Movable Clip Holders for Racket Stringing Machines

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing racket stringing machines have limited mobility of clip holders, restricting their ability to access all strings, particularly for badminton rackets, which requires broader movement options.

Innovation Solution

A blocking system with two movable clip holders on a guide support allowing movement along a closed contour around a central axis, featuring rollers with beveled grooves and ball bearings for enhanced mobility, enabling the clip holders to move on both sides of the racket head.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If clip holders are mounted on a support with limited travel zones, then the structure is simpler and more compact, but the mobility and accessibility of clip holders to all strings is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemobility of clip holdersVSAvoidtrajectory mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs curved or circular trajectories for the clip holders instead of straight limited-travel paths. The support structure incorporates arcs and curved guides that allow clip holders to move along circular paths around the racket head, enabling comprehensive access to all strings including badminton rackets while maintaining a compact overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from one-dimensional linear movement to two-dimensional circular or elliptical trajectories. Clip holders move not just forward and backward but also laterally around the racket head, adding a dimensional aspect to their movement that enables access to all strings without increasing structural complexity significantly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If clip holders are restricted to half of the stringing zone, then the device is simpler to manufacture, but it cannot access all strings particularly for badminton rackets

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to access all stringsVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity of support structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is designed with universal applicability to different racket types including tennis and badminton rackets. The circular/elliptical trajectory mechanism provides multi-functionality, allowing the same device to accommodate various stringing patterns and racket geometries, thereby achieving full string access without requiring multiple specialized components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates dynamic movement capabilities where clip holders can traverse the entire perimeter of the racket head along curved paths. This dynamic positioning capability allows adaptability to different racket sizes and string patterns, enabling access to all strings while the support structure remains manufacturable using standard curved guide components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If straight trajectory with limited travel is used, then the blocking system is more compact, but total freedom of movement is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefreedom of movement of clip holdersVSAvoidspace occupied by support structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure utilizes curved and circular geometric forms to enable clip holders to move along arcs around the racket head. This curved trajectory design provides comprehensive freedom of movement while maintaining a compact footprint, as the circular paths are contained within a relatively small area compared to extended straight-travel mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This system provides greater flexibility and broader usage possibilities for stringing machines, allowing for effective string tension maintenance across various racket types, including badminton rackets, by enabling clip holders to move freely along a circular or elliptical trajectory.

Implementation Method 1

The mobility of the clip holders on the guide support is ensured by rollers mounted pivoting on axes of the clip holders so as to cooperate with edges of the guide support

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRolling: Roller

Implementation Method 2

The rotation of the rollers around their axes is allowed by ball bearings or plain bearings

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBall bearing: Ball Bearing

Implementation Method 3

The edges of the guide support are beveled, while the clip holders comprise at least two rollers having a beveled groove, on their outer cylindrical surface, each of the rollers respectively rolling on an inner edge and an outer edge of the support

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS9993697B2System for blocking strings for a racket stringing machine and racket stringing machine comprising such a system

Publication Date: 2018.06.12 BABOLAT VS SAS

AI summary

This system (1) for blocking one or more strings (C) of a racket on the stringing machine comprises a guide support on which two clip holders (3) each provided with a clip (37) for gripping a string (C) are mounted. Each of the clip holders (3) is movable relative to the support along a trajectory forming a closed contour around a central axis (X5) of the support.