Improved Shuttlecock

Abstract

An improved shuttlecock for playing a game involving hitting the shuttlecock back-and-forth between players includes a base having a number of stems, each stem extending outwardly from a central axis of the improved shuttlecock by a non-zero angle (e.g., from 2 to 30 degrees). Each stem has a receptor. The base has a cylindrical surface at an end distal from the plurality of stems and an indentation between the cylindrical surface and the plurality of stems. A nose has a striking end and a lip that is distal from the striking end. The nose is connected to the base over the cylindrical surface such that the lip rests in the indentation of the base. Several feathers are included (equal number as the number of stems), each has a quill end. The quill end of each feather is inserted into and affixed within a corresponding one of the receptors.

1 . A shuttlecock, comprising:
 a base having a plurality of stems, each stem having a receptor, the base having a cylindrical surface at an end distal from the plurality of stems and an indentation between the cylindrical surface and the plurality of stems;   a nose having a striking end, the nose having a lip that is distal from the striking end, the nose connected to the base over the cylindrical surface such that the lip rests in the indentation of the base; and   a plurality of feathers, each feather of the plurality of feathers has a quill end and the quill end of each feather of the plurality of feathers is inserted into and affixed within a corresponding one of the receptors.   
     
     
         2 . The shuttlecock of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of feathers is arranged and configured to impart a spin in the shuttlecock about a central axis of the shuttlecock during flight through air. 
     
     
         3 . The shuttlecock of  claim 1 , wherein each stem has an outward angle from a central axis of the base such that each of feathers extend outwardly in a direction away from the central axis by the outward angle. 
     
     
         4 . The shuttlecock of  claim 3 , wherein the outward angle from the central axis is between 2 and 35 degrees. 
     
     
         5 . The shuttlecock of  claim 3 , wherein each outward angle from the central axis is 10.37 degrees. 
     
     
         6 . The shuttlecock of  claim 2 , wherein the spin in the shuttlecock about the central axis of the shuttlecock during a flight through a gas creates centrifugal forces acting on each feather of the plurality of feathers causing the each feathers to bend outwardly resulting in an increased air resistance. 
     
     
         7 . The shuttlecock of  claim 1 , wherein each feather has a length between 10 and 18 cm. 
     
     
         8 . The shuttlecock of  claim 1 , wherein:
 each feather has a shaft, an inner vane attached to the shaft, and an outer vane attached to the shaft, the inner vane and the outer vane each having a convex curvature; and   each feather is arranged such that the convex curvature of the inner vane and of the outer vane are facing inwardly.   
     
     
         9 . The shuttlecock of  claim 8 , wherein each feather is arranged such that the outer vane is disposed on an inward side of the inner vane of an immediately adjacent feather in an overlapping arrangement and such that a leading edge of the outer vane is facing in a direction outwardly. 
     
     
         10 . A shuttlecock, comprising:
 a base having six stems, each stem having a receptor, the base having a cylindrical surface at an end distal from the six stems and an indentation between the cylindrical surface and the six stems;   a nose having a striking end, the nose having a lip that is distal from the striking end, the nose connected to the base over the cylindrical surface such that the lip rests in the indentation of the base; and   six feathers, each having a quill end, the quill end of each feather is inserted into and affixed within a corresponding one of the receptors.   
     
     
         11 . The shuttlecock of  claim 10 , wherein the six feathers is arranged and configured to impart a spin in the shuttlecock about a central axis of the shuttlecock during flight through air. 
     
     
         12 . The shuttlecock of  claim 10 , wherein each stem has an outward angle from a central axis of the base such that each of feathers extend outwardly in a direction away from the central axis of the base by the outward angle. 
     
     
         13 . The shuttlecock of  claim 12 , wherein the outward angle from the central axis of the base is between 2 and 35 degrees. 
     
     
         14 . The shuttlecock of  claim 12 , wherein each outward angle from the central axis of the base is 10.4 degrees. 
     
     
         15 . The shuttlecock of  claim 11 , wherein the spin in the shuttlecock about the central axis of the base of the shuttlecock during flight through air creates centrifugal forces acting on the six feathers causing each of the six feathers to bend outwardly resulting in an increase of air resistance. 
     
     
         16 . The shuttlecock of  claim 10 , wherein each feather has a length between 10 and 18 cm. 
     
     
         17 . The shuttlecock of  claim 10 , wherein:
 each feather has a shaft, an inner vane attached to the shaft, and an outer vane attached to the shaft, the inner vane and outer vane each having a convex curvature; and   each feather is arranged such that the convex curvature of the inner vane and of the outer vane are facing inwardly;   wherein each feather is arranged such that the outer vane is disposed on an inward side of the inner vane of an immediately adjacent feather in an overlapping arrangement and such that a leading edge of the outer vane is facing in a direction outwardly.   
     
     
         18 . A shuttlecock, the shuttlecock comprising:
 a base having six stems, each stem having a receptor, each stem has an outward angle that is greater than zero degrees from a central axis of the base such that each of feathers extend outwardly in a direction away from the central axis by the outward angle, the base having a cylindrical surface at an end distal from the six stems and an indentation between the cylindrical surface and the six stems;   a nose having a striking end, the nose having a lip that is distal from the striking end, the nose connected to the base over the cylindrical surface such that the lip rests in the indentation of the base; and   six feathers, each having a quill end, the quill end of each feather is inserted into and affixed within a corresponding one of the receptors.   
     
     
         19 . The shuttlecock of  claim 18 , wherein the outward angle from the central axis is between 2 and 35 degrees. 
     
     
         20 . The shuttlecock of  claim 18 , wherein the outward angle from the central axis is 10.4 degrees.