GB2468508A

GB2468508A - Racket grip

Info

Publication number: GB2468508A
Application number: GB0904222A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Fernando Antonio Raposo; David Buckley Meynert
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-03-11
Filing date: 2009-03-11
Publication date: 2010-09-15
Also published as: GB0904222D0

Abstract

A racquet grip or handle 3 comprises a first region 5 having a substantially constant cross section and a second region 6 of reduced cross section the first region 5 is adapted to be gripped by a thumb and first three fingers of a hand of a user, with the second region 6 adapted to be gripped by a fourth finger of the hand. The handle 3 preferably incorporates an end stop 7 that may be covered by a cap 8, the length of the second region 6 is preferably less than 25% of the first region 5 and the circumference of the second region 6 may be 60-75% of the circumference of the first region 5.

Description

A RACKET GRIP

The present invention relates to a racket grip, a method of manufacturing the racket grip and a method of gripping a racket.

Rackets for playing squash, tennis and badminton comprise a stringed head and a handle having a grip. It is well known to p'ayers that the racket grip is crucia' to the ability of a player to use a racket. A racket grip must provide both comfort and control.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a racket grip for a racket for use, such as in squash, tennis and badminton, which has improved comfort and control.

In accordance with one aspect, the present invention provides a racket grip for a racket having a first region with a substantially constant cross-section which is adapted to be gripped by a thumb and first three fingers of a hand of a user, and a second region of reduced cross-section adapted to securely receive and be gripped by a fourth finger of the hand.

Throughout the specification, the terminology used for the fingers is that the index finger comprises the first finger and the "little finger" comprises the fourth finger.

The invention provides a recess extending around the circumference of a region of the grip which fits the fourth finger of a user's hand such that the fourth finger has a reduced diameter region to grip and lies against sidewall regions in the recess to secure the positioning of the fourth finger and reduce longitudinal movement of the fourth finger along the grip.

The inventors of the present invention have identified that a strong grip can be achieved primarily by the fourth finger and palm of the hand of a user. The fourth finger is of course the shortest finger and thus providing a specific reduced diameter region for the fourth finger enhances the grip by the fourth finger allowing the other three fingers and thumb to grip a conventional substantially constant diameter region in a more

comfortable manner.

The gripping of the racket by the fourth finger in the reduced diameter region allows the grip by the other three fingers and the thumb to be relaxed. The inventors of the present invention have identified that primarily the fourth finger achieves the principal grip strength and control. The positioning of the fourth finger in a reduced diameter portion strengthens the grip and secures the finger in a region specifically designed to retain the finger.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a method of manufacturing a racket grip comprising forming an elongate region having a substantially constant cross-section and a reduced cross-section region comprising a groove having a length of less than 25?/ of the length of the elongate region.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a method of gripping a racket comprising gripping an elongate region having a substantially constant cross-section between a thumb and a first three fingers and placing a fourth finger in a groove having a reduced cross-section relative to the elongate region.

In one embodiment of the second region has a length along the grip of less than 25% of the length of the first region. In a more specific embodiment the second region has a length along the grip of 15 to 25mm.

In one embodiment the second region has a circumference of 60 to 75% of the circumference of the first region. In a more specific embodiment the second region has an average diameter of 8 to 20mm less than the first region.

In one embodiment the first region extends between a racket head end of the grip and the second region. The racket can include an end stop at an end of a grip remote from the racket head end and the second region can lie adjacent to the end stop.

The cross-sectional shape of a racket handle can be one of a number of shapes for example circular, elliptical, or hexagonal (generally an irregular (squashed) hexagonal).

Thus the second region can follow a substantially circular, elliptical, or hexagonal cross-sectional shape.

In one embodiment, the second region comprises a groove that has a curved cross-sectional shape at a base thereof. This allows for comfortable positioning of the fourth finger against the base of the groove. Such a groove can have an average depth of between 4 and 10mm in one embodiment.

In one embodiment the transition between the first region and the second region is smooth to avoid sharp edges that can damage a covering of the grip.

The present invention also encompasses a racket comprising a racket head, a handle and the grip as described above.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure Ia is a plan elevation of a racket including a grip in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; Figure lb is a side elevation of the embodiment of figure Ia; Figure Ic is an end view of the embodiment of figures la; Figure 2a is a schematic diagram of the recessed second region in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2b is a schematic diagram of a recessed second region in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2c is a schematic diagram of the recessed second region in accordance with the further embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 3 is an illustration of a user gripping the racket grip in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention is aimed particularly at stringed rackets such as tennis, squash and badminton. However, the concepts hold true for other one-handed sports, or handles where grip control and comfort are required. The provision of a reduced cross-sectional area for the fourth finger to grip around provides a stronger hold, greater control and more power delivery. With less finger strain intention being exerted, hand fatigue is greatly reduced enabling longer periods of play at higher intensity.

The reduced cross-sectional area is generally placed near the base of the racket handle and can be placed adjacent to end stop if such is provided on a racket handle. However, the provision of the reduced cross-sectional region provides for stronger gripping by the fourth finger and locking of the fourth finger into the groove thereby potentially obviating the need for the end cap. Since the end cap is generally provided as a lateral movement blocking mechanism for a hand of a user. The reduced cross-sectional region provides such a longitudinal movement blocking mechanism.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to figures lato Ic.

A racket 1 comprises a racket head 2 and a racket handle 3. The racket handle extends from the racket head 2 to an end 4. The racket handle 3 includes a first region 5 having a substantially constant cross-sectional area between the end adjacent to the racket head 2 and a second region 6 formed as a reduced cross-sectional region. A third region 7 extends between the second region 6 and the handle end 4. This region is fitted with an end cap 8 that fits over the third region 7.

The second region 6 has a length along the handle sufficient to receive a fourth finger of the user. Also, it has a reduced cross-section adapted to enable the fourth finger of a user to curl around it to a greater degree than would be possible around the first or third regions 5 and 7. The second region 6 shown in figures la and lb has a curved cross-section at its base as a convenient comfortable shape for receiving the fourth finger.

However, the cross-sectional shape of the base of the groove forming the second region 6 can comprise any suitable shape such as rectangular. This may depend upon the ease of manufacture of such a groove.

For tennis rackets for example, grips come in standard sizes which vary in Europe for example from Li to L6 having circumferences between 105 and 120 mm. The grip sizes are provided to accommodate different hand sizes of users to provide for comfortable grips for a range of hand sizes. Because hand sizes vary, clearly the size of the fourth finger will vary and thus the width and depth of the groove will need to vary.

The inventors have determined that the fourth finger of users typically have a diameter in the region of 1 8mm plus or minus 2mm, This is taken at the broadest part of the finger i.e. the knuckle. Further, the finger is not circular and has more of an elliptical shape and thus its width (i.e. its thickness in a horizontal plane lying along the surface of the grip) is greater than its depth (i.e. its thickness in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the grip). Thus the inventors have found that the groove depth should have a circumference of between 60 and 75% of the circumference of the first region. Thus this requires an average depth of the groove 6 to be between 4 and 10mm. If the groove is too deep the finger becomes too locked into the groove and if the groove is too shallow it does not perform a very efficient locking function. The circumference of the groove and its depth is chosen to provide the best compromise of efficient grip and good locking of the fourth finger.

The width of the groove needs to be chosen to allow fitment of the fourth finger into the groove while not being too wide so that the fourth finger moves laterally within the groove. As a minimum the groove has to have a width that is less than 25% the length of the first region 5. More particularly, to accommodate the fourth finger diameter of 18mm plus or minus 2mm at its widest point, particularly bearing in mind the more elliptical shape of the finger, the groove should have a width of between 15 and 25mm.

Grip tape plays a part in grip size as an undersized racquet can be built up using tape, each winding adding around 1/16th of an inch to the grip size. The reduced radius of the second region 6 is designed to accommodate this addition so that the depth and width are not compromised with one or more layers of grip tape. In addition the leading edges into the reduced radius and the leading edges at the final depth of the reduced radius are curved to a radius of 4 +72mm, this allows the grip tape to travel through the reduced radius without buckling and deforming, providing a smooth transition throughout the racquets grip length.

The end cap 8 has an average length perpendicular to the racquet grip of 20mm +1- 5mm depending on manufacture. The designs and fixing mechanisms are quite varied.

The start of the second region 6 is directly after the end cap ends, + 2mm, depend on end cap fixing method. The end cap's irregular hexagonal shape tapers outwards to 4+ grip sizes, e.g. 4 1/4 to 4 3/4 or 5. The end cap is designed to prevent the racquet from slipping during moments of extreme head acceleration, e.g. serving, and provides additional security and a tactile indicator that the hand is near the base of the grip. The end cap 8 provides a convenient method of closing off the moulding marks made during manufacture, allowing a clean finish. The end cap's usefulness is greatly reduced if not made obsolete from the introduction of the reduced groove radius second region 6 (apart from as a cosmetic function). However, the end cap can amplify the mechanics of the reduced radius by providing a greater difference in grip radius, as the lower palm of the hand rest on the end cap as per normal, while the reduced groove and remaining grip perform their function.

As can be seen in figures la to lc, the racket handle 3 has a hexagonal shape: more correctly an irregular (squashed) hexagonal shape. This is the most common racket handle cross-sectional shape. Others can include circular or elliptical cross-sectional shapes. As can be seen in figure Ic, in the embodiment of figures la, lb and Ic, the second region 6 is formed to have a cross-sectional shape that is elliptical to closely track the shape of the handle.

Figures 2a, 2b and 2c illustrate alternative cross-sectional shapes for the second region 6 (i.e. the groove). In figure 2a, the base of the groove 6 tracks the shape of the first region 5 and is thus hexagonal. In figure 2b the base cross-sectional shape of the groove 6 is elliptical whereas in figure 2c the base cross sectional shape of the groove 6 is circular.

It can be seen particularly in figure 2c that using a circular cross-sectional shape for the base of the groove 6 provides for greater differences in the depth of the groove 6 at different circumferential positions. The overall reduced grip circumferential length can be provided by any of the shapes illustrated in figures 2a, 2b and 2c. All enable the fourth finger of the user to grip around the base of the groove 6. There will however be differences in the feel of the groove to the user around the different circumferential positions.

Figure 3 illustrates the gripping of the racket grip by a user. What is shown in figure 3 is a strong grip by the fourth finger allowing the thumb and first three fingers to take a more relaxed grip on the first region 5 of the racket. It can be seen in figure 3 that the edge of the palm of the hand will lie on the third region 7 or the end cap 8 extending from the recess 6 to the handle end 4. Thus the shape of the third region 7 or the end cap 8 merely needs to meet the comfort requirements of the user.

The embodiments of the present invention are applicable to any racket such as tenilis, squash and badminton. It also has applicability to other handles requiring grips that provide control and comfort. The design of the invention is applicable to both left and right-handed grips. The grip provided by the fourth finger provides for more power delivery due to increased grip (reduced arch) and more positive contact for the fourth finger. Also the grip is less fatiguing on the hand enabling longer periods of focus play at greater intensity.

Although the present invention has been described here and above with reference to specific embodiments, it would be apparent to a skilled person in the art that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and encompasses all modifications that lie within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMSI. A racket grip for a racket, the racket grip comprising a first region having a substantially constant cross section and adapted to be gripped by a thumb and first three fingers of a hand of a user, and a second region of reduced cross section and adapted to securely receive and be gripped by a fourth finger of the hand.
2. A racket grip according to claim 1, wherein said second region has a length along the grip of less than 25% of the length of said first region.
3. A racket grip according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said second region has a circumference of 60-75% of the circumference of said first region.
4. A racket grip according to any preceding claim, wherein said first region extends between a racket head end of said grip and said second region.
5. A racket grip according to claim 4, including an end stop at an end of said grip remote said racket head end, wherein said second region lies adjacent said end stop.
6. A racket grip according to any preceding claim, wherein the second region has a length along the grip of 15 to 25mm.
7. A racket grip according to any preceding claim, wherein the second region has an average diameter of 8 to 20mm less than said first region.
8. A racket grip according to any preceding claim, wherein said second region follows a substantially circular, elliptical or hexagonal cross sectional shape.
9. A racket grip according to any preceding claim, wherein said second region comprises a groove and said groove has a curved cross section at a base thereof.
10. A racket grip according to claim 9, wherein said groove has an average depth of 4to 10mm.
1. A racket grip according to any preceding claim, wherein a transition between said first region and said second region is smooth.
12. A racket grip comprising a first region having a substantially constant cross section and extending from a racket head end, and a second region having a reduced cross section formed at an end of the first region remote said racket head end and comprising a groove adapted to receive a fourth finger of a hand of a racket user.
13. A racket comprising a racket head, a handle and said grip according to any preceding claim applied to said handle.
14. A method of manufactunng a racket grip comprising forming an elongate region having a substantially constant cross section and a reduced cross section region comprising a groove having a length of less than 25% of the length of the elongate region.
15. A method of gripping a racket comprising gripping a elongate region having a substantially constant cross section between a thumb and first three fingers, and placing a fourth finger in a groove having a reduced cross section relative to said elongate region.