Patent Application
20240226678
Sports are a common activity that are often played for exercise and/or entertainment. Some sports include various pieces of equipment in the performance thereof, such as a handheld equipment like a paddle or racket. Examples of sports that use paddles or rackets may include tennis, racquetball, and pickleball. Further, the paddles or rackets may include different physical features such as different shapes, sizes, weights, etc., that may vary between sports and/or within sports.
The subject matter claimed herein is not limited to embodiments that solve any disadvantages or that operate only in environments such as those described above. Rather, this background is only provided to illustrate one example technology area where some embodiments described herein may be practiced.
According to an aspect of an embodiment, a paddle bumper may include a band configured to extend around and at least partially encase at least a portion of a lateral edge of a paddle. The band includes a first portion, a second portion, and a handle portion. The handle portion includes an aperture, a first lateral side, and a second lateral side opposite the first lateral side. The first portion of the band connects to the first lateral side and the second portion of the band connects to the second lateral side.
According to an aspect of another embodiment, a paddle bumper includes a band configured to extend around and at least partially encase at least a portion of a lateral edge of a paddle. The band includes at least one protrusion and a band aperture. The at least one protrusion extends from an edge of the band to extend over a portion of at least one of a first surface or a second surface of the paddle. The band aperture is formed in the band to correspond to a location of a handle of the paddle and shaped to allow the handle to pass through the band.
According to an aspect of another embodiment, a method of making a paddle bumper includes identifying a performance characteristic to be imparted to a paddle by a paddle bumper. The method further includes selecting at least one material to be used in the paddle bumper to contribute the identified performance characteristic. The method further includes forming the paddle bumper based on the at least one material and the identified performance characteristic.
The object and advantages of the embodiments will be realized and achieved at least by the elements, features, and combinations particularly pointed out in the claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.
The appended drawings contain figures of example embodiments to further illustrate and clarify the above and other aspects, advantages and features of the present invention. It will be appreciated that these drawings depict only example embodiments of the invention and are not intended to limit its scope. Additionally, it will be appreciated that while the drawings may illustrate preferred sizes, scales, relationships and configurations of the invention, the drawings are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention. Example embodiments will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:
Some sports may include paddles or rackets (referred to in the present disclosure as a “paddle” or “paddles”) in furtherance of participation in the sport. In some circumstances, an exterior edge of the paddle may be susceptible to damage and/or deterioration during use of the paddle, which may affect the performance of the paddle. In some circumstances, a paddle may include an edge guard included around the exterior edge of the paddle. The edge guard may contribute to a longer life of the paddle and/or may reduce the likelihood of the exterior edges of the paddle becoming damaged or deteriorating. In some circumstances, the edge guard may deteriorate, become damaged, and/or become disconnected from the paddle such that the effectiveness of the edge guard may be reduced. Additionally, or alternatively, some paddles may not include an edge guard at all, thus leaving the paddles more vulnerable to damage.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a paddle bumper may be configured to attach to a paddle, such as along an exterior edge of the paddle and/or edge guard. The paddle bumper may be configured to cover the exterior edge of the paddle which may reduce the amount of wear and/or limit the amount of damage along the exterior edge of the paddle through use of the paddle. Alternatively, or additionally, the paddle bumper may cover an edge guard (e.g., in instances in which the paddles include an edge guard) which may reduce damage and/or wear to the edge guard during use of the paddle.
Further, in some embodiments, the paddle bumper may contribute to reduced vibrations that may be experienced by the user during use of the paddle. Vibrations may be present during the use of some paddles, which may be uncomfortable and/or undesired to the user of the paddle. Additionally, in some embodiments, the paddle bumper may provide noise damping during use such that the level of noise produced by the paddle during use may be reduced. In some circumstances, the use of a paddle may emit an amount of noise above a desired threshold level, which the paddle bumper may reduce to a lower threshold level. Alternatively, or additionally, the paddle bumper may increase the weight of the paddle by an amount, which may vary according to one or more features of the paddle bumper in conjunction with an amount of weight desired to be included by the user of the paddle.
Embodiments of the present disclosure will be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings.
In general, the paddle bumper 100 may be configured to attach to a paddle, such as a pickleball paddle. In some embodiments, the paddle bumper 100 may be configured to encase a paddle, such that the paddle bumper 100 may extend from a paddle handle portion 104, around a lateral edge of the paddle and reconnect at the paddle handle portion 104. In the illustrated embodiment, the handle portion 104 may be configured to be positioned proximate a junction of the paddle and the handle. Additionally or alternatively, the handle portion 104 may be configured to be positioned at a distal end of the handle. For example, the handle portion 104 may include a cap or basket shaped to engage the distal end of the handle and secure the paddle bumper 100 relative to the paddle with a portion of the band 102 configured to run along the handle to be underneath or over the top of a handle wrap. Alternatively, or additionally, the paddle bumper 100 may cover a portion of a lateral edge of a paddle. For example,
In some embodiments, the paddle bumper 100 may include a uniform material. For example, the paddle bumper 100 may be formed of a single material. Alternatively, or additionally, the paddle bumper 100 may include two or more materials that may vary in structural properties. For example, some portions of the paddle bumper 100 may include materials that are harder, stiffer, more pliable, etc. than other portions of materials comprising the paddle bumper 100. For example, the handle portion 104 may include a different flexibility, stretchability, and/or stiffness relative to the flexibility, stretchability, and/or stiffness of the band 102. Alternatively, or additionally, in some embodiments, the paddle bumper 100 may include a uniform material that may further include one or more variations such that the paddle bumper 100 having a uniform material may exhibit properties that may differ from other paddle bumpers (e.g., including paddle bumpers having the same material). The one or more variations may include different shapes, different thicknesses, etc., any of which may adjust one or more properties of the paddle bumper 100 that includes a uniform material. For example, a first paddle bumper may include a thick bumper portion near a handle of a paddle which may reduce vibration during use of the paddle, and a second paddle bumper may include a thick bumper portion near the head of a paddle which may add additional weight to the paddle.
In these or other embodiments, the thickness associated with the paddle bumper 100 and/or various portions of the paddle bumper 100 may be associated with a target functionality of the paddle bumper 100. For example, in instances in which the target functionality is to generate additional power by a paddle, the paddle bumper 100 may include a greater thickness near the head of the paddle relative to the thickness of the paddle bumper near the paddle handle. In instances in which the target functionality is improved control, the paddle bumper 100 may be generally uniform in thickness, which may cause a substantially even distribution of weight about the paddle to which the paddle bumper 100 is attached.
The functionality of the paddle bumper 100 that may be associated with the thickness thereof may include, but not be limited to vibration damping, sound damping, and/or user adjustability and/or customization. Alternatively, or additionally, the thickness of the paddle bumper 100 may be associated with a type of material included in the paddle bumper 100 and/or an aesthetic associated with the paddle bumper 100. For example, in instances in which the material of the paddle bumper 100 is soft, the thickness of the paddle bumper 100 may be increased, which may limit or reduce a likelihood of the paddle bumper 100 tearing. In some embodiments, in instances in which a thickness of the paddle bumper 100 causes an increase to the weight of the paddle bumper 100 above a target amount, one or more holes may be included in the paddle bumper 100 to offset the increased weight, as described herein.
In some embodiments, the band 102 may be configured to encase a lateral edge of the paddle. For example, the paddle bumper 100 may be configured to contact the sides of the paddle and the topmost portion of the paddle (e.g., an edge of the paddle opposite the paddle handle). In some embodiments, the band 102 may be configured to encase an edge guard attached to the paddle. For example, in instances in which an edge guard is attached to the lateral edge of the paddle, the band 102 may be configured to encase the edge guard attached to the paddle.
In some embodiments, the band 102 may be configured to attach to the lateral edge of the paddle and/or to the edge guard attached to the paddle. In some embodiments, the band 102 may be configured to be held in place relative to the paddle via friction and/or tension from the band 102 stretching and/or tightly fitting to the paddle. Alternatively, or additionally, the band 102 may include an adhesive on the medial surface thereof, such that the adhesive may attach the band 102 to the paddle and/or to the edge guard attached to the paddle. For example, the medial surface of the band 102 may include a double-sided adhesive or a glue-like substance that may be configured to attach the band 102 to the edge of the paddle. Alternatively, or additionally, the band 102 may be configured to be attached to the paddle with fasteners, such as mechanical fasteners. For example, one or more fasteners such as a nail, screw, pin, etc., may be configured to attach the band 102 to the edge of the paddle and/or to the edge guard attached to the paddle.
In some embodiments, the band 102 may be substantially flush with a front surface of the paddle and/or a back surface of the paddle. For example, in instances in which a ball is contacted by the paddle that includes a paddle bumper 100, the band 102 may be not contact the ball such that the band 102 does not interfere with the paddle contacting the ball. Alternatively, or additionally, the band 102 may overlap a portion of the front surface of the paddle and/or a portion of the rear surface of the paddle. For example, the band 102 may include the protrusions 108 disposed on the front and/or back of the medial side of the band where the protrusions 108 may extend over a portion of the front surface of the paddle and/or a portion of the rear surface of the paddle. In some embodiments, the protrusions may also help hold the paddle bumper 100 in place with respect to the paddle, such as described in further detail in the present disclosure.
In some embodiments, the band 102 may include materials that may be configured to stretch and/or protect the edge of a paddle to which the band 102 is attached. For example, the band 102 may include an elastic polymer (“elastomer”) material. Alternatively, or additionally, the band 102 may include other materials similar to and/or a subset of elastomers, which may include, but not be limited to, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), silicone rubber, polyurethane, silicone, nitrile, vinyl, neoprene and/or other thermoplastic elastomer materials.
In some embodiments, the band 102 may include a shape that may be similar to a paddle. For example, in instances in which a paddle includes an elongated rectangular shape, the band 102 may include a similar elongated rectangular shape. Alternatively, or additionally, the band 102 may include any variety of shapes (which may include, but not be limited to, round, oblong, square, rectangular, honeycomb, hexagonal, and/or other shapes) in conjunction with flexible materials such that the band 102 may be configured to fit paddles having various shapes and/or sizes. For example, the band 102 may include an elongated rectangle shape and stretchy materials such that the band 102 may be configured to attach to paddles that may be similar in size but include a different shape than the elongated rectangle shape of the band 102.
In some embodiments, a flexibility associated with the band 102 and/or the paddle bumper 100 may be associated with a hardness or softness of the band 102 and/or the paddle bumper 100. For example, in instances in which the band 102 includes a soft material, the band 102 may be more flexible (e.g., may be easily attached to a paddle and/or may be adaptable to many differently shaped paddles), and in instances in which the band 102 includes a hard material, the band 102 may be less flexible (e.g., may be more difficult to attach to a paddle and/or may not be adaptable to a differently shaped paddle) and may provide improved durability and longevity. A hard material and a soft material may be relative to other materials, and/or may be determined based on a rebound or dynamic hardness scale.
Alternatively, or additionally, the flexibility associated with the band 102 and/or the paddle bumper 100 may be associated with a thickness of the materials that form the band 102 and/or the paddle bumper 100. For example, in instances in which a first paddle bumper includes a thicker material, the first paddle bumper may be less flexible relative to a second paddle bumper that includes a thinner material, which may be more flexible.
In some embodiments, the paddle bumper 100 may include a thickness associated with a function the paddle bumper 100 may be configured to perform. For example, in instances in which the paddle bumper 100 is configured to reduce vibration, the paddle bumper 100 may include a first thickness. In instances in which the paddle bumper 100 is configured to dampen noise, the paddle bumper 100 may include a second thickness that may differ from the first thickness. Alternatively, or additionally, the thickness of the paddle bumper 100 may be associated with a material that is included in the paddle bumper 100. For example, a paddle bumper made of a first material may include a first thickness and a paddle bumper made of a second material may include a second thickness. In these or other embodiments, the thickness of the paddle bumper 100 may be between predetermined thicknesses. For example, the thickness of the paddle bumper 100 may be between approximately one-thirty-second of an inch and one-half of an inch. Alternatively, or additionally, the thickness of the paddle bumper 100 may be associated with a desired flexibility of the paddle bumper 100, as described herein.
In some embodiments, the band 102 may be coupled to the handle portion 104. For example, a first end of the band 102 may be configured to attach to a first lateral side of the handle portion 104 and a second end of the band 102 may be configured to attach to a second lateral side of the handle portion 104, where the second lateral side may be opposite the first lateral side. In these and other embodiments, the handle portion 104 may be disposed between the first end of the band 102 and the second end of the band 102. Alternatively, or additionally, in some embodiments, the paddle bumper 100 may not include a handle portion 104, such as illustrated in the paddle bumper 300 of
In some embodiments, the handle portion 104 may be arranged such that the aperture 106 may be formed by a shape of the handle portion 104. For example, the handle portion 104 may include a similar shape to a paddle handle and the handle portion 104 may include the aperture 106 centrally disposed within the handle portion 104. In some embodiments, the handle portion 104 may be configured to encircle a portion of the paddle handle to which the paddle bumper 100 may be configured to attach (e.g., the paddle throat). For example, the aperture 106 may be configured to slide over the paddle handle and encircle the paddle throat but no other portions of the paddle handle. Alternatively, or additionally, the handle portion 104 may be configured to encircle substantially all or all of the paddle handle. For example, the handle portion 104 may include the aperture 106 on a first end and an enclosed portion on a second end such that the paddle handle may insert through the aperture 106 and the paddle handle may be retained within the handle portion 104 of the paddle bumper 100.
In some embodiments, the handle portion 104 may include a material that is the same or similar to the material in the band 102. For example, the handle portion 104 may include an elastomer or similar material, such as silicone rubber, polyurethane, silicone, nitrile, vinyl, neoprene, etc. In some embodiments, the handle portion 104 and/or the aperture 106 may include a shape that may be the same or similar to a paddle handle shape. For example, the handle portion 104 and/or the aperture 106 may be rectangular, oval, square, and/or any other suitable shape that may be used for a paddle handle. In some embodiments, a cross-sectional area of the aperture 106 may be smaller than an equivalent cross-sectional area of the paddle handle, such as the handle throat. Alternatively, or additionally, a cross-sectional area of the aperture 106 may be substantially the same size as an equivalent cross-sectional area of the handle throat. In instances in which the cross-sectional area of the aperture 106 is smaller than an equivalent cross-sectional area of the handle throat, the handle portion 104 may include materials that may be capable of stretching such that the aperture 106 may be configured to encircle the handle throat.
In some embodiments, the protrusions 108 may be configured to cover a portion of the paddle to which the paddle bumper 100 may be attached. As noted above, the protrusions 108 disposed on the front and/or back of the medial side of the band 102 where the protrusions 108 may extend over a portion of the front surface of the paddle and/or a portion of the rear surface of the paddle. In some embodiments, the protrusions 108 may include the same materials as the band 102. Alternatively, or additionally, the protrusions 108 may include a material that may be harder and/or more rigid than the band 102 such that the protrusions 108 may contribute to the band 102 remaining attached to the paddle. For example, the band 102 may be configured to stretch around the edge of the paddle and the protrusions 108 may be rigid to limit the band 102 from moving while attached to the paddle.
In some embodiments, one or more holes 110 may be disposed in the band 102. For example, the one or more holes 110 may be located in the band 102 opposite the aperture 106. Alternatively, or additionally, more or fewer holes than the illustrated hole 110 may be included in the band 102. For example, the paddle bumper 100 may include multiple holes 110 distributed around the band 102. Alternatively, the band 102 of the paddle bumper 100 may be continuous from a first end to a second end such that no hole may be included in the band 102.
In some embodiments, the one or more holes 110 may be advantageously distributed for use in attaching the paddle bumper 100 to a paddle. For example, one or more fasteners, such as a pin, nail, screw, clasp, etc., may be employed in conjunction with the one or more holes 110 that may be used to secure the paddle bumper 100 to a paddle. Alternatively, or additionally, a number of the one or more holes 110 may be included in the paddle bumper 100 to contribute to a target weight for the paddle bumper 100. For example, in instances in which materials comprising the paddle bumper 100 are greater than a target weight, the one or more holes 110 may be distributed around the band 102 which may be configured to reduce the weight of the paddle bumper 100.
Alternatively, or additionally, the one or more holes 110 may function as a pocket, in which additional weights may be added to the paddle bumper 100. The amount of weight that may be added may be associated with a function of the paddle bumper 100 and/or a user preference. For example, in instances in which the paddle bumper 100 is configured to reduce vibration in an associated paddle, a first amount of weight may be added to the one or more holes 110. In another example, a user having a preference for a paddle having a particular weight may added or remove weights from the one or more holes 110 such that a paddle having the paddle bumper 100 attached may weigh approximately the particular weight. In these or other embodiments, the one or more holes 110 and/or the associated weights may be determined in association with the thickness of the paddle bumper 100 based on an intended function of the paddle bumper 100.
In some embodiments, the paddle bumper 100 may include various shapes and/or variations, which may include variations in the one or more holes 110 located in the paddle bumper 100. For example, in some embodiments, the paddle bumper 100 may include different shapes, such as circular, oval, honeycomb, hexagonal, and the like. In these or other embodiments, the shape of the paddle bumper 100 may vary in conjunction with other attributes of the paddle bumper 100. For example, in instances in which the paddle bumper 100 includes flexible materials, the shape of the paddle bumper 100 may vary relative to a shape of a paddle, such that the paddle bumper 100 may still be attached to the paddle.
In some embodiments, the number, shape, and/or grouping of the one or more holes 110 may vary in the paddle bumper 100. As described herein, the number of the one or more holes 110 may vary based on a target weight. Alternatively, or additionally, the number of the one or more holes 110 included in the paddle bumper 100 may contribute to a desired flexibility of the paddle bumper 100. In some embodiments, the one or more holes 110 may include various shapes, such as circular, oval, rectangular, hexagonal, honeycomb, and the like. In some embodiments, the shape associated with the one or more holes 110 may contribute to a method of attachment of the paddle bumper 100 to a paddle. Alternatively, or additionally, the shape of the one or more holes 110 may be aesthetic appeal and/or a user preference. In some embodiments, the one or more holes 110 may be grouped or not grouped in conjunction with a functionality of the paddle bumper 100. For example, in instances in which less weight is desired near the handle portion 104 and more weight is desired opposite the handle portion 104, the one or more holes 110 may be more densely distributed adjacent to the handle portion 104 and the one or more holes 110 may be less densely distributed remote from the handle portion 104.
In some embodiments, an exterior portion of the band 102 may be substantially flat, which may be parallel to an exterior edge of a paddle to which the paddle bumper 100 may be attached. Alternatively, or additionally, the exterior portion of the band 102 may include a convex shape, a concave shape, combinations of flat, convex, and/or concave, and/or other similar features. Alternatively, or additionally, the exterior portion of the band 102 may include one or more features, such as tactile components, which may be configured to facilitate attaching and/or detaching the paddle bumper 100 from a paddle. For example, the band 102 may include a pattern of ridges and/or grooves, a textured surface, a roughened surface, cross-hatching, and/or stippling which may provide better handling for a user.
In some embodiments, the band 102 may include a beveled and/or chamfered edge. For example, the exterior edges of the band 102 may be beveled which may contribute to increased wear resistance, a reduced likelihood of the paddle bumper 100 interfering with the paddle contacting a ball during use, and/or aesthetics.
In some embodiments, the band 202 may be configured to cover a portion of a paddle to which the paddle bumper 200 may be configured to attach. For example, the band 202 may include a shape similar to the band 102, but may include an unconnected section, such that the band 202 may not form a continuous loop. In some embodiments, the band 202 may include a first end of a first portion that may be coupled to the aperture 206 and a second end of the first portion that may be configured to attach to a paddle. Alternatively, or additionally, the band 202 may include a first end of a second portion that may be coupled to the aperture 206 and a second end of the second portion that may be configured to attach to the paddle.
In some embodiments, one or more holes may be disposed throughout the band 202, such as the hole 110 as shown in
In some embodiments, the band 302 may be configured to encase at least a portion of an edge of a paddle, which may include an edge portion adjacent to a paddle handle. In some embodiments, the paddle bumper 300 may not include a handle portion (e.g., such as the handle portion 104 of
In some embodiments, the size of the band aperture 306 may be associated with the material type and/or material characteristics of the paddle bumper 300. For example, in instances in which the material of the band 302 is flexible and/or stretchy, the band aperture 306 may be smaller, as it may be stretched over the paddle handle to which the paddle bumper 300 is configured to attach. In another example, in instances in which the material of the band 302 is not flexible and/or not stretchy (e.g., rigid), the band aperture 306 may be larger as it may be more difficult to fit the band aperture 306 and/or the band 302 over the paddle handle.
Alternatively, or additionally, the inclusion or exclusion of a handle portion (e.g., the handle portion 104 of
In some embodiments, the bosses 405 may include the same or similar materials as the handle portion 404 and/or the paddle bumper with which the handle portion 404 is attached. In some embodiments, in instances in which the handle portion 404 is encircled about a paddle handle (e.g., the paddle handle extends through the aperture 406), the bosses 405 may improve the fit of the handle portion 404 relative to the paddle handle. For example, a diameter of the aperture 406 (e.g., including the bosses 405) may be smaller than a diameter of the paddle handle such that as the paddle handle extends through the aperture 406, the bosses 405 may be configured to compress against the paddle handle to increase the fit and/or resistance of the paddle handle disposed within the handle portion 404. In some embodiments, the bosses 405 may be laterally narrower than the portion of the handle portion 404 to which the bosses 405 are attached, such that in instances in which the bosses 405 are compressed by a paddle handle, the bosses 405 may expand laterally within the handle portion 404 and may not obstruct the paddle handle from passing through the aperture 406.
Although the handle portion 404 is illustrated as having two bosses 405, it will be appreciated that there may be more or less bosses included in the handle portion 404. For example, there may be zero, one, three, four, and/or any other number of bosses included in the handle portion 404. Further, the bosses 405 may be distributed symmetrically around an interior surface of the handle portion 404. Alternatively, the bosses 405 may be asymmetrical, such as in instances in which the first boss 405a is the only boss included in the handle portion 404. In these or other embodiments, the number and/or distribution of the bosses 405 in the handle portion 404 may be associated with a target functionality of the handle portion 404. For example, a greater number of the bosses 405 may be included to increase a weight of an associated paddle bumper, to improve vibration damping, and/or to improve sound damping. In another example, a fewer number of the bosses 405 may be included to reduce the weight of an associated paddle bumper and/or to improve the maneuverability and/or control of an associated paddle.
After reviewing this disclosure, one skilled in the art will appreciate the paddle bumper 100, the paddle bumper 200, and/or the paddle bumper 300 may have various shapes, sizes, configurations, and/or arrangements. Additionally, while the accompanying drawings illustrate various exemplary embodiments of the paddle bumper 100, 200, and/or 300, the paddle bumper 100, 200, and/or 300 may include other parts, components, and the like. In addition, the various features illustrated in the drawings may be drawn to scale, but not necessarily. Further, the drawings may be simplified for clarity and the drawings may not depict all of the features, components, or the like.
In some embodiments, the performance characteristic may include at least one of a paddle weight, paddle protection, customization (e.g., color, size, shape, aesthetic element, etc.), adjustability, vibration reduction, sound damping, etc. Other performance characteristics may also be contemplated.
The method 500 also includes, at block 504, selecting at least one material to be used in the paddle bumper to contribute to the identified performant characteristic. Selection of the at least one material may include a selection based on a particular material property of the at least one material. For example, a material may be selected for incorporation into the paddle bumper to gain a corresponding vibration damping performance characteristic from the material's vibration damping properties.
In some embodiments, two or more materials may be blended to gain a performance characteristic resulting from a synergistic interaction of the two or more materials, one or more separate performance characteristics each corresponding to one or more of the materials separately that persist in the combination, or a combination of at least one separate performance characteristics and at least one synergistic performance characteristic.
The illustrated embodiment of the method 500 also includes, at block 506, forming the paddle bumper based on the at least one material and the identified performance characteristic. Forming the paddle bumper may include selecting a physical shape, profile, thickness, etc. to facilitate, amplify, or otherwise increase or reduce a physical characteristic of the material. As mentioned above, the bumper may be constructed using different materials which may be blended/mixed/composited to form a uniform consistency, a gradient along the bumper, or may be arranged in distinct or partially integrated locations in the geometry of the bumper.
In some embodiments, one or more portions of a manufacturing process for forming the paddle bumper may be based on the at least one material and/or the identified performance characteristic. For example, an injection molding process may be used to achieve a particular shape, thickness, uniformity, dispersion, density, etc. Post-processing and other manufacturing procedures may be combined or added to provide a particular effect or characteristic based on the material or materials selected.
Terms used herein and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including, but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes, but is not limited to,” etc.).
Additionally, if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations.
In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, it is understood that such recitation should be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” or “one or more of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended to include A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B, and C together, etc. For example, the use of the term “and/or” is intended to be construed in this manner.
Further, any disjunctive word or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” should be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”
Additionally, the use of the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., are not necessarily used herein to connote a specific order or number of elements. Generally, the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., are used to distinguish between different elements as generic identifiers. Absence a showing that the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., connote a specific order, these terms should not be understood to connote a specific order. Furthermore, absence a showing that the terms first,” “second,” “third,” etc., connote a specific number of elements, these terms should not be understood to connote a specific number of elements. For example, a first widget may be described as having a first side and a second widget may be described as having a second side. The use of the term “second side” with respect to the second widget may be to distinguish such side of the second widget from the “first side” of the first widget and not to connote that the second widget has two sides.
All examples and conditional language recited herein are intended for pedagogical objects to aid the reader in understanding the invention and the concepts contributed by the inventor to furthering the art and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail, it should be understood that the various changes, substitutions, and alterations could be made hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
This patent application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional App. No. 63/380,892 filed Oct. 25, 2022 titled “PADDLE BUMPER” which is incorporated in the present disclosure by reference in their entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20240131407 A1 | Apr 2024 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63380892 | Oct 2022 | US |
