Nets for lacrosse heads

Abstract

A net for use with a lacrosse head frame includes a first member, a second member, and a third member, wherein the first member is connected to the second member to form a net portion, and the second member is connected to the third member to form a composite member. A net for use with a lacrosse head frame includes a net portion, and a plurality of thongs, wherein the net portion and the plurality of thongs comprise a same material. A net for use with a lacrosse head frame includes a net portion, and a thong next to the net portion, wherein the thong includes one or more strands knitted to form an elongate member.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to lacrosse equipment, and more specifically, to nets for lacrosse heads.

BACKGROUND

[0002] A lacrosse head generally includes a lacrosse head frame and a net connected to a perimeter of the head frame to thereby form a pocket into which the ball is received and from which the ball is thrown. Typically, the lacrosse head frame includes a series of holes along its periphery, and a string passing through the holes is used to connect the net to the lacrosse head frame.

[0003] Sometimes, a lacrosse head further includes four or more adjustable leather thongs that extend between the scoop (top) and the base of the lacrosse head frame. The thongs are usually stiffer than the net, thereby allowing a player to better control and throw a ball. Existing leather thongs of lacrosse head are not water-resistant, and therefore, may retain moisture when come in contact with fluid, such as rain, or a wet ball. As a result, the lacrosse head may become heavier, and the leather thongs may also become damaged due to moisture. In addition, the leather thongs can stretch and shrink unevenly when they dry after being exposed to moisture. As a result, the leather thongs may need to be adjusted periodically to maintain a desired length of the thongs. Existing thongs of lacrosse head can also stretch due to repeated use of the lacrosse head. As such, the thongs may also need to be adjusted periodically in order to maintain a desired shape of the net to which the thongs are attached.

SUMMARY

[0004] In accordance with some embodiments, a net for use with a lacrosse head frame includes a first member, a second member, and a third member, wherein the first member is connected to the second member to form a net portion, and the second member is connected to the third member to form a composite member.

[0005] In accordance with other embodiments, a net for use with a lacrosse head frame includes a first member, a second member, and a third member, wherein the first member is connected to the second member, the second member is connected to the third member, and a spacing between successive connection between the first and second members is greater than a spacing between successive connection between the second and third members.

[0006] In accordance with other embodiments, a net for use with a lacrosse head frame includes a net portion, and a plurality of thongs, wherein the net portion and the plurality of thongs comprise a same material.

[0007] In accordance with other embodiments, a net for use with a lacrosse head frame includes a net portion, and a thong next to the net portion, wherein the thong includes one or more strands knitted to form an elongate member.

[0008] In accordance with other embodiments, a lacrosse stick includes a lacrosse head frame, and a net portion secured to the lacrosse head frame, the net portion having a first member, a second member, and a third member, wherein the first member is connected to the second member, the second member is connected to the third member, and a spacing between successive connection between the first and second members is greater than a spacing between successive connection between the second and third members.

[0009] Other aspects and features of the invention will be evident from reading the following description of the embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The drawings illustrate the design and utility of embodiments, in which similar elements are referred to by common reference numerals. In order to better appreciate how advantages and objects of the embodiments are obtained, a more particular description of the embodiments will be illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a lacrosse stick having a lacrosse head frame and a lacrosse net in accordance with some embodiments;

[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of a portion of the net of FIG. 1 in accordance with some embodiments;

[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates a member of the net of FIG. 2 in accordance with some embodiments;

[0014] FIG. 4A illustrates a cross-sectional view of a strand of the member of FIG. 3 in accordance with some embodiments;

[0015] FIG. 4B illustrates a cross-sectional view of a strand of the member of FIG. 3 in accordance with other embodiments;

[0016] FIG. 5A-5C illustrate a method of constructing at least a portion of the net of FIG. 2 in accordance with some embodiments;

[0017] FIG. 6 illustrates a front view of an edge portion of the net of FIG. 1 in accordance with some embodiments;

[0018] FIGS. 7A-7C illustrate a method of constructing at least a portion of the net of FIG. 2 in accordance with other embodiments;

[0019] FIG. 8 illustrates a front view of a portion of the net of FIG. 1 in accordance with other embodiments;

[0020] FIG. 9 illustrates a member that is bent to form a plurality of components for a net in accordance with some embodiments;

[0021] FIG. 10 illustrates a variation of the lacrosse head frame of FIG. 1, particularly showing the lacrosse head frame having a pocket member; and

[0022] FIG. 11 illustrates a net in accordance with other embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0023] Various embodiments are described hereinafter with reference to the figures. It should be noted that the figures are not drawn to scale and elements of similar structures or functions are represented by like reference numerals throughout the figures. It should also be noted that the figures are only intended to facilitate the description of specific embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention or as a limitation on the scope of the invention. In addition, an aspect described in conjunction with a particular embodiment is not necessarily limited to that embodiment and can be practiced in any other embodiments.

[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates a lacrosse stick 10 in accordance with some embodiments. The lacrosse stick 10 includes a head frame 12, a shaft 14 connected to the head frame 12, and a net 16. The head frame 12 includes a top portion (scoop) 18, side walls 20, 22, a bottom portion (ball stop) 24, which are integrally formed together (e.g., by a traditional molding technique). In the illustrated embodiments, the head frame 12 also includes a socket 26, which allows the shaft 14 to be fitted therein. It should be noted that the head frame 12 should not be limited to the shape and configuration illustrated in the figure, and that the head frame 12 can have other shapes and configurations in other embodiments. For example, in other embodiments, the head frame 12 can further include a pocket member (FIG. 10) that is secured to the top portion 18 of the head frame 12. Lacrosse heads having pocket members have been described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,506,132. Also, in other embodiments, the head frame 12 can further include one or more inserts (not shown) that are secured to the perimeter of the head frame 12.

[0025] The net 16 includes a plurality of thongs 28 and a plurality of net portions 30 connected to the thongs 28. As used in this specification, the term "thong" refers to a component of the net 16 that is stiffer than the net portion 30, or that has a cross-sectional dimension that is larger than a member forming the net portion 30. In the illustrated embodiments, the net 16 has four thongs 28. In other embodiments, the net 16 can have less than four thongs 28 or more than four thongs 28. Also, in other embodiments, instead of, or in addition to, having thongs 28 that extend between the top portion 18 and the bottom portion 24 of the lacrosse head frame 12, the net 16 can have thongs 28 that extend between the side walls 20, 22 of the lacrosse head frame 12.

[0026] FIG. 2 illustrates a portion of the net 16 of FIG. 1 in accordance with some embodiments. The net portion 30 of the net 16 includes a plurality of elongate members 54 that are connected to each other to form the net portion 30. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4A, each of the members 54 includes a strand 56 that is made from one or more filaments 58. The strand 56 is knitted to form the member 54. In other embodiments, instead of knitting one strand 56 to form the member 54, a plurality of strands 56 can be used (e.g., knitted or interwoven) to form the member 54. In the illustrated embodiments, the filaments 58 are made from a synthetic material, such as Nylon, a polymer, synthetic guts, polyester, aramide, polyethylene, and the like.

[0027] The strand 56 is not limited to the above described configurations, and can have other configurations in other embodiments. For example, in other embodiments, each of the strands 56 includes a core 60 and an outer layer 62 surrounding the core 60 (FIG. 4B). The core 60 is made from one or more filaments 58. The outer layer 62 is made from a polyurethane elastomer. Using such material for the outer layer 62 is advantageous in that it provides water-resistance for the strand 56 (which in turn, prevents the net 16 from stretching or shrinking), and allows the strand 56 to better resist abrasion due to normal use of the net 16. Constructing the outer layer 62 using a polyurethane elastomer also provides more rigidity for the strand 56, thereby allowing the net 16 formed therefrom to have a better shape-retention characteristic. The increased hardness of the net 16 also allows a player to better control a lacrosse ball while running and throwing the ball. Furthermore, the outer layer 62 provides higher frictional contact with a lacrosse ball (when compared with traditional lacrosse nets). Such feature allows the net 16 to provide more spinning power as the net 16 is used to throw a lacrosse ball. In other embodiments, the outer layer 62 can be made from other materials, such as polyester, vinyl, polyvinylidene fluoride, polypropylene, EVA, ionomer, thermoplastic urethane, polyamide, etc. It should be noted that the material(s) used to construct the outer layer 62 should not be limited to the examples mentioned previously, and that other materials may also be used to construct the outer layer 62 in other embodiments. In addition, the material(s) used to construct the outer layer 62 needs not have any or all of the advantageous/characteristics discussed previously. In the illustrated embodiments, the outer layer 62 has a cross-sectional thickness that is between 0.005 inch and 0.01 inch. In other embodiments, the outer layer 62 can have other cross-sectional thicknesses (e.g., less than 0.005 inch or more than 0.01 inch).

[0028] It should be noted that the strands 56 of the net 16 should not be limited to the configuration illustrated previously, and that the strands 56 can have different configurations in other embodiments. For example, in alternative embodiments, instead of having the core 60 and the outer layer 62, the strand 56 can further include an intermediate layer (not shown) disposed between the core 60 and the outer layer 62. Any of the materials discussed with reference to the outer layer 62 can also be used to construct the intermediate layer. In other embodiments, instead of having a single intermediate layer, the strand 56 can include a plurality of intermediate layers disposed between the core 60 and the outer layer 62. Sporting nets having outer layers and intermediate layer(s) have been described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled "Nets for sporting equipment."

[0029] In the illustrated embodiments, the members 54 are tied together (e.g. via a stitch or a strand) at junction regions 60 to thereby allow a plurality of openings 62 be formed for the net 16. In other embodiments, instead of connecting the members 54 after they are formed, the members 54 may be formed by the strands 56 in such a manner that allows the members 54 to be "connected" as they are formed. For example, the net portion 30 may be formed by knitting strand(s) 56 to form a net pattern having the openings 62. It should be noted that the configuration of the net portion 30 should not be limited to that shown in the figure, and that the net portion 30 can have other configurations in other embodiments. For example, in other embodiments, the woven pattern of the strand 56 can be different from that shown in FIG. 3. In addition, in other embodiments, instead of connecting adjacent members 54 to form the net portion 30, members 54 can be crisscrossed and be connected (e.g., via a stitch or an adhesive) at intersection points to form the net portion 30. Further, in other embodiments, instead of the hexagonal shape shown in the figure, the net openings 62 can have different shapes. For examples, the net openings 62 can each have a rectangular shape, a pentagon shape, a diamond shape, a triangular shape, an oval shape, or a customized shape.

[0030] Returning to FIG. 2, each of the thongs 28 of the net 16 is formed by connecting two members 64 together in a side-by-side configuration. Alternatively, more than two members 64 can be used to form each of the thongs 28. Connecting a plurality of members 64 in a side-by-side configuration to form the thong 28 is advantageous in that it provides more contact surface area between the thong 28 and a lacrosse ball, thereby allowing the net 16 to more efficiently spin the ball as the ball is thrown from the net 16. Alternatively, instead of a side-by-side configuration, the members 64 can be connected in other configurations, such as in a top-and-bottom configuration. Also, in the illustrated embodiments, the members 64 are made from the same material as that of member 54, and have the same configuration as that of members 54. Such has the benefit of reducing manufacturing costs associated with using different materials to construct the thongs 28 and the net portion 30. In some embodiments, the thongs 28 are made from strands having the same configuration as the strands 56 used to make the net portion 30. For example, the strands of the thongs 28 can include the outer layers 62, which provide water-resistance and abrasion-resistance for the thongs 28. Alternatively, the members 64 can be made from a different material, and/or can have a different configuration, than that of members 54. For example, in other embodiments, the members 64 can be made from a relatively stiffer material than that of the members 54. Also, in other embodiments, the number of strands 56 making up the member 64 can be different from that of the member 54. In further embodiments, the members 64 can have a knitted or woven pattern that is different from that of the members 54. In yet further embodiments, the members 64 can have a non-knitted configuration.

[0031] FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate a method of constructing the net 16 of FIG. 1 in accordance with some embodiments. First, a plurality of elongate members 54, 64 are provided. As shown in FIG. 5A, six elongate members 54a-54f and four elongate members 64a-64d are provided. In other embodiments, the numbers of the members 54 being provided can be different from six, and the numbers of the members 64 being provided can be different from four.

[0032] Next, the members 64a, 64b are connected to each other to form a first thong 28a, and the members 64c, 64d are connected to each other to form a second thong 28b (FIG. 5B). In the illustrated embodiments, the members 64 (e.g., 64a, 64b) are connected using one or more stitches. Alternatively, the members 64 can be connected using an adhesive, or the like. The members 64 can be secured to each other at intermittent points/region along the length of one of the members 64, or alternatively, be secured to each other continuously along a majority of the length of the members 64. Also, instead of securing the members 64 in a side-by-side manner as that shown in the figure, in other embodiments, the members 64a, 64b can be secured to each other, and the members 64c, 64d can be secured to each other in other configurations, such as a top-and-bottom configuration. In addition, in other embodiments, instead of using two adjacent members 64 to form each thong 28, more than two adjacent members 64 can be used to form each thong 28. For example, one or more additional members 64 can be provided (e.g., placed between the members 54a, 54e), and are secured together with the members 64a, 64b to form the thong 28a. Although only two thongs 28a, 28b are shown in the figure, in other embodiments, the net 16 can include one or more additional thongs formed by additional members 64. For example, the net 16 can include four thongs 28, such as those shown in FIG. 1.

[0033] Next, the members 54 are used to form a plurality of net portions 30. In particular, the four members 54a-54d between the members 64b, 64c are connected to each other at points/regions 60a-60d to form a first net portion 30a, which is then secured to the thongs 28a, 28b at points/regions 80a-80d. A second net portion 30b is formed by connecting the member 54e to the member 64a at points/regions 80e, 80f along the member 64a. Also, a third net portion 30c is formed by connecting the member 54f to the member 64d at points/regions 80g, 80h along the member 64d. In other embodiments, instead of using four members 54 to form the first net region 30a, a different number of members 54 can be used. For example, in other embodiments, two members 54 can be placed between the members 64b, 64c to form the first net region 30a. Also, in other embodiments, one or more additional members 54 can be secured to the member 54e to create a larger second net portion 30b. Similarly, in other embodiments, one or more additional members 54 can be secured to the member 54f to create a larger third net portion 30c. As shown in the figure, securing the thongs 28 and the net portions 30 in a side-by-side configuration is advantageous in that the surfaces of the respective thongs 28 can be used for contacting a ball without being interrupted by the net portions 30.

[0034] In the above embodiments, each of the thongs 28a, 28b is located between net portions 30. In alternative embodiments, either or both of the thongs 28a, 28b can be used to form edge(s) of the net 16 (FIG. 6). For example, in some embodiments, the member 54e is not provided, and the net 16 does not include the net portion 30b. In such cases, the first thong 28a forms part of an edge of the net 16. Similarly, in other embodiments, the member 54f is not provided, and the net 16 does not include the net portion 30c. In such cases, the second thong 28b forms part of an edge of the net 16. In some embodiments, the net 16 only includes thong(s) at edge(s) of the net 16, and does not include thongs located at intermediate positions within the net 16.

[0035] It should be noted that the order in constructing the net 16 should not be limited to the example discussed previously. For example, in other embodiments, the thongs 28 can be constructed after the net portions 30 is formed. In other embodiments, the thongs 28 and the net portions 30 can be constructed simultaneously. Also, in other embodiments, the net 16 can be formed by connecting the members 54, 64 sequentially. For example, in some embodiments, the members 54, 64 are connected in the order shown in FIG. 5A. In such cases, the members 54e and 64a is connected first to form a composite structure, and then the member 64b is connected to the composite structure. In a similar manner, the remaining members 54a-54d, 64c, 64d, and 54f are sequentially added to the composite structure in the order shown in FIG. 5A until the net 16 is formed. In further embodiments, instead of forming the first net portion 30a before it is connected to the members 64b, 64c, the member 54a can first be connected to the member 64b, and the member 54d can first be connected to the member 64c. In such cases, the members 54b, 54c can then be inserted between the members 54a, 54d to form the first net portion 30a.

[0036] FIGS. 7A-7C illustrate a method of constructing the net 16 in accordance with other embodiments. As shown in FIG. 7A, the elongate members 64a-64d and the elongate members 54a-54d are positioned in a side-by-side configuration. Next, as shown in FIG. 7B, a first connection 90a is used to secure the members 64a, 64b to each other, and a second connection 90b is used to secure the members 64c, 64d to each other. Also, a plurality of connections 92 are made to secure the members 54 to each other, and to secure members 54a, 54d to members 64b, 64c, respectively. The connections 90, 92 can be implemented using a stitch, an adhesive, and the like. The connected members 64a-d, 54a-d form an un-stretched net structure 94.

[0037] Next, the un-stretched net structure 94 is stretched in the directions shown by arrows 96, 98 to form the net 16 (FIG. 7C). In the illustrated embodiments, a spacing between successive connecting points between the member 64b and the member 54a is more than a spacing between successive connecting points between the member 64b and the member 64a. Such configuration allows the members 64a, 64b to form the first thong 28a, and allows the members 64b and 54a to form a net portion. Similarly, a spacing between successive connecting points between the member 64c and the member 54d is more than a spacing between successive connecting points between the member 64c and the member 64d. Such configuration allows the members 64c, 64d to form the second thong 28b, and allows the members 64c and 54d to form a net portion.

[0038] It should be noted that the method of constructing the net 16 should not be limited to the examples illustrated previously, and that other techniques can be used to construct the net 16 in other embodiments. For example, in other embodiments, instead of having net portion(s) 30 located between the thongs 28 in a side-by-side manner, the net portion 30 can be located between portions of a thong 28 in a top-and-bottom manner. FIG. 8 illustrates a portion of the net 16 of FIG. 1 constructed in accordance with other embodiments. As shown in the figure, the net portion 30 is first constructed as a single unit, and then at least a portion of each of the thongs 28a, 28b is placed over the net portion 30 and is secured to the net portion 30 (e.g., via a stitch, an adhesive, etc.). For example, the thong 28a can have a front portion and a back portion. In such cases, the net portion 30 is placed between the front and back portions of the thong 28a. Alternatively, the complete thong 28a can be secured to a surface (e.g., a front surface against which a ball is to be received, or a rear surface) of the net portion 30. Securing the thongs 28 on a front surface of the net portion 30 is advantageous in that the surfaces of the respective thongs 28 can be used for contacting a ball without being interrupted by the net portion 30.

[0039] After the net 16 has been constructed, the net 16 can be secured to the lacrosse head frame 12 via a string 66 (shown in FIG. 1). In other embodiments, connectors such as snaps, buttons, clips, or other connection devices known in the art of lacrosse head construction, may be used to secure the net 16 to the lacrosse head frame 12. In further embodiments, the net 16 can be secured directly to the head frame 12 (e.g., by tying the members 54, some of the strands 56 of the members 54, the thongs 28, or some of the members 64 of the thongs 28, directly to the head frame 12).

[0040] In the above embodiments, the members 54a-54f and the members 64a-64d are illustrated as separate components. However, in other embodiments, one or more of the members 54 can be a single component, and one or more of the members 64 can be a single component. FIG. 9 illustrates a member 100 that is used to form the members 54a-d and the members 64a-d. The member 100 is bent in a S-configuration such that portions (segments) of the member 100 is adjacent other portions of the member 100 in a side-by-side configuration. After the member 100 is bent, the connections 90, 92 can then be applied to the bent member 100 in a similar fashion as that shown in FIG. 7B, thereby creating the net structure 94. In some embodiments, the member 100 is bent to provide all of the members 54, 64 before the connections 90, 92 are made. Alternatively, the connections 90 or 92 are made after each portion of the member 100 has been bent. For example, the member 100 can first be bent to place members 64a, 64b in a side-by-side manner, and then the connection 90a is made to connect the members 64a, 64b. After that, the member 100 is bent again to place the member 54a next to the member 64b, and the connection 92a, 92b are made to connect the members 64b, 54a. The process continues until all portions of the member 100 are desirably connected. In some embodiments, after the net 16 is formed, a first cut 102, and a second cut 104 can be made to separate the member 100 into individual components. In other embodiments, some or all of the members 54, 64 can be left connected to each other at the ends of the net 16.

[0041] In the above embodiments, the net 16 is sized to span between the top portion 18 and the bottom portion 24 of the lacrosse head frame 12. However, the scope of the invention should not be so limited. In other embodiments, the lacrosse head frame 12 can further include a pocket member 110 that is secured to the top portion 18 of the lacrosse head frame 12 (FIG. 10). The pocket member 110 has a partial outline shape that conforms to the inside of head frame scoop 18 and the portions of the sidewalls 20 and 22 proximate the scoop 18. The pocket member 110 may be permanently or removably secured to the lacrosse head frame 12. In such cases, the net 16 is sized to span between the pocket member 110 and the base portion 24 of the lacrosse head frame 12. In the illustrated embodiments, the pocket member 110 includes a plurality of holes 112 for allowing the net 16 to be connected to the pocket member 110. For example, portion(s) of the net 16 may be tied directly to the holes 112. Alternatively, portion(s) of the net 16 may be secured to the holes 112 indirectly using a string/lace or connector(s). In some embodiments, the thongs of the net 16 can be sized to span between the top portion 18 and the bottom portion 24 of the lacrosse head frame 12, while the net portion of the net 16 is sized to span between the pocket member 110 and the bottom portion 24. In such cases, the thongs extends pass the pocket member 110 (either through a front side of the pocket member 110 to which a ball makes contact, or an opposite side of the pocket member 110) to reach the top portion 18.

[0042] In the above embodiments, the thong 28 is described as a composite member formed by two or more members 64. Alternatively, instead of a thong, the composite member formed by the members 64 can be used to form a net portion. FIG. 11 illustrates a portion of a net 200 in accordance with other embodiments. The net 200 includes a plurality of elongate members 202a-202l that are connected in a side-by-side configuration, and a plurality of openings 206. Each of the members 202 can be, for example, the member 54 as described previously. In the illustrated embodiments, the members 202 have the same configuration (e.g., size, member composition, etc.). Alternatively, different group of the members 202 can have different configurations. For example, in some embodiments, the members 202a, 202b, 202k, and 202l have a first configuration, and the members 202c-202j have a second configuration that is different from the first configuration.

[0043] In the illustrated embodiments, the members 202a, 202b are connected at regions 208a, 208b to form a first net portion 204a, and the members 202k, 202l are connected at regions 208c, 208d to form a second net portion 204b. The members 202c-202j are connected to form a third net portion 204c. However, unlike the first and the second net portions 204a, 204b, the third net portion 204c is formed by composite members 210a-210d that are themselves formed by the members 202c-202j. In the illustrated embodiments, each of the composite members 210 is formed by connecting two members 202 via one or more connections 212. For example, stitch(es), an adhesive, and the like can be used to connect the pair of members 202 for each composite member 210, either continuously or intermittently along the length of the composite member 210. In other embodiments, instead of using two members 202 to form each composite member 210, more than two members 202 can be used to form each composite member 210. After the composite members 210 are formed, the composite members 210 are then connected at regions 214 to form the third net portion 204c. The third net portion 204c is then secured to the first net portion 204a at regions 216a and 216b, and to the second net portion 204b at regions 216c and 216d. It should be noted that the order in constructing the net 200 should not be limited to the above example, and that any of the methods discussed previously can be similarly used to construct the net 200. For example, in some embodiments, the members 202a-202l are connected sequentially in the order shown in FIG. 11 to form the net 200.

[0044] Although the net 200 is described as having three net portions 204a-204c, it should be noted that the term "net portion" should not be limited to such configuration. As used in this specification, the term "net portion" refers to any portion of a net, that may be formed using a single linear member or a plurality of linear members. For example, the net 200 of FIG. 10 can be described as having a net portion that includes members 202b, 202c, or a net portion that includes members 202b-202d, or a net portion that includes members 202b-202e, etc.

[0045] As illustrated in the embodiments, constructing the net 200 using the composite members 210 is advantageous in that it allows the net 200 to have different portions with different characteristics. In the above embodiments, the third net portion 204c is relatively stiffer than the first and the second net portions 204a, 204b because the third net portion 204c is made from the composite members 210.

[0046] In other embodiments, the net 200 can have other configurations. For example, in alternative embodiments, the first net portion 204a can have more or less than two members 202. Also, in other embodiments, the third net portion 204c can have more or less than eight members 202, and/or more or less than four composite members 210. In further embodiments, the net 200 can further include one or more thongs (e.g., thongs 28) secured between the net portions 204.

[0047] In any of the embodiments described herein, different net portions of the net 16 or 200 can be made from different materials such that the net 16 or 200 can have different characteristics at different portions of the net 16 or 200. For example, in some embodiments, the sides/perimeter of the net 16 or 200 can be made from a material that is softer or stiffer than the material of a mid-portion.

[0048] Although particular embodiments have been shown and described, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the present inventions, and it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense.

Claims

1. A net for use with a lacrosse head frame, comprising: a first member; a second member; and a third member; wherein the first member is connected to the second member to form a net portion, and the second member is connected to the third member to form a composite member.

2. The net of claim 1, wherein the first, second, and third member are made from a same material.

3. The net of claim 1, wherein the first member is connected to the second member at intermittent points along respective lengths of the first and second members.

4. The net of claim 1, wherein the second member is connected to the third member in continuously along substantial portions of respective lengths of the second and the third members.

5. The net of claim 1, wherein a spacing between successive connection between the first and second members is greater than a spacing between successive connection between the second and third members.

6. The net of claim 1, wherein the first member and the second member comprise respective segments of a single linear member.

7. The net of claim 1, wherein the second member and the third member comprise respective segments of a single linear member.

8. The net of claim 1, wherein the first member includes a plurality of strands, one of the plurality of strands having a core and an outer layer.

9. The net of claim 1, wherein the composite member comprises a side of the net.

10. The net of claim 1, wherein the composite member extends between edges of the net.

11. The net of claim 1, wherein the composite member comprises a portion of a thong.

12. A net for use with a lacrosse head frame, comprising: a first member; a second member; and a third member; wherein the first member is connected to the second member, the second member is connected to the third member, and a spacing between successive connection between the first and second members is greater than a spacing between successive connection between the second and third members.

13. The net of claim 12, wherein the first, second, and third member are made from a same material.

14. The net of claim 12, wherein the second member is connected to the third member continuously along substantial portions of respective lengths of the second and third members.

15. The net of claim 12, wherein the first member includes a plurality of strands, one of the plurality of strands having a core and an outer layer.

16. The net of claim 12, wherein the second and the third members together form a composite member that is a part of a net portion.

17. The net of claim 12, wherein the second and the third members together form a thong.

18. A net for use with a lacrosse head frame, comprising: a net portion; and a plurality of thongs; wherein the net portion and the plurality of thongs comprise a same material.

19. The net of claim 18, wherein each of the plurality of thongs includes one or more strands knitted to form an elongate member.

20. The net of claim 18, wherein the net portion or the plurality of thongs include an outer layer.

21. The net of claim 18, wherein one of the plurality of thongs has a surface for contacting a ball, the surface being uninterrupted by the net portion.

22. A net for use with a lacrosse head frame, comprising: a net portion; and a thong next to the net portion; wherein the thong includes one or more strands knitted to form an elongate member.

23. The net of claim 22, wherein the one or more strands is made from a material selected from the group consisting of Nylon, a polymer, synthetic guts, polyester, aramide, and polyethylene.

24. The net of claim 22, wherein the net portion or the thong include an outer layer.

25. The net of claim 22, wherein the thong has a surface for contacting a ball, the surface being uninterrupted by the net portion.

26. A lacrosse stick, comprising: a lacrosse head frame; and a net portion secured to the lacrosse head frame, the net portion having a first member, a second member, and a third member; wherein the first member is connected to the second member, the second member is connected to the third member, and a spacing between successive connection between the first and second members is greater than a spacing between successive connection between the second and third members.

27. The lacrosse stick of claim 26, wherein the first, second, and third member have a same material.

28. The lacrosse stick of claim 26, wherein the second member is connected to the third member continuously along substantial portions of respective lengths of the second and third members.

29. The lacrosse stick of claim 26, wherein the first member includes a plurality of strands, one of the plurality of strands having a core and an outer layer.

30. The lacrosse stick of claim 26, wherein the net portion extends between a top portion and a bottom portion of the lacrosse head.

31. The lacrosse stick of claim 26, further comprising a pocket member secured to the lacrosse head frame, wherein the net portion extends between the pocket member and a bottom portion of the lacrosse head frame.

32. The lacrosse stick of claim 26, wherein the second and the third members together form a composite member that is a part of a net portion.

33. The lacrosse stick of claim 26, wherein the second and the third members together form a thong.