Racquet String Support Assembly with Deflectable Bearing Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sports racquets face a challenge in increasing the size of the sweet spot and dwell time without enhancing the polar moment of inertia, which affects maneuverability and appearance, while also trying to optimize string segment performance without radical design deviations from traditional racquets.
Innovation Solution
A sports racquet with a string support assembly featuring a grommet structure and bearing elements that allow for increased string deflection, including a grommet structure with barrels and a deflectable bearing element with a curved grooved rim and cutouts, positioned strategically on the racquet head to enhance string bed performance without increasing the racquet's polar moment of inertia.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the head size of a racquet is increased to enlarge the string bed and sweet spot, then the area of the string bed is improved, but the polar moment of inertia increases making the racquet more difficult to maneuver
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by extending the length of specific main string segments in targeted regions of the string bed rather than uniformly increasing the entire string bed area. This allows the sweet spot to be enlarged in specific locations without requiring a larger overall head size, thereby maintaining maneuverability while improving string bed performance in critical areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes another dimension by varying the length of main string segments along the longitudinal axis of the racquet head. By creating regions with extended string segments rather than increasing the transverse dimensions of the head, the invention enlarges the effective sweet spot volume without increasing the polar moment of inertia, thus resolving the contradiction between string bed area and maneuverability.
2Length of moving object
If different head shapes are incorporated to increase the length of certain main or cross string segments, then the string segment length is improved, but the polar moment of inertia increases and the appearance becomes undesirable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing extended main string segments only in specific regions of the head rather than changing the overall head shape. This allows certain string segments to be longer for improved performance while maintaining the traditional head shape and appearance, avoiding the undesirable aesthetic changes that would result from modifying the overall head geometry.
3Reliability
If the string bed deflection is increased to improve responsiveness and dwell time, then the coefficient of restitution is improved, but the string bed structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the length parameter of specific main string segments to create regions with varying deflection characteristics. By adjusting the length of string segments rather than changing the overall string bed structure, the invention achieves increased responsiveness and dwell time in critical areas while maintaining a relatively simple and conventional string bed structure.
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
The solution increases the coefficient of restitution and dwell time, improving responsiveness and control while maintaining maneuverability and a traditional design aesthetic, as demonstrated by increased string deflection and COR values compared to control racquets.
Implementation Method 1
a deflectable lower portion having a pair of opposing cutouts to facilitate deflection of the bearing element
Data Source
AI summary
A sports racquet for supporting at least one racquet string and including a frame and at least one string support assembly. The frame includes handle and head portions separated by throat tubes. The head portion has grommet holes, and includes top, bottom, first side and second side regions. The string support assembly includes a grommet structure and at least one bearing element. The grommet structure includes a strip and at least two barrels extending from the strip. Each barrel includes a string hole extending along an axis of the barrel, and extends through a separate one of the grommet holes. The bearing element is coupled to the grommet structure, and includes an upper portion having a grooved rim engaging the string and a deflectable lower portion having opposing cutouts. The support assembly is positioned at one or more of the top, bottom, first side and second side regions.