U.S. patent application number 12/051485 was filed with the patent office on 2009-09-24 for lacrosse stick.
Invention is credited to John W. Purnell.
Application Number | 20090239687 12/051485 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41089486 |
Filed Date | 2009-09-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090239687 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Purnell; John W. |
September 24, 2009 |
LACROSSE STICK
Abstract
A handle for attachment to a lacrosse head, comprising, a rod
having a top end adapted for coupling to a lacrosse head, a bottom
end opposite the top end, a first and second grip area, wherein the
first grip area is located generally at the bottom end of the rod
and the second grip area is located generally at the top end of the
rod. A teardrop shaped handle is located at the bottom end of the
rod as the first grip area, and a smaller octagon shaped grip area
is located at the top end of the rod, adapted to fit smaller
hands.
Inventors: |
Purnell; John W.; (Sinking
Spring, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SAND & SEBOLT
AEGIS TOWER, SUITE 1100, 4940 MUNSON STREET, NW
CANTON
OH
44718-3615
US
|
Family ID: |
41089486 |
Appl. No.: |
12/051485 |
Filed: |
March 19, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/513 ;
473/563 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 59/20 20151001;
A63B 60/00 20151001; A63B 60/08 20151001; A63B 60/48 20151001 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/513 ;
473/563 |
International
Class: |
A63B 59/02 20060101
A63B059/02 |
Claims
1. A handle for attachment to a lacrosse head, comprising: a stick
having a length and a top end adapted for coupling to a lacrosse
head; a bottom end opposite the top end; a first and second grip
area, wherein the first grip area is located generally at the
bottom end of the stick and the second grip area is located
generally spaced from the bottom end of the stick; the first grip
area having a first cross-sectional shape; and the second grip area
having a second cross-sectional shape that differs from the first
cross-sectional shape.
2. The handle as defined in claim 1 in which the first
cross-sectional shape is generally a teardrop shape.
3. The handle as defined in claim 2 in which the first
cross-sectional shape further comprises; a top wall; a bottom wall
spaced apart and generally parallel to the top wall; a first and
second wall spaced apart whereby the first wall is connected to a
first side of the bottom wall and the second wall is connected to a
second side of the bottom wall; a first connecting wall connecting
to a first side of the top wall and to the first wall and a second
connecting wall connecting a second side of the top wall and to the
second wall.
4. The handle as defined in claim 3 wherein the first wall is
generally convexly curved and extends from the first side of the
bottom wall to the first connecting wall and the second wall is
generally convexly curved and extends from the second side of the
bottom wall to the second connecting wall.
5. The handle as defined in claim 2 in which the second
cross-sectional shape is generally an octagon shape.
6. The handle as defined in claim 5 in which the second
cross-sectional shape further comprises: a top wall; a bottom wall
spaced apart and generally parallel to the top wall; a first and
second sidewall, spaced apart and generally parallel to one
another, and generally perpendicular to the top and bottom wall; a
wall connecting a first side of the top wall to the first sidewall;
a wall connecting a second side of the top wall to the second
sidewall; a wall connecting a first side of the bottom wall to the
first sidewall; and a wall connecting a second side of the bottom
wall to the second sidewall.
7. The handle as defined in claim 1 in which the cross-sectional
area of the first grip area differs from the cross-sectional area
of the second grip area.
8. The handle as defined in claim 7 in which the cross-sectional
area of the first grip area is larger than the cross-sectional area
of the second grip area.
9. The handle as defined in claim 8 in which the top end as a
cross-sectional area similar to the cross-sectional area of the
first grip area.
10. The handle as defined in claim 9 in which the cross-sectional
shape of the top end and the first grip area are different.
11. The handle as defined in claim 7 in which the cross-sectional
shape of the top end and second grip area are similar, and the
cross-sectional area of the top end and the second grip area are
different.
12. The handle as defined in claim 11 in which the second grip area
is positioned intermediate the first grip area and the top end and
it has smallest cross-sectional area along the stick length.
13. The handle as defined in claim 7 further comprising a first
transition section and second transition section spaced apart along
the stick length.
14. The handle as defined in claim 13 in which the first transition
section extend between the top end and the second grip area and the
second transition section extends between the second grip area and
the first grip area.
15. The handle as defined in claim 1 in which the first grip area
has eight sides and second grip area has six sides.
16. The handle as defined in claim 15 in which the top end has
eight sides each having a width and in which the second grip area
had eight sides each having a width and wherein the width of the
second grip area sides is shorter than the width of the top end
sides.
17. The handle as defined in claim 1 in which the stick has a soft
paint coating.
18. The handle as defined in claim 1 in which the stick is made of
a carbon fiber composite material.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Technical Field
[0002] The invention relates generally to lacrosse equipment. More
particularly, the invention relates to an improved lacrosse stick
for attachment to a lacrosse head. Specifically, the invention
provides a new cross-sectional configuration for a lacrosse stick
that provides both tactile feedback as to the position of the
lacrosse head, and a smaller gripping section for the lead
hand.
[0003] 2. Background Information
[0004] It is well known that lacrosse is a fast paced game that
requires participants to make quick decisions and movements. The
game is played by passing a ball back and forth between teammates,
using a stick with a basket at one end. The basket is adapted to
catch and throw a lacrosse ball according to the movements of a
participant. If the basket is facing the wrong direction, or angled
differently than expected, the participant will achieve a less
accurate catch or throw of the ball. While moving, the lacrosse
participant must continuously look at the end of the lacrosse stick
to make sure the basket is positioned correctly.
[0005] Although there are a variety of hand sizes for lacrosse
participants, lacrosse sticks tend to be a standard size and
thickness. Participants with smaller hands, and a smaller
circumferential grip are at a disadvantage to players with larger
hands.
[0006] Thus, a need exists for an improved lacrosse stick.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] A lacrosse player generally grips a lacrosse stick with both
hands, having one hand near the lacrosse head and the other near
the end of the shaft. The present invention provides an enhanced
grip for each hand. The invention provides a smaller
circumferential distance around the shaft for an improved grip by a
smaller hand at the head of the shaft. This allows players with
traditionally smaller hands like women or children to more finely
control the power and precision of the lacrosse shaft while
throwing or catching a ball.
[0008] The other end of shaft is shaped to ergonomically fit in a
player's hand while providing tactile feedback to the player on
which direction lacrosse head is facing. The shaft fits into the
player's palm and base of the area between the thumb and "pointer
finger". This orients the other surfaces to follow the natural hand
shape of the area immediately outside the thumb base. When a
player's hand is in a gripping position, the four fingers curl to
make a shape adapted to receive the remaining surfaces. These
surfaces combine to fit to the natural gripping shape of a player's
hand, and allow the player to achieve a high level of control on
the lacrosse stick.
[0009] The lacrosse head is oriented on the shaft so as to be
facing outwardly from the player as the player's hand is correctly
gripping the ergonomic section of the shaft. This is the natural
position of the lacrosse head as a player engages in running,
catching and throwing the lacrosse ball. In a constantly moving
game, the player's eyes are often fixed on the location of the ball
and other players. If the ball is thrown at the player and the
lacrosse head is facing the wrong direction, the ball cannot be
caught. The present invention allows a player to know the lacrosse
head is oriented correctly through the tactile feedback of the
ergonomic section, without taking the player's eyes off the
interactions of the game. When a hand is correctly gripping
ergonomic section, the lacrosse head is oriented correctly.
[0010] The present invention is a handle for attachment to a
lacrosse head comprising a stick having a top end adapted for
coupling to a lacrosse head, a bottom end opposite the top end, and
a first and second grip area. The first grip area is located
generally at the bottom end of the rod and the second grip area is
located generally spaced from the bottom end of the rod. The shape
of the first area is different from the second area.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] A preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrative of the
best modes in which Applicant contemplates applying the principles,
is set forth in the following description and is shown in the
drawings and particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth
in the appended claims.
[0012] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a lacrosse stick with an
improved shaft;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a side plan view thereof;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a top plan view thereof;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a side plan view thereof;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of one end of the improved
shaft shown in FIG. 1, taken on line 5-5;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of one end of the improved
shaft shown in FIG. 1, taken on line 6-6.
[0018] Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the
drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] The present invention relates to improved lacrosse sticks
having construction providing tactile feedback regarding the
position of a player's hands on the shaft. The present invention
also provides for an improved grip by better conforming to a
player's hand placement and ergonomics.
[0020] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a lacrosse stick 2 with
an improved shaft 4 in accordance with the present invention. Shaft
4 includes a head end 6 connected to a lacrosse head 10, and a butt
end 8 connected to a shaft stopper 12. Head end 6 of shaft 4 is
fitted into a hole 11 in lacrosse head 10 adapted to receive head
end 6. Shaft 4 is an elongated tubular member with a dynamic
cross-sectional diameter and dynamic cross-sectional area
throughout the length thereof. Shaft 4 may be fabricated from a
material such as carbon fiber composite material, however any
reasonable material may be used. Shaft 4 may receive a soft paint
coating for an enhanced grip. In accordance with the invention, and
as shown in FIGS. 2-4, shaft 4 is comprised of six sections: a head
section 14, a cone shaped section 16, a reduced diameter section
18, a cone shaped section 20, a gradient section 22, and a butt
section 24.
[0021] Referring to FIG. 5, a cross-sectional view of lacrosse
shaft 4 is taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 4, and provides an
octagonal shape 50. Octagonal shape 50 is comprised of static
surfaces 30, 31, and 34, which do not undergo a shape change over
the length of shaft 4. Static surfaces 30 and 34 provide the top
and bottom walls of shape 50, spaced apart and generally parallel
to one another. Static surfaces 31A and 31 B extend from each end
of top wall 30. Static surface 34 is oriented to be facing or
touching a player's palm while gripping the lacrosse stick, which
orients lacrosse head 10 to a position to launch the lacrosse ball
outwardly from the player.
[0022] Octagonal shape 50 further comprises dynamic surfaces 32 and
33, which undergo a shape change over the length of shaft 4.
Dynamic surfaces 32A and 32B provide the sidewalls of shape 50,
spaced apart and generally parallel to one another. Dynamic
surfaces 33A and 33B provide connecting walls between 32A/32B and
static bottom wall surface 34. Over the length of shaft 4, dynamic
surfaces 32A and 33A gradually lose their linear shape, bow
outwardly from the center of shape 50, and merge into one curved
surface (discussed further below). Dynamic surfaces 32B and 33B
undergo the same transformation.
[0023] In accordance with one of the main features of the present
invention, FIG. 6 provides a cross-sectional view of lacrosse shaft
4 taken on line 6-6 in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 provides generally a
"teardrop" shape 60. In a comparison from FIG. 5 to FIG. 6, dynamic
surfaces 32A and 33A are replaced with a curved surface 36A, and
dynamic surfaces 32B and 33B are replaced with a curved surface
36B. Static surfaces 30, 31 and 34 are left unchanged from FIG. 5
to FIG. 6. Curved surface 36 is a convexly arced surface that is
symmetrically mirrored on each side of shape 60. Curved surface 36
bulges outward and extends from an edge 62 to an edge 64 on each
side of shape 60.
[0024] Over the length of shaft 4, the cross-sectional area and
shape undergo multiple changes. However, there are no abrupt
changes in the cross-sectional shape or area. Over the length of
shaft 4, octagonal shape 50 gradually changes into shape 60 through
merging the dynamic surfaces. Likewise, gradually and
proportionately increasing or decreasing the length of the sides of
shape 50 results in a greater or smaller cross-sectional area.
[0025] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, head section 14 begins at first
end 26 of shaft 4 and extends linearly along shaft 4, terminating
at Arrow A. Head section 14 has the generally octagonal
cross-sectional shape 50 shown in FIG. 5. Head section 14 ends when
the cross-sectional area of shaft 4 starts to change at Arrow
A.
[0026] Cone shaped section 16 begins at Arrow A and extends
linearly along shaft 4, terminating at Arrow B. Cone shaped section
16 retains the generally octagonal cross-sectional shape 50 shown
in FIG. 5. However, cone shaped section 16 gradually transitions
over the length of section 16 into a smaller cross-sectional area
of octagonal shape 50. The ratio and proportion of each surface and
edge of octagonal shape 50 remain constant while transitioning from
a large octagonal shape 50A to a smaller octagonal shape 50B.
[0027] Reduced diameter section 18 begins at Arrow B and extends
linearly along shaft 4, terminating at Arrow C. The cross-sectional
area of section 18 remains constant throughout the section and is
comprised of the smaller octagonal shape 50B. Section 18 has the
smallest cross-sectional area on shaft 4. The cross-sectional area
of reduced diameter section 18 is smaller to enable a lacrosse
player with smaller hands to better grip shaft 4.
[0028] A second cone shaped section 20 begins at Arrow C and
extends linearly along shaft 4, terminating at Arrow D. Cone shaped
section 20 retains the generally octagonal cross-sectional shape 50
shown in FIG. 5. However, cone shaped section 20 gradually
transitions over the length of section 20 from the smaller
cross-sectional area of octagonal shape 50B to the larger
cross-sectional area of octagonal shape 50A. The ratio and
proportion of each surface and edge of octagonal shape 50 remain
constant while transitioning.
[0029] Gradient section 22 begins at Arrow D and extends linearly
along shaft 4, terminating at Arrow E. Gradient section 22 is the
location on shaft 4 of the transition between octagonal shape 50
and teardrop shape 60. A gradient edge 38 is formed on both sides
of tubular member 5 where dynamic surface 32 and 33 meet. As shown
in FIG. 4, over the length of gradient section 22 and from Arrow D
to Arrow E, dynamic surfaces 32 and 33 gradually merge to form
curved surface 36. From Arrow D to Arrow E, gradient edge 38
transitions from a sharp, angled edge, to a rounded and curved
surface. Shown in FIG. 4, as gradient edge 38 moves from Arrow D to
Arrow E, it expands surface 32, while conversely narrowing surface
33. Gradient edge 38 continues until the surfaces 32 and 33 are
merged and gradient edge 38 disappears into the curved surface
36.
[0030] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, butt section 24 begins at Arrow
E and extends linearly along shaft 4, terminating at the end of
tubular member 5. Butt section 24 has the general teardrop
cross-sectional shape 60 shown in FIG. 6. Shape 60 extends
throughout butt section 24 and is tailored to ergonomically fit in
a player's hand.
[0031] As can be seen, stick 4 provides a first cross-sectional
shape that has an area that changes over the length of shaft 4, and
a second cross-sectional shape that transforms into the first
cross-sectional shape over the length of shaft 4. The
transformations are gradual, with gradient areas on shaft 4 where
one cross-sectional area or shape changes to another.
[0032] A lacrosse player generally grips lacrosse stick 2 with both
hands. Traditionally, one hand is placed near head end 6, and the
other hand placed near butt end 8. In the present invention, butt
section 24 comprises a first grip area and reduced area section 18
provides a second grip area. The present invention provides an
improved interaction with lacrosse stick 2 for each hand. At head
end 6 of shaft 4, reduced diameter section 18 provides a smaller
circumferential distance around shaft 4 for an improved grip by a
smaller hand. Improving a player's grip allows the player to throw
the ball with more velocity and precision.
[0033] At butt end 8 of shaft 4, butt section 24 is shaped to
ergonomically fit in a player's hand as well as give tactile
feedback to the player on which direction lacrosse head 10 is
facing. Referring to FIG. 6, palm edge 34 of shape 60 fits into the
player's palm and base of the area between the thumb and "pointer
finger". This orients curved surfaces 36A and 36B to follow the
natural hand shape of the area immediately outside the thumb base.
When a player's hand is in a gripping position, the four fingers
curl to make a shape adapted to receive static surfaces 30, 31A,
and 31B. These surfaces combine to fit to the natural gripping
position of a player's hand, and allow the player to achieve a high
level of control on lacrosse stick 2.
[0034] Lacrosse head 10 is oriented on shaft 4 so as to be facing
outwardly from the player as the player's hand is correctly
gripping butt section 24. This is the natural position of lacrosse
head 10 as a player engages in lacrosse. In a constantly moving
game, the player's eyes are often fixed on the location of the ball
and other players. If the ball is thrown at the player and lacrosse
head 10 is facing the wrong direction, the ball cannot be caught.
The present invention allows a player to know lacrosse head 10 is
oriented correctly through the tactile feedback of butt section 24,
without taking the player's eyes off the interactions of the game.
When a hand is correctly gripping butt section 24, lacrosse head 10
is oriented correctly. Butt section 24 is shaped to fit into the
contours of a closed hand, with the correct orientation fitting
perfectly with the ridges and pockets of the hand. Holding butt
section 24 incorrectly will feel awkward and less secure compared
to how shaft 4 feels when held correctly. A user will immediately
be able to tell whether butt section 24 is positioned correctly
through his sense of touch.
[0035] In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used
for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary
limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of
the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes
and are intended to be broadly construed.
[0036] Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention
is an example and the invention is not limited to the exact details
shown or described.
* * * * *