Tennis racket

Claim 2

A complete tennis racket comprising at least a frame having a head portion supporting a string netting in a plane, and a handle portion having a grip portion suitably adapted for the hand to grip; said netting having a length along the longitudinal axis of said frame greater than 9 inches and a width along an axis perpendicular to said longitudinal axis greater than 7.5 inches; said racket having a weight W in ounces; a center of percussion located at a distance Cp in inches from the end of the grip portion, when tested in accordance with test 4 of FIG. 40 herein before defined, said center of percussion taken about a pivot located at the end of the grip portion, said pivot having an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said frame and parallel to the plane of said string netting; said racket having a length L in inches from the end of the grip portion to the end of the head portion; said racket having a center of gravity located a distance C g in inches from the end of the grip portion; said racket having a first moment of inertia I s in ounce inches squared about said pivot and I s is directly proportional to the product of C p , C g , W given by the formula I s =(C p )(C g )(W); said racket characterized in that the magnitude of Cp divided by the magnitude of L given by the formula C p /L is greater than 0.71; and the magnitude of the weight W is less than 10.7 ounces.

Claim 3

A racket as in claim 1 wherein the said length L is greater than 25.5 inches.

Claim 4

A racket as in claim 2; and the said magnitude of the moment of inertia I s is greater than 2500 ounce inches squared and less than 3450 ounce inches squared.

Claim 5

A tennis racket as in claim 2; and said racket having a weight and stiffness distribution providing for the nodal pivot closest to the grip portion end to be located at a distance N in inches from the said end of the grip portion, when tested in accordance with test 15 of FIG. 40 herein before defined; said racket characterized in that the magnitude of said distance N divided by the magnitude of the said distance L; given by the formula N is greater than 0.28.

Claim 6

A racket as in claim 2, and said racket having a weight and stiffness distribution providing for a frequency of vibration greater than 140 cycles per second when tested in accordance with test 13 of FIG. 40 herein before defined.

Claim 7

A tennis racket as in claim 5 wherein the said frequency of vibration is greater than 150 cycles per second.

Claim 8

A tennis racket as in claim 2; and said racket having a weight and stiffness distribution providing for a frequency of vibration greater than 175 cycles per second when tested in accordance with test 16 of FIG. 40 herein before defined.

Claim 9

A tennis racket as in claim 2; and said racket having a weight and stiffness distribution providing a frequency of vibration greater than34 cycles per second when tested in accordance with test 18 of FIG. 40 herein before defined.

Claim 10

A tennis racket as in claim 2; and said racket having a weight and stiffness distribution providing a frequency of vibration greater than 40 cycles per second when tested in accordance with test 20 of FIG. 40 herein before defined.

Claim 11

A tennis racket as in claim 2; and said racket having a weight and stiffness distribution providing a frequency of vibration greater than 90 cycles per second when tested in accordance with test 22 of FIG. 40 herein before defined.

Claim 12

A tennis racket as in claim 2; and said racket having a center of the said string netting, located at a distance C f in inches from the end of the grip portion; providing for the difference in the magnitude of the said distance C f and the said distance C p divided by the distance C p given by the formula (C f -C p )/C p to be less than 0.12.

Claim 13

A tennis racket as in claim 2; and said racket having a weight distribution providing a second moment of inertia I a in ounce inches squared about a longitudinal axis running from the center of the head portion end to the center of the grip portion end; said racket further characterized in that the magnitude of the moment of inertia I a divided by the magnitude of the said moment of inertia I s given by the formula I a /I s is greater than 0.020.

Claim 14

A tennis racket as in claim 2; wherein the said frame is made of metal having a modulus of elasticity in tension E in pounds per square inch, and a density d in pounds per cubic inch, and the ratio of e/d is less than 110×10 6 .

Claim 15

A tennis racket as in claim 2; wherein the said frame utilizes a composite of fibers and resin, and further the magnitude of the said weight W is less than 10.0 ounces.

Claim 16

A tennis racket as in claim 2 wherein the magnitude of W is less than 10.0 ounces.

Claim 17

A tennis racket as in claim 1 comprising a fame member being an elongated strip of material shaped to form a head portion, a throat portion and a pair of spaced substantially parallel sides into a shaft portion; said head portion curved to inclose a space suitable for supporting a string netting, said strip adapted to support said string netting; and a tubular grip member of thin wall material shaped for the hand to grip fastened to the ends of the spaced sides of the shaft portion of said frame member; and throat members being two sheets of thin wall material, each sheet having a top edge portion a bottom edge portion connected with side edge portions; said sheets having the side edge portions fastened to the said strip of material at the throat portion of said frame member.

Claim 18

A tennis racket as in claim 16, wherein the elongated strip of said frame is curved to inclose a space substantially wider at the head portion end that at the throat portion.

Claim 19

A racket as in claim 1 and said racket having a weight and stiffness distribution providing for a frequency of vibration greater than 90 cycles per second when tested in accordance with test 13 of FIG. 40 herein before defined.

Claim 20

A racket as in claim 1 and said racket having a weight and stiffness distribution providing for a frequency of vibration f in cycles per second when tested in accordance with test 13 of FIG. 40 herein before defined, and said racket further characterized in that the product of the said length L squared and the said frequency f given by the expression L 2 f is greater than 65,000.

Claim 21

A racket as in claim 19 wherein the said length L is greater than 23 inches.

Claim 22

A tennis rachet as in claim 1 comprising a unitary frame formed by a resin reinforced fiber material having a head portion, a throat portion, and a shaft portion; said head portion inclosing a space suitable to support a string netting in a plane, said head portion having two arms of hollow crossection approaching the throat portion, said two arms of said head portion merging into the throat portion; said throat portion having a hollow crossection having upper and lower throat walls substantially parallel to the plane of said string netting connected by two throat side walls, said throat portion merging with the shaft portion; said shaft portion having upper and lower shaft walls substantially parallel to the plane of said string netting connected by two shaft side walls, said shaft portion merging with the grip portion; said grip portion having a hollow cross section having a thin wall, said grip portion formed suitably for the hand to grip.

Claim 23

A tennis racket as in claim 1 having a hollow metal frame of two part shell construction comprising substantially outer and inner shells each having an open side and two opposing sides connected by a central wall, the outer shell receiving the inner shell in an inverted position therein, said opposing sides of the outer shell adjacent to the opposing sides of the inner shell; means for fastening said sides of the outer shell to the adjacent side of the inner shell; said frame having a head portion capable of supporting a string netting in a plane, a throat portion, a shaft portion and a grip portion.

Claim 24

A complete tennis racket comprising at least a frame having a head portion supporting a string netting in a plane, and a handle portion having a grip portion suitably adapted for the hand to grip, said netting having a length along the longitudinal axis of said frame greater than 9 inches and a width along an axis perpendicular to said axis greater than 7.5 inches; said racket having a weight W in ounces; a center of percussion located at a distance C p in inches from the end of the grip portion, when tested in accordance with test 4 of FIG. 40 herein before defined, said center of percussion taken about a pivot located at the end of the grip portion, said pivot having an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said racket and parallel to the plane of said string netting; said racket having a length L in inches from the end of the grip portion to the end of the head portion; said racket having a center of gravity located at a distance C g in inches from the end of the grip portion; said racket having a first moment of inertia I s in ounce inches squared about said pivot, and I s is directly proportional to the product of C p , C g , W, given by the formula I=(C p )(C g )(W); said racket characterized in that the magnitude of C p is greater than 18.75 inches, and the weight W is less than 10.7 ounces.

Claim 25

A complete tennis racket comprising at least a frame having a head portion supporting a string netting in a plane, and a handle portion having a grip portion suitably adapted for the hand to grip, said netting having a length along the longitudinal axis of said frame greater than 9 inches and a width along an axis perpendicular to said axis greater than 7.5 inches; said racket having a weight W in ounces; a center of percussion located at a distance C p in inches from the end of the grip portion, when tested in accordance with test 4 of FIG. 40 herein before defined, said center of percussion taken about a pivot located at the end of the grip portion, said pivot having an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said racket and parallel to the plane of said string netting; said racket having a length L in inches from the end of the grip portion to the end of the head portion; said racket having a center of gravity located at a distance C g in inches from the end of the grip portion; said racket having a first moment of inertia I s in ounce inches squared about said pivot, and I s is directly proportional to the product of C p , C g , W, given by the formula I=(C p )(C g )(W); said racket characterized in that the magnitude of C p is greater than 18.75 inches, and the weight W is less than 10.7 ounces.

Claim 26

A racket as in claim 23; and the said magnitude of I s is greater than 2500 ounce inches squared and less than 3500 ounce inches squared.

Claim 27

A tennis racket as in claim 23; and said racket having a weight and stiffness distribution providing for the nodal pivot closest to the grip portion end to be located at a distance N in inches from the end of the grip portion, when tested in accordance with test 15 of FIG. 40 herein before defined; said racket characterized in that the magnitude of the said distance N is greater than 7.5 inches.

Claim 28

A tennis racket as in claim 23; and said racket having a weight and stiffness distribution providing a frequency of vibration greater than 140 cycles per second when tested in accordance with test 13 of FIG. 40 herein before defined.

Claim 29

A tennis racket as in claim 26 wherein the said frequency of vibration is greater than 150 cycles per second.

Claim 30

A racket as in claim 26; and said racket having said distance C p greater than 19.3 inches.

Claim 31

A tennis racket as in claim 23; and said racket having a weight and stiffness distribution providing a frequency of vibration greater than 175 cycles per second when tested in accordance with test 16 of FIG. 40 herein before defined.

Claim 32

A tennis racket as in claim 23; and said racket having a weight and stiffness distribution providing a frequency of vibration greater than 34 cycles per second when tested in accordance with test 18 of FIG. 40 herein before defined.

Claim 33

A tennis racket as in claim 23; and said racket having a weight and stiffness distribution providing a frequency of vibration greater than 40 cycles per second when tested in accordance with test 20 of FIG. 40 herein before defined.

Claim 34

A tennis racket as in claim 23; and said racket having a weight and stiffness distribution providing a frequency of vibration greater than 90 cycles per second when tested in accordance with test 22 of FIG. 40 herein before defined.

Claim 35

A tennis racket as in claim 23; and said racket having a center of said string netting located a distance C f in inches from the end of the grip portion; said racket further characterised in that the difference in the magnitude of the said distance C f and the said distance C p divided by the said distance C p given by the formula C f -C p /C p is less than 0.12.

Claim 36

A tennis racket as in claim 23; and said racket having a weight distribution providing a second moment of inertia I a in ounce inches squared about a longitudinal axis running from the center of the grip portion end to the center of the head portion end; said racket further characterized in that the magnitude of the moment of inertia I a divided by the magnitude of the said moment of inertia I s given by the formula I a /I s is greater than 0.020.

Claim 37

A tennis racket as in claim 23; wherein the said frame is made of metal having a modulus of elasticity in tension E in pounds per square inch and a density d in pounds per cubic inch, and the ratio of E/d is less than 110×10 6 .

Claim 38

A tennis racket as in claim 23; wherein the said frame utilizes a composite of fibers and resin; and further the magnitude of the weight W is less than 10.0 ounces.

Claim 39

A tennis racket as in claim 23; and said head portion being an elongated strip having a center portion and two adjacent end portions curved to inclose said string netting; said handle portion being a thin wall tube having located at a first end said grip portion suitably formed for the hand to grip, and said tube gradually formed along the length toward a second end portion into a crossectional shape having an upper wall and a lower wall located at a substantial distance from a plane bisecting said tube lengthwise and said plane being parallel to the plane of said string netting; said second end portion of said tube being fastened to said head portion.

Claim 40

A tennis racket as in claim 23 wherein the magnitude of W is less than 10.0 ounces.

Claim 41

A tennis racket as in claim 23 wherein the distance C p is greater than 19.5 inches.

Claim 42

A tennis racket as in claim 23, and having a displacement less than 0.008 inches for D 1 when tested as indicated in test 14 of FIG. 40 herein before defined.

Claim 43

A racket as in claim 23 and said racket having a weight and stiffness distribution providing for a frequency of vibration greater than 90 cycles per second when tested in accordance with test 13 of FIG. 40 herein before defined.

Claim 44

A complete tennis racket comprising at least a frame having a head portion supporting a string netting in a plane, and a grip portion suitably adapted for the hand to grip; said racket having a weight and stiffness distribution providing for the nodal pivot closest to the grip portion end being located at a distance N inches from the said end of the grip portion, when tested in accordance with test 15 of FIG. 40 herein before defined; said racket characterized in that the magnitude of the said distance N is greater than 7.5 inches.

Claim 45

A complete tennis racket comprising at least a frame having a head portion supporting a string netting in a plane, and a grip portion suitably adapted for the hand to grip; said racket having a weight and stiffness distribution providing for the nodal pivot closest to the grip portion end being located at a distance N inches from the said end of the grip portion, when tested in accordance with test 15 of FIG. 40 herein before defined; said racket characterized in that the magnitude of the said distance N is greater than 7.5 inches.

Claim 46

A tennis racket as in claim 42; and said racket having a center of gravity located at a distance C g from the end of the grip portion; and said racket having a length L from the end of the grip portion to the end of the head portion; said racket further characterized in that the magnitude of the said distance C g divided by the magnitude of the said distance L given by the formula C g /L is greater than 0.56.

Claim 47

A tennis racket as in claim 42 wherein the said distance N is greater than 8.0 inches.

Claim 48

A complete tennis racket comprising at least a frame having a head portion supporting a string netting in a plane, and a grip portion suitably adapted for the hand to grip; said racket having a weight and stiffness distribution providing for the nodal pivot closest to the grip portion end being located at a distance N from the said end of the grip portion, when tested in accordance with test 15 of FIG. 40 herein before defined; said racket having a length L from the end of the grip portion to the end of the head portion; said racket characterized in that the magnitude of the said distance N divided by the said distance L given by the formula N/L is greater than 0.28.

Claim 49

A complete tennis racket comprising at least a frame having a head portion supporting a string netting in a plane, and a grip portion suitably adapted for the hand to grip; said racket having a weight and stiffness distribution providing for the nodal pivot closest to the grip portion end being located at a distance N from the said end of the grip portion, when tested in accordance with test 15 of FIG. 40 herein before defined; said racket having a length L from the end of the grip portion to the end of the head portion; said racket characterized in that the magnitude of the said distance N divided by the said distance L given by the formula N/L is greater than 0.28.

Claim 50

A tennis racket as in claim 45; and said racket having a center of gravity located at a distance C g from the end of the grip portion; and said racket having a length L from the end at the grip portion to the end of the head portion; said racket further characterized in that the magnitude of the said distance C g divided by the magnitude of the said distance L given by the formula C g /L is greater than 0.56.

Claim 51

A tennis racket as in claim 45; and said racket having a center of percussion located a distance C P in inches from the end of the grip portion when tested in accordance with test 4 of FIG. 40 herein before defined; said center of percussion taken about a pivot located at the end of the grip portion, said pivot having an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said frame and parallel to a plane containing the surface of the frame; said racket having a center of gravity located at a distance C g in inches from the end of the grip portion; said racket further characterized in that the magnitude of the said distance C g divided by the magnitude of the said distance C p given by the formula C g /C p is greater than 0.80.

Claim 52

A tennis racket as in claim 45 wherein the said ratio N/L is greater than 0.31.

Claim 53

A tennis racket as in claim 45; and said racket having a center of percussion located at a distance C p in inches from the end of the grip portion, when tested in accordance with test 4 of FIG. 40 herein before defined, said center of percussion taken about a pivot located at the end of the grip portion, said pivot having an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said frame and parallel to the plane of said string netting; said racket characterized in that the magnitude of C p divided by the magnitude of the said distance L, given by the formula C p /L is greater than 0.71.

Claim 54

A tennis racket as in claim 45; and said racket having a unitary frame member formed of a resin reinforced fiber material; and said racket having a center of percussion located at a distance C p in inches from the end of the grip portion, when tested in accordance with test 4 of FIG. 40 herein before defined, said center of percussion taken about a pivot located at the end of the grip portion, said pivot having an axis per perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said frame and parallel to the plane of said string netting; said racket characterized in that the magnitude of C p divided by the magnitude of the said distace L given by the formula C p /L is greater than 0.71.

Claim 55

A complete tennis racket comprising at least a frame including a head portion supporting a string netting, and a grip portion suitably adapted for the hand to grip; said racket having a weight and stiffness distribution providing a frequency of vibration f in cycles per second when tested in accordance with test 13 of FIG. 40 herein before defined; and said racket having a length L in inches from the end of the grip portion to the end of the head portion; said racket characterized in that the magnitude of f is greater than 150 cycles per second, and the magnitude of L is greater than 25.5 inches.

Claim 56

A complete tennis racket comprising at least a frame including a head portion supporting a string netting, and a grip portion suitably adapted for the hand to grip; said racket having a weight and stiffness distribution providing a frequency of vibration f in cycles per second when tested in accordance with test 13 of FIG. 40 herein before defined; and said racket having a length L in inches from the end of the grip portion to the end of the head portion; said racket characterized in that the magnitude of f is greater than 150 cycles per second, and the magnitude of L is greater than 25.5 inches.

Claim 57

A tennis racket as in claim 51; and said racket having a center of gravity located at a distance C g from the end of the grip portion; said racket further characterized in that the magnitude of the said distance C g divided by the magnitude of the said distance L given by the formula C g /L is greater than 0.56.

Claim 58

A tennis racket as in claim 51; and said racket having a center of percussion located at a distance C p in inches from the end of the grip portion, when tested in accordance with test 4 of FIG. 40 herein before defined; said center of percussion taken about a pivot located at the end of the grip portion, said pivot having an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the racket and parallel to a plane containing the surface of the frame; said racket having a center of gravity located at a distance C g in inches from the end of the grip portion; said racket further characterized in that the magnitude of the said distance C g divided by the magnitude of the said distance C p given by the formula C g /C p is greater than 0.80.

Claim 59

A tennis racket as in claim 51 wherein the said frequency of vibration is greater than 155 cycles per second.

Claim 60

A tennis racket as in claim 54; and said racket having a unitary frame member formed of a resin reinforced fiber material.

Claim 61

A tennis racket as in claim 51 wherein the said frame is made of a material having a modulus of elasticity in tension E in pounds per square inch and a density d in pounds per cubic inch, and the ratio of E/d is less than 110×10 6 .

Claim 62

A tennis racket as in claim 51 comprising a frame member made of an elongated strip of material shaped to form a head portion, a throat portion and a pair of spaced substantially parallel sides into a shaft portion; said head portion curved to inclose a space suitable for supporting a string netting, said strip adapted to support said string netting; a tubular grip member of thin wall material shaped for the hand to grip fastened to the ends of the spaced sides of the shaft portion of said frame member; throat members being two sheets of thin wall material, each sheet having a top edge portion, a bottom edge portion connected with side edge portions; said sheets having the side edge portions fastened to the strip of material at the throat portion of said frame member.

Claim 63

A tennis racket as in claim 57 wherein the strip of material comprising said frame has a crossection having tubular edge portions joined by a central web portion; material suitable for moving freely within the tubular edge portions; means for entrapping at will said material suitable for moving freely, in sections of the tubular edge portions of said strip; and means for releasing at will said material entrapped, thereby changing the moment of inertia of said frame member about a first axis running from the center of the head portion to the center of the grip member end, and the moment of inertia about a second axis through the end of the grip member perpendicular to the said first axis and parallel to a plane containing the surface of said frame.

Claim 64

A tennis racket as in claim 51; and said racket having a center of percussion located at a distance C P in inches from the end of the grip portion, when tested in accordance with test 4 of FIG. 40 herein before defined, said center of percussion taken about a pivot located at the end of the grip portion, said pivot having an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said frame and parallel to the plane of the said string netting; said racket characterized in that the magnitude of C p divided by the magnitude of the said length L, given by the formula C p /L is greater than 0.71.

Claim 65

A tennis racket as in claim 51; and said racket having a weight and stiffness distribution providing for the nodal pivot closest to the grip portion end being located at a distance N from the said end of the grip portion, when tested in accordance with test 15 of FIG. 40 herein before defined; said racket characterized in that the magnitude of the said distance N divided by the said length L given by the formula N/L is greater than 0.28.

Claim 66

A tennis racket as in claim 51; and said racket having a unitary frame member formed of a resin reinforced fiber material; and said racket having a center of percussion located at a distance C p in inches from the end of the grip portion, when tested in accordance with test 4 of FIG. 40 herein before defined, said center of percussion taken about a pivot located at the end of the grip portion, said pivot having an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said frame and parallel to the plane of said string netting; said racket characterized in that the magnitude of C p divided by the said length L, given by the formula C p /L is greater than 0.71.

Claim 67

A complete tennis racket comprising at least a metal frame having a head portion supporting a string netting, and a grip portion suitably adapted for the hand to grip; said racket having a weight and stiffness distribution providing a frequency of vibration f in cycles per second when tested in accordance with test 16 of FIG. 40 herein before defined; and said racket having a length L in inches from the end of the grip portion to the end of the head portion; said racket characterized in that the magnitude of f is greater than 175 cycles per second, and the magnitude of L is greater than 25.5 inches.

Claim 68

A complete tennis racket comprising at least a metal frame having a head portion supporting a string netting, and a grip portion suitably adapted for the hand to grip; said racket having a weight and stiffness distribution providing a frequency of vibration f in cycles per second when tested in accordance with test 16 of FIG. 40 herein before defined; and said racket having a length L in inches from the end of the grip portion to the end of the head portion; said racket characterized in that the magnitude of f is greater than 175 cycles per second, and the magnitude of L is greater than 25.5 inches.

Claim 69

A complete tennis racket comprising at least a frame having a head portion supporting a string netting, and a grip portion suitably adapted for the hand to grip; said racket with said frame supporting a string netting having a weight W in ounces, and a center of gravity located at a distance C g in inches from the end of the grip portion, said racket having a length L in inches from the end of the grip portion to the end of the head portion; said racket characterized in that the magnitude of the said distance C g divided by the said length L given by the formula C g /L is greater than 0.56; and said racket has a weight W less than 10.7 ounces; and the ratio of W/L is less than 0.4.

Claim 70

A complete tennis racket comprising at least a frame having a head portion supporting a string netting, and a grip portion suitably adapted for the hand to grip; said racket with said frame supporting a string netting having a weight W in ounces, and a center of gravity located at a distance C g in inches from the end of the grip portion, said racket having a length L in inches from the end of the grip portion to the end of the head portion; said racket characterized in that the magnitude of the said distance C g divided by the said length L given by the formula C g /L is greater than 0.56; and said racket has a weight W less than 10.7 ounces; and the ratio of W/L is less than 0.4.

Claim 71

A complete tennis racket comprising at least a frame having a head portion supporting a string netting and a grip portion suitably adapted for hand to grip; said racket having a weight distribution providing a first moment of inertia I s in ounce inches squared about a pivot located at the end of the grip portion, said pivot having an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said racket running from the center of the head portion end to the center of the grip portion end, and parallel to the plane of said string netting, and a second moment of inertia I a in ounce inches squared about said longitudinal axis; and said racket having a center of gravity located at a distance C g from the end of the grip portion; and said racket having a length L from the end of the grip portion to the end of the head portion; said racket characterized in that the magnitude of the said distance C g divided by the magnitude of the said distance L given by the formula C g /L is greater than 0.56; and the magnitude of the moment of inertia I a divided by the magnitude of the said moment of inertia I s given by the formula I a /I s is greater than 0.20.

Claim 72

A complete tennis racket comprising at least a frame having a head portion supporting a string netting and a grip portion suitably adapted for hand to grip; said racket having a weight distribution providing a first moment of inertia I s in ounce inches squared about a pivot located at the end of the grip portion, said pivot having an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said racket running from the center of the head portion end to the center of the grip portion end, and parallel to the plane of said string netting, and a second moment of inertia I a in ounce inches squared about said longitudinal axis; and said racket having a center of gravity located at a distance C g from the end of the grip portion; and said racket having a length L from the end of the grip portion to the end of the head portion; said racket characterized in that the magnitude of the said distance C g divided by the magnitude of the said distance L given by the formula C g /L is greater than 0.56; and the magnitude of the moment of inertia I a divided by the magnitude of the said moment of inertia I s given by the formula I a /I s is greater than 0.20.

Claim 73

A complete tennis racket comprising at least a frame having a head portion supporting a string netting, and a grip portion suitably adapted for the hand to grip; said racket having a weight W in ounces, a center of percussion located a distance C p in inches from the end of the grip portion, when tested in accordance with test 4 of FIG. 40 herein before defined, said center of percussion taken about a pivot located at the end of the grip portion, said pivot having an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said frame and parallel to a plane containing the surface of the frame; said racket having a length L in inches from the end of the grip portion to the end of the head portion; said racket having a center of gravity located at a distance C g in inches from the end of the grip portion; said racket characterized in that the magnitude of the said distance C g divided by the magnitude of the said distance C p given by the formula C g /C p is greater than 0.80 and the magnitude of the weight W is less than 10.7 ounces.

Claim 74

A complete tennis racket comprising at least a frame having a head portion supporting a string netting, and a grip portion suitably adapted for the hand to grip; said racket having a weight W in ounces, a center of percussion located a distance C p in inches from the end of the grip portion, when tested in accordance with test 4 of FIG. 40 herein before defined, said center of percussion taken about a pivot located at the end of the grip portion, said pivot having an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said frame and parallel to a plane containing the surface of the frame; said racket having a length L in inches from the end of the grip portion to the end of the head portion; said racket having a center of gravity located at a distance C g in inches from the end of the grip portion; said racket characterized in that the magnitude of the said distance C g divided by the magnitude of the said distance C p given by the formula C g /C p is greater than 0.80 and the magnitude of the weight W is less than 10.7 ounces.

Claim 75

A racket as in claim 65 and said racket having a weight and stiffness distribution providing a frequency of vibration f in cycles per second when tested in accordance with test 13 of FIG. 40 herein before defined, and said racket having a length L in inches from the end of the grip portion to the end of the head portion; said racket further characterized in that the product of the said length squared and the said frequency of vibration f given by the expression L 2 f is greater than 65,000.

Claim 76

A tennis racket having great rigidity and strength with a minimum of weight comprising a head member and a handle member; said head member being an elongated hollow tubular metal strip having a center portion and two adjacent end portions shaped to partially inclose a space, said head member adapted to support a string netting in a plane; said handle member being a thin wall aluminum alloy tube having a yield strength greater than 55,000 pounds per square inch, said wall having a thickness less than 0.025 inches and said tube having a grip portion, and a shaft portion, said grip portion suitably formed for the hand to grip and said shaft portion gradually formed along the length toward the head member into a crossectional shape having an upper wall and a lower wall and two side walls, said walls being substantially planar and said side walls being substantially perpendicular to said upper and lower walls; said end portions of the head member having a crossectional shape to provide an upper surface and a lower surface located at a distance from a plane bisecting the head member lengthwise and said plane being parallel to the plane of said string netting; and said upper and lower walls of said shaft portion being located at substantially the same distance from said plane, and said upper and lower walls of the shaft portion being fastened to the said upper and lower surfaces of the end portions of said head member; and wherein the portion of said handle member having an axial length of 14 inches from the handle end of the racket, has a weight less than 3.0 ounces, and the weight of the racket extending beyond the said length of 14 inches is greater than 6.0 ounces.

Claim 77

A tennis racket having great rigidity and strength with a minimum of weight comprising a head member and a handle member; said head member being an elongated hollow tubular metal strip having a center portion and two adjacent end portions shaped to partially inclose a space, said head member adapted to support a string netting in a plane; said handle member being a thin wall aluminum alloy tube having a yield strength greater than 55,000 pounds per square inch, said wall having a thickness less than 0.025 inches and said tube having a grip portion, and a shaft portion, said grip portion suitably formed for the hand to grip and said shaft portion gradually formed along the length toward the head member into a crossectional shape having an upper wall and a lower wall and two side walls, said walls being substantially planar and said side walls being substantially perpendicular to said upper and lower walls; said end portions of the head member having a crossectional shape to provide an upper surface and a lower surface located at a distance from a plane bisecting the head member lengthwise and said plane being parallel to the plane of said string netting; and said upper and lower walls of said shaft portion being located at substantially the same distance from said plane, and said upper and lower walls of the shaft portion being fastened to the said upper and lower surfaces of the end portions of said head member; and wherein the portion of said handle member having an axial length of 14 inches from the handle end of the racket, has a weight less than 3.0 ounces, and the weight of the racket extending beyond the said length of 14 inches is greater than 6.0 ounces.

Claim 78

A tennis racket as in claim 67 wherein said side walls are selectively perforated to provide apertures in portions there of to reduce the weight with a minimum reduction in strength and rigidity.

Claim 79

A tennis racket as in claim 67; and a string netting supported by said head member; a planar strip of material having a first surface lying in a plane, placed at a location on a surface of said string netting, said strip having sufficient length and breadth to extend over the spaces between multiple strings and said surface of said strip having adhesive means to fasten to said strings, and said location on said string netting positioned to reduce the probability of impact of said strip with a ball during play; and said strip comprised of material capable of damping the vibratory motion of said strings subsequent to the impact of a ball upon said strings; said strip having a second surface parallel to said first surface and said second surface being substantially durable, non abrasive, and non-adhesive.

Claim 80

A tennis racket as in claim 67; and a removable thin sleeve tightly secured without pleats over said grip portion of said handle member, said sleeve being made of thin cloth, said cloth having all fibers woven and lying substantially in a surface, said cloth having an upper side and a lower side, and said cloth having at least one side free of adhesive material, and said cloth being durable, washable, and light in weight; and said sleeve being capable of allowing water to pass through said sleeve quickly.

Claim 81

A tennis racket comprising a head member and a handle member; said head member being an elongated metal strip having a center portion and two adjacent end portions shaped to partially inclose a space, said head member adapted to support a string netting in a plane; said handle member being a thin wall tube having located at a first end a grip portion, said grip portion suitably formed for the hand to grip and said tube generally formed along the length toward the second end portion into a crossectional shape having an upper wall and a lower wall located at a substantial distance from a plane bisecting said handle member lengthwise and said plane being parallel to the plane of said string netting, said second end portion being fastened to the said end portions of the said head member; said head member having the center portion substantially straight and lying perpendicular to a first axis, said axis running longitudinally from the center of the head end of the racket to the center of the handle end, and the said two adjacent end portions each substantially straight and forming corners with the center portion, and having the said end portions directed to converge toward a location in the second end portion of said handle member; a second axis perpendicular to the said first axis, said second axis being at a distance of 3.0 inches from the head end of the racket, said second axis intersecting said head member at locations, said locations being at the surface of said head member laterally outermost from said first axis, and the distance between said locations being greater than 9.0 inches; a third axis starting at one of the said locations on said head member, and running toward a point on the said first axis, said point being at a distance of 19 inches from the head end of the racket; a first plane being perpendicular to the said first axis and containing the said second axis, and a second plane being perpendicular to the said first axis and being located at a distance of 16.5 inches from the head end of the racket, and the portion of the racket lying between said first and second planes having a surface laterally outermost from said third axis, said surface being laterally on the same side of the first axis as the third axis, and said surface being at a maximum distance from said third axis less than 0.75 inches.

Claim 82

A tennis racket comprising a head member and a handle member; said head member being an elongated metal strip having a center portion and two adjacent end portions shaped to partially inclose a space, said head member adapted to support a string netting in a plane; said handle member being a thin wall tube having located at a first end a grip portion, said grip portion suitably formed for the hand to grip and said tube generally formed along the length toward the second end portion into a crossectional shape having an upper wall and a lower wall located at a substantial distance from a plane bisecting said handle member lengthwise and said plane being parallel to the plane of said string netting, said second end portion being fastened to the said end portions of the said head member; said head member having the center portion substantially straight and lying perpendicular to a first axis, said axis running longitudinally from the center of the head end of the racket to the center of the handle end, and the said two adjacent end portions each substantially straight and forming corners with the center portion, and having the said end portions directed to converge toward a location in the second end portion of said handle member; a second axis perpendicular to the said first axis, said second axis being at a distance of 3.0 inches from the head end of the racket, said second axis intersecting said head member at locations, said locations being at the surface of said head member laterally outermost from said first axis, and the distance between said locations being greater than 9.0 inches; a third axis starting at one of the said locations on said head member, and running toward a point on the said first axis, said point being at a distance of 19 inches from the head end of the racket; a first plane being perpendicular to the said first axis and containing the said second axis, and a second plane being perpendicular to the said first axis and being located at a distance of 16.5 inches from the head end of the racket, and the portion of the racket lying between said first and second planes having a surface laterally outermost from said third axis, said surface being laterally on the same side of the first axis as the third axis, and said surface being at a maximum distance from said third axis less than 0.75 inches.

Claim 83

A tennis racket as in claim 71 wherein said head member has a greater weight per inch of length at the locations of said corners than at other locations on said head member.

Claim 84

A tennis racket having great rigidity and light weight comprising a head member, a throat member, and a handle member; said head member being an elongated hollow tubular metal strip having a center portion and two adjacent end portions shaped to partially inclose a space, said head member adapted to support a string netting in a plane; said handle member being a thin wall aluminum alloy tube having a yield strength greater than 55,000 pounds per square inch and said wall having a thickness less than 0.025 inches and said tube having a grip portion and a shaft portion, said grip portion suitably formed for the hand to grip and said shaft portion gradually formed along the length toward the head member into a crossectional shape having an upper wall and a lower wall and two side walls, said upper and lower walls lying parallel to the plane of said string netting and said sidewalls lying perpendicular to said plane and said walls being substantially planar; said end portions of said head member having a crossectional shape having an upper surface and a lower surface located at a distance from a plane bisecting said head member lengthwise and said plane being parallel to the plane of said string netting; and said upper and lower walls of said shaft portion being located at substantially the same distance from said plane bisecting said head member lengthwise; and said throat member comprising a separate first planar sheet of thin wall metal having a portion fastened to the exterior of said upper wall of the shaft portion of said handle member and another portion of said first sheet fastened to the said upper surface of said head member, and a second separate planar sheet of thin wall metal having a portion fastened to the exterior of the said lower wall of the shaft portion of the handle member, and another portion of said second sheet fastened to the lower surface of said head member; and wherein the portion of said handle member having an axial length of 14 inches from the handle end of the racket has a weight less than 3.0 ounces, and the weight of the racket extending beyond the said length of 14 inches is greater than 6.0 ounces.

Claim 85

A tennis racket having great rigidity and light weight comprising a head member, a throat member, and a handle member; said head member being an elongated hollow tubular metal strip having a center portion and two adjacent end portions shaped to partially inclose a space, said head member adapted to support a string netting in a plane; said handle member being a thin wall aluminum alloy tube having a yield strength greater than 55,000 pounds per square inch and said wall having a thickness less than 0.025 inches and said tube having a grip portion and a shaft portion, said grip portion suitably formed for the hand to grip and said shaft portion gradually formed along the length toward the head member into a crossectional shape having an upper wall and a lower wall and two side walls, said upper and lower walls lying parallel to the plane of said string netting and said sidewalls lying perpendicular to said plane and said walls being substantially planar; said end portions of said head member having a crossectional shape having an upper surface and a lower surface located at a distance from a plane bisecting said head member lengthwise and said plane being parallel to the plane of said string netting; and said upper and lower walls of said shaft portion being located at substantially the same distance from said plane bisecting said head member lengthwise; and said throat member comprising a separate first planar sheet of thin wall metal having a portion fastened to the exterior of said upper wall of the shaft portion of said handle member and another portion of said first sheet fastened to the said upper surface of said head member, and a second separate planar sheet of thin wall metal having a portion fastened to the exterior of the said lower wall of the shaft portion of the handle member, and another portion of said second sheet fastened to the lower surface of said head member; and wherein the portion of said handle member having an axial length of 14 inches from the handle end of the racket has a weight less than 3.0 ounces, and the weight of the racket extending beyond the said length of 14 inches is greater than 6.0 ounces.

Claim 86

A tennis racket as in claim 73, and a string netting supported by said head member, and wherein the said first and second sheets of thin wall metal of the throat member having portions of said sheets adjacent to said string netting suitably adapted to support said string netting; and said string netting supported by said throat member.

Claim 87

A tennis racket having rigidity and light weight comprising a head member, a throat member, and a handle member; said head member being an elongated hollow tubular metal strip having a center portion and two adjacent end portions shaped to partially inclose a space, said head member adapted to support a string netting in a plane; said handle member being a thin wall aluminum alloy tube having a yield strength greater than 55,000 pounds per square inch and said wall having a thickness less than 0.025 inches and said tube having a grip portion suitably formed for the hand to grip and a shaft portion gradually formed along the length toward the head member into a crossectional shape having a planar upper wall and a planar lower wall and two planar side walls, said upper and lower walls lying parallel to the plane of said string netting and said side walls lying perpendicular to said upper and lower walls; said end portions of said head member having a crossectional shape having an upper surface and a lower surface located at a distance from a plane bisecting said head member lengthwise and said plane being parallel to the plane of said string netting; and said upper and lower walls of said shaft portion being located at substantially the same distance from said plane bisecting said head member lengthwise; and said throat member comprising a sheet of thin wall material formed into a substantially u-shaped crossection having a first planar side opposing a second planar side and a third substantially planar side therebetween, said third side being straight in a direction perpendicular to a plane passing through the longitudinal axis of said racket, said plane being perpendicular to the plane of said string netting; said first and second sides being fastened to the said upper and lower surfaces of the said end portions of said head member and said first and second sides lying exterior to and being fastened to the said upper wall and lower wall of said shaft portion of said handle member, and the third side of said throat member adapted to support said string netting.

Claim 88

A tennis racket having rigidity and light weight comprising a head member, a throat member, and a handle member; said head member being an elongated hollow tubular metal strip having a center portion and two adjacent end portions shaped to partially inclose a space, said head member adapted to support a string netting in a plane; said handle member being a thin wall aluminum alloy tube having a yield strength greater than 55,000 pounds per square inch and said wall having a thickness less than 0.025 inches and said tube having a grip portion suitably formed for the hand to grip and a shaft portion gradually formed along the length toward the head member into a crossectional shape having a planar upper wall and a planar lower wall and two planar side walls, said upper and lower walls lying parallel to the plane of said string netting and said side walls lying perpendicular to said upper and lower walls; said end portions of said head member having a crossectional shape having an upper surface and a lower surface located at a distance from a plane bisecting said head member lengthwise and said plane being parallel to the plane of said string netting; and said upper and lower walls of said shaft portion being located at substantially the same distance from said plane bisecting said head member lengthwise; and said throat member comprising a sheet of thin wall material formed into a substantially u-shaped crossection having a first planar side opposing a second planar side and a third substantially planar side therebetween, said third side being straight in a direction perpendicular to a plane passing through the longitudinal axis of said racket, said plane being perpendicular to the plane of said string netting; said first and second sides being fastened to the said upper and lower surfaces of the said end portions of said head member and said first and second sides lying exterior to and being fastened to the said upper wall and lower wall of said shaft portion of said handle member, and the third side of said throat member adapted to support said string netting.

Claim 89

A tennis racket frame having strength and rigidity with a minimum weight; said frame having a head portion, supporting a string netting in a plane, a throat portion, and a handle portion; a throat member comprising a sheet of thin wall material formed into a substantially u-shaped crossection having a first planar side opposing a second planar side and a third substantially planar side between said first and second sides, and said first and second sides each lying in single planes, and said third side being straight in a direction perpendicular to a plane passing through the longitudinal axis of said racket frame, said plane being perpendicular to the plane of said string netting; said first and second sides being fastened to the outer surfaces of the throat portion of said frame.

Claim 90

A tennis racket frame having strength and rigidity with a minimum weight; said frame having a head portion, supporting a string netting in a plane, a throat portion, and a handle portion; a throat member comprising a sheet of thin wall material formed into a substantially u-shaped crossection having a first planar side opposing a second planar side and a third substantially planar side between said first and second sides, and said first and second sides each lying in single planes, and said third side being straight in a direction perpendicular to a plane passing through the longitudinal axis of said racket frame, said plane being perpendicular to the plane of said string netting; said first and second sides being fastened to the outer surfaces of the throat portion of said frame.

Claim 91

A tennis racket as in claim 76 wherein the said first and second sides are selectively perforated to provide multiple apertures, in portions thereof to reduce the weight, the number of said apertures occurring in an inch of length of said sides being greater than 3.

Claim 92

A tennis racket having ridigity and strength with a minimum of weight, said tennis racket comprising at least a head member supporting a string netting in a plane, a throat member, and a handle member; said handle member comprising a thin wall material formed into a tube having a first end grip portion suitably formed for the hand to grip, and said tube gradually formed along the length toward the second end portion into a crossectional shape having a substantially planar upper wall and a substantially planar lower wall and two substantially planar side walls, said upper and lower walls being located at a substantial distance from a plane bisecting said handle lengthwise, and said plane being parallel to the plane of said string netting, and said side walls being substantially perpendicular to said upper and lower walls; and said second end portion being fastened to the other members of said racket; and wherein a portion of said racket having an axial length of 14 inches from the handle end has a weight less than 3.0 ounces, and the said grip portion of the handle has a circumference greater than 4.25 inches and less than 5.25 inches, and the weight of the portion of the racket extending beyond the said distance of 14 inches from the handle end is greater than 6.0 ounces.

Claim 93

A tennis racket having ridigity and strength with a minimum of weight, said tennis racket comprising at least a head member supporting a string netting in a plane, a throat member, and a handle member; said handle member comprising a thin wall material formed into a tube having a first end grip portion suitably formed for the hand to grip, and said tube gradually formed along the length toward the second end portion into a crossectional shape having a substantially planar upper wall and a substantially planar lower wall and two substantially planar side walls, said upper and lower walls being located at a substantial distance from a plane bisecting said handle lengthwise, and said plane being parallel to the plane of said string netting, and said side walls being substantially perpendicular to said upper and lower walls; and said second end portion being fastened to the other members of said racket; and wherein a portion of said racket having an axial length of 14 inches from the handle end has a weight less than 3.0 ounces, and the said grip portion of the handle has a circumference greater than 4.25 inches and less than 5.25 inches, and the weight of the portion of the racket extending beyond the said distance of 14 inches from the handle end is greater than 6.0 ounces.

Claim 94

A racket as in claim 78 wherein said side walls being selectively perforated to provide apertures in portions thereof to reduce the weight with a minimum reduction in strength and rigidity.

Claim 95

A racket as in claim 78 wherein the material of said handle member is an aluminum alloy having a yield strength greater than 55,000 pounds per square inch and having a wall thickness less than 0.025 inches.

Claim 96

A tennis racket comprising at least a head portion, a throat portion, and a grip portion; said head portion being an elongated strip of material shaped to partially inclose a space for a string netting, said head portion adapted to support said string netting; said head portion comprising a center portion and two adjacent side portions, said center portion being substantially straight and placed perpendicular to a first axis running longitudinally from the center of the head portion to the center of the grip portion end, and the two adjacent side portions being substantially straight and forming corners with the center portion and said side portions directed to converge toward the throat portion of said racket; a second axis perpendicular to the said first axis, said second axis being at a distance of 3.0 inches from the head end of the racket, said second axis intersecting said head portion at locations, said locations being at the surface of said head portion laterally outermost from said first axis and the distance between said locations being greater than 9.0 inches, a third axis starting at one of the said locations on said head portion, and running toward a point on the said first axis said point being at a distance of 19 inches from the head end of the racket; a first plane being perpendicular to said first axis and containing said second axis, and a second plane being perpendicular to the said first axis and being located at a distance of 16.5 inches from the head end of the racket, and the portion of the racket lying between said first and second planes having a surface laterally outermost from said third axis, said surface being laterally on the same side of the first axis as the third axis and said surface being at a maximum distance from said third axis less than 0.75 inches; and said material of said head portion having a modulus of elasticity in tension greater than 2.5×10 6 pounds per square inch and said material having a yield strength in tension greater than 15×10 3 pounds per square inch.

Claim 97

A tennis racket comprising at least a head portion, a throat portion, and a grip portion; said head portion being an elongated strip of material shaped to partially inclose a space for a string netting, said head portion adapted to support said string netting; said head portion comprising a center portion and two adjacent side portions, said center portion being substantially straight and placed perpendicular to a first axis running longitudinally from the center of the head portion to the center of the grip portion end, and the two adjacent side portions being substantially straight and forming corners with the center portion and said side portions directed to converge toward the throat portion of said racket; a second axis perpendicular to the said first axis, said second axis being at a distance of 3.0 inches from the head end of the racket, said second axis intersecting said head portion at locations, said locations being at the surface of said head portion laterally outermost from said first axis and the distance between said locations being greater than 9.0 inches, a third axis starting at one of the said locations on said head portion, and running toward a point on the said first axis said point being at a distance of 19 inches from the head end of the racket; a first plane being perpendicular to said first axis and containing said second axis, and a second plane being perpendicular to the said first axis and being located at a distance of 16.5 inches from the head end of the racket, and the portion of the racket lying between said first and second planes having a surface laterally outermost from said third axis, said surface being laterally on the same side of the first axis as the third axis and said surface being at a maximum distance from said third axis less than 0.75 inches; and said material of said head portion having a modulus of elasticity in tension greater than 2.5×10 6 pounds per square inch and said material having a yield strength in tension greater than 15×10 3 pounds per square inch.

Claim 98

A tennis racket as in claim 81, wherein said head portion has a greater weight per inch of length at the positions of said corners than at other positions on said head portion.