Heated handle for sporting equipment

Abstract

A heated sports handle for paddles or racquets for use in cold environments. The handle includes a thermoelectric wrap and a power module. The power module can regulate its output to provide sufficient energy to warm the hand of a user of the paddle. The handle includes a housing to provide structural integrity and a filler material to provide shock absorption for the power module during play. A temperature setting of the handle may be adjustable. The power module may be rechargeable, including optionally by wireless means. The handle is configured for communication with a smartphone or similar device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sports apparatus comprising:
 a handle portion, comprising:
 a housing; 
 a thermoelectric fabric wrapped at least partially around the housing; 
 a chamber within the housing; and 
 a power module configured to fit within the chamber and in electrical communication with the thermoelectric fabric; 
   a frame portion connected to the handle portion; and   a face portion connected to the frame portion.   
     
     
         2 . The sports apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein handle portion comprises a filler material between the housing and the chamber. 
     
     
         3 . The sports apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the filler material is made of polyurethane foam. 
     
     
         4 . The sports apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the power module includes a battery. 
     
     
         5 . The sports apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein battery is rechargeable. 
     
     
         6 . The sports apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the power module includes electrical contacts for recharging the power module. The sports apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the power module is wirelessly rechargeable. 
     
     
         8 . The sports apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the thermoelectric fabric is a conductive metal yarn. 
     
     
         9 . The sports apparatus of  claim 1 , the handle portion further comprising an adjustable temperature setting. 
     
     
         10 . The sports apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the power module is remotely controllable using a smartphone. 
     
     
         11 . A sports apparatus comprising:
 a handle portion configured to be mated to a frame portion of a paddle, the handle portion comprising:
 a housing; 
 a thermoelectric fabric wrapped at least partially around the housing; 
 a chamber within the housing; and 
 a power module configured to fit within the chamber and in electrical communication with the thermoelectric fabric. 
   
     
     
         12 . The sports apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein handle portion comprises a filler material between the housing and the chamber. 
     
     
         13 . The sports apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the filler material is made of polyurethane foam. 
     
     
         14 . The sports apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the power module includes a battery. 
     
     
         15 . The sports apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein battery is rechargeable. 
     
     
         16 . The sports apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the battery is wirelessly rechargeable. 
     
     
         17 . The sports apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the power module includes electrical contacts for recharging the power module. 
     
     
         18 . The sports apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the thermoelectric fabric is a conductive metal yarn. 
     
     
         19 . The sports apparatus of  claim 11 , the handle portion further comprising an adjustable temperature setting. 
     
     
         20 . The sports apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the power module is remotely controllable using a smartphone.