Abstract:
An apparatus and method of making same is disclosed including a portable lightweight lacrosse practice device having a lacrosse ball connected to a lacrosse stick with a return cord in such way that during return of the ball to a player conducting skill building drills the player experiences true ball roll and bounce consistent with game play without the device slipping off of the lacrosse stick and without the ball becoming entangled in the elastic cord.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Present Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to a lightweight portable lacrosse stick and ball return apparatus, and a method of making the apparatus. In particular the invention relates to a lightweight portable device for allowing a single lacrosse player to practice skill building drills using a lacrosse ball attached to a lacrosse stick in a novel and unique manner so the player may conduct drills by throwing the ball away from him or her and the ball will return in a manner consistent with game like conditions without entangling the return cord, the stick or the player, all while the player is able to move throughout the field of play without restriction. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    There have been many prior practice devices for various sports including football, soccer, baseball and lacrosse. Many of these devices include some manner of attaching the ball to a fixed object with a cord that will rebound the ball to the player in some fashion. However none of the prior art devices have sufficiently allowed a user to conduct moving lacrosse skill drills and exercises due to the particular type of equipment and game style inherent of lacrosse. 
         [0005]    For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,976,041 issued to Banker teaches an elastic returnable practice ball designed for a baseball. For use of a practice device with baseball, a bore has been formed in the ball which passes all the way through the diameter of the ball. Thereafter, a plug is inserted into the ball to hold a cord within the ball. Finally, a cap is placed over the end of the bore opposite where the cord emanates from. Alternatively, a bore has been formed in a ball, and then a loop passed through the bore, one end of the loop emanating from each side of the bore. Finally, bores passing less than the full diameter of the ball have been used. In each of these situations, the other end of the cord is attached to some part of the user&#39;s body or a stationary object such as a pole or a tree. However, these have always held the ball insufficiently and have been relatively difficult to fabricate. Moreover, such prior art devices have not been concerned with the roll and bounce of the ball on the return because the primary action of the game is on the ball as it leaves the possession of the player. 
         [0006]    Additionally, a baseball has different physical characteristics than a lacrosse ball. A baseball is approximately 9 inches (22.9 cm) and no more than 9¼ inches (23.5 cm) in circumference, and 5 ounces (142 g) in weight. Though baseball construction varies, generally the core of the ball is cork, rubber, or a mixture of the two, and is sometimes layered. Around that are various linear materials including yarn, twine or wool. A leather cover is put on, in two pieces, and stitched together using 108 stitches of waxed cotton thread. 
         [0007]    For lacrosse, there have been various stationary practice devices such as return nets or cages. These devices are typically built with a large bulky metal frame and net attachments. The large size often requires two or more persons to carry and set up the device as well as a large storage container. Further, these devices are designed for practice session where the player is stationary as the devices themselves do not move. In particular the focus of these devices is to return the ball to the player after the ball has been “played” so the concern about true roll and bounce is required on the return. 
         [0008]    As such the prior art has many deficiencies. In particular Banker&#39;s disclosed device is intended for a baseball which includes dynamics substantially different than those of a solid lacrosse ball. In baseball a batter is of course substantially stationary with respect to the movement of the baseball. Further a stationary baseball player hits the baseball with a bat that is typically no more than 30 inches long and preferably somewhere along the center of the bat which may be no more than 12 inches from the hitter&#39;s hands. On the other hand a lacrosse player is constantly moving during play and during skill building sessions. In addition the lacrosse stick can be three to six feet in length and the ball is played at the end of the stick which is up 6 feet away from the player&#39;s hands. 
         [0009]    Unfortunately, Banker&#39;s device does not account for the distance between the end of the lacrosse stick and the player, as the ball must be returned to the end of the lacrosse stick. Moreover, Banker&#39;s device, as well as all other stationary prior art devices, fail to take into account the fact that a lacrosse player in game-like conditions is constantly moving within the game and relative to the ball. Moreover, it is critical for a lacrosse player to build skills that involve movement of the player in the field of the play and relative to the ball. These prior art devices likewise do not account for a player&#39;s motion inherent during practice and skill building sessions with a lacrosse stick and lacrosse ball. 
         [0010]    Additionally, a lacrosse ball is unlike any other ball in any other game and has different physical characteristics compared to a baseball. Specifically, a lacrosse ball is a solid ball made from vulcanized rubber having a circumference usually between 7.75 and 8 inches (about 2.5 inches in diameter) and weights 5.25 ounces. The play of the lacrosse ball in a game and during skill building exercises is such that Banker&#39;s device, as well as other stationary devices, would not operate properly with a lacrosse ball in order to provide a genuine experience for a player conducting such skill drills alone. As a result, prior art large, bulky and stationary practice devices cannot be used in lacrosse skill building drills as such drills require the player to move in the field of play and relative to the ball. 
         [0011]    Therefore, there exists a need for a portable lightweight lacrosse stick and a ball return devices suitable for a single player conducting skill related drills. Furthermore, there is a need for such a device to be a small, easily storable quick set up device. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    The present invention includes an apparatus and method of making same is disclosed including a lacrosse practice device with a lacrosse ball connected to a lacrosse stick with an elastic cord in such way that a player conducting skill drills with the device experiences realistic ball roll and bounce upon return without the device slipping off of the lacrosse stick and without the ball becoming entangled in the elastic cord. The invention is advantageously small and light such that a player may disengage the device from the lacrosse stick and secure it in a small bag or pocket for safe keeping. Additionally, the small profiled of the device is advantageous over stationary prior art devices such as cages and return nets as there is no assembly required. 
         [0013]    In a first aspect, the present invention is directed to a lacrosse stick and ball practice apparatus, the apparatus including a ball having a bore through the center thereof, a band having a top edge, a bottom edge, a first end, a second end, a front side and a back side, the band being structured and arranged to be removably secured to a shaft of the lacrosse stick, and an elastic cord with a first end and a second end, the first end secured to the ball and the second end secured to the band at a point positioned substantially equidistant from the top and bottom edge of the band. 
         [0014]    In some embodiments the front side of the band releasable connects to the back side of the band when overlapped where the band is structured and arranged such that when the front side overlaps the back side during engagement with the shaft of the lacrosse stick, the band is secured to the shaft by friction forces that prevent the band from moving axially downward along the shaft. 
         [0015]    In some embodiments the cord is secured to the ball with a loop and knot combination, where the loop and knot combination includes the first end threaded through the bore at least once and secured to cord with a single knot. In some embodiments the loop and knot combination includes the first end through threaded through the bore at least once and secured to the cord with a pinch connection device. In still other embodiments the loop and knot combination comprises the first end through threaded through the bore at least once and secured to cord with an eye bolt. 
         [0016]    In some embodiments the second end is rotatably secured to the band, where the second end is secured to the band with a swivel joint connection, and the front side of the band includes a plurality of hook connections and the back side of the band includes a plurality of latch connections, such that when the front side overlaps the backs side, the hook and latch connections engage securing the band about the shaft of the lacrosse stick. 
         [0017]    In some embodiments gasket is thread through the bore and connected to the end of the cord. In some embodiments the gasket is circular and has a circumference of about 8 times the radius of the ball. 
         [0018]    In a second aspect the present invention is directed to method of making a lacrosse ball return device including boring a hole through a lacrosse ball, connecting the ball to a first end of a return cord, connecting a band to a second end of the cord and releasably connecting the band to a shaft of a lacrosse stick such that the band is frictionally engaged with the shaft. In some embodiments there is also a step of threading a gasket through the bore and connecting the first end of the ball to bore. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]    While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the present invention, it is believed the same will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, in a non-limiting fashion, the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the present invention, and in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the Figures, wherein: 
           [0020]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a lacrosse ball return apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the lacrosse ball according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of the lacrosse ball return apparatus affixed to a shaft of a lacrosse stick according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3B  is a cross-sectional view of the lacrosse ball return apparatus of  FIG. 3A  according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is an exploded view of a mechanism for connecting the cord to the band according one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  is a close-up view of the lacrosse ball return apparatus as shown in  FIG. 3A  according to one embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0026]      FIGS. 6A-6D  show a close-up view of the lacrosse ball and return cord connection according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0027]    The present disclosure will now be described more fully with reference to the Figures in which an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The subject matter of this disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIG. 1  a lacrosse ball return apparatus  10  is shown which is constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. Return apparatus  10  includes an elastic cord  13  with a first end  22  and a second end  24 . First end  22  is connected to a lacrosse ball  15 . There are many methods of affixing cord  13  to ball  15  however in a preferred embodiment, ball  15  includes a bore  17  through which the first end  22  of cord  13  are looped through. In some embodiments multiple loops are utilized if the player wishes to practice long throwing which will create larger tensile forces at the point of connection between the cords  13  and ball  15 .  FIG. 1  shows bore  17  with hatching and a single first end  22  looped through. Connection  45  may be a standard knot where first end  22  is simply knotted to cord  13  at a point on cord  13  that will provide enough of a ball roll for ball  15  and not cause tangling of the cord. In some embodiments first end  22  is looped through bore  17  and connected to cord  13  in such a manner that first end  22  is engaged directly along the circumference of ball  15 . 
         [0029]    Connection  45  may be accomplished with an epoxy, staple, pinch or compression connection so long as the roll of the ball remains true to the sport of lacrosse. In some embodiments this connection  45  includes a swivel joint or an eyelet joint so that cord  13 , first end  22  and ball  15  may move and rotate independently of one another in order to create a true game like roll. 
         [0030]    The second end  24  of cord  13  is connected to band  20  at point  29 , which is preferably located substantially equidistant from top edge  37  and bottom edge  39  along a center line of band  20 . Band  20  also includes a front side  31  and a back side  33 . Preferably front side  31  and back side  33  frictionally engage each other when end  53  overlaps with end  50 . In some embodiments front side  31  includes hook fasteners that engage with loop fasteners on back side  53 . Other embodiments may include removable adhesives on one or both of front side  31  and back side  33 . Still other embodiments may include snap fastener combinations, magnetic fasteners or other standard fastening methods commonly known in the art. Whichever fastener is employed it is critical that band  20  does slide along an axis of a lacrosse stick shaft when placed thereon as described below in connection with  FIGS. 3A ,  3 B and  5 . In this regard band  20  is preferably made from a flexible yet abrasive material in order to create a high friction factor with a shaft  60  of the lacrosse stick  57  as discussed in further detail below. In general band  20  may be constructed of an elastic material and dimensioned to encircle shaft  60 . In some embodiments, band  20  is formed from a cotton web material and measures about 1.5 inches wide and 4.5 inches long. Alternatively, band  20  may be formed from a polypropylene fabric and measure 1 inch wide and 5 inches long. However, other sizes of band  20  or even other types of fasteners sufficient to retain band  20  around shaft  60  may be used. 
         [0031]    Cord  13  may be formed of any material sufficiently elastic to allow deformation of the cord in the longitudinal direction sufficient to ensure the shaft  60  is not wrenched, yet strong enough to ensure that it will not break, and that ball  15  will be returned to the player. 
         [0032]    Referring now to  FIG. 2  there is shown an exploded view of lacrosse ball  15 . Bore  17  is shown in hatch lines having the first end  22  of cord  13  looped therethrough. An example of connection  45  is also shown as a simple tie knot. For purposed of explanation, first end  22  is shown as loosely tethered. In preferred embodiment first end  22  is tight fit to the circumference of ball  15  in order to prevent tangling of cord  13 . 
         [0033]    Referring now to  FIG. 3A  there is shown a standard “short” lacrosse stick  57 . In lacrosse, defensive players have a “long” stick which can be up 6 feet long. In these “long” sticks the present invention is part curly suitable due to the distance between the player&#39;s hands and the business end of the lacrosse stick. Again referring to  FIG. 3A , lacrosse stick  57  includes a shaft  60 , a head portion  65  and the top end of the shaft  60  and a cap at the bottom end of the shaft  60 . Head portion is connection to shaft  60  with collar  67 . Apparatus  10  is affixed to shaft  60  proximal to collar  67 . Preferably apparatus  10  abuts collar  67  and is substantially stationary during play. Although various lacrosse sticks have varying shapes, shaft  60  is preferably shaped into an octagon having at least edges  71  and  73  thereon as shown in  FIG. 3B  where there is a cross sectional view of shaft  60  according to  FIG. 3A  along cut line A-A. Preferably, apparatus  10  is affixed to shaft  60  such that connection  29  is positioned proximal to edge  71  such that cord  13  and ball  15  are substantially positioned on the business side of head  65 . That is, such that ball  15  and cord  13  are position so that ball  15  will enter the net of head  65  without becoming entangled in cord  13 . In this preferred embodiment, top edge  37  of band  20  abuts collar  67  where band  20  is secured to shaft  60  via friction forces suitable to prevent band  20  from slipping down shaft  60  toward end cap  75 . Such friction forces are preferably created via a tight fitted overlap of ends  50  and  51 . As mentioned above side  31  and  33  engage each other when ends  53  and  50  overlap. The manner in which sides  31  and  33  releasably connected is not critical, however that they releasably connect in such a manner as to create friction forces suitable to prevent band  20  from slipping down shaft  60  is critical. 
         [0034]    Referring now to  FIG. 4  there is shown an exploded view of connection point  29 . Connection  47  is shown with a swivel joint  82  having latch portion  85  and rotatable eyelet portion  82 . Latch portion  85  is connected to band  20  at connection point  29 . Band  13  is connected to eyelet  82  by looping end  24  therethrough. End  24  may be secured to eyelet  82  by any known fastening means  89  such as a compression fitting or adhesive. Other connection means are suitable for connection  47  however it is preferable that connection  47  allows for free rotation of cord  13  relative to band  20  in order to prevent tangling of cord  13 . 
         [0035]    Referring now to  FIG. 5  there is shown an exploded view of the top part of shaft  60  showing head  65  and apparatus  10  in greater detail. As can be seen end  53  is overlapped with end  50  and connection point  29  is in its preferable position located on the same side of shaft  60  as the business end of head  65 , namely, the net opening. 
         [0036]    Referring now to  FIGS. 6A-6D  there is shown another embodiment of the connection between cord  13  and ball  15 . In  FIG. 6A  there is shown a close-up of ball  15  having radius R and diameter D and includes bore  17 . Alongside ball  15  there is shown a gasket  64 . Gasket  64  is preferable made from a resilient but flexible material and in some embodiments can be made of rubber. Gasket  64  preferably has a circumference C, which is equal to about 4R+2D, or 8R. IN the preferred embodiment gasket  64  has a C such that when gasket  64  is thread through bore  17  as shown in  FIGS. 6B and 6C , ends  64   a  and  64   b  are substantially close and may even touch with a minor force applied thereto. As shown in  FIG. 6D  it is preferable that gasket  64  is tight fitting to the circumference of ball  15  such that ends  64   a  and  64   b  may touch under some force applied thereto by end  22  of cord  13  being tied thereto at connection point  45 . Other connection methods may be applied however it is important that, as is shown, end  22  is connected to ends  64   a  and  64   b  such that when secured thereto, gasket  64  is substantially positioned along the circumference of ball  15 . During play, end  22  and gasket  64  may flex however it is also important that ball  15  experiences true rolls and bounces as the player addresses and throws ball  15 , hence the need for a tight fitting connection method as described. 
         [0037]    It will be apparent to one of skill in the art that described herein is a novel device for While the invention has been described with reference to specific preferred embodiments, it is not limited to these embodiments. The invention may be modified or varied in many ways and such modifications and variations as would be obvious to one of skill in the art are within the scope and spirit of the invention and are included within the scope of the following claims.