Hockey stick handle device

#1. Field of the Invention

#This invention relates to a device for use with a hockey stick. The device provides for improved player control of the hockey stick particularly when shooting or passing a hockey puck.

#2. Description of the Prior Art

#The invention will now be described in detail having reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

#FIG. 1 illustrates a sleeve according to the present invention.

#FIG. 2 illustrates the sleeve member of FIG. 1 mounted on a hockey stick;

#The sleeve member 1 of the present invention is employed with a hockey stick 3. As shown in FIG. 2, the sleeve 1 is adapted to be placed on the shaft or handle 5 of the hockey stick above the blade 7. The sleeve 1 has relatively thick, rigid walls 9 to provide an enlarged hand grip region on the handle of the stick. The thicker the walls 9, the higher torque provided since the moment arm "L", from the player's hand on the outer surface 11 of the walls to the longitudinal center of the handle 5, obviously increases. The thickness of the walls 9, or the overall outer size of the sleeve 1, is limited only in having to provide a sleeve sized to be comfortably gripped by the player's hand. The outer surface 11 of the walls 9 are preferably slightly rounded, both laterally, and longitudinally, to provide a more comfortable grip on the sleeve. The inner surface 13 of the walls are planar and preferably define an inner, rectangular, cross-sectional area of the sleeve which is just slightly larger in size than the cross-sectional area of the shaft 5. This permits the sleeve to normally, freely slide along the handle while at the same time preventing rotation of the sleeve relative to the handle. The sleeve has a length sufficient for it to provide a comfortable hand grip. The length can range between 4 and 7 inches. The length should not be much greater than 7 inches to avoid reducing the flexibility of the hockey stick handle. The sleeve can be made out of wood, thermoplastic or metallic material.

#Since it is preferred to have the sleeve fixed relative to the handle, when shooting or passing, and movable relative to the handle at other times, suitable means can be provided by which the sleeve can be made to selectively grip the handle with a force sufficient to prevent its movement relative to the handle. As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the sleeve 1, of FIG. 1, can be modified to incorporate selective gripping means 17. These means 17 can comprise a thin, flat pressure plate 19 of metal or other suitable material mounted inside the sleeve, adjacent one wall 9a, to lie parallel to one side 20 of the handle. The interior cross-sectional area of sleeve 1 is increased slightly to be able to accommodate both the plate 19 and handle 5. A plunger 21 extends from the plate out through a slot 23 in the one wall 9a. When it is desired to "lock" the sleeve against movement relative to the hockey stick, the projecting plunger 21 is pushed in by the hockey player, usually by merely tightening his grip on the sleeve. This forces the plate 19 against the one side 20 of the handle to frictionally hold the plate 19 against movement relative to the shaft and thus to hold the sleeve, through its contact with the plunger 21 by the end walls 25 of its slot 23. Releasing the pressure on the plunger 21 will again allow the sleeve, including the plate 19, to move on the handle.

#To provide a more positive lock of the sleeve on the handle when desired, an addiitonal plate 19', bearing against another wall 20' of the handle, may be provided as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. A plunger 21' extends outwardly through a slot 23' in the wall of the sleeve from plate 19'. The player can thus actuate the two plungers 21, 21' simultaneously if desired providing much more effective gripping of the handle by the two plates 19, 19', and thus a more positive lock of the sleeve.