CA3040490A1 - Curling broom head with feature to prevent head pivoting during curling slide - Google Patents
Curling broom head with feature to prevent head pivoting during curling slide Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA3040490A1 CA3040490A1 CA3040490A CA3040490A CA3040490A1 CA 3040490 A1 CA3040490 A1 CA 3040490A1 CA 3040490 A CA3040490 A CA 3040490A CA 3040490 A CA3040490 A CA 3040490A CA 3040490 A1 CA3040490 A1 CA 3040490A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- curling
- head assembly
- broom
- shaft connector
- broom head
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B67/00—Sporting games or accessories therefor, not provided for in groups A63B1/00 - A63B65/00
- A63B67/14—Curling stone; Shuffleboard; Similar sliding games
- A63B67/148—Curling brooms or brushes
Landscapes
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
- Cleaning Implements For Floors, Carpets, Furniture, Walls, And The Like (AREA)
Abstract
The present invention provides a curling broom head assembly with a feature to prevent pivoting of the head during the curling slide. The curling broom head assembly is composed of an upper body, a bottom assembly that engages with the curling ice during sweeping, a stem section that is used to attach the broom head assembly to the broom handle, and a pivot mechanism that allows the stem and broom handle to pivot relative to the upper body. When the curling broom is used during a curling stone delivery, the head assembly is orientated to a sliding orientation, so that a surface of the upper body slides across the ice, rather than the fabric portion of the bottom assembly. There is a feature of the broom head assembly that secures the stem in place when in the sliding orientation, and helps prevent undesirable pivoting of the pivot mechanism during the curling stone delivery.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The curling broom is comprised of a broom handle and broom head assembly. The broom handle is gripped by the curler during the sweeping motion as well as during the curling stone delivery, and is attached to the broom head assembly at one end. The broom head assembly is composed of an upper body, a bottom assembly with a fabric portion for engaging the curling ice during sweeping, a stem that is used to attach the broom head assembly to the broom handle, and a pivot mechanism that allows the stem and handle to pivot relative to the upper body. During the curling stone delivery, the broom can be used to aid in the balance and stability of the curler, where part of the upper body of the broom head assembly slides on the ice surface. The broom head assembly contains one or more features that help secure the stem and pivot mechanism in one location during the curling stone delivery.
BACKGROUND
Curling brooms are primarily used in the sport of curling to sweep the ice surface in front of a travelling curling stone during a curling shot. A secondary use for a curling broom is to aid in the balance and stability of a curler during the delivery of a stone, where a portion of the broom slides on the ice, and another portion is gripped for stability. Curling brooms are generally composed of two main parts: a head assembly and a handle. Most curling broom head assemblies have a pad section with a fabric layer for engaging with the ice during the sweeping action, an upper body that is rigid and provides the structure and rigidity of the broom head assembly, a stem that is used to attach the head assembly to the broom handle and a pivot mechanism that allows the stem and broom handle to pivot relative to the upper body.
When the curling broom is used for sweeping, the pivot mechanism allows for different broom handle angles, relative to the curling ice surface, so curlers of all sizes and sweeping styles can effectively sweep with the broom. When the curling broom is used for balance during the delivery of a curling stone, it is generally adjusted to a sliding orientation, where the pivot mechanism is pivoted the maximum amount in one direction, orientating the head assembly such that a portion of the upper body is in contact with and slides along the ice surface during the delivery.
When a curling broom is used during the delivery of a curling stone, the friction of the broom head sliding across the ice can occasionally cause the broom head and pivot mechanism to change position during the slide, which at a minimum may distract the focus of the curler during the curling shot. A
more drastic change in broom head position, such as the head pivoting from the sliding orientation to the sweeping orientation, causes the fabric to slide across the ice instead of the plastic upper body, which can significantly affect the speed and trajectory of the slide and make it difficult for the curler to deliver the curling stone with the intended result. As such, a need exists for a broom head with features designed to prevent unwanted changes in head position during the curling stone delivery and secure the broom head in the sliding orientation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a curling broom head assembly attached to a broom handle FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a broom head assembly FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a curling broom in the sliding orientation FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a broom head assembly with the stem section positioned in the sliding position FIG. 5 is a cross-section view of a broom head assembly FIG. 6 is a cross-section view of a broom head assembly with the stem section positioned in the sliding position FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a broom head assembly with the pad assembly detached from the upper body DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 shows the lower portion of a complete curling broom 100 that includes a broom handle 101 and a broom head assembly 102. The broom head assembly 102 is attached to the broom handle 101 at one end of the broom handle 101. During the curling sweeping motion by the curling player, referred to herein as curler, the broom head assembly 102 is used in the sweeping orientation, where the bottom of the broom head assembly 102 is in contact with the curling ice 103.
FIG. 2 shows a broom head assembly 102 that includes an upper body 104, bottom assembly 105, stem section 106, and pivot mechanism 107. The stem section 106 is attached to the broom handle 101 when the curling broom 100 is properly assembled, and the pivot mechanism 107 allows the stem section 106 to pivot relative to the upper body 104 within the physical constraints of the broom head assembly 102 design. The bottom assembly 105 is the part of the broom head assembly 102 that contacts the curling ice 103 during the curling sweeping motion, and usually contains a fabric component that is wrapped around the bottom and sides of the bottom assembly 105.
As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the central axis of the cylindrical curling broom handle 101 and stem section 106 are orientated normal to the surface of the curling ice 103. This stem section 106 orientation is considered the normal stem position, and the pivoting motion of the stem section 106 will be referenced to with regards to this normal stem position. As used herein, stem section 106 pivoting motion that is directly towards or away from the normal stem position will be referred to as a lateral pivot motion. A stem section 106 pivoting motion that is radially around the central axis of the normal stem position will be referred to as tangential pivot motion.
As with most modern broom designs, the curling broom 100 can be used to aid in the balance of the curler during the curling stone delivery by pivoting the broom head assembly 102 to a sliding orientation, where the bottom assembly 105 is no longer in contact with the curling ice 103. As shown in FIG. 2, the upper body 104 includes a sliding surface 109, which is intended to contact the curling ice 103 when the curling broom 100 is used during the curling stone delivery. The upper body 104 also includes a stem cutout 108 which is a profile for the stem section 106 to be positioned to when the broom head assembly 102 is in the sliding orientation.
The purpose of positioning the broom head assembly 102 to a sliding orientation during the curling slide is to have reduced friction between the broom head assembly 102 and the curling ice 103, when compared to when the fabric component of the bottom assembly 105 touches the curling ice 103 in the sweeping orientation. During the curling stone delivery, the broom head assembly 102 is in contact with and sliding across the curling ice 103, and a low friction force is desirable, so as to have minimum effect on the speed and trajectory of the curling slide. It is also desirable to have the pivot mechanism 107 be static and not pivot in a lateral or tangential pivot motion during the curling stone delivery, as that may distract the focus of the curler or affect their balance.
FIG. 3 shows the curling broom 100 in the sliding orientation, where the sliding surface 109 of the upper body 104 is in contact with the curling ice 103 and the stem section 106 is positioned in the stem cutout 108 of the upper body 104. This stem section 106 position will be referred to as the sliding position herein. When the curling broom 100 is used during the curling stone delivery, the curler grips the broom handle 101 and positions the broom head assembly 102 to a location relative to their body that provides an added point of stable contact with the curling ice 103 and aids in the balance and stability of the curler during the curling slide. FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the broom head assembly 102 with the stem section 106 in the sliding position.
With existing curling brooms there are no features to help secure the stem section 106 in the sliding position, and it is not uncommon for the pivot mechanism 107 to adjust or pivot during the curling slide, which is not desirable. It is also not uncommon for the broom head assembly 102 to pivot to the sweeping orientation during the curling slide, which is highly undesirable, as when the broom head assembly 102 pivots laterally, from the sliding orientation to the sweeping orientation, there is a significant increase in friction force, which can significantly change the speed and trajectory of the curling slide.
As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the broom head assembly 102 of this invention contains features to secure it in the sliding orientation. The stem section 106 has a stem locking feature 110 that interfaces with a bottom assembly locking feature 111 when the stem section 106 is pivoted to the sliding position.
When the stem section 106 is being pivoted to the sliding positon, interference occurs between the stem locking feature 110 and the bottom assembly locking feature 111, causing the bottom assembly 105 to momentarily flex downward, before the stem section 106 is seated within the stem cutout 108.
As shown in FIG. 7, when the stem section 106 is pivoted to the sliding position, the interference interaction between the stem locking feature 110 and bottom assembly locking feature 111 helps prevent the stem section 106 from pivoting in a lateral pivot motion. With the stem section 106 secured from movement in the lateral pivot motion, the profile of the stem cutout 108 prevents the stem section 106 from pivoting in a tangential pivot motion, hence securing the stem section 106 from pivoting in all directions, and securing the stem section 106 in the sliding position. The stem section 106 being secured in the sliding position is ideal for a curler during the curling stone delivery as it helps ensure there is no pivoting of the broom head assembly 102. When the curler wants to pivot the broom head assembly 102 from the sliding orientation to the sweeping orientation, the stem section 106 can be pivoted in the lateral direction by overcoming the interference force between the stem locking feature 110 and the bottom assembly locking feature 111.
The curling broom is comprised of a broom handle and broom head assembly. The broom handle is gripped by the curler during the sweeping motion as well as during the curling stone delivery, and is attached to the broom head assembly at one end. The broom head assembly is composed of an upper body, a bottom assembly with a fabric portion for engaging the curling ice during sweeping, a stem that is used to attach the broom head assembly to the broom handle, and a pivot mechanism that allows the stem and handle to pivot relative to the upper body. During the curling stone delivery, the broom can be used to aid in the balance and stability of the curler, where part of the upper body of the broom head assembly slides on the ice surface. The broom head assembly contains one or more features that help secure the stem and pivot mechanism in one location during the curling stone delivery.
BACKGROUND
Curling brooms are primarily used in the sport of curling to sweep the ice surface in front of a travelling curling stone during a curling shot. A secondary use for a curling broom is to aid in the balance and stability of a curler during the delivery of a stone, where a portion of the broom slides on the ice, and another portion is gripped for stability. Curling brooms are generally composed of two main parts: a head assembly and a handle. Most curling broom head assemblies have a pad section with a fabric layer for engaging with the ice during the sweeping action, an upper body that is rigid and provides the structure and rigidity of the broom head assembly, a stem that is used to attach the head assembly to the broom handle and a pivot mechanism that allows the stem and broom handle to pivot relative to the upper body.
When the curling broom is used for sweeping, the pivot mechanism allows for different broom handle angles, relative to the curling ice surface, so curlers of all sizes and sweeping styles can effectively sweep with the broom. When the curling broom is used for balance during the delivery of a curling stone, it is generally adjusted to a sliding orientation, where the pivot mechanism is pivoted the maximum amount in one direction, orientating the head assembly such that a portion of the upper body is in contact with and slides along the ice surface during the delivery.
When a curling broom is used during the delivery of a curling stone, the friction of the broom head sliding across the ice can occasionally cause the broom head and pivot mechanism to change position during the slide, which at a minimum may distract the focus of the curler during the curling shot. A
more drastic change in broom head position, such as the head pivoting from the sliding orientation to the sweeping orientation, causes the fabric to slide across the ice instead of the plastic upper body, which can significantly affect the speed and trajectory of the slide and make it difficult for the curler to deliver the curling stone with the intended result. As such, a need exists for a broom head with features designed to prevent unwanted changes in head position during the curling stone delivery and secure the broom head in the sliding orientation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a curling broom head assembly attached to a broom handle FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a broom head assembly FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a curling broom in the sliding orientation FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a broom head assembly with the stem section positioned in the sliding position FIG. 5 is a cross-section view of a broom head assembly FIG. 6 is a cross-section view of a broom head assembly with the stem section positioned in the sliding position FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a broom head assembly with the pad assembly detached from the upper body DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 shows the lower portion of a complete curling broom 100 that includes a broom handle 101 and a broom head assembly 102. The broom head assembly 102 is attached to the broom handle 101 at one end of the broom handle 101. During the curling sweeping motion by the curling player, referred to herein as curler, the broom head assembly 102 is used in the sweeping orientation, where the bottom of the broom head assembly 102 is in contact with the curling ice 103.
FIG. 2 shows a broom head assembly 102 that includes an upper body 104, bottom assembly 105, stem section 106, and pivot mechanism 107. The stem section 106 is attached to the broom handle 101 when the curling broom 100 is properly assembled, and the pivot mechanism 107 allows the stem section 106 to pivot relative to the upper body 104 within the physical constraints of the broom head assembly 102 design. The bottom assembly 105 is the part of the broom head assembly 102 that contacts the curling ice 103 during the curling sweeping motion, and usually contains a fabric component that is wrapped around the bottom and sides of the bottom assembly 105.
As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the central axis of the cylindrical curling broom handle 101 and stem section 106 are orientated normal to the surface of the curling ice 103. This stem section 106 orientation is considered the normal stem position, and the pivoting motion of the stem section 106 will be referenced to with regards to this normal stem position. As used herein, stem section 106 pivoting motion that is directly towards or away from the normal stem position will be referred to as a lateral pivot motion. A stem section 106 pivoting motion that is radially around the central axis of the normal stem position will be referred to as tangential pivot motion.
As with most modern broom designs, the curling broom 100 can be used to aid in the balance of the curler during the curling stone delivery by pivoting the broom head assembly 102 to a sliding orientation, where the bottom assembly 105 is no longer in contact with the curling ice 103. As shown in FIG. 2, the upper body 104 includes a sliding surface 109, which is intended to contact the curling ice 103 when the curling broom 100 is used during the curling stone delivery. The upper body 104 also includes a stem cutout 108 which is a profile for the stem section 106 to be positioned to when the broom head assembly 102 is in the sliding orientation.
The purpose of positioning the broom head assembly 102 to a sliding orientation during the curling slide is to have reduced friction between the broom head assembly 102 and the curling ice 103, when compared to when the fabric component of the bottom assembly 105 touches the curling ice 103 in the sweeping orientation. During the curling stone delivery, the broom head assembly 102 is in contact with and sliding across the curling ice 103, and a low friction force is desirable, so as to have minimum effect on the speed and trajectory of the curling slide. It is also desirable to have the pivot mechanism 107 be static and not pivot in a lateral or tangential pivot motion during the curling stone delivery, as that may distract the focus of the curler or affect their balance.
FIG. 3 shows the curling broom 100 in the sliding orientation, where the sliding surface 109 of the upper body 104 is in contact with the curling ice 103 and the stem section 106 is positioned in the stem cutout 108 of the upper body 104. This stem section 106 position will be referred to as the sliding position herein. When the curling broom 100 is used during the curling stone delivery, the curler grips the broom handle 101 and positions the broom head assembly 102 to a location relative to their body that provides an added point of stable contact with the curling ice 103 and aids in the balance and stability of the curler during the curling slide. FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the broom head assembly 102 with the stem section 106 in the sliding position.
With existing curling brooms there are no features to help secure the stem section 106 in the sliding position, and it is not uncommon for the pivot mechanism 107 to adjust or pivot during the curling slide, which is not desirable. It is also not uncommon for the broom head assembly 102 to pivot to the sweeping orientation during the curling slide, which is highly undesirable, as when the broom head assembly 102 pivots laterally, from the sliding orientation to the sweeping orientation, there is a significant increase in friction force, which can significantly change the speed and trajectory of the curling slide.
As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the broom head assembly 102 of this invention contains features to secure it in the sliding orientation. The stem section 106 has a stem locking feature 110 that interfaces with a bottom assembly locking feature 111 when the stem section 106 is pivoted to the sliding position.
When the stem section 106 is being pivoted to the sliding positon, interference occurs between the stem locking feature 110 and the bottom assembly locking feature 111, causing the bottom assembly 105 to momentarily flex downward, before the stem section 106 is seated within the stem cutout 108.
As shown in FIG. 7, when the stem section 106 is pivoted to the sliding position, the interference interaction between the stem locking feature 110 and bottom assembly locking feature 111 helps prevent the stem section 106 from pivoting in a lateral pivot motion. With the stem section 106 secured from movement in the lateral pivot motion, the profile of the stem cutout 108 prevents the stem section 106 from pivoting in a tangential pivot motion, hence securing the stem section 106 from pivoting in all directions, and securing the stem section 106 in the sliding position. The stem section 106 being secured in the sliding position is ideal for a curler during the curling stone delivery as it helps ensure there is no pivoting of the broom head assembly 102. When the curler wants to pivot the broom head assembly 102 from the sliding orientation to the sweeping orientation, the stem section 106 can be pivoted in the lateral direction by overcoming the interference force between the stem locking feature 110 and the bottom assembly locking feature 111.
Claims (4)
1. A curling broom head assembly comprising:
an upper body with an elongated sliding surface, wherein said sliding surface is used to slide across an ice surface during a curling slide;
a sweeping assembly that couples to the upper body and is used to engage with the ice surface during a curling sweeping motion;
a shaft connector allowing for attachment of the curling broom head assembly to a curling broom shaft; and a pivot joint allowing the shaft connector to pivot relative to the upper body;
wherein the shaft connector can be orientated to a sliding position in which the shaft connector is pivoted the maximum angle away from the sliding surface before interfering with the upper body, and the curling broom head assembly contains a securing feature that prevents undesirable pivoting of the shaft connector when the shaft connector is orientated in the sliding position.
an upper body with an elongated sliding surface, wherein said sliding surface is used to slide across an ice surface during a curling slide;
a sweeping assembly that couples to the upper body and is used to engage with the ice surface during a curling sweeping motion;
a shaft connector allowing for attachment of the curling broom head assembly to a curling broom shaft; and a pivot joint allowing the shaft connector to pivot relative to the upper body;
wherein the shaft connector can be orientated to a sliding position in which the shaft connector is pivoted the maximum angle away from the sliding surface before interfering with the upper body, and the curling broom head assembly contains a securing feature that prevents undesirable pivoting of the shaft connector when the shaft connector is orientated in the sliding position.
2. The curling broom head assembly set forth in claim 1, wherein said shaft connector contains a shaft connector securing feature that engages with another securing feature of the broom head assembly and prevents undesirable pivoting of the shaft connector when the shaft connector is orientated in the sliding position.
3. The curling broom head assembly set forth in claim 2, wherein said sweeping assembly contains a sweeping assembly shaft securing feature that engages with the shaft connector securing feature and prevents undesirable pivoting of the shaft connector when the shaft connector is orientated in the sliding position.
4. The curling broom head assembly set forth in claim 2, wherein said upper body contains an upper body shaft securing feature that engages with the shaft connector securing feature and prevents undesirable pivoting of the shaft connector when the shaft connector is orientated in the sliding position.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA3040490A CA3040490A1 (en) | 2019-04-17 | 2019-04-17 | Curling broom head with feature to prevent head pivoting during curling slide |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA3040490A CA3040490A1 (en) | 2019-04-17 | 2019-04-17 | Curling broom head with feature to prevent head pivoting during curling slide |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA3040490A1 true CA3040490A1 (en) | 2020-10-17 |
Family
ID=72896211
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA3040490A Abandoned CA3040490A1 (en) | 2019-04-17 | 2019-04-17 | Curling broom head with feature to prevent head pivoting during curling slide |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA3040490A1 (en) |
-
2019
- 2019-04-17 CA CA3040490A patent/CA3040490A1/en not_active Abandoned
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued |
Effective date: 20220321 |
|
| FZDE | Discontinued |
Effective date: 20220321 |