Lacrosse stick

Abstract

A lacrosse stick having a shaft with an octagonal cross-sectional profile. Two of the shaft's side walls disposed opposite to each other are of a wider width than the remaining six side walls. The six narrower side walls are all flat. The two wider side walls are configured to aid the player in gripping the shaft and to provide the head feel to the player. The wider side walls may be provided with at least a pair of ribs of the same width that are separated by a groove. This embodiment aids the player in gripping the shaft and gives the player a one hundred and eighty degree head feel. The wider side walls may, alternatively, be concave with the degree of concavity differing from one edge of the side wall to the other. This concavity aids the player in gripping the shaft while the change in the degree of concavity gives the player a three hundred and sixty degree head feel. In a further embodiment, the wider side walls may flare outwardly away from each other and be connected to the adjacent side wall at the most tapered edge by a ridged region. This configuration again aids the player in gripping the shaft and provides the player with a three hundred and sixty degree head feel.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

This invention generally relates to sporting equipment. More particularly, the invention relates to lacrosse equipment. Specifically, the invention relates to a shaft for a lacrosse stick that has a cross-sectional profile that aids the player to grip the shaft and determine the orientation of the head of the stick.

2. Background Information

There are three major issues that a player has to take into account when selecting a lacrosse stick. The first issue is weight, the second is grip and the third is “head feel”. Head feel is the ability of the stick to aid the player in determining whether or not the head is facing the correct direction to receive and to throw the ball. Players tend to hold their sticks in one of three ways. A right-handed player will place their left hand around the handle portion of the stick and their right hand around the shaft. Some players will tightly grip the shaft with all of the fingers of their right hand positioned adjacent each other. Some players will place their right-hand thumb or forefinger along one of the walls of the shaft. Yet other players will crook a slightly extended thumb or forefinger around the shaft. Most lacrosse sticks in use today include a shaft that is octagonal in cross-sectional shape. Typically, the eight sides of this octagonal shape are flat. In some sticks, the octagonal shape may be regular meaning that all of the sides are of substantially the same width. In other sticks, the octagonal shape is irregular, meaning that at least two of the sides are somewhat wider than the others. The regular octagonal shape only slightly aids the player in feeling the correct position of the head. The reason for this is that the shape gives the player eight distinct orientations that the head may be positioned in but, without looking at the head, it is impossible for the player to know which of the eight positions orients the head appropriately. The irregular octagonal configuration is slightly better at aiding the player in sensing the position of the lacrosse stick's head through their hands and fingers in that they can use the two wider sides as a reference point.

An example of an irregularly profiled shaft is that disclosed in U.S. Design Pat. No. D534,227 issued to Lee. While the irregular octagonal configuration gives the player two alternative positions for the head, in that the wider sides of the octagon are easier to locate through touch, the player cannot tell, without looking at the head, if the head is facing forwardly or backwardly. The shape slightly better aids the player in gripping the shaft than a circularly shaped shaft would, however the smoothness of the sides is still an issue. Many players will wrap athletic tape around the shaft in various patterns to aid in gripping the same.

The gripping issue has been somewhat addressed in other prior art such as in U.S. Pat. No. 4,206,918 issued to Lewis, Jr. This patent discloses a shaft that has an elliptical cross-sectional shape and is provided with knurling on substantially the entire outer surface thereof so that a player can better grip the same. The lacrosse stick disclosed in this patent has no way for the player to feel the position of the head using their hands and fingers.

US Publication No. 2005/0130773 to Hayden et al discloses coating the exterior surface of the shaft with a gripping compound such as a rubberized paint or other elastomeric coating.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,752,730 issued to Brine Jr. discloses a lacrosse stick with several possible shaft profiles that aid the player in gripping the stick. The profiles include a plurality of longitudinally extending ridges and trenches that are provided around the entire outer surface of the octagonally-shaped shaft. One or more of the ridges on the shaft are larger in width than one or more of the other ridges thereon. This patterning may somewhat improve the player's grip on the shaft but, because the ribbing patterns are repetitive in the majority of case, the player's glove may slide along the outermost surfaces of the shaft.

There is therefore a need in the art for an improved shaft for a lacrosse stick that not only provides the player with an improved grip, but also gives the player either a one hundred and eighty degree head feel or a three hundred and sixty-degree head feel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The device of the present invention is a lacrosse stick having a shaft with an octagonal cross-sectional profile. Two of the shaft's side walls disposed opposite each other, are of a wider width than the remaining six side walls. The six narrower side walls are all flat. The two wider side walls are configured to aid the player in gripping the shaft and to provide the head feel to the player. The wider side walls may be provided with at least a pair of ribs of the same width that are separated by a groove. This embodiment aids the player in gripping the shaft and gives the player a one hundred and eighty-degree head feel. The wider side walls may, alternatively, be concave with the degree of concavity differing from one edge of the side wall to the other. This concavity aids the player in gripping the shaft while the change in the degree of concavity gives the player a three hundred and sixty degree head feel. In a further embodiment, the wider side walls may flare outwardly away from each other and be connected to the adjacent side wall at the most tapered edge by a ridged region. This configuration again aids the player in gripping the shaft and provides the player with a three hundred and sixty degree head feel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiments of the invention, illustrative of the best mode in which applicant has contemplated applying the principles, are set forth in the following description and are shown in the drawings and are particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a lacrosse stick having a first embodiment of a shaft in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 1 a is a perspective view of a length of the shaft shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the shaft taken through line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial top view of the shaft taken through line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a partial side view of the shaft taken through line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a lacrosse stick having a second embodiment of the shaft in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 a is a perspective view of a length of the shaft shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the shaft taken through line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a partial top view of the shaft taken through line 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a partial side view of the shaft taken through line 8-8 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a lacrosse stick having a third embodiment of the shaft in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 9 a is a perspective view of a length of the shaft shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the shaft taken through line 10-10 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a partial top view of the shaft taken through line 11-11 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a partial side view of the shaft taken through line 12-12 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a lacrosse stick having a second embodiment of the shaft in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 13 a is a perspective view of a length of the shaft shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the shaft taken through line 14-14 of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a partial top view of the shaft taken through line 15-15 of FIG. 14; and

FIG. 16 is a partial side view of the shaft taken through line 16-16 of FIG. 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-4 there is shown a lacrosse stick 20 that includes a head 22, an elongated tubular shaft 24 affixed to head 22 and a handle 26 at the end of shaft 24 opposite head 22. Lacrosse stick 20 may be of any type including men and women's attack sticks, defense sticks, and goalie sticks. The shape of head 22 in FIGS. 1-4 is therefore shown by way of illustration only.

Shaft 24 preferably is manufactured from extruded aluminum so that the stick is substantially straight along it entire length “L”. The extrusion process also permits shaft 24 to be formed with a cross-sectional profile. The profile aids the player in better gripping shaft 24 and provides a reference for the player to correctly orient head 22 so that they can receive a ball in the netting 28 or throw a ball retained in netting 28. Utilizing shaft 24 to determine the correct orientation of head 22 will be referred to hereinafter as “head feel”.

As shown in FIG. 2, shaft 24 is generally octagonal in cross-sectional shape and has eight side walls 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e, 30f, 30g and 30h. Side walls 30a-30h surround and define an interior cavity 32. Shaft 24 also has a longitudinal axis “Y”.

In accordance with a specific feature of the present invention, side walls 30a and 30e are of substantially the same width and are substantially parallel to each other. Side walls 30b, 30d, 30f and 30h are all of substantially the same width and are wider than side walls 30a and 30e. Side walls 30b and 30f are substantially parallel to each other, and walls 30d and 30h are substantially parallel to each other. Side walls 30c and 30g are of substantially the same width and are parallel to each other. Side walls 30c and 30g are also wider than any of the other side walls 30a, 30b, 30d, 30e, 30f, and 30h. Each of side walls 30a, 30b, 30d, 30e, 30f and 30h are substantially planar or flat along their entire lengths.

In accordance with another specific feature of the present invention, side walls 30c and 30g are each provided with three grooves 34, 36, 38 that are separated from each other by two ribs 40, 42. Grooves 34, 36, 38 are each of substantially the same widths. Furthermore, ribs 40, 42 are each of substantially the same widths. Preferably the width of each groove is substantially identical to the width of each rib. A first lip 44 is provided at the junction between side walls 30b and 30c, and 30g and 30h. A second lip 46 is provided at the junction between side walls 30c and 30d, and 30f and 30g. Each of grooves 34, 36, 38 and ribs 40, 42 run the entire length “L” of shaft 24 are substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis “Y” thereof. Grooves 34, 36, 38 are of substantially the same width and ribs 40, 42 are of substantially the same width. Lips 44, 46 and ribs 40, 42 all extend outwardly from side walls 30c and 30g to the same extent.

The cross-sectional shape of shaft 24 better allows the player to determine which way his stick is facing. The wider side walls 30c, 30g form the sides of the shaft 24 and the narrower side walls 30a, 30e form the front and back walls of shaft 24. The player can therefore tell by the combination of the wider side walls and the presence of the ribs and grooves whether the head 22 is facing either sideways or facing one of frontwardly or backwardly. Furthermore, the combination of ribs 40, 42 and grooves 34, 36, 38 also provide the player with a much improved gripping surface on shaft 24. Furthermore, the ribs and grooves provide a physical indicator for the player to check whether head 22 is facing forwardly or rearwardly as opposed to off to one side. In other words, shaft 24 provides the player with a one hundred and eighty degree head feel.

Referring to FIGS. 5-8 there is shown a lacrosse stick 120 that includes a second embodiment of shaft in accordance with the present invention and generally indicated at 124. Shaft 124 extends between head 122 and handle 126 and is generally octagonal in cross-sectional shape. As with the previous embodiment, shaft 124 is of an irregular octagonal cross-sectional shape with side walls 130a, and 130e being narrower in width than side walls 130b, 130d, 130f and 130h, which in turn are narrower than side walls 130c and 130g. Side walls 130c, 130g are the widest of all of the side walls.

In accordance with a specific feature of the present invention, each of side walls 130c, 130g is provided with three ribs 150, 152, 154 which are separated from each other by two grooves 156, 158. Ribs 150, 152 and 154 are all of the same width and grooves 156, 158 are of the same width. Preferably, the width of each rib is substantially the same as the width of each groove. Ribs 150 form a shoulder 162 at a junction of side walls 130b and 130c, and side walls 130h and 130g. Ribs 154 form a shoulder 164 at the junction of side walls 130c and 130d, and side walls 130f and 130g. Once again the irregular octagonal shape and the ribs and grooves provide an easy way for the player to recognize that he has a side of the head facing forwardly instead of the open netting 128 facing forwardly and aid the player in more tightly gripping shaft 124. So, shaft 124 again provides an improved grip and 180 degree head feel.

Referring to FIGS. 9-12 there is shown a lacrosse stick 220 that incorporates a third embodiment of a shaft in accordance with the present invention and generally indicated at 224. Shaft 224 extends between head 222 and handle 226 and is configured to be generally octagonal in shape. Head 222 includes netting 228. Once again, side walls 230a and 230e are the narrowest, while side walls 230c and 230g are the widest of all of the side walls 230. Each of side walls 230a, 230b, 230d, 230e, 230f, 230h is substantially flat. Side walls 230c and 230g, on the other hand, are concave in shape. A rib 266 is formed at a first junction of between side walls 230b and 230c, and side walls 230g and 230h. A first region of the concave side walls 230c, 230g proximate ribs 266 has a tighter radius of curvature than a second region of those side walls further from ribs 266 and near a second junction 268 between side walls 230c and 230d, and between side walls 230g and 230f. The width “A” of shaft 224 as measured between outermost points of ribs 266 is substantially the same as the width between the second junctions 268 between side walls 230c and 230d and side walls 230f and 230g. The concavity of side walls 230c, 230g enables the player to more easily grip shaft 224. Furthermore, because of the difference in the concavity between the first and second regions of those side walls 230c, 230g proximate ribs 266 as opposed to second junctions 268, the player can tell whether the head 222 is facing rearwardly or forwardly. In other words, this design provides both an improved grip and 360 degree head feel to the player.

Referring to FIGS. 13-16, there is shown a lacrosse stick 330 having a fourth embodiment of shaft in accordance with the present invention and generally indicated at 324. Once again, side walls 330a and 330e are narrower than side walls 330b, 330d, 330f and 330h, which in turn are narrower than side walls 330c and 330g. All of side walls 330a-330h are substantially flat and planar in shape. A rib 366 is provided at a first junction between side walls 330b and 330c, and at side walls 330g and 330h. Side walls 330c and 330g then flare outwardly away from each other and terminate at a second junction 368 between side walls 330c and 330d, and between side walls 330f and 330g. Once again, the width “B” of shaft 324 is the same between the first junctions 366 and second junctions 368. This profile is again of a shape that enables the player to not only more tightly grip shaft 324, but ribs 366 and angled side walls 330c and 330g provide an easy way for the player to determine whether the head 322 and netting 328 are facing forwardly or rearwardly, i.e., the shaft provides an improved grip and a three hundred and sixty degree head feel.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.

Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention are an example and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described.

Claims

1. A lacrosse stick comprising: a head having a net and being adapted to receive and retain a ball therein;a shaft extending outwardly away from the head; said shaft comprising an elongated tubular member having a length and a longitudinal axis; and wherein said tubular member comprises: eight side walls configured to form a substantially octagonal cross-sectional shape; wherein two of the side walls disposed opposite to each other are of a wider width than the remaining six side walls; and the six narrower side walls are flat; and wherein each of the two wider side walls includes:a first rib,a second rib anda first groove interposed between the first and second ribs; wherein the first and second ribs and the first groove extend substantially along the length of the shaft and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis thereof; and wherein the first rib is substantially identical in width to the second rib.

2. The lacrosse stick as defined in claim 1, further comprising a second groove and a third groove formed in each of the two wider side walls; and wherein said first rib is interposed between the first groove and the second groove; and the second rib is interposed between the first groove and the third groove.

3. The lacrosse stick as defined in claim 2, wherein the first, second and third grooves are all of substantially the same width.

4. The lacrosse stick as defined in claim 3, wherein the side walls further include: a first lip anda second lip,

5. The lacrosse stick as defined in claim 4, wherein the first lip is disposed at the junction of one of the narrower side walls with one of the wider side walls; and the second lip is disposed at the junction of another of the narrower side walls with the one of the wider side walls.

6. The lacrosse stick as defined in claim 5, wherein the first and second ribs are both of substantially the same first width and the first, second and third grooves are all of substantially the same second width.

7. The lacrosse stick as defined in claim 6, wherein the first and second widths are equal.

8. The lacrosse stick as defined in claim 1; further comprising a third rib and a second groove formed in each of the two wider side walls; wherein said third rib extends along the length of the shaft and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis thereof; and said second groove is interposed between the third rib and one of the first and second ribs; and wherein the third rib is substantially of the same width as each of the first and second ribs.

9. The lacrosse stick as defined in claim 8, wherein the first, second and third ribs are all of substantially the same first width; and the first and second grooves are both of substantially the same second width.

10. The lacrosse stick as defined in claim 9, wherein the first and second widths are substantially identical.

11. The lacrosse stick as defined in claim 8, wherein each of the wider side walls further includes a first shoulder disposed between the first rib and an adjacent narrower side wall; and a second shoulder disposed between the third rib and an adjacent side wall.

12. A lacrosse stick comprising: a head adapted to receive and retain a ball therein;a shaft extending outwardly from the head; said shaft comprising an elongated tubular member having a length and a longitudinal axis; and wherein said tubular member comprises: eight side walls that are configured to form a substantially octagonal cross-sectional shape; wherein two of the side walls disposed opposite to each other are of a wider width than the remaining six side walls; and wherein the six side walls are flat; and wherein each of the two wider side walls includes:a first region having a first radius of curvature;a second region having a second radius of curvature, said second radius of curvature being greater than the first radius of curvature; and wherein the first regions of each of the two wider side walls are disposed directly opposite each other; whereby the difference between the first and second radii of curvature is adapted to give the shaft a reference point to provide a lacrosse player a three hundred and sixty degree head feel.

13. The lacrosse stick as defined in claim 12, wherein the first region of each of the two wider side walls joins one of the narrower side walls at a first junction; and the second region of each of the two wider side walls joins another of the narrower side walls at a second junction; and the shaft has a first width between an outer surface of the shaft at the two first junctions and a second width between an outer surface of the shaft at the two second junctions; and the first and second widths are substantially identical.

14. The lacrosse stick as defined in claim 13, wherein the first junction comprises a first bump and the second junction comprises a second bump.

15. A lacrosse stick comprising: a head adapted to receive and retain a ball therein;a shaft extending outwardly away from the head; said shaft comprising an elongated tubular member having a length and a longitudinal axis; and wherein said tubular member comprises: eight side walls that are configured to form a substantially octagonal cross-sectional shape; wherein two of the side walls disposed opposite to each other are of a wider width than the remaining six side walls; and wherein each of the wider side walls has a first edge where it joins one of the narrower side walls; and a second edge where it joins a second one of the narrower side walls; said first and second edges being aligned with the longitudinal axis of the shaft; and wherein the shaft further includes:a single bump formed along the first edge of each of the wider side walls.

16. The lacrosse stick as defined in claim 15, wherein each of the wider side walls tapers from the second side edge thereof to the single bump.

17. The lacrosse stick as defined in claim 16, wherein the shaft has a first width measured between an outer surface of the bumps on the opposed wider side walls; and the shaft has a second width measured between the second side edges of the wider side walls; and the first and second widths are substantially identical.

18. A lacrosse stick comprising: a head adapted to receive and retain a ball therein;a shaft extending outwardly from the head; said shaft comprising an elongated tubular member having a length and a longitudinal axis; and wherein said tubular member comprises: eight side walls that are configured to form a substantially octagonal cross-sectional shape; wherein two of the side walls disposed opposite to each other are of a wider width than the remaining six side walls; wherein the six side walls are flat; and wherein each of the two wider side walls joins one of the narrower side walls at a first junction and joins another of the narrower side walls at a second junction; and wherein the two wider side walls flare outwardly away from each other between the first and second junctions.

19. The lacrosse stick as defined in claim 18, wherein each of the wider side walls is substantially planar.

20. The lacrosse stick as defined in claim 19, wherein the first junctions comprise an outwardly extending ridge, and said ridges and outwardly flaring wider side walls are adapted to provide the shaft with a reference point that gives a lacrosse player a three hundred and sixty degree head feel.

21. The lacrosse stick as defined in claim 20, wherein the shaft has a first width between the two first junctions and a second width between the two second junctions; and the first and second widths are substantially identical.