Table tennis handle-less racquet and multipurpose...

Details Table tennis handle-less racquet and multipurpose... Table tennis handle-less racquet and multipurpose...

1999-09-23

2001-05-22

Chapman, Jeanette (Department: 3711)

Games using tangible projectile

Playing field or court game; game element or accessory...

Table-tennis table

C473S435000, C473S470000, C108S170000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06234919

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a table tennis handle-less racquet (paddle, racket), and a table tennis convertible table. The table is designed to serve as a multipurpose game-study convertible apparatus. The invention is essentially dedicated to children. A racquet is characterized by combination of two separate impact surfaces, between which a player's hand is inserted. A table is constructed to serve as a game apparatus (table tennis or surface propelled puck game), or as a student study-work fixture.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The physical characteristics of table tennis equipment and game playing techniques have been refined, over the last few decades. Yet, new hardware concepts and new means to facilitate learning the game skills are desirable. A conventional table tennis racquet requires tedious training in order to be proficient, and a conventional table is not sized for younger children. There is a need to encourage the youngest individuals to start playing as early as five or six. Therefore, the novel challenges are introduced in this invention to attract beginners and facilitate learning basics. The table tennis game can be played by the youngest players using the classic international rules, however, a time limit of 20 minutes, or score of 21, can be lowered during competition.
Another key goal of this invention, an integrated multi-faceted system, is to promote child's uniform growth early, when the body and brain are most adaptable. Balanced growth appears to be essential, in many instances vital, in respect to muscles, bones, and most importantly, neurological system affecting brain development. The departure from conventional dimensions and materials cannot be considered as relevant in this case. For those who would like to play and compete in classic table tennis later on, the conceived system can be treated as a developmental and training tool. We may assume that when the proposed novelty is introduced, it will gain wider recognition and acceptance in the future, benefiting younger generations.
This invention's objective is to offer new solutions for the classic table tennis (ping-pong) equipment, new avenues to use it, and enhance various physiological functions. The design offers a simpler structure of a racquet in order to minimize it's weight and accommodate a small hand. This feature overrides the long sought quest for a conventional racquet, the superior performance of the impact surface—in hands of a competing “pro”. For those who did not succeed to achieve a high level of motor skills in both hands, frequent use of the non-dominant hands, or, playing wearing the racquets on both hands, may be exceptionally beneficial.
The major focus of this invention is on the development of overall motor skills of a player, and use of the non-dominant (non-preferred) hand. Humans strive for challenges—and this is particularly applicable to maturing young people. Greater utilization of the non-dominant hand can stimulate uniform body growth, balanced brain development, and proper hand-eye neural lateralization. Therefore, also using the non-dominant hand for playing table tennis and “Tack-a-Pack” games is strongly recommended for the youngest players (age 5-6). The racquet is accommodated in different ways to fit either a user's right or left hand. Note: Use of the non-dominant hand for table games can be commenced when the dominant hand is already skilled in a game (table tennis or TAP), to allow for transfer of the learned skill from one hand to another.
DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART
Numerous patents have explored the original concept of splitting the game paddle impact surfaces, to accommodate a hand within the separated parts, the impact members, and remove the handle altogether. The modified feature, where a racquet impact surface is an extension of hands surface, supports more natural player's interaction with a ball. This improvement and use of the flexible tie between separated members makes the design unobvious. This invention overcomes some flaws of previous designs, changes the philosophy of training, and introduces more diversity into entertainment.
A concept of a handle-less paddle is noted in the prior art. Sweet et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,148,483 switched from extended to internal handle. It represents only a minor change. Castelli U.S. Pat. No. 4,227,692 and Kraemer et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,018,732, offer bulky and inconvenient designs. Wellen et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,549,294, provides excellent fit, yet, a paddle is also oversized and the center of impact surface is too far from the center of a palm. The hand, in order to have good fit, does not need to be completely immobilized. It appears that so far the disclosed innovations did not find acceptance, It is hard for an experienced player to switch to a novel apparatus. It would be simpler to start playing the handle-less racquet of the proposed structure, and later switch to the conventional one, or use both devices alternatively.
Old art proposed a large number of variations in table tennis table configurations and features. A great effort has been expanded on folding tables—as in U.S. Pat. No. 3,756,166 (Piretti), U.S. Pat. No. 5,375,837 (Moreau), U.S. Pat. No. 2,911,217 (Hirsch), U.S. Pat. No. 3,318,269 (Kinn), and FR2729302 (Comilleau). A few patents offer convertible tables as in U.S. Pat. No. 3,886,913 (Zimmers), U.S. Pat. No. 4,345,758 (Kempf), or U.S. Pat. No. 5,704,683 (Cooper et al.), although simple and easily folded—yet still bulky or without radical novelty. The U.S. Pat. No. 4,583,467 (Tiffany) shows a simple convertible table dedicated to general use. The table convertible to a stand, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 512,337 (Standen), is dedicated to billiards.
This design attempts to go farther with compactness and diversification—and still preserves functional dedication. Further, the purpose of novel features is, to simplify dismantling a table and reconnecting it for an entirely different application, from game to study, or opposite. It introduces novelty into previous art, offering significant additional applications. The student desk, besides reading-writing etc., still can be used for table tennis (single player) training, or playing a recreational game within a smaller area. The table is to be formed of a lightweight metal, e.g. aluminum or fiberglass. This would include the surface, edges, and a core of honeycombed material—to minimize total weight.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A primary objective of this invention is to design an improved handle-less racquet and a convertible multipurpose table. The development of accessories and novel game table is dedicated, essentially, to the youngest players, starting from age 5-6. An improved handleless apparatus, due to its compactness, light-weightiness, and good fit, can enable a much younger child to start playing this sport. The racquet and table can be accommodated to older children, and adults as well.
Another objective of this invention is to expand functionality of the sport equipment, and integrate the new hardware and new table game with the conventional equipment—in order to add new challenges to a popular sport. The proposed table is easy to assemble, does not require special tools or skills, nor poses a major hazard during installation. A single table may be used by one player (during training), or, two, three, or four users can be accommodated for entertainment, or competition.


REFERENCES:
patent: 512337 (1894-01-01), Standen
patent: 2911217 (1959-11-01), Hirsch et al.
patent: 3318269 (1967-05-01), Kinn
patent: 4300766 (1981-11-01), Haynes
patent: 4583467 (1986-04-01), Tiffany
patent: 5074556 (1991-12-01), Loeppky et al.
patent: 5372364 (1994-12-01), Arroyo
patent: 5451046 (1995-09-01), Batton
patent: 5704683 (1998-01-01), Cooper et al.

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