FR2509618A1 - Tennis racquet with flexible handle - has handle thinned progressively towards end on both major faces - Google Patents

Abstract

The racquet for tennis or other games, has two faces of the part joining the frame to the handle thinned progressively to make it flexible. The thinning is symmetrical to the axis of the racket and is on half or three quarters of the handle, towards its end. The handle is covered by supple material on the thinned faces, so that its normal thickness and shape is retained. The handle can be made more flexible by a slot in its centre or by two grooves in the centre.

Description

 The present invention relates to a racket for tennis or other similar games whose component parts, except the sieve, have undergone a modification which gives a much greater suppleness or flexibility.

 Until now, the rackets were not flexible enough in the part going from the heart to the base of the handle, and this in the plane of the sieve. It has often been observed that rackets that are too stiff cause certain players to experience increased muscle fatigue, which can go as far as interrupting the practice of these sports for varying lengths of time. Snowshoes reducing bullet reception shocks are available; they include a damping element arranged between the handle and the handle but without providing additional flexibility and do not completely solve the problem of fatigue of the player.

 The object of the invention is to provide increased flexibility at the level of the body and more particularly at the level of the handle.

 This flexibility is obtained according to a first characteristic of the invention by a progressive thinning, symmetrically to the axis of the racket, in the plane of the sieve, of the two faces of the part connecting the sieve to the base of the grip handle. The thinning progress on both sides can either begin at the top of the grip handle, or on about three-quarters of the handle, to the base of this handle. This thinning can be done over a different length.

The maximum thinning found at the base of the handle. Optimum flexibility will be obtained by maximum thinning. This thinning will preferably be carried out according to straight planes, but may also be carried out according to non-rectilinear, convex or concave planes.

 According to a second characteristic, to reconstitute the thickness of the handle without harming the flexibility thus obtained, it will be fixed on each of the two thinned faces a material which will follow the bending movement of the assembly; this material may be either plastic, cork, rubber or other flexible materials.

 Sel has a third characteristic, to obtain an even increased flexibility, it can be practiced optionally, either a slot or either two more or less long grooves in the middle part on the fields of the element described above.

With reference to Figures 1 and 2 attached, the invention relates to rackets for tennis games or other similar games, characterized in that the two faces (1) have been at least partially thinned progressively symmetrically with respect to the axis of the racket, in the plane of the sieve, in the direction of the base of the grip handle, the base of the handle (2) on its field, is the thinnest part of the element. There is also provision for a flexible material (4) on the two thinned faces of the grip handle so as to reconstitute the thickness and the octagonal shape of the latter (see section
AA and BB fig. 2) and thus retain all the flexibility of the instrument.

 This racket is characterized in that the thinning is practiced either on the half of the handle (fig.l) representing the grip handle or is on the three quarters of the handle (fig.2) but this thinning can be practiced over a length different.

 This racket can optionally include, to further increase the flexibility, either a field slit (fig.l) (3 ') made in the middle part (section DD fig.l), or two grooves (fig.2) (3 ") in the middle part (section CC fig.2).

 The part of the handle located near the heart (5) is preferably unthinned.

 The invention is applicable to snowshoes made of wood, but also to those made of other materials such as: plastic, metal, fibers, etc.

Claims (5)

 1. Rackets for tennis or similar games characterized in that the two faces (1) of the element connecting the sieve to the base of the grip have been at least partially thinned progressively, symmetrically with respect to the axis of the racket in the plane of the sieve in the direction of the base of the grip handle, and also characterized by the addition of flexible material (4) on the two thinned faces of the grip handle so as to reconstitute the 'thickness and octagonal shape of the latter and thus retain all the flexibility of the instrument.  2. Racket according to claim 1 characterized in that the thinning is carried out on the half of the handle representing the grip (fig.l).  3. Racket according to claim 1 characterized in that the thinning is carried out on three-quarters of the handle (fig.2)  -4. Racket according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a slot (3 ') on its field made in the middle part.  5. Racket according to any one. claims 1, 2, 3, characterized in that it comprises two grooves (3 ") made in the middle part.