With Adjustable String-tensioning Means Patents (Class 473/534)
  • Patent number: 11944877
    Abstract: A tennis racket includes a frame and a grommet. The frame includes a grommet groove, a small groove, and a hole. The small groove is recessed from the grommet groove. The grommet includes a base and a pipe. In a state where the grommet is attached to the frame, the base is accommodated in the grommet groove, and the pipe extends through the hole. The base is not positioned inside the small groove. Therefore, at the back of a back side surface of the base, there is a space derived from the small groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Yosuke Yamamoto, Naoka Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 11648447
    Abstract: Embodiments provide a lacrosse head having a pocket stringing system that includes attachment members that allow for rapid, direct attachment of a pocket to the head. A lacrosse head may include cleats protruding from the sidewalls at a rearward portion of the pocket area nearest the juncture, sidewall hooks protruding from the sidewalls at a forward portion of the pocket area forward of the rearward portion, and scoop hooks protruding in the forward direction from the front face of the scoop. Each cleat may have a rearwardly-projecting arm and a forwardly-projecting arm. Each sidewall hook may have a rearwardly-projecting arm. A first scoop hook may tension a pocket toward a first sidewall hook on a first sidewall, and a second scoop hook may tension the pocket toward a second sidewall hook on a second sidewall, so as to form a ball channel in the pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Wm. T. Burnett IP, LLC
    Inventors: Austin Scott Brown, Michael F. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 11161017
    Abstract: A racket includes a handle to be gripped by a user and a head. The head has a frame defining an open interior having a perimeter. The frame is coupled to a first end of the handle at a first point along the perimeter. The frame is discontinuous and includes a first terminal end point and a second terminal end point defining a gap along the perimeter at a second point which is different than the first point. A biasing member is coupled to the first and second terminal end points so as to span the gap. A plurality of strings traverses the open interior, with a first set of spaced strings being arranged angularly offset from a second set of spaced strings to form a grid-like string pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Inventor: Cyrus O. Varan
  • Publication number: 20150065277
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a mesh racket and its manufacturing method, comprising a handle (1), a frame (2) and a string (3), wherein the handle (1) is fixed to one end of the frame (2) along the horizontal direction of the frame (2), a plurality of holes (4) are arranged on the side wall of the frame (2) for installing the string (3), characterized in that the string (3) includes the first string set (301), the second string set (302) and the third string set (303) composed by a number of parallel strings respectively, wherein the said mesh holes formed by each string set are triangular. Such a mesh racket not only features the better face performance, but also the firmer triangular mesh holes. Therefore, it is not easily deformed, thereby reducing the string changeover frequency and maintenance costs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventor: Xuliang QIAN
  • Publication number: 20140141907
    Abstract: A racket assembly may include a racket, and at least one sensor operatively coupled to the racket. The at least one sensor may be configured to generate a signal indicative of at least one parameter related to use of the racket. The racket assembly may also include a processor configured to receive the signal as an input and generate an output based on the signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: HEAD TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventors: Ralf SCHWENGER, Johan KOTZE, Herfried LAMMER
  • Patent number: 6998525
    Abstract: String tensioning system for a stringed instrument having an instrument body, at least one tensionable string that is fixed at both its ends to the instrument body, and a chamber accommodating a portion of the at least one tensionable string when the portion is arranged between a string introduction aperture and a fixing point arranged opposite to the string introduction aperture, wherein the system includes at least one string tensioning device that can be activated from outside of the instrument body. The at least one string tensioning device is accommodated in a chamber of the instrument body. The at least one string tensioning device includes a tensioning screw and a string tensioning head. The tensioning screw extends into the chamber. The string tensioning head is connected to the portion and is movable in a longitudinal direction by rotating the tensioning screw. A free space is arranged on opposite sides of the string tension head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Inventor: Mark Erismann
  • Patent number: 6955618
    Abstract: A stringed racquet includes a built-in, user-adjustable mechanism for changing the tension of the strings. The user-adjustable mechanism is disposed in a cavity within the handle of the racquet, and includes a mandrel over which at least some of the vertical strands of string are looped. A wishbone bracket secured to the mandrel is axially adjustable within the handle to raise or lower the tension in the vertical strands looped over the mandrel, after which the tension becomes evenly distributed over the entire string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Inventor: Herman R. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 6530851
    Abstract: This invention refers to a novel ballgame racket, especially a tennis racket, including a racket head formed by a tension frame with stringing, and also having a grip portion joining the tension frame, for example by means of a crossing and formed by a gripping shaft or a racket neck and a handle. The racket has a mechanism for tensioning the strings which includes a two part tension frame of the racket head. The frame has a closed hollow profile with a second wing like profile in touch with the closed profile with a damping element placed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Volkl Tennis GmbH
    Inventor: Udo Munster
  • Publication number: 20030036449
    Abstract: Tennis Racket comprises an elliptical head frame and framing system design angularly mounted, triple independent strings and strings channels, variable center of gravity, main frame handle body-frame damper systems:
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2001
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventors: Ferenc Kuncz, Harold Kuncz, Igor O. Kuncz, Piedad M. Kuncz
  • Publication number: 20020193190
    Abstract: A tool for realigning or straightening the strings of a racquet. The tool has a generally rectangular tip which is precisely dimensioned to fit within the normal space between the strings of a racquet. To realign the racquet strings, the tip is placed into the space defined by the strings and the strings are automatically adjusted to their preferred alignment. The string straightening tool is portable and compact, allowing the user to carry the device on his/her person and to use the device during lulls in play during the game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventors: Randall S. Berens, Michael G. Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20020142869
    Abstract: An improved ball launching racket has a flexible net disposed within a central opening of a racket by a plurality of removable clip and elastomeric band assemblies. The construction of the clip facilitates expedient mounting and removal of the elastomeric bands, thereby allowing a user to expeditiously change the tension in the net, which in turn, changes the launching characteristics of the ball launching racket. The clip construction promotes usage of elastomeric bands that are free from apertures or slits, so that stress concentration points within the elatomeric bands are eliminated, increasing the useful life of each band.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventor: Larry J. Nevers
  • Patent number: 6179735
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an method and apparatus for springing sporting racquets to maintain differential tensions between racquet strings within the racquet, so that it is possible to provide racquets having predetermined properties of elastic quality. To maintain differential tensions between the strings, the strings are tensioned against frictional surface, with may be a high frictional surface such as a grommet strip, corner of a racquet string hole, or a pad of high friction material extending about the outer surface of the racquet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Inventor: Marshal McMahon
  • Patent number: 6027419
    Abstract: A method of stringing a racquet includes independently tensioning a plurality of strings in the racquet and maintaining the independent tensioning. Individual strings are held and their tensioning maintained using cleats and grommets. In this fashion, the elastic properties of the shorter strings may be matched to that of the longer strings, giving a larger sweet spot. The strings may be manufactured as a pre-woven mesh.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Cogito Holdings Limited
    Inventor: Marshal McMahon
  • Patent number: 5879248
    Abstract: The sports racquet of the present invention utilizes a series of interlocking string clamping assemblies which are adapted to be received within a corresponding series of passageways formed in the surrounding frame structure of the racquet, and wherein each clamping assembly is adapted to receive and grip a length of playing string which passes therethrough. The clamping assembly is generally comprised of a gripping wedge member and a clamping member, wherein the gripping wedge includes a fastener which secures the wedge to the racquet frame structure prior to application of the clamping member. With the gripping wedge member so positioned and secured within the frame structure, the clamping member is inserted between the wedge and the frame passageway, thereby causing the wedge member to engage and grip the adjacently disposed segment of playing string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Inventor: Peter Joseph Marsico
  • Patent number: 5720680
    Abstract: A mechanism for adjusting string tension of stringed rackets allows for increasing the tension of the racket strings without having to release the racket strings, without destabilizing the racket and without costly or troublesome aids. The tensioning mechanism includes an abutment piece and a tensioning piece. Strings of the racket pass through both pieces. The tensioning piece is lockable in varying positions to increase string tension. When the racket is strung, the mechanism can be arranged in a position of least tension. In that case, if the string tension declines, the tightening mechanism can be adjusted to a position of the next highest racket tension. Alternatively, the mechanism can be initially set to a medium tension setting and subsequently adjusted as appropriate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Inventor: Eberhard von der Mark