Patent Publication Number: US-4546977-A

Title: Racquet stringing machine with improved racquet retaining standard

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention lies in the field of racquet stringers and, in particular, to the retaining standards that secure the racquet onto the stringing machine. The present invention allows one stringing machine to be adapted to string a multiplicity of different makes and models of racquets. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     In the past, most racquets, whether they be tennis, racquetball, squash, badminton, etc., have been of similar design. These similar designs led to racquet stringers that were adaptable to limited styles of racquets. Now, with the everchanging field of racquet sports, it is necessary for a change in stringing machines allowing them to adapt to different designs of racquets. Now that there are enlarged racquets, throatless racquets, racquets with different design throats, racquets of all shapes and sizes, the present invention is most needed to eliminate the stringing dilemma confronting racquet stringers. 
     DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION 
     It is an aspect of the present invention to allow stringing machines to string all makes and models of racquets. 
     Another aspect of the present invention is that it allows stringing machines to string enlarged head racquets. 
     Still another aspect of the present invention is that it is easily adaptable to existing stringing machines. 
     Yet another aspect of the present invention is the securing of the racquet by a sliding of a lever. 
     Still aother aspect of the present invention is a frictional locking means securing the racquet in place. 
     These and other aspects of the present invention are achieved by a racquet stringer, the improvement comprising: a retaining standard maintained onto said racquet stringer, a handle lever, an upper clamp, and a dog, whereas said handle lever, upper clamp and dog are maintained into said retaining standard by conventional means. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an objective exploded view of the retaining standard, and associated attachments; 
     FIG. 2 is a side view of the retaining standard; and 
     FIGS. 3A-3E show views of a plurality of &#34;frame retainers&#34;. 
    
    
     BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of the retaining standard 10. It includes a vise 12 which in uniquely shaped having several apertures, grooves and slots therein. The vise 12 can be of varying polygonal shapes and designs. The vise 12 has a smooth horizontal top surface 13. The top surface has several apertures and is of a polygonal shape. The vise side 11 is a smooth, vertical, polygonal surface having a plurality of apertures and also a groove 34. The vise front 8 is polygonal with a cylindrical protrusion 7 and a dog slot 6. The vise 12 may be made up of any plastic or metallic material, preferably a casting type material such as aluminum or steel. The vise 12 is preferably cast, although it could be machined. The handle 14 has a lever portion 17 and a cam portion 32. The lever 17 is L-shaped, with a protruding tip 15. The cam portion 32 is a cylindrical rod. It is broken into three segments, the center segment 33 also being a cylindrical rod but being smaller than the rod and also being offset from the center of the rod which provides the &#34;cam action.&#34; The cam portion 32 is placed into the aperture 36 on the vise 12. The portion is journaled into the vise 12 and rotates freely within the aperture 36. When the handle 14 is in place in the vise 12, the lever tip 15 swings freely in the vise groove 34, as can best be seen in FIG. 2. The dog 20 is a thin, slender member having a square end and the other end being semi-circular. The dog 20 has two apertures. The dog 20 is secured within slot 6 in the vise 12 by first placing a spring 28 into the aperture 42. The dog is then slid into the dog slot 6 over top of the spring 28 and then the set screw 26 is placed into the aperture 42 and threadedly secured in the aperture 42. The set screw 26 has a threaded portion on its top and a cylindrical non-threaded pivot portion on its bottom, which penetrated dog aperture 23 and the center of spring 28. The upper clamp 16 is of a flattened boomerang configuration with a circular protrusion at its center. The upper clamp 16 is used to hold the racquet in position. The clamp rod 18 is maintained in the upper clamp 16 by conventional means. The clamp rod 18 is a slender cylindrical member and is sized to meet the dimensions of the vise 12. The upper clamp 16, with the clamp rod 18 in position, is then inserted into aperture 40, through the vise, through the dog, aperture 21 and out the other side of the vise 12. A protective pad 30 (sometimes of leather) is affixed to the upper clamp 16. The pad 30 serves to protect the racquet so that it is not damaged or scratched when the upper clamp 16 is secured. A plurality of dowl rods 22 and 24 are maintained into the vise top 13. These rods 22 are slender, cylindrical members used to position the selected frame retainer 60-64. Rods 24 serve to maintain dog 20 alignment. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates the inserting of the upper clamp 16 into the aperture 40. A frame retainer 60-64 is placed onto the rods 22 prior to inserting rod 18 through apertures 52, 40 and 41. The racquet retainer comes in a plurality of different shapes and models as can be seen in FIG. 3. The different frame retainers 60-64 allow the stringing machine to fit all of the different makes and models of racquets desired. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates a plurality of frame retainers 60-64. The retainers 60-64 possess three apertures, 52 and 53, and are lined with a cushioning pad 51. The apertures enable the retainer 60-64 to fit onto the dowl rods 22 and accept the clamp rod 18. The frame retainers 60-64 are designed so that they will fit standard yoke, plastic yoke with guides, racquetball and squash, reverse curved yoke and noncurved yoke, the Wilson T-X000, and deep V-frame type of racquet frames. As can be seen, the retainers 60-64 vary in shape and design from a rectangular type design with wings, which fits standard type yokes, to a protruding D-shaped design for deep V-frames, and a split up and down rectangular V-shaped retainer for the Wilson T-X000 series. 
     As outlined above in viewing FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the dog 20 is secured into the dog slot 6, the dowl rods 22 and 24 are placed into their corresponding apertures, the handle 14 is then placed into its corresponding aperture 36 and slid into the vise, with the slender spindle 33 being on top of the dog 20. The frame retainer 60 is then slid over the dowls 22 thus, the retaining standard 10 is ready to receive a racquet frame. The racquet frame is placed onto the vise top 13. Then, the clamp rod 18 is slid into the aperture 40. The upper clamp 16, which is permanently affixed to the clamp rod 18, is then aligned on top of the racquet frame. Prior to the insertion of the clamp rod 18, the handle lever 17 is then moved to its uppermost position, whereas the lever tip 15 is up in the air and is not in the vise groove 34. The handle lever 17 is pulled downwards into the vise groove 34, thus causing the slender spindle 33 to rotate down on top of the dog 20 causing the dog aperture 21 to frictionally affix on the clamp rod 18 which in turn pulls down on the clamp rod 18, locking the upper clamp into position. Therefore, this frictional locking secures the upper clamp into position, holding the racquet frame onto the stringing machine and now the racquet frame is ready for the stringing procedure. 
     Certain modifications could be made to the present invention, design, dimension and proportion of different parts, which are described and illustrated herein without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. For the true scope and breadth of the invention, reference should be had to the appended claims.