PADDLE WEIGHT SYSTEMS

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 18/106,391, filed on Feb. 6, 2023, which claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/307,548, filed on Feb. 7, 2022. The foregoing applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety under 37 C.F.R. § 1.57.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to sports equipment. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to systems and methods for tuning a moment of inertia (MoI) via weight systems for pickleball paddles.

BACKGROUND

Pickleball is an emerging sport around the world and is played using a paddle with two (singles) or four (doubles) players. The players hit a perforated, hollow plastic ball (e.g., a ball similar to a Wiffle® ball) with the paddles over a net until one side is unable to return the ball or commits an infraction. The paddles used in pickleball may be regulated in gameplay. For example, the paddle may be required to be subjected to size standards such as a combined length and width not to exceed 24 inches (0.61 meters (m)) and a length that does not exceed 17 inches (0.43 m). The paddles may not, however, have requirements regarding thickness or weight. Further, under some regulations, the paddle is to be made of a non-compressible material, and the surface of the paddle must be smooth. Therefore, these regulations allow for the paddles to be made of various materials, and many individuals ranging from novice players and professional competitors may desire specific qualities in their paddles that may fit them best or provide specific qualities such as an increase in spin rate that may be applied to the ball, an increase in the rebound of a ball off the paddle, and increase in durability including durability against wear during use and durability as to environmental conditions, among other qualities.

One quality of a paddle that may be considered by any level of player is the moment of inertia (MoI), twist weight, and other factors that influence the size, shape, and effectiveness of the “sweet spot” of the paddle. In one example, a user may desire a larger or more effective sweet spot such that if the user were to strike a pickleball off the face of the paddle at an off-center position, the larger or more effective sweet spot may allow for the struck pickleball to leave the surface of the paddle at an intended angle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description is set forth below with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identify the figure in which the reference number first appears. The use of the same reference numbers in different figures indicates similar or identical items. The systems depicted in the accompanying figures are not to scale, and components within the figures may be depicted not to scale with each other.

FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of a paddle, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 2 illustrates an isometric view of a paddle, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 3 illustrates a plan, front view of a paddle, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 4 illustrates a plan, side view of a paddle, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 5 illustrates a plan, top view of a paddle, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 6 illustrates a plan, bottom view of a paddle, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 7 illustrates a plan, front view of a core assembly of a paddle, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 8 illustrates a plan, side view of a core assembly of a paddle, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 9 illustrates an isometric view of a weight, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 10 illustrates a plan, front view of the weight of FIG. 9, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 11 illustrates an isometric view of a paddle including weights, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 12 illustrates an isometric view of the paddle of FIG. 11 within circle A depicted in FIG. 11, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 13 illustrates an isometric view of a weight, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 14 illustrates a plan, front view of the weight of FIG. 13, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 15 illustrates an isometric view of a weight, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 16 illustrates a plan, front view of the weight of FIG. 15, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 17 illustrates an isometric view of a weight, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 18 illustrates a plan, front view of the weight of FIG. 17, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 19 illustrates an isometric view of a weight, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 20 illustrates a plan, front view of the weight of FIG. 19, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 21 illustrates an isometric view of a weight, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 22 illustrates an isometric, exploded view of the weight of FIG. 21, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 23 illustrates a top plan view of the weight of FIG. 21, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 24 illustrates a front plan, cutaway view of the weight of FIG. 21 at line B of FIG. 23, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 25 illustrates an isometric view of a weight, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 26 illustrates an isometric, exploded view of the weight of FIG. 25, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 27 illustrates a top plan view of the weight of FIG. 25, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 28 illustrates a front plan, cutaway view of the weight of FIG. 25 at line C of FIG. 27, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 29 illustrates an isometric view of a weight, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 30 illustrates an isometric, exploded view of the weight of FIG. 29, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 31 illustrates a top plan view of the weight of FIG. 29, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 32 illustrates a front plan, cutaway view of the weight of FIG. 29 at line D of FIG. 31, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 33 illustrates an isometric view of a weight, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 34 illustrates an isometric, exploded view of the weight of FIG. 33, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 35 illustrates a top plan view of the weight of FIG. 33, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 36 illustrates a front plan, cutaway view of the weight of FIG. 33 at line E of FIG. 35, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 37 illustrates an isometric view of a weight, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 38 illustrates an isometric, exploded view of the weight of FIG. 37, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 39 illustrates a top plan view of the weight of FIG. 37, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 40 illustrates a front plan, cutaway view of the weight of FIG. 37 at line F of FIG. 39, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 41 illustrates an isometric view of a weight, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 42 illustrates an isometric, exploded view of the weight of FIG. 41, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 43 illustrates a top plan view of the weight of FIG. 41, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 44 illustrates a front plan, cutaway view of the weight of FIG. 41 at line G of FIG. 43, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 45 illustrates an isometric view of a weight, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 46 illustrates an isometric, exploded view of the weight of FIG. 45, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 47 illustrates a top plan view of the weight of FIG. 45, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 48 illustrates a front plan, cutaway view of the weight of FIG. 45 at line H of FIG. 47, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 49 illustrates an isometric view of a weight, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 50 illustrates an isometric, exploded view of the weight of FIG. 49, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 51 illustrates a top plan view of the weight of FIG. 49, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 52 illustrates a front plan, cutaway view of the weight of FIG. 49 at line I of FIG. 51, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 53 illustrates an isometric view of a weight, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 54 illustrates an isometric, exploded view of the weight of FIG. 53, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 55 illustrates a top plan view of the weight of FIG. 53, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 56 illustrates a front plan, cutaway view of the weight of FIG. 53 at line J of FIG. 55, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 57 illustrates a bottom isometric view of a weight in a first state, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 58 illustrates a top isometric view of the weight of FIG. 57 in a first state, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 59 illustrates a top isometric view of the weight of FIG. 57 in a second state, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 60 illustrates a top plan view of the weight of FIG. 57 in a second state, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 61 illustrates a front plan, cutaway view of the weight of FIG. 57 at line J of FIG. 60, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 62 illustrates an isometric view of a weight, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 63 illustrates an isometric, exploded view of the weight of FIG. 62, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 64 illustrates a top plan view of the weight of FIG. 62, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 65 illustrates a front plan, cutaway view of the weight of FIG. 62 at line K of FIG. 64, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 66 illustrates a bottom, isometric view of a paddle including weights, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 67 illustrates a top, exploded, isometric view of the paddle of FIG. 66 including weights, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 68 illustrates a top, exploded, isometric view of the paddle of FIG. 66 including weights within circle B depicted in FIG. 67, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 69 illustrates a top, exploded, isometric view of the paddle of FIG. 66 including weights within circle C depicted in FIG. 67, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 70 illustrates a top plan view of the weights of FIG. 66, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 71 illustrates a front plan, cutaway view of the weight of FIG. 66 at line L of FIG. 70, according to an example of the principles described herein.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Overview

This disclosure describes a pickleball paddle that includes a weighting system. The weighting system may be used to affect the MoI, twist weight, overall weight of the paddle and/or other aspects of a paddle to effectively create a relatively larger sweet spot on the paddle. Previous weighted paddles have been achieved by using a weighted or “lead” tape that includes a metal (e.g., tungsten or other alloys) infused within the tape with adhesive backing. These are not elegant solutions as they are only temporary in nature and eventually fall from the paddle perimeter. Further, no instructions are provided to a user as to the outcome of tape weight placement. Rather, the user (e.g., a player) is left to simply play with the weighted tape to determine the effectiveness of the weighted tape on the paddle.

The present systems and methods may be used to more specifically tune a paddle with higher MoI, twist weight, overall weight, etc., that matters to the broadest spectrum of player skill level and that will improve a user's stroke of the paddle, striking of a ball (e.g., a pickleball), and placement of the ball on the opponent's court. Paddles that incorporate the weight systems described herein improve a user's (e.g., a player's) ability to return drive shots and dink shots that are off-center impacts on the surface of the paddle over the net. Off-center impacts with a change in paddle face angle (e.g., a launch angle) and lower ball speed will be improved with the present systems and methods described herein via the concentrated mass at the edges of the paddle.

Examples described herein provide a paddle including a body portion and a weight coupled to the body portion. The weight may be coupled to an edge of the body portion. The weight may be coupled to the edge of the body portion via an engineering fit. The weight may be coupled to the edge of the body portion via an adhesive.

The paddle may further include an edge guard coupled to the body portion at the edge of the body portion. The weight may be coupled to the edge guard. The weight may be coupled to the edge guard via an engineering fit. The weight may be coupled to the edge guard via an adhesive. The weight may include an internal shape configured to match an exterior shape of the edge guard.

The weight may include a bridge portion configured to span a thickness of the body portion of the paddle, a first arm extending from a first end of the bridge portion to interface with the edge of the paddle, and a second arm extending from a second end of the bridge portion to interface with the edge of the paddle. The weight may include a first weight coupled to a first edge of the paddle and a second weight coupled to a second edge of the paddle opposite the first edge. The first weight and the second weight may be coupled to the first edge and the second edge about a sweet spot of the paddle to effectively create an enlarged sweet spot. The first weight and the second weight may be coupled at points along the first edge and the second edge that increase a twist weight of the paddle.

The paddle may further include indicia located on the edge of the body portion defining a position on the edge at which the weight is placed. The indicia may include images, text, embossing, debossing, or combinations thereof.

The weight may be monolithically formed with an edge guard coupled to the edge of the body portion. The weight may be monolithically formed with the edge guard via an overmolding process. The weight may be monolithically formed with the edge guard to form a flared portion of the edge guard. The weight may include a magnet.

The weight may include a mass and a pin coupled to the mass. The mass may be coupled to the paddle via application of force on the mass to push the pin into the edge of the paddle. Any of the weights described herein may include the pin coupled to the weight and may be used in addition to or in place of any coupling means described herein.

The paddle may further include a track channel defined in the edge of the body portion. The weight may be configured to engage with the track. A fastener may be included to couple the weight to the track channel. The fastener may include a quick-release skewer, a set screw, a channel nut, and combinations thereof. Indexed positions along the track channel may be included to indicate a position of the weight, a size of the weight, a mass of the weight, or combinations thereof.

Examples described herein also provide a weight system for a paddle. The weight system may include a first weight coupled to a first edge of the paddle and a second weight coupled to a second edge of the paddle opposite the first edge. The first weight and the second weight may each include a bridge portion configured to span a thickness of a body portion of the paddle, a first arm extending from a first end of the bridge portion to interface with an edge of the paddle, and a second arm extending from a second end of the bridge portion to interface with the edge of the paddle.

The first weight and the second weight may be made of metal, metal alloys, plastics, natural materials, and combinations thereof. The first weight and the second weight may be made of tungsten and tungsten alloys. The first weight and the second weight may be made of aluminum or aluminum alloys.

Examples described herein also provide a weight. The weight may include a bridge portion configured to span a thickness of a body portion of a paddle, a first arm extending from a first end of the bridge portion to interface with an edge of the paddle, and a second arm extending from a second end of the bridge portion to interface with the edge of the paddle. The bridge portion, the first arm, and the second arm may be configured to couple to an edge guard coupled to an edge of the body portion of the paddle. The first arm and the second arm may extend from the bridge portion at an angle that provides an engineering fit between the first arm and the second arm, and an edge of the body portion of the paddle. The first arm and the second arm may extend from the bridge portion at an angle that provides an engineering fit between the first arm and the second arm, and an edge guard coupled to the body portion of the paddle. The length of the first weight and the second weight may define the mass of the first weight and the second weight. A material from which the first weight and the second weight are made may define the mass of the first weight and the second weight.

Examples described herein also provide a weight. The weight may include an overlay and an underlay coupled to the overlay. The overlay and the underlay are configured to couple to an edge of a paddle. The weight may further include an underlay recess defined in the overlay. The underlay may be coupled to the overlay by nesting with the overlay and within the underlay recess. The overlay may have a first mass, and the underlay may have a second mass. The first mass and the second mass may define the total mass of the weight.

The overlay may include a bridge portion configured to span a thickness of the body portion of a paddle, a first arm extending from a first end of the bridge portion to interface with the edge of the paddle, and a second arm extending from a second end of the bridge portion to interface with the edge of the paddle. The underlay may include a bridge portion configured to span a thickness of the body portion of a paddle, a first arm extending from a first end of the bridge portion to interface with the edge of the paddle, and a second arm extending from a second end of the bridge portion to interface with the edge of the paddle.

The underlay may include a bridge portion and a ridge protruding from an edge of the underlay. The overlay may include a ridge channel defined in the overlay. The bridge portion sits within the underlay recess and is retained within the underlay recess via the engagement of the ridge with the ridge channel. The overlay may be overmolded around the underlay. The weight may further comprise an adhesive disposed between the weight and a paddle to couple the weight to the paddle.

As used in the present specification and in the appended claims, the term “moment of inertia,” “MoI,” and similar language is meant to be understood broadly as any ratio between the torque applied to a rigid body having a mass and a resulting angular acceleration about a rotational axis of the rigid body. The moment of inertia I may also be defined as the ratio of a net angular momentum L of a system to its angular velocity ω around a principal axis and may be expressed as follows:

I = L ω Eq . 1

In the context of the examples described herein, the MoI of a paddle (e.g., a pickleball paddle) being a rigid body having a mass may be known based on a ratio between a torque applied to the striking surface of the paddle (having a mass) as the striking surface is hit by, for example, a ball (e.g., a pickleball) and a resulting angular acceleration about a rotational axis (e.g., the y-axis of the paddle).

During play, a user may strike the pickleball with the paddle at approximately the center of the striking surface of the paddle, which may be referred to as the “sweet spot” of the paddle. At the sweet spot, the pickleball may deflect from the striking surface of the paddle at an expected angle of approximately 90 degrees (°) and at an exit velocity off the striking surface of the paddle that is relatively faster and more powerful in comparison to a strike of the pickleball that is off-center from the sweet spot along the striking surface of the paddle. An off-center placement of the pickleball along the striking surface of the paddle may result in an unexpected or unintended angle of deflection that may, in turn, cause the struck pickleball to be hit into the net of the pickleball court, to an out-of-bounds area of the court, or otherwise in an undesirable or unintended spot within the in-bounds area of the court.

In relation to the MoI of the paddle, the sweet spot of the paddle may be defined as a location on the striking surface of the paddle where a combination of factors results in a maximum response for a given effort. When a user strikes the pickleball at the sweet spot of the paddle, the pickleball may absorb a maximum amount of the available forward momentum of the paddle and rebound away from the paddle with a greater velocity than if struck at any other point along the striking surface of the paddle. Improving and/or enlarging the sweet spot of the paddle may result in more forgiveness during play, should the user strike the pickleball away from the center of the striking surface of the paddle or off-center of the sweet spot.

The sweet spot of the paddle may be improved by increasing the MoI of the paddle. In one example, improvement of the MoI and, in turn, the sweet spot of the paddle may be obtained by moving mass and/or providing additional mass to one or more edges of the paddle. This is one way to improve the paddle and provide more forgiveness in the paddle, which may increase the effectiveness of the user when striking the pickleball, including controlling the deflection angle of the pickleball off the striking surface and the exit velocity off the striking surface. To further describe this observed phenomenon, adjustment to the MoI of the paddle increases the “twist weight” of the paddle. Twist weight refers to resistance to twisting of the paddle when an off-center strike of the pickleball on the striking surface occurs. The twist weight may be defined as a measure of how stable the paddle feels when the ball does not hit the sweet spot. A relatively higher twist weight indicates greater resistance to rotation, making the paddle feel more forgiving on off-center hits and enlarging the effective sweet spot. Improving the paddle in this manner will provide more control and greater power for the user.

As used in the present specification and in the appended claims, the term “engineering fit” is meant to be understood broadly as any engineering fit such as, for example, a clearance fit (e.g., one of a loose running fit, a free running fit, a close running fit, a sliding fit, and a location fit), a transition fit (e.g., one of a similar fit, and a fixed fit), and an interference fit (e.g., one of a press fit, a driving fit, and a forced fit).

EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Certain implementations and embodiments of the disclosure will now be described more fully below with reference to the accompanying figures, in which various aspects are shown. However, the various aspects may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the implementations set forth herein. The disclosure encompasses variations of the embodiments, as described herein. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of a paddle 100, according to an example of the principles described herein. FIG. 2 illustrates an isometric view of a paddle 100, according to an example of the principles described herein. FIG. 3 illustrates a plan, front view of a paddle 100, according to an example of the principles described herein. FIG. 4 illustrates a plan, side view of a paddle 100, according to an example of the principles described herein. FIG. 5 illustrates a plan, top view of a paddle 100, according to an example of the principles described herein. FIG. 6 illustrates a plan, bottom view of a paddle 100, according to an example of the principles described herein. The paddle 100 of FIGS. 1 through 6 described herein may take any shape and size and may include features not described herein and/or features that are described herein based on a desired form or function of the paddle 100.

The paddle 100 may include a head portion 102 that a user (e.g., player) may use to effectively strike a ball (e.g., a pickleball) during game play. The head portion 102 may include any construction that may be used to strike a ball. In one example, the head portion 102 may have a deflection as defined by a governing body. For example, the head portion 102 may have a deflection of less than 0.0625 inches (in.) under a load of at least 42 pounds (lbs.). This and other types of requirements may result in the head portion 102 having a known or limited spring or “trampoline” effect when utilized during play that does not give an unfair advantage to the user.

The head portion 102 may include, for example, a number of layers of materials such as, for example, an exterior layer on each side of the paddle 100 that interacts directly with a ball (e.g., a pickleball) during play. Other layers of materials within the head portion 102 may include any number of intermediary layers between the exterior layer and a core of the paddle 100. Further, the core may be included at the center of the paddle 100. The number of layers of materials within the head portion 102 of the paddle 100 may extend into other portions of the paddle 100 including a throat portion 104 and a handle portion 106.

The paddle 100 may further include a handle portion 106 coupled to the head portion 102. In one example, the handle portion 106 may be monolithically formed with the head portion 102 or may be formed separately and coupled to the head portion 102 via any coupling device and/or means. The handle portion 106 may be used by an individual to handle and manipulate the paddle 100 during play. In one example, the handle portion 106 may include any cross-sectional profile, such as, for example, an octagonal cross-sectional profile, to assist the user in keeping the paddle 100 from twisting in their hand. Further, the octagonal cross-sectional profile may assist the user in knowing the orientation of the paddle 100 within their hand, whether that is, for example, an Eastern forehand grip, a semi-Western grip, or a full-Western grip. Knowing the orientation of the paddle 100 with their hand via the octagonal cross-sectional profile allows the user to, on the fly, adjust the position of the paddle 100 within the hand and cause a pickleball to deflect from the surface of the paddle 100 at different angles, at a desired speed, and/or with a desired spin. In one example, the octagonal cross-sectional profile of the handle portion 106 may be achieved through the formation of the handle portion 106 in such a shape. In one example, the octagonal cross-sectional profile of the handle portion 106 may be achieved by application of a number of build-up elements that may be coupled to the handle portion 106 via, for example, an adhesive.

The handle portion 106 may further include a butt cap 116 coupled to an end of the handle portion 106. The butt cap 116 may have any shape. In one example, the butt cap 116 may have a shape to couple to the end of the octagonal cross-sectional profile of the handle portion 106 through, for example, an engineering fit (e.g., a loose running fit, a free running fit, a close running fit, a sliding fit, or a location fit). Further, in one example, the butt cap 116 may be coupled to the handle portion 106 via an adhesive or other coupling means. In one example, the butt cap 116 may have a relatively wider circumference than the rest of the elements of the handle portion 106 in order to cause the handle portion 106 to feel comfortable within the hand of the user and to keep the paddle 100 from slipping out of the hand of the user when the user swings the paddle 100. The butt cap 116 may include a plastic seal at the base of the butt cap 116, which may include a manufacturer logo, indicia indicating a grip size of the handle portion 106, or other informative indicia.

The handle portion 106 of the paddle 100 may further include one or more layers of grip 118. The grip 118 may include any outer cover applied to the handle portion 106 to create a more padded and comfortable surface for the user to grip onto and to provide a relatively higher coefficient of friction (CoF) to keep the paddle 100 from slipping out of the hand of the user when the user swings the paddle 100. In the examples described herein, the CoF may be defined as any quantity that describes a ratio of a force of friction between two surfaces to a normal force pressing the two surfaces together. In one example, the paddle 100 may include an “original grip” that serves as the grip 118 and may include a synthetic grip or a genuine leather grip. Further, in one example, the handle portion 106 may include an overgrip to cover and protect the original grip and create an even more cushioned feel and/or an even higher CoF relative to the original grip.

The grip 118 may be secured to the handle portion 106 via grip tape 120. The grip tape 120 may include any tape or other layer used to secure a grip or overgrip in place on the handle portion 106. In one example, a rubber band element referred to as a grip collar may be used in addition to or in place of the grip tape 120.

The paddle 100 may further include a throat portion 104 as described above. The throat portion 104 may include any portions of the head portion 102 and/or the handle portion 106, with the understanding that the region which may be considered a “throat” may vary among different paddles. Thus, the throat portion 104 may include any portion of the paddle 100 between and/or including the head portion 102 and the handle portion 106. In one example, the throat portion 104 of the paddle 100 may include an “open throat” 112. The open throat 112 may include any void through the entirety of the paddle 100 within the throat portion 104, which may provide for a lighter paddle 100 that is relatively more flexible and more powerful. Further, the open throat 112 allows for a decrease in wind resistance as a user swings the paddle 100 since air may flow through the open throat 112 unimpeded, reducing drag that the paddle 100 may create if the open throat 112 were not defined in the paddle 100. In the examples described herein, the paddle 100 may or may not include the open throat 112 defined in the throat portion 104. Further, the open throat 112 may include any shape and dimensions. In examples where the paddle 100 includes an open throat 112, an interior edge guard 114 may be added to the inside portions of the paddle formed by the open throat 112 to enclose any interior layers of the paddle 100 and to create a finished edge to the open throat 112 of the paddle 100.

The paddle 100 may further include an edge guard 110. Even though the paddle 100 is depicted with the edge guard 110, the paddle 100 may or may not include the edge guard 110. In examples where the paddle 100 includes the edge guard 110, the edge guard 110 may include any protective strip applied to the outer edge of the paddle 100. In one example, the edge guard 110 may be coupled to the outer edge of the paddle 100 using adhesives, an engineering fit, welding, other coupling devices or means, and combinations thereof. In one example, the edge guard 110 may include a plastic that shields the edges of the paddle 100 from damage if and when a user causes the paddle 100 to come into contact with the court or other surface. In one example, the edge guard 110 may be made of metals, metal alloys, plastics, elastomers, thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), natural fibers, natural materials, other materials, and combinations thereof.

The paddle 100 may further include a first face 108-1 and a second face 108-2 positioned at least at the head portion 102 and may extend into the throat portion 104, the handle portion 106, and combinations thereof. The first face 108-1 and the second face 108-2 may be the portion of the paddle 100 that the user may utilize to strike the ball (e.g., a pickleball). Further, the first face 108-1 and the second face 108-2 may include an outer-most layer of the paddle 100, and the internal elements of the paddle 100 may include additional layers of material between the first face 108-1 and the second face 108-2 including a core and/or other layers between the first face 108-1 and the second face 108-2 and the core.

Having described the paddle 100, the interior portion of the paddle 100 will now be described in connection with FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG. 7 illustrates a plan, front view of a core assembly 700 of a paddle 100, according to an example of the principles described herein. FIG. 8 illustrates a plan, side view of a core assembly 700 of a paddle 100, according to an example of the principles described herein. The core assembly 700 may include the first face 108-1, the second face 108-2, the core, and any intermediary layers included between the first face 108-1 and the second face 108-2, and the core. Further, in one example, the core may include a plurality of cores with one or more layers of material located between the plurality of cores, as will be described in more detail below.

The core assembly 700 may include a first set of outer layers 802-1 and a second set of outer layers 802-2. The first set of outer layers 802-1 and the second set of outer layers 802-2 may include the first face 108-1, the second face 108-2, and any additional layers as described herein. The additional layers may include, for example, noise-dampening layers, vibration-dampening layers, fabric layers, woven fabric layers, non-woven fabric layers, fiberglass layers, carbon fiber layers, rheological layers, elastoviscous layers, other types of layers, and combinations thereof.

The core assembly 700 may further include a core 804. The core 804 may include any material that fills the space between the first set of outer layers 802-1 and the second set of outer layers 802-2 to support the first set of outer layers 802-1 and the second set of outer layers 802-2. Further, the core 804 may provide a means by which a coefficient of restitution (CoR) of the paddle 100 may be tuned in concert with the first set of outer layers 802-1 and second set of outer layers 802-2 to obtain an acceptable CoR that is within any guidelines defined by a governing body and/or does not give an unfair advantage to the user. As used in the present specification and in the appended claims, the terms “coefficient of restitution,” “CoR,” or similar language is meant to be understood broadly as a measure of an elasticity of a collision between two bodies, and may be further defined as a ratio of the relative velocity of separation after a two-body collision to the relative velocity of approach before the collision.

The core 804 may include any number of materials and combinations of materials. In one example, the core 804 may include a honeycomb structure. In one example, the honeycomb structure may be made of any material, such as, for example, a thermoplastic, polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC), aluminum, Nomex produced and distributed by DuPont de Nemours, Inc., or other materials. In one example, the honeycomb structure may be made by extrusion that is processed via a block of extruded profiles or extruded tubes having a variety of cell diameters, thicknesses, and densities from which honeycomb sheets may be sliced.

In one example, the core 804 may include a foam or combinations of foams. In one example, the foam(s) may include an open-cell or closed-cell foam made of a rubber and/or a plastic. More specifically, the foam may include an elastomeric foam including a synthetic rubber such as, for example, nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM), or chloroprene rubber (CR), and combinations thereof, combined with a plastic such as, for example, polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The elastomeric foam may include a polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), a polyurethane (PU), a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), an expanded polypropylene (EPP), an expanded polyethylene (EPE), an ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), and combinations thereof. Further, in one example, the foam may include a chemical foaming agent such as, for example, azodicarbonamide (ADC) to generate gas bubbles during a manufacturing process to create the mechanical structure of the foam. This composition gives the foam flexibility and resilient properties. Specific compositions may be varied depending on desired applications and performance characteristics. Further, the foam may be an ultra-low-density foam, a low-density foam, a high-density foam, or combinations thereof. In one example, the foam may include Bonbon foam (model number B13-B9111) developed and distributed by Tri-Great International, Ltd. In one example, the foam may include any foam with a density of 120 kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m³) or less. The polymer chains in the foam (e.g., an elastomeric foam) may form polymer chains that are cross-linked through a vulcanization process, imparting elastic properties to the elastomeric foam.

In the example of FIG. 8, the core 804 may include a plurality of cores that are divided by one or more internal layers 806. Examples of the internal layers may include, for example, noise-dampening layers, vibration-dampening layers, fabric layers, woven fabric layers, non-woven fabric layers, fiberglass layers, carbon fiber layers, rheological layers, elastoviscous layers, other types of layers, and combinations thereof.

The first set of outer layers 802-1, the second set of outer layers 802-2, and the internal layers 806 may include, for example, noise-dampening layers, vibration-dampening layers, fabric layers, woven fabric layers, non-woven fabric layers, fiberglass layers, carbon fiber layers, rheological layers, elastoviscous layers, other types of layers, and combinations thereof.

FIGS. 1-8 describe some elements of a paddle 100 and may be used to describe one or more elements, characteristics, and properties of the weights described herein. The weights described herein may be any mass placed at the edges of the paddle 100 to improve the MoI, twist weight, overall weight, and/or other aspects of the paddle 100 to effectively create a relatively larger sweet spot on the paddle 100. During play, the paddle 100 may twist along the y-axis as depicted in, for example, FIGS. 1 through 6. This may result in errant shots that cause the pickleball, when struck, to exit the face of the paddle at an unexpected and/or undesirable angle and may result in the placement of the pickleball into the net, out-of-bounds, or any other unintended placement. In order to overcome this, the weights described herein impart a mass in the vicinity of the sweet spot of the paddle 100 that will significantly reduce the tendency of the paddle 100 to twist about the y-axis and increase the twist weight and positively affect the MoI of the paddle 100.

FIG. 9 illustrates an isometric view of a weight 900, according to an example of the principles described herein. FIG. 10 illustrates a plan, front view of the weight 900 of FIG. 9, according to an example of the principles described herein. The description provided herein in connection with FIGS. 9 and 10 may be applied mutatis mutandis to all other example weights described herein. In FIGS. 9 and 10, contour lines are depicted to assist in the understanding of the shape and contours of the weight 900. As described herein, the weight 900 may be coupled to an edge of a paddle to adjust the characteristics of the paddle, including, for example, adjusting the MoI, twist weight, and/or overall weight of the paddle.

The mass of weight 900 depicted in FIGS. 9 and 10 may be, for example, 5 grams (g). However, the weight 900 may have any mass. The mass of the weight 900 may be defined by the material from which the weight 900 is made. For example, the weight 900 may be made of a metal, a metal alloy, wood, plastic, other materials, or combinations thereof. In one example, the weight 900 may be made of tungsten, aluminum, steel, other metals, and/or metal alloys to obtain a significant mass in a weight 900 that has relatively smaller dimensions than would be required with relatively less dense materials such as plastic, wood, etc. Perimeter weighting in pickleball paddles may benefit from heavier and/or higher density materials such as aluminum (2.7 grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm³), titanium (4.5 g/cm³), steel (7.8 g/cm³), and tungsten (16 g/cm³), for example, than polymers and thermoset composites (generally around 1.7 g/cm³). Thus, weights may significantly assist in concentrating the overall mass of a paddle 100 on the perimeter to create more stability in paddle performance on off-center face impacts. With a higher twist weight due to the inclusion of weight at the perimeter, an off-center impact will have less paddle deflection and/or change in angle when a pickleball strikes relatively closer to the sides of the paddle. Further, the exit velocity of the ball when struck off-center speed will be relatively higher than without the weights in place, or at least closer to the exit velocity of the pickleball when struck at the paddle face center. Thus, the size of the sweet spot is effectively increased.

A general example may include 6 g of edge or perimeter weighting with an 8-inch paddle width of the paddle. The increase in MoI or twist weight is:

6 ⁢ g * 10 ⁢ cm 2 * 2 = 1 , 200 ⁢ g cm 2

A 5 g edge weight would thus be an increase of 1,000 g/cm². If the width of the paddle is 7.5 in. with 5 g edge weights, then the calculation for MoI or twist weight may be approximately 900 g/cm². In one example, a “clip over” edge weight may be fixed in place at a precise location on the perimeter of the paddle to optimize the paddle's static weight, swing weight, twist weight, and/or center of gravity.

Further, the mass of the weight 900 may be defined by the size of the weight 900. For example, the weight 900 may have a length (L), a width (W), and a height (H) that define the size and shape of the weight 900. In one example, the width (W) and the height (H) may remain static between weights 900 of different masses since such dimensions may be defined to allow the weight 900 to be coupled to the paddle 100 as described herein. In the example of FIGS. 9 and 10, the width (W) of the weight 900 may be, for example, between 0.8 in. and 1.0 in. Further, in the example of FIGS. 9 and 10, the height (H) of the weight 900 may be, for example, between 0.25 in. and 0.3 in. However, the length (L) of the weight 900 may be varied to allow for the weight 900 to have more or less mass. In the example of FIGS. 9 and 10, the length (L) of the weight 900 may be, for example, between 1.4 in. and 1.6 in. With these dimensions, and in an instance where the weight 900 is made of aluminum, the weight 900 may have a mass of approximately 5 g as mentioned above. However, in instances where the length (L) of the weight 900 is relatively longer, then the mass of the weight 900 will be larger, as evidenced by other examples described herein in connection with the weights of FIGS. 13 through 18.

With the above description, the material of the weight 900 and/or the size of the weight 900 (along with all example weights described herein) may be adjusted to obtain a specific or desired mass. The mass of the weight 900 may be used to increase and/or tune the moment of inertia (MoI) of the paddle 100 and adjust the twist weight of the paddle 100 as described herein. Moving the mass of the paddle to the edges of the paddle 100, or, in other words, increasing the mass of the paddle 100 at the edges of the paddle 100, will provide for a paddle 100 with a relatively higher twist weight. Increasing the twist weight provides for a greater resistance to rotation, making the paddle feel more forgiving on off-center strikes of a pickleball. Further, increasing the twist weight also effectively enlarges the sweet spot of the paddle. In this manner, the user may be provided with a paddle with more control and greater power.

The weight 900 (along with all example weights described herein) may have a generally “C” or “U” shape that allows the weight 900 to be coupled to the side of a paddle 100. The weight 900 may include a bridge portion 902 that is configured and/or dimensioned to span a thickness of the paddle 100. An internal surface of the bridge portion 902 may be curved or otherwise formed to match or significantly match an outer radius of curvature or shape of the edge guard 110 so that the weight 900 may abut the outer radius of curvature or shape of the edge guard 110 without a significant amount of space between the weight 900 and the edge guard 110.

The weight 900 may further include a first arm 904-1 extending from a first side of the bridge portion 902 and a second arm 904-2 extending from a second side of the bridge portion 902. In one example, the first arm 904-1 and the second arm 904-2 may be monolithically formed with the bridge portion 902. In one example, the first arm 904-1 and the second arm 904-2 may be formed separately from the bridge portion 902 and coupled to the bridge portion 902. In one example, the bridge portion 902, the first arm 904-1, and the second arm 904-2 may be formed by extruding the weight 900. In one example, the bridge portion 902, the first arm 904-1, and the second arm 904-2 may be formed by milling the weight 900 from a single piece of material. In one example, the bridge portion 902, the first arm 904-1, and the second arm 904-2 may be formed via additive manufacturing processes, subtractive manufacturing processes, and combinations thereof.

The first arm 904-1 and the second arm 904-2 may include ends that are dimensioned to reach around the width of the edge guard 110 of the paddle 100 so that the first arm 904-1 and the second arm 904-2 are able to secure the weight 900 to the edge guard 110. In one example, the ends of the first arm 904-1 and the second arm 904-2 may include a first hooked flange 906-1 and a second hooked flange 906-2, respectively. The first hooked flange 906-1 and the second hooked flange 906-2 may be used to secure the weight 900 to the edge (e.g., an edge guard 110) of a paddle 100. FIG. 11 illustrates an isometric view of a paddle 1100 including weights 900-1, 900-2, according to an example of the principles described herein. FIG. 12 illustrates an isometric view of the paddle 1100 of FIG. 11 within circle A depicted in FIG. 11, according to an example of the principles described herein. As depicted in FIGS. 11 and 12, a first weight 900-1 may be coupled to a first side of the paddle 1100, and a second weight 900-2 may be coupled to a second side of the paddle 1100.

The placement of the first weight 900-1 and the second weight 900-2 along the edge (e.g., the edge guard 110) may be based on the location of the sweet spot of the paddle 1100 with the intent to increase the size of the sweet spot or otherwise adjust the location and/or size of the sweet spot. For example, an original sweet spot 1102 of the paddle 1100 may be originally located and have original dimensions as depicted in FIG. 11, generally in the center of the paddle 1100. The example original sweet spot 1102 is described and depicted as an example only, and the actual location and size of the original sweet spot 1102 may be different. However, by example only, the addition of the first weight 900-1 and the second weight 900-2 along the edge (e.g., the edge guard 110) may cause the location and/or size of the original sweet spot 1102 to be adjusted to create an adjusted sweet spot 1104. In the example of FIGS. 11 and 12, the adjusted sweet spot 1104 may have larger dimensions relative to the original sweet spot 1102. Further, the adjusted sweet spot 1104 may be similarly centered around the center of the paddle 1100 and around the original sweet spot 1102. However, the inclusion of the first weight 900-1 and the second weight 900-2 may adjust the location and/or size of the original sweet spot 1102 in a manner apart from that depicted in FIGS. 11 and 12. Further, the original sweet spot 1102 and the adjusted sweet spot 1104 may have different extents that form a shape other than the generally square shapes depicted in FIG. 11. For example, the original sweet spot 1102 and the adjusted sweet spot 1104 may have a circular, elliptical, or abstract shape, and the generally square shapes depicted in FIG. 11 are only presented to understand the concept of the original sweet spot 1102 and the adjusted sweet spot 1104. Although two weights, the first weight 900-1 and the second weight 900-2, are depicted in FIGS. 11 and 12, in one example, a single weight 900 may be applied to the paddle 1100 to obtain an offset of the sweet spot from the center of the paddle 1100. Further, in one example, any number of weights 900 may be applied to the edges of the paddle 1100 including any odd number of weights 900 and any even number of weights 900. Still further, the weights 900 may be applied to any portion of the edge of the paddle 1100 on which the weights 900 may be coupled.

Turning again to FIGS. 9 and 10, the bridge portion 902, the first arm 904-1, and the second arm 904-2 of the weight 900 may be configured to provide an engineering fit with respect to the edge guard 110 of the paddle 900. In one example, the weight 900 may be configured to have, for example, any location fit, transition fit, or interference fit with respect to the edge guard 100 as defined by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). In one example, the weight 900 may be configured to have, for example, a location fit, a similar fit, a fixed fit, a press fit, a friction fit, a driving fit, a shrink fit, or a forced fit as defined by the ISO.

In one example, the bridge portion 902, the first arm 904-1, and/or the second arm 904-2 of the weight 900 may be made of a material that allows for the weight 900 to have elastic spring characteristics. In this example, the weight 900 including the bridge portion 902, the first arm 904-1, and the second arm 904-2 may have an elastic property that may return into the shape depicted in FIGS. 9 and 10 after being compressed or extended. For example, the distance between the first arm 904-1 and the second arm 904-2 may be temporarily increased and/or the bridge portion 902 may be elastically deformed to allow for the weight 900 to be pushed onto the edge guard 110 as depicted in FIGS. 11 and 12. As the weight 900 is pressed onto the edge guard 110, the bridge portion 902 may bow or bend much like a leaf spring to increase the distance between the first arm 904-1 and the second arm 904-2 and allow for the first arm 904-1 and the second arm 904-2 to move around the sides of the edge guard 110. Once the first arm 904-1 and the second arm 904-2 move past the sides of the edge guard 110, the bridge portion 902 may contract back to its original state, and the distance between the first arm 904-1 and the second arm 904-2 may be decreased. Further, the first hooked flange 906-1 and the second hooked flange 906-2 of the weight 900 may engage with the backside of the edge guard 110 that rests on top of the first face 108-1 and the second face 108-2 of the paddle 900. In this manner, the first hooked flange 906-1 and the second hooked flange 906-2 may hook around the edge guard 110 and secure the weight 900 to the edge guard 110.

In one example, additional fastening means may be used to couple the weight 900 to the edge guard 110. These additional fastening means may include, for example, fasteners such as screws, bolts, nails, cantilever locking systems, tapes, adhesives, and other fasteners and fastening methods.

In one example, the paddle 1100 may include indicia 1106-1, 1106-2 located on the edge of the body portion and/or the edge guard 110 coupled to the paddle 1100. The indicia 1106-1, 1106-2 may define and provide to a user a position along the edge of the paddle 1100 where weights 900-1, 900-2 may be placed or located. In one example, the indicia 1106-1, 1106-2 may indicate a position of the placement of the weights 900-1, 900-2 along the edge of the paddle 1100 at which an optimal MoI and/or twist weight of the paddle 1100 may be achieved. In one example, a plurality of indicia 1106-1, 1106-2 may be included to allow for the placement of weights 900-1, 900-2 based on the mass of the weights 900-1, 900-2. For example, weights 900-1, 900-2 having a 5.0 g mass may have a first set of indicia 1106-1, 1106-2, and weights 900-1, 900-2 having a 7.0 g mass may have a second set of indicia 1106-1, 1106-2. Any number of indicia 1106-1, 1106-2 may be included along the edge of the body portion and/or the edge guard 110 coupled to the paddle 1100 to allow for appropriate and effective application of the weights 900-1, 900-2. The indicia 1106-1, 1106-2 may be included to assist a user to place the weights 900-1, 900-2 as an after-market device wherein the user purchases the weights 900-1, 900-2 separate from the paddle 1100 and may couple the weights 900-1, 900-2 to the paddle 1100 themselves.

All the aspects and descriptions of the example of FIGS. 9 through 12 described above may be implemented in any other examples described herein. Further, elements, characteristics, features, etc. of the examples described herein may be applied, included, and/or implemented in any other examples described herein.

The weights described in connection with FIGS. 9 through 12 may have any dimensions and configurations. Additional examples of the weights will now be described in connection with FIGS. 13 through 20. To begin, FIG. 13 illustrates an isometric view of a weight 1300, according to an example of the principles described herein. FIG. 14 illustrates a plan, front view of the weight 1300 of FIG. 13, according to an example of the principles described herein. In FIGS. 13 and 14, contour lines are depicted to assist in the understanding of the shape and contours of the weight 1300. As described herein, the weight 1300 may be coupled to an edge of a paddle to adjust the characteristics of the paddle, including, for example, adjusting the MoI, twist weight, and/or overall weight of the paddle. The weight 1300 may include any of the characteristics described herein in connection with other weights.

The mass of weight 1300 depicted in FIGS. 13 and 14 may be, for example, 7.5 g. However, the weight 1300 may have any mass. The mass of the weight 1300 may be defined by the material from which the weight 1300 is made. For example, the weight 1300 may be made of a metal, a metal alloy, wood, plastic, other materials, or combinations thereof. In one example, the weight 1300 may be made of tungsten, aluminum, steel, other metals, and/or metal alloys to obtain a significant mass in a weight 1300 that has relatively smaller dimensions than would be required with relatively less dense materials such as plastic, wood, etc.

Further, the mass of the weight 1300 may be defined by the size of the weight 1300. For example, the weight 1300 may have a length (L), a width (W), and a height (H) that define the size and shape of the weight 1300. In one example, the width (W) and the height (H) may remain static between weights 1300 of different masses since such dimensions may be defined to allow the weight 1300 to be coupled to the paddle 100 as described herein. In the example of FIGS. 13 and 14, the width (W) of the weight 1300 may be, for example, between 0.8 in. and 1.0 in. Further, in the example of FIGS. 13 and 14, the height (H) of the weight 1300 may be, for example, between 0.25 in. and 0.3 in. However, the length (L) of the weight 1300 may be varied to allow for the weight 1300 to have more or less mass. In the example of FIGS. 13 and 14, the length (L) of the weight 1300 may be, for example, between 2.2 in. and 2.4 in. With these dimensions, and in an instance where the weight 1300 is made of aluminum, the weight 1300 may have a mass of approximately 7.5 g as mentioned above. However, in instances where the length (L) of the weight 1300 is relatively longer, then the mass of the weight 1300 will be larger, as evidenced by other examples described herein in connection with the weights of FIGS. 9 and 10, and 15 through 20.

The weight 1300 may have a generally “C” or “U” shape that allows the weight 1300 to be coupled to the side of a paddle 100. The weight 1300 may include a bridge portion 1302 that is configured and/or dimensioned to span a thickness of the paddle 100. The weight 1300 may further include a first arm 1304-1 extending from a first side of the bridge portion 1302 and a second arm 1304-2 extending from a second side of the bridge portion 1302. The first arm 1304-1 and the second arm 1304-2 may include ends that are dimensioned to reach around the width of the edge guard 110 of the paddle 100 so that the first arm 1304-1 and the second arm 1304-2 are able to secure the weight 1300 to the edge guard 110. In one example, the ends of the first arm 1304-1 and the second arm 1304-2 may include a first hooked flange 1306-1 and a second hooked flange 1306-2, respectively. The first hooked flange 1306-1 and the second hooked flange 1306-2 may be used to secure the weight 1300 to the edge (e.g., an edge guard 110) of a paddle 100. The bridge portion 1302, the first arm 1304-1, and the second arm 1304-2 of the weight 1300 may be configured to provide an engineering fit with respect to the edge guard 110 of the paddle 900. In one example, the bridge portion 1302, the first arm 1304-1, and/or the second arm 1304-2 of the weight 1300 may be made of a material that allows for the weight 1300 to have elastic spring characteristics.

FIG. 15 illustrates an isometric view of a weight 1500, according to an example of the principles described herein. FIG. 16 illustrates a plan, front view of the weight 1500 of FIG. 15, according to an example of the principles described herein. In FIGS. 15 and 16, contour lines are depicted to assist in the understanding of the shape and contours of the weight 1500. As described herein, the weight 1500 may be coupled to an edge of a paddle to adjust the characteristics of the paddle, including, for example, adjusting the MoI, twist weight, and/or overall weight of the paddle. The weight 1500 may include any of the characteristics described herein in connection with other weights.

The mass of weight 1500 depicted in FIGS. 15 and 16 may be, for example, 5 g. However, the weight 1500 may have any mass. The mass of the weight 1500 may be defined by the material from which the weight 1500 is made. For example, the weight 1500 may be made of a metal, a metal alloy, wood, plastic, other materials, or combinations thereof. In one example, the weight 1500 may be made of tungsten, aluminum, steel, other metals, and/or metal alloys to obtain a significant mass in a weight 1500 that has relatively smaller dimensions than would be required with relatively less dense materials such as plastic, wood, etc.

Further, the mass of the weight 1500 may be defined by the size of the weight 1500. For example, the weight 1500 may have a length (L), a width (W), and a height (H) that define the size and shape of the weight 1500. In one example, the width (W) and the height (H) may remain static between weights 1500 of different masses since such dimensions may be defined to allow the weight 1500 to be coupled to the paddle 100 as described herein. In the example of FIGS. 15 and 16, the width (W) of the weight 1500 may be, for example, between 0.8 in. and 1.0 in. Further, in the example of FIGS. 15 and 16, the height (H) of the weight 1500 may be, for example, between 0.25 in. and 0.3 in. However, the length (L) of the weight 1500 may be varied to allow for the weight 1500 to have more or less mass. In the example of FIGS. 15 and 16, the length (L) of the weight 1500 may be, for example, between 1.4 in. and 1.6 in. With these dimensions, and in an instance where the weight 1500 is made of aluminum, the weight 1500 may have a mass of approximately 5 g as mentioned above. However, in instances where the length (L) of the weight 1500 is relatively longer, then the mass of the weight 1500 will be larger, as evidenced by other examples described herein in connection with the weights of FIGS. 9 and 10; 13 and 14; and 17 through 20.

The weight 1500 may have a generally “C” or “U” shape that allows the weight 1500 to be coupled to the side of a paddle 100. The weight 1500 may include a bridge portion 1502 that is configured and/or dimensioned to span a thickness of the paddle 100. The weight 1500 may further include a first arm 1504-1 extending from a first side of the bridge portion 1502 and a second arm 1504-2 extending from a second side of the bridge portion 1502. The example weight 1500 of FIGS. 15 and 16 includes a relatively less arched inner surface as compared to the arched inner surfaces of the example weights depicted in FIGS. 9 and 10, and 13 and 14. This decreased arch may allow for the arched inner surface of the bridge portion 1502 to come into more direct contact with the edge guard 110 or otherwise more closely follow the exterior contours of the edge guard 110 and/or edge guards 110 with different cross sections.

The first arm 1504-1 and the second arm 1504-2 may include ends that are dimensioned to reach around the width of the edge guard 110 of the paddle 100 so that the first arm 1504-1 and the second arm 1504-2 are able to secure the weight 1500 to the edge guard 110. In one example, the ends of the first arm 1504-1 and the second arm 1504-2 may include a first hooked flange 1506-1 and a second hooked flange 1506-2, respectively. The first hooked flange 1506-1 and the second hooked flange 1506-2 may be used to secure the weight 1500 to the edge (e.g., an edge guard 110) of a paddle 100. The bridge portion 1502, the first arm 1504-1, and the second arm 1504-2 of the weight 1500 may be configured to provide an engineering fit with respect to the edge guard 110 of the paddle 900. In one example, the bridge portion 1502, the first arm 1504-1, and/or the second arm 1504-2 of the weight 1500 may be made of a material that allows for the weight 1500 to have elastic spring characteristics.

FIG. 17 illustrates an isometric view of a weight 1700, according to an example of the principles described herein. FIG. 18 illustrates a plan, front view of the weight 1700 of FIG. 17, according to an example of the principles described herein. In FIGS. 17 and 18, contour lines are depicted to assist in the understanding of the shape and contours of the weight 1700. As described herein, the weight 1700 may be coupled to an edge of a paddle to adjust the characteristics of the paddle, including, for example, adjusting the MoI, twist weight, and/or overall weight of the paddle. The weight 1700 may include any of the characteristics described herein in connection with other weights.

The mass of weight 1700 depicted in FIGS. 17 and 18 may be, for example, 7.5 g. However, the weight 1700 may have any mass. The mass of the weight 1700 may be defined by the material from which the weight 1700 is made. For example, the weight 1700 may be made of a metal, a metal alloy, wood, plastic, other materials, or combinations thereof. In one example, the weight 1700 may be made of tungsten, aluminum, steel, other metals, and/or metal alloys to obtain a significant mass in a weight 1700 that has relatively smaller dimensions than would be required with relatively less dense materials such as plastic, wood, etc.

Further, the mass of the weight 1700 may be defined by the size of the weight 1700. For example, the weight 1700 may have a length (L), a width (W), and a height (H) that define the size and shape of the weight 1700. In one example, the width (W) and the height (H) may remain static between weights 1700 of different masses since such dimensions may be defined to allow the weight 1700 to be coupled to the paddle 100 as described herein. In the example of FIGS. 17 and 18, the width (W) of the weight 1700 may be, for example, between 0.8 in. and 1.0 in. Further, in the example of FIGS. 17 and 18, the height (H) of the weight 1700 may be, for example, between 0.25 in. and 0.3 in. However, the length (L) of the weight 1700 may be varied to allow for the weight 1700 to have more or less mass. In the example of FIGS. 17 and 18, the length (L) of the weight 1700 may be, for example, between 1.9 in. and 2.3 in. With these dimensions, and in an instance where the weight 1700 is made of aluminum, the weight 1700 may have a mass of approximately 7.5 g as mentioned above. However, in instances where the length (L) of the weight 1700 is relatively longer, then the mass of the weight 1700 will be larger, as evidenced by other examples described herein in connection with the weights of FIGS. 9 and 10; 13 and 14; 15 and 16; and 19 and 20.

The weight 1700 may have a generally “C” or “U” shape that allows the weight 1700 to be coupled to the side of a paddle 100. The weight 1700 may include a bridge portion 1702 that is configured and/or dimensioned to span a thickness of the paddle 100. The weight 1700 may further include a first arm 1704-1 extending from a first side of the bridge portion 1702 and a second arm 1704-2 extending from a second side of the bridge portion 1702. The example weight 1700 of FIGS. 17 and 18 includes a relatively less arched inner surface as compared to the arched inner surfaces of the example weights depicted in FIGS. 9 and 10, and 13 and 14. The weights described herein may have any internal shapes and dimensions to accommodate for any shape of the exterior of an edge of the paddle 100 and/or an exterior shape of an edge guard 110 of the paddle 100. This decreased arch may allow for the arched inner surface of the bridge portion 1702 to come into more direct contact with the edge guard 110 or otherwise more closely follow the exterior contours of the edge guard 110 and/or edge guards 110 with different cross sections.

The first arm 1704-1 and the second arm 1704-2 may include ends that are dimensioned to reach around the width of the edge guard 110 of the paddle 100 so that the first arm 1704-1 and the second arm 1704-2 are able to secure the weight 1700 to the edge guard 110. In one example, the ends of the first arm 1704-1 and the second arm 1704-2 may include a first hooked flange 1706-1 and a second hooked flange 1706-2, respectively. The first hooked flange 1706-1 and the second hooked flange 1706-2 may be used to secure the weight 1700 to the edge (e.g., an edge guard 110) of a paddle 100. The bridge portion 1702, the first arm 1704-1, and the second arm 1704-2 of the weight 1700 may be configured to provide an engineering fit with respect to the edge guard 110 of the paddle 900. In one example, the bridge portion 1702, the first arm 1704-1, and/or the second arm 1704-2 of the weight 1700 may be made of a material that allows for the weight 1700 to have elastic spring characteristics.

FIG. 19 illustrates an isometric view of a weight 1900, according to an example of the principles described herein. FIG. 20 illustrates a plan, front view of the weight 1900 of FIG. 19, according to an example of the principles described herein. In FIGS. 19 and 20, contour lines are depicted to assist in the understanding of the shape and contours of the weight 1900. As described herein, the weight 1900 may be coupled to an edge of a paddle to adjust the characteristics of the paddle, including, for example, adjusting the MoI, twist weight, and/or overall weight of the paddle. The weight 1900 may include any of the characteristics described herein in connection with other weights.

The mass of weight 1900 depicted in FIGS. 19 and 20 may be, for example, 10.0 g. However, the weight 1900 may have any mass. The mass of the weight 1900 may be defined by the material from which the weight 1900 is made. For example, the weight 1900 may be made of a metal, a metal alloy, wood, plastic, other materials, or combinations thereof. In one example, the weight 1900 may be made of tungsten, aluminum, steel, other metals, and/or metal alloys to obtain a significant mass in a weight 1900 that has relatively smaller dimensions than would be required with relatively less dense materials such as plastic, wood, etc.

Further, the mass of the weight 1900 may be defined by the size of the weight 1900. For example, the weight 1900 may have a length (L), a width (W), and a height (H) that define the size and shape of the weight 1900. In one example, the width (W) and the height (H) may remain static between weights 1900 of different masses since such dimensions may be defined to allow the weight 1900 to be coupled to the paddle 100 as described herein. In the example of FIGS. 19 and 20, the width (W) of the weight 1900 may be, for example, between 0.8 in. and 1.0 in. Further, in the example of FIGS. 19 and 20, the height (H) of the weight 1900 may be, for example, between 0.25 in. and 0.3 in. However, the length (L) of the weight 1900 may be varied to allow for the weight 1900 to have more or less mass. In the example of FIGS. 19 and 20, the length (L) of the weight 1900 may be, for example, between 1.9 in. and 2.3 in. With these dimensions, and in an instance where the weight 1900 is made of aluminum, the weight 1900 may have a mass of approximately 10.0 g as mentioned above. However, in instances where the length (L) of the weight 1900 is relatively longer, then the mass of the weight 1900 will be larger, as evidenced by other examples described herein in connection with the weights of FIGS. 9 and 10; 13 and 14; 15 and 16; and 19 and 20.

The weight 1900 may have a generally “C” or “U” shape that allows the weight 1900 to be coupled to the side of a paddle 100. The weight 1900 may include a bridge portion 1902 that is configured and/or dimensioned to span a thickness of the paddle 100. The weight 1900 may further include a first arm 1904-1 extending from a first side of the bridge portion 1902 and a second arm 1904-2 extending from a second side of the bridge portion 1902. The example weight 1900 of FIGS. 19 and 20 includes a relatively less arched inner surface as compared to the arched inner surfaces of the example weights depicted in FIGS. 9 and 10, and 13 and 14. The weights described herein may have any internal shapes and dimensions to accommodate for any shape of the exterior of an edge of the paddle 100 and/or an exterior shape of an edge guard 110 of the paddle 100. This decreased arch may allow for the arched inner surface of the bridge portion 1902 to come into more direct contact with the edge guard 110 or otherwise more closely follow the exterior contours of the edge guard 110 and/or edge guards 110 with different cross sections.

The first arm 1904-1 and the second arm 1904-2 may include ends that are dimensioned to reach around the width of the edge guard 110 of the paddle 100 so that the first arm 1904-1 and the second arm 1904-2 are able to secure the weight 1900 to the edge guard 110. In one example, the ends of the first arm 1904-1 and the second arm 1904-2 may include a first hooked flange 1906-1 and a second hooked flange 1906-2, respectively. The first hooked flange 1906-1 and the second hooked flange 1906-2 may be used to secure the weight 1900 to the edge (e.g., an edge guard 110) of a paddle 100. The bridge portion 1902, the first arm 1904-1, and the second arm 1904-2 of the weight 1900 may be configured to provide an engineering fit with respect to the edge guard 110 of the paddle 900. In one example, the bridge portion 1902, the first arm 1904-1, and/or the second arm 1904-2 of the weight 1900 may be made of a material that allows for the weight 1900 to have elastic spring characteristics.

Having described the weights of FIGS. 9 and 10, and 13 through 20, additional examples that include two or more parts will now be described. FIG. 21 illustrates an isometric view of a weight 2100, according to an example of the principles described herein. FIG. 22 illustrates an isometric, exploded view of the weight 2100 of FIG. 21, according to an example of the principles described herein. FIG. 23 illustrates a top plan view of the weight 2100 of FIG. 21, according to an example of the principles described herein. FIG. 24. illustrates a front plan, cutaway view of the weight 2100 of FIG. 21 at line A of FIG. 23, according to an example of the principles described herein. The weight 2100 may have any dimensions described herein, such as those dimensions described above in connection with the weights of FIGS. 9 and 10, and 13 through 20. Again, the dimensions of the weights and/or the materials from which the weights are made may define the mass of the weights.

In FIGS. 21 through 24, a two-piece weight 2100 is depicted. The weight 2100 of FIGS. 21 through 24 may include an overlay 2102 and an underlay 2104. The underlay 2104 may nest within the overlay 2102. The overlay 2102 may include several features similar to the weights described in connection with FIGS. 9 and 10, and 13 through 20. For example, the overlay 2102 may include a bridge portion 2106 that is configured and/or dimensioned to span a thickness of the paddle 100. An internal surface 2114 of the bridge portion 2106 may be curved or otherwise formed to match or significantly match an outer radius of curvature or shape of the edge of the paddle 100 and/or an edge guard 110 coupled to the paddle 100 so that the weight 2100 may abut the outer radius of curvature or shape of the edge of the paddle 100 and/or the edge guard 110 without a significant amount of space between the weight 2100 and the edge guard 110.

The weight 2100 may further include a first arm 2108-1 extending from a first side of the bridge portion 2106 and a second arm 2108-2 extending from a second side of the bridge portion 2106. In one example, the first arm 2108-1 and the second arm 2108-2 may be monolithically formed with the bridge portion 2106. In one example, the first arm 2108-1 and the second arm 2108-2 may be formed separately from the bridge portion 2106 and coupled to the bridge portion 2106. In one example, the bridge portion 2106, the first arm 2108-1, and the second arm 2108-2 may be formed by extruding the overlay 2102. In one example, the bridge portion 2106, the first arm 2108-1, and the second arm 2108-2 may be formed by milling the overlay 2102 from a single piece of material. In one example, the bridge portion 2106, the first arm 2108-1, and the second arm 2108-2 may be formed via additive manufacturing processes, subtractive manufacturing processes, and combinations thereof.

The first arm 2108-1 and the second arm 2108-2 may include ends that are dimensioned to reach around the width of the edge guard 110 of the paddle 100 so that the first arm 2108-1 and the second arm 2108-2 are able to secure the weight 2100 to the edge guard 110. In one example, the ends of the first arm 2108-1 and the second arm 2108-2 may include a first hooked flange 2110-1 and a second hooked flange 2110-2, respectively. The first hooked flange 2110-1 and the second hooked flange 2110-2 may be used to secure the weight 2100 to the edge (e.g., an edge guard 110) of a paddle 100. In this manner, any number of the weights 2100 may be coupled to the paddle 100 as depicted in, for example, FIGS. 11 and 12, including a first weight 2100 being coupled to a first side of the paddle 1100 and a second weight 2100 being coupled to a second side of the paddle 1100 as described herein.

The overlay 2102 may further include an underlay recess 2112. The underlay recess 2112 may be dimensioned to allow the underlay 2104 to fit inside and nest with the overlay 2102. In one example, the underlay recess 2112 may have a depth that is equivalent or substantially equivalent to a thickness of the underlay 2104 such that, when nested within the overlay 2102, it has an internal surface 2116 that is along the same planes as an internal surface 2114 of the overlay 2102.

The underlay 2104 may include several features similar to the weights described in connection with FIGS. 9 and 10, and 13 through 20, and the overlay 2102. For example, the underlay 2104 may include a bridge portion 2118 that is configured and/or dimensioned to span a thickness of the paddle 100 along with the overlay 2106. An internal surface 2116 of the bridge portion 2118 may be curved or otherwise formed to match or significantly match an outer radius of curvature or shape of the edge guard 110 so that the underlay 2104, along with the overlay 2102, of the weight 2100 may abut the outer radius of curvature or shape of the edge guard 110 without a significant amount of space between the weight 2100 and the edge guard 110.

The underlay 2104 of the weight 2100 may further include a first arm 2120-1 extending from a first side of the bridge portion 2118 and a second arm 2120-2 extending from a second side of the bridge portion 2118. In one example, the first arm 2120-1 and the second arm 2120-2 may be monolithically formed with the bridge portion 2118. In one example, the first arm 2120-1 and the second arm 2120-2 may be formed separately from the bridge portion 2118 and coupled to the bridge portion 2118. In one example, the bridge portion 2118, the first arm 2120-1, and the second arm 2120-2 may be formed by extruding the underlay 2104. In one example, the bridge portion 2118, the first arm 2120-1, and the second arm 2120-2 may be formed by milling the underlay 2104 from a single piece of material. In one example, the bridge portion 2118, the first arm 2120-1, and the second arm 2120-2 may be formed via additive manufacturing processes, subtractive manufacturing processes, and combinations thereof.

The underlay 2104 of the weight 2100 including the bridge portion 2118, the first arm 2120-1, and the second arm 2120-2 may be dimensioned and configured to fit in and nest within the underlay recess 2112. In one example, the underlay 2104 may be made of a material that is able to elastically deform in order to push the underlay 2104 between the first arm 2108-1 and the second arm 2108-2 and seat within the underlay recess 2112. Further, instead of or in addition to the elastic deformation of the underlay 2104, the overlay 2102 may be made of a material that is able to elastically deform in order to push the first arm 2108-1 and the second arm 2108-2 around the underlay 2104 and allow the underlay 2104 to seat within the underlay recess 2112. In one example, the underlay 2104 may include a first location aperture 2122-1 and a second location aperture 2122-2 (or any number of location apertures) formed and defined in the underlay 2104. The first location aperture 2122-1 and the second location aperture 2122-2 may be used during manufacturing to align the underlay 2104 with the overlay 2102 and properly seat the underlay 2104 with the underlay recess 2112.

Once the underlay 2104 is seated within the underlay recess 2112 of the overlay 2102, the weight 2100 in that state may be coupled to the edge of the paddle 100 in a manner as described above in connection with FIGS. 9 through 20. Thus, as the weight 2100 is coupled to the edge of the paddle 100, such as the edge guard 110, the overlay 2102 and the underlay 2104 may undergo compression or extension. In one example, the bridge portion 2106, the first arm 2108-1, and/or the second arm 2108-2 of the overlay 2102, and the bridge portion 2118, the first arm 2120-1 and the second arm 2120-2 of the underlay 2104 may be made of a material that allows for the weight 2100 to have elastic spring characteristics. In this example, the weight 2100 including the overlay 2102 and the underlay 2104 may have an elastic property that may return to the shape depicted in FIGS. 21 through 24 after being compressed or extended. For example, the distance between the first arm 2108-1 and the second arm 2108-2 of the overlay 2102 and/or the distance between the first arm 2120-1 and the second arm 2120-2 of the underlay 2104 may be temporarily increased and/or the bridge portion 2106 and/or the bridge portion 2118 may be elastically deformed to allow for the weight 2100 to be pushed onto the edge guard 110 as depicted in, for example, FIGS. 11 and 12. As the weight 2100 is pressed onto the edge guard 110, the bridge portion 2102 and/or the bridge portion 2118 may bow or bend much like a leaf spring to increase the distance between the first arm 2108-1 and the second arm 2108-2 of the overlay 2102 and/or the distance between the first arm 2120-1 and the second arm 2120-2 of the underlay 2104 and allow for the first arm 2108-1 and the second arm 2108-2 of the overlay 2102 and/or the first arm 2120-1 and the second arm 2120-2 of the underlay 2104 to move around the sides of the edge guard 110. Once the first arm 2108-1 and the second arm 2108-2 of the overlay 2102 and/or the first arm 2120-1 and the second arm 2120-2 of the underlay 2104 move past the sides of the edge guard 110, the bridge portion 2106 and/or the bridge portion 2118 may contract back to their respective original states and the distance between the first arm 2108-1 and the second arm 2108-2 of the overlay 2102 and/or the distance between the first arm 2120-1 and the second arm 2120-2 of the underlay 2104 may be decreased. Further, the first hooked flange 2110-1 and the second hooked flange 2110-2 of the weight 2100 may engage with the backside of the edge guard 110 that rests on top of the first face 108-1 and the second face 108-2 of the paddle 100. In this manner, the first hooked flange 2110-1 and the second hooked flange 2110-2 may hook around the edge guard 110 and secure the weight 2100 to the edge guard 110.

In one example, the overlay 2102 may be made of a plastic or other non-metal material, and the underlay 2104 may be made of copper, a copper alloy, or other metal or metal alloy. In this example, the overlay 2102 may serve as a cover for the metal or metal alloy underlay 2104, and the metal or metal alloy of the underlay 2104 may be selected to provide a desired mass based on the density of the metal or metal alloy. Further, in one example, the overlay 2102 may be made of a metal or metal alloy, and the underlay 2104 may also be made of metal or metal alloy. In this example, the overlay 2102 and the underlay 2104 may be selected to provide a desired mass based on the density of the metal or metal alloy of each.

In one example, the underlay 2104 may be coupled to the overlay 2102 via an engineering fit wherein the underlay 2104 seats within the underlay recess 2112 of the overlay 2102 with a loose running fit, a free running fit, a close running fit, a sliding fit, or a location fit as described herein. Further, in one example, additional fastening means may be used to couple the underlay 2104 to the overlay 2102. These additional fastening means may include, for example, fasteners such as screws, bolts, nails, tapes, adhesives, and other fasteners and/or fastening methods such as welding and other fastening methods.

The two-part feature of the weight 2100 allows for the mass of the weight 2100 to be finely adjusted and tuned to obtain a desired mass that may work most effectively with the shape, design, mass, and other characteristics of the paddle 100 to which the weight 2100 is coupled. Further, the two-part feature of the weight 2100 allows for the functional or primary mass of the weight 2100 to be handled by the underlay 2104, and the overlay 2102 may serve as an outer covering that may include colors, designs, text, indicia, and other characteristics as may be desired by a user or manufacturer.

FIG. 25 illustrates an isometric view of a weight 2500, according to an example of the principles described herein. FIG. 26 illustrates an isometric, exploded view of the weight 2500 of FIG. 25, according to an example of the principles described herein. FIG. 27 illustrates a top plan view of the weight 2500 of FIG. 25, according to an example of the principles described herein. FIG. 28. illustrates a front plan, cutaway view of the weight 2500 of FIG. 25 at line C of FIG. 27, according to an example of the principles described herein. The weight 2500 of FIGS. 25 through 28 is similar to the weight 2100 of FIGS. 21 through 24 in that the weight 2500 of FIGS. 25 through 28 is a two-part device.

The weight 2500 may have any dimensions described herein, such as those dimensions described above in connection with the weights of FIGS. 9 and 10, 13 through 20, and 21 through 24. Again, the dimensions of the weights and/or the materials from which the weights are made may define the mass of the weights.

In FIGS. 25 through 28, a two-piece weight 2500 is depicted. The weight 2500 of FIGS. 25 through 28 may include an overlay 2502 and an underlay 2504. The underlay 2504 may nest within the overlay 2502. The overlay 2502 may include several features similar to the weights described in connection with FIGS. 9 and 10, 13 through 20, and 21 through 24. For example, the overlay 2502 may include a bridge portion 2506 that is configured and/or dimensioned to span a thickness of the paddle 100. An internal surface 2514 of the bridge portion 2506 may be curved or otherwise formed to match or significantly match an outer radius of curvature or shape of the edge of the paddle 100 and/or an edge guard 110 coupled to the paddle 100 so that the weight 2500 may abut the outer radius of curvature or shape of the edge of the paddle 100 and/or the edge guard 110 without a significant amount of space between the weight 2500 and the edge guard 110.

The weight 2500 may further include a first arm 2508-1 extending from a first side of the bridge portion 2506 and a second arm 2508-2 extending from a second side of the bridge portion 2506. In one example, the first arm 2508-1 and the second arm 2508-2 may be monolithically formed with the bridge portion 2506. In one example, the first arm 2508-1 and the second arm 2508-2 may be formed separately from the bridge portion 2506 and coupled to the bridge portion 2506. In one example, the bridge portion 2506, the first arm 2508-1, and the second arm 2508-2 may be formed by extruding the overlay 2502. In one example, the bridge portion 2506, the first arm 2508-1, and the second arm 2508-2 may be formed by milling the overlay 2502 from a single piece of material. In one example, the bridge portion 2506, the first arm 2508-1, and the second arm 2508-2 may be formed via additive manufacturing processes, subtractive manufacturing processes, and combinations thereof.

The first arm 2508-1 and the second arm 2508-2 may include ends that are dimensioned to reach around the width of the edge guard 110 of the paddle 100 so that the first arm 2508-1 and the second arm 2508-2 are able to secure the weight 2500 to the edge guard 110. In one example, the ends of the first arm 2508-1 and the second arm 2508-2 may include a first hooked flange 2510-1 and a second hooked flange 2510-2, respectively. The first hooked flange 2510-1 and the second hooked flange 2510-2 may be used to secure the weight 2500 to the edge (e.g., an edge guard 110) of a paddle 100. In this manner, any number of the weights 2500 may be coupled to the paddle 100 as depicted in, for example, FIGS. 11 and 12, including a first weight 2500 being coupled to a first side of the paddle 1100 and a second weight 2500 being coupled to a second side of the paddle 1100 as described herein.

The overlay 2502 may further include an underlay recess 2512. The underlay recess 2512 may be dimensioned to allow the underlay 2504 to fit inside and nest with the overlay 2502. In one example, the underlay recess 2512 may have a depth that is equivalent or substantially equivalent to a thickness of the underlay 2504 such that, when nested within the overlay 2502, it has an internal surface 2516 that is along the same planes as an internal surface 2514 of the overlay 2502.

The underlay 2504 may include several features that assist the underlay 2504 in nesting and being secured within the underlay recess 2512 defined in the overlay 2502 as similarly described in connection with FIGS. 9 and 10, 13 through 20, and 21 through 24, and the overlay 2502. For example, the underlay 2504 may include a bridge portion 2518 that is configured and/or dimensioned to span a thickness of the paddle 100 along with the overlay 2506. An internal surface 2516 of the bridge portion 2518 may be curved or otherwise formed to match or significantly match an outer radius of curvature or shape of the edge guard 110 so that the underlay 2504, along with the overlay 2502, of the weight 2500 may abut the outer radius of curvature or shape of the edge guard 110 without a significant amount of space between the weight 2500 and the edge guard 110.

The underlay 2504 of the weight 2500 may further include a ridge 2520 that extends past an edge of the bridge portion 2518. In one example, the ridge 2520 may extend from the bridge portion 2518 at an internal side of the underlay 2504 that contacts an inner surface of the underlay recess 2512. Further, in one example, the ridge 2520 may extend from the entirety of the outer perimeter of the underlay 2504 or at least a portion of the outer perimeter of the underlay 2504. This configuration leaves the inner surface 2516 of the underlay 2504 with a relatively less extended length or width. In order to provide a space at which the ridge 2520 may engage with the overlay 2502, a ridge channel 2524 may be defined in the underlay recess 2512 of the overlay 2502. In this manner, as the ridge 2520 engages with the ridge channel 2524, the ridge 2520 may retain the underlay 2504 within the underlay recess 2512 as depicted in, for example, FIGS. 25 and 28. The ridge 2520 and the ridge channel 2524 thus allow the underlay 2504 to be secured within the underlay recess 2512 of the overlay 2502. The ridge 2520 may be monolithically formed with the bridge portion 2518, or formed separately from the bridge portion 2518 and coupled to the bridge portion 2518. In one example, the bridge portion 2518 and the ridge 2520 may be formed by extruding the underlay 2504. In one example, the bridge portion 2518 and the ridge 2520 may be formed by milling the underlay 2504 from a single piece of material. In one example, the bridge portion 2518 and the ridge 2520 may be formed via additive manufacturing processes, subtractive manufacturing processes, and combinations thereof.

In one example, the underlay 2504 may be secured to the overlay 2502 by inserting the underlay 2504 into the underlay recess 2512, allowing the ridge 2520 to pass over the internal surface 2514 of the bridge portion 2506 of the overlay 2502 and seat within the ridge channel 2524. This manner of coupling the underlay 2504 to the overlay 2502 may be achieved in instances where the overlay 2502 is made of an elastic material that may allow for the ridge 2520 to pass over the internal surface 2514 of the bridge portion 2506 of the overlay 2502 and seat within the ridge channel 2524.

In one example, the underlay 2504 may be secured to the overlay 2502 by overmolding the overlay 2502 around the underlay 2504. In this process, the overlay may be made of any material that can withstand any required heat or pressures to overmold the overlay 2502 onto the underlay 2504. The ridge 2520 may act as a retention device with the ridge channel 2524 being formed as the overmolded material surrounds the ridge 2520 and the remainder of the underlay 2504. In one example, the underlay 2104 may include a first location aperture 2522-1 and a second location aperture 2522-2 (or any number of location apertures) formed and defined in the underlay 2504. The first location aperture 2522-1 and the second location aperture 2522-2 may be used during the overmolding process to hold the underlay 2504 in a secured location during manufacturing, to align the underlay 2504 with the overlay 2502, and properly seat the underlay 2504 with the underlay recess 2512. Further, in one example during the overmolding process, the first location aperture 2522-1 and the second location aperture 2522-2 may be at least partially filled with the material of the overlay 2502 creating a securing mechanism that secures the underlay 2504 within the overlay 2502 in at least the y- and z-axis directions in addition to the manner in which the ridge 2520 and the ridge channel 2524 secure the underlay 2504 within the overlay 2502 in the x-, y-, and z-axis directions.

Once the underlay 2504 is seated within the underlay recess 2512 of the overlay 2502, the weight 2500 in that state may be coupled to the edge of the paddle 100 in a manner as described above in connection with FIGS. 9 through 24. Thus, as the weight 2500 is coupled to the edge of the paddle 100, such as the edge guard 110, the overlay 2502 and the underlay 2504 may undergo compression or extension. In one example, the bridge portion 2506, the first arm 2508-1, and/or the second arm 2508-2 of the overlay 2502, and the bridge portion 2518 of the underlay 2504 may be made of a material that allows for the weight 2500 to have elastic spring characteristics. In this example, the weight 2500 including the overlay 2502 and the underlay 2504 may have an elastic property that may return to the shape depicted in FIGS. 25 through 28 after being compressed or extended. For example, the distance between the first arm 2508-1 and the second arm 2508-2 of the overlay 2502 may be temporarily increased and/or the bridge portion 2506 and/or the bridge portion 2518 may be elastically deformed to allow for the weight 2500 to be pushed onto the edge guard 110 as depicted in, for example, FIGS. 11 and 12. As the weight 2500 is pressed onto the edge guard 110, the bridge portion 2506 and/or the bridge portion 2518 may bow or bend much like a leaf spring to increase the distance between the first arm 2508-1 and the second arm 2508-2 of the overlay 2502 and allow for the first arm 2508-1 and the second arm 2508-2 of the overlay 2502 to move around the sides of the edge guard 110. Once the first arm 2508-1 and the second arm 2508-2 of the overlay 2502 move past the sides of the edge guard 110, the bridge portion 2506 and/or the bridge portion 2518 may contract back to their respective original states and the distance between the first arm 2508-1 and the second arm 2508-2 of the overlay 2502 may be decreased. Further, the first hooked flange 2510-1 and the second hooked flange 2510-2 of the weight 2500 may engage with the backside of the edge guard 110 that rests on top of the first face 108-1 and the second face 108-2 of the paddle 100. In this manner, the first hooked flange 2510-1 and the second hooked flange 2510-2 may hook around the edge guard 110 and secure the weight 2500 to the edge guard 110.

In one example, the overlay 2502 may be made of a plastic or other non-metal material, and the underlay 2504 may be made of copper, a copper alloy, or other metal or metal alloy. In this example, the overlay 2502 may serve as a cover for the metal or metal alloy underlay 2504, and the metal or metal alloy of the underlay 2504 may be selected to provide a desired mass based on the density of the metal or metal alloy. Further, in one example, the overlay 2502 may be made of a metal or metal alloy, and the underlay 2504 may also be made of metal or metal alloy. In this example, the overlay 2502 and the underlay 2504 may be selected to provide a desired mass based on the density of the metal or metal alloy of each.

In one example, the underlay 2504 may be coupled to the overlay 2502 via an engineering fit wherein the underlay 2504 seats within the underlay recess 2512 of the overlay 2502 with a loose running fit, a free running fit, a close running fit, a sliding fit, or a location fit as described herein. Further, in one example, additional fastening means may be used to couple the underlay 2504 to the overlay 2502. These additional fastening means may include, for example, fasteners such as screws, bolts, nails, tapes, adhesives, and other fasteners, and/or fastening methods such as welding and other fastening methods.

The two-part feature of the weight 2500 allows for the mass of the weight 2500 to be finely adjusted and tuned to obtain a desired mass that may work most effectively with the shape, design, mass, and other characteristics of the paddle 100 to which the weight 2500 is coupled. Further, the two-part feature of the weight 2500 allows for the functional or primary mass of the weight 2500 to be handled by the underlay 2504, and the overlay 2502 may serve as an outer covering that may include colors, designs, text, indicia, and other characteristics as may be desired by a user or manufacturer.

FIG. 29 illustrates an isometric view of a weight 2900, according to an example of the principles described herein. FIG. 30 illustrates an isometric, exploded view of the weight 2900 of FIG. 29, according to an example of the principles described herein. FIG. 31 illustrates a top plan view of the weight 2900 of FIG. 29, according to an example of the principles described herein. FIG. 32. illustrates a front plan, cutaway view of the weight 2900 of FIG. 29 at line D of FIG. 31, according to an example of the principles described herein. The weight 2900 may have any dimensions described herein, such as those dimensions described above in connection with the weights of FIGS. 9 and 10, and 13 through 28. Again, the dimensions of the weights and/or the materials from which the weights are made may define the mass of the weights.

In FIGS. 29 through 32, a two-piece weight 2900 is depicted. The weight 2900 of FIGS. 29 through 32 may include an overlay 2902 and an underlay 2904 in a manner similar as the example weight 2100 of FIGS. 21 through 24. Further, the two-piece weight 2900 may include an adhesive 2924.

The underlay 2904 may nest within the overlay 2902. The overlay 2902 may include several features similar to the weights described in connection with FIGS. 9 and 10, and 13 through 28. For example, the overlay 2902 may include a bridge portion 2906 that is configured and/or dimensioned to span a thickness of the paddle 100. An internal surface 2914 of the bridge portion 2906 may be curved or otherwise formed to match or significantly match an outer radius of curvature or shape of the edge of the paddle 100 and/or an edge guard 110 coupled to the paddle 100 so that the weight 2900 may abut the outer radius of curvature or shape of the edge of the paddle 100 and/or the edge guard 110 without a significant amount of space between the weight 2900 and the edge guard 110.

The weight 2900 may further include a first arm 2908-1 extending from a first side of the bridge portion 2906 and a second arm 2908-2 extending from a second side of the bridge portion 2906. In one example, the first arm 2908-1 and the second arm 2908-2 may be monolithically formed with the bridge portion 2906. In one example, the first arm 2908-1 and the second arm 2908-2 may be formed separately from the bridge portion 2906 and coupled to the bridge portion 2906. In one example, the bridge portion 2906, the first arm 2908-1, and the second arm 2908-2 may be formed by extruding the overlay 2902. In one example, the bridge portion 2906, the first arm 2908-1, and the second arm 2908-2 may be formed by milling the overlay 2902 from a single piece of material. In one example, the bridge portion 2906, the first arm 2908-1, and the second arm 2908-2 may be formed via additive manufacturing processes, subtractive manufacturing processes, and combinations thereof.

The first arm 2908-1 and the second arm 2908-2 may include ends that are dimensioned to reach around the width of the edge guard 110 of the paddle 100 so that the first arm 2908-1 and the second arm 2908-2 are able to secure the weight 2900 to the edge guard 110. In one example, the ends of the first arm 2908-1 and the second arm 2908-2 may include a first hooked flange 2910-1 and a second hooked flange 2910-2, respectively. The first hooked flange 2910-1 and the second hooked flange 2910-2 may be used to secure the weight 2900 to the edge (e.g., an edge guard 110) of a paddle 100. In this manner, any number of the weights 2900 may be coupled to the paddle 100 as depicted in, for example, FIGS. 11 and 12, including a first weight 2900 being coupled to a first side of the paddle 1100 and a second weight 2900 being coupled to a second side of the paddle 1100 as described herein.

The overlay 2902 may further include an underlay recess 2912. The underlay recess 2912 may be dimensioned to allow the underlay 2904 to fit inside and nest with the overlay 2902. In one example, the underlay recess 2912 may have a depth that is equivalent or substantially equivalent to a thickness of the underlay 2904 such that, when nested within the overlay 2902, it has an internal surface 2916 that is along the same planes as an internal surface 2914 of the overlay 2902.

The underlay 2904 may include several features similar to the weights described in connection with FIGS. 9 and 10, and 13 through 28, and the overlay 2902. For example, the underlay 2904 may include a bridge portion 2918 that is configured and/or dimensioned to span a thickness of the paddle 100 along with the overlay 2906. An internal surface 2916 of the bridge portion 2918 may be curved or otherwise formed to match or significantly match an outer radius of curvature or shape of the edge guard 110 so that the underlay 2904, along with the overlay 2902, of the weight 2900 may abut the outer radius of curvature or shape of the edge guard 110 without a significant amount of space between the weight 2900 and the edge guard 110.

The underlay 2904 of the weight 2900 may further include a first arm 2920-1 extending from a first side of the bridge portion 2918 and a second arm 2920-2 extending from a second side of the bridge portion 2918. In one example, the first arm 2920-1 and the second arm 2920-2 may be monolithically formed with the bridge portion 2918. In one example, the first arm 2920-1 and the second arm 2920-2 may be formed separately from the bridge portion 2918 and coupled to the bridge portion 2918. In one example, the bridge portion 2918, the first arm 2920-1, and the second arm 2920-2 may be formed by extruding the underlay 2904. In one example, the bridge portion 2918, the first arm 2920-1, and the second arm 2920-2 may be formed by milling the underlay 2904 from a single piece of material. In one example, the bridge portion 2918, the first arm 2920-1, and the second arm 2920-2 may be formed via additive manufacturing processes, subtractive manufacturing processes, and combinations thereof.

The underlay 2904 of the weight 2900 including the bridge portion 2918, the first arm 2920-1, and the second arm 2920-2 may be dimensioned and configured to fit in and nest within the underlay recess 2912. In one example, the underlay 2904 may be made of a material that is able to elastically deform in order to push the underlay 2904 between the first arm 2908-1 and the second arm 2908-2 and seat within the underlay recess 2912. Further, instead of or in addition to the elastic deformation of the underlay 2904, the overlay 2902 may be made of a material that is able to elastically deform in order to push the first arm 2908-1 and the second arm 2908-2 around the underlay 2904 and allow the underlay 2904 to seat within the underlay recess 2912. In one example, the underlay 2904 may include a first location aperture 2922-1 and a second location aperture 2922-2 (or any number of location apertures) formed and defined in the underlay 2904. The first location aperture 2922-1 and the second location aperture 2922-2 may be used during manufacturing to align the underlay 2904 with the overlay 2902 and properly seat the underlay 2904 with the underlay recess 2912.

Once the underlay 2904 is seated within the underlay recess 2912 of the overlay 2902, the weight 2900 in that state may be coupled to the edge of the paddle 100 in a manner as described above in connection with FIGS. 9 through 24. Thus, as the weight 2900 is coupled to the edge of the paddle 100, such as the edge guard 110, the overlay 2902 and the underlay 2904 may undergo compression or extension. In one example, the bridge portion 2906, the first arm 2908-1, and/or the second arm 2908-2 of the overlay 2902, and the bridge portion 2918, the first arm 2920-1 and the second arm 2920-2 of the underlay 2904 may be made of a material that allows for the weight 2900 to have elastic spring characteristics. In this example, the weight 2900 including the overlay 2902 and the underlay 2904 may have an elastic property that may return to the shape depicted in FIGS. 29 through 32 after being compressed or extended. For example, the distance between the first arm 2908-1 and the second arm 2908-2 of the overlay 2902 and/or the distance between the first arm 2920-1 and the second arm 2920-2 of the underlay 2904 may be temporarily increased and/or the bridge portion 2906 and/or the bridge portion 2918 may be elastically deformed to allow for the weight 2900 to be pushed onto the edge guard 110 as depicted in, for example, FIGS. 11 and 12. As the weight 2900 is pressed onto the edge guard 110, the bridge portion 2902 and/or the bridge portion 2918 may bow or bend much like a leaf spring to increase the distance between the first arm 2908-1 and the second arm 2908-2 of the overlay 2902 and/or the distance between the first arm 2920-1 and the second arm 2920-2 of the underlay 2904 and allow for the first arm 2908-1 and the second arm 2908-2 of the overlay 2902 and/or the first arm 2920-1 and the second arm 2920-2 of the underlay 2904 to move around the sides of the edge guard 110. Once the first arm 2908-1 and the second arm 2908-2 of the overlay 2902 and/or the first arm 2920-1 and the second arm 2920-2 of the underlay 2904 move past the sides of the edge guard 110, the bridge portion 2906 and/or the bridge portion 2918 may contract back to their respective original states and the distance between the first arm 2908-1 and the second arm 2908-2 of the overlay 2902 and/or the distance between the first arm 2920-1 and the second arm 2920-2 of the underlay 2904 may be decreased. Further, the first hooked flange 2910-1 and the second hooked flange 2910-2 of the weight 2900 may engage with the backside of the edge guard 110 that rests on top of the first face 108-1 and the second face 108-2 of the paddle 100. In this manner, the first hooked flange 2910-1 and the second hooked flange 2910-2 may hook around the edge guard 110 and secure the weight 2900 to the edge guard 110.

In one example, the overlay 2902 may be made of a plastic or other non-metal material, and the underlay 2904 may be made of copper, a copper alloy, or other metal or metal alloy. In this example, the overlay 2902 may serve as a cover for the metal or metal alloy underlay 2904, and the metal or metal alloy of the underlay 2904 may be selected to provide a desired mass based on the density of the metal or metal alloy. Further, in one example, the overlay 2902 may be made of a metal or metal alloy, and the underlay 2904 may also be made of metal or metal alloy. In this example, the overlay 2902 and the underlay 2904 may be selected to provide a desired mass based on the density of the metal or metal alloy of each.

In one example, the underlay 2904 may be coupled to the overlay 2902 via an engineering fit wherein the underlay 2904 seats within the underlay recess 2912 of the overlay 2902 with a loose running fit, a free running fit, a close running fit, a sliding fit, or a location fit as described herein. Further, in one example, additional fastening means may be used to couple the underlay 2904 to the overlay 2902. These additional fastening means may include, for example, fasteners such as screws, bolts, nails, tapes, adhesives, and other fasteners, and/or fastening methods such as welding and other fastening methods.

The two-part feature of the weight 2900 allows for the mass of the weight 2900 to be finely adjusted and tuned to obtain a desired mass that may work most effectively with the shape, design, mass, and other characteristics of the paddle 100 to which the weight 2900 is coupled. Further, the two-part feature of the weight 2900 allows for the functional or primary mass of the weight 2900 to be handled by the underlay 2904, and the overlay 2902 may serve as an outer covering that may include colors, designs, text, indicia, and other characteristics as may be desired by a user or manufacturer.

The weight 2900 may further include the adhesive 2924 mentioned above. The adhesive may take any form including, as depicted in FIGS. 29 through 32. In the example of FIGS. 29 through 32, the adhesive 2924 may include an adhesive tape. In one example, the adhesive tape may include, for example, very high bond (VHB™) tape developed and distributed by 3M Company. In one example, the adhesive 2924 may include a liquid adhesive such as an epoxy. In one example, the epoxy may include Scotch-Weld™ DP420NS epoxy adhesive developed and distributed by 3M Company. Further, the liquid adhesive may include, for example, any cyanoacrylate (CA), any other cyanoacrylic ester. However, the adhesive 2924 may include any type of adhesive. In one example, the adhesive 2924 may include a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA), a pressure-sensitive adhesive tape (PSA tape), a pressure-activated adhesive (PAA), a heat-activated adhesive (HAA), a laser-activated adhesive (LAA), a friction-activated adhesive (FAA), another type of adhesive, or combinations thereof.

FIG. 33 illustrates an isometric view of a weight 3300, according to an example of the principles described herein. FIG. 34 illustrates an isometric, exploded view of the weight 3300 of FIG. 33, according to an example of the principles described herein. FIG. 35 illustrates a top plan view of the weight 3300 of FIG. 33, according to an example of the principles described herein. FIG. 36 illustrates a front plan, cutaway view of the weight 3300 of FIG. 33 at line E of FIG. 35, according to an example of the principles described herein. The weight 3300 may have any dimensions described herein, such as those dimensions described above in connection with the weights of FIGS. 9 and 10, and 13 through 32. Again, the dimensions of the weights and/or the materials from which the weights are made may define the mass of the weights.

In FIGS. 33 through 36, a two-piece weight 3300 is depicted. The weight 3300 of FIGS. 33 through 36 may include an overlay 3302 and an underlay 3304 in a manner similar as the example weight 2100 of FIGS. 21 through 24. Further, the two-piece weight 3300 may include an adhesive 3324. In the example of FIGS. 33 through 36, the length of the underlay 3304 may be relatively shorter compared to the examples described in connection with FIGS. 21 through 32. This may be especially the case when the length of the underlay 3304 is compared to the length of the overlay 3302, as compared to similar comparisons of the underlay and overlay in the examples of FIGS. 32 through 32.

The underlay 3304 may nest within the overlay 3302. The overlay 3302 may include several features similar to the weights described in connection with FIGS. 9 and 10, and 13 through 32. For example, the overlay 3302 may include a bridge portion 3306 that is configured and/or dimensioned to span a thickness of the paddle 100. An internal surface 3314 of the bridge portion 3306 may be curved or otherwise formed to match or significantly match an outer radius of curvature or shape of the edge of the paddle 100 and/or an edge guard 110 coupled to the paddle 100 so that the weight 3300 may abut the outer radius of curvature or shape of the edge of the paddle 100 and/or the edge guard 110 without a significant amount of space between the weight 3300 and the edge guard 110.

The weight 3300 may further include a first arm 3308-1 extending from a first side of the bridge portion 3306 and a second arm 3308-2 extending from a second side of the bridge portion 3306. In one example, the first arm 3308-1 and the second arm 3308-2 may be monolithically formed with the bridge portion 3306. In one example, the first arm 3308-1 and the second arm 3308-2 may be formed separately from the bridge portion 3306 and coupled to the bridge portion 3306. In one example, the bridge portion 3306, the first arm 3308-1, and the second arm 3308-2 may be formed by extruding the overlay 3302. In one example, the bridge portion 3306, the first arm 3308-1, and the second arm 3308-2 may be formed by milling the overlay 3302 from a single piece of material. In one example, the bridge portion 3306, the first arm 3308-1, and the second arm 3308-2 may be formed via additive manufacturing processes, subtractive manufacturing processes, and combinations thereof.

The first arm 3308-1 and the second arm 3308-2 may include ends that are dimensioned to reach around the width of the edge guard 110 of the paddle 100 so that the first arm 3308-1 and the second arm 3308-2 are able to secure the weight 3300 to the edge guard 110. In one example, the ends of the first arm 3308-1 and the second arm 3308-2 may include a first hooked flange 3310-1 and a second hooked flange 3310-2, respectively. The first hooked flange 3310-1 and the second hooked flange 3310-2 may be used to secure the weight 3300 to the edge (e.g., an edge guard 110) of a paddle 100. In this manner, any number of the weights 3300 may be coupled to the paddle 100 as depicted in, for example, FIGS. 11 and 12, including a first weight 3300 being coupled to a first side of the paddle 1100 and a second weight 3300 being coupled to a second side of the paddle 1100 as described herein.

The overlay 3302 may further include an underlay recess 3312. The underlay recess 3312 may be dimensioned to allow the underlay 3304 to fit inside and nest with the overlay 3302. In one example, the underlay recess 3312 may have a depth that is equivalent or substantially equivalent to a thickness of the underlay 3304, such that, when nested within the overlay 3302, it has an internal surface 3316 that is along the same planes as an internal surface 3314 of the overlay 3302.

The underlay 3304 may include several features similar to the weights described in connection with FIGS. 9 and 10, and 13 through 32, and the overlay 3302. For example, the underlay 3304 may include a bridge portion 3318 that is configured and/or dimensioned to span a thickness of the paddle 100 along with the overlay 3306. An internal surface 3316 of the bridge portion 3318 may be curved or otherwise formed to match or significantly match an outer radius of curvature or shape of the edge guard 110 so that the underlay 3304, along with the overlay 3302, of the weight 3300 may abut the outer radius of curvature or shape of the edge guard 110 without a significant amount of space between the weight 3300 and the edge guard 110.

The underlay 3304 of the weight 3300 may further include a first arm 3320-1 extending from a first side of the bridge portion 3318 and a second arm 3320-2 extending from a second side of the bridge portion 3318. In one example, the first arm 3320-1 and the second arm 3320-2 may be monolithically formed with the bridge portion 3318. In one example, the first arm 3320-1 and the second arm 3320-2 may be formed separately from the bridge portion 3318 and coupled to the bridge portion 3318. In one example, the bridge portion 3318, the first arm 3320-1, and the second arm 3320-2 may be formed by extruding the underlay 3304. In one example, the bridge portion 3318, the first arm 3320-1, and the second arm 3320-2 may be formed by milling the underlay 3304 from a single piece of material. In one example, the bridge portion 3318, the first arm 3320-1, and the second arm 3320-2 may be formed via additive manufacturing processes, subtractive manufacturing processes, and combinations thereof.

The underlay 3304 of the weight 3300, including the bridge portion 3318, the first arm 3320-1, and the second arm 3320-2 may be dimensioned and configured to fit in and nest within the underlay recess 3312. In one example, the underlay 3304 may be made of a material that is able to elastically deform in order to push the underlay 3304 between the first arm 3308-1 and the second arm 3308-2 and seat within the underlay recess 3312. Further, instead of or in addition to the elastic deformation of the underlay 3304, the overlay 3302 may be made of a material that is able to elastically deform in order to push the first arm 3308-1 and the second arm 3308-2 around the underlay 3304 and allow the underlay 3304 to seat within the underlay recess 3312. In one example, the underlay 3304 may include a first location aperture 3322-1 and a second location aperture 3322-2 (or any number of location apertures) formed and defined in the underlay 3304. The first location aperture 3322-1 and the second location aperture 3322-2 may be used during manufacturing to align the underlay 3304 with the overlay 3302 and properly seat the underlay 3304 with the underlay recess 3312.

Once the underlay 3304 is seated within the underlay recess 3312 of the overlay 3302, the weight 3300 in that state may be coupled to the edge of the paddle 100 in a manner as described above in connection with FIGS. 9 through 24. Thus, as the weight 3300 is coupled to the edge of the paddle 100, such as the edge guard 110, the overlay 3302 and the underlay 3304 may undergo compression or extension. In one example, the bridge portion 3306, the first arm 3308-1, and/or the second arm 3308-2 of the overlay 3302, and the bridge portion 3318, the first arm 3320-1 and the second arm 3320-2 of the underlay 3304 may be made of a material that allows for the weight 3300 to have elastic spring characteristics. In this example, the weight 3300 including the overlay 3302 and the underlay 3304 may have an elastic property that may return to the shape depicted in FIGS. 33 through 36 after being compressed or extended. For example, the distance between the first arm 3308-1 and the second arm 3308-2 of the overlay 3302 and/or the distance between the first arm 3320-1 and the second arm 3320-2 of the underlay 3304 may be temporarily increased and/or the bridge portion 3306 and/or the bridge portion 3318 may be elastically deformed to allow for the weight 3300 to be pushed onto the edge guard 110 as depicted in, for example, FIGS. 11 and 12. As the weight 3300 is pressed onto the edge guard 110, the bridge portion 3302 and/or the bridge portion 3318 may bow or bend much like a leaf spring to increase the distance between the first arm 3308-1 and the second arm 3308-2 of the overlay 3302 and/or the distance between the first arm 3320-1 and the second arm 3320-2 of the underlay 3304 and allow for the first arm 3308-1 and the second arm 3308-2 of the overlay 3302 and/or the first arm 3320-1 and the second arm 3320-2 of the underlay 3304 to move around the sides of the edge guard 110. Once the first arm 3308-1 and the second arm 3308-2 of the overlay 3302 and/or the first arm 3320-1 and the second arm 3320-2 of the underlay 3304 move past the sides of the edge guard 110, the bridge portion 3306 and/or the bridge portion 3318 may contract back to their respective original states and the distance between the first arm 3308-1 and the second arm 3308-2 of the overlay 3302 and/or the distance between the first arm 3320-1 and the second arm 3320-2 of the underlay 3304 may be decreased. Further, the first hooked flange 3310-1 and the second hooked flange 3310-2 of the weight 3300 may engage with the backside of the edge guard 110 that rests on top of the first face 108-1 and the second face 108-2 of the paddle 100. In this manner, the first hooked flange 3310-1 and the second hooked flange 3310-2 may hook around the edge guard 110 and secure the weight 3300 to the edge guard 110.

In one example, the overlay 3302 may be made of a plastic or other non-metal material, and the underlay 3304 may be made of copper, a copper alloy, or other metal or metal alloy. In this example, the overlay 3302 may serve as a cover for the metal or metal alloy underlay 3304, and the metal or metal alloy of the underlay 3304 may be selected to provide a desired mass based on the density of the metal or metal alloy. Further, in one example, the overlay 3302 may be made of a metal or metal alloy, and the underlay 3304 may also be made of metal or metal alloy. In this example, the overlay 3302 and the underlay 3304 may be selected to provide a desired mass based on the density of the metal or metal alloy of each.

In one example, the underlay 3304 may be coupled to the overlay 3302 via an engineering fit wherein the underlay 3304 seats within the underlay recess 3312 of the overlay 3302 with a loose running fit, a free running fit, a close running fit, a sliding fit, or a location fit as described herein. Further, in one example, additional fastening means may be used to couple the underlay 3304 to the overlay 3302. These additional fastening means may include, for example, fasteners such as screws, bolts, nails, tapes, adhesives, and other fasteners, and/or fastening methods such as welding and other fastening methods.

The two-part feature of the weight 3300 allows for the mass of the weight 3300 to be finely adjusted and tuned to obtain a desired mass that may work most effectively with the shape, design, mass, and other characteristics of the paddle 100 to which the weight 3300 is coupled. Further, the two-part feature of the weight 3300 allows for the functional or primary mass of the weight 3300 to be handled by the underlay 3304, and the overlay 3302 may serve as an outer covering that may include colors, designs, text, indicia, and other characteristics as may be desired by a user or manufacturer.

The weight 3300 may further include the adhesive 3324 mentioned above. The adhesive may take any form, including, as depicted in FIGS. 33 through 36. In the example of FIGS. 33 through 36, the adhesive 3324 may include an adhesive tape. In one example, the adhesive tape may include, for example, very high bond (VHB™) tape developed and distributed by 3M Company. In one example, the adhesive 3324 may include a liquid adhesive such as an epoxy. In one example, the epoxy may include Scotch-Weld™ DP420NS epoxy adhesive developed and distributed by 3M Company. Further, the liquid adhesive may include, for example, any cyanoacrylate (CA), any other cyanoacrylic ester. However, the adhesive 3324 may include any type of adhesive. In one example, the adhesive 3324 may include a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA), a pressure-sensitive adhesive tape (PSA tape), a pressure-activated adhesive (PAA), a heat-activated adhesive (HAA), a laser-activated adhesive (LAA), a friction-activated adhesive (FAA), another type of adhesive, or combinations thereof.

FIG. 37 illustrates an isometric view of a weight 3700, according to an example of the principles described herein. FIG. 38 illustrates an isometric, exploded view of the weight 3700 of FIG. 37, according to an example of the principles described herein. FIG. 39 illustrates a top plan view of the weight 3700 of FIG. 37, according to an example of the principles described herein. FIG. 40 illustrates a front plan, cutaway view of the weight 3700 of FIG. 37 at line F of FIG. 39, according to an example of the principles described herein. The weight 3700 of FIGS. 37 through 40 may be distinguished from other examples described herein since the weight 3700 does not include arms extending from a bridge portion.

Instead, the weight 3700 of FIGS. 37 through 40 may include an overlay 3702 and an underlay 3706 nested within the overlay 3702. The weight may further include an adhesive 3704 coupled to the underlay 3706 to allow the weight 3700 to be coupled to, for example, an edge guard 110 or other portion of a paddle 100.

The overlay 3702 may include a bridge portion 3710 configured to span at least a portion of the thickness of the body portion of the paddle 100. The overlay 3702 may further include a rim 3708 disposed along at least a portion of a perimeter of the bridge portion 3710 that serves as a lip, flange, wall, or shoulder. In one example, the rim 3708 may extend substantially perpendicular to the perimeter of the bridge portion 3710 (e.g., projecting in the ±x direction substantially normal to the y-z plane). In one example, the rim 3708 may be included continuously about the entirety of the perimeter of the bridge portion 3710. However, in one example, the rim 3708 may include a plurality of discontinuous rim segments.

The underlay 3706 of the weight 3700 may be dimensioned and shaped to fit against the interior surface of the bridge portion 3710 and within the boundaries of the rim 3708 such that the underlay 3706 nests within the overlay 3702. In one example, the underlay 3706 may be coupled to the overlay 3702 using any structure, interface, or material that joins components directly or indirectly as described herein, including mechanical fasteners, chemical bonds, physical bonds, and combinations thereof. In one example, the rim 3708 may be adjusted after the underlay 3706 is engaged with the overlay 3702 such that the rim 3708 is press-fitted into the underlay 3706 to retain the underlay 3706 within the overlay 3702. In one example, the underlay 3706 may be dimensioned such that the underlay 3706 may be engaged with the rim 3708 of the overlay 3702 via an engineering fit that retains the underlay 3706 in engagement with the overlay 3702.

The overlay 3702 may include any material that may retain the underlay 3706 therein. In one example, the overlay 3702 may be made of aluminum to impart a desired mass to the weight 3700 in conjunction with or in isolation from the mass of the underlay 3706. However, the overlay 3702 may be made of metal, metal alloys, wood, plastic, other materials, and combinations thereof. The underlay 3706 may include any material. In one example, the underlay 3706 may be made of iron to impart a desired mass to the weight 3700 in conjunction with or in isolation from the mass of the overlay 3702. In the example of FIGS. 37 through 40, the overall mass of the weight 3700 may be defined by the combined mass of the overlay 3702 and the underlay 3706.

The weight 3700 may further include an adhesive tape 3704. In one example, the adhesive tape 3704 may include, for example, very high bond (VHB™) tape developed and distributed by 3M Company. In one example, the adhesive tape 3704 may include a film that has adhesive on both sides so as to couple to the underlay 3706 and the workpiece to which the weight 3700 is to be coupled, such as an edge guard 110 of a paddle 100. In one example, the adhesive 2924 may include a liquid adhesive such as an epoxy. In one example, the epoxy may include Scotch-Weld™ DP420NS epoxy adhesive developed and distributed by 3M Company. Further, the liquid adhesive may include, for example, any cyanoacrylate (CA), any other cyanoacrylic ester. However, the adhesive 2924 may include any type of adhesive. In one example, the adhesive 2924 may include a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA), a pressure-sensitive adhesive tape (PSA tape), a pressure-activated adhesive (PAA), a heat-activated adhesive (HAA), a laser-activated adhesive (LAA), a friction-activated adhesive (FAA), another type of adhesive, or combinations thereof.

Turning to FIG. 40, specifically, the overlay 3702 and the underlay 3706 are depicted as having an interior radius of curvature. This interior radius of curvature may be manufactured into the weight 3700, including the overlay 3702 and the underlay 3706, to match an exterior radius of curvature of an exterior edge of a paddle 100, including, for example, the edge guard 110 or a bare edge of the paddle 100. The interior radius of curvature of the weight 3700 may have a smaller or larger radius of curvature than that depicted in FIG. 40 to match the exterior radius of curvature of the edge guard 110 or a bare edge of the paddle 100.

FIG. 41 illustrates an isometric view of a weight 4100, according to an example of the principles described herein. FIG. 42 illustrates an isometric, exploded view of the weight 4100 of FIG. 41, according to an example of the principles described herein. FIG. 43 illustrates a top plan view of the weight 4100 of FIG. 41, according to an example of the principles described herein. FIG. 44 illustrates a front plan, cutaway view of the weight 4100 of FIG. 41 at line G of FIG. 43, according to an example of the principles described herein. The weight 4100 of FIGS. 41 through 44 may have a similar form factor as depicted in, for example, the weights of FIGS. 9 through 36. The weight 4100 may have any dimensions described herein, such as those dimensions described above in connection with the weights of FIGS. 9 through 36. Again, the dimensions of the weights and/or the materials from which the weights are made may define the mass of the weights.

In FIGS. 41 through 44, a three-piece weight 4100 is depicted. The weight 4100 of FIGS. 41 through 44 may include an overlay 4102 and an underlay 4116 in a manner similar to the example weights described herein. Further, the three-piece weight 4100 may include a film 4128.

The underlay 4116 may nest within the overlay 4102. The overlay 4102 may include several features similar to the weights described in connection with FIGS. 9 through 36. For example, the overlay 4102 may include a bridge portion 4104 that is configured and/or dimensioned to span a thickness of the paddle 100. An internal surface 4112 of the bridge portion 4104 may be curved or otherwise formed to match or significantly match an outer radius of curvature or shape of the edge of the paddle 100 and/or an edge guard 110 coupled to the paddle 100 so that the weight 4100 may abut the outer radius of curvature or shape of the edge of the paddle 100 and/or the edge guard 110 without a significant amount of space between the weight 4100 and the edge guard 110.

The overlay 4102 of the weight 4100 may further include a first arm 4106-1 extending from a first side of the bridge portion 4104 and a second arm 4106-2 extending from a second side of the bridge portion 4104. In one example, the first arm 4106-1 and the second arm 4106-2 may be monolithically formed with the bridge portion 4104. In one example, the first arm 4106-1 and the second arm 4106-2 may be formed separately from the bridge portion 4104 and coupled to the bridge portion 4104. In one example, the bridge portion 4104, the first arm 4106-1, and the second arm 4106-2 may be formed by extruding the overlay 4102. In one example, the bridge portion 4104, the first arm 4106-1, and the second arm 4106-2 may be formed by milling the overlay 4102 from a single piece of material. In one example, the bridge portion 4104, the first arm 4106-1, and the second arm 4106-2 may be formed via additive manufacturing processes, subtractive manufacturing processes, and combinations thereof.

The first arm 4106-1 and the second arm 4106-2 may include ends that are dimensioned to reach around the width of the edge guard 110 of the paddle 100 so that the first arm 4106-1 and the second arm 4106-2 are able to secure the weight 4100 to the edge guard 110. In one example, the ends of the first arm 4106-1 and the second arm 4106-2 may include a first hooked flange 4108-1 and a second hooked flange 4108-2, respectively. The first hooked flange 4108-1 and the second hooked flange 4108-2 may be used to secure the weight 4100 to the edge (e.g., an edge guard 110) of a paddle 100. In this manner, any number of the weights 4100 may be coupled to the paddle 100 as depicted in, for example, FIGS. 11 and 12, including a first weight 4100 being coupled to a first side of the paddle 1100 and a second weight 4100 being coupled to a second side of the paddle 1100 as described herein.

The overlay 4102 may further include an underlay recess 4110. The underlay recess 4110 may be dimensioned to allow the underlay 4116 to fit inside and nest with the overlay 4102. In one example, the underlay recess 4110 may have a depth that is equivalent or substantially equivalent to a thickness of the underlay 4116, such that, when nested within the overlay 4102, it has an internal surface 4126 that is along the same planes as an internal surface 4112 of the overlay 4102.

The overlay 4102 may be made of any material that may be elastically deformed, in which the bridge portion 4104 may temporarily bend and the first arm 4106-1 and the second arm 4106-2 may separate from one another when force is applied to the overlay 4102. When that force is removed, the overlay may elastically return to its original shape. Thus, the overlay 4102 may be made of, for example, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). However, the overlay 4102 may be made of any material that provides for these characteristics, including thermoplastics (e.g., high-impact polystyrene (HIPS), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), etc.), high-performance engineering plastics (e.g., acrylonitrile styrene acrylate (ASA), polycarbonate-acrylonitrile butadiene styrene blend (PC-ABS), polycarbonate (PC), nylon, polyamide, metals, metal alloys, woods, and other materials described herein.

The overlay 4102 may further include a positive locking protrusion 4114. The positive locking protrusion 4114 may be used to apply force against the edge of the paddle 100 or the edge guard 110 coupled to the paddle 100 in opposition to the first hooked flange 4108-1 and the second hooked flange 4108-2. To describe the manner in which the positive locking protrusion 4114 functions within the weight 4100, elements of the underlay 4116 will be described. Specifically, the underlay 4116 may include several features similar to the weights described in connection with FIGS. 9 through 36 and the overlay 4102. For example, the underlay 4116 may include a bridge portion 4118 that is configured and/or dimensioned to span a thickness of the paddle 100 along with the overlay 4106. An internal surface 4126 of the bridge portion 4118 may be curved or otherwise formed to match or significantly match an outer radius of curvature or shape of the edge guard 110 so that the underlay 4116, along with the overlay 4102, of the weight 4100 may abut the outer radius of curvature or shape of the edge guard 110 without a significant amount of space between the weight 4100 and the edge guard 110.

The underlay 4116 of the weight 4100 may further include a first arm 4120-1 extending from a first side of the bridge portion 4118 and a second arm 4120-2 extending from a second side of the bridge portion 4118. In one example, the first arm 4120-1 and the second arm 4120-2 may be monolithically formed with the bridge portion 4118. In one example, the first arm 4120-1 and the second arm 4120-2 may be formed separately from the bridge portion 4118 and coupled to the bridge portion 4118. In one example, the bridge portion 4118, the first arm 4120-1, and the second arm 4120-2 may be formed by extruding the underlay 4116. In one example, the bridge portion 4118, the first arm 4120-1, and the second arm 4120-2 may be formed by milling the underlay 4116 from a single piece of material. In one example, the bridge portion 4118, the first arm 4120-1, and the second arm 4120-2 may be formed via additive manufacturing processes, subtractive manufacturing processes, and combinations thereof.

The underlay 4116 of the weight 4100 including the bridge portion 4118, the first arm 4120-1, and the second arm 4120-2 may be dimensioned and configured to fit in and nest within the underlay recess 4110. In one example, the underlay 4116 may be made of a material that is able to elastically deform in order to push the underlay 4116 between the first arm 4106-1 and the second arm 4106-2 and seat within the underlay recess 4110. Further, instead of or in addition to the elastic deformation of the underlay 4116, the overlay 4102 may be made of a material that is able to elastically deform in order to push the first arm 4106-1 and the second arm 4106-2 around the underlay 4116 and allow the underlay 4116 to seat within the underlay recess 4110. In one example, the underlay 4116 may be made of a metal or metal alloy such as, for example, steel, brass, copper, copper alloy, or other metal or metal alloy.

In one example, the underlay 4116 may include a protrusion aperture 4124. The protrusion aperture 4124 may be dimensioned to allow for the positive locking protrusion 4114 to protrude through the protrusion aperture 4124 but ensure that a minimal amount of space is provided, such that an internal edge of the protrusion aperture 4124 may abut with or closely align with the exterior portions of the positive locking protrusion 4114.

Further, the underlay 4116 may include a number of spring apertures including, for example, a first spring aperture 4122-1, a second spring aperture 4122-2, a third spring aperture 4122-3, and a fourth spring aperture 4122-N (where N is any integer greater than or equal to 1 (collectively referred to herein as spring aperture(s) 4122 unless specifically addressed otherwise)) defined in the underlay 4116 such as within the bridge portion 4118, the first arm 4106-1, and/or the second arm 4106-2. Although four spring apertures 4122 are included within the example of FIGS. 41 through 44, any number of spring apertures 4122 may be defined in the underlay 4116. The spring apertures 4122 may create a spring characteristic to the underlay 4116 that will allow for the underlay 4116 to elastically deform in order to push the underlay 4116 between the first arm 4106-1 and the second arm 4106-2 of the overlay 4102 and seat within the underlay recess 4110 as described herein. Further, the spring apertures 4122 may create a spring characteristic to the underlay 4116 that will allow for the underlay 4116 to couple to the edge of the paddle 100 or the edge guard 110 of the paddle 100. In one example, the underlay 4116 may be coupled to the edge of the paddle 100 or the edge guard 110 coupled to the paddle 100 independently from the overlay 4102.

The weight 4100 may further include a film 4128. The film 4128 may include any film that adjusts (e.g., increases or decreases) the CoF between the underlay 4116 and the edge of the paddle 100 or the edge guard 110 coupled to the paddle 100. In one example, the film 4128 may include a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) film. Further, in one example, the film 4128 may be adhered to the underlay 4116 via an adhesive, but may not include adhesive on the opposite side of the film 4128 relative to the underlay 4116 that comes into contact with the edge of the paddle 100 or the edge guard 110 coupled to the paddle 100. In this example, the film 4128 may serve to adjust the CoF such that the CoF between the weight 4100 and the edge of the paddle 100 or the edge guard 110 coupled to the paddle 100 may be increased or decreased. Still further, in one example, the film 4128 may be adhered to the underlay 4116 via an adhesive and may also include adhesive on the opposite side of the film 4128 relative to the underlay 4116 that comes into contact with the edge of the paddle 100 or the edge guard 110 coupled to the paddle 100. In these examples of the film 4128, the film 4128 may be used to allow for the weight 4100 to be easily adjusted along the y-axis of the edge of the paddle 100 or the edge guard 110 coupled to the paddle 100. In one example, the film 4128 may be removable from the weight 4100 and/or the paddle 100 and discarded between applications of the weight 4100 to the paddle or between repositionings of the weight 4100 along the edge of the paddle 100 or the edge guard 110 coupled to the paddle 100. In one example, a new film 4128 may be utilized between reattachments of the weight 4100.

The film 4128 may include a bridge portion 4130, a first arm 4132-1, and a second arm 4132-2 that may be dimensioned to cover at least a portion of the internal surface 4126 of the underlay 4116. Further, the film 4128 may include a protrusion aperture 4134 similar to the protrusion aperture 4124 of the underlay 4116. The protrusion aperture 4134 may be dimensioned to allow for the positive locking protrusion 4114 to protrude through the protrusion aperture 4134 but ensure that a minimal amount of space is provided, such that an internal edge of the protrusion aperture 4134 may abut with or closely align with the exterior portions of the positive locking protrusion 4114.

The overlay 4102 and the underlay 4116 may have similar elements and characteristics as described in connection with other examples. Once the underlay 4116 is seated within the underlay recess 4110 of the overlay 4102, the weight 4100 in that state may be coupled to the edge of the paddle 100 in a manner as described herein. Thus, as the weight 4100 is coupled to the edge of the paddle 100, such as the edge guard 110, the overlay 4102 and the underlay 4116, together or during being individually installed, may undergo compression or extension. In one example, the bridge portion 4104, the first arm 4106-1, and/or the second arm 4106-2 of the overlay 4102, and the bridge portion 4118, the first arm 4120-1 and the second arm 4120-2 of the underlay 4116 may be made of a material that allows for each of these elements to have elastic spring characteristics. In this example, the weight 4100, including the overlay 4102 and the underlay 4116, may have an elastic property that may return to a pre-installation state after being compressed or extended. For example, the distance between the first arm 4106-1 and the second arm 4106-2 of the overlay 4102 and/or the distance between the first arm 4120-1 and the second arm 4120-2 of the underlay 4116 may be temporarily increased and/or the bridge portion 4104 and/or the bridge portion 4118 may be elastically deformed to allow for the weight 4100 to be pushed onto the edge guard 110 as depicted in, for example, FIGS. 11 and 12. As the overlay 4102 and the underlay 4116 of the weight 4100 are pressed onto the edge guard 110, the bridge portion 4104 and/or the bridge portion 4118 may bow or bend much like a leaf spring to increase the distance between the first arm 4106-1 and the second arm 4106-2 of the overlay 4102 and/or the distance between the first arm 4120-1 and the second arm 4120-2 of the underlay 4116 and allow for the first arm 4106-1 and the second arm 4106-2 of the overlay 4102 and/or the first arm 4120-1 and the second arm 4120-2 of the underlay 4116 to move around the sides of the edge guard 110. Once the first arm 4106-1 and the second arm 4106-2 of the overlay 4102 and/or the first arm 4120-1 and the second arm 4120-2 of the underlay 4116 move past the sides of the edge guard 110, the bridge portion 4104 and/or the bridge portion 4118 may contract back to their respective original states and the distance between the first arm 4106-1 and the second arm 4106-2 of the overlay 4102 and/or the distance between the first arm 4120-1 and the second arm 4120-2 of the underlay 4116 may be decreased. Further, the first hooked flange 4108-1 and the second hooked flange 4108-2 of the weight 4100 may engage with the backside of the edge guard 110 that rests on top of the first face 108-1 and the second face 108-2 of the paddle 100. In this manner, the first hooked flange 4108-1 and the second hooked flange 4108-2 may hook around the edge guard 110 and secure the weight 4100 to the edge guard 110.

In this example, the overlay 4102 may serve as a cover for the underlay 4116, and the material of the underlay 4116 may be selected to provide a desired mass based on the density of the material (e.g., a metal or metal alloy). Further, in one example, the overlay 4102 may be made of a metal or metal alloy, and the underlay 4116 may also be made of metal or metal alloy. In this example, the overlay 4102 and the underlay 4116 may be selected to provide a desired mass based on the density of the metal or metal alloy of each.

In one example, the underlay 4116 may be coupled to the overlay 4102 via an engineering fit wherein the underlay 4116 seats within the underlay recess 4110 of the overlay 4102 with a loose running fit, a free running fit, a close running fit, a sliding fit, or a location fit as described herein. Further, in one example, additional fastening means may be used to couple the underlay 4116 to the overlay 4102. These additional fastening means may include, for example, fasteners such as screws, bolts, nails, tapes, adhesives, and other fasteners, and/or fastening methods such as welding and other fastening methods.

The three-part feature of the weight 4100 allows for the mass of the weight 4100 to be finely adjusted and tuned to obtain a desired mass that may work most effectively with the shape, design, mass, and other characteristics of the paddle 100 to which the weight 4100 is coupled. Further, the three-part feature of the weight 4100 allows for the functional or primary mass of the weight 4100 to be handled by the underlay 4116, and the overlay 4102 may serve as an outer covering that may include colors, designs, text, indicia, and other characteristics as may be desired by a user or manufacturer.

The weight 4100 may further include the film 4128 mentioned above. The film 4128 may take any form including, as depicted in FIGS. 41 through 44. In the example of FIGS. 41 through 44, the film 4128 may include an adhesive tape. In one example, the adhesive tape may include, for example, very high bond (VHB™) tape developed and distributed by 3M Company. In one example, the film 4128 may include a liquid adhesive such as an epoxy. In one example, the epoxy may include Scotch-Weld™ DP420NS epoxy adhesive developed and distributed by 3M Company. Further, the liquid adhesive may include, for example, any cyanoacrylate (CA), any other cyanoacrylic ester. However, the film 4128 may include any type of adhesive. In one example, the film 4128 may include a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA), a pressure-sensitive adhesive tape (PSA tape), a pressure-activated adhesive (PAA), a heat-activated adhesive (HAA), a laser-activated adhesive (LAA), a friction-activated adhesive (FAA), another type of adhesive, or combinations thereof.

Having described the underlay 4116 and the film 4128, a description of the manner in which the positive locking protrusion 4114 functions within the weight 4100 will now be described. The positive locking protrusion 4114 may serve to allow for the weight 4100 to be moved along the edge of the paddle 100 or the edge guard 110 coupled to the paddle 100 in the y-axis. When the overlay 4102, the underlay 4116, and/or the film 4128 are coupled together and to the edge of the paddle 100 or the edge guard 110 coupled to the paddle 100, the positive locking protrusion 4114 may apply pressure to the edge of the paddle 100 or the edge guard 110 coupled to the paddle 100.

More specifically, the assembly of the weight 4100 including the overlay 4102, the underlay 4116, and/or the film 4128 may be locked when the overlay 4102 is installed. The user may apply the underlay 4116 and/or the film 4128 to the edge of the paddle 100 or the edge guard 110 coupled to the paddle 100, and then may install the overlay 4102 by engaging the overlay with the underlay 4116 as depicted in, for example, FIGS. 41 and 44. When the overlay 4102 is in place, its positive locking protrusion 4114 projects through the underlay aperture 4124 and film aperture 4134 and bears against the edge of the paddle 100 or the edge guard 110 coupled to the paddle 100. The first hooked flange 4108-1 and the second hooked flange 4108-2 react to this load by being drawn closer to one another and engaging with the backside of the edge guard 110 that rests on top of the first face 108-1 and the second face 108-2 of the paddle 100 to secure the weight 4100 to the edge guard 110. This creates a three-point, elastically preloaded clamp with the positive locking protrusion 4114 pushing inward against the edge of the paddle 100 or the edge guard 110 coupled to the paddle 100. Further, the first hooked flange 4108-1 and the second hooked flange 4108-2 are being pulled outward. Still further, the overlay 4102 and the underlay 4116, assisted by the spring apertures 4122 and the elastic deformation characteristics of the overlay 4102, flex to accept a small over-travel. The resulting normal force Nat the interface between the film 4126 of the weight 4100 and the edge of the paddle 100 or the edge guard 110 coupled to the paddle 100 produces a friction capacity F_y=μN that resists translation along the y-axis. With the overlay 4102 installed, Nis the sum of the elastic preload of the overlay 4102, the elastic preload of the underlay 4116, and the additional preload imposed by the positive locking protrusion 4114, resulting in a high F_y.

Conversely, removal of the overlay 4102 may result in a reduction in F_y and the ability to remove from or reposition the weight 4100 on the paddle 100. Removing the overlay 4102 removes the opposing forces applied between the first hooked flange 4108-1 and the second hooked flange 4108-2 and the positive locking protrusion 4114. Further, removal of the overlay 4102 may result in the added normal force applied by the positive locking protrusion 4114 against the edge of the paddle 100 or the edge guard 110 coupled to the paddle 100. What remains is only the underlay 4116 and/or the film 4128 contacting the edge of the paddle 100 or the edge guard 110 coupled to the paddle 100 with a lesser preload arising from the compliance of the underlay 4116. The friction force drops between the edge of the paddle 100 or the edge guard 110 coupled to the paddle 100 so that the underlay 4116 and/or the film 4128 can either slide along the side of the paddle 100 in the y-axis to a new location or be unclipped and re-clipped at a new y-position with relatively modest force. After repositioning or reinstalling the underlay 4116 and/or the film 4128, reassembling the overlay 4102 with the underlay 4116 and/or the film 4128 reintroduces the first hooked flange 4108-1 and the second hooked flange 4108-2 and the positive locking protrusion 4114, restoring the relatively higher normal force and friction described above to lock the weight 4100 in place on the paddle 100.

In this manner, an elastically preloaded interference and friction lock is created by the wedge-like engagement of the positive locking protrusion 4114 against the edge of the paddle 100 or the edge guard 110 coupled to the paddle 100 in opposition to the first hooked flange 4108-1 and the second hooked flange 4108-2. The positive locking protrusion 4114 imposes an intentional interference and/or over-travel that flexes the overlay 4102 and the underlay 4116 (compliance aided by the spring apertures 4122), establishing a compressive preload at the interface with the paddle 100. That preload may result in a friction clamp that resists the y-axis motion of the weight 4100 when installed.

The film 4128 may set the CoF. Further, the film 4128 may add and/or remain adhesive-backed if desired. With the overlay 4102 removed, a non-adhesive film enables smooth sliding along the y-axis. In contrast, an adhesive-included film 4128 may be peeled and/or replaced between moves of the weight 4100. After the overlay 4102 is reattached, the preload induced by the positive locking protrusion 4114 presses the film 4128 into the edge of the paddle 100 or the edge guard 110 of the paddle 100, increasing Nand, therefore, the frictional holding force.

FIG. 45 illustrates an isometric view of a weight 4500, according to an example of the principles described herein. FIG. 46 illustrates an isometric, exploded view of the weight 4500 of FIG. 45, according to an example of the principles described herein. FIG. 47 illustrates a top plan view of the weight 4500 of FIG. 45, according to an example of the principles described herein. FIG. 48 illustrates a front plan, cutaway view of the weight 4500 of FIG. 45 at line H of FIG. 47, according to an example of the principles described herein. The weight 4500 of FIGS. 45 through 48 may differ from other examples described herein by including a single part. Further, the weight 4500 of FIGS. 45 through 48 may be selectively coupled to and removed from the paddle 100 without damage to any portion of the paddle 100 and without the use of tools.

Specifically, the weight 4500 may include a single piece in the form of an overlay 4502. The overlay 4502 may include a bridge portion 4504 that is configured and/or dimensioned to span a thickness of the paddle 100. An internal surface 4510 of the bridge portion 4504 may be curved or otherwise formed to match or significantly match an outer radius of curvature or shape of the edge of the paddle 100 and/or an edge guard 4512 coupled to the paddle 100 so that the weight 4500 may abut the outer radius of curvature or shape of the edge of the paddle 100 and/or the edge guard 4512 without a significant amount of space between the weight 4500 and the edges guard 110.

The overlay 4502 of the weight 4500 may further include a first arm 4506-1 extending from a first side of the bridge portion 4504 and a second arm 4506-2 extending from a second side of the bridge portion 4504. In one example, the first arm 4506-1 and the second arm 4506-2 may be monolithically formed with the bridge portion 4504. In one example, the first arm 4506-1 and the second arm 4506-2 may be formed separately from the bridge portion 4504 and coupled to the bridge portion 4504. In one example, the bridge portion 4504, the first arm 4506-1, and the second arm 4506-2 may be formed by extruding the overlay 4502. In one example, the bridge portion 4504, the first arm 4506-1, and the second arm 4506-2 may be formed by milling the overlay 4502 from a single piece of material. In one example, the bridge portion 4504, the first arm 4506-1, and the second arm 4506-2 may be formed via additive manufacturing processes, subtractive manufacturing processes, and combinations thereof.

The first arm 4506-1 and the second arm 4506-2 may include ends that are dimensioned to reach around the width of the edge guard 4512 of the paddle 100 so that the first arm 4506-1 and the second arm 4506-2 are able to secure the weight 4500 to the edge guard 4512. Further, the weight 4500 may include a number of spring loops including a first spring loop 4508-1, a second spring loop 4508-2, a third spring loop 4508-3, and a fourth spring loop 4508-N (where N is any integer greater than or equal to 1 (collectively referred to herein as spring loop(s) 4508 unless specifically addressed otherwise)) formed at the ends of the first arm 4506-1 and the second arm 4506-2. In the example of FIGS. 45 through 48, four spring loops 4508 are depicted. However, any number of spring loops 4508 may be included in the weight 4500. For example, the weight 4500 may include two spring loops 4508 that extend along the entirety of the length of the weight 4500 or at least a portion of the length of the weight 4500. The spring loops 4508 may be monolithically formed with the remainder of the weight 4500 or may be coupled to the weight 4500.

As depicted in FIGS. 45 through 48, the weight 4500 may be coupled to the edge of a paddle 100 or to an edge guard 4512 coupled to the paddle 100. FIGS. 45 through 48 depict the weight 4500 coupled to a section of edge guard 4512 to illustrate the manner in which the weight 4500 seats with the edge guard 4512, such as the edge guard 110 described herein. In one example, the internal surface 4510 of the bridge portion 4504 of the weight 4500 may be configured and manufactured to nest with and have a similar or identical cross-sectional shape as an external surface of the edge guard 4512. In other words, the edge guard 4512 may include a bridge portion 4514, a first arm 4516-1, and a second arm 4516-2. The exterior surfaces of the bridge portion 4514, the first arm 4516-1, and the second arm 4516-2 may be matched by the internal surface 4510 of the bridge portion 4504 and the internal surfaces of the first arm 4506-1 and the second arm 4506-2 to ensure that the weight 4500, when coupled to the edge guard 4512, seats with the edge guard 4512 as closely as possible. In one example, a first instance of the weight 4500 may be manufactured to fit a first edge guard 4512 having a first cross-sectional profile, and a second instance of the weight 4500 may be manufactured to fit a second edge guard 4512 having a second cross-sectional profile.

Turning again to the manner in which the weight 4500 is coupled to the edge guard 4512, the spring loops 4508 may be coupled to the weight 4500 such that a portion of the spring loops 4508 extends around and/or past the terminal ends of the first arm 4516-1 and the second arm 4516-2 of the edge guard 4512. The weight 4500 including the bridge portion 4504, the first arm 4506-1, and the second arm 4506-2 may have a spring or an elastic property that may return into the shape depicted in FIGS. 45 through 48 after being deformed and fitted around the edge guard 4512. For example, the distance between the first arm 4506-1 and the second arm 4506-2 may be temporarily increased, and/or the bridge portion 4504 may be elastically deformed to allow for the weight 4500 to be pushed onto the edge guard 4512 as depicted in FIGS. 45, 47, and 48. As the weight 4500 is pressed onto the edge guard 4512, the bridge portion 4504 may bow or bend much like a leaf spring to increase the distance between the first arm 4506-1 and the second arm 4506-2 and allow for the first arm 4506-1 and the second arm 4506-2 to move around the sides of the edge guard 4512. Once the first arm 4506-1 and the second arm 4506-2 move past the sides of the edge guard 4512, the bridge portion 4504 may contract back to its original state, and the distance between the first arm 4506-1 and the second arm 4506-2 may be decreased. Further, the spring loops 4508 may of the weight 4500 may engage with the backside of the edge guard 4512 that rests on top of the first face 108-1 and the second face 108-2 of the paddle 100. In this manner, the spring loops 4508 may hook around the edge guard 4512 and secure the weight 4500 to the edge guard 4512. The spring loops 4508 may provide an added mass at the end of the first arm 4506-1 and the second arm 4506-2 that cause the weight 4500 to securely couple to the edge guard 4512. Further, in one example, the spring loops 4508 may resist removal from the edge guard 4508.

In one example, the spring loops 4508 may include knurling or other texturing on the outside edges. The knurling may assist a user in coupling and decoupling the weight 4500 to and from the edge guard 4512 and provides additional friction with respect to, for example, a user's fingers or thumbs. In this manner, the user may, without the use of tools, couple and remove the weight 4500. Further, the knurling may assist in the engagement of the spring loops 4508 with the edge guard 4512 or other portions of the paddle 100 since the increased CoF of the knurling may provide the friction force against these elements of the paddle 100.

Functionally, the closed-loop geometry of the spring loops 4508 may behave as a bending/torsional spring due to the elastic, self-biasing clamp preload that provides a constant force effect between the weight 4500 and the edge guard 4512. As the first arm 4506-1 and the second arm 4506-2 travel over the edge guard 4512, the spring loops 4508 elastically store strain energy, maintaining a nearly constant normal force across moderate variation in the thickness of the edge guard 4512. This sustains a frictional holding force between the weight 4500 and the edge guard 4512 during play, making it difficult or impossible for the weight 4500 to decouple from the edge guard 4512.

Further, because the weight 4500 is preloaded, the spring loops 4508 suppress the slip of the weight 4500 at the contact points with the edge guard 4512 and other portions of the paddle 100. This reduces and buzz or rattle from ball impacts that may otherwise occur without the spring loops 4508. Further, this improves the acoustic characteristics of the paddle 100. In one example, a thin elastomer sleeve or other material may be placed over the spring loops 4508 to provide additional material damping.

Further, because each spring loop 4508 wraps beyond the terminal ends of the first arm 4516-1 and the second arm 4516-2 of the edge guard 4512, the spring loops 4508 form opposed reaction points about the neutral axis of the edge guard 4512. This creates a resistance to potential roll about the y-axis and/or yaw about the z-axis, such that the weight 4500 holds its orientation under off-axis hits.

Further, the spring loops 4508 may provide shock buffering and impact survivability. On sudden loads, such as when a pickleball strikes the paddle 100, the spring loops 4508 may deflect first, limiting peak contact pressure at the edge guard 4512 and distributing stress along the arcs of the spring loops 4508. This may, therefore, protect the edge guard 4512 from delamination with the paddle 100 by limiting stress on any adhesives that couple the edge guard 4512 to the paddle 100.

Still further, the rounded loop radii of the spring loops 4508 localize contact away from sharp edges. This may reduce wear on the surfaces of the paddle 100. In one example, a low-CoF or sacrificial coating, such as, for example, a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or TPU layer or overmold on the undersides of the spring loops 4508, may reduce scuffing of the edge guard 4512 while preserving the preloaded clamp force of the weight 4500.

In one example, the spring loops 4508 may be configured to have varying stiffnesses, diameters, wall thicknesses, number of the spring loops 4508, and material choice that may affect the CoF and the adjustability along the y-axis. For example, the weight 4500 may include a “mobile” version with a relatively reduced preload to allow for relatively easier sliding along the y-axis and a “locked” version with a relatively increased preload to allow for relatively more difficult sliding along the y-axis. These versions may be created by adjusting the stiffnesses, diameters, wall thicknesses, number of the spring loops 4508, material choice, other characteristics of the weight 4500, and combinations thereof.

FIG. 49 illustrates an isometric view of a weight 4900, according to an example of the principles described herein. FIG. 50 illustrates an isometric, exploded view of the weight 4900 of FIG. 49, according to an example of the principles described herein. FIG. 51 illustrates a top plan view of the weight 4900 of FIG. 49, according to an example of the principles described herein. FIG. 52 illustrates a front plan, cutaway view of the weight 4900 of FIG. 49 at line I of FIG. 51, according to an example of the principles described herein. The weight 4900 of FIGS. 49 through 52 may have a similar form factor as depicted in, for example, the weights of FIGS. 9 through 36 and 41 through 44. The weight 4900 may have any dimensions described herein, such as those dimensions described above in connection with the weights of FIGS. 9 through 36 and 41 through 44. Again, the dimensions of the weights and/or the materials from which the weights are made may define the mass of the weights.

In FIGS. 49 through 52, a three-piece weight 4900 is depicted. The weight 4900 of FIGS. 49 through 52 may include an overlay 4902 and an underlay 4914 in a manner similar to the example weights described herein. Further, the three-piece weight 4900 may include a film 4924.

The underlay 4914 may nest within the overlay 4902. The overlay 4902 may include several features similar to the weights described in connection with FIGS. 9 through 36 and 41 through 44. For example, the overlay 4902 may include a bridge portion 4904 that is configured and/or dimensioned to span a thickness of the paddle 100. An internal surface 4912 of the bridge portion 4904 may be curved or otherwise formed to match or significantly match an outer radius of curvature or shape of the edge of the paddle 100 and/or an edge guard 110 coupled to the paddle 100 so that the weight 4900 may abut the outer radius of curvature or shape of the edge of the paddle 100 and/or the edge guard 110 without a significant amount of space between the weight 4900 and the edge guard 110.

The overlay 4902 of the weight 4900 may further include a first arm 4906-1 extending from a first side of the bridge portion 4904 and a second arm 4906-2 extending from a second side of the bridge portion 4904. In one example, the first arm 4906-1 and the second arm 4906-2 may be monolithically formed with the bridge portion 4904. In one example, the first arm 4906-1 and the second arm 4906-2 may be formed separately from the bridge portion 4904 and coupled to the bridge portion 4904. In one example, the bridge portion 4904, the first arm 4906-1, and the second arm 4906-2 may be formed by extruding the overlay 4902. In one example, the bridge portion 4904, the first arm 4906-1, and the second arm 4906-2 may be formed by milling the overlay 4902 from a single piece of material. In one example, the bridge portion 4904, the first arm 4906-1, and the second arm 4906-2 may be formed via additive manufacturing processes, subtractive manufacturing processes, and combinations thereof.

The first arm 4906-1 and the second arm 4906-2 may include ends that are dimensioned to reach around the width of the edge guard 110 of the paddle 100 so that the first arm 4906-1 and the second arm 4906-2 are able to secure the weight 4900 to the edge guard 110. In one example, the ends of the first arm 4906-1 and the second arm 4906-2 may include a first hooked flange 4908-1 and a second hooked flange 4908-2, respectively. The first hooked flange 4908-1 and the second hooked flange 4908-2 may be used to secure the weight 4900 to the edge (e.g., an edge guard 110) of a paddle 100. In this manner, any number of the weights 4900 may be coupled to the paddle 100 as depicted in, for example, FIGS. 11 and 12, including a first weight 4900 being coupled to a first side of the paddle 1100 and a second weight 4900 being coupled to a second side of the paddle 1100 as described herein.

The overlay 4902 may further include an underlay recess 4910. The underlay recess 4910 may be dimensioned to allow the underlay 4914 to fit inside and nest with the overlay 4902. In one example, the underlay recess 4910 may have a depth that is equivalent or substantially equivalent to a thickness of the underlay 4914, such that, when nested within the overlay 4902, it has an internal surface 4922 that is along the same planes as an internal surface 4912 of the overlay 4902.

The overlay 4902 may be made of any material that may be elastically deformed, in which the bridge portion 4904 may temporarily bend and the first arm 4906-1 and the second arm 4906-2 may separate from one another when force is applied to the overlay 4902. When that force is removed, the overlay may elastically return to its original shape. Thus, the overlay 4902 may be made of, for example, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). However, the overlay 4902 may be made of any material that provides for these characteristics, including thermoplastics (e.g., high-impact polystyrene (HIPS), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), etc.), high-performance engineering plastics (e.g., acrylonitrile styrene acrylate (ASA), polycarbonate-acrylonitrile butadiene styrene blend (PC-ABS), polycarbonate (PC), nylon, polyamide, metals, metal alloys, woods, and other materials described herein.

The underlay 4914 of the weight 4900 may further include a first arm 4918-1 extending from a first side of the bridge portion 4916 and a second arm 4918-2 extending from a second side of the bridge portion 4916. In one example, the first arm 4918-1 and the second arm 4918-2 may be monolithically formed with the bridge portion 4916. In one example, the first arm 4918-1 and the second arm 4918-2 may be formed separately from the bridge portion 4916 and coupled to the bridge portion 4916. In one example, the bridge portion 4916, the first arm 4918-1, and the second arm 4918-2 may be formed by extruding the underlay 4914. In one example, the bridge portion 4916, the first arm 4918-1, and the second arm 4918-2 may be formed by milling the underlay 4914 from a single piece of material. In one example, the bridge portion 4916, the first arm 4918-1, and the second arm 4918-2 may be formed via additive manufacturing processes, subtractive manufacturing processes, and combinations thereof.

The underlay 4914 of the weight 4900 including the bridge portion 4916, the first arm 4918-1, and the second arm 4918-2 may be dimensioned and configured to fit in and nest within the underlay recess 4910. In one example, the underlay 4914 may be made of a material that is able to elastically deform in order to push the underlay 4914 between the first arm 4906-1 and the second arm 4906-2 and seat within the underlay recess 4910. Further, instead of or in addition to the elastic deformation of the underlay 4914, the overlay 4902 may be made of a material that is able to elastically deform in order to push the first arm 4906-1 and the second arm 4906-2 around the underlay 4914 and allow the underlay 4914 to seat within the underlay recess 4910. In one example, the underlay 4914 may be made of a metal or metal alloy such as, for example, steel, brass, copper, copper alloy, or other metal or metal alloy.

Further, the underlay 4914 may include a number of spring apertures including, for example, a first spring aperture 4920-1 and a second spring aperture 4920-N (where N is any integer greater than or equal to 1 (collectively referred to herein as spring aperture(s) 1420 unless specifically addressed otherwise)) defined in the underlay 4914 such as within the bridge portion 4916, the first arm 4906-1, and/or the second arm 4906-2. Although two spring apertures 4920 are included within the example of FIGS. 49 through 52, any number of spring apertures 4920 may be defined in the underlay 4914. The spring apertures 4920 may create a spring characteristic to the underlay 4914 that will allow for the underlay 4914 to elastically deform in order to push the underlay 4914 between the first arm 4906-1 and the second arm 4906-2 of the overlay 4902 and seat within the underlay recess 4910 as described herein. Further, the spring apertures 4920 may create a spring characteristic to the underlay 4914 that will allow for the underlay 4914 to couple to the edge of the paddle 100 or the edge guard 110 of the paddle 100. In one example, the underlay 4914 may be coupled to the edge of the paddle 100 or the edge guard 110 coupled to the paddle 100 independently from the overlay 4902.

The weight 4900 may further include a film 4924. The film 4924 may include any film that adjusts (e.g., increases or decreases) the CoF between the underlay 4914 and the edge of the paddle 100 or the edge guard 110 coupled to the paddle 100. In one example, the film 4924 may include a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) film. Further, in one example, the film 4924 may be adhered to the underlay 4914 via an adhesive but may not include adhesive on the opposite side of the film 4924 relative to the underlay 4914 that comes into contact with the edge of the paddle 100 or the edge guard 110 coupled to the paddle 100. In this example, the film 4924 may serve to adjust the CoF such that the CoF between the weight 4900 and the edge of the paddle 100 or the edge guard 110 coupled to the paddle 100 may be increased or decreased. Still further, in one example, the film 4924 may be adhered to the underlay 4914 via an adhesive and may also include adhesive on the opposite side of the film 4924 relative to the underlay 4914 that comes into contact with the edge of the paddle 100 or the edge guard 110 coupled to the paddle 100. In these examples of the film 4924, the film 4924 may be used to allow for the weight 4900 to be easily adjusted along the y-axis of the edge of the paddle 100 or the edge guard 110 coupled to the paddle 100. In one example, the film 4924 may be removable from the weight 4900 and/or the paddle 100 and discarded between applications of the weight 4900 to the paddle or between repositionings of the weight 4900 along the edge of the paddle 100 or the edge guard 110 coupled to the paddle 100. In one example, a new film 4924 may be utilized between reattachments of the weight 4900. The film 4924 may include a bridge portion 4926, a first arm 4928-1, and a second arm 4928-2 that may be dimensioned to cover at least a portion of the internal surface 4926 of the underlay 4914.

The overlay 4902 and the underlay 4914 may have similar elements and characteristics as described in connection with other examples. Once the underlay 4914 is seated within the underlay recess 4910 of the overlay 4902, the weight 4900 in that state may be coupled to the edge of the paddle 100 in a manner as described herein. Thus, as the weight 4900 is coupled to the edge of the paddle 100, such as the edge guard 110, the overlay 4902 and the underlay 4914, together or during being individually installed, may undergo compression or extension. In one example, the bridge portion 4904, the first arm 4906-1, and/or the second arm 4906-2 of the overlay 4902, and the bridge portion 4916, the first arm 4918-1 and the second arm 4918-2 of the underlay 4914 may be made of a material that allows for each of these elements to have elastic spring characteristics. In this example, the weight 4900, including the overlay 4902 and the underlay 4914, may have an elastic property that may return to a pre-installation state after being compressed or extended. For example, the distance between the first arm 4906-1 and the second arm 4906-2 of the overlay 4902 and/or the distance between the first arm 4918-1 and the second arm 4918-2 of the underlay 4914 may be temporarily increased and/or the bridge portion 4904 and/or the bridge portion 4916 may be elastically deformed to allow for the weight 4900 to be pushed onto the edge guard 110 as depicted in, for example, FIGS. 11 and 12.

As the overlay 4902 and the underlay 4914 of the weight 4900 are pressed onto the edge guard 110, the bridge portion 4904 and/or the bridge portion 4916 may bow or bend much like a leaf spring to increase the distance between the first arm 4906-1 and the second arm 4906-2 of the overlay 4902 and/or the distance between the first arm 4918-1 and the second arm 4918-2 of the underlay 4914 and allow for the first arm 4906-1 and the second arm 4906-2 of the overlay 4902 and/or the first arm 4918-1 and the second arm 4918-2 of the underlay 4914 to move around the sides of the edge guard 110.

Once the first arm 4906-1 and the second arm 4906-2 of the overlay 4902 and/or the first arm 4918-1 and the second arm 4918-2 of the underlay 4914 move past the sides of the edge guard 110, the bridge portion 4904 and/or the bridge portion 4916 may contract back to their respective original states and the distance between the first arm 4906-1 and the second arm 4906-2 of the overlay 4902 and/or the distance between the first arm 4918-1 and the second arm 4918-2 of the underlay 4914 may be decreased. Further, the first hooked flange 4908-1 and the second hooked flange 4908-2 of the weight 4900 may engage with the backside of the edge guard 110 that rests on top of the first face 108-1 and the second face 108-2 of the paddle 100. In this manner, the first hooked flange 4908-1 and the second hooked flange 4908-2 may hook around the edge guard 110 and secure the weight 4900 to the edge guard 110.

In this example, the overlay 4902 may serve as a cover for the underlay 4914, and the material of the underlay 4914 may be selected to provide a desired mass based on the density of the material (e.g., a metal or metal alloy). Further, in one example, the overlay 4902 may be made of a metal or metal alloy, and the underlay 4914 may also be made of metal or metal alloy. In this example, the overlay 4902 and the underlay 4914 may be selected to provide a desired mass based on the density of the metal or metal alloy of each.

In one example, the underlay 4914 may be coupled to the overlay 4902 via an engineering fit wherein the underlay 4914 seats within the underlay recess 4910 of the overlay 4902 with a loose running fit, a free running fit, a close running fit, a sliding fit, or a location fit as described herein. Further, in one example, additional fastening means may be used to couple the underlay 4914 to the overlay 4902. These additional fastening means may include, for example, fasteners such as screws, bolts, nails, tapes, adhesives, and other fasteners and/or fastening methods such as welding and other fastening methods.

The three-part feature of the weight 4900 allows for the mass of the weight 4900 to be finely adjusted and tuned to obtain a desired mass that may work most effectively with the shape, design, mass, and other characteristics of the paddle 100 to which the weight 4900 is coupled. Further, the three-part feature of the weight 4900 allows for the functional or primary mass of the weight 4900 to be handled by the underlay 4914, and the overlay 4902 may serve as an outer covering that may include colors, designs, text, indicia, and other characteristics as may be desired by a user or manufacturer.

The weight 4900 may further include the film 4924 mentioned above. The film 4924 may take any form, including, as depicted in FIGS. 49 through 52. In the example of FIGS. 49 through 52, the film 4924 may include an adhesive tape. In one example, the adhesive tape may include, for example, very high bond (VHB™) tape developed and distributed by 3M Company. In one example, the film 4924 may include a liquid adhesive such as an epoxy. In one example, the epoxy may include Scotch-Weld™ DP420NS epoxy adhesive developed and distributed by 3M Company. Further, the liquid adhesive may include, for example, any cyanoacrylate (CA), any other cyanoacrylic ester. However, the film 4924 may include any type of adhesive. In one example, the film 4924 may include a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA), a pressure-sensitive adhesive tape (PSA tape), a pressure-activated adhesive (PAA), a heat-activated adhesive (HAA), a laser-activated adhesive (LAA), a friction-activated adhesive (FAA), another type of adhesive, or combinations thereof.

FIG. 53 illustrates an isometric view of a weight 5300, according to an example of the principles described herein. FIG. 54 illustrates an isometric, exploded view of the weight of FIG. 53, according to an example of the principles described herein. FIG. 55 illustrates a top plan view of the weight of FIG. 53, according to an example of the principles described herein. FIG. 56 illustrates a front plan, cutaway view of the weight of FIG. 53 at line J of FIG. 55, according to an example of the principles described herein. The weight 5300 of FIGS. 53 through 56 may have a similar form factor as depicted in, for example, the weights of FIGS. 9 through 36, 41 through 44, and 49 through 52. The weight 5300 may have any dimensions described herein, such as those dimensions described above in connection with the weights of FIGS. 9 through 36, 41 through 44, and 49 through 52. Again, the dimensions of the weights and/or the materials from which the weights are made may define the mass of the weights.

In FIGS. 53 through 56, a three-piece weight 5300 is depicted. The weight 5300 of FIGS. 53 through 56 may include an overlay 5302 and an underlay 5314 in a manner similar to the example weights described herein. Further, the three-piece weight 5300 may include a film 5320.

The underlay 5314 may nest within the overlay 5302. The overlay 5302 may include several features similar to the weights described in connection with FIGS. 9 through 36, 41 through 44, and 49 through 52. For example, the overlay 5302 may include a bridge portion 5304 that is configured and/or dimensioned to span a thickness of the paddle 100. An internal surface 5312 of the bridge portion 5304 may be curved or otherwise formed to match or significantly match an outer radius of curvature or shape of the edge of the paddle 100 and/or an edge guard 110 coupled to the paddle 100 so that the weight 5300 may abut the outer radius of curvature or shape of the edge of the paddle 100 and/or the edge guard 110 without a significant amount of space between the weight 5300 and the edge guard 110.

The overlay 5302 of the weight 5300 may further include a first arm 5306-1 extending from a first side of the bridge portion 5304 and a second arm 5306-2 extending from a second side of the bridge portion 5304. In one example, the first arm 5306-1 and the second arm 5306-2 may be monolithically formed with the bridge portion 5304. In one example, the first arm 5306-1 and the second arm 5306-2 may be formed separately from the bridge portion 5304 and coupled to the bridge portion 5304. In one example, the bridge portion 5304, the first arm 5306-1, and the second arm 5306-2 may be formed by extruding the overlay 5302. In one example, the bridge portion 5304, the first arm 5306-1, and the second arm 5306-2 may be formed by milling the overlay 5302 from a single piece of material. In one example, the bridge portion 5304, the first arm 5306-1, and the second arm 5306-2 may be formed via additive manufacturing processes, subtractive manufacturing processes, and combinations thereof.

The first arm 5306-1 and the second arm 5306-2 may include ends that are dimensioned to reach around the width of the edge guard 110 of the paddle 100 so that the first arm 5306-1 and the second arm 5306-2 are able to secure the weight 5300 to the edge guard 110. In one example, the ends of the first arm 5306-1 and the second arm 5306-2 may include a first hooked flange 5308-1 and a second hooked flange 5308-2, respectively. The first hooked flange 5308-1 and the second hooked flange 5308-2 may be used to secure the weight 5300 to the edge (e.g., an edge guard 110) of a paddle 100. In this manner, any number of the weights 5300 may be coupled to the paddle 100 as depicted in, for example, FIGS. 11 and 12, including a first weight 5300 being coupled to a first side of the paddle 1100 and a second weight 5300 being coupled to a second side of the paddle 1100 as described herein.

The overlay 5302 may further include an underlay recess 5310. The underlay recess 5310 may be dimensioned to allow the underlay 5314 to fit inside and nest with the overlay 5302. In one example, the underlay recess 5310 may have a depth that is equivalent or substantially equivalent to a thickness of the underlay 5314, such that, when nested within the underlay recess 5310 of the overlay 5302, it has an internal surface 5318 that is along the same planes as an internal surface 5312 of the overlay 5302.

The overlay 5302 may be made of any material that may be elastically deformed, in which the bridge portion 5304 may temporarily bend and the first arm 5306-1 and the second arm 5306-2 may separate from one another when force is applied to the overlay 5302. When that force is removed, the overlay may elastically return to its original shape. Thus, the overlay 5302 may be made of, for example, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). However, the overlay 5302 may be made of any material that provides for these characteristics, including thermoplastics (e.g., high-impact polystyrene (HIPS), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), etc.), high-performance engineering plastics (e.g., acrylonitrile styrene acrylate (ASA), polycarbonate-acrylonitrile butadiene styrene blend (PC-ABS), polycarbonate (PC), nylon, polyamide, metals, metal alloys, woods, and other materials described herein.

In contrast to other examples presented herein, the underlay 5314 of the weight 5300 may include a bridge portion 5316 and may not include arms extending from the sides of the bridge portion 5316. In one example, the bridge portion 5316 may be formed by extruding the underlay 5314. In one example, the bridge portion 5316 may be formed by milling the underlay 5314 from a single piece of material. In one example, the bridge portion 5316 may be formed via additive manufacturing processes, subtractive manufacturing processes, and combinations thereof.

The underlay 5314 of the weight 5300 including the bridge portion 5316 may be dimensioned and configured to fit in and nest within the underlay recess 5310. In one example, the underlay 5314 may be made of a metal or metal alloy, such as, for example, steel, brass, copper, copper alloy, or other metal or metal alloy. However, the underlay 5314 may be made of any material described herein. As described herein, the underlay 5314 may provide additional mass to the weight 5300 in connection with the mass of the overlay 5302.

The form factor of the underlay 5314 allows for the underlay 5314 to be easily manufactured as compared to other examples described herein, such as, for example, the examples of FIGS. 9 through 36, 41 through 44, and 49 through 52 that include arms that extend from the bridge portions of those examples. The form factor of the underlay 5314 may include a bar that includes the bridge portion 5316 as described above. However, the underlay 5314 may have any form factor that allows for mass to be added within the underlay recess 5310. The underlay recess 5310 and/or the underlay 5314 may have any shape, dimension, and/or form factor.

The weight 5300 may further include a film 5320. The film 5320 may include any film that adjusts (e.g., increases or decreases) the CoF between the overlay 5302 and/or underlay 5314 and the edge of the paddle 100 or the edge guard 110 coupled to the paddle 100. In one example, the film 5320 may include a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) film. Further, in one example, the film 5320 may be adhered to the overlay 5302 and/or underlay 5314 via an adhesive, but may not include adhesive on the opposite side of the film 5320 relative to the overlay 5302 and/or underlay 5314 that comes into contact with the edge of the paddle 100 or the edge guard 110 coupled to the paddle 100. In this example, the film 5320 may serve to adjust the CoF such that the CoF between the weight 5300 and the edge of the paddle 100 or the edge guard 110 coupled to the paddle 100 may be increased or decreased. Still further, in one example, the film 5320 may be adhered to the overlay 5302 and/or underlay 5314 via an adhesive and may also include adhesive on the opposite side of the film 5320 relative to the overlay 5302 and/or underlay 5314 that comes into contact with the edge of the paddle 100 or the edge guard 110 coupled to the paddle 100.

In these examples of the film 5320, the film 5320 may be used to allow for the weight 5300 to be easily adjusted along the y-axis of the edge of the paddle 100 or the edge guard 110 coupled to the paddle 100. In one example, the film 5320 may be removable from the weight 5300 and/or the paddle 100 and discarded between applications of the weight 5300 to the paddle or between repositionings of the weight 5300 along the edge of the paddle 100 or the edge guard 110 coupled to the paddle 100. In one example, a new film 5320 may be utilized between reattachments of the weight 5300. The film 5320 may include a bridge portion 5322, a first arm 5324-1, and a second arm 5324-2 that may be dimensioned to cover at least a portion of the internal surface 5326 of the underlay 5314. Further, at least a portion of the bridge portion 5322 may be dimensioned to cover at least a portion of the internal surface 5312 of the bridge portion 5304. Still further, the first arm 5324-1 and the second arm 5324-2 of the film 5320 may be dimensioned to cover at least a portion of the internal surface 5312 of the bridge portion 5304, the first arm 5306-1, and the second arm 5306-2 of the overlay 5302.

The overlay 5302 and the underlay 5314 may have similar elements and characteristics as described in connection with other examples. Once the underlay 5314 is seated within the underlay recess 5310 of the overlay 5302, the weight 5300 in that state may be coupled to the edge of the paddle 100 in a manner as described herein. Thus, as the weight 5300 is coupled to the edge of the paddle 100, such as the edge guard 110, the overlay 5302, during installation, may undergo compression or extension. In one example, the bridge portion 5304, the first arm 5306-1, and/or the second arm 5306-2 of the overlay 5302, and the bridge portion 5316 of the underlay 5314 may be made of a material that allows for each of these elements to have elastic spring characteristics. In this example, the weight 5300, including the overlay 5302 and the underlay 5314, may have an elastic property that may return to a pre-installation state after being compressed or extended. For example, the distance between the first arm 5306-1 and the second arm 5306-2 of the overlay 5302 may be temporarily increased and/or the bridge portion 5304 and/or the bridge portion 5316 may be elastically deformed to allow for the weight 5300 to be pushed onto the edge guard 110 as depicted in, for example, FIGS. 11 and 12.

As the overlay 5302 and the underlay 5314 of the weight 5300 are pressed onto the edge guard 110, the bridge portion 5304 and/or the bridge portion 5316 may bow or bend much like a leaf spring to increase the distance between the first arm 5306-1 and the second arm 5306-2 of the overlay 5302. This allows for the first arm 5306-1 and the second arm 5306-2 of the overlay 5302 to move around the sides of the edge guard 110.

Once the first arm 5306-1 and the second arm 5306-2 of the overlay 5302 move past the sides of the edge guard 110, the bridge portion 5304 and/or the bridge portion 5316 may contract back to their respective original states and the distance between the first arm 5306-1 and the second arm 5306-2 of the overlay 5302 may be decreased. Further, the first hooked flange 5308-1 and the second hooked flange 5308-2 of the weight 5300 may engage with the backside of the edge guard 110 that rests on top of the first face 108-1 and the second face 108-2 of the paddle 100. In this manner, the first hooked flange 5308-1 and the second hooked flange 5308-2 may hook around the edge guard 110 and secure the weight 5300 to the edge guard 110.

In this example, the overlay 5302 may serve as a cover for the underlay 5314, and the material of the underlay 5314 may be selected to provide a desired mass based on the density of the material (e.g., a metal or metal alloy). Further, in one example, the overlay 5302 may be made of a metal or metal alloy, and the underlay 5314 may also be made of metal or metal alloy. In this example, the overlay 5302 and the underlay 5314 may be selected to provide a desired mass based on the density of the metal or metal alloy of each.

In one example, the underlay 5314 may be coupled to the overlay 5302 via an engineering fit wherein the underlay 5314 seats within the underlay recess 5310 of the overlay 5302 with a loose running fit, a free running fit, a close running fit, a sliding fit, or a location fit as described herein. Further, in one example, additional fastening means may be used to couple the underlay 5314 to the overlay 5302. These additional fastening means may include, for example, fasteners such as screws, bolts, nails, tapes, adhesives, and other fasteners, and/or fastening methods such as welding and other fastening methods.

The three-part feature of the weight 5300 allows for the mass of the weight 5300 to be finely adjusted and tuned to obtain a desired mass that may work most effectively with the shape, design, mass, and other characteristics of the paddle 100 to which the weight 5300 is coupled. Further, the three-part feature of the weight 5300 allows for the functional or primary mass of the weight 5300 to be handled by the underlay 5314, and the overlay 5302 may serve as an outer covering that may include colors, designs, text, indicia, and other characteristics as may be desired by a user or manufacturer.

The weight 5300 may further include the film 5320 mentioned above. The film 5320 may take any form including, as depicted in FIGS. 53 through 56. In the example of FIGS. 53 through 56, the film 5320 may include an adhesive tape. In one example, the adhesive tape may include, for example, very high bond (VHB™) tape developed and distributed by 3M Company. In one example, the film 5320 may include a liquid adhesive such as an epoxy. In one example, the epoxy may include Scotch-Weld™ DP420NS epoxy adhesive developed and distributed by 3M Company. Further, the liquid adhesive may include, for example, any cyanoacrylate (CA), any other cyanoacrylic ester. However, the film 5320 may include any type of adhesive. In one example, the film 5320 may include a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA), a pressure-sensitive adhesive tape (PSA tape), a pressure-activated adhesive (PAA), a heat-activated adhesive (HAA), a laser-activated adhesive (LAA), a friction-activated adhesive (FAA), another type of adhesive, or combinations thereof.

FIG. 57 illustrates a bottom isometric view of a weight 5700 in a first state, according to an example of the principles described herein. FIG. 58 illustrates a top isometric view of the weight 5700 of FIG. 57 in a first state, according to an example of the principles described herein. FIG. 59 illustrates a top isometric view of the weight 5700 of FIG. 57 in a second state, according to an example of the principles described herein. FIG. 60 illustrates a top plan view of the weight 5700 of FIG. 57 in a second state, according to an example of the principles described herein. FIG. 61 illustrates a front plan, cutaway view of the weight 5700 of FIG. 57 at line J of FIG. 60, according to an example of the principles described herein. The weight 5700 may have a distinctly different form factor and function relative to other examples described herein. The weight 5700 may be described as a spring-loaded clip form factor.

The weight 5700 may have any dimensions described herein, such as those dimensions described above in connection with the weights of FIGS. 9 through 36, 41 through 44, and 49 through 56. Again, the dimensions of the weights and/or the materials from which the weights are made may define the mass of the weights.

In FIGS. 57 through 61, the spring-loaded clip weight 5700 is depicted. The weight 5700 of FIGS. 57 through 61 may include a first half overlay 5702-1 and a second half overlay 5702-2. The first half overlay 5702-1 and the second half overlay 5702-2 are two halves of the spring-loaded clip form factor of the weight 5700. The first half overlay 5702-1 and the second half overlay 5702-2 may, together, have a form factor that is similar to the form factor of the overlays described in connection with FIGS. 9 through 36, 41 through 44, and 49 through 56, but includes two distinct halves thereof.

The first half overlay 5702-1 and the second half overlay 5702-2 may include several features similar to the weights described in connection with FIGS. 9 through 36, 41 through 44, and 49 through 56. For example, the first half overlay 5702-1 and the second half overlay 5702-2 may include a first bridge portion 5704-1 and a second bridge portion 5702-2 that are configured and/or dimensioned to span a thickness of the paddle 100 in their combined widths. An internal surface of the first bridge portion 5704-1 and the second bridge portion 5702-2 may be curved or otherwise formed to match or significantly match an outer radius of curvature or shape of the edge of the paddle 100 and/or an edge guard 110 coupled to the paddle 100 so that the weight 5700 may abut the outer radius of curvature or shape of the edge of the paddle 100 and/or the edge guard 110 without a significant amount of space between the weight 5700 and the edge guard 110.

The first half overlay 5702-1 and the second half overlay 5702-2 of the weight 5700 may further include a first arm 5706-1 extending from the first bridge portion 5704-1 and a second arm 5706-2 extending from the second bridge portion 5702-2. In one example, the first arm 5706-1 and the second arm 5706-2 may be monolithically formed with the first bridge portion 5704-1 and the second bridge portion 5702-2, respectively. In one example, the first arm 5706-1 and the second arm 5706-2 may be formed separately from the first bridge portion 5704-1 and the second bridge portion 5702-2 and coupled to the first bridge portion 5704-1 and the second bridge portion 5702-2, respectively. In one example, the first bridge portion 5704-1 and the first arm 5706-1 may be formed by extruding the first half overlay 5702-1. Similarly, in one example, the second bridge portion 5704-2 and the second arm 5706-2 may be formed by extruding the second half overlay 5702-2. In one example, the first bridge portion 5704-1 and the first arm 5706-1 may be formed by milling the first half overlay 5702-1 from a single piece of material. Similarly, in one example, the second bridge portion 5702-2 and the second arm 5706-2 may be formed by milling the second half overlay 5702-2 from a single piece of material. In one example, the first bridge portion 5704-1 and the first arm 5706-1 of the first half overlay 5702-1 may be formed via additive manufacturing processes, subtractive manufacturing processes, and combinations thereof. Similarly, in one example, the second bridge portion 5702-2 and the second arm 5706-2 of the second half overlay 5702-2 may be formed via additive manufacturing processes, subtractive manufacturing processes, and combinations thereof.

The first arm 5706-1 and the second arm 5706-2 may include ends that are dimensioned to reach around the width of the edge guard 110 of the paddle 100 so that the first arm 5706-1 and the second arm 5706-2 are able to secure the weight 5700 to the edge guard 110. In one example, the ends of the first arm 5706-1 and the second arm 5706-2 may include a first hooked flange 5708-1 and a second hooked flange 5708-2, respectively. The first hooked flange 5708-1 and the second hooked flange 5708-2 may be used to secure the weight 5700 to the edge (e.g., an edge guard 110) of a paddle 100. In this manner, any number of the weights 5700 may be coupled to the paddle 100 as depicted in, for example, FIGS. 11 and 12 including a first weight 5700 being coupled to a first side of the paddle 1100 and a second weight 5700 being coupled to a second side of the paddle 1100 as described herein.

The first half overlay 5702-1 and the second half overlay 5702-2 may further include a first tab 5710-1 extending from the first half overlay 5702-1 and a second tab 5710-2 extending from the second half overlay 5702-2. In one example, the first tab 5710-1 and the second tab 5710-2 may be monolithically formed with the first half overlay 5702-1 and the second half overlay 5702-2, respectively. In one example, the first tab 5710-1 and the second tab 5710-2 may be formed separately from the first bridge portion 5704-1 and the second bridge portion 5702-2 and coupled to the first bridge portion 5704-1 and the second bridge portion 5702-2, respectively. In one example, the first bridge portion 5704-1 and the first tab 5710-1 may be formed by extruding the first half overlay 5702-1. Similarly, in one example, the second bridge portion 5704-2 and the second tab 5710-2 may be formed by extruding the second half overlay 5702-2. In one example, the first bridge portion 5704-1 and the first tab 5710-1 may be formed by milling the first half overlay 5702-1 from a single piece of material. Similarly, in one example, the second bridge portion 5702-2 and the second tab 5710-2 may be formed by milling the second half overlay 5702-2 from a single piece of material. In one example, the first bridge portion 5704-1 and the first tab 5710-1 of the first half overlay 5702-1 may be formed via additive manufacturing processes, subtractive manufacturing processes, and combinations thereof. Similarly, in one example, the second bridge portion 5702-2 and the second tab 5710-2 of the second half overlay 5702-2 may be formed via additive manufacturing processes, subtractive manufacturing processes, and combinations thereof. In one example, the first tab 5710-1 and the second tab 5710-2 may include knurling or other texturing to assist a user in coupling and decoupling the weight 5700 to and from the edge of the paddle 100 and/or an edge guard 110 coupled to the paddle 100. The knurling or other texturing provides additional friction with respect to, for example, a user's fingers or thumbs.

The first tab 5710-1 and the second tab 5710-2 may be used to adjust the distance as indicated by arrow 5720 between the first arm 5706-1 and the second arm 5706-2, and as indicated by the difference between the first state depicted in FIG. 58 and the second state depicted in FIG. 59. The first state depicted in FIG. 58 may be described as an unactuated rest or neutral state where springs 5716 included within the weight 5700 bias the first arm 5706-1 and the second arm 5706-2 towards one another and are in an undeformed state. The second state depicted in FIG. 59 may be described as an actuated state where springs 5716 included within the weight 5700 have a bias that is overcome via the application of force on the first tab 5710-1 and the second tab 5710-2. This force brings the first tab 5710-1 and the second tab 5710-2 in a relatively closer proximity to one another and forces the first arm 5706-1 and the second arm 5706-2 away from one another. In this manner, the application of force on the first tab 5710-1 and the second tab 5710-2 may overcome the bias of the springs 5716.

To more fully describe this function, several additional elements of the weight 5700 will now be described. The first half overlay 5702-1 and the second half overlay 5702-2 may be coupled to one another via a hinge system including a number of barrels 5712 including a first barrel 5712-1, a second barrel 5712-2, a third barrel 5712-3, and a fourth barrel 5712-N (where N is any integer greater than or equal to 1 (collectively referred to herein as barrel(s) 5712 unless specifically addressed otherwise)). Although four barrels 5712 are depicted in the example of FIGS. 57 through 61, the weight 5700 may include any number of barrels 5712. The barrels 5712 may be coupled to or monolithically formed with the first half overlay 5702-1 and the second half overlay 5702-2. Further, the weight 5700 may further include a pin 5714 that may be inserted through the barrels 5712 to couple the first half overlay 5702-1 and the second half overlay 5702-2 via the hinge system. This allows the first half overlay 5702-1 and the second half overlay 5702-2 to rotate around the pin 5714 and with respect to one another.

The weight 5700 may further include a number of springs 5716 including a first spring 5716-1, a second spring 5716-2, and a third spring 5716-N (where N is any integer greater than or equal to 1 (collectively referred to herein as spring(s) 5716 unless specifically addressed otherwise)). Although three springs 5716 are depicted in the example of FIGS. 57 through 61, the weight 5700 may include any number of springs 5716. In one example, the springs 5716 may include torsion coil springs. Further, the springs 5716 may be coupled to the weight 5700 by inserting the pin 5714 through the internal space of the coils. The springs 5716 may each include legs 5718 including a first leg 5718-1 and a second leg 5718-2 of the first spring 5716-1, a third leg 5718-3 and a fourth leg 5718-4 of the second spring 5716-2, and a fifth leg 5718-5 and a sixth leg 5718-N (where N is any integer greater than or equal to 1 (collectively referred to herein as leg(s) 5718 unless specifically addressed otherwise)) of the third spring 5716-N. As installed within the weight 5700, the legs 5718 may rest against the internal surfaces of the first tab 5710-1 and the second tab 5710-2, respectively. In this position, the legs 5718 of the springs 5716 may be biased to force the first tab 5710-1 and the second tab 5710-2 away from each other as the first tab 5710-1 and the second tab 5710-2 are rotated about the pin 5714 along with the barrels 5712 and the first half overlay 5702-1 and the second half overlay 5702-2. In the first state depicted in FIG. 57, the legs 5718 of a spring 5718 are relatively further apart from one another as compared to the second state depicted in FIG. 58 and depict the springs in a most extended state.

Having described the elements of the weight 5700, the manner in which the weight 5700 may be coupled to a paddle 100 will now be described. The bias of the springs 5718, as integrated into the weight 5700, is able to force the first half overlay 5702-1 and the second half overlay 5702-2 towards one another in the direction opposite arrow 5720. This allows for the weight 5700 to be clipped to the edge of the paddle 100 and/or an edge guard 110 coupled to the paddle 100. A user may install the weight 5700 by applying force to the first tab 5710-1 and the second tab 5710-2 and opening the weight 5700 in the direction of arrow 5720 from the first state depicted in FIG. 57 to the second state depicted in FIG. 58. The force applied by the user to the first tab 5710-1 and the second tab 5710-2 overcomes the bias of the springs 5716 and causes the first arm 5706-1 and the second arm 5706-2 of the first half overlay 5702-1 and the second half overlay 5702-2, respectively, to separate from one another.

In this second state, as depicted in FIG. 58, the distance between the first arm 5706-1 and the second arm 5706-2 of the first half overlay 5702-1 and the second half overlay 5702-2, respectively, may be large enough to clear the edge guard 110 of the paddle or other surfaces of the paddle. In one example, as the first half overlay 5702-1 and the second half overlay 5702-2 of the weight 5700 are pressed onto the edge guard 110, the first bridge portion 5704-1 and the second bridge portion 5702-2 may bow or bend much like a leaf spring to increase the distance between the first arm 5706-1 and the second arm 5706-2 of the first half overlay 5702-1 and the second half overlay 5702-2 and allow for the first arm 5706-1 and the second arm 5706-2 of the overlay 5702 to move around the sides of the edge guard 110.

Once the first arm 5706-1 and the second arm 5706-2 of the first half overlay 5702-1 and the second half overlay 5702-2 move past the sides of the edge guard 110, the first bridge portion 5704-1 and the second bridge portion 5702-2 may contract back to their respective original states and/or the force applied by the user on the first tab 5710-1 and the second tab 5710-2 may be released. At this point, the distance between the first arm 5706-1 and the second arm 5706-2 of the first half overlay 5702-1 and the second half overlay 5702-2 may be decreased. Further, the first hooked flange 5708-1 and the second hooked flange 5708-2 of the weight 5700 may engage with the backside of the edge guard 110 that rests on top of the first face 108-1 and the second face 108-2 of the paddle 100. In this manner, the first hooked flange 5708-1 and the second hooked flange 5708-2 may hook around the edge guard 110 and secure the weight 5700 to the edge guard 110. The reverse actions may allow for the weight 5700 to be removed from the paddle 100. Further, this coupling and decoupling of the weight 5700 to and from the paddle 100 is done without the use of tools and may be performed any number of times without destroying any part of the paddle 100.

The first half overlay 5702-1 and the second half overlay 5702-2 may be made of any material that may be elastically deformed in which the first bridge portion 5704-1 and the second bridge portion 5702-2 may temporarily bend and the first arm 5706-1 and the second arm 5706-2 may separate from one another when force is applied to the first half overlay 5702-1 and the second half overlay 5702-2. When that force is removed, the first half overlay 5702-1 and the second half overlay 5702-2 may elastically return to their original shape. Thus, the first half overlay 5702-1 and the second half overlay 5702-2 may be made of, for example, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). However, the first half overlay 5702-1 and the second half overlay 5702-2 may be made of any material that provides for these characteristics, including thermoplastics (e.g., high-impact polystyrene (HIPS), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), etc.), high-performance engineering plastics (e.g., acrylonitrile styrene acrylate (ASA), polycarbonate-acrylonitrile butadiene styrene blend (PC-ABS), polycarbonate (PC), nylon, polyamide, metals, metal alloys, woods, and other materials described herein.

The weight 5700 may, in one example, include an underlay as similarly described herein in connection with other examples. The underlay of the weight 5700 may be dimensioned and configured to fit in and nest within an underlay recess or otherwise be coupled to the first half overlay 5702-1 and/or the second half overlay 5702-2. In one example, the underlay may be made of a material that is able to elastically deform. In one example, the underlay may be made of a metal or metal alloy, such as, for example, steel, brass, copper, copper alloy, or other metal or metal alloy.

The first half overlay 5702-1 and the second half overlay 5702-2 (and any underlay included with the weight 5700) may have a material selected to provide a desired mass based on the density of the material (e.g., a metal or metal alloy). Further, in one example, the first half overlay 5702-1 and the second half overlay 5702-2 may be made of a metal or metal alloy, and the underlay, if included, may also be made of metal or metal alloy. In this example, the first half overlay 5702-1 and the second half overlay 5702-2, and the underlay may be selected to provide a desired mass based on the density of the metal or metal alloy of each.

In one example, the weight 5700 and its various elements may be dimensioned to allow for the mass of the weight 5700 to be finely adjusted and tuned to obtain a desired mass that may work most effectively with the shape, design, mass, and other characteristics of the paddle 100 to which the weight 5700 is coupled. For example, the dimensions, thicknesses, materials, and other characteristics of the first bridge portion 5704-1, the second bridge portion 5702-2, the first arm 5706-1, the second arm 5706-2, the first tab 5710-1, the second tab 5710-2, the barrels 5712, the pin 5714, and or the springs 5716 may be used to define the mass of the weight 5700.

FIG. 62 illustrates an isometric view of a weight 6200, according to an example of the principles described herein. FIG. 63 illustrates an isometric, exploded view of the weight 6200 of FIG. 62, according to an example of the principles described herein. FIG. 64 illustrates a top plan view of the weight 6200 of FIG. 62, according to an example of the principles described herein. FIG. 65 illustrates a front plan, cutaway view of the weight 6200 of FIG. 62 at line K of FIG. 64, according to an example of the principles described herein. The weight 6200 of the example of FIGS. 62 though 65 may be referred to as a twist lock weight in which a mechanical fastening mechanism that uses angular rotation of an element to drive a locking feature into or out of interlocking engagement with a mating member of or incorporated into the paddle 100 or an element of the paddle 100 thereby preventing separation of the weight 6200 from the paddle 100 until a reverse rotation is applied.

The weight 6200 of FIGS. 62 through 65 may include an overlay 6202 and a rotational lock 6214 that may be used to couple the overlay 6202 to the paddle 100 or a portion of the paddle 100, such as an edge guard 6222. The overlay 6202 may include several features similar to the weights described in connection with FIGS. 9 through 36, 41 through 44, and 49 through 62. For example, the overlay 6202 may include a bridge portion 6204 that is configured and/or dimensioned to span a thickness of the paddle 100. An internal surface 6212 of the bridge portion 6204 may be curved or otherwise formed to match or significantly match an outer radius of curvature or shape of the edge of the paddle 100 and/or an edge guard 6222 coupled to the paddle 100 so that the weight 6200 may abut the outer radius of curvature or shape of the edge of the paddle 100 and/or the edge guard 6222 without a significant amount of space between the weight 6200 and the edge guard 6222.

The overlay 6202 of the weight 6200 may further include a first arm 6206-1 extending from a first side of the bridge portion 6204 and a second arm 6206-2 extending from a second side of the bridge portion 6204. In one example, the first arm 6206-1 and the second arm 6206-2 may be monolithically formed with the bridge portion 6204. In one example, the first arm 6206-1 and the second arm 6206-2 may be formed separately from the bridge portion 6204 and coupled to the bridge portion 6204. In one example, the bridge portion 6204, the first arm 6206-1, and the second arm 6206-2 may be formed by extruding the overlay 6202. In one example, the bridge portion 6204, the first arm 6206-1, and the second arm 6206-2 may be formed by milling the overlay 6202 from a single piece of material. In one example, the bridge portion 6204, the first arm 6206-1, and the second arm 6206-2 may be formed via additive manufacturing processes, subtractive manufacturing processes, and combinations thereof.

The first arm 6206-1 and the second arm 6206-2 may include ends that are dimensioned to reach around the width of the edge guard 6222 of the paddle 100 so that the first arm 6206-1 and the second arm 6206-2 are able to secure the weight 6200 to the edge guard 6222. In one example, the ends of the first arm 6206-1 and the second arm 6206-2 may include a first hooked flange 6208-1 and a second hooked flange 6208-2, respectively. The first hooked flange 6208-1 and the second hooked flange 6208-2 may be used to secure the weight 6200 to the edge (e.g., an edge guard 6222) of a paddle 100. In this manner, any number of the weights 6200 may be coupled to the paddle 100 as depicted in, for example, FIGS. 11 and 12, including a first weight 6200 being coupled to a first side of the paddle 1100 and a second weight 6200 being coupled to a second side of the paddle 1100 as described herein.

In one example, the overlay 6202 may further include an underlay and/or an underlay recess dimensioned to allow the underlay to fit inside and nest with the overlay. The underlay may be used to add to the mass of the weight 6200 as described herein.

The overlay 6202 may be made of any material that may be elastically deformed, in which the bridge portion 6204 may temporarily bend and the first arm 6206-1 and the second arm 6206-2 may separate from one another when force is applied to the overlay 6202. When that force is removed, the overlay may elastically return to its original shape. Thus, the overlay 6202 may be made of, for example, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). However, the overlay 6202 may be made of any material that provides for these characteristics, including thermoplastics (e.g., high-impact polystyrene (HIPS), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), etc.), high-performance engineering plastics (e.g., acrylonitrile styrene acrylate (ASA), polycarbonate-acrylonitrile butadiene styrene blend (PC-ABS), polycarbonate (PC), nylon, polyamide, metals, metal alloys, woods, and other materials described herein.

For explanation purposes, the edge guard 6222 is depicted in FIGS. 62 through 65 to assist in describing the twist lock features of the weight 6200. FIGS. 62 through 65 depict the weight 6200 coupled to a section of edge guard 6222 to illustrate the manner in which the weight 6200 seats with the edge guard 6222, such as the edge guard 110 described herein. In one example, the internal surface 6212 of the bridge portion 6204 of the weight 6200 may be configured and manufactured to nest with and have a similar or identical cross-sectional shape as an external surface of the edge guard 6222. In other words, the edge guard 6222 may include a bridge portion 6224, a first arm 6226-1, and a second arm 6226-2. The exterior surfaces of the bridge portion 6224, the first arm 6226-1, and the second arm 6226-2 may be matched by the internal surface 6212 of the bridge portion 6204 and the internal surfaces of the first arm 6206-1 and the second arm 6206-2 to ensure that the weight 6200, when coupled to the edge guard 6222, seats with the edge guard 6222 as closely as possible. In one example, a first instance of the weight 6200 may be manufactured to fit a first edge guard 6222 having a first cross-sectional profile, and a second instance of the weight 6200 may be manufactured to fit a second edge guard 6222 having a second cross-sectional profile. The edge guard 6222 may further include an edge guard aperture 6228 into which at least a portion of the rotational lock 6214 may extend and secure the overlay 6202 to the edge guard 6228. More regarding the edge guard aperture 6228 is described below.

Turning again to the manner in which the weight 6200 is coupled to the edge guard 6222, the overlay 6202 may have similar elements and characteristics as described in connection with other examples. The weight 6200 may be coupled to the edge of the paddle 100 in a manner as described herein. Thus, as the weight 6200 is coupled to the edge of the paddle 100, such as the edge guard 6222, the overlay 6202, during installation, may undergo compression or extension. In one example, the bridge portion 6204, the first arm 6206-1, and/or the second arm 6206-2 of the overlay 6202 may be made of a material that allows for each of these elements to have elastic spring characteristics. In this example, the weight 6200, including the overlay 6202 and the underlay 6214, may have an elastic property that may return to a pre-installation state after being compressed or extended. For example, the distance between the first arm 6206-1 and the second arm 6206-2 of the overlay 6202 may be temporarily increased and/or the bridge portion 6204 may be elastically deformed to allow for the weight 6200 to be pushed onto the edge guard 110 as depicted in, for example, FIGS. 11 and 12.

As the overlay 6202 of the weight 6200 is pressed onto the edge guard 6222, the bridge portion 6204 may bow or bend much like a leaf spring to increase the distance between the first arm 6206-1 and the second arm 6206-2 of the overlay 6202. This allows for the first arm 6206-1 and the second arm 6206-2 of the overlay 6202 to move around the sides of the edge guard 6222.

Once the first arm 6206-1 and the second arm 6206-2 of the overlay 6202 move past the sides of the edge guard 6222, the bridge portion 6204 may contract back to its original state, and the distance between the first arm 6206-1 and the second arm 6206-2 of the overlay 6202 may be decreased. Further, the first hooked flange 6208-1 and the second hooked flange 6208-2 of the weight 6200 may engage with the backside of the edge guard 6222 that rests on top of the first face 108-1 and the second face 108-2 of the paddle 100. In this manner, the first hooked flange 6208-1 and the second hooked flange 6208-2 may hook around the edge guard 6222 and secure the weight 6200 to the edge guard 6222.

The overlay 6202 may further include an overlay aperture 6210 defined therein. The overlay aperture 6210 may be dimensioned to secure the rotational lock 6214 therein. For example, as depicted in FIGS. 62, 64, and 65, the rotational lock 6214 may be secured in the overlay aperture 6210. The rotational lock 6214 may include a head 6216, a pivot axle 6218, and a locking tab 6220. The head 6216 may be circular in shape to allow for the head 6216 to rotate within the overlay aperture 6210 when seated within the overlay aperture 6210. A drive recess 6230 or similar architecture may be formed or defined in the outer surface of the head 6216. The drive recess 6230 may allow for a flat object, such as the working end of a flathead screw driver, a coin, a fingernail of a finger of a user, or a similar object to be inserted into the drive recess 6230 to rotate the rotational lock 6214.

Although the drive recess 6230 is depicted as a slot that may engage with the above-described flat object, any type of recess may be defined in the head 6216 of the rotational lock 6214 that any tooling having a matching or mating form factor may engage with the drive recess 6230. Thus, the drive recess 6230 may include a slot or flathead recess, a cruciform recess (e.g., Phillips (PH), Pozidriv (PZ), or Japanese industrial standard (JIS)), a hexagon socket (e.g., Allen socket or hex socket), a six-lobed socket (e.g., a Torx (TX) socket or a Torx Plus socket), square socket (e.g., a Robertson socket), combo recesses (e.g., Phillips/slot socket, Phillips/hex socket, etc.), security/anti-tamper sockets (e.g., pin-Torx socket, spanner (“snake-eyes”) socket, tri-wing socket, Torq-set socket, one-way socket, etc.), a Bristol spline socket, a Polydrive socket, a triple-square (XZN) socket, other types of drive recesses, and combinations thereof. In one example, the drive recess 6230 may include any of the internal, negative-space, sockets. In one example, the drive recess 6230 and the tool used to acuate the rotational lock 6214 may be reversed in their profiles such that the drive recess 6230 is, instead, a protrusion, and the tool used to acuate the rotational lock 6214 and engage with the protrusion includes the negative space.

The head 6216 may be coupled to the pivot axle 6218 either monolithically created as a single piece or through the coupling of the head 6216 to the pivot axle 6218. The locking tab 6220 may be coupled to the pivot axle 6218 either monolithically created as a single piece, or through the coupling of the locking tab 6220 to the pivot axle 6218. The rotational lock 6214, including the head 6216, the pivot axle 6218, and the locking tab 6220, may be seated within the overlay aperture 6210 and the head 6216 may serve as an anchor as it engages within the overlay aperture 6210 such that the rotational lock 6214 cannot move past the overlay aperture 6210 and into the interior portions of the overlay 6202.

The locking tab 6220 may include a shape that may enter into the edge guard aperture 6228 at a first orientation and not enter the edge guard aperture 6228 in a second orientation. Further, the edge guard aperture 6228 may include a shape through which the locking tab 6220 may enter when the locking tab 6220 is in the first orientation and may not enter the edge guard aperture 6228 when oriented in the second orientation. The first orientation and the second orientation may be defined by the angle at which the head 6216 is rotated. For example, the second orientation may include the orientation of the rotational lock 6214 and the locking tab 6220 as depicted in FIGS. 62, 63, and 65. In this second orientation, the locking tab 6220 is able to fit into the edge guard aperture 6228. Thus, the first orientation may include any orientation or degree of rotation with respect to the second orientation that does not allow for the locking tab 6220 to be inserted through the edge guard aperture 6228. In one example, the locking tab 6220 and the edge guard aperture 6228 may have a similar shape and dimension. In one example, the locking tab 6220 may have a rectangle shape and the edge guard aperture 6228 may have a matching rectangle shape such that the locking tab 6220 may only be inserted into the edge guard aperture 6228 when the longitudinal axis of the locking tab 6220 (e.g., the greatest length of the rectangle shape of the locking tab 6220) is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the edge guard aperture 6228 (e.g., the greatest length of the rectangle shape of the edge guard aperture 6228). When these dimensions match, the locking tab 6220 may be in the second orientation. When these dimensions do not match, the locking tab 6220 may be in the first orientation.

With the rotational lock 6214 seated within the overlay aperture 6210, the overlay 6202 may be coupled to the edge guard 6222. This may be accomplished by rotating the head 6216 from the first orientation to the second orientation such that the locking tab 6220 may be inserted into the edge guard aperture 6228. The overlay 6202 may be coupled to the edge guard 6222, and, simultaneously, the locking tab 6220 may be inserted into the edge guard aperture 6228. Once the overlay 6202 is seated on the edge guard 6222, the rotational lock 6214 may be rotated to the first orientation by applying a rotational force to the head 6216 of the rotational lock 6214 via the drive recess 6230. As the rotational lock 6214 is rotated, the locking tab 6220 may move out of alignment with the edge guard aperture 6228. This prevents the locking tab 6220 from being removed via the edge guard aperture 6228 and locks the overlay to the edge guard 6222. In this manner, the overlay 6202 may be mechanically coupled to the edge guard 6222.

In one example, one or more of the surfaces of the rotational lock 6214 may include inclined planes or “cam” surfaces. In one example, the cam surfaces may be present on, for example, a bottom surface of the head 6212 that comes into contact with surfaces of the overlay aperture 6210. Further, in one example, the cam surfaces may be present on a top surface of the locking tab 6220 that come into contact with an internal surface of the edge guard 6222 when inserted through the edge guard aperture 6228. These cam surfaces may convert rotation into an axial preload force. As the elements of the rotational lock 6214 that include the cam surfaces ride up the surfaces of the overlay 6202 and/or the edge guard 6222, the overlay 6202 and the edge guard 6222 are pulled together with an increased clamping force. This removes clearance tolerances, increases friction at the interfaces, and makes the coupling more resistant to vibration, shock, and prying.

Further, the cam surfaces may make the rotational lock 6214 self-securing. If the cam ramp angle α is shallow enough, relative to friction (y) (e.g., α<φ where tan φ=μ), the coupling between the overlay 6202 and the edge guard 6222 via the rotational lock 6214 may become self-locking, where external axial loads will not back-drive the cams, creating a built-in anti-loosening feature.

To remove the overlay 6202 from the edge guard 6222, the above process may be performed in reverse order, where the rotational lock 6214 is rotated to the second orientation, causing the locking tab 6220 to align with the edge guard aperture 6228. The overlay 6202 may be removed from the edge guard 6222, and, simultaneously, the locking tab 6220 may be removed through the edge guard aperture 6228.

Although a rotational lock 6214 is described herein in connection with the example of FIGS. 62 through 65, any mechanical device that may be used to couple the weight 6200 to the edge guard 6222 may be used, such as, for example, a quick-release skewer, a set screw, a channel nut, other mechanical coupling devices, and combinations thereof. Further, in one example, the edge guard 6222 may include a plurality of indexed positions along the aperture to indicate a position of the weight, a size of the weight, a mass of the weight, or combinations thereof.

FIG. 66 illustrates a bottom, isometric view of a paddle 6600 including weights 6202, according to an example of the principles described herein. FIG. 67 illustrates a top, exploded, isometric view of the paddle 6600 of FIG. 66, including weights 6202, according to an example of the principles described herein. FIG. 68 illustrates a top, exploded, isometric view of the paddle 6600 of FIG. 66 including weights 6602 within circle A depicted in FIG. 67, according to an example of the principles described herein. FIG. 69 illustrates a top, exploded, isometric view of the paddle 6600 of FIG. 66 including weights 6202 within circle B depicted in FIG. 67, according to an example of the principles described herein. FIG. 70 illustrates a top plan view of the weights 6202 of FIG. 66, according to an example of the principles described herein. FIG. 71 illustrates a front plan, cutaway view of the weight 6202 of FIG. 62 at line L of FIG. 70, according to an example of the principles described herein.

The paddle 6600 of FIGS. 66 through 71 may have features similar to other paddles described herein. Further, the paddle 6600 may include weights 6602 as similarly described herein including a first weight 6202-1 and a second weight 6202-2 (collectively referred to herein as weight(s) 6602 unless specifically addressed otherwise). Although two weights 6602 are depicted in the example of FIGS. 66 through 71, any number of weights 6602 may be coupled to the paddle 6600.

The paddle 6600 may include an open throat 112 as similarly described herein. Further, as mentioned above, the paddle 6600 may not include an edge guard 110. Thus, the weights 6602 may not be coupled to an edge guard 110, but may, instead, be directly coupled to and/or integrated with an edge of the paddle 6600.

The weights 6602 may be made of, for example, metals, metal alloys, plastics, natural materials, and combinations thereof. In one example, the weights 6602 may be made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. In one example, the weights 6602 may be made of 6063-T6 (AA 6063-T6; UNS A96063; EN AW-6063 T6), an aluminum-magnesium-silicon (Al—Mg—Si) alloy in a T6 temper (solution heat-treated and artificially aged), for example, meeting ASTM B221 requirements.

The weights 6602 may be coupled to the edges of the paddle 6600 as depicted in FIGS. 66, 67, 70, and 71. In one example, the placement of the weights 6602 along the edge of the paddle 6600 may be determined based on achieving an optimal MoI of the paddle as described herein. For example, the placement of the weights 6602 along the edge of the paddle 6600 may be determined based on a sweet spot of the paddle 6600. In order to couple the weights 6602 to the paddle 6600, a first attachment void 6614-1 and a second attachment void 6614-2 (collectively referred to herein as attachment void(s) 6614 unless specifically addressed otherwise) may be defined in the edges of the paddle 6600. The first attachment void 6614-1 and the second attachment void 6614-2 may include a number of facets or faces that assist in alignment of the weights 6602 within the first attachment void 6614-1 and the second attachment void 6614-2 and assist in seating the weights 6602 within the first attachment void 6614-1 and the second attachment void 6614-2. Corresponding and mating facets or faces may be formed in the weights 6602 to assist in the seating and alignment of the weights 6602 within the first attachment void 6614-1 and the second attachment void 6614-2.

FIGS. 68 and 69 may be used to describe the facets or faces of the first attachment void 6614-1 and the second attachment void 6614-2, and the corresponding facets or faces of the weights 6602. These facets formed on the first attachment void 6614-1 and the second attachment void 6614-2 and, correspondingly, on the weights 6602 serve to create opposing and angled surfaces. These opposing and angled surfaces may allow the weights 6602 to be aligned within the first attachment void 6614-1 and the second attachment void 6614-2. Further, these opposing and angled surfaces may allow for sheer surfaces to be created on which an adhesive may be placed to couple the weights 6602 to the first attachment void 6614-1 and the second attachment void 6614-2. In one example, the adhesive may be applied to at least one facet and allowed to squeeze out to the remainder of the facets such that the adhesive covers at least a portion of all the facets. The adhesive may be any adhesive that may permanently or semi-permanently couple the weights 6602 to the first attachment void 6614-1 and the second attachment void 6614-2. In one example, the adhesive may be an epoxy adhesive. In one example, the adhesive may be an epoxy adhesive such as DP 420 NS black epoxy adhesive developed and distributed by 3M Company.

To begin with, the description of the facets of the first attachment void 6614-1 and the second attachment void 6614-2, FIG. 68 depicts the first attachment void 6614-1 by way of example, and identical features may be found in the second attachment void 6614-2. Thus, the facets of the first attachment void 6614-1 and the second attachment void 6614-2 will be described herein in connection with the first attachment void 6614-1. The first attachment void 6614-1 may include a ridge protrusion 6616 that includes a first facet 6620-1 that serves as a top portion of the ridge protrusion 6616. Further, the ridge protrusion 6616 may include a second facet 6620-2 and a third facet 6620-3 that serve as sides of the ridge protrusion 6616. In one example, the ridge protrusion 6616 may be centrally located within the first attachment void 6614-1. In one example, the transitions between the first facet 6620-1 and the second facet 6620-2 and the third facet 6620-3 may be square, rounded, or may have any other transition. In the example of FIGS. 66 through 71, the transitions between the first facet 6620-1 and the second facet 6620-2, and the third facet 6620-3 may be rounded.

The first attachment void 6614-1 may further include a first base 6618-1 and a second base 6618-2 that are formed on opposite sides of the ridge protrusion 6616. The first base 6618-1 and the second base 6618-2 may serve as a fourth facet 6620-4 and a fifth facet 6620-5, respectively. Further, the fourth facet 6620-4 and the fifth facet 6620-5 may be approximately perpendicular with respect to the second facet 6620-2 and the third facet 6620-3 of the first attachment void 6614-1. The transitions between the fourth facet 6620-4 and a fifth facet 6620-5, and the second facet 6620-2 and the third facet 6620-3, respectively, may be square, rounded, or may have any other transition. In the example of FIGS. 66 through 71, the transition between the fourth facet 6620-4 and a fifth facet 6620-5, and the second facet 6620-2 and the third facet 6620-3 may be rounded.

The first attachment void 6614-1 may further include a first inclined face 6612-1 and a second inclined face 6612-2. The first inclined face 6612-1 and the second inclined face 6612-2 may serve as a sixth facet 6620-6 and a seventh facet 6620-7, respectively. The transitions between the sixth facet 6620-6 and a seventh facet 6620-7, and the first facet 6620-1, the second facet 6620-2, the third facet 6620-3, the fourth facet 6620-4, and the fifth facet 6620-5, respectively, may be square, rounded, or may have any other transition. In the example of FIGS. 66 through 71, the transitions between the sixth facet 6620-6 and a seventh facet 6620-7 and the first facet 6620-1, the second facet 6620-2, the third facet 6620-3, the fourth facet 6620-4, and the fifth facet 6620-5 may be rounded.

As mentioned above, the second attachment void 6614-2 may include identical elements, some of which are indicated in FIGS. 66 through 71, including, for example, a third inclined face 6612-3 and a fourth inclined face 6612-4. Although all elements of the second attachment void 6614-2 are not described herein, it is understood that the second attachment void 6614-2 has identical elements as described above in connection with the first attachment void 6614-1 and applies to the second attachment void 6614-2, mutatis mutandis.

Turning now to FIG. 69, the features of the weights 6602 that correspond to and match the features of the first attachment void 6614-1 and the second attachment void 6614-2 will now be described. The weights 6602 may include a first outer surface 6604-1 and a second outer surface 6604-2 (collectively referred to herein as outer surface(s) 6604 unless specifically addressed otherwise) that are generally rounded to match the contours of the edges of the paddle 6600 such that the outer surface 6604 of the weights 6602 do not protrude significantly past the outer contours of the paddle once coupled to the paddle 6600. However, the outer surfaces 6604 of the weights 6602 may have any external dimensions and shapes.

The description of the weights 6602 will now be described in connection with the second weight 6602-2. However, the description of the second weight 6602-2 applies to the first weight 6602-1 since the second weight 6602-2 and the first weight 6602-1 are identical. The second weight 6602-2 may include the second outer surface 6604-2 as described above. Further, a first channel 6606-1 may be defined on a side of the second weight 6602-2 opposite the second outer surface 6604-2. The first channel 6606-1 may be dimensioned and configured to accept the ridge protrusion 6616, such as the ridge protrusions found in the first attachment void 6614-1 and the second attachment void 6614-2. For example, the first channel 6606-1 may have internal mating surfaces that match the exterior surfaces of the ridge protrusion 6616 including the first facet 6620-1, the second facet 6620-2, and the third facet 6620-3 including a first internal mating surface 6622-1 that mates with the first facet 6620-1, a second internal mating surface 6622-2 that mates with the second facet 6620-2, and a third internal mating surface 6622-3 that mates with the third facet 6620-3.

In one example, the transitions between the first internal mating surface 6622-1 and the second internal mating surface 6622-2 and the third internal mating surface 6622-3 may be square, rounded, or may have any other transition. In the example of FIGS. 66 through 71, the transitions between the first internal mating surface 6622-1 and the second internal mating surface 6622-2 and the third internal mating surface 6622-3 may be rounded to match the transitions between the first facet 6620-1, the second facet 6620-2, and the third facet 6620-3. However, in one example, the transitions between the first internal mating surface 6622-1 and the second internal mating surface 6622-2 and the third internal mating surface 6622-3 may be different from the transitions between the first facet 6620-1, the second facet 6620-2, and the third facet 6620-3 in order to provide space between the second weight 6602-2 and the ridge protrusion 6616 for the flow of adhesives that are used to couple the second weight 6602-2 to the ridge protrusion 6616.

In one example, the engineering fit between the ridge protrusion 6616 and the first channel 6606-1 may include any engineering fit such as, for example, a clearance fit (e.g., one of a loose running fit, a free running fit, a close running fit, a sliding fit, and a location fit), a transition fit (e.g., one of a similar fit, and a fixed fit), and an interference fit (e.g., one of a press fit, a driving fit, and a forced fit). In one example, the engineering fit between the ridge protrusion 6616 and the first channel 6606-1 may include any engineering fit that allows for an adhesive to be included between the ridge protrusion 6616 and the first channel 6606-1. During squeeze out of the adhesive applied to the ridge protrusion 6616 and/or the first channel 6606-1, the adhesive may come into contact with at least a portion of all of the elements of the ridge protrusion 6616 and the first channel 6606-1 including, for example, the first facet 6620-1, the second facet 6620-2, and the third facet 6620-3 of the ridge protrusion 6616 and the first internal mating surface 6622-1, the second internal mating surface 6622-2, and the third internal mating surface 6622-3 of the first channel 6606-1.

The second weight 6602-2 may further include a first foot 6610-1 extending from the second internal mating surface 6622-2 and a second foot 6610-2 extending from the third internal mating surface 6622-3, with both the first foot 6610-1 and the second foot 6610-2 extending to the second outer surface 6604-2. In one example, the first foot 6610-1 and the second foot 6610-2 may be perpendicular to the second internal mating surface 6622-2 and the third internal mating surface 6622-3, respectively.

The first foot 6610-1 may interface with the first base 6618-1, acting as the fourth facet 6620-4. Similarly, the second foot 6610-2 may interface with the second base 6618-2, acting as the fifth facet 6620-5. During squeeze out of the adhesive described above, the adhesive may move from the interface between the first channel 6606-1 and ridge protrusion 6616 where the adhesive is initially placed and move to the interface between the first foot 6610-1 and the first base 6618-1 and the interface between the second foot 6610-2 and the second base 6618-2 acting as the fifth facet 6620-5.

The second weight 6602-2 may further include a first angled face 6608-1 and a second angled face 6608-2. The first angled face 6608-1 and the second angled face 6608-2 may extend at an angle relative to the first channel 6606-1, the first foot 6610-1, and the second foot 6610-2, and may terminate at the contours of the outer surface 6604 of the second weight 6602-2. The first angled face 6608-1 may interface with the first inclined face 6612-1, acting as the sixth facet 6620-6. Similarly, the second angled face 6608-2 may interface with the second inclined face 6612-2, acting as the seventh facet 6620-7. During squeeze out of the adhesive described above, the adhesive may move from the interface between the first channel 6606-1 and ridge protrusion 6616 where the adhesive is initially placed and move to the interface between the first angled face 6608-1 and the first inclined face 6612-1 and the interface between the second angled face 6608-2 and the second inclined face 6612-2. Thus, during the squeeze out, the adhesive may come into contact with at least a portion of all of the elements of the second weight 6602-2 and the attachment void 6614 including, for example, the first angled face 6608-1 and the second angled face 6608-2 of the second weight 6602-2, and the first inclined face 6612-1 and the second inclined face 6612-2 of the attachment void 6614.

As mentioned above, the first weight 6202-1 may include identical elements, some of which are indicated in FIGS. 66 through 71, including, for example, a third inclined face 6612-3, a fourth inclined face 6612-4, a third foot 6610-3, a fourth foot 6610-4, a second outer surface 6604-1, and a second channel 6606-2. Although not all elements of the first weight 6202-1 are described herein, it is understood that the first weight 6202-1 has identical elements as described above in connection with the second weight 6202-2 and applies to the first weight 6202-1, mutatis mutandis.

In the example of FIGS. 66 through 71, the elements of the weights 6602 and the attachment voids 6614 are described, with the attachment voids 6614 including the ridge protrusions 6616 and the weights 6602 including mating channels 6606 defined in the weights 6602. However, in one example, the features of the weights 6602 and the attachment voids 6614 may include any number of coupling features, faces, and facets with negative and spaces and protruding features located on the weights 6602, the attachment voids 6614, and combinations thereof.

In the examples described herein, the weights 900, 1300, 1500, 1700, 1900, 2100, 2500, 2900, 3300, 3700, 4100, 4500, 4900, 5300, 5700, 6200, 6602 may be installed as a part of a manufacturing process. In this example, the weights 900, 1300, 1500, 1700, 1900, 2100, 2500, 2900, 3300, 3700, 4100, 4500, 4900, 5300, 5700, 6200, 6602 may be included as an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) device for a paddle, such as, for example, paddle 100 or other paddles described herein. Furter, in this example, the manufacturer may be able to tune the MoI, twist weight, overall weight of the paddle 100 and/or other aspects of a paddle 100 based on the placement of the weights 900, 1300, 1500, 1700, 1900, 2100, 2500, 2900, 3300, 3700, 4100, 4500, 4900, 5300, 5700, 6200, 6602 along the edges of the paddle 100.

In one example, the weights 900, 1300, 1500, 1700, 1900, 2100, 2500, 2900, 3300, 3700, 4100, 4500, 4900, 5300, 5700, 6200, 6602 may be sold as an accompaniment, an accessory, as a kit, or otherwise sold separately from the paddle 100 or other paddles described herein. In this example, a user of the paddle 100 may be able to select a position along the edges of the paddle 100 where to place the weights 900, 1300, 1500, 1700, 1900, 2100, 2500, 2900, 3300, 3700, 4100, 4500, 4900, 5300, 5700, 6200, 6602. Further, in this example, the user may be able to tune the MoI, twist weight, overall weight of the paddle, and/or other aspects of a paddle 100, 1100 based on the preferences of the user and how the user may desire such a tuning.

In one example, the weights 900, 1300, 1500, 1700, 1900, 2100, 2500, 2900, 3300, 3700, 4100, 4500, 4900, 5300, 5700, 6200, 6602 may be sold as a kit in which one or more of the weights are included in the kit along with any additional elements such as different lengths of the weights 900, 1300, 1500, 1700, 1900, 2100, 2500, 2900, 3300, 3700, 4100, 4500, 4900, 5300, 5700, 6200, 6602; weights 900, 1300, 1500, 1700, 1900, 2100, 2500, 2900, 3300, 3700, 4100, 4500, 4900, 5300, 5700, 6200, 6602 having different materials, masses, densities, lengths, etc. These additional elements may include any elements associated with the weights 900, 1300, 1500, 1700, 1900, 2100, 2500, 2900, 3300, 3700, 4100, 4500, 4900, 5300, 5700, 6200, 6602; weights 900, 1300, 1500, 1700, 1900, 2100, 2500, 2900, 3300, 3700, 4100, 4500, 4900, 5300, 5700, 6200, 6602 described herein. Further, the weights 900, 1300, 1500, 1700, 1900, 2100, 2500, 2900, 3300, 3700, 4100, 4500, 4900, 5300, 5700, 6200 may include a number of different overlays 2102, 2502, 2902, 3302, 3702, 4102, 4502, 4902, 5302, 5702-1, 5702-2, 6202 made of different materials, masses, densities, lengths, etc. Still further, the weights 900, 1300, 1500, 1700, 1900, 2100, 2500, 2900, 3300, 3700, 4100, 4500, 4900, 5300, 5700, 6200 may include a number of different underlays 2104, 2504, 2904, 3304, 3706, 4116, 4914, 5314, made of different materials, masses, densities, lengths, etc. Even still further, the weights 900, 1300, 1500, 1700, 1900, 2100, 2500, 2900, 3300, 3700, 4100, 4500, 4900, 5300, 5700, 6200 may include a number of adhesives 2924, 3324 3704 and/or films 4128, 4924, 5320 made of different materials, masses, densities, CoFs, chemical compositions, lengths, etc. The weights 900, 1300, 1500, 1700, 1900, 2100, 2500, 2900, 3300, 3700, 4100, 4500, 4900, 5300, 5700, 6200 may include other elements described herein, and combinations thereof.

In one example, the weights 900, 1300, 1500, 1700, 1900, 2100, 2500, 2900, 3300, 3700, 4100, 4500, 4900, 5300, 5700, 6200 may be incorporated into the edge guard 110 or the edge guard 110 may be formed to include additional material or mass at positions along the sides of the paddle 100 or other paddles as described herein. In this example, the edge guard 110 may be monolithically formed and coupled to the edge of the core assembly 700. In one example, the sweet spot of a paddle 100 or other paddles described herein may be identified through empirical testing, and the location of the additional mass within the edge guard 110 may be formed in the edge guard 110 based on that empirical testing to effectively increase the sweet spot.

In the examples described herein, the weights 900, 1300, 1500, 1700, 1900, 2100, 2500, 2900, 3300, 3700, 4100, 4500, 4900, 5300, 5700, 6200 may be coupled to the paddle 100 or other paddles described herein using magnets such as rare earth magnets, neodymium magnets, or other magnetic materials. In one example, the weights 900, 1300, 1500, 1700, 1900, 2100, 2500, 2900, 3300, 3700, 4100, 4500, 4900, 5300, 5700, 6200 may include magnets such as rare earth magnets, neodymium magnets, or other magnetic materials. In this example, the magnetic weights 900, 1300, 1500, 1700, 1900, 2100, 2500, 2900, 3300, 3700, 4100, 4500, 4900, 5300, 5700, 6200 may be coupled to the paddle 100 via a magnet that is coupled to or embedded within the paddle 100.

In one example, a first magnet may be coupled to the edge guard 110 or embedded between the edge guard 110 and the core assembly 700. The weights 900, 1300, 1500, 1700, 1900, 2100, 2500, 2900, 3300, 3700, 4100, 4500, 4900, 5300, 5700, 6200 may be either made of a ferromagnetic material (or other material attracted within magnetic fields) or may include a second magnet that attracts to the first magnet. In this manner, the weights 900, 1300, 1500, 1700, 1900, 2100, 2500, 2900, 3300, 3700, 4100, 4500, 4900, 5300, 5700, 6200 may secured to the paddle 100 via the magnetic forces applied between the elements of the paddle 100 and the weights 900, 1300, 1500, 1700, 1900, 2100, 2500, 2900, 3300, 3700, 4100, 4500, 4900, 5300, 5700, 6200. In one example, a ferrous metallic strip may be incorporated into the edge of the paddle 100, such as, for example, between the edge guard 110 and the core assembly 700. In this example, rare earth magnets, neodymium magnets, or other magnetic materials may be used within and/or as adjustable weights along the edge of the paddle 100.

In one example, the weights 900, 1300, 1500, 1700, 1900, 2100, 2500, 2900, 3300, 3700, 4100, 4500, 4900, 5300, 5700, 6200 may be applied by a technician or similar specialist for a particular player based on empirical and/or objective testing of the particular player's swing and other play characteristics. In this manner, a bespoke weighting system may be created for the particular player to match that particular player's form and playing style. In one example, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and similar tools may be utilized to provide empirical and/or objective analysis of the player's form, technique, swing, etc., to determine the most effective and bespoke weighting system for that particular player.

In one example, the weights 900, 1300, 1500, 1700, 1900, 2100, 2500, 2900, 3300, 3700, 4100, 4500, 4900, 5300, 5700, 6200 may be coupled to a paddle 100 that does not include an edge guard. In this example, the weights 900, 1300, 1500, 1700, 1900, 2100, 2500, 2900, 3300, 3700, 4100, 4500, 4900, 5300, 5700, 6200 may be dimensioned and configured to the grip or engage with the edges of the face of the paddle 100 in a manner as similarly described above for paddles 100 that include an edge guard. In one example, the hooked flanges of the examples described herein may be used to impinge onto the surface of the edgeless paddle 100.

In one example, the weights 900, 1300, 1500, 1700, 1900, 2100, 2500, 2900, 3300, 3700, 4100, 4500, 4900, 5300, 5700, 6200 may be coupled to an edge guard 110 before the edge guard 110 is coupled to the core assembly 700 of the paddle 100. In this example, the fit between the weights 900, 1300, 1500, 1700, 1900, 2100, 2500, 2900, 3300, 3700, 4100, 4500, 4900, 5300, 5700, 6200, and the edge guard 110 may be tight enough that the edge weight may not be forced around the edges of the edge guard 100. Further, in one example, the weights 900, 1300, 1500, 1700, 1900, 2100, 2500, 2900, 3300, 3700, 4100, 4500, 4900, 5300, 5700, 6200 may not be flexible enough to allow for the weights 900, 1300, 1500, 1700, 1900, 2100, 2500, 2900, 3300, 3700, 4100, 4500, 4900, 5300, 5700, 6200 to be forced around the edge guard 110. In these examples, during manufacturing of the paddle 100, the weights 900, 1300, 1500, 1700, 1900, 2100, 2500, 2900, 3300, 3700, 4100, 4500, 4900, 5300, 5700, 6200 may be strung onto the edge guard 110 by feeding an end of the edge guard 110 into the concave portion of the weights 900, 1300, 1500, 1700, 1900, 2100, 2500, 2900, 3300, 3700, 4100, 4500, 4900, 5300, 5700, 6200, and then coupling the edge guard 110 incorporating the weights 900, 1300, 1500, 1700, 1900, 2100, 2500, 2900, 3300, 3700, 4100, 4500, 4900, 5300, 5700, 6200 to the core assembly 700 of the paddle 100.

Further, in one example, the weights 900, 1300, 1500, 1700, 1900, 2100, 2500, 2900, 3300, 3700, 4100, 4500, 4900, 5300, 5700, 6200 may include a channel defined in an exterior or interior portion of the bridge portions to allow for the weights 900, 1300, 1500, 1700, 1900, 2100, 2500, 2900, 3300, 3700, 4100, 4500, 4900, 5300, 5700, 6200 to flex as described herein. This will facilitate in relatively easier coupling of the weights 900, 1300, 1500, 1700, 1900, 2100, 2500, 2900, 3300, 3700, 4100, 4500, 4900, 5300, 5700, 6200 to the edge of the paddle 100, including a paddle 100 with an edge guard 110.

CONCLUSION

The examples described herein provide systems and methods for tuning a moment of inertia (MoI), twist weight, overall weight, and other aspects of a pickleball paddle via weight systems for the pickleball paddles. Perimeter weighting is a translatable phenomenon used to improve the performance of a pickleball paddle beyond the base construction of the paddle. Paddles with perimeter weights, such as the edge weighting systems described herein, optimized for MoI, twist weight, overall weight, etc., will improve a player's ability to return drive shots and dink shots that are off-center impacts over the net. Off-center impacts with a change in paddle face angle (launch angle) and lower ball speed will be improved with the present concentrated mass edge weights.

The preceding description has been presented to illustrate and describe examples of the principles described. This description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit these principles to any precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching.