CN111212681B

CN111212681B - Shuttlecock ball

Info

Publication number: CN111212681B
Application number: CN201880066484.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 安东尼·伯特
Original assignee: World Badminton Federation
Current assignee: World Badminton Federation
Priority date: 2017-12-15
Filing date: 2018-12-07
Publication date: 2021-09-21
Anticipated expiration: 2038-12-07
Also published as: EP3684481A4; CN111212681A; TW201927380A; MY188783A; EP3684481C0; EP3684481B1; KR102473635B1; EP3684481A1; JP2021508260A; JP7069310B2; WO2019132649A1; KR20200099142A; TWI705842B

Abstract

The invention relates to a shuttlecock (1). A shuttlecock (1) comprises a tip (9) having a recessed upper lip (3), a recessed lower lip (7), and a base (5) formed between the recessed upper lip (3) and the recessed lower lip (7). The shuttlecock (1) has a plurality of sections (29), the plurality of sections (29) extending away from the recessed lower lip (7), being integrally formed and arranged in an annular array. Each of the plurality of segments (29) has a pair of spaced apart divergent stems (11), with vanes (15) provided between the stems (11) at the end of the segment (29) remote from the recessed lower lip (7). The blade (15) includes a plurality of perforations (17) therein. A substantially large central opening (13) is formed at a central portion of each of the plurality of segments (29), wherein the central opening (13) of the segment (29) is configured to allow passage of cross wind to reduce cross wind interference, and the reduced mass of the segment (29) beyond the lower lip (7) causes the center of gravity of the shuttlecock (1) to move closer to the tip (9).

Description

Shuttlecock ball

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a shuttlecock (shuttlecock), and more particularly to a shuttlecock having reduced side wind interference and enhanced longitudinal angular stability.

Background

Conventional or existing shuttlecocks typically have a narrow space between each pole, and shuttlecocks with such designs are often sensitive to external disturbances in the surrounding area, especially varying wind intensities, which may ultimately affect the flight performance of the shuttlecock during a badminton game or event. This external disturbance can be limited or reduced when playing a badminton game or event on an indoor badminton court. However, in outdoor environments, the presence of wind conditions of random magnitude and direction can greatly deteriorate the flight performance of the shuttlecock due to strong cross wind interference, because the airflow is restricted due to the narrow space between each pole.

In order to overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks, the present invention proposes a shuttlecock having a larger space between each pole than that of a conventional or existing shuttlecock, whereby the design enables the shuttlecock to have an enhanced resistance to flight deviations caused by challenging wind conditions and thus an enhanced flight stability of the shuttlecock under indoor or outdoor conditions.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention relates to a shuttlecock configured to reduce cross wind interference and enhance longitudinal angular stability.

According to the invention, the shuttlecock comprises a tip and a plurality of segments extending away from the tip. In a preferred embodiment, the tip includes a recessed upper lip (recessed upper lip), a base, and a recessed lower lip. The base is formed between an upper lip of the recess and a lower lip of the recess. The tip of the shuttlecock is preferably joined to the plurality of segments by a snap and fit mechanism. The snap and fit mechanism is an assembly technique that fastens two flexible members into a unitary assembly without the use of any adhesives or fasteners. It will be appreciated that by using the snap and fit mechanism, material may be reduced.

Preferably, the plurality of segments extend from a lower lip of the recess, are integrally formed and are arranged in an annular array. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each of the plurality of segments has diverging stems (diverging stems) spaced in pairs with vanes disposed between the stems. It should be noted that the vanes of the segment are positioned at the end of the segment remote from the lower lip of the recess. Preferably, said blades of said segment are provided with a plurality of perforations thereon.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a relatively large (foldable) central opening is formed at a central portion of each of the plurality of segments. It will be appreciated that the central opening of the segment is configured to allow the passage of cross wind, thereby reducing cross wind interference. It should be noted that the central opening of the segment may reduce the mass of the area beyond the lower lip, which moves the center of gravity of the shuttlecock closer to the tip.

In a preferred embodiment, the end of the shuttlecock is provided with cork (corrk). The cork preferably has a hemispherical dome and a cylindrical base. If desired, the surface of the hemispherical dome of cork may be provided with dimples (dimple) to enhance the aesthetic appearance of the shuttlecock.

By way of example and not limitation, the shuttlecock may be formed of polyamide (preferably nylon), polyethylene, polyester, polypropylene, polystyrene, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, or any other material deemed suitable.

The device of the present invention consists of several novel features and a combination of parts hereinafter fully described and illustrated in the accompanying description and drawings, it being understood that various changes in the details may be made without departing from the scope of the invention or without sacrificing any of the advantages of the present invention.

Drawings

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein:

figure 1 shows a shuttlecock without any cork;

figure 2 shows a shuttlecock with cork.

Detailed Description

The present invention relates to a shuttlecock, and more particularly, to a shuttlecock having reduced side wind interference and enhanced longitudinal angular stability. Hereinafter, this specification will describe the present invention according to a preferred embodiment thereof. It should be understood, however, that the description is limited to the preferred embodiments of the present invention only to facilitate the discussion of the invention, and it is envisioned that those skilled in the art may devise various modifications and equivalents without departing from the scope of the appended claims. A shuttlecock according to a preferred mode of carrying out the invention will now be described, individually or in combination, with reference to figures 1 and 2.

Referring to fig. 1, there is shown a shuttlecock (1) in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The shuttlecock (1) comprises a tip (9) and a plurality of sections (29). Preferably, the head (9) and the segment (29) are connected by a snap and fit mechanism.

The snap and fit mechanism is an assembly technique that fastens two flexible parts into a unitary assembly without the use of any adhesives or fasteners, and it will be appreciated that this assembly technique can save on the cost of materials for producing the shuttlecock (1). In a preferred embodiment, the end (9) of the shuttlecock (1) has a recessed upper lip (3), a base (5) and a recessed lower lip (7). It should be noted that the base (5) of the tip (9) is formed between the upper lip (3) of the recess and the lower lip (7) of the recess. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the plurality of segments (29) extend away from the recessed lower lip (7) of the tip (9), are integrally formed and are arranged in an annular array.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a relatively large central opening (13) is formed at a central portion of each of the plurality of segments (29). It should be noted that the central opening (13) of the segment (29) is configured to allow the passage of cross wind to reduce cross wind interference. It will be appreciated that the central opening (13) of the section (29) may reduce the mass of the section (29) beyond the lower lip (7), which moves the centre of gravity of the shuttlecock (1) closer to the tip (9). It should be noted that the closer the center of gravity is to the end (9) of the shuttlecock (1), the higher the longitudinal angular stability of the shuttlecock (1) and thus the less sloshing during the turn-over phase of the shuttlecock (1). By way of example and not limitation, the central opening (13) of the segment (29) may be in the form of a rectangle, hexagon or triangle.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each of the plurality of segments (29) has a pair of spaced apart divergent stems (11). Preferably, the length of each rod (11) may be in the range of 10mm to 50mm, and the angle between the rod (11) and the end (9) of the shuttlecock (1) may be in the range of 90 degrees to 120 degrees. It should be noted that the rod (11) may be in the form of any other suitable profile including, but not limited to, a circular cross-section, a tubular cross-section, an L-shaped cross-section, an X-shaped cross-section or a rectangular cross-section.

In a preferred embodiment, as shown in fig. 1, vanes (15) are provided between the rods (11). The blades (15) of the segment (29) are preferably positioned at the end of the segment (29) remote from the recessed lower lip (7) and provided with a plurality of perforations (17). By way of example and not limitation, the plurality of perforations (17) of the blade (15) may be in the form of a circle, triangle or square of any desired size. The plurality of perforations (17) of the blade (15) are configured to create a desired air permeability to allow air to flow through and past the blade (15) of the section (29) in order to create an axial rotation of the shuttlecock (1). The axial rotation helps to stabilize the trajectory profile of the shuttlecock (1). Preferably, the blades (15) of the segments (29) have a parabolic curved shape. It should be appreciated that such a configuration may further reduce cross wind interference.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the plurality of blades (15) of the section (29) jointly form a skirt (skert) (19) of the shuttlecock (1). The skirt (19) preferably has a diameter of 67mm and a height of 20mm at the opening (31). The height of the skirt (19) provides a reduced side profile while maintaining the pitch moment required for angular stability in the longitudinal direction. Optionally, the diameter of the skirt (19) at the opening (31) may be in the range 55mm to 80 mm. It will be appreciated that by increasing the diameter of the skirt, the resistance experienced by the shuttlecock may also be increased. The height of the skirt (19) is preferably in the range of 5mm to 25 mm. It should be noted that by increasing the height of the skirt, the angular stability of the shuttlecock may be increased at the expense of reduced resistance to side wind disturbances.

As shown in figure 2, the shuttlecock (1) of the invention is also provided with cork (5). Preferably, the cork has a domed and cylindrical base of a hemispherical shape and is suitably engaged with the end (9) of the shuttlecock by a snap and fit mechanism. If desired, the surface of the hemispherical dome of the cork is provided with a plurality of dimples (31) to enhance the aesthetic appearance of the shuttlecock (1).

By way of example and not limitation, the shuttlecock (1) of the present invention may be formed of polyamide (preferably nylon), polyethylene, polyester, polypropylene, polystyrene, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride or any other material deemed suitable.

The foregoing description is considered as illustrative of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A shuttlecock (1), comprising:

a tip (9) having a recessed upper lip (3), a recessed lower lip (7), and a base (5) formed between the recessed upper lip (3) and the recessed lower lip (7); and

a plurality of segments (29) extending away from the recessed lower lip (7), each of the plurality of segments (29) having a pair of spaced apart diverging stems (11), a vane (15) disposed between the stems (11) at an end of the segment (29) distal from the recessed lower lip (7), the vane (15) having a plurality of perforations (17) thereon, and the plurality of segments (29) being integrally formed and arranged in an annular array;

the method is characterized in that:

a central opening (13) at a central portion of each of the plurality of segments (29), wherein the central opening (13) of the segment (29) is configured to allow passage of cross wind to reduce cross wind interference, and the reduced mass of the segment (29) beyond the lower lip (7) causes the center of gravity of the shuttlecock (1) to move closer to the tip (9); and

wherein the blade (15) of each segment (29) has a parabolic curved shape as it extends away from the lower lip (7), and the plurality of perforations (17) of the blade (15) are configured to allow air to flow through and past the blade (15) of the segment (29) to cause the shuttlecock (1) to rotate axially.

2. The shuttlecock (1) according to claim 1, wherein the rod (11) can be in the form of a circle, a tube, an L-shape, an X-shape, a rectangle or a triangle.

3. The shuttlecock (1) according to claim 1, wherein the central opening (13) of the section (29) can be in the form of a rectangle, a hexagon or a triangle.

4. The shuttlecock (1) according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of perforations (17) of the blade (15) can be in the form of a circle, a triangle or a square.

5. The shuttlecock (1) according to claim 1, wherein the shuttlecock (1) is provided with a cork (5), the cork (5) being suitably engaged with the tip (9) by means of a snap and fit mechanism.

6. The shuttlecock (1) according to claim 1, wherein the blades (15) of the plurality of segments (29) collectively form a skirt (19).

7. The shuttlecock (1) according to claim 6, wherein the diameter of the skirt (19) at the opening (31) can be in the range of 55mm to 80 mm.

8. The shuttlecock (1) according to claim 6, wherein the skirt (19) has a diameter of 67mm at the opening (31) and a height of 20 mm.