Adjustable sports paddle

• US 9,814,955 B2
• Filed: 05/18/2015
• Issued: 11/14/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mark Bonfigli
• Original Assignee: Mark Bonfigli
• Inventors: Bonfigli, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim, Gene
• Assistant Examiner(s): VANDERVEEN, JEFFREY S
• Application Number:
  US14/715,276
• Publication Number:
  US 20160339312A1
• Time in Patent Office: 911 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0694 Visual indication, e.g. Indicia
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/08 Paddle tennis, padel tennis or platform tennis
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/56 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/62 Inflatable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 49/035 with easily dismountable parts, e.g. heads, shafts or grips
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 59/42 with solid surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 59/48 with perforated surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/06 Handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/16 Caps; Ferrules
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/28 with adjustable length
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/42 Devices for measuring, verifying, correcting or customising the inherent characteristics of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like, e.g. measuring the maximum torque a batting shaft can withstand
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/46 Measurement devices associated with golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like for measuring physical parameters relating to sporting activity, e.g. baseball bats with impact indicators or bracelets for measuring the golf swing
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/50 with through-holes A63B60/18 takes precedence; for stringing purposes A63B49/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user

Abstract

An adjustable sports paddle including a handle that extends to a neck portion and a substantially ovular frame. The frame supports first and second striking surfaces, which are sandwiched about an inflatable bladder. A conduit extends from the bladder to the handle through the neck, and the handle further includes a pressurizing mechanism for increasing an air pressure in the bladder via the conduit. In a preferred embodiment, the paddle can also include an adjustable handle having multiple lengths.

Claims

1. An adjustable sports paddle, comprising:

a handle;

a neck portion;

a substantially ovular frame;

first and second striking surfaces mounted in the substantially ovular frame;

a bladder disposed between the first and second striking surfaces;

a conduit extending from the bladder to the handle through the neck;

a pressurizing mechanism in the handle for increasing an air pressure in the bladder via the conduit;

a depressurizing mechanism in the handle for decreasing the air pressure in the bladder via the conduit; and

further comprising radial support members extending from the bladder to the ovular frame.

2. The adjustable sports paddle of claim 1, wherein the pressurizing mechanism is a manually operated pump disposed on a first surface of the handle.

3. The adjustable sports paddle of claim 2, wherein the depressurizing mechanism is a relief valve disposed on a second surface of the handle.

4. The adjustable sports paddle of claim 1, further comprising a visual indicator for evaluating a pressure in the bladder.

5. The adjustable sports paddle of claim 4, wherein the visual indicator is located in the handle.

6. The adjustable sports paddle of claim 5, wherein the visual indicator displays a maximum and current air pressure in the bladder.

7. The adjustable sports paddle of claim 1, wherein the conduit is flexible and protected by a rigid tubular column extending through the neck portion.

8. The adjustable sports paddle of claim 1, wherein the first striking surface include holes that align with holes in the second striking surface to permit air to pass through the adjustable sports paddle.

9. The adjustable sports paddle of claim 1, wherein the ovular frame is wishbone shaped.

10. The adjustable sports paddle of claim 1, wherein the pressurizing mechanism is disposed on an opposite side of the handle from the depressurizing mechanism, the adjustable sports paddle being otherwise symmetric with respect to the first and second striking surfaces.

11. The adjustable sports paddle of claim 1, wherein the handle of the paddle is comprised of interlocking members that can be removed to shorten the length of the handle.

12. The adjustable sports paddle of claim 11, wherein the interlocking members include an end cap that compresses the interlocking members using a fastener passing through the interlocking members.

13. The adjustable sports paddle of claim 12, where the fastener mates with a portion of the handle adjacent the interlocking members.

14. The adjustable sports paddle of claim 11, wherein the interlocking members are made of more than one material.