Open Throat Paddle

Abstract

The paddle includes a head, the head including a pair of opposing playing surfaces and an opening extending through both of the pair of opposing playing surfaces, the opening extending on either side of a central axis through the head of the paddle, and a handle attached to the head.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 290,461, filed December 16, 2021, and entitled “OPEN THROAT PADDLE,” the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. [Background technology]

[0002] The disclosure herein relates to paddles for ball and paddle sports such as pickleball. In other sports, such as tennis, paddles with open throats are known to exist, but pickleball paddles are not common. As sports begin to become more open to the idea of ​​allowing open throat paddles, those involved may see advantages in such and / or develop methods for making such. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present disclosure is more specifically directed to a pickleball paddle having an opening, i.e., an aperture, through-hole, void, etc., through the bottom end of the paddle face near the handle. The opening penetrates completely through the paddle to open through both playable faces of the paddle (i.e., the front and back). For clarity, the opposing playable faces of the paddle discussed herein are the largest two opposing planar faces of the paddle body. Additionally, although referred to herein as "first" and "second" or "front" and "back", such labels are only used to indicate to the reader to help define the structure of the paddle. Nevertheless, the labels are not intended to clearly mean that one face is the "front" face and the other is the "back" face, as if to assert that a player using the paddle can only play with the "front" face that faces forward in the act of playing a game of pickleball. Rather, in play, either of the opposing faces are equally usable for game play.

[0004] In one embodiment, the opening may be located in a portion of the paddle surface that is within the lower third of the opposing playable paddle surfaces (front and back). That is, the opening may be limited to a dimensional area (i.e., larger or smaller) within the lower third of the paddle surface between the edging and the main playing surface above the opening. The dimensional area of ​​the opening may be limited to a certain percentage of the total area of ​​the lower third of the face of the paddle.

[0005] In one embodiment, the inner peripheral border of the opening may be reinforced, for example, by using adhesives, additional materials, structured reinforcement means such as taping, rigid border seals, and other materials different from those present on the remainder of the paddle surface to strengthen the border of the opening.

[0006] In one embodiment, the openings in the paddle surface may improve the performance of the user and the paddle. For example, the openings reduce air resistance and drag on the paddle surface as the user swings the paddle. Possible benefits of the openings therefore include improving the user's ability to control the paddle, providing faster swing options, increasing the power of hits, and modifying the location, size, and dynamic characteristics of the paddle's sweet spot (i.e., the location on the paddle where the ball engages the paddle for maximum hit effect). [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the figures, the leftmost digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. Use of the same reference number in different drawings indicates similar or identical items. Additionally, the drawings may be considered to provide a schematic depiction of the relative sizes of individual components within each drawing. However, the drawings are not to scale, and the relative sizes of individual components both within each drawing and between different drawings may differ from those depicted. In particular, some of the figures may depict components as a particular size or shape, while other figures may depict the same components on a larger scale or with a different shape for clarity. [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates a top perspective view of an open throat paddle according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 shows a front view of the open throat paddle of FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 shows a side view of the open throat paddle of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 illustrates a top perspective view of another open throat paddle according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a front view of the open throat paddle of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Exemplary embodiments of a paddle with an opening In one embodiment, FIG. 1 illustrates a paddle 100 that may be used as a pickleball paddle. The paddle 100 includes a head 102, at which a ball is struck during play, and a handle 104 for holding the paddle 100 during play. The portion of the head 102 where the head 102 transitions to the handle 104 may be considered (for convenience here) as a transition portion 106 (i.e., neck). Nevertheless, the transition portion 106 is still considered to be part of the head 102. Additionally, the head may be defined by a first playing surface 108 oriented to face opposite a second playing surface 110 (not explicitly shown) that sandwiches a core therebetween. The first playing surface 108 and the second playing surface 110 may be separated by a predetermined distance, the spacing being maintained in part due to the density of the core, and are surrounded in their entirety by side edge supports 112. The core between the first playing surface 108 and the second playing surface 110 may be formed in a variety of ways, even between a single manufacturer of paddles, depending on the type or characteristics desired, however, neither the method of formation of the core nor the material of the core is relevant to this particular disclosure.

[0009] In one embodiment, the first playing surface 108 and the second playing surface 110 have an opening 114 (e.g., an opening, through-hole, hole, void, gap, space, etc.) that passes completely through both surfaces 108, 110. The perimeter of the opening 114 may be further coated, sealed, or otherwise covered with an inner cover 116. The inner cover 116 may provide structural support to reduce the risk of causing damage to the core of the paddle 100 during play.

[0010] As shown, the opening 114 is contained entirely within approximately the lower third portion 102a of the head 102 of the paddle 100. The term "approximately" as used with respect to defining the lower third portion 102a may include a range of the paddle surface area of ​​the head 102 extending from the handle 104 (through the transition portion 106) toward the top of the head 102, which range extends 5% greater than one-third (i.e., 33%) of the length of the head 102. Thus, in one embodiment, the opening 114 may extend into the transition portion 106 located in the lower third portion 102a of the head 102, and may not extend into the upper two-thirds portion 102b of the head 102.

[0011] In alternative embodiments not shown, it is contemplated that a single opening (either alone or as an additional opening in combination with the opening defined as opening 114) or a pair of symmetrically spaced openings may extend into the upper two-thirds portion 102b of the head 102. In such embodiments of symmetrically spaced openings, the openings may be confined within opposite, laterally spaced thirds of the paddle 100 (i.e., adjacent opposite sides of the paddle). It should be noted that the lateral direction is considered to extend transversely to the direction of extension between the lower third portion 106a and the upper third portion 106b.

[0012] In one embodiment, the opening 114 may be considered to be within the "throat" region of the paddle 100. In the example of a pickleball paddle, such paddles are known to be formed with the entirety of the head as the playable surface. However, in the present disclosure, the opening 114 is contained entirely within the frame of the head within the playing area of ​​the paddle 100 (i.e., within the first playing surface 108 and the second playing surface 110). That is, the opening 114 penetrates directly through the playing surfaces 108, 110 and the core material, creating a void. Thus, the remaining portion of the head 102 next to the opening that abuts the side edge 112 of the paddle 100 (i.e., the playing surfaces 108, 110 and the core material therebetween) still includes the core material and is not modified into a structurally reinforced frame element, such as the frame found in a conventional tennis racquet with an open throat. Additionally, unlike an unstrung tennis racquet that has a hole in the "neck" of the racquet, the paddle 100 has an opening 114 in the framed playing area, thus actually reducing the amount of surface area that a user may engage with the ball during play.

[0013] Despite the reduction in playable surface area on the head 102, unique improvements are found in the paddle 100. In one embodiment, the placement of the openings 114 as described above on the first playing surface 108 and the second playing surface 110 directly creates a different sweet spot and may provide additional benefits, some of which are described above. For example, the sweet spot may be moved further up the head 102 of the paddle 100, and / or in some instances, the size of the sweet spot may actually be reduced in size. However, it is contemplated that paddles having openings such as openings 114 may have an increased size of the sweet spot and / or the sweet spot may be moved lower on the head 102 of the paddle. The potential changes in the sweet spot on the paddle 100 may further depend on other characteristics such as the material and structure of the core, and / or the shape of the openings 114, and / or the orientation / size of the openings 114.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the opening 114 may be the only opening on the entire paddle. Moreover, the void area defining the opening 114 is of considerable size, for example, as compared to a ball for pickleball. That is, when playing with the paddle 100, the opening 114 is so large that if the ball hits the center or periphery of the opening 114, the user may have little control over the desired direction of the ball's return. Thus, the opening 114 may be the only opening on the paddle 100 (as shown) to avoid further reduction in playable area on the first playing surface 108 and the second playing surface 110. Nevertheless, in exchange for the reduction in quality playable surface area on the head 102, other advantages are included as described above.

[0015] In addition to the above defining characteristics, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the opening 114 has a perimeter that extends bilaterally across the central axis "A" of the paddle on both the first playing surface 108 and the second playing surface 110. In other words, compared to a simple perforation (e.g., as in a padel sports paddle), the opening 114 may extend bilaterally across a substantial amount of the lateral width of the head 102. In one embodiment, the amount of the width of the head 102 through which the opening 114 may extend ranges from 25% to 85%. Thus, in view of the above information that the vertical extent (i.e., height) of the opening 114 is limited to the lower third portion 102b (i.e., 33%) of the head 102, the size of the opening 114 is considered to be important.

[0016] In one embodiment, the significance of the overall size, including the vertical and lateral extent (i.e., width) of the opening 114 may be quantified as follows: For example, the average height (H) of the shape of the opening 114 may be about 2 inches (e.g., + / - 0.25 inches). In other embodiments, the average height (H) may range from 0.5 inches to 3 inches, 1 inch to 2.5 inches, or 1.5 inches to 2 inches. To the extent that the height (H) varies along the width (W) direction of the opening 114, the average height (H) may be determined as the average of the sum of the distances measured from the top to the bottom of the void within the opening 114 of the head 102.

[0017] Similarly, the average width (W) of the shape of the opening 114 may be about 4 inches (e.g., + / - 0.25 inches). In other embodiments, the average width (W) may range from 1.5 inches to 5 inches, 2 inches to 4.5 inches, 2.5 inches to 4 inches, or 3 inches to 3.5 inches. To the extent that the width (W) varies along the height (H) direction of the opening 114, the average width (W) may be determined as the average of the sum of the distances measured from lateral side to lateral side of the void within the opening 114 of the head 102.

[0018] Additionally, the shape of the opening 114 may differ from that shown in the figures, as the shapes shown are merely exemplary. Thus, while the shape of the opening 114 may be symmetrical about one or more axes along the paddle 100 (e.g., along A) as shown, and / or conform to a standard geometric shape (e.g., a triangle, a square, an ellipsis, etc.) (see Figures 4 and 5), the perimeter shape of the opening 114 may form a shape other than the traditional triangle, diamond, or circle found as openings in the playing surfaces of known racquets for sports such as tennis, padel, squash, etc. Such non-traditional shapes may include irregular shapes, including the "banana-like" shapes shown in Figures 1 and 2, logo shapes, asymmetric shapes, etc.

[0019] Figure 2 shows a top rear view of the embodiment of paddle 100 of Figure 1, thereby confirming that opening 114 extends through both first playing surface 108 and second playing surface 110. Figure 3 shows a side view of paddle 100 for reference.

[0020] 4 and 5, another embodiment of a paddle 400 is shown, with FIG. 4 showing a perspective view of paddle 400 and FIG. 5 showing a top front view of paddle 400. Paddle 400 has a playing surface 402 and an opening 404. The shape 406 of opening 404 differs from opening 114 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Thus, the opening of a paddle according to the present disclosure may vary depending on the desired characteristics and size by the manufacturer.

[0021] [Example of invention content] The A:A paddle comprises a pair of opposing playing surfaces, an opening extending through both of the opposing playing surfaces, the opening extending on either side across a central axis through the head of the paddle, and a handle attached to the head.

[0022] B: A paddle as described in paragraph A, wherein the opening is confined within the lower third of the head.

[0023] C: The paddle of any of paragraphs A-B, wherein the opening does not extend to an area including the top two-thirds of the paddle.

[0024] D: The paddle of any of paragraphs A-C, wherein the opening is sized to extend across the width of the head in a range of 25%-85% of the overall width dimension of the paddle.

[0025] E: The paddle of any of paragraphs A-D, wherein the opening has an average width ranging from 1.5 inches to 5 inches.

[0026] F: The paddle of any of paragraphs A-E, wherein the opening has an average height ranging from 0.5 inches to 3 inches.

[0027] G: The paddle according to any one of paragraphs A to F, wherein the opening is triangular in shape.

[0028] H: The paddle of any of paragraphs A-G, wherein the opening is shaped as a company logo.

[0029] I: The paddle comprises a head including a playing surface, an opening through the playing surface extending on either side across a central axis through the head of the paddle and confined within a lower third of the playing surface of the head, and a handle attached to the head.

[0030] J: The paddle of paragraph I, wherein the opening extends to the neck of the paddle.

[0031] K: The paddle of any of paragraphs I-J, wherein the opening causes the sweet spot of the paddle to move upward toward the top of the head.

[0032] L: The paddle according to any one of paragraphs I-K, wherein the opening of the paddle reduces air resistance of the head of the paddle.

[0033] M: A paddle as described in any of paragraphs I-L, wherein the average height of the opening is about 2 inches.

[0034] N: The paddle of any of paragraphs I-M, wherein the average width of the opening is about 4 inches.

[0035] O: A paddle as described in any of paragraphs I-N, wherein the playing surface of the top two-thirds of the head is continuous.

[0036] P: The paddle comprises a head including a playing surface, an opening through the playing surface extending on either side across a central axis through the head of the paddle, the opening having an average width ranging from 1.5 inches to 5 inches and an average height ranging from 0.5 inches to 3 inches, and a handle attached to the head.

[0037] Q: A paddle as described in paragraph P, wherein the peripheral shape of the opening is either triangular, diamond, or circular.

[0038] R: A paddle according to any of paragraphs P-Q, wherein the opening does not extend upwardly from the handle onto the head more than about 33%.

[0039] S: A paddle as described in any one of paragraphs P to R, wherein the opening expands to a width of 85% or less of the width of the head.

[0040] T: A paddle according to any one of paragraphs P to S, wherein the peripheral shape of the opening is non-triangular, non-diamond, and non-circular.

[0041] conclusion Although some embodiments have been described in language specific to structural features and / or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the claims are not necessarily limited to the particular features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as exemplary forms of implementing the claimed subject matter.

Claims

1. The paddle is A head, A pair of opposing playing surfaces; and an opening through both of the pair of opposing playing surfaces, the opening extending on either side of a central axis through the head of the paddle; The head, A handle attached to the head; Including a paddle.

2. The paddle of claim 1 , wherein the opening is confined within a lower third portion of the head.

3. The paddle of claim 1 , wherein the opening does not extend to an area that includes a top two-thirds portion of the paddle.

4. The paddle of claim 1 , wherein the opening is sized to extend across a width of the head in the range of 25% to 85% of the overall width dimension of the paddle.

5. The paddle of claim 1 , wherein the opening has an average width ranging from 1.5 inches to 5 inches.

6. The paddle of claim 1 , wherein the opening has an average height ranging from 0.5 inches to 3 inches.

7. The paddle of claim 1 , wherein the opening is triangular in shape.

8. The paddle of claim 1 , wherein the opening is shaped as a company logo.

9. The paddle is a head including a playing surface; an opening through a playing surface, the opening extending on either side of a central axis through the head of the paddle, the opening being confined within a lower third of the playing surface of the head; A handle attached to the head; Including a paddle.

10. The paddle of claim 9 , wherein the opening extends through a neck of the paddle.

11. 10. The paddle of claim 9, wherein the sweet spot of the paddle is displaced upwardly toward a top end of the head by the opening.

12. The paddle of claim 9 , wherein the opening in the paddle reduces air resistance on the head of the paddle.

13. 10. The paddle of claim 9, wherein the average height of the opening is about 2 inches.

14. 10. The paddle of claim 9, wherein the average width of the opening is about 4 inches.

15. 10. The paddle of claim 9, wherein the playing surface of the top two-thirds of the head is continuous.

16. The paddle is a head including a playing surface; an opening through the playing surface, the opening extending on either side of a central axis through the head of the paddle, the opening having an average width ranging from 1.5 inches to 5 inches and an average height ranging from 0.5 inches to 3 inches; A handle attached to the head; Including a paddle.

17. The paddle of claim 16 , wherein the shape of the perimeter of the opening is one of a triangle, a diamond, or a circle.

18. 17. The paddle of claim 16, wherein the opening does not extend onto the head up from the handle by about 33%.

19. 17. The paddle of claim 16, wherein the opening extends to no more than 85% of the lateral width of the head.

20. The paddle of claim 16 , wherein the perimeter of the opening is non-triangular, non-diamond, and non-circular in shape.

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