered balls for a variety of sports, such as baseball,
basketball, volleyball, lacrosse, and softball.
[0015] Another object of the present invention is to make
practicing all sports using this invention much more enjoyable for
both children and adults.
[0016] Another object of the present invention is to enable
children to practice on their own without pressure from their
peers, parents or coaches. Practicing on their own means there will
be no embarrassment if performance does not meet expectations. As
we all know there is much pressure put on children and youths to
perform well in sports this day and age.
[0017] Another object of the present invention is to allow younger
children to play with a ball with limited adult supervision.
Standard tethered balls are not safe for young children since the
tether may be rapped around their body. With the present invention,
there is never a loose tether and the rate of tether retraction can
be controlled by choosing a proper spring so that there is no
potential harm to a child.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates a retractably tethered hockey puck and
hockey stick.
[0019] FIG. 2 illustrates the top view of a hockey puck with its
top cover removed.
[0020] FIG. 3 illustrates a side cross sectional view of the hockey
puck with its internal mechanism.
[0021] FIG. 4 illustrates a hockey stick with a string receiving
aperture.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0022] The present invention relates to retractable hockey pucks
and sports balls, such as basketball, volleyball, baseball,
softball, and lacrosse. A detailed description of the mechanism is
provided for a hockey puck. However, the same description will
apply to any other sports ball.
[0023] One embodiment of the present invention is comprised of a
hockey puck tethered to a hockey stick, wherein the hockey puck has
an inbuilt spring mechanism to retract the puck back to the stick
after a pass or shot. In addition, the blade of the hockey stick
has multiplicity of apertures, at least one aperture being close to
the heel of the blade; a tethering means, such as a fishing line,
which its first end is connected to the blade through one of the
apertures and its second end is attached to the spool inside the
puck.
[0024] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a hockey
stick 1 with a handle 2, a blade 3, a hockey puck 10, and string
20. The hockey puck 10 is connected to the blade 3 by means of the
string 20 through an aperture 4.
[0025] FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate top and side views a hockey puck 10
which comprises of an outer casing 12, which is made of material
used in conventional pucks, namely vulcanized rubber or plastic.
The puck has an inner empty space, a cavity 14 to receive a
retractable string mechanism 16. The outer casing 12 also has an
aperture 18 through which a string 20 can be extended and
retracted.
[0026] The string 20 winds around a spool 22, which is located
inside the puck cavity 14. The string has a terminal end 24 which
is connected to the spool 22. The spool 22 rotates about an axis
"AA" thereby permitting the cable 20 to be retracted into a compact
coil configuration within the puck 12. The spool 22 has a hollow
central part 30 that is concentric with axis "AA" and that enables
the spool 22 to be mounted for rotation about a cylindrical flange
32 extending inwardly from a wall of the casing 12.
[0027] A spring 34, preferably a constant force spring that has a
memorized wound shape, is located within the hollow central part 30
and provides a retracting force that automatically rewinds the
string 20 back onto the spool 22 when the puck is shot and extends
to its maximum distance. A casing cover 36 provides containment for
the retraction mechanism and it is fastened to the casing with a
fastener 38 which may be a screw, rivet, or other selected
fasteners.
[0028] In another embodiment of the present invention, the
retraction mechanism 14 has a damping mechanism that is operatively
connected to the spool to damp the rotary motion of the spool when
the cable is retracted by the force of the spring. The damping
mechanism controls the speed of the rotation of the spool, and
therefore, the speed of the retraction of the puck can be
controlled.
[0029] The retraction process of the tethered puck is as follows:
Once the puck is hit by a hockey stick, it travels a certain
distance. The distance it travels depends on the initial force
applied by the player on the puck. The harder the player hits the
puck the farther it travels. The maximum distance is restricted to
the string length and/or the spring length. As the puck moves away
from the stick, the string 20 is unwound from the spool 22 and
simultaneously the spring 34 is caused to be wound onto the inner
cavity of the spool 30. Therefore, as the spring is unwound from
spool, the spring is wound in an opposite direction onto the hub.
When the puck is at full extension or the force stored in the
spring reaches to a level that the puck is stopped, the spring 34
winds into its normal, memorized wound position. This causes the
spring to be simultaneously wound onto the spool to a final fully
retracted position.
[0030] FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of the present
invention for connecting the string 20 to the blade 3 of the hockey
stick. Blade 3 having a heal 41, a toe 42 and an aperture 4.
Aperture 4 is preferably located close to the heel of the blade.
This will allow the player to easily move the stick over the puck
during stick handling practice. One end of the string end 44 is
connected to the blade 3 by passing it through the apertures 4.
Various connecting means can be used to connect the string to the
stick, such as rings, hooks, small posts and rods, longitudinal or
circular block, which cannot pass through the apertures can be
connected to the end of the string.
[0031] In another embodiment of the same invention, the retraction
mechanism is attached to the hockey stick and only the string
extending out of the mechanism is attached to the hockey puck. One
attachment point is illustrated in FIG. 5, which illustrates a
retractable string mechanism 50 attached to one side of a hockey
blade 51. String 52 extends out of the mechanism and passes through
an aperture 53 located on the blade 51. One end of the string is
attached a puck 54. The retraction mechanism can be attached to
various locations on the handle as well.
[0032] FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of the same invention
used to practice volleyball. The invention comprises of a
volleyball 70 tethered to a spring loaded retraction mechanism 71.
This retractably tethered volleyball is used for practicing hitting
the ball and also practicing spikes. The retractable mechanism 71
can be fixed on a horizontally extended pole 72, or to the ceiling
of the playground. The height of the pole 73 is adjusted to
position the ball at a desired height 74 for the player for
practicing spikes. The play can spike the ball, which will extend a
maximum distance 75 dictated by the string and the spring lengths;
the ball is then returned to its original place 70 for the next
hit. The player can continuously practice hits and spikes without
chasing after the ball. The position of the pole can be adjusted
both vertically 73 and horizontally 76.
[0033] Another embodiment of the same invention is used to practice
basketball. With the present retractably tethered basketball a
player can practice passing the ball to another player, and also
practice receiving the ball from another player. In one embodiment,
as illustrated in FIG. 7, the spring loaded retractable mechanism
80 is put on the hand 81 of the player and the string extending out
of the mechanism is attached to the basketball 82. The mechanism
can be attached to the wrist 83 of the player as a wrist band 84.
The string extending out of the mechanism is guided through a
flexible guide 85 to player's FIGS. 86. The string is the attached
to the ball. When the player passes the ball, the string extends to
a maximum distance and then returns. A player can practice passing
the ball, dribbling the ball and even receiving ball over and over
again. FIG. 8 illustrates the retracting mechanism 90 that is
located on the hand of the player and two support rings 91 and 92
that enter into player's fingers to tether the ball.
[0034] Another embodiment of the same invention is used in
baseball, softball or similar sports. For instance, in baseball, as
illustrated in FIG. 9, a baseball ball 100 is thrown with one hand
it is received with another hand. For this purpose, the spring
loaded tethering mechanisms 101 fixed at one location, for instance
to the ground 102. The player stretches 103 the ball to his/her
standing location 104 and throws the ball. The ball will extend to
its maximum distance 105 and will return to where the location that
the ball is tethered 102. One end of the tethered string has an
elastic member 103 which can be elastically stretched, therefore,
allowing for the player to extend the string beyond the length of
the unwind string.
[0035] While a preferred training hockey puck is described, various
modifications, alterations, and changes may be made without
departing from the spirit and scope of the retracting hockey puck
according to the present invention as defined in the appended
claims. Many other configurations of the described retractor
mechanisms may be useable by one skilled in the art, and those
skilled in the art can readily select other known retractor
mechanism that fit within a puck or a ball.
* * * * *