Hockey training apparatus
OwnerRobert O'Farrellinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A hockey training arrangement comprises a hockey practice puck, having a configuration and density substantially equivalent to a conventional puck, with an array of relatively small glide shoes on the lower face of the puck, such as steel bearings partly recessed into the lower face of the puck, in association with a low-friction practice pad. The glide shoes elevate the puck above a play surface, to substantially reduce the coefficient of friction of the puck on the surface, permitting emulation of a puck gliding on an ice surface. The arrangement permits a player to hone his hockey skills in his home or any other location where a hockey rink is not available. Alternatively, a ringette ring incorporating similar glides shoes may be used in association with the pad.
Claims26
A hockey puck for use on a smooth non-ice surface, said puck having a generally cylindrical configuration with substantially flat upper and lower faces with an array of apertures extending between said faces and an array of glide shoes protruding from at least said lower face for supporting said puck on said non-ice surface, each of said glide shoes comprising an elongate pin extending through said aperture.
A system comprising a hockey puck having substantially flat upper and lower faces, with an array of glide shoes on at least one of said upper and lower faces for elevating said face above a play surface and substantially reducing the coefficient of friction of said puck on a surface;
- a portable, stowable pad having a smooth and low friction upper surface, and user instructions in the form of written or graphic instructions, a video or computer-readable information, said instructions describing a procedure in which said pad is positioned on a flat surface, said puck is positioned on said pad with said glide shoes resting on said pad, and said puck is manipulated by a player in a rapid side-to-side movement with a hockey stick in a manner emulating the side-to-side stick handling procedures generally employed in a game of ice hockey.
A system comprising in combination a hockey puck having a generally cylindrical configuration with a substantially flat upper and lower faces, having on said lower face an array of glide shoes for supporting said puck on a surface, said glide shoes together having a ground contact area which is minimal compared with that of said lower face to substantially reduce the coefficient of friction of said puck when said puck is supported on said glide shoes on a smooth and flat play surface, and a pad having a flat, smooth upper surface, said pad being portable and stowable, at least one of said glide shoes or said pad comprising a self-lubricating plastic for reducing the coefficient of friction between said glide shoes and said pad to less than or generally equal to the coefficient of friction of a conventional hockey puck on a smooth ice surface at a temperature range of between 10° C. and −5° C.
A portable and stowable hockey practice surface comprising at least two pads each having a flat and smooth upper surface, said pads each having apertures adjacent the peripheral sides thereof, and at least one fastening clip for joining said two or more pads together in a tight side-by-side array, said at least one clip comprising a plate-like base having at least two pegs protruding therefrom, said pegs for friction fitting within said apertures.
A portable and stowable hockey practice surface comprising a pad having a smooth and slippery upper surface, and a bumper along one side of said pad for reflecting a hockey puck, said bumper comprising a resilient, elastomeric material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.