LACROSSE ACCESSORY

Abstract

Disclosed is a device used in forming and maintaining a legal pocket in lacrosse head, and methods for its use.

Description

The present application claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/103,813 filed 27 Aug. 2020, and incorporates by reference the entirety of that application as if set forth herein.

This invention pertains to a method and apparatus for maintaining a legal pocket in a men's lacrosse head. Specifically, it relates to a pocket shaper used with a regulation sized lacrosse ball for forming the legal pocket into an optimum shape for play, which legal pocket includes a permanent deformation in a part of the “mesh”, “stringing” or “net” of the lacrosse head; the term “mesh” will be used hereinafter to refer to the “mesh”, “stringing” or “net” part of the lacrosse head, as these terms are interchangeably used to refer to the same part of the lacrosse head. The formed legal pocket is particularly suited to hold the ball in the proper location within the lacrosse head to impart the desired control over the ball during play.

The challenge for pocket forming in a lacrosse stick is to provide a deep and even pocket in the mesh in roughly the shape of the lacrosse ball. The pocket must go as deep as possible and may have various locations on the stick head depending on the position played and player preference. To be a legal pocket, the top of the ball may not be below the bottom edge of the sidewall of the lacrosse head. Advantageously the pocket shaper is simple, low cost, light weight and compact, and be rugged and easily applied, as well as stay in place once applied. Preferably the pocket shaper may be left in place while the lacrosse stick is stored for a period of time, during which time the use of a mounted pocket shaper is used in forming the permanent localized pocket within the mesh of the lacrosse head.

While the prior art has provided various devices intended to provide a degree of localized deformation upon a portion of the mesh of the lacrosse head, they do not meet the objectives set forth above, nor suggest the present applicant's novel pocket shaper described in more detail hereinafter.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,227,121 to Laurie, et al. provides a self-supporting pocket molding device for lacrosse sticks includes a weight ballasted hollow base, a support portion atop the base, and at least a hemisphere approximately the size of lacrosse ball at the top distal end. The base is preferably of a conical shape and the end sphere is attached up from the ground for ergonomic considerations of ease of use in a standing or sitting position. The shape of the self-supporting pocket molding device insures totally unencumbered access to the top surface of the sphere where the mesh is easily forced down at the desired location to stretch the mesh forming a pocket. Both hands of the user are free to be used to hold the lacrosse stick or head; which also affords the ability to tilt the head as desired to stretch the mesh in any sideways direction to correct any local deformation of the mesh. The Laurie device is inordinately bulky, is required to be pulled on a pair of wheels and is operable only by manually compressing the mesh of the lacrosse head on a part of the Laurie device.

US Published Application 2014/0349789 to Szurley discloses a preformed lacrosse pocket comprising a preformed composite material including an outer edge for attaching to a lacrosse head and an interior channel within the outer edge having a desired concave shape and depth, wherein the interior channel, for receiving and releasing a lacrosse ball, permanently maintains the desired concave shape and depth. The preformed lacrosse pocket requires that it be thermally formed from a composite sheet of a thermoformable material, which replaces the usual net of a lacrosse head. The preformed lacrosse pocket of Szurley is relatively stiffer and inflexible as compared to the usual mesh of a lacrosse head making control of the lacrosse ball more difficult during game play.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,972,228 to Dikmanis is directed to device for shaping and forming a lacrosse head pocket. The provided device may comprise a bottom surface, a plurality of side surfaces that form a top surface, and a plurality of openings. The top surface may have a curved surface. The plurality of openings may be at opposite side surfaces of the plurality of side surfaces and the plurality of openings may extend through the opposite side surfaces. The device used necessarily occupies the full interior of the mesh of the lacrosse head, and allows for only one type of pocket.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,244,200 to Goldberg provides a further device for shaping the mesh of a lacrosse stick head includes a ball similar in size to a lacrosse ball and carried by an elongated handle. A positioning rod is detachably connected to the handle and adapted to extend transverse to the plane of the head and serve as a fulcrum for pivoting the handle away from the head and driving the ball into the mesh of the head to stretch the mesh and form a pocket in it. The provided device discloses a shaper having a ball mounted at the end of a handle, and further a transverse positioning rod extending outwardly near the junction of the ball and handle. The deformation of the mesh requires that the end of the handle be pivoted upward to drive the ball into the mesh. In addition to being bulky and requiring moving the handle to form the pocket within the mesh, the device also appears to fail to address the issue of correct pocket depth so to ensure that the formed pocket is a ‘legal pocket’ in accordance with lacrosse regulations.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,425,541 to Ambrose discloses a further device which consists of a convex form (for example, a hemisphere of radius similar in size to a lacrosse ball) connected to a bracing crosspiece by a threaded screw shaft. The form is attached to one end of the shaft, the bracing crosspiece is threaded onto the shaft, and a knob is affixed to the other end of the shaft. The device is used by placing the bracing crosspiece across the lacrosse head with the ends of the crosspiece under opposite sidewalls, and tightening the form against the stringing to the desired depth by twisting the knob and thereby screwing the threaded shaft through the crosspiece. Use of the disclose device provides a means of forming and maintaining a pocket in new stringing at a chosen position along the length of the head and to a desired depth. A single crosspiece of variable length, or interchangeable crosspieces of various fixed lengths may be used to accommodate different lacrosse head widths. The device is however bulky, and does not necessarily include a provision which will generally assure that the use of the device will reliably form a legal pocket when used to deform a mesh.

The present invention addresses and overcomes many of the shortcomings of these prior art documents. The present invention provides in preferred embodiments a pocket shaper which is used in conjunction with the regulation size lacrosse ball to form a legal pocket in the mesh of a lacrosse head, which the pocket shaper can be retained in an installed position within a lacrosse head for extended periods of time and, being that substantially all of the pocket shaper is within the confines of the frame and/or mesh of the lacrosse head, its compactness facilitates storage within the lacrosse head over extended periods of time, such as between games. This feature allows for formation of or retention of the pocket formed such that the lacrosse stick is in a ready to use configuration and subsequent game play. Further aspects of the invention relates to the use of the pocket shaper in the formation of legal pockets within the head of a lacrosse stick. Yet further aspects of the invention will be apparent from a reading of the following specification.

While the present invention is described herein in detail in relation to one or more embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is illustrative and exemplary of the present invention, and is made merely for the purposes of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the present invention. The detailed disclosure herein of one or more embodiments is not intended, nor is to be construed; to limit the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention, which scope is to be defined by the claims and the equivalents thereof. It is not intended that the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention be defined by reading into any claim a limitation found herein that does not explicitly appear in the claim itself.

The following specification and drawings disclose various embodiments of the present invention and methods of their use. It is nonetheless to be understood that following description of one or more preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its implementations, or uses, which is limited only by the allowed claims.

In one aspect the invention provides A ball shaper insertable within a lacrosse head having a frame with at least two siderails, an opening and a mesh extending at least between the siderails, comprising:

• • a ball seat having extending therefrom a first set of arms, and transverse thereto, a second set of arms, each of the arms having a tip and intermediate each of the arms in each pair of arms an access slot, wherein each of the arms and slots are suitably dimensioned such that a part of each of the arms may inserted into defined by the mesh,
  • wherein the ball shaper, when installed within a lacrosse head such that a part of the arms are in engagement with mesh, engages a regulation sized lacrosse ball to position and retain the ball such that the ball imparts pressure against the mesh, in the region beneath the ball seat, and concurrently, the ball seat positions an apex of the ball to be coincident with, or slightly above a virtual plane defined as extending across the opening of the frame head and intersecting or being tangential to bottommost edges of the frame head in a region most proximate to the apex of the ball when the frame is held in a horizontal manner. In a preferred embodiment the ball seat comprises an internal concavity which is radiused to accommodate the outer surface of a regulation lacrosse ball. In a further preferred embodiment the ball seat comprises an internal concavity which comprises an uppermost peak which contacts an apex of the ball.

A further aspect of the invention provides a method of distending a mesh of a lacrosse head to form a pocket within the mesh, comprising the steps of:

• • inserting a ball shaper according to claim 1 within the lacrosse head, such that one or more of the arms of the ball shaper are engaged with corresponding holes of the mesh;
  • inserting an retaining a regulation sized lacrosse ball between the ball shaper and the mesh to distend the mesh to form a pocket within the mesh.

FIG. 1 illustrates a plan view portion of a lacrosse stick, including component parts thereof.

FIG. 2 illustrates an inside view of the head of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C illustrate various view of an embodiment of a pocket shaper according to the invention.

FIGS. 4A and 4B, therein is illustrated a partial cross-section of a lacrosse head 10 illustrating the positioning of the pocket shaper 50, a ball B, and a mesh 20.

FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C and 54D depict a further embodiment of a ball shaper according to the present invention.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate a further embodiment of a ball shaper of the invention.

FIGS. 7A and 7B depict a still further embodiment of a ball shaper of the invention.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate a yet further embodiment of a ball shaper of the invention.

Turning now to the various figures depicting embodiments of the invention, in which like elements are referred to with a common label or numeral, FIG. 1 illustrates a plan view portion of a lacrosse stick comprising a head 10 mounted upon a handle or shaft 16, only part of which is visible. The head 10 includes a generally bell-shaped frame 12 having a scoop end 13 at one end, a socket end 14 removal is fixable to the shaft 16, and two side walls 15, 16 extending between the scoop and 13 and that the socket 14. Further details are illustrated on one or more of the following drawing figures. This can be understood, the scoop and 13, the two side walls 15, 16 and the socket 14 define an opening 17 across which extends the mesh 20.

FIG. 2 illustrates an inside view head 10 mounted upon the shaft 16 of FIG. 1. As is visible therefrom the sidewall 16 comprises a top rail 16A and a bottom rail 16B which extend between the scoop mesh 13 and the socket end 14. Connecting rails 16C and 16D are extant and respectively extend between top rail 16A and bottom rail 16B; this configuration also defines several openings 30 therebetween. A bottom rail 16B includes a bottom edge 16E which defines the lowermost surface of the head 10. While not visible in FIG. 2, the opposite side wall 15 similarly includes a top rail 15A, bottom rail 15B, connecting rails 15c, 15D and a bottom edge 15E as in preferred embodiments the two sidewalls 15, 16 are symmetrical. Also visible in FIG. 2 are plurality of lacing perforations 40 which extends through the bottom rail 16B above but in the near proximity of the bottom edge 16E; these lacing perforations 40 are used to connect the mesh 20 to the head 10. Similar lacing perforations are also extant upon the bottom rail 15B, although not visible in this view, but can be understood from FIG. 1. Such connection be accomplished in a variety alternative methods both commonly, either the mesh 20 is a preformed article, and a lacing strand(s) is used to bind the mesh 20 to the frame 12 by passing the lacing strand(s) through parts of the mesh 20 and also thorough lacing perforations 40 such that the mesh 20 spans the opening 17, or the one or more mesh 20 may be formed directly on the frame 12 using one or more strands of mesh material which are appropriately passed through lacing perforations 40 to form a mesh 20 within the opening 17 of the frame 12.

FIG. 2 also illustrates a regulation sized lacrosse ball B, within the frame head 10. As is seen therein the uppermost part of the ball B is at least coincident with or within the frame 12 when the frame 12 is held horizontally, particularly in the region of the bottom rail 16B (and 15B, although not visible) most proximate to the ball B. The position of the ball B at that time is considered to be within a ‘legal pocket’ as no visual gap is observable between the ball B and the frame 12 held horizontally. The majority of the ball is below the frame, but the uppermost part of the ball, viz. a ‘ball apex’ A is at least coincident with or extends above a virtual plane “P” which is defined as extending across the opening 17 of the frame 12 of the head 10, touching (or being tangential) to the bottommost opposite edges, viz, intersecting or tangential to the bottommost edges bottom rails 15B, 16B of the frame 12 which is most proximate to the ball apex A when the frame 12 is held in a generally or substantial horizontal manner, or otherwise in a matter wherein this virtual plane P extends across the frame head 10 as described and is also substantially perpendicular to a virtual center axis “CA” (see FIGS. 6B, 7B) of the ball B within the mesh. In an alternative, wherein the frame head 10 has a frame 12 which is of a convoluted configuration, the virtual plane P may be substituted by a virtual line which intersects the virtual central axis CA of the ball B, at right angles, as well as extending across the frame head 10, touching (or being tangential) to the bottommost opposite edges of the bottommost edges bottom rails 15B, 16B of the frame 12 which is most proximate to the ball apex A.

Referring back to FIG. 1, depending upon the player upon the lacrosse team, and their personal preferences, there are generally three types of “pockets” which are advantageously formed as part of a lacrosse head 10. A “low” pocket is generally within the lowermost third of the mesh 20 within the frame 12, that it to say the part of the frame 12 most proximate to the socket end 14 of the head 10 which in FIG. 1 is identified as the region “PL”. A “mid” pocket is generally within the middle third and is identified as the region “PM” in FIG. 1. A “high” pocket is generally within the uppermost third of the mesh 20 within the frame 12, that is this the part of the frame 12 most proximate scoop and 13. In any of these positions, in to be considered a ‘legal pocket’ a regulation lacrosse ball B within any such pocket must be at least coincident with a part of the frame 12, i.e., at least to be visually observable to have a part which is at least coincident with or having a part which extends above the bottom edge 16E of FIG. 2 when the frame 12 is held horizontally, such that one of the sidewalls 15, 16 visually overlays the other of the sidewalls 15, 16. In gameplay, a “low” pocket is generally preferred for attack and offensive team players. A “mid” pocket is generally preferred by midfielders and transition players, shoot and run players, and is the most common pocket formed, whereas a “high” pocket is generally preferred by defensive players, and for the capture of ground balls during gameplay. Advantageously the pocket shaper described herein, and methods of its use provide for formation of “legal pockets” in each of the “low”, “mid” and “high” regions of a lacrosse head and as discussed with reference to FIG. 1.

A first embodiment of a pocket shaper 50 of the invention is illustrated on FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C. As depicted in these various figures, the embodiment of the pocket shaper 50 a generally centrally located ball seat 52 having extending outwardly therefrom a first pair of lateral arms 54A and 54B, and transversely thereto, a second pair of 56A and 56B. Each of the arms of the first pair 54A, 54B and of the second pair 56A, 56B are of substantially the same length and configuration, each of the arms having a proximal end depending from or attached to a part of the ball seat 52, which are respectively 54C, 54D, and 56C, 56D and at a distal end thereof, each has a tip, which are respectively 54E, 54F and 56E, 56F. Proximate to each of the tips, there is present a preferably flat, upper surface 54G, 54H and 56G, 56H of each of the arms. In a preferred embodiment these flat upper surfaces, 54G, 54H and 56G, 56H are coplanar and define a plane which intersects the ball seat 52, which has an internal concavity 52A which is radiused to accommodate the outer surface of a regulation lacrosse ball B, as is clearly shown in FIG. 3C. The internal concavity 52A includes an uppermost peak 52B which, when the pocket shaper 50 is properly inserted within the lacrosse head 10, contacts the apex A of the ball B. The ball seat 52 has a forward end 52E and a symmetrical rear end 52C which is optionally but advantageously arcuate which facilitates the use of the pocket shaper 50, particularly in aiding in the retention of the ball B when the pocket shaper 50 is used to simultaneously engage both a mesh 20 within a frame 12 and a ball B, as is described in particularity with reference to FIG. 4. Notably intermediate each of the arms in each pair of arms is an access slot; slot 58A between arms 54A, 54B and slot 58B between arms 56A, 56B, each of which are suitably dimensioned such that a part of each of the arms may inserted into holes 21 of the mesh defined by the mesh cord 22 which is braided, plaited or otherwise fabricated into the form of the mesh 20. The mesh cord 22 is typically formed of one or more fibrous strands which are to at least some degree stretchable and irreversibly stretchable which facilitates the formation of a suitable legal pocket within the mesh 20.

Preferentially, in all embodiments thereof, when the pocket shaper 50 is properly used with a ball B and a lacrosse head 10 by engagement of parts of the pocket shaper 50 with the mesh 20, viz, the arms thereof, concurrently with a ball B which is engaged within pocket shaper 50, the apex A is positioned relative to the bottommost edges bottom rails 15B, 16B of the frame 12 which are most proximate to the ball apex A is coincident with the virtual plane P (or, virtual line) which intersects the virtual central axis CA of the ball B, or even slightly above this virtual plane P and thus more distal from the mesh 20. Such positioning ensures that the apex A of the ball B is coincident with or is slightly above said virtual plane (or, virtual line) so to ensure that a legal pocket is formed. Such a configuration ensures that while in use, the pocket shaper 50 appropriately positions and retains the ball B, such that it distends at least a part of the mesh 20 in at least the immediate region contacting the ball B to form, or maintain an already formed legal pocket. Such positioning is preferred, even where a peak 52B is not present (as disclosed in further drawing figures) but in which the configuration of the pocket shaper 50 is such that when properly used still provides the same effect and outcome as the embodiment discussed with reference to the instant embodiment of FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C. In the embodiment of FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C such positioning is facilitated by the provision of the peak 52B, which abuts the apex A of the ball B. In any embodiment of the pocket shaper 50, its configuration may include elements, i.e., one or more arms which may be coplanar with or non-coplanar with, i.e., angled, bowed, or ‘stepped’ in configuration, so to facilitate that when it is properly used, the ball apex A is coincident with the virtual plane P (or, virtual line) which intersects the virtual central axis CA of the ball B, or even slightly above this virtual plane P and thus more distal from the mesh 20. The embodiment of FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C shows wherein the arms 54A, 54B, 56A and 56B are configured such that at least a part of the upper surfaces 54G, 54H and 56G, 56H thereof are beneath (see FIG. 3B) the peak 52B; thus when the pocket shaper 50 is engaged with the mesh 20 these upper surfaces 54G, 54H and 56G, 56H are preferably beneath or abutting the bottommost edges bottom rails 15B, 16B of the frame 12, and the apex A of a ball B properly inserted in the lacrosse head 10 and used with the pocket shaper 50 is coincident with the virtual plane P (or, virtual line) which intersects the virtual central axis CA of the ball B, or even slightly above this virtual plane P.

Turning now to FIGS. 4A and 4B, therein is illustrated a partial cross-section of a lacrosse head 10 illustrating the positioning of the pocket shaper 50, a ball B, and the mesh 20 which reveals that when properly positioned, the arms 54A, 54B engage one side of the mesh 20 beneath one of the sidewalls 15 or 16 wherein at least the tips, respectively 54E, 54F and preferably also part of the arms 54A, 54B extend through separate holes 21 of the mesh 20, and concurrently the arms 56A, 56B engage the other side of the mesh 20 beneath the other of the sidewalls 15 or 16 wherein at least the tips, respectively 56E, 56F and preferably also part of the arms 56A, 56B extend through further separate holes 21 of the mesh 20. Insertion of the pocket shaper 50 to assume such configuration is facilitated by ensuring that the cross-sectional dimensions of each of the arms 54A, 54B and arms 56A, 56B are not larger than the holes of the mesh, and also that the thickness of the mesh cord 22 is of a size that it can be engaged in and move within the access slots, slot 58A and slot 58B. Preferably and as shown in these figures, parts of the arms 54A, 54B and arms 56A, 56B are engage in holes 21 nearest to the bottommost edges bottom rails 15B, 16B of the frame 12 which is most proximate to the ball apex A. Such a configuration allows for the placement of the pocket shaper 50 in any of the regions of the mesh 20, particularly in the regions PL, PM and PH discussed and depicted on FIG. 1. Advantageously each of the arms 54A, 54B and arms 56A, 56B are inserted into adjacent holes 21 which are most proximate to or adjacent to the sidewalls 15 and 16, and preferably also that the each of the pairs of arms 54A, 54B and arms 56A, 56B are transverse to the axis of the handle or shaft 16. Such is however not an absolute requirement, and other orientations of the pocket shaper 50 and 54A, 54B and arms 56A, 56B inserted into holes 21 of the mesh 20 can also be suitably practiced and may be preferred depending upon the specific geometry of the lacrosse head 10 which be different than what is illustrated in the accompanying drawing figures.

Subsequent to the engagement of the pocket shaper 50 with the mesh 20, a regulation sized lacrosse ball B is then inserted into the head 10 and positioned between the ball seat 52 and the mesh 20, which placement will impart pressure against the mesh, especially in the region beneath the ball seat 52. This pressure when permitted to remain for extended periods of time will cause desired degree of distention or elongation of the mesh 20, and especially of the mesh cord 22 in this region which results in the formation of a ‘legal pocket’ in the desired part of the mesh 20.

As can be appreciated from the foregoing, particularly with reference to the, drawing figures already discussed, the pocket shaper 50 provides a convenient and highly effective device, and method for forming a pocket, preferably a legal pocket within a lacrosse head 10. The modest size of the pocket shaper 50 also facilitates its use in longer durations in that it is highly convenient to engage the pocket shaper 50 within a lacrosse head 10 so to retain a lacrosse ball B within a desired region of the mesh 20 between game plays as, once described herein the compact size of the pocket shaper 50 encourages its retention in the engaged position between game plays. Such would aid in retaining the configuration of the pocket formed, i.e., as seen in FIG. 2.

It is to be understood that the pocket shaper 50 may assume differing configurations, yet still provide the same functionality and be utilized in a manner similar to that discussed herein, particularly with reference to FIG. 4.

A further embodiment of a pocket shaper 50 is illustrated on FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C and 54D which is substantially similar to the embodiment shown and discussed with reference to FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C. Hence the same elements are identified with like reference numerals. The embodiment of FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C and 54D differ in the overall geometry of the pairs of arms 54A, 54B and arms 56A, 56B and the transverse space between each of the arms in each pair, which transverse space defines corresponding slot 58A between arms 54A, 54B and slot 58B between arms 56A, 56B, each of which are suitably dimensioned such that a part of each of the arms may inserted into holes 21 of the mesh defined by the mesh cord 22 which is braided, plaited or otherwise fabricated into the form of the mesh 20. In this embodiment the relatively wider width of the slots 58A, 58B and the positioning of the separate arms of each of the pairs of arms 54A, 54B and pair of arms 56A, 56B may facilitate the engagement of each of the arms within each pair in non-adjacent mesh holes 21 when the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C and 54D is used in the manner as generally described herein, particularly with reference to FIG. 4. The embodiment of FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C and 54D differs from that of FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C in the orientation of the tip T, which in the current figures is curved laterally as well as vertically at each of the tips T whereas in the embodiment of FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C in the orientation of the tip T was only a vertical chamfered surface. The embodiment of FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C and 54D differs from that of FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C also in that each of the arms 54A, 54B, 56A, 56B further comprises a perpendicular stiffener part, within the first pair of arms 54A, 54B are respectively 54K, 54L and in the second pair of arms 56A, 56B are respectively 56K, 56L. It is to be noted that in FIG. 5B, the dotted line “R” represents a concavity with a curved surface akin to what was shown in FIG. 3B which is also radiused to engage the curved surface of a ball.

A third embodiment of the pocket shaper 50 illustrated on FIGS. 6A and 6B, the depicted pocket shaper 50 is substantially similar to the embodiment shown and discussed with reference to the prior embodiments of FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C and FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D. Hence the same elements are identified with like reference numerals, as they may be used in the same manner as is discussed with those prior embodiments, particularly with respect to FIG. 4. In the instant embodiment, the ball seat 52 is generally planar and in addition thereto includes generally coplanar and flat pairs of arms, pair 54A, 54B and pair 56A, 56B depending outwardly therefrom. Unlike prior embodiments the ball seat 52 omits an internal concavity 52A which is substituted by the provision of a generally circular bore 52K which is instead used to engage a section of the surface of the ball B, through the center of which extends the apex A. The circular bore 52K passing through the ball seat 52. This bore 52K has a radius R1, which is sufficiently sized to engage a part of the ball B such that the bore 52K surrounds, and preferably centers the apex A. It is also to be noted that having the pairs of arms 54A, 54B and pair of arms 56A, 56B are coplanar with the generally planar ball seat 52 in the illustrations.

A yet further, fourth embodiment of a pocket shaper 50 not wholly dissimilar to the aforesaid third embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B. Hence the same elements are identified with like reference numerals, as they may be used in the same manner as is discussed with those prior embodiments, particularly with respect to FIGS. 6A and 6B. In the present embodiment the ball seat 52, also replaces the internal concavity 52A of certain prior drawing figures with a bore 52K, which in this fourth embodiment has a radius R2 which is coincident with the radius of an abutting ring 52L which also has the same radius R2. Such is similar to the embodiment discussed with reference to FIGS. 6A and 6b, however here radius R2 is greater than radius R2 shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. However, as in the prior embodiment, radius R2 is sufficiently sized to engage a part of the ball B such that the bore 52K and also the ring 52L surrounds, and preferably centers the apex A of the ball B.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate a yet further embodiment, here a fifth embodiment of a pocket shaper 50. The present embodiment not wholly dissimilar to prior discussed embodiments, particularly the embodiments disclosed on FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C as well as FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D, and thus, the same elements are identified with like reference numerals, as they may be used in the same manner as is discussed with those prior embodiments. The pocket shaper 50 of FIGS. 8A, 8B has a generally larger ball seat 52 which also includes an internal concavity 52A, and two pairs of arms, a first pair 54A, 54B and a second pair 56A, 56B which are relatively shorter in length than of corresponding arm disclosed in the embodiments disclosed on FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C as well as FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D and as the plan view of FIG. 8B, are generally slightly downwardly tapered as each arm extends outwardly from the ball seat 52.

Advantageously at least 50%, preferably (and in order of increasing preference) at least 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85% and 90% of the total linear distance between the tips of the first set of arms to the tips of the second set of arms is comprised of the length of the first set of arms between their proximal ends and their tips, and the length of the second set of arms between their proximal ends and their tips. Advantageously the width of the slots 58A, 58B between their corresponding arms, respectively the first set of arms 54A, 54B, and second set of arms 56A, 56B is between 10%-500%, preferably at least 20%-150% of the width of one of the arms 54A, 54B, 56A, 56B.

It is to be understood that various corresponding parts of the foregoing embodiments may be interchanged with similarly parts in other embodiments, and thus the disclosure of the specific embodiments should not be considered limiting but merely illustrative, particularly with respect to such interchangeability.

The pocket shaper 50 may be produced from any material may be suitably formed or fabricated into the form of such a device, and include without limitation materials including wood, ceramics, metals but advantageously in view of stiffness, light weight and durability one or more naturally occurring or synthetic polymers may be used, including but not limited polyamides (Nylons), polyalkyleneterephtalates (PET, PBT), polyolefins, polysulfones (PS), polycarbonate and others synthetic polymers and copolymers thereof which will exhibit suitable physical characteristics necessary for the pocket shaper 50. Such naturally occurring and synthetic polymers may comprise additives which may improve their performance characteristics such as organic and inorganic fillers, including fibrous and/or particulate materials such as inorganic fibers and inorganic glass particulates such as beads, strands and the like. Additives which include colorants such as pigments and dyes may also be advantageously used in order to impart a desired color to the material of construction.

The pocket shaper 50 may be produced by any suitable process of fabrication, including machining, stamping, thermoforming, casting and molding, particularly injection molding if formed from or using flowable thermoplastic polymeric materials. A pocket shaper may be formed by injection molding from a mass of a fluidized thermoplastic polymer which optionally includes one or more additives. The pocket shaper 50 may be formed by thermoforming from a sheet of a material, which sheet may be a single layer of a material or of a composite construction, viz, includes layered sheets of different materials which are laminated either prior to or consequent to thermoforming of the pocket shaper 50. The pocket shaper 50 may be formed from a flowable or formable material, such as a metal, ceramic or other hardenble material which is cured within a mold or die, to form the pocket shaper 50. The pocket shaper 50 may be tooled or machined from a block of a suitable material utilizing conventional forming methods. The pocket shaper 50 may be stamped or otherwise formed from a sheet of a suitable material, i.e., a metal, utilizing conventional forming methods.

While described in terms of the presently preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is to be interpreted as by way of illustration, and not by way of limitation, and that various modifications and alterations apparent to one skilled in the art may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. A ball shaper insertable within a lacrosse head having a frame with at least two siderails, an opening and a mesh extending at least between the siderails, comprising:

a ball seat having extending therefrom a first set of arms, and transverse thereto, a second set of arms, each of the arms having a tip and intermediate each of the arms in each pair of arms an access slot, wherein each of the arms and slots are suitably dimensioned such that a part of each of the arms may inserted into defined by the mesh,

wherein the ball shaper, when installed within a lacrosse head such that a part of the arms are in engagement with mesh, engages a regulation sized lacrosse ball to position and retain the ball such that the ball imparts pressure against the mesh, in the region beneath the ball seat, and concurrently, the ball seat positions an apex of the ball to be coincident with, or slightly above a virtual plane defined as extending across the opening of the frame head and intersecting or being tangential to bottommost edges of the frame head in a region most proximate to the apex of the ball when the frame is held in a horizontal manner.

2. The ball shaper of claim 1, wherein the ball seat comprises an internal concavity which is radiused to accommodate the outer surface of a regulation lacrosse ball.

3. The ball shaper of claim 2, wherein the internal concavity comprises an uppermost peak which contacts an apex of the ball.

4. The ball shaper of claim 2, wherein the ball seat comprises a bore.

5. The ball shaper of claim 4, wherein the bore is circular.

6. The ball shaper of claim 1, wherein one or more of the arms are angled, bowed, or stepped.

7. A method of distending a mesh of a lacrosse head to form a pocket within the mesh, comprising the steps of:

inserting a ball shaper according to claim 1 within the lacrosse head, such that one or more of the arms of the ball shaper are engaged with corresponding holes of the mesh;

inserting an retaining a regulation sized lacrosse ball between the ball shaper and the mesh to distend the mesh to form a pocket within the mesh.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the pocket is formed within the mesh of the lacrosse head is a legal pocket.