Abstract: The invention relates to a sports racquet having a head having a string bed is attached to two throat beams that extend continuously downward to a shaft having a handle. Each throat beam contains a bending zone in which the width of the throat beam parallel to the string bed and the width of the same throat beam perpendicular to the string bed gradually changes in equal, but opposite, dimensions such that the circumference of the throat beam remains substantially constant through at least the length of the bending zone or the length of the entire throat beam. Where the width of the throat beam parallel to the string bed is the widest and the width of the throat beam perpendicular to the string beg is the narrowest defines the flexible cross-section or flex point of the bending zone.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sports racquet having a head having a string bed is attached to two throat beams that extend continuously downward to a shaft having a handle. Each throat beam contains a bending zone in which the width of the throat beam parallel to the string bed and the width of the same throat beam perpendicular to the string bed gradually changes in equal, but opposite, dimensions such that the circumference of the throat beam remains substantially constant through at least the length of the bending zone or the length of the entire throat beam. Where the width of the throat beam parallel to the string bed is the widest and the width of the throat beam perpendicular to the string beg is the narrowest defines the flexible cross-section or flex point of the bending zone.

Abstract: The racket includes a handle (2) and a frame (4) defined by an inner frame (40) and an outer frame (42), said frame further including shock-absorbing means (50) positioned between the peripheral outer surface of the inner frame and the peripheral inner surface of the outer frame. The frame further includes at least one fitting member (60) having an elongate body (62) and extending against the outer surface of the outer frame (42), and at least one tube (66) for passing a string yarn (10, 12), extending both in first openings (40?) formed in the inner frame and in second openings (42?) formed in the outer frame.

Abstract: The racket includes a handle (2) and a frame (4) defined by an inner frame (40) and an outer frame (42), said frame further including shock-absorbing means (50) positioned between the peripheral outer surface of the inner frame and the peripheral inner surface of the outer frame. The frame further includes at least one fitting member (60) having an elongate body (62) and extending against the outer surface of the outer frame (42), and at least one tube (66) for passing a string yarn (10, 12), extending both in first openings (40?) formed in the inner frame and in second openings (42?) formed in the outer frame.

Abstract: A neck assembly for a string instrument and the resulting string instrument. Resin reinforced fibers are shaped into the form of an instrument neck around a tubular structure. The tubular structure creates conduits within the neck. The conduits interconnect, thereby forming a single resonance chamber. The presence of the conduits decreases the weight of the neck. The result is a synthetic instrument neck that has a weight and acoustical properties comparable to a traditional wooden neck. The synthetic neck may also contains at least one mounting plate that enables the synthetic neck to be connected to many preexisting instrument bodies and tuning key heads. The synthetic instrument neck can therefore be retroactively added to existing instruments without the need for alterations.

Abstract: A guitar body is formed of a generally solid material having a cavity formed therein and substantially lacking a soundboard. A soundboard is formed of a generally planar material attached to the solid material, so as to substantially cover the cavity.

Abstract: A sports racquet including a frame, a yoke and a string bed. The frame includes a head portion, a handle portion, and a throat portion positioned between the head and handle portions. The head portion includes an upper region, and first and second side regions. The yoke is coupled to the first and second side regions. The head portion and the yoke define a string bed area. The string bed is formed of a number of cross and main string segments. The main string segments include at least one central main string segment and at least two peripheral main string segments. Each central main string segment has first and second ends wherein the first end engages the head portion and the second end engages the yoke. Each peripheral main string segment is coupled at a proximal end to at least one of the throat portion and the handle portion.

Abstract: A guitar body is formed of a generally solid material having a cavity formed therein and substantially lacking a soundboard. A soundboard is formed of a generally planar material attached to the solid material, so as to substantially cover the cavity.

Abstract: A body for a stringed instrument comprising a front face and a back face and a continuous side face there around; and an exterior laminate, the exterior laminate being formed of a plurality of composite layers including an interior layer, the composite layers of the laminate also including at least one supplemental layer, each layer including strands enveloped in an associated polymeric binder, with each subsequent layer being in intimate contact with the next adjacent layer.

Abstract: A body for a stringed instrument comprising a front face and a back face and a continuous side face there around; and an exterior laminate, the exterior laminate being formed of a plurality of composite layers including an interior layer, the composite layers of the laminate also including at least one supplemental layer, each layer including strands enveloped in an associated polymeric binder, with each subsequent layer being in intimate contact with the next adjacent layer.

Abstract: A string vibration damper, for use on a sports racquet having an interwoven string bed, is made of a soft, elastomeric material and comprises a pair of end members connected by a connecting portion. Each end member has a hole therethrough with a hole diameter preferably in the range of 4 mm and 6 mm, and a maximal cross-sectional height “h” preferably in the range of 2 mm and 4 mm. The connecting portion preferably has a length of at least 50 mm, and most preferably at least 100 mm, so as to contact numerous strings. End member is secured to the string bed by being inserted between a pair of crossing strings. The end member is positioned so that the point of intersection of the crossing strings lies within the hole such that the crossing strings to remain touching. Because the strings are under tension, the string portions on either side of the hole contort the end member so that the end member are firmly secured in place on the stringbed.

Abstract: A composite sports racquet includes a head portion which is formed by an upper frame half and a lower frame half. Each frame half is a tubular frame section, and includes a generally flat wall. The two walls are bonded to one another to form a unitary head portion, whereby the first and second walls form internal frame ribs oriented generally parallel to the string bed plane and extending continuously around the head portion. The upper and lower frame halves are preferably pre-molded individually and thereafter glued to one another. Alternatively, one of the frame halves can be pre-molded, with the other frame half thereafter molded onto the pre-molded half Preferably, the first and second walls include a plurality of channel portions which, when the racquet halves are joined, define the string holes. Preferably, the channel portions are contoured at the outer frame surface to form curved bearing surfaces for string entry.

Abstract: A grommet member for use with a sports racquet comprises a grommet strip from which a plurality of hollow grommet pegs project for receiving racquet strings. The strip additionally includes at least grommet having at least two holes for receiving a pair of strings. Preferably, such grommet is either a multi-hole grommet or a triple hole grommet. The holes of the multi-hole grommet may be disposed on opposite sides of the grommet strip axis or alternately along the axis. In one embodiment, the multi-hole grommet includes a notch extending from its distal end partially towards said grommet strip to divide the end of the grommet into a pair of separate barrels, each barrel containing one of the two string holes Multi-hole grommets can be used to replace the shared grommet hole presently used on some sports racquets, in which the hole receives two racquet strings, i.e., either a cross-string and main string, or a main or cross-string and a tie-off string end.

Abstract: A bumper strip assembly for sports racquets comprises a bumper strip portion, which may be a conventional bumper strip, and preferably a pair of polymeric felt or urethane foam strips. The cushion strips preferably have a density in the range of 0.35-0.60 g/cc and a hardness in the range of 50-60 Shore A durometer, and are disposed between the bumper strip flanges and the outer surface of the racquet frame. The cushioning strips are very lightweight, having a combined weight on the order of 3 grams, yet are extremely effective in protecting the frame from damage due to impact with a hard court surface.

Abstract: The present invention is a racquetball racquet that is substantially longer than a conventional 21 inch racquet, but which has a maneuverability comparable to existing racquets, and on overall playability exceeding conventional 21 inch racquetball racquets. More particularly, a racquetball racquet comprises a frame having a head portion, a handle connected to the head portion, and stringing. The head portion is a thin-wall, hollow composite tubular member having a minimum weight per unit length, and has a cross-sectional height between 15 and 28 mm, a cross-sectional width between 9 and 13 mm, and defines an egg shape strung surface having a length of at least 14 inches, and preferably between 14 and 15.5 inches, and a strung surface area greater than 95 square inches, and preferably between 100 and 125 square inches. The racquet has an overall length that is substantially greater than 21.

Abstract: A retention device for use with an object having a handle, such as a racquetball racquet, comprises a wrist ring for securing the device about a wrist of a person gripping the handle, an elastomeric connecting member, and a securing means remote from said ring for securing said device to a handle. In one preferred embodiment, the ring and connecting member are elastomeric loops linked together. Alternatively, the ring and connecting member may be a unitary piece formed of elastomeric material, and the securing means is in the form of a loop portion or other securing means at the remote end of the connecting member. The connecting loop or loop portion are preferably secured by a pin inside the butt of the racquet handle.

Abstract: A handle for a sports implement comprises a handle portion having an outer surface containing a decorative design. A grip sleeve made of a relatively thin, translucent, and preferably transparent, elastomeric material, is sized to cover the handle portion and be in frictional contact therewith, such that said decorative design shows clearly through. In the case of sports racquets, the handle portion may be formed either by a pallet on the racquet shaft, or by a molded-in handle.

Abstract: A sports racquet has a head portion with an elliptical cross-section in which the major axis is oriented parallel to the string plane. Preferably, the racquet includes a pair of converging throat frame members, and a throat bridge, which also have elliptical cross-sections oriented parallel to the string plane. As an alternative to a conventional throat bridge, in which some of the main strings are secured to the sides of the frame, a power ring, which bows inwardly toward the strung surface, spans the throat area, and supports the all the main strings, which are wrapped therearound. The racquet provides improved playability for hitting spin shots, by reducing wind resistance and reducing the minimum required angle of incidence (making it easier to hit the ball). Also, the hoop strength of the racquet is increased, which is particularly advantageous when using a power ring, which needs to provide tension to all the main strings.