Lightweight field hockey stick

• US 5,603,498 A
• Filed: 07/13/1994
• Issued: 02/18/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Wm. T. Burnett Ip, LLC
• Original Assignee: STX LLC (Wm. T. Burnett & Co., Inc.)
• Inventors: Crawford, William C., Davis, Jackie L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Graham, Mark S.
• Application Number:
  US08/274,334
• Time in Patent Office: 951 Days
• Field of Search: 273/67 A, 273/67 DA, 273/67 R
• US Class Current: 473/563
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/22 Field hockey
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 59/70 with bent or angled lower parts for hitting a ball on the ground, on an ice-covered surface, or in the air, e.g. for hockey or hurling
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/06 Handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/08 characterised by the material
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/10 with means for indicating correct holding positions A63B60/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/16 Caps; Ferrules
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/48 with corrugated cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/52 with slits

Abstract

A multi-component, lightweight field hockey stick comprising a plastic head section and a handle fitted into the head section is described. The head section comprises a first flat surface including a flat ball-striking surface and a surface opposite the ball-striking surface so configured to decrease weight and provide increased structural strength. The surface area opposite the ball-striking surface includes an area for receiving a resilient pad. The field hockey stick is particularly useful as a learning or introductory stick for inexperienced players.

Claims

1. A multi-component field hockey stick comprising a plastic head section and an aluminum handle elliptical in shape fitted into grooves within said head section and fixedly secured thereto with indented screw means, said head section comprising a first flat surface including a ball-striking surface;

ball receiving surface and a surface opposite said ball receiving surface so configured to decrease weight and provide increased structural strength and comprising a plurality of longitudinal grooves having horizontal ribs in said grooves for reducing weight and imparting increased structural strength, the surface area opposite said ball-striking surface having a recess for receiving a pad of a soft resilient material which is adhesively secured within said recess.

2. The field hockey stick of claim 1 wherein said resilient material is a foam.

3. The field hockey stick of claim 2 wherein said foam pad is a high-density polyethylene foam.

4. The field hockey stick of claim 2 wherein said foam pad is a polyurethane foam.

5. The field hockey stick of claim 1 wherein said plastic head section is a high-density polyethylene.

6. The field hockey stick of claim 1 wherein said plastic head section is a high-density polypropylene.

7. The field hockey stick of claim 1 wherein said handle is replacebly secured within said head section.

8. The field hockey stick of claim 1 wherein the length of the overall stick is between 31 and 36 inches and the weight of the overall stick is between 9.5 and 12 ounces.