AU8921901A - Self-spring shuttlecock for racquet, hand propelled or foot kicking games - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT SELF-SPRUNG SHUTTLECOCK FOR RACQUET, HAND PROPELLED OR FOOT KICKING GAMES.

4 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: SELF-SPRUNG SHUTTLECOCK FOR RACQUET, HAND PROPELLED OR FOOT KICKING GAMES.

At the present time there are a number of devices used in propulsion games. These include: Balls of various materials, shapes and sizes. Examples of these include tennis and squash balls used in racquet games, rubber balls used in "down ball", and soccer and footballs used in kicking games Shuttlecocks- used in badminton Bean bags- traditional bean bags used for throwing and the more recent Happy Sacks (small round bags containing small beads made of materials such as polystyrene), which are used in kicking games.

9 Balls of material, fur or feathers used in kicking games in traditional games in Asian and indigenous American communities.

e• The invention is a device that can replace those currently used in S"propulsion games. The primary innovation is that it has superior selfspringing characteristics to those currently used. It can be hit by a racquet or by hand or kicked and because of the spring, it will propel greater distances even when struck with lesser force. It will tend to land headfirst which is also the part that is to be struck. The inclusion of acoustic generating material in the device would assist the playing pleasure of the device. It also has the advantage of being flexible in that it can be played solo, in pairs and in groups ooooo The invention consists of four components.

The head: The head is made of polystyrene, soft plastic, dense rubber foam, cork, cotton wadding, woollen wadding, synthetic material wadding or similar soft material. The head allows the striking force to be transferred to the spring but is soft enough that it can be struck bare handed or kicked with bare feet without discomfort to the player. The diameter is approximately 4cms. but may be smaller or larger to provide smaller or larger striking surface depending upon the skill of the player. The height of the head is about 1cm but can also be varied. The head may be part spherical but can also be different shapes for aesthetic reasons. The head is glued, stapled, pinned or otherwise attached to or incorporated in the body.

The body: The body consists of a coiled spring. The spring is made of metal construction although other material providing similar characteristics can be used. The coiled spring is attached at its lower end to the head and at the upper end to a flat disc to which the tail is attached. The size of the body is about 4cm in height and 4cm diameter but the dimensions can be varied for different spring characteristics.

As an option, enclosed within the cavity of the spring are small loose beads or one or more small light metal bells. These will generate a noise when the device is struck.

The tail: The tail provides aerodynamic stability for the dart after it has been kicked or hit. The tail consists of three or four wings that are light and are constructed of natural feathers, synthetic feathers, plastic, stiffen paper, cloth or other material. The height of the tail is about 12cms but the dimensions and shape of the wings can be varied to provide different aerodynamic characteristics. The tail is glued, stapled, pinned or otherwise attached to or incorporated in the body.

The cover: The cover is made of cloth or plastic or other material and covers the body and head. The cover will allow designs and patterns to be added to the device and also provide weather and wear protection for the spring and head. The cover also provides further strength in maintaining the integrity of the attachment of the tail to the body and the body to the head. It encloses the coiled spring and within the coil, the loose beads or light metal bell(s). The cover may be glued, sewed, pinned, stapled or sprayed onto the device or otherwise attached or incorporated onto the device.

3 To assist with understanding the invention reference is made to the illustrations.

Figure 1. Shows side view of the device without the cover.

Figure 2. Shows top view of the device.

Figure 3. Shows an alternative configuration of the tail and variation of the head without the cover.

Figure 4. Shows another variation of the tail and variation of the head without the cover.

Figure 5. Shows a device with a cover over the body and head.

Figure 6. Shows section of the spring and head within which is a loose metal bell The invention includes all different configuration of the various tail shapes, spring sizes and head shapes and sizes and variations of the cover.

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Claims (4)

1. A self-sprung shuttlecock that uses an internal metal or plastic coiled spring and provides superior springing reaction when struck.

2 The self-sprung shuttlecock of claim 1 has the use of a natural or synthetic material that covers over the body and head of the device and which allows various designs and colours to the device and helps maintains strength and integrity of the device.

3. The self-sprung shuttlecock of claim 1 has use of loose beads or metal bells within the cavity of the spring, which is enclosed by a cover as described in claim 2 and these generate sound when the device is struck..

4. The self-sprung shuttlecock of claim 1 has use of a head of soft plastic, cork, natural or synthetic material wadding or similar attached to the coiled spring. The self-sprung shuttlecock of claim 1 has a tail of feathers, cloth, stiffen paper, plastic or similar attached to the coiled spring to provide aerodynamic stability. .0000: oo o ooooo* g* *o