US PATENT SUBCLASS 473 / 524
.~ Racket or paddle; accessory therefor (e.g., a tennis racket, tennis racket press, etc.)

Current as of: June, 1999
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473 /   HD   GAMES USING TANGIBLE PROJECTILE

516  DF  PLAYER HELD AND POWERED, NONMECHANICAL PROJECTOR, PER SE, FOR PROJECTING AERIAL PROJECTILE BY STRIKING; PART THEREOF OR ACCESSORY THEREFOR {8}
524.~ Racket or paddle; accessory therefor (e.g., a tennis racket, tennis racket press, etc.) {19}
525  DF  .~.~> Having striking faces attached to the ends of intermediate handle
526  DF  .~.~> Having handle at an angle to, offset from, or nonradially oriented relative to plane of striking member
527  DF  .~.~> Paddle {3}
531  DF  .~.~> Folding or detachable shaft
532  DF  .~.~> Having replaceable string frame
533  DF  .~.~> Double strung (i.e., having striking faces formed from two spaced-apart, planar sets of strings)
534  DF  .~.~> With adjustable string-tensioning means
535  DF  .~.~> Fiber reinforced plastic frame {1}
537  DF  .~.~> Having dimensional characteristic or other parameter specified by a number, numeric variable, or mathematical formula (e.g., location of center of gravity, elastic modulus of a string, weight of racket, etc.) {1}
539  DF  .~.~> Elongated string-hole liner (e.g., grommet, bushing, etc.)
540  DF  .~.~> Having string mounting feature other than mere through-holes lying in string plane {2}
543  DF  .~.~> Prefabricated string assembly, means to prevent relative movement or wear at crossover points of strings, or having one or more strings with specified characteristic or arrangement
544  DF  .~.~> Nonmetallic frame having metallic reinforcement or frame composed of metal-plastic composite
545  DF  .~.~> Metallic frame
546  DF  .~.~> Throat wedge, bridge, or reinforcement
547  DF  .~.~> Having laminated frame
548  DF  .~.~> String guard, frame bumper or guard, or specified shaft to head connection
549  DF  .~.~> Handle or grip structure {3}
553  DF  .~.~> Accessory for use with racket or paddle (e.g., used with or for tennis racket, etc.) {3}

DEFINITION

Classification: 473/524

Racket or paddle; accessory therefor (e.g., a tennis racket, tennis racket press, etc.):

(under subclass 516) Subject matter either (a) wherein the projecting implement comprises a thin, broad, generally flat, projectile-striking member having a maximum length and width which are more or less equal (e.g., oval-shaped, etc.) and having a length and width which are each many times greater than the thickness of the member, and wherein the striking member further (1) comprises a substantially rigid, generally flat, platelike element or is formed from a flexible sheet secured across a surrounding peripheral supporting frame (i.e., a paddle), or (2) is composed of a plurality of spaced apart, elongated strings, stringlike elements, or their equivalent stretched in an intersecting, parallel, radial, or concentric arrangement across a surrounding peripheral supporting frame to form a resilient web within the frame periphery (i.e., a racket), or (b) comprises an ancillary means adapted and intended to be used with or for such projecting implement not elsewhere provided for. [figure]

(1) Note. Paddles and rackets typically have a shaft or other member extending from the edge of the striking member to provide a means to enable a user to grip the implement and to extend the reach of the user. Where such a shaft or other member is present and the length thereof exceeds about five times the maximum length or width dimension of the striking member, the implement is to be considered to be a mallet or club (classifiable below) provided that it also fits the definition of a mallet or club as defined in the respective subclasses 558 or 559 below.

(2) Note. A flexible sheet may either be solid or be woven, knitted, etc., from one or more strands of material where the adjacent strands (or runs of the same strand) touch or have a gap therebetween no greater than the width of a strand. If the gap exceeds the width of a strand, the implement is to be considered to be a strung-surface racket rather than a flexible-sheet paddle.