DOUBLE GRIP TENNIS RACQUET

Abstract

A double grip tennis racquet includes a generally oval-shaped racquet head, a throat that extends downward from the bottom end of the racquet head, a handle that is positioned along the bottom of the throat, a pair of struts that extend diagonally outward from the bottom of the handle, and a pair of grips that extend downward from the struts. The struts position each of the grips parallel both to each other, and to the centerline of the racquet. Each of the grips include a layered construction having a core layer that is formed as a unitary member with the struts, the handle, throat and racquet head, and an impact absorbing outer layer. Each of the grips include a separation distance of 3 inches and a length of 8 inches. The overall length of the racquet is 29 inches to conform to ITF standards.

Claims

1. A tennis racquet, comprising: a generally oval-shaped racquet head having a top end and a bottom end; a throat that extends downward from the bottom end of the racquet head; a single handle that is positioned along a bottom end of the throat; a first strut that extends downward from a bottom end of the single handle; a second strut that extends downward from the bottom end of the single handle; a first grip that extends downward from the first strut; and a second grip that extends downward from the second strut; wherein the first grip and the second grip emerge from a single point; wherein a distal end of the first grip and a distal end of the second grip are separated by a central opening extending from the single handle past the first grip and the second grip, and wherein the form of each of the first grip and the second grip is devoid of handedness, and the positioning of the first and second grips is in a parallel orientation and evenly offset from the centerline of the racquet such that the first and second grips are arranged for both ambidextrous and double handed play; wherein each of the racquet head, the throat, the single handle, the first strut, the second strut, the first grip, and the second grip are positioned along an identical single plane, and the racquet conforms to the International Tennis Federation standards.

2. The racquet of claim 1, wherein the throat includes a first throat member extending from the racquet head in a first direction, and a second throat member extending from the racquet head in a second direction.

3. The racquet of claim 2, further comprising: an opening that is positioned between the first throat member and the second throat member.

4. The racquet of claim 1, wherein each of the first grip and the second grip include a layered construction.

5. The racquet of claim 4, wherein the layered construction includes a rigid core layer and an impact absorbing outer layer.

6. The racquet of claim 5, wherein the rigid core layer of each of the first and second grips are constructed as a unitary elements with each of the racquet head, the throat, the single handle, the first strut and the second strut.

7. The racquet of claim 6, wherein each of the rigid core layer, the racquet head, the throat, the single handle, the first strut, the second strut are constructed from graphite.

8. The racquet of claim 6, wherein the outer layer of each of the first and second grips are constructed from one of synthetic rubber or foam.

9. The racquet of claim 1, further comprising: racquet string that is positioned within a central opening defined by the racquet head.

10. The racquet of claim 1, further comprising: grip tape that is removably positioned along each of the first grip and the second grip.

11. The racquet of claim 2, wherein the first strut is generally aligned with the second throat member, and generally perpendicular to the first throat member.

12. The racquet of claim 11, wherein the second strut is generally aligned with the first throat member, and generally perpendicular to the second throat member.

13. The racquet of claim 1, wherein the first strut comprises a member having a first end that terminates at the bottom end of the single handle, and a second end that terminates at a first end of the first grip.

14. The racquet of claim 13, wherein the second strut comprises a member having a first end that terminates at the bottom end of the single handle, and a second end that terminates at a first end of the second grip.

15. The racquet of claim 14, wherein the second end of the first grip and the second end of the second grip are not connected and are separated by the central opening.

16. The racquet of claim 15, wherein the first strut and the second strut are positioned diagonally to a central axis of the racquet, and wherein the first grip and the second grip are positioned parallel to the central axis of the racquet.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Presently preferred embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should be appreciated, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

[0011] FIG. 1A is a front view of the double grip tennis racquet in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

[0012] FIG. 1B is a side view of the double grip tennis racquet in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a partial cutout cross section view of the layered construction of the grips of the double grip tennis racquet, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the description in conjunction with the drawings. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the inventive arrangements in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandable description of the invention.

Definitions

[0015] As described herein, a unit means a series of identified physical components which are linked together and/or function together to perform a specified function.

[0016] As described throughout this document, the term about approximately substantially and generally shall be used interchangeably to describe a feature, shape, or measurement of a component within a tolerance such as, for example, manufacturing tolerances, measurement tolerances or the like.

[0017] As described herein, the term removably secured, and derivatives thereof shall be used to describe a situation wherein two or more objects are joined together in a non-permanent manner so as to allow the same objects to be repeatedly joined and separated.

[0018] As described throughout this document, the term complementary shape, and complementary dimension, shall be used to describe a shape and size of a component that is identical to, or substantially identical to the shape and size of another identified component within a tolerance such as, for example, manufacturing tolerances, measurement tolerances or the like.

[0019] FIGS. 1A-2 illustrate one embodiment of a double grip tennis racquet 10 that are useful for understanding the inventive concepts disclosed herein. In each of the drawings, identical reference numerals are used for like elements of the invention or elements of like function. For the sake of clarity, only those reference numerals are shown in the individual figures which are necessary for the description of the respective figure. For purposes of this description, the terms upper, bottom, right, left, front, vertical, horizontal, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1A.

[0020] As shown and described herein, the tennis racquet 10 can include, essentially, a racquet head, a throat, a handle, and a pair of grips.

[0021] The racquet head 11 can include a generally oval shaped member having any number of different sizes based on the intended skill level of a user. A plurality of strings 12 can be positioned along the head in a crisscross pattern and function to strike a tennis ball during game play. The racquet head can be formed from any number of different materials that are, for example, relatively strong and stiff for their weight. Several nonlimiting examples include but are not limited to various metals or metal alloys (e.g., titanium, graphite, aluminum, or alloys thereof), plastic/polymers, and/or various composite materials.

[0022] The throat 13 can be positioned between the racquet head 11 and the handle 14. In one embodiment, the throat can be formed by two generally diagonal throat members 13a and 13b that extend downward from the bottom of the racquet head before terminating into the top of the handle. In the preferred embodiment, the throat members can be separated by an opening 13c to form an open throat design that allows air to flow through the opening, thus reducing drag during swings and contributing to a stiffer frame feel. Of course, other embodiments are contemplated wherein the opening is filled with a solid material and/or wherein the throat includes a different shape or size.

[0023] In either instance, the throat will preferably be constructed from the same material as the racquet head and will be constructed as a unitary component with the head, this greatly increasing the strength and rigidity of the racquet. However, other embodiments are contemplated wherein the throat is constructed from a different material and/or different manufacturing methods.

[0024] The handle 14 can include a solid, generally rectangular-shaped member that is connected to the bottom end of the throat 13 and the top ends of the struts 15a and 15b. The handle is positioned along the centerline/central axis X of the racquet 10 and acts to impart the force applied by a user swinging the grips onto the racquet head via the throat.

[0025] In the preferred embodiment, the handle will be constructed from the same material as the racquet head and throat, and will be constructed as a unitary component therewith, so as to greatly increase the strength and rigidity of the racquet. However, other embodiments are contemplated wherein the handle includes a different shape or size and wherein the handle is constructed from a different material and/or different manufacturing method.

[0026] In one embodiment, two struts 15a and 15b can extend downward from the bottom of the handle 14 in a diagonal orientation from the central axis X of the racquet 10. In the preferred embodiment, the struts will be positioned such that strut 15a is oriented serially with throat member 13b, and perpendicularly with throat member 13a, whereas strut 15b is oriented serially with throat member 13a, and perpendicularly with throat member 13b. The struts can function to separate the below described grips to permit double handed play.

[0027] In the preferred embodiment, the struts will also be constructed from the same material as the racquet head, throat, and handle, and will be constructed as unitary components therewith, so as to greatly increase the strength and rigidity of the racquet. However, other embodiments are contemplated wherein one or both of the struts include a different shape or size and wherein one or both of the struts are constructed from a different material and/or different manufacturing method.

[0028] In one embodiment, two complementary shaped grips 21 and 22 can extend downward from the ends of the struts 15a and 15b, respectively. As shown, each of the grips can be oriented parallel both to each other, and to the central axis X, so as to be spaced evenly from the centerline of the racquet. In the preferred embodiment, the grips can be separated by about 3 inches, thus each having an offset of about 1.5 inches from the central axis X; however, other embodiments are contemplated wherein different orientations, separation distances and/or offsets are provided. Such a feature being beneficial for youth players with smaller hands.

[0029] Additionally, each of the grips are positioned along the same plane (e.g., X) as the racquet, and do not extend in a different plane (e.g., Y) so as to extend forward or backward relative to the racket.

[0030] The positioning of the grips 21 and 22 in a parallel orientation that are evenly offset from the centerline X of the racquet is critical. Such a feature advantageously omits the need for a user to align their hands serially thus ensuring completely accurate swings and allows the user to apply full power into their swing compared with situations where a user places both hands serially along a single grip. Additionally, such a feature allows ambidextrous play whereby a user can use one grip to perform forehand swings with one hand, and can use the other grip to perform forehand swings with their other hand.

[0031] In the preferred embodiment, each grip can include an elongated octagonally-shaped member having eight bevels to provide a comfortable and secure hold compared to a round-shaped handle. Each grip can ideally include a length of about 8 inches so as to ensure the overall length of the racquet 10 remains at or less than 29 inches so as to conform to ITF standards. Of course, other embodiments are contemplated wherein each of the grips include different shapes, sizes and/or separation distances from each other and/or the centerline of the racquet.

[0032] As shown best at FIG. 2, each of the grips can include a layered construction having a rigid core layer 23a, and an impact absorbing outer layer 23b. In the preferred embodiment, the core layer 23a of each grip may be constructed from the same material as the racquet head, throat, handle and struts, and will be constructed as a unitary component therewith, so as to greatly increase the strength and rigidity of the racquet. In the preferred embodiment, the outer layer 23b of each grip will be constructed from a synthetic material such as synthetic rubber or poly foam, for example, that is coated or otherwise encompasses the core layer. Of course, other embodiments are contemplated wherein different materials and/or different manufacturing methods are provided.

[0033] In various embodiments, each of the grips 21 and 22 may be provided with a removeable tacky material such as grip tape 24 or other such material, for example, that can be wrapped around a portion of, or the entirety of each grip before terminating into butt caps 25 for protecting the end of the handle and/or grip tape from fraying.

[0034] Although described above with regard to a tennis racquet, this is but one possible implementation of the inventive concepts. To this end, other types of racquets such as pickleball, badminton, and others, for example, can be constructed to include the inventive features without undue experimentation.

[0035] As to a further description of the manner and use of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.

[0036] As described herein, one or more elements of the device 10 can be secured together utilizing any number of known attachment means such as, for example, screws, glue, compression fittings and welds, among others. Moreover, although the above embodiments have been described as including separate individual elements, the inventive concepts disclosed herein are not so limiting. To this end, one of skill in the art will recognize that one or more individually identified elements may be formed together as one or more continuous elements, either through manufacturing processes, such as welding, casting, or molding, or through the use of a singular piece of material milled or machined with the aforementioned components forming identifiable sections thereof.

[0037] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms a, an, and the are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms comprises and/or comprising, when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. Likewise, the term consisting shall be used to describe only those components identified. In each instance where a device comprises certain elements, it will inherently consist of each of those identified elements as well.

[0038] The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.