Patent Application
20240269523
The present disclosure is directed generally to gripping elements. The present disclosure relates specifically to handles for objects, such as sporting objects such as racquets.
One embodiment of the invention relates to a handle for a racket including a striking surface. The handle includes an upper portion positioned below and extending away from the striking surface, a first arm extending from a first side of the upper portion, a second arm extending from a second side of the upper portion opposite the first side, a body extending from the first arm and the second arm away from the upper portion to a bottom point, an aperture extending through the handle and defined by the upper portion, the first arm, the second arm, and the body, a first side surface of the handle, and a second side surface of the handle opposite the first side surface and facing away from the vertical axis. The body defines a thickness that continuously increases from a periphery of the body to a thickest point within an interior of the periphery. The aperture defines a vertical axis that extends vertically through the aperture bisecting the aperture, and the aperture defines a linear lower surface perpendicular to the vertical axis. The first side surface faces away from the vertical axis and is defined the first side of the upper portion, the first arm, and the body. The first side surface extends from the upper portion inwardly towards the vertical axis into a first recess defined by the first arm, and outwardly away from the vertical axis to a first portion defined by the first side of the body. The second side surface is defined by the second side of the upper portion, the second arm, and the body. The second side surface extends from the upper portion inwardly towards the vertical axis into a second recess defined by the second arm, and outwardly away from the vertical axis to a second portion defined by the second side of the body.
In various embodiments, the aperture includes an upper portion defining a radius between 0.4 inches and 0.65 inches. In various embodiments, the body defines a lower portion including the bottom point, the lower portion defining a radius between 0.7 inches and 1.1 inches. In various embodiments, the body defines a lower portion including the bottom point, the lower portion defining a radius between 0.75 inches and 1.0 inches.
In various embodiments, the handle includes a recess width between the first recess and the second recess along a horizontal axis perpendicular to the vertical axis, and the recess width is between 1.5 inches and 2.0 inches. In various embodiments, the handle includes an aperture width along a horizontal axis perpendicular to the vertical axis, and the aperture width is between 0.8 inches and 1.2 inches.
In various embodiments, the handle includes a recess width between the first recess and the second recess along a horizontal axis perpendicular to the vertical axis, and an aperture width along the horizontal axis perpendicular to the vertical axis, and a ratio of the aperture width to the recess width is between 1:1.5 and 1:2.25. In various embodiments, the ratio is between 1:1.65 and 1:2.
In various embodiments, the first recess and the second recess are the same distance from the aperture along a horizontal axis perpendicular to the vertical axis. In various embodiments, the body defines a front face and an opposing rear face, and the thickness of the body linearly increases from the periphery of the front face of the body to the thickest point of the body.
Another embodiment of the invention relates to a handle for a racket including a striking surface. The handle includes an upper portion positioned below and extending away from the striking surface, a first arm extending from a first side of the upper portion, a second arm extending from a second side of the upper portion opposite the first side, a body extending from the first arm and the second arm away from the upper portion to a bottom point, an aperture extending through the handle and defined by the upper portion, the first arm, the second arm, and the body, a first side surface of the handle defined by the first side of the upper portion, and a second side surface of the handle opposite the first side surface and facing away from the vertical axis. The body defines a thickness that continuously increases from a periphery of the body to a thickest point within an interior of the periphery of the body. The aperture defines a vertical axis that extends vertically through the aperture bisecting the aperture, a left surface extending linearly and parallel to the vertical axis, and a right surface opposite the left surface extending linearly and parallel to the vertical axis. The first side surface faces away from the vertical axis. The first side surface extends from the upper portion inwardly towards the vertical axis into a first recess defined by the first arm, and outwardly away from the vertical axis to a first portion defined by the first side of the body. The second side surface is defined by the second side of the upper portion, the second arm, and the body. The second side surface extends from the upper portion inwardly towards the vertical axis into a second recess defined by the second arm, and outwardly away from the vertical axis to a second portion defined by the second side of the body.
In various embodiments, the aperture defines a lower surface extending linearly and perpendicular to the vertical axis, the lower surface extending between the left surface and the right surface. In various embodiments, the aperture defines a first corner extending between the left surface and the lower surface, the first corner defining a radius between 0.2 inches and 0.4 inches, the aperture defines a second corner extending between the right surface and the lower surface, the first corner defining a radius between 0.2 inches and 0.4 inches.
In various embodiments, the body defines a front face and an opposing rear face, and the thickness of the body linearly increases from the periphery of the front face of the body to the thickest point of the body. In various embodiments, the body defines a first thickness at the periphery of the front face and a second thickness at the thickest point, and a ratio of the first thickness to the second thickness is between 1:1.3 and 1:1.8.
Another embodiment of the invention relates to a handle for a racket including a striking surface. The handle includes an upper portion positioned below and extending away from the striking surface, a first arm extending from a first side of the upper portion, a second arm extending from a second side of the upper portion opposite the first side, a body extending from the first arm and the second arm away from the upper portion to a bottom point, an aperture defined by the first arm and the second arm, a first side surface of the handle defined by the first side of the upper portion, the first arm, and the body, and a second side surface of the handle opposite the first side surface and facing away from the vertical axis, the second side surface being defined by the second side of the upper portion, the second arm, and the body. The body defines a thickness that continuously increases from a periphery of the body to a thickest point within an interior of the periphery. The aperture extends through the handle, and the aperture defines a vertical axis that extends vertically through the aperture bisecting the aperture. The first side surface faces away from the vertical axis. The first side surface extends from the upper portion inwardly towards the vertical axis into a first recess defined by the first arm, and outwardly away from the vertical axis to a first portion defined by the first side of the body. The first portion extends linearly and defines a first angle with respect to a first line parallel to the vertical axis between 0 degrees and 15 degrees, and the first portion extending linearly at least 30% of the distance between the aperture and the bottom point of the body along the vertical axis. The second side surface extends from the upper portion inwardly towards the vertical axis into a second recess defined by the second arm, and outwardly away from the vertical axis to a second portion defined by the second side of the body. The second portion extends linearly and defines a second angle with respect to a second line parallel to the vertical axis between 20 degrees and 40 degrees, and the second portion extends linearly at least 40% of the distance between the aperture and the bottom point of the body along the vertical axis.
In various embodiments, the second portion extends linearly no more than 70% of the distance between the aperture and the bottom point of the body along the vertical axis. In various embodiments, the second portion extends linearly at least 50% of the distance between the aperture and the bottom point of the body along the vertical axis. In various embodiments, the first portion extends linearly no more than 60% of the distance between the aperture and the bottom point of the body along the vertical axis. In various embodiments, the first portion extends linearly at least 30% of the distance between the aperture and the bottom point of the body along the vertical axis.
Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and, in part, will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the description or recognized by practicing the embodiments as described in the written description included, as well as the appended drawings. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary.
The accompanying drawings are included to provide further understanding and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate one or more embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain principles and operation of the various embodiments.
This application will become more fully understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements in which:
Referring generally to the figures, various embodiments of sports equipment including an ergonomic handle are shown. Applicant has designed a handle for sports equipment, such as rackets and/or paddles, that Applicant believes provides a more comfortable grip in a variety of gripping configurations (e.g., see
Referring to
Racket 110 includes handle 120, which is coupled to a lower portion of racket 110. Handle 120 includes upper portion 160 positioned below and extending away from the striking surface 114 of racket 110. Handle 120 includes a first arm 170 extending from a first side 162 of upper portion 160, and a second arm 180 extending from a second side 164 of upper portion 160 opposite first side 162.
Handle 120 includes body 210 extending from first arm 170 and second arm 180 away from upper portion 160 to a bottom point 212 (e.g., the bottom-most point of body 210). As will be explained below (e.g., see
Handle 280 includes aperture 280 extending through handle 120. Aperture 280 is defined by upper portion 160, first arm 170, second arm 180, and body 210. Handle 120 includes first recess 132 and second recess 136 on opposing sides of handle 120.
Referring to
Second side surface 134 of the handle 120 is opposite the first side surface 130 and facing away from the vertical axis 122. Second side surface 134 is defined by second side 164 of upper portion 160, second arm 180, and body 210. Second side surface extends from the upper portion 160 inwardly towards the vertical axis 122 into a second recess 136 defined by the second arm 180, and outwardly away from the vertical axis 122 to a second portion (e.g., portion 234 shown in
Referring to
Referring to
Handle 120 includes horizontal axis 124, which is perpendicular to vertical axis 122. As will be shown, handle includes a third axis 126 that defines a thickness of handle, whereby third axis 126 is perpendicular to each of vertical axis 122 and horizontal axis 124.
Aperture 280 includes left surface 280, which in various embodiments extends linearly parallel to vertical axis 122, lower surface 286, which in various embodiments extends linearly parallel to horizontal axis 124, right surface 290, which in various embodiments extends linearly parallel to vertical axis 122, and upper portion 292.
Corner 284 extends between left surface 282 and lower surface 286, and corner 288 extends between lower surface 286 and right surface 290. In various embodiments, corner 284 and/or corner 288 are curved such that the respective corner defines a radius between 0.25 and 0.35 inches, and more specifically a radius 0.3 inches. In various embodiments, upper portion 292 is curved such that upper portion 292 defines a radius between 0.4 and 0.65 inches, and more specifically 0.5 inches.
Aperture 280 defines width 296 between vertical axis 122 and left surface 282, and width 298 between vertical axis 122 and right surface 290. Aperture 280 defines aperture width 294 between left surface 282 and right surface 290 as measured along horizontal axis 124. In various embodiments, width 296 and/or width 298 is between 0.4 and 0.65 inches, and more specifically is 0.5 inches. In various embodiments, width 294 is between 0.8 and 1.2 inches, and more specifically between 0.9 inches and 1.1 inches, and more specifically is 1.0 inches.
In various embodiments, a ratio of recess width 138 to aperture width 294, as measured along horizontal axis 124, is between 1:1.2 and 1:2.5, and more specifically is between 1:1.5 and 1:2.25, and more specifically is between 1:1.65 and 1:2, and more specifically is 1:1.75.
Portion 242 of first side surface 130 is defined by first side 162 of upper portion 160. First side surface 130 extends inwardly towards vertical axis 122 to first recess 132, with corner 244 defining a curve between portion 242 and recess 132. First side surface 130 extends outwardly from first recess 132 to portion 250 and then portion 228, with corner 248 defining a curve between first recess 132 and portion 250, and corner 252 defining a curve between portion 250 and portion 228. In various embodiments, corner 244 and/or corner 248 define a radius between 0.65 inches and 0.9 inches, and more specifically 0.75 inches.
In various embodiments, portion 228 extends linearly a distance of height 232, which is at least 30% of the height along vertical axis 122 between lower surface 286 of aperture 280 and bottom point 212, and more specifically at least 40%. In various embodiments, portion 228 extends linearly no more than 60% of the height along vertical axis 122 between lower surface 286 of aperture 280 and bottom point 212. In various embodiments, portion 228 defines angle 230 with respect to vertical axis 122 (e.g., with respect to a line 231 parallel to vertical axis 122), and angle is between 0 and 15 degrees, and more specifically is between 3 and 10 degrees and even more specifically is 6 degrees.
In various embodiments, lower portion 214 of body 210 defines a curve having a radius between 0.7 inches and 1.1 inches, and more specifically between 0.75 inches and 1.0 inches, and more specifically 0.86 inches. Lower portion 214 extends from each of and between portion 228 (on the left side of handle 210) and portion 234 (on the right side of handle 210).
In various embodiments, portion 234 extends linearly height 238, which is at least 40% of the height along vertical axis 122 between lower surface 286 of aperture 280 and bottom point 212, and more specifically at least 50%. In various embodiments, portion 234 extends linearly no more than 70% of the height along vertical axis 122 between lower surface 286 of aperture 280 and bottom point 212. In various embodiments, portion 234 defines angle 236 with respect to vertical axis 122 (e.g., with respect to a line 237 parallel to vertical axis 122), and angle 236 is between 20 and 40 degrees, and more specifically is between 23 and 25 degrees and even more specifically is 27 degrees.
Corner 260 extends upward from portion 234. Corner 260 defines width 280 from vertical axis 122. In various embodiments, width 280 is between 1.0 inches and 1.4 inches, and more specifically is 1.19 inches. In various embodiments, corner 260 defines a radius between 0.4 inches and 0.65 inches, and more specifically 0.5 inches. Portion 262 extends between corner 260 and corner 264, with corner 264 extending between portion 262 and second recess 134. In various embodiments, corner 264 defines a radius between 0.25 inches and 0.4 inches, and more specifically 0.3 inches. Corner 268 extends between second recess 134 and portion 270.
Handle 210 defines width 140 between vertical axis 122 and first recess 130, and width 142 between vertical axis 122 and second recess 134. Width 140 and width 142 collectively define recess width 138 between first recess 130 and second recess 134. In various embodiments, width 140 and/or width are between 0.7 inches and 1.1 inches, and more specifically between 0.75 inches and 1.0 inches, and more specifically 0.875 inches. In various embodiments, width 138 is between 1.5 and 2.0, and more specifically between 1.6 and 1.9 inches, and more specifically 1.75 inches.
In various embodiments, thickness of handle 210 increases continuously from periphery 218 of front face 216 to thickest point 224. In various embodiments, thickness of handle 210 increases continuously and linearly from periphery 218 of front face 216 to thickest point 224 within the interior of front face 216 of body 210 (e.g., at a constant rate, such as when traversing the handle 120 along any given line parallel to horizontal axis 134 or third axis 136). It will be understood that in various embodiments, rear face 220 of handle 120 is the same as front face 216 with the exception that rear face 220 is a mirror image of front face 216.
Referring to
In various embodiments, the ratios of thickness 226 of periphery 218 to the thickness 225 of thickest point 224 is between 1:1.3 and 1:1.8, and more specifically between 1:1.4 and 1:1.65, and more specifically is 1:1.5.
In various embodiments, corner 240 of lower portion 214 viewed along the cross-section of lower portion 214 defines a radius when between 0.25 inches and 0.4 inches, and more specifically is 0.32 inches.
Referring to
As yet another example, the user could grab handle 120 via no fingers extending through the aperture, the index finger in one recess and the thumb positioned beneath the projecting portion on the opposing side of the handle (
It should be understood that the figures illustrate the exemplary embodiments in detail, and it should be understood that the present application is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the figures. It should also be understood that the terminology is for description purposes only and should not be regarded as limiting.
Further modifications and alternative embodiments of various aspects of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of this description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only. The construction and arrangements, shown in the various exemplary embodiments, are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. Some elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied. The order or sequence of any process, logical algorithm, or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may also be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
Unless otherwise expressly stated, it is in no way intended that any method set forth herein be construed as requiring that its steps be performed in a specific order. Accordingly, where a method claim does not actually recite an order to be followed by its steps or it is not otherwise specifically stated in the claims or descriptions that the steps are to be limited to a specific order, it is in no way intended that any particular order be inferred. In addition, as used herein, the article “a” is intended to include one or more component or element, and is not intended to be construed as meaning only one. As used herein, “rigidly coupled” refers to two components being coupled in a manner such that the components move together in a fixed positional relationship when acted upon by a force.
Various embodiments of the disclosure relate to any combination of any of the features, and any such combination of features may be claimed in this or future applications. Any of the features, elements or components of any of the exemplary embodiments discussed above may be utilized alone or in combination with any of the features, elements or components of any of the other embodiments discussed above.
For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” means the joining of two components directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two members and any additional member being attached to one another. Such joining may be permanent in nature or alternatively may be removable or releasable in nature.
While the current application recites particular combinations of features in the claims appended hereto, various embodiments of the invention relate to any combination of any of the features described herein whether or not such combination is currently claimed, and any such combination of features may be claimed in this or future applications. Any of the features, elements, or components of any of the exemplary embodiments discussed above may be used alone or in combination with any of the features, elements, or components of any of the other embodiments discussed above.
In various exemplary embodiments, the relative dimensions, including angles, lengths and radii, as shown in the Figures are to scale. Actual measurements of the Figures will disclose relative dimensions, angles and proportions of the various exemplary embodiments. Various exemplary embodiments extend to various ranges around the absolute and relative dimensions, angles and proportions that may be determined from the Figures. Various exemplary embodiments include any combination of one or more relative dimensions or angles that may be determined from the Figures. Further, actual dimensions not expressly set out in this description can be determined by using the ratios of dimensions measured in the Figures in combination with the express dimensions set out in this description.
