US4599898A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for testing ball striking rackets
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1984-10-02
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Granted: 1986-07-15
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Expires: 2004-10-02
Abstract
Abstract The quality of dynamic behavior of tennis rackets and/or selected parts of tennis rackets is ascertained by vibrating the rackets and by monitoring one or more parameters of vibratory movement which are indicative of the quality of the corresponding part of or the entire racket. The rackets and/or selected parts of the rackets can be vibrated at a constant or at a variable frequency for selected intervals of time. The parameter may constitute the slope of the curves denoting the phase of vibration, the frequency of vibration, the width of the resonance frequency of the selected part and/or others.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter Beer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 07:48
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M5/00; G01M5/0041; G01M5/005; A; A63; A63B; A63B60/00; A63B60/42; G01L; G01L5/00; G01L5/04; G01L5/042; G01M5/0066
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
A method of ascertaining at least one of several characteristics of a ball striking implement of the type having a netting consisting of strings and a frame for the netting, particularly a tennis racket and component parts thereof, such characteristics including the elastic behavior of the implement, the elasticity of the strings and the damping action, characteristic frequency and tension of the netting, comprising the steps of attaching a mass to a selected part of the implement to be tested; imparting to the selected part and to the mass a vibratory movement at a selected frequency for a selected interval of time, such movement having a plurality of parameters denoting said characteristics; and monitoring during said interval that parameter of the vibratory movement of the mass and of the selected part of the implement which is indicative of the one characteristic thereof.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
142 words
A method of ascertaining at least one of several characteristics of a ball striking implement of the type having a netting consisting of strings and a frame for the netting, particularly a tennis racket and component parts thereof, such characteristics including the elastic behavior of the implement, the elasticity of the strings and the damping action, characteristic frequency and tension of the netting, comprising the steps of attaching a mass to a selected part of the implement to be tested; imparting to the selected part and to the mass a vibratory movement at a selected frequency for a selected interval of time, such movement having a plurality of parameters denoting said characteristics; and monitoring during said interval that parameter of the vibratory movement of the mass and of the selected part of the implement which is indicative of the one characteristic thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said vibratory movement imparting step comprises periodically applying energy impulses to the mass and the selected part of the implement.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said imparting step includes vibrating the mass and the selected part of the implement at a varying frequency, said monitoring step including measuring the phase and recording a characteristic which is indicative of the measured phase.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 4, wherein said characteristic is the slope of the curves denoting the phase subsequent to successive passages through zero.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said imparting step includes vibrating the mass and the selected part of the implement at a varying frequency, said monitoring step including measuring the frequency of the mass and the selected part of the implement and recording a characteristic which is indicative of the measured frequency.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 5, wherein said recording step includes recording the resonance frequency of the mass and the selected part of the implement.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 5, wherein said recording step includes recording the width of the resonance frequency curve of the mass and the selected part of the implement.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said frequency is constant and said monitoring step includes ascertaining the velocity of propagation of vibratory disturbances in the mass and the selected part of the implement.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
146 words
Apparatus for dynamically ascertaining at least one of several characteristics of a ball striking implement of the type having a netting consisting of strings and a frame for the netting, particularly a tennis racket and component parts thereof, such characteristics including the elastic behavior of the implement, the elasticity of the strings and the damping action, characteristic frequency and tension of the netting, comprising a mass arranged to be attached to a selected part of the implement to be tested; means for imparting to said mass and to said part of the implement a vibratory movement at a selected frequency for a selected interval of time, such movement having a plurality of parameters denoting said characteristics; and means for monitoring during said interval that parameter of the vibratory movement of said mass and said part of the implement which is indicative of said one characteristic thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
146 words
Apparatus for dynamically ascertaining at least one of several characteristics of a ball striking implement of the type having a netting consisting of strings and a frame for the netting, particularly a tennis racket and component parts thereof, such characteristics including the elastic behavior of the implement, the elasticity of the strings and the damping action, characteristic frequency and tension of the netting, comprising a mass arranged to be attached to a selected part of the implement to be tested; means for imparting to said mass and to said part of the implement a vibratory movement at a selected frequency for a selected interval of time, such movement having a plurality of parameters denoting said characteristics; and means for monitoring during said interval that parameter of the vibratory movement of said mass and said part of the implement which is indicative of said one characteristic thereof.
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) | 1989-07-14 | 1990-01-13 | 1990-07-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-07-14 | 1994-01-13 | 1994-07-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-07-14 | 1998-01-13 | 1998-07-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |