LACROSSE HANDLE

Abstract

A handle for a lacrosse stick includes an elongate carbon fiber central core having a length extending substantially the entire length of the handle along a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end, the first end adapted to rigidly connect to a lacrosse head, the second end being opposite to the first end; a layer of foam padding surrounding and affixed to the central core from the second end and extending substantially along the entire length of the central core, the first end of the central core protruding from the padding; and an adapter rigidly affixed to the protruding first end of the central core, the adapter having a cross-sectional shape and dimensions selected to rigidly engage an opening in the lacrosse head. The central core is formed from carbon fiber elements selected from hollow tubes and solid rods.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the handle portion of a lacrosse stick and, more particularly, to a lacrosse handle which reduces the amount of shock to a player's hands and which minimizes trauma and reduces injuries caused to other players struck by the handle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Lacrosse handles, generally constructed from hollow metal tubes, were developed to replace prior wooden lacrosse handles, which were susceptible to damage and were relatively heavy and cumbersome. Typically, metal tube lacrosse handles are currently constructed from thin walled aluminum, titanium, or other suitable strong, lightweight metal alloys. Such lacrosse handles typically have a durable construction and an outer surface which is either bare metal or metal having a very thin coating layer, typically about 1 millimeter or less. Hollow handles generally have a desired cross-sectional configuration along substantially the entire length of the handle. The handle can be formed in many desired cross-sectional shapes, including hexagonal, octagonal, round or oval cross-sections.

It is known that lacrosse is a fast-paced, high-contact sport and that the lacrosse handles can be subjected to large forces during play. The rigid metal construction of lacrosse handles transmits shock to a player's hands when the lacrosse stick is subjected to a sudden impact, such as when a player accidentally strikes the ground with the lacrosse stick or when there is stick to stick contact.

Due to the fast pace of the game and the use by players of metal handled lacrosse sticks, it is common for a player to accidentally strike another player with a stick handle, e.g., during stick checks, causing injury to the struck player. While the rules of lacrosse make every effort to minimize injuries, injuries to players struck by another player's stick are commonplace and sometimes severe. Indeed, men's lacrosse is intended as a high contact sport and players are required to wear helmets with faceguards, padded gloves, elbow pads, chest and shoulder pads and groin cups. Women's lacrosse is not intended to be as high contact a sport with the result that intentional body contact is not legal and stick checking must be directed away from an opponent's head and body toward the pocketed end of the stick only. As a result, only protective goggles and mouth pieces are mandatory equipment with light weight gloves and soft headgear optional.

Injuries to the wrist and hand nearly always occur from a direct blow by a stick handle and are common to both the men's and women's lacrosse games. Although men's gloves are padded, they are softer and more flexible than hockey gloves and provide only limited protection, and women are not required to wear gloves at all. As a result, it has been found that fingers, hands or wrists struck by a metal lacrosse stick frequently are injured, sometimes severely. Moreover, during stick checking and when attempting to scoop a ball, stick contact to the uncovered lower extremities are quite common and can cause serious injuries as well as abrasions. In the women's game, which does not require helmets, head and face injuries often occur due to stick or ball contact.

It is, therefore, desirable to provide a lacrosse handle that is strong, lightweight and durable while, at the same time, exhibiting flex and safety characteristics which absorb shock that would otherwise be transmitted to a player's hands and minimize injury and damage to other players and their equipment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a handle for a lacrosse stick which includes an elongate carbon fiber central core having a length extending substantially the entire length of the handle along a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end, the first end adapted to rigidly connect to a lacrosse head, the second end being opposite to said first end; a layer of foam padding surrounding and affixed to said central core from said second end and extending substantially along the entire length of the central core, the first end of the central core protruding from the padding; and an adapter rigidly affixed to the protruding first end of the central core, the adapter having a cross-sectional shape and dimensions selected to rigidly engage an opening in the lacrosse head.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, said adapter means comprises a tubular sleeve rigidly attached to said protruding first end of said central core, said tubular sleeve having a cross-sectional shape and dimension matching a receiving opening in said lacrosse head to facilitate easy insertion and to minimize twisting or turning of said lacrosse head relative to said handle.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, said central core comprises carbon fiber elements selected from hollow tubes and solid rods, the cross-sectional shape of the carbon fiber elements being selected from circular, oval and polygonal shapes, and combinations thereof.

In accordance with still another aspect of the invention said padding comprises strips of foam padding or a tube of foam padding affixed to said central core, said foam padding being selected from the group consisting of neoprene, nitrile, EPDM and silicone.

In accordance with one preferred aspect of the invention, said central core comprises two solid carbon fiber rods or two tubular carbon fiber rods rigidly affixed to each other in tangential relationship to create a figure eight configuration.

In accordance with another preferred aspect of the invention, said central core comprises a single oval cross-section solid carbon fiber rod or a single oval cross-section tubular carbon fiber rod.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the lacrosse stick handle of the present invention, including an attached lacrosse head.

FIGS. 2(a) and (b) are sectional views taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1 of two different embodiments of the lacrosse stick handle of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the lacrosse stick handle of FIG. 1 partially assembled with the padding overlying all but one end of the central core.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the lacrosse stick handle of FIG. 3 fully assembled with an adapter for attachment to standard lacrosse heads affixed to one end of the central core.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the lacrosse stick of FIG. 1 with portions broken away to show the attachment of the lacrosse stick handle of the present invention to the lacrosse head.

FIGS. 6(a) -6(d) are sectional views taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 1 of other embodiments of the lacrosse stick handle of FIG. 1 showing alternative central cores and oval outer padding.

FIGS. 7(a) -7(e) are sectional views taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 1 of other embodiments of the lacrosse stick handle of FIG. 1 showing alternative central cores and octagonal outer padding.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a lacrosse stick 10 typically includes both an elongated handle 12 and a head 14 for attachment to the handle 12. The elongated handle 12 has both a top end 12a and a bottom end 12b. The head 14, in turn, is mounted on the top end 12a of the elongated handle 12 and includes both a closed-loop, typically polymeric, frame 16 and a net 18 suspended substantially within the confines of the frame 16. Together, the closed-loop frame 16 and the net 18 form an open pocket suited for receiving, holding and releasing a lacrosse ball. The top end 12a of the handle 12 is inserted into and attached to a throat 14a of the lacrosse stick head 14 at its proximal end 14a and preferably secured using a setting screw 20, while the bottom end 12b includes a plastic or rubber cap or plug 22 coupled thereto.

In one embodiment, referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, an opening 14b in the proximal end 14a of head 14 and a top end 12a of handle 12 each have matching rounded or polygonal cross-sections, such as hexagonal or octagonal. The polygonal cross sections creates a plurality of edges or corners, along the length of the top end 12a of handle 12 and within opening 14b, which together form a plurality of flat, longitudinal and contiguous surfaces. The corners and contiguous surfaces of opening 14b provide an easy and consistent insertion and attachment point for attaching top end 12a of handle 12 within the throat 14a of lacrosse head 14. These corners and surfaces also prevent the lacrosse head 14 from twisting or turning relative to the handle 12 during usage. It will be appreciated that the cross-sectional design of opening 14b and top end 12a are not limited to the configurations specifically disclosed herein but may be formed in any configuration which permits top end 12a to be received within opening 14b. Preferably, the cross-sectional configuration of opening 14b matches the cross-sectional configuration of top end 12a to facilitate easy insertion and to minimize twisting or turning.

In accordance with the present invention, the lacrosse handle 12 is no longer made of metal. Rather, it is constructed, as shown in FIGS. 3-7 of a carbon fiber central core 50 covered with a soft padding 52. Carbon fiber cores 50 formed of tubes or solid rods used alone or in various combinations, such as in a figure eight configuration, are well known to be very strong while, at the same time, they are very light, e.g., about ⅔ the weight of aluminum. This permits the carbon fiber cores 50 to have a relatively small diameter compared to the more or less standard 1 inch or 0.75 inch lacrosse handle cross sections used currently in the game, and permits the provision of a soft, shock absorbing, outer padding 52 surrounding the carbon fiber central core 50 while providing a lacrosse stick handle 12 having the same or similar handle cross-section as conventional lacrosse stick handles. The padding 52, together with the small diameter central core 50, reduces shock to a player's hands when the lacrosse stick is subjected to a sudden impact, such as when a player accidentally strikes the ground with the lacrosse stick or when there is stick to stick contact. At the same time, the padding 52 provides cushioning to protect other players and to lessen the impact when a player is struck by another player's lacrosse stick handle. This eliminates or, at least, reduces finger, hand, wrist, arm, head and lower extremity injuries during normal play of the game of lacrosse.

Referring to FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b) there are shown sectional views through handle 12 of two embodiments of the invention. The carbon fiber central core 50 in the embodiment of FIG. 2(a) is formed by two solid carbon fiber rods 54 extending the length of handle 12. The solid rods in this particular embodiment are two circular carbon fiber solid rods having a diameter in the range of about 0.3 to 0.4 inches, e.g., rods having 0.375″ and 0.309″ diameters, among other sizes are commercially available from sources such as Rock West Composites of West Jordan, Utah. The carbon fiber central core 50 in the embodiment of FIG. 2(b) is formed by two carbon fiber hollow tubes 56 extending the length of handle 12. The tubes in this embodiment are two circular carbon fiber tubes having a diameter in the range of about 0.3 to 0.4 inches, e.g., tubes having 0.378″ diameters with 0.064″ walls, among other sizes are commercially available from sources such as Rock West Composites of West Jordan, Utah. The central core rods/tubes 50 are covered with a no slip padding 52 to provide the desired shape and cross-sectional dimension of the handle 12. The padding is desirably a foam selected from neoprene, nitrile, EPDM, silicone, and equivalents, desirably having a thickness of at least 0.25″. The foam padding may be applied by either wrapping strips, e.g., 1″ to 2″ wide strips, of the padding around the central core 50 using a pressure sensitive adhesive or by adhesively affixing a tube of this material to the core. It will be appreciated that padding in tubular form is commercially available in numerous acceptable shapes and dimensions or can be custom ordered from the foam tubing manufacturer. Custom ordering is an attractive option when a particular cross sectional handle shape or dimension is desired. Acceptable padding can be obtained from a number of commercial sources, such as Grab on Grips of Walla Wall, Wash. and, under the trademark GripWorks®, from Sinclair & Rush, Inc. of Arnold, Mo.. Typically, the cross-sectional handle shape is selected from oval, hexagonal and octagonal. Also, typically, the cross-sectional handle dimension is selected in the range of 0.75″ to 1.0″. It will be appreciated, however, that the cross-sectional handle shape and dimension is a matter of personal choice and the lacrosse stick handle 12 of the present invention can be fabricated in any desired handle shape and dimension by appropriate selection of carbon fiber central core configurations and padding. Thus, for the particular embodiment of FIG. 2, where carbon fiber rods having a diameter of 0.375″ are utilized and a tubular padding having a wall thickness of 0.25″ is selected, the resulting handle may be formed in an oval shape having a major dimension of about 1.25″ and a minor dimension of 0.875″. In this connection it will be appreciated that with use the handle padding will tend to compress a bit thus reducing both the major and minor dimensions.

Referring to FIG. 3, handle 12 is shown partially assembled with central core rods 50 covered with padding 52. The rods have been rigidly affixed to each other in tangential relationship to create the figure eight configuration. One manner of rigidly affixing the rods is using an epoxy resin adhesive. Commercially available epoxy resin adhesives are suitable, such as Loctite 608 Hysol from Rock West Composites in West Jordan, Utah, which is a two part epoxy adhesive. As can be seen the padding extends over almost the entire length of handle 12 except that about 1.75″ of the central core 50 rods are left exposed. In one exemplary embodiment, the padded length is about 28.25 inches, although lacrosse handle lengths in the range of 30 to 42 inches are common. The protruding central core rods 50 attach to an adapter 58 which allows the handle 12 of the present invention to mount to existing lacrosse heads 14. Adapter 58 is, in one embodiment, a short length of standard aluminum lacrosse shaft tubing having a hexagonal cross-section, about 2″ in length, which is rigidly attached to the protruding central core rods 50, e.g., by epoxying. During the attachment process it is very important to center the central core 50 within adapter 58. This may be done by the use of any centering device or means. In one simple embodiment, the centering of central core 50 is accomplished by tilizing a wrap of tape to center the core 50 within adapter 58, hanging the whole handle assembly with the open end of the adapter facing upwardly, filling the volume between the central core 50 and the inner perimeter of the adapter 58 with epoxy, and then curing the epoxy. It will be appreciated that other means known to the art for affixing adapter 58 to protruding central core rods may be used as well. As can be seen in FIG. 5, adapter 58 is inserted into the standard hexagonal opening 14b of existing lacrosse heads 14 and secured in place with setting screw 20, as can also be seen in FIG. 1, to rigidly and removably affix handle 12 to lacrosse head 14. By forming adapter 58 with a cross-section and dimension which matches the opening 14b in the throat 14a of commercially available lacrosse heads 14, players may readily remove their current lacrosse heat from their current lacrosse handle and attach the padded handle 12 of the present invention in the same manner that they removed the old head. It will be appreciated that the cross-sectional design of opening 14b and handle top end 12a, which in the embodiments of the present invention comprises adapter 58, are not limited to the configurations specifically disclosed herein but may be formed in any configuration which permits adapter 58 at handle top end 12a to be received within opening 14b. Preferably, the cross-sectional configuration of opening 14b matches the cross-sectional configuration of adapter 58 to facilitate easy insertion and to minimize twisting or turning.

It will be appreciated that the use of carbon fiber circular solid rods or tubes in a figure eight configuration is only one preferred arrangement for central core 50. Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, there is shown in FIG. 6 a variety of illustrative central core configurations which are also suitable for use in constructing the handle 12 of the present invention. Thus, in FIGS. 6(a) through 6(d), it is apparent that tubular configurations such as ovals, rectangles, octagons and stacked squares, as well as other polygonal and other shapes, are all suitable for use as the central core 50 of the handle 12 of the present invention. The tubular central cores 50 in FIGS. 6(a) through 6(d) are all covered with foam padding 52, as hereinbefore described, to provide the desired shape, in this instance oval, and cross-sectional dimension of the handle 12. Likewise, in FIGS. 7(a) through 7(e) tubular configurations such as circular tubes in figure eight configuration, ovals, rectangles, octagons and stacked squares, as well as other polygonal and other shapes, are all suitable for use as the central core 50 of the handle 12 of the present invention. The tubular central cores 50 in FIGS. 7(a) through 7(e) are all covered with foam padding 52, as hereinbefore described, to provide the desired shape, in this instance octagonal, and cross-sectional dimension of the handle 12. Notwithstanding that FIGS. 6(a) through (d) and 7(a) through (e) illustrate tubular central cores, it will be appreciated that the central cores may be solid or comprise combinations of hollow tubes and solid rods. It is noteworthy that the central core configurations illustrated in FIGS. 2(a), 2(b), 6(a) through 6(d) and 7(a) through 7(e) are generally elongate in one overall dimension, for example as can be seen in FIG. 2(a) the overall height dimension of the central core is greater than the overall width dimension, to present a roughly oval shape for the central core. This general elongation in one direction is the preferred central core configuration since the roughly oval shape which results is easiest to cover with padding, as described herein, in order to create a lacrosse handle whose outside dimensions and shape (e.g., hexagonal, octagonal, round or oval cross-sections) closely match the standard lacrosse handle dimensions and shapes. A handle with a cross-sectional shape elongated in one direction allows the player to use his tactile sense to determine that the lacrosse head is oriented correctly without looking at it.

The present invention is particularly suited for an improved handle for a lacrosse head and has been illustrated and described as such. However, it is contemplated that the handle can also be utilized as handles for various other athletic devices as well as other athletic endeavors to confer the same or similar advantages as are described herein on such other athletic devices. For example, with minor changes in the means for affixing the disclosed handle to the working end of other athletic devices, the disclosed handle can be used for ice hockey, field, hockey, roller hockey, and the like.

While the present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design other than as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A handle for a lacrosse stick comprising

an elongate carbon fiber central core having a length extending substantially the entire length of said handle along a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end, said first end adapted to rigidly connect to a lacrosse head, said second end being opposite to said first end:

a layer of padding surrounding and affixed to said central core from said second end and extending substantially along the entire length of said central core, said first end of said central core protruding from said padding; and

adapter means rigidly affixed to said protruding first end of said central core, said adapter means having a cross-sectional shape and dimensions selected to rigidly engage an opening in said lacrosse head.

2. A handle, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said central core comprises carbon fiber elements selected from hollow tubes and solid rods.

3. A handle, as claimed in claim 2, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the carbon fiber elements is selected from circular, oval and polygonal shapes, and combinations thereof

4. A handle, as claimed in claim 2, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the tubes or rods has an overall height dimension and an overall width dimension and one of said overall height and width dimensions is greater than the other.

5. A handle, as claimed in claim 3, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the tubes or rods presents a roughly oval shape.

6. A handle, as claimed in claim 2, wherein said central core comprises two solid carbon rods rigidly affixed to each other in tangential relationship to create a figure eight configuration.

7. A handle, as claimed in claim 2, wherein said central core comprises two hollow tubular carbon rods rigidly affixed to each other in tangential relationship to create a figure eight configuration.

8. A handle, as claimed in claim 2, wherein said central core comprises a single solid oval rod.

9. A handle, as claimed in claim 2, wherein said central core comprises a single hollow tubular oval rod.

10. A handle, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said padding comprises strips of foam padding adhesively affixed to said central core.

11. A handle, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said padding comprises a tube of foam padding affixed to said central core.

12. A handle, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said padding comprises a foam selected from the group consisting of neoprene, nitrile, EPDM and silicone.

13. A handle, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said adapter means comprises a tubular sleeve rigidly attached to said protruding first end of said central core, said tubular sleeve having a cross-sectional shape and dimension matching a receiving opening in said lacrosse head.

14. A handle, as claimed in claim 13, wherein said tubular sleeve is rigidly attached to said protruding first end of said central core with an epoxy adhesive.

15. A handle, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said central core comprises carbon fiber elements selected from hollow tubes and solid rods, said padding comprises strips of foam padding or a tube of foam padding affixed to said central core, wherein said padding comprises a foam selected from the group consisting of neoprene, nitrile, EPDM and silicone, and wherein said adapter means comprises a tubular sleeve rigidly attached to said protruding first end of said central core, said tubular sleeve having a cross-sectional shape and dimension matching a receiving opening in said lacrosse head to facilitate easy insertion and to minimize twisting or turning of said lacrosse head relative to said handle.