WO2014013197A2

WO2014013197A2 - Badminton shuttlecock

Info

Publication number: WO2014013197A2
Application number: PCT/FR2013/051720
Authority: WO
Inventors: Patrick Doby; Joël TRIBOULT
Original assignee: Decathlon
Priority date: 2012-07-20
Filing date: 2013-07-17
Publication date: 2014-01-23
Also published as: GB2519687B; GB201500691D0; GB2519687A; WO2014013197A3; FR2993469A1; FR2993469B1; CN204972945U

Abstract

The invention relates to a badminton shuttlecock comprising: a body comprising a base plate (20) which has a rim and a tip (14), and a plurality of rods (22) moulded into one single part with the base plate (20), each of the rods having: o a first end (22a) rigidly connected to the base plate, and o a fastening part (28) located opposite the first end and which extends along a fraction of the length of the rod; a thin, flexible truncated blade (16) which is attached along the fastening part (28) of each of the rods (22).

Description

BADMINTON BIRDIE

background of the invention

The present invention relates to the field of jdminton wheels.

In known manner, a badminton shuttlecock is a projectile that is used in the sports of racket called "badminton". The steering wheel has the general shape of an open truncated cone with a significant aerodynamic wind.

Badminton shuttlecocks can be classified in two categories: first category consists of the wheels having a wing in urns. These have a good flight quality. Indeed, the flight ajectory is parachute type: the steering wheel can achieve a: itude important while having a trajectory of descent> rupte. This type of steering wheel, however, has the disadvantage of having a life expectancy reduced because of the fragility of the feathers.

The second category consists of flying nthetic material, especially plastic. These last have a great duration; life but have the disadvantage of poor flying qualities. Indeed, the trajectory is of the parabolic type: the altitude reached is more ible than in a parachute trajectory and presents a softer trajectory of iscent. This second type of trajectory is less interesting r the steering wheel is then more easily overtaken by the opponent.

WO-2008/038040 discloses a steering wheel belonging to the second category; it is composed of a front part carrying the end piece and a rear part constituting the canopy, the front and rear parts being made of two different synthetic materials and are connected to each other by portions of annular ends. . This wheel sometimes has the disadvantage of sometimes breaking in two during the game.

GB-2 333 970 discloses a two-material badminton steering wheel in which the rods and the plate are formed by injection, the wings are stamped and each wing is attached to a corresponding rod by gluing, welding or by means mechanical.

and a summary of the invention

An object of the present invention is to provide a dminton steering wheel having the dynamic behavior of a feather wheel while i having a longer life. The invention achieves its goal by the fact that the steering wheel comprises:

A body comprising a plate which has a periphery and carries a tip, and a plurality of rods molded in one piece with the plate, each of the rods having:

o a first end secured to the plate, and o an attachment portion located opposite the first end and which extends along a fraction of the length of the rod;

• A thin and flexible frustoconical shape wing which is fixed along the fixing portion of each of the rods.

The body structure, which is composed of a one-piece plate with the plurality of rods, provides stiffness to the steering wheel, while the thin and flexible wing allows the steering wheel to exhibit aerodynamic behavior close to that of the steering wheel. a feathered steering wheel without the fragility. Preferably, the body has between 12 and 16 stems.

It is thus understood that the sail is a single piece of frustoconical shape.

Preferably, the thickness of the wing is between 0.1 mm and 0.3 mm.

The attachment portions preferably extend from the second ends of the opposite rods to the first ends.

It is therefore understood that the catch between the wing and the rods is in a fastening zone extending along each of the rod attachment portions.

According to a preferred embodiment, the wing is arranged around the plurality of rods and has an inner surface attached to the rod attachment portions.

The wing thus surrounds the assembly constituted by the plurality of rods.

Alternatively, the wing is disposed within the volume defined by the plurality of rods. In this case, the assembly consisting of the plurality of rods is arranged around the blade.

According to another variant, the rods are embedded in the wing.

Preferably, the wing is attached, which means that the wing is a separate part of the body before attachment to the rods. An interest is to be able to achieve the steering wheel in two materials having different rigidities. The wing will preferably be made of a softer material than the material constituting the body.

Advantageously, the wing is fixed to the fixing portions by overmolding, welding or gluing.

Preferably, the steering wheel is made by bi-injection, the body being formed during a first injection, while the wing is obtained by overmolding.

An overmoulding advantage is to allow the automated obtaining of a steering wheel having good adhesion between the body and the wing. As mentioned above, this technique also makes it easy to make a badminton shuttlecock made of two different materials.

Preferably, the material of the rods has a hardness lower than that of the rod of a feather to make the rods less brittle during impacts, which increases the life of the steering wheel.

Advantageously, at least some of the attachment portions of the rods are fixed to the wing on at least a quarter of the length of the wing. At least some of the attachment portions, preferably at least half, have a length at least equal to one quarter of the length of the wing.

The length of the wing means the length of its lateral surface. This is usually the length of the wings constituting the wing.

Thus, the area of attachment of the rods to the wing extends over a length corresponding to at least one third of the length of the wing.

Preferably, each of the attachment portions has a length greater than one third of the length of the wing.

This ensures the attachment of the wing to the rods while allowing the wing, once attached to the body, to maintain its flexibility.

According to the preferred embodiment, the wing covers the rods which extend within the volume defined by the wing over a length corresponding to at least one third of the length of the wing. Each of the rods has a portion not covered by the wing. This uncovered portion is at least 25% of the length of the stem.

Advantageously, the bearing surface of the wing, that is to say the external or lateral surface of the wing, has a determined texture or a specific surface condition, for example a roughness, to modify the flow of the airfoil. air on it. Furthermore, the wing can also have a bearing surface with specific patterns, for example geometric patterns, also to change the flow of air on it.

The choice of a determined texture, a determined surface state and / or a determined pattern for the airfoil of the wing can modify the aerodynamic behavior of the steering wheel, for example the braking or the speed of rotation of the steering wheel. .

Advantageously, the blade has a plurality of fins connected to each other by their longitudinal edges, while being inclined relative to each other.

This conformation, which mimics the shape of a skirt of a feathered steering wheel, contributes to obtain an aerodynamic behavior comparable to that of a feathered steering wheel.

Preferably, the fins are connected to each other by their longitudinal edges over all or part of the length of the fins.

To further improve the flexibility of the skirt of the steering wheel, namely the rear portion opposite to the front portion carrying the tip, the blade has a large base and a small base, the small base being located between the large base and the plate, and the wing has a decreasing thickness between its small base and its large base.

To further improve the flexibility of the steering wheel, the rods advantageously have second ends opposite to the first ends, and the fixing portions of the rods have a decreasing thickness towards the second ends of the rods. Preferably, for each of the rods, the thickness of the attachment portions is less than that of the rest of the rod. An interest is to further improve the flexibility of the wing.

Preferably, but not exclusively, the wing has a large base and a small base, the small base being located between the large base and platinum, and in that the small and / or large base has a zigzag-shaped peripheral cutout.

To enhance the rigidity of the steering wheel, the body advantageously comprises at least one stiffening ring secured to the rods which is disposed between the wing and the plate.

Preferably, this stiffening ring is molded in one piece with the rods.

Advantageously, the wing further comprises at least one stiffening ring. Preferably, the stiffening ring is disposed at the end of the wing forming the small base of the wing.

Thus, according to the invention, the wing and / or the body may be provided with a stiffening ring. These rings extend in planes parallel to the plate.

Advantageously, the rods have a cross section in the shape of "U". An interest is to lighten the stems while maintaining their rigidity.

Preferably, the U-shaped cross section opens into the volume defined by the plurality of rods.

Advantageously, the fixing portions of the rods comprise notches filled with material constituting the wing.

Alternatively, or in combination with the preceding feature, the wing comprises notches filled with constituent material of the rods. An interest is to achieve a mechanical catch between the rods and the wing, to enhance the chemical grip between the constituent materials of the body and the wing.

According to a preferred embodiment, but not exclusively, the body is made of fiber filled polyamide, while the wing is made of unfilled polyamide.

The inventors have found that this choice of types of materials makes it possible to obtain a rigid body, as well as a wing that is sufficiently flexible to deform upon impact with the racket and resistant so as not to break.

Advantageously, the plate further comprises a fastening portion of the tip, said fixing portion protruding from a face of the plate.

Preferably, the plate has the form of a solid disc. In a variant, the plate forms a disk that has a central opening, and the end of the fixing portion opposite the plate has a closing wall parallel to the plate in order to close off the end of the fixing portion. An interest is to move the center of gravity of the steering wheel forward, in order to adjust the aerodynamic behavior of the steering wheel.

Preferably, the attachment portion is in the form of one or more harpoons having a cylindrical shape. The harpoon (s) are inserted into the mouthpiece to make it integral with the body.

The invention furthermore relates to a method of manufacturing a badminton shuttlecock according to the invention in which the body is first made by injection molding, and in which the wing is then overmolded onto the fastening portions of the invention. rods.

Such a method is easily automated and makes it possible to easily achieve a bi-material badminton steering wheel which has a better impact resistance than that of the prior art, while having a very flexible wing to present an aerodynamic behavior close to that of a feathered steering wheel.

The invention also relates to an alternative method of manufacturing a badminton shuttlecock according to the invention wherein the body is made by molding, the blade is thermoformed, and the body is overmolded on said wing.

Preferably, but not exclusively, the tip is made by foaming.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will be better understood on reading the following description of embodiments of the invention given as non-limiting examples, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 is a perspective front view of the badminton shuttlecock according to the invention;

- Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the steering wheel of Figure 1;

- Figure 3 is a view of the steering wheel in longitudinal section along the plane A of Figure 1;

- Figure 4 is a view of the steering wheel of Figure 1 in cross section along the plane B of Figure 1; - Figure 5 is a side view of the body of the steering wheel of Figure i;

FIG. 6 is a semi-exploded perspective view of a variant of the badminton shuttlecock according to the invention.

Detailed description of the invention

An exemplary embodiment of a badminton wheel 10 according to the invention is shown in Figures 1 to 5. This wheel 10 has a rear portion 10a consists of a skirt 12 of generally frustoconical shape and a front portion 10b comprising a mouthpiece 14. The flywheel has an axis of symmetry X.

In a conventional manner, the flywheel 10, considered in the axial direction of the frustoconical skirt 12, has a convergent shape from the rear portion 10a to the front portion 10b.

The skirt 12 comprises in particular a canopy 16 of frustoconical shape which will be described in more detail below.

According to the invention, the badminton shuttlecock 10 comprises a body 18 which comprises a plate 20 to which the tip 14 is fixed, as well as a plurality of rods 22 which extend from the periphery 20a of the plate 20. The skirt is the assembly consisting of the plurality of rods and the wing.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, the rods 22 are angularly spaced from each other so as to define a frustoconical volume.

According to the invention, the rods 22 are molded in one piece with the plate 20. In this example, the plate has a circular shape, and more specifically a disc shape.

This plate 20 is perpendicular to the X axis of the flywheel 10. As will be seen below, the disk-shaped plate 20 may be full or, according to a variant which will be described below, have a central orifice.

In this example, the body 18 comprises sixteen rods 22. This number is however not limiting, the steering wheel may have a number of rods of between twelve and sixteen or more.

Referring to FIG. 3, it can be seen that each of the rods 22 has a first end 22a integral with the plate 20: in other words, the end 22a of the rod 22 constitutes the connection zone between the rod 22 and the plate 20.

Each of the rods 22 further comprises a second end 22b opposite the first end 22a.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5, each of the rods 22 has a cross section S shaped "U". In this example, the "U" shape opens towards the inside of the skirt 12. This "U" -shaped cross section S extends over at least half the length L of the rod 22. specifies here that the rods 22 are substantially rectilinear; we will call longitudinal direction of the rod 22 the direction in which extends each of the rods.

Each of the rods 22 therefore has a longitudinal groove 22d which extends along the length L of the rod 22.

As seen in FIG. 4, the grooves 22d open towards the inside of the skirt 12.

In this example, this groove 22d extends for each of the rods 22 from the first end 22a to a position 22c set back from the second end 22b.

In this example, the groove 22d extends over more than half the length of the rod 22.

According to another advantageous aspect of the invention, the rods 22 are interconnected by means of a stiffening ring 24 which is perpendicular to the X axis and which is also molded in one piece with the rods 22. this example, the stiffening ring 24 is disposed between the plate 20 and the wing 16.

Referring again to FIG. 3, it can be seen that the body 18 further includes a fastening portion 26 for fastening the tip 14 to the plate 20.

In this example, the fixing portion 26 has the shape of a cylindrical harpoon extending from the face 20b of the plate 20 which is opposite the face 20c from which the rods 22 extend.

The fastening portion 26 is engaged in the material constituting the endpiece to make it integral with the plate 20.

In this example, the plate forms a solid disk and the end 26a of the fixing portion 26 which is remote from the plate is open. The fixing portion 26 is preferably molded in one piece with the rest of the body 18.

In the variant shown in Figure 6, the plate 20 'is not full unlike the plate 20 of the example described above; it comprises a central orifice 21 'of circular shape so as to open the end of the fixing portion 26' which is connected to the plate 20 '. In this embodiment, the end 26'a of the fixing portion 26 'which is opposite the plate 20' has a closure wall 23 'parallel to the plate 20' to close the end 26'a of the fixing portion 26 '.

An interest of this variant is to move the center of gravity of the steering wheel forward to modify the aerodynamic behavior.

With the help of Figures 2 and 3, we will now describe in more detail the wing of the badminton shuttlecock 10 according to the invention.

In this example, the frustoconically shaped wing 18 is made of a flexible material and has a thickness of between 0.1 mm and 0.3 mm. Therefore, the wing 16 is thin and flexible.

The wing 16 is an insert which consists of a single piece of frustoconical shape and which is arranged around the plurality of rods 22. In other words, the wing 16 extends around the assembly constituted by the rods 22.

According to the invention, each of the rods 22 further comprises an attachment portion 28 which is located opposite the first end 22a. This fixing portion 28 extends along a fraction of the length L of the rod 22.

As seen in Figure 2, the end portion 28 extends from the second end 22b to the first end 22a.

The length I of the end portion 28 is strictly less than the length L of the corresponding rod 22.

According to the invention, the wing 16 is fixed to the rods along the fastening portion 28 of each of the rods 22.

In this example, the fixing portion 28 extends from the second end 22b of the rod. The attachment portion thus comprises a first end 28a, and a second end 28b coincides with the second end 22b of the rod.

Preferably, the length I of the attachment portion 28 along which the wing is fixed is at least equal to 1/5 of the length L of the rod 22. Here again it is specified that the length L of the rod extends from the distance between the first end 22a and the second end 22b.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the wing 16 is disposed around the plurality of rods 22 and has an internal surface 17 which is fixed to the fixing portions of the rods 22.

In other words, in this embodiment, the fastening portions 28 of the rods 22 extend inside the volume defined by the wing 16.

Insofar as the wing 16 has a frustoconical shape, a small base 16a and a large base 16b of the wing can be defined, these bases being perpendicular to the axis X.

It will be understood from FIGS. 1 to 3 that the fastening portions 28 of the rods 22 extend inside the volume defined by the blade 16 between the small base 16a and the large base 16b.

Preferably, the fixing portions of the rods 22 are fixed to the wing 16 over at least a quarter of the length h of the wing. More specifically, the rods 22 extend inside the volume defined by the wing 16 from the small base 16a over a length that is at least equal to a quarter of the length h of the wing 16. It is specified here that the length h corresponds to the length of the lateral surface of the truncated cone defined by the wing 16.

In this particular example, the wing 16 is fixed to the fastening portions 28 by overmolding. It could however be fixed by welding or gluing. We will return below on the manufacturing process of this steering wheel.

The bearing surface of the wing 16, that is to say the outer surface of the wing, may have a determined texture or a specific surface condition, for example a roughness, to modify the flow of air on it. The wing 16 may also have a bearing surface comprising specific patterns, for example geometric patterns, which also makes it possible to modify the flow of air thereon. It is then possible to modify the aerodynamic behavior of the steering wheel, for example the braking or the speed of rotation of the steering wheel.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1 to 3 and 6, the wing 16 has a plurality of fins 30 which are connected to each other by their longitudinal edges 30a. The length of the fins corresponds substantially to the length of the wing.

In this example, the fins are inclined relative to each other so as to mimic the arrangement of a feather wing.

In this particular example, the wing 16 has a decreasing thickness between its small base 16a and its large base 16b. In other words, the fins 30 have a decreasing thickness between the small base 16a and the large base 16b of the wing 16. An interest, as mentioned above, is to improve the flexibility and lightness of the wing of the steering wheel. 10.

Another interest is to move the center of gravity of the steering wheel to its front portion 10b.

As seen in Figure 3, in this example, the large base 16b and the small base 16a each have a zigzag-shaped peripheral cut 32, 34 to improve the aerodynamic behavior.

Insofar as the wing is overmolded to the plurality of rods 22, it is understood that the catch is primarily of a chemical nature between the constituent materials of the body 18 and the wing 16.

To improve this grip, it also provides a mechanical catch. To do this, the fixing portions 28 of the rods comprise notches 29 which are initially empty and which are intended to be filled with the constituent material of the blade 16 at the time of overmolding. One or more notches 29 may be provided next to one another in the fastening portion 28 of the rods. This mechanical catch which completes the chemical grip, allows to significantly increase the breaking strength of the steering wheel according to the invention.

In these nonlimiting examples, the wing 16 also comprises notches (not shown here) which are initially empty and which are filled with constituent material of the rods at the time of the overmolding operation, which makes it possible to further improve the breaking resistance of the steering wheel 10.

We will now explain two variants of manufacturing method of the steering wheel according to the invention. According to a first manufacturing method, the body 18 is firstly produced by injection molding so as to form the rods 22, the plate 20 and the fixing part 26, as well as the stiffening ring 24. wing 16 is then overmolded on the fastening portions 28 of the rods. In this example, overmolding is performed outside the volume defined by the plurality of rods.

According to another manufacturing method, the body 18 is made by molding. The wing is thermoformed by known methods and then the body 18 is overmolded on said wing 16.

Claims

1. Badminton steering wheel (10) characterized in that it comprises:

A body (18) comprising a plate (20) which has a periphery and carries a tip (14), and a plurality of rods (22) molded in one piece with the plate (20), each of the rods having:

a first end (22a) integral with the plate (20), and

o an attachment portion (28) located opposite the first end and which extends along a fraction of the length (L) of the rod;

• A thin and flexible frustoconical shape wing (16) which is fixed along the fastening portion (28) of each of the rods (22).

2. badminton shuttlecock according to claim 1, characterized in that the wing is arranged around the plurality of rods (22) and has an inner surface (16a) fixed to the fixing portions (28) of the rods (22).

3. badminton shuttlecock according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the wing (16) is fixed to the fastening portions (28) by overmolding, welding or gluing.

4. Badminton steering wheel according to one of claims 1 to

3, characterized in that at least some of the fixing portions (28) of the rods (22) are fixed to the wing (16) over at least a quarter of the length (h) of the wing (16).

Badminton steering wheel according to one of claims 1 to

4, characterized in that the wing (16) has a plurality of fins connected to each other by their longitudinal edges, while being inclined relative to each other.

The badminton steering wheel according to one of claims 1 to

5, characterized in that the wing (16) has a large base (16c) and a small base (16b), the small base being located between the large base and the plate, and in that the wing (16) has a decreasing thickness between its small base (16b) and its large base (16c).

7. Badminton shuttlecock according to one of claims 1 to

6, characterized in that the wing (16) has a large base (16c) and a small base (16b), the small base being located between the large base and the plate, and in that the small and / or large base has a zigzag-shaped peripheral cut.

8. Badminton shuttlecock according to any one of claims 1 to

7, characterized in that the body (18) further comprises at least one stiffening ring (24) integral with the rods which is disposed between the wing and the plate.

A badminton shuttlecock according to any one of claims 1 to

8, characterized in that the wing (16) further comprises at least one stiffening ring.

A badminton shuttlecock according to any one of claims 1 to

9, characterized in that the rods (22) have a cross section (22b) shaped "U".

Badminton steering wheel according to one of claims 1 to

10, characterized in that the fixing portions (28) of the rods comprise notches (29) filled with material constituting the wing.

12. Badminton shuttlecock according to one of claims 1 to

11, characterized in that the wing (16) comprises notches filled with constituent material of the rods.

13. Badminton steering wheel according to any one of claims 1 to

12, characterized in that the rods (22) have second ends (22b) opposite the first ends (22a), and in that the fastening portions (28) of the rods have a decreasing thickness towards the second ends (22b) stems.

14. Badminton shuttlecock according to any one of claims 1 to

13, characterized in that the body (18) is made of fiber filled polyamide, while the wing is made of unfilled polyamide.

15. Badminton shuttlecock according to one of claims 1 to

14, characterized in that the plate has the form of a solid disc (20).

16. Badminton steering wheel according to one of claims 1 to

14, characterized in that the plate (200 further comprises a fixing portion (260 of the tip, said fixing portion protruding from a face (20b ') of the plate (20'), in that the plate has the shape of a disc having a central opening (21 ⁷ ), and in that the end (26'a) of the portion (260 of attachment opposite the plate has a closure wall parallel to the plate so closing the end (26'a) of the fixing part (260-

17. A method of manufacturing a badminton shuttlecock according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the body (18) is first made by injection molding, and wherein the wing is then overmolded on the fixing portions (28) of the rods.

18. A method of manufacturing a badminton shuttlecock according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the body (18) is made by molding, the wing is thermoformed, and the body (18) is overmolded on said wing (16).