Lacrosse head spacer

{
  "publication_number": "US11446557B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Lacrosse head spacer",
  "abstract": "A lacrosse head spacer includes a front surface, left and right side surfaces attached at a left and right edges of the front surface, and a curved back surface extending between the left and right side surfaces. A width of the lacrosse head spacer measured perpendicularly from the left side surface to the right side surface is larger than a minimum width dimension specified by NCAA rules for lacrosse heads such that when the lacrosse head spacer is inserted between sidewalls of a lacrosse head, the lacrosse head spacer maintains the sidewalls apart from each other at a distance larger than the minimum width dimension specified by NCAA rules for lacrosse heads.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A lacrosse head and spacer combination comprising: a lacrosse head including a throat, sidewalls, and a scoop opposite the throat; and a lacrosse head spacer including: a first flat surface; a second surface and a third surface attached at opposing first and second edges of the first flat surface; a curved surface extending between the second surface and the third surface, wherein the curved surface is disposed opposite the first flat surface, and a coupling mechanism for coupling the lacrosse head spacer to the lacrosse head, wherein a width of the lacrosse head spacer measured perpendicularly from the second surface to the third surface is in a range of about 3.005 to about 4.25 inches, wherein the lacrosse head spacer is configured to be inserted between the sidewalls of the lacrosse head with the curved surface facing the throat of the lacrosse head and the first flat surface facing the scoop of the lacrosse head to maintain the sidewalls of the lacrosse head spaced apart a distance in a range of about 3.005 inches to about 4.25 inches when the lacrosse head spacer is inserted between the sidewalls of the lacrosse head.",
    "2. The lacrosse head and spacer combination of claim 1, wherein the width is in the range of about 3.125 inches to about 3.875 inches such that the lacrosse head spacer is configured to maintain the sidewalls of the lacrosse head spaced apart in a range of about 3.125 inches to about 3.875 inches when the lacrosse head spacer is inserted between the sidewalls of the lacrosse head.",
    "3. The lacrosse head and spacer combination of claim 1, wherein the width is in the range of about 3.375 inches to about 3.75 inches such that the lacrosse head spacer is configured to maintain the sidewalls of the lacrosse head spaced apart in a range of about 3.375 inches to about 3.75 inches when the lacrosse head spacer is inserted between the sidewalls of the lacrosse head.",
    "4. The lacrosse head and spacer combination of claim 1, further comprising a fourth surface extending perpendicular to the first surface, the second surface, the third surface, and the curved surface, wherein the fourth surface is attached to an edge of each of the second surface, the third surface, and the curved surface.",
    "5. The lacrosse head and spacer combination of claim 4, wherein the first flat surface is a front surface, the second surface is a left side surface, the third surface is a right side surface, the curved surface is a back surface, the fourth surface is a top surface, and the edge of each of the first, second, third, and curved surfaces is a top edge.",
    "6. The lacrosse head and spacer combination of claim 1, wherein a height of the lacrosse head spacer measured perpendicular to the width is in the range of 1 inch to 3 inches.",
    "7. The lacrosse head and spacer combination of claim 1, wherein a height of the lacrosse head spacer measured perpendicular to the width is in the range of 1.5 inches to 2.5 inches.",
    "8. The lacrosse head and spacer combination of claim 1, wherein a height of the lacrosse head spacer measured perpendicular to the width is in the range of 1.75 inches to 2.25 inches.",
    "9. The lacrosse head and spacer combination of claim 1, wherein the coupling mechanism comprises an opening through a top surface of the lacrosse head spacer, wherein the opening is configured to receive an insert extending from the throat of the lacrosse head.",
    "10. The lacrosse head and spacer combination of claim 9, wherein the coupling mechanism further comprises a tab extending from the top surface and disposed adjacent to the opening, wherein the tab is configured to be attached to the lacrosse head.",
    "11. The lacrosse head of and spacer combination claim 10, wherein the tab is removably coupled to the top surface of the lacrosse head spacer.",
    "12. The lacrosse head and spacer combination of claim 1, wherein the coupling mechanism comprises an extension extending from a top surface of the lacrosse head spacer, wherein the extension is configured to be received in a socket of the throat of a lacrosse head.",
    "13. A lacrosse head spacer comprising: a first flat surface; a second surface and a third surface attached at opposing first and second edges of the first flat surface; a curved surface extending between the second surface and the third surface, wherein the curved surface is disposed opposite the first flat surface; and a coupling mechanism for coupling the lacrosse head spacer to a lacrosse head, wherein a width of the lacrosse head spacer measured perpendicularly from the second surface to the third surface is in a range of about 3.005 to about 4.25 inches, wherein the lacrosse head spacer is configured to be inserted between sidewalls of a lacrosse head with the curved surface facing a throat of the lacrosse head and the first flat surface facing a scoop of the lacrosse head to maintain the sidewalls of the lacrosse head spaced apart a distance in a range of about 3.005 inches to about 4.25 inches when the lacrosse head spacer is inserted between the sidewalls of the lacrosse head.",
    "14. The lacrosse head spacer of claim 13, wherein the coupling mechanism comprises an opening through a top surface of the lacrosse head spacer, wherein the opening is configured to receive an insert extending from a throat of the lacrosse head.",
    "15. The lacrosse head spacer of claim 14, wherein the coupling mechanism further comprises a tab extending from the top surface and disposed adjacent to the opening, wherein the tab is configured to be attached to the lacrosse head.",
    "16. The lacrosse head of spacer claim 15, wherein the tab is removably coupled to the top surface of the lacrosse head spacer.",
    "17. The lacrosse head spacer of claim 13, wherein the coupling mechanism comprises an extension extending from a top surface of the lacrosse head spacer, wherein the extension is configured to be received in a socket of a throat of a lacrosse head.",
    "18. A lacrosse head and spacer combination comprising: a lacrosse head including a throat; sidewalls, and a scoop opposite the throat; and a lacrosse head spacer including: a flat front surface, a left side surface attached at a left edge of the flat front surface, a right side surface attached at right edge of the flat front surface, a curved back surface extending between the left side surface and the right side surface, wherein the curved back surface is disposed opposite the flat front surface, and a coupling mechanism for coupling the lacrosse head spacer to the lacrosse head, wherein a width of the lacrosse head spacer measured perpendicularly from the left side surface to the right side surface is in a range of about 1% to about 40% larger than a minimum width dimension specified by NCAA rules for lacrosse heads, wherein the lacrosse head spacer is configured to be inserted between the sidewalls of the lacrosse head with the curved back surface facing the throat of the lacrosse head and the flat front surface facing the scoop of the lacrosse head to maintain the sidewalls of the lacrosse head spaced apart a distance in a range of about 1% to about 40% larger than a minimum width dimension specified by NCAA rules for lacrosse heads when the lacrosse head spacer is inserted between the sidewalls of the lacrosse head.",
    "19. The lacrosse head and spacer combination of claim 18, wherein the width is in the range of about 4% to about 30% larger than a minimum width dimension specified by NCAA rules for lacrosse heads such that the lacrosse head spacer is configured to maintain the sidewalls of the lacrosse head spaced apart in a range of about 4% to about 30% larger than the minimum width dimension specified by NCAA rules for lacrosse heads when the lacrosse head spacer is inserted between the sidewalls of the lacrosse head.",
    "20. The lacrosse head and spacer combination of claim 18, wherein the width is in the range of about 12% to about 25% larger than the minimum width dimension specified by NCAA rules for lacrosse heads such that the lacrosse head spacer is configured to maintain the sidewalls of the lacrosse head spaced apart in a range of about 12% to about 25% larger than the minimum width dimension specified by NCAA rules for lacrosse heads when the lacrosse head spacer is inserted between the sidewalls of the lacrosse head.",
    "21. The lacrosse head and spacer combination of claim 18, further comprising a top surface extending perpendicular to the flat front surface, the left side surface, the right side surface, and the curved back surface, wherein the top surface is attached to a top edge of each of the flat front surface, the left side surface, the right side surface, and the curved back surface.",
    "22. The lacrosse head and spacer combination of claim 18, wherein the coupling mechanism comprises an opening through a top surface of the lacrosse head spacer, wherein the opening is configured to receive an insert extending from the throat of the lacrosse head.",
    "23. The lacrosse head and spacer combination of claim 22, wherein the coupling mechanism further comprises a tab extending from the top surface and disposed adjacent to the opening, wherein the tab is configured to be attached to the lacrosse head.",
    "24. The lacrosse head of and spacer combination claim 23, wherein the tab is removably coupled to the top surface of the lacrosse head spacer.",
    "25. The lacrosse head and spacer combination of claim 18, wherein the coupling mechanism comprises an extension extending from a top surface of the lacrosse head spacer, wherein the extension is configured to be received in a socket of the throat of a lacrosse head.",
    "26. The lacrosse head and spacer combination of claim 18, Wherein a height of the lacrosse head spacer measured perpendicular to the width is in the range of 1 inch to 3 inches.",
    "27. The lacrosse head and spacer combination a claim 18, wherein a height of the lacrosse head spacer measured perpendicular to the width is in the range of 1.5 inches to 2.5 inches.",
    "28. The lacrosse head and spacer combination of claim 18, wherein a height of the lacrosse head spacer measured perpendicular to the width is in the range of 1.75 inches to 2.25 inches."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The invention relates generally to an accessory for a lacrosse head, and more particularly to a spacer for maintaining proper dimensions of a lacrosse head.\n\nIn a game of lacrosse, lacrosse heads may become misshapen or distorted due to use. In particular, during a face-off, two opposing players face each other in the middle of the field, with the lacrosse ball placed on the ground on the center line between the heads of their sticks. Players facing off must rest their stick in their gloved hands on the ground and position themselves entirely behind the heads of their sticks. When the face-off commences, the players compete for possession of the lacrosse ball, often by trying to clamp the lacrosse ball under the backside of their lacrosse head and passing or directing the lacrosse ball to their teammates. To clamp the lacrosse ball, a player will rotate or turn his lacrosse stick to a position in which the backside of the lacrosse head covers the lacrosse ball with both of the opposing sidewalls of the lacrosse head adjacent or in close proximity to the ground. This action often distorts the heads due to the pressure applied by the player. However, the rules of lacrosse specify dimensions of the lacrosse head at various locations of the lacrosse head.",
  "cpc": [
    "A63B 60/42",
    "A63B 2071/0694",
    "A63B 2102/14",
    "A63B 2209/00",
    "A63B 59/20",
    "A63B 71/0036"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "A63B 59/20",
    "A63B 60/42"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "East Coast Dyes Inc"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Hamilton Sean Michael Whitney",
    "Gregory Kenneally",
    "Brian Schaaf",
    "Michael Kenneally"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2019-02-19",
  "publication_date": "2022-09-20",
  "grant_date": "2022-09-20",
  "priority_date": "2019-02-19",
  "application_number": "US-201916279932-A",
  "family_id": "72041257",
  "cited_by_count": 2,
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}