Patent Publication Number: US-8109846-B2

Title: Lacrosse head having marked measurement points

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/040,787, filed Mar. 31, 2008, and entitled “Lacrosse Head Having Marked Measurement Points,” which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to a lacrosse head for attachment to a lacrosse handle, and more particularly to a lacrosse head including regions marked with measurement indicia. 
     Conventional lacrosse heads are constructed of an open frame having a ball stop joined with a base, a pair of sidewalls that diverge from the ball stop, and a scoop that connects the sidewalls, opposite the ball stop. The frame has string holes to secure a lacrosse net around the back side of the frame, leaving the opposing side of the frame open for catching or shooting a lacrosse ball. The lacrosse frame is attached to a handle by a throat that projects rearwardly from the base, with a socket formed in the base for attachment to a handle. 
     To maximize ball retention in the lacrosse head, many head designs incorporate sidewalls that are generally narrowly spaced from one another. Some head sidewalls are specifically flared or otherwise configured to further maximize ball retention and shot accuracy. 
     In 2007, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (“NCAA”) Men&#39;s Lacrosse Committee sought ways to address alleged safety concerns in the sport of lacrosse via the design of lacrosse heads. Many committee members believed that the dimensions of conventional lacrosse head designs did not allow the lacrosse ball to come out of head easily enough. As a result, players allegedly slashed and cross-checked other players&#39; lacrosse sticks harder in an effort to dislodge the ball and create turnovers. 
     In response to these concerns, the NCAA Men&#39;s Lacrosse Committee proposed rule changes that would require the lacrosse heads to dimensioned to allow the lacrosse ball to come out of the head more easily, thereby reducing both the frequency and force of contact in the game. These rule changes are tentatively scheduled to go into effect in 2010 and will be enforced in all NCAA Men&#39;s lacrosse competition. 
     One of the proposed 2010 NCAA Men&#39;s Lacrosse Rules (referred to as the “Proposed Rules” herein), and in particular, Rule 1.17, addresses the minimum dimensional measurements between various portions of the sidewalls measured at a specific distance from the throat of the lacrosse head. Specifically, at distances of 1.25 and 3 inches, respectively, from the throat, and particularly the inner surface of the ball stop, the minimum distance between the sidewalls is 3 inches when measured between the front of opposing sidewalls (i.e., at the ball receiving side) and 3 inches when measured between the rear surfaces of the sidewalls (i.e., at the ball retaining side). At a distance of 5.0 inches from the throat, the minimum distance is 4.0 inches when measured between the front surfaces of the sidewalls (i.e., at the ball receiving side) and 3.5 inches when measured between the rear surfaces of the sidewalls (i.e., at the ball retaining side). Finally, the minimum distance at the widest point between the sidewalls is 6.5 inches on the front surfaces of the sidewalls, and 6.0 inches on the rear surfaces of the sidewalls. 
     The NCAA Men&#39;s Lacrosse Committee believes that the Proposed Rules will decrease ball retention during play. The Proposed Rules will also prohibit the use of currently legal head designs in NCAA competition. Although the Proposed Rules will help protect players against injury, players will continue to seek lacrosse heads which maximize ball retention while conforming to the new proposed NCAA rules. Therefore, lacrosse head designers face the challenge of constructing a head that conforms to the proposed 2010 NCAA dimensional measurements while still maximizing the ball retention for the player. 
     Under the Proposed Rules, game officials will determine the precise locations on a lacrosse head to take the prescribed measurements and evaluate compliance with the Proposed Rules via those measurements. To do so, an official will simultaneously measure the distance from the throat to establish the locations of measurement, as well as the distance between the sidewalls at those locations of measurement. The official will likely be challenged in taking these measurements, as they are at right angles to one another—in turn, this may lead to uncertainty in determining whether a lacrosse head complies with the Proposed Rules. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a lacrosse head that is easily measured for dimensional compliance with the 2010 NCAA Men&#39;s Lacrosse Rules regarding the minimum dimensional measurements between the sidewalls measured at specific distances from the throat of the lacrosse head. The lacrosse head includes an open frame having a throat (e.g. a ball stop), a pair of opposing sidewalls, and a scoop. 
     In one embodiment, the lacrosse head includes indicia, which is visible to the human eye, located on the sidewalls to facilitate measuring dimensional compliance with the Proposed Rules. The indicia can be located along the front, or ball receiving side, of the head, and/or along the rear, or ball retaining side, of the head. The indicia can be located at 1.25, 3.0, and 5.0 inches from the throat of the lacrosse head. Additional indicia can be provided along the front and rear of the head, where that additional indicia corresponds to the widest point on the front and/or rear of the head. 
     In another embodiment, the indicia can be of a variety of forms. For example, the indicia can be visible lines located along a visible surface of the sidewalls. These visible lines can be in the form of linear or other geometrically configured projections or depressions in the surfaces of the sidewalls. The visible lines can be configured in pairs, with individual lines from the pairs positioned on opposite sidewalls. The individual lines can lie in a single plane that is perpendicular to a plane running the length of the head from the scoop to the throat, bisecting the lacrosse head into mirror images. 
     In yet another embodiment, the indicia can be or include alphanumeric characters or symbols. As an example, “1.25 inches” can be placed on the front of a sidewall at a distance 1.25 inches from the throat. Optionally, the indicia can include both the line and alphanumeric marking. For example, immediately adjacent the text “1.25 inches”, a linear depression or projection can be included in the sidewall, with that structure being located exactly 1.25 inches from the throat when appropriately measured. In this way, the lacrosse head can be measured between a pair of indicia to determine compliance with the new dimensional measurements at prescribed locations on the head. 
     These and other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by reference to the description of the current embodiment and the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a lacrosse head in accordance with a current embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a right side view of the lacrosse head; 
         FIG. 3  is a left side view of the lacrosse head; 
         FIG. 4  is rear view of the lacrosse head; 
         FIG. 5A  is a section view of an indicia take along line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5B  is a section view of an indicia take along line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 5C  is a section view of an indicia take along line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENT EMBODIMENT 
     A current embodiment of the lacrosse head of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 1-4  and generally designated  10 . The lacrosse head  10  includes a frame  12  having a base  14 , a pair of opposing sidewalls  16 ,  18 , and a scoop  20  connecting the pair of opposing sidewalls  16 ,  18  opposite the base  14 . The frame can include a ball stop  23 , to which a ball stop cushion  22  may be adhered or otherwise secured. As used herein, the term “ball stop” corresponds to the term “throat of crosse” as illustrated in Appendix IV of, and used in, the Proposed Rules, which are hereby incorporated by reference. For example, when a distance or measurement is said to be a certain number of inches or units from the ball stop, it is meant that the distance or measurement is measured fro the throat of the crosse as provided under the Proposed Rules. Each of the above structures will now be described in further detail. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the sidewalls can be of an open frame construction, wherein those sidewalls define one or more non-string apertures  49  between the upper and lower rims. These apertures can be of any pre-selected shape, and can be configured for structural or aesthetic purposes as desired. In addition to the non-string holes, the sidewalls and other portions of the head can include multiple net securing structures that allow attachment of netting (not shown) to the head  10 . As shown, these structures are in the form of holes  24  defined by the various components of the head. The precise placement of these string holes can vary as desired. 
     The sidewalls  16  and  18  can be positioned on opposite sides of a longitudinal axis  100  of the head, which can generally bisect the head in opposing halves. The longitudinal axis  100  can pass directly through the middle of the ball stop  23  as described in further detail below. One or both of the sidewalls  16 ,  18  can extend generally from the ball stop  23  toward the scoop  20 , which is located at the opposite end of the head  10 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 4 , the lacrosse head can be outfitted with a ball stop cushion  22 , which is positioned in the ball stop  23 . This cushion can include first and second ends distal from one another, and can be of a uniform thickness from the first end to the second end. The cushion can be constructed from foam, or other resilient materials, and can include a cover (not shown). The cushion  22  can be joined with the ball stop  23  with any suitable fastener, such as adhesives, strings, laces, rivets and the like. 
     The lacrosse head  10  optionally can include a socket  28  extending generally rearward from the base  14  of the frame element  12  for attachment of a stick handle (not shown) or element thereto. The socket  28  can be tubular in shape and can define a cavity to receive a handle. Alternatively, the base  14  can include a projection (not shown) which is adapted to fit within a handle. The handle can be secured within the socket  28 , optionally by a fastener (not shown), such as a screw, peg, or other fastening devices or materials such as adhesives. Further, while the head  10  and the handle are discussed as separate components, they can be permanently attached to one another or can be formed as a single unitary structure. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the upper rim  30  of the base  14  and the upper rims  32 ,  34  of the sidewalls  16 ,  18  respectively together, in connection with the upper rim  36  of the scoop  20 , define a ball receiving area  40 . This ball receiving area  40  can be where a lacrosse ball can enter or exit the head  10  when the ball is caught, thrown, shot or dislodged. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4  the lower rim  42  of the base  14  and the lower rims  44 ,  46  of the sidewalls  16 ,  18  respectively together, in connection with the lower rim  48  of the scoop  20 , define a ball retaining area  50 . This ball retaining area  50  can be where a lacrosse ball typically is located when retained in the head  10  and more particularly in the netting  26  attached to the head  10 . 
     Returning to  FIGS. 2-3 , the upper rims  32 ,  34  can define the uppermost surfaces of the sidewalls  16 ,  18 , while the lower rims  44 ,  46  can define the lowermost surfaces of the sidewalls  16 ,  18 . The upper rims  32 ,  34  and lower rims  44 ,  46  can be part of respective solid, unitary sidewalls, or can be separate rails separated by non string apertures  49  and including supports  51  as shown, or of any other structure as desired. 
     In plan view, the upper rims  32 ,  34  also can follow an outward curvilinear path near the base  14  before extending parallel to the central longitudinal axis  100  along a portion of its length, generally within the throat region T of the head. The throat region T can generally extend from the ball stop  23  to ½ to ⅔ the length of the ball receiving area  40  of the head, or any other distance therebetween. Optionally, the upper and lower rims can be of a circular, polygonal, elliptical, rectangular, or beveled cross-sections that are generally uniform or vary as these elements extend from the base to the scoop. 
     The head  10  can be of an open frame, monolithic construction, with its various components formed from one or more of a variety of compounds such as nylon, urethane, polycarbonate, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyketone or polybutylene terephalate. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , the lacrosse head  10  provides indicia, visible to the human eye, generally in the form of markings. As used herein, indicia can also be referred to as compliance elements, or more generally, elements. As described below, the compliance elements can be in the form of visible line elements, other visible geometric features, protrusions, projections, recesses, depressions, other structures or markings, and/or combinations of the foregoing. A first or front set of indicia  60   a  can be located on the upper rims  32 ,  34  of each of the sidewalls  16 ,  18  and a second, or rear set of indicia  60   b  located on the lower rims  44 ,  46  of each of the sidewalls  16 ,  18 . 
     More particularly, the front indicia  60   a  can include individual paired indicia  80 ,  82 ,  84  located on the upper rims  32 ,  34  at a predetermined distance d 1 , d 2 , and d 3  from the middle of the ball stop  23 . Similarly, the rear indicia  60   b  can include individual paired indicia  90 ,  92 ,  94  located on the lower rims  44 ,  46  at a predetermined distance d 1 , d 2 , and d 3  from the middle of the ball stop  23 . These sets of indicia  60   a ,  60   b  can provide a precise location on each of the sidewalls  16 ,  18  for measuring widths W 1 , W 2 , and W 3  between the upper rims  32 ,  34  and for measuring widths W 4 , W 5 , and W 6  between the lower rims  44 ,  46  of the head  10  that corresponds to these predetermined distances d 1 , d 2 , and d 3 . The widths W 1 , W 2 , and W 3  are measured between the innermost surfaces  56  of the respective upper rims  32 ,  34 , while the widths W 4 , W 5 , and W 6  are measured between the innermost surface  58  of the respective lower rims  44 ,  46 . 
     In compliance with the Proposed Rules, and in particular NCAA Rule 1.17, scheduled to be implemented Jan. 1, 2010, the distances d 1 , d 2 , and d 3  can be located at 1.25 inches, 3.0 inches, and 5.0 inches, respectively, from the inner surface of the ball stop  23  as measured along a longitudinal axis  100 , which bisects the handle, base  14  and scoop  20 , and which equidistant from each of the respective sidewalls  16 ,  18 . The widths W 1 , W 2 , and W 3  can be perpendicular to this longitudinal axis  100  and can provide an indication as to whether the lacrosse head complies with the minimum dimensional measurements associated with the distances d 1 , d 2 , and d 3  along the ball receiving portion  40  as directed by the Proposed Rules. Similarly, the widths W 4 , W 5 , and W 6  can be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis  100  and can provide an indication as to whether the lacrosse head complies with the minimum dimensional measurements associated with the distances d 1 , d 2 , and d 3  along the ball retaining portion  50  as directed by the Proposed Rules. 
     Optionally, indicia  86  can be located at a position corresponding to the widest portion W 7  between the upper rims  32 ,  34 . Other indicia  96  can be located at a position corresponding to the widest portion W 8  between the lower rims  44 ,  46 . These indicia  86 ,  96  can be located equidistant from the inner surface of the ball stop  23 , although in some embodiments the indicia  86 ,  96  may not be equidistant. The widths W 7  and W 8  are therefore measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis  100  between the respective innermost surfaces  56 ,  58  of the sidewalls  16 ,  18  along these indicia  86  or  96  and provide an indication as to minimum or maximum width of the lacrosse head between the sidewalls  16 ,  18  on either the ball receiving side  40  or ball retaining side  50 , as provided by the Proposed Rules, for example, a minimum distance of 6.5 inches on the front between the narrowest points of the head, and a minimum distance of 6.0 inches on the back between the narrowest points of the head. 
     These individual indicia  80 ,  82 ,  84 ,  86 ,  90 ,  92 ,  94 , and  96  may take on many forms. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , the indicia  80 ,  82 ,  84 ,  86 ,  90 ,  92 ,  94 , and  96  can be visible lines located along the respective visible surface of the sidewalls  16 ,  18 . The indicia  80 ,  82 ,  84 ,  86 ,  90 ,  92 ,  94 , and  96  can additionally or alternatively include alphanumeric symbols, such as text, letters or numerals. For example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , “1.25 inches” may be placed on the upper rim  32  at a distance 1.25 inches from the inner surface of the base  14 , corresponding to the indicia  80 . Likewise, the alphanumeric symbols “MAX” or “max” can be placed on the upper rim  32 ,  34  of each of the sidewalls  16 ,  18  at a position corresponding to widest distance W 7  provided by the Proposed Rules between the respective sidewalls  16 ,  18  corresponding to indicia  86 . 
     Optionally, the indicia  80 ,  82 ,  84 ,  86 ,  90 ,  92 ,  94 , and  96  can include both the visible line and afore mentioned alphanumeric symbol marks. In this way, the lacrosse head can be measured between an associated indicia  80 ,  82 ,  84 ,  86 ,  90 ,  92 ,  94 , and  96  to determine compliance with the new dimensional widths of the Proposed Rules. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , optional, additional indicia  88 ,  98  can be provided. The additional indicia  88  can provide an actual measured width at one or more of the indicia  80 ,  82 ,  84 ,  86  between the upper rims  32 ,  34 , while the indicia  98  provides the actual width measurement at one or more of the indicia  90 ,  92 ,  94 , and  96  along the between the lower rims  44 ,  46 . These additional indicia  88 ,  98  can be in the form of a alphanumeric marking in inches. With this additional marking, a game official inspecting the lacrosse head  10  can visually confirm that the head  10  is in compliance with the Proposed Rules, or confirm the accuracy of the indicia  88 ,  98  by taking a measurement across the head between the inner surfaces of the sidewalls, aligning the measurement device with the indicia  84  or  92 , respectively. 
     For example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the upper rims  32 ,  34  can include additional indicia  88  (here, 4″) under the reference indicia  86  (which is a line and the text 5″). This additional indicia  88  indicates that the width W 3  of the head  10  between the inner surfaces  56  of the upper rims  32 ,  34 , at a distance d 3  from the ball stop  23  along the longitudinal axis, is 4 inches wide. This width of 4 inches is compliant with the Proposed Rules providing that the width be a minimum of 4 inches at this location. Similarly, the lower rims  44 ,  46  shown in  FIG. 4  can include additional indicia  98  marked with the actual width (here, 3.5″) adjacent the indicia  92  to indicate that the width W 5  of the head  10  between the inner surfaces  58  of the lower rims  44 ,  46  at a distance d 2  from the ball stop  23  along the longitudinal axis, is 3.5 inches wide. This width of 3.5 inches is compliant with the Proposed Rules providing that the width be a minimum of 3 inches at this location. 
     These respective sets of indicia  60   a ,  80 ,  82 ,  84 ,  86 ,  88 ,  90 ,  92 ,  94 ,  96  and  98  can be included on the lacrosse head  10  during the forming process. For example, the plastic material forming a plastic lacrosse head  10  may be colored with dyes, inks, paints, coatings or differently colored plastics at predetermined locations corresponding to the respective indicia  80 ,  82 ,  84 ,  86 ,  88 ,  90 ,  92 ,  94 ,  96  and  98 . This material can then be injection molded with non-colored or alternatively colored material forming the remainder of the frame  12 . Optionally, the mold in which the head  10  is molded can be modified at predetermined locations corresponding to the indicia  80 ,  82 ,  84 ,  86 ,  88 ,  90 ,  92 ,  94 ,  96  and  98  to provide a raised or recessed structure that is visible to the human eye. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5A , the indicia  160  can be in the form of a protrusion  161  that extends upwardly from the upper rims  32 ,  34  and that is clearly discernable and visible to a viewer. The protrusion can be of a generally linear configuration that extends across all or a portion of each of the upper rims  32 ,  34  to provide an accurate measurement indicia, or alternatively, the protrusion can be a small, independent, isolated protrusion. The indicia  160  whether linear or point like, can terminate at a point  162 , which can correspond to the precise location where a measurement, for example, W 4 , is taken. Although shown as a triangular shaped protrusion, the indicia  160  can be of varying geometric configurations. The indicia at any desired location of measurement on the upper or lower rims can likewise include this protrusion configuration. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5B , the indicia  260  can be in the form of a recess  261  defined by the upper rim  34  and that is clearly discernable and visible to a viewer. The recess  261  can be of a generally linear configuration that extends across all or a portion of each of the upper rims  32 ,  34  to provide an accurate measurement indicia, or optionally, the recess can be a small, independent, divot-like hole, aperture or recess. The indicia  260  can correspond to the precise location where a measurement, such as, for example, W 4  is taken. Although shown as a rounded, semi-circular trough, the indicia  260  can be of varying geometric configurations, for example, the recess can be rectangular shaped, triangular shaped, or otherwise configured. The indicia at any desired location of measurement on the upper or lower rims can likewise include this recessed indicia configuration. 
     Further optionally, as shown in  FIG. 5C , the indicia  360  can be in the form of a recess  361  having a predetermined width and depth to capture an associated measuring device, such as a measuring tape  366  of a given dimension, e.g., a tape being ⅛ inch, ¼ inch, ½ inch, ¾ inch or 1 inch in width. With this construction, an official can place their measuring tape  366  within the recess  361 , and measure the corresponding width at that location. 
     To manufacture a head  10  including the recess and/or protrusion indicia above, a mold is provided. The mold defines a lacrosse head cavity including mold surfaces corresponding to the base  14 , the pair of opposing sidewalls  16 ,  18 , the scoop  20  connecting the pair of opposing sidewalls  16 ,  18  opposite the base  14 , as well as a ball stop  23 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 . A longitudinal axis is established with reference to the mold surfaces, where that axis corresponds to the longitudinal axis  100  of the head  10 . 
     The mold is then configured so that the upper and/or lower rims at distances d 1 , d 2 , d 3  and d 4  include at least one of the above described protrusion and recess indicia  161 ,  261 ,  361 , or other comparable indicia, in paired combinations and/or sets. Those pairs or sets of mold indicia, that is, the protrusion and/or recess indicia, are optionally established along lines, and more particularly, within planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis  100  and located at 1.25 inches, 3.0 inches, and 5.0 inches from the mold surface corresponding to the ball stop, that is, the “throat” of the “crosse” as identified in the Proposed Rules, or other dimensions corresponding to the Proposed Rules. With the mold indicia established in the mold, material is introduced into the mold to form the respective head components to mold a lacrosse head. The mold indicia creates multiple sets of measurement indicia located on one or both of the pair of sidewalls  16 ,  18  of the head. That measurement indicia can be in the form of protrusions and/or recesses as described above. For example, the protrusions and/or recesses can be linear structures that extend across the respective sidewalls to establish a reference measurement line that is ready to assist in measurement of head dimensions. 
     Optionally, certain alphanumeric symbols can be associated with the mold indicia and/or measurement indicia. These alphanumeric symbols can be painted or inked on or in the sidewalls, or formed as symbols that protrude from, or that are recessed in, the sidewalls. 
     Alternatively, the indicia  60   a ,  80 ,  82 ,  84 ,  86 ,  88 ,  90 ,  92 ,  94 ,  96  and  98  can be applied to the sidewalls  16 ,  18  after the head  10  is fully molded or otherwise constructed. For example, the indicia  60   a ,  60   b ,  80 ,  82 ,  84 ,  86 ,  88 ,  90 ,  92 ,  94 ,  96  and  98  can be painted onto the sidewalls  16 ,  18 . Optionally, the indicia  60   a ,  60   b ,  80 ,  82 ,  84 ,  86 ,  88 ,  90 ,  92 ,  94 ,  96  and  98  can be in the form of stickers that are applied to the lacrosse head in a post-production step. In yet another embodiment, a placard or card could be coupled to the head, or provided with the packaging associated with the head, to provide this information. 
     In use, an official or other individual desiring to measure a lacrosse head to determine compliance with the Proposed Rules will place a measuring device, such as a measuring tape, across the head  10 . The tape is aligned with the indicia to establish the precise location at which a measurement is to be taken. For example, when measuring width W 1  as shown in  FIG. 1 , an official places a measurement tape or instrument across or within the head  10  so that the tape or instrument is precisely aligned with paired indicia  80 . The official then reads the measurement, and compares it with the minimum measurement of 3.0 inches when the sidewalls are measured at a distance of 1.25 inches from the ball stop as provided by the Proposed Rules. If the measurement is equal to or greater than 3.0 inches, then the official can confirm that this measurement complies with the Proposed Rules. If not, the official can confirm that this measurement does not comply with the Proposed Rules, and therefore that the head is illegal. 
     By including sets indicia  80 ,  82 ,  84 ,  86 ,  88 ,  90 ,  92 ,  94 ,  96  and  98  on the visible surfaces of the lacrosse head  10 , the present invention provides valuable information regarding the precise location for measuring the head  10  to ensure compliance with any dimensional measurements. 
     The above description is that of the current embodiment of the invention. Various alterations and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and broader aspects of the invention as defined in the appended claims, which are to be interpreted in accordance with the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents. Any reference to claim elements in the singular, for example, using the articles “a,” “an,” “the” or “said,” is not to be construed as limiting the element to the singular.