U.S. patent application number 15/279807 was filed with the patent office on 2017-01-19 for sports racquet having a bending zone.
This patent application is currently assigned to SP Tennis, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is David Max Brownlee, SP Tennis, LLC. Invention is credited to David Max Brownlee, Richard Janes.
Application Number | 20170014687 15/279807 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54768761 |
Filed Date | 2017-01-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170014687 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Janes; Richard ; et
al. |
January 19, 2017 |
SPORTS RACQUET HAVING A 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.
Inventors: |
Janes; Richard; (Worcester,
MA) ; Brownlee; David Max; (Celina, TX) |
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Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Brownlee; David Max
SP Tennis, LLC |
Louisville |
CO |
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
SP Tennis, LLC
Louisville
CO
|
Family ID: |
54768761 |
Appl. No.: |
15/279807 |
Filed: |
September 29, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14724668 |
May 28, 2015 |
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15279807 |
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29492099 |
May 28, 2014 |
D735824 |
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14724668 |
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62077676 |
Nov 10, 2014 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 49/00 20130101;
A63B 49/10 20130101; A63B 2102/02 20151001; A63B 2102/06 20151001;
A63B 2102/065 20151001; A63B 60/54 20151001; A63B 49/03 20151001;
A63B 60/00 20151001; A63B 2102/04 20151001; A63B 60/0081
20200801 |
International
Class: |
A63B 49/03 20060101
A63B049/03; A63B 60/00 20060101 A63B060/00; A63B 49/00 20060101
A63B049/00 |
Claims
1. A sports racquet comprising: a head defining a string bed; a
throat region comprising two throat beams, wherein each throat beam
comprises a bending zone in which a first width of each throat beam
and a second width of each throat beam change in substantially
equal and opposite dimensions so the circumference of each throat
beam remains substantially constant, wherein the first width is
parallel to the string bed and the second width is perpendicular to
the string bed; and a shaft comprising a handle.
2. The sports racquet of claim 1, wherein the bending zone further
comprises a flex point.
3. The sports racquet of claim 2, wherein the first width having an
original first width gradually increases in width to the flex point
and thereafter gradually decreases to the original first width, and
the second width of each throat beam having an original second
width gradually decreases in width to the flex point and thereafter
gradually increases to the original second width.
4. The sports racquet of claim 3, wherein the first original width
is substantially the same as the second width at the flex point,
and wherein the second original width is substantially the same as
the first width at the flex point.
5. The sports racquet of claim 4, wherein the first original width
is in a range of about 12 mm to about 18 mm, and wherein the second
original width is in a range of about 20 mm to about 25 mm.
6. The sports racquet of claim 4, wherein the first original width
is about 16 mm, wherein the second original width is about 22 mm,
wherein the first width is about 22 mm at the flex point, and
wherein the second width is about 16 mm at the flex point.
7. The sports racquet of claim 3, wherein the first width has an
increased width in a range of about 120% to about 150% of the first
original width at the flex point, and wherein the second width has
a decreased width from about 50% to about 80% of the second
original width at the flex point.
8. The sports racquet of claim 7, wherein the first width has a
width of about 137% of the first original width at the flex point,
and wherein the second width has a width of about 73% of the second
original width at the flex point.
9. The sports racquet of claim 5, wherein the circumference of each
throat beam is in a range of about 50 mm to about 75 mm.
10. The sports racquet of claim 5, wherein the circumference of
each throat beam is about 60 mm to about 70 mm.
11. The sports racquet of claim 6, wherein the circumference of
each throat beam is about 64 mm.
12. The sports racquet of claim 3, wherein the head is
stiffened.
13. A sports racquet comprising: a head defining a string bed; a
throat region comprising two throat beams, wherein each throat beam
comprises a bending zone in which a first width of each throat beam
gradually increases from about 16 mm to about 22 mm at a flex
point, then gradually decreases to about 16 mm, while concurrently
a second width of each throat beam gradually decreases from about
22 mm to about 16 mm at the flex point, then gradually increases to
about 22 mm so the circumference of each throat beam remains about
64 mm, and wherein the first width is parallel to the string bed
and the second width is perpendicular to the string bed; and a
shaft comprising a handle.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims the benefits of and priority
to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/077,676, filed Nov. 10,
2014, entitled "SPORTS RACQUET HAVING BENDING ZONES," and to U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 29/492,099, filed May 28, 2014,
entitled "SPORTS RACQUET," both of which are incorporated herein by
reference in their entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to a sports racquet,
and more particularly to an improved sports racquet with increased
flexibility.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Racquets used in a variety of sports typically include a
head, a throat portion and a handle, in which the throat portion
connects the head to the handle. The head supports a string bed
made from a plurality of interwoven main and cross strings for
hitting an object, such as a ball in the case of tennis,
racquetball, and squash or a birdie in the case of badminton. In
the case of tennis, the racquet can flex in an unpredictable
reaction during ball impact depending on where the ball hits the
string bed. The head will tend to distort if the ball is not stuck
exactly in the central area, known as the "sweet spot," the area
which provides the best control and feel to a player.
[0004] The method of attaching the head to the throat determines
any further flexion (i.e., the ability to flex) created by the ball
impact. Most racquets have a comparatively stiff flexion of the
throat during play, which leads to head distortion when the ball is
struck even slightly off the sweet spot of the string bed. If the
head distorts due to the rigid interaction between the head and the
throat area, ball control will be adversely affected. This head
distortion allows the ball to leave the string bed at a tangential
attitude (i.e., an unpredictable angle), thus leading to decreased
control by the player. In addition, the shock vibrations created by
the head distortion can be unpleasant and may lead to injury to a
player's hand, arm or shoulder.
[0005] Current racquets have a varied flexion that does not create
a smooth transition from the head through the throat area. There
have been attempts to improve this flexion transition with the use
of a pressed aluminum shaft. However, it is difficult to press the
aluminum into a mold in an exact matter to create identical
racquets. Because racquets manufactured in this way are not
identical, it is difficult to find two racquets that play the same.
Players depend on consistency of play with the same racquet type.
Otherwise, players would need to change their play depending on the
unique characteristics of each racquet.
[0006] Racquets have also been developed with various structural
features to improve performance, such as enlarging the sweet spot,
reducing shock vibrations or increasing spin in order to provide
more control and/or power. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,919,438 to
Yoneeyama ('438 patent) describes varying the thickness in the
shaft and head portions to coordinate the maximum amplitude of
vibration between the shaft portion and the sides of the head
toward the center of the string bed so that the repulsive force of
the entire racquet can be transmitted to a ball, resulting in an
increase of the ball return speed. Without coordinating the
vibrations from the shaft portions and the sides of the head, the
vibrations interfere with each other to weaken the repulsive force
of the racquet, resulting in a slower pace. As shown in FIG. 1 of
the '438 patent, only the inner edge of the shaft portion parallel
to the string bed is widened when the thickness of the shaft
portion perpendicular to the string bed is narrowed. In contrast,
the outer edge of the shaft portion parallel to the string bed
remains substantially unaffected. With the change in the
circumference of this area, the hollow tube can wrinkle during
molding since the material has nowhere else to go, which can create
a weak shaft area that increases the risk of longitudinal
cracking.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,163,679 to Lo ('679 patent) describes a
portion of a racquet shaft having a smaller cross section than that
of the other portions of the shaft, with two stepped
width-increasing portions extending from both sides of the smallest
cross section only in the direction perpendicular to the string
bed. Also described is a grip portion covering only a part of the
smallest cross section so that the uncovered part of the shaft can
provide flexibility and shock absorbancy. The width of the shaft
portion parallel to the string bed remains constant and is
unaffected by the variability in the width of the shaft
perpendicular to the string bed. No attempt is made to create a
controlled flexion based on the structural features of the shaft
portion.
[0008] U.S. Patent Publication No. 2013/0331209 by Jennings
describes the use of rubber insert devices in the throat side posts
and/or handle to create one or more pivot or flex points to impart
flexibility to a tennis racquet. The inserts are designed to
complement the general size and cross-sectional shape of the handle
and/or throat side posts.
[0009] Another desired feature of a racquet is the ability to
increase the dwell time of a ball on the string bed (i.e., the
length of time the ball is in contact with the string bed). Various
structural features are known for increasing dwell time, including
increased racquet head size, adjusting string tension, using
different materials for the racquet or strings, and the like. For
example, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2014/0031150 by Severa et al.
describes a racquet configured with fewer cross strings than main
strings to enlarge the sweet spot with the purpose of increasing
dwell time to impart more spin on the ball during play.
[0010] A need exists for an improved sports racquet capable of
providing controlled flex to increase ball control during play by
inhibiting frame distortion, to increase dwell time, and to
minimize shock to a player's hand during ball impact. The present
invention satisfies this need and provides additional advantages as
well.
SUMMARY
[0011] The present invention relates to a sports racquet, such as a
racquet used for tennis, squash, racquetball, badminton and the
like, having a throat region with two throat beams that connect the
racquet head to a shaft that includes a handle. Each of the throat
beams contains a bending zone created by changing the widths of the
throat beam in two dimensions in an equal, but opposite manner so
the circumference of the throat beam remains substantially constant
throughout at least the length of the bending zone along the throat
beam.
[0012] In one embodiment, the bending zone is created by the
gradual increase, then decrease in the width of the throat beam
parallel to the string bed (referred to herein as the "first
width"), while simultaneously in an equal, but opposite manner, the
width of the same throat beam perpendicular to the string bed
(referred to herein as the "second width") gradually decreases,
then increases so the circumference of the throat beam remains
substantially constant.
[0013] The equal, but opposite change in the first and second
widths of the throat beam creates a flexible cross-section or flex
point where the first width is at its widest and the second width
is concurrently at its narrowest. Preferably, the bending zone and
the flex point are substantially in the same location along both
throat beams to provide the most consistent flexibility and
control.
[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the first width of the throat
beam parallel to the string bed gradually increases in width to the
flex point, then gradually decreases to its original width (also
referred to herein as the "first original width"). Concurrently,
the second width of the throat beam perpendicular to the string bed
gradually decreases in width to the flex point, then gradually
increases to its original width (also referred to herein as the
"second original width"). In this embodiment, the first width
preferably has an increased width in a range of about 120% to about
150% of the first original width at the flex point, and more
preferably an increased width of about 137% of the first original
width, while the second width preferably has a decreased width in
the range of about 50% to about 80% of the second original width at
the flex point, and more preferably a decreased width of about 73%
of the second original width. In a further preferred embodiment,
the first original width is substantially the same as the second
width at the flex point, while the second original width is
substantially the same as the first width at the flex point.
[0015] The various changes in the first and second widths can be
measured, for example, in millimeters or inches. In one embodiment,
the first original width is in a range of about 12 mm to about 18
mm, while the second original width can be in a range of about 20
mm to about 25 mm. In this embodiment, the first width can increase
to a maximum width within a range of about 20 mm to about 25 mm,
while the second width can proportionately decrease to a minimum
width within a range of about 12 mm to about 18 mm. Preferably, the
first original width is about 16 mm, while the second original
width is about 22 mm.
[0016] As noted above, the present invention provides for a bending
zone in which the circumference of each throat beam remains
substantially constant at least throughout the length of the
bending zone and, preferably, throughout the length of the entire
throat beam. In one embodiment, the throat beam has a circumference
in the range of about 50 mm to about 7 0mm, with a preferred
circumference in the range of about 60 mm to about 70 mm, and more
preferably, a circumference of about 64 mm.
[0017] The use of specified ranges of values herein is merely
intended to serve as an abbreviated method of referring to each
value individually within the range. Therefore, each value within a
recited range is incorporated herein as if it were individually
specified.
[0018] The terms "substantially," "about," "approximately," and the
like are intended for their ordinary meaning as interpreted by one
skilled in the art. Accordingly, the terms mean not only the
specific concept or value, but also those concepts or values close
to the specified concept or value. In the case of values (i.e.,
numbers), the terms mean not only the specific value, but also all
values up to or down to the next similar digit. For example, "about
60 mm" includes all intermediate values from 59 mm to 61 mm. By way
of another example, "substantially constant" means exactly constant
or nearly constant as would be accepted by one skilled in the
art.
[0019] The term "a" or "an" entity refers to one or more of that
entity. As such, the terms "a" (or "an"), "one or more" and "at
least one" can be used interchangeably herein. It is also to be
noted that the terms "comprising", "including", "has," and "having"
can be used interchangeably herein and are intended to be
open-ended (i.e, including, but not limited to).
[0020] The terms "determine", "measure," and variations thereof, as
used herein, can be used interchangeably herein to include any type
of methodology, process, mathematical operation or technique known
to those skilled in the art.
[0021] The preceding summary is only intended to provide an
understanding of some aspects of the invention and is not intended
as an extensive or comprehensive overview of the invention nor its
various aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations. As will be
appreciated to those skilled in the art, other aspects,
embodiments, and/or configurations of the invention are possible
utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set
forth above or described in more detail below and in the
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 1 is a front side perspective view of the sports
racquet;
[0023] FIG. 2 is an enlarged front side perspective view of the
sports racquet of the sports racquet of FIG.1;
[0024] FIG. 3 is an enlarged front view of the sports racquet of
FIG. 1;
[0025] FIG. FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of the sports racquet
of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] The invention is described below with reference to the
drawings in which the reference numbers identified in the drawings
are used to refer to the various elements described in this
detailed description. Although the invention can be used with any
sports racquet having a head, throat region and handle for hitting
an object, the invention is described below for tennis racquets by
way of explanation and is not intended to be limited to tennis
racquets.
[0027] Referring to FIG. 1, a racquet 10 is composed of a head 12
converging into a throat region 14 having two throat beams 16,
which in turn converge continuously downward into a shaft 18 that
includes a handle 20. The head 12 and throat bridge 24 define a
string bed 22 that can be strung with a plurality of interwoven
main and cross strings for hitting a ball.
[0028] As shown in FIG. 1, the throat region 14 comprises two
throat beams 16 and a throat bridge 24 to form an elongated
triangular area 34. The two throat beams 16 converge from opposing
sides (i.e., the left and right sides) of the head 12 and begin at
the point where the head 12 connects to the throat bridge 24 and
extends continuously downward until they converge into the shaft 18
at the lower portion of the triangular area 34.
[0029] As shown in FIG. 2, each throat beam includes a bending zone
26 for imparting flexion to the racquet 10 when a ball is struck.
The bending zone 26 is created by the gradual increase, then
reduction in the width parallel to the string bed 22 ("the first
width"), with the concurrent equal, but opposite gradual decrease,
then increase in the width perpendicular to the string bed 22 ("the
second width"). In addition, the throat beam retains a
substantially constant circumference due to the concurrent equal
and opposite gradual variation in width in those two dimensions, at
least within the bending zone 26. However, it is contemplated that
the circumference of a throat beam can be substantially constant
throughout its entire length, including the bending zone 26.
Accordingly, for every measureable increase in the first width,
there is an equal and measureable decrease in the second width and
vice versa throughout the bending zone 26 to maintain the
substantially constant circumference of a throat beam.
[0030] The bending zone 26 can span the entire throat beam or any
portion therein. The choice of location can be readily determined
by those skilled in the art depending on various factors such as
the type of sport racquet, size of the racquet, type of player
(competitive vs. recreational), and other factors described in this
detailed description. For example, the bending zone can be located
in the upper two-thirds of a throat beam 26, centrally of a throat
beam 26 or in the lower two-thirds of a throat beam 26. Preferably,
the bending zone 26 is located approximately centrally within each
throat beam 16, and most preferably just off-center of each throat
beam 16 as shown in FIG. 2.
[0031] The point within the bending zone where each throat beam is
concurrently at its widest (FIG. 3) and its narrowest (FIG. 4) is
referred to herein as the flex point 28. As used herein, the term
"flex point" is used interchangeably with the term "flexible
cross-section." The flexible cross-section or flex point 28 can be
located at any desired location within a bending zone 26. Those
skilled in the art can readily determine the desired location of
the flex point 28 depending on similar factors used to determine
the location of the bending zone 26 as noted above and other
factors as described in this detailed description. In one
embodiment, the flex point 26 is located centrally within the
bending zone 26.
[0032] The desired circumference of each throat beam 16 can be
readily determined by those skilled in the art depending on several
factors, including, but not limited to, the overall size of the
racquet, and the height, weight and length of the handle 20, as
well as the amount of desired flexion. Other factors in determining
the desired circumference of each throat beam 16 can also include,
for example, the intended use of the sports racquet, the cost the
racquet and proficiency of the players (i.e., beginner,
intermediate or advanced) for the target market of a particular
racquet. For a tennis racquet, the circumference of each throat
beam 16 can range from about 50 mm to about 75 mm, preferably from
about 60 mm to about 70 mm, and is most preferably about 64 mm.
[0033] FIG. 3 shows a front perspective (i.e., the perspective
parallel to the string bed 22) of the bending zone 26. The
beginning of the bending zone 26 is defined when the first width
gradually increases until a maximum or largest width is attained at
the flex point 28. Thereafter, the first width gradually decreases
until the original first width is attained, which at that location
defines the lower end of the bending zone 26.
[0034] FIG. 4 shows a side perspective (i.e., the perspective
perpendicular to the string bed 22 not shown) of the bending zone
26. The uppermost portion of the bending zone 26 is defined when
the second width begins to gradually decrease to a minimum or
narrowest width at the flex point 28. Thereafter, the second width
gradually increases until the original second width is attained,
which at that location defines the lower end of the bending zone
26.
[0035] In one embodiment for a tennis racquet, the first original
width of a throat beam 16 can range from about 12 mm to about 18
mm, with the first width being in a range from about 20 mm to about
25 mm at the flex point 28. Similarly, the second original width of
a throat beam 16 can range from about 20 mm to about 25 mm, with
the second width being in a range from about 12 mm to about 18 mm
at the flex point 28. In a preferred embodiment, the first original
width is substantially the same as the second width at the flex
point 28, while the second original width is substantially the same
as the first width at the flex point 28. As an example of this
embodiment, the first original width is about 16 mm, the second
original width is about 22 mm, the first width is about 22 mm at
the flex point 28, and the second width is about 16 mm at the flex
point 28.
[0036] Alternatively, the first width can increase in width in a
range of about 120% to about 150% of the first original width at
the flex point 28, while the second width can decrease in the range
of about 50% to about 80% of the second original width at the flex
point 28. In one embodiment, the first width can increase to a
maximum of about 137% of the first original width, while the second
width can decrease to a minimum of about 73% of the second original
width.
[0037] There are several advantages to a sports racquet having a
bending zone 26, including, but not limited to, the following:
[0038] (a) the substantially constant circumference of each throat
beam 16 throughout its length eliminates any material (e.g., carbon
fiber) wrinkling during the molding process of the hollow throat
beam 16, thereby reliably producing substantially identical
racquets and decreasing the risk of creating a weakened area that
could initiate longitudinal cracking, unlike certain prior art
racquets;
[0039] (b) the bending of a racquet 10 seeks the direction of least
resistance; therefore, due to the narrowing of the throat beam 26
perpendicular to the string bed 22 as shown in FIG. 4, the racquet
is capable of bending from the top of the head 10 down to the
flexible cross-section 28 when a ball is struck, which greatly
reduces any uneven frame distortion, especially in the head 12 for
more controlled play;
[0040] (c) the increase in the first width of the throat beam 16
parallel to the string bed 22 as shown in FIG. 3 provides increased
torsional strength of the racquet 10, with increased resistance to
yaw or bending brought on by off-center hits on the string bed 22,
thereby minimizing head 12 distortion and creating a larger "sweet
spot;"
[0041] d. as a result of (b) and (c) above, the racquet 10 is more
reliable and predictable, thus allowing a player to swing harder to
produce increased ball velocity for greater success during play
(i.e., the racquet head 12 accelerates through the contact point of
the ball, for example during a serve or groundstroke, since it
moves through air with less friction increasing velocity and
spin);
[0042] e. the bending zone 26 creates increased dwell time during
ball impact, thus allowing more spin production as well as
increased "feel" by the player for greater topspin, slice, approach
and passing shots; and
[0043] f. the increased dwell time created by the bending zone 26
also spreads out the shock of the ball impact, resulting in a
significant reduction of the shock received by the player's hand
during ball impact.
[0044] The sports racquet 10 can have any desired head shape, for
example, round, oval, tear drop or the like. The racquet can also
be any height, weight, desired number of points head light and have
a desired square-inch head size depending on the sport and desired
features, such as control, power, spin and the like. Those skilled
in the art can readily determine the appropriate height, weight,
head light and square-inches typically found in racquets within a
particular sport. Other features can be added to the sports racquet
to provide additional desired benefits known to those skilled in
the art, such as to increase power, dampen shock, or to increase
control.
[0045] Competitive tennis players tend to prefer tennis racquets
having a 100 square-inch head size. Accordingly, one embodiment is
a tennis racquet having a round 100 square-inch head, with a height
ranging from any value within, for example, 25-30 inches,
preferably 27 inches, and with a weight ranging from 10.0-12.0
ounces strung, preferably 11.2 ounces strung. The tennis racquet is
between 5-10 points head light, and preferably about 7 points head
light. As shown in FIG. 1, the head 12 of the racquet 10 can be
stiffened at the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions to create more
power. Suitable methods for stiffening the head portion of racquets
are known to those skilled in the art, including, for example,
increasing the cross-section of the head 12 or adjusting the
material composition at the desired location(s). Adjusting the
material composition at a desired location can include, for
example, using denser material or adding inserts. Therefore, the
combination of a stiffened head 12 with the bending zone 26 can
promote increased power with greater spin and enhanced control.
[0046] The racquet 10 can be made composed of any material or
composite materials suitable to accommodate the bending zone 26 and
promote its advantages as described above. For tennis racquets,
suitable materials include aluminum, graphite, titanium,
nanomaterials, resins, carbon-fiber-reinforced composite and other
materials known to those skilled in the art, such as those
described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2014/0031150 entitled
"Racquet Configured With Fewer Cross Strings Than Main Strings,"
incorporated herein by reference.
[0047] The foregoing discussion has been presented for purposes of
illustration and description only. The foregoing is not intended to
limit the full scope of the invention to the embodiments disclosed
herein. The features of the aspects, embodiments, and/or
configurations of the invention described herein can be combined in
alternate aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations other than
those described above. Moreover, variations, combinations, and
modifications to the aspect, embodiments and/or configurations
whether described above or not are intended to be within the scope
and spirit of the invention and all rights thereto are not intended
to be publicly dedicated.
* * * * *