US4776590A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vibration dampening device for sporting rackets
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1986-04-23
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Granted: 1988-10-11
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Expires: 2006-04-23
Abstract
Abstract A vibration dampening device for use with hand held sporting rackets, particularly tennis rackets, having a face or striking surface formed of two intersecting sets of parallel strings. The device of this invention comprises a block of viscoelastic foam which is compressed and inserted between the strings on the striking surface. This block of foam is preferably in the shape of a cylinder and when it is inserted between two, adjacent parallel strings it assumes a generally spherical shape. Typically, this compressed block engages four adjacent strings of both sets of strings, or three strings and the racket frame. This block may be placed at various positions on the racket striking surface, and significantly reduces vibrations created in the racket by the striking of a projectile, such as a ball. The device may be constructed of various combinations of different types of foam, and may have any desired color or design.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward D. Krent
- 👤 Nicholas B. Paffett
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 11:42
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B60/00; A63B60/54
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
72 words
A device for dampening vibrations in the striking surface of a hand held sporting racket having strings, said dampening device comprising a block formed of two different, highly resilient foam materials, said block being adapted to be compressed together and inserted between strings on the striking surface of the sporting racket, said foam materials having a low compression set value, and a minimum rebound of about 50 percent to about 60 percent.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
72 words
A device for dampening vibrations in the striking surface of a hand held sporting racket having strings, said dampening device comprising a block formed of two different, highly resilient foam materials, said block being adapted to be compressed together and inserted between strings on the striking surface of the sporting racket, said foam materials having a low compression set value, and a minimum rebound of about 50 percent to about 60 percent.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device as recited in claim 1 wherein one material of said block is formed of a urethane, open cell foam.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A device as recited in claim 1 wherein said block is generally in the shape of a cylinder having a base at each end and a central axis extending between the bases.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device as recited in claim 3 wherein said block assumes a generally spherical shape when inserted between the strings on the striking surface of the sporting racket.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
A device as recited in claim 1 wherein said block has opposite ends spaced from one another and wherein said one material is disposed in the center of said block and said other material completely surrounds said one material between said opposite ends.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
A device as recited in claim 1 wherein said block is elongated and has opposite ends spaced from one another in the direction of elongation, and wherein said opposite ends of said block are formed only of said one material and wherein the remainder of said block is formed of said other material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
A device as recited in claim 1 wherein said block is formed of a plurality of stacked layers of foam, each layer extending across said block generally parallel to opposite ends of said block, each layer being formed of a foam of different rebound and dampening properties.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
A device as recited in claim 1 wherein said block of highly resilient foam is formed of two different foam materials having two different chemical compositions, one material having a lower rebound property and a higher dampening proerty than the other of the materials.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
162 words
A hand held sporting racket for striking a moving projectile comprising: a handle having a first end adapted to be gripped by the hand of a player, and a second end; a frame secured to said second end of said handle; a striking surface surrounded by said frame, said striking surface comprising a first set of generally parallel longitudinally extending strings and a second set of generally parallel transversely extending strings, said transverse strings intersecting said longitudinal strings, said transverse strings and said longitudinal strings each intersecting said frame; and at least one block of highly resilient foam compressed and inserted into said striking surface in contact with at least one longitudinal string and at least one transverse string, said block remaining in a compressed state and pressing outwardly against said longitudinal string and against said transverse string for preventing play of said block with respect to said longitudinal string and said transverse string and for dampening vibrations in the striking surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
162 words
A hand held sporting racket for striking a moving projectile comprising: a handle having a first end adapted to be gripped by the hand of a player, and a second end; a frame secured to said second end of said handle; a striking surface surrounded by said frame, said striking surface comprising a first set of generally parallel longitudinally extending strings and a second set of generally parallel transversely extending strings, said transverse strings intersecting said longitudinal strings, said transverse strings and said longitudinal strings each intersecting said frame; and at least one block of highly resilient foam compressed and inserted into said striking surface in contact with at least one longitudinal string and at least one transverse string, said block remaining in a compressed state and pressing outwardly against said longitudinal string and against said transverse string for preventing play of said block with respect to said longitudinal string and said transverse string and for dampening vibrations in the striking surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
A racket as recited in claim 9 wherein said block is disposed at the transverse center of said striking surface and adjacent said frame where said frame is secured to said second end of said handle.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
A racket as recited in claim 9 wherein said block is composed of at least two foams having different rebound properties.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
A racket as recited in claim 9 wherein said block is disposed at the transverse and longitudinal center of said striking surface.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
43 words
A racket as recited in claim 9 further comprising a second highly resilient foam block inserted between a second selected pair of adjacent longitudinal strings and a second selected pair of adjacent transverse strings, said second block being spaced from said one block.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
A racket as recited in claim 9 wherein said block has a generally spherical shape when inserted between said selected pairs of strings.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
A racket as recited in claim 9 wherein said highly resilient foam block is disposed between two adjacent longitudinal strings.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
A racket as recited in claim 9 wherein said block of highly resilient foam is disposed between two adjacent transverse strings.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
35 words
A racket as recited in claim 9 wherein said foam block is formed of a material which has a low compression set value, and a minimum rebound of about 50 percent to about 60 percent.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
128 words
A hand held sporting racket for striking a moving projectile comprising: a handle having a first end adapted to be gripped by the hand of a player and a second end; a frame secured to said second end of said handle; a striking surface surrounded by said frame, said striking surface comprising a first set of generally parallel longitudinally extending strings and a second set of generally parallel transversely extending strings, said transverse strings intersecting said longitudinal strings; and at least one block of highly resilient foam compressed and inserted into said striking surface in contact with at least one longitudinal string and at least one transverse string for dampening vibrations in the striking surface, said block being composed of at least two foams having different rebound properties.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
128 words
A hand held sporting racket for striking a moving projectile comprising: a handle having a first end adapted to be gripped by the hand of a player and a second end; a frame secured to said second end of said handle; a striking surface surrounded by said frame, said striking surface comprising a first set of generally parallel longitudinally extending strings and a second set of generally parallel transversely extending strings, said transverse strings intersecting said longitudinal strings; and at least one block of highly resilient foam compressed and inserted into said striking surface in contact with at least one longitudinal string and at least one transverse string for dampening vibrations in the striking surface, said block being composed of at least two foams having different rebound properties.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-10-11 | 1992-04-11 | 1992-10-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-10-11 | 1996-04-11 | 1996-10-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-10-11 | 2000-04-11 | 2000-10-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |