Abstract:
An over-folded mesh useful for, inter alia, providing for a quicker and easier installation of a pocket into a lacrosse head.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a utility application which claims benefit of Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/875,488 filed Dec. 18, 2006, entitled “Over-Folded Mesh” which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Technical Field 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to the mesh utilized in forming a pocket for a lacrosse stick. More particularly, the present invention relates to an over-folded mesh which allows for a simpler and faster installation of a pocket into a lacrosse head. The invention also includes the lacrosse head strung with the novel mesh pocket. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE ART 
       [0003]    The lacrosse game originated with the American and Canadian native Americans. Traditionally, a lacrosse stick has a handle portion attached to a head with the head consisting generally of a frame and a pocket. It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a well constructed lacrosse head is essential in both the general play by and especially the success of participants of the sport of lacrosse. 
         [0004]    Generally, the lacrosse head can be described as a basket that attaches to the end of the handle that is used to catch, transport, and deliver the ball as desired. The lacrosse head not only catches the ball and holds the ball during play, but is also used during defensive maneuvers and to obtain the ball during a face off. As such, the lacrosse head is subjected to both large and varying forces during the game. As such, lacrosse heads are typically formed of some type of plastic material which is rigid although can slightly deform so as not to crack or break under the typical stresses experienced during participation in a lacrosse game. 
         [0005]    Traditionally, the pocket for the lacrosse head is strung by the player as the stringing of the pocket dictates the performance characteristics of the lacrosse stick. Unfortunately, if one string breaks or significantly weakens, the pocket will have to be either replaced or repaired prior to the stick being used again during game play. 
         [0006]    There are currently at least three popular ways to construct the lacrosse pocket; 
         [0007]    Traditional: braided nylon or polyester lace woven between side wall and longitudinal runners (sometimes referred to as thongs). The runners are traditionally leather or braided nylon and run between the scoop and inside throat area of the lacrosse head. The pocket is woven to the head as it is being created. Most traditional pockets comprise four runners, cross lacing, and side wall stringing. These materials are typically hand woven or strung in the traditional manner to form a pocket. The stringing and/or weaving of a traditional pocket is very labor intensive and is typically done by hand. 
         [0008]    Mesh: machine-woven nylon mesh is pre-manufactured and later attached to the side wall scoop and inside throat areas via string. The mesh pockets consist of a polyester or nylon material woven together to create a mesh with a diamond-like arrangement. This mesh material is machine made and is the integral body of the pocket. Furthermore, a mesh material allows for one consistent weave pattern. 
         [0009]    Traditional/Mesh: a head that is strung with a combination of pre-manufactured mesh, hand-woven lace, and longitudinal runners. 
         [0010]    A disadvantage to the traditional style of pocket is that stringing a lacrosse head in a traditional manner requires both skill and time. Lacrosse players who do not have stringing skills are often required to hire independents that do. Alternatively, one can buy a head factory strung by the lacrosse manufacturer although the pocket may not be designed exactly to the player&#39;s specifications. Furthermore, traditional pockets experience more variation and performance in rainy weather as the leather present in the pocket stretches upon being exposed to water. 
         [0011]    Thus, mesh has become one of the more popular pockets in both junior league and collegiate level play. Mesh is not as greatly affected by moisture, is easier to string and adjust to the desired specifications of the player, and furthermore, is typically more durable. 
         [0012]    Despite being simpler than traditional pockets, mesh pockets also take significant time to “break in.” During this period, the player becomes accustomed to the pocket, makes adjustments to make it personalized, and the pockets undergo both stretching and expansion. The pocket is arguably the most crucial part of a lacrosse stick because of the basis for good ball control, accurate passing, and fast, accurate shooting. Once the pocket is broken in and the shape and performance characteristics are as the player desires, the pocket is used for game play and only periodically adjusted to maintain the desired performance characteristics. 
         [0013]    Unfortunately, with extended game play and practice, as well as the varying environmental conditions the lacrosse head pocket is exposed to, the strings will break requiring the pocket to be replaced. Furthermore, strings may break during game play, thus requiring the pocket to be repaired or restrung quickly. 
         [0014]    Accordingly, there is a need for a mesh pocket that is both easier and quicker to string into a lacrosse head while still providing the performance characteristics demanded by lacrosse players. 
         [0015]    Unfortunately, lacrosse head pockets of the prior art are not designed for a quick and easy replacement. The prior art pockets generally available require skill and patience making re-stringing a lacrosse head difficult in only a short amount of time. 
         [0016]    What is desired, therefore, is a mesh pocket which is over-folded so that a lacrosse player can quickly and easily string the pocket of the lacrosse stick. Indeed, a combination of characteristics, including a mesh pocket having at least an over-folded edge, has been found to be necessary in simplifying the installation of a pocket into a lacrosse head. Also desired is a lacrosse head pre-strung with the novel mesh pocket. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0017]    The present invention provides a mesh pocket for a lacrosse head which is uniquely capable of being easily and quickly installed into a lacrosse head. 
         [0018]    More particularly, the inventive mesh pocket has at least one edge over-folded so that the mesh may be strung more easily into a lacrosse head. The over-folded edge of the mesh may be attached to itself so that the openings within the mesh align with themselves. Furthermore, the over-folded section of mesh may be either glued or stitched so that at least the top row of mesh is permanently doubled over. 
         [0019]    The inventive mesh pocket with at least one edge of the mesh over-folded can be strung into a lacrosse head with the top string fed through the holes of the over-folded section of the mesh. In addition, the mesh design may be of multiple types including but not limited to hard mesh, durable mesh, soft mesh, or even a micro-mesh design. 
         [0020]    Advantageously, to produce a strong lacrosse head with the novel mesh pocket, the over-folded mesh is attached within the lacrosse head with the top string fed through the holes in the over-folded edge. 
         [0021]    An object of the invention, therefore, is a mesh pocket having characteristics which enable it to be employed quickly and easily into a lacrosse head. 
         [0022]    Another object of the invention is a mesh pocket having at least one edge over-folded with the folded portion attached to itself by glue. 
         [0023]    Still another object of the invention is a mesh pocket having at least one over-folded edge with the over-folded portion stitched to itself. 
         [0024]    Yet another object of the invention is to provide a pocket that can be adjusted easily and replaced quickly. 
         [0025]    Another object of the invention is a mesh pocket that can be easily manufactured. 
         [0026]    Still another object of the invention is to provide a lacrosse head strung with the over-folded mesh. 
         [0027]    These aspects and others that will become apparent to the artisan upon review of the following description can be accomplished by providing a portion of mesh for stringing a lacrosse stick and permanently over-folding at least one edge of the mesh so that the mesh pattern is substantially aligned. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0028]      FIG. 1  is an illustration of a prior art portion of mesh for comprising a lacrosse pocket. 
           [0029]      FIG. 2  is an illustration of a side view of a prior art portion of mesh for comprising a lacrosse pocket. 
           [0030]      FIG. 3  is an illustration of over-folded mesh of the present invention for comprising a lacrosse pocket. 
           [0031]      FIG. 4  is an illustration of a side view of over-folded mesh of the present invention for comprising a lacrosse pocket. 
           [0032]      FIG. 5  is an illustration of one embodiment of the folded portion of the over-folded mesh of the present invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 6  is an illustration of over-folded mesh of the present invention comprising a lacrosse pocket within a lacrosse head. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0034]    Referring now to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , there is generally shown a portion of mesh of the prior art for use within a lacrosse pocket. As can be seen, the mesh has only a single layer design and must be manipulated for stringing within a lacrosse pocket. 
         [0035]    In  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 , there is shown generally at  10 , one embodiment of the over-folded mesh of the present invention. As can be seen from  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 , over-folded mesh  10  has over-folded edge  12 , lateral sides  14  and  16 , and throat side  18 . 
         [0036]    Over-folded mesh  10  can be comprised of a variety of different types of mesh for use in forming a lacrosse head pocket. Generally the mesh can be hard mesh, soft mesh, dura-mesh, as well as types of mesh which fit in between the above classifications. Furthermore, the mesh of over-folded mesh  10  can have a variety of different diamond patterns. As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the mesh of over-folded mesh  12  is diamond mesh  10  referring to the number of diamonds formed in the mesh when measured from lateral side  14  to lateral side  16 . Further embodiments may include  6  diamond mesh or  12  or  14  diamond mesh as well as mesh patterns which may be both smaller or larger than the  10  diamond pattern as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0037]    In a preferred embodiment, over-folded mesh  12  is comprised of nylon. Both the weave and size of the nylon fibers that comprise the mesh of over-folded mesh  10  may be varied so as to provide differing strength and stiffness to the mesh. 
         [0038]    Over-folded edge  12  has at least one diamond of the mesh over-folded so that the diamond pattern of the over-folded portion of the mesh aligns with the main body of over-folded mesh  10 . In further embodiments, more than one diamond may be over-folded, thus providing more options for the player in stringing over-folded mesh  12  into a lacrosse head. 
         [0039]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a close-up side view of the over-folded edge  12  of one embodiment of the present invention is presented. Over-folded edge  12  includes attachment  22 , main mesh body  24 , and folded portion  26 . 
         [0040]    Inner edge of folded portion  26  may be attached to inner edge of main mesh body  24  so that folded portion  26  is substantially connected to main mesh body  24  by attachment  22 . Attachment  22  may include glue, epoxies, cements, or other chemicals or adhesives so that folded portion  26  remains in either partial or continuous connected contact with main mesh body  24 . As such, attachment  22  as illustrated in  FIG. 5  is only one possible embodiment of the positioning of attachment  22  with attachment  22  covering greater or lesser areas of folded portion  26 . In additional embodiments, folded portion  26  may be thermally attached to main mesh body  24  wherein heat is utilized to connect folded portion  26  to main mesh body  24 . Yet furthermore, folded portion  26  may be stitched or otherwise woven into main mesh body  24  so that the attachment is made and the diamond pattern aligns properly. 
         [0041]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , there is shown generally a partially strung lacrosse head. The lateral sides  14  and  16  of over-folded mesh  10  are attached to side walls  32  and  34  by side wall strings  36  and  38 . Side wall strings  36  and  38  weave in and out of lateral sides  14  and  16  of over-folded mesh  10  and back through openings in side walls  36  and  38 , thus attaching the lateral sides of over-folded mesh  10  to lacrosse head  30 . Throat portion  20  of over-folded mesh  10  can be attached to throat  40  of lacrosse head  30  by bottom string  42 . Alternatively, in other embodiments, side wall strings  36  and  38  can connect lower on lacrosse head  30  so as to attach throat portion  20  of over-folded mesh  10  to throat  40  of lacrosse head  30  without the need of bottom strength  42 . 
         [0042]    Top string  44  is utilized to attach over-folded edge  12  of over-folded mesh  10  to scoop  46  of lacrosse head  30 . 
         [0043]    More specifically, top string  44  weaves within the openings created from the alignment and permanent attachment of folded portion  26  to main body  24  of over-folded mesh  10 . Top string  44  goes within these openings to attachment points in scoop  46  of lacrosse head  30 , thereby forming the pocket. 
         [0044]    The use of over-folded mesh  10  with over-folded edge  12  provides great ease and simplicity in stringing a lacrosse stick as a player does not have to constantly fold and align the edge of the mesh for installation in the pocket as over-folded mesh  12  already has an edge over-folded and attached with the mesh pattern aligned. This allows a player to simply weave top string  44  through over-folded edge  12  without having to constantly manipulate the edge for proper alignment as over-folded edge  12  maintains the mesh pattern in alignment. 
         [0045]    The over-folded mesh of the present invention allows a player to quickly and easily install a pocket into a lacrosse head in short amounts of time. As such, the present invention can be used to create a pocket in the lacrosse head which can quickly and easily be maintained and fixed even during short intervals during a lacrosse game. 
         [0046]    Accordingly, by the practice of the present invention, a mesh lacrosse pocket having heretofore unrecognized characteristics is created. The over-folded mesh provides for greater ease and timeliness in stringing a lacrosse stick as the over-folded edge is already aligned for weaving to the scoop. 
         [0047]    The disclosure of all cited patents and publications referred to in this application are incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0048]    The above description is intended to enable the person skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is not intended to detail all the possible variations and modifications that will become apparent to the skilled worker upon reading the description. It is intended, however, that all such modifications and variations be included within the scope of the invention that is defined by the following claims. The claims are intended to cover the indicated elements and steps that any arrangement or sequence that is effective to meet the objectives intended for the invention, unless the context specifically indicate the contrary.