U.S. patent application number 17/006920 was filed with the patent office on 2020-12-24 for pickleball paddle.
The applicant listed for this patent is Feng-Yu Lee. Invention is credited to Feng-Yu Lee.
Application Number | 20200398130 17/006920 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005064630 |
Filed Date | 2020-12-24 |
![](/patent/app/20200398130/US20200398130A1-20201224-D00000.png)
![](/patent/app/20200398130/US20200398130A1-20201224-D00001.png)
![](/patent/app/20200398130/US20200398130A1-20201224-D00002.png)
![](/patent/app/20200398130/US20200398130A1-20201224-D00003.png)
![](/patent/app/20200398130/US20200398130A1-20201224-D00004.png)
![](/patent/app/20200398130/US20200398130A1-20201224-D00005.png)
![](/patent/app/20200398130/US20200398130A1-20201224-D00006.png)
United States Patent
Application |
20200398130 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lee; Feng-Yu |
December 24, 2020 |
PICKLEBALL PADDLE
Abstract
A pickleball paddle includes a paddle body and a handle
connected to the paddle body. The paddle body has at least one
hollow cylindrical space therein. An angle is formed between an
axis of the hollow cylindrical space and front and back face plates
of the paddle body. The hollow cylindrical space has an axial
length and a radial length. The axial length is greater than the
radial length. At least one rolling member that can roll back and
forth along an axial direction of the hollow cylindrical space is
disposed in the hollow cylindrical space. The pickleball paddle can
enhance an explosive force for hitting a ball and absorb
vibrations.
Inventors: |
Lee; Feng-Yu; (Taichung
City, TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Lee; Feng-Yu |
Taichung City |
|
TW |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005064630 |
Appl. No.: |
17/006920 |
Filed: |
August 31, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
16412421 |
May 15, 2019 |
|
|
|
17006920 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 59/42 20151001;
A63B 60/54 20151001 |
International
Class: |
A63B 60/54 20060101
A63B060/54; A63B 59/42 20060101 A63B059/42 |
Claims
1. A pickleball paddle, comprising a paddle body and a handle
connected to the paddle body; the paddle body having at least one
hollow cylindrical space therein, an angle being formed between an
axis of the hollow cylindrical space and front and back face plates
of the paddle body, the hollow cylindrical space having an axial
length and a radial length, the axial length being greater than the
radial length, at least one rolling member that can roll back and
forth along an axial direction of the hollow cylindrical space
being disposed in the hollow cylindrical space.
2. The pickleball paddle as claimed in claim 1, wherein a right
angle is formed between the axis of the hollow cylindrical space
and the front and back face plates of the paddle body.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a continuation-in-part application of co-pending
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/412,421, "PICKLEBALL PADDLE",
filed on May 15, 2019.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a pickleball paddle, and
more particularly to a pickleball paddle which can enhance an
explosive force for hitting a ball and absorb vibrations.
2. Description of the Prior Art
[0003] Pickleball is a paddle sport (similar to a racquet sport)
that combines elements of badminton, tennis, and table tennis. The
game started during the summer of 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Wash.
The pickleball court is similar to a doubles badminton court. Two
or four players use solid paddles made of wood or composite
materials to hit a perforated polymer ball, similar to a Wiffle
Ball, over a net. A pickleball paddle is shaped like a larger table
tennis racket, originally made from wood. In these days, the
pickleball paddle may be made from glass fiber, composite materials
and graphite fiber.
[0004] The sport shares features of other racquet sports, the
dimensions and layout of a badminton court, and a net and rules
somewhat similar to tennis, with several modifications. Only the
serving side may score a point (similar to badminton). The ball is
served with an underhand stroke so that contact with the ball is
made below waist level (waist is defined as the navel level) in an
upward arc. A player may enter the non-volley zone to play a ball
that bounces and may stay there to play balls that bounce. The
design of pickleball is to enable the players to be active.
Pickleball is a patient competitive sport, not depending on
strength or brute force. The player must exit the non-volley zone
(the first seven feet from the net) before playing a volley, which
is beneficial to reduce an excessive smash in front of the net.
[0005] In the United States, pickleball has become a regular sport
in physical education classes of junior high schools, and has
become popular among young people and the elderly. In New York,
more than 500 schools have set pickleball as a course. There are
many pickleball competitions in the United States every year. The
United States has the International Federation of Pickleball.
[0006] A conventional pickleball paddle on the market includes a
paddle body and a handle connected to the paddle body. In order to
make the paddle body have a better shock-absorption effect, the
paddle body has an accommodating space. Composite filler is
disposed in the accommodating space. The composite filler is
usually made of EVA foam. Although it provides a better
shock-absorption effect after the composite filler is used, the
explosive force for hitting a ball is greatly weakened. Besides,
the overall mass of the paddle is increased, which affects the
user's experience.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The primary object of the present invention is to provide a
pickleball paddle which can enhance an explosive force for hitting
a ball and absorb vibrations.
[0008] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention
adopts the following technical solutions:
[0009] A pickleball paddle comprises a paddle body and a handle
connected to the paddle body. The paddle body has at least one
hollow cylindrical space therein. An angle is formed between an
axis of the hollow cylindrical space and front and back face plates
of the paddle body. The hollow cylindrical space is arranged
obliquely relative to the front and back face plates of the paddle
body. The hollow cylindrical space has an axial length and a radial
length. The axial length is greater than the radial length. At
least one rolling member that can roll back and forth along an
axial direction of the hollow cylindrical space is disposed in the
hollow cylindrical space. The longer axial distance provides the
rolling stroke of the rolling member.
[0010] In another embodiment, a right angle is formed between the
axis of the hollow cylindrical space and the front and back face
plates of the paddle body. The hollow cylindrical space has an
axial length and a radial length. The axial length is greater than
the radial length. At least one rolling member that can roll back
and forth along an axial direction of the hollow cylindrical space
is disposed in the hollow cylindrical space. The longer axial
distance provides the rolling stroke of the rolling member.
[0011] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has
obvious advantages and beneficial effects. Specifically, it can be
known from the above technical solutions:
[0012] At least one hollow cylindrical space is provided in the
paddle body. A rolling member that can roll back and forth is
placed in the hollow cylindrical space. When the user instantly
swings the paddle body to hit a ball, the rolling member in the
hollow cylindrical space is first pushed against the bottom wall of
the cylindrical space on the other side of the face plate due to
the effect of inertia. When the paddle body hits a ball, the speed
of the paddle instantaneously drops. At this time, the rolling
member hit the top wall of the hollow cylindrical space from the
bottom wall of the hollow cylindrical space at a high speed due to
inertia. This impact force is transmitted to the hitting face plate
almost in time, which brings the paddle a secondary explosive
force. This can enhance the explosive force for hitting the ball
greatly. Besides, because the interior of the hollow cylindrical
space is not solid, the rolling members rolling in the hollow
cylindrical space can absorb part of the vibration of the paddle
when the paddle hits the ball, providing a shock-absorption
function.
[0013] Regardless of whether an inclined angle or a right angle is
formed between the axis of the hollow cylindrical space and the
front and back face plates of the paddle body, it does not affect
the secondary impact force and shock absorption effect. The main
function of the change in the axis of the hollow cylindrical space
is that the user can select a desired paddle according to the way
he/she hits a ball (cut a ball, drive a ball) to make up for the
lack of hitting of strength.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a front view in accordance with a first embodiment
of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a front view in accordance with a second
embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional schematic view taken along line
A-A of FIG. 1,
[0017] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of FIG. 3 in another state;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional schematic view taken along line
B-B of FIG. 2; and
[0019] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of FIG. 5 in another state.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0020] Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, a pickleball paddle
according to a first embodiment of the present invention comprises
a paddle body 10 and a handle 20 connected to the paddle body
10.
[0021] The paddle body 10 has at least one hollow cylindrical space
30 therein. An angle is formed between the axis of the hollow
cylindrical space 30 and front and back face plates 12 of the
paddle body 10. In this embodiment, the hollow cylindrical space 30
is arranged obliquely relative to the front and back face plates 12
of the paddle body 10. The axial length of the hollow cylindrical
space 30 is greater than the radial length of the hollow
cylindrical space 30. As shown in the lower portions of FIG. 3 and
FIG. 4, at least one rolling member 40 that can roll back and forth
along the axial direction of the hollow cylindrical space 30 is
disposed in the hollow cylindrical space 30. Alternatively, as
shown in the upper portions of FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, a plurality of
rolling members 40 that can roll back and forth along the axial
direction of the hollow cylindrical space 30 is disposed in the
hollow cylindrical space 30.
[0022] Referring to FIG. 2, FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, a pickleball paddle
according to a second embodiment of the present invention comprises
a paddle body 10 and a handle 20 connected to the paddle body
10.
[0023] The paddle body 10 has at least one hollow cylindrical space
30 therein. In this embodiment, the hollow cylindrical space 30 is
perpendicular to the front and back face plates 12 of the paddle
body 10. The axial length of the hollow cylindrical space 30 is
greater than the radial length of the hollow cylindrical space 30.
As shown in the lower portions of FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, at least one
rolling member 40 that can roll back and forth along the axial
direction of the hollow cylindrical space 30 is disposed in the
hollow cylindrical space 30. Alternatively, as shown in the upper
portions of FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, a plurality of rolling members 40
that can roll back and forth along the axial direction of the
hollow cylindrical space 30 is disposed in the hollow cylindrical
space 30.
[0024] Specifically, the paddle body 10 includes a substrate 11,
front and back face plates 12, and a frame 13. The front and back
face plates 12 are attached to two sides of the substrate 11,
respectively. The frame 13 is fixedly or detachably connected to
the circumferential side of the substrate 11.
[0025] The hollow cylindrical space 30 may be a circular
cylindrical or a square cylindrical space, and it may be other
shapes, not limited thereto. The number of hollow cylindrical
spaces 30 is not limited. The rolling members 40 are made of
various materials, such as metal. The rolling members 40 may be
spherical or in various shapes. The number of the rolling members
40 is not limited, and can be arranged at any position of the
paddle body 10 as required.
[0026] The use of this embodiment is described as follows:
[0027] When the user grabs the handle 20 and swings the paddle body
10, the paddle is speeded with certain acceleration by the user,
and the rolling members 40 in the hollow cylindrical space 30 are
in close contact with the bottom wall 321 of the hollow cylindrical
space 30 due to inertia, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5. When the
paddle body 10 hits a ball, the speed of the paddle instantaneously
drops. At this time, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 6, the rolling
members 40 hit the top wall 322 of the hollow cylindrical space 30
from the bottom wall 321 of the hollow cylindrical space 30 at a
certain speed due to inertia, and the rolling members 40 apply an
impact force to the hollow cylindrical space 30. Therefore, the
hollow cylindrical space 30 brings the paddle a secondary explosive
force, which can enhance the explosive force for hitting the ball
greatly. Besides, because the interior of the hollow cylindrical
space 30 is not solid, the rolling members 40 rolling in the hollow
cylindrical space 30 can absorb part of the vibration of the paddle
when the paddle hits the ball, providing a shock-absorption
function.
[0028] Although particular embodiments of the present invention
have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various
modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from
the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the
present invention is not to be limited except as by the appended
claims.
* * * * *