Abstract:
A lacrosse handle having two sidewalls each with a channel and two arched walls extending between the sidewalls is disclosed herein. The channels contribute to increased gripping ability by the user and overall increased strength of the handle. Each channel is capable of receiving an insert that includes individualized information, for example, a school name or colors. Further, one of the arched walls may have a textured surface and the other arched wall may have a smooth surface to provide the user with a more accurate handle to head orientation than conventional lacrosse handles. In an alternative embodiment, one or more strategic portions of the exterior surface of an otherwise conventional lacrosse handle include texture that provides increased grippage and provides the user with a more accurate handle to head orientation than conventional lacrosse handles.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCED TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present invention is a continuation-in-part application from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/160,147, filed Jun. 10, 2005 and entitled “Lacrosse Handle”, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/578,488, filed Jun. 10, 2004, and entitled “Flower Shaped Handle.” 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention generally relates to the handle portion of a lacrosse stick for use by participants in the sport or game of lacrosse. The present invention, more particularly, relates to a lacrosse handle that has increased impact strength, allows for increased shooting accuracy and allows for a better grip than conventional lacrosse handles. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Original lacrosse handles were constructed of wood. These wooden handles were shaped such that the lacrosse handle and lacrosse head were a single one-piece wood structure. These one-piece wooden lacrosse handles suffered from a variety of disadvantages. Initially, they were susceptible to damage from excess exposure to water. Further, these prior wooden handles were heavy and somewhat cumbersome. Additionally, the wooden handles were also susceptible to breakage. Moreover, because the wood had to be bent to form the single sidewall and the scoop, a significant amount of time was involved in forming or making each of these wooden lacrosse sticks. Accordingly, if any portion of the head or the handle broke or was damaged, the entire wooden stick needed to be replaced, which was a costly endeavor. 
         [0004]    Subsequently, plastic lacrosse heads were developed. Thus, the lacrosse heads and the lacrosse handles were separate components that could be manufactured individually. Moreover, if either the lacrosse handle or the lacrosse head was damaged or broken, each of these components could be individually replaced. 
         [0005]    Thereafter, metal lacrosse handles were developed for engagement with the plastic lacrosse heads. The initial metal handles were relatively heavy, which provided disadvantages from both a playability standpoint as well as from a safety standpoint. These lacrosse handles were constructed of a durable metal, such as aluminum. While these aluminum handles were acceptable from a strength standpoint and are still commonly used today, they are susceptible to damage from external forces. It is known that lacrosse is a fast-paced, high-contact sport and that the lacrosse handles can be subjected to large forces during play, such as when contacted by another stick. Lacrosse handles are most commonly subjected to external forces when a player is checked by an opponent&#39;s stick in an attempt to dislodge the lacrosse ball from the head. Further, if the external force is great enough, the stick can even break. Players, therefore, desire stronger and more durable handles with increased impact strength. 
         [0006]    Therefore, a need exists for a lacrosse handle that has increased strength and durability and provides increased resistance to damage from external forces. It would also be desirable to provide a handle or stick with these characteristics that does not significantly add to the weight of the stick. 
         [0007]    Accordingly, titanium handles were introduced that provided increased strength and resistance to damage from external forces. However, both the titanium and aluminum handles are still susceptible to damage. The damage can be in the form of dents or dings which will typically cause the stick to look worn or used. This is an undesirable feature for many players and can require a player to prematurely replace the handle or render a handle unplayable. Additionally, players seek a lacrosse stick that has an obvious head to handle orientation so that they can very quickly determine the proper grip on their handle. Finally, accuracy is another key element during the play of a lacrosse game. Therefore, players seek a very precise handle having a particular flex characteristic that increases accuracy when shooting the ball. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    It is therefore an advantage of the present invention to provide a lacrosse handle that is stronger and more durable than existing lacrosse handles. 
         [0009]    It is another advantage of the present invention to provide a lacrosse handle that has increased impact strength as compared to prior lacrosse handles. 
         [0010]    It is still another advantage of the present invention to provide a lacrosse handle that gives a player feedback as to the orientation of a lacrosse head attached to the lacrosse handle based solely on how the player grips the handle. 
         [0011]    It is yet another advantage of the present invention to provide a lacrosse handle that provides increased accuracy when shooting or passing a lacrosse ball. 
         [0012]    It is a related advantage of the present invention to provide a lacrosse handle with flex characteristics that allow for increased shooting accuracy. 
         [0013]    It is a further advantage of the present invention to provide a lacrosse handle with a unique cross-section that allows for better grip, which also results in more accurate control of the ball. 
         [0014]    It is yet a further advantage of the present invention to provide a handle with a unique cross-section that provides tactile feedback as to the orientation of an attached lacrosse head during play. 
         [0015]    In accordance with the above and the other advantages of the present invention, the present invention discloses an elongated handle for attachment to a lacrosse head. In one embodiment, the handle includes a first side having a first channel, a second side having a second channel, a first end wall and a second end wall. The first side also includes a first edge and a second edge. Similarly, the second side includes a first edge and a second edge. The first end wall extends between the first edge of the first side and the first edge of the second side. The second end wall extends between the second edge of the first side and the second edge of the second side. The resultant handle has improved strength and resistance to impact. 
         [0016]    In one embodiment, the exterior surface of the first end wall is textured, while the exterior surface of the second end wall has a smooth surface. In another embodiment, the exterior surface of the first end wall is textured, along with a first edge of the first side and a first edge of the second side. The texturing can be accomplished by either modifying the exterior surface of the handle by sand or media blasting to add texture or through the application of a surface structure to the exterior surface. 
         [0017]    In yet another embodiment, a soft grip-type decal is applied to strategic areas of the lacrosse handle that are routinely gripped by a player. Preferably, such a decal includes raised grippy ribs or similar detail. Preferred methods for applying the decal to the handle include using solution transfer or water transfer. 
         [0018]    In still another embodiment, a textured paint or powdercoat (with or without a high traction additive such as glass bead aggregate), is spray applied to the lacrosse handle in strategic areas that are routinely gripped by a player during use. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]    The present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the following drawings. 
           [0020]      FIG. 1  illustrates a front view of a lacrosse handle with an attached lacrosse head in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of a lacrosse handle in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the lacrosse handle of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  illustrates a front view of a lacrosse handle in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  illustrates a front view of a lacrosse handle in accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0025]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , the lacrosse stick of one embodiment of the present invention is generally referred to as reference number  10  and includes an elongated handle  12  that attaches to a lacrosse head  40 . In one embodiment, the handle  12  is generally hollow and is constructed of a metallic material, such as aluminum or titanium. It will be understood that the handle  12  can take on a variety of other configurations, i.e. solid or partially solid. Further, the handle  12  can be formed of a variety of other suitable materials, such as graphite, other composite materials, or plastic. The handle  12  has a first side or sidewall  14  and a second side or sidewall  16 . 
         [0026]    Each of the sidewalls  14 ,  16  includes a respective channel  18 ,  20 . Further, each sidewall  14 ,  16  has a first edge  22 ,  24  located at an upper edge of the respective channel  18 ,  20 , and a second edge  26 ,  28  located at a lower edge of the respective channel  18 ,  20 . A first end wall  30  extends between and connects the first edge  22  of the first sidewall  14  and the first edge  24  of the second sidewall  16 . Similarly, there is a second end wall  32  that extends between the second edge  26  of the first sidewall  14  and the second edge  28  of the second sidewall  16 . The end wall walls  30 ,  32  are preferably oriented such that they are arched and bow out or curve away from each other and the sidewalls to which they connect. It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the walls  30 ,  32  can take on a variety of different configurations as desired. 
         [0027]    Each of the channels  18 ,  20  preferably is set back with respect to the respective sidewall  14 ,  16  in which it is formed. The channels  18 ,  20  preferably extend along the length of the handle. However, the channels  18 ,  20  may extend along less than all of the entire length as desired. Each channel  18 ,  20  includes a bottom channel wall  42 ,  44 . The bottom channel wall  42  extends between and connects the first edge  22  and the second edge  26  of the first sidewall  14 . The bottom channel wall  44  extends between and connects the first edge  24  and the second edge  28  of the second sidewall  16 . The bottom channel walls  42 ,  44  are preferably curved, but may alternatively take on a variety of different configurations. Because the bottom channel walls  42 ,  44  are disposed inwardly or set back with respect to the sidewalls  14 ,  16  they provide increase strength and impact resistance to the handle  12 , particularly from contact to either end wall  30 ,  32  of the handle  12 . Further, this channel configuration allows the handle to flex due to their set back configuration which provides a handle with more whip. 
         [0028]    Each of the end walls  30 ,  32  has an exterior surface. In one embodiment, the exterior surface of the end wall  30  is textured, as generally represented by reference number  33  while the exterior surface of the end wall  32  has a smooth surface as generally represented by reference numeral  37 . The end wall  30 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , is illustrated as the upper wall, while the end wall  32  is illustrated as the lower wall. However, it will be understood that this is for purposes of illustration only and that the end walls  30 ,  32  may be oriented such that either may be disposed as the top surface or the bottom surface of the handle  12 . 
         [0029]    Further, the textured surface extends between a portion of the first sidewall  14  and a portion of the second sidewall  16 . Specifically, referring to the first sidewall  14 , the area  39  between the first sidewall  14  first edge  22  to the first channel  18  is also preferably textured. Similarly, the area  49  on the second sidewall  16  between the first edge  24  and the second channel  20  is also textured. It will also be understood that the texture may extend along the end wall  30  along the entire length of the handle. Alternatively, the texture may instead be disposed over only a substantial part of the end wall  30 . Further, the texture may be located on the end wall  30  at only select locations along the length of the handle  12 , such as in locations where a player&#39;s hands typically contact a lacrosse handle during play. One of ordinary skill in the art will understand these locations. Similarly, the texture may extend over the entire length or only a portion of the first sidewall  14  and/or the second sidewall  16 . 
         [0030]    The smooth surface also extends between and connects a portion of the first sidewall  14  and a portion of the second sidewall  16 . The area  59  between the second edge  26  of the first sidewall  14  and the first channel  18  is preferably smooth and the area  69  between the second edge  28  and the second sidewall  16  to the second channel  20  is smooth. In other words, half of the first sidewall  14  is smooth and half of the first sidewall  14  is textured. Similarly, half of the second sidewall  16  is smooth and half of the second sidewall  16  is textured. It will be understood that instead of a texture, a surface structure can be located on one side of the handle. Other textured surface to smooth surface configurations may be utilized. 
         [0031]    Since half of the handle  12  is textured and the other half is smooth, the user or player has a much better handle to head orientation during play. Moreover, a texture on one side or half of the handle provides a player with a better grip on the stick for improved ball handling as well and improved shooting and passing accuracy. In other words, depending upon where or how the texture contacts the player&#39;s hands, it provides the player with tactile feedback as to the orientation of the attached head. One method of adding texture to the textured area is through sand blasting. However, a variety of other methods for forming the textured surface may be utilized. 
         [0032]    The player can decide how to position the textured surface relative to the lacrosse head. For instance, in  FIG. 1 , the smooth surface  37  is shown positioned adjacent to the front face of the lacrosse head  40 . It should be understood that the textured surface  33  could be positioned adjacent to the front face of the lacrosse head  40 . 
         [0033]    Both channels  18 ,  20  along each of the sidewalls  14 ,  16  serve multiple purposes. One purpose is to provide an additional gripping surface on the handle  12 . Another purpose is to receive an insert  34 ,  36 . The inserts  34 ,  36  might be long, thin strips of plastic. Further, the inserts  34 ,  36  may extend the whole length of the channel. However, it will be understood that the inserts  34 ,  36  may instead extend along only a portion of the channels  18 ,  20 . In one embodiment, the inserts  34 ,  36  can have writing or include color and are for purposes of aesthetics. Some examples include, but are not limited to, the name of the handle manufacturer, the name of the player&#39;s team, or a team&#39;s colors. The inserts are preferably releaseably engageable with each channel  18 ,  20 . Still another purpose is to provide a handle with increased flex. 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , first insert  34  is shown located within the first channel  18  and the second insert  36  is shown located within the second channel  20 . Although a total of two inserts are shown with, one in each channel, it is to be understood that there could be only one insert used in one of the channels while the other channel is left empty. Further, multiple inserts can be disposed in each channel at a given time. 
         [0035]    The handle  12  has a first distal end  54  and a second distal end  56 . The lacrosse head  40  is attached to the handle  12  at its first distal end  54  and an end cap  52  is attached to the handle  12  at the second distal end  56 . 
         [0036]    Referring now to  FIG. 4  an alternative embodiment in accordance with the present invention are illustrated wherein a conventional lacrosse handle  80  that is comprised of a long tube that is construed of a metal, polymeric or composite material. The handle  80  is preferably typically constructed of titanium or aluminum and formed by conventional metal forming process. The handle  80  has a first end  82  that is intended to engage a socket of a lacrosse head and a second end  84  that opposes the first end  82 . The second end  84  typically has a butt cap  86  fitted thereon. The handle  80  is preferably generally octagonal in shape as it has eight sides. This allows the handle  84  to fit easily into octagonal shaped socket of the lacrosse head. Further, the handle  80  has an outer wall portion  88  that forms the periphery of the handle and a hollow interior  90  that is bounded by the outer wall portion  88 . The outer wall portion  88  in these prior art heads has a constant thickness throughout the octagonal shape and is substantially smooth. 
         [0037]    In the present invention, a portion of the outer wall portion  88  is modified from a smooth outer wall portion  88  to create a texturized outer surface  92 . Preferably, the texturized outer surface  92  is produced by media blasting the smooth outer wall portion  88  with a granular material such as sand. The texturized outer surface  92  is sufficiently rough to provide improved grippage to a player. In addition, the texturized outer surface  92  is provided not along the entire length of the handle, but only along portions of the handle that a player typically grips during play. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the texturized outer surface  92  is provided in close proximity to the first end  82  and in close proximity to the second end  84  of the handle, with a middle portion  85  between the first end  82  and second end  84  untexturized, (i.e. maintained as the smooth outer surface portion  88 ). 
         [0038]    In another alternative embodiment as shown in  FIG. 5 , a textured surface structure  94  is introduced onto strategic portions of the smooth outer wall portion  88  to provide increased grip to a player. For example, the textured surface structure  94  can be a soft grip-type decal  96  is applied to strategic areas of the lacrosse handle that are routinely gripped by a player. Preferably, such a decal  96  includes raised grippy ribs  98  or similar detail. Preferred methods for applying the decal to the handle include using solution transfer or water transfer. 
         [0039]    Alternatively, a textured paint or powdercoat  100  (with or without a high traction additive such as glass bead aggregate), is spray applied to the smooth outer wall portion  88  lacrosse handle in strategic areas that are routinely gripped by a player during use. 
         [0040]    As with the embodiment in  FIG. 4 , the texturized surface structure  94  is provided in close proximity to the first end  82  and in close proximity to the second end  84  of the handle, with a middle portion  85  between the first end  82  and second end  84  untexturized, (i.e. maintained as the smooth outer surface portion  88 ). In addition, a section  87  of the first end  82  of the handle, preferably the top portion  87  that is located on the surface of the handle  80  that corresponds to the open front portion of a lacrosse head when attached thereto, is preferably untexturized (i.e. maintained as a smooth outer surface  88  without either the decal  96  or with the texturized paint or powdercoat  100 ). This section  87  facilitates easier masking for applying the texturized surface structure  94  to the remainder of the first end  82 . 
         [0041]    Of course, in alternative embodiments not shown, a combination of the texturization taught in  FIGS. 4 and 5  may be introduced to the lacrosse handle. For example, a texturized outer surface  92  may be applied to a first end  82 , and a texturized surface structure  94  to the second end  84 , or vice-versa, and still fall within the spirit of the present invention. 
         [0042]    Moreover, a portion of the middle portion  85  between the first end  82  and  84  may also include either the texturized outer surface  92  or texturized surface structure  94  and also fall within the spirit of the present invention. In these embodiments, the texturization provides improved grippage to a player who is holding the lacrosse handle in a somewhat non-traditional method. 
         [0043]    While the present invention has been described in what is presently considered to be its most practical and preferred embodiment or implementation, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiment. On the contrary, the present invention is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures as is permitted under the law.