Abstract: A grip for attachment to a handle of a striking instrument swung with both of a user's hands for striking an object, one hand being a leading hand for leading the instrument toward the object and the other hand being a following hand. The grip comprises a leading portion adapted for receiving the grip of the user's leading hand and defining a first coefficient of friction between the leading portion of said grip and the user's leading hand; and a following portion adapted for receiving the grip of the user's following hand and defining a second coefficient of friction between the following portion of said grip and the user's following hand; the second coefficient of friction being lower than the first coefficient of friction.

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: Grip tape (10) for wrapping around a handle (85) for improving the grip and absorbing shock, made by attaching a flexible, stretchy upper skin (30) to top face (21) of lower cushion (20).

Abstract: Sport bat 10, made of laminated wood 50, such as of bamboo 51. Bat 10 includes handle 45, taper portion 44 and batting portion 30. Batting portion 30 includes one or more internal chambers 31 for decreasing the weight of bat 10. Internal chambers 31 may be reinforced with sleeve insert 32, rubbery coating 34, or porous filler 33. Internal chamber 31 is disposed between taper portion 44 and sweet spot 12.

Abstract: A grip tape 10 for applying to a handle 92 generally comprises top 20, bottom 30, left side 40, and right side 50; wherein tape 10 is substantially wedge shaped in lateral cross section defining a thick side 60, a thin side 70, and an included angle 14. Top 20 includes an upper layer 22 of polyurethane having an outer surface 25 for gripping and an inner layer 26 comprising an open-pored textile, such as felt. Bottom 30 includes a resilient wedge 32.

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 ball retrieving and storage cart generally comprises a wheeled carriage that rollingly supports a basket in a ball retrieving position. In an exemplary embodiment, the basket has a front end and a rear end and includes a bottom wall having two side members oriented front to rear and having a normal position spaced apart less than the ball diameter and defining a slotted aperture for entrance of a ball into the basket. In the ball retrieval position, at least one of the side members is a slanted member having a front end higher from the ground than a ball radius and a rear end lower to the ground than the ball radius. At least one of the side members is a deflectable member and is biased to the normal position but is sideways deflectable such that a ball on the ground entering the aperture sideways deflects the deflectable member sufficiently for the ball to pass into the basket. The wheels may define a rolling plane.

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).

Abstract: A string (10) for a sports racquet, such as a tennis racquet string, is comprised of a string core (20) having a plurality of external ridges (40) bonded thereon for aiding in imparting spin on a ball and for increasing the crossover contact area between strings. The ridges are parallel to one another and extend axially with the string. Preferably, the string and ridges can be circumscribed by a maximum diameter circle (90), preferably of 1.70 millimeters. The process for making the ridged string includes passing a string core (20) through a bath (72) of resin (71), such as nylon, for coating and glueing the core and then through a die (74) shaped so as to form the ridges (40).