Multilayer impact resistant hockey stick

Abstract

A multilayer hockey stick is provided having improved impact resistant and energy absorbing characteristics. The hockey stick includes a shaft having a body, an energy absorbing layer and an impact resistant layer. The energy absorbing layer and impact resistant layer are applied to select areas of the shaft of the hockey stick which are prone to failure due to stick-to-stick contact.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for playing sports having a shaft-like portion, said shaft-like portion comprising: 
 a body;    an energy absorbing layer disposed adjacent to said body; and    an impact resistant layer disposed adjacent to said energy absorbing layer.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus for playing sports according to  claim 1 , wherein said body is selected from the group consisting of wood, composite, metals, fiberglass, plastic, KEVLAR®, carbon and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said energy absorbing layer further comprises a viscoelastic layer.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein said viscoelastic layer further comprises a viscoelastic tape disposed about said body.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein said impact resistant layer further comprises a polycarbonate material.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein said impact resistant layer further comprises a polycarbonate sleeve disposed over said body.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said polycarbonate sleeve includes corners having more polycarbonate material than between said corners.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said body further comprises a recessed portion accommodating at least one of said energy absorbing layer and said impact resistant layer.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein said recessed portion extends annularly around said body.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein a depth of said recessed portion is substantially equal to a thickness of the energy absorbing layer and the impact resistant layer.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein said impact resistant layer is substantially coplanar with an external surface of said body.  
     
     
         12 . A hockey stick comprising: 
 a shaft having a first end and a second end; and    a blade adjacent said first end of said shaft; 
 wherein said shaft of said hockey stick includes a body and an impact resistant layer coupled to body.  
   
     
     
         13 . The hockey stick according to  claim 12  further comprising an energy absorbing layer disposed between said body and said impact resistant layer.  
     
     
         14 . The hockey stick according to  claim 13  wherein said energy absorbing layer substantially encircles said body of said shaft.  
     
     
         15 . The hockey stick according to  claim 14  wherein said impact resistant layer substantially encircles said energy absorbing layer.  
     
     
         16 . The hockey stick according to  claim 15  wherein said impact resistant layer further comprises a polycarbonate layer.  
     
     
         17 . The hockey stick according to  claim 16  wherein said energy absorbing layer further comprises a viscoelastic layer.  
     
     
         18 . The hockey stick according to  claim 13  wherein said impact resistant layer and said energy absorbing layer are disposed adjacent a lower portion of said shaft proximate said first end.  
     
     
         19 . The hockey stick according to  claim 13  wherein said impact resistant layer and said energy absorbing layer are disposed adjacent an upper portion of said shaft proximate said second end.  
     
     
         20 . The hockey stick according to  claim 13 , wherein said impact resistant layer and said energy absorbing layer are disposed substantially along said shaft between said first end and said second end.  
     
     
         21 . A method of preparing a shaft comprising the steps of: 
 providing a shaft body;    securing an energy absorbing layer to said body; and    securing an impact resistant layer to said energy absorbing layer.    
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 21  wherein said step of securing said energy absorbing layer to said body further comprises wrapping an energy absorbing tape around said body.  
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 22  wherein said step of wrapping said energy absorbing layer around said body further comprises wrapping a viscoelastic layer around said body.  
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein said viscoelastic layer has a width substantially the same as a circumference of the shaft body.  
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 24  wherein said step of securing said impact resistant layer to said energy absorbing layer further comprises disposing an impact resistant sleeve over said energy absorbing layer.  
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 25  wherein said step of disposing said impact resistant sleeve over said energy absorbing layer further comprises snapping said impact resistant sleeve over said shaft body via a longitudinal slot formed in said impact resistant sleeve.  
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 25  wherein said step of disposing said impact resistant sleeve over said energy absorbing layer further comprises telescopically sliding said impact resistant sleeve over said shaft body.