US4511523A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fabrication of a composite material racket frame
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1982-11-16
•
Granted: 1985-04-16
•
Expires: 2002-11-16
Abstract
Abstract A method for producing a reinforced composite racket frame having an outer shell made of a fiber reinforced thermosetting plastic material and a foam core comprising the steps of: (a) placing an open-ended tubular shell of fiber reinforced thermosetting plastic material in a racket frame mold with two valve members respectively provided at an outlet and an inlet of the mold; (b) heating the mold to a first predetermined temperature for curing the tubular shell; (c) causing one of the valve members to be open and the other valve to be closed; (d) applying compressed air through the open valve to force the shell into intimate contact with an inner surface of the mold, the shell thereby assuming the shape of the mold; (e) cooling the mold to a second predetermined temperature at which the tubular shell becomes set to the mold shape; (f) opening the closed valve; (g) introducing a predetermined amount of a foamable material through at least one of the valves and into the shell; and (h) closing both of the valve members to allow the forming of a foam material at the second predetermined temperature within the tubular shell to form a core of the racket.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph Hsu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 01:39
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C44/00; B29C44/02; B29C44/12; B29C44/14; B29C44/146; A; A63; A63B; A63B49/00; A63B49/02; A63B49/10; A63B49/11; B29C70/00; B29C70/04; B29C70/28; B29C70/40; B29C70/42; B29C70/44; B29C70/446; A63B2209/00; A63B2209/02; A63B2209/023; B29C43/00; B29C43/02; B29C43/10; B29C43/12; B29K; B29K2101/00; B29K2101/10; B29K2105/00; B29K2105/04; B29K2105/06; B29K2105/08; B29L; B29L2031/00; B29L2031/52; B29L2031/5245; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S264/00; Y10S264/83
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
199 words
A method for producing a reinforced composite racket frame including an outer shell made of a fiber reinforced thermosetting plastic material and a foam core comprising the steps of: (a) placing an open-ended tubular shell of fiber reinforced thermosetting plastic material in a racket frame mold with two valve members respectively provided at an outlet and an inlet of the mold; (b) heating the mold to a first predetermined temperature for curing the tubular shell; (c) causing one of the valve members to be open and the other valve to be closed; (d) applying compressed air through the open valve to force the shell into intimate contact with an inner surface of the mold, the shell thereby assuming the shape of the mold; (e) cooling the mold to a second predetermined temperature at which the tubular shell becomes set to the mold shape; (f) opening the closed valve; (g) introducing a predetermined amount of a foamable material through at least one of the valves and into the shell; (h) closing both of the valve members to allow the forming of a foam material at the second predetermined temperature within the tubular shell to form a core of the racket.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
199 words
A method for producing a reinforced composite racket frame including an outer shell made of a fiber reinforced thermosetting plastic material and a foam core comprising the steps of: (a) placing an open-ended tubular shell of fiber reinforced thermosetting plastic material in a racket frame mold with two valve members respectively provided at an outlet and an inlet of the mold; (b) heating the mold to a first predetermined temperature for curing the tubular shell; (c) causing one of the valve members to be open and the other valve to be closed; (d) applying compressed air through the open valve to force the shell into intimate contact with an inner surface of the mold, the shell thereby assuming the shape of the mold; (e) cooling the mold to a second predetermined temperature at which the tubular shell becomes set to the mold shape; (f) opening the closed valve; (g) introducing a predetermined amount of a foamable material through at least one of the valves and into the shell; (h) closing both of the valve members to allow the forming of a foam material at the second predetermined temperature within the tubular shell to form a core of the racket.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein step (a) comprises the step of: placing into the mold a tubular shell formed by an inner open ended cellophane tube and a fiber reinforced thermosetting plastic material outer tube surrounding the cellophane inner tube.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein step (a) comprises the step of: placing into the mold a tubular shell formed by an inner open-ended cellophane tube and a thermosetting material outer tube surrounding the cellophane inner tube the cellophane inner tube extending beyond the outer tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein step (a) comprises the step of placing into the mold a tubular shell formed of a resin impregnated fiber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein step (a) comprises the step of: providing the valve members respectfully at two open-ended portions of the cellophane tube.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein step (g) comprises the step of introducing foamable material through one of the valves until it flows out of the other valve.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein step (g) comprises the step of introducing a predetermined amount of foamable material.
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) | 1988-04-15 | 1988-10-15 | 1989-04-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-04-15 | 1992-10-15 | 1993-04-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-04-15 | 1996-10-15 | 1997-04-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |