Abstract
An adjustable and releasably lockable shaft for sporting goods, such as lacrosse sticks, and a method for adjusting and releasably locking the length of sporting goods shafts, is disclosed. The device may include a first shaft and a second shaft, which may be connected through a connector component. The connector component may provide structural support for one or both shafts, resisting flexion and deformation during use. One or both shafts may be unlocked and removed from the connector component, allowing for easier travel and storage. Shafts may also be connected when desirable, such as for defensive lacrosse play, or disconnected when shorter devices are desired, such as for offensive lacrosse play. Other components and structures may also be attached using similar methods and structures.
Claims
1. A sporting goods device, comprising: a first shaft component further comprising a first end, a second end, a first external surface, and a first locking feature, and defining a first substantially longitudinal axis; a second shaft component further comprising a third end and a fourth end and defining a second substantially longitudinal axis; and a connector component further comprising a second external surface and a second locking feature, and defining a third substantially longitudinal axis; wherein the first shaft component is removably connectable to the connector component such that the first substantially longitudinal axis is substantially coaxial with the third substantially longitudinal axis and the first locking feature is configured to resist translation of the first shaft component along the first substantially longitudinal axis relative to the connector component when in a first unlockable locked configuration with the second locking feature and further wherein the second end is substantially proximal to the third end and the first substantially longitudinal axis is substantially coaxial with the second substantially longitudinal axis when the second shaft component is connected to the connector component and the first shaft component is in a first unlockable locked configuration with the second locking feature.
2. The sporting goods device according to claim 1, further wherein the first shaft component defines a first at least partially open internal volume and the connector component is configured to fit at least partially within the first at least partially open internal volume.
3. The sporting goods device according to claim 1, further wherein the second shaft component is removably connectable to the connector component such that the second substantially longitudinal axis is substantially coaxial with the third substantially longitudinal axis, and further wherein the connector component further comprises a third locking feature and the second shaft component further comprises a fourth locking feature, and the fourth locking feature is configured to resist translation of the second shaft component along the second substantially longitudinal axis relative to the connector component when in a second unlockable locked configuration with the third locking feature.
4. The sporting goods device according to claim 3, further wherein the second shaft component defines a second at least partially open internal volume and the connector component is configured to fit at least partially within the second at least partially open internal volume.
5. The sporting goods device according to claim 2, further wherein the connector component is substantially unitary with the second shaft component.
6. The sporting goods device according to claim 2, further wherein the first locking feature is a first opening defined by the first surface, and further wherein the second locking feature comprises a button feature which is configured to releasably lock with the first opening when the first shaft component is in the first unlockable locked configuration with the connector component.
7. The sporting goods device according to claim 6, further wherein the button feature is connected to the connector component by means of a spring, such that the button feature may be actuated away from the first external surface and towards a second at least partially open volume defined by the connector component.
8. The sporting goods device according to claim 6, further wherein the button feature is connected to an at least partially flexible portion of the connector component, such that the button feature may be actuated away from the first external surface and towards a second at least partially open volume define by the connector component.
9. The sporting goods device according to claim 2, further wherein the connector component is substantially rigid, such that the connector component provides at least partial support against flexion of the first shaft component relative to the first substantially longitudinal axis when the first shaft component is in the first unlockable locked configuration with the connector component.
10. The sporting goods device according to claim 2, further wherein the connector component further comprises at least one unlocking surface and the first shaft component further comprises an unlocking actuator, and further wherein the at least one unlocking surface is able to be deflected away from the second external surface and towards a second at least partially open volume defined by the connector assembly when the unlocking actuator is actuated.
11. The sporting goods device according to claim 2, wherein the second shaft component further comprises a first at least partially threaded component which is rotatably connected to the second shaft component such that the first at least partially threaded component may rotate about the second substantially longitudinal axis without having to substantially translate relative to the second substantially longitudinal axis, and further wherein the first shaft component further comprises a first at least partially threaded structure configured to thread together with the first at least partially threaded component so as to resist translation of the second shaft component relative to the second substantially longitudinal axis relative to the first shaft component.
12. The sporting goods device according to claim 11, further wherein the connector component is connected to the second shaft component and the connector component is configured so as to resist rotation of the second shaft component relative to the first shaft component when at least partially inserted into the first at least partially open volume.
13. The sporting goods device according to claim 1, further wherein the connector component defines a first at least partially open internal volume and the first shaft component is configured to seat at least partially within the first at least partially open internal volume.
14. The sporting goods device according to claim 2, further comprising a lacrosse stick head which is configured to seat at least partially within the first at least partially open internal volume.
15. The sporting goods device according to claim 2, further wherein the connector component is configured to rotate substantially freely about the first substantially longitudinal axis relative to the first shaft component while at least partially within the first at least partially open internal volume until the first locking feature enters the first unlockable locked configuration with the second locking feature.
16. The sporting goods device according to claim 2, further comprising a paddle blade which is configured to seat at least partially within the first at least partially open internal volume.
17. A method of adjusting the length of a sporting goods device, comprising: removably connecting a first shaft component to a connector component which defines a first substantially longitudinal axis; and removably connecting a second shaft component to the connector component; wherein the connector component provides at least partial structural support to decrease flexion of the first shaft component relative to the first substantially longitudinal axis, and further wherein the first shaft component comprises a first locking feature and the connector component comprises a second locking feature, and further wherein the first locking feature is configured to removably connect with the second locking feature such that the first shaft component releasably locks to the connector component to resist translation of the first shaft component relative to the connector component along the first substantially longitudinal axis.
18. The method of adjusting the length of a sporting goods device according to claim 17, further wherein the first shaft component defines an at least partially open internal volume, and further wherein the connector component is configured to at least partially seat within the at least partially open internal volume.
19. The method of adjusting the length of a sporting goods device according to claim 17, further comprising removably connecting a lacrosse stick head to the first shaft component, and further wherein the lacrosse stick head is configured to at least partially seat within the at least partially open internal volume.
20. A lacrosse stick, comprising: a first shaft further comprising a first end, a second end, and a first external surface, and defining a first substantially longitudinal axis, and wherein the first external surface defines a first locking opening; a second shaft further comprising a third end, a fourth end, and a second external surface, and defining a second substantially longitudinal axis, and wherein the second external surface defines a second locking opening; and a substantially rigid connector further comprising a third external surface, a first locking protrusion, and a second locking protrusion, and defining a third substantially longitudinal axis; wherein the first shaft is removably connectable to the connector substantially along the first substantially longitudinal axis, and the second shaft is removably connectable to the connector substantially along the second longitudinal axis, such that the first substantially longitudinal axis is substantially coaxial with the second substantially longitudinal axis, the connector is configured to removably seat at least partially within a first at least partially open volume defined by the first shaft, the connector is also configured to removably seat at least partially within a second at least partially open volume defined by the second shaft, the first locking protrusion is configured to releasably at least partially seat within the first locking opening so as to resist translation of the first shaft along the first substantially longitudinal axis relative to the connector when the first locking protrusion is at least partially seated within the first locking opening, and the second locking protrusion is configured to releasably at least partially seat within the second locking opening so as to resist translation of the second shaft along the second substantially longitudinal axis relative to the connector when the second locking protrusion is at least partially seated within the second locking opening.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The invention is now disclosed in detail with reference to exemplary embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, where:
[0020] FIG. 1 shows a front isometric view of an embodiment of the adjustable locking shaft device of the present disclosure;
[0021] FIG. 2 shows a front view of the embodiment of the adjustable locking shaft device of FIG. 1;
[0022] FIG. 3 shows an exploded front view of the embodiment of the adjustable locking shaft device of FIG. 1;
[0023] FIG. 4 shows a side sectional view of the embodiment of the adjustable locking shaft device of FIG. 1;
[0024] FIG. 5 shows a front isometric view of a connector subassembly of the embodiment of the adjustable locking shaft device of FIG. 1;
[0025] FIG. 6 shows a side section view of the connector subassembly of FIG. 5;
[0026] FIG. 7 shows a front isometric view of the connector body of the embodiment of a connector subassembly of FIG. 5;
[0027] FIG. 8 shows a front isometric view of a shaft body of the embodiment of the adjustable locking shaft device of FIG. 1;
[0028] FIG. 9 shows a front isometric view of a butt component of an embodiment of the adjustable locking shaft device of the present disclosure;
[0029] FIG. 10 shows a front isometric view of a connector component of an alternate embodiment of the adjustable locking shaft device of the present disclosure;
[0030] FIG. 11 shows a front view of the connector component of FIG. 10;
[0031] FIG. 12 shows a front isometric view of an alternate embodiment of the adjustable locking shaft device of the present disclosure;
[0032] FIG. 13 shows a front isometric view of a connector component of the embodiment of the adjustable locking shaft device of FIG. 12;
[0033] FIG. 14 shows a front isometric view of another alternate embodiment of the adjustable locking shaft device of the present disclosure;
[0034] FIG. 15 shows a side sectional view of a connection interface of the embodiment of the adjustable locking shaft device of FIG. 14;
[0035] FIG. 16 shows a front isometric view of a connector component of the embodiment of the adjustable locking shaft device of FIG. 14;
[0036] FIG. 17 shows a front view of a shaft body of the embodiment of the adjustable locking shaft device of FIG. 14;
[0037] FIG. 18 shows a front isometric view of an alternate embodiment of the butt component of the adjustable locking shaft device of the present disclosure;
[0038] FIG. 19 shows a front isometric view of another alternate embodiment of the adjustable locking shaft device of the present disclosure;
[0039] FIG. 20 shows an exploded front isometric view of the embodiment of the adjustable locking shaft device of FIG. 19;
[0040] FIG. 21 shows a side sectional view of a connection interface of the embodiment of the adjustable locking shaft device of FIG. 19; and
[0041] FIG. 22 shows a front isometric view of a shaft body of the embodiment of the adjustable locking shaft device of FIG. 19.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0042] Exemplary embodiments of the disclosure are illustrated in the Figures and are explained in the following description in more detail, wherein identical reference numbers refer to identical, or similar, or functionally identical components.
[0043] Various aspects of the illustrative embodiments will be described using terms commonly employed by those skilled in the art to convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced with only some of the described aspects, without certain details, or where well-known features are omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the illustrative embodiments, without deviating from the spirit and intent of the disclosure.
[0044] Various operations will be described as multiple discrete operations, in turn, in a manner that is most helpful in understanding the present invention. However, the order of description should not be construed as to imply that these operations are necessarily order dependent or that they need to be performed in the order of presentation.
[0045] The phrase in one embodiment is used repeatedly. The phrase generally does not refer to the same embodiment, however, it may. The terms comprising, having and including are synonymous, unless the context dictates otherwise.
[0046] FIG. 1 shows a front isometric view of an embodiment of the adjustable locking shaft device 100. In the embodiment shown, the device 100 is a crosse, and includes a head 110, a first shaft 120, a second shaft 130, and a butt 150. The device 100 may also include one or more locking buttons 146. Each button 146 may be actuated, such as by depressing it inwards into the device 100, so as to unlock and release a component of the device 100. As shown in this embodiment, the head 110 and the butt 150 are each unlockable by means of actuating a button 146. It should be understood, however, that either or both of these components may be attached through other means, such as through the use of a set screw, a press fit, or through other means known in the art.
[0047] In the embodiment of the device 100 shown in FIG. 1, the first shaft 120 and the second shaft 130 connect by means of a connector subassembly 140, which passes within both the first shaft 120 and the second shaft 130. The connector subassembly 140 provides not only connection and locking features, such as the locking buttons 146, but also provides structure support at the connection and strengthens both the first shaft 120 and the second shaft 130, reducing flexion and stress on the connection. The first shaft 120 and the second shaft 130 may also both be identical or substantially identical components, including having substantially the same length and connection features. While the device 100 may be used when a longer overall shaft length is desired, such as for defensive play in lacrosse, the connector subassembly 140 and the second shaft 130 may be unlocked and disconnected from the first shaft 120 when a shorter overall shaft length is desired, such as for offensive play or for travel or storage. A butt 150 may be attached to the bottom of the first shaft 120. A second head 110 may also be attached to the top of the second shaft 130, providing a second offensive lacrosse stick.
[0048] FIG. 2 shows a front view of an embodiment of the device 10, while FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of the device 100. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the connector subassembly 140 may be completely removed from the device 100, enabling a user to use either the first shaft 120, the second shaft 130, or both as components of shorter lacrosse sticks.
[0049] FIG. 4 shows a side sectional view of the connection interface of an embodiment of the device 100. The connector subassembly 140 may seat fully within a substantially open volume 125, 135 within the first shaft 120 or the second shaft 130, or both. Though the connector subassembly 140 may be fixed to one of the first shaft 120 or the second shaft 130, such as through welding, and only sit within and lock to the other of the first shaft 120 or the second shaft 130, respectively, by having the connector subassembly 140 seat within an open volume 125, 135 within both the first shaft 120 and the second shaft 130, it may strengthen both shafts 120, 130 when connected while allowing either shaft 120, 130 to be used for a shorter lacrosse stick when disconnected.
[0050] As further shown in FIG. 4, the connector subassembly may include one or more springs 147. The spring 147 may be configured to support one or more buttons 146 in a locking orientation in the device 100. Though a leaf spring 147 is shown, it should be understood that other methods of creating bias, such as compression springs or deflection of material within its elastic range of deformation, among other methods known in the art, may also be used without deviating from the spirit or intent of the disclosure. It should also be understood that, though a single button 146 is shown per locking connection, multiple buttons may also be used. If one button 146 is used, with a second button 146 substantially diametrically opposed to it, this may provide additional locking support while reducing the likelihood of unintentional unlocking of the connection. An opening 148 is shown, which may be used for welding of the spring 147 to an interior face 149 of the connector body 145. It should be understood that the spring 147 may be connected to the connector body 145 through other means, such as through the use of a fastener. The fastener may also pass through the opening 148.
[0051] FIG. 5 shows a front isometric view of a connector subassembly 140 of an embodiment of the device 100, while FIG. 6 shows a sectional side view of the connector subassembly 140. In the embodiment shown, the buttons 146 pass through the connector body 145 so as to be sufficiently proud from an outside surface 144 of the connector body 145 so as to be able to interlock with locking holes 121 in the first shaft 120 and the second shaft 130.
[0052] FIG. 7 shows an isometric view an embodiment of a connector body 145, including pass-through openings 143 to permit one or more buttons 146 to connect to spring components 147 to be placed within the connector body 145. In the embodiment shown, the connector body 145 is substantially hexagonal in cross-section, so as to conform to the interior cross-section of hexagonal lacrosse shafts 120, 130. It should be understood, however, that the connector body may be configured in a wide range of shapes, including substantially circular or rectangular. Rotation of the connector body 145 within either the first shaft 120 or the second shaft 130 may be prevented by one or more anti-rotation features, such as a flat surface, or by the one or more buttons 146 themselves.
[0053] FIG. 8 shows a shaft 120, 130, including locking holes 121 configured to receive buttons 146. Though the embodiment shown includes locking holes 121 for connections at both ends of the shaft 120, 130, it should be understood that the shaft 120, 130 may be configured to only receive a connector subassembly 140 at one end, while a standard butt 150 or head 110 connection may also optionally be used at the other.
[0054] FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of a butt 150 which may be used with an embodiment of the device 100 of the present disclosure. The butt 150 includes a support area 151, configured to support a shaft 120, 130 from within an internal volume 125. The butt 150 also includes a button 152 located substantially along an at least partially flexible structure 153 extending from the butt 150. The flexible structure 153 may also be substantially rigid, but able to flex without plastic deformation or failure when force is applied directly or indirectly to the flexible structure 153 so as to allow the button 152 to unlock the butt 150 from a shaft 120, 130. It should be understood that alternate embodiments of the butt 150 may also be used, such using a button 152 with a spring 147, as is used in the connector subassembly 140. The same connection and locking means as used in the butt 150 may also be used for connecting a head 110 to a shaft 120, 130. Further, in an alternate embodiment of a connector body 145, one or more support areas 151 may be used along with one or more flexible structures 153 and one or more buttons 152 to connect a first shaft 120 to a second shaft 130, thus reducing the number of subcomponents needed for a connector subassembly 140. Any or all of the above combinations of components and features may be combined together to achieve desired results without deviating from the spirit or intent of the disclosure.
[0055] FIG. 10 shows an isometric view of an alternate connector body 245 which may be used with various embodiments of the device 100, while FIG. 11 shows a front view of the connector body of FIG. 10. The connector body 245 is shown substantially cylindrical, allowing for insertion of the connector body 245 into the first shaft 120 or the second shaft 130, locking into position by twisting the connector body 245 until a locking button 246 enters a locking hole 121. It should be understood that other cross-sectional shapes of the connector body 245 may also be used without deviating from the spirit or intent of the present disclosure. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the connector body 245 includes slots 242 which permit a structure 253 to flex so as to allow insertion of the connector body 245 into a shaft 120, 130, or to allow for rotation of the connector body 245 within the shaft 120, 130. The structure 253, along with the locking button 246, can flex to allow for connection of the connector body 245 to a shaft 120, 130, as well as allowing for flexion so as to unlock and disconnect the connector body 245 from a shaft 120, 130. If a substantially cylindrical connector body 245 is used, significant hoop strength may be maintained despite the slots 242, allowing for the connector body 245 to provide strength and support to the device 100. The use of one or more flexible structures 253 may reduce or eliminate the need for springs 147 and other additional components.
[0056] FIG. 12 shows an isometric view of another embodiment of the device 300, including a depth stop feature 360. As shown in FIG. 13, a depth stop feature 360 may be included, such as on the connector body 345. The depth stop feature 360 may be used to prevent the connector body 345 from passing too deep into the open volume 125 of a shaft 120, 130. Though a depth stop feature 360 may be used with a variety of embodiments of the device 300, it may be particularly desirable if the connector body 345 does not include any keying features to guide orientation of the connector body 345 and locking button 346 within the shaft 120, 130. Where a locking button 346 may be misaligned with a locking hole 121 in a shaft 120, 130, the depth stop feature 360 can aid in translational axial alignment of the connector body 345 with the shaft 120, 130, thus only requiring rotation of the connector body 345 to lock a shaft 120, 130 in place.
[0057] FIG. 14 shows an isometric view of another embodiment of the device 400 of the present disclosure. The device 400 is configured so as to unlock a shaft 420, 430 from the connector body 445 by sliding a release button 446. By connecting the release button 446 to the connector body 445 in a slidable manner, the profile of the release button 446 may be configured so as to minimize any amount that it may extend proud from the shaft 420, 430 when locked into position. In a preferred embodiment, the release button 446 may be configured so as to slide towards the midline of the longitudinal length of the connector body 445 when unlocking the shaft 420, 430, thus minimizing unintentional separation of a shaft 420, 430 from the connector body 445 by requiring force upon the release button 446 in an opposite direction from force pulling the shaft 420, 430 away from the connector body 445. It should be understood, however, that different configurations and orientation of the actuation of the release button 446 may be used without deviation from the spirit or intent of the disclosure.
[0058] FIG. 15 shows a side sectional view of a connection interface of the embodiment of the device 400 shown in FIG. 14. In this embodiment, one or more release buttons 446 slide within a release channel 471 within a shaft 420, 430. The release button may be connected to a slider component 472 which itself may include an unlocking feature 473. When the release button 446 is slid into an unlocking orientation, the unlocking feature 473 may interact with a complimentary feature 474 on the connector body 445, causing a locking tooth 475 or other similar locking feature on the connector body 445 to deflect substantially out of a locking key 476 in the shaft 420, 430, allowing the connector body 445 and the shaft 420, 430 to be separated.
[0059] FIG. 16 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of a connector body 445, such as that in the embodiment of FIG. 14. Though the connector body 445 is shown substantially cylindrical, it should be understood that a wide range of cross-sectional shapes may be used, including rectangular and hexagonal. FIG. 17 shows a front view of a shaft 420, 430 of an embodiment such as that shown in FIG. 14.
[0060] FIG. 18 shows an isometric view of another embodiment of the butt 450 of the device 400 of the present disclosure. Though multiple attachment methods may be used, the butt 450 may connect to a shaft 420, 430 by one or more flexible structures 453. Each flexible structure 453 may include a locking tooth 452 which may be configured to fit into and lock with a locking key 476 in a shaft 420, 430. It should be understood that a similar design may be used to connect a head 410 to a shaft 420, 430. Though FIG. 18 shows two flexible structures 453, it should be understood that fewer or more than two could be used without deviating from the spirit or intent of the disclosure.
[0061] FIG. 19 shows an isometric view of another alternate embodiment of the device 500 of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the head 510, the first shaft 520, or the second shaft 530 may each or all be connected through the use of a keying feature 581 and substantially freely rotating threaded ring 580. The keying feature 581 provides alignment for one component, such as a first shaft 520, when locking with a second component, such as a second shaft 530. The keying feature can also provide strengthening support to the component into which it is inserted. The threaded ring 580 rotates substantially freely around the longitudinal axis of the component to which it is rotatably connected, while having threading features 583 to connect to and hold a second component in position. FIG. 20 shows an exploded view of the embodiment of the device 500 of FIG. 19, showing that if the threaded ring 580 extends axially below the keying feature 581, then a butt 150 may not be needed. In such a configuration, the threaded ring 580 may be coated with a soft or rubber-like material, or may itself be made of such a material, such as a plastic.
[0062] FIG. 21 shows a side sectional view of a connection interface of the embodiment of the device 500 of FIG. 19. The threaded ring 580 is able to rotate substantially freely upon retention features 584 on the first shaft 520 while threading onto threading features 586 on the second shaft 530. The keying feature 581 on the first shaft 520 slots into a receiving feature 585 in the second shaft 530, allowing the second shaft 530 to translate axially without substantial rotation while the threaded ring 580 of the first shaft 520 threads onto the threading features 586 of the second shaft 530. It should be understood that similar connection and locking features may be used for connections among any of the components of the device 500.
[0063] FIG. 22 shows an isometric view of a shaft body 520, 530 without a threaded ring 580, for clarity. Though the shaft body 520, 530 is shown with a substantially hexagonal cross-section, other cross-sectional profiles may be used for the shaft bodies 520, 530 of this and other embodiments of this disclosure. Though substantially hollow shaft bodies 520, 530 may be preferable for weight reduction, substantially solid shaft bodies 520, 530, or partially hollow shaft bodies 520, 530 may also be used without deviating from the spirit or intent of the disclosure.
[0064] While the present invention has been related in terms of the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described. The present invention can be practiced with modification and alteration within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Thus, the description is to be regarded as illustrative instead of restrictive on the present invention. Accordingly, various modifications, adaptations and alternatives may occur to one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention and scope of the claimed coverage.
