Vibration Attenuating Ball Racquet

Abstract

Disclosed is a ball racquet having a vibration attenuating compound inserted within the frame of the racquet. The attenuating compound comprises a gel formed from an expoxidized vegetable oil. The gel compound can be placed in varying parts of the racquet. Furthermore more than one insert can be placed within the hollow confines of the racquet structure.

1 . A vibration attenuating ball racquet comprising;
 a hollow shaft having a polymeric gel insert therein.   
   
   
       2 . The vibration attenuating ball racquet of  claim 1 , further including stops holding the gel in place within the racquet. 
   
   
       3 . The vibration attenuating ball racquet of  claim 1 , wherein the polymeric gel comprises at least greater than 50% by weight of an epoxidized vegetable oil, a thermoplastic polymer; and a prepolymer. 
   
   
       4 . The vibration attenuating ball racquet of  claim 3 , further including an activator. 
   
   
       5 . The vibration attenuating ball racquet of  claim 3 , wherein the activator is an alkyl tin compound. 
   
   
       6 . The vibration attenuating ball racquet of  claim 3 , wherein the epoxidized vegetable oil is selected from the group consisting of soybean oil, linseed oil, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       7 . The vibration attenuating ball racquet of  claim 3 , wherein the prepolymer comprises an isocyanate selected from the group of aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, araliphatic, aromatic, heterocyclic polyisocyaniates and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       8 . The vibration attenuating ball racquet of  claim 1 , wherein the polymeric gel comprises on a percent weight basis of the gel at least greater than about 50% of a vegetable based plasticizer, between about 20% and about 40% of a thermoplastic polymer, and between about 5% and about 20% of a prepolymer.