The present invention relates generally to a lacrosse ball. More particularly, the present invention relates generally to a lacrosse ball having a non-skid surface for improving a player's control of the lacrosse ball while in the head and while shooting or passing the ball.
A lacrosse player typically controls a lacrosse ball in a pocket of a lacrosse head by utilizing the friction between the lacrosse ball and the pocket. This friction allows a player to move the lacrosse ball to a predetermined portion of the pocket. As is known, different portions of the pocket can be utilized to handle or throw the lacrosse ball in various desired ways. For example, one portion of the pocket can be best suited for power-cradling the ball. Also, other portions of the pocket can be best suited for ripping corners or otherwise shooting the lacrosse ball in a particular fashion. In addition to these examples, it is understood that various other portions of the pocket can be particularly suited for a variety of other handling or throwing actions. For the above reasons, control of the lacrosse ball within the pocket clearly is desirable.
Moreover, existing lacrosse balls are formed of a hard rubber or elastomeric material and are smooth over substantially the entire outer surface. This smooth surface can cause skidding or slipping when a lacrosse ball contacts a lacrosse head such as when the ball is being thrown or passed. This is because very little friction exists between a lacrosse ball and a lacrosse head or netting. This is particularly true if the ball or head are wet. As a result, the lacrosse ball may slide across the pocket to a portion of the pocket where the player did not intend to move the ball. This lack of ball control can prevent the player from utilizing specific portions of the pocket that are best suited for the intended throw, cradling, or other action. Further, the tendency of a ball to skid across the scoop of the head can cause erratic shooting or passing.
Therefore, a need exists for a lacrosse ball having a non-skid surface for improving a player's control of the lacrosse ball.
One advantage of the present invention is to provide a non-skid lacrosse ball that increases friction between the lacrosse ball and a pocket of a lacrosse head.
Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a non-skid lacrosse ball that increases a player's ability to control the movement of the lacrosse ball within a pocket of a lacrosse head.
Still another advantage of the present invention is to provide a non-skid lacrosse ball for improving ball retention when cradling or carrying the lacrosse ball.
Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide a non-skid lacrosse ball that yields increased accuracy in throwing and shooting the lacrosse ball.
Still another advantage of the present invention is to provide a non-skid lacrosse ball with a substantially low coefficient of drag.
In accordance with the above and the other advantages of the present invention, a non-skid lacrosse ball for gripping a lacrosse head and a netting attached to the lacrosse head is provided. The non-skid lacrosse ball is a generally spherical ball having a plurality of non-skid structures or surfaces formed substantially across the outer surface thereof. In one embodiment, the non-skid structure is a textured surface that is an integral part of the spherical ball. Furthermore, both the non-skid surface and the spherical ball are comprised of an elastomer material.
Other advantages of the present invention will become apparent when viewed in light of the detailed description of the preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the attached drawings and appended claims.
For a more complete understanding of this invention, reference should now be made to the embodiments illustrated in greater detail in the accompanying drawings and described below by way of examples of the invention:
In the following figures, the same reference numerals are used to identify the same components in the various views.
Referring to
Referring now to
As illustrated in
In addition to the above embodiments, it is contemplated that a variety of other constructions or applications can provide the non-skid lacrosse ball 12 with a surface that can grip the netting 26 or the various portions of the lacrosse head 16.
The non-skid lacrosse ball 12 is intended to improve a player's control over the movement of the lacrosse ball 12 within the pocket. This ball control is beneficial because it increases the player's ability to retain the ball 12 within the pocket and also increases his accuracy in throwing or shooting the lacrosse ball 12. Moreover, the textured surface provides improved aerodynamic characteristics by helping to improve accuracy without significantly increasing drag.
Specifically, the non-skid lacrosse ball 12 grips the netting 26, the base portion 20, the sidewall portions 22, the scoop portion 24, and any other surface it contacts. The friction between the lacrosse ball 12 and the netting 26 allows a player to move the lacrosse ball 12 to a desired portion of the pocket. As is known, one or more specific portions of the pocket can be better suited for cradling than they are for throwing. On the other hand, it is also understood that other portions of the pocket can be better suited for throwing than they are for cradling. Accordingly, the non-skid lacrosse ball 12 allows a player to move the ball 12 to a portion of the pocket that is best suited for performing the desired action, e.g. cradling or throwing. It will be appreciated that the different portions of the pocket can be suited for other actions besides cradling or shooting.
Furthermore, as shown in
While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, numerous variations and alternate embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention be limited only in terms of the appended claims.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/380,530 filed on May 14, 2002 and entitled “Non-Skid Lacrosse Ball”.
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697926 | Richards | Apr 1902 | A |
4454253 | Murphy et al. | Jun 1984 | A |
4789161 | Waskelo | Dec 1988 | A |
5338027 | Rehkemper et al. | Aug 1994 | A |
5433438 | Gilman | Jul 1995 | A |
5549302 | Lapsker et al. | Aug 1996 | A |
6369125 | Nesbitt | Apr 2002 | B1 |
6612948 | Miller | Sep 2003 | B1 |
Number | Date | Country |
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2359704 | May 1975 | DE |
2292089 | Feb 1996 | GB |
2314778 | Jan 1998 | GB |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20040018901 A1 | Jan 2004 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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60380530 | May 2002 | US |