Lacrosse head pocket

Abstract

A lacrosse head pocket for a lacrosse head having a scoop and opposing sidewalls. The pocket includes a pocket member comprising one or more thin, flexible portions. The pocket member is connected to the scoop and at least a portion of the sidewalls.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A lacrosse head pocket, the lacrosse head having a scoop, opposing sidewalls and a ball stop, the pocket comprising: 
 pocket stringing defining a portion of the pocket; and    a pocket member defining another portion of the pocket and comprising one or more thin flexible portions that are unitary with the pocket stringing, to create the pocket.    
     
     
         2 . The lacrosse head pocket of  claim 1 , further comprising means for connecting the pocket to the interior periphery of the lacrosse head, to close the head such that the head can receive and carry a lacrosse ball.  
     
     
         3 . The lacrosse head pocket of  claim 1 , wherein the pocket member comprises a plastic sheet defining a number of openings through the faces to decrease wind resistance.  
     
     
         4 . The lacrosse head pocket of  claim 1 , wherein the pocket member has a partial outline shape that conforms generally to the inside of the scoop and the sidewalls proximate the scoop.  
     
     
         5 . The lacrosse head pocket of  claim 4 , wherein the pocket member spans between the sidewalls, and has an outline shape between the sidewalls defining a curve such that the length of the pocket member proximate the sidewalls is greater than its length along its center.  
     
     
         6 . The lacrosse head pocket of  claim 1 , wherein the pocket member has an inner surface defining a series of small projections.  
     
     
         7 . The lacrosse head pocket of  claim 2 , wherein the lacrosse head defines one or more stringing holes, and wherein the means for connecting the pocket to the interior periphery of the lacrosse head comprises means for connecting the pocket member to one or more of the stringing holes.  
     
     
         8 . The lacrosse head pocket of  claim 7 , wherein the means for connecting the pocket to one or more of the stringing holes comprises connector members along at least a part of the periphery of the pocket member.  
     
     
         9 . The lacrosse head pocket of  claim 8 , wherein the connector members comprise integral tabs projecting from the periphery of the thin, flexible sheet.  
     
     
         10 . The lacrosse head pocket of  claim 9 , wherein at least some of the tabs define an enlarged head, and are adapted to pass through a stringing hole.  
     
     
         11 . The lacrosse head pocket of  claim 10 , wherein the enlarged head is tapered where it fits through the opening, and includes a sharp cutback portion, to define a tooth, so that it can be pulled through the hole from the inside, but resists pulling back through the hole once inserted there through.  
     
     
         12 . The lacrosse head pocket of  claim 7 , wherein the means for connecting the pocket to one or more of the stringing holes comprises connecting stringing passing through the openings and engaging with the pocket.  
     
     
         13 . The lacrosse head pocket of  claim 1 , wherein the pocket member comprises plastic overmolded on at least a portion of the pocket stringing.  
     
     
         14 . The lacrosse head pocket of  claim 13 , wherein the overmolded portion comprises at least some of the pocket member.  
     
     
         15 . The lacrosse head pocket of  claim 1  further comprising a ball-carrying pocket portion.  
     
     
         16 . The lacrosse head pocket of  claim 16 , wherein the ball-carrying pocket portion is partially unitary with the pocket member.  
     
     
         17 . The lacrosse head pocket of  claim 16 , wherein the pocket comprises an integral combination plastic portion defining vertical elongated portions and the pocket member.  
     
     
         18 . The lacrosse head pocket of  claim 17 , wherein the vertical elongated portions are received in openings in the scoop and the stop of the lacrosse head.  
     
     
         19 . The lacrosse head pocket of  claim 18  further comprising one or more structures for inhibiting the vertical elongated portions from pulling out of the openings in the scoop.  
     
     
         20 . The lacrosse head pocket of  claim 19 , wherein the structures comprise one or more teeth on the vertical elongated portions.  
     
     
         21 . The lacrosse head pocket of  claim 19 , wherein the structures comprise a locking member engaged with each vertical elongated portion outside of the ball stop.  
     
     
         22 . The lacrosse head pocket of  claim 1 , wherein the ball-carrying pocket portion is integral with the pocket member.  
     
     
         23 . The lacrosse head pocket of  claim 1 , wherein the pocket member is integral with the lacrosse head.  
     
     
         24 . The lacrosse head pocket of  claim 1 , wherein the ball-carrying pocket portion is integral with the lacrosse head.  
     
     
         25 . The lacrosse head pocket of  claim 1 , wherein the pocket member has a lower edge that is adjacent to the pocket stringing, and defines a series of holes along the lower edge for connecting the pocket member to the pocket stringing with connecting lacing.  
     
     
         26 . The lacrosse head pocket of  claim 25 , wherein the lower edge is scalloped to create openings between adjacent holes, for improving the flexing of the pocket member lower edge.