Patent Application
20230072137
The present invention relates to adjusting aggregate weight and weight distribution of sporting equipment and, more particularly, to a method of adhering a copper foil tape therefor.
Tennis players, golfers, and pickleball players currently adjust the weight and/or weight distribution of their rackets, clubs, and paddles, respectively, with toxic lead tape or bulky non-toxic alternatives. Lead foil tape, which is arguably the most used tennis racket, pickleball paddle, and golf club weight customization tool, is toxic and leaves dangerous residue in players' bags and on players' hands.
Although the marketplace has some non-toxic alternatives (such as adherable tungsten strips or thick tungsten rods in tennis), many players continue to use the toxic lead-based alternative because of its improved performance. The non-toxic alternatives do not offer similar performance to lead-foil tape in terms of malleability, thickness, and density. Specifically, tungsten strips are much stiffer, thicker, and more prone to falling off than lead tape. The lack of equivalent performance from non-toxic alternatives explains why lead tape is still a market leader in tennis racket, pickleball paddle, and golf club customization tools.
As can be seen, there is a need for a non-toxic lead tape alternative with similar or better malleability, thickness, and density.
In one aspect of the present invention, a method of adjusting aggregate weight and weight distribution of sporting equipment comprises providing a copper tape comprising an elongated copper foil element; cutting a portion of the copper tape to a length and width effective to add a predetermined weight, wherein the portion is configured to fit within a predetermined region of the sporting equipment; and adhering the copper tape to the predetermined region of the sporting equipment.
In another aspect of the present invention, a copper tape for adjusting aggregate weight and weight distribution of sporting equipment comprises an elongated copper foil element with a thickness between about 0.01 mm and about 0.2 mm and an adhesive backing coupled thereto, the adhesive backing having a strength between about 3.9 N/cm and about 10 N/cm.
The method of using adherable copper foil tape is advantageous due to its similar malleability, thickness, adhesiveness, and density to lead tape while offering the same non-toxic benefits as tungsten strips. In fact, the method of using adherable copper foil tape may provide improved performance characteristics as compared to lead tape.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description, and claims.
The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
Broadly, one embodiment of the present invention is a method of adhering copper foil tape to a tennis racket, golf club or pickleball paddle to customize the aggregate weight and weight distribution of the device to improve playability, as well as an adhesive copper foil therefor. The weight may be applied at numerous points on multiple surfaces on the clubs, rackets, and paddles. Adherable copper foil tape may also be used to adjust weight distribution or aggregate weight of other pieces of sporting equipment including, but not necessarily limited to, skis, baseball bats etc.
The user may apply the copper foil tape to tennis rackets, golf clubs, or pickleball paddles to a predetermined region anywhere on the surface or interior of the implements.
The adhesive backing may be a glue having a strength between about 3.9 N/cm and about 10 N/cm. The adhesive glue may be applied during manufacture or may be supplied separately and applied by the user.
The adhesive copper foil tape may be any suitable thickness and may be cut to a portion having a predetermined length and width operative to have a predetermined weight. The tape may be cut before applying adhesive glue to the back of the tape to ensure its adhesiveness to the tennis racket, golf club, or pickleball paddle's surface. For example, the malleable foil thickness may be between about 0.01 mm and about 0.2 mm, such as within the range of about 0.07 mm to about 0.12 mm.
Referring to
It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 63/261,018, filed Sep. 9, 2021, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63261018 | Sep 2021 | US |
