Puck and method for manufacturing a puck

Abstract

A puck having an outer shell formed using a cylindrical body and a circular cover. The cylindrical cover exhibits a first groove and tongue structure formed in an axial end surface of the cylindrical body, which surrounds a cavity formed in the cylindrical body. The circular cover includes a second groove and tongue structure formed in a surface of the circular cover and fitting to the first groove and tongue structure. The circular cover is attached to the cylindrical body using the first and the second groove and tongue structure.

Claims

1. A puck, comprising: an outer shell formed using a cylindrical body and a circular cover, wherein a side wall of the cylindrical body has a thickness greater than a thickness of a base of the cylindrical body; a first groove and tongue structure formed in an axial end surface of the side wall of the cylindrical body, which surrounds a cavity formed in the cylindrical body, the cavity extending through the center axis of the cylindrical body and comprising an insert loaded into the cavity, wherein the cavity is adapted to the shape of the insert; a second groove and tongue structure formed in a surface of the circular cover and fitting to the first groove and tongue structure, wherein the circular cover is attached to the cylindrical body using the first and second groove and tongue structures, wherein all parts of the circular cover located radially inside the groove and tongue structures have a thickness larger than a thickness of a part of the circular cover located radially outside of the groove and tongue structures, wherein said axial end surface has a height that is greater on a radially outer side of said first groove and tongue structure than on a radially inner side of said first groove and tongue structure, wherein said circular cover is correspondingly thinner on a radially outer side of said second groove and tongue structure than on a radially inner side of said second groove and tongue structure, wherein a thicker portion of said circular cover on the radially inner side of the second groove and tongue structure overlaps the axial end surface of said side wall, and wherein at least one of the first and second groove and tongue structures comprises a tongue inserted into a groove of the other of the first and second groove and tongue structures, wherein a dimension of the tongue is slightly larger than a dimension of the groove to obtain at least a medium fit.

2. The puck according to claim 1, wherein the cylindrical body and the circular cover are attached to each other by vulcanization.

3. The puck according to claim 1, wherein the cavity and the insert are configured to preserve a center of gravity of the puck when the cavity is loaded with the insert.

4. The puck according to claim 1, wherein diameters of the circular cover and of the cylindrical body correspond to a total diameter of the puck.

5. The puck according to claim 1, wherein the groove and tongue structures comprise at least a tongue comprising a rounded edge.

6. The puck according to claim 1, wherein a joint of the cylindrical body and the circular cover is arranged on a rough surface of the puck or on a border between a smooth surface and a rough or patterned surface of the puck.

7. The puck according to claim 1, wherein the groove and tongue structures comprise annular continuous groove and tongue structures.

8. The puck according to claim 1, wherein the outer shell is formed using the cylindrical body, the circular cover, and a second circular cover, and wherein a third groove and tongue structure is formed in a second axial end surface of the cylindrical body, which surrounds the cavity or another cavity formed in the cylindrical body; and wherein the second circular cover comprises a fourth groove and tongue structure formed in a surface of the second circular cover and fitting to the third groove and tongue structure; wherein the second circular cover is attached to the cylindrical body using the third and fourth groove and tongue structures.

9. A method for manufacturing a puck comprising an outer shell formed using a cylindrical body and a circular cover, wherein a side wall of the cylindrical body has a thickness greater than a thickness of a base of the cylindrical body, wherein the method comprises: providing the cylindrical body with a first groove and tongue structure on an axial end surface of the side wall of the cylindrical body, which surrounds a cavity formed in the cylindrical body, the cavity extending through the center axis of the cylindrical body, providing the circular cover with a second groove and tongue structure on a surface of the circular cover and fitting to the first groove and tongue structure, attaching to each other the cylindrical body and the circular cover using the first and second groove and tongue structures, wherein all parts of the circular cover located radially inside the groove and tongue structures have a thickness larger than a thickness of a part of the circular cover located radially outside of the groove and tongue structures, wherein said axial end surface has a height that is greater on a radially outer side of said first groove and tongue structure than on a radially inner side of said first groove and tongue structure, wherein said circular cover is correspondingly thinner on a radially outer side of said second groove and tongue structure than on a radially inner side of said second groove and tongue structure, wherein a thicker portion of said circular cover on the radially inner side of the second groove and tongue structure overlaps the axial end surface of said side wall, wherein at least one of the first and second groove and tongue structures comprises a tongue inserted into a groove of the other of the first and second groove and tongue structures, wherein a dimension of the tongue is slightly larger than a dimension of the groove to obtain at least a medium fit, and putting an insert inside the cavity of the cylindrical body prior to attaching the cylindrical body and the circular cover to each other, wherein the cavity is adapted to the shape of the insert.

10. The method for manufacturing a puck according to claim 9, wherein the method comprises attaching the cylindrical body and the circular cover by vulcanization.

11. The method for manufacturing a puck according to claim 9, wherein providing the cylindrical body and the circular cover comprises molding the cylindrical body and the circular cover.

12. The method for manufacturing a puck according to claim 9, further comprising: providing the cylindrical body with a third groove and tongue structure formed in a second axial end surface of the cylindrical body, which surrounds the cavity or another cavity formed in the cylindrical body; providing a second circular cover comprising a fourth groove and tongue structure formed in a surface thereof and fitting to the third groove and tongue structure; and attaching to each other the cylindrical body and the second circular cover using the third and fourth groove and tongue structures.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Embodiments of the present invention will be detailed subsequently referring to the appended drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a hockey puck;

(3) FIG. 2A-C show schematic views of the cylindrical cover of the puck shown in FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of the cylindrical body of the puck shown in FIG. 1; and

(5) FIG. 4 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a hockey puck according to another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(6) In embodiments, the puck may be a hockey puck. In embodiments, the puck may be an ice hockey puck, a roller hockey puck, a box hockey puck or an air hockey puck. In other embodiments, the puck may be configured for other games, such as novuss, shuffleboard or table shuffleboard.

(7) FIG. 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a hockey puck according to an embodiment of the invention. The hockey puck comprises an outer shell 10 formed using a cylindrical body 12 (base body) and a circular cover 14. FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of the circular cover 14, FIG. 2B shows a bottom view (relative to the orientation of the puck shown in FIG. 1) of the circular cover 14, and FIG. 2C shows a side view of the circular cover 14. FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the cylindrical body 12.

(8) The cylindrical body 12 is a hollow cylindrical body and comprises a circular end surface 15 and an annular end surface 16. The annular end surface 16 surrounds a cavity 18 of the cylindrical body 12. The cavity 18 is closed at one end (the lower end) of the cylindrical body 12. An annular groove 20 is formed in the annular end surface 16. The groove 20 represents a first groove and tongue structure. The circular cover 14 comprises an annular tongue 22 representing a second groove and tongue structure. The first and second groove and tongue structures fit to each other in that the shapes and dimensions thereof are adapted to each other.

(9) The cylindrical body 12 and the circular cover 14 are attached to each other using groove 20 and tongue 22. Thus, cavity 18 is closed by circular cover 14. To this end, tongue 22 is inserted into groove 20 and engages groove 20. The dimensions of tongue 22 may be slightly larger than the dimensions of groove 20 to obtain at least a medium fit.

(10) In embodiments, vulcanization may be used to attach the cylindrical body 12 and the circular cover 14 to each other. Alternatively or in addition, an adhesive may be used to additionally attach the cylindrical body 12 to the circular cover 14.

(11) Thus, the cylindrical body 12 and the circular cover 14 are attached to each other at a joint 24. The area in which the cylindrical body 12 and the circular cover 14 are attached to each other is increased by the groove and tongue structure when compared to a case in which the groove and tongue structures are not provided. The precise alignment of cover 14 and base body 12 and the enlarged area used for adhesion leads to a more robust joint able to better resist acting forces.

(12) The outer diameter of the cylindrical body 12 may correspond to the diameter of the circular cover 14. Thus, a substantially smooth outer cylindrical surface is obtained upon attaching the cylindrical body 12 to the circular cover 14. As shown in FIG. 2C, the thickness D.sub.1 (in the axial direction) of the part of the circular cover 14 located radially inside of tongue 22 may be larger than the thickness D.sub.2 of the part of the circular cover located radially outside of the tongue. The shape of the end surface 16 of the cylindrical body 12 is adapted accordingly. To be more specific, the distance between the circular end surface 15 and the part of the end surface 16 located radially inside of groove 20 is less than the distance between the circular end surface 15 and the part of the end surface 16 located radially outside of groove 20. The increased thickness in the central portion of the circular cover 14 may beneficial to increase a stability of the outer shell 10 of the puck.

(13) An insert (not shown) may be loaded into cavity 18 before the cylindrical body 12 and the circular cover 14 are attached to each other. The insert may be, for example, an electronic device useful for locating the hockey puck. The insert may also be a weight which can be useful to improve the physical properties of the hockey puck when playing hockey with it.

(14) Accordingly, on the inside of the cover 14 a continuously annular tongue 22 is located which is fitted to a groove 20 of a base body 12. In this manner, cover 14 and base body 12 can be attached and aligned to each other accurately, so that none of the two parts is protruding on any point of joint 24. This enables a higher durability so that the adhesion can better resist strain acting from the outside. To simplify engagement of the cover 14 and the base body 12, the edges of the tongue 22 may be rounded off, as it is indicated in FIG. 2C.

(15) The groove 20 and the cavity 18 are located on the side of the cylindrical body 12 facing the cover 14. The cavity 18 may be loaded with an insert and the shape of the cavity may be adapted to the shape of the insert. For example, the cavity 18 may be cylindrical or may be star-shaped in a plan view. The shape of the axial end surface surrounding the cavity depends on the shape of the cavity in a plan view. If the cavity is circular in a plan view, the end surface will be completely annular. In either case, the axial end surface surrounds the cavity like a frame and, therefore, may be regarded as being frame-shaped.

(16) Furthermore, the position of the cavity 18 may be adjusted to the insert, for example an electronic device, so that the center of gravity of the puck is not altered despite of loading with the insert. The puck may comprise several layers with differing densities (base material of the puck, circuit board, battery, etc.). In order to achieve playability, which is for example identical to an conventional puck, the center of gravity of the puck can be located in the center of the cylindrical body of the puck, if not the puck may fall on one side or is played from one side (see “jam sandwich principle”). When the insert is symmetrically assembled (e.g. a circular circuit board located in between two button cells), the physical center of gravity lies in the geometric center of the insert. Therefore, in this case the density distribution of the outer shell can be symmetric, to make the physical center of gravity coincide with the geometric center, as it is the case with conventional pucks. This can be achieved by an identical material thickness in radial direction (coaxial alignment of cavity 18) and in axial direction (central alignment of cavity 18), which leads to an identical material thickness above (i.e. in the center of cover 14) and below (i.e. in the center of base body 12) cavity 18.

(17) FIG. 4 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a hockey puck according to another embodiment of the invention. The hockey puck shown in FIG. 4 comprises an outer shell 10a. The outer shell 10a is formed using a cylindrical body 12a, a first circular cover 14a and a second circular cover 14b. The cylindrical body 12a comprises a cavity 18a, which is open at both ends of the cylindrical body 12a. Thus, the cylindrical body 12a is ring-shaped and has two annular end surfaces 16a and 16b. A first annular groove 20a is formed in the first annular end surface 16a and a second annular groove 20b is formed in the second annular end surface 16b. The circular cover 14a comprises a first tongue 22a, and the second circular cover 14b comprises a second tongue 22b. The first circular cover 14a is attached to the cylindrical body 12a using the first groove 20a and the first tongue 22a. The second circular cover 14b is attached to the cylindrical body 12a using the second groove 20b and the second tongue 22b. Thus, the puck comprises two joints 24a and 24b.

(18) Thus, when compared to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 comprises a cylindrical body with two open ends and two covers. For the rest, the explanations given herein with respect to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 also apply for the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 and need not be repeated.

(19) In embodiments, the single cavity 18a shown in FIG. 4 may be replaced by two cavities separated from each other, wherein a first one is covered by cover 14a and a second one is covered by cover 14b.

(20) Generally, portions of an outer cylindrical surface of a puck may be rough or patterned surface portions. In embodiments, the cylindrical body may comprise a rough or patterned outer surface portion 30, see FIG. 3. A rough surface may be useful for increasing friction when playing hockey with the puck. In embodiments, the joints between the respective cover and the cylindrical body may be arranged so that they are substantially invisible. To this end, the joints may be placed on a border between a rough surface and a smooth surface of the puck. Alternatively, the joints may be placed within the rough surface and at least portions of an outer cylindrical surface of the cover may be rough as well.

(21) In embodiments, the groove and tongue structures are continuous annular groove and tongue structures which are beneficial since the surface used for attaching the respective cover to the circular body may be maximized due to the continuity.

(22) In embodiments, the components of the outer shell of the puck may be formed of a material suitable for vulcanization, such as rubber or polymer. In embodiments, the components of the outer shell of the puck may be formed of plastic.

(23) Generally, the cylindrical body and the circular cover may be arranged coaxial. As used herein, the term axial relates to the longitudinal center axis of the cylindrical body.

(24) In the embodiments described referring to the Figures, the cover comprises a tongue and the cylindrical body comprises a groove. In other embodiments, in which the cover has a larger thickness, the cover may comprise a groove and the cylindrical body may comprise a tongue. Alternatively the cover may comprise a tongue and a groove and the cylindrical body may comprise a tongue and a groove. In embodiments, several tongues and grooves, such as several coaxial tongues and grooves, may be formed in the cover and/or cylindrical body. In embodiments, the groove and tongue structures may be provided in the shape of intermittent tongues and grooves. The term “groove and tongue structure” as used herein is intended to cover such cases.

(25) In embodiments, the joint may be shifted to another position when compared to the described position. For example, thicker covers could be used so that the joint is moved more toward the center in the axial direction. In addition, asymmetrical groove and tongue structures could be used.

(26) Embodiments relate to an approach for implementing hockey pucks, which is fundamentally different from other approaches and may enable potential future mass production. The approach may comprise a separate production of the cover and the base body, for which an injection molding process may be chosen. The injection molding process offers a narrow tolerance range in terms of accuracy and thereby enables an exact fitting of cover and base body.

(27) A diameter of the cover and the base body may correspond to a total diameter of the puck. In addition, the cover and the base body may be arranged coaxially. A joint between these two parts may therefore be located on the cylindrical outer surface (mantel) of the puck and can be arranged, so that it coincides with an edge of a corrugated, or rough, surface, which may comprise an elevated labeling, and a smooth surface, which may comprise a planar imprint. Thereby, it can be ensured that the joint is not visible from the outside.

(28) The cover and a base body are attached to each other by means of groove and tongue structures. On the inside of the cover for example a continuously annular tongue is located which is fitted to a groove of a base body. In this manner, cover and base body can be attached and aligned to each other accurately, so that none of the two parts is protruding on any point of the joint. This enables a higher durability so that the adhesion can better resist strain acting from the outside. To simplify the fitting of the cover and the base body, the edges of the tongue may be rounded off.

(29) Embodiments provide movendum pucks fitted with a technical product, which are indistinguishable from conventional pucks, neither optical (invisible joints) nor from its playing characteristic (identical center of gravity). This leads to an improved acceptance of the players for intelligent playing devices.

(30) According to a further aspect, an approach enables large scale production for loading arbitrary products into cylindrical playing devices, wherein the outer shell of the movendum comprises several individual parts which are produced in a more accurate production process than off-the-shelf playing devices. The tedious detour of mechanical post processing of standard products thereby becomes obsolete.

(31) According to a further aspect, the precise alignment of cover and base body and the strongly enlarged area used for adhesion leads to a more robust joint able to better resist acting forces.

(32) According to a further aspect, the joints between the circular cover and the cylindrical body can be located on an arbitrary location on the puck.

(33) Although some aspects have been described in the context of an apparatus, it is clear that these aspects also represent a description of the corresponding manufacturing method. Thus, description of the respective features in connection with an apparatus is to be regarded as a description of corresponding features of a manufacturing method and such a description was not repeated in this specification.

(34) While this invention has been described in terms of several embodiments, there are alterations, permutations, and equivalents which fall within the scope of this invention. It should also be noted that there are many alternative ways of implementing the methods and compositions of the present invention. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims be interpreted as including all such alterations, permutations and equivalents as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.