FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a portable device to carry, store and organize, various sports sticks, garden tools and other household items that require upright storage either on a permanent or temporary basis. In particular the present invention provides a portable storage unit for hockey sticks and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A common problem associated with sports teams and hockey in particular is the care and placement of sticks in the dressing room, at the players bench and when moved from one location to another. Hockey sticks, for example, are typically placed against the wall inside arena change rooms, sometimes behind the door, or left outside smaller dressing rooms. At some point, for example when one player grabs a stick or a player doesn't place his stick carefully or when bumped by a player or equipment bag, the sticks invariably fall down posing a potential tripping hazard, blocking access in or out of the change room or hallway or in some cases physical injury.

Sticks used in ringette fall very easily and are a potential hazard for injury to players, coaching staff and parents. Brooms used in curling are left leaning up against the wall and participants trip over the brushes or have to pick them up off the floor.

In the sport of ball hockey and inline hockey, sticks blades are generally not taped and slip and slide easily on a cement floor especially when leaning against a wall.

But, the dressing room is not the only place there is a problem. Players in hockey tend to bring two sticks to a game just in case one breaks during the game. Prior to a game, once the player leaves the dressing room, one of two things happens. Players leave their extra sticks for the trainer to carry them to the bench or the player throws their loose stick into a corner as they skate by the bench. If a player breaks a stick, they come off the ice with and grab their second stick. The rest of the sticks fall everywhere and the trainer has to pick them up to prevent a hazard. It is very difficult for a trainer to carry 15-20 sticks at a time through an arena, many times past spectators and players, creating a potential for injury when trying to navigate through the crowd. In some cases the trainer carries the sticks across the ice to and from the dressing room and players bench. It is not easy to carry 15-20 loose sticks at one time. They slip through the trainer's arms, as the bundle is clutched awkwardly. The bundle of loose sticks restricts the view of surroundings, with the trainer ultimately depending on those around, to move out of the way to avoid injury.

The trainer's role is to attend to injured players or assist them when equipment has failed during a game. There are many times when a trainer scrambles for an ice pack or first-aid kit at the bench. Tape availability at the bench is a common problem and many times players, or the game itself, can be delayed while the player waits for someone to return from the dressing room with more tape. Preparing the game sheet for referees, officials and timekeepers, is a trainer's job. A first-aid kit, extra tape and game sheets are required to be readily available at the bench, at all times during the game for the trainer.

When games and tournaments are played in different arenas, players and coaching staff often travel by bus. Hockey bags are placed under the bus in storage compartments and sticks are thrown in beside player bags. Sticks are free to crash around and expensive sticks can be damaged. The team arrives at the rink and has to search through the mess to find their own sticks. Pulling sticks out of the storage area can be a potential hazard for both the players and coaching staff.

At home, proper storage of any sports related equipment or tools to reduce potential injury is a priority, whether it's sports, garden, or other household equipment.

The problem of safe stick storage and transport has been identified but to date, despite several attempts, no viable solution has been found.

In some modern dressing rooms, there is a permanent structure designated for sticks built into the dressing rooms and in rare occasions at the player's bench. However these units are fixed in place and do not permit trainers, coaches or players to safely and easily carry a large number of sticks from one location to another. Many of the older arenas have very small dressing rooms and cramped spectator benches are next to the dressing rooms, or in the middle of the traffic flow of players trying to get to their dressing rooms before a game. Nothing is available to store sticks safely in these conditions. Sticks are left outside dressing rooms, just behind the door, in the entrance to the bathrooms and, in some cases, thrown in the middle of the room for all players to climb over them while wearing skates.

Canadian Patent 2,278,063 describes a circular hockey stick storage rack that is not moveable.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,547,085 describes a storage rack for hockey sticks having an open box like shape moveable on wheels. The unit full of sticks is designed to be pulled around the edge of the rink towards the bench area and remained adjacent to the bench for access. It was limited to one floor or the ramps provided. It was too heavy and awkward to carry up a staircase. It also typically remains at one facility and could not be taken to other arenas for use.

There is a need for a safe, manageable and convenient means of storing sport-related sticks, carrying them easily, as well as traveling with them in a safe and orderly manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device that allows players and coaching staff an opportunity to organize sports-related sticks in a portable unit in the dressing room and at the bench of an arena or sports facility (whenever facilities don't provide sports-related stick storage), and retrieve them without searching through falling or fallen sticks.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a trainer or other person, whether at the professional or recreational level, means to easily carry between 15-20 sticks, using one hand, safely through crowds and players without physical stress and hazard to anyone.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide trainers the means to easily organize and access their safety equipment required on the bench.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide, a means to easily and safely move sport-related sticks while traveling in a vehicle, on a bus, train or airplane.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide means used in a garage, basement of a home or an office, to store sports items, garden and household tools.

Accordingly the present invention provides a portable storage unit to carry, store and organize, various sports sticks, garden tools and other household items that require upright storage either on a permanent or temporary basis consisting of a pair of rigid side members that in the open position are spaced apart and a support section provided between the two side members, the support section adapted to permit the side members to move from an open spaced apart position to a closed adjacent position to permit the portable storage unit to be carried in one hand. In a preferred embodiment the support section has a lower portion and a top portion, each of said lower portion and top portion secured to the side members at different heights and positions to support and maintain the sports sticks, garden tools or other household items to be placed in the portable storage unit.

Further features of the invention will be described or will become apparent in the course of the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, a preferred embodiment thereof will now be described in detail by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective front view of one embodiment of a portable storage unit for sports-related sticks, garden tools and other household items in an open position according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front plan view of the portable storage unit of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows the portable storage of FIG. 1 in a closed position being used to carry a number of sticks.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, one embodiment of a portable storage unit for sports-related sticks, garden tools and other household items according to the present invention is generally indicated at 1. The portable storage unit 1, in an open position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, allows sports-related equipment, such as hockey sticks, lacrosse sticks, ringette sticks, curling brooms and the like, to be placed in the portable storage unit 1 in a safe and organized manner. The portable storage unit 1 is preferably lightweight, durable and versatile with flexible uses before, during and after a sporting event. In a closed position, as shown in FIG. 3, the portable storage unit 1 can preferably be carried using one hand and/or placed in a carry bag (not shown) when not in use or during travel in vehicles, trains, buses and airplanes.

The portable storage unit shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 consists of a pair of rigid side members 2, 3 that in the open position are spaced apart. In the embodiment the pair of rigid side members 2, 3 illustrated are hockey sticks. While the embodiment shown utilizes hockey sticks for the side members 2,3 other forms of support are possible that will provide the portable storage unit with strength, security and stability. The portable storage unit is intended to be placed in an upright, open position against a wall, door or partition or the like. A cap 4,5, in the embodiment illustrated a rubber cap, is preferably placed on the top 6,7 of each side member 2,3 to prevent the top 6,7 of the side members 2,3 slipping down the wall, door or partition.

A support section, generally indicated at 8, is provided between the two side members 2,3. The support section 8 provides support for the sports-related sticks, garden tools and other household items placed in the portable storage unit 1. The support section 8 is adapted to permit the side members 2,3 to be moved from an open spaced apart position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 to a closed adjacent position as shown in FIG. 3 for carrying the portable storage unit 1, including the sports-related sticks, garden tools and other household items, from one location to another. Support section 8 preferably consists of one or more separate portions and in the embodiment illustrated consists of a lower portion 9, a top portion 10 and a middle portion 11.

The lower portion 9 of support section 8 has a base 12, opposite upstanding sidewalls 13, 14 and an upstanding front wall 15. The lower portion 9, in the open position, preferably forms a scoop-like shape that retains the lower portion of an elongated sports stick such as a hockey stick blade, when a player puts the stick into the portable storage unit 1. The front side 16 of the base 12 of the lower portion 9 is intended to rest on the floor when the portable storage unit 1 is leaning against a wall, door etc. The lower section 9 can be made from a variety of materials providing it can accommodate movement of the portable storage unit from the open position to the closed position. The lower portion 9 when the portable storage unit 1 is moved from the open position to the closed position generally bends about the middle 17,18 of the base 12 and front wall 15 respectively. In the embodiment illustrated the lower section 9 has been made from a fabric(s) or other flexible material such as plastic sheeting that is preferably water resistant and provides sufficient durability to withstand repeated use. Fabrics from various natural or synthetic fibers with waterproof coatings are particularly suitable for use with sports like ice hockey where the sticks are often wet when used. In addition, drain holes can optionally be provided in base 12.

In the embodiment illustrated, the lower portion 9 is fabricated from sheet material that forms base 12, front wall 15 and sleeves 19,20. The blades of the hockey sticks that are used for side members 2,3 are inserted into sleeves 19,20 to form upstanding sidewalls 13,14. The base 12 extends part way up the shaft of the hockey sticks 2,3 to create the scoop-like shape for lower section 9. The lower section 9 is attached to the side members 2, 3 by means of screws or other suitable fasteners through the lower section 9 and into the side members 2,3. If additional strength and durability are required, reinforcing material (such as rubber stripping) can be utilized on the wear surfaces of lower portion 9 or internal padding may be provided. In addition in order to facilitate bending about the mid-points 17,18 of base 12 or front wall 15, or reinforce the exposed edges, banding or the like may be utilized.

The front wall 15 of the lower portion 9 is designed to help contain the sports stick blades when put into the unit. In the embodiment illustrated, the front wall 15 has been designed using padding material, banding and abrasion tape to prevent the blades from slipping forward out of the unit.

In the embodiment shown, support section 8 includes a top portion 10 comprising a generally rectangular panel 21 having opposite ends 22, 23. The one end 22 of panel 21 is attached to the top portion of side member 2 and the other end 23 of panel 21 is attached to the top portion of side member 3. The ends 22, 23 of panel 21 are secured in such a way as to form a slight V-shape in panel 21, providing an angle to panel 21 to aid in holding sticks. In the embodiment shown this is accomplished by attaching panel 21 to the back 24, 25 of the side members 2,3 by screws or other suitable fasteners. The top portion 10 can be made from a variety of materials providing it can accommodate movement of the portable storage unit from the open position to the closed position. The top portion 10 when the portable storage unit 1 is moved from the open position to the closed position generally bends about the middle 26 of the panel 21. In the embodiment illustrated the top portion 10 has been made from a fabric that is preferably water resistant and provides sufficient durability to withstand repeated use.

The top portion 10 supports the top of the stick or tool or other item being placed in the unit. The top section 10 also provides easy access to a player to retrieve his or her stick. Sticks, whether junior or senior, vary in height with different stick manufacturers, and this top portion 10 allows the different height varieties to be secured in the product. As noted above, the top portion 10 is secured by wrapping it around the back of the side members 2,3 thereby creating a pocket to help support and maintain the sticks.

The width and length of the lower portion 9 and top section 10 may vary depending on the size of unit required or the application. In the embodiment illustrated, the portable storage unit 1 is used to hold hockey sticks. In the open position, the side members are preferably about 24 inches apart for a senior model for adult size sticks and about 20 inches apart for a junior model for young children's sticks. The separation between the lower portion 9 and top portion 10, where separate portions are used, will vary between the senior model and junior model.

A logo or team crest may be applied to the front of panel 21.

The middle portion 11 of support section 8, while shown as a separate section, can be a lower extension of top section 10. The middle section 11 comprises a generally rectangular panel 27 having opposite ends 28, 29. The one end 28 of panel 27 is attached to the side member 2 and the other end 29 of panel 27 is attached to the side member 3. The ends 28, 29 of panel 27 are secured in such a way as to form a slight V-shape in panel 27, providing an angle to assist the holding of sticks. In the embodiment shown this is accomplished by attaching the panel 27 to the back 24, 25 of the side members 2,3 by screws or other suitable fasteners. The middle portion 11 can be made from a variety of materials providing it can accommodate movement of the portable storage unit from the open position to the closed position. The middle portion 11 when the portable storage unit 1 is moved from the open position to the closed position generally bends about the middle 30 of the panel 27. The panel 27 provides additional support for the middle of the shaft of the hockey stick or other sports related sticks. In the embodiment shown, two mesh pockets 31,32 are provided on front of panel 27. This is an ideal place for the trainer to place extra tape, the game sheet, a cellular phone for emergency calls, and ice packs for injured players. These items can be placed in the mesh pockets in the dressing room ahead of time or at the bench. They are necessary tools that a trainer needs during a game. Having the necessary tools accessible saves time and chaos when a player is in need of assistance.

Variations in the length and/or width of the middle portion 11 are possible. The position of the middle portion 11 can be changed, if desired, so long as it does not interfere with the function and integrity of the unit when storing the trainer's equipment or the established balanced position for hand placement when carrying the unit. As noted above the top portion 10 and middle portion 11 of support section 8 can be one piece. It may also be possible for all three portions of the support section 8 to be connected.

The lower, top and middle sections 9, 10, 11 are preferably adapted to facilitate bending about their mid-point. For example topstitching of three rows in the centres 17, 18, 26 and 30 of each the lower, top and middle sections 9, 10, 11 can be provided to help the unit to fold in the centre for ease of carrying.

FIG. 3 shows the portable storage unit 1 of the present invention in the closed position. The unit is folded in around its mid-point so that side members 2,3 are together and can be gripped and carried by a person in one hand. Each of the lower 9, top 10 and middle 11 portions of support section 8 fold at their mid-points around the hockey sticks 33 placed in the unit. While no latch is necessary, a strap or other retaining feature can be optionally provided to retain the side members 2, 3 in the closed position.

In the closed position the portable storage unit 1 and stored items 33 can be placed in a carry bag for placement into a vehicle, either inside or secured on a roof rack, in a storage compartment of a bus, train or aircraft. The carry bag is preferably large enough to house a combination of extra sticks within the product. Although heavier in nature, with the extra sticks, the filled bag can be put into a vehicle, either inside or secured on a roof rack, in a storage compartment of a bus, train or aircraft. In the event of a vehicle collision, sticks are secure, as opposed to being loose.

The trainer can take the unit back and forth from the arenas; use the unit to store extra sticks, garden tools and other household items in basements, garages and offices.

By using the present invention, professional trainers can save valuable time by eliminating the process of taping large bundles of sticks and creating a safe environment when traveling past media members, young people and players on route to the bench.

Where the invention is used outside the dressing room on one of the walls, players and spectators can see it clearly displayed. It helps teams identify their dressing room for the game, if it is left outside the dressing room. A team sweater can be placed over the unit to promote identification of the team dressing room or even help with encouraging team spirit. It can also prevent accidents, like slipping or tripping over fallen sticks in busy arenas, if the sticks are visibly organized in the unit.

After the players have left the change room, any additional sticks players have left behind, including the goalie stick, can remain in the portable storage unit. Trainers can save valuable time when they do not have to bend down to get all the sticks left on the floor. They do not have to organize them or gather loose sticks in their arms and carry them to the bench. The trainer simply places their hands halfway down on the shaft of the two side members 2,3 and draws the unit closed around the sticks 33 inside. With both side members drawn together so that they touch, the trainer places one hand around both sticks to form a natural handle. Then, in one motion, the trainer lifts the unit, with the sticks contained within the unit.

The trainer is then ready to carry the unit by their side in an easy, comfortable manner, using only one hand, perpendicular to their upright body, with the sticks safely secured within the unit, through crowds of spectators and players with full view of all their surroundings. The trainer has one hand free to open doors or if preferred, to carry water bottles, first-aid kit or any other equipment needed, to the bench. They are able to clearly see the ground, if walking on slippery surfaces. They are also able to easily pass through doors to get to the bench. The sticks are secure at all times without the chance of slipping out. There is no need for a locking or securing device to control the sticks.

The side members 2,3 provide the portability of the unit when brought together in a closed position, as handles for easy carry of the sticks or other elongated products. There are no additional handles or levers on the unit. The ease of carrying is based on finding the ideal point of balance for the hand position, as when one carries a stick. The blade portion of a stick is slightly heavier and a trainer or player adjusts the position of the hand to find the balance point to prevent the blade from hitting the ground. The unit may be carried at an angle, which differs from the perpendicular angle to the body or even in an upright position, and the sticks will remain, as long as the two side members are held together securely as needed, with one hand.

At the bench, the trainer finds a part of the wall or partition that is out of the way of player traffic and places the unit upright, still holding the unit together with one hand. With the second hand free, the trainer places their second hand adjacent to the first hand, allowing each hand to assume the responsibility of having one of the side supports. Once each hand is placed in position, the unit is easily opened to its full size again, against the wall and the sticks are available if players need them. The capped tops of the sticks provide the traction and stability for the unit. A first-aid kit bag could be slung over one of capped ends, for easy accessibility in an emergency situation. If space is cramped, as many benches are, the unit may not be able to be expanded fully, but as long as the capped ends are upright and placed in a balanced manner, the unit can easily remain in this position. Stick safety and storage can be adaptable to most close quarters using this portable unit.

At the end of a game, the trainer carries the unit, containing any extra sticks, back to the dressing room and players once again put their sticks in the unit, change, and take their sticks with them in an organized manner when they are ready to leave the arena. At this point, the trainer closes the unit, places it in its own carry bag, if preferred, and leaves the arena. The unit is easily carried in the bag. The fabric is soft, lightweight and the hockey stick supports can easily be felt through the carry bag. The whole unit is so light that it can be placed across a hockey bag and the unit carried that way. It can be tucked under one's arm and carried. All methods are adaptable to the person's comfort in carrying the unit. There is no need for extra handles to grab or long straps to loop over one's head or shoulder awkwardly. This prevents a potential for injury and promotes a safe sports equipment philosophy. This also allows the adaptability of the unit for the carrier as he can balance the unit in his comfort zone, easing physical strain on the person carrying the unit.

Although various preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described herein in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, that variations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.