Racket with a string tensioning device

Abstract

Provided is a racket including a head portion connected to a handle portion. The head portion includes a beam including string holes and at least one string looped through the string holes, the racket further includes at least one tensioning device rotatably arranged on a support surface on the exterior surface of the beam relative to which it can be rotated between a first and a second position. The tensioning device includes a through hole arranged parallel and offset to the rotation axis and extending through the tensioning device. The at least one string is looped from a first string hole through the through hole to a second string hole, so that the tension of the at least one string can be varied by rotation of the tensioning device between the first and second position, and where the outer circumference of the tensioning device further includes a mating surface for mating with the support surface. The mating surface extends from a first mating patch which contacts the support surface in the first position to a second mating patch which contacts the support surface in the second position and where the cross section of the mating surface perpendicular to the rotation axis has an arched shape.

Claims

1. A racket comprising a head portion connected to a handle portion, which head portion comprises a beam comprising string holes and at least one string looped through the string holes, the racket further comprising at least one tensioning device rotatably arranged on a support surface on the exterior surface of the beam relative to which it can be rotated between a first and a second position, which tensioning device comprises a through hole arranged parallel and offset to the rotation axis and extending through the tensioning device, wherein the at least one string is looped from a first string hole through the through hole to a second string hole, so that the tension of the at least one string can be varied by rotation of the tensioning device between the first and second position, and where the outer circumference of the tensioning device further comprises a mating surface for mating with the support surface, which mating surface extends from a first mating patch which contacts the support surface in the first position to a second mating patch which contacts the support surface in the second position and where the cross section of the mating surface perpendicular to the rotation axis has an arched shape.

2. The racket according to claim 1, wherein the support surface corresponds with at least one of the mating patches.

3. The racket according to claim 1, wherein the tensioning device comprises latching means for resisting rotating the tensioning device from at least one locking position.

4. The racket according to claim 3, wherein the latching means comprise at least one protrusion disposed on an edge of the support surface, which at least one protrusion in the at least one locking position protrudes in at least one depression arranged on a first annular surface of the tensioning device and wherein the tensioning device can move laterally with respect to the support surface and in the direction of the rotation axis from a latched position to an unlatched position for unlatching the protrusion and depression.

5. The racket according to claim 4, comprising a latching help such as a spring or compliant mechanism, which latching help laterally urges the tensioning device towards the latched position.

6. The racket according to claim 4, wherein the mating surface and support surface comprise a corresponding conical section for laterally urging the tensioning device towards the latched position.

7. The racket according to claim 1, wherein the outer circumference of the tensioning device comprises a receptacle for an adjustment tool for increasing leverage on rotating the tensioning device.

8. The racket according to claim 7, wherein the receptacle is arranged between the first and second mating patch.

9. The racket according to claim 7, wherein the receptacle extends from the outer circumference of the tensioning device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) These and other features of the invention will be elucidated in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

(2) FIG. 1 shows a racket with a tensioning device according to the invention.

(3) FIG. 2 shows a cross section of a tensioning device according to the invention across line II-II.

(4) FIG. 3 shows a cross section of a tensioning device according to the invention across line III-III.

(5) FIG. 4 schematically depicts a tensioning device on a support surface in the latched position.

(6) FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a tensioning device according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(7) FIG. 1 shows a racket 1 according to the invention. The racket 1 has a head portion 2 connected to a handle portion 3. The beam 4 has string holes through which a string 5 is looped. On the outer circumference 6 of the beam 4, a tensioning device 7 is arranged through which the string 5 is looped. The tensioning device 7 is rotatable around the indicated rotation axis 8. The tensioning device 7 is located within the throat 9 of the racket 1, but can be located anywhere on the outer circumference 6 of the beam 4.

(8) FIGS. 2 and 3 show a cross section of a tensioning device 7 according to the invention across line II-II respectively line III-III. The through hole 10 has a tapered opening 11 on both sides of the tensioning device 7 and is offset with respect to the rotation axis 8. The mating surface 12 is conical. A receptacle 13 for an adjustment tool is also shown, which receptacle 13 extends from the outer circumference 14 of the tensioning device 7.

(9) FIG. 4 schematically depicts a cross section with a tensioning device 7 through which a string 5 is looped. The string 5 loops through string holes 15 arranged in the beam 4. On the outer circumference 6 of the beam 4 a bracket 16 is arranged. The bracket 16 has a support surface 17 and an edge 18 with a protrusion 19. On an annular surface 20 of the tensioning device 7, a depression 21 is formed. The conical mating surface 12 and support surface 17 urge the tensioning device 7 in the direction 22 of the arrow, resulting in the depicted latched position. As can be seen, the tensioning device 7 can move laterally in the direction opposite the direction 22 by laterally moving with respect to the support surface 17 of the bracket 16.

(10) FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a tensioning device 7 according to the invention. On the annular surface 20 four depressions 21 are arranged for locking the tensioning device 7 into discrete locking positions. The through hole 10 has a tapered entrance 11 for preventing unwanted stress in a string looped through the through hole 10. The conical mating surface 12 extends around the circumference of the tensioning device 7 from one end of the receptacle 13 to the other end of the receptacle 13.