Hockey stick shaft

Abstract

The present invention provides an improved hockey stick shaft ( 10 ) with improved handling characteristics which is particularly useful for street hockey. The shaft has an elongated main body portion ( 11 ) and one or more rib portions ( 12 A, 12 B, 12 C, 12 D) coextruded on the exterior surface of the main body portion, wherein the coefficient of friction of the main body portion is less than the coefficient of friction of the rib portion(s). The invention also includes a hockey stick ( 15 ) having a shaft with such characteristics.

1 . A hockey stick shaft, comprising; 
 an elongated main body portion having an exterior surface and a first coefficient of friction; and    at least one rib portion having an exterior surface and a second coefficient of friction, said rib portion and said main body portion being coextruded at the time of formation;    wherein said second coefficient of friction is greater than said first coefficient of friction.    
   
   
       2 . The hockey stick shaft as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said main body portion has a generally rectangular cross-section.  
   
   
       3 . The hockey stick shaft as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said main body portion comprises polypropylene, polyethylene, vinyl or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene.  
   
   
       4 . The hockey stick shaft as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said rib portion comprises ethylene vinyl acetate, sanoprene or low density polyethylene.  
   
   
       5 . The hockey stick shaft as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said main body portion is hollow.  
   
   
       6 . The hockey stick shaft as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a hockey stick blade fastened to the distal end of said main body portion.    
   
   
       7 . The hockey stick shaft as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said main body portion has an exterior surface and a longitudinal axis, and wherein said rib portion is coextruded on said exterior surface of said main body portion generally parallel to said longitudinal axis.  
   
   
       8 . The hockey stick shaft as set forth in  claim 7  wherein said rib portion extends from a proximal end of said main body portion to a distal end of said main body portion.  
   
   
       9 . A hockey stick, comprising: 
 a hockey stick shaft having an elongated main body portion with an exterior surface having a first coefficient of friction, at least one rib portion with an exterior surface having a second coefficient of friction, wherein said rib portion and said main body portion are coextruded at the time of formation, and wherein said second coefficient of friction is greater than said first coefficient of friction; and    a hockey stick blade.    
   
   
       10 . The hockey stick as set forth in  claim 9 , further comprising: 
 a handle.    
   
   
       11 . A method of forming a hockey stick shaft, comprising: 
 introducing into an extrusion device material with a first coefficient of friction, for forming a main body portion of said hockey stick shaft;    introducing into an extrusion device material with a second coefficient of friction, for forming a rib portion of said hockey stick shaft;    co-extruding said main body portion material and said rib portion material through said extrusion device to form said hockey stick shaft with said rib portion extending outwardly from an exterior surface of said main body portion.    
   
   
       12 . The method as set forth in  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 attaching a blade to said hockey stick shaft.    
   
   
       13 . A hockey stick shaft, comprising; 
 an elongated main body portion having an exterior surface and a first coefficient of friction; and    at least one rib portion having an exterior surface and a second coefficient of friction, said rib portion being extruded on said main body portion;    wherein said second coefficient of friction is greater than said first coefficient of friction.    
   
   
       14 . The hockey stick shaft as set forth in  claim 13  wherein said main body portion has a generally rectangular cross-section.  
   
   
       15 . The hockey stick shaft as set forth in  claim 13  wherein said main body portion comprises polypropylene, polyethylene, vinyl or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene.  
   
   
       16 . The hockey stick shaft as set forth in  claim 13  wherein said rib portion comprises ethylene vinyl acetate, sanoprene or low density polyethylene.  
   
   
       17 . The hockey stick shaft as set forth in  claim 13  wherein said main body portion is hollow.  
   
   
       18 . The hockey stick shaft as set forth in  claim 13 , further comprising: 
 a hockey stick blade fastened to the distal end of said main body portion.    
   
   
       19 . The hockey stick shaft as set forth in  claim 13  wherein said main body portion has an exterior surface and a longitudinal axis, and wherein said rib portion is coextruded on said exterior surface of said main body portion generally parallel to said longitudinal axis.  
   
   
       20 . The hockey stick shaft as set forth in  claim 19  wherein said rib portion extends from a proximal end of said main body portion to a distal end of said main body portion.  
   
   
       21 . A hockey stick, comprising: 
 a hockey stick shaft having an elongated main body portion with an exterior surface having a first coefficient of friction, at least one rib portion with an exterior surface having a second coefficient of friction, wherein said rib portion is extruded on said main body portion, and wherein said second coefficient of friction is greater than said first coefficient of friction; and    a hockey stick blade.    
   
   
       22 . The hockey stick as set forth in  claim 21 , further comprising: 
 a handle.    
   
   
       23 . A method of forming a hockey stick shaft, comprising: 
 introducing into an extrusion device material with a first coefficient of friction, for forming a main body portion of said hockey stick shaft;    introducing into an extrusion device material with a second coefficient of friction, for forming a rib portion of said hockey stick shaft;    extruding said main body portion material through said extrusion device;    extruding said rib portion material through said extrusion device;    to form said hockey stick shaft with said rib portion extending outwardly from an exterior surface of said main body portion.    
   
   
       24 . The method as set forth in  claim 23 , further comprising: 
 attaching a blade to said hockey stick shaft.