EP3922327A1 - Schläger - Google Patents

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Publication number
EP3922327A1
EP3922327A1 EP21169453.4A EP21169453A EP3922327A1 EP 3922327 A1 EP3922327 A1 EP 3922327A1 EP 21169453 A EP21169453 A EP 21169453A EP 3922327 A1 EP3922327 A1 EP 3922327A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
vibration damper
racket
head
equal
fiber reinforced
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.)
Pending
Application number
EP21169453.4A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Fumiya SUZUKI
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd
Original Assignee
Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd filed Critical Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd
Publication of EP3922327A1 publication Critical patent/EP3922327A1/de
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • 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
    • A63B60/54—Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like with means for damping vibrations
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B49/00—Stringed rackets, e.g. for tennis
    • A63B49/02—Frames
    • A63B49/03—Frames characterised by throat sections, i.e. sections or elements between the head and the shaft
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B49/00—Stringed rackets, e.g. for tennis
    • A63B49/02—Frames
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B49/00—Stringed rackets, e.g. for tennis
    • A63B49/02—Frames
    • A63B49/10—Frames made of non-metallic materials, other than wood
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2209/00—Characteristics of used materials
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2209/00—Characteristics of used materials
    • A63B2209/02—Characteristics of used materials with reinforcing fibres, e.g. carbon, polyamide fibres
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2209/00—Characteristics of used materials
    • A63B2209/02—Characteristics of used materials with reinforcing fibres, e.g. carbon, polyamide fibres
    • A63B2209/023—Long, oriented fibres, e.g. wound filaments, woven fabrics, mats
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B49/00—Stringed rackets, e.g. for tennis
    • A63B49/02—Frames
    • A63B49/022—String guides on frames, e.g. grommets

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to rackets for use in, for example, tennis.
  • Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application Publication No. 2002-045444 discloses a racket frame including a fiber reinforced layer and a vibration absorber.
  • the vibration absorber is inserted in the fiber reinforced layer.
  • the vibration absorber can suppress the vibration that propagates to the player.
  • the vibration absorber disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application Publication No. 2002-045444 has insufficient adhesion to the fiber reinforced layer. Such a vibration absorber impairs the stiffness of the frame. A racket that is inferior in stiffness is also inferior in rebound performance.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide a racket that is not only capable of suppressing the vibration that propagates to the player, but also has excellent stiffness.
  • a racket according to the present invention includes a frame.
  • the frame includes a fiber reinforced layer and a vibration damper joined to the fiber reinforced layer.
  • the fiber reinforced layer includes a reinforcement fiber and a matrix whose base material is an epoxy resin.
  • a material of the vibration damper is a polymer composition whose base material is a styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymer or an acrylic elastomer.
  • the vibration damper damps vibration that occurs at the frame. Therefore, vibration that propagates to a player using the racket can be suppressed. This allows the player to have an excellent feel at impact.
  • the vibration damper is excellent in adhesion to the epoxy resin of the fiber reinforced layer. Therefore, the vibration damper does not significantly impair the stiffness of the racket.
  • the racket not only provides an excellent feel at impact, but also has excellent stiffness.
  • the frame may include a head, two throats, and a shaft.
  • each throat includes the vibration damper.
  • a thickness of the vibration damper is greater than or equal to 0.10 mm but less than or equal to 1.00 mm.
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 show a tennis racket 2.
  • the tennis racket 2 includes a frame 4, a grip 6, an end cap 8, a grommet 10, and a string 12.
  • the tennis racket 2 can be used in regulation-ball tennis.
  • an arrow X represents the width direction of the tennis racket 2
  • an arrow Y represents the axial direction of the tennis racket 2.
  • the frame 4 includes a head 14, two throats 16, and a shaft 18.
  • the head 14 forms the contour of a face 20 (the face 20 will be described below in detail).
  • the front shape of the head 14 is substantially an ellipse.
  • the major axis direction of the ellipse coincides with the axial direction Y of the tennis racket 2.
  • the minor axis direction of the ellipse coincides with the width direction X of the tennis racket 2.
  • One end of each throat 16 is continuous with the head 14.
  • the throats 16 extend from the head 14 to the shaft 18.
  • the shaft 18 extends from the location where the two throats 16 merge together.
  • the shaft 18 is formed so as to be continuous with, and integrated with, the throats 16.
  • a portion of the head 14, the portion being positioned between the two throats 16, is a yoke 22.
  • the frame 4 is hollow.
  • the main material of the frame 4 is a fiber reinforced resin.
  • the matrix resin of the fiber reinforced resin is a thermosetting resin.
  • the thermosetting resin is typically an epoxy resin.
  • the fibers of the fiber reinforced resin are typically carbon fibers.
  • the fibers are long filament fibers.
  • the head 14 includes a grommet groove 24.
  • the grommet groove 24 is recessed from the outer peripheral surface of the head 14.
  • the grommet groove 24 is formed over substantially the entire periphery of the head 14, except the yoke 22.
  • the head 14 further includes a plurality of holes 26. Each hole 26 extends through the head 14. The plurality of holes 26 are arranged over substantially the entire periphery of the head 14.
  • the grip 6 is formed by a tape wound around the shaft 18.
  • the grip 6 suppresses a slip between a hand of a player and the tennis racket 2 when the tennis racket 2 is swung.
  • the end cap 8 is attached to the end of the grip 6.
  • the grommet 10 includes a base 28 and a plurality of pipes 30.
  • the base 28 is belt-shaped.
  • Each pipe 30 is formed so as to be integrated with the base 28.
  • the pipe 30 rises from the base 28.
  • Atypical material of the grommet 10 is a synthetic resin that is softer than the frame 4.
  • the tennis racket 2 may include a plurality of grommets 10. Each grommet 10 may be spaced apart from its adjacent grommet(s) 10. The number of pipes 30 of each grommet 10 may be one.
  • the grommet 10 is attached to the head 14.
  • the base 28 In a state where the grommet 10 is attached to the head 14, the base 28 is accommodated in the grommet groove 24.
  • the base 28 may partly protrude from the grommet groove 24.
  • the pipes 30 extend through the respective holes 26.
  • the string 12 is stretched on the head 14.
  • the string 12 is stretched along the width direction X and the axial direction Y.
  • the string 12 forms a large number of threads.
  • portions extending along the width direction X are referred to as transverse threads 32a.
  • portions extending along the axial direction Y are referred to as longitudinal threads 32b.
  • the face 20 is formed by a plurality of transverse threads 32a and a plurality of longitudinal threads 32b.
  • the face 20 generally extends along an X-Y plane.
  • the face 20 may be formed by two or more strings 12.
  • FIG. 3 is an enlarged front view of a part of the tennis racket 2 of FIG. 1 .
  • FIG. 3 shows the frame 4 in the vicinity of the throats 16.
  • FIG. 3 shows a pair of left and right throats 16.
  • FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3 .
  • FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line V-V in FIG. 4.
  • FIG. 4 shows the right-side throat 16.
  • the left-side throat 16 has a shape that is left-right reversed from the shape shown in FIG. 4 .
  • FIG. 5 shows the right-side throat 16.
  • the left-side throat 16 has a shape that is left-right reversed from the shape shown in FIG. 5 .
  • FIGS. 4 and 5 show a fiber reinforced layer 34 and a vibration damper 36.
  • the fiber reinforced layer 34 includes a plurality of reinforcement fibers and a matrix.
  • the reinforcement fibers are typically carbon fibers.
  • the material of the matrix is a resin composition whose base material is an epoxy resin.
  • the vibration damper 36 is laminar.
  • the vibration damper 36 is surrounded by the fiber reinforced layer 34.
  • the vibration damper 36 is disposed in the outer side of the throat 16 in the width direction (the right side in FIG. 4 ), i.e., disposed unevenly in the throat 16.
  • the vibration damper 36 may be unevenly disposed in the inner side of the throat 16 in the width direction (the left side in FIG. 4 ).
  • the vibration damper 36 is formed of a polymer composition.
  • the polymer composition contains a base polymer.
  • the polymer composition may contain additive agents as necessary.
  • the base polymer of the vibration damper 36 is typically a styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymer.
  • the styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymer contains a polystyrene block as a hard segment and a polyisoprene block as a soft segment.
  • One example of a sheet molded from the styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymer is "KRAIBON" (trade name) available from Kunststoffwerk KRAIBURG GmbH & Co. KG.
  • the vibration damper 36 whose base material is the styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymer has excellent damping performance.
  • the frame 4 vibrates.
  • the vibration damper 36 gradually decreases the amplitude of the vibration.
  • the amplitude of the vibration that propagates to the player is small. Therefore, the player feels less discomfort when hitting the ball with the tennis racket 2.
  • the tennis racket 2 provides an excellent feel at impact.
  • the vibration damper 36 is present in each throat 16. When the player hits a ball with the face 20, vibration is generated at the head 14, and the vibration is damped by the throat 16. Then, the damped vibration propagates to the player.
  • the vibration damper 36 Since the styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymer has excellent vibration damping performance, even though the vibration damper 36 is thin, the vibration damper 36 can contribute to the feel at impact. The thin vibration damper 36 does not significantly impair the stiffness of the frame 4.
  • the styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymer is excellent in adhesion to epoxy resins. Therefore, the vibration damper 36 can be firmly joined to the fiber reinforced layer 34.
  • the firm joining can contribute to the stiffness of the frame 4.
  • the tennis racket 2 having excellent stiffness has excellent rebound performance. The player can hit a fast shot by using the tennis racket 2.
  • the firm joining can also contribute to the durability of the tennis racket 2.
  • the acrylic elastomer contains an acrylic resin block as a hard segment and a soft segment.
  • PIEZON trade name
  • the vibration damper 36 whose base material is the acrylic elastomer has excellent damping performance.
  • the frame 4 vibrates.
  • the vibration damper 36 gradually decreases the amplitude of the vibration.
  • the amplitude of the vibration that propagates to the player is small. Therefore, the player feels less discomfort when hitting the ball with the tennis racket 2.
  • the tennis racket 2 provides an excellent feel at impact.
  • the vibration damper 36 Since the acrylic elastomer has excellent vibration damping performance, even though the vibration damper 36 is thin, the vibration damper 36 can contribute to the feel at impact. The thin vibration damper 36 does not significantly impair the stiffness of the frame 4.
  • the acrylic elastomer is excellent in adhesion to epoxy resins. Therefore, the vibration damper 36 can be firmly joined to the fiber reinforced layer 34.
  • the firm joining can contribute to the stiffness of the frame 4.
  • the tennis racket 2 having excellent stiffness has excellent rebound performance. The player can hit a fast shot by using the tennis racket 2.
  • the firm joining can also contribute to the durability of the tennis racket 2.
  • FIG. 6 is a further enlarged sectional view of the tennis racket 2 of FIG. 5 .
  • FIG. 6 shows the throat 16.
  • an arrow Ti indicates the thickness of the vibration damper 36.
  • the thickness Ti is greater than or equal to 0.10 mm but less than or equal to 1.00 mm.
  • An excellent feel at impact can be achieved by the vibration damper 36 having the thickness Ti of greater than or equal to 0.10 mm.
  • the thickness Ti is more preferably greater than or equal to 0.20 mm, and particularly preferably greater than or equal to 0.30 mm.
  • the vibration damper 36 having the thickness Ti of less than or equal to 1.00 mm does not significantly impair the stiffness of the frame 4.
  • the thickness Ti is more preferably less than or equal to 0.80 mm, and particularly preferably less than or equal to 0.60 mm.
  • an arrow Le indicates the length of the vibration damper 36.
  • the length Le is preferably greater than or equal to 30 mm, more preferably greater than or equal to 50 mm, and particularly preferably greater than or equal to 60 mm.
  • the total of the lengths Le of all the vibration dampers 36 in the tennis racket 2 is preferably greater than or equal to 50 mm, more preferably greater than or equal to 80 mm, and particularly preferably greater than or equal to 100 mm.
  • the Shore A hardness of the vibration damper 36 is higher than or equal to 40 but lower than or equal to 95.
  • the vibration damper 36 having the Shore A hardness of higher than or equal to 40 does not significantly impair the stiffness of the frame 4.
  • the Shore A hardness of the vibration damper 36 is more preferably higher than or equal to 45, and particularly preferably higher than or equal to 50.
  • An excellent feel at impact can be achieved by the vibration damper 36 having the Shore A hardness of lower than or equal to 95.
  • the Shore A hardness of the vibration damper 36 is more preferably lower than or equal to 90, and particularly preferably lower than or equal to 87.
  • the Shore A hardness of the vibration damper 36 is measured by using a test piece that contains the same material as that of the vibration damper 36. The measurement is performed in compliance with the "JIS K 6253-3" standards.
  • the elongation rate at break (hereinafter, simply referred to as "elongation rate”) of the vibration damper 36 is higher than or equal to 200%.
  • An excellent feel at impact can be achieved by the vibration damper 36 having the elongation rate of higher than or equal to 200%.
  • the elongation rate is more preferably higher than or equal to 240%, and particularly preferably higher than or equal to 260%.
  • the elongation rate is measured by a tensile test. The tensile test is performed in compliance with the "JIS K 6251" standards.
  • FIG. 7 shows a mandrel, a tube, a plurality of prepregs 38, and two films.
  • Each prepreg 38 is made from a plurality of reinforcement fibers arranged in parallel and a matrix resin.
  • the mandrel is inserted into the tube.
  • the prepregs 38 are sequentially wound around the tube.
  • the prepregs 38 have a tubular shape.
  • FIG. 7 shows a tubular prepreg 38a and a sheet-shaped prepreg 38b.
  • Two films 40 are placed on the sheet-shaped prepreg 38b.
  • the illustration of the mandrel and the tube is omitted.
  • the prepreg 38b By rotating the mandrel, the prepreg 38b is wound around the prepreg 38a. As a result of the winding, the prepreg 38b has a tubular shape. Each film 40 is sandwiched between the prepreg 38a and the prepreg 38b. Another prepreg 38 or prepregs 38 is/are wound around the prepreg 38b as necessary.
  • the tube and the prepregs 38 are set in a mold.
  • gas is injected into the tube, thereby inflating the tube.
  • the prepregs 38 are pressed against the cavity surface of the mold by the inflation.
  • the prepregs 38 are heated to cure the matrix resin.
  • a molded article is obtained by the curing.
  • the molded article has a reverse shape of that of the cavity surface.
  • the holes 26 are drilled in the molded article.
  • the molded article is further subjected to treatments such as surface polishing and painting, and thereby the frame 4 is obtained.
  • Components such as the grip 6 and the grommet 10 are attached to the frame 4. Further, the string 12 is stretched on the frame 4, and thus the manufacturing of the tennis racket 2 is completed.
  • the vibration damper 36 of the left-side throat 16 is formed by one film 40.
  • the vibration damper 36 of the right-side throat 16 is formed by the other film 40.
  • FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a part of a tennis racket according to another embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 8 shows a cross section of a right-side throat 42.
  • the cross-sectional shape of the left-side throat 42 and the cross-sectional shape of the right-side throat 42 are symmetrical with each other.
  • the configuration of each part of the tennis racket, except the throats, is the same as that of the tennis racket 2 shown in FIG. 1 .
  • the tennis racket includes a fiber reinforced layer 44, a first vibration damper 46, and a second vibration damper 48.
  • the fiber reinforced layer 44 includes a plurality of reinforcement fibers and a matrix.
  • the reinforcement fibers are typically carbon fibers.
  • the material of the matrix is a resin composition whose base material is an epoxy resin.
  • the first vibration damper 46 is surrounded by the fiber reinforced layer 44.
  • the second vibration damper 48 is surrounded by the fiber reinforced layer 44.
  • the fiber reinforced layer 44 is present between the first vibration damper 46 and the second vibration damper 48.
  • the second vibration damper 48 is spaced apart from the first vibration damper 46.
  • the material, thickness, and physical properties of the first vibration damper 46 are the same as those of the vibration damper 36 shown in FIG. 4 .
  • the first vibration damper 46 is firmly joined to the fiber reinforced layer 44.
  • the material, thickness, and physical properties of the second vibration damper 48 are the same as those of the vibration damper 36 shown in FIG. 4 .
  • the second vibration damper 48 is firmly joined to the fiber reinforced layer 44.
  • the tennis racket When a player hits a ball with the tennis racket, the frame vibrates.
  • the first vibration damper 46 and the second vibration damper 48 gradually decrease the amplitude of the vibration.
  • the amplitude of the vibration that propagates to the player is small. Therefore, the player feels less discomfort when hitting the ball with the tennis racket.
  • the tennis racket provides an excellent feel at impact.
  • FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a part of a tennis racket according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 9 shows a cross section of a right-side throat 50.
  • the cross-sectional shape of the left-side throat 50 and the cross-sectional shape of the right-side throat 50 are symmetrical with each other.
  • the configuration of each part of the tennis racket, except the throats, is the same as that of the tennis racket 2 shown in FIG. 1 .
  • the tennis racket includes a fiber reinforced layer 52, a first vibration damper 54, and a second vibration damper 56.
  • the fiber reinforced layer 52 includes a plurality of reinforcement fibers and a matrix.
  • the reinforcement fibers are typically carbon fibers.
  • the material of the matrix is a resin composition whose base material is an epoxy resin.
  • the first vibration damper 54 is surrounded by the fiber reinforced layer 52. The position of the first vibration damper 54 is shifted from the center of the throat 50 toward the outer side in the width direction (the right side in FIG. 9 ).
  • the second vibration damper 56 is surrounded by the fiber reinforced layer 52. The position of the second vibration damper 56 is shifted from the center of the throat 50 toward the inner side in the width direction (the left side in FIG. 9 ).
  • the material, thickness, and physical properties of the first vibration damper 54 are the same as those of the vibration damper 36 shown in FIG. 4 .
  • the first vibration damper 54 is firmly joined to the fiber reinforced layer 52.
  • the material, thickness, and physical properties of the second vibration damper 56 are the same as those of the vibration damper 36 shown in FIG. 4 .
  • the second vibration damper 56 is firmly joined to the fiber reinforced layer 52.
  • the frame vibrates.
  • the first vibration damper 54 and the second vibration damper 56 gradually decrease the amplitude of the vibration.
  • the amplitude of the vibration that propagates to the player is small. Therefore, the player feels less discomfort when hitting the ball with the tennis racket.
  • the tennis racket provides an excellent feel at impact.
  • FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a part of a tennis racket according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 10 shows a cross section of a right-side throat 58.
  • the cross-sectional shape of the left-side throat 58 and the cross-sectional shape of the right-side throat 58 are symmetrical with each other.
  • the configuration of each part of the tennis racket, except the throats, is the same as that of the tennis racket 2 shown in FIG. 1 .
  • the tennis racket includes a fiber reinforced layer 60 and a vibration damper 62.
  • the fiber reinforced layer 60 includes a plurality of reinforcement fibers and a matrix.
  • the reinforcement fibers are typically carbon fibers.
  • the material of the matrix is a resin composition whose base material is an epoxy resin.
  • the vibration damper 62 forms a loop.
  • the vibration damper 62 is surrounded by the fiber reinforced layer 60.
  • the material, thickness, and physical properties of the vibration damper 62 are the same as those of the vibration damper 36 shown in FIG. 4 .
  • the vibration damper 62 is firmly joined to the fiber reinforced layer 60.
  • the vibration damper 62 gradually decreases the amplitude of the vibration.
  • the amplitude of the vibration that propagates to the player is small. Therefore, the player feels less discomfort when hitting the ball with the tennis racket.
  • the tennis racket provides an excellent feel at impact.
  • FIG. 11 is a sectional view of a part of a tennis racket according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 11 shows a cross section of a right-side throat 64.
  • the cross-sectional shape of the left-side throat 64 and the cross-sectional shape of the right-side throat 64 are symmetrical with each other.
  • the configuration of each part of the tennis racket, except the throats, is the same as that of the tennis racket 2 shown in FIG. 1 .
  • the tennis racket includes a fiber reinforced layer 66 and a vibration damper 68.
  • the fiber reinforced layer 66 includes a plurality of reinforcement fibers and a matrix.
  • the reinforcement fibers are typically carbon fibers.
  • the material of the matrix is a resin composition whose base material is an epoxy resin.
  • the vibration damper 68 is laminated on the inner surface of the fiber reinforced layer 66.
  • the material, thickness, and physical properties of the vibration damper 68 are the same as those of the vibration damper 36 shown in FIG. 4 .
  • the vibration damper 68 is firmly joined to the fiber reinforced layer 66.
  • the vibration damper 68 gradually decreases the amplitude of the vibration.
  • the amplitude of the vibration that propagates to the player is small. Therefore, the player feels less discomfort when hitting the ball with the tennis racket.
  • the tennis racket provides an excellent feel at impact.
  • FIG. 12 is a front view of a tennis racket 70 according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.
  • a head 72 of the tennis racket 70 includes a vibration damper 74.
  • the vibration damper 74 is arranged over substantially the entire head 72, except a yoke 76.
  • Throats 78 of the tennis racket 70 include no vibration damper.
  • the head 72 include the vibration damper 74, but the throats 78 may each include a vibration damper.
  • FIG. 13 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line XIII-XIII in FIG. 12 .
  • the head 72 includes a fiber reinforced layer 80 and the vibration damper 74.
  • the fiber reinforced layer 80 includes a plurality of reinforcement fibers and a matrix.
  • the reinforcement fibers are typically carbon fibers.
  • the material of the matrix is a resin composition whose base material is an epoxy resin.
  • the vibration damper 74 is surrounded by the fiber reinforced layer 80.
  • the material, thickness, and physical properties of the vibration damper 74 are the same as those of the vibration damper 36 shown in FIG. 4 .
  • the vibration damper 74 is firmly joined to the fiber reinforced layer 80.
  • the vibration damper 74 gradually decreases the amplitude of the vibration.
  • the amplitude of the vibration that propagates to the player is small. Therefore, the player feels less discomfort when hitting the ball with the tennis racket 70.
  • the tennis racket 70 provides an excellent feel at impact.
  • FIG. 14 is a front view of a tennis racket 82 according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.
  • a head 84 of the tennis racket 82 includes a first vibration damper 86 and a second vibration damper 88.
  • the position of the first vibration damper 86 is shifted to the right from the center of the head 84.
  • the position of the second vibration damper 88 is shifted to the left from the center of the head 84.
  • the first vibration damper 86 and the second vibration damper 88 are symmetrical with each other.
  • the material, thickness, and physical properties of the first vibration damper 86 are the same as those of the vibration damper 36 shown in FIG. 4 .
  • the first vibration damper 86 is firmly joined to the fiber reinforced layer.
  • the material, thickness, and physical properties of the second vibration damper 88 are the same as those of the vibration damper 36 shown in FIG. 4 .
  • the second vibration damper 88 is firmly joined to the fiber reinforced layer.
  • the tennis racket 82 When a player hits a ball with the tennis racket 82, the frame vibrates. The first vibration damper 86 and the second vibration damper 88 gradually decrease the amplitude of the vibration. In the case of the tennis racket 82, the amplitude of the vibration that propagates to the player is small. Therefore, the player feels less discomfort when hitting the ball with the tennis racket 82.
  • the tennis racket 82 provides an excellent feel at impact.
  • the tennis racket shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 was obtained.
  • the racket includes a fiber reinforced layer and a vibration damper.
  • the fiber reinforced layer includes reinforcement fibers and a matrix whose base material is an epoxy resin.
  • As the vibration damper a commercially available sheet (the aforementioned "KRAIBON" (trade name)) was used.
  • the material of the vibration damper is a polymer composition whose base material is a styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymer.
  • the thickness of the vibration damper is 0.5 mm.
  • Example 2 A tennis racket of Example 2 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that a different commercially available sheet (trade name "PIEZON”) was used as the vibration damper.
  • the material of the vibration damper is a polymer composition whose base material is an acrylic elastomer.
  • a tennis racket of Comparative Example 1 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that a different commercially available sheet was used as the vibration damper.
  • the material of the vibration damper is a polymer composition whose base material is chlorinated polyethylene.
  • a tennis racket of Comparative Example 2 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the tennis racket of Comparative Example 2 includes no vibration damper.
  • Example 1 Comparative Example 1 Comparative Example 2 Material SIS AC PE - Position FIG. 3 FIG. 3 FIG. 3 - FIG. 4 FIG. 4 FIG. 4 - Rebound performance 8 6 4 8 Vibration absorption performance 8 8 8 3 Feel at impact 9 8 6 4 Control performance 8 8 7 5 Overall evaluation 9 7 6 5 SIS: Styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymer AC: Acrylic elastomer PE: Chlorinated polyethylene Table 2: Evaluation Results. Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 Example 7 Example 8 Material SIS SIS SIS SIS SIS SIS SIS SIS Position FIG. 8 FIG. 9 FIG. 10 FIG. 11 FIG. 12 FIG.
  • FIG. 14 Rebound performance 7 7 7 8 6 7 Vibration absorption performance 9 9 9 7 9 8 Feel at impact 9 9 9 8 9 9 Control performance 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 7 7 8 SIS: Styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymer AC: Acrylic elastomer PE: Chlorinated polyethylene
  • the racket according to the present invention can be used in various sports, such as soft tennis, squash, and badminton.
  • sports such as soft tennis, squash, and badminton.
EP21169453.4A 2020-06-11 2021-04-20 Schläger Pending EP3922327A1 (de)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
USD1023203S1 (en) * 2021-11-08 2024-04-16 Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. Tennis racket frame

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DE69025588T3 (de) 1989-08-28 2001-09-06 Toray Industries Sportgut und schockabsorbierendes material darin
JP2002045444A (ja) 2000-08-04 2002-02-12 Sumitomo Rubber Ind Ltd ラケットフレーム
GB2391819A (en) * 2002-07-10 2004-02-18 Sumitomo Rubber Ind Tennis racket with vibration-damping member
EP1570883B1 (de) 2004-03-03 2007-07-11 Head Technology GmbH Schläger für Ballspiele und Herstellungsverfahren
JP4363006B2 (ja) * 2002-07-22 2009-11-11 Ｓｒｉスポーツ株式会社 テニスラケット用ダイナミックダンパーおよびダイナミックダンパーが装着されたテニスラケット
JP4456244B2 (ja) * 2000-08-31 2010-04-28 Ｓｒｉスポーツ株式会社 テニスラケット
US20110039641A1 (en) * 2009-08-13 2011-02-17 Wilson Sporting Goods Co. Racquet having articulating grommet assemblies

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE69025588T3 (de) 1989-08-28 2001-09-06 Toray Industries Sportgut und schockabsorbierendes material darin
JP2002045444A (ja) 2000-08-04 2002-02-12 Sumitomo Rubber Ind Ltd ラケットフレーム
JP4456244B2 (ja) * 2000-08-31 2010-04-28 Ｓｒｉスポーツ株式会社 テニスラケット
GB2391819A (en) * 2002-07-10 2004-02-18 Sumitomo Rubber Ind Tennis racket with vibration-damping member
JP4363006B2 (ja) * 2002-07-22 2009-11-11 Ｓｒｉスポーツ株式会社 テニスラケット用ダイナミックダンパーおよびダイナミックダンパーが装着されたテニスラケット
EP1570883B1 (de) 2004-03-03 2007-07-11 Head Technology GmbH Schläger für Ballspiele und Herstellungsverfahren
US20110039641A1 (en) * 2009-08-13 2011-02-17 Wilson Sporting Goods Co. Racquet having articulating grommet assemblies

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Title
HARMS MICHAEL R., GOPAL H. S., LAI MING-LAI, CHENG PO-JEN: "Constrained layer damping of a tennis racket", SMART STRUCTURES AND MATERIALS 1996: PASSIVE DAMPING AND ISOLATION, SPIE, vol. 2720, 1 May 1996 (1996-05-01), pages 62 - 69, XP009537671, ISBN: 0-8194-2095-6, DOI: 10.1117/12.239112

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