US20200398130A1

US20200398130A1 - Pickleball paddle

Info

Publication number: US20200398130A1
Application number: US17/006,920
Authority: US
Inventors: Feng-Yu Lee
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-05-15
Filing date: 2020-08-31
Publication date: 2020-12-24

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.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

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

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

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 A pickleball paddle is shaped like a larger table tennis racket, originally made from wood.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.
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.
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.
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

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.
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:
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.
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.
Compared with the prior art, the present invention has obvious advantages and beneficial effects. Specifically, it can be known from the above technical solutions:
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.
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

FIG. 1 is a front view in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional schematic view taken along line A-A of FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of FIG. 3 in another state;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional schematic view taken along line B-B of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of FIG. 5 in another state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The use of this embodiment is described as follows:
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.
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.

Claims

What is claimed is:

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.