Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
~ CA 02632640 2008-05-29
. r .
LACROSSE HEAD HAVING AN ERGONOMIC THROAT
[0001] This is a Provisional Patent Application filed for the invention by
Paul
Gait, residing at 5 Normandy Drive, Albany, NY 12009, a citizen of Canada,
entitled
"Lacrosse Head Having an Ergonomic Throat."
[0002] This Utility Patent Application claims benefit of previously filed
provisional patent application number 60/940,664 filed May 29, 2007 entitled
Lacrosse Head Having an Improved Throat.
[0003] All patents and publications described or discussed herein are hereby
incorporated by reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Technical Field
[0004] The present invention relates to a lacrosse head having an improved
throat for use with a lacrosse stick. More particularly the present invention
relates
to an improved throat of the lacrosse stick allowing a player to have better
grip and
tactile feel of the lacrosse stick and the lacrosse head wherein the stick
joins to the
socket of a lacrosse head. The invention also includes a strung lacrosse head
with
the improved throat used in conjunction with a lacrosse stick.
BACKGROUND OF THE ART
1
CA 02632640 2008-05-29
[0005] The lacrosse game originates with the American and Canadian Native
Americans. Traditionally, the lacrosse stick has a handle portion attached to
a head
with the head consisting generally of a frame and a pocket. It will be
appreciated
by those in ordinary skill in the art and a well constructed lacrosse head is
essential
in both the general play by and especially in success of participants of the
sport of
lacrosse. Generally the lacrosse head can be described as a basket that
attaches at
the end of the handle and is used to catch, transport, and deliver the ball as
desired.
The lacrosse head not only catches the ball and holds the ball during play,
but is
also used during defensive maneuvers and to obtain the ball during a face off.
As
such, the lacrosse head is subjected to both large and varying forces during
the
game resulting in the lacrosse heads typically formed of some type of plastic
material which is rigid although can slightly deform so as not to crack or
break
under the typical stresses experienced during participation in a lacrosse
game.
[0006] Many attempts have been made to design lacrosse head so they may
easily pick up balls and usually control balls better than the lacrosse heads
of the
prior art. Two examples of such heads are disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos.
5,935,026
and 5,651,549 issued to Dill et al. These two patents disclose a lacrosse head
in
which the majority of the head, all the head except the head proximal to the
throat
lies on a plane below the stick.
[0007] Another example of lacrosse head is disclosed in U.S. Patent No.
5,568,925. This patent discloses an upper and lower wall in which the upper
wall
2
CA 02632640 2008-05-29
= t
and lower wall curve away from the plane and have a curved base and then curve
back toward the plane.
[0005] Unfortunately, the prior art lacrosse heads do not provide features
and/or improvements for the holding of the lacrosse stick wherein the throat
is
designed to aid in holding the lacrosse stick. Furthermore, as the game of
lacrosse
has developed, players tend to hold the lacrosse stick with one hand and near
as
possible to the pocket containing the lacrosse ball with the players often
having
portions of their gloved hands contacting the lacrosse head of the lacrosse
stick. As
lacrosse, especially men's lacrosse, is a contact sport, adequate grip and
ability to
secure the lacrosse stick in the gloved hand is paramount so that the player
does
not lose the ball or combination ball and stick together upon moving or being
contacted by a defensive player. Furthermore, goalies tend to hold their
lacrosse
stick near the throat area so as to quickly able to respond and move the
enlarged
goalie lacrosse head and blocking shots.
[0009] What is desired therefore is a lacrosse head having an improved throat
which can provide better grip and/or holding by the lacrosse player. Indeed, a
combination of characteristics including a lacrosse head having an improved
throat
have been found to be necessary in improving the feel and holding of a
lacrosse stick
during the game of lacrosse. Also desired is a lacrosse head with an ergonomic
throat being attached to a lacrosse stick.
3
CA 02632640 2008-05-29
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention provides an ergonomic throat for lacrosse head
which is uniquely capable of being easily held and providing better feel of
the
lacrosse stick.
[0011] More particularly, the inventive throat may be substantially shortened
so that a player may hold more closely to the connection point between the
throat of
a lacrosse head and the lacrosse stick which engages the throat. Furthermore,
the
throat may have a comfort grip including an ergonomic design so that a player
may
hold closely to the throat and/or over the throat with specific indentations
for the
fingers of the player.
[0012] The inventive throat for lacrosse head may be shortened to provide a
closer grip to the pocket area of the lacrosse stick or in further embodiments
may
include ridges so that a player may hold closely at the head of the lacrosse
stick and
maintain a secure grip. In yet in further embodiments, the throat for the
lacrosse
head may include an extension for gripping a lacrosse stick. In some head
designs
having the inventive throat, an ergonomic extension may be removably
attachable
to the lacrosse head and/or lacrosse stick.
[0013] Advantageously, the ergonomic throat for a lacrosse head may be
molded with the initial molding of the head to create an ergonomic throat
wherein a
4
CA 02632640 2008-05-29
player may maintain greater control, comfort, or grasp of the stick during the
stresses imparted during the play of lacrosse.
[0014] An object of the invention therefore is an ergonomic throat for
lacrosse
head which enables it to be more comfortable to hold.
[0015] Another object of the invention is an ergonomic d throat for lacrosse
head having a shortened comfort grip.
[0016] Still another object of the invention is an ergonomic throat for
lacrosse
head having indentations for at least one finger.
[0017] Yet another object of the invention is an ergonomic throat for lacrosse
stick providing for multiple indentions for the fingers of the player so that
a player
might grasp the lacrosse at the throat close to the pocket.
[0018] Still another object of the invention is an ergonomic throat for a
lacrosse stick including an extension to aid in gripping the lacrosse stick
near the
throat of the lacrosse head.
[0019] Another object of the invention is an ergonomic throat for a lacrosse
head including an extension which may be removably attachable to the lacrosse
head and/or stick.
CA 02632640 2008-05-29
[0020] These aspects and others that will become apparent to the artisan
upon review of the following description can be accomplished by providing an
ergonomic throat for a lacrosse head which attaches to a lacrosse stick to
improve
the playability of the lacrosse head and stick combination.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
j0021] Fig. 1 is an illustration of an embodiment of a goalie lacrosse head
having an ergonomic throat.
[0022] Fig. 2 is an illustration of the embodiment of Fig. 1 from a close-up
view.
[0023] Fig. 3 is an illustration of the embodiment of Fig. 1 from a side view.
[0024] Fig. 4 is an illustration of a lacrosse head having an embodiment of
the
ergonomic throat of the present invention.
[0025] Fig. 5 is an illustration of the embodiment of Fig. 4 from a rear view.
[0026] Fig. 6 is an illustration of the embodiment of Fig. 4 from a side view.
[0027] Fig. 7 is an illustration of a lacrosse head having the ergonomic
throat
of the present invention.
[0028] Fig. 8 is an illustration of the embodiment of Fig. 7 from a rear view.
6
CA 02632640 2008-05-29
[0029] Fig. 9 is an illustration of the embodiment of Fig. 7 from a side view.
[0030] Fig. 10 is an illustration of an embodiment of the present invention
having an attachable ergonomic extension.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0031] Referring now to Figs. 1-10, there are shown multiple embodiments of
lacrosse heads having an ergonomic throat. Generally, lacrosse heads are made
of a
polymer-type material including plastic, nylons, and are preferably molded. In
multiple embodiments, the ergonomic throat is molded with the molding of the
lacrosse head, whereas in other embodiments, the ergonomic portion may be
molded
separately.
[0032] Referring now to Figs. 1-3, there is shown generally at 10 an
embodiment of a lacrosse head having ergonomic throat 12. Additionally,
lacrosse
head 10 includes sides walls 14 and 16, and scoop 18, with the embodiment
picture
in Figs. 1-3 preferably used by a goalie. Ergonomic throat 12 includes handle
receiving section 20 for the attachment of a handle thereto.
[0033] Ergonomic throat 12 of lacrosse head 10 as embodied in Figs. 1-3,
includes a shorter length with contour 22 and ergonomic ridge 24 so that a
player
may grip closely to throat 12 and have his or her hand comfortingly
surrounding
both the lacrosse stick (shaft not shown) and a portion of ergonomic throat
12.
7
CA 02632640 2008-05-29
Advantageously, ergonomic throat 12 is shorter than throats of the prior art,
thus
allowing players to maintain their hands in a position more near lacrosse head
10,
and thus, have greater control. Furthermore, ergonomic throat 12 with both a
contour and ergonomic ridge provide a shape allowing a player to grip high on
a
complete lacrosse stick without the player's hands sliding into the pocket
area of the
lacrosse head. Preferably, as embodied in Figs. 1-3, ergonomic throat 12
includes
contoured surface 22 which is concaved leading to ergonomic ridge 24. As such,
with the shortened grip and single ergonomic ridge combined with the concave
nature of the throat, a user may grasp closely on the surface of the improved
throat
while maintaining great control of a lacrosse stick while manipulating the
lacrosse
head and will be substantially precludes from sliding upward on the lacrosse
head
by the ergonomic ridge.
[0034] Most often, improved throat 12 providing for the shortened grip, is
molded with the lacrosse head during the molding of the lacrosse head. As
such, the
ergonomic throat may be described as an integral part of lacrosse head in this
embodiment and is essentially fixed to the lacrosse head.
[0035] Referring now to Figs. 4-6, there is at numeral 10 a second
embodiment of a lacrosse head having ergonomic throat 12. In this embodiment,
throat 12 is not shorted as previously discussed with Figs. 1-3 but rather
includes
multiple ergonomic ridges 24 and contoured surfaces 22 so that a player may
closely
8
CA 02632640 2008-05-29
grip lacrosse head 10 with their fingers following within the ridges and
contours on
ergonomic throat 12.
[0036] Preferably, ergonomic throat 12 as embodied in Figs. 4-6, has an about
even length with throat termination point 26 which is about even when
comparing
the front of ergonomic throat 12 and the back of ergonomic throat 12. More
specifically, the back of ergonomic throat 12, as illustrated, may include two
ergonomic ridges 24 and two contoured surfaces 22 so that a player may closely
grip
lacrosse head 10 with their first and second fingers within the ridges and on
the
contours of the ergonomic throat.
[0037] The use of multiple contour surfaces 22 and ergonomic ridges 24 allows
a player to closely hold and maintain a grip upon lacrosse head 10 and
furthermore
may provide many beneficial features during game play. While not illustrated,
a
player may grasp the head attached to his stick with one hand with their
gloved
fingers over contoured surfaces 22 and maintain a better grip than of the
prior art
lacrosse heads with throats not having a contoured surface or ergonomic
ridges. In
further embodiments not illustrated, there may be a greater or lesser series
of
ergonomic ridges and contoured surfaces so that the ergonomic throat area
corresponds to more than two fingers for grasping. Furthermore, the ridges and
contours may span to the front of the throat.
[0038] Referring now to Figs. 7-9, there is at numeral 10 a lacrosse head
having further embodiments of ergonomic throat 12. As is illustrated, throat
9
CA 02632640 2008-05-29
extension 18 extends beyond throat termination point 26 and further provides
for
an improved area for grasping by a user. In this embodiment, ergonomic throat
12
includes three ridges 24 as well as multiple contoured surfaces 22 and may
include
more or less ridges in further embodiments. More specifically, ergonomic
throat 12
of the embodiment as illustrated in Figs. 7-9, generally includes two
ergonomic
ridges on extension 18 and one ergonomic ridge above throat termination point
26
so that a user may grasp up high on lacrosse head 10 when attached to a shaft
(not
shown). In further embodiments, extension 18 may be longer or shorter and
include
varying amounts of contours or ergonomic ridges, and furthermore, may comprise
a
design to encompass a greater portion of an attached lacrosse stick.
Generally, as
embodied in Figs. 7-9, extension 18 is substantially about at the rear of
ergonomic
throat 12 and does not extend around to cover either the sides or the front of
an
attached stick.
[0039] Extension 18 includes interior surface 25 which may be contoured to
the exterior shape of a lacrosse shaft. In additional embodiments as
illustrated in
Fig. 10, extension 18 may be removably attachable and can snap into position
about
an attached lacrosse shaft (not shown) or alternatively connect to throat 12.
In
further embodiments not illustrated, extension 18 may be a two piece extension
to
fit about the perimeter of a lacrosse shaft. Additionally, the extension could
also be
of a one piece design with an opening to fit a lacrosse shaft there through.
CA 02632640 2008-05-29
[0040] Advantageously, removable extension 18 as embodied in Fig. 10, may
provide a user with the option of including throat extension 18 with a
completed
lacrosse stick so as to better tailor the features of a lacrosse stick to the
user's
preferences. Yet further, removable ergonomic extension 18 may be of a larger
or
smaller size and may encompass a greater surface area of an attached lacrosse
shaft
spanning from the rear of the shaft and possibly including the sides or a
portion of
the front.
[0041] The use of these embodiments for the ergonomic throat for lacrosse
stick provide better tactile feel control and maneuvering of the lacrosse head
as
required by the fast pace of lacrosse. As such, this present invention
provides an
invaluable feature as a player can only perform as fast as they can manipulate
a
lacrosse stick.
[0042] Accordingly, by the practice of the present invention, an improved
throat for lacrosse head having unrecognized characteristics is created. The
improved throat for lacrosse head provides for greater control and
maneuverability
of the lacrosse head resulting in improved performance during game play.
[0043] The disclosure of all cited patents and publications referred to in
this
application are incorporated herein by reference.
[0044] The above description is intended to enable the person skilled in the
art to practice the invention. It is not intended to detail all the possible
variations
11
CA 02632640 2008-05-29
and modifications that are apparent to the skilled worker upon reading the
description. It is intended, however, that all such modifications and
variations be
included within the scope of the invention that is defined by the following
claims.
The claims are intended to cover the indicated elements and steps that any
arrangement or sequence that is effective to meet the objectives intended for
the
invention, unless the context specifically indicate the contrary.
12
