Pickleball Paddle Striking Blade and Handle Forms

This applications claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/632,504 filed Apr. 10, 2024, the entire disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference.

This disclosure related generally to pickleball, and more particularly to pickleball paddles.

Pickleball is rapidly growing popular among players of many age groups and skill levels. Players at different skill levels may prefer different levels of physical exertion and/or physical coordination in their games. Some recreational players may even prefer their games to involve reduced amount of running on the court to hit the ball.

In the game of pickleball, the paddle, the ball, and the type of pickleball court may affect the pace of the game, and the how players continue playing depending on their physical abilities and skill levels. Pickleball paddles and balls are strictly regulated by the U.S. Pickleball Association for tournament play, and most paddles used in intermediate or recreational play are also constructed to adhere to the U.S. Pickleball Association's specifications.

Given that some segments of pickleball players desire pickleball paddles that are more customized to their particular capabilities, strengths and/or preferences, pickleball paddles that, while complying with the U.S. Pickleball Association paddle specifications, are designed according to various player capabilities, strengths, and/or preferences are desired.

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosure. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the disclosure, including structures, systems, and methods, may be practiced without these specific details. The description and representation herein are the common means used by those experienced or skilled in the art to most effectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuitry have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the disclosure.

References in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an example embodiment,” etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

This disclosure relates to “Pickleball,” a game that has in recent years seen a massive increase in popularity among all age groups of players, including among senior citizens. Pickleball is a game that can be described as combining aspects of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. It is played on a badminton-sized court, with paddles and a ball similar to a wiffle ball, but slightly smaller in size. The net used in pickleball is similar to a tennis net in some ways, but is lowered at the center.

Pickleball has recently become very popular and is played both indoors and outdoors, as either doubles or singles. The rules are relatively simple and the game is easy for beginners to learn. However, among skilled players, pickleball can develop into a quick, fast-paced, and competitive game.

shows an example pickleball courtthat includes a pickleball playing surfaceand a pickleball net. The playing surfacecomprises two left serve areasand, two right serve areasand, and two non-volley areasand, with one of the left serve areas, one of the right serve areas, and one of the non-volley areas being on each side of the pickleball net. The net is 36 inches tall at the edges, and lowered to 34 inches in the middle. The areas-are defined by baselinesandeach 20 feet, sidelinesandeach 44 feet, center linesandeach 15 feet, and non-volley linesandeach the same size as a baseline. Each of the lines may be 2 inches wide. The term “court line” is used in this disclosure to refer to any sideline, baseline, centerline or non-volley line on the pickleball court. Non-volley areasand, each extending 7 feet from the net, are also referred to as the “kitchen”.

The game of pickleball is played with a pickleball paddleand pickleball ball. The ballis typically made of plastic and has a 3-inch diameter. Similar to a wiffleball, the ballhas through holes throughout the surface. Different types (e.g., with different levels of hardness and different sizes of the through holes) may be used for playing the game on the various types of pickleball courts (e.g., indoor, outdoor, hard surface, soft surface etc.).

Pickleball can be played as singles or doubles, and is most commonly played as doubles. Each point begins with an underarm serve. The serve is performed diagonally beginning at the right-hand service square. A valid serve sends the ball from one left serve area to the other left serve area or from one right serve area to the other right serve area. The serve must clear the non-volley-zone. The serve must bounce before being hit by the receiver. The return of serve must also bounce before being hit (this is known as the 2 bounce rule). After the serve and the return of the serve, the ball can land anywhere on the opposite side of the playing surface. Volleys can only be performed outside of the non-volley zone. Volleys, that is, hitting the ball in the air without first letting it bounce, can only be made after the 2 bounce rule has been followed. However, if the ball is hit from within the kitchen, then it cannot land in the kitchen on the other side of the net.

A fault is any action that stops play due to a rule violation. A fault by the receiving team results in the servers earning a point. A fault by the serving team results in the server's loss of service and/or side out. A fault is committed when the serve touches any part of the non-volley zone (including the line) or the ball is hit out of bounds.

Pickleball games are typically played without a referee and are self-judged. Each player makes the line calls as to whether the ball is in or out when the ball contacts the playing surface on that player's side. The game continues to at least 11 points and requires a 2-point difference for a win.shows another view of a pickleball court.

As noted above, pickleball is played by people of all ages and all skill levels. It is important that pickleball organizations provide as many options as possible to facilitate enjoyable play among, especially, groups of recreational players who may need (or prefer) pickleball paddles with larger surface to assist with improving their ability to return the ball and with arrangements of the striking surface and/or handle of the paddles to provide a more comfortable grip and/or ability to make contact with the ball.

A conventional pickleball paddle is shown in. In some example embodiments, as shown for example in, a pickleball paddlemay comprise a striking bladeand a handleconnected to the striking blade. A gripmay wrap around a portion of the handleand may comprise of a material that is more comfortable and/or provides better control of the paddle. The gripis the portion of the handle that is intended to be held by the player during play (e.g., to strike and return a ball during play). The striking bladecomprises a striking surfaceand a frame (also referred to as an edge)surrounding the striking surface. The striking surfacemay also be referred to as a face of the striking bladeand is intended to be the portion of the striking bladewith which to strike the pickleball. During a pickleball game, based on the ball position and/or player position on the pickleball court, the player may use either the front face and the back face of the striking surface (e.g., corresponding to the front and back of the pickleball paddle, respectively) for any shot. The striking surfacemay comprise one or more materials such as hardened rubber, plastic, and/or rubber/plastic compound that is conducive to striking/returning the pickleball. The striking surfacemay be configured with a particular hardness (e.g., using the same or different material or material combination as in the rest of the striking surface) in an area referred to as “sweet spot” intended to provide the primary area of contact with the pickleball. The framemay be constructed with a wood, plastic and/or hard rubber or compound thereof to encompass and provide support to the striking surface. The framemay be integrated with or connected to the handleat a connection area (also referred to as a connection part or connection point). The connection areamay include the area immediately adjacent to the dotted line indicated across the handle in the figure. The handlemay be the lower portion of a part/member (e.g., constructed of the same or different material(s) as the handle) that extends to the top of the striking blade (e.g., to the frameat the top of the striking blade) or part way through the middle/core of the striking blade, and may be integrated/connected with the framein the connecting area (connecting part).

In a conventional pickleball paddle such as that shown in, the entire paddle has the same center axis. That is, the center axisof the striking bladeand the center axisof the handleare parallel and are aligned with each other. Some pickleball paddles may include a butt capaffixed to the bottom of the handle.

shows two examples of commonly available pickleball paddles. The example pickleball paddle on the left side has a more elongated striking blade than the example paddle on the right side, providing a larger striking surface. Each of the example pickleball paddles in, similar to that in, has an edge that is of a concave shape on either side (left and right) of the handle and then curves upward before extending up in a straight line. In each example paddle shown inthe center axes (not shown in) of the striking blade and the handle are the same.

shows example pickleball paddle specifications and standards according to USA Pickleball-the United States Pickleball Association. The USA Pickleball specifications require that the combined length and width of a pickleball paddle cannot exceed 24 inches. The illustrated example paddle specification shows a paddle shape that can provide for a total length (handle and striking blade) of 15.5″-17″ inches and a width of 7″-8.25″. The paddle length cannot exceed 17 inches (43.18 cm). Not mandated by USA Pickleball, but illustrated infor an example pickleball paddle, are a thickness of 0.5″-0.625″ of the striking blade, a thickness of 1.25″ at the bottom of the handle, and a length of 4″-5.5″ of the handle.

shows an example pickleball paddleof similar shape to those ofwith an example sweet spot indicated thereon in an oval shape at the center of the striking surface. As noted above, the sweet spotmay be constructed with the particular material and/or hardness to facilitate an optimal level of striking a pickleball. The particular material and/or hardness of the sweet spotmay be the same or different from that of the outer areasin various embodiments.

show examples of pickleball paddles having extended bottom/lower edges according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In each ofA-D the dashed lines show the location of the bottom (or lower) edges of the striking blade in example conventional pickleball paddles such as those shown in, the portions extending below the dashed lines are extended areas of the striking surface in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

The example embodiments illustrated inprovide extended surface areas on one or both sides (left and/or right) of the handle, such that the center axis of the striking blade and the center axis of the handle are the same (i.e., are parallel and are aligned to each other). In example embodiments, the extended areas may form a unitary area with the rest of the striking surface and may be made of the same material as other parts of the striking face. The extended surface areas may be referred to herein as “wings”.

illustrates a pickleball paddlein which the center axis of the striking bladeis the same as the center axis of the handle, according to an embodiment. The striking bladeincludes the bottom/lower edge of the striking surfacebeing horizontal at a right angle (e.g., perpendicular) to the center axis of the striking blade at a connection area between the striking bladeand the handle. The extension in this manner increases the area of the striking surface of the striking blade and thereby may improve the likelihood of the player being able to hit the pickleball on an attempt. The extension of the striking surface provided in the embodiment eliminates or reduces the opening (i.e., area without a striking surface) that exists between the top of the handle (e.g., area between the connecting area between the striking blade and the handle and the grip on the handle) and the concave shaped areas of the edge of the striking blade to the left and right of the handle in conventional pickleball paddle shapes (e.g.,) by replacing at least a portion of the opening with the extended striking surface area on both left and right sides of the handle.

In respective embodiments, the lowest portion of the edge of the extended striking surface may be located at various distances from the connection area.

In some embodiments, only one of the sides (i.e., either left side or the right side of the handle) is extended. A player may select a paddle having one particular side extended with the horizontal, right-angled, lower edge of the striking surface in accordance with the preferred area or positioning of extra or extended striking surface area desired by the player.

illustrates a pickleball paddlein which the center axis of the striking bladeis the same as the center axis of the handle, according to another embodiment. The striking bladeincludes the bottom/lower edge of the striking surfacesloping down from the center axis of the striking blade to the left and to the right so that the lower edges of the striking blade are at a level below the connection area of between the handle and the striking blade.

The extension in this manner increases the area of the striking surface of the striking blade and thereby may improve the likelihood of the player being able to hit the pickleball on an attempt. The extension of the striking surface provided in the embodiment eliminates or reduces the opening (i.e., area without a striking surface) that occurs between the top of the handle(e.g., area between the connecting area between the striking blade and the handle and the grip on the handle) and the concave shaped areas of the edge of the striking bladeto the left and right of the handle, by replacing at least a portion of the opening with the extended striking surface area on both left and right sides of the handle. Additionally, the extension in, since it extends further downward sloping to the left and right from the level of the connecting area includes more added-on striking surface than the extension shown in.

In respective embodiments, the lowest portion of the edge of the extended striking surface may be located at various distances from the connection area.

In some embodiments, only one of the sides (i.e., either left side or the right side of the handle) is extended. A player may select a paddle having one particular side extended with the horizontal, right-angled, lower edge of the striking surface in accordance with the preferred area or positioning of extra or extended striking surface area desired by the player.

illustrates a pickleball paddlein which the center axis of the striking bladeis the same as the center axis of the handle, according to another embodiment. The striking bladeincludes the bottom/lower edge of the striking surfacesloping down from the center axis of the striking blade to the left and to the right so that the lower edges of the striking blade are at a level below the connection area between the handle and the striking blade.

The extension in this manner increases the area of the striking surface of the striking blade and thereby may improve the likelihood of the player being able to hit the pickleball on an attempt. The extension of the striking surface provided in the embodiment eliminates or reduces the opening (i.e., area without a striking surface) that occurs between the top of the handle(e.g., area between the connecting area between the striking blade and the handle and the grip on the handle) and the concave shaped areas of the edge of the striking bladeto the left and right of the handle, by replacing the opening with the extended striking surface area on both left and right sides of the handle. Additionally, the extension in, since it extends further downward sloping to the left and right from the level of the connecting area includes more added-on striking surface than the extension shown in.

In respective embodiments, the lowest portion of the edge of the extended striking surface may be located at various distances from the connection area.

In some embodiments, only one of the sides (i.e., either left side or the right side of the handle) is extended. A player may select a paddle having one particular side extended with the horizontal, right-angled, lower edge of the striking surface in accordance with the preferred area or positioning of extra or extended striking surface area desired by the player.

illustrates a pickleball paddlein which the center axis of the striking bladeis the same as the center axis of the handle, according to another embodiment. The striking bladeincludes the bottom/lower edge of the striking surfacesloping down from the center axis of the striking blade as two curved wings to the left and to the right so that the lower edges of the striking blade are at a level below the connection area of between the handle and the striking blade.

The extension in this manner increases the area of the striking surface of the striking blade and thereby may improve the likelihood of the player being able to hit the pickleball on an attempt. The extension of the striking surface provided in the embodiment eliminates or reduces the opening (i.e., area without a striking surface) that occurs between the top of the handle(e.g., area between the connecting area between the striking blade and the handle and the grip on the handle) and the concave shaped areas of the edge of the striking bladeto the left and right of the handle, and replaces the eliminated or reduced opening with the extended striking surface area on both left and right sides of the handle. Additionally, the extension in, since it extends further downward sloping to the left and right from the level of the connecting area includes more added-on striking surface than the extension shown in.

In various embodiments, the lowest portion of the edge of the extended striking surface may be located at various distances from the connection area.

In some embodiments, only one of the sides (i.e., either left side or the right side of the handle) is extended. A player may select a paddle having one particular side extended with the horizontal, right-angled, lower edge of the striking surface in accordance with the preferred area or positioning of extra or extended striking surface area desired by the player.

In example embodiments. the extended surface areas shown in any ofmay be at the same or different heights on the left and right sides. In some embodiments, the extensions are symmetric with respect to the center axis of the striking blade, and in some embodiments, the extensions are asymmetric.

show examples of pickleball paddles having angled handles in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

illustrates a pickleball paddlehaving a striking bladeand an angled handle. As can be seen in, the center axis of the angled handleis different from the center axis of the striking blade. The angled handleenables a player to hold the pickleball paddlein a comfortable manner in order to position the striking surface in a particular manner preferred by that player. For example, the striking bladecan be positioned so that the long direction of the striking blade is positioned horizontally at a low height from the court surface to return certain incoming balls without unduly stretching the arms of the player.

illustrates a pickleball paddlehaving a striking bladeand an angled handle. As can be seen in, the center axis of the angled handleis different from the center axis of the striking blade. The angled handleenables a player to hold the pickleball paddlein a comfortable manner in order to position the striking surface in a particular manner preferred by that player. For example, the striking bladecan be positioned so that the long direction of the striking blade is positioned horizontally at a low height from the court surface to return certain incoming balls without unduly stretching the arms of the player.

illustrates a pickleball paddlehaving a striking bladeand an angled handle. Whereas the embodiments described in relation tohave the angled in a fixed angle, the embodiment shown inenables the handle's angle to be adjusted. For example, in some embodiments, an adjusting mechanismis provided that enables the handleto be moved to one of a predetermined number of positions corresponding to respectively different angles (i.e., respectively different angles between the center axis of the striking bladeand the center axis of the handle). The adjusting mechanismmay be located at the connection area (e.g., seein) between the striking blade and the handle.

In some embodiments, the adjusting mechanismenables the handle to be adjusted to be at any angle, within a continuous range of angle values, with respect to the center axis of the striking blade. In some embodiments, the adjustment mechanismmay have a predetermined number of choices for the handle's angles. A handle position in which the handle's center axis is aligned with that of the striking blade may be one of the adjustable options. The adjustment mechanismmay include a locking mechanism to temporarily lock the handle after it has been adjusted.

show examples of pickleball paddles having angled handles and extended bottom edges in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

The pickleball paddleshown inmay be formed as a combination of the extended striking blade ofand the angled handle of. For example, striking bladeincludes the bottom/lower edge of the striking surfacebeing horizontal at right angle (e.g., perpendicular) to the center axis of the striking blade at a connection area between the striking bladeand the angled handle. As described in relation to, the extension in this manner increases the area of the striking surface of the striking blade and thereby may improve the likelihood of the player being able to hit the pickleball on an attempt. The extension of the striking surface provided in the embodiment eliminates or reduces the opening (i.e., area without a striking surface) that occurs between the top of the handle(e.g., area between the connecting area between the striking blade and the handle and the grip on the handle) and the concave shaped areas of the edge of the striking bladeto the left and right of the handle, and replaces the eliminated or reduced opening with the extended striking surface area on both left and right sides of the handle.

As can be seen in, in pickleball paddle, the center axis of the angled handleis different from the center axis of the striking blade. The angled handleenables a player to hold the pickleball paddlein a comfortable manner in order to position the striking surface in a particular manner preferred by that player. For example, the striking bladecan be positioned so that the long direction of the striking blade is positioned horizontally at a low height from the court surface to return certain incoming balls without causing the player to unduly stretch arms to make contact with a ball.

In respective embodiments, the lowest portion of the edge of the extended striking surface may be located at various distances from the connection area.

In some embodiments, only one of the sides (i.e., either left side or the right side of the handle) is extended. A player may select a paddle having one particular side extended with the horizontal, right-angled, lower edge of the striking surface in accordance with the preferred area or positioning of extra or extended striking surface area desired by the player.

The pickleball paddleshown inmay be formed as a combination of the extended striking blade ofand the angled handle of. For example, striking bladeincludes the bottom/lower edge of the striking surfacesloping down from the center axis of the striking blade to the left and to the right so that the lower edges of the striking blade are at a level below the connection area of between the handle and the striking blade.

As described in relation to, the extension in this manner increases the area of the striking surface of the striking blade and thereby may improve the likelihood of the player being able to hit the pickleball on an attempt. The extension of the striking surface provided in the embodiment eliminates or reduces the opening (i.e., area without a striking surface) that occurs between the top of the handleand the concave shaped areas of the edge of the striking bladeto the left and right of the handle, and replaces the eliminated or reduced opening with the extended striking surface area on both left and right sides of the handle. Additionally, the extension in, since it extends further downward sloping to the left and right from the level of the connecting area includes more added-on striking surface than the extension shown in.