Pickleball Paddle Having Improved Impact Response

Abstract

A pickleball paddle. The paddle includes a ball striking portion, or head, and a handle. A first planar face resides on a first side of the head, and a second planar face resides on a second side of the head opposite the first side. The paddle also includes a transition portion comprising a frame. In one aspect, the frame comprises two members that extend into the handle, and that also extend up to the head and form a hoop around the head. Preferably, the frame forms an open throat at the transition section, between the two frame members. The first planar face has a control response and a power response, while the second planar face also has a control response and a power response. In one arrangement, the control response of the first face is greater than the control response of the second face.

Claims

1. A pickleball paddle, comprising: a ball striking portion defining a head; a first planar face on a first side of the head; a second planar face on a second side of the head opposite the first side; a core material residing between the first planar face and the second planar face; a handle portion; and a frame arranged to provide stability to the paddle comprising: a hoop portion that at least partially circumscribes the head, a transition portion between the ball striking portion and the handle portion, and at least one frame member extending into the handle portion.

2. The pickleball paddle of claim 1, wherein the hoop portion of the frame circumscribes the head.

3. The pickleball paddle of claim 2, wherein: the at least one frame member comprises a pair of frame members that extend into the handle portion co-terminously, forming a grip portion; and the transition portion connects the hoop portion to the grip portion.

4. The pickleball paddle of claim 2, wherein the at least one frame member comprises a tubular body or a cylindrical body that extends into the handle portion, forming a grip portion configured to receive an overgrip.

5. The pickleball paddle of claim 3, wherein the transition portion forms an open throat between the hoop portion and the grip portion of the frame.

6. The pickleball paddle of claim 5, wherein the throat is no more than two inches in length.

7. The pickleball paddle of claim 5, wherein the frame is fabricated from aluminum, graphite, a polycarbonate material, or combinations thereof.

8. The pickleball paddle of claim 5, wherein the transition portion of the frame comprises graphene fibers or a piezo-electric material.

9. The pickleball paddle of claim 5, wherein: the first planar face has a control response and a power response; the second planer face has a control response and a power response; the control response of the first planar face is greater than the control response of the second planar face, while the power response of the first planar face is less than the power response of the second planar face.

10. The pickleball paddle of claim 9, wherein the first planar face is fabricated from fiberglass, while the second planar face is fabricated from graphite.

11. The pickleball paddle of claim 5, wherein the core material is fabricated from at least two layers comprising a first layer and a second layer; the first layer has a control response and a power response; and the second layer also has a control response and a power response.

12. The pickleball paddle of claim 11, wherein the control response of the first layer is greater than the control response of the second layer, while the power response of the first layer is less than the power response of the second layer.

13. The pickleball paddle of claim 12, wherein the first layer is fabricated from a polymer material or aluminum, while the second layer is fabricated from Nomex®.

14. The pickleball paddle of claim 12, wherein: the first planar face is adjacent to the first layer; and the second planar face is adjacent to the second layer.

15. The pickleball paddle of claim 12, wherein the first planar face is fabricated from fiberglass, and the second planar face is fabricated from graphite.

16. The pickleball paddle of claim 12, wherein: the first planar face has a control response and a power response; and the second planar face has a control response and a power response.

17. The pickleball paddle of claim 16, wherein the control response of the first planar face is greater than the control response of the second planar face.

18. The pickleball paddle of claim 16, wherein the power response of the first planar face is less than the control response of the second planar face.

19. A pickleball paddle, comprising: a ball striking portion defining a head; a first planar face on a first side of the head; a second planar face on a second side of the head opposite the first side; a core material residing between the first planar face and the second planar face; and a handle; and wherein: the first planar face has a control response and a power response; the second planer face also has a control response and a power response; the control response of the first face is greater than the control response of the second face, while the power response of the first face is less than the power response of the second face.

20. The pickleball paddle of claim 19, wherein the first planar face is fabricated from fiberglass, while the second planar face is fabricated from graphite.

21. The pickleball paddle of claim 19, wherein: the core is fabricated from at least two layers comprising a first layer and a second layer; the first layer has a control response and a power response; and the second layer has a control response and a power response.

22. The pickleball paddle of claim 21, wherein the control response of the first layer is greater than the control response of the second layer, while the power response of the first layer is less than the power response of the second layer.

23. The pickleball paddle of claim 22, wherein the first layer is fabricated from a polymer material or aluminum, while the second layer is fabricated from Nomex®.

24. The pickleball paddle of claim 23, wherein: the first planar face is adjacent to the first layer; and the second planar face is adjacent to the second layer.

25. The pickleball paddle of claim 21, wherein the first face is fabricated from fiberglass, while the second face is fabricated from graphite.

26. The pickleball paddle of claim 25, wherein the core further comprises a third layer residing between the first layer and the second layer.

27. The pickleball paddle of claim 26, wherein the third layer is fabricated from fiberglass, graphene, borphene, Sorbothane®, or a synthetic hydrogel.

28. The pickleball paddle of claim 26, wherein the third layer comprises a piezoelectric material.

29. The pickleball paddle of claim 26, wherein the first layer, the second layer, or both, comprises vibration dampening fibers, responsive stiffening fibers, or piezoelectric material.

30. A pickleball paddle, comprising: a ball striking portion defining a head; a first planar face on a first side of the head; a second planar face on a second side of the head opposite the first side; a core material residing between the first planar face and the second planar face; a handle; and a frame arranged to provide stability to the paddle, the frame comprising a hoop portion that at least partially circumscribes the head, a transition portion between the ball striking portion and the handle, and at least one frame member extending into the handle portion; and wherein: the first planar face has a control response and a power response; the second planer face also has a control response and a power response; and the paddle has a beam flex index using a diagnostic racquet tool of between 25 and 50, inclusive.

31. The pickleball paddle of claim 30, wherein the hoop portion of the frame circumscribes the head such that the material comprising the core is interrupted by the hoop portion and does not extend down into the transition portion.

32. The pickleball paddle of claim 31, wherein the control response of the first face is greater than the control response of the second face, while the power response of the first face is less than the power response of the second face.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] FIG. 1 is a front, plan view of a first illustrative paddle for playing pickleball. This paddle is the Mirage™ Composite Pickleball Paddle available from GAMMA® Sports.

[0045] FIG. 2 is a front, plan view of a second illustrative paddle for playing pickleball. This paddle is the Gravity™ Pickleball Paddle available from HEAD® Sport GmbH.

[0046] FIG. 3 is a front, plan view of a third illustrative paddle for playing pickleball. This paddle is the Elite™ Pro X Series paddle available from Engage Sporting, LLC.

[0047] FIG. 4A is a front, plan view of a pickleball paddle of the present invention, in one embodiment. Here, a honeycomb pattern of the core can be faintly seen through a fiberglass skin, or face, of the ball striking head.

[0048] FIG. 4B is a back view of the pickleball paddle of the FIG. 4A. Here, a graphite skin, or face, has been placed over the ball striking head.

[0049] FIG. 5A is an enlarged front view of the throat of a pickleball paddle, in one embodiment.

[0050] FIG. 5B is an enlarged front view of the throat of a pickleball paddle, in an alternate embodiment.

[0051] FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of a pickleball paddle demonstrating a combination of materials making up the core and the opposing faces, in a first embodiment.

[0052] FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of a pickleball paddle demonstrating a combination of materials making up the core and the opposing faces, in a second embodiment.

[0053] FIG. 6C is a cross-sectional view of a pickleball paddle demonstrating a combination of materials making up the core and the opposing faces, in a third embodiment.

[0054] FIG. 6D is a cross-sectional view of a pickleball paddle demonstrating a combination of materials making up the core and the opposing faces, in a fourth embodiment.

[0055] FIG. 6E is a cross-sectional view of a pickleball paddle demonstrating a combination of materials making up the core and the opposing faces, in a fifth embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

[0056] The present disclosure relates to a pickleball paddle having an improved impact response. For purposes of this disclosure, the term response means the manner in which a pickleball leaves a paddle as it is struck. Subsumed within this definition is the degree of power or the degree of control that the player has over the ball using the paddle.

[0057] Pickleball is unique among racquet sports in that control is much more important than power. The player must be able to frequently execute dinks, volleys and drop shots, as opposed to the overheads, high lobs, loopy groundstrokes and overhand serves which are used in tennis.

[0058] FIG. 4A is a front, plan view of a pickleball paddle 400 of the present invention, in one embodiment. The paddle 400 first includes a ball striking portion 410. The ball striking portion 410 defines a paddle head. The ball striking portion 410 includes a core 415. In this arrangement, the core 415 is a honeycomb pattern of material.

[0059] It is understood that the head of most any pickleball paddle will include faces, or skin, placed on opposing surfaces of the core 415. The skin covers the opposing surfaces of the core 415 to provide ball striking surfaces. These may be referred to as a first planar face on a first side of the head, and a second planar face on a second side of the head opposite the first side. In the view of FIG. 4A, the skin has been removed from the paddle 400. However, the skin can be seen at 412 in FIG. 4B.

[0060] The paddle 400 also includes a handle portion 420. In this view, the handle portion 420 has been finished with a grip 430. The grip 430 may be any known grip, such as those readily available through www.pickleballcentral.com. Pickleball grips are typically fabricated from a cushioned polymeric or synthetic rubber material, and may include dimples or ridges, or may represent a smooth surface.

[0061] The handle portion 420 of paddle 400 also has a butt 425. The butt 425 resides at a proximal end of the paddle 400, as is common with other racquet sports. The butt 425 will typically include a butt cap 427.

[0062] In the novel arrangement of FIG. 4A, the paddle 400 also includes a frame 440. The frame 440 is not merely an ornamental or protective edge guard, but is designed to provide stability to the paddle 400 when a pickleball is struck. To this end, the frame 440 includes a hoop portion 446 that substantially circumscribes the head 410. Preferably, the frame 440 is fabricated from graphite or carbon fibers.

[0063] The frame 440 also has an intermediate, or transition, section 450. In the arrangement of FIG. 4A, the transition section 450 is made up of two separate frame members 442, 444. An opening 445 is reserved within the frame members 442, 444.

[0064] It is noted that at a proximal end, the frame members 442, 444 making up the transition section 450 extend down into the handle portion 420. The frame members 442, 444 are shown in phantom at 442′, 444′, inside of the grip 430, coterminously. The frame members 442, 444 also converge at the distal end to form the hoop 436. The hoop 436 circumscribes the core 415 of the paddle 400.

[0065] The frame 440 is preferably fabricated from aluminum, graphite or a stiff but lightweight polycarbonate material. The frame 440 again provides a structural function and is not merely aesthetic. Parameters of the frame 440 may be measured using the Babolat® RDC machine. RDC stands for “racquet diagnostic center.” For example, the stiffness of the frame 440 may be between 15 and 75 using a flex beam test. Preferably, the RDC index is between 20 and 60, and more preferably between 25 and 50, and more preferably still between 25 and 40. Note that as of this filing, the USAPA has no official guidelines for beam stiffness as no pickleball paddle having a frame has ever been presented apart from that of applicant.

[0066] It is observed that the top selling tennis racquet on the market today is the Wilson® Clash 100. This racquet carries a stiffness (or RA rating) of about 55, which is on the low end for so-called player's frames. The stiffness of the frame 400 for pickleball need not be anywhere near this high, but only need be sufficient to hold the core material 415 in place relative to the handle portion 420 when striking a pickleball. It is believed that a stiffness between 25 and 55 meets this need, conserving both weight and expense of frame material.

[0067] The open-throat design 445 also reduces weight and expense for frame material. In one aspect, a profile of the frame 400 includes an airfoil design. In another aspect, a piezo-electric material is included along the transition portion 442, 444 of the frame 440, enhancing stiffness when the pickleball paddle 400 strikes a ball (not shown).

[0068] The frame 440 does not change the playing surface or characteristics of the core 415 or skin 412 in any way. It will not itself include any paint textured with sand, rubber particles, or any material that causes spin. It offers no moving parts that might increase head momentum. The frame 440 is not removable from the core 415. And, it offers no electrical, electronic, or mechanical assistance of any sort to the playing surface of the paddle 400.

[0069] In one embodiment, the frame 440 comprises Graphene fibers that are spiraled in order to provide flex on impact. It is understood that a more flexible frame reduces power but improves comfort and, depending on the core material itself, more control.

[0070] Recently, Wilson Sporting Goods developed its own racquet deflection test assembly. The assembly is described in U.S. Pat. No. 10,946,253. Using the racquet deflection test assembly, the frame 440 offers normal bending along its length of between 2.0 and 8.0 mm; lateral bending of between 3.0 mm and 9.0 mm, and torsion of between 2.0 and 4.5 degrees. Such testing may be conducted with or without the core material 415 present in the frame 440. Ideally, the frame 440 will fail before the core material 415, but this is not required. Wilson's '253 patent is incorporated herein in its entirety, by reference.

[0071] The handle portion 420 of the paddle 400 may include a hollow composite material that covers the frame members 442′, 444′ under the grip 430. This provides a lightweight support for the over wrapping forming the grip 430.

[0072] FIG. 4B is another front, plan view of the pickleball paddle 400 of the FIG. 4A. Here, the skin, or face, 412 has been placed over the core material 415 of the ball striking portion 410. In the illustrative view of FIG. 4B, the core 415 is not visible as it is covered by the skin 412. The skin 412 may comprise graphite or fiberglass.

[0073] FIG. 5A is an enlarged front view of a transition section 550 of a pickleball paddle 500, in one embodiment. The transition section 550 is part of a larger frame 540 for the paddle 500. The transition section 550 resides between a ball striking portion 510 and a handle portion 520 of the frame 540.

[0074] The transition section 540 includes a pair of frame members 542, 544. Each frame member 542, 544 extends into the handle portion 520 as members 542′. 544′, respectively. A through-opening 545 is preserved between the frame members 542, 544, forming a throat.

[0075] During manufacture, a small edge guard 546 is installed along at least a bottom portion of the ball striking portion 510 to ensure that the core material is not left exposed. Then a hoop portion 546 of the frame is bent and secured around the edge guard 546. It can be secured using glue or heat molding. The ends of the frame members 542, 544 may optionally be fastened together in the handle portion 520. More preferably, a hollow plastic, tubular piece is provided around the ends 542′, 544′ of the frame members 542, 544.

[0076] FIG. 5B is an enlarged front view of the transition section 450 of the pickleball paddle 400 of FIGS. 4A and 4B. Here, the transition section 450 is again shown. The transition section 450 includes the pair of frame members 442, 444. A through-opening 445 is preserved between the frame members 442, 444, forming a throat. In this view, a triangular shaped section 448 of edge guard material is affixed to the bottom edge of the playing surface and forms the shape of the open throat. The hoop 436 is then bent around the ball striking surface 410 and the two side edges of the triangle 448, and is again secured in the handle portion 420.

[0077] The open-throat concept presented in FIGS. 5A and 5B adds to the overall stability of the paddle 400. This enhances both the power and control that the player has over his or her shots. The open throat design reduces vibrations that are transmitted down the handle from the head. By dividing the handle, the kinetic energy waves generated from hitting a ball travel to the handle at different frequencies, thereby attenuating the vibrational energy. Of course, the open throat design 445 also enhances aerodynamics as the paddle 400 is swung, increasing maneuverability.

[0078] It is desirable, as an additional feature of the paddle 400, to provide the player with the option of choosing a side of the paddle to use as the striking surface. In this respect, two separate skin materials may be used, with one planar surface (or side) offering a greater degree of control, while the other planar surface (or side) offering a greater degree of power. This may be done by offering opposing paddle faces 412 fabricated from different materials. Alternatively, this may be done by using separate layers of core 415 fabricated from different materials.

[0079] FIGS. 6A through 6E present a series of cross-sectional views of a pickleball paddle, wherein different combinations of materials making up the core and the opposing faces are used. In the various views, surface 612 is indicative of a material offering a high degree of power. An example is graphite. Surface 614, in contrast, is indicative of a material offering a high degree of control. An example is fiberglass.

[0080] In the various views, core layer 622 is indicative of a material offering a high degree of stiffness. An example is Nomex®. Core layer 624, in contrast, is indicative of a material that is softer. Examples are aluminum or a polymer such as polypropylene. The use of two or more layers of material will increase overall strength and reduce potential degrading of the sweet spot of the core material over time.

[0081] Regardless of the core material being used in layers 622, 624, it is noted that USAPA guidelines require that paddles meet the following requirements for deflection testing: [0082] 5 thousandths of an inch or less at a test weight of 3 kg; and [0083] 10 thousandths of an inch or less at a test weight of 5 kg.
Paddles that exceed these specifications may produce a trampoline effect and will be placed on the USA Pickleball Approved list as “Fail.” Note that in this context, deflection is a reference to the surface material and not the overall beam flex or torsion of the paddle.

[0084] FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of a pickleball paddle 600A demonstrating a combination of materials making up the core and the opposing faces, in a first embodiment. On one side of the paddle 600A, graphite is used on the outer face 612 while Nomex® is used as the core layer 622. On the other side, a polymer or aluminum material is used as the core layer 624 while fiberglass is used as the outer face 614. The first side (having face 612) provides more power, while the second side (having face 614) provides more control.

[0085] FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of a pickleball paddle 600B demonstrating a combination of materials making up the core and the opposing faces, in a second embodiment. One face 612 of the paddle 600B is fabricated from graphite while the other face 614 is fabricated from fiberglass. Intermediate the two faces 612, 614, the core 622 is entirely fabricated from a stiffer material such as Nomex®. The stiffer material for the core 622 is believed to provide greater power, but perhaps less control.

[0086] FIG. 6C is a cross-sectional view of a pickleball paddle 600C demonstrating a combination of materials making up the core and the opposing faces, in a third embodiment. One face 612 of the paddle 600C is fabricated from graphite while the other face 614 is fabricated from fiberglass. Intermediate the two faces 612, 614, the core 624 is entirely fabricated from a softer material, such as a polymer or aluminum. The softer material for the core 624 is believed to provide greater control, but with a corresponding loss of power.

[0087] FIG. 6D is a cross-sectional view of a pickleball paddle 600D demonstrating a combination of materials making up the core and the opposing faces, in a fourth embodiment. Each face 612 of the paddle 600D uses graphite to increase power. In other words, the material making up each opposing face 612 is the same, or at least provides the same degree of power. At the same time, a layered core is employed. One core layer 622 is fabricated from Nomex® while the other core layer 624 is fabricated from polymer or aluminum. Layer 622 will be considered stiffer than layer 624, providing more power. Reciprocally, layer 624 will be considered more flexible than layer 622, providing more control.

[0088] Finally, FIG. 6E is a cross-sectional view of a pickleball paddle 600E demonstrating a combination of materials making up the core and the opposing faces, in a fifth embodiment. Each face 614 of the paddle 600E uses fiberglass to increase control. At the same time, a dual core is employed. One core layer 622 is fabricated from Nomex® while the other core layer 624 is fabricated from polymer or aluminum Layer 622 will be considered stiffer than layer 624, providing more power. Reciprocally, layer 624 will be considered more flexible than layer 622, providing more control.

[0089] It is noted that in the paddles 600D and 600E, an optional intermediate layer 616 is placed between the first core layer 622 and the second core layer 624. Layer 616 may be fabricated, for example, from fiberglass, graphene, borophene, graphene (including graphene oxide), Sorbothane®, or combinations thereof. Alternatively, the layer 616 may be fabricated from aluminum or an aluminum composite material. Alternatively, layer 616 may be fabricated from a material that stiffens when exposed to stress or strain, such as a synthetic hydrogel or polyvinylidene fluoride.

[0090] In one aspect, layer 616 constitutes an ultrathin layer of piezoelectric material. Piezo-electric material can be used to convert mechanical stress or strain into micro-electric charges. For example, a layer of polyvinylidene difluoride (“PVDF”) may be painted onto either of core layers 622, 624, or may be applied as an independent substrate.

[0091] In one aspect, the piezo-electric material represents ceramic crystals such as lead zirconate titanate. The crystals are placed within the cells of the honeycomb structure representing either core layer 622 or core layer 624. Alternatively, Rochelle crystals may be placed within the cells of the honeycomb structure of the core material 622 or 624. More preferably, polyvinylidene fluoride or polyvinylidene difluoride (“PVDF”) may be placed within the cells of the honeycomb structure of the core material 622 or 624, or may even be used as the softer of the core materials 624. PVFD is considered a thermoplastic material.

[0092] In the paddles 600A, 600B and 600C where the opposing planar faces 612, 614 are fabricated from different materials, each planar face will have a different control response. Reciprocally, each planar face will also have a different power response. It is assumed here that there is an inverse correlation between control and power. Of course, as technology improves, materials may be developed that offer both improved control and enhanced power, but for all but the most seasoned professional players, these materials will tend to improve one of control and power at the expense of the other.

[0093] Thus, in one aspect, the first planar face will have a control response and a power response, the second planer face will also have a control response and a power response, and the control response of the first face will be greater than the control response of the second face. Reciprocally, the power response of the first face will be less than the power response of the second face. In this instance, the first face may be fabricated from fiberglass, while the second face may be fabricated from graphite.

[0094] In the paddles 600A, 600D and 600E where core layers are fabricated from different materials, each layer will have an effect on the paddle's control response. A first layer will have a first control response while the second layer will have a second control response (derived from the stiffness or softness of material used). In one aspect, the control response of the first layer is greater than the control response of the second layer, while the power response of the first layer is less than the power response of the second layer. The first layer may be fabricated from a polymer or aluminum, while the second layer may be fabricated from Nomex®.

[0095] A combination of a harder face and a stiffer core layer on one side will create greater power, while a combination of a more deformable face and a softer core layer on the other side will create greater control. In one aspect, a player may choose to hit backhands on the side that generates greater power, and forehands on the side that provides greater control. Alternatively, a player may choose to hit dinks and drop shots (shots closer to the net) on the side of the paddle that offers greater control, and groundstrokes on the side that provides greater power. Stated another way, a player may choose to use the side of the paddle that offers greater power when the player is deeper in the court, but then switch to the side of the paddle that offers greater control when the player approaches the net.

[0096] In one aspect, surface designs are offered on the opposing faces of the paddle to prominently identify and differentiate the power side from the control side.

[0097] Possible specifications for the paddle 600 include: [0098] Paddle Length: 15.0″-16.0″ [0099] Paddle Width: 8.0″-8.5″ [0100] Thickness: ⅜″- 9/16″ [0101] Grip Length: 4.5″-5.0″ [0102] Grip Size: 4″-4 ½″ (May vary slightly by ⅛″) [0103] Weight Range: 7.5-8.3 oz. [0104] Paddle Face: Combination of fiberglass, carbon fiber, graphite and aluminum [0105] Optional Intermediate Layer Graphene, Borophene, Sorbothane, or Hydrogel [0106] Core Material Combination of polypropylene, Nomex®, aluminum

[0107] It is understood that the pickleball paddles 600 of FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D and 6E are merely illustrative. Other arrangements may be employed in accordance with the claims set forth below. It will be appreciated that the inventions are susceptible to modification, variation and change without departing from the spirit thereof.