CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63/175,685, filed on April 16, 2021, entitled “HOCKEY BLADE PROTECTION SLEEVE”. The contents of this application are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0002] Hockey tapes have been used for many years by players, to protect their hockey sticks from various game playing hazards during practice or game playing activities. Contact with a hockey puck, a game playing surface, other hockey sticks, goals, walls, or other equipment and players can result in fracturing, chipping, and in some cases, total loss of the hockey stick due to breakage.

[0003] Hockey tapes are not sufficiently engineered to withstand frequent kinetic impact shock energy delivered during game playing activities. Over the years, several products have emerged to help players protect their expensive hockey sticks from various game playing hazards. However, these products have fallen short of providing adequate protection. Moreover, some of the products are not even meant for use on ice surfaces, the main arena for ice hockey games.

[0004] In addition to conventional adhesive hockey stick tape, both metal and plastic blade protectors have been introduced that extend from the toe and along the lower edge of a hockey stick blade. These products protect the lower edge of the blade when a hockey stick is used on a hard surfaces, e.g., concrete pavement, such as for street hockey. Other blade protection products have been introduced that, when placed in hot water, are configured to shrink to fit the hockey stick blade. However, such products are not convenient, and are hard to remove from the hockey stick when damaged. Sheet-based adhesive materials have also been used, but these require tracing and cutting prior to use, and as such are inconvenient and messy.

[0005] Additionally, many of these products are prohibitively expensive, and are thus not widely accessible to players of modest means.

[0006] In summary, prior products have failed to provide adequate game day protection for hockey stick blades, and often have limited utility on ice surfaces.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0007] An exemplary hockey stick blade cover comprises a viscoelastic sleeve that can be coupled to a hockey stick blade, wherein a friction force between the viscoelastic sleeve and the hockey stick blade retains the viscoelastic sleeve on the hockey stick blade. In some embodiments, the viscoelastic sleeve may be configured to be slid onto the hockey blade. In some embodiments, the viscoelastic sleeve is configured to be expanded prior to being slid onto the hockey stick blade, while in other embodiments, the viscoelastic sleeve is configured to be expanded while it is slid onto the hockey stick blade. In some embodiments, the viscoelastic sleeve comprises a surface having a plurality of perforations defined therein. In some embodiments, the viscoelastic sleeve comprises a web of joined elongated members. In some embodiments, the viscoelastic sleeve may be comprised of a self-healing material.

[0008] In some embodiments, the sleeve comprises a vitrimer elastomer. In some embodiments, the sleeve comprises a composite material, such as including one or more selected from a group of natural fibers, synthetic fiber, nanoparticles, boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs), and carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and graphene.

[0009] An exemplary method of applying a protective cover to a hockey stick blade comprises expanding a viscoelastic sleeve in at least a first direction and a second direction, wherein the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction, sliding the expanded viscoelastic sleeve over a blade of a hockey stick, and releasing the viscoelastic sleeve, thereby allowing the viscoelastic sleeve to contract. In some embodiments, the sliding of the expanded viscoelastic sleeve over the blade of the hockey stick comprises sliding the expanded viscoelastic sleeve in a third direction, wherein the third direction is perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction. In some embodiments, the expanding of the viscoelastic sleeve comprises expanding the viscoelastic sleeve from an undeformed configuration to a first deformed configuration, wherein releasing the viscoelastic sleeve comprises releasing the viscoelastic sleeve from the first deformed configuration to a second deformed configuration, and wherein the viscoelastic sleeve encloses a greater volume when in the first deformed configuration than in the second deformed configuration. In some such embodiments, the viscoelastic sleeve encloses a greater volume when in the second deformed configuration than in the undeformed configuration. In some embodiments, the method further comprises expanding the viscoelastic sleeve in at least the first direction and the second direction, and sliding the expanded viscoelastic sleeve away from the blade of the hockey stick, thereby removing the viscoelastic sleeve from the blade.

[0010] An exemplary pre -taped hockey stick comprises a hockey stick comprising a shaft and a blade, and a viscoelastic wrap coupled to the blade of the hockey stick. In some embodiments of the pre -taped hockey stick, removal of the viscoelastic wrap from the blade may damage the viscoelastic wrap and/or the blade. In some embodiments, the viscoelastic wrap comprises a self-healing material. In some embodiments, the viscoelastic wrap is removably coupled to the blade of the hockey stick, while in other embodiments, the viscoelastic wrap is fixedly coupled to the blade of the hockey stick. In some embodiments, the viscoelastic wrap comprises a vitrimer elastomer. In some embodiments, the wrap comprises a composite material, wherein the composite material comprises one or more selected from a group of natural fibers, synthetic fibers, boron nitride nanotubes, carbon nanotubes, and graphene. In some embodiments, the viscoelastic wrap comprises opposing sheets of viscoelastic material coupled to opposing surfaces of the blade. In some such embodiments, the opposing sheets of viscoelastic material have a thickness in a range of 0.01 mm to 0.1 mm. In some embodiments, the opposing sheets of viscoelastic material include apertures defined therethrough. In some such embodiments, the apertures have a characteristic diameter in a range of 0.01 to 0.1 mm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0011] The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. In the drawings, each identical or nearly identical component that is illustrated in the figures may be represented by a reference number, a reference character, or a text legend. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in the drawings. In the drawings:

[0012] FIG. 1 A shows an exemplary viscoelastic hockey stick blade protector with respect to a hockey stick;

[0013] FIG. IB shows expansion of an exemplary viscoelastic hockey stick blade protector for application to a hockey stick;

[0014] FIG. 1C shows the installation of an exemplary viscoelastic hockey stick blade protector onto the blade region a hockey stick;

[0015] FIG. ID shows an exemplary viscoelastic hockey stick blade protector upon installation onto the blade region a hockey stick;

[0016] FIG. 2 is a partial cutaway view of a viscoelastic hockey stick blade protector installed on the blade region a hockey stick, within an exemplary game playing environment;

[0017] FIG. 3A shows a first exemplary embodiment of viscoelastic hockey stick blade protector having a macroscopic cut pattern;

[0018] FIG. 3B is a detailed view of the first exemplary embodiment of viscoelastic hockey stick blade protector having a macroscopic cut pattern;

[0019] FIG. 4A shows a second exemplary embodiment of viscoelastic hockey stick blade protector having a macroscopic cut pattern;

[0020] FIG. 4B is a detailed view of the second exemplary embodiment of viscoelastic hockey stick blade protector having a macroscopic cut pattern;

[0021] FIG. 5A shows a third exemplary embodiment of viscoelastic hockey stick blade protector having a macroscopic cut pattern;

[0022] FIG. 5B is a detailed view of the third exemplary embodiment of viscoelastic hockey stick blade protector having a macroscopic cut pattern;

[0023] FIG. 6A shows a fourth exemplary embodiment of viscoelastic hockey stick blade protector having a macroscopic cut pattern;

[0024] FIG. 6B is a detailed view of the fourth exemplary embodiment of viscoelastic hockey stick blade protector having a macroscopic cut pattern;

[0025] FIG. 7 A shows a fifth exemplary embodiment of viscoelastic hockey stick blade protector having a macroscopic cut pattern; and [0026] FIG. 7B is a detailed view of the fifth exemplary embodiment of viscoelastic hockey stick blade protector having a macroscopic cut pattern.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

[0027] The inventor has recognized and appreciated that the durability and/or functionality of a hockey stick may be easily and economically improved with a blade protector, such as a viscoelastic sleeve. [0028] Viscoelastic materials have material properties that exhibit both viscous (liquid) and elastic (solid) characteristics when undergoing deformation. Viscous materials resist shear flow and strain linearly with time, when stress, i.e., load, is applied. Elastic materials resist shear flow and strain when stretched, and immediately return to their original state, once the applied stress is removed. Viscoelastic materials have elements of both viscous and elastic materials, and as such exhibit time- dependent strain.

[0029] In some embodiments, the viscoelastic hockey stick protector has both viscous and elastic properties within its structure. While not being bound by any particular theory of operation, the inventor believes that the use of a viscoelastic material reduces (in duration and/or peak amplitude) deformation and/or vibrations induced in response to a kinetic impact. This reduces the apparent brittleness of the object, as less of the impact energy goes into fracturing the hockey stick.

[0030] In some embodiments, the viscoelastic blade protector may be configured to provide an amount or location of damping of kinetic impact shock energy imparted at different locations on the hockey stick, depending on the particular game playing hazards for which protection is to be provided. The distribution of material and/or material properties of the viscoelastic blade protector can be configured based on the potential impacts for which protection is desired. The protector, for example, may be configured to protect the stick against impact to a surface of the blade and or to an edge of the stick, such as when it is banged against a hard surface such as an ice surface.

[0031] In some embodiments, the viscoelastic hockey stick protector may have a pattern that distributes material in desired locations. In some embodiments, for example, the protector, when installed, may be a web with hexagonal and/or diamond shaped openings. In some embodiments, the web may be with multiple cuts through a sheet of viscoelastic that yields a desired pattern with the protector is installed. In some embodiments, for example, the pattern of the material may allow for the large elastic dilatation of the materials, to allow for shape changes and for a large range of macroscopic shapes. [0032] In some embodiments, the viscoelastic hockey stick protector may be comprised entirely of viscoelastic materials, e.g., vitrimer elastomer, through polymerization. Polymerization is a process of reacting monomer molecules together in a chemical reaction, to form polymer chains.

[0033] In other embodiments, the blade protector may be formed of a composite of viscoelastic materials with fillers, such as one or more of natural and/or synthetic fibers, and with other materials such as nanoparticles, boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs), carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene, etc. The volume loading of the fillers as well as the location of the fillers within the protector may be controlled to reduce damage from certain types of impacts. As a result, in some embodiments the materials properties of the protector may be non-uniform across the various regions of the protector. [0034] In some embodiments, additional properties and benefits of the viscoelastic hockey stick protection wrap may include one or more of the following:

• utilization of the hockey stick blade protection wrap within wide temperature ranges, i.e., extremely negative and positive temperature ranges;

• mechanical properties with high tensile strengths, high flexibilities, and high abrasion resistance properties;

• the material’s self-healing capabilities on cuts, scrapes, and scratches, wear and tear, etc.;

• material toughness with high ductility.

[0035] Alternatively or additionally, some embodiments of the viscoelastic blade protector can be configured to deliver kinetic energy to a hockey puck, such as during game playing activities. In some embodiments, for example, the material’s molecular density may be configured to produce high elastic kinetic energy when struck by a hockey puck during game playing activities, thus producing quick puck releases and/or spins, and with greater traveled distances.

[0036] The protector may be coupled (e.g., removably or fixedly coupled), to a hockey stick blade, so as to form a cover. In some embodiments, the cover may be configured as a sleeve into which the hockey stick blade is inserted. In some embodiments, a friction force between the viscoelastic sleeve and the hockey stick blade may retain the viscoelastic sleeve on the hockey stick blade. In a typical embodiment, the viscoelastic sleeve may be configured to be slid onto the hockey blade. In some embodiments, the viscoelastic sleeve is configured to be expanded prior to being slid onto the hockey stick blade, while in other embodiments, the viscoelastic sleeve is configured to be expanded while it is slid onto the hockey stick blade. In some embodiments, the viscoelastic sleeve comprises a web of joined elongated members.

[0037] In some embodiments, the viscoelastic sleeve comprises a sheet with a plurality of perforations defined therein. In some such embodiments, the perforations may be on the order of 0.01 to 0.1 mm in size, before being stretched to fit at the opening for installation onto the blade of a hockey stick. In some embodiments, after installation, the viscoelastic sleeve may be in an expanded state relative to its rest state. In this configuration, the perforations may result in apertures that have a greater area than when the sleeve is in an un-installed rest state. Upon installation, some embodiments of the viscoelastic sleeve tightly fit the hockey stick, such as based on the elasticity of the sleeve material.

[0038] FIG. 1A shows an exemplary viscoelastic hockey stick blade protector 10 with respect to a hockey stick 12. The exemplary hockey stick 12 seen in FIG. 1 A includes a blade 14 that extends from a shaft or handle 16 of the hockey stick 12, within a heel region 18. The blade 14 extends from the heel region 18 toward a toe region 20, wherein the blade 14 defines the striking end of the hockey stick 12. As seen in the exemplary game playing environment 40 of FIG. 2, the blade 14 of a modern hockey stick typically includes a concave front surface 42 with which a player commonly gathers or strikes a puck PK (FIG. 2), and a convex rear surface 44 opposite the concave front surface 42. As also seen in FIG. 2, the blade 14 of the hockey stick 12 is located within an insertion region 50 of the viscoelastic hockey stick blade protector 10, as defined between opposing surfaces of the viscoelastic sleeve. [0039] The exemplary viscoelastic blade protector 10 seen in FIG. 1A, comprising a viscoelastic sleeve, may be configured to be coupled onto the hockey stick blade 14, such as from the toe 20 of the blade 14 toward the heel 18 of the blade 14, wherein a friction force between the viscoelastic sleeve 10 and the hockey blade 14 retains the viscoelastic sleeve 10 on the hockey blade 14. The protective sleeve 10 may have two opposing major surfaces. The major surfaces may be joined at multiple edges, but may be unconnected at at least one edge, leaving an opening into an interior region 50 of the sleeve 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the major surfaces are joined at three edges, leaving a fourth edge open. For example, the major surfaces may be joined at the top edge 58, at the bottom edge 56, and at a side edge, such as corresponding to the toe 20 of a hockey blade 14, when the sleeve is in the orientation pictured.

[0040] As seen in FIG. IB, in some embodiments, the viscoelastic sleeve may be expanded or stretched 24 in at least a first direction and a second direction 26, e.g., 26a and 26b, wherein the second direction 26b is perpendicular to the first direction 26a, before or during installation onto the blade region of the hockey stick. Installation may entail insertion of the blade region 14 into the interior region 50 of the viscoelastic sleeve through the unconnected edge.

[0041] The viscoelastic sleeve may be expanded as a result of outward force applied to the sleeve from the interior as a result of forcing the blade 14 into the interior. Alternatively, a fixture or tool may be used to engage the top and bottom edges such that a force applied to the fixture or tool causes expansion of the sleeve region.

[0042] Upon installation, as seen in FIG. 1C and FIG. ID, the exemplary viscoelastic sleeve 10 may generally conform to the hockey stick blade 14, to provide the friction force between the viscoelastic sleeve 10 and the hockey stick blade 14, wherein the viscoelastic sleeve 10 can be retained by the hockey stick blade 14. In embodiments in which the sleeve 10 is expanded by an external force for insertion of the blade 14 into the interior 50 of the sleeve 10, the sleeve 10 may contract 32 in one or more directions 26, e.g., 26a and/or 26b, when that force is removed.

[0043] An exemplary method of applying a protective cover 10 to a hockey stick blade 14 comprises expanding a viscoelastic sleeve 10 in at least a first direction 26, e.g., 26a, and a second direction 26, e.g., 26b, wherein the second direction 26b is perpendicular to the first direction 26a, sliding 28 the expanded viscoelastic sleeve 10 over a blade 14 of a hockey stick 12, and releasing the viscoelastic sleeve 10, thereby allowing the viscoelastic sleeve 10 to contract 32. In some embodiments, the sliding 28 of the expanded viscoelastic sleeve 10 over the blade 14 of the hockey stick 12 comprises sliding 28 the expanded viscoelastic sleeve in a third direction 26, e.g., 26c, wherein the third direction is perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction. In some embodiments, expanding 24 the viscoelastic sleeve 10 comprises expanding the viscoelastic sleeve 10 from an undeformed configuration to a first deformed configuration. Releasing the viscoelastic sleeve 10 may comprise releasing the viscoelastic sleeve from the first deformed configuration to a second deformed configuration. The viscoelastic sleeve 10 may enclose a greater volume when in the first deformed configuration than when in the second deformed configuration. In some such embodiments, the viscoelastic sleeve 10 encloses a greater volume when in the second deformed configuration than when in the undeformed configuration.

[0044] In some embodiments, the viscoelastic sleeve 10 may be removed from the blade 14 by expanding 24 the viscoelastic sleeve 10 in at least the first direction and the second direction and sliding the expanded viscoelastic sleeve 10 away from the blade 14 of the hockey stick 12.

[0045] An exemplary pre-taped hockey stick, e.g., 36 (FIG. ID), comprises a hockey stick 12 comprising a shaft 16 and a blade 14, and a viscoelastic wrap 10 coupled to the blade 14 of the hockey stick 12. In some embodiments of the pre-taped hockey stick 36, removal of the viscoelastic wrap 10 from the blade 14 may damage the viscoelastic wrap 10 and/or the blade 14. In some embodiments, the viscoelastic wrap 10 comprises a self-healing material. In some embodiments, the viscoelastic wrap 10 is removably coupled to the blade 14 of the hockey stick 10, while in other embodiments, the viscoelastic wrap 10 is fixedly coupled to the blade 14 of the hockey stick 12. In some embodiments, the viscoelastic wrap 10 comprises a vitrimer elastomer. In some embodiments, the wrap 10 comprises a composite material, wherein the composite material comprises an elastomer and one or more fillers selected from a group of natural fibers, synthetic fibers, boron nitride nanotubes, carbon nanotubes, and graphene.

[0046] In some embodiments, the viscoelastic sleeve 10 comprises a three-dimensional material that is manufactured to fit a hockey stick blade 14 as a removable slip-on protector 10. In other embodiments, the viscoelastic sleeve 10 comprises a three-dimensional material that is manufactured to be permanently affixed to a hockey stick blade 14, such as to provide a ‘pre-taped’ hockey stick 36 that may be considered ‘ready to play’ (RTP) or ‘ready for play’ (RFP).

[0047] In some embodiments, the viscoelastic wrap 10 comprises opposing sheets of viscoelastic material coupled to opposing surfaces 42, 44 of the blade 14. In some embodiments, coupling may result from stretching the sheets with the blade 14 therebetween, such that the sheets exert a force on the blade 14 as a result of the tendency of the elastomer to contract. The contractile force may generate sufficient friction to secure the sleeve 10 to the blade 14. In some embodiments, a bonding agent may be used to aid the adhesion between the viscoelastic sleeve 10 the hockey stick blade 14. In some embodiments, such a bonding agent may be used as a temporary adhesive, such as to aid in situ adhesion during game play, and/or to allow removal, repositioning and/or reuse. In some embodiments, a bonding agent may be used as a more permanent adhesive, such as to provide a hockey stick product 36 with an integral protective blade cover. In some embodiments, the bonding agent may be a heat activatable bonding agent, which can be cured by applying thermal energy, i.e., heat. In some embodiments, the bonding agent may be a light curable adhesive, which can be cured when exposed to light, e.g., UV light.

[0048] In some such embodiments, the opposing sheets of viscoelastic material have a thickness in a range of 0.01 mm to 0.1 mm. In some embodiments, the opposing sheets of viscoelastic material include apertures defined therethrough. In some such embodiments, the apertures may be slits with a width in a range of 0.01 to 0.1 mm, when in an unexpanded configuration. When attached to a hockey stick 12, the apertures may expand such that the apertures occupy a substantial portion of the major surfaces of the sleeve. The apertures, for example, may occupy greater than 50%, 60%, 70%, or 80% of the major surfaces in some embodiments.

[0049] In some embodiments, the apertures, when the sleeve 10 is in an unexpanded state, may be slit like. The slits may be separated by nodes. The pattern of slits may be such that, when the sleeve 10 is in an expanded state, uncut portions of the sleeve form elongated members joined by the nodes, as shown for example in FIG. ID. The slits may be cut in a pattern that results in a web, with elongated members extending in multiple directions, such as in the illustrated embodiments.

[0050] In some embodiments, the viscoelastic sleeve 10 may be comprised of a self-healing material. In some embodiments, the viscoelastic sleeve 10 comprises a vitrimer elastomer. Vitrimers are cross- linked polymeric materials that can behave differently at different temperatures. For example, the network topology of a vitrimer may be rearranged, while retaining its cross-link density and insolubility in solvents, at all temperatures. Vitrimers are therefore capable of shape reconfiguration, i.e., welding, and self-healing, due to associative covalent network reactions that occur above a Vitrimer transition temperature (T _v ). This principle can enable the viscoelastic sleeve 10 to self-heal when damaged by thermally induced, or light induced topology rearrangements, via the associative network exchange reactions. Because the insolubility and cross-link density of the viscoelastic sleeve 10 can be kept constant at all temperatures, the mechanical and structural integrity of the viscoelastic sleeve 10 can be maintained. In some embodiments, the vitrimer elastomer used for the viscoelastic sleeve 10 may include catalysts and/or additives, such as to improve expansion for installation and/or removal, or to improve the durability of the viscoelastic sleeve during use.

[0051] In some embodiments, the viscoelastic sleeve comprises a composite material. The composite may include an elastomer and one or more fillers, such as one or more fillers selected from a group of natural fibers, synthetic fiber, nanoparticles, boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs), and carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and graphene.

[0052] In some embodiments, the apertures in the sleeve 10 may be distributed in a non-uniform pattern across at least the major surfaces of the sleeve 10. For example, the apertures may be more dense in regions intended to be mounted on the front surface 42 of the blade 14, such that the web of elastomeric material is less dense on the front surface 42 of the blade 14 when the sleeve 10 is installed. Such a configuration, for example, may result in a desirable feel from a puck PK making more direct contact with the blade 14 when in use. Conversely, the apertures may be less dense in regions intended to be mounted on the rear surface 44 of the blade 14 and/or over edges, e.g., 46 and 48, of the blade 14. Such a configuration, for example, may result in additional protection and/or reinforcement of portions of the hockey stick 12 that might be damaged by game activities. A more dense aperture pattern may be achieved by providing more and/or larger apertures than in regions of a less dense aperture pattern. Larger apertures, for example, may be longer and/or wider.

[0053] In other embodiments, other aperture patterns may be supplied to tailor the feel of the hockey stick 12 to individual preferences of the user. For example, some players may prefer a softer feel of their hockey stick 12 and may prefer a less dense aperture pattern adjacent the front face of the hockey stick than other players. Different embodiments of the viscoelastic sleeve 10 may include different patterns 80, e.g., macroscopic cut patterns, defined thereon, such as seen in FIGS. 3A-7B.

[0054] While embodiments of the viscoelastic sleeve 10 may be configured to provide protection for a hockey stick blade 14, some embodiments alternatively or additionally may be configured to provide functional differences, such as one or more of the following:

• variations in blade flex due to loading;

• variations in kinetic energy path transfer and distribution;

• hockey players' puck to blade feel; and

• aesthetic considerations of the sleeve.

[0055] The functional differences are not limited to the above mentioned features and may include a combination of features. For example, a defensive hockey player may choose to play with protective sleeve 10 such as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, such as based on preferential loading, the kinetic energy transfer and distribution of the chosen blade sleeve 10, the player's preferred puck to blade feel, and/or the collective aesthetic of the sleeve 10. In some embodiments, such functionalities may be geometrically engineered into the viscoelastic sleeve 10, such as to enhance players' game performances and experiences.

[0056] In another example, a forward hockey player may choose to play with a viscoelastic sleeve 10 such as shown in FIGS. 5 A and 5B, in contrast to the viscoelastic sleeve 10 seen in FIGS. 6 A and 6B, such as to provide a difference with regard to one or more features, e.g., preferential loading, kinetic energy transfer and distribution, puck to blade feel, and/or the collective aesthetic of the chosen viscoelastic sleeve.

[0057] In some embodiments, while one or more of the functionalities described above may be geometrically engineered into the viscoelastic sleeve 10 to enhance players' game performances and experiences, different players, e.g., a defensive player, a center player, or a wing player, may play with any sleeve configuration that suits their hockey game playing styles and abilities. [0058] In addition to the features described above, some embodiments of the viscoelastic sleeve 10 may include other structural or material features, such as increase durability on the lower sleeve edge 56 (FIG. 2), to increase puck adhesion on the leading surface 52, and/or to improve puck adhesion or control under different game playing environments, e.g., within different ambient or surface temperatures. For example, the structural surface of the viscoelastic sleeve 10 may be partially or fully constructed of one or more lattice patterns, such as to improve puck control, or to meet other needs or preferences of the player. The lattice patterns may include a single design pattern, or may include a combination of various stmctural lattice design patterns.

[0059] The viscoelastic blade protectors 10 may have non-uniform properties such that different mechanical properties are provided in different regions of the hockey stick 12. Non-uniformity, for example, may result from different aperture patterns, resulting in a different sized apertures and therefore different coverage density in different regions of the hockey stick 12. Non-uniformity to tailor mechanical properties may alternatively or additionally be introduced in other ways. For example, when the protector is made of sheets of elastomer with reinforcing fillers, the type of fillers and or percent by volume of filler in the elastomer may be varied to achieve different material properties in different regions of the sleeve intended to be mounted adjacent different regions of the hockey stick.

[0060] In some embodiments, the viscoelastic blade protector 10 as described herein addresses such hockey game playing hazards, with the geometric engineering and design of a hockey stick protection wrap 10, with viscoelastic materials, and/or with a composite of viscoelastic materials with natural or synthetic fibers, to dampen the kinetic impact shock energy delivered to the stick from game playing activities.

[0061] In some embodiments, the viscoelastic protector 10 may be configured with geometric surface features to enhance players’ performances. For instance, in some embodiments, the geometric surface engineering of the material allows for large elastic dilatation of the materials, such as accomplished through patterning viscoelastic materials in a relatively low density web. In some embodiments, cut patterns, in combination with a degree of expansion between a state in which the material is cut and the state in which it is used, may be used to control the resulting density of material in various regions of the hockey stick 12. In some embodiments, the cut patterns may serve to reduce material volume and mass for the players’ ease of stick mobility during game playing activities. In some embodiments, the protective wrap is manufactured as a self-healing three-dimensional hockey stick blade protection wrap, such as to slide fit any hockey stick 12 as a slip-on.

[0062] In some embodiments, the viscoelastic sleeve 10 utilizes the elastic and stretch capabilities of the viscoelastic material, by manufacturing the protective sleeve 10 to stretch fit the hockey stick blade 14, and thus using the material’s own friction and bonding agent to hold the protective sleeve 10 to the hockey blade 14. In some embodiments, the protective viscoelastic sleeve 10 is user friendly with easy application at use, and with ease of removal at the end of use on any game day.

[0063] In some embodiments, the protective sleeve 10 can be configured to readily be installed and removed, such as to be used multiple times. For instance, with such embodiments, a player or assistant may change from one protective sleeve to another alternate protective sleeve (even during a hockey match), such as based on a selection of different materials, different patterns, different weights, different blade coverage, e.g., full blade coverage from to heel, or partial coverage (e.g., such as for an open toe design), or sleeve condition.

[0064] In some embodiments, the viscoelastic protective sleeve 10 may include the same pattern on both sides, e.g., leading surface 52 and trailing surface 54. In some such embodiments, the use of symmetric surfaces may be used to achieve a viscoelastic protective sleeve 10 that can be used similarly for both right-handed and left-handed hockey sticks 12. In some embodiments, the protective sleeve 10 may include a different pattern on opposing sides, e.g., a capture or striking pattern configured for an inner concave blade leading surface 52, and different pattern and/or graphics configured for the opposite convex trailing blade surface 54.

[0065] In some embodiments, the viscoelastic sleeve 10 is manufactured as a self-healing three- dimensional hockey stick blade protection sleeve 10, and can be permanently affixed to a hockey stick blade 14, such as to provide a pre-taped hockey stick 36, thereby eliminating the need to re-tape the hockey stick blade 14 on any game day.

[0066] In another embodiment, the protective sleeve 10 may be configured to be used on hard playing surfaces PS (FIG. 2), e.g., a wood rink surface or court, or concrete or asphalt pavement (such as for street hockey). For instance, for a hockey stick 12 to be used on a hard playing surface PS, such as a street, the protective viscoelastic sleeve 10 may be configured or rated as extra hard on a Shore D Durometer Scale of between 70 to 100, to provide sufficient durability, while maintaining its elasticity. [0067] The hockey stick blade protective sleeve 10 may be engineered and designed with one or more surface mechanisms to allow for maximum dilation of the materials. This may be implemented through parametric design patterns and materials hierarchical cut patterns to allow for shape changes, and for large ranges of macroscopic shapes.

[0068] From the foregoing. It will be appreciated that various implementations of the present disclosure have been described herein for purposes of illustration, and that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.

[0069] For example, a sleeve was described as useful for a hockey stick blade. Sleeves may be sized and shaped to fit over other sticks used in games, such as field hockey sticks, lacrosse sticks, or other items of sporting equipment that are likely to receive impacts, such as tennis racquets or bats. [0070] As another example, a stick protector is described as a sleeve into which a blade may be inserted. In other embodiments, a protector may be formed by wrapping a sheet of material around a blade of a hockey stick or other piece of sporting equipment to be protected.

[0071] As another example, a protector is described in which a sheet is cut with slit-shaped apertures that are expanded into a desired pattern when the protector is installed. In other embodiments, the viscoelastic material may be formed with the desired pattern without expansion, such as by stamping a sheet with openings substantially in the size and shape of the desired pattern or using additive manufacturing techniques to deposit viscoelastic material with the desired pattern.

[0072] In some embodiments, for example, the resulting viscoelastic material, or the composite as described herein, may be manufactured to form the viscoelastic protection wrap through an additive manufacturing technique, such as by liquid additive manufacturing (LAM) with elastomers, stereolithography (SLA) by curing of polymer resin with an ultraviolet (UV) light source, e.g., a laser, or selective laser sintering (SLS) with viscoelastic polymer powder through laser sintering. In some embodiments, other techniques may be used to manufacture the viscoelastic protection wrap, as described herein.

[0073] Accordingly, the various implementations disclosed herein and described in the exemplary following claims are not intended to be limiting.