Abstract:
A lacrosse training device for practicing the action of checking an offensive player, the lacrosse training device comprising: an essentially vertical center member having the height of a lacrosse player; an arm portion pivotally coupled at a proximal end to the vertical center member at approximately shoulder height of a lacrosse player extending outwardly from the vertical center member a distance of approximately arm&#39;s length; a playing stick portion coupled to the arm portion at a proximal end of the arm portion; and an oscillating device coupled between the arm portion and the vertical center member, wherein upon manual movement of the playing stick portion from a first position to a second position, the oscillating device will cause the arm portion to pivot about the center member with an oscillating motion.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates generally to systems for training and practicing the sport game of lacrosse. In particular, this invention is related to a lacrosse training system with or without a partner(s) and in a limited space and/or environment.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Lacrosse is a spring and summer team sport of Native American origin played with netted sticks called crosses. The world&#39;s first official game was played at patrician Upper Canada College in 1867. Today, lacrosse is played internationally as a 12 person per side game for women and as a 10 person per side game for men with differences in playing rules and equipments. The field of play is approximately 110 yards (100 m) long and 40 yards (37 m) wide. The goals are 6 feet (1.8 m) by 6 feet and contain a mesh netting similar to an ice hockey goal. The principle of the game is to project a small solid rubber ball into the opposing team&#39;s goal with a crosse (lacrosse stick) which is usually made of wood with a shaped net pocket at the end.  
         [0003]     Players line up, each carrying a crosse, based on offensive players called “attackmen”, “midfielders” or “middies”, “defensemen”, and a single goaltender, or “goalie” per team. The attackman&#39;s responsibility is to score goals. Players scoop the ball off the ground and hurl the ball in the air to other players. Players are allowed to run carrying the ball with their stick. In men&#39;s lacrosse, players may kick the ball, as well as cover it with their sticks. Play is typically quite fast, and resembles a combination of soccer, basketball and field hockey. Players are permitted to hit one another with their bodies and sticks, although some rules govern the manner in which this may be done. Therefore players are protected by wearing helmets and heavy padded gloves.  
         [0004]     Lacrosse players need to master the different skills to compete in the game such as: 
        Catching and cradling—holding the ball in the stick pocket;     Cutting—a movement by an offensive player without the ball, toward the opponent&#39;s goal, in anticipation of a feed and shot;     Feeding and passing—passing the ball to a teammate who is in position for a shot on goal;     Scooping—an act of picking up a loose ball with the crosse;     Screening, Shooting, etc; and most importantly     Checking, a defensive technique in which a series of short, sharp, controlled strikes to an opponent&#39;s stick is used to force a player carrying the ball to drop it. There are different types of checking such as Poke Check—a stick check in which the player pokes the head of his stick at an opponent&#39;s stick through the top hand by pushing with the bottom hand, Slap Check—a stick check in which a player slaps the head of his stick against his opponent&#39;s stick and Wrap Check—a one-handed check in which the defender swings his stick around his opponent&#39;s body to dislodge the ball.        
 
         [0011]     There are no available training devices in the market specially designed for lacrosse checking skills practice. Coaches and players usually resort to the traditional one-on-one checking practice where one player acts as an opponent holding the ball in his/her crosse pocket while the other player try to dislodge the ball. The key problem of this method is that individual practice is impossible.  
         [0012]     During checking moves, opposing players usually engage in a tug-of-war situation in reverse where each player is trying to fend off the other by pushing against each other. In order to increase strength and stamina, some players use sleds that are designed for football practice. However, sleds are not catered for lacrosse training and henceforth not very effective.  
       ADVANTAGES AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0013]     An object and advantage of the present invention is to provide a training system that allows individual training with or without a partner. Players can simply set the system up and off by manually moving the revolving arm  115  of the lacrosse training system  100  of the present invention in one direction. Then, players could try to tackle the lacrosse training system as if it was their opponents. Thus to improve their eye-hand co-ordination, strength, lacrosse stick skills etc. which are important to improving checking skills.  
         [0014]     Another object and advantage of the present invention is to provide random movements of a lacrosse stick which is otherwise impossible to emulate by a training partner. The randomness of movements of the lacrosse stick can help improve players&#39; reflex motion and anticipation of quick movement.  
         [0015]     Another object and advantage of the present invention is to that it needs no power to operate. All users need to do to start or initiate the system is to simply move the revolving arm  115  manually, or with a powered motor, in either direction. The system  100  of the present invention can be used anywhere, even outdoor environment where electric power is unavailable.  
         [0016]     Another advantage of the present invention is its wide usage both in an indoor or outdoor settings or installations.  
         [0017]     Thus, the present invention is a lacrosse training device for practicing the action of checking an offensive player, the lacrosse training device comprising an essentially vertical center member having the height of a lacrosse player; an arm portion pivotally coupled at a proximal end to the vertical center member at approximately shoulder height of a lacrosse player extending outwardly from the vertical center member a distance of approximately arm&#39;s length, a playing stick portion coupled to the arm portion at a proximal end of the arm portion and an oscillating device coupled between the arm portion and the vertical center member, wherein upon manual movement of the playing stick portion from a first position to a second position, the oscillating device will cause the arm portion to pivot about the center member with an oscillating motion.  
         [0018]     The lacrosse training device of the present invention further comprises a lateral screen member extending outwardly from the vertical center member a distance of approximately arm&#39;s length in a direction essentially opposite that of the extending arm portion.  
         [0019]     The lacrosse training device of the present invention further comprises a lateral screen member extending outwardly from the vertical center member a distance of approximately arm&#39;s length at an angle to the extending arm portion.  
         [0020]     In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the playing stick portion further comprises a lacrosse stick.  
         [0021]     In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the playing stick portion further comprises a vertical stick portion.  
         [0022]     In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the playing stick portion further comprises a shaped net pocket portion at an end of a stick portion.  
         [0023]     In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the oscillating device portion further comprises one or more spring members coupled between the extending arm portion and the center member.  
         [0024]     In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the oscillating device portion further comprises one or more spring members coupled between the extending arm portion and the lateral screen member.  
         [0025]     The lacrosse training device of the present invention further comprises a flexible joint between the distal end of the extending arm portion and the playing stick portion.  
         [0026]     The lacrosse training device of the present invention is also a device for practicing the action of checking an offensive player, the lacrosse training device comprising an essentially vertical center member having the height of a lacrosse player, an arm portion pivotally coupled at a proximal end to the vertical center member at approximately shoulder height of a lacrosse player extending outwardly from the vertical center member a distance of approximately arm&#39;s length, a playing stick portion coupled to the arm portion at a proximal end of the arm portion and an oscillating device coupled between the arm portion and the vertical center member, wherein upon actuation the oscillating device will cause the extending arm portion to pivot about the center member with an oscillating motion.  
         [0027]     In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the oscillating device comprises an electric motor.  
         [0028]     In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the oscillating device comprises a gas-powered motor.  
         [0029]     In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the oscillating device causes a periodic, repeating motion.  
         [0030]     In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the oscillating device causes a continuous oscillating motion.  
         [0031]     In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the oscillating device causes an oscillating motion in the extending arm portion for a predetermined number of oscillations.  
         [0032]     In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the oscillating device causes an oscillating motion in the extending arm portion for a predetermined period of time.  
         [0033]     The lacrosse training device of the present invention is also a lacrosse training device comprising an essentially vertical center member, an arm portion pivotally coupled at a proximal end to the vertical center member at extending outwardly from the vertical center member, the arm portion having a resting position, a playing stick portion coupled to the arm portion at a proximal end of the arm portion and at least one spring member coupled between the arm portion and the vertical center member, wherein upon moving the arm portion from its resting position, the at least one spring member will cause the extending arm portion to pivot back and forth about the center member with an oscillating motion and eventually return to its resting position.  
         [0034]     The lacrosse training device of the present invention is also a method of practicing the skill of checking, a defenseman&#39;s action used in the sport game of lacrosse, the method comprising the following steps of obtaining a lacrosse training device in which a center member supports a vertical extending arm with playing stick portion and inducing an oscillation of the vertical extending arm and playing stick portion back and forth about the center member, whereby the oscillating extending arm and playing stick portion resemble the action of a lacrosse player moving the ball in a forward position.  
         [0035]     In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the playing stick portion comprises a handle portion with a shaped net pocket at one end containing a lacrosse ball, the method further comprising the following step of using a lacrosse stick to dislodge the lacrosse ball from the shaped net pocket at one end of the playing stick portion.  
         [0036]     Further details, objects and advantages of the present invention will be come apparent through the following descriptions, and will be included and incorporated herein.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0037]      FIG. 1A  is a representative isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the lacrosse training system  100  of the present invention.  
         [0038]      FIG. 2A  is a representative top view of a preferred embodiment of the lacrosse training system  100  of the present invention.  
         [0039]      FIG. 2B  is a representative detail view of a preferred embodiment of the movable hinge system  122  of the present invention.  
         [0040]      FIG. 3  is a representative isometric view of another preferred embodiment of the lacrosse training system  300  of the present invention with a movable base system  308 .  
         [0041]      FIG. 4  is a representative isometric view of another preferred embodiment of the lacrosse training system  400  of the present invention with a motorized oscillation system.  
         [0042]      FIG. 5  is a representative schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the method of use of the lacrosse training system  100  of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0043]     The description that follows is presented to enable one skilled in the art to make and use the present invention, and is provided in the context of a particular application and its requirements. Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principals discussed below may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, the invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments disclosed, but the invention is to be given the largest possible scope which is consistent with the principals and features described herein.  
         [0044]     It will be understood that in the event parts of different embodiments have similar functions or uses, they may have been given similar or identical reference numerals and descriptions. It will be understood that such duplication of reference numerals is intended solely for efficiency and ease of understanding the present invention, and are not to be construed as limiting in any way, or as implying that the various embodiments themselves are identical.  
         [0045]      FIG. 1A  is a representative isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the lacrosse training system  100  of the present invention.  FIG. 2A  is a representative top view of a preferred embodiment of the lacrosse training system  100  of the present invention.  FIG. 2B  is a representative detail view of a preferred embodiment of the movable hinge system  122  of the present invention.  
         [0046]     As shown in  FIG. 1A , the lacrosse training system  100  of the present invention mainly consists of a main post  104 , horizontal support rod  114  and springs  116  system and lacrosse stick  120 .  
         [0047]     In a preferred embodiment, the main post  104  is an elongated tubular structure made of light and strong metal such as aluminum, steel, fiberglass, wood, composite, or other natural or synthetic material. The total length of main post  104  should be about the average height of a person around 5-6.5 ft., or more or less. The diameter of main post  104  should be around 1-3 inches, or more or less, and the cross-sectional shape of main post  104  can be circular, triangular, square or other. In a preferred embodiment, main post  104  is erected essentially vertically and attached rigidly, fixedly or removably, on base  108  by inserting the end of main post  104  in the hole on base  108 . A height adjusting, adjustable locking system  106 , and/or by other mechanical means to raise and lower the head portion  102  or other portions of the invention  100  is useful to allow users of various heights to use the lacrosse training system  100  of the present invention. Also as shown in  FIG. 1A , a plastic top structure  102  is rigidly, either fixedly, permanently or removably, attached at the top of main post  104 , such as to resemble the head of the practice offensive player.  
         [0048]     As also shown in  FIG. 1A , one end of support rod  114  is attached rigidly on sheet metal body screen  110  at support hinge structure  210 . In a preferred embodiment, sheet metal body screen structure  110  is a arc-shaped piece of sheet metal resembling a thin semi-circular wall that is suspended primarily by support rod  114 . The other end of support rod  114  is attached rigidly and horizontally to main post  104  at a point that has the same vertical elevation of hinge structure  210 , or higher or lower as may be a matter of design or manufacturing choice. The main purpose of support rod  114  and sheet metal body screen  110  is to provide horizontal support to the main post  104  during practice where users may assert lateral pressure to the whole lacrosse training system  100  of the present invention. Besides, sheet metal body screen  110  also represents the upper body of a player as hindrance/blockage to users when practicing check skills.  
         [0049]     In a preferred embodiment, sheet metal body screen  110  also provides anchor points for two pull springs  112  and  113 . As best shown in  FIG. 2A , one end of pull springs  112  and  113  is attached rigidly to sheet metal body screen  110  by an eye hooks structure  116  for anchoring. The other ends of both pull springs  112  and  113  are connected together on either side of revolving arm  115  at the movable hinge structure  122 , which mechanism is best shown in  FIG. 2B . The mechanism of movable hinge structure  122  with the dual effects of pull springs  112  and  113  allow revolving arm  115  to revolve and oscillate radially around main post  104  in travel directions α and γ.  
         [0050]     A practice opponent&#39;s lacrosse stick  120  is suspended essentially vertically and is attached flexibly at flexible wrist structure  118  to revolving arm  115 . Lacrosse stick  120  can be any regular lacrosse stick such as those available commercially. Flexible wrist structure  118  is a rubber and/or spring structure that allows lacrosse stick  120  to sway and/or rotate in direction β essentially within a single given plane of space. The combined movement of α, γ and β resembles a player&#39;s movement during a lacrosse practice.  
         [0051]     The entire lacrosse training system  100  of the present invention is manually actuated by rotating the revolving arm  115  in either directions α or γ. For instance, if revolving arm  115  is pushed backwards in direction α, in response pull spring  112  will be stretched and placed into greater tension. When user releases revolving arm  115  and/or lacrosse stick  120 , pull spring  112  will try to return to its original length by pulling in at movable hinge structure  122 . In response, revolving arm  115  will swing to the opposite direction γ and stretch the other pull spring  113 . Due to the naturally dampening of kinetic movement of springs  112  and  113  and eventually stick  120 , the whole process will repeat in ever-shortening oscillations until all energy is dissipated completely. While revolving arm  115  is rotating in oscillation, it will trigger rotation of lacrosse stick  120  in direction β. With the combination of movement of lacrosse stick  120  in both vertical and horizontal planes, it creates a random movement of lacrosse stick  120  and users can practice their checking skills and/or other lacrosse skills.  
         [0052]     It will be understood by those skilled in the art that by providing greater or lesser spring constants, hinge tightness or damping devices, weights of components, etc., for the various components of the present invention, including springs  112  and  113 , stick  120  or wrist hinge  118 , etc., the period and amplitude of vertical and horizontal or other oscillation movements can be provided.  
         [0053]     As shown in  FIG. 2B , revolving arm  115  is coupled to revolving hinge structure  214  by mechanical means such as nuts and bolts. When revolving hinge structure  214  swings around the perimeter of main post  104 , revolving arm  115 , as an extension of revolving hinge structure  214 , will swing in the same direction and angle.  
         [0054]      FIG. 3  is a representative isometric view of another preferred embodiment of the lacrosse training system  300  of the present invention with a movable base system  308 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , in a preferred embodiment, main post  104  is erected vertically and attached rigidly on movable base system  308 . A movable base system comprises mainly a detachable base  304  and sled portion  306 .  
         [0055]     In a preferred embodiment, main post  104  is detachably or fixedly coupled to base portion  304  with a height adjustment, adjustable locking system  106  or similar. The purpose of the height adjustable locking system  106  is to allow users of various heights to use the lacrosse training system  100  of the present invention.  
         [0056]     As shown in  FIG. 3 , detachable base portion  304  is secured on top of sled  306  by mechanical means such as nuts and bolts, or other attaching means such as welding. The purpose of sled portion  306  is to allow the entire lacrosse training system  100  of present invention to slide on a surface  98  when being pushed laterally or horizontally at the padded outer surface  302  of sheet metal body screen  110 . Padded outer surface  302  is made of foam or similar padding materials available and is adhered to the outer surface of sheet metal body screen  110 . The main purpose of padded outer surface  302  is to provide a sturdy and yet cushioned surface for people to exert horizontal push P on the lacrosse training system  100  of the present invention in order to slide the entire system in forward F direction. The additional dimension of movement and horizontal pressure P will make practicing with lacrosse training system  100  of present invention more challenging. Besides, users can practice pushing against a sturdy object as a simulation of actual checking play during a lacrosse game.  
         [0057]     It will be understood that the angle of orientation between the upper screen  116  and padding portion  302 , horizontal member  115 , lacrosse stick  120  and the lower sled portion  306  can be adjusted so as to allow movement of the sled in any different direction.  
         [0058]      FIG. 4  is a representative isometric view of another preferred embodiment of the lacrosse training system  400  of the present invention with a motorized oscillation system. In a preferred embodiment, the motorized oscillation system comprises a motor  402 , a motion transmission tube  404  and an actuator  406 . The main purpose of the motorized oscillation system is to eliminate frequent set-offs of lacrosse training system  400  of the present invention so the entire system  400  could be kept operating continuously.  
         [0059]     As shown in  FIG. 4 , motor  402  is secured on main post  104  by any mechanical mean that is known in the art. Motor  402  is electrically powered by A/C and/or DC sources. The main function of motor  402  is to provide mechanical forces to activate actuator  406  and subsequently to keep revolving arm  115  swinging continually with and/or without pull springs  112  and  113 .  
         [0060]     Motion transmission tube  404  is an hollow or solid elongated structure with a preferably circular shape. The main function of motion transmission tube  404  is to transmit rotational motion generated by motor  402  to actuator  406 . In a preferred embodiment, it could be achieved by a simple gears assembly or other mechanics that are known in the art. Rotational forces are then transferred to actuator  406  which is coupled with movable hinge structure  122 , revolving arm  105  and pull springs  112  and  113 . The actuator  406  will then provide mechanical forces to revolving arm  105  to keep it swinging periodically around main post  104 . In a preferred embodiment, pull springs  112  and  113  help provide mechanical forces to revolving arm  115  as best shown and described in  FIGS. 2A and 2B  and/or define the degree of rotation of revolving arm  115 .  
         [0061]      FIG. 5  is a representative schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the method of use of the lacrosse training system  100  of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 5 , user  500  and/or others sets off the lacrosse training system of the present invention by pulling revolving arm  115  to one side. Once the system  100  is “On”, both revolving arm  115  and lacrosse stick  120  will be oscillating along their respective plane of motion. As a result, lacrosse stick  120  appears to be moving in a random manner, resembling a lacrosse stick held by an offensive player. User  500 , who is standing behind and/or on the side of the system  100 , can then practice various checking skills and/or other lacrosse stick skills with the lacrosse training system  100  of the present invention until oscillations finally die down. User  500  could repeat the whole process by set off the system again.  
         [0062]     Thus, in a preferred embodiment of the method of the present invention, the user  500  who is practicing his or her defensive moves, stands essentially in front of the upper screen portion  116  which is intended to simulate the shape, size and orientation of an offensiveman holding the ball in his or her cage  120 . The screen portion  116  simulates the back of the offensiveman with the arch of the screen portion  116  simulating the curvature in the upper torso and extended arms which hold the handle of the lacrosse stick  120 . Thus, as the net, basket or cage portion of the lacrosse stick  120  oscillates back and forth, oscillating either under kinetic or motorized energy, the user  500  can practice throwing “checks” around either side of the lacrosse training system  100  in an attempt to dislodge the ball from the lacrosse stick  120  of the training system  100 .  
         [0063]     Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, preferred methods and materials are now described. All publications and patent documents referenced in the present invention are incorporated herein by reference.  
         [0064]     While the principles of the invention have been made clear in illustrative embodiments, there will be immediately obvious to those skilled in the art many modifications of structure, arrangement, proportions, the elements, materials, and components used in the practice of the invention, and otherwise, which are particularly adapted to specific environments and operative requirements without departing from those principles. The appended claims are intended to cover and embrace any and all such modifications, with the limits only of the true purview, spirit and scope of the invention.