Patent Application
20060046866
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to sporting goods, and more particularly to handles, sticks, shafts and bats for sports such as hockey, lacrosse, field hockey, golf, baseball, softball, polo and fishing.
2. Description of the Related Art
Designs for sports shafts, sticks and handles began as basic wooden structures, but lacked uniformity as to quality, strength, and weight; and were susceptible to failure by fracturing. Many prior inventions have proposed the use of shafts or sticks comprising composites featuring plastic outer surfaces with inner cores of wood or aluminum. Further, many attempts have been made to utilize metallic material in the manufacture of sticks for strengthening purposes.
These advancements have been made as a matter of necessity in light of the wear and tear that sports shafts endure. Sports shafts often are required to withstand a variety of forces resulting from movements required by the sport, and from impacts sustained during the course of play or use. By means of example, and not limitation, some of the forces acting on a lacrosse stick may be considered.
The acts typical to lacrosse play that result in forces acting upon the shaft include throwing, catching, cradling, scooping ground balls, facing off, and checking and guarding other players. The forces acting on a shaft result from forces applied by a player's hands on the shaft, the weight of the ball in the head of the stick, interaction with the ground or playing surface, and checking or being checked by another player's stick. Stick checking is a clear example of a force directed upon the shaft portion of a lacrosse stick. When the checking stick strikes the subject shaft, the resultant force is sufficient to shatter, dent, or otherwise compromise the structural integrity of the subject shaft.
Although proper positioning of a player's body is arguably the best method of defending against another player in many sports, lacrosse defenders often find themselves relying on the assistance of their lacrosse stick to aid in providing defense. However, as the defender's hands move toward the base of the stick, and the attacking player moves laterally, the resulting forces may result in the bending of a metallic shaft, and the fracture of non-metallic shafts. This is because a first lateral force is introduced upon the distal end of the shaft by the attacking player's body when the attacking player moves laterally with respect to the defending player. The defending player imparts an opposing lateral force upon the proximal end of the shaft by attempting to hold the shaft in a rigid fashion, impeding the movement of the attacking player. As mentioned, the resulting force will often fracture, or bend the shaft. In the case of a metallic shaft, a bent shaft is practically useless, and may be illegal during official play. The player loses all control over direction and flight of the lacrosse ball, and the shaft is now in a weakened state, susceptible to further damage.
A similar analysis may be performed with any number of sports shafts and sticks, with regard to their respective sports. Almost all sports sticks experience stresses from impacts or movements of the shaft during the course of play. Therefore, the importance of retaining the strength and original structural integrity of the shaft can not be overstated.
Prior to the introduction of the present invention, the major focus of sports shaft design has been concentrated mainly in matters concerning materials to be utilized to minimize weight, as opposed to structural considerations. One way to increase structural strength is to increase the amount, or type of the material that forms the shaft. However, while strength may be gained, the overall mass of the shaft will also be increased. In most sports, this is not a favorable result. Therefore what is required is an increase in the strength of a sports stick or shaft, with only a minimal increase in the overall weight and mass of the shaft.
What is further required is a sports shaft that resists the impairment of structural integrity due to impact forces exerted upon the shaft.
What is also required is a sports shaft that deters warping and bending of the shaft.
What is also required is a sports shaft that includes increased strength, yet maintains the balance and feel of shaft that has not been structurally enhanced.
When used in this application the terms “shaft,” “stick,” “handle,” “sports shaft,” and similar terms, and any combination of these terms are meant to be used interchangeably and not indicate any limitations with the use of one term over another. No particular shape or configuration is implied with the use of any of the terms, for example, the term “shaft” should not be construed to be limited to only a cylindrical shape.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an increase in the strength of a sports shaft, with only a minimal increase in the overall weight and mass of the shaft.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a sports shaft that resists the impairment of structural integrity due to impact forces exerted upon the shaft.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a sports shaft that includes a structure that effectively deters warping and bending of the shaft.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved sports shaft that includes increased strength, yet maintains the balance and feel of shaft that has not been structurally enhanced
The present invention includes an improved sports shaft that includes channel walls within the interior portion of the shaft. The channel walls increase the overall strength of the shaft by providing additional strength and structural integrity. Utilization of channels also solves the problem of minimal weight increase because the added strength and integrity is achieved with the addition of only a minimal amount of extra material.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
The length of the sports shaft will necessarily vary depending on the specific application. For example, in the sport of lacrosse, an offensive player's shaft will most often be shorter than that of a defensive player's. A tennis racquet will most often be shorter than any lacrosse stick, the point being, the shaft length will change with the particular sport. Those skilled in the art will appreciate the fact that the sports shaft of the present invention may be utilized in almost any sport that includes the use of a form of shaft or stick. In other words, the advantages of the present invention will be realized whether the sport be fishing, polo, baseball or hockey.
Another embodiment includes surface points that may intersect the interior surface of the shaft at points having geometric, and consequently structural, significance. For example, if the external surface is substantially formed in the shape of a hexagon, the surface points may be located at a midpoint of any individual side of the hexagon; or the surface points may be located where two hexagon sides intersect. Although a random assortment is possible, such a configuration may result in a shaft that has sections of different structural integrities. If this is desired for a particular application, it is certainly within the scope of the invention.
The concave external portions of the shaft provide a number of additional benefits. When the shaft is held in the hands of a player, the player experiences increased grip and feel. The orientation of the shaft is more easily discernible through feel alone, and does not require the player to shift attention from the game at hand to the shaft. Shaft orientation is an important factor in many sports that utilize a shaft, stick or similar implement. For example, a lacrosse or tennis racquet head that is improperly aligned will likely have undesirable results from the player's perspective, in that the ball will not be directed toward its desired target.
The concave portions also act to limit undesirable spinning of the shaft in the player's hand or hands. The high points created on either side of a concave section provide a better gripping pressure point than a flat surface alone would provide.
Although the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments and with reference to particular sports and uses, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variations and modifications can be substituted therefore without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention.
