Handle for a sports racquet

#The present invention relates generally to a sports racquet. In particular, the present invention relates to a handle assembly for a sports racquet wherein the handle assembly includes a padded grip portion, a cover layer and a grip.

#Sport racquets, such as tennis, racquetball, squash and badminton racquets, are well known and typically include a head portion coupled to a handle assembly. The head portion forms a hoop supporting a latticework of tensioned strings. The handle assembly typically includes a handle, a pallet and a grip. The pallet is typically either attached to, or integrally formed to, the handle, and the pallet is commonly formed of a hard material, such as graphite, structural polyurethane foam or wood. The grip is typically helically wrapped through the use of an adhesive to the pallet.

#It is not uncommon for a substantial amount of shock and vibration to be generated from the racquet upon striking a ball, particularly where the point of the impact occurs away from a central region of the racquet head, commonly referred to as the “sweet spot.” Such impacts typically create a shock wave that travels from the racquet head, up the handle, to the grip, and to the hand, arm and shoulder of the user. This shock and vibration can be harsh, uncomfortable, and even harmful, to certain users. At a minimum, the shock and vibration can negatively affect the user's feel of the racquet and can provide the user with a negative impression of the racquet. Although the grip provides some cushioning or dampening effect, the grip alone does not substantially reduce the shock and vibration felt by the user.

#FIG. 1 is front perspective view of a racquet in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

#FIG. 2 is a front sectional view of a handle assembly of the racquet of FIG. 1.

#FIG. 3 is an exploded longitudinal cross-sectional view of the handle assembly of FIG. 1.

#Referring to FIG. 1, a sports racquet is indicated generally at 10. The racquet 10 of FIG. 1 is configured as a tennis racquet, however, the invention can also be formed as other types of sports racquets, such as, for example, a racquetball racquet, a squash racquet, or a badminton racquet. The racquet 10 includes a frame defining a head portion 12, a throat region 14 and a handle assembly 16. The head portion 12 is a tubular structure defining a generally oval shaped opening 18. The head portion 12 maintains in tension a latticework of strings 20. The throat region 14 includes a pair of tubular shafts 22 outwardly extending from the head portion 12 and converging at the handle assembly 16. The throat region 14 couples the head portion 12 to the handle assembly 16. In one preferred embodiment, the pair of tubular shafts 22 is integrally formed with the head portion 12 and the handle assembly 16. In an alternative preferred embodiment, the throat region 14 can include an elastomeric isolator (not shown) positioned between the pair of tubular shafts 22 and the head portion 12. The handle assembly 16 connects to and outwardly extends from the throat region 14 along a longitudinal axis 15.

#Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the handle assembly 16 is shown in greater detail. The handle assembly 16 includes a handle 24, a pallet 26, a grip 28, and a butt cap 30 (see FIG. 1). The handle 24 is a rigid structure preferably forming the pallet 26. The pallet 26 is preferably integrally molded into the handle 24 to define a rigid gripping member. The pallet 26 has butt portion 34 (or proximal portion) and a hoop portion 36 (or distal portion). The pallet 26 preferably has an octagonal transverse cross-section formed by eight outer longitudinally extending surfaces interconnected along eight longitudinally extending gripping edges 32. In alternative preferred embodiments, the pallet 26 can have alternative transverse cross-sectional shapes such as, for example, other polygonal shapes, oval, circular and irregular. The pallet 26 is configured for grasping by one or both hands of a player during use. The pallet 26 is made of a strong, lightweight, durable material, preferably a graphite composite material. Alternatively, the pallet 26 can be formed of other materials, such as, for example, other fiber composite materials, a structural urethane foam, other structural foams, a plastic material, a metal or wood. In a preferred embodiment, the pallet 26 has a length between 5.0 and 9.5 inches; and, in a particularly preferred embodiment, the pallet 26 has a length of approximately 7.0 to 8.0 inches. In an alternative preferred embodiment, the pallet is a separate component connected to a “hair-pin” shaped handle.

#A peripheral recess 38 is defined within the pallet 26 between the butt and hoop portions 34 and 36 of the pallet 26. The recess 38 uniformly and inwardly extends into the eight outer surfaces 31 of the pallet 26, such that the transverse cross-sectional area of the pallet 26 at any point along the recess 38 is smaller than the transverse cross-sectional area at either the butt portion 34 or the hoop portion 36 of the pallet 26. The recess 38 is positioned toward the butt portion 34 of the pallet, preferably within approximately 1.0 centimeter from the butt portion 34 of the handle assembly 16. The recess 38 has a length between 3.5-7.0 inches and a depth between 0.25-3.0 millimeters. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the recess 38 has a length of approximately 4.0 inches and a depth of approximately 0.7 millimeters. In an alternative preferred embodiment, the recess 38 can fully extend to, and encompass, the butt portion 34.