CN116549941A - Weight-adjustable exercise equipment system, equipment and counterweight assembly thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A weight-adjustable picocell racquet system includes a main body including opposed playable surfaces. A handle is connected to the body. The assembly receptacle is located between the lateral edge of the racquet body and the playable face. The weight assembly is sized to be received within the assembly receptacle.

Description

Adjustable weight sports equipment system, equipment and weight assembly thereof

Cross references to related patent applications

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/307,548, filed February 7, 2022, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

Background technique

There are various sports in which a user hits a ball with an object such as a racket, club, racquet, bat, or the like. While some sports dictate the overall maximum or minimum size of equipment used, few, if any, dictate the weight of the ball with which to strike the object. As a result, many equipment manufacturers design and sell equipment of various sizes and weights. In this way, the user can select equipment with a weight according to personal preference, which can vary according to one or more factors. These factors may include: leagues, practices, competitions, personal strengths, skill levels, etc. that the user participates in. For example, a user may prefer to use a heavier racquet during training and a lighter racquet during competition. Additionally, where possible, players may even wish to switch between different weight rackets (or other hitting implements, depending on the sport being played) halfway through a single game.

When playing the game at different levels, it can be useful to be able to swap out and use different objects with different weights for different situations. However, the burden of carrying, transporting, storing and/or having to choose between several different versions of the device is often prohibitive and/or at least cumbersome. The many techniques and variations of techniques used to make objects with preferred weights for hitting balls in various situations are complex and extensive. This complexity is caused by a number of factors including: the desire to accommodate the differences between different players, sports and respective devices each often have specific preferences, or the slight differences or events that may occur in a particular game, not to mention It is believed that different benefits can be obtained with different weights and/or structured hitting equipment.

Description of drawings

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The detailed description will be given with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The use of the same reference numbers in different drawings indicates similar or identical items. Furthermore, the drawings should be considered as providing an approximate depiction of the relative dimensions of the various components in the various drawings. However, the figures are not drawn to scale and the relative dimensions of individual components within and between individual figures may differ from that depicted. In particular, some figures may depict components as being of a particular size or shape, while other figures may depict the same components on a larger scale or in a different shape for clarity.

FIG. 1A illustrates a front view of a pickleball racquet configured to carry a weight assembly, as an example of sporting equipment, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1B shows a side view of the pickleball racket of FIG. 1A according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

1C illustrates a cross-sectional view of the side of the pickleball racquet shown in FIG. 1B carrying a weight assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

2 illustrates a side view of an example of a counterweight assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

3 illustrates a front view of a pickleball racquet configured to carry a weight assembly, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Detailed ways

overview

The present disclosure relates to a way of adjusting the weight of athletic equipment. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a pickleball racquet that allows the user to directly change its weight. Notably, the techniques discussed herein are believed to be readily applicable to other athletic equipment, and thus, the scope of the present disclosure is believed to extend to other equipment, such as racquets, clubs, bats, and the like.

Because athletes vary in strength, skill, and ability, sports equipment companies have developed equipment for each sport that meets the possible equipment standards allowed in each sport's ground rules. However, in this era of customization, many players have specific preferences and everyone wants gear that "just fits".

For example, in some cases, an athlete may wish to use athletic equipment that is heavier or lighter than the standard weight for general purpose or basic equipment for a chosen sport. Adjusting the weight of the device using a custom selection of one or more weight components allows the user to adjust between uses of the device, even during relatively short game or practice pauses.

With regard to pickleball racquets, as noted above, this disclosure focuses on devices and techniques for adjusting the overall weight of a pickleball racquet. Therefore, the pickleball racket is illustrated in the diagram and the specific details that are most applicable for it are written in the description. Nonetheless, it is believed that the principles herein regarding the manner in which the weight of a pickleball racquet is adjusted is applicable to many types of sporting equipment. Accordingly, it is believed that the scope of potential claims in this regard may extend to other sports as well.

Accordingly, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, a pickleball racquet ("racquet") is configured to allow a user to adjust the racquet by adding or subtracting one or more weight components from the racquet. the weight of. The weight assembly may be integrated with the racquet by being placed in or on the prefabricated assembly container, and/or may be attached via the component surface to, for example, a racquet surface coupling.

Notably, in one embodiment, the weight assembly may be selectively removed from the assembly container in the racquet to accommodate a reduction in overall weight or to replace it with a heavier or lighter weight component. In another alternative embodiment, the weight assembly may be preselected and then fixed in place in the assembly container location upon initial manufacture or thereafter according to user preference. For example, a manufacturer might offer a basic weighted model of the racquet, and then the customer can choose to purchase additional weights, which might come pre-installed at the manufacturing factory or at the time of purchase. In addition, the manufacturer may offer another form of personalization such that a user may order a racquet with component containers placed at specific locations around the racquet rather than predefined locations. For example, a user may want or need component containers only on the bottom of the paddle or only on the top of the paddle, or the user may want more component containers on the first side of the paddle but not the other. In addition, the user may want to have a higher density or number of component containers along one portion of the edge of the racquet board than another in order to add weight to the racquet board at that location.

Weight assemblies may vary in type, size and/or weight. Weight assemblies can be implemented in one or more of a variety of forms, depending on the desired configuration, including: elements with threaded shafts, styled like screws for immediate and quick application purposes; push Elements of a tack pattern into a part of a racquet; compression fit components (e.g., wall-to-opposite wall, frictional dimensional tolerance fit, protrusion and correspondingly positioned indent/groove fit, etc.); spring-biased, push-type insert components; Interlocking components, such as weight assemblies having features that can be received into correspondingly shaped socket holes in the racquet, whereby upon insertion, twisting or turning of the components places the components in a position that restricts removal without further manipulation; improved Edge protection material/strip to surround or attach to at least a portion of the rim of the racquet; magnets coupled to the racquet; or other suitable attachments that do not interfere with the intended flow of the ball during play.

The weight assembly may be formed from a variety of materials including at least one of metal, plastic, wood, or other hybrid/composite materials suitable for adding weight to the racquet.

As discussed below, some of the potential advantages of weight-adjustable pickleball racquets may include: a player can buy one racquet, and the weight can be varied at will, rather than having to buy, store, carry, transport, etc. multiple racquets; multiple players can share a single racquet— — one at a time, of course — and can be changed to a weight that a particular player prefers; user strength, placement accuracy, and/or speed improvements; increased shot power; enhanced torsional stability during swing and/or impact ; a change in the effective hitting point of the racquet; and/or creating weighting conditions in the racquet. Other advantages provided by the weight assembly may or may not be listed herein, but will be recognized by those skilled in the art, including professional players and/or others who regularly use racquets.

Illustrative Embodiment of a Pickleball Racquet With a Weight Assembly

FIG. 1A illustrates a weight-adjustable pickleball racquet system including a racquet 100 . The racquet 100 includes a body 102 having opposing, parallel, and substantially planar playable surfaces 104 (only one of which is visible in FIG. 1A ). The playable surface 104 of the body 102 may be fully or partially surrounded at its perimeter by an edge protector 106 . Optionally, in an embodiment not shown, the perimeter of body 102 may be formed with tapered or otherwise closed sides and edge protectors such as edge protector 106 may not be required. Additionally, the racquet 100 includes a handle 108 extending from the body 102 .

Component container 110 may be located on racquet 100 in accordance with the present disclosure. For example, in one embodiment, as shown by the dashed line in the figure. In FIG. 1A , the component container 110 is shown extending from the perimeter of the racquet 100 into the body 102 of the racquet 100 . Just to clarify, as shown in the picture. As shown in FIG. 1B , component container 110 opens through edge protector 106 into the thickness (ie, core) of body 102 that exists between opposing playable surfaces 104 . Thus, the component container 110 does not interfere with the gameplay of the playable surface 104 .

After the component receptacle 110 is positioned, the user may insert the weight assembly 112 therein, thereby adding a small amount of predetermined weight to the racquet 100 . In one embodiment, the assembly container 110 may have threaded walls to receive the weight assembly 112 having corresponding threads on its body. However, threads are depicted for convenience only, and it should be understood that weight assembly 112 and corresponding engageable assembly receptacle 110 represent any other suitable engaging combination of weight assembly and assembly receptacle, as other forms are described above.

Also, in one embodiment, as shown. In FIG. 1A , circles shown in dashed lines around the perimeter of racquet 100 (including at handle 108) represent other possible locations 114 where additional component containers, such as component container 110, may be located or placed to enable the addition of more components. Multiple (or relocated) counterweight assemblies. That is, location 114 does not necessarily indicate where the component container is, must, or will be placed. Instead, the racquet 100 may include markings at the location seen (or anywhere else as desired) indicating a preferred location for adding a component receptacle to receive a weight assembly.

As shown in the picture. FIG. 1B shows a right side view of racket 100 . In one embodiment, edge protector 106 of racquet 100 may include a hole therethrough at location 114 to accommodate access to a cavity (eg, insertion void, hole, hollow space) defining a component receptacle, such as component receptacle 110 . In an alternative embodiment, the edge protector 106 may be solid (i.e., when the perimeter of the liner has no holes leading to the component container) and thus, the edge protector may be a component that will be removed after any weight assembly 112 is added or removed. A weight assembly is applied to the body 102 as an additional means of ensuring that the weight assembly 112 remains in place within the assembly container 110 at the periphery of the racquet 100 .

The cavity to which component container 110 is referenced may be a diameter (or other non-circular shape) as indicated by the depth into body 102 (in FIG. 1A ) and the thickness between opposing two playable surfaces 104 (in FIG. 1B ). opening shape/measurement area) to define. Additionally, the weight assembly may be no larger than the cavity of the corresponding assembly container. Thus, if the depth and shape dimensions of the cavity are known, the potential dimensions (ie, maximum dimensional volume) of the corresponding weight assembly can be determined.

In one embodiment, the component containers may be evenly spaced along the perimeter of the body 102 . In an alternative embodiment, the component containers may be randomly spaced along the perimeter of the body 102 . Additionally, in similar embodiments as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B , the component containers can be grouped and spaced evenly within the group (i.e., sides, bottom, top), symmetrically on opposite sides of the body, and/or Optionally disposed around the perimeter of the body 102 . Additionally, and/or alternatively, the handle 108 may further include a component receptacle 114H, as depicted in FIG. 3 .

FIG. 1C shows a cross-sectional view of a portion of racquet 100 taken from the side view of FIG. 1B . However, FIG. 1C further depicts counterweight assembly 112 disposed in a (now hidden) assembly container (similar to assembly container 110 at location 114). More specifically, a portion of the weight assembly 112 is exposed to the environment for quick access by a user. As one example of a number of potential embodiments, a tool feature 116 is depicted on an exposed surface of the weight assembly 112 . Tool features 116 are depicted as an "X" or "+" pattern, representing cross-cut grooves, such as "screws" ("Phillips-heads"), by which a user may use a Phillips-head screwdriver to install or remove a tool with such a Feature 116 of the counterweight assembly. It should be understood, however, that the scope of protection of the present disclosure is not limited to the depicted tool features, as other tool features are well known and used for various purposes, and may be readily adapted for this purpose. Furthermore, in one embodiment, proprietary tool features may be implemented instead.

FIG. 2 depicts three variations of possible embodiments of weight assemblies 200A, 200B, 200C for use in the racquet 100 . Each counterweight assembly 200A, 200B, 200C may include a head 202A, 202B, 202C, respectively, having an outer dimension OD1 greater than an outer dimension OD2 of a body portion 204A, 204B, 204C extending from the head, respectively. are sections 202A, 202B, 202C. By sizing OD1 larger than OD2, one possible advantage is that the heads 202A, 202B, 202C can snap onto corresponding internal flanges in the component receptacle, thereby minimizing the possibility of inserting the weighted component further than it should. distance and risk of damage to components. Although only represented by dashed lines within each head 202A, 202B, 202C, the weight assemblies 200A, 200B, 200C may include tooling features (eg, like tooling features 116 ) to aid in mounting them into the body of the racquet. Furthermore, it should be understood that the scope of protection of the present disclosure should not be limited to weight assemblies having the explicitly described stepped profile from a first cylindrical/disk-shaped head to a second cylindrically elongated body, as different Is the shape profile and cross-section are easily changed. However, this possibility of different profile shapes does not minimize the utility of the particular profiles described above and in the accompanying drawings.

Additionally, in one embodiment, the weight assemblies 200A, 200B, 200C may include interior hollow spaces 206A, 206B, 206C within the body portions 204A, 204B, 204C, respectively. In some embodiments, the weight assembly may be solid and thus have no internal hollow space. This may be due to a higher weight embodiment, or for structural integrity, for example where the chosen material requires more structural support. However, the dimensions of the interior hollow spaces 206A, 206B, 206C can be varied to alter the weight of the individual weight assemblies (ie, more hollow space equals less weight, and vice versa). Accordingly, the interior hollow spaces 206A, 206B, 206C are represented by dashed lines within the respective body portions 204A, 204B, 204C to indicate that the dimensions may vary from one weight assembly to the next.

Note that the variation in the size of the internal hollow space in the weight assembly is one potential way to provide multiple weight levels of the weight assembly, especially when the weight assemblies are all made of the same type of material. In this case, the external shape and dimensions of the various weight levels can remain the same for consistency with the way the racket is attached. Alternatively, another possible way of providing various weights for adjustment involves maintaining the external shape for engagement while varying its weight using materials of different densities and/or other naturally or non-naturally occurring properties . For example, a lightweight plastic weight assembly may be lighter than a weight assembly of the same size made of a metal such as copper or brass.

The weight assembly may be formed in a variety of configurations to be configured and/or dimensioned to fit in unique and different ways corresponding to the characteristics of the racquet to which it may be fitted. For example, in one embodiment, the weight assembly 200A may include helical threads 208A on the body portion 206A; thereby, the weight assembly 200A may be installed in the racquet by threaded engagement with the assembly container (i.e., in a correspondingly structured assembly container (not shown in Figure 2)). In an alternative embodiment, the weight assembly 200B may include one or more protrusions 208B along the surface of the main body portion 206B; thereby, the weight assembly 200B may be mounted in the racquet by twisting/rotating engagement with the assembly container (ie, in a component container of a corresponding structure (not shown in FIG. 2)). In another alternative embodiment, the weight assembly 200C may have a substantially smooth, non-textured surface 208C along the surface of the main body portion 206C; thus, the weight assembly 200C may engage through frictional interference with the assembly receptacle ( That is, the surface friction between the weight member and the closely dimensioned opposing surfaces of the assembly container) mounted in the racket (ie, in a correspondingly structured assembly container (not shown in FIG. 2 ).

Additionally, in other embodiments not explicitly shown in the figures, the assembly container may be coupled to the weight assembly by one of epoxy, adhesive, magnetic attraction, or the like.

FIG. 3 illustrates an additional and/or alternative embodiment of a racquet plate 300 configured in combination with a weighted edge protector 302 . In one embodiment, the weighted edge protector can be quickly interchanged (not shown) with an unweighted or differently weighted edge protector, possibly via a magnetically engaging or snap-in plug that connects to the component receptacle, wherein the plug is removed from the The edge protector extends inwardly. Thus, the weighted edge protector 302 can do double duty, both to protect the edge 304 of the racquet 300 from damage, and to act as additional weight (i.e., a weighted assembly, or entirely made of a heavier material than would normally be the case) Use as edge protector, or as a segment as described below). The weighted edge protector 302 can be applied to the racket 300 by attaching the first end 306 near the handle 308 and continuing to place the weighted edge protector 302 along the edge until the second end 310 is placed against the edge 304 at the other end. The side 308 of the edge 304 of the handle.

In one embodiment, the weighted edge protector may be manufactured using a blended material that includes particles blended therein that are denser and/or more massive than the other materials blended in to distribute the weight more evenly when applied. distributed around the racquet. In such an embodiment, the weighted edge protector may be considered a "weight assembly" entirely to be swapped onto the racquet 300 with standard and lighter edge protectors. Alternatively, the weighted edge protector 302 may be fabricated as segments 312 including additional weight components, as shown, where the material is significantly heavier than the adjacent material of the continuous weighted edge protector 302 . That is, the weight assembly may be disposed within or incorporated into the edge protector at the edge 304 of the racquet 300 .

Thus, in one embodiment, the weight assembly may be an integral part of the rim protector of the racquet, or be integral to the rim protector, or be one or more components of the rim protector. Alternatively, the weight assembly may be a removable portion of the edge protector and may be weighted differently from the rest of the edge protector. For example, weight assembly 312 may be a strip of material that has a different weight than similarly sized portions of other edge protection material. Additionally, the thickness of the weight assembly 312 strips may be equal to or different than the thickness of the edge protector 302 .

It should be noted that the term "configured to" (eg, "[element] is configured to [act]") used or may be used herein and/or in related claims may be construed to include at least the meaning conveyed by: The plain meaning of a word, its interpretation understood by those skilled in the art, or the element is described/referenced in such a way that its features have intentional design and/or structural aspects to accommodate the intended action for which the element is intended. Likewise, the term "dimensions is" as used or may be used herein and/or in related claims (e.g., "[Element A] is [Example Action: Contained In, Engages in, etc.] [Element B]"), may be interpreted as construed to include at least the meaning conveyed by the plain meaning of the word, the interpretation by which a person skilled in the art understands it, or that element A has a corresponding size and/or shape (where applicable) such that element A conforms to the intended meaning with respect to the corresponding element B The act of expressing, as described/narrated.

Discussion of Beneficial Effects

The weight-adjustable pickleball racquet can improve the user's power, speed and/or skill. These improvements may result from training, playing and/or playing with such a racquet. For example, by training with a heavier racket, users can increase strength in a manner similar to the effect of resistance training. Heavier racquets may require extra strength and muscle mass to use effectively. So, with prolonged use of the weight-adjustable racquet, the user can adapt and build up the greater power needed. Then naturally, the increased power can increase the speed and/or power of the swing.

In a slightly different resistance training program, progressive overloading is not simply a one-time increase in weight, but a common training method that involves gradually increasing exposure to gradually increasing resistance. Thus, a weight-adjustable racquet like the one disclosed herein allows the user to have a variety of options in terms of placement and amount of different weights, allowing the user to choose where and how many weight components to add and gradually increase the total weight for long strokes. Thus, the user's body is able to adapt more gradually to the increased racket weight. Gradually increasing the weight can also reduce the risk of injury.

With regard to the potential benefit of increased shot power, it is noted that when adjusting the weight and/or amount of implementation of the weight assembly, the user may experience an increase in shot power due to the increased intensity. Interestingly, additionally, hitting power may increase with racket weight. For example, increased weight can increase the inertia of the racquet, resulting in increased force (ie, hitting power).

As mentioned briefly above, the use of a weight assembly can additionally improve the torsional stability of the racquet. When the ball is hit off the center of the racquet, it may develop twist (i.e., spin around the racquet handle). In other words, hitting the ball above the center of the racquet may cause the top to spin backwards while the bottom spins forward. In attaching the weight assembly to the perimeter of the racquet—or more specifically where it is attached above the center—the extra weight may help reduce the torsion experienced at contact and provide the racquet with increased torsional stability. Accordingly, weight assemblies may be added to various locations along the perimeter of the racquet to provide increased torsional stability as may be needed and/or desired.

The weight assembly can also advantageously be used to adjust the optimal position of the racquet. The effective hitting point (Sweet spots) is the position with the highest contact efficiency on the racket. The effective hitting point is usually in the middle or lower center of the racket. Many users tend to hit the racquet high, resulting in a lack of power and annoying vibrations. However, by utilizing a racquet with adjustable weight, the user can add weight in the direction that the individual usually hits the ball (ie, toward the edge over center during the swing, corresponding to hitting the ball high in the racquet). This may result in changing the optimal position to correspond to typical contact positions.

Additionally, a counterweight assembly allows the user to balance the racquet. Sometimes, manufacturing variance and/or personal racquet usage habits can cause a racquet to be incorrectly and/or undesirably balanced. For example, the racquet may be heavier on the opposite side of the handle. This may make it difficult for some users to control the racquet. Thus, the user may benefit from balancing the racquet by adding weight closer to the handle. Additionally, and/or alternatively, the racquet may be weighted elsewhere on the racquet to balance the racquet as desired.

Additional advantages offered by adjustable weight sports equipment, including pickleball racquets as discussed herein, may or may not be explicitly described, but may be recognized by professionals and/or while using the equipment.

in conclusion

Although several embodiments have been described in language of specific structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that claims are not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as illustrative forms of implementing the claimed subject matter.

Claims (20)

1. A pickleball racket system with adjustable weight, comprising: the main body, including the opposing playable surfaces; a handle attached to said body; a component container positioned between a lateral edge of the body and the play surface; and A weight assembly sized to be received within said assembly container. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the assembly container has a cavity shaped to secure the weight assembly therein unless manually manipulated to remove the weight assembly from the Cavity removed. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the assembly container has a threaded cavity to threadably receive the weight assembly. 4. The system of claim 1, wherein: The counterweight assembly includes: head, the body portion extending from the head, and a protrusion extending laterally from the body portion, the assembly container has a cavity shaped to receive a body portion having a protrusion on the weight assembly, and The weight assembly is secured to the assembly container by rotational twisting of the head. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the assembly container secures the weight assembly by surface friction fit. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the counterweight assembly comprises: head, the body portion extending from the head, and An internal hollow space within the body portion. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein: the weight assembly is the first weight assembly of a plurality of weight assemblies equal in size to the first weight assembly, and The weight assemblies of the plurality of weight assemblies may be grouped by different weights. 8. A pickleball racket with adjustable weight, comprising: the main body, including the opposing playable surfaces; a handle attached to the body; and A component container is positioned between a lateral edge of the racquet body and the play surface. 9. The racket of claim 8, wherein the component container is a first component container, and Wherein the racket further includes a second container, and the second container is symmetrically located opposite to the first assembly container. 10. The racket of claim 8, wherein the component container is a first component container, and Wherein said racket further comprises a second component container located in a group with said first component container. 11. The racket of claim 8, wherein: the component container is a first component container in a first set of component containers, and The racket also includes a second component container of the second set of component containers. 12. The racket of claim 11, wherein: the first set of component containers is located on a first side of the body, and The second group of component containers is located on the second side of the main body, symmetrically opposite to the first group of component containers. 13. The racket of claim 11, wherein: the component pods of the first set of component pods are evenly spaced along the first lateral side of the body, and The component pods of the second set of component pods are evenly spaced along the second side of the body. 14. The racquet of claim 8, wherein the assembly container is sized and shaped to receive the weight assembly therein. 15. An adjustable weight exercise equipment system comprising: main body; a handle attached to the body; and A counterweight assembly is sized to be received on said body. 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the counterweight assembly is an edge protector protecting an edge of the body, the edge protector comprising: a first section having a first counterweight, and a second segment that is the same size as the first segment and has a second counterweight, and Wherein the first counterweight is heavier than the second counterweight. 17. The system of claim 15, wherein: said body has a peripheral edge defined by opposing said playable surfaces, and The weight assembly is received within the peripheral edge between the opposing play surfaces. 18. The system of claim 15, wherein: said body has a peripheral edge defined by opposing said playable surfaces, and Wherein said system further includes an assembly receptacle located between said opposed play surfaces and shaped to receive said weight assembly therein. 19. The system of claim 15, wherein: said body has a peripheral edge defined by opposing said playable surfaces, and Wherein the system further includes an edge protector wrapped along the peripheral edge. 20. The system of claim 15, wherein the counterweight assembly is received in one of a plurality of assembly receiving locations distributed along a peripheral edge of the body.