Device and method for improved tennis racket damping and weight adjustment

Abstract

The present application relates to devices and methods for adjusting the weight of a racket using variably weighted racket damping devices.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A vibration damping device for use in a racket, comprising:
 a shell comprising a damping material; and   a core fixedly positioned in the shell.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the shell comprises a rubberized material. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the rubberized material comprises a rubber, a foam, an elastomeric polymer, a rubberized polymer, a thermoplastic polymer, a ceramic material, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the core is encased in the shell. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the shell contains a gap therein. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the core has a shape corresponding to the shape of the gap and is positioned in the gap of the shell. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the core comprises a metal, an alloy, a foam, an elastomeric polymer, a thermoplastic polymer, a ceramic material, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device has a total weight of between 3 g and 10 g. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the shell comprises an indentation circumventing the outside of the shell. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the device is sized to fit between at least two strings on a racket such that the strings are positioned in the indentation. 
     
     
         11 . A racket comprising the device of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         12 . A vibration damping device for use in a racket, comprising:
 a shell comprising a damping material; and   an insert releasably connected to the shell.   
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the shell comprises a bore therethrough. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the insert fits into the bore of the shell that is configured to secure the insert to the shell. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the insert has a cylindrical shape and is positioned in the bore of the shell. 
     
     
         16 . A kit comprising a plurality of vibration damping devices, each vibration damping device comprising:
 a shell comprising a damping material; and   a core fixedly positioned in the shell;   wherein at least two of the vibration damping devices are of a different weight.   
     
     
         17 . The kit of  claim 16 , wherein each of the plurality of vibration damping devices is of the same approximate size and shape. 
     
     
         18 . The kit of  claim 16 , wherein the core of at least one vibration damping device comprises a metal. 
     
     
         19 . The kit of  claim 16 , wherein the core of each vibration damping device comprises a different composition. 
     
     
         20 . The kit of  claim 16 , wherein at least one vibration damping device has a total weight of approximately 5 g or greater.