U.S. patent application number 12/360938 was filed with the patent office on 2010-05-06 for offset lacrosse head.
This patent application is currently assigned to WARRIOR SPORTS, INC.. Invention is credited to Joshua G. Schmidt, Matthew M. Winningham.
Application Number | 20100113191 12/360938 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42132123 |
Filed Date | 2010-05-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100113191 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Winningham; Matthew M. ; et
al. |
May 6, 2010 |
OFFSET LACROSSE HEAD
Abstract
A lacrosse head including a sidewall having at least one upper
rail, extending between a base and a scoop, including a primary
rail and a secondary rail. The secondary rail can diverge from the
primary rail at a junction as the primary rail extends from the
scoop toward the base. The primary and secondary rails can define
an aperture therebetween, where the aperture accentuates the offset
configuration of the head. The bifurcated upper rail can also
enhance the strength of the sidewall at or near the base.
Inventors: |
Winningham; Matthew M.;
(Royal Oak, MI) ; Schmidt; Joshua G.; (Royal Oak,
MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WARNER NORCROSS & JUDD LLP
900 FIFTH THIRD CENTER, 111 LYON STREET, N.W.
GRAND RAPIDS
MI
49503-2487
US
|
Assignee: |
WARRIOR SPORTS, INC.
Warren
MI
|
Family ID: |
42132123 |
Appl. No.: |
12/360938 |
Filed: |
January 28, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61110324 |
Oct 31, 2008 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
473/513 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 59/20 20151001;
A63B 60/50 20151001 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/513 |
International
Class: |
A63B 59/02 20060101
A63B059/02 |
Claims
1. A lacrosse head comprising: a throat adapted to connect to a
lacrosse handle; a base joined with the throat, the base including
a ballstop and having a longitudinal axis; a scoop distal from the
base, wherein the longitudinal axis extends toward the scoop; a
pair of sidewalls extending from the base and joined with the
scoop, each sidewall including an upper rail and a lower rail
separated from one another by a distance, the upper rail including
a primary rail and a secondary rail, the primary rail extending
from the scoop to the base generally parallel to the longitudinal
axis when viewed from a side perspective, the secondary rail
extending from the primary rail at a junction, the secondary rail
extending in at least one of an upwardly angled manner and an
upwardly curved manner away from the longitudinal axis between the
junction and the ballstop, the secondary rail being joined with the
base at a distance above and separate from the primary rail so that
the secondary rail and the primary rail define an aperture
therebetween, the aperture also being located between the junction
and the ballstop, whereby the aperture visually accentuates the
divergence of the secondary rail from the primary rail so that a
viewer readily recognizes that the lacrosse head is of an offset
construction.
2. The lacrosse head of claim 1, wherein the longitudinal axis lies
within a plane that bisects the upper and lower halves of the
throat.
3. The lacrosse head of claim 2, wherein the primary rail extends
from the base toward the scoop at least partially within the
plane.
4. The lacrosse head of claim 2, wherein the scoop contours
downwardly with respect to the plane.
5. The lacrosse head of claim 1, wherein the secondary rail
gradually curves downward from an upper surface of the ballstop
toward the primary rail.
6. The lacrosse head of claim 1, wherein the secondary rail is a
unitary extension of a front portion of the base.
7. A lacrosse head comprising: a throat adapted to connect to a
lacrosse handle; a base joined with the throat, the base including
a ballstop; a scoop distal from the base; a sidewall including an
upper rail having a primary rail and a secondary rail, the primary
rail extending substantially linearly from the ballstop toward the
scoop when viewed from a side perspective, the secondary rail
extending from the primary rail as a separate rail at a junction
near or in the ballstop, the secondary rail extending in at least
one of an upwardly angled manner and an upwardly curved manner
toward the ballstop, the secondary rail being joined with the base
distal from the junction.
8. The lacrosse head of claim 7, further comprising a longitudinal
axis extending from the base toward the scoop, wherein the primary
rail is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis from the
base to the scoop.
9. The lacrosse head of claim 8, wherein the longitudinal axis lies
within a first horizontal plane that bisects the upper and lower
halves of the throat, and subsequently a handle joined with the
throat.
10. The lacrosse head of claim 9, further comprising a second
horizontal plane offset from and parallel to the longitudinal axis,
wherein the secondary rail extends along a portion of its length
within the second horizontal plane before transitioning downward
toward the junction.
11. The lacrosse head of claim 10, wherein the secondary rail
diverges from the primary rail at an acute angle opening toward the
base.
12. The lacrosse of claim 11, wherein the secondary rail is a
unitary extension of a forward portion of the base.
13. The lacrosse head of claim 12, wherein the primary rail,
secondary rail, junction and base cooperate to define an aperture
which visually emphasizes to a viewer the downward transition of
the secondary rail toward the primary rail, whereby the viewer can
readily recognize the lacrosse head as having an offset
construction.
14. The lacrosse head of claim 13, wherein the scoop contours
downwardly with respect to the longitudinal axis.
15. A lacrosse head comprising: a throat adapted to connect to a
lacrosse handle; a base joined with the throat, the base including
a ballstop and having a longitudinal axis; a scoop distal from the
base, wherein the longitudinal axis extends toward the scoop; a
pair of sidewalls extending from the base and joined with the
scoop, each sidewall including an upper rail and a lower rail
separated from one another by a first distance, the upper rail
forking at a junction near the base into a primary rail and a
secondary rail that are separated by a second distance, the primary
rail remaining at or above the longitudinal axis from the junction
to the base, the secondary rail extending in at least one of an
upwardly angled manner and an upwardly curved manner from the
junction toward the base.
16. The lacrosse head of claim 15, wherein the secondary rail and
the primary rail define an aperture therebetween, the aperture also
being bounded by at least one of the junction and the base.
17. The lacrosse head of claim 16, wherein the secondary rail forks
from the primary rail at an acute angle.
18. The lacrosse head of claim 17, wherein the secondary rail is a
unitary extension of a forward portion of the base.
19. The lacrosse head of claim 18, wherein the longitudinal axis
lies within a plane that bisects the upper and lower halves of the
throat, and subsequently a handle joined with the throat.
20. The lacrosse head of claim 19, wherein the primary rail extends
from the junction to the scoop generally parallel to the
longitudinal axis when viewed from a side perspective.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority benefit to U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 61/110,324, filed on Oct. 31, 2008.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to lacrosse
equipment, and more particularly a lightweight lacrosse stick head
having increased strength and enhanced ball feel.
[0003] Conventional lacrosse sticks include a head joined with a
handle. The head includes a frame that forms a region within which
a lacrosse ball can be caught, held or shot. The head can take the
form of an open frame having a base with an interior surface that
defines a ballstop, a pair of sidewalls that extend from the base,
and a lip that interconnects the sidewalls, remotely from the base,
to form a scoop. The frame can define holes that secure a lacrosse
net around the rear of the frame. A throat can project from the
base of the frame for attachment to a handle, which can define a
central longitudinal axis.
[0004] In many lacrosse heads, all or a major portion of the base
or sidewalls can be curved or offset downward as these elements
transition to the scoop. While this downward scooped configuration
is appealing, it can in some cases present challenges with regard
to maintaining the desired strength of the head in the areas of the
downward transition.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention provides a lacrosse head of
lightweight design having increased strength and improved ball
feel.
[0006] In one embodiment, the lacrosse head can include a sidewall
having an upper rail including a primary rail and a secondary rail.
The primary rail can extend generally linearly from a base of the
head toward a scoop of the head when viewed from a side
perspective. The secondary rail can separate and diverge upwardly
from the primary rail at a junction near the base. In another
embodiment, the secondary rail can extend in an upwardly angled
manner or an upwardly curved manner away from the primary rail,
toward the base. Optionally, the secondary rail can join the base
distal from the junction.
[0007] In yet another embodiment, the lacrosse head can include a
longitudinal axis extending from the base to the scoop. The primary
rail can be substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis from
the base to the scoop.
[0008] In another further embodiment, the longitudinal axis can be
located in a horizontal plane. The primary rail can extend from the
base toward the scoop in this horizontal plane, and the scoop can
contour downwardly with respect to this horizontal plane.
[0009] In a further embodiment, the lacrosse head can define
another horizontal plane offset from and parallel to the
longitudinal axis. The secondary rail can extend along this
horizontal plane before transitioning downward toward the primary
rail at a junction. In yet a further embodiment, the primary rail,
secondary rail, and optionally the junction and the base can
cooperate to define an aperture which visually emphasizes to a
viewer the downward transition of the secondary rail toward the
primary rail. With this construction, the viewer can readily
recognize the lacrosse head as having an offset construction.
[0010] In another further embodiment, the secondary rail can
diverge from the primary rail at an acute angle opening toward the
base. The secondary rail can join the base at a distance above and
separate from the primary rail to define an aperture therebetween.
The aperture can be a variety of different shapes, such as a
polygonal, circular, elliptical or triangular shape.
[0011] The present invention provides a head that is simple,
lightweight and strong. With the divergent upper sidewall
structure, the head is provided with an offset or scooped structure
that includes an improved "double bar offset" reinforced frame,
which refers to the spatially separated primary and secondary rails
being located in the offset region of the head. This can add
strength and rigidity to the head. In addition, this configuration
visually augments the offset feature of the head, which can appeal
to many lacrosse equipment consumers.
[0012] These and other features and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent from the following description of
the invention, when view in accordance with the accompanying
drawings and appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a current embodiment of the
lacrosse head of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the lacrosse head;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a side view of the lacrosse head;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a rear view of the lacrosse head;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a side view of a first alternative embodiment of
the lacrosse head; and
[0018] FIG. 6 is a side view of a second embodiment of the lacrosse
head;
DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENT EMBODIMENT
[0019] Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, a lacrosse head 10 in accordance
with a current embodiment of the present invention is illustrated.
The head 10 can generally include a throat 34, a base 14, at least
two sidewalls 18, and a scoop 22. The throat 34 as depicted in FIG.
1 is joined to the base 14 and is adapted to connect to a lacrosse
handle 31. The throat 34 can be tubular in shape and can define a
cavity to receive a lacrosse handle 31 through a socket opening 33.
The handle 31 can be secured within the throat 34, optionally by
means of a screw 35 or other suitable means. Optionally, the throat
34 can define one or more circular or elliptical apertures 37, 39
to reduce the weight of that component.
[0020] As depicted in FIGS. 1-3, the lacrosse head 10 can include a
base 14 joined with the sidewalls 18 defining a longitudinal axis
46 extending toward the scoop 22. The base 14 can include a
ballstop 16 distal from the socket opening 33. The ballstop 16 can
further include a concave interior and can be integral with the
head 10. Further, the ballstop 16 can include a first series of
netting apertures or eyelets 15 for securing a net or web, as
illustrated in FIG. 6 The eyelets 15 can include a recessed or
beveled interior, and can be rectangular, circular or elliptical as
desired.
[0021] The base 14 can include one or more reinforcing members 36
disposed between a portion of the throat 34 and at least one of the
ballstop 16 and the sidewall 18. Optionally, the reinforcing member
36 can be a continuous and unitary extension of the sidewall 18,
defining an aperture bounded by a portion of the reinforcing member
36, throat 34, and ballstop 16. As shown in FIG. 3, a longitudinal
axis 46 can lie within a first horizontal plane 47 that bisects the
upper and lower halves of the throat 34, and subsequently a handle
31 joined with the throat 34.
[0022] Referring again to FIG. 2, the head 10 can include a pair of
sidewalls 18 extending from the base 14 toward the scoop 22 to form
an interior surface 20. The sidewalls 18 can be of diverging
hourglass configuration in plan view, being interiorly convex for
about one-half of their lengths adjacent the scoop 22.
Alternatively, the sidewalls, and the respective rails thereof, can
be substantially parallel to one another. The longitudinal axis 46
can define a vertical plane of symmetry 48 disposed between
opposing lateral sidewalls 18, wherein the opposing sidewalls 18
are mirror images of each other, as can be the laterally opposing
portions of the base 14. Alternatively, the opposing sidewalls 18
and/or base 14 can be different from one another in structure and
orientation so that the head is asymmetric as desired.
[0023] As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the lacrosse head 10 can include a
sidewall 18 having an open-frame construction. The sidewall 18 can
include an upper rail 25 and a lower rail 24 separated by a
distance. The upper rail 25 and lower rail 24 can define an
non-string hole aperture therebetween, optionally extending from
the base 14 to the scoop 22. The sidewall 18 can further include
one or more reinforcing cross members 56. The cross member 56 can
connect a portion of the upper rail 25 and a portion of the lower
rail 24. Optionally, the cross member 56 can define any number of
non-string hole openings in the sidewall 18. This open-frame
construction can substantially decrease the amount of material used
to form the sidewall 18 portions, thereby decreasing the overall
weight of the lacrosse head 10 while retaining the desired rigidity
and durability. The sidewall can also define one or more string
holes or eyelets 32 disposed around a portion of the lower rail 24
or elsewhere to join a net or web to the head 10. The string holes
32 can include a recessed or beveled interior, and can be
rectangular, circular or elliptical as desired.
[0024] As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the upper rail 25 can include a
primary rail 26 and a secondary rail 28. The primary rail can
extend from the scoop 22 to the base 14 generally parallel to the
longitudinal axis 46 when viewed from a side perspective, as
depicted in FIG. 3. The secondary rail 28 can diverge from the
primary rail 26 at a junction 27, extending in at least one of an
upwardly angled manner and an upwardly curved manner away from the
longitudinal axis 46 between the junction 27 and the ballstop 16.
The secondary rail 28 can join with the base 14 at a distance above
and separate from the primary rail 26 so that the secondary rail 28
and the primary rail 26 define an aperture therebetween. The
aperture can also be located between the junction 27 and the
ballstop 16, whereby the aperture visually accentuates the
divergence of the secondary rail from the primary rail so that a
view readily recognizes that the lacrosse head is of an offset
construction.
[0025] Referring again to FIG. 2, the primary rail 26 can follow an
inwardly concave contour near the base 14 before extending
generally parallel to the central longitudinal axis 46 along a
portion of its length. The primary rail 26 can transition to an
inwardly convex contour and diverge from the central longitudinal
axis 46 before transitioning to an inwardly concave contour
proximate the scoop 22. As shown in FIG. 3, the primary rail 26 can
be void of any substantial curves up or down from parallel
alignment with the longitudinal axis 46 as the primary rail 26
extends from the base 14 or ballstop 16 toward the scoop 22.
Optionally, the primary rail 26 may extend substantially linearly
from the base 14 or ballstop 16 toward the scoop 22 when viewed
from a side perspective. Alternatively, the primary rail can be
substantially linear from the base 14 or ballstop 16 up to the
scoop 22, at which point, the rail curves or angles downward.
[0026] The primary rail 26 can be a unitary extension of the
ballstop 16, and can also extend from the base 14 or ballstop 16
toward the scoop 22 within the first horizontal plane 47 defined by
the longitudinal axis 46 as noted above. As the primary rail 26
extends from the base 14 or ballstop 16 toward the scoop 22, the
primary rail 26 can also be positioned at or below the longitudinal
axis 46 when viewed from a side perspective. However, as desired,
the primary rail 26 can vary to a position at or above the
longitudinal axis 46 when viewed from a side perspective.
[0027] In another embodiment as shown in FIG. 5, the upper rail 25
can fork at a junction 27 near the base 14 into a primary rail 26
and secondary rail 28 that are separated by a first distance. The
primary rail 26 can remain at or above the longitudinal axis 46
from the junction 27 to the scoop 22. Additionally, the primary
rail 26 can extend from the junction 27 to the scoop 22 generally
parallel to the longitudinal axis 46 along a substantial portion of
the axis 46 when viewed from a side perspective. Optionally, the
primary rail 26 can be of a circular, polygonal, elliptical,
rectangular, or beveled cross-section that is generally uniform or
varies as it extends from the base 14 to the scoop 22.
[0028] Returning to the current embodiment of FIGS. 1-4, the
secondary rail 28 can extend between a portion of the base 14 or
ballstop 16 and a portion of the primary rail 26. The secondary
rail may optionally be a unitary extension of a forward or upper
portion of the base 14, gradually curving downward toward the
junction 27. Optionally, the lacrosse head 10 can include a second
horizontal plane 50 offset from and parallel to the longitudinal
axis 46, wherein the secondary rail 28 extends along a portion of
its length within the second horizontal plane 50 before
transitioning downward toward the junction 27. The second
horizontal plane 50 can be offset from and positioned above the
first horizontal plane 47 by a pre-selected distance. The secondary
rail 28 can transition downwardly in a curvilinear and/or linear
manner toward the junction 27 to form an offset angle a with
reference to the primary rail 26. The angle a can vary as the
application requires, but generally, the secondary rail 28 can
gradually curve or angle at an acute angle a between the primary
rail and secondary rail. In the area of the sidewalls 18 where the
primary and secondary rails 26, 28 diverge, those rails can define
an aperture therebetween.
[0029] The secondary rail 28 can join, fork from, diverge or branch
from the primary sidewall 26 at the junction 27 in or near the
ballstop 18. Optionally, the junction 27 can be located between the
base 14 and the scoop 22 at a portion of the primary rail 26
extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis 46 in plan
view, or elsewhere in the head as desired. Additionally, each
secondary rail 28 can be of a circular, polygonal, elliptical,
rectangular, or beveled cross-section that is generally uniform or
varies as it extends from the base 14 or ballstop 16 to the
junction 27.
[0030] The lacrosse head 10 can further define a curvilinear or
polygonal aperture bounded by the primary rail 26, secondary rail
28, junction 27 and base 14 or ballstop 16. Beginning with the end
defined by the junction 27 of the primary and secondary rails 26,
28, the aperture can extend generally toward the base 14 and can
terminate in a polygonal edge with beveled interior corners. As
shown in the current embodiment of FIG. 3, the head 10 can define a
rounded aperture, for example an elliptical aperture bounded by the
primary rail 26 and secondary rail 28. In this embodiment, the
cross-section of the primary and secondary upper sidewall rails 26,
28 can vary along their length to promote the elliptical aperture
when viewed from the side or base of the head 10. Of course, the
aperture formed between the primary rail 26 and secondary rail 28
can be of a variety of geometric shapes. As depicted in the
alternative embodiment of FIG. 5, a generally triangular aperture
can be bounded by the primary rail 26, secondary rail 28 and the
base 14 and/or ballstop 16. If desired, other geometries for the
aperture may be selected as desired. For example, referring to
another alternative embodiment of FIG. 6, a polygonal aperture can
be bounded by the secondary rail 28 and the primary rail 26. The
other structures and components of these alternative embodiments in
FIGS. 5 and 6 can be virtually identical to those of the current
embodiment.
[0031] Returning to the current embodiment of FIGS. 1-4, the
sidewalls 18 are joined by a scoop 22 at the ends thereof remote
from the base 14. The scoop 22 can further join the upper rail 25
and lower rail 24 at a portion of the sidewall 18 distal from the
base 14. The scoop 22 can also define a front lip outside surface
38, back lip outside surface 40, and an inside lip surface 44. The
scoop 22 can include a third series of netting apertures or eyelets
30, optionally disposed between the back lip outside surface 40 and
inside lip surface 44 for securing a net or web thereto, as
depicted in FIGS. 1 and 5. The eyelets 30 can include a recessed or
beveled interior, and can be rectangular, circular or elliptical as
desired. The back lip outside surface 40 can be disposed at an
angle 42 to the front lip outside surface 38 to minimize abrasion
to the netting caused by contact between the scoop 22 and the
ground during play, such as the lacrosse head disclosed in U.S.
Reissued Patent RE38,216 to Morrow which is hereby incorporated by
reference in its entirety.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 3, the scoop 22 can contour downwardly with
reference to first horizontal plane 47 defined by the centerline
axis 46 as the scoop 22 extends from the sidewall 18 to a portion
of the scoop 22 furthest from the ballstop 16. The scoop 22,
together with the sidewalls 18 and base 14 or ballstop 16, can form
a unitary head 10 with a smooth and continuous pocket facing
interior. A netting or web can be secured to the head 10 through
the first series of netting apertures or eyelets 15 disposed in a
portion of the ballstop 16, a second series of netting apertures or
eyelets 32 disposed in the sidewalls 18, and a third series of
netting apertures or eyelets 30 disposed in the scoop 22.
[0033] The lacrosse head 10 can be of an open frame, monolithic
construction and formed from one or more of a variety of compounds
such as nylon, urethane, polycarbonate, polyethylene,
polypropylene, polyketone or polybutylene terephalate. The desired
lacrosse head 10 can be formed by first selecting its shape and
configuration. After the shape and configuration is selected, a
mold having a mold cavity can be formed in the shape of the head 10
to be formed.
[0034] As noted above, lacrosse handles of conventional
construction typically have all or a major portion of a head
disposed below the central longitudinal axis, often in plane with
the leading portion of the base. The current embodiment as depicted
in FIGS. 1-6, however, includes a secondary rail 28 offset from the
longitudinal axis 46 when viewed from a side perspective, and
structurally supporting the primary rail 26 which extends linearly
from the base 14 to the scoop 22 when viewed from a side
perspective. This improved offset design can provide a lacrosse
stick head having increased strength, improved ball feel, and
enhanced shooting capabilities--as well as an appearance that draws
attention to the offset head configuration.
[0035] The above description is that of the current embodiment of
the invention. Various alterations and changes can be made without
departing from the spirit and broader aspects of the invention as
defined in the appended claims, which are to be interpreted in
accordance with the principles of patent law including the doctrine
of equivalents. Any reference to elements in the singular, for
example, using the articles "a," "an," "the," or "said," is not to
be construed as limiting the element to the singular.
* * * * *