BACKGROUND

1. Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to sports training devices. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to modified hockey pucks useful as sports training devices.

2. State of the Art

[0002] In the sport of hockey, a hockey stick having an attached lower blade is used to slide or elevate a flat cylindrical puck from one location to another. Sliding or elevating a puck in a preferred manner results in a fast moving puck that spins along its central axis, which is generally maintained in a top to bottom orientation during horizontal travel. The preferred speed, spin, and stable orientation enable a puck to better follow an intended path, to utilize principles of aerodynamics and to be more easily controlled with a blade of a receiving hockey stick.

SUMMARY

[0003] According to an aspect of the disclosure, a training or practice hockey puck is formed as a disk having a flat top wall, a flat bottom wall, and a cylinder having a curvilinear sidewall recessed relative to the peripheries of the top and bottom walls and extending about and centered with a central longitudinal axis of the puck. The puck also includes a plurality of sound emitting structures, such as whistles, connected to the sidewall. The sound emitting structures are connected to the disk so that the disk and the sound emitting structures can move (e.g., rotate and translate) together.

[0004] During use of the puck, the puck moves along the ground (e.g., ice, floor, street, etc.) or through the air. During its movement, the puck may rotate and/or translate. The puck is configured to emit a sound when the puck is moving under certain conditions, which can be imparted by a user (i.e., with a hockey stick). For example, in embodiments, the puck is configured to emit sound when the puck rotates at rotational speed that is at least a certain rotational speed and translates at translational speed that is at least a certain translational speed. The emitted sound of the puck can be used as a feedback signal to the user that the user has hit or pushed the puck in a preferred or correct manner. However, if the user hits or pushes the puck, but does not hear the sound emitted by the puck, the user can infer from the lack of sound that the motion imparted to the puck was not correct or desirable. By practicing the correct hockey stick motion to cause the puck to consistently emit a whistling sound, users may improve their hockey skills.

[0005] In embodiments, the sound emitting structures are evenly spaced circumferentially about the recessed sidewall to promote even weight distribution and balance. In embodiments, the sound emitting structures are diametrically opposed from one another. Also, in embodiments, the disk has planar top and bottom surfaces spaced apart from one another and the sound emitting structures are spaced equidistantly between the top and bottom surfaces.

[0006] In embodiments, the sound emitting structures are recessed from the peripheries of the top and bottom walls to help protect the sound emitting structures from impact (e.g., impact with the blade of a hockey stick or goal structure). Stated differently, the top and bottom walls have a larger diameter than the sidewall such that the peripheries of the top and bottom walls are flanges, and the periphery of the sidewall is recessed relative to the flanges. Thus, in embodiments, the peripheries of the top and bottom walls can be said to define an annular groove therebetween into which a plurality of radially directed boreholes are formed that receive corresponding sound emitting structures. Each borehole has a base and sidewalls extending from the base to an outer surface of the annular groove. The boreholes may be cylindrical or hemispherical, for example. In embodiments, each borehole is configured to create an interference fit with a corresponding sound emitting structure so that the sound emitting structures will remain attached to the disk in the borehole when the puck is in motion. Alternatively or additionally, the sound emitting structures may be attached to the disk with glue, or snap fit or with a threaded connection. [0007] In embodiments, the sound emitting structures are whistles. In embodiments, each whistle includes a top wall defining an aperture, one or more sidewalls attached to the top wall, and a bottom wall spaced from the top wall and attached to the one or more sidewalls. The sidewall(s) of the whistle extend parallel to a central longitudinal axis through the whistle. The top wall, one or more sidewalls, and bottom wall define a resonant chamber having a certain volume. The top wall may be curved or hemispherical and the aperture may be offset from the central longitudinal axis of the whistle. In embodiments, a respective whistle may omit a bottom wall and instead utilize a base of an aforementioned borehole in the disk to define the resonant chamber. In embodiments, the sidewalls of the whistles and the boreholes may be complementary to fit together. For example, the sidewalls of the whistles and the boreholes may be cylindrical. Also, in embodiments, the whistles may comprise a spherical shell defining a hollow interior space or chamber. The spherical shell defines an aperture in communication with the space or chamber. The sidewall of the borehole may be cylindrical or spherical to receive the spherical shell of the whistles.

[0008] Each whistle may be of unitary construction or may be formed as a plurality of elements (e.g., top wall and sidewall) joined together. Also, the whistles may be separate from one another or may be joined together as an array of whistles extending around the peripheral sidewall of the disk. In embodiments, the puck may be formed from an existing solid or hollow hockey puck and modified with features to be used in conjunction with the sound emitting structures. Also, in embodiments, the puck may be of one-piece or multiple piece construction formed from suitable materials including materials that can be molded, machined, or made using additive manufacturing (e.g., 3D printing). For example, in embodiments, the puck and the whistles may be formed from plastic and may be molded together into a unitary structure.

[0009] When the puck travels, an airstream will form and pass over and around the puck (in relative motion). In embodiments of the puck with whistles, the aperture of at least one whistle is positioned relative to the sidewall of the disk to face the airstream. Specifically, the aperture of one or more whistles is positioned to permit part of the airstream to enter the respective resonant chamber, which can under certain conditions, cause rapid increases and decreases in air pressure within the resonant chamber resulting in a vibration producing a whistle sound emitted from the aperture. The speed of the vibration measured as the pitch of whistle sound is dependent upon the volume of the resonant chamber and the orientation of the aperture relative to the direction of rotation (e.g., clockwise or counter-clockwise) of the disk about its central axis. In embodiments, the apertures of the whistles are oriented in opposition to one another to produce sound during either clockwise or counterclockwise rotation of the puck about its axis. In embodiments, the aforementioned conditions under which the whistles emit a whistle sound include when the rotational speed of the puck about its central axis is at least a predetermined rotational speed and the translational speed of the puck is at least a predetermined translational speed.

[0010] In embodiments, among the plurality of whistles attached to the cylinder of the puck, there may be variation in the volumes of the resonant chambers and there may be variation in the orientations of the apertures with respect to the puck to achieve a sound output from the plurality of whistles comprising more than one pitch. The volume of the resonant chamber and orientation of the aperture of one or more whistles may be fixed or adjustable by the user. For example, in embodiments, one or more whistles may be readily removable from the disk and may be interchanged with other whistles having different volumes. Also, a user may remove a whistle, and replace the removed whistle with the aperture in a reoriented position. Also, for example, a user may alter the depth of a whistle within the borehole by screwing or unscrewing a whistle where a threaded connection is present between the whistle and the disk. This can be useful to adjust the volume of the resonant chamber, which can, in turn, adjust the pitch of the whistle.

[0011] During use of the puck, a user can cause the puck to emit sound by moving a hockey stick blade against, and tangential to, the peripheries of the top and bottom walls (i.e., the flanges) of the disk. This motion effectively rolls the disk along the blade (rotating the entire puck about the central axis) while also pushing (i.e., translating) the disk away from the contact point between the blade and disk. Thus, the rotational and translational motion imparted to the puck to cause the puck to emit sound can be accomplished by a user performing a set of steps that include aligning the blade in a specific position relative to the puck, imparting a specific directional plane of motion to the blade, and applying adequate force against the puck. The puck in accordance with this disclosure encourages and trains the user to properly execute the aforementioned steps by providing audible feedback when the conditions for emitting sound (e.g., at least certain threshold rotational speed and the at least certain threshold translational speed) have been achieved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Fig. l is a top perspective view of an embodiment of a hockey puck in accordance with an aspect of the disclosure.

[0013] Fig. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the hockey puck in Fig. 1.

[0014] Figs. 3 and 4 show an embodiment of the hockey puck in a partially assembled configuration.

[0015] Fig. 5 shows an embodiment of the hockey puck in a partially assembled configuration with a whistle having a round aperture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Figs. 1 and 2 show an embodiment of a hockey puck 100 in accordance with an aspect of the disclosure. The hockey puck 100 is a training puck for players to practice passing and shooting skills. The puck 100 is configured to emit a sound, such as a whistling sound, when the puck 100 is moved under certain conditions. For example, the puck 100 may emit sound when the puck 100 has a rotational speed at or above a predetermined threshold rotational speed and when the puck has a translational speed at or about a predetermined threshold translational speed. The puck 100 may be moved to emit sound by hitting the puck 100 with a hockey stick. Sound emitted from the puck 100 as it moves can be used as feedback to the user to indicate that the user has hit the puck 100 with a preferred or correct motion of the hockey stick. However, if the user hits the puck and does not hear the sound emitted from the puck 100 as it moves, the user can use the lack of sound to mean that the motion imparted to the puck 100 was not correct. A user can improve his or her hockey playing abilities by practicing hitting the puck with the correct motion to consistently cause the puck 100 to emit the sound.

[0017] The puck 100 is shaped substantially as a disk 102 having opposed flat top and bottom surfaces 102a, 102b, respectively, and an optionally solid substantially cylindrical cylinder 102c having a curvilinear sidewall 106c therebetween. The curvilinear sidewall 106c of the cylinder can have various profiles, such as, for example, a linear profile, a convex profile, or a concave profile (as shown in Figs. 1 to 4). A central longitudinal axis of rotation A-A extends through the disk 102. The puck 100 also includes a plurality of sound emitting structures (e.g., whistles) 108 connected to the sidewall 106c. The whistles 108 are connected to the disk so that the disk 102 and the whistles 108 move (e.g., rotate and translate) unitarily during use.

[0018] The top and bottom surfaces 102a, 102b have annular peripheral rims or flanges 106a, 106b shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and sidewall 106c is recessed relative thereto in that the diameter of the top and bottom surfaces 102a, 102b is larger than the diameter of the central cylinder 102c of the disk 102. The whistles 108 are disposed in the sidewall 106c. The whistles 108 may protrude radially outward from the sidewall 106c, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, but do not protrude radially outward beyond the circumferences of the upper and lower rims or flanges 106a and 106b, thereby helping protect the whistles 108 from impact (e.g., impact with the blade of a hockey stick or goal structure).

[0019] The whistles 108 are circumferentially spaced equally about the sidewall 106c to promote even weight distribution and balance. Also, the whistles 108 are centered axially (with respect to axis A-A) between the top and bottom surfaces 102a, 102b of the puck 100. In embodiments, the whistles 108 are disposed diametrically opposite one another across the cylinder 102c.

[0020] Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate additional details of the construction of the puck 100 and the whistles 108. Each whistle 108 shown in Figs. 3 and 4 includes a top wall 108a defining an aperture 108b, and a cylindrical sidewall 108c attached to the top wall 108a. The whistles 108 shown in Figs. 3 and 4 utilize a base 110a of a borehole 110 in the disk 102 to define a resonant chamber between the top wall 108a, sidewall 108c, and the base 110a. Optionally, one or more whistles 108 may have a bottom wall 108 spaced from the top wall 108a and attached to the sidewall 108c. In such an embodiment, the top wall 108a, the sidewall 108c, and the optional bottom wall of a respective whistle 108 define and surround a resonant chamber having a certain volume. Each whistle 108 extends along a central longitudinal axis B-B, which is configured to align with the radial direction of the disk 102 through axis A-A when the whistle is connected to the disk 102. The top wall 108a of the whistle 108 is rounded and may be hemispherical. The aperture 108b is shown as an elongated slot that is disposed on one half of the top wall 108a (i.e., the aperture 108b is radially offset from axis B-B). In other embodiments, the aperture 108b may be an oval, round (e.g., circle, Fig. 5), square, star, triangle, crescent or other geometric shape. Also, in embodiments, whistles may comprise a spherical shell surrounding a hollow resonant chamber. The spherical shell defines an aperture in communication with the resonant chamber.

[0021] Each whistle 108 may be of one-piece or multi-piece construction. Also, the whistles 108 may be separate from one another (as in the embodiment shown in Figs. 3 and 4) or, alternatively, may be formed as part of an array of whistles attached to one another and extending around the circumference of the sidewall 106c. The puck 100 may be formed from an existing solid or hollow hockey puck that is modified to permit insertion of the plurality of sound emitting structures 108. The puck 100 may be of one-piece or multiple piece construction formed from suitable materials including materials that can be molded, machined, or made using additive manufacturing (e.g., 3D printing). For example, in embodiments, the and the whistles 108 may be formed from plastic and may be molded together into a unitary structure.

[0022] The cylinder 102c of the puck 100 defines a plurality of radially extending boreholes 110 in the sidewall 106c of the cylinder 102c. Each borehole 110 is configured to receive a corresponding whistle 108. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, each borehole 110 has a base 110a and cylindrical sidewall 110b extending to an outer surface of the annular groove portion 106c of the peripheral sidewall 106. Each borehole 110 may have a slightly undersized diameter in comparison with the outer diameter of the whistle 108 to create an interference fit between the whistle 108 and the borehole 110 so that the whistle 108 will remain connected to the cylinder 102c in the borehole 110. Alternatively or additionally, the whistles 108 may be attached to the cylinder 102c with glue, snap fit, or with a threaded connection, for example. During movement of the puck 100, it may rotate and/or translate as it moves along the ground (ice) or through the air. When the puck 100 moves, an airstream will form and pass over the puck 100 (in relative motion). The aperture 108b of at least one whistle 108 is positioned about its axis B-B to encounter the airstream. Specifically, the aperture 108b may be disposed axially along axis B-B to be spaced a certain radial distance from the outer surface (sidewall 106c) of the cylinder 102c and may be positioned rotationally relative to axis B-B so that the aperture 108b extends at a certain angle with respect to vertical axis A-A. The aperture 108b of one or more whistles 108 is positioned to permit part of the airstream to enter the respective resonant chamber, which under certain circumstances, causes rapid increases and decreases in air pressure within the resonant chamber resulting in a vibration producing a whistle sound emitted from the aperture 108b. For example, in embodiments, the whistle 108 emits a whistle sound if the rotational speed of the puck 100 about axis A-A is at least equal to a predetermined threshold rotational speed and the translational speed of the puck 100 is at least equal to a predetermined threshold translational speed. The speed of the vibration measured as the pitch of whistle sound is dependent upon the volume of the resonant chamber and the orientation of the aperture 108b relative to the direction of rotation (e.g., clockwise or counter clockwise) of the disk 102 about its central axis A-A. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the apertures 108b of the whistles 108 are oriented in opposition to one another (on oppositely facing portions of top walls 108a of whistles 108), to produce sound during either clockwise or counterclockwise rotation of the puck 100 about its axis A-A.

This can allow the puck to emit sound even if the puck 100 is flipped over (e.g., top over bottom) during use.

[0023] Among the plurality of whistles 108 attached to the cylinder 102c, there may be variation in the volumes of the resonant chambers, as well as variation in the orientations of the apertures 108b with respect to the cylinder 102c to achieve a sound output from the plurality of whistles 108 comprising more than one pitch. The volume of the resonant chamber and orientation of the aperture 108b of one or more whistles 108 may be fixed or adjustable by the user. For example, in embodiments, one or more whistles 108 may be readily removable from the cylinder 102c and may be interchanged with other whistles 108 having different resonant chamber volumes. Also, a user may remove a whistle 108, and replace the removed whistle 108 with the aperture 108b in a reoriented position axially along axis B-B or rotationally about axis B-B. Accordingly, in one aspect, whistles 108 may be removable and replaceable by the user. Also, in embodiments of the puck 100 where a threaded connection is used between a whistle 108 and a corresponding borehole 110, a user may alter the depth of the whistle 108 within the borehole 110 by screwing or unscrewing the whistle 108. In embodiments 108 of the whistle 108 that do not have a bottom wall, adjusting the depth of the whistle 108 along axis B-B with respect to a respective borehole 110, can adjust the volume of the resonant chamber and, thus, alter the pitch of the whistle 108.

[0024] It will be appreciated that the arrangement of the whistles 108 and the apertures 108c on the disk 102 can provide a visual appearance of facial features and/or facial expressions, (i.e., the top walls 108a of adjacent whistles 108 may resemble eyes and sidewall 102c between whistles 108 resembles part of a face surrounding eyes). Thus, user adjustment of the orientation of the whistles 108 with respect to the disk 102 can also be done to displaying different facial features or facial expressions.

[0025] A user can use the puck 100 as follows. A user with a hockey stick having a blade can slide or move the blade against, and tangential to the circumferential peripheral rims or flanges 106a, 106b of the upper and lower surfaces 102a, 102b.

This motion effectively rolls the rims or flanges 106a, 106b along the blade (rotating the puck 100 about the central axis A-A), while also pushing (i.e., translating) the puck 100 away from the contact point between the blade and puck 100. Thus, to rotate and translate the puck 100, the user can perform a set of steps that include aligning the blade in a specific position relative to the puck 100 (i.e., tangential to the peripheral rims or flanges 106a, 106b of the top and bottom surfaces 102a, 102b of the disk 102), imparting a specific directional plane of motion to the blade, and applying adequate force against the puck 100. When the user imparts a rotational speed to the puck 100 at or above a certain threshold rotational speed and imparts a translational speed at or above a certain threshold translational speed, one or more whistles 108 of the puck 100 emit a whistle sound. However, if the user does not impart a rotational speed to the puck 100 at or above the certain threshold rotational speed and does not impart a translational speed to the puck 100 at or above the certain threshold translational speed, the whistles of the puck 100 do not emit a whistle sound. The motion that the user must make to cause the puck 100 to emit the whistle sound are deemed to be desirable motions to train the users and improve their hockey playing skills. Thus, a user who uses the puck 100 can receive feedback in the form of audible whistle sounds emitted by the whistles 108 of the puck 100 when the user hits or pushes the puck with desirable or correct motions of the hockey stick. Therefore, the puck 100 in accordance with this disclosure can encourage and train the user to properly execute the aforementioned motions, which cause the puck 100 to emit whistle sounds.

[0026] There have been described and illustrated herein several embodiments of a hockey puck and a method of use. While particular embodiments of the invention have been described, it is not intended that the invention be limited thereto, as it is intended that the invention be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise. Thus, while particular whistling sound emitting structures have been disclosed, it will be appreciated that other sound emitting structures may be used as well that produce other sounds. Also, while a solid cylinder is preferred, it will be recognized that a hollow cylinder may be used. It will therefore be appreciated by those skilled in the art that yet other modifications could be made to the provided invention without deviating from its spirit and scope as claimed.