Patent Application
20240293711
The subject matter of this disclosure relates to the field of sports paddles, and more particularly pickleball paddles for various training regimens and playing styles.
Pickleball is a fast-paced sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. It is played on a court similar in size to a double's badminton court with paddles and a whiffle ball. People of all ages and abilities often enjoy the sport since it is easy to learn and can be played at a variety of speeds while also providing an excellent workout for players. Players can compete in singles or doubles matches, making it the perfect socially distanced activity for groups of friends or family members. Pickleball can be played indoors or outdoors with a paddle where two players compete in a singles match or four players compete in a doubles match, hitting a perforated hollow plastic ball over a 36-inch-high net using solid-faced paddles. Opponents on either side of the net hit the ball back and forth until one side commits a rule infraction.
Pickleball paddles are a key component of the game and come in different shapes, sizes, and materials. Paddles range from larger wooden versions to lighter composite paddles made from plastic, carbon, graphite, or other similar materials. Some players may opt for specialty paddles since they have a unique playing style, or there is a certain comfort that is desired.
Embodiments of the invention, on the other hand, provide significant advantages while overcoming the above-described and other disadvantages, as will now be described.
To easily identify the discussion of any element or act, the most significant digit or digits in a reference number refer to the figure number in which that element is first introduced.
Details of one or more aspects of the subject matter described in this disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. However, the accompanying drawings illustrate only some typical aspects of this disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting in its scope. Other features, aspects, and advantages will become apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims.
In order to describe the manner in which the above-recited and other advantages and features of the disclosure can be obtained, a more particular description of the principles briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific examples, which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only exemplary examples of the disclosure and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the principles herein are described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:
Elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions and/or relative positioning of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments of the present invention. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments of the present invention.
Certain actions and/or steps may be described or depicted in a particular order of occurrence, while those skilled in the art will understand that such specificity with respect to sequence is not actually required. The terms and expressions used herein have the ordinary technical meaning as is accorded to such terms and expressions by persons skilled in the technical field as set forth above, except where different specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein.
Numerous examples of the disclosure are discussed in detail below. While specific implementations are discussed, it should be understood that this is done for illustration purposes only. A person skilled in the relevant art will recognize that other components and configurations can be used without parting from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Thus, the following description and drawings are illustrative and are not to be construed as limiting. Numerous specific details are described to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosure. However, in certain instances, well-known or conventional details are not described in order to avoid obscuring the description. References to one or an example in the present disclosure can be references to the same example or any example; and such references mean at least one of the examples.
Reference to “one example” or “an example” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the example is included in at least one example of the disclosure. The appearances of the phrase “in one example” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same example, nor are separate or alternative examples mutually exclusive of other examples. Moreover, various features are described which can be exhibited by some examples and not by others.
The terms used in this specification generally have their ordinary meanings in the art, within the context of the disclosure, and in the specific context where each term is used. Alternative language and synonyms can be used for any one or more of the terms discussed herein, and no special significance should be placed upon whether or not a term is elaborated or discussed herein. In some cases, synonyms for certain terms are provided. A recital of one or more synonyms does not exclude the use of other synonyms. The use of examples anywhere in this specification, including examples of any terms discussed herein, is illustrative only and is not intended to limit further the scope and meaning of the disclosure or of any example term. Likewise, the disclosure is not limited to numerous examples given in this specification.
Without intent to limit the scope of the disclosure, examples of instruments, apparatus, methods, and their related results according to the examples of the present disclosure are given below. Note that titles or subtitles can be used in the examples for the convenience of a reader, which in no way should limit the scope of the disclosure. Unless otherwise defined, technical and scientific terms herein have the meaning commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. In the case of conflict, the present document, including definitions, will control.
Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be set forth in the description which follows and in part, will be obvious from the description or can be learned by practice of the herein disclosed principles. The features and advantages of the disclosure can be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and other features of the disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims or can be learned by the practice of the principles set forth herein.
This pickleball paddle 100 is designed to improve hand-eye coordination and training for players, with a high-velocity spot design at the center of the paddle 100. The unique split 102 near midsection 106 creates a void in the location of the typical sweet spot of a Pickleball Paddle 100, allowing for increased control and accuracy when striking. The largest concentrated surface portion of the paddle 100 striking surface is at the top and in the center, forcing the user of the paddle to concentrate hitting the ball in that area as any other area on the paddle is too narrow to hit with consistency. The solid piece of textured plastic with wood-grain style texture provides additional comfort, while being approximately ¾ of an inch thick as shown in
In an example, the pickleball training device incorporates a unique high-velocity spot design precisely positioned at the center of the paddle's paddle 100 striking and hitting surface 110. This design enhancement focuses on refining the player's hand-eye coordination and training experience by optimizing the impact forces and response dynamics during gameplay.
The distinct split 102 introduced near midsection 106 of the pickleball paddle 100 strategically disrupts the conventional sweet spot location observed in traditional paddles. This alteration aims to cultivate heightened control and accuracy for players, particularly during striking maneuvers. The void created by split 102 allows users to exploit a more advantageous striking region, contributing to a refined and targeted gameplay experience.
Furthermore, the largest concentrated surface area for striking is strategically positioned at the top and center of the paddle's 100 hitting surface 110 forming the sweet spot, coined the “speed spot” which is the location of the paddle that moves at the highest velocity due to the principle of the lever 108. This configuration is meticulously designed to force the player to focus intensely on striking the ball with precision in the portion of the paddle that is centrally located at the portion of the paddle furthest away from the user's hand.
The solid composition of paddle 100, crafted from textured plastic with a wood-grain style texture, ensures both durability and comfort. As shown in
In one embodiment, paddle 100 comprises a solid piece of textured plastic with a wood-grain style texture.
In one embodiment, paddle 100 comprises a solid piece of textured plastic with a wood-grain style texture.
In one embodiment, the sweet spot 108 is centrally located on the paddle 100, optimal for striking the ball with the highest speed due to that location traveling the furthest distance while the player swings the paddle.
In one embodiment, the sweet spot 108 does not require an edge guard.
In one embodiment, sweet spot 108 is centrally located to increase focus and difficulty in returning the ball during drill sessions where the player practices their overheads to gain maximum power.
In one embodiment, the paddle 100 is at least ¾ of an inch thick providing greater protection from wear and discoloration.
In an example, during a typical training session with the described pickleball training device, a user engages in targeted exercises to refine striking precision and hand-eye coordination. The specialized high-velocity spot design at the center hitting surface 202 of the paddle's 200 striking surface optimizes the impact dynamics, providing a unique training experience which provides immediate feedback and a high degree of challenge.
The void created by split 204 encourages users to exploit a more advantageous striking region 202, fostering precise striking skills.
As the user progresses through the session, emphasis is placed on utilizing the largest concentrated surface area, strategically located at the top and center hitting surface 202 of the paddle 200. This configuration enables the user to force themselves to improve their ability to strike the “speed-spot” 202 portion of the paddle which creates the highest velocity of ball strike when hit with force and precision. The consistent weight distribution, facilitated by the approximate ¾-inch thickness of the paddle 200, contributes to stability and control during each striking motion.
Throughout the training, the solid composition of the paddle 200, crafted from textured plastic with a wood-grain style texture, ensures durability and comfort. The absence of an edge guard simplifies the construction while maintaining robust protection.
The intentional reduction in width amplifies the challenge for the user and also allows for a lighter version which also requires meticulous control to precisely hit the “speed-spot” portion of the paddle 302. This design element instills a higher degree of difficulty, encouraging users to refine their striking techniques for optimal overhead striking velocity to help improve their game and win more points.
The user aims to achieve accuracy in striking maneuvers to prevent missing the top center sweet spot 302 and optimize the potential for swift swing speeds. The challenging configuration of the narrowed paddle 300 hones the user's ability to consistently target the designated striking area, elevating overall gameplay proficiency.
Throughout the training, the solid construction of the paddle 300, composed of textured plastic with a wood-grain style texture, ensures durability and comfort. The absence of an edge guard maintains simplicity while providing robust protection. This example training session underscores the paddle's 300 capability to elevate skill levels through purposeful exercises, highlighting its innovative design for advanced users seeking a more challenging and precise training regimen.
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of the operation, assembly and use, are deemed to be within the expertise of the skilled and art, and all equal and structural variations in relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to go skilled in the ART, it does not desire to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modification and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
Accordingly, example embodiments having thus been described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the intended spirit and scope of example embodiments, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.
Although the present invention has been described in terms of various embodiments, it is not intended that the invention be limited to these embodiments. Modification within the spirit of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
It is additionally noted and anticipated that although the device is shown in its most simple form, various components and aspects of the device may be differently shaped or modified when forming the invention herein. As such those skilled in the art will appreciate the descriptions and depictions set forth in this disclosure or merely meant to portray examples of preferred modes within the overall scope and intent of the invention and are not to be considered limiting in any manner. While all of the fundamental characteristics and features of the invention have been shown and described herein, with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure and it will be apparent that in some instances, some features of the invention may be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth. It should also be understood that various substitutions, modifications, and variations may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/449,954 filed Mar. 3, 2023, of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63449954 | Mar 2023 | US |
