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 string for sports application, in particular for tennis, badminton, racquetball and squash racquets or the like comprises a center core and at least one ribbon-like wrap made of a highly abrasion resistant material which exhibits a higher melting point and at least one of a higher dynamic stiffness and a lower static stiffness than the core material. A preferred wrap material meeting the above criteria is poly(m-phenylene isophthalamide). The wrap should cover at least 25%, and preferably at least 50% of the center core's outer surface to reduce notching. Due to the reduced notching, superior combined properties of durability, playability and minimal loss of string tension are achieved.

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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel golf club having means to impart lift to the club head in order to counteract the forces which are exerted upon the head of the club during the swing that produce a dipping effect.

Abstract: A sports racquet, preferably a squash racquet, has a Y-joint joining a head profile and a shaft. The Y-joint includes a pair of arms for receiving the ends of the head profile, and a base for receiving the shaft. The arms and base each include an outwardly open, annular channel, preferably formed by a pair of concentric sleeves, in which the tubular ends of the head portion and shaft are secured.

Abstract: A vibration absorber for tennis racquet strings includes a thin, flexible strip with a relatively massive donut shape member at either end. The device is weaved over and under the racquet main strings, so that the flexible strip contacts preferably between 4 and 6 of the center main strings, and the donut members engage, through a clamping groove, a pair of outlying strings. The device provides a good vibration dampening on the outer part of the string area, for dampening off center hits, whereas the center main strings remain lively and resilient.

Abstract: A long fiber, thermoplastic frame for a tennis racquet or other implement is formed of fibers of carbon or other reinforcement material, which are oriented at desired angles, and which are intimately embedded in thermoplastic resin. A frame according to the invention is made by co-winding or commingling tows of carbon or other reinforcing fibers with filaments of thermoplastic material, or by preimpregnating fibers with a thermoplastic powder. The fibers, which are preferable formed into a braided sleeve for ease of handling, are disposed in a heated mold, and internally pressurized to conform to the mold and such that the thermoplastic melts and flows into intimate contact with the fiber material. A frame according to the invention possesses the strength and stiffness of a long fiber, thermoset frame, but unlike a thermoset frame has dynamic stiffness due to the visco-elastic properties of the thermoplastic resin.

Abstract: A badminton racquet includes a head, a shaft, and a Y-joint connecting the head to the shaft. The Y-joint geometry offers improved transmission of stress from the head to the shaft, and the resulting increased length of the center longitudinal strings improves power. Preferably, the frame has an improved aerodynamic profile, and a kick shaft to produce greater head speed at the point of impact.

Abstract: A tennis racquet includes a hollow tubular frame defining a head portion, a throat, and a shaft portion supporting a handle. The frame has a height, in a direction perpendicular to the stringing plane, that increases uniformly from the bottomn of the throat to the tip of the head portion, so as to increase in stiffness further away from the handle. Such arrangement, in which the frame is most flexible at the top of the handle, reduces the angle of deflection of the stringing plane upon impact and absorbs shock.

Abstract: A tennis racket includes a frame with a head and a shank portion. The shank portion has an outer periphery with top, bottom, side and diagonal outside surfaces arranged generally in an octagonal configuration. A preformed handle includes a core with a hollow interior having upper, lower, lateral and angled surfaces therein arranged to define generally an octagonal configuration. The surfaces in the interior of the core are sized to conform to the outside surfaces of the shank portion of the frame, and may include longitudinally extending flutes to reduce vibration, weight, and shock in the handle.Handles of different grip sizes are preformed separate from the frames. The core elements are one piece, and may therefore be wrapped with leather or other gripping material and stored separate from the frames. When a finished racket frame is desired, adhesive is applied to the shank portion of the frame, and the handle slides over the end of the frame and seats on the outside surfaces.

Abstract: A bumper strip for tennis racquets, particularly for wide body tennis racquets, includes a groove portion that fits into the frame stringing groove and with grommet pegs that extend into the string holes in the raquet frame, and a pair of side flanges that cover the outside surface of the racquet. The flanges include a series of axially spaced, trapezoidal cutouts located between the grommet pegs so as to reduce the dead weight of the strip, without impairing the protective function of the stip or impairing its structural integrity.

Abstract: A shoe, e.g. a sports shoe or a walking shoe, has an upper and a multi-layer sole including an elastic sock liner stitched to the upper, a deformable top sole, a midsole of elastic material, and a wear resistant outsole. The top sole is anatomically shaped and formed of a material possessing a high hysteresis to conform to the contours of the foot and to retain such shape during running, walking, or active sports.

Abstract: A sports racquet, for example for tennis, includes a main frame member defining a head portion, a throat area, and a shaft portion. A throat bridge spans the opposed legs of the main frame member in the throat area to define, with the head portion, an enclosed area for supporting strings. The throat bridge includes a pair of upper and lower bridge sections which extend generally transversely and are spaced apart longitudinally to define a cutout area therebetween. A piece of vibration absorbing material is positioned between the upper and lower bridge sections. The upper and lower bridge sections and vibration absorbing piece have aligned holes for receiving strings.

Abstract: A racket stringing apparatus having a racket frame clamp assembly pivotably mounted to a base. The racket frame clamp assembly includes support arms for carrying the frame clamps. The support arms are such that they allow the clamps to be self-centering with respect to the vertical axis of the base. A tension head assembly is mounted on a beam that is also connected to the base. The tension head assembly is capable of reciprocating movement along the beam. When a sufficient initial tension is placed on the strings, a portion of the tension head assembly is locked in place by a brake. The brake forces the tension head assembly to pivot and this pivoting action automatically actuates a driving means that applies and maintains a predetermined final tension on the string.

Abstract: A propulsion device is provided, designed especially for discharging tennis balls for practice purposes, at selected angles of inclination, and at a predetermined, selected velocity. Employed in the device is a distributor, which is disposed between a hopper and an air pressurizing drum, the distributor being designed to feed balls, one at a time, to the drum, at predetermined intervals.The distributor is disposed between the hopper and drum in such fashion as to cause the spherical objects to be efficiently agitated within the hopper, by passage over the exteriorly cylindrical surface of the drum while moving to the point at which the objects feed into the drum. Efficient agitation of the spherical objects within the hopper thus assures to the maximum extent that the distributor will be fully charged with said objects.

Abstract: A ball projecting machine is provided with ball deflector for controlling the direction in which balls are projected from the machine. The deflector is movable from one position to another and is actuated by a ball being projected so that the direction of travel of successive balls discharged from the machine may be varied. The deflector has a mechanism for holding the deflector in a predetermined position until engaged by a discharged ball.

Abstract: The tennis racket has a strung surface which is larger than the strung surface of a conventional racket, particularly in regard to its dimension in a longitudinal direction from the frame tip toward the handle shaft of the racket. The conventional length, weight, and balance which have proven necessary for good playing characteristics for all tennis rackets of the past have been maintained. The racket has unexpectedly achieved increased strength and a combination of advantages in playing characteristics without resort to weights, springs, or other complications previously proposed. The racket has a zone of high coefficient of restitution, much larger than that of conventional rackets, extending in a longitudinal direction from the region of the center of percussion to a point 11/4 inch from the throat of the racket, thereby taking maximum advantage of the location of the center of percussion of the racket.