# US 10,946,253 B2 · Racquet configured with increased flexibility in multiple directions with respect to a longitudinal axis

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- Number: US 10,946,253 B2
- Document ID: US10946253B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/929,517
- Filed: 2020-05-06
- Published: 2020-09-24
- Granted: 2021-03-16
- Earliest claimed: 2018-03-12
- Assignees: Wilson Sporting Goods Co.
- Applicants: Wilson Sporting Goods Co.
- Inventors: William D. Severa; Dale J. Zwack; Robert T. Kapheim; Eloisa M. Compostizo
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10946253B2

## CPC

- A63B 49/028: Means for achieving greater mobility of the string bed
- G01M 5/005: {by means of external apparatus, e.g. test benches or portable test systems}
- A63B 1/00: Horizontal bars
- A63B 49/10: made of non-metallic materials, other than wood
- A63B 60/42: Devices for measuring, verifying, correcting or customising the inherent characteristics of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like, e.g. measuring the maximum torque a batting shaft can withstand
- B29C 70/085: {the structure being deformed in a three dimensional configuration (B29C53/805 takes precedence)}
- B29C 70/34: and shaping or impregnating by compression {, i.e. combined with compressing after the lay-up operation}
- G01N 3/04: Chucks
- G01N 3/14: generated by dead weight, e.g. pendulum; generated by springs tension (G01N3/18 takes precedence)
- G01N 3/20: by applying steady bending forces (G01N3/26, G01N3/28 take precedence)
- G01N 3/22: by applying steady torsional forces (G01N3/26, G01N3/28 take precedence)
- G01N 3/26: Investigating twisting or coiling properties
- G01N 3/34: generated by mechanical means, e.g. hammer blows
- A63B 60/54: with means for damping vibrations
- A63B 2049/0204: {width}
- A63B 2102/02: Tennis
- A63B 2209/02: with reinforcing fibres, e.g. carbon, polyamide fibres
- A63B 2209/023: Long, oriented fibres, e.g. wound filaments, woven fabrics, mats
- A63B 2220/40: Acceleration
- A63B 2220/64: Frequency, e.g. of vibration oscillation
- A63B 2225/02: Testing, calibrating or measuring of equipment
- G01N 2203/0003: Steady
- G01N 2203/0021: Torsional
- G01N 2203/0023: Bending
- G01N 2203/0033: Weight
- G01N 2203/0096: Fibre-matrix interaction in composites
- A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H)
- G01M: TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00)
- G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q)

## Abstract

A racquet extends along a longitudinal axis and is capable of being tested under a racquet lateral bending test and a racquet torsional stability test. The racquet lateral bending test includes mounting the racquet in a first orientation to a first test fixture at a first longitudinal location, attaching a clamp to the racquet at a second location, operably engaging a deflection indicator to the clamp, applying a first predetermined weight to the racquet at a third location, and removing the first weight to obtain a lateral deflection measurement of the racquet with respect to the longitudinal axis. The racquet torsional stability test includes mounting the racquet to second and third test fixtures at sixth and seventh locations of the racquet, respectively, placing a third predetermined weight on an arm extending from the second test fixture, removing the third predetermined weight to obtain an angular deflection about the axis. The racquet comprises a frame including head and handle portions and a throat portion positioned between the head and handle portions. The head portion forms a hoop that defines a string bed plane. When the racquet is tested under the racquet lateral bending test, the racquet has a lateral deflection of at least 6.0 mm when measured in a direction that is parallel to the plane and perpendicular to the axis. When the racquet is tested under the racquet torsional stability test, the racquet has an angular deflection of less than 5.0 degrees about the axis.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A tennis racquet extending along a longitudinal axis and capable of being tested under a racquet lateral bending test and a racquet torsional stability test, wherein the racquet lateral bending test includes mounting the racquet in a first orientation to a first test fixture at a first location, attaching a clamp to the racquet at a second location, operably engaging a deflection indicator to the clamp, applying a first predetermined weight to the racquet at a third location, and removing the first weight to obtain a lateral deflection measurement of the racquet with respect to the longitudinal axis, and wherein the racquet torsional stability test includes mounting the racquet to second and third test fixtures at fourth and fifth locations of the racquet, respectively, placing a second predetermined weight on an arm extending from the second test fixture to place a torsional load on to the racquet, removing the second predetermined weight to obtain an angular deflection about the longitudinal axis, and the racquet comprising:
a frame including a head portion, a handle portion, and a throat portion positioned between the head portion and the handle portion, the head portion forming a hoop that defines a string bed plane, the throat portion including a pair of throat elements, wherein, when the racquet is tested under the racquet lateral bending test, the racquet has a lateral deflection of at least 6.0 mm when measured in a direction that is parallel to the string bed plane and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, wherein, when the racquet is tested under the racquet torsional stability test, the racquet has an angular deflection of less than 5.0 degrees about the longitudinal axis.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The racquet of claim 1, wherein the racquet is capable of being tested under a racquet forward/rearward bending test, wherein the racquet forward/rearward bending test includes mounting the racquet in a second orientation to the first test fixture at the first location, applying a third predetermined weight to the racquet at a sixth location, operably engaging the deflection indicator to the racquet at a seventh location, and removing the third predetermined weight to obtain a forward/rearward deflection measurement with respect to the longitudinal axis, wherein the racquet is rotated 90 degrees about the longitudinal axis from the first orientation to the second orientation, wherein, when the racquet is tested under the racquet forward/rearward bending test, the racquet has a forward/rearward deflection with respect to the longitudinal axis of at least 8.5 mm when measured in a direction that is perpendicular to the string bed plane and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The racquet of claim 2, wherein the racquet is capable of being tested in a racquet vibration test, wherein the racquet vibration test utilizes a modal analysis system including a hammer, an accelerometer and a modal analysis frame for supporting the racquet in a free-free condition during modal analysis, and wherein, when the racquet is tested under the racquet vibration test, the racquet has a vibration of no greater than 135 Hz.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The racquet of claim 2, wherein the head portion includes a forward hoop surface and a rearward hoop surface, wherein the distance between the forward and rearward hoop surfaces is a beam height distance, and wherein the head portion has a maximum beam height distance of at least 19 mm.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The racquet of claim 1, wherein at least the head portion and the throat portion of the racquet are formed at least in part of a fiber composite material.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The racquet of claim 1, wherein the head portion, the handle portion and the throat portion of the racquet are formed at least in part of a fiber composite material.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The racquet of claim 1, wherein the head portion includes a yoke, and wherein the yoke is formed of a fiber composite material.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The racquet of claim 1, wherein the hoop defines a string bed area, and wherein the string bed area is within the range of 93 to 120 square inches.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The racquet of claim 8, wherein the string bed area has a maximum longitudinal dimension and a maximum transverse dimension, and wherein the size of the maximum longitudinal dimension is at least 1.2 times the size of the maximum transverse dimension.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The racquet of claim 1, wherein the hoop defines a string bed area, and wherein the string bed area is within the range of 98 to 115 square inches.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The racquet of claim 1, wherein the racquet is capable of being tested in a racquet vibration test, wherein the racquet vibration test utilizes a modal analysis system including a hammer, an accelerometer and a modal analysis frame for supporting the racquet in a free-free condition during modal analysis, and wherein, when the racquet is tested under the racquet vibration test, the racquet has a vibration of no greater than 135 Hz.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The racquet of claim 1, wherein the head portion includes a forward hoop surface and a rearward hoop surface, wherein the distance between the forward and rearward hoop surfaces is a beam height distance, and wherein the head portion has a maximum beam height distance of at least 19 mm.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The racquet of claim 1, wherein, when the racquet is tested under the racquet lateral bending test, the racquet has a lateral deflection of at least 6.5 mm when measured in a direction that is parallel to the string bed plane and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

### Claim 14

A tennis racquet extending along a longitudinal axis and capable of being tested under a racquet torsional stability test, wherein the racquet torsional stability test includes mounting the racquet in a first orientation to first and second test fixtures at first and second locations of the racquet, respectively, placing a first predetermined weight on an arm extending from the first test fixture to place a torsional load on to the racquet, removing the first predetermined weight to obtain an angular deflection about the longitudinal axis, and the racquet comprising:
a frame extending along a longitudinal axis and including a head portion, a handle portion, and a throat portion positioned between the head portion and the handle portion, the head portion forming a hoop that defines a string bed plane, the head portion including a forward hoop surface and a rearward hoop surface, the distance between the forward and rearward hoop surfaces being a beam height distance, the head portion having a maximum beam height distance of at least 19 mm, the throat portion including a pair of throat elements, at least the head portion and the throat portion of the racquet being formed at least in part of a fiber composite material, the fiber composite material including a plurality of ply arrangements, each of the ply arrangements including a pair of plies with one ply having a first plurality of fibers defining a first angle with respect to a composite axis and the other ply having a second plurality of fibers defining a second angle with respect to the composite axis, the first and second angles being substantially the same except the first and second angles have opposite angular polarities with respect to the composite axis, the head portion including at least three ply arrangements overlaying each other, and the first and second angles of at least two of the at least three ply arrangements are at least 35 degrees, and
wherein, when the racquet is tested under the racquet torsional stability test, the racquet has an angular deflection of less than 5.0 degrees about the longitudinal axis.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The racquet of claim 14, wherein the racquet is capable of being tested under a racquet lateral bending test and wherein the racquet lateral bending test includes mounting the racquet in a second orientation to a third test fixture at a third location, attaching a clamp to the racquet at a fourth location, operably engaging a deflection indicator to the clamp, applying a second predetermined weight to the racquet at a fifth location, and removing the second weight to obtain a lateral deflection measurement of the racquet with respect to the longitudinal axis, and wherein, when the racquet is tested under the racquet lateral bending test, the racquet has a lateral deflection of at least 6.0 mm when measured in a direction that is parallel to the string bed plane and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The racquet of claim 15, wherein the head portion has a maximum beam height distance of at least 21 mm.

### Claim 17 (depends on 14)

The racquet of claim 14, wherein the head portion has a maximum beam height distance of at least 21 mm.

### Claim 18 (depends on 14)

The sports racquet of claim 14, wherein the racquet is capable of being tested under a racquet forward/rearward bending test, wherein the racquet forward/rearward bending test includes mounting the racquet in a second orientation to a third test fixture at a third location with the string bed plane parallel to the ground, applying a second predetermined weight to the racquet at a fourth location, operably engaging the deflection indicator to the racquet at a fifth location, and removing the second predetermined weight to obtain a forward/rearward deflection measurement with respect to the longitudinal axis, wherein, when the racquet is tested under the racquet forward/rearward bending test, the racquet has a forward/rearward deflection with respect to the longitudinal axis of at least 8.5 mm when measured in a direction that is perpendicular to the string bed plane and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

### Claim 19 (depends on 14)

The tennis racquet of claim 14, wherein the first and second angles of at least two of the at least three ply arrangements are at least 40 degrees.

### Claim 20 (depends on 14)

The tennis racquet of claim 14, wherein the first and second angles of at least two of the at least three ply arrangements are at least 45 degrees.