WO2001015783A1

WO2001015783A1 - Improved racket

Info

Publication number: WO2001015783A1
Application number: PCT/ES2000/000333
Authority: WO
Inventors: Francisco Hernandez Altemir
Original assignee: Francisco Hernandez Altemir, S.L.
Priority date: 1999-08-31
Filing date: 2000-08-30
Publication date: 2001-03-08
Also published as: EP1208878A1; AU6843500A; CN1384763A

Abstract

The racket or paddle for playing tennis and similar ball games includes one first improvement, whereby the handle is formed by two sections (2) and (3) that are axially connected to one another and fitted with means that make it possible to move section (3) in relation to section (2) and, hence, to extend said handle and to block sections (2) and (3) in a position corresponding to the normal length of the handle and in a position corresponding to the extended length of said handle. Another improvement provides for means consisting of a base (17) which are releasably mounted in one or more sections of the frame or rim of the racket. Said base can be fixed to the rim of the racket, whereby an adhesive band (21) is fixed to said base by means of which the user can pick up a ball from the ground and grasp the ball with his or her hand without having to bend down.

Description

PERFECTED RACKET

D E S C R I P C I Ó N

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to improvements introduced in rackets and / or paddles for the practice of the ball game, being especially applicable in the rackets used for the practice of tennis, without discarding its application in paddles used in the game of the ball in pediment , as well as rackets and / or shovels used in games similar to those referred to.

An object of the invention is to enable, at a given time, a timely and voluntary elongation or extensibility of the handle of a racket or shovel, allowing the player to reach certain balls during the development or practice of the game that normally cannot be reached.

Another object of the invention is to facilitate the collection of the balls from the ground, by means of the racket or shovel itself allowing the user practicing the game to perform said collection operation in an upright manner, that is, without having to bend or flex his body to pick up the ball from the ground, and without hitting the ball so that it bounces and is picked up next, as is often done.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The practice of the game of shovel is a traditional habit and there are several modalities that, at the level of competition, have regulations precise in the aspects that refer to the particularities of each game, and even the material used, type, size, weight, etc. , of the shovels, of the footwear, of the costumes, of the place of play, etc.

On certain occasions or at a time of the game, it would be desirable for the racket or shovel to be longer than the regulated or conventional one, in order to reach a ball that is reached with great difficulty or that is not reached to hit and / or return said ball to the opposing player's field or within the regulatory limits of the field of play. For example, in the case of tennis or even the game of the ball with a shovel, it sometimes happens that it is necessary to respond to a "left" or an excessively "crossed" ball, situations that could sometimes be resolved if it were arranged in that moment of a racket or shovel with greater length, and although such an assumption would not be currently admitted in official competitions, due to the existing regulations, it is no less true that in informal or unofficial activities the racket lengthening could be admitted and used the player to solve some of those eventualities.

On the other hand, specifically in the practice of tennis, collecting balls from the floor of the court is a frequent and undoubtedly annoying and uncomfortable task, also producing an unnecessary physical effort, becoming, in the case of some people with decreases temporary or permanent physicals, a clear inconvenience for the practice of such sports. In fact, this task of collecting the balls, especially when the players are not very skilled, involves a physical effort that may be greater than that corresponding to the game itself.

At present and as the only solution to this problem, the maneuver of hitting the ball with the racket is known so that, due to a bouncing effect, it is thrown upwards and picked up on the flight by the player, but obviously this type of maneuver requires a skill that not all participants in this type of games possess.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

To avoid and solve the problem presented, a series of improvements have been introduced in the rackets and / or paddles used in the practice of certain ball games (tennis or similar).

More specifically, one of the improvements is that the handle of the racket or shovel is determined by at least two stretches axially coupled to each other but with relative displacement power between the two, normally the rear section being the one that moves with respect to the previous section, this one forming a single piece extension with the handle or body of the racket or shovel.

The displacement in the sense of extensibility between both sections of the handle, makes it possible to lengthen the handle and thus allows the player to reach some balls that would be unattainable with the invariable handle.

The means that allow the movement between both sections of the handle, as well as those of corresponding actuation and those that carry out the blocking in normal position, comprise a propellant element, preferably a spring, which tends permanently to push the rear section backwards, although it maintains in its rest position by means of an interlocking device that can be operated at will by the user, with the special feature that said rear or movable section can occupy at least two extreme positions, in which it is locked stably by the aforementioned interlocking device, the possibility of recovering its original or normal position also being provided immediately.

The drive means as a whole, by means of which the extensibility and retraction of the racket handle is carried out, can be materialized by mechanical elements in its entirety, hydraulic, pneumatic, electric or combined, provided that there is an element that is actuated will by the user, whose action involves unlocking the back section and pushing it by the propellant element, to achieve the intended elongation of the handle and ultimately the racket or shovel in question.

Obviously, between the two sections of the handle there will be complementary guiding means so that axial displacements in one direction or another (elongation or extensibility and withdrawal or return to their normal position) are carried out without headers, that is, in a completely rectilinear way to that there are no mismatches, deteriorations, or poor functioning.

In a preferred embodiment, the said guiding means may be materialized by longitudinal projections belonging to a section, and complementary recesses provided for this purpose in the other section, while the actuation means may be entirely materialized by mechanical elements, such as a trigger in side pushbutton functions for its activation by the user's finger, to lock and / or unlock by means of a pin belonging to such a trigger the rear section, and consequently keep it in its normal position or allow a push or backward propulsion by means of a spring located in an axial housing established both in said rear section and in the previous or fixed section, that subsequent section is complemented with a cover-like supplement mounted with the power of independence at the free end of said section, said supplement or cover constituting the positioning means of the respective end of the driving spring.

Ultimately, this improvement applicable to a racket, shovel or similar, according to the invention, allows the player some possibilities that are not provided by conventional rackets, since by improving it can be achieved that at a given time a conventional and regulatory racket can lengthen immediately and return to its original position, based on a simple manual action by the user, so that depending on the materialization of the means provided for that purpose, the racket can be complemented at the time of acquisition with a kit of repair and / or corresponding spare parts.

Another aspect of the invention is defined by a second improvement consisting in providing the frame or perimeter of the racket or shovel with a means that makes it possible to collect the ball from the ground by means of the racket itself, without pressing it against the ball, the latter remaining adhesive to said racket or shovel so that the user can hand pick up such ball from the racket and not from the ground, thereby avoiding the need to have to bend or flex the body, or hit the ball so that it bounces , as usual practice.

To do this, and more specifically the means that allow such a function to be carried out is materialized in a base or support, intended to be fixed at any appropriate place on the edge of the blade or racket, with the collaboration of a pair of extreme staples, which in turn they can be fixed to the shovel or racket with the help of captive screws or by any other appropriate means, said base, with any appropriate length, constituting the support for a Adhesive element that can be materialized in turn in a sheet that can be fixed by any means to the base, and in whose fixing the end clips can also collaborate, or it may be a liquid adhesive that is poured on the external face of the base, where subsequently solidifies, with no other conditioner than an adhesion capacity such that the ball is capable of supporting the weight of the ball during the ascending maneuver.

The structure thus described is complemented by a placket intended to cover and protect the adhesive element during periods of inactivity of the paddle or racket, or simply when the use of the ball-boot means, proper, placket that preferably will be coupled under pressure is not foreseen to the extreme clips that fix the base or support to the shovel or racket.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DD3UJOS

To complement the description that is being made and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, according to a preferred example of practical implementation thereof, a set of drawings is attached as an integral part of said description. In an illustrative and non-limiting manner, the following has been represented:

Figure 1 shows a representation according to a general perspective of an explosion of a racket with the extensibility means of the racket handle, all in accordance with one of the improvements object of the invention.

Figure 2.- Shows a side view of the assembly represented in the previous figure fully assembled. Figure 3.- Shows an exploded perspective view of the means that make it possible to collect the ball from the ground by means of the racket or shovel itself, all carried out in accordance with a second improvement object of the invention.

Figure 4.- Shows, finally, a perspective view of the same set of the previous figure duly mounted on a tennis racket.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In Figures I ^a and 2 ^a the extensibility means applied specifically to a racket (1) for the practice of tennis can be seen, whose handle is determined by two sections axially coupled to each other, the first of which constitutes an extension of the own racket (1), forming an integral part of it, and the second as an independent element, so that the section (2) corresponding to the extension of the racket (1) is considered as fixed, while the axially coupled section is considered as rear and mounted with the ability to move to achieve the extensibility or lengthening of the racket, that is, the handle.

Specifically, said means include an element as a means of actuation, which is materialized in the present case by a trigger (4) that is operable with the finger of the user who holds the racket handle with his hand, whose trigger (4 ) is mounted with a swinging character on a ring or flange (5) fixed at the end of the section (3) of the handle, close to the coupling with the section (2) thereof, counting that trigger (4) on its inner face with a busty (6) that tends to engage in one or the other of the holes (7) or (V) established for this purpose in the fixed section (2) of the handle, as a result of which the aforementioned trigger (4) is constantly pushed towards that position tending to the locking of the pin (6) in the holes (7) ) or (7 '), by means of a spring or spring (8) disposed between the inner face and opposite end of the trigger (4) and the lateral surface of the section (3) of the handle.

That is, when the section (3) is coupled to the section (2), the interlocking and consequent normal arrangement of both sections (2) and (3), is carried out by the pin (6) of the trigger (4) on the hole ( 7 ') of the fixed section (2) of the aforementioned handle, while in the position of extensibility or elongation the interlocking is done by the pin (6) on the hole (7) of that same fixed section (2), but located in An area near its free end.

This displacement of the section (3) with respect to the section (2), so that it is straight, that is to say without headers and with total uniformity, is made based on guiding elements constituted by longitudinal projections provided for the effect internally in the section (3) of the handle that are housed and slide in complementary channels (10) established for this purpose in the fixed section (2) of the handle.

The drive or propulsion of the section (3) outwards when the trigger (4) is pressed or operated by the user, is achieved, in the present case, by a spring or spring (11) housed in an axial passage (12) established both in the fixed section (2) and in the rear and movable section (3), being that spring or spring (11) housed in those holes or opposite passages (12) of both sections (2) and (3), of so that the rear end of the said spring is located in a cavity (12 ') provided for that purpose in a terminal or supplement (13) that is mounted, independently, on the free end of the rear section (3), for which this supplement or terminal (13) has a contour equal to that of the end of the section (3), but provided with an inner portion (14) of smaller contour for staying inside the section (3), that inner portion (14) being the one provided with the cavity (12 ') where the end of the spring (11) is positioned, said terminal or supplement (13) being fixed by means of a pair of side screws (15) that are through holes (16) of the section itself (3) and that thread in holes (17) established for this purpose on the sides of the portion (14), as clearly seen in the Figure 1.

In this way, in the resting or normal position where the handle will have its statutory length, the pin (6) is locked in the hole (7) of the section (2), although the spring is constantly pushing this section ( 3) towards the outside, a thrust that will carry with it a propulsion when the pin (6) of the hole (7 ') is unlocked, when the trigger (4) is pressed, that section (3) being moved backwards until the pin (6) reaches the rear hole (7) and is locked in it, thus achieving a greater length or extensibility of the handle and therefore an extension of the racket that will be useful at certain times or sets of the game, being able to recover again its original position with no more than pushing the section (3) in the opposite direction, against the action of the spring (11), until the blockage of the pin (6) on the hole (7 ') is produced again.

In figures 3 and 4 the racket (1) is observed with a second improvement, constituting a means that allows the balls to be collected from the ground with the racket itself (1). More specifically, the second improvement is that a base or support (17) is fixed on the frame or edge of the racket (1), with any appropriate length and width suitable for fixing on that racket edge or frame (1 ), in any position chosen in this regard, fixation that is preferably carried out with the collaboration of a pair of staples (18), of "U" configuration, which are coupled to the said edge of the racket or blade (1) with interposition of the ends of the base itself (17), which are fixed to said racket or shovel with the collaboration of captive screws (19) and which not only radially press the base (17) against the racket (1) but also retain it longitudinally with the collaboration of stops (20) operatively established at the ends of the base (17).

The base (17) may be rigid, with the curvature of the edge of the racket in the area thereof intended for implantation, but preferably it will be flexible in nature so as to allow its adaptation to the edge of the racket (1) in any zone of the same, regardless of its curvature, which allows even the implantation of several devices on the same racket, in different areas of it. Similarly, its length may be variable to cover any area of the edge of the racket (1) deemed convenient, and may even have a widening in its central area, as a spherical cap, in order to obtain a greater Adhesion surface for the ball.

In any case, the base or support (17) will incorporate its outer surface covered by an adhesive (21), which can be materialized in a sheet provided with adhesive on both sides, for fixing on one side to the base (17) and for fixing by the other of the ball itself. It can be an adhesive that is poured in liquid phase on the base (17), fixing it when solidifying and also offering an external face of adhesion for the ball, or any other type of determining solution of a capable adherent surface can be adopted to fix the ball and to support the weight of the ball during the ascent maneuver towards the user's hand, while also providing for the possibility of the ball being treated with any of the existing substances in the market capable of increase its adhesion with respect to the ball collecting device.

It is also provided that the adhesive (21) can be removed - li when it loses its adhesion capacity and replaced by another in optimal conditions of use, when the type of adhesive used so requires.

The staples (18), which in the case of using a sheet-shaped adhesive (21) also collaborate in fixing it to the base (17), will incorporate small recesses (22) on the inner edge of its lateral branches. intended for the pressure coupling of a placket (23), formally and dimensionally suitable to cover the adhesive element (21), protecting it during the inoperative phase thereof, for which purpose said placket (23) will be of an elastic material and will incorporate, in correspondence with its vertices, lateral fins (24) provided with small protrusions (25) snap-in at said recesses (22), constituting the retention means for said placket (23), so that the elastic deformation of the placket (23) allows access to the protuberances (25), over the recesses (22), in a limit mounting situation in which said placket (23) adapts to the adhesive element (21).

Claims

R E I V I N D I C A C I O N E S

I ^a .- Improved racket, which being applicable in that type of rackets used for the practice of tennis, or in paddles for the game of the ball or the like, with the purpose of achieving a greater length of the racket or shovel handle, as well as allowing the collection of the ball from the ground with the racket or shovel itself, characterized in that the corresponding handle of the racket or shovel (1) is formed by at least two sections (2) and (3) axially coupled to each other , an anterior and fixed one forming an integral part of the body (1) of the racket or shovel, and a subsequent one mounted with the power to move with respect to the former to eventually and voluntarily achieve an elongation of the handle itself; It is further provided that on the frame or edge of the racket or shovel (1), means for direct collection of the ball from the ground are independently mounted, said means materialized from a base or support (17), for fixing to the frame or racket edge (1).

2 .- Racket perfected according to claim Ia, wherein it comprises actuator means (4) which is manually operable or automatically at will of the user, for the displacement of the rear section (3) of the handle, having such a medium actuator (4) with propellant and / or retraction means of the aforementioned rear section (3), as well as with means for blocking and / or releasing the propellant and / or retraction means themselves.

3 .- Racket perfected according to claim Ia, wherein the sections (2) and (3) forming the handle have guide means complementary to a uniform shift and regulate the rear section (3) with respect to the front section (two). 4 .- Racket improved, according to claim 3, characterized in that the complementary guiding means between both sections (2) and (3) are constituted by longitudinal ribs provided in a section (3) and channels complementary provided to the effect on the another section (2) of the handle.

5 .- improved Racket according ^to claim I, wherein the drive means forming part of the actuator means (4), are capable of being actuated mechanically, hydraulically, pneumatically or electrically.

6 .- Racket improved, according to claim I ^to, wherein the actuator means (4) is formed from a button as a trigger or the like mounted on the rear section (3) and operable by the finger of the user, push which has an interlocking element (6), such as a stud or similar, that is housed in a hole (7) or (7 ') provided for this purpose in the fixed section (2) of the handle.

7 .- Racket improved, according to claim 6, wherein the front and fixed section (2) of the handle has two holes (7) and (7 ') for the location of the locking element (6), in the position of extensibility of the posterior section (3) and in the position of withdrawal or normal use, respectively.

8 .- improved Racket according ^to claim I, 5 and 6, characterized in that the drive element, able to be actuated mechanically, hydraulically, pneumatically or electrically, is preferably constituted by a spring or spring (11) which is housed in an axial passage (12) established in both sections (2) and (3) of the handle, tending to constantly push back the rear section (3), said spring (11) being guided by its rear end in a cavity (12 ') provided for that purpose in a supplement or terminal (13), as a cover mounted, with an independent character, at the free end of the rear section (3) of the handle.

9. ^A perfected racket, according to claim 6 ^a , characterized in that the actuator (4) is pivotally mounted and with its locking element (6) towards said position, by means of an elastic element or spring (8) that pushes said actuator (4) towards the interlocking position.

10 .- Racket perfected according to claim Ia, wherein the base or support (17) from which the means enabling the direct collection of the ball soil is likely to be attachable to any area constitutes the edge of the silver or racket (1), based on a support (17) on whose external face an adhesive element (21) of suitable characteristics is established to keep the ball stabilized on the paddle or racket (1) during the maneuver of ascension of the latter for the collection of the ball, it being provided that said ball is optionally treated with any suitable substance to increase its ability to adhere to the ballistic means itself.

11 .- improved Racket according to claims I ^to and 9, wherein the base or support (17) is materialized in a sheet, preferably flexible, adaptable to the edge of the blade or machine (1) with any suitable length, which is fixed to the latter with the collaboration of a pair of extreme staples (18) that, with a "U" configuration, are attached to the edge of the blade or racket (1) with interposition of the base (17) and fix it with the collaboration of captive screws (19).

12 ^a .- Improved racket, according to claims I ^a , 9 ^a and 10 ^a , characterized in that the adhesive element, which can be applied in liquid phase to the base (17) constituting an adhesive sheet after its solidification, it will preferably materialize in a replaceable sheet (21), provided with adhesive on both sides, in which case the fixing to the edge of the racket or blade (1) is carried out, in addition to the collaboration of the adhesive on its inner face, with the end clips (18) fixing said base (17) to the shovel or racket (1).

13 ^a. - Racquet perfected, according to claims I ^a , 9 ^a , 10 ^a and 11 ^a , characterized in that a protective placket (23) for the adhesive element collaborates with the ball collecting means formed from the support base (17). , of an elastic material, placket (23) provided in correspondence with its vertices of fins (24) provided in turn with small protuberances (25) of snap fit in recesses (22) of which the staples (18) of fixing the base (17) to the frame of the racket or shovel (1), so that said placket (23) is fixed at its ends and by temporary and elastic deformation thereof to said end clips (18).