# US 9,427,641 B2 · Lacrosse head pocket and related method of manufacture > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,427,641 B2 - Document ID: US9427641B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/815,100 - Filed: 2015-07-31 - Published: 2016-02-11 - Granted: 2016-08-30 - Earliest claimed: 2014-08-07 - Assignees: Warrior Sports, Inc. - Applicants: Warrior Sports, Inc. - Inventors: David K. Morrow; Bruce Huffa; Thomas H. Burns; Richard J. Janisse; Sean J. Slater; Dale W. Kohler; Craig M. Herman - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9427641B2 ## CPC - A63B 59/20: having means, e.g. pockets, netting or adhesive type surfaces, for catching or holding a ball, e.g. for lacrosse or pelota - B29C 45/14: incorporating preformed parts or layers, e.g. injection moulding around inserts or for coating articles {(B29C45/1671 takes precedence)} - B29C 45/14065: {Positioning or centering articles in the mould} - B29C 45/14786: {Fibrous material or fibre containing material, e.g. fibre mats or fibre reinforced material} - B29C 65/02: by heating, with or without pressure - B29C 70/688: {the inserts being meshes or lattices (B29C70/82, B29C70/683 take precedence)} - D03D 1/00: Woven fabrics designed to make specified articles - D03D 13/004: {with weave pattern being non-standard or providing special effects} - D03D 51/00: Driving, starting, or stopping arrangements; Automatic stop motions {(loom control associated with fabric inspection on the loom D03J1/007)} - D04B 1/22: specially adapted for knitting goods of particular configuration - D04B 15/78: Electrical devices - D05B 1/02: for making single-thread seams - D05B 19/12: characterised by control of operation of machine - A63B 2102/14: Lacrosse - B29C 45/0046: {Details relating to the filling pattern or flow paths or flow characteristics of moulding material in the mould cavity} - B29C 45/14221: {by tools, e.g. cutting means} - B29C 45/14262: {Clamping or tensioning means for the insert} - B29C 45/14336: {Coating a portion of the article, e.g. the edge of the article (B29C45/14573 and B29C45/14598 take precedence)} - B29C 45/1671: {with an insert} - B29C 45/76: Measuring, controlling or regulating {(measuring in general G01; controlling or regulating in general G05)} - B29C 65/18: using heated tools - B29C 66/1122: {Single lap to lap joints, i.e. overlap joints (B29C66/45, B29C66/472, B29C66/52272 take precedence)} - B29C 66/301: {Three-dimensional joints, i.e. the joined area being substantially non-flat (B29C66/5223, B29C66/5224, B29C66/5225 take precedence)} - B29C 66/43: {Joining a relatively small portion of the surface of said articles (B29C66/45 takes precedence)} - B29C 66/729: {Textile or other fibrous material made from plastics} - B29C 66/73921: {characterised by the materials of both parts being thermoplastics} - B29C 66/81427: {comprising a single ridge, e.g. for making a weakening line; comprising a single tooth} - B29C 66/91421: {of the joining tools} - B29C 66/919: {characterised by specific temperature, heat or thermal flux values or ranges (specific electrical resistance values B29C66/81262)} - B29C 2045/14147: {using pins or needles penetrating through the insert} - B29C 2045/14245: {using deforming or preforming means outside the mould cavity} - B29K 2023/06: {PE, i.e. polyethylene} - B29K 2077/00: Use of {PA, i.e.} polyamides, e.g. polyesteramides {or derivatives thereof}, as moulding material - B29K 2101/00: Use of unspecified macromolecular compounds as moulding material {(use of unspecified rubbers B29K2021/00)} - B29K 2101/12: Thermoplastic materials - B29K 2623/0683: {UHMWPE, i.e. ultra high molecular weight polyethylene} - B29K 2677/00: Use of {PA, i.e.} polyamides, e.g. polyesteramides {or derivatives thereof,} for preformed parts, e.g. for inserts - B29K 2713/00: Use of textile products or fabrics for preformed parts, e.g. for inserts (B29K2105/06 takes precedence) - B29L 2028/00: Nets or the like - B29L 2031/52: Sports equipment {; Games; Articles for amusement}; Toys (B29L2031/54 takes precedence) - B29L 2031/5227: {Clubs} - B29L 2031/5245: {Rackets} - D10B 2403/033: Three dimensional fabric, e.g. forming or comprising cavities in or protrusions from the basic planar configuration, or deviations from the cylindrical shape as generally imposed by the fabric forming process - D10B 2507/00: Sport; Military - A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H) - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) - D03D: WOVEN FABRICS; METHODS OF WEAVING; LOOMS - D04B: KNITTING - D05B: SEWING (appliances for the tailoring trade A41H; sewing tables A47B29/00; sewing in bookbinding B42B2/00; sewing machines modified for knitting D04B39/08) - B29K: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR {MOULDS, } REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS - B29L: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES - D10B: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES ## Abstract A lacrosse head pocket and a related method of manufacture are provided to facilitate consistent, repeatable and/or custom manufacture of lacrosse equipment. The pocket can be constructed from multiple different sections joined with one another, or can be knitted, weaved or otherwise assembled on an automated assembly machine from strands, and/or can be formed as a unitary textile material having regions/sections with different physical and/or mechanical properties. The pocket can be integrally molded within portions of a lacrosse head to eliminate manually constructed connections between the pocket and lacrosse head. The lacrosse head can be integrally molded with a lacrosse handle to provide a one-piece unitary lacrosse stick. Related methods of manufacturing also are provided. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of making a lacrosse head pocket comprising: coupling a first plurality of strands to a machine; mechanically manipulating the first plurality of strands with the machine during a process to form a first predefined, three dimensional shape in a first unitary textile lacrosse pocket body as a result of the process; mechanically manipulating the first plurality of strands with the machine during the process to form a second predefined, three dimensional shape in a second lacrosse pocket body as a result of the process, the second lacrosse pocket body being joined with the first lacrosse pocket body via at least one strand to form a strip of lacrosse pockets; and decoupling the first lacrosse pocket body from the second lacrosse pocket body, wherein upon the decoupling, the first lacrosse pocket body retains the first predefined, three dimensional shape in the first lacrosse pocket body. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 comprising; knitting a first upper edge in the first lacrosse pocket body; knitting a second lower edge in the second lacrosse pocket body, the first upper edge being joined with the second lower edge at an edge interface, wherein the decoupling step includes decoupling the first upper edge from the second lower edge at the edge interface. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2 wherein the decoupling step includes at least one of cutting and hot melting the strip of lacrosse pockets at the edge interface to remove the first pocket body from the second pocket body, and comprising overmolding the first upper edge with a head material having a thickness of 1.5 mm to 4.5 mm. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 comprising: coupling a second plurality of strands to the machine, each of the second plurality of strands being constructed from a second material, different from a first material from which the first plurality of strands is constructed, the second material having a different elasticity from an elasticity of the first material; interlooping with the machine the second plurality of strands with preselected ones of the first plurality of strands. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 comprising: utilizing the process to knit a plurality of distinct, additional unitary textile lacrosse pocket bodies on the machine, the plurality of additional lacrosse pocket bodies being coupled to the second lacrosse pocket body, and forming an extension of the strip of lacrosse pockets. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 comprising: providing first lacrosse pocket data pertaining to the predefined, three dimensional shape; accessing the first lacrosse pocket data with a controller; and controlling the machine with the controller, whereby the machine produces the strip of lacrosse pockets, each lacrosse pocket having a substantially identical predefined three dimensional shape. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the mechanically manipulating the first strands with the machine to form the first predefined, three dimensional shape in the first unitary textile lacrosse pocket body forms at least one of a concave shooting ramp and a concave middle pocket in the pocket body. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7 wherein the mechanically manipulating the first strands with the machine to form the first predefined, three dimensional shape in the first unitary textile lacrosse pocket body forms a substantially planar shooting ramp flank adjacent the concave shooting ramp, and an edge of the pocket body. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein during the process the machine knits the first unitary textile pocket body so as to form in the first lacrosse pocket body: an upper edge corresponding to a portion of the first lacrosse pocket body adapted to attach to a scoop of a lacrosse head; first and second sidewall edges, each of the first and second sidewall edges corresponding to a portion of the first lacrosse pocket body adapted to attach to respective sidewalls of the lacrosse head; a lower edge corresponding to a portion of the first lacrosse pocket body adapted to attach to a base of a lacrosse head; a middle pocket having the predefined, three dimensional, concave shape; and at least one of a shooting ramp and a shooting ramp flank, having at least one of a predefined planar shape and a predefined, three dimensional convex shape. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9 wherein each of the upper edge, first and second sidewall edges and the middle pocket, and at least one of a shooting ramp and the shooting ramp flank are formed entirely by the machine, without any direct manual human manipulation of the first plurality of strands. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 comprising: providing a plurality of spools, each having at least one of the first plurality of strands wound on the spool, the plurality of spools being distal from the machine; and pulling the at least one of the first plurality of strands off the respective ones of the plurality of spools with the machine. ### Claim 12 A method of making a lacrosse pocket comprising: extending a first plurality of strands from a first spool to a machine; extending a second plurality of strands from a second, different spool to the machine; mechanically manipulating the first plurality of strands and the second plurality of strands with the machine during a process to form a first predefined, three dimensional, shape in a first lacrosse pocket body; mechanically manipulating the first plurality of strands and the second plurality of strands with the machine during the process to form a second predefined, three dimensional, shape in second lacrosse pocket body, the second lacrosse pocket body being joined with the first lacrosse pocket body to form a strip of at least two interconnected lacrosse pockets; and decoupling the first lacrosse pocket body from the second lacrosse pocket body, wherein upon the decoupling, the first lacrosse pocket body retains the first predefined, three dimensional shape in the first lacrosse pocket body. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12 comprising forming the first predefined, three dimensional, shape in the first lacrosse pocket body without engaging the first lacrosse pocket body with a mold of any type. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12 comprising knitting with the machine a first perimeter and a second opposing perimeter along the strip of at least two interconnected lacrosse pockets, wherein the first perimeter and second perimeter undulate toward and away from a longitudinal axis of the strip. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12 comprising: knitting a shooting ramp flank in the first pocket body adjacent a middle pocket; and knitting a pocket edge that extends adjacent both the shooting ramp flank and the middle pocket, wherein the pocket edge is a first distance from a longitudinal axis of the strip adjacent the shooting ramp flank, wherein the pocket edge is a second distance from a longitudinal axis of the strip adjacent the middle pocket, wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance. ### Claim 16 A method of making a lacrosse head pocket comprising: coupling a first plurality of strands to a knitting machine; mechanically manipulating the first plurality of strands with the knitting machine during a knitting process to form a first predefined, three dimensional shape in a first unitary textile lacrosse pocket body as a result of the knitting process; mechanically manipulating the first plurality of strands with the knitting machine during the knitting process to form a second predefined, three dimensional shape in a second lacrosse pocket body as a result of the knitting process, the second lacrosse pocket body being joined with the first lacrosse pocket body via at least one strand to form a strip of lacrosse pockets; and decoupling the first lacrosse pocket body from the second lacrosse pocket body, wherein upon the decoupling, the first lacrosse pocket body retains the first predefined, three dimensional shape in the first lacrosse pocket body. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16 comprising; knitting a first upper edge in the first lacrosse pocket body; knitting a second lower edge in the second lacrosse pocket body, the first upper edge being joined with the second lower edge at an edge interface, wherein the decoupling step includes decoupling the first upper edge from the second lower edge at the edge interface. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17 wherein the decoupling step includes at least one of cutting and hot melting the strip of lacrosse pockets at the edge interface to remove the first pocket body from the second pocket body, and comprising overmolding the first upper edge with a head material having a thickness of 1.5 mm to 4.5 mm. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16 comprising: coupling a second plurality of strands to the knitting machine, each of the second plurality of strands being constructed from a second material, different from a first material from which the first plurality of strands is constructed, the second material having a different elasticity from an elasticity of the first material; interlooping with the knitting machine the second plurality of strands with preselected ones of the first plurality of strands. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16 comprising: utilizing the knitting process to knit a plurality of distinct, additional unitary textile lacrosse pocket bodies on the knitting machine, the plurality of additional lacrosse pocket bodies being coupled to the second lacrosse pocket body, and forming an extension of the strip of lacrosse pockets. ### Claim 21 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16 comprising: providing first lacrosse pocket data pertaining to the predefined, three dimensional shape; accessing the first lacrosse pocket data with a controller; and controlling the knitting machine with the controller, whereby the knitting machine produces the strip of lacrosse pockets, each lacrosse pocket having a substantially identical predefined three dimensional shape. ### Claim 22 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16 wherein the mechanically manipulating the first strands with the knitting machine to form the first predefined, three dimensional shape in the first unitary textile lacrosse pocket body forms at least one of a concave shooting ramp and a concave middle pocket in the pocket body. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The method of claim 22 wherein the mechanically manipulating the first strands with the knitting machine to form the first predefined, three dimensional shape in the first unitary textile lacrosse pocket body forms a substantially planar shooting ramp flank adjacent the concave shooting ramp, and an edge of the pocket body. ### Claim 24 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16 wherein during the knitting process the knitting machine knits the unitary textile pocket body so as to form in the first lacrosse pocket body: an upper edge corresponding to a portion of the first pocket body adapted to attach to a scoop of a lacrosse head; first and second sidewall edges, each corresponding to a portion of the first lacrosse pocket body adapted to attach to respective sidewalls of the lacrosse head; a lower edge corresponding to a portion of the first lacrosse pocket body adapted to attach to a base of a lacrosse head; a middle pocket having the predefined, three dimensional, concave shape; and at least one of a shooting ramp and a shooting ramp flank, having at least one of a predefined planar shape and a predefined, three dimensional convex shape. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The method of claim 24 wherein each of the upper edge, first and second sidewall edges and the middle pocket, and at least one of a shooting ramp and the shooting ramp flank are formed entirely by the knitting machine, without direct manual human manipulation of the first plurality of strands. ### Claim 26 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16 comprising: providing a plurality of spools, each having at least one of the first plurality of strands wound on the spool, the plurality of spools being distal from the knitting machine; and pulling the at least one of the first plurality of strands off the respective ones of the plurality of spools with the knitting machine. ### Claim 27 A method of making a lacrosse pocket comprising: extending a first plurality of strands from a first spool to a knitting machine; extending a second plurality of strands from a second, different spool to the knitting machine; mechanically manipulating the first plurality of strands and the second plurality of strands with the knitting machine during a knitting process to form a first predefined, three dimensional, shape in a first lacrosse pocket body; mechanically manipulating the first plurality of strands and the second plurality of strands with the knitting machine during the knitting process to form a second predefined, three dimensional, shape a second lacrosse pocket body, the second lacrosse pocket body being joined with the first lacrosse pocket body to form a strip of at least two interconnected lacrosse pockets; and decoupling the first lacrosse pocket body from the second lacrosse pocket body, wherein upon the decoupling, the first lacrosse pocket body retains the first predefined, three dimensional shape in the first lacrosse pocket body. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The method of claim 27 comprising forming the first predefined, three dimensional, shape in the first lacrosse pocket body without engaging the first lacrosse pocket body with a heated mold. ### Claim 29 (depends on 27) The method of claim 27 comprising knitting a first perimeter and a second opposing perimeter along the strip of at least two interconnected lacrosse pockets, wherein the first perimeter and second perimeter undulate toward and away from a longitudinal axis of the strip. ### Claim 30 (depends on 27) The method of claim 27 comprising: knitting a shooting ramp flank in the first pocket body adjacent a middle pocket; and knitting a pocket edge that extends adjacent both the shooting ramp flank and the middle pocket, wherein the pocket edge is a first distance from a longitudinal axis of the strip adjacent the shooting ramp flank, wherein the pocket edge is a second distance from a longitudinal axis of the strip adjacent the middle pocket, wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance.