Rackets with Unique Stringing Mechanism and System and Method Thereof

This invention relates to rackets. More specifically, the invention relates to contoured strings installed and tensioned individually in rackets using specially designed grommets.

Netted rackets include strings usually made up of polyester or nylon. Netted rackets, for example, may be tennis rackets, badminton rackets, or squash rackets. The strings form a mesh within a stringing area of an open head frame of a netted racket. The mesh of the strings in the netted racket is used to hit an object (for example, a ball or a shuttlecock) depending on a game (such as tennis, badminton, qianball, squash, etc.). The netted rackets vary in shape, size, weight, material, string tension, and balance depending on the game and a player's preference.

Further, stringing a racket is a process of coupling the strings to a racket frame (i.e., the open head frame of the racket) to create a hitting surface for balls, shuttlecocks, or other objects. The rackets may be strung with synthetic strings made up of nylon, polyester, kevlar, or other materials that offer varying levels of power, control, durability, and comfort. String performance may also be customized by adjusting tension, pattern, gauge, and shape according to a player's preference and playing style.

Problems associated with the netted rackets may include loss of power, which may occur when the strings lose their elasticity and tension over time. This may impact performance. The only way to prevent loss of power may be restringing the racket regularly. Especially, if polyester strings are used, the strings may lose tension faster than the strings made up of other materials. Another problem associated with the netted rackets may include string breakage, which may occur due to wear and tear, abrasion, impact, or poor quality of strings or grommets. In that case, even if only one string breaks or loosens, the whole mesh needs to be replaced or tensioned.

Additionally, when a racket is strung using a single long string, a first knot is tied at a first end of the long string at a grommet on the racket head from where the long string enters the racketand a second knot is tied at a second end of the long string at a grommet on the racket head from where the long string exits upon completion of stringing. The racket stringing process may take about 30 minutes when carried out by professionals. Tying the second knot takes up a majority of the time in stringing. Similarly, four knots are required to be tied when stringing the racket with two strings.

Moreover, the amount of rebound force that a netted racket may impart to an object hitting the strings varies based on the tension in the strings. If the tension is high, the rebound force is diminished. At lower string tension, a player's ability to control the rebound direction is diminished.

There is therefore need for strings and a stringing mechanism that may increase control at lower tension, increase power at higher tensions, and lower the overall time taken for stringing rackets.

In one embodiment, a racket is disclosed. In one example, the racket may include a head including a peripheral surface. The peripheral surface may be configured with a plurality of slots. The racket may further include a plurality of grommets. Each of the plurality of grommets may be configured within a corresponding slot from the plurality of slots. The plurality of grommets may include a set of grommet pairs. Each grommet pair in the set of grommet pairs may include oppositely disposed grommets on the peripheral surface horizontally or vertically with reference to the head. The racket may further include a plurality of strings for stringing the racket. Each of the plurality of strings may correspond to a grommet pair from the set of grommet pairs. A string from the plurality of strings may include a body configured to pass through the associated grommet pair and be enclosed within the head. The string from the plurality of strings may further include two ends cooperating with the associated grommet pair. The grommet pair may be configured to create variable tension in the body of the string enclosed within the head.

In one embodiment, a racket is disclosed. The racket may include a head including a peripheral surface. The peripheral surface may be configured with a plurality of slots. The racket may further include a first grommet configured within a first slot from the plurality of slots. The racket may further include a second grommet configured within a second slot from the plurality of slots. The racket may further include a string for stringing the racket. The string may include a body configured to be enclosed within the head. The string may further include a first end configured to engage with the second grommet. The string may further include a second end configured to engage with the first grommet. The first grommet and the second grommet may be configured to create variable tension in the string enclosed within the head.

In one embodiment, a grommet assembly is disclosed. In one example, the grommet assembly may include a plurality of grommets. Each of the plurality of grommets may be configured to cooperate with a slot from a plurality of slots formed on a peripheral surface of a head of a racket. The plurality of grommets may include a set of grommet pairs. Each grommet pair in the set of grommet pairs may be configured to be oppositely disposed on the peripheral surface horizontally or vertically with reference to the head. Each grommet pair from the set of grommet pairs may be configured to create variable tension in a body of an associated string from a plurality of strings enclosed within the head.

In one embodiment, a stringing assembly for rackets is disclosed. In one example, the stringing assembly may include a plurality of grommets. Each of the plurality of grommets may be configured within a corresponding slot from a plurality of slots formed on a peripheral surface of a head of a racket. The plurality of grommets may include a set of grommet pairs. Each grommet pair in the set of grommet pairs may be configured to be oppositely disposed on the peripheral surface horizontally or vertically with reference to the head. The stringing assembly may further include a plurality of strings for stringing the racket. Each of the plurality of strings may correspond to a grommet pair from the set of grommet pairs. A string from the plurality of strings may include a body configured to pass through the associated grommet pair and be enclosed within the head. The string from the plurality of strings may further include two ends cooperating with the associated grommet pair. The grommet pair may be configured to create variable tension in the body of the string enclosed within the head.

The following description is presented to enable a person of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and is provided in the context of particular applications and their requirements. Various modifications to the embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Moreover, in the following description, numerous details are set forth for the purpose of explanation. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the invention might be practiced without the use of these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order not to obscure the description of the invention with unnecessary detail. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.

While the invention is described in terms of particular examples and illustrative figures, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the examples or figures described.

In, an exemplary racketis illustrated where various embodiments of the present invention may be employed. Examples of the racketmay include, but are not limited to a tennis racket, a racquetball racket, a squash racket, a badminton racket, a ball badminton racket, a real tennis racket, a touchtennis racket, a crossminton racket, or any other netted racket. The racketmay include a head, and a shaft.

The headmay include stringing area which includes a plurality of strings(for example, horizontal strings and vertical strings). The plurality of stringsmay be made up of nylon, polyester, Kevlar, vectran, zyex, polyolefin, carbon fiber, aluminum, or the like. The headmay further include holes or slots on its parameter through which the plurality of stringsmay be laced or strung. Alternatively, a plurality of grommets may be inserted into the holes or a grommet stripmay be coupled to the headto tension the plurality of strings. The grommet stripmay include a plurality of grommets or grommet elements which may be detachably fitted in respective holes. The terms grommet and grommet element are used interchangeably in some embodiments of the present invention. The plurality of strings may be secured to a racket frame through the grommets.

For example, for a string (for example, a string) of the plurality of strings, the grommet stripmay include a grommet (for example, a grommet). In some embodiments, grommets are directly provided on the headof the racketfor string tensioning, further described in conjunction with. In some other embodiments, one or more grommet strips including a plurality of grommets may be attached to the headof the racket, as further described in conjunction with. Structure of the headmay be, but is not limited to, a ring shape, an oval-shape, a round-shape, square shape, or the like. The headholds the plurality of stringsin place. The shaftmay include a handleto hold the racket.

Conventionally, rackets are strung using a single long string or two long strings. This means each string is pulled at the same tension or will eventually equalize to the same tension as the racket is used. Moreover, when the racketis strung using a single long string, a first knot is tied at a first end of the long string at a grommet from where the long string enters the racketand a second knot is tied at a second end of the long string at a grommet from where the long string exits upon completion of stringing. The racket stringing process may take about 30 minutes when carried out by professionals. Tying the second knot takes up a majority of the time in stringing. Similarly, four knots are required to be tied when stringing the racketwith two strings.

Improvement provided by the present invention includes locking systems in at least two grommets or grommet elements of the racket. A grommet element with the locking system helps in individually tensioning the plurality of strings. In an embodiment, each of the plurality of grommets in the racketmay be equipped with the locking system. In such an embodiment, the racketmay be strung in a manner where each of the plurality of stringsis an individual string with two ends locked in a grommet pair of two oppositely disposed grommets. For example, the stringmay be an individual string with one end locked in the grommetand another end locked in a grommet(where the grommetis disposed opposite to the grommet).

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, when the racketis strung conventionally, i.e., using a single long string or two long strings, the grommet with the locking system eliminates the requirement of tying a knot at ends of the long strings. The ends of the long string can be locked in such grommets. This may save the time taken for tying knots and, consequently, reduce the amount of time taken for stringing the racket. The grommet may include a groove, a tiny cone or an angled tooth, a pawl that may be locked with a tooth, a divot, a rung, a cut out, an angled notch, a recessed tooth, a bump, a raised segment, an angled riser, or an angled catch of a corresponding string providing a separate tension from other strings.

Referring now to, grommet assembly for a racketallowing individual tensioning of strings is illustrated, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.is explained in conjunction with. The racketis illustrated with an oval shaped head. However, rackets with other shapes of head may also be used, in accordance with some embodiments. The racketmay include a head. The headmay include a peripheral surface. The peripheral surface may be configured with a plurality of slots. Further, the racketmay include a grommet assembly. The grommet assembly may include a plurality of grommets. Each of the plurality of grommets may be configured within a corresponding slot from the plurality of slots formed on the peripheral surface of the head. Further, the grommet assembly may include a grommet strip, a grommet strip, a grommet strip, and a grommet strip(collectively referred as “grommet strips” from hereon. The grommet strips may be attached to the peripheral surface of the head.

In an embodiment, each of the grommet strips may include a set of grommets from the plurality of grommets. The grommet strips are configured to provide individual tension to the strings through the plurality of grommets. The plurality of grommets may include a locking system. In an embodiment, each of the plurality of grommets includes a locking system. In such an embodiment, the plurality of grommets includes a set of grommet pairs. Each grommet pair in the set of grommet pairs includes oppositely disposed grommets on the peripheral surface horizontally or vertically with reference to the head. Further, the racketmay include a plurality of strings for stringing the racket. Each of the plurality of strings corresponds to a grommet pair from the set of grommet pairs. Each of the plurality of strings includes a body configured to pass through the associated grommet pair and be enclosed within the head. Further, each of the plurality of strings includes two ends cooperating with the associated grommet pair. The grommet pair is configured to create variable tension in the body of the corresponding string enclosed within the head. Thus, through the set of grommet pairs, a string from the plurality of strings may be secured and tensioned independent of the remaining of the plurality of strings.

By way of an example, the grommetand the grommetmay form a grommet pair of two oppositely disposed grommets. An individual string of the racketmay cooperate with the grommetat a first end and may cooperate with the grommetat a second end. Each of the grommetand the grommetmay include a locking system to secure the string and provide variable tensioning to the string.

In another embodiment, two of the plurality of grommets on the peripheral surface of the headinclude locking systems. The remaining of the plurality of grommets are conventional grommets (i.e., without any locking system). In such an embodiment, the racketcan be conventionally strung using a single long string. By way of an example, a first grommet of the two grommets may be configured within a first slot from the plurality of slots. A second grommet of the two grommets may be configured within a second slot from the plurality of slots. The long string for stringing the racketmay include a body configured to be enclosed within the head. Further, the string may include a first end configured to engage with the second grommet. Further, the string may include a second end configured to engage with the first grommet. The first grommet and the second grommet are configured to create variable tension in the string enclosed within the head.

By way of an example, in the racket, each of the grommetand the grommetmay include a locking system. Remaining of the plurality of grommets in the racketmay be conventional grommets (i.e., grommets without any locking system). A single string may be used to string the racket. While stringing, a first end of the string may enter the grommetand may then pass through a next grommet (for example, the grommet). Thus, a part of the body of the string may be enclosed within the headbetween the grommetand the grommet. After exiting the grommet, the first end of the string may enter a next grommet. This process of stringing may continue till a mesh of desirable configuration is formed within the head. When the mesh formation is completed, a second end of the string may cooperate with the grommet. More specifically, the second end of the string may cooperate with the locking system of the grommet(i.e., the first grommet) to secure the string from the second end. Further, the first end of the string may cooperate with the grommet. More specifically, the first end of the string may cooperate with the locking system of the grommet(i.e., the second grommet) to secure the string from the first end. This allows a significantly faster stringing process as tying of knots at the first end and the second end of the string to secure the string is not required.

In yet another embodiment, four of the plurality of grommets include a locking system and the remaining of the plurality of grommets are conventional grommets. In such an embodiment, the racketcan be conventionally strung using two long strings. The stringing mechanism for the racket having four grommets with locking systems is similar to the stringing mechanism described for the racket having two grommets with locking systems. Each end of the two strings may engage with one of the four grommets.

In some embodiments, a string configured to engage with a grommet that includes a locking system, may include one of the two ends with a head formed therein. The head at the one of the two ends of the string may engage with a grommet from the grommet pair to lock the string in place. In other embodiments, the string configured to engage with a grommet that includes a locking system, may include each of the two ends with a head formed therein. The head at the each of the two ends of the string may engage with a grommet from the grommet pair to lock the string in place. Different locking systems for a grommet are further explained in detail in conjunction with.

The number of grommets in each grommet strip and/or grommet strips used for a racket may vary based on size of the head portion of a racket and requirement. In the representation there is a total of four grommet strips. Each grommet strip may include a plurality of grommets. For example, the grommet stripincludes ‘n’ number of grommets, i.e., from a first grommetto nth grommet. Further, the grommet stripincludes ‘k’ number of grommets, i.e., from a first grommetto kth grommet. The grommet stripincludes ‘m’ number of grommets, i.e., from a first grommetto mgrommet. The grommet stripincludes ‘t’ number of grommet, i.e., from a first grommetto tgrommet. In some embodiments, numbers ‘n’, ‘k’, ‘m’, and ‘t’, may be same. In some other embodiments, the numbers ‘n’, ‘k’, ‘m’, and ‘t’, may be different.

The headmay include a plurality of slots (not shown in). The total number of slots on the headmay be equal to the total number of grommets in the four grommet strips,,, and. The grommets (i.e.,to,to,to, andto) of the grommet strips,,, andmay be detachably attached in the plurality of slots of the head.

Referring now to, grommets (for example, a grommet) for a racketallowing individual tensioning of strings are illustrated, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.is explained in conjunction with. In some embodiments, the grommets may individually be used instead of a strip of grommets. The grommets may be fixed around a head of the racket. Each of the grommets may include a locking system for locking a corresponding horizontal and/or vertical string (for example, a horizontal string, and/or a vertical string). The grommets provide individual tension to the strings (i.e., to vertical strings and horizontal strings) through their locking systems, and secure individual strings while tensioning them. Different possible locking systems within the grommets are further explained in detail in conjunction with. The number of grommets on the head may vary based on size of the head of the racketand requirement.

Referring now to, an exemplary grommetwith a first locking system is illustrated, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.is explained in conjunction with. In some embodiments, the grommetmay be a part of a grommet strip. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the grommetmay be directly fixed to a head of a racket. A sectional view is represented in. The grommetmay include the first locking system. The first locking system may include a head, and a tongue. The headprovides a channel for a stringto be pulled through. Shape of the stringmay be a cylindrical shape. When the stringis pulled through the channel, a toothat a corner on periphery of the stringmay be locked with a groove, or a pawl of the tongue. This first locking system may provide motion to the string only in one direction and prevents motion of the string in opposite direction.

Length of vertical strings may be manufactured or selected based on vertical length of the head of the racket. Length of horizontal strings may be manufactured or selected based on horizontal length of the head of the racket. In some embodiments, the stringmay have only one angled tooth at one end for one grommet and another angled tooth at other end for another grommet. In some other embodiments, the stringmay have more than two angled teeth, or more than one angled tooth at each end, providing more than one options for tensioning the stringso that strength may be adjusted at a required level. For ease of explanation, the first locking system of only one grommetis illustrated and explained. In some embodiments, a similar locking system may be present in all the grommets responsible for tensioning different strings at different degrees. Alternativity, in some embodiments, different locking systems may be present in other grommets for tensioning different strings at different degrees.

Referring now to, an exemplary grommetwith a second locking system is illustrated, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.is explained in conjunction with. In some embodiments, the grommetmay be a part of a grommet strip. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the grommetmay be directly fixed to a head of the racket (e.g., the head). The second locking system helps in holding a stringto a racket frame. In the case of the second locking system, the stringmay include an enlarged sectionat the ends. Further, the second locking system may include a main bodyextending from an inner head surface to an outer head surface of the racket to hold the enlarged sectionof the string.

The main body may also include a cavity. The cavitymay be shaped in such a way that it blocks the enlarged sectionfrom further inward movement into the cavity. In particular, the cavitymay include a blocking surfacewhich acts as a barrier and resists further movement of the enlarged sectioninto the cavity. In some embodiments, the second locking system may include a flexible spacer. The flexible spacermay be positioned between the blocking surfaceand a surface of the string enlarged section. The flexible spacermay help in absorbing a part of kinetic energy of an arriving ball, and returning this energy to the ball when the ball departs from the racket. The stringmay pass through the inner diameter of the flexible spacer.

Referring now to, an exemplary grommetwith a third locking system is illustrated, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.is explained in conjunction with. In some embodiments, the grommetmay be a part of a grommet strip. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the grommetmay be directly fixed to a head (e.g., the head) of the racket. The third locking system in the grommethelps in holding a string to a racket frame. The third locking system may include a main bodywhich further includes a clamping element. Outer surface of the clamping elementis wedge shaped. The clamping elementincludes a passage. A stringmay be passed through the clamping elementin the absence of compressive forces on outer surface of the clamping element. The passage or inner surface of the clamping elementmay further include parallel grooves.

The main bodymay further include a pressing bodyof a cylindrical shape. The pressing bodymay include a wedge shaped bore. The clamping elementmay be inserted into the wedge shaped bore of the pressing body. Once the clamping elementis inserted completely into the wedge shaped bore of the pressing body, surface of the wedge shaped bore may push against the outer surface of the clamping element. Thus, the compressive force may be provided to the outer surface of the clamping elementthrough the pressing bodywhich may result in radial contraction of the passage of the clamping element. The pressing bodymay also include a lockconfigured for locking the clamping elementinside the wedge shaped bore upon complete insertion of the clamping elementinto the wedge shaped bore. The stringmay be threaded through the third locking system to attain desired tension. The surface of the passage in the clamping element contracts and presses against the stringto fasten the stringto the frame.

Referring now to, a contoured stringfor a racket is illustrated, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.is explained in conjunction with. In some embodiments, in a racket (e.g., the racket), the plurality of strings may include a set of contoured strings that runs across and within the head at least vertically or horizontally. Thus, the set of contoured strings may run across and within the head vertically, horizontally, or in both directions, based on requirement. In some embodiments, the plurality of strings may include a set of non-contoured strings that runs across and within the head vertically or horizontally. In such embodiments, when the set of non-contoured strings runs across and within the head vertically, remaining of the plurality of strings are contoured and run across and within the head horizontally. Similarly, when the set of non-contoured strings runs across and within the head horizontally, remaining of the plurality of strings are contoured and run across and within the head vertically.

In some embodiments, in a racket (e.g., the racket), horizontal strings may be contoured strings. Additionally, in some other embodiments, vertical strings may be the contoured strings. In some embodiments, combination of one or more horizontal strings as the contoured strings and one or more vertical strings as the contoured strings, may be used. In, a horizontal contoured string is illustrated. The contoured stringmay include two ends and may be strung through two grommet elements present opposite sides on a racket frame, or on a same grommet strip or different grommet strips (same as the grommet strips,,, and). With reference to, for example, the contoured stringmay be used between the grommetand a grommet just opposite to the grommeton the racket head. In that case, the contoured stringmay be replacement of the string. By way of an example, with reference to, the contoured string(i.e., the horizontal contoured string) may be used between the grommetof the grommet stripand the grommetof the grommet strip. By way of another example, the contoured stringmay be used between the grommetsandof the grommet strip. Similarly, for example, a vertical contoured string may be used between the grommetof the grommet stripand the grommetof the grommet strip. Also, the vertical contoured string may be used between two elements of the same strip. For example, between the grommetsandof the grommet strip.

In some embodiments, material used to manufacture the contoured stringmay be thermoplastic material. In such embodiments, the thermoplastic material may be injection molded. The contour may be curved contour, or of any other shape with varying depths. In some embodiments, the contoured strings may be used to thread the stringing area of the head of the racket. This threaded area may provide a surface that allows a player to apply greater spin and greater power to the ball by controlling the movement of strings when impacted by the ball. For example, a string (a horizontal string or a vertical string) may be shaped so that its resistance to lateral (in case of horizontal contoured string) movement or vertical movement (in case of vertical contoured string) of cross strings (i.e., vertical strings or horizontal strings) increases or decreases as the string moves on impact. This alters the dwell time of the ball on the strings and the angle at which the ball exits the string after impact. By changing the shape of each individual string, the response may be customized for a much wider variety of playing styles and may improve the ability of players to apply spin and rebound force to the ball.

Further, in some embodiments, when the first locking system is used for stringing, each end of the contoured stringmay include an angled tooth (for example, the angled toothat left end and an angled toothat right end) which help in engaging the contoured stringwith the first locking system of the corresponding grommet. Some of the exemplary locking systems are explained in. However, stringing of the contoured stringis not limited to the implementations of locking systems explained in the previous embodiments. Other implementations of the locking systems may also be used for stringing the contoured strings. Further, the contoured stringmay be manufactured in such a way that it includes alternate contoured sections (for example, a contoured sectionand a contoured section) and straight sections (for example, a straight sectionand a straight section). Further, a vertical stringand a vertical string(in a cylindrical shape and without contoured sections) respectively passing through the contoured sectionand the contoured sectionof the contoured stringare illustrated. In some embodiments, a vertical contoured string may pass through the horizontal contoured string.

For example, consider a scenario where one or more contoured string including the contoured stringis used to form a mesh (i.e., netted surface) of a tennis racket. Further, the tennis racket may also include the vertical stringsandthat may have high tension. If a ball hits the netted surface of the tennis racket, the ball may displace the vertical stringsand, such that the vertical stringslides along a slope of the contoured section, while the vertical stringslides along the slope of the contoured section. The vertical stringsandmay be displaced in the contoured sectionsandsufficiently as the ball encounters the contoured sectionsand, even when the stringsandhave high tension. The contoured sections cause the corresponding cross strings (i.e., the vertical strings) to store additional energy and exert greater snap back force to return to position after impact with a ball, thereby gripping the ball more tightly and allowing the player to apply greater spin to the ball. Likewise, a string contoured in the opposite way reduces the energy stored in the cross string by horizontal displacement and increases the perpendicular energy delivered to the ball, increasing rebound force. Contours in the string may include tiny diamond or diagonal shapes at the midpoints between where strings cross, increasing friction on the ball. Thus, the one or more contoured strings may be strategically netted or strung in the rackets, such that specific areas in the netted racket provide high snap-back force, while other areas provide medium snap-back or low snap-back. The same effect is achieved for varying rebound force.

When the strings are contoured, they provide many options of creating required pocketing for the object hitting the strings. The shape of contour may be responsible for spreading the vertical strings and returning the vertical strings to the original position. Thus, a change in the contour may change the way of spreading and returning of the strings. Further, the stay of the object on the strings may be controlled based on the contouring of the strings. Thus, the players may have sufficient time to get the desired spin.

Referring now to, a tennis ballstriking contoured strings of a tennis racket is illustrated, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.is explained in conjunction with. The tennis racket may include a netted surfaceformed using strings (i.e., vertical strings and horizontal strings). Shape of the strings may be cylindrical. Further, the horizontal strings may be the contoured strings (same as the contoured string).

depicts spinning of the tennis balltowards the netted surfaceof the racket. At that time, the strings may be at their original positions. With regards to the original position, vertical stringsandintersect horizontal contoured stringsand, at some points (for example, at points,, and). The horizontal contoured stringhas contoured sectionsand, and the horizontal contoured stringhas contoured sectionsand. Further, for example, a point of intersection between the vertical stringand the contoured sectionof the horizontal contoured stringmay be the point, the vertical stringand a contoured sectionof the horizontal contoured stringmay be the point, the vertical stringand a contoured sectionof the horizontal contoured stringmay be the point. Similarly, a point of intersection between the vertical stringand a contoured sectionof the horizontal contoured stringmay also be at an original position (not shown in). Thus, the vertical stringsandwith high tension may not be displaced or remain as it is and contact points between the vertical stringsandand the horizontal contoured stringsandmay not be changed.

Further, on a complete hit of the tennis ballon the netted surface, as illustrated in, the vertical stringsandmay move along the slope of the contoured sections,of the contoured string, and the contoured sections,of the contoured string(i.e., along the contoured sections of the horizontal strings). This movement of the vertical strings,on the contoured sections,,,may provide sufficient rebound to the tennis balleven when the vertical stringsandhave high tension. Further, the movement may be in such a way that the points,, andof intersection between the vertical strings,and the contoured sections,,of the horizontal contoured stringsandmay respectively shift to points′′, and

Further, as illustrated in, when the tennis ballgoes back after hitting the netted surface, the vertical stringsandmay move on the contoured sections,,,(in an opposite direction of the previous movement). Thus, the points′′, and′ as illustrated inmay shift again to new position. For example, the points′, and′ may shift to points″ and″, and subsequently come to their original position (i.e., the points of intersection may then be the points, and).

In some embodiments, an Artificial Intelligence (AI) model may be used to identify optimal tension for strings. In some embodiments, pattern analysis of sound of the strings may be performed. For example, pattern of the sound of the strings may be analyzed when the player strikes to identify the optimal tension. The sound may be captured through microphones. In some embodiments, vibrations when the ball hits the racket may be measured to determine the optimum tension for the strings of a particular racket. In some embodiments, sensors may be employed at the handle of the racket to help capture and store data related to the performance of the racket's stringing system.

The present disclosure also provides an advantage of allowing strings that are rough in some precise places and smooth in other precise places. Also, varying the density/flexibility of material used for grommets/grommet elements and grooved cones provides additional flexibility in optimizing string system performance. Additionally, different shapes and thickness for the strings can be selected as Individual tensioning for the strings is provided through the locking system inside the grommet elements. For example, one can select flat, and thick strings for main horizontal and vertical strings, and round and thin strings for the cross strings. Thus, the disclosure helps in increasing the number and types of variations of string types within a single racket dramatically.

Moreover, if one string breaks or loosens then only that one string needs to be replaced and doing so will not affect tension on the other strings. Further the grommet strip is detachably attached to the racket head in case of any fault in the grommet strip or in a grommet element, then that grommet strip can be replaced with a new grommet strip.

The disclosure further helps in improving performance by allowing use of contoured strings with customized tensions. The disclosed grommets and strings can be used with any racket, thus there is no need to switch to a new model. The grommets/grommet strips and strings can be quickly and easily installed by the users.

It will be appreciated that, for clarity purposes, the above description has described embodiments of the invention with reference to different functional units and processors. However, it will be apparent that any suitable distribution of functionality between different functional units, processors or domains may be used without detracting from the invention. For example, functionality illustrated to be performed by separate processors or controllers may be performed by the same processor or controller. Hence, references to specific functional units are only to be seen as references to suitable means for providing the described functionality, rather than indicative of a strict logical or physical structure or organization.