Patent Application
20230181980
The disclosure describes an endcap system for a sporting implement. The endcap includes a base portion and a transverse extension projecting from the base portion. The base portion has a bottom surface with a central axis normal thereto. A receptacle opposite the bottom surface is configured to receive a portion of the sporting implement. The extension is configured such that, during swinging of the sporting implement with a hand of a user gripping around the sporting implement portion, the extension contacts an exterior lateral portion and upper portion of a fifth metacarpal of the hand and the hand is constrained in both the transverse and longitudinal aspects while being allowed rotation of a first metacarpal of the hand away from the central axis.
The disclosure also describes a pallet system for a sporting implement. The pallet system includes a prism configured to house and grip a handle core of the sporting implement and a transverse extension. The prism has a first end with a center, a distal second end with a center, a central axis defined between the center of the first end and the center of the second end and an exterior surface defined between first and second ends and surrounding the central axis. The first end is configured to receive an endcap. The extension projects from the exterior surface near the first end and is configured such that during swinging of the sporting implement with a hand of a user gripping around the handle pallet, the extension contacts the hand on an exterior lateral portion and upper portion of a fifth, fourth or third proximal phalanx of the hand and the hand is constrained in both transverse and longitudinal aspects while being allowed rotation of a first metacarpal of the hand away from the central axis.
The summary above, as well as the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the disclosure, example constructions are shown in the drawings. However, the disclosure is not limited to specific methods and instrumentalities disclosed herein. Moreover, those having ordinary skill in the art will understand that the drawings are not to scale. Wherever possible, like elements have been indicated by identical numbers.
Embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following diagrams wherein:
The following detailed description illustrates embodiments of the disclosure and manners by which they can be implemented. Although the preferred mode of carrying out disclosed systems, endcaps, pallets and methods has been described, those of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that other embodiments for carrying out or practicing disclosed systems, endcaps, pallets and methods are also possible.
It should be noted that the terms “first”, “second”, and the like, herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another. Further, the terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.
Modern swingable sports equipment or implements, such as rackets for tennis, racquetball, squash, badminton, pickleball and paddle as well as table tennis paddles typically include a head or blade portion coupled to a bar handle portion. Performing the swing with a conventional bar handle requires a user grip the handle with a considerable amount of gripping force to prevent the racket from sliding or twisting.
Embodiments of the disclosure provide an improvement for sporting equipment handles. Embodiments of the disclosure substantially eliminate, or at least partially address, problems in the prior art, preventing sliding or twisting of a user's hand on a racket handle. Embodiments of the disclosure may also provide a pivot point for swinging of the sporting equipment vertically.
Embodiments of the disclosure can be applied to many swingable items, including but not limited to rackets for tennis, racquetball, squash, badminton, pickleball and paddle as well as table tennis paddles.
Additional aspects, advantages, features and objects of the disclosure will be made apparent from the drawings and the detailed description of the illustrative embodiments construed in conjunction with the appended claims that follow.
It will be appreciated that described features are susceptible to being combined in various combinations without departing from the scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
Handle assemblies of modern rackets typically includes an inner shaft, a pallet and a grip. In some cases, such as tennis, rackets include a throat portion coupling the handle portion to the blade portion. The pallet is an outer region which is typically positioned or applied over the shaft. This type of handle assembly may be terminated by a cap or endcap also commonly referred to as a buttcap.
Extension 160 is configured such that, during swinging of the sporting implement with a hand of a user gripping around the handle pallet, the extension contacts an exterior lateral portion and upper portion of a fifth metacarpal of the hand. Additionally or alternatively, extension 160 is contacted by an exterior lateral portion and upper portion of a fifth, fourth or third proximal phalanxes of the user's hand (
In an example, extension 160 curves towards central axis 101. In another example, extension 160 sweeps through an arc of less than 90 degrees towards the first end. In a further example, extension 160 sweeps through an arc of 60 degrees.
In another example, extension 160 includes an inside surface 164 facing generally towards central axis 101 and an outside surface 162 opposite the inside surface. Inside surface 164 faces towards central axis 101 in contrast with facing in the same direction as central axis 101 or away from central axis 101. Outside surface 162 faces generally away from central axis 101 in contrast with facing towards central axis or in the same direction as central axis 101. Inside surface 164 may be generally smooth without corners or discontinuities that might cause discomfort to the hand of a user. Further, inside surface 164 may be concave while outside surface 164 is convex. A grip may be wrapped around extension 160 to adjust surface texture.
In an example, the center of curvature of extension 160 is directly above the connection point of extension 160 to base portion of endcap 100. Similarly, a tangent line to extension outside surface 162 and perpendicular or transverse to central axis 101, intersects outside surface 162 at the connection point of extension 160 to base portion of endcap 100 (
At least one tab 121 may be provided to receptacle 170 and configured to engage one of a series of notches provided to an exterior surface of the handle pallet. The base portion may include first 110 and second 150 mating shells. A clip 200 may be provided to first and second mating shells 110 and 150 to secure the same together on handle pallet 300 with ridges 121 engaged with slots 321.
Endcap 100 may be coupled or attached to a pallet or pallets in any of a variety of alternatives to tabs in receptacle 170 engaging with slots on a pallet or pallets. In another example, endcap 100 and a pallet or pallets may be provided with notches or holes for engaging with separate removable tabs or pegs. In another example, the base portion (110 and 150) may further include, extending from a rim of receptacle 170, one or more resilient arm members or tabs with abutment surfaces configured to engage one or more slot perforations of the handle pallet. In this example, the resilient arms clip the endcap to the handle pallet. In another example, the cooperative parts are reversed such that slots are provided on/in the endcap and arms/tabs are provided to the handle pallet.
In another example, the endcap may be coupled to the handle pallet by a bolt inserted through one or more holes through the base portion transverse to the central axis 101.
Endcap 100 may take any of a variety of forms suitable for use in association with a sporting implement. In an example, endcap 100 may be shaped with eight bevels (flats) or elongate, generally planar regions. Eight elongate ridges are formed between the bevels along the length. In an example, endcap 100 exhibits an octagonal cross-section with a flare at the base. In a further example wherein endcap 100 is used in association with a racket, extension 160 is centered on the second, fourth, sixth or eighth bevel with the racket webbing and/or blade aligned with the first and fifth bevels.
In another example wherein endcap 100 is used in association with a racket, extension 160 is rotated from a plane of a racket blade by between 50 and 90 degrees around central axis 101. In a further example, extension 160 is rotated from the plane of the racket blade by about 70 degrees. In another example, the degree of rotation from the plane of the racket blade may be varied by degree of rotation of endcap 100 relative to the handle core.
Endcap 100 may be formed from any of a variety of rigid, lightweight materials including but not limited to polyurethane and other polymers, nylon and composite materials such as graphite sheets or grafil.
While
Extension 460 is coupled to the prism at a base and includes a tip distal from the base. The tip may be rounded. Extension 460 projects from the exterior surface near the first end and is configured such that during swinging of the sporting implement with a hand of a user gripping around the prism, the extension contacts the hand on an exterior lateral portion and upper portion of a fifth, fourth or third proximal phalanx of the hand. The hand is constrained in both transverse and longitudinal aspects while being allowed rotation of a first metacarpal of the hand away from the central axis 401.
Extension 460 may be further configured such that, during swinging of the sporting implement with the hand gripping around the prism, the extension contacts an exterior lateral portion and upper portion of a fifth metacarpal of the hand.
In an example, extension 460 curves towards the central axis 401. In another example, extension 460 curves from first end towards second end. In another example, extension 460, in its curvature, may sweep through an arc of less than 90 degrees towards the second end. In a further example, extension 460 sweeps through an arc of 60 degrees.
In an example, extension 460 may further include an inside surface 464 facing generally towards the second end 435 and/or central axis 401. An outside surface 462 opposite the inside surface 464 faces generally away from second end 435 and/or central axis 401. Inside surface 464 may be generally smooth without corners or discontinuities that might cause discomfort to the hand of a user. In another example, extension 460 may have a concave surface 464 facing towards the central axis 401.
Pallet system 400 may be irremovably connected to the shaft during manufacturing, or the prism may be provided as two half shells 410 and 450 configured for coupling to the shaft either by adhesives or by other means.
In an example, the center of curvature of extension 460 is directly above the connection point of extension 460 to one of the two half shells 410 and 450. Similarly, a tangent line to extension outside surface 462 and perpendicular or transverse to central axis 401, intersects outside surface 462 at the connection point of extension 460 to half shell 410 or half shell 450 (
Pallet system 400 may be formed from any of a variety of rigid, lightweight materials including but not limited to polyurethane and other polymers, nylon and composite materials such as graphite sheets or grafil.
Pallet system 400 may take any of a variety of forms suitable for use with a sporting implement and/or handle pallets. In an example, pallet system 400 may be shaped with eight bevels adjacent to each other. Eight elongate ridges are formed between the bevels along the length. In an example, pallet system 400 exhibits an octagonal cross-section.
In a further example wherein pallet system 400 is used in association with a racket, extension 460 is centered on the second, fourth, sixth or eighth bevel with the racket blade aligned with the first and fifth bevels.
In another example wherein pallet system 400 is used in association with a racket, extension 460 is rotated from a plane of a racket blade by between 50 and 90 degrees around central axis 401. In a further example, extension 460 is rotated from the plane of the racket blade by about 70 degrees. In another example, the degree of rotation from the plane of the racket blade may be varied by degree of rotation of pallet system 400 relative to the handle core.
While
In another example, a transverse handle system includes a thin-walled annulus including a bottom and a top with a height therebetween. The annulus includes a central opening. A central axis directed through a center of the central opening extends in a direction of the height. A transverse extension projects from the thin-walled annulus curving from the bottom towards the top.
The thin-walled annulus is configured to partially encompass a handle pallet which surrounds a handle core, shaft or hairpin of the sporting implement. The thin-walled annulus may be further configured to encompass a sporting implement handle endcap which, together with a handle pallet, surrounds the handle core, shaft or hairpin.
The annulus may be formed from first and second mating shells which may be semi-annular. Through-holes in each of the first and second mating shells facilitate coupling the assembled first and second mating shells to form the annulus. Centers of the through-holes are aligned along an axis transverse to the central axis and are configured to receive a fastener for coupling the first and second mating shells around the handle pallet. In an example, the fastener is a crossbolt or cross-pin.
Additionally/alternatively, the annulus may include a concave interior surface configured to engage with a convex exterior surface of the handle pallet or an endcap. The annulus may be formed from a resilient, pliable material such that it can be slipped over the convex surface of the handle pallet or endcap where it will grip the same with the mating concave surface. In an example, the resilient annulus is formed from a rubber.
As with above-mentioned embodiments, the extension is contacted by the hand on an exterior lateral portion and upper portion of a fifth metacarpal of the hand, contacts an exterior lateral portion and upper portion of the fifth, fourth or third proximal phalanxes of the user's hand and constrains the hand in both the transverse and longitudinal aspects while being allowed rotation of a first metacarpal of the hand away from the central axis. The extension may take any of a variety of dimensions and/or shapes suitable for constraining a hand of a sporting equipment user including but not limited to those described above.
In yet another example, a sporting implement shaft with an exterior surface extending between first and second ends around a central axis also includes a transversely-directed socket formed in the exterior surface. A transverse extension has a plug configured for receipt in the transversely-directed socket to secure the extension to the sporting implement shaft. One or more pallets and/or an endcap may be provided with an opening, channel or notch to accommodate the extension. With the one or more pallets secured around the shaft, the extension projects therethrough for contact with a user's hand. Similarly, with the endcap secured to the one or more pallets, the extension projects therethrough.
As with above-mentioned embodiments, the extension is contacted by the hand on an exterior lateral portion and upper portion of a fifth metacarpal of the hand, contacts an exterior lateral portion and upper portion of the fifth, fourth or third proximal phalanxes of the user's hand and constrains the hand in both the transverse and longitudinal aspects while being allowed rotation of a first metacarpal of the hand away from the central axis. The extension may take any of a variety of dimensions and/or shapes suitable for constraining a hand of a sporting equipment user including but not limited to those described above.
In yet another example, the extension may be part of a sporting implement formed as one piece and additionally including one or more of a primary handle, a sporting implement shaft and a sporting implement blade.
Embodiments of the disclosure are susceptible to being used for various purposes, including, though not limited to, enabling users to prevent their hands from sliding or twisting on a racket handle while reducing the amount of gripping force required. In addition to other sporting equipment, grip of rackets for tennis racquetball, squash badminton, pickleball and paddle as well as table tennis paddles may be improved.
Modifications to embodiments of the disclosure described in the foregoing are possible without departing from the scope of the disclosure as defined by the accompanying claims. Expressions such as “including”, “comprising”, “incorporating”, “consisting of”, “have”, “is” used to describe and claim disclosed features are intended to be construed in a non-exclusive manner, namely allowing for items, components or elements not explicitly described also to be present. Reference to the singular is also to be construed to relate to the plural.
