Sports shaft with variable contour

Abstract

The present invention relates to an improved sports shaft. The improved shaft is comprised of a synthetic material designed to minimize weight and provide other desirable characteristics. The shaft may include a unique outwardly expanded portion that dramatically improves the shaft's performance. The outwardly expanded portion expands lengthwise and widthwise to create a wider portion that accommodates a player's hand position. The outer surface of the shaft may be coated with a gripable material to improve the overall grip and feel characteristics of the shaft.

1 . A sports shaft comprising: 
 an elongated body portion comprising a synthetic semi-flexible material, the elongated body having a first end and a second end;    at least one expanded portion disposed on the elongated body portion between the first end and the second; and    a gripable coating disposed on an outer surface of the elongated body portion.    
   
   
       2 . The sports shaft of  claim 1 , further including a first outwardly tapered head receiving portion disposed on the first end.  
   
   
       3 . The sports shaft of  claim 2 , further including a second outwardly tapered head receiving portion disposed on the second end.  
   
   
       4 . The sports shaft of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated body has a rounded non-protruding octagon cross-sectional shape.  
   
   
       5 . The sports shaft of  claim 1 , wherein the synthetic semi-flexible material includes carbon fiber.  
   
   
       6 . The sports shaft of  claim 1 , wherein the synthetic semi-flexible material includes graphite.  
   
   
       7 . The sports shaft of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated body has a first cross-sectional area and the at least one expanded portion has a second cross-sectional area, the second cross-sectional area being greater than the first cross-sectional area.  
   
   
       8 . The sports shaft of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one tapered portion is disposed in a position on the elongated body that is consistent with a standard hand position of a player for the sport within which the sports shaft is designed to be used.  
   
   
       9 . The sports shaft of  claim 1 , wherein the gripable coating includes a rubberized paint coating.  
   
   
       10 . The sports shaft of  claim 1 , wherein the sports shaft conforms to the regulations of a lacrosse stick shaft.  
   
   
       11 . The sports shaft of  claim 3 , further including a lacrosse head disposed on an end of the elongated shaft, the end selected from the group consisting of the first end and the second end.  
   
   
       12 . The sports shaft of  claim 1 , further including a detachable head disposed on an end of the elongated body.  
   
   
       13 . The sports shaft of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one expanded portion comprises a plurality of expanded portions.  
   
   
       14 . The sports shaft of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one expanded portion facilitates a grip of a player.  
   
   
       15 . The sports shaft of  claim 1 , further comprising a tapered portion disposed on the elongated body.  
   
   
       16 . The sports shaft of  claim 7 , further comprising a tapered portion disposed on the elongated body, the tapered portion having a third cross-sectional area, the third cross-section area less than the first cross-sectional area.  
   
   
       17 . The sports shaft of  claim 1 , wherein the gripable material is on the outer surface of the elongated body only at the at least one expanded portion.  
   
   
       18 . A lacrosse shaft comprising: 
 an elongated body portion comprising a synthetic semi-flexible material;    the elongated body portion having a first end and a second end, the first end including a first head receiving portion and the second end including a second head receiving portion;    at least one outwardly expanding grip portion disposed on the elongated body portion;    a gripable coating disposed a portion of an outer surface of the elongated body portion, wherein a detachable head can be detachably coupled to the elongated body at a head receiving portion selected from the group consisting of the first head receiving portion and the second head receiving portion.    
   
   
       19 . The lacrosse shaft of  claim 18 , wherein the gripable coating is disposed on selected portions of the outer surface comprising locations where a player would grip the lacrosse shaft and wherein the at least one outwardly expanding grip portion is a selected portion.  
   
   
       20 . The lacrosse shaft of  claim 18 , wherein the gripable coating is disposed on the entire outer surface.  
   
   
       21 . A method of manufacturing a sports shaft comprising: 
 wrapping synthetic material around an internal member;    removing the internal member;    providing a mold for the sports shaft, the mold comprising at least one outwardly expanded portion;    inserting the synthetic material into a mold;    heating synthetic material to conform to the synthetic material to a shape of the mold;    solidifying the synthetic material; and    coating at least a portion of the synthetic material with a gripable material comprising a low coefficient of thermal surface conductivity, such that    a sports shaft having a gripable coating and an outwardly expanded portion is provided.    
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the coating further comprises spraying one or more layers of rubberized paint.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the synthetic material comprises carbon.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the mold for the sports shaft further includes at least one outwardly flared head receiving portion.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the mold further includes an inwardly tapered portion.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the mold for the sports shaft is configured to create a shaft with a rounded non-protruding octagonal cross-sectional profile.  
   
   
       27 . A sports shaft comprising: 
 an elongated body comprised of a synthetic semi-flexible material, the elongated body having a first end and a second end;    a first outwardly expanded portion disposed on the elongated body portion, the outwardly expanded portion being located substantially equidistant from the first end and the second end;    a first head receiving portion located at the first end and a second head receiving portion located at the second end; and    a head located at a location selected from the group consisting of the first end and the second end, wherein the head is located at either the first or second end.    
   
   
       28 . The sports shaft of  claim 27 , further comprising a gripable coating disposed on at least a portion of an outer surface of the elongated body.  
   
   
       29 . The sports shaft of  claim 27 , further comprising a second outwardly expanded portion disposed on the elongated body, the second outwardly expanded portion being proximate an end of the elongated body, the end selected from the group of ends consisting of the first end and the second end.  
   
   
       30 . The sports shaft of  claim 27 , wherein the first outwardly expanded portion is located to facilitate a grip of a player.  
   
   
       31 . The sports shaft of  claim 29 , wherein the first outwardly expanded portion and the second outwardly expanded portion are located to facilitate a grip of a player.  
   
   
       32 . The sports shaft of  claim 27 , wherein the elongated body comprises a polygonal shape in cross-section, the polygonal shape having non-protruding rounded corners.  
   
   
       33 . The sports shaft of  claim 27 , wherein the elongated body comprises a polygonal shape in cross-section, and the polygonal shape has non-protruding rounded corners proximate the first outwardly expanded portion.  
   
   
       34 . The sports shaft of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated body has a symmetrical appearance.  
   
   
       35 . The sports shaft of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated body has an asymmetrical appearance.  
   
   
       36 . A lacrosse shaft, comprising: 
 an elongated body portion having a first end and a second end;    the first end having at least a first end major diameter;    the second end having at least a second end major diameter;    at least one expanded portion disposed on the elongated body portion between the first end and the second; and    the at least one expanded portion having a expanded major diameter greater than the first end major diameter and the second end major diameter.    
   
   
       37 . The lacrosse shaft of  claim 37  wherein the first end major diameter is equal to the second end major diameter.