Graphite composite racquet with aramid core
AssigneeEktelon
InventorRaymond L. Mortvedt
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Abstract
The present invention comprises a graphite composite racquet frame having a particular structure that provides internal and external shock absorption. The internal shock absorption is provided by a core material having high impact strength such as an aromatic aramid. External shock absorption is provided by a fiber reinforced plastic wrapping. The shock absorption elements allow graphite fibers to be used for construction of racquets which are commonly subject to a great deal of physical abuse such as racquetball racquets.
Claims6
A throatless and wishbone shaped graphite composite racquet frame having a head, a neck and a handle, said frame comprising:
- a core of aramid;
- a layer of graphite fibers surrounding said core;
- and
- a fiber glass wrapping positioned over said layer of graphite fiber, forming a composite thereby;
- wherein the graphite fiber is cushioned by the aramid on the inside and the fiber glass wrap on the outside of the racquet frame,
- said core of aramid, said layer of graphite fibers, and fiber glass wrapping being continuous throughout the head, neck and handle portions of the frame;
- and a pair of opposite boron inserts in the neck portion of the racquet, said inserts positioned on opposite sides of the frame substantially parallel to each other to achieve higher stiffness and strength in the neck region without added weight or bulk, said boron inserts being positioned over said graphite layer and under said fiber glass wrapping.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.