US4989864A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Racquet string straightener
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1988-02-17
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Granted: 1991-02-05
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Expires: 2008-02-17
Abstract
Abstract The racquet string straightening device comprises a support from one face of which a fixed array of teeth project. The teeth are arranged in rows with passages therebetween to receive the strings of a racquet and in a second embodiment alternate teeth may be omitted. Each tooth has a body of rectangular cross-section defined by pairs of parallel sides and a tapered outer end to facilitate entry of the tooth into the respective opening in the strings.
Inventors
- 👤 Vaclay Ubl
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 21:56
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B51/00; A63B51/015
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
174 words
A racquet string straightener device comprising a support and an array of teeth fixed to and projecting from the support, each of said teeth having a base of a shape to be received in engagement with a respective opening formed by an orthogonal arrays of strings of a racquet and in engagement with the strings and an outer end of reduced size to facilitate insertion into the opening, said teeth being disposed relative to each other in rows to define therebetween a first plurality of parallel gaps and a second plurality of parallel gaps extending perpendicular to said first plurality of gaps, said gaps being of a width only slightly larger than the width of said strings to each receive a portion of a respective string therein to reform a displaced string back into its original configuration by interaction between the displaced string and adjacent rows of teeth, being aligned in rows that extend parallel to said gaps the spacing between adjacent teeth of said rows being greater than the width of said gaps.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
174 words
A racquet string straightener device comprising a support and an array of teeth fixed to and projecting from the support, each of said teeth having a base of a shape to be received in engagement with a respective opening formed by an orthogonal arrays of strings of a racquet and in engagement with the strings and an outer end of reduced size to facilitate insertion into the opening, said teeth being disposed relative to each other in rows to define therebetween a first plurality of parallel gaps and a second plurality of parallel gaps extending perpendicular to said first plurality of gaps, said gaps being of a width only slightly larger than the width of said strings to each receive a portion of a respective string therein to reform a displaced string back into its original configuration by interaction between the displaced string and adjacent rows of teeth, being aligned in rows that extend parallel to said gaps the spacing between adjacent teeth of said rows being greater than the width of said gaps.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein the outer end of each tooth is tapered in the shape of a pyramid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein each tooth has a body portion between the outer end and the base, said body portion having a profile of substantially constant cross-section.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein the support has a front face from which the teeth project which is planar.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein each tooth projects perpendicularly from support.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
A device according to claim 1 which is provided with a handle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the spacing between the teeth is such that the teeth form a checkerboard pattern when viewed in plan.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
176 words
A racquet string straightener device comprising a support and an array of teeth fixed to and projecting from the support, each of said teeth having a base of a shape to be received in engagement with a respective opening formed by an orthogonal arrays of strings of a racquet and in engagement with the strings and an outer end of reduced size to facilitate insertion into the opening, said teeth being disposed relative to each other in rows to define therebetween a first plurality of parallel gaps and a second plurality of parallel gaps extending perpendicular to said first plurality of gaps, said gaps being of a width only slightly larger than the width of said strings to each receive a portion of a respective string therein to reform a displaced string back into its original configuration by interaction between the displaced string and adjacent rows of teeth, said teeth being spaced such that the teeth are adapted to be received by alternate openings between the strings with no teeth being received in the remaining openings.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
176 words
A racquet string straightener device comprising a support and an array of teeth fixed to and projecting from the support, each of said teeth having a base of a shape to be received in engagement with a respective opening formed by an orthogonal arrays of strings of a racquet and in engagement with the strings and an outer end of reduced size to facilitate insertion into the opening, said teeth being disposed relative to each other in rows to define therebetween a first plurality of parallel gaps and a second plurality of parallel gaps extending perpendicular to said first plurality of gaps, said gaps being of a width only slightly larger than the width of said strings to each receive a portion of a respective string therein to reform a displaced string back into its original configuration by interaction between the displaced string and adjacent rows of teeth, said teeth being spaced such that the teeth are adapted to be received by alternate openings between the strings with no teeth being received in the remaining openings.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
176 words
A racquet string straightener device comprising a support and an array of teeth fixed to and projecting from the support, each of said teeth having a base of a shape to be received in engagement with a respective opening formed by an orthogonal arrays of strings of a racquet and in engagement with the strings and an outer end of reduced size to facilitate insertion into the opening, said teeth being disposed relative to each other in rows to define therebetween a first plurality of parallel gaps and a second plurality of parallel gaps extending perpendicular to said first plurality of gaps, said gaps being of a width only slightly larger than the width of said strings to each receive a portion of a respective string therein to reform a displaced string back into its original configuration by interaction between the displaced string and adjacent rows of teeth, the teeth located centrally of said support have their bases of square cross section and those at at least some peripheral edges of the support are not square.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
176 words
A racquet string straightener device comprising a support and an array of teeth fixed to and projecting from the support, each of said teeth having a base of a shape to be received in engagement with a respective opening formed by an orthogonal arrays of strings of a racquet and in engagement with the strings and an outer end of reduced size to facilitate insertion into the opening, said teeth being disposed relative to each other in rows to define therebetween a first plurality of parallel gaps and a second plurality of parallel gaps extending perpendicular to said first plurality of gaps, said gaps being of a width only slightly larger than the width of said strings to each receive a portion of a respective string therein to reform a displaced string back into its original configuration by interaction between the displaced string and adjacent rows of teeth, the teeth located centrally of said support have their bases of square cross section and those at at least some peripheral edges of the support are not square.
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) | 1994-02-04 | 1994-08-06 | 1995-02-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-02-04 | 1998-08-06 | 1999-02-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-02-04 | 2002-08-06 | 2003-02-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |