U.S. patent application number 10/887175 was filed with the patent office on 2005-06-16 for sports shaft with variable contour.
Invention is credited to Hayden, Mark X., Wittman, Chad M..
Application Number | 20050130759 10/887175 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35839553 |
Filed Date | 2005-06-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050130759 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hayden, Mark X. ; et
al. |
June 16, 2005 |
Sports shaft with variable contour
Abstract
The present invention relates to an improved sports shaft. The
improved shaft is comprised of a synthetic material designed to
minimize weight and provide other desirable characteristics. The
shaft may include a unique outwardly expanded portion that
dramatically improves the shaft's performance. The outwardly
expanded portion expands lengthwise and widthwise to create a wider
portion that accommodates a player's hand position. The outer
surface of the shaft may be coated with a gripable material to
improve the overall grip and feel characteristics of the shaft.
Inventors: |
Hayden, Mark X.; (Denver,
CO) ; Wittman, Chad M.; (Denver, CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HOLLAND & HART, LLP
555 17TH STREET, SUITE 3200
DENVER
CO
80201
US
|
Family ID: |
35839553 |
Appl. No.: |
10/887175 |
Filed: |
July 7, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10887175 |
Jul 7, 2004 |
|
|
|
10735596 |
Dec 12, 2003 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/316 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 59/50 20151001;
A63B 60/08 20151001; A63B 60/48 20151001; A63B 60/14 20151001; A63B
59/20 20151001; A63B 60/06 20151001; A63B 60/10 20151001; A63B
2102/18 20151001; A63B 59/70 20151001; A63B 2209/02 20130101; A63B
53/10 20130101; A63B 49/08 20130101; A63B 2102/22 20151001 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/316 |
International
Class: |
A63B 053/10 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A sports shaft comprising: an elongated body portion comprising
a synthetic semi-flexible material, the elongated body having a
first end and a second end; at least one expanded portion disposed
on the elongated body portion between the first end and the second;
and a gripable coating disposed on an outer surface of the
elongated body portion.
2. The sports shaft of claim 1, further including a first outwardly
tapered head receiving portion disposed on the first end.
3. The sports shaft of claim 2, further including a second
outwardly tapered head receiving portion disposed on the second
end.
4. The sports shaft of claim 1, wherein the elongated body has a
rounded non-protruding octagon cross-sectional shape.
5. The sports shaft of claim 1, wherein the synthetic semi-flexible
material includes carbon fiber.
6. The sports shaft of claim 1, wherein the synthetic semi-flexible
material includes graphite.
7. The sports shaft of claim 1, wherein the elongated body has a
first cross-sectional area and the at least one expanded portion
has a second cross-sectional area, the second cross-sectional area
being greater than the first cross-sectional area.
8. The sports shaft of claim 1, wherein the at least one tapered
portion is disposed in a position on the elongated body that is
consistent with a standard hand position of a player for the sport
within which the sports shaft is designed to be used.
9. The sports shaft of claim 1, wherein the gripable coating
includes a rubberized paint coating.
10. The sports shaft of claim 1, wherein the sports shaft conforms
to the regulations of a lacrosse stick shaft.
11. The sports shaft of claim 3, further including a lacrosse head
disposed on an end of the elongated shaft, the end selected from
the group consisting of the first end and the second end.
12. The sports shaft of claim 1, further including a detachable
head disposed on an end of the elongated body.
13. The sports shaft of claim 1, wherein the at least one expanded
portion comprises a plurality of expanded portions.
14. The sports shaft of claim 1, wherein the at least one expanded
portion facilitates a grip of a player.
15. The sports shaft of claim 1, further comprising a tapered
portion disposed on the elongated body.
16. The sports shaft of claim 7, further comprising a tapered
portion disposed on the elongated body, the tapered portion having
a third cross-sectional area, the third cross-section area less
than the first cross-sectional area.
17. The sports shaft of claim 1, wherein the gripable material is
on the outer surface of the elongated body only at the at least one
expanded portion.
18. A lacrosse shaft comprising: an elongated body portion
comprising a synthetic semi-flexible material; the elongated body
portion having a first end and a second end, the first end
including a first head receiving portion and the second end
including a second head receiving portion; at least one outwardly
expanding grip portion disposed on the elongated body portion; a
gripable coating disposed a portion of an outer surface of the
elongated body portion, wherein a detachable head can be detachably
coupled to the elongated body at a head receiving portion selected
from the group consisting of the first head receiving portion and
the second head receiving portion.
19. The lacrosse shaft of claim 18, wherein the gripable coating is
disposed on selected portions of the outer surface comprising
locations where a player would grip the lacrosse shaft and wherein
the at least one outwardly expanding grip portion is a selected
portion.
20. The lacrosse shaft of claim 18, wherein the gripable coating is
disposed on the entire outer surface.
21. A method of manufacturing a sports shaft comprising: wrapping
synthetic material around an internal member; removing the internal
member; providing a mold for the sports shaft, the mold comprising
at least one outwardly expanded portion; inserting the synthetic
material into a mold; heating synthetic material to conform to the
synthetic material to a shape of the mold; solidifying the
synthetic material; and coating at least a portion of the synthetic
material with a gripable material comprising a low coefficient of
thermal surface conductivity, such that a sports shaft having a
gripable coating and an outwardly expanded portion is provided.
22. The method of claim 21, wherein the coating further comprises
spraying one or more layers of rubberized paint.
23. The method of claim 21, wherein the synthetic material
comprises carbon.
24. The method of claim 21, wherein the mold for the sports shaft
further includes at least one outwardly flared head receiving
portion.
25. The method of claim 21, wherein the mold further includes an
inwardly tapered portion.
26. The method of claim 21, wherein the mold for the sports shaft
is configured to create a shaft with a rounded non-protruding
octagonal cross-sectional profile.
27. A sports shaft comprising: an elongated body comprised of a
synthetic semi-flexible material, the elongated body having a first
end and a second end; a first outwardly expanded portion disposed
on the elongated body portion, the outwardly expanded portion being
located substantially equidistant from the first end and the second
end; a first head receiving portion located at the first end and a
second head receiving portion located at the second end; and a head
located at a location selected from the group consisting of the
first end and the second end, wherein the head is located at either
the first or second end.
28. The sports shaft of claim 27, further comprising a gripable
coating disposed on at least a portion of an outer surface of the
elongated body.
29. The sports shaft of claim 27, further comprising a second
outwardly expanded portion disposed on the elongated body, the
second outwardly expanded portion being proximate an end of the
elongated body, the end selected from the group of ends consisting
of the first end and the second end.
30. The sports shaft of claim 27, wherein the first outwardly
expanded portion is located to facilitate a grip of a player.
31. The sports shaft of claim 29, wherein the first outwardly
expanded portion and the second outwardly expanded portion are
located to facilitate a grip of a player.
32. The sports shaft of claim 27, wherein the elongated body
comprises a polygonal shape in cross-section, the polygonal shape
having non-protruding rounded corners.
33. The sports shaft of claim 27, wherein the elongated body
comprises a polygonal shape in cross-section, and the polygonal
shape has non-protruding rounded corners proximate the first
outwardly expanded portion.
34. The sports shaft of claim 1, wherein the elongated body has a
symmetrical appearance.
35. The sports shaft of claim 1, wherein the elongated body has an
asymmetrical appearance.
36. A lacrosse shaft, comprising: an elongated body portion having
a first end and a second end; the first end having at least a first
end major diameter; the second end having at least a second end
major diameter; at least one expanded portion disposed on the
elongated body portion between the first end and the second; and
the at least one expanded portion having a expanded major diameter
greater than the first end major diameter and the second end major
diameter.
37. The lacrosse shaft of claim 37 wherein the first end major
diameter is equal to the second end major diameter.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This applications is a continuation-in-part of related
co-pending application Ser. No.10/735,596, titled "[IMPROVED] SPORT
SHAFT," filed Dec. 12, 2003.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to sticks or shafts for use in
sports and sporting activities. More particularly, the present
invention relates to a shaft with improved weight, feel, and grip
for improved playability.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Various sports incorporate sticks or shafts players use to
assist in propelling an object from one location to another.
Tennis, hockey, lacrosse, baseball, racquetball, squash, etc. all
incorporate some form of shaft. The shafts often include a
specialized head that is either detachable or manufactured into the
shaft. For example, most tennis racket shafts incorporate an
integrated head that is configured to provide a bounceable surface
for a tennis ball. Whereas, most lacrosse shafts incorporate a
detachable head that is used to catch, throw, and cradle a lacrosse
ball. The shafts must conform to certain rules and regulations
particular to each activity. For example, baseball bats must
conform to very strict size, weight, and composition
requirements.
[0004] Players choose shafts they perceive will assist or increase
their overall performance in playing a particular sport. Therefore,
shaft manufacturers design and build shafts that conform to
characteristics that players are likely to seek out. These
characteristics generally include weight, feel, flex, off-set,
grip, and the like. The weight of a shaft is primarily dependent on
the composition of the shaft. Shafts are often composed of wood,
aluminum, graphite, carbon fiber, titanium, or other metal alloys.
Each of these compositions has unique weight characteristics. The
feel of a shaft depends on the manufacturing of the outer surface
of a shaft. If a particular shaft does not feel appropriate,
players are forced to add tape or rubber to the outside of the
shaft in order to create the required feel. A shaft's flex also is
dependent on the overall composition and shape of the shaft. The
grip of a shaft is, in part, dependent on manufacturing of the
outer surface of a shaft. The grip of a shaft relates, in part, to
the amount of friction between a players hand/glove and the shaft
during play. The grip also relates, in part, to the available
surface area to grip the shaft. In most sports, it is desirable to
have a sufficient amount of friction between the shaft and the
player's hand so as to maximize the control the player has over the
shaft.
[0005] One of the main problems with conventional shafts is that
they do not maximize all of the characteristics desired by players.
Certain shafts may have superior flex and feel but are
unnecessarily heavy; other shafts may be lightweight but have
little or no flex capabilities. Still other shafts may have a
satisfactory weight, but provide insufficient size for gripping the
shaft. In the field of lacrosse sticks, most of the shaft
manufacturers sell traditional hollow, aluminum shafts because they
are relatively lightweight, easy to manufacture, and provide a
minor amount of flex. These conventional aluminum shafts must be
modified to provide the right feel and grip desired by most
players. Players commonly tape athletic tape around, the center,
the bottom, and/or the top portions of the shaft to create improved
gripping surfaces.
[0006] Furthermore, traditional, hollow, aluminum shafts have a
consistent cross-section along the length of the shaft. The
consistent cross-section is due, in part, to tradition, but also
due, in part, to the restrictions in manufacturing technology to
make traditional, hollow, aluminum shafts. These shafts, while
functional, are not designed with player positional
responsibilities nor with any real consideration to the control and
torque requirements associated with facing off, shooting, cradling
with one hand, and retrieving balls from the ground.
[0007] Therefore, there is a need in the industry for an improved
sports shaft that maximizes the performance characteristics of a
shaft. In addition, the improved shaft should be relatively easy to
manufacture such that it can be marketed at a reasonable fee to
consumers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention relates to an improved sports shaft
that is configured to maximize weight, feel, grip, and the like.
The improved shaft comprises a shaft having a variable contour
along the length of the shaft. The variable contour provides
increased surface area and/or improved gripping surfaces.
[0009] In one embodiment, the shaft is a lacrosse shaft. The
lacrosse shaft includes an elongated body portion made of synthetic
material. The elongated body having a first end and a second end.
The elongated body has at least one expanded portion disposed on
the elongated body portion between the first and second end.
[0010] The foregoing and other features, utilities, and advantages
of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed
description of the invention with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The accompanying drawings illustrate various embodiments of
the present invention and are a part of the specification. The
illustrated embodiments are merely examples of the present
invention and do not limit the scope of the invention.
[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates a profile view of a prior art lacrosse
shaft;
[0013] FIG. 2A illustrates a profile view of a lacrosse shaft and
lacrosse head in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0014] FIG. 2B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the lacrosse
shaft of FIG. 2A along line B-B;
[0015] FIG. 2C illustrates a cross-sectional view of the lacrosse
shaft of FIG. 2A along line C-C;
[0016] FIG. 2D illustrates a cross-sectional view of the lacrosse
shaft of FIG. 2A along line D-D
[0017] FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a prior art
octagonal lacrosse shaft; and
[0018] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an alternative
prior art octagonal lacrosse shaft including flaring rounded
edges.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] Reference will now be made to the drawings to describe
embodiments of the invention. It is to be understood that the
drawings are diagrammatic and schematic representations of
particular embodiments of the present invention, and are not
limiting, nor are they drawn to scale.
[0020] As a matter of design choice, the outer gripable material
may be located strategically where a player will grip the shaft
rather than cover the entire surface. However, the gripable
material is preferably located substantially or entirely along the
outer surface of the shaft. In addition, the outer coating may
comprise a low thermal surface thermal conductivity coefficient and
create an aesthetic clean appearance in comparison to an uncoated
shaft. While embodiments of the present invention are described in
the context of a lacrosse stick, it will be appreciated that the
teachings of the present invention are applicable to other
applications as well. Also, the outwardly expanded portion is shown
and generally described as being substantially centered on the
shaft and substantially along a majority of the shaft length.
However, the below described outwardly expanded portion or portions
may be strategically placed to facilitate a player's grip instead
of over the majority of the shaft length.
[0021] The present invention relates to an improved sports shaft
configured to provide a shaft with at least a weight, feel,
control, torque, and grip superior to prior shafts. The improved
shaft comprises a synthetic or natural material designed to
minimize weight and provide variable contours along the length of
the shaft. According to one embodiment, the shaft includes a unique
outwardly expanded portion or portions that dramatically improves
the player's ability to grip the shaft. The expanded portion
expands lengthwise and widthwise to create a wider portion useful
for a more controllable and comfortable handgrip. As described
below, the expanded portion may provide other advantages as well.
The expanded portion may be located to accommodate a player's
natural hand position or grip, whether the player is gripping the
shaft with one or two hands. The outer surface of the entire shaft
or a portion thereof may be coated with a gripable composition to
improve the overall grip and feel, and also to provide a low
thermal surface conductivity coefficient.
[0022] One of the improved feel characteristics is the temperature
perception of the shaft when gripped. The gripable composition
comprises a low thermal conductivity coefficient, which reduces a
rate of heat transfer conducted to the shaft from a player's hand
or to a player's hand from the shaft. Therefore, the perceived
temperature of the shaft when a user grips the shaft is warmer or
cooler as compared to a conventional aluminum shaft. Although the
actual temperature of the improved shaft is not affected by the
gripable composition, the gripable composition reduces the rate of
heat conducted from the player's hand to the shaft or from the
shaft to a player's hand, thus leading to a more comfortable
temperature perception. According to some embodiments, the gripable
composition is a rubberized paint or other elastomeric coating.
[0023] Reference is initially made to FIG. 1, which illustrates a
profile view of a prior art lacrosse shaft, designated generally at
100. The shaft 100 includes a lower grip portion 110, an elongated
body 115, and a head receiving portion 105. While called lower grip
portion 110 for identification, it is to be understood that players
frequently use one or two hands to grip shaft 100. Placement of the
hands along the shaft may be at any point along the shaft depending
on the preference of the player.
[0024] The elongated body 115 is comprised of a metallic material
including aluminum. Aluminum is traditionally used for lacrosse
shafts because of its lightweight and semi-flexible properties. The
grip and feel of a raw aluminum shaft is generally undesirable to
most lacrosse players. Therefore, many manufacturers paint raw
aluminum shafts to conceal the raw metal appearance. Unfortunately,
painting does not improve the grip or feel. Accordingly, players
and/or manufacturers commonly add external tape to the lower grip
portion 110 of the shaft 100 in order to improve the overall grip
and feel characteristics. The lower grip portion 110 is disposed
near one of the ends of the elongated body 115 as illustrated in
FIG. 1. The head receiving portion 105 is simply an upper section
of the elongated body 115 that is commonly used to attach a
detachable lacrosse head. The head receiving portion 105 may
include at least one hole for head mounting purposes. The
cross-sectional shape of the prior art shaft 100 is described in
more detail below with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.
[0025] As can be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art,
the conventional shaft 100 has a relatively constant
cross-sectional area along its length. This is due, in part, to the
material used to construct conventional shafts as well as the
manufacturing techniques. Frequently, players modify the outer
surface of conventional shaft 100 to improve the grip
characteristics of the conventional shaft 100. In some instances,
players wrap tape about portions of the shaft. When a player wraps
a significant amount of tape about the shaft, it is possible to
increase the surface area of the gripping surface to provide an
improved grip, which allows increased control and torque in certain
cases. However, using a large amount of tape to increase the
gripping surface leaves much to be desired according to
players.
[0026] Reference is next made to FIG. 2A, which illustrates a
lacrosse shaft in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention. The lacrosse shaft is designated generally at 200. The
lacrosse shaft 200 includes at least one outwardly expanding
portion 210 (which is shown exaggerated in the FIG. for ease of
reference), an elongated body 215, and first and second head
receiving portions 205, 230. While the expanding portion 210 is
shown substantially centered between head receiving portions 205
and 230, it is possible to provide the expanding portion 210 nearer
the first head receiving portion 205 or the second head receiving
portion 230. Moreover, although only one expanded portion 210 that
extends over substantially the entire length of elongated body 215,
multiple expanding portions 210 are possible located are multiple
locations along elongated body 215 is possible. Generally, location
and number of expanding portions 210 will be a function of the
shaft design, player preference, and the like. Providing both head
receiving portions 205 and 230 makes the stick reversible as each
is receptive of a lacrosse head. Being reversible is more important
if shaft 200 is designed with multiple or non-centered expanding
portions 210. Moreover, shaft 200 may be designed with a tapered
portion 210t. Tapered portion 210t would provide increased flex for
shaft 200. For more information regarding tapered portion 210t,
refer to co-pending patent application Ser. No. 10/735,596, titled
"[IMPROVED] SPORT SHAFT," incorporated herein by reference.
[0027] The expanded portion 210 expands outwardly from the
remainder of the elongated body, meaning that the expanded portion
210 has a larger diameter or cross-sectional surface area than the
remainder of the shaft 200. On either side of the expanded portion
210, the elongated body expands outwardly or increases in width to
the width of the expanded portion 210. The outwardly expanding
tapered portion 210 is preferably, but not necessarily, consistent
on all of the outer sides of the lacrosse shaft 200 in order to
create a uniformly thicker section. The expanded portion 210 may
improve the grip and feel of the shaft by providing a contoured
location for a user's hand(s). The combination of a semi-flexible
synthetic composition, the inward tapered portion 210t, and
expanded portion 210 provides an improved grip on a shaft that can
assist in allowing a player with whipping the shaft. Players often
whip lacrosse shafts in order to throw the ball at a high
speed.
[0028] The elongated body 215 comprises a semi-flexible, preferably
synthetic material including but not limited to: carbon fiber,
graphite, plastic, composites, etc. According to the embodiment
shown, the entire elongated body 215 is coated with one or more
types of gripable material 217. To further improve feel of shaft
200, the gripable material 217 should have a low coefficient of
thermal surface conductivity in the areas of the shaft most likely
to contact the player's hands, such as, expanded portion 210. The
gripable material may include, but is not limited to: rubber,
leather, vinyl, cloth, and elastomeric paints and coatings.
Providing the gripable material 217 with a low coefficient of
thermal surface conductivity causes the shaft 200 to feel warmer or
cooler in a player's hand than conventional shafts.
[0029] While the gripable material coating 217 is shown covering
all or substantially all of the elongated body 215 as shown,
according to other embodiments the gripable material coating 217
covers only selected sections of the elongated body 215. For
example, the gripable material may cover only portions of the
elongated body 215 that tend to be gripped by players. The
application of the gripable material coating 217 may be performed
during or after the lacrosse shaft 200 forming process. The
gripable material coating 217 dramatically improves the grip and
feel of the entire shaft.
[0030] Lacrosse players occasionally grip the shaft at different
locations in order to, for example, cradle the ball in tight
situations, shooting, face offs, or the like. In some instances,
the player may even want to completely spin or twirl the shaft to
assist in, for example, retrieving a ball from the ground. Because
of the various functions a single player may need to perform in one
game, shaft 200 is better designed with strategically placed
outwardly expanded portions 210 and conventional shaped portions,
such as the remainder of the elongated body 215. In embodiments
such as the one shown in FIG. 2A with the gripable coating
substantially covering the entire elongated body 215, the feel of
the entire lacrosse shaft 200 is significantly more attractive to a
player than the feel of the conventional shaft described with
reference to FIG. 1. However, devoid portions 217d of the shaft may
be devoid of a gripable coating to facilitate spinning the
shaft.
[0031] One method of manufacturing the shaft 200 comprises use of
graphite or other materials. According to one embodiment, a
graphite sheet is wrapped around an internal member such as a
dowel. The number of times the graphite sheets is wrapped around
the dowel determines the strength of the shaft. Therefore, stronger
shafts may be wrapped multiple times. When the desired number of
graphite layers has been achieved, the dowel is removed, leaving
the graphite in a tubular arrangement. The tubular graphite is then
inserted into a mold, where it is heated and formed into the mold
shape. The tubular graphite is thus preferably hollow, but
according to some embodiments it may also be solid. The graphite is
subsequently cooled, and the graphite hardens into the shaft 200.
As mentioned above, the graphite shaft may have the gripping layer
217 applied, for example the rubber, leather, vinyl, cloth,
rubberized paints, or other materials mentioned above that comprise
a low thermal surface conductivity coefficient.
[0032] Referring now to FIGS. 2B to 2D, cross-sectional areas of
shaft 200 are shown at various locations around the shaft.
Referring first to FIG. 2B, a cross-section 200b of the first head
receiving portion 205 is shown. Cross-section 200b has a surface
area A. Cross-section 200b is shown as elliptical having a major
diameter 240 and a minor diameter 245. Cross-section 200b could be
more circular, however, if desired such that major diameter 240 and
minor diameter 245 were substantially equal. The cross-section 200b
has a general octagonal shape but has non-protruding rounded edges
250 connecting a series of substantially flat surfaces 255. It is
desirable to include multiple flat surfaces on a shaft to provide
increased grip characteristics. However, it is not desirable to
include numerous sharp edges or protruding edges that prevent
contact with the surfaces. Therefore, the cross-section of the
lacrosse shaft in accordance with the present invention is superior
to the conventional designs. The shaft 200 shown is hollow,
although according to some embodiments the shaft 200 may also be
solid.
[0033] Reference is now made to FIG. 2C showing a cross-sectional
area 200c of expanded portion 210. Cross-section 200c is shown as
having the same general shape as cross-sectional area 200b, but the
shape could change as a matter of design. Cross-section 200c has a
surface area B. Surface area B is greater than surface area A.
Cross-sectional area 200c has a major axis 260 (greater than major
axis 240) and a minor axis 265 (greater than minor axis 245). While
having major axis 260 and minor axis 265 greater than corresponding
major axis 240 and minor axis 245, it is not necessary. Increasing
the major and minor axis by the same proportion, however, provides
symmetry for shaft 200.
[0034] Referring now to FIG. 2D, a cross-sectional area 200d across
second head receiving portion 230 is shown. Cross-section 200d is
shown as having the same general shape as cross-sectional area
200b, but the shape could change as a matter of design.
Cross-section 200d has a surface area C. Surface area C is less
than surface area B. It is envisioned surface area A and surface
area C would be substantially equal or equal, but surface area C
could be greater or less than surface area A as a matter of design
choice. Cross-sectional area 200d has a major axis 270 (less than
major axis 260) and a minor axis 275 (less than minor axis 265).
Again, it is envisioned that major axis 270 and minor axis 275
would be substantially equal or equal to major axis 240 and minor
axis 245, but not necessary. Decreasing the major and minor axis by
the same proportion, however, provides symmetry for shaft 200.
[0035] While not specifically shown, if shaft 200 has more than one
expanded portion, the additional expanded portions could have
cross-sectional areas larger or smaller as a matter of design
choice. Also, the cross-sectional areas across various sections of
shaft 200 do not need to be consistent.
[0036] Reference is next made to FIGS. 3 and 4, which illustrate
cross-sectional views of two different conventional lacrosse
shafts. FIG. 3 illustrates a standard octagonal shape with pointed
edges and FIG. 4 illustrates an octagonal shape with flaring
rounded edges. Both of the cross-sections are hollow, meaning they
only contain material at the outer edges of the shaft. The shafts
300 and 400 are hollow in order to minimize weight and
manufacturing costs. One of the problems with these designs,
however, is that they do not maximize contact between a player's
hand/glove and the shaft. Pointed edges or flaring rounded edges
push a player's hands or gloves away from the shaft, thereby
reducing the grip. In conventional shafts, these deficient
cross-sectional shapes are extended the length of the shaft.
[0037] While this invention has been described with reference to
certain specific embodiments and examples, it will be recognized by
those skilled in the art that many variations are possible without
departing from the scope and spirit of this invention. For example,
the teachings of one embodiment may be combined with the teachings
of another and remain consistent with the scope and spirit of this
invention. The invention, as defined by the claims, is intended to
cover all changes and modifications of the invention which do not
depart from the spirit of the invention.
* * * * *