Spin and durability improving machine for playing rackets and methods thereof

Abstract

The current invention aims at improving the playability, durability, and spin generation of different playing rackets, as tennis, squash, and badminton rackets. The method to do so is by applying mechanical forces which generate relative motion of the latitudinal strings over the longitudinal strings. This is done in order to create friction that generate depressions in the contact points of the latitudinal strings with the longitudinal strings. These depressions, made by the described method and machine, induce more friction, and generate spin, while increasing the playability and durability during the play.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tennis racket spin and durability improving machine comprising:
 a. at least one string holder useful for moving a latitudinal string of a strung racket sideways in the longitudinal strings direction, comprising: (i) at least one protrusion (tooth) which can be placed besides a string (ii) a holder frame, said holder frame is interconnected to all said protrusions of the string holder. Said holder frame is interconnected with either the racket holder (b) or the force generating mechanism (c) or both of them (b and c);   b. a racket holder useful for setting the racket in place, comprising: at least one racket frame holder of a general form useful for holding the racket directly. Said racket holder is interconnected to said string holder(s) (a) directly or via a force generating mechanism (c); and   c. at least one force generating mechanism, of a general form, useful for repetitively moving said string holder(s) back and forth in approximately the longitudinal strings axis direction. Said force generating mechanism is interconnected to said string holder(s) (a).   
     
     
         2 . The machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the racket holder, string holder and force generation mechanism fit at least one sports racket type from the group of tennis, squash and badminton. 
     
     
         3 . The machine according to  claims 1  to  2 , wherein said string holder is used for applying additional force in the direction perpendicular to the racket's plain, in a magnitude of up to 5000 N, in order to increase the friction between the latitudinal and longitudinal strings and accelerate the abrasive process. 
     
     
         4 . The machine according to  claims 1  to  3 , wherein each latitudinal string held by the string holder(s) is applied with maximal force in the longitudinal direction of up to 10,000 N. 
     
     
         5 . The machine according to  claims 1  to  4 , wherein said machine is combined with a racket stringing machine. Said racket holder is used for both sport racket improving machine and stringing machine functionalities. Such a combined machine comprising at least, additional string tension generating mechanism capable of pulling the strings while stringing the racket and a hinge on which the racket holder can rotate horizontally. The hinge is useful for rotating the racket in order to redirect the racket so that the threaded string will face about the direction of said string tension generating mechanism. 
     
     
         6 . The machine according to  claims 1  to  5 , wherein the movement of the latitudinal strings over the longitudinal ones is relative, including the movement of the racket by the machine when at list one of the latitudinal strings is held in place. 
     
     
         7 . The machine according to  claims 1  to  6 , wherein the force generating mechanism is of a general vibrating nature. 
     
     
         8 . The machine according to  claims 1  to  7 , wherein said sports racket improving machine is connected to a monitor, which measures the friction of the movement of the latitudinal strings over the longitudinal strings using force resistance measurements or vibration relaxation times as a means of indicating the depth of the depressions formed by the machine. 
     
     
         9 . A method of generating depressions on strung sports racket latitudinal strings wherein said method comprising the steps of:
 a. providing a sports racket; holding a strung racket in place, approximately in the same position;   b. applying mechanical forces on at least one latitudinal string in order to rub it back and forth over the longitudinal strings in the contact points; and   c. continuing the process until depressions up to 2 mm in depth are formed at any desired part of the latitudinal strings.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the movement of the latitudinal strings over the longitudinal ones is relative, including the movement of the racket when at list one of the latitudinal strings is held in place. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claims 9  to  10 , wherein the sports racket is a tennis racket or a squash racket or a badminton racket. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claims 9  to  11 , useful for creating depressions on both the latitudinal strings and the longitudinal strings. Wherein, providing said machine of  claim 5 , both the latitudinal and longitudinal strings are treated according to the latitudinal strings' treatment of method  9 . This addition requires the rotation of the racket or the string holder(s) by about 90 degrees in the racket's plain. 
     
     
         13 . A sports racket comprising a strung racket, wherein the latitudinal strings include depressions formed by said method of  claim 9   
     
     
         14 . The sports racket of  claim 13  wherein said improved sports racket is a tennis or squash or badminton racket.