Optimized thermoplastic racquet

Abstract

A sports racquet extends along a longitudinal axis and is configured for use with a quantity of racquet string about a string plane. The racquet includes a frame formed of a thermoplastic material. The frame includes a first frame half coupled to a second frame half. The first and second halves include first and second hoop regions, and first and second handle regions, respectively. The first and second handle regions include first and second distal end sections, first and second proximal sections and first and second central sections, respectively. The first and second proximal end sections include transversely extending end wall segments that form a butt end wall. The transverse cross-sectional area of the coupled first and second proximal ends is greater than the transverse cross-sectional area of the coupled first and second distal end sections.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sports racquet extending along a longitudinal axis and configured for use with a quantity of racquet string about a string plane, the racquet comprising:
 a frame formed of a thermoplastic material, the frame including a first frame half coupled to a second frame half, the first and second halves including first and second hoop regions, and first and second handle regions, respectively, the first and second handle regions including first and second distal end sections, first and second proximal end sections and first and second central sections, respectively, the first and second proximal end sections include transversely extending end wall segments that form a butt end wall, the transverse cross-sectional area with respect to a plane perpendicular to the string plane of the coupled first and second proximal ends being greater than the transverse cross-sectional area with respect to a plane perpendicular to the string plane of the coupled first and second distal end sections.   
     
     
         2 . The sports racquet of  claim 1 , wherein the thermoplastic material includes a thermoplastic resin and a plurality of fiber segments. 
     
     
         3 . The sports racquet of  claim 1 , wherein the transverse cross-sectional area of the coupled first and second proximal ends is greater than the transverse cross-sectional area with respect to a plane perpendicular to the string plane of the coupled first and second central section sections. 
     
     
         4 . The sports racquet of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second proximal ends and the butt end wall are shaped in the form of a butt cap. 
     
     
         5 . The sports racquet of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second halves include first and second throat regions, respectively. 
     
     
         6 . The sports racquet of  claim 1  wherein the first and second frame halves are substantially identical to each other. 
     
     
         7 . The sports racquet of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second frame halves are formed in an injection molding operation. 
     
     
         8 . The sports racquet of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second halves are coupled together by an adhesive, thermal bonding, chemical bonding, thermal welding, sonic welding, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The sports racquet of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second handle regions includes a plurality of structural support members. 
     
     
         10 . The sports racquet of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second handle regions are configured in the shape of a pallet. 
     
     
         11 . The sports racquet of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second distal end sections of the first and second handle regions, respectively are configured in the shape of a top cap. 
     
     
         12 . The sports racquet of  claim 1  wherein the first and second hoop regions include a distal end area, and wherein the wall thickness of the first and second hoop regions at the distal end area is greater than other locations of the first and second hoop regions such that the distal end area forms a raised bumper guard. 
     
     
         13 . The sports racquet of  claim 2  wherein the thermoplastic material forms a first thermoplastic layer of the first and second handle regions, wherein a second thermoplastic layer formed of a second thermoplastic material is molded over the first thermoplastic layer, and wherein the thermoplastic material of the first thermoplastic layer has a durometer value measured on the Shore A or Shore D hardness scale that is greater than the durometer value of the second thermoplastic material measured on the Shore A or Shore D hardness scale. 
     
     
         14 . The sports racquet of  claim 13 , wherein a third thermoplastic material that includes a foaming agent is formed over the first thermoplastic layer to form, and wherein the second thermoplastic layer is molded over the third thermoplastic layer. 
     
     
         15 . The sports racquet of  claim 1 , wherein graphical and/or alpha-numeric indicia is formed into the butt end wall. 
     
     
         16 . The sports racquet of  claim 2 , wherein the thermoplastic resin is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of nylon, polystyrene, polycarbonate, polyphenylene sulfide, polyether ether ketone, polytetrafluoroethylene, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, acetal, phenylene oxide, vinyl, polyvinyl chloride, polyamide, polyurethane, polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, other polyethylenes, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The sports racquet of  claim 2 , wherein the fibers are formed of a material selected from the group consisting of carbon, glass, graphite, boron, basalt, carrot, aramid, Kevlar®, Spectra®, poly-para-phenylene-2,6-benzobisoxazole (PBO), hemp, flax, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The sports racquet of  claim 2 , wherein the thermoplastic material of the frame has a durometer value within the range of 20 on the Shore A hardness scale to 40 on the Shore D hardness scale.