US2211587A - Frame for badminton and tennis rackets - Google Patents

Description

Aug. w, 1940. c. A. THOMPSON FRAME FOR BADMINTON AND TENNIS RACKETS Filed Dec. 30, 1938 r v""`il| u w INVENTOR Char/@5 A Tho ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 13, 1940 FRAME Foa BADMINTON AND RACKETS f Y TENNis'* Charles A. Thompson, New Sharon, llairre, .Y Application December 30, 1938, Serial No. 248,3f82, n v *I 1 claim. (c1. 2731-73) 'I'his invention relates to new and useful improvements in a frame for badminton and tennis rackets.`

The invention has for an object the construction of 4a frame which is characterized by a handle consisting of a plurality of longitudinal sections stacked utogether and having outwardly iiared top portions, a head for the strings or gut mounted on said handle in a specific manner, and wedge shaped throat pieces associated with said handle and head in a certain manner.

More speically, the invention contemplates to arrange the parts in a manner so that the outwardly ared top portions assist in holding the head in position.

Still further the invention proposes to so arrange the ends that the outwardly flared top portions" oppose stresses and strains tending to pull the head of the racket outwards relative to the handle.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawing, and to the appended claim in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawing iorminga material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational View of a racket constructed according to this invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional View of the central portion of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line G-li of Fig. l.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 2 but illustrating another embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 6 is a side elevational View of a racket constructed according to a still further modified form of the invention.

Fig. 7 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line fi-I of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is aV vertical sectional view taken on the line 8--8 of Fig. 7.

The frame for badminton and tennis rackets, according to this invention, includes a handle Il] consisting of a plurality of longitudinal sections 1Gb, iilc stacked together and having outwardly flared portions II at the top arranged in a certain manner. A head I2 for the string or gut of the racket is formed from a strip of material arranged in substantially circular coniiguration and having its ends I2a and I2b engaging the opposite sides oflthe handle III.v A reinforcement strand I3 is engaged about the handle I0 and the ends I2a and 12b for reinforcing these parts.

The section IIIa of the handle constitutes the central section of the handle. The top end of this section is straight. The sections I0b and III'c constitute outer sections arranged upon the sides of the central section Illa. The upper ends vf these sections flare outwards to form the outwardly flared portions II. Wedge shaped throat pieces Il! are engaged in the space between the flared portions II and the top of the central section Illa. Other wedge shaped throat portions I5 are engaged in the spaces between the flared portions II and the end portions I2a and I2b. A strip of material I6 is arranged around tle inner surface of the head I2 to reinforce the same and to prevent the gut from becoming worn at the portions engaging the liead I2. Reference numeral Il indicates the gut mounted on the head I2 in a conventional manner.

The inventive feature may be understood from the following. The ends I2a and I2b, the :flared portions I I, the wedge shaped throat pieces I4 and I5, and the central section IIla are all joined together in an integral unit by gluing, cementing, or any other similar method. When the racket is being used it is held by the handle While its head is used to strike a ball. This produces a tendency causing the head to fly relatively outwards from the end of the handle. This tendency is restrained by the outwardly flared top portions II. In order for the head I2 to fly olf it would be necessary that the ends Ia and IZb either compress the wedge shaped throat portions I4 and I5 to destruction, which is impossible, or themselves spread over the wedge shaped pieces. This latter condition is also impossible.

In Fig. 5 a modication of the invention has been disclosed which distinguishes from the prior form in the fact that a rivet I3 is engaged through the outwardly ilared top portions Il and the wedge shaped pieces Ill. This rivet assists in joining these parts together as a unit and adds to the strength of the construction.

In Figs. 6-8 inclusive another form of the invention has been disclosed which distinguishes' from the prior form particularly in the construction of the outwardly flared top portions. In this form of the invention the outwardly flared top portions II are each of semi-conical form. The central handle section Illa is flat. The edges of the semi-conical flared portions rest upon edge portions of the flat central section Illa. The

flared portions Il are not truely semi-conical in form, but closely simulate a frustum of a cone. Wedge shaped throat pieces I4 are engaged within the flared portions Il. Other wedge shaped portions I5' are engaged between the outer surfaces of the flared portions Il and the ends |21* and |21). In other respects this form of the invention is similar to the previous form.

The feature of this form of the invention resides in the fact that the outwardly ared top portions Il because of their curved formations serve to rigidly and firmly hold the head of the racket.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modications coming within the scope of the invention as dened in the appended claim.

. Having thus described my invention, what I Claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

A frame for tennis rackets and the like comprising a laminated handle portion formed of a plurality of strips of wood stacked together, each of said strips having an upper portion tapered in thickness to provide a tapered neck portion, a head portion comprising a curved strip of material substantially circular in configuration, the inner sides of the last-named strip of material tapering at the ends thereof so as to lie complementary with the tapered neck portion, and a throat portion formed by wedges engaged between the top end portions of the strips forming the handle thereby causing said strips to are outwardly, and wedges engaged between the outwardly flared ends of the strips and the curved strip forming the head portion, said strips and Wedges being secured to one another.

CHARLES A. THOMPSON.

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