Racket

Claim 2

A racket, comprising (a) an elongated handle, within which is provided a longitudinally-extending cavity, (b) a frame rigidly connected to one end of the handle, (c) strings tightly mounted in the frame for engagement with a game implement, and (d) means associated with the handle and mounted in the cavity for radically changing the ability of the handle to bend, the means including at least two beams each being provided in the cavity for rotation about spaced parallel axis and gears being provided and adapted to connect the beams together for synchronous rotation, each beam having a different bending moment in one plane than in another, having a generally rectangular cross-section, the handle having a knob located at its other end, which knob is connected to the beam to produce a rotation thereof within the cavity about an axis extending longitudinally of the handle, each end of each beam being provided with a stub shaft and a bearing mounted in the cavity to carry each stub shaft.

Claim 3

A racket as recited in claim 1, wherein a viscous damping fluid is provided and the beams are contained in thin metal tubes which are sealed for the enclosure of the viscous damping fluid for reducing vibration after impact with the game implement.

Claim 4

A racket as recited in claim 1, wherein each beam is formed by machining flats on opposite sides of a metal rod for substantially its entire length.

Claim 5

A racket as recited in claim 1, wherein damping means is associated with the handle for providing for vibration damping.

Claim 6

A racket, comprising (a) an elongated handle, (b) a frame rigidly connected to one end of the handle, (c) strings tightly mounted in the frame for engagement with a game implement, and (d) means associated with the handle for radically changing the ability of the handle to bend, wherein the handle is provided with a longitudinally-extending cavity in which the said means is carried and which is provided with a viscous damping fluid, the said means consisting of a beam which has a different bending moment in one plane than in another, the beam having a generally rectangular cross-section, and wherein the handle has a knob located at the other end, which knob is connected to the beam to produce a rotation thereof within the cavity about an axis extending longitudinally of the handle, the beam being contained in a thin metal tube which is sealed for the enclosure of the viscous damping fluid for reducing vibration after impact with a ball.

Claim 7

A racket, comprising (a) an elongated handle, (b) a frame rigidly connected to one end of the handle, (c) strings tightly mounted in the frame for engagement with a game implement, and (d) means associated with the handle for radically changing the ability of the handle to bend, wherein the handle is provided with a longitudinally-extending cavity in which the said means is carried and which is provided with a viscous damping fluid, the said means consisting of a beam which has a different bending moment in one plane than in another, the beam having a generally rectangular cross-section, and wherein the handle has a knob located at the other end, which knob is connected to the beam to produce a rotation thereof within the cavity about an axis extending longitudinally of the handle, the beam being contained in a thin metal tube which is sealed for the enclosure of the viscous damping fluid for reducing vibration after impact with a ball.

Claim 8

A racket, comprising (a) an elongated handle within which is provided a longitudinally-extending cavity, (b) a frame rigidly connected to one end of the handle, (c) strings tightly mounted in the frame to define a striking surface for engagement with a game implement, (d) two beams, each beam being mounted in and extending lengthwise of the cavity for radically changing the ability of the handle to bend, each beam having a cross-section which is generally rectangular cross-section, so that it has a different bending moment in one plane than in another, each beam being held at each end in the cavity so as to be capable of rotation on occasion about a line extending longitudinally of the handle but not capable of lateral movement, and (e) means for rotating each beam on occasion to change its bending moment relative to a plane passing through the said line and perpendicular to the striking surface of the head, a knob connected to the beams to produce a rotation thereof within the cavity about an axis extending longitudinally of the handle, each end of each beam is provided with a stub shaft, and a bearing mounted in the cavity to carry each stub shaft.

Claim 9

A racket, comprising (a) an elongated handle within which is provided a longitudinally-extending cavity, (b) a frame rigidly connected to one end of the handle, (c) strings tightly mounted in the frame to define a striking surface for engagement with a game implement, (d) two beams, each beam being mounted in and extending lengthwise of the cavity for radically changing the ability of the handle to bend, each beam having a cross-section which is generally rectangular cross-section, so that it has a different bending moment in one plane than in another, each beam being held at each end in the cavity so as to be capable of rotation on occasion about a line extending longitudinally of the handle but not capable of lateral movement, and (e) means for rotating each beam on occasion to change its bending moment relative to a plane passing through the said line and perpendicular to the striking surface of the head, a knob connected to the beams to produce a rotation thereof within the cavity about an axis extending longitudinally of the handle, each end of each beam is provided with a stub shaft, and a bearing mounted in the cavity to carry each stub shaft.

Claim 10

A racket as recited in claim 6, wherein a viscous damping fluid is provided and the beams are contained in thin metal tubes which are sealed for the enclosure of the viscous damping fluid for reducing vibration after impact with the game implement.

Claim 11

A racket as recited in claim 6, wherein each beam is formed by machining flats on opposite sides of a metal rod for substantially its entire length.

Claim 12

A racket as recited in claim 6, wherein damping means is associated with a handle for providing for vibration damping.