Abstract: A wire strainer intended for straining of wire in a fence structure. The wire strainer includes a body 12 with which a spool 11 having a plurality of teeth 18 is rotatably mounted. An engagement member 12 extends between and is slidingly engaged in elongate slots 20. Legs 24 of the engagement member 21 slidingly engage with the inside wall surfaces of the divergent arms 15 of body 12. The legs 24 thus apply a force to the engagement member 21 so that it engages with the teeth 18. The engagement member 21 can be removed from contact with the spool 11 by slid against the biasing effect of the legs 24 so as to engage with a step 27 in the elongate opening 20.

Abstract: A neck for a stringed musical instrument includes a foam core formed with a peghead and layers of reinforcing material positioned over the foam core. A surfacing material is bonded to the layers of reinforcing material and to the foam core to establish an external surface for the neck. The musical instrument includes a body attached to the neck and a truss rod assembly that is embedded in the foam core is adjustable to move the peghead relative to the body for tuning purposes. In manufacture, the foam core is molded in a primary mold. The layers of reinforcing material are then positioned over the foam core to create a preform assembly. Next, a surfacing material is shaped by the cavity surface of a secondary mold and the preform assembly is placed in the secondary mold. When the secondary mold is closed, a vacuum is drawn in its cavity and resin is injected into the cavity to bond the preform assembly to the surfacing material for manufacture of the neck.

Abstract: A tennis racquet has an overall length greater than 28 inches, preferably between 29 and 32 inches, an egg shape strung surface having a length of at least 14 inches, and a strung surface area greater than 95 square inches. The frame is of widebody construction and formed of a composite material so as to have a minimum weight per unit length. While the overall length is increased, the strung weight of the racquet does not exceed 300 grams, and the mass moment of inertia about the butt does not exceed 56 g-m.sup.2. The foregoing racquet produces a number of playing advantages, while maintaining a conventional mass moment of inertia about the handle and thus retain good maneuverability.

Abstract: A monoshaft tennis racquet has a frame head that circumscribes a stringing area, and a shaft connected to the opposite ends of the head. Either the head or the shaft, and preferably both, are formed of a composite material. The racquet preferably has a head having a length of at least 12 inches, a maximum width of at least 9 inches, and a strung surface area of at least 90 square inches. Preferably also, the free space vibrational frequency perpendicular to the stringing plane is matched to the in-plane vibration frequency so as to provide a unique and desirable feel in the racquet. Preferably, the vibration frequency perpendicular to the stringing plane is within 10% of the in-plane vibration frequency, and most preferably within 5%.

Abstract: A tennis racquet has a frame which includes a frame head portion with an outwardly facing stringing groove and an inwardly facing surface which is generally convex. The stringing groove includes a pair of angled side wall surfaces. A series of stringing holes extend through each side wall surface and the opposing convex surface to define holes for a pair of generally parallel stringing surfaces. Preferably, the string holes extend at an angle of about 45.degree. relative to the central plane of the stringing area, and the angled surfaces in the stringing groove, and the opposing surface on the convex surface, are parallel to one another and generally perpendicular to the direction of the string hole.