Long fiber reinforced thermoplastic frame especially for a tennis racquet

Abstract

A long fiber, thermoplastic frame for a tennis racquet or other implement is formed of fibers of carbon or other reinforcement material, which are oriented at desired angles, and which are intimately embedded in thermoplastic resin. A frame according to the invention is made by co-winding or commingling tows of carbon or other reinforcing fibers with filaments of thermoplastic material, or by preimpregnating fibers with a thermoplastic powder. The fibers, which are preferable formed into a braided sleeve for ease of handling, are disposed in a heated mold, and internally pressurized to conform to the mold and such that the thermoplastic melts and flows into intimate contact with the fiber material. A frame according to the invention possesses the strength and stiffness of a long fiber, thermoset frame, but unlike a thermoset frame has dynamic stiffness due to the visco-elastic properties of the thermoplastic resin.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.