Flexible shaft for hockey stick

Abstract

A stick for ice hockey is provided. The shaft of the hockey stick has at least three sections with differing cross-sectional profiles along the longitudinal axis of the stick, with the upper and lower sections of the stick comprising four walls, each with a cross-sectional concave surface, and the middle section of the stick comprising four walls, three of which comprise a cross-sectional concave surface and one of which comprises a cross-sectional convex surface. This configuration permits a player to load the shaft of the stick more easily as compared to traditional hockey sticks and provides a more ergonomic design.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A hockey stick having a shaft with a longitudinal axis and a first end and a second end defining a length therebetween, having non-uniform cross-sections along the shaft, comprising:
 a. an upper section along the longitudinal axis terminating at the first end and comprising four walls, each of which comprises a cross-sectional convex surface;   b. a middle section along the longitudinal axis comprising four walls, three of which comprise a cross-sectional convex surface and one of which comprises a cross-sectional concave surface;   c. a lower section along the longitudinal axis terminating at the second end and comprising four walls, each of which comprises a cross-sectional convex surface; and   d. a blade connected to the second end.   
     
     
         2 . The hockey stick of  claim 1 , further comprising a first transitional section between the upper section and the middle section. 
     
     
         3 . The hockey stick of  claim 2 , further comprising a second transitional section between the middle section and the lower section. 
     
     
         4 . The hockey stick of  claim 1 , in which the lower section tapers towards said blade. 
     
     
         5 . The hockey stick of  claim 1 , said shaft having a hollow core surrounded by walls, said shaft having a generally quadrilateral cross-section. 
     
     
         6 . The hockey stick of  claim 5 , in which the cross-section is generally rectangular. 
     
     
         7 . The hockey stick of  claim 6 , in which the concave wall is parallel to the blade. 
     
     
         8 . The hockey stick of  claim 5 , in which the walls have equal thickness throughout the length of the shaft. 
     
     
         9 . The hockey stick of  claim 5 , in which the walls of the upper section of the shaft are thinner than the walls of the middle section. 
     
     
         10 . The hockey stick of  claim 3 , in which
 a. the upper section is 11.2-16.8% of the length;   b. the first transitional section is 2-18% of the length;   c. the middle section is 24-36% of the length;   d. the second transitional section is 2-18% of the length; and   e. the lower section is 28.8-43.2% of the length.   
     
     
         11 . The hockey stick of  claim 3 , in which
 a. the upper section is 12.6-15.4% of the length;   b. the first transitional section is 6-14% of the length;   c. the middle section is 27-33% of the length;   d. the second transitional section is 6-14% of the length; and   e. the lower section is 32.4-39.6% of the length.   
     
     
         12 . The hockey stick of  claim 3 , in which
 a. the upper section is 13.3-14.7% of the length;   b. the first transitional section is 8-12% of the length;   c. the middle section is 28.5-31.5% of the length;   d. the second transitional section is 8-12% of the length; and   e. the lower section is 34.2-37.8% of the length.   
     
     
         13 . The hockey stick of  claim 3 , in which
 a. the upper section is 14% of the length;   b. the first transitional section is 10% of the length;   c. the middle section is 30% of the length;   d. the second transitional section is 10% of the length; and   e. the lower section is 36% of the length.   
     
     
         14 . The hockey stick of  claim 5 , in which adjacent walls are joined by corners, and each of said corners is rounded. 
     
     
         15 . The hockey stick of  claim 3 , in which the shaft has a highest flexibility in the lower section. 
     
     
         16 . The hockey stick of  claim 15 , in which the shaft has a second highest flexibility in the second transitional section. 
     
     
         17 . The hockey stick of  claim 15 , in which flexibility at the second end is 24-26% higher as compared to flexibility in the second transitional section. 
     
     
         18 . The hockey stick of  claim 15 , in which flexibility in the first transitional section is 7-9% higher as compared to flexibility at the first end. 
     
     
         19 . The hockey stick of  claim 1 , made from wood, polymer, or carbon fibre composite. 
     
     
         20 . The hockey stick of  claim 19 , made from carbon fibre composite.