WO1999001185A1

WO1999001185A1 - Racket mounting assembly for stringing machine

Info

Publication number: WO1999001185A1
Application number: PCT/IB1998/001151
Authority: WO
Inventors: Vaclav Zdrazila
Original assignee: Vaclav Zdrazila
Priority date: 1997-07-02
Filing date: 1998-07-01
Publication date: 1999-01-14
Also published as: AU8238098A

Abstract

A racket mounting assembly (10) for use on a racket stringing machine for supporting the racket (14) to be strung to prevent movement and deformation of the racket (14) during the stringing process, including a clamping member (18) with a base member (24) having a lateral support mechanism (26), end support mechanism (28) and a moving mechanism (30) connected thereto. The lateral support mechanism (26) having a pair of arms (38) pivotally connected to the base member (24) at one end and having a contact element (46) at the other end for pressing against and holding in place a racket frame (16) to be strung. The end support mechanism (28) is attached to or integral with the base (24) and includes an end support post (64) that is operatively connected to the moving mechanism (30), which is further connected to the arms (38) of the lateral support mechanism (26). Movement of the end support post (64) against the inside of the racket frame (16) causes the moving mechanism (30) to actuate the arms (38) to a closed position to clamp the racket frame (16) between the contact elements (46) to prevent movement and deformation of the racket frame (16) while it is being strung. A second clamping member (20) opposing the first clamping member (18) can be used to hold both ends of the racket frame (16) and provide additional contact points along the outside of the frame (16).

Description

RACKET MOUNTING ASSEMBLY FOR STRINGING MACHINE

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Czech Republic Utility Model PUV 6904-97 tiled July 2, 1997.

DESCRIPTION

TECHNICAL FIELD The field of the present invention relates generally to devices for use in stringing rackets, such as those used for tennis, racquetball, squash, badminton and the like. In particular, the present invention relates to mounting assemblies that are used to mount a racket on a stringing machine to facilitate stringing the racket. Even more specifically, the present invention relates to such mounting devices that have multiple mounting points in order to prevent deformation of the racket during the stringing process.

BACKGROUND ART Various sports utilize rackets as an integral part of the sport. Such sports include tennis, racquetball, squash and badminton, as well as other sports. Although the rackets used in these sports vary somewhat in size, weight and other important characteristics, they each utilize a racket having a handle attached to an open frame having a string bed inside that is made up of a number of individual strings that are attached to the frame. The strings in the string bed are placed under tension between opposite sides of the racket frame. Racket stringing machines are commonly used to string rackets by applying tension to the strings that form the string bed portion of the racket. The frame of the racket is held in place as tension is applied to each racket string in order to prevent the frame from distorting under from the pull on the strings. The racket mounting systems utilized by racket stringing machines in use today have a number of commonly known disadvantages, including the lack of adequate circumferential support for the racket frame during the stringing process, uneven pressure on the racket and use which is cumbersome and not time efficient.

The typical racket mounting system utilizes a pair of mounting points to support the inside of the racket at the top and bottom (i.e., near where the handle joins the racket head) ends of the racket frame. A number of stringing machines have mounting systems that also utilize four additional outer mounting points that abut the outer edge of the racket frame, two near the top and two near the bottom. To mount a racket, the top and bottom ends of the racket are placed over the inside mounting points and then these points are moved so that they spread apart to contact and support the inside of the racket frame at the top and bottom. The inside mounting points are then locked into position to prevent movement of the racket in the top or bottom direction. If the outer mounting points are utilized, they are adjusted to abut the outer edge of the racket frame at the additional points and then locked into position against the racket frame to prevent lateral movement of the frame during the stringing process. The adjustment and abutting location of the mounting points vary depending on the size and type of particular racket that is to be strung.

Unfortunately, the system of racket mounting described above is cumbersome and takes an excessive amount of time to set the various mounting points. In addition, even when set, the mounting points do not adequately support the racket frame in that the pressure among the mounting points during the stringing process is not equal. This typically arises due to the process of stringing the racket that begins at one end of the racket and moves to the opposite end. Because the racket is held in place at its ends, the tension placed on the strings at one end causes the opposite end of the racket to expand, creating a much greater amount of force against the mounting points at that end of the racket. The lack of equal pressure at the mounting points typically results in stringing a racket that has an undesirable deformation in its frame. The deformation of the racket caused by the stringing process, even if slight, is harmful to the user's use of the racket.

PRIOR ART A number of related art devices exist that describe various assemblies for mounting a racket to a racket stringing device. Such assemblies are shown and described in such related art references as U.S. Patent No. 4,706,955 to Ngadi, U.S. Patent No. 3,918,713 to Kaminstein, and U.S. Patent No. 5,026,055 to Longeat.

Some of these patents present mounting assemblies that utilize only two mounting points at the ends of the racket or only mounting points on the outside of the racket. Those that do utilize mounting points at the ends and at the outer edge of the racket do not disclose a mounting system that utilizes end mounting points and side mounting points that function together to distribute forces evenly at the mounting points. Therefore, none of these related art devices solve the problems identified by the inventor and solved by the present invention in the manner solved by the present invention. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The racket mounting assembly of the present invention solves the problems with current racket stringing equipment identified above. That is to say, the present invention provides a racket mounting assembly that utilizes multiple mounting points that support the racket frame in a manner that prevents the undesirable deformation of the racket that can occur during the stringing process. In addition, the present racket mounting assembly is easier and quicker to use than those utilized with current racket stringing equipment.

In the primary embodiment of the present invention, the racket mounting assembly comprises a clamping member connected to a support structure that is used as a stand for the typical racket stringing machine. The clamping member has a base member that operatively connects to the support structure to allow movement of the base as needed to open the clamping member and receive the racket in the mounting assembly or remove the racket from the assembly when the stringing process is complete. In the preferred embodiment, the base member is slidably connected to the support structure to allow an engaging mechanism, such as a counter-threaded screw having a handle or wheel at its end, to move the base member relative to the support structure and to a second clamping member. The clamping member further comprises a lateral support mechanism that is adjustably and concomitantly connected to an end support mechanism by a suitable gear or gear-like mechanism.

In the preferred embodiment, the lateral support mechanism has a pair of arms that are pivotally connected at their proximal ends to the base member. The distal ends of the arms each have a contact element that is shaped and configured to abut against and hold in place the frame of the racket to be strung. To allow adjustability for different size rackets, the distal ends of the arms have several holes that allow placement of the contact elements into the hole which is best suited for the particular racket being strung. The end support mechanism has an end support post that is moveable in the base member and connected to the lateral support mechanism by the gear or gear-like mechanism. The gear mechanism can utilize one or more toothed gears, a pulley mechanism or other similar mechanism that provides articulation of the arms upon movement of the end support post in the longitudinal direction.

In operation, the person who is going to string the racket rotates the handle or wheel portion of the engaging mechanism so that the two clamping members are brought close enough together so that the end support posts will be located within the frame of the racket. As the operator rotates the handle or wheel in the opposite direction, the clamping members will move apart until the end support posts abut against the inside of the racket frame. As soon as force is applied to the end support posts, the arms of the lateral support members pivot in toward the racket frame. As the clamping members continue to spread apart, the contact elements on the distal ends of the arms press against the racket frame. Once the appropriate amount of force is placed on the ends and lateral edges of the racket frame, the racket strings can be strung under tension across the racket without deforming the shape of the racket. Accordingly, the primary objective of the present invention is to provide a simple and easy-to-operate racket support assembly for use with a racket stringing machine that prevents deformation of the racket and reduces the amount of time and labor required to string the racket.

It is also an important objective of the present invention to provide a support assembly that can be easily installed and used to improve many existing and new racket stringing machines. It is also an important objective of the present invention to provide a support assembly that utilizes a lateral support mechanism that is adjustably and synchronously connected to an end support mechanism.

Yet another important objective of the present invention to provide a support assembly that has a pair of arms that provide force at opposite outer lateral edges of a racket frame when an end support post is moved against the inside of the racket frame such that the forces being exerted by the arms are substantially equal to each other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings which illustrate the best modes presently contemplated for carrying out the present invention:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention attached to a typical support structure; FIG. 2 is a side view of the racket support assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a top view of a clamping member of the preferred embodiment of present invention;

FIG. 4 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a top view of another alternative embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a top view of yet another alternative embodiment of the present invention. MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION AND INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY With reference to the figures where like elements have been given like numerical designations to facilitate the reader's understanding of the present invention, and particularly with reference to the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3, the preferred embodiment of the present invention is set forth below. The racket mounting assembly, designated generally as 10, attaches to a support structure 12 utilized by racket stringing machines. The typical support structure 12 will place mounting assembly 10 at a level where the user can comfortably work with the racket 14, having a racket frame 16, to be strung.

Typically the support structure 12 will allow the user to rotate the mounting assembly 10 to facilitate access to the opposite sides and ends of the racket 14 during the racket stringing process.

The racket mounting assembly 10 of the present invention has one or more clamping members, such as first clamping member 18 and second clamping member 20, slidably connected to a sliding rail 22 that attaches to or is integral with support structure 12. Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention utilizes a pair of opposing clamping members 18 and 20, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the present invention can work with only the first clamping member 18. Instead of the second clamping member 20, the stringing machine can use any type of suitable clamping mechanism opposite first clamping member 18. However, the equal force and some of the lack of deformation benefits of the present invention could be lost without the use of opposing second clamping member 20.

In the preferred embodiment, the first 18 and second 20 clamping members are arranged the same way, such that it is sufficient to describe only one of them. The following description is for the first clamping member 18, it being understood that the second clamping member 20 is arranged the same way only in a position such that it is opposing the first clamping member 18. Clamping member 18 has a base member 24, a lateral support mechanism 26, an end support mechanism 28 and a moving mechanism 30 connected to the lateral support mechanism 26 and end support mechanism 28. Base member 24 has a lower portion 32 suitably configured for slidably connecting to sliding rail 22 and an upper portion 34 having a housing 36 for moving mechanism 30.

Lateral support mechanism 26 has a pair of arms 38, each having a proximal end 40 and a distal end 42. Each arm 38 is pivotally connected near its proximal end 40 to base member 24 at pivot member 44. The proximal end 40 is configured to connect to the end support mechanism 28 such that when the end support mechanism 28 moves it will cause each of the arms 38 to pivot (as described below). The distal ends 42 of each arm 38 has at least one contact element 46 attached thereto. Contact element 46 should be sized and configured to contact the outside edge of racket frame 16 when the lateral support mechanism 26 is in the closed position. In the preferred embodiment, contact element 46 is removably attached to arms 38 to allow use of different sized contact elements 46 or positioning of contact elements 46 for different types or sizes of racket 14. The ability to remove and vary the position of contact element 46 can be achieved my using one or more openings 48 in arms 38 that are sized to receive an element rod 50 attached to the contact element 46.

As shown in FIG. 3, the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a base extension 52 that is connected to the base member 24 and slidably receives pin 54, attached to the bottom of arms 38, in slot 56. Base extension 52 provides additional support to arms 38. Movement of end mechanism 28 results in pin 54 sliding in slot 56 to pivot arms 38. A screw head or rotatable knob 58 attached to screw 60, which is disposed inside housing 36 through first hole 61 , allows fine tuning of end support mechanism 28. Safety knob 62 allows the user to lock the movement of end support mechanism 28 in place for the racket stringing process. After the lateral 26 and end 28 mechanisms are abutting the racket frame 16, the safety knob 62 can be threaded towards housing 36 to prevent end support mechanism 28 from moving inward during the stringing process. Safety knob 62 also allows the user to set a maximum amount movement for end support mechanism 28 during the racket mounting process.

In the preferred embodiment, end support mechanism 28 comprises at least one end support post 64 attached to an end nut 66, which threadably connects to screw 60 and is insertable in second hole 67 on the opposite side of housing 36 from first hole 61. The end support post is slidably received in housing 36 and, as shown in FIGS. 3-5, can be located between arms 38. In the preferred embodiment, end nut with post 64 is removable from housing 36 so that different sized rackets can be accommodated. For example, very small rackets may require an end support post 64 or end nut 66 that extends beyond housing 36 so that when the end support posts 64 abut the inside of the ends of the racket frame 16, the arms 38 do not meet and, therefore, fail to abut against the lateral edges of racket frame 16. As shown in FIG. 3, spring 68 can be in disposed around screw 60 in open space 70 under cover plate 69 to bias arms 38 toward a closed position. As shown in FIG. 1 , the end support post 64 can be disposed in a slot or opening in cover plate 69 that covers the top of housing 36.

Moving mechanism 30, as shown in FIGS. 3 through 5, can be located inside base 24 or attached on the outside thereof. Moving mechanism 30 operatively connects to lateral support mechanism 26 and end support mechanism 28 such that when the end support post 64 moves (i.e., along or parallel with the longitudinal axis of the racket frame 16) the moving mechanism 30 actuates the lateral support mechanism 26 and causes arms 38 to open or close. The moving mechanism should be configured such that when the end support post 64 is inside the racket frame 16 the action of the post 64 abutting the inside of the frame 16 will cause a synchronous closing of arms 38 against the outer edge of frame 16 to press the contact elements 46 against frame 16.

Operatively connected to base members 24 of the first 18 and second 20 clamping members is an engaging mechanism that moves the clamping members 18 and 20 toward each other to position them for receiving racket 14 to be strung and then moves the clamping members 18 and 20 apart to engage the racket frame 16 in the mounting assembly 10 for stringing purposes. The engaging mechanism can comprise a handle 74 attached to a counter-threaded screw 76 that attaches to the base 24 of both clamping members 18 and 20. Alternatively, the engaging mechanism can attach to and move only one of the clamping members (i.e., first clamping member 18). In this configuration, the second clamping member 20 can be fixedly attached to the support structure 12 or sliding rail 22. Movement of the first clamping member 18 alone would then be sufficient to for the end support mechanism 28 to close the lateral support mechanism 26.

In use, the operator of the racket stringing machine will rotate the handle 74 to move the first clamping member 18 and the second clamping member 20 together so that the operator may place racket 14 in the mounting assembly 10 such that the end support posts 64 are inside racket frame 16. The operator would then rotate the handle 74 the opposite direction to cause the first 18 and second 20 clamping members to move apart until the end support posts 64 abut against the inside of racket frame 16. When the end support posts 64 press against the inside of the racket frame 16, the moving mechanism 30 will rotate the lateral support mechanism 26 until the contact elements 46 on arms 38 abut against the outside edges of frame 16. Slight additional movement of the end support posts 64 will tightly clamp the contact elements 46 against frame 16 to hold it in place during the racket stringing operations. After the racket 14 is strung, the operator rotates the handle 74 so that the end support posts 64 move away from the inside edge of frame 16, causing spring 70 to bias the arms 38 away from frame 16 so that racket 14 may be removed from the racket mounting assembly 10.

Various alternatives exist for the moving mechanism 30 that can function with the racket mounting assembly 10 of the present invention. For instance, FIGS. 4 and 5 show two such possibilities. In FIG. 4, the moving mechanism comprises one or more toothed gears 78 having teeth that mesh together to pivot arms 38 into contact with racket frame 16. The gears 78 should connect the end support mechanism 28 to the lateral support mechanism 26 and be configured such that when the end support post 64 moves out (i.e., away from the center of the racket frame 16) the arms 38 will move in towards the racket frame.

Another alternative embodiment of the moving mechanism is shown in FIG. 5. This embodiment utilizes a pulley mechanism 80 that connects to the end support mechanism. When the end support mechanism 28 moves, it causes the pulley mechanism 80 to pull on arms 38 and pivot arms 38 against racket frame 16. Safety nut 82 at the end of the first 18 and second 20 clamping members prevents further movement of the end support mechanism 28 when tightened.

Another alternative embodiment of the present invention is the use of only one clamping member (i.e., clamping member 18) in the mounting assembly 10. A single clamping member 18 could be configured so that the end support post 64 would hold one end of the racket frame 16 and the lateral support mechanism 26 would hold the sides of the racket frame 16. If desired, contact element 46 could be could be configured to contact a larger area or additional points along the outer circumference of the racket frame 16. A different clamping mechanism, such as those that are known in the art, could be used to hold the side of the racket frame 16 opposing the single clamping member 18. Yet another alternative of the present invention is shown in FIG. 6.

This embodiment utilizes clamping mechanisms that have a shaped proximal end 84 that is pivotally connected to end plate 86. A stopper 88, attached to end support mechanism 28 and slidably abutting plate 86, moves in response to force against end support post 64. When the clamping mechanisms are moved apart and end support post 64 hits the inside of frame 16, the stopper 88 is moved against the shaped proximal end 84 to cause arms 38 to pivot such that contact elements 46 contact the lateral edges of frame 16.

While there is shown and described herein certain specific alternative forms of the invention, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is not so limited, but is susceptible to various modifications and rearrangements in design and materials without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In particular, it should be noted that the present invention is subject to modification with regard to the dimensional relationships set forth herein and modifications in assembly, materials, size, shape, and use.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A racket mounting assembly for stringing a racket having a racket frame on a stringing machine, comprising: a first clamping member having a base member, lateral support means for supporting the racket frame in a lateral direction, end support means for supporting the racket frame in a longitudinal direction and moving means connected to said lateral support means and said end support means for moving said lateral support means between an open position for receiving the racket and a clamping position for holding the racket upon movement of said end support means; and connecting means for operatively connecting said first clamping member to the stringing machine, said connecting means allowing movement of said first clamping member relative to said stringing machine.

2. The racket mounting assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said lateral support means comprises a pair of arms extending from said base member, each of said arms having a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end of each of said pair of arms pivotally attached to said base member.

3. The racket mounting assembly according to claim 2, wherein said end support means is disposed between said pair of arms.

4. The racket mounting assembly according to claim 2 further comprising a least one contact element at said distal end of said pair of arms.

5. The racket mounting assembly according to claim 4 further comprising positioning means at said distal end of said pair of arms for positioning said at least one contact element so as to engage the racket frame and prevent movement thereof when said lateral support means is in said clamping position.

6. The racket mounting assembly according to claim 5, wherein said positioning means comprises at least one opening in said pair of arms and a element rod attached to said at least one contact element, said element rod sized and configured to fit in said at least one opening.

7. The racket mounting assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said racket mounting system comprises a second clamping member in a spaced apart relationship with said first clamping member, said second clamping member configured to hold the racket frame in a generally planar direction with said first clamping member.

8. The racket mounting assembly according to claim 7, wherein said second clamping member has a base member, lateral support means for supporting the racket frame in a lateral direction, end support means for supporting the racket frame in a longitudinal direction and moving means connected to said lateral support means and said end support means for moving said second lateral support means between an open position for receiving the racket and a clamping position for holding the racket upon movement of said end support means.

9. The racket mounting assembly according to claim 7, wherein said connecting means comprises an engaging means operatively connected to said first clamping member for moving said first clamping member relative to said second clamping member to engage the racket frame in the mounting assembly.

10. The racket mounting assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said moving means comprises one or more toothed gears operatively connecting said end support means to said lateral support means.

11. The racket mounting assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said moving means comprises a pulley mechanism operatively connecting said end support means to said lateral support means.

12. The racket mounting assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said end support means comprises an end mounting post, said end mounting post configured to abut the inside of the racket frame.

13. The racket mounting assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said end support means is moveably disposed in said base member.

14. A racket mounting assembly for stringing a racket on a stringing machine, comprising: a pair of opposing clamping members, each of said clamping members having a base member, lateral support means for supporting the racket frame in a lateral direction, end support means for supporting the racket frame in a longitudinal direction and moving means connected to said lateral support means and said end support means for moving said lateral support means between an open position for receiving the racket and a clamping position for holding the racket upon movement of said end support means; and connecting means for operatively connecting said pair of clamping members to the stringing machine, said connecting means allowing movement of at least one of said pair of clamping members relative to said stringing machine.

15. The racket mounting assembly according to claim 14, wherein each of said pair of lateral support means comprises a pair of arms extending from said base members, each of said arms having a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end of each of said pair of arms pivotally attached to said base members.

16. The racket mounting assembly according to claim 15, wherein said end support means is disposed between said pair of arms on each of said clamping members.

17. The racket mounting assembly according to claim 15 further comprising a least one contact element at said distal end of each of said arms.

18. The racket mounting assembly according to claim 17 further comprising positioning means at said distal end of said arms for positioning said at least one contact element so as to engage the racket frame and prevent movement thereof when said lateral support means are in said clamping position.

19. The racket mounting assembly according to claim 18, wherein said positioning means comprises at least one opening in each of said arms and a element rod attached to said contact elements, said element rod sized and configured to fit in said at least one opening.

20. The racket mounting assembly according to claim 14, wherein said moving means comprises one or more toothed gears operatively connecting said first end support means to said first lateral support means.

21. The racket mounting assembly according to claim 14, wherein said moving means comprises a pulley mechanism operatively connecting said first end support means to said first lateral support means.

22. The racket mounting assembly according to claim 14, wherein said first end support means comprises a mounting post, said mounting post configured to abut the inside of the racket frame.

23. A racket mounting assembly for stringing a racket on a stringing machine, comprising: a pair of opposing clamping members, each of said clamping members having a base member, a pair of arms extending from said base members, an end mounting post and moving means connected to said pair of arms and said end mounting post for moving said pair of arms between an open position for receiving the racket and a clamping position for holding the racket upon movement of said end mounting post, each of said arms having a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end of said arms pivotally attached to said base member, said end mounting post configured to abut the inside of the racket frame; connecting means for operatively connecting said pair of clamping members to the stringing machine, said connecting means allowing movement of at least one of said pair of clamping members relative to said stringing machine; and an engaging means operatively connected to at least one of said pair of clamping members for moving said at least one of said pair of clamping members relative to the other of said pair of clamping members to engage the racket frame in the mounting assembly.

24. The racket mounting assembly according to claim 23, wherein said moving means comprises one or more toothed gears operatively connecting said end mounting post to said pair of arms.

25. The racket mounting assembly according to claim 23, wherein said moving means comprises a pulley mechanism operatively connecting said end mounting post to said pair of arms.

26. The racket mounting assembly according to claim 23, wherein said end mounting post is moveably disposed in said base member.