Sports paddle

Abstract

An apparatus and methods are provided for a sports paddle for pickleball, tennis, smashball, ping pong, or racquetball. The sports paddle comprises a planar portion for striking a ball and a handle portion for grasping in a hand. A skin layer encloses the planar portion and the handle portion. Rounded edges are disposed around the planar portion and the handle portion. The planar portion may comprise an internal string core coupled with structured foam layers and surrounded by carbon fiber layers. The planar portion may comprise a core material surrounded by a rigid portion. The rigid portion may comprise 20-24 lb. foam while the core material is a honeycomb structured material. A synthetic or polymeric grip is wrapped around the handle portion to provide stability and firmness for a player. A binding secures the grip to a neck of the planar portion.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sports paddle, comprising:
 a planar portion having opposing flat surfaces for striking a ball;   a core material having rounded edges;   a handle portion for grasping in a hand; and   a skin layer surrounding at least a majority of the planar portion.   
     
     
         2 . The sports paddle of  claim 1 , wherein the planar portion includes a shaped core material and a rigid portion. 
     
     
         3 . The sports paddle of  claim 2 , wherein the shaped core material comprises a window-like structure that provides a planar portion that exhibits a relatively greater degree of rigidity. 
     
     
         4 . The sports paddle of  claim 1 , wherein one or more weights are incorporated into the planar portion to increase the weight of the paddle. 
     
     
         5 . The sports paddle of  claim 4 , wherein any one or more of the one or more weights comprises a stabilizer that provides desired performance results. 
     
     
         6 . The sports paddle of  claim 5 , wherein any one or more of the multiple weights and the stabilizers comprise slugs of gel rubber for weighing the paddle and/or creating a dampening of vibration. 
     
     
         7 . The sports paddle of  claim 5 , wherein any one or more of the multiple weights and the stabilizers comprises a first weight and a second weight that are embedded on opposite sides of the core. 
     
     
         8 . The sports paddle of  claim 1 , wherein the planar portion comprises multiple stringers that are embedded in the core material. 
     
     
         9 . The sports paddle of  claim 8 , wherein the multiple stringers comprise strips of wood or plastic that are glued into the core material. 
     
     
         10 . The sports paddle of  claim 8 , wherein the multiple stringers comprise rubber, a foam, or another suitable material that provides a flexible planar portion. 
     
     
         11 . The sports paddle of  claim 8 , wherein one or more of the multiple stringers comprises a curved stringer that is embedded into the planar portion. 
     
     
         12 . The sports paddle of  claim 1 , wherein the planar portion comprises a rigid portion that includes a core material having one or more channels that are arranged in a pattern that desirably enhances the performance of the paddle. 
     
     
         13 . The sports paddle of  claim 12 , wherein any one or more of the one or more channels extends all the way through the core material. 
     
     
         14 . The sports paddle of  claim 12 , wherein any one or more of the one or more channels comprises a first channel and a second channel that are disposed on opposite sides of the planar portion, leaving a relatively thin portion of the core material disposed between the first channel and the second channel. 
     
     
         15 . The sports paddle of  claim 1 , wherein the planar portion includes an internal string core surrounded by structured foam layers. 
     
     
         16 . The sports paddle of  claim 15 , wherein the string core is strung on a rigid portion comprising carbon fiber, aluminum, or another similar material capable of supporting the string core. 
     
     
         17 . The sports paddle of  claim 15 , wherein a rigid layer is disposed outside each structured foam layer. 
     
     
         18 . The sports paddle of  claim 1 , wherein the planar portion includes a core material surrounded by an external string core that is strung around the exterior of a rigid portion. 
     
     
         19 . The sports paddle of  claim 18 , wherein the rigid portion comprises carbon fiber, aluminum, or another similar material. 
     
     
         20 . The sports paddle of  claim 18 , wherein the external string core and the rigid portion surround an interior volume that houses the core material.