CA1040675A - Raquet with optimum results striking zone indicator - Google Patents
Raquet with optimum results striking zone indicatorInfo
- Publication number
- CA1040675A CA1040675A CA213,245A CA213245A CA1040675A CA 1040675 A CA1040675 A CA 1040675A CA 213245 A CA213245 A CA 213245A CA 1040675 A CA1040675 A CA 1040675A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- head
- filaments
- frame
- lattice structure
- selected areas
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B59/00—Bats, rackets, or the like, not covered by groups A63B49/00 - A63B57/00
- A63B59/80—Circular bats or paddles not provided for in groups A63B59/20 - A63B59/70
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B69/00—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports
- A63B69/38—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports for tennis
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B60/00—Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like
- A63B60/50—Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like with through-holes
Landscapes
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
- Golf Clubs (AREA)
- Injection Moulding Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
- Moulds For Moulding Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
- Laminated Bodies (AREA)
- Pinball Game Machines (AREA)
- Professional, Industrial, Or Sporting Protective Garments (AREA)
Abstract
TITLE : Improvements in Sports Equipment APPLICANT : ZIMM-ZAMM AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
ABSTRACT OF DISCLOSURE
A sports implement has a lattice striking region, one or more selected areas of which are indicated, the indication being chosen from one or more of the following :
a. a visual indicator such as a solid disc located in a or the selected areas, b. a "feel" indicator such as an increased mass of a or the selected areas, c. an aural indicator such as means to emit a distinctive sound when a or the selected areas engage the object to be struck, a or the selected area preferably being the sweet spot zone.
The lattice region is preferably an integral structure formed of a suitable plastics material.
ABSTRACT OF DISCLOSURE
A sports implement has a lattice striking region, one or more selected areas of which are indicated, the indication being chosen from one or more of the following :
a. a visual indicator such as a solid disc located in a or the selected areas, b. a "feel" indicator such as an increased mass of a or the selected areas, c. an aural indicator such as means to emit a distinctive sound when a or the selected areas engage the object to be struck, a or the selected area preferably being the sweet spot zone.
The lattice region is preferably an integral structure formed of a suitable plastics material.
Description
~040675 is invention relates to sports implements of the type , ' used to strike an object to impart motion thereto. Such -, implements are generally formed with a specific region '~
adapted for striking the object, and in this region there ~
is generally located a,zone which imparts the optimum impetus , to the object struck. This zone is called the "swee~ spot" `"
of the implement.
The present invention is concerned particularly, but , not exclusively, with bats or racquets for playing games such '' as tennis, paddle tennis, badminton, squash, and the like, especially racquets or bats of the type used in the game ` ' known as ZIMM-ZAMM (Registered Trademark). Racquets and ' bats as used in the above games generally have striking heads comprising lattice structures surrounded by frames. The lattlce structure may comprise a meshwork formed by strings of gut or nylon, as is conventionally the case with tennis, ' ' `'~ squash, and badminton racguets, or may be an integrally ' , moulded lattice formed from a sultable plastics material, ' ~;, which form o structure has become known in cheaper forms ~ ', 20~ of racquets and the like. In the latter case the lattice structure may'also be integral with the frame surrounding the head of the racquet. ~ -According to the invention there is provided a sports ,, implement in which one or more selected areas of the
adapted for striking the object, and in this region there ~
is generally located a,zone which imparts the optimum impetus , to the object struck. This zone is called the "swee~ spot" `"
of the implement.
The present invention is concerned particularly, but , not exclusively, with bats or racquets for playing games such '' as tennis, paddle tennis, badminton, squash, and the like, especially racquets or bats of the type used in the game ` ' known as ZIMM-ZAMM (Registered Trademark). Racquets and ' bats as used in the above games generally have striking heads comprising lattice structures surrounded by frames. The lattlce structure may comprise a meshwork formed by strings of gut or nylon, as is conventionally the case with tennis, ' ' `'~ squash, and badminton racguets, or may be an integrally ' , moulded lattice formed from a sultable plastics material, ' ~;, which form o structure has become known in cheaper forms ~ ', 20~ of racquets and the like. In the latter case the lattice structure may'also be integral with the frame surrounding the head of the racquet. ~ -According to the invention there is provided a sports ,, implement in which one or more selected areas of the
2~5~ striking region are indicated. The indication may be aohleved by ~
`: ' ' " : ' ' , . , ' , ~" '' ,'. . ; ' , ' ' ... ` - ' .' .. . ' , .
104()675 a. a visual indicator such as a solid disc located in a or the selected areas, b. a "feel" indicator, for example an increased mass of a or the selected areas (which has the effect of improving the "feel" of the impact of the object when struck by a or the selected areas, c. an aural indicator which causes the emission of a distinctive sound when a or the selected areas engages the object to be struck;
or any two or three of these indications taken together.
Thus, the invention provides a sports racquet consisting of a head and a handle, the head having a frame that borders the head, an unstressed nolithic lattice -~
structure within the frame and extending from side to side of the frame and having a multiplicity of openings therein, and means in the centre of-the head closing--a plurality-of openings only in the centreof the head without prejudicing the playing characteristics of the surface of the lattice structure.
Preferably the sweet spot is indicated ~o a lesser or greater degree.
The invention is discussed further with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a plan view of a racquet according to the invention, Figure 2 is a side view of the same racquet, Figure 3 i5 an end view of the same racquet, Figure 4 is a view from the opposite end of the ~ -same racquet, and Figure 5 is a view on the line V-V in Figure 1.
Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated a racquet 2, of the type used for the game ZIMM-~AMM ~trademark).
~ 3 C
~ .. ., , .: .
"
104~)675 The racquet 2 is injection moulded as an integral structure from a suitable plastics material such as polypropylene. It comprises a handle 10 and a head 12. The .~ ~
1 . :. . - .
. .'.
~ .
I . . -,.~
I
,' -3a-head 12 in turn comprises a frame 1~ integral with a lattice structure 16 contained in the frame. The lattice structure 16 is made up of filaments 18,20 that extend at right angles to each other and are integral with each other at their intersections. As seen in Figure S, the filaments are substantially lozenge-shaped in cross-section.
A substantially central zone of the head 12 of the racquet 2 is occupied by a solid piece 22. The zone is chosen to coincide with the so-called sweet spot of the head 12. The solid piece 22 in in the foxm of a substantially flat disc, and is integral with, and fills the interstices between, some of the filaments 18 and 20, resulting in an integral webbed structure. The disc 22 is surrounded on its `
periphery by a thickened annulus 24. The disc 22 may have a mass sufficient effectively to increase the weight of -the lattice structure 16 at the sweet spot. The additional weight serves to improve the "feel" of the sweet spot.
Furthermore, there is provided a cup formation 4 on each side o~ the disc 22. As a result, when a ball collides with the disc 22, a distinctive sound is emitted. Accordingly, a player may hear if he is hitting the ball correctly.
In use, a player uses the disc 22 as a target with which a ball he is striking must connect for optimum results.
Another embodiment of the invention, not illustrated, may take the form of a bat or racquet in which the head is formed by a lattice structure in the form of a board of wood or the like pierced by a series of holes located at intervals from each other. The holes are so dispersed that at least ::` :
~ one zone, preferably that of the sweet spot at the centre, ~: : :
~ . ~
~ ~ - 4 -: . . .. : . ... . . . .. , ~ . ~ . . .
.. . ., ~ . .
1~4~;)675 has fewer holes per unit than the surrounding zone. The additional board in this area thus serves materially to weight the sweet spot. The sweet spot zone in this embodiment may also include a cup adapted to emit a distinc-tive sound when struck.
The invention has been discussed above with reference to racquets, hut it will be apparent that the principles involved may apply equally to other sports implements used to strike objects to impart motion to them. For example ' the sweet spots of the striking regions of implements such as golf clubs, baseball and cricket bats, hockey sticks, to name a few, may be visually indicated and if deslred welghted. They may also or alternatively be adapted to ~-emit distinctive sounds on collision of the sweet spot with a ball, puck, or the like.
: - . .
' ~
.
, : . ~ .
: , ~ .
,: : ~ : .
. ~ :
~, : : ; ~ ~, ;
`: ' ' " : ' ' , . , ' , ~" '' ,'. . ; ' , ' ' ... ` - ' .' .. . ' , .
104()675 a. a visual indicator such as a solid disc located in a or the selected areas, b. a "feel" indicator, for example an increased mass of a or the selected areas (which has the effect of improving the "feel" of the impact of the object when struck by a or the selected areas, c. an aural indicator which causes the emission of a distinctive sound when a or the selected areas engages the object to be struck;
or any two or three of these indications taken together.
Thus, the invention provides a sports racquet consisting of a head and a handle, the head having a frame that borders the head, an unstressed nolithic lattice -~
structure within the frame and extending from side to side of the frame and having a multiplicity of openings therein, and means in the centre of-the head closing--a plurality-of openings only in the centreof the head without prejudicing the playing characteristics of the surface of the lattice structure.
Preferably the sweet spot is indicated ~o a lesser or greater degree.
The invention is discussed further with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a plan view of a racquet according to the invention, Figure 2 is a side view of the same racquet, Figure 3 i5 an end view of the same racquet, Figure 4 is a view from the opposite end of the ~ -same racquet, and Figure 5 is a view on the line V-V in Figure 1.
Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated a racquet 2, of the type used for the game ZIMM-~AMM ~trademark).
~ 3 C
~ .. ., , .: .
"
104~)675 The racquet 2 is injection moulded as an integral structure from a suitable plastics material such as polypropylene. It comprises a handle 10 and a head 12. The .~ ~
1 . :. . - .
. .'.
~ .
I . . -,.~
I
,' -3a-head 12 in turn comprises a frame 1~ integral with a lattice structure 16 contained in the frame. The lattice structure 16 is made up of filaments 18,20 that extend at right angles to each other and are integral with each other at their intersections. As seen in Figure S, the filaments are substantially lozenge-shaped in cross-section.
A substantially central zone of the head 12 of the racquet 2 is occupied by a solid piece 22. The zone is chosen to coincide with the so-called sweet spot of the head 12. The solid piece 22 in in the foxm of a substantially flat disc, and is integral with, and fills the interstices between, some of the filaments 18 and 20, resulting in an integral webbed structure. The disc 22 is surrounded on its `
periphery by a thickened annulus 24. The disc 22 may have a mass sufficient effectively to increase the weight of -the lattice structure 16 at the sweet spot. The additional weight serves to improve the "feel" of the sweet spot.
Furthermore, there is provided a cup formation 4 on each side o~ the disc 22. As a result, when a ball collides with the disc 22, a distinctive sound is emitted. Accordingly, a player may hear if he is hitting the ball correctly.
In use, a player uses the disc 22 as a target with which a ball he is striking must connect for optimum results.
Another embodiment of the invention, not illustrated, may take the form of a bat or racquet in which the head is formed by a lattice structure in the form of a board of wood or the like pierced by a series of holes located at intervals from each other. The holes are so dispersed that at least ::` :
~ one zone, preferably that of the sweet spot at the centre, ~: : :
~ . ~
~ ~ - 4 -: . . .. : . ... . . . .. , ~ . ~ . . .
.. . ., ~ . .
1~4~;)675 has fewer holes per unit than the surrounding zone. The additional board in this area thus serves materially to weight the sweet spot. The sweet spot zone in this embodiment may also include a cup adapted to emit a distinc-tive sound when struck.
The invention has been discussed above with reference to racquets, hut it will be apparent that the principles involved may apply equally to other sports implements used to strike objects to impart motion to them. For example ' the sweet spots of the striking regions of implements such as golf clubs, baseball and cricket bats, hockey sticks, to name a few, may be visually indicated and if deslred welghted. They may also or alternatively be adapted to ~-emit distinctive sounds on collision of the sweet spot with a ball, puck, or the like.
: - . .
' ~
.
, : . ~ .
: , ~ .
,: : ~ : .
. ~ :
~, : : ; ~ ~, ;
Claims
THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1.
A sports racquet consisting of a head and a handle, the head having a frame that borders the head, an unstressed monolithic lattice structure within the frame and extending from side to side of the frame and having a multiplicity of openings therein, and means in the centre of the head closing a plurality of openings only in the centre of the head without prejudicing the playing characteristics of the surface of the lattice structure.
2.
A sports racquet as claimed in claim 1 in which the means is integral with the lattice structure.
3.
A sports racquet as claimed in claim 2, said means being in the form of webs of a thickness less than the thickness of the remainder of said lattice structure.
4.
A sports racquet as claimed in claim 1 which is moulded integrally of plastics, said lattice structure consisting of a first plurality of spaced filaments that extend across the frame in one direction, said first filaments inter-secting a further plurality of spaced filaments that extend across the frame in another direction, said first filaments being integral with said further filaments and forming with said further filaments said multiplicity of openings, said means closing one or more of said openings in the centre of the head and consisting of portions integral with the lattice.
5.
A sports racquet as claimed in claim 4 in which said integral portions of plastic closing said central openings are in the form of webs of a thickness less than the thickness of the filaments.
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1.
A sports racquet consisting of a head and a handle, the head having a frame that borders the head, an unstressed monolithic lattice structure within the frame and extending from side to side of the frame and having a multiplicity of openings therein, and means in the centre of the head closing a plurality of openings only in the centre of the head without prejudicing the playing characteristics of the surface of the lattice structure.
2.
A sports racquet as claimed in claim 1 in which the means is integral with the lattice structure.
3.
A sports racquet as claimed in claim 2, said means being in the form of webs of a thickness less than the thickness of the remainder of said lattice structure.
4.
A sports racquet as claimed in claim 1 which is moulded integrally of plastics, said lattice structure consisting of a first plurality of spaced filaments that extend across the frame in one direction, said first filaments inter-secting a further plurality of spaced filaments that extend across the frame in another direction, said first filaments being integral with said further filaments and forming with said further filaments said multiplicity of openings, said means closing one or more of said openings in the centre of the head and consisting of portions integral with the lattice.
5.
A sports racquet as claimed in claim 4 in which said integral portions of plastic closing said central openings are in the form of webs of a thickness less than the thickness of the filaments.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| ZA738622 | 1973-11-09 | ||
| ZA00738621A ZA738621B (en) | 1973-11-09 | 1973-11-09 | Improvement in sports equipment |
| ZA742386 | 1974-04-16 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1040675A true CA1040675A (en) | 1978-10-17 |
Family
ID=27420862
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA213,245A Expired CA1040675A (en) | 1973-11-09 | 1974-11-07 | Raquet with optimum results striking zone indicator |
Country Status (14)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPS5339814B2 (en) |
| AR (1) | AR207576A1 (en) |
| BR (1) | BR7409404A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1040675A (en) |
| CH (1) | CH583044A5 (en) |
| DE (1) | DE2453029C3 (en) |
| DK (1) | DK582774A (en) |
| ES (1) | ES223916Y (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2250545B1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB1484190A (en) |
| IL (1) | IL46004A (en) |
| NL (1) | NL167601C (en) |
| NO (1) | NO138274C (en) |
| SE (1) | SE412167B (en) |
Families Citing this family (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4141549A (en) * | 1977-05-19 | 1979-02-27 | Hayes Thomas J | Tennis racket |
| JPS5425366U (en) * | 1977-07-21 | 1979-02-19 | ||
| DE102008045935B4 (en) * | 2008-09-04 | 2021-01-14 | Wolfgang Weid | Insect protection device with frame |
-
1974
- 1974-01-01 AR AR256469A patent/AR207576A1/en active
- 1974-11-05 GB GB47738/74A patent/GB1484190A/en not_active Expired
- 1974-11-06 NO NO74743996A patent/NO138274C/en unknown
- 1974-11-06 IL IL46004A patent/IL46004A/en unknown
- 1974-11-07 CA CA213,245A patent/CA1040675A/en not_active Expired
- 1974-11-08 DE DE2453029A patent/DE2453029C3/en not_active Expired
- 1974-11-08 JP JP12882674A patent/JPS5339814B2/ja not_active Expired
- 1974-11-08 NL NL7414606A patent/NL167601C/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1974-11-08 BR BR9404/74A patent/BR7409404A/en unknown
- 1974-11-08 DK DK582774A patent/DK582774A/da unknown
- 1974-11-08 SE SE7414051A patent/SE412167B/en unknown
- 1974-11-09 ES ES1974223916U patent/ES223916Y/en not_active Expired
- 1974-11-11 CH CH1502874A patent/CH583044A5/xx not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1974-12-27 FR FR7443000A patent/FR2250545B1/fr not_active Expired
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| ES223916Y (en) | 1977-05-01 |
| GB1484190A (en) | 1977-09-01 |
| IL46004A (en) | 1976-09-30 |
| NL167601C (en) | 1982-01-18 |
| NL7414606A (en) | 1975-05-13 |
| SE412167B (en) | 1980-02-25 |
| FR2250545A1 (en) | 1975-06-06 |
| NL167601B (en) | 1981-08-17 |
| DE2453029C3 (en) | 1978-04-20 |
| FR2250545B1 (en) | 1977-10-28 |
| AR207576A1 (en) | 1976-10-15 |
| JPS5089134A (en) | 1975-07-17 |
| JPS5339814B2 (en) | 1978-10-24 |
| CH583044A5 (en) | 1976-12-31 |
| NO138274C (en) | 1978-08-09 |
| ES223916U (en) | 1977-01-01 |
| DE2453029B2 (en) | 1977-09-01 |
| IL46004A0 (en) | 1975-02-10 |
| DE2453029A1 (en) | 1975-07-10 |
| BR7409404A (en) | 1976-05-18 |
| NO138274B (en) | 1978-05-02 |
| SE7414051L (en) | 1975-05-12 |
| DK582774A (en) | 1975-06-30 |
| AU7516674A (en) | 1976-05-13 |
| NO743996L (en) | 1975-05-12 |
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