Weight adjustable sports equipment system, equipment, and weighted components therefor

Abstract

A weight adjustable pickleball paddle system includes a main body including opposing playable faces. A handle is attached to the main body. A component receptacle is located in a lateral edge of the main body of the paddle and between the playable faces. A weighted component is dimensioned to be accommodated within the component receptacle.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A weight adjustable pickleball paddle system comprising:
 a main body including opposing playable faces;   a handle attached to the main body;   a component receptacle located in a lateral edge of the main body and between the playable faces; and   a weighted component dimensioned to be accommodated within the component receptacle.   
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the component receptacle has a cavity shaped to secure the weighted component therein unless manually manipulated for removal from the cavity. 
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the component receptacle has a threaded cavity to receive the weighted component threadingly. 
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the weighted component includes:
 a head portion, 
 a body portion extending from the head portion, and 
 a protrusion extending laterally from the body portion, 
   the component receptacle has a cavity shaped to receive the body portion with the protrusion on the weighted component, and   the weighted component is secured to the component receptacle via a rotational twist at the head portion.   
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the component receptacle secures the weighted component via a surface frictional fit. 
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the weighted component includes:
 a head portion,   a body portion that extends from the head portion, and   an internal hollow space within the body portion.   
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the weighted component is a first weighted component among a plurality of weighted components equal in size to the first weighted component, and   the weighted components of the plurality of weighted components are groupable by different weight amounts.   
     
     
         8 . A weight adjustable pickleball paddle comprising:
 a main body including opposing playable faces;   a handle attached to the main body; and   a component receptacle located in a lateral edge of the main body of the paddle and between the playable faces.   
     
     
         9 . The paddle according to  claim 8 , wherein the component receptacle is a first component receptacle, and
 wherein the paddle further comprises a second receptacle located symmetrically opposite the first component receptacle.   
     
     
         10 . The paddle according to  claim 8 , wherein the component receptacle is a first component receptacle, and
 wherein the paddle further comprises a second component receptacle located in a grouping with the first component receptacle.   
     
     
         11 . The paddle according to  claim 8 , wherein:
 the component receptacle is a first component receptacle in a first group of component receptacles, and   the paddle further comprises a second component receptacle in a second group of component receptacles.   
     
     
         12 . The paddle according to  claim 11 , wherein:
 the first group of component receptacles is located on a first lateral side of the main body, and   the second group of component receptacles is located on a second lateral side of the main body, symmetrically oppositely disposed from the first group of component receptacles.   
     
     
         13 . The paddle according to  claim 11 , wherein:
 the component receptacles in the first group of component receptacles are evenly spaced along a first lateral side of the main body, and   the component receptacles in the second group of component receptacles are evenly spaced along a second lateral side of the main body.   
     
     
         14 . The paddle according to  claim 8 , wherein the component receptacle is sized and shaped to receive therein a weighted component. 
     
     
         15 . A weight adjustable sports equipment system comprising:
 a main body;   a handle attached to the main body; and   a weighted component dimensioned to be accommodated on the main body.   
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein the weighted component is a edge guard that protects the edges of the main body, the edge guard including:
 a first segment that has a first weight, and   a second segment that is equal in size to the first segment and has a second weight, and   wherein the first weight is heavier than the second weight.   
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein:
 the main body has a perimeter edge that is bound by opposing playable faces, and   the weighted component is accommodated within the perimeter edge between the opposing playable faces.   
     
     
         18 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein:
 the main body has a perimeter edge that is bound by opposing playable faces, and   wherein the system further comprises a component receptacle located between the opposing playable faces and shaped to accommodate the weighted component therein.   
     
     
         19 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein:
 the main body has a perimeter edge that is bound by opposing playable faces, and   wherein the system further comprises an edge guard that wraps along the perimeter edge.   
     
     
         20 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein the weighted component is accommodated within one of a plurality of component receptacle locations distributed along a perimeter edge of the main body.