Racquet having an improved handle assembly

Abstract

A racquet including a tubular frame formed of a fiber composite material, a pallet and a butt cap. The frame includes first and second end regions and a mid-region. The handle portion includes a distal region, proximal region and a central region positioned between the distal and proximal regions of the handle portion. The central and proximal regions of the handle portion have outer surfaces that define first and second transverse cross-sectional areas, respectively. The second transverse cross-sectional area is larger than the first transverse cross-sectional area. The pallet is coupled to and longitudinally extends over the central region but not over the proximal region of the handle portion. The butt cap is secured to the proximal region and includes a peripheral wall and less than half of the length of the peripheral wall extends over the pallet.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sports racquet comprising:
 a tubular frame formed of a fiber composite material including first and second end regions and a mid-region, the first and second end regions extending alongside each other at a handle portion, and the mid-region forming part of a head portion, the handle portion including a distal region, proximal region and a central region positioned between the distal and proximal regions of the handle portion, the central and proximal regions of the handle portion having outer surfaces that define first and second transverse cross-sectional areas, respectively, the second transverse cross-sectional area being larger than the first transverse cross-sectional area;   a pallet coupled to and longitudinally extending over the central region of the handle portion but not over the proximal region of the handle portion; and   a butt cap fixedly secured to the proximal region of the handle portion, the butt cap including a proximal end wall and a peripheral wall, the peripheral wall having a length extending from the proximal end wall and about the proximal region of the handle portion with less than half of the length of the peripheral wall extending over the pallet.   
     
     
         2 . The sports racquet of  claim 1 , wherein the second transverse cross-sectional area has a polygonal shape. 
     
     
         3 . The sports racquet of  claim 1 , further comprising a grip is disposed over the pallet. 
     
     
         4 . The sports racquet of  claim 1 , wherein the mid-region of the frame also forms a pair of throat tubes between the head portion and the handle portion. 
     
     
         5 . The sports racquet of  claim 1 , wherein the butt cap is directly connected to the proximal region of the handle portion through an adhesive. 
     
     
         6 . The sports racquet of  claim 1 , wherein the butt cap is directly connected to the proximal region of the handle portion by one or more fasteners. 
     
     
         7 . The sports racquet of  claim 1 , wherein butt cap is connected to the proximal region of the handle portion by a fastening mechanism selected from the group consisting of an adhesive, staples, nails, rivets, pins, screws, an interference fit and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The sports racquet of  claim 2 , wherein the proximal region includes a side wall forming the second transverse cross-sectional area 
     
     
         9 . The sports racquet of  claim 8 , wherein the handle portion includes a proximal end, and wherein the side wall has a first length that defines a consistent polygonal shaped transverse cross-sectional area from the proximal end of the handle portion extending in a direction toward the head portion. 
     
     
         10 . The sports racquet of  claim 9 , wherein the first length of the side wall measured from the proximal end toward the head portion is at least 10 mm. 
     
     
         11 . The sports racquet of  claim 9 , wherein the first length of the side wall measured from the proximal end toward the head portion is within the range of 10 to 50 mm. 
     
     
         12 . The sports racquet of  claim 9 , wherein the side wall also defines a second length having a transverse cross-sectional area that varies from the first length to the central region of the handle portion. 
     
     
         13 . The sports racquet of  claim 12 , wherein the second length of the side wall is at least 10 mm. 
     
     
         14 . The sports racquet of  claim 12 , wherein the second length defines a depth of at least 5 mm. 
     
     
         15 . The sports racquet of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal end wall of the butt cap does not extend over the pallet. 
     
     
         16 . A handle assembly for a sports racquet comprising:
 a handle base portion formed of a fiber composite material, the handle base portion including a distal region, proximal region and a central region positioned between the distal and proximal regions of the handle base portion, the central and proximal regions of the handle base portion having outer surfaces that define first and second transverse cross-sectional areas, respectively, the second transverse cross-sectional area being larger than the first transverse cross-sectional area, the proximal region including a proximal end and a side wall forming the polygonal-shaped transverse cross-sectional area, the side wall having first and second side portions, the first side portion extending from the proximal end and having a length of at least 10 mm, the first side portion defining a consistent polygonal-shaped transverse cross-sectional area along its length, the second side wall portion defining a transverse cross-sectional area that varies from the first side wall portion to the central region of the handle base portion, the second side wall portion having a length of at least 10 mm;   a pallet coupled to and longitudinally extending over the central region of the handle base portion but not over the proximal region of the handle portion; and   a butt cap secured to the proximal region of the handle base portion, the butt cap including a proximal end wall and a peripheral wall extending from the proximal end wall and about the proximal region of the handle base portion, the peripheral wall having a length extending from the proximal end wall and about the proximal region of the handle portion with less than half of the length of the peripheral wall extending over the pallet.   
     
     
         17 . The handle assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the first side wall portion has a length measured longitudinally from the proximal end that is within the range of 10 to 50 mm. 
     
     
         18 . The handle assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the first side wall portion has a length measured longitudinally from the proximal end that is within the range of 10 to 30 mm. 
     
     
         19 . The handle assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the second side wall portion defines a depth measured with respect to the outer surface of the first side wall portion of at least 5 mm. 
     
     
         20 . The handle assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the proximal end wall of the butt cap does not extend over the pallet.