ES2908925T3 - Racket for ball game, and corresponding procedure - Google Patents

Abstract

Racket (1) for ball game, in particular, for paddle tennis or beach tennis, the racket comprising a head (2) and a handle (3), the handle (3) being mounted on the extension of the racket head (2 ) and comprising a handle (4), in which the head (2) has two opposite and substantially parallel hitting surfaces (12, 14) and an edge (18) connecting the two surfaces (12, 14) peripherally. hitting, in which the head (2) is formed by a deformable core material (20) covered by at least one layer (22) of rigid coating, the racket being characterized in that the handle (3) is also formed by a deformable core material (24) covered by at least one layer (26) of rigid coating, because the materials of the deformable core (20, 24) are selected from: foam, cork, elastomer, latex, and because: - either the material of the deformable core (20) of the head (2) is surrounded by the side of the two surfaces (12, 14) of i impact and on the edge (18), by a coating layer (22) of composite material, and the material of the deformable core (24) of the handle (3) is surrounded by a coating layer (26) of composite material - or either the rigid coating layer (26) of the handle (3) is formed from thermoplastic or thermosetting coating sheets, and the rigid coating layer (22) of the head (2) comprises two thermoplastic or thermosetting coating sheets, covering , each one, one face of the core (20) in order to form the two striking surfaces (12, 14) and covering a part of the edge of the core (20), with: * one of the cladding sheets (22) covers the edge of the core (20), while the other covering sheet (22) overlaps the first sheet at the level of said edge of the core so that the edge (18) of the racket is formed by the overlapping of the two lining sheets (22), or * each lining sheet (22) cu partially covers the edge of the core (20), the two cladding sheets overlapping only on a portion of the core edge, or * each cladding sheet (22) partially covering the edge of the core, without overlapping an insert covering the core. edge of the racket overlapping each of the covering sheets, or * the two sheets being joined together edge to edge by their edges or by their internal faces arranged opposite the core (20).

Description

DESCRIPTION

Racket for ball game, and corresponding procedure

Technical sector

The present invention relates to a racket for a ball game, and more particularly to a paddle tennis racket or a beach tennis racket.

State of the art

Padel rackets or beach tennis rackets are generally designed as tennis rackets. In this way, a hollow frame of composite material is formed, with a head to delimit, peripherally, the hitting area of the racket. In a second step, a piece of foam, possibly with holes for the passage of air, is placed on the head of the racket, and several layers surround the piece of foam and the frame of the head, in order to maintain the assembly.

However, such rackets are still time consuming and expensive to manufacture. In addition, the hitting surface of the racket is not the same as the surface of the racket head, due to the different mechanical behavior that the user feels when he hits a ball in the vicinity of the frame.

Document FR 2908051 describes a paddle tennis racket comprising a head and a handle. The racket head comprises a frame with two hitting surfaces that define an internal chamber, and layers of foam material, laminated inside the internal chamber and that have specific densities that limit vibrations. However, such a racket cannot be easily made, in particular the frame with its internal chamber, and the subsequent lamination of the foamed layers inside said internal chamber. In addition, the connection with the handle of the racket, and more specifically with the core, is not detailed, although it is an important area in terms of mechanical limitations. Finally, the periphery of the racket, in the form of a heel, also leads to a reduced hitting area compared to the surface of the racket head.

Padel rackets according to the prior art are described in particular in documents FR 2908051, AR 245 985, WO 2009/125329 and US 4,379,554.

FR 2908 051 discloses a shock absorbing racket having a head and a handle. The head has a frame and a set of shock absorbing layers. The frame has an internal chamber. The set of shock absorbing layers is mounted in the inner chamber and has a plurality of first shock absorbing layers and at least one second shock absorbing layer that is made of a foamed and laminated material in the inner chamber of the frame . Two of the first shock-absorbing layers rest on the respective striking surface plates. The density of the first shock absorbing layers is greater than the density of the second shock absorbing layer(s). The first and second shock absorbing layers absorb the impact from the shock of the paddle ball when a paddle player strikes the paddle ball with the hitting surface plate.

Object of the invention

The purpose of the present invention is to solve the different technical problems mentioned above. In particular, the present invention aims to provide a racket, in particular a paddle or beach tennis racket, which can be manufactured in a simple way and has improved comfort compared to current rackets, in particular, in terms of vibrations and size of the ball. the hitting zone.

In this way, according to one aspect, a racket for a ball game is proposed, in particular for paddle tennis or beach tennis, which comprises the characteristics of claim 1. The racket for a ball game comprises a head and a handle, in which that the head is formed by a deformable core material covered by at least one layer of rigid coating. The handle is also made of a deformable core material covered by at least one layer of rigid coating.

The term "deformable material" means a material that exhibits an elastic deformation after which it recovers its initial shape, without residual deformation.

Therefore, the racket according to the invention is devoid of a hollow peripheral frame, unlike current rackets. In fact, thanks to the layer of rigid coating that covers the entire racket, it is possible to obtain mechanical resistance properties comparable to those of current rackets, without the need for a tubular frame. In this way, it is possible to manufacture a racket more quickly and cheaply, while maintaining the mechanical properties of current rackets. Also, you get a lighter racket. In addition, thanks to its homogeneous structure in which the entire racket has a structure in two parts (core of deformable material covered by a rigid coating), a racket is obtained that presents homogeneous mechanical properties, and better absorption of vibrations. In addition, the manufacture of the racket is facilitated since the head and the handle can be manufactured simultaneously.

Preferably, the material of the deformable core of the head is identical to that of the handle, possibly with different thicknesses. In this case, the homogeneity of the core materials makes it possible to increase the absorption of vibrations and obtain a homogeneous behavior of the racket.

Preferably, the material of the coating layer of the head is identical to that of the handle. Again in this case, the homogeneity of the materials allows to obtain a homogeneous behavior of the racket. Preferably, the deformable core material of the head and the deformable core material of the handle form a single piece material. The deformable core material can thus be manufactured, in a single step, into the shape of the final racket, which simplifies manufacture and reduces costs.

Preferably, the lining layer of the head and the lining layer of the handle form a single lining layer, possibly formed by assembling, for example by cross-linking, several plies of different shapes. The skin layer material can also be manufactured in a single step, which simplifies manufacturing and reduces costs.

Preferably, the handle comprises a handle and a connecting part arranged between the handle and the racket head, and the connecting part is solid or has a central through opening to allow the passage of air. The presence of a through opening reduces the friction of the racket during use, while a solid connection part allows for simplified and faster manufacturing.

The racket can also comprise means for reversible fixing of the handle to the connection part or of the connection part to the head. Thanks to its simplified structure, it is possible to provide several removable grips that can be attached to the rest of the racket, depending on the size of the user's hand.

Preferably, the material of the deformable core is chosen from: foam, cork, elastomer, latex. The deformable core material is chosen for its elastic properties.

Preferably, the material of the rigid facing layer is chosen from: a composite material, such as glass fibers impregnated in a polymeric matrix, a thermoplastic or thermosetting material, such as polycarbonate or polyethylene. Polycarbonate makes it possible to obtain a particularly resistant and solid coating. Polycarbonate can be applied in the form of a thermoformed sheet, possibly pre-decorated. It is then possible to apply, on the core material, the coating with an integrated decoration, so that the manufacture of the racket no longer requires subsequent stages of decoration and varnishing.

According to another aspect, a method of manufacturing a racket for ball game, particularly paddle tennis or beach tennis, is proposed, comprising a head and a handle, the method comprising the characteristics according to claim 9. According to the method, it is formed , a part of deformable core material that has the shape of the racket, for example by molding or by cutting and/or machining on a plate, and said part is covered with at least one layer of rigid coating.

In this way, the procedure is particularly simple and fast, and it is easy to make adaptations to obtain the desired mechanical properties for the racket.

Description of the figures

The invention and its advantages will be better understood after reading the detailed description of a particular embodiment, taken by way of non-limiting example and illustrated by the attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1 represents a paddle tennis racket;

figure 2 represents a longitudinal section of the racket of figure 1; Y

Figures 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D represent different embodiments of the edge of a racket according to the invention. Detailed description of the invention

Figure 1 schematically illustrates a paddle tennis racket 1 according to the invention.

Typically, the racket 1 comprises a racket head 2 forming a hitting surface and a handle 3.

The handle 3 is mounted on the extension of the racket head 2 and comprises: a handle 4 and two connection arms 6, 8 that delimit a hollow space 10 that allows the passage of air.

The racket head 2 has two opposing and substantially parallel hitting surfaces 12, 14, possibly with air passage holes 16, and an edge 18 peripherally connecting the two hitting surfaces 12, 14.

According to a variant not shown, the handle 4 can be connected to the head 2 of the racket by a solid connection area.

According to the invention, the racket head 2 is formed by a core, made of deformable core material, surrounded by a lining layer, made of rigid material. Likewise, the handle 3 is formed by a core, of deformable core material, surrounded by a coating layer, of rigid material.

Figure 2 represents, in longitudinal section, the racket 1 according to Figure 1, according to plane II-II.

As can be seen, the racket head 2 comprises a core 20 surrounded by a coating layer 22 on the side of the two hitting surfaces 12, 14 and on the edge 18.

Likewise, the handle 3 comprises a core 24 surrounded by a coating layer 26 .

The core 20 of the racket head and the core 24 of the handle 3 can be made of different materials. Likewise, the covering layer 22 of the racket head 2 and the covering layer 26 of the handle 3 can be made of different materials. Furthermore, the different parts of the racket 1 can be made during the same manufacturing steps, or they can be made independently before being assembled together.

In the embodiment described below, it is considered that the core 20 of the racket head and the core 24 of the handle 3 are made of the same material, in a single piece. In this way, we speak of the core 20, 24 of the racket 1, to designate both the core 20 of the head 2 and the core 24 of the handle 3.

Likewise, the lining layer 22 of the racket head 2 and the lining layer 26 of the shaft 3 are made of the same material, during the same manufacturing step. In this way, we speak of the coating layer 22, 26 of the racket 1, to designate both the coating layer 22 of the head 2 and the coating layer 26 of the handle 3.

The core 20, 24 of the racket is thus formed of a deformable material capable of absorbing impacts, for example, of foamed material, such as polyethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) or polyether urethane (PU), cork, rubber or latex. Advantageously, the core of the racket is formed in a single piece, in the shape of the racket 1, by moulding, cutting or machining the material that forms the core. In this way, a block of deformable material is obtained that has the geometry of the racket, that is, a head, a connecting part and a handle, with the exception of the holes 16.

The covering layer 22, 26 of the racket 1 is made of a composite material, for example glass and/or carbon fibers previously impregnated with a thermosetting resin such as an epoxy resin. In particular, it is possible to use a composite material comprising glass fibers previously impregnated with a carbon fiber-free thermosetting resin.

The racket skin layer 22, 26 is formed by applying strips of composite material, disposed on the exposed surface of the previously formed core 20, 24. The assembly is then placed in a mould, particularly hot, to crosslink the strips of composite material and thus obtain the final racket before decoration.

In this way, a simplified, cheap and fast manufacturing process is obtained, which allows a racket with improved vibration absorption properties and an enlarged hitting surface to be obtained.

According to a second embodiment, the lining layer 22, 26 of the racket 1 may be formed from lining sheets, for example thermoplastic or thermosetting sheets such as thermoformed polycarbonate sheets. Polycarbonate sheets in particular have high strength properties, which makes the racket more robust, and can be pre-decorated before being applied to the core, which makes it easier to decorate the racket. The lining sheets can be placed on the racket core by applying a pressure difference (vacuum or overpressure application) which allows the shape and contours of the racket core to be perfectly adapted.

In this embodiment, each of the two faces of the core 20 is covered by a cladding sheet 22, in order to form the two striking surfaces 12, 14. Each skin sheet 22 covers one face of the core 20 and a portion of the edge of the core 20.

In order to obtain continuity between the covering sheet 22 of the front face 12 and that 22 of the rear face 14 of the racket head 2, the edges 18 of the racket 1 can be made in different ways.

Thus, in FIG. 3A, one of the cladding sheets 22 covers the edge of the core 20, while the other cladding sheet 22 covers (overlaps) the first sheet at the level of said edge of the core. The rim 18 of the racket is then formed by overlapping the two skin sheets 22, giving it additional rigidity and strength.

In Fig. 3B, each skin sheet 22 partially covers the edge of core 20, and the two skin sheets overlap only at a portion of the edge of core 20, for example, at the middle of the edge of core 20. In FIG. In this embodiment, only the edge portion with the two overlapping cladding sheets 22 has improved rigidity and strength.

In Figure 3C, each lining sheet 22 partially covers the edge of the core, without overlapping, and an insert 28, for example, of the same material as that of the lining sheets 22, covers the edge of the racket overlapping each other. of the cladding sheets 22. A reinforced and rigid racket edge 18 is then also obtained.

Finally, in Figure 3D, the two cladding sheets 22 are arranged edge to edge, that is, they are joined together edge to edge by their edges (or edges) or by their internal faces facing the core 20. The edge joint The edge of the two covering sheets 22 can be made at the level of the intermediate part of the edge of the core 20, in which case each covering sheet 22 covers substantially half of the edge of the core. Preferably, an insert 30, eg, of the same material as that of the facing sheets 22, covers the edge-to-edge juncture of the two facing sheets 22 . A reinforced and rigid racket edge 18 is then also obtained.

As shown in Figure 3D, the edge-to-edge junction of the two cladding sheets 22 can form, in particular, a weatherstrip, for example when the cladding sheets 22 are joined together by their internal faces facing the core 20. The insert 30 may then have a section, for example an inverted U, to cover the edge-to-edge joint in the form of a weatherstrip.

In this way, the rackets according to the two embodiments described above, allow to be manufactured easily and quickly, while having equivalent mechanical properties and robustness, even better than current rackets. In particular, due to their structure, the rackets described above are lighter, better absorb vibrations and have enlarged hitting surfaces compared to rackets of the prior art.

Claims (9)

1. Racket (1) for ball game, in particular, for paddle tennis or beach tennis, the racket comprising a head (2) and a handle (3), the handle (3) being mounted on the extension of the racket head (2) and comprising a handle (4), in which the head (2) has two opposite and substantially parallel striking surfaces (12, 14) and an edge (18) that peripherally connects the two surfaces (12, 14) for hitting, in which the head (2) is formed by a deformable core material (20) covered by at least one layer (22) of rigid coating, the racket being characterized in that the handle (3) is also formed by a deformable core material (24) covered by at least one layer (26) of rigid coating, because the materials of the deformable core (20, 24) are selected from: foam, cork, elastomer, latex, and because: - either the material of the deformable core (20) of the head (2) is surrounded on the side of the two impact surfaces (12, 14) and on the edge (18), by a coating layer (22) of composite material , and the material of the deformable core (24) of the handle (3) is surrounded by a coating layer (26) of composite material - either the rigid coating layer (26) of the handle (3) is formed from thermoplastic or thermosetting coating sheets, and the rigid coating layer (22) of the head (2) comprises two thermoplastic or thermosetting coating sheets , each covering one face of the core (20) in order to form the two striking surfaces (12, 14) and covering a part of the edge of the core (20), with: * one of the cladding sheets (22) covers the edge of the core (20), while the other cladding sheet (22) overlaps the first sheet at the level of said edge of the core so that the edge (18) of the racket is formed by the overlapping of the two covering sheets (22), or * each cladding sheet (22) partially covers the edge of the core (20), the two cladding sheets overlapping only on an edge portion of the core, or * each lining sheet (22) partially covering the edge of the core, without overlapping an insert covering the edge of the racket overlapping each of the lining sheets, or * the two sheets being joined together edge to edge by their edges or by their internal faces arranged opposite the core (20). Racquet (1) according to claim 1, in which the material of the deformable core (20) of the head (2) is identical to that (24) of the handle (3), possibly with different thicknesses. Racquet (1) according to claim 1 or 2, in which the material of the covering layer (22) of the head (2) is identical to that (26) of the shaft (3). 4. Racket (1) according to any of claims 1 to 3, in which the material of the deformable core (20) of the head (2) and the material of the deformable core (24) of the handle (3) form a single piece of material. Racquet (1) according to any of claims 1 to 4, in which the coating layer (22) of the head (2) and the coating layer (26) of the handle (3) form a single coating layer. 6. Racket (1) according to any of claims 1 to 5, in which the handle (3) comprises the handle (4) and a connection part (6, 8) arranged between the handle (4) and the head ( 2) racket, and in which the connection part is solid or has a central through opening (10) to allow the passage of air. 7. Racket (1) according to any of claims 1 to 3, and claim 6, which also comprises reversible fixing means of the handle (4) to the connection part (6, 8) or of the connection part to the head (2). 8. Racquet (1) according to any of claims 1 to 7, in which the rigid coating layer (22) of the head (2) comprises two coating sheets, and in which the material of the layer (22, 26 ) of rigid coating is selected from: polycarbonate, polyethylene. 9. Method for manufacturing a racket (1) for ball games, particularly paddle tennis or beach tennis, comprising a head (2) and a handle (3), the handle (3) being mounted on the extension of the head (2) and comprising a handle (4), in which the head (2) has two opposing and substantially parallel hitting surfaces (12, 14) and an edge (18) connecting the two surfaces peripherally ( 12, 14) for hitting, in which a part of deformable core material (20, 24) having the shape of the racket is formed, for example, by molding or by cutting and/or machining in a plate, and said part (20, 24) is covered with at least one layer (22, 26) of rigid coating, in which the deformable core material (20, 24) is selected from: a foam, cork, an elastomer, latex and in the fact that: - either the material of the deformable core (20) of the head (2) is surrounded on the side of the two surfaces (12, 14) of impact and on the edge (18), by a coating layer (22) of composite material, and the material of the deformable core (24) of the handle (3) is surrounded by a coating layer (26) of composite material - either the rigid coating layer (26) of the handle (3) is formed from thermoplastic or thermosetting coating sheets, and the rigid coating layer (22) of the head (2) comprises two thermoplastic or thermosetting coating sheets , each covering one face of the core (20) in order to form the two striking surfaces (12, 14) and covering a part of the edge of the core (20), with: * one of the cladding sheets (22) covers the edge of the core (20), while the other cladding sheet (22) overlaps the first sheet at the level of said edge of the core so that the edge (18) of the racket is formed by the overlapping of the two covering sheets (22), or * each cladding sheet (22) partially covers the edge of the core (20), the two cladding sheets overlapping only part of the core edge, or * each lining sheet (22) partially covers the edge of the core, without overlapping, an insert that covers the edge of the racket overlapping each of the lining sheets, or * the two sheets being joined together edge to edge by their edges or by their internal faces arranged opposite the core (20).