Racket with vibration dampener

Abstract

A racket includes a frame and strings carried within the frame. A vibration dampening member is carried by the frame and can be positioned in a groove in the outer periphery of the frame. A vibration dampening member can also be positioned in a neck attached to the frame and carried by a handle.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A racket for playing tennis or the like comprising a frame, strings carried within said frame, and a vibration dampening member in contact with said frame. 
     
     
         2 . The racket of  claim 1  wherein said frame has a peripheral outer groove and said dampening member is received in said groove. 
     
     
         3 . The racket of  claim 2  wherein said dampening member extends outwardly from said groove. 
     
     
         4 . The racket of  claim 1  further comprising weights positioned in said dampening member. 
     
     
         5 . The racket of  claim 1  wherein said dampening member is made of a visco-elastic polymer. 
     
     
         6 . The racket of  claim 1  wherein said dampening member is positioned inside of said frame and in contact with said strings. 
     
     
         7 . The racket of  claim 1  wherein said dampening member is the form of a loop having a ring attached to said loop. 
     
     
         8 . The racket of  claim 1  further comprising a handle carrying said frame, and a neck between said handle and said frame, said dampening member being positioned in said neck. 
     
     
         9 . A racket for playing tennis or the like comprising a frame, strings carried within said frame, said frame having a peripheral groove, and a vibration dampening member positioned in said groove. 
     
     
         10 . The racket of  claim 9  wherein said dampening member extends outwardly from said groove. 
     
     
         11 . The racket of  claim 9  further comprising weights positioned in said dampening member. 
     
     
         12 . The racket of  claim 9  wherein said dampening member is made of a visco-elastic polymer. 
     
     
         13 . A racket for playing tennis or the like comprising a frame, strings attached to the inner periphery of said frame, and a vibration dampening member carried by substantially the entire outer periphery of said frame. 
     
     
         14 . The racket of  claim 13  further comprising weights positioned in said dampening member. 
     
     
         15 . The racket of  claim 13  wherein said dampening member is made of a visco-elastic polymer. 
     
     
         16 . The racket of  claim 13  further comprising a handle carrying said frame, and a neck between said handle and said frame, said dampening member being positioned in said neck. 
     
     
         17 . A racket for playing tennis or the like comprising a frame, strings carried within said frame, a handle, a neck between said handle and said frame, and a vibration dampening member positioned in said neck.