Abstract: A training device for limiting limb movement over a predetermined range of motion providing habit formation for activities such as sports requiring memory of arm or leg movement. The device includes a resilient spacer means such as a block or ball disposed within a pocket in a strap which fits snugly around the players forearm. The spacer means and pocket are oriented in a position to permit limited pivotal movement of the elbow to an angle of about 90 degrees whereby the spacer contacts the forearm and upper arm. The elbow is prevented from pivoting beyond the point at which the forearm forms a selected angle with the upper arm. The strap is adjusted by a user to restrict the angle to which the elbow can be bent on the backward movement of the arm. Forward movement of the arm during a shot is not restricted.

Abstract: A tennis analysis system analyzes tennis game play and generates game statistics for one or more players involved in a tennis session including match play. The system involves electronic portable devices that may be in a form of a dampener device. The portable devices can be mounted on tennis rackets for capturing stroke and other game related data during tennis play. Further, supplemental data may also be captured using personal devices such as mobile phones. The data generated by the electronic portable devices and personal devices can be used in combination by the tennis analysis system to perform game analysis.

Abstract: A method for analyzing a tennis session for game improvement using a portable device and a tennis analysis system, includes collecting information from the tennis session using the portable device attached to a racket used in a game for a plurality of strokes, transferring the collected information from the portable device to the tennis analysis system using a communication interface; analyzing information relating to the plurality of strokes; analyzing information relating to collections of strokes from said plurality of strokes to identify rallies, games, sets and matches played during the session, by said tennis analysis system; and generating a plurality of game statistics.

Abstract: A score keeping apparatus configured to keep score on a racquet. The score keeping apparatus contains multiple embodiments wherein the score keeping apparatus is configured to keep score on a racquet, such as a tennis or racquetball racquet.

Abstract: A system for a racket comprises an inertial sensor for coupling to the racket, a processor connected to the inertial sensor, and a memory device connected to the processor. The inertial sensor includes an accelerometer array with three degrees of freedom in acceleration and a gyro array with three degrees of freedom in rotation. The processor is configured to generate stroke profiles describing acceleration and rotation of the racket based on signals from the accelerometer and the gyro arrays, and the memory device is configured to store the stroke profiles.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with a sports racquet. The apparatus including a sensor to be carried by the racquet and an indicator in communication with the sensor to output a notification based on the number of hits by the racquet based on signals from the sensor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for quickly and easily installing a safety cord in the butt of a racquet, without damaging the safety cord, includes a handle and an elongate structure having a loop for engaging the safety cord.

Abstract: A racquet identification system for use with at least first and second racquets supported by a multi-racquet support structure. Each of the first and second racquets includes a head portion. The system includes first and second head cards coupled to the head portion of the first and second racquets, respectively. The first and second head cards include first and second bodies and first and second projections extending from the first and second bodies, respectively. The shape of the first body is similar to the shape of the second body. The first body and the first projection define a first orientation. The second body and the second projection define a second orientation. The first and second orientations are different. The first and second racquets have at least one characteristic that varies between the first and second racquets, and the first and second projections are configured to highlight the characteristic.

Abstract: A training device which includes a face with a first region and a second region, said first region adapted to provide an first auditory output when struck by a tennis ball and said second region adapted to provide a second auditory output when struck by a tennis ball, wherein said first auditory output and said second auditory output are different, a circumferentially grooved region adjacent said face, and a ringlet engageable with said grooved region.

Abstract: A weighting device for use with a racket includes at least one frame strip, at least one weight, and at least one screw. The frame strip is adapted for being mounted on an outer circumference of a racket frame and has a dovetail groove extending along a longitudinal direction thereof, and a plurality of through holes provided at a bottom wall of the dovetail groove. The weight has a threaded through hole and is slidably engaged in the dovetail groove. The screw is threadedly engaged with the threaded through hole of the weight and provided with an end stoppable against the bottom wall of the dovetail groove for holding the weight stationarily. Therefore, the weight can be firmly positioned and the balance of a racket using the weighting device can be quickly adjusted by adjusting the position of the weight.

Abstract: A swing weight training device for stringed sports rackets includes two major parts designed to be secured together from opposing sides of the racket strings, to be quickly secured and removed without damage to the strings. An over-molded elastomeric coating encases a mass, providing a soft surface to grab the strings and keep the swing weight from moving or sliding on the strings. The over-mold material may also cover a portion of an attachment mounting stud that protrudes between the strings. An opposing quick attachment knob receives a portion of the stud projecting through strings, securing the mass with a low friction material that slides easily against the racket's strings without damage and providing a quick but secure attachment of the device to the strings of the racket. The knob may have either a threaded attachment or a quick release mechanism incorporated within the stud attachment system.

Abstract: A projection in operative connection with a tip of a racquet is provided, such that at least a portion of the projection extends outwardly from a frame of the racquet. The frame has a shape of a loop and a plurality of transversely orientated sets of strings that span the loop and are connected to the frame. The projection includes a substantially flat surface orientated parallel to the at least one face of the strings. The projection is in rigid connection with the racquet and extends from the tip of the frame opposite a handle connected to the frame for a distance operative to serve as a putting surface for putting a ball along the ground.

Abstract: A racket assembly may include a racket, and at least one sensor operatively coupled to the racket. The at least one sensor may be configured to generate a signal indicative of at least one parameter related to use of the racket. The racket assembly may also include a processor configured to receive the signal as an input and generate an output based on the signal.

Abstract: A ball retrieval sports racket. The ball retrieval sports racket includes a racket with a handle and a head portion. The ball retrieval sports racket further includes a ball retrieval attachment and protective cover for both the head portion of the racket and the handle portion of the racket.

Abstract: A racket assembly may include a racket, and at least one sensor operatively coupled to the racket. The at least one sensor may be configured to generate a signal indicative of at least one parameter related to use of the racket. The racket assembly may also include a processor configured to receive the signal as an input and generate an output based on the signal.

Abstract: A sports training device that includes a pressure sensor mounted on the hand grip of a sports implement such as a tennis racket or a golf club. The device utilizes a piezoelectric force sensor to monitor the grip pressure in a circular sensing area located where the palm meets the index finger. The piezoelectric sensor varies its resistance inversely with the force applied and is connected to an operational amplifier that uses a variable resistor to deliver an output voltage proportional to the force applied. This voltage triggers a vibrating motor that alerts the user that an excessive pressure has been applied to the hand grip. The exact amount of pressure for each player and the sports equipment used will vary but can be adjusted to signal when the pressure is too great for the particular use.

Abstract: A projection in operative connection with a tip of a racquet is provided, such that at least a portion of the projection extends outwardly from a frame of the racquet. The frame has a shape of a loop and a plurality of transversely orientated sets of strings that span the loop and are connected to the frame. The projection includes a substantially flat surface orientated parallel to the at least one face of the strings. The projection is in rigid connection with the racquet and extends from the tip of the frame opposite a handle connected to the frame for a distance operative to serve as a putting surface for putting a ball along the ground.

Abstract: A sports racquet for impacting a game ball and for facilitating the opening of a cap on a bottle. The sports racquet includes a head portion and a handle portion. The handle portion has a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end is coupled to the head portion. The proximal end defines a recess, and includes a projection spaced apart from a fulcrum. The recess is sized to removably receive a portion of the cap. The projection is configured to catch a portion of an underside of the cap and the fulcrum is configured to bear against the top of the cap as one or both of the handle portion and the bottle serve as a lever for prying the cap off of the bottle.

Abstract: A tennis racket brush attachment to detachably mount a brush to the head of a tennis racket to provide a means of sweeping debris from the playing surface and cleaning the boundary lines of a tennis court comprising a first attachment element affixed to the head of the tennis racket and a second attachment element affixed to the brush wherein the first attachment element and second attachment element are similarly configured to selectively engage each other to detachably mount the brush to the head of the tennis racket.

Abstract: A racquet frame including a light-weight, semi-permanent protective layer covering portions of the racquet frame is described. The semi-permanent protective layer may be applied to significant portions of the racquet frame without substantially changing performance features of the racquet frame. The semi-permanent protective layer reduces cosmetic damage to the frame of the racquet and may be replaced from time to time as needed. Further, the protective layer can be graphically enhanced providing a level of graphical customization to the racquet frame.

Abstract: The spin improvement string pliers is a pivotally secured together plier device used to manually restructure and roughen the surface of a synthetic or a polyester string on a strung tennis racquet by means of plastic deformation. The line grids on the pliers depress the string, leaving a series of indentations on the string surface that increases the friction between the string and the ball so that the tennis player can more easily generate top or under spin on a tennis ball.

Abstract: A system of 8 loops (300) of elastic material and a method for keeping score or determining the winner of a tie-break during a tennis game using the 8 loops is disclosed. Of the 8 loops, 4 are to be affixed to a left shaft and 4 are to be affixed to a right shaft of an assembly with at least two shafts. The loops (300) of elastic material are affixed under light tension so that they can be moved easily by the player or spectator and then stay in place once positioned. The loops (300) are marked contrastingly so that they can be easily distinguished for keeping score as necessary. Each point is marked by positioning one of the eight loops in an upwards or downwards direction, an improvement over prior-art which called for a single marker being placed over a specific figure. Several embodiments of the present invention are described.

Abstract: The spin improvement string pliers is a pivotally secured together plier device used to manually restructure and roughen the surface of a synthetic string on a strung tennis racquet by means of plastic deformation. The line grids on the pliers depress the string, leaving a series of indentations on the string surface that increases the friction between the string and the ball so that the tennis player can more easily generate top or under spin on a tennis ball or a racket ball.

Abstract: In a device for aligning strings in a racquet comprising a plate (10) with protrusions (20, 30, 40, 50) narrowing at the end, coming out of a flat top surface of the plate (10), the protrusions (20, 30, 40, 50) are spaced and have such dimensions and shape that they fit spaces in between the strings of the racquet. Each protrusion (20, 30, 40, 50) of this device has a cuboidal part (22, 32, 42, 52) with a base sitting on the flat top surface of the plate (10), whereby the cuboidal part (22, 32, 42, 52) turns upwards into a truncated pyramidal part (21, 31, 41, 51) with convex walls.

Abstract: An aid for teaching players specific proper tennis grips is provided in two form factors. The aid can be provided in a wrap or a band form factor. The aid comprises a reference for each of the following grips: Continental, Eastern, Semi-Western, and Western. The references are spatially located on the aid, such that when installed onto a neck of a tennis racket, each reference aligns with the “V” formed between player's thumb and forefinger when holding the racket with the respective grip. The references can be color coded, provided in differing fonts, include unique graphical representations, and the like.

Abstract: A racket assembly may include a racket, and at least one sensor operatively coupled to the racket. The at least one sensor may be configured to generate a signal indicative of at least one parameter related to use of the racket. The racket assembly may also include a processor configured to receive the signal as an input and generate an output based on the signal.

Abstract: A spring wire loop is affixed to a tennis racquet to enable a player to conveniently scoop a tennis ball off the playing surface and retrieve it. In one add-on embodiment, the loop can be affixed by mounts secured to the strings of an existing racquet; in another it is held in place by the racquet's bumper guard; in a further alternative, the loop can be secured to mounts built into the racquet at manufacture.

Abstract: The present invention is a tennis racket string aligner. In several embodiments the present invention is a small handheld tool that consists of prongs, a base, and a handle with a pressure point area. The handle may be made of plastic, rubber, or other suitable material. The prongs should be durable enough that the racket strings do not stick to the prongs when pressure is applied. The string aligner may be made out of a combination plastic, rubber or metal.

Abstract: An apparatus that lays strings on top of each other within a frame; the overlying of the strings, once the process is finish, will create the arrays of intersections between the vertical and horizontal strings that create the net in a racquet, such as a tennis racquet, or squash racquet. The apparatus is new, very useful and has of a main section, a complementary overlap cover for the main section, a way of securing and undoing the main section to and from the frame of the racquet, and an inlet and outlet passage for the strings to and from the main section. In addition, a preferred embodiment includes the main section with vertical and horizontal routes that overpass each other made of transparent plastic, and consisting of any number of vertical and horizontal routes. A preferred embodiment includes the complementary overlap with a design of any geometric shape.

Abstract: The present invention provides a band, and/or fingerholds of thumb and index finger, or fingerholds of thumb and middle finger, or fingerholds of thumb and third finger, or a fingerhold of thumb, or a fingerhold of middle finger, or a fingerfold of index finger, or a fingerhold of third finger. Pushing down the fingerhold of thumb, the racket grip is turned to promote inward rotation, and pushing up the fingerhold of thumb, the racket grip is turned to promote outward rotation, or pushing the fingerhold of index finger to the side of its fingerhold, the racket grip is turned to promote outward rotation, or pushing the fingerhold of middle finger to the other side of its fingerhold, the racket grip is turned to promote outward rotation, or pushing the fingerhold of third finger to the other side of its fingerhold, the racket grip is turned to promote outward rotation.

Abstract: A sports training device including a pressure sensor mounted on the grip of a tennis racket or golf club is provided. The device includes a peizo-electric force sensor to monitor the grip pressure in a circular sensing area located under where palm meets the index finger. The peizo-electric sensor varies its resistance inversely with force applied is connected to an op-amp that uses a variable resistor to deliver an output voltage proportional to the force applied. This voltage triggers a vibrating motor to spin, thus alerting the user that he or she has squeezed too hard. This variable pressure sensor is connected to an alarm that will immediately notify the user when the grip is too tight. The exact amount of pressure for each player and the sports equipment used will vary widely, but can be adjusted to signal when the pressure is too great for the particular use.

Abstract: A handle configuration for a stringed racquet includes a handle shaft having a defined exterior shape and plural mounting apertures, with a butt cap being provided at a base end thereof. A contour assembly has an exterior of designed contour, including an upper protrusion and a lower trigger. The contour assembly is mountable on the racquet handle shaft at a plurality of discrete locations defined by the mounting apertures. The contour assembly has an interior shape conforming to the handle shaft shape to allow the contour assembly to be received on the handle shaft for attachment thereto. One or more mounting elements on the contour assembly align with the handle shaft mounting apertures for attachment of the contour assembly thereto.

Abstract: A racket string alignment device for aligning crisscrossed strings forming the face of a sports racket. The device features a body in a cup or hemispheric shape adapted for easy gripping by the palm and hand of a user. Projections extending from an axle engaged roller have distal ends adapted to easily engage within rectangles formed by the strings of the face and realign them. The axle is in floating engagement with the body to allow the body to tile while maintaining the axle substantially parallel to the face of the racket formed by the strings. Fluid applicators may be located between the projections to apply emollient to the strings and the rollers may be in a kit form allowing them to be changed for different sized racket faces with different sized rectangles in the crisscross pattern.

Abstract: A spring wire loop is affixed to a tennis racquet to enable a player to conveniently scoop a tennis ball off the playing surface and retrieve it. In one add-on embodiment, the loop can be affixed by mounts secured to the strings of an existing racquet; in another it is held in place by the racquet's bumper guard; in a further alternative, the loop can be secured to mounts built into the racquet at manufacture.

Abstract: A system of 8 loops (300) of elastic material and a method for keeping score or determining the winner of a tie-break during a tennis game using the 8 loops is disclosed. Of the 8 loops, 4 are to be affixed to a left elongated member and 4 are to be affixed to a right elongated member of an assembly with at least two elongated members. The loops (300) of elastic material are affixed under light tension so that they can be moved easily by the player or spectator and then stay in place once positioned. The loops (300) are marked contrastingly so that they can be easily distinguished for keeping score as necessary. Each point is marked by positioning one of the eight loops in an upwards or downwards direction, an improvement over prior-art which called for a single marker being placed over a specific figure. Several embodiments of the present invention are described.

Abstract: Fast, strong and steady racket swing can be made, without having a special skill. Providing a band which is made of one or more materials of fiber, resin, rubber, leather, metal, and other elastic material, and/or providing a fingerhold for a thumb and a fingerhold for an index finger, or a fingerhold for a thumb, which are made of one or more materials of fiber, resin, rubber, leather, metal, and other elastic material, and by pushing down or pushing up the fingerholds, the racket grip is turned to the side of fingerhold or to the other side of fingerhold, and inward or outward rotation operations of the racket grip continue, making the best use of a series of racket swing which started from the take-back.

Abstract: Devices for determining the string tension of racket strings are provided. In some embodiments, devices for determining the string tension of racket strings comprise: a body having a front surface indicating different combinations of player and racket characteristics, windows corresponding to certain types of rackets, and an axis perpendicular to the front surface; and a rotary disc which is rotatably situated on the axis behind the front surface and which has numbers indicated thereon representing racket string tension values that can be viewed through the windows for the different combinations of player and racket characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dampening device for ball game rackets. The dampening device of the present invention includes at least one dampening element having a foot or base region, a head region and a neck or connection region arranged between the foot region and the head region. The provision of a neck or connection region leads to an optimum distance between foot or base region and head region and/or an optimum and safe positioning of the head region in the stringing plane at a preferred distance from the heart region of the racket. Preferably, the neck region is tapered or necked relative to the foot or base region and/or the head region at least in the width or thickness direction of the dampening device of the invention.

Abstract: A spring wire loop is affixed to a tennis racquet to enable a player to conveniently scoop a tennis ball off the playing surface and retrieve it. In one add-on embodiment, the loop can be affixed by mounts secured to the strings of an existing racquet; in another it is held in place by the racquet's bumper guard; in a further alternative, the loop can be secured to mounts built into the racquet at manufacture.

Abstract: A racket swing training apparatus providing a user-chosen static positioning of a tennis racket in the hand, at angles to the forearm, which are determinable and repeatable. The device further provides components to set the face angle of the racket engaged to the device and visual indica to allow for the same positioning in subsequent uses. A planar member is removably engageable in a translatable engagement with a cuff adapted for engagement to the user's forearm. The planar member has an aperture opposite the cuff which is adapted to encircle the grip of a racket and sized to prevent rotation of the racket axis past predetermined limits relative to the axis of the planar member.

Abstract: A vibration damper for a racquet sport includes a score tallying device for keeping the score of t racquet sport such as tennis. The current score is maintained by an electronic circuit and displayed on an electronic display within the vibration damper. The vibration damper is configured to be attached to the racquet strings. The vibration damper and score keeper is preferably configured so that it displays only legitimate scores of the type of racquet sport for which it is intended.

Abstract: A racquet string tension identification device and method for mounting on a stringed racquet utilizing a color coding system to denote the original string tension range in tens of pounds and having nine indicia areas with the number of additional pounds of tension to be added to the tension range depending upon how many of such indicia areas are marked.

Abstract: A device mounted in a tennis racket includes a cylindrical cushioning member including an annular groove, a central chamber, an axial channel crossed the chamber, and two recesses at its both ends; and a rigid, doughnut-shaped, hollow sound producing member mounted in the chamber and including a space and an axial tunnel therethrough. Three straight wires of a network of the racket pass three sides of the groove for fastening the device such that the device can absorb reaction when a ball is hit by the racket. The strength of sound produced by the device is determined by whether air flowing through one recess, one end of the channel, and the tunnel co-acts with air in the space to produce resonance or not by whether a handle held by the hand correctly hits the ball or not. The recess has a concave, convex, or inclined section around its central portion.

Abstract: A racket assembly having a racket head that is supported by a handle. A string is strung across the racket head forming a string face. The string used in the string face is statistically likely to fail after the string face has been impacted a precalculated number of times. At least one sensor is provided for sensing when the racket head experiences a change in acceleration that exceeds a predetermined threshold level. A logic circuit creates a count corresponding to the number of times the sensor detects a change in acceleration in excess of the predetermined threshold level. An indicator is provided that creates an indication when the count approaches the precalculated number. In this manner, a person is warned when the string of the racket is statistically likely to fail.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a device for assisting a person using a golf club, tennis racket or other swinging sports implement to maintain control of the implement during the swing. The device is a strap or other similar device that is to connect the implement and the user's fingers.

Abstract: A racket grip training apparatus providing user chosen static positioning of a tennis racket in the hand at angles to the forearm that are determinable and repeatable. The device further provides components to set the face angle of the racket engaged to the device and visual indica to allow for the same positioning in subsequent uses. A planar member is removably engageable to the user's forearm at a first end and has an aperture at an opposite end adapted to encircle the grip of a racket and sized to prevent rotation of the racket axis past predetermined limits relative to the axis of the planar member.

Abstract: Finger sleeve grip pressure tennis training device. An improved swing for tennis through the GRIP LOOSE finger sleeve-training device is provided through less grip pressure. When wearing the finger sleeve there is a sound when the tennis player grips the tennis racquet too tight. There is a battery, sound module, wire, and a snap disc sensor on the inside of the said finger sleeve.

Abstract: A tennis training device for training a user proper tennis strokes with a means for attaching the tennis training device to an upper arm of a tennis player, a means for connecting the means for attaching to a tennis racquet, and a means for restricting the position of the tennis racquet in relation to the tennis player.

Abstract: A vibration damper for a racquet sport includes a score tallying device for keeping the score of t racquet sport such as tennis. A rotating score indicator is provided with allowed score values for indicating the current score by rotation of the indicator by a user. Alternatively, the current score is maintained by an electronic circuit and displayed on an electronic display within the vibration damper. The vibration damper is configured to be attached to the racquet strings. The vibration damper and score keeper is preferably marked so that it displays only legitimate scores of the type of racquet sport for which it is intended.

Abstract: A handheld device for realigning the strings of a sports racquet, wherein the device is sized to fit into a clothing pocket of the user. The device comprises a body portion from which one or more alternately shaped protrusions extend. The protrusions generally include four-sided shapes that are sized and located along the body portion to be individually progressively received in the openings between the strings of the racquet, but not pass completely through the openings. Possible shapes include generally square, rectangular, trapezoidal, triangular, round, or oval shapes when viewed from the edge. The device is formed of a durable polymeric material that may readily be molded by conventional molding techniques.