Lacrosse Head Pocket Stringing with Integrated Attachment Members

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Solution Overview

Problem

The process of attaching and shaping a lacrosse stick pocket is time-consuming and requires complex stringing patterns, often necessitating instruction manuals and frequent adjustments due to material stretching and knot loosening, with additional stringing members increasing costs and wear.

Innovation Solution

A lacrosse head with strategically located attachment members, such as cleats and hooks, allows for direct and rapid attachment of a pocket without additional stringing members on the scoop or sidewalls, enabling intuitive 'plug and play' installation and varying pocket designs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional stringing members are used to attach and shape the pocket, then the pocket can be secured to the head and formed into a desired shape, but the process becomes time-consuming and requires complex stringing patterns with multiple steps and repeated adjustments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepocket installation processVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the attachment and shaping functions from the stringing members and transfers them to the attachment members integrated into the head. This eliminates the need for separate stringing members to perform these functions, simplifying the installation process and reducing time required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment members are pre-configured on the head in specific patterns and positions before pocket installation. This preliminary arrangement of attachment points eliminates the need for complex stringing patterns and repeated adjustments during installation, allowing for direct attachment and shaping.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If additional stringing members are used for pocket attachment, then the pocket can be secured, but the cost increases and additional components are subject to wear and failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepocket attachment durabilityVSAvoidmaterial cost and component wear

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the attachment and shaping functions into the head structure itself through integrated attachment members. This eliminates separate stringing members that would otherwise be needed, reducing the number of components subject to wear and failure while lowering material costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment members serve multiple functions: they secure the pocket to the head and simultaneously form the desired pocket shape. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional stringing members that would be required in conventional systems to achieve both attachment and shaping.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional stringing systems are used, then the pocket can be attached, but extensive stringing knowledge is required and frequent adjustments are needed to compensate for material stretching and knot loosening

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepocket configuration optionsVSAvoidstringing system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment members are designed to automatically maintain proper pocket tension and shape without requiring user adjustments. The integrated design compensates for material stretching and loosening inherently, eliminating the need for frequent manual adjustments that conventional systems require.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Ease of operation

If sidewall stringing holes are used in conventional systems, then the pocket can be attached, but these elements are the most difficult to navigate and require complicated stringing patterns

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepocket attachment processVSAvoidstringing navigation difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the difficult-to-navigate sidewall stringing holes from the system and replaces them with attachment members that protrude from the sidewalls. This extraction of the problematic feature eliminates the navigation difficulties while preserving the attachment function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of having holes that require threading stringing members through, the patent inverts the approach by having protruding attachment members that directly engage with the pocket. This reversal of the conventional approach eliminates the need to navigate through difficult-to-access holes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS11648447B2Lacrosse head pocket stringing systems and methods

Publication Date: 2023.05.16 WM T BURNETT IP LLC

AI summary

Embodiments provide a lacrosse head having a pocket stringing system that includes attachment members that allow for rapid, direct attachment of a pocket to the head. A lacrosse head may include cleats protruding from the sidewalls at a rearward portion of the pocket area nearest the juncture, sidewall hooks protruding from the sidewalls at a forward portion of the pocket area forward of the rearward portion, and scoop hooks protruding in the forward direction from the front face of the scoop. Each cleat may have a rearwardly-projecting arm and a forwardly-projecting arm. Each sidewall hook may have a rearwardly-projecting arm. A first scoop hook may tension a pocket toward a first sidewall hook on a first sidewall, and a second scoop hook may tension the pocket toward a second sidewall hook on a second sidewall, so as to form a ball channel in the pocket.