Metal-plastic composite racquet

Abstract

A game racquet comprising a composite metal and plastic frame having a stringing section and a handle, the composite frame formed from an extruded metal channel member surrounding and substantially enclosing an extruded plastic core member, the extruded metal and plastic core member being bonded together to form a unitary metal-plastic composite frame, .Iadd.wherein the horizontal neutral axis of the core member is closely aligned with the horizontal neutral axis of the metal channel member .Iaddend.and a bumper strip covering the outer surface of the composite frame, the bumper strip having a central groove to receive and protect the stringing.

I claim: 
     
       1. In a game racquet; a composite metal and plastic frame defining a stringing section and a handle;   the composite frame comprising a unitary substantially rectangular extruded metal channel member having in cross-section, an "M" configuration, the outer side walls of which are substantially parallel, said metal channel member having a closed top outer section and a partially closed bottom inner section, the lower edges of the side walls of the metal channel member having an integral continuous reinforcing and thickening rib along the inner surfaces thereof partially closing said bottom section of the metal channel member and imparting rigidity to the composite frame;   an extruded plastic core member mounted within and bonded to the lower inside surface and the inner surface of the side wall reinforcing ribs of the metal channel member to form a unitary frame, the outer surface of the plastic core being substantially encased by the metal channel member and so dimensioned as to leave a space between the side walls of the metal channel member and the plastic core for the reception of a weighting material;   a reinforcing throat piece attached to and imparting rigidity to the frame; and a plastic bumper strip covering the outer surface of the metallic frame member, stringing holes passing through the bumper strip and the composite frame, the plastic bumper strip having a central groove to receive and protect the stringing from abrasion.   
     
     
       2. A game racquet as defined in claim 1, in which the upper surface of the extruded metal channel member is provided with a central groove, the plastic bumper strip being partially recessed in said groove. 
     
     
       3. A game racquet as defined in claim 1, in which the extruded plastic core member is in the form of an "Inverted T". 
     
     
       4. A game racquet as defined in claim 1, in which the extruded plastic core member is in the form of an "H". 
     
     
       5. A game racquet as defined in claim 1, in which the extruded plastic core member is bonded to the extruded metal channel member by means of an adhesive. 
     
     
       6. A game racquet as defined in claim 1, in which the extruded plastic core member is affixed to the extruded metal channel member with an epoxy adhesive. 
     
     
       7. A game racquet as defined in claim 1, in which a weighting material of lead is inserted in the channel between the extruded metal channel member and the extruded plastic core. .Iadd. 8. In a game racquet, a composite metal and plastic frame formed intermediate its ends into a head defining a stringing section and having its opposite ends adjacently side by side for defining a handle section, said frame comprising a preformed metal strip, a solid preformed synthetic plastic core member, and an outer preformed strip of synthetic plastic, said core member and said metal strip being substantially coextensive in length, said metal strip being of generally U-shape in cross section to define an inwardly open channel having an outer wall and inwardly extending side walls, the lower edges of said side walls each having an integral continuous reinforcing and thickening rib along the inner surfaces thereof partially closing the channel and imparting rigidity to the composite frame, said core member being disposed wholly within said channel and extending between and being surface bonded directly to the inner sides of said ribs and said outer strip being surface bonded directly upon the outer side of said outer wall, said outer plastic strip extending laterally to protectively cover the outer surface of said channel outer wall and extending longitudinally around the end of said stringing section opposite the handle section, whereby said bonded strips mutually contribute to provide a laminated structure of increased rigidity and energy absorbing characteristics, and means providing in the stringing section a series of aligned stringing holes extending through said core member and said strips. .Iaddend..Iadd. 9. In the game racquet defined in claim 8, a throat element of moderately rigid synthetic plastic mounted on the frame to define the inner end of said stringing section. .Iaddend..Iadd. 10. In the game racquet defined in claim 8, there being a continuous narrow external groove in said outer wall of the channel and said outer plastic strip being so constructed and arranged as to fill said groove and extend over the adjacent outer surfaces of said outer wall. .Iaddend..Iadd. 11. In the game racquet defined in claim 10, said outer plastic strip being formed with an external groove adapted to receive and protect stringing in said stringing section. .Iaddend..Iadd. 12. In the game racquet defined in claim 8, said core member being an extruded plastic strip of uniform cross section, and said outer strip being an extruded plastic strip. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 13. In a game racquet, a composite metal and plastic frame defining a stringing section and a handle, the composite frame comprising a unitary substantially rectangular extruded metal channel member, said metal channel member opening inwardly and having a bottom wall and inwardly extending side walls, integral continuous thickening and reinforcing ribs extending along the inner ends of said side walls partially closing said channel and imparting rigidity to the composite frame, a solid plastic core member of substantially the same length as said channel substantially wholly mounted within and surface bonded to the inner surfaces of the side wall reinforcing ribs of the metal channel member, and a continuous plastic bumper strip bonded upon the outer surface of the channel bottom over at least the end of said stringing section opposite said handle, whereby said bonded channel member, core member and bumper strip mutually contribute to provide a laminated structure of increased rigidity and energy absorbing characteristics there being aligned stringing holes passing through the strips and the channel bottom, and the plastic bumper strip having its stringing holes opening into a central outwardly open groove to receive and protect the stringing from abrasion. .Iaddend. .Iadd.14. A game racquet defined in claim 13, in which the extruded core member is in the form of an "Inverted T". .Iadd. 15. In a game racquet, a composite metal and plastic frame formed intermediate its ends into a head defining a stringing section and having its opposite ends adjacently side by side for defining a handle section, said frame comprising an extruded metal strip and a preformed substantially coextensive synthetic plastic core member, said metal strip being of a cross section to define a channel having a bottom wall and side walls, the lower edges of said side walls each having an integral continuous reinforcing and thickening rib along the inner surfaces thereof partially closing the channel and imparting rigidity to the composite frame, said core member being disposed substantially within said channel and extending between and being adhesively bonded directly to inner surfaces of said ribs, said core member being bonded to said metal strip prior to forming the composite metal-plastic to define said stringing section, and the horizontal neutral axis of said plastic core member being closely aligned with the horizontal neutral axis of said metal strip to minimize shear loading in the adhesive bond between the plastic core member and the metal strip, whereby said metal channel and plastic core member mutually contribute to provide a laminated frame structure of increased rigidity and energy absorbing characteristics, and means providing in the stringing section a series of aligned stringing holes extending through said core member and said metal strip. .Iaddend..Iadd. 16. In a game racquet, a composite metal and plastic frame formed intermediate its ends into a head defining a stringing section and having its opposite ends adjacently side by side for defining a handle section, said frame comprising an extruded metal strip and a preformed substantially coextensive synthetic plastic core member, said metal strip being of a cross section to define a channel having a bottom wall and side walls, said core member being disposed substantially within said channel and extending between and being adhesively bonded directly to the inner sides of said side walls and to the inner side of said bottom wall and said core member being of such shape as to define a closed channel between the plastic core member and said metal strip, a bumper strip of synthetic plastic material protectively overlying the outer surface of said channel bottom wall and extending around the end of the stringing section opposite the handle section, and means providing in the stringing section a series of aligned stringing holes extending through said core member, said bumper strip and said metal strip. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 17. In a game racquet, a composite metal and plastic frame formed intermediate its ends into a head defining a stringing section and having its opposite ends adjacently side by side for defining a handle section, said frame comprising an extruded metal strip and a preformed substantially coextensive synthetic plastic core member, said metal strip being of a cross section to define a channel having a bottom wall and side walls, the lower edges of said side walls each having an integral continuous reinforcing and thickening rib along the inner surfaces thereof partially closing the channel and imparting rigidity to the composite frame, said core member being disposed substantially within said channel and extending between and being adhesively bonded directly to the inner sides of said ribs whereby to close the channel and provide a laminated structure of increased rigidity and energy absorbing characteristics, a bumper strip of synthetic plastic material protectively overlying the outer surface of said channel bottom wall and extending around the end of the stringing section opposite the handle section, and means providing in the stringing section a series of aligned stringing holes extending through said core member said bumper strip and said metal strip. .Iaddend..Iadd. 18. In the game racquet defined in claim 17, said core member being solid and of inverted T-shape with the stem of the T extending toward said bottom wall. .Iaddend..Iadd. 19. In a game racquet, a composite metal and plastic frame formed intermediate its ends into a head defining a stringing section and having its opposite ends adjacently side by side for defining a handle section, said frame comprising a preformed metal strip and a solid preformed substantially coextensive synthetic plastic core member, said metal strip being of a cross section to define a channel having a bottom wall and side walls, the lower edges of said side walls each having an integral continuous reinforcing and thickening rib along the inner surfaces thereof partially closing the channel and imparting rigidity to the composite frame, said core member being disposed substantially within said channel and extending between and being surface bonded directly to the inner sides of said ribs to define a closed channel, a bumper strip of solid synthetic plastic material protectively overlying and bonded upon the outer surface of said channel bottom wall and extending around the end of the stringing section opposite the handle section, whereby said bonded core member and strips mutually contribute to provide a laminated structure of increased rigidity and energy absorption characteristics and means providing in the stringing section a series of aligned stringing holes extending through said core member, said bumper strip and said metal strip. .Iaddend.