Abstract:
The present invention provides a box lacrosse goalie stick including a generally triangular shaped frame having a scoop portion with a flat exterior surface measuring in the range from 14.5 inches to 16.5 inches. The lacrosse stick of the present invention includes a head that is larger than field lacrosse goalie sticks. Further, the lacrosse stick of the present invention is lighter weight and more balanced than a box lacrosse goalie stick that is hand made from wood.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention generally relates to a lacrosse head. The present invention more particularly relates to a lacrosse head to be used by a goalie in a game of box lacrosse. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Box lacrosse is played indoors on an enclosed rink, often on an ice rink where the ice has been removed. The playing area is referred to as the box. Conversely, field lacrosse is played outdoors on an unenclosed playing field. 
         [0003]    Box lacrosse goaltenders typically hold their sticks much differently than field lacrosse goaltenders. Field lacrosse goaltenders tend to hold their sticks elevated such that the head is positioned upward. On the other hand, box lacrosse goaltenders tend to hold their sticks such that the head is positioned downward between the goaltenders&#39; legs. The scoop portion of the head often rests on the ground. 
         [0004]    Currently box lacrosse goaltenders use either a lacrosse stick that was designed to be used by a field lacrosse goaltender or a manually constructed box lacrosse goaltender stick. There are disadvantages of using both types of lacrosse sticks by a goaltender in the game of box lacrosse. 
         [0005]    There are disadvantages of a box lacrosse goaltender using a stick that was designed to be used by a field lacrosse goaltender. One disadvantage is that the field lacrosse goaltender sticks have a small head that does not sufficiently fill the space between the goaltenders legs. Another disadvantage is that the shape of the scoop is curved such that it does not allow the stick to rest flat on the ground to more effectively prevent the ball from entering the goal. 
         [0006]    There are also disadvantages of a box lacrosse goaltender using a manually constructed box lacrosse goaltender stick. These types of sticks tend to have the correct proportion for filling the space between the goaltender&#39;s legs however, they are known to be very heavy and not well balanced. These disadvantages are the due to the fact that they are made by hand from wood. A stick that is heavy and not well balanced results is less effective manipulation of the ball. 
         [0007]    Therefore, there is a need for a lacrosse head for use by a goaltender playing the sport of box lacrosse that is has the proper proportions for filling the space between the goaltender&#39;s legs, is light-weight and well-balanced. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of known box lacrosse goalie heads by providing a box lacrosse goalie head that is larger than known field lacrosse goaltender stick heads. Further, the present invention is lighter weight and more balanced than known manually constructed box lacrosse goal heads. 
         [0009]    In accordance with the advantages of the present invention, a box lacrosse goaltender head is disclosed that includes a generally triangular-shaped frame having a ball stop portion, a scoop portion opposite from the ball stop portion and a pair of sidewalls each having a first linear portion and a second linear portion extending between the ball stop portion and the scoop portion. The scoop portion has a substantially flat exterior surface and generally curvilinear interior surface. Each sidewall second linear portion is positioned on an angle relative to the first linear portion. The first and second sidewalls are mirror images of each other. 
         [0010]    Other advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent when viewed in light of the detailed description of the invention and taken in conjunction with the attached drawings and claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The present invention will be described, by way of example, with reference to the following drawings. 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  illustrates a front view of a box lacrosse goalie stick in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  illustrates a front view of a box lacrosse goalie head in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  illustrates a side view of a box lacrosse goalie head in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0015]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a box lacrosse goaltender stick is disclosed in the present invention, shown generally at  20 . The stick  20  includes a head frame  22  to which a handle  24  and a pocket  26  are attached. 
         [0016]    The frame  22  has a generally triangular shape including a ball stop portion  28 , a scoop portion  30  opposite from the ball stop portion  28  and two sidewalls  32 ,  34 , each having a first linear portion  36 ,  40  and a second linear portion  38 ,  42 . Both sidewalls  32 ,  34  extend between the ball stop portion  28  and the scoop portion  30 . 
         [0017]    The scoop portion  30  of the frame  22  includes a flat linear exterior surface  44  and a curvilinear interior surface  46 . The flat linear exterior surface  44  has a first corner  48  and a second corner  50 . The distance  52  between the first corner  48  and the second corner  50  measures in the range of 14.0 inches to 16.0 inches. In the embodiment illustrated, the first and second corners  48 ,  50  are curved or rounded. However it should be noted that they could have a more pointed geometry. The flat linear exterior surface  44  allows the goaltender to rest the lacrosse stick  20  on the ground periodically during the game. This provides a more stable surface to rest the stick on and more area coverage to effectively stop the ball as it is thrown or shot at the goal. 
         [0018]    Both sidewalls  32 ,  34  have a first end  54 ,  58  and a second end  56 ,  60 . The first end  54  of the first sidewall  32  coincides with the first corner  48  where the flat linear exterior surface  44  of the scoop  30  and the first linear portion  36  intersect. The first end  58  of the second sidewall  34  coincides with the second corner  50  where the substantially flat linear exterior surface  44  of the scoop  30  and the first linear portion  40  intersect. The second end  56 ,  60  of each sidewall  32 ,  34  intersects opposing ends of the ball stop portion of the frame  28 . The location of the first end  54 ,  58  and the second ends  56 ,  60  need not be a specific boundary, but preferably are a general location as is understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0019]    The first sidewall  32  includes a first linear portion  36  and a second linear portion  38 . The first linear portion  36  extends between the first end  54  and an intermediate point  62 . The second linear portion  38  extends between the intermediate point  62  and the second end  56 . The second linear portion  38  is positioned on an angle alpha (α) relative to the first linear portion  36 . 
         [0020]    Similarly, the second sidewall  34  has a first linear portion  40  and a second linear portion  42 . The first linear portion  40  extends between the first end  58  and an intermediate point  66 . The second linear portion  42  extends between the intermediate point  66  and the second end  60 . The second linear portion  42  is positioned on an angle beta (β) relative to the first linear portion  40 . The first and second sidewalls  32 ,  34  are mirror images of each other. In the embodiment illustrated, the first linear portion  36  of the first sidewall  32  and the first linear portion  40  of the second sidewall  34  are both longer than the second linear portions  38 ,  42  of the first and second sidewalls  32 ,  34 . 
         [0021]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , the frame  22  is generally flat having a thickness  86  in the range of 0.5 inches to 2.5 inches. Further the frame  22  includes a throat portion  70  that extends down from the ball stop portion  28  for attachment to the handle  24 . The top  72  of the throat portion coincides with the ball stop portion  28  of the frame  22 . The bottom  74  of the throat portion  70  includes the attachment region  76  for attachment of the frame  22  to the handle  24 . The distance  78  from the flat linear exterior surface  44  of the scoop to the bottom  74  of the throat portion  70  measures in the range from 25.0 to 27.0 inches. The distance  80  from the flat linear exterior surface  44  of the scoop to the top  72  of the throat portion measures in the range from 23.0 inches to 25.0 inches. 
         [0022]    When assembled, the lacrosse head includes a pocket  26  that is attached to a lacrosse head frame  22  via pocket securing apertures  82  that are located in the scoop  30 , the ball stop portion  28 , and the sidewalls  32 ,  34 . In one embodiment, the pocket  26  includes lace-like, pocket cords  84  that are placed through the apertures  82  in the frame  22  and secured in place, often by being tied into a knot. The lacrosse pocket  26  is flexible and includes enough material to give the pocket depth beyond the frame to cradle a lacrosse ball. It will also be understood that other types of netting or pockets, such as mesh, may also be utilized. 
         [0023]    The assembled box lacrosse stick  20  is light-weight, weighing in the range of 2.0 to 2.5 pounds. The frame  22  could be made from molded plastic, but is not limited to that particular material. This is much improved over known box lacrosse goal sticks that are made from wood and weigh in the range of 3.0 to 3.5 pounds. 
         [0024]    While the present invention has been described in what is presently considered to be its most practical and preferred embodiment or implementation, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiment. On the contrary, the present invention is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures as is permitted under the law.