Ektelon

Ef Composite Technologies, L.p.

Raymond L Mortvedt

Stephen M Thompson

Ronald Alan Grimes

Steven M Thompson

Rafael G Filippini

Todd B Colburn

A sports racquet has a head frame that includes a support member and an inwardly directed alignment member or fin. String segments are strung from a central strung area through respective holes in the fin, around the support member and back through further holes in the fin. The present invention provides a strong anchor for the strings which can withstand the static load thereof as well as dynamic loading placed on it by striking gamepieces as well as striking other objects. In a preferred embodiment, the fin returns the string segments to a strung area that is substantially planar up to the inner periphery of the fin.

Reinforced racquet with flat string bed

A racquet with strings and a handle has at least a portion of the strung length of at least some of its strings at least partially within a cavity defined by the racquet's handle, and/or, in the case of a racquet having a shaft, a cavity defined by the racquet's shaft. Typically two, or some multiple of two, strings are extended in strung length by at least a portion of the length of the handle's (shaft's) cavity. The cavity may be but only slightly recessed into the handle (shaft), and may be nearly as long as is the handle (shaft) itself. Particularly in the case those racquetball racquets qualified by the 1996 rules of the American Amateur Racquetball Association to twenty one inches (21') in total length, each of preferably two or more 'long' strings commonly extend at least fifteen and one-half inches (.gtoreq.51/2'), and may extend as long as twenty and one-half inches (&gt;201/2'), in strung length by virtue of extending within the cavity of a hollow handle. The 'long' strings are subject to being displaced a greater distance from the plane of the racquet during ball strikes and strokes than are the shorter strings for which they substitute, beneficially permitting (i) a greater energy storage in the strings and racquet frame, (ii) a larger sweet spot, longer ball contact, and (iii) a more prolonged and greater return of energy to the struck ball.

Long string racquets, particularly for racquetball

The present invention comprises a graphite composite racquet frame having a particular structure that provides internal and external shock absorption. The internal shock absorption is provided by a core material having high impact strength such as an aromatic aramid. External shock absorption is provided by a fiber reinforced plastic wrapping. The shock absorption elements allow graphite fibers to be used for construction of racquets which are commonly subject to a great deal of physical abuse such as racquetball racquets.

Graphite composite racquet with aramid core

Racquetball racquet

The improved racquet has a strung surface which is larger in area than the strung surface of a conventional racquet, and in which the strung area is both longer in length and width than the strung area of a conventional racquet. However, the overall weight and balance of a conventional racquetball racquet which have proven necessary for good playing characteristics for all such racquets have been maintained. The racquet has synergistically combined the weight of the racquet, the center of mass of the racquet, the stiffness of the frame, and the response characteristics to create a racquet of sufficient durability with a larger 'sweet spot' to facilitate the playing of the sport and to increase the level of skill, particularly of the novice and intermediate players. The racquet has an overall length of 181/2 inches to 221/2 inches and a width of 91/2 inches to 111/2 inches, a weight of 220 grams to 270 grams, and a center of gravity at a location within a range of 3/4 inch toward the handle and 1/2 inch toward the head as measured from the longitudinal center point of the racquet.

Racquetball racquet with increased hitting area

A molded composite racquet is provided, wherein the frame of the entire racquet is prepared using the combination of continuous graphite fibers longitudinal within the shape of the frame, wrapped in a bias arrangement with layers of fiberglass, that combination being covered by a protective resinous outerlayer. The presence of the graphite fiber in a unidirectional orientation around the hoop of the racquet in the plane of the strings increases the resistance against compression with minimal affect on the flexibility, bending or torsion, of the racquet. The concentric and bias orientation of the fiberglass layer supplies sturdiness to increase the resistance to torsion and bending stress. The molded composite racquet achieves a controlled impulse duration during impact with a game ball which provides greater control during impact and less shock to the user of the racquet during the recreation.

Graphite composite racquet

A steel tubular frame design for racquetball racquets, has a varying cross-sectional structure. This structure gives strength in the lower portion of the racquet so as to reduce the torsional and flexional movements of the frame in that area and has a different cross-sectional area in the upper portion of the racquet where flexibility is needed, providing this flexibility in a continuous one-piece racquet. The invention is characterized by a four-sided peanut-shaped steel tube that has convex corners and two concave sides on the long sides. The convexity and concavity varying at different points throughout the racquet. The racquet frame is of a quadraform/wishbone configuration and is throatless.

Tubular steel racquet frame having varying cross-section

The improved racquetball racquet has a strung surface which is larger in area than the strung surface of a conventional racquet, and in which the strung area is both longer in length and width than the strung area of a conventional racquet. However, the overall weight and balance of a conventional racquetball racquet which have proven necessary for good playing characteristics for all such racquets have been maintained. The racquet has synergistically combined the weight of the racquet, the center of mass of the racquet, the stiffness of the frame, and the response characteristics to create a racquet of sufficient durability with a larger 'sweet spot' to facilitate the playing of the sport and to increase the level of skill, particularly of the novice and intermediate players. The racquet has an overall length of 181/2 inches to 221/2 inches and a width of 12 inches to 143/4 inches, a weight of 220 grams to 270 grams, and a center of gravity at a location within a range of 3/4 inch toward the handle and 1/2 inch toward the head as measured from the longitudinal center point of the racquet.

Growing community of inventors

Santee, CA, United States of America

Raymond L Mortvedt