Games using tangible projectile – Player held and powered – nonmechanical projector – per se,... – Body attachable
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-22
2001-07-10
Chiu, Raleigh W. (Department: 3711)
Games using tangible projectile
Player held and powered, nonmechanical projector, per se,...
Body attachable
C273SDIG001, C036S114000, C036S133000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06257998
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to paddle apparatus for toys, sport and entertainment, and particularly to a foot paddle which is secured to a foot of a user and which may be used to play paddle games in the style of tennis, squash, badminton and the like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Foot paddles are known which are strapped or otherwise secured to a foot of a user, and which can be used to play paddle games. The following U.S. patents are believed to be representative of the art: U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,091,460; 3,516,668; 3,628,794; 3,802,009; 3,823,494; 4,387,895; 4,718,676; and 5,080,371.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention seeks to provide an improved foot paddle.
There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention a foot paddle including a racket which includes a ball rebound surface bounded by a perimeter wall, the racket including a forefoot portion, configured to overlay a forefoot of a footwear and which generally does not extend medially beyond the forefoot of the footwear and does not extend outwards beyond a toe portion of the footwear, and a lateral portion which extends laterally beyond the footwear, and a mounting bracket mounted on the footwear, wherein the racket is attachable to the mounting bracket.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the mounting bracket includes a pair of brackets, one bracket being mounted on a medial side of the footwear and the other bracket being mounted on a lateral side of the footwear. Preferably the mounting bracket is attached to an outsole of the footwear. The mounting bracket may include a wire frame construction.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention a mounting clip is attached to an underside of the forefoot portion of the racket, the mounting clip including a gripping portion which is securable to the mounting bracket. Preferably the gripping portion fixedly snaps on to the mounting bracket.
Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention a gripping strength of the gripping portion gripping the mounting bracket is such that the gripping portion detaches from the mounting bracket upon application of an external force to the foot paddle before such external force could inflict harm to a foot of a user of the foot paddle.
Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention a shock absorber is mounted on a portion of the foot paddle and which is configured to abut a portion of the forefoot of the footwear.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1637278 (1927-07-01), Renz
patent: 2852867 (1958-09-01), Wagner et al.
patent: 3091460 (1963-05-01), Maldonado
patent: 3516668 (1970-06-01), Kirk
patent: 3628794 (1971-12-01), Conture
patent: 4718676 (1988-01-01), Collins, Jr.
patent: 5080371 (1992-01-01), Karczewshi
patent: 5472200 (1995-12-01), Miller
patent: 3334142 (1985-04-01), None
patent: 2691072 (1993-11-01), None
patent: 2770412 (1999-05-01), None
Chiu Raleigh W.
Townsend and Townsend / and Crew LLP
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