Patent Application
20250161774
The present disclosure generally relates to sports implements and, more particularly, to paddles and/or rackets having slip-on grip arrangements.
Swinging implements include a handle that are grasped in the hand(s) and swung with a greater and/or exaggerated arm motion. Swinging implements may take the form of paddles and/or rackets used to strike balls and/or objects of varying shapes and sizes. For example, paddles or rackets are used to strike balls in the sports of pickleball, tennis, platform tennis, ping pong, padel, and the like.
Generally, the paddles and/or rackets include a contact portion that strikes the object and a handle portion that a user grasps to maneuver the implement. In some examples, the swinging implements may include an oval shaped handle. This oval shape, when gripped, advantageously maintains the user's hands (i.e., the carpal, metacarpal and phalanx bones) and wrists in alignment with the path of the swing, thus resulting in a more accurate delivery of the implement to the targeted object of contact. However, users may desire implements capable of providing increased power and/or accuracy. Further, prolonged use these implements may cause user discomfort. Further still, users may wish to apply varying levels of power or finesse to various strikes or swings while maintaining proper swinging form.
Further still, some sports and/or sporting events may have regulations regarding equipment characteristics and modifications. As a non-limiting example, some sports may require the length and/or width dimension of the sports implement to be less than a specific value even if modifications are allowed to be made thereto. Accordingly, while modifications such as aftermarket grips may be generally permissible, such modifications may be impermissible if they increase the overall length of the sports implement beyond the allowable dimensions.
As described in more detail below, the present disclosure sets forth slip-on or otherwise attachable grips embodying advantageous alternatives to existing systems and methods, and that may address one or more of the challenges or needs mentioned herein, as well as provide other benefits and advantages.
Embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure are directed to a sports implement including a main body portion having a first contact surface, a second contact surface, and a sidewall positioned about a perimeter of each of the first and the second contact surfaces, a handle portion extending from the main body portion, and an attachable grip member. The handle portion has a handle axis and a distal end, wherein the main body portion and the handle portion cooperate to define an implement dimension value. The attachable grip member includes a grip body portion and a grip end portion. The grip body portion is removably coupled with the distal end of the handle portion. When the attachable grip member is coupled with the handle portion, the attachable grip member, the handle portion, and the main body portion cooperate to define a grip dimension value. In some examples, this grip dimension value may be less than 0.5% more than the implement dimension value.
In some examples, the grip body portion includes a central cavity dimensioned to slidably receive a portion of the handle portion. Further, the grip body portion may include a plurality of hollow ribs positioned around the central cavity. In other examples, the grip body portion may be a generally solid member around the central cavity.
In these and other examples, the central cavity may extend through the grip end portion of the attachable grip member. In some approaches, the distal end of the handle portion protrudes outwardly from the grip end portion of the attachable grip member.
In some implementations, the grip end portion cooperates with the distal end of the handle to define a secondary finger grip. In some examples, the grip dimension value may be equal to the implement dimension value. In various approaches, the attachable grip member is constructed from a resilient material. In these and other examples, the main body portion, the handle portion, and the grip member have a combined length of less than 18″.
In some examples, the grip body may include an elongated portion and an angled ridge extending obliquely along a plane relative to the handle axis. In some of these examples, the grip body may further include a grip butt disposed between the angled ridge and the grip end portion. The grip end portion may be arranged generally perpendicularly to the handle axis.
In accordance with a second aspect, an attachable grip member for a sports implement includes a grip body portion defining a central cavity and a grip end portion operably coupled with the grip body portion. The central cavity is adapted to removably receive a handle portion of a sports implement. The grip end portion does not protrude a distance beyond an end of the handle portion of the sports implement when coupled therewith.
In accordance with a third aspect, a grip wrap for a sports implement is provided that includes an elongated sheet having a first end, a second end, an upper portion, and a lower portion, and a gripping protrusion extending a length of the elongated sheet near the second end thereof. The gripping protrusion includes an angled ridge. Upon wrapping the grip wrap around a handle of the sports implement, the angled ridge is adapted to extend obliquely along a plane relative to the handle of the sports implement.
In accordance with a fourth aspect, a sports implement is provided including a main body portion, a handle portion extending from the main body portion, and a grip member. The handle portion has a distal end, wherein the main body portion and the handle portion cooperate to define a length of the sports implement. The grip member is configured to attach to the distal end of the handle portion without significantly increasing the length of the sports implement.
In accordance with a fifth aspect, a grip member for a sports implement includes a grip body portion defining a central cavity and a grip end portion operably coupled with the grip body portion. The central cavity is configured to receive a handle portion of a sports implement. The grip end portion includes an opening configured to allow a distal end of the handle portion to extend through the opening.
In accordance with a sixth aspect, a grip wrap for a sports implement is provided that includes an elongated sheet and a gripping protrusion extending from the elongated sheet. The elongated sheet is configured to wrap around a handle of the sports implement so that the gripping protrusion forms an angled ridge at a distal end of the handle.
The above needs are at least partially met through provision of the sports implement having a slip-on grip described in the following detailed description, particularly when studied in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:
Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions and/or relative positioning of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated and/or simplified relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments of the present disclosure. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments. It will further be appreciated that certain actions and/or steps may be described or depicted in a particular order of occurrence while those skilled in the art will understand that such specificity with respect to sequence is not actually required. It will also be understood that the terms and expressions used herein have the ordinary technical meaning as is accorded to such terms and expressions by persons skilled in the technical field as set forth above except where different specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein.
The following definitions and methods are provided to better define the present disclosure and to guide those of ordinary skill in the art in the practice of the present disclosure. Unless otherwise noted, terms are to be understood according to conventional usage by those of ordinary skill in the relevant art.
The term “axially symmetric” as used herein refers to symmetry about an axis in a direction that is perpendicular to the axis.
The term “cantle” as used herein in connection with a surface refers to a surface that is curved upwardly. In the context of the present disclosure, the ventral cantle is adapted to engage the hypothenar of a gripping hand of a user, and the dorsal cantle engages the pinky of the gripping hand. Like a cantle of a saddle, which cradles the gluteus maximus or bottom of a rider, the cantle-like structure of the knob described herein cradles the hypothenar of the hand in the same way giving support, stability and increased surface area contact to the hand throughout a swing.
The term “coronal plane” as used herein refers to an imaginary plane containing the central longitudinal axis dividing a knob of the present disclosure (or an element thereof) into ventral and dorsal (anterior and posterior, respectively) sections. The coronal plane is orthogonal to the sagittal plane, and the two planes intersect along the central longitudinal axis.
The term “sagittal plane” as used herein refers to an imaginary vertical, longitudinal plane containing the central longitudinal axis which passes from anterior to posterior along the central longitudinal axis, dividing a knob of the present disclosure (or an element thereof) into right and left halves. The sagittal plane is orthogonal to the coronal plane, and the two planes intersect along the central longitudinal axis.
The term “supplementary angles” as used herein refers to two angles having a sum of 180 degrees.
When introducing elements of the present disclosure or the embodiments(s) thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and not exclusive (i.e., there may be other elements in addition to the recited elements). The use of “or” means “and/or” unless specifically stated otherwise, and the use of the singular includes the plural and plural encompasses singular, unless specifically stated otherwise.
Generally speaking, pursuant to these various embodiments, a sports implement is provided in the form of a pickleball paddle (or other similar implement such as, for example, a table tennis racket or paddle, a platform tennis racket or paddle, a tennis racket, a padel, badminton rackets, ping pong paddles, and the like) that may receive a removable and/or attachable ergonomic grip member that is asymmetrically arranged to improve user comfort, stability, increase striking power, and reduce fatigue. Notably, when attached or otherwise coupled with the sports implement, the grip member does not significantly increase an overall length dimension of the implement, i.e., any increase in overall length dimension will continue to comply with any governing regulations related to the sporting event.
The grip member may be provided in a number of arrangements to accommodate left-handed users, right-handed users, or alternatively, both left-handed and right-handed users. The grip member may be configured for single-hand use-that is, the grip member may have a length dimension that only accommodates a width of a single hand of a user. In some examples, the grip member may be provided as an accessory that couples with a handle portion of the sports implement in a manner that allows the grip member to be replaceable as desired.
Turning to the figures, and more specifically to
In some examples, the first and/or the second contact surfaces 22, 24 may be generally planar or have a slight curvature. In examples where the first and/or the second contact surfaces 22, 24 are generally planar, these surfaces may be parallel to the sagittal plane. In some examples, the first and second contact surfaces 22, 24 may be constructed from the same or different materials as desired.
As previously noted, the handle portion 30 is coupled with (or formed integrally with) the main body portion 20. The handle portion 30 includes a handle central axis 32 which, in the illustrated examples, coincides with the central axis formed by the intersection of the previously-described coronal and sagittal planes. More specifically, the sagittal and coronal planes may be perpendicular to each other and intersect at the handle central axis. In other words, the handle portion 30 may be bisected by the sagittal and coronal planes (and may intersect orthogonally along the central axis). In some examples, the handle portion 30 may have a generally ellipsoid or oblong cross sectional configuration. Other examples are possible.
The handle portion 30 further includes a distal end 34. In some examples, the main body portion 20 may define a main body length. Further, the handle portion 30 may cooperate with the main body portion 20 to define an implement dimension value 12, which, in some examples, may be defined as an overall length of the paddle 10 from the top of the main body portion 20 to the distal end 34 of the handle portion 30. In such examples, the paddle 10 may have an overall implement dimension value 12 that is a combined length between the main body length and the handle portion of not more than 18″. In other examples, the paddle 10 may have an overall combined length between the main body length and the handle portion of not more than 17″. In some implementations (and in specific sports with dimensional requirements), width plus length dimensions cannot exceed 24″ (specific to pickleball). In other implementations, the overall length of the sports implement may be limited to 29″ (e.g., tennis rackets). In some examples, the overall length of the sports implement may be limited to 27″ (e.g., squash rackets). Other examples are possible. Accordingly, in any of these examples, the implement dimension value may be variable in relation to the dimensions of the main body portion 20. Such length and other dimensional requirements are provided to conform to equipment regulations for specific sports. Accordingly, it is appreciated that in some examples, the sports implement 10 may not need to adhere to dimensional guidelines. In some examples, an alternative implement dimension value may be provided that combines a total of the length and the width of the paddle into one numeric value.
The attachable grip member 50 includes a grip body portion 52, a transition region 60, and a grip end portion 70. Further, the grip member includes a central cavity 54 dimensioned to receive the distal end 34 of the handle portion 30. The grip body portion 52 includes a length and is operably coupled with the handle portion 30 via any number of suitable approaches such as, for example via a fastener or fasteners, a friction-fit coupling, a threaded coupling, and the like. Other examples are possible. In some examples, the grip body portion may have a length between approximately 0.25″ and approximately 10″. Other examples are possible.
The attachable grip member 50 may be formed from any of a variety of materials that provide desired mechanical strength and tactile properties. In some examples, the grip member 50 may be constructed from a combination of ceramic, metal, polymer, composite, wood or a composite or laminate thereof. More specifically, in some embodiments, the grip member 50 may be at least partially constructed form a polymer such as an epoxy resin, polyamine, polyamide, polycarbonate, polyester, polyether, polyimide, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, laser-fused plastic powders, or a copolymer or blend thereof. By way of further example, in some embodiments, the grip member 50 may be constructed from a composite such as a fiber-reinforced polymer wherein the polymer is one of the aforementioned polymers or a co-polymer or blend thereof, and the reinforcing fiber comprises aluminum fibers, an aramid or other polymeric fibers, carbon fibers, ceramic fibers, carbon nanotubes, glass fibers or a combination thereof. Additionally, the grip body portion 52, the transition region 60, and/or the grip end portion 70 may be generally solid about the central cavity 54, or alternatively, may be wholly or partly hollow and include any number of stabilizing ribs 155 (see
The grip body portion 52 and the transition region 60 may support an athlete's gripping hand while the athlete grasps the paddle 10. The grip member 50 is divided into two parts by the sagittal plane (which passes through the sidewall 26 of the main body portion 20 and the handle portion 30). In one example, the grip member 50 is bisected by the sagittal plane such that first and second sides of the grip member are mirror images of each other.
The grip body portion 52 provides a gripping surface for a user's palm, thumb, and fingers. In some examples, the grip body portion 52 may have a substantially constant cross-sectional shape extending along the elongated length thereof. However, in other examples, the grip body portion 52 may include any number of finger positioning members extending therealong to assist with gripping the paddle 10. It is appreciated that in some examples, paddle 10 may include a grip body portion 52 having any number of finger positioning members while lacking an angled grip end portion (see, e.g.,
Generally speaking, the transition region 60 defines a transition (i.e., an increase) in overall cross-sectional dimension and geometry of the grip member 50. As illustrated in
The transition region 60 extends to an angled ridge 66, which extends along a plane that is oblique relative to the handle central axis 32. Generally, the angled ridge 66 is gently curved to receive a portion of a user's hand (e.g., the hypothenar portion of a user's palm). The grip end portion 70 is generally planar and parallel to the angled ridge 66 (i.e., it is arranged obtusely or non-perpendicularly relative to the handle central axis 32). As such, the ventral cantle region 64 defines a curve having a larger radius of curvature than a radius of curvature of a curve defined by the dorsal cantle region 62, thereby providing an asymmetric grip. In the example paddle 10, the grip body portion 52 forms an elongated member defining a central axis that is collinear with the handle central axis 32.
As previously noted, in the illustrated examples of
In some examples, when the grip member 50 is coupled with the handle portion 30, the grip end portion 70 and the distal end 34 of the handle portion 30 cooperate to define a secondary finger grip 74. In these examples, a user may position a portion of their hand below the grip end portion 70 while resting the remainder of their hand on the angled ridge 66 to assist with performing advanced striking maneuvers.
As illustrated in
As previously noted, the described sports implement 10 may be provided with any number of alternative grip members. Accordingly, with reference to
In this example, the grip member 150 is in the form of a cap that includes a grip butt 168 disposed between the angled ridge 166 and the grip end portion 170. In this example, the grip end portion 170 is arranged to be generally perpendicular to the handle axis 32 of the paddle 10 while being generally coplanar to the distal end 34 of the handle portion 30. In some examples, the central cavity 154 may not extend through the grip end portion 170. As such, the grip end portion 170 may be in the form of a relatively thin layer (so as to not increase the grip length dimension by a significant amount (e.g., less than 5%, or any other value such that any increase would continue to comply with any governing regulations related to the sporting event). In other examples, the central cavity 154 may extend entirely though the grip end portion 170.
The grip butt 168 may provide for an additional gripping surface to be grasped by the user. In the illustrated example, the grip butt 168 extends in a direction that is generally parallel to the handle portion 30. However, in other examples, the grip butt 168 may have other suitable configurations and/or orientations.
As illustrated in
With reference to
In this example, the grip member 250 is an attachable wrap in the form of an elongated sheet having a first end 252, a second end 254, an upper portion 251, and a lower portion 253. The grip member 250 further includes a gripping protrusion 256 that extends along a length of the elongated sheet near the second end 254 thereof. As illustrated in
As with the embodiments of
In other examples (not illustrated), the positioning of the grip members described herein may be rotated by 90 degrees with respect to the main body portion. More specifically, in some examples, the sagittal plane divides the grip member to define first and second sides such that the ventral cantle region is disposed on the same side as either the first or the second contact surface and the dorsal cantle region is disposed on the other of the first or the second contact surface. Further, in such an arrangement, the coronal plane will divide the ventral cantle region and the dorsal cantle region into first and second halves, with a first half facing the top side of the sidewall and a second half facing the bottom side of the sidewall. It is to be appreciated that in other examples, the positioning of the grip member may be rotated by any other desired angle relative to the main body portion.
It is appreciated that the grip members described herein may be suitable for use for similar sports implements having first and second contact surfaces and where ventral cantle and dorsal cantle regions are divided by a sagittal plane disposed between these surfaces. Such examples may include a table tennis racket or paddle, a platform tennis racket or paddle, a tennis racket, a padel, badminton rackets, ping pong paddles, and the like. Other examples are possible.
Unless specified otherwise, any of the feature or characteristics of any one of the embodiments of the slip-on grip disclosed herein may be combined with the features or characteristics of any other embodiments of the slip-on grip. Those skilled in the art will recognize that a wide variety of modifications, alterations, and combinations can be made with respect to the above described embodiments without departing from the scope of the disclosure, and that such modifications, alterations, and combinations are to be viewed as being within the ambit of the inventive concept.
The patent claims at the end of this patent application are not intended to be construed under 35 U.S.C. § 112 (f) unless traditional means-plus-function language is expressly recited, such as “means for” or “step for” language being explicitly recited in the claim(s).
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/349,196, filed on Jun. 6, 2022, the entirety of which is herein expressly incorporated by reference.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US23/67926 | 6/5/2023 | WO |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63349196 | Jun 2022 | US |
