Abstract: A product, in particular a shoe, apparel, a ball or a fishing lure, incorporating an impact sensing element made from polymeric piezoelectric material. In response to impact, the piezoelectric material generates an electrical signal to a battery-powered light- or sound-emitting unit or to an information display device which is at least partially molded into or contained in the product, thus causing circuitry to energize the light- or sound-emitting device from the battery or to display information on the information display device. In some embodiments involving light-emitting devices such as LEDs, the light is conducted to an outside surface of the product directly through the LED or via one or more optical fibers. A shoe can be provided with numerous light-emitting devices, one or more impact sensing elements, a temperature sensor and appropriate circuitry to process the impact and temperature information.

Abstract: A method of making a fiber-reinforced molded racquet frame includes placing at least one core having a tube with at least one layer of woven reinforcing fibers in a mold shaped to define the frame. A plastics material is injected into the mold around the core or cores. The plastics material preferably has a relatively low setting temperature and a relatively low viscosity.

Abstract: A method of making a fibre-reinforced molded racquet frame is disclosed. The method comprises placing two cores each including a respective tube having at least one layer of woven reinforcing fibres in a mold shaped to define the frame. A respective core is positioned on each side of the split-line of the mold. A plurality of string-securing members are formed with each string-securing member comprising a first portion shaped to receive and position at least one string of stringing to be secured in the frame and a second portion adapted to be embedded in the frame. The string-securing member is supported such that, upon closure of the mold, the second portions are disposed inside the mold cavity and entrapped between the two cores while the first portions project out of the mold cavity into the area which will be surrounded by the mold frame. A plastics material is injected into the mold around the cores and the second portions of the string-securing members.

Abstract: A method of moulding racquets to define stringing holes in the moulded frame. The method includes forming at least one approximately ladder-shaped member having two side pieces interconnected by rung pieces, with the side pieces substantially conforming to the curved shape of at least part of the frame of the racquet; entrapping the ladder-shaped member between two mould plates defining a mould cavity; injecting a plastic material into the mould cavity to mould the frame around the rung pieces; and forming the ladder-shaped member in two parts and separating the two parts after the frame has been moulded to remove the ladder-shaped member from the moulded frame.

Abstract: A moulded plastic racquet has string-securing loops which are moulded into the frame during racquet fabrication. The loops preferably are held in cooperating locating members which fit within the frame mould. A racquet throat member having string-securing loops is formed in a similar manner. The string-securing loops may be preformed by crimping a length of wire into sinous shape. The invention also includes a mould for making such a racquet or racquet throat.

Abstract: A racquet formed from a frame defining a head portion and merging into two end portions that constitute a handle portion. A throat member is located adjacent the merging portions. The throat member has an extension with ratchet teeth located thereon that fits between the end portions of the frame. A handle grip having interiorly located ratchet teeth fits over the end portions of the frame and the extension on the throat member. The ratchet teeth on the throat extension and the handle grip matingly engage so as to provide a secure connection between the two.

Abstract: A racquet has a sinuous string-securing member anchored in a groove around the internal periphery of the racquet frame. An anchoring member, which is wider than the mouth of the groove, engages each mounting portion of the string-securing member, and is trapped in the groove behind the mouth. The anchoring members may be made of nylon, and may be snap-fit over the mounting portions prior to sliding the entire string-securing assembly into the groove.

Abstract: In order to permit a metal-framed racquet to be safely used as a squash racquet, the radially outer surface of the metal frame is provided with two grooves disposed symmetrically one on each side of the median plane of the frame. Each groove has a respective relatively soft, clear plastics bumper member locked therein, the bumper members covering a substantial proportion of the radially outer surface of the frame. The bumper members also serve to trap the heads of stringing grommets in a further groove disposed, in the median plane of the frame, between the grooves in which the bumper strips are locked.

Abstract: A warning device, especially suitable for road-side use, comprises a rotor arranged to rotate about a substantially vertical axis, the rotor including three equi-angularly spaced apart cups arranged to drive the rotor in response to wind. Each cup is typically approximately hemispherical, and contains a respective outwardly facing reflector which is snap-fitted into a circumferential groove or the like in its inside surface. Each cup also has a further reflector fitted in its base, facing the opposite way to the main reflector, the backs of both reflectors being effectively sealed by the way they are fitted to the cup. The rotor is rotatably supported on a single ball bearing disposed between a downwardly facing flat surface within a recess in the rotor and the flat top of an upwardly extending stationary stub shaft.