Durable pickleball paddle
By using EPP or ETPU core materials in Peak rackets, combined with carbon fiber wrapping and thermoforming technology, the problem of easy damage to honeycomb core materials has been solved, resulting in greater durability and better ball control and hitting performance.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- GUANGDONG JUNCHI SPORTS GOODS CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-07-19
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-07
AI Technical Summary
The existing Peak rackets use honeycomb core material, which results in poor ball control and easy damage. In particular, they are prone to delamination and cracking under high-frequency hits and accidental collisions, affecting their service life and hitting performance.
Using EPP or ETPU core material, combined with carbon fiber panel and base plate, through-holes are set in the core material and wrapped with carbon fiber wrapping strips and foam strips, and then hot-pressed to form a rigid support edge, which enhances durability and ball control.
It improves the durability and control of the racket, reduces vibration and fatigue during shots, enhances the transmission of hitting power and control accuracy, and extends the lifespan of the racket.
Smart Images
Figure CN224462208U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of Peak rackets, specifically to durable Peak rackets. Background Technology
[0002] Pickleball is a racket sport that combines features of badminton, tennis, and table tennis. The picket racket is a key tool in pickleball; its material, weight, and grip all affect a player's performance. Choosing the right picket racket is crucial for improving shot effectiveness and enjoying the sport.
[0003] On October 31, 2024, the applicant filed a utility model patent application entitled "Peak racket with improved elasticity", application number 2024226626078. The Peak racket with improved elasticity uses honeycomb core material. The advantages of honeycomb core material are light weight, high bending strength, and the hexagonal structure of the honeycomb effectively disperses impact force.
[0004] However, rackets using honeycomb core materials have the following inherent defects: 1) Honeycomb core materials are made by mechanically folding strip materials into hexagonal honeycomb units and bonding adjacent units with hot melt adhesive or resin to form a continuous honeycomb structure. The stability of the continuous honeycomb structure formed by bonding is poor. The folding and bonding areas of the hexagonal honeycomb may become stress concentration points. Long-term high-frequency hitting (such as smashes and volleys) may cause local material fatigue, leading to delamination or cracking. When the honeycomb core material becomes loose, delaminated, or cracked, continued use will cause dents in the racket face, rendering the entire racket unusable; 2) The edges of the core material are not sufficiently reinforced, only soft edging is applied, making it prone to structural damage when subjected to accidental impacts (such as the racket hitting the ground); 3) The uniform shock absorption characteristics of honeycomb core materials result in a "soft" feel when hitting the ball, especially in small-amplitude shots that require precise control (such as net shots and slice shots). Players may feel that the contact time between the racket and the ball is too short, and the feedback is not direct enough, affecting the accuracy of ball control. Utility Model Content
[0005] The purpose of this invention is to solve the above-mentioned defects and provide a durable Peak racket with better ball control and hitting power, and it is less prone to damage and more durable. This solves the technical problem that the use of honeycomb core material in the prior art results in poor ball control and easy damage.
[0006] The objective of this utility model is achieved through the following means:
[0007] A durable Peak racket includes a core, a carbon fiber faceplate, and a carbon fiber blade. The carbon fiber faceplate and blade are fixedly attached to the top and bottom surfaces of the core, respectively. Each of the core, faceplate, and blade includes a racket face and a handle. The handle extends outward from one end of the racket face. The core is made of EPP or ETPU. The racket face of the core has several through holes to increase the ball control feel. The outer side of the core is wrapped with a carbon fiber wrapping strip to increase lateral support. A foam strip is wrapped between the carbon fiber wrapping strip and the outer side of the core. The carbon fiber wrapping strip, foam strip, core, faceplate, and blade are bonded together and then placed into a mold for hot pressing. After hot pressing, a one-piece racket body is formed. The foam strip is wrapped by the carbon fiber wrapping strip after hot pressing and combines with the carbon fiber wrapping strip to form a rigid support edge. The sides of the racket face are wrapped with edge protectors, and the handle is wrapped with grip tape to increase the grip feel.
[0008] Furthermore, the through holes include edge through holes distributed at the edge of the paddle face and central through holes distributed in the middle of the paddle face. A number of central through holes are neatly arranged, and a number of edge through holes are arranged in a ring and surround the periphery of the central through holes.
[0009] Furthermore, the edge through hole is a rectangular hole, and the central through hole is a circular hole.
[0010] Furthermore, a first fiberglass cloth for increasing flatness is bonded between the top surface of the core material and the carbon fiber panel with adhesive, and a second fiberglass cloth for increasing flatness is bonded between the bottom surface of the core material and the carbon fiber panel with adhesive.
[0011] Furthermore, the carbon fiber wrapping strip is composed of bidirectional interwoven 3K carbon fiber cloth.
[0012] Furthermore, the foam strip is made of PU, EPP, or ETPU.
[0013] Furthermore, the handle of the racket body is provided with an end cap and two grip plates. The two grip plates are respectively clamped to the top and bottom surfaces of the handle of the racket body, and the grip plates are wrapped with adhesive tape.
[0014] EPP (Expanded Polypropylene) is a type of foamed polypropylene, a closed-cell foam material formed by physical or chemical foaming of polypropylene (PP) resin. By injecting a foaming agent (such as carbon dioxide or butane) under high temperature and pressure, the PP particles expand to form a uniform closed-cell structure, combining the rigidity and heat resistance of PP with the lightweight and cushioning properties of foamed materials.
[0015] EPP's core features:
[0016] 1) Ultra-lightweight: Extremely low density (0.02-0.1 g / cm³) 3 It is significantly lighter than ETPU (0.15-0.35 g / cm³). 3 ), EVA (0.1-0.2 g / cm³) 3 Materials such as ) are among the lightest commercially available foam materials known.
[0017] 2) High cushioning and impact resistance: The closed-cell structure can efficiently absorb impact energy (the cushioning performance is better than EVA), reduce the vibration of the arm when hitting the ball, and improve the comfort of hitting the ball.
[0018] 3) Excellent rebound: The rebound rate can reach 70%-85%, which is slightly lower than ETPU (80%+), but far exceeds EVA (30%-50%). It can transfer some of the hitting power to the ball, balancing power and ball control.
[0019] 4) Temperature and chemical resistance: PP substrate is resistant to high temperature (can withstand above 100℃), acid and alkali, and oil. It is not easy to age or deform after long-term use and is suitable for different climates and usage environments.
[0020] 5) Fatigue resistance: The closed-cell structure is not easy to collapse after repeated compression, and the core performance is stable after long-term use, avoiding the collapse and cracking problems caused by fatigue of traditional foams (such as EVA).
[0021] 6) Processability: It can be formed by molding, injection molding and other processes, and can be adapted to complex core structures (such as honeycomb and mesh). It has high processing efficiency and controllable cost (lower than Nomex / aluminum honeycomb).
[0022] 7) Environmental friendliness: 100% recyclable and reusable, with no toxic gas release during combustion, in line with the environmental trend of sports equipment, and superior to traditional non-recyclable materials (such as Nomex and aluminum).
[0023] ETPU is a porous material made of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) after foaming. Through supercritical fluid (such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen) foaming technology, TPU particles expand to form closed-cell or open-cell structures, combining the elasticity and wear resistance of TPU with the lightweight and cushioning properties of foamed materials.
[0024] The core features of ETPU:
[0025] 1) Lightweight: The density is significantly reduced after foaming (0.15-0.35 g / cm³). 3 It is significantly lighter than traditional polymer foams (such as EVA foam, which has a weight of 0.1-0.2 g / cm³ after foaming). 3 It also has superior mechanical properties.
[0026] 2) High rebound and energy feedback: The rebound rate can reach more than 80%, with little energy loss when hitting the ball, which can transfer more power to the ball, improving hitting speed and control accuracy.
[0027] 3) Cushioning and shock absorption: The porous structure can absorb impact and disperse stress, reducing the vibration experienced by the arm when hitting the ball, and reducing fatigue and the risk of injury.
[0028] 4) Fatigue resistance: It is not easily deformed after repeated compression, and the core performance remains stable after long-term use, avoiding problems such as collapse and cracking.
[0029] 5) Processability: Thermoplastic material can be molded through injection molding, compression molding and other processes, and can be adapted to complex core structures (such as honeycomb and mesh). It has high processing efficiency and controllable cost.
[0030] 6) Environmental friendliness: It can be recycled and reprocessed, which is in line with the environmental protection trend of sports equipment and is superior to traditional non-recyclable materials.
[0031] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: The core material is made of EPP, making the racket lighter, more impact-resistant, and moderately rigid. The racket face has several through holes, which not only reduce shock and weight but also act as a buffer to absorb the energy of the hit peak, thus making it easier to control the ball and providing a better feel for control and power. In addition, a foam strip wrapped with carbon fiber after being hot-pressed is added. The foam strip solidifies its structure after hot-pressing, increasing its hardness. Combined with the carbon fiber wrapping strip, it forms a rigid support edge. The rigid support edge surrounds the outer perimeter of the racket face, strengthening the rigidity of the racket face and making it less prone to damage and more durable during use. Attached Figure Description
[0032] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of a durable Peak racket, which relates to this utility model.
[0033] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the structure of a durable Peak racket, which relates to this utility model.
[0034] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the racket body of a durable Peak racket, which relates to this utility model.
[0035] Figure 4 This is an exploded view of the structure of the core material and carbon fiber wrapping strip of the durable Peak racket of this utility model;
[0036] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the combined state of the core material and carbon fiber wrapping strip of a durable Peak racket according to this utility model;
[0037] Figure 6 This is a front view of the core material of a durable Peak racket, which is the subject of this utility model.
[0038] In the diagram, 1-playing body, 101-core material, 102-edge through hole, 103-center through hole, 104-carbon fiber wrapping strip, 105-foaming strip, 2-carbon fiber panel, 3-first fiberglass cloth, 4-second fiberglass cloth, 5-carbon fiber base plate, 6-edge protector strip, 7-grip, 8-end cap. Detailed Implementation
[0039] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.
[0040] In this embodiment, refer to Figures 1-6 The durable Peak racket specifically implemented includes a core material 101, a carbon fiber faceplate 2, and a carbon fiber base plate 5. The carbon fiber faceplate 2 and the carbon fiber base plate 5 are respectively fixedly attached to the top and bottom surfaces of the core material 101. The core material 101, the carbon fiber faceplate 2, and the carbon fiber base plate 5 all include a racket face and a handle, with the handle extending outward from one end of the racket face. A first fiberglass cloth 3 for increasing flatness is glued between the top surface of the core material 101 and the carbon fiber faceplate 2, and a second fiberglass cloth 4 for increasing flatness is glued between the bottom surface of the core material 101 and the carbon fiber faceplate 2.
[0041] The core material 101 is made of EPP or ETPU, offering good elasticity and impact resistance. The racket face of core material 101 has several through-holes to enhance ball control. For example... Figure 6 As shown, the through holes include edge through holes 102 distributed along the edges of the racket face and central through holes 103 distributed in the middle of the racket face. Several central through holes 103 are neatly arranged, each being circular. The edge through holes 102 are rectangular, and the edge through holes 102 are arranged in a ring around the central through holes 103. The through holes reduce the amount of core material 101 used, thus lowering the overall weight of the racket face. A lighter racket face is easier to swing, and reduced weight can decrease player fatigue, while also improving swing speed and accuracy, indirectly enhancing ball control (such as faster adjustment of the racket face angle).
[0042] EPP or ETPU materials are inherently elastic and impact-resistant, but if the racket face is a solid structure, the overall stiffness may be too uniform, resulting in a monotonous feel when hitting the ball. By setting through holes of different shapes and distributions (circular holes in the center, rectangular holes at the edges), the stiffness of different areas of the racket face can be adjusted in a targeted manner.
[0043] Center through-hole 103 (neatly arranged circular holes): The center is the main area for hitting the ball. With the circular holes evenly distributed, the material in this area is reduced, and the stiffness is appropriately decreased. When hitting the ball, the center of the racket face will produce a softer deformation, prolonging the contact time with the ball, enhancing the "bite" feeling, and making it easier for the player to control the trajectory and spin of the ball.
[0044] Edge through-holes 102 (rectangular holes arranged in a ring): The edge area is not the primary hitting point, but it is necessary to assist in controlling the ball's trajectory out of bounds (e.g., preventing the edge from "slipping" during impact). The ring arrangement of rectangular holes along the edge further reduces edge stiffness, making the edge "softer" during impact, providing a certain cushioning effect. Simultaneously, the shape of the rectangular holes (along the long side) may guide the racket face deformation in a specific direction, helping the player perceive the offset of the hitting point and avoid loss of control when hitting the ball in non-core areas. The ring arrangement of the edge through-holes 102 (around the center) forms a "ring transition zone," which not only prevents racket face collapse caused by excessively low edge stiffness but also disperses stress through the regular arrangement of the rectangular holes, preventing localized stress concentration. The neat arrangement of the circular holes in the center ensures the structural uniformity of the core hitting area, avoiding instability in ball control caused by disordered holes.
[0045] The outer surface of the core material 101 is wrapped with a carbon fiber wrapping strip 104 to increase lateral support. In this embodiment, the carbon fiber wrapping strip 104 is composed of bidirectional interwoven 3K carbon fiber cloth. Compared with traditional unidirectional carbon fiber cloth, 3K carbon fiber cloth adopts a warp and weft interwoven mesh structure, with strong interlayer bonding force, balanced bidirectional stiffness, and high shear strength.
[0046] A foam strip 105, made of PU, EPP, or ETPU, is wrapped between the carbon fiber wrapping strip 104 and the outer surface of the core material 101. The carbon fiber wrapping strip 104, foam strip 105, core material 101, carbon fiber faceplate 2, and carbon fiber base plate 5 are bonded together and then placed into a mold for hot pressing, forming a one-piece racket body 1. The foam strip 105, after hot pressing, is wrapped by the carbon fiber wrapping strip 104 and combines with it to form a rigid support edge. The hot pressing process in the mold hardens the PU, EPP, or ETPU foam material, making the internal structure of the foam strip 105 wrapped by the carbon fiber wrapping strip 104 more compact and increasing the material's rigidity. This rigid support edge provides comprehensive protection for the edges of the racket body 1 and prevents structural damage in the event of accidental impacts (such as the racket hitting the ground), making the racket more durable.
[0047] The racket body 1 has a protective strip 6 wrapped around the side of the racket face. The protective strip 6 is glued to the outer side of the racket face of the racket body 1. The handle of the racket body 1 is provided with an end cap 8 and two grip plates. The two grip plates are clamped to the top and bottom surfaces of the handle of the racket body 1 respectively. The grip tape 7 is wrapped around the two grip plates.
[0048] The durable Peak racket in this embodiment is manufactured using a hot-pressing process, which includes the following steps:
[0049] The first step is to prepare materials. Prepare EPP or ETPU core material 101. Cut the core material 101 into a racket shape with a racket face and a handle. The racket face of the core material 101 retains edge through holes 102 and center through holes 103 during molding. Cut the carbon fiber panel 2 and carbon fiber base plate 5 into thin sheets with racket face and handle shapes. Prepare carbon fiber wrapping strips 104 and foam strips 105 of appropriate length.
[0050] The second step is hot pressing. The carbon fiber panel 2 and the carbon fiber base plate 5 are fixedly attached to the top and bottom surfaces of the core material 101, respectively. To ensure the flatness of the surface of the core material 101, the top and bottom surfaces of the core material 101 are respectively attached with the first fiberglass cloth 3 and the second fiberglass cloth 4. The carbon fiber wrapping strip 104 and the foaming strip 105 are attached to the outer side of the core material 101 to form the semi-finished racket body 1. Then, the entire semi-finished racket body 1 is placed into the pressing mold, and the pressing mold is placed into the heating and pressing equipment for heating and pressing. The heating and pressing process will solidify the glue of the carbon fiber panel 2, the carbon fiber base plate 5, the first fiberglass cloth 3, the second fiberglass cloth 4, the support strip and the core material 101, and bond them together. At the same time, the foaming strip 105 forms a denser structure after heating and pressing, and its hardness increases. It is tightly wrapped by the 3K carbon fiber cloth to form a hard support edge. After the expected pressing time is reached, the integrally formed racket body 1 is taken out.
[0051] The third step is to assemble the finished product. The edge protector 6 is fixed by fast-adhesive glue. After the glue is applied, the edge protector 6 is pressed and fixed. The two ends of the edge protector 6 extend to the handle. Finally, the grip clamp and end cap 8 are installed on the handle. The grip clamp will clamp the handle on both sides and the grip tape 7 is wrapped around the handle.
[0052] The above description, in conjunction with specific preferred embodiments, provides a further detailed explanation of the present invention. It should not be construed that the specific implementation of the present invention is limited to these descriptions. For those skilled in the art, various simple deductions or substitutions can be made without departing from the concept of the present invention, and all such modifications and substitutions should be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.
Claims
1. A durable Peak racket, comprising a core material, a carbon fiber faceplate, and a carbon fiber base plate, wherein the carbon fiber faceplate and the carbon fiber base plate are respectively fixedly attached to the top and bottom surfaces of the core material, and each of the core material, carbon fiber faceplate, and carbon fiber base plate includes a racket face and a handle portion, the handle portion extending outward from one end of the racket face, characterized in that: The core material is made of EPP or ETPU. The core material has several through holes on its surface to increase ball control. The outer side of the core material is wrapped with carbon fiber wrapping strips to increase lateral support. A foam strip is wrapped between the carbon fiber wrapping strips and the outer side of the core material. The carbon fiber wrapping strips, foam strips, core material, carbon fiber faceplate and carbon fiber base plate are bonded together and placed into a mold for hot pressing. After hot pressing, a one-piece racket body is formed. The foam strip is wrapped with the carbon fiber wrapping strip after hot pressing and combines with the carbon fiber wrapping strip to form a rigid support edge. The sides of the racket body are wrapped with edge protectors, and the handle of the racket body is wrapped with grip tape to increase the grip feel.
2. The durable Peak racket according to claim 1, characterized in that: The through holes include edge through holes distributed at the edge of the paddle face and central through holes distributed in the middle of the paddle face. Several central through holes are arranged neatly, and several edge through holes are arranged in a ring and surround the periphery of the central through holes.
3. The durable Peak racket according to claim 2, characterized in that: The edge through-hole is a rectangular hole, and the central through-hole is a circular hole.
4. The durable Peak racket according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that: The top surface of the core material is bonded to the carbon fiber panel with a first fiberglass cloth to increase the flatness, and the bottom surface of the core material is bonded to the carbon fiber panel with a second fiberglass cloth to increase the flatness.
5. The durable Peak racket according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that: The carbon fiber wrapping strip is made of bi-directional interwoven 3K carbon fiber cloth.
6. The durable Peak racket according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that: The foam strip is made of PU, EPP, or ETPU.
7. The durable Peak racket according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that: The handle of the racket body is provided with an end cap and two grip plates. The two grip plates are clamped to the top and bottom surfaces of the handle of the racket body, respectively. After the grip tape is wrapped, it will cover the two grip plates.