Racket

Abstract

To provide a racket, the balance of which can be finely adjusted by a weight part.SOLUTION: A racket 100 comprises a handle part 1, a body part 2 that is connected to the handle part, and a weight part 3 movable along a peripheral edge of the body part. The weight part is constituted to be continuously movable along the peripheral edge of the body part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a racket.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there has been a racket for hitting a ball. For example, US Application Publication No. 2023 / 249042 describes a racket used for a pickle ball. The racket described in this publication is configured to be adjustable in weight by adding or reducing weight components.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the racket described in the above publication, the attachment positions of the weight components are intermittently arranged on the peripheral edge of the main body of the racket. Therefore, since the attachment positions of the weight components are divided, it is difficult to finely adjust the balance of the racket by the weight components.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a racket capable of finely adjusting the balance of the racket by weight parts.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The racket of the present invention includes a handle portion, a main body portion to which the handle portion is connected, and a weight part movable along the peripheral edge of the main body portion. The weight part is configured to be continuously movable along the peripheral edge of the main body portion.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the racket of the present invention, it is possible to provide a racket capable of finely adjusting the balance of the racket by the weight parts.

[0008] The above and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Unless otherwise specified, the same or corresponding parts in the following drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0011] (Embodiment 1) With reference to FIGS. 1 to 7, the configuration of the racket 100 according to Embodiment 1 will be described. The racket according to Embodiment 1 is a pickleball racket (pickleball paddle).

[0012] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the racket 100 according to Embodiment 1 includes a handle part 1, a main body part 2, and a weight part 3. The handle part 1 is a part that the user grips. The handle part 1 extends in the longitudinal direction of the racket 100.

[0013] The main body part 2 is connected to the handle part 1. The handle part 1 and the main body part 2 are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the racket 100. The longitudinal direction of the racket 100 coincides with the length direction of the main body part 2. The short direction of the racket 100 coincides with the width direction of the main body part 2.

[0014] The main body part 2 is configured in a flat plate shape. The main body part 2 has a hitting surface S for hitting a ball. The front and back surfaces of the main body part 2 constitute the hitting surface S. The inside of the main body part 2 has, for example, a honeycomb structure or a foam. The material of the hitting surface S of the main body part 2 is, for example, carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP). The material inside the main body part 2 is, for example, polypropylene (PP).

[0015] The main body part 2 includes a pair of straight parts arranged at both ends in the width direction, a root part connected to the handle part 1, a pair of root-side inclined parts connecting each of the pair of straight parts and the root part, a ceiling part arranged on the side opposite to the root part, and a pair of tip-side inclined parts connecting the pair of straight parts and the ceiling part.

[0016] The weight part 3 is configured to be continuously movable along the peripheral edge of the main body part 2. The material of the weight part 3 is, for example, stainless steel (SUS304, SUS630), nickel-tungsten alloy (Ni-W), etc. The material of the weight part 3 may be metals or resins with different specific gravities. The weight part 3 may be arranged on one side of the main body part 2, or may be arranged on a plurality of sides. A plurality of weight parts 3 may be arranged on one side of the main body part 2. The weight part 3 may be one.

[0017] In the present embodiment, the racket 100 includes two weight parts 3. Each of the two weight parts 3 is arranged at both ends in the width direction of the main body part 2, respectively. Each of the two weight parts 3 is configured to be linearly movable along the peripheral edge of the main body part 2 at both ends in the width direction of the main body part 2.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, each of the two weight parts 3 is configured to be linearly movable along the tip side and the root side of the main body part 2 at both ends in the width direction of the main body part 2, respectively.

[0019] The main body part 2 includes a rail part 21. The rail part 21 is provided at the peripheral part of the main body part 2. The rail part 21 is configured to be able to continuously move by sliding the weight part 3. The material of the rail part 21 is, for example, resin. The resin is, for example, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), polycarbonate (PC), polypropylene (PP), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer synthetic resin (ABS), fiber reinforced plastic (FRP), etc.

[0020] In the present embodiment, the rail part 21 is provided along the side surface of the main body part 2. The rail part 21 is arranged at both ends in the width direction of the main body part 2. The rail part 21 linearly extends from the tip side to the root side of the main body part 2 at both ends in the width direction of the main body part 2. The rail part 21 is arranged on a pair of straight line parts of the main body part 2.

[0021] The weight part 3 is configured to be movable along the rail part 21. The weight part 3 is configured to slide along the rail part 21. In the present embodiment, the weight part 3 is configured to be movable by sliding linearly along the rail part 21 from the tip side to the root side of the main body part 2 at both ends in the width direction of the main body part 2.

[0022] The weight part 3 is configured to be fixable to the main body part 2 in a state of moving along the rail part 21. The weight part 3 is configured to be fixable to the main body part 2 in a state of moving to an arbitrary position along the rail part 21. In the present embodiment, the weight part 3 is configured to be fixable to the main body part 2 in a state of moving by sliding linearly along the rail part 21 from the tip side to the root side of the main body part 2 at both ends in the width direction of the main body part 2.

[0023] The main body portion 2 includes a sealing portion 22. The sealing portion 22 seals both ends of the rail portion 21 along the peripheral edge of the main body portion 2. Therefore, the weight parts 3 do not come off from both ends of the rail portion 21. In the present embodiment, after the weight parts 3 are attached to the rail portion 21, the rail portion 21 is adhered to the main body portion 2. Since the rail portion 21 is embedded in the main body of the main body portion 2, the weight parts 3 cannot be removed from the rail portion 21.

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the rail portion 21 includes a flange portion 21a, a claw portion 21b, and a wall portion 21c. The wall portion 21c is configured in a substantially U shape. The wall portion 21c includes a pair of side walls 21c1, a bottom portion 21c2, and an opening 21c3. In the present embodiment, the rail portion 21 includes a pair of flange portions 21a. Each of the pair of flange portions 21a is disposed between the bottom portion 21c2 and the opening 21c3. Each of the pair of flange portions 21a protrudes from each of the pair of side walls 21c1 in a direction facing each other. Each of the pair of flange portions 21a is disposed at an interval from each other. The pair of flange portions 21a are continuously provided over both ends of the rail portion 21. The weight parts 3 are disposed on the rail portion 21. The weight parts 3 are held by the flange portion 21a.

[0025] In the present embodiment, the rail portion 21 includes a pair of claw portions 21b. The pair of claw portions 21b are configured to sandwich the front and back surfaces of the main body portion 2. The pair of claw portions 21b are configured to engage with the front and back surfaces of the main body portion 2.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the weight part 3 includes an upper portion 31, a screw portion 32, and a bottom portion 33. The weight part 3 is configured to be fixed to the rail portion 21 by tightening the screw portion 32 with the pair of flange portions 21a sandwiched between the upper portion 31 and the bottom portion 33.

[0027] The upper part 31 includes an upper base 31a and a through hole 31b provided in the upper base 31a. The screw part 32 includes a head 32a and a shaft part 32b. The diameter of the head 32a is larger than the diameter of the shaft part 32b. The diameter of the head 32a is larger than the diameter of the through hole 31b. A thread is provided on the shaft part 32b. The bottom part 33 includes a bottom base 33a and a through hole 33b provided in the bottom base 33a. A thread groove that can be screwed with the thread on the shaft part 32b is provided in the through hole 33b.

[0028] The screw part 32 connects the upper part 31 and the bottom part 33. The upper part 31 and the bottom part 33 sandwich a pair of flange parts 21a. The screw part 32 is configured to change the distance between the upper part 31 and the bottom part 33. Specifically, when the screw part 32 is tightened, the distance between the upper part 31 and the bottom part 33 becomes narrower in the axial direction of the shaft part 32b of the screw part 32. Thereby, the upper part 31 and the bottom part 33 are fixed to the pair of flange parts 21a in a state where the upper part 31 and the bottom part 33 clamp the pair of flange parts 21a.

[0029] On the other hand, when the screw part 32 is loosened, the distance between the upper part 31 and the bottom part 33 becomes wider in the axial direction of the shaft part 32b of the screw part 32. Thereby, the upper part 31 and the bottom part 33 can move relative to the pair of flange parts 21a without clamping the pair of flange parts 21a. Then, the weight part 3 is moved along the pair of rail parts 21 to an arbitrary position, and when the screw part 32 is tightened again, the weight part 3 is fixed at that position. In this way, the weight part 3 can be adjusted to an arbitrary position relative to the rail part 21.

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the upper portion 31 includes a convex portion 31c. The convex portion 31c is provided at one end of the upper base portion 31a. The convex portion 31c protrudes toward the bottom portion 33. The bottom portion 33 includes a concave portion 33c. The concave portion 33c is provided at one end of the bottom portion 33. The concave portion 33c is recessed on the side opposite to the upper portion 31. The concave portion 33c is configured to receive the convex portion 31c. By engaging the convex portion 31c and the concave portion 33c, displacement of the positions of the upper portion 31 and the bottom portion 33 is suppressed.

[0031] Subsequently, a modified example of the racket 100 according to Embodiment 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 7, the rail portion 21 in the modified example of the racket 100 according to Embodiment 1 does not include a pair of claw portions 21b. Therefore, narrowing of the hitting surface S due to the pair of claw portions 21b of the rail portion 21 is suppressed. Accordingly, the hitting surface S can be widened.

[0032] Next, the operation and effects of the racket 100 according to Embodiment 1 will be described. According to the racket 100 according to Embodiment 1, the weight part 3 is configured to be continuously movable along the peripheral edge of the main body part 2. Therefore, by continuously moving the weight part 3 along the peripheral edge of the main body part 2, the weight part 3 can be moved to an arbitrary position. That is, the weight part 3 can be moved to a detailed position. Therefore, the balance of the racket 100 can be finely adjusted by the weight part 3.

[0033] Also, there may be one weight part 3. Thereby, the weight part 3 can be shifted to one side of the racket 100. For this reason, the performance when hitting a ball on the front and back surfaces of the main body part 2 can be changed.

[0034] Also, the material of the weight part 3 may be a metal or resin having different specific gravities. For this reason, the adjustable range of the balance can be changed.

[0035] Further, a plurality of weight parts 3 may be arranged on one side of the main body part 2. For this reason, the adjustable range of balance can be widened. Also, settings with the same balance and different moments of inertia can be realized. Conversely, settings with the same moment of inertia and different balances can be realized.

[0036] According to the racket 100 according to Embodiment 1, the weight part 3 is configured to be movable along the rail part 21. For this reason, the weight part 3 can be moved along the rail part 21. Therefore, by moving the weight part 3 along the rail part 21, the weight part 3 can be moved to an arbitrary position.

[0037] Also, the material of the rail part 21 may be fiber reinforced plastic (FRP). Thereby, the high strength of the rail part 21 can be achieved.

[0038] According to the racket 100 according to Embodiment 1, the weight part 3 is configured to be fixable to the main body part 2 in a state of moving along the rail part 21. For this reason, by fixing the weight part 3 to the main body part 2 in a state of moving along the rail part 21, the weight part 3 can be fixed at an arbitrary position. Therefore, even if the user swings the racket 100, the weight part 3 does not move.

[0039] According to the racket 100 according to Embodiment 1, the sealing part 22 seals both ends of the rail part 21 along the peripheral part of the main body part 2. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the weight part 3 from coming off from both ends of the rail part 21.

[0040] (Embodiment 2) The racket 100 according to Embodiment 2 has the same structure and effects as the racket 100 according to Embodiment 1 unless otherwise specified.

[0041] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the configuration of the racket 100 according to Embodiment 2 will be described. In the racket 100 according to Embodiment 2, the rail portion 21 is disposed on all of the peripheral edges of the main body portion 2. Therefore, the weight part 3 is configured to be movable to all positions on the peripheral edge of the main body portion 2 along the rail portion 21. In the present embodiment, both ends of the rail portion 21 are not sealed. That is, both ends of the rail portion 21 are open.

[0042] Next, the operation and effect of the racket 100 according to Embodiment 2 will be described. According to the racket 100 according to Embodiment 2, the weight part 3 is configured to be movable to all parts of the peripheral edge of the main body portion 2 along the rail portion 21. Therefore, the weight part 3 can be moved to all positions on the peripheral edge of the main body portion 2 along the rail portion 21. Accordingly, the weight part 3 can be moved to an arbitrary position at all parts of the peripheral edge of the main body portion 2.

[0043] In addition, since both ends of the rail portion 21 are not sealed, the weight part 3 can be removed from both ends of the rail portion 21. Therefore, the weight of the weight part 3 can be changed by adding, reducing or replacing the weight part 3 from both ends of the rail portion 21.

[0044] (Embodiment 3) The racket 100 according to Embodiment 3 has the same structure and operation and effect as the racket 100 according to Embodiment 2 unless otherwise specified.

[0045] Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, the configuration of the racket 100 according to Embodiment 3 will be described. In the racket 100 according to Embodiment 3, sealing portions 22 are disposed at both ends of the rail portion 21 disposed on all of the peripheral edges of the main body portion 2. The sealing portions 22 seal both ends of the rail portion 21 at the root side end of the main body portion 2.

[0046] Next, the operation and effect of the racket 100 according to Embodiment 3 will be described. According to the racket 100 according to Embodiment 3, the sealing portion 22 seals both ends of the rail portion 21 disposed at all of the peripheral portions of the main body portion 2. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the weight parts 3 from coming off from both ends of the rail portion 21.

[0047] (Embodiment 4) The racket 100 according to Embodiment 4 has the same structure and effects as the racket 100 according to Embodiment 1 unless otherwise specified.

[0048] With reference to FIGS. 12 and 13, the configuration of the racket 100 according to Embodiment 4 will be described. In the racket 100 according to Embodiment 4, the rail portion 21 is disposed at each of a pair of tip-side inclined portions and a pair of base-side inclined portions of the main body portion 2. In the present embodiment, the racket 100 includes four weight parts 3. The weight parts 3 are configured to be movable along the rail portion 21 at each of a pair of tip-side inclined portions and a pair of base-side inclined portions of the main body portion 2.

[0049] Next, the effects of the racket 100 according to Embodiment 4 will be described. According to the racket 100 according to Embodiment 4, the weight parts 3 are each configured to be movable along the rail parts 21 at each of the pair of tip-side inclined parts and the pair of base-side inclined parts of the main body part 2. For this reason, the weight parts 3 can be moved along the rail parts 21 at each of the pair of tip-side inclined parts and the pair of base-side inclined parts of the main body part 2, respectively. Therefore, the balance of the racket 100 can be finely adjusted in the width direction and the length direction of the main body part 2 at the tip side and the base side of the main body part 2 by the weight parts 3. Thus, in addition to the moment of inertia around the short axis of the racket 100, the moment of inertia around the long axis of the racket 100 can also be changed. The short axis of the racket 100 is an axis that extends in the width direction of the main body part 2, is located at the center-of-gravity position in the length direction of the main body part 2, and is located at the center in the thickness direction of the main body part 2. The long axis of the racket 100 is an axis that extends in the length direction of the main body part 2, is located at the center in the width direction of the main body part 2, and is located at the center in the thickness direction of the main body part 2.

[0050] (Embodiment 5) The racket 100 according to Embodiment 5 has the same structure and effects as the racket 100 according to Embodiment 1 unless otherwise specified.

[0051] With reference to FIGS. 14 and 15, the configuration of the racket 100 according to Embodiment 5 will be described. In the racket 100 according to Embodiment 5, the rail parts 21 are each arranged at each of the pair of base-side inclined parts of the main body part 2. In the present embodiment, the racket 100 includes two weight parts 3. The weight parts 3 are each configured to be movable along the rail parts 21 at each of the pair of base-side inclined parts of the main body part 2.

[0052] Next, the effects of the racket 100 according to Embodiment 5 will be described. According to the racket 100 according to Embodiment 5, the weight part 3 is configured to be movable along the rail part 21 at each of the pair of base side inclined parts of the main body part 2. For this reason, the weight part 3 can be moved along the rail part 21 at each of the pair of base side inclined parts of the main body part 2. Therefore, the balance of the racket 100 can be finely adjusted in the width direction and the length direction of the main body part 2 on the base side of the main body part 2 by the weight part 3. Thus, in addition to the moment of inertia around the short axis of the racket 100, the moment of inertia around the long axis of the racket 100 can also be changed.

[0053] (Embodiment 6) The racket 100 according to Embodiment 6 has the same structure and effects as the racket 100 according to Embodiment 1 unless otherwise specified.

[0054] Referring to FIG. 16, the configuration of the racket 100 according to Embodiment 6 will be described. In the racket 100 according to Embodiment 6, the rail part 21 is inclined in the thickness direction of the main body part 2. The thickness direction of the main body part 2 is the direction in which the front surface and the back surface of the main body part 2 face each other. The weight part 3 is configured to be movable along the rail part 21 to the tip side and the base side of the main body part 2, and is configured to be linearly movable in the thickness direction of the main body part 2.

[0055] Next, the effects of the racket 100 according to Embodiment 6 will be described. According to the racket 100 according to Embodiment 6, the weight part 3 is configured to be movable to the tip side and the root side of the main body part 2, and is configured to be linearly movable in the thickness direction of the main body part 2. For this reason, the weight part 3 can be moved to the tip side and the root side of the main body part 2, and can be linearly moved in the thickness direction of the main body part 2. Therefore, the balance of the racket 100 can be finely adjusted in the length direction and the thickness direction of the main body part 2 by the weight part 3. Therefore, in addition to the moment of inertia around the short axis of the racket 100, the moment of inertia around the long axis of the racket 100 can also be changed. Also, the performance when hitting the ball on the front and back surfaces of the main body part 2 can be changed.

[0056] (Embodiment 7) Unless otherwise specified, the racket 100 according to Embodiment 7 has the same structure and effects as the racket 100 according to Embodiment 1.

[0057] Referring to FIG. 17, the configuration of the racket 100 according to Embodiment 7 will be described. In the racket 100 according to Embodiment 7, the rail part 21 is curved in the thickness direction of the main body part 2. In the present embodiment, the rail part 21 is curved so as to protrude to the surface side. The weight part 3 is configured to be movable to the tip side and the root side of the main body part 2 along the rail part 21, and is configured to be curvilinearly movable in the thickness direction of the main body part 2.

[0058] Next, the effects of the racket 100 according to Embodiment 7 will be described. According to the racket 100 according to Embodiment 7, the weight part 3 is configured to be movable to the tip side and the base side of the main body part 2, and is configured to be curvilinearly movable in the thickness direction of the main body part 2. Therefore, the weight part 3 can be moved to the tip side and the base side of the main body part 2, and can be curvilinearly moved in the thickness direction of the main body part 2. Therefore, the balance of the racket can be finely adjusted in the length direction and the thickness direction of the main body part 2 by the weight part 3. Thus, in addition to the moment of inertia around the short axis of the racket 100, the moment of inertia around the long axis of the racket 100 can also be changed. Further, the performance when hitting the ball on the front and back surfaces of the main body part 2 can be changed.

[0059] (Embodiment 8) The racket 100 according to Embodiment 8 has the same structure and effects as the racket 100 according to Embodiment 1 unless otherwise specified.

[0060] Referring to FIG. 18, the configuration of the racket 100 according to Embodiment 8 will be described. In the racket 100 according to Embodiment 8, the flange portion 21a of the rail portion 21 of the main body portion 2 is disposed at the tips of the pair of side walls 21c1. The weight part 3 includes an upper part 31 and a screw part 32. The tip of the shaft portion 32b of the screw part 32 is in contact with the bottom portion 21c2 of the wall portion 21c of the rail portion 21.

[0061] When the screw part 32 is tightened, the weight part 3 moves toward the pair of flange parts 21a and is pressed against the flange parts 21a. Thereby, the upper part 31 is fixed to the pair of flange parts 21a. On the other hand, when the screw part 32 is loosened, the weight part 3 moves toward the bottom portion 21c2 and separates from the pair of flange parts 21a. Thereby, the upper part 31 becomes movable with respect to the pair of flange parts 21a. Then, the weight part 3 is moved along the rail part 21 to an arbitrary position, and when the screw part 32 is tightened again, the weight part 3 is fixed at that position. In this way, the weight part 3 can be adjusted to an arbitrary position with respect to the rail part 21.

[0062] Next, the effects of the racket 100 according to Embodiment 8 will be described. According to the racket 100 according to Embodiment 8, since the flange portion 21a of the rail portion 21 is not sandwiched by the weight parts 3, the flange portion 21a is less likely to break. Therefore, the durability of the rail portion 21 can be improved.

[0063] Although the present invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it is obvious that this is for illustrative and exemplary purposes only and should not be construed as limiting, and the scope of the present invention is construed by the terms of the claims.

Claims

1. A handle portion, a main body portion connected to the handle portion; a weight part movable along a periphery of the main body, The weight parts are configured to be continuously movable along the peripheral portion of the main body.

2. The main body portion includes a rail portion provided on the peripheral edge portion, 2. The racket according to claim 1, wherein the weight parts are configured to be movable along the rail portion.

3. 3. The racket according to claim 2, wherein the weight parts are configured to be movable along the rail portions and fixed to the main body portion.

4. The body portion includes a sealing portion, The racquet of claim 3 , wherein the seal seals both ends of the rail along the periphery of the body.

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