Sound absorbing game paddle

Abstract

A sound absorbing game paddle containing a blade having a support structure and a filling. The support structure preferably defines adjoining cells of various shapes, including for example hexagonal and non-hexagonal cells. The filling preferably comprises one or more of a foam, a gel, a silicone or other polymer, and can fill some or all of the cells at any desired volume(s). Contemplated methods include a manufacturer building a version of a game paddle without a filling, and subsequently building another version of the same or similar paddle with a filling. Further contemplated methods include developing an improved game paddle with altered sound emissions by determining that an existing game paddle has undesirable peak amplitudes and frequencies of sounds emitted, and then designing an improved game paddle with a sound absorbing filling.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The field of the invention is game paddles.BACKGROUND[0002]The background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.[0003]In recent years, the sport of pickleball has risen in popularity worldwide. The sport is typically played in residential communities, country clubs, and sports clubs on modified tennis courts. However, due to the current composition and design of pickleball paddles, the sound of the pickleball striking the pickleball paddle is quite loud. Where other racquet and paddle sports involve either paddles with strings or softer balls, pickleball combines both (a) a paddle without strings and (b) a hard, hollow, perforated, plastic ball. This combination creates a loud “thwacking” noise upon imp...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]The present invention provides an apparatus for reducing emitted sound when a game paddle strikes a ball during play, by incorporating within the core of a game paddle (a) a honeycomb or other support structure, and (b) a filling within the support structure. In a preferred aspect of the inventive subject matter, the game paddle comprises a blade with two opposing surfaces bounded by an edge, where the support structure and filling are disposed between the two opposing surfaces.

Problems solved by technology

However, due to the current composition and design of pickleball paddles, the sound of the pickleball striking the pickleball paddle is quite loud.

This combination creates a loud “thwacking” noise upon impact.

Furthermore, this noise is amplified by the modified tennis court, which also disturbs those residing in the surrounding community.

With the significant growth in the number of places to play, this noise problem has led to resident complaints, halting of new pickleball court construction, ceasing of game play, and even filing of nuisance lawsuits.

Although sound reduction has been implemented in manufacture of many different types of objects, including for example, home and industrial wall insulation, aircraft, boat hulls, there don't seem to be any analogous application of similar technologies for game paddles of any type.

Perhaps this is because those skilled in the art would consider modifications to negatively impact game play.

(http: / / info.acoustiblok.com / blog / bid / 82224 / Pickleball-Racket-Needs-a-Soundproofing-Solution-to-Calm-Neighbors) However, because acoustical fencing typically has a broad face, it has difficulty withstanding high winds and other weather conditions, which can reduce its usefulness as a sustainable noise abatement solution.

Further, the economic burden of acoustical fencing must be borne by whole communities or associations, rather than the pickleball players.

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