Patent Application
20080268987
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to lacrosse head pockets and, more particularly, to lacrosse head pockets of unitary construction that may be preformed to reduce burdensome stringing tasks and provide consistency in pockets not found in conventional hand-strung pockets.
2. Background of the Invention
As shown in
Another lacrosse stick stringing configuration known in the art is the mesh configuration. Rather than the longitudinal runners and open weave lacing of the traditional lacrosse pocket stringing configuration, the mesh configuration employs a mesh knitted as a continuous strip of woven material having a plurality of openings or “mesh diamonds” provided therein. The mesh is peripherally coupled to the head of the lacrosse stick by multiple stringing cords or other binding materials.
In traditional-type pockets for lacrosse heads, the multitude of interwoven lacing and/or runners makes adjusting and/or replacing parts or all of the pocket quite burdensome, often requiring the services of a person skilled in stringing lacrosse heads. Even routine adjustments to the pocket due to, for example, stretching or shrinking due to weather or wear, may require the complicated adjustment of several laces and/or runners. In addition, applicable lacrosse rules, such as the U.S. Lacrosse rules governing women's lacrosse, which are adopted by many high school and recreational programs, require players to use the open weave traditional pockets, and prohibit mesh pockets.
Accordingly, there exists a need in the art for a lacrosse head pocket that retains the benefits of a traditional open weave strung pocket, such as the channel effect created by the runners for improved catching, passing and shooting, but that does not suffer the drawbacks related to the complex nature of the stringing pattern.
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a lacrosse head pocket is provided that includes a plurality of runners extending generally in a longitudinal direction and a plurality of cross laces extending generally in a transverse direction. The pocket further includes one or more joint members that are formed at an intersection of a runner and a cross lace. The runner and the cross lace lie over one another and are held in place by the joint member, such that the runner and cross lace are secured to prevent their relative displacement at the intersection.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, a method for forming a lacrosse head pocket is provided. A plurality of runners are provided that extend generally in a longitudinal direction and a plurality of cross laces are provided that extend generally in a transverse direction. One or more joint members are formed at an intersection of a runner and a cross lace with the runner and the cross lace lying over one another and held in place by the joint members, such that the runner and cross lace are secured to prevent their relative displacement at the intersection.
An embodiment of the present invention is drawn generally to a head for a lacrosse stick, and more particularly to a pocket attached to the head. The head may generally include a frame member having first and second sidewalls, each of the sidewalls having a rearward end and a distal or forward end. The frame member further includes a transverse wall or scoop extending between the forward ends of the sidewalls, and a base extending between the rearward ends of the sidewalls. The base can comprise, for example, a stop member joining the rearward ends of the sidewalls, or can comprise a throat portion joining the sidewalls, with a separate ball stop independent of the sidewalls. The head further preferably comprises a pocket for receiving a ball, the pocket being attached to the frame member.
A pocket 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is shown in
The runners 112 extend generally in a longitudinal direction (erg., from a rearward portion of a lacrosse head to a forward portion) for attachment between the scoop and the base of the lacrosse head frame. The runners 112 may be made of any suitable material and may be, for example, natural or synthetic leather, nylon, or another synthetic material. As shown in detail in
The cross laces 114 may be a plurality of string portions extending generally transversely across the runners 112 such that the cross laces 114 and the runners form a plurality of intersections. A single cross lace 114 refers herein to a portion of a string or lace that extends generally transversely to the runners 112. Accordingly,
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the runners 112 may be joined or fused to the cross laces 114 at their intersections by the joint members 130. In this manner, a pocket 100 may be formed of unitary construction, comprising the runners 112, the cross laces 114, and the joint members 130, prior to attachment to a head frame, substantially reducing the amount of labor and skill required to assemble a lacrosse head as compared to traditionally strung lacrosse heads. The pocket 100 may be formed by a manufacturer or other specialist and be simply laced onto a head frame using only sidewall and scoop laces. The sidewall laces may use loops 128 formed by the cross laces 114 for attachment to the sidewalls of the frame, and scoop laces may use the slots 136 in the runners 112 for attachment of the runners to the scoop portion of the frame. Additional laces may be added to the formed pocket, such as shooting strings, as may suit the preferences of the player.
In another embodiment of the present invention, cross laces 114 and/or runners 112 may be configured to engage directly with the sidewalls and/or the scoop, thus obviating the use of separate sidewall or scoop laces. The runners 112 and/or cross laces 114, instead of forming slots 136 and loops 128, respectively, may have lace ends suitable for tying directly to holes in the scoop and/or sidewalls. As another alternative, runners 112 and cross laces 114 could be attached to the lacrosse head frame by first threading their ends through apertures in the lacrosse head frame, folding each of the ends over to form a loop (e.g., loop 136), and then molding a joint member over the folded end to keep the loop in place and the pocket attached to the frame. This method of first threading the pocket through apertures in the frame and then securing the ends of the threads by, for example, molding joint members over the ends, would eliminate the need for separate stringing laces.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the length of lace 138 used to form the plurality of cross laces 114 as shown in
In an embodiment of the present invention, the joint members 130 are formed of a natural or synthetic polymer (e.g., rubber, nylon, or an elastomer), a foam, or any suitable material that can be molded onto the intersections of the runners 112 and the cross laces 114. The joint members 130 may be molded by, for example, direct injection molding, which process is discussed in greater detail below.
In a farther embodiment of the present invention, the upper surface of the joint members 130 on a ball receiving side of the pocket, or the bottom surface of the joint members 130 on the opposite side of the pocket, is shaped to affect the interaction of the pocket with a lacrosse ball. For example, the upper surface can be textured to enhance grip with a ball. Such texture can include, for example, ridges, grooves, protrusions, nubs, dimples, or knurling. The texture can also be provided by the material of the joint member itself including, for example, grit or any other materials that increase friction with a standard rubber lacrosse ball. Additionally or alternatively, the ball-receiving surface of one or more joint members may be concave to provide a cupping effect with a ball, to improve catching, cradling, and shooting. As another example, on a side of the pocket opposite the ball-receiving side, joint members in certain areas can have a convex or smooth surface to aid in reducing friction against the ground during scooping actions, and in other areas, can have texture to aid in gripping a ball during face-offs or draws that commence play in the men's and women's game respectively, both of which involve opponents pressing the sides of the pocket opposite the ball-receiving sides against one another. The surface features of the joint members 130 can be molded during the direct injection molding process.
In a specific implementation of the present invention, joint members 130 are made of nylon or elastomeric materials, and are cylindrical in shape, having a diameter of up to about 15 mm and a thickness of up to about 6 mm. This material and these dimensions allow the joint members to bend, which provides the overall pocket with flexibility. In alternative embodiments, the joint members may have other shapes that allow for more or less flexibility and/or strength, as desired. For example, the joint members may be shaped as triangular, rectangular, or hexagonal prisms.
As shown, the length of lace 138 begins at a rearward portion of the pocket 100 by intersecting the first runner (1) and is joined thereto by a first joint member 130a. The lace 138 then extends to the second runner (2) and is joined thereto by a second joint member 130b at a first location. The lace 138 then forms a loop 132 and is joined again with the second runner (2) at a second location by a third joint member 130c. The lace 138 then extends back to the first runner (1) and is joined thereto by a fourth joint member 130d. The lace 138 then forms a loop 128 and joins again with the first runner (1), repeating the four-joint member pattern along the length of the first (1) and second (2) runners until it reaches a distal forward portion of the pocket 100. A die may be configured with the desired spacing of intersection points so that the runners 112 and the lace 138 are simply laid across the die.
At the end of the last four-joint member pattern on the first (1) and second (2) runners 112 at the distal end of the pocket 100, the lace 138 is joined again with the first runner (1) and then the second runner (2) so that the lace 138 extends in a direction toward the third runner (3). From there, it is joined with joint member 130e on the third runner (3) and then joint member 130f on the fourth runner (4). The lace 138 then forms a loop 128 and again joins with the fourth runner (4) with joint member 130g, and then the third runner (3) with joint member 130h. The lace 138 is then looped around a loop 132 previously formed by the lace 138 between two joint members 130 on the second runner (2). The lace 138 then repeats the four-joint member pattern, as previously described, on the third (3) and fourth (4) runners 112, looping around the previously formed loops 132 on the second runner (2) after each repetition.
At the end of the last four-joint member pattern on the third (3) and fourth (4) runners 112 at the rearward end of the pocket 100, and after looping around previously formed loop 132 on the second runner (2), the lace 138 is joined once again to the third runner (3) and then the fourth runner (4) so that it extends in a direction away from the center of the pocket 100. This extra length 134 of the lace 138, as well as the extra length 134 extending from the first runner (1), may be used to lace the pocket 100 to the head frame, may be cut away, or may simply be tied to a portion of the head to be kept out of the way.
The lace pattern shown in
One of skill in the art will appreciate that the pocket lace pattern is not limited to that shown in
Overall, the present invention provides a pocket formed of an integral construction that may be easily and quickly laced into a lacrosse head frame in its entirety. With reference to PIG. 2, the relative positions of the cross laces 114 with respect to the runners 112 are predetermined and fixed by the joint members 130, thereby reducing the need for tedious pocket adjustment and facilitating pocket consistency that enhances consistent playability. Suitable sidewall laces may be implemented to facilitate the connection of the pocket 100 to the sidewalls by engaging with loop portions 128 of the cross laces 114 disposed on the side of the pocket 100 and with holes provided in the sidewall portions of the head. A scoop lace may farther be implemented to facilitate the connection of the pocket I 00 to the scoop by engaging with slots 136 formed in the runners 112 and with holes provided in the scoop portion of the head. As discussed above, the pocket 100 may alternatively be capable of being attached to the head frame by the runners 112 or the cross laces 114 themselves or by any other strings and/or laces that are made part of the pocket 100.
Only the bottom half of a mold is shown in
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 5SA and with further reference to
The intersections of the runners 112 and the laces 114 preferably occur at approximately the geometric center of the cavities 304, as shown in detail in
It is noted that the drawings are not to scale and, as such, the runners 112 and laces 114 may be shown as taking up more or less space within the channels than they would otherwise occupy in order to undergo the direct injection molding process.
Since molten material will be injected and formed within the cavities 304, it may be desirable to prevent the infiltration of material into the channels 306, 308, 310, 312 at least to a substantial extent. As such, the channels 306, 308, 310, 312 are preferably constructed to substantially match the dimensions of the runners 112 and laces 114. Alternatively, spacers or partitions (not shown) may be provided around the runners 112 and laces 114 and within oversized channels in order to prevent the infiltration of molten materials.
The cavity 304 shown in
The cavities 304 are shown in the figures as having generally hexagonal radial cross-sections. One of skill in the art would appreciate that any suitable cross-section may be used for the cavities 304, corresponding to any desired shape for the joint members 130 as discussed above. For example, the cavities may have circular, triangular, rectangular, or any other cross-section suitable for construction of appropriately shaped joint members 130.
Once the runners 112 and laces 114 are laid into the channels 306, 308, 310, 312 provided in the bottom portion 300, the top portion 316 is moved into abutting relationship with the bottom portion 300 and held there, preferably by pressurized means (e.g., by hydraulic piston or clamp). Where applicable, cavities formed in the top portion 316 for the joint members 130 are mated with the corresponding cavities 304 in the bottom portion 300 and corresponding channels are likewise mated.
Then, molten material used for the formation of joint members 130 is injected into the cavities 304, through a port 320 in the top mold portion 316. The molten material forms over, into, and around the intersecting runners 112 and cross laces 114. Depending on the material of the laces 114 and runners 112, a chemical and/or mechanical bond may be formed with the joint members 130 through heating and bonding. Optionally, distal ends of the runners 112 may be folded back prior to molding such that the ends of the runners 112 are coincident with the intersection of the runner 112 and the cross lace 114. In this manner, slots or loops 136 at the distal ends of the runners 112 are created upon the formation of the joint members 130. A pocket 100 having a desired lace pattern is thus formed of unitary construction that may be easily laced into a head frame of a lacrosse stick.
Although shown as an injection port 320 in the top portion 316, molten material may be injected into the cavities 304 by any other suitable means. Further, an injection port may be instead or additionally provided in the bottom portion 300. It would be appreciated that the terms “bottom” and “top” in reference to the mold portions are arbitrary and are used only for illustrative purposes. As such, any feature described with reference to a “bottom” portion or a “top” portion may be implemented in the opposite portion as desired without regard to any directional limitations. The direct injection process described herein is merely exemplary. Variations and alterations from the process described may be practiced by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.
By using direct injection molding to form the joint members 130, the present invention can achieve a strong chemical and/or mechanical connection between the runners and cross laces. The joint member 130 can fully encase the intersection of the materials comprising the runners 112 and cross lacing 114 and, because it is injected in liquid form, can completely fill in the gaps between the intersecting laces and/or within the laces themselves. For example, the direct injection molding can essentially fuse any threads together utilizing the porosities of the threads. Thus, with porous fibers, the injected liquid (e.g., molten plastic or elastomer) can penetrate into and through the pores of both threads and fuse the intersecting threads together as a monolithic part. With fibers or laces having little or no porosity, the injected liquid may still form a strong attachment with the laces by forming onto, within, and around the microscopic contours and/or pores on the surface of the material.
In addition, the direct injection molding process of the present invention not only provides a strong and durable pocket, but enables large-scale production of many pockets at a consistently high quality. Rather than relying on technicians or players to weave traditional pockets, the present invention provides a scalable and precise assembly method that can meet high volume production needs. The method produces consistent pockets that meet widely accepted rules defining traditionally strung pockets.
The foregoing disclosure of the preferred embodiments of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many variations and modifications of the embodiments described herein will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the above disclosure. The scope of the invention is to be defined only by the claims appended hereto, and by their equivalents.
Further, in describing representative embodiments of the present invention, the specification may have presented the method and/or process of the present invention as a particular sequence of steps. However, to the extent that the method or process does not rely on the particular order of steps set forth herein, the method or process should not be limited to the particular sequence of steps described. As one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate, other sequences of steps may be possible. Therefore, the particular order of the steps set forth in the specification should not be construed as limitations on the claims. In addition, the claims directed to the method and/or process of the present invention should not be limited to the performance of their steps in the order written, and one skilled in the art can readily appreciate that the sequences may be varied and still remain within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
