Hockey Sticks and Methods for Formed Hockey Sticks

Abstract

A hockey stick blade can also include a first region and a second region. The first region can be a top section of the blade portion, and the second region can be a bottom section of the blade. The first region can include a plurality of support elements. Also, the plurality of support elements may define a series of openings extending through the blade portion. The second region may be formed from one or more layers of carbon fiber tape that are preimpregnated with resin, and wrapped around an optional foam core.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a blade portion comprising a heel section and a toe section, a first region and a second region;   wherein the first region comprises a truss, the truss comprising a plurality of ribs and wherein the ribs define a series of openings extending through the blade portion and at least two ribs of the plurality of ribs intersect and form an angle relative to each other;   wherein the second region comprises one or more layers of prepreg and a core and wherein the layers of prepreg are wrapped around the core;   wherein the first region is a top section of the blade portion and wherein the second region is a bottom section of the blade portion;   wherein the second region has more mass than the first region.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of ribs is greater than or equal to four and wherein the series of openings is greater than or equal to five. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first region comprises an edge and wherein the ribs are connected to the edge. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first region to second region weight ratio is less than or equal to about 0.67. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first region is formed of a first material and the second region is formed of a second material. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first region is one of prepreg, SMC or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein a first rib and a second rib of the plurality of ribs extend at an acute angle relative to each other. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a hosel and wherein the second region extends to the hosel and wherein the first region extends adjacent to the hosel to the toe section of the blade portion. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the second region comprises a rib extending from the heel section to the toe section of the blade portion. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first region is stiffer than the second region. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein at least two ribs of the plurality of ribs intersect at a perimeter of the blade portion. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the openings comprise multiple polynomials and wherein the polynomials are of different types. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the polynomials are of different sizes and approximate one or more triangles. 
     
     
         14 . A method comprising:
 forming a blade structure with a first region with a plurality of ribs and a series of openings extending through the blade structure;   forming a second region by wrapping one or more layers of prepreg around a core;   placing the first region and the second region into a mold; and   heating the mold to form a blade portion.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising forming an upper edge and connecting the upper edge to the second region with the plurality of ribs. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising forming the first region of a first material and forming the second region of a second material. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the first region and the second region are wrapped with one or more layers of prepreg material. 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus comprising:
 a blade portion comprising a heel section and a toe section, a first region and a second region, an edge extending from an area adjacent to the heel section to the toe section;   wherein the first region comprises a plurality of support elements and wherein the support elements define a series of openings extending through the blade portion;   wherein the second region comprises one or more layers of prepreg and a core and wherein the prepreg layers are wrapped around the core;   wherein the plurality of support elements support the edge and connect the second region to the edge.   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18  wherein the first region to second region weight ratio is less than or equal to about 0.67. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 18  wherein the second region comprises an internal rib extending from the heel section to the toe section.