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Lacrosse head netting adjustment mechanismRelated Patent Categories: Games Using Tangible Projectile, Player-held Device For Both Projecting And Catching Aerial Projectile; Part Thereof Or Accessory Therefor (i.e., Combined Projector-catcher Device), Both Projector And Catcher Are Pocketed, Having Pocket With Laterally Facing Opening (e.g., Lacrosse Stick, Jai Alai Cesta, Etc.)Lacrosse head netting adjustment mechanism description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070178995, Lacrosse head netting adjustment mechanism. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present invention claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/764,274, filed Feb. 1, 2006, and entitled "Lacrosse Head Netting Adjustment Mechanism", which is hereby incorporated by reference as though set forth fully herein. TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] The present invention relates generally to a lacrosse head, and more particularly to a lacrosse head having a built-in adjustment system for communicating with an attached netting and allowing adjustment of the depth of a pocket formed in the netting. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Lacrosse heads for use in the game of lacrosse are well-known and take on a variety of different configurations. Current lacrosse heads are typically manufactured by injection molding processes and are secured to a lacrosse handle for use in play. The structure of current lacrosse heads is commonly defined by a ballstop portion that is disposed adjacent to the connection of the handle, a pair of opposing sidewall portions that generally extend from the ballstop portion, and a scoop portion that connects the ends of the pair of opposing sidewall portions opposite the ballstop portion. Lacrosse heads are also intended to receive a netting thereon that connects to all or some of the ballstop portion, the pair of opposing sidewall portions, and the scoop portion. The netting is intended to retain a lacrosse ball therein. [0004] The scoop portion on current lacrosse heads has a generally smooth and planar inner surface. The smooth planar inner surface is intended to facilitate scooping of ground balls. As is also known, lacrosse heads for use by women are not allowed to have a pocket formed in the netting under some rules. As such, when the ball is thrown, passed, or shot it typically contacts the inner surface of the scoop when it is caused to exit the head. [0005] It is also understood that certain players, besides those mandated by rules, prefer to string their lacrosse heads with shallow pockets or no pockets. This is done by a variety of different players, including quick forwards or players who desire a quicker release of the lacrosse ball and those who desire the ability to pass the ball over longer distances. [0006] It is known that stringing a netting to a head is a labor intensive and relatively time consuming manual process. Currently, heads that are sold strung (with netting attached) typically have no pocket. Regardless, most players customize their pocket to fit their needs. However, adjustment of the stringing configuration is also a time consuming process that requires a substantial amount of stick down time. It is also relatively cumbersome and requires untying and retying knots. Because players are extremely particular about the configurations of the pocket in their lacrosse heads, once they have the pocket configured in a certain manner, they want it to remain in that configuration for as long as possible. This is because the pocket depth and configuration provide certain performance characteristics. [0007] One proposed solution to this problem with netting adjustability involved a lacrosse head having a bar at the underside of the frame that was moveable between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the length of the netting straps and thus the depth of the pocket could be adjusted by the player. In the closed position, the bar engaged the netting straps to keep them in position. However, the bar did not sufficiently retain the straps in the player-desired position as the straps slipped during play, and thus the pocket configuration did not remain fixed. Thus, currently, there is no mechanism that allows for easy adjustment of a netting once it is secured to the head and also retains the netting in that position once adjusted. [0008] It would therefore be desirable to provide a fast and easy system to allow adjustment of the netting and pocket of a lacrosse head once attached to the head. It would also be desirable to provide a system that allows a player to adjust the configuration of the netting including the pocket depth, with little or no down time for the particular lacrosse head. It would further be desirable to provide such a system that, once adjusted, would retain that stringing in the desired position for long periods of time until otherwise dictated by the player. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] It is therefore an advantage of the present invention to provide a lacrosse head with an adjustment mechanism that allows a netting to be quickly and easily adjusted once attached to the head. [0010] It is another advantage of the present invention to provide a lacrosse head with an adjustment mechanism that allows a player to adjust the depth of the pocket and be retained in that position until adjusted again by the player. [0011] It is a further advantage of the present invention to provide a lacrosse head with an adjustment mechanism that allows a player to adjust the depth of a pocket and therefore provide different playing characteristics. [0012] It is still another advantage of the present invention to provide a lacrosse head with an adjustment mechanism that allows the depth of a pocket to be quickly adjusted during play without having to unstring the head and without having to untie and retie knots. [0013] In accordance with the above and the other advantages of the present invention, a lacrosse head is provided. The lacrosse head includes an open frame having a throat portion for receiving a handle, a ballstop portion, a pair of opposing sidewall portions, and a scoop. The open frame includes a plurality of net attachment structures to facilitate attachment of a netting to the head. The lacrosse head also includes an adjustment mechanism disposed therein that is in communication with at least one net attachment structure to engage one or more straps of the netting that communicates therewith. The adjustment mechanism can be moved between a retracted position and a securing position. In the retracted position, the straps can freely move with respect to the net attachment structures to allow adjustment of their lengths and thus the depth of the pocket. In the securing position, the straps are retained in position and prevented from moving to fix the netting in the player-desired configuration. [0014] Other advantages of the present invention will become apparent when viewed in light of the detailed description of the preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the attached drawings and appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0015] FIG. 1 is a side view of a lacrosse head with a netting adjustment mechanism retaining the netting in a configuration with a deep pocket in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; [0016] FIG. 2 is a side view of a lacrosse head with the adjustment mechanism retaining the netting in a configuration with a shallower pocket in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; [0017] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a lacrosse head with a netting adjustment mechanism in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; [0018] FIG. 4 is a side view of the lacrosse head of FIG. 3; [0019] FIG. 5 is a top view of the lacrosse head of FIG. 3; Continue reading about Lacrosse head netting adjustment mechanism... Full patent description for Lacrosse head netting adjustment mechanism Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Lacrosse head netting adjustment mechanism patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Lacrosse head netting adjustment mechanism or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Ground anchor for sports support pole Next Patent Application: Darts: kit dart modifications Industry Class: Games using tangible projectile ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Lacrosse head netting adjustment mechanism patent info. 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