US20090239687A1

US20090239687A1 - Lacrosse stick

Info

Publication number: US20090239687A1
Application number: US12/051,485
Authority: US
Inventors: John W. Purnell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-03-19
Filing date: 2008-03-19
Publication date: 2009-09-24

Abstract

A handle for attachment to a lacrosse head, comprising, a rod having a top end adapted for coupling to a lacrosse head, a bottom end opposite the top end, a first and second grip area, wherein the first grip area is located generally at the bottom end of the rod and the second grip area is located generally at the top end of the rod. A teardrop shaped handle is located at the bottom end of the rod as the first grip area, and a smaller octagon shaped grip area is located at the top end of the rod, adapted to fit smaller hands.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field
The invention relates generally to lacrosse equipment. More particularly, the invention relates to an improved lacrosse stick for attachment to a lacrosse head. Specifically, the invention provides a new cross-sectional configuration for a lacrosse stick that provides both tactile feedback as to the position of the lacrosse head, and a smaller gripping section for the lead hand.
2. Background Information
It is well known that lacrosse is a fast paced game that requires participants to make quick decisions and movements. The game is played by passing a ball back and forth between teammates, using a stick with a basket at one end. The basket is adapted to catch and throw a lacrosse ball according to the movements of a participant. If the basket is facing the wrong direction, or angled differently than expected, the participant will achieve a less accurate catch or throw of the ball. While moving, the lacrosse participant must continuously look at the end of the lacrosse stick to make sure the basket is positioned correctly.
Although there are a variety of hand sizes for lacrosse participants, lacrosse sticks tend to be a standard size and thickness. Participants with smaller hands, and a smaller circumferential grip are at a disadvantage to players with larger hands.
Thus, a need exists for an improved lacrosse stick.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A lacrosse player generally grips a lacrosse stick with both hands, having one hand near the lacrosse head and the other near the end of the shaft. The present invention provides an enhanced grip for each hand. The invention provides a smaller circumferential distance around the shaft for an improved grip by a smaller hand at the head of the shaft. This allows players with traditionally smaller hands like women or children to more finely control the power and precision of the lacrosse shaft while throwing or catching a ball.
The other end of shaft is shaped to ergonomically fit in a player's hand while providing tactile feedback to the player on which direction lacrosse head is facing. The shaft fits into the player's palm and base of the area between the thumb and “pointer finger”. This orients the other surfaces to follow the natural hand shape of the area immediately outside the thumb base. When a player's hand is in a gripping position, the four fingers curl to make a shape adapted to receive the remaining surfaces. These surfaces combine to fit to the natural gripping shape of a player's hand, and allow the player to achieve a high level of control on the lacrosse stick.
The lacrosse head is oriented on the shaft so as to be facing outwardly from the player as the player's hand is correctly gripping the ergonomic section of the shaft. This is the natural position of the lacrosse head as a player engages in running, catching and throwing the lacrosse ball. In a constantly moving game, the player's eyes are often fixed on the location of the ball and other players. If the ball is thrown at the player and the lacrosse head is facing the wrong direction, the ball cannot be caught. The present invention allows a player to know the lacrosse head is oriented correctly through the tactile feedback of the ergonomic section, without taking the player's eyes off the interactions of the game. When a hand is correctly gripping ergonomic section, the lacrosse head is oriented correctly.
The present invention is a handle for attachment to a lacrosse head comprising a stick having a top end adapted for coupling to a lacrosse head, a bottom end opposite the top end, and a first and second grip area. The first grip area is located generally at the bottom end of the rod and the second grip area is located generally spaced from the bottom end of the rod. The shape of the first area is different from the second area.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrative of the best modes in which Applicant contemplates applying the principles, is set forth in the following description and is shown in the drawings and particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims.

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a lacrosse stick with an improved shaft;

FIG. 2 is a side plan view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 4 is a side plan view thereof;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of one end of the improved shaft shown in FIG. 1, taken on line 5-5;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of one end of the improved shaft shown in FIG. 1, taken on line 6-6.

Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to improved lacrosse sticks having construction providing tactile feedback regarding the position of a player's hands on the shaft. The present invention also provides for an improved grip by better conforming to a player's hand placement and ergonomics.
Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a lacrosse stick 2 with an improved shaft 4 in accordance with the present invention. Shaft 4 includes a head end 6 connected to a lacrosse head 10, and a butt end 8 connected to a shaft stopper 12. Head end 6 of shaft 4 is fitted into a hole 11 in lacrosse head 10 adapted to receive head end 6. Shaft 4 is an elongated tubular member with a dynamic cross-sectional diameter and dynamic cross-sectional area throughout the length thereof. Shaft 4 may be fabricated from a material such as carbon fiber composite material, however any reasonable material may be used. Shaft 4 may receive a soft paint coating for an enhanced grip. In accordance with the invention, and as shown in FIGS. 2-4, shaft 4 is comprised of six sections: a head section 14, a cone shaped section 16, a reduced diameter section 18, a cone shaped section 20, a gradient section 22, and a butt section 24.
Referring to FIG. 5, a cross-sectional view of lacrosse shaft 4 is taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 4, and provides an octagonal shape 50. Octagonal shape 50 is comprised of static surfaces 30, 31, and 34, which do not undergo a shape change over the length of shaft 4. Static surfaces 30 and 34 provide the top and bottom walls of shape 50, spaced apart and generally parallel to one another. Static surfaces 31A and 31 B extend from each end of top wall 30. Static surface 34 is oriented to be facing or touching a player's palm while gripping the lacrosse stick, which orients lacrosse head 10 to a position to launch the lacrosse ball outwardly from the player.
Octagonal shape 50 further comprises dynamic surfaces 32 and 33, which undergo a shape change over the length of shaft 4. Dynamic surfaces 32A and 32B provide the sidewalls of shape 50, spaced apart and generally parallel to one another. Dynamic surfaces 33A and 33B provide connecting walls between 32A/32B and static bottom wall surface 34. Over the length of shaft 4, dynamic surfaces 32A and 33A gradually lose their linear shape, bow outwardly from the center of shape 50, and merge into one curved surface (discussed further below). Dynamic surfaces 32B and 33B undergo the same transformation.
In accordance with one of the main features of the present invention, FIG. 6 provides a cross-sectional view of lacrosse shaft 4 taken on line 6-6 in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 provides generally a “teardrop” shape 60. In a comparison from FIG. 5 to FIG. 6, dynamic surfaces 32A and 33A are replaced with a curved surface 36A, and dynamic surfaces 32B and 33B are replaced with a curved surface 36B. Static surfaces 30, 31 and 34 are left unchanged from FIG. 5 to FIG. 6. Curved surface 36 is a convexly arced surface that is symmetrically mirrored on each side of shape 60. Curved surface 36 bulges outward and extends from an edge 62 to an edge 64 on each side of shape 60.
Over the length of shaft 4, the cross-sectional area and shape undergo multiple changes. However, there are no abrupt changes in the cross-sectional shape or area. Over the length of shaft 4, octagonal shape 50 gradually changes into shape 60 through merging the dynamic surfaces. Likewise, gradually and proportionately increasing or decreasing the length of the sides of shape 50 results in a greater or smaller cross-sectional area.
Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, head section 14 begins at first end 26 of shaft 4 and extends linearly along shaft 4, terminating at Arrow A. Head section 14 has the generally octagonal cross-sectional shape 50 shown in FIG. 5. Head section 14 ends when the cross-sectional area of shaft 4 starts to change at Arrow A.
Cone shaped section 16 begins at Arrow A and extends linearly along shaft 4, terminating at Arrow B. Cone shaped section 16 retains the generally octagonal cross-sectional shape 50 shown in FIG. 5. However, cone shaped section 16 gradually transitions over the length of section 16 into a smaller cross-sectional area of octagonal shape 50. The ratio and proportion of each surface and edge of octagonal shape 50 remain constant while transitioning from a large octagonal shape 50A to a smaller octagonal shape 50B.
Reduced diameter section 18 begins at Arrow B and extends linearly along shaft 4, terminating at Arrow C. The cross-sectional area of section 18 remains constant throughout the section and is comprised of the smaller octagonal shape 50B. Section 18 has the smallest cross-sectional area on shaft 4. The cross-sectional area of reduced diameter section 18 is smaller to enable a lacrosse player with smaller hands to better grip shaft 4.
A second cone shaped section 20 begins at Arrow C and extends linearly along shaft 4, terminating at Arrow D. Cone shaped section 20 retains the generally octagonal cross-sectional shape 50 shown in FIG. 5. However, cone shaped section 20 gradually transitions over the length of section 20 from the smaller cross-sectional area of octagonal shape 50B to the larger cross-sectional area of octagonal shape 50A. The ratio and proportion of each surface and edge of octagonal shape 50 remain constant while transitioning.
Gradient section 22 begins at Arrow D and extends linearly along shaft 4, terminating at Arrow E. Gradient section 22 is the location on shaft 4 of the transition between octagonal shape 50 and teardrop shape 60. A gradient edge 38 is formed on both sides of tubular member 5 where dynamic surface 32 and 33 meet. As shown in FIG. 4, over the length of gradient section 22 and from Arrow D to Arrow E, dynamic surfaces 32 and 33 gradually merge to form curved surface 36. From Arrow D to Arrow E, gradient edge 38 transitions from a sharp, angled edge, to a rounded and curved surface. Shown in FIG. 4, as gradient edge 38 moves from Arrow D to Arrow E, it expands surface 32, while conversely narrowing surface 33. Gradient edge 38 continues until the surfaces 32 and 33 are merged and gradient edge 38 disappears into the curved surface 36.
Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, butt section 24 begins at Arrow E and extends linearly along shaft 4, terminating at the end of tubular member 5. Butt section 24 has the general teardrop cross-sectional shape 60 shown in FIG. 6. Shape 60 extends throughout butt section 24 and is tailored to ergonomically fit in a player's hand.
As can be seen, stick 4 provides a first cross-sectional shape that has an area that changes over the length of shaft 4, and a second cross-sectional shape that transforms into the first cross-sectional shape over the length of shaft 4. The transformations are gradual, with gradient areas on shaft 4 where one cross-sectional area or shape changes to another.
A lacrosse player generally grips lacrosse stick 2 with both hands. Traditionally, one hand is placed near head end 6, and the other hand placed near butt end 8. In the present invention, butt section 24 comprises a first grip area and reduced area section 18 provides a second grip area. The present invention provides an improved interaction with lacrosse stick 2 for each hand. At head end 6 of shaft 4, reduced diameter section 18 provides a smaller circumferential distance around shaft 4 for an improved grip by a smaller hand. Improving a player's grip allows the player to throw the ball with more velocity and precision.
At butt end 8 of shaft 4, butt section 24 is shaped to ergonomically fit in a player's hand as well as give tactile feedback to the player on which direction lacrosse head 10 is facing. Referring to FIG. 6, palm edge 34 of shape 60 fits into the player's palm and base of the area between the thumb and “pointer finger”. This orients curved surfaces 36A and 36B to follow the natural hand shape of the area immediately outside the thumb base. When a player's hand is in a gripping position, the four fingers curl to make a shape adapted to receive static surfaces 30, 31A, and 31B. These surfaces combine to fit to the natural gripping position of a player's hand, and allow the player to achieve a high level of control on lacrosse stick 2.
Lacrosse head 10 is oriented on shaft 4 so as to be facing outwardly from the player as the player's hand is correctly gripping butt section 24. This is the natural position of lacrosse head 10 as a player engages in lacrosse. In a constantly moving game, the player's eyes are often fixed on the location of the ball and other players. If the ball is thrown at the player and lacrosse head 10 is facing the wrong direction, the ball cannot be caught. The present invention allows a player to know lacrosse head 10 is oriented correctly through the tactile feedback of butt section 24, without taking the player's eyes off the interactions of the game. When a hand is correctly gripping butt section 24, lacrosse head 10 is oriented correctly. Butt section 24 is shaped to fit into the contours of a closed hand, with the correct orientation fitting perfectly with the ridges and pockets of the hand. Holding butt section 24 incorrectly will feel awkward and less secure compared to how shaft 4 feels when held correctly. A user will immediately be able to tell whether butt section 24 is positioned correctly through his sense of touch.
In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.
Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is an example and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described.

Claims

1. A handle for attachment to a lacrosse head, comprising:

a stick having a length and a top end adapted for coupling to a lacrosse head;

a bottom end opposite the top end;

a first and second grip area, wherein the first grip area is located generally at the bottom end of the stick and the second grip area is located generally spaced from the bottom end of the stick;

the first grip area having a first cross-sectional shape; and

the second grip area having a second cross-sectional shape that differs from the first cross-sectional shape.

2. The handle as defined in claim 1 in which the first cross-sectional shape is generally a teardrop shape.

3. The handle as defined in claim 2 in which the first cross-sectional shape further comprises;

a top wall;

a bottom wall spaced apart and generally parallel to the top wall;

a first and second wall spaced apart whereby the first wall is connected to a first side of the bottom wall and the second wall is connected to a second side of the bottom wall;

a first connecting wall connecting to a first side of the top wall and to the first wall and a second connecting wall connecting a second side of the top wall and to the second wall.

4. The handle as defined in claim 3 wherein the first wall is generally convexly curved and extends from the first side of the bottom wall to the first connecting wall and the second wall is generally convexly curved and extends from the second side of the bottom wall to the second connecting wall.

5. The handle as defined in claim 2 in which the second cross-sectional shape is generally an octagon shape.

6. The handle as defined in claim 5 in which the second cross-sectional shape further comprises:

a top wall;

a bottom wall spaced apart and generally parallel to the top wall;

a first and second sidewall, spaced apart and generally parallel to one another, and generally perpendicular to the top and bottom wall;

a wall connecting a first side of the top wall to the first sidewall;

a wall connecting a second side of the top wall to the second sidewall;

a wall connecting a first side of the bottom wall to the first sidewall; and

a wall connecting a second side of the bottom wall to the second sidewall.

7. The handle as defined in claim 1 in which the cross-sectional area of the first grip area differs from the cross-sectional area of the second grip area.

8. The handle as defined in claim 7 in which the cross-sectional area of the first grip area is larger than the cross-sectional area of the second grip area.

9. The handle as defined in claim 8 in which the top end as a cross-sectional area similar to the cross-sectional area of the first grip area.

10. The handle as defined in claim 9 in which the cross-sectional shape of the top end and the first grip area are different.

11. The handle as defined in claim 7 in which the cross-sectional shape of the top end and second grip area are similar, and the cross-sectional area of the top end and the second grip area are different.

12. The handle as defined in claim 11 in which the second grip area is positioned intermediate the first grip area and the top end and it has smallest cross-sectional area along the stick length.

13. The handle as defined in claim 7 further comprising a first transition section and second transition section spaced apart along the stick length.

14. The handle as defined in claim 13 in which the first transition section extend between the top end and the second grip area and the second transition section extends between the second grip area and the first grip area.

15. The handle as defined in claim 1 in which the first grip area has eight sides and second grip area has six sides.

16. The handle as defined in claim 15 in which the top end has eight sides each having a width and in which the second grip area had eight sides each having a width and wherein the width of the second grip area sides is shorter than the width of the top end sides.

17. The handle as defined in claim 1 in which the stick has a soft paint coating.

18. The handle as defined in claim 1 in which the stick is made of a carbon fiber composite material.