Device and method for improved tennis racket damping and weight adjustment

Abstract

The present application relates to devices and methods for adjusting the weight of a racket using variably weighted racket damping devices.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application 61 / 647,420 filed May 15, 2012, entitled DEVICE AND METHOD FOR IMPROVED TENNIS RACKET DAMPING AND WEIGHT ADJUSTMENT, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND[0002]1. Field[0003]Embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to systems, devices, and methods for damping vibrations and adjusting the weight of a tennis racket.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]Handheld sports rackets, such as tennis rackets, have a handle and an oval frame extending from the handle. The handle includes a grip by which the player can hold the racket. The racket includes two intersecting sets of parallel strings attached to and suspended from the frame, creating a striking surface or face. One set of strings extends generally parallel to the handle of the racket and may be called the longitudinal strings, while the other set of stri...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is about a vibration damping device for a racket. The device has a shell made of a damping material, which can be rubber, foam, or other similar materials. The device can also have a core that is fixedly positioned inside the shell. The core can be made of metal, alloy, foam, elastomeric polymer, thermoplastic polymer, ceramic material, or other similar materials. The device can be used between two strings on a racket, and its weight is between 3 g and 10 g. The device can have a bore through it to secure it to the racket. The invention also includes a kit with multiple vibration damping devices, each with a shell and a core. The devices can have different weights and compositions for different applications. Overall, the invention provides a way to reduce vibrations and make rackets more comfortable and efficient.

Problems solved by technology

The vibrations can be substantial when the ball strikes the strings off of center of the face of the racket or when the ball strikes the frame of the racket.

Initially, large vibrations disseminate from the point of contact on the strings, followed by a series of smaller vibrations which eventually die out with time.

Extensive periods of racket-induced vibrations can cause or exacerbate a “tennis elbow” injury or other such injuries in a player.

Furthermore, a player's preference for the weight of the racket may change even during a tennis match as he or she becomes increasingly tired or as the conditions during the match change or even based on the types of strokes the player would like to be hitting.

Traditionally, modifying or adjusting the weight of a tennis racquet was difficult, laborious, expensive, and imprecise.

Changing the weight of a racket can be particularly difficult during the middle of a tennis match.

Traditional methods of racket weight adjustment involve cumbersome devices and prolonged methods of adding weight to either the frame or the handle of the racket.

Purchasing a new racket of a different weight, or carrying multiple rackets of different weights, is an expensive solution to this problem.

Other solutions such as placing weights in handle of the racket or applying weighted tape on the frame of the racket have proven cumbersome and imprecise.

Applying weight to the handle or the frame of the racket can also have the adverse impact of unintentionally modifying the existing weight distribution in the racket.

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