Manufacture of metal frames for tennis and other rackets

Abstract

Metal frame for tennis or other racket, characterized in that it consists of two tubular metal elements shaped in the usual way, at least one of which has on one surface imprints or depressions, which, when the said elements are assembled one on top of the other, form spaces for the passage and fixing of interwoven strings.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It is well known that rackets with metal frames have undeniable advantages with regard to lightness and resistance to warping, and that it is their relatively high price which has restricted their commercialisation up to now.

In order to remedy this the present invention concerns a metal racket frame which can be mass-produced at a very low cost while showing characteristics in use comparable with those of known metal frames.

The frame in the invention is characterised in that it consists of two oval tubular metal elements shaped in the usual way, at least one of which has on one surface imprints or depressions, which, when the said elements are assembled one on top of the other, form spaces for the passage and fixing of interwoven strings.

The method of production necessary for the above arrangement starts with shaping the two tubular elements in the usual way. They are then stamped to give them imprints or depressions on the sides which will be joined, and they are assembled by welding or brazing, naturally while taking care that the depressions on the two elements conincide.

The attached diagrams, given as an example, will assist in understanding the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the two tubular elements of a frame as in the invention after shaping.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of one of the elements after stamping.

FIG. 3 is a side view on a larger scale with part cut away showing the depressions obtained.

FIG. 4 shows in the same way the two elements after assembly.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are transverse sections through V--V (FIG. 3) and VI--VI (FIG. 4) respectively.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are views similar to those of FIGS. 4 and 6, but correspond to a variation in manufacture of the invention.

As mentioned at the beginning, to make a metal frame for tennis and other rackets one starts by cutting a certain length of metal tubing to obtain two rectilinear elements. These are then shaped into the usual form shown in FIG. 1 including a part 1 which is quite considerably curved in order to take the standard stringing, and two rectilinear lengths 2 parallel to one another to form the handle.

The mutually adjacent faces, or at least one thereof, of each of the two elements thus obtained is then submitted to stamping to make depressions 3 (FIGS. 3 and 5) on the side of the said part 1, suitably spaced out. This spacing can be regular or irregular, depending on the type of stringing to be used. The parts 1 are given a sort of castellated shape in profile which affects one or other of the sides in the plan of the said part 1.

After stamping the two elements are placed one on top of the other, so that the depressions 3 meet. One only needs then to join these elements by a line of brazing or welding 4 (FIGS. 4 and 6). The depressions 3 form openings 5 for the passage of the criss-cross stringing.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 the depressions 3' in the two tubular elements can be of considerable length to form longer openings 5' to allow the passage of several strings, the said strings then being held through the perforations 6a by a small plate of synthetic material 6, fixed to the outside edge of the frame proper.

It should be appreciated that the depressions 3 in the two tubular elements which form the frame can be of varying depth; in certain cases only one of the elements need have any depressions, and the other can remain smooth.

Claims

We claim:

1. A metal frame for securing the ends of interwoven strings for a tennis or other racket, comprising two tubular oval-shaped metal frame elements assembled and secured one on top of the other and having mutually adjacent faces contacting each other, the adjacent face of at least one of said oval frame elements being formed with a series of depressions disposed such that when the frame elements are secured together face to face said depressions form spaces between the elements to receive and pass the strings.

2. A frame as set forth in claim 1, wherein the adjacent faces of both frame elements are formed with depressions which are in mutual registration when the frame elements are secured together.

3. A frame as set forth in claim 1, wherein the interwoven strings have spaces of fixed length therebetween and wherein each depression as measured along the frame is long enough to pass strings spaced apart by twice said fixed length, and plate means on the outside edge of said frame elements to receive and anchor the strings extending through said depressions.