Lacrosse head to handle attachment

Abstract

A lacrosse head that enhances attachment and securement of the lacrosse head to a lacrosse handle can include an insert extending within a socket defined by a base of the head. The insert can include two or more expandable, resilient fingers that optionally are secured in a cantilevered manner to a bottom of the socket. The base and insert can be configured so that a fastener can be installed through at least one of the fingers to subsequently engage additional fingers, thereby moving the respective fingers radially outwardly to engage interior surfaces of the lacrosse handle and thereby secure the handle to the head.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to lacrosse equipment, and more particularly to a head to handle attachment system and related method.[0002]Most conventional lacrosse heads are manufactured so that they can be connected to a separately constructed lacrosse handle or shaft. The lacrosse heads typically include a screw hole molded into and defined by a throat of the lacrosse head. Most shafts come with one or two holes that are drilled in the end of the shaft. The shaft is sized and configured to be pushed into the throat. When the holes in the shaft and the head align, the installer can thread a screw through the holes with a tool to secure the head to the handle.[0003]Many times installation of the screw is difficult, particularly where the screw hole in the head does not align with the screw hole in the handle, or the screw size is mismatched to the holes. In such cases, the screw does not advance well into the holes, or there is slop between the scre...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]The current embodiments provide a head to handle attachment and method that consistently provides secure attachment of a lacrosse handle to a lacrosse head, and that is substantially resistant to loosening over time due to its advanced construction.

[0007]A lacrosse head is provided including a frame having a base, a scoop and sidewalls joining the base and scoop. The base defines a socket. An insert is disposed in the socket and includes first and second fingers separated by a gap there between. When a lacrosse shaft is disposed in the socket, the first and second fingers extend into the interior of the lacrosse shaft. A fastener is included to project through the base, a lacrosse shaft sidewall, and at least one of the fingers. The fastener enlarges the gap between the first and second fingers, generally pressing the first and second fingers against the interior of the lacrosse shaft and away from one another, thereby securely fastening the head to the lacrosse shaft.

[0013]In a further embodiment, the first and second lateral fingers can include first and second interior surfaces that generally face toward the gap and toward one another. These first and second interior surfaces can be disposed across from one another, across an insert longitudinal axis. When the fastener projects through the gap, the threads of the fastener and parts of the shaft can engage the first and second lateral surfaces, thereby moving the first and second lateral fingers away from one another. In so doing, the first and second lateral fingers engage the interior of the lacrosse shaft to further secure the shaft to the head.

[0014]In another embodiment the lacrosse head can include a base having an insert extending within a socket defined by the base. The insert can include two or more expandable, optionally resilient fingers. These fingers, optionally, can be secured in a cantilevered manner to a bottom of the socket. The base and insert can define respective holes. A fastener can be installed through one or more of the holes to engage at least one of the fingers, thereby moving the respective fingers outwardly from an insert longitudinal axis to engage one or more interior surfaces of the lacrosse handle. This can provide a more secure attachment of the head to the handle.

[0016]In still a further embodiment, a method is provided including: providing a lacrosse head defining a socket and having an insert disposed in the socket; positioning a lacrosse shaft in the socket, the lacrosse shaft defining an interior, the insert being disposed in the interior of the lacrosse shaft; advancing a fastener through respective holes in the base, shaft and finger as well as the gap, where the advancing causes the fastener to urge the first and second fingers to move away from one another, thereby engaging the first and second fingers against the interior of the lacrosse shaft to further secure the head to the shaft.

[0018]The current embodiments provide a simple and effective construction for attaching a lacrosse head to a lacrosse handle. With the construction, the head is secured to the handle not only via a fastener, but also via mechanically operated fingers that are moved and / or expanded after the shaft is disposed within the socket. This can facilitate ease in installing the shaft within the socket, and yet securely engage a portion of the head, that is, the insert fingers, against the interior of the shaft. Accordingly, the head to handle attachment can provide a secure connection and can prevent excessive wobble between the head and handle during the life of the same.

Problems solved by technology

Many times installation of the screw is difficult, particularly where the screw hole in the head does not align with the screw hole in the handle, or the screw size is mismatched to the holes.

In such cases, the screw does not advance well into the holes, or there is slop between the screw and the respective holes.

Depending on the skill of the installer, the resulting attachment of the head to the handle can be loose at first and can loosen further over time.

This creates a poor head to handle attachment, which results in head wobble and / or instability of the head relative to the shaft.

In turn, this can be a significant detriment to the use of a lacrosse stick in play.

Over time, however, depending on the materials of the head, the vigor of play with the lacrosse stick, or other factors, the head to handle attachment can loosen.

This, in turn, also results in head wobble and / or instability at the head to handle attachment.

Commonly, this results in stripping the hole defined by the handle with the screw so that the handle is compromised and either has to be replaced or another hole has to be drilled into the handle at another location to attach the head to the handle.

Further, a loose attachment between a head and a handle can result in noise, vibration in the handle, a cheap feel and other frustrations to the player.

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