Lacrosse head and lacrosse pocket incorporated therein

Abstract

Embodiments of a stringing arrangement that renders a pocket that combines features of both traditional-style and mesh-style. These embodiments offer a hybrid design that improves the “feel” and “hold” of a ball over current mesh-style pockets with a smoother release of the ball over traditional-style pockets. In one embodiment, the combination utilizes mesh material at the top of the pocket and traditional-style stringing at the bottom of the pocket. Unlike conventional technology, however, the embodiments combine the mesh-style and the traditional-style without disrupting the transition of the ball from the pocket.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A lacrosse head, comprising:
 a body comprising a peripheral structure circumscribing an opening having an upper portion and a lower portion, the peripheral structure having a base, two sides extending from the base and disposed on either side of a center line of the peripheral structure, and a scoop coupled with the sides and spaced apart from the base; and   a stringing arrangement disposed in the opening, the stringing arrangement comprising,
 a mesh member that populates substantially all of the opening in the upper portion, 
 one or more string members forming an interwoven pattern that populates substantially all of the opening in the lower portion, and 
 an interface region in which the mesh member couples with the interwoven pattern. 
   
     
     
         2 . The lacrosse head of  claim 1 , wherein the stringing arrangement is configured to apply tension to the bottom part of the mesh member in the interface region in a direction generally toward the base. 
     
     
         3 . The lacrosse head of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more string members comprise a first string member that interleaves with a bottom part of the mesh member in the interface region. 
     
     
         4 . The lacrosse head of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more string members form a tensioning feature proximate the center line of the peripheral frame, and wherein the tensioning feature is configured to apply the tension on the bottom part of the mesh member. 
     
     
         5 . The lacrosse head of  claim 4 , wherein the tensioning feature comprises one or more string members that form a crossing pattern in the interface region. 
     
     
         6 . The lacrosse head of  claim 1 , further comprising an elongated member that extends from the base towards the scoop, and wherein the elongated member integrates with the interwoven pattern in the lower portion of the opening. 
     
     
         7 . The lacrosse head of  claim 6 , wherein the elongated member extends to the scoop, and wherein the elongated member integrates within the mesh member. 
     
     
         8 . The lacrosse head of  claim 6 , wherein the elongate member comprise a first elongated member and a second elongated member, one each disposed on either side of the center line. 
     
     
         9 . The lacrosse head of  claim 1 , further comprising a sidewall member that couples the mesh member to the sides of the peripheral frame. 
     
     
         10 . The lacrosse head of  claim 1 , wherein the mesh member covers 40% or less of the opening. 
     
     
         11 . A lacrosse head, comprising:
 a body with a peripheral wall circumscribing an opening having a first portion and a second portion;   wherein the first portion comprises a piece of mesh material that populates substantially all of the opening,   wherein the second portion comprises a leader member and a string member configured in an interwoven pattern, and   wherein the first portion and the second portion terminate at an interface region in which the piece of mesh material couples with the interwoven pattern.   
     
     
         12 . The lacrosse head of  claim 11 , wherein the leader member weaves into the piece of mesh material. 
     
     
         13 . The lacrosse head of  claim 11 , wherein the string member comprises a first string member that interleaves with the piece of mesh material in an interface region. 
     
     
         14 . The lacrosse head of  claim 11 , wherein the peripheral wall has a base and a scoop spaced apart from the base, and wherein the leader element couples with the base and the scoop. 
     
     
         15 . The lacrosse head of  claim 14 , wherein the mesh material is configured under tension in a direction generally toward the base. 
     
     
         16 . A stringing arrangement that is configured for use in a lacrosse head, said stringing arrangement comprising:
 a piece of mesh material;   a plurality of leader members; and   a string member that forms an interwoven pattern that includes the plurality of leader members,   wherein the interwoven pattern couples at a bottom part of the piece of mesh material.   
     
     
         17 . The stringing arrangement of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of leader members weave into the mesh material. 
     
     
         18 . The stringing arrangement of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of leader members terminate at the bottom part of the piece of mesh material. 
     
     
         19 . The stringing arrangement of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of leader members include one or more leader members that comprise a fastening element that is configured to releaseably secure with the lacrosse head. 
     
     
         20 . The stringing arrangement of  claim 16 , further comprising a plurality of peripheral string elements that are configured to secure the piece of mesh material and the interwoven pattern to the lacrosse head.