Patent Publication Number: US-2022226711-A1

Title: Stringed sports racquet vibration dampener

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to stringed sports racquets, and more particularly to vibration dampeners for stringed sports racquets. 
     Current available stringed racket vibration dampeners can slip and move out of place, in which case it can disrupt the balance of the racquet and the diminish the performance characteristics of the vibration dampener. 
     Likewise, most current vibration dampeners are attached by open retention channels that do not fully encase racquet strings. As such, the vibration dampener may become dislodged. In some cases, it may entirely separate from the racquet. Additionally, the retention channels are not specifically manufactured to match the string gauge and string pattern of a particular racket. This can lead to undesired vibration characteristics in the racquet and limit the effectiveness of the vibration dampener. 
     As can be seen, there is a need for an improved vibration dampener for a stringed sports racquet that solves these deficiencies. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect of the present invention, a vibration dampener for a stringed sports racquet is disclosed. The vibration dampener includes a unitary body dimensioned to a desired string spacing of the sports racquet. A pair of lateral bores are defined through the unitary body and extend along an opposed lateral edge of the unitary body. A pair of vertical bores are defined through the unitary body and extend along an opposed vertical edge of the unitary body. The pair of vertical bores are defined in a spaced apart relation corresponding to a vertical string spacing of the sports racquet. 
     In some embodiments, the pair of horizontal bores are defined in a spaced apart relation corresponding to a horizontal string spacing of the sports racquet. 
     In some embodiments, the unitary body is formed of an elastomeric dampener material, selected from the group consisting of rubber, neoprene, and silicone. 
     In some embodiments, the vibration dampener includes a relief defined at a junction of each lateral edge and each vertical edge of the unitary body. The relief is dimensioned to provide a clearance from a weave at an intersection between a horizontal string and a vertical string when the vibration dampener is applied to the sports racquet. 
     In some embodiments, each of the pair of horizontal bores are dimensioned according to a desired gauge of the horizontal string. Preferably, the bottommost horizontal string is received in the top horizontal bore in a close interference fit. 
     In some embodiments, each of the pair of vertical bores are dimensioned according to a desired gauge of the vertical string. Preferably, the vertical string is received in each of the pair of vertical bores in a close interference fit. 
     In other embodiments, the unitary body has a generally rectangular profile and a thickness corresponding to a desired dampening mass. 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view, with parts broken away, of the vibration dampener invention in use with a stringed sports racquet. 
         FIG. 2  is a detail perspective view of the invention in use. 
         FIG. 3  is a front elevation view of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention. 
     Broadly, embodiments of the present invention include a single unibody stringed racket vibration dampener that is threaded with the racquet strings for permanent securement to the racquet. The vibration dampener is made of an elastomeric, energy-absorbing material that fully encloses the racket strings. The attachment channels comprise through bores that are sized to a particular racket&#39;s string gauge and pattern. The through bores permit a permanent installation of the vibration to the racquet when the racquet is strung. 
     As seen in the drawings of  FIGS. 1-3 , the vibration dampener  10  for a stringed sports racquet  11  is shown. The vibration dampener  10  includes a unitary body  12 , that is preferably a solid body. The body  12  can be manufactured using a suitable polymer elastomeric dampener material, selected from the group consisting of rubber, neoprene, silicone. The unitary body  12  has a generally rectangular profile, with a thickness corresponding to a desired dampening mass. In some embodiments, the vibration dampener  10  has a rectangular tile shape. The unitary body  12  may preferably be square shaped. 
     The body  12  includes a lateral bore  16   a  is defined through the unitary body  12  along an opposed lateral edge of the unitary body  12 . A vertical bore  16   b  is defined through the unitary body  12  along an opposed vertical edge of the unitary body  12 . The unitary body  12  and the spacing between the horizontal bores  16   a  and the vertical bores  16   b  are dimensioned to correspond to a string pattern spacing of the sports racquet  11 . The vibration dampener  10  may be installed on a single horizontal string  11   a , proximal to a neck of the racquet  11  and between an adjacent vertical string  16   b  of the racquet  11 . The vibration dampener  10  may also be installed between an adjacent horizontal string  11   a  proximal to the neck of the racquet  11 . 
     With a square shaped unitary body  12  having a uniform mass and thickness, and each of the pair of horizontal bores  16   a  and the vertical bores  16   b , the vibration damper  10  may be installed in any orientation. The uniform construction facilitates installation of the vibration damper  10  since the vibration damper  10  may be installed without the need for the installer to determine the orientation of the vibration damper  10  before lacing. 
     A relief  14  is defined at each junction of each lateral edge and each vertical edge of the unitary body  12 . The relief  14  provides a clearance between a horizontal string  11   a  threaded through the lateral bore  16   a  and a vertical string  11   b  threaded through the vertical bore  16   b . The relief  14  allows the vibration dampener  10  to dampen vibrations imparted in the racquet  11  without interference with a weave at an intersection between the horizontal string  11   a  and the vertical string  11   b  when applied to the racquet  11 . 
     Each of the horizontal bore  16   a  and the vertical bore  16   b  are dimensioned according to a desired gauge of the corresponding horizontal string  16   a  and vertical string  16   b  utilized to string the racquet  11 . Preferably the desired gauge of the string  11   a ,  11   b  is received in each of the horizontal bore  16   a  and the vertical bore  16   b  with a close interference fit. The close interference fit provides for an improved energy transfer between the strings  11   a ,  11   b  and the energy absorbing body of the vibration dampener  10 . 
     As disclosed, the vibration dampener  10  has internal bores  16   a ,  16   b  where the racket strings  11   a ,  11   b  are threaded through, making the installation permanent and providing a fully enclosed contact with the racket strings  11   a ,  11   b . This new approach allows for improved vibration dampening and maintains a proper racket string spacing proximal to the neck of the racquet. The vibration dampener  10  will not move or slip off during play. 
     It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.