EP4385587A1

EP4385587A1 - Shock absorber device applied to rackets for padel, beach tennis and similar sports

Info

Publication number: EP4385587A1
Application number: EP21786522.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Raquel SÁNCHEZ - ARÉVALO BLÁZQUEZ
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2021-08-10
Filing date: 2021-08-10
Publication date: 2024-06-19
Also published as: WO2023017192A1

Abstract

Shock absorber device applied to rackets for padel, beach tennis and similar sports, in the form of inserts, where the cited device (1) can be inserted into the holes (4) of a padel racket (10) and which presents a geometry with an initial cylindrical section topped by a conical section which is hollow, where the transversal surface of smaller diameter (2) of the cylindrical section is equal or similar to the surface diameter of the holes (4) of the padel racket (10) in which it is to be housed and the transversal section of greater diameter (3) of the conical section shall remain just below the impact surface of the padel racket (10) and where the cited device (1) has at least one orifice (5) bored in the longitudinal section of the cylindrical section, whose function is to facilitate the extraction of that device (1); the device (1) can be manufactured in different sizes, colours and materials, adapting it to the racket sport requiring it, and manufactured of rubber, injectable resin or any flexible material.

Description

PURPOSE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention discloses a shock absorber device applied to rackets for padel, beach tennis and similar sports which employ a racket, enabling the vibrations produced by the impacts of the racket against the ball to be reduced, while also assisting with the balance of the racket.

PRIOR ART

Sports rackets, sometimes simply termed "rackets" or "bats", are designed for use in several different sports, in the form of bats designed specifically for padel or table tennis or rackets designed specifically for tennis, badminton, squash and racketball.
Sports rackets typically include a body element and a handle element which is connected to and/or extends from the body. The body element normally includes a head and neck, with the neck extending between the head and handle and connecting them. When designing these sports rackets, it is desired to furnish certain characteristics and features which enhance sensation, power and control (speed, direction, turn) for the user.
In bats employed for sports like padel and beach tennis, to prevent injury, devices known as anti-vibrators are used, which are small accessories manufactured in resin in the form of a cylinder. These cylinders have a precise circumference in order to fit within the holes of a padel racket, with the main benefit being that vibrations are reduced to the minimum possible at the moment of impact, enabling both the sensation and performance while playing to be improved. They also furnish greater stability, because reducing the vibrations yields a more stable stroke. The racket is perceived as more rigid, with more weight and greater stability. When striking the ball, the bat structure stops vibrating, thus enhancing comfort and control. Anti-vibrator devices avoid elbow conditions, as one of their most important benefits and one of the principal reasons for which players use them. The vibrations generated when striking the ball can advance up to the elbow joint. Over time, this creates problems and joint pains. Anti-vibrators halt the advance of this vibration, making them a fundamental accessory for players suffering from elbow problems.
There exist means in the prior art which also enable impacts to be reduced in racket sports, as can be seen in the invention patent EP0550121 which shows a racket frame of plastic material reinforced with fibres which strongly dampen impacts, whose casing is made of laminae of fabric pre-impregnated with epoxy resin and fibre composite laid out with a certain orientation. The casing of the head, shaft and grip of the racket is provided with at least one impact absorber, where the portion is fitted inside a tubular bridge medium in such a way that it is attached securely. A first reinforced medium is used to cover the edge of one end of the bridge medium and casing, as well as the surface adjacent to the bridge medium and casing. A second reinforced medium is employed to cover the portion bounding the other end of the bridge medium and casing, as well as the surface adjacent to the bridge medium and casing. Therefore, the shockwave generated in the head is absorbed and dampened effectively by the absorber part. Nevertheless, in addition to being complex, these structures cannot be adapted in general to the rackets existing today, as the design is applicable only to a particular structure.
The devices to reduce vibration known in the prior art are introduced into orifices situated in the striking face and are not very practical for players. In one of these, a large part of the material remains outside the hole and above the impact surface. This is highly disadvantageous as it hampers the rebound of the ball severely, making it irregular when it strikes around the anti-vibrator. There also exists another type which remains hidden inside the hole, but once introduced it is complicated to remove it. making it impossible to change its position or remove it definitively.
The present invention solves the problem existing satisfactorily, as the device of the invention does not affect the rebound of the ball and it can be removed and inserted into the different holes of the bats as often as is desired, enabling the centre of gravity of the bat to be modified and reducing vibrations, while the device of the invention is of such a weight as to change the balance of the racket, depending on the zone where it is deployed. If the device is fitted in the upper holes of the racket, this will give it a very high balance, increasing the power of the stroke. If it is fitted in the lower holes, the balance is directed towards the wrist, enhancing control and manoeuvrability.
Another advantage offered by this device is that if it is fitted to the lateral holes of the bat, it improves the torsion. During play, it is common for the ball to be struck by the outer part of the bat. Anti-vibrators, as columns which unite the two faces, enhance the torsion of impacts outside the central area at such moments.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention refers to the creation of certain devices in the form of inserts for rackets, padel bats or for any other sport in which a bat with a number of holes is used, and with the main characteristic that the inserts are fitted into the holes of the bat itself. In this way, the vibrations of play itself are successfully absorbed, while the "sweet spot" of the bat is improved, and it is possible to vary the balance of the bat and improve its torsion when it receives impacts. The device described in the invention is an insert of variable dimensions, which will be fitted into the hole in the bat below the striking face. The latter is usually made of carbon fibre or glass fibre, and the insert will be fitted below it.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To complement the description which is being given and to assist with understanding the characteristics of the invention, in accordance with a preferred embodiment for the same, a set of drawings for the purposes of illustration but without limitation is attached as an integral part of the present description, and representing the following:

Figure 1.- This shows a frontal view of a padel racket or bat (10) with a number of holes, where the section A-A denotes a particular hole (4).
Figure 2.- This shows a view of the device (1) of the invention, identifying the smaller diameter (2), the larger diameter (3) and the orifice (4) bored in the longitudinal section of the device (1).
Figure 3.- This shows an internal view of one of the devices (1) introduced into the longitudinal section of one of the holes (4) of a padel racket (10).

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The device (1) of the invention can be fitted into the holes (4) of a racket (10) for padel or similar sports, to avert vibrations in the hand due to the a ball striking the padel racket (10), in which the cited device (1) presents a geometry with an initial cylindrical section topped by a conical section which is hollow, manufactured of a flexible material, where the transversal surface of smaller diameter (2) of the cylindrical section shall be the same as or similar to the surface diameter of the holes (4) of the padel racket (10) where it is to be fitted. The transversal section of larger diameter (3) o the conical section will lie just below the striking surface of the padel racket (10), and this diameter (3) greater than that of the hole (4) will prevent the device (1) from being expelled by successive impacts against the ball. The device (1) also has at least one orifice (5) bored in the longitudinal section of the cylindrical section, whose function is to facilitate the extraction of the device (1) using a utensil in the form of or similar to a hook, so that, by introducing the end of the utensil into the hollow part of the device (1), this end of the utensil will match the orifice (5), and will dislodge the device (1) inserted into the hole (4) of the padel racket (10) simply and without much effort with an outward movement.
The device (1) can have a longitudinal section which lets it occupy the entire interior of the hole (4), from one end to the other. However, to facilitate fitting and removal, devices (1) can be manufactured whose longitudinal section is half of the internal length of each hole (4), so that they are housed in the hole (4) in pairs, where each device (1) matches the hole at both ends, thus facilitating their extraction by taking out one from each side of the hole (4). (See figure 3.)
The device (1) can be manufactured in different sizes, colours and materials, to match the racket sport which requires it. The device (1) is manufactured in rubber or injectable resin, or any flexible material.
Padel rackets (10) made from rigid materials such as carbon generally give rise to a structure that is much more stable and has fewer vibrations than rackets manufactured from other materials. If the device (1) of the invention is added to these, a vibration-free racket will be obtained. The resin of the device (1) is very important for the level of vibrations. The softer the resin of the device (1) is, the greater will be the absorption of vibrations because of damping.
Fitting these devices is simple and rapid. The devices (1) are fitted by introducing them into the holes (4) the user prefers, and pressing gently upon the zone of greater diameter for it to lodge completely hidden below the surface. The position and distance at which the inserts (1) are fitted is very important, because the place will depend on the needs of the user.
The devices (1) situated in the upper holes (4) of the padel racket (10) will furnish it with better balance and enhance the power of the strokes. If inserted into the lower holes (4), the balance will be redirected towards the wrist, enhancing the control and manoeuvrability.

Claims

Shock absorber device applied to rackets for padel, beach tennis and similar sports, in such a way that the cited device (1) can be inserted into the holes of a padel racket (10), and which is characterised by the fact that the device (1) presents a geometry with an initial cylindrical section topped by a conical section which is hollow, where the transversal surface of smaller diameter (2) of the cylindrical section is equal or similar to the surface diameter of the holes (4) of the padel racket (10) in which it is to be housed and the transversal section of greater diameter (3) of the conical section shall remain just below the impact surface of the padel racket (10) and in which the cited device (1) has at least one orifice (5) bored in the longitudinal section of the cylindrical section, whose function is to facilitate the extraction of that device (1).
Shock absorber device applied to rackets for padel, beach tennis and similar sports according to claim 1, which is characterised by the fact that the device (1) has a longitudinal section which will let it occupy the entire internal length of the hole (4) of the padel racket (10).
Shock absorber device applied to rackets for padel, beach tennis and similar sports according to claim 1, which is characterised by the fact that the device (1) has a longitudinal section which will let it occupy half of the internal length of the hole (4) of the padel racket (10).
Shock absorber device applied to rackets for padel, beach tennis and similar sports according to claim 1, which is characterised by the fact that the device (1) is manufactured of rubber.
Shock absorber device applied to rackets for padel, beach tennis and similar sports according to claim 1, which is characterised by the fact that the device (1) is manufactured of resin.