Transitioning and nonlinear lacrosse stick handles

Abstract

An embodiment of the invention provides a monolithic lacrosse stick handle having a first portion, a second portion, and a transition portion disposed between the first and second portion. The first portion has a first cross-section of a first shape. The second portion has a second cross-section of a second shape. The second shape is different from the first shape. Over the transition portion, the cross-sectional shape of the handle transitions from the first shape to the second shape. The handle can be integrally formed from a malleable material. The handle can have varying cross-sectional areas (e.g., wall thicknesses) along its length. A further embodiment provides a lacrosse stick handle that changes in direction, rather than defining a single longitudinal axis as in traditional handles. The nonlinear handle can have, for example, a linear main portion, a curved intermediate portion, and a linear dowel portion.

Description

[0001]This application is a continuation-in-part of both U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 142,178, filed Jun. 19, 2008, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 944,955, filed Jun. 19, 2007, both of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.BACKGROUND[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates generally to lacrosse stick handles (also referred to as shafts), and more particularly, to a lacrosse stick handle that changes in direction and / or has a variable cross-section that transitions in shape, size, and / or area over the length of the handle.[0004]2. Background of the Invention[0005]Handling a lacrosse stick requires a player to hold and control a lacrosse stick handle in specific ways, with many different combinations of hand placement over the length of the handle. A lacrosse player constantly moves his hands along the handle in multiple positions.[0006]In executing game skills, lacrosse players must be able to gr...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015]One aspect of the present invention provides a lacrosse stick handle having a variable cross-section that transitions in shape, size, and / or area over the length of the handle. The different cross-sections can accommodate lacrosse-specific hand movements, in terms of how and where a player grips the handle and slides his hands while playing lacrosse. In addition, the different cross-sections can provide desired degrees of strength, rigidity, and durability at particular locations along the handle, especially by varying the wall thickness of the handle.

[0017]Another embodiment of the present invention also provides a lacrosse stick handle with at least two cross-sectional shapes. The first shape is an octagon that varies in dimension to provide an overall undulating contour to a lower portion of the handle, approximately from the middle of the handle to the butt end of the handle. The undulating contour accommodates the natural shape of a player's hand or fingers and improves grip and comfort. The second shape is a teardrop, provided throughout an upper portion of the handle, approximately from the middle of the handle to proximate the end of the handle that connects to the lacrosse head. The handle transitions between the octagonal undulating shape and the teardrop shape, for example, at about the midpoint of the handle, and can then transition again from the teardrop shape to the octagonal shape proximate to the end of the handle for insertion into a socket of the lacrosse head. The cross-sectional shape, length, and location of the octagonal and teardrop portions of the lacrosse stick handle accommodate the gripping, sliding, and carrying techniques unique to lacrosse. For example, the undulating lower portion enhances grip, while the teardrop portion permits hand sliding, which generally occurs at the upper portion of the handle when a player gets ready to pass or shoot.

[0020]In addition to linear angular canting, other embodiments can form curves or combinations of curves and linear angular cants. For example, according to one embodiment, a handle has a linear main portion, a curved intermediate portion, and a linear dowel portion. The curved intermediate portion, which is between the main portion and the dowel portion, offsets the dowel portion from the main portion so that the longitudinal axis of the dowel portion is at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the main portion. This linear-curved-linear configuration yields surprising benefits in comparison to handles that are curved their entire length and to canted handles having only linear sections (e.g., a handle having only a linear main portion and linear dowel portion). Those benefits relate to, for example, hand placement as it affects shooting and passing accuracy and consistency, better positioning of the ball further underneath the hands (when a stick is viewed from the side, with the axis of the main portion of the handle horizontal), and due to the linear dowel portion and the degree of the curve in the curved portion, the ability to accommodate most existing lacrosse heads while complying with commonly accepted lacrosse stick construction rules limiting the total allowable offset of a lacrosse head.

Problems solved by technology

Such rapid grip adjustments are sometimes difficult to execute on conventional handles, which tend to have largely uniform surfaces that do not cooperate with a player's hand.

In addition, the use of protective gloves can further frustrate a player's firm grip on the lacrosse stick shaft.

Although these gloves protect the outside of a player's hand, the layer of material between the shaft and the player's palm and fingers, no matter how tacky, reduces the player's feel for the shaft.

Additionally, moisture from, for example, inclement weather makes firm gripping difficult.

Although these minor adjustments may approximate a grip, it is difficult to build shapes out of the tape that complement finger placement and / or that increase the diameter of the handle to aid a player in using the required gripping force.

The tape can also add undesirable weight to the lacrosse stick.

Indeed, the tape is extremely susceptible to wearing, tattering, and falling off.

Contoured lacrosse stick handles made of composite materials formed by wrapping or lay-ups also exist, although such constructions can suffer from problems with durability (e.g., brittleness) and with feel or texture that hinders hand sliding.

At the same time, however, these offset designs can create difficulties in releasing the ball from the head, and can therefore hinder a player's ability to execute quick and accurate shots and passing.

For example, some offset designs can cause a ball to get caught up under the stop area of the lacrosse head.

In addition, some offset designs adversely affect or limit hand placement options.

Images