Abstract:
An improved head for attachment to a lacrosse stick is provided. The head has a bar-shaped string attachment feature on a pocket-facing side of the transverse wall (or “scoop”)  212  joining the sidewalls at the distal end of head  204  to provide a protected area for the attachment of vertically-oriented strings and/or shooting strings forming the lacrosse stick pocket. The string attachment feature provides the additional advantage of negating the necessity for through-holes in scoop  212  that typically weaken what is already a vulnerable portion of head  204  due to its likelihood of receiving repeated impacts with the playing surface or other equipment during play. The improved string attachment member further advantageously provides more “give”, or flexibility, to the pocket strung thereon.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
       [0001]    The present application derives priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application 52/160,090 filed 12 May 2015. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to lacrosse equipment and, more particularly, to an improved lacrosse stick head adapted for improved strength and playing characteristics. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Background 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  illustrates a conventional lacrosse stick  100  having a handle  102  and a double-wall synthetic head  104 . Head  104  comprises a generally V-shaped frame having a juncture  106 , sidewalls  108  and  110 , a transverse wall (or “scoop”)  112  joining the sidewalls at their ends opposite juncture  106 , and a stop member  114  joining sidewalls  108  and  110  at their ends nearest juncture  106 . As shown, handle  102  fits into and through juncture  106 , and abuts stop member  114 . A screw or other fastener placed through an opening  107  in juncture  106  secures handle  102  to head  104 . 
         [0006]    For traditionally-strung pockets (which have strings instead of mesh), thongs  12  made of leather or synthetic material extend vertically from upper thong holes  116  in transverse wall  112  to lower thong holes  118  in stop member  114 . Upper thong holes  116  were typically located on tabs  117  that extend inwardly from the scoop  112 .  FIG. 1  shows four pairs ( 116 ,  118 ) of thong holes that can accept four thongs. To complete the pocket web, the thongs have nylon cross-strings threaded around the thongs and secured directly to string holes  120  in sidewalls  108  and  110 , forming any number of diamond patterns. Alternatively, the cross-stringing may be secured to a perimeter string that extends around the perimeter of the head  104 , and which facilitates tying of horizontal cross stringing and/or vertical thongs to string holes  120 ,  116  along the sidewalls  108 ,  110  and in the scoop  112 . Finally, one Of more throwing Of shooting strings extend transversely between the upper portions of sidewalls  108  and  110 , optionally attaching to string holes  124 . A string or thong is tied off or looped through each string hole  120 ,  124  and thong hole  116 ,  118 , and it is at these twisted points of attachment that the strings/thongs are most prone to fraying or breaking. 
         [0007]    During a lacrosse game, each player uses the handle of his or her lacrosse stick  100  to control the motion of the head  104  in order to perform the necessary functions of game play. The player must perform maneuvers such as scooping the ball from the ground into the pocket, cradling the ball in the pocket, throwing a ball from the pocket to another player or shooting the ball towards a goal, performing a stick check wherein one player uses a part of his stick to contact the stick or body of another player, etc. Because the ball is carried in the pocket of the head  104 , head  104  is often subject to repeated impact during the course of the game, either from the stick handler using his stick to impact other players or equipment, or from opposing players attempting to jar the ball loose from the pocket. Due to its position at the distal end of the stick  100 , the material that forms scoop  112  usually bears the brunt of these impacts, causing the scoop  112  to repeatedly bend, flex, and vibrate. Another maneuver that is fundamental to game play involves scraping the back of head  104  along the ground to scoop a lacrosse ball into the pocket. While lacrosse is commonly played on a level, grass playing surface, an increasing number of lacrosse fields utilize a synthetic turf playing surface, a harder surface that makes impacts between the bead  104  and the ground even more forceful and abrasive than on a natural playing surface. 
         [0008]    The traditional lacrosse head configuration of  FIG. 1  is in no way designed to protect the pocket from wear and tear, and leaves the strings/thongs completely exposed where they loop through stung holes  120 ,  124  or thong holes  116 ,  118 . Moreover, because of all of the various forces acting on head  104 , the relatively thin strip of material making up scoop  112  is vulnerable to cracking, breaking and/or abrasion over time. The scoop  112  area is made less durable by the presence of string holes  116  which interrupt the molding. Even when holes  116  are placed on a scalloped portion of scoop  112  or on tabs  117 , the strain exerted on scoop  112  and the tabs  117  weakens them both and makes them more prone to breakage. The exposed string holes  120 ,  124  and thong holes  116 ,  118  and the vulnerability of strings/thongs that extend through leaves them extremely susceptible to wear and tear from the playing surface, much like the bottom surface of a snow shovel. Moreover, the discontinuous/interrupted molding of head  104  creates break-points prone to material failure. 
         [0009]    Of course, lacrosse equipment with a higher risk of breakage is undesirable. The risk that players will have to replace a broken head or worn out string during game play creates a need for an improved scoop design. While worn stringing usually breaks over time, the pocket tensions created from stringing are important to maintain and as stringing deteriorates, that tension can be lost and playability affected. Maintaining the desired amount of tension in a lacrosse stick pocket is essential for good ball handling and control during game play. 
         [0010]    What is needed is a lacrosse stick head that allows for the attachment of various stringing configurations (e.g., including a top string) to form a pocket within the head, but which beneficially protects those strings at their points-of-attachment to the scoop from wear and tear that would otherwise result from repeated contact with, and scraping along, the playing surface. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved lacrosse head with one or more cleat(s) located on the front side of the scoop for securement of the thongs, cross-stringing and/or perimeter stringing. The cleat(s) may be one or more inserts that are molded into the lacrosse head frame via insert molding and other known methods, or it may be part of the monolithic head frame itself and not a separate part. 
         [0012]    In addition, it is an object of the present invention to provide such an improved lacrosse head which provides a protected area for the attachment of vertically-oriented strings that form the lacrosse stick pocket. 
         [0013]    It is yet an additional object of the present invention to eliminate through-holes in the scoop, which can adversely affect the scoop&#39;s durability. 
         [0014]    It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an improved stringing member that advantageously provides more “give”, or pocket flex, to the pocket strung thereon. 
         [0015]    For a more complete understanding of the invention, its objects and advantages, refer to the remaining specification and to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment and certain modifications thereof, in which: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  illustrates a front view of a prior art lacrosse head. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  illustrates a front view of the improved lacrosse head according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  illustrates a front view of the improved lacrosse head according to a first embodiment of the present invention as strung to form a lacrosse pocket. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  illustrates a back view of the improved lacrosse head according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  illustrates a detail front perspective view of the improved scoop including an integral cleat according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  illustrates a detail back perspective view of the improved scoop including an integral cleat according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  illustrates a detail top view of the improved scoop including an integral cleat according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  illustrates a detail front view of the improved scoop including an integral cleat having a top string laced thereon according to the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 9A  is a composite diagram (A, B) of the improved scoop including a cleat formed as an insert according to a second embodiment of the present invention, as isolated from the scoop alone and as inserted into the scoop. 
           [0026]      FIG. 9B  is a diagram of the improved scoop including a cleat formed as an insert according to a second embodiment of the present invention, as inserted into the scoop. 
           [0027]      FIG. 10  illustrates a detail front view of an alternative configuration of the cleat insert according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 11  illustrates a detail front view of an alternative configuration of the cleat insert according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 12  illustrates a detail front view of an alternative configuration of the cleat insert according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 13  illustrates yet another alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0031]      FIG. 2  depicts an embodiment of the improved lacrosse head  204  with cleat  300  according to the present invention. Head  204  is preferably a double-wall synthetic head comprising a generally V-shaped frame having a juncture  206 , sidewalls  208  and  210 , a transverse wall (or “scoop”)  212  joining the sidewalls at their ends opposite juncture  206 , and a stop member  214  joining sidewalls  208  and  210  at their ends nearest juncture  206 . Although not shown in  FIG. 2 , a lacrosse stick handle fits into and through juncture  206 , and abuts stop member  214 . A screw or other fastener placed through an opening in stop member  214  (not shown) secures the handle to head  204 . In this embodiment the cleat  300  comprises a raised post extending inwardly of scoop  212  along a majority of its length. For purposes of this disclosure “cleat” is herein defined as one or more exposed posts integrally molded or molded into the lacrosse head  204  for securing any of the thongs, cross-stringing and/or perimeter stringing thereto. 
         [0032]    With reference to  FIG. 3 , head  204  may also comprise lower string holes  218  in stop member  214  and string holes  220  in sidewalls  208  and  210  to accept leather or synthetic strings (including optional throwing or shooting strings). Sidewalls  208  and  210  and scoop  212  have an inside face ( FIGS. 2-3 ), an outside face ( FIG. 4 ), a bottom rail edge from which the pocket is traditionally strung, and a top rail edge opposite the bottom rail edge. Similarly, stop member  214  has an inside face ( FIGS. 2-3 ), a bottom edge from which the pocket is strung, and a top edge opposite the bottom edge. As in the prior art head  104 , the inside face of a conventional sidewall or stop member may be substantially perpendicular to the plane of the front face of head  204 , while the top edge of a sidewalls  208 ,  210  may be angled away from the pocket, such that the outer edge of the top edge is closer to the bottom rail than)s, the inner edge of the top rail. 
         [0033]    Unlike the prior art scoop  112  necessarily having through-holes  116  therein, scoop  212  according to the present invention needs no through-holes for attachment of strings or otherwise. Instead, according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, thongs  250  (see  FIG. 3 ) are strung between stop member  214  and an integral cleat  300  disposed on the inside face (pocket facing side) of scoop  212 . 
         [0034]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , the exposed portion of cleat  300  may have an elongate raised section running roughly parallel to the inside face of scoop  212  and with one or more struts  301  along the length thereof to support the raised portion of cleat  300  above scoop  212 . Cleat  300  may be one or more cylindrical rod-shaped wire-frame structures, preferably formed of semi-flexible thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), or alternatively of any suitable material including metal. Cleat(s)  300  have a height (as measured along the face of pocket facing side  212 A of scoop  212 ) less than that of scoop  212 , and preferably on the order of 1/16-¼ the height of scoop  212 , such that scoop  212  extends both above and below cleat  300  to protect any strings  250  attached thereto from contact with the ground or other equipment during play. According to one embodiment as shown in  FIG. 8 , cleat  300  is preferably disposed below a lip  222  on the upper (pocket side) edge of the inside face  212 A of scoop  212  to provide further protection for strings  250  strung to cleat  300 . In this embodiment, lip  222  may be integrally formed with scoop  212  to provide an area of increased thickness (between inside  212 A and outside  212 B faces of scoop  212 ) approximately in the center thereof as measured between sidewalls  208 ,  210 , but may also be temporarily or permanently affixed to scoop  212  and serve as housing for the elongate section of cleat  300 , providing cleat  300  with greater stability and strength. Lip  222  may be in the form of a wedge with the thick end facing towards the interior of head  204  and the remainder thereof tapering towards the distal tip of head  204 . Also as shown in  FIG. 8 , lip  222  may increase in width towards the distal end of head  204 . The thickness of lip  222  may provide additional strength to the tip of scoop  212  and serve as a surface for the placement of logos or other indicia. 
         [0035]      FIG. 8  depicts cleat  300  disposed below lip  222  to provide additional protection from impact to strings  250  strung on cleat  300 . Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 5 , lip  222  may be an integral part of cleat  300  such that cleat  300  either passes through lip  222 , or lip  222  or serves as an end point for mirror images sides of cleat  300  on either side of lip  222 . in another alternative embodiment (not shown), lip  222  may be omitted altogether. 
         [0036]    In a preferred embodiment, integral cleat  300  has four distinct struts  301  as points of attachment to scoop  212  (not including lip  222 ). As shown in  FIG. 8 , cleat  300  is set off from the inside face  212 A of scoop  212  by a distance sufficient to allow strings  250  to be wrapped underneath and around cleat  300  for purposes of securing strings  250  to cleat  300 . Such preferred distance or gap may be between 0.1-1 cm. Accordingly, intersection points  301  to cleat  300  may be connectors descending perpendicularly from cleat  300  towards the inside face  212 A of scoop  212 . One skilled in the art should readily understand that instead of raising cleat  300 , the inside face of scoop  212  may be molded with one or more recesses or through-holes and the cleat(s) inset into said recesses/holes, likewise protecting the strings/thongs attached thereto. However, this scoop configuration is less durable as described above. 
         [0037]    While the preferred embodiment herein includes four struts  301  for support in addition to lip  222 , it will be understood that two or more struts  301  may be used as a matter of design choice to maintain a desired spacing between adjacent strings  250  that are strung in between struts  301 . Cleat  300  (or series of discrete cleats) preferably extends at least one half of the length of scoop  212 , and more preferably approximately 75-90% of the length of scoop  212 . Cleat  300  is preferably centered along the length of scoop  212  to accommodate attachment of strings  250  for any variation of stringing design desired by the manufacturer or player. 
         [0038]    While TPU is disclosed herein as the preferred material for cleat  300 , it will be understood that cleat  300  may be formed of any material with sufficient elasticity and strength to withstand repeated impact, abrasion and tugging as head  204  makes impacts with the ground and/or other pieces of equipment. In addition or as an alternative to TPU, cleat  300  may be made of Utechllan/Elastollan, TPU/TPR/TPE (Hytrel), Nylon (PA6 or PA12), Acetal (Delrin), or Polypropylene Silicone, or even metal (e.g., stainless) wire. 
         [0039]    An alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown with reference to  FIGS. 9A-B . As shown therein, improvements to the durability and lifespan of a lacrosse stick head may be realized through the use of a cleat insert  400  in substantially the same configuration as integral cleat  300 . Cleat insert  400  is designed to be insert molded into the inside face  212 A of scoop  212  to provide an attachment point for vertically-oriented strings  250  and/or top string  119 . In a preferred embodiment, cleat insert  400  is designed to fit underneath an integral lip  222  on the inside face  212 A of scoop  212  as described above. 
         [0040]    The bottom, pocket facing side of cleat insert  400  is designed to be substantially identical in shape to the cylindrical rod-shaped section of integral cleat  300 , serving as an attachment point for strings  250 . Thus, cleat insert  400  has a bottom rail  401 , which may optionally be broken into two sections as shown in  FIG. 9A  to provide an open space at the bottom edge of cleat insert  400  on top of which lip  222  may rest upon insertion of cleat insert  400  onto the inside face  212 A of scoop  212 . According to the instant embodiment, cleat insert  400  further comprises a top rail  402  sized and shaped to fit cooperatively with the inside face  212 A of scoop  212 , allowing cleat insert  400  to be affixed to inside face  212 A of scoop  212  by insert molding or another means known in the art. In addition, cleat insert  400  preferably comprises one or more (six are shown in  9 A-B) intersection points or connectors  403  securing bottom rail  401  to top rail  403 . As above for integral cleat  300 , intersection points  403  may be spaced along bottom  401  and top  402  rails a suitable distance to allow ease of attachment of one or more strings  250  to lower rail  401  and/or intersection points  403  according to one or more desired stringing configurations. Cleat insert  400  as inserted into head  204  is depicted in  FIG. 9B . In a preferred embodiment, during the insert molding process to attach cleat insert  400  to scoop  212 , the nylon or other material forming scoop  212  envelopes and encapsulates top rail  402  of cleat insert  400 , forming a “spine” in the interior of scoop  212  and providing even more added strength to scoop  212 . 
         [0041]    Additional alternative embodiment to cleat insert  400  are shown in  FIGS. 10-12 . As shown therein, the combination of top  403  and bottom  401  rails and intersection points  403  may be varied based on design preference and to accommodate various stringing configurations or impart additional strength to the interior surface  212 A of scoop  212 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , cleat insert  400  may comprise a single solid bottom rail  401  that fits underneath lip  222  on scoop  212 . As shown in  FIG. 11 , cleat insert  400  may comprise one or more middle rails  404  bridging the gap between adjacent intersection points  403 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 13  illustrates yet another alternative embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, cleat(s)  500  is formed as one or more elongate rods or strings  500  that may be integrally formed, molded-in, or insertable into cutouts or molded-in recesses  501  in scoop  212 . Cutouts/recesses  501  may be advantageously formed through a portion of the thickness of scoop  212  at locations along the length of scoop  212  designed to accept vertically-oriented strings  250 . The remaining, solid portions of scoop  212  may be fitted with a through-hole along the length of scoop  212  through which cleat  500  may be threaded, where cleat  500  is a single continuous member, or with attachment points (not shown) at the sidewalk of cutouts  501  to accept the distal ends of cleats  500 , where cleat  500  is formed of distinct segments. Cutouts  501  may additionally comprise slots  503  that open to the back of scoop  212  to facilitate threading strings  250  around cleats  500 . 
         [0043]    With respect to each of the embodiments described herein, in use, a lacrosse stick pocket is formed by stringing leather or synthetic strings  250  from lower string holes  218  in stop member  214  up to and around cleat  300 / 400 / 500 , at which point they may be tied off or, as shown in  FIGS. 7-8  (with respect to the first embodiment of the present invention), have their ends secured through one or more stringing holes  220  in sidewalls  208 ,  210 . Because strings  250  are not directly attached to, nor strung through holes in, scoop  212 , stringing that has conventionally passed through the scoop and been at risk, to wear and tear during play is no longer susceptible to wearing and tearing to this great of a degree. An additional benefit to this design is the absence of any through-holes directly in scoop  212 , resulting in a solid scoop that is able to withstand greater forces applied to it via contact with the ground and other equipment during play, lowering the instances of cracking or breaking of scoop  112 . Further, cleats  300 / 400 / 500  allows variation in stringing patterns unlike conventional, holed scoops, as the bar-like cleat section offers a variety of locations along its length where stringing can be secured. 
         [0044]    Thus, the present invention addresses scoop stringing wear and tear in a unique manner by enabling a lacrosse head to be strung without using scoop openings, which allows a solid, and thus stronger, scoop, less prone to cracking and breakage. Moreover, a primary advantage of the present invention is that once fully strung, no portion of strings  250  are exposed at the distal end of head  204  past scoop  212 . This prevents undue wear and tear on strings  250  at their attachment points to scoop  212 , which previously represented a weak point of strings  250  due wearing and eventual breakage that is easily exacerbated by sliding or scooping of the head and strings along the ground or other playing surface, a basic fundamental of the game of lacrosse. 
         [0045]    A secondary advantage of the cleats  300 / 400 / 500  according to the present invention is a degree of added “give” from the cleats  300 / 400 / 500  when a ball is caught and tension is created in the pocket. Such additional flexibility or “bounce” to the pocket creates a different feel in catching and throwing the ball during game play, which may be preferred by some players. 
         [0046]    Having now fully set forth the preferred embodiments and certain modifications of the concept underlying the present invention, various other embodiments as well as certain variations and modifications of the embodiments herein shown and described will obviously occur to those skilled in the art upon becoming familiar with said underlying concept. It is to be understood, therefore, that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically set forth in the appended claims.