System and method for a game racquet including a grommet actuator

• US 9,821,197 B2
• Filed: 03/22/2016
• Issued: 11/21/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Brett Bothwell
• Original Assignee: Brett Bothwell
• Inventors: Bothwell, Brett
• Primary Examiner(s): Chiu, Raleigh W
• Application Number:
  US15/077,077
• Publication Number:
  US 20160199702A1
• Time in Patent Office: 609 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0655 Tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/00 Characteristics of used materials
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/02 with reinforcing fibres, e.g. carbon, polyamide fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/023 Long, oriented fibres, e.g. wound filaments, woven fabrics, mats
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/08 magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/56 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/74 with powered illuminating means, e.g. lights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/00 Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of preceding groups; Controlling or monitoring of exercises, sportive games, training or athletic performances
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0003 Analysing the course of a movement or motion sequences during an exercise or trainings sequence, e.g. swing for golf or tennis
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 49/02 Frames
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 49/022 String guides on frames, e.g. grommets
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 49/028 Means for achieving greater mobility of the string bed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 49/11 with inflatable tubes, e.g. inflatable during fabrication
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 49/14 Protection devices on the frame
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 51/00 Stringing tennis, badminton or like rackets; Strings therefor; Maintenance of racket strings
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 51/12 Devices arranged in or on the racket for adjusting the tension of the strings
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/42 Devices for measuring, verifying, correcting or customising the inherent characteristics of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like, e.g. measuring the maximum torque a batting shaft can withstand
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user

Abstract

The present invention provides a game racquet including an integrated circuit capable of supporting a low-voltage energy current. An embodiment of the invention provides a game racquet including one or more enhancements attached or integrated on the racquet frame. These enhancements may include but are not limited to: one or more LEDs, a sound amplification device, and an electromagnetic vibration emitter. In a further embodiment, the game racquet responds electronically to ball impact on at least one of the strings, and subsequently performs and action or actions including but not limited to making a sound or sounds, triggering lights, triggering LEDs, triggering another type of automation on the racquet such as a vibration emitter within the handle. The game racquet frame comprising at least one string channel in the frame head, bridge, or other area, which houses an actuator responds mechanically to a string movement triggering electronic connection.

Claims

1. A game racquet, comprising:

a circuit comprising an actuator that is configured to open or close the circuit in response to a string movement,

the actuator further comprising an outer grommet with an inward conducting surface and an inner grommet with an outward conducting surface configured to form an electrical connection when the actuator is oscillated in response to the string movement;

a power source coupled to the circuit; and

a game racquet frame coupled to the circuit and the power source,

the game racquet frame comprising a handle, a throat, a bridge member, and a head frame;

the head frame comprising a plurality of string channel openings configured to pass a string there through; and

wherein at least an opening among the plurality of string channel openings is further configured to house the actuator on a portion of an outside facing surface and through the string channel opening.

2. The game racquet of claim 1 wherein the actuator is tubular.

3. The game racquet of claim 1 wherein the actuator is comprised of a metal alloy.

4. The game racquet of claim 1 wherein the actuator is comprised of a resilient material.

5. The game racquet of claim 1 wherein the actuator is comprised of injection molded plastic.

6. The game racquet of claim 1 wherein the actuator is comprised of reinforced composite plastic.

7. The game racquet of claim 1 wherein the circuit extends through the bridge member.

8. The game racquet of claim 1 wherein the power source comprises at least one of a battery and a solar cell.

9. The game racquet of claim 1 wherein the frame further comprises a recessed channel on an outside facing surface housing at least a portion of one of the circuits and a portion of the plurality of actuators.

10. The game racquet of claim 1 wherein the circuit further comprises a plurality of lights configured to illuminate when the circuit is closed.

11. The game racquet of claim 1 wherein the circuit further comprises a vibration emitting device configured to vibrate when the circuit is closed.

12. The game racquet of claim 1 wherein the circuit further comprises a data collection device.

13. The game racquet of claim 1 wherein the circuit further comprises a sound amplification device.

14. A game racquet, comprising:

a circuit comprising an actuator that is configured to open or close the circuit in response to a string movement,

the actuator further comprising an outer grommet with an inward conducting surface and an inner grommet with an outward conducting surface configured to form an electrical connection when the actuator is oscillated in response to the string movement; and

a game racquet frame coupled to the circuit,

the game racquet frame comprising a handle, a throat, a bridge member, and a head frame;

the head frame comprising a plurality of string channel openings configured to pass a string there through; and

wherein at least an opening among the plurality of string channel openings is further configured to house the actuator on a portion of an outside facing surface and through the string channel opening.

15. The game racquet of claim 14 wherein the circuit further comprises a power source;

and the power source comprises at least one of a battery and a solar cell.

16. The game racquet of claim 14 wherein the circuit further comprises a plurality of lights configured to illuminate when the circuit is closed.

17. The game racquet of claim 14 wherein the circuit further comprises a data collection device.

18. The game racquet of claim 14 wherein the circuit further comprises a sound amplification device.