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.

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.

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.