US20030069096A1

US20030069096A1 - Ball racket with bumper guard

Info

Publication number: US20030069096A1
Application number: US10/234,214
Authority: US
Inventors: Shu-Wei Lin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-10-10
Filing date: 2002-09-04
Publication date: 2003-04-10
Also published as: ES1053433U; CN2506310Y; ES1053433Y

Abstract

A new type of ball racket with bumper guard comprises a racket frame, a racket face, a shaft and a handle. The bumper guard is affixed on the curved section of the racket frame, which surrounds the ball racket face having a plurality of holes on the ball-hitting area, and then two sides of the frame converge to form the shaft. The end of the shaft has a handle. The design of the ball racket with bumper guard can protect the racket frame from many scratches and bumps against the wall or the ground during ball play. This not only can help extend the service life of a normal racket, but also reduces the chance of wrist injury for players.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a ball racket with a bumper guard, in particular, a ball racket with protective band affixed on the outer rim of the racket head.

2. Description of Related Arts

People around the world are enthusiastic about sports. Every now and then someone comes up with new ideas and invents a new ball game which hopefully will attract other people to join in and make it a popular game. Now a new ball game called Paddle Ball is gradually gathering popularity in Europe and the U.S. The rules of this game are more flexible than many conventional ones. It is played like squash in that players can hit the ball rebounding from the wall or the ground, but it is also like handball with goal nest in transparent boxes.

The racket for playing this ball game is characterized by a thicker racket frame as compared to those of ordinary rackets. The center of the racket head, the racket face, has holes evenly spaced out covering the ball-hitting area. The curved racket frame surrounds the outer perimeter of the racket face and then both sides converge on the shoulder section to form the shaft, and at the end of the shaft is the handle.

However, these ball rackets have had some weaknesses in competitive matches. Players often choose to hit the ball rebounding from walls or the ground as these actions are allowed during the ball game. When players are too concentrated in the game, they often swing their rackets by reflective response without caring much about adequate space clearance. As a result of such mis-hits, their rackets are often scratched or bumped against the wall or the ground repeatedly. These accumulated damages to the racket frame could shorten the service life of a normal racket, and more seriously, these violent impacts could cause wrist injuries to players.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The main objective of the present invention is to provide a ball racket affixed with a bumper guard to protect the outer rim of the racket head from scratches or bumps in ball play, and it can help extend the useful life of a racket.

The protective band in accordance with the present invention is received along the perimeter band on the outer rim of the racket head or along the curved section of the racket frame. The curved racket frame surrounds the outer perimeter of the racket face, and then both sides converge on the shoulder section to form a shaft. Toward the end of the shaft is the handle. The center of the racket face has a plurality of holes evenly spaced out and covering the entire ball-hitting area.

The bumper guard is formed with at least one layer of impact-absorbing material or rubber material discontinuously affixed on the outer rim of the racket head. It is divided up into multiple segments, and the bottom surface of the protective band has elevated columns for fitting against the corresponding channels found on the outer rim of the racket frame to form a self-locking structure.

The features and structure of the present invention will be more clearly understood when taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention; [0011]
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the structure of the racket face in accordance with the invention; [0012]
FIG. 3 is a diagram of a player holding a ball racket in preparation of a stroke; and [0013]
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the structure of a second embodiment of the ball racket of the present invention for the second preferred embodiment.[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the ball racket in accordance with the present comprises a racket frame ([0015] 10), a racket face (14), collectively forming a racket head (unnumbered), a shaft (12), and a handle (13). A bumper guard (20) is affixed on the outer rim of the racket head, or along the curved section of the racket frame (10), on a narrow perimeter band (11). The racket frame (10) is arranged to surround the racket face (14) and then the two sides converge on the shoulder section to form the shaft (12). Toward the end of the shaft (12) is the handle (13). The racket face (14) in the center of the racket head has a plurality of holes (15) evenly spaced out and covering the entire the ball-hitting area. The profile of the racket frame (10) on the outer perimeter of the racket face (14) is slightly higher than the center portion; that is the racket frame (10) is generally thicker than the racket face (14).
The bumper guard ([0016] 20) is a protective band made of at least one layer of impact-absorbing material or rubber material to be affixed discontinuously on the outer rim of the racket head or racket frame (10). It is divided into a plurality of segments with elevated columns on the bottom surface for fitting against the corresponding channels found on the outer rim of the racket frame (10) to form a self-locking structure.
With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the design of the racket face ([0017] 14) with holes (15) enables better control of the racket by players (30). These holes (15) allow air to pass through the racket face (14) thereby reducing air pressure built up in a stroke or follow through. Holding the ball racket and hitting the ball (31) with the center of the racket face (14), a player (30) can choose either to return the ball directly to the opponent or use a rebound angle from the wall or ground to make a return shot. In the course of the competitive game, players (30) who are often too concentrated in the game, often swing the racket by reflective response without caring much about adequate clearance. As a result of mis-hits, their rackets are often scratched or bumped against the wall or ground repeatedly. These accumulated damages to the racket will shorten the service life of a normal racket, and more severely, these violent impacts may cause wrist injury to the players.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the structure of another ball racket of the present invention for the second preferred embodiment, wherein the bumper guard ([0018] 40) can be completely wrapped around the outer rim of the racket frame (10) along its curved outline so that the bumper guard (40) can protect the racket frame (10) with even better results.
In practice, the bumper guard ([0019] 20) has a plurality of elevated columns on the bottom surface, and the perimeter band (11) on the racket frame (10) has corresponding channels on the surface for fitting against the elevated columns to form a self-locking structure.
The present design of the bumper guard ([0020] 20) completely covers the perimeter band (11) on the outer rim of the racket head, such that it can protect the racket frame (10) from many scratches and bumps against the wall or the ground. This not only can help extend the service life of a normal racket, but also reduces the chance of wrist injury for players. Since the bumper guard (20) can absorb most of the vibrations on impact when the racket hits the hard surface, it can enhance the safety of the players in a game of Paddle Ball.
The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention is intended to be illustrative only and, under no circumstances, should the scope of the present invention be so restricted. [0021]

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A ball racket with a bumper guard comprising a racket frame with a perimeter band on the outside, a racket face, collectively forming a racket head, a shaft, and a handle, wherein the racket frame surrounds the racket face which has a plurality of holes extending over the ball-hitting surface, and supported by a shaft with a handle on the end, and a bumper guard is received along the perimeter band of the racket head for protection.

2. The ball racket with a bumper guard as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bumper guard is in the form of a band with at least one layer to be affixed along the perimeter band on the racket head.

3. The ball racket with a bumper guard as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bumper guard is affixed on a curved section of the racket frame completely covering the perimeter band of the racket head.

4. The ball racket with a bumper guard as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bumper guard is divided up into a plurality of segments to be affixed discontinuously on the perimeter band.

5. The ball racket with a bumper guard as claimed in claim 2, wherein the bumper guard is made of soft impact-absorbing material.

6. The ball racket with a bumper guard as claimed in claim 3, wherein the bumper guard is made of soft impact-absorbing material.

7. The ball racket with a bumper guard as claimed in claim 4, wherein the bumper guard is made of soft impact-absorbing material.

9. The ball racket with a bumper guard as claimed in claim 5, wherein the bumper guard is made of rubber.

10. The ball racket with a bumper guard as claimed in claim 6, wherein the bumper guard is made of rubber.

11. The ball racket with a bumper guard as claimed in claim 7, wherein the bumper guard is made of rubber.