Racquet and paddle sports equipment

Abstract

The present disclosure provides for a sports paddle for use in sports such as platform tennis. The sports paddle comprises a handle, a rim, and a blade, the blade defining a plurality of holes extending through the blade. Each of the plurality of holes are preferably elliptical in shape, thereby increasing an edge length of the holes at each face of the paddle, which enables a player to impart an enhanced spin when striking a ball. The blade preferably comprises at least one core layer, a first outer layer, and a second outer layer. The core layer is preferably comprised of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA foam) and the outer layers are preferably comprised of fiber glass. The first and second outer layers further preferably comprise at least one carbon fiber layer sandwiched the fiberglass layers.

1 . A sports implement for use in racquet or paddle sports, the sports implement comprising:
 a handle portion; and   a blade portion connected to the handle portion, the blade portion defining a plurality of interior walls that define a plurality of complementary holes therethrough and comprising:
 at least one core layer; 
 a first outer layer; and 
 a second outer layer; 
   a rim portion surrounding the blade portion;   wherein the first outer layer and the second outer layer each comprise at least one carbon fiber layer fixed between at least one outer fiberglass layer, and at least one inner fiberglass layer; and   wherein the holes extend through the first outer layer, core layer, and second outer layer.   
     
     
         2 . The sports implement of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of interior walls are elliptical and the plurality of holes are elliptical. 
     
     
         3 . The sports implement of  claim 2 , wherein each of the plurality of interior elliptical walls has an elliptical edge circumscribing each member of the plurality of elliptical holes at outermost surfaces of the blade portion. 
     
     
         4 . The sports implement of  claim 3 , wherein each elliptical edge has a circumference greater than approximately 29.84 mm. 
     
     
         5 . The sports implement of  claim 4 , wherein each member of the plurality of elliptical holes define a minor axis of approximately 9.5 mm and a major axis of approximately 23.05, and wherein the elliptical edge circumference is approximately 53.37 mm. 
     
     
         6 . The sports implement of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one core layer is formed of a member of the group consisting of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA foam), polyurethane, polyethylene, polyvinyl, rubber, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The sports implement of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one core layer is formed of EVA foam. 
     
     
         8 . The sports implement of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one inner fiberglass layer and the at least one outer fiberglass layer are both comprised of a fiberglass sheet with a density of 200 g/m 2 . 
     
     
         9 . The sports implement of  claim 1 , wherein the carbon fiber layer comprises a first carbon fiber sheet and a second carbon fiber sheet, where strands of carbon fiber comprising the first carbon fiber sheet are oriented perpendicularly to strands of carbon fiber comprising the second carbon fiber sheet. 
     
     
         10 . The sports implement of  claim 9 , wherein the first carbon fiber sheet and the second carbon fiber sheet both have a density of 180 g/m 2 , a tensile strength of 3000 MPa, a breaking elongation of approximately 1.5%, and a Young's modulus of 230 GPa. 
     
     
         11 . A sports implement for use in racquet or paddle sports, the sports implement comprising:
 a handle portion; and   a blade portion connected to the handle portion, the blade portion defining a plurality of elliptical interior walls that define a plurality of complementary elliptical holes therethrough and comprising:
 at least one core layer; 
 a first outer layer; and 
 a second outer layer; 
   a rim portion surrounding the blade portion;   wherein each of the plurality of interior elliptical walls has an elliptical edge circumscribing each member of the plurality of elliptical holes at outermost surfaces of the blade portion;   wherein the holes extend through the first outer layer, core layer, and second outer layer; and   wherein each elliptical edge has a circumference greater than approximately 29.84 mm.   
     
     
         12 . The sports implement of  claim 11 , wherein the elliptical edge has a circumference between 33.03 mm and 62.44 mm. 
     
     
         13 . The sports implement of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of elliptical holes define a minor axis of approximately 9.5 mm and a major axis of approximately 23.05 mm, and wherein the elliptical edge circumference is approximately 53.37 mm. 
     
     
         14 . The sports implement of  claim 11 , wherein a major axis of each of the plurality of elliptical holes is parallel to a vertical axis of the blade portion. 
     
     
         15 . The sports implement of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one core layer is formed of a member of the group consisting of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA foam), polyurethane, polyethylene, polyvinyl, rubber, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The sports implement of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one core layer is formed of EVA foam. 
     
     
         17 . The sports implement of  claim 14 , wherein the first and second outer layers are formed of a member of the group consisting of fiberglass sheets, carbon fiber, thermoplastic polyurethane (PTU) and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The sports implement of  claim 17 , wherein the first outer layer and second outer layer both comprise at least one carbon fiber layer fixed between at least one outer fiberglass layer, and at least one inner fiberglass layer. 
     
     
         19 . A sports implement comprising:
 a handle portion; and   a blade portion connected to the handle portion, the blade portion comprising:
 an at least one core layer; 
 a first outer layer; and 
 a second outer layer; 
   a rim portion surrounding the blade portion; and
 wherein the first outer layer and second outer layer both comprise at least one carbon fiber layer fixed between at least one outer fiberglass layer, and at least one inner fiberglass layer; 
 wherein the blade portion defines a plurality of interior elliptical walls defining a plurality of elliptical holes that transect the blade portion; 
 wherein each of the plurality of internal elliptical walls have an elliptical edge circumscribing each member of the plurality of elliptical holes at outermost surfaces of the blade portion; and 
 wherein each elliptical edge has a circumference greater than 29.84 mm.