Sports shaft

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 a desirable amount of flex. The shaft may include a unique tapered grip portion that dramatically improves the shaft's flex and feel characteristics. The tapered grip portion is tapered lengthwise and widthwise to create a narrower portion that accommodates a player's hand position. The outer surface of the shaft is coated with a gripable material to improve the overall grip and feel characteristics of the shaft. The gripable material comprises a low coefficient of thermal surface conductivity. In addition, the outer coating creates an aesthetically pleasing appearance in comparison with an uncoated aluminum 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;    a tapered portion disposed on the elongated body portion; 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 tapered portion is tapered inwardly, such that the tapered portion has a smaller diameter than the remainder of the elongated body.  
   
   
       8 . The sports shaft of  claim 1 , wherein the 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 . 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 outwardly tapered head receiving portion and the second end including a second outwardly tapered head receiving portion; 
 an inwardly tapered grip portion disposed on the elongated body portion;  
 a gripable coating disposed on selected portions of an outer surface of the elongated body portion, wherein the gripable coating comprises a rubberized paint coating, wherein a detachable head can be detachably coupled to a head receiving portion selected from the group consisting of the first outwardly tapered head receiving portion and the second outwardly tapered head receiving portion.  
   
   
   
       14 . The lacrosse shaft of  claim 14 , wherein the selected portions of the outer surface comprise locations where a player would grip the lacrosse shaft.  
   
   
       15 . The lacrosse shaft of  claim 14 , wherein the selected portions comprise the entire outer surface.  
   
   
       16 . A method of manufacturing a sports shaft comprising: 
 wrapping synthetic material around an internal member;    removing the internal member;    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;    coating the synthetic material with a gripable material comprising a low coefficient of thermal surface conductivity.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the coating further comprises spraying one or more layers of rubberized paint.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the synthetic material comprises carbon.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the mold for the sports shaft further includes at least one outwardly flared head receiving portion.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the mold for the sports shaft further includes an inwardly tapered portion.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the mold for the sports shaft is configured to create a shaft with a rounded non-protruding octagonal cross-sectional profile.  
   
   
       22 . 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 tapered portion disposed on the elongated body portion, the tapered portion being proximate the first end;  
 a gripable coating disposed on an outer surface of the elongated body;  
 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.  
   
   
   
       23 . A lacrosse shaft comprising: 
 an elongated lacrosse shaft body comprising a semi-flexible material, the elongated body having a first end and a second end;    a gripable coating disposed on at least a portion of an outer surface of the elongated lacrosse shaft body, wherein the gripable coating comprises a low coefficient of thermal conductivity.    
   
   
       24 . The shaft of  claim 23 , wherein the gripable coating further comprises a rubberized paint coating.  
   
   
       25 . The shaft of  claim 23 , wherein the gripable coating covers substantially all the outer surface of the elongated lacrosse shaft body.  
   
   
       26 . The shaft of  claim 23 , wherein the elongated lacrosse shaft body comprises a tapered portion disposed between the first and second ends.  
   
   
       27 . The shaft of  claim 23 , wherein the elongated lacrosse shaft body comprises a polygonal shape in cross section, the polygonal shape having non-protruding rounded corners.  
   
   
       28 . The shaft of  claim 27 , wherein the polygonal shape comprises an octagon.  
   
   
       29 . The shaft of  claim 23 , wherein the elongated lacrosse shaft body comprises a flared first head receiver portion at the first end.  
   
   
       30 . The shaft of  claim 29 , wherein the elongated lacrosse shaft body comprises a flared second head receiver portion at the second end.  
   
   
       31 . A lacrosse shaft comprising: 
 an elongated shaft comprising a semi flexible material, the elongated shaft having a first end and a second end;    the semi flexible material including at least one of graphite or carbon fiber;    a rubberized coating disposed on at least a portion of an outer surface of the elongated lacrosse shaft body.    
   
   
       32 . The shaft of  claim 31 , wherein the elongated shaft comprising at least one tapered portion disposed between the first end and the second end.  
   
   
       33 . The shaft of  claim 31 , wherein the rubberized coating is disposed along substantially the entire elongated shaft.  
   
   
       34 . The shaft of  claim 31 , wherein the rubberized coating comprises a low coefficient of thermal conductivity