WO2024072278A1

WO2024072278A1 - A racket comprising a socket and a plug and a racket set comprising the racket

Info

Publication number: WO2024072278A1
Application number: PCT/SE2023/050873
Authority: WO
Inventors: Carl Filip WIRSTRÖM; Jörgen LINDSTRÖM JENSEN
Original assignee: Stiga Sports Ab
Priority date: 2022-09-26
Filing date: 2023-09-05
Publication date: 2024-04-04
Also published as: SE2251109A1; CN117752989A

Abstract

A racket (1) is provided. The racket (1) comprises a handle (2) and a blade (3). The handle (2) comprises a socket (5) arranged at an end portion (2') of the handle (2). The socket (5) extends into the handle (2) along a central longitudinal axis (6) of the racket (1). The socket (5) comprises a first magnetic material (7) arranged in the socket (5). The racket (1) further comprises a plug (8) configured to be arranged into the socket (5). The plug (8) comprises a second magnetic material configured for magnetic attraction to the first magnetic material (7).

Description

A RACKET COMPRISING A SOCKET AND A PLUG AND A RACKET SET COMPRISING THE RACKET

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure is generally related to the field of sport rackets.

BACKGROUND

Racket sports players, amateurs as well as professionals, choose their rackets, or racquets, carefully as there are many parameters to take into consideration in order to find the most optimal racket. The parameters include, for example, the type of material of the different parts of the racket, and the assembly of the parts of racket, the form or appearance of the racket. One of the most important parameters is the weight and balance of the handle of the racket.

Therefore, many racket sports players try to adjust their equipment in order to customize it to match their individual preferences. For example, some players use leadbased tape in order to adjust the weight and balance of the handle of a racket. However, such an application may be time-consuming, inaccurate, hard to replicate, and/or may negatively affect other parameters of the racket, such as the grip of the handle. Additionally, the lead-based tape may be prone to fall off, in which case the player has to replace it.

It is therefore of interest to provide a racket with an improved adjustability of weight and balance.

SUMMARY

It is therefore a goal of the present disclosure to provide a racket which allows a player to easily, and quickly, adjust the weight and balance of the racket.

To achieve this goal, the present disclosure provides a racket comprising a socket and a plug as defined by the independent claim. Further embodiments are provided in the dependent claims.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a racket is provided. The racket comprises a handle and a blade. The handle comprises a socket arranged at an end portion of the handle. The socket extends into the handle along a central longitudinal axis of the racket, which may also be understood as the socket extending into the handle along a central longitudinal axis of the handle. The socket comprises a first magnetic material arranged in the socket. The racket further comprises a plug configured to be arranged into the socket. The plug comprises a second magnetic material configured for magnetic attraction to the first magnetic material.

The handle may extend longitudinally, and one longitudinal end of the handle may be attached to the blade and the other longitudinal end of the handle may comprise the socket. The first magnetic material may be arranged in, at, and/or within the socket. Surfaces of the blade may be configured for attachment of one or more cover layers or surface material, such as a rubber layer. By the term "magnetic material" it is meant, for example, a permanent magnet, or a material which is attracted by a magnetic force, such as a magnetic metal material. The plug may, alternatively, be understood as an inset or a filling.

The present disclosure is based on the concept of providing a racket comprising a socket configured to receive a plug, and thereby altering the weight and/or balance of the racket, and especially the weight and/or balance of the handle of the racket. Thus, the plug may alternatively be understood as a weighted plug. Further, the socket may be configured to receive one plug from a plurality of plugs. Each plug of the plurality of plugs may be configured to be arranged into the socket. In other words, each plug may have a shape which allows the plug to be arranged into the socket. Each plug of the plurality of plugs may have a different weight from the remaining plugs of the plurality of plugs. Thereby, by switching between plugs having different weights, the weight and/or balance of the racket can be easily adjusted.

The socket and the plug each having a magnetic material being configured for magnetic attraction to each other allows for a quick and easy arrangement of the plug into the socket, or connection of the plug and socket. The magnetic material further provides a secure arrangement of the plug into the socket. A more secure arrangement of the plug into the socket may prevent rattling, or vibration, of the plug inside the socket, thereby providing an improved user experience. Further, the quick and easy arrangement translate to a quick and easy switching of plugs. In other words, the racket according to the present disclosure allows for a player to quickly and easily switch between plugs having different weight, in order to try a differently weighted and/or balanced racket.

The racket may be any kind of sports racket, such as a table tennis racket, a tennis racket, a badminton racket, or a padel racket. In other words, the abovementioned concept of providing a racket comprising a socket configured to receive a plug is not limited to a racket for any particular sport.

The plug may comprise a flange. The flange may be arranged at an end portion of the plug. The flange may, alternatively, be understood as, for example, a rim, a lip or a ledge arranged at the end portion of the plug. The plug may comprise two end portions, wherein a first end portion may be configured to be inserted into the socket, and the flange may be arranged at the second end portion. The flange may extend, or protrude away from a central longitudinal axis of the plug. Further, the flange may extend, or protrude, radially from the central longitudinal axis of the plug. Furthermore, the flange may extend from one or more sides of the plug, which are extending between the end portions of the plug. The flange may form part of the end portion of the plug. The flange may be arranged to abut at least a portion of the longitudinal end of the handle when the plug is arranged into the socket. The flange may prevent the entire plug from being inserted, or arranged, within the socket, thereby providing an easier removal of the plug from the socket. Further, the flange may act as a wedge, or grip, for a user, or player, removing the plug from the socket. Thus, the flange may provide an additional ease of removal of the plug from the socket.

The plug may comprise a surface which extends between a portion of the flange and a side of the plug, which may act as a transition from one or more side of the plug to the flange.

The socket may have a chamfered, conical or slanted shape. A first diameter of the socket, measured at the end portion of the handle, may be greater than a second diameter of the socket, measured at a bottom of the socket. The shape of the socket may allow the plug to be wedged in the socket, thereby providing a secure arrangement of the plug into the socket. Further, the shape of the socket may prevent a plug not comprising a flange from being completely inserted, or arranged, in the socket, thereby providing an easier removal of the plug from the socket. A benefit of a conical shape is that it provides easier manufacturing of the socket, since the handle can be drilled with a drill bit.

The plug may have a chamfered, conical or slanted shape. For example, the plug may have a shape in accordance with a cone or a truncated cone. A first diameter of the plug, measured at a first end portion of the plug, may be greater than a second diameter of the plug, measured at a second end portion of the plug. The shape of the plug and the shape of the socket may be related such that, when the plug is inserted, or arranged, in the socket, the sides of the plug may be abutting the sides of the socket. The shape of the socket and the shape of the plug may be complementary, so as to substantially mate. Phrased differently, a space defined by the shape of the socket may be substantially equal to a shape of, or at least a portion of, the plug. The shapes of the plug and the socket may allow for a tight fit of the plug in the socket. Further, when both the shapes of the plug and the socket are chamfered, conical or slanted, the plug may, when inserted in the socket, be wedged, and thereby arranged securely in the socket, which may prevent rattling and/or vibration of the plug when arranged into the socket.

A length of the socket along the central longitudinal axis may be greater than a length of the plug along a central longitudinal axis of the plug. The length of the socket along the central longitudinal axis may be greater than a length between an end portion of the plug and a flange of the plug. In other words, a length of the section of the plug which may be inserted into the socket may be lesser than the length of the socket.

The difference in length may allow for there to be a gap, or a space, between the bottom of the socket and the end portion of the plug. Further, the combination of the difference in length together with a plug comprising a flange may allow for there to be a gap, or a space, between the bottom of the socket and the end portion of the plug. Furthermore, the combination of the difference in length together with a socket and/or a plug comprising a chamfered, conical or slanted shape may allow for there to be a gap, or a space, between the bottom of the socket and the end portion of the plug.

The magnetic attraction of the first and second magnetic materials may secure the plug into the socket, and the gap, or space, between the bottom of the socket and the end portion of the plug allows the plug to be pulled towards the bottom of the socket rather than abutting the bottom of the socket. The plug being pulled towards the bottom of the socket may provide reduced rattling and/or vibration of the plug when arranged into the socket.

The first magnetic material may be arranged at a bottom of the socket, which may allow the magnetic attraction between the first and second magnetic materials to pull in a direction along the central longitudinal axis of the racket, thereby providing a secure arrangement of the plug into the socket. Further, the first magnetic material being arranged at the bottom of the socket may provide an easier manufacturing of the racket. The first magnetic material may be attached to the bottom of the socket by fastening means, such as a glue, and/or by being wedged against sides of the bottom of the socket.

The plug may be symmetrical about a first plane. The first plane may be aligned with a central longitudinal axis of the plug. A symmetrical plug may allow for insertion into the socket regardless of the rotation, about the central longitudinal axis of the plug, of the plug, thereby providing an easier insertion and removal of the plug into, or from, the socket.

A, for example, traditional table tennis racket weighs, approximately, between 50 grams and 150 grams, excluding rubber layers on the blade of the table tennis racket. Therefore, a weight of only a few grams may have a noticeable impact on the weight and/or balance of a racket having a weight between 50 grams and 150 grams. The plug may have a weight between 1 and 20 grams, 1 and 12 grams, or between 3 and 9 grams. For example, the plug may have a weight equal to 3 grams, 6 grams or 9 grams. However, the plug according to the present disclosure is not limited to having a weight less than 20 grams, and may, for example, have a weight up to 30 grams, 40 grams or even 50 grams.

The plug may comprise one or more materials. For example, the plug may be comprised by the second magnetic material. According to another example, the plug may comprise the second magnetic material and another material. The second magnetic material may be enclosed within the other material, or in a cavity of the other material, or extend through the other material. Alternatively, the other material may be enclosed within the second magnetic material, in or in a cavity of the second magnetic material, or extend through the second magnetic material. It is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to a plug comprising one or two materials, and may comprise any number of materials such as, for example, three, four, five or more.

The socket may further comprise a cavity which extends into the handle along the central longitudinal axis of the racket, and a sleeve arranged in the cavity. The plug may be configured to be arranged into the sleeve of the cavity. A shape of the cavity and an outer shape of the sleeve may be complementary, so as to substantially mate. The shape of the socket may be understood as an inner shape of the sleeve. The inner shape and the outer shape of the sleeve may be understood as an inner surface and an outer surface of the sleeve, respectively. The sleeve may comprise a plastic material.

At least one of the first magnetic material and the second magnetic material may be a magnet. For example, the first magnetic material may be a magnet, and the second magnetic material may be a magnetic metal, or the second magnetic material may be a magnet, and the first magnetic material may be a magnetic metal, or the first and the second magnetic materials may be magnets.

The racket may comprise a plurality of plugs, each comprising a magnetic material and configured to be arranged within the socket. Each plug of the plurality of plugs may have a weight different from the other one or more plugs of the plurality of plugs. The plurality of plugs may, alternatively, be referenced to as, for example, a set of plugs. The plurality of plugs may comprise, for example, a first plug having a weight of approximately 3 grams, a second plug having a weight of approximately 6 grams, and a third plug having a weight of approximately 9 grams. By having a plurality of plugs each having a different weight, a player is able to easily modify the weight and/or balance of the racket.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This and other aspects of the present disclosure will now be described in more detail, with reference to the appended drawings showing embodiment(s) of the disclosure.

Fig. la schematically shows a table tennis racket according to an exemplifying embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. lb schematically shows a tennis racket according to an exemplifying embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. lc schematically shows a badminton racket according to an exemplifying embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2 schematically shows cross-sections of a handle and a plug of a racket according to an exemplifying embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figs. 3a-c schematically show cross-sections of plugs of a racket according to exemplifying embodiments of the present disclosure.

Figs. 4a and 4b schematically show plugs of a racket according to exemplifying embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 5 schematically shows a cross-section of a handle of a racket according to an exemplifying embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Fig. la schematically shows a table tennis racket 1 according to an exemplifying embodiment of the present disclosure.

The shown table tennis racket 1 comprises a handle 2 and a blade 3. The handle 2 is connected to the blade 3 via a base portion 4. The handle 2 comprises a socket 5 arranged at an end portion 2' of the handle 2. The socket 5 extends into the handle 2 along a central longitudinal axis 6 of the table tennis racket 1. The socket 5 comprises a first magnetic material 7, which may be a magnet, arranged in the socket 5, which is shown in Fig. 1 to be arranged at a bottom of the socket 5. However, the magnetic material 7, may alternatively be arranged, for example, along sides of the socket 5. The socket 5 is configured to receive a plug (not shown; see e.g. Figs. 2 and 3) configured to be arranged into the socket 5. The plug may comprise a second magnetic material configured for magnetic attraction to the first magnetic material 7. The shown socket 5 has a chamfered shape, which may alternatively be understood as a conical or slanted shape.

The present disclosure is not limited to a racket 1 having a blade 3 and handle 2 as shown in Fig. 1. The shape of the blade 3 and/or the handle 2 shown in Fig. 1 is purely exemplary, and the blade 3 and/or the handle 2 may be replaced by any kind of racket blade and/or handle. This is fact is further substantiated by the exemplifying embodiments shown in Figs, lb and lc.

Fig. lb schematically shows a tennis racket 1 according to an exemplifying embodiment of the present disclosure.

The shown tennis racket 1, similarly to the table tennis racket 1 shown in Fig. la, comprises a handle 2 and a blade 3. However, the blade 3 of the table tennis racket 1 comprises a rim having a network of strings arranged within the rim. The handle 2 comprises a socket 5 arranged at an end portion 2' of the handle 2 in a similar fashion as the socket 5 of the table tennis racket 1 shown in Fig. la. The socket 5 extends into the handle 2 along a central longitudinal axis 6 of the tennis racket 1. The socket 5 comprises a first magnetic material 7, which may be a magnet, arranged in the socket 5, which is shown in Fig. 1 to be arranged at a bottom of the socket 5.

Fig. lc schematically shows a badminton racket 1 according to an exemplifying embodiment of the present disclosure.

The shown badminton racket 1 is similar to the table tennis racket 1 and the tennis racket 1 as shown in Figs, la and lb, and comprises a handle 2 and a blade 3. Similarly to the tennis racket 1, the blade 3 comprises a rim of the badminton racket 1 having a network of strings arranged within the rim. Further, the handle 2 comprises a socket 5 arranged at an end portion 2' of the handle 2 and extending into the handle 2 along a central longitudinal axis 6 of the badminton racket 1, and comprising a first magnetic material 7. Thereby, is has been shown in Figs, la-lc and in the above corresponding description, that the concept of having a socket 5 arranged at an end portion 2' of a handle 2 of a racket 1 and extending into the handle 2 along a central longitudinal axis 6 of the racket 1 is common for many different kinds of sport rackets. Consequently, the differences between the exemplifying embodiment shown in Fig. lb and Fig. la relates to the difference between the different kind of sports rackets rather than the implementation of the concept of the present disclosure. Further, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to table tennis rackets, tennis rackets or badminton rackets. Rather, the concept of the present disclosure may be implemented into any kind of sports racket.

Fig. 2 schematically shows cross-sections of a handle 2 and a plug 8 of a racket according to an exemplifying embodiment of the present disclosure. It is to be understood that the handle 2 shown in Fig. 2 is a part of a racket, and that the handle 2 shown in Fig. 2 is provided in order to provide an increased understanding of the present disclosure. It should be noted that Fig. 2 comprises features, elements and/or functions as shown in Fig. 1 and described in the associated text. Hence, it is also referred to Fig. 1 and the description relating thereto for an increased understanding.

A first diameter DI of the socket 5, which is measured at the end portion 2' of the handle 2, is greater than a second diameter D2 of the socket 5, which is measured at a bottom 10 of the socket 5. The difference between the first diameter DI and the second diameter D2 is due to the socket 5 having a chamfered, slanted or conical, shape. The socket 5 shown in Fig. 2 has a length LI along the central longitudinal axis 6, which is measured between the bottom 10 of the socket 5 and the end portion 2' of the handle 2.

The socket 5 shown in Fig. 2 comprises a first magnetic material 7 which is arranged at the bottom 10 of the socket 5, thereby establishing a side of the first magnetic material 7, which is facing the end portion 2' of the handle 2, as the bottom 10 of the socket 5. However, the first magnetic material 7 is not limited to being arranged at the bottom 10 of the socket 5. Therefore, the bottom of the socket 5 may, or may not, be based on where, or how, the first magnetic material 7 is arranged in the socket 5. Thus, the second diameter D2 and the length LI of the socket 5 may be different, based on the arrangement of the first magnetic material 7.

Fig. 2 shows a plug 8 configured for being arranged into the socket 5. The plug 8 comprises a second magnetic material configured for magnetic attraction to the first magnetic material of the socket 5. The plug 8 has a shape which is complementary to the shape of the socket 5, wherein the shape of the plug 8 shown in Fig. 2 is chamfered, slanted or conical. The plug 8 has a first diameter D3, which is measured at a first end portion 8' of the plug 8, and a second diameter D4, which is measured a second end portion 8” of the plug 8. The first diameter D3 of the plug 8 is greater than the second diameter D4 of the plug 8. Further, the plug 8 has a length L2, which is measured between the end portions 8', 8” of the plug 8. The plug 8 may be symmetrical about a first plane 11, wherein the first plane 11 is aligned with a central longitudinal axis 6' of the plug 8, such that the plug 8 may have a conical shape.

Fig. 3a schematically shows a cross-section of a plug 8 of a racket 1 according to exemplifying embodiments of the present disclosure. It should be noted that Figs. 3a-c comprises features, elements and/or functions as shown in Fig. 2 and described in the associated text. Hence, it is also referred to Fig. 2 and the description relating thereto for an increased understanding.

The plug 8 has two end portions 8', 8”, which may termed a first end portion 8' and a second end portion 8”. The first end portion 8' is wider than the second end portion 8” to allow the plug 8 to be inserted into a socket of a racket as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 in wedge-like fashion.

A difference between the plug 8 shown in Fig. 3a and the plug shown in Fig. 2 and described in associated texts is that the plug 8 shown in Fig. 3a comprises one or more flanges 9. The cross-sectional view in Fig. 3a shows the plug 8 comprising two flanges 9. However, the plug 8 may comprise one flange 9 which extends around the entire plug 8. Further, the plug 8 may comprise substantially any number of flanges 9 which extend from a one or more sides of the plug 8. In the following, the plug 8 will be described as if having two flanges 9, but it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to such and embodiment and that this is done purely for an increased understanding of the present disclosure.

The flanges 9 extend outward from sides of the plug 8. The sides of the plug 8 extend between the second end portion 8” and the flanges 9. The extension of the sides of the plug 8 is at an angle with regards to a central longitudinal axis 6' of the plug 8. A surface of each of the flanges 9, which may be termed a top surface, forms part of the first end portion 8' of the plug 8. Another surface 9' of each of the flanges 9, opposite the top surface of the respective flange 9, which may be termed side surface 9', extends between the side of the plug 8 and an outermost portion of the flange 9. The side surface 9' provides a smooth transition from the side of the plug 8 to the flange 9. However, the present disclosure is not limited to a plug 8 comprising a side surface 9'. For example, the flange(s) 9 may extend substantially perpendicularly from the side(s) of the plug 8, with respect to the central longitudinal axis 6' of the plug 8.

The plug 8 has a first diameter D3, which may be measured diagonally across the plug 8 and below the flange 9 of the plug 8. The plug 8 has a second diameter D4, which may be measured diagonally across the second end portion 8” of the plug 8. The first diameter D3 of the plug 8 may be greater than the second diameter D4 of the plug 8. A length L2 of the plug 8 may be measured between the second end portion 8” of the plug 8 and the flange(s) 9 of the plug 8, along the central longitudinal axis 6' of the plug 8.

The plug 8 shown in Fig. 3a is formed by a single piece of second magnetic material 17.

Fig. 3b schematically shows a cross-section of a plug 8 of a racket 1 according to exemplifying embodiments of the present disclosure.

A difference between the plug 8 shown in Fig. 3b and the plug shown in Fig. 3a is that the plug 8 shown in Fig. 3b comprises a cavity 19. The cavity 19 extending into the plug 8 from the top end portion 8' of the plug 8. The cavity 19 may be centered with respect to the central longitudinal axis 6' of the plug 8, and may be rotationally symmetrical. Therefore, a difference between the plug 8 of Fig. 3b and the plug of Fig. 3a is that a portion of the second magnetic material 17 is not present, or has been removed. Thereby, a weight of the plug 8 of Fig. 3b is lesser than a weight of the plug of Fig. 3a, provided that they are composed by the same second magnetic material 17. The size of the cavity 19 is purely exemplary, and may be bigger or smaller. A bigger cavity 19 would lead to a lighter plug 8, and correspondingly, a smaller cavity 19 would lead to a heavier plug 8. Thus, the weight of a plug 8 can be determined by providing the plug 8 with a cavity 19 of a desired size.

Fig. 3c schematically shows a plug 8 of a racket 1 according to exemplifying embodiments of the present disclosure. A difference between the plug 8 shown in Fig. 3c and the plug shown in Fig. 3a is that the plug 8 shown in Fig. 3c comprises two materials 17, 18, wherein one of the two materials 17, 18 is a second magnetic material 17. The other material 17, which may be termed a structural material 18, may be a non-magnetic material. A plug 8 which is comprised by one or more magnetic materials may be too heavy, due to the weight of magnetic materials. Therefore, in order to provide a plug 8 with a reduced weight, the plug 8 may comprise additional materials 18, which are not magnetic materials. It is to be understood that the plug according to the present disclosure is not limited to comprising one or two materials as shown in Figs. 3a-c, and may comprise substantially any number of materials, such as, for example, three, four, five or more.

The second magnetic material 17 is arranged within the plug 8. In Fig. 3c, the second magnetic material 17 is shown to extend between the longitudinal ends 8', 8” of the plug 8. Further, a larger portion of the second magnetic material 17 is arranged closer to the first end portion 8'. It is to be understood that the arrangement of the second magnetic material 17 and the structural material 18 shown in Fig. 3c is purely exemplary. For example, the arrangement of the two materials 17, 18 may be reversed. Additionally, the second magnetic material 17 is not limited to extending through the whole plug 8. However, the second magnetic material 17 being arranged close to the second end portion 8” of the plug 8 may provide a higher magnetic attraction to the first magnetic material of the racket, thereby providing a more secure connection. Furthermore, the second magnetic material 17 being centered within the plug 8 may prevent rattling, and or vibration, of the plug 8 when arranged into the socket.

Fig. 4a schematically shows a plug 8 configured for being inserted into a racket 1 according to exemplifying embodiments of the present disclosure. It should be noted that Figs. 4a and 4b comprises features, elements and/or functions as shown in Figs. 2 and 3a-c and described in the associated text. Hence, it is also referred to Figs. 2 and 3a-c and the descriptions relating thereto for an increased understanding. The view of the plug 8 is from above a first end portion 8' of the plug 8, such that only the first end portion 8' is shown in Fig. 4a. It is to be understood that the plug 8 extends downward, into the figure. The plug 8 shown in Fig. 4a may be a plug as shown in either of Figs. 3a-c, when viewed from above. Therefore, it is to be understood that the plug 8 may comprise one or more sides, which extends to a second end portion (not shown; see e.g. Figs. 2 or 3a-c).

The plug 8 may comprise a flange 9 which extends outward from the side of the plug 8. In Fig. 4a this is indicated by the circular dashed line. The dashed line may indicate where the side of the plug 8 ends and where the flange 9 begins, i.e. extends outward from the side of the plug 8. The flange 9 shown in Fig. 4a extends outward along the entire side of the plug 8. It is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to a flange 9 or a plug 8 as shown in Fig. 4a. The plug 8 may comprise a plurality of sides, and/or the flange 9 may not extend along the entire one or more sides of the plug 8. For example, the plug 8 may comprise one or more sides, and may comprise one or more flanges 9 which may extend along at least one of the one ore more sides of the plug 8. Further, a flange 9 may extend along a portion of a side of the plug 8, or along an entire side of the plug 8. The flanges 9 may form a portion of the first end portion 8' of the plug.

Fig. 4b schematically shows a plug 8 configured for being inserted into a racket 1 according to exemplifying embodiments of the present disclosure. A difference between the plug 8 as shown in Fig. 4a and the plug shown in Fig. 4a is that the plug 8 shown in Fig. 4b comprises a plurality of flanges 9. More specifically, the plug 8 shown in Fig. 4b comprises four flanges 9. However, it is to be understood that present disclosure is not limited to comprising four flanges 9, and may comprise substantially any number of flanges 9, such as one, two, three, four, or more. The flanges 9 are arranged along a circumference of the first end portion 8'. The flanges 9 are substantially equally spaced apart along the circumference.

Fig. 5 schematically shows a cross-section of a handle 2 of a racket 1 according to an exemplifying embodiment of the present disclosure. It should be noted that Fig. 5 comprises features, elements and/or functions as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and described in the associated texts. Hence, it is also referred to Figs. 1 and 2 and the descriptions relating thereto for an increased understanding. A difference between the handle 2 shown in Fig. 5 and the handles shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is that a socket 5 of the handle 2 shown in Fig. 5 comprises a cavity 51 and a sleeve 52.

The cavity 51 extends into the handle 2 from the end portion 2' of the handle 2 along the central longitudinal axis 6 of the racket 1. The sleeve 52 is arranged in the cavity 51. The sleeve 51 is configured to receive a plug (not shown; see e.g. Figs. 2- 4b). A shape of the cavity 51 and an outer shape of the sleeve 52 may be complementary, so as to substantially mate. The cavity 51 may comprise slots, or slits, and the sleeve 52 may comprise wedges, or flanges. The slots, or slits, of the cavity 51 and the wedges, or flanges, of the sleeve 52 may be complementary, so as to substantially mate. The slots, or slits, of the cavity 51 and the wedges, or flanges, of the sleeve 52 may provide a more secure arrangement of the sleeve 52 in the cavity 51. Further, the socket 5 may be provided with fastening means, such as a glue, a screw or a bolt, for fastening the sleeve 52 in the cavity 51. The sleeve 52 may comprise a plastic material.

The person skilled in the art realizes that the present disclosure by no means is limited to the preferred embodiments described above. On the contrary, many modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims.

ITEMS

1. A racket (1) comprising a handle (2) and a blade (3), wherein the handle (2) comprises a socket (5) arranged at an end portion (2') of the handle (2), wherein the socket (5) extends into the handle (2) along a central longitudinal axis (6) of the racket (1), and wherein the socket (5) comprises a first magnetic material (7) arranged in the socket (5), and wherein the racket (1) further comprises a plug (8) configured to be arranged into the socket (5), wherein the plug (8) comprises a second magnetic material (17) configured for magnetic attraction to the first magnetic material (7).

2. The racket (1) according to item 1, wherein the plug (8) comprises a flange (9) arranged at an end portion (8') of the plug (8).

3. The racket (1) according to item 1 or 2, wherein the socket (5) has one of a chamfered, conical and slanted shape, wherein a first diameter (DI) of the socket (5), measured at the end portion (2') of the handle (2), is greater than a second diameter (D2) of the socket (5), measured at a bottom (10) of the socket (5).

4. The racket (1) according to item 3, wherein the plug (8) has one of a chamfered, conical and slanted shape, wherein a first diameter (D3) of the plug (8), measured at a first end portion (8') of the plug (8), is greater than a second diameter (D4) of the plug (8), measured at a second end portion (8”) of the plug (8).

5. The racket (1) according to any of items 1 to 4, wherein a length (LI) of the socket (5) along the central longitudinal axis (6) is greater than a length (L2) of the plug (8) along a central longitudinal axis (6') of the plug (8).

6. The racket (1) according to any preceding item, wherein the first magnetic material (7) is arranged at a bottom (10) of the socket (5). 7. The racket (1) according to any preceding item, wherein the plug (8) is symmetrical about a first plane (11), said first plane (11) being aligned with a central longitudinal axis (6') of the Plug (8).

8. The racket (1) according to any preceding item, wherein the plug (8) has a weight between 1 and 20 grams, such as between 1 and 12 grams, or such as between 3 and 9 grams.

9. The racket (1) according to any preceding item, wherein the socket further comprises a cavity (51) which extends into the handle along the central longitudinal axis (6) of the racket (1), and a sleeve (52) arranged in the cavity (51), and wherein the plug (8) is configured to be arranged into the sleeve (51) of the cavity (5).

10. The racket (1) according to item 9, wherein the sleeve (52) comprises a plastic material.

11. The racket (1) according to any preceding item, wherein at least one of the first magnetic material (7) and the second magnetic material (17) is a magnet.

12. The racket (1) according to any preceding item, wherein the racket (1) is a table tennis racket (1), a tennis racket (1), badminton racket (1) or a padel racket.

13. A racket set (100), comprising the racket (1) according to any preceding item, wherein the racket set comprises a plurality of plugs (8) each comprising a magnetic material (17) and configured to be arranged within the socket (5) of the racket (1), and wherein each plug (8) of the plurality of plugs (8) has a weight different from the other one or more plugs (8) of the plurality of plugs (8).

Claims

1. A racket (1) comprising a handle (2) and a blade (3), wherein the handle (2) comprises a socket (5) arranged at an end portion (2') of the handle (2), wherein the socket (5) extends into the handle (2) along a central longitudinal axis (6) of the racket (1), and wherein the socket (5) comprises a first magnetic material (7) arranged in the socket (5), and wherein the racket (1) further comprises a plug (8) configured to be arranged into the socket (5), wherein the plug (8) comprises a second magnetic material (17) configured for magnetic attraction to the first magnetic material (7), wherein the socket (5) has one of a chamfered, conical and slanted shape, wherein a first diameter (DI) of the socket (5), measured at the end portion (2') of the handle (2), is greater than a second diameter (D2) of the socket (5), measured at a bottom (10) of the socket (5), wherein the plug (8) has one of a chamfered, conical and slanted shape, complementary to the shape of the socket (5), wherein a first diameter (D3) of the plug (8), measured at a first end portion (8') of the plug (8), is greater than a second diameter (D4) of the plug (8), measured at a second end portion (8”) of the plug (8), and wherein a length (LI) of the socket (5) along the central longitudinal axis (6) is greater than a length (L2) of the plug (8) along a central longitudinal axis (6') of the plug (8).

2. The racket (1) according to claim 1, wherein the plug (8) comprises a flange (9) arranged at an end portion (8') of the plug (8).

3. The racket (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the first magnetic material (7) is arranged at a bottom (10) of the socket (5).

4. The racket (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the plug (8) is symmetrical about a first plane (11), said first plane (11) being aligned with a central longitudinal axis (6') of the Plug (8).

5. The racket (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the plug (8) has a weight between 1 and 20 grams, such as between 1 and 12 grams, or such as between 3 and 9 grams.

6. The racket (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the socket further comprises a cavity (51) which extends into the handle along the central longitudinal axis (6) of the racket (1), and a sleeve (52) arranged in the cavity (51), and wherein the plug (8) is configured to be arranged into the sleeve (51) of the cavity (5).

7. The racket (1) according to claim 6, wherein the sleeve (52) comprises a plastic material.

8. The racket (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the first magnetic material (7) and the second magnetic material (17) is a magnet.

9. The racket (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the racket (1) is a table tennis racket (1), a tennis racket (1), badminton racket (1) or a padel racket.

10. A racket set (100), comprising the racket (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the racket set comprises a plurality of plugs (8) each comprising a magnetic material (17) and configured to be arranged within the socket (5) of the racket (1), and wherein each plug (8) of the plurality of plugs (8) has a weight different from the other one or more plugs (8) of the plurality of plugs (8).