CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 61/836,533, filed Jun. 18, 2013, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a tennis grip indicator and, more particularly, to a band secured to a handle of a tennis racquet providing a guide for different tennis grips.

In tennis, a grip is a way of holding the racquet in order to hit shots during play. The three most commonly used conventional grips are: the Continental, the Eastern and the Western. Most players change grips during play depending on what shot they are hitting. Most kids and adults who learn the sport of tennis have trouble learning where the grips can be found on the tennis racket, and also have difficulty in trying to remember the names of the grips.

As can be seen, there is a need for a device that helps tennis students to learn how to hold a proper grip, and to remember the names of the grips.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a tennis grip indicator comprises: a band having an inner surface and an outer surface; and a plurality of written text inscribed on the outer surface of the band, wherein each of the plurality of written text comprises a different tennis grip name and at least one name of a tennis shot correlating with the tennis grip; wherein the inner surface is formed to fit around and securely retain to a beveled handle of a tennis racquet, wherein each of the plurality of written text is disposed over a different bevel of the handle when the band is secured to the handle.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the present invention shown in use;

FIG. 4 is a top detail perspective view of the present invention show in use;

FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the present invention shown in use;

FIG. 6 is a bottom detail perspective view of the present invention shown in use; and

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

The present invention includes a band that is attachable to a tennis racket. The band includes tennis grip names as well as bevel numbers to help the tennis student remember the names and the placement of each tennis grip. The present invention may be permanently attached or releasably attached to the racquet and used during play or practice.

A user of the present invention may easily look at the attached present invention on their racquet and instantly know where the grips are located, and what the grips are called by name. In addition, the numerals (1-5) found with the corresponding grip names help the user learn the grips faster by initially only having to recall the numbers. In certain embodiments, the band may further include what strokes that may be played with the inscribed grips.

The present invention may come in one unit. The band attaches around the handle of the racquet and may be used during play. The inscribed tennis grip names and numerals (1-5) help tennis students to learn the names of grips and where to locate them on the tennis racquet. The inscribed tennis grip names and number are aligned accordingly with the corresponding bevels on the tennis racquet for correct use.

In order to understand the grips, it is important to know that the handle of a racquet includes 8 sides, or in other words, has an octagonal shape. The eight sides of the handle are called bevels. We can number the bevels from 1 to 8 as follows: if the blade of the racquet is parallel to the ground, the bevel facing up is bevel #1. Rotating the racquet counter-clockwise, the next bevel facing up is bevel #2, if you are right-handed, and clockwise if you are left-handed, and so on to identify all 8 bevels.

The Eastern Backhand grip is obtained when placing the hand such that the base knuckle of the index finger and heel pad of the palm are right on bevel #1. This grip allows for significant spin and control.

The Continental grip, also called the Chopper grip or Hammer grip, is obtained when placing the hand such that the base knuckle of the index finger is right on bevel #2. It is naturally obtained when holding the racket as if it were an axe, hence the second name â€œChopper gripâ€ . The Continental grip is suitable for a variety of shots and therefore is often taught to absolute beginners, so that they should not bother changing grips while learning the basics of the game. This type of grip is very useful for quick volleys and strokes near the net.

The Eastern Forehand grip is obtained when placing the hand such that the base knuckle of the index finger and heel pad is right on bevel #3. The Eastern Forehand grip allows for fast, flat shots on the forehand, with some control through topspin. Net players like it because it easily changes to the continental grip for volleys.

The Semi-Western grip is obtained by placing the hand such that the base knuckle of the index finger and heel pad is right on bevel #4. This racquet grip is popular with baseliners who like to hit with much topspin and a ferocious amount of power. It gets more hand behind the grip, causing shots to result with more ferocity, and provides a contact point much farther out front. On the other hand it poses problems with lower balls, which are hard to catch with the (extreme) down-up movement required for the Semi-Western grip.

The Western grip is obtained by placing the hand such that the base knuckle of the index finger is right on bevel #5. This grip used for applying extreme topspin, but is evenly hard to play. Low balls are extremely difficult to return.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 7, the present invention includes a tennis grip indicator 100. The tennis grip indicator 100 includes a band 10 having an inner surface and an outer surface. A plurality of written text is inscribed on the outer surface of the band 10. Each of the plurality of written text may include a different tennis grip name 11 and at least one name of a tennis shot 13 correlating with the tennis grip 11. The inner surface of the band 10 is formed to fit around and securely retain to a beveled handle 36 of a tennis racquet 32 so that each of the plurality of written text is disposed over a different bevel of the handle 36 when the band 10 is secured to the handle 36.

In certain embodiments, the band 10 may include a continuous band made of a stretchable material. The stretchable material may include a polymer, such as rubber or silicone. Therefore, the band 10 may be stretched to fit over the handle 34 and securely fit against the handle 34, adjacent to the throat 34 of the racquet 32. In certain embodiments, the band 10 may include a first end and a second end that may be releasably attachable to one another. For example, a hook and loop fastener, buttons, clips and the like may be used to attach the first end and the second end.

In certain embodiments, the different tennis grip names 11 may include an eastern backhand 12, a continental 16, an eastern forehand 20, a semi western 24 and a western 28. The names of the tennis shots 13 may include a fore hand, a backhand, a serve, a forehand volley, a backhand volley, and a topspin forehand. The different tennis grip names 11 may be matched with the names of the shots 13 that may be performed while using those particular grips, For example, the eastern backhand 12 is matched with the backhand and the serve; the continental 16 is matched with the serve, the backhand, the forehand volley and the backhand volley; the eastern forehand 20 is matched with the forehand; the semi western 24 is matched with the topspin forehand; and the western 28 is matched with the topspin forehand.

In certain embodiments, the different tennis grip names 11 may be associated with a different number. For example, a â€œ1â€ numerical indicator 14 may be matched with the eastern backhand 12; a â€œ2â€ numerical indicator 18 may be matched with the continental 14; a â€œ3â€ numerical indicator 22 may be matched with the eastern forehand 20; a â€œ4â€ numerical indicator 26 may be matched with the semi western 24; and a â€œ5â€ numerical indicator 30 may be matched with the western 28. This allows a tennis instructor to easily tell a student a number to indicate a tennis grip 11 that is associated with a particular tennis shot 13.

A method of making the present invention may include the following. The present invention may be made from rubber and/or silicone. In alternate embodiments, the present invention may be made of vinyl bands, TyvekÂ® bands, paper bands, metal bands, and plastic bands. The center of the unit may be hollow to help slide the invention into position between the racket handle and throat. The present invention may be approximately 2.5-3.0 inches in length, 1.0-2.0 inches in diameter. The length and width of the band may be modified. The five tennis grip names; Eastern Backhand#1 (Backhand, Serve), Continental#2 (Serve, FH Volley, BH Volley, Backhand), Eastern Forehand#3 (Forehand), Semi-Western #4 (Forehand), Western Forehand#5 (Forehand) along with the numerals may be inscribed on the band. The present invention may be offered in different colors. The five grip names may be aligned accordingly with the bevels on racket for correct use.

A method of using the present invention may include the following. The person may slide the present invention up the tennis racket handle towards the throat of racket. The present invention may be placed in between the handle and throat of the tennis racquet. Then the device may be rotated to align correctly by having the inscribed tennis grip names with the corresponding bevels on the racquet handle. The present invention is now ready for use. As a result, the person now knows where the tennis grips are, what the names of the grips are, and where to find it on the tennis racket. The present invention can be used as a permanent fixture on racket, or removed when desired. Further, the present invention may be used while playing or practicing the game of tennis.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.