US20010035002A1 - Abrasion-resistant composite-coated string for sports racquets and fishing equipment - Google Patents

Abrasion-resistant composite-coated string for sports racquets and fishing equipment Download PDF

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Publication number
US20010035002A1
US20010035002A1 US09/803,214 US80321401A US2001035002A1 US 20010035002 A1 US20010035002 A1 US 20010035002A1 US 80321401 A US80321401 A US 80321401A US 2001035002 A1 US2001035002 A1 US 2001035002A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
string
matrix material
composite coating
recited
abrasion
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.)
Abandoned
Application number
US09/803,214
Inventor
Ronald Carr
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.)
Ferrari Importing Co Inc
Original Assignee
Ferrari Importing Co Inc
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 Ferrari Importing Co Inc filed Critical Ferrari Importing Co Inc
Priority to US09/803,214 priority Critical patent/US20010035002A1/en
Assigned to FERRARI IMPORTING COMPANY reassignment FERRARI IMPORTING COMPANY ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: CARR, RONALD H.
Publication of US20010035002A1 publication Critical patent/US20010035002A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D02—YARNS; MECHANICAL FINISHING OF YARNS OR ROPES; WARPING OR BEAMING
    • D02G—CRIMPING OR CURLING FIBRES, FILAMENTS, THREADS, OR YARNS; YARNS OR THREADS
    • D02G3/00—Yarns or threads, e.g. fancy yarns; Processes or apparatus for the production thereof, not otherwise provided for
    • D02G3/22—Yarns or threads characterised by constructional features, e.g. blending, filament/fibre
    • D02G3/36—Cored or coated yarns or threads
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D02—YARNS; MECHANICAL FINISHING OF YARNS OR ROPES; WARPING OR BEAMING
    • D02G—CRIMPING OR CURLING FIBRES, FILAMENTS, THREADS, OR YARNS; YARNS OR THREADS
    • D02G3/00—Yarns or threads, e.g. fancy yarns; Processes or apparatus for the production thereof, not otherwise provided for
    • D02G3/44—Yarns or threads characterised by the purpose for which they are designed
    • D02G3/442—Cut or abrasion resistant yarns or threads
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D02—YARNS; MECHANICAL FINISHING OF YARNS OR ROPES; WARPING OR BEAMING
    • D02G—CRIMPING OR CURLING FIBRES, FILAMENTS, THREADS, OR YARNS; YARNS OR THREADS
    • D02G3/00—Yarns or threads, e.g. fancy yarns; Processes or apparatus for the production thereof, not otherwise provided for
    • D02G3/44—Yarns or threads characterised by the purpose for which they are designed
    • D02G3/444—Yarns or threads for use in sports applications
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
    • Y10T428/29—Coated or structually defined flake, particle, cell, strand, strand portion, rod, filament, macroscopic fiber or mass thereof
    • Y10T428/2913—Rod, strand, filament or fiber
    • Y10T428/2933—Coated or with bond, impregnation or core

Definitions

  • the present invention generally relates to strings useful in sports and recreational equipment and, more particularly, is concerned with an abrasion-resistant composite-coated string for sports racquets and fishing equipment.
  • Strings used in recreational equipment are generally constructed of natural materials and synthetic materials that are well-known in the art. These strings are sometimes coated with materials intended to protect the structural elements of the string.
  • Typical coatings which have been used to protect the structural elements of the string include nylon, polyurethane and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).
  • Nylon and polyurethane are typically applied to the surface of strings by coextrusion of the nylon and polyurethane onto the surface of the string construction to provide an abrasion barrier to protect the construction of the string.
  • PTFE has been used in the past by dipping the string into a liquid solvent or carrier containing dissolved PTFE. After dipping the string, the solvent evaporates leaving a coating of PTFE.
  • 4,377,620 to Alexander discloses applying a coating film on the string by drying a liquid formed by dispersing minute particles of ethylene tetrafluoride resin either in a solvent or a molten resin.
  • the ethylene tetrafluroide resin particles have a diameter from 0.1 to 10 microns and, in the mixture with a polyester or polyamide resin, are from 3 to 10% by weight.
  • the thickness of the coating film is typically in the range of 5 to 40 microns (0.005 to 0.040 mm).
  • the PTFE does not bond well with the surface of the string construction and is quickly removed by rubbing the surface of the coating. While the aforementioned coatings provide some protection, they are worn away relatively quickly due to abrasion caused by strings rubbing against themselves or other objects. Therefore, there is a need to improve the abrasion resistance of the coatings used on strings for sports racquets and fishing equipment.
  • the present invention provides an abrasion-resistant composite-coated string designed to satisfy the aforementioned need.
  • the composite coating is a matrix material interspersed with PTFE of between 11% to 20% by weight.
  • the advantage of the composite coating applied on the string is that its matrix material provides an acceptable bond to the respective surfaces of the single filament or bundle of multiple filaments while the interspersed PTFE reduces the friction resulting from adjacent strings rubbing against each other or other objects and therefore reduces the abrasion and wear on the string.
  • the present invention is directed to an abrasion-resistant string for use with various types of recreational equipment.
  • the string includes a single filament or a bundle of multiple filaments of string and a composite coating surrounding and bonded to the single filament or bundle of filaments.
  • the monofilament and multifilament strings can be made from any of conventional material.
  • the composite coating in each construction of the string includes a matrix material and particles of PTFE interspersed within the matrix material.
  • the matrix material can be a suitable synthetic material, such as nylon or polyurethane.
  • FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a prior art monofilament string used in sports racquets and fishing equipment.
  • FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a prior art coated monofilament string used in sports racquets and fishing equipment.
  • FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a prior art coated multifilament string used in sports racquets and fishing equipment.
  • FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an abrasion-resistant composite-coated monofilament string of the present invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an abrasion-resistant composite-coated multifilament string of the present invention.
  • prior art strings 10 , 12 , 14 which are all useful in various kinds of recreational equipment, mainly, sports racquets and fishing equipment.
  • the prior art string 10 is a non-coated monofilament string which is only a single filament 16 of string.
  • the prior art string 12 is a coated monofilament string which includes a single filament 18 and a coating 20 surrounding the single filament 18 .
  • the prior art string 14 is a coated multifilament string which includes a bundle 22 of multiple filaments and a coating 24 surrounding the bundle 22 of multiple filaments.
  • the monofilament and multifilament strings and the coatings can be made from any of the conventional materials mentioned previously above.
  • the string 26 is a composite-coated monofilament string which includes a single filament 30 of string and a composite coating 32 surrounding and bonded to the single filament 30 .
  • the string 28 is a composite-coated monofilament string which includes a bundle 34 of multiple filaments and the composite coating 32 surrounding and bonded to the bundle 34 of multiple filaments.
  • the monofilament and multifilament strings can be made from any of the conventional materials mentioned previously above.
  • the composite coating 32 in each construction of the string 26 , 28 includes a matrix material 36 and particles 38 of PTFE interspersed within the matrix material 36 .
  • the matrix material 36 can be a suitable synthetic material such as nylon or polyurethane.
  • the amount of PTFE partides 38 contained in the matrix material 36 is within the range of from about 11% to 50% by weight and, preferably, about 20% by weight.
  • the diameter of the PTFE particles 38 in the composite coating 32 is about 3 to 30 microns (3E-06 meters to 30E-06 meters) and preferably 10 microns.
  • the composite coating 32 has a range of thickness about 0.030 to 0.050 mm.
  • this composite coating 32 provides an acceptable bond to the respective surfaces of the single filament 30 and the bundle 34 of multiple filaments of the two constructions while the interspersed PTFE particles 38 reduce the friction resulting from adjacent strings rubbing against each other or other objects and therefore reduces the abrasion and wear on the string.

Abstract

A string for various kinds of recreational equipment is a composite-coated monofilament string which includes a single filament or a bundle of multiple filaments of string and a composite coating surrounding and bonded to the single filament or bundle of multiple filaments. The monofilament and multifilament string can be made from any of suitable conventional material. The composite coating in each construction of the string includes a matrix material and particles of PTFE interspersed within the matrix material and within a range of about 11% to 20% by weight of the composite coating. The matrix material can be a suitable synthetic material.

Description

  • This utility patent application claims the benefit of provisional application No. 60/187,956 filed Mar. 9, 2000.[0001]
    • BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • 1. Field of the Invention [0002]
  • The present invention generally relates to strings useful in sports and recreational equipment and, more particularly, is concerned with an abrasion-resistant composite-coated string for sports racquets and fishing equipment. [0003]
  • 2. Description of the Prior Art [0004]
  • Strings used in recreational equipment, such as sports racquets and fishing equipment, are generally constructed of natural materials and synthetic materials that are well-known in the art. These strings are sometimes coated with materials intended to protect the structural elements of the string. [0005]
  • Typical coatings which have been used to protect the structural elements of the string include nylon, polyurethane and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Nylon and polyurethane are typically applied to the surface of strings by coextrusion of the nylon and polyurethane onto the surface of the string construction to provide an abrasion barrier to protect the construction of the string. PTFE has been used in the past by dipping the string into a liquid solvent or carrier containing dissolved PTFE. After dipping the string, the solvent evaporates leaving a coating of PTFE. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 4,377,620 to Alexander discloses applying a coating film on the string by drying a liquid formed by dispersing minute particles of ethylene tetrafluoride resin either in a solvent or a molten resin. The ethylene tetrafluroide resin particles have a diameter from 0.1 to 10 microns and, in the mixture with a polyester or polyamide resin, are from 3 to 10% by weight. The thickness of the coating film is typically in the range of 5 to 40 microns (0.005 to 0.040 mm). [0006]
  • However, the PTFE does not bond well with the surface of the string construction and is quickly removed by rubbing the surface of the coating. While the aforementioned coatings provide some protection, they are worn away relatively quickly due to abrasion caused by strings rubbing against themselves or other objects. Therefore, there is a need to improve the abrasion resistance of the coatings used on strings for sports racquets and fishing equipment. [0007]
    • SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • The present invention provides an abrasion-resistant composite-coated string designed to satisfy the aforementioned need. The composite coating is a matrix material interspersed with PTFE of between 11% to 20% by weight. The advantage of the composite coating applied on the string is that its matrix material provides an acceptable bond to the respective surfaces of the single filament or bundle of multiple filaments while the interspersed PTFE reduces the friction resulting from adjacent strings rubbing against each other or other objects and therefore reduces the abrasion and wear on the string. [0008]
  • Accordingly, the present invention is directed to an abrasion-resistant string for use with various types of recreational equipment. The string includes a single filament or a bundle of multiple filaments of string and a composite coating surrounding and bonded to the single filament or bundle of filaments. The monofilament and multifilament strings can be made from any of conventional material. The composite coating in each construction of the string includes a matrix material and particles of PTFE interspersed within the matrix material. The matrix material can be a suitable synthetic material, such as nylon or polyurethane. [0009]
  • These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown and described an illustrative embodiment of the invention.[0010]
    • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • In the following detailed description, reference will be made to the attached drawings in which: [0011]
  • FIG. 1is a cross-sectional view of a prior art monofilament string used in sports racquets and fishing equipment. [0012]
  • FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a prior art coated monofilament string used in sports racquets and fishing equipment. [0013]
  • FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a prior art coated multifilament string used in sports racquets and fishing equipment. [0014]
  • FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an abrasion-resistant composite-coated monofilament string of the present invention. [0015]
  • FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an abrasion-resistant composite-coated multifilament string of the present invention.[0016]
    • DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  • Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. [0017] 1 to 3, there are illustrated cross-sections of several different constructions of prior art strings 10, 12,14 which are all useful in various kinds of recreational equipment, mainly, sports racquets and fishing equipment. With respect to the first construction shown in FIG. 1, the prior art string 10 is a non-coated monofilament string which is only a single filament 16 of string. With respect to the second construction shown in FIG. 2, the prior art string 12 is a coated monofilament string which includes a single filament 18 and a coating 20 surrounding the single filament 18. With respect to the third construction shown in FIG. 3, the prior art string 14 is a coated multifilament string which includes a bundle 22 of multiple filaments and a coating 24 surrounding the bundle 22 of multiple filaments. The monofilament and multifilament strings and the coatings can be made from any of the conventional materials mentioned previously above.
  • Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, there are illustrated cross-sections of [0018] strings 26, 28 constituting two different constructions of the present invention which are both useful in the various kinds of recreational equipment, mainly, sports racquets and fishing equipment. With respect to the first construction of the present invention shown in FIG. 4, the string 26 is a composite-coated monofilament string which includes a single filament 30 of string and a composite coating 32 surrounding and bonded to the single filament 30. With respect to the second construction of the present invention shown in FIG. 5, the string 28 is a composite-coated monofilament string which includes a bundle 34 of multiple filaments and the composite coating 32 surrounding and bonded to the bundle 34 of multiple filaments. The monofilament and multifilament strings can be made from any of the conventional materials mentioned previously above.
  • The [0019] composite coating 32 in each construction of the string 26,28 includes a matrix material 36 and particles 38 of PTFE interspersed within the matrix material 36. The matrix material 36 can be a suitable synthetic material such as nylon or polyurethane. The amount of PTFE partides 38 contained in the matrix material 36 is within the range of from about 11% to 50% by weight and, preferably, about 20% by weight. The diameter of the PTFE particles 38 in the composite coating 32 is about 3 to 30 microns (3E-06 meters to 30E-06 meters) and preferably 10 microns. The composite coating 32 has a range of thickness about 0.030 to 0.050 mm.
  • The advantage of this [0020] composite coating 32 is that the matrix material 36 provides an acceptable bond to the respective surfaces of the single filament 30 and the bundle 34 of multiple filaments of the two constructions while the interspersed PTFE particles 38 reduce the friction resulting from adjacent strings rubbing against each other or other objects and therefore reduces the abrasion and wear on the string.
  • It is thought that the present invention and its advantages will be understood from the foregoing description and it will be apparent that various changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely preferred or exemplary embodiment thereof. [0021]

Claims (14)

I claim:
1. An abrasion-resistant string useful in a sports racquet and fishing equipment, comprising:
(a) an elongated single filament of string; and
(b) a composite coating surrounding and bonded to said single filament of string, said composite coating including a matrix material and particles of PTFE interspersed within the matrix material and falling in a range of from 11 % to 50% by weight of the composite coating.
2. The string as recited in
claim 1
, wherein said matrix material is a synthetic material.
3. The string as recited in
claim 1
, wherein said matrix material is nylon.
4. The string as recited in
claim 1
, wherein said matrix material is polyurethane.
5. The string as recited in
claim 1
, wherein said PTFE particles interspersed in said matrix material is about 20% by weight of the composite coating.
6. The string as recited in
claim 1
, wherein a diameter of said PTFE particles in said composite coating is about 3 to 30 microns.
7. The sting as recited in
claim 1
, wherein said composite coating has a range of thickness about 0.030 to 0.050 mm.
8. An abrasion-resistant string useful in a sports racquet and fishing equipment, comprising:
(a) an elongated bundle of multiple filaments of string; and
(b) a composite coating surrounding and bonded to said bundle of multiple filaments of string, said composite coating including a matrix material and particles of PTFE interspersed within the matrix material and falling in a range of from 11% to 50% by weight of the composite coating.
9. The string as recited in
claim 8
, wherein said matrix material is a synthetic material.
10. The string as recited in
claim 8
, wherein said matrix material is nylon.
11. The string as recited in
claim 8
, wherein said matrix material is polyurethane.
12. The string as recited in
claim 8
, wherein said PTFE particles interspersed in said matrix material is about 20% by weight of the composite coating.
13. The string as recited in
claim 8
, wherein a diameter of said PTFE particles in said composite coating is about 3 to 30 microns.
14. The sting as recited in
claim 8
, wherein said composite coating has a range of thickness about 0.030 to 0.050 mm.
US09/803,214 2000-03-09 2001-03-09 Abrasion-resistant composite-coated string for sports racquets and fishing equipment Abandoned US20010035002A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US09/803,214 US20010035002A1 (en) 2000-03-09 2001-03-09 Abrasion-resistant composite-coated string for sports racquets and fishing equipment

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US18795600P 2000-03-09 2000-03-09
US09/803,214 US20010035002A1 (en) 2000-03-09 2001-03-09 Abrasion-resistant composite-coated string for sports racquets and fishing equipment

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US20010035002A1 true US20010035002A1 (en) 2001-11-01

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Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE20210426U1 (en) * 2002-07-04 2003-11-13 Coats Deutschland Gmbh Yarn is equipped with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) coating
US6835454B1 (en) * 1999-08-24 2004-12-28 Stuart Karl Randa Fluoropolymer modification of strings for stringed sports equipment and musical instruments
WO2006044806A3 (en) * 2004-10-20 2007-04-12 Gore Enterprise Holdings Inc Improved strings for racquets
WO2007053429A2 (en) * 2005-10-28 2007-05-10 Supreme Corporation Method for coating fibers and yarns and the coated products formed therefrom
US20080206559A1 (en) * 2007-02-26 2008-08-28 Yunjun Li Lubricant enhanced nanocomposites
US20100041829A1 (en) * 2008-08-14 2010-02-18 Van Malderen Dominique Polymer string
US20120237767A1 (en) * 2006-11-16 2012-09-20 Applied Nanotech Holdings, Inc. Composite coating for strings

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6835454B1 (en) * 1999-08-24 2004-12-28 Stuart Karl Randa Fluoropolymer modification of strings for stringed sports equipment and musical instruments
DE20210426U1 (en) * 2002-07-04 2003-11-13 Coats Deutschland Gmbh Yarn is equipped with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) coating
WO2006044806A3 (en) * 2004-10-20 2007-04-12 Gore Enterprise Holdings Inc Improved strings for racquets
WO2007053429A2 (en) * 2005-10-28 2007-05-10 Supreme Corporation Method for coating fibers and yarns and the coated products formed therefrom
WO2007053429A3 (en) * 2005-10-28 2007-06-21 Supreme Corp Method for coating fibers and yarns and the coated products formed therefrom
US20070144135A1 (en) * 2005-10-28 2007-06-28 Supreme Corporation Method for coating fibers and yarns and the coated products formed therefrom
US20120237767A1 (en) * 2006-11-16 2012-09-20 Applied Nanotech Holdings, Inc. Composite coating for strings
US8713906B2 (en) * 2006-11-16 2014-05-06 Applied Nanotech Holdings, Inc. Composite coating for strings
US20080206559A1 (en) * 2007-02-26 2008-08-28 Yunjun Li Lubricant enhanced nanocomposites
US20100041829A1 (en) * 2008-08-14 2010-02-18 Van Malderen Dominique Polymer string
EP2159305A1 (en) 2008-08-14 2010-03-03 Luxilon Industries, naamloze vennootschap Polymer string

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AS Assignment

Owner name: FERRARI IMPORTING COMPANY, PENNSYLVANIA

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:CARR, RONALD H.;REEL/FRAME:011892/0170

Effective date: 20010309

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION