A racket sport training system

Abstract

The invention relates to a racket sport training system including a racket (RAC) with a racket frame (FRA) in which strings are mounted, the strings defining two striking surfaces (STRS1, STRS2), a first striking surface (STRS1) and a second striking surface (STRS2), the racket frame (FRA) having an inner periphery (RINP) and an outer periphery (ROUP), a racket cover (COV) comprising a flexible sheet, wherein the racket cover (COV) is fixed to the racket frame by means of one or more fixators (FIX1; FIX2), wherein the fixators are located outside the inner periphery (RINP) of the racket frame and wherein the racket cover (COV) covers at least partly the second striking surface (STRS2).

Description

[0001] A RACKET SPORT TRAINING SYSTEM

[0002] Field of the invention

[0003] The invention relates to a racket sport training system, a racket of a training system and a method for using a racket cover in a training system.

[0004] Background of the invention

[0005] In order to train players who play racket sports, various tools are used today that can make the actual swing of the racket more strenuous, you can e.g. mount weights on the racket. Another tool is drag nets that cover the racket's strings. Such prior art dragnets nets are mounted on both sides of the rackets two striking surfaces.

[0006] Such a drag enhancing flexible sheet is known from the Japanese patent document no JP2022123098 A2 which describes: a cover aiming at enhancing muscular strength and improving swing speed by increasing air resistance when a racket is swung by covering parts of the striking surfaces. By covering a racket frame periphery and providing a hole in the center of the ball striking surface, it is possible to return a shuttle in the state that air resistance has increased.

[0007] Another drag enhancing flexible sheet is known from the American patent document no US3820785 which describes masking means for a racket: an embodiment, the masking means comprises a cover overlying the strings on each side of the racket head. The cover has a central opening formed therein which exposes the central area of the racket head. With the cover affixed to both sides of the racket, the user may practice striking the ball properly on either side of the racket.

[0008] Another such system is know from US 2019 / 0083873 where a drag chute is attachable to a racket by a rigid frame.

[0009] Another such system is know from JP2013233193A, where a bag is attached to a racket e.g. by means of hooks. The above disclosed systems all suffer from at least one of the disadvantages of being much too heavy (adding too much inertia to the racket system for healthy training), too difficult to play due to dynamics involved ) and none of the cited references can be applied to train almost normal use of striking surfaces if so desired.

[0010] Summary of the invention

[0011] The invention relates to a racket sport training system including a racket (RAC) with a racket frame (FRA) in which strings are mounted, the strings defining two striking surfaces (STRS1, STRS2), a first striking surface (STRS1) and a second striking surface (STRS2), the racket frame (FRA) having an inner periphery (RINP) and an outer periphery (ROUP), a racket cover (COV) comprising a flexible sheet, wherein the racket cover (COV) is fixed to the racket frame by means of one or more fixators (FIX1; FIX2), wherein the fixators are located outside the inner periphery (RINP) of the racket frame and wherein the racket cover (COV) covers at least partly the second striking surface (STRS2).

[0012] In an embodiment, the flexible sheet is defining a cover area (COVA) at least partly defined by an outer periphery (COUP) of said racket cover (COV).

[0013] In an embodiment the fixators are located such that they do not block the first striking surface

[0014] In an embodiment the fixators are located such that they do not block the second striking surface The striking surfaces can be used to hit a ball, shuttlecock or other object used in conventional racket sports.

[0015] It should be noted that the provisions of the present invention facilitates that a racket with a mounted racket cover may both provided excellent dynamic properties for training purposes in the sense the racket cover may be made extremely light and thereby primarily inflict air resistance while adding as little inertia to the system as possible.

[0016] At the same time the person training, may use the racket’s first striking surface without being significant affected during training by the cover, as the cover may in an advantageous embodiment be absent at the first striking surface, thereby allowing the person training using the complete first striking surface within the inner periphery (RINP) of the racket.

[0017] In an advantageous embodiment, the racket over may cover the second striking surface only partly, thereby allowing the person training to use the use at least a part of the second striking surface, also.

[0018] In an embodiment a first fixator (FIX1) is mounted along the outer periphery of the frame (FRA).

[0019] In an embodiment, the outer periphery of the frame forms a foundation of the fixator on the outer perimeter of the frame and that this foundation is extending in one or more planes perpendicular to the plane of the striking surface.

[0020] The fixator may thus facilitate a mechanical fixation of a racket cover COV along at least a part of the outer periphery ROUP of the racket. It is noted that the outer periphery of the frame forming the foundation of the fixator is geometrically in the present embodiment referring to the outer perimeter of the frame and that this foundation is extending primarily in one or more planes perpendicular to the plane of the striking surface. This is advantageous for at least two reasons, namely that the outer perimeter of the frame is very often relatively flat on the “outside” of the racket and it is therefore relatively easy to fixate e.g. a Velcro tape potentially around the frame in more than 270 degrees of the perimeter of the racket frame. Moreover, it is also noted that potential mechanical stress on the racket cover during training / playing may typically result in significant pull directed towards the center of the striking area forces in the sense that a ball may hit the cover or the air resistance by itself will pull in the fixator(s). By mounting the Velcro to the racket frame in a plane(s) perpendicular to the plane of the striking surface(s), the resistance to mechanical stress is improved, which may be very important when using releasable attachment for mounting the racket cover to the racket thereby facilitating that the user repeatedly mount the cover and remove it again.

[0021] In an embodiment the racket cover (COV) is releasably attached to the racket frame by means of one or more fixators (FIX1; FIX2).

[0022] In an advantageous embodiment the racket cover is releasably attached to the racket frame by one of more fixators, e.g. a Velcro strip on the outer periphery of the racket frame and a matching Velcro strip on an “inside” of the racket cover. The use of Velcro will facilitate that a user may repeatedly mount the racket cover on the racket when training and the take it off again when the user wants to play without the racket over on.

[0023] The Velcro strip attached to either or both the outer periphery of the frame of the racket or at the racket cover may extent continuously along the periphery of the of the racket frame, at an extent of e.g. at least 50%. The width of the Velcro strip may typically be between 2 and 15 mm, such as between 2 and 12 mm.

[0024] It is noted that Velcro is very suitable for such an implementation.

[0025] In it also noted that an advantageous embodiment the racket cover is releasably attached to the racket frame by one of more fixators, e.g. a sticky material which may form the basis for repeatably attachment and removal of the racket cover at least a number of times by means of stickiness.

[0026] In an embodiment, the flexible sheet comprises a plurality of air passages through the flexible sheet, such as at least 10 per square centimeter.

[0027] In an embodiment, the flexible sheet is a mesh.

[0028] The use of a mesh as a the flexible sheet, and in particular as a major part or the sole part of the racket cover area, is extremely advantageous for several purposes. First of all, the air resistance is much more attractive with respect to dynamic resistance for the user. The “impact” of the air resistance when moving the arm for the user just prior to the true impact, where the striking surfaces hits the shuttle / ball is not so harsh. Moreover, the turbulence and the resulting noise is significantly reduced.

[0029] In an embodiment, the flexible sheet is a textile, such as a textile mesh.

[0030] The definitions between what is regarded as a textile and a mesh may sometimes be somewhat overlapping but on order to define in particular the cover in with relevant and as precise words as possible the flexible sheet has been defined by different terms, and sometimes even overlapping terms.

[0031] A woven or knitted textile may thus e.g. also be provided with a number of air passages providing dynamic properties of that of a mesh.

[0032] Within the art, a type of mesh may also be referred to as a textile mesh.

[0033] These mesh types may very often be formed by synthetic fibers types, e.g. made from polyamide monomers.

[0034] Mesh fabric may e.g. be polyester mesh, nylon mesh, tulle, power mesh or Powemet. In an embodiment, the flexible sheet is elastic in at least one direction in the X-Y plane.

[0035] In an embodiment, the flexible sheet is elastic in at least two perpendicular directions in the X-Y plane.

[0036] In an embodiment the flexible sheet is moreover elastic in at least perpendicular direction perpendicular to the X-Y plane.

[0037] In an embodiment, the flexible sheet is forming the cover area.

[0038] The flexible sheet may advantageously form at least 90% of the cover area, but it is preferred that the flexible sheet forms more of the cover area, e.g. more than 95% of the cover areas or more than 98% of the cover area.

[0039] In an embodiment, the cover area comprises a cover opening (OP A) covering the second striking surface.

[0040] In an embodiment, the cover area comprises a plurality of cover openings (OP A) covering the second striking surface.

[0041] In an embodiment, the cover opening(s) (OP A) has an area which is at least 20% of the area of the second striking surface, such as at least 30% of the area of the second striking surface, such as at least 40% of the area of the second striking surface, such as at least 50% of the area of the second striking surface

[0042] In an embodiment, the cover opening(s) (OP A) has an area which is between 10% and 90% over the area of the second striking surface, such as between 20% and 80% over the area of the second striking surface, such as between 30% and 70% over the area of the second striking surface. In an embodiment , the cover opening (OP A) is defined by an inner periphery (CINP) of the cover (COV).

[0043] In an embodiment, the cover opening (OP A) is defined by an inner periphery (CINP) of the cover (COV) and wherein the cover comprises a least one elastic member (EM) attached to cover area at the inner periphery (CINP) of the cover area (COVA).

[0044] In an embodiment, the elastic member extend around the cover opening (OP A) in at least 80% of its circumference.

[0045] In an embodiment, the elastic member extend around the cover opening (OP A) all its circumference.

[0046] The elastic member may in an advantageous way facilitate the racket cover will have a stable planar resting position which is substantially parallel to the striking surfaces as it may pull the cover area towards the center of striking surfaces.

[0047] In an embodiment , the at least one of the fixators are forming part of the racket (RAC)

[0048] In an advantageous embodiment, the racket may be formed with fixators, thereby allowing and facilitating a low combined weight of the racket and the racket cover including one or more fixators. This is a due to the fact that the frame of the racket may be used to fix and keep the racket cover in shape without requiring too much stiffening of the racket cover. This is in particular an advantage if an elastic flexible sheet is used for defining the cover area.

[0049] In an embodiment, the racket cover (COV) covers less than 5% of the first striking surface (STR1)

[0050] In an embodiment , the racket cover (COV) covers the second striking surface (STR2), only. In an embodiment , the racket cover (COV) covers the second striking surface (STR2), only, ad wherein the racket cover (COV) covers the second striking surface (STR2) only partly.

[0051] In an embodiment the racket cover (COV) has first cover area (CAO1) covering the first striking surface (STR1) only partly and a second cover area (CAO2) covering at least a part of the second striking surface (STR2) and wherein first cover area (CAO1) is smaller than the second cover area (CAO2).

[0052] In an embodiment, the flexible sheet of the racket cover is elastic and is stretched by the racket frame (FRA) when mounted on the racket.

[0053] The level of stretch may be adapted to the applied racket. It may thus be attractive to a apply a level of stretch for e.g. a tennis racket which may allow the impact of a tennis ball to deflect the cover towards the strike surface during impact and then return to is rest position subsequent to impact. The level of stretch may thus serve two purposes, namely to facilitate that the cover may deflect if a ball or a shuttle hits the cover but also to facilitate that the cover is keeping the cover in place relative to the racket in corporation with the one or more fixator.

[0054] In an embodiment, the flexible sheet of the racket cover is elastic and is stretched by the racket frame (FRA) having a rest position which is planar and preferably parallel to the striking surfaces (STRS1, STRS2).

[0055] In an embodiment, the flexible sheet of the cover area(s) in the direction perpendicular to the striking surfaces is / are higher than the deflection of strings defining the striking surface at the same X, Y point of the striking surface and the cover area(s).

[0056] In an embodiment, the racket cover (COV) weighs less than 50 grams, such as less than 40 grams, such as less than 30 grams, such as less than 25 grams, such as less than 20 grams, such as less than 18 grams, such as less than 15 grams, such as less than 12 grams, such as less than 10 grams.

[0057] In the present context, the way of suspended the racket cover in the frame and using the stiffening provided by the racket frame itself it is possible to provide an extremely low weight of the racket cover, including optional fixators.

[0058] The is also facilitated even more when using a mesh as the sole or the substantial part of the racket cover, as a mesh is very low weight.

[0059] In an embodiment, the racket cover (COV) weighs between 1 and 30 grams, between 1 and 25 grams, between 1 and 25 grams, between 1 and 20 grams.

[0060] In an embodiment, the cover area (COVA) is less than 50% of the second striking surface area (STRS2), such as less than 40%, such as less than 30%

[0061] In an embodiment, the cover area (COVA) is between 5% and 50% of the second striking surface area (STRS2), between 5% and 40% of the second striking surface area (STRS2), between 5% and 30% of the second striking surface area (STRS2).

[0062] In an embodiment, the cover is formed with one or more opening areas (OP A).

[0063] The periphery of the racket, in particular the inner circumference of the racket frame, and an opening area OPA may define a cover area COVA.

[0064] The opening areas may have several purposes, e.g. including not facilitating a free flow of air through striking surface(s) and thereby allowing the intended air resistance to be adjusted / fine-tuned to a degree that even professional players may benefit of the training present system / racket cover. In an embodiment , the racket sport training system includes:

[0065] • a racket with a frame in which strings are mounted, the strings define two striking surfaces;

[0066] • a fine-mesh net defining an area bounded by a periphery, which fine-mesh net has an average mesh size of less than 3 mm, the fine-mesh net is adapted to the frame of the racket so that at least a part of the periphery of the fine-mesh net can be fitted to the frame, while the rest of the periphery of the fine-mesh net preferably is extended over one of the striking surfaces, whereby the fine-mesh net extends over an area that covers only the whole one striking surface or a part of the this, at a distance from the strings of the racket.

[0067] In an embodiment, the entire periphery of the fine-mesh net is mounted on the frame so that the entire one striking surface is covered by fine-mesh nets at a distance from the strings of the rackets.

[0068] In an embodiment the frame of the racket and at least part of the periphery of the fine mesh net comprise complementary snap coupling means adapted such that they entails that the periphery of the fine mesh net can be mounted on the frame while that the fine mesh net is stretched over at least a part of one striking surface at a distance from the strings of the racket,

[0069] In an embodiment the system comprises several different fine-mesh nets, each of which - has a different hole density (holes / surface area), the different fine-mesh nets are - each - adapted to the racket's frame so that the air resistance of the racket can be varied by switching between fine mesh nets with different hole density.

[0070] In an embodiment the system comprises several different fine-mesh nets that can be switched between, and that these fine-mesh nets - each one - are adapted to the racket such that each individual fine-mesh net expands an adapted area when it is stretched over at least part of one striking surface at a distance from the racket's strings, whereby the air resistance of the racket can be varied by switching between fine-mesh nets that span differently adapted areas.

[0071] In an embodiment the complementary snap coupling means comprise Velcro such as e.g. velcro, which is mounted on the fine mesh net and on the frame of the racket.

[0072] In an embodiment the complementary snap coupling means comprise button locks mounted on the fine mesh net and on the frame of the racket.

[0073] In an embodiment the fine mesh net comprises polyurethane fiber (elastane spandex, lycra, elastane) and / or nylon.

[0074] Moreover, the invention relates to a racket with a frame in which strings are mounted, the strings define two striking surfaces that can be used to hit a ball, shuttlecock or other object used in conventional racket sports, the racket comprises an elastic fine mesh netting mounted on the racket's frame, so that the fine-mesh net is stretched over only one of the striking surfaces and thereby increase the racket's air resistance by covering at least part of this striking surface at a distance from the strings.

[0075] Moreover, the invention relates to a racket including a racket with a racket frame (FRA) in which strings are mounted, the strings defining two striking surfaces (STRS1, STRS2), the racket frame (FRA) having an inner periphery (RINP) and an outer periphery (ROUP), wherein the racket is formed with a racket cover fixator (FIX).

[0076] In an embodiment the racket includes a racket with a racket frame (FRA) where the racket is formed as the racket of the racket sport training system according to any of the claims 1 to 41. Moreover, the invention relates to a method of attaching a racket cover of the racket sport training system according to any of the claims 1 to 41 in a racket of the racket sport training system according to any of the claims 1 to 41 The figures

[0077] The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings where fig. la -b illustrate a racket with fastening member for at racket cover according to an embodiment, fig. Ic-e illustrate a racket cover as seen from different views, fig. 2a-e illustrate different views and cross-sections of a combined racket and racket cover, fig. 3a-b illustrate the relative deflection between the racket cover and the striking surface of the racket and where fig. 4a-d illustrate different embodiments of the cover areas of a racket cover.

[0078] Detailed description

[0079] In the present context, a racket is referred to as a common references to tennis rackets, badminton rackets squash rackets, racquetball and other types of rackets.

[0080] It should be noted that tennis and badminton rackets are of particular focus in relation to the presently claimed invention.

[0081] In the present context a mesh may be regarded as a barrier made of interlaced strands of metal, fiber or other flexible or ductile materials. A mesh is similar to a web or a net in that it has many interwoven strands. Within the present context, a mesh may therefore also be referred to as a web.

[0082] A plastic mesh may be extruded, oriented, expanded, woven or tubular. It can be made from polypropylene, polyethylene, nylon, PVC or PTFE.

[0083] A metal mesh may be woven, knitted, welded, expanded, sintered, photo-chemically etched or electroformed (screen filter) from steel or other metals.

[0084] The mesh may be loosely woven or knitted fabric that has many closely spaced holes. A mesh which may be applied in the present context may include knitted mesh frequently used for modern sports jerseys and other clothing like hosiery and lingerie

[0085] Fiberglass mesh may be neatly woven, crisscross pattern of fiberglass thread that can be used to create new products such as door screens, filtration components, and reinforced adhesive tapes.

[0086] Coiled wire fabric is a type of mesh that is constructed by interlocking metal wire coils via a simple corkscrew method. The resulting spirals are then woven together to create a flexible metal fabric panel. The below mentioned cover and in particular the cover area referred to in the below figures as cover area COVA, may advantageously be made of a mesh.

[0087] A highly advantageous mesh for use as a cover area may include

[0088] A highly advantageous mesh in the present context is a textile mesh, which may be affordable to use, but also very easy to apply beneficial in may way. A textile mesh when forming the primary part of a racket cover may e.g. be packed into a minimized volume and be easily carried by the person using the racket cover

[0089] Fig. la -b illustrate a racket RAC with a first fixator FIX1 for at racket cover according to an embodiment of the invention. The racket RAC comprises a handle HAND mechanically connected to a frame FRA. The racket frame FRA has an inner periphery RINP and an outer periphery ROUP. One or more racket strings are connected / mechanically anchored to the frame to formed a stringed area STRA extending in an X and Y direction. The stringed area STRA form two striking surfaces STRS1 and STRS2 as indicated by arrows in fig. lb. The first fixator FIX1 is mounted along the outer periphery of the frame FRA so as to facilitate a mechanical fixation of a racket cover COV along at least a part of the outer periphery ROUP of the racket. It is noted that the outer periphery of the frame forming the foundation of the fixator is geometrically in the present embodiment referring to the outer perimeter of the frame and that this foundation is extending primarily in one or more planes perpendicular to the plane of the striking surface. This is advantageous for at least two reasons, namely that the outer perimeter of the frame is very often relatively flat on the “outside” of the racket and it is therefore relatively easy to fixate e.g. a Velcro tape potentially around the frame in more than 270 degrees of the perimeter of the racket frame. Moreover, it is also noted that potential mechanical stress on the racket cover during training / playing may typically result in significant pull directed towards the center of the striking area forces in the sense that a ball may hit the cover or the air resistance by itself will pull in the fixator(s). By mounting the Velcro to the racket frame in a plane(s) perpendicular to the plane of the striking surface(s), the resistance to mechanical stress is improved, which may be very important when using releasable attachment for mounting the racket cover to the racket thereby facilitating that the user repeatedly mount the cover and remove it again. This may be even more important if the fixator(s) e.g. is an adhesive / sticky material deposited on the outer perimeter of the racket frame facilitating that the racket cover may be mounted and removed in Postit manner for at least a number of time. An alternative to such releasable attachment would be to apply an adhesive / sticky material to the racket so as to geometrically stick to the outside of the racket from when the cover is mounted to the racket. Such adhesive / sticky material may of course also be deposited on both the outside of the frame of the racket and at suitable geometries of the racket cover so as to facilitate a mutual attachment.

[0090] Itis also advantageous the that fixation to the outer periphery totally or largely keeps the first striking surface by also the second striking surface free of mechanical components or shapes which may interfere with the normal function of the rackets first striking surface, but potentially of the second striking surface. The inner periphery is extending the complete 360 degrees of its (here) oval shape whereas the racket outer periphery ROUP extents at least more the 180 degrees. In the illustrated fig. 1, the extension of the racket outer periphery is indicated as the part of the frame FRA where a fastening member has been fitted. In the , i.e. somewhere between 270 degrees and 360 degrees. The extension of what may be regarded as an outer periphery in the present context is focused on the frame and the stringed area, i.e. the part of the racket which is forming the striking surfaces. This part may of course vary from racket to racket.

[0091] Fig. la illustrates the racket RAC as seen from above with the stringed area extending in the X-Y direction and fig. lb illustrates the racket from a side view also showing a Z direction extending perpendicular to the X-Y plane. Fig. 1c illustrates a racket cover COV as seen from above as from the direction as indicated by the arrow A in fig. la and fig. Id, illustrates the racket cover COV as seen from below as indicated by the arrow B in fig. ID.

[0092] The cover COV has an outer cover periphery COUP and an inner cover periphery CINP.

[0093] The illustrated cover COV comprises a second fixator FIX2. The illustrated second fixator FIX2 is arranged for mutual releasable attachment e.g. by means of Velcro.

[0094] The first fixator FIX1 may thus be formed by a first Velcro strip adhered and fixed to the outer periphery of the racket frame FRA and the second fixator may thus be formed by a second Velcro strip fixed, e.g. by stitched or by gluing, to the “inside” of the outer cover periphery COUP.

[0095] The periphery of the racket frame, in particular the inner circumference of the racket frame, and an opening area OPA may define a cover area COVA. More details will be added in the following, but is it noted that the cover in the present embodiment is only covering one of the striking surfaces, here the second striking surface STRS2 and only partly, as defined by the cover area COVA, whereas the cover is located and extended from the outer periphery COUP to the inner periphery CINP of the cover COV. In other embodiments, e.g. for a badminton racket, the cover area COVA may cover the complete second striking surface while covering basically covering nothing of the first striking surface.

[0096] The opening area OPA may be formed in numerous different geometrical shapes, e.g the oval shape in the present embodiment. Examples of a few of such further shapes are illustrated in fig 4a-d, all having one opening. Further openings may also be applied.

[0097] The cover opening(s) OPA may have an area which is at least 20% of the area of the second striking surface, such as at least 30% of the area of the second striking surface, such as at least 40% of the area of the second striking surface, such as at least 50% of the area of the second striking surface

[0098] The cover opening(s) OPA may also have an area which is between 10% and 90% over the area of the second striking surface, such as between 20% and 80% over the area of the second striking surface, such as between 30% and 70% over the area of the second striking surface.

[0099] It should be noted that the fixation to be obtained by the fixators in principle may be obtained by one fixator alone fixed to either the cover COV or to the racket frame FRA, although the illustrated fixation is advantageously obtained by a fixator comprising two cooperating fixators FIX1, FIX2 fixed to the cover COV and the racket frame FRA, respectively.

[0100] A first fixator FIX1, such as e.g. one or more Velcro strip(s), may thus be mounted around the outer periphery of the racket frame and pointing in a direction parallel with the plane of the striking surface(s) away from the racket whereas one or more a matching Velcro strips may be fixed to the racket cover forming a matching second fixator FIX2, e.g. as illustrated in fig 2d and 2e. .

[0101] Fig. 2a-c illustrate a racket cover COV, e.g. as the one illustrated in fig. Ic-e, when mounted e.g. on a racket RAC as illustrated in fig la and b. If no other explanation is found with respect to the drawing in the present context, please refer to the explanation and the references of fig. la-e.

[0102] Fig. 2d and 2e furthermore show the cross sections of the racket and cover illustrated in fig. 2b.

[0103] It is noted that the fixator FIX (here including both the first and second fixator FIX1, FIX2 is indicated with dotted line as these are at least partly hidden behind the cover COV. It is noted than the cover has an attachment surface CAS on the “inside” of the cover COV as illustrated in fig. 2e. This attachment surface should preferably be parallel to the racket outer perimeter ROUP as illustrated. This is in particular advantageous when the cover / racket system is formed with a fixator facilitating releasably attachment of the racket cover, e.g. by means of Velcro, sticky polymer or other suitable materials. And thereby facilitating mechanical attachment without special mechanical couplings such as hooks or other mechanical locking means which may very often be complex to operated, but also be very heavy.

[0104] The cover opening defined by an inner periphery CINP of the cover COV may be fitted with an elastic member EM, such as an elastic cord, as indicated in fig. 2b and the cross sections of fig. 2d and e. The elastic member EM may be attached to the cover area COVA at the inner periphery CINP of the cover area COVA.

[0105] The elastic member may advantageously extend around the cover opening OPA all its circumference.

[0106] The elastic member EM may in an advantageous way facilitate that the racket cover will have a stable planar resting position which is substantially parallel to the striking surfaces as it may pull the cover area towards the center of striking surfaces thereby avoiding bending and wrinkling of the racket cover and thereby avoiding annoying dynamic properties.

[0107] Fig 3a and b illustrates how a racket cover, e.g. of the type illustrated in relation to figs, la-e and figs. 2a-e may deflect when hit by e.g. a ball or shuttle.

[0108] It is advantageous to provide a cover material forming the cover area which is very flexible and allows a very high deflection when compared to the deflecting of the stringed area, i.e. the striking surfaces. This will make the training system even more attractive, as the racket cover may deflect when hit - and then go back the its resting position due to the elasticity e.g. of the cover area material as such and / or an elastic member (not shown). The fact that the cover area will go back to its parallel resting position will make the air resistance more constant / predictable for a user and be more attractive.

[0109] Fig. 4a-d illustrate various embodiments a racket cover COV having different shapes of cover openings OP A.

[0110] The different shapes of the racket cover may serve different purposes, e.g. a simple purpose of design-layout as long as it doesn’t compromise the overall function of being able to facilitate both increased but controlled air resistance and having a minimal weight.

[0111] In the following, a few supplementary aspect of the invention will be mentioned and elaborated on.

[0112] In an embodiment, the racket cover comprises a fine-mesh net defining an area bounded by a periphery, which fine-mesh net has an average mesh size of less than 3 mm, the fine-mesh net is adapted to the frame of the racket so that at least a part of the periphery of the fine-mesh net can be fitted to the frame, while the rest of the periphery of the fine-mesh net preferably is extended over one of the striking surfaces, whereby the fine-mesh net extends over an area that covers the whole one striking surface or a part of this at a distance from the strings of the racket. By letting the fine-mesh net sit at a distance from the strings of the racket greater certainty is also achieved that the fine-mesh net does not affect the characteristics of the racket’s strings. A user of the system will therefore experience that the ball bounces on these in a normal way.

[0113] In one embodiment of the invention, the entire periphery of the fine-mesh net is mounted on the rackets frame so that the entire one striking surface is covered by fine- mesh nets at a distance from the strings of the rackets.

[0114] By covering the entire striking surface with nets, maximum air resistance. This can be an advantage if you train a specific stroke such as the backhand stroke. In one embodiment of the invention, the frame of the racket and at least part of the periphery of the fine mesh net comprise complementary snap coupling means adapted such that the periphery of the fine mesh net can be mounted on the rackets frame so that the fine mesh net is stretched over at least a part of one striking surface at a distance from the strings of the racket, By providing the frame and net with complementary snap coupling means, the net can easily be removed from the racket's frame or, for that matter, put on it. Since the snap coupling means on the racket are located on the frame, they - in themselves - will not affect the game when the fine- mesh net is not on the racket, and this is of course an advantage as the racket thereby has more possibility of use.

[0115] In one embodiment, the system comprises several different fine-mesh nets, each of which - has a different hole density (holes / surface area), the different fine-mesh nets are - each - adapted to the racket's frame so that the air resistance of the racket can be varied by switching between fine mesh nets with different hole density. When the system includes several fine-mesh nets with different characteristics, such as different housing size, different hole density, different flexibility or a combination of these, the user of the invention can switch between fine-mesh nets with very different air resistance characteristics, depending on the user needs.

[0116] In an embodiment, the system includes several different interchangeable fine-mesh nets. Each of these fine-mesh nets are adapted to the racket such that each individual fine-mesh net covers an specific area (e.g the top of the racket, the buttom of the racket, the sides etc. ) when stretched over at least part of one striking surface at a distance from the racket's strings. By changing between the different nets the air resistance of the racket can be varied. Not only factors such as the hole size or the hole density influence the racket's air resistance characteristics, but also the location of the net on the one side of the racket is important, for example, the top of the racket usually has more speed than the bottom of the racket, but in certain strokes this difference is less significant. By varying the position of the net on the one side of the racket, the user can adapt the racket's air resistance characteristics to specific strokes. In an embodiment of the invention the complementary snap coupling means comprise hook and loop fasteners such as e.g. Velcro. These snap coupling means is mounted on the fine mesh net and on the frame of the racket. Hook and loop fasteners are a cheap and reliable method.

[0117] In an embodiment of the invention the complementary snap coupling means comprise button locks mounted on the fine mesh net and on the frame of the racket. Buttons lock are another cheap and reliable method.

[0118] In an embodiment of the invention, the fine mesh net is made elastic by e.g. comprising polyurethane fibers (elastane spandex, lycra, elastane) and or nylon.

[0119] By making the fine mesh net elastic, the mounting on the frame is easier, but also the air resistance characteristic of the net is changed, as the hole size becomes larger when the net expands. This is particularly important if strokes are practiced with very high racket speed, such as smash, because here the net will stretch particularly much and thus the racket's air resistance is reduced precisely at these very high speeds, this can be an advantage in special forms of training. The parameters: hole density, elasticity, the size of the striking surface covered by fine mesh net and / or the actual placement of the fine mesh net on the one side of the racket can of course be varied and also combined by a person skilled in the art..

[0120] In one embodiment, the invention the racket is a tennis racket.

[0121] In one embodiment, the invention relates to a racket with a frame in which strings are mounted, the strings are defining two striking surfaces that can be used to hit a ball, shuttlecock or other object used in conventional racket sports, the racket comprises an elastic fine mesh netting mounted on the racket's frame, so that the fine-mesh net is stretched over only one of the striking surfaces and thereby increase the racket's air resistance by covering at least part of this striking surface at a distance from the strings. A racket with such an elastic fine-mesh net is suitable for training strokes, as the striking surface without the net can be used to hit with, while the fine mesh net and its elasticity affects the air resistance characteristic of the racket.

[0122] In another aspect, the invention relates to a racket as recited in claim 10.

[0123] An embodiment of the invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the figures in which:

[0124] The system may comprise several different fine-mesh nets, each of which - has a different hole density (holes / surface area), the different fine-mesh nets are - each - adapted to the racket's frame so that the air resistance of the racket can be varied by switching between fine mesh nets with different hole density.

[0125] The rackets described in this application includes an essentially circular frame in which the strings are centrally mounted at a distance from the edge of the frame. By mounting the fine-mesh netting so that it sits on the frame from edge to edge, the fine-mesh netting will sit at a distance from the strings of the racket and thereby achieve greater certainty that the fine-mesh netting does not affect the characteristics of the strings. A user of the system will therefore experience that the ball bounces on these in a normal way.

Claims

Claims1. A racket sport training system including a racket (RAC) with a racket frame (FRA) in which strings are mounted, the strings defining two striking surfaces (STRS1, STRS2), a first striking surface (STRS1) and a second striking surface (STRS2), the racket frame (FRA) having an inner periphery (RINP) and an outer periphery (ROUP), a racket cover (COV) comprising a flexible sheet, wherein the racket cover (COV) is fixed to the racket frame by means of one or more fixators (FIX; FIX1, FIX2), wherein the fixators are located outside the inner periphery (RINP) of the racket frame and wherein the racket cover (COV) covers at least partly the second striking surface (STRS2).

2. A racket sport training system of claim 1, wherein a first fixator (FIX1) is mounted along the outer periphery of the frame (FRA).

3. A racket sport training system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the outer periphery of the frame forms a foundation of the fixator on the outer perimeter of the frame and that this foundation is extending in one or more planes perpendicular to the plane of the striking surface.

4. A racket sport training system according to any of the previous claims, wherein the racket cover (COV) is releasably attached to the racket frame by means of one or more fixators (FIX1; FIX2).

5. A racket sport training system according to any of the previous claims, wherein the flexible sheet comprises a plurality of air passages through the flexible sheet, such as at least 100 per square centimeter.

6. A racket sport training system according to any of the previous claims, wherein the flexible sheet is a mesh.

7. A racket sport training system according to any of the previous claims, wherein the flexible sheet is a textile, such as a textile mesh.

8. A racket sport training system according to any of the previous claims, wherein the flexible sheet is elastic in at least one direction in the X-Y plane.

9. A racket sport training system according to any of the previous claims, wherein the flexible sheet is elastic in at least two perpendicular directions in the X-Y plane.

10. A racket sport training system according to any of the previous claims, wherein the flexible sheet is moreover elastic in at least perpendicular direction perpendicular to the X-Y plane.

11. A racket sport training system according to any of the previous claims, wherein the flexible sheet is forming a cover area (COVA).

12. A racket sport training system according to any of the previous claims, wherein the flexible sheet forms at least 90% of the cover area.

13. A racket sport training system according to any of the previous claims, wherein the cover area comprises a cover opening (OP A) covering the second striking surface.

14. A racket sport training system according to any of the previous claims, wherein the cover area comprises a plurality of cover openings (OP A) covering the second striking surface.

15. A racket sport training system according to any of the previous claims, wherein the cover opening(s) (OP A) has an area which is at least 20% of the area of the second striking surface, such as at least 30% of the area of the second striking surface, such as at least 40% of the area of the second striking surface, such as at least 50% of the area of the second striking surface16. A racket sport training system according to any of the previous claims, wherein the cover opening(s) (OP A) has an area which is between 10% and 90% over the area of the second striking surface, such as between 20% and 80% over the area of the second striking surface, such as between 30% and 70% over the area of the second striking surface.

17. A racket sport training system according to any of the previous claims, wherein the cover opening (OP A) is defined by an inner periphery (CINP) of the cover (COV).

18. A racket sport training system according to any of the previous claims, wherein the cover opening (OP A) is defined by an inner periphery (CINP) of the cover (COV) and wherein the cover comprises a least one elastic member (EM) attached to cover area at the inner periphery (CINP) of the cover area (COVA).

19. A racket sport training system according to any of the previous claims, wherein the elastic member extend around the cover opening (OP A) in at least 80% of its circumference.

20. A racket sport training system according to any of the previous claims, wherein the elastic member extend around the cover opening (OP A) in all its circumference.

21. A racket sport training system according to any of the previous claims, wherein at least one of the fixators are forming part of the racket (RAC)22. A racket sport training system according to any of the previous claims, wherein the racket cover (COV) covers less than 5% of the first striking surface (STR1)23. A racket sport training system according to any of the previous claims, wherein the racket cover (COV) covers the second striking surface (STR2), only.

24. A racket sport training system according to any of the previous claims, wherein the racket cover (COV) covers the second striking surface (STR2), only, ad wherein the racket cover (COV) covers the second striking surface (STR2) only partly.

25. A racket sport training system according to any of the previous claims, wherein the racket cover (COV) has first cover area (CAO1) covering the first striking surface (STR1) only partly and a second cover area (CAO2) covering at least a part of the second striking surface (STR2) and wherein first cover area (CAO1) is smaller than the second cover area (CAO2).

26. A racket sport training system according to any of the previous claims, wherein the flexible sheet of the racket cover is elastic and is stretched by the racket frame (FRA) when mounted on the racket.

27. A racket sport training system according to any of the previous claims, wherein the flexible sheet of the racket cover is elastic and is stretched by the racket frame (FRA) having a rest position which is planar and preferably parallel to the striking surfaces (STRS1, STRS2).

28. A racket sport training system according to any of the previous claims, wherein the deflection of the flexible sheet of the cover area(s) in the direction perpendicularto the striking surfaces is / are higher than the deflection of strings defining the striking surface at the same X, Y point of the striking surface and the cover area(s).

29. A racket sport training system according to any of the previous claims, wherein the racket cover (COV) weighs less than 50 grams, such as less than 40 grams, such as less than 30 grams, such as less than 25 grams, such as less than 20 grams, such as less than 18 grams, such as less than 15 grams, such as less than 12 grams, such as less than 10 grams.

30. A racket sport training system according to any of the previous claims, wherein the racket cover (COV) weighs between 1 and 30 grams, between 1 and 25 grams, between 1 and 25 grams, between 1 and 20 grams.

31. A racket sport training system according to any of the previous claims, wherein the cover area (COVA) is less than 50% of the second striking surface area (STRS2), such as less than 40%, such as less than 30%32. A racket sport training system according to any of the previous claims, wherein the cover area (COVA) is between 5% and 50% of the second striking surface area (STRS2), between 5% and 40% of the second striking surface area (STRS2), between 5% and 30% of the second striking surface area (STRS2).

33. A racket sport training system according to any of the previous claims, wherein the cover is formed with one or more opening areas (OP A).

34. A racket sport training system according to any of the previous claims, including:• a racket with a frame in which strings are mounted, the strings define two striking surfaces;• a fine-mesh net defining an area bounded by a periphery, which fine-mesh net has an average mesh size of less than 3 mm, the fine-mesh net is adapted to the frame of the racket so that at least a part of the periphery of the fine-mesh net can be fitted tothe frame, while the rest of the periphery of the fine-mesh net preferably is extended over one of the striking surfaces, whereby the fine-mesh net extends over an area that covers only the whole one striking surface or a part of the this, at a distance from the strings of the racket.

35. A training system according to any of the proceedings claims, characterized in that the entire periphery of the fine-mesh net is mounted on the frame so that the entire one striking surface is covered by fine-mesh nets at a distance from the strings of the rackets.

36. A training system according to any of the proceedings claims, characterized in that the frame of the racket and at least part of the periphery of the fine mesh net comprise complementary snap coupling means adapted such that they entails that the periphery of the fine mesh net can be mounted on the frame while that the fine mesh net is stretched over at least a part of one striking surface at a distance from the strings of the racket,37. A training system according to any of the proceedings claims, characterized in that the system comprises several different fine-mesh nets, each of which - has a different hole density (holes / surface area), the different fine-mesh nets are - each - adapted to the racket's frame so that the air resistance of the racket can be varied by switching between fine mesh nets with different hole density.

38. A training system according to any of the proceedings claims, characterized in that the system comprises several different fine-mesh nets that can be switched between, and that these fine-mesh nets - each one - are adapted to the racket such that each individual fine-mesh net expands an adapted area when it is stretched over at least part of one striking surface at a distance from the racket's strings, whereby the air resistance of the racket can be varied by switching between fine-mesh nets that span differently adapted areas.

39. A training system according to any of the proceedings claims, characterized in that the complementary snap coupling means comprise Velcro such as e.g. velcro, which is mounted on the fine mesh net and on the frame of the racket.

40. A training system according to any of the proceedings claims, characterized in that the complementary snap coupling means comprise button locks mounted on the fine mesh net and on the frame of the racket.

41. A training system according to any of the proceedings claims, characterized in that the fine mesh net comprises polyurethane fiber (elastane spandex, lycra, elastane) and or nylon.

42. A racket with a frame in which strings are mounted, the strings define two striking surfaces that can be used to hit a ball, shuttlecock or other object used in conventional racket sports, the racket comprises an elastic fine mesh netting mounted on the racket's frame, so that the fine-mesh net is stretched over only one of the striking surfaces and thereby increase the racket's air resistance by covering at least part of this striking surface at a distance from the strings.

43. A racket according to claim 42 including a racket with a racket frame (FRA) where the racket is formed as the racket of the racket sport training system according to any of the claims 1 to 41.

44. A racket including a racket with a racket frame (FRA) in which strings are mounted, the strings defining two striking surfaces (STRS1, STRS2), the racket frame (FRA) having an inner periphery (RINP) and an outer periphery (ROUP), wherein the racket is formed with a racket cover fixator (FIX).

45. A racket including a racket with a racket frame (FRA) where the racket is formed as the racket of the racket sport training system according to any of the claims 1 to 41.

46. Method of attaching a racket cover of the racket sport training system according to any of the claims 1 to 41 in a racket of the racket sport training system according to any of the claims 1 to 41.

Images