Lacrosse head

Abstract

The present invention relates to an improved lacrosse head that is configured to allow for efficient side scooping of a ball using the sidewall of a lacrosse head. One embodiment of the present invention relates to utilizing beveled sections on the sidewalls of a lacrosse head in addition to the conventional beveled scoop portion. The beveled sidewalls allow a player to efficiently scoop up a laterally disposed ball from the ground using the side of the head rather than the top scoop portion. In addition, the beveled sidewalls could provide the ability for more efficient side throwing using the sidewalls of the lacrosse head. Various angles of curvature can be utilized to improve performance of individual head designs.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. ______, filed Mar. 1, 2005, entitled IMPROVED LACROSSE HEAD.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an improved lacrosse head. More particularly, the present invention relates to a lacrosse stick head that includes beveled sidewalls to facilitate efficient side scooping.

2. Background of the Invention and Related Art

Lacrosse heads for use in the game of lacrosse are well-known and take on a variety of configurations. Current lacrosse heads are typically manufactured by injection molding processes and are secured to a metal lacrosse handle or stick for use in play. The structure of current lacrosse heads is commonly defined by a base portion that is configured to couple with a handle, a pair of opposing sidewall portions that diverge from the base portion, and a scoop portion that connects the ends of the pair of opposing sidewall portions opposite the base portion. Lacrosse heads are also intended to receive a netting thereon that connects to the base portion, the pair of opposing sidewall portions, and the scoop portion. The netting is intended to retain a lacrosse ball therein.

The scoop portion on current lacrosse heads is beveled to facilitate frontal scooping up of the ball from the ground. Players commonly lower their sticks and scoop up a ball into the stick head using the curvature or beveling of the scoop to allow the ball to roll or slide in. Occasionally players need to scoop up a ball that is within their lateral vicinity rather than directly in front of them. In this situation, a player may attempt to side scoop a ball into the heads of their sticks. Unfortunately, the orthogonal geometry of conventional lacrosse head sidewalls impedes the ability for a player to scoop up a ball using the sidewall. Therefore, there is a need in the industry for a lacrosse head that allows for efficient side scooping.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an improved lacrosse head that is configured to allow for efficient side scooping of a ball using the sidewall of a lacrosse head. One embodiment of the present invention relates to utilizing beveled sections on the sidewalls of a lacrosse head in addition to the conventional beveled scoop portion. The beveled sidewalls allow a player to efficiently scoop up a laterally disposed ball from the ground using the side of the head rather than the top scoop portion. In addition, the beveled sidewalls could provide the ability for more efficient side throwing using the sidewalls of the lacrosse head. Various angles of curvature can be utilized to improve performance of individual head designs.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be set forth or will become more fully apparent in the description that follows and in the appended claims. The features and advantages may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. Furthermore, the features and advantages of the invention may be learned by the practice of the invention or will be obvious from the description, as set forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the manner in which the above-recited and other advantages and features of the invention are obtained, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a lacrosse head in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 illustrates a frontal view of the lacrosse head illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a profile view of the lacrosse head illustrated in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a rear view of the lacrosse head illustrated in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

The present invention relates to an improved lacrosse head that is configured to allow for efficient side scooping of a ball using the sidewall of a lacrosse head. One embodiment of the present invention relates to utilizing beveled sections on the sidewalls of a lacrosse head in addition to the conventional beveled scoop portion. The beveled sidewalls allow a player to efficiently scoop up a laterally disposed ball from the ground using the side of the head rather than the top scoop portion. In addition, the beveled sidewalls could provide the ability for more efficient side throwing using the sidewalls of the lacrosse head. Various angles of curvature can be utilized to improve performance of individual head designs. While embodiments of the present invention are directed at an improved lacrosse head, it will be appreciated that the teachings of the present invention are applicable to other areas.

As used in this specification, the following terms are defined accordingly:

“lacrosse head”—includes any type of head commonly attached to a lacrosse stick for use in playing lacrosse including but not limited to a goalie head, an attack head, a midfielder head, a defender head, a women's lacrosse head, etc.

“bevel”—any type of curvature including but not limited to linear, jagged, logarithmic, etc.

“side scooping”—using at least a portion of the side of a lacrosse head to scoop up a ball from the ground.

“frontal scooping”—using the top or scoop of a lacrosse head to scoop up a ball from the ground.

Reference is made to FIGS. 1-4, which illustrate various views of a lacrosse head in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The lacrosse head is designated generally at 100. The lacrosse head 100 includes a base 115, a pair of opposing sidewall portions 110, and a scoop 105. The base 115 is coupled to a stick or handle via some form of releasable coupling system. The base 115 is a substantially cylindrical member integrally coupled to the pair of opposing sidewall portions 110 as shown. The shape and dimensions of the base 115 may be adjusted to conform to the various shapes of lacrosse sticks. For example, many conventional sticks utilize an octagonal shape and the base may be shaped to specifically receive that shape.

The pair of opposing sidewall portions 110 extend away from the base 115. The illustrated opposing sidewall portions 110 include multiple lengthwise curvatures to facilitate the creation of a narrow pocket region 125 and an open scoop region 120. The upper most portions of the opposing sidewall portions 110 are connected via the scoop 105. The scoop 105 is also a lengthwise curved member, as shown. The scoop 105 and the opposing sidewall portions 110 further include widthwise/perpendicular curvatures or bevels. The scoop 105 conventionally includes a perpendicular curvature to facilitate throwing and frontal scooping of a ball. The present invention teaches the novel inclusion of perpendicular curvatures on the opposing sidewall portions 110 adjacent to the scoop 105. The extent to which the perpendicular curvature on the opposing sidewall portions 110 extends can be adjusted to achieve various performance characteristics. Likewise, the specific angle and shape of the perpendicular curvature on the opposing sidewall portions 110 can also be adjusted to achieve various performance characteristics. The unique perpendicular curvature on the illustrated opposing sidewall portions 110 extends around the scoop region 120 to facilitate side scooping and side throwing a ball during play. Side scooping allows players to more easily scoop up a ball from the ground thereby improving their performance. Likewise, side throwing can be utilized for unique maneuvers during play.

Thus, as discussed herein, the embodiments of the present invention relate to an improved lacrosse head. More particularly, the present invention relates to a lacrosse stick head that includes beveled sidewalls to facilitate efficient side scooping. The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Claims

1. A lacrosse head comprising:

a base portion configured to couple with a handle;

a pair of opposing sidewall portions that diverge from the base portion, wherein the pair of opposing sidewall portions each include a beveled portion; and

a scoop portion that connects the pair of opposing sidewall portions opposite the base portion.

2. The lacrosse head of claim 1 further including a plurality of string receiving mechanisms being formed in at least the pair of opposing sidewall portions and the scoop portion for attachment of a netting to the head.

3. The lacrosse head of claim 2 further including a netting that connects to at least the pair of opposing sidewall portions, and the scoop portion via the plurality of string receiving mechanisms.

4. The lacrosse head of claim 1, wherein the pair of opposing sidewall portions include lengthwise curvatures to create a pocket region and a scoop region.

5. The lacrosse head of claim 1, wherein the beveled portions are outwardly beveled and extend around a scoop region.

6. The lacrosse head of claim 1, wherein the beveled portions are disposed adjacent to the scoop portion.

7. The lacrosse head of claim 1, wherein the opposing sidewall portions are beveled to facilitate side scooping a ball.

8. The lacrosse head of claim 1, wherein the scoop portion is beveled to facilitate front scooping a ball.

9. The lacrosse head of claim 1, wherein the beveled portions extend at least one third of the way up the opposing sidewall portions.

10. A lacrosse head comprising:

a base portion configured to couple with a handle;

a pair of opposing sidewall portions that diverge from the base portion, wherein the pair of opposing sidewall portions each including an outwardly beveled portion;

a scoop portion that connects the pair of opposing sidewall portions opposite the base portion, wherein the outwardly beveled portions of the pair of opposing sidewall portions are disposed adjacent to the scoop portion; and

a plurality of string receiving mechanisms being formed in at least the pair of opposing sidewall portions and the scoop portion for attachment of a netting to the head.

11. A method of scooping up a ball with the side of a lacrosse head, comprising the acts of:

positioning the lacrosse head such that a sidewall portion of the lacrosse head contacts the ground substantially adjacent to a ball; and

translating the lacrosse head such that the ball rolls over a beveled surface on the sidewall portion into a netting on the lacrosse head.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the act of positioning the lacrosse head such that a sidewall portion of the lacrosse head contacts the ground substantially adjacent to a ball further includes:

providing a player with a stick coupled to the lacrosse head;

providing a ball laterally adjacent to the player; and

laterally rotating the stick such that a sidewall portion of the lacrosse head contacts the ground behind the ball.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the act of translating the lacrosse head such that the ball rolls over a beveled surface on the sidewall portion into a netting on the lacrosse head further includes scooping the ball over the beveled surface into the netting.