US1423900A - Tennis racket - Google Patents

Description

G. AGUTTER.

TENNIS RACKET.

APPLICATION FILED,1AN.'6,19ZI.

1,423,900, A Patented July 25, 1922.

Ill

rarest certes.

esonera aen'rrnn, on sonner4 Hints, nnw YORK.

'Tennis nacxn'fr.

innesco.

Application led January 6, 1921. Serial No.43533.

To all 'whom t may concern:

Be it known that l, Gnonen- AGUfr'rnR, a subject of the King of England, residing at Forest Hills, L. l., in the county, of AIneens and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful mprovementsin riCennis Raokets.; and l do hereby declare the following tov be a full, clear, and exact cescriptioir ofthe invention, suchas will enableothers skilledy in the art to which it appertains to `make and use thel saine, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to charactes of reference marked thereon, which form a part of thisI specilication. I y y l The present invention relates, generally,

to improvements in tennis rackets and similar devices; and the invention has reference, more particularly, toV a construction of racket provided with a novel metallic reenforcing andbstiifening member combined with the racket in a novel manner.'

The invention has for its principal object to provide the vwooden head and handle, constituting the racket frame, with an exteriorly disposed metallic binding and reenforc-ing memberwhich surrounds the head, and which is providedvwith a longitudinally extending inwardly projecting ribadapted to be countersunk or dove-tailed into the outer peripheral faces o f the head, throat and a portion ofthe handle of the racket, to the end that said wooden head` and throat of the racket frame may be strongly and efficiently reenforced against breakage, and stiffened so as to readily resist any tendency to warp ont of true shape, orbe otherwise distorted. ln addition to the reenforcing and stiffening function of the metallic binding, the same, `by reason of its exterior disposition about the'head of the racket frame, permits of the racket strings being passed therethrough' and over portions of the same, whereby, not only is the metallic binding more iirmly held in operative `rela-tion to the wooden head, but also the Astrings are prevented from pulling through or splitting the wooden head, particular vwhen restringing the racket. 1 ,l

Another advantage of the exterior relation of the ,reenfo'rcilng"metallic'binding to the wooden head is that the former protects the latter against wear due to scraping the racket on the ground, as e. g., when the player picks up balls therewith.

Other objects of the present invention, not

at this time moreparticularly enumerated, will be clearlyunderstood from the following Vdetailed description'of the same.

With the various objects ofthe invention in view,lthe same consists, primarily, 'in the novel construction of reenforcedl rac ret `herckinafter vset forth; and, the invention consists, furthermore, in the novel arrangements and combinations of the various devices and parts, as well as in the details of the construction of said parts, all4 of'which will be 'more fully described in the following speci- "iication, and then finally. embodied in the 'claims appended thereto.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a face view of a racket provided with the novel metallic reenforcing member or 'binding made according` to and embodying the principles of my present invention. n

Figure 2 is an edge elevation of thejsame. Figure 3 is a detail transverse section, taken on line 3-3 in said Figure '1, and

vdrawn on anenlarged scale.

Figure 4 is a detail longitudinal sect-ion, taken on line l-- in said Figure 2, also drawn on anenlarged scale.

Figure 5 is anv enlarged edge face view of portion of the reenforced head frame with the Stringing removed.

Similar characters of reference are employed in all of the hereinabove described views, 'to indicate corresponding parts;

Referring no-w to said drawings, thereference characterr l indicates the elliptical head frame -which is made of wood, and which is merged at its lower end or throat 2, into the handle portion 3. vEngag'ed over the outer peripheral face or edge of said head frame 1 is a metallic'l reenforcing inember or binding l, whichis preferably made of comparatively thin but strongsheet metalv pressed or otherwise wroughtinto the desired cross sectional shape; lSaid reenrorcing` member or binding l is provided at each longitudinal side with inwardly turned flanges or skirts 5, which', when the binding is in lace oro'ect res oectivel inwardl over the opposite plane faces ofthe head frame 1. Said reenforcing member or binding 4 is provided, substantially throughout its length, with a longitudinally extending centrally disposed and inwardly depressed or projecting rib or channel portion 6. The outer peripheral face or edge of said wooden head trame 1 is provided with a corresponding longitudinally extending centrally disposed countersunk vchannel or groove 7 providing a seat within which is received said rib or channel portion G when said binding el is assembled in operative relation to the racket. The respective ends or said reentorcing member or binding 4, when the latter is assembled with the racket, are carried downwardly about the opposite edges of the head irame 1, and thence are passed along the throat 2 and down the sides of thev handle portion 3. At the approaches to the juncture of said handle portion with the head trame, the flanges or skirts 5 oi' the reeniiorcing member or binding l are spread outwardly, as at 8, to contorni to the swelling or curvature ot the said parts, and so as to permit of the ends 9 ot said reenforcing member or binding being extended for the desired distance downwardly along t-he sides of the handle portion. The said ends 9 of the reentorcing member or binding l are secured to the handle 3 by one or more fastening screws 10, or any other suitable fastening means for anchoring or holding the same in place,l whereby-the reentorcing or binding member, as a whole, is securely retained in normal and operative assembled relation to the racket body.

The wooden head Jframe 1 is bored transversely at suitably spaced intervals with Stringing openings or holes 11. The said stringing openings or holes 11 are longitudinally and centrally alined relative to each other, as distinguished from the staggered relation heretofore commonly employed. Said metallic reenorcing member or binding 4 is provided with correspondingly located Stringing openings or holes 12, which register over the outer ends oit' the openings or holes 1 1 of the head frame 1. Said openings or holes 12 ot the reenforcing member or binding 4 are located in the bottom of the rib or channel portion 6, and the same are preferably of somewhat larger diameter than are the Stringing holes or openings 11, and furthermore said openings or holes 12 are provided at their longitudinally opposite edges with chamiered or rounded lips 13, thus eliminating sharp metallic edges which might tend to cut or otherwise injure the gut strings of the racket.

The head iframe 1 is strung with the usual interwoven transverse and vertical strings of gut 14 which are passed through certain of the openings or holes 11 and 12 in one direction and then looped over the reentorcing member or binding l and back through adjacent openings or holes 12and 11 in the opposite direction, in the manner more clearly illustrated in Figure l oiE the drawings. As above mentioned, the holes or openings 11 with the alined holes or openings 12 are disposed around the head frame 1 in longitudinal alinement, and not in staggered relation, consequently tie strings 14- pull straight through the openings or holes 11, thus minimizing the tendency of the strings to fray or be out by the edges ot the inner ends of the holes or openings 11 thereby lengthening the life of the strings and the serviceableness of the racket. The stated arrangement of the said holes or openings and the strings 14- also renders restringing ot the racket more easily and quickly accomplished, whereby time and labor and consequently expense, is saved in the performance ot the restringing opera` tions. Since the loops 1e of the strings le pass over the reentorcing member orbinding 4, they additionally servo, 'when tightened up, to firmly hold the latter in normal operative engagement with the exterior edge of the head iframe 1, and securely retained against accidental separation or dislodgement therefrom. Since the said loops 1l or". the strings 14 are located in the bottom ot the depressed rib or channel portion 6 of said binding or reentorcing member, the said portions oit the gut strings are protected, by the bounding shoulders or beans 15 'formed by the sides of said rib or channel portion G, from being struck against objects on and surrounding the court when swinging the racket about, thereby 'preventing weakening, breaking or other damage or injury being done to the stringing of the racket; and, Jiurthermore, being thus'countersunk in the exterior channel of the rib 6, the loops 14e are protected against injurious contact with moisture from the hands or lingers of the player.

It will be apparent from the above deseription, and trom an inspection of the accompanying drawings, that the novel construction ot reentorcing member or binding 4l, is constructed to adequately brace the wooden head frame against torsion or twist due to any tendency ot the latter to warp. The principal factor the construction lor accomplishing such purpose is the longitudinally disposed countersunk rib or channel portion 6, which, by reason of being imbedded in the periphery ot the head frame` and by reason oit the inherent stil'ness and strength ot such a channel rib structure, easily resists the warping strains and pres sures. Without such stitlening rib or channel portion 6, warping or twisting of the head frame 1 might tend to separate or spread apart the side iianges or skirts 5, resulting in loosening the binding l to permit lateral play upon the head-iframe, 'which would consequently be free to yield to the warping strains or tendencies, but the provision of such a rib or channel portion 6 in countersunk relation to the head frame at fords what may be termed a longitudinally extending stift' and resistant back-bone.

frame.

which resists lateral warping strains from either direction.

Of course, it will be clear that ordinary strains produced by forcible contact of the racket with the balls when playing, are firmly resisted by the reenforcing member or binding 4, so that the racket is very efliciently protected by the latter against breakage either at the throat 2, or at any other part of the head frame.

My invention, therefore, provides a racket adapted to give much longer life in service, as well as one which is adequately protected against warping out of true; and, at the same time, the exterior location of the reenforcing member or binding also servesy to protect the wood of the head frame against wear; and, by reason of the novel relation of the Stringing thereto, theloops of the strings are also protected against accidental injury. It will be observed by reference to the drawings, that the genera-l neat appearance of the ordinary racket'is retained by my novel reenforced structure, so that the racket does not in any way possess a freakish appearance, but rather derives an ornamentation or pleasing embellishment by reason of the shaping and location of the reenforcing member or binding 4.

I am aware that some changes may be made in the general arrangements and combinations of the several devices and parts, as well as in the details of the construction thereof without departing from the scope of my present invention as set forth in the foregoing speciiication, and as defined in the appended claims. Hence, I do not limit my invention to the exact arrangements and combinations of the said devices and parts as described in said specification, nor do I confine myself to the eXact .details of the construction of said parts as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

I claim l. In a racket, the combination with a wooden head frame and depending handle of a. reenforcing metallic binding engaged with and surrounding the outer periphery of said head-frame, the ends of said binding being engaged with and secured to the sides of said handle, said binding having on its opposite sides inwardly extending marginal skirts overlapping the sides of said head frame, and a longitudinally extending centrally disposed depressed rib on the inner side of said binding, said rib being countersunk in the outer periphery of said head 2. In a racket, the combination with a wooden head frame and depending handle of a reenforcing metallic binding engaged with and surrounding the outer periphery of said head frame, the ends of said binding being engaged with and 4secured to the sides of said handle, said binding having on its opposite sides inwardly extending marginal skirts overlapping the sides of said head frame, a longitudinally extending centrally disposed inwardly depressed rib formed in said binding, said rib being countersunk in the outerperiphery of said head frame, said head frame having a plurality of longitudinally alined and spaced stringing holes, and said binding having a plurality of Stringing holes of enlarged diameter with inwardly chamfered edges located in the bottom portion of said rib and registered with the outer ends of said head frame stringing holes whereby the strings of the racket may be looped over portions of said binding within the depressed outer side of said rib.

3. The combination with the wooden head frameof a racket of a metallic reenforcing member engaging and surrounding the outer periphery of said head frame, said member having on its opposite sides inwardly eX- tending marginal skirts overlapping the sides of said head frame, and an inwardly projecting longitudinal rib portion connected with said reenforcing member, said rib portion being y countersunk in said head frame.

4. In a racket, a wooden head frame provided with a longitudinal channel in its outer periphery, a metallic binding having a central longitudinal depressed rib to project into said head frame channel, and marginal skirt portions connected with the sides of said binding to overlap the sides of said head frame.

5. In a racket having a wooden head frame, a means for reenforcing said frame against distortion, twisting or breakage, said means comprising a metallic binding engaged with the outer periphery of said frame, said binding having a pair of outwardly bowed longitudinal ribs combined with an intermediate inwardly bowed longitudinal rib, and the outer' periphery of said head frame being shaped to conform to the inner contour ofsaid binding thus formed.

In testimony, that I claim the invention set forth above I have hereunto set my hand this 20th day of December, 1920.

GEORGE AGUTTER.

Witnesses:

GEO. A. CoNGDoN, J. P. BRoo-Ks.

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