US20150133243A1 - Dual Stringing Tennis Racket Machine and Method - Google Patents
Dual Stringing Tennis Racket Machine and Method Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20150133243A1 US20150133243A1 US14/076,593 US201314076593A US2015133243A1 US 20150133243 A1 US20150133243 A1 US 20150133243A1 US 201314076593 A US201314076593 A US 201314076593A US 2015133243 A1 US2015133243 A1 US 2015133243A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- string
- gripper
- length
- clamp
- axel
- 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.)
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B51/00—Stringing tennis, badminton or like rackets; Strings therefor; Maintenance of racket strings
- A63B51/14—Arrangements for stringing, e.g. for controlling the tension of the strings during stringing
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B51/00—Stringing tennis, badminton or like rackets; Strings therefor; Maintenance of racket strings
- A63B51/14—Arrangements for stringing, e.g. for controlling the tension of the strings during stringing
- A63B51/16—Apparatus for stringing while manufacturing
Definitions
- the invention relates generally to a racket stringing machine and more specifically to an apparatus and method for stringing multiple strings onto a tennis racket simultaneously.
- Tennis racket stringing machines are known in the art. Historically, these machines comprise a racket mounting plate, string clamps, a string gripper, and a means for moving the string gripper distal from the mounting plate.
- the means for moving the string gripper could be by means of a manual crank or an electric motor.
- the racket stringing machine has only one string gripper.
- a user mounts the racket on the racket mounting plate and secures the racket to the mounting plate.
- the user starts by threading a string through opposing grommets on the racket.
- the user places one end of the string in the string gripper.
- the user then moves the string gripper distal from the mounting plate to place the appropriate level of tension in the string.
- the tension in the string is at the appropriate level, the user clamps the string in place with string clamps. These clamps maintain the tension in the string throughout the stringing process.
- the user continues stringing by threading one end of the string through an opposing grommet.
- the user threads the string parallel to the first length of string.
- the user will rotate the racket mounting plate so that the string gripper is now on the opposite side of the racket as it was for the first length of string.
- the user will thread the string through the opposing grommet and secure the string in the string gripper.
- the user moves the string gripper distal from the mounting plate to achieve the desired tension in the string.
- the tension in the string is set as desired, the user then moves the further string clamp from the first length of string and moves it to the second length of string.
- the user secures the string with the string clamp on the side of the racket on which the string gripper is situated so that the string tension is maintained.
- the user then turns the racket in the mounting plate so that the string gripper is now opposite of the clamp.
- the user threads the end of the string through the neighboring grommet and repeats the process of the tensioning and s
- This standard method of stringing a racket is inadequate.
- the process is timely and overly repetitive.
- a user can only tension and secure one length of string at a time.
- the user must spin the racket mounting plate continuously.
- the clamps used on standard machines must be made thin. This is because in the stringing process a user is placing two clamps adjacent to each other on adjacent strings. The clamps must be made thin so that they can fit next to each other within the racket. The thin clamps are inadequate because they tend to break easily through the repetitive stringing process.
- Standard racket stringing machines have a mounting frame to hold the racket.
- Standard racket mounting frames have a “V” shape, with an upper arm and a lower arm extending inward from the mounting rack a plethora of points.
- the upper arms extend from the mounting rack directly above the lower arms.
- the upper arms and the lower arms exist respectively in a plane which is perpendicular to the mounting rack. This structure is limited in that the grommets on the racket which are located within the “V” of the upper arms and lower arms are difficult to reach and slow the stringing process.
- the invention is a racket stringing machine comprised of a mounting plate, a first string gripper and a second string gripper, a first string clamp and a second string clamp.
- the device is designed such that a user may thread a string through a racket and through said first string gripper and said second string gripper substantially simultaneously. The user may utilize said first string gripper and said second string gripper to apply tension to the ends of said string substantially simultaneously.
- the racket stringing machine may be further comprised of an electromotor, a means for controlling said electromotor, a first string gripper arm and a second string gripper arm wherein said first string gripper arm is connected to said first string gripper and said second string gripper arm is connected to said second string gripper, wherein said electromotor is utilized to move said first string gripper arm and said second string gripper arm.
- the racket stringing machine may further comprise a string clamp base, a machine base, and a pedestal.
- the string clamp base may be comprised of two separate string clamp base sections.
- Said first string gripper and said second string gripper may each be comprised of a first string gripper plate, a second string gripper plate, an axel, a string support rod, and a means for moving said first string gripper plate and said second gripper plate along the length of said axel.
- Said first string gripper and said second string gripper may be further comprised of a first collar connected to said first string gripper plate, wherein said first collar includes a central void containing one or more ball bearings, a second collar connected to said second string gripper plate, wherein said second collar includes a central void containing one or more ball bearings, wherein said axel has grooves designed to receive said ball bearings, wherein said axel is positioned within the central void of said first collar and the central void of said second collar, wherein as said axel rotates, said ball bearings move through said grooves in said axel, and wherein as said axel rotates, said first string gripper plate and said second string gripper plate move independently along the length of said axel.
- a racket stringing machine comprised of a mounting plate, a first string gripper and a second string gripper, a first string clamp and a second string clamp wherein said first string clamp and said second string clamp disengage from the respective lengths of string automatically when said first string gripper and said second string gripper apply a desired tension to the subsequent lengths of string. Furthermore, said first string clamp and said second string clamp automatically reposition under said subsequent lengths of string after disengaging from prior secured lengths of string.
- the device is designed such that a user may thread a string through a racket and through said first string gripper and said second string gripper substantially simultaneously.
- This embodiment of the racket stringing machine may be further comprised of an electromotor, a means for controlling said electromotor, a first string gripper arm and a second string gripper arm wherein said first string gripper arm is connected to said first string gripper and said second string gripper arm is connected to said second string gripper, wherein said electromotor is utilized to move said first string gripper arm and said second string gripper arm.
- This embodiment of the racket stringing machine may further comprise a string clamp base, a machine base, and a pedestal.
- the string clamp base may be comprised of two separate string clamp base sections.
- the invention utilizes a self-closing string gripper for use in a racket stringing machine comprising a first string gripper plate, a second string gripper plate, an axel, a string support rod, and a means for moving said first string gripper plate and said second gripper plate along the length of said axel.
- the self-closing string gripper may be further comprised of a first collar connected to said first string gripper plate, wherein said first collar includes a central void containing one or more ball bearings, a second collar connected to said second string gripper plate, wherein said second collar includes a central void containing one or more ball bearings, wherein said axel has grooves designed to receive said ball bearings, wherein said axel is positioned within the central void of said first collar and the central void of said second collar, wherein as said axel rotates, said ball bearings move through said grooves in said axel, and wherein as said axel rotates, said first string gripper plate and said second string gripper plate move independently along the length of said axel.
- the self-closing string gripper may be designed such that said grooves in said axel have a variable slope such that as said axel rotates said first string gripper plate and said second string gripper plate move along the length of said axel at variable speeds.
- the racket stringing machine is comprised of a mounting plate, a first string gripper and a second string gripper, a first string clamp and a second string clamp, wherein said first string gripper and said second string gripper are in the form of spools, and wherein said spools implant tension on a racket string by turning and winding said racket string around said spools.
- the racket stringing machine is comprised of a mounting plate, a first string gripper and a second string gripper, a first string clamp and a second string clamp
- said mounting plate is comprised of a mounting plate frame with a plethora of upper arms and lower arms, a first L-shaped lower arm, and a second L-shaped lower arm, wherein said upper arms extend inward and upward from said mounting plate frame, wherein said lower arms extend inward and downward from said mounting plate frame, wherein said lower arms and said upper arms are offset from each other on the mounting plate frame such that no lower arm is directly beneath any upper arm and no upper arm is directly over any lower arm, wherein said first L-shaped lower arm is located on the mounting rack in a position to receive the top of a racket, and wherein said second L-shaped lower arm is located on the mounting rack in a position to receive the handle section of a racket.
- the invention is a method of stringing two lengths of string on a racket simultaneously comprising the steps of threading a length of string with a first end and a second end through the grommets on a racket, threading said first end of the length of string through a first string gripper and said second end of the length of string through a second string gripper, securing said first end of the length of string with said first string gripper and securing said second end of the length of string with said second string gripper, and applying a desired tension on said length of string with said first string gripper and said second string gripper.
- the method may be further comprised of the steps of securing the length of string with a first string clamp and a second string clamp, removing said first end of the length of string from said first string gripper and removing said second end of the length of string from said second string gripper, threading said first end of the length of string through a grommet of said racket forming a first additional length of string, threading said second end of the length of string through a separate grommet of said racket forming a second additional length of string, threading said first end of the length of string through said second string gripper and said second end of the length of string through said first string gripper, securing said first end of the length of string with said second string gripper and securing said second end of the length of string with said first string gripper, applying a desired tension on said lengths of string with said first string gripper and said second string gripper, removing said first string clamp and said second string clamp from the length of string, repositioning said first string clamp and said second string clamp, and s
- FIG. 1 is a side view of a racket stringing machine allowing for stringing two strings simultaneously.
- FIG. 2 is a view of the internal mechanics of the racket stringing machine.
- FIG. 3 is perspective view of a self-locking string gripper utilized with the machine.
- FIG. 4 is a side view of a self-locking string gripper utilized with the machine.
- FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the mounting plate.
- FIG. 6 is a side view of the mounting plate.
- the invention is a racket stringing machine allowing a user to string two strings on a racket 100 simultaneously.
- the machine is comprised of a mounting plate 140 , a first string gripper 110 , a second string gripper 112 , a first string clamp 120 , a second string clamp 122 , a motor 160 , a first string gripper arm 162 , a second string gripper arm 164 , and a means for controlling the motor 180 .
- the invention is further comprised of a base 150 and a pedestal 170 .
- control means 180 can be any type of mechanical or electrical user interface for a user to control the motor 160 .
- Such control means may take the form of a touch screen electrical display or simple mechanical buttons or switches.
- control means may 180 be a button located on one or both of said string grippers 110 , 112 .
- the control means 180 can engage the control means 180 by pressing a button on said first string gripper 110 .
- the control means 180 is comprised of a second button on said second string gripper 112 .
- said second button is used to control the motion of said second string gripper 112 .
- the control and movement of said first string gripper 110 is independent of the control and movement of said second string gripper.
- the control means 180 may be a pressure sensitive pad 117 located on one or both string grippers 110 , 112 .
- the string is placed over the pressure sensitive pad 117 .
- the user pulls the string over the pressure sensitive pad 117 .
- the pressure sensitive pad 117 sends a signal to the motor 160 .
- the motor 160 activates and moves the respective string gripper 110 , 112 distal from the mounting plate 140 .
- the user uses the control means 180 to activate the motor 160 .
- the motor engages said first string gripper arm 162 and said second string gripper arm 164 .
- Said first string gripper arm 162 is connected to and transfers motion to said first string gripper 110 .
- Said second string gripper arm 164 is connected to and transfers motion to said second string gripper 112 .
- Said string grippers 110 , 112 are designed so that as said string grippers 110 , 112 move distal from the mounting plate 140 , said string grippers 110 , 112 automatically engage and secure the respective ends of the string.
- the string grippers 110 , 112 cause a desired tension to be placed in the string. When the desired tension is reached, the string grippers 110 , 112 cease their distal movement. A user then raises said first string clamp 120 and said second string clamp 122 and secures the string with said first string clamp 120 and said second string clamp 122 . The user may raise said string clamps 120 , 122 and secure said string clamps 120 , 122 to the string manually or via the control means 180 . When said first string clamp 120 and said second string clamp 122 are secured to the string, the desired tension is maintained within the string.
- the user engages the control means 180 to reverse the motor 160 .
- This reverse motion is transferred through the string gripper arms 162 , 164 , causing the string grippers 110 , 112 to move proximate to the mounting plate 140 .
- the string grippers 110 , 112 automatically release the string.
- the user then takes the respective ends of the string and threads each end through the next pair of grommets on the racket 100 .
- the user threads one end of the string through the next pair of grommets closer to the user and threads the other end of the string through the next pair of grommets further away from the user.
- the user threads the ends of the string through the respective string grippers 110 , 112 .
- the end of the string which had first been pulled by said first string gripper 110 is now threaded through said second string gripper 112 and the end of the string which had first been pulled by said second string gripper 112 is now threaded through said first string gripper 110 .
- the user then engages the control means 180 to activate the motor 160 .
- the motor engages both string gripper arms 162 , 164 .
- Said string gripper arms 162 , 164 transfer motion to the respective string grippers 110 , 112 , causing the string grippers 110 , 112 to move distal from the mounting plate 140 .
- Said string grippers 110 , 112 automatically secure the ends of the string. Once the desired tension is placed in the strings, the user secures the lengths of string with the respective string clamps 120 , 122 .
- Said string clamps 120 , 122 maintain the desired tension in the strings as the user disengages the string grippers 110 , 112 from the ends of the strings.
- said first string clamp 120 and said second string clamp 122 are raised manually and secured to the string manually by the user.
- said first string clamp 120 and said second string clamp 122 automatically disengage from the string and the string clamp base 126 rotates to position said first string clamp 120 and said second string clamp 122 under the subsequent lengths of string.
- the string clamps 120 , 122 sit on a string clamp base 126 .
- the string clamp base 126 is designed to rotate about a central axis.
- the string clamp base 126 may rotate freely, or be moved by means of the motor 160 .
- the string clamp base 126 may rotate 360 degrees.
- the string clamp base 126 may rotate less than 360 degrees.
- the string clamp base 126 is split into two separate sections. Said first string clamp 120 is positioned on one section and said second string clamp 122 is positioned on the second section.
- the string clamp base 126 sections may be moved independently of one another.
- said first string clamp 120 and said second string clamp 122 may be freely moved and positioned on each respective string clamp base section.
- the string clamps may be positioned such that the angle of the string clamps 120 , 122 is less than 180 degrees.
- the sections of the string clamp base 126 are each connected to a central axel.
- the sections of the string base clamp 126 rotate independently about the central axel.
- the sections of the string clamp base 126 may have springs positioned between the sections of the string clamp base 126 . The springs are connected to the respective sections of the string clamp base 126 .
- the springs allow the sections of the string clamp base 126 to default to a position where the first string clamp and the second string clamp are 180 degrees apart.
- the sections of the string clamp base 126 may be moved together, compressing the spring on one side of the string clamp base 126 and extending the spring on the opposite side of the string clamp base 126 .
- the sections of string clamp base 126 may be moved together such that the first string clamp 110 and the second string clamp 112 are positioned at an angle less than 180 degrees.
- the springs return to their original position, moving the sections of the string clamp base 126 to their respective original position where the first string clamp 110 and the second string clamp 112 are positioned 180 degrees apart.
- the sections of the string clamp base 126 are moved manually.
- the sections of the string clamp base 126 may be moved by an electromotor.
- the sections of the string clamp base 126 may rotate about the central axel up to 360 degrees of rotation.
- the sections of the string clamp base 126 rotate +/ ⁇ 30 degrees.
- the first string clamp 120 may rotate on the string clamp base 126 while the second string clamp 122 remains fixed in its original position.
- the string clamp base 126 rotates the first string clamp 120 and the second string clamp 122 automatically when a user has engaged the tension of the string grippers 110 , 112 .
- the string clamps 120 , 122 preserve the tension in the lengths of the string until the string grippers 110 , 112 have applied the desired level of tension to the subsequent lengths of string. Once the desired level is reached, the string clamps 120 , 122 release the prior lengths of string and the string clamp base 126 rotates the string clamps 120 , 122 to the subsequent lengths of string. In this embodiment of the invention, the release of the strings by the string clamps 120 , 122 and the rotation of the string clamp base 126 occur automatically when the user engages the string grippers 110 , 112 to pull the ends of the string.
- the invention further comprises a machine base 150 .
- the machine base 150 provides structural support for the other components of the machine.
- the machine base 150 may be set on a table top or any other location desired by the user.
- the machine base 150 is set on a pedestal 170 .
- the pedestal 170 allows a user to stand while using the machine.
- first said string gripper 110 is in the default position. While the following description is made in terms of the first said string gripper, the following is equally applicable to said second string gripper 112 .
- the first said string gripper 110 is proximate to the mounting plate 140 .
- said first string gripper 110 is positioned beneath the plane of the mounting plate 140 . Such position allows a user to rotate the mounting plate 140 as desired without the handle of the racket 100 contacting the first string gripper 110 .
- said first string gripper 110 moves upward so that the string is being pulled level with the plane of the mounting plate 140 .
- the user may make the string gripper 110 remain below the plane of the mounting plate 140 in order to string the racket 100 while the racket handle is positioned over the string gripper 110 .
- the string gripper 110 is comprised of a first gripper plate 111 and a second gripper plate 113 said first gripper plate 111 and said second gripper plate 113 mounted on an axel 119 and a string support rod 115 .
- the string gripper may be further comprised of a pressure sensitive pad 117 which is used as part of the control means 180 .
- Said first gripper plate 111 and said second gripper plate 113 are positioned substantially parallel in the default position. As the first string gripper 110 moves distal from the mounting plate said first gripper plate 111 and said second gripper plate 113 move inward toward each other until said first gripper plate 111 and said second gripper plate 113 compress the string threaded through the first string gripper 110 .
- Said first gripper plate 111 and said second gripper plate 113 place sufficient pressure on the string threaded between said first gripper plate 111 and said second gripper plate 113 , such that the string is immovable within the first string gripper 110 .
- the first string gripper 110 is designed such that there is a means for said first gripper plate 111 and said second gripper plate 113 to compress the string automatically as the first string gripper 110 moves distal from the mounting plate 140 .
- the axel 119 connects the first string gripper plate 111 and the second string gripper plate 113 .
- the axel 119 contains grooves with a variable slope. Ball bearings fitting within a collar are attached to said first gripper plate 111 and said second gripper plate 113 . The ball bearings fit within the grooves in the axel 119 . As the axel turns the ball bearings glide through the groove, moving the collar attached to said first string gripper plate 111 . As the collar moves along the groove, said first string gripper plate 111 moves inward toward said second gripper plate 113 . The ball bearings in the collar attached to said second string gripper plate 113 move along a separate groove in the axel 119 .
- the ball bearings move through the groove, moving the collar attached to said second string gripper plate 113 .
- said second string gripper plate 113 moves inward toward said first string gripper plate 111 .
- the grooves in the axel 119 have a variable slope such that said first string gripper plate 111 and said second string gripper plate 113 move inward quickly at first, then, when said first string gripper plate 111 and said second string gripper plate 113 are within the space to engage the string, said first string gripper plate 111 and said second string gripper plate 113 move inward toward each other very slowly.
- said first string gripper plate 111 and said second string gripper plate 113 move inward toward one another a large proportion of the distance between said first string gripper plate 111 and said second string gripper plate 113 . Then, with further rotation of the axel 119 , said first string gripper plate 111 and said second string gripper plate 113 move inward a small proportion of the distance between said first string gripper plate 111 and said second string gripper plate 113 .
- the means may include a pair of variably threaded screws on which the first gripper plate 111 and second gripper plate 113 are mounted.
- first gripper plate 111 rotates on the first said variably threaded screw
- second gripper plate 113 is mounted on a variably threaded screw with an opposite thread.
- said second gripper plate 113 rotates on the opposite thread, the rotation causes said second gripper plate 113 to move inward toward said first gripper plate 111 .
- the first string gripper is comprised of ball bearings under said first gripper plate 111 and said second gripper plate 113 .
- Said ball bearings allow said first gripper plate 111 and said second gripper plate 113 to slide toward one another.
- Said first string gripper plate 111 and said second string gripper plate 113 are positioned in a “V” shape with the narrow end of the “V” closest to the mounting plate 140 . As the first string gripper 140 moves distal from the mounting plate 140 , the friction from the string slides the first gripper plate 111 and the second gripper plate 113 toward the narrow end of the “V”.
- said first gripper plate 111 and the second gripper plate 113 slide toward the narrow end of the “V”, said first gripper plate 111 and said second gripper plate 113 further compress the string within the string gripper 110 . Said compression generates sufficient tension on the string to prevent the string from moving within the string gripper 110 .
- said first string gripper 110 and said second string gripper 112 are in the form of spools.
- the user wraps the string around the spool.
- the user engages the motor 160 which causes the spool to turn.
- the turning of the spool wraps the string around the spool until the string is taught between the spool and the mounting plate 140 .
- the spool continues to turn until the appropriate tension is placed on the string.
- the invention further comprises a mounting plate 140 containing multiple points of contact with the racket 100 .
- a mounting plate 140 containing multiple points of contact with the racket 100 .
- FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 an embodiment of the mounting plate 140 is shown.
- the mounting plate 140 contains a plethora of upper arms 142 and a plethora of lower arms 144 .
- the upper arms 142 and lower arms 144 are positioned within the same vertical plane and make a “V” shape.
- the upper arms 142 and lower arms 144 are offset from one another such that no lower arm 144 is directly beneath any upper arm 142 and no upper arm 142 is directly above any lower arm 144 .
- the upper arms 142 extend inward and upward from the mounting plate 140 .
- the upper arms 142 extend at an angle upward from the mounting plate 140 .
- the lower arms 144 extend inward and downward from the mounting plate 140 .
- the lower arms 144 extend at an angle downward from the mounting plate 140 .
- the vertical space between the lower arms 144 and the upper arms 142 is sufficient to permit a racket 100 to be inserted between the upper arms 142 and the lower arms 144 .
- the angle of the lower arms 144 pushes the racket 100 upward toward the upper arms 142 .
- the angle of the upper arms 142 pushes the racket 100 downward toward the lower arms 144 .
- the pushing of the upper arms 142 and the lower arms 144 on the racket 100 ensures that the racket 100 and string bed are centered in the mounting rack 140 and always held at the same height.
- the mounting plate 140 contains two L-shaped lower arms 141 , 143 .
- the first L-shaped lower arm 141 is located at 0 degrees and the second L-shaped lower arm 143 is located at 180 degrees.
- Said L-shaped lower arms 141 , 143 extend under the racket 100 at the handle location and at the upper end opposite from the handle.
- Said L-shaped lower arms 141 , 143 extend under the racket 100 and then extend upward inside the racket 100 . This prevents the racket 100 from compressing and deforming during the stringing process.
- the upper arms 142 and the lower arms 144 can be positioned at any location point on the sides of the racket 100 .
- the upper arms 142 and lower arms 144 are positioned at approximately 80 degrees, 100 degrees, 260 degrees, and 280 degrees. With the space between the respective upper arms 142 and lower arms 144 , the lower arms 144 are positioned at approximately 75 degrees, 105 degrees, 255 degrees, and 285 degrees. The upper arms 142 are positioned at approximately 85 degrees, 95 degrees, 265 degrees, and 275 degrees.
- the upper arms 142 and lower arms 144 are placed at any position on the mounting rack 140 . With the upper arms 142 and lower arms 144 positioned at different points from one another, a user has less issue with threading a string through a grommet that is located beneath an upper arm 142 or over a lower arm 144 .
Abstract
The invention is directed toward a machine and method for stringing two strings on a tennis racket substantially simultaneously. The machine is a racket stringing machine comprised of a mounting plate, a first string gripper and a second string gripper, a first string clamp and a second string clamp. The machine may be further comprised of an electromotor and means for control, a first string gripper arm and a second string gripper arm, a string clamp base, a machine base, and a pedestal. The method comprises the steps of threading a length of string with a first end and a second end through the grommets on a racket, threading the first end of the string through a first string gripper and the second end through a second string gripper, securing the ends of the length of string, and applying a desired tension on the length of string.
Description
- The invention relates generally to a racket stringing machine and more specifically to an apparatus and method for stringing multiple strings onto a tennis racket simultaneously.
- Tennis racket stringing machines are known in the art. Historically, these machines comprise a racket mounting plate, string clamps, a string gripper, and a means for moving the string gripper distal from the mounting plate. The means for moving the string gripper could be by means of a manual crank or an electric motor. The racket stringing machine has only one string gripper.
- When stringing a racket on a standard racket stringing machine, a user mounts the racket on the racket mounting plate and secures the racket to the mounting plate. The user starts by threading a string through opposing grommets on the racket. The user places one end of the string in the string gripper. The user then moves the string gripper distal from the mounting plate to place the appropriate level of tension in the string. When the tension in the string is at the appropriate level, the user clamps the string in place with string clamps. These clamps maintain the tension in the string throughout the stringing process.
- The user continues stringing by threading one end of the string through an opposing grommet. The user threads the string parallel to the first length of string. To do this the user will rotate the racket mounting plate so that the string gripper is now on the opposite side of the racket as it was for the first length of string. The user will thread the string through the opposing grommet and secure the string in the string gripper. The user moves the string gripper distal from the mounting plate to achieve the desired tension in the string. When the tension in the string is set as desired, the user then moves the further string clamp from the first length of string and moves it to the second length of string. The user secures the string with the string clamp on the side of the racket on which the string gripper is situated so that the string tension is maintained. The user then turns the racket in the mounting plate so that the string gripper is now opposite of the clamp. The user threads the end of the string through the neighboring grommet and repeats the process of the tensioning and securing the string.
- This standard method of stringing a racket is inadequate. The process is timely and overly repetitive. During the standard stringing process, a user can only tension and secure one length of string at a time. Also, the user must spin the racket mounting plate continuously. Thirdly, the clamps used on standard machines must be made thin. This is because in the stringing process a user is placing two clamps adjacent to each other on adjacent strings. The clamps must be made thin so that they can fit next to each other within the racket. The thin clamps are inadequate because they tend to break easily through the repetitive stringing process.
- Standard racket stringing machines have a mounting frame to hold the racket. Standard racket mounting frames have a “V” shape, with an upper arm and a lower arm extending inward from the mounting rack a plethora of points. The upper arms extend from the mounting rack directly above the lower arms. The upper arms and the lower arms exist respectively in a plane which is perpendicular to the mounting rack. This structure is limited in that the grommets on the racket which are located within the “V” of the upper arms and lower arms are difficult to reach and slow the stringing process.
- What is needed to overcome these problems is an apparatus and a method for stringing two strings on a racket simultaneously. Furthermore, what is needed is a mounting rack structure which dispenses with the planar structure of the upper arms and lower arms which extend from the mounting rack.
- The invention is a racket stringing machine comprised of a mounting plate, a first string gripper and a second string gripper, a first string clamp and a second string clamp. The device is designed such that a user may thread a string through a racket and through said first string gripper and said second string gripper substantially simultaneously. The user may utilize said first string gripper and said second string gripper to apply tension to the ends of said string substantially simultaneously. The racket stringing machine may be further comprised of an electromotor, a means for controlling said electromotor, a first string gripper arm and a second string gripper arm wherein said first string gripper arm is connected to said first string gripper and said second string gripper arm is connected to said second string gripper, wherein said electromotor is utilized to move said first string gripper arm and said second string gripper arm. The racket stringing machine may further comprise a string clamp base, a machine base, and a pedestal. The string clamp base may be comprised of two separate string clamp base sections.
- Said first string gripper and said second string gripper may each be comprised of a first string gripper plate, a second string gripper plate, an axel, a string support rod, and a means for moving said first string gripper plate and said second gripper plate along the length of said axel. Said first string gripper and said second string gripper may be further comprised of a first collar connected to said first string gripper plate, wherein said first collar includes a central void containing one or more ball bearings, a second collar connected to said second string gripper plate, wherein said second collar includes a central void containing one or more ball bearings, wherein said axel has grooves designed to receive said ball bearings, wherein said axel is positioned within the central void of said first collar and the central void of said second collar, wherein as said axel rotates, said ball bearings move through said grooves in said axel, and wherein as said axel rotates, said first string gripper plate and said second string gripper plate move independently along the length of said axel.
- In another embodiment of the invention is a racket stringing machine comprised of a mounting plate, a first string gripper and a second string gripper, a first string clamp and a second string clamp wherein said first string clamp and said second string clamp disengage from the respective lengths of string automatically when said first string gripper and said second string gripper apply a desired tension to the subsequent lengths of string. Furthermore, said first string clamp and said second string clamp automatically reposition under said subsequent lengths of string after disengaging from prior secured lengths of string. In this embodiment the device is designed such that a user may thread a string through a racket and through said first string gripper and said second string gripper substantially simultaneously. The user may utilize said first string gripper and said second string gripper to apply tension to the ends of said string substantially simultaneously. This embodiment of the racket stringing machine may be further comprised of an electromotor, a means for controlling said electromotor, a first string gripper arm and a second string gripper arm wherein said first string gripper arm is connected to said first string gripper and said second string gripper arm is connected to said second string gripper, wherein said electromotor is utilized to move said first string gripper arm and said second string gripper arm. This embodiment of the racket stringing machine may further comprise a string clamp base, a machine base, and a pedestal. The string clamp base may be comprised of two separate string clamp base sections.
- The invention utilizes a self-closing string gripper for use in a racket stringing machine comprising a first string gripper plate, a second string gripper plate, an axel, a string support rod, and a means for moving said first string gripper plate and said second gripper plate along the length of said axel. The self-closing string gripper may be further comprised of a first collar connected to said first string gripper plate, wherein said first collar includes a central void containing one or more ball bearings, a second collar connected to said second string gripper plate, wherein said second collar includes a central void containing one or more ball bearings, wherein said axel has grooves designed to receive said ball bearings, wherein said axel is positioned within the central void of said first collar and the central void of said second collar, wherein as said axel rotates, said ball bearings move through said grooves in said axel, and wherein as said axel rotates, said first string gripper plate and said second string gripper plate move independently along the length of said axel. The self-closing string gripper may be designed such that said grooves in said axel have a variable slope such that as said axel rotates said first string gripper plate and said second string gripper plate move along the length of said axel at variable speeds.
- In another embodiment of the invention the racket stringing machine is comprised of a mounting plate, a first string gripper and a second string gripper, a first string clamp and a second string clamp, wherein said first string gripper and said second string gripper are in the form of spools, and wherein said spools implant tension on a racket string by turning and winding said racket string around said spools.
- In another embodiment of the invention the racket stringing machine is comprised of a mounting plate, a first string gripper and a second string gripper, a first string clamp and a second string clamp, wherein said mounting plate is comprised of a mounting plate frame with a plethora of upper arms and lower arms, a first L-shaped lower arm, and a second L-shaped lower arm, wherein said upper arms extend inward and upward from said mounting plate frame, wherein said lower arms extend inward and downward from said mounting plate frame, wherein said lower arms and said upper arms are offset from each other on the mounting plate frame such that no lower arm is directly beneath any upper arm and no upper arm is directly over any lower arm, wherein said first L-shaped lower arm is located on the mounting rack in a position to receive the top of a racket, and wherein said second L-shaped lower arm is located on the mounting rack in a position to receive the handle section of a racket.
- The invention is a method of stringing two lengths of string on a racket simultaneously comprising the steps of threading a length of string with a first end and a second end through the grommets on a racket, threading said first end of the length of string through a first string gripper and said second end of the length of string through a second string gripper, securing said first end of the length of string with said first string gripper and securing said second end of the length of string with said second string gripper, and applying a desired tension on said length of string with said first string gripper and said second string gripper. The method may be further comprised of the steps of securing the length of string with a first string clamp and a second string clamp, removing said first end of the length of string from said first string gripper and removing said second end of the length of string from said second string gripper, threading said first end of the length of string through a grommet of said racket forming a first additional length of string, threading said second end of the length of string through a separate grommet of said racket forming a second additional length of string, threading said first end of the length of string through said second string gripper and said second end of the length of string through said first string gripper, securing said first end of the length of string with said second string gripper and securing said second end of the length of string with said first string gripper, applying a desired tension on said lengths of string with said first string gripper and said second string gripper, removing said first string clamp and said second string clamp from the length of string, repositioning said first string clamp and said second string clamp, and securing said first additional length of string with said first string clamp and securing said second additional length of string with said second string clamp.
-
FIG. 1 is a side view of a racket stringing machine allowing for stringing two strings simultaneously. -
FIG. 2 is a view of the internal mechanics of the racket stringing machine. -
FIG. 3 is perspective view of a self-locking string gripper utilized with the machine. -
FIG. 4 is a side view of a self-locking string gripper utilized with the machine. -
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the mounting plate. -
FIG. 6 is a side view of the mounting plate. - Although the present invention will be described with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the present invention can be embodied in many alternate forms or embodiments. In addition, any suitable size, shape or type of elements or materials could be used.
- Referring to
FIG. 1 andFIG. 2 , the invention is a racket stringing machine allowing a user to string two strings on aracket 100 simultaneously. The machine is comprised of a mountingplate 140, afirst string gripper 110, asecond string gripper 112, afirst string clamp 120, asecond string clamp 122, amotor 160, a firststring gripper arm 162, a secondstring gripper arm 164, and a means for controlling themotor 180. In this embodiment, the invention is further comprised of abase 150 and apedestal 170. - To string a racket using the machine, a user places a
racket 100 in the mountingplate 140. The user threads a string through opposing grommets in theracket 100. The user threads one end of said string through thefirst string gripper 110 and the other end of said string through thesecond string gripper 112. The user engages the means for controlling themotor 180 to actuate themotor 160. Herein after the means for controlling the motor shall be referred to as “control means”. The control means 180 can be any type of mechanical or electrical user interface for a user to control themotor 160. Such control means may take the form of a touch screen electrical display or simple mechanical buttons or switches. In other embodiments the control means may 180 be a button located on one or both of saidstring grippers first string gripper 110, the user can engage the control means 180 by pressing a button on saidfirst string gripper 110. When the user presses the button on saidfirst string gripper 110, themotor 160 becomes engaged and moves saidfirst string gripper 110 distal from the mountingplate 140. In another embodiment, the control means 180 is comprised of a second button on saidsecond string gripper 112. In this embodiment, said second button is used to control the motion of saidsecond string gripper 112. The control and movement of saidfirst string gripper 110 is independent of the control and movement of said second string gripper. - In another embodiment, displayed in
FIG. 3 , the control means 180 may be a pressuresensitive pad 117 located on one or bothstring grippers sensitive pad 117. The user pulls the string over the pressuresensitive pad 117. When the string places pressure against the pressuresensitive pad 117, the pressuresensitive pad 117 sends a signal to themotor 160. Themotor 160 activates and moves therespective string gripper plate 140. - In the preferred embodiment, when the ends of the string are thread through the
respective string grippers motor 160. The motor engages said firststring gripper arm 162 and said secondstring gripper arm 164. Said firststring gripper arm 162 is connected to and transfers motion to saidfirst string gripper 110. Said secondstring gripper arm 164 is connected to and transfers motion to saidsecond string gripper 112. When themotor 160 is activated, saidfirst string gripper 110 and saidsecond string gripper 162 move distal from the mountingplate 140. Saidstring grippers string grippers plate 140, saidstring grippers - The string grippers 110, 112 cause a desired tension to be placed in the string. When the desired tension is reached, the
string grippers first string clamp 120 and saidsecond string clamp 122 and secures the string with saidfirst string clamp 120 and saidsecond string clamp 122. The user may raise said string clamps 120, 122 and secure said string clamps 120, 122 to the string manually or via the control means 180. When saidfirst string clamp 120 and saidsecond string clamp 122 are secured to the string, the desired tension is maintained within the string. - Once secure, the user engages the control means 180 to reverse the
motor 160. This reverse motion is transferred through thestring gripper arms string grippers plate 140. As thestring grippers plate 140, thestring grippers - The user then takes the respective ends of the string and threads each end through the next pair of grommets on the
racket 100. The user threads one end of the string through the next pair of grommets closer to the user and threads the other end of the string through the next pair of grommets further away from the user. The user threads the ends of the string through therespective string grippers first string gripper 110 is now threaded through saidsecond string gripper 112 and the end of the string which had first been pulled by saidsecond string gripper 112 is now threaded through saidfirst string gripper 110. The user then engages the control means 180 to activate themotor 160. The motor engages both stringgripper arms - Said string
gripper arms respective string grippers string grippers plate 140. Saidstring grippers string grippers - In the preferred embodiment, said
first string clamp 120 and saidsecond string clamp 122 are raised manually and secured to the string manually by the user. When the user fully engages saidfirst string gripper 110 and saidsecond string gripper 112, and the desired tension is reached in the length of string, saidfirst string clamp 120 and saidsecond string clamp 122 automatically disengage from the string and thestring clamp base 126 rotates to position saidfirst string clamp 120 and saidsecond string clamp 122 under the subsequent lengths of string. - In this embodiment, the string clamps 120, 122 sit on a
string clamp base 126. Thestring clamp base 126 is designed to rotate about a central axis. Thestring clamp base 126 may rotate freely, or be moved by means of themotor 160. Thestring clamp base 126 may rotate 360 degrees. Optionally, thestring clamp base 126 may rotate less than 360 degrees. - In one embodiment, the
string clamp base 126 is split into two separate sections. Saidfirst string clamp 120 is positioned on one section and saidsecond string clamp 122 is positioned on the second section. - The
string clamp base 126 sections may be moved independently of one another. Optionally, saidfirst string clamp 120 and saidsecond string clamp 122 may be freely moved and positioned on each respective string clamp base section. In the utilization of this embodiment, the string clamps may be positioned such that the angle of the string clamps 120, 122 is less than 180 degrees. In this embodiment, the sections of thestring clamp base 126 are each connected to a central axel. The sections of thestring base clamp 126 rotate independently about the central axel. Optionally, the sections of thestring clamp base 126 may have springs positioned between the sections of thestring clamp base 126. The springs are connected to the respective sections of thestring clamp base 126. The springs allow the sections of thestring clamp base 126 to default to a position where the first string clamp and the second string clamp are 180 degrees apart. The sections of thestring clamp base 126 may be moved together, compressing the spring on one side of thestring clamp base 126 and extending the spring on the opposite side of thestring clamp base 126. The sections ofstring clamp base 126 may be moved together such that thefirst string clamp 110 and thesecond string clamp 112 are positioned at an angle less than 180 degrees. After the stringing process where the sections of thestring clamp base 126 are positioned close together, the springs return to their original position, moving the sections of thestring clamp base 126 to their respective original position where thefirst string clamp 110 and thesecond string clamp 112 are positioned 180 degrees apart. In one embodiment, the sections of thestring clamp base 126 are moved manually. Optionally, the sections of thestring clamp base 126 may be moved by an electromotor. The sections of thestring clamp base 126 may rotate about the central axel up to 360 degrees of rotation. Preferably, the sections of thestring clamp base 126 rotate +/−30 degrees. - Optionally, the
first string clamp 120 may rotate on thestring clamp base 126 while thesecond string clamp 122 remains fixed in its original position. Preferably thestring clamp base 126 rotates thefirst string clamp 120 and thesecond string clamp 122 automatically when a user has engaged the tension of thestring grippers - Optimally, the string clamps 120, 122 preserve the tension in the lengths of the string until the
string grippers string clamp base 126 rotates the string clamps 120, 122 to the subsequent lengths of string. In this embodiment of the invention, the release of the strings by the string clamps 120, 122 and the rotation of thestring clamp base 126 occur automatically when the user engages thestring grippers - The invention further comprises a
machine base 150. Themachine base 150 provides structural support for the other components of the machine. Themachine base 150 may be set on a table top or any other location desired by the user. In this embodiment, themachine base 150 is set on apedestal 170. Thepedestal 170 allows a user to stand while using the machine. - Other embodiments of the invention may further utilize special self-closing
string grippers FIG. 3 andFIG. 4 , the first saidstring gripper 110 is in the default position. While the following description is made in terms of the first said string gripper, the following is equally applicable to saidsecond string gripper 112. In the default position the first saidstring gripper 110 is proximate to the mountingplate 140. In the default position, saidfirst string gripper 110 is positioned beneath the plane of the mountingplate 140. Such position allows a user to rotate the mountingplate 140 as desired without the handle of theracket 100 contacting thefirst string gripper 110. When a user moves saidfirst string gripper 110 distal from the mountingplate 140, saidfirst string gripper 110 moves upward so that the string is being pulled level with the plane of the mountingplate 140. Optionally, the user may make thestring gripper 110 remain below the plane of the mountingplate 140 in order to string theracket 100 while the racket handle is positioned over thestring gripper 110. - The
string gripper 110 is comprised of afirst gripper plate 111 and asecond gripper plate 113 saidfirst gripper plate 111 and saidsecond gripper plate 113 mounted on anaxel 119 and astring support rod 115. Optionally, the string gripper may be further comprised of a pressuresensitive pad 117 which is used as part of the control means 180. Saidfirst gripper plate 111 and saidsecond gripper plate 113 are positioned substantially parallel in the default position. As thefirst string gripper 110 moves distal from the mounting plate saidfirst gripper plate 111 and saidsecond gripper plate 113 move inward toward each other until saidfirst gripper plate 111 and saidsecond gripper plate 113 compress the string threaded through thefirst string gripper 110. Saidfirst gripper plate 111 and saidsecond gripper plate 113 place sufficient pressure on the string threaded between saidfirst gripper plate 111 and saidsecond gripper plate 113, such that the string is immovable within thefirst string gripper 110. - The
first string gripper 110 is designed such that there is a means for saidfirst gripper plate 111 and saidsecond gripper plate 113 to compress the string automatically as thefirst string gripper 110 moves distal from the mountingplate 140. - In the preferred embodiment, the
axel 119 connects the firststring gripper plate 111 and the secondstring gripper plate 113. Theaxel 119 contains grooves with a variable slope. Ball bearings fitting within a collar are attached to saidfirst gripper plate 111 and saidsecond gripper plate 113. The ball bearings fit within the grooves in theaxel 119. As the axel turns the ball bearings glide through the groove, moving the collar attached to said firststring gripper plate 111. As the collar moves along the groove, said firststring gripper plate 111 moves inward toward saidsecond gripper plate 113. The ball bearings in the collar attached to said secondstring gripper plate 113 move along a separate groove in theaxel 119. As theaxel 119 turns, the ball bearings move through the groove, moving the collar attached to said secondstring gripper plate 113. As the collar moves along the groove, said secondstring gripper plate 113 moves inward toward said firststring gripper plate 111. Preferably the grooves in theaxel 119 have a variable slope such that said firststring gripper plate 111 and said secondstring gripper plate 113 move inward quickly at first, then, when said firststring gripper plate 111 and said secondstring gripper plate 113 are within the space to engage the string, said firststring gripper plate 111 and said secondstring gripper plate 113 move inward toward each other very slowly. Preferably, when saidaxel 119 first rotates, said firststring gripper plate 111 and said secondstring gripper plate 113 move inward toward one another a large proportion of the distance between said firststring gripper plate 111 and said secondstring gripper plate 113. Then, with further rotation of theaxel 119, said firststring gripper plate 111 and said secondstring gripper plate 113 move inward a small proportion of the distance between said firststring gripper plate 111 and said secondstring gripper plate 113. - The means may include a pair of variably threaded screws on which the
first gripper plate 111 andsecond gripper plate 113 are mounted. As saidfirst gripper plate 111 rotates on the first said variably threaded screw, the rotation of thefirst gripper plate 111 along the thread causes the gripper plate to move inward toward saidsecond gripper plate 113. Saidsecond gripper plate 113 is mounted on a variably threaded screw with an opposite thread. As saidsecond gripper plate 113 rotates on the opposite thread, the rotation causes saidsecond gripper plate 113 to move inward toward saidfirst gripper plate 111. - In another embodiment of the self-locking string gripper, the first string gripper is comprised of ball bearings under said
first gripper plate 111 and saidsecond gripper plate 113. Said ball bearings allow saidfirst gripper plate 111 and saidsecond gripper plate 113 to slide toward one another. Said firststring gripper plate 111 and said secondstring gripper plate 113 are positioned in a “V” shape with the narrow end of the “V” closest to the mountingplate 140. As thefirst string gripper 140 moves distal from the mountingplate 140, the friction from the string slides thefirst gripper plate 111 and thesecond gripper plate 113 toward the narrow end of the “V”. As thefirst gripper plate 111 and thesecond gripper plate 113 slide toward the narrow end of the “V”, saidfirst gripper plate 111 and saidsecond gripper plate 113 further compress the string within thestring gripper 110. Said compression generates sufficient tension on the string to prevent the string from moving within thestring gripper 110. - In another embodiment of the invention said
first string gripper 110 and saidsecond string gripper 112 are in the form of spools. The user wraps the string around the spool. To tension the string, the user engages themotor 160 which causes the spool to turn. The turning of the spool wraps the string around the spool until the string is taught between the spool and the mountingplate 140. The spool continues to turn until the appropriate tension is placed on the string. - Optionally, in another embodiment, the invention further comprises a mounting
plate 140 containing multiple points of contact with theracket 100. Referring toFIG. 4 andFIG. 5 , an embodiment of the mountingplate 140 is shown. The mountingplate 140 contains a plethora ofupper arms 142 and a plethora oflower arms 144. In the prior art, theupper arms 142 andlower arms 144 are positioned within the same vertical plane and make a “V” shape. In the embodiment presented in the invention, theupper arms 142 andlower arms 144 are offset from one another such that nolower arm 144 is directly beneath anyupper arm 142 and noupper arm 142 is directly above anylower arm 144. Theupper arms 142 extend inward and upward from the mountingplate 140. Theupper arms 142 extend at an angle upward from the mountingplate 140. Thelower arms 144 extend inward and downward from the mountingplate 140. Thelower arms 144 extend at an angle downward from the mountingplate 140. The vertical space between thelower arms 144 and theupper arms 142 is sufficient to permit aracket 100 to be inserted between theupper arms 142 and thelower arms 144. The angle of thelower arms 144 pushes theracket 100 upward toward theupper arms 142. The angle of theupper arms 142 pushes theracket 100 downward toward thelower arms 144. The pushing of theupper arms 142 and thelower arms 144 on theracket 100 ensures that theracket 100 and string bed are centered in the mountingrack 140 and always held at the same height. - The mounting
plate 140 contains two L-shapedlower arms lower arm 141 is located at 0 degrees and the second L-shapedlower arm 143 is located at 180 degrees. Said L-shapedlower arms racket 100 at the handle location and at the upper end opposite from the handle. Said L-shapedlower arms racket 100 and then extend upward inside theracket 100. This prevents theracket 100 from compressing and deforming during the stringing process. Theupper arms 142 and thelower arms 144 can be positioned at any location point on the sides of theracket 100. Preferably theupper arms 142 andlower arms 144 are positioned at approximately 80 degrees, 100 degrees, 260 degrees, and 280 degrees. With the space between the respectiveupper arms 142 andlower arms 144, thelower arms 144 are positioned at approximately 75 degrees, 105 degrees, 255 degrees, and 285 degrees. Theupper arms 142 are positioned at approximately 85 degrees, 95 degrees, 265 degrees, and 275 degrees. - In other embodiments, there are any number of
upper arms 142 and lowersarms 144 positioned around the mountingrack 140. In other embodiments, theupper arms 142 andlower arms 144 are placed at any position on the mountingrack 140. With theupper arms 142 andlower arms 144 positioned at different points from one another, a user has less issue with threading a string through a grommet that is located beneath anupper arm 142 or over alower arm 144.
Claims (20)
1. A racket stringing machine comprising
A mounting plate
A first string gripper and a second string gripper
A first string clamp and a second string clamp
2. The device as in claim 1
Wherein a user may thread a string through a racket and through said first string gripper and said second string gripper substantially simultaneously
Wherein said first string gripper and said second string gripper apply tension to the ends of said string substantially simultaneously
3. The device as in claim 2 further comprising
An electromotor
A means for controlling said electromotor
A first string gripper arm and a second string gripper arm wherein said first string gripper arm is connected to said first string gripper and said second string gripper arm is connected to said second string gripper
Wherein said electromotor is utilized to move said first string gripper arm and said second string gripper arm.
4. The device as in claim 3 further comprising
A string clamp base
A machine base
A pedestal
5. The device as in claim 4 wherein said string clamp base is comprised of two separate string clamp base sections
6. The device as in claim 5 wherein said first string gripper and said second string gripper are comprised of
A first string gripper plate
A second string gripper plate
An axel
A string support rod
A means for moving said first string gripper plate and said second gripper plate along the length of said axel
7. The device as in claim 6 wherein said first string gripper and said second string gripper are further comprised of
A first collar connected to said first string gripper plate
Wherein said first collar includes a central void containing one or more ball bearings
A second collar connected to said second string gripper plate
Wherein said second collar includes a central void containing one or more ball bearings
Wherein said axel has grooves designed to receive said ball bearings
Wherein said axel is positioned within the central void of said first collar and the central void of said second collar
Wherein as said axel rotates, said ball bearings move through said grooves in said axel
Wherein as said axel rotates, said first string gripper plate and said second string gripper plate move independently along the length of said axel.
8. The device as in claim 1 wherein said first string clamp and said second string clamp disengage from the respective lengths of string automatically when said first string gripper and said second string gripper apply a desired tension to the subsequent lengths of string.
9. The device as in claim 8 wherein said first string clamp and said second string clamp automatically reposition under said subsequent lengths of string after disengaging from prior secured lengths of string
10. The device as in claim 9
Wherein a user may thread a string through a racket and through said first string gripper and said second string gripper substantially simultaneously
Wherein said first string gripper and said second string gripper apply tension to the ends of said string substantially simultaneously
11. The device as in claim 10 further comprising
An electromotor
A means for controlling said electromotor
A first string gripper arm and a second string gripper arm wherein said first string gripper arm is connected to said first string gripper and said second string gripper arm is connected to said second string gripper
Wherein said electromotor is utilized to move said first string gripper arm and said second string gripper arm
12. The device as in claim 11 further comprising
A string clamp base
A machine base
A pedestal
13. The device as in claim 12 wherein said string clamp base is comprised of two separate string clamp base sections
14. A self-closing string gripper for use in a racket stringing machine comprising
A first string gripper plate
Second string gripper plate
An axel
A string support rod
A means for moving said first string gripper plate and said second gripper plate along the length of said axel
15. The device as in claim 14 further comprising
A first collar connected to said first string gripper plate
Wherein said first collar includes a central void containing one or more ball bearings
A second collar connected to said second string gripper plate
Wherein said second collar includes a central void containing one or more ball bearings
Wherein said axel has grooves designed to receive said ball bearings
Wherein said axel is positioned within the central void of said first collar and the central void of said second collar
Wherein as said axel rotates, said ball bearings move through said grooves in said axel
Wherein as said axel rotates, said first string gripper plate and said second string gripper plate move independently along the length of said axel.
16. The device as in claim 15 wherein said grooves in said axel have a variable slope such that as said axel rotates said first string gripper plate and said second string gripper plate move along the length of said axel at variable speeds.
17. The device as in claim 1 wherein said first string gripper and said second string gripper are in the form of spools
Wherein said spools implant tension on a racket string by turning and winding said racket string around said spools
18. The device as in claim 1 wherein said mounting plate is comprised of a mounting plate frame with a plethora of upper arms and lower arms, a first L-shaped lower arm, and a second L-shaped lower arm
Wherein said upper arms extend inward and upward from said mounting plate frame
Wherein said lower arms extend inward and downward from said mounting plate frame
Wherein said lower arms and said upper arms are offset from each other on the mounting plate frame such that no lower arm is directly beneath any upper arm and no upper arm is directly over any lower arm.
Wherein said first L-shaped lower arm is located on the mounting rack in a position to receive the top of a racket
Wherein said second L-shaped lower arm is located on the mounting rack in a position to receive the handle section of a racket
19. The method of stringing two lengths of string on a racket simultaneously comprising
Threading a length of string with a first end and a second end through the grommets on a racket
Threading said first end of the length of string through a first string gripper and said second end of the length of string through a second string gripper
Securing said first end of the length of string with said first string gripper and securing said second end of the length of string with said second string gripper
Applying a desired tension on said length of string with said first string gripper and said second string gripper
20. The method as in claim 19 further comprising the steps of
Securing the length of string with a first string clamp and a second string clamp
Removing said first end of the length of string from said first string gripper and removing said second end of the length of string from said second string gripper
Threading said first end of the length of string through a grommet of said racket forming a first additional length of string
Threading said second end of the length of string through a separate grommet of said racket forming a second additional length of string
Threading said first end of the length of string through said second string gripper and said second end of the length of string through said first string gripper
Securing said first end of the length of string with said second string gripper and securing said second end of the length of string with said first string gripper
Applying a desired tension on said lengths of string with said first string gripper and said second string gripper
Removing said first string clamp and said second string clamp from the length of string
Repositioning said first string clamp and said second string clamp
Securing said first additional length of string with said first string clamp and securing said second additional length of string with said second string clamp
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US14/076,593 US20150133243A1 (en) | 2013-11-11 | 2013-11-11 | Dual Stringing Tennis Racket Machine and Method |
US15/716,521 US20180015335A1 (en) | 2013-11-11 | 2017-09-27 | Self Locking Racket Stringing Machine Tensioner |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US14/076,593 US20150133243A1 (en) | 2013-11-11 | 2013-11-11 | Dual Stringing Tennis Racket Machine and Method |
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US14/215,537 Continuation-In-Part US20150258389A1 (en) | 2013-11-11 | 2014-03-17 | Portable Tennis Racket Stringing Machine |
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US15/716,521 Continuation-In-Part US20180015335A1 (en) | 2013-11-11 | 2017-09-27 | Self Locking Racket Stringing Machine Tensioner |
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US20150133243A1 true US20150133243A1 (en) | 2015-05-14 |
Family
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US14/076,593 Abandoned US20150133243A1 (en) | 2013-11-11 | 2013-11-11 | Dual Stringing Tennis Racket Machine and Method |
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Cited By (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US9770631B2 (en) * | 2016-01-20 | 2017-09-26 | John C. Tarrant | Systems, methods and devices for tensioning racket string |
CH713236A1 (en) * | 2016-12-15 | 2018-06-15 | Tanner Markus | Stringing machine for covering a racquet for a racket sport. |
US20190275380A1 (en) * | 2018-03-09 | 2019-09-12 | Elding Ind. Co., Ltd. | Racquet stringing machine |
US10456633B1 (en) * | 2018-06-28 | 2019-10-29 | Matthew James Polson | Systems and methods for stringing a racket |
US10625123B2 (en) * | 2018-05-25 | 2020-04-21 | Haisheng LIU | Racket stringing apparatus with cross string aid |
WO2021006981A1 (en) * | 2019-07-08 | 2021-01-14 | Adaptive Integrations Technology, Inc. | Automatic string weaving system for stringed sports racquet and method |
CN113713346A (en) * | 2021-09-06 | 2021-11-30 | 湖南人文科技学院 | Automatic threading robot of racket |
US11305162B2 (en) * | 2018-03-26 | 2022-04-19 | Guangzhou Mastripod Technology Limited | Pulling string apparatus of stringing machine |
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Cited By (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9770631B2 (en) * | 2016-01-20 | 2017-09-26 | John C. Tarrant | Systems, methods and devices for tensioning racket string |
CH713236A1 (en) * | 2016-12-15 | 2018-06-15 | Tanner Markus | Stringing machine for covering a racquet for a racket sport. |
US20190275380A1 (en) * | 2018-03-09 | 2019-09-12 | Elding Ind. Co., Ltd. | Racquet stringing machine |
US10486035B2 (en) * | 2018-03-09 | 2019-11-26 | Elding Ind. Co., Ltd. | Racquet stringing machine |
US11305162B2 (en) * | 2018-03-26 | 2022-04-19 | Guangzhou Mastripod Technology Limited | Pulling string apparatus of stringing machine |
US10625123B2 (en) * | 2018-05-25 | 2020-04-21 | Haisheng LIU | Racket stringing apparatus with cross string aid |
US10456633B1 (en) * | 2018-06-28 | 2019-10-29 | Matthew James Polson | Systems and methods for stringing a racket |
WO2021006981A1 (en) * | 2019-07-08 | 2021-01-14 | Adaptive Integrations Technology, Inc. | Automatic string weaving system for stringed sports racquet and method |
CN113713346A (en) * | 2021-09-06 | 2021-11-30 | 湖南人文科技学院 | Automatic threading robot of racket |
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