Portable Tennis Racket Stringing Machine

Abstract

The invention is directed toward a string clamp for a tennis racket stringing machine where the string is locked within the clamp between the end of the string clamp which is locked in place and the locking lever. This configuration allows a smaller string clamp to be utilized and also lengthens the life of the string clamp. The string clamp may have shaped feet which fit within channels in a mounting plate in a tennis racket stringing machine. The shaped feet allow the clamp to be removably secured to the mounting plate of the stringing machine when the string clamp is locked.

1 ) A string clamp for a tennis racket stringing machine comprising
 a) a first end;   b) a second end disposed distal from said first end;   c) a first clamp member having a first end disposed at said first end of said string clamp;   d) a second clamp member having a first end disposed at said first end of said string clamp;   e) a locking lever configured to move said first clamp member closer to said second clamp member;   f) a string holding portion disposed between said first clamp member and said second clamp member;   g) wherein said string holding portion is disposed between said first end of said string clamp and said locking lever;   h) wherein said first end of said first clamp member is configured to be secured in a fixed position relative to said first end of said second clamp member while in use.   
     
     
         2 ) The string clamp as in  claim 1  further comprising one or more shaped feet disposed at said first end of said string clamp. 
     
     
         3 ) The string clamp as in  claim 2  wherein said first clamp member has one or more shaped feet disposed at said first end of said first clamp member and wherein said second clamp member has one or more shaped feet disposed at said first end of said second clamp member. 
     
     
         4 ) The string clamp as in  claim 1  wherein said string holding portion has a cross string recess. 
     
     
         5 ) The string clamp as in  claim 1  further comprising a clamp connector disposed at said second end of said string clamp. 
     
     
         6 ) The string clamp as in  claim 5  wherein said clamp connector is removably secured to said second end of said string clamp. 
     
     
         7 ) The string clamp as in  claim 1  further comprising a clamp connector disposed at said first end of said string clamp. 
     
     
         8 ) The string clamp as in  claim 8  wherein said clamp connector is removably secured to said first end of said string clamp. 
     
     
         9 ) The string clamp as in  claim 3  wherein said string holding portion has a cross string recess. 
     
     
         10 ) The string clamp as in  claim 1  further comprising a securing member disposed between said first clamp member and said second clamp member. 
     
     
         11 ) The string clamp as in  claim 10  wherein said string holding portion has a cross string recess. 
     
     
         12 ) A string clamp for a tennis racket stringing machine comprising
 a) a first end;   b) a second end disposed distal from said first end;   c) a first clamp member having one or more shaped feet disposed at a first end;   d) a second clamp member having one or more shaped feet disposed at a first end;   e) a string holding portion, wherein said string holding portion is disposed between said first clamp member and said second clamp member;   f) a locking lever connecting said first clamp member and said second clamp member;   g) wherein said string holding portion is disposed between said first end of said first clamp member and said first end of said second clamp member and said locking lever;   h) wherein said first end of said first clamp member is configured to be secured in a fixed position relative to said first end of said second clamp member while in use.   
     
     
         13 ) The string clamp as in  claim 12  wherein said string holding portion has a cross string recess. 
     
     
         14 ) The string clamp as in  claim 12  further comprising a clamp connector disposed at said second end of said string clamp. 
     
     
         15 ) The string clamp as in  claim 14  wherein said clamp connector is removably secured to said second end of said string clamp. 
     
     
         16 ) The string clamp as in  claim 12  further comprising a securing member disposed between said first clamp member and said second clamp member. 
     
     
         17 ) The string clamp as in  claim 16  wherein said string holding portion has a cross string recess. 
     
     
         18 ) A method for locking tennis racket strings in place comprising
 a) placing a string clamp over a string bed, wherein said string clamp comprises
 i) a first end; 
 ii) a second end disposed distal from said first end; 
 iii) a first clamp member having a first end disposed at said first end of said string clamp; 
 iv) a second clamp member having a first end disposed at said first end of said string clamp; 
 v) a locking lever configured to move said first clamp member closer to said second clamp member; 
 vi) a string holding portion disposed between said first clamp member and said second clamp member; 
 vii) wherein said string holding portion is disposed between said first end of said string clamp and said locking lever; 
 viii) wherein said first end of said first clamp member is configured to be secured in a fixed position relative to said first end of said second clamp member while in use; 
   b) placing a string between said first clamp member and said second clamp member;   c) positioning said string in said string holding portion;   d) fixing said first end of said first clamp member in a fixed position relative to said first end of said second clamp member;   e) engaging said locking lever to lock said string in a fixed position between said first clamp member and said second clamp member.   
     
     
         19 ) The method as in  claim 18  further comprising placing a securing member between said first clamp member and said second clamp member. 
     
     
         20 ) The method as in  claim 18  wherein said string clamp has one or more shaped feet disposed at said first end of said clamp and wherein said method further comprises
 a) respectively placing said one or more shaped feet within one or more channels disposed in a mounting plate disposed on a tennis racket stringing machine; 
 b) respectively securing said one or more shaped feet within said one or more channels such that said string clamp is immovably secured to said mounting plate when said locking lever is disposed in a locked position.