US3679205A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tennis racket for developing tennis swing
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-07-08
•
Granted: 1972-07-25
•
Expires: 1990-07-08
Abstract
Abstract A tennis racket is provided with a hinge intermediate the handle and racket head for providing hinged movement of the racket in the plane of the racket head. The hinge is preferably provided with a bias which tends to maintain the racket handle and head in a normal linear relation. When the racket is used to swing and hit the tennis ball so that the centrifugal momentum of the racket head propels the ball, the bias of the spring is not overcome and the racket handle and the head through the hinge are maintained in a normal linear relation. However, when the racket is used to push the tennis ball so that the racket head and handle is used as a lever to propel the ball, the bias of the spring is overcome and the racket handle and head fold at the hinge out of normal relation.
Inventors
- 👤 Eugene D Finkle
- 👤 James A Patterson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 01:25
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B69/00; A63B69/38; A63B49/00; A63B49/02; A63B49/035; A63B60/00; A63B60/0081; A63B60/06; A63B60/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
A tennis racket comprising: a racket head having strings supported in a plane; a straight racket handle; a hinge intermediate said racket head and handle for connecting said head and handle, said hinge permitting free pivotal motion of said head relative to said handle about an axis which is substantially parallel to the plane of the strings of said racket head and transverse of a longitudinal axis along said straight racket handle; means for restraining initial movement only of said hinge to maintain said strings of said racket head supported in said plane including said straight racket handle and said means permitting substantially uninhibited pivotal movement of said head relative to said handle as a result of said handle being swung with a pushed and levered action stroke upon hitting a ball at said hinge when said head and strings supported in said plane move out of parallel relation with said handle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
152 words
A tennis racket comprising: a racket head having strings supported in a plane; a straight racket handle; a hinge intermediate said racket head and handle for connecting said head and handle, said hinge permitting free pivotal motion of said head relative to said handle about an axis which is substantially parallel to the plane of the strings of said racket head and transverse of a longitudinal axis along said straight racket handle; means for restraining initial movement only of said hinge to maintain said strings of said racket head supported in said plane including said straight racket handle and said means permitting substantially uninhibited pivotal movement of said head relative to said handle as a result of said handle being swung with a pushed and levered action stroke upon hitting a ball at said hinge when said head and strings supported in said plane move out of parallel relation with said handle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention of claim 1 and wherein said axis of said hinge is normal to said linear handle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The invention of claim 1 and wherein said hinge includes means removed from said hinge for restraining movement of said racket head relative to said racket handle to less than the full pivotal motion provided by said hinge.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
155 words
In a tennis racket including a racket head having strings placed in a plane on said head and a linear handle connected to said racket head, the improvement comprising: a hinge positioned intermediate said handle and said head, said hinge permitting pivotal movement of said head relative to said handle about an axis which is parallel to the plane of said strings on said racket head and transverse of a longitudinal axis along said linear racket handle; means for restraining initial movement only of said hinge to maintain said rackeT head and string placed in a plane in the same plane as said handle and said means permitting substantially uninhibited pivotal movement of said head relative to said handle when said head and strings in a plane are not in the same plane as said handle as a result of said racket being swung with a pushed and levered action stroke upon hitting a ball.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
155 words
In a tennis racket including a racket head having strings placed in a plane on said head and a linear handle connected to said racket head, the improvement comprising: a hinge positioned intermediate said handle and said head, said hinge permitting pivotal movement of said head relative to said handle about an axis which is parallel to the plane of said strings on said racket head and transverse of a longitudinal axis along said linear racket handle; means for restraining initial movement only of said hinge to maintain said rackeT head and string placed in a plane in the same plane as said handle and said means permitting substantially uninhibited pivotal movement of said head relative to said handle when said head and strings in a plane are not in the same plane as said handle as a result of said racket being swung with a pushed and levered action stroke upon hitting a ball.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention of claim 4 and wherein said hinge axis is substantially normal to the axis of said handle.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-25 | 1976-01-24 | 1976-07-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-25 | 1980-01-24 | 1980-07-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-25 | 1984-01-24 | 1984-07-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |