Grip for sports equipment

Abstract

The present invention relates to shafts, handles and hand grips of sports equipment that include concave embedded indentations, such as grooves, dimples or ribs, located along the shaft at a location of frequent hand placement. The finger grooves are specially located and structured to provide the shaft with grips that correspond to the way in which a player grips the shaft to enhance a player's control of the shaft when performing various skills, such as cradling, throwing, shooting, and scooping. The present invention is primarily designed for a lacrosse stick shaft, but is also equally applicable to other sports shafts, such as an ice hockey stick or field hockey stick. The invention may enhance control of the equipment for all level of players and may assist in training novices in hand placement along the shaft for performing various skills.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates generally to shafts, handles and hand grips for sports equipment that include concave embedded indentations, such as grooves, ribs or dimples (hereinafter collectively referred to as “indentations”), located along the shaft at a location of frequent hand placement. The indentations are specially located and structured to provide the shaft with grips that correspond to the way in which a player grasps the shaft to enhance a player's control of the shaft when performing various skills. The present invention is primarily designed for a lacrosse stick shaft, but is also equally applicable to other sports shafts, such as an ice hockey stick or field hockey stick. [0002] Lacrosse is an ancient game that originated with the Native Americans in North America, particularly in the northeastern United States and Canada. Traditionally, lacrosse sticks were made of wood, usually hickory or ash, and were one integrated piece of equi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0017] The following disclosure and claims relate to a stick, pole, shaft, or handle for use in recreational and / or competitive sports. For example, the invention may find application in the areas of lacrosse, ice hockey, and field hockey sticks. More particularly, the present invention relates to a variable hand placement sports equipment shaft or handle that has generally concave, semi-round, indentations, which may be dimples, finger grooves, or ribs, embedded, or pressed into the structure of a sports equipment handle, stick, pole or shaft along the longitudinal plane. The indentations may be sized to accept human fingers and can maximize the resultant force of the fingers grasping the shaft, thereby enhancing the power, stability, firmness, accuracy, and efficiency of the gripping action of the fingers and hand using the shaft. The indentations increase grip friction between the player's hand or glove and the shaft, improve the player's hold on the shaft, and resist the twisting of the shaft. The indentations also may assist in training novices in hand placement and may enhance control of the equipment for all level of players.

[0018] The indentations may be placed in locations of frequent hand placement to accommodate the way in which a player moves his hands along the shaft to enhance a player's control of the shaft when performing various skills. Players in any “stick” sports with variable hand placements, such as lacrosse, hockey, and the like can benefit from the invention's strategically located indentations. For example, optimally locating the indentations on a lacrosse stick can improve a player's scooping, cradling, throwing and shooting skills.

[0021] The present invention is adaptable to provide unique advantages for different types of players. For example, for experienced players, the present invention can provide improved grip and feel, and can improve stick handling, passing and shooting accuracy, and shot speed. For youth players, the present invention can provide an educational tool for teaching proper hand placement for performing various lacrosse skills, such as scooping, throwing, catching and shooting.

[0022] While hand placement along the shaft follows certain general practices, players handle the shafts differently; for example, a player may “choke up” more on the shaft and keep his or her hands closer together. Also, there are different lengths of shafts that are permitted for lacrosse. Under the NCAA men's lacrosse rules, offensive players are permitted to have shorter shafts (with a 40-42″ overall stick length including the stick head) and defensive players may have longer shafts (52″-72″ including the stick head). It is also common for children or box lacrosse players to cut their shafts even further, to either accommodate small hands and bodies of children or to improve stick handling for box lacrosse. The invention can accommodate shafts of different lengths and sizes because the indentations can be provided along the entire length of the shaft to allow for maximum hand placement locations and accommodate the manner in which a player grabs the shaft.

Problems solved by technology

These wooden handles were susceptible to breakage, were heavy and had inconsistent quality, which proved disadvantageous from both a playability and safety standpoint.

Wood shafts continued to be used, although they were still susceptible to breakage and were heavy.

Without a firm grip, a player can often lose control of the shaft and the shaft can slip in a player's grasp.

In addition, lacrosse and ice hockey require the players to use gloves that protect the hands but which reduce the player's feel and grip on the shaft.

Although these tape alterations may improve grip, it is difficult to build shapes out of the tape that complement finger shape and placement.

Furthermore, the tape rarely adheres well to the shaft and tends to peel and wear off over time.

Although contoured sports shafts are generally known for accommodating the human hand, the prior art fails to disclose an integrated contoured grip with indentations, embedded grooves, ribs or dimples in the shaft that may be sized to accept human fingers in order to assist in the controlling of the shaft.

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