Method of Assembling a Grip of a Sports Paddle

Description

BACKGROUND

Paddle sports and games such as pickleball and table tennis utilize a sports paddle in order to play. Manufacturing and assembling a sports paddle can take various steps and operations to complete. A sports paddle often has many separate pieces that need to be assembled together utilizing various techniques and apparatuses. These apparatuses often require additional means to assemble, such as adhesives, fasteners, bonding agents, and welding. When a manufacturer requires additional apparatuses and materials to assemble a sports paddle, there is an increased cost and time required to manufacture a sports paddle.

Currently, there is a need to reduce the steps and processes required to manufacture sports paddles. A reduction of steps and processes will reduce need for specialized equipment in order to manufacture a sports paddle. Additionally, it would reduce the time and cost necessary to manufacture a sports paddle.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, there is disclosed herein a method of manufacturing a sports paddle wherein the handle of the sports paddle is assembled to a pallet cap so that the pallet cap is securely attached to the handle.

There is further disclosed a method of manufacturing a sports paddle wherein the handle of the sports paddle is assembled to at least two pallets and a cap so that the at least two pallets and cap are securely attached to the handle. The use of at least two pallets allows for the customization of the grip of the sports paddle during the assembly process.

The method of manufacturing a sports paddle allows for a faster manufacturing process that does not require adhesives or heat to bond or to mould parts of the pallet to the sports paddle. The sports paddle can be manufactured using mechanical forces to join the handle to the pallet cap. In some embodiments, the sports paddle can be manufactured without the use of additional tools. In some embodiments, the sports paddle can be manufactured using apparatuses and tools that are simple to operate when compared to current apparatuses and tools. In some embodiments, the paddle can be manufactured using mechanical forces to join the handle to at least two pallets and a cap.

Each of the foregoing implementations can be employed individually or in conjunction, and may include one or more of the following features in any suitable combination. Further embodiments, forms, features, and aspects of the present application shall become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a sports paddle.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a paddle cap.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a pallet cap with a grip coupling means.

FIG. 4 illustrates another perspective view of an embodiment of a pallet cap with a grip coupling means.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of an edge guard.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a pallet cap and sports paddle during assembly.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a pallet cap attached to a sports paddle after assembly.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a sports paddle with a handle coupling means.

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a sports paddle with a handle coupling means and a pallet cap with a handle coupling means during assembly.

FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a sports paddle with a handle coupling means and a pallet cap with a handle coupling means after assembly.

FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of two pallets forming a pallet grip.

FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment assembling a cap to a pallet grip.

FIG. 13 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a sports paddle assembled with a pallet grip, cap, and edge guard.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Note that the specific embodiments given in the drawings and following description do not limit the disclosure. On the contrary, they provide the foundation for one of ordinary skill to discern the alternative forms, equivalents, and modifications that are contemplated by the inventors and encompassed in the claim scope.

Furthermore, it is important to note that, as used herein, “a” and “an” each generally denotes “at least one,” but does not exclude a plurality unless the contextual use dictates otherwise. When used herein to join a list of items, “or” denotes “at least one of the items,” but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list. Finally, when used herein to join a list of items, “and” denotes “all of the items of the list.”

Numerous alternative forms, equivalents, and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art once the above disclosure is fully appreciated. It is intended that the claims be interpreted to embrace all such alternative forms, equivalents, and modifications where applicable.

The term “attached”, “inserting”, “joined”, “assembled” and variations thereof, as used herein, means the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be achieved with the two members coupled directly to each other, with the two members coupled to each other using a separate intervening member and any additional intermediate members coupled with one another, or with the two members coupled to each other using an intervening member that is integrally formed as a single body with one of the two members.

In some embodiments, the sports paddle can be a paddle used in pickleball, table tennis, ping pong, or other similar paddle sports. The sports paddle includes a head, a face for striking the ball during play, a throat, and a handle. In some embodiments, the pallet cap can be a structure that provides a grip for the paddle and an end cap. In some embodiments, the pallet cap can be constructed of more than one pallet and a separate cap portion. In some embodiments, the assembly of the pallets, pallet cap, pallet cap assembly, or pallet grip provide a gripping surface to the user.

In some embodiments, the pallet cap can be inserted onto the sports paddle handle. In some embodiments, the sports paddle handle can be inserted into the pallet cap. In some embodiments, the pallet cap and the sports paddle handle can be joined without the use of additional tools or apparatuses. In some embodiments, the pallet cap and the sports paddle handle can be joined using mechanical forces imparted by devices such as, but not limited to, a hydraulic press, a manual press, a pneumatic press, a pneumatic intensified press, an electric press, or a hammer.

In some embodiments, the sports paddle handle can be lubricated before assembly to the pallet cap. In some embodiments, the pallet cap can be lubricated before assembly to the sports paddle handle. In some embodiments, the sports paddle handle can be lubricated before assembly to the pallet grip. In some embodiments, the pallet grip can be lubricated before assembly to the sports paddle handle. In some embodiments, a lubricant can be applied during assembly, such as, but not limited to a dry lubricant, a solvent, or an oil based lubricant.

In some embodiments, the shape of the pallet can be selected based on grip preferences. In some embodiments, more than one shape for the pallets can be used. In some embodiments, the pallets can be customized to form a specialized pallet grip. In some embodiments, three pallets can be used to form a pallet grip. In some embodiments, four pallets can be used to form a pallet grip.

In some embodiments the handle coupling means on the handle of the sports paddle may be a hole for receiving a pin, screw, bolt, rod, fastener, or other coupling mechanism. In some embodiments, the handle coupling means can be a tab, a protrusion, a threaded hole, or a groove. In some embodiments, the grip coupling means can be on the pallet cap or it can be on the pallets. In some embodiments, the grip coupling means can be a tab, a protrusion, a hole, a threaded hole, or a groove. In some embodiments, the grip coupling means may be a hole for receiving a pin, screw, bolt, rod, fastener, or other coupling mechanism.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a sports paddle 100. Sports paddle 100 has a head 101, a face 102, a throat 103, and a handle 104.

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a pallet cap 200. Pallet cap 200 has a distal end 201 for receiving a handle of a sport paddle (not pictured), and a proximal end 202.

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of pallet cap 200 a grip coupling means 300. Said grip coupling means 300 may allow for a pin, screw, bolt, rod, or other coupling mechanism to be received therein. Pallet cap 200 has distal end 201 for receiving a handle of a sport paddle (not pictured), and proximal end 202.

FIG. 4 illustrates another prospective view an embodiment of pallet cap 200 with a grip coupling means 300. Said grip coupling means 300 may allow for a pin, screw, bolt, rod, or other coupling mechanism to be received therein. Pallet cap 200 has a distal end 201 for receiving a handle of a sport paddle (not pictured), and a proximal end 202.

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of an edge guard 500. Edge guard 500 is placed around the head of a sports paddle (not pictured).

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of pallet cap 200 and sports paddle 100 during the manufacturing process. Sports paddle 100 has head 101, face 102, throat 103, and handle 104. Pallet cap 200 has proximal end 201 for receiving a handle 104 of sport paddle 100, and distal end 202. The manufacturing process comprises the step of inserting handle 104 of sports paddle 100 into the distal end 201 of pallet cap 200. In some embodiments, the pallet cap 200 and the handle 104 can be joined without the use of additional tools or apparatuses. In some embodiments, the pallet cap 200 and the handle 104 can be joined using mechanical force imparted by other devices.

FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of pallet cap 200 and sports paddle 100 after the manufacturing process. Sports paddle 100 has head 101, face 102, throat 103, and handle 104. Pallet cap 200 has distal end 202 and proximal end 201 which received handle 104 of sport paddle 100 wherein pallet cap 200 is secured to handle 104.

FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of sports paddle 100. Sports paddle 100 has head 101, face 102, throat 103, handle 104, and a handle coupling means 800.

FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment of the assembly process. Pallet cap 200 has grip coupling means 300 and sports paddle 100 has handle coupling means 800. Sports paddle 100 has head 101, face 102, throat 103, and handle 104. Pallet cap 200 has proximal end 201 for receiving a handle 104 of sport paddle 100, and distal end 202. The manufacturing process comprises the step of inserting handle 104 of sports paddle 100 into the distal end 201 of pallet cap 200. In some embodiments, the pallet cap 200 and the handle 104 can be joined without the use of additional tools or apparatuses. In some embodiments, the pallet cap 200 and the handle 104 can be joined using mechanical force imparted by other devices. During assembly, handle coupling means 800 and grip coupling means 300 align to allow for receiving either a pin, screw, bolt, rod, fastener, or other coupling mechanism (not pictured).

FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment after the assembly process. Pallet cap 200 has grip coupling means 300 and sports paddle 100 has handle coupling means (not pictured). Sports paddle 100 has head 101, face 102, throat 103, and handle 104. Pallet cap 200 has distal end 202 and proximal end 201 which received handle 104 of sport paddle 100 wherein pallet cap 200 is secured to handle 104. After assembly, handle coupling means (not pictured) and grip coupling means 300 are aligned and receive either a pin, screw, bolt, rod, fastener, or other coupling mechanism.

FIG. 11 illustrates an embodiment of a forming a pallet grip using two pallets 1100a, 1100b. Pallets 1100a and 1100b each have at least one grip coupling means 300.

FIG. 12 illustrates an embodiment of a pallet grip 1200 formed from two pallets. Pallet grip 1200 has grip coupling means 300. A cap 1201 is place over the formed pallet grip 1200 during the assembly process.

FIG. 13 illustrates an embodiment of sports paddle 100 after the assembly process. Sports paddle 100 has edge guard 500 around the perimeter of the head 101. Handle 104 was placed in the pallet grip 1200 attached to the cap 1201.

Additionally, it is important to note that each term used herein refers to that which one of ordinary skill would understand such term to mean based on the contextual use of such term herein. To the extent that the meaning of a term used herein, as understood by one of ordinary skill based on the contextual use of such term, differs in any way from any particular dictionary definition of such term, it is intended that the meaning of the term as understood by one of ordinary skill should prevail.