Pickleball paddle with reinforced core

A pickleball paddle, comprising:

• a handle portion;
• a head portion operably connected to the handle portion, the head portion including:
• a core portion defining an edge, an inner portion, an outer portion, an upper surface, and a lower surface, the core portion including a plurality of foam sections, each foam section of the plurality of foam sections having a first lateral side and a second lateral side, the outer portion of the core portion including a first part disposed between a first lateral end of the inner portion of the core portion and a first portion of the edge of the core portion, the outer portion of the core portion including a second part disposed between a second lateral end of the inner portion of the core and a second portion of the edge of the core portion;
• a first layer disposed adjacent the upper surface of the core portion, the first layer made from at least one composite fiber material;
• a second layer disposed adjacent the lower surface of the core portion, the second layer made from at least one composite fiber material;
• and
• a reinforcing member disposed at least partially within the core portion and in contact with the first layer and the second layer, the reinforcing member made from at least one composite fiber material,
• wherein the foam from each foam section of the plurality of foam sections is in contact with at least one of the first layer or a portion of the at least one reinforcing member disposed between the foam section and the first layer,
• wherein the foam from each foam section of the plurality of foam sections is in contact with at least one of the second layer or a portion of the at least one reinforcing member disposed between the foam section and the second layer,
• wherein the plurality of foam sections includes at least three foam sections,
• wherein the first lateral side of each foam section of the inner portion of the core portion is in contact with the reinforcing member,
• wherein the second lateral side of each foam section of the inner portion of the core portion is in contact with the reinforcing member,
• wherein a first lateral end of the first part of the outer portion of the core portion is in contact with the reinforcing member,
• wherein a second lateral end of the first part of the outer portion of the core portion is free from contact with the reinforcing member,
• wherein a first lateral end of the second part of the outer portion of the core portion is in contact with the reinforcing member,
• wherein a second lateral end of the second part of the outer portion of the core portion is free from contact with the reinforcing member;
• and
• an edging disposed along at least a majority of a perimeter of the head portion, the edging made from at least one composite fiber material.

A pickleball paddle, comprising:

• a handle portion;
• a head portion operably connected to the handle portion, the head portion including:
• a core portion defining an edge, an inner portion, an outer portion, an upper surface, and a lower surface, the core portion including a plurality of foam sections, each foam section of the plurality of foam sections having a first lateral side and a second lateral side, the outer portion of the core portion including a first part disposed between a first lateral end of the inner portion of the core portion and a first portion of the edge of the core portion, the outer portion of the core portion including a second part disposed between a second lateral end of the inner portion of the core and a second portion of the edge of the core portion;
• a first layer disposed adjacent the upper surface of the core portion, the first layer made from at least one composite fiber material;
• a second layer disposed adjacent the lower surface of the core portion, the second layer made from at least one composite fiber material;
• and
• at least one reinforcing member disposed at least partially within the core portion and in contact with the first layer and the second layer, the at least one reinforcing member made from at least one composite fiber material,
• wherein the foam from each foam section of the plurality of foam sections is in contact with at least one of the first layer or a portion of the at least one reinforcing member disposed between the foam section and the first layer,
• wherein the foam from each foam section of the plurality of foam sections is in contact with at least one of the second layer or a portion of the at least one reinforcing member disposed between the foam section and the second layer,
• wherein the plurality of foam sections includes at least three foam sections,
• wherein the first lateral side of each foam section of the inner portion of the core portion is in contact with the at least one reinforcing member,
• wherein the second lateral side of each foam section of the inner portion of the core portion is in contact with the at least one reinforcing member,
• wherein a first lateral end of the first part of the outer portion of the core portion is in contact with the at least one reinforcing member,
• wherein a first lateral end of the second part of the outer portion of the core portion is in contact with the at least one reinforcing member;
• and
• an edging disposed along at least a majority of a perimeter of the head portion, the edging made from at least one composite fiber material,
• wherein the edging is in direct contact with foam from a second lateral end of the first part of the outer portion of the core portion, and wherein the edging is in direct contact with foam from a second lateral end of the second part of the outer portion of the core portion.