Cover for the shaft of athletic equipment

Abstract

A sheath for an article of athletic equipment having a shaft, which includes a cap and a rolled sheath. The cap is mounted on the free end of the athletic equipment and the sheath is unrolled onto the shaft to the desired length or the entire length of the shaft. The cap and sheath are preferably made from injection molded rubber, neoprene of other polymers that permit production in various thickness, colors and lengths. The elasticity of the material preferably gives it memory and durability. The diameter of the sheath is preferably smaller than the diameter of the shaft of the athletic equipment so that it stretches to a tight fit. After the sheath is unrolled to the desired length, excess material may be cut off, if desired.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cover for a lacrosse stick comprising:
 a base cap; and   a rolled flexible tubular sheath coupled to said base cap, wherein said rolled sheath is configured so that it can be unrolled onto the shaft of a lacrosse stick with the base cap abutting and mounted on the end of the shaft.   
     
     
         2 . A cover according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said sheath has a pebbled texture on its outer surface.   
     
     
         3 . A cover according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said base cap is cup-shaped.   
     
     
         4 . A cover according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said sheath is made from a flexible elastic polymer.   
     
     
         5 . A cover for a lacrosse stick comprising:
 a rolled flexible tubular sheath configured so that it can be unrolled onto the shaft of a lacrosse stick, said sheath having a pebbled texture on its outer surface.   
     
     
         6 . A cover according to  claim 5 , wherein:
 said sheath is made from a flexible elastic polymer.   
     
     
         7 . A cover according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said sheath is cylindrical.   
     
     
         8 . A kit comprising:
 a lacrosse stick having a shaft and a netted head;   a rolled flexible tubular sheath configured so that it can be unrolled onto the shaft of said lacrosse stick.   
     
     
         9 . The kit according to  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a cup-shaped cap coupled to said sheath.   
     
     
         10 . The kit according to  claim 8 , wherein:
 said cap is integrally formed with said sheath.   
     
     
         11 . The kit according to  claim 7 , wherein:
 said sheath is cylindrical.   
     
     
         12 . A cover for athletic equipment having a shaft comprising:
 a base cap; and   a rolled flexible tubular sheath coupled to said base cap, wherein said rolled sheath is configured so that it can be unrolled onto the shaft with the base cap abutting and mounted on the end of the shaft.   
     
     
         13 . A cover for athletic equipment having a shaft according to  claim 10 , wherein:
 said sheath has a pebbled texture on its outer surface.   
     
     
         14 . A cover for athletic equipment having a shaft according to  claim 10 , wherein:
 said base cap is cup-shaped.   
     
     
         15 . A cover for athletic equipment having a shaft according to  claim 10 , wherein:
 said sheath is made from a flexible elastic polymer.   
     
     
         16 . A cover for athletic equipment having a shaft according to  claim 12 , wherein:
 said sheath cylindrical.