Patents by Inventor Michael B. Maynard

Michael B. Maynard has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 4772021
    Abstract: An inflatable generally toroidal suspension tube for resiliently suspending and retaining a stringed inner frame insert within an outer frame of a racket head. Different parts of the tube are able to expand at different rates in response to increased inflation pressure, so as to control distortion of the outer frame of the racket head. The tube may be of a thermoplastic material and tubular restrictors surround the portions of the suspension tube which are intended in use to be located where the radius of curvature of the frame is greatest, in order to prevent distortion of those parts of the racket head frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1988
    Inventor: Michael B. Maynard
  • Patent number: 4357012
    Abstract: A sports racket such as a tennis racket has a head comprising a pair of concentric frames wherein an inner frame equipped with tensioned strings is supported resiliently within an outer frame by an inflated tube lying within opposing parallel channels extending respectively about the periphery of the inner frame and along the interior of the outer frame. Variation of the pressure of inflation of the tube controls the elasticity of the support of the inner frame, and deflation of the tube permits rapid removal and replacement of the inner frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1982
    Inventor: Michael B. Maynard