Patent ID: 8512173
Filing Date: 2013-08-20
Classification: A63B

Abstract:
1. A lacrosse head comprising: a throat adapted to connect to a lacrosse handle; a base joined with the throat, the base including a ball stop, the ball stop extending from an upper ball stop rim to a lower ball stop rim; a scoop distal from the base; a first sidewall and a second sidewall, each extending from the base toward the scoop and joined with one another distal from the base at the scoop, each first and second sidewall being of an open frame construction and defining a non-string hole, each first and second sidewall including an upper rail and a lower rail, and a cross member extending between and joined with the upper rail and the lower rail, a spine element at least partially embedded in the ball stop, the first sidewall and the second sidewall, the spine element including a spine base from which a first upper element and a second upper element, and a first lower element and a second lower element, extend forwardly toward but terminate short of the scoop, wherein the first upper element and the second upper element are at least partially embedded and concealed in the upper rails of the respective first and second sidewalls respectively, wherein the first lower element and the second lower element are at least partially embedded and concealed in the lower rails of the first and second sidewalls respectively, wherein the spine element includes a first transverse element that is joined with the first upper element and the first lower element forward of the ball stop, wherein the first transverse element extends between the upper rail and lower rail of the first sidewall, and is at least partially embedded and concealed in the cross member of the first sidewall, wherein the spine element includes a second transverse element that is joined with the second upper element and the second lower element forward of the ball stop, wherein the second transverse element extends between the upper rail and lower rail of the second sidewall, and is at least partially embedded and concealed in the cross member of the second sidewall, wherein at least one of the first transverse element, the first lower element, and the first upper element of the spine element is exposed and visible to a viewer of the lacrosse head first sidewall, wherein at least one of the second transverse element, the second lower element, and the second upper element of the spine element is exposed and visible to a viewer of the lacrosse head second sidewall, wherein the spine element includes a spine base extending within the base, wherein the spine base includes a spine base region that extends from the upper rail to the lower rail, rearward of the first and second transverse elements, wherein the spine base region provides deflection resistance and strength to the spine base, wherein the spine base extends through the ball stop from one side of the head to the other, connecting the first upper element, second upper element, first lower element and second lower element, wherein the spine base is of a first thickness and the spine base region is of a second thickness that is greater than the first thickness to provide further strength to the spine.