U.S. patent application number 10/605643 was filed with the patent office on 2004-06-17 for lacrosse stick handle with a reinforcing insert.
This patent application is currently assigned to WARRIOR LACROSSE, INC.. Invention is credited to Maliszewski, Andrew, Morrow, David.
Application Number | 20040116217 10/605643 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32511413 |
Filed Date | 2004-06-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040116217 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Morrow, David ; et
al. |
June 17, 2004 |
LACROSSE STICK HANDLE WITH A REINFORCING INSERT
Abstract
A lacrosse handle (12) having one or more reinforcing inserts
(14) is provided. The lacrosse handle (12) is defined by a hollow
tube having an outer surface (22) and an inner surface (24). The
inner surface (24) has the reinforcing insert (14) coupled thereto.
In one embodiment, this reinforcing insert (14) is comprised of an
injection-molded fiberglass composite that contacts substantially
the entire inner surface (24) of the handle (12). Alternatively, in
another embodiment, the reinforcing insert (14) is comprised of a
foam material. Furthermore, the reinforcing insert (24) may instead
be constructed of a variety of other suitable materials for
reinforcing the hollow tube and supporting the existing structure
of the hollow tube. In addition, the reinforcing insert (14) may be
adapted for absorbing vibrations emanating through the handle
(12).
Inventors: |
Morrow, David; (Metamora,
MI) ; Maliszewski, Andrew; (Dearborn Heights,
MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ARTZ & ARTZ, P.C.
28333 TELEGRAPH RD.
SUITE 250
SOUTHFIELD
MI
48034
US
|
Assignee: |
WARRIOR LACROSSE, INC.
6881 Chicago Road
Warren
MI
|
Family ID: |
32511413 |
Appl. No.: |
10/605643 |
Filed: |
October 15, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60418991 |
Oct 15, 2002 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/513 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 60/00 20151001;
A63B 60/08 20151001; A63B 2102/14 20151001; A63B 60/10 20151001;
A63B 59/20 20151001; A63B 2209/02 20130101; A63B 60/54 20151001;
A63B 60/06 20151001 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/513 |
International
Class: |
A63B 059/02 |
Claims
1. A handle for a lacrosse stick and mounting a lacrosse head
thereon, comprising: a hollow tube for attachment to the lacrosse
head, said hollow tube having an outer surface and an inner
surface; and; a reinforcing insert coupled to said inner surface
for strengthening said hollow tube.
2. The handle of claim 1 wherein said reinforcing insert is coupled
to said inner surface and extends substantially across a length of
said hollow tube.
3. The handle of claim 1 wherein said reinforcing insert is coupled
to said insert and extends substantially around a lateral periphery
of said hollow tube.
4. The handle of claim 1 wherein said reinforcing insert is coupled
to a top end portion of said hollow tube.
5. The handle of claim 1 wherein said reinforcing insert is coupled
to an intermediate portion of said hollow tube.
6. The handle of claim 1 wherein said reinforcing insert is coupled
to a bottom end portion of said hollow tube.
7. The handle of claim 1 wherein said reinforcing insert is
comprised of a substantially rigid non-deformable material.
8. The handle of claim 7 wherein said substantially rigid
non-deformable material is a composite material.
9. The handle of claim 1 wherein said inner surface defines a
cavity substantially filled by said reinforcing insert.
10. The handle of claim 1 wherein said reinforcing insert defines a
cavity.
11. A handle for a lacrosse stick and mounting a lacrosse head
thereon, comprising: a hollow tube for attachment to the lacrosse
head, said hollow tube having an outer surface and an inner
surface; and; a reinforcing insert coupled to said inner surface
for strengthening said hollow tube, said reinforcing insert being
comprised of a deformable material for absorbing vibrations in said
hollow tube.
12. The handle of claim 11 wherein said deformable material is at
least one of a foam material and a semi-fluid filled membrane.
13. The handle of claim 11 wherein said reinforcing insert is
coupled to said inner surface and extends substantially across a
length of said hollow tube.
14. The handle of claim 11 wherein said reinforcing insert is
coupled to said insert and extends substantially around a lateral
periphery of said hollow tube.
15. The handle of claim 11 wherein said reinforcing insert is
coupled to a top end portion of said hollow tube.
16. The handle of claim 11 wherein said reinforcing insert is
coupled to an intermediate portion of said hollow tube.
17. The handle of claim 11 wherein said reinforcing insert is
coupled to a bottom end portion of said hollow tube.
18. A method for manufacturing the lacrosse handle recited in claim
1, comprising: coupling a reinforcing insert to an inner surface of
the lacrosse handle.
19. The method of claim 18 further comprising: curing a composite
material formed for coupling to said inner surface.
20. The method of claim 18 further comprising: injecting a foam
material into a cavity defined by said inner surface.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application Serial No. 60/418,991, entitled "A LACROSSE STICK
HANDLE WITH REINFORCING INSERT," filed on Oct. 15, 2002, the
disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to lacrosse sticks,
and more particularly to a lacrosse stick having a handle with a
reinforcing insert for decreasing the amount of shock transferred
to a player's hands and strengthening the handle.
[0003] Lacrosse equipment manufacturers currently produce lacrosse
handles that are comprised of metal, e.g. aluminum or titanium. As
is known, these handles are adapted for attachment to lacrosse
heads. Each handle typically has a hollow tube construction formed
by extrusion or other similar processes. The hollow tube is defined
by a single wall separating the exterior of the handle from its
interior. This single wall usually has a uniform thickness
throughout the tube's length and around the tube's lateral
periphery.
[0004] Existing handles are beneficial because they can be
substantially strong and lightweight. However, it is understood
that a handle, which has even greater strength than the existing
ones, would be beneficial. Specifically, a stronger handle would be
more durable and resistant to breakage. For that reason, the
stronger handle can be used for longer periods of time without
having to be replaced or repaired.
[0005] Furthermore, the rigid construction of existing handles can
occasionally transmit vibrations and shock to the player's hands.
For example, this can occur when a player accidentally strikes the
ground with his lacrosse stick as he attempts to scoop up a
lacrosse ball. Also, the player may inadvertently strike another
player's stick while he is shooting or defending. Additionally,
vibrations typically can be transmitted to a player's hand during
stick-to-stick contact such as that which occurs during a stick
check. It will be appreciated that a variety of circumstances can
result in the handle being significantly jarred so as to cause
vibrations to emanate therein to the player's hands.
[0006] It is therefore desirable to provide a lacrosse handle that
is substantially strong and lightweight yet can also dampen the
level of vibrations in the handle.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0007] It is therefore one advantage of the present invention to
provide a handle for a lacrosse stick that has increased strength
for maintaining the integrity of the handle.
[0008] It is another advantage of the present invention to provide
a lacrosse stick handle that is substantially strong yet
lightweight for allowing a player to expend minimal energy while
carrying the lacrosse stick.
[0009] It is yet another advantage of the present invention to
provide a lacrosse stick handle that decreases the amount of shock
transmitted to the player's hands, wrists, and forearms thereby
minimizing a player's discomfort when the lacrosse handle is jarred
or otherwise struck.
[0010] In accordance with the above and other advantages of the
present invention, a lacrosse handle having reinforcing inserts is
provided. The lacrosse handle is defined by a hollow tube having an
outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface has one or
more reinforcing inserts coupled thereto. In one embodiment, each
reinforcing insert is comprised of an injection-molded fiberglass
composite that contacts substantially the entire inner surface of
the handle. Alternatively, in another embodiment, the reinforcing
insert is comprised of a foam core or layer. Further, it will be
appreciated that the reinforcing insert may instead be constructed
of a variety of other suitable materials for reinforcing the hollow
tube and supporting the existing structure of the hollow tube. In
addition, the reinforcing insert may be adapted for absorbing
vibrations emanating through the tube.
[0011] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent when viewed in light of the detailed description of
the preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the
attached drawings and appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0012] For a more complete understanding of this invention,
reference should now be made to the embodiments illustrated in
greater detail in the accompanying drawings and described below by
way of examples of the invention:
[0013] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a lacrosse stick handle, in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the lacrosse stick handle
in FIG. 1A, in accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention.
[0015] FIG. 2A is a cutaway view of the lacrosse handle shown in
FIG. 1A, as taken along line 2A-2A.
[0016] FIG. 2B is a cutaway view of the lacrosse handle shown in
FIG. 2A, according to another embodiment of the present invention;
and.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a logic flow diagram illustrating a method for
manufacturing the lacrosse head shown in FIGS. 1A-2B, in accordance
with one embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] In the following figures, the same reference numerals will
be used to illustrate the same components in the various views.
[0019] Referring to FIG. 1A, there generally is shown a perspective
view of a lacrosse stick 10 having a handle 12 attached to a
lacrosse head 13. The handle 12 has a pair of reinforcing inserts
14 coupled thereto, in accordance with one embodiment of the
invention. These reinforcing inserts 14 are intended to strengthen
the handle 12 at a top end portion 16 and a bottom end portion 18
of the handle 12. However, it is contemplated that the reinforcing
inserts 14 can be coupled to other portions of the handle 12, e.g.
an intermediate portion 20 of the handle, as well as any
combinations thereof. For example, in another embodiment shown in
FIG. 1B, one reinforcing insert 14" spanning the entire length of
the handle 12" can be coupled to the handle 12". In this way, one
or more reinforcing inserts 14 can be utilized for strengthening
the entire handle 12 or only specific portions of the handle 12
that typically are subjected to the greatest forces. The location
of these areas is well known in the art.
[0020] Referring now to FIG. 2A, there is illustrated a cutaway
view of the lacrosse handle 12 shown in FIG. 1A, as taken along
line 2A-2A. The lacrosse handle 12 has a hollow tube construction
with an outer surface 22 and an inner surface 24. This hollow tube
is comprised of metal, e.g. aluminum or titanium, and formed by an
extrusion process. However, it is contemplated that the hollow tube
can be comprised of various other suitable materials and formed by
a variety of other manufacturing processes.
[0021] According this embodiment of the invention, the handle 12
has a reinforcing insert 14 coupled thereto, which is comprised of
a substantially rigid non-deformable material. Preferably, this
reinforcing insert 14 is comprised of a fiberglass composite, which
is beneficial for its substantially high strength-to-weight ratio.
However, it is understood that the reinforcing insert can instead
be comprised of other composite laminates or a variety of other
suitable materials as desired.
[0022] The reinforcing insert 14 is preferably formed as a thin
layer attached to the inner surface 24 of the handle 12. In this
way, the reinforcing insert 14 defines a cavity 26 in the handle 12
thereby minimizing the overall weight of the handle 12. However, as
seen in FIG. 2B, it will be appreciated that the reinforcing insert
14 can completely fill the cavity otherwise defined by the inner
surface 24 of the handle 12.
[0023] As shown in FIG. 2A, the thickness of the reinforcing insert
14 is uniform around the lateral periphery of the handle 12. In
addition, the reinforcing insert 14 is uniform in thickness across
the entire length of the handle 12. However, it is contemplated
that the thickness and size of the reinforcing insert can vary
across and/or around the handle 12 as desired. For example, the
thickness of the insert can be increased in areas that are
subjected to maximum force while maintaining a smaller thickness in
other locations.
[0024] Referring now to FIG. 2B, there is shown a cutaway view of
the lacrosse handle 12 shown in FIG. 2A, in accordance with another
embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the reinforcing
insert 14 is comprised of a deformable material for both
strengthening the handle 12 and dampening vibrations emanating
through the handle 12. In this regard, the reinforcing insert 14 is
a core of foam material injected into and completely filling the
cavity of the handle 12. Although FIG. 2B illustrates that the foam
material fills the entire cavity of the handle 12, it will be
appreciated that a center portion of the cavity may remain
unoccupied by the foam material. For instance, a rod may be placed
within the handle 12 before the foam material is injected into the
cavity. After the foam is injected in the handle 12, the rod can be
removed leaving a final cavity or channel defined by the foam
material. In this way, the reinforcing insert 14 can be a layer of
foam material, which is attached to the inner surface 24 and
defines a cavity, rather than a core of foam material. In other
words, the foam material can be located within the handle and in
contact with the inner surface 24 such that it does not fill the
entire space within the tube.
[0025] Moreover, it is also contemplated that the foam material can
be located in one or more portions of the handle 12, or even across
the entire length of the handle 12.
[0026] According to yet another embodiment (not illustrated), the
reinforcing insert 14 is a membrane or bladder filled with a
semi-fluid, e.g. a thick gel. This membrane is sufficiently
pressurized within the handle 12 for both supporting the integrity
of the handle 12 and absorbing vibrations therein.
[0027] Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a logic flow diagram
for a method of manufacturing the lacrosse handle 12 with one or
more reinforcing inserts 14. The method commences in step 100 and
then immediately proceeds to step 102.
[0028] In step 102, the lacrosse handle 12 is formed. This step is
accomplished by extruding a metal blank to have a hollow tube
construction with an outer surface 22 and an inner surface 24.
However, it is understood that the lacrosse handle can be comprised
of various other materials and formed by other suitable
manufacturing processes. Then, the sequence proceeds to step
104.
[0029] In step 104, the reinforcing insert 14 is coupled to the
inner surface 24 of the lacrosse handle 12. This step is
accomplished by separately forming a substantially rigid
non-deformable material that is sized to be press-fitted within the
handle 12. For example, a fiberglass composite can be separately
cured and otherwise manufactured for insertion into the handle 12
and supporting the integrity of the handle 12. In another
embodiment, this step is accomplished by injecting a foam material
into the handle 12 for filling the cavity defined by the inner
surface 24. In yet another embodiment, this step can be
accomplished by inserting a membrane or a bladder into the cavity
of the handle 12 and then filling the membrane with a semi-fluid
material. This membrane can be sufficiently pressurized for
supporting the structural integrity of the handle and absorbing
vibrations therein.
[0030] While the invention has been described in terms of selected
embodiments, it will be understood, of course, that the invention
is not limited thereto since modifications may be made by those
skilled in the art, particularly in light of the foregoing
teachings.
* * * * *