Ferrari Importing Company

Raymond P Harrington

Harry M Ferrari

Harry W Ingram

Stephen M Ferlan

A device can be provided in different embodiments for holding different tensions in different length string sections of a sports racquet stringing bed. In one embodiment, a strip of material is applied on the periphery of the head portion of the racquet and is compressed under the string portions extending between pairs of adjacent stringing holes. In another embodiment, the tension holding device is a plurality of cylindrical bands of compressible material which fit about the string portions and within the grommets of the racquet. In both embodiments, the material is compressed by the string portion to generate sufficient frictional force therebetween to prevent slippage of the string portion relative thereto and thereby hold the different length string sections under the predetermined amount of differential tension. Several embodiments of a variable tension applying device can be mounted across the head portion of the sports racquet to provide displaced locations on a beam across which the longitudinal string sections extend so as to divert them into substantially equal lengths of string sections. After substantially the same amount of tension is applied to each of the equal length string sections, the string sections are released from the tension applying device and then the string sections assume their original different lengths across the open region of the head portion of the racquet with each string section having a differential tension which thereby provides a uniform stiffness to the stringing bed made up by the different length string sections.

Device for facilitating application of variable tension to sports

Shock and vibration is suppressed in a racquet having a tubular frame of metal, graphite, fiberglass, or the like, by a bar or column of shock-and-vibration-absorbing material such as foam. The bar is 5 inches to 10 inches in length and is weaved over and under the vertical strings in the region, between the handle and the nearest cross or horizontal string, where a ball or shuttlecock would not impact in normal play. The ends of the bar are brought through the end spaces between the string and the frame of the racquet and tucked under the frame. The bar is composed of layers of the shock-and-frequency absorbing material. The material is soft, light and resilient. The inner layer or layers has a higher density than the outer layer. The frequency for which the maximum absorption occurs decreases progressively from the inner layer or layers outwardly. The resonant frequency of a typical racquet is about 650 hertz. The predominant absorption frequency of the outer layers of the bar is between 500 and 2000 hertz. The inner layer of layers, being of higher density, have maximum absorption at higher frequency and predominantly absorb shock while the outer layers predominantly absorb vibration.

Shock and vibration absorber for racquets and method for its use

Weight-and-balance adjusting assemblies for use with a racquet for racquet sports. The adjusting assemblies in each case includes a weight having an adhesive formed of an acrylic foam, with very high-bonding properties, secured to its base surface. The unbonded face of the adhesive is secured when an adjusting assembly is in use, secured to a selected part of the racquet. The weight is composed of lead which has a low melting point and is readily moldable to mate with the surface of the part of the racquet to which it is secured or is to be secured. Because of the bonding to the racquet by the adhesive, an adjusting assembly and its weight form an integral part of the racquet. The package includes a card to which a plurality of adjusting assemblies are removably secured. The card carries adjusting assemblies with weights of different magnitudes for the same parts of a racquet and adjusting assemblies for different parts of a racquet. The racquet according to this invention may be a conventional racquet having integral therewith weight-and-balance-adjusting assemblies in accordance with this invention.

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Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America

Raymond P Harrington