Abstract:
A handle for a racket of the type used in playing tennis and like sports includes an elongated shaft portion, a hollow grip portion attached to one end of the shaft portion and a frame portion connected to the other end of the shaft portion. The shaft portion includes two spaced apart hollow tube sections which, in their surfaces facing toward each other, are provided with slots extending in the longitudinal direction of the tube sections. The space between the portions of the tube sections which face each other in the transverse direction of the tube sections forms a Venturi region for creating a zone of reduced air pressure between the tube sections when the racket is swung during play. The zone of reduced air pressure cases air to be drawn from the interior of the tube sections through the longitudinal slots. The air drawn through the longitudinal slots is conducted from the tube sections and a passageway formed in the grip portion and through openings provided between the passageway and the periphery of the grip portion. The air flow generated when the racket is swung serves to ventilate the hand and to remove perspiration accumulating during play.
Abstract:
A game racquet comprising a composite metal and plastic frame having a stringing section and a handle, the composite frame formed from an extruded metal channel member surrounding and substantially enclosing an extruded plastic core member, the extruded metal and plastic core member being bonded together to form a unitary metal-plastic composite frame, .Iadd.wherein the horizontal neutral axis of the core member is closely aligned with the horizontal neutral axis of the metal channel member .Iaddend.and a bumper strip covering the outer surface of the composite frame, the bumper strip having a central groove to receive and protect the stringing.
Abstract:
A racquet for use in racquet sports is disclosed. In the preferred and illustrated embodiment, a composite racquet construction is set forth which utilizes an extruded metal frame which accepts multilayered, laminated, fiber reinforced, resin material typically including an epoxy base with graphite or fiberglass therein. The extruded section receives the laminate material prior to curing wherein the metal extruded section serves as a mold. After curing, the composite frame has improved properties over the metal extrusion, alone, and enhances frame strength, rigidity and flexure characteristics. The extruded frame incorporates a central webbing which is subsequently drilled with holes for stringing the racquet.
Abstract:
A bumper strip surrounding the upper peripheral portion of a racket and for providing protection against injury to another player and to painted surfaces of a playing court is structurally integrated with the racket frame by passing string with which the racket is strung through the holes formed in the bumper strip whereby upon the string being tightened, the bumper strip is forced into engagement with the racket frame and whereby upon the bumper strip being removed the racket is rendered inoperable for play; and/or, a throatpiece is structurally integrated with the racket frame by passing the string through holes formed in the throatpiece which string upon being tightened in cooperation with projections extending outwardly from the sides of the throatpiece and extending into holes formed in the racket frame structurally integrates the throatpiece and the frame. The projections formed on the side of the throatpiece and the frame holes within which they are received permit limited flexing rotation between the throatpiece and the frame which accommodates the torsional rotation experienced by the frame in the throatpiece area upon a ball impacting the racket.
Abstract:
The invention provides a frame for a games racquet, e.g. a badminton racquet, formed from a plastics material reinforced with a circumferentially-extending tubular metal member. The tubular metal member may be visible in the surface of the product, e.g. running the length of the inner periphery of the head of the frame.