WO2001087424A2

WO2001087424A2 - Configuration for a sporting or game racket and method for racket head positioning

Info

Publication number: WO2001087424A2
Application number: PCT/GB2001/002236
Authority: WO
Inventors: Oleg Radomskij; Vitali Olifirenko; Dmitriy Olshevskiy; Igor Radomskij
Original assignee: Wain, Christopher, Paul
Priority date: 2000-05-18
Filing date: 2001-05-18
Publication date: 2001-11-22
Also published as: AU2001258574A1; WO2001087424A3; TW526074B

Abstract

A sporting game racket comprising a head, a shaft and a handgrip. The head of the racket is turned to improve a player's hit location during a sporting game. Further, the shaft may either have a straight or curved configuration; or alternatively, the shaft may be substituted by a throat. Specifically, the curved shaft results in the axis of the handgrip having an angle directed towards a longitudinal axis of the head of the racket. Moreover, the configuration of the sporting game racket is dependent upon several angles; primarily, an angle located between a longitudinal axis of the head and the axis of the handgrip; an angle between the longitudinal axis of the head and an axis of the shaft; and/or an angle between the axis of the handgrip and the shaft. Additionally, the present invention describes a method of constructing the head and the shaft of a sporting game racket or paddle for playing games, such as badminton, tennis, racquetball, ping-pong, paddle ball, squash and the like.

Description

CONFIGURATION FOR A SPORTING OR GAME RACKET AND METHOD FOR RACKET HEAD POSITIONING

RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS:

This patent application claims priority to United States Provisional Application No. 60/205632 filed May 18, 2000 entitled IMPROVED CONFIGURATION FOR A SPORTING OR GAME RACKET AND METHOD FOR RACKET REDIRECTION. The aforementioned application in its entirety is hereby expressly incoφorated by reference into the present application.

DESCRIPTION TECHNICAL FIELD:

The present invention relates to sporting game rackets and paddles including, but not limited to tennis rackets, racquetball rackets, badminton rackets, ping-pong paddles, squash rackets and the like. Specifically, the present invention relates to a sporting game racket having a uniquely positioned head designed to decrease unnecessary movements and energy exerted by a player during a sporting game, while at the same time effectively changing the player's motion techniques. Further, the present invention is ergonomically designed, as exemplified by the various possible embodiments, to improve a player's handling techniques in order to increase the comfort level and effectiveness of a player on the playing field. Moreover, the present invention describes a method of constructing the head and shaft of a sporting game racket for playing games, such as badminton, tennis, racquetball, ping-pong, paddle ball, squash and the like. The improved sporting game racket constructed according to the teachings of the present invention is aesthetically pleasing not only to the player, but the consuming public as well. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:

Significant advancements in the area of sporting rackets have occurred in the past 35 years. Racket design and choice of materials for construction have evolved primarily in response to technological advancements in relevant areas. In 1976, U.S. Patent No. 3,999,756 introduced an oversize racket which made sporting game rackets easier to play and helped popularize such sports as tennis. Further, racket frame material technology also advanced enabling designs of high performance rackets, based on their high strength-to-weight ratio, thereby allowing rackets to be made lighter and more maneuverable. Such advancements could be applied to a wide variety of rackets or paddles including table tennis, racquetball, squash, badminton, tennis, ping-pong, paddle ball and other similar type rackets or paddles.

By conventional design a tennis racket typically comprises a head, a throat and a handle. The head of the racket, as shown in U.S. Patent No. 5,913,740, usually includes varying thicknesses and widths along the length of the head in order to increase power and contror during a user's game. In the '740 patent, the head is constructed to shift the center of gravity of the racket toward the handle of the racket by having a bottom section with a greater thickness, width and/or cross-sectional shape than the top section. However, it fails to provide for a racket having a head positioned in a turned configuration to assist the player in reaching farther hit location points without overextending a player's arm position.

An alternative tennis racket design is shown in U.S. Patent No. 5,810,683 issued to Davis on September 22, 1998. The '683 patent provides for a tennis racket comprising an open throat frame in which the head portion has an aerodynamic cross-section. At least most of the shaft portions have a box-like cross-section where the two regions are connected by a morph region for blending the cross-section of one region into the cross- section of the other region. Although the boxy cross-section provides for a combination of bending and torsional stiffness properties, it fails to provide for a head directed in a rotated orientation, preferably having a turned or tilted configuration.

Another design for a tennis racket is depicted in U.S. Patent No. 4,478,416 issued to Gibello on October 23, 1984. The '416 patent provides for a tennis racket including a strung head, a straight shaft, a handgrip and a longitudinal axis of the shaft which forms respective complementary angles of between 40° and 50° with the major axis and the minor axis of the head of the racket. The racket includes an apertured rib which extends between the handle and the head. The '416 patent, however, fails to provide aerodynamic elements to its racket since the apertured rib of the throat adds resistance. Further, the '416 racket can only be utilized in a limited number of positions, especially since the angle α located between a player's shoulder and body varies between 40° to 50°. Also, the longitudinal axis of equilibrium is shifted to the left of the racket when held in a vertical position, or alternatively shifted to the bottom of the racket when held in a horizontal position, thereby diminishing the spin of the ball. Thus, in order to enhance spinning capabilities of the racket, the user must exert himself/herself by applying additional force, especially when returning the ball.

Other rackets have been improved to include a spin-enhancing cross-section as shown in U.S. Patent No. 5,649,702 to Janes et al., issued July 22, 1997. Here, the '702 sports racket has a head portion with an elliptical cross-section in which the major axis is oriented parallel to the string plane.

Unlike the sport of tennis, racquetball maintains different requirements since it is played on a four-walled court with a ball that is faster in speed and smaller in size. Further, racquetball requires a swing stroke in which the ball is hit with a snapping action of the wrist. Thus, a racquetball racket must be light, maneuverable and designed to be swung relatively close to the wall or floor. An example of such a racquetball racket is depicted in U.S. Patent No. 5,919,104 to Mortvedt, et al., issued on July 6, 1999. The '104 racket includes a handle having a cavity defined by the handle with at least a portion of the strung length of the strings partially within that cavity. In the case of a racket having a shaft, a cavity is defined by the racket's shaft.

Other racquetball rackets comprise a frame having a head portion, a handle connected to the head portion and stringing as claimed in U.S. Patent No. 5,833,560 to Davis et al., issued November 10, 1998 ("the '560 patent"). In the '560 patent, the head portion is reconfigured as a thin-wall, hollow composite tubular member having a minimum weight per unit length, a cross-sectional height, a cross-sectional width and an egg shape strung surface having a length of at least 14 inches. However, the '560 patent, like each of the racquetball rackets discussed above fails to provide for a head having a turned configuration.

As for badminton rackets, they are structurally different from squash, racquetball, tennis rackets and the like insofar as they are designed to hit a shuttlecock rather than a substantial object such as a tennis or squash ball. As such, badminton rackets need to make an impact having a greater head speed than other rackets. Therefore, badminton rackets require a lighter build in order to provide a quick response.

Traditionally, badminton rackets are comprised of a hoop section forming a head and support strings, a generally round shaft portion carrying a handle, and a T-shaped tubular joint which connects the shaft to the head. In this standard construction, as seen in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,360,202 and 4,568,084, the opposed ends of the head are received in the arms or sleeves of the T-joint, and the shaft received in the tubular base or stem. More recently, an improved badminton racket, as shown in U.S. Patent No. 5,071 ,124 to Davis issued on December 10, 1991. The '124 patent includes a head, a shaft, a Y-joint connecting the head to the shaft in order to improve transmission of stress from the head to the shaft, and a kick shaft to produce greater head speed at the point of impact. However, the '124 patent fails to provide for a turned head or a uniquely configured shaft designed to improve the motion techniques of a player while reducing unnecessary movements made during a game.

In view of the above described deficiencies associated with the use of conventionally designed sporting game rackets, the present invention has been developed to alleviate these drawbacks and provide further benefits to a player. These enhancements and benefits are described in greater detail herein below with respect to several alternative embodiments of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:

Described herein is an improved sporting game racket having a head with a turned configuration defining a strung surface, a handgrip and a shaft having two ends positioned between the head and the handgrip, wherein one end of the shaft is attached to the head and a second end of the shaft is fixed to the handgrip. Here, the shaft may either have a straight or a curved configuration. An alternative embodiment provides for an improved sporting game racket having a turned head defining a strung surface, a handgrip and a throat portion operatively connecting the head and the handgrip. In these ways, the present invention, in its several disclosed embodiments, alleviates the drawbacks described above with respect to conventionally designed sporting game rackets and incorporates several additionally beneficial features.

A standard sporting racket generally comprises a head having string support, a shaft and a handle. The shaft is constructed to have a straight configuration and be located between the lower end of the head and the upper end of the handle. The traditional angle between the axis of the handgrip and the longitudinal axis of the head has always remained the same, causing a player to make unnecessary additional movements while playing a sporting game. Further, some rackets offer a throat portion as an advanced form of a shaft thereby imparting strength and rigidity to the racket as a whole. A preferred embodiment of the present invention, however, orients the head of a racket in a rotated configuration. The rotated head may be attached to either a throat, a straight shaft or a curved shaft as described below. Preferably, the rotated head of the racket is directed towards the shoulder region of a player. An advantage of this design is that the rotated head helps to change the motion techniques of a player in order to decrease unnecessary movements, effort and energy exerted during a game. Further, the uniquely positioned head helps the player to reach farther hit location points while increasing the player's game field. Here, the term "hit location points" is defined as the location where an object (such as a ball, a shuttlecock or the like) comes into physical contact with the head of the racket.

An alternative embodiment of the present invention is to incoφorate a uniquely configured shaft having a curved shape. Unlike the conventional game racket, this embodiment incorporates a shaft having a curved configuration to act as an improved substitute for a straight shaft. Further, the curvature of the shaft may be customized to each individual player or may be designed as a pre-determined mass product for the average consumer. Here, the curved shaft maintains at least one curved location within its body. Preferably, the upper end of the shaft is curved at a first point and the lower end of the shaft is curved at a second point. The advantage of constructing the shaft in such a manner is to improve the racket handling techniques by a player in order to increase the effectivity and comfort level on the arm, wrists and hands of the player.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to improve a player's concentration by eliminating overexerted energy and effort caused by unnecessary racket handling movements during a sporting or game event. As a result, the player is less fatigued during the play of a game. Further, due to the various embodiments of the present invention of the sporting game rackets, the comfort level of the motion and handling techniques by a player is improved, yielding enhanced physical movements while helping a player discover his sporting potential. Additionally, the player is able to concentrate on the game rather than on his sporting racket.

The present invention also provides for spin enhancement since the center of gravity of the head of the racket shifts towards the right hand side of the head. This benefit reduces the amount of wrist movement a player must make in order to spin the ball as opposed to conventional rackets. Further, the present invention offers precise hits of a ball when the ball is served due to the increased sweet spot area.

Still further the present invention provides for a long shaft for rackets such as badminton and smaller shafts for rackets such as tennis and the like. The improved sporting racket incorporates aerodynamic benefits through the absence of apertured ribs formed within the shafts of conventional rackets. Further, the axis of equilibrium of the improved racket specifically shifts to the right due to the configuration of the head when the racket is held vertically or to the top of the racket when held horizontally. As a result, the spin of the ball is enhanced, especially when a player returns the ball.

Moreover, the invention provides for a method of constructing the head of a sporting game racket. The method of construction comprising the steps of: calculating the distance between the center of the handgrip to a first curve point; calculating the distance between the point of the head and shaft of the racket and a second curve point; positioning the head of the racket, preferably in a turned or tilted reconfiguration; and attaching a curved shaft, a straight shaft or a throat to the lower portion of the head.

The beneficial effects described above apply generally to the exemplary devices disclosed herein of the improved sporting or game racket and process for reconfiguring the same. The specific structures through which these benefits are delivered will be described in detail herein below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

The invention will now be described in greater detail in the following way of example only and with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1 depicts a perspective view of a sporting or game racket according to the present invention having a curved shaft and a turned head.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a conventional racket having a standard design.

Figure 3 is a trigonometric diagram depicting a process of calculating the required angles and distances to configure and build the improved racket according to the present invention.

Figure 4 is a top elevational view of the improved racket designed according to the trigonometric process described in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a player's arm being extended in a sporting position where the yi-axis depicts a player's natural handgrip axis and the x-axis illustrates the player's arm, namely the distance from the elbow to the hand of a player, in a non- exerted state.

Figure 6 is a schematic view showing various positions of the head of the improved racket at a number of hit locations occurring while the arm of the player is in a non-exerted state as an object comes into contact with the head of the racket.

Figure 7 is a schematic view showing the same various positions as shown in Figure 6 of the head of a conventional racket at a number of hit locations occurring while the arm of the player is in a non-exerted state as an object comes into contact with the head of the racket.

Figure 8 is a top plan view of a sporting racket, namely a tennis racket, having an improved configuration where the head of the racket is turned according to the present invention. Figure 9 is a top plan view of a sporting racket, namely a racquetball racket, having an improved configuration where the head of the racket is turned according to the present invention.

Figure 10 is a top plan view of a sporting racket, namely a ping-pong paddle or ping-pong racket, having an improved configuration where the head of the racket is turned according to the present invention.

Figure 11 is a detailed view of a sporting racket, namely a badminton racket, depicting differences in head positions of the improved sporting racket compared to the conventional racket when the player's arm is fully extended. Further, Figure 11 depicts an extension reserve of a player's arm Ah when playing with the improved racket.

Figure 12 is a top plan view of a sporting racket, namely a squash racket, having an improved configuration where the head of the racket is turned according to the present invention.

MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION:

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale, some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be inteφreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.

Furthermore, elements may be recited as being "coupled"; this terminology's use contemplates elements being connected together in such a way that there may be other components interstitially located between the specified elements, and that the elements so specified may be connected in fixed or movable relation to one another. The term "coupled" should be contrasted with the use of the terminology "direct" connection which designates a relationship or joinder that does not have other components interstitial contact with each other. Normally, however, there will be an absence of other components positioned therebetween, but this is not a requirement. Still further, some structural relationships or orientations may be designated with the word "substantially". In those cases, it is meant that the relationship or orientation is as described, with allowances for variations that do not effect the cooperation of the described components or components.

In the context of this disclosure, the term "player" will normally be used to indicate a user of a racket constructed according to the teachings of the present invention. The generic term "player" is utilized because it is contemplated that rackets of the disclosed design may be used by sports enthusiasts and professional players as well as the consuming public. Further, the disclosure utilizes several mathematical definitions and expressions in order to provide individualized as well as mass produced improved rackets according to the present invention. The following variables are defined as a precursor to depicted drawings or mathematical expressions in which these variables are utilized: a is the distance between geometrical centers of a head and a handle of a racket; ai is a distance between a first curve point and the geometrical center of the head of the racket; a? is a distance between the center of a handgrip to a first curve point; α is the angle between the longitudinal axis of the head and the axis of a handgrip;

90 °- α is the angle between the x-axis representing the axis of a player's arm and the yι-axis which represent the axis of a player's handgrip; β is an angle between the longitudinal axis of the head and the axis of the shaft;

Y is the angle between the axis of the handgrip and axis of the shaft (for the purposes of the badminton racket only): bi is a distance between a fastening point between the head and shaft of the racket and the first curve point; bi is the distance between the center of the head and the lower end of the head representing a fastening point;

I is the total length of a player's arm when in full extension, specifically the distance between a shoulder to a hand of the player;

A I is the difference between the center of the standard head and the improved head when the arm is fully extended;

A lι is the difference of the distance of a player's arm when the head of the improved sporting racket and the conventional are overlapped; p is a natural axis of the improved racket according to the present invention; ω is the longitudinal axis of equilibrium of an improved sporting racket; σ is the angle between the natural axis (p) and the axis of equilibrium (ω);

A and B are shaft locations where the head of the racket is turned to an angle;

C is the geometrical center of the head of the racket;

Ci is the geometrical center of the handgrip of the racket;

Xi and X2 are lengths that when combined is the distance between the first curve point and the geometrical center of the head of the improved sporting racket.

The following expressions are mathematical equations which use several of the abovementioned variables:

Equation (1): Xi = c * cos(Y);

Equation (2): x, =b * cosfα);

Equation (3):

Equation (4): a=a_s + (c* cos(Y) + b * cos(α));

Equation (5): a₂ = a - ® * cos(Y) + b * cos(α));

Equation (6): 180° -β = 180° - ( Y-fα); and

Equation (7): β =Y +α Figure 2 illustrates a racket 60 of conventional design comprising a head 4 having a strung surface 1 , a shaft 2 and a handle 3. Other standard rackets include a throat portion (not shown) positioned between a lower end of the head 4 of the racket and an upper end of the shaft 2. Specifically, Figure 2 shows the shaft 2 of the conventional racket 60 having a straight configuration located between the lower end of the head 4 of the racket and the upper end of the handle 3.

Figures 1 and 4 depict a sporting game racket 80, namely a badminton racket constructed according to the present invention, comprising a head 10 having a string support 5, a curved shaft 20 and a handgrip 30. The head 10 of the game racket 80 is directed towards the shoulder region of a player when the handgrip 30 of the racket 80 is held in a vertical position. The head 10, curved shaft 20 and handgrip 30 may be formed from a number of materials, ranging from plastics and synthetic fiber materials to wood and metals. The upper end of the shaft 20 is curved at point A and the lower end of the shaft 20 is curved at point B.

Figure 1 generally shows the curved shaft 20 having two ends where an upper end of the curved shaft 20 is fixed to a bottom portion of the head 10 and a lower end of the curved shaft 20 is attached to an upper portion of the handgrip 30. The curved shaft 20 incorporates at least one curvature point. A first end of the shaft 20 may be operatively connected in at least one curvature point to the bottom portion of the head 10. Further, a second end of the shaft 20 may be attached in at least one curvature point to the upper portion of the handgrip 30. Preferably, the curved shaft 20 includes two curvature points where one end of the shaft 20, preferably the upper end of the shaft 20, is curved at one point and a second end, preferably the lower end of the shaft 20, is curved at a second point. The curvature point or points may be incorporated within the handgrip 30 to direct the shaft 20 in a nonvertical orientation. Alternatively, the handgrip 30 may be curved to provide for nonvertical direction of the shaft 20 of the racket 80. Specifically, the first end of the shaft 20 is curved at a point having a first angle positioned between a longitudinal axis of the head 10 and an axis of the handgrip 30. The first angle is positioned between an axis of a forearm of a player and an axis of the handgrip 30 of the racket 80. A second angle is located between the axis of the handgrip 30 and the curved shaft 20.

In an alternative embodiment, an improved sporting racket may comprise a head 10 having a string support 5, a straight shaft (not shown), and a handgrip 30. The head 10 of the racket is turned with respect to the handgrip 30 and is directed towards the shoulders of the player. An upper end of the straight shaft (not shown) is coupled to a lower end of the head 10 and a lower end of the straight shaft (not shown) is connected to an upper end of the handgrip 30. The upper end and the lower end of the straight shaft (not shown) may each incoφorate at least one curvature point. The curvature point or points may also be included within the handgrip 30 of the racket 80. Moreover, the handgrip 30 may be curved to orient the straight shaft (not shown) in a nonlinear configuration.

Figures 1 , 4 and the abovementioned alternative embodiment allow the head 10 of the racket to incorporate a turned configuration with respect to the handgrip 30. Here, Points C and Ci signify the geometrical centers of the head 10 and the handgrip 30 respectively; and the variable "a" is the distance between the geometrical centers of the head 10 and the handgrip 30 . The variable Y illustrates the angle between the curved shaft 20 and the axis of the handgrip 30. Further, the variable β denotes the angle between the axis of the shaft 20 and the longitudinal axis of the head 10. Specifically in Figures 1 and 4, points A and B depict shaft locations where the head 10 of the racket 80 is turned to an angle.

Figure 3 further illustrates the upper end of the shaft 20 being curved at point A and having an angle < between a longitudinal axis of the head 10 and an axis of the handgrip 30. An angle Y between the axis of the handgrip 30 and the shaft 20 is deductively derived as a result. In particular, Figure 3 is a trigonometric diagram depicting a procedure for calculating angles and distances to configure and build the sporting or game racket 80 according to the present invention. As shown in Figure 3, since the locations of points B and A may vary, the angles may be adjusted according to equations described above.

Figure 5 further depicts the angle « being derived by the angle between an axis of a player's forearm positioned on the x-axis and the axis of the handgrip located on the yi- axis. The disposition of the x-axis illustrates the player's arm, namely the distance from the elbow to the hand. Specifically, the palm and wrist of the player during the utilization of the improved sporting racket 80 is maintained in a non-exerted state with respect to the yi-axis. In contrast, when a player uses a conventional racket 60, his/herwrist and palm is positioned on the y-axis which represents strain and unnecessary exertion for the player.

Figure 6 illustrates the disposition of the head 10 of the sporting game racket 80 according to the present invention versus Figure 7 depicting the disposition of the head 4 of the conventional racket 60. These schematic views contrast the positions of the head 10 of the sporting game racket 80 in Figure 6 versus the positions of the head 4 in a conventional racket 60 in Figure 7 in hit location points where an object comes into contact with the head of each racket. These various positions of the heads 10, 4 of each racket 80, 60 respectively occur while the wrist of the player is in a non-exerted state. The "non-exerted state" is defined herein as when the arm muscles of the player experiences little to no contraction or tension.

The lower and median lines of Figure 6 each depict the sporting game racket 80 having consistent head 10 positions at hit location points. Here, the lower line of Figure 6 represents various head 10 positions occurring at hit location points positioned in the region of the mid-calf to mid-thigh of the player, and preferably in the area of a player's knee. Likewise, the median line of Figure 6 represents different head 10 positions occurring at various hit location points ranging in the area beginning from below the head of a player and extending to the player's abdominal region. The arm of the player may range from having a fully extended position to a tight position held close to a player's body. The upper line of Figure 6 illustrates the sporting game racket 80 having head 10 positions at hit location points made above the head of the player. The head 10 positions at each boundary occurs during full arm extensions made by a player and a horizontal contact hit made during a tight arm extension.

Compared to Figure 6, Figure 7 shows a conventional racket 60 having head 4 positions at hit location points which lack both accuracy and precision for the player. Here, when a player executes the same extension as described above, the conventional racket 60 maintains a limited hit location point range. Further, at any given free hit location point, Figure 7 does not depict a vertical head position 4 at a hit location point. Thus, the player using a conventional racket 60 must increase effort and energy to maintain a high level performance.

Figures 8, 9,10 and 12 show alternative embodiments of the present invention. As stated above, the improved configuration disclosed herein may be utilized for many types of sporting and game rackets and paddles including tennis, racquetball, squash, ping- pong, badminton and so forth. Figures 8, 9 and 12 illustrate sporting rackets, namely a tennis racket, a racquetball racket, and a squash racket respectively, comprising a head 10 having a string support 5, a throat 25 and a handgrip 30. The head 10 of the racket is turned with respect to the handgrip 30 and oriented towards the shoulder region of a player. The throat 25 includes two converging end portions positioned between the head 10 and the handgrip 30. An upper end portion of the throat 25 is operatively connected to the head 10 and a lower end of the throat 25 is joined to the handgrip 30. The lower end of the throat 25 may be connected in at least one curvature point to the upper portion of the handgrip 30. The curvature point or points may be incoφorated within the handgrip 30. Alternatively, the handgrip 30 may itself be curved to orient the throat 25 in a non-vertical direction. As described above, points C and Ci represent the geometrical centers of the head 10 and the handgrip 30. The angle 90°- α is determined by the angle between the axis of the arm and the axis of the handgrip. Similarly, Figure 10 displays an alternative sporting racket, namely a ping-pong racket, having a turned head 10 according to the present invention directly connected to the handgrip 30.

Figures 8, 9,10 and 12 each depict an angle α which is determined by a player's hand specifically in a gripping position with respect to the distance between the elbow and the hand. The angle α is variable due to each player's anatomical handgrip. Preferably, the angle α is 18° from the vertical axis p from the longitudinal axis of the head 10 of the racket and the axis of the handgrip, but may be within the range of 0 to 36 degrees. The angle σ is formed by the natural axis p and the axis of equilibrium ω. The axis of equilibrium ω preferably varies between 0° to 1 ° and is turned to reduce and stabilize the spinning of the racket along the axis p as the player is returning the ball or shuttlecock. Preferably, the angle between the axis of equilibrium ω and the axis p is equal to 0.6 degrees from the longitudinal axis. The angle σ is capable of being changed by applying small amounts of weight in order to naturally spin the ball.

Figure 11 depicts differences between a standard racket 60 and an improved sporting racket 80. Although Figure 11 depicts a badminton racket, it is specifically a representative figure of all sporting rackets incoφorating a curved shaft 20. Points C1.1 and Cι.2 represent geometrical centers of their respective handgrips. Alternatively, the improved racket 80 having a curved shaft 20 illustrated on the left side represents the racket's position when a player holds the racket furthest away from the player's body, such as when the player's arm is fully extended during ball or shuttlecock return. Further, Figure 11 shows the variable T being the total length of a player's arm. Specifically, variable "{" is the range in which a player may make contact with the ball or shuttlecock using his or her racket. Variable h depicts the difference of the distance of a player's arm when the head of an improved racket 80 and a standard racket 60 overlap. Further, variable Δø is the difference between the geometrical center C of a conventional racket 60 and an improved racket 80 when the heads of both rackets are positioned vertically and a player's arm is fully extended.

Figure 11 also illustrates differences between a standard racket 60 and an improved racket 80 according to the present invention. The geometrical center C1.2 as mentioned above represents the handle 3,30 of each racket 60,80 respectively during a full extension of the player's arm. When the geometrical centers C1.2 of the handles 3,30 of both the standard racket 60 and the improved racket 80 overlap, the head 10 positioned vertically of the improved racket 80 is able to reach a farther hit location due to the curved shaft 20 as opposed to the standard racket 60 having a straight shaft 2.

When the geometrical center of the head of each racket 60, 80 overlap, the handle 3 of the conventional racket 60 is fully extended away from the player's body. In contrast to the standard racket 60, the handle 30 of the improved racket 80 does not need to be in a fully extended position since the head 10 of the improved racket 80 is turned in order to reach farther hit locations without having the user exert himself or herself.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY:

The present invention finds specific industrial applicability in the entertainment and sporting goods industries; specifically, sporting racket and paddle technology.

Claims

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is as follows:

1. A sporting game racket comprising: a head having a rotated configuration defining a string support; a handgrip; and a shaft having a straight configuration and two ends, said shaft being positioned between said head and said handgrip, wherein a first end of said shaft is attached to said head and a second end of said shaft is fixed to said handgrip.

2. The sporting game racket as recited in claim 1 , wherein said first end of said shaft is operatively connected to a bottom portion of said head.

3. The sporting game racket as recited in claim 1 , wherein said second end of said shaft is connected to an upper portion of said handgrip.

4. The sporting game racket as recited in claim 1, wherein said head is oriented towards a shoulder region of a player.

5. The sporting game racket as recited in claim 1, further comprising an axis of a forearm of a player being an x-axis.

6. The sporting game racket as recited in claim 1 , further comprising an axis of said handgrip being a yi-axis.

7. The sporting game racket as recited in claim 1 , wherein said head is turned at an angle between a longitudinal axis of said head and an axis of said handgrip.

8. The sporting game racket as recited in claim 1, further comprising an angle positioned between an axis of said handgrip and an axis of said shaft.

9. The sporting game racket as recited in claim 2, wherein said first end of said shaft is operatively connected in at least one curvature point to said bottom portion of said head.

10. The sporting game racket as recited in claim 3, wherein said second end of said shaft is connected in at least one curvature point to said upper portion of said handgrip.

11. The sporting game racket as recited in claim 10, wherein said at least one curvature point is incoφorated within said handgrip.

12. The sporting game racket as recited in claim 1, wherein said handgrip is curved.

13. A sporting game racket comprising: a head having a turned configuration defining a string support; a handgrip; and a shaft having a curved configuration and two ends, said shaft being positioned between said head and said handgrip, wherein a first end of said shaft is attached to said head and a second end of said shaft is connected to said handgrip.

14. The sporting game racket as recited in claim 13, wherein said first end of said shaft is attached to a bottom portion of said head.

15. The sporting game racket as recited in claim 13, wherein said second end of said shaft is fixedly coupled to an upper portion of said handgrip.

16. The sporting game racket as recited in claim 13, wherein said head is directed towards a shoulder region of a player.

17. The sporting game racket as recited in claim 13, wherein said shaft has at least one curvature point within said curved configuration.

18. The sporting game racket as recited in claim 13, wherein said first end of said shaft is curved at one point and said second end of said shaft is curved at a second point.

19. The sporting game racket as recited in claim 13, wherein said first end of said shaft is curved at a point having a first angle between a longitudinal axis of said head and an axis of said handgrip; and a second angle located between said axis of said handgrip and said shaft.

20. The sporting game racket as recited in claim 19, wherein said first angle is positioned between an axis of a forearm of a player and an axis of said handgrip of said racket.

21. The sporting game racket as recited in claim 20, wherein said axis of said forearm of said player is a x-axis.

22. The sporting game racket as recited in claim 20, wherein said axis of said handgrip

23. The sporting game racket as recited in claim 19, further comprising an angle between said longitudinal axis of said head and said axis of said shaft.

24. The sporting game racket as recited in claim 14, wherein said first end of said shaft is attached in at least one curvature point to said bottom portion of said head.

25. The sporting game racket as recited in claim 15, wherein said second end of said shaft is connected in at least one curvature point to said upper portion of said handgrip.

26. The sporting game racket as recited in claim 25, wherein said at least one curvature point is incoφorated within said handgrip.

27. The sporting game racket as recited in claim 13, wherein said handgrip is curved.

28. A sporting game racket comprising: a head having a turned configuration defining a string support; a handgrip; and a throat having two converging end portions located between said head and said handgrip, wherein one of said end portions of said throat is operatively connected to said head and a lower end of said throat is affixed to said handgrip.

29. The sporting game racket as recited in claim 28, wherein said head is oriented towards a shoulder region of a player.

30. The sporting game racket as recited in claim 28, further comprising an axis of said forearm of a player being an x-axis.

31. The sporting game racket as recited in claim 28, further comprising an axis of said handgrip being a yi-axis.

32. The sporting game racket as recited in claim 28, wherein said upper end of said throat is connected to a bottom portion of said head.

33. The sporting game racket as recited in claim 28, wherein said lower end of said throat is coupled to an upper end of said handgrip.

34. The sporting game racket as recited in claim 28, wherein said head is turned at an angle between a longitudinal axis of said head and an axis of said handgrip.

35. The sporting game racket as recited in claim 28, further comprising an angle positioned between an axis of said handgrip and an axis of said shaft.

36. The sporting game racket as recited in claim 33, wherein said lower end of said throat is connected in at least one curvature point to said upper end of said handgrip.

37. The sporting game racket as recited in claim 36, wherein said at least one curvature point is incorporated within said handgrip.

38. The sporting game racket as recited in claim 28, wherein said handgrip is curved.

39. The sporting game racket as recited in claims 1, wherein said racket is a tennis racket, a badminton racket, a racquetball racket, a squash racket, a ping-pong paddle or a paddle ball racket.

40. The sporting game racket as recited in claim 13, wherein said racket is a tennis racket, a badminton racket, a racquetball racket, a squash racket, a ping-pong paddle or a paddle ball racket.

41. The sporting game racket as recited in claim 28, wherein said racket is a tennis racket, a badminton racket, a racquetball racket, a squash racket, a ping-pong paddle or a paddle ball racket.

42. A method of constructing a sporting game racket comprising the steps of: calculating distance between a center of a handgrip and a first curve point; calculating distance between a point of a head and a shaft of said racket and a second curve point; positioning said head of said racket; and attaching a shaft to a lower portion of said head.

43. The method of constructing a sporting game racket as recited in claim 42, further comprising the step of attaching a straight shaft to said lower portion of said head.

44. The method of constructing a sporting game racket as recited in claim 42, further comprising the step of attaching a curved shaft to said lower portion of said head.

45. A method of constructing a sporting game racket comprising the steps of: calculating distance between a center of a handgrip and a first curve point; calculating distance between a point of a head and a shaft of said racket and a second curve point; positioning said head of said racket; and attaching a throat to a lower portion of said head.