The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 06, 1999
Filed:
Apr. 26, 1996
Raymond Lee Mortvedt, Santee, CA (US);
Ronald Alan Grimes, Encinitas, CA (US);
Todd Berdell Colburn, San Diego, CA (US);
EF Composite Technologies, L.P., San Diego, CA (US);
Abstract
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 (>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.