HOCKEY TRAINING DEVICE

Abstract

A hockey training device has an elongated frame with an inverted U-shaped cross-section when the device is in an upright position. The frame has a base and two sides extending downward from the base. A layer of resilient material is affixed to an outer surface of each of the two sides. The device has an open ended inner channel extending longitudinally between the two sides. A cap is affixed to an outer surface of the base. A method of construction is provided.

Claims

1. A hockey training device comprising an elongated frame having an inverted U-shaped cross-section when the device is in an upright position, the frame having a base, a first end and a second end, and two sides extending downward from the base, the two sides each having an inner surface and an outer surface, a layer of resilient material affixed to the outer surface of each of the two sides, the device having an open ended inner channel extending longitudinally between two sides, the device further comprising a cap having a first end and a second end, the cap extending along and affixed to the outer surface of the base, wherein the cap extends above each layer of resilient material, and wherein each of the first end and the second end of the cap extends beyond the first end and the second end of the elongated frame, respectively.

2. The hockey training device as claimed in claim 1 wherein there are at least two picks extending from a lower edge of each side.

3. The hockey training device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the layer of resilient material extends substantially along a length of the at least one side.

4. The hockey training device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the frame has a sufficient width to enable a hockey puck to be easily passed through the open ended channel.

5. The hockey training device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the layer of resilient material extends substantially along an entire length of at least one side,

6. The hockey training device as claimed in claim 5 wherein there is a layer of resilient material substantially along an entire length of both sides.

7. The hockey training device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the layer of resilient material has a depth substantially equal to a depth of the side to which the layer of resilient material is affixed.

8. The hockey training device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the resilient material is sufficiently flexible and resilient to repel a hockey puck by a distance that is substantially equal to the distance from which the puck has been shot at the resilient material.

9. The hockey training device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the device has at least one handle.

10. The hockey training device as claimed in claim 9 wherein the at least one handle comprises an opening in the base.

11. The hockey training device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the resilient material is affixed to the at least one side by adhesive.

12. The hockey training device as claimed in claim 2 wherein there are two picks on each side and the two picks are located at or near at opposing ends of each side, the picks being sufficiently sharp to penetrate an ice surface on which the device is located.

13. (canceled)

14. (canceled)

15. The hockey training device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the cap is planar.

16. The hockey training device as claimed in claim 15 wherein the base has a first opening therein and the cap has a second opening therein, the first and second openings being at least partially aligned with one another to form a handle for the device.

17. The hockey training device as claimed in claim 16 wherein the first opening is centrally located in the base and the second opening is centrally located in the cap.

18. The hockey training device as claimed in claim 13 wherein the cap has a rounded peripheral edge so that the device slides easily and smoothly on the ice surface when the device is inverted with the cap in contact with the ice surface.

19. (canceled)

20. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] In the drawings:

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hockey training device in an upright position;

[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the hockey training device in an upside down position;

[0012] FIG. 3 is a side view of the device;

[0013] FIG. 4 is an end view of the device;

[0014] FIG. 5 is a top view;

[0015] FIG. 6 is a bottom view;

[0016] FIG. 7 is an enlarged partial perspective view of one pick on the device; and

[0017] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0018] In FIGS. 1 and 2, the hockey training device 2 has an elongated frame 4 with an inverted U-shaped cross section when the device is in an upright position. The frame 4 has a base 6 and two sides 8. Each of the sides 8 has an inner surface 10 and an outer surface 12. A layer of resilient material 14 is affixed to the outer surface 12 of at least one of the two sides 8. Preferably, the layer of resilient material 14 is affixed to the outer surface 12 of both sides 8. The device has an open ended inner channel 16 extending between the two sides 8. The inner channel 16 is sufficiently large for a hockey puck (not shown) to be passed through the inner channel. The base has at least two picks 18 extending from a lower edge 20 of each side 8. As best shown in FIG. 2, there are four picks 18, two on each side 8, one of which is circled. The picks 18 have sharp points to penetrate an ice surface 22 to maintain the device in a fixed position on the ice surface when the device is in the upright position shown in FIG. 1. The base 6 has a handle 22 to enable the device to be easily carried. Preferably, the training device 2 has a cap 26 affixed to an upper surface of the frame 4 when the device is in the upright position shown in FIG. 1. Preferably, the handle 24 is an opening that is located in the base 6 with a corresponding aligned opening in the cap 26.

[0019] The layer of resilient material 14 preferably extends substantially along a length of at least one side 8. Still more preferably, there is one layer of resilient material 14 extending along the outer surface 12 of each side 8.

[0020] In FIGS. 3 to 8, the same reference numerals are used as those used in FIGS. 1 and 2 for those components that are identical. In FIG. 3, it can be seen that an edge 28 around a periphery of the cap 26 is rounded. Also, there also two picks 18, one pick being located at each end of the side 8.

[0021] In FIG. 4, the inner channel 16 is shown. The cap 26 has rounded corners so that the training device 2 can slide easily and smoothly on the ice surface (not shown in FIGS. 3 and 4). A user can easily move the device to whatever location of the ice surface is desired from time to time simply by inverting the device to the position shown in FIG. 2. The cap 26 preferably extends beyond the sides 8 above the layers of resilient material 14 and thereby protects the layers from damage from above. When the device is upright on the ice surface, the picks 18 will hold the device in a substantially fixed position.

[0022] FIG. 7 shows an enlarged view of that part of the device that is in the circle shown in FIG. 2. There are a plurality of bolts 30 and corresponding nuts 32 that affix the cap 26 to the frame 4. The bolts 30 have heads 34 that are countersunk into an upper surface of the cap 26 so that they do not interfere with the ability of the device to slide along the ice surface in the inverted position.

[0023] In FIG. 8, there is shown an exploded perspective view of the device 2. The layers of resilient material 14 are preferably affixed to the outer surface 12 of the two sides 8 by an adhesive. The resilient material has sufficient resilience so that a hockey puck shot against the resilient material on one side of the device with some force, will rebound off the device. A hockey puck shot against the device at an angle that is substantially perpendicular to a side of the device will rebound at substantially the same angle back toward the shooter. A hockey puck that is shot towards the device at an angle that is not substantially perpendicular will rebound from the side of the device at a similar angle away from the shooter. For example, a puck that is shot at a side of the device at a 30 angle will rebound off the device at a similar 30 angle in an opposite direction away from the shooter.

[0024] In operation, when the device is used on a playing surface, and, preferably, on an ice surface, the device is placed on the playing surface in an upright position, in an appropriate location. Participants in the training session can direct pucks toward either side of the device against the layer of resilient material 14 and the pucks will rebound from the layer of resilient material. The picks 18 will hold the device in position on the playing surface. In addition to rebounding, a coach or other participant at the practice can pass a hockey puck to another participant in the practice by passing the puck through the inner channel 16 of the training device 2 to simulate a pass that is made past opposing players in a hockey game where the puck is temporarily hidden from view by the recipient of the pass. The inner channel is preferably sufficiently wide to enable a participant to easily pass the puck through the inner channel. Also, participants can practice passing a puck to another participant by shooting it over the device in a shallow trajectory.

[0025] Further, participants can engage in agility training by jumping over the device from various starting positions, at various speeds and various angles. An ability to maintain balance on ice skates in different circumstances is an important advantage when playing hockey.

[0026] Preferably, the cap is made of a plastic material, the frame is made of metal, for example, steel. A plastic cap is unlikely to damage skate blades when they inadvertently contact the cap.

[0027] Numerous variations within the scope of the attached claims will be readily apparent to those skills in the art.