Racquet with channeled handle for receiving racquet string

A sports racquet extending along a longitudinal axis, the racquet comprising:

• a head portion defining a string bed area;
• a handle portion having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end of the handle portion coupled to the head portion, the handle portion having a length and an outer surface, the handle portion including at least two spaced apart channels, each channel inwardly extending into the outer surface and extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis from the distal end of the handle portion and over at least a portion of the length of the handle portion, each channel configured for receiving at least one string and guiding the string along at least a portion of the length of the handle portion;
• and
• at least one rib outwardly extending from the handle portion into each of the first and second channels forming a plurality of sub-channels within each of the first and second channels.

A sports racquet comprising:

• a head portion;
• a handle portion having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end of the handle portion coupled to the head portion, the handle portion having a multi-sided transverse cross-sectional area, an outer surface and a length;
• and first and second channels defined into the handle portion, the first and second channels inwardly extending from the outer surface into opposite sides of the handle portion, each channel extending over at least a portion of the length of the handle portion from the distal end toward the proximal end, each channel being open and substantially uncovered by the handle portion, each channel configured for receiving at least one string;
• and
• a bearing attached to the proximal end of the racquet, the bearing further guiding the at least one string around the proximal end of the handle portion.

A sports racquet comprising:

• a head portion;
• a handle portion having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end of the handle portion coupled to the head portion, the handle portion having a multi-sided transverse cross-sectional area, an outer surface and a length;
• first and second channels defined into the handle portion, the first and second channels inwardly extending from the outer surface into opposite sides of the handle portion, each channel extending over at least a portion of the length of the handle portion from the distal end toward the proximal end, each channel being open and substantially uncovered by the handle portion;
• a string bed engaged to the head portion, the string bed formed of a plurality of cross string segments and a plurality of main string segments, at least one of the main string segments extending along at least one of the channels;
• and
• a grip disposed over the handle portion, the channels, and at least a portion of the at least one main string segment, and wherein at least a portion of the grip is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of a transparent material, a translucent material, a semi-transparent material, semi-translucent material, and combinations thereof.

A sports racquet comprising:

• a head portion;
• a handle portion having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end of the handle portion coupled to the head portion, the handle portion having a multi-sided transverse cross-sectional area, an outer surface and a length;
• first and second channels defined into the handle portion, the first and second channels inwardly extending from the outer surface into opposite sides of the handle portion, each channel extending over at least a portion of the length of the handle portion from the distal end toward the proximal end, each channel being open and substantially uncovered by the handle portion, wherein the depth of each channel with respect to the outer surface of the handle portion varies over the length of the handle portion;
• and
• a string bed engaged to the head portion, the string bed formed of a plurality of cross string segments and a plurality of main string segments, at least one of the main string segments extending along at least one of the channels.