Patent Application
20240226681
This invention pertains to a method and apparatus for maintaining a legal pocket in a female player's lacrosse head. Specifically, it relates to a pocket shaper used with a regulation sized lacrosse ball for forming the legal pocket into an optimum shape for play established for female players (or for use by lacrosse players in a game adhering to rules governing female lacrosse games), which legal pocket includes a permanent deformation in a part of the “mesh”, “stringing” or “net” of the lacrosse head; the term “mesh” will be used hereinafter to refer to the “mesh”, “stringing” or “net” part of the lacrosse head, as these terms are interchangeably used to refer to the same part of the lacrosse head. The formed legal pocket is particularly suited to hold the ball in the proper location within the lacrosse head to impart the desired control over the ball during play.
The challenge for pocket forming in a lacrosse stick is to provide suitable pocket in the mesh in roughly the shape of the lacrosse ball. The pocket may have various locations on the stick head depending on the position played and player preference. To be a legal pocket, according to rules governing female lacrosse games, the top of the ball must at least be coincident with or extend above the top edges of the side rail of the lacrosse head. Advantageously the pocket shaper is simple, low cost, light weight and compact, and be rugged and easily applied, as well as stay in place once applied. Preferably the pocket shaper may be left in place while the lacrosse stick is stored for a period of time, during which time the use of a mounted pocket shaper is used in forming the permanent localized pocket within the mesh of the lacrosse head used in adherence to rules governing female lacrosse games.
While the prior art has provided various devices intended to provide a degree of localized deformation upon a portion of the mesh of the lacrosse head, they do not meet the objectives set forth above, nor suggest the present applicant's novel pocket shaper as described in more detail hereinafter.
U.S. Pat. No. 9,227,121 to Laurie, et al. provides a self-supporting pocket molding device for lacrosse sticks includes a weight ballasted hollow base, a support portion atop the base, and at least a hemisphere approximately the size of lacrosse ball at the top distal end. The base is preferably of a conical shape and the end sphere is attached up from the ground for ergonomic considerations of ease of use in a standing or sitting position. The shape of the self-supporting pocket molding device insures totally unencumbered access to the top surface of the sphere where the mesh is easily forced down at the desired location to stretch the mesh forming a pocket. Both hands of the user are free to be used to hold the lacrosse stick or head; which also affords the ability to tilt the head as desired to stretch the mesh in any sideways direction to correct any local deformation of the mesh. The Laurie device is inordinately bulky, is required to be pulled on a pair of wheels and is operable only by manually compressing the mesh of the lacrosse head on a part of the Laurie device.
US Published Application 2014/0349789 to Szurley discloses a preformed lacrosse pocket comprising a preformed composite material including an outer edge for attaching to a lacrosse head and an interior channel within the outer edge having a desired concave shape and depth, wherein the interior channel, for receiving and releasing a lacrosse ball, permanently maintains the desired concave shape and depth. The preformed lacrosse pocket requires that it be thermally formed from a composite sheet of a thermoformable material, which replaces the usual net of a lacrosse head. The preformed lacrosse pocket of Szurley is relatively stiffer and inflexible as compared to the usual mesh of a lacrosse head making control of the lacrosse ball more difficult during game play.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,972,228 to Dikmanis is directed to device for shaping and forming a lacrosse head pocket. The provided device may comprise a bottom surface, a plurality of side surfaces that form a top surface, and a plurality of openings. The top surface may have a curved surface. The plurality of openings may be at opposite side surfaces of the plurality of side surfaces and the plurality of openings may extend through the opposite side surfaces. The device used necessarily occupies the full interior of the mesh of the lacrosse head, and allows for only one type of pocket.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,244,200 to Goldberg provides a further device for shaping the mesh of a lacrosse stick head includes a ball similar in size to a lacrosse ball and carried by an elongated handle. A positioning rod is detachably connected to the handle and adapted to extend transverse to the plane of the head and serve as a fulcrum for pivoting the handle away from the head and driving the ball into the mesh of the head to stretch the mesh and form a pocket in it. The provided device discloses a shaper having a ball mounted at the end of a handle, and further a transverse positioning rod extending outwardly near the junction of the ball and handle. The deformation of the mesh requires that the end of the handle be pivoted upward to drive the ball into the mesh. In addition to being bulky and requiring moving the handle to form the pocket within the mesh, the device also appears to fail to address the issue of correct pocket depth so to ensure that the formed pocket is a ‘legal pocket’ in accordance with lacrosse regulations.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,425,541 to Ambrose discloses a further device which consists of a convex form (for example, a hemisphere of radius similar in size to a lacrosse ball) connected to a bracing crosspiece by a threaded screw shaft. The form is attached to one end of the shaft, the bracing crosspiece is threaded onto the shaft, and a knob is affixed to the other end of the shaft. The device is used by placing the bracing crosspiece across the lacrosse head with the ends of the crosspiece under opposite side rails, and tightening the form against the stringing to the desired depth by twisting the knob and thereby screwing the threaded shaft through the crosspiece. Use of the disclose device provides a means of forming and maintaining a pocket in new stringing at a chosen position along the length of the head and to a desired depth. A single crosspiece of variable length, or interchangeable crosspieces of various fixed lengths may be used to accommodate different lacrosse head widths. The device is however bulky, and does not necessarily include a provision which will generally assure that the use of the device will reliably form a legal pocket when used to deform a mesh.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,445,571 to Winningham discloses a device for forming a trough in the net of a lacrosse head. The device is necessary affixed at one end to a part of the frame immediately adjacent to the stick, while a distal part engages with two stand-offs the underside of the frame. The device is not moveable to other parts of the frame, and the resultant trough is elongate within the net, and cannot provide a pocket of a smaller size.
U.S. Pat. No. 9,283,466 to Kreger describes a cover assembly which encompasses and encases the entirety of the head of a lacrosse stick, and includes a cavity part and a top flat surface which extends beyond the confines of the frame so to engage with the cavity part, to form a closed case containing the head. There may be provided a ball forming part which engages a part of the lacrosse mesh, but such is inoperative without the entirety of the cover assembly also being present.
Applicant's own prior patent application, U.S. Ser. No. 17/407,464 and published as US 2022/0062724A1 discloses a device used with a regulation sized lacrosse ball for forming the legal pocket into an optimum shape for play established for male players (or for use in a game adhering to rules governing male lacrosse games), That device, viz., a pocket shaper, engages a regulation sized lacrosse ball to position and retain the ball such that the ball imparts pressure against the mesh, in the region beneath a ball seat of the pocket shaper, and concurrently, the ball seat positions an apex of the ball to be coincident only very slightly above a virtual plane defined as extending across the opening of the frame head and intersecting or being tangential to bottommost edges of the frame head in a region most proximate to the apex of the ball when the frame is held in a horizontal manner. However, according to the divergent rule of lacrosse play for male players, the ball of such a legal pocket is most advantageously rests deeply in the lacrosse head and no penalties are incurred for such a “deep” legal pocket. That device, when properly used and consequent to its use, such that subsequent to its disengagement from the frame of the lacrosse head and the regulation ensures that regulation sized lacrosse ball rests within the frame such that no part of it extends above the bottom of the frame head when the frame is held in a horizontal manner. Such a configuration is required of gameplay established for male players (or for use in a game adhering to rules governing male lacrosse games).
The present invention addresses and overcomes many of the shortcomings of these prior art documents, and in particular addresses the provision of providing a legal pocket meeting regulations for play established for female players (or for use by lacrosse players in a game adhering to rules governing female lacrosse games).
The present invention provides in preferred embodiments a pocket shaper which is used in conjunction with the regulation size lacrosse ball to form a legal pocket in the mesh of a lacrosse head, which the pocket shaper can be retained in an installed position within a lacrosse head for extended periods of time and, being that substantially all of the pocket shaper is within the confines of the frame of the lacrosse head, its compactness facilitates storage within the lacrosse head over extended periods of time, such as between games. This feature allows for formation of or retention of the legal pocket formed such that the lacrosse stick is in a ready to use configuration and subsequent game play, which meets the regulations for play established for female players (or for use in a game adhering to rules governing female lacrosse games). Further aspects of the invention relate to the use of the pocket shaper in the formation of legal pockets within the head of a lacrosse stick. Yet further aspects of the invention will be apparent from a reading of the following specification.
While the present invention is described herein in detail in relation to one or more embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is illustrative and exemplary of the present invention and is made merely for the purposes of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the present invention. The detailed disclosure herein of one or more embodiments is not intended, nor is to be construed; to limit the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention, which scope is to be defined by the claims and the equivalents thereof. It is not intended that the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention be defined by reading into any claim a limitation found herein that does not explicitly appear in the claim itself.
The following specification and drawings disclose various embodiments of the present invention and methods of their use. It is nonetheless to be understood that following description of one or more preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its implementations, or uses, which is limited only by the allowed claims.
In one aspect the invention provides a ball shaper insertable within a lacrosse head having a frame with at least two siderails, an opening and a mesh extending at least between the siderails, comprising:
In a preferred embodiment the ball seat comprises an internal concavity which is radiused to accommodate the outer surface of a regulation lacrosse ball. In a further preferred embodiment the ball seat comprises an internal concavity which comprises an uppermost peak which contacts an apex of the ball. In a yet further preferred embodiment the ball seat is elongated, allowing for the linear movement of the ball in a direction between the at least two siderails and/or generally coincident with the axis of the stick upon which the lacrosse head is mounted. In particularly preferred embodiments at least a part of each of the spring arms extends below the arm plane and below the ball seat, and further preferably is also at least partially flexible.
A further aspect of the invention provides a method of distending a mesh of a lacrosse head to form a pocket within the mesh, comprising the steps of:
Turning now to the various figures depicting embodiments of the invention, in which like elements are referred to with a common label or numeral,
Referring back to
A first embodiment of a pocket shaper 50 of the invention is illustrated on
The pocket shaper 50 further includes a third set of spring arms 57A and 57B respectively positioned within the locus of the access slots 58A, 58B, a major part of the spring arms 57A, 57B extending below the arm plane and further wherein the spring arms are engageable with parts of the at least two siderails, as illustrated in later figures. Each of the spring arms include a hinge region, respectively 57A1, 57B1 which depends from a part of the ball seat 52 and is proximate thereto, and at a distal end a curved tip region, respectively 57A2 and 57B2 which extends in the direction of the flat lower surfaces, 54G, 54H and 56G, 56H and in preferred embodiments as is clearly visible in
The ball seat 52 has a forward end 52E and a symmetrical rear end 52C which is optionally but advantageously arcuate which facilitates the use of the pocket shaper 50, particularly in aiding in pocket shaper stiffness and the retention of the ball B when the pocket shaper 50.
Preferentially, in all embodiments thereof, when the pocket shaper 50 is properly used with a ball B and a lacrosse head 10 by engagement of parts of the pocket shaper 50 with parts of the siderails 15, 16 of the frame 12. Such is described with reference to
In any embodiment of the pocket shaper 50, its configuration may include elements, i.e., one or more arms which may be coplanar with or non-coplanar with, i.e., angled, bowed, or ‘stepped’ in configuration, so to facilitate that when it is properly used, the ball apex A extends outwardly from the lacrosse head 10 and beyond the frame 12. For example the arms 54A, 54B, 56A and 56B are all parallel, but this is not required, i.e., may be non-parallel such as where or more of the arms 54A, 54B, 56A and 56B are angled with respect to at least one of the other of the arms 54A, 54B, 56A and 56B. Such is illustrated in the further embodiment of
In use, preferably no parts of any of the arms 54A, 54B, 56A and 56B or of the spring arms 57A and 57B are engaged within openings of the mesh 20.
Subsequent to the engagement of the pocket shaper 50 with parts of the frame 12 a regulation sized lacrosse ball B is then inserted into the head 10 and positioned between the ball seat 52 and the mesh 20, which placement will impart pressure against the mesh 20, particularly in the region beneath the ball seat 52. This pressure when permitted to remain for extended periods of time will cause desired degree of distention or elongation of the mesh 20, and especially of the mesh cord 22 and/or mesh webbing 22 in this region which results in the formation legal pocket for play established for female players (or for use by lacrosse players in a game adhering to rules governing female lacrosse games)in the desired part of the mesh 20.
As can be appreciated from the foregoing, particularly with reference to the, drawing figures already discussed, the pocket shaper 50 provides a convenient and highly effective device, and method for forming a pocket, preferably a legal pocket within a lacrosse head 10. The modest size of the pocket shaper 50 also facilitates its use in longer durations in that it is highly convenient to engage the pocket shaper 50 within a lacrosse head 10 so to retain a lacrosse ball B within a desired region of the mesh 20 between game plays as, once described herein the compact size of the pocket shaper 50 encourages its retention in the engaged position between game plays. Such would aid in retaining the configuration of the legal pocket formed.
When used, it is preferred that at least 5% of the diameter of the ball B when used with the pocket shaper 50 as shown in
Consequent to the use of the pocket shaper 50, and after removal of the pocket shaper 50 from the sidewalls 15, 16, at least 5%, and more preferably and in order of increasing preference, at least 7.5%, 10%, 12.5%, 15%, 17.5%, 20% and 25% of the diameter of the ball B extends beyond the top rail edges 15F and 16F of the sidewalls 15, 16.
Subsequent to the engagement of the pocket shaper 50 with the head 10, a regulation sized lacrosse ball B is then inserted into the head 10 and positioned between the ball seat 52 and the mesh 20, which placement will impart pressure against the mesh 20, especially in the region beneath the ball seat 52. This pressure when permitted to remain for extended periods of time will cause desired degree of distention or elongation of the mesh 20, and especially of the mesh cord 22 or mesh web 22 in this region which results in the formation of a ‘legal pocket’ in the desired part of the mesh 20. In the preferred embodiment as is shown in
As can be appreciated from the foregoing, particularly with reference to the, drawing figures already discussed, the pocket shaper 50 provides a convenient and highly effective device, and method for forming a pocket, preferably a legal pocket within a lacrosse head 10. The modest size of the pocket shaper 50 also facilitates its use in longer durations in that it is highly convenient to engage the pocket shaper 50 within a lacrosse head 10 so to retain a lacrosse ball B within a desired region of the mesh 20 between game plays as, once described herein the compact size of the pocket shaper 50 encourages its retention in the engaged position between game plays.
It is to be understood that the pocket shaper 50 may assume differing configurations, yet still provide the same functionality and be utilized in a manner similar to that discussed herein, particularly with reference to
A further embodiment of a pocket shaper 50 is illustrated on
It is to be understood that various corresponding parts of the foregoing embodiments may be interchanged with similarly parts in other embodiments, and thus the disclosure of the specific embodiments should not be considered limiting but merely illustrative, particularly with respect to such interchangeability.
The pocket shaper 50 maybe produced from any material may be suitably formed or fabricated into the form of such a device, and include without limitation materials including wood, ceramics, metals but advantageously in view of stiffness, light weight and durability one or more naturally occurring or synthetic polymers may be used, including but not limited polyamides (Nylons), polyalkyleneterephthalates (PET, PBT), polyolefins, polysulfones (PS), polycarbonate and others synthetic polymers and copolymers thereof which will exhibit suitable physical characteristics necessary for the pocket shaper 50. Such naturally occurring and synthetic polymers may comprise additives which may improve their performance characteristics such as organic and inorganic fillers, including fibrous and/or particulate materials such as inorganic fibers and inorganic glass particulates such as beads, strands and the like. Additives which include colorants such as pigments and dyes may also be advantageously used in order to impart a desired color to the material of construction.
The pocket shaper 50 maybe produced by any suitable process of fabrication, including machining, stamping, thermoforming, casting and molding, particularly injection molding if formed from or using flowable thermoplastic polymeric materials. A pocket shaper may be formed by injection molding from a mass of a fluidized thermoplastic polymer which optionally includes one or more additives. The pocket shaper 50 maybe formed by thermoforming from a sheet of a material, which sheet may be a single layer of a material or of a composite construction, viz, includes layered sheets of different materials which are laminated either prior to or consequent to thermoforming of the pocket shaper 50. The pocket shaper 50 maybe formed from a flowable or formable material, such as a metal, ceramic or other hardenable material which is cured within a mold or die, to form the pocket shaper 50. The pocket shaper 50 maybe tooled or machined from a block of a suitable material utilizing conventional forming methods. The pocket shaper 50 maybe stamped or otherwise formed from a sheet of a suitable material, i.e., a metal, utilizing conventional forming methods.
While described in terms of the presently preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is to be interpreted as by way of illustration, and not by way of limitation, and that various modifications and alterations apparent to one skilled in the art may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.
