Patent Publication Number: US-2009239688-A1

Title: System and method for providing a lacrosse stick mesh

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is generally directed to the manufacture of lacrosse sticks and in particular, to a system and method for providing an improved lacrosse stick mesh. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Lacrosse is a team sport in which each player uses a netted stick (referred to as a crosse) in order to pass and catch a hard rubber ball. In a manner similar to the game of ice hockey, points are scored by causing the ball to pass through the goal of the opposing team. Lacrosse is also sometimes referred to as field hockey. 
     A lacrosse stick comprises a handle portion and a head portion. The handle portion generally comprises an elongated stick that is usually about three feet in length. The head portion of the lacrosse stick is affixed to one end of the handle portion. The head portion comprises a frame to which a flexible net or web is affixed. The flexible net is used to catch, hold and throw a lacrosse ball. The flexible net of a lacrosse stick is sometimes referred to as a mesh. 
     An example of a prior art lacrosse stick head  100  is illustrated in  FIG. 1 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , lacrosse stick head  100  comprises a lacrosse stick head frame  105  that is composed of sidewalls  110 , a scoop portion  120  and a base  130 . The base  130  of the frame  105  is formed with portions that receive one end of a lacrosse stick (not shown in  FIG. 1 ). The frame  105  may be affixed to the lacrosse stick through the base  130 . A side view of the prior art lacrosse stick head  100  is shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1  and in  FIG. 2 , a lacrosse stick mesh  140  is attached to the portions of the lacrosse stick head frame  105 . The string portions of the lacrosse stick mesh  140  form a plurality of apertures  150  through the lacrosse stick mesh  140 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the lacrosse stick mesh  140  has portions that extend below the level of the lacrosse stick frame  150 . As is well known, these portions of the lacrosse stick mesh  140  form a pocket for catching and holding a lacrosse ball. A lacrosse player throws the lacrosse ball out of the pocket by swinging the lacrosse stick. As shown in  FIG. 1  and in  FIG. 2 , a prior art lacrosse stick mesh  140  is usually formed with apertures  150  that have an equilateral diamond shape. 
     The overall performance of a lacrosse stick may be improved by selecting an optimum shape for the apertures in a lacrosse stick mesh. There is therefore a need in the art for a system and method that is capable of improving the performance of a lacrosse stick by providing an improvement in the design of a lacrosse stick mesh. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     To address the above-discussed deficiencies of the prior art, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improvement in the design of a lacrosse stick mesh. 
     An advantageous embodiment of the invention comprises a lacrosse stick mesh in which each aperture of the mesh has the form of an extended diamond shape. The extended diamond shape of each aperture has a greater length in a vertical direction than in a horizontal direction. The vertical direction is the direction in which the lacrosse ball is thrown from the pocket of the lacrosse stick mesh. The lacrosse stick mesh of the present invention has more surface area that is in contact with a lacrosse ball in the vertical direction when the lacrosse ball is in the mesh pocket. When a player swings the lacrosse stick to impart force to the lacrosse ball and throws the lacrosse ball from the mesh pocket, more of the force is imparted to the ball in the vertical direction by the lacrosse stick mesh than would be imparted if the apertures of the lacrosse stick mesh were formed having prior art aperture shapes. 
     The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention so that those skilled in the art may better understand the detailed description of the invention that follows. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the conception and the specific embodiment disclosed as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form. 
     Before undertaking the Detailed Description of the Invention below, it may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used throughout this patent document: the terms “include” and “comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation; the term “or,” is inclusive, meaning and/or; the phrases “associated with” and “associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like. Definitions for certain words and phrases are provided throughout this patent document, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that in many, if not most instances, such definitions apply to prior uses, as well as future uses, of such defined words and phrases. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of the present invention and its advantages, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a plan view of an exemplary prior art lacrosse stick head; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a side view of the exemplary prior art lacrosse stick head shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a plan view of an advantageous embodiment of a lacrosse stick mesh constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a photograph of an advantageous embodiment of a lacrosse stick mesh that is constructed in accordance with the principles of the lacrosse stick mesh that is illustrated in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a plan view of an advantageous embodiment of a lacrosse stick head that is constructed in accordance with the principles of the lacrosse stick mesh that is illustrated in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an advantageous embodiment of a lacrosse stick mesh in accordance with the principles of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 7  illustrates another advantageous embodiment of a lacrosse stick mesh in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIGS. 3 through 7  and the various embodiments used to describe the principles of the present invention in this patent document are by way of illustration only and should not be construed in any way to limit the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of the present invention may be implemented in any type of suitably arranged lacrosse stick head. To simplify the drawings the reference numerals from previous drawings will sometimes not be repeated for structures that have already been identified. 
       FIG. 3  is a plan view of an advantageous embodiment of a lacrosse stick mesh  300  constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 3 , each aperture ( 310 ,  345 ) of the mesh  300  has the form of an extended diamond shape. An extended diamond shape is a diamond shape that has a greater length in a first direction than in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction. 
     For example, consider the exemplary extended diamond shape  310  that is shown in  FIG. 3 . The length  315  of the vertical direction of the extended diamond shape  310  is greater than the length  320  of horizontal direction of the extended diamond shape  310 . In the exemplary extended diamond shape  310  that is shown in  FIG. 3  the length  315  of the vertical direction is approximately fifty percent (50%) greater than the length  320  of the horizontal direction. For example, if the horizontal length  320  is eight (8) units in length, then the vertical length  315  is twelve (12) units in length. 
     It is understood that the given example of a fifty percent (50%) greater length is only one example of one advantageous embodiment of the invention. It is understood that other values of dimension may also be employed in other advantageous embodiments of the invention and that the invention is not specifically limited to the fifty percent (50%) example for the extended diamond shape  310 . 
     Each extended diamond shape  310  in the mesh  300  is arranged so that it is parallel to the other extended diamond shapes  310  in the mesh  300 . Each extended diamond shape  310  is formed by and bounded by four mesh strings ( 325 ,  330 ,  335 ,  340 ). As shown in  FIG. 3 , the upper left mesh string  325  of the extended diamond shape  310  extends from the left end of the horizontal length  320  to the top end of the vertical length  315 . The upper right mesh string  330  extends from the right end of the horizontal length  320  to the top end of the vertical length  315 . The lower left mesh string  335  of the extended diamond shape  310  extends from the left end of the horizontal length  320  to the bottom end of the vertical length  315 . The lower right mesh string  340  extends from the right end of the horizontal length  320  to the bottom end of the vertical length  315 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , in addition to the extended diamond shapes  310  in the mesh  300 , there are also extended diamond shapes  345  in the mesh  300 . The length  350  of the vertical direction of the extended diamond shape  345  is greater than the length  355  of horizontal direction of the extended diamond shape  345 . In the exemplary extended diamond shape  345  that is shown in  FIG. 3  the vertical length  350  is approximately fifty percent (50%) greater than the horizontal length  355 . For example, if the horizontal length  355  is eight (8) units in length, then the vertical length  350  is twelve (12) units in length. 
     As previously mentioned, it is understood that the given example of a fifty percent (50%) greater length is only one example of one advantageous embodiment of the invention. It is understood that other values of dimension may also be employed in other advantageous embodiments of the invention and that the invention is not specifically limited to the fifty percent (50%) example for the extended diamond shape  345 . 
     Each extended diamond shape  345  in the mesh  300  is arranged so that it is parallel to the other extended diamond shapes  345  in the mesh  300 . Each extended diamond shape  345  is formed by and bounded by four mesh strings ( 360 ,  365 ,  370 ,  375 ). As shown in  FIG. 3 , the upper left mesh string  360  of the extended diamond shape  345  extends from the left end of the horizontal length  355  to the top end of the vertical length  350 . The upper right mesh string  365  extends from the right end of the horizontal length  355  to the top end of the vertical length  350 . The lower left mesh string  370  of the extended diamond shape  345  extends from the left end of the horizontal length  355  to the bottom end of the vertical length  350 . The lower right mesh string  375  extends from the right end of the horizontal length  350  to the bottom end of the vertical length  350 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the extended diamond shapes  310  and the extended diamond shapes  345  in the mesh  300  form a complementary set of extended diamond shapes. The complementary set of extended diamond shapes provides a mesh  300  that has apertures ( 310 ,  345 ) that have a greater dimension in the vertical direction than in the horizontal direction 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the extended diamond shape apertures  310  form a first plurality of extended diamond shape apertures  310  wherein each aperture  310  has a vertical length  315  that is greater than a horizontal length  320  that is perpendicular to the vertical length  315  and wherein the extended portion of each extended diamond shape aperture  310  extends toward the bottom of the extended diamond shape of aperture  310 . 
     As also shown in  FIG. 3 , the extended diamond shape apertures  345  form a second plurality of extended diamond shape apertures  345  wherein each aperture  345  has a vertical length  350  that is greater than a horizontal length  355  that is perpendicular to the vertical length  350  and wherein the extended portion of each extended diamond shape aperture  345  extends toward the top of the extended diamond shape of aperture  345 . 
     This feature provides more contact area between the lacrosse ball and the mesh  300  in the vertical direction. The vertical direction is the direction in which a lacrosse ball is thrown from the pocket that is formed by the mesh  300 . The mesh  300  comprises a plurality of mesh strings ( 335 ,  340 ,  360 ,  365 ) that have a larger vertical component that is in contact with a lacrosse ball in the vertical direction (when the lacrosse ball is in the pocket that is formed by the mesh  300 ) than the corresponding horizontal component. When the player swings the lacrosse stick to impart force to the lacrosse ball and throws the lacrosse ball from the pocket, more of the force is imparted to the ball in the vertical direction by the mesh  300  than would be imparted if the apertures of the mesh were formed having prior art aperture shapes. 
       FIG. 4  is a photograph of the advantageous embodiment of the lacrosse stick mesh  300  that is constructed in accordance with the principles of the lacrosse stick mesh  300  that is shown in  FIG. 3 . The photograph in  FIG. 4  shows that there are more mesh strings of the mesh  300  aligned in the vertical direction (the direction in which the lacrosse ball is thrown) than in the horizontal direction. As previously mentioned, this means that there is an increased area of the mesh  300  that is in contact with the lacrosse ball in the direction in which the player will impart throwing force to the lacrosse ball. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a plan view of an advantageous embodiment of a lacrosse stick head  500  that is constructed in accordance with the principles of the lacrosse stick mesh  300  that is illustrated in  FIG. 3 . Lacrosse stick head  500  of the invention comprises a lacrosse stick head frame  505  that is composed of sidewalls  510 , a scoop portion  520  and a base  530 . The base  530  of the frame  505  is formed with portions that receive one end of a lacrosse stick (not shown in  FIG. 5 ). The frame  505  may be affixed to the lacrosse stick through the base  530 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the lacrosse stick mesh  300  is attached to the portions of the lacrosse stick head frame  505 . The string portions of the lacrosse stick mesh  300  form a plurality of apertures ( 310 ,  345 ) through the lacrosse stick mesh  300 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the lacrosse stick mesh  300  of the invention is formed with apertures ( 310 ,  345 ) that have an extended diamond shape in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
     The present invention uses two mesh strings ( 325 ,  330 ) to form the non-extended end of the apertures  310  and two mesh strings ( 370 ,  375 ) to form the non-extended end of the apertures  345 . It is understood that three (or more) mesh strings could be used in place of the two mesh strings. It is understood that the definition of an extended diamond shape includes such modifications to form the apertures  310  and to form the apertures  345 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an advantageous embodiment of a lacrosse stick mesh  600  in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The lacrosse stick mesh  600  comprises three portions  610 ,  620  and  630 . The first portion  610  forms a central vertical portion of the lacrosse stick mesh  600 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the first portion  610  comprises a lacrosse stick mesh in which the string portions of the lacrosse stick mesh form a plurality of apertures that have an extended diamond shape in the manner that has been previously described. 
     The second portion  620  and the third portion  630  of the lacrosse stick mesh  600  form a left edge vertical portion and a right edge vertical portion, respectively, of the lacrosse stick mesh  600 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the second portion  620  and the third portion  630  each comprise a lacrosse stick mesh in which the string portions of the lacrosse stick mesh form a plurality of apertures that have an extended diamond shape in the manner that has been previously described. 
     The size of the apertures in the first portion  610  of the lacrosse stick mesh  600  is smaller than the size of the apertures in the second portion  620  and the third portion  630  of the lacrosse stick mesh  600 . In one advantageous embodiment of the invention, the size of the apertures in the second portion  620  and the third portion  630  are twice the size of the apertures in the first portion  610 . 
     It is understood, however, that the invention is not limited to this specific example. It is understood that the size of the apertures in the three portions ( 610 ,  620 ,  630 ) of the lacrosse stick mesh  600  may be selected to have other dimensions as well. For example, the size of the apertures in the second portion  620  and the third portion  630  may be three times the size of the apertures in the first portion  610 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates another advantageous embodiment of a lacrosse stick mesh  700  in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The portion of the lacrosse stick mesh  700  that is shown in  FIG. 7  comprises portions  710 ,  720 ,  730  and  740 . The first portion  710  forms a first horizontal portion of the lacrosse stick mesh  700 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the first portion  710  comprises a lacrosse stick mesh in which the string portions of the lacrosse stick mesh form a plurality of apertures that have an extended diamond shape in the manner that has been previously described. 
     The second portion  720  forms a second horizontal portion of the lacrosse stick mesh  700 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the second portion  720  comprises a lacrosse stick mesh in which the string portions of the lacrosse stick mesh form a plurality of apertures that have an extended diamond shape in the manner that has been previously described. 
     The size of the apertures in the second portion  720  of the lacrosse stick mesh  700  is larger than the size of the apertures in the first portion  710  of the lacrosse stick mesh  700 . In one advantageous embodiment of the invention, the size of the apertures in the second portion  720  are twice the size of the apertures in the first portion  710 . 
     It is understood, however, that the invention is not limited to this specific example. It is understood that the size of the apertures in the two portions ( 710 ,  720 ) of the lacrosse stick mesh  700  may be selected to have other dimensions as well. For example, the size of the apertures in the second portion  720  may be three times the size of the apertures in the first portion  710 . 
     The third portion  730  forms a third horizontal portion of the lacrosse stick mesh  700 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the third portion  730  comprises a lacrosse stick mesh in which the string portions of the lacrosse stick mesh form a plurality of apertures that have an extended diamond shape in the manner that has been previously described. 
     The size of the apertures in the third portion  730  of the lacrosse stick mesh  700  is smaller than the size of the apertures in the second portion  720  of the lacrosse stick mesh  700 . In one advantageous embodiment of the invention, the size of the apertures in the third portion  730  are one half of the size of the apertures in the second portion  720 . In one advantageous embodiment of the invention, the size of the apertures in the third portion  730  are equal to the size of the apertures in the first portion  710 . 
     The fourth portion  740  forms a fourth horizontal portion of the lacrosse stick mesh  700 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the fourth portion  740  comprises a lacrosse stick mesh in which the string portions of the lacrosse stick mesh form a plurality of apertures that have an extended diamond shape in the manner that has been previously described. 
     The size of the apertures in the fourth portion  740  of the lacrosse stick mesh  700  is larger than the size of the apertures in the third portion  730  of the lacrosse stick mesh  700 . In one advantageous embodiment of the invention, the size of the apertures in the fourth portion  740  are twice the size of the apertures in the third portion  730 . In one advantageous embodiment of the invention, the size of the apertures in the fourth portion  740  are equal to the size of the apertures in the second portion  720 . 
     It is understood, however, that the invention is not limited to this specific example. It is understood that the size of the apertures in the four portions ( 710 ,  720 ,  730 ,  740 ) of the lacrosse stick mesh  700  may be selected to have other dimensions as well. 
     Although the present invention has been described with an exemplary embodiment, various changes and modifications may be suggested to one skilled in the art. It is intended that the present invention encompass such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.