Lacrosse stick having a composite shaft

Abstract

The invention comprises, in one form thereof, a shaft for a lacrosse stick, including a structural foam core, at least one fabric sleeve surrounding the foam core, and a resin infused into the fabric sleeves. The fabric sleeves consist of woven fibers selected from the group of aramid fibers, carbon fibers, fiberglass, or a combination thereof. A fabric having a personalized pattern applied over the fabric sleeves may be included. Further, a temporary release peel ply material and a temporary plastic mesh may be applied over the fabric sleeves when the epoxy is applied to the shaft.

1 . An improved lacrosse stick, comprising: 
 a central support means for supporting a lacrosse stick shaft;    at least one fabric sleeve surrounding said central support means; and    a resin infused into said at least one fabric sleeve to bind the at least one fabric sleeve.    
   
   
       2 . The improved lacrosse stick of  claim 1  wherein said central support means further comprises a foam core.  
   
   
       3 . The improved lacrosse stick of  claim 2  wherein said foam core comprises a consistent cross-section that is substantially cylindrical.  
   
   
       4 . The improved lacrosse stick of  claim 2  wherein said foam core comprises a consistent cross-section that is polygonal.  
   
   
       5 . The improved lacrosse stick of  claim 2  wherein said foam core is hollow.  
   
   
       6 . The improved lacrosse stick of  claim 2  wherein said foam core is solid.  
   
   
       7 . The improved lacrosse stick of  claim 1  wherein said at least one fabric sleeve further comprises woven fibers, wherein said woven fibers are bound together by said resin.  
   
   
       8 . The shaft according to  claim 7 , wherein said woven fibers of said at least one sleeve are selected from a group consisting of aramid fibers, carbon fibers, fiberglass, or a combination thereof.  
   
   
       9 . The shaft according to  claim 7 , wherein said woven fibers of said at least one sleeve are at least two or more fibers selected from a group consisting of aramid fibers, carbon fibers, fiberglass, or a combination thereof.  
   
   
       10 . The shaft according to  claim 1 , further comprising a fabric having a personalized pattern applied over said at least one fabric sleeve.  
   
   
       11 . The shaft according to  claim 1 , further comprising a temporary release peel ply material applied over said at least one fabric sleeve when said resin is applied to said shaft.  
   
   
       12 . The shaft according to  claim 1 , further comprising a temporary plastic mesh applied over said at least one fabric sleeve when said resin is applied to said shaft.  
   
   
       13 . A method of making a shaft for a lacrosse stick comprising the steps of: 
 forming a foam core to a desired shape;    placing at least one fabric sleeve over said foam core;    wrapping a release peel ply material over said at least one fabric sleeve;    covering said release peel ply material with a plastic mesh;    placing said shaft into a vacuum;    infusing said shaft with a resin;    curing said shaft;    removing said shaft from said vacuum;    removing said plastic mesh;    post-curing said shaft; and    removing said release peel ply material.    
   
   
       14 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein said at least one fabric sleeve consists of woven fibers selected from the group of aramid fibers, carbon fibers, fiberglass, or a combination thereof.  
   
   
       15 . The method according to  claim 13 , further comprising the step of wrapping a fabric having a personalized pattern over said at least one fabric sleeve after said step of sliding at least one fabric sleeve over said foam core.  
   
   
       16 . A lacrosse stick, comprising: 
 a structural foam core;    at least one fabric sleeve having woven fibers surrounding said foam core;    a fabric having a personalized pattern applied over said at least one fabric sleeve; and    a resin infused into said at least one fabric sleeve to bind the woven fibers of said at least one fabric sleeve.    
   
   
       17 . The lacrosse stick of  claim 16  further comprising a temporary release peel ply material applied over said at least one fabric sleeve when said resin is applied to said shaft.  
   
   
       18 . The lacrosse stick of  claim 16  further comprising a temporary plastic mesh applied over said at least one fabric sleeve when said resin is applied to said shaft.  
   
   
       19 . The lacrosse stick of  claim 16  further comprising a lacrosse head.