Vibration dampening device for a sports racket having a strung striking

Abstract

A device for dampening vibrations in a sports racket having a strung striking surface includes an elongated elastic flexible hollow tubular member disposable in interweaved relation with a plurality of strings on the racket striking surface, and inelastic end members on the opposite ends of the tubular member for securing the tubular member in a stretched condition between its opposite ends to a pair of spaced strings and for retaining the member in the interweaved relation with the plurality of strings. The hollow tubular member defines a central bore having opposite openings at the opposite ends of the member. Each inelastic end member includes an inner element having a stem portion inserted within one opposite end opening for attachment in frictional interfitting relation with one end of the elastic tubular member, and an outer hook-like element for anchoring the one opposite end of the elastic member to one of the pair of strings. The outer hook-like element is rigidly connected to a cover portion of the inner element which engages an outer end surface of the tubular member end when the stem portion is inserted into the one tubular member end openings. A viscoelastic energy damping medium is encapsulated within the central bore of the elastic hollow tubular member by the end members.