GB1586713A

GB1586713A - Racket covers

Info

Publication number: GB1586713A
Application number: GB37042/77A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Satherley R J
Current assignee: Satherley R J
Priority date: 1978-05-30
Filing date: 1978-05-30
Publication date: 1981-03-25

Description

(54) RACKET COVERS (71) 1, RICHARD . JOHN SATHERLEY, a British Subject, of 35 Pilgrims Lane, Hampstead, London NW3 1SS, do hereby declare the invention, for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- This invention relates to covers for strung rackets, and particularly to a cover which is adapted to accommodate, in addition to the racket head, at least one ball for use with the racket.

According to the invention there is provided a racket cover comprising two cover members which are hinged together so that the cover can be closed around the head of a racket with the cover members extending over the broad faces of the racket, means for securing the two cover members together in a closed position, and means on one or each cover member for locating within the cover when closed at least one ball for use with the racket.

A cover according to the invention is suitable for use with any type of strung racket, for example a racket used when playing- squash, tennis or badminton, and in this respect, the term "ball" is used in this specification to refer to the game element which is used in conjunction with the strung racket in the playing of the respective game. In other words, in the three games mentioned by way of example, the "ball" is respectively a squash ball, a tennis ball or a shuttlecock.

Conveniently the cover members are rigid, and are moulded from plastics material, such as polypropylene or ABS.

The advantage of moulding the cover in plastics material such as polypropylene is that it can be made in one integral moulding with the two cover members connected by an integral hinge. Otherwise, the hinge may take any other suitable form.

The means for securing the cover members together in a closed position may comprise a latch of suitable construction, for example a resilient snap latch, or alternatively may be constituted by means for exerting a compressive force on the cover members so as to urge them together when the cover is closed so that the cover then also serves as a racket press.

Conveniently, either one or both of the cover members is recessed to provide at least one shaped compartment for accommodating a ball for use with the racket. The location of the compartment or compartments is not critical, but, particularly where the cover is intended for use with a squash racket, two compartments may be positioned one on either side of a racket handle aperture in the cover so that when a squash racket is disposed within the cover, two squash balls can be located within the cover, one on either side of the handle of the racket where the handle protrudes from the cover.

For convenience in carrying the cover, at least one of the cover members may be provided with a handle portion.

Preferably the periphery of one of the cover members is provided with a flange for overlapping the periphery of the other of the cover members when the cover is closed.

Alignment means may be provided adjacent the hinge for inhibiting any tendency of the cover members to swivel with respect to each other prior to closure of the cover.

Preferably, said alignment means comprises a guide vane integral with one of the cover members and a corresponding slot on the other cover member within which the guide vane is engaged to align the cover members during closure of the covers.

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate one embodiment of the invention, by way of example, in which the cover is intended for use with a squash racket, and of which: Figure 1 is a plan view of the cover showing the outer surface of one of the cover members; Figure 2 is a sectional view of the cover of Figure 1, taken along the line II-II; Figure 3 is an underplan view of the cover of Figure 1, showing the outer surface of the other cover member; Figure 4 is an end view of a modified version of the cover of Figures 1 to 3, viewed in the direction of arrow IV in Figure 3; Figure 5 is a side sectional view similar to Figure 2 of a second embodiment of a squash racket cover according to the invention;; Figure 6 is a side sectional view similar to Figure 2 of a third embodiment of a squash racket cover according to the invention; and Figure 7 is a perspective view of a part of the cover of Figure 6, showing the construction of the latches.

It should be noted that like features in the various Figures of the drawings are indicated by like reference numerals.

Referring to Figures 1 to 4, there is illustrated a cover for a squash racket, comprising two plate-like cover members 1 and 2, which are hinged together at one side edge by a hinge 3. In this particular embodiment, the cover is formed as an integral moulding of polypropylene, the hinge 3 being integral with both members 1 and 2. It should be noted that other materials, e.g. other plastics materials such as ABS, may alternatively be used for the construction of the cover members 1 and 2, and if the plastics material is not suitable for the construction of an integral hinge, a more conventional hinge design is utilised.

The cover members 1 and 2 are arranged so that when closed, i.e. in the position shown in Figure 2, a space 4 is left between them within which can be accommodated the head of a squash racket. The periphery of each of the cover members opposite the hinge 3 is suitably recessed, as shown at 5, in order to provide an aperture when the cover is closed which permits the handle of the racket to protrude from the cover.

Each cover member is provided with a pair of part-spherical recesser 6, arranged one on either side of the recess 5 in that cover member, the recesses 6 in one cover members being in registration with the recesses 6 in the other cover member when the cover is closed' so as to provide a pair of part-spherical compartments for the accommodation and location of a pair of squash balls in the cover when the cover is closed. It should be noted that the manner in which the cover members are provided with means for locating the balls in the cover when closed is not critical.

That is to say that in place of the partspherical recesses 6. suitable ribs or flanges may alternatively be formed to prevent balls located in the cover when closed from moving around within the cover.

The cover is also fitted with means for securing the two cover members together when the cover is closed. In this embodiment, this securing means takes the form of a compressive fastening device 7, which by exerting a compressive force on a racket disposed within the cover enables the cover to act as a racket press. The fastening device 7 comprises a knob 8, disposed within an external recess 9 in the cover member 1, and having a boss 10 which rotatably extends through an opening 11 in the cover member 1. Fitted within the boss 10 by means of a locking pin 12 is a pin or probe 13 which extends from the inner face of the cover member 1 towards the cover member 2, so as to pass between the strings of a racket located within the cover when closed. The head 14 i.e. the free end of the probe 13 is widened, so that as viewed in Figure 3 it is diamond shaped.The thickness of the diamond shaped head 14 perpendicular to the plane of Figure 3 is not greater than the diameter of its shank 15. As the cover is closed over a racket head, the sloped leading edges 16 of the probe head 14 guide the probe head between the strings of the racket, and into an elongate slot 17 in a boss 18 fitted at 19 to the cover member 2.

(The elongation of slot 17 is best viewed in Figure 3). Once the probe head has passed completely through the slot 17, rotation of the probe 13 by means of the knob 8, engages the sloped trailing edges 20 of the probe head 14 underneath shaped cam faces 21 on the outer side of boss 18. The cam faces 21 are inclined so that rotation of the probe through a right angle in, for example, a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 1, pulls the probe 13, and thus the cover member 1 also, inwardly towards the cover member 2 until the position illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 is reached where the head 14 is at right angles to the slot 17 and the compressive force exerted on the cover members is at a maximum value.

Subsequent rotation of the probe in the clockwise direction beyond this position through a further 90" disengages the trailing edges 20 of the probe head 14 from the cam faces 21 thereby removing said compressive forces and re-aligns the probe head with the slot so that the probe head can be withdrawn from boss 18 and the cover re-opened.

The inclination of edges 16 and 20 of the probe head 14 also facilitate the passage of the probe head between the strings of the racket and decrease the risk of breaking the strings.

Both cover members 1 and 2 are provided with inwardly projecting ribs 22, which, when a racket head is disposed inside the cover and the cover is closed, engage the racket frame and transmit to the racket said compressive force produced upon rotation of the probe.

In order to inhibit any tendency of the cover members 1 and 2 to swivel with respect to each other about an axis perpendicular to the hinge axis, the cover member 1 is provided with at least one guide vane 23 (Figure 2) projecting inwardly from its inner surface adjacent the hinge 3, whilst cover member 2 is provided with a corresponding slot or slots (not immediately visible in the drawings) in which the guide vane 23 is engaged during closure of the cover and the rotation of the probe.

Referring to Figure 4, there is shown a modification of the cover of Figure 1, wherein the periphery of cover member 1, is provided with a flange 24 which surrounds, i.e. overlaps, the periphery of the cover member 2 when the cover is closed.

This performs the functions of providing additional protection for a racket head inside the cover, assisting in the proper alignment of the cover parts during closure and also enabling the cover to be used as a holdall for containing ancillary items e.g. a wallet, keys etc., when the cover is closed but no racket is contained therein.

Figure 5 shows a second embodiment of the racket cover of Figure 1, using an alternative version of compressive fastening device 7. In this embodiment, the head 14 of the probe 13 has a projection 25 which is engageable beneath a projecting member 26 on the cover member when the cover is closed and the knob 8 is subsequently turned for example through a quarter turn.

The surface encountered by the projection 25 on the probe head 14 as the knob 8 begins its rotation through said quarter turn is inclined downwardly, as viewed in Figure 5, so that the subsequent rotation of the knob tends to draw the probe 13 and thus the knob 8 also inwardly towards the cover member 2. The part 27 of the cover member 1 within which the bore 11 is formed is pushed against the knob 8 by means of a coil spring 28 which is fitted around the probe 13, so that the inward movement of the knob 8 as it is turned also serves to move the cover member 1 towards the cover member 2.

The projecting member 26 may take the form of a wire which is fixed to the inner surface of the cover member 2, for example by rivets 29.

Preferably, the cover member 2 is provided with a hole 30, to accommodate the probe head 13 as the probe 13 moves towards the cover member 2 as the knob 8 is turned.

Figures 6 and 7 illustrate a third embodiment of the invention in which the securing means comprises a simple latch mechanism preferably located on the opposite edge of the cover to the hinge 3, i.e. adjacent the racket handle aperture 5. The latch mechanism comprises a pair of resilient snap latces 33, one on each side of aperture 5.

Each latch is formed by a resilient member 34 integral with cover member 1, and a projection 35 which is integral with cover member 2 and is disposed for resilient en gagement in an aperture 36 in projection 35 when the cover is closed. It is of course possible for one or both of the resilient members 34 to be alternatively located on the cover member 2 and the corresponding projection 35 on the cover member 1.

The racket cover of Figures 6 and 7 may, as illustrated, be provided with a locating probe 37 for locating a racket head within the cover, the probe being integral with, say, cover member 1. The head 38 of the probe may be arrow shaped, as is the case with the probe of the cover of Figure 1, for easy guiding of the probe between the strings of a racket without breakage. Upon closure of the cover, the probe head 38 is accommodated within a correspondingly shaped slot 39 in a base 40 on the other cover member 2.

WHAT I CLAIM IS:- 1. A racket cover comprising two cover members which are hinged together so that the cover can be closed around the head of a racket with the cover member extending over the broad faces of the racket, means for securing the two cover members together in a closed position, and means on one or each cover member for locating within the cover when closed at least one ball for use with the racket.

2. A racket cover as claimed in claim 1, in which the cover members are made of rigid material.

3. A racket cover as claimed in claim 2, in which the cover members are moulded from plastics material.

4. A racket cover as claimed in claim 3, in which the cover members are moulded from polypropylene or ABS.

5. A racket cover as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4, in which the hinge connecting the cover members is integrally moulded therewith.

6. A racket cover as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, in which an aperture for accommodating the handle of the racket is provided at one edge of the cover when closed, being constituted by a recess in one or both of the cover members, the hinge between the cover members being provided at the opposite edge of the cover to the racket handle aperture.

7. A racket cover as claimed in claim 6, in which the securing means is located adjacent the racket handle aperture.

8. A racket cover as claimed in claim 7, in which the securing means comprises two latches, one located on each side of said racket handle aperture.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. In order to inhibit any tendency of the cover members 1 and 2 to swivel with respect to each other about an axis perpendicular to the hinge axis, the cover member 1 is provided with at least one guide vane 23 (Figure 2) projecting inwardly from its inner surface adjacent the hinge 3, whilst cover member 2 is provided with a corresponding slot or slots (not immediately visible in the drawings) in which the guide vane 23 is engaged during closure of the cover and the rotation of the probe. Referring to Figure 4, there is shown a modification of the cover of Figure 1, wherein the periphery of cover member 1, is provided with a flange 24 which surrounds, i.e. overlaps, the periphery of the cover member 2 when the cover is closed. This performs the functions of providing additional protection for a racket head inside the cover, assisting in the proper alignment of the cover parts during closure and also enabling the cover to be used as a holdall for containing ancillary items e.g. a wallet, keys etc., when the cover is closed but no racket is contained therein. Figure 5 shows a second embodiment of the racket cover of Figure 1, using an alternative version of compressive fastening device 7. In this embodiment, the head 14 of the probe 13 has a projection 25 which is engageable beneath a projecting member 26 on the cover member when the cover is closed and the knob 8 is subsequently turned for example through a quarter turn. The surface encountered by the projection 25 on the probe head 14 as the knob 8 begins its rotation through said quarter turn is inclined downwardly, as viewed in Figure 5, so that the subsequent rotation of the knob tends to draw the probe 13 and thus the knob 8 also inwardly towards the cover member 2. The part 27 of the cover member 1 within which the bore 11 is formed is pushed against the knob 8 by means of a coil spring 28 which is fitted around the probe 13, so that the inward movement of the knob 8 as it is turned also serves to move the cover member 1 towards the cover member 2. The projecting member 26 may take the form of a wire which is fixed to the inner surface of the cover member 2, for example by rivets 29. Preferably, the cover member 2 is provided with a hole 30, to accommodate the probe head 13 as the probe 13 moves towards the cover member 2 as the knob 8 is turned. Figures 6 and 7 illustrate a third embodiment of the invention in which the securing means comprises a simple latch mechanism preferably located on the opposite edge of the cover to the hinge 3, i.e. adjacent the racket handle aperture 5. The latch mechanism comprises a pair of resilient snap latces 33, one on each side of aperture 5. Each latch is formed by a resilient member 34 integral with cover member 1, and a projection 35 which is integral with cover member 2 and is disposed for resilient en gagement in an aperture 36 in projection 35 when the cover is closed. It is of course possible for one or both of the resilient members 34 to be alternatively located on the cover member 2 and the corresponding projection 35 on the cover member 1. The racket cover of Figures 6 and 7 may, as illustrated, be provided with a locating probe 37 for locating a racket head within the cover, the probe being integral with, say, cover member 1. The head 38 of the probe may be arrow shaped, as is the case with the probe of the cover of Figure 1, for easy guiding of the probe between the strings of a racket without breakage. Upon closure of the cover, the probe head 38 is accommodated within a correspondingly shaped slot 39 in a base 40 on the other cover member 2. WHAT I CLAIM IS:-

1. A racket cover comprising two cover members which are hinged together so that the cover can be closed around the head of a racket with the cover member extending over the broad faces of the racket, means for securing the two cover members together in a closed position, and means on one or each cover member for locating within the cover when closed at least one ball for use with the racket.

9. A racket cover as claimed in claim 8,

in which each latch is a resilient snap latch, comprising one latch part on one cover member and a complementary latch part on the other cover member.

10. A racket cover as claimed in claim 9, in which each latch part is integral with the respective cover member.

11. A racket cover as claimed in any of claims 7 to 10, in which a locating probe is located on the inner surface of one of the cover members so that the probe extends away from a central potion thereof, the inner surface of the other cover member being provided with a centrally located recess or hole for accommodating the head of the locating probe when the cover is closed so that when a racket head is, in use, disposed within the cover and the cover is closed, the probe extends through the strung part of the racket to locate the racket head within the cover.

12. A racket cover as claimed in claim 11, in which the probe is integral with the respective cover member.

13. A racket cover as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7, in which the securing means is adapted to exert a compressive force on the cover members so as to urge them together when the cover is closed so that the cover can also act as a racket press.

14. A racket cover as claimed in claim 13, in which the securing means is located centrally of the cover and comprises a probe mounted on the inner surface of a first one of said cover members so as to extend away from a central portion thereof, the head of the probe being wider in one lateral direction than the shank thereof, means for rotating the probe with respect to said first cover member, the central portion of the second cover member being provided with means for accommodating the widened head of the probe when the' cover is closed and to draw the probe and thus the first cover member also towards said second cover member on subsequent rotation of the probe with respect to the cover thereby to exert said compressive force on the cover members.

15. A racket cover as claimed in claim 14, in which the means on second cover member for accommodating the widened head of the probe comprises an elongate slot through which the probe head can pass on closure of the cover, and cam means comprising an inclined abutment shoulder which faces away from said first cover member, the abutment shoulder being disposed for engagement by a corresponding inclined surface on the widened head of the probe upon subsequent rotation of the probe out of alignment with said slot to draw the probe towards the second cover member as aforesaid.

16. A racket cover as claimed in claim 15, in which said cam means is arranged to draw the probe towards the second cover member as aforesaid during rotation of the probe through a predetemined angle, subsequent rotation of the probe in the same rotational direction serving to disengage said probe head from said cam means and to re-align the probe head with the slot for release of the compressive force exerted on the cover members and opening of the cover.

17. A racket cover as claimed in any of claims 14 to 16, in which the head of the probe is diamond shaped when viewed in a direction perpendicular to said one lateral direction.

18. A racket cover as claimed in any of claims 14 to 17, in which said means for rotating the probe comprise a knob located centrally on the outer surface of said first cover member, having a boss which projects through an opening in said first cover member, the shank of the probe being fixedly mounted on said boss.

19. A racket cover as claimed in any of claims 1 to 18, in which the inner surface of either one or both of the cover members is recessed to provide a compartment in the cover when closed, the compartment being shaped for accommodating a ball for use with the racket.

20. A racket cover as claimed in any of claims 1 to 18, in which the inner surface of either one or both of the cover members is recessed to provide two compartments in the cover when closed, each compartment being shaped for accommodating a respective ball for use with the racket.

21. A racket cover as claimed in claim 20, including the features claimed in claim 6, in which the compartments are located one on either side of the racket handle aperture in the cover when closed.

22. A racket cover as claimed in any of claims 1 to 21, in which the periphery of the other of the cover members when the cover is closed.

23. A racket cover as claimed in any of claims 1 to 22, in which alignment means are provided adjacent the hinge for inhibiting any tendency of the cover members to swivel with respect to each other prior to closure of the cover.

24. A racket cover as claimed in claim 23 in which said alignment means comprises a guide vane integral with one of the cover elements and a corresponding slot on the other cover member within which the guide vane is engaged to align the cover members during closure of the covers.

25. A racket cover substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accampanying drawings.