Abstract: A stringed-racquet pick including a handle body and a string-realignment member having a conical head with a circumferentially position ridge along the base forming a stop. Furthermore, the handle body tapers to an appropriately smaller cross sectional area on the handle side of the base ridge thereby serving as a finger support surface as the tool is being used. The present invention provides a device for fastening to an article depending from the handle body, such as a clip whereby the racquet pick can be clipped to a pocket. Additionally, the handle body can have a compartment including a device for providing access thereto.

Abstract: An accessory for rackets having an adjustable belt (1a) or a fastener 1(b) for stable connection to a handle (M) of a racket (R) and contact means (2) having a shaped concave guide (3) for a user's hand (H), designed to identify the correct position of the user's hand (H) when changing the grip from the grip used for forehand strokes to that used for backhand strokes.

Abstract: A racquet stroke training device adapted to “fix” a user's forehand racquet stroke comprises, in one embodiment, a band adapted to be worn on a user's arm above the user's elbow, a glove adapted to be worn on a user's hand, and a tether having a first end attachable to the band and a second end attachable to the glove. The tether has (or is dimensioned to have) a given length such that, during a practice stroke, the user's elbow is bent at a substantially 90° angle and the user's wrist is fixed in an upwardly-extending, wrist-locked position.

Abstract: A highly specific type of hooked materials, when applied to the shoulder of a tennis racquet, have been found to tangentially hook onto the nap of a tennis ball and allow the ball to be lifted from the court. Hooked materials characterized as comprising a series of heat-treated nylon monofilament hooks in a rowed relationship (300/inch2) of an average diameter of 8.5 mil, 1.91 mm mean height, 1.13 mm mean width and 0.71 mm mean hook depth are particularly effective for retrieving all common types of tennis balls.

Abstract: A retrieval device is connected to a racquet and is structured to allow a user to pick a ball up off of the ground without having to bend down to do the same. The retrieval device includes an elongated retrieval member having a stationary section connected to the racquet via an attachment assembly, and a movable section which is disposed in cooperative engagement with a guide assembly, at least a portion of the guide assembly also being connected to the racquet via the attachment assembly. The movable section of the elongated retrieval member is disposable between a storage configuration and a retrieval configuration. More in particular, the storage configuration is at least partially defined by the movable section substantially conforming to a corresponding portion of the head of the racquet, and the retrieval configuration is at least partially defined by the movable section being disposed in a retrieving relation to the ball.

Abstract: An apparatus used in playing the sport of lacrosse. The apparatus is located in a lacrosse player's stick head. During lacrosse play, a player may find it advantageous to use this invention to finely adjust the lengths and tensions of the thongs or netting material of the lacrosse stick head. In addition, this invention relates to the shooting string apparatus located in the head of a lacrosse stick and its adjustment. In this invention, the shooting string apparatus is constructed with a flat central piece called the shooting string section and a tension adjustment device. Affixed to the shooting section are a series of opposed flaps that fold over and hold the shooting string in place within the stick head. A tension string is connected to or through the shooting string section. The tension on the shooting string section may be easily and rapidly adjusted by controlling the length of the tension string by operating a finely continuously adjustable locking mechanism.

Abstract: A tool for adjusting string on a racket is disclosed. The tool is comprised of a longitudinal body comparable in size to that of a pen, defined by a hilt with a distal section that narrows at the end, which is provided with a notch to push the string transversally and a hook to pull it and correct displacements in the set of strings' octagonal configuration. At the proximal end, the tool comprises a notch that houses, and protects, a cutting edge, which may produce the necessary cuts in the string to avoid racket bending. The invention is a multi-function instrument that may be easily carried by the player, to be used instead of the usual means that include pushing levers and cutting edges or scissors.

Abstract: A device (10) for training a sequence of movements for ball hitting implements (18), especially golf clubs and baseball bats, permits monitoring the observance of the correct sequence of movements. The monitoring device acts upon the implement (18) and the user. The device permits the individual user to be in a position to check whether a sequence of movement is being correctly performed, while he or she is executing the sequence of movements and to correct it if necessary.

Abstract: The present invention 10 discloses a device that attaches to sporting equipment for the purpose of generating an audible sound under predetermined conditions. The device 10 is selectively attached to hand held sporting equipment, such as a golf club 18 and tennis racquet 38, that travels through a sweeping motion. By attachment of the sound generating device to the aforementioned equipment it will be possible to cause audible sounds under abrupt increases in velocity. The device of the preferred embodiment is comprised of a sound generation element 12 such as pliable material, and may include a means of attachment element 14. The sound generation element 12 can be permanently or semi-permanently fixed to the sporting equipment. In the permanent/semi-permanent state the sound generation element is fixedly positioned by means of adhesive 40, or any other bonding means known within the art, to the sporting equipment thereby having no need for a means of an attachment element 14.

Abstract: A device and method for determining whether or not the string face of a racket is held in a vertical plane as the racket is swung. At least one sensor is attached to a racket. The sensors detect when the string face of the racket is in a vertical plane and when the string face deviates from that vertical plane. An indicator is also attached to the racket, wherein the indicator produces a perceivable indication to the user of the racket wher activated. A logic circuit is used to connect the sensors to the indicator. When the sensors detect that the string face of the racket has wandered from the vertical plane, the indicator is activated and the player holding the racket is informed of the lapse in form. By repeatedly swinging the racket and trying to avoid activating the indicator, a player can train to have a proper level swing.

Abstract: A gripping device (10) for attachment to the bottom (102) of a tennis racquet (100) to retrieve tennis balls (200) wherein, the gripping device (10) is fabricated from a used tennis ball (20) having at least its lower quadrant severed beneath the midline of the used tennis ball (20) wherein, a plurality of vertically extending slits (22) are initiated at the sever line (24) to a point above the midline of the used tennis ball (20) to create gripping fingers (25) that will releasably engage the periphery of relatively new tennis balls (200).

Abstract: A tool for adjusting string on a racket is disclosed. The tool is made up by a longitudinal body of a size comparable to that of a pen, defined by a hilt with a section that narrows at the ends, one of which is provided with a notch to push the string transversally and a hook to pull it and correct displacements in the set of strings' octagonal configuration. On the opposite side, it is provided with a notch that houses, and protects, a cutting edge to produce the necessary cuts in the string to avoid racket bending. The invention is a multi-function instrument, that may be easily carried by the player, to be used instead of the usual means that include pushing levers and cutting edges or scissors.

Abstract: A tool for realigning or straightening the strings of a racquet. The tool has a generally rectangular tip which is precisely dimensioned to fit within the normal space between the strings of a racquet. To realign the racquet strings, the tip is placed into the space defined by the strings and the strings are automatically adjusted to their preferred alignment. The string straightening tool is portable and compact, allowing the user to carry the device on his/her person and to use the device during lulls in play during the game.

Abstract: A highly specific type of hooked materials, when applied to the shoulder of a tennis racquet, have been found to tangentially hook onto the nap of a tennis ball and allow the ball to be lifted from the court. Hooked materials characterized as comprising a series of heat-treated nylon monofilament hooks in a rowed relationship (300/inch2) of an average diameter of 8.5 mil, 1.91 mm mean height, 1.13 mm mean width and 0.71 mm mean hook depth are particularly effective for retrieving all common types of tennis balls.

Abstract: A piece of sports equipment for striking a ball or other sports object is covered along an exposed edge with one side of an adhesive mating hook and loop fastener. A smaller mating strip of adhesive mating hook and loop fastener is interconnected with the mating portion on the equipment leaving the adhesive side exposed for picking up the ball or other sports object with the piece of sports equipment. Alternately one or two strips of double adhesive material, such as tape may be used.

Abstract: A piece of sports equipment for striking a ball or other sports object is covered along an exposed edge with one side of an adhesive mating hook and loop fastener. A smaller mating strip of adhesive mating hook and loop fastener is interconnected with the mating portion on the equipment leaving the adhesive side exposed for picking up the ball or other sports object with the piece of sports equipment. Alternately one or two strips of double adhesive material, such as tape may be used.

Abstract: A string drawing electrical device for a racquet has a casing, a string holder, an actuating device and a control unit. The string holder is rotatably attached to a panel of the casing. The actuating device is mounted in the casing and provides two functions, feeding and reversing, to the string holder. The control unit is mounted in the casing for controlling the actuating device to act. Accordingly, the string drawing electrical device can tighten and loosen the string, and the tensile force of the string of the racquet can be accurately controlled.

Abstract: A new type of ball racket with bumper guard comprises a racket frame, a racket face, a shaft and a handle. The bumper guard is affixed on the curved section of the racket frame, which surrounds the ball racket face having a plurality of holes on the ball-hitting area, and then two sides of the frame converge to form the shaft. The end of the shaft has a handle. The design of the ball racket with bumper guard can protect the racket frame from many scratches and bumps against the wall or the ground during ball play. This not only can help extend the service life of a normal racket, but also reduces the chance of wrist injury for players.

Abstract: A counting racket comprises a racket assembly defined by a handle, a throat and a racket face. The throat extending from the handle to the racket face. The racket assembly housing a electronic components which comprise: a controller, a memory, a power source, an acoustic sensor, a speaker, and at least one switch. The electronic components constructed and arranged to count a number of hits made when an object strikes the racket face. The electronic components further constructed and arranged to audibly recite the number of hits made by the object against the racket face.

Abstract: A calorie counting racket has a skeleton (10) with a hollow grip (11) and a counter unit (20) secured inside the grip (11) with multiple press buttons and a display (25) protruding from a side surface of the grip (11). The counter unit (20) has a microprocessor (21), a frequency counter (22) to record numbers of swings of the racket, a force estimating unit (23) to detect acceleration of the skeleton (10), a set of press button to control the microprocessor (21), and a display (25) to show calorie data. So that the calorie counting racket determine the burned calories immediately and precisely in accordance with different users.

Abstract: The two part device is received within the recess in a tennis racquet handle. The first part is fixed within the recess and has a surface imprinted with scoring indicia. The second part is rotatably mounted on the first part and has a viewing window. The viewing window is aligned with selected scoring indicia on the first part surface as the second part is rotated. Detents cooperate to insure proper alignment between the window and the indicia. The second part has a raised portion, preferably in the shape of an indicia, to facilitate gripping the exterior surface of the second part.

Abstract: A counting racket comprises a racket assembly defined by a handle, a throat and a racket face. The throat extending from the handle to the racket face. The racket assembly housing a electronic components which comprise: a controller, a memory, a power source, an acoustic sensor, a speaker, and at least one switch. The electronic components constructed and arranged to count a number of hits made when an object strikes the racket face. The electronic components further constructed and arranged to audibly recite the number of hits made by the object against the racket face.

Abstract: A string vibration damper, for use on a sports racquet having an interwoven string bed, is made of a soft, elastomeric material and comprises a pair of end members connected by a connecting portion. Each end member has a hole therethrough with a hole diameter preferably in the range of 4 mm and 6 mm, and a maximal cross-sectional height “h” preferably in the range of 2 mm and 4 mm. The connecting portion preferably has a length of at least 50 mm, and most preferably at least 100 mm, so as to contact numerous strings. End member is secured to the string bed by being inserted between a pair of crossing strings. The end member is positioned so that the point of intersection of the crossing strings lies within the hole such that the crossing strings to remain touching. Because the strings are under tension, the string portions on either side of the hole contort the end member so that the end member are firmly secured in place on the stringbed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for use in gripping tennis rackets or the like which is of durable construction and which is easy to use, reliable, and efficient in operation. This device assists a tennis player, pro or novice, to maintain a proper grip on the handle of a tennis racket. This device is constructed of a single unitary piece which includes a wristband being attachable together by fastening means such as “Velcro” (a trademark) or other known hook and loop means, and a handle gripping extension which jutaxposes from the center of the wristband and is slidably attachable to the racket handle via a hole or opening on the extension. This device is made of lightweight material and does not add perceptible weight to the tennis racket or to the user's wrist. The user wears the device to improve his game performance without discomfort or interference with his concentration.

Abstract: A game racket is provided in the grip portion thereof with a sensor for detecting changes in body characteristic of a person engaging in exercise by using the game racket. The changes in body characteristic of the person are detected in the form of electronic signals, which are converted by the sensor into data. The data are exhibited by a display which is disposed in a predetermined position of the game racket. On the basis of the data, an exerciser may adjust the pace of the exercise in which the exerciser is engaged.

Abstract: A portable tennis scorekeeper device includes a portable body attachable to an article of apparel or insertable within a pocket of an article of apparel worn by a tennis player and a scoreboard applied to a side of the portable body. The scoreboard includes a middle region and a pair of opposite side regions. The middle region includes a first portion having a plurality of numbers and letters associated with points scored in a game of a tennis match, a pair of tracks extending along opposite sides of the first portion, second and third portions each disposed on a side of one of the tracks opposite from the first portion and having a plurality of numbers associated with points scored in a tiebreaker of the tennis match, and a pair of markers each mounted to and for undergoing movement along one of the tracks and alignable with the numbers and letters of the first, second and third portions.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for stringing traditional pockets for a lacrosse stick is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a plurality of guides that hold thongs typically used in a traditional pocket of a lacrosse stick at any depth desired by a user and guides the user in the nylon placement during stringing. The guides can also be customized to produce a variety of different shaped pockets. The apparatus and method greatly decrease the skill required to install a high quality traditional pocket in a lacrosse stick. The apparatus and method also increase the consistency in the shape of the pocket. For example, the apparatus and method enable the user to replicate the same pocket for numerous lacrosse sticks because the depth of the thongs and the nylon placement are controlled. In other words, the apparatus and method remove the most influential variables associated with the installation of a traditional lacrosse pocket.

Abstract: A tennis racquet is provided that has rotation aid attachments attached to the frame at the throat. The attachments include adhesive-backed textured strips attached to the outside surfaces of the arms, or two straps wrapped around the arms of the frame. The attachments present good traction to the finger tips of the off hand when finding the tennis ready position or making a grip change. The invention further provides a method of retrofitting a tennis racquet with the attachments.

Abstract: The weight, balance point and swing weight of a sports implement such as a tennis racket can be automatically duplicated using a measuring unit and a computer program that uses data supplied by the measuring unit and data prestored in a database. The measuring unit measures the total weight of a raw tennis racket, the force it exerts when supported by the balance and a fixed point, and the period of oscillation of the tennis racket when swung as a pendulum. The computer calculates the weight of a molded handle to be formed on the raw racket and the weight and location of lead weights to be added to a finished racket made from the raw racket so that the finished racket meets the specifications prestored in the computer. The system thus enables a particular racket to be duplicated by matching the properties of the finished racket with prestored specifications of the particular racket.

Abstract: Racket string tension-maintaining means includes a plurality of surface areas between the string receiving openings in the frame of said racket, the surfaces incorporating frictional means engagable with the bights of said strings to prevent the movement thereof relative to said frame.

Abstract: A warm-up and weight training device for use on a sports racket is provided which can be readily secured to and removed from the racket's strings. The device includes two housing portions and a plurality of weights positionable in the housing portions. A securing device is used to clamp the housing portions together from opposing sides of the strings while securing the housing and weights to the strings. Protective gaskets are provided as a barrier preventing injury to the strings. The combination of the variable weights and the change in the moment arm based on the position of the invention from the handle, provide a wide range of resistance.

Abstract: A tennis ball retriever for detachably mounting on the frame of a tennis racket which reduces the stooping and bending usually required to retrieve a tennis ball from the surface of a tennis court. The retriever comprises a pair of tines which are distorted when the racket is forced over the tines of the tennis ball.

Abstract: A training weight aid for a sports racquet having longitudinal strings and lateral strings strung to span its head frame and creating interstices framed by said strings has a pair of opposed shells interengaged with the strings on opposite sides thereof to provide a shell assembly within the head of the racquet. Longitudinal and lateral rows of spaced apart, shell nub projections, dimensioned and spaced to be received by the strings, extend axially into the space interstices such that many are in lateral gripping engagement with the strings. A pair of disengageable fasteners extend axially through the string space interstices to axially lock the shells together in opposing relation on the strings.

Abstract: An apparatus for keeping the score of a game of which a generic form is suitable for adaptation to both retrofit use as well as an integral shaping of a tennis racquet. The generic form of the present invention includes an array of scoring indicia displayed in a column on an elongated element. The elongated element is disposed on a branch or shaft of a tennis racquet in combination with a score marking element. The score marking element comprises an elastic loop which encircles the branch or shaft and selectively resides upon the scoring indicia of the elongated element. Several embodiments of the generic form are described.

Abstract: The device (1) is used for aligning the strings of the netting, and particularly the netting of a tennis racket. In order to align the strings of the netting in a simple, accurate, quick and effortless manner, without damaging the strings, the aligning device has semi-ellipsoidal, semi-circular or oval platelets that act on the strings at their crossing points.

Abstract: A retention device for use with an object having a handle, such as a racquetball racquet, comprises a wrist ring for securing the device about a wrist of a person gripping the handle, an elastomeric connecting member, and a securing means remote from said ring for securing said device to a handle. In one preferred embodiment, the ring and connecting member are elastomeric loops linked together. Alternatively, the ring and connecting member may be a unitary piece formed of elastomeric material, and the securing means is in the form of a loop portion or other securing means at the remote end of the connecting member. The connecting loop or loop portion are preferably secured by a pin inside the butt of the racquet handle.

Abstract: A mechanism for adjusting string tension of stringed rackets allows for increasing the tension of the racket strings without having to release the racket strings, without destabilizing the racket and without costly or troublesome aids. The tensioning mechanism includes an abutment piece and a tensioning piece. Strings of the racket pass through both pieces. The tensioning piece is lockable in varying positions to increase string tension. When the racket is strung, the mechanism can be arranged in a position of least tension. In that case, if the string tension declines, the tightening mechanism can be adjusted to a position of the next highest racket tension. Alternatively, the mechanism can be initially set to a medium tension setting and subsequently adjusted as appropriate.

Abstract: A system measures and records deflection of an elongated shaft such as the shaft of a golf club and provides a trace or diagram of the swing of the club. The system includes an elongated rod, mounted to the golf club shaft, and a separate recording system. Preferably the recording system is a writing platform mounted to the golf club shaft. The recording member is biased into contact with the writing platform. During swing of the golf club, deflection of the golf club shaft causes relative movement between the writing implement and the writing platform and a trace or diagram of the golf club swing is created.

Abstract: This invention relates to a racket string comb, to be used on the strings in the head of a tennis, racquetball, squash or badminton racket, that can be manually manipulated to move the strings back to their correct position. The improved tennis racket string straightener is a one-piece pocket comb, preferably of molded plastic, which consists of a comb body and integrally placed, widely spaced, narrow claws depending therefrom, along the width thereof. The claws in the preferred embodiment are all of the same size and spacing. The comb body has a handle extended from the comb body at a generally fortyfive degree angle, rounded at the bottom to provide finger comfort and prevent pocket snagging.

Abstract: A pacing device for a tennis player. The pacer includes a housing within which at least a portion of the pacer is enclosed. The housing is suitable for incorporation into a tennis racket. A read-out is located at an exterior of the housing for displaying information. A timer is positioned within the housing and in communication with the read-out for displaying information generated by the timer. An input device allows a player to program the timer to track a single or variable elapsed period of time.