Abstract: Aspects herein relate to protective headgear for sports and to methods of using such headgear. In one aspect, the headgear has an external head-protecting shell that is soft to reduce the risk of injuring other players. In another aspect, the headgear has a rear closure arrangement that includes a bridge component for ease of putting on the headgear and for added protection at the closure area of the rear closure arrangement. In another aspect, fit pads of different sizes are removeably attachable to a cheekbone extension member of the headgear to provide a proper fit to the wearer's cheekbone. A face mask is integrated with the headgear in some embodiments.

Abstract: Aspects herein relate to protective headgear for sports and to methods of using such headgear. In one aspect, the headgear has an external head-protecting shell that is soft to reduce the risk of injuring other players. In another aspect, the headgear has a rear closure arrangement that includes a bridge component for ease of putting on the headgear and for added protection at the closure area of the rear closure arrangement. In another aspect, fit pads of different sizes are removeably attachable to a cheekbone extension member of the headgear to provide a proper fit to the wearer's cheekbone. A face mask is integrated with the headgear in some embodiments.

Abstract: A robotic manipulator is used to control the forces and angles applied on the strings during stringing of a lacrosse head. Precise string lengths may be implemented for certain features of the pocket. In some embodiments, the manipulator attaches the pocket to a lacrosse head and produces a strung head which has precise ratios of tension when comparing various strings within the pocket. One or more robot arms with end effectors such as grippers may be used. The forces used when tying each knot can be consistent throughout the pocket, or vary according to which particular knot is being tied. The tension of shooting strings and/or runners may be finely tuned in some embodiments.

Abstract: Aspects disclosed herein relate to lacrosse heads and sidewalls thereof. The sidewalls include struts which reduce weight and/or reduces stresses which can lead to fatigue failure. In some embodiments, two struts are arranged on the sidewall such that they abut each other and have a similar angle in the ball stop end to scoop end direction of the sidewall, but the two struts cross over each other in a side-to-side direction. When force is applied in a certain direction, one of the struts may be primarily in compression, while its companion strut may be primarily in tension.

Abstract: A robotic manipulator is used to control the forces and angles applied on the strings during stringing of a lacrosse head. Precise string lengths may be implemented for certain features of the pocket. In some embodiments, the manipulator attaches the pocket to a lacrosse head and produces a strung head which has precise ratios of tension when comparing various strings within the pocket. One or more robot arms with end effectors such as grippers may be used. The forces used when tying each knot can be consistent throughout the pocket, or vary according to which particular knot is being tied. The tension of shooting strings and/or runners may be finely tuned in some embodiments.

Abstract: Lacrosse head sidewalls are arranged to apply additional tension to a pocket in an upper section of the head. A sidewall bottom rail includes an outward shift of an inwardly-facing surface and/or a downwardly-facing surface such that one or both of these features is spaced further from a longitudinal centerline plane of the head as compared to a head with no such outward shift.

Abstract: A robotic manipulator is used to control the forces and angles applied on the strings during stringing of a lacrosse head. Precise string lengths may be implemented for certain features of the pocket. In some embodiments, the manipulator attaches the pocket to a lacrosse head and produces a strung head which has precise ratios of tension when comparing various strings within the pocket. One or more robot arms with end effectors such as grippers may be used. The forces used when tying each knot can be consistent throughout the pocket, or vary according to which particular knot is being tied. The tension of shooting strings and/or runners may be finely tuned in some embodiments.

Abstract: Lacrosse head sidewalls are arranged to apply additional tension to a pocket in an upper section of the head. A sidewall bottom rail includes an outward shift of an inwardly-facing surface and/or a downwardly-facing surface such that one or both of these features is spaced further from a longitudinal centerline plane of the head as compared to a head with no such outward shift.

Abstract: Lacrosse head sidewalls are arranged to apply additional tension to a pocket in an upper section of the head. A sidewall bottom rail includes an outward shift of an inwardly-facing surface and/or a downwardly-facing surface such that one or both of these features is spaced further from a longitudinal centerline plane of the head as compared to a head with no such outward shift.

Abstract: Aspects herein relate to protective headgear for sports and to methods of using such headgear. In one aspect, the headgear has an external head-protecting shell that is soft to reduce the risk of injuring other players. In another aspect, the headgear has a rear closure arrangement that includes a bridge component for ease of putting on the headgear and for added protection at the closure area of the rear closure arrangement. In another aspect, fit pads of different sizes are removeably attachable to an cheekbone extension member of the headgear to provide a proper fit to the wearer's cheekbone. A face mask is integrated with the headgear in some embodiments.

Abstract: Aspects herein relate to protective headgear for sports and to methods of using such headgear. In one aspect, the headgear has an external head-protecting shell that is soft to reduce the risk of injuring other players. In another aspect, the headgear has a rear closure arrangement that includes a bridge component for ease of putting on the headgear and for added protection at the closure area of the rear closure arrangement. In another aspect, fit pads of different sizes are removeably attachable to an cheekbone extension member of the headgear to provide a proper fit to the wearer's cheekbone. A face mask is integrated with the headgear in some embodiments.