US20060160640A1

US20060160640A1 - Two piece lacrosse stick head

Info

Publication number: US20060160640A1
Application number: US11/036,115
Authority: US
Inventors: Kevin Rettberg
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-01-14
Filing date: 2005-01-14
Publication date: 2006-07-20

Abstract

A head for use with a lacrosse stick and a lacrosse pocket. The head comprises a first member having a first predetermined shape, such first member having a pair of opposing side walls which have a first end of the pair of opposing side walls joined at a juncture and diverging therefrom and a traverse wall joining a second end of the opposing pair of said side walls opposite the juncture. A socket member is disposed at the juncture end of the first member for engaging a handle of such lacrosse stick. There is a second member having a second predetermined shape, such second predetermined shape being complementary to the first predetermined shape. The second member being removably engageable with the first member. A plurality of apertures are disposed around an upper surface of an inner periphery of the second member for engagement with a pocket member. There is a first means disposed at a juncture end of the second member for securing the second member to the socket member and a second means engageable with the socket member for securing the first member to such handle of such lacrosse stick.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to a lacrosse stick head, and, more particularly, the present invention relates to a stick head which is made up of two separate pieces.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Lacrosse was one of the many varieties of stickball games being played by American Indians at the time of European contact. The game was distinguished from the others, such as field hockey or shinny, by the use of a netted racquet with which to pick the ball off the ground, throw, catch and convey the ball into or past a goal to score a point. From these simple beginnings the sport of lacrosse has grown tremendously.
The ancient sport has survived centuries of change and development with very little changes to either the equipment or the rules. It is still played with a stick with a head at the end of the stick having a net affixed thereto. The stick has undergone development from wood to laminated wood, synthetic material and even metals like titanium or aluminum. The crosse or lacrosse stick has a shaped net pocket at the end. The pocket has to meet certain size restrictions. There are various shaped net pockets that are used for different applications. For example, there is a pita pocket that works best for attack men and middies who like lots of whip and need ball control. Other typical pockets are corner pockets, hard mesh pockets, perfect pockets, 9-piece mesh pockets and goalie pockets. Each of these pockets provide a different advantage. Some have little whip, others are good for playing in wet conditions, others have no whip and hold the ball tightly in one spot in the pocket.
Generally, the pocket is affixed to the lacrosse head by means of laces that fit through openings in the lacrosse head and secure the pocket to the head. The lacing of a pocket to the lacrosse head generally requires considerable time. Thus, many lacrosse players own several sticks which have different pockets attached to the heads of the sticks so as to be ready to use a different pocket when necessary. Since sticks and heads are relatively expensive players can have hundreds and hundreds of dollars invested in different sticks which can make the sport a rather expensive sport in which to participate. Prior to the conception and development of the present invention the above usage of multiple sticks and heads was quite a common and expensive practice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a head for use with a lacrosse stick and a lacrosse pocket. The head comprises a first member having a first predetermined shape, such first member having a pair of opposing side walls which have a first end of the pair of opposing side walls joined at a juncture and diverging therefrom and a traverse wall joining a second end of the opposing pair of said side walls opposite the juncture. A socket member is disposed at the juncture end of the first member for engaging a handle of such lacrosse stick. There is a second member having a second predetermined shape, such second predetermined shape being complementary to the first predetermined shape. The second member being removably engageable with the first member. A plurality of apertures are disposed around an upper surface of an inner periphery of the second member for engagement with a pocket member. There is a first means disposed at a juncture end of the second member for securing the second member to the socket member and a second means engageable with the socket member for securing the first member to such handle of such lacrosse stick.
In an alternate embodiment of the invention there is a removable member engageable with a stationary member attached to a lacrosse stick, such stationary member having a predetermined shape, such predetermined shape including a pair of opposing side walls having a first end of each of such pair of opposing side walls joined at a juncture and diverging therefrom and a substantially traverse wall joining a second end of such each of such pair of opposing side walls opposite such juncture. The removable member having a predetermined shape which is complementary to the predetermined shape of such stationary member. The removable member comprises a pair of opposing side walls having a first end of each of the pair of opposing side walls joined at a juncture and diverging therefrom and a substantially traverse wall joining a second end of each of the pair of such opposing side walls opposite the juncture. There are a plurality of apertures disposed around an upper surface of an inner periphery of the removable member for engaging a pocket member to the removable member and a means disposed at the juncture end of the removable member for securing the removable member to such stationary member.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide a lacrosse stick head which is comprised of two parts, a first part and a second part.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a lacrosse stick head in which different pockets can be attached to different first parts which can be interchanged with the same second part which connects to the stick.
Yet, another object of the present invention is to provide a lacrosse head comprised of two parts in which the changing of the firs part is done quickly and with a minimum of effort.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a lacrosse head comprised of two parts which is economically feasible.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a lacrosse head comprised of two parts which can be adapted to be used with present sticks.
In addition to the various objects and advantages of the invention which have been described in some specific detail above it should be noted that various other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevant art from the following more detailed description, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing Figures and with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of one of the members of the two piece lacrosse stick head according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view of the part of the lacrosse stick head shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the other member of the two piece lacrosse stick head according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 4 is a side view of the part of the lacrosse stick head shown in FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the two piece lacrosse stick head with the two pieces joined together.
FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of the two piece stick head with the two pieces joined together shown in FIG. 5 with the head turned over.
FIG. 7 is a side view of the two piece stick head with the two pieces joined together as shown in FIG. 5.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the invention, it should be noted that identical components having identical functions have been designated with identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawings for the sake of clarity.
Now reference is made, more particularly, to the drawing Figures. The present invention provides a head, generally designated 10, for use with a lacrosse stick (not shown) and a lacrosse pocket (not shown). The head 10 comprises a first member, generally designated 20, having a first predetermined shape. Such first member 20 has a pair of opposing sidewalls 2,4 which have a first end of the pair of opposing sidewalls 2,4 joined at a juncture end 6 and diverging therefrom and a traverse wall 8 joining a second end of the opposing pair of said sidewalls 2,4 opposite the juncture 6. A socket member 12 is disposed at the juncture 6 end of the first member 20 for engaging a handle of such lacrosse stick. This is evident in FIGS. 5 and 6.
There is a second member, generally designated 30, having a second predetermined shape. Such second predetermined shape being complementary to the first predetermined shape. Such second member 30 having a pair of opposing sidewalls 42,44 which have a first end of the opposing sidewalls 41,44 joined a juncture end 46 and diverging therefrom and a traverse wall 48 joining the second end of the opposing pair of sidewalls 42,44, opposite the juncture 46. The second member 30 being removably engageable with the first member 20.
Such sidewalls 2,4 of first member 20 have a plurality of alternating indentations 14 and projections 16. The predetermined shape of the second member 30, which as stated previously is complementary to the first predetermined shape, includes a pair of sidewalls 42,44 having a plurality of alternating projections 26 and indentations 28. The projections 26 of the second member 30 engage the indentations 14 of the first member 20 and the indentations 28 of such second member 30 engage the projections 16 of the first member 20 for securing the second member 30 to the first member 20.
The projections 16 formed on the pair of sidewalls 2,4 of the first member 20 have an aperture 18 formed therein. The projections 26 formed on the pair of sidewalls 42,44 of the second member 30 have an aperture 32 disposed therein.
The predetermined shape of the first member 20 further includes a lip portion 7 interconnecting the pair of sidewalls 2,4 on an upper surface of an inner periphery of the traverse wall 8 opposite the juncture end 6.
AS is evident from the drawing Figures second member 30 fits securely into first member 20 with the projections of one member interlocking with the indentations of the other member and vice versa. The lip portion 7 of such first member 20 fits over the traverse end of the second member 30 holding it firmly in place. The second member 30 cannot move forward since it is locked in place by the lip portion 7 of the first member 10 and the interlocking projections and indentations. Further, such second member 30 has a first means, generally designated 40, disposed at a juncture end 46 of the second member 30 for securing the second member 30 to the socket member 12. There is further a second means, generally designated 50, engageable with the socket member 12 for securing the first member 20 to such handle of such lacrosse stick. Such first means 40 includes a tab member 36 formed on such second member 30 for engaging the socket member 12 for securing the second member 30 to the first member 20. Such tab member 36 further includes a screw hole 38 for attaching the second member 30 to the first member 20.
Such socket member 12 is affixed to the lacrosse stick handle by means of a screw 39 and such tab member 36 is attached to the socket member 12 and the lacrosse stick handle by such screw 39.
The predetermined shape of the second member 30 includes a lip portion 25 around an upper surface of an inner periphery of the second member 30. There are a plurality of apertures 34 disposed on the lip portion 25 of the second member 30 for engagement with such pocket. The pocket is, thus, secured to the second member 30 by tying it to the apertures 32 in the second member 30.
Thus, when first member 20 is attached to the handle or stick portion of the lacrosse stick and first member 30 with a pocket attached to such first member 30 is firmly secured in place in such first member 30, the lacrosse stick is ready for use. Such second member 30 is held securely in place with the interlocking indentations and apertures on the sidewalls. Further, the lip 7 on first member 20 holds the second member 30 securely in place on the forward end of the head and the screw attachment through the tab on the stick end of the head prevents the head from moving in a rear ward direction. The two piece stick head is held very securely with no danger of coming apart during use.
If a player wishes to change pockets because of different conditions, playing a different position or whatever, all he has to do is remove second member 30 from the head with the pocket attached thereto and replace it with another second member 30 with a different pocket attached to it. The player is ready with a different pocket in place in minutes rather than the prolonged time it takes to restring the head with a different pocket. Of course the player could have another stick or several sticks available with heads attached with different pockets; however, this becomes quite expensive to keep two or more sticks available with different pockets disposed on the heads of those sticks.
The player utilizing the present invention would only require one stick with a first member attached and several second members having different pockets installed thereon. Thus, the player could remove the second member with the pocket attached and replace it with a different second member with a different pocket attached and be ready with a different pocket in minutes. The player could change to whichever pocket he desires quickly and efficiently without the need for multiple sticks.
In an alternate embodiment of the invention there is a removable member 30 engageable with a stationary member 30 attached to a lacrosse stick. The stationary member 20 has a predetermined shape which includes a pair of opposing side walls 2,4 having a first end of each of such pair of opposing side walls 2,4 joined at a juncture 6 and diverging therefrom and a substantially traverse wall 8 joining a second end of such each of such pair of opposing side walls 2,4 opposite such juncture 6. The removable member 30 has a predetermined shape which is complementary to the predetermined shape of such stationary member 20. The removable member 30 comprises a pair of opposing side walls 42,44 having a first end of each of the pair of opposing side walls 42,44 joined at a juncture 46 and diverging therefrom and a substantially traverse wall 48 joining a second end of each of the pair of such opposing side walls 42,44 opposite the juncture 46. There are a plurality of apertures 32 disposed around an upper surface of an inner periphery of the removable member 30 for engaging a pocket member (not shown) to the removable member 30 and a means 40 disposed at the juncture end 46 of the removable member 30 for securing the removable member 30 to such stationary member 20.
While a presently preferred embodiment and alternate embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, it should be understood that various other adaptations and/or modifications of the invention can be made by those persons who are particularly skilled in the art without departing from either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A head for use with a lacrosse stick and a lacrosse pocket, said head comprising:

(a) a first member having a first predetermined shape, said first member having a pair of opposing side walls having a first end of each of said pair of opposing side walls joined at a juncture and diverging therefrom and a substantially traverse wall joining a second end of said each of said pair of said opposing side walls opposite said juncture;

(b) a socket member disposed at said juncture end of said first member for engaging a handle of such lacrosse stick;

(c) a second member having a second predetermined shape, said second predetermined shape being complementary to said first predetermined shape, said second member being removably engageable with said first member;

(d) a plurality of apertures disposed around an upper surface of an inner periphery of said second member for engaging a pocket member to said second member;

(e) a first means disposed at a juncture end of said second member for securing said second member to said socket member; and

(f) a second means engageable with said socket member for securing said first member to such handle of such lacrosse stick.

2. The head, according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined shape of said first member includes said pair of sidewalls having a plurality of alternating indentations and projections.

3. The head, according to claim 2, wherein said predetermined shape of said second member includes a pair of sidewalls having a plurality of alternating projections and indentations wherein said projections of said second member engage said indentations of said first member and said indentations of said second member engage said projections of said first member for securing said second member to said first member.

4. The head, according to claim 2, wherein said projections formed on said pair of sidewalls of said first member have an aperture formed therein.

5. The head, according to claim 3, wherein said projections formed on said pair of sidewalls of said second member have an aperture disposed therein.

6. The head, according to claim 2, wherein said predetermined shape of said first member further includes a lip portion interconnecting said pair of sidewalls on an upper surface of an inner periphery of said substantially traverse wall opposite said juncture.

7. The head, according to claim 2, wherein said predetermined shape of said second member includes a lip portion around an upper surface of an inner periphery of said second member.

8. The head, according to claim 7, wherein said plurality of apertures are disposed on said lip portion of said second member.

9. The head, according to claim 1, wherein said first means includes a tab member formed on said second member for engaging said socket member for securing said second member to said first member.

10. The head, according to claim 9, wherein said tab member further includes a screw hole for attaching said second member to said first member.

11. The head, according to claim 1, wherein said socket member is affixed to said lacrosse stick handle by means of a screw.

12. The head, according to claim 11, wherein said tab member is attached to said socket member and said lacrosse stick handle by said screw.

13. The head, according to claim 2, wherein said projections on said sidewalls of said first member are substantially arcuate.

14. The head, according to claim 3, wherein said indentations on said sidewalls of said second member are generally arcuate and have a shape designed to receive said projections of said first member.

15. The head, according to claim 1, wherein said first member and said second member are molded plastic.

16. The head, according to claim 4, wherein said apertures formed in said pair of sidewalls of said first member are designed to make said head more aerodynamic and for reducing weight of said head.

17. The head, according to claim 5, wherein said apertures formed in said pair of sidewalls of said second member are designed to make said head more aerodynamic and for reducing weight of said head.

18. A removable member engageable with a stationary member attached to a lacrosse stick, such stationary member having a predetermined shape, such predetermined shape including a pair of opposing side walls having a first end of each of such pair of opposing side walls joined at a juncture and diverging therefrom and a substantially traverse wall joining a second end of such each of such pair of opposing side walls opposite such juncture, said removable member having a predetermined shape, said predetermined shape of said removable member being complementary to said predetermined shape of such stationary member, said removable member comprising:

(a) a pair of opposing side walls having a first end of each of said pair of opposing side walls joined at a juncture and diverging therefrom and a substantially traverse wall joining a second end of said each of said pair of said opposing side walls opposite said juncture;

(b) a plurality of apertures disposed around an upper surface of an inner periphery of said removable member for engaging a pocket member to said removable member; and

(c) a means disposed at said juncture end of said removable member for securing said removable member to such stationary member.

19. The removable member, according to claim 18, wherein said means includes a tab member formed on said second member for engaging said socket member for securing said second member to said first member.

20. The removable member, according to claim 18, wherein said pair of sidewalls of said removable member having a plurality of alternating projections and indentations wherein said projections of said removable member engage indentations of such stationary member and said indentations of said removable member engage projections of such stationary member for securing said removable member to such stationary member.