Device for Aligning Strings of a Racquet

Abstract

A handheld device for realigning the strings of a sports racquet, wherein the device is sized to fit into a clothing pocket of the user. The device comprises a body portion from which one or more alternately shaped protrusions extend. The protrusions generally include four-sided shapes that are sized and located along the body portion to be individually progressively received in the openings between the strings of the racquet, but not pass completely through the openings. Possible shapes include generally square, rectangular, trapezoidal, triangular, round, or oval shapes when viewed from the edge. The device is formed of a durable polymeric material that may readily be molded by conventional molding techniques.

1 . A handheld device for utilization by user in straightening the strings of a sports racquet having a grid of such strings that form a plurality of openings therebetween, the device comprising 
 a body portion,    at least two protrusions extending from said body portion, said protrusions having a relatively small distal end from which walls extend downward and outward to a relatively larger base adjacent the body portion, the at least two protrusions each having a central axis, said central axes of the protrusions being disposed at an angle to one another such that only one said protrusion may be utilized at any given time to enter said opening in said racquet to straighten the adjacent strings.    
   
   
       2 . The handheld device of  claim 1  wherein the protrusions comprise a generally polygonal frustum shape.  
   
   
       3 . The handheld device of  claim 2  wherein one of the distal ends comprises a generally square shape.  
   
   
       4 . The handheld device of  claim 3  wherein one of the distal ends comprises a generally rectangular shape.  
   
   
       5 . The handheld device of  claim 1  wherein one of the distal ends comprises a general trapezoidal shape.  
   
   
       6 . The handheld device of  claim 1  wherein one of the distal ends comprises a generally round shape.  
   
   
       7 . The handheld device of  claim 1  wherein one of the distal ends comprises a generally oval shape.  
   
   
       8 . The handheld device of  claim 1  wherein the body portion comprises a force-receiving surface disposed at an angle to at least one of said axes.  
   
   
       9 . (canceled)  
   
   
       10 . The handheld device of  claim 1  wherein the body portion is elongated.  
   
   
       11 . (canceled)  
   
   
       12 . The handheld device of  claim 1  wherein the device is formed of a polymeric substance.  
   
   
       13 . The handheld device of  claim 1  wherein the at least two protrusions are of at least one of a different size or a different shape.  
   
   
       14 . The handheld device of  claim 1  wherein the device is small enough to fit into a clothing pocket of the user.  
   
   
       15 . The handheld device of  claim 1  wherein the axes are disposed at 180° to one another.  
   
   
       16 - 20 . (canceled)  
   
   
       21 . A method of utilizing a handheld device to straighten the strings of a sports racquet having a grid of such strings that form a plurality of openings therebetween, wherein the device comprises a body portion and at least one protrusion extending from said body portion, said protrusion having a relatively small distal end from which walls extend downward and outward to a relatively larger base adjacent the body portion, the method comprising the steps of 
 at least partially inserting a single such protrusion into one said opening until the walls contact the strings forming said opening,    applying a force to the strings from at least one of the following motions to straighten said strings    rocking the device in a plane generally vertical to a plane containing the grid, and rotating the device in a plane generally parallel or coincident with the plane containing the grid.