Patent Publication Number: US-2019168091-A1

Title: Heating a sports device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 14/986,653, filed on Jan. 2, 2016, and entitled HEATING A SPORTS DEVICE, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/099,215, filed on Jan. 2, 2015, and entitled “HEATED LACROSSE STICK.” The content of these applications is incorporated by reference herein it its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Lacrosse is a popular sport in North America and throughout the world. The sport requires participants to use a stick to carry, pass, and shoot a ball. Because lacrosse is played throughout the year, and in varying climates, it is not uncommon that participants must play in cold, damp conditions. 
     SUMMARY 
     The subject matter disclosed herein relates to sports devices, with particular discussion about improvements that make lacrosse sticks more comfortable to use during these unfavorable conditions. The improvements may sustain surfaces of the lacrosse stick at temperatures that are comfortable to human touch for an extended period of time. This feature may be useful to players that play and practice in cold weather, particularly for those that may suffer from poor circulation in the hands. 
     Some embodiments are configured as a long-handled implement. These embodiments can have a head that connects to a shaft. During game play, the ball resides in the head. The player holds onto the shaft to perform certain actions with the stick. These actions may be useful to control and eject the ball from the head or, when necessary, to prevent opposing players from obtaining and/or maintaining control of the ball. 
     Constructions for the shaft may employ a variety of materials and structures. Wood and hardwoods (e.g., hickory) may be used because of its superior strength and rigidity. Players may enjoy the feel of wooden shafts because wood tends to transmit vibrations to the hands to improve feel and control of the ball in the head. Wood can also insulate the player&#39;s hands to provide comfort particularly during use in cold weather. Metals, metal alloys, plastics (e.g., polycarbonate), and certain composites may be favored over wood, however, because these materials offer superior physical properties (e.g., shear and tensile strength). Use of aluminum, titanium, scandium, vanadium, as well as carbon fiber and like composites, may leverage the strength-to-weight ratio of these materials to develop lighter and stronger constructions for the shaft. However, unlike wood, these materials tend to be cold to the touch and can strip heat from the player&#39;s hands, making use of the shaft particularly uncomfortable in cold weather even with protective gloves that the players use during game play. 
     As noted more below, some embodiments may be particularly suited to maintain temperature of these wooden and non-wooden shafts. These embodiments can utilize a thermal structure that can retain and dissipate thermal energy. The thermal structure can include a heating element and a thermal store. This thermal store prolongs heat dissipation, effectively maintaining the temperature of the shaft for an extended period of time in lieu of continuous operation of the heating element. The thermal store may include materials of varying phase (e.g., solids, liquids, and gels) and thermal properties. This material may form an interior core (also, “thermal core”). It has been found that rice (or like particulate and/or granulated material) can serve as the thermal core. It is contemplated that other configurations of the thermal core can be optimally arranged to both retain thermal energy from the heating element and to dissipate heat to the shaft. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Reference is now made briefly to the accompanying figures, in which: 
         FIG. 1  depicts a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a sports device that is useful for an individual to play an athletic game; 
         FIG. 2  depicts a schematic diagram of the exemplary embodiment of the sports device of  FIG. 1  with an example of a thermal core to store and dissipate heat; 
         FIG. 3  depicts a schematic diagram of the exemplary embodiment of the sports device of  FIG. 1  with an example of a heating system to inject thermal energy to the thermal core; 
         FIG. 4  depicts a schematic diagram of the exemplary embodiment of the sports device of  FIG. 1  with an example of a heating system that deploys a heating member on the sports device; 
         FIG. 5  depicts a schematic diagram of the exemplary embodiment of the sports device of  FIG. 1  with an example of a heating system that deploys a heating member remote from the sports device; 
         FIG. 6  depicts a perspective view of the front of an example of the sports device in the form of a lacrosse stick in exploded form; 
         FIG. 7  depicts an elevation view of the cross-section of the sports device of  FIG. 6  in assembled form; 
         FIG. 8  depicts the cross-section of the sports device of  FIG. 7  with an example of a heating member in a first configuration; 
         FIG. 9  depicts the cross-section of the sports device of  FIG. 7  with an example of a heating member in a second configuration; 
         FIG. 10  depicts the cross-section of the sports device of  FIG. 7  with an example of the thermal core in the form of a conductive matrix; 
         FIG. 11  depicts the cross-section of the sports device of  FIG. 7  with the an example of the thermal core in the form of a conductive foam; 
         FIG. 12  depicts the cross-section of the sports device of  FIG. 7  with an example of the thermal core having conductive impregnated members; 
         FIG. 13  depicts the cross-section of the sports device of  FIG. 7  that is configured with an example of conductive elements; 
         FIG. 14  depicts the cross-section of the sports device of  FIG. 7  that is configured with an example of conductive elements; 
         FIG. 15  depicts an elevation view of the cross-section the sports device of  FIG. 6  with an example of a shaft that is compartmentalized; 
         FIG. 16  depicts the cross-section of the sports device of  FIG. 15  with an example of a shaft that is compartmentalized; 
         FIG. 17  depicts the cross-section of the sports device of  FIG. 15  with an example of a thermal core as a separate and/or replaceable unit; and 
         FIG. 18  depicts a flow diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a method for heating a sports device. 
     
    
    
     Where applicable like reference characters designate identical or corresponding components and units throughout the several views, which are not to scale unless otherwise indicated. The embodiments disclosed herein may include elements that appear in one or more of the several views or in combinations of the several views. Moreover, methods are exemplary only and may be modified by, for example, reordering, adding, removing, and/or altering the individual stages. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The discussion below describes embodiments of a sports device. These embodiments can take the form of a lacrosse stick, shown and described below, although other sports may have devices (e.g., hockey sticks, baseball bats, etc.) that could benefit from implementation of the concepts herein. In one implementation, the embodiments include materials that can retain and dissipate heat through phase changes, e.g., from solid to liquid, and vice versa. Suitable materials may maximize energy storage per unit volume/mass so as to add little weight to the lacrosse stick but still maintain surfaces at temperatures for extended periods. This feature can make the lacrosse stick comfortable for the player to grasp and to handle during game play and practice. Other embodiments are within the scope of the disclosed subject matter. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a sports device  100  that is useful for an individual to play an athletic game. This embodiment includes a body  102  with one or more parts (e.g., a handle  104  and an end effector  106 ). In one implementation, the sports device  100  can include a heating member  108  that is disposed in and/or incorporated as part of the body  102 . The parts  104 ,  106  can be configured so the individual can grasp the handle  104  to move and/or operate the end effector  106 , often to interact with a ball (or puck) during play of the game. In context of the sport of lacrosse, the body  102  can embody a lacrosse stick that a player employs to catch and throw a ball. The parts  104 ,  106  can embody a shaft and a head on the lacrosse stick, respectively. The head can be configured for the player to receive and carry the ball. The player grasps the shaft to catch and throw the ball from the head. 
     At a high level, the heating member  108  can be configured to regulate temperature of the handle  104 . Some configurations can store thermal energy and, in turn, dissipate the stored thermal energy in a way that sustains the operating temperature of the handle  104  within a range comfortable for a player for an extended period of time. Examples of the heating member  108  may raise the operating temperature of the handle  104  to approximately 140° F. These examples can dissipate heat so that the operating temperature drops slowly, effectively keeping the operating temperature of the handle  104  within approximately X° F. for at least approximately 15 min to approximately 20 min. This feature can maintain the handle  104  at temperatures that are comfortable for a player to utilize the sports device  100 , e.g., as might occur in game play and/or practice in cold weather. However, as noted herein, the heating member  108  does not require any external stimulus to maintain the temperature within the operating range for the period of time that the heating member is without power. In this way, the sports device  100  may not need to house and/or carry any power supply on-board the body  102 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a schematic diagram of the sports device  100  that is configured to heat at least the handle  104 . The heating member  108  may include a thermal core  110  that incorporates a material  112 . The thermal core  110  may reside in the body  102  in position on the interior of the handle  104 . The material  112  may comprise a composition that exhibits properties to store and release thermal energy in a manner that can maintain the operating temperature of the handle  104  for the extended period of time. This composition may undergo changes in phase, for example, as between a first phase and a second phase that is different from the first phase. The phase changes can be from solid to liquid and vice versa, but this does not necessarily have to be the case. In one implementation, the composition can absorb and store heat (e.g., latent heat and sensible heat) in response to thermal energy that causes a first phase change from the first phase to the second phase. Exemplary compositions may include “phase change materials” that are organic (e.g., beeswax, paraffin, fatty acids, etc.) and/or inorganic (e.g., salt hydrates, etc.). These phase change materials can slowly release stored latent energy to the handle  104  during a second phase change from the second phase to the first phase. 
     Phase change materials may be formulated for phase changes at a desired temperature. Exemplary temperatures may be in a range that is comfortable to humans and/or human touch. In use, applying heat to the phase change materials in the first phase increases temperature of the phase change materials from a first temperature to a second temperature that is higher than the first temperature. The phase change materials may change from the first phase to the second phase at the second temperature. During the first phase change (e.g., melting), the phase change materials may continue to absorb heat, but without much, if any, change in temperature away the second temperature. This feature is useful to raise the temperature of the handle  104  to its preferred operating temperature, as noted above. Cooling phase change material induces a second phase change. During the second phase change (e.g. freezing and/or solidification), the phase change material can slowly release the stored thermal energy. In the handle  104 , this feature can thwart rapid cooling of the handle  104  to maintain the temperature of the handle  104  at and/or around the operating temperature (or within the operating range) for the player to use the sports device  100  without developing uncomfortably cold hands. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a schematic diagram of an example of collateral components that can provide thermal energy to cause the first phase change of the material  112 . These collateral components may form a heating system  114  that heats the composition at least to its melting temperature. The composition may be configured to continue to absorb large amounts energy at the melting temperature (and/or or just above the melting temperature). 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the heating system  114  may include a heat source  116  and a sensor  118  that couples with the sports device  100 . A power supply  120  may provide an electrical stimulus (e.g., current and/or voltage) to the heat source  116 . During use, the power supply  120  may be adjusted for proportionate temperature settings on the heat source  116 , e.g., low, medium, and high power supply. Examples of the sensor  118  may embody a bi-metal disc thermostat. The sensor  118  may also embody thermistors, thermocouples, and similarly situated devices that can generate a signal in response to temperature on the handle  104 . These devices may affix to the handle  104 , preferably in locations to avoid interfering with the player&#39;s use of the sports device  100 . Adhesives and potting materials may be useful for this purpose. The heat source  116  may embody one or more resistive heaters and like devices that generate heat in response to the electrical stimulus from the power supply  120 . Suitable resistive heaters may have any one of many form factors, including flat, tubular, coil, etched, or rod-like. The resistive heaters may include various materials including silicone rubber, polymide film, metal wire, metal foils, and ceramics, among others. In one implementation, the heating system  114  may include a control unit  122  to regulate this electrical stimulus. The control unit  122  may have one or more processors  124 , storage memory  126 , and executable instructions  128  that reside and/or are stored on the storage memory  126 . This configuration may be useful to communicate with at least the sensor  118  and the power supply  120  to regulate the electrical stimulus to the heat source  116 . For example, the executable instructions  128  can embody computer programs (e.g., software, firmware, etc.) that can configure the processor  124  to turn the power supply  120  on-and-off in response to the signal from the sensor  118 . In one implementation, the heating system  114  may include a switch device  129  that couples with the power supply  120  and/or the control unit  122 . 
     The heating system  114  can apply thermal energy to melt the material  112 . One or more of the components may be found on-board or off-board the body  102 . This disclosure also contemplates configurations that use combinations of on-board and off-board components to apply thermal energy to the material  112 . The power supply  120  may comprise a battery, for example one or more lithium ion cells and/or some other electrical storage technology available at the time of the present writing or hereafter developed. The battery may be disposed on-board the body  102 . Examples of the switching device  129  can include push button and or actuatable devices that are configured to allow the player to regulate the electrical signal from the power supply  120  to the heat source  116 . Such configurations may allow for manual control of the heating system  114 , although automated control via the control unit  122  may also cause the switch to actuate as necessary to regulate melting of the material  112 . 
       FIGS. 4 and 5  depict schematic diagrams for configurations of the collateral components for use with the sports device  100 .  FIG. 4  illustrates a first configuration that incorporates the heat source  116  on-board the sports device  100 . This position allows the heating member to inject thermal energy to the material  112  by way of direct and indirect heat transfer modalities (e.g., conduction, convection, radiation, etc.). Any one of these modalities may cause the phase change (e.g., from solid to liquid) in the composition of the material  112  noted above. In one implementation, the thermal core  110  may be configured to incorporate and/or integrate the heat source  116  into the handle  104 . This configuration can place the heat source  116  in direct contact with the material  112 . However, this disclosure does contemplate other positions on-board (and off-board or remote from) the handle  104  that can effectuate appropriate transfer of thermal energy to cause the phase change in the composition of the material  112 . 
       FIG. 5  depicts a second configuration that locates the heat source  116  remote from the sports device  100 . In this second configuration, the heating system  114  may include a receptacle  130  that defines an opening  132 . Examples of the opening  132  can receive at least part of the handle  104  to locate the thermal core  110  proximate the heating member  108 . The heat source  116  can couple with the receptacle  130  such as in the form of one or more heating members  133  to inject thermal energy T into the sports device  100 . In this respect, the receptacle  130  may be a box, cylinder, and/or bag-like implement, although actually geometry may vary for the receptacle  130 . These implements can accommodate one or more of the sports device  100  or thermal cores  110  as desired. This feature may be useful to maintain a plurality of sports devices  100  at comfortable temperatures ready for use by the player. For example, sports teams may benefit from the functionality of the receptacle  130  to maintain temperature of lacrosse sticks, hockey sticks, and bats for many players simultaneously. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view of the front of an example of the sports device  100  in exploded form. The sports device  100  embodies a lacrosse stick  134  (also, “stick  134 ”). The end effector  106  includes a head  136  with a frame  138  formed typically as a one-piece or unitary structure of moldable material (e.g., plastic). The frame  138  has a top  140 , a bottom  142 , and a pair of sidewalls (e.g., a first side wall  144  and a second sidewall  146 ). These parts collectively bound a central open region  148 . The head  136  may include a netting  150  (also, “stringing  150 ”) that spans the frame  138  to cover the open region  148 . The stringing  150  can comprise strings or fibers, often individually wound together or provided in a pre-formed webbing. This pre-formed webbing can form a pocket area  152  that may encompass the lower portion or half of the stringing  150  in the head  136 . The pocket area  152  is configured to receive and support a ball (not shown) in the open region  148  during use of the stick  134 . 
     The head  136  can couple with the handle  104 . In  FIG. 6 , the handle  104  can embody an elongate shaft  154  with ends (e.g., a first end  156  and a second end  158 ) and a longitudinal axis  160  extending therebetween. Examples of the elongate shaft  154  can form a cylinder made of metals, composites, metal alloys, plastics, and wood. The cylinder may be hollow, either fully or partially. The bottom  142  of the frame  138  may secure to the cylinder at the first end  156  using a screw and/or fastener. A cap  162  may be configured to couple with the second end  138  to cover an opening to the cylinder. In one implementation, the sports device  100  can include a plug receptacle  164  that is disposed in the cap  162  (in the present example) or elsewhere on the elongate shaft  154 . 
     The plug receptacle  164  may be useful for configurations that mount the heat source  116  ( FIG. 4 ) on-board the handle  104 . In use, the plug receptacle  164  can be configured to conduct the electrical signal from the power supply  120  ( FIG. 4 ) to the heat source  116  ( FIG. 4 ). The plug receptacle  164  may also couple with the sensor  118 , shown here disposed in position to monitor the operating temperature of the handle  104 . Examples of the plug receptacle  164  may use any variety of connections (e.g., post-and-socket, universal serial bus, etc.). Also, although not shown, the sports device  100  may include one or more cables that connect the plug receptacle  164  with the thermal core  110  and/or heat source  116  ( FIG. 4 ) and/or the sensor  118 . 
       FIG. 7  depicts a cross-section view of the sports device  100  in assembled form taken at line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6 . The thermal core  110  is in position in the elongate shaft  154 . For reference, the sports device  100  is configured with the heat source  116  on-board the handle  104 . This configuration may locate the heat source  116  at or proximate the longitudinal axis  160 . The elongate shaft  154  can have a peripheral wall  166  that circumscribes the longitudinal axis  160  to form the cylinder. For hollow cylinders, the peripheral wall  166  can have both an outer surface  168  and an inner surface  170  that bounds an interior cavity  172 . Form factors for the cross-section for the peripheral wall  166  may be octagonal, as shown. However, other form factors (e.g., rectangular, annular, elliptical, hexagonal, etc.) may also find use for the handle  104  in certain sports. The sports device  100  may also include a coating  171  that is disposed on the outer surface  168 , covering the elongate shaft  154  in whole or in part. Examples of the coating  171  may include materials to improve perception of warmth and/or to provide insulation and/or thermal conductivity to direct a warm sensation to the player&#39;s hands. These materials may comprise nylon powders and thermoplastic compositions, although many compositions may be useful for this purpose. In one example, the coating  171  may comprise thermochromic paint or like compositions that can provide a visual indication of temperature and/or temperature changes on the elongate shaft  154 . 
       FIGS. 8 and 9  depict the cross-section view of  FIG. 7  of the sports device  100  to illustrate other locations for the heat source  116 . In  FIG. 8 , the heat source  116  can be arranged integrally and/or monolithically with the peripheral wall  166 . This arrangement may utilize one or more resistive members  173  that extend variously along elongate shaft  154 . The resistive members  173  may be embedded into the material of the peripheral wall  166 . In  FIG. 9 , the resistive members  173  can couple with the inner surface  168  using adhesives and/or potting materials, although other fastening techniques may be suitable, whether known or developed after the present writing. 
       FIGS. 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14  depict the cross-section view of  FIG. 7  with the sports device  100  in assembled form. These diagrams illustrate several configurations for the thermal core  110  to facilitate the change in temperature of the outer surface  168 . For reference, the sports device  100  is configured with the heat source  116  on-board the handle  104  and disposed at or proximate the longitudinal axis  160 . In  FIG. 10 , the thermal core  110  forms a matrix  174  with a structure  175  that creates a plurality of cells  176 . The structure  175  can be configured with conductive materials (e.g., metals, conductive plastics, etc.) so as to conduct thermal energy from the material  112  to the peripheral wall  166 . This property of the structure  175  can also increase penetration of thermal energy into the material  112  to facilitate efficient melting of the material  112 . Such configurations can extend along the longitudinal axis  160  to varying lengths relative to the length of the shaft  154 . Examples of the structure  175  can create the cells  176  to effectively compartmentalize the material  112 . 
       FIGS. 11 and 12  show other configurations for the structure  175 . In  FIG. 11 , the configuration comprises a thermally-conductive foam, either closed cell or open celled. Such foams may be configured with pockets  177  that can entrain and/or trap the material  112 . The pockets  177  can hold material  112 , with the structure  175  of the foam operating to conduct thermal energy from the material  112  to the peripheral wall  166 . In  FIG. 12 , the structure  175  can include impregnated members  178  that populate the volume of material  112 . The impregnated members  178  may comprise graphite particles and/or carbon fibers, although other materials that are thermally conductive may be useful to retain and transfer of thermal energy to the peripheral wall  166 . 
       FIGS. 13 and 14  show a configuration for the structure  175  that can also facilitate transfer of thermal energy from the material  112  to the peripheral wall  166 . In these configurations, the sports device  100  can include one or more heat transfer members  180  that interact with the material  112 . The heat transfer members  180  may embody thin, thermally conductive elements that are configured to conduct thermal energy from the material  112  to the elongate shaft  154 . The elements may couple with the peripheral wall  166 , extending generally toward the longitudinal axis  160 . These elements may integrate with the peripheral wall  166 , as a unitary and/or monolithic unit. In one implementation, the elements may form a separate unit that can insert into the elongate shaft  154  to contact the peripheral wall  166 . Examples of the elements (or, “fins”) may extend along the longitudinal axis  160  the length of the thermal core  110 , although this disclosure contemplates geometry for the fins that extend substantially (e.g., at least 90%) the length of the elongate shaft  154 . In  FIG. 14 , the sports device  100  can include a peripheral chamber  181  to retain the material  112  proximate the peripheral wall  166  of the elongate shaft  154 . The peripheral chamber  181  can extend along the longitudinal axis  160 . In one implementation, the heat transfer members  180  may couple the centrally-located heat source  116  with the chamber  181 . Other implementations may make use of one or more of the peripherally located resistive members  173  (in  FIGS. 8 and 9 ) to facilitate heat transfer to the material  112  in the peripheral chamber  181 . 
       FIGS. 15 and 16  depict a cross-section of the sports device  100  taken at line  15 , 16 - 15 , 16  of  FIG. 6 . Several members including the head  136 , the cap  162 , and the plug member  164  are removed for clarity. For reference, the sports device  100  is configured with the heat source  116  on-board the handle  104  and disposed at or proximate the longitudinal axis  160 . In  FIG. 15 , the sports device  100  can include a heated compartment (e.g., a first compartment  182 ) that corresponds with a heated portion  184  of the elongate shaft  154 . The first compartment  182  can include a first pair of wall members (e.g., a first wall member  186  and a second wall member  188 ). Materials for the wall members  186 ,  188  may vary as necessary to comport with the structure of the elongate shaft  154 . Epoxy may be useful to effectively “plug” the ends of the first compartment  182 . In one implementation, the wall members  186 ,  188  can couple with the peripheral wall  166  to form a seal that circumscribes the longitudinal axis  160 . This seal can be configured to retain liquid in the compartment  182 . In the example of  FIG. 16 , the sports device  100  includes a second compartment  190  with a second pair of wall members (e.g., a third wall member  192  and a fourth wall member  194 ). 
     The location of the wall members  186 ,  188 ,  192 ,  194  relative to one another in the elongate shaft  154  can define a volume for the compartments  182 ,  190 . In use, the material  112  resides in the compartments  182 ,  190 , either alone or as part of the matrix  174  for the thermal core  110  discussed above. However, it is also possible to have the material  112  in the intermediary compartment (between wall members  192 ,  194 ). When used alone, it may be preferable to use an amount of the material  112  that is equal to and/or fills at least 95% or more of the volume of the compartments  182 ,  188  in its liquid phase. This amount can be useful to reduce flowing and/or sloshing of the material  112  in its liquid phase inside of the elongate shaft  154  during use by the player. 
     The volume of the compartments  182 ,  190  may depend on the position of the wall members  186 ,  188 ,  192 ,  190 . The members  186 ,  188  reside proximate the ends  156 ,  158  of the elongate shaft  154 . This position can maximize the volume the compartment  182  (as shown in  FIG. 14 ) so as to makes the volume of the first compartment  182  substantially the same as the volume of the interior cavity  172  of the elongate shaft  154 . Some implementations can allow the members  186 ,  188  to be set longitudinally inwardly from the ends  156 ,  158  for purposes of construction and/or ease of manufacturability as necessary. As shown in  FIG. 15 , the members  192 ,  194  can be interposed between the members  186 ,  188 . This configuration makes the volume of each compartment  182 ,  190  less than the volume of the interior cavity  172 . The total volume of the compartments  182 ,  190  may be substantially equal to the volume of the interior cavity  172 , as desired. 
     The heated portion  184  may correspond with an area of the outer surface of the elongate shaft  154  that changes temperature in response to discharge of thermal energy from the material  112  (and/or the thermal core  110 , generally). This heated area may extend in various directions on the elongate shaft  154  including longitudinally (along the longitudinal axis  160 ) and radially (circumscribing the longitudinal axis  160 ). It may be advantageous to heat all and/or only a portion of the outer surface area of the shaft  154 . These heated portions may correspond, for example, with specific locations on the handle  106  that the player is most often to grasp while using the lacrosse stick  134 . 
       FIG. 17  depicts the cross-section of  FIGS. 15 and 16  to illustrate an example of the thermal core  110 . This example can include an outer casing  196  that can form one or more of the compartments  182 ,  190  in the elongate shaft  154 . Examples of the outer casing  196  may form a cylinder that encloses the material  112  therein. This cylinder may slidably insert into the interior cavity  172  to locate in the elongate shaft  154  to form the heated portion  184 . The cylinder may couple with the elongate shaft  154  using fasteners (e.g., screws, bolts, etc.), although other techniques (e.g., welds, adhesives, potting, etc.) that are known and/or developed after the present writing may be suited as well. In one implementation, the cylinder may be configured to remove from the elongate shaft  154 . This feature may benefit applications in which another one of the thermal core  110  can be separately heated (or “charged”) and rapidly secured into the elongate shaft  154  by the player to heat (and/or maintain) the handle  104  at a temperature that is comfortable to the touch. 
       FIG. 18  depicts a flow diagram for an exemplary embodiment of a method for heating a sports device. The method  200  can include, at stage  202 , configuring the elongate shaft to retain a liquid, at stage  204 , disposing a phase change material in the elongate shaft, and, at stage  206 , thermally coupling the phase change material and the elongate shaft so as to allow thermal energy from the phase change material to conduct to the elongate shaft. In one implementation, the method  200  may include one or more stages for locating a heater in the phase change material and coupling the heater to a plug member that is configured to receive an electrical signal to operate the heater. The method  200  may also include one or more stages for forming one or more heat transfer member in the elongate shaft, wherein the heat transfer members are thermally coupled to the elongate shaft. The stages also include disposing a conductive matrix in the elongate shaft and disposing the phase change materials in the conductive matrix. In one implementation, the method  200  may include one or more stage for forming one or more compartments in the elongate shaft, wherein the phase change material is disposed in the one or more compartments. 
     The embodiments herein may incorporate elements and features, one or more of the elements and features being interchangeable and/or combinable in various combinations, examples of which may include a system for heating a sports device, the system comprising a (i) a lacrosse stick comprising an elongate shaft having a peripheral wall forming an interior cavity and a phase change material disposed in the interior cavity and (ii) a heating system thermally coupled with the phase change material to cause the material to change from a first phase to a second phase. In one embodiment, the heating system can comprise a heating member disposed in the interior cavity of the elongate shaft and in thermal contact with the phase change material. In one embodiment, the heating system can comprise a heating member disposed remote from the elongate shaft, wherein the heating member is configured to transmit thermal energy to melt the phase change material. 
     In view of the foregoing, the embodiments described herein afford players with a sports device, like a lacrosse stick, that is favorable for use in cold weather. These embodiments may use a phase change material to maintain the operating temperature of a part of the sports device (e.g., the shaft of the lacrosse stick) for an extended period of time. This phase change material may be useful because it can store and dissipate thermal energy in a way that can allow the embodiments to achieve comfortable temperatures on the sports device without the need to operate heaters during game play. 
     As used herein, an element or function recited in the singular and proceeded with the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding plural said elements or functions, unless such exclusion is explicitly recited. Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” of the claimed invention should not be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. 
     This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.