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US3990701A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Tennis racket

Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-11-26
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Granted: 1976-11-09
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Expires: 1994-11-26
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Abstract

Abstract A unitary tennis racket frame is formed of a relatively strong, e.g. metal, skeleton and a molded high impact thermoplastic. The skeleton serves as a mold core for the plastic and includes a generally U shaped outwardly facing channel having a plurality of oversized string holes in the bow. The mold for the composite racket includes a plurality of movable core pins which extend into the cavity in registry with the skeleton string holes. The plastic is injection molded into the cavity and around the pins which, when retracted, form the string holes.

Inventors

  • 👤 Sung Baik Kim

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-31 13:02
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B49/00; A63B49/02; A63B49/03; A63B49/10; A63B49/12; A63B60/00; A63B60/06; A63B60/22; A63B60/24

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim 203 words
A projectile striking racket comprising a one piece frame skeleton having a generally oval bow with one end being rounded and the opposite end comprising an open converging throat, and a stem interconnecting the bow at the throat, the transverse cross sectional area of the skeleton being of generally U-shaped configuration including a pair of spaced parallel flanges, each of the flanges extending from a central transverse web, means forming a plurality of spaced circular apertures through the web in the bow and throat, the racket further including a one piece plastic section, the plastic section being molded between the flanges, a portion of the plastic section extending into each of the circular apertures, a further portion of the plastic section extending through selected circular apertures across the throat and being spaced from the stem to form a bridge, and means forming a plurality of string holes transversely through the plastic section, each string hole being located at a portion of the plastic section which corresponds to each of said spaced circular apertures, whereby a unitary racket frame is provided with a desired degree of longitudinal flexure, yet with sufficient torsional rigidity and with each string hole peripherally supported by the frame web.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 203 words
A projectile striking racket comprising a one piece frame skeleton having a generally oval bow with one end being rounded and the opposite end comprising an open converging throat, and a stem interconnecting the bow at the throat, the transverse cross sectional area of the skeleton being of generally U-shaped configuration including a pair of spaced parallel flanges, each of the flanges extending from a central transverse web, means forming a plurality of spaced circular apertures through the web in the bow and throat, the racket further including a one piece plastic section, the plastic section being molded between the flanges, a portion of the plastic section extending into each of the circular apertures, a further portion of the plastic section extending through selected circular apertures across the throat and being spaced from the stem to form a bridge, and means forming a plurality of string holes transversely through the plastic section, each string hole being located at a portion of the plastic section which corresponds to each of said spaced circular apertures, whereby a unitary racket frame is provided with a desired degree of longitudinal flexure, yet with sufficient torsional rigidity and with each string hole peripherally supported by the frame web.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 21 words
A game racket constructed in accordance with claim 1 wherein each string hole is substantially concentric with its respective circular aperture.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 38 words
A game racket constructed in accordance with claim 1 further including a string matrix, the matrix including a plurality of string reaches extending across the bow, each string reach extending through a string hole in the plastic section.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 18 words
A game racket constructed in accordance with claim 1 wherein the skeleton is constructed of a lightweight metal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 14 words
A game racket constructed in accordance with claim 4 wherein the metal is aluminum.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 16 words
A game racket constructed in accordance with claim 4 wherein the metal is a magnesium alloy.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 19 words
A game racket constructed in accordance with claim 1 wherein the skeleton is constructed of a graphite reinforced plastic.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 22 words
A game racket constructed in accordance with claim 1 wherein the plastic section is formed of a low density injection moldable plastic.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 15 words
A game racket constructed in accordance with claim 8 wherein the plastic is a thermoplastic.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 14 words
A game racket constructed in accordance with claim 9 wherein the thermoplastic is polypropylene.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1979-11-09 1980-05-10 1980-11-09 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1983-11-09 1984-05-10 1984-11-09 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1987-11-09 1988-05-10 1988-11-09 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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