METHOD OF ADHERING COPPER FOIL TAPE TO CUSTOMIZE WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION

Abstract

A copper tape has an elongated copper foil element with a thickness between about 0.01 mm and about 0.2 mm and an adhesive backing. The backing has a strength between about 3.9 N/cm and about 10 N/cm. A method of adjusting aggregate weight and weight distribution of sporting equipment includes cutting a portion of the copper tape to a length and width that adds a predetermined weight and that fits within a region of the sporting equipment and adhering the copper tape to the sporting equipment.

Claims

1. A method of adjusting aggregate weight and weight distribution of sporting equipment, comprising: a. providing a copper tape comprising an elongated copper foil element; b. cutting a portion of the copper tape to a length and width effective to add a predetermined weight, wherein the portion is configured to fit within a predetermined region of the sporting equipment; and c. adhering the copper tape to the predetermined region of the sporting equipment.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the sporting equipment is selected from the group consisting of: a tennis racket, a golf club, a pickleball paddle, a ski, and a baseball bat.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the copper tape has a thickness between about 0.01 mm and about 0.2 mm.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the copper tape has a thickness between about 0.07 mm to about 0.12 mm.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the copper tape comprises an adhesive backing.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the adhesive backing has a strength between about 3.9 N/cm and about 10 N/cm.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising applying an adhesive to the copper tape prior to adhering the copper tape to the predetermined region of the sporting equipment.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the adhesive has a strength between about 3.9 N/cm and about 10 N/cm.

9. A copper tape for adjusting aggregate weight and weight distribution of sporting equipment, comprising an elongated copper foil element with a thickness between about 0.01 mm and about 0.2 mm and an adhesive backing coupled thereto, the adhesive backing having a strength between about 3.9 N/cm and about 10 N/cm.

10. The copper tape of claim 9, wherein the elongated copper foil element has a thickness between about 0.07 mm to about 0.12 mm.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a copper strip for customization of a sports implement by a method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0011] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view thereof, taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

[0012] FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a golf club, customized with the strip of FIG. 1;

[0013] FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial perspective view of a pickleball paddle customized with the strip of FIG. 1;

[0014] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a tennis racket customized with the strip of FIG. 1; and

[0015] FIG. 6 is a detail perspective view thereof, taken at line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

[0017] Broadly, one embodiment of the present invention is a method of adhering copper foil tape to a tennis racket, golf club or pickleball paddle to customize the aggregate weight and weight distribution of the device to improve playability, as well as an adhesive copper foil therefor. The weight may be applied at numerous points on multiple surfaces on the clubs, rackets, and paddles. Adherable copper foil tape may also be used to adjust weight distribution or aggregate weight of other pieces of sporting equipment including, but not necessarily limited to, skis, baseball bats etc.

[0018] The user may apply the copper foil tape to tennis rackets, golf clubs, or pickleball paddles to a predetermined region anywhere on the surface or interior of the implements.

[0019] The adhesive backing may be a glue having a strength between about 3.9 N/cm and about 10 N/cm. The adhesive glue may be applied during manufacture or may be supplied separately and applied by the user.

[0020] The adhesive copper foil tape may be any suitable thickness and may be cut to a portion having a predetermined length and width operative to have a predetermined weight. The tape may be cut before applying adhesive glue to the back of the tape to ensure its adhesiveness to the tennis racket, golf club, or pickleball paddle's surface. For example, the malleable foil thickness may be between about 0.01 mm and about 0.2 mm, such as within the range of about 0.07 mm to about 0.12 mm.

[0021] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 6, FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary copper strip or copper tape 10, with a first surface comprising an elongated copper foil element 12 and a second, opposite surface comprising an adhesive backing 14. The copper strip 10 may be adhered to a variety of sports equipment, such as a golf club 16 shown in FIG. 3, a pickleball paddle 18 shown in FIG. 4, and a tennis racket 20 illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0022] It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.