Tubular parts and tennis rackets

Abstract

To provide a tubular member and a racket that produce different swinging experiences.SOLUTION: A tubular member includes an inner frame portion 11, an outer frame portion 12, a wide portion 13, and a narrow portion 14. The inner frame portion 11 includes a first inner frame section 111, a second inner frame section 112, and an inner connecting section 117. The outer frame portion 12 includes a first outer frame section 121, a second outer frame section 122, and an outer connecting section 127. The wide portion 13 extends straightly from the outer frame portion 12 to the inner frame portion 11. The narrow portion 14 interconnects the inner frame portion 11 and the outer frame portion 12. A tennis racket includes a racket frame 10 made by bending the tubular member to define a striking region, and the inner frame portion 11 surrounds and is adjacent to the striking region.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to ball-striking implements, and in particular to tubular components and tennis rackets. [Background technology]

[0002] Referring to Figure 1, according to Taiwan Utility Model Publication No. M613814, a conventional racket includes a racket frame 3. The racket frame 3 includes a first side 31 and a second side 32 opposite the first side 31. In a cross-sectional view of the racket frame 3, the racket frame 3 is mirror-symmetrical with respect to a radial line A between the first side 31 and the second side 32.

[0003] The air resistance experienced by a user swinging the racket forehand with the first side 31 facing the ball is the same as the air resistance experienced by a user swinging the racket backhand with the second side 32 facing the ball. Therefore, this racket does not satisfy users' desire for different swing experiences when hitting forehand and backhand strokes. Furthermore, the racket cannot be adjusted to create different swing experiences for users of different ages. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Taiwan Utility Model Patent No. M613814 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a tubular component and a tennis racket that can alleviate at least one of the drawbacks of the prior art. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a tubular component is suitable for the partial construction of sports equipment used for hitting a ball and includes an inner frame portion, an outer frame portion, a wide portion and a narrow portion.

[0007] The inner frame portion extends in a first axial direction and includes a first inner frame section, a second inner frame section, and an inner connecting section interconnecting the first inner frame section and the second inner frame section.

[0008] The outer frame portion extends in a first axial direction and is spaced apart from the inner frame portion in a second axial direction perpendicular to the first axial direction. The outer frame portion includes a first outer frame section, a second outer frame section, and an outer connecting section interconnecting the first outer frame section and the second outer frame section.

[0009] The wide portion extends in a first axial direction and extends straight in a second axial direction from the outer frame portion to the inner frame portion.

[0010] The narrow portion extends in a first axial direction and interconnects the inner and outer frame portions. The narrow portion is arc-shaped and spaced apart from the wide portion in a third axial direction perpendicular to the first and second axial directions. The length of the wide portion in the second axial direction is equal to the first width. The length of the narrow portion in the second axial direction is equal to the second width. The second width is smaller than the first width. The first inner frame section has a first inner end connecting to the wide portion and a first inner connecting end opposite the first inner end. The second inner frame section has a second inner end connecting to the narrow portion and a second inner connecting end opposite the second inner end. The inner connecting section interconnects the first inner connecting end and the second inner connecting end. The first outer frame section has a first outer end connecting to the wide portion and a first outer connecting end opposite the first outer end. The second outer frame section has a second outer end connecting to the narrow portion and a second outer connection end opposite the second outer end. The outer connection section interconnects the first outer connection end and the second outer connection end. A plane perpendicular to the second axial direction and passing through the wide portion and the narrow portion is defined as a reference plane. Starting from the first inner end, the first inner frame section extends to the first inner connection end, gradually moving away from the reference plane. Starting from the second inner connection end, the second inner frame section gradually approaches the reference plane and reaches the narrow portion. Starting from the first outer end, the first outer frame section extends to the first outer connection end, gradually moving away from the reference plane. Starting from the second outer connection end, the second outer frame section gradually approaches the reference plane and reaches the narrow portion. The maximum distance in the second axial direction between the edge of the inner connection section away from the outer connection section and the edge of the outer connection section away from the inner connection section is equal to the third width. The ratio of the third width to the first width is 11:9. The radius of curvature of the portion adjacent to the wide portion of the first inner frame section and the radius of curvature of the portion adjacent to the wide portion of the first outer frame section each range from 71 millimeters to 86 millimeters. The radius of curvature of the portion adjacent to the narrow portion of the second inner frame section and the radius of curvature of the portion adjacent to the narrow portion of the second outer frame section each range from 20 millimeters to 25 millimeters.The length of the tubular element in the third axial direction is equal to the length of the cross section. The ratio of the cross section length to the first width is 25:9. The radius of curvature of the narrowed portion is in the range of 2.7 millimeters to 3.3 millimeters. According to a second aspect of the invention, a tennis racket includes a racket frame made by bending the aforementioned tubular component to define a hitting area, with an inner frame portion surrounding and adjacent to the hitting area.

[0011] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic fragmentary cross-sectional view of a racket frame of a conventional racket. [Figure 2] 1 is a fragmentary perspective cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a tubular component according to the present invention; [Figure 3] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a tubular component according to the present invention; [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a tubular component according to the invention. [Figure 5] 1 is a fragmentary side view of a first embodiment of a tennis racket according to the present invention. [Figure 6] 6 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the tennis racket taken along line VI-VI of FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the tennis racket taken along line VII-VII of FIG. 5. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a tennis racket according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Before describing the present invention in more detail, it should be noted that, where considered appropriate, reference numerals or terminal portions of reference numerals are repeated among the drawings to indicate corresponding or similar elements that may have similar characteristics. Note that in the present invention, the first axial direction D1, the second axial direction D2, and the third axial direction D3 are orthogonal to one another.

[0014] 2 and 3 , a first embodiment of a tubular part 1 according to the present invention is suitable for use as a partial structure of sports equipment used for hitting a ball (e.g., a racket frame, a racket handle, a hockey stick, etc.). The tubular part 1 includes an inner frame portion 11 extending in a first axial direction D1, an outer frame portion 12 extending in the first axial direction D1 and spaced apart from the inner frame portion 11 in a second axial direction D2, a wide portion 13 extending in the first axial direction D1 and extending straight from the outer frame portion 12 to the inner frame portion 11 in the second axial direction D2, a narrow portion 14 extending in the first axial direction D1 and interconnecting the inner frame portion 11 and the outer frame portion 12, and two rib frame portions 15 disposed between the narrow portion 14 and the wide portion 13. In this embodiment, the tubular part 1 is formed from, but not limited to, an extruded aluminum alloy or a carbon-aluminum composite material.

[0015] The inner frame portion 11 includes a first inner frame section 111, a second inner frame section 112, and an inner connection section 117 interconnecting the first inner frame section 111 and the second inner frame section 112. The first inner frame section 111 has a first inner end 113 connecting to the wide portion 13 and a first inner connection end 114 opposite the first inner end 113. The second inner frame section 112 has a second inner end 115 connecting to the narrow portion 14 and a second inner connection end 116 opposite the second inner end 115. The inner connection section 117 interconnects the first inner connection end 114 and the second inner connection end 116.

[0016] The outer frame part 12 includes a first outer frame section 121, a second outer frame section 122, and an outer connection section 127 interconnecting the first outer frame section 121 and the second outer frame section 122. The first outer frame section 121 has a first outer end 123 connecting to the wide portion 13 and a first outer connection end 124 opposite the first outer end 123. The second outer frame section 122 has a second outer end 125 connecting to the narrow portion 14 and a second outer connection end 126 opposite the second outer end 125. The outer connection section 127 interconnects the first outer connection end 124 and the second outer connection end 126.

[0017] The wide portion 13 extends straight in the second axial direction D2 from the first outer end 123 of the first outer frame section 121 to the first inner end 113 of the first inner frame section 111.

[0018] The narrow portion 14 is arcuate and interconnects the second inner end 115 of the second inner frame section 112 and the second outer end 125 of the second outer frame section 122. The narrow portion 14 is spaced apart from the wide portion 13 in the third axial direction D3.

[0019] A plane perpendicular to the second axial direction D2 and passing through the wide portion 13 and the narrow portion 14 is defined as a reference plane S. Starting from the first inner end 113, the first inner frame section 111 extends to the first inner connecting end 114, gradually moving away from the reference plane S. Starting from the second inner connecting end 116, the second inner frame section 112 gradually approaches the reference plane S and reaches the narrow portion 14. Starting from the first outer end 123, the first outer frame section 121 extends to the first outer connecting end 124, gradually moving away from the reference plane S. Starting from the second outer connecting end 126, the second outer frame section 122 gradually approaches the reference plane S and reaches the narrow portion 14. In a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the first axial direction D1, the inner frame portion 11 and the outer frame portion 12 are mirror-symmetrical with respect to the reference plane S and have a smooth, streamlined shape.

[0020] A detailed description of the dimensions of the tubular element 1 will be given later.

[0021] The radius of curvature of the portion of the first inner frame section 111 adjacent to the wide portion 13 and the radius of curvature of the portion of the first outer frame section 121 adjacent to the wide portion 13 each range from 71 millimeters (mm) to 86 mm. The radius of curvature of the portion of the second inner frame section 112 adjacent to the narrow portion 14 and the radius of curvature of the portion of the second outer frame section 122 adjacent to the narrow portion 14 each range from 20 mm to 25 mm. The radius of curvature of the narrow portion 14 ranges from 2.7 mm to 3.3 mm.

[0022] Specifically, in this embodiment, the radius of curvature of the portion of the first inner frame section 111 adjacent to the wide portion 13 and the radius of curvature of the portion of the first outer frame section 121 adjacent to the wide portion 13 are each 78.625 mm. The radius of curvature of the portion of the second inner frame section 112 adjacent to the narrow portion 14 and the radius of curvature of the portion of the second outer frame section 122 adjacent to the narrow portion 14 are each 22.3 mm. The radius of curvature of the narrow portion 14 is 3 mm.

[0023] The length of the wide portion 13 in the second axial direction D2 is equal to the first width W1, and the length of the narrow portion 14 in the second axial direction D2 is equal to the second width W2. The maximum distance in the second axial direction D2 between the edge of the inner connection section 117 away from the outer connection section 127 and the edge of the outer connection section 127 away from the inner connection section 117 is equal to the third width W3, and the third width W3 is substantially the same as the maximum width of the tubular part 1 in the second axial direction D2. The ratio of the third width W3 to the first width W1 is 11:9. The length of the wide portion 13 in the second axial direction D2 (i.e., the first width W1) is greater than the length of the narrow portion 14 in the second axial direction D2 (i.e., the second width W2) and is smaller than the maximum width of the tubular part 1 in the second axial direction D2 (i.e., the third width W3). The length of the tubular part 1 in the third axial direction D3 is equal to the cross-sectional length L, and the ratio of the cross-sectional length L to the first width W1 is 25:9.

[0024] The rib frame portions 15 are spaced apart from one another in the third axial direction D3 and interconnect the inner frame portion 11 and the outer frame portion 12. The rib frame portions 15 can increase the rigidity and strength of the tubular component 1.

[0025] Overall, in a cross section perpendicular to the first axial direction D1, the outer contour of the tubular part 1 is streamlined and bullet-shaped. The shape of the tubular part 1 adjacent to the wide portion 13 resembles the base of a bullet, and the shape of the tubular part 1 adjacent to the narrow portion 14 resembles the head of a bullet.

[0026] Referring to Figure 4, a second embodiment of the tubular part 1' of the present invention is similar to the first embodiment, except that the second embodiment of the tubular part 1' is formed by hot pressing of a carbon fiber composite material, and the second embodiment of the tubular part 1' does not include a rib frame portion 15 (see Figure 3) like the first embodiment, but is hollow.

[0027] 5, a first embodiment of a tennis racket of the present invention is configured to connect to a handle grip (not shown) and thread multiple strings (not shown). The tennis racket includes a racket frame 10 and a racket handle 2 that connects to the racket frame 10. The racket frame 10 is made by bending a first embodiment of a tubular element 1 to surround and define a hitting area 16. An inner frame portion 11 of the tubular element 1 surrounds and is adjacent to the hitting area 16.

[0028] 6 and 7, the outer connection section 127 of the outer frame portion 12 is rolled to form an avoidance groove 17 that surrounds the hitting area 16. The tennis racquet has a plurality of string holes 18 formed in the groove-defining surface that defines the avoidance groove 17 of the outer frame portion 12 and extending through the inner frame portion 11. The string holes 18 are configured to allow the strings to pass through.

[0029] In this embodiment, the stiffness (Rahmen, RA) of the tennis racket at the narrow portion 14 is 80, and the stiffness of the wide portion 13 is 83. The aforementioned stiffnesses were measured using an RDC (Racket Diagnostic Center) device (not shown) manufactured by Babolat. During measurement, the tennis racket is first placed horizontally on the platform (not shown) of the RDC device, the handle grip is fixed to the platform, and pressure is applied to the narrow portion 14 or the wide portion 13 using a biasing element (not shown), and the stiffness of the tennis racket is obtained by the pressure applied by the biasing element.

[0030] The effect of using the tennis racket of the present invention can be explained as follows: When swinging the tennis racket with the wide portion 13 toward the ball, the air resistance is greater and more energy is required to swing the tennis racket. When swinging the tennis racket with the narrow portion 14 toward the ball, the air resistance is smaller and less energy is required to swing the tennis racket. That is, the air resistance is different for a forehand swing and a backhand swing. Therefore, in the present invention, a different swing experience is created by holding and swinging the tennis racket with the wide portion 13 or the narrow portion 14 toward the ball.

[0031] For example, when a user's training load is low during practice, the user can choose to swing the tennis racket with the narrow portion 14 toward the ball. When the user increases the training load, the user can easily switch to swinging the tennis racket with the wide portion 13 toward the ball. Because players have different arm strength depending on their age and gender, players with weaker arm strength may swing the tennis racket with the narrow portion 14 toward the ball, and players with stronger arm strength may swing the tennis racket with the wide portion 13 toward the ball. Therefore, one tennis racket can meet the different needs of players.

[0032] 8, a second embodiment of the tennis racket of the present invention is similar to the first embodiment, but differs from the first embodiment in that the racket frame 10' of the second embodiment is made by bending the second embodiment of the tubular part 1'. Because the shape of the outer contour of the racket frame 10' in cross section is the same as that of the racket frame 10 of the first embodiment (see FIG. 6), the racket frame 10' can produce the same effects as the first embodiment when swung in different directions.

[0033] In summary, because the wide portion 13 of the tennis racket of the present invention is straight and the length of the wide portion 13 in the second axial direction D2 is greater than the length of the narrow portion 14 in the second axial direction D2, the user experiences different air resistance when swinging the tennis racket toward the ball with the wide portion 13 or the narrow portion 14. The user can choose to grip the tennis racket in different ways as needed, thereby achieving the object of the present invention.

[0034] In the above description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that one or more other embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. Furthermore, in the description of "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" herein, all references to an ordinal number or other designation should be understood to include specific aspects, structures, and features of the present invention. Furthermore, although multiple variations may be incorporated into a single embodiment, drawing, or description thereof, this is for the purpose of streamlining the description and for the purpose of understanding the multifaceted aspects of the present invention. Furthermore, one or more features or specific embodiments of one embodiment may, where appropriate, be combined with one or more features or specific embodiments of other embodiments in the practice of the present invention.

[0035] Although the embodiments and variations of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these and encompasses all modifications and equivalent configurations as various configurations falling within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation. [Explanation of symbols]

[0036] 1, 1' tubular parts 10, 10' racket frame 11 Inner frame part 111 First inner frame section 112 Second inner frame section 113 First inner edge 114 First inner connection end 115 Second inner edge 116 Second internal connection end 117 Internal Connection Section 12 Outer frame part 121 First outer frame section 122 Second outer frame section 123 First outer edge 124 first outer connection end 125 Second outer edge 126 Second outer connection end 127 External Connection Section 13 Wide section 14 Narrow part 15 Rib frame section 16 Striking Area 17 Avoidance Groove 18 string holes 2 racket handles D1 First axial direction D2 Second axial direction D3 Third axis direction L length of the cross section W1 First width W2 Second width W3 Third width S reference plane

Claims

1. A tubular part suitable for the construction of a part of a sports implement used for striking a ball, comprising: an inner frame portion extending in a first axial direction; an outer frame portion extending in the first axial direction and spaced apart from the inner frame portion in a second axial direction perpendicular to the first axial direction; a wide portion that extends in the first axial direction, has a cross section that extends straight in an imaginary plane perpendicular to the first axial direction from the outer frame portion to the inner frame portion in the second axial direction, and is formed on a plane that faces one side in the third axial direction and is perpendicular to the first axial direction and a third axial direction that is perpendicular to the first axial direction and the second axial direction; a narrow portion extending in the first axial direction and interconnecting the inner frame portion and the outer frame portion; the inner frame portion includes a first inner frame section, a second inner frame section, and an inner connection section that interconnects the first inner frame section and the second inner frame section, the outer frame portion includes a first outer frame section, a second outer frame section, and an outer connection section interconnecting the first outer frame section and the second outer frame section; the narrow portion is formed on a curved surface that protrudes toward the opposite side of the one side of the wide portion in the third axial direction and has an arc-shaped cross section in an imaginary plane perpendicular to the first axial direction, the length of the wide portion in the second axial direction is equal to a first width, the length of the narrow portion in the second axial direction is equal to a second width, and the second width is smaller than the first width, the first inner frame section has a first inner end connected to the wide portion and a first inner connecting end opposite the first inner end, has a second inner end connected to the narrow portion and a second inner connection end opposite the second inner end, the inner connection section interconnects the first inner connection end and the second inner connection end, the first outer frame section has a first outer end connected to the wide portion and a first outer connection end opposite the first outer end, the second outer frame section has a second outer end connected to the narrow portion and a second outer connection end opposite the second outer end, and the outer connection section interconnects the first outer connection end and the second outer connection end. a plane perpendicular to the second axial direction and passing through the wide portion and the narrow portion is defined as a reference plane; starting from the first inner end, the first inner frame section extends to a first inner connection end so as to gradually move away from the reference plane; starting from the second inner connection end, the second inner frame section gradually approaches the reference plane and reaches the narrow portion; starting from the first outer end, the first outer frame section extends to the first outer connection end so as to gradually move away from the reference plane; the outer frame section gradually approaches the reference plane and reaches the narrow portion, the maximum distance in the second axial direction between an edge of the inner connection section remote from the outer connection section and an edge of the outer connection section remote from the inner connection section is equal to a third width, the ratio of the third width to the first width is 11:9, and the radius of curvature of the portion of the first inner frame section adjacent to the wide portion and the radius of curvature of the portion of the first outer frame section adjacent to the wide portion are each in the range of 71 millimeters to 86 millimeters;a radius of curvature of a portion of the second inner frame section adjacent to the narrow portion and a radius of curvature of a portion of the second outer frame section adjacent to the narrow portion each range from 20 millimeters to 25 millimeters, a length of the tubular part in the third axial direction is equal to a length of a cross section, a ratio of the length of the cross section to the first width is 25:9, and a radius of curvature of the narrow portion ranges from 2.7 millimeters to 3.3 millimeters; Tubular parts.

2. The tubular part according to claim 1 , wherein, in a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the first axial direction, the inner frame portion and the outer frame portion are mirror-symmetric with respect to the reference plane and have a smooth, streamlined shape.

3. 2. The tubular component of claim 1, further comprising two rib frame portions disposed between the narrow portion and the wide portion and spaced apart from each other in the third axial direction, each of the rib frame portions interconnecting the inner frame portion and the outer frame portion.

4. 10. A tennis racquet comprising a racquet frame made by bending the tubular member of claim 1 to define a hitting area, the inner frame portion surrounding and adjacent to the hitting area.

5. 5. The tennis racket of claim 4, wherein the outer frame portion defines an avoidance groove surrounding the hitting area, and the tennis racket further includes a plurality of string holes formed in a groove-defining surface that defines the avoidance groove and extending through the inner frame portion.

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