Patent Application
20250170464
The present invention relates to a racket.
Conventionally, there is a racket for hitting a ball. For example, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2023/249042 discloses a racket used in playing pickleball. The racket disclosed in this publication is configured to be adjustable in weight by adding or decreasing weight components.
The racket disclosed in the above publication has weight components attached intermittently on the periphery of the body of the racket. As weight components are attached at divided locations, it is difficult to finely adjust the balance of the racket by the weight components.
The present invention has been made in view of the above issue, and contemplates a racket finely adjustable in balance by a weight part.
According to the present invention a racket comprises a handle, a body to which the handle is connected, and a weight part movable along a peripheral portion of the body. The weight part is configured to be movable continuously along the peripheral portion of the body.
The racket of the present invention is finely adjustable in balance by a weight part.
The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is to be noted that, unless otherwise specified, in the following figures, identical or corresponding components are identically denoted and will not be described repeatedly.
A configuration of a racket 100 according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to
As shown in
Body 2 is connected to handle 1. Handle 1 and body 2 are aligned in the longitudinal direction of racket 100. The longitudinal direction of racket 100 matches the lengthwise direction of body 2. Racket 100 has a shorter side in a direction matching the widthwise direction of body 2.
Body 2 is configured in the form of a flat plate. Body 2 has a ball hitting surface S for hitting a ball. Body 2 has front and back surfaces configuring ball hitting surface S. Body 2 internally has a honeycomb structure or a foam for example. Ball hitting surface S of body 2 is formed of material of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP), for example. Body 2 is internally formed of polypropylene (PP) for example.
Body 2 includes a pair of linear portions located at ends of the body opposite in the widthwise direction of the body, a proximal portion connected to handle 1, a pair of proximal inclined portions interconnecting the pair of linear portions and the proximal portion, a top portion located on a side opposite to the proximal portion, and a pair of distal inclined portions interconnecting the pair of linear portions and the top portion.
Weight part 3 is configured to be movable continuously along a peripheral portion of body 2. Weight part 3 is formed of material for example of stainless steel (SUS304, SUS630), a nickel tungsten alloy (Ni—W), etc. Weight part 3 may be formed of material of metal or resin different in specific gravity. Weight part 3 may be disposed on one side of body 2, or may be disposed on a plurality of sides thereof. A plurality of weight parts 3 may be disposed on one side of body 2. There may be only one weight part 3.
In the present embodiment, racket 100 comprises two weight parts 3. The two weight parts 3 are disposed at ends, respectively, of body 2 opposite in the widthwise direction of the body. The two weight parts 3 are configured to be movable at the ends, respectively, of body 2 opposite in the widthwise direction of the body continuously along a peripheral portion of body 2.
As shown in
Body 2 includes a rail 21. Rail 21 is provided at a peripheral portion of body 2. Rail 21 is configured to allow weight part 3 to be slid and thus continuously movable. Rail 21 is formed for example of resin. Examples of the resin include thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), polycarbonate (PC), polypropylene (PP), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer synthetic resin (ABS), fiber reinforced plastic (FRP), etc.
In the present embodiment, rail 21 is provided along a side surface of body 2. Rail 21 is disposed at ends of body 2 opposite in the widthwise direction of the body. Rails 21 extends along the ends of body 2 opposite in the widthwise direction of the body linearly from the distal side of body 2 toward the proximal side of body 2. Rail 21 is disposed on body 2 at the pair of linear portions.
Weight part 3 is configured to be movable along rail 21. Weight part 3 is configured to slide on rail 21. In the present embodiment, weight part 3 is configured to be movable by sliding at the ends of body 2 opposite in the widthwise direction of the body linearly along rail 21 from the distal side of body 2 toward the proximal side thereof.
Weight part 3 is configured to be fixable to body 2 while having moved along rail 21. Weight part 3 is configured to be fixable to body 2 while having moved to any position along rail 21. In the present embodiment, weight part 3 is configured to be fixable to body 2 while having moved by sliding at the ends of body 2 opposite in the widthwise direction of the body linearly along rail 21 from the distal side of body 2 toward the proximal side thereof.
Body 2 includes a capped end portion 22. Capped end portion 22 seals the opposite ends of rail 21 along the peripheral portion of body 2. Therefore, weight part 3 does not come off rail 21 at the opposite ends. In the present embodiment, after weight part 3 is attached to rail 21, rail 21 is bonded to body 2. Since rail 21 is embedded in the main body portion of body 2, weight part 3 is undetachable from rail 21.
As shown in
In the present embodiment, rail 21 includes a pair of claw portions 21b. The pair of claw portions 21b is configured to sandwich the front surface of body 2 and the back surface of body 2. The pair of claw portions 21b is configured to engage with the front and back surfaces of body 2.
As shown in
Upper portion 31 includes an upper base portion 31a and a through hole 31b provided through upper base portion 31a. Screw portion 32 includes a head portion 32a and a shank portion 32b. Head portion 32a is larger in diameter than shank portion 32b. Head portion 32a is larger in diameter than through hole 31b. Shank portion 32b is externally threaded. Bottom portion 33 includes a bottom base portion 33a and a through hole 33b provided through bottom base portion 33a. Through hole 33b is internally threaded so that shank portion 32b can be screwed thereinto.
Screw portion 32 connects upper portion 31 and bottom portion 33. Upper portion 31 and bottom portion 33 sandwich the pair of flange portions 21a. Screw portion 32 is configured to change a spacing between upper portion 31 and bottom portion 33. Specifically, tightening screw portion 32 reduces the spacing between upper portion 31 and bottom portion 33 in the axial direction of shank portion 32b of screw portion 32. Thus, upper portion 31 and bottom portion 33 are fixed to the pair of flange portions 21a while upper portion 31 and bottom portion 33 clamp the pair of flange portions 21a.
In contrast, loosening screw portion 32 increases the spacing between upper portion 31 and bottom portion 33 in the axial direction of shank portion 32b of screw portion 32. Thus, upper portion 31 and bottom portion 33 are movable with respect to the pair of flange portions 21a while upper portion 31 and bottom portion 33 unclamp the pair of flange portions 21a. Then, weight part 3 is moved to any position along a pair of rails 21, and screw portion 32 is again tightened to fix weight part 3 at that position. In this way, weight part 3 can be adjusted to any position with respect to rail 21.
As shown in
Hereinafter, an exemplary variation of racket 100 according to the first embodiment will be described.
As shown in
Hereinafter, a function and effect of racket 100 according to the first embodiment will be described.
According to the first embodiment, racket 100 has weight part 3 configured to be continuously movable along a peripheral portion of body 2. Weight part 3 continuously moved along the peripheral portion of body 2 can be moved to any position. That is, weight part 3 can be moved to a specific position. This allows weight part 3 to adjust the balance of racket 100 finely.
There may be one weight part 3. Thus, weight part 3 can be drawn to one side of racket 100. This allows performance to be changed when hitting a ball at the front and back sides of body 2.
Further, weight part 3 may be formed of material of metal or resin different in specific gravity. This can change a balance adjustable range.
A plurality of weight parts 3 may be disposed on one side of body 2. This allows a larger balance adjustable range. In addition, a setting with the same balance and a different moment of inertia can be implemented. In contrast, a setting with the same moment of inertia and a different balance can be implemented.
According to the first embodiment, racket 100 has weight part 3 configured to be movable along rail 21. Therefore, weight part 3 can be moved along rail 21. Weight part 3 that is moved along rail 21 can be moved to any position.
Rail 21 may be formed of material of fiber reinforced plastic (FRP). Rail 21 can thus be increased in strength.
According to the first embodiment, racket 100 has weight part 3 configured to be fixable to body 2 while having moved along rail 21. Weight part 3 that is fixed to body 2 while having moved along rail 21 can be fixed at any position. Therefore, weight part 3 does not move even when the user swings racket 100.
According to the first embodiment, racket 100 has capped end portion 22 sealing opposite ends of rail 21 extending along a peripheral portion of body 2. This can prevent weight part 3 from coming off rail 21 at the opposite ends.
Racket 100 according to a second embodiment has the same structure as well as function and effect as racket 100 according to the first embodiment unless otherwise specified.
A configuration of racket 100 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to
Hereinafter, a function and effect of racket 100 according to the second embodiment will be described.
According to the second embodiment, racket 100 has weight part 3 configured to be movable along rail 21 over the entire periphery of body 2. Therefore, weight part 3 can be moved along rail 21 to any position on the entire periphery of body 2. Therefore, weight part 3 can be moved to any position over the entire periphery of body 2.
Rail 21 having opposite ends uncapped allows weight part 3 to be detached from rail 21 at the opposite ends. This allows weight part 3 to be added, reduced or exchanged at the opposite ends of rail 21 to change weight part 3 in weight.
Racket 100 according to a third embodiment has the same structure as well as function and effect as racket 100 according to the second embodiment unless otherwise specified.
A configuration of racket 100 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to
Hereinafter, a function and effect of racket 100 according to the third embodiment will be described.
According to the third embodiment, racket 100 has capped end portion 22 sealing opposite ends of rail 21 disposed along the entire periphery of body 2. This can prevent weight part 3 from coming off rail 21 at the opposite ends.
Racket 100 according to a fourth embodiment has the same structure as well as function and effect as racket 100 according to the first embodiment unless otherwise specified.
A configuration of racket 100 according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to
Hereinafter, a function and effect of racket 100 according to the fourth embodiment will be described.
According to the fourth embodiment, racket 100 has weight parts 3 configured to be movable along rail 21, each at one of the paired distal and proximal inclined portions of body 2. Therefore, weight parts 3 can be moved along rail 21, each at one of the paired distal and proximal inclined portions of body 2. Therefore, weight part 3 can finely adjust the balance of racket 100 in the widthwise and lengthwise directions of body 2 on the distal and proximal sides of body 2. Therefore, in addition to a moment of inertia about the shorter axis of racket 100, a moment of inertia about the longer axis of racket 100 can also be changed. Note that the shorter axis of racket 100 extends in the widthwise direction of body 2 and is located at the center of gravity in the lengthwise direction of body 2 as well as at the center in the direction of the thickness of body 2. The longer axis of racket 100 extends in the lengthwise direction of body 2 and is located at the center in the widthwise direction of body 2 as well as at the center in the direction of the thickness of body 2.
Racket 100 according to a fifth embodiment has the same structure as well as function and effect as racket 100 according to the first embodiment unless otherwise specified.
A configuration of racket 100 according to the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to
Hereinafter, a function and effect of racket 100 according to the fifth embodiment will be described.
According to the fifth embodiment, racket 100 has weight parts 3 configured to be movable each at one of paired proximal inclined portions of body 2 along rail 21. Therefore, weight parts 3 can be moved each at one of the paired proximal inclined portions of body 2 along rail 21. Therefore, weight parts 3 can finely adjust the balance of racket 100 in the widthwise and lengthwise directions of body 2 on the proximal side of body 2. Therefore, in addition to a moment of inertia about the shorter axis of racket 100, a moment of inertia about the longer axis of racket 100 can also be changed.
Racket 100 according to a sixth embodiment has the same structure as well as function and effect as racket 100 according to the first embodiment unless otherwise specified.
A configuration of racket 100 according to the sixth embodiment will be described with reference to
Hereinafter, a function and effect of racket 100 according to the sixth embodiment will be described.
According to the sixth embodiment, racket 100 has weight part 3 configured to be movable toward the distal and proximal sides of body 2, and is also configured to be movable linearly in the direction of the thickness of body 2. Therefore, weight part 3 can be moved toward the distal and proximal sides of body 2, and can also be moved linearly in the direction of the thickness of body 2. Therefore, weight part 3 can finely adjust the balance of racket 100 in the lengthwise direction of body 2 and the direction of the thickness of body 2. Therefore, in addition to a moment of inertia about the shorter axis of racket 100, a moment of inertia about the longer axis of racket 100 can also be changed. Further, performance when hitting a ball on the front and back surfaces of body 2 can be changed.
Racket 100 according to a seventh embodiment has the same structure as well as function and effect as racket 100 according to the first embodiment unless otherwise specified.
A configuration of racket 100 according to the seventh embodiment will be described with reference to
Hereinafter, a function and effect of racket 100 according to the sixth embodiment will be described.
According to the sixth embodiment, racket 100 has weight part 3 configured to be movable toward the distal and proximal sides of body 2, and is also configured to be movable in a curved manner in the direction of the thickness of body 2. Therefore, weight part 3 can be moved toward the distal and proximal sides of body 2, and can also be moved in a curved manner in the direction of the thickness of body 2. Therefore, weight part 3 can finely adjust the balance of the racket in the lengthwise direction of body 2 and the direction of the thickness of body 2. Therefore, in addition to a moment of inertia about the shorter axis of racket 100, a moment of inertia about the longer axis of racket 100 can also be changed. Further, performance when hitting a ball on the front and back surfaces of body 2 can be changed.
Racket 100 according to an eighth embodiment has the same structure as well as function and effect as racket 100 according to the first embodiment unless otherwise specified.
A configuration of racket 100 according to the eighth embodiment will be described with reference to
When screw portion 32 is tightened, weight part 3 moves toward a pair of flange portions 21a and is pressed against flange portions 21a. Thereby, upper portion 31 is fixed to the pair of flange portions 21a. In contrast, when screw portion 32 is loosened, weight part 3 moves toward bottom portion 21c2 and thus away from the pair of flange portions 21a. Thereby, upper portion 31 is movable with respect to the pair of flange portions 21a. Then, weight part 3 is moved to any position along rail 21, and screw portion 32 is again tightened to fix weight part 3 at that position. In this way, weight part 3 can be adjusted to any position with respect to rail 21.
Hereinafter, a function and effect of racket 100 according to the eighth embodiment will be described.
According to the eighth embodiment, racket 100 has rail 21 with flange portion 21a less easily broken as it is not sandwiched by weight part 3. Therefore, rail 21 can be enhanced in durability.
Although the present invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it is clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration and example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation, the scope of the present invention being interpreted by the terms of the appended claims.
