PADDLE HAVING A RECESSED HITTING SURFACE FOR PADDLE AND BALL-BASED SPORTS

Abstract

A paddle for use in a paddle and ball-based sport such as pickleball comprises a handle, a blade and a throat connecting the handle to the blade. The blade has a hitting surface which is continuous, devoid of apertures or indentations. The blade is thinner in its center than on its periphery, and may be completely concave or have a flat inner region surrounded by a concave periphery. The throat may comprise an aperture through the thickness of the paddle.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to the field of sport equipment. More specifically, the invention relates to a paddle for use in a paddle and ball-based sport.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong where a paddle and a hollow plastic ball with holes are used. The sport was conceived in the 1960's in Bainbridge Island, Washington. Pickleball has rapidly gained acceptance in recent years. Its ease of play, low impact appeals to a wide range of people, from kids to senior citizens, providing an opportunity to socialize. The popularity of pickleball burst into the mainstream with the USA Pickleball Association's membership reaching 10,000 in 2015 with as many as 2 million playing nationwide at that time. The number of people playing pickleball grew by 159% over three years to 8.9 million in 2022. It is estimated that the pickleball equipment market reached a value of $518.98 million in 2022 and is projected to reach $1,063.66 million by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 9.52% from 2024 to 2030. As of now, pickleball is the fastest growing sport in North America.

The game is played by swinging a pickleball paddle to strike a hollow plastic ball. The paddles are made of rigid non-compressible materials, including but not limited to wood, plastic, aluminum, fiberglass, polymer composites, graphite, and carbon fibers. General physical characteristics of a pickleball paddle include a handle portion for gripping the paddle that provides leverage and a head or blade portion with a solid flat hitting face on each side for striking the perforated pickleball. These solid flat hitting surfaces however create much air resistance to stroking movement and impair accuracy of the movement.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,150,896 to Holmes is for a racquet with incurvate contact surfaces having apertures and texturing. Holmes' design is disadvantageous in that the apertures in the hitting surface of the racquet weaken the internal support of the racquet and create a hitting surface that would impart an inconsistent force reaction to a pickleball ball. Indeed, the apertures would produce dead spots that could not be avoided, especially when an aperture in the paddle aligns with a hole in a pickleball ball.

Australian patent 37281/89 to Cvetkovic discloses a vaulted tennis and/or squash racquet with concavities on both sides. However, the use of strings or netting inherently creates apertures in the hitting surface, making it unsuitable for striking pickleballs.

There is therefore a need for an improved paddle suitable for sports such as pickleball.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a paddle for paddle and ball-based sports that overcomes or mitigates one or more disadvantages of known paddles.

The invention provides the advantages of improved directional control, spin and speed of the ball.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a paddle for use in a paddle and ball-based sports. The paddle, which extends along a length, a width and a thickness direction, comprises a handle, a blade and a throat connecting the handle to the blade. The blade has a hitting surface which is continuous, that is it is devoid of apertures or indentations. The blade is thinner in its center than on its periphery.

Optionally, the throat may comprise an aperture extending through the thickness.

The hitting surface may be at least partially concave or completely concave.

The hitting surface may comprise a central portion and a peripheral portion where the central portion may be substantially flat. The peripheral portion may be substantially concave or it may be flat and angled with respect to the central portion. The central portion may extend up to the aperture and its thickness may gradually decrease towards the aperture.

The blade may comprise two identical hitting surfaces located on opposite sides of the blade.

The hitting surface may be smooth, rigid and non-compressible.

The paddle may have a first combined dimension corresponding to a sum of the length and of the width of the paddle. A value of the first combined dimension may be at most 24 inches (60.96 cm). The length of the paddle may be at most 17 inches (43.19 cm).

The paddle may have a second combined dimension corresponding to a sum of a blade length and a throat length, the second combined dimension being at least twice as long as a handle length.

The paddle may be a pickleball paddle.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a paddle for use in a paddle and ball-based sports. The paddle, which extends along a length, a width and a thickness direction, comprises a handle, a blade and a throat connecting the handle to the blade. The blade, which has a continuous hitting surface, a center and a periphery, is thinner in the center than on the periphery. The throat comprises an aperture extending through the thickness.

The hitting surface may be partially or completely concave.

The hitting surface may comprise a central portion and a peripheral portion. The central portion may be substantially flat and the peripheral portion may be substantially concave. The central portion may extend up to the aperture and its thickness may gradually decrease towards the aperture.

The blade may comprise two identical hitting surfaces, each one of the two identical hitting surfaces being located on an opposite side of the blade.

The blade may comprise an embedded core.

The central portion may extend approximately 90 mm (3.5 in) widthwise and at least 135 mm (5.3 in) lengthwise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

These and other features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description in which reference is made to the appended drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a paddle for use in paddle and ball-based sports in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1A is a longitudinal cross-sectional view along the lines 1A-1A of the paddle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 1B is a transversal cross-sectional view along the lines 1B-1B of the paddle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 is a front view of a paddle for use in a paddle and ball-based sport in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention that is a variant of the first embodiment;

FIG. 2A is a longitudinal cross-sectional view along the lines 2A-2A of the paddle of FIG. 2;

FIG. 2B is a transversal cross-sectional view along the lines 2B-2B of the paddle of FIG. 2;

FIG. 3 is a front view of a paddle for use in a paddle and ball-based sport in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention that is another variant of the first embodiment;

FIG. 3A is a longitudinal cross-sectional view along the lines 3A-3A of the paddle of FIG. 3;

FIG. 3B is a transversal cross-sectional view along the lines 3B-3B of the paddle of FIG. 3;

FIG. 4 is a front view of a paddle for use in a paddle and ball-based sport in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention that is a variant of the second embodiment;

FIG. 4A is a longitudinal cross-sectional view along the lines 4A-4A of the paddle of FIG. 4;

FIG. 4B is a transversal cross-sectional view along the lines 4B-4B of the paddle of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 5 depicts a pickleball ball.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a paddle for use in a paddle and ball-based sport such as pickleball. The paddle has a recessed hitting surface, such as a concave surface, and may incorporate a vent to let air flow through the paddle.

FIGS. 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A and 2B, depict two related embodiments of the present invention. A paddle 1 or 101, in the present case a pickleball paddle, comprises a blade 2, a handle 8 and an intermediate throat 12 connecting the handle 8 to the blade 2. The paddle 1 is suitable for use with a ball, such as the pickleball ball 18 shown in FIG. 5.

As best shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the paddle 1 of a first embodiment is provided with an inner core 5 covered by an outer layer 6 on each side 14, 15 of the core 5. The use of such a core 5 is optional and the paddle 1 could be solid inside. Although manufacturing a paddle with a solid interior is cheaper, a lighter paddle results from using a light core 5 and is often used for performance paddles. When a core is used, the core 5 is typically of a constant thickness for cost and performance reasons, and each outer layer 6 has a flat inner surface 7 that contacts the core. A flat and constant thickness core 5 provides a relatively uniform level of support and energy transfer to all areas of the outer layer 6. The core 5 is typically made of honeycomb polymers, foam, pressurized air pockets, etc.

On its exterior face, each outer layer 6 has a solid, continuous, smooth and seamless hitting surface 13. In the present application, continuous shall be understood to mean devoid of apertures or indentations. This solid hitting surface 13 without perforations maximizes the contact area between the paddle 1 and the ball 18, therefore achieving greater friction between the two. Additionally, the hitting surfaces 13 (one on each side of the paddle 1) contribute to the strength, stability, and performance of the blade 2. As the hitting surfaces 13 have no apertures, thinner, higher performing and lighter weight materials can be used than would be possible with an apertured surface. The outer layers 6 are made of a rigid and non-compressible material and are typically harder than the core 5. Non-compressible herein means that a hitting surface 13 is not significantly deformed by the striking of a ball such as pickleball ball 18, as opposed to the strings of a tennis or badminton racquet, or to the spongy surface of a ping-pong paddle. The outer layers 6 may be made of materials such as fiberglass, polymer composites, graphite, and carbon fibers, using various known techniques such as injection molding, vacuum forming, machining, 3D printing, etc.

As can be observed in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2A, 2B, the thickness of each outer layer 6 varies such that the hitting surface 13 is thinner in its center 10 than on its outer edge or periphery 9. In other words, the hitting surface 13 is generally recessed, thereby increasing the area of the hitting surface 13 compared to a standard flat hitting surface. Increased contact area typically improves friction, control, and spin applied by the paddle 1 to the ball 18. As is known in the art, there is a range of incident angles at which the paddle 1 better “grips” the ball 18, i.e. when a degree of friction is higher. When the angle of the blade 2 is too shallow with respect to the ball direction, e.g. near parallel to the ball direction, the ball will slide more easily along the surface of the paddle. When the angle of the blade 2 is perpendicular to the direction of movement, there will be no slip relative to the hitting surface 13. Somewhere in between, there is a transition range of angles where the ball decreasingly slides and increasingly grips to the hitting surface 13. Consequently, for a given striking angle of the paddle 1, the central portion 3 may be at a first angle where the ball slides while for the same striking angle of the paddle 1, the peripheral portion 4 may be at a second angle at which the ball grips the hitting surface 13. Hence, the depth of the recessed hitting surface 13 may vary, with greater depth intensifying a slide to grip transition of the ball 18. Each outer layer 6 may be made of one or more pieces. For example, it may be made of a single piece that is thinnest in the center 10, or in the central portion 3, and which is increasingly thicker in the peripheral portion 4 towards the edge or periphery 9. Alternatively, the outer layer 6 may be of a constant thickness, extending over both the flat central portion 3 and the concave peripheral portion 4, while the increased thickness towards the periphery 9 is achieved using one of two ways. One embodiment includes a peripheral wedge positioned in the peripheral portion 4, between the flat core 5 and the outer layer 6, gradually increasing in thickness towards the periphery 9 and thereby increasing its thickness and stiffness. In another embodiment, the outer layer 6 is still of a uniform thickness over the flat central portion 3 and the concave peripheral portion 4, while the core 5 adopts a non-uniform thickness, gradually increasing in thickness in the peripheral portion 4 from the central portion 3 towards the periphery 9. The exact design of the recessed hitting surface 13 may have variants, each variant providing different advantages.

For example, FIGS. 2, 2A and 2B depict a variant of FIGS. 1, 1A and 1B where the paddle 101 has a hitting surface 113 having the shape of a dish or bowl across its entire surface, thereby providing a fully concave hitting surface 113. This particular shape deflects air from the periphery 109 of the blade 102 to the central portion 103, improving paddle stability.

It may also be noted that paddle 101 is not depicted with a core to better highlight other features of the invention. A core, similar to the core 5 of the first embodiment could, however, be used. The same is applicable for other embodiments described later for paddles 201 and 301 as well.

The embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1, 1A and 1B is actually a variant of the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 2, 2A and 2B. Indeed, the hitting surface 13 is partially concave in the sense that it is shaped like a truncated concave hitting surface. Whereas hitting surface 113 of the embodiment of FIGS. 2, 2A and 2B is fully concave, the hitting surface 13 has a substantially flat central portion 3 surrounded by a concave peripheral portion 4. As best shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, a thickness of the peripheral portion 4 increases from the flat central portion 3 towards the periphery 9 of the hitting surface 13. In a variant, instead of being concave and have a curved cross-section, the peripheral portion 4 may have a gradient that is rectilinear and angled with respect to the central portion 3 and thereby have a rectilinear and angled cross-section. In both cases, the peripheral portion 4 connects the central portion 3 to the periphery 9 and runs all around the central portion 3. This is depicted in FIGS. 1A and 1B in which it can be seen that the cross section of the peripheral portion 4 is continuously curved in both the lengthwise and widthwise directions. It should be noted that when the central portion 3 is flat, a transition between this flat central portion 3 and the peripheral portion 4 is preferably smooth and seamless.

What is commonly known as a sweet spot corresponds to an area of the hitting surface that transfers an optimal amount of energy from the paddle to the ball 18 as they come into contact. Generally, the area of the hitting surface corresponding to the sweet spot is centered on the center of the blade and gradually diminishes towards the periphery, where power dwindles. Hence, the limits of the sweet spot are not exactly defined and may vary from one model of paddle to another.

It is common knowledge in the art that hitting the ball with the sweet spot of the paddle produces the most desirable rebound reaction of the ball and that when the ball is hit outside the sweet spot, its rebound reaction is dull in comparison. It is also a common belief in the art that thicker paddles have a softer play feel. Consequently, one would expect the sweet spot 17, 117 of the paddle 1, 101 of the instant invention to be reduced due to its thicker blade 2, 102 at the periphery 9, 109. It was therefore an unexpected discovery that the design of the present paddle provides an enlarged sweet spot 17, 117. This enlarged sweet spot 17, 117 is made possible by providing a hitting surface 13, 113 having a central portion 3, 103 recessed with respect to the thickness of the blade 2, 102 at the periphery 9, 109, or with respect to the peripheral portion 4. In other words, the thickness of the blade 2, 102 at the central portion 3, 103 is less than the thickness of the blade 2, 102 at its periphery 9, 109 and that allows an enlarged sweet spot 17, 117 with respect to prior art paddles having a blade of constant thickness.

The expansion of the sweet spot 17, 117 area is attributed to the increase in thickness of the outer layer 6, 106 along the periphery 9, 109. This increased thickness along the perimeter of the blade 2, 102 provides enhanced mass and stiffness, which increases from the central portion 3, 103 towards the periphery 9, 109. Consequently, the increased mass and stiffness of the hitting surface 13, 113 proportionally contributes to an increase in the energy transferred from the paddle 1, 101 to the ball 18, effectively enlarging the sweet spot 17, 117 of the paddle 1, 101.

The thickness of the outer layer 6, 106 may vary depending on the type of material used. For example, this thickness may be in the range of 0.30 mm to 0.9 mm for an outer layer made of carbon fiber or other types of fiber reinforced composite materials. For lower end paddles made of non-reinforced plastics, the outer layer may be approximately 1 mm or more. Typically, however, the outer layer thickness varies between 0.25 mm to 2.0 mm, preferably between 0.25 mm to 1.0 mm.

A thickness ratio between the thinnest portion in the central portion 3, 103 and the thickest portion at the periphery 9, 109, is preferably between 1:1.1 and 1:2.5. However, different ratios may be experimented with inasmuch as they provide the desired results.

The blade 2, 102 may be composed of two identical hitting surfaces 13, 113 each located on an opposite side of the blade 2, 102 as depicted in FIGS. 1A and 2A. It is, however, possible that the two hitting surfaces 13, 113 on either side 14, 15 of the blade 2 and 114, 115 of the blade 102 are different, providing different characteristics to each side of the blade.

The dimensions of the central portion 3 of the blade 2 may vary in dimension, providing a smaller or larger proportion of the hitting surface 13 that is flat. In a non-limiting example, the central portion 3 of the blade 2 measures approximately 90 mm (3.54 in) widthwise and 135 mm (5.3 in) lengthwise.

In action, when the pickleball paddle 1, 101 collides with the pickleball ball 18 on the flat central portion 3, 103 while being pronated, the ball 18 slides or rolls on the flat central portion 3, 103 and gradually transitions towards the periphery 9, 109. The increasing slope of the curved peripheral portion 4, 104 accelerates a transition to better grip the ball 18. The improved grip increases the rebound spin rate of the ball 18 and enhances the spin performance capability of the paddle. Greater top spin will increase a downward curved trajectory that will enable faster ball speed while staying within the boundary lines of the court. Faster bottom spin revolutions induce greater lift so that the ball 18 will stay in the air longer and drop further from launch. Increased spin rate will make the ball 18 more difficult for the opponent to return, because of reactions when the ball 18 strikes the ground or hitting surface 13, 113.

Spin is induced in the ball 18 by forcing the ball 18 to move from the flat central portion 3, or concave central portion 103, towards the peripheral portion 4, 104 of the paddle. Having such an angled or raising peripheral portion 4, 104 (with respect to the central portion 3, 103) allows decreasing paddle angle adjustments by the player and potentially reduces the risk of errors by the player.

FIGS. 3, 3A and 3B, depict another embodiment of the present invention related to that depicted in FIGS. 1, 1A and 1B. In this embodiment, the blade 202 and the handle 208, as well as the working principles, are similar to those of the blade 2 and the handle 8 already described for the embodiment of FIGS. 1-1B and their description will therefore not be repeated herein. The hitting surface 213 of the FIG. 3 paddle comprises a flat central portion 203 and an angled or concave peripheral portion 204. The throat 212, however, differs from that of the previously described embodiments in that it comprises an aperture 216 which extends through the thickness of the paddle 201. As can be seen, the flat central portion 203 extends up to the aperture 216, which functions as a vent, while the peripheral portion 204 surrounds the aperture 216, thereby extending up to the throat 212. This design somewhat blends together the blade 202 and the throat 212 portions. The aperture 216 is located in the throat 212 and, as depicted in FIG. 3A, outside the hitting surface 213, near the handle 208. This disposition is preferred so as not to interfere with the ball 18. The aperture 216 is intended to let air flow from a high-pressure side of the blade 202 (the side with which the ball 18 is struck, or the side that faces a direction of movement) to a low-pressure side of the blade 202, thereby reducing air resistance and allowing a faster and more consistent movement of the paddle and reducing induced fatigue in a player. The raised peripheral portion 204 contributes to directing the air towards the central portion 203 which, in turn, acts as a channel directing air towards the aperture 216. To further help in channeling air towards the aperture 216, the flat central portion 203 may taper (e.g. its thickness decreases) towards the aperture 216, as is best shown in FIG. 3A.

Similarly to the central portion 3 of the embodiment of FIG. 1, the central portion 203 may vary in dimension. In a non-limiting example, the central portion 203 also measures approximately 90 mm (3.54 in) widthwise, but extends more than 135 mm (5.3 in) lengthwise as it reaches up to the aperture 216.

In action, the player holding the paddle 201 by the handle 208 swings the paddle 201 at an incident angle to impact the ball 18 with the hitting surface 213. This movement generates wind resistance and creates a wake, imparting drag forces on the paddle 201. Further, natural wind forces, including ambient wind, and wind gusts onto the blade 202 may impart erratic drag and misdirection to the paddle stroke. Advantageously, the up-wind recessed hitting surface 213 cups wind, redirects air to the central portion 203, and funnels this air through the vent 216, thereby releasing air pressure on the up-wind side (high pressure side). This combination of features thereby results in a lower drag coefficient of the paddle 201. Moreover, the vent 216 consolidates pressure release near the hand of the player, thereby increasing paddle control. This combination results in smoother and faster swing strokes with less drag, reduced interference from wind forces, and improved aerodynamic stability of the paddle 201.

FIGS. 4, 4A and 4B, depict yet another embodiment of the present invention closely related to that depicted in FIGS. 2, 2A and 2B. In this embodiment, the blade 302 and the handle 308, as well as the working principles, are similar to those of the blade 102 and the handle 108 already described for the embodiment of FIGS. 2, 2A and 2B and their description will therefore not be repeated. The hitting surface 313 is completely concave, similarly to that of hitting surface 113 of paddle 101. Different from the throat 112 of paddle 101 but similar to the throat 212 of paddle 201, the throat 312 comprises an aperture 316 which extends through the thickness of the paddle at the throat 312. As with the embodiment of FIGS. 3, 3A and 3B, when swinging the paddle 301, the up-wind recessed hitting surface 313 cups wind, redirects air to the central portion 303, and funnels this air through the vent 316, thereby releasing air pressure on the up-wind side (high pressure side). Again, this combination of features thereby results in a lower drag coefficient of the paddle 301. Similarly, the vent 316 consolidates pressure release near the hand of the player, thereby increasing paddle control. This combination also results in smoother and faster swing strokes with less drag, reduced interference from wind forces, and improved aerodynamic stability of the paddle 301. Paddle 301 otherwise works similarly to the other paddles 1, 101 and 201 described herein.

In any of the disclosed embodiments, the paddle 1, 101, 201, 301, if it is intended to be used as a pickleball paddle, may have a first combined dimension, which corresponds to a sum of its length and of its width, of at most 24 inches (60.96 cm). The length of the paddle may be at most 17 inches (43.19 cm). A second combined dimension corresponds to a sum of a length of the blade 2 with a length of the throat 12, 112, 212, 312. This second combined dimension may be at least twice the length of the handle 8, 108, 208, 308.

The present invention has been described with regard to preferred embodiments. The description as much as the drawings are intended to help the understanding of the invention, rather than to limit its scope. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the scope of the invention as described herein, and such modifications are intended to be covered by the present description. The invention is defined by the claims that follow.

Claims

1. A paddle for use in a paddle and ball-based sport, the paddle extending along a length, a width and a thickness, the paddle comprising: a handle;a blade with a continuous hitting surface, the blade having a center and a periphery, the blade being thinner in the center than on the periphery; anda throat connecting the handle to the blade.

2. The paddle of claim 1, wherein the throat comprises an aperture extending through the thickness.

3. The paddle of claim 1, wherein the hitting surface is concave.

4. The paddle of claim 1, wherein the hitting surface comprises a central portion and a peripheral portion, the central portion being substantially flat and the peripheral being substantially concave.

5. The paddle of claim 1 wherein the central portion extend substantially 90 mm (3.5 in) widthwise and at least 135 mm (5.3 in) lengthwise.

6. The paddle of claim 1, wherein the blade comprises two identical hitting surfaces, each one of the two identical hitting surfaces being located on an opposite side of the blade.

7. The paddle of claim 1, wherein the blade comprises an outer layer, the outer layer having the hitting surface, the outer layer having a thickness ranging from 0.25 mm to 2.0 mm.

8. The paddle of claim 7, wherein the outer layer has a thickness ranging from 0.25 mm to 1.0 mm.

9. The paddle of claim 1, wherein the hitting surface is smooth.

10. The paddle of claim 1, wherein the hitting surface is rigid and non-compressible.

11. The paddle of claim 1, wherein the paddle has a first combined dimension corresponding to a sum of the length and of the width of the paddle, the first combined dimension being at most 24 inches (60.96 cm), and the length of the paddle being at most 17 inches (43.19 cm).

12. The paddle of claim 1, wherein the paddle has a second combined dimension corresponding to a sum of a blade length and a throat length, the second combined dimension being at least twice as long as a handle length.

13. The paddle of claim 1, wherein the paddle is a pickleball paddle.

14. A paddle for use in a paddle and ball-based sport, the paddle extending along a length, a width and a thickness, the paddle comprising: a handle;a blade with a continuous hitting surface, the blade having a center and a periphery, the blade being thinner in the center than on the periphery; anda throat connecting the handle to the blade, the throat comprising an aperture extending through the thickness.

15. The paddle of claim 14, wherein the hitting surface is concave.

16. The paddle of claim 14, wherein the hitting surface comprises a central portion and a peripheral portion, the central portion being substantially flat and the peripheral being substantially concave, the central portion extending up to the aperture.

17. The paddle of claim 16, wherein the central portion has a thickness that gradually decreases towards the aperture.

18. The paddle of claim 14, wherein the blade comprises two identical hitting surfaces, each one of the two identical hitting surfaces being located on an opposite side of the blade.

19. The paddle of claim 14, wherein the blade further comprises an embedded core.

20. The paddle of claim 14 wherein the central portion extend substantially 90 mm (3.5 in) widthwise and at least 135 mm (5.3 in) lengthwise.