WO2011025401A1

WO2011025401A1 - Double-faced tennis racket

Info

Publication number: WO2011025401A1
Application number: PCT/PT2010/000011
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jose Manuel Silvestre Monteiro
Original assignee: Jose Manuel Silvestre Monteiro
Priority date: 2009-08-24
Filing date: 2010-03-17
Publication date: 2011-03-03
Also published as: PT10466T

Abstract

Accordingly, the invention is a Double-Faced Tennis Racket composed of a handle (1), a frame head (2) with an elliptical face that is symmetrically convex when viewed laterally on which the horizontal strings (3) are strung independently and the, vertical strings (4) are overlapped independently as well and distributed in a fan-shape starting from the tension- adjusting device (5) upwards, these being subjected to the tension applied thereby transferring it to the others through compression successively making the faces plane with either equal or different tension levels depending on factors such as weather conditions, the type of surface being played on and the player's profile. This invention is applicable to the manufacturing of all types of rackets, whether for tennis or other similar sports in which the ball is not stiff, and can be made in diverse shapes, sizes and convexities.

Description

DESCRIPTION

"DOUBLE-FACED TENNIS RACKET"

The invention is a double-faced tennis racket that can be used to play on any type of surface on which the sport is played.

The elliptical shape of a conventional tennis racket' s frame head (2) (Fig.l) bearing the regulated measurements has been maintained since the innovation being presented herein adapts best to it. On a traditional racket, the horizontal strings (3) and vertical strings (4) are both part of either face. However, the proposed model has a different group of strings on each face. The horizontal strings are strung convexly and symmetrically on either face and the vertical strings can be common or independent.

During the stringing process, a determined tension level is applied to the horizontal and vertical strings, which can later be altered by using the tension-adjusting mechanism (5) (Fig.l) to which the vertical strings are connected. By adjusting the strings, tension is also applied convexly to the horizontal strings through compression.

Any tennis racket's strings undergo changes in tension due to atmospheric conditions. Depending on the humidity level, strings can contract or expand. Therefore, should climactic conditions change, string tension can be re-adjusted simply by regulating the tension-adjusting mechanism. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig.l - Perspective view of the racket

(1) -Handle

(2) -Frame head

(3) -Horizontal strings

( 4 ) -Vertical strings

(5) -Tension-adjusting mechanism

Fig.2 - Profile view of the racket

Fig.3 - Sectional A/B, Tension-adjusting mechanism (5) and wrench for adjusting

DIMENSIONS:

Length 680.00mm

Width of the racket 280.00mm

Width of the string bed 260.00mm

Beam width 13.00mm

The lateral curvature of the frame head (convexity) has a maximum width of approximately 30.00 millimeters and a minimum of 20.00 millimeters (Fig.2), which may be more or less pronounced on either face. This in turn affects the vertical strings and increases the tension on the horizontal strings, successively leading to compression that is lessened as the tension is lessened.

The vertical strings are independent for each face but are attached to the tension-adjusting mechanism (5) (Fig.l) see detail (Fig.3) Any adjustment made to the tension device using the wrench affects both faces since the horizontal strings are also subjected to the variations. When not in use or when being carried or transported, the strings do not require constant tension. Easing the tension- adjusting mechanism will relieve the tension and help preserve the strings' elasticity should there be any climatic changes during this time.

String tensions vary from player to player. Being able to adjust the tension easily according to the player's profile, the type of surface being played on and the atmospheric conditions is ideal.

Throughout the course of a tennis match, the player may also proceed to adjust the strings' tension in accordance to weather conditions, his or her demands or changing needs, etc.

A detail worth mentioning, whether for tactical purposes or simply personal preferences, is that the string tension on either face is differentiated immediately during the stringing process.

The differentiation of the tension levels on each of the faces is of great importance. For instance, if a player is dextral, the scope of movement on the right is larger. This being, the tension is greater on this face than on the other (left) . Since the scope is less on the left and since it is not the face impacting the ball, the string tension should also be less.

The same applies to left-handed players. The scope of movement is larger on the left, so the string tension on this face is greater; meanwhile, movement to the right has lesser scope and, therefore, less string tension is required. The type of stringing used on this tennis racket allows a player to replace the strings on the horizontally-strung face while maintaining the vertical strings, or vice-versa, simply by easing the tension-adjusting mechanism. Mending solely the damaged area is much easier and much more practical than having to re-string the entire racket.

Should a string break during a tennis match, the player may continue playing with the other face since the strings on either face are independent of each other.

The vertical strings may be thicker as they are less in number (only ten per face) and are strung in a fan shape from the bottom upwards. This does not, however, impair the grid from being uniform on both faces, keeping in accordance with the regulations in effect.

The tennis ball is also an important stakeholder in the game. Neither solid nor stiff, it is made of an elastic, deformable material which means that upon hitting the racket, its direction is unaltered since the point of impact increases at the moment of impact.

This racket and stringing system do not produce any type of side effects when impacting the ball since the point of impact is plane and the hitting surface is not altered even with the ball's deformation.

Lisbon, 16rt^thⁿ March 2010

Claims

1 - Double-faced tennis racket consisting of a handle (1) , frame head (2), horizontal strings (3), vertical strings (4) and a tension-adjusting mechanism (5) , constituting a tennis racket with two distinct faces characterized for being a single and unique piece whose elliptically-shaped frame head (2) does not deform after the strings are adequately tautened longitudinally and transversally (3,4} at the start of the stringing process through the use of the tension-adjusting mechanism (5) located at the lower part of the rim, where the tension applied to the vertical strings is immediately transferred to the horizontal strings due to compression.

2 - Double-faced tennis racket in accordance with the claims stated above (number 1) , characterized by its frame head (2) , which is convex when observed laterally.

3 - Double-faced tennis racket in accordance with the claims stated above (number 1), characterized by ten vertical strings on each face, distributed in a fan-shape from the bottom to the top.

Lisbon, 16^th March 2010