Abstract: Finishing collar 10 for securing an end 97 of grip tape 95 wrapped upon a handle 80; including locking ring 20, first flange 36 for overlying and retaining grip tape 95, and second flange 37 for covering any gap between finishing collar 10 and shank portion 84 of handle 80. Finishing collar 10 is of durable stretchy material such as rubber and is under tension in use.

Abstract: Finishing collar 10 for securing an end 97 of grip tape 95 wrapped upon a handle 80; including locking ring 20, first flange 36 for overlying and retaining grip tape 95, and second flange 37 for covering any gap between finishing collar 10 and shank portion 84 of handle 80. Finishing collar 10 is of durable stretchy material such as rubber and is under tension in use.

Abstract: Grip tape for wrapping a handle to improve the grip is formed by perforating a cushioning layer, such as of felt, and applying an elastomeric coating. The elastomer fills the perforations and coats the upper surface of cushioning layer. Because of surface tension, elastomer cures to form a dimple above each perforation. Dimples create texture on the gripping surface that improve the grip.

Abstract: A grip tape 10 for wrapping a handle 94 such as of a golf club 90 generally comprises a top portion 19 comprising an elongate strip of rubber 70 and an elongate thermoplastic portion 20 including a thermoplastic 41 such as polyurethane 42, and a bottom portion 80 of cloth 82, such as felt 83, bonded to top portion 19. Rubber 70 includes a central portion 73, a right edge portion 75, and a left edge portion 77. The thermoplastic portion 20 includes a central portion 25, a right edge embossed portion 27, and a left edge embossed portion 36. Embossed portions 27, 36 are denser than central portion 25 and stiffer than rubber edge portions 75, 77. Left edge embossed portion 36 overlaps rubber right edge portion 75 and is bonded thereto. Tape 10 is spiral wrapped around handle 94 such that right edge embossed portion 27 overlies rubber left edge portion 77 of the previous turn.

Abstract: A grip tape 10 for applying to a handle 94 generally comprises an elongate tape having an upper portion 50 comprised of shock absorbing, compressible, elastic rubber 51 bonded to a shock absorbing cloth lower portion 85 less elastic than rubber 51, such as of open-pored material, such as of felt 86. Tape 10 includes bottom 25, of two-sided tape 99, and top 20. In lateral cross section, rubber 51 includes central portion 60 having upper surface 62, right edge portion 70 having upper surface 72 lower than central portion upper surface 62, and left edge portion 80 having upper surface 82 lower than central portion upper surface 62. Preferably, lower portion 85 is substantially longitudinally inelastic and includes skived right portion 87 and skived left portion 88. Tape 10 is spiral wrapped around handle 94 such that right edge portion 70 overlies left edge portion upper surface 82 of the previous turn.

Abstract: A grip tape 11 for applying to a handle 94 generally comprises an elongate tape having a top portion 60 comprised of shock absorbing and compressible material, such as polyurethane, bonded to a shock absorbing bottom portion 90, such as of open-pored textile material, such as of felt. The top includes a central portion 62, a right densified portion 70 adjacent the right side 50 and a left densified portion 80 adjacent the left side 40. Preferably, the tops 75, 85 of densified portions 70, 80 are below the top 65 of the central portion 62 by at least 10% of the thickness of the tape. Preferably, bottom bevels 77, 87 underlie densified portions 70, 80. Tape 11 is spiral wrapped around handle 94 such that right side 50 overlies top 85 of left densified portion 80 of the previous turn, preferably such that top 75 of right densified portion 70 is disposed below top 65 of central portion 62 of the succeeding wrap.

Abstract: Heterojunction bipolar transistor is formed by using a common photoresist mask for self-aligning all critical dimensions including emitter and emitter contact to base contact to proton damaged collector regions beneath base contact and to passivate emitter periphery at same time.

Abstract: A vibration damping device (10) for a sports racquet, such as a common tennis racquet (50), having sets of interwoven strings (71) defining a striking surface (70) generally comprises an elongated elastic flexible band (20) and securing hooks (40) slidingly attached from the side to the band's ends (21,22) for securing the band (20) in a stretched interwoven relationship with a plurality of strings (71) on the racquet striking surface (70). A plurality of U-shaped channels (30) are each adapted for receiving an interwoven string (71).