Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a lacrosse head and a method of manufacture to form the same. A lacrosse head may include a scoop, a throat, and a pair of opposed sidewalls configured to interconnect the scoop to the throat, each sidewall having an interior edge and an exterior edge. The lacrosse head may further include a hub connected to the throat, the hub including a socket configured to receive a stick. Additionally, at least one of the scoop, throat, pair of opposed sidewalls, and hub comprise a matrix material embedded with a plurality of substantially randomly dispersed reinforcing fibers. A method of forming a lacrosse head may include forming a mold assembly having a positive side and a negative side, mixing a composite matrix material by feeding chopped reinforcing fibers randomly into a resinous material, setting the matrix material into the mold assembly, and closing the mold assembly.

Abstract: A fiber reinforced product includes a single ply composite weave made up of individual weaves interconnected together and then processed in a known manner. The individual weaves are made of one of a plurality of possible fiber reinforced materials such as carbon, Aramid or glass. Their fibers are angulated with respect to the axis of elongation of the composite weave in some cases and in other cases the respective lengths of the individual weaves are chosen to accomplish differences in stiffness and flexibility based upon the desired performance properties of the finished product in which the single ply composite weave is incorporated.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a lacrosse head and a method of manufacture to form the same. A lacrosse head may include a scoop, a throat, and a pair of opposed sidewalls configured to interconnect the scoop to the throat, each sidewall having an interior edge and an exterior edge. The lacrosse head may further include a hub connected to the throat, the hub including a socket configured to receive a stick. Additionally, at least one of the scoop, throat, pair of opposed sidewalls, and hub comprise a matrix material embedded with a plurality of substantially randomly dispersed reinforcing fibers. A method of forming a lacrosse head may include forming a mold assembly having a positive side and a negative side, mixing a composite matrix material by feeding chopped reinforcing fibers randomly into a resinous material, setting the matrix material into the mold assembly, and closing the mold assembly.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a lacrosse head and a method of manufacture to form the same. A lacrosse head may include a scoop, a throat, and a pair of opposed sidewalls configured to interconnect the scoop to the throat, each sidewall having an interior edge and an exterior edge. The lacrosse head may further include a hub connected to the throat, the hub including a socket configured to receive a stick. Additionally, at least one of the scoop, throat, pair of opposed sidewalls, and hub comprise a matrix material embedded with a plurality of substantially randomly dispersed reinforcing fibers. A method of forming a lacrosse head may include forming a mold assembly having a positive side and a negative side, mixing a composite matrix material by feeding chopped reinforcing fibers randomly into a resinous material, setting the matrix material into the mold assembly, and closing the mold assembly.

Abstract: The lacrosse head has a downwardly facing vertex where the curvature of side walls stops extending downward and begins extending upward. When a mesh pocket is attached to the head, the vertex defines the location where the pocket is the deepest. The vertex is located at about the midpoint of the lacrosse head. The vertex causes the lacrosse head to come as close as possible to the 2.75 inch maximum thickness of the entire head. The pocket can be made as deep as possible within the limitation that it must extend below the bottom edge of the lower side rail by less than the minimum diameter of a lacrosse ball. Moving the vertex as close as possible to the scoop shortens the distance the ball must travel from deep in the pocket to leaving the distal end of the scoop. This results in quicker release from the lacrosse head.

Abstract: An improved lacrosse mesh is made of polypropylene. Polypropylene fibers are among the lightest weight of all commercially produced plastic fibers. Typical polypropylene has a density of 0.9 g/cm3, much lower than that of polyester (1.38), cotton (1.54), or nylon (1.15). Additionally, polypropylene is known to outperform other dyeable fibers in low moisture absorption tests. Preferably a polypropylene-based material known as INNEGRA S is employed. It has a tenacity greater than 5 grams/denier, elongation prior to breakage of about 11%, density of 0.84 g/cm3, 93% of unprocessed polypropylene and a surface texture bearing striations that enhance its grippability to a degree desirable for use in netting for lacrosse mesh. The INNEGRA S material is much more difficult to stretch to any degree as compared to the more easily stretchable NYLON material and, as such, ideally maintains pocket shape in a wide variety of conditions.

Abstract: A head includes front surfaces and rear surfaces. The front surfaces are uncurved. A proximal portion of the front surfaces slopes gradually downwardly and a distal end of the front surfaces slope more dramatically toward the axis of elongation of the socket. The rear surfaces of the head slope downwardly until at approximately 60% of the distance in the proximal to distal direction, a deep pocket is provided, the rear surfaces curving back upwardly to converge toward the front surfaces and then curve back downwardly to meet at the arcuate distal scooping end of the head. A series of spaced holes are provided to facilitate stringing of a webbing about the rear surfaces of the head to provide a mid/high pocket.

Abstract: A hydrophobic and oleophobic coating is applied to the mesh netting of a lacrosse stick head in two layers. The application is made to the netting by coating the strings either before or after they are woven into the netting, but prior to installation on the lacrosse stick head. In the preferred method, each coating layer is applied in a wet thickness of 3.0 to 5.0 mils (0.003-0.005 inches). When the coating is dry, the result is a dry film thickness of 1.0-1.5 mils (0.001 to 0.0015 inches) for each layer. Thus, two layers of the coating have a total dry thickness of 2-3 mils (0.002-0.003 inches). As a result of the coating method, a surface tension is created on the surfaces of the mesh that prevents water, dirt, mud and oil from attaching to the mesh, thus preventing these materials from permeating the mesh.

Abstract: A head includes front surfaces and rear surfaces. The front surfaces are uncurved. A proximal portion of the front surfaces slopes gradually downwardly and a distal end of the front surfaces slope more dramatically toward the axis of elongation of the socket. The rear surfaces of the head slope downwardly until at approximately 60% of the distance in the proximal to distal direction, a deep pocket is provided, the rear surfaces curving back upwardly to converge toward the front surfaces and then curve back downwardly to meet at the arcuate distal scooping end of the head. A series of spaced holes are provided to facilitate stringing of a webbing about the rear surfaces of the head to provide a mid/high pocket.