Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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This invention relates in general to new and useful improve-
ments in lacrosse sticks. More particularly, it rela.tes to the construction
of an all plastic double-wall synthetic lacrosse stick head including a poc-
ket integrally molded with the walls of the head. A keeper~ strap to facili--
tate ball control can be positioned across the face of the head.
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Double-wall synthetic lacrosse sticks are described.in Tucker
et al, U.S. Patent No. 3,507,495. The in.troduction of double-wall synthe-
tic lacrosse sticks as defined by the Tucker et al patent has greatiy en- r
hanced the popularity of the game of lacrosse with the game becoming more
common in intramural and varsity sport programs of secondary schools ~~ i
. and colleges. This increased popularity is due primarily to the improved
feel, balance, and durability as well as uniformity and economy of manu-
facture of the double-wall synthetic sticks in comparison to the single-wall,
wooden and handmade lacrosse sticks used slnce ancient times. The intro-
duction of the meshed webbing construction for the pocket of the lacrosse .
stick described in Tucker et al, U.S.. Patent No. 3, 822, 062 has further
simplified the fabrication of lacrosse sticks and permits greater latitude
in modifications to individual play.
Although the above-noted construction of lacrosse sticks is ~,;
highly satisfactory as determined by the substantlally universal acceptance
of these sticks, it was recognized that the weakest area of the head of the
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lacrosse stick is th.lt area surroundin~ or adjacent to holes in the walls of
the hea(l Eor attachmellt or formation oL the web to or on the head. Al-
though breakage of the head as a result of tlle weakness in the arm of hole
formation is not substantiaL, in an effort to perfect or improve the stick
design the double-wall lacrosse sticks were constructed or molded with
tab means to wholly or in part eliminate the holes in the walls of the stick
used to attach or form the web or pocket of the stick. The provision of
the tab means eliminating the holes provided a stick having more uniform
- strength throughout the walls thereof; permitted more rapid attachment
or formation of the web to or on the stick head; and, surprisingly, depend-
ing on the tab formation and location, imparted improved play characteristics.
The present invention is directed to still further improve-
ments in the fabrication of lacrosse sticks and to improvements which are
intended still further to increase the popularity of the game, thus permitting
lacrosse programs in not only secondary school and college intramural and
varsity sport programs, but in elementary school sport and gym or physical
education programs.
By one aspect of this invention, a unitary head is provided
for a lacrosse stick comprising a generally V-shaped plastic molded from frame
comprising two side walls joined at a juncture and diverging therefrom and a
transverse wall joining the ends of said side walls opposite of said juncture,
and a plastic webbing integrally molded with said side walls and transverse
wall of said frame to form a pocket between and within said side walls and
transverse wall.
By another aspect of this invention, a unitary head is
provided for a lacrosse stick comprising a generally V-shaped plastic molded
frame comprising two side walls joined at a juncture and diverging thereform;
a transverse wall joining the ends of said side walls opposite of said juncture
and stop means spaced from said juncture, and a plastic webbing integrally
molded with said side walls, transverse wall, and stop means of said frame to
form a pocket between and within sald si(le walls, transverse wall, and stop
means.
By yet another aspect of this invention, a unitary head
is provided for a lacrosse stick comprising a generally V-shaped plastic
molded frame comprising two side walls joined at a juncture and diverging
therefrom; a transverse wal] joining the ends oE said side walls opposite
of said juncture, and pocket means between and within said side walls and
transverse wall; and a keeper strap positioned across the face of the
lacrosse stick constructed and arranged partially to enclose the pocket
formed by the juncture, side walls, and pocket means.
By a variant, the juncture is constructed and arranged
to removably receive a handle.
By another variant, the plastic is a polyurethane, especially
where the head is made by injection molding.
By other variants, the head includes a keeper strap
positioned across the face of the lacrosse stick constructed and arranged
to partially enclose the pocket formed by the juncture, side walls, and
; webbing which is either attached by snaps, or is integrally molded with the
unitary head.
According to one aspect of the present invention, an all
plastic head for a lacrosse stick is formed by integrally molding the frame
and pocket. The head comprises a generally V-shaped frame defined by two side
walls joined at a juncture and diverging therefrom, a transverse wall joining
the ends of the side walls opposite of the juncture, and a pocket integrally
molded with the frame. A handle is secured to the head at the juncture of
the side walls. The integrally molded head is advantageous in that -
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(a) it substanLiaLLy completely eliminates holes in the walls for
attachment o~ webbing or the like to form the pocket, thereby
substantially eliminating possible wealc areas;
(b) the pocket being integrally formed, substantially eliminates
the need, and thus the time required, to fabricate a pocket
by attaching string or mesh; and
(c) cost of manufacture is reduced in that the entire head is
molded in one continuous operation.
Surprisingly, play characteristics are not detrimentally affected and, in
fact, the unitary stick permits a high degree of flexibility of play.
More specifically, modification to play characteristics is
- obtained not only by the size or depth of the pocket, also capable of accom-
plishment with string and mesh, but by modification of the synthetic plastic
used in fabricating the head. By changing the polymeric material, the prop-
erties of the head can be adjusted in weight and from varying degrees of
rigidity to varying degrees of flexibility which, in turn, affects the play
characteristics and, more importantly, permits a wider latitude of play
conditions and surface areas. ~sually the more rigid heads are best chosen
; for play under normal field lacrosse conditions. Flexible heads, on the
other hand, are more suitable for indoor areas, i.e., in gymnasiums,
and are preferred for play with younger players where injury by being
struck with a stick is more of a danger. The integral molding permits
fabrication of sticks which are very light in weight, but still possess a high
degree of, and the necessary, strength. Flexibility of play, permitting
play by inexperienced players including the young player, is further en-
hanced by the inclusion of a keeper strap across the open face of the plastic
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head in Lhe vicinity of the jullcture. Tile keeper strap helps in the control
of the ball building confidence in the player.
~ ecause of the varying physical properties, including light-
ness, and also the reLative inexpensiveness of manufacture of the all plastic
lacrosse stick head, the game of lacrosse and variations therof can be greatly
expanded. As noted hereinbefore, prior to the introduction of double-wall
lacrosse sticks as disclosed in Tucker et al, U.S. Patent No. 3,507,495, the
game of lacrosse was largely limited to varsity sport programs of select
colleges. With the advent of the double-wall stick, the popularity of lacrosse
increased tremendously and expanded into varsity and intramural sport programs
of most colleges and a number of secondary schools. However, the game has
still not gained acceptance in many secondary schools or in most elementary
schools. It is believed this lack of acceptance has been largely due to the
initial cost of the stick and replacement cost of broken sticks, as well as
fear of injury to players as a result of being struck with a stick. As a
result of aspects of the present invention, however, the cost of the stick is
substantially reduced through integral molding of the head and safety of play
on varying surfaces is assured due to the varying physical characteristics
possible with the stick head. The unitary stick of aspects of the present
invention permits the game of lacrosse, or a modification thereof, to be
played in gym classes made up of even young children under indoor or outdoor
conditions. The use of light, shatterproof, plastic heads not only substantially
precludes possible injury, but substantially eliminates physical damage to
indoor, hardwood, or the like playing areas. Accordingly, through broad aspects
of this invention lacrosse is now available as a valuable tool to gym instructors
in teaching coordination, dexterity, and motor skills in general.
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The plastic or polymeric material which is to be used in ac-
cordance with the present invention is critical to the extent that it must
have as physical properties strength, tolJghness, abrasion resistance, as
well as the desired flexibility in the finished lacrosse stick. The materials
highly preferred are urethane elastomers made from reactants which arè
normally blended in the liquid state and cast or injected into suitable molds j -
where they are heated to produce the desired unitary lacrosse stick. These
urethane elastomers are preferably derived from polyester and/or polyether
glycols reac.ted with organic polyisocyanates and cured with low molecular
10 weight polyols or polyamines. For example, cast elastomèrs ba.sed on
poly(l, 4-oxybutylene)~lycol and toluene diisocyana.te react to form pre-
polymers containing isocyanate groups. The prepolymer is further cured
wlth an organic diamine, e.g., 4,4'methylene-bis-(2-chloroaniline) to
provide the final article. Preferred urethane elastomers are those mar-
keted under the ];i'.. I. duPont deNemours & Co. trademark SU:RLYN which
are ionomer res;ns and particularly those suitable for injection molding
e.g., SURLYN 1555 and 15~0. Others are manufactured by duPont under
the H~TREL trademark. ~dditionally, the polyu~ethane resins marketed
by duPont under the tracle:mark ADIPIIENE are particularly suitable for
cast molding in contra(3istinction to injection molding. These urethane
elastomers produce molded stick heads having the essential strength, tough-
ness, abrasion resistance, and flexibility essential for the sticks. More
specifically, stick heads are obtained with the polymeric material having k
a hardness on the Shore Durometer ranging from 20D to lOOD, i~.
and preferably from 50D to 77D; abrasion resistance based on
the National Bureau of Standards Index of from 250 to 550, and
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preferably fron~ ~00 to 50U; irnpact resistance basecl on the
American Society of Testin~ Materials (A';TM) D256-56, method A;
notched Izod of from 7 to ~2, and preferably from 10 to
20; and a resiliency (rebo~md Bashore) percentage of from ''0
to 55, and preferably from ~L0 to 50 percent,
In addition to the e~cellent physical properties imparted to
the integral sticl; heads by the urethatle elastomer, the ability to utilize
liquid casting techniqlles c-nd/or injection molding depending upon the resin
selected makes the urFthanes particularly advantageous. In one pref0rred
process a two-piece mo]d mac3e fro~l a solid itnperviou.s material, e.g.,
a solid urethane elastomer is Eilled thrnugh a fill hole in the mold with a
liquid urethane elastomer, e.g., ADIPE~ENE L-315J a urethane elastomer
marketed by duPont as a prepolymer based on poly(1, 4-oxybutylene)glycol
and toluene diisocyanate (100 parts) and 4,4'methylene-bis-(2-chloroaniline) ~,,
(26 parts) after a thorough mi}~ing and addition of pigment~ if desired. The
filling preferably is accomplished within a short period, for e~ample 15 to
20 seconds, to avoid undue viscosity build-up. The mold is then moved into
a heating chamber and held at 100 C. for 15 to 2Q minutes. During this
period the liquid urethane components gel into a rubbery- solid having sufEi-
''0 cient tenacity and fle~ibility that the stick being molded can be demolded
easily beEore the polymer has attained its maximum hardness. In this man- ~9
ner not only is the demolding facilitated, but the molding cycle is shortened
which enables greater and more efficient use of the molds. Thereafter the
article is further cured at 100 C. for hvo to three hours to ensure complete
cure and optimurn properties. As will be apparent to one skilled in the r
molding art, the temperatures are not criticaland depend to a large e~ctent
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UpOIl the particular polymers used.
In an alternative preferred process, the integrally formed
lacrosse stick head is formed by injection molding a suitable resin into a
mold using conventional injection molding techniques.
Although the urethane polymers are preferred, it is possible
to use other polymers including polyethylene and polypropylene resins, or
a combination of resins, The essential feature is to obtain the necessary
strength, abrasion resistance, hardness, and flexibility as noted hereinbefore.
In the drawing, where like parts of the various embodiments
are designated by like numerals,
FIGURE 1 is a view from the open face of a lacrosse stick
according to one aspect of this invention showing
the handle partly broken away;
FIGURE 2 is a side view of the integrally molded head only;
FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIGURE l;
FIGURE 4 is a top, rear view of a second embodiment of the
lacrosse stick according to another aspect of this
invention;
FIGURE 5 is a top view of the stick of FIGURE 1, including
a keeper strap used in another aspect of this
invention;
FIGURE 6 is a fragmented view of the stick of FIGURE 1
showing a second embodiment of the keeper strap
used in another aspect of this invention;
FIGURE 7 is a fragmented view of the stick of FIGURE 4
showing still another embodiment of the keeper
strap used in another aspect of this invention; and
FIGURE 8 is a view from the open face of a lacrosse stick of
the design shown in U.S. Patent No. 3,822,062
illustrating the use of a keeper strap.
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Referring to the various views, head 10 comprises side
walls 12 and 14 joined at juncture 16 ancl a transverse wall 18 connecting
the side walls at the end opposite of the juncture. In the design shown,
stop means
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20 is spaced from juncture 16 toward transverse wall 1~3. A plastic web-
bing or mesh 22 is inlegrally molded with and corlnected to the side and
transverse walls and to stop means 20 to form a pocket to, in cooperation
with the side walls, transverse wall, and stop means, receive and hold a
ball and to control the throwing oL the ball. The drawing which is on sub-
stantially a 0~ 5 to 1 scale establishes a preferred ratio and depth of pocket.
However, modification can be made and good play characteristics still
obtainable. For exarnple, for indoor play it may be desirable to use a
ball larger than the normal lacrosse ball~ Such balls may be of a flexible
polyurethane or like material, or hollow plastic. In such expediency it r--
may be desired to vary the depth of the pocket, or the like.
It is believed the ability to integrally mold the entire stick
head to provide the requisite properties, while obtaining good play charac-
teristics, is due to having stop means 20 forward of juncture 16. and inte-
grally and fixedly molding the stop means with the webbing or mesh in the ,.
formation of the pocket. This feature provides the essential properties
and permits the adequate control of the pocket means to permit accurate
and uninhibited play.
. FIGURES 5 - 7 illustrates the lacrosse stick head of one aspect of the pre-
20 sent invention showing keeper strap 30 positioned across the face of the
lacrosse stick. As shown in FIGURE 5, the keeper strap contains snap
buttons 32 on each extreme end of the strap. One end of the strap is passed
through webbing 22 around one of the first side walls, across the face of the
stick head, around the second of the side walls, and attached at the second
end to webbing 22. The keeper strap is so positioned as to protect and
partially cover the pocket of the sticls head forrrled by the juncture, stop, ,' ¦
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side walls, and webbing. Some latitude can be e~iercised in positioning
the keep~r strap depending upon the preEerence of the inc3ividual player.
Preferably, however, the keeper strap wil] be positioned substantially as
shown in E;IGUXE 5. FIGURE 6 illustrates a second embodiment as to the
manner o attaching the keeper strap. FIGURE 7 illustrates still a further
embodiment of the keeper strap. According to the embodiment of FIGURE 7,
a tab 36 is integrally molded on each side wall of the integrally molded plas-
tic head. Tab 36 has a lip 36a. A plastic strap 30 having an opening is
snapped onto tab 36, engaging lip 36a, and stretched across the face of the ~;
stick head and snapped in place on the opposite side wall. It is possible ac- r
cording to this embodiment to injection mold the keeper strap 30 along with
the entire head of the lacrosse stick using a weakened break-away design. ~-
It is also possible to integrally mold the keeper strap in place
as part of the stick head during the injection molding. If such expediency is
followed, the Iceeper strap will not be replaceable, but can be permanently
removed if desired after the player using the st;ck acquires the essential
skill and feels he no longer needs the keeper strap.
The preferred rnaterial of the strap if detachable is flexible
vinyl. It can be desirable to have the strap adjustable to conform to halls
of different size. ~,
FIGU~E 8 illustrates keeper strap 30 afflxed to the head of a ~r
lacrosse stick of the double wall design shown in U.S. Patent Nos. 3,507,495
and 3, 822, 062. According to FIGURE 7, the pocket is not integrally molded
with the double wall lacrosse stick, but is formed of mesh 38 attached after
formation of the head portion. The keeper strap in this embodiment is use- r
ful to facilitate an ine~perienced player accomplishing lacrosse skills.
Tht keeper strap has been found to contribute substantially ~;
to the control of the bal] used in the lacrosc,e game, thereby building the
confidence ol the inexperienced or young player. As is apparent, however,
in the event the player should decide that the 1seeper strap is not desirable
it can be readily removed. In the case of its being integrally molded, it
can be cut from the stick head using a knife or other suitable tool.
It will be apparent that various modifications can be made in
the inventive concept expressed herein. A particularly advantageous fea-
ture is having the juncture and stop means cooperate to receive and hold in
10 place a removable handle which rmay be of wood, plastic, or a light metal
e.g., a.luminum. However, it is possible to integrally mold the handle
and head in one operation. Moreover, as will be apparentJ the dimensions
of the side and transverse walls as well as the stop means can be varied
to meet r~articular applications.
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