Patent Publication Number: US-7591744-B2

Title: Lacrosse head

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/755,858 filed on Jan. 12, 2004 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,994,640, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/187,769 filed on Jul. 2, 2002 now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,676,547. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to lacrosse heads, and more particularly to lacrosse heads having increased ball retention capabilities and improved shooting and passing accuracy. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Lacrosse heads for use in the game of lacrosse are well-known and take on a variety of configurations. Current lacrosse heads are typically manufactured by injection molding processes and are secured to a metal lacrosse handle for use in play. The structure of current lacrosse heads is commonly defined by a base portion that is disposed adjacent to the connection of the handle, a pair of opposing sidewall portions that diverge from the base portion, and a scoop portion that connects the ends of the pair of opposing sidewall portions opposite the base portion. Lacrosse heads are also intended to receive a netting thereon that connects to the base portion, the pair of opposing sidewall portions, and the scoop portion. The netting is intended to retain a lacrosse ball therein. 
     The scoop portions on current lacrosse heads have a generally smooth and planar inner surface. The smooth planar inner surface is intended to facilitate scooping of ground balls. As is also known, lacrosse heads for use by women are not allowed to have a pocket formed in the netting. As such, when the ball is thrown or passed, it typically contacts the inner surface of the scoop as it is being caused to exit the head. The smooth planar inner surface of the scoop thus assists this action. 
     It is also understood that certain players, besides those mandated by rules, prefer to string their lacrosse heads with shallow pockets or no pockets. This is done by a variety of different players, including quick forwards or players who desire a quicker release of the lacrosse ball and those who desire the ability to pass over longer distances. The lacrosse ball typically also contacts the scoop portion of the lacrosse head as it exits the head. Therefore, the smooth planar inner surface similarly assists these players with these actions. 
     A drawback of these lacrosse heads having a scoop with a smooth inner surface is that the lacrosse ball may slide or skid laterally across the smooth surface of the scoop portion as it is being thrown. As a result, the user&#39;s line of throwing may be skewed thereby decreasing his accuracy while passing and shooting. 
     In addition, the smooth surface may cause the lacrosse ball to slide or skid across the scoop portion in a manner that allows the lacrosse ball to be flung through the air with relatively little or no spin. As is known in the art, a lacrosse ball travelling through the air with relatively little or no spin can take an erratic path thereby further decreasing the user&#39;s accuracy. It is also known that a lacrosse ball without spin travels slower through the air than one having spin. 
     Furthermore, existing scoop portions are sufficiently flat across their lateral width such that the lacrosse ball may be thrown from a corner of the lacrosse head where the scoop portion connects to either of the sidewall portions. Throwing the lacrosse ball in this manner does not allow for precise throws. Instead, this type of throwing may skew the user&#39;s line of throwing and decrease his accuracy. It is typically desirable to throw the ball in a manner such that the ball rolls off a center section of the scoop portion. Moreover, the lacrosse ball can inadvertently fall out of the head at one of the corners because of its flat configuration. 
     Existing sidewall portions of lacrosse heads are sufficiently flat such that the lacrosse ball may inadvertently roll off one of the sidewall portions out of the lacrosse head, such as when a player is being checked. Such an adverse effect typically occurs while cradling the ball in a lacrosse head having a shallow pocket. Some lacrosse heads have been manufactured with ball retention ribs or ridges However, these structures are located along the upper rim and thus can decrease the effective catching area of the lacrosse head. 
     Therefore, it would be advantageous to provide a lacrosse head that allows for accurate, high velocity throwing, in addition to improved ball retention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a lacrosse head that provides improved ball retention capabilities as well as improved throwing accuracy. The lacrosse head includes a pair of opposing sidewall portions each having a top end, a bottom end, and an inner intermediate section. The inner intermediate section of each of the sidewalls has a shelf integrally formed therein for retaining a lacrosse ball within the frame of the head. The top ends of the opposing sidewall portions are connected to each other by a scoop portion. The scoop portion has a non-skid surface formed thereon, which creates friction for the lacrosse ball as it exits the head. The bottom ends of the opposing sidewall portions are connected by a base portion. 
     One advantage of the present invention is that the lacrosse head provides a user with improved throwing accuracy. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is that the lacrosse head allows a user to throw the lacrosse ball with greater velocity. 
     Yet another advantage of the present invention is that the lacrosse head allows a user to easily retain the ball within the head while a user is cradling the ball and/or running. 
     Still another advantage of the present invention is that the lacrosse head allows the user to scoop the ball into the head easier. 
     Other advantages of the present invention will become apparent when viewed in light of the detailed description of the preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the attached drawings and appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a lacrosse head having a shallow pocket according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of a lacrosse head having a shallow pocket according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of a lacrosse head having a shallow pocket according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom view of a lacrosse head having a shallow pocket according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of a lacrosse head having a shallow pocket according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of a scoop portion of the lacrosse head shown in  FIG. 5 , as taken along line  6 - 6 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of a sidewall portion of the lacrosse head shown in  FIG. 5 , as taken along line  7 - 7 ; and 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the lacrosse head shown in  FIG. 5 , as taken along line  8 - 8 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In the following figures, the same reference numerals are used to identify the same components in the various views. 
     Referring primarily to  FIGS. 1 through 4 , there are generally shown views of a lacrosse head  10  having a pocket  12  with shallow depth according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The lacrosse head  10  preferably is a single integral piece including a pair of opposing sidewall portions  14 , a scoop portion  16  extending between the top ends of the sidewall portions  14 , and a base portion  18  extending between the bottom ends of the sidewall portions  14 , with the sidewall portions  14  diverging from the base portion  18 . The pair of opposing sidewall portions  14 , the scoop portion  16 , and the base portion  18  together form a frame. The frame is preferably comprised of a plastic material and the frame is preferably formed by injection molding processes. Of course, it is understood that the lacrosse head  10  may be constructed in various other suitable ways from other materials, and from other manufacturing processes. 
     Typically, either a traditional pocket  12  (as shown in  FIGS. 1 through 5 ) or a mesh pocket extends between and is supported by the sidewall portions  14 , the scoop portion  16 , and the base portion  18  for retaining a lacrosse ball within the head. Obviously, pockets made from other materials and attached in a variety of ways may be utilized. The pocket  12  preferably has a shallow depth for allowing quick release and long distance throws. Fast break lacrosse players typically adjust their pocket depth accordingly for enabling these results. Moreover, it is known in the art that women&#39;s lacrosse heads also typically have pockets with shallow depth, as is regulated by rule. However, it is understood that players may desire or require lacrosse heads having pockets of shallow depth for a variety of different reasons. 
     As is known in the art, a pocket  12  having shallow depth typically causes the lacrosse ball to be thrown off or contact the scoop portion  16  as it is exiting the lacrosse head  10 . Of course, a variety of other pocket depths may cause the lacrosse ball to be thrown off the scoop portion  16 . Thus, while the invention disclosed herein is preferably for use with a lacrosse head having a shallow pocket, such as a lacrosse head for use in women&#39;s play, it can be utilized with any other lacrosse head. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , there are shown, respectively, a front view and a cross-sectional view of the lacrosse head  10  that best illustrate the scoop portion  16  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The scoop portion  16  preferably includes a non-skid surface formed thereon for gripping a lacrosse ball that comes in contact with it. Preferably the non-skid surface is a plurality of nubs  20  formed on the scoop portion  16 . However, it is understood that various types of textured surfaces and materials may be employed for providing friction between the lacrosse ball and the scoop portion  16 . For example, the non-skid surface can be created by application of a separate coating or the no-skid surface may result from the material for which the head is manufactured. It will also be understood that the non-skid surface can be located anywhere on the head, including the ball stop area or the sidewalls. Moreover, the non-skid surface may be applied by an overmolding process. 
     The nubs  20  preferably are integral parts of the scoop portion  16  of the lacrosse head  10 , but may be otherwise as desired. For example, a strip of plastic having nubs formed thereon may be attached or otherwise adhered to existing scoop portions of lacrosse heads. The nubs  20  are preferably hemispherical protrusions extending from the surface of the scoop portion  16 . Of course, it is understood that the nubs  20  may comprise other suitable shapes other than hemispherical, such as rectangular, square, oval, or conical. Moreover, while nubs  20  are the preferred surface deformity, other surface deformities or irregularities may be utilized, including dimples. Further, the non-skid structures can be created by post manufacturing processes, such as by overmolding. 
     These nubs  20  or other surface unevenness are interspersed across the scoop portion  16  to allow for increased gripping on a lacrosse ball thrown off the scoop portion  16 . In other words, the nubs  20  impart friction to the lacrosse ball, which can prevent it from slipping as well as imparting spin thereto. The density of nubs  20  per square inch is sufficient to provide the maximum amount of grip on the lacrosse ball. For example, there are preferably thirty (30) nubs  20  disposed within a square inch of the scoop portion  16 . However, a variety of other patterns may be utilized. Moreover, the number of structures in a given area may also vary as desired. The nubs  20  are preferably dispersed over a substantial or large portion of the scoop  16 . However, it will be understood that the nubs  20  may be selectively positioned along certain advantageous portions of the scoop  16 , such as the center section, which primarily contacts the lacrosse ball. 
     As the user throws a lacrosse ball off the scoop portion  16 , the nubs  20  grip the lacrosse ball and prevent it from sliding off the scoop portion  16  as well as prevent it from sliding laterally or side-to-side. Instead, the nubs  20  cause the lacrosse ball to roll off the scoop portion  16  with a substantial amount of spin. A person skilled in the art will understand that applying spin to the lacrosse ball produces aerodynamic conditions which enable the lacrosse ball to travel through the air with greater velocity than it would without spin. The nubs  20  also will assist a player in scooping up a lacrosse ball as opposed to pushing it across the ground because the non-skid surface provides a better grip for the lacrosse ball. This is because of the friction applied to the ball causing it to rotate into the head instead of skidding. 
     In addition, the user&#39;s accuracy is improved when spin is applied to the lacrosse ball. It is known in the art that lacrosse balls thrown without spin can take erratic paths, which can cause them to miss their intended target. On the other hand, lacrosse balls thrown with spin follow predictable paths and consequently allow for greater throwing accuracy by the user. 
     The scoop portion  16  also preferably includes a ledge portion  22  including a pair of slanted surfaces  24 . Preferably, the slanted surfaces  24  are formed by increasing the thickness of the scoop portion  16 . The slanted surfaces  24  are intended to contact the lacrosse ball and direct it back into the pocket preventing a ball from inadvertently exiting the head in the corner areas of the scoop. The lacrosse ball  10  can then be thrown off a center section  26  of the scoop portion  16  thereby allowing for an improved direct line of throwing and consequently greater throwing accuracy. It is known in the art that the user&#39;s throwing accuracy is improved when the lacrosse ball is thrown from the center section of the scoop portion  16 . 
     Preferably, two opposing slanted surfaces  24  are integrated within opposite ends of the scoop portion  16  adjacent to the sidewall portions  14 . However, it is understood that more or less slanted surfaces  24  may be integrated within the same or different areas of the scoop portion  16  as desired. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , there are shown, respectively, a side view and a cross-sectional view of one of sidewall portions  14 , each having a shelf  28  formed therein according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The shelf  28  is intended to contact the lacrosse ball and thereby assist the user in retaining the lacrosse ball within the lacrosse head  10  as the user cradles the lacrosse ball or as the lacrosse head is being checked. As is known in the art, it is particularly difficult to retain a lacrosse ball within conventional lacrosse heads that are strung with a pocket of shallow depth. In this regard, the shelves  28  that are integrally formed in each sidewall portion  14  are intended to improve the user&#39;s ability to retain the lacrosse ball within the lacrosse head  10 . Of course, it is understood that the shelves  28  improve ball retention for pockets that have various degrees of depth. 
     Preferably, each shelf  28  is formed within an inner intermediate section  30  of each sidewall portion  14 . The inner intermediate section  30  preferably is the part of the sidewall portions  14  that is most frequently in contact with the lacrosse ball as the user cradles the lacrosse ball. However, it is understood that shelves  28  may be formed within other sections of the sidewall portions  14 . The shelf  28  is preferably configured such that an upper portion  32  of the sidewall portion  14  extends further inwardly than a lower portion  34  of the sidewall portion  14  in the intermediate section  30 . Obviously, the shelf  28  can take on a variety of different configurations. 
     While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, numerous variations and alternate embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention be limited only in terms of the appended claims.