Abstract:
A shock absorbing structure of a racket contains: a head and an absorption member matingly contacting with an internal fence of the head. The absorption member is a hollowly tubular structure and covers the internal fence totally. When the head is made of carbon-fiber composite material, the absorption member is made of any one of Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE), Thermoplastic Rubber (TPR), rubber, Hydrogel, and Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU). When the head is made of metal or aluminum alloy, the absorption member is made of any one of Thermosetting Elastomers, Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE), Thermoplastic Rubber (TPR), rubber, Hydrogel, and Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU). When the head and the absorption member are made of different materials, an amplitude of the head is different from an amplitude of the absorption member, and the head interferes the absorption member, thus absorbing vibration.
Abstract:
A method for diffusing titanium and nitride into a sports equipment component. The method generally includes the steps of providing a sports equipment component providing a salt bath which includes sodium dioxide and a salt selected from the group consisting of sodium cyanate and potassium cyanate; dispersing metallic titanium formed by electrolysis of a titanium compound in the bath, heating the salt bath to a temperature ranging from about 430° C. to about 670° C.; and soaking the sports equipment component in the salt bath for a time of from about 10 minutes to about 24 hours. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the sports equipment component may further be treated with conventional surface treatments or coatings.
Abstract:
Lightweight articles comprising a polymeric material at least partially coated with a fine-grained metallic material are disclosed. The fine-grained metallic material has an average grain size of 2 nm to 5,000 nm, a thickness between 25 micron and 5 cm, and a hardness between 200 VHN and 3,000 VHN. The lightweight articles are strong and ductile and exhibit high coefficients of restitution and a high stiffness and are particularly suitable for a variety of applications including aerospace and automotive parts, sporting goods, and the like.
Abstract:
Fine-grained (average grain size 1 nm to 1,000 nm) metallic coatings optionally containing solid particulates dispersed therein are disclosed. The fine-grained metallic materials are significantly harder and stronger than conventional coatings of the same chemical composition due to Hall-Petch strengthening and have low linear coefficients of thermal expansion (CTEs). The invention provides means for matching the CTE of the fine-grained metallic coating to the one of the substrate by adjusting the composition of the alloy and/or by varying the chemistry and volume fraction of particulates embedded in the coating. The fine-grained metallic coatings are particularly suited for strong and lightweight articles, precision molds, sporting goods, automotive parts and components exposed to thermal cycling. The low CTEs and the ability to match the CTEs of the fine-grained metallic coatings with the CTEs of the substrate minimize dimensional changes during thermal cycling and prevent premature failure.
Abstract:
Lightweight articles comprising a polymeric material at least partially coated with a fine-grained metallic material are disclosed. The fine-grained metallic material has an average grain size of 2 nm to 5,000 nm, a thickness between 25 micron and 5 cm, and a hardness between 200 VHN and 3,000 VHN. The lightweight articles are strong and ductile and exhibit high coefficients of restitution and a high stiffness and are particularly suitable for a variety of applications including aerospace and automotive parts, sporting goods, and the like.
Abstract:
A metal baseball or softball bat may be improved both for durability and performance by selectively placing a layer of fiber reinforced composite material around portions of the bat. In one embodiment, the barrel portion of the bat may have a fiber reinforced composite layer directly laid up upon the metal bat frame. In a second embodiment, the barrel portion of the bat may include an outer metal sleeve placed about the metal bat frame, with an exterior fiber reinforced composite shell being formed on the outer metal sleeve. In a third embodiment, an intermediate portion of the bat adjacent a zone of maximum bending stress may be reinforced by the placement of a fiber reinforced composite outer layer on the metal frame of the bat adjacent the area of maximum bending stress.