Patent Publication Number: US-7588506-B1

Title: Lacrosse head with cushioned sidewalls

Description:
This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 11/555,635 filed Nov. 1, 2006 entitled “Lacrosse Head with Cushioned Sidewalls”, which is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/021,256 filed Dec. 22, 2004 entitled “Lacrosse Head with Cushioned Sidewalls”, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,214,151 on May 8, 2007. The current application is also co-pending with U.S. application Ser. No. 11/859,584 filed Sep. 21, 2007 entitled “Lacrosse Head with Cushioned Sidewalls”, which is a divisional of the aforementioned U.S. application Ser. No. 11/555,635. These applications and patent are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. 

   A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 
   All patents and publications described or discussed herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that lacrosse is a fast growing sport. It will further be appreciated that lacrosse heads are essential to playing the game. A lacrosse head is a collection, catching, or basket-type, element that attaches to the end of a handle, or lacrosse stick. The lacrosse head is usually molded from polymers, such as duPont Xytel brand nylon. The lacrosse head has an open, or upper, side for catching and discharging a ball and a lower side to which a net or pocket is attached for holding the ball. A lacrosse head has a throat section that includes a ball stop for impacting a ball and a socket for receiving the handle. A pair of sidewalls is attached to the throat section proximate the ball stop and are joined distal from the throat section by a lip or scoop. 
   In the game of lacrosse, the head is used to catch the ball, hold the ball, and pass or shoot the ball. To this end, there have been several attempts to improve the lacrosse head to enhance the playing of lacrosse. 
   For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,037,841, 4,270,756, and 6,561,932 disclose the use of cushioning materials placed on the internal surfaces of a lacrosse frame near its base at the ball stop. These cushioning materials are positioned and designed to cushion the impact between the ball and the frame of the lacrosse head once the ball has already been collect, or positioned, within the lacrosse head near the ball stop. These prior art lacrosse heads fail to use cushioning material to absorb energy from an impact between the ball and the pocket of the lacrosse head. As such, the ball has a tendency to rebound or “pop” out of the lacrosse head, which is an unwarranted event during the course of a lacrosse game. 
   Also, prior art attempts have been made to reconfigure the sidewalls and the ball stop area to improve the performance of a lacrosse head. For examples U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,935,026 and 5,651,549 issued to Dill et al disclose a lacrosse head in which the majority of the head, all the head except for the portion of the head proximal to the throat, lies on a plane below the stick. Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 5,568,925 discloses an upper wall and a lower wall in which both the upper wall and lower wall curve away from the plane, have a curved base, and then curve back toward the plane. 
   These patents fail to recognize the need for a flat section separating the divergent and convergent sections near the throat and scope sections of the lacrosse head. Further, the design of the lacrosse head disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,568,925 substantially increases the travel time of a ball through the curvature and reduces the control of the ball during this travel. Also, this curve causes the pocket to be formed further from the scoop. As such, a shot taken with this prior art head is slower and less controlled, which reduces the performance and usefulness of the prior art head during the lacrosse game. 
   What is needed, then, is a lacrosse head that reduces the energy of impact between the ball and the pocket of the lacrosse head. Preferably, this needed lacrosse head will reduce the rate of deflection of the pocket with respect to the frame upon impact of a ball with the lacrosse head. Additionally, a lacrosse head is needed to properly position the base of the lacrosse head with respect to the scoop and throat of the lacrosse head. This improved design should preferably increase the shot speed and control of a ball traveling from this new lacrosse head. Preferably this lacrosse head carries the lacrosse ball in a position within the lacrosse head that increases the shot speed and accuracy of the shot of leaving the lacrosse head. This needed lacrosse head is presently lacking in the art. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A lacrosse head comprising a frame, a pocket attached to the frame, and at least one energy absorbing element engaging the frame to absorb energy from an impact to the pocket. Preferably, the frame, which includes a scoop, a throat, and sidewalls, includes energy absorbing elements positioned proximate to the throat and along the sidewalls of the frame. The energy absorbing elements can be positioned on an external surface of the perimeter of the frame. 
   The frame includes pocket attachment apertures and the energy absorbing elements include apertures, wherein the apertures on the energy absorbing elements are substantially aligned with the pocket attachment apertures to secure the energy absorbing elements to the frame. 
   Also included is a plurality of securing elements shaped to substantially correspond with the shape of the energy absorbing elements. Each energy absorbing element is positioned between one of the securing elements and the frame such that the securing elements can be pressed against the energy absorbing elements and secure the energy absorbing elements in position on the frame. The energy absorbing elements and the securing elements are shaped to substantially conform to the shape of the frame. 
   The pocket of the lacrosse head includes connection components operatively engaging the energy absorbing elements and the frame. The connection components interact with the energy absorbing elements and the frame such that the energy absorbing elements decelerate deflection, or reduce the rate of movement, of the connection components with respect to the frame. As such, the decelerated deflection of the connection components in turn decelerates the overall deflection of the pocket with respect to the frame. This reduce rate can be accomplished through the resistive nature of the energy absorbing elements. 
   The energy absorbing elements can be elastic in nature such that they return to their initial, or former, state after deformation. As such, the elastic nature of the energy absorbing elements slows the movement of the connection components and pocket. Energy that would normally go to the deformation of the pocket is used to compress the energy absorbing elements. 
   The energy absorbing elements should have a greater elasticity and tendency for deformation than the materials that comprises the connection components and pocket. As such, the energy absorbing elements should compress, deflect, and be deformed before any such corresponding compression, deflection, or deformation of the pocket and/or connection components. 
   In contrast, traditional lacrosse heads have the laces tied directly to the frame. Also, normally the frame is made of a less flexible material than the pockets. As such, in traditional lacrosse heads the pocket will deform to its limit of elasticity and rebound or tend to flex back to its normal shape, thereby having a tendency to force the ball out of the lacrosse head. An inventive feature of the current invention will absorb the energy that normally deflects the pocket and greatly reduce the deflection of the pocket. As such, the rebound effect of the pocket is greatly reduced and the current inventive lacrosse head facilitates the ball staying within the lacrosse head. 
   Also included is an energy dampening system for use with a lacrosse head having a frame. The energy dampening system includes at least one energy dampening element positioned on the frame to dampen energy from an impact to the frame. The at least one energy dampening element includes a length and a plurality of apertures spaced along the length for attachment to the frame. The energy dampening system further includes at least one securement element shaped to substantially correspond with the shape of the energy dampening element. The securing element includes a length and a plurality of apertures spaced along the length for attachment to the frame. Additionally, the energy dampening element is positioned between the securing element and the frame such that the securement element operatively attaches the energy dampening element to the frame. Preferably, the energy dampening system includes first, second, and third energy dampening elements positioned on the frame between first, second, and third securement elements. Alternatively stated, the first, second and third securement elements engage the first, second, and third energy dampening elements opposite the frame. 
   Also included is a lacrosse head comprising first and second sidewalls, with each sidewall including a throat end, scoop end, and a middle section. A throat is attached to each throat end, a scoop is attached to each scoop end, and a flat bottom is positioned proximate the throat. Additionally, each throat end and scoop end is positioned further from the flat bottom than the middle section. 
   Also included is a lacrosse head comprising first and second sidewalls having a throat end, a scoop end, middle section, and a top. A throat is attached to each throat end, a scoop is attached to each scoop end, and a bottom is positioned in a bottom plane. The bottom includes a bottom length and is flat proximate to the throat and substantially flat over the length. Additionally, the top of each sidewall at both the throat end and the scoop end is spaced further from the bottom plane than the middle section is spaced from the bottom plane. Additionally, webbing is included that has a webbing underside positioned to be less than approximately two inches from the top of each sidewall. 
   Also included is a method of absorbing energy in a lacrosse head having a pocket attached to a frame. The method comprises reducing the rate of movement of a pocket with respect to the frame at points of attachment between a pocket and the frame. 
   It is therefore a general object of the present invention to absorb the energy of impact between a ball and a lacrosse head. 
   It is another object of the present invention to absorb the energy of an impact between a ball and a pocket of a lacrosse head. 
   Still another object of the present invention is to position cushioning elements on a lacrosse head that reduce the rate of movement of a pocket with respect to the frame of a lacrosse head. 
   Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a lacrosse head having a substantially flat base. 
   Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a lacrosse head designed to position a central holding location of a ball during the carrying of a ball within a lacrosse head closer to the scoop of the lacrosse head. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a lacrosse head having a throat area and scoop area that are substantially positioned in a plane above a base of the lacrosse head. 
   Other and further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading of the following disclosure when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an expanded perspective view of an embodiment of a lacrosse head made in accordance with the current disclosure. 
       FIG. 2  is a front view of an embodiment of a lacrosse head made in accordance with the current disclosure. 
       FIG. 3  is a top view of a lacrosse head made in accordance with the current disclosure. 
       FIG. 4  is a bottom view of a lacrosse head made in accordance with the current disclosure. 
       FIG. 5  is a side view of a lacrosse head made in accordance with the current disclosure. 
       FIG. 6  is a side view similar to  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 6  shows an example of a pocket attached to the lacrosse head. 
       FIG. 7  is a back view of a lacrosse head made in accordance with the current disclosure. 
       FIG. 8  is a back view similar to  FIG. 7 .  FIG. 8  shows an example of a pocket attached to the lacrosse head. 
       FIG. 9  shows a detailed view of the positioning of an energy absorbing element and a securement cover on a frame prior to impact of a ball with the pocket. 
       FIG. 10  is similar to  FIG. 9 .  FIG. 10  shows the interaction of the energy absorbing element, securement cover, frame, and pocket during an impact of a ball to the pocket and the absorption of the energy therein by an energy absorbing element. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring generally now to  FIGS. 1-10  of a lacrosse head is shown and generally designated by the numeral  10 . The lacrosse head ( 10 ) includes a frame ( 12 ) having a scoop ( 14 ), a throat ( 16 ), and sidewalls ( 18  and  20 ). The lacrosse head ( 10 ) also includes a pocket ( 22 ), which can be described as webbing ( 22 ) or a net ( 22 ), attached to the frame ( 12 ). Additionally, at least one energy absorbing element ( 24 ) engages the frame ( 12 ) to absorb energy from an impact to the pocket ( 22 ). 
   The lacrosse head ( 10 ) is used with a lacrosse ball ( 11 ). As such the energy absorbing elements ( 24 ) can be described as absorbing energy from an impact between the ball and the pocket ( 22 ). 
   In a preferred embodiment, the frame ( 12 ) includes a perimeter ( 26 ) and an external surface ( 28 ) on the perimeter ( 26 ). The energy absorbing element ( 24 ) is positioned on the external surface ( 28 ) of the perimeter ( 26 ). 
   A first energy absorbing element ( 30 ) is positioned on a sidewall ( 18 ), a second energy absorbing element ( 32 ) is positioned on the sidewall ( 20 ), and a third energy absorbing element ( 34 ) is positioned proximate to the throat ( 16 ). The first, second and third energy absorbing elements ( 30 ,  32  and  34 ) can be described as being positioned along the base ( 17 ) of the lacrosse head ( 10 ). 
   The frame ( 12 ) includes pocket attachment apertures ( 36 ) and the energy absorbing element ( 24 ) includes apertures ( 38 ) substantially aligned with the pocket attachment apertures ( 36 ) for securing the energy absorbing element ( 34 ) to the frame ( 12 ). 
   Also included is a cover ( 40 ) which can also be described as a securement element ( 40 ) shaped to substantially correspond with the shape of the energy absorbing element ( 24 ). The cover ( 40 ) is positioned to engage and secure the energy engaging element ( 24 ) to the frame ( 12 ). As such, the energy absorbing element ( 24 ) is positioned between the cover ( 40 ) and the frame ( 12 ). Additionally, the energy absorbing element ( 24 ) and the cover ( 40 ) are shaped to substantially conform to the shape of the frame ( 12 ). 
   The pocket ( 22 ) further includes connection components ( 42 ), which can be described as ties, strings, or laces, for connecting the pocket to the frame ( 12 ). The connection components ( 42 ) operatively engage the energy absorbing elements ( 24 ) or the frame ( 12 ), which can best be seen in  FIGS. 6 ,  8 ,  9 , and  10 . The connection components ( 42 ) engage and align the cover ( 40 ), energy absorbing elements ( 24 ), and frame such that the energy absorbing elements ( 24 ) decelerate deflection of the connection components ( 40 ) with respect to the frame ( 12 ). As such, the energy absorbing elements ( 40 ) decelerate deflection of the pocket ( 22 ) with respect to the frame ( 12 ). 
   As best seen in  FIGS. 6 ,  8 ,  9 , and  10 , the laces ( 42 ) of the pocket ( 22 ) pass through the pocket attachment apertures ( 36 ) of the frame ( 12 ), through the apertures ( 38 ) of the energy absorbing elements ( 24 ), and through the openings ( 44 ) of the securement elements ( 40 ). Then the laces ( 42 ) continue through an adjacent opening ( 44 ) in the securement element ( 40 ) through an adjacent aperture ( 38 ) of the energy absorbing element ( 24 ) and back through an adjacent pocket attachment aperture ( 36 ) of the frame ( 12 ) to continue its path in the composition of the overall pocket scheme. In essence, the laces ( 42 ) are looped through the frame ( 12 ) and the energy absorbing element ( 42 ) and around the securement element ( 40 ). 
   As such, when a force is applied inwardly on the laces ( 42 ), the laces will pull on the cover ( 40 ). The cover ( 40 ) will in turn deflect the energy absorbing elements ( 24 ) to dissipate energy from the force. Energy from am impact to the pocket ( 22 ) is absorbed by the energy absorbing elements ( 24 ) by the compression of the energy absorbing element ( 24 ) between the cover ( 40 ) and the frame ( 12 ). This can best be seen in  FIGS. 9 and 10 . In  FIG. 9 , an energy absorbing element is seen prior to impact of a ball ( 11 ) to the pocket ( 22 ).  FIG. 10  shows the compression of the energy absorbing element ( 24 ) as forces are being applied to the pocket to pull the laces ( 42 ) towards the interior of the frame ( 12 ). 
   Additionally, the securement element ( 40 ) is comprised of a harder material than the energy dampening element ( 24 ). In a preferred embodiment the energy dampening element ( 24 ) is comprised of foam, such as open cell urethane or vinyl nitrile. The securing element ( 40 ) is comprised of nylon, such as Dupont Xytel brand nylon. 
   The energy absorbing elements ( 24 ) reduce the rate of movement of the connection components ( 42 ). Preferably this reduce is accomplished through the resistive nature of the energy absorbing elements ( 24 ). The energy absorbing elements ( 24 ) are elastic in nature and return to their initial, or former, state after deformation. The energy absorbing elements ( 24 ) preferably compress at a rate faster than they return back to their original shape. The rate of return to the original state is slower than the rate of deformation to reduce a possible trampoline effect in the pocket ( 22 ). If unchecked, the trampoline effect of the pocket tends to force a lacrosse ball out of the lacrosse head. 
   As such, the movement of the connection components ( 42 ) and pocket ( 24 ) is slowed due to the elastic nature of the energy absorbing elements ( 24 ). Energy that would normally go to the deformation of the pocket ( 22 ) is used to compress the energy absorbing elements ( 24 ). Ideally, the energy absorbing elements ( 24 ) have a greater elasticity and tendency for deformation than the material that comprises the connection components ( 42 ) and pocket ( 22 ). As such, the energy absorbing elements ( 24 ) will compress, deflect, and be deformed before any such corresponding compression, deflection, or deformation of the pocket ( 22 ) and/or connection components ( 42 ). 
   Also included is an energy dampening system ( 50 ) for use with a lacrosse head ( 10 ) having a frame ( 12 ). The energy dampening system ( 50 ) comprises at least one energy dampening element ( 24 ) positioned on the frame ( 12 ) to dampen energy from impact to the frame ( 12 ). The energy dampening element ( 24 ) includes a length ( 25 ) and a plurality of apertures ( 38 ) spaced along the length ( 25 ) for attachment to the frame ( 12 ). The energy dampening system ( 50 ) further includes at least one securement element ( 40 ) shaped to substantially correspond with the shape of the energy dampening element ( 24 ). The securement element ( 40 ) includes a length ( 41 ) and a plurality of openings ( 44 ) spaced along the length ( 41 ) for attachment to the frame ( 12 ). Preferably, the at least one energy dampening element ( 24 ) is positioned between the securement element ( 40 ) and the frame ( 12 ). 
   Also disclosed is a lacrosse head comprising first and second sidewalls ( 20 ) with each sidewall ( 20 ) including a throat end ( 54 ), a scoop end ( 56 ) and a middle section ( 58 ). A throat ( 16 ) is attached to each throat end ( 54 ), while a scoop ( 14 ) is attached to each scoop end ( 56 ). A bottom ( 17 ) is positioned proximate to the throat ( 16 ) wherein the bottom ( 17 ) is flat. Additionally, each throat end ( 54 ) and scoop end ( 56 ) is positioned farther from the flat bottom ( 17 ) than the middle section ( 58 ) is positioned from the flat bottom ( 17 ). 
   The bottom ( 17 ) can be described as positioned in a bottom plane ( 60 ) and having a bottom length ( 62 ), wherein the bottom ( 17 ) is flat proximate to the throat ( 16 ) and substantially flat over the length ( 62 ). Additionally, the top ( 64 ) of each sidewall ( 20 ) at the throat end ( 54 ) and the scoop end ( 56 ) is spaced further from the bottom plane ( 60 ) than the top ( 64 ) of the middle section ( 58 ) is spaced from the bottom plane ( 60 ). This shape of the lacrosse head having the flat bottom ( 17 ) and the raised throat end ( 54 ) and scoop end ( 56 ) facilitates an increase in shot speed and shot control of a ball ( 11 ) from the lacrosse head ( 10 ). 
   Additionally, the lacrosse head ( 10 ) includes a webbing ( 22 ) having a webbing underside ( 66 ) positioned to be less than approximately two inches from the top ( 64 ) of each side wall ( 20 ). 
   Thus, although there have been described particular embodiments of the present invention of a new and useful Lacrosse Head With Cushioned Sidewalls, it is not intended that such references be construed as limitations upon the scope of this invention except as set forth in the following claims.