A lacrosse head with improved weight and handling characteristics includes a frame element having a base portion, a scoop portion, and a pair of opposing sidewall portions extending between the base portion and the scoop portion. The frame element includes one or more cavities integrally formed with
A lacrosse head with improved weight and handling characteristics includes a frame element having a base portion, a scoop portion, and a pair of opposing sidewall portions extending between the base portion and the scoop portion. The frame element includes one or more cavities integrally formed within one or more of the sidewall portions, the base portion, and the scoop portion. In addition, the lacrosse head includes a no-skid surface integrated with a portion of the frame element. This surface is intended to create friction between the no-skid surface and a lacrosse ball, as well as to absorb kinetic energy of the lacrosse ball preventing the ball from inadvertently bouncing out of the lacrosse head or rattling therein.
대표청구항▼
What is claimed is: 1. A method for manufacturing a plastic lacrosse head including a frame element having a base portion, a scoop portion located opposite the base portion, a pair of opposing sidewall portions generally extending between the base portion and the scoop portion, and a projection ext
What is claimed is: 1. A method for manufacturing a plastic lacrosse head including a frame element having a base portion, a scoop portion located opposite the base portion, a pair of opposing sidewall portions generally extending between the base portion and the scoop portion, and a projection extending rearwardly from the base portion for engaging a lacrosse handle, comprising: defining a mold cavity that is sized and shaped to meet the dimensions of the plastic lacrosse head, such that the resultant molded head includes the open frame, which includes an upper portion defining a ball receiving area and a lower portion defining a ball retention area; determining at least two separate and distinct locations in an interior of the plastic lacrosse head where at least two substantially hollow cavities having a generally predetermined size and shape will be disposed; injecting into said mold cavity a plastic material that is slightly less than a volume of said cavity to form the plastic lacrosse head; and injecting a fluid into said plastic material in the mold cavity and directing the fluid generally into the at least two locations to form said substantially hollow cavities, wherein said at least two locations include at least one of the pair of opposing sidewall portions, the base portion, and the scoop portion, wherein the cavities are adapted to reduce the weight of the head without significantly impacting the strength and performance of the head, wherein the remaining portions of the sidewall portions, the base portion and the scoop portion are solid and non-hollow. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the manufacturing process comprises: gas-assist injection molding said frame element and forming said at least two cavities in the frame element, during the gas-assist injection molding process and whereby said fluid which is injected into said plastic material is a gas. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the manufacturing process comprises: structural foam molding said frame element and forming said at least two cavities in the frame element during the structural foam molding process. 4. The method of claim 3, further comprising: forming a no-skid surface on at least one of the pair of opposing sidewall portions, the base portion, or the scoop portion, said no-skid surface being intended to absorb kinetic energy of said lacrosse ball. 5. The method of claim 2, wherein a plurality of said cavities are formed in the frame element, at least one of said cavities being located in each of the sidewall, and scoop portions. 6. The method of claim 2, wherein at least one of said cavities is formed in at least a portion of a stiffening rib of the frame element. 7. The method of claim 4, wherein said no-skid surface is formed by an overmolding process. 8. A method for manufacturing a plastic lacrosse head including a frame element having a base portion, a scoop portion located opposite the base portion, a pair of opposing sidewall portions extending between the base portion and the scoop portion, and a projection extending rearwardly from the base portion for engaging a lacrosse handle comprising: defining a mold cavity in a mold that is sized and shaped to meet the dimensions of the plastic lacrosse head such that the lacrosse head has an upper portion generally defining a ball receiving portion and a lower portion generally defining a ball retention portion, said ball receiving portion being the portion of the head where a lacrosse ball enters and exits the head and said ball retention portion being the area where a netting is attached to the head; determining a plurality of locations within an interior of the plastic lacrosse head where a plurality of distinct, substantially hollow cavities will be formed, with each cavity having a generally predetermined size and shape; and injecting into said mold cavity a plastic material from which the lacrosse head is to be constructed; and selectively injecting a gas into said plastic material in said plurality of locations during the manufacturing process to form said plurality of cavities; selectively directing the gas to terminate the cavities so that portions of the lacrosse head adjacent the plurality of cavities are solid and non-hollow; whereby the lacrosse head has a reduced weight without sacrificing the strength or playability of the head. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein a respective one of said plurality of cavities is formed in each of the pair of opposing sidewall portions in generally the same location of each sidewall to provide a lighter lacrosse head that is balanced and has comparable strength to a heavier head of the same construction. 10. The method of claim 8, wherein a respective one of said plurality of cavities is formed in at least a portion of a stiffening rib located on each of the sidewalls. 11. The method of claim 8, wherein said plurality of cavities are formed in at least two of the scoop, the base and the pair of opposing sidewalls. 12. The method of claim 8, further comprising: overmolding an elastomeric material onto the frame element. 13. A method for manufacturing a plastic lacrosse head including a frame element having a base portion, a scoop portion located opposite the base portion, a pair of opposing sidewall portions extending generally between the base portion and said scoop portion, and a projection extending rearwardly from the base portion for engaging a lacrosse handle, comprising: defining at least one mold cavity in a mold that is sized and shaped to meet the dimensions of the plastic lacrosse head such that the lacrosse head has an upper portion generally defining a ball receiving portion and a lower portion generally defining a ball retention portion, said ball receiving portion being the portion of the head where a lacrosse ball enters and exits the head and said ball retention portion being the area where a netting is attached to the head; determining a first location within an interior of at least one of the base portion, the scoop portion or the sidewall portions of the plastic lacrosse head where a first substantially hollow cavity will be formed, and a second location within an interior of at least one of the base portion, the scoop portion or the sidewall portions of the plastic lacrosse head where a second substantially hollow cavity will be formed, said first and second cavities each having a generally predetermined size and shape; forming said first and second cavities in said frame element during the manufacturing process utilizing a gas-assist injection molding process; and terminating the first and second cavities such that they are separate and discrete from each other, wherein non-hollow elements of said lacrosse head extend between said first and second cavities; whereby the lacrosse head has a reduced weight without sacrificing the strength or playability of the head. 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising: overmolding an elastomeric material onto the frame element. 15. The method of claim 13, wherein at least one of said cavities is located in the scoop portion. 16. The method of claim 13, wherein the gas-assist molding process includes selectively injecting a gas into at least one of the scoop and base portions. 17. The method of claim 13, wherein a plurality of cavities are formed in the frame element, with at least one cavity being formed in each of the base and scoop portions. 18. The method of claim 16, wherein the selectively injecting a gas step includes injecting a gas at a pressure that causes the gas to stop prior to entering the sidewalls. 19. The method of claim 13, including forming the opposing sidewall portions as solid portions of the lacrosse head.
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