TENNIS BACKHAND SUPPORTER AND HELPER

Abstract: A forefinger support device for the backhand grip of a tennis racket handle and a forefinger grip referencing device for a tennis racket handle comprising a base member (14, Fig. 1, Fig. 2) having four upstanding rectangular flanges or supports (10, 11, 12, 13, Fig. 3 and Fig. 4) affixed to the racket handle adjacent to the throat (1, Fig. 1 and Fig. 2) standing on the outside edge of four backhandle surfaces (2, 3, 6, 7, Fig. 3 and 2, 9, 6, 5, Fig. 4) for use right-handed and left-handed players, whereby the player places the palm of the hand and the extended forefinger on top of the handle surface (2, Fig. 2) with the end of the forefinger placed behind the upstanding flange (10, Fig. 2) which accepts the pressure of the forefinger and transmits the pressure to the handle to enable the player to more forcibly strike a tennis ball, and which provides a reference point from which the proper grip is determined when the forefinger is placed behind the flange (10, Fig. 2) with the forefinger and the palm of the hand extending their combined length on top of the corresponding backhand handle surface (2, Fig. 2).

Description: Title Tennis Backhand Supporter and Helper - Technical Field Supporting device as well as grip referencing device for. sporting equip- . * 5 ment, specifically, a forefinger support device for the backhand grip of. a tennis racket handle and also a forefinger grip referencing device for a tennis .racket handle. . Background Art In the past, tennis players have found that the Eastern backhand grip and 10 the Continental backhand grip lack the support that is found in the Eastern forehand grip and the Continental forehand grip. As a consequence, players have devised different means to bolster the backhand grips . One method is to place the thumb behind the tennis racket handle. or grip surface in such a way that it supports the backhand grip. Another ..method used by many pro- 15 fessional players is th use two hands to grip the racket, commonly referred to as the '.'two handed" backhand; Both of these methods are very difficult to master. Also, in the past, beginners have had difficulty in deterrnining precisely how to grip the tennis racket because there is no reference point on the racket from which the Eastern and Continental grips are determined. 20 Thumb supporting devices and indicia printed on the handle have been used .. to provide a reference for the positioning of the hand on the racket handle. Documents reflecting such art are - U. S. Patent No. 3, 817, 521 U. S. Patent No. 1, 917, 236 Disclosure of the Invention It is the object of this invention to provide a novel improvement to the tennis racket handle to enable the player to have greater support in the Eastern backhand and Continental backhand grips when Striking a tennis ball with the tennis racket from the backhand side. A further object of this invention is to provide a novel reference point on the racket handle or grip from which the Eastern backhand, the Continental backhand and forehand, and the Eastern forehand grips are determined. A further object of this invention is to provide a tennis backhand supporter and helper which is economical to manufacture. According to the invention there are provided four supports consisting primarily of a metal strip formed to the upper end of the racket handle or grip adjacent to the racket throat such that the strip extends upward to form four upstanding rectangular flanges or supports perpendicular to four surfaces of the racket handle, which surfaces are placed in the palm of the hand when employing the Eastern backhand grip and the Conti- nental backhand grip. The end of the player's forefinger or index finger is placed behind the support in accomplishing the backhand grip. The supports, either an integral part of or an attachment to a tennis racket handle, accept the pressure of the player's forefinger or index finger when the racket is held in the backhand position and transmit this pressure to the handle to enable the player to more forcibly strike a tennis ball. ith respect to the background art, players have devis ed different means to bolster the backhand grips . One method is to place the thumb behind the racket handle in such a way that it supports the backhand grip. When the thumb is moved from its position of grasping the handle in conjunction with the other fingers to a position of bolstering the backhand grip, the grasp on the handle is lessened. This less ening of the grasp results in a weakened hold or grip on the racket and therefore an unstable grip resulting in twisting and turning of the racket when striking the ball. - However, with a forefinger support combination, the thumb remains in a grasping position and the end of the forefinger is iarroved to a position behind an upstanding flange attached to the racket handle. However, moving the forefinger from its grasping position does not weaken the hold or grip on the racket. With the forefinger placed behind the attached flange as a support and the thumb and remaining fingers grasping the handle, a more stable grip is obtained. The support accepts the pressure of the players forefinger and transmits this pressure to the handle while the thumb and remaining fingers maintain the. proper grasp or hold on the racket enabling the player to more forcibly strike a tennis ball. Another means to bolster the backha_nd grip is referred to as the "two handed" backhand. Although I do not understand this technique completely, I have determined that the mastery of this means is virtually impossible for the average player. A further object of this invention is to provide a reference point on the racket handle or grip from which the Eastern. backhand, the Continental backhand and forehand, and the Eastern forehand grips are determined. In the background art thumb supporting devices as well as printed indicia on the grip surfaces facilitate the positioning of the hand when gripping the racket. However, a thumb supporting device, although it provides a reference for positioning the hand, results in an unstable grip on the racket. Printed indicia have to be observed each time the grip is attained. OMPI With the forefinger grip referencing device, the end of the forefinger is placed behind the flange and the palm of the hand and the extended fore¬ finger extend their combined length on top of the corresponding back¬ hand handle surface each time the backhand grip is attained thus serving as a ready reference for assuming the correct positioning of the hand when gripping the racket handle. The player does not observe the flange but feels it by touching it with the end of the forefinger when the player places the forefinger -behind the flange in preparation for striking the ball from the backhand position. The proper positioning of the hand for the forehand grip is obtained by moving the forefinger from behind the flange and plac¬ ing it on the adjacent forehand grip surface with the palm of the hand and the extended forefinger placed on the forehand grip surface. The player's forehand reference is that there is no flange on the forehand surface, however, the adjacent backhand surface has an upstanding flange from which the forefinger and palm have moved to. attain the forehand. A further advantageous effect of the invention with reference to the back¬ ground art is that the angle between the straight longitudinal center axis of the forearm and the straight longitudinal center axis of the racket is reduced to almost zero degrees. According ftσ the background art, -when the player grasps the racket handle in the backhand position an angle is formed between the straight longitudinal center axis of the forearm and the straight longitudinal center axis of the racket through the vertical plane. However, -when the forefinger is moved to a position behind the attached flange, the straight longitudinal center axis of the forearm and the straight longitudinal center axis of the racket become almost one and the same or coaxial. In other words , the "crook" between the forearm and the racket as obs erved from a front or back view is removed. Consequently when the. player swings the racket from the backhand position the player does not have to compensate for the "crook" in the line between the forearm and the racket when striking the ball. The swing of the straight longitudinal center axis of the forearm and the straight longitudinal center axis of the racket is coaxial resulting in a more accurate backhand stroke. Brief Description of the Drawings Figure I- is a perspective view of a tennis racket handle or grip and throat incorporating two supports in accordance with the invention to be used by right-handed players. Figure 2 is a top view of a tennis racket handle or grip and throat and head incorporating two supports in accordance with the invention to be used by right-handed players. Figure 3 is a butt end view of a tennis racket handle or grip incorporating four supports in accordance with the invention to be used by right-handed players . Figure 4 is a butt end view of a tennis racket handle or grip incorporating four supports in accordance with the invention to be used by left-handed players . Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention Looking at Figure 1 there is depicted a tennis racket handle or grip and throat 1 with grip surfaces 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. Handle surfaces 2 and 6 are perpendicular to the plane of the face of the racket head and 4 and 8 are parallel to the plane of the face of the racket head, and 3 and 7 are at approximately forty-five degrees to the plane of the face of the racket head and 5 and 9 are at approximately one hundred and thirty five degrees to the plane of the face of the racket head. Backhand supports 10 and 11 are affixed thereto. Supports 10 and 11 are upstanding rectangular flanges or upward extensions of a metal strip being base member 14 (or any. suitable material) made by forming the metal strip around grip surfaces 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, with supports 10 and 11 being upward extensions ot the metal strip affixed to the ' upper end of the handle adjacent to the racket throat. When properly affixed supports 10 and II stand perpendicular to surfaces 2 and 3 respectively and become an integral part thereof. Figure 1 is in accordance with the invent¬ ion to be used by right-handed players. Looking at Figure 2 there is depicted a tennis racket handle or grip and throat 1 and racket head 15 with grip surfaces 2, 3, 9 and supports 10 and 11 perpendicular to grip surfaces 2 and 3 and positioned on the right edge of grip surfaces 2 and 3 respectively. Figure 2 is in accordance with the invention to be used by right-handed players. Looking at Figure 3 there is depicted a tennis racket handle or grip with grip surfaces 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and supports 10, 11, 12, 13 standing perpendicula to grip surfaces 2, 3, 6, 7 respectively and standing on the outside right edge of grip surfaces 2, 3, 6, 7 in a clockwise direction starting at surface 2. Figure 3 is in accordance with the invention to be used by right-handed players . Looking at Figure 4 there is depicted a tennis racket handle or grip with grip surfaces 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and supports 10, 11, 12,13 standing perpend- icular to grip surfaces 2, 9, 6, 5 respectively and standing on the outside left edge of grip surfaces 2, 9, 6, 5 in a counterclockwise direction starting at surface 2. Figure 4 is in accordance with the invention to be used by _. left-handed players . _ While the invention has been described by way of the preferred embodiment 5 thereof, it will be appreciated that suitable modification may be made there¬ in without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Industrial Applicability According to the invention there are provided four supports consisting primarily of a metal strip (or any suitable material) formed to the upper 10 end of the racket handle or grip adjacent to_ the racket throat such that the strip extends upward to form four upstanding rectangular flanges or supports perpendicular to four surfaces of the racket handle, which surfaces are placed in the- palm of the hand when employing the Eastern backhand grip a_αd the Continental backhand grip. Looking at Figure 3 .15 surfaces 2 and 6 are the surfaces where the palm of the hand lies when gripping the racket with the Eastern backhand grip. For right-handed players surfaces 3 and 7 are the surfaces where the palm of the hand lies when gripping the racket with the Continental backhand grip. Surfaces 2 and 6 are perpendicular to the plane of the face of the racket head and 3 20 and .7 are at approximately forty five degrees to the plane of the face of the racket head. Supports 10, 12, 11, 13 stand perpendicular to surfaces 2, 6, 3, 7 respectively. In using the invention with the Eastern backhand grip, the palm of the right hand is placed on surfaces 2 or 6 and the end of the player's forefinger or index finger is placed behind supports 10 or 12 25 respectively. In using the invention with the Continental backhand grip, the palm of the right hand is placed on surfaces 3 or 7 and the end of the -_- RE ( 0MP1 player's forefinger or index finger is placed behind supports 11 or 13 respectively. The supports accept the pressure of the player's forefinger and transmit this pressure to the handle to enable the player to more forcibly strike a tennis ball. Looking at Figure 4 surfaces 2 and 6 are the surfaces where the palm of the hand lies when gripping the racket with the Eastern backhand grip. For left-handed players surfaces 9 and 5. are the surfaces where the palm of the hand lies when gripping the racket with the Continental back¬ hand grip. Surfaces 2 and 6 are perpendicular to the plane of the face of the racket head and 9 and 5 are at approximately one hundred and thirty five degrees to the plane of the face of the racket head. Supports 10, 12, 11, 13 stand perpendicular to surfaces 2, 6, 9, 5 respectively. In using the invention with the Eastern backhand grip, the palm of the left hand is placed on surfaces 2 or 6 and the end of the player's forefinger or index finger is placed behind supports • 10. or 12 respectively. In using the invention with the Continental backhand grip, the palm of the left hand is placed on surfaces 9 or 5 and the end of the player's forefinger .or index finger is placed behind supports 11 or 13 respectively. The supports accept the pressure of the player's forefinger and transmit this pressure to the handle to enable the player to more forcibly strike a tennis ball. With the forefinger grip referencing device the end of the forefinger is placed behind the flange and the palm of the hand and the extended fore¬ finger extend their combined length on top of the corresponding backhand handle surface as illustrated in Figure 2 each time the backhand grip is attained. The flange serves as a ready reference for assuming the correct positioning of the hand when gripping the racket handle. The player feels the flange by touching it with the end of the forefinger when the player places the forefinger behind the flange in preparation for striking the ball from the backhand position. The proper positioning of the hand for the forehand grip is obtained by moving the end of the forefinger from behind the flange and placing it on the adjacent forehand grip surface with the palm of the hand and the extended forefinger placed on the forehand grip surface. The player's forehand reference is that there is no flange on the forehand grip surface, however the adjacent backhand surface has an upstanding flange from which the forefinger and pal have moved to assume the proper fore¬ hand grip. Forehand grip surfaces 4 and 8 , Figure 1 and 3. and 4 are parallel to the plane of the face of the racket head. Thus it will be seen that there is a novel supporting device as well as a novel reference point for tennis backhand grips which is readily available for use by individual players and which is economical to manufacture. O PI

Claims: Claims 1. A tennis racket having a head (15, Fig, 2), throat and handle (1, Fig, 1 and Fig. 2) in combination with a tennis backhand supporter and helper wherein the improvement comprises a base member (14, Fig. 1) formed to eight racket handle surfaces (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, Fig, 1) attached to the upper end of the handle adjacent to the racket throat such that there are four upstanding flanges or supports (10, 11, 12, 13, Fig. 3 and Fig. 4) on said base member standing perpendicular to and positioned on the outside edge of four backhand handle surfaces (2, 3, 6, 7, Fig. 3. and 2, 9, 6, 5, Fig. 4). 2. A tennis backhand supporter and helper for a tennis racket handle as recited in Claim 1 having four upstanding rectangular flanges or supports (10, 11, 12, 13, Fig, 3) on said base member standing perpen¬ dicular to and positioned on the outside right edge of four backhand handle surfaces (2, 3, 6, 7, Fig. 3) for use of right-handed players. Two backhand handle surfaces are perpendicular to the plane of the face of the racket head (2, 6, Fig. 3) and two are at approximately forty five degrees to the plane of the face of the racket head (3, 7, Fig, 3). 3, A tennis backhand supporter and helper for a tennis racket handle as recited in Claim 1 having four upstanding rectangular flanges or supports (10, 11, 12, 13, Fig. 4) on said base member standing perpen¬ dicular to and positioned on the outside left edge of four backhand handle surfaces (2, 9, 6, 5, Fig. 4) for use of left-handed players. Two backhand handle surfaces are perpendicular to the plane of the face of 11 the racket head (2, 6, Fig. 4) and two are at approximately one hundred and thirty five degrees to the plane of the face of the racket head (5, 9, Fig. 4). . 4. A tennis backhand supporter and helper for a tennis, racket handle as recited in Claim 1 or Claim 2 or Claim 3 whereby players when assuming the Eastern and Continental backhand grips place the palm of their hand on the appropriate backhand handle surface and extend the forefinger on top of the handle surface such that the palm of the hand and the forefinger extend their combined length on top of the handle surface and the i ' . • end of the forefinger is placed behind the upstanding flange such that the flange accepts the pressure of the player's forefinger and transmits the pressure to the handle to enable the player to more forcibly strike a tennis ball and, to provide a reference for players to assume the correct positioning of the hand when gripping the racket handle with the Eastern and Continental backhand grips by positioning the palm of the hand and the extended forefinger on top of the handle surface with the ' . end of the forefinger ' placed behind the upsta_αding flange as a reference.

Inventors: LACKEY JOHN EDWARD, LACKEY, JOHN, EDWARD
Applicants: LACKEY JOHN EDWARD, LACKEY, JOHN, EDWARD
Application year: 1982
Main classification: A63B49
IPC codes: A63B69