STRINGED SPORTS RACQUET VIBRATION DAMPENER

Abstract

A stringed racquet vibration dampener made of an elastomeric, energy absorbing material having a unitary body construction. The vibration dampener has vertical and horizontal bores extending through the unitary body that fully enclose the racquet strings. The bores are sized to string gauge and spaced according to a string pattern of the racquet. The vibration dampener is permanently installed when the racquet is strung. This new approach provides improved vibration dampening and facilitates maintenance of a proper racket string spacing. The dampener will not move or slip off the racquet during play.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to stringed sports racquets, and more particularly to vibration dampeners for stringed sports racquets.

[0002] Current available stringed racket vibration dampeners can slip and move out of place, in which case it can disrupt the balance of the racquet and the diminish the performance characteristics of the vibration dampener.

[0003] Likewise, most current vibration dampeners are attached by open retention channels that do not fully encase racquet strings. As such, the vibration dampener may become dislodged. In some cases, it may entirely separate from the racquet. Additionally, the retention channels are not specifically manufactured to match the string gauge and string pattern of a particular racket. This can lead to undesired vibration characteristics in the racquet and limit the effectiveness of the vibration dampener.

[0004] As can be seen, there is a need for an improved vibration dampener for a stringed sports racquet that solves these deficiencies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In one aspect of the present invention, a vibration dampener for a stringed sports racquet is disclosed. The vibration dampener includes a unitary body dimensioned to a desired string spacing of the sports racquet. A pair of lateral bores are defined through the unitary body and extend along an opposed lateral edge of the unitary body. A pair of vertical bores are defined through the unitary body and extend along an opposed vertical edge of the unitary body. The pair of vertical bores are defined in a spaced apart relation corresponding to a vertical string spacing of the sports racquet.

[0006] In some embodiments, the pair of horizontal bores are defined in a spaced apart relation corresponding to a horizontal string spacing of the sports racquet.

[0007] In some embodiments, the unitary body is formed of an elastomeric dampener material, selected from the group consisting of rubber, neoprene, and silicone.

[0008] In some embodiments, the vibration dampener includes a relief defined at a junction of each lateral edge and each vertical edge of the unitary body. The relief is dimensioned to provide a clearance from a weave at an intersection between a horizontal string and a vertical string when the vibration dampener is applied to the sports racquet.

[0009] In some embodiments, each of the pair of horizontal bores are dimensioned according to a desired gauge of the horizontal string. Preferably, the bottommost horizontal string is received in the top horizontal bore in a close interference fit.

[0010] In some embodiments, each of the pair of vertical bores are dimensioned according to a desired gauge of the vertical string. Preferably, the vertical string is received in each of the pair of vertical bores in a close interference fit.

[0011] In other embodiments, the unitary body has a generally rectangular profile and a thickness corresponding to a desired dampening mass.

[0012] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view, with parts broken away, of the vibration dampener invention in use with a stringed sports racquet.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a detail perspective view of the invention in use.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention.

[0017] Broadly, embodiments of the present invention include a single unibody stringed racket vibration dampener that is threaded with the racquet strings for permanent securement to the racquet. The vibration dampener is made of an elastomeric, energy-absorbing material that fully encloses the racket strings. The attachment channels comprise through bores that are sized to a particular racket's string gauge and pattern. The through bores permit a permanent installation of the vibration to the racquet when the racquet is strung.

[0018] As seen in the drawings of FIGS. 1-3, the vibration dampener 10 for a stringed sports racquet 11 is shown. The vibration dampener 10 includes a unitary body 12, that is preferably a solid body. The body 12 can be manufactured using a suitable polymer elastomeric dampener material, selected from the group consisting of rubber, neoprene, silicone. The unitary body 12 has a generally rectangular profile, with a thickness corresponding to a desired dampening mass. In some embodiments, the vibration dampener 10 has a rectangular tile shape. The unitary body 12 may preferably be square shaped.

[0019] The body 12 includes a lateral bore 16a is defined through the unitary body 12 along an opposed lateral edge of the unitary body 12. A vertical bore 16b is defined through the unitary body 12 along an opposed vertical edge of the unitary body 12. The unitary body 12 and the spacing between the horizontal bores 16a and the vertical bores 16b are dimensioned to correspond to a string pattern spacing of the sports racquet 11. The vibration dampener 10 may be installed on a single horizontal string 11a, proximal to a neck of the racquet 11 and between an adjacent vertical string 16b of the racquet 11. The vibration dampener 10 may also be installed between an adjacent horizontal string 11a proximal to the neck of the racquet 11.

[0020] With a square shaped unitary body 12 having a uniform mass and thickness, and each of the pair of horizontal bores 16a and the vertical bores 16b, the vibration damper 10 may be installed in any orientation. The uniform construction facilitates installation of the vibration damper 10 since the vibration damper 10 may be installed without the need for the installer to determine the orientation of the vibration damper 10 before lacing.

[0021] A relief 14 is defined at each junction of each lateral edge and each vertical edge of the unitary body 12. The relief 14 provides a clearance between a horizontal string 11a threaded through the lateral bore 16a and a vertical string 11b threaded through the vertical bore 16b. The relief 14 allows the vibration dampener 10 to dampen vibrations imparted in the racquet 11 without interference with a weave at an intersection between the horizontal string 11a and the vertical string 11b when applied to the racquet 11.

[0022] Each of the horizontal bore 16a and the vertical bore 16b are dimensioned according to a desired gauge of the corresponding horizontal string 16a and vertical string 16b utilized to string the racquet 11. Preferably the desired gauge of the string 11a, 11b is received in each of the horizontal bore 16a and the vertical bore 16b with a close interference fit. The close interference fit provides for an improved energy transfer between the strings 11a, 11b and the energy absorbing body of the vibration dampener 10.

[0023] As disclosed, the vibration dampener 10 has internal bores 16a, 16b where the racket strings 11a, 11b are threaded through, making the installation permanent and providing a fully enclosed contact with the racket strings 11a, 11b. This new approach allows for improved vibration dampening and maintains a proper racket string spacing proximal to the neck of the racquet. The vibration dampener 10 will not move or slip off during play.

[0024] It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A vibration dampener for a stringed sports racquet, comprising: a unitary body dimensioned to a desired string spacing of the sports racquet; a pair of lateral bores defined through the unitary body and extending along an opposed lateral edge of the unitary body; a pair of vertical bores defined through the unitary body and extending along an opposed vertical edge of the unitary body; and the pair of vertical bores defined in a spaced apart relation corresponding to a vertical string spacing of the sports racquet.

2. The vibration dampener of claim 1, wherein the pair of horizontal bores are defined in a spaced apart relation corresponding to a horizontal string spacing of the sports racquet.

3. The vibration dampener of claim 1, wherein the unitary body is formed of an elastomeric dampener material, selected from the group consisting of rubber, neoprene, and silicone.

4. The vibration dampener of claim 1, further comprising: a relief is defined at a junction of each lateral edge and each vertical edge of the unitary body.

5. The vibration dampener of claim 4, wherein the relief is dimensioned to provide a clearance from a weave at an intersection between a horizontal string and a vertical string when the vibration dampener is applied to the sports racquet.

6. The vibration dampener of claim 5, wherein each of the pair of horizontal bores are dimensioned according to a desired gauge of the horizontal string.

7. The vibration dampener of claim 6, wherein horizontal string is received in each of the pair of horizontal bores in a close interference fit.

8. The vibration damper of claim 6, wherein a bottommost horizontal string is received in one of the pair of horizontal bores, and another of the pair of horizontal bores is oriented towards a neck of the racquet.

9. The vibration dampener of claim 8, wherein the vertical string is received in each of the pair of vertical bores in a close interference fit.

10. The vibration dampener of claim 5, wherein each of the pair of vertical bores are dimensioned according to a desired gauge of the vertical string.

11. The vibration dampener of claim 10, wherein the unitary body has a generally rectangular profile and a thickness corresponding to a desired dampening mass.