Neck cover for a sports paddle and method of manufacture

Abstract

A sports paddle for use in striking an object during play comprises a head, a handle, a neck and a neck cover. The head is configured to contact the object during play. The handle is coupled to the head. The neck that extends substantially between the head and the handle. Additionally, the neck cover is selectively positionable substantially about the neck to provide a smooth transition between the head and the handle. The neck cover includes an engineered surface formed from at least one of rubber, polymer, foam, composites and plastic. Additionally, the neck cover can include an ergonomically formed outer surface that can be selectively gripped by the hand of the user. For example, the outer surface can be shaped to fit into a crease between a palm and forefingers of the hand of the user.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sports paddle for use in striking an object during play, the sports paddle being configured to be held by a hand of a user during play, the sports paddle comprising:
 a head that is configured to contact the object during play;   a handle that is coupled to the head;   a neck that extends substantially between the head and the handle; and   a neck cover that is selectively positionable substantially about the neck to provide a smooth transition between the head and the handle.   
     
     
         2 . The sports paddle of  claim 1  wherein the neck cover includes an engineered surface formed from at least one of rubber, polymer, foam, composites and plastic. 
     
     
         3 . The sports paddle of  claim 1  wherein the neck cover includes an ergonomically formed outer surface that can be selectively gripped by the hand of the user. 
     
     
         4 . The sports paddle of  claim 3  wherein the outer surface is shaped to fit into a crease between a palm and forefingers of the hand of the user. 
     
     
         5 . The sports paddle of  claim 1  wherein the neck cover includes an outer surface and an opposed, inner surface, and wherein a portion of the inner surface is spaced apart from the neck when the neck cover is positioned substantially about the neck. 
     
     
         6 . The sports paddle of  claim 1  wherein the neck cover is secured about the neck utilizing at least one of chemical bond, adhesive, friction and trapped geometry. 
     
     
         7 . The sports paddle of  claim 1  wherein the neck includes a mechanical locking feature that is molded into the neck, and wherein the neck cover includes an inner surface that selectively engages the mechanical locking feature to inhibit motion of the neck cover relative to the neck. 
     
     
         8 . The sports paddle of  claim 1  further comprising grip tape that is wrapped around the handle, and wherein the neck cover is positioned to cover at least a portion of the grip tape. 
     
     
         9 . A neck cover of a sports paddle, the sports paddle being configured to be held by a hand of a user during play, the sports paddle including a head that is configured for striking an object during play, a handle that is coupled to the head, and a neck that extends substantially between the head and the handle, the neck cover being selectively positionable about the neck, the neck cover comprising:
 an inner surface that selectively engages the neck; and   an opposed, outer surface that is ergonomically shaped to be selectively gripped by the hand of the user.   
     
     
         10 . The neck cover of  claim 9  wherein the neck cover includes an engineered surface formed from one or more of rubber, polymer, foam, composites and plastic. 
     
     
         11 . The neck cover of  claim 9  wherein the outer surface of the neck cover is somewhat heart-shaped. 
     
     
         12 . The neck cover of  claim 9  wherein the outer surface is shaped to fit into a crease between a palm and forefingers of the hand of the user. 
     
     
         13 . The neck cover of  claim 9  wherein a portion of the inner surface is spaced apart from the neck when the neck cover is positioned substantially about the neck. 
     
     
         14 . The neck cover of  claim 9  wherein the neck cover is secured about the neck utilizing one or more of chemical bond, adhesive, friction and trapped geometry. 
     
     
         15 . A sports paddle comprising (i) a head that is configured for striking an object during play, (ii) a handle, (iii) a neck that extends between and couples the head and the handle, and (iv) the neck cover of  claim 9  that is selectively positioned about the neck. 
     
     
         16 . The sports paddle of  claim 15  wherein the neck includes a mechanical locking feature that is molded into the neck, and wherein the inner surface of the neck cover selectively engages the mechanical locking feature to inhibit motion of the neck cover relative to the neck. 
     
     
         17 . A method for manufacturing a sports paddle for use in striking an object during play, the method comprising:
 providing a head that is configured to contact the object during play;   coupling a handle to the head with a neck that extends substantially between the head and the handle; and   selectively positioning a neck cover substantially about the neck to provide a smooth transition between the head and the handle.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein selectively positioning includes the neck cover having an engineered surface formed from one or more of rubber, polymer, foam, composites and plastic. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising securing the neck cover about the neck utilizing one or more of chemical bond, adhesive, friction and trapped geometry. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17  wherein coupling the handle includes molding a mechanical locking feature into the neck, and wherein selectively positioning includes selectively engaging an inner surface of the neck cover with the mechanical locking feature to inhibit motion of the neck cover relative to the neck.