US20100113191A1 - Offset lacrosse head - Google Patents
Offset lacrosse head Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20100113191A1 US20100113191A1 US12/360,938 US36093809A US2010113191A1 US 20100113191 A1 US20100113191 A1 US 20100113191A1 US 36093809 A US36093809 A US 36093809A US 2010113191 A1 US2010113191 A1 US 2010113191A1
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- rail
- base
- scoop
- primary
- lacrosse head
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- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 claims description 9
- 230000007704 transition Effects 0.000 claims description 6
- 230000001154 acute effect Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000003014 reinforcing effect Effects 0.000 description 4
- -1 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 2
- JOYRKODLDBILNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethyl urethane Chemical compound CCOC(N)=O JOYRKODLDBILNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000004677 Nylon Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004698 Polyethylene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004743 Polypropylene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005299 abrasion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004075 alteration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920001778 nylon Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920001748 polybutylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920000515 polycarbonate Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004417 polycarbonate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920000573 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920001470 polyketone Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920001155 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000011800 void material Substances 0.000 description 1
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Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B59/00—Bats, rackets, or the like, not covered by groups A63B49/00 - A63B57/00
- A63B59/20—Bats, rackets, or the like, not covered by groups A63B49/00 - A63B57/00 having means, e.g. pockets, netting or adhesive type surfaces, for catching or holding a ball, e.g. for lacrosse or pelota
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B60/00—Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like
- A63B60/50—Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like with through-holes
Definitions
- the present invention relates generally to lacrosse equipment, and more particularly a lightweight lacrosse stick head having increased strength and enhanced ball feel.
- Conventional lacrosse sticks include a head joined with a handle.
- the head includes a frame that forms a region within which a lacrosse ball can be caught, held or shot.
- the head can take the form of an open frame having a base with an interior surface that defines a ballstop, a pair of sidewalls that extend from the base, and a lip that interconnects the sidewalls, remotely from the base, to form a scoop.
- the frame can define holes that secure a lacrosse net around the rear of the frame.
- a throat can project from the base of the frame for attachment to a handle, which can define a central longitudinal axis.
- all or a major portion of the base or sidewalls can be curved or offset downward as these elements transition to the scoop. While this downward scooped configuration is appealing, it can in some cases present challenges with regard to maintaining the desired strength of the head in the areas of the downward transition.
- the present invention provides a lacrosse head of lightweight design having increased strength and improved ball feel.
- the lacrosse head can include a sidewall having an upper rail including a primary rail and a secondary rail.
- the primary rail can extend generally linearly from a base of the head toward a scoop of the head when viewed from a side perspective.
- the secondary rail can separate and diverge upwardly from the primary rail at a junction near the base.
- the secondary rail can extend in an upwardly angled manner or an upwardly curved manner away from the primary rail, toward the base.
- the secondary rail can join the base distal from the junction.
- the lacrosse head can include a longitudinal axis extending from the base to the scoop.
- the primary rail can be substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis from the base to the scoop.
- the longitudinal axis can be located in a horizontal plane.
- the primary rail can extend from the base toward the scoop in this horizontal plane, and the scoop can contour downwardly with respect to this horizontal plane.
- the lacrosse head can define another horizontal plane offset from and parallel to the longitudinal axis.
- the secondary rail can extend along this horizontal plane before transitioning downward toward the primary rail at a junction.
- the primary rail, secondary rail, and optionally the junction and the base can cooperate to define an aperture which visually emphasizes to a viewer the downward transition of the secondary rail toward the primary rail. With this construction, the viewer can readily recognize the lacrosse head as having an offset construction.
- the secondary rail can diverge from the primary rail at an acute angle opening toward the base.
- the secondary rail can join the base at a distance above and separate from the primary rail to define an aperture therebetween.
- the aperture can be a variety of different shapes, such as a polygonal, circular, elliptical or triangular shape.
- the present invention provides a head that is simple, lightweight and strong.
- the head is provided with an offset or scooped structure that includes an improved “double bar offset” reinforced frame, which refers to the spatially separated primary and secondary rails being located in the offset region of the head. This can add strength and rigidity to the head.
- this configuration visually augments the offset feature of the head, which can appeal to many lacrosse equipment consumers.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a current embodiment of the lacrosse head of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the lacrosse head
- FIG. 3 is a side view of the lacrosse head
- FIG. 4 is a rear view of the lacrosse head
- FIG. 5 is a side view of a first alternative embodiment of the lacrosse head.
- FIG. 6 is a side view of a second embodiment of the lacrosse head
- the head 10 can generally include a throat 34 , a base 14 , at least two sidewalls 18 , and a scoop 22 .
- the throat 34 as depicted in FIG. 1 is joined to the base 14 and is adapted to connect to a lacrosse handle 31 .
- the throat 34 can be tubular in shape and can define a cavity to receive a lacrosse handle 31 through a socket opening 33 .
- the handle 31 can be secured within the throat 34 , optionally by means of a screw 35 or other suitable means.
- the throat 34 can define one or more circular or elliptical apertures 37 , 39 to reduce the weight of that component.
- the lacrosse head 10 can include a base 14 joined with the sidewalls 18 defining a longitudinal axis 46 extending toward the scoop 22 .
- the base 14 can include a ballstop 16 distal from the socket opening 33 .
- the ballstop 16 can further include a concave interior and can be integral with the head 10 .
- the ballstop 16 can include a first series of netting apertures or eyelets 15 for securing a net or web, as illustrated in FIG. 6
- the eyelets 15 can include a recessed or beveled interior, and can be rectangular, circular or elliptical as desired.
- the base 14 can include one or more reinforcing members 36 disposed between a portion of the throat 34 and at least one of the ballstop 16 and the sidewall 18 .
- the reinforcing member 36 can be a continuous and unitary extension of the sidewall 18 , defining an aperture bounded by a portion of the reinforcing member 36 , throat 34 , and ballstop 16 .
- a longitudinal axis 46 can lie within a first horizontal plane 47 that bisects the upper and lower halves of the throat 34 , and subsequently a handle 31 joined with the throat 34 .
- the head 10 can include a pair of sidewalls 18 extending from the base 14 toward the scoop 22 to form an interior surface 20 .
- the sidewalls 18 can be of diverging hourglass configuration in plan view, being interiorly convex for about one-half of their lengths adjacent the scoop 22 .
- the sidewalls, and the respective rails thereof can be substantially parallel to one another.
- the longitudinal axis 46 can define a vertical plane of symmetry 48 disposed between opposing lateral sidewalls 18 , wherein the opposing sidewalls 18 are mirror images of each other, as can be the laterally opposing portions of the base 14 .
- the opposing sidewalls 18 and/or base 14 can be different from one another in structure and orientation so that the head is asymmetric as desired.
- the lacrosse head 10 can include a sidewall 18 having an open-frame construction.
- the sidewall 18 can include an upper rail 25 and a lower rail 24 separated by a distance.
- the upper rail 25 and lower rail 24 can define an non-string hole aperture therebetween, optionally extending from the base 14 to the scoop 22 .
- the sidewall 18 can further include one or more reinforcing cross members 56 .
- the cross member 56 can connect a portion of the upper rail 25 and a portion of the lower rail 24 .
- the cross member 56 can define any number of non-string hole openings in the sidewall 18 .
- the sidewall can also define one or more string holes or eyelets 32 disposed around a portion of the lower rail 24 or elsewhere to join a net or web to the head 10 .
- the string holes 32 can include a recessed or beveled interior, and can be rectangular, circular or elliptical as desired.
- the upper rail 25 can include a primary rail 26 and a secondary rail 28 .
- the primary rail can extend from the scoop 22 to the base 14 generally parallel to the longitudinal axis 46 when viewed from a side perspective, as depicted in FIG. 3 .
- the secondary rail 28 can diverge from the primary rail 26 at a junction 27 , extending in at least one of an upwardly angled manner and an upwardly curved manner away from the longitudinal axis 46 between the junction 27 and the ballstop 16 .
- the secondary rail 28 can join with the base 14 at a distance above and separate from the primary rail 26 so that the secondary rail 28 and the primary rail 26 define an aperture therebetween.
- the aperture can also be located between the junction 27 and the ballstop 16 , whereby the aperture visually accentuates the divergence of the secondary rail from the primary rail so that a view readily recognizes that the lacrosse head is of an offset construction.
- the primary rail 26 can follow an inwardly concave contour near the base 14 before extending generally parallel to the central longitudinal axis 46 along a portion of its length.
- the primary rail 26 can transition to an inwardly convex contour and diverge from the central longitudinal axis 46 before transitioning to an inwardly concave contour proximate the scoop 22 .
- the primary rail 26 can be void of any substantial curves up or down from parallel alignment with the longitudinal axis 46 as the primary rail 26 extends from the base 14 or ballstop 16 toward the scoop 22 .
- the primary rail 26 may extend substantially linearly from the base 14 or ballstop 16 toward the scoop 22 when viewed from a side perspective.
- the primary rail can be substantially linear from the base 14 or ballstop 16 up to the scoop 22 , at which point, the rail curves or angles downward.
- the primary rail 26 can be a unitary extension of the ballstop 16 , and can also extend from the base 14 or ballstop 16 toward the scoop 22 within the first horizontal plane 47 defined by the longitudinal axis 46 as noted above. As the primary rail 26 extends from the base 14 or ballstop 16 toward the scoop 22 , the primary rail 26 can also be positioned at or below the longitudinal axis 46 when viewed from a side perspective. However, as desired, the primary rail 26 can vary to a position at or above the longitudinal axis 46 when viewed from a side perspective.
- the upper rail 25 can fork at a junction 27 near the base 14 into a primary rail 26 and secondary rail 28 that are separated by a first distance.
- the primary rail 26 can remain at or above the longitudinal axis 46 from the junction 27 to the scoop 22 .
- the primary rail 26 can extend from the junction 27 to the scoop 22 generally parallel to the longitudinal axis 46 along a substantial portion of the axis 46 when viewed from a side perspective.
- the primary rail 26 can be of a circular, polygonal, elliptical, rectangular, or beveled cross-section that is generally uniform or varies as it extends from the base 14 to the scoop 22 .
- the secondary rail 28 can extend between a portion of the base 14 or ballstop 16 and a portion of the primary rail 26 .
- the secondary rail may optionally be a unitary extension of a forward or upper portion of the base 14 , gradually curving downward toward the junction 27 .
- the lacrosse head 10 can include a second horizontal plane 50 offset from and parallel to the longitudinal axis 46 , wherein the secondary rail 28 extends along a portion of its length within the second horizontal plane 50 before transitioning downward toward the junction 27 .
- the second horizontal plane 50 can be offset from and positioned above the first horizontal plane 47 by a pre-selected distance.
- the secondary rail 28 can transition downwardly in a curvilinear and/or linear manner toward the junction 27 to form an offset angle a with reference to the primary rail 26 .
- the angle a can vary as the application requires, but generally, the secondary rail 28 can gradually curve or angle at an acute angle a between the primary rail and secondary rail. In the area of the sidewalls 18 where the primary and secondary rails 26 , 28 diverge, those rails can define an aperture therebetween.
- the secondary rail 28 can join, fork from, diverge or branch from the primary sidewall 26 at the junction 27 in or near the ballstop 18 .
- the junction 27 can be located between the base 14 and the scoop 22 at a portion of the primary rail 26 extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis 46 in plan view, or elsewhere in the head as desired.
- each secondary rail 28 can be of a circular, polygonal, elliptical, rectangular, or beveled cross-section that is generally uniform or varies as it extends from the base 14 or ballstop 16 to the junction 27 .
- the lacrosse head 10 can further define a curvilinear or polygonal aperture bounded by the primary rail 26 , secondary rail 28 , junction 27 and base 14 or ballstop 16 . Beginning with the end defined by the junction 27 of the primary and secondary rails 26 , 28 , the aperture can extend generally toward the base 14 and can terminate in a polygonal edge with beveled interior corners. As shown in the current embodiment of FIG. 3 , the head 10 can define a rounded aperture, for example an elliptical aperture bounded by the primary rail 26 and secondary rail 28 . In this embodiment, the cross-section of the primary and secondary upper sidewall rails 26 , 28 can vary along their length to promote the elliptical aperture when viewed from the side or base of the head 10 .
- the aperture formed between the primary rail 26 and secondary rail 28 can be of a variety of geometric shapes.
- a generally triangular aperture can be bounded by the primary rail 26 , secondary rail 28 and the base 14 and/or ballstop 16 .
- other geometries for the aperture may be selected as desired.
- a polygonal aperture can be bounded by the secondary rail 28 and the primary rail 26 .
- the other structures and components of these alternative embodiments in FIGS. 5 and 6 can be virtually identical to those of the current embodiment.
- the sidewalls 18 are joined by a scoop 22 at the ends thereof remote from the base 14 .
- the scoop 22 can further join the upper rail 25 and lower rail 24 at a portion of the sidewall 18 distal from the base 14 .
- the scoop 22 can also define a front lip outside surface 38 , back lip outside surface 40 , and an inside lip surface 44 .
- the scoop 22 can include a third series of netting apertures or eyelets 30 , optionally disposed between the back lip outside surface 40 and inside lip surface 44 for securing a net or web thereto, as depicted in FIGS. 1 and 5 .
- the eyelets 30 can include a recessed or beveled interior, and can be rectangular, circular or elliptical as desired.
- the back lip outside surface 40 can be disposed at an angle 42 to the front lip outside surface 38 to minimize abrasion to the netting caused by contact between the scoop 22 and the ground during play, such as the lacrosse head disclosed in U.S. Reissued Patent RE38,216 to Morrow which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
- the scoop 22 can contour downwardly with reference to first horizontal plane 47 defined by the centerline axis 46 as the scoop 22 extends from the sidewall 18 to a portion of the scoop 22 furthest from the ballstop 16 .
- the scoop 22 together with the sidewalls 18 and base 14 or ballstop 16 , can form a unitary head 10 with a smooth and continuous pocket facing interior.
- a netting or web can be secured to the head 10 through the first series of netting apertures or eyelets 15 disposed in a portion of the ballstop 16 , a second series of netting apertures or eyelets 32 disposed in the sidewalls 18 , and a third series of netting apertures or eyelets 30 disposed in the scoop 22 .
- the lacrosse head 10 can be of an open frame, monolithic construction and formed from one or more of a variety of compounds such as nylon, urethane, polycarbonate, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyketone or polybutylene terephalate.
- the desired lacrosse head 10 can be formed by first selecting its shape and configuration. After the shape and configuration is selected, a mold having a mold cavity can be formed in the shape of the head 10 to be formed.
- lacrosse handles of conventional construction typically have all or a major portion of a head disposed below the central longitudinal axis, often in plane with the leading portion of the base.
- the current embodiment as depicted in FIGS. 1-6 includes a secondary rail 28 offset from the longitudinal axis 46 when viewed from a side perspective, and structurally supporting the primary rail 26 which extends linearly from the base 14 to the scoop 22 when viewed from a side perspective.
- This improved offset design can provide a lacrosse stick head having increased strength, improved ball feel, and enhanced shooting capabilities—as well as an appearance that draws attention to the offset head configuration.
Abstract
A lacrosse head including a sidewall having at least one upper rail, extending between a base and a scoop, including a primary rail and a secondary rail. The secondary rail can diverge from the primary rail at a junction as the primary rail extends from the scoop toward the base. The primary and secondary rails can define an aperture therebetween, where the aperture accentuates the offset configuration of the head. The bifurcated upper rail can also enhance the strength of the sidewall at or near the base.
Description
- This application claims priority benefit to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/110,324, filed on Oct. 31, 2008.
- The present invention relates generally to lacrosse equipment, and more particularly a lightweight lacrosse stick head having increased strength and enhanced ball feel.
- Conventional lacrosse sticks include a head joined with a handle. The head includes a frame that forms a region within which a lacrosse ball can be caught, held or shot. The head can take the form of an open frame having a base with an interior surface that defines a ballstop, a pair of sidewalls that extend from the base, and a lip that interconnects the sidewalls, remotely from the base, to form a scoop. The frame can define holes that secure a lacrosse net around the rear of the frame. A throat can project from the base of the frame for attachment to a handle, which can define a central longitudinal axis.
- In many lacrosse heads, all or a major portion of the base or sidewalls can be curved or offset downward as these elements transition to the scoop. While this downward scooped configuration is appealing, it can in some cases present challenges with regard to maintaining the desired strength of the head in the areas of the downward transition.
- The present invention provides a lacrosse head of lightweight design having increased strength and improved ball feel.
- In one embodiment, the lacrosse head can include a sidewall having an upper rail including a primary rail and a secondary rail. The primary rail can extend generally linearly from a base of the head toward a scoop of the head when viewed from a side perspective. The secondary rail can separate and diverge upwardly from the primary rail at a junction near the base. In another embodiment, the secondary rail can extend in an upwardly angled manner or an upwardly curved manner away from the primary rail, toward the base. Optionally, the secondary rail can join the base distal from the junction.
- In yet another embodiment, the lacrosse head can include a longitudinal axis extending from the base to the scoop. The primary rail can be substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis from the base to the scoop.
- In another further embodiment, the longitudinal axis can be located in a horizontal plane. The primary rail can extend from the base toward the scoop in this horizontal plane, and the scoop can contour downwardly with respect to this horizontal plane.
- In a further embodiment, the lacrosse head can define another horizontal plane offset from and parallel to the longitudinal axis. The secondary rail can extend along this horizontal plane before transitioning downward toward the primary rail at a junction. In yet a further embodiment, the primary rail, secondary rail, and optionally the junction and the base can cooperate to define an aperture which visually emphasizes to a viewer the downward transition of the secondary rail toward the primary rail. With this construction, the viewer can readily recognize the lacrosse head as having an offset construction.
- In another further embodiment, the secondary rail can diverge from the primary rail at an acute angle opening toward the base. The secondary rail can join the base at a distance above and separate from the primary rail to define an aperture therebetween. The aperture can be a variety of different shapes, such as a polygonal, circular, elliptical or triangular shape.
- The present invention provides a head that is simple, lightweight and strong. With the divergent upper sidewall structure, the head is provided with an offset or scooped structure that includes an improved “double bar offset” reinforced frame, which refers to the spatially separated primary and secondary rails being located in the offset region of the head. This can add strength and rigidity to the head. In addition, this configuration visually augments the offset feature of the head, which can appeal to many lacrosse equipment consumers.
- These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention, when view in accordance with the accompanying drawings and appended claims.
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a current embodiment of the lacrosse head of the present invention; -
FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the lacrosse head; -
FIG. 3 is a side view of the lacrosse head; -
FIG. 4 is a rear view of the lacrosse head; -
FIG. 5 is a side view of a first alternative embodiment of the lacrosse head; and -
FIG. 6 is a side view of a second embodiment of the lacrosse head; - Referring now to
FIGS. 1-4 , alacrosse head 10 in accordance with a current embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. Thehead 10 can generally include athroat 34, abase 14, at least twosidewalls 18, and ascoop 22. Thethroat 34 as depicted inFIG. 1 is joined to thebase 14 and is adapted to connect to alacrosse handle 31. Thethroat 34 can be tubular in shape and can define a cavity to receive alacrosse handle 31 through a socket opening 33. Thehandle 31 can be secured within thethroat 34, optionally by means of ascrew 35 or other suitable means. Optionally, thethroat 34 can define one or more circular orelliptical apertures - As depicted in
FIGS. 1-3 , thelacrosse head 10 can include abase 14 joined with thesidewalls 18 defining alongitudinal axis 46 extending toward thescoop 22. Thebase 14 can include aballstop 16 distal from the socket opening 33. Theballstop 16 can further include a concave interior and can be integral with thehead 10. Further, theballstop 16 can include a first series of netting apertures oreyelets 15 for securing a net or web, as illustrated inFIG. 6 Theeyelets 15 can include a recessed or beveled interior, and can be rectangular, circular or elliptical as desired. - The
base 14 can include one or more reinforcingmembers 36 disposed between a portion of thethroat 34 and at least one of theballstop 16 and thesidewall 18. Optionally, the reinforcingmember 36 can be a continuous and unitary extension of thesidewall 18, defining an aperture bounded by a portion of the reinforcingmember 36,throat 34, andballstop 16. As shown inFIG. 3 , alongitudinal axis 46 can lie within a first horizontal plane 47 that bisects the upper and lower halves of thethroat 34, and subsequently ahandle 31 joined with thethroat 34. - Referring again to
FIG. 2 , thehead 10 can include a pair ofsidewalls 18 extending from thebase 14 toward thescoop 22 to form aninterior surface 20. Thesidewalls 18 can be of diverging hourglass configuration in plan view, being interiorly convex for about one-half of their lengths adjacent thescoop 22. Alternatively, the sidewalls, and the respective rails thereof, can be substantially parallel to one another. Thelongitudinal axis 46 can define a vertical plane of symmetry 48 disposed between opposinglateral sidewalls 18, wherein theopposing sidewalls 18 are mirror images of each other, as can be the laterally opposing portions of thebase 14. Alternatively, theopposing sidewalls 18 and/orbase 14 can be different from one another in structure and orientation so that the head is asymmetric as desired. - As shown in
FIGS. 1-3 , thelacrosse head 10 can include asidewall 18 having an open-frame construction. Thesidewall 18 can include anupper rail 25 and alower rail 24 separated by a distance. Theupper rail 25 andlower rail 24 can define an non-string hole aperture therebetween, optionally extending from thebase 14 to thescoop 22. Thesidewall 18 can further include one or more reinforcingcross members 56. Thecross member 56 can connect a portion of theupper rail 25 and a portion of thelower rail 24. Optionally, thecross member 56 can define any number of non-string hole openings in thesidewall 18. This open-frame construction can substantially decrease the amount of material used to form thesidewall 18 portions, thereby decreasing the overall weight of thelacrosse head 10 while retaining the desired rigidity and durability. The sidewall can also define one or more string holes or eyelets 32 disposed around a portion of thelower rail 24 or elsewhere to join a net or web to thehead 10. The string holes 32 can include a recessed or beveled interior, and can be rectangular, circular or elliptical as desired. - As shown in
FIGS. 1-3 , theupper rail 25 can include aprimary rail 26 and asecondary rail 28. The primary rail can extend from thescoop 22 to the base 14 generally parallel to thelongitudinal axis 46 when viewed from a side perspective, as depicted inFIG. 3 . Thesecondary rail 28 can diverge from theprimary rail 26 at ajunction 27, extending in at least one of an upwardly angled manner and an upwardly curved manner away from thelongitudinal axis 46 between thejunction 27 and theballstop 16. Thesecondary rail 28 can join with the base 14 at a distance above and separate from theprimary rail 26 so that thesecondary rail 28 and theprimary rail 26 define an aperture therebetween. The aperture can also be located between thejunction 27 and theballstop 16, whereby the aperture visually accentuates the divergence of the secondary rail from the primary rail so that a view readily recognizes that the lacrosse head is of an offset construction. - Referring again to
FIG. 2 , theprimary rail 26 can follow an inwardly concave contour near the base 14 before extending generally parallel to the centrallongitudinal axis 46 along a portion of its length. Theprimary rail 26 can transition to an inwardly convex contour and diverge from the centrallongitudinal axis 46 before transitioning to an inwardly concave contour proximate thescoop 22. As shown inFIG. 3 , theprimary rail 26 can be void of any substantial curves up or down from parallel alignment with thelongitudinal axis 46 as theprimary rail 26 extends from the base 14 orballstop 16 toward thescoop 22. Optionally, theprimary rail 26 may extend substantially linearly from the base 14 orballstop 16 toward thescoop 22 when viewed from a side perspective. Alternatively, the primary rail can be substantially linear from the base 14 orballstop 16 up to thescoop 22, at which point, the rail curves or angles downward. - The
primary rail 26 can be a unitary extension of theballstop 16, and can also extend from the base 14 orballstop 16 toward thescoop 22 within the first horizontal plane 47 defined by thelongitudinal axis 46 as noted above. As theprimary rail 26 extends from the base 14 orballstop 16 toward thescoop 22, theprimary rail 26 can also be positioned at or below thelongitudinal axis 46 when viewed from a side perspective. However, as desired, theprimary rail 26 can vary to a position at or above thelongitudinal axis 46 when viewed from a side perspective. - In another embodiment as shown in
FIG. 5 , theupper rail 25 can fork at ajunction 27 near the base 14 into aprimary rail 26 andsecondary rail 28 that are separated by a first distance. Theprimary rail 26 can remain at or above thelongitudinal axis 46 from thejunction 27 to thescoop 22. Additionally, theprimary rail 26 can extend from thejunction 27 to thescoop 22 generally parallel to thelongitudinal axis 46 along a substantial portion of theaxis 46 when viewed from a side perspective. Optionally, theprimary rail 26 can be of a circular, polygonal, elliptical, rectangular, or beveled cross-section that is generally uniform or varies as it extends from the base 14 to thescoop 22. - Returning to the current embodiment of
FIGS. 1-4 , thesecondary rail 28 can extend between a portion of the base 14 orballstop 16 and a portion of theprimary rail 26. The secondary rail may optionally be a unitary extension of a forward or upper portion of thebase 14, gradually curving downward toward thejunction 27. Optionally, thelacrosse head 10 can include a secondhorizontal plane 50 offset from and parallel to thelongitudinal axis 46, wherein thesecondary rail 28 extends along a portion of its length within the secondhorizontal plane 50 before transitioning downward toward thejunction 27. The secondhorizontal plane 50 can be offset from and positioned above the first horizontal plane 47 by a pre-selected distance. Thesecondary rail 28 can transition downwardly in a curvilinear and/or linear manner toward thejunction 27 to form an offset angle a with reference to theprimary rail 26. The angle a can vary as the application requires, but generally, thesecondary rail 28 can gradually curve or angle at an acute angle a between the primary rail and secondary rail. In the area of thesidewalls 18 where the primary andsecondary rails - The
secondary rail 28 can join, fork from, diverge or branch from theprimary sidewall 26 at thejunction 27 in or near theballstop 18. Optionally, thejunction 27 can be located between the base 14 and thescoop 22 at a portion of theprimary rail 26 extending generally parallel to thelongitudinal axis 46 in plan view, or elsewhere in the head as desired. Additionally, eachsecondary rail 28 can be of a circular, polygonal, elliptical, rectangular, or beveled cross-section that is generally uniform or varies as it extends from the base 14 orballstop 16 to thejunction 27. - The
lacrosse head 10 can further define a curvilinear or polygonal aperture bounded by theprimary rail 26,secondary rail 28,junction 27 andbase 14 orballstop 16. Beginning with the end defined by thejunction 27 of the primary andsecondary rails base 14 and can terminate in a polygonal edge with beveled interior corners. As shown in the current embodiment ofFIG. 3 , thehead 10 can define a rounded aperture, for example an elliptical aperture bounded by theprimary rail 26 andsecondary rail 28. In this embodiment, the cross-section of the primary and secondary upper sidewall rails 26, 28 can vary along their length to promote the elliptical aperture when viewed from the side or base of thehead 10. Of course, the aperture formed between theprimary rail 26 andsecondary rail 28 can be of a variety of geometric shapes. As depicted in the alternative embodiment ofFIG. 5 , a generally triangular aperture can be bounded by theprimary rail 26,secondary rail 28 and thebase 14 and/orballstop 16. If desired, other geometries for the aperture may be selected as desired. For example, referring to another alternative embodiment ofFIG. 6 , a polygonal aperture can be bounded by thesecondary rail 28 and theprimary rail 26. The other structures and components of these alternative embodiments inFIGS. 5 and 6 can be virtually identical to those of the current embodiment. - Returning to the current embodiment of
FIGS. 1-4 , thesidewalls 18 are joined by ascoop 22 at the ends thereof remote from thebase 14. Thescoop 22 can further join theupper rail 25 andlower rail 24 at a portion of thesidewall 18 distal from thebase 14. Thescoop 22 can also define a front lip outsidesurface 38, back lip outsidesurface 40, and aninside lip surface 44. Thescoop 22 can include a third series of netting apertures or eyelets 30, optionally disposed between the back lip outsidesurface 40 and insidelip surface 44 for securing a net or web thereto, as depicted inFIGS. 1 and 5 . Theeyelets 30 can include a recessed or beveled interior, and can be rectangular, circular or elliptical as desired. The back lip outsidesurface 40 can be disposed at anangle 42 to the front lip outsidesurface 38 to minimize abrasion to the netting caused by contact between thescoop 22 and the ground during play, such as the lacrosse head disclosed in U.S. Reissued Patent RE38,216 to Morrow which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. - As shown in
FIG. 3 , thescoop 22 can contour downwardly with reference to first horizontal plane 47 defined by thecenterline axis 46 as thescoop 22 extends from thesidewall 18 to a portion of thescoop 22 furthest from theballstop 16. Thescoop 22, together with thesidewalls 18 andbase 14 orballstop 16, can form aunitary head 10 with a smooth and continuous pocket facing interior. A netting or web can be secured to thehead 10 through the first series of netting apertures oreyelets 15 disposed in a portion of theballstop 16, a second series of netting apertures oreyelets 32 disposed in thesidewalls 18, and a third series of netting apertures oreyelets 30 disposed in thescoop 22. - The
lacrosse head 10 can be of an open frame, monolithic construction and formed from one or more of a variety of compounds such as nylon, urethane, polycarbonate, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyketone or polybutylene terephalate. The desiredlacrosse head 10 can be formed by first selecting its shape and configuration. After the shape and configuration is selected, a mold having a mold cavity can be formed in the shape of thehead 10 to be formed. - As noted above, lacrosse handles of conventional construction typically have all or a major portion of a head disposed below the central longitudinal axis, often in plane with the leading portion of the base. The current embodiment as depicted in
FIGS. 1-6 , however, includes asecondary rail 28 offset from thelongitudinal axis 46 when viewed from a side perspective, and structurally supporting theprimary rail 26 which extends linearly from the base 14 to thescoop 22 when viewed from a side perspective. This improved offset design can provide a lacrosse stick head having increased strength, improved ball feel, and enhanced shooting capabilities—as well as an appearance that draws attention to the offset head configuration. - The above description is that of the current embodiment of the invention. Various alterations and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and broader aspects of the invention as defined in the appended claims, which are to be interpreted in accordance with the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents. Any reference to elements in the singular, for example, using the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” or “said,” is not to be construed as limiting the element to the singular.
Claims (20)
1. A lacrosse head comprising:
a throat adapted to connect to a lacrosse handle;
a base joined with the throat, the base including a ballstop and having a longitudinal axis;
a scoop distal from the base, wherein the longitudinal axis extends toward the scoop;
a pair of sidewalls extending from the base and joined with the scoop, each sidewall including an upper rail and a lower rail separated from one another by a distance, the upper rail including a primary rail and a secondary rail, the primary rail extending from the scoop to the base generally parallel to the longitudinal axis when viewed from a side perspective, the secondary rail extending from the primary rail at a junction, the secondary rail extending in at least one of an upwardly angled manner and an upwardly curved manner away from the longitudinal axis between the junction and the ballstop, the secondary rail being joined with the base at a distance above and separate from the primary rail so that the secondary rail and the primary rail define an aperture therebetween, the aperture also being located between the junction and the ballstop, whereby the aperture visually accentuates the divergence of the secondary rail from the primary rail so that a viewer readily recognizes that the lacrosse head is of an offset construction.
2. The lacrosse head of claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal axis lies within a plane that bisects the upper and lower halves of the throat.
3. The lacrosse head of claim 2 , wherein the primary rail extends from the base toward the scoop at least partially within the plane.
4. The lacrosse head of claim 2 , wherein the scoop contours downwardly with respect to the plane.
5. The lacrosse head of claim 1 , wherein the secondary rail gradually curves downward from an upper surface of the ballstop toward the primary rail.
6. The lacrosse head of claim 1 , wherein the secondary rail is a unitary extension of a front portion of the base.
7. A lacrosse head comprising:
a throat adapted to connect to a lacrosse handle;
a base joined with the throat, the base including a ballstop;
a scoop distal from the base;
a sidewall including an upper rail having a primary rail and a secondary rail, the primary rail extending substantially linearly from the ballstop toward the scoop when viewed from a side perspective, the secondary rail extending from the primary rail as a separate rail at a junction near or in the ballstop, the secondary rail extending in at least one of an upwardly angled manner and an upwardly curved manner toward the ballstop, the secondary rail being joined with the base distal from the junction.
8. The lacrosse head of claim 7 , further comprising a longitudinal axis extending from the base toward the scoop, wherein the primary rail is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis from the base to the scoop.
9. The lacrosse head of claim 8 , wherein the longitudinal axis lies within a first horizontal plane that bisects the upper and lower halves of the throat, and subsequently a handle joined with the throat.
10. The lacrosse head of claim 9 , further comprising a second horizontal plane offset from and parallel to the longitudinal axis, wherein the secondary rail extends along a portion of its length within the second horizontal plane before transitioning downward toward the junction.
11. The lacrosse head of claim 10 , wherein the secondary rail diverges from the primary rail at an acute angle opening toward the base.
12. The lacrosse of claim 11 , wherein the secondary rail is a unitary extension of a forward portion of the base.
13. The lacrosse head of claim 12 , wherein the primary rail, secondary rail, junction and base cooperate to define an aperture which visually emphasizes to a viewer the downward transition of the secondary rail toward the primary rail, whereby the viewer can readily recognize the lacrosse head as having an offset construction.
14. The lacrosse head of claim 13 , wherein the scoop contours downwardly with respect to the longitudinal axis.
15. A lacrosse head comprising:
a throat adapted to connect to a lacrosse handle;
a base joined with the throat, the base including a ballstop and having a longitudinal axis;
a scoop distal from the base, wherein the longitudinal axis extends toward the scoop;
a pair of sidewalls extending from the base and joined with the scoop, each sidewall including an upper rail and a lower rail separated from one another by a first distance, the upper rail forking at a junction near the base into a primary rail and a secondary rail that are separated by a second distance, the primary rail remaining at or above the longitudinal axis from the junction to the base, the secondary rail extending in at least one of an upwardly angled manner and an upwardly curved manner from the junction toward the base.
16. The lacrosse head of claim 15 , wherein the secondary rail and the primary rail define an aperture therebetween, the aperture also being bounded by at least one of the junction and the base.
17. The lacrosse head of claim 16 , wherein the secondary rail forks from the primary rail at an acute angle.
18. The lacrosse head of claim 17 , wherein the secondary rail is a unitary extension of a forward portion of the base.
19. The lacrosse head of claim 18 , wherein the longitudinal axis lies within a plane that bisects the upper and lower halves of the throat, and subsequently a handle joined with the throat.
20. The lacrosse head of claim 19 , wherein the primary rail extends from the junction to the scoop generally parallel to the longitudinal axis when viewed from a side perspective.
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/360,938 US20100113191A1 (en) | 2008-10-31 | 2009-01-28 | Offset lacrosse head |
CA 2656906 CA2656906A1 (en) | 2008-10-31 | 2009-03-03 | Offset lacrosse head |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11032408P | 2008-10-31 | 2008-10-31 | |
US12/360,938 US20100113191A1 (en) | 2008-10-31 | 2009-01-28 | Offset lacrosse head |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20100113191A1 true US20100113191A1 (en) | 2010-05-06 |
Family
ID=42132123
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/360,938 Abandoned US20100113191A1 (en) | 2008-10-31 | 2009-01-28 | Offset lacrosse head |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US20100113191A1 (en) |
Cited By (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20140171235A1 (en) * | 2012-11-30 | 2014-06-19 | John Vajda | Lacrosse head |
US20140323249A1 (en) * | 2013-04-25 | 2014-10-30 | James Miceli | Lacrosse stick head |
US20170189772A1 (en) * | 2016-01-04 | 2017-07-06 | Warrior Sports, Inc. | Lacrosse head and related method of manufacture |
US20180207498A1 (en) * | 2017-01-06 | 2018-07-26 | Element Lacrosse | Lacrosse Head with Improved Features |
US10357692B1 (en) * | 2018-09-21 | 2019-07-23 | East Coast Dyes, Inc. | Lacrosse head with asymmetrical cross-struts |
US11351428B2 (en) | 2019-05-23 | 2022-06-07 | W.m. T. Burnett IP, LLC | Lacrosse head with enhanced pocket channel and sweet spot |
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US20140171235A1 (en) * | 2012-11-30 | 2014-06-19 | John Vajda | Lacrosse head |
US20140323249A1 (en) * | 2013-04-25 | 2014-10-30 | James Miceli | Lacrosse stick head |
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US20170189772A1 (en) * | 2016-01-04 | 2017-07-06 | Warrior Sports, Inc. | Lacrosse head and related method of manufacture |
US10252126B2 (en) * | 2016-01-04 | 2019-04-09 | Warrior Sports, Inc. | Lacrosse head and related method of manufacture |
US20180207498A1 (en) * | 2017-01-06 | 2018-07-26 | Element Lacrosse | Lacrosse Head with Improved Features |
US10357692B1 (en) * | 2018-09-21 | 2019-07-23 | East Coast Dyes, Inc. | Lacrosse head with asymmetrical cross-struts |
US10806973B2 (en) | 2018-09-21 | 2020-10-20 | East Coast Dyes, Inc. | Lacrosse head with asymmetrical cross-struts |
US11351428B2 (en) | 2019-05-23 | 2022-06-07 | W.m. T. Burnett IP, LLC | Lacrosse head with enhanced pocket channel and sweet spot |
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Legal Events
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: WARRIOR SPORTS, INC.,MICHIGAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:WINNINGHAM, MATTHEW M.;SCHMIDT, JOSHUA G.;SIGNING DATES FROM 20090126 TO 20090127;REEL/FRAME:022166/0488 |
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STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |