Hockey puck collection apparatus

Abstract

Apparatus of use in the collection and storage of hockey pucks from an ice surface, the apparatus having a storage facility, such as a bag having a puck entry aperture; aperture door adjacent the entry aperture wherein the door is (i) in a static position as to prevent stored pucks in the bag from exiting through the entry aperture, and (ii) operably displaceable by a moving puck to allow entry of the puck into the bag through the entry aperture and wherein the door is returnable to the static position after passage of the puck into the bag; and handle means connected to the bag by which the apparatus may be moved along on or lifted from the ice surface. The apparatus provides improved convenience to a person in picking up hockey pucks from the ice surface.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates to apparatus for use in collecting and storing hockey pucks from ice surfaces. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Significant number of hockey pucks are used during practise sessions on ice surfaces, particularly in ice rinks. It is not a particular hardship for a single or several pucks to be used and, subsequently, picked up by a player after a practise session. However, when a significant number of pucks are to be retrieved during and after a session, particularly when a plurality of players are involved, such a physical action in bending down to retrieve the puck(s) and transfer them to an “off-ice” storage site usually represents an inconvenience that the players would like to avoid. [0003] Apparatus of use in retrieving pucks and removing them from the ice is known which comprises a puck holding net affixed to a rotable rigid ramp. The ramp assists the puck into the net when the puck is hit by a stick. However, such apparatu...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide improved apparatus of use in the retrieval, transfer and, optional, storage of hockey pucks from ice surfaces which apparatus is more convenient to be operated by players, and more aesthetically appealing.

[0014] In addition to the handle means facilitating movement of the apparatus along the ice, when desired, upward lifting of the handle and, accordingly, the front end of the storage means, causes the bag of the storage means to tilt to effect rearward distribution of the hockey pucks in the bag to enable more pucks to be shot into the bag through the closure means.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the bottom member prevents the closure means from being displaced from the vertical plane away from the aperture.

Problems solved by technology

However, when a significant number of pucks are to be retrieved during and after a session, particularly when a plurality of players are involved, such a physical action in bending down to retrieve the puck(s) and transfer them to an “off-ice” storage site usually represents an inconvenience that the players would like to avoid.

However, such apparatus suffers from the aforesaid disadvantage of inconvenience.

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