DUAL FUNCTION HOCKEY STICK BLADE PROTECTOR

Abstract

A flexible cover for a hockey stick blade having an elongated body with an open end and a closed end located at opposite ends of the body. The body is an elongated tube or sleeve with a bend between the open and closed ends. The body also features a break in the body of the cover proximate to the open end thereby producing two flaps or sections of the body at the upper end of the body. Integrated into or attached to the flaps are means to join the two flaps of the cover and seal the break, including a zipper. The portion of the body between the open end and the angled portion (upper portion) is narrower than the portion of the cover between the closed end and the angled portion (lower portion). The upper portion is narrower and shorter than the lower portion.

Claims

1. A protective cover for a hockey stick comprising: a flexible body having at least one open end and an angled portion; wherein the body also includes a slit that communicates with the open end of the body to produce two flaps.

2. The protective cover of claim 1 further comprising a closed end of the body located at the opposite end of the body from the open end.

3. The protective cover of claim 2 further comprising a zipper integrated into edges of each of the flaps such that the flaps can be joined together.

4. The protective cover of claim 3 wherein the angled portion is located between the open end and the closed end of the body.

5. The protective cover of claim 4 wherein a portion of the body closest to the open end is narrower than the portion of the body that is closer to the closed end.

6. The protective cover of claim 5 wherein the angled portion includes a rounded corner separating the section containing the open end from the section containing the closed end.

7. The protective cover of claim 6 wherein the portion of the body closest to the open end is shorter than the portion of the body that is closer to the closed end.

8. A protective cover for a hockey stick comprising: a flexible body having an open end and a closed end; wherein the body also features an angled portion between the open end and the closed end.

9. The protective cover of claim 8 wherein the portion of the body closest to the open end is shorter and narrower than the portion of the body that is closer to the closed end.

10. The protective cover of claim 9 further comprising a loop of material attached to the body.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] FIG. 1 is a left side perspective view of an embodiment of the hockey stick cover;

[0014] FIG. 2 is a right-side perspective view thereof;

[0015] FIG. 3 is a left-side perspective view of the hockey stick cover with the zipper unzipped;

[0016] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the hockey stick cover;

[0017] FIG. 5 is a back-perspective view thereof;

[0018] FIG. 6 is a is a left-side perspective view showing the zipper closed;

[0019] FIG. 7 is a right-side perspective view of the hockey stick cover with the zipper closed;

[0020] FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of the hockey stick cover;

[0021] FIG. 9 is a back perspective view of the hockey stick cover with the zipper closed; and

[0022] FIG. 10 is a back perspective view thereof with the zipper open;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] Referring now to the invention in more detail, in FIGS. 1-10, there is shown a preferred embodiment of the hockey stick cover. Specifically, these figures show the cover 10 is made of a flexible body 11 with two endsan open end 12 and a closed end 13located at opposite ends of the cover 10. The body is a tube or sleeve made of a flexible, preferably water resistant, material. A skilled artisan can appreciate that any number of fabrics or other material cold be used to make the device, but the inventor has discovered that neoprene works best because it provides water resistance, flexibility, cushioning and durability. In theory, the device can feature two open ends, but that would not be as commercially desirable as the second open end would allow dirt, moisture or other debris to enter the cover making it less effective.

[0024] The body 11 includes a bent or angled portion 14 reminiscent of the heel of a sock. The angled portion 14 joins the end closest to the open end and the end closest to the closed end of the cover 10. The angle of the angled portion 14 reflects or conforms to the angle between the shaft and blade of a hockey sticktypically 135 degrees in a lot of sticks. However, since that angle can vary quite a bit depending on things such as the position being played and the personal preferences of the player, the flexibility of the body 11 allows the cover 10 to conform to the shape and angle of the hockey stick (not shown). The angled portion 14 produces two curves or corners in the body 11 of the cover 10an inner corner 15 and an outer corner 16. For reference, the portion of the body 11 between the open end 12 and the angled portion 14 is referred to as the upper portion 17 of the cover and the portion of the cover 10 that is between the closed end 13 and the angled portion 14 is referred to as the lower portion 18 of the cover 10.

[0025] FIGS. 1-10 also show a break or slit 19 in the body 11 of the device 10. In preferred embodiments, this slit 19 is located adjacent to and communicates with the open end 12 of the cover 10. This slit allows the user to open the cover 10 when it is being placed onto or removed from a hockey stick. Flanking either side of the slit 19 are means to secure the two flaps 20 formed by the slit 19 such that the cover 10 can be closed. FIGS. 1-10 show a preferred embodiment that uses a zipper 21 to close the two flaps 20 formed by the slit 19, but any number of closure means could be used including hook and loop fasteners, buttons, drawstrings, or simple ties. In addition, in some preferred embodiments of the cover 10, the upper end of the cover 10 is narrower than the lower portion 18 of the device. That difference in width is a function is the shaft of the hockey stick being narrower than the blade of the hockey stick.

[0026] In use, the zipper 21 is unzipped or opened to allow the upper portion 17 of the cover 10 to accept a hockey stick being inserted therein. The user takes the hockey stick blade (not shown) and inserts it into the open end 12 of the cover 10 and pushes the blade of the stick into the cover 10 until the edge of the blade abuts the closed end 13 of the cover 10. The user then secures the fastening means 21 (in this case a zipper) to hold the cover 10 onto the stick and blade. Optionally, the cover 10 can feature an elastic material located in the edge of the upper portion 17 of the cover to allow it to grip the hockey stick shaft a little more tightly.

[0027] The advantages of the disclosed hockey stick cover include, without limitation, the ability to protect the blade and art of the hockey stick shaft from damage when the stick is being stored or transported. In addition, the device is light and unobtrusive enough that a wearer can have the device on their stick when they are playing or practicing. The device protects the entire blade of the hockey stick, not just an outer edge of the stick. In addition, one of the larger advantages of the hockey stick cover is the ability to provide protection to the surfaces with which the stick comes into contact particularly during storage and transportation.

[0028] Reference throughout the specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present invention should be or are in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout the specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.

[0029] Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the invention.

[0030] It is understood that the above described embodiments are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the present invention. The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiment, including the best mode, is to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims, if any, in conjunction with the foregoing description.

[0031] While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention.