Patent ID: 8889056
Filing Date: 2014-11-18
Classification: A63B,B29C,B29L

Abstract:
1. A process for forming at least a portion of a sports racquet frame having at least one string port hole formed therein, said frame having a string bed plane, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a prepreg tube containing an inflatable bladder therein; (b) placing said prepreg tube inside a mold which, when closed, forms a mold cavity in the desired shape of at least a portion of said frame, said mold cavity containing at least one mold member sized and oriented to mold a string port hole having a first open end, a second open end and at least one side extending between the first and second open ends through the frame in said string bed plane, said mold member extending across said mold cavity from an upper or lower mold cavity wall, said at least one side of the string port hole opposing an open side in a direction perpendicular to said string bed plane with a pair of opposing flat string contacting walls extending between the at least one side of the string port hole and the opposing open side, wherein each of the pair of opposing flat string contacting walls includes an inner edge and an outer edge with a guide lip in the outer edge of each of the pair of opposing flat string contacting walls; (c) pressurizing said bladder so that said prepreg tube conforms to the shape of the mold and said mold member; and (d) heating said mold such that said prepreg tube cures.