GB2281039A

GB2281039A - Racket handle.

Info

Publication number: GB2281039A
Application number: GB9317271A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Yu-Fu Tang
Original assignee: TANG YU FU
Current assignee: TANG YU FU
Priority date: 1993-08-19
Filing date: 1993-08-19
Publication date: 1995-02-22
Also published as: GB9317271D0

Abstract

The racket handle has a handle body 20, 30 made of a soft wood with a central hole 21, 31 through two opposite ends thereof, into which the shaft 22, 32 of the racket frame is inserted and disposed in flush with the handle at the rear end. In a modification, Fig. 2, a rigid layer 33 of foamed plastics is covered over the handle before application of the binding tape 36. <IMAGE>

Description

RACKET HANDLE The present invention relates to an improved structure of racket handle which has a better shock absorbing ability and a stronger structural strength.

In playing the game of tennis or badminton, the quality of the racket is also an important factor to win the game. While selecting a racket, the weight and structural strength shall also be taken into account. A good racket is better lightweight and strong, and has good shock absorbing ability and suitable elasticity.

Various materials are known suitable for making rackets. These materials include wood, aluminum alloy, carbon fibers, etc. While designing a racket, a racket designer may pay more attention to the structure of the head and take little care of the handle.

Figure 1 illustrates a racket handle according to the prior art. The handle body is made of a hard wood. The front end of the handle body has an axle hole into which the shaft of the racket frame is inserted. The rear end of the handle body is made in a hollow structure to reduce the weight. Before inserting into the axle hole on the handle body, the shaft is covered with a layer of adhesive glue. After the axle was fastened to the handle body, a plastic conical cap is fastened to the handle body on the front end thereof around the shaft, then a butt cap is covered on the rear end of the handle body, and then a binding tape is fastened around the handle body. This structure of racket handle has drawbacks.Because the rear end of the handle body is made in a hollow structure, the structural strength of the handle is relatively affected, and the manufacturing procedure of the handle is relatively complicated. As the racket is waved to strike the ball, applied force is transmitted through the hollow rear end of the handle body, then the front end of the handle body, and then to the striking surface via the shaft and the oval frame. Because applied force is not directly transmitted to the shaft and the striking, the active force is attenuated to affect the attack.

Further, because the shaft is inserted into the handle body at a limited length, the connection between the handle body and the shaft is not ensured. The head of the racket may oscillate as the racket hits against the ball, and the shaft may disconnect from the handle after long uses.

The present invention eliminates the aforesaid drawbacks. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the handle body is made of a soft wood having a center through hole through the length. The shaft of the racket inserts into the center through hole of the handle body from one end and extends to the opposite end. As the handle body is supported on the shaft in full length, the structural strength of the handle is strong. While striking, applied force is directly and fully transmitted to the striking surface of the racket through the shaft. Further, because the handle body completely covers around the shaft with its full length, the connection between the shaft and the handle body is stable, and the shaft does not disconnect from the handle body during the operation of the racket.Further, the material property of the soft wood provides the handle with a good shock absorbing ability and proper elasticity. According to another embodiment of the present invention, a rigid layer of foamed plastics is covered over the handle body to improve the structural strength of the handle without affecting the elasticity and shock absorbing ability of the handle.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a racket handle according to the prior art; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a racket handle according to a first embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a racket handle according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to the various drawings attached herewith, a detailed description of the structural features of " RACKET HANDLE " of the present invention is as follows: Referring to Figure 2, therein illustrated is a racket handle according to one embodiment of the present invention. The handle comprises an elongated handle body 20 made of a soft wood. The handle body 20 has a center through hole 21 through the length into which the shaft 22 of the racket frame fits. As the shaft 22 is inserted into the center through hole 21 of the handle body 20, the rear end of the shaft 22 is disposed in flush with the handle body 20. The shaft 22 is covered with a layer of adhesive before it is inserted into the center through hole 21 of the handle body 20.After the shaft 22 was inserted into the center through hole 21 of the handle body 20, a conical front cap 23 is fastened to the handle body 20 around the shaft 22, then a butt cap 24 is fastened to the handle body 20 and the shaft 22 on the rear end, and then a binding tape 25 is fastened around the handle body 20.

Because the handle body 20 is made of a soft wood, the shock absorbing ability of the handle is improved. As the handle body 20 is supported on the shaft 22, the structural strength of the handle is still strong.

Referring to Figure 3, therein illustrated is an alternate form of the present invention. Similar to the structure shown in Figure 2, the handle also comprises a handle body 30 having a center through hole 31 through the length, a shaft 32 inserted into the center through hole 31 on the handle body 30, a conical front cap 34 fastened to the handle body 30 at one end around the shaft 32, a butt cap 35 fastened to the handle body 30 and the shaft 32 at an opposite end.

However, before wrapping the binding tape 36, a rigid layer of foamed plastics 33 is covered over the handle body 30. This rigid layer of foamed plastics 33 greatly improves the structural strength of the handle without affecting its shock absorbing ability.

Claims

Claims:

1. A racket handle comprising a shaft, and an elongated handle body fastened to said shaft, wherein said handle body is made of a soft wood, having a center through hole through two opposite ends thereof; said shaft is inserted into the center through hole of said handle body from one end thereof, with the end disposed in flush with an opposite end of said handle body.

2. The racket handle of claim 1 wherein said handle body is covered with a rigid layer of foamed plastics.

3. A racket handle as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.