Games using tangible projectile – Player held and powered – nonmechanical projector – per se,... – Racket or paddle; accessory therefor
Reexamination Certificate
2001-11-27
2003-03-04
Chiu, Raleigh W. (Department: 3711)
Games using tangible projectile
Player held and powered, nonmechanical projector, per se,...
Racket or paddle; accessory therefor
C473S539000, C473S548000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06527656
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a sports racquet. In particular, the present invention relates to a two-piece grommet assembly for a sports racquet that reduces the risk of premature string failure while improving the overall feel of the racquet.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Sport racquets, such as tennis, racquetball, squash and badminton racquets, are well known and typically include a frame having a head portion coupled to a handle assembly. The head portion forms a hoop having inner and outer surfaces and a number of grommet holes, which are typically drilled through the inner and outer surfaces of the head portion. A grommet assembly extends around at least a portion of the outer surface of the hoop and includes a number of inwardly extending, spaced-apart barrels that align with and extend into the grommet holes. A racquet string then extends through the barrels of the grommet assembly. The grommet assembly prevents direct contact between the racquet string and the hoop portion enabling the head portion to support the racquet strings in tension.
Existing racquets are typically strung using plastic or nylon grommets. These nylon or plastic materials are generally hard, often having a durometer of above 50 on the Shore D hardness scale range. This hard grommet material is wear resistant and useful for preventing premature string failure. However, the generally hard grommet assemblies do little to dampen the substantial shock and vibration generated from the impact of the racquet with a ball. Such impacts typically create a shock wave that travels from the racquet head portion, up the handle, and to the hand, arm and shoulder of the user. This shock and vibration can be harsh, uncomfortable, and even harmful, to certain users. At a minimum, the shock and vibration can negatively affect the user's feel of the racquet and can provide the user with a negative impression of the racquet. Although the grip provides some cushioning or dampening effect, the grip alone does not substantially reduce the shock and vibration felt by the user.
In an attempt to reduce this shock and vibration at the strings before it travels to the frame, some racquets have included grommets made of a softer material such as thermoplastic rubber in a Shore A hardness scale range. These softer materials are more effective at dampening shock and vibration, but the stresses applied to, and movement of, the string can cause the grommet assembly to wear often leading to contact between the string and the roughened edges of the frame, ultimately resulting in premature string failure.
Others have attempted to provide an improved grommet assembly with impact dampening characteristics. These grommet assemblies include a base strap formed of a relatively hard material and having a number of inwardly projecting sleeves also made of a relative hard material and a separate soft tubular insert extending into the distal end of each sleeve. Although this configuration generally protects the string from contact with the outer surface of the frame, the soft tubular inserts do not prevent the frame from contacting the hard base strap and sleeves. As a result, the insert does little to further reduce the shock and vibration generated by the racquet during impact with a ball.
In another attempt to provide an improved grommet assembly with impact dampening characteristics, one existing grommet assembly includes a base strap, a number of inwardly projecting sleeves, and an outer strap made. The base strap and the sleeves are made of a nylon based material. The outer strap is formed into the outer surface of the base strap and also into a proximal end of the sleeves. The outer strap further extends through the base strap to contact the outer surface of the frame at locations between the sleeves. However, the nylon based material of the base strap and the sleeves has low shock and vibration dampening properties. Further, the contact between the hard outer strap with the frame limits the ability of the grommet assembly to dampen shock and vibration.
Thus, there is a continuing need for a grommet assembly that minimizes the amount of shock and vibration felt by the user from impact with a ball. There is also a continuing need for a sports racquet having an improved grommet assembly that provides a user with an improved feel and a more pleasing acoustic response during use. What is also needed is a grommet assembly that reduces or eliminates the risk of premature string damage due to contact with the frame.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a two-piece grommet assembly for a sports racquet. The sports racquet includes a frame having a plurality of grommet holes and at least one racquet string. The grommet assembly includes first and second grommet members. The first grommet member includes a first strip and at least two spaced-apart barrels. The first strip has a first inner surface for contacting the frame and a first outer surface. The barrels extend generally perpendicular from the first inner surface. Each barrel includes a first string hole extending along a longitudinal axis of the barrel. Each barrel is configured to extend through a separate grommet hole in the frame. The second grommet member includes a second strip and at least two spaced-apart pegs. The second strip has a second inner surface and a second outer surface. The pegs extend generally perpendicular from the second inner surface. Each peg has a second string hole. The second inner surface contacts the first outer surface and the pegs extend into the barrels such that the first and second string holes are generally co-axially aligned. The first grommet member is configured to substantially isolate the pegs and the second inner surface from the frame.
According to a principal aspect of the invention, a sports racquet includes a frame, a two-piece grommet assembly, and at least one string. The frame includes a head portion with an outwardly facing surface and an inwardly facing surface that defines a generally oval stringing area. The head portion includes a plurality of grommet holes. Each grommet hole extends through the outwardly facing surface and the inwardly facing surface along an axis. The two-piece grommet assembly includes first and second grommet members. The first grommet member includes a first strip and at least two spaced-apart barrels. The first strip has a first inner surface, for contacting the outwardly facing surface, and a first outer surface. The barrels extend generally perpendicular from the first inner surface. Each barrel extends through a separate grommet hole in the head portion and has a first string hole extending from a proximal end of the barrel to a distal end of the barrel. The second grommet member includes a second strip and at least two spaced-apart pegs. The second strip has a second inner surface and a second outer surface. The pegs extend generally perpendicular from the second inner surface. Each peg has a second string hole. The second inner surface contacts the first outer surface and the pegs extend into the barrels such that the first and second string holes are generally co-axially aligned. The first grommet member is configured to substantially isolate the pegs and the second inner surface from the frame. The string extends through the first and second string holes.
According to another preferred aspect of the invention a two-piece grommet assembly for a sports racquet wherein the sports racquet includes a frame having a plurality of grommet holes and at least one racquet string. The grommet assembly includes first and second grommet members. The first grommet member is made of a first material, such as a natural rubber, a synthetic rubber, a thermoplastic urethane, an elastic polymeric material or combinations thereof. The first grommet member includes a first strip and at least one barrel. The first strip has a first inner surface and a first outer surface. The at least one barrel extends generally perpendicular from the first inner surface. Each barrel in
Bachochin Kristin M.
Cheng Po-Jen
Severa William D.
Chiu Raleigh W.
O'Brien Terence P.
Wilson Sporting Goods Co.
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