Dual core pickleball paddle

Abstract

Certain embodiments of the present disclosure describe a paddle that may be used for racquet sports. The paddle includes a handle and a blade portion. The blade portion includes a core layer that is formed from at least two different materials. The density, rigidity, and location of the materials used to form the core layer may be altered to provide the paddle with desired playing characteristics.

1 . A paddle comprising:
 a handle;   a blade portion extending from said handle, said blade portion including a planar core forming a blade defining an area having an edge and two faces, wherein said two faces are separated by a thickness;   paddle coverings positioned to cover said two faces of said blade portion;   wherein a planar cross-section of said planar core includes at least two material areas selectively arranged within said planar core, and wherein said two material areas have different densities.   
     
     
         2 . The paddle of  claim 1 , wherein said blade portion is rigid and non-compressible. 
     
     
         3 . The paddle of  claim 1 , wherein the deflection of the blade portion is 0.005 inches or less when said blade portion is subjected to a force of 3 kg. 
     
     
         4 . The paddle of  claim 1 , wherein the paddle has a length and a width, and wherein the combined length and width of the paddle does not exceed 24 inches. 
     
     
         5 . The paddle of  claim 1 , wherein one of said material areas is made from Nomex. 
     
     
         6 . The paddle of  claim 5 , wherein one of said material areas is made from polyethylene. 
     
     
         7 . The paddle of  claim 5 , wherein one of said material areas is made from polypropylene. 
     
     
         8 . The paddle of  claim 1 , wherein said planar core comprises a central portion and an outer portion, and wherein said central portion is made from a material that is more dense than said outer portion. 
     
     
         9 . The paddle of  claim 8 , wherein a portion of said central portion is arranged adjacent the edge of said blade portion and the rest of said central portion is surrounded by said outer portion. 
     
     
         10 . The paddle of  claim 8 , wherein the entirety of said central portion is surrounded by said outer portion. 
     
     
         11 . The paddle of  claim 8 ,
 wherein said central portion is arranged as a stripe positioned in the center of said blade portion and extends along the length from a top edge of said blade portion to said handle; and,   wherein said outer portion is formed of two portions positioned adjacent to and extending parallel along each side of said central portion.   
     
     
         12 . The paddle of  claim 1 , wherein said planar core comprises a central portion and an outer portion, and wherein said central portion is made from a material that is less dense than said outer portion. 
     
     
         13 . The paddle of  claim 1 , wherein said at least two material areas of said planar core have a honeycomb structure. 
     
     
         14 . The paddle of  claim 1 , wherein said planar core includes at least three material areas, and wherein each of said at least three material areas has a different density. 
     
     
         15 . A process of making a paddle for a racket sport comprising:
 forming a paddle shaped planar core from a first material area, wherein said planar core includes an edge, a top face, a bottom face, and defines an open area;   inserting a second material area into said open area, wherein said second material area has a planar area matching the size of said open area, and wherein said first material area has a different density than said second material area;   assembling said second material area with said first material area to form said planar core;   attaching a paddle covering to the top face of said planar core;   attaching a paddle covering to the bottom face of said planar core; and,   wherein said planar core extends from a handle.   
     
     
         16 . The process of making a paddle of  claim 15 , wherein said second material area is more dense than said first material area. 
     
     
         17 . The process of making a paddle of  claim 15 , wherein said second material area is less dense than said first material area. 
     
     
         18 . The process of making a paddle of  claim 15 , wherein the deflection of the assembled paddle is 0.005 inches or less when the paddle is subjected to a force of 3 kg. 
     
     
         19 . The process of making a paddle of  claim 15 , wherein the assembled paddle has a length and a width, and wherein the combined length and width of the paddle does not exceed 24 inches. 
     
     
         20 . The process of making a paddle of  claim 15 , comprising:
 removing a portion of said planar core to form said open area.