Abstract: A baseball bat formed from a plurality of laminations. The laminations are held together through the engagement of dovetail shaped grooves and ridges located on the mating surfaces of the laminations. Layers of resin impregnated carbon fiber webs are sandwiched between the wooden laminations so as to provide strength and shock absorbing characteristics.

Abstract: A shaft produced by the steps of rolling inorganic fiber cloths around a plastic resin base body into a cylindrical shape to form a shaft body, coiling two sets of carbon cloth tapes in the opposite directions around the shaft body, and impregnating resin into the shaft body and carbon cloth tapes to integrate them into a single body. The shaft obtained by the method is light and strong and shows excellent resiliency. The shaft is particularly advantageous and reliable for golf clubs, fishing poles, and the like.

Abstract: Improved fiber resin matrix prepreg fabrics are disclosed which are comprised of a first layer of reinforcing fabric coated with an epoxy resin composition and a discrete second layer of an epoxy resin modified with an elastomeric polymer. The discrete second layer is provided with a support comprising a gauze-like, lightweight fibrous mat or carrier of lightweight fibers that preserves the second "interleaf" layer during cure. Cured composites having the continuous interleaf layer intact exhibit high impact strength and resistance to impact damage.

Abstract: A golf club head includes a core formed integrally with a sole of the head and extending upwardly therefrom in a triangular cross section. The core is formed of metal, such as soft iron or stainless steel. At least the front of the core is covered with fiber reinforced resin consisting principally of carbon fiber to form a clubface. The lower marginal edge of the clubface is formed flush with the sole.

Abstract: The basic racket frame is comprised of an oval head, a yoke merging into a throat and a solid or a hollow shaft which is formed from a single length of collimated filaments preferably graphite fibers, known as a roving impregnated with a thermosetting resin. To form the racket frame, the single length of roving is wound up the handle, around the entire circumference of the head and back down the handle. This winding technique forms a hollow handle to which is attached a hollow, removably interfitting grip portion. This grip portion is then fitted with a cover consisting of stretchable, cylindric bands. The racket frame also includes a throat piece comprised of a plastic insert covered on opposite faces by a mat of filaments. The filaments in this mat are positioned parallel to the filaments in the handle.

Abstract: A shell forming the walls of a bat comprising a striking portion, an intermediate portion and a handle portion. The shell is filled with structural foam. The striking portion is closed by a weighted cap and the handle portion is closed by a knob. The cap and knob are secured to the shell by stud or by a connecting rod. The stud receiving device has a plurality of fins which extend outwardly therefrom. The fins fit in corresponding slots formed in either end of the bat. The stud receiving device is internally threaded as are the cap and knob. A threaded stud is then used to secure the cap and knob to their respective ends. The shell is over-wrapped with woven or braided composite-type materials, such as graphite, KEVLAR, glass and boron.

Abstract: A vehicular spring leaf comprises a pultruded beam that has about 40-75% by volume filamentary solids of a first modulus and a remainder fraction comprising continuous organic solid of a second, lower modulus that binds together the filamentary solids. A first portion of at least about 80% by weight of the filamentary solids is a multitude of discrete, tensilely stressed filamentary solids, densely packed substantially uniformly throughout the organic solid and coextending the beam longitudinally in a plurality of planes that accept tensile or compressive stress, respectively, upon a flexure of the leaf that bends the beam. A second portion of up to about 10% by weight of filamentary solids is randomly oriented on a surface of the beam, and a third portion of up to about 10% by weight of filamentary solids is woven oriented substantially across one another in one of the planes.

Abstract: The invention relates to games racket frames which are made from reinforced plastics material and have a hollow construction. The particular construction and method of the invention enable a satisfactory hollow product to be made by an injection moulding technique instead of the more laborious technique of building a suitable reinforced hollow construction around a mandrel.The frame is a hollow injection moulding of reinforced thermoplastics material in which the walls (21A and 21B) at the outer and inner circumference of the head (21) are joined by supports (25) through which the stringing holes (23) pass. The supports are integrally formed during the moulding.

Abstract: A frame structure adapted for use as a tennis racket. The frame structure includes a frame body made from either wood, metal or plastic having a tubular structure with inside and outside surfaces. A composite material jacket having an outer layer adjacent and bonded to the frame outside surface and an inner layer adjacent and bonded to the frame body inside surface is provided. The composite material jacket is made from composite materials such as resin impregnated boron, graphite, polyamide aromatic and glass fibers. In addition, plastic throat pieces commonly used to connect and support racket necks and handles are replaced by composite material cross-member supports which are integrally molded to the composite material jacket. The composite material jacket provides structural reinforcement as well as desirable shock and vibration dampening characteristics. In addition, the tubular frame is provided with elongated slots through which racket strings are attached for mounting.

Abstract: There is described a tennis racket the frame and shaft of which are formed by synthetic resin-impregnated fibres, such as glass and/or carbon fibres, aromatic polyamide or boron fibres, and the core both of the frame and the shaft is preferably filled with a synthetic foam with the purpose of determining the profile of those components formed by the fibres, in which inside the core is present at least in places in the frame and/or the shaft, at least one wood layer.

Abstract: A frame for a games racket comprises a hollow plastics moulding which is at least partially reinforced by means of a rigid member integrally moulded therewith. The rigid member can consist of a metal plate having perforations which, when the plate and the plastics material are moulded together, are penetrated by the plastics material, which sets therein to lock the plate to the moulding.The plate may, for example, extend over an area corresponding to the crown portion of the frame so as to provide for localized reinforcement, particularly, in the event of impact (e.g. when the racket is dropped on to a hard surface).

Abstract: A composite javelin having superior vibration damping characteristics is provided having a hollow or low density body of generally circular cross-section which tapers from small diameter front and rear tip ends to a large diameter more or less in the center, said tapered diameters and general tip and grip features being in conformance with the requirements of the International Olympic Committee. The javelin body can be constructed in either a one or two piece manner and constitutes a plurality of Kevlar.RTM. or fiber glass prepreg bias wound plys forming an underlayer and a plurality of bias wound graphite/epoxy prepreg plys forming an overlayer. In the preferred two piece construction, the distribution of weight and composite center of gravity can be adjusted within the body to allow tuning the javelin to an individual athlete's throwing characteristics.

Abstract: A novel structural member, such as a tennis racket, and the method for making same, provides a high strength to weight ratio. The structural member of this invention consists of a fiberglass shell which surrounds a syntactic foam core. The fiberglass shell may be further selectively reinforced with a ribbon which is formed from a high strength fiber such as boron fibers, graphite fibers, aramid fibers, etc. Because the structure of this invention incorporates a high strength to weight ratio it can be utilized in the manufacture of rackets of conventional and radical design.This invention relates to a structural member consisting of a tennis racket having a high strength to weight ratio.

Abstract: A string for sports rackets consists of a gut core covered with filamentary aramid and impregnated with at least one coating of water-resistant, vapor-impermeable, flexible smooth adhesive polymeric resin, which adheres the filamentary aramid to the gut core.

Abstract: A method of producing a racket frame, in which multiple layers of wooden strips are laminated to form a racket frame. An elongate groove is made at least in a wooden strip of mid layer on the side perpendicular to the string of the racket. The groove includes a shallow elongate central portion and two deeper elongate portions joining longitudinally with the central portion. A reinforcing material is filled in the groove and the mid layer is then plied with the wooden strips of other layers by means of adhesive. The preformed frame is heated and the reinforcing material sets in the groove and form an integral body therewith.The racket frame comprises, a plurality of elongate wooden strips laminated and fabricated to form a frame; and a reinforcing material being sandwiched in the mid part of the frame. The reinforcing material extends longitudinally along the frame and have a structure in which the cross section is narrow at the central part and broad about two ends.

Abstract: The blade for a table tennis bat includes a layer of lightweight, low modulus of elasticity material positioned centrally with respect to the thickness of the blade and overlaid by a constraining layer of high modulus of elasticity material. The blade also includes a smooth, rigid outer layer bonded to the outer surfaces of the two constraining layers. The constraining layers are composed of strands of stretch resistant material woven transversely to each other to form a thin mat.

Abstract: Presented is a golf shaft designed to have a "kick" point or "flex" zone at a predetermined location along the length of the shaft. How and where the shaft bends or flexes during the down swing has a strong influence on how the club "feels" to the golfer. How and where the shaft bends during the down swing is determined by the construction of the golf shaft and presented herewith is a golf shaft structure and method of making it which controls the position of the flex point along the length of the shaft so that a variety of shafts having different flex characteristics may be manufactured to suit the dictates of individual players.

Abstract: A short tennis racket having an oblong, oval shaped head.

Abstract: A strand prepreg which comprises (i) a resin composition comprising 100 parts by weight of thermosetting resin having a softening point of 60.degree. C. or less and about 5 to 60 parts by weight of epoxy resin having a number average molecular weight of 5,000 or more and (ii) about 20 to 80% by volume strands of carbon fibers, glass fibers, aromatic polyamide fibers and the like, wherein the strands are impregnated with the resin composition.

Abstract: A carbon fiber-reinforced plastic arrow is disclosed having a tubular shaft with a length of from 25 to 32 inches, a wall thickness of from 0.022 to 0.032 inch and an internal diameter of from 0.19 to 0.26 inch, the shaft having a stiffness measured by center deflection under a two pound center load of from 0.25 to 0.7 inch. The tubular shaft is constructed of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic to include an interior section in which the carbon fibers run in two directions, each balanced with respect to the other, of at least 30.degree. to the axis of the arrow, and an outer section in which substantially all of the fibers are parallel to the axis of the arrow, and the arrow includes a head having a weight of from 45% to 60% of the weight of the shaft.

Abstract: A tubular composite structure for transmitting forces comprises a metal tubular core, preferably of aluminum, having a layer of structural metal adhesive on the exterior surface of the core. On top of the structural adhesive layer are alternating laminae of resin impregnated unidirectional reinforcing fibers, particularly carbon or graphite fibers, and of woven fiberglass, beginning with a layer of woven fiberglass followed by a lamina of resin impregnated continuous unidirectional reinforcing fibers and continuing in alternating fashion but ending with a final layer of resin impregnated continuous unidirectional reinforcing fibers, each successive layer of resin impregnated continuous unidirectional fibers having the fibers oriented at an angle of between about 5.degree. to 12.degree. with respect to the longitudinal axis of the metal tube and in opposite orientation with respect to the next preceding layer. The fibers in the woven fiberglass layer are oriented at 0.degree. and 90.degree.

Abstract: This specification discloses an improved ice hockey stick in which strips of reinforcing plastic material disposed in preferably embedded into the wide side surfaces of the handle of an ice hockey stick which otherwise is made of suitable hardwood.The construction is such that the completed hockey stick handle will be perceived by the hockey player as a conventional wooden hockey stick and not as a hockey stick whose handle is made of plastic or is covered with plastic material.An improved method for making handles for hockey sticks is disclosed wherein the reinforcing strips are applied to a large number of handle components which are pressed together in a suitable apparatus before installation of the blades to the lower extremity of the handle component.

Abstract: A tubular composite structure for transmitting forces comprises a metal tubular core, preferably of aluminum, having a layer of structural metal adhesive on the exterior surface of the core. On top of the structural adhesive layer are alternating laminae of resin impregnated unidirectional reinforcing fibers, particularly carbon or graphite fibers, and of woven fiberglass, beginning with a layer of woven fiberglass followed by a lamina of resin impregnated continuous unidirectional reinforcing fibers and continuing in alternating fashion but ending with a final layer of resin impregnated continuous unidirectional reinforcing fibers, each successive layer of resin impregnated continuous unidirectional fibers having the fibers oriented at an angle of between about 5.degree. to 12.degree. with respect to the longitudinal axis of the metal tube and in opposite orientation with respect to the next preceding layer. The fibers in the woven fiberglass layer are oriented at 0.degree. and 90.degree.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a novel fiberglass pole construction and the method for forming such. The pole is of composite construction and includes inner, outer and intermediate layers resin bonded together into an integral hollow elongated tapered form exhibiting lightweight and high strength characteristics. The intermediate layer includes individual sublayers in turn formed from a plurality of strips of non-woven, unidirectional glass fiber fabric. The strips of each sublayer are circumferentially staggered about the periphery of the pole and are disposed lengthwise therealong so that the orientation of the glass fibers forming such strips is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the pole. Several such sublayers are built up until the necessary strength characteristics have been imparted to the pole. An outer layer of generally spirally wrapped ribbon essentially completes the structure.

Abstract: This specification discloses an improved ice hockey stick in which strips of reinforcing plastic material are disposed in, preferably embedded into the wide side surfaces of the handle of an ice hockey stick which otherwise is made of suitable hardwood.The construction is such that the completed hockey stick handle will be perceived by the hockey player as a conventional wooden hockey stick and not as a hockey stick whose handle is made of plastic or is covered with plastic material.An improved method for making handles for hockey sticks is disclosed wherein the reinforcing strips are applied to a large number of handles which are pressed together in a suitable apparatus before installation of the blades to the lower extremity of the handle component.

Abstract: A novel tubular composite structure for transmitting substantial forces comprising a metal tubular core having a layer of structural metal adhesive on the exterior thereof. On top of the structural adhesive layer are alternating laminae of resin impregnated unidirectional reinforcing fibers and of woven fiberglass, beginning with a layer of woven fiberglass followed by a lamina of resin impregnated unidirectional reinforcing fibers and continuing in alternating fashion but ending with a final layer of resin impregnated continuous unidirectional reinforcing fibers. All fibers are disposed at a predetermined angle of orientation with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tube. The number of layers disposed along the length of the tubular core varies such that the core thickness along the length of the tubular shaft has its greatest thickness at the mid section of the shaft.

Abstract: An improved frame, and manufacturing method, for sport rackets used in games such as racquet ball, tennis, court tennis, squash, squash tennis, badminton, and lacrosse. A single laminated piece forms the major portion of both the head and the handle. The laminated piece consists of laminae of fibrous tape and laminae of thermoplastic.

Abstract: A carbon graphite fiber reinforced shaft incorporating longitudinal plies and radial plies. In transverse aspect, the radial plies incorporate two interleaved helices with three turns around the shaft. The fibers in the two helices are oppositely oriented at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The fibers in one radial ply have a modulus that is substantially 50% greater than the modulus of the opposed interleaved radial ply.

Abstract: A composite golf shaft for use with a metal golf club head is improved by reinforcing the tubular metal core of the shaft with a unidirectional graphite fiber reinforced resin body which is inserted in the tip section of the shaft.

Abstract: A novel golf shaft having a metal core and a graphite fiber reinforced sheath thereon is provided. The shaft has a predetermined orientation of the graphite fibers. In one embodiment, some longitudinal fibers are located in the region where the butt section of the shaft begins to taper downwardly thereby lowering the bending profile of the shaft compared with a shaft not having the longitudinal fibers. The method of fabricating the shaft also is disclosed.

Abstract: The soccer-type game includes a simulated playing field having a goal at each end into which a ball is to be "kicked" by any one of a number of small plastic players. The players are mounted on various laterally extending shafts journaled in spaced side walls so that the shafts can be shifted or slid transversely to bring selected players into optimum kicking positions and then rocked or rotated to cause a given player to kick the ball toward one goal or the other. The shafts are of a tubular construction composed of a polyester matrix containing graphite fibers, a lead insert being used to impart a desired and uniform mass to a given set of shafts.

Abstract: A novel structural member, such as a tennis racket frame, having an unusually high strength to weight ratio is provided comprising an expanded foamed plastic core integrally bonded to a shell comprising at least one layer of resin-coated unidirectionally oriented graphite fibers, the shell completely encasing the core at any transverse cross section of the structural member, with a seamless sleeve made of a thin, flexible cellulosic film between the core and the shell.The structural member is prepared by arranging within a mold cavity an outer shell comprising at least one sheet of resin-coated unidirectionally oriented graphite fibers and a core comprising a foamable resin composition while the core is maintained within a seamless sleeve made of a thin, flexible cellulosic film, sealing the mold cavity and activating the foamable resin composition to cause expansion and generate pressure within the mold cavity and thereby provide intimate bonding of the core to the shell.

Abstract: A novel structural member, such as a tennis racket frame, having an unusually high strength to weight ratio is provided comprising an expanded foamed plastic core integrally bonded to a shell comprising at least one layer of resin-coated unidirectionally oriented graphite fibers, the shell completely encasing the core at any transverse cross section of the structural member with a veiling strip wrapped around said core beneath the innermost or beyond the outermost of the graphite fiber layers, or both.

Abstract: A laminated game racket frame having a closed hoop-shaped inner frame and an outer frame with the outer part of the inner frame integrally bonded to the inner part of the outer frame to form a unitized body, each frame being formed as a laminate comprised of a plurality of strips. Some of these strips are made of wood, thermoplastic resin or metal, and some are made as laminates themselves from plies of reinforced thermosetting resins.

Abstract: A flexible hollow fishing rod shaft of improved strength to weight ratio with respect to both bending and crushing strength, having an outer layer of longitudinally extending fiber glass filaments bonded together with a flexible plastic resin, and an inner layer of graphite filaments wound in a tight helix and impregnated with a plastic resin bonding agent.

Abstract: A fishing rod is provided which has a hollow tapered rod body of generally circular exterior cross-section which tapers from a large diameter handle end to a small diameter tip end, and a hollow interior extending along the rod axis which tapers in the same direction as the exterior of the rod. The rod body is constituted by laminations of a plurality of plies of fiber reinforced resin in which the fibers in each ply are parallel to one another, these plies including at least one inner ply having its fibers oriented at an angle of at least 30.degree. to the axis of the rod, and a plurality of outer plies having their fibers generally parallel to the axis of the rod. The outer plies at the large diameter end of the rod have their fibers disposed at a progressively increasing angle to the axis of the rod as they approach the rod exterior, and this distributes the load to maximize the flexing strength of a rod of minimum weight.

Abstract: A golf shaft and its method of fabrication. The shaft comprises a tapered, scrolled, oblong blank of thin laminated sheet material having alternating laminae of woven glass fabric and resin impregnated unidirectional graphite fibers. The fibers are arranged in a predetermined specific angle of orientation with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shaft.

Abstract: A game racket is provided that has high bending and torsional stiffness. The racket has a central core and a fiber reinforced plastic skin on the core. The fiber reinforced plastic skin is generally disposed on the faces of the core parallel to the striking plane and covering at least the head portion and the throat sections of the racket. The fibers are continuous and layered. The fiber in the throat section is crossplied at alternating angles as measured from the longitudinal axis of the racket frame. The fibers on the surface of the head portion are aligned with the general contour of the head portion.

Abstract: A hollow tapered tubular shaft formed of layers of carbonaceous fibers embedded in a resinous binder wherein each layer is oriented in different angles relative to an adjoining layer to provide a preferred physical characteristic to the tubular shaft.

Abstract: A golf club shaft made of a filament reinforced resin wherein a group of filaments are wound at a winding angle of 10.degree. or less and another group of filaments are wound at a winding angle of 25.degree. to 65.degree. and capable of much reducing the torsion of the shaft, reducing the weight of the shaft, increasing the bending strength of the shaft and increasing the flying distance of a golf ball.

Abstract: A molded, plastic tennis racket frame is described which is constructed of a combination of glass fiber reinforcement and carbon fiber reinforcement to provide a low specific gravity composite when incorporated in resins which are reinforced by these materials and to permit construction of a tennis racket having a general shape of conventional wooden rackets. The tennis racket is constructed as a unitary piece utilizing foamed resins reinforced with the glass fibers and carbon fibers. Specific weight percentages of glass fibers and carbon fibers are designated for maximum strength, flexibility and good playing characteristics.