Lacrosse head

Abstract

An improved head for a lacrosse stick having ridges extending along the exterior surface of the lip and depressions extending inwardly from the interior surface of the lip adapted to protect the lacings from abrasive contact with the ground and the ball. The ridges flank each aperture on the lip through which the lacings are thread. The depressions abut each aperture on the lip and are recessed from the apertures to the backlip portion. Ball retaining ridges extend along the interior surface of the sidewalls and serve to direct and retain the ball within the ball pocket.

1. A head for a lacrosse stick, comprising:
 an open frame, having a base portion, a pair of sidewalls diverging from said base portion, and a lip interconnecting said pair of sidewalls opposite said base;  
 said lip having an interior surface, an exterior surface, a backlip portion, and a frontlip portion;  
 each of said pair of sidewalls having an exterior surface and an interior surface; and  
 a plurality of ball retaining ridges formed on said interior surface of each of said pair of sidewalls;  
 towards wherein each of said plurality of ball retaining ridges has an underside extending downwardly and outwardly away from said opposing sidewall .  
 
     
     
       2. The head for a lacrosse stick as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each of said plurality of ball retaining ridges has an underside extending downwardly and outwardly toward said opposing sidewall. 
     
     
       3. The head for a lacrosse stick as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said lip has a plurality of apertures formed therein and opening on both said interior surface and said exterior surface. 
     
     
       4. The head for a lacrosse stick as recited in  claim 3 , wherein at least one of said plurality of apertures is a four-sided aperture. 
     
     
       5. The head for a lacrosse stick as recited in  claim 4 , further comprising a pair of ridges extending outwardly from said exterior surface of said lip and positioned around said at least one four-sided aperture. 
     
     
       6. The head for a lacrosse stick as recited in  claim 5 , wherein each of said pair of ridges is beveled in a decreasing dimension from said backlip portion to said frontlip portion. 
     
     
       7. The head for a lacrosse stick as recited in  claim 3 , wherein said interior surface of said lip has a plurality of recesses formed therein, associated with each of said plurality of apertures. 
     
     
       8. The head for a lacrosse stick as recited in  claim 7 , wherein said recesses increase in dimension from said aperture to said backlip portion. 
     
     
       9. A head for a lacrosse stick, comprising:
 a base portion;  
 a pair of sidewalls diverging from said base portion and each having a plurality of apertures formed therein, said sidewalls each having an interior surface and an exterior surface;  
 a lip interconnecting said sidewalls opposite said base portion, said lip having a frontlip portion and a backlip portion;  
 an open frame defined by said base portion, said pair of sidewalls, and said lip;  
 a plurality of apertures formed through said lip;  
 a lace threadedly connected to said frame through said plurality of apertures in each of said pair of sidewalls and said plurality of apertures formed through said lip; and  
 at least one ball retaining ridge formed on said interior surface of each of said sidewallstoward , wherein said at least one ball retaining ridge has an underside that extends generally downwardly and generally outwardly away from said opposing sidewall.  
 
     
     
       10. The head for a lacrosse stick as recited in  claim 9 , wherein each of said at least one ball retaining ridge has an underside that extends downwardly and outwardly toward said opposing sidewall. 
     
     
       11. The head for a lacrosse stick as recited in  claim 9 , wherein each of said apertures in said lip has a bottom surface proximate to said backlip portion, said bottom surface of each of said apertures being generally planar. 
     
     
       12. The head for a lacrosse stick as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said apertures in said lip are four-sided apertures. 
     
     
       13. The head for a lacrosse sick as recited in  claim 11 , wherein a pair of ridges are positioned around said apertures in said lip, said pair of ridges extending generally outwardly from said exterior surface of said lip. 
     
     
       14. The head for a lacrosse stick as recited in  claim 13 , wherein each of said ridges are beveled in a decreasing dimension from said backlip portion to said frontlip portion. 
     
     
       15. The head for a lacrosse stick as recited in  claim 9 , wherein said interior surface of said lip has a plurality of recesses formed therein, associated with each of said lip apertures. 
     
     
       16. The head for a lacrosse stick as recited in  claim 15 , wherein said recesses increase in dimension from each of said apertures to said backlip portion. 
     
     
       17. A head for a lacrosse stick, comprising:
   an open frame, having a base portion, a pair of sidewalls diverging from said base portion, and a lip interconnecting said pair of sidewalls opposite base;        each of said sidewalls having an upper rim, a lower rim, and a middle portion between said upper rim and said lower rim, said sidewalls being divisible into a first half beginning adjacent said base portion and a second half terminating adjacent said lip;        a first distance defined between said upper rims of said sidewalls generally adjacent a midpoint of said sidewalls;        a second distance defined between said middle portions of said sidewalls generally adjacent a midpoint of said sidewalls;        said first distance being greater than said second distance.      
     
     
       18. A head for a lacrosse stick, comprising:
   an open frame, having a base portion, a pair of sidewalls diverging from base portion, and a lip interconnecting said pair of sidewalls opposite said base;        each of said sidewalls having an upper rim, a lower rim, and a middle portion between said upper rim and said lower rim, said sidewalls having a first half adjacent said base and a second half adjacent said scoop;        a first distance defined between said upper rims of said sidewalls;        said first distance being greater than said second distance along substantially said entire second half of said sidewalls.      
     
     
       19. The head of  claim 17 , wherein said upper rim of each of said sidewalls has a portion therein that curves generally downwardly with respect to an upper surface of said base portion.  
     
     
       20. The head of  claim 17 , wherein said upper rim of each of said sidewalls curve generally downwardly with respect to an upper surface of said base portion beginning adjacent said base portion.  
     
     
       21. The head of  claim 17 , wherein said upper rim of each of said sidewalls has a portion that extends generally downwardly with respect to an upper surface of said base portion.  
     
     
       22. The head of  claim 17 , wherein said upper rim of each of said sidewalls extends generally downwardly with respect to an upper surface of said base portion beginning adjacent said base portion.  
     
     
       23. The head of  claim 17 , wherein said upper rim of each of said sidewalls has a portion that is located downwardly with respect to an upper surface of said base portion.  
     
     
       24. The head of  claim 17 , wherein each of said sidewalls have a plurality of openings formed therein that are not intended to receive a netting therethrough.  
     
     
       25. The head of  claim 17 , further comprising:
   at least one ball retaining ridge formed on said interior surface of each of said pair of sidewalls.      
     
     
       26. The head of  claim 25 , wherein each of said at least one ball retaining ridges extends generally inwardly from said interior surface toward said opposing interior surface.  
     
     
       27. The head of  claim 25 , wherein each of said at least one ball retaining ridge is formed adjacent said upper rim of said respective sidewall.  
     
     
       28. The head of  claim 25 , wherein each of said at least one ball retaining ridge has an underside that extends generally downwardly with respect to said upper rim and generally inwardly away from said opposing interior surface.  
     
     
       29. The head of  claim 18 , wherein said upper rim of each of said sidewalls has a portion that curves generally downwardly with respect to an upper surface of said base portion.  
     
     
       30. The head of  claim 18 , wherein said upper rim of each of said sidewalls curve generally downwardly with respect to an upper surface of said base portion beginning adjacent said base portion.  
     
     
       31. The head of  claim 18 , wherein said upper rim of each of said sidewalls has a portion that extends generally downwardly with respect to an upper surface of said base portion.  
     
     
       32. The head of  claim 18 , wherein said upper rim of each of said sidewalls extends generally downwardly with respect to an upper surface of said base portion beginning adjacent said base portion.  
     
     
       33. The head of  claim 18 , wherein said upper rim of each of said sidewalls has a portion that is located downwardly with respect to an upper surface of said base portion.  
     
     
       34. The head of  claim 18 , wherein each of said sidewalls have a plurality of openings formed therein that are not intended to receive a netting therethrough.  
     
     
       35. The head of  claim 18 , further comprising:
   at least one ball retaining ridge formed on said interior surface of each of said pair of sidewalls.      
     
     
       36. The head of  claim 35 , wherein each of said at least one ball retaining ridges extends generally inwardly from said interior surface toward said opposing interior surface.  
     
     
       37. The head of  claim 35 , wherein each of said at least one ball retaining ridge is formed adjacent said upper rim of said respective sidewall.  
     
     
       38. The head of  claim 35 , wherein each of said at least one ball retaining ridge has an underside that extends generally downwardly with respect to said upper rim and generally inwardly away from said opposing interior surface.  
     
     
       39. A head for a lacrosse stick, comprising:
   an open frame having a base with a concave interior surface defining a ball rest, a pair of sidewalls diverging from said base and a lip interconnecting said sidewalls remotely of said base;        a plurality of apertures carried by said frame for securing a lacrosse net along a back side of said frame, leaving the front side of said frame open for receiving a lacrosse ball;        a socket extending from said base for attachment of a handle so as to define a handle/head axis, said socket having an upper surface defining a plane parallel to said handle/head axis;        each of said sidewalls having an upper rim, a middle portion, and a lower rim, each of said sidewalls having a first half beginning at said base and a second half terminating at said lip; and        wherein each of said sidewalls slopes generally outwardly away from said handle/head axis from said lower rim to said upper rim along substantially said entire second half of each of said sidewalls.      
     
     
       40. The head of  claim 39 , wherein at least a portion of each of said upper rims is spaced further outwardly from said handle/head axis than a corresponding portion of said lower rim of each of said sidewalls.  
     
     
       41. The head of  claim 39  wherein each of said sidewalls has a first half adjacent said base and a second half adjacent said lip and wherein at least a portion of said upper rims is spaced further outwardly from said handle/head axis than a corresponding middle portion of each of said sidewalls in said second half.  
     
     
       42. The head of  claim 41 , wherein said upper rims are spaced further outwardly from said handle/head axis than said middle portion throughout said second half.  
     
     
       43. The head of  claim 41 , further comprising:
   at least one opening formed in each of said sidewalls, which is separate from said plurality of apertures and is not intended to receive any portion of said lacrosse net therethrough.      
     
     
       44. The head of  claim 41 , wherein said at least one opening is formed in at least said middle portion of each of said sidewalls.  
     
     
       45. The head of  claim 39 , wherein each of said sidewalls has a first portion and a second portion with said first portion being located above said second portion and being spaced more outwardly from said handle/head axis than said first portion.  
     
     
       46. A lacrosse head for attachment to a lacrosse stick, comprising:
   a first element defining an open area for receiving a lacrosse ball and being broadly divisible into a rear portion and a forward portion, said frame element including:      a base;        a scoop located opposite said base;        a socket extending from said base for attachment of a handle so as to define a handle/head axis, said socket having an upper surface defining a plane parallel to said handle/head axis;          a pair of diverging sidewalls extending from said base to said scoop;        at least one ball retention mechanism formed in each of said pair of sidewalls; and        a catching area defined by an upper rim of said base and said pair of sidewalls and a pocket area defined by a lower portion of said base and a lower portion of said pair of sidewalls;        wherein said catching area is larger than said pocket area and wherein each of said sidewalls slopes outwardly from said handle/head axis at at least one location in said forward portion.      
     
     
       47. A head for attachment to a lacrosse stick comprising:
   an open frame, having a base portion, a pair of sidewalls diverging from said base portion, and a lip interconnecting said pair of sidewalls opposite said base;        said lip having an interior surface, an exterior surface, a backlip portion, and a frontlip portion;        each of said pair of sidewalls having an exterior surface and an interior surface; and        a plurality of ball retaining ridges formed on said interior surface of each said pair of sidewalls, wherein each of said ball retaining ridges has an underside that extends towards said opposing sidewall in an orientation non - perpendicular to said interior surface.      
     
     
       48. A lacrosse head for attachment to a lacrosse handle, comprising:
   an open frame, having a base portion, a pair of sidewalls diverging from said base portion, a lip interconnecting said pair of sidewalls opposite said base and a socket extending rearwardly from said base;        said sidewalls having an upper rim and a lower rim and at least a portion of said upper rims of said sidewalls defining a plane generally parallel to an upper surface of said socket;        each of said pair of sidewalls having an upper rim and a lower rim; and        a plurality of ball retaining ridges formed adjacent said upper rim adjacent each of said pair of sidewalls; each of said ball retaining ridges extending generally toward said opposing sidewall and having a portion extending generally away from said plane.      
     
     
       49. The lacrosse head of  claim 48 , wherein said sidewalls have a generally curved configuration.  
     
     
       50. The lacrosse head of  claim 48 , wherein said ball retaining ridges extend generally downward with respect to said plane.  
     
     
       51. The lacrosse head of  claim 48 , further comprising:
   a plurality of sidewall openings formed in each of said sidewalls which are not intended to receive a netting therethrough.      
     
     
       52. A plastic lacrosse head for attachment to a lacrosse stick, comprising:
   an open frame, having a base portion, a pair of sidewalls diverging from said base portion, a scoop interconnecting said pair of sidewalls opposite said base and a socket extending rearwardly from said base;        said sidewalls having an upper rim and a lower rim and at least a portion of said upper rims of said sidewalls defining a plane generally parallel to an upper surface of said socket;        each of said pair of sidewalls having an upper portion and a lower portion, said upper portion of said sidewalls defines a first distance therebetween and said lower portions of said sidewalls defines a second distance therebetween, wherein at least one location along said frame said first distance is greater than said second distance; and        a ball retention mechanism formed in each of said sidewalls to assist in retaining a lacrosse ball in the head.      
     
     
       53. The lacrosse head of  claim 52 , wherein said ball retention mechanism is located adjacent said upper portions of each of said sidewalls.  
     
     
       54. The lacrosse head of  claim 52 , wherein each of said sidewalls includes an upper rim and a lower rim.  
     
     
       55. The lacrosse head of  claim 54 , wherein said upper rim of each of said sidewalls has a portion that curves generally downwardly with respect to an upper surface of said base portion.  
     
     
       56. The lacrosse head of  claim 54 , wherein said upper rim of each of said sidewalls curves generally downwardly with respect to an upper surface of said base portion beginning adjacent said base portion.  
     
     
       57. The head of  claim 54 , wherein said upper rim of each of said sidewalls has a portion that extends generally downwardly with respect to an upper surface of said base portion.  
     
     
       58. The head of  claim 54 , wherein said upper rim of each of said sidewalls extends generally downwardly with respect to an upper surface of said base portion beginning adjacent said base portion.  
     
     
       59. The head of  claim 54 , wherein said upper rim of each of said sidewalls has a portion that is located downwardly with respect to an upper surface of said base portion.  
     
     
       60. The head of  claim 54 , wherein each of said sidewalls has a plurality of openings formed therein that are not intended to receive a netting therethrough.  
     
     
       61. The head of  claim 52 , wherein said ball retaining mechanism includes at least one ball retaining ridge formed on an interior surface of each of said pair of sidewalls.  
     
     
       62. The head of  claim 61 , wherein each of said at least one ball retaining ridges extends generally inwardly from said interior surface toward said opposing interior surface.  
     
     
       63. The head of  claim 52  wherein said frame is broadly divisible into a forward portion and a rear portion and wherein said first distance is greater than said second distance in said forward portion.  
     
     
       64. A plastic lacrosse head for attachment to a lacrosse stick, comprising:
   an open frame including a base portion, a pair of sidewalls diverging from said pair of sidewalls opposite said base and a socket extending rearwardly from said base;        a catching area defined by an upper portion of said base portion and an upper portion of each of said pair of sidewalls;        a pocket area defined by a lower portion of said base portion and a lower portion of each of said pair of sidewalls; and        a plurality of ball retention mechanisms formed on each of said sidewalls to assist in keeping a lacrosse ball in the head;        wherein said catching area is greater than said pocket area.