LACROSSE HEAD

Abstract

A lacrosse head including a sidewall having upper and lower rails and an optional cross member. At least one of the upper and lower rails and cross member are cored out to define a recess. The recess can be partitioned by multiple trusses into multiple individual voids. The voids can be of increasing depth, progressing from shallower to deeper depths from the bottom rail to the upper rail. The lower rail can be reinforced with additional trusses near the base or ball stop of the head to add strength and rigidity there. The density of the trusses and/or cross sectional area of material can be altered in the upper rail, lower rail and cross member to selectively alter stiffness in those components. The stiffness of these components can also vary to provide different position heads, for example, attack, midfield and defense heads, with selectively different stiffness and strength characteristics.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to lacrosse heads, and more particularly, to lacrosse heads having selectively disposed stiffness and flexibility regions.

Conventional lacrosse heads are constructed from plastic and include an open frame having a ball stop joined with the base, a pair of sidewalls that diverge from the ball stop and a scoop that connects the sidewalls, opposite the ball stop. The sidewalls include a lower rail that defines multiple circular or elliptical string holes. A net is strung to the lower rail via the string holes, around the back side of the frame, leaving the opposing side of the frame open for catching or shooting a lacrosse ball.

Most lacrosse heads are constructed to be light and maneuverable. Typically, this is accomplished by reducing or eliminating material from the head, for example, by making larger through holes in the frame. Many times, however, this reduction in material and corresponding large openings in the frame, leads to undesired flexibility and strength reduction. In turn, the head can be susceptible to bending, deformation and/or breakage. Flexibility in the wrong places in the head also can lead to improper ball control, and can compromise accurate, consistent shooting and passing with the head.

While there are some heads that incorporate certain types of structures to bolster the strength of the head without significantly increasing weight, many fall short of their goal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A lacrosse head is provided including frame having a ball stop joined with a base, a scoop, and sidewalls joining the base and scoop. The frame defines a plurality of recesses and/or voids on the ball facing interior of the head. The recesses and/or voids are strategically positioned, reinforced and dimensioned to provide strength and flexibility to select regions of the head. The voids optionally can be reinforced with one or more trusses that are disposed at least partially within the voids.

In one embodiment, the lacrosse head includes sidewalls each having an upper rail, a lower rail and one or more upper and optional cross members. The upper rail, lower rail and/or cross member can define one or more recesses. The recesses can be partitioned by a plurality of trusses that establish multiple voids in the respective upper rails, lower rail and/or cross member. The trusses and voids can enhance the strength and rigidity of the head while enabling it to remain lightweight and maneuverable.

In another embodiment, the voids are configured to face toward a longitudinal axis of the head and open generally toward the interior of the head. The bottom of the voids can be generally closed except for stringer net holes at the bottoms of certain voids, the net holes projecting through the lower rail.

In yet another embodiment, the voids and/or recesses are progressively deeper as they transition from the lower rail to the upper rail, optionally through the cross member. In some cases, the voids can be about 1% to about 200%, about 10% to about 150%, about 25% to about 100%, or about 50% to about 100% greater in depth in the upper rail than in the lower rail. Optionally, the lower rail can define shallower voids and/or can include more material per cross sectional area, as compared to the upper rail. Thus, the lower rail can be stiffer and more rigid than the upper rail, which can be more flexible and/or resilient than the lower rail.

In still another embodiment, the voids and/or recesses defined in a lower rail, upper rail and/or cross member are progressively deeper transitioning from a base or ball stop to a scoop of the head, or vice versa. In some cases, the voids can be about 1% to about 200%, about 10% to about 150%, about 25% to about 100%, or about 50% to about 100% greater in depth in the part of the head near the scoop than in the part of the head near the base or ball stop of the head.

In yet another embodiment, the voids and/or recesses defined in a lower rail, upper rail and/or cross member are deeper in certain parts of those elements than in other parts to fine tune the dynamic flexing of the head. Depending on the desired flexibility of the head, the voids can be about 1% to about 200%, about 10% to about 150%, about 25% to about 100%, or about 50% to about 100% greater in depth in certain parts or locations along the lower rail, upper rail and/or cross member than in other parts of the same lower rail, upper rail and/or cross member.

In even another embodiment, the trusses vary in density in various portions of the upper rail and/or the lower rail. For example, in the lower rail, the density of the trusses, and thus the reinforcement of the lower rail, can be enhanced adjacent the ball stop.

In a further embodiment, the density of the trusses can be decreased forward of the ball stop and optionally increased yet again where a cross member intersects the lower rail. Varying densities can be achieved throughout the upper and lower rails by altering the density of the trusses and/or the overall material at a given cross section of the respective rails and/or cross member.

In still a further embodiment, the recesses can be included in the upper rail, the lower rail and the cross members forward of the ball stop and rearward of the scoop. The truss members, recesses and voids can terminate short of the scoop and short of the ball stop, being contained only in the upper and lower rails and cross member of the sidewalls.

The lacrosse head described herein provides exceptional stiffness and rigidity, as well as flexibility in preselected locations within the head. The recesses and voids diminish the overall weight of a head which lends itself to improved maneuverability and feel. The optional trusses enable the head to provide improved deflection characteristics, comparable to heads having significantly greater amounts of material built into a given component. Thus, the head exhibits a unique balance of stiffness and flexibility where needed. In addition, the truss members, voids and recesses can provide enhanced rigidity and a reduced deflection of the head when certain forces are exerted on the head. Further, due to the lightweight construction and the voids and recesses, a significant weight savings for the head is achieved. The dimensions and locations of trusses, recesses and voids can be selectively modified for heads used in a variety of different positions, for example, attack, midfield and defense positions. This can lend to the overall ease of playability in those positions and can assist a player adapting to those various positions.

These and other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by reference to the description of the current embodiment and the drawings.

Before the embodiments are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the details of operation or to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention may be implemented in various other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in alternative ways not expressly disclosed herein. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including” and “comprising” and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items and equivalents thereof. Further, enumeration may be used in the description of various embodiments. Unless otherwise expressly stated, the use of enumeration should not be construed as limiting the invention to any specific order or number of components. Nor should the use of enumeration be construed as excluding from the scope of the invention any additional steps or components that might be combined with or into the enumerated steps or components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a current embodiment of a lacrosse head;

FIG. 2 is a close up perspective view of a lower rail of the lacrosse head;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the lacrosse head;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the lacrosse head;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the exterior of the lacrosse head;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of an interior of a sidewall of the lacrosse head;

FIG. 7 is a section view of the lacrosse head sidewall taken along lines 7-7 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a section view of the lacrosse head sidewall taken along lines 8-8 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of an interior of a sidewall of a first alternative embodiment of the lacrosse head; and

FIG. 10 is a section view of the lacrosse head sidewall taken along lines 10-10 in FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENT EMBODIMENTS

I. Overview

A current embodiment of the lacrosse head is shown in FIGS. 1-8 and generally designated 10. The lacrosse head 10 includes a throat 11 to connect the head to a lacrosse handle (not shown), a pair of opposing sidewalls 20 and a scoop 30 connecting the pair of opposing sidewalls 20 opposite the throat 11. Located at the lower end of the head, adjacent the throat 11 is a base 50 which includes a ball stop 52. The sidewalls 20 can be of an open frame construction, that is then they can define at least one non-string hole that extends completely through the sidewalls, from the interior to the exterior, where the non-string hole reduces the weight of the head. Exemplary non-string holes are the frame holes 21, 22 and 23 shown in FIG. 5. The sidewalls, ball stop and scoop can generally wrap around and form a periphery of the interior 13 of the head. The interior of the head optionally can be the portion and surfaces of the head that directly contact the ball while the ball is being carried in, caught by or shot from the head. Each sidewall can include an upper rail 60 and a lower rail 70. One or more cross members 30 can be joined with the upper rail and a lower rail, generally extending from one to the other adjacent one or more of the openings 21, 22 and 23.

The lacrosse head 10 includes one or more cored out sections or recesses 80, 81 and 81 defined by the cross members, upper rail and/or lower rail respectively. These recesses can be generally partitioned into multiple voids 32, 62 and 72 by multiple respective trusses 33, 63 and 73. The voids can be of progressively decreasing depths D1-D10 as shown in FIG. 8. from the upper rail 60 to the lower rail 70, optionally through the cross members 30. The truss members can increase in density in select regions, for example regions 16 and 18. Further, the amount of material and/or trusses in a given cross section can increase or decrease, depending on the desired rigidity or flexibility in certain regions or components of the head. As an example, region 16 is adjacent the ball stop 52 and in an area of the head that is subject to extreme bending forces during play. The truss density or cross sectional areas of the head components can be increased in this region to improve rigidity and prevent or impair flex in this region. Region 18 can be located in or adjacent the lower rail 70 adjacent the forward most cross member 30. This area can include increased truss density and/or increased cross sectional areas of material as desired.

Generally, the head can be constructed so that the lower rail 70 is stiffer and has a higher modulus of elasticity than the upper rail 60. This can enable the lower rail to remain more rigid while allowing the upper rail to be more flexible, which can improve the maneuverability, play and feel of the head 10. Each of the above structures will now be described in further detail.

II. Construction

The general construction of the exemplary head 10 will now be described further with reference to FIGS. 1-8. As shown, the throat 11 can extend from the base 50 and can define a socket S. The socket S can be tubular in shape and can define a cavity to receive a handle 12. Alternatively, the throat 11 can include a projection which is adapted to fit within a handle (not shown). The handle can be secured to socket S, optionally via a fastener (not shown) such as a screw, peg or other fastening device or material, such as an adhesive, cement or glue. Optionally, the throat 11 and/or socket S can define apertures or holes as shown to reduce the weight of the head 10.

The head 10 includes sidewalls 20 that generally are positioned on opposite sides of a longitudinal axis LA of the head, which optionally can bisect the head into opposing halves. The longitudinal LA extends from the ball stop 52 and/or base 50 toward the scoop 40. A plane P can be established through the longitudinal axis LA. For example, the plane P can extend perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 4 and can intersect the longitudinal axis LA along its length. One or both of the sidewalls 20 can extend from the ball stop 52 toward the scoop 40 which is located at the opposite end of the head 10.

Each sidewall 20 can include upper rails 60 and lower rails 70. These rails can be secured to an extent between the base 50 and the scoop 40. Alternatively, these upper and lower rails can be an extension of the base 50. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the upper rails 60, lower rails 70 and the sidewalls 20 can follow an outward curvilinear path near the base 50 before extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis LA, generally within the throat T. The throat T can generally extend from a ball stop 50 about ½ to ⅔ the length of the interior 13, of the head or other distance as desired.

The upper and lower rails 60, 70 can include an exterior surface 60E and 70E, respectively, located generally opposite the interior 13 of the head. The exterior surfaces can form part of an exterior of the head, which generally is not configured to contact the ball as it is held or shot from the head. These exterior surfaces can be of a partial circular, polygonal, elliptical, rectangular or beveled cross section that are generally uniform or vary as these surfaces extend from the base 50 to the scoop 40.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 5 and 6, the sidewalls 20 can be of an open frame construction, defining one or more non-string apertures 21, 22, 23 between the upper and lower rails 60, 70. These apertures can be of any preselected shape and can be configured for structural or aesthetic purposes as desired. In addition to the non-string holes, the sidewalls 20, and in particular the lower rails 70, can define one or more string holes 18 that allow attachment of a net or pocket (not shown) to the head 10. The precise placement of these string holes can vary as desired. Further, although shown as generally rounded, circular or elliptical holes, these string holes can vary in geometric shape depending on the application.

The sidewalls 20, and in particular the upper rails 60, can join with an upper rim or portion of the ball stop 52, as well as the upper rim or portion 46 of the scoop 40. This bounded region can define a ball receiving area or interior 13, also sometimes referred to as a ball receiving area, which is where the lacrosse ball can enter and exit the head 10 when the ball is caught, thrown, shot or dislodged therefrom. Opposite the ball interior or receiving area, the sidewall lower rim 70, scoop lower rim 47 and lower ball stop rim 56 can define a lower bounded region, which can define a ball retaining area. This is where the lacrosse ball typically is located when retained in the head 10, particularly in a net (not shown) attached to the head 10.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the sidewalls also can include cross members 30 that can extend between and be joined with the upper rail 60 and the lower rail 70. The cross members 30 each can include a first end 30A and a second end 30B that join with the respective upper 60 and lower 70 rails. As illustrated, the cross members 30 can be slightly curved and extending at an angle relative to the upper and lower rails.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lacrosse head 10 can include one or more recesses 80 cored out from and/or defined by the respective upper rail 60, lower rail 70 and/or cross members 30 in any combination. Although shown in each of the respective components, the recesses 80 can be formed in the components individually or in combination. The recesses 80 shown in FIG. 2 can be of a concave rounded, partial circular geometric shape, and/or can include a rounded, planar, polygonal or other shaped bottom. Of course, the recesses can be of virtually any geometric shape as described below. Generally, the bottom 84 of the recess 80 is closed so that the voids 72 do not extend all the way from the interior 13 through to the exterior 70E of the lower rail 70. Although described primarily in connection with the lower rail, the recesses, trusses, and voids herein can be of similar construction and position in other components, such as the cross member 30 and/or upper rail 60.

Returning to FIG. 2, the recess 80 can extend from immediately adjacent the ball stop 52 up toward but short of the scoop 40. The recess 80 as shown in FIG. 6 of the lower rail 70 can intersect and be joined with the recess 81 of the upper rail 60 near the scoop 40, forward of the respective cross members 30. The recesses 80 ad 81 optionally can be coextensive. Further optionally, each of the recesses 80 and 81 can be coextensive with and form an extension of the recesses 82 formed in the respective cross members 30. Depending on the particular application and the desired location, the recesses can take on a variety of different configurations and intersect one another at different locations. In addition, although shown as having a recess 80 in the lower rail, a recess 81 in the upper rail and a recess 82 in the cross members, one or more of these recesses can be selectively deleted. For example, the cross members 30 can include no recesses.

Optionally, the recesses in the lower rails 70 can be of a first depth, and the recesses in the upper rail 60 can be of a second depth. The second depth can be about 0.1 mm, 0.5 mm, 1.0 mm, 2.0 mm, 5.0 mm, 10 mm or more, greater than the first depth. The corresponding cross section of the upper rail and lower rail can differ in area accordingly. For example, in a cross section taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6, the cross sectional area of the upper rail can be greater than that of the cross sectional area of the lower rail farther along the same line. Further optionally, the cross sectional area of material in the lower rail can be greater than the cross sectional area of material in the upper rail.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 6, the recesses can form a closed bottom 84, which is concave and opens toward the longitudinal axis LA or generally toward the plane P of the head 10. The bottom 84 can be planar, flat, rounded or of a semi-circular construction. Alternatively, the bottom (and the recess in general) can be of a rectangular, square, triangular, polygonal or other shape and cross section desired. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the recesses 80′ and 80″ can be of square or rectangular in the respective upper rail 60 and lower rail 70. Again, the precise configuration of the recesses can be selected depending on the application.

With reference to FIG. 2, the recesses 80 of any of the rails and/or cross members can be partitioned by multiple truss members 73. These truss members can extend transversely relative to the recess 80, partitioning the recess into multiple adjacent voids 72. These adjacent voids can be of a variety of different shapes and configurations. As illustrated, the voids 72 can be of a generally triangular shape. The triangular shape can be an isosceles triangular shape, a right angle triangular shape, and equilateral triangular shape or some other triangular shape. Of course, the voids 72 can be of other geometric shapes, such as polygonal, hexagonal, square, rectangular and/or elliptical shapes. The corresponding trusses 73 that bound the voids can form similar geometric shapes as the voids, and can form the boundaries of the respective voids 72.

The trusses 73 can extend generally perpendicular to the plane P extending through the longitudinal axis LA. Of course if desired, the trusses 73 can be offset at some predetermined angle, for example 10°, 15°, 20°, 25°, 45°, 60°, 70°, 80° or some other angle relative to the plane P. The trusses 73 can extend substantially entirely from the interior 13 of the head to the bottom 84 of the recess 80.

If desired, the trusses 73 can be of multiple first 73A, second 73B and third 73C truss types, as shown in FIG. 2. For example, the truss 73A can extend generally from the lower perimeter wall 75 to the upper perimeter wall 74 of the lower rail and can be perpendicular to the edges 74E and 75E of the rail. The second truss 73B can extend at some angle α relative to the edge 74E and at some angle β relative to the edge 75E. These angles can vary depending on the particular construction of the voids. As shown, the angles α and β can be between about 45° and 75°, further optionally, about 50° to about 60°. Of course, other angles can be selected, depending on the application.

The respective first and second trusses 73A and 73B can extend to and be generally contiguous with the upper perimeter wall 74. The second truss 73B and third truss 73C can also extend to and be contiguous with the lower perimeter wall 75 of the lower rail 70. Optionally, all of the respective inner surfaces facing toward the longitudinal axis LA of the respective perimeter walls 74, 75, the trusses 73, 73A, 73B and 73C, can lay in a continuous plane that is parallel to or at some angle relative to the plane P. Generally, these combined surfaces can form the portion of the interior 13 of the head that contacts a lacrosse ball when the ball is held within or shot from the head 10.

The trusses 73 can intersect at a plurality of intersections 77 as shown in FIG. 2. At these intersections, for example, the first truss 73A and the second truss 73B can intersect. Intersections 77 also can form an intersection between the trusses and the upper perimeter wall 74 and/or the lower perimeter wall 75. Where multiple trusses come together, an intersection 77 can be relatively crowded. Any number of trusses can intersect at an intersection 77, for example 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10 or more, depending on the particular application and desired truss density. Optionally, each of the trusses 73 can be of a planar configuration and can extend generally toward the longitudinal axis LA and/or plane P depending on the particular application.

As shown in FIG. 2, each of the respective voids 72 can be bounded within the recess 80 by respective walls of the trusses. For example, the truss inner wall 73A′, the truss inner wall 73B′ and the bottom 84 can bound the void 72. Of course, where the recess is of a different configuration, for example, as shown in FIG. 7 which is more rectangular, the void 72′ can be bounded by the bottom 84′ and the inner walls 73A″ and 73B″. The exact number of truss inner walls and the bottoms bounding a particular void can vary depending on the geometric configuration of the recess 80 and the trusses.

Returning to FIG. 2, the bottom 84 of a void can intersect the inner wall 73A′ of the first truss 73A. The bottom 84 extends up to and intersects the opposite interior wall 73B′ of the second truss 73B. The bottom can also extend up to the edge 75E and lower perimeter wall 75. Of course, if the void is adjacent the upper perimeter wall 74 or edge 74E, the bottom 84 can also intersect or transition to that wall or edge as well. Where the void is not adjacent the upper perimeter wall or the lower perimeter wall, the bottom can simply intersect interior walls of any trusses adjacent the void.

The respective perimeter walls 74 and 75 and their edges 74E and 75E can transition to the exterior 70E of the rail 70. This exterior 70E generally extends outwardly and forms the exterior surface of the rail 70. Optionally, at least one of an upper perimeter wall and a lower perimeter wall is contiguous with and extends to an exterior surface of at least one of the first sidewall, second sidewall, and cross member. Further optionally, the upper perimeter wall and lower perimeter wall each can be contiguous with and can extend to an exterior surface of at least one of the first sidewall, second sidewall and cross member. Where a net string hole 18 is defined in the lower rail 70, it can extend from the bottom 84 through the side rail 70 to the exterior surface 70E of the lower rail 70. Even with this construction, however, the voids and/or recesses still retain a “closed bottom.” More particularly, these net openings 18 are not considered to “open” the closed bottom 84. To have an open bottom, a substantial portion of the void 72 would have to open to through the exterior 70E, other than only the net holes 18.

As shown in FIG. 6, the trusses 73 can be of any increased density or number in the regions 16 and 18. These regions can correspond to areas of high stress and fatigue, typically associated with breakage of the heads. Truss density in a given area or region can be calculated by counting the number of individual trusses (or the overall sum of the area of the truss inner surfaces) in that area or region on the interior 13 of the head. Each truss between two points of intersection with one or more other trusses counts as a single truss in the truss density calculation. Thus, although a truss may extend from a top to a bottom rail, if there are two intersections with other trusses, that truss would count as three trusses total for calculation of truss density.

As can be seen in FIG. 6, the density of the trusses 73 in region 16 is greater than the density of trusses in like sized region 17 further forward along the rail 70. This different density of trusses can add to the strength and rigidity of the head in preselected locations, and maintain weight savings in other areas. Generally, the truss density can increase in the area 16 nearest the ball stop, decrease between the respective cross members 30, and then increase again at the second cross member farthest from the ball stop 52 in region 18. From there, truss density can again decrease forward toward the scoop 40.

As another example, the truss density can increase from the lower rail 70 toward the upper rail 60. Additionally or alternatively, the corresponding cross sectional area along a given line (such as line 7-7) can increase from the lower rail to the upper rail.

Optionally, as shown in FIG. 6, the trusses can form a generally repeating pattern between the respective cross members along a length L that is optionally greater than ¼, ⅓, ½ or ¾ of the overall length of the interior 13 from the ball stop 52 to the inner edge of the scoop 40 along longitudinal axis LA. Further optionally, the length L can be about 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70% or 80% of the overall length from the ball stop 52 to the inner edge of the scoop 40 along the longitudinal axis LA.

The voids 72 defined by head 10 can be of a varying depth D in the different portions or components of the head. For example, the depth of the voids 62 in the upper rail 60 can be greater than the depth of the voids 32 in the cross members 30 and/or greater than the depth of voids 72 in the lower rail 70. Optionally, the depth of the voids 62 in the upper rail can be 1%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 100%, 150%, 200%, 250% and/or 300% greater than the depths of the voids 72 in the lower rail 70. Further optionally, the depth of the voids 32 in the cross members 30 can be 1%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 100%, 150%, 200%, 250% and/or 300% greater than the depths of the voids 72 in the lower rail 70. These depths can be varied depending on the particular application and whether or not the different portions include different void depths.

As another example, FIG. 8, shows a section view of the voids taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 6. The depths D1-D9 of the voids decrease incrementally from the upper rail 60 through the cross member 30 into the lower rail 70. Many times this results in a total amount of material—from which the head is made, and the respective cross sectional areas of that material, in those different components, for example the plastic or other material in the upper rail 60 cross member 30 and lower rail 70—generally increasing from the lower rail to the upper rail. FIG. 7 also illustrates the difference in depths of the voids 72′ in the lower rail 70 relative to the void 62′ in the upper rail 60 taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 7, the depth D11 in the lower rail is about half the depth D12. These depths, their differences and ratios to one another can vary depending on the particular application. Of course, in some circumstances, the depths of the voids can remain consistent, that is all can be of a singular depth throughout all of the components in which the voids are defined. Alternatively, the void depths might be reversed in some limited applications.

As further shown in FIG. 7, the overall cross sectional areas in the upper and lower rails can differ. For example, the cross sectional area of material LA in the lower rail can be generally greater than the cross sectional area of material UA in the upper rail. The cross sectional area LA can be optionally 5%, 10%, 20%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%, 200% more than the cross sectional area UA, depending on the application. Generally, this can result in the lower rail being more stiff and rigid than the more flexible upper rail.

The voids and trusses of the head can be common to different components. For example as shown in FIG. 6, the void 36 can be common to the cross member 30 and the upper rail 60. The void 37 can be common to the cross member 30 as well as the lower rail 70. Optionally, if the entire cross member defines a single void, that void would be common with both the upper rail, the cross member and the lower rail.

As shown in FIG. 2, any one of the rails and/or cross member can include a cross section. This cross section can be taken perpendicular to the longitudinal axis LA and/or plane P through the upper rail and/or lower rail. As shown in FIG. 2, the lower rail includes the material of the lower rail that fills a cross sectional area A1. This cross section also shows the lower rail includes a void cross sectional area A2. Optionally, any cross section through a lower rail, upper rail and/or cross section taken perpendicular to the longitudinal axis LA and/or plane P (where there is a void) can have a void cross sectional area A2 that is less than ½ the cross sectional area A1 of material in the respective component. Further optionally, in a cross section taken perpendicular to the longitudinal axis through the upper rail and/or a lower rail, each void in the cross section can have a cross sectional area that is less than half of a cross sectional area of a remainder of the respective upper rail and lower rail adjacent the void. In some cases, this can ensure that the rail has enough material to provide the desired stiffness and/or strength to the head 10.

In general, the lacrosse head 10 can be constructed so that the lower rail 70 has a greater stiffness than the upper rail 60. For example, the lower rail 70 can be 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80% stiffer than the upper rail 60. Optionally, the upper rail 70 can be 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80% more flexible than the lower rail 60. Of course, the stiffness also or alternatively can vary from the ball stop 52 toward the scoop 40. As mentioned above, the stiffness can be greater in the regions 16 and 18 or any other preselected locations along the lower rail.

The lacrosse head and its components can be constructed from a variety of materials such as nylon, urethane, polycarbonate, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyketone, polybutylene terephalate, polypthalamide and/or optionally, any of a variety of polyamides. Other materials such as composites, metals and alloys can be used as well.

III. First Alternative Embodiment

A first alternative embodiment of the lacrosse head is illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10 and generally designated 110. This embodiment is similar to the embodiment above with a few exceptions. For example, the head 110 includes upper and lower rails 160 and 170, as well as optional cross members 130A and 130B. Although not shown, the head 110 can also include a longitudinal axis LA and a plane P (not shown) similar in placement and position to that of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4. As with the embodiment above, the respective voids 172 and recesses 80 can be bounded by one or more truss members 173, truss walls, truss inner walls and bottoms. Further, the voids can be bounded by upper perimeter walls and/or lower perimeter walls as explained in connection with the embodiment above.

As with the embodiment above, the sidewalls can include trusses 173 that extend generally perpendicularly to a plane P extending through the longitudinal axis LA (e.g. FIG. 4). The trusses 173 can also be offset at the predetermined angles identified above relative to the plane P in the embodiment above if desired.

As shown in FIG. 9, the trusses 173 as can be in a homogeneous and/or repeating pattern. Accordingly, the voids 172 can be generally of the same length, from top to bottom corners, and width, from side to side corners, when they are formed entirely within one of the respective upper rails, lower rails or cross members. An example of this is illustrated by the voids 191 and 192 in the lower rail 170 in FIG. 9. Where the voids 172 break adjacent one of the perimeter walls 175, they can be truncated. An example of this is the void 193, which is basically half or a portion of the size of the voids 191 and 192.

The respective voids 172A and 172B can be of the same area when viewed from the interior of the head. Optionally, other “whole” voids 172 elsewhere throughout the head sidewall 120 can likewise be of the same area on the interior, when viewed along the interior of the head facing away from the longitudinal axis LA or toward the sidewall 120. Further optionally, such whole voids can be generally polygonal, and optionally in the form of parallelograms.

Where the voids are formed in a substantially repeating pattern of the interior sidewall, the intersections 177 can be equally spaced from one another across the respective adjacent voids along the respective truss members. The intersections 177 can be equally spaced from one another along a particular truss member. This is shown in FIG. 9, where the intersections 177A, 177B and 177C lay along a common truss member 173A. All of these intersections are generally equal spaced from one another. For example, intersection 177A is a first distance from 177B, and intersection 177B is spaced the same first distance from intersection 177C.

The respective elements, for example the lower rail 170 and/or upper rail 160 as well as a cross member 130A can include voids of varying depths. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the depth of the voids 172 can vary from the base 150 and/or ball stop 152 toward the scoop 140. The depths can increase along the direction from the ball stop 152 to the scoop 140. As one example, the depth D14 of the void 172G closer to the ball stop 152 can be less than the depth D13 of the void 172F adjacent the scoop. Put another way, the first depth D13 can be greater than the second depth D14. Generally, the depths of the voids and/or recesses can become progressively deeper progressing from the ball stop 152 toward the scoop 150.

Optionally, the depth and/or volume of the voids toward the scoop can be 1%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 100%, 150%, 200%, 250% and/or 300% greater than the depths and/or volumes of the voids near the base. Further optionally, the depth and/or volume of the voids in a first location in the upper rail, lower rail or cross member can be 1%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 100%, 150%, 200%, 250% and/or 300% greater than the depths and/or volumes of the voids in second locations in the upper rail, lower rail or cross member, or elsewhere in the same component. These depths can be varied of course, depending on the particular application and whether or not the different portions include different void depths and/or volumes.

Generally, as with the embodiment above, the depth of a void 172 can be established by measuring from the interior surface 1051 on the sidewall 120 to the bottom 172B of the respective void as shown in FIG. 10. The volume of a void can be established by measuring the volume of the space shown in broken lines 172V.

Optionally, the volumes of the voids 172 can progressively increase from the base 150 toward the scoop 140. Further optionally, if desired, the volumes of the voids 172 can also decrease generally from the upper rail 160 through the cross members 130A to the lower rail 170. Of course, this volume change can be reversed depending on the application.

The respective depths and volumes of voids can be strategically preselected for certain areas of the respective upper rail lower rail and cross members. For example, a first depth of a void 172X, that is, depth D15, can be selected to be greater than a second depth D14 of another void 172G, that is closer to the ball stop. This depth D15 can be determined based on, for example, the attachment of the cross member 130A immediately adjacent the void 172X. The cross member can add additional structural rigidity to the lower rail at that point, and therefore the void 172X can be slightly deeper in this location to provide weight savings to the head.

Optionally, in some cases, the depths of voids can be out of order. In a progression of depths that generally increases, for example, from the base 150 to the scoop 140, void 172X is a specific example of this. The depth D15 of void 172X can be slightly deeper than the next void 172 toward the scoop.

Generally, the depths of individual voids can be preselected based on desired performance characteristics, such as rigidity and flexibility, in certain regions of the respective upper rail, lower rail and/or cross members 130. In turn, the head can be selectively tuned for flexibility.

The respective sidewalls 120 can include cross members 130A and 130B. As shown, one or more of the cross members, for example 130B, can be without any of the voids or recesses. In this construction, when a lacrosse ball is in the head, adjacent the sidewalls, it can contact the clean, generally planar or contoured inner surfaces of the cross members 130B when it engages those cross members. Of course, when the lacrosse ball is adjacent and contacting the upper rail 160 and/or lower rail 170 or other portions of the cross members 130A, the lacrosse ball can engage one, two, three, four or more of the multiple truss members 173. In some cases, the lacrosse ball and the head can contact both the interior surface of a cross member 130B as well as one or more trusses 173, or some other area on the rails or cross member without voids or recesses. For example, if desired, certain select portions of the respective upper rail 160 and lower rail 170 can be void of any voids or recesses, in which case the interior facing portion of those elements is simply a planar or contoured surface without any voids or recesses. The particular location of these respective “clean” parts of these elements can be selected depending on the desired flexing and strength characteristics of the head. These same voidless parts can be engaged by a lacrosse ball on the inside of the head.

The above description is that of current embodiments of the invention. Various alterations and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and broader aspects of the invention as defined in the appended claims, which are to be interpreted in accordance with the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents. This disclosure is presented for illustrative purposes and should not be interpreted as an exhaustive description of all embodiments of the invention or to limit the scope of the claims to the specific elements illustrated or described in connection with these embodiments. For example, and without limitation, any individual element(s) of the described invention may be replaced by alternative elements that provide substantially similar functionality or otherwise provide adequate operation. This includes, for example, presently known alternative elements, such as those that might be currently known to one skilled in the art, and alternative elements that may be developed in the future, such as those that one skilled in the art might, upon development, recognize as an alternative. Further, the disclosed embodiments include a plurality of features that are described in concert and that might cooperatively provide a collection of benefits. The present invention is not limited to only those embodiments that include all of these features or that provide all of the stated benefits, except to the extent otherwise expressly set forth in the issued claims. Any reference to claim elements in the singular, for example, using the articles “a,” “an,” “the” or “said,” is not to be construed as limiting the element to the singular. Any reference to claim elements as “at least one of X, Y and Z” is meant to include any one of X, Y or Z individually, and any combination of X, Y and Z, for example, X, Y, Z; X, Y; X, Z; and Y, Z.

Claims

1. A lacrosse head comprising: a throat adapted to connect to a lacrosse handle;a base joined with the throat, the base including a ball stop, the ball stop extending from an upper ball stop rim to a lower ball stop rim;a scoop distal from the base;a first sidewall and a second sidewall, each extending from the base toward the scoop and joined with one another distal from the base at the scoop, each first and second sidewall being of an open frame construction, each first and second sidewall including an upper rail and a lower rail and a cross member extending between and joined with the upper rail and the lower rail, anda longitudinal axis extending from the ball stop toward the scoop,wherein at least one of the upper rail, lower rail and cross member is cored out to define a plurality of voids,wherein each of the plurality of voids opens toward an interior of the head, toward the longitudinal axis,wherein at least one void from the plurality of voids includes a first truss extending across the at least one void.

2. The lacrosse head of claim 1 wherein the plurality of voids are defined in the upper rail, the lower rail and the cross member.

3. The lacrosse head of claim 2 wherein voids defined by the bottom rail are shallower than the voids defined by the upper rail.

4. The lacrosse head of claim 1 wherein the first truss includes an interior edge that faces toward the longitudinal axis and forms a ball contact surface on the interior.

5. The lacrosse head of claim 4 wherein the lower rail includes a truss density, wherein the truss density is greater adjacent the ball stop, and decreases toward the scoop.

6. The lacrosse head of claim 1 wherein the lower rail includes a first truss density and the upper rail includes a second truss density, the first truss density greater than the second truss density.

7. The lacrosse head of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of voids is bounded by a closed bottom wall, a first truss inner wall and a second truss inner wall, wherein the bottom wall is substantially concave.

8. The lacrosse head of claim 1, wherein a first plurality of voids are defined in the upper rail,wherein a second plurality of voids are defined in the lower rail,wherein a third plurality of voids are defined in the cross member.

9. The lacrosse head of claim 8, wherein a first void is common to the first plurality of voids defined in the upper rail and the third plurality of voids defined in the cross member.

10. A lacrosse head comprising: a throat adapted for connection to a lacrosse handle;a base joined with the throat;a scoop distal from the base;a pair of sidewalls extending from the base and joined with one another distal from the base at the scoop, each sidewall being of an open frame construction and including at least one non-string hole, each sidewall including an upper rail and a lower rail separated from one another by a distance, each sidewall including a cross member joined with the upper rail and the lower rail; anda longitudinal axis extending from the base toward the scoop;wherein the base, scoop and pair of sidewalls form an interior of the head and an outwardly facing exterior;wherein the lower rail defines a first plurality of voids opening toward the interior, but not the exterior, toward the longitudinal axis,wherein individual voids from the first plurality of voids are separated from one another and generally bounded by a first plurality of intersecting trusses arranged perpendicular to a vertical plane passing through the longitudinal axis;wherein each of the first plurality of voids is bounded by a first closed bottom so that each of the first plurality of voids does not extend completely through the lower rail, the first closed bottom further bounding each of the first plurality of voids.wherein a plurality of net holes are defined in the lower rail, in a plurality of preselected closed bottoms.

11. The lacrosse head of claim 10, wherein the upper rail defines a second plurality of voids opening toward the interior, toward the longitudinal axis,wherein the second plurality of voids are separated from one another and bounded by a second plurality of intersecting trusses arranged perpendicular to the vertical plane passing through the longitudinal axis;wherein each of the second plurality of voids is bounded by a second closed bottom so that the each of the second plurality of voids does not extend completely through the upper rail.

12. The lacrosse head of claim 11, wherein the first plurality of voids have a first void depth,wherein the second plurality of voids have a second void depth,wherein the first void depth is less than the second void depth.

13. The lacrosse head of claim 12 wherein the cross member defines a third plurality of voids opening toward the interior, toward the longitudinal axis, wherein the third plurality of voids are separated from one another and bounded by a third plurality of intersecting trusses arranged perpendicular to the vertical plane passing through the longitudinal axis;wherein each of third plurality of voids is further bounded by a third closed bottom so that the each of third plurality of voids does not extend completely through the cross member.

14. The lacrosse head of claim 13, wherein the third plurality of voids have a third void depth,wherein the third void depth is less than the second void depth.

15. The lacrosse head of claim 10 wherein the first plurality of trusses have a truss density that is greater near the base than near the scoop.

16. The lacrosse head of claim 10 wherein the upper rail and cross member have a second and third plurality of voids, respectively, wherein a depth of the first plurality of voids is greater than another depth of the second and third plurality of voids.

17. A lacrosse head comprising: a throat adapted for connection to a lacrosse handle;a base joined with the throat;a scoop distal from the base;a pair of sidewalls extending from the base and joined with one another distal from the base at the scoop, each sidewall being of an open frame construction and including at least one non-string hole, each sidewall including an upper rail and a lower rail separated from one another by a distance, each sidewall including a cross member joined with the upper rail and the lower rail; anda longitudinal axis extending from the base toward the scoop,wherein the upper rail, lower rail and cross member reach include a cored out portion,wherein the upper rail, lower rail and cross member include a plurality of trusses that separate the cored out portion into a plurality of voids,wherein the plurality of voids open inward, toward the longitudinal axis.

18. The lacrosse head of claim 17, wherein the cored out portion is generally concave, opening toward the longitudinal axis,wherein the plurality of trusses extend inward toward the longitudinal axis,wherein the plurality of trusses are generally planar elements,wherein the plurality of trusses are substantially perpendicular to a plane extending through the longitudinal axis.

19. The lacrosse head of claim 17 wherein the plurality of voids increase in depth progressing from the lower rail to the upper rail.

20. The lacrosse head of claim 17 wherein the plurality of voids include a first void of a first depth, and a second void of a second depth, wherein the first depth is greater than the second depth, wherein the respective first and second depths impart a preselected flexibility to at least one of the upper rail, lower rail and cross member.