GB2436296A

GB2436296A - Connecting means for connecting parts of a ball or like hitting appliance

Info

Publication number: GB2436296A
Application number: GB0605886A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Yi Sheng Tseng
Original assignee: Dunlop Slazenger Group Ltd
Current assignee: Dunlop International Group Ltd
Priority date: 2006-03-24
Filing date: 2006-03-24
Publication date: 2007-09-26
Also published as: GB0605886D0

Abstract

Connecting means for connecting parts of a ball or like hitting appliance, comprises two parts 18A, 18B to be connected having ends 20, the two ends 20 defining a gap 19 therebetween; tube means 22 having a bore means 23A, 23B therein to receive the ends 20 of the parts 18A, 18B to be connected while bridging the gap 19 between them and means for adhering the tube means 22 to the two parts 18a, 18B to be connected. The invention also includes methods of making the connecting means.

Description

CONNECTING MEANS FOR CONNECTING PARTS OF A BALL OR LIKE

HITTING APPLIANCE AND A METHOD OF FABRICATING SUCH A

CONNECTION

The present invention relates to connecting means for connecting parts of a ball or like hitting appliance and a method of fabricating such a connection.

While the present invention is particularly suitable for use with tennis, squash or like racquets, it is equally applicable to other ball hitting appliances such as golf clubs.

Typically, a conventional frame of tennis racquet includes a handle, a head portion and a connecting portion connecting the handle and the head portion. The connecting portion may be a straight rod or a Y-shaped rod. To absorb the vibration, the handle is cut to form two handle sections. The two handle sections are connected by a tube, which is filled with an adhesive, such as epoxy resin. The material property of the tube, with the adhesive therein, is different from the rest of the racquet frame in that the vibration wave has different speed when it is transmitted in the tube. As a result, the vibration transmitted from the head portion to the handle will, to a large extent, be absorbed by the tube and the adhesive.

However, the adhesive must fill the entire tube and this will increase the weight of the racquet frame. In addition, there usually is a weak bonding strength between the tube and the handle sections which reduces the vibration absorption performance.

Furthermore, it may become damaged after long time use.

The present invention, where applied to a racquet, seeks to provide a racquet frame and a method of fabricating such a racquet frame which is strong structurally and has a lighter in weight.

The present invention also seeks to provide a racquet frame and a method of fabricating such a racquet frame with excellent vibration absorption properties.

The present invention further seeks to provide a racquet frame and a method of TI I I It * I I * I I $1 I I I S I II -2-* * *** 5 * I I I I I S

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fabricating such a racquet frame which can be used in the construction of a racquet which will enable the user to have good ball control.

It is to be understood that the invention, when applied to other hitting appliances, also seeks to provide similar qualities in these appliances.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided connecting means for connecting parts of a ball or like hitting appliance, comprising;-two parts to be connected having ends, the two ends defining a gap therebetween; tube means having a bore means therein to receive the ends of the parts to be connected while bridging the gap between them and means for adhering the tube means to the two parts to be connected.

The ends of the parts to be connected may have a reduced dimension so that the exterior surface of the tube means is generally flush with the parts to be connected.

The tube means may comprise a tube with a bore divided into two sections, one for receiving each end of the parts to be connected.

The bore sections may comprise blind bores, one extending from each end of the tube or the bore may extend the length of the tube and may be divided centrally by means of a transversely extending plate.

The tube may have a through bore and the connecting means may further comprise a bridge member connected with the ends of the two parts to be connected so as to bridge the gap therebetween with the tube surrounding the bridging member.

The ends of the two parts to be connected may have inner holes to receive the bridge member therein.

The bridge member may be disposed at a periphery of the main member.

The tube may be axially slotted at both ends to provide flexibility for firm connection of t I. I (S a q I I I S a at S S I S a It a a ala ala a a I S $ I I a a * aaa I a S S the ends of the parts to be connected and the tube.

The means for adhering the tube means to the two parts to be connected may comprise an adhesive applied between the tube and the ends to be connected or may comprises a tape of curable material wound around the connecting portions of the tube and the ends to be connected and cured.

There may be three parts to be connected all having ends and defining gaps between any two of the ends and the tube means may comprise a Y shaped tube with means for receiving the ends of the three members to be connected in each of the three ends of the Y. At least one cushion member may be provided between the ends of the members to be connected and the tube means.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a racquet comprising a head portion, a handle and a connecting portion, the connecting portion comprising connecting means as described above.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of connecting parts of a ball or like hitting appliance, comprising:-providing two parts to be connected having ends spaced apart to define a gap therebetween; applying tube means having a bore means therein to the ends of the parts to be connected to receive them into the bore means while bridging the gap between them and adhering the tube to the two parts to be connected.

The ends of the parts to be connected may be formed to have a reduced dimension so that the exterior surface of the tube means is generally flush with the parts to be connected.

The tube means may be formed as a tube with a bore divided into two sections, one for receiving each end of the parts to be connected.

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The bore sections may be formed as blind bores, one extending from each end of the tube or the bore may be formed to extend the length of the tube and may be divided centrally by means of a transversely extending plate.

The tube may be formed with a through bore and a bridge member may be connected with the ends of the two parts to be connected so as to bridge the gap therebetween with the tube surrounding the bridging member.

The ends of the two parts to be connected may be formed with an inner holes to receive the bridge member therein.

The bridge member may be disposed at a periphery of the ends of the two parts to be connected.

The tube may be provided with axial slots at both ends to provide flexibility for firm connection of the ends of the parts to be connected and the tube.

An adhesive may be applied between the tube and the ends to be connected.

The adhering the tube to the two parts to be connected may comprise a tape of curable material wound around the connecting portions of the tube and the ends to be connected and cured.

The tube may be provided with a through bore and a bridge member may be connected with the ends of the two parts to be connected to bridge the gap between the ends of the two parts to be connected, the tube surrounding the bridge member.

Att least one cushion member may be provided between the ends of the members to be connected and the tube means.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a racquet comprising providing a head portion, a handle and connecting

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The invention will now be described in greater detail, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, in which:-FIG. I is a front view of a tennis racquet with a racquet frame of a first embodiment of the invention; FIG. 2 is an exploded view of part of the racquet fame of the racquet shown in Figure 1; FIG. 3 is a side view of a tube used in the racquet frame shown in figures 1 and 2; FIG. 4 is a sectional view of part of a racquet frame in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention; FIG. 5 is a front view of part of a racquet frame in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention; FIG. 6 is an exploded view of part of a racquet frame in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention; FIG. 7 is an exploded view of part of a racquet frame in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the invention; FIG. 8 is an exploded view of part of a racquet frame in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the invention; and FIG. 9 is an exploded view of part of the racquet frame in accordance with a seventh embodiment of the invention.

Referring firstly to figures 1 to 3, there is shown a first embodiment of the f I I I I * I I II -6-. : : I.. I I invention.

A tennis racquet 10 has a head portion 12 and a handle 14 (shown truncated) with a connecting portion 16 connecting the head portion 12 to the handle 14.

The connecting portion 16 includes a root portion 17 formed on the head end of the handle 14 which is connected to the head 12 by two branches 18. The tennis racquet 10, as a whole, may be made of fiber reinforced material or a suitable metal. The branches 18 are in two parts 18A and 18B leaving a gap 19 therebetween. The branch parts 18A and 18B each have ends 20 adjacent the gap 19. The ends 20 are of a reduced dimension and may be tapered inwardly towards their ends as shown in figure 1.

Only one of the branches 18 will be described, hereafter, the other branch 18 being substantially identical thereto while being a mirror image thereof. Two cushion members 21 are positioned on the ends 20 and are made of an elastic material, such as rubber. A tube 22 is located on the ends 20 of the branch parts 18A and 18B. The tube 22 has a bore 23 for receiving the ends 20 and the cushion members 21 Due to the reduced dimension of the ends 20, the outside surface of the tube 22 will be flush with the rest of the branch parts. The bore 23 is divided into two sections by a cross element 24. This may comprise a plate like portion as shown in figure 3 or may be achieved by producing two blind bores 23A and 23B as shown in figure 2. The cushion members 21 are received in the appropriate sections of the bore 23 respectively between the ends 20 and the cross element 24. The tube 22 has a plurality of slots 25 at its ends which make the tube 22 easily deformable by external force that would so as to make it easier to insert the ends 20 into the bore 23 of the tube 22.

In order to provide a stable connection, two adhesion producing tapes 26, sometimes referred to as prepreg tapes are wound around the connecting portions of the tube 22 and the ends 20 of the branches 18A and 18B. The tapes 26 are cured so as to provide a firm connection between the tube 22 and the ends 20. The tube 22 is provided with rugose portions 251 towards its ends to increase the friction between the tube 22 and the tape 26. I. II

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t, I Is 7P I u. I i I I S * U I 5*, 5 I This embodiment makes use of the cured tapes 26 to firmly connect the tube 22 to the ends 20. The tennis racquet described above has a strong bond strength and is light in weight. In addition, the tubes 22, which have different materials from the remainder of the frame 10, can absorb the vibration transmitted therethrough to reduce the vibration of the racquet when it hits a ball. The cushion members 21 between the cross element 24 of the tube 22 and the ends 20 of the branches 18A and 18B and handle root 17 will absorb the vibration further. The tube 22 has a good elasticity to increase the ability of the user to control the ball. Therefore, the racquet frame described above is stronger in structure and lighter in weight than previous racquet frames. It also has excellent properties of vibration absorption and the ability of ball control.

One method of producing the above described racquet frame will now be described:-The tennis racquet is first provided. The branches 18 are cut to form gaps 19, and the cut branches 18 have two ends 20 shaped to cooperate with the gap 19.

Then the cushion members 21 are placed at on the ends of the ends 20 Then, the tube 22 is pushed on to the ends 20. The tape 26 is wound around the connecting portions of the tube 22 and around the ends 20 after which the tapes 26 are cured so as to firmly connect the tube to the ends 20.

In practice, the tubes 22 may be made of a transparent or semi-transparent material, such as nylon or plastic, to provide the frame with aesthetic properties.

The tubes 22 may also be made of an opaque material, such as a metal alloy.

The tube 22 of the present invention may not have a cross element 24 or the slots 25 as desired. It also may make the main member 10 having two pieces initially without the cutting step as described above. The ends 20 may have various shapes. It may also apply an appropriate adhesion or glue between the tubes 22 and the ends 20 to bond them together. The tubes 22 may have no

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cushion member 21 therein also. The method of the present invention may be performed on any portion of the main member 10, it does not limit to the branches 18 of the connecting portion 16.

In addition, the invention may be used to provide a connection portion in other parts of the racquet frame for various reasons such as to increase the structure strength. In a second embodiment of the invention as shown in figure 4, there is shown a racquet handle 30 with a gap 32 and two ends 33 on either side of the gap 32. The handle 30 has an inner bore 34. A connecting member connects the two end parts 33 of the handle 30. The connecting member has a body 35 and two head portions 37 extending respectively from the two ends of the body 35. The head portions 37 of the connecting member are secured in the inner bore 34 of the handle 30. The connecting member may be made of metals or other suitable materials. A tube 38 is placed onto the connecting member and the ends 33 and the tube 38 is bonded to the ends 33 to complete the connection. As can be seen, there is no plate and slots in the tube 38 of this embodiment. The handle of this embodiment has good strength, and furthermore, the connection member 35 is made of a material different from the handle 30 and the tube 38 to provide a further vibration absorption capacity. The tube 38 may be transparent so that the connection member 35 may be visible from the outside so that the handle will have an aesthetic appeal.

Figure 5 shows a third embodiment of the invention, which is similar to the second embodiment. It shows a handle 40 with two ends 43 forming a gap 42. A connecting member 46 connects the ends 43, and a tube 47 surrounds the connecting member 46 and the ends 43. The difference in this embodiment is that each of the ends 43 has a extending arm 44 extended to towards and slightly overlapping each other. The extending arms 44 enhance the structural strength of the handle.

The connect member may be disposed at a periphery of the frame or handle as shown in figure 6. In this fourth embodiment, which is similar to the above embodiments, has a frame or handle portion 50 with a gap 52 and two ends 53. The portion 50 is provided with a groove 54 on a periphery thereof to receive a key S. * : . . . I I I * * * I I II : : : : : : I,, I S I S member 55 therein. A tube 56 is placed onto the ends 53 and surrounds the bridge member 55.

In the fifth embodiment shown in figure 7, a frame or handle portion 60 has a gap 62 and two ends 63. In this case, the portion 60 is provided with two grooves 64 at the periphery thereof, in each of the slots a key member 65 is positioned, and a tube 66 is placed onto the ends 63 and surrounds the bridge member 65.

In a sixth embodiment as shown in figure 8 a frame or handle portion 70 has a gap 72 and two ends 73. In this embodiment, the portion 70 comprises two shafts 74 with a space 75 therebetween. A connection member 76 is positioned in the space 75 and extends across the gap 72 with a tube 77 positioned around the ends 73 and the connection member 76.

In a modification of the present invention, the connecting means, instead of providing a connection between two frame portions or handle portions, may be used to connect three portions together, Thus, a single connection means may be used to connect the head 12 of the frame with the handle 14. Such an arrangement is shown in the embodiment of figure 9. Here a racquet frame 80 is shown with a head portion 82, a connecting portion 83 to a handle (not shown), and a gap 84 located at the connecting portion of the head portion 82 and the connecting portion 83. There are three ends 85 located around the gap 84. A tube 86 is located on the ends 85 of the racquet frame 80.

The tube 86 is a three-way tube having three ends for receiving respectively the three ends 85 of the racquet frame 80. Each way of the tube 86 is connected to the respective ends 85 by adhesive. Each two of the ends 85 may be provided with a connection member to enhance the structural strength. It also may be provided with a cushion member between the ends 85 to increase the vibration absorption capacity.

It will be appreciated that additions to or modifications of the above described embodiments may be made without departing from the invention. For example, while the embodiments described have related to tennis racquets, it will be understood that it is equally applicable to other racquets such as squash or badminton. It is also applicable to other appliances in which balls or the like are hit such as golf clubs or hockey sticks.

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Any of the features of one embodiment may be applied to any other embodiment as applicable and, in particular, embodiments applied to racquet handles are also applicable to the connection between the head and handle and vice versa.

Claims

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I I I * a I I * fI ft, as. ala * * -11-, , a * a,, * a * CLAIMS: 1. Connecting means for connecting parts of a ball or like hitting appliance comprising;-two parts to be connected having ends, the two ends defining a gap therebetween; tube means having a bore means therein to receive the ends of the parts to be connected while bridging the gap between them and means for adhering the tube to the two parts to be connected.

2. Connecting means as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ends of the parts to be connected have a reduced dimension so that the exterior surface of the tube means is generally flush with the parts to be connected.

3. Connecting means as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the tube means comprises a tube with a bore divided into two sections, one for receiving each end of the parts to be connected.

4. Connecting means as claimed in claim 3, wherein the bore sections comprise blind bores, one extending from each end of the tube.

5. Connecting means as claimed in claim 3, wherein the bore extends the length of the tube and is divided centrally by means of a transversely extending plate.

6.. Connecting means as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tube has a through bore and the connecting means further comprises a bridge member connected with the ends of the two parts to be connected so as to bridge the gap therebetween with the tube surrounding the bridging member.

7, Connecting means as claimed in claim 6, wherein the ends of the two parts to be connected have inner holes to receive the bridge member therein.

8. Connecting means as claimed in claim 6, wherein the bridge member is I I tI * * : * : : :.

-12-** * : : : : : : S.. * S I disposed at a periphery of the main member.

9. Connecting means as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the tube is axially slotted at both ends to provide flexibility for firm connection of the ends of the parts to be connected and the tube.

10. Connecting means as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means for adhering the tube to the two parts to be connected comprises an adhesive applied between the tube and the ends to be connected.

11. Connecting means as claimed in any one of claims I to 9, wherein the means for adhering the tube to the two parts to be connected comprises a tape of curable material wound around the connecting portions of the tube and the ends to be connected and cured.

12. Connecting means as claimed in claim 1, wherein there are to three parts to be connected all having ends and defining gaps between any two of the ends and the tube means comprises a Y shaped tube with means for receiving the ends of the three members to be connected in each of the three ends of the Y. 13. Connecting means as claimed in any preceding claim,, wherein at least one cushion member is provided between the ends of the members to be connected and the tube means.

14. A racquet comprising a head portion, a handle and a connecting portion, the connecting portion comprising connecting means as claimed in any preceding claim.

15. A method of connecting parts of a ball or like hitting appliance, comprising:-providing two parts to be connected having ends spaced apart to define a gap therebetween; applying tube means having a bore means therein to the ends of the parts to be connected to receive them into the bore means while bridging the gap between them and adhering the tube to the two parts to be connected.

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III I * I 16. A method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the ends of the parts to be connected are formed to have a reduced dimension so that the exterior surface of the tube means is generally flush with the parts to be connected.

17. A method as claimed in claim 15 or 16, wherein the tube means is formed as a tube with a bore divided into two sections, one for receiving each end of the parts to be connected.

18. A method as claimed in claim 17, wherein the bore sections are formed as blind bores, one extending from each end of the tube.

19. A method as claimed in claim 17, wherein the bore is formed to extend the length of the tube and is divided centrally by means of a transversely extending plate.

20.. A method as claimed in claim 15 or 16, wherein the tube is formed with a through bore and a bridge member is connected with the ends of the two parts to be connected so as to bridge the gap therebetween with the tube surrounding the bridging member.

21. A method as claimed in claim 20 wherein the ends of the two parts to be connected are formed with an inner holes to receive the bridge member therein.

22. The method as claimed in claim 20, wherein the bridge member is disposed at a periphery of the ends of the two parts to be connected.

23. A method as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 22, wherein the tube is provided with axial slots at both ends to provide flexibility for firm connection of the ends of the parts to be connected and the tube.

24. A method as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 23, wherein an adhesive is applied between the tube and the ends to be connected.

25. A method as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 23, wherein the adhering of the V I It

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 . . * ** -14-: : : : : tube to the two parts to be connected comprises a tape of curable material wound around the connecting portions of the tube and the ends to be connected and cured.

26. A method as claimed in claims 15, further comprising providing the tube with a through bore and providing a bridge member connected with the ends of the two parts to be connected and bridging the gap between the ends of the two parts to be connected, the tube surrounding the bridge member.

27. The method as defined in any one of claim s 15 to 26, wherein at least one cushion member is provided between the ends of the members to be connected and the tube means.

28. A method of manufacturing a racquet comprising providing a head portion, a handle and connecting the head portion to the handle as claimed in any one of claims to 27.

29. Connecting means for connecting parts of a ball or like hitting appliance substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings.

30. A racquet substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings.

31. A method of connecting parts of a ball or like hitting appliance substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings.

32. A method of manufacturing a racquet substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings.