SPORTS PADDLE

Abstract

An apparatus and a method are provided for a sports paddle for pickleball, tennis, smashball, ping pong, or racquetball. The sports paddle comprises a planar portion defining opposing flat surfaces for striking a ball and a handle portion for grasping in a hand. A skin layer encloses the planar portion and the handle portion. Rounded edges are disposed around the planar portion and the handle portion. The planar portion may comprise a core material surround by a rigid portion. The rigid portion may comprise 20-24 lb. foam while the core material is a honeycomb structured material. A synthetic or polymeric grip is wrapped around the handle portion to provide stability and firmness for a player. A binding secures the grip to a neck of the planar portion. An end cap placed at an end of the handle provides support and protection of the paddle.

Claims

1. A sports paddle, comprising: a planar portion defining opposing flat surfaces for striking a ball; and a handle portion for grasping in a hand.

2. The sports paddle of claim 1, wherein the planar portion and the handle portion comprise a single component.

3. The sports paddle of claim 1, wherein the planar portion comprises a core material having rounded edges and is wrapped within a skin layer.

4. The sports paddle of claim 3, wherein the skin layer comprises any of fiberglass, graphite, carbon fiber, or other suitable material that offers a practitioner a sense of control, feel, or power during play.

5. The sports paddle of claim 3, wherein the skin layer includes permanent or removeable film portions that are configured to provide desired performance properties.

6. The sports paddle of claim 3, wherein the skin layer includes adhesive stickers comprising carbon fiber sheets configured to provide consistent or enhanced traction.

7. The sports paddle of claim 3, wherein the skin layer is configured to provide noise suppression properties.

8. The sports paddle of claim 3, wherein the skin layer comprises noise suppressing stickers can be applied to and removed from the planar portion of the paddle.

9. The sports paddle of claim 3, wherein the skin layer comprises fixed foam surfaces that cover the planar portion of the paddle.

10. The sports paddle of claim 4, wherein an edge guard is configured to be coupled with a periphery of the planar portion so as to provide protection to portions of the skin layer that are disposed on the rounded edges.

11. The sports paddle of claim 10, wherein the edge guard comprises a polymer portion and a mass strip portion comprising a thin strip of metal, such as lead, that increases the weight of the planar portion.

12. The sports paddle of claim 11, wherein the polymer portion includes a recess for receiving the mass strip such that a flat surface of the polymer portion and a back surface of the mass strip form a substantially uniform surface suitable for being adhered to the periphery of the planar portion.

13. The sports paddle of claim 11, wherein the polymer portion includes a rounded surface configured to smoothly join with the rounded edges so as to produce a low-profile edge rail for the sports paddle.

14. The sports paddle of claim 1, wherein the opposing surfaces of the planar portion are covered by skin layers comprising different materials.

15. The sports paddle of claim 1, wherein the planar portion comprises a core surrounded by a rigid portion.

16. The sports paddle of claim 15, wherein a padded edge guard is bonded to a periphery of the rigid portion before the skin layer is applied to the planar portion.

17. The sports paddle of claim 15, wherein one or more weights are incorporated into the planar portion to increase the weight of the paddle.

18. The sports paddle of claim 15, wherein the planar portion includes a core comprising a different type or density of foam than the foam comprising the rigid portion.

19. The sports paddle of claim 15, wherein the core comprises a number of holes positioned on the rigid portion so as to reduce the weight of the paddle.

20. A method for a sports paddle, comprising: forming a planar portion that extends to a handle portion; disposing rounded edges around the planar portion and the handle portion; enclosing the planar portion and the handle portion within a skin layer; positioning EVA foam portions on opposite sides of the handle portion; wrapping the EVA foam portions and the handle portion with a grip; securing the grip to the planar portion by way of a binding; and installing an end cap onto the handle portion.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The drawings refer to embodiments of the present disclosure in which:

[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a conventional paddle that includes an edge guard;

[0025] FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a sports paddle, in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0026] FIG. 3 illustrates an edge view of an exemplary embodiment of a sports paddle that includes rounded edges, according to the present disclosure;

[0027] FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a sports paddle that includes a core material in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0028] FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a sports paddle that includes a core material and a padded edge guard in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0029] FIG. 5A illustrates a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of an edge guard that may be coupled with an exterior of a periphery of the sports paddle;

[0030] FIG. 5B illustrates a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of an edge guard that may be coupled with an exterior of a periphery of the sports paddle; and

[0031] FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a sports paddle that includes multiple weights according to the present disclosure.

[0032] While the present disclosure is subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. The present disclosure should be understood to not be limited to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. It will be apparent, however, to one of ordinary skill in the art that the paddle and methods disclosed herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, specific numeric references such as “first core material,” may be made. However, the specific numeric reference should not be interpreted as a literal sequential order but rather interpreted that the “first core material” is different than a “second core material.” Thus, the specific details set forth are merely exemplary. The specific details may be varied from and still be contemplated to be within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The term “coupled” is defined as meaning connected either directly to the component or indirectly to the component through another component. Further, as used herein, the terms “about,” “approximately,” or “substantially” for any numerical values or ranges indicate a suitable dimensional tolerance that allows the part or collection of components to function for its intended purpose as described herein.

[0034] Pickleball paddles generally are be made from wood, graphite, aluminum, fiberglass, carbon fiber, composite materials, and other suitable materials. In many embodiments, a core material is bonded between sheets of a skin material. A drawback to conventional paddles is that they tends to develop dead spots at locations where wear damage occurs, or where the adhesive fails, resulting in delamination of the skin material from the core material. Another drawback arises due to edge treatments, such as an edge guard used to protect the edge of the planar portion and enclose the periphery of the core material disposed between the skin materials. The edge guard forms a lip around the planar portion that creates interference when striking the ball in this area of the paddle. Embodiments presented herein provide a paddle that does not require an edge guard, allowing the paddle to be made out of a solid material that encloses the core material as well as any structures incorporated into the core.

[0035] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a paddle 140 that obviates any need for an edge treatment, such as the edge guard 112, in accordance with the present disclosure. The paddle 140 includes a planar portion 144 and a handle portion 148. The planar portion 144 defines opposing flat surfaces for striking a pickleball. The planar portion 144 comprises a core material, as described herein. The planar portion 144 extends into the handle portion 148. A synthetic or polymeric grip 152 is wrapped around the handle portion 148 to provide stability and firmness for the player. In some embodiments, the grip 152 may be wrapped around hardwood portions (not shown) that may be coupled with the handle portion 148. In some embodiments, the grip 152 may be wrapped around portions comprising EVA foam (not shown), or another suitable material, that may be coupled with the handle portion 148. It is contemplated that a wide variety of materials may comprise the portions coupled with the handle portion 148, without limitation. A binding 156 secures the grip 152 to a neck 160 of the paddle 140. An end cap 164 placed at an end of the handle 148 provides support and protection of the paddle 140.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 2, the core material comprising paddle 140 is wrapped within a skin layer 168. Unlike conventional paddles that comprise a sandwich panel structure, the skin layer 168 may surround an entirety of the core material. As shown in FIG. 3, enclosing the core material within the skin layer 168 enables incorporating rounded edges 172 into the planar portion 144 and the handle portion 148 without requiring an edge treatment, such as the edge guard 112 shown in FIG. 1. Once the skin layer 168 is applied to the planar portion 144 and the handle portion 148, the grip 152, the binding 156, and the end cap 164 may be installed onto the paddle 140 as shown in FIG. 2.

[0037] The skin layer 168 may comprise fiberglass, graphite, carbon fiber, or other suitable material that offers a practitioner a sense of control, feel, or power during play. In some embodiments, the opposing sides of the planar portion 144 may be covered by skin layers 168 comprising different materials, thereby forming a “hybrid” paddle that offers differing performance on the opposing sides. For example, one side may offer greater power while the other side offers greater precision. Further, in some embodiments, the skin layer 168 may be laminates comprising glass or carbon fiber-reinforced thermoplastics or thermoset polymers, such as unsaturated polyesters, epoxies, and the like, as well as sheet metal, without limitation.

[0038] Moreover, in some embodiments, the skin layer 168 may be configured to provide specific performance properties, such as, for example, a consistent traction, noise suppression, and the like. In some embodiments, the skin layer 168 may include permanent or removeable film portions that are configured to provide desired performance properties, such as a consistent traction, without limitation. In some embodiments, adhesive stickers comprising carbon fiber sheets may be configured to provide consistent or enhanced traction. It is contemplated that such adhesive stickers may be applied to and removed from the planar portion 144 of the paddle 140 as desired.

[0039] In some embodiments, the skin layer 168 may be configured to provide noise suppression properties. As such, in some embodiments, the skin layer 168 may include adhesive stickers comprising a synthetic rubber compound, such as by way of non-limiting example, neoprene or ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), and the like. It is contemplated that, in some embodiments, the noise suppressing stickers can be applied to and removed from the planar portion 144 of the paddle 140, as desired. In some embodiments, the skin layer 168 may comprise fixed foam surfaces that cover the planar portion 144 of the paddle 140. Further, in some embodiments, the skin layer 168 may comprise a removeable skin that is configured to be pulled onto the planar portion 144 and then closed onto the paddle 140. It is contemplated that the removeable skin includes a zipper or similar device for enclosing the planar portion 144. In some embodiments, the removeable skin may include foam portions configured to dampen the sound of striking a ball with the paddle 140. As will be appreciated, applying noise damping properties to the paddle 140 is particularly useful for playing pickleball or other similar games near residences.

[0040] The core material may comprise open-cell-structures and closed-cell-structured foams such as polyvinylchloride, polyurethane, polyethylene or polystyrene foams, balsa wood, syntactic foams, honeycombs, and the like. Open-cell and closed-cell metal foam can also be used as core materials. In one embodiment, the core material comprises a complete polypropylene honeycomb core that is wrapped in 4 layers of pre-preg carbon fiber. The carbon fiber is adhered to the honeycomb and baked under compression to form a “boned surface.” In one embodiment, the core material comprises between 20-lb. and 24-lb. foam. Other suitable materials will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0041] It is contemplated that any of various structures may be incorporated into the planar portion before being wrapped in the skin layers 168, as described herein. For example, FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a paddle 180 that includes a structured planar portion 184 and a handle portion 188 in accordance with the present disclosure. The planar portion 184 and the handle portion 188 have rounded edges 192, as described herein. The planar portion 184 comprises a core 196 surrounded by a rigid portion 200. The core 196 and the rigid portion 200 may comprise any of various materials that are found to provide a product that can be more efficiently produced, that is more aesthetically pleasing, that provides greater consistency of function, and is more reliable than products produced using other technologies. In one exemplary embodiment, the rigid portion 200 comprises between 20- and 24-lb. foam while the core 196 comprises a honeycomb structured material.

[0042] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a paddle 204 that includes a structured planar portion 208 and a handle portion 212 in accordance with the present disclosure. The paddle 204 is substantially similar to the paddle 180 shown in FIG. 4, with the exception that the paddle 204 of FIG. 5 includes a planar portion 208, a handle portion 212, and a padded edge guard 216. The planar portion 208 and the handle portion 212 have rounded edges 192, as described herein. The planar portion 208 comprises a core 196 surrounded by a rigid portion 200, as described with respect to FIG. 4. The core 196 and the rigid portion 200 may comprise any of various materials that are found to provide a product that can be more efficiently produced, that is more aesthetically pleasing, that provides greater consistency of function, and is more reliable than products produced using other technologies. It is contemplated that the padded edge guard 216 may be bonded to a periphery of the rigid portion 200 before the skin layer 168 is applied to the planar portion 208. As such, the padded edge guard 216 can provide protection to the edge of the paddle 204 without any need for the bulky edge guard 112 discussed in connection with FIG. 1.

[0043] Moreover, it is contemplated that an edge guard may be bonded to the periphery of the rigid portion 200 after the skin layer 168 is applied to the planar portion 208. FIG. 5A illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an edge guard 240 that may be coupled with an exterior of the periphery of the rigid portion 200. The edge guard 240 is configured to provide protection to the portions of the skin layer 168 that are disposed on the rounded edges 192. As shown in FIG. 5A, the edge guard 240 comprises a polymer portion 244 and a mass strip portion 248. The polymer portion 244 may be made of polyurethane or any other material that is suitable for protecting the rounded edges of the paddle 204. In the embodiment of FIG. 5A, the polymer portion 244 includes a rounded surface 252 that may be configured to smoothly join with the rounded edges 192 to produce a low-profile edge rail for the paddle 204. The mass strip 248 preferably comprises a thin strip of metal, such as lead, that may be used to increase the weight of the paddle 204. As shown in FIG. 5A, the mass strip 248 may be coupled with a flat surface 256 of the polymer portion 244. The mass strip 248 may be adhered to the flat surface 256 by way of any of various suitable adhesives. Further, the mass strip 248 and exposed portions of the flat surface 256 may be adhered to the periphery of the paddle 204 by way of any of various suitable adhesives, without limitation.

[0044] FIG. 5B illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an edge guard 260 that may be coupled with an exterior of the periphery of the rigid portion 200. The edge guard 260 is substantially similar to the edge guard 240 shown in FIG. 5A, with the exception that the edge guard 260 comprises a polymer portion 264 that includes a recess 268 for receiving the mass strip 248. The mass strip 248 may be adhered within the recess 268 by way of any suitable adhesive. As shown in FIG. 5B, the recess 268 is configured to receive the mass strip 248 such that the flat surface 256 and a back surface 272 of the mass strip 248 form a substantially uniform surface suitable for being adhered to the periphery of the paddle 204. The surfaces 256, 272 may be adhered to the periphery of the paddle 204 by way of any suitable adhesive, without limitation. It is contemplated that disposing the mass strip 248 within the recess 268 will allow the rounded surface 252 of the edge guard 260 to smoothly join with the rounded edges 192 to produce a low-profile edge rail for the paddle 204.

[0045] Turning, now, to FIG. 6 it should be borne in mind that the planar portion 208 is not limited to honeycomb structures as shown in FIGS. 4-5. For example, in some embodiments, the planar portion 208 may comprise a solid portion of rigid foam, such as the abovementioned 20-24 lb. foam. Further, in some embodiments, the planar portion 208 may include a core 196 comprising a different type or density of foam than the foam comprising the rigid portion 200. In some embodiments, the core 196 may comprise a number of holes advantageously positioned on the rigid portion 200 so as to reduce the weight of the paddle 204.

[0046] In some embodiments, one or more weights may be incorporated into the planar portion to increase the weight of the paddle. For example, FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a paddle 220 that includes multiple weights according to the present disclosure. The paddle 220 includes a planar portion 224 that extends to a handle portion 228. Rounded edges 192 are disposed along all exterior edges of the planar portion 224 and the handle portion 228. As shown in FIG. 6, the planar portion 224 comprises a rigid portion 232 that includes multiple weights 236. Although four weights 236 are shown, it is contemplated that the planar portion 224 may include any number of weights 236. Further, any size and/or mass of the weights 236 may be disposed in any of various locations of the planar portion 224, without limitation.

[0047] While the paddle and methods have been described in terms of particular variations and illustrative figures, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the paddle is not limited to the variations or figures described. In addition, where methods and steps described above indicate certain events occurring in certain order, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the ordering of certain steps may be modified and that such modifications are in accordance with the variations of the paddle. Additionally, certain of the steps may be performed concurrently in a parallel process when possible, as well as performed sequentially as described above. To the extent there are variations of the paddle, which are within the spirit of the disclosure or equivalent to the paddle found in the claims, it is the intent that this patent will cover those variations as well. Therefore, the present disclosure is to be understood as not limited by the specific embodiments described herein, but only by scope of the appended claims.