Patent Application
20240269526
This disclosure relates to the field of sporting equipment. More specifically, this disclosure relates to a sports paddle with an improved blade with preferably elliptical holes and/or preferably a carbon fiber layer that facilitates the generation of an improved spin of a ball struck with the paddle during racquet sports such as platform tennis.
Platform tennis is a derivative of racquet sports such as tennis, racquet ball, table tennis, squash, and pádel tennis. It was first conceived in 1928 New York as an alternative sport that could be played outdoors during cold winter months. To facilitate that goal, platform tennis is played outside on a raised court (i.e., a platform) which can be heated to melt snow and ice. These platforms are typically enclosed by a taut wire mesh fencing that allows players to keep a ball in play even when it is hit beyond the lined court boundaries on the platform and bounces off the mesh.
Traditional racquets generally comprise a handle portion and a blade portion. In some instances, such as with tennis racquets, the blade portion comprises a frame and tightly strung strings that define a face of the blade. In contrast, paddles used for table tennis, paddle ball, platform tennis, or pádel tennis generally comprise a blade formed of a solid/composite structure. For instance, the blades of platform paddles are typically comprised of an at least one core layer sandwiched between a first outer layer and a second outer layer, where the at least one core layer is typically formed of a lightweight, sturdy, durable, and elastomeric material such as a closed cell foam material, and the first and outer layers are typically formed of a strong and durable material such as fiberglass. More specifically, in traditional platform tennis paddles, the core layer is typically formed of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA foam) and the first and second outer layers both comprise three layers of fiberglass.
Generally, the blades of paddles used in platform tennis, paddle tennis, and pádel tennis have a plurality of holes (unlike table tennis paddles) extending transversely through the blade of the paddle to reduce wind resistance when swinging the paddle during match play. The plurality of holes also enables a player to impart a spin on the ball when striking it with the paddle. Each of the plurality of holes has an edge length, defined by a circumference of the hole at an outermost surface. When the paddle strikes the ball, a portion of the ball can be contacted by the edge length of a member of the plurality of holes, enabling the paddle to control the direction, velocity, and rotation (spin) of the ball when the ball leaves a surface of the paddle blade.
Spinning a ball in platform tennis and other paddle sports allows the player to control and direct the ball towards an intended target, hopefully to the player's advantage over an opponent. This is an important part of gameplay in competitive matches, especially considering the small size of platform tennis courts and the ability to play off the surrounding fence mesh.
Many paddles in the prior art utilize a textured surface, or grit, on the blade to enhance a player's ability to impart a spin on the ball. However, the enhanced spin enabled by the grit is minor, and the nature, type, or size of grit particles utilized to create the textured surface has a negligible effect on the direction, velocity, or rotation of the ball. Instead, grit on paddles tends to function more to mitigate the effects of inclement weather, creating a rough texture for the ball to gain purchase upon when the paddle is wet.
In traditional paddles, the plurality of holes are circular. Furthermore, due to sport regulations and the need to prevent a ball from becoming stuck in overly large holes, the plurality of holes are generally small, with diameters of 9.5 mm or less. Thus, paddles found in the prior art have a plurality of holes that are typically small in size and that are limited in shape, significantly limiting the amount of ball spin that a player can produce.
Accordingly, there is an unmet need in the prior art for a sports paddle with an improved blade wherein the plurality of holes have an enlarged or modified edge length and/or alternative shape used to impart an enhanced and modified rotational velocity on a ball.
The present disclosure provides for an improved sports paddle for use in sports such as platform tennis. More specifically, this disclosure relates to a sports paddle with an improved blade with elliptical holes and/or a carbon fiber layer that facilitates the generation of an improved spin of a ball.
The sports paddle of the current disclosure preferably comprises a handle portion and a blade portion. The blade portion is preferably comprised of an at least one core layer, a first outer layer, and a second outer layer, as well as a plurality of holes extending transversely through the blade portion of the paddle. In some embodiments, the plurality of holes are elliptical in shape, thereby increasing an edge length of each of the plurality of holes while retaining a relatively small minor axis or width.
The at least one core layer is preferably formed of a lightweight, sturdy, durable, elastomeric material such as a closed cell foam material. In preferred embodiments, the at least one core layer is comprised of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA foam). The first and second outer layers are preferably formed of a strong and durable material. In preferred embodiments, the first and second outer layers are comprised of at least one carbon fiber layer sandwiched between an at least one outer fiberglass layer and an at least one inner fiberglass layer. Moreover, in preferred embodiments the carbon fiber layer comprises a first carbon fiber sheet and a second carbon fiber sheet, which are orientationally positioned such that strands of carbon fiber comprising the first carbon fiber sheet are perpendicular to strands of carbon fiber comprising the second carbon fiber sheet.
Inclusion of the carbon fiber layer within the blade of the paddle provides additional stiffness and rigidity to the blade. This increased stiffness and rigidity facilitates a solid feel when the player strikes the ball with the paddle, which in turn grants the player more control over the ball when striking it. Moreover, the rigidity of the carbon fiber layer minimizes the amount by which the outer layer of the blade is compressed when striking the ball. Thus, when the ball strikes one of the plurality of holes, the edges of the hole will remain rigid while the more malleable ball is regionally depressed into the hole. This increases the amount by which the hole can “catch” or “grab” the ball and increases the ability of the hole to impart a spin on the ball.
A preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises:
A sports implement for use in racquet or paddle sports, the sports implement comprising:
Another preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises:
A sports implement for use in racquet or paddle sports, the sports implement comprising:
Another preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises:
A sports implement comprising:
The invention will be more fully understood by referring to the following Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments in conjunction with the Drawings, of which:
Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to sporting equipment. In particular, embodiments of the present invention relate to sports paddles for use in racquet or paddle sports such as platform tennis, paddle tennis, or pádel tennis. The present disclosure describes, in detail, specific embodiments with the understanding that the present invention may be susceptible to embodiments in different forms, and that the present disclosure is considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to that described herein.
As used herein, including in the claims, the terms “racket,” “racquet,” and “paddle” may be used interchangeably to reference a piece of sporting equipment with a flat head with which a user, or player, may strike a ball. In accordance with the prior art, racquets and paddles are generally defined by a handle portion and a blade portion.
Additionally, as used herein, including in the claims, the term “ellipse,” or “elliptical” is defined as a regular oval shape where the sum of a distance from two focal points within the shape are constant, such that two sides of the ellipse taper uniformly towards two terminal ends. This is distinct from an “oval,” which is a curved shape, but without uniformly tapered ends. An ellipse is also distinct from a “stadium” shape, or a “discorectangle,” which is defined as a geometric figure consisting of a rectangle capped at two terminal ends by semicircles; where a stadium or discorectangle has straight edges, an ellipse does not. Similarly, an ellipse is distinct from pill shapes, slots, other ovoid shapes with flat or elongated edges, or other ovoid shapes that do not taper uniformly towards two terminal ends.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
In addition to reducing wind resistance when swinging the paddle 10, the plurality of elliptical holes 16 illustrated in
The elliptical shape of the plurality of elliptical holes 16 is one way to increase the elliptical edge 27 and thus optimize the ability to impart spin. Because the major axis 20-21 is larger than the minor axis 18-19, the elliptical edge 27 of the plurality of elliptical holes 16 can be optimally increased while maintaining a smaller minor axis 18-19 of the holes 16. Moreover, spin is increased to a greater extent when the elliptical edge 27 contacts the ball in a direction counter to the direction of the ball's flight towards the paddle 10. For example, when a player strikes the ball with the sports paddle 10, the player typically holds the sports paddle 10 horizontally so that the vertical axis VA is relatively parallel to the ground. In the preferred embodiments illustrated in
To increase the size, or circumference, of the elliptical edge 27, the major axis is preferably greater than 9.5 mm in length. Thus, a circumference for each member of the plurality of elliptical holes 16 is preferably greater than 29.84 mm. In preferred embodiments, the minor axis 18-19 of the plurality of elliptical holes 16 is between 5.5 mm and 12.5 mm and the major axis 20-21 is between 14.5 mm and 26.05 mm. As a result, the elliptical edges 27 of each of the plurality of elliptical holes 16 preferably have a circumference between 33.03 mm and 62.44 mm. In some preferred embodiments, the minor axis 18-19 is 5.5 mm, and the major axis 20-21 is 16.5 mm, with a circumference of 36.75 mm. Alternatively, in other preferred embodiments, the minor axis 18-19 is 9.5 mm and the major axis 20-21 is 23.05 mm. Thus, in preferred embodiment, the elliptical edge 27 has a circumference of 53.37 mm. However, other dimensions for the plurality of elliptical holes 16 are contemplated by this disclosure.
As illustrated in
Moreover, as illustrated in
While preferred embodiments of the sports paddle 10 preferably comprise elliptical shaped holes 16, other elongated shapes are also contemplated by this disclosure. For instance, oval shaped holes are contemplated, which as noted supra, are curved in shape, but do not have the uniformly tapered ends that define an ellipse. Moreover, it is contemplated that the sports paddle 10 may comprise a plurality of holes that are stadium shaped, with straight, parallel edges that taper at the ends into semicircles. Other contemplated embodiments have rectangular holes, diamond shaped holes, or holes that form other elongated shapes wherein a major axis of the hole is larger than a minor axis of the hole.
Moreover, it is further contemplated that in some embodiments the plurality of holes are circular. In such embodiments, the edge length is still preferably greater than 29.84 mm. Some embodiments may have both circular and elongated holes. In yet other embodiments, the plurality of holes have beveled edges, resulting in cup shapes in outer layers of the blade.
For instance, and in accordance with other preferred embodiments of the current disclosure,
As illustrated in
In some embodiments, each of the plurality of cups 38 may define a beveled edge such that the plurality of cups 38 have multiple circumferences that continuously get larger as the member of the plurality of holes extends from the core layer 42 to the first face 43, or from the core layer 42 to the second face 71. In these embodiments, the first and second terminal circumferences 48a, 48b, are just one of multiple circumferences for each of the plurality of cups 38. However, in other embodiments, the plurality of cups 38 may extend uniformly through the first outer layer 42 and the second outer layer 44, creating edges that are perpendicular to the first face 43 and second face 71 of the paddle 30.
In preferred embodiments, a member of the plurality of cups 38 comprise the ends of each member of the plurality of holes 36 such that the plurality of cups 38 mirror each other at the first and second terminal ends 52, 54. In other words, the members of the plurality of cups 38 on one end of a hole 36 match the cups 38 on the other end of the hole 36. In these embodiments, the first terminal circumference 48a is equal to the second terminal circumference 48b. However, it is contemplated that in some embodiments a member of the plurality of cups 38 at one end of the hole 36 is different from the corresponding cup 38 on the other side of the paddle 30.
As noted above, and as shown in
Each member of the plurality of cups 38 may define multiple circumferences depending on the cup's 38 depth shape. However, regardless of the depth shape, the first and second terminal circumferences 48a, 48b are defined by the first and second outer layers 44, 46 at the point where each of the plurality of holes 36 exit the blade 34 of the paddle, i.e., the first face 43 and second face 71. To optimize the edge surface area 47 of each of the plurality of holes 36, the first and second terminal circumferences 48a, 48b of each hole are larger than the core circumference 50 such that the plurality of holes 36 are larger in diameter as they pass through the first and second outer layers 44, 46 than they are in the at least one core layer 42. Thus, the plurality of cups 38 increase the edge surface area 47 of each of the plurality of holes 36, thereby increasing the ability to impart ball spin.
In some embodiments, the core circumference 50 may define a ridge at the terminal ends 52, 54 of the plurality of holes 36. In other embodiments, a ridge may spiral along the plurality of cups 38. In further embodiments, an inside surface of the plurality of cups 38 may be textured through a knurling process or may be coated in a grit material.
In some embodiments, as illustrated in
In some embodiments, the core diameter 56 is between 7.0 mm and 14 mm and the cup diameter 58 is between 10 mm and 17 mm. This range of cup diameters 58, in combination with a cup 38 depth between 0.5 mm and 2 mm, facilitates an edge surface area 47 between 13.35 mm2 and 97.39 mm2. In more preferable embodiments, the core diameter 56 is between 8 mm and 11 mm and the cup diameter 58 is between 11 mm and 14 mm. This range of cup diameters 58, in combination with a cup 38 depth between 0.5 mm and 2 mm, facilitates an edge surface area 47 between 14.92 mm2 and 78.54 mm2. In a preferred embodiment the core diameter 56 is 9.0 mm and the cup diameter 58 is 11.9 mm. Thus, in preferred embodiments, the edge surface area 47 is between 15.66 mm2 and 65.65 mm2. In another preferred embodiment, the cup diameter 58 is 12 mm, resulting in an edge surface area 47 between 16.49 mm2 and 65.96 mm2. However, other dimensions and both larger and smaller edge surface areas 47 are also contemplated by this disclosure.
As noted above, in some embodiments the first and second terminal circumferences 48a, 48b, and core circumference 50, are all circular in shape. However, in other embodiments illustrated in
In other embodiments, the plurality of holes 36 are circular as they pass through the at least one core layer 42 but the plurality of cups 38 are elliptical. Moreover, other shapes are also contemplated for the plurality of holes 36 and/or the plurality of cups 38.
In preferred embodiments, and as described supra, the plurality of cups 38 are defined by the first and second outer layers 44, 46. In some embodiments, the plurality of cups 38 extend through an entire depth of the first and second outer layers 44, 46. In other embodiments, the plurality of cups 38 extend only partially into the first and second outer layers 44, 46. In still other embodiments, the plurality of cups 38 extend through the first and second outer layers 44, 46, and into the at least one core layer 42. A depth of the plurality of cups 38 is preferably between 0.5 mm to 2 mm. More preferably, the depth of the plurality of cups 38 is between 0.5 mm and 1.8 mm deep. In an optimal embodiment, the depth of the plurality of cups 38 is 0.7 mm deep. However, other cup depths are contemplated by this disclosure.
It is also contemplated by this disclosure that certain embodiments may include a sports paddle with a handle, blade, and plurality of holes, wherein the plurality of holes are circular and without cups. Traditional platform tennis paddles have historically had circular holes that were mandated to have a diameter less than 9.5 mm. However, recent rule changes have removed this limitation. It is thus anticipated that an improved paddle may comprise a blade with a plurality of circular holes with a diameter that is greater than 9.5 mm, to increase a player's ability to impart spin on a ball. Thus, embodiments of the current disclosure are contemplated wherein the diameter of each of the plurality of circular through holes is between 9.5 mm and 16 mm. In other preferred embodiments, the diameter is between 10 mm and 14 mm. In a preferred embodiment, the diameter is 11 mm. In yet another preferred embodiment, the diameter is 12 mm. The paddle in accordance with these embodiments may also comprise a grit, such as a granular silica, embedded or adhered to the first face and the second face 70.
In preferred embodiments, the sports paddle 10, 30 is eighteen (18) inches in length from a base of the handle portion 12, 32 to the apex 15, 35 of the blade 14, 34. A width of the sports paddle 10, 30 is preferably 10.5 inches at a widest part of the blade 14, 34, and the sports paddle 10, 30 is approximately 1.5 inches at its thickest point. However, other dimensions of the sports paddle 10, 30 are also contemplated by the current disclosure. Moreover, while in preferred embodiments the blade portions 14, 34 of paddles 10, 20 are generally planar and have a rounded or oblong shape, other blade 14, 34 shapes are contemplated, including circular, square, rectangular, triangular, or other relatively planar shapes.
Traditional platform tennis paddles have eighty-seven (87) holes through the blade, in accordance with the prior art. However, the present disclosure contemplates a reduced number of holes 16, 36 due to an increased circumference and size of the holes 16, 36 over those in the prior art. In other words, because elliptical holes 16 take up more space than the circular holes (where a diameter of the circular holes is equal to the minor axis 18-19 of the elliptical holes 16), paddles 10 with elliptical holes 16 will have fewer holes 16 than paddles of the same size that have circular holes. Thus, in some embodiments, the paddle 10 has between 32 and 75 elliptical holes 16. In some embodiments the paddle 10 has between 40 and 68 elliptical holes 16. In preferred embodiments where the minor axis 18-19 of the plurality of elliptical holes 16 is 5.5 mm, the paddle 10 may comprise 68 elliptical holes 16. Conversely, in preferred embodiments where the minor axis 18-19 is 9.5 mm, the paddle 10 may comprise 40 or 41 elliptical holes 16. However, other numbers of holes 16 are contemplated by this disclosure, and it is contemplated that some embodiments may have fewer or more elliptical holes 16 than enumerated here.
Similarly, in embodiments with cupped holes 36, the paddle 30 may preferably have 67-107 cupped holes 36. In other preferred embodiments, the paddle 30 has 77-97 cupped holes 36. In another optimal embodiment, the paddle 30 has 87 cupped holes 36. However, it is contemplated that some embodiments may have more or fewer holes 36 than enumerated here.
The at least one core layer 22, 42 is preferably formed of a lightweight, sturdy, durable, elastomeric material such as a closed cell foam material. In preferred embodiments, the at least one core layer 22, 42 is comprised of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA foam). However, other materials such as polyurethane, polyethylene, polyvinyl products, rubber, and other elastomeric foams, as well as combinations thereof, are contemplated by this disclosure.
The first outer layer 24, 44, and second outer layer 26, 46, are preferably formed of a strong and durable material. In a preferred embodiment, the first outer layer 24, 44 and second outer layer 26, 46 are each composed of at least one sheet of fiberglass which coat a top and bottom planar surface of the at least one core layer 22, 42. The first and second outer layers 24, 44 and 26, 46 may each be formed of a single sheet of fiberglass, or they may be formed of multiple sheets of fiberglass laminated together. In still other embodiments, the first outer layer 24, 44 and the second outer layer 26, 46 are comprised of carbon fiber or a thermoplastic polyurethane (PTU) polymer. In still other embodiments, the first outer layer 24, 44 and second outer layer 26, 46 are comprised of both carbon fiber and fiberglass layers.
In a preferred embodiment, exhibited in
In preferred embodiments, as illustrated in
In some embodiments, paddle blades 14, 34 are manufactured using a baking process. In such embodiment, the fiberglass layers 100, 104 are preferably adhered to the carbon fiber layer 102 through heat adhesion during baking of the paddle blade 14, 34. Similarly, the inner fiberglass layer 104 is preferably affixed to the at least one core layer 22/42 through heat adhesion. In other words, component layers of the blade may be “melted” together. However, it is also contemplated that components of the first outer layer 24, 44 and second outer layer 26, 46 are adhered to each other and/or to the at least one core layer 22/42 through other methods known in the art, such as, but not limited to, use of chemical adhesives or lamination processes. For instance, it is contemplated that one of ordinary skill in the art may utilize adhesives to hold the component layers of the blade together during the baking process, that the component layers of the blade are held together through a combination of adhesives and melting, or that the component layers of the blade are held together solely through the use of adhesives.
In preferred embodiments, the at least one outer fiberglass layer 100 and the at least one inner fiberglass layer 104 both have a thickness of 0.2 mm. In preferred embodiments the carbon fiber layer 102 has a thickness of 0.18 mm. However, other thicknesses of the fiberglass layers 100, 104 and carbon fiber layer 102 are contemplated by this disclosure.
Inclusion of the carbon fiber layer 102 within the blade 14, 34 of the paddle 10, 30, provides additional stiffness and rigidity to the blade 14, 34 while keeping the weight of the paddle 10, 30 low. This increased stiffness and rigidity facilitates a solid feel when the player strikes the ball with the paddle 10, 30, which in turn grants the player more control over the ball when striking it. Moreover, the rigidity of the carbon fiber layer 102 minimizes the amount by which the outer layer 24, 26, 44, 46 of the blade 14, 34 is compressed when striking the ball. For instance, in paddles 10 with elliptical holes 16, when the ball strikes one of the plurality of holes 16, the edges 27 of the hole 16 remain rigid while the more malleable ball depresses into the hole 16, increasing the amount by which the hole 16 can “catch” or “grab” the ball, and thereby increasing the ability of the hole 16 to impart a spin on the ball.
While the invention is described through the above-described exemplary embodiments, modifications to, and variations of, the illustrated embodiments may be made without departing from the inventive concepts disclosed herein. For example, although specific parameter values, such as dimensions, materials, additives and coatings, may be recited in relation to disclosed embodiments, within the scope of the invention, the values of all parameters may vary over wide ranges to suit different applications.
As used herein, including in the claims, the term “and/or,” used in connection with a list of items, means one or more of the items in the list, i.e., at least one of the items in the list, but not necessarily all the items in the list. As used herein, including in the claims, the term “or,” used in connection with a list of items, means one or more of the items in the list, i.e., at least one of the items in the list, but not necessarily all the items in the list. “Or” does not mean “exclusive or.”
Although aspects of embodiments may be described with reference to flowcharts and/or block diagrams, functions, operations, decisions, etc. of all or a portion of each block, or a combination of blocks, may be combined, separated into separate operations or performed in other orders.
Disclosed aspects, or portions thereof, may be combined in ways not listed above and/or not explicitly claimed. In addition, embodiments disclosed herein may be suitably practiced, absent any element that is not specifically disclosed herein. Accordingly, the invention should not be viewed as being limited to the disclosed embodiments.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/444,381 filed on Feb. 9, 2023, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63444381 | Feb 2023 | US |
