Abstract: A sports racquet frame is built of a composite of laminations of fibrous material as impregnated by a thermosetting resin. The head section of the frame has an upper tube preferably disposed above the string bed plane and a lower tube preferably disposed below the string bed plane. A solid bridge of material integrally joins the upper tube to the lower tube. In a preferred embodiment the bridge is disposed radially exteriorly of the center line of the tubes, to maximize the length of string segments, which are strung to the bridge.

Abstract: A sports racquet frame is built of a composite of laminations of fibrous material as impregnated by a thermosetting resin. The head section of the frame has an upper tube preferably disposed above the string bed plane and a lower tube preferably disposed below the string bed plane. A solid bridge of material integrally joins the upper tube to the lower tube. In a preferred embodiment the bridge is disposed radially exteriorly of the center line of the tubes, to maximize the length of string segments, which are strung to the bridge.

Abstract: A bearing assembly is at least partly disposed within the hollow stem or handle of a sports racquet. A plurality of curvilinear channels are disposed at different lateral locations in a direction which is at a substantial angle to the longitudinal axis of the racquet. For each channel there are provided a pair of ferrules through which string segments are strung from, and then back to, the string bed. Preferably the ferrules receive ends of tubes through which the string segments are strung. One embodiment receives most of the main strings of the sports racquet, while another embodiment receives all of them. In one embodiment the bearing assembly also forms the end cap of the racquet handle.

Abstract: In a sports racquet, anchor points for a string are marked with indicia to assist a stringer in stringing from one anchor point to a next anchor point. In a preferred embodiment, one of the anchor points is a bearing assembly located within a hollow cavity in the racquet stem. Colored tubes are placed in the stem that lead to and from the bearing assembly, and the colors of the tubes match respective colored indicia associated with string holes in the frame head.

Abstract: A sports racquet has a head frame that includes a support member and an inwardly directed alignment member or fin. String segments are strung from a central strung area through respective holes in the fin, around the support member and back through further holes in the fin. The present invention provides a strong anchor for the strings which can withstand the static load thereof as well as dynamic loading placed on it by striking gamepieces as well as striking other objects. In a preferred embodiment, the fin returns the string segments to a strung area that is substantially planar up to the inner periphery of the fin.