Abstract: A shin guard is disclosed having a protective pad enclosed by two pieces of fabric, one piece of a first color and one piece of a second color, and a sleeve portion having first and second colors. The shin guard is reversible such that in a first configuration the shin guard has substantially the first color on an exterior of the guard and in a second configuration the shin guard has substantially the second color on the exterior of the shin guard. In another embodiment, the pad is, disposed between an exterior sleeve of a first color and an interior sleeve of a second color different from the first color.

Abstract: A variable hand placement sports equipment handle, such as a lacrosse stick handle, hockey stick handle, or field hockey stick handle, that includes a shaft and at least one overlay attached to the shaft at a location of frequent hand placement. The overlays are specially located and structured to provide the shaft with structural and tactile features that correspond to and accommodate the way in which a player moves his hands along the shaft and grips the shaft. The structural and tactile features, such as ribs, grooves, and hourglass and conical shapes, are located on the shaft to enhance a player's control of the shaft when performing various skills.

Abstract: A field hockey stick including a head, a shaft adjoining the head, and a vibration damper. The shaft has a first end proximate the head and a second end opposite the first end. The vibration damper is disposed in the second end of the shaft and includes a core and a jacket surrounding the core. The material of the core has a higher specific gravity than the material of the jacket.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining compliance of a lacrosse stick head with dimensional specifications that require a minimum allowable width between the two sidewalls of the head as measured at a designated distance from the stop member of the head. The apparatus has a width equal to the minimum allowable width of the lacrosse stick head, and a length perpendicular to the width. The length is equal to the designated distance. The apparatus is adapted to simultaneously measure the designated distance and the minimum allowable width. In a specific implementation, the apparatus has an upper rectangular portion connected to a lower triangular portion.

Abstract: A lacrosse head having protrusions on its top and/or bottom edges, which improve ball control. Preferably, the protrusions on the top edge protrude toward the interior of the lacrosse head and the protrusions on the bottom edge protrude away from the interior of the lacrosse head. In a further embodiment, the lacrosse head has a top protrusion disposed on the top edge of a sidewall, and a bottom protrusion on disposed on the bottom edge of the sidewall, such that any height of the lacrosse head frame, inclusive of the top protrusion and the bottom protrusion, does not exceed a specified sidewall height, even though the sum of the height of the sidewall, the height of the top protrusion, and the height of the bottom protrusion, measured separately and nonlinearly, exceed the specified sidewall height.

Abstract: A lacrosse head having a frame and an articulated member moveably coupled to the frame. In one embodiment, a lacrosse head includes a stop member; a first sidewall connected to the stop member; a second sidewall connected to the stop member opposite the first sidewall; and a scoop connected to the first sidewall and the second sidewall opposite the stop member, wherein the first sidewall includes a first member integrally connected to the stop member and the scoop, and a second member moveably coupled to the first member. The second member can include pocket thread openings for attaching a pocket to the head. The lacrosse head can also include a stiffening member attached to the scoop and a sidewall of the frame, and a collared male plug for joining the frame to a hollow shaft.

Abstract: A multi-component lacrosse stick head, made of at least two materials, including a base lacrosse head structure of one material and one or more overlays made of one or more other materials strategically located on the base structure. The base structure and overlays provide particular performance characteristics for the lacrosse head. An embodiment of the invention includes a base lacrosse head structure, and at least one of a ball stop overlay, a sidewall overlay, an edge overlay, a thread opening overlay, and a scoop overlay. The overlays are affixed to the base lacrosse head structure by, for example, insert molding, over molding, reaction injection molding, spray application, rotational molding, dual extrusion, casting, or an interference fit.

Abstract: An adjustable customized golf club, e.g., a golf putter, as well as a method for using the club, wherein the club has a head, a striking surface attachment, and one or more lock fittings that positively lock the striking surface attachment to the head. The striking surface attachment is one of several selectable attachments, each with different performance characteristics, e.g., rebound. The one or more lock fittings positively lock the striking surface attachments to the putter head such that the club components are firmly fixed, yet are still quickly removable and replaceable. In a representative embodiment, the striking surface attachment can be removed by hand and without tools. A golfer quickly changes the striking surface attachments without losing the feel of the prior striking surface attachment, thereby enabling the golfer to realistically compare the differences between the attachments before selecting and playing with a particular striking surface attachment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dampening the rebound of a lacrosse head pocket. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a frame having a thread hole and an aperture proximate to the thread hole. The aperture creates a moveable structure of the frame. The moveable structure encompasses at least a portion of the thread hole. The moveable structure is adapted to flex relative to the frame.

Abstract: A lace system for a lacrosse stick that restrains thongs from sliding, maintains desired thong tension, enables convenient adjustment of thong length (in the pocket) and thong tension, provides a pocket that enhances ball control, and allows players to cut excess thong lengths to minimize their flapping around during play. The lace system includes specially shaped, sized, and positioned thong holes in the stop member of a lacrosse head, and a lace lock attached to the lacrosse stick below the thong holes. The thong holes in the stop member are not lined up in a straight line, are non-circular in shape, and are slightly smaller than the size of the thongs. The lace lock includes channeling holes and/or channels that align and compress the thongs, ridges that grip the thongs, a compression strap that locks the thongs tightly against the ridges, and a means for attaching the lace lock to the lacrosse stick.

Abstract: A lace system for a lacrosse stick that restrains thongs from sliding, maintains desired thong tension, enables convenient adjustment of thong length (in the pocket) and thong tension, provides a pocket that enhances ball control, and allows players to cut excess thong lengths to minimize their flapping around during play. The lace system includes specially shaped, sized, and positioned thong holes in the stop member of a lacrosse head, and a lace lock attached to the lacrosse stick below the thong holes. The thong holes in the stop member are not lined up in a straight line, are non-circular in shape, and are slightly smaller than the size of the thongs. The lace lock includes channeling holes and/or channels that align and compress the thongs, ridges that grip the thongs, a compression strap that locks the thongs tightly against the ridges, and a means for attaching the lace lock to the lacrosse stick.

Abstract: An expandable mesh web for use with a lacrosse stick head. The head includes a frame member having first and second side walls, each side wall having a proximal end and a distal end. The frame member further has a scoop extending between the distal ends of the side walls, and a stop extending between the proximal ends of the side walls. The expandable mesh web is attached to the frame member, and includes at least two ball channel walls that extend longitudinally along the length off the frame member and are generally thicker and more dense than the rest of the expandable mesh web.

Abstract: A variable hand placement sports equipment handle, such as a lacrosse stick handle, hockey stick handle, or field hockey stick handle, that includes a shaft and at least one overlay attached to the shaft at a location of frequent hand placement. The overlays are specially located and structured to provide the shaft with structural and tactile features that correspond to and accommodate the way in which a player moves his hands along the shaft and grips the shaft. The structural and tactile features, such as ribs, grooves, and hourglass and conical shapes, are located on the shaft to enhance a player's control of the shaft when performing various skills.

Abstract: A head for a lacrosse stick that includes a web for receiving a ball, the web being attached to a frame member of the head, and one or more tube-like woven or non-woven polymer shooting string elements extending transversely between side walls of the frame member and through the frame member, to facilitate pocket adjustment. The head may also include one or more tube-like woven or non-woven polymer thong elements extending longitudinally between the scoop and the stop of the frame member.

Abstract: A golf club having an elastomer head which is easily constructed of relatively inexpensive components making the club particularly suitable as an introductory golf club for teaching the game of golf to youths, is described. The club comprises a metal insert configured to a desired shape, an elastomeric material molded around the metal insert, and a pad at the back of the striking head. A shaft is attached to the metal insert.