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US 5,859,359 AGranted
Curling stone comparator
AssigneeQueen's University at Kingston
InventorJ. Gavin Reid
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A simple pneumatic device for use in comparing and matching curling stones, and evaluating ice surfaces and sweeping broom efficiencies is described. A pneumatic cylinder, charged by means of a compressed gas, is placed against the backboard of a rink and operated to propel a curling stone with a predetermined and accurately controlled force along a sheet of curling ice.
Claims5
A devices connectable to a source of compressed gas, for propelling a curling stone forward along a horizontal ice surface at a preselected initial velocity, comprising:
- cylinder means, including a piston which is moveable between a retracted position and an extended positions for placement on said ice surface;
- means mounted on said piston to releasably engage said curling stone when said curling stone is in contact with said ice surface;
- fluid flow path means between said source of compressed gas and said cylinder means;
- gas pressure regulating means in said fluid flow path;
- and shut off valve means in said fluid flow path intermediate said gas pressure regulating means and said cylinder means, whereby gas, at a selected pressure, can be introduced into said cylinder means and thereby move said piston from said retracted position to said extended position, thus imparting a selected propelling force to said curling stone along said ice surface.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.