Sports Implement Having Asymmetric Grip

Abstract

A sports implement includes a main body portion, a handle portion extending from the main body portion, and a grip member. The main body portion includes a first contact surface, a second contact surface, and a sidewall positioned about a perimeter of each of the first and the second contact surfaces. The handle portion defines a handle central axis extending therethrough. The grip member includes a grip body portion and a grip end portion. The grip body portion is operably coupled with the handle portion. The grip end portion defines a grip central axis extending therethrough. The handle central axis is offset from and parallel to the grip central axis.

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         19 . A sports implement comprising:
 a main body portion having a first contact surface, a second contact surface, and a sidewall positioned about a perimeter of each of the first and the second contact surfaces, the sidewall being bisected by a sagittal plane;   a handle portion extending from the main body portion, the handle portion defining a handle central axis extending therethrough; and   a grip member including a grip body portion being operably coupled with the handle portion, a grip end portion, and a transition region having a first side and a second side extending between the grip body portion and the grip end portion, the first side of the transition region defining a dorsal cantle region and the second side defining a ventral cantle region;   wherein at least one of the dorsal cantle region or the ventral cantle region is positioned asymmetrically relative to the sagittal plane.   
     
     
         20 . A sports implement comprising:
 a main body portion having a first contact surface, a second contact surface, and a sidewall positioned about a perimeter of each of the first and the second contact surfaces;   a handle portion extending from the main body portion at an extension location defining a plane, the handle portion defining a handle central axis extending therethrough; and   a grip member including a grip body portion and a grip end portion, the grip body portion being operably coupled with the handle portion, the grip end portion defining a first apex positioned on a first side of the grip end portion and a second apex positioned on a second side of the grip end portion, the first apex being a first distance from the plane defined by the extension location and the second apex being a second distance from the plane defined by the extension location, wherein the first distance is less than the second distance.   
     
     
         21 . A sports implement comprising:
 a main body portion having a first contact surface, a second contact surface, and a sidewall positioned about a perimeter of each of the first and the second contact surfaces;   a handle portion extending from the main body portion, the handle portion defining a handle central axis extending therethrough; and   a grip member including a grip body portion and a grip end portion, the grip body portion being operably coupled with the handle portion, the grip end portion defining a first apex positioned on a first side and a second apex positioned on a second side, the first and second apexes forming a grip end plane;   wherein the grip end plane forms an obtuse angle with the handle central axis.   
     
     
         22 . The sports implement of  claim 21 , wherein the angle formed between the grip end plane and the handle central axis is between approximately 15° and approximately 55°. 
     
     
         23 . A grip member for a pickleball paddle, the grip member comprising:
 a grip body portion defining a cavity and a grip body longitudinal axis extending therethrough; and   a grip end portion operably coupled with the grip body portion and defining a grip central axis, wherein the grip central axis is offset from and parallel to the grip body longitudinal axis.   
     
     
         24 . A grip member for a pickleball paddle, the grip member comprising:
 a grip body portion defining a cavity and being bisected by a sagittal plane; and   a grip end portion operably coupled with the grip body portion; and   a transition region having a first side and a second side extending between the grip body portion and the grip end portion, the first side of the transition region defining a dorsal cantle region and the second side of the transition region defining a ventral cantle region;   wherein at least one of the dorsal cantle region or the ventral cantle region is positioned asymmetrically relative to the sagittal plane.   
     
     
         25 . The sports implement of  claim 19 , further comprising a plane extending through the sidewall upon which each of the handle central axis and the grip central axis are disposed. 
     
     
         26 . The sports implement of  claim 25 , wherein at least one of the dorsal cantle region or the ventral cantle region is canted relative to the plane. 
     
     
         27 . The sports implement of  claim 19 , wherein the grip body portion includes at least one finger positioning member extending therealong. 
     
     
         28 . The grip member of  claim 23 , further comprising a transition region between the grip body portion and the grip end portion, the transition region having a first side defining a dorsal cantle region and a second side defining a ventral cantle region, wherein at least one of the dorsal cantle region and the ventral cantle region bisects or divides a plane defined by the grip body central axis. 
     
     
         29 . The grip member of  claim 23 , wherein at least one of the dorsal cantle region or the ventral cantle region is canted relative to a plane defined by the grip body central axis. 
     
     
         30 . The grip member of  claim 23 , wherein the grip body portion includes at least one finger positioning member extending therealong.