Patent Application
20250229142
The field of the invention pertains to sports equipment, specifically rackets used in games such as pickleball. A need exists to address the common challenge of ball retrieval during gameplay. This invention is situated within the domain of sports equipment design and aims to enhance the functional aspects of rackets and other sporting equipment. A current problem in the prior art is that athletes may be fatigued and play less than they would otherwise prefer to due to having to reach down to pick up sports equipment, including balls such as pickleballs, tennis balls, golf balls, and the like. Due to fatigue from gameplay, health, injury, age, or other elements, users may experience challenges in retrieving the ball dozens and dozens of times over the course playing pickle ball, which generally includes multiple games or a series of games. The prior art discloses use of a sticky, tacky substance that requires a protective cover or multiple protective covers that must be cleaned with soapy water (U.S. Pat. No. 8,715,117), which is not generally on-hand at pickleball or other sporting courts or areas. Further, an adhesive will generally not last a full round of play, even after an application of soapy water. The adhesive qualities will fail to pick up a ball due to scrapes to the ball, where the dust will settle. The dust will then apply to the adhesive chemicals, coating it with dirt or dust or grime that settles on the adhesive material limiting or eroding entirely the adhesive qualities.
Adhesion may also erode due to air. Typical glues and solvent-based adhesives undergo chemical reactions or physical changes when exposed to air. Reactive components in adhesives may undergo polymerization when exposed to air, removing the liquid or tacky state. Oxidation can change an adhesive's chemical structure over a short period of time. Current equipment receives scrapes due to normal wear and tear on courts. Crevices formed from scrapes collect dust and harm the ability of the products to create greater surface area contact with the balls to be retrieved. A further problem is that the balls are not sufficiently adhesive to standard tapes and other available pick-up mechanisms, in part due to the minimal surface area available for adherence to a spherical ball used in sports.
A need exists for a mechanism for a single, simple ball retrieval mechanism that reduces fatigue for older or injured players, incorporates a mechanism for cleaning the playing equipment, does not require a cover, and includes a means of re-setting the adhesive qualities. An additional need exists for a mechanism that reduces weight added to a paddle or racket compared to other retrieval mechanisms.
A mechanism for a regenerative (including a re-settable property), replaceable, enhanced pickleball paddle is designed to improve the ease of ball retrieval during gameplay, catering to users who may experience challenges due to factors such as age, mobility problems, injuries, or fatigue. The innovative feature of this product is the incorporation of a strip of hydrogel material on the top surface of the pickleball paddle. Embodiments include a hydrogel strip, where a specialized strip of hydrogel is strategically placed on the top surface of the pickleball paddle among several layers of liners and, optionally, different levels of adherence among the layers. The hydrogel strip is engineered to be readily placed for its adhesive qualities to facilitate relatively effortless ball pick-ups. The effect is to produce an enhanced user experience, where for injured or elderly players or those experiencing fatigue during play, the hydrogel strip minimizes the need for strenuous bending or rapid movements for ball retrieval. Embodiments will include an adhesive reset mechanism, where to maintain the effectiveness of the hydrogel over multiple uses, users can easily reset its adhesive properties by applying a small amount of water to the hydrogel area with water from a damp towel, for example. The user-friendly reset feature allows the user to pour water onto the hydrogel strip even after multiple uses or exposure to air over substantial use, and still restoring its adhesive qualities without requiring direct contact of soapy water, and without the need for a cover.
An alternative embodiment adds optionally a ball with Ferromagnetic materials, such as iron or cobalt, have a unique property where, under certain conditions, neighboring domains on the paddle will spontaneously align, creating a magnetic field in the material and enabling the athlete to pick up the ball with adhesive plus magnetic support. An embodiment where solely the magnetic ball is used is also disclosed.
For one embodiment, the application method is to place the hydrogel strip so it is affixed to the paddle using a non-contact application method to ensure that users do not touch the hydrogel during installation. This application method promotes hygiene (not touching dirt, grime, or any adhesive layer) and ease of use, making the product accessible to a wide range of players. This method generally requires sets of tabs organized in several layers for simultaneously protecting hygiene, adhesive quality, re-usability, regenerative ability, re-settability (allowing a small or moderate amount water to clean the hydrogel strip to re-set adhesiveness after any application of dirt or scratches) and replace-ability. Embodiments have a durable design based on the strip organization. The hydrogel strip is integrated into the pickleball paddle in a way that ensures durability and longevity, providing consistent performance over extended periods. Further, the hydrogel-enhanced pickleball paddle is designed to be compatible with standard pickleball gameplay, meeting the requirements and specifications of conventional pickleball paddles. Further, as shown in
Embodiments will reduce physical strain and enhance accessibility for players with limited mobility whether with the hydrogel design, the magnetic design, or a combination. This improves overall gameplay experience by streamlining the ball retrieval process, and allows for longer playing times. Embodiments incorporates a user-friendly adhesive reset mechanism to maintain optimal performance. The audience includes elderly players, individuals experiencing fatigue or reduced mobility, and pickleball enthusiasts seeking an innovative and user-friendly paddle design. Overall, the hydrogel-enhanced pickleball paddle redefines user experience by combining ease of use with advanced materials, offering a solution to challenges associated with ball retrieval, particularly for players facing mobility or fatigue constraints.
The present invention introduces embodiments for improvements to athletic devices such as pickleball paddles through the incorporation of a strategically placed strip of hydrogel material, or ferromagnetic devices or other means on a predetermined surface.
Embodiments include a hydrogel strip integrated into the top surface of the pickleball paddle as represented in
In embodiments, the paddle is constructed from lightweight yet durable materials to maintain playability and performance. The hydrogel strip is securely affixed to the top surface, ensuring stability and longevity. Embodiments should display a user-friendly design that allows players to conveniently reset the hydrogel's stickiness without interrupting gameplay significantly. As noted above, water application is simple and can be done using a water bottle or a damp cloth.
To use embodiments, during gameplay, the hydrogel strip provides enhanced stickiness, allowing players to efficiently pick up pickleballs. The hydrogel's invisible and lightweight nature ensures minimal impact on the overall paddle design and playability. Then, for example after several games, if the stickiness of the hydrogel diminishes due to dust or wear, players can utilize the water reset mechanism. Applying water to the hydrogel strip activates its adhesive properties, restoring optimal stickiness for continued effective ball retrieval.
An embodiment may include a layer of hydrogel that is apply-able to a paddle, but is able to be removed without leaving residue.
Embodiments include an optional removability property and an adhesive-reset property, providing an improved, longer-lasting paddle accessory. Longer-lasting results more efficient playing time, including by adhering after each pick-up, and maintaining the adherence, users play more and more frequently because the adhesive material is regenerative. It lasts much longer than two-way tape options. After dust, clothing or other lint, or dirt accumulates on the ball, and in turn is transferred to the adhesive material, the hydrogel adhesive is wetted (e.g., with a moist towel, a dab of water from a water bottle, or water from a player's finger), and the lint, dust, or other contaminant will substantially wipe off to regenerate back to the requisite adhesion level.
Another embodiment may employ a piece of tape connected to the paddle (e.g., electrical tape), and then a hydrogel strip, with a release liner above the hydrogel layer. This may be manufactured in a series of cards. A user may pull the tape off of a card, place the tape on the paddle, push down with the release liner, and then pull the release liner away.
The hydrogel strip enhances the overall gaming experience by reducing downtime associated with manual cleaning or paddle replacement. Players can enjoy extended periods of continuous play without compromising the paddle's performance.
With the hydrogel mechanism, the player does not need to cover and uncover the top and bottom of the paddle after each pick up, and the design is optionally virtually invisible on the paddle, Generally, a player may cover the tape at the end of an athletic session before putting the paddle back in their bag, or alternatively pulling the strip from the top of paddle and discard in a waste basket. The design is easy to apply and removes without any residue on the paddle or the fingers of the player handling the hydrogel strip. Embodiments include a version where the player does not touch the hydrogel at all, where the paddle includes a small non-adhesive tab that would be able to be grabbed to both apply and remove the strip from the top of the paddle. The tab 1 is shown in
The hydrogel application system for a pickleball paddle is designed to provide a user-friendly and effective means of applying and removing a hydrogel strip to or from the top surface of the paddle. The hydrogel strip enhances the paddle's functionality by allowing for easy ball pick-ups, especially beneficial for individuals facing mobility challenges or fatigue during gameplay.
Embodiments employ a non-contact method to affix the hydrogel strip to the pickleball paddle, so users do not need to touch the hydrogel during installation, promoting hygiene and convenience. Embodiments will use a hydrogel strip that comes with a peel-and-stick backing, as represented in
The hydrogel strip and the paddle are equipped with alignment guides to assist users in achieving precise placement during application. This ensures optimal coverage and effectiveness of the hydrogel strip. Over time, the adhesiveness of the hydrogel may diminish due to use or environmental factors. Users can reactivate the adhesive qualities of the hydrogel strip by applying a small amount of water.
The hydrogel strip will be comprised of hygienic and durable materials, for example natural polymers, including macromolecules extracted from animal collagen, plants, and seaweed, generally where natural macromolecules are typically polysaccharides and proteins comprised of glycosidic and amino acid repeating units. Properties of the compounds can simultaneously withstand the rigors of pickleball gameplay in a user-friendly way if applied with the correct method. The hydrogel application system is designed to be compatible with standard pickleball paddles or other athletic devices, ensuring ease of integration into existing equipment.
As shown in
The hydrogel adhesive is an effective mix of water and what is effectively a gummy material that creates a strong and durable bond. It is a cross-linked hydrated material that can adhere to surfaces without the need for additional glues and engages greater surface area on a ball than a thin layer of a tape. The synthesized hydrogel possesses enduring and replicable adhesiveness to both hydrophilic and hydrophobic surfaces and exhibits a nondrying property.
In embodiments, the hydrogel would include a release layer on top, then the hydrogel, which would meet the Pickle Ball, then a layer of adhesive underneath, which would stick onto another release liner at the bottom. There would be a tab installed so that the user can pull the entire strip from the bottom release liner, by the Tab Installed, which would allow them to install on top of the paddle, without ever having to touch the hydrogel itself. Then, at the end of session, a user could pull the same tab, which would peel the entire stack from the paddle to be discarded.
Embodiments of the current invention are intended to maintain adhesive qualities for longer than standard commercial or retail adhesives, but also include the mechanism to remove and replace the application with a new strip.
General suggested environment for the hydrogel include keeping the hydrogel out of direct sunlight except during gameplay, and maintaining the hydrogel in temperatures between freezing and approximately 104 degrees F. However, the hydrogel remains effective outside of this temperature envelope.
The top liner layer may be comprised of a low-density polyethylene liner. A PET release liner is made with polyester film to create a carrier that's extremely smooth. A major advantage of PET release liners is that they don't break as easily as a paper liner. That strength allows the polyethylene liner to be a useful choice for a high-speed application.
In some embodiments, the hydrogel adhesive may be produced in sections having a base liner, a skin layer, a tie layer, and a top layer. The gel width will be suitable for the top area of pickleball paddles, for example measuring about 0.625 inches in width, and about 4 to 5 inches in length for most pickle ball paddles.
The properties of the hydrogel adhesive strip in embodiments may for example include a volume resistivity of about 625 ohm-cm, a skin side adhesion of about 275 g/inch (108 g/cm) at 180 degree peel, a top liner with adhesion to gel of approximately 10 g/in (4 g/cm) at a 90 degree peel, a bottom layer having a skin side adhesion to gel of approximately 40 g/in (16 g/cm) at a 90 degree peel, hydrogel thickness of approximately 30 mils (0.8 mm), hydrogel pH of approximately 3.6, and water activity of about 0.66.
The different properties are applicable to many embodiments. Generally, the adhesiveness for the ball and adhesiveness to the paddle are substantially different. The hydrogel adhesion to the pickleball differs from the adhesion required to apply the replace-able, removeable strip to the paddle. The right balance is important so users, fatigued, will not require special scraping equipment to remove the adhesive layer from the paddle. In an embodiment of the adhesive layer applied to pickleball paddles, a user may select a strip from a pack of strips or several convenient rows of strips, clearly labeled, for example one side is A, one side is B. Or, a black release liner which is to face the paddle, and a yellow side to face the ball.
In most embodiments, the tab has no adhesion to it at all, makes it easier to grab, put on top of paddle. Tab 2 is removing the entire strip without having to touch the gel. Embodiments may create a strip with one tab, or a strip with two tabs for more ready use for the athlete. Applications of the embodiments will adapt to standard paddles, whether polycarbonate paddles or other materials or composites. While pickle balls are generally designed with different materials, the hydrogel application, or the hydrogel and magnet force application, will create sufficient adhesion and/or magnetic force for an easy pickup, without leaving material on the ball that would be sufficient to affect ball flight, spin, or other play dynamics. At the end of the athletic session, a user may optionally place cover over the strip for placing in the bag.
In another embodiment, optional magnetic elements in the top of a pickleball paddle are also available, requiring iron or cobalt magnetic polar elements in the pickleball. Magnetic forces may be optionally combined with an adhesive, to maintain optimal stickiness and magnetic forces over numerous games. This option provides a convenient solution for players, minimizing interruptions during gameplay.
The spherical magnetic cage is extremely lightweight and made with ferrous (magnetic) metal. An injection mold process for pickleball manufacturing can create molds from two separate halves, and then the halves would be fused together. The sphere cage would fit inside the halves before the halves are fused back together and would hug the inside wall of the ball.
In embodiments, the cage intersects at six different points, allowing for equal weight distribution. So once inserted into both halves of the ball, the cage would not affect the flight or bounce of the ball.
Regarding pickleballs themselves, pickleballs are designed to withstand the high impact of the game. The exact type of plastic can vary depending on the brand and model. Pickleball balls are similar in size to a whiffle ball, but slightly heavier. They are designed to fly slower and have less bounce than a tennis ball. For some embodiments of the instant invention, there is no requirement to add any adhesive layer or material to a standard, off-the-shelf pickleball. Other embodiments disclosed here include a means of adding a ferromagnetic material to the inside of the pickleball, as shown in
For this magnetic-focused approach, lightweight neodymium magnets may be placed onto the top of a paddle or other device, either by way of adhesive, putty or another similar method, so when the player wishes to pick the ball up from the court or arena, the use can point the top or bottom of the paddle at the ball and the ferrous metal in the ball will be attracted to the magnets on the top or handle/bottom of the paddle. The ball can be picked up easily without the player bending completely over. This can also be achieved with neodymium magnets inserted into the ball and then metal atop the paddle or neodymium magnets both inside the ball and atop the paddle.
Light weight neodymium magnets are placed onto the top of the Pickleball paddle, either by way of adhesive, putty or another similar method, so when the player wishes to pick the ball up from the court, they can simply point the top or bottom of the paddle at the ball and the ferrous metal in the ball will be attracted to the magnets on the top or handle/bottom of the paddle. The ball can be picked up easily without the player bending completely over. This can also be achieved with neodymium magnets inserted into the ball and then metal atop the paddle or neodymium magnets both inside the ball and atop the paddle.
Another embodiment of the invention is for a replaceable insert for the magnetic pick-up mechanism. A plastic shallow U-shaped holder would be affixed to the top of a Pickleball paddle. A predetermined amount of hydrogel, for example, could be loaded on a separate piece of plastic that would slide into the grooved holder of a tongue and groove attachment. Once ready to commence play, the player can peel the top layer of a coated release paper atop the insert and begin to play without the server or hitting partner having to bend completely over. After repeated usage with a somewhat warn ball on dusty court surface, the putty can develop a dusty film over it rendering it less effective on the later pick-ups in that session, but with a series of small pinches between the thumb and forefinger, more of the fresh putty can be exposed resulting in easier and more effective pick-ups.
After the end of the player's Pickleball session, the putty insert can either be discarded or covered with a piece of coated plastic or release paper to protect the putty from sticking to the contents of a Pickleball bag, other storage device, car or closet or wherever the paddle will be stored. To replace used putty, the user would slide out the old insert and load a new one into place.
Optionally, lightweight neodymium magnets may be placed into a replaceable insert that slides into the tongue and groove in the top of the Pickleball paddle. When the player wishes to pick the ball up from the court, they can simply point the top of the paddle at the ball and the ferrous metal in the ball will be attracted to the magnets on the top of the paddle. The ball can be picked up easily without the player bending completely over.
In another embodiment, a pickleball could be retro-fitted with a magnetic material inserted into a hole in the ball. The insert would be lightweight and would not affect play. A spring loaded, lightweight, “cage” made of ferrous metal can be inserted into the holes of the pickleball so when released, will expand and hug the inside walls of the pickleball, not allowing any movement which may affect the weight, flight, bounce or spin of the ball. So when the player wishes to pick the ball up from the court, they can simply point the top of the paddle at the ball and the ferrous metal in the ball will be attracted to the magnets on the top of the paddle. The ball can be picked up easily without the player bending completely over.
Either a hydrogel application, a magnetic application, or a combination application solves the problem in the current and prior art, where for example a sticky, tacky substance requires a protective cover or multiple protective covers during play, and where the sticky or tacky substance must be cleaned with soapy water, which is not generally on-hand at pickleball or other sporting courts or areas. Further, a typical adhesive from the prior art will generally not last a full round of play, even after an application of soapy water. The adhesive qualities will fail to pick up a ball due to scrapes that wear away adhesive chemicals, dirt or dust or grime that settles on the adhesive material or in the cracks formed from scrapes, or due to the air.
Embodiments disclosed in the instant application will support use on carbon fiber paddles, graphite surface paddles, fiberglass paddles, hybrid paddles, wooden paddles, or paddles of other materials as the requirements are surface and enabled with attachment materials. Most common pickleball paddle materials are graphite, carbon fiber, fiberglass, and wood. Hybrid options are also on the market. Depending on the type of material selected for a paddle, athletes can either generate more control or power when playing. For any of these paddles, a method of manufacturing a product for applying an adhesive for requisite re-set-ability and optional replacement is as follows:
In embodiments, one adhesive strength level will apply to pick up the pickleball more easily, while the other side of the strip (facing the paddle) will have a different adhesive strength so that the strip can be more easily removed without any significant residue on top of the paddle.
In another embodiment, a release liner is larger or relatively oversized and thicker to cover not just the hydrogel strip itself, but also to overlap the strip on all sides so that the player could affix this to the hydrogel between games, or even drop it back into their bag or personal vehicle without risk of the gel sticking to any of their belongings.
In embodiment employing hydrogel, the application of a regenerative stickiness property is generally highly effective in the athletic arena, and less so in the athletic bag. To avoid cumbersome management of the hydrogel, a package of multiple strips of, for example, 4 inch by ⅝ inch strips, so as to not be lost in the bottom of a bag, will be placed on a card with a release liner material. The material may optionally be cut for placement on the bottom of a bat (e.g., a whiffleball ball), the end of the handle of a golf putter for retrieving golf balls from the ground, a hole, or a bush or water or other hazard, or other uses.
For another embodiment for the end of a golf putter grip, a user could attach a hydrogel strip, optionally of ⅝ inch in width, optionally in a square or circular size. Once the golfer completes a putt, the user could remove a cap or plastic cover exposing adhesive at the end of the putter handle (i.e., the grip). The golfer would then aim and press the putty onto their golf ball to pull it out of the hole. This would eliminate any need to bend over to retrieve their golf ball from the hole. The plastic covering would be affixed again onto the putty after the ball is picked up from the hole so the putter can be placed back into the golf bag with the handle down without having it stick to the bottom of the golf bag. The plastic cover can also be used to mark the player's ball, functioning as a ball marker when on the green and in the way of other golfers' putting path. This embodiment would retain the resetting mechanism should grass or dirt or film be captured on the hydrogel surface.
For the end of a golf putter grip, the user would attach a small plastic canister that contains Putter Putty inside the cap or hinged lid. Once the golfer completes their putt, they would remove the cap or open the hinged lid thus exposing adhesive at the end of the putter handle or grip. The golfer would then aim and press the putty onto their golf ball to pull it out of the hole. This would eliminate any need to bend over to retrieve their golf ball. The plastic covering would be affixed again or the hinged lid would be snapped shut after the ball is picked up from the hole so the putter can be placed back into the golf bag with handle down without it sticking to the bottom of the golf bag. The plastic cover can also be used as a ball marker to mark the spot of the player's ball when on the green and in the way of other golfers' putting path.
Another embodiment of the invention reduces the sound that emanates from the polycarbonate panel slapping against a plastic ball, which may create too much noise for a playing environment or community. A plastic mesh netting that resembles a screen door type of configuration may be applied to a pickleball paddle which substantially reduces noise emanating from a pickle ball paddle. When placed over the striking surface of the paddle on both sides, the players can feel free to slam away with very little sound emanating.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63/479,644.
