Hockey Stick Blade Protector

Abstract

A hockey stick blade protector is disclosed that may include a rear heel harness, a blade guide, and a toe scaffold.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a rear harness configured to engage a heel of a hockey stick blade;   a toe scaffold configured to engage a toe of the hockey stick blade; and   a blade guide configured to engage a bottom of the hockey stick blade,
 wherein the blade guide extends longitudinally from the rear harness to the toe scaffold, wherein the toe scaffold comprises a vertical member extending from the blade guide to an upper portion of the toe scaffold, and wherein the vertical member is integrally affixed to the upper portion of the toe scaffold and the blade guide. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the rear harness, the blade guide, and the toe scaffold comprise a polymer, an elastomer, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the rear harness, the blade guide, and the toe scaffold comprise UH-64DU 20 TPU, U95A TPU, Hytrel® 6356, Nylon (PA66), glass fiber, carbon fiber, an elastomer, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the blade guide further comprises a slot extending longitudinally from the toe scaffold to the rear harness, and wherein the slot is configured to removably receive the bottom of the hockey stick blade. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the vertical member extends at an angle in a rearward direction towards the heel from a top of the blade protector to a bottom of the blade protector. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further configured for use in both right-handed and left-handed hockey sticks. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a coefficient of abrasivity from about 0.01 to about 0.25 against asphalt and concrete. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the rear harness further comprises a plurality of loops configured to engage a strap, and wherein the strap is configured to removably secure the rear harness to a hosel of the hockey stick blade. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the strap comprises a hook and loop attachment means. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the vertical support comprises a carbon fiber texture, and wherein the carbon fiber texture includes a carbon fiber weave direction oriented generally in a longitudinal blade direction. 
     
     
         11 . A hockey stick comprising the apparatus of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         12 . A method of making the apparatus of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         13 . A hockey stick blade protector comprising:
 a rear harness configured to engage a blade heel of a hockey stick, and wherein the rear harness comprises at least two loops;   a strap configured to engage the at least two loops, and wherein the strap comprises a hook and loop attachment area configured to secure the rear harness and the strap to a hosel of the hockey stick;   a toe scaffold configured to engage a toe of the hockey stick blade; and   a blade guide configured to engage a bottom of the hockey stick blade, wherein the blade guide extends longitudinally from the rear harness to the toe scaffold, wherein the toe scaffold comprises a vertical member extending from the blade guide to an upper portion of the toe scaffold, and wherein the vertical member is integrally affixed to the upper portion of the toe scaffold and the blade guide.   
     
     
         14 . The hockey stick blade protector of  claim 13 , wherein the hockey stick blade protector is configured for use in both right-handed and left-handed hockey sticks. 
     
     
         15 . The hockey stick blade protector of  claim 14 , wherein the vertical member extends at an angle in a rearward direction towards the heel from a top of the blade protector to a bottom of the blade protector. 
     
     
         16 . The hockey stick blade protector of  claim 15 , wherein the hockey stick blade protector comprises a polymer, an elastomer, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The hockey stick blade protector of  claim 16 , wherein the rear harness, the blade guide, and the toe scaffold comprise UH-64DU 20 TPU, U95A TPU, Hytrel® 6356, Nylon (PA66), glass fiber, carbon fiber, an elastomer, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         18 . A kit for use in protecting a hockey stick blade comprising:
 a hockey stick blade protector comprising:
 a rear harness configured to engage a blade heel of a hockey stick, wherein the rear harness comprises at least two loops, 
 a strap configured to engage the at least two loops, wherein the strap comprises a hook and loop attachment area configured to secure the rear harness and the strap to a hosel of the hockey stick, 
 a toe scaffold configured to engage a toe of the hockey stick blade, and 
 a blade guide configured to engage a bottom of the hockey stick blade, wherein the blade guide extends longitudinally from the rear harness to the toe scaffold, wherein the toe scaffold comprises a vertical member extending from the blade guide to an upper portion of the toe scaffold, and wherein the vertical member is integrally affixed to the upper portion of the toe scaffold and the blade guide: 
   printed instructions; and   a unitary packaging assembly, wherein the hockey stick blade protector and the printed instructions are combined into the unitary packaging assembly.   
     
     
         19 . The kit of  claim 18 , wherein the printed instructions are integral with the unitary packaging assembly. 
     
     
         20 . The kit of  claim 19 , wherein the hockey stick blade protector comprises UH-64DU 20 TPU, U95A TPU, Hytrel® 6356, Nylon (PA66), glass fiber, carbon fiber, an elastomer, or combinations thereof.