EP0530180A1

EP0530180A1 - Tennis racket

Info

Publication number: EP0530180A1
Application number: EP90908511A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Josef Baumgartner; Peter Pavel Soiu
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-06-06
Filing date: 1990-06-01
Publication date: 1993-03-10
Also published as: WO1990014870A3; AU5741290A; WO1990014870A2; JPH04505570A

Abstract

Afin d'obtenir une plus grande stabilité à la torsion et un meilleur contrôle de la raquette, une raquette de tennis comprend une tête à centre de gravité (15) décalé par rapport au prolongement (13) de l'axe du manche.In order to obtain greater torsional stability and better control of the racket, a tennis racket comprises a head with center of gravity (15) offset from the extension (13) of the axis of the handle.

Description

Tennis racket

The invention relates to a tennis racket.

Tennis is becoming increasingly popular and has already become a popular sport.

Not only beginners have to experience that

Tennis is an extremely difficult sport. Above all, learning how to hold the racket correctly, how to use the racket and always being in the correct position in relation to the ball requires many years of training. Not only beginners make the mistake again and again that they do not hit the ball in the center of the

Racket still in the area of the so-called Hit "sweet spot" and, in addition, often keep and hold the racket slightly twisted so that the ball is hit unintentionally in the sense of a light "topspin" or "slice", but due to the otherwise faulty racket position in the net or hit too high. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a tennis racket which has a tendency toward correct racket hold and orientation which is inherent in the racket and transverse to the trajectory of the ball.

The object is achieved according to the features specified in the characterizing part of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

The present invention surprisingly creates a tennis racket which has a clearly recognizable tendency towards better and more correct racket management for tournament or club players as well as for inexperienced players and even beginners. This is because the

Racket is formed and / or shaped in a suitable manner so that the center of gravity of the racket head is offset from the extended grip axis. In other words, the asymmetrical arrangement of the center of weight of the club head means that the racket is offset from the extended grip axis in a certain one

Directed and above all stabilized. This makes all shots much easier to control. Since the center of gravity of the club face, that is to say the club head in the correct club position, lies below the extension of the handle axis, the club is virtually stabilized by the force of gravity, since it has the tendency to align the club face perpendicularly. This tendency towards alignment can also be felt directly without holding the racket by the handle, so that the player can not only stabilize the striking surface faster, but also control it more easily. Finally, with the natural wrist position supported by this, the player gets better under the ball with the club head at deeper balls. Above all, however, the racket according to the invention has a much greater rotational stability than conventional solutions on, even if the ball is not hit in the center of the club head, i.e. the club face. The eccentric arrangement of the center of gravity creates a certain higher inertia but only with regard to an undesired twisting of the racket when the ball is not hit optimally, which brings about the desired increase in rotational stability, regardless of which club head half the ball is hit with.

Although the racket according to the invention with the center of gravity of the racket head offset from the extended grip axis can be formed by an asymmetrical racket shape or by a one-sided weight distribution or subsequent one-sided attachment of additional low weights, a solution is provided in a preferred embodiment in which the racket head axis is slightly offset or lies inclined to the extended grip axis, thereby to offset the center of gravity of the club head and the playing surface laterally to the extended grip axis. Slight deviations in the inclination angle are sufficient. The effect can be supported by an asymmetrical face shape or by the already mentioned additional asymmetrical weight distribution. However, an asymmetrical weight distribution in the form of an additionally necessary asymmetrically distributed or provided weight leads to a slight increase in the weight of the racket as a whole, which is perhaps less preferred by some games.

In addition, a tennis racket that is angled almost at right angles, similar to a boomerang, is said to have been proposed for extreme topspin shots. The aim of this extreme construction of the longitudinal axis of the racket head aligned with respect to one another to the grip axis was to enable an almost whip-like stroke movement to achieve a top-spin stroke, in which the racket head is pulled longitudinally over the ball. Apart from the fact that the extended grip axis then no longer cuts the club head, such a club is not at all comparable to a club proposed in the present invention, since with such an extreme angle for normal mirrors, beginners, up to tournament players, a normal tennis game is not possible.

Further advantages, details and features of the invention result below from the exemplary embodiments illustrated with the aid of drawings. The individual shows:

Figure 1: a side view of a first embodiment of a tennis racket according to the invention with an inclined striking head surface;

FIG. 2: a second exemplary embodiment in a side view with the central racket head axis offset to the extended grip axis;

Figure 3: a third embodiment with asymmetrical

Club head design; and

Figure 4: a fourth embodiment with asymmetrical

Weight distribution.

In the figures, a tennis racket with a handle 1, a racket head 3 with a corresponding club face is shown. For the sake of clarity, the covering is not shown in the drawing. The handle 1 merges into a V-shaped shaft 9, via which the frame 7 of the club head 3, which is generally integral with the shaft 9, is held.

As can be seen from the embodiment according to FIG. 1, the axis of symmetry forming the racket head longitudinal axis 11 is inclined to the extended grip axis 13, so that the racket Head center of gravity 15 comes to lie offset to the extended handle axis 13. The deviation can be such that the upper apex 17 of the club head 3 to the extended grip axis 13 is in a range of 1 cm to 10 cm, but preferably less than 8 cm, 6 cm, especially 5 cm or up to 4 cm. On

A range of more than 1 cm to 3 cm, in particular around 1.5 cm to 2.5 cm, is preferred. In such an arrangement, the racket head longitudinal axis 11 deviates from the grip axis 13 at an angle of more than 2 ° and less than 30 °, but especially less than 20 °, 16 °, 14 ° or especially 12 ° to the grip axis 13. However, the preferred angular range should be above 4 °, 6 ° or above all 8 °, so that an optimal range is between 8 ° and 12 ° at an angle intersection in the shaft area. It can be seen from the illustration according to FIG. 1 that the point of intersection or the "kink" at which the extended grip axis 13 intersects with the inclined longitudinal axis 11 of the club head lies in the central region of the shaft 9. This “kink” can preferably be in a range from 1/10 to 8/10 starting from the club head 3, preferably in a range of around 4/10 of the entire shaft length. Therefore, the distance from the upper vertex 17 to the extended handle axis 13 may even decrease to 0.4 cm or 0.5 cm, 0.6 cm or even 0.8 cm. Optimal and maximum values of less than 3.5 cm, 3 cm and in particular also 2.6 cm, 2.2 cm and 2 cm often already lead to optimal beating and playing behavior.

In certain cases, an angular deviation of only 1 ° or more between the racket longitudinal axis 11 and the grip axis 13 may be sufficient and cheap. In other words, an optimal angle range below 12 ° can also be optimal, especially for experienced players up to a maximum of 11 °, 10 °, 9 °, 8 °, 7 °, 6 ° or even less than 5 ° or 4 °. In other words, only slightest deviations in angle are favorable in certain cases, since then the racket comes very close to a conventional racket and nevertheless still shows the advantages according to the invention. Finally, the intersection or "kink" between the longitudinal axis 11 of the racket and the handle axis 13 can be such that the point of intersection is preferably outside of the racket head covering, perhaps in the range from the racket head frame to half the distance to the beginning of the

Handle 1.

As can also be seen from the illustration, the extended grip axis 13 not only cuts the playing surface of the club head 3, but above all also the so-called. "Sweet spot"

19th

Of course, the point of intersection between the longitudinal axis 11 of the club head and the handle axis 13 can also lie at any other point, even within the face.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the racket head longitudinal axis 11 is aligned parallel to the handle axis 13, but is offset from this. Embodiment 2 is therefore a special case in which the intersection between the

Racket head longitudinal axis 11 and the grip axis 13 migrates downwards to infinity via the handle 1 until the racket head longitudinal axis 11 comes to lie parallel to the grip axis 13. It is clear from this exemplary embodiment in particular that the angle between the longitudinal axis 11 of the club head and the handle axis 13 can be as small as desired and even 0 ° if the intersection point is placed further and further infinitely beyond the end of the handle , so that a sufficient lateral offset of the racket longitudinal axis 11 to the grip axis 13 in the area of the striking head surface, that is to say the covering surface, is achieved. To this extent, reference is made to the distance values between apex 17 to the extended handle axis 13, as explained above. In this exemplary embodiment in particular, the lower limit of the deviation of the apex 17 from the extended grip axis 13 can become even lower, for example up to decrease to 0.4 cm or even 0.3 cm or 0.2 cm as the lowest value. The distance between the axes can be, for example, less than 4 cm, preferably less than 3 cm, especially less than 2.5 cm, 2 cm or 1.5 cm. An offset starts from 0.5 cm upwards, especially around 0.75 cm or up to 1 cm is fully sufficient to achieve the

To achieve rotational stability as well as an effect supporting the correct alignment of the club head.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the club head 3 is asymmetrical. Due to the asymmetrical design, the club head center of gravity 15 is at an otherwise neither inclined nor offset to the handle axis 13, the club head longitudinal axis 11 is also offset to the handle axis 13. This also achieves the desired effects.

In the asymmetrically designed racket head according to FIG. 3, however, an essentially round and kink-free racket head frame design is preferred, which essentially results in an oval-shaped outer contour.

In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 4, a tennis racket which is conventional per se is shown. However, the latter has additional weights 21 distributed asymmetrically on the racket head frame 7, which can be achieved by appropriate incorporation of other heavier materials or by thickening a racket or by additional attachment of weights 21. This also causes the center of gravity 15 of the racket head 3, as shown, to be offset from the handle axis 13.

The suggestions made above all with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 can also be used additionally in the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 1 and 2; H . that the asymmetrical racket head posture and / or the asymmetrical weight distribution can also be implemented individually or together in the exemplary embodiments according to FIGS. 1 and 2. Even in the case of an asymmetrical racket head according to FIG. 3, an asymmetrical weight distribution can additionally be added, as is illustrated by FIG. 4.

It is finally noted that the shift in the center of gravity away from the extended grip axis 13, even in the inclined or offset racket head position according to the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1 or 2, is in no way perceived as unpleasant, but that despite this asymmetrical arrangement, the Impact precision, the right one

Strike posture and above all the rotational stability is significantly improved in an unforeseeable manner compared to previously known tennis rackets.

In the tennis racket according to the invention, therefore, the racket head only has to have a slight deviation from the extended grip axis, preferably in the manner of a slightly inclined racket head. In this case, the two webs diverging from the handle in a fork shape and leading to the racket head frame can be of slightly different lengths or slightly differently curved. The club head itself is preferably symmetrical. The racket head formed in this way therefore has only slight differences from conventional tennis rackets which are designed completely symmetrically to the extended grip axis and which are almost not perceptible by many. This has advantages above all when it comes to serve and volley, where excessive deviations are not desired. In spite of the possibly only very slight differences from the previously known symmetrical tennis rackets, the tennis racket according to the invention offers clearer advantages in handling, in the S-stroke and in the striking structure, whereby a higher accuracy and a clean stroke support become .

Claims

Expectations :

1. tennis racket, characterized in that the racket head center of gravity (15) to the extended grip axis (13) in the racket head plane is laterally offset to such an extent that the extended grip axis (13) continues the playing surface of the racket head (3) cuts.

2. Tennis racket according to claim 1, characterized in that the racket head longitudinal axis (11) is inclined to the extended grip axis (13) in the plane of the racket head (3).

3. Tennis racket according to claim 2, characterized in that the angle of inclination between the longitudinal axis of the racket head (11) and the extended handle axis (13) is such that the extended handle axis (13) the sweet spot (19) in the Face of the club head (3) still cuts.

4. tennis racket according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the apex (17) of the racket head (3) to the extended handle axis (13) a distance of up to 10 cm, preferential has up to 8 cm, in particular up to 6 cm, in particular up to 4 cm, 3 cm, 2.5 cm, 2 cm or 1.5 cm.

5. Tennis racket according to one of claims 1 to 4, character- ized in that the apex of the racket head (3) to the extended handle axis (13) a distance of at least 0.5 cm, 1 cm, preferably of at least 1.5 cm having.

6. Tennis racket according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the apex (17) of the racket head (3) to the extended handle axis (13) a distance of 1 cm to 10 cm, 1 cm to 8 cm, 1st cm to 6 cm, 1 cm to 5 cm, preferably 1 cm to 4 cm, in particular from 1 cm or 1.5 cm to 3 cm.

7. tennis racket according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized ge indicates that the racket head longitudinal axis (11) the elongated grip axis (13) outside the covering surface of the racket head (3), in particular in the transition region between the Handle (1) and the frame (7) of the club head (3) provided

Shaft (9) cuts.

8. tennis racket according to claim 7, characterized in that the cut or kink at the transition from the extended handle axis (13) to the racket longitudinal axis (11) in the region of

Shank (9) in the central portion of 1/10 to 8/10, preferably from 1/10 to 6/10, in particular in the range from 2/10 to 5/10 and particularly preferably from 2/5 to 3/5 the total length of the shaft (9) calculated from the frame (7).

9. tennis racket according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized ge indicates that the angle of inclination between the racket longitudinal axis (tl) and the extended grip axis (13) is less than 30 °, preferably less than 20 °, 16 °, 14th °, 12 ° and preferably less than 10 °, 9 °, 8 °, 7 °, 6 °, 5 °, 4 ° or up to a maximum of 3 °.

10. tennis racket according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the angle of inclination between the Schläger¬ head longitudinal axis (11) and the extended grip axis (13) more than 0.5 °, 1 ° and in particular more than 2 °, 3 °, 4 °, 5 ° and preferably at least 6 ° or 7 °, 8 °.

11. Tennis racket according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the angle of inclination between the Schläger¬ head longitudinal axis (11) and the extended grip axis (13) 2 ° to 30 °, preferably less than 20 °, in particular less than 16 °,

14 ° and especially 12 ° and preferably more than 4 °, 6 ° and especially 8 °.

12. Tennis racket according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized. characterized in that the longitudinal axis (11) of the club head is parallel to the extended grip axis (13) but offset.

13. Tennis racket according to claim 12, characterized in that the lateral offset between the longitudinally aligned racket head longitudinal axis (11) and the handle axis (13) is less than 4 cm, preferably less than 3 cm, in particular less than 2.5 cm and 2 cm and more than 1.5 cm, in particular more than 0.75 cm or 1 cm.

14. Tennis racket according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the racket head (3) to its from the corre sponding base section to the apex (17) racket head longitudinal axis (11) has an asymmetrical racket head shape while achieving an offset of the racket head center of gravity (15) away from the extended handle axis (13).

15. Tennis racket according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the frame (7) of the racket head (3) with an asymmetrical weight distribution or with additional weights (21) resulting in an asymmetrical weight distribution is seen.