Self-aligning multi-string clamp technology

Abstract

The Self-aligning Multi-string Clamp includes Clamping Lever, Upper Jaw, Upper Body, Lower Body, Lower Jaw, and Tension Adjustment Knob, Lever Tension Cylinder, Lever Pivot Screws, Guiding and Locking Pin, Opening Spring interconnected. The Clamping Lever is engineered to allow users to clamp strings and hold tension of the strings clamped, whether it is two or three strings. The Upper Jaw, Upper Body, Lower Body, and Lower Jaw is engineered to allow users to insert strings between each "plate" to keep these strings in place. The Upper Jaw, Upper Body, Lower Body, and Lower Jaw work together to clamp strings and keep these multiple strings in place as the stringing process continues. Lastly, the Tension Adjustment Knob is engineered to allow for the adjustment of the clamping force based on the type and diameter of the string used in tennis and squash. The clamping force can be adjusted before clamping. Overall, the Self-aligning Multi-string Clamp is designed and engineered with multi-string capability to allow users to clamp two or three strings without pinching or pushing strings apart. Additionally, the Self-aligning Multi-string Clamp is designed and engineered with self-aligning capability to self-align to varying string distances and gaps for both two-strings and three-strings patterns.

Description

Self-aligning Multi-string Clamp TechnologyTechnical Field

[0001] The disclosures herein relate to the Self-aligning Multi-string Clamp Technology. Specifically, the disclosed invention embodies an invention that presents a self-aligning clamp technology that allows users to clamp two or three strings without pinching strings or pushing them apart. This Self-aligning Multi-string Clamp Technology is compatible with all strings that are used in the sport of squash and tennis.State of Art

[0002] According to Grand View Research, the global racquet sports equipment market, which includes tennis, badminton, squash, and pickleball, was valued at approximately $3.5 billion in 2023. It is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.5% from 2024 to 2030. The Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) reports that over 36 million people in the U.S. play racquet sports, with tennis and badminton leading in participation, with specifically over 20 million people playing tennis in the U.S. In tennis, the participation rate in the U.S. has been growing at approximately 5% annually for the past several years. In addition, the U.S. Tennis Association (USTA) shows that youth participation in tennis has increased, with youth players ages 6-17 representing approximately 40% of total participants. In the U.S. alone, the U.S. Tennis Association (USTA) estimates that there are 3,000 registered professional tennis players and 400,000 registered junior players (ages 18 and under) in the U.S., representing 0.015% and 2% of total participation, respectively.

[0003] With such an increase in participation, a survey conducted by the Tennis Industry Association shows that approximately 60% of racquet sport participants express an interest in upgrading their equipment annually, indicating a consistent demand for new products. In tennis, 65% of consumers consider brand and quality more important than price when purchasing tennis equipment such as racquets, suggesting inelastic demand for premium products. In addition, there is an increased interest in do-it-yourself (DIY) stringing among recreational players, coaches, and professionals (Tennis Industry Association, 2024). This has led to a growing demand for personalized and custom equipment. The Journal of Sport Sciences highlights the importance of technology in enhancing player performance and consumer experience. Therefore, a report done in the U.S. by Statista reiterates the importance of continuous innovation that companies should undertake to develop lightweight and technologically advanced equipment in order to adapt to this evolving and emerging consumer trend.

[0004] While racquet sports equipment has evolved generically in terms of mainstream equipment such as racquets, strings, and outfits, there has been a lack of availability of advanced stringing equipment and accessories such as non-pinching clamps that could meet the growing demand for high-quality personal or self-service stringing. In the past, clamps technology has been introduced for stringing use, however, the existing clamps in the market do not allow for self-aligning for varying string distances for both two-strings and three-strings patterns. In terms of stringing, if the clamping distance is fixed and the string spacing is not exactly the same as the clamp’s body width, then the strings will either be pinched or pushed apart. When the strings are pinched or pushed apart, this causes the string tension to be different from the initially set tension once the clamp is released. This unintentional change in string tension will affect the quality of the string bed and its behavior. Additionally, existing three-string clamps on the market are fixed-distance clamps that do not have self-aligning mechanisms. Moreover, this Self-aligning Multi-string Clamp is up to 25% lighter than currently available three-string clamps. References to existing clamps products and technologies: 1. Claws 2.0 (Biangular, 2 string pattern, self-adjusting) : https: / / pro-stringer.com / product / pro-stringer-claws-clamp-2-0 / . 2. Stringway Triple Clamp (3-string pattern ; fixated -not self-adjusting): https: / / www.stringway.com / us / product / triple-flying-clamp / . Other related clamping technology: https: / / patents.google.com / patent / US8196913B2 / en.

[0005] For at least these and other reasons, a Self-aligning Multi-string Clamp is needed to cater to the increasing demand for advanced and sophisticated accessories needed in stringing. Additionally, this technology ensures that there will be no tension change during the stringing process due to pinching or pushing of strings or no possible damage to the strings which is crucial for recreational or professional stringers, coaches, and recreational players and professional players of various racquet sports.SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an angle of the Self-aligning Multi-string Clamp;

[0007] Figure 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an angle of the Self-aligning Multi-string Clamp;

[0008] Figure 3 is an exploded / enlarged view of an example embodiment of a Self-aligning Multi-string Clamp;

[0009] Figure 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the Self-aligning Multi-string Clamp showcasing non-pinching claims for two strings pattern;

[0010] Figure 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the Self-aligning Multi-string Clamp showcasing non-pinching claims for three strings pattern;BRIEF SUMMARY

[0011] Disclosed herein are embodiments of a device and method for a Self-aligning Multi-string Clamp. The tool is the embodiment of a self-aligning clamp technology that allows for varying string distances and it also allows users to clamp two or three strings without pinching or pushing strings apart, keeping strings parallel, or eliminating the possibility of damaging strings. This technology also has an embedded tension adjustment knob that allows you to adjust the clamping force necessary for different types of strings.

[0012] The Self-aligning Multi-string Clamp’s components include(1)Clamping Lever, (2)Upper Jaw,(3)Upper Body,(4)Lower Body,(5)Lower Jaw,and (6)Tension Adjustment Knob.

[0013] This clamp’s new development and advancement in clamp technology will assist users in stringing accurately without creating unintended tension deviation from set tension. As importantly, this technology will eliminate the pinching or pushing of strings that could possibly damage any strings.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] Details of example embodiments of the invention are discussed with reference to the several drawing figures.

[0015] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention. The figure shows the body of the Self-aligning Multi-string Clamp with(1)Clamping Lever, (2)Upper Jaw,(3)Upper Body,(4)Lower Body,(5)Lower Jaw,and (6)Tension Adjustment Knob.The (1) Clamping Lever allows users to clamp strings and hold tension of the strings clamped, whether it is two or three strings. The(2)Upper Jaw,(3)Upper Body,(4)Lower Body, and(5)Lower Jaw allows users to insert strings between each “plate” to keep these strings in place.(2)to(5)work together to clamp strings and keep these multiple strings in place as the stringing process continues. Lastly, the(6)Tension Adjustment Knob allows the adjustment of the clamping force based on the type and diameter of the string used. The clamping force has to be adjusted before clamping.

[0016] Figure 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention. The figure shows the body of the Self-aligning Multi-string Clamp from another perspective to present a clearer view of the(6)Tension Adjustment Knob.

[0017] Figure 3 is an exploded view of an embodiment of the invention. The figure shows the body of the Self-aligning Multi-string Clamp with(1)Clamping Lever, (2)Upper Jaw,(3)Upper Body,(4)Lower Body,(5)Lower Jaw,and (6)Tension Adjustment Knob, (7)Lever Tension Cylinder,(8)Lever Pivot Screws,(9)Guiding and Locking Pin,(10)Opening Spring interconnected. The(3)Upper Body and(4)Lower Body, each has a (9) Guiding and Locking Pin that is screwed into the bodies. The(3)Upper Body and(4)Lower Body are connected by a screw that also serves as a pivot (also known as rotational point). The(3)Upper Body and(4)Lower Body have an(10)Opening Spring placed between them to facilitate the jaw opening upon the clamp's release. The(2)Upper Jaw and(3)Upper Body are joined together by two screws which also create a pivot point for the(2)Upper Jaw. The(2)Upper Jaw and(3)Upper Body also have a(10)Opening Spring placed between them to facilitate jaw opening when the clamp is released. The(1)Clamping Lever is mounted on the(2)Upper Jaw by two(8)Lever Pivot Screws that serve as pivot points for the(1)Clamping Lever.The(4)Lower Body and(5)Lower Jaw are joined together by two screws that also create a pivot point for the(5)Lower Jaw. The(4)Lower Body and the(5)Lower Jaw have an(10)Opening Spring placed between them that facilitates jaw opening when the clamp is released. To complete the assembly, the(6)Tension Adjustment Knob is fed through the(5)Lower Jaw’s hole at the bottom, and the(7)Lever Tension Cylinder is inserted into the lever’s hole. The entire assembly is then compressed together against the(10)Opening Springs’ force in order to enable it to screw in the(6)Tension Adjustment Knob into the(7)Lever Tension Cylinder. This, then, can be inserted into the(1)Clamping Lever.

[0018] Figure 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the Self-aligning Multi-string Clamp showing Non-Pinching Claims for two string clamping.(11) to (13)illustratehow the self-aligning multi-string clamp can be configured and used as a 2-string clamp. In configuration,(11)the clamp is capable of clamping any large 2-string spacing without pinching or pushing strings apart. If a string spacing is very small, then one of the configurations(12)or(13)can be used.

[0019] Figure 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the Self-aligning Multi-string Clampshowing Non-Pinching Claims for three strings clamping.(14)and(15)show the two extremes of the clamping conditions.(14)shows the largest 3-string spacing, wherein, strings can be clamped at those illustrated string positions.(15)shows the smallest 3-string spacing, wherein, strings can be clamped at those illustrated string positions. In between these two illustrated multi-string spacings, any string spacing can be clamped at these varying string positions. The clamp is also capable of clamping 3 strings together where the spacing between all 3 strings is not uniform i.e. when one of the spaces is larger than the other. In this situation, the clamp is tilted until the(3)Upper Body and(4)Lower Body fills in the spacing between the three strings, and then the non-pinching clamping can be performed.

[0020] Figure 6 is a top view of an embodiment of the Self-adjusting Multi-string Clamp showing Non-Pinching Claims for the three-string pattern presented on the left, and a traditional three-string clamp presented on the right. On the left, the parallel strings can be observed. On the contrary, the right shows the traditional 3-string clamp pinching the strings and causing them to move out of the parallel position. Vice versa, if the string spacings are smaller than the traditional 3-string clamp’s body width, the clamp will push strings apart. This causes an unintended change in string tension as well. Both pinching or pushing effects will cause unintended changes in string tension in those clamped strings. The Self-aligning Multi-string Clamp prevents the pinching or pushing effects from happening while keeping the strings parallel in any string spacing situation.

Claims

1.The Self-aligning Multi-string Clamp is comprised of (1) Clamping Lever, (2) Upper Jaw, (3) Upper Body, (4) Lower Body, (5) Lower Jaw, and (6) Tension Adjustment Knob, (7) Lever Tension Cylinder, (8) Lever Pivot Screws, (9) Guiding and Locking Pin, (10) Opening Spring interconnected.2.The (3) Upper Body and (4) Lower Body, each has a (9) Guiding and Locking Pin that is screwed into the bodies. The (3) Upper Body and (4) Lower Body are connected by a screw that also serves as a pivot (also known as rotational point).3.The (3) Upper Body and (4) Lower Body have an (10) Opening Spring placed between them to facilitate the jaw opening upon the clamp's release.4.The (2) Upper Jaw and (3) Upper Body are joined together by two screws which also create a pivot point for the (2) Upper Jaw. The (2) Upper Jaw and (3) Upper Body also have a (10) Opening Spring placed between them to facilitate jaw opening when the clamp is released.5.The (1) Clamping Lever is mounted on the (2) Upper Jaw by two (8) Lever Pivot Screws that serve as pivot points for the (1) Clamping Lever.6.The (4) Lower Body and (5) Lower Jaw are joined together by two screws that also create a pivot point for the (5) Lower Jaw. The (4) Lower Body and the (5) Lower Jaw have an (10) Opening Spring placed between them that facilitates jaw opening when the clamp is released.7.Lastly, the (6) Tension Adjustment Knob is fed through the (5) Lower Jaw’s hole at the bottom, and the (7) Lever Tension Cylinder is inserted into the lever’s hole. The entire assembly is then compressed together against the (10) Opening Springs’ force in order to enable it to screw in the (6) Tension Adjustment Knob into the (7) Lever Tension Cylinder. This, then, can be inserted into the (1) Clamping Lever.

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