Pickleball paddle

Abstract

An example pickleball paddle may include a handle and a head coupled to the handle. The head may include an inner layer sandwiched between a first outer faceplate and a second outer faceplate. The inner layer may include a lattice. At least portions of the handle, the inner layer, the first outer faceplate and the second outer faceplate are integrally formed as a single unitary body.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pickleball paddle comprising:
 a handle; and   a head coupled to the handle, the head comprising an inner layer sandwiched between a first outer faceplate and a second outer faceplate, the inner layer comprising a lattice, wherein at least portions of the handle, the inner layer, the first outer faceplate, and the second outer faceplate are integrally formed as a single unitary body.   
     
     
         2 . The pickleball paddle of  claim 1 , wherein inner layer, the first outer face plate and the second outer faceplate are entirely formed as a single unitary body from a single material. 
     
     
         3 . The pickleball paddle of  claim 2  further comprising at least one layer adhered to the first outer faceplate and the second outer faceplate. 
     
     
         4 . The pickleball paddle of  claim 1 , wherein the handle comprises an outwardly flared butt end, wherein the outwardly flared butt end is integrally formed with the inner layer, the first outer faceplate and the second outer faceplate as part of the single unitary body. 
     
     
         5 . The pickleball paddle of  claim 1 , wherein the handle comprises a handle core and a grip joined to the handle core, the handle core being integrally formed with the inner layer, the first outer faceplate and the second outer faceplate as part of the single unitary body. 
     
     
         6 . The pickleball paddle of  claim 1 , wherein the lattice comprises first fillets at first corners formed between the lattice and the first outer faceplate and second fillets at second corners formed between the lattice and the second outer faceplate. 
     
     
         7 . The pickleball paddle of  claim 1 , wherein the first outer faceplate has a first thickness and the second outer faceplate has a second thickness different than the first thickness. 
     
     
         8 . The pickleball paddle of  claim 1 , wherein the head has a thickness of at least 0.25 inch and a density no greater than 0.5 g/cc. 
     
     
         9 . The pickleball paddle of  claim 1 , wherein the lattice has a varying density in a direction parallel to a face of the first outer faceplate. 
     
     
         10 . The pickleball paddle of  claim 9 , wherein the lattice comprises a non-orthogonal lattice. 
     
     
         11 . The pickleball paddle of  claim 9 , wherein the lattice comprises a honeycomb arrangement of unit cells. 
     
     
         12 . The pickleball paddle of  claim 1 , wherein the head has a varying deflection characteristic across a face of the head. 
     
     
         13 . The pickleball paddle of  claim 1 , wherein the lattice forms cells and wherein a portion of the cells are filled. 
     
     
         14 . The pickleball paddle of  claim 1  further comprising a crossbeam continuously extending through the handle and through the inner layer of the head, wherein the crossbeam is integrally formed as part of the single unitary body. 
     
     
         15 . The pickleball paddle of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a first crossbeam extending from a first side edge of the handle through the inner layer of the head; and 
 a second crossbeam extending from a second side edge of the handle through the inner layer of the head. 
 
     
     
         16 . The pickleball paddle of  claim 1  further comprising a bumper continuously extending along an edge of the head and along opposite side edges of the handle. 
     
     
         17 . The pickleball paddle of  claim 16 , wherein the bumper is integrally formed as part of the single unitary body. 
     
     
         18 . The pickleball paddle of  claim 1 , wherein the handle comprises a second lattice, the second lattice being integrally formed as part of the single unitary body. 
     
     
         19 . The pickleball paddle of  claim 1 , wherein the lattice comprises a first portion having a first lattice geometry and a second portion having a second last geometry different than the first lattice geometry. 
     
     
         20 . The pickleball paddle of  claim 1 , wherein the head comprises a first portion having a first lattice and a second portion having a second lattice different than the first lattice.