Artificial feathers made of composite material for shuttlecocks

Abstract

We provide artificial shuttlecock feathers made from composite materials that offer the advantages of rapid manufacturing, a robust structure, and reduced consumption of natural resources. [Solution] The present invention provides a composite material artificial feather for shuttlecocks, the structure comprising a main shaft manufactured from a first plastic injection molded material and a feather valve manufactured from a second plastic injection molded material, wherein the density of the first plastic injection molded material is greater than that of the second plastic injection molded material, the feather valve covers the outside of the main shaft and has a plurality of grooves on its front surface and a flat surface on its back surface, the composite material artificial feather for shuttlecocks of the present invention is manufactured by overmolding or embedded injection molding technology, the main shaft manufactured from the first plastic injection molded material can provide sufficient structural strength, and the feather valve manufactured from the second plastic injection molded material can reduce the weight of the artificial feather.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the structure of a shuttlecock, and particularly to a composite material artificial feather for a shuttlecock.

Background Art

[0002] The structure of a shuttlecock is basically divided into two parts: "cork" and "feathers". The cork has a hemispherical cylinder at its tip, which is the contact part between the shuttlecock and the gut surface of a badminton racket. The gut surface is a mesh surface formed by arranging special lines vertically and horizontally intersecting each other. The feathers are evenly inserted at the tail end of the cork and are aligned with a substantially conical structure. As a general specification of a conventional shuttlecock, 16 feathers are used.

[0003] Classified according to the manufacturing materials of the shuttlecock, basically, it can be divided into two types: natural materials and artificial materials. Since the selling price of a shuttlecock made of natural materials is higher than that of a shuttlecock made of artificial materials, a shuttlecock made of natural feathers is generally used in competitions, and a shuttlecock made of artificial materials can also be used as a ball for beginners' practice.

[0004] Generally, goose feathers or duck feathers are used as natural feathers. Since the collection, sorting, and processing of natural feathers are difficult, the cost is high. It is necessary to maintain the flight stability of the shuttlecock in a competition. If there is even a slight damage to the feathers of the shuttlecock, it will affect the flight trajectory, and the ball must be replaced with a new one. In the process of high-intensity competitions, the consumption of shuttlecocks remains high.

[0005] In the registered Taiwanese patent (registration number: TWI713740) for "artificial feathers for shuttlecocks and shuttlecocks," the feather portion of the artificial feathers can be made of, for example, nonwoven fabric or resin. When using nonwoven fabric, a reinforcing coating is formed on the surface to prevent the fibers of the nonwoven fabric from unraveling when the shuttlecock is struck. The reinforcing coating can be formed by applying resin.

[0006] The registered (registration number: TWI636815) Taiwanese patent "Shuttlecock and Feathered Rod" describes a shuttlecock comprising a plurality of feathers, a cork, and a plurality of feathered rods, each comprising a rod body having a feather end and a cork end, the rod body being manufactured from a plastic material, and one of the plurality of feathers being joined to the feather end. The rod body comprises a hollow tube having an upper top surface and a lower top surface, a housing passage located within the hollow tube, a pair of flap-like side wings connected to opposite sides of the hollow tube, each with a feather stably joined to them, and a foamed material filling the housing passage. By filling the inside of the rod body with foamed material, the feathered rod mimics the porous structure of natural feathers, resulting in a lightweight, low-density, impact-resistant, and tough rod. [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] The technical problem that this invention solves is to provide artificial shuttlecock feathers made of composite materials that have the advantages of being quick to manufacture, having a robust structure, and reducing the consumption of natural resources. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To solve the above technical problems, a preferred embodiment of the composite material artificial feather for shuttlecock of the present invention includes a main shaft and a feather valve, the main shaft includes a feather shaft and a feather stem which are connected as a single unit so as to be coaxial, the main shaft is manufactured from a first plastic injection molded material, the feather valve is manufactured from a second plastic injection molded material, the density of the first plastic injection molded material is greater than the density of the second plastic injection molded material, the feather valve covers the outside of the feather shaft, its front surface has a plurality of groove patterns, its back surface is a flat surface, the groove patterns extend from the axis of the main shaft away from the main shaft.

[0009] Preferably, the first plastic injection molding material is a mixture containing a plastic injection molding material and RF lignocellulose.

[0010] Preferably, the first plastic injection molding material is selected from the group consisting of polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), a mixture of polypropylene (PP) and RF lignocellulose, and a mixture of nylon and RF lignocellulose.

[0011] Preferably, in the mixture of polypropylene (PP) and RF lignocellulose, and the mixture of nylon (Nylon) and RF lignocellulose, the weight percentage of RF lignocellulose relative to the mixture is 30 to 40 wt%.

[0012] Preferably, the second plastic injection molding material is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene (PE), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), foamed polyethylene (EPE), and polyurethane (PU).

[0013] Preferably, the fin valve is manufactured using a second plastic injection molding material by micro-injection foam molding (MuCell) technology.

[0014] Preferably, the cross-sectional shape of the main shaft is I-shaped.

[0015] Preferably, the width of the main shaft narrows along the direction extending from the peduncle to the shank, and the thickness of the main shaft thins along the direction extending from the peduncle to the shank.

[0016] Preferably, both ends of the main shaft in the axial direction are formed in a curved arc shape so as to bend slightly toward the back surface, and the axial direction of the main shaft is curved in an arc shape so as to be slightly bent.

[0017] Preferably, the feather valve includes a first feather valve and a second feather valve, which are positioned on the left and right sides of the feather shaft, respectively.

[0018] Preferably, the thickness of the first and second feathers is thinner in the direction away from the feather shaft than the thickness of the feather shaft.

[0019] Preferably, the feather shaft has multiple transverse notches, which are uniformly distributed at different positions along the axial direction of the feather shaft, so that the feather vanes cover the feather shaft and completely cover these transverse notches. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] The advantages and effects of the present invention are as follows: The composite material artificial feathers for shuttlecocks of the present invention are manufactured by over-molding or insert molding technology; the main shaft manufactured from the first plastic injection-molded material can provide sufficient structural strength; and the feather valve manufactured from the second plastic injection-molded material can reduce the weight of the artificial feathers.

[0021] Specific embodiments of the present invention, their technical features, and effects will be described below with reference to the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0022] [Figure 1] This is a structural diagram of a preferred embodiment of the artificial shuttlecock feather made of composite material according to the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a front view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] It is a rear view of the embodiment of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] It is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1. [Figure 5A] It is a cross-sectional structure at the position A-A of the main shaft of FIG. 2. [Figure 5B] It is a cross-sectional structure at the position B-B of the main shaft of FIG. 2. [Figure 5C] It is a cross-sectional structure at the position C-C of the main shaft of FIG. 2. [Figure 5D] It is a cross-sectional structure at the position D-D of the main shaft of FIG. 2. [Figure 5E] It is a cross-sectional structure at the position E-E of the main shaft of FIG. 2. [Figure 6] It is a cross-sectional structure at the position F-F of the main shaft of FIG. 2, showing the structure of another preferred embodiment of the shaft.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0023] In the embodiments disclosed in the patent specification and drawings of the present invention, the directions (for example, up, down, left, right, front and back) mentioned are based on the content of the drawings and are used to explain the relative relationships (for example, positional relationships, connection relationships and operational relationships) between each unit or structure in the embodiments. In principle, when the units or structures mentioned in the specification of the present invention are aligned with the positions in the drawings, the above directions are appropriate. When the positions of the units or structures mentioned in the specification of the present invention change, the above directions should also be changed accordingly.

[0024] First, referring to Figures 1 to 4, these are structural diagrams, front views, side views, and rear views, respectively, of a preferred embodiment of the composite material artificial blade for shuttlecocks of the present invention. The structure of a preferred embodiment of the composite material artificial blade for shuttlecocks of the present invention includes a main shaft 10 and a blade valve 30 (including a first blade valve 301 and a second blade valve 302), the main shaft 10 being manufactured from a first plastic injection molded material, and the blade valve 30 being manufactured from a second plastic injection molded material, the density of the first plastic injection molded material being greater than the density of the second plastic injection molded material. The blade valve 30 covers the outside of the main shaft 10, its front surface 31 has a plurality of groove patterns 311, and its back surface 32 is a flat surface, the groove patterns 311 extending in a direction away from the main shaft 10 starting from the axis of the main shaft 10.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first plastic injection molding material is a mixture comprising a plastic injection molding material and a reinforcing material (e.g., RF lignocellulose), and preferably, the first plastic injection molding material is selected from the group consisting of polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), a mixture of polypropylene (PP) and RF lignocellulose, and a mixture of nylon and RF lignocellulose. In the preferred embodiment, in the mixture of polypropylene (PP) and RF lignocellulose, and the mixture of nylon and RF lignocellulose, the weight percentage of RF lignocellulose relative to the mixture is 30 to 40 wt%.

[0026] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second plastic injection molding material is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene (PE), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), expanded polyethylene (EPE), and polyurethane (PU).

[0027] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the composite material artificial feathers for shuttlecocks of the present invention are manufactured by over-molding technology, also known as two-shot molding or multiple material molding, which involves bonding two different plastic materials during the injection molding process to produce a single component or product. In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the composite material artificial feathers for shuttlecocks of the present invention may be manufactured by insert molding technology.

[0028] For example, first, a main shaft 10 is manufactured using a first plastic injection molding material, the main shaft 10 is moved into another mold, and a second plastic injection molding material is injected to complete the molding of the vane valve 30. At the same time, the main shaft 10 is covered with the vane valve 30, and an artificial blade made of composite material for a shuttlecock according to the present invention is manufactured.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fin valve 30 is manufactured from a second plastic injection molding material using micro-injection foam molding (MuCell) technology, and its elasticity, density, and weight are adjusted by controlling the density of microbubbles, thereby providing the toughness and elasticity required for fins used in a shuttlecock, while also meeting the weight requirements of the shuttlecock.

[0030] The composite material artificial fins for shuttlecocks of the present invention are manufactured using overmolding and embedded injection molding techniques. The main shaft, manufactured from a first plastic injection-molded material, can provide sufficient structural strength, and the fin valve, manufactured from a second plastic injection-molded material, can reduce the weight of the artificial fins.

[0031] Referring to Figures 5A to 5E, the cross-sectional structure of a preferred embodiment of the main shaft 10 is shown. The structure of the main shaft 10 includes a feather shaft 11 and a feather peduncle 12 that are connected as a single unit, coaxially. In the preferred embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the main shaft 10 is I-shaped, which can provide suitable structural strength. In the preferred embodiment, the width W1 of the main shaft 10 narrows along the direction extending from the feather peduncle 12 to the feather shaft 11, and the thickness T1 of the main shaft 10 thins along the direction extending from the feather peduncle 12 to the feather shaft 11. In the preferred embodiment, both axial ends of the main shaft 10 are formed in a curved arc shape, slightly curving in the direction of the back surface 32. In the preferred embodiment, when viewed from the viewing angle of the front and rear views of the composite material artificial feather for shuttlecock of the present invention, the axial direction of the main shaft 10 is slightly curved, exhibiting an arc shape.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment of the vane valve structure 30, a first vane valve 301 and a second vane valve 302 are located on the left and right sides of the vane shaft 11, respectively. The structures of the first vane valve 301 and the second vane valve 302 are symmetrical to each other, and generally, the projected shapes of the first vane valve 301 and the second vane valve 302 in the same plane are asymmetrical. In the preferred embodiment, the thickness T2 of the first vane valve 301 and the second vane valve 302 is thinner from the vane shaft 11 in the direction away from the vane shaft 11 (see Figure 5D).

[0033] Referring to Figure 6, a preferred embodiment of the structure of the blade shaft 11 is shown, where the blade shaft 11 has a plurality of lateral notches 20, which are uniformly distributed at different axial positions on the blade shaft 11, and the vane 30 crosses the blade shaft 11, covering the blade shaft 11 of the main shaft 10 and completely covering the lateral notches 20. Thus, the first vane 301 and the second vane 302 can be better and more securely coupled to the blade shaft 11 of the main shaft 10.

[0034] Although the present invention has been disclosed above by the embodiments described above, the invention is not limited, and those skilled in the art may make several modifications and alterations without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of patent protection of the present invention should be based on the appended claims herein. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0035] 10...Spindle 11 ... rachis 12 ···Feather pattern 20...Cross-cut 30 ··· Feather valve 301 ···First Feather Bento 302 ···2nd feather valve 31...Front 311 ···Groove pattern 32...Back side T1 ··Thickness T2...thickness W1...width

Claims

1. Artificial shuttlecock blade made of composite material, comprising a main shaft and a valve, wherein the main shaft comprises a quill and a peduncle that are coaxially connected as a single unit, the main shaft being manufactured from a first plastic injection molded material, the valve being manufactured from a second plastic injection molded material, the density of the first plastic injection molded material being greater than the density of the second plastic injection molded material, the valve covering the outside of the quill, having a plurality of grooves on its front surface and a flat surface on its back surface, the grooves extending from the axis of the main shaft in a direction away from the main shaft.

2. The artificial feather made of composite material for a shuttlecock according to claim 1, wherein the first plastic injection molding material is a mixture containing a plastic injection molding material and RF lignocellulose.

3. The first plastic injection molding material is selected from the group consisting of polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), a mixture of polypropylene (PP) and RF lignocellulose, and a mixture of nylon and RF lignocellulose, for the composite material artificial feather for a shuttlecock according to claim 1.

4. An artificial shuttlecock made of composite material according to claim 3, wherein the mixture is of polypropylene (PP) and RF lignocellulose, and the mixture is of nylon (Nylon) and RF lignocellulose, and the weight percentage of RF lignocellulose relative to the mixture is 30 to 40 wt%.

5. The artificial feather for a shuttlecock made of composite material according to claim 1, wherein the second plastic injection molding material is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene (PE), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), expanded polyethylene (EPE), and polyurethane (PU).

6. The artificial feather for a shuttlecock made of composite material according to claim 5, wherein the feather valve is manufactured using the second plastic injection molding material by micro-injection foam molding (MuCell) technology.

7. The artificial blade made of composite material for a shuttlecock according to claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the main shaft is I-shaped.

8. The artificial shuttlecock feather made of composite material according to claim 1, wherein the width of the main shaft narrows along the direction extending from the feather stalk to the feather shaft, and the thickness of the main shaft thins along the direction extending from the feather stalk to the feather shaft.

9. The artificial shuttlecock blade made of composite material according to claim 1, wherein both ends of the main shaft in the axial direction are formed in a curved arc shape so as to be slightly curved toward the back surface, and the axial direction of the main shaft is curved in an arc shape so as to be slightly bent.

10. The feather valve is an artificial feather made of composite material for a shuttlecock according to claim 1, comprising a first feather valve and a second feather valve, which are positioned on the left and right sides of the feather shaft, respectively.

11. The composite material artificial feather for a shuttlecock according to claim 10, wherein the thickness of the first and second feather valves is thinner in the direction away from the feather shaft.

12. The artificial feather made of composite material for a shuttlecock according to claim 10, wherein the feather shaft has a plurality of transverse notches, which are uniformly distributed at different positions in the axial direction of the feather shaft, and the feather vanes cross the feather shaft, covering the feather shaft and completely covering these transverse notches.

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