Games using tangible projectile – Player-held device for both projecting and catching aerial... – Both projector and catcher are pocketed
Reexamination Certificate
2003-01-16
2003-11-04
Sewell, Paul T. (Department: 3711)
Games using tangible projectile
Player-held device for both projecting and catching aerial...
Both projector and catcher are pocketed
Reexamination Certificate
active
06641492
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to lacrosse sticks, and more particularly, to a lacrosse stick having stop member thong holes and a lace lock adapted to lock thongs in place under a desired tension and in a favorable alignment, and to a method for locking the thongs in place.
2. Background of the Invention
One of the most vital components of a lacrosse stick is the lace system that forms the pocket. This pocket contributes to the overall performance of a lacrosse stick, especially with regard to ball handling. A lacrosse player relies on the feel and accuracy of the lace system for such skills as catching the ball, carrying and protecting the ball, cradling the ball, and throwing the ball. Further, a lacrosse player needs a lace system to dependably retain its characteristics during play, so that the lacrosse stick delivers superior, consistent performance even when exposed to the typical abuses of competition, such as harsh impacts, flexing, and inclement weather.
FIG. 1
illustrates a front view of a conventional molded head lacrosse stick. As shown, lacrosse stick
100
comprises a handle
102
shown in dotted lines, and a synthetic head
104
. As used herein, “stick” refers to a complete sports apparatus, of which the head and the handle are components. Head
104
comprises a generally V-shaped frame having a core area (also referred to as a throat area)
106
, sidewalls
108
and
110
, a scoop (or transverse wall)
112
joining the sidewalls at the end opposed to core area
106
, and a stop member
114
joining sidewalls
108
and
110
at the end nearest core area
106
. As shown, handle
102
fits into and through core area
106
, and abuts stop member
114
. Typically, a screw or other fastener placed through opening
107
secures handle
102
to head
104
.
For traditionally-strung pockets, four or five thongs (not shown) made of leather or synthetic material extend from upper thong holes
116
in scoop
112
to stop member thong holes
118
in stop member
114
.
FIG. 1
shows four pairs of thong holes that accept four thongs. To complete the pocket web, the thongs have nylon strings threaded around the thongs and string laced through string holes
120
in sidewalls
108
and
110
, forming eight to twelve diamonds (crosslacing). Finally, one or more throwing or shooting strings extend transversely between the upper portions of sidewalls
108
and
110
, attaching to throwing string hole
124
and a string laced through string hole
122
. The typical features of a lacrosse stick are all shown generally in Tucker et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,507,495 and Tucker et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,566,947, which are both incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.
Traditionally strung lacrosse heads use stop member thong holes
118
arranged substantially in a straight line through stop member
114
, in generally the same horizontal plane as the bottom of head
104
. The thongs extend from upper thong holes
116
of scoop
112
, where they are typically looped and fed back through themselves, to stop member thong holes
118
in stop member
114
. Because scoop
112
and stop member thong holes
118
are in the same plane, the thongs, when taut (e.g., for a women's lacrosse stick), and the entire pocket are in one plane, remaining essentially flat. When such a pocket catches a ball and brings the ball to rest against the stop, the round shape of the ball against the flat configuration of the pocket results in minimal surface contact between the pocket and the ball. This minimal contact reduces the lacrosse head's ability to hold and protect a ball as it lies against stop member
114
. Further, the small contact area between the pocket and the ball compromises a player's accuracy during a throwing motion, when the ball travels up the pocket to the throwing strings and out of the pocket. These deficiencies in conventional lace systems noticeably detract from a player's performance and enjoyment of the game.
Although most conventional lacrosse heads align stop member thong holes in a straight line, some stop member designs feature stop member thong holes with center holes that are higher than the holes closer to the sidewalls.
In addition to the undesirable effects of conventional stop member thong hole configurations, a related problem that further frustrates player's performance is the gradual loosening of the lace system of a pocket during play. Under United States Women's Lacrosse Rules, the combined height of the lacrosse head sidewall and pocket must not exceed 2½ inches, the diameter of a regulation lacrosse ball. Because a shallower pocket makes ball control more difficult, most players attempt to keep the combined height as close to 2½ inches as possible, without exceeding the allowable height. However, because thongs are typically made of a deformable material, most often leather, the thongs and entire pocket stretch under stress from impacts with and cradling of the ball.
Aware of the desire to maximize pocket depth and the effects of stretching, lacrosse umpires routinely conduct equipment checks before and during play, on their own initiative or at the request of an opponent. According to the rules, if a pocket is found not to meet specification during play, the umpire removes the stick from the game and places it at the scorer's table for the remainder of the half. The stick, once corrected, cannot return to play until the umpire re-inspects the stick prior to the start of the second half or overtime period. For a player with a special preference for a certain lacrosse stick, this penalty can be detrimental to the player's performance. In addition, the penalty of removing sticks burdens individual players and teams with having to stock additional spare sticks. Additionally, in the event that a goal is scored with a stick subsequently determined to be illegal, that goal is nullified.
The traditional methods for complying with the pocket rules while maximizing pocket depth have been quite basic. On a typical stick, the thongs extend 10-12 inches beyond stop member
114
to enable players to pull them to adjust the pocket tension. Players fasten the thongs by threading them through stop member thong holes
118
, tying them in knots around the back of stop member
114
, and then possibly tying all of the thongs together. To keep the thongs from flapping about during play, most players tape the exposed ends of the thongs or tape the entire length of the thongs beyond the throat to the stick handle. Such jury-rigged arrangements make quick adjustment of the thongs virtually impossible. Therefore, sticks found not to meet specification cannot be readily fixed and must be removed from the game and attended to on the sidelines.
Although United States Men's Lacrosse Rules place less emphasis on a straight pocket, management of the lace system during play is still a concern. Men's rules permit a pocket depth of up to 2½ inches, below a sidewall that is up to 2 inches high. According to the traditional test, when looking horizontally at the sidewall of the men's lacrosse stick with a regulation ball inside the pocket, the sidewall must obstruct the view of at least a portion of the ball. (The total height of the sidewall and pocket must not exceed 4½ inches.) Thus, although the tension of the thongs is less critical in the men's game, players must ensure that the thongs and pockets do not sag excessively. In addition, players often desire that the excess lengths of the thongs extending from the lacrosse head stop be contained, to avoid their whipping around the head during play.
In addition to the traditional methods of tying and taping, U.S. Pat. No. 5,967,912 to Hexemer et al. is directed toward a device for locking the lacing material of a lacrosse head. This patent discloses a lace lock device that is formed integral to a lacrosse head and includes set screws, cams, and/or clamps for holding thongs in place under a desired tension. Although t
Chambers M.
Sewell Paul T.
Shaw Pittman LLP
STX LLC
LandOfFree
Lacrosse stick lace system does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Lacrosse stick lace system, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Lacrosse stick lace system will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3184366