U.S. patent number 3,582,073 [Application Number 04/738,634] was granted by the patent office on 1971-06-01 for cast metal racquet with offcenter string guides.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Midland Merchandise Corporation. Invention is credited to Samuel W. Landsman, Samuel H. Melnick, Walter A. Stromski.
United States Patent |
3,582,073 |
Melnick , et al. |
June 1, 1971 |
CAST METAL RACQUET WITH OFFCENTER STRING GUIDES
Abstract
A high strength cast metal racquet wherein string guides
protrude into the striking area of the racquet frame but are offset
from the plane of the strings. The string guides contain apertures
perpendicular to the plane of the strings. The string guides permit
the strings to be strung in a plane bisecting the frame of the
racquet.
Inventors: |
Melnick; Samuel H. (Chicago,
IL), Landsman; Samuel W. (Chicago, IL), Stromski; Walter
A. (Chicago, IL) |
Assignee: |
Midland Merchandise Corporation
(N/A)
|
Family
ID: |
24968822 |
Appl.
No.: |
04/738,634 |
Filed: |
June 20, 1968 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/541 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B
49/12 (20130101); A63B 49/022 (20151001); A63B
60/00 (20151001); A63B 49/03 (20151001); A63B
49/08 (20130101); A63B 60/08 (20151001); A63B
60/10 (20151001); A63B 49/028 (20151001); A63B
60/48 (20151001); A63B 60/06 (20151001) |
Current International
Class: |
A63B
49/02 (20060101); A63B 49/08 (20060101); A63B
49/00 (20060101); A63B 49/12 (20060101); A63b
049/12 () |
Field of
Search: |
;273/73,75 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14,247 |
|
1884 |
|
GB |
|
16,414 |
|
1891 |
|
GB |
|
4,445 |
|
1903 |
|
GB |
|
185,275 |
|
Sep 1922 |
|
GB |
|
566,130 |
|
Dec 1944 |
|
GB |
|
585,489 |
|
Feb 1947 |
|
GB |
|
Other References
Printed German Application -1,089,675, Sept. 1960 Inventor: Trost,
Copy in Grp. 334, 273-73.
|
Primary Examiner: Pinkham; Richard C.
Assistant Examiner: Apley; Richard J.
Claims
We claim:
1. A high strength cast metal racquet having a closed frame with
first and second spaced generally parallel handle portions
extending from said frame, said frame including a plurality of tabs
defining the periphery of a striking plane, said tabs being
disposed alternately on opposite sides of said striking plane,
apertures formed in said tabs perpendicular to said striking plane
whereby the stringing of the racquet outwardly through said
apertures from said striking plane results in forming the stringing
flatwise in said striking plane.
2. The racquet of claim 1 wherein the said first and second handle
portions have inwardly directed overlapping tabs and securing means
are provided for interlocking said overlapping tabs thereby
retaining said handle portions in the spaced parallel
relationship.
3. The racquet of claim 1 wherein said frame comprises a generally
T-section structure with the leg of the T-section projecting
inwardly toward said striking plane and defining said tabs.
4. For use in a game-playing strung racquet having a handle, a high
strength cast metal looped frame defining a striking area lying in
a plane bisecting the frame, said frame having cast through
apertures each having an end opening into said plane at least at
the portion of each aperture closest to the striking area, said
apertures extending axially transversely to and away from said
plane whereby said apertures are adapted for stringing therethrough
of strings extending substantially in said striking area plane.
5. A racquet frame as set forth in claim 4 wherein said frame
comprises a unitary casting.
6. A racquet frame as set forth in claim 4 wherein said frame
comprises a multipart casting and means fixedly connecting the
casting parts.
7. The racquet frame of claim 6 further including means cast
integral therewith for securing the parts thereof together.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
l. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to game-playing racquets and, in particular,
to strung racquets for playing games such as tennis, badminton,
squash, and the like.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In the conventional strung racquet for playing games such as
tennis, badminton, squash, and the like, the frame is formed of
wood. Recently, a number of racquet constructions have been
developed utilizing tubular metal frames. Illustratively, such
constructions are shown in the Lacoste U.S. Pat. No. No. Re26128,
No. 3,078,908, No. 3,086,777 and No. 3,206,203.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention comprehends an improved game-playing strung
racquet construction utilizing a metal frame of improved strength,
playing action, low cost, and long life. The invention comprehends
the provision of such a racquet construction wherein the frame
comprises a metal casting which selectively may comprise a
one-piece casting, or a multipart casting. Alternatively, the frame
may comprise a metal extrusion. Further, alternatively, the
invention comprehends the provision of a metal frame for such a
strung racquet comprising a tubular element having a new and
improved cross-sectional configuration providing improved strength
and playing action.
More specifically, the invention comprehends a frame and handle
construction for use in a game-playing strung racquet comprising an
elongated metal extrusion having a substantially uniform cross
section the length thereof, the extrusion including a turned
midportion defining a striking area and end portions forming a
handle portion.
Alternatively, more specifically, the invention comprehends a
strung racquet construction comprising a cast metal frame defining
a striking area and having end portions defining means for
connecting the frame to the handle, the frame having apertures cast
therein adapted for stringing therethrough of strings extending
across the striking area.
Still further, more specifically, the invention comprehends the
provision of a frame and handle construction comprising an
elongated tubular metal element having a substantially uniform
cross section throughout the length thereof, the element including
a turned midportion defining a striking area and end portions
forming a handle portion, the element having a cross section
defined by an annular arcuate portion of substantially constant
radius extending approximately 270 .degree. and a substantially
straight portion extending between the apposed ends of the arcuate
portion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent
from the following description taken in connection with the
accompanying drawings wherein:
FIG. l is a front view of a game-playing racquet embodying the
invention;
FIG. 2 is a broken side elevation thereof;
FIG. 3 is a transverse section taken substantially along the line
3- 3 of figure 2;
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary section taken substantially along the line
4- 4 of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a transverse section taken substantially along the line
5- 5 of FIG. l;
FIG. 6 is a transverse section taken substantially along the line
6- 6 OF FIG. l;
FIG. 7 is a broken front view of a modified form of racquet
embodying the invention;
FIG. 8 is a fragmentary side elevation of the handle portion
thereof;
FIG. 9 is a fragmentary end view taken in direction of the arrows
of FIG. 7;
FIG. l0 is a transverse cross section taken substantially along
line 10- l0 of FIG. 7;
FIG. 11 is a fragmentary side elevation of the right half of the
racquet construction of FIG. 7;
FIG. l2 is a fragmentary enlarged broken view of the frame and
handle construction with the two halves spaced apart as before
assembly;
FIG. l3 is a broken front view of still another form of racquet
embodying the invention;
FIG. l4 is a broken side elevation thereof;
FIG. l5 is a transverse section taken substantially along the line
15- l5 of FIG. l3;
FIG. l6 is a transverse section taken substantially along the line
16- 16 OF FIG. 13; and
FIG. l7 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse section taken
substantially along the line 17- l7 of FIG. l4.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In the exemplary embodiment of the invention as disclosed in FIGS.
1-- 6 of the drawing, a game-playing racquet, generally designated
l0, is shown to comprise a strung racquet having a frame and handle
construction, generally designated 11, comprising an elongated
metal extrusion which may be formed of a high tensile strength
metal, such as aluminum alloy. As shown in FIG. l, the construction
ll includes a turned, generally arcuate midportion l2 defining a
striking area l3 and end portions l4 and l5 extending generally
rectilinearly in spaced relationship to each other to define a
handle portion, generally designated l6.
The frame and handle construction ll comprises an extrusion of
substantially uniform cross section throughout the length thereof.
Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the extrusion ll may define a
U-shaped cross section having a bight portion l7 and leg portions
l8 and l9. The bight portion l7 is directed inwardly toward the
striking area l3 in the frame portion l2, and the bight portions l7
are apposed in spaced relationship in the handle portion l6 (FIG.
l) whereby the construction ll effectively defines an outwardly
opening channel member throughout the length thereof. As best seen
in FIG. 2, the frame midportion l2 is provided with a plurality of
apertures 20 adapted for stringing therethrough of suitable strings
21 which, as shown in FIG. l, are extended across the striking area
in the conventional stringing pattern. As shown in FIG. 2, the
strings are effectively recessed in the outer groove 22 of the
channel shaped construction 11. As shown in FIG. 3, the apertures
20 are sufficiently large to accommodate a plurality of the strings
21, thereby to permit stringing of both the horizontal and vertical
strings therethrough.
A brace, generally designated 23, may be provided between the
apposed portions of the construction ll at the juncture of the
turned portion l2 with the end portions l4 and l5, as shown in FIG.
3. Herein the brace is formed of metal and is secured to the
construction ll by rivets 24, it being understood that other
suitable securing means may be employed, as desired. The brace 23
includes a frame portion 25 defining a portion of the boundary of
striking area l3 at the juncture of the frame portion l2 with the
handle portions l4 and l5. The base frame portion 25 may be
provided with a reinforcing web 26 and suitable apertures 27 are
provided in the overlying web 26 and brace web portion 25 to permit
stringing of the strings 21 therethrough, as best seen in FIG. 3.
As further shown therein, the stringing may be effected at opposite
ends of the brace 23 through the reinforcing web 26 and one of the
apertures 20 of the frame portion l2.
The brace 23 may include an inner turned portion 28 at its lower
end to provide improved rigidity and maintained spacing of the
handle portions l4 and l5 at the juncture with frame portion
l2.
The racquet 10 further includes a handle structure, generally
designated 29, which, as best seen in FIG. 6, includes a pair of
cast sections 30 and 31 which embrace the spaced channel shaped
portions l4 and l5 to define a conventional octagonal periphery
type handle. The handle structure portions 30 and 31 may be secured
in place about the channels l4 and l5 by suitable conventional
wrapping and the handle structure portions 30 and 31 may be
provided with inturned web supports 32 to provide rigidity to the
handle in the midportion thereof, inturned web supports 33 to
provide rigidity at the frame end of the handle, and inturned end
webs 34 for closing the end of the handle.
Turning now to the embodiment of the invention as disclosed in
FIGS. 7--12, a modified form of racquet, generally designated 110,
embodying the invention is shown to comprise a cast frame and
handle construction, generally designated ll, including an arcuate
midportion 112 defining a striking area 113 and spaced end portions
114 and 115. Thus, racquet 110 is generally similar to racquet l0
except that the racquet may be formed of a cast metal, such as high
strength aluminum alloy. Selectively, the entire frame and handle
construction 111 may be cast as a single piece or the construction
111 may be cast as two separate halves 111 a and 111b b joined
together by suitable rivets l35, l36 and l37. For this purpose, the
frame halves are provided with overlapping apertured portions l38,
l39 and l40, illustrated in FIG. l2. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 12,
the racquet 110 includes a brace portion l23, which may comprise
brace portion halves 123 a and 123 b, cast integral therewith,
thereby eliminating the need for a separate brace, such as brace 23
of racquet l0.
As shown in FIG. l0, the overlapped portions l40 extend inwardly
between the end portions 114 and 115 to provide improved rigidity
of the handle portion 116 defined by the end portions 114 and 115.
A cast handle structure l29 similar to handle structure 29 of
racquet l0 is provided in embracing relationship to the end
portions 114 and 115. The portions 114 and 115 are provided at
their ends with inturned flanges l4l and the handle structure l29
includes inturned flanges l42 which are received inwardly of the
flanges l4l to lock the handle structure l29 against movement
longitudinally of the end portions 114 and 115. The handle
structure l29 further includes an inturned web support l33 for
providing rigidity of the handle at the opposite end. As discussed
above relative to racquet l0 the handle structure l29 may be
secured about end portions 114 and 115 by suitable wrapping of the
handle structure l29. Alternatively, the handle structure may be
enclosed by tubular plastic housing, or the like, and further
improved rigidity of the handle structure may be provided by
filling the interior space thereof with suitable foam plastic, or
the like, as shown in FIG. l0.
The stringing of racquet 110 may be effected by means of a
plurality of apertures l20 cast in the frame portion 112. As shown
in FIG. ll, the frame portion 112 includes an inturned flange l43
defining alternately raised and lower portions 143 a and 143 b
forming a plurality of tabs projecting inwardly toward the striking
area 113 in an alternating series on opposite sides of the striking
area plane. Thus, the apertures l20 open perpendicularly to the
flat plane of the striking area 113. Thus, tab portions 143 a and
143 b respectively define surfaces 143 a' and 143 b' lying in the
flat plane of the striking area 113 so that the strings l2l are
brought through the apertures l20 from the striking area 113 at the
common plane.
As best seen in FIG. l0, the end portions 114 and 115 effectively
define T-sections having inturned legs l44 providing reinforcing of
the cast handle portions. The brace portion l23 provides a
continuing extension of the frame portions 111 a and 111b including
the apertures l20, thereby to define a continuous peripheral
structure about striking area 113.
Thus, cast racquet 110 is similar to the extruded racquet 10 except
as discussed above. Elements of racquet 110 similar to those of
racquet 10 are identified by similar reference numerals except 100
higher.
Turning now to the embodiment of the invention as disclosed in
FIGS. 13--17, another form of racquet, generally designated 210, is
shown to comprise a racquet similar to racquet 10 except that the
frame and handle construction 211 is formed of tubular metal, such
as steel. The tubular steel structure may be formed to define the
frame portion 212 and the spaced handle portions 214 and 215. The
racquet 210 includes a brace 223 to complete the enclosure of
striking area 213. The brace may be welded to the frame portion 212
to provide a strong, lightweight construction. The strings 221 may
be strung to the frame by means of a wire 245 welded to the inside
surface 217 of the frame and brace to define a plurality of
inwardly projecting loops 246 through which the strings are
passed.
As best seen in FIG. 16, the construction 211 comprises a tubular
element having a cross section defined by an annular arcuate
portion 247 of substantially constant radius extending
approximately 270.degree. and a substantially straight inner
portion 217 extending between the apposed ends of the arcuate
portion and provided with a depressed recess 248 defining a groove
opening inwardly toward the striking area 213 and in which the wire
245 is received to be secured to the inner portion 217 of the
frame. The loop portions 246 thusly extend inwardly from the frame
212 for facilitated stringing therethrough.
As shown in FIG. 13, the end portions 214 and 215 may be received
in a cast handle 229 which may be suitably wrapped or enclosed, as
discussed above relative racquets 10 and 110. As shown in FIG. 15,
the handle structure 229 may define an octangular cross section
wherein the end portions 214 and 215 are suitably embedded to
provide a strong, rigid handle portion in the racquet 210. Except
as otherwise indicated, racquet 210 is similar to racquets 10 and
110 and elements thereof similar to elements of racquet 110 are
identified by similar reference numerals except 100 higher.
Thus, the invention comprehends improved game-playing strung
racquet means utilizing a metal frame and handle construction
eliminating the disadvantages of the conventional wood frame and
handle racquets, in a structure of extremely simple and economical
manufacture. The racquets of the disclosed constructions provide
highly desirable feel similar to the feel of conventional wood
racquets while yet providing unlimited frame and handle life. By
suitable control of the manufacturing operations in the use of the
metal structures, highly accurate control of the weight of the
racquets may be obtained. Further, accurate control in the
arrangement of the stringing apertures and maintained configuration
of the frame provides for improved stringing of the racquet. As
portions of the racquet may be adjusted for weight, improved
balancing of the racquet for improved manipulation thereof is
further provided.
While I have shown and described certain embodiments of my
invention, it is to be understood that it is capable of many
modifications. Changes, therefore, in the construction and
arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit and scope
of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
* * * * *