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US3805366A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method of manufacturing a tennis racket
Assignee: Sumitomo Bank Ltd
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Filing: 1972-06-09
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Granted: 1974-04-23
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Expires: 1992-06-09
Abstract
Abstract A novel tennis racket structure, tennis racket frame strip and method of manufacturing a tennis racket are set forth. The combination of novel frame strip, throat piece structure, grommet means and handle structure provide an improved racket having improved strength characteristics, reliability and durability. A novel frame strip structure provides an improved racket strength factor.
Inventors
- 👤 G Vaughn
- 👤 R Hargrave
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 18:48
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B49/00; A63B49/02; A63B49/12; A63B49/022; A63B49/03; A63B49/08; A63B49/028; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49826; Y10T29/49838; Y10T29/49888; Y10T29/49947; Y10T29/49963; Y10T29/49964
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
The method of manufacturing a tennis racket from a frame strip comprising a pair of opposed tubular sections connected by a web, comprising the steps of: punching a plurality of spaced holes in said web of said frame strip at predetermined positions therealong; bending said punched frame strip to partially define a generally oval stringing section and a pair of spaced apart generally parallel handle end sections; securing a plastic throat piece within said frame strip to complete said generally oval stringing section; and molding a solid plastic handle around said spaced apart generally parallel handle end sections to secure said handle end sections in a fixed spaced apart generally parallel relationship and to define a hand grip area for said racket.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
122 words
The method of manufacturing a tennis racket from a frame strip comprising a pair of opposed tubular sections connected by a web, comprising the steps of: punching a plurality of spaced holes in said web of said frame strip at predetermined positions therealong; bending said punched frame strip to partially define a generally oval stringing section and a pair of spaced apart generally parallel handle end sections; securing a plastic throat piece within said frame strip to complete said generally oval stringing section; and molding a solid plastic handle around said spaced apart generally parallel handle end sections to secure said handle end sections in a fixed spaced apart generally parallel relationship and to define a hand grip area for said racket.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method according to claim 1 further including the steps of positioning a grommet strip having a plurality of grommets formed thereon around said generally oval stringing section formed by said bent frame strip and inserting said grommets into said spaced holes formed in said bent frame strip.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
Method according to claim 2 including the further step of stringing said racket.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method according to claim 3 including the further step of increasing the capability of the material of said grommet strip and said throat piece to deform prior to said stringing step.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
Method according to claim 4 wherein said step of increasing the capability to deform is provided by soaking the material of said grommet strip and said throat piece in a predetermined fluid for a predetermined amount of time at a predetermined temperature.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 5 including the further step of wrapping said molded plastic handle with a predetermined handle strip material.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
248 words
The method of manufacturing a tennis racket, comprising the steps of: punching a plurality of spaced holes at predetermined positions in the web of an extruded metal frame strip comprising a pair of opposed tubular sections connected by said web; bending said punched extruded metal frame strip to partially define a generally oval stringing section and to provide a pair of spaced apart generally parallel handle end sections, said tubular sections and said web defining a first channel in the outer periphery of said partially generally oval stringing section and defining a second channel in the inner periphery of said partially generally oval stringing section; securing a plastic throat piece in said second channel of said bent extruded metal frame strip with self-tapping screws, said plastic throat piece having outer surfaces formed complementary to said secOnd channel and said secured plastic throat piece forming, in combination with said partially oval section of said bent frame strip, an oval stringing section for said racket, and said plastic throat piece having passages formed therein; and inserting predetermined lower portions of said handle end sections into a mold and positioning the ends of said handle end sections at a predetermined distance from the bottom of the mold; molding a solid plastic handle around said predetermined lower portions of said spaced apart and generally parallel handle end sections to secure said handle end sections in a fixed spaced apart generally parallel relationship and to define a hand grip area for said racket.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
248 words
The method of manufacturing a tennis racket, comprising the steps of: punching a plurality of spaced holes at predetermined positions in the web of an extruded metal frame strip comprising a pair of opposed tubular sections connected by said web; bending said punched extruded metal frame strip to partially define a generally oval stringing section and to provide a pair of spaced apart generally parallel handle end sections, said tubular sections and said web defining a first channel in the outer periphery of said partially generally oval stringing section and defining a second channel in the inner periphery of said partially generally oval stringing section; securing a plastic throat piece in said second channel of said bent extruded metal frame strip with self-tapping screws, said plastic throat piece having outer surfaces formed complementary to said secOnd channel and said secured plastic throat piece forming, in combination with said partially oval section of said bent frame strip, an oval stringing section for said racket, and said plastic throat piece having passages formed therein; and inserting predetermined lower portions of said handle end sections into a mold and positioning the ends of said handle end sections at a predetermined distance from the bottom of the mold; molding a solid plastic handle around said predetermined lower portions of said spaced apart and generally parallel handle end sections to secure said handle end sections in a fixed spaced apart generally parallel relationship and to define a hand grip area for said racket.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method according to claim 7 including the further step of mounting a grommet strip having a plurality of grommets formed thereon in said first channel and inserting said grommets through said holes formed in said web.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method according to claim 8 including the further step of stringing said racket by passing tensioned tennis stringing material through said spaced holes formed in said web and through said passages formed in said plastic throat piece.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method according to claim 9 including the further step of increasing the capability of the material of said plastic throat piece and said grommet strip to deform prior to said stringing step.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
Method according to claim 10 wherein said step of increasing the capability to deform is accomplished by soaking the material of said plastic throat piece and said grommet strip in a predetermined fluid for a predetermined amount of time and at a predetermined temperature.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method according to claim 7 wherein said step of molding said plastic handle about said spaced apart generally parallel handle end sections is accomplished by placing a charge of foamable plastic molding material in said die cavity, allowing said foamable plastic molding material to expand, and curing said expanded plastic molding material.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-04-22 | 1977-10-22 | 1978-04-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-04-22 | 1981-10-22 | 1982-04-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-04-22 | 1985-10-22 | 1986-04-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |