![]() ![]() I find that ethylene vinyl acetate copolyer resin provides desirable flexibility and toughness, even at sub-zero temperatures. The dimensions of the paddle 3 vary, depending on the particular plastic used. It will be noted that the end walls 5b are somewhat thinner than the side walls 5a to permit some twisting of the tubular portion 5 during sweeping. ![]() The thickness and taper of the walls 5a, 5b are selected so that the bottom two or three inches thereof are readily flexed and there is a gradual increase in the rigidity of the lower portion 5 from that point up to its junction with the upper portion 7. The tubular lower portion 5 has downwardly tapered side walls 5a and end walls 5b. Screws 10 connect the handle 2 and socket portion 7 together. The socket 9 is adapted to receive the handle 2. The upper portion 7 is formed with a thick, upwardly tapered sidewall 8 which defines a socket 9. The paddle 3 comprises a rigid upper portion 7 integrally joined with the tubular lower portion 5. The broom 1 comprises a handle 2, a plastic paddle 3 attached to the lower end of the handle, a filling member 4 positioned within the tubular portion 5 of the paddle, and a cover 6 fitted over the paddle. With reference to the drawing, a curling broom 1 is shown. 6 is a sectional front view of the paddle with certain dimensions ientified by letters. 5 is a sectional side view of the paddle with certain dimensions identified by letters įIG. 4 is a perspective view of the upper end of the cover, showing its fastening įIG. 3 is a cross-section of the upper end of the paddle taken along the line 5-5 in FIG. 2 is a front view, partly in section, of the broom įIG. 1 is a partially sectional side view of the broom įIG. The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:įIG. The location and thickness of the filling element can be changed to alter the weight distribution, and flexibility and bending characteristics of the tubular end. A flexible filling element, such as a slab of foam plastic, can be positioned within the tube cavity. When the thin walls of the tube are bent, they have the property of quickly springing back to the vertical plane when released - this is important in achieving the desired sweeping "action". The paddle is light in weight, due to its hollow structure. When the paddle is pressed against the ice, the tapered construction ensures that it bends gradually from the bottom in the form of a curve, rather than creasing intermediate its ends. The walls of the tube are downwardly tapered, whereby only the bottom few inches can be easily flexed. In accordance with the invention, a plastic paddle having a flexible tubular lower end is provided. It is another object to provide a curling broom which is long-lasting and economical to make. It is another object to provide the broom with means for altering the weight distribution, flexibility, and bending characteristics of the paddle. It is another object to provide a broom paddle which bends in a smooth curve when pressed against the ice. It is an object of this invention to provide a broom having a synthetic paddle characterised by weight, flexibility, spring-back and bending properties similar to the straws of a conventional curling broom. I have therefore worked toward developing a paddle which is lighter than the rubber version, and yet which has a sweeping action similar to that of the corn straw broom. However, the rubber paddle has a shortcoming in that it is heavy users tend to become tired when sweeping energetically with it. The thickness and durometer hardness of the rubber are selected to provide a paddle having flexibility and spring-back characteristics similar to the straws of a conventional curling broom. In my Canadian patent number 820557, I describe a curling broom having a solid rubber paddle with a fitted pile cover the paddle is attached to the lower end of the broom handle. The broom is designed to simulate the feel and sweeping action of a conventional corn straw curling broom. More particularly, it is concerned with a broom having a covered flexible paddle made of synthetic material. This invention relates to a broom for use in the game of curling. ![]()
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