Patent Publication Number: US-7214150-B2

Title: Lacrosse stick head with ball guidance and control fingers

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to the head of a lacrosse stick and, more particularly, to fingers therein adapted to guide and control the movement of a lacrosse ball in and out of the head. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     As is well known, the sport of lacrosse involves the use of sticks including heads adapted to serve three basic functions, i.e., to receive or scoop a lacrosse ball, to hold and control a lacrosse ball, and to pass or shoot a lacrosse ball. 
     Several different types of heads have been developed over the years with features intended to assist a player with one or more of the above-identified functions. While some of these previously developed heads have been satisfactory, there remains a need for a lacrosse stick head adapted to maximize the ball receiving, guiding and control functions thereof. This invention meets these needs. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a head of a lacrosse stick comprising a frame including upper and lower edges and an interior face therebetween and a plurality of elongate ball guide fingers spaced along the interior face of the frame and extending between the upper and lower edges in a directional relationship generally opposite thereto. Each of the fingers protrude and project outwardly from the interior face of the frame and include an outer surface which slopes outwardly between the upper and lower edges. Each of the fingers terminate in a shoulder extending and protruding outwardly from the interior face of the frame. 
     The frame includes a back wall at one end, a scoop wall at the other end and a pair of side walls therebetween. In one embodiment, the length of the fingers increases progressively between the back wall and respective side walls to define an arc corresponding in shape to the arc or radius of a lacrosse ball and then decreases progressively along each of the respective side walls in the direction of the scoop wall to define a guide ramp for the lacrosse ball. 
     The shoulder on each of the fingers is also preferably sloped and the slope of the shoulders of successive fingers decreases progressively between the back wall and the respective side walls and then increases progressively along the respective side walls in the direction of the scoop wall. 
     In one embodiment, the fingers protrude unitarily outwardly from the interior face of the frame. In another embodiment, a separate insert made of a material different than the material comprising the frame is adapted to be adhesively secured to the interior face of the frame and the fingers protrude unitarily outwardly from the exterior face of the insert. 
     In still another embodiment, a separate sleeved insert made of a material different than the material comprising the frame is adapted to cover the top edge of the frame and the interior and exterior faces thereof and the fingers protrude unitarily outwardly from an exterior face of the insert. 
     In still a further embodiment, an overlay made of a second material is molded directly to the interior of the frame and the fingers protrude unitarily outwardly from an exterior face of the overlay. 
     The shoulder on each of the fingers is also preferably sloped and the slope of the shoulders of successive fingers decreases progressively between the back wall and the respective side walls and then increases progressively along the respective side walls in the direction of the scoop wall. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the accompanying drawings forming part of the specification in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same: 
         FIG. 1  is a front elevational view of a lacrosse stick incorporating a head incorporating the features of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a broken, front elevational view of the lacrosse stick head of the present invention excluding the netting; 
         FIG. 3  is a broken, rear elevational view of the lacrosse stick head of  FIG. 1  excluding the netting; 
         FIG. 4  is a broken, end elevational view of the lacrosse stick head of  FIG. 1  depicting the manner in which a lacrosse ball is held in the pocket of the head; 
         FIG. 5  is a side perspective view of the lacrosse stick head of  FIG. 1  depicting the manner in which the fingers hold and guide the lacrosse ball between the pocket and the scoop of the head; 
         FIG. 6  is a top, exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of the lacrosse stick head wherein the fingers are unitary with a separate insert; 
         FIG. 7  is a broken, end elevational view of the lacrosse stick head of  FIG. 6  with the insert adhesively secured to the interior face of the back stop wall and side walls of the head; 
         FIG. 8  is an enlarged, broken vertical cross-sectional view of one of the fingers taken along the lines  8 — 8  in  FIG. 7  and depicting the movement of a lacrosse ball into the head; 
         FIG. 9  is an enlarged, broken top perspective view depicting the manner in which the fingers are adapted to cradle a lacrosse ball; 
         FIG. 10  is a top, exploded perspective view of another embodiment of the lacrosse stick head of the present invention wherein the fingers are unitary with a separate sleeved insert; 
         FIG. 11  is a top perspective view of the lacrosse stick head of  FIG. 10  with the sleeved insert member adhesively secured to the frame of the head; 
         FIG. 12  is a top perspective view of yet a further embodiment of the lacrosse stick head of the present invention wherein the fingers are formed on an overmolded layer of material which surrounds a portion of the frame; 
         FIG. 13  is a side elevational view of the lacrosse head of  FIG. 12 ; and 
         FIGS. 14A–C  are enlarged vertical cross-sectional views of additional alternate configurations of the fingers of the lacrosse stick head of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The invention disclosed herein is, of course, susceptible of embodiment in many different forms. Shown in the drawings and described herein below in detail are preferred embodiments of the lacrosse stick head of the present invention. It is to be understood, however, that the present disclosure is an exemplification of the principles of the invention and does not limit the invention to the illustrated embodiments. 
     It is also understood that the FIGS. herein do not necessarily show details of the lacrosse stick head that are known in the art and that will be recognized by those skilled in the art as such. The detailed descriptions of such elements are not necessary to an understanding of the invention. Accordingly, such elements are herein represented only to the degree necessary to aid in an understanding of the features of the present invention. 
       FIG. 1  depicts a lacrosse stick  16  comprising an elongate handle  18  and a lacrosse stick head  20  incorporating the features of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2–5 , head  20  comprises a frame  22  which is typically made of an injection-molded, monolithic, durable and rigid material such as, for example, nylon, urethane or polycarbonate. Frame  22  includes a base  24  defining an interior opening  26  in one end thereof which is adapted to receive the proximal end of the handle  18 . 
     The other end of the base  24  defines an arcuate ball back stop wall  28 . Frame  22  additionally defines a pair of sidewalls  30  and  32  extending unitarily outwardly and forwardly from opposite ends of the back stop wall  28 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the back wall  28  and side walls  30  and  32  cooperate together to form a “U”. An arcuate scoop wall  34  ( FIG. 5 ), located opposite the back wall  28 , extends unitarily between and joins the ends of the side walls  30  and  32 . The back stop wall  28 , side walls  30  and  32  and scoop wall  34  together define a frame  22  including an interior generally vertical face  40  and an exterior generally vertical face  42  (as viewed from the perspective of  FIGS. 2–5 ). 
     Elongate openings  44  and  46  are defined in and extend between and through the interior and exterior faces  40  and  42  of each of the side walls  30  and  32  respectively. 
     In accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of individual molded elongate rail or bar-like fingers  48  protrude and project unitarily outwardly from the interior face  40  of the frame  22  and, more particularly, from the interior face  40  of the back stop wall  28  and side walls  30  and  32  thereof. In the up and down or vertical direction (when viewed from the perspective of  FIGS. 2–5 ), each of the fingers  48  extend between, and in a generally vertical orientation, direction and relationship generally transverse or opposite to, the top (upper) and bottom (lower) edges  36  and  38  of the frame  22 . Each of the fingers  48  extend longitudinally continuously from a point on the interior face  40  generally adjacent the top edge  36  in the direction of the bottom edge  38  and include an exterior arcuate or rounded face or surface  49  ( FIG. 4 ) which slopes outwardly and downwardly away from the interior face  40  from a point adjacent the top edge  36  in the direction of the bottom edge  38  to define a lower shoulder  50  which protrudes and projects unitarily generally normally outwardly from the interior face  40  of the walls  28 ,  30  and  32  respectively. Stated another way, the distance which each of the fingers  48  protrude outwardly from the interior face  40  increases as the fingers  48  extend longitudinally between the top and bottom edges  36  and  38  of the frame  22 . The slope on the exterior surface  49  of each of the fingers  48  varies between about five degrees for the fingers  48  located in the region of the back wall  28  and progressively increases, in the direction of the scoop wall  34 , between about five degrees and twenty degrees for the fingers  48  extending along the respective side walls  30  and  32 . 
     In the horizontal direction, as also viewed from the perspective of  FIGS. 2–5 , fingers  48  extend along and about the interior face  40  of the back wall  28  and side walls  30  and  32  in a generally spaced-apart and parallel relationship. The fingers  48  terminate on the side walls  30  and  32  at a point immediately fore of the distal end of the openings  44  defined therein. Moreover, and as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the fingers  48  vary in length, the length thereof being dependent upon and determined by the location or placement thereof along either the back wall  28  or the side walls  30  and  32 . Still further, the fingers  48  located in the region of the respective side walls  30  and  32  extend through the openings  44  defined therein. 
     Particularly, the fingers  48  located in the region of the back wall  28  are sized such that the respective successive lower shoulders  50  thereof together define an arc or curve corresponding generally in shape to the peripheral outer curve or radius of the lacrosse ball  54 . The fingers  48  located on each of the side walls  30  and  32  respectively gradually decrease in length between the end of the back wall  28  and the respective openings  46  therein to define a curved guide ramp which extends outwardly and upwardly along the interior surface of the side walls  30  and  32  in the direction of the scoop wall  34 . The fingers  48  on side wall  30  are mirror images of the fingers  48  on side wall  32 . Stated another way, the fingers  48  vary in length along the interior face  40  of the back wall  28  and respective side walls  30  and  32  in a relationship wherein the fingers  48  initially generally progressively increase in length between the center and opposite ends of the back wall  28  and then generally progressively decrease in length along each of the side walls  30  and  32  respectively between the respective ends of the back wall  28  and the ends of the respective side walls  30  and  32 . 
     Still further, and as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the slope or angular orientation of each of the shoulders  50  of the respective fingers  48 , relative to the interior generally vertical frame face  40 , varies between the back wall  28  and the side walls  30  and  32  from a range of between about zero to a minus fifteen degrees in the region between the center and ends of the back wall  28  to a range of between about zero to a positive fifteen degrees in the region between the end of the back wall  28  and the ends of the respective side walls  30  and  32 . Stated another way, the slope of the shoulders  50  of successive fingers  48  generally progressively decreases between the center and end of the back wall  28  as the fingers  48  increase in length while the slope of the shoulders  50  of successive fingers  48  in the region of the respective side walls  30  and  32  generally progressively increases between the end of the back wall  28  and the end of the respective side walls  30  and  32  as the length of the fingers  48  decreases and as the slope of the walls  49  of the fingers  48  increases between about five and twenty degrees. 
     In accordance with the present invention, the fingers  48  serve several different ball guidance, holding and control functions as shown in  FIG. 4 and 5  which depict the head  20  with fingers  48  and  FIGS. 8 and 9  which depict an alternate head embodiment  120  incorporating fingers  148  which are similar in structure to fingers  48 . 
     Initially, and as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the outward slope on the outer surface  149  of each of the fingers  148  advantageously allows a lacrosse ball  154 , entering the head  120  in the region of the upper edge  136  of either of the side walls (the side wall  132  is shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 ), to roll downwardly and inwardly along and in contact with the outer surface  149  of the fingers  148  towards the lower edge  138  and then into the center of the ball pocket  158  defined in part by the netting  160 . 
     Additionally, and as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the positioning and length of the respective fingers  48  between the respective upper and lower edges  36  and  38  is such that the respective shoulders  50  thereof are spaced a distance from the lower edge  38  which allows the ball  54  to be held in the pocket  58  in a relationship wherein the top peripheral surface of the ball  54  is positioned in abutting relationship against the sloped interior surface  51  of the shoulders  50  of the respective fingers  48  located in the region of the back wall  28 . In this relationship, the side peripheral surface of the ball  54  is positioned in abutting relationship with the interior face  40  of back wall  28  and the bottom peripheral surface of the ball  54  is positioned in abutting relationship with the bottom of the net  60  thereby effectively and advantageously holding the ball  54  between the netting  60  and shoulders  50  of the fingers  48 . This feature is particularly advantageous in those game situations where an opposing player&#39;s strategy is to dislodge the ball from the head. The fingers, of course, will make dislodgement more difficult. 
     The fingers  48  not only are adapted to guide, hold and control the ball  54  in the pocket  58  as described above but also further are adapted to guide and hold the ball  54  in the frame  22  during the travel of the ball  54  between the scoop  34  and the pocket  58  (when the ball  54  is received through the scoop  34 ) and the ball&#39;s travel between the pocket  58  and the scoop  34  when the ball is either passed to another player or shot on goal. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the positioning and length of the respective successive fingers  48  which span the respective side walls  30  and  32  is such that the respective shoulders  50  thereof are spaced from the lower edge  38  in the vertical direction a distance which allows the shoulders  50  of the ball  54  to define ball guide and stop bumpers against which the top peripheral surface of the ball  54  bumps against as the ball  54  rolls outwardly and upwardly between the pocket  58  and the scoop  34 . More specifically, the respective fingers  48  are selectively positioned on the side walls  30  and  32  in a manner which allows the ball  54  to roll between the pocket  58  and the scoop  34  in a relationship wherein the top peripheral surface is in abutting relationship with the shoulders  50  of the respective fingers  48  and the lower peripheral surface of the ball  54  is in abutting relationship with the bottom of the net  60  as the ball travels along the side walls in the direction of the scoop  34 . The shoulders  50  thus serve the dual purpose of guiding the ball  54  between the pocket  58  and the scoop  34  and preventing the ball  54  from falling outwardly of the head  20  as the ball  54  rolls between the pocket  58  and the scoop  34  and vice versa. 
     Moreover, and as shown in both  FIGS. 5 and 9 , the spacing between successive fingers  48 , 148  allows the ball  54 ,  154  to be cradled between any two successive fingers  48 ,  148  in the course of its travel between the pocket and the scoop. As a result, the fingers  48 ,  148  provide the additional advantage of allowing a player to effectively hold and control the ball  54 ,  154  in the head  20 ,  120  at several different longitudinal points between the pocket  58  and the scoop depending upon the play intended to be executed. For example, in a game situation where a player&#39;s intent is simply to hold and carry the ball  54 , fingers  48  allow the ball  54  to be cradled in the left most “A” pocket position shown in  FIG. 5 . However, in the situation where a player&#39;s intent is to ready the ball  54  to be either passed or shot on goal, fingers  48  advantageously allow a player to transfer and hold the ball  54  in either the “B” or “C” cradling ball positions depicted in  FIG. 5  prior to advancing the ball  54  into the area of the scoop  34 . The ability to effectively hold the ball  54  at several different locations along the length of the side walls advantageously reduces the distance between the ball  54  and the scoop  34  which, in turn, advantageously reduces the time required to execute a pass or attempt a shot on goal. 
       FIGS. 6–9  depict the head embodiment  120  constructed in accordance with the present invention. Head  120  is similar in structure to the head  20  except that the plurality of individual ball guidance and control fingers  148  thereof have been formed on and protrude unitarily outwardly from the surface of a separate preformed and pre-molded insert  170 . 
     In accordance with the head embodiment  120 , the frame  122  is preferably made of the same type of durable and rigid synthetic material as the head  20  while the insert member  170  and thus each of the fingers  148  is preferably made of a soft, pliable, compressible impact-absorbing and tacky material such as, for example, a thermoplastic elastomer such as Santoprene™. 
     Insert  170  has a generally frame or wing-like structure and is defined by upper and lower unitary and elongate spaced-apart rod-like frame or truss members  172  and  174 . Upper frame member  172  is generally straight while the lower frame member  174  is generally arcuate and defines a center arched or curved back wall portion  176  corresponding in shape to the arc or curve defined by the shoulders  50  of the fingers  48  in the region of the back wall  28  of the head  20  and diametrically opposed side wall or wing portions  178  which curve outwardly and upwardly in the direction of the upper truss member  172  so as to correspond in shape to the curved ramp defined by the shoulders  50  of the fingers  48  in the respective side walls  30  and  32  of the head  20 . 
     Fingers  148  extend unitarily in the up and down or vertical direction between, and in a generally vertical orientation and relationship generally transverse and opposite to, the upper and lower frame members  172  and  174 . In the longitudinal or horizontal direction, the fingers  148  extend between the respective ends of the insert  170  in a generally spaced-apart and parallel relationship. The length of each of the fingers  148  defined in the insert  170  is determined and defined by the distance between the two frame members  172  and  174  thereof at the point where each of the fingers  148  is located in the horizontal or longitudinal direction. Each of the fingers  148  additionally define an outer surface  149  which slopes and protrudes outwardly and downwardly in the direction of the lower frame member  174  relative to the vertical plane of insert  170  in the same manner as outer surface  49  of fingers  48  ( FIG. 8 ). Particularly, the slope is intended to increase progressively in the direction of the wing portions  178  from about five degrees for the fingers  148  in the region of the back wall portion  176  to about twenty degrees for the fingers  148  in the region of the wing portions  178 . Each of the fingers  148  still further define a lower sloped and outwardly positioning shoulder  150 , the slope being determined and defined by the slope of the curved lower frame member  174  at the point where the respective fingers  148  are joined to the lower frame member  174 . 
     While the insert  170  has been described and shown herein as comprising a wing-like structure, it is understood that the invention encompasses all other insert embodiments adapted or configured to define or incorporate outwardly protruding fingers of the type shown in  FIGS. 2–5 . 
     Referring back to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , insert  170 , being pliable and deformable, is adapted to be folded about the central back wall portion  176  thereof and inset into an elongate and expanded cavity or recess  180  formed, and extending into, the material comprising interior face  140  of the back wall  128  and respective side walls  130  and  132  of the frame  122 . Recess  180  preferably corresponds in configuration and outline to the configuration and outline of the insert  170 . Although not shown in any of the drawings, it is understood that an adhesive is intended to be applied either to the interior face  140  of the frame  122  or to the surface of the insert  170  to secure the insert  170  to the interior face  140  of the frame  122 . The depth of the recess  180  is preferably equal to the thickness of the members  172  and  174  of the insert  170  so that the insert  170  may be disposed in a generally flush relationship with the interior face of the frame  122  with the fingers  148  protruding outwardly from the frame interior face  140  in the same manner as fingers  48  of the head  20  of  FIGS. 25 . Additionally, it is understood that the recess  180  may be sloped in the region of the back wall  128  so that the respective outer surfaces  149  of the respective fingers  148  in the region of the back wall  128  are positioned and disposed in a generally normal relationship relative to the longitudinal horizontal axis of the head  120 . Still further, it is understood that the invention encompasses head embodiments wherein the frame is not recessed along the interior surface and the insert is simply adhered or otherwise suitably secured to the interior flat faces of the frame. 
     The configuration, placement, location, orientation, spacing and function of the fingers  148 , following placement of the insert  170  in recess  180 , is essentially the same as the configuration, placement, location, orientation, spacing and function of the fingers  48  in the head  20  and thus the description and discussion related thereto is incorporated herein by reference and applies to the fingers  148  as though fully set forth herein. Particularly, it is understood that, with the insert  170  positioned within the interior of frame  122 , the fingers  148  protrude and project outwardly from the inner face  140  of the respective walls  128 ,  130  and  132  and vary in length between the back wall  128  and respective side walls  130  and  132  in the same manner as fingers  48  and further that the slope of the shoulders  150  of the respective fingers  148  which protrude outwardly from the inner face  40  varies between the back wall  128  and the respective side walls  130  and  132  in the same manner as the shoulders  50  and the slope of the surface  149  of the respective fingers  48  to provide the same advantages as those which are afforded by the fingers  48 . 
     It is further understood that the fingers  148 , being made of a compressible and impact-absorbing material, offer the added advantage of reducing rattle of the ball during its entry and receipt into the head. The “tacky” nature of the material comprising the insert  170  and each of the fingers  148  also offers the advantage of defining fingers adapted to grip and hold a ball in the head. For example, and as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the fingers  148  are configured to allow ball  154  to roll down the sloped outer surface  149  thereof into the center of the pocket  158  of the head  120 . The tacky nature of the material comprising the insert  170  advantageously keeps the ball  154  against the surface  149  of the fingers  148  thus reducing the likelihood of the ball  154  falling out of the head  120 . Moreover, it is understood that the spacing between each of the fingers  148  allows the ball  154  to be cradled between successive fingers as described earlier with respect to the fingers  48  of head  20 . Thus, in situations where the ball  154  is located in a cradled relationship between successive fingers  148  as shown in  FIG. 9  (such as, for example, where the ball  154  is being transferred between the pocket and the scoop), the fingers  148  are adapted to effectively grip or grasp the ball  154  therebetween, thus further reducing the risk of the ball  154  falling out of the head  120 . 
       FIGS. 10 and 11  depict yet a further head embodiment  220  which is similar in structure to both the head embodiments  20  and  120  except that the head  220  is adapted to receive a pre-formed and molded sleeved insert  270  which is preferably made of the same type of soft, pliable, compressible, impact-absorbing, and tacky material as insert  170 . 
     Insert  270  comprises a generally U-shaped elongate vertically oriented solid pliable and deformable sheet  282  defining interior and exterior vertical faces  284  and  286  respectively and a plurality of fingers  248  protruding and projecting unitarily outwardly from the interior face  284  of the sheet  282  and, more particularly, protruding outwardly from the back wall and side wall portions  288  and  290  thereof respectively. In accordance with the present invention, the fingers  248  extend in a generally vertical up and down direction between, and in an orientation and relationship generally transverse and opposite to, the top and bottom longitudinal edges  291  and  292  of the sheet  282 . In the horizontal or longitudinal direction, fingers  248  extend along the length of the interior face  284  of the respective back wall and side wall portions  288  and  290  thereof in a spaced-apart and generally parallel relationship. Fingers  248  are shaped, sized, structured, configured, aligned and positioned on the interior face  284  of sheet  282  in a manner similar to that described earlier with respect to the fingers  48  and  148  to provide the same ball guidance, retention and transfer characteristics as the earlier finger embodiments when the insert  270  is positioned and set into the frame  222  into the relationship wherein the fingers  248  protrude outwardly from, and are spaced along, the back wall  228  and side walls  230  and  232  thereof. Thus, the discussion with respect to said earlier finger embodiments applies thereto and is incorporated herein by reference. 
     Insert  270  additionally comprises a pair of outer flaps or ears  293  and  294  which depend and hang unitarily downwardly from the top longitudinal edge  291  of the sheet  282  in the direction of the bottom longitudinal edge  292  of the sheet  282  and in a relationship spaced from the exterior face  286  of the respective side walls  290  thereof. Flaps  293  and  294  extend essentially the full length of the respective side wall portions  290 . 
     Frame  222  of head  220  is similar in structure to the frame  122  of head  120  in that the interior face  240  of the back wall  228  and side walls  230  and  232  thereof defines an elongate recess or cavity  280  adapted to receive the sheet  282  of insert  270 . However, and unlike the frame  122 , frame  222  additionally defines recesses or cavities  296  defined and extending into the top longitudinal edge  236  and exterior face  242  of each of the respective side walls  230  and  232  which are adapted to receive the flaps  293  and  294  of insert  270  when insert  270  is set into the frame and the flaps  293  and  294  are wrapped around the top peripheral edge  236  and exterior face  242  of side walls  230  and  232  respectively as shown in  FIG. 11 . 
     As also shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , a cylindrically shaped pre-formed, molded hollow insert member  297  is adapted to surround the base  224 . 
     Preferably, an adhesive is adapted to be applied alternatively either to the surface of the recesses  280  and  296  in the frame  222  or to the exterior faces  286  of the insert  270  for securing the insert  270  to the frame  222 . An adhesive is likewise applicable to secure the base insert  297  around the periphery of base  224 . 
     In accordance with the invention, sleeved insert  270  envelopes a portion of the respective frame side walls  230  and  232  and thus offers all of the advantages of the insert  170  while also offering the added advantage of providing a cushioned and compressible longitudinal top frame edge in the region of the side walls  230  and  232  which enhances the frame&#39;s ability to absorb the impact of the ball upon entry into the head and to grip the ball (by way of increased surface friction between the material comprising the insert and the ball) when the ball contacts the side wall edges. 
       FIGS. 12 and 13  depict a further head embodiment  320  wherein the fingers  348  and the respective shoulders  350  thereof protrude unitarily outwardly from the interior face of an overlay member  370  which is overmolded directly to the frame  322  of the head  320  during the manufacturing operation using any of the several molding or overlay processes known in the art including, for example, casting, interference fitting, spraying, injection molding, rotational molding, insert molding and over molding. As with the earlier head embodiments, the frame  322  is made of a first material while the overlay member  370  is made of a second material similar in composition to the second material comprising the earlier described pre-formed inserts. 
     Overlay member  370  is overmolded to the frame  322  in a manner wherein the overlay member  370  encircles and covers the handle base  324 , the interior face  340  of the back wall  328  and selected portions of the interior and exterior faces  340  and  342  of the side walls  330  and  332  respectively. Fingers  348  protrude and project outwardly from the interior face  340  of the back wall  328  and side walls  330  and  332  and are shaped, configured, sized, spaced, structured and positioned along the interior face  340  of the back wall  328  and side walls  330  and  332  in a manner similar to the earlier described fingers  48 ,  148  and  248  to provide similar benefits and advantages and the description thereof in connection with the earlier embodiments applies thereto and is incorporated herein by reference. However, and unlike the earlier head embodiments, all the fingers  348  in the region of the back wall  328  have the same length and the shoulders  350  are not sloped. 
       FIGS. 14A–C  depict alternate insert embodiments  470 ,  570  and  670  incorporating alternate finger embodiments  448 ,  548 , and  648  respectively. 
     Finger  448  depicted in  FIG. 14A  is similar in structure to the finger  148  in that it includes an outer ball guide wall  451  which slopes outwardly and downwardly from a point adjacent the top edge  436  to a point adjacent the bottom edge  438  of the side wall  430  in a generally up and down vertical direction generally transverse and opposite the direction of the top and bottom edges  436  and  438  respectively. The angle of inclination of wall  451  relative to the side wall  430  may vary in the same manner as the wall  49  of finger  48 . A lower generally arcuate shoulder wall  449  extends generally normally outwardly between the lower truss  474  of the insert  470  and a distal lower end of the sloped outer guide wall  449  adjacent the bottom edge  438  to define a pointed shoulder  450  which protrudes outwardly from the inner face  440  of side wall  430  following the placement of insert  470  in the interior of the frame  222 . In the configuration of  FIG. 14A , finger  448  and, more particularly, the pointed shoulder  450  thereof, is adapted to surround and hold the ball  454  in a relationship wherein a portion of the top peripheral edge of the ball  454  is in abutting relationship with the tip of the shoulder  450  and a portion of the side peripheral surface of the ball  454  is positioned in abutting relationship with the inner face  440  of the respective frame walls to prevent the ball  454  from falling out of the head. The Santoprene™ material comprising the finger  448  advantageously allows the finger  448  to grip the ball  454 . 
     The finger  548  shown in  FIG. 14B  is characterized in that it includes an outer ball guide wall  549  which slopes and protrudes downwardly and outwardly from the base of insert  570  in a generally up and down vertical orientation from a point adjacent the top edge  526  to a point adjacent the bottom edge  538 . Finger  548  extends between, and in a directional relationship generally transverse and opposite to, the top and bottom edges  536  and  538  respectively. Wall  549  slopes and protrudes outwardly from the insert  570  at an angle relative to the side wall  530  similar to the angle of inclination of wall  49  of finger  48 . Finger  548  additionally includes a lower generally convexly shaped shoulder wall  551  extending and protruding upwardly and outwardly between the lower truss  594  of the insert  570  and a distal lower end of the outer guide wall  549  to define a shoulder  550  which protrudes outwardly from the inner face  540  of side wall  530  following placement of the insert  570  within the interior of the frame  522  and defines an outer bumper for the ball  554 . Particularly, the ball  554  is adapted to be positioned within the frame  522  in a relationship wherein the top peripheral edge of the ball  554  abuts against the shoulder  550  and the side peripheral surface of the ball  654  abuts against the inner face  540  of wall  530 . 
     The finger  648  shown in  FIG. 14C  includes an outer ball guide wall  649  which protrudes and slopes downwardly and outwardly from the base of insert  670  in a generally up and down vertical orientation between, and in a generally transverse or opposed relationship to, the top and bottom edges  636  and  638  respectively of the side wall  630  and a generally concavely shaped lower outwardly protruding shoulder wall  651  extending outwardly and upwardly between the lower truss  674  of insert  670  and a lower distal end of the outer ball guide wall  649  to define an outwardly protruding shoulder  650  adapted to receive the top peripheral edge of the ball  654  and prevent the ball  654  from falling out of the head. Wall  649  extends from a point adjacent the top edge  636  to a point adjacent the bottom edge  638  and is inclined at an angle relative to side wall  630  similar to the angle of inclination of wall  49  of finger  48 . Ball  654  is adapted to be received under shoulder  650  in a relationship wherein the side peripheral surface thereof is positioned in abutting relationship with both the surface of wall  651  of finger  648  and the inner surface  640  of frame side wall  630 . 
     It will be readily apparent from the foregoing detailed description of the invention and from the illustrations thereof that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the true spirit and scope of the novel concepts or principles of this invention.