Lacrosse mesh and related objects and methods

Abstract

Lacrosse mesh having a hybrid arrangement, which includes at least two components of different material types or properties. Yarns or strands of the mesh can be provided with a high level of twist, such as above 100 TPM. In some configurations, individually twisted yarns or strands are combined and twisted in the same or a different direction than the individual twist. In some configurations, one material has a higher modulus, better absorption or adhesion properties, or different levels of thermal shrinkage than the other material(s). In some configurations, some yarns or portions of the mesh (warp or weft) are more tightly knitted and other yarns or portions of the mesh to be more loosely knitted. In some configurations, the more loosely knitted yarns or portions have a higher level of thermal shrinkage and tighten in response to heating of the mesh.

1 . A lacrosse mesh for stringing to a head of a lacrosse stick, the lacrosse mesh comprising:
 a first outside edge extending between a first end and a second end of the lacrosse mesh;   a second outside edge opposite the first outside edge, the second outside edge extending between the first end and the second end of the lacrosse mesh;   a plurality of pillars positioned between the first outside edge and the second outside edge and extending between the first end and the second end of the lacrosse mesh;   wherein one or more of the plurality of pillars comprise connected portions and unconnected portions;   wherein the lacrosse mesh comprises a plurality of warp strands and a plurality of weft strands, each of the plurality of warp strands and the plurality of weft strands comprising one or more yarns or filaments, wherein at least a portion of the yarns or filaments of the warp strands or the weft strands have an individual twist of greater than or equal to 250 TPM.   
     
     
         2 . The lacrosse mesh of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the warp strands or the weft strands comprise a plurality of yarns or filaments, wherein the individual twist of each of the plurality of filaments is in a first direction, and wherein the plurality of yarns or filaments are twisted together to have a combined twist in a second direction opposite the first direction. 
     
     
         3 . The lacrosse mesh of  claim 2 , wherein the combined twist is less than the individual twist. 
     
     
         4 . The lacrosse mesh of  claim 1 , wherein the lacrosse mesh has a width of 9/10 diamonds, a length of at least 10 rows of 9 diamonds and 10 rows of 10 diamonds, wherein the connected portions have four warp loops and the unconnected portions have three warp loops, wherein a diamond length is between about 2.80 cm-3.10 cm, wherein an average warp/weft denier is between about 2000-4500, wherein the warp and/or weft yarns contain at least one of or the combination of PET and PP in an amount greater than or equal to 50%. 
     
     
         5 . The lacrosse mesh of  claim 1 , wherein one or both of the warp strands and the weft strand have a first yarn that has a first physical property and at least a second yarn that has a second physical property that is different from the first physical property. 
     
     
         6 . The lacrosse mesh of  claim 5 , wherein the first physical property and the second physical property are selected from the following: material, material grade, modulus, length, shape, orientation, ability to coat, heat treatment, elongation, shrinkage, size, and strength. 
     
     
         7 . The lacrosse mesh of  claim 1 , wherein the warp strands have a first yarn that has a first physical property and the weft strand have a second yarn that has a second physical property that is different from the first physical property. 
     
     
         8 . The lacrosse mesh of  claim 7 , wherein the first physical property and the second physical property are selected from the following: material, material grade, modulus, length, shape, orientation, ability to coat, heat treatment, elongation, shrinkage, size, and strength. 
     
     
         9 . A lacrosse mesh for stringing to a head of a lacrosse stick, the lacrosse mesh comprising:
 a first outside edge extending between a first end and a second end of the lacrosse mesh;   a second outside edge opposite the first outside edge, the second outside edge extending between the first end and the second end of the lacrosse mesh;   a plurality of pillars positioned between the first outside edge and the second outside edge and extending between the first end and the second end of the lacrosse mesh;   wherein one or more of the plurality of pillars comprise connected portions and unconnected portions;   wherein the lacrosse mesh comprises a plurality of warp strands and a plurality of weft strands, wherein the plurality of warp strands have a first elongation and the plurality of weft strands have a second elongation that is different than the first elongation.   
     
     
         10 . The lacrosse mesh of  claim 9 , wherein the first elongation is less than the second elongation. 
     
     
         11 . The lacrosse mesh of  claim 10 , wherein the warp strands are woven tighter than the weft strands. 
     
     
         12 . The lacrosse mesh of  claim 9 , wherein the first elongation is greater than the second elongation. 
     
     
         13 . The lacrosse mesh of  claim 12 , wherein the weft strands are woven tighter than the warp strands. 
     
     
         14 . The lacrosse mesh of  claim 9 , wherein the lacrosse mesh has a width of 9/10 diamonds, a length of at least 10 rows of 9 diamonds and 10 rows of 10 diamonds, wherein the connected portions have four warp loops and the unconnected portions have three warp loops, wherein a diamond length is between about 2.80 cm-3.10 cm, wherein an average warp/weft denier is between about 2000-4500, wherein the warp and/or weft yarns contain at least one of or the combination of PET and PP in an amount greater than or equal to 50%. 
     
     
         15 - 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A lacrosse mesh for stringing to a head of a lacrosse stick, the lacrosse mesh comprising:
 a first outside edge extending between a first end and a second end of the lacrosse mesh;   a second outside edge opposite the first outside edge, the second outside edge extending between the first end and the second end of the lacrosse mesh;   a plurality of pillars positioned between the first outside edge and the second outside edge and extending between the first end and the second end of the lacrosse mesh;   wherein one or more of the plurality of pillars comprise connected portions and unconnected portions;   wherein the lacrosse mesh comprises a plurality of warp strands and a plurality of weft strands, wherein the lacrosse mesh comprises a hybrid construction having a first material and a different second material within one or both of the warp strands and the weft strands.   
     
     
         19 . The lacrosse mesh of  claim 18 , wherein the lacrosse mesh has a width of 9/10 diamonds, a length of at least 10 rows of 9 diamonds and 10 rows of 10 diamonds, wherein the connected portions have four warp loops and the unconnected portions have three warp loops, wherein a diamond length is between about 2.80 cm-3.10 cm, wherein an average warp/weft denier is between about 2000-4500, wherein the warp and/or weft yarns contain at least one of or the combination of PET and PP in an amount greater than or equal to 50%. 
     
     
         20 . The lacrosse mesh of  claim 18 , wherein at least a portion of yarns or filaments of the warp strands or the weft strands have an individual twist of greater than or equal to 250 TPM.