Patent Abstract:
A handle for attachment to a lacrosse head, comprising, a rod having a top end adapted for coupling to a lacrosse head, a bottom end opposite the top end, a first and second grip area, wherein the first grip area is located generally at the bottom end of the rod and the second grip area is located generally at the top end of the rod. A teardrop shaped handle is located at the bottom end of the rod as the first grip area, and a smaller octagon shaped grip area is located at the top end of the rod, adapted to fit smaller hands.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Technical Field 
         [0002]    The invention relates generally to lacrosse equipment. More particularly, the invention relates to an improved lacrosse stick for attachment to a lacrosse head. Specifically, the invention provides a new cross-sectional configuration for a lacrosse stick that provides both tactile feedback as to the position of the lacrosse head, and a smaller gripping section for the lead hand. 
         [0003]    2. Background Information 
         [0004]    It is well known that lacrosse is a fast paced game that requires participants to make quick decisions and movements. The game is played by passing a ball back and forth between teammates, using a stick with a basket at one end. The basket is adapted to catch and throw a lacrosse ball according to the movements of a participant. If the basket is facing the wrong direction, or angled differently than expected, the participant will achieve a less accurate catch or throw of the ball. While moving, the lacrosse participant must continuously look at the end of the lacrosse stick to make sure the basket is positioned correctly. 
         [0005]    Although there are a variety of hand sizes for lacrosse participants, lacrosse sticks tend to be a standard size and thickness. Participants with smaller hands, and a smaller circumferential grip are at a disadvantage to players with larger hands. 
         [0006]    Thus, a need exists for an improved lacrosse stick. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    A lacrosse player generally grips a lacrosse stick with both hands, having one hand near the lacrosse head and the other near the end of the shaft. The present invention provides an enhanced grip for each hand. The invention provides a smaller circumferential distance around the shaft for an improved grip by a smaller hand at the head of the shaft. This allows players with traditionally smaller hands like women or children to more finely control the power and precision of the lacrosse shaft while throwing or catching a ball. 
         [0008]    The other end of shaft is shaped to ergonomically fit in a player&#39;s hand while providing tactile feedback to the player on which direction lacrosse head is facing. The shaft fits into the player&#39;s palm and base of the area between the thumb and “pointer finger”. This orients the other surfaces to follow the natural hand shape of the area immediately outside the thumb base. When a player&#39;s hand is in a gripping position, the four fingers curl to make a shape adapted to receive the remaining surfaces. These surfaces combine to fit to the natural gripping shape of a player&#39;s hand, and allow the player to achieve a high level of control on the lacrosse stick. 
         [0009]    The lacrosse head is oriented on the shaft so as to be facing outwardly from the player as the player&#39;s hand is correctly gripping the ergonomic section of the shaft. This is the natural position of the lacrosse head as a player engages in running, catching and throwing the lacrosse ball. In a constantly moving game, the player&#39;s eyes are often fixed on the location of the ball and other players. If the ball is thrown at the player and the lacrosse head is facing the wrong direction, the ball cannot be caught. The present invention allows a player to know the lacrosse head is oriented correctly through the tactile feedback of the ergonomic section, without taking the player&#39;s eyes off the interactions of the game. When a hand is correctly gripping ergonomic section, the lacrosse head is oriented correctly. 
         [0010]    The present invention is a handle for attachment to a lacrosse head comprising a stick having a top end adapted for coupling to a lacrosse head, a bottom end opposite the top end, and a first and second grip area. The first grip area is located generally at the bottom end of the rod and the second grip area is located generally spaced from the bottom end of the rod. The shape of the first area is different from the second area. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    A preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrative of the best modes in which Applicant contemplates applying the principles, is set forth in the following description and is shown in the drawings and particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims. 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a top plan view of a lacrosse stick with an improved shaft; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a side plan view thereof; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view thereof; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a side plan view thereof; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of one end of the improved shaft shown in  FIG. 1 , taken on line  5 - 5 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of one end of the improved shaft shown in  FIG. 1 , taken on line  6 - 6 . 
       
    
    
       [0018]    Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]    The present invention relates to improved lacrosse sticks having construction providing tactile feedback regarding the position of a player&#39;s hands on the shaft. The present invention also provides for an improved grip by better conforming to a player&#39;s hand placement and ergonomics. 
         [0020]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a lacrosse stick  2  with an improved shaft  4  in accordance with the present invention. Shaft  4  includes a head end  6  connected to a lacrosse head  10 , and a butt end  8  connected to a shaft stopper  12 . Head end  6  of shaft  4  is fitted into a hole  11  in lacrosse head  10  adapted to receive head end  6 . Shaft  4  is an elongated tubular member with a dynamic cross-sectional diameter and dynamic cross-sectional area throughout the length thereof. Shaft  4  may be fabricated from a material such as carbon fiber composite material, however any reasonable material may be used. Shaft  4  may receive a soft paint coating for an enhanced grip. In accordance with the invention, and as shown in  FIGS. 2-4 , shaft  4  is comprised of six sections: a head section  14 , a cone shaped section  16 , a reduced diameter section  18 , a cone shaped section  20 , a gradient section  22 , and a butt section  24 . 
         [0021]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , a cross-sectional view of lacrosse shaft  4  is taken along line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 4 , and provides an octagonal shape  50 . Octagonal shape  50  is comprised of static surfaces  30 ,  31 , and  34 , which do not undergo a shape change over the length of shaft  4 . Static surfaces  30  and  34  provide the top and bottom walls of shape  50 , spaced apart and generally parallel to one another. Static surfaces  31 A and  31  B extend from each end of top wall  30 . Static surface  34  is oriented to be facing or touching a player&#39;s palm while gripping the lacrosse stick, which orients lacrosse head  10  to a position to launch the lacrosse ball outwardly from the player. 
         [0022]    Octagonal shape  50  further comprises dynamic surfaces  32  and  33 , which undergo a shape change over the length of shaft  4 . Dynamic surfaces  32 A and  32 B provide the sidewalls of shape  50 , spaced apart and generally parallel to one another. Dynamic surfaces  33 A and  33 B provide connecting walls between  32 A/ 32 B and static bottom wall surface  34 . Over the length of shaft  4 , dynamic surfaces  32 A and  33 A gradually lose their linear shape, bow outwardly from the center of shape  50 , and merge into one curved surface (discussed further below). Dynamic surfaces  32 B and  33 B undergo the same transformation. 
         [0023]    In accordance with one of the main features of the present invention,  FIG. 6  provides a cross-sectional view of lacrosse shaft  4  taken on line  6 - 6  in  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 6  provides generally a “teardrop” shape  60 . In a comparison from  FIG. 5  to  FIG. 6 , dynamic surfaces  32 A and  33 A are replaced with a curved surface  36 A, and dynamic surfaces  32 B and  33 B are replaced with a curved surface  36 B. Static surfaces  30 ,  31  and  34  are left unchanged from  FIG. 5  to  FIG. 6 . Curved surface  36  is a convexly arced surface that is symmetrically mirrored on each side of shape  60 . Curved surface  36  bulges outward and extends from an edge  62  to an edge  64  on each side of shape  60 . 
         [0024]    Over the length of shaft  4 , the cross-sectional area and shape undergo multiple changes. However, there are no abrupt changes in the cross-sectional shape or area. Over the length of shaft  4 , octagonal shape  50  gradually changes into shape  60  through merging the dynamic surfaces. Likewise, gradually and proportionately increasing or decreasing the length of the sides of shape  50  results in a greater or smaller cross-sectional area. 
         [0025]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , head section  14  begins at first end  26  of shaft  4  and extends linearly along shaft  4 , terminating at Arrow A. Head section  14  has the generally octagonal cross-sectional shape  50  shown in  FIG. 5 . Head section  14  ends when the cross-sectional area of shaft  4  starts to change at Arrow A. 
         [0026]    Cone shaped section  16  begins at Arrow A and extends linearly along shaft  4 , terminating at Arrow B. Cone shaped section  16  retains the generally octagonal cross-sectional shape  50  shown in  FIG. 5 . However, cone shaped section  16  gradually transitions over the length of section  16  into a smaller cross-sectional area of octagonal shape  50 . The ratio and proportion of each surface and edge of octagonal shape  50  remain constant while transitioning from a large octagonal shape  50 A to a smaller octagonal shape  50 B. 
         [0027]    Reduced diameter section  18  begins at Arrow B and extends linearly along shaft  4 , terminating at Arrow C. The cross-sectional area of section  18  remains constant throughout the section and is comprised of the smaller octagonal shape  50 B. Section  18  has the smallest cross-sectional area on shaft  4 . The cross-sectional area of reduced diameter section  18  is smaller to enable a lacrosse player with smaller hands to better grip shaft  4 . 
         [0028]    A second cone shaped section  20  begins at Arrow C and extends linearly along shaft  4 , terminating at Arrow D. Cone shaped section  20  retains the generally octagonal cross-sectional shape  50  shown in  FIG. 5 . However, cone shaped section  20  gradually transitions over the length of section  20  from the smaller cross-sectional area of octagonal shape  50 B to the larger cross-sectional area of octagonal shape  50 A. The ratio and proportion of each surface and edge of octagonal shape  50  remain constant while transitioning. 
         [0029]    Gradient section  22  begins at Arrow D and extends linearly along shaft  4 , terminating at Arrow E. Gradient section  22  is the location on shaft  4  of the transition between octagonal shape  50  and teardrop shape  60 . A gradient edge  38  is formed on both sides of tubular member  5  where dynamic surface  32  and  33  meet. As shown in  FIG. 4 , over the length of gradient section  22  and from Arrow D to Arrow E, dynamic surfaces  32  and  33  gradually merge to form curved surface  36 . From Arrow D to Arrow E, gradient edge  38  transitions from a sharp, angled edge, to a rounded and curved surface. Shown in  FIG. 4 , as gradient edge  38  moves from Arrow D to Arrow E, it expands surface  32 , while conversely narrowing surface  33 . Gradient edge  38  continues until the surfaces  32  and  33  are merged and gradient edge  38  disappears into the curved surface  36 . 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , butt section  24  begins at Arrow E and extends linearly along shaft  4 , terminating at the end of tubular member  5 . Butt section  24  has the general teardrop cross-sectional shape  60  shown in  FIG. 6 . Shape  60  extends throughout butt section  24  and is tailored to ergonomically fit in a player&#39;s hand. 
         [0031]    As can be seen, stick  4  provides a first cross-sectional shape that has an area that changes over the length of shaft  4 , and a second cross-sectional shape that transforms into the first cross-sectional shape over the length of shaft  4 . The transformations are gradual, with gradient areas on shaft  4  where one cross-sectional area or shape changes to another. 
         [0032]    A lacrosse player generally grips lacrosse stick  2  with both hands. Traditionally, one hand is placed near head end  6 , and the other hand placed near butt end  8 . In the present invention, butt section  24  comprises a first grip area and reduced area section  18  provides a second grip area. The present invention provides an improved interaction with lacrosse stick  2  for each hand. At head end  6  of shaft  4 , reduced diameter section  18  provides a smaller circumferential distance around shaft  4  for an improved grip by a smaller hand. Improving a player&#39;s grip allows the player to throw the ball with more velocity and precision. 
         [0033]    At butt end  8  of shaft  4 , butt section  24  is shaped to ergonomically fit in a player&#39;s hand as well as give tactile feedback to the player on which direction lacrosse head  10  is facing. Referring to  FIG. 6 , palm edge  34  of shape  60  fits into the player&#39;s palm and base of the area between the thumb and “pointer finger”. This orients curved surfaces  36 A and  36 B to follow the natural hand shape of the area immediately outside the thumb base. When a player&#39;s hand is in a gripping position, the four fingers curl to make a shape adapted to receive static surfaces  30 ,  31 A, and  31 B. These surfaces combine to fit to the natural gripping position of a player&#39;s hand, and allow the player to achieve a high level of control on lacrosse stick  2 . 
         [0034]    Lacrosse head  10  is oriented on shaft  4  so as to be facing outwardly from the player as the player&#39;s hand is correctly gripping butt section  24 . This is the natural position of lacrosse head  10  as a player engages in lacrosse. In a constantly moving game, the player&#39;s eyes are often fixed on the location of the ball and other players. If the ball is thrown at the player and lacrosse head  10  is facing the wrong direction, the ball cannot be caught. The present invention allows a player to know lacrosse head  10  is oriented correctly through the tactile feedback of butt section  24 , without taking the player&#39;s eyes off the interactions of the game. When a hand is correctly gripping butt section  24 , lacrosse head  10  is oriented correctly. Butt section  24  is shaped to fit into the contours of a closed hand, with the correct orientation fitting perfectly with the ridges and pockets of the hand. Holding butt section  24  incorrectly will feel awkward and less secure compared to how shaft  4  feels when held correctly. A user will immediately be able to tell whether butt section  24  is positioned correctly through his sense of touch. 
         [0035]    In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed. 
         [0036]    Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is an example and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0