Abstract: A damping device is disclosed for application to longitudinal strings of a string network used in sports rackets having a frame comprising a head, side portions and a throat section supporting the side portions. At least some of the longitudinal strings are directed toward and around a string post or anchoring member mounted within the throat section, wherein the turning around is in the plane of the string network. A damping device is positioned between the string post and a string seating member for the strings where the latter are turned around the post.

Abstract: An extensible grommet strip used in sports rackets is disclosed as having a strip connecting a multiple of grommets along its length, each grommet having a flaring end being connected to the strip, and a stem having an inside hole for passing the string, the hole has its axial axis coinciding with the axis of the strip and a perpendicular axis perpendicular to the axial axis. Each of the grommets has cutouts associated therewith, whereby cutouts create at least one elongated opening at each side of the grommet, generally parallel to the perpendicular axis, leaving an isolated grommet connected to the strip only through bridging material on either side of the axial axis which links the grommet to that side of the strip.

Abstract: A grommet pad for use with a sports racket having a frame formed with string holes for a string network and utilizing hollow grommets, having a flared end connecting to a long stem to support and guide strings through the frame, the grommet pad is adapted to at least one of the holes with the grommet, comprising,(a) a thin curved member formed at one end with a sharp tip adapted to be removably inserted into the clearance spacing between the the outer surface of the stem and the inner surface of the string hole, and(b) a curved support portion connected to the member at the end opposite the tip end and extending toward the interior of the frame, the portion being arranged for supporting the overhanging extended length of the grommet stem associated therewith against the force exerted thereon by the string passing there through toward the string network.

Abstract: A sports equipment such as a golf club, for example, is described as having a handle, a head and a shaft connecting the handle to the head. The handle is formed as a hollow shaft segment into which a reduced diameter segment of the shaft, referred to as the central member, is inserted into the handle segment with sufficient clearance so as to allow relative movement therebetween during swinging of the sports equipment at play. The connection between the central member and the handle segment within the latter is provided by the use of at least one intermediate tube arranged to encircle the central member and with sufficient clearance to permit relative movement therebetween. One end of the tube is connected to the end of the member adjacent the butt end of the handle, while the other end is connected to the handle segment adjacent to the point wherein the central member enters the handle segment.

Abstract: A sports equipment is disclosed as having a handle, a head and a shaft connecting the head to the handle wherein the shaft has at its butt end of the handle a segment which is partially hollow and an insertion point. The equipment includes a central member partially disposed in the hollow segment through the insertion point. The central member is associated with the portion of the equipment positioned beyond the insertion point. A space is provided between the central member and the interior of the hollow portion of the segment to allow lateral movement of the central member relative to the shaft segment during bending of the shaft during impact with a game ball.

Abstract: A windshield blind or shade adaptable for application to any of the window areas of a vehicle is disclosed as being made of flexible insulative fabric material having at least one suction cup adjacent each side edge for attachment to the surface of a window. A slidable shaft connects the cup to an edge of the shade for permitting the selective positioning of the suction cups, thereby enabling variation of positioning of the cups and the application of the shade to different sizes of windows. Another embodiment utilizes two suction cups associated with each side edge of the shade with a cup adjacent each corner thereof. Another embodiment involves a shade made of stiff paper stock or the like having at least one horizontal fold line and a plurality of vertical fold lines thus enabling double folding of the shade into a compact package.

Abstract: A sports racket frame shaped to extend around a ball-hitting region covered by a string network has an outer perimeter region forming an anchorage for the strings, which otherwise clear the frame inward of their anchorage. Support regions of the frame extending inward from the outer perimeter region on opposite sides of the plane of the string network provide structural support for the anchorage region. The support regions are formed to provide clearance from the string network, and the clearance of the support regions has a depth measured from an inner perimeter region of the frame outward toward the anchorage region that, at least in lateral side regions of the frame extending along lateral sides of the string network, is at least 0.25 inches. The supporting sides are formed with triangular shaped openings leaving the remaining panel sections of the sides inclined to form a truss.

Abstract: A sports racket is disclosed as having an oval-shaped frame supporting a string network. The frame has a generally flat horizontal member arranged in the plane of the network and a generally flat vertical member having a leg extending on both sides of the horizontal member. Openings are formed in the vertical member at both sides of the juncture with the horizontal member for the passage of strings of the network. The outer edge of the horizontal member is rounded for the turnaround of the strings passing through the holes, while the inner edge is tapered so as to avoid contact with the strings.

Abstract: A damping device for application to longitudinal network strings used in sports rackets having a frame comprising a head, side portions and a throat section supporting the side portions. At least some of the longitudinal strings are directed toward and around a string post or anchoring member mounted within the throat section. A damping device is positioned between the string post and the strings where the latter are turned around the post. In another embodiment, two or more string posts are arranged whereby some of the outer strings may be applied to one of the posts, and some of the inner longitudinal strings may be applied to one or more of the other posts.

Abstract: Longitudinal strings 15 or 25 of tennis or other sports rackets 10 or 20 are lengthened to be at least 30% longer than transverse strings 17 or 27 and are strung with at least 30% more tension than the transverse strings. The longitudinal strings are also functionally related in length and tension to the transverse strings to effectively apportion to the longer longitudinal strings from approximately half to substantially more than half of the string force for decelerating a ball pentrating the string network as the ball is hit. The functional relationship for selecting appropriate lengths and tensions for the longer and shorter strings is mathematically derived, analyzed, and related to practical working mechanics of a string network.

Abstract: The aerodynamic center of pressure of a javelin is located preferably from 0 to 5 cm aft of the center of gravity at an angle of attack of relative wind of 90.degree. to the axis of the javelin, and this is achieved by giving the javelin a proper surface shape and finish within present athletic competition rules for javelins. The javelin is also preferably marked with an indicia of the distance between the aerodynamic center of pressure and the center of gravity to inform the athlete of the javelin's flight characteristics to aid him in making the best possible throw.

Abstract: Longitudinal strings 15 or 25 of tennis or other sports rackets 10 or 20 are lengthened to be at least 30% longer than transverse strings 17 or 27 and are strung with at least 30% more tension than the transverse strings. The longitudinal strings are also functionally related in length and tension to the transverse strings to effectively apportion to the longer longitudinal strings from approximately half to substantially more than half of the string force for decelerating a ball penetrating the string network as the ball is hit. The functional relationship for selecting appropriate lengths and tensions for the longer and shorter strings is mathematically derived, analyzed, and related to practical working mechanics of a string network.

Abstract: A stapler apparatus having an improved anvil to which staples are applied during a driving operation by a driver member for the apparatus. The anvil is formed with a depression or opening between the clinching grooves and is of size to include the adjacent ends of the grooves. The depression or opening assists in controlling the bonding of the legs of the staple during a stapling operation to prevent re-entry or re-penetration of the legs into a deck of sheets being stapled.

Abstract: A container holds a volume of water over a plant and has an opening closed by a plug that is formed of a water-soluble material configured and composed so that the plug dissolves after a predetermined interval to let the water flow onto an area to be watered. The container can have several openings at different heights and closed by plugs that dissolve after successively longer intervals for each lower opening. Then quantities of water are admitted to the plant as the plugs dissolve after 2- or 3-day intervals so that the plant is watered periodically.

Abstract: A sport racket of the type having a frame, a handle, and a network of tension strands supported by the frame for hitting a ball is made to give the strand network oppositely oriented curvatures along two transverse directions to form a saddle shape so that the tension strands are curved in their strung state before engaging the ball. The frame is preferably curved in a corresponding saddle shape to support the strand network, transverse sets of strands preferably extend along the directions of curvature, and one of the directions of curvature preferably extends in the direction of the handle.