Blade for hockey stick or the like

Abstract

A composite hockey stick blade having molded outer surfaces defining a rough surface finish on a portion the outer surfaces. The molded outer surface of the blade adapted to enhance friction between the blade and a puck. The blade may also comprise shock-absorbing elements embedded into the molded outer surfaces of the blade.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A hockey stick blade or replacement blade for the game of ice hockey and the like, said blade comprising: 
 a blade portion having two lateral outer surfaces;    at least one of said outer surfaces having a molded outer layer defining a rough surface finish on at least a portion of said at least one outer surface, said molded outer layer adapted to enhance friction between said blade portion and a puck.    
     
     
         2 . A blade as defined in    claim 1    wherein said rough surface finish includes a series of small projections.  
     
     
         3 . A blade as defined in    claim 1    wherein said rough surface finish is a diamond grit texture projecting from said at least one of said outer surfaces.  
     
     
         4 . A blade as defined in    claim 2    wherein small projections extend above said at least one outer surface a distance ranging from 0.005 to 1 mm.  
     
     
         5 . A blade as defined in    claim 4    wherein small projections extend above said at least one outer surface a distance ranging from 0.02 to 0.08 mm.  
     
     
         6 . A blade as defined in    claim 1   , wherein said at least one of said outer surfaces further comprises a shock-absorbing element.  
     
     
         7 . A blade as defined in    claim 6    wherein said shock-absorbing element is embedded into said molded outer layer.  
     
     
         8 . A blade as defined in    claim 7    wherein said shock-absorbing element extend above said at least one outer surface by about 1 to 4 mm.  
     
     
         9 . A blade as defined in    claim 6    wherein said shock-absorbing element is bonded to said at least one of said outer surfaces.  
     
     
         10 . A blade as defined in    claim 6    wherein said shock-absorbing element is made of a deformable material.  
     
     
         11 . A blade as defined in    claim 10    wherein said shock-absorbing element is made a rubberized material.  
     
     
         12 . A blade as defined in    claim 7    wherein said blade portion further comprises at least one aperture in an upper area of said blade portion.  
     
     
         13 . A blade as defined in    claim 12    wherein said blade comprises a series of apertures in said upper area of said blade portion.  
     
     
         14 . A hockey stick blade or replacement blade for the game of ice hockey and the like, said blade comprising: 
 a blade portion having two lateral outer surfaces;    at least one of said outer surfaces having at least one shock-absorbing element embedded into said at least one of said outer surfaces.    
     
     
         15 . A blade as defined in    claim 14    wherein said shock-absorbing element is a made of a deformable material.  
     
     
         16 . A blade as defined in    claim 15    comprising a series of shock-absorbing elements.  
     
     
         17 . A blade as defined in    claim 16    wherein said shock-absorbing element is a band of rubberized material.  
     
     
         18 . A blade as defined in    claim 14    wherein said at least one of said outer surfaces comprises a molded outer layer defining a rough surface finish on at least a portion of said at least one outer surfaces, said molded outer layer adapted to enhance friction between said blade portion and a puck.  
     
     
         19 . A hockey stick blade or replacement blade for the game of ice hockey and the like, said blade comprising: 
 a blade portion having two lateral outer surfaces;    at least one of said outer surfaces having a molded outer layer defining a rough surface finish including a series of small projections on at least a portion of said at least one outer surface, said molded outer layer adapted to enhance friction between said blade portion and a puck; and    a shock-absorbing element embedded into said at least one of said outer surfaces.    
     
     
         20 . A two-part mold for making a hockey stick blade or replacement blade for the game of ice hockey and the like, said two-part mold comprising: 
 an internal cavity defined by interior surfaces of said two-part mold;    at least one of said interior surfaces comprising a grit pattern;    at least one of said interior surfaces comprising pockets adapted to receive a series of shock-absorbing elements.    
     
     
         21 . A method of making a hockey stick blade or replacement blade for the game of ice hockey and the like, said method comprising the steps of: 
 inserting at least one shock-absorbing element into a corresponding cavity of a mold having the general shape of a hockey stick blade;    introducing into said mold a material for hardening within said mold;    curing said material;    opening said mold to remove a hockey stick blade having at least one shock-absorbing element embedded into said hockey stick blade.