Lacrosse stick

Abstract

Lacrosse sticks have a head frame and a stem that share at least a common continuous exterior material so as to define a unitary structure. At least a distal end of the head frame is more flexible than the stem portion of the lacrosse stick.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates to lacrosse sticks. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] In the game of lacrosse, players use sticks to receive and shoot a ball. Lacrosse sticks generally include an elongated stem and a head portion. The player grips a handle located toward the butt end of the stem, and utilizes the head portion, which includes mesh, to receive and shoot the ball during play. [0003] Decades ago, some lacrosse sticks were manufactured as one-piece, integral wooden structures. Such sticks were not only difficult and costly to fabricate, but owing to their unitary mechanical properties, also limited the maneuvers that a player could execute. For example, the stiff wood, while necessary for handle strength, was poorly suited to the head portion; the lack of flexibility would, for example, limit the player's ability to scoop up the ball from the ground or make it more difficult for a player to receive a hard pass without feeling excessive vibrations. [...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006] The invention provides a novel lacrosse stick having a continuous stem and head frame. The stem of the lacrosse stick is stiffer than at least a distal end of the head frame and provides a player with a superior stick for the game of lacrosse. Because of its unitary structure, the lacrosse stick of the present invention is more durable than prior art devices. Moreover, because of the differential stiffness between the stem and head frame portions, a player will be able to scoop balls from the turf more easily, receive hard passes with comfort, and generate hard shots because of the whip like action of the stick.

[0009] In a different embodiment, the head frame and the stem are integrally continuous portions of a single mechanical structure. The head frame and stem may be integrally fabricated by injection molding. Also, the head frame may contain a progressively reduced amount of reinforcing material. Moreover, the combination of materials injected to form the stem may provide greater rigidity than materials injected to form the head frame.

Problems solved by technology

Such sticks were not only difficult and costly to fabricate, but owing to their unitary mechanical properties, also limited the maneuvers that a player could execute.

For example, the stiff wood, while necessary for handle strength, was poorly suited to the head portion; the lack of flexibility would, for example, limit the player's ability to scoop up the ball from the ground or make it more difficult for a player to receive a hard pass without feeling excessive vibrations.

One problem with such a construction is that the connection between the head frame and stem may loosen during play, compromising the player's ability to effectively control his stick.

Worse, in some instances the head frame may detach entirely from the stem.

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