Platform tennis paddle

An improved platform tennis paddle is provided that is constructed with two outer laminated ply structures and inner laminated ply structure therebetween. The inner laminated ply structure has a central aperture therethrough which in the preferred embodiment is filled with a resilient plug. The edge of the paddle is protected by a T-shaped molding fitted in to the perimeter of the paddle, and to safeguard against de-lamination the handle is of pegged construction.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
This invention relates to an improved platform tennis paddle, and more 
particularly to a laminated paddle having a resilient central area or 
"sweet spot". The paddle also resists delamination in active use. 
2. Background of the Prior Art 
In the past, many paddles and rackets have been designed for tennis, 
platform tennis, racketball, paddle tennis, badminton and similar sports. 
Various means have been sought to obviate problems with wooden paddles, 
such means include sandwiching the wood laminate between metal layers or 
encasing the body of the paddle in heavy coatings. While these approaches 
have possibly reduced the cracking, warping and chipping of the wood 
surface, they also have detracted from the playing characteristics 
inherent in a substantially all wood construction. 
Rackets have also heretofore been promoted with more resilient structures 
than merely all laminated hardwoods. These have included some of the 
striations being constructed of foamed plastic or rubber, balsa wood 
layers, or cork. However, these structures have lacked durability and 
typically de-laminate in vigorous play. 
Prior to the preparation of this application a patentability search was 
peformed in Class 273, subclasses 67, 73, 76, 77, 411 and 417 and Class 2, 
subclass 26. This search uncovered the followng patents: 
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Patent Inventor Date of Issue 
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4,189,142 deVries February 19, 1980 
3,162,443 Petri December 22, 1964 
4,062,541 Marks December 13, 1977 
2,268,893 Nielsen January 6, 1942 
717,504 Longfellow December 30, 1902 
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An opinion was rendered that none of the patents cited fully anticipated 
the disclosure and, the patents, when taken in various combinations, did 
not render the disclosure obvious or teach toward the structure of the 
present invention. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In summary, according to the present invention, a platform tennis paddle is 
provided that is constructed with two outer laminated ply structures and 
an inner laminated ply structure therebetween. The inner laminated ply 
structure has a central aperture therethrough. The central aperture is, in 
the preferred embodiment, filled with a resilient plug of balsa wood, 
rubber composition, or foamed plastic. The edge of the paddle is protected 
by a T-shaped molding fitted in to the perimeter, and to safeguard against 
delamination the handle is of pegged cosntruction. 
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an 
improved platform tennis paddle of substantially all-wood construction 
having a lively and responsive playing surface. 
A further object of this invention is to provide a paddle that withstands 
vigorous play without de-lamination. 
A yet further object of this invention is to provide a paddle that is shock 
absorbing. 
Other objects and features of the invention will be apparent from reading 
the specification hereof. 
The invention comprises the features of construction, combinations of 
elements, and arrangements of parts which is exemplified in the platform 
tennis paddle construction set forth; however, the technique described is 
applicable to other solid racquet sports, particularly paddle tennis and 
paddle ball. The scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
The paddle device of this invention is shown in FIG. 1 and is referred to 
generally as 10. The paddle device is constructed to include a blade 
portion 12 formed from laminated materials and a handle portion 14. As is 
more clearly seen in the cross-sectional view, FIG. 2, the blade portion 
12 is in turn formed from three laminated plies, namely two outer ply 
structures 16 and 18, respectively, and an inner ply structure 20. Of the 
inner ply structure 20, the central portion 22 thereof is removed and the 
aperture is filled with a resilient plug 24 constructed of material such 
as balsa wood, rubber composition, foamed plastic and the like. The 
perimeter of the paddle is constructed with a groove 26 for acceptance of 
a rim or T-shaped molding or edge guard 28. Throughout the major portion 
of the blade 12, there is constructed an array of as many as eight-seven 
holes which thereby lightens the total weight of the structure and, in 
play, improves the spin characteristics imparted to the ball. 
Reference is now made to FIGS. 2 and 4 in which the details of the handle 
portion 14 are shown. The laminated paddle body is structed so that an 
extension 30 thereof forms the center layer of the sandwich-type handle. 
For durability the edge guard 28 is continued into the handle portion. 
Upon each side of the extension 30, one of the half handles 32 and 34 is 
attached. At least two pegs or dowels are included in the paddle 
construction to lock together the laminations and the handle pieces. Upper 
dowel 36 is inserted in the center of the upper handle beyond the wrapped 
grip area and decorative plugs or buttons 38 and 40 are inserted at either 
end thereof. Lower dowel 42 is inserted in the center of the lower handle 
and is mounted flush with the half handle outer surfaces. One or more pegs 
(not shown) may optionally be inserted intermediate upper dowel 36 and 
lower dowel 42. The butt of the handle 44 is constructed to include a butt 
cover 46 which is glued or similarly attached to the end of the handle 
portion. The handle is then finished by encasing it with a grip assembly 
having shock absorbing characteristics. Most popularly the grip is formed 
from an elongated strip 48 preferably of leather, which is wrapped 
helically about the handle portion and covers from the butt cover 46 to 
just below the upper dowel 36. 
In manufacturing the platform tennis paddle of this invention, the optimum 
central aperture has been found empirically. By providing in the inner ply 
structure a proportion of the areas of the aperture to the uncut inner ply 
of not more than 50%, the strength of the structure is maintained and the 
resilient "sweet spot" effect is maximized. While various plywoods have 
been employed, including birch, maple, fir and combinations of similar 
woods, the most satisfactory product has been produced from five-ply birch 
plywood. 
In playing platform tennis with the paddle of this invention, it has been 
found that the paddle produces greater resiliency and imparts unexpectedly 
greater velocity and spin to the ball. It is postulated by the inventor 
that the hole structure provides the spin and that the compression of the 
outer ply above the resilient plug sufficiently distorts the hole profile 
so as to provide extra spin. 
While the paddle of this invention has been described as applied to 
platform tennis, the invention is suitable for other solid racket sports 
including but not limited to, paddle tennis and paddleball. Further, while 
the form of the device shown herein and described is adapted to fulfill 
the stated objects, it is to be understood that is not intended to limit 
the invention to the preferred embodiment which is included as the "best 
mode" of practicing the invention. Slight variations of the disclosed 
structure as anticipated to be included within the language of the claims 
which follow.