Shuttlecock

Abstract

The invention provides a shuttlecock capable of improving straight running performance during flying. The shuttlecock (1) is provided with a base part (2) located at the front and a skirt part (4) arranged at the rear of the base part. The skirt part is provided with a plurality of first feather shaft forming parts (45) and second feather shaft forming parts (46), and the first feather shaft forming parts (45) and the second feather shaft forming parts (46) are arranged in a circular ring shape with the center shaft (C) of the shuttlecock as the center when observed from the back; and a feather part which is supported by the first feather shaft forming part and the second feather shaft and is formed in a specified range from the rear end to the front end of the skirt part. The first feather shaft forming portion is formed at a position including a space between the base portion and the feather portion, and the second feather shaft forming portion is formed at a position including a forming area of the feather portion. The number of the first feather shaft forming parts is smaller than the number of the second feather shaft forming parts.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a badminton shuttlecock for hitting with a racket for sports. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, badminton shuttlecocks are known that have a skirt made of natural feathers or artificial resin feathers attached to a roughly hemispherical base (see Patent Document 1). The skirt of Patent Document 1 includes a plurality of shafts supported by the base, and feathers formed into a ring by connecting the shafts in a ring shape. Prior art literature Patent Literature

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-200890 Summary of the Invention Problems to be solved by the invention

[0004] Badminton is a sport that people enjoy playing not only indoors but also outdoors. However, outdoor badminton has a problem: the shuttlecock's flight path is easily affected by the wind, which impairs its straightness during flight, making it difficult to enjoy the game depending on the wind's strength.

[0005] To mitigate the effects of this wind, studies have been conducted on structures that reduce the feather rachis of shuttlecocks to allow for easier passage of wind across the flight direction. However, this design reduces the rigidity of the skirt. Consequently, the feathers are easily deformed by the racket's impact, deviating significantly from a perfect circle when viewed from the shuttlecock's central axis. This makes it difficult to evenly distribute the wind around the feathers, hindering sufficient straightness during flight.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of this point, and an object of the present invention is to provide a shuttlecock capable of improving straightness during flight. Technical means to solve problems

[0007] A shuttlecock according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a base portion located at the front and a skirt portion provided behind the base portion. The shuttlecock is characterized in that the skirt portion includes: a plurality of first rachis-forming portions and a plurality of second rachis-forming portions arranged in a circular ring centered on the central axis of the shuttlecock when viewed from the rear; and feathers supported by the first rachis-forming portions and the second rachis-forming portions and formed in a predetermined range extending from the rear end to the front end of the skirt portion, the first rachis-forming portions being formed at a position including between the base portion and the feathers, and the second rachis-forming portions being formed at a position including a region where the feathers are formed, and the number of the first rachis-forming portions being smaller than the number of the second rachis-forming portions. Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, since the number of first rachis forming sections can be reduced, crosswind relative to the flight direction can be easily passed between the base and the feather section, thereby improving straightness during flight. Furthermore, since the number of second rachis forming sections can be increased, the rigidity of the feather section's forming area can be increased, making it easier to maintain the feather section in a nearly perfect circular shape even when struck by a racket. Therefore, the wind dispersed circumferentially around the feather section can be evened out, thereby also improving straightness during flight. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 It is a schematic front view of the badminton shuttlecock according to the first embodiment. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Schematic bottom view of . Figure 3 The feather part is omitted. Figure 2 Same bottom view. Figure 4 It is a schematic front view of a badminton shuttlecock according to a second embodiment. Figure 5 yes Figure 4 Schematic bottom view of . Figure 6 The feather part is omitted. Figure 5 Same bottom view. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] [First embodiment] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 It is a schematic front view of the badminton shuttlecock according to the first embodiment. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 In addition, in the following description, unless otherwise specified, “front” and “rear” are used. Figure 1 The direction indicated by the arrow is used as a reference. Figure 2 In the figure, the side farther into the paper is referred to as the “front” and the side closer to the front is referred to as the “rear.” However, the orientation of each component in the following embodiment is merely an example and can be changed to any orientation.

[0011] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the shuttlecock 1 includes a base 2 located in the front and a skirt 4 provided behind the base 2. The shuttlecock 1 is flown by being hit by a racket in a racket sport such as badminton. The base 2 and the skirt 4 have Figure 1The central axis C is shown by a dashed line in FIG. This central axis C is also the central axis C of the entire shuttlecock 1. When viewed from the rear, the shuttlecock 1 flies while rotating (spinning) in a counterclockwise direction (rotation direction R) about the central axis C.

[0012] The base 2 is formed on the front side into a continuous hemispherical and cylindrical shape. It is made of a synthetic resin that elastically deforms when struck by a racket. From the perspectives of elastic deformation and durability during play, examples of synthetic resins include olefin-based, nylon-based, ester-based, styrene-based, and polyurethane-based elastomers.

[0013] The skirt 4 is held on the rear side of the base 2 and is formed of an integrally molded product made of a synthetic resin (eg, nylon resin).

[0014] The skirt 4 includes a plurality of rachis 41 extending forward from the rear end of the base 2, and feathers 42 formed in a predetermined range from the rear end to the front end of the skirt 4 (provided in the rear region of the rachis 41). The feathers 42 are supported by the plurality of rachis 41. The skirt 4 is formed in a circular shape when viewed from the rear (see FIG. Figure 2 ), and is formed in a shape along the side of a cone whose diameter gradually decreases as it goes from the rear to the front.

[0015] The feather portion 42 extends in the circumferential direction around the central axis C and is formed in an annular shape so as to connect second rachis forming portions 46 (described later) of adjacent rachis portions 41 in the rotation direction R. The feather portion 42 is formed in a lattice or mesh shape.

[0016] Here, the skirt 4 further includes a connecting portion 43 that fits into the rear end of the base 2 and is connected to the front end of the rachis 41. In other words, the connecting portion 43 forms the portion of the skirt 4 that is connected to the base 2 and the portion that supports the front end of the rachis 41 as a base end.

[0017] In this embodiment, eight feather shafts 41 are provided, all of which are formed in the same shape and arranged in different directions. Figure 2 ), the rachis 41 are arranged in a circular shape centered on the central axis C. The rachis 41 is formed with the front end located on the base 2 side as the base end and the rear end on the opposite side as the tip end.

[0018] Each of the eight rachis sections 41 includes a single first rachis forming section 45 and two second rachis forming sections 46. Since the skirt section 4 includes eight rachis sections 41, the same number of first rachis forming sections 45 as the rachis sections 41 is provided, and sixteen second rachis forming sections 46 are provided, which is twice the number of rachis sections 41. Therefore, in the skirt section 4, the number of first rachis forming sections 45 is less than the number of second rachis forming sections 46, being less than half.

[0019] The first rachis-forming portion 45 is formed between the rear end of the base portion 2 and the front end of the feather portion 42. Therefore, the front end of the first rachis-forming portion 45 is positioned on the side of the base portion 2. The front ends of two second rachis-forming portions 46 are connected to the rear end of the first rachis-forming portion 45. In other words, in the rachis portion 41, the two second rachis-forming portions 46 branch off from the rear end of the first rachis-forming portion 45.

[0020] The connection position (branching position) between the first rachis forming portion 45 and the two second rachis forming portions 46 is located forward of the front end of the feather portion 42. Therefore, in the rachis portion 41, the feather portion 42 is supported in a region further rearward than the connection position between the first rachis forming portion 45 and the two second rachis forming portions 46. Furthermore, the second rachis forming portion 46 is formed at a position including the formation region of the feather portion 42 and is formed so as to protrude forward from the front end of the feather portion 42.

[0021] In the rachis portion 41, the two second rachis forming portions 46 extend in a direction in which the distance between them increases as they move forward from the rear end of the first rachis forming portion 45. Furthermore, the second rachis forming portions 46 are provided in a shape that zigzags forward of the front end of the feather portion 42. In the rachis portion 41, the first rachis forming portion 45 is provided so as to be located midway between the two second rachis forming portions 46 in the rotational direction R (the circumferential direction centered on the central axis C).

[0022] A reinforcement portion 48 is provided at a zigzag position of the second rachis forming portion 46. The reinforcement portion 48 is formed into an annular shape and extends so as to connect the second rachis forming portions 46 adjacent in the rotational direction R and also connect the rachis portions 41 adjacent in the rotational direction R. The reinforcement portion 48 is arranged forward from the front end of the feather portion 42 at a predetermined interval.

[0023] The rachis portion 41 is formed into a curved shape throughout the entire longitudinal direction of the first rachis-forming portion 45 and in the region extending from the bend position to the distal end of the second rachis-forming portion 46. In other words, the rachis portion 41 includes a first curved portion (curved portion) 51 and a second curved portion (curved portion) 52. The first curved portion 51 is formed in the curved region of the first rachis-forming portion 45, and the second curved portion 52 is formed in the curved region of each second rachis-forming portion 46. The second curved portion 52 is formed at a position encompassing the region where the feather portion 42 is formed and at a position extending forward from the distal end of the feather portion 42.

[0024] When determining the bending directions of the first bending portion 51 and the second bending portion 52, use Figures 1 to 3 The first imaginary straight line (imaginary straight line) L1 and the second imaginary straight line (imaginary straight line) L2 are shown. Figure 3The feather part is omitted. Figure 2 Same bottom view. As described above, the skirt portion 4 is formed to follow the side surface of a cone, and the generatrix of the cone coincides with the imaginary lines L1 and L2. The first imaginary line L1 passes through the front end of the first curved portion 51, and the second imaginary line L2 passes through the front end of the second curved portion 52.

[0025] The first curved portion 51 is formed in a curved shape that gradually moves away from the first imaginary straight line L1 as it moves from the front end to the rear end.

[0026] The second curved portion 52 is formed in a curved shape that gradually moves away from the second imaginary straight line L2 as it moves from the front end to the rear end.

[0027] The first curved portion 51 is formed in an arc shape with a uniform curvature, and the second curved portion 52 is formed in an arc shape with a uniform curvature. The curvature of the first curved portion 51 and the curvature of the second curved portion 52 may be different or the same.

[0028] According to the first embodiment described above, the number of first rachis-forming portions 45 in the skirt 4 is relatively smaller than the number of second rachis-forming portions 46. This increases the spacing between the first rachis-forming portions 45 in the front region of the skirt 4, making it easier for crosswinds in the flight direction to pass through this front region. As a result, the effects of crosswinds are suppressed, improving the straightness of the shuttlecock's flight. This makes it possible to minimize the impact of crosswinds on the shuttlecock's flight trajectory, making it easier to enjoy the shuttlecock.

[0029] Furthermore, the number of second rachis-forming portions 46 in skirt portion 4 is relatively greater than the number of first rachis-forming portions 45. This improves the rigidity of feather portion 42, allowing the shape of feather portion 42 to be stably and effectively maintained. Even when struck by a racket, feather portion 42 can maintain a true circular shape when viewed from behind. As a result, the wind dispersed circumferentially (rotational direction R) around feather portion 42 can be evened out, improving straightness during flight.

[0030] Therefore, by setting the number of first rachis forming portions 45 and second rachis forming portions 46 as in the first embodiment, it is possible to both suppress the influence of crosswinds and make the wind dispersed by feathers 42 uniform. Therefore, the first embodiment can further improve the straightness of shuttlecock 1 in flight.

[0031] [Second embodiment] Next, refer to Figures 4 to 6In the following description, the same or equivalent components as those in the first embodiment may be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions may be omitted or simplified.

[0032] Figure 4 It is a schematic front view of a badminton shuttlecock according to a second embodiment. Figure 5 yes Figure 4 Schematic bottom view of . Figure 6 The feather part is omitted. Figure 5 Same bottom view. Figures 4 to 6 As shown in FIG. 1 , in the second embodiment, the structure of the plurality of rachis portions 61 is changed compared to the first embodiment.

[0033] The rachis portion 61 of the second embodiment includes a single first rachis forming portion 65 and two second rachis forming portions 66. The number of the rachis portion 61, the first rachis forming portion 65, and the second rachis forming portion 66 of the skirt portion 4 is the same as the number of the rachis portion 41, the first rachis forming portion 45, and the second rachis forming portion 46 in the first embodiment.

[0034] In the second embodiment, the rachis 61 are also arranged in an annular shape around the central axis C when viewed from the rear. The rachis 61 are formed with the front end located on the base 2 side as the base end and the rear end on the opposite side as the tip end.

[0035] The front end of the first rachis forming portion 65 is disposed on the side of the base portion 2. A reinforcing portion 68 is provided at the rear end of the first rachis forming portion 65. The reinforcing portion 68 is formed into an annular shape and extends so as to connect the rachis portions 61 adjacent in the rotation direction R. The reinforcing portion 68 is disposed forward from the front end of the feather portion 42 at a predetermined interval.

[0036] Here, the first rachis forming portion 65 is formed in a straight line so as to substantially coincide with the generatrix of the cone having a shape along the skirt portion 4. In the rachis portion 61, one of the two second rachis forming portions 66 is formed so that its front end is connected to the rear end of the first rachis forming portion 65 and extends straight along the extension line of the first rachis forming portion 65.

[0037] In the rachis portion 61, the other of the two second rachis forming portions 66 is formed in a zigzag shape including a portion of the reinforcement portion 68, and is connected to the rear end of the first rachis forming portion 65 with the portion formed as the reinforcement portion 68 as the front end. Furthermore, the other of the two second rachis forming portions 66 extends rearward from the zigzag position and extends linearly so as to substantially coincide with the above-mentioned generatrix, and the two second rachis forming portions 66 are arranged at a predetermined interval in the rotation direction R.

[0038] In addition, when viewed from the rear (see Figure 5), in the rear region of the feather portion 42 of the second embodiment, wavy pleats are formed.

[0039] In the second embodiment described above, the number of first rachis forming portions 65 is smaller than the number of second rachis forming portions 66. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, both the influence of crosswinds can be suppressed and the wind dispersed by feather portions 42 can be made uniform. Therefore, in the second embodiment as well, the straightness of shuttlecock 1 in flight can be improved.

[0040] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be implemented with various modifications. In the above-described embodiments, the size, shape, orientation, etc. illustrated in the accompanying drawings are not limited thereto and can be appropriately modified within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, as long as it does not depart from the scope of the present invention, it can be implemented with appropriate modifications.

[0041] The number of rachis forming parts 45, 46, 65, and 66 in the above-described embodiments can be appropriately changed as long as the number of first rachis forming parts 45 and 65 is less than the number of second rachis forming parts 46 and 66. Therefore, the rachis parts 41 and 61 may be configured to have three or more second rachis forming parts 46 and 66.

[0042] Furthermore, the first rachis forming portions 45 and 65 only need to be formed at a position including the area between the base portion 2 and the feather portion 42, and the second rachis forming portions 46 and 66 only need to be formed at a position including the formation region of the feather portion 42. Therefore, the connection position (boundary position) between the first rachis forming portions 45 and 65 and the second rachis forming portions 46 and 66 may be located further rearward than the front end of the feather portion 42. However, when the connection position is located further forward than the front end of the feather portion 42, it is advantageous in that the skirt portion 4 can be easily formed.

[0043] In the first embodiment, the rachis portion 41 has a shape including the curved portions 51 and 52 , but the present invention is not limited thereto. The first rachis forming portion 45 and the second rachis forming portion 46 may also extend in a straight line.

[0044] Furthermore, the feather portion 42 may be configured differently from the illustrated configuration of being connected in series in the rotation direction R as long as it can be used for play. For example, the feather portion 42 may be divided for each rachis portion 41 or 61 . Industrial applicability

[0045] The present invention relates to a badminton shuttlecock capable of improving straightness during flight.

[0046] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-006232, filed on January 19, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. A badminton shuttlecock comprising a base portion located at the front and a skirt portion provided behind the base portion, wherein: The skirt portion comprises: a plurality of first rachis forming portions and a plurality of second rachis forming portions arranged in a circular shape centered on the central axis of the shuttlecock when viewed from the rear; and The feather portion is supported by the first rachis forming portion and the second rachis forming portion and is formed in a predetermined range from the rear end to the front end of the skirt portion. The first rachis forming portion is formed at a position including between the base portion and the feather portion. The second rachis forming portion is formed at a position including the formation area of ​​the feather portion. The number of the first rachis forming parts is smaller than the number of the second rachis forming parts.

2. The badminton according to claim 1, wherein The number of the first rachis forming parts is less than or equal to half the number of the second rachis forming parts.

3. The badminton according to claim 1, wherein: The number of the first rachis forming parts is eight, and the number of the second rachis forming parts is sixteen.

4. The badminton according to claim 1, wherein The front ends of the plurality of second rachis forming parts are continuously connected to the rear end of the first rachis forming part.

5. The badminton according to claim 1, wherein: The front ends of the two second rachis forming parts are connected to the rear end of the first rachis forming part. The first rachis forming portion is located in a middle position between the two second rachis forming portions in a circumferential direction centered on the central axis.

6. The badminton according to claim 1, wherein: A reinforcing portion is provided which is formed into an annular shape and extends in a circumferential direction around the central axis. The front ends of the two second rachis forming parts are connected to the rear end of the first rachis forming part. One of the two second rachis forming portions is formed by extending from an extension line of the first rachis forming portion. The other of the two second rachis forming portions is connected to the first rachis forming portion including a portion of the reinforcing portion.

7. The badminton shuttlecock according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that A connection position between the first rachis forming portion and the second rachis forming portion is located forward of a front end of the feather portion.

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