Pickleball paddle with reinforced core

Abstract

A pickleball paddle including a head portion is disclosed. The head portion includes a first core portion, a second core portion, a first layer, a second layer, and a reinforcing member. The first core potion defines a first surface, and a second surface. The second core portion includes a plurality of sections. At least one section of the plurality of sections has a cross-section that is rectangular. The first layer is disposed adjacent the first surface of the core portion, and is made from a first material. The second layer is disposed adjacent the second surface of the core portion, and is made from the first material. The reinforcing member is disposed in contact with the second core portion, the first layer, and the second layer. The reinforcing member includes a grid structure defining a plurality of open spaces.

1 . A pickleball paddle, comprising:
 a head portion including:
 a first core portion defining a first surface, and a second surface; 
 a second core portion including a plurality of sections, wherein at least one section of the plurality of sections has a cross-section that is rectangular, 
 a first layer disposed adjacent the first surface of the first core portion, the first layer made from a first material; 
 a second layer disposed adjacent the second surface of the first core portion, the second layer made from the first material; and 
 a reinforcing member disposed in contact with the second core portion, the first layer, and the second layer, the reinforcing member including a grid structure defining a plurality of open spaces. 
   
     
     
         2 . The pickleball paddle according to  claim 1 , wherein the first core portion is made from a different material from the second core portion. 
     
     
         3 . The pickleball paddle according to  claim 1 , wherein the first core portion and the second core portion are both made from foam. 
     
     
         4 . The pickleball paddle according to  claim 3 , wherein the foam of the first core portion has a different density than the foam of the second core portion. 
     
     
         5 . The pickleball paddle according to  claim 1 , further comprising a handle disposed in mechanical cooperation with the head portion. 
     
     
         6 . The pickleball paddle according to  claim 5 , wherein a longitudinal axis extends through the handle portion and a top of the head portion, and wherein the plurality of sections of the second core portion are symmetrical disposed about the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         7 . The pickleball paddle according to  claim 6 , wherein a latitudinal axis extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis, and wherein the plurality of sections of the second core portion are symmetrically disposed about the latitudinal axis. 
     
     
         8 . The pickleball paddle according to  claim 6 , wherein a latitudinal axis extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis, and wherein the plurality of sections of the second core portion are asymmetrically disposed about the latitudinal axis. 
     
     
         9 . The pickleball paddle according to  claim 6 , wherein a first section of the plurality of sections of the second core portion is positioned towards a top, left area of the head portion, wherein a second section of the plurality of sections of the second core portion is positioned towards a top, right area of the head portion, wherein a third section of the plurality of sections of the second core portion is positioned towards a bottom, left area of the head portion, and wherein a fourth section of the plurality of sections of the second core portion is positioned towards a bottom, right area of the head portion. 
     
     
         10 . The pickleball paddle according to  claim 9 , wherein a fifth section of the plurality of sections of the second core portion is positioned towards a left side of the head portion, and wherein a sixth section of the plurality of sections of the second core portion is positioned towards a right side of the head portion. 
     
     
         11 . The pickleball paddle according to  claim 1 , wherein the second core portion includes foam disposed within the plurality of open spaces defined by the reinforcing member. 
     
     
         12 . The pickleball paddle according to  claim 1 , wherein a first section of the reinforcing member is oriented at a perpendicular angle relative to the first layer. 
     
     
         13 . The pickleball paddle according to  claim 1 , wherein the first core portion includes foam, wherein the second core portion includes foam, and wherein the foam of the first core portion is in direct contact with foam of the second core portion. 
     
     
         14 . The pickleball paddle according to  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing member is made from a fiber-reinforced composite. 
     
     
         15 . The pickleball paddle according to  claim 1 , wherein the grid structure forms at least one of a plurality of polygons or a plurality of round shapes. 
     
     
         16 . The pickleball paddle according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one section of the plurality of sections that has a cross-section that is rectangular defines four walls, and wherein the reinforcing member is disposed in contact with each wall of the four walls of the at least one section of the plurality of sections. 
     
     
         17 . The pickleball paddle according to  claim 1 , wherein the first material is a fiber-reinforced composite. 
     
     
         18 . The pickleball paddle according to  claim 5 , further comprising a third core portion disposed along at least a portion of a perimeter of the head portion, the third core portion is made from foam. 
     
     
         19 . The pickleball paddle according to  claim 5 , wherein a longitudinal axis extends through the handle portion and a top of the head portion, wherein a latitudinal axis extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis, and wherein at least one section of the plurality of sections of the second core portion is non-parallel to the longitudinal axis and is non-parallel to the latitudinal axis. 
     
     
         20 . A head portion of a pickleball paddle, comprising:
 a first core portion made from foam having a first density;   a second core portion including a plurality of sections and being made from foam having a second density, wherein the second density is different from the first density, wherein a first section of the plurality of sections is disposed entirely within a first quadrant of the head portion, wherein a second section of the plurality of sections is disposed entirely within a second quadrant of the head portion, wherein a third section of the plurality of sections is disposed entirely within a third quadrant of the head portion, and wherein a fourth section of the plurality of sections is disposed entirely within a fourth quadrant of the head portion; and   a reinforcing member disposed in contact with the first core portion and the second core portion, the reinforcing member including a grid structure defining a plurality of open spaces.