Used Pickleball Paddle Evaluation

Abstract

Apparatuses and methods for evaluating pickleball paddles, such as, for example, used pickleball paddles, are described. An example pickleball paddle comprises a striking blade, a handle connected to the striking blade, and an electronic component including a memory storing one or more parameters associated with how the pickleball paddle is used after the pickleball paddle is manufactured. Another example pickleball paddle comprises an electronic component including a memory storing one or more parameters associated with how the pickleball paddle is used after the pickleball paddle is manufactured and where the electronic component is connected to an electronic display. An example evaluation process for testing a pickleball paddle is also described.

1 . A pickleball paddle, comprising
 a striking blade;   a handle connected to the striking blade; and   an electronic component including a memory storing one or more parameters associated with how the pickleball paddle is used after the pickleball paddle is manufactured.   
     
     
         2 . The pickleball paddle of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more parameters are based on a number of times the pickleball paddle strikes an object. 
     
     
         3 . The pickleball paddle of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more parameters are based on a type of movement by the pickleball paddle. 
     
     
         4 . The pickleball paddle of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more parameters are based on an intensity of a movement by the pickleball paddle. 
     
     
         5 . The pickleball paddle of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic component is connected to or comprises one or more sensors, and wherein the one or more sensors comprise at least one of: a movement sensor, a temperature sensor, a movement intensity sensor. 
     
     
         6 . The pickleball paddle of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic component comprises an electronic counter. 
     
     
         7 . The pickleball paddle of  claim 6 , wherein the electronic counter is configured with a parameter based on a number of movements of the pickleball paddle. 
     
     
         8 . The pickleball paddle of  claim 7 , wherein the electronic counter is configured with a parameter based on an intensity of movements of the pickleball paddle. 
     
     
         9 . The pickleball paddle of  claim 7 , wherein the electronic component comprises a timer, wherein the timer enables determination of a parameter related to an age of the pickleball paddle. 
     
     
         10 . The pickleball paddle of  claim 7 , wherein the one or more parameters are stored in the memory and configured to be retrieved by an external device using a wireless technology or a wireline technology. 
     
     
         11 . The pickleball paddle of  claim 7 , wherein the one or more parameters enable determining at least one second parameter related to how the pickleball paddle was used and/or to a quality of the pickleball paddle. 
     
     
         12 . A pickleball paddle, comprising
 a striking blade;   a handle connected to the striking blade; and   an electronic component including a memory storing one or more parameters associated with how the pickleball paddle is used after the pickleball paddle is manufactured, wherein the electronic component is connected to an electronic display.   
     
     
         13 . The pickleball paddle of  claim 12 , wherein the electronic display is an LED. 
     
     
         14 . The pickleball paddle of  claim 13 , wherein the LED displays a color indicating how the pickleball paddle is used. 
     
     
         15 . The pickleball paddle of  claim 12 , wherein the electronic display is a display bar, the display bar indicating how the pickleball paddle is used. 
     
     
         16 . A test process for testing a pickleball paddle, comprising
 receiving one or more model parameters of a pickleball paddle;   determining a plurality of first deflection parameters of the pickleball paddle based on the one or more model parameters, the plurality of first deflection parameters being associated with the pickleball paddle when the pickleball paddle was in a substantially new condition;   measuring a plurality of second deflection parameters on a first plurality of locations of a first side of the pickleball paddle;   measuring a plurality of third deflection parameters on a second plurality of locations of a second side of the pickleball paddle;   determining one or more fourth parameters indicating a quality of the pickleball paddle based on comparing the plurality of first deflection parameters with a function of:
 the plurality of second deflection parameters; and 
 the plurality of third deflection parameters; and 
   sending the determined one or more fourth parameters to a display.   
     
     
         17 . The test process of  claim 16 , wherein the quality of the pickleball paddle is indicated as one of a plurality of predetermined values. 
     
     
         18 . The test process of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of first deflection parameters are measured on the pickleball paddle when the paddle was new. 
     
     
         19 . The test process of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of first deflection parameters comprises:
 a plurality of fourth deflection parameters of the first plurality of locations of the first side of the pickleball paddle; and   a plurality of fifth deflection parameters of the second plurality of locations of the second side of the pickleball paddle.   
     
     
         20 . The test process of  claim 19 , wherein the determining one or more fourth parameters indicating a quality of the pickleball paddle is based on comparing:
 the plurality of fourth deflection parameters with the plurality of second deflection parameters; and   the plurality of fifth deflection parameters with the plurality of third deflection parameters.