A sports shaft having an elongated body having a perimeter defined by a plurality of main walls with adjacent ones of the main walls being interconnected through a corresponding one of a plurality of edge walls, the edge walls being spaced apart around the perimeter. A respective bumper extends along at least part of length of at least one of the edge walls. The main and edge walls without the respective bumper have a first stiffness along a longitudinal direction of the shaft, and a combination of the respective bumper with the at least one of the edge walls has a stiffness along the longitudinal direction greater than the first stiffness. A method of making a sports shaft is also discussed.

A sports shaft having an elongated body having a perimeter defined by a plurality of main walls with adjacent ones of the main walls being interconnected through a corresponding one of a plurality of edge walls, the edge walls being spaced apart around the perimeter. A respective bumper extends along at least part of length of at least one of the edge walls. The main and edge walls without the respective bumper have a first stiffness along a longitudinal direction of the shaft, and a combination of the respective bumper with the at least one of the edge walls has a stiffness along the longitudinal direction greater than the first stiffness. A method of making a sports shaft is also discussed.

A system has footwear and a striking device. The striking device has a shaft connected to a striking surface for contacting an object. A sensor affixed to the shaft changes electrical resistance when the striking surface is swung to contact the object to in turn generate a signal reflective of the deflection of the shaft. The footwear is configured with an array of sensors that change at least one electrical characteristic upon deflection when the player is operating the striking device. The footwear is to send signals reflective of the deflection of the feet as the shaft is swung. The signals reflective of the deflection of the shaft and the footwear are sent to a cell phone, notebook, PC or the like suitably programmed to present audio and visual images of the feet positions and movement and movement of the striking device (e.g., golf club, racket).

A system has footwear and a striking device. The striking device has a shaft connected to a striking surface for contacting an object. A sensor affixed to the shaft changes electrical resistance when the striking surface is swung to contact the object to in turn generate a signal reflective of the deflection of the shaft. The footwear is configured with an array of sensors that change at least one electrical characteristic upon deflection when the player is operating the striking device. The footwear is to send signals reflective of the deflection of the feet as the shaft is swung. The signals reflective of the deflection of the shaft and the footwear are sent to a cell phone, notebook, PC or the like suitably programmed to present audio and visual images of the feet positions and movement and movement of the striking device (e.g., golf club, racket).

A hockey-stick blade includes a reinforcing frame that provides improved strength, rigidity, and impact resistance. The reinforcing frame may be continuous along the top, bottom, and toe edges of the hockey-stick blade. The reinforcing frame optionally is a tubular structure made of fiber-reinforced epoxy resin. The interior of the reinforcing frame may include a core made of a resilient material, such as an expandable syntactic foam. Fiber reinforcement may also be included in the frame's construction.

A hockey-stick blade includes a reinforcing frame that provides improved strength, rigidity, and impact resistance. The reinforcing frame may be continuous along the top, bottom, and toe edges of the hockey-stick blade. The reinforcing frame optionally is a tubular structure made of fiber-reinforced epoxy resin. The interior of the reinforcing frame may include a core made of a resilient material, such as an expandable syntactic foam. Fiber reinforcement may also be included in the frame's construction.

A resilient rod that provides adjustable directional resistance is disclosed. In one aspect of the invention, a resistance level may be determined based on a thickness of the rod and a position of an applied force with respect to a fulcrum point. In another aspect of the invention, at least one spine may be attached to the beam to increase a diameter of the beam along one axis. The resistance level may be determined based on the thickness of the rod, the position of the applied force and an orientation of the at least one spine with regard to the direction of the applied force. In other aspects of the invention, the resilient rods may be incorporated into a golf club that provides for adjustable resistance levels.

A device (e.g., an article of athletic gear) comprising a post-molded expandable component, which is a part of the device that is configured to be expanded or has been expanded after being molded. This may allow the post-molded expandable component to have enhanced characteristics (e.g., be more shock-absorbent, lighter, etc.), to be cost-effectively manufactured (e.g., by using less material and/or making it in various sizes), and/or to be customized for a user (e.g., by custom-fitting it to the user).

A device (e.g., an article of athletic gear) comprising a post-molded expandable component, which is a part of the device that is configured to be expanded or has been expanded after being molded. This may allow the post-molded expandable component to have enhanced characteristics (e.g., be more shock-absorbent, lighter, etc.), to be cost-effectively manufactured (e.g., by using less material and/or making it in various sizes), and/or to be customized for a user (e.g., by custom-fitting it to the user).

A goalie hockey stick including a shaft with two bends in it, a vertical paddle and a blade with an added bend that allows goaltenders to play their position with the goal of stopping the puck from scoring by blocking the puck or deflecting the puck away from the opening of the goal. It also allows the goalie to play, control, pass and shoot the puck both standing and on their knees.