Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B51/00—Stringing tennis, badminton or like rackets; Strings therefor; Maintenance of racket strings
  • A63B51/02—Strings; String substitutes; Products applied on strings, e.g. for protection against humidity or wear
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B51/00—Stringing tennis, badminton or like rackets; Strings therefor; Maintenance of racket strings
  • A63B51/02—Strings; String substitutes; Products applied on strings, e.g. for protection against humidity or wear
  • A63B51/026—Strings having non-circular cross-section
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D07—ROPES; CABLES OTHER THAN ELECTRIC
  • D07B—ROPES OR CABLES IN GENERAL
  • D07B5/00—Making ropes or cables from special materials or of particular form
  • D07B5/005—Making ropes or cables from special materials or of particular form characterised by their outer shape or surface properties
  • D07B5/006—Making ropes or cables from special materials or of particular form characterised by their outer shape or surface properties by the properties of an outer surface polymeric coating
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D07—ROPES; CABLES OTHER THAN ELECTRIC
  • D07B—ROPES OR CABLES IN GENERAL
  • D07B1/00—Constructional features of ropes or cables
  • D07B1/16—Ropes or cables with an enveloping sheathing or inlays of rubber or plastics
  • D07B1/162—Ropes or cables with an enveloping sheathing or inlays of rubber or plastics characterised by a plastic or rubber enveloping sheathing
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D07—ROPES; CABLES OTHER THAN ELECTRIC
  • D07B—ROPES OR CABLES IN GENERAL
  • D07B2201/00—Ropes or cables
  • D07B2201/20—Rope or cable components
  • D07B2201/2083—Jackets or coverings
  • D07B2201/2084—Jackets or coverings characterised by their shape
  • D07B2201/2086—Jackets or coverings characterised by their shape concerning the external shape

Definitions

• This invention relates in general to a sports racquet string and more specifically involves a string configuration that imparts more spin on the ball and to a method of manufacturing such an improved string.
• strings are made typically from natural gut (animal fiber) or from synthetic material, such as nylon. Conventionally, strings are constructed by twisting many fine filaments of these materials together, with or without a center filament, into a round core strand and then by passing the core strand through a round die to apply an outer layer coating.
• a string exhibit small damping, that is low energy loss and high resilience, and good elasticity, that is a low modulus of elasticity. These elements contribute to the playability of the string. It is also desirable that the string be sufficiently durable.
• the diameter of the string is very important as it affects the durability and playability of the string.
• thin strings have superior playability.
• Thin strings exhibit high resilience and good elasticity, and they maintain longer contact with the ball for greater control.
• thin strings may stretch and are more easily broken.
• thick strings are stronger and more durable but lack the playability of thin strings.
• An additional important characteristic of a string is its ability to impart spin on the ball.
• a player standing behind the baseline would have to have a height of about six foot seven to see any of the opponent's court without looking thru the net. This means that most hard-hit balls passing over the net and not having forward spin will land out of bounds over the opponent's baseline.
• Ball spin affects the ball's flight characteristics. When a ball leaves the racquet string bed spinning forward, i.e. rotating forward on top, it's flight path will tend to curve downward, and it will land earlier and bounce lower. With good top spin, a player can hit a given ball much harder and still have the ball land in. When a ball leaves the racquet string bed spinning backward, i.e. rotating forward on bottom, its flight path is flatter; it will tend to land further and bounce higher. Thus, if the player can control spin, the player can control to some degree the trajectory of the ball to advantage.
• string characteristics largely determine the amount of spin that can be imparted on the ball.
• the amount of string elongation and resilience determines the amount of time the strings are in contact with the ball. Generally, the thinner the string, the greater the contact time.
• the ball impacts on the racquet face the ball remains in contact with the string bed for about three to five thousandths of a second. During this time, the player is able to impose more control over the direction of ball return and is able to impart spin to the ball to control its flight characteristics.
• Synthetic fiber strings are excessively smooth in their outer surface and tend to slip over the ball. Many measures have been taken to enhance friction including: roughening the outer surface of the string such as by grinding with abrasives, surface coating the string with frictional or rubbery substances, twisting or braiding fiber multifiliments, and winding of silk yarns around the string core.
• Synthetic strings treated in the above-described manners tend to have poor dimensional stability and are reduced in strength and elasticity resulting in tension loss during play. Further, some are inferior in durability because they exhibit surface aberrations, wearing ⁇ or breakages due to degredation of the resins, and abrasion, peeling or denaturing of the treating substances. Moreover, since the above-men ioned treatments constitute additional steps in manufacture, there is an increase in production costs.
• Traditional round str ings may have a thin, evenly d is t ri b u t ed coating around the core to provide protection to the core strands which provide the tensile strength and playability of the string.
• a string for a sports racquet such as a tennis racquet string
• a core having a plurality of ridges thereon for aiding in imparting spin on a ball.
• the ridges are parallel to one another and extend axially with the string.
• the inner core has a diameter of 1.00 - 1.30 millimeters.
• the ridges are of approximately 0.25 millimeters in height.
• the ridges can be circumscribed by a circle of 1.70 millimeters.
• the process for making the ridged string includes passing a string core through a bath of resin, such as nylon, for coating and glueing the core and then through a die shaped so as to form the ridges.
• a bath of resin such as nylon
• the size, spacing, and number of the ridges increase contact area between strings at the cross-over points and add to the stability to prevent string rotation and movement relative to one another.
• Figure 1 is a perspective view of a segment of a prefered embodiment of the ridged racquet string of the invention.
• Figure 2 is a slightly enlarged cross-sectional view of the string of Figure 1 shown passing over a similar string, such as while strung on a racquet.
• Figure 3 is a perspective view of a segment of an alternate exemplary embodiment of the ridged racquet string of the invention.
• Figure 4 is a slightly enlarged cross-sectional view of the ridged string of Figure 3 shown passing over a similar string, such as while strung on a racquet.
• Figure 5 is a view of the extrusion step in the manufacture of the ridged string of the invention.
• Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of an alternate pre f erre d em b odiment of the ridged racquet string of the invention; this one having four triangular ridges.
• Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of another alternate exemplary embodiment of the ridged racquet string of the invention; this one having three triangular ridges.
• Ridged string 10 includes a core, denoted generally as 20, and a plurality of ridges 40 bonded to the core 20. Ridges 40 run axially with length of the string and are parallel to one another.
• FIG 2 the ridged string 10 of Figure 1 is shown in cross-section with the addition of showing the string 10 as it crosses over a similar string 10a such as it would in a strung racquet.
• the cross-over point of Figure 2 is simplified in that it does not show the true intermeshing of the strings 10,10a and their ridges 40,40a in the strung condition.
• the string cores and ridges indent one another and the string cores and ridges protrude into the concavities between the ridges and core of the cross-over string. This intermeshing prevents rotation of the strings relative to one another.
• the string core 20 is made of construction well-known in the art.
• Core 20 is of synthetic material and is of composite construction comprising an inner core 24 and and an outer core 28.
• An inner core can be a thick extruded monof ilament or be of the "fiber” type.
• Inner core 24, shown, is of the "fiber” type and comprises a multiplicity of of small diameter monofilament fibers or strands which are twisted and glued together to form the inner core structure.
• the small monofilament fibers need not be continuous as the friction of the package prevents slippage.
• a fiber inner core typically contains five hundred to three thousand fibers.
• Inner core 24 is helically wrapped by a layer of larger strands 29 which form an outer core 28. If the outer core is formed by two or more layers of large strands, then adjacent layers are helically wound in opposite directions.
• the string core 20 is processed by passing it through a bath and die apparatus, denoted generally as 70.
• String core 20 is immersed in a bath 72 of suitable molten ridge forming material, such as nylon 71, and, upon exiting the bath 72 is passed thru a die 74 which leaves the desired nylon ridges 40 remaining.
• the nylon also acts as a glue, fills voids in the core, and forms a thin coating over the core.
• String 10 is than cooled, such as by water at 20 degrees C.
• the resulting string can be further processed, such as for moisture control or thermosetting, as desired.
• the results of the bath and die processing can be seen in cross-section.
• Nylon 71 from bath 72 acts as a glue and coating for the core 20.
• Extrusion die 74 has left ridges 40 bonded to the outside of the core and extending parallel axially with the string. In the exemplary embodiment of Figure 2, five evenly spaced ridges are shown. Ridges 40 are arc-shaped and project radially outward from core 20. Ridges 40 impart more spin on a struck ball.
• ridges 40 may be circumscribed by a maximum diameter circle 90, shown in dashed line.
• Figure 2 is an enlarged view of a sting having a core 20 of 1.20 millimeters and a maximum diameter circle of 1.45 millimeters.
• the largest maximum diameter circle is 1.70 millimeters.
• the height, shape, and spacing of ridges 40 are important. Unless the maximum diameter circle 90 has a diameter 0.15 millimeters greater than the core, so that the ridges are at least 0.075 millimeters in height, the ridges are too small to be effective. Ridge heights of about 0.25 millimeters have been found to produce good results. A core diameter of 1.00 - 1.30 millimeters with a maximum diameter circle of 1.35 - 1.70 millimeters has been found to impart superior spin without detracting from the other aspects of playability and therefore seems preferable.
• the ridge radius is the outer arc of the ridge 40.
• a ridge radius R of the difference between the radius of the maximum diameter circle 90 and the radius of the core 20 has been found to provide a desirable combination of good playing characteristics and ridge longevity. If the ridges 40 are too pointed on the outer end or too narrow in width, they are quickly worn down or damaged by play and they loose their effectiveness. A large ridge radius is not as effective at spin enhancement and the added thickness of coating makes the string stiffer and less playable. Too large a ridge height makes the string difficult to string on a racquet and also adds to the string stiffness.
• the glue coating over outer core 28 is of just sufficient thickness to prevent abrasion of the core structure during play and increase the contact area of the cross-over point, and therefore between ridges the outside of the coated string assumes the arc of the string core.
• the area where the ridges join the inner core coating is faired to add strength and prevent breakage of the ridges.
• ridged string 10 is shown crossing over itself or another similar ridged string 10a having ridge 40a as strung on a racquet.
• the string contact ridges 42 increase the contact with the cross string 10a.
• the larger contact area reduces the extent to which the strings will indent one another at the crossover point. The indenting tends to weaken the strings and lowers elasticity.
• the larger contact area with the five ridge configuration lessens the sewing effect.
• crossover points are the highest points on the face of the racquet and exert the greatest forces on the ball.
• the five ridge configuration at string cross ⁇ overs the strings assume the position shown in Figure 2. This is a very stable position and is thought to prevent string 10 from rotating when it encounters the ball. Imparting spin to the ball applies rotational forces to the string. The better the string resists these rotational forces the greater should be the spin on the ball.
• outermost ridge 41 and both of the adjacent ridges are in good position to impart spin on a ball.
• strings have been shown in cross-section at a string cross-over point and ridges have been designated as “outermost ridges” and “ball contact ridges” or as “string contact ridges”; it should be clear that a given ridge may change from one to the other at adjacent cross-over points and , in fact, this seems desirable as the string does not thereby need to rotate.
• Figures 3 and 4 there is illustrated an alternate exemplary embodiment of ridged racquet string, denoted generally as 10', of the invention; this one having six ridges.
• Figure 3 is a perspective view of a segment of a six ridged string.
• Figure 4 is a slightly enlarged cross-sectional view of the six ridged string 10' of Figure 3 shown passing over a similar string 10a', such as while strung on a racquet.
• the six ridged string 10' includes a core, denoted generally as 20', and a plurality of ridges 40' bonded to the core 20'. Ridges 40' are preferably evenly spaced, run axially with length of the string and are parallel to one another. Six ridged string 10' is produced the same as the five ridged string except by use of a different die.
• the six ridged string 10' of Figure 3 is shown in cross-section with the addition of showing the string 10' as it crosses over a similar string 10'a such a ⁇ it would in a strung racquet.
• the string core 20' is made • also of construction well-known in the art.
• Core 20' is comprised of a multiplicity of continuous large monof ilament ⁇ 30 which are twi ⁇ ted and glued together to form the core 20'. There i ⁇ no inner or outer core a ⁇ in the exemplary five ridged ⁇ tring 10.
• Figure 4 illustrates a core diameter of 1.30 millimeters and a maximum diameter circle 90' of 1.45 millimeters.
• ridges 40' are tooth-like in cross-section and project radially outward from core 20'.
• toothed ridges 40' are about twice a ⁇ wide as they are high for prevention of wear and breakage.
• Six ridged string 10' also produces a large cross ⁇ over contact area which reduced indentation and sewing.
• the two contact ridges 42' also help the string to resist rotation upon ball impact and upon imparting spin.
• the string cores and ridges indent one another and the ⁇ tring cores and ridges protrude into the concavities between the ridges and core of the cross-over string. This interme ⁇ hing prevent ⁇ rotation of the ⁇ trings relative to one another.
• Figure 6 illustrates another prefered embodiment of the invention.
• Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a racquet string 10" having four spaced ridges 40".
• Core 20 is of conventional nature, such a ⁇ illustrated and described heretofore with regard to Figures 1 - 4.
• Figure 6, illustrates a core diameter i ⁇ 1.20 millimeters, and a maximum diameter circle of 1.70.
• ridges 40" are 0.25 millimeters in height.
• Ridges 40", as illustrated are triangular in shape with an apex angle of sixty degrees. Preferably, the apex angle i ⁇ les ⁇ than ninety degrees.
• two of the ridges 40 are ⁇ tring contact ridge ⁇ that will contact the cross-over string.
• String contact ridges 42" interlock with the cross-over string string contact ridges and prevent the string 10" from rotation upon ball contact.
• the intermeshing of the ridges of the cross-over ⁇ tring ⁇ at the cro ⁇ s-over point is thought to reduce relative string movement.
• the intermeshing of string contact ridges 42" prevent the string from rotation upon ball contact such that the ball contact ridge ⁇ 44" remain in position to impart maximum rotational force on the ball.
• the lack of rotation greatly reduces wear of the ⁇ trings at the cros ⁇ -over point.
• ball contact r i dge ⁇ 44 " are in par ti cula rly good po ⁇ i tion to impart spin on a ball com i ng f r om ei ther di recti on relative to the st ring. That i ⁇ a ball upon whi ch spin i ⁇ impo ⁇ ed w ill encounte r one of the contact r idge s f i rst and w i th much greater f or ce than the other ridge whi ch i ⁇ only incidentally contacted.
• Figure 7 illustrates yet another exemplary embodiment of the ridged racquet string of the invention.
• Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view similar to Figure 6 with a change in diameters and in number of ridges.
• the ⁇ tring 10'" of Figure 6 ha ⁇ an inner core 20 of 1.00 millimeters and three ridges 40"' , each of height 0.275 millimeters, such that the string may be circumscribed by maximum diameter circle 90"' of 1.55 millimeters.
• String contact ridges 42'" interlock with the string contact ridge ⁇ of the cross-over string to prevent rotation.
• Ball contact ridge 44"' imparts spin on a ball approaching from either direction.
• the string 10" with four ridges appears to be particularly suited for several reasons.
• the three ridged string needs to be rotated between cros ⁇ -over points.
• the ridged racquet string of the present invention will impart much more spin on the ball than conventional round or polygonal strings without noticeable loss of other desirable playability characteristic ⁇ .
• the exemplary embodiments illustrate a fiber inner core 24 with an outer core 28 of multiple large monof ilament ⁇ 29 helically wrapped around it, and core 20' of a multiplicity of large monof ilament ⁇ , a ⁇ will be seen, the invention is applicable other core structures, such as an core of a single large monofilament surrounded by a wrapping.
• string core alone without further limitation applies to the ⁇ tring ⁇ tructure being in ⁇ erted into the re ⁇ in bath and die apparatu ⁇ 70 and includes "core-les ⁇ ” string such a ⁇ ⁇ tring formed by twi ⁇ ting together large monof ilament ⁇ , or having a synthetic "fiber” core only with no outer core.
• the invention i ⁇ al ⁇ o adaptable for u ⁇ e with natural fibers, such as gut, forming the ⁇ tring core.
• strings have been shown in cross-section at a string cros ⁇ -over point and ridges have been designated a ⁇ "ball contact ridge ⁇ ” or a ⁇ “string contact ridges”; it is reiterated that a given ridge may change from one to the other at adjacent cros ⁇ - over points and , in fact, thi ⁇ seems desirable as the string does not thereby need to rotate.

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• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
• Yarns And Mechanical Finishing Of Yarns Or Ropes (AREA)
• Polysaccharides And Polysaccharide Derivatives (AREA)

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ID=23868695

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• 1990
  • 1990-03-30 AU AU55681/90A patent/AU634937B2/en not_active Ceased
  • 1990-03-30 WO PCT/US1990/001698 patent/WO1991011549A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 1990-03-30 CA CA002049307A patent/CA2049307A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 1990-03-30 EP EP19900907941 patent/EP0465605A4/en not_active Withdrawn

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