TWI903033B - badminton - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a shuttlecock that can suppress the influence of wind on the shuttlecock during play and mitigate the impact of the shuttlecock hitting the player and racket. The shuttlecock (1) has a base (2) for retaining the skirt (4). The base has: a retaining part (24) forming the area for retaining the skirt, an outer forming part (21) forming the area hit by the racket, and a core forming part (22) forming an area further inward than the outer forming part. At least a portion of the core forming part is composed of a three-dimensional lattice structure.

Description

badminton

This invention relates to a badminton shuttlecock struck using a sports racket.

Previously, it was known that badminton shuttlecocks had a wing (hereinafter referred to as the "skirt") made of natural feathers or artificial feathers made of resin at a roughly hemispherical base (see Patent Document 1). The base was formed using natural cork or cork made by bonding cork particles, or shaped using synthetic resin.

[Previous Technical Documents] [Patent Documents]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2010-200890

Regarding badminton, there's a desire to enjoy playing both indoors and outdoors. However, playing badminton outdoors presents a challenge: the shuttlecock's trajectory is easily affected by wind, and wind strength can make it difficult to play comfortably.

To solve this problem, increasing the weight of the shuttlecock was considered, but this would introduce the following issue: the impact would increase when the shuttlecock hits the player or racket. Therefore, there is a trade-off between the shuttlecock's ability to reduce the impact of wind and its ability to suppress impact upon collision. After careful research, the inventor has devised an invention that simultaneously achieves both of these benefits.

This invention was developed with this in mind, and its purpose is to provide a shuttlecock that can suppress the influence of wind on the game and mitigate the impact of the shuttlecock hitting the player and racket in flight.

One aspect of the badminton shuttlecock of the present invention is a base for retaining the skirt, characterized in that the base comprises: a retaining portion forming an area for retaining the skirt, an outer forming portion forming an area to be hit by the racket, and a core forming portion forming an area further inward than the outer forming portion, wherein at least a portion of the core forming portion is composed of a three-dimensional lattice structure.

According to this invention, by utilizing a three-dimensional lattice structure, the space in the core forming section at the base where only air exists can be greatly ensured, thereby increasing the deformation of the base itself and lengthening the time required for base deformation. This mitigates the impact when the shuttlecock, in flight, collides with the player or racket. Thus, even though the shuttlecock is heavier than previous models to prevent its flight trajectory from being altered by wind, such as outdoors, impact mitigation is still achieved. In this way, by employing a three-dimensional lattice structure, both the wind-induced reduction effect and the impact mitigation effect upon collision can be achieved through a trade-off.

1: Badminton

2: Base

4: Skirt

21: Lateral Formation Part

22: Core Forming Section

26: Base

26a: Open

27: Containment Section 1

28: Second Containment Department

31: Strip-shaped object

32: Peripheral opening

34: Inner peripheral opening

35: Laminar portion

36: Connecting parts

37: Internal opening

38: Internal opening

41: Feather Axe

42: Grid Section

43: Chimeric part

44: Insertion Section

45: Hook Card Section

[Figure 1] is a simplified 3D diagram of a badminton shuttlecock in its actual form.

[Figure 2] is a front view of the aforementioned badminton shuttlecock.

[Figure 3] is an enlarged top view of the base of the aforementioned badminton shuttlecock.

[Figure 4] is a cross-sectional view along line A-A in Figure 3.

[Figure 5] is a schematic three-dimensional view of the base of a modified badminton shuttlecock.

[Figure 6] is a schematic three-dimensional view of the base of another variation of the badminton shuttlecock.

The following is a detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 is a schematic three-dimensional view of the badminton shuttlecock of the embodiment. Figure 2 is a front view of the aforementioned badminton shuttlecock. Figure 3 is an enlarged top view of the base of the aforementioned badminton shuttlecock.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the shuttlecock 1 comprises: a base 2 and a skirt 4 (not shown in Figure 3) held by the base 2. The shuttlecock 1 flies by being struck by a racket (not shown) moving with the racket, such as a badminton racket. In the following description, the side of the shuttlecock 1 with the base 2 will be referred to as the front side, and the opposite side (the side with the skirt 4) will be referred to as the back side.

The base 2 includes an outer forming portion 21 disposed along its outer peripheral surface for forming the area to be struck by the racket. The outer forming portion 21 includes a region on the front side along a hemispherical curved surface and a region on the rear side connected to the curved surface and along a cylindrical curved surface. The base 2 also includes a core forming portion 22 for forming the thickness portion (core portion) of the base 2, which is a region further inward than the outer forming portion 21. The base 2 is made of a synthetic resin that can elastically deform upon being struck by the racket. The specific structure of the base 2, including the outer forming portion 21 and the core forming portion 22, will be described below.

The skirt 4 is located at the rear of the base 2 and is formed as a single piece of synthetic resin (such as nylon resin). The skirt 4 shown is just one example; it can also be made of natural feathers, artificial feathers made of resin, or even different shapes using synthetic resin, as long as it's functional for playing. Various constructions are possible.

In this embodiment, the skirt portion 4 includes feather shafts 41 and a grid portion 42 disposed behind the feather shafts 41. A plurality of feather shafts 41 are arranged in a circular pattern at the rear end of the base 2, with the spacing between them increasing as they move away from the base 2. The grid portion 42 connects adjacent feather shafts 41 to each other.

Next, the specific structure of the base 2 and the connection between the base 2 and the skirt 4 will be explained with reference to Figure 4. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view along A-A in Figure 3. As shown in Figure 4, the base 2 has a retaining portion 24, which is formed on its inner side to retain the area of the skirt 4. The retaining portion 24 is shaped such that the rear part of the base 2 is recessed forward, and is configured to engage with the front end of the skirt 4 to maintain its connection with the skirt 4.

Specifically, the retaining part 24 includes: a base 26 for connecting the rear ends of the outer forming part 21 and the core forming part 22; and a first receiving part 27 with a cylindrical inner circumference shape extending forward from the opening 26a formed in the center of the base 26. The retaining part 24 also includes a second receiving part 28 formed in a dome shape covering the front of the first receiving part 27, the diameter of the rear end of the second receiving part 28 being larger than the inner diameter of the first receiving part 27. Furthermore, a segment is formed at the front end of the first receiving part 27 for engaging with the hook and latch part 45, which will be described later for the skirt part 4.

The skirt portion 4 further includes a fitting portion 43 disposed in front of the plurality of feather shafts 41. The fitting portion 43 includes a cylindrical insertion portion 44 extending forward from the front end of the plurality of feather shafts 41, and a flange-shaped hook portion 45 formed at the front end of the insertion portion 44 with a diameter larger than the insertion portion 44. In this embodiment, when the base 2 holds the skirt portion 4, the fitting portion 43 is pushed into and inserted into the interior of the holding portion 24 while at least one of the holding portion 24 and the fitting portion 43 is deformed. Furthermore, with the fitting portion 43 inserted into the holding portion 24, the hook portion 45 engages with the front end of the first receiving portion 27, thereby holding the skirt portion 4 in place at the base 2. An adhesive or similar substance is disposed between the holding portion 24 and the fitting portion 43 as needed.

At the base 2, the entire outer forming portion 21 and the entire core forming portion 22 are constructed from a three-dimensional lattice structure. Furthermore, the entire first receiving portion 27 and the entire second receiving portion 28 of the holding portion 24 at the base 2 are also constructed from a three-dimensional lattice structure.

Here, the three-dimensional lattice structure of this embodiment is formed by three-dimensionally connecting a plurality of strips 31 to form a three-dimensional mesh. More specifically, to construct this three-dimensional lattice structure, the outer forming portion 21 is formed by connecting a plurality of strips 31, thereby arranging a plurality of generally triangular peripheral openings 32 (see Figures 1 and 3) along the outer peripheral surface of the base 2 to form a single layer structure. In the outer forming portion 21, the peripheral openings 32 are formed in a generally equilateral triangle shape in the front region along the hemispherical curved surface, and in a generally right-angled equilateral triangle shape in the rear region along the cylindrical curved surface (see Figure 2).

Furthermore, to form a three-dimensional lattice structure for the base 2, the retaining portion 24 is a single layer structure that is more inner than the outer forming portion 21 and substantially parallel to it. The retaining portion 24 is formed by connecting a plurality of strips 31, thereby creating a generally triangular inner peripheral opening 34 side-by-side. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the first receiving portion 27 of the retaining portion 24, showing the strips 31 extending linearly in the front-back direction. Only in this cross-sectional view is the inner peripheral opening 34 not shown; however, the inner peripheral opening 34 is formed in the first receiving portion 27.

Furthermore, to form the three-dimensional lattice structure of the base 2, the core forming portion 22 includes a single layered portion 35 formed between the outer forming portion 21 and the holding portion 24. In other words, the layered portion 35 is arranged at a predetermined interval from and substantially parallel to both the outer forming portion 21 and the holding portion 24. The core forming portion 22 also includes a plurality of connecting portions 36 formed by strips 31, which connect the layered portion 35 to the outer forming portion 21 and to the holding portion 24. The plurality of connecting portions 36 position the layered portion 35 between the outer forming portion 21 and the holding portion 24.

Similar to the outer forming portion 21 and the holding portion 24, the layered portion 35 is formed by connecting a plurality of strips 31. The layered portion 35 also has a plurality of internal openings 37, which, like the outer peripheral opening 32 and the inner peripheral opening 34, are generally triangular in shape. The core forming portion 22 also has a plurality of internal openings 38, surrounded by the connecting portion 36 and the strips 31 used to form the outer forming portion 21, the holding portion 24, and the layered portion 35.

Through the aforementioned openings 32, 34, 37, and 38, a single ventilation area is formed on the base 2, which includes the outer forming portion 21 and the core forming portion 22, such that the airflow is not independent but interconnected. This single ventilation area utilizes adjacent openings 32, 34, 37, and 38 to connect the spaces passing through and spanning each opening 32, 34, 37, and 38. Furthermore, the outer peripheral opening 32 allows for ventilation both inside and outside the base 2, and air flowing through the outer peripheral opening 32 can also flow to the inner openings 37 and 38.

In this embodiment, because the base 2, as described above, is constructed of a three-dimensional lattice structure, the core forming portion 22 can be significantly ensured to have a space where only air exists and no strip 31 is present. Therefore, when the shuttlecock 1 flies and causes the base 2 to collide with the player or racket, the space-enclosed portion of the base 2 allows for increased deformation of the base 2 itself, extending the time required for this deformation. Consequently, upon impact, the deformation of the three-dimensional lattice structure absorbs and mitigates the impact.

Furthermore, by employing multiple strips 31 in a three-dimensional grid structure, the space at the base 2 where only air exists can be greatly ensured. Therefore, when using materials with the same specific gravity as the cork or foam resin used in the base of conventional shuttlecocks as the strips 31, the specific gravity of the base 2 in this embodiment is lower than that of a base using cork or foam resin, and the weight of the base 2 is also reduced. Thus, in order to reduce the impact of wind during play, the weight of the shuttlecock 1 in this embodiment must be increased. Therefore, by using a material with a higher specific gravity than conventional cork or foam resin in the strips 31, or by adding additional parts such as weights at any position on the base 2 or the strips 31, or by increasing the thickness of the skirt 4, the weight of the shuttlecock 1 is increased. By increasing the weight in this way, the shuttlecock is less susceptible to flight trajectory changes due to wind, making it easier and more enjoyable to play outdoors. As described above, by employing a three-dimensional grid structure in the base 2, both the effect of reducing wind impact and the aforementioned impact mitigation during collisions can be achieved. Alternatively, the increased weight of the shuttlecock 1 can be avoided, resulting in a lighter shuttlecock 1 than previous models.

While there are no specific limitations, the maximum width of each opening 32, 34, 37, and 38 is preferably 1 mm or more, and the thickness of each strip 31, at its thinnest point, is preferably 0.5 mm or more. By setting these values within this range, both the effects of reducing wind impact and the impact mitigation during collisions can be performed more effectively.

Furthermore, the three-dimensional grid structure of the base 2 creates a single ventilation area, facilitating airflow through the openings 32, 34, 37, and 38 within and around the base 2 during the shuttlecock's flight. This allows air to pass through the base 2 even outdoors or in windy conditions, thus suppressing changes in the shuttlecock's trajectory and making it easier and more enjoyable to play.

Furthermore, the base 2 is a multi-layered, three-dimensional grid structure formed by the outer forming part 21, the retaining part 24, and the layered part 35 of the core forming part 22. This structure can absorb impact deformation and provide sufficient rigidity and durability to withstand racket strikes. Moreover, it can be designed to allow the racket's hitting surface to effectively utilize its rebound when the shuttlecock 1 is hit.

Furthermore, this invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be implemented through various modifications. In the above-described embodiments, the size, shape, orientation, etc., depicted in the drawings are not limited to these and can be appropriately modified within the scope that achieves the effect of this invention. Moreover, modifications can be appropriately made to implement this invention without departing from its purpose.

Regarding the base 2, although it is described that the entire outer forming portion 21 and the entire core forming portion 22 are composed of a three-dimensional lattice structure, this is not a limitation. In this invention, as long as at least a portion of the core forming portion 22 is a three-dimensional lattice structure, various configurations can be adopted. For example, the entire area of the outer forming portion 21, or half of a portion as seen from above, may not be a three-dimensional lattice structure but rather a layer of a certain thickness. As another example, the predetermined thickness area of the enclosure and retaining portion 24 that forms a portion of the core forming portion 22 may not be a three-dimensional lattice structure but rather a solid shape of a certain thickness.

The layered portions 35 (hereinafter referred to as "outer forming portions 21, etc.") that constitute a multi-layered, three-dimensional lattice structure, including the outer forming portion 21, the holding portion 24, and the core forming portion 22, are not limited to forming each opening 32, 34, 37 using a plurality of strips 31. For example, the outer forming portions 21, etc., can be formed using a layered body of a certain thickness, and a plurality of holes can be formed side by side in that layered body as each opening 32, 34, 37.

Furthermore, the retaining part 24 may not employ a three-dimensional grid structure, nor form an internal opening 37, but rather be formed as a layer with a predetermined thickness. Alternatively, the retaining part 24 may employ a three-dimensional grid structure, namely, only having a base 26 where the skirt 4 is fixed by adhesive or the like, and transforming the forming areas of each receiving part 27, 28 into core forming parts 22. Furthermore, the retaining part 24 only needs to form an area for retaining the skirt 4, for example, it may be configured to have small holes that are visually identifiable, and a pin is provided on the skirt 4 that can be inserted into and fixed to those holes.

Furthermore, the shapes of the openings 32, 34, and 37 can be various shapes, including polygons other than triangles, circles or ellipses, and polygons with partially curved edges. As an example, the structure of the base 2 shown in Figures 5 and 6 can be cited. Figure 5 is a schematic three-dimensional view of the base of a modified badminton shuttlecock. Figure 6 is a schematic three-dimensional view of the base of another modified badminton shuttlecock.

In the variant example of Figure 5, the base 2 is configured such that the outer peripheral opening 32 is primarily hexagonal, but in some cases, other polygonal shapes such as pentagons are also present. In the variant example of Figure 6, the base 2 is configured such that the outer peripheral opening 32 is primarily hexagonal or rhomboid, but in some cases, other polygonal shapes such as pentagons are also present.

[Industrial Applicability]

This invention relates to a shuttlecock that can suppress the effect of wind on the game and mitigate the impact of the shuttlecock hitting the player and racket.

This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-019785, filed on February 10, 2021. The entire contents of that Japanese Patent Application are incorporated herein by reference.

1: Shuttlecock 2: Base 4: Skirt 21: Outer Formation 22: Core Formation 31: Strip 32: Outer Opening 41: Shuttlecock 42: Grid Section

Claims (7)

A badminton shuttlecock having a base for retaining the skirt, characterized in that: the base comprises: a retaining portion forming an area for retaining the skirt; an outer portion forming an area to be hit by the racket; and a core portion forming an area further inward than the outer portion; at least a portion of the core portion is composed of a three-dimensional lattice structure. As described in claim 1, in the badminton shuttlecock, at least a portion of the aforementioned outer forming portion is composed of a three-dimensional lattice structure. As described in claim 2, in the badminton shuttlecock, the entirety of the aforementioned core forming portion and the entirety of the aforementioned outer forming portion are composed of a three-dimensional lattice structure. As described in claim 2, in the badminton shuttlecock, the aforementioned three-dimensional grid structure involves three-dimensionally connecting a plurality of strips to form a single ventilation area in the aforementioned core forming portion and the aforementioned outer forming portion. The badminton shuttlecock as described in claim 2, wherein, the aforementioned outer forming portion has: an outer peripheral opening for ventilation inside and outside the aforementioned base portion, the outer peripheral opening being formed in a polygonal shape. The badminton shuttlecock as described in claim 1, wherein, the aforementioned core forming portion comprises: a layered portion disposed at predetermined intervals from the aforementioned outer forming portion, wherein a plurality of ventilated internal openings are formed in the layered portion. The badminton shuttlecock as described in claim 1, wherein, the aforementioned base is made of a synthetic resin that can be elastically deformed by the impact of the aforementioned racket.