Padel racket with a double string network system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a padel racket that is strung on its two striking surfaces instead of being solid. Thus, the resulting racket has the following elements: A) a handgrip or gripping handle covered by a grip adapted in size to the player, in order to control muscle tension and allow smooth wrist movement; B) the heart or throat of the racket provided with a bridge and reinforcement, which acts as a connecting link between the handgrip and the head and does not present any distinctive features in the present invention; and C) two striking surfaces or faces which in the present invention are strung, so that both faces are configured by a double string network system, each of the faces being a network pattern or grid parallel to the opposite face.

Description

[0001] Padel racket with double rope net system

[0002] OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to a novel padel racket which, instead of being compact, has the particularity that it is strung on both hitting surfaces.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The usual padel rackets generally have an oval-shaped frame and a handle, so that said frame consists of a smooth peripheral area and two parallel hitting surfaces without strings called heads, which incorporate a set of holes located in the central areas of both surfaces.

[0006] They are manufactured using a material fusion process involving heating, starting with a mold impregnated with wax or a release agent. Depending on the type of racket and preferred playing feel, different cut and stamped materials are incorporated to fit the mold. These materials include fiberglass or carbon fibers with an EVA rubber core, which are then impregnated with epoxy resin to assemble the racket in a process called lamination. The racket frame is usually made from different types of tubular fibers of varying resistance, such as Kevlar (carbon or glass) or slate fiber, which serve to reduce vibrations, balancing the racket and preventing oscillations or "wobbles."

[0007] Therefore, the hitting surfaces of padel rackets are composed of one or more layers of composite fibers, in addition to an extra protective layer to reinforce the hitting surfaces. Generally, fiberglass sheets, carbon fiber, EVA foam, and various resins are used. These materials are pre-weighed and then fused together to achieve the desired weight for each racket. Once polished and smoothed, the racket is drilled using mechanized systems based on a pre-designed hole pattern. This drilling process makes the racket more maneuverable, with the hole pattern determining the air resistance they create. The racket's aerodynamic efficiency depends on the number of holes relative to the...

[0008] 2. The surface of the paddle, so the more or larger the holes a padel or tennis racket has, the less air resistance it will offer. As a general rule, a racket or paddle with more or larger holes will be easier to use than one with fewer.

[0009] Furthermore, the location and diameter of the holes also influence air resistance and maneuverability. The further out they are located, the greater the influence. Therefore, to achieve optimal air resistance, the most common practice is to place the holes several centimeters from the edge of the blade and make adjustments based on the physical characteristics and preferences of different user groups.

[0010] In the state of the art, different manufacturing systems for padel rackets are known in order to achieve optimal hitting power and improve their air resistance coefficients, make them lighter and more manageable, and minimize the risk of injury. However, rackets with a double rope net system are not known, and their advantages will be described in the present invention.

[0011] The most common manufacturing technique uses a frame and a handle, with the frame having a flat shape and two parallel striking surfaces. One of the disadvantages is that the racket's center of gravity is determined during manufacturing. The further the center of gravity is from the user's hand, the more powerful the shot can be, but the fewer opportunities for quick movements, making the racket less maneuverable. Conversely, if the center of gravity is closer to the wrist, it has a smaller moment of inertia and therefore a more flexible spin, but this comes at the cost of being less maneuverable when hitting the ball. Therefore, it is difficult to find a conventional padel racket that offers both good power and optimal maneuverability.

[0012] Invention Patent No. 200703496, Publication No. 2336738 (DUNLOP SLAZENGER GROUP LIMITED), a padel racket is described that features a lightweight design and a low drag coefficient to improve its flexibility during use. The racket comprises a flat frame with two parallel ball-striking surfaces and a periphery with at least one concave surface and at least one convex surface adjacent to the concave surface. The convex surface is provided with an air channel having at least two openings and a handle connected to the frame. The air channels may extend in a direction perpendicular to the ball-striking surfaces. The air channel may be cross-shaped, extending between four openings provided on the lateral surfaces of the convex surface.Alternatively, the air-guiding channel may be T-shaped, with the head of the T extending from opposite sides of the convexity, while the stem of the T extends radially outward from the frame. The entire air-guiding channel may lie in an imaginary plane. The convexity may have a top side and four sides. One of the air-guiding channel openings may be formed on the top side of the convexity. The air-guiding channel may be provided with three of these openings, with the other two openings formed on two of the sides of the convexity. The air-guiding channel may be provided with four openings formed on the four sides of the convexity.

[0013] The invention appears to solve most of the problems described, but it does not guarantee the suitability of the system to execute ball throws to greater distances with the least effort.

[0014] Documents FR 2 908051, AR 245985, WO 2009 / 125329, and US 4,379,554 describe padel rackets consisting of a head and handle. The head comprises a frame with two hitting surfaces that define an internal chamber, and layers of foam material laminated inside the chamber, with specific densities that limit vibrations. The racket's heel-shaped periphery also results in a smaller hitting area compared to the head surface.

[0015] Conventional tennis rackets are not suitable for padel because they are too large for this sport, which is faster and requires a shorter, more manageable hitting instrument that allows the player to be more agile when volleying and hitting shots.

[0016] For players transitioning from tennis to padel, adapting to compact, unstrung rackets can be difficult and requires a lengthy adjustment period. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The present invention relates to a padel racket that, unlike conventional or usual rackets, incorporates a double stringing system, so that the hitting surfaces of conventional rackets, generally composed of laminated and compacted layers of glass or carbon fibers and rubbers such as EVA rubber, are replaced by a double stringing system that presents the advantages that will be described.

[0018] Regarding the field of application, the invention has its field of application in the sector of the manufacture of sports materials and / or equipment.

[0019] The resulting shovel consists of the following elements and their advantages:

[0020] A) A grip or handle covered by a grip adapted in size to the player, in order to regulate muscle tension and allow fluid wrist movements and which does not present singular characteristics in the present invention.

[0021] B) The heart or neck of the blade provided with bridge and reinforcement: Which acts as a link between the handle and the head and which does not present singular characteristics in the present invention.

[0022] C) Two faces or striking surfaces which in the present invention have the characteristic of being corded, so that both are configured by a double cord net system, so that each of the faces is a grid or net map that is located parallel to the opposite one.

[0023] This part is responsible for striking the ball, and its performance depends largely on the materials and manufacturing processes used. In a double-cord net system, as detailed below, ball control is much more precise than on the solid surface of padel rackets, even those with a pattern of holes. This greater control in the double-cord system is evident in all types of shots, especially for players who are already experienced or new to tennis, resulting in greater control over shots, even at longer distances.

[0024] D) A frame or outline of the paddle head, rounded in shape and made of wood or other lightweight materials, which is the structural part of the paddle and provides it with reinforcement and stability, around whose outer perimeter the strings will be arranged.

[0025] As additional advantages to those described, the paddle with double rope net system offers the following:

[0026] It allows for better aerodynamics while requiring less arm effort, thus minimizing overloads (spondylosis, spondylitis, epicordylitis...)

[0027] It allows for a better coefficient of recovery of the tension of the paddle after the launch, unlike conventional paddles, in which the internal rubber or foam has to return to its initial position after each hit.

[0028] It offers greater control in the shots, transmitting less vibration to the muscle as the net faces are softer and more flexible.

[0029] It offers greater durability because the strings and frame are made up of independent elements, so each one shows its own wear, which prevents both elements from deforming simultaneously, allowing them to be replaced independently, so that a frame or structure in optimal condition does not have to be discarded as a result of the wear of the strings; it offers greater resistance to accidental collisions between the players' paddles.

[0030] Finally, among its many other uses, the padel racket designed in this way has a minimal impact on the environment by using natural materials such as wood and natural string.

[0031] DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0032] Figure 1 is a front view of the padel racket with a double rope net system.

[0033] Figure 2 is a front view of an external face of the padel racket frame with a double string net system.

[0034] Figure 3 is a front view of the opposite outer face of the padel racket frame with double string net system.

[0035] PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION In view of the described figures and in a preferred embodiment, the invention consists of a padel racket in which the fiberglass, carbon fiber, rubber materials such as EVA foam, and any others that are typically used to provide strength or density to the head of conventional rackets are eliminated and replaced by a double-string system that forms the hitting faces of the racket. This stringing is arranged in a double structure such that each of the two hitting faces of the racket is composed of tensioned strings, whose longitudinal and transverse stringings are arranged parallel to one face or the other.

[0036] In a traditional tennis racket, the stringing is done using a stringing machine that incorporates a string tensioner. The strings are passed through holes designed for this purpose around the racket frame and in its center. The frame itself is perforated along its perimeter so that the strings can slide symmetrically both vertically and horizontally before being tensioned and finally knotted with a system of two or four knots. This operation is performed first with the vertical strings and then with the horizontal strings.

[0037] The padel racket being recommended has double stringing, so each of the two hitting faces incorporates its own vertical and horizontal stringing, consisting of the following elements and method of execution:

[0038] A) Two stringed striking faces (1) and a rounded frame (2), generally made of wood, but which can be made of any other alternative material, said frame incorporating along its entire outer perimeter a series of narrow incisions or grooves (3), some of which are oblique. Incisions that serve as a guide and fixation for the stringing that is placed on each of the stringed striking faces (1), said narrow incisions or grooves (3) being distributed along the entire outer perimeter of the frame (2).On one of its outer edges, these incisions (3) are oblique in order to allow for the perfect insertion and symmetrical passage of the string, forming each of the stringed striking faces (1), from one incision to its opposite, so that these two stringed striking faces (1) form a uniform grid pattern. The string is arranged around the outside of the frame (2) by inserting it into one of the narrow incisions or grooves (3) described and then into its opposite, for subsequent tensioning and knotting, resulting in these two parallel grid-shaped stringed striking faces (1). B) At least two string knotting points.

[0039] C) A heart provided with a bridge and reinforcement (5)

[0040] C) A handle or grip covered by an adapted grip (6)

[0041] It is not considered necessary to lengthen this descriptive report further for a person skilled in the art to understand the scope of the invention and the advantages derived from its use. The sizes, shapes, mechanisms, and constituent materials of the invention may be varied to adapt them to the advantages that may arise from its specific application, provided that this does not affect the essential nature of the invention. The terms used in this report should be taken as illustrative, not limiting.

[0042] 8

Claims

CLAIMS 1.- Padel racket characterized in that it comprises: Two stringed hitting faces (1) and a rounded frame (2), said frame incorporating along its entire outer perimeter a series of narrow incisions or grooves (3) that serve as a guide and fixation of the stringing and which are distributed along the entire outer perimeter of the frame (2), being that on one of its outer edges, oblique incisions or grooves (4) are also provided, in order to proceed with the insertion and passage of the stringing from one incision or groove (3) to its opposite in a symmetrical manner, so that the two hitting faces (1) form a uniform grid map of net, so that the stringing is arranged around the outside of the frame by insertion in each of the grooves or incisions (3) and then in its opposite, for its subsequent tensioning and knotting; at least two stringing knotting points;a heart provided with a bridge and reinforcement (5) and a handle or grip covered by an adapted grip (6); 2.- Padel racket according to claim one characterized in that the two corded hitting surfaces (1) are parallel.

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