Patent Application
20130090192
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a lacrosse layout apparatus adapted to be used in sports-related activities. More specifically, the invention is directed to a lacrosse layout apparatus that is configured to be collapsible to allow for ease of portability, transport and assembly.
2. Description of the Related Art
Lacrosse is a full contact sport played on a lacrosse field using a small solid rubber ball and long handled racket called a crosse or lacrosse stick. The head of the crosse has a loose net strung into it that allows the player to hold the ball. The object of lacrosse is to score a goal by throwing, scooping or kicking the solid rubber ball into the opposing team's goal.
A typical men's lacrosse field is 110 yards in length from each endline, and 60 yards in width from each sidelines. Lacrosse goals are centered between each sideline, positioned 15 yards from each endline and 80 yards apart from one another. Positioning the goals well within the endlines allows play to occur behind them. The goal is 6 feet wide by 6 feet tall, with nets attached in a pyramid shape. Surrounding each goal is a circular area known as the “crease,” measuring 18 feet in diameter. A pair of lines, 20 yards from both the midfield line and each goal line, divides the field into three sections. From each team's point of view, the one nearest its own goal is its defensive area, then the midfield area, followed by the attack or offensive area. These trisecting lines are called “restraining lines.” The dimensions of a women's lacrosse field can be similar to that of the men's lacrosse field, but there is some flexibility in the dimensions of a women's lacrosse field layout.
A lacrosse team is comprised of attackmen, midfielders, defensemen and a goalkeeper. The attackmen are the offensive players that attempt to score goals in the opposing team's goal and generally remain on the offensive half of the field. The defensemen assist the goalkeeper in preventing the opposing team from scoring and generally remain on the defensive half of the field. The midfielders contribute offensively and defensively and may roam the entire playing area. The goalkeeper's main responsibility is to prevent the opposing team from scoring by directly defending the goal. A goalkeeper needs to stop shots that are capable of reaching over 100 miles per hour, and is also responsible for directing the team's defense. Goalkeepers have special privileges when they are in the crease. For example, offensive players of the opposing team may not play the ball or make contact with the opposing team goalkeeper who is in the crease. If a player enters the crease while shooting the ball toward the opposing team's goal, a foul will be called and the ball is turned over to the other team.
Lacrosse fields are typically outdoor grassy fields with the layout of the lacrosse field either painted on or laid out by applying chalk onto the grassy field. Playing lacrosse on an outdoor field is also known as field lacrosse. Lacrosse can also be played indoors on a synthetic surface, sometimes known as box lacrosse. The dimensions of the layout for box lacrosse field are much smaller than that of field lacrosse.
Playing a lacrosse game and/or practicing lacrosse related skills is dependent upon the availability of the lacrosse field. Without the availability of a lacrosse field, players are not able to play or practice on a field that has the lacrosse layout. Players could practice lacrosse skills, such as passing the ball, on any surface indoor or outdoor without the lacrosse layout marked out. However, practicing lacrosse goal scoring techniques or skills requires the use of a lacrosse goal on a grassy field or other outdoor/indoor surface.
Players could practice shooting skills or play a game with a portable lacrosse goal, but the players would either have to mark out the lacrosse layout around the goal, such as the crease, goal line and arc, or opt to practice or play without the layout. Marking or laying out a makeshift layout is not always done to the proper layout dimensions, which could result in improper training due to the incorrect dimensions of the makeshift layout. Painting the makeshift layout, for every practice session or game, may not always be painted to the same dimensions as a previous or future practice session or game, or consistent with regulatory dimensions, thereby making it difficult to reproduce a consistent layout. A properly sized layout could be painted on a field, but doing so would require additional equipment, such as a field marker, which can be time-consuming and adds an additional expense. Additionally, painting a lacrosse layout around the goal is not always feasible because the field in which the players are using could be public/private land which would not allow a layout to be painted on. A disadvantage of using paint is that after the practice session or game is complete, the painted layout remains on the playing surface and is not removable, preventing the painted layout from being stored and reused on another day and/or on a different surface in order to provide a painted layout with consistent dimensions. Painting a layout on a non-grass surface, such as concrete, asphalt, wood or other outdoor or indoor playing surface, is also not feasible because the paint would continue to remain on the surface and possibly cause permanent damage to the surface.
As an alternative to paint, chalk could be used on a grass field or other outdoor/indoor surface to mark the layout. Using chalk on a grass field would not likely cause damage to the grass. Chalk could be washed away or if left on would fade over time, but chalk lines are not durable and are easily deformed. Using chalk on non-grass surface would not likely cause damage to the non-grass surface, but would likely need to be removed by sweeping, vacuuming, washing, etc. which could be cumbersome. Using chalk to mark the layout also has the disadvantage similar to using paint, in that the chalk layout remains on the surface and is not removable, which prevents the chalk layout from being stored and reused on another day and/or another surface in order to provide a chalk layout with consistent dimensions. Yet another alternative is to use tape to mark the layout. The tape can be reusable, but the tape can be flimsy and not sturdy such that it cannot maintain its shape while the layout is in use. The tape could be held down using stakes, but the stakes would have to pierce the tape which could permanently damage the tape. Over time the tape would have to be discarded and replaced due to its lack of durability. Yet another disadvantage in using paint, chalk and/or tape is that paint, chalk and/or would need to be repeatedly purchased in order to form the makeshift layout, which over time could be expensive.
The invention disclosed herein provides various embodiments of a lacrosse layout apparatus that are cost effective, easy to assemble/disassemble, easily transportable and provide the required structural support to maintain the layout shape on an indoor and/or outdoor surface. The different embodiments comprise elements to allow for the lacrosse layout apparatus to be collapsible, easy to transport between locations and yet provide a reproducible consistently sized lacrosse layout to allow for sports practice or training, such as but not limited to lacrosse. The invention is also configured such that the lacrosse layout apparatus can be easily assembled or disassembled by a single individual.
In one embodiment, as broadly described herein, a lacrosse layout apparatus comprises a goal line comprising a first end and a second end, a crease removably coupled to said goal line, an arc removably coupled to said goal line at said first end and said second end, and at least one diagonal extending between said crease and said arc, wherein said at least one diagonal is removably coupled to said goal line and said crease and removably coupled to said arc. The goal line, crease, arc and at least one extension are configured to form a reusable lacrosse layout that is easy to assemble/disassemble, such that the dimensions of the lacrosse layout are consistent and easily reproducible.
In another embodiment, the lacrosse layout comprises at least one weight plate including at least one slot and at least one support portion, a goal line comprising a first end and a second end, wherein said first end of said goal line is removably coupled to a first weight plate and said second end of said goal line removably coupled to a second weight plate. The lacrosse layout further comprises a crease removably coupled to said goal line, wherein said crease is configured such that the shape of said crease can be reduced, an arc removably coupled to said first weight plate and said second weight plate, such that said arc is in the form of a semicircle proximate said crease, and at least one diagonal removably coupled to said arc and said crease.
These and other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings which illustrate by way of example the features of the invention.
a is a partial view of an embodiment of a first connection point of the lacrosse layout apparatus of
b is a partial view of another embodiment of a first connection point of the lacrosse layout apparatus of
c is an overhead view of one embodiment of a weight plate of the first connection point of
d is a side view of the weight plate of
The invention described herein is directed to different embodiments of lacrosse layout apparatuses that in some embodiments provide a lacrosse crease and arc layout that is easy to setup and is collapsible such that the lacrosse layout apparatus is easy to assemble by a single individual, store and is portable. The lacrosse layout apparatus can comprise many different materials and can be used in many different applications such as, but not limited to, practicing lacrosse skills, throwing, catching and/or blocking lacrosse balls. The lacrosse layout apparatus can be arranged in many different ways with many different components, and is generally arranged to provide a lacrosse crease and arc layout to be used with a lacrosse goal. In one embodiment, a lacrosse layout apparatus comprises a goal line comprising a first end and a second end, a crease removably coupled to said goal line, an arc removably coupled to said goal line and at least one diagonal extending between said crease and said arc. The goal line, crease, arc and at least one diagonal are adapted to easily form a lacrosse crease and arc layout, of regulation size, that is reusable and easily transportable. In other embodiments, the lacrosse layout apparatus comprises at least one weight plate, a goal line comprising a first end and a second end, wherein said first end is removably coupled to a first weight plate and said second end is removably coupled to a second weight plate. The lacrosse layout apparatus further comprises a crease removably coupled to said goal line, wherein said crease is made of flexible material such that said crease is adapted to be folded and stored. The apparatus further comprises an arc removably coupled to said first and second ends of said goal line forming a semicircle proximate said crease and first and second diagonals arranged to be removably coupled to said goal line and said crease and said arc. The layout further comprises support points arranged to receive a weight and or a stake to maintain the layout configuration of the apparatus. An advantage of the invention is that the lacrosse layout apparatus can be assembled on any surface, either indoor or outdoor, thereby allowing users to setup a lacrosse goal area in any setting. The invention eliminates the need of having to mark an area using paint, chalk or tape.
The lacrosse layout apparatus of the present invention can provide a number of additional advantages beyond those mentioned above. For example, the crease and arc allow for ease of assembly/disassembly and storage of the lacrosse layout apparatus because the crease and arc are formed of strong yet flexible materials that allow the crease and arc to be coiled up and placed in a small bag or container. Typical lacrosse layouts are painted on or marked using chalk, and remain on the surface on which the layout was painted or marked with chalk. These typical layouts are not portable and could fade away over time, which would require the layout to be repainted or re-marked with chalk. Furthermore, using paint or chalk to mark a lacrosse layout requires the use of additional equipment which adds additional costs beyond the costs of the paint/chalk.
The invention is described herein with reference to certain embodiments, but it is understood that the invention can be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. In particular, the present invention is described below in regards to a lacrosse layout apparatus to practice or perform sports-related activities in an outdoor and/or indoor setting, but it is understood that the invention can be used for many other applications in many different settings. The components of the lacrosse apparatus can have different shapes and sizes beyond those shown in the figures or discussed herein.
It is to be understood that when an element or component is referred to as being “on” another element or component, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elements may also be present. Furthermore, relative terms such as “between”, “within”, “below”, and similar terms, may be used herein to describe a relationship of one element or component to another. It is understood that these terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures.
Embodiments of the invention are described herein with reference to illustrations that are schematic illustrations. As such, the actual thickness of elements can be different, and variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances are expected. Thus, the elements illustrated in the figures are schematic in nature and their shapes are not intended to illustrate the precise shape of a region of a device and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
For the same or similar elements or features, the reference numbers from
In one embodiment, the plurality of support points 30 are grommets attached to the goal line 20 which provide an opening configured to receive a stake, peg or similar device that can be driven into the ground to hold the goal line 20 to the ground. The stake and grommets provide support to firmly hold the goal line 20 and prevent the goal line 20 from being misshapen due to external forces, such as but not limited to users of the layout, equipment used by users, or forces of nature. Removal of the stake from the grommet allows for the goal line 20 to be picked up and stored for later use. The stake and grommets can be used on as a grass field or other natural or synthetic surface configured to receive a stake, peg or similar device. In other embodiments, the plurality of support points 30 are comprised of pockets or openings within the goal line 20, wherein a weight can be placed in the pockets or openings. Placing the weights in the pocket of the goal line 20 provide sufficient support so that the goal line 20 remains in place. Removal of the weights allows the goal line 20 to be removed from the surface and stored for later use. The weights and pockets configuration of the goal line 20 can be used on a surface when driving a stake into the surface would not provide the requisite support to hold the goal line 20 in place, such as but not limited to sand, snow, wet soil, loose soil or the like, or when driving a stake would cause damage to the stake and/or the surface upon which the lacrosse layout apparatus 10 is laid on, such as but not limited to concrete, asphalt, wood, or the like. In yet other embodiments, the plurality of support points can be comprised of both the grommets and the pockets to receive the weights.
The crease 24 is the circular area of a lacrosse layout wherein a lacrosse goal is placed. The crease 24 is comprised of a support frame member 34 housed within a crease cover 25. The support frame member 34 is adapted to be flexible such that the crease 24 can be bent or folded into a coil so that the crease 24 can be stored in a small container, such as but not limited to a bag. The crease 24, when coiled, can be stored many different ways and is not intended to be limited to being stored in a bag. For example, the crease 24 can also be stored in a coil by wrapping a band, bracket, clamp or the like, around part of the coiled crease 24. The crease 24 is arranged to maintain its positioning in a manner similar to the goal line discussed above. The crease cover 25 can comprise a plurality of support points 30 which assist in maintaining the positioning of the crease 24. The plurality of support points 30 are positioned along the circumference of the crease 24 such that the support points 30 maintain the crease 24 in a substantially circular arrangement.
In one embodiment, the support frame member 34 of the crease 24 comprises a plurality of rods 37 and a plurality of couplers (not shown), wherein each of said plurality of rods 37 are received by a respective coupler to form the support frame member 34. Each of said plurality of rods 37 are configured to have a curved shaped, such that when all of said plurality of rods 37 are attached to the respective couplers, the resultant support frame member 34 forms the circular shape of the crease 24. In another embodiment, the support frame member 34 is comprised of one rod 37 and one coupler. In this embodiment, the support frame member 34 could be formed of a single rod 37 that is shaped to form the circular shape of the crease 24. The single rod 37 is also flexible and strong similar to the plurality of rods 37 discussed above. The rods 37 can be formed of many different materials. In one embodiment, the rods 37 are formed of a composite material that is strong and flexible, such as but not limited to, plastic, fiberglass, carbon fiber or the like, such that the support frame member 34 can withstand the force exerted on it while yet being easily adapted to be coiled and stored in a storage container. However, in other embodiments the support frame member 34 can be formed of many other materials and is not intended to be limited to be formed of a composite material.
An advantage of the invention is that the crease 24 can reduce its overall shape so that the crease 24 can be easily stored and transported. A regulation crease can have a diameter of approximately 16 feet, and in one embodiment of the invention, the crease 24 can be fabricated to be regulation sized, while yet possessing the ability to be coiled into a smaller circular shape having a diameter much less than 16 feet. The flexibility of the support frame member 34 allows the crease to be easily stored and portable, while yet being able to form the circular shape after being uncoiled. The support frame member 34 is configured such that arranging the support frame member 34 in a coiled arrangement does not permanently bend and/or distort the support frame member 34. The crease 24 can be formed to have a diameter of many different sizes, less than or greater than 16 feet, and is not intended to be limited to having a diameter of approximately 16 feet. Lacrosse creases are known in the art to be of different dimensions based on different rules and regulations. For example, the size of a crease can vary from between different age groups, skill level, and/or gender.
The goal line 20 and crease 24 are arranged to be removably coupled to each other. In some embodiments, the goal line 20 is arranged to intersect the crease 24 at two points along the crease 24, such that the goal line and crease 24 are removably coupled to each other at each of the two crease intersections 14. As shown in
As shown in the embodiment of
In some embodiments, the goal line 20 and crease 24 can also comprise a coupling pad 36. The coupling pad 36, of the crease 24 and the goal line 20, is proximate the respective support point 30 and are adapted to assist in maintaining the coupling of the goal line 20 and the crease 24 at the crease intersection 14. The coupling pads 36 of the goal line 20 and the crease 24 are configured to be coupled to each other so as to ensure that the goal line 20 and crease 24 remain coupled to each other. In the embodiment of
An advantage of the invention is that the crease intersection 14 can ease the assembly of the lacrosse layout apparatus 10. The support point 30 of the crease 24 and the goal line 20 are intended to be aligned, and since the lacrosse layout apparatus 10 only has two crease intersections 14, the support point 30 of the crease 24 and the goal line 20 that are to be aligned at the crease intersection 14 can be easily identified and aligned during assembly. A further advantage is that the goal line 20 and the crease 24 can each have a coupling pad 36 proximate their respective support point 30, which is also easily identifiable, thereby further ensuring that the goal line 20 and crease 24 will be properly aligned.
The arc 26, as shown in
The arc 26 further comprises a plurality of arc pockets 32 that are also arranged to assist in maintaining the position of the arc 26. The arc pockets 32 are configured to receive a weight such that the weight holds down the arc 26 and provides sufficient support so that the arc 26 remains in place. Removal of the weights from the arc pockets 32 allows the arc to be disassembled and stored for later use. The arc pockets 32 are arranged on the arc 26 such that the spacing between each arc pocket 32 is the same for all the arc pockets 32. For example, the arc pockets 32 of
In one embodiment of the invention, the arc 26 and goal line 20 are arranged to be removably coupled to each other. The arc 26 and the goal line 20 are coupled to each other at the first and second ends 21, 22 of the goal line 20 such that the arc 26 is in a substantially semi-circular form. The arc 26 comprises a first arc end 18 and a second arc end 19, wherein the first arc end 18 is coupled to the first end 21 of the goal line 20, and the second arc end 19 is coupled to the second end 22 of the goal line 20. The first and second ends 21, 22 of the goal line 20 and the first and second arc ends 18, 19 of the arc each comprise a support point 30 which assists in maintaining the coupling of the goal line 20 and the arc 26 at the respective ends. In the embodiment of
In another embodiment of the invention, the respective ends of the arc 26 and goal line 20 are removably coupled to a respective weight plate 40. The weight plate 40 comprises a plurality of coupling pads 36 on a top surface 41 and a plurality of extensions 44 extending from a bottom surface 43 of the weight plate 40. The plurality of coupling pads 36 on the top surface 41 are arranged to receive the ends of the arc 26 and the goal line 20. Each of the ends of the arc 26 and the goal line 20 can further comprise a coupling pad 26 proximate the support point 30, such that the first ends of the goal line 20 and the arc 26 are removably coupled to one weight plate 40 at a respective coupling pad 36, and the second ends of the goal line 20 and the arc 26 are removably coupled to another weight plate 40 at other respective coupling pads 36. The extensions of the weight plate 40 contact the surface upon which the lacrosse layout apparatus 10 is on and are arranged to prevent or limit the movement of the weight plate 40 on the surface so as to assist in maintaining the shape of the arc 26 and goal line 20. The extensions 44 can be formed of many different materials, such as but not limited to rubber, plastic, polymers or a combination thereof. The extensions 44 can be mounted to the weight plate 40 using a variety of different methods. In one embodiment, the weight plate 40 can comprise a threaded hole to receive a threaded screw from the extension 44. While in other embodiments, the extension 44 can be riveted onto the weight plate 40, attached using a nut and bolt, glued on, integral to the weight plate 40 or the like. In other embodiments, the weight plate 40 can further comprise at least one slot 42 configured to receive a stake, pin, peg or the like, in order to secure the weight plate 40 to the surface on which the lacrosse layout apparatus 10 is on. The at least one slot allows a stake to be driven into the ground to hold the weight plate 40 to the ground, and provide support to assist in maintaining the shape of the lacrosse layout apparatus 10. Removal of the stake from the at least one slot allows the lacrosse layout apparatus 10 to be disassembled and stored for later use. The at least one slot 42 of the weight plate 40 is similarly configured to the grommets disclosed herein. The embodiment of
As shown in
The plurality of coupling pads 36 on the top surface of the weight plate 40 are arranged such that a pair of coupling pads is linearly aligned and at least one coupling pad is arranged perpendicularly to the linearly aligned coupling pads. The embodiment of
The coupling pads 36 of the arc 26, goal line 20 and weight plate 40 are adapted to assist in maintaining the positioning of the goal line 20 and the arc 26. The coupling pads 36 of the goal line 20 and the arc 26 are configured to be coupled to a respective coupling pad 36 of the weight plate 40 so as to ensure that the goal line 20 and arc 26 remain coupled to the weight plate 40, while allowing the goal line 20 and the arc 26 to be removed upon disassembly of the lacrosse layout apparatus 10 and stored for later use. In the embodiment of
An advantage of the invention is that the weight plates 40 can be used on a surface or field that does not allow the respective ends of the goal line 20 and arc 26 to be coupled together using a stake, peg or the like. For example, using a stake on a field surface such as but not limited to concrete or wood is not feasible because the stake could not likely penetrate a concrete surface, and if the stake did penetrate the concrete surface, such concrete surface would be damaged; a wood surface would also likely be damaged by driving a stake through the wood surface. Another advantage of the invention is that the weight plate 40 can also be used on a surface when driving a stake into the surface would not provide the requisite support to hold the goal line 20 and arc 26 in place, such as but not limited to sand, snow, wet soil, loose soil or the like.
The diagonals 28 are arranged to be removably coupled to the arc 26 and to the crease 24 and goal line 20 at the crease intersection 14, such that the diagonals extend between the arc 26 and the crease intersection 14. As shown in
With reference to
In some embodiments, the diagonals 28 can further comprise a coupling pad 36, similar to the coupling pad 36 of the goal line 20 and crease 24 at crease intersection 14 discussed above. The coupling pad 36 of the diagonals 28 is proximate the support point 30 and is adapted to assist in maintaining the coupling of the goal line 20, crease 24 and diagonals 28 at the crease intersection 14. The coupling pad 36 of the diagonals 28 are configured to be removably coupled to either the crease 24 or the goal line 20. In the embodiment of
The embodiment of
The diagonal 28 can be removably coupled to the arc 26 similarly as the diagonal 28 is removably coupled to the crease 24 and goal line 20.
In one embodiment, the diagonals 28 can be formed of a flexible material that can be rolled up and stored. While in other embodiments, the diagonals 28 comprise a frame 31 housed within a diagonal cover 29. The frame 31 is adapted to be flexible such that the diagonals 28 can be bent or folded into a coil so that the diagonals 28 can be stored in a manner similar to the crease 24 and arc 26, discussed above. The frame 31 can be comprised of one rod or a plurality of rods, wherein the rods assist in maintaining the diagonals 28 in a substantially straight shape. Additionally, the diagonals 28 are further arranged to maintain its positioning in a manner similar to the crease 24 and the goal line 20 discussed above, such that the diagonal covers 29 each comprise a plurality of support points 30 which assist in maintaining the positioning of the respective diagonals 28. The plurality of support points 30 are positioned along the diagonals 28 such that the support points 30 ensure that the diagonals 28 maintain an arrangement of extending between the crease intersection 14 and the arc intersection 16. The support points 30 of the diagonals 28 can be in the form of grommets comprising an opening configured to receive a stake, peg or similar device that can be driven into the surface to hold the diagonals 28 to the surface. The support points 30 of the diagonals 28 can be arranged in many different ways and are not intended to be limited be in the form of a grommet. In yet other embodiments, the support points 30 can be comprised of pockets or openings within the diagonals 28, wherein a weight can be placed in the pockets or openings. Placing the weights in the pocket of the diagonals 38 provide sufficient support so that the diagonals 28 remains in place.
The arc 26 as shown in
Although the invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain configurations thereof, other versions are possible. Lacrosse layout apparatuses according to the invention can be many different sizes and can be used for many different applications, other than for lacrosse-related activities. The crease 24 and arc 26 can be arranged such that the support frame member 34 can be disassembled and stored as a collection of individual parts, instead of being coiled up. In other embodiments, the goal line 20, crease 24, arc 26 and/or the diagonals 28 can be adjustable to alter the dimensions of the lacrosse layout apparatus 10. The invention allows for the components of the lacrosse layout apparatus to be securely coupled to other components, while yet being allowed to be disassembled so that the lacrosse layout apparatus can be stored for later use. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the invention should not be limited to the versions described above.
This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/545,893, filed on Oct. 12, 2011. The U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/545,893, including the drawings, schematics, diagrams and written description, are hereby incorporated in their entirety by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61545893 | Oct 2011 | US |
