PLAYING IMPLEMENT FOR A PADDLE FOR FACILITATING PLAYING WITH THE PADDLE
A playing implement for a paddle for facilitating playing with the paddle. Further, the playing implement may include a surface plate. Further, the surface plate may be comprised of at least one layer of material. Further, the surface plate may be configured to be removably attached to a core portion of the paddle using at least one adhesive. Further, the at least one adhesive may be applicable on an inner side of the surface plate. Further, the surface plate has a shape corresponding to a core shape of the core portion. Further, the surface plate may include a playing surface on an outer side of the surface plate. Further, the outer side opposes the inner side.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/429,982, titled “REPLACEABLE PICKLEBALL PADDLE SURFACE”, filed 3 Dec. 2022, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONGenerally, the present disclosure relates to the field of amusement devices: games. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a playing implement for a paddle for facilitating playing with the paddle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe field of amusement devices: games is technologically important to several industries, business organizations, and/or individuals.
Pickleball is a racquet sport (game) played with paddles and a perforated plastic ball on a court similar to a tennis court, but ⅓rd the size. Existing pickleball paddles are deficient with regard to several aspects. For instance, current pickleball paddles include surface grit material (either grit paint or so-called “raw” carbon fiber or some kind of textured material) that gets worn out fairly quickly upon impact by a pickleball because the pickleball is made of hard plastic and the edges of the holes in a pickleball are often sharp contributing to the damage of the surface material. Further, current pickleball paddles do not allow a user to replace the surface grit material, so the user has to just throw the paddle away and buy another paddle. This incurs additional costs and is environmentally unsound since the paddles go into the landfill. Further, current pickleball paddles that use a raw carbon sheet as the outside layer are very expensive. In addition, the raw carbon sheet immediately starts breaking as the woven carbon fibers slowly tear and the pickleball paddle loses its effectiveness.
Therefore, there is a need for improved playing implement for a paddle for facilitating playing with the paddle that may overcome one or more of the above-mentioned problems and/or limitations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThis summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form, that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter. Nor is this summary intended to be used to limit the claimed subject matter's scope.
Disclosed herein is a playing implement for a paddle for facilitating playing with the paddle, in accordance with some embodiments. Accordingly, the playing implement may include a surface plate. Further, the surface plate may be comprised of at least one layer of material. Further, the surface plate may be configured to be removably attached to a core portion of the paddle using at least one adhesive. Further, the at least one adhesive may be applied on an inner side of the surface plate. Further, the surface plate has a shape corresponding to a core shape of the core portion. Further, the surface plate may include a playing surface on an outer side of the surface plate. Further, the outer side opposes the inner side.
Further disclosed herein is a playing implement for a paddle for facilitating playing with the paddle, in accordance with some embodiments. Accordingly, the playing implement may include a surface plate. Further, the surface plate may be comprised of at least one layer of material. Further, the surface plate may include a layer of at least one adhesive on an inner side of the surface plate. Further, the layer of the at least one adhesive facilitates removably attaching the surface plate to a core portion of the paddle using the at least one adhesive. Further, the surface plate has a shape corresponding to a core shape of the core portion. Further, the surface plate may include a playing surface on an outer side of the surface plate. Further, the outer side opposes the inner side.
Further disclosed herein is a paddle with a playing implement for facilitating playing with the paddle, in accordance with some embodiments. Accordingly, the paddle may include a core portion, a handle, and the playing implement. Further, the handle may be connected to the core portion. Further, the playing implement may include a surface plate. Further, the surface plate may be comprised of at least one layer of material. Further, the surface plate may be configured to be removably attached to the core portion of the paddle using at least one adhesive. Further, the at least one adhesive may be applicable on an inner side of the surface plate. Further, the surface plate has a shape corresponding to a core shape of the core portion. Further, the surface plate may include a playing surface on an outer side of the surface plate. Further, the outer side opposes the inner side.
Both the foregoing summary and the following detailed description provide examples and are explanatory only. Accordingly, the foregoing summary and the following detailed description should not be considered to be restrictive. Further, features or variations may be provided in addition to those set forth herein. For example, embodiments may be directed to various feature combinations and sub-combinations described in the detailed description.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate various embodiments of the present disclosure. The drawings contain representations of various trademarks and copyrights owned by the Applicants. In addition, the drawings may contain other marks owned by third parties and are being used for illustrative purposes only. All rights to various trademarks and copyrights represented herein, except those belonging to their respective owners, are vested in and the property of the applicants. The applicants retain and reserve all rights in their trademarks and copyrights included herein, and grant permission to reproduce the material only in connection with reproduction of the granted patent and for no other purpose.
Furthermore, the drawings may contain text or captions that may explain certain embodiments of the present disclosure. This text is included for illustrative, non-limiting, explanatory purposes of certain embodiments detailed in the present disclosure.
As a preliminary matter, it will readily be understood by one having ordinary skill in the relevant art that the present disclosure has broad utility and application. As should be understood, any embodiment may incorporate only one or a plurality of the above-disclosed aspects of the disclosure and may further incorporate only one or a plurality of the above-disclosed features. Furthermore, any embodiment discussed and identified as being “preferred” is considered to be part of a best mode contemplated for carrying out the embodiments of the present disclosure. Other embodiments also may be discussed for additional illustrative purposes in providing a full and enabling disclosure. Moreover, many embodiments, such as adaptations, variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be implicitly disclosed by the embodiments described herein and fall within the scope of the present disclosure.
Accordingly, while embodiments are described herein in detail in relation to one or more embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is illustrative and exemplary of the present disclosure, and are made merely for the purposes of providing a full and enabling disclosure. The detailed disclosure herein of one or more embodiments is not intended, nor is to be construed, to limit the scope of patent protection afforded in any claim of a patent issuing here from, which scope is to be defined by the claims and the equivalents thereof. It is not intended that the scope of patent protection be defined by reading into any claim limitation found herein and/or issuing here from that does not explicitly appear in the claim itself.
Thus, for example, any sequence(s) and/or temporal order of steps of various processes or methods that are described herein are illustrative and not restrictive. Accordingly, it should be understood that, although steps of various processes or methods may be shown and described as being in a sequence or temporal order, the steps of any such processes or methods are not limited to being carried out in any particular sequence or order, absent an indication otherwise. Indeed, the steps in such processes or methods generally may be carried out in various different sequences and orders while still falling within the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of patent protection is to be defined by the issued claim(s) rather than the description set forth herein.
Additionally, it is important to note that each term used herein refers to that which an ordinary artisan would understand such term to mean based on the contextual use of such term herein. To the extent that the meaning of a term used herein—as understood by the ordinary artisan based on the contextual use of such term-differs in any way from any particular dictionary definition of such term, it is intended that the meaning of the term as understood by the ordinary artisan should prevail.
Furthermore, it is important to note that, as used herein, “a” and “an” each generally denotes “at least one,” but does not exclude a plurality unless the contextual use dictates otherwise. When used herein to join a list of items, “or” denotes “at least one of the items,” but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list. Finally, when used herein to join a list of items, “and” denotes “all of the items of the list.”
The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the following description to refer to the same or similar elements. While many embodiments of the disclosure may be described, modifications, adaptations, and other implementations are possible. For example, substitutions, additions, or modifications may be made to the elements illustrated in the drawings, and the methods described herein may be modified by substituting, reordering, or adding stages to the disclosed methods. Accordingly, the following detailed description does not limit the disclosure. Instead, the proper scope of the disclosure is defined by the claims found herein and/or issuing here from. The present disclosure contains headers. It should be understood that these headers are used as references and are not to be construed as limiting upon the subjected matter disclosed under the header.
The present disclosure includes many aspects and features. Moreover, while many aspects and features relate to, and are described in the context of a playing implement for a paddle for facilitating playing with the paddle, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to use only in this context.
Overview:The present disclosure describes a playing implement for a paddle for facilitating playing with the paddle.
Further, the present disclosure describes a pickleball paddle with a replaceable pickleball paddle surface. Further, the replaceable pickleball paddle surface may be detachably attachable to an outer surface of a pickleball paddle base of a pickleball paddle using at least one adhesive. Further, the replaceable pickleball paddle surface may include a self-adhesive textured sticker sheet (for example, carbon or textured paint). Further, the self-adhesive textured sticker sheet may get removed/replaced with ease.
Further, the pickleball paddle base may be made up of carbon fiber, plastic, wood, fiberglass, aluminum, or graphite. Further, the at least one adhesive may be authorized by a sports governing body/organization (such as USA Pickleball Association). Further, the at least one adhesive may include water-based glue. Further, the water-based glue may include water, polymers, and additives. Further, in some embodiments, the at least one adhesive may include self-adhesive sheets. Further, the outside surface of the pickleball paddle may be serviceable using the replaceable pickleball paddle surface (similar to the strings in a tennis racket), so instead of throwing away the pickleball paddle, a user (a player or a service professional) may simply peel off the outer surface and add/attach a brand new sheet of the replaceable pickleball paddle surface backed with the at least one adhesive. Further, the pickleball paddle may include a grip and an end cap. Further, in some embodiments, the replaceable pickleball paddle surface may include a plurality of layers detachably attached to each other. Further, the plurality of layers may conform to standards of the US Pickleball Association. Further, the plurality of layers may include a core layer and a surface texture layer. Further, the surface texture layer may be positioned above the core layer. Further, the plurality of layers may include an external graphic layer positioned above the surface texture layer.
Further, in some embodiments, the external graphic layer may include a colored sheet of a solid color. Further, in an embodiment, the external graphic layer may include a custom graphic sheet comprising a customized graphic content that a player may want to use or show. Further, the customized graphic content may include a textual content, an image content, etc.
Further, in some embodiments, the core layer may include at least one of aluminum, polymer, Nomex, etc.
Further, in some embodiments, the surface texture layer may include one of carbon fiber, graphite, and fiberglass composite. Each of the surface texture layer may possess has characteristics that, when combined with the core layer, give each pickleball paddle the performance profile that suits an individual player's unique style and game. Further, the at least one surface texture may be authorized by a sports governing body/organization (such as USA Pickleball Association). Further, the surface texture layer may be enhanced by the use of a peel-ply, a removable non-stick mesh that creates a texture in the surface material (for example, resin, when it is removed.
Further, in some embodiments, the replaceable pickleball paddle surface may include the plurality of layers stacked one over the other. Further, the player may mix and match one or more layers from the plurality of layers based on a gaming style and attach two or more layers from the plurality of layers on the pickleball paddle base. Further, the gaming style may include an aggressive style, a defensive style, and so on. Further, in an instance, a first player having an aggressive gameplay may use the replaceable pickleball paddle surface in a first configuration. Further, the first configuration may include a first core layer from the core layer and a first surface texture layer of the surface texture layer. Further, the first core layer and the first surface texture layer may support the first player to play the pickleball game aggressively. Further, in the first configuration, the replaceable pickleball paddle surface may provide an aggressive surface with more friction. Further, in another instance, a second player having a defensive gameplay may use the replaceable pickleball paddle surface in a second configuration. Further, the second configuration may include a second core layer from the core layer and a second surface texture layer of the surface texture layer. Further, the second core layer and the second surface texture layer may support the second player to play the pickleball game defensively. Further, in the second configuration, the replaceable pickleball paddle surface may provide less friction but harder material. Further, the replaceable pickleball paddle surface may be used in different configurations based on the requirements of a game condition.
Further, in some embodiments, the replaceable pickleball paddle surface may include an edge guard disposed along a periphery of the replaceable pickleball paddle surface. Further, the edge guard may be configured for protecting the replaceable pickleball paddle surface from wear and tear caused by unwanted external physical impacts (such as accidental falls, striking on walls, throwing, etc.).
Further, in some embodiments, the replaceable pickleball paddle surface may include a lead tape along portions of a periphery of the edge guard that can increase the pickleball paddle's weight, power, and stability. Further, in some embodiments, the lead tape may be covered with an electrical tape. Further, the electrical tape may hide a reflective surface associated with the lead tape according to standards of USAPA. Further, the electrical tape may prevent the lead tape from coming off.
Further, in some embodiments, the player may attach the lead tape only on some portions (such as a head, near handle, sides, and corners) of the periphery of the edge guard based on a player preference. Further, the player preference may be based on weight of the pickleball paddle with which the player may want to play. Further, in an instance, if the player wants to play with a pickleball paddle having a heavy head, the player may add the lead tape to a head portion of the periphery of the edge guard. Further, in another instance, the player may add the lead tape to vertical side portions of the periphery of the edge guard to provide stability to the pickleball paddle upon impact by the game ball.
Further, in some embodiments, the replaceable pickleball paddle surface may include at least one preformed cutout. Further, the player may remove at least one preformed cutout present in the replaceable pickleball paddle surface. Further, at least one cavity may be formed due to removal of the at least one preformed cutout. Further, the player may insert at least one strip (comprising the enhancing material) in the at least one cavity. Further, the at least one strip may be attached to the pickleball paddle using an adhesive that may be applied on a rear surface of the at least one strip. Further, the at least one strip may be characterized by a geometrical shape. Further, the at least one strip may be used as sticker. Further, the at least one strip may include self-adhesive sheets for attaching the at least one strip to the replaceable pickleball paddle surface.
In further embodiments, a pickleball kit for customizing and repairing the pickleball paddle is disclosed. Further, the pickleball kit may include the replaceable pickleball paddle surface, the at least one adhesive, the at least one strip, at least one adhesive applicator, and a removal tool. Further, the at least one strip may be characterized by a geometrical shape. Further, the geometrical shape may include a rectangle, a square, a circle, etc. Further, the removal tool may include a rubber chip, a metal chip, etc. Further, the removal tool may assist the player to remove a first replaceable pickleball paddle surface that may be worn out due to playing. Further, the removal tool may assist the player to remove adhesive or glue already used for pasting the first replaceable pickleball paddle surface on the pickleball paddle base. Further, the at least one adhesive applicator may include a sponge and a clamp that may be used to securing the sponge (or rubber sponge). Further, the clamp may be held by the player. Further, the at least one adhesive applicator may be used for assisting the player in applying the at least one adhesive on the pickleball paddle base for attaching a new replaceable pickleball paddle surface.
Further, the pickleball paddle may be serviceable by removing a first replaceable pickleball paddle surface attached to a core portion (core) of the pickleball paddle from the core portion and attaching a second replaceable pickleball paddle surface to the core portion. Further, the second replaceable pickleball paddle surface may be attached to either face of the core portion.
Further, the present disclosure relates generally to racquet sports. More specifically, the present disclosure describes a replaceable pickleball paddle surface.
Further, the present disclosure describes a replaceable pickleball paddle surface. Further, the replaceable pickleball surface may include a carbon fiber “surface sheet” and an adhesive applied directly to the carbon fiber “surface sheet” in a factory where the replaceable pickleball paddle surface is manufactured. Further, the adhesive pattern is die cut to match directly with the shape of the carbon fiber “surface sheet” in the factory and they are assembled together in the factory.
Further, in some embodiments, the surface plate 102 may include a layer 304 of the at least one adhesive, as shown in
In further embodiments, the playing implement 100 may include an edge guard 402, as shown in
Further, in some embodiments, the surface plate 102 may include at least one plate portion 502-506, as shown in
Further, in some embodiments, the at least one layer of material may be comprised of at least one of carbon fiber, graphite, fiberglass, and composite materials.
Further, in some embodiments, the surface plate 102 defines at least one cavity 702-708, as shown in
In an embodiment, the playing implement 100 may include at least one additional plate portion 802-808, as shown in
Further, in some embodiments, the at least one layer of material 302 may include a first layer of material 902 and a second layer of material 904, as shown in
In further embodiments, the playing implement 1800 may include an edge guard configured to be peripherally disposed in at least a part around a head of the paddle. Further, the head may include the surface plate 1802 and the core portion. Further, the edge guard may be comprised of at least one material. Further, the at least one material of the edge guard absorbs an impact force imparted on the edge guard for protecting the surface from the impact force.
Further, in some embodiments, the surface plate 1802 may include at least one plate portion in at least one location on the surface plate 1802. Further, the at least one plate portion may be comprised of at least one first layer of material disparate from the at least one layer of material 1804.
Further, in some embodiments, the at least one layer of material may be comprised of at least one of carbon fiber, graphite, fiberglass, and composite materials.
Further, in some embodiments, the surface plate 1802 defines at least one cavity in at least one location on the surface plate 1802.
In an embodiment, the playing implement 1800 may include at least one additional plate portion. Further, the at least one additional plate portion may be configured to be disposed in the at least one cavity in the at least one location based on the removing. Further, the at least one additional plate may be comprised of at least one first layer of material disparate from the at least one layer of material 1804.
Further, the handle 1904 may be connected to the core portion 1902.
Further, the playing implement 1906 may include a surface plate 1908. Further, the surface plate 1908 may be comprised of at least one layer of material. Further, the surface plate 1908 may be configured to be removably attached to the core portion 1902 of the paddle 1900 using at least one adhesive. Further, the at least one adhesive may be applicable on an inner side 1910 of the surface plate 1908. Further, the surface plate 1908 has a shape corresponding to a core shape of the core portion 1902. Further, the surface plate 1908 may include a playing surface on an outer side 1912 of the surface plate 1908. Further, the outer side 1912 opposes the inner side 1910.
Further, in some embodiments, the surface plate 1908 may include a layer of the at least one adhesive on the inner side 1910 of the surface plate 1908. Further, the layer of the at least one adhesive facilitates removably attaching the surface plate 1908 to the core portion 1902.
In further embodiments, the playing implement 1906 may include configured to be peripherally disposed in at least a part around a head of the paddle 1900. Further, the head may include the surface plate 1908 and the core portion 1902. Further, the edge guard may be comprised of at least one material. Further, the at least one material of the edge guard absorbs an impact force imparted on the edge guard for protecting the surface from the impact force.
Further, in some embodiments, the surface plate 1908 may include at least one plate portion in at least one location on the surface plate 1908. Further, the at least one plate portion may be comprised of at least one first layer of material disparate from the at least one layer of material.
Further, in some embodiments, the at least one layer of material may be comprised of at least one of carbon fiber, graphite, fiberglass, and composite materials.
Further, in some embodiments, the surface plate 1908 defines at least one cavity in at least one location on the surface plate 1908.
In an embodiment, the playing implement 1906 may include at least one additional plate portion. Further, the at least one additional plate portion may be configured to be disposed in the at least one cavity in the at least one location based on the removing. Further, the at least one additional plate may be comprised of at least one first layer of material disparate from the at least one layer of material.
Although the present disclosure has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.
Claims
1. A playing implement for a paddle for facilitating playing with the paddle, wherein the playing implement comprises a surface plate having an inner side and an outer side, wherein the surface plate is comprised of at least one layer of material having a textured surface on the outer side, wherein the surface plate is configured to be removably attached to the paddle using at least one adhesive, wherein the at least one adhesive is applicable on the inner side of the surface plate, wherein the outer side comprises a playing surface, and wherein the outer side opposes the inner side.
2. The playing implement of claim 1, wherein the surface plate comprises a layer of the at least one adhesive on the inner side of the surface plate, wherein the layer of the at least one adhesive facilitates removably attaching the surface plate to the paddle.
3. The playing implement of claim 1 further comprising an edge guard configured to be peripherally disposed in at least a part around a head of the paddle, wherein the edge guard is comprised of at least one material, wherein the at least one material of the edge guard absorbs an impact force imparted on the edge guard for protecting the outer side of the surface plate from the impact force.
4. The playing implement of claim 1, wherein the surface plate comprises at least one plate portion in at least one location on the surface plate, wherein the at least one plate portion is comprised of at least one first layer of material disparate from the at least one layer of material.
5. The playing implement of claim 1, wherein the at least one layer of material is comprised of at least one of carbon fiber, graphite, fiberglass, and composite materials.
6. The playing implement of claim 1, wherein the surface plate defines at least one cavity in at least one location on the surface plate.
7. The playing implement of claim 6 further comprising at least one additional plate portion configured to be disposed in the at least one cavity in the at least one location based on the removing, wherein the at least one additional plate portion is comprised of at least one first layer of material disparate from the at least one layer of material.
8. The playing implement of claim 1, wherein the at least one layer of material comprises a first layer of material and a second layer of material, wherein the first layer of material forms the playing surface and the second layer of material is disposed adjacent to the first layer of material, wherein the second layer of material is colored at least one color, wherein the second layer of material is exposed on the playing surface based on removing at least a portion of the first layer of material.
9. A playing implement for a paddle for facilitating playing with the paddle, wherein the playing implement comprises a surface plate having an inner side and an outer side, wherein the surface plate is comprised of at least one layer of material having a textured surface on the outer side, wherein the surface plate comprises a layer of at least one adhesive on the inner side of the surface plate, wherein the layer of the at least one adhesive facilitates removably attaching the surface plate to the paddle using the at least one adhesive, wherein the outer side comprises a playing surface, and wherein the outer side opposes the inner side.
10. The playing implement of claim 9 further comprising an edge guard configured to be peripherally disposed in at least a part around a head of the paddle, wherein the edge guard is comprised of at least one material, wherein the at least one material of the edge guard absorbs an impact force imparted on the edge guard for protecting the outer side of the surface plate from the impact force.
11. The playing implement of claim 9, wherein the surface plate comprises at least one plate portion in at least one location on the surface plate, wherein the at least one plate portion is comprised of at least one first layer of material disparate from the at least one layer of material.
12. The playing implement of claim 9, wherein the at least one layer of material is comprised of at least one of carbon fiber, graphite, fiberglass, and composite materials.
13. The playing implement of claim 9, wherein the surface plate defines at least one cavity in at least one location on the surface plate.
14. The playing implement of claim 13 further comprising at least one additional plate portion configured to be disposed in the at least one cavity in the at least one location based on the removing, wherein the at least one additional plate portion is comprised of at least one first layer of material disparate from the at least one layer of material.
15. A paddle comprising:
- a core portion;
- a handle connected to the core portion; and
- a playing implement comprising a surface plate having an inner side and an outer side, wherein the surface plate is comprised of at least one layer of material having a textured surface on the outer side, wherein the surface plate is configured to be removably attached to the paddle using at least one adhesive, wherein the at least one adhesive is applicable on the inner side of the surface plate, wherein the outer side comprises a playing surface, and wherein the outer side opposes the inner side.
16. The paddle of claim 15, wherein the surface plate comprises a layer of the at least one adhesive on the inner side of the surface plate, wherein the layer of the at least one adhesive facilitates removably attaching the surface plate to the paddle.
17. The paddle of claim 15 further comprising an edge guard configured to be peripherally disposed in at least a part around a head of the paddle, wherein the edge guard is comprised of at least one material, wherein the at least one material of the edge guard absorbs an impact force imparted on the edge guard for protecting the outer side of the surface plate from the impact force.
18. The paddle of claim 15, wherein the surface plate comprises at least one plate portion in at least one location on the surface plate, wherein the at least one plate portion is comprised of at least one first layer of material disparate from the at least one layer of material.
19. The paddle of claim 15, wherein the at least one layer of material is comprised of at least one of carbon fiber, graphite, fiberglass, and composite materials.
20. The paddle of claim 19, wherein the surface plate defines at least one cavity in at least one location on the surface plate.
21. A paddle comprising:
- a paddle base;
- a handle connected to the paddle base; and
- a surface plate having an inner side and an outer side, wherein the surface plate is comprised of at least one layer of material having a textured surface on the outer side, and the surface plate is configured to be removably attached to the paddle base using at least one adhesive, wherein the outer side comprises a playing surface, and the outer side opposes the inner side.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 16, 2023
Publication Date: Jun 6, 2024
Inventors: Nikola Vladimir Bicanic (Venice, CA), Troy Michael Hamner (Venice, CA)
Application Number: 18/110,386