Abstract: A games racket frame comprising a main frame (1) in the form of a hollow tubular structure made of a fibre reinforced composite including a thermosetting material, and at least one additional component (2, 3 or 4) including a thermoplastic material and integrated with the main frame (1) in order to improve the vibration damping characteristics of the main frame. The additional component (2, 3, or 4) is preferably made of a composite comprising the thermoplastic material and a discontinuous fibre reinforcement, and can form the bridge of the racket frame.

Abstract: The games racket comprises a head (1) and a shaft (2), the shaft being fitted with a separable extension module (8) bearing a hand grip. The two components (2, 8) are locked rigidly together by a wedging action. Preferably the shaft (2) is provided at its free end with legs (4, 5) defining a slot (6) which has wedge profiles (7) formed in it. The extension module (8) is push fitted over the legs (4, 5) and a locking device (12, 13) is inserted into the slot (6), the locking device having a wedging element (13) which bears against the wedge profiles (7). Various extension modules (8) can be stocked at the point of sale of the racket in order to provide rackets of differing lengths and/or grip sizes.

Abstract: A games racket frame comprising a head portion defining a string bed of main strings and cross strings, a shaft portion and a handle portion wherein at the crown of the head portion a cross-section through the head portion perpendicular to the string bed reduces in width towards the string bed, and the main strings wrap around the head instead of passing through drilled string holes. The invention has the potential advantages of improving breakage resistance properties and allowing a player to play close to the wall shots.