Transitioning and nonlinear lacrosse stick handles

Abstract

An embodiment of the invention provides a monolithic lacrosse stick handle having a first portion, a second portion, and a transition portion disposed between the first and second portion. The first portion has a first cross-section of a first shape. The second portion has a second cross-section of a second shape. The second shape is different from the first shape. Over the transition portion, the cross-sectional shape of the handle transitions from the first shape to the second shape. The handle can be integrally formed from a malleable material. The handle can have varying cross-sectional areas (e.g., wall thicknesses) along its length. A further embodiment provides a lacrosse stick handle that changes in direction, rather than defining a single longitudinal axis as in traditional handles. The nonlinear handle can have, for example, a linear main portion, a curved intermediate portion, and a linear dowel portion.

1 . A lacrosse stick handle having an overall length in an x-direction of an x-y plane, the handle comprising:
 a linear main portion defining a first longitudinal axis extending parallel to the x-direction within the x-y plane, wherein the length of the linear main portion is approximately one half of the overall length;   a linear dowel portion defining a second longitudinal axis within the x-y plane, wherein the linear dowel portion is configured to attach to a lacrosse head; and   a curved intermediate portion continuous with and disposed between the linear main portion and the linear dowel portion,   wherein the curved intermediate portion comprises a first end adjacent to the linear main portion and a second end adjacent to the linear dowel portion,   wherein the curved intermediate portion and the linear dowel portion together extend in the x-direction for approximately one half of the overall length,   wherein a first midpoint of the first end of the curved intermediate portion is aligned with the first longitudinal axis and a second midpoint of the second end of the curved intermediate portion is aligned with the second longitudinal axis, wherein the first midpoint is above the second midpoint with respect to the y-direction, and wherein the curved intermediate portion curves increasingly away from the first longitudinal axis from the first midpoint to the second midpoint within the x-y plane,   wherein the first longitudinal axis is at an angle to the second longitudinal axis, and   wherein the second longitudinal axis of the linear dowel portion extends from the second midpoint increasingly away from the first longitudinal axis from the second midpoint to a midpoint of a distal end of the linear dowel portion.   
     
     
         2 . The lacrosse stick handle of  claim 1 , wherein the linear dowel portion has a length so dimensioned that a majority of the length of the linear dowel portion is enclosed within a throat portion of the lacrosse head. 
     
     
         3 . The lacrosse stick of  claim 1 , wherein the overall length is approximately 31 inches and the length of the linear dowel portion is approximately 1.77 inches. 
     
     
         4 . The lacrosse stick handle of  claim 1 , wherein the angle is approximately two degrees. 
     
     
         5 . The lacrosse stick handle of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the angle is approximately two degrees,   the linear main portion defines an uppermost surface with respect to the y-direction,   the distal end of the linear dowel portion defines an uppermost edge with respect to the y-direction, and   the uppermost edge of the distal end is approximately 7.07 mm below a line drawn through the uppermost surface.   
     
     
         6 . The lacrosse stick handle of  claim 1 , wherein the angle is approximately two degrees and the curved intermediate portion has a radius of curvature of approximately 9,602 mm between the first midpoint and the second midpoint. 
     
     
         7 . The lacrosse stick handle of  claim 1 , wherein the handle is hollow. 
     
     
         8 . The lacrosse stick handle of  claim 1 , wherein the handle is integrally formed from a malleable material. 
     
     
         9 . The lacrosse stick handle of  claim 8 , wherein the malleable material is a metal alloy. 
     
     
         10 . The lacrosse stick handle of  claim 8 , wherein the malleable material is one of a zirconium-aluminum alloy, a vanadium-steel alloy, a vanadium-aluminum alloy, a titanium-aluminum alloy, and a scandium-aluminum alloy. 
     
     
         11 . The lacrosse stick handle of  claim 1 , wherein the linear main portion comprises an integrally formed closed end. 
     
     
         12 . The lacrosse stick handle of  claim 11 , wherein the closed end comprises a butt cap. 
     
     
         13 . The lacrosse stick handle of  claim 1 , further comprising a lacrosse head connected to the linear dowel portion. 
     
     
         14 . A method for forming a lacrosse stick handle having an overall length in an x-direction of an x-y plane, the method comprising:
 inserting a hollow tube made of malleable material into a cavity of a negative mold, the negative mold defining a shape along the length of the cavity that defines at least one nonlinear portion,   injecting a fluid into the hollow tube under pressure such that the hollow tube expands and is pressed against the negative mold;   releasing the pressurized fluid when the hollow tube matches the shape of the cavity, thereby forming the hollow tube into a lacrosse stick handle having
 a linear main portion defining a first longitudinal axis extending parallel to the x-direction within the x-y plane, wherein the length of the linear main portion is approximately one half of the overall length, 
 a linear dowel portion defining a second longitudinal axis within the x-y plane, wherein the linear dowel portion is configured to attach to a lacrosse head, and 
 a curved intermediate portion continuous with and disposed between the linear main portion and the linear dowel portion, 
 wherein the curved intermediate portion comprises a first end adjacent to the linear main portion and a second end adjacent to the linear dowel portion, 
 wherein the curved intermediate portion and the linear dowel portion together extend in the x-direction for approximately one half of the overall length, 
 wherein a first midpoint of the first end of the curved intermediate portion is aligned with the first longitudinal axis and a second midpoint of the second end of the curved intermediate portion is aligned with the second longitudinal axis, wherein the first midpoint is above the second midpoint with respect to the y-direction, and wherein the curved intermediate portion curves increasingly away from the first longitudinal axis from the first midpoint to the second midpoint within the x-y plane, 
 wherein the first longitudinal axis is at an angle to the second longitudinal axis, and 
 wherein the second longitudinal axis of the linear dowel portion extends from the second midpoint increasingly away from the first longitudinal axis from the second midpoint to a midpoint of a distal end of the linear dowel portion; and 
   removing the lacrosse stick handle from the negative mold.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising connecting a lacrosse head to the linear dowel portion. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising inserting the linear dowel portion of the lacrosse stick handle into a socket of a lacrosse head that encloses a majority of the length of the linear dowel portion. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising integrally forming a closed end on the linear main portion. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the closed end comprises a butt cap. 
     
     
         19 . A lacrosse stick handle having an overall length in an x-direction of an x-y plane, the handle comprising:
 a linear main portion defining a first longitudinal axis extending parallel to the x-direction within the x-y plane, wherein the length of the linear main portion is approximately one half of the overall length;   a linear dowel portion defining a second longitudinal axis within the x-y plane, wherein the linear dowel portion is configured to attach to a lacrosse head; and   a curved intermediate portion continuous with and disposed between the linear main portion and the linear dowel portion,   wherein the curved intermediate portion comprises a first end adjacent to the linear main portion and a second end adjacent to the linear dowel portion,   wherein the curved intermediate portion and the linear dowel portion together extend in the x-direction for approximately one half of the overall length,   wherein a first midpoint of the first end of the curved intermediate portion is aligned with the first longitudinal axis and a second midpoint of the second end of the curved intermediate portion is aligned with the second longitudinal axis, wherein the first midpoint is above the second midpoint with respect to the y-direction, and wherein the curved intermediate portion curves increasingly away from the first longitudinal axis from the first midpoint to the second midpoint within the x-y plane, and   wherein the second longitudinal axis of the linear dowel portion extends from the second midpoint in a direction parallel to the first longitudinal axis.   
     
     
         20 . The lacrosse stick handle of  claim 19 , wherein the linear dowel portion has a length so dimensioned that a majority of the length of the linear dowel portion is enclosed within a throat portion of the lacrosse head.