CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/193, 120, filed on July 16, 2015, entitled "RACKET VIBRATION DAMPENING SYSTEM", which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This patent specification relates to the field of devices and systems configured to dampen vibrations of sports rackets. More specifically, this patent specification relates to vibrations dampening devices and systems configured secure to the strings of sports rackets.

BACKGROUND

Modern day sports rackets are made from a graphite or carbon fiber, which is used to keep the frame lightweight and stiff for increased racket head stability and performance. These materials allow for more aerodynamic shapes which increases the speed at which the racket can travel through the air. Further, rackets can be strung at higher stringing tensions without weakening the frame allowing players to gain more control and feel from their equipment. Improvements in lightness, size, power transmission and maneuverability work to the detriment of the vibration absorbing and reducing capabilities on impact of a projectile, such as a moving ball.

In order to remedy this problem several solutions have been proposed, for example, vibration absorbing frame inserts, frames made of particular synthetic materials having shock reduction properties, and absorbing devices which are applied to the strings of a racket. The latter type of device - now commonly known as a "string dampener" - has been developed in recent years since in theory it permits the adjustment of the racket vibration and play characteristics by each player.

An example of the latter device is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,776,590 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,609, 194 to Krent, and is described as a cylindrical block of foam which is inserted between two adjacent parallel strings. Upon insertion, the block assumes a generally spherical shape and thereby engages four adjacent strings of both sets of strings or three adjacent strings and the racket frame.

An alternative approach to this particular problem has been described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,732,383 to Ferrari et al. The device of this patent is commonly referred to as a "worm damper" and consists of a bar or strap designed to absorb shock and vibration. In use, the bar is woven over and under the vertical strings in the region between the handle and nearest cross or horizontal string. The ends of the bar are brought through the end spaces between the string and the frame of the racket and tucked under the frame. The bar is comprised of layers of varying frequency absorbing material, the inner layers having a higher density than the outer layer. Various modifications on this idea have been built, involving, for instance, the fixing of the ends of the bar or strap using appropriate means, such as hooks or loops, or providing a plurality of transversally extending external spaced ribs, as in the EP patent application No. 0,497,561 to Ool et al, wherein the ribs define stops for locating the strap positively with respect to the longitudinally extending strings, the latter arrangement preventing the strap from shifting laterally during play. Two-string dampeners, commonly referred to as "buttons" are designed to anchor into a perimeter string, limiting where they can be deployed on the racket.

The problem with the abovementioned prior solutions is that none of them offer enough variability of position to fine-tune vibration dampening. Further, the present invention is designed to work in a system, where as many as seven dampeners can be used in open string box areas, each affixed to two strings, where each dampener can be moved and reseated to alter the effective dampening in real time. Dampeners cited in the prior art are not designed to move and seat and when placed outside the string pattern on the sides and top as well as the bottom are typically inclined to fall off of the racket. Those crossing multiple strings can essentially only play "one note", and the swing forces of the racket typically move them toward the top of the racket until they meet an immovable object like a cross string or frame. Current versions do not provide variable or optimal vibration absorption and only minimal control for the player.

A dampener effectively changes the length of the two strings being dampened from a control, power and spin perspective. Current products on the market only provide one alternate length across two to twelve strings - not variable lengths on each set of two strings. Additionally, a disadvantage of the prior art is that during play, the devices often become dislodged by the impact of the ball on the strings.

It is well known that string tension on newly strung rackets will drop as much as 10% after the first few balls are struck. Players can anticipate this drop by having their rackets strung at a higher initial tension, but this provides additional wear on the racket and does not prevent the tension from decreasing over time. The current invention further differs from the current art by allowing for adjusting the positioning of the dampeners in a system to counteract this loss of tension.

None of the products built from the prior art were designed to affix or affix without protruding on areas outside the string pattern on the sides and top of the racket. Many of the products built from the prior art are bulky and add weight to areas of the racket that could change the balance and feel. Because the new dampeners can effectively be applied to the side and top string beds outside the primary string area, they can greatly increase the ability to reduce the playable length of any two strings compared to the prior art.

Therefore, a need exists for novel vibration dampening devices and systems that are able to provide an effective means to control string vibration on sports rackets. There is a further need for novel vibration dampening devices and systems that are small, light, secure and flat, yet optimally effective compared to the prior art. An additional need exists for novel vibration dampening devices and systems that can be adjusted to fine tune how a racket plays. Finally, there exists a need for novel vibration dampening devices and systems that are able to counter the effects of reduced string tension.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A vibration dampening device and system for use with a racket having a plurality of strings is provided. In some embodiments, the device may comprise a fastener element which may include a male fastener and a female fastener which are configured to be coupled to each other. A hinge may pivotally couple a first arm to a second arm. The first arm may comprise a first arm interior surface and the female fastener. The second arm may comprise a second arm interior surface and the male fastener. The hinge may be coupled to the first arm proximate to the first arm interior surface and to the second arm proximate to the second arm interior surface. The first arm interior surface and second arm interior surface are configured to embrace two strings of the racket positioned between the first arm interior surface and second arm interior surface when the male fastener is coupled to the female fastener.

In further embodiments, a fastener element may include a male fastener and female fastener which may be removably coupled together thereby allowing the first arm to be removably coupled to the second arm.

In further embodiments, two strings may be tensioned towards each other between the hinge and the male fastener when the strings are embraced between the first arm interior surface and the second arm interior surface when the male fastener is coupled to the female fastener.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the present invention are illustrated as an example and are not limited by the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references may indicate similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 - Figure 1 depicts a top rear perspective view of an example of a vibration dampening device according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 2 - Figure 2 illustrates a bottom front perspective view of an example of a vibration dampening device according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 3 - Figure 3 shows a front elevation view of an example of a vibration dampening device according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 4 - Figure 4 depicts a rear elevation view of an example of a vibration dampening device according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 5 - Figure 5 illustrates a side elevation view of an example of a vibration dampening device according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 6 - Figure 6 shows a perspective view of an example of a vibration dampening device secured to strings of a racket according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 7 - Figure 7 depicts a sectional, through line 7-7 shown in FIG. 6, elevation view of an example of a vibration dampening device secured to strings of a racket according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 8 - Figure 8 illustrates a perspective view of an example of a racket with vibration dampening devices forming a vibration dampening system according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 9 - Figure 9 shows a perspective view of the vibration dampening system of FIG. 8 with a vibration dampening device repositioned on the racket according to various embodiments described herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

In describing the invention, it will be understood that a number of techniques and steps are disclosed. Each of these has individual benefit and each can also be used in conjunction with one or more, or in some cases all, of the other disclosed techniques. Accordingly, for the sake of clarity, this description will refrain from repeating every possible combination of the individual steps in an unnecessary fashion. Nevertheless, the specification and claims should be read with the understanding that such combinations are entirely within the scope of the invention and the claims.

For purposes of description herein, the terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "rear",

"front", "side", "vertical", "horizontal", and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1. However, one will understand that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. Therefore, the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

New vibration dampening devices and systems which may be used with sports rackets are discussed herein. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be evident, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. The present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated by the figures or description below.

The present invention will now be described by example and through referencing the appended figures representing preferred and alternative embodiments. FIGS. 1 - 5 illustrate an example of a vibration dampening device ("the device") 100 for use with a racket 200 (FIG. 8) having a plurality of strings 201 (FIGS. 6 - 8) according to various embodiments. In some embodiments, the device 100 may comprise a fastener element 11 which may include a male fastener 12 and a female fastener 13 which are configured to be coupled to each other. A hinge 14 may pivotally couple a first arm 21 to a second arm 31. The first arm 21 may comprise a first arm interior surface 22 and the female fastener 13. The second arm 31 may comprise a second arm interior surface 32 and the male fastener 11. The hinge 14 may be coupled to the first arm 21 proximate to the first arm interior surface 22 and to the second arm 31 proximate to the second arm interior surface 32. The device 100 may be secured to the strings 201 of a racket 200 by positioning the second arm interior surface 32 and first arm interior surface 31 embrace two strings 201 of the racket 200 and by coupling the male fastener 12 to the female fastener 13.

The first arm 21 and second arm 31 may each comprise a generally rectangular prism shape with a length that extends the hinge 14 from the fastener element 11 although the arms 21, 31, may be configured with any other shape including combinations of shapes. The first arm 21 may comprise a first arm exterior surface 23 positioned opposite to the first arm interior surface 22 and the second arm 31 may comprise a second arm exterior surface 33 positioned opposite to the second arm interior surface 32. In some embodiments, a male fastener 12 may be coupled to a female fastener 13 may inserting the male fastener 12 into the female fastener 13 until portions of the male fastener 12, such as a lip 18 and/or flange 16, exit the female fastener 13 to contact or rest against the first arm exterior surface 23. In some alternative embodiments, the first arm 21 may comprise a male fastener 11 and the second arm 31 may comprise a female fastener 13. In further alternative embodiments, a male fastener 12 may be coupled to a female fastener 13 may inserting the male fastener 12 into the female fastener 13 until portions of the male fastener 12, such as a lip 18 and/or flange 16, exit the female fastener 13 to contact or rest against the second arm exterior surface 33. Optionally, the aperture 15 may comprise a bevel 19 which may allow portions of the male fastener 12 which have passed through the aperture 15 to rest slightly below or generally flush with the exterior surface 23, 33, of the arm 21, 31, comprising the aperture 15. In some embodiments, the device 100 may be made from or comprise a resilient material and the fastener element 11, first arm 21, second arm 31, and/or hinge 14 may be integrally formed or molded together with the resilient material. In alternative embodiments, the fastener element 11, first arm 21, second arm 31, and/or hinge 14 may be made of a resilient material and then coupled together, such as with heat bonding, chemical bonding, adhesives, clasp type fasteners, clip type fasteners, rivet type fasteners, threaded type fasteners, other types of fasteners, or any other suitable joining method, to another element of the device 100.

In some embodiments, a resilient material may comprise a Shore Hardness or equivalent of between 40A to 90A, and preferably 45 A to 65 A. In some embodiments, a resilient material may be a synthetic rubber material, which is flexible to allow slight deformation and resilient so as to return to its original shape after deformation. Synthetic rubber materials may include Polyacrylate Rubber, Ethylene -acrylate Rubber, Polyester Urethane, Bromo Isobutylene Isoprene, Polybutadiene, Chloro Isobutylene Isoprene, Polychloroprene, Chlorosulphonated Polyethylene, Epichlorohydrin, Ethylene Propylene, Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer, Polyether Urethane, Perfluorocarbon Rubber,

Fluoronated Hydrocarbon, Fluoro Silicone, Fluorocarbon Rubber, Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene, Polyisoprene, Isobutylene Isoprene Butyl, Acrylonitrile Butadiene, Polyurethane, Styrene Butadiene, Styrene Ethylene Butylene Styrene Copolymer, Polysiloxane, Vinyl Methyl Silicone, Acrylonitrile Butadiene Carboxy Monomer, Styrene Butadiene Carboxy Monomer, Thermoplastic Polyether-ester, Styrene Butadiene Block Copolymer, Styrene Butadiene Carboxy Block Copolymer, and the like. In other embodiments, a resilient material may be polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high- density polyethylene (HDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), Polystyrene (PS), Polycarbonate (PC), low density polyethylene (LDPE), Polyoxymethylene (POM), Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), Polyethylene/Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene

(PE/ABS), Polycarbonate/Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (PC/ABS), Ultra High Molecular Weight polyethylene, Polyurethanes (PU), Polyamides (PA), other substantially rigid plastics, hard rubbers, resins, ceramics, wood, carbon fiber, glass, metals and metal alloys, or any other suitable flexible natural or synthetic material including combinations of materials, which is flexible to allow slight deformation and resilient so as to return to its original shape after deformation.

In preferred embodiments, a fastener element 11 may comprise a male fastener 12 and a female fastener 13 which are configured to be removably coupled to each other. By being removably coupled to each other, the male fastener 12 and a female fastener 13 may be quickly uncoupled from each other allowing the device 100 to be easily repositioned to embrace one or more different strings, and the male fastener 12 and a female fastener 13 may be quickly coupled to each other allowing the device 100 to remain secured to the strings 201 during play. In this example, the female fastener 13 may comprise an aperture 15 and the male fastener 12 may comprise a flange 16 coupled to a shaft 17 which protrudes away from the second arm 31. In alternative embodiments, the first arm 21 may comprise a male fastener 12 with a flange 16 coupled to a shaft 17 which protrudes away from the first arm 21 and the second arm 31 may comprise an aperture 15 of a female fastener 13.

In some embodiments, an aperture 15 may be generally complementary in shape to the shape of a shaft 17 so that the shaft 17 may be received within the aperture 15. The flange 16 may comprise a lip 18 which may extend out and away from the shaft 17. The male fastener 12 and/or the female fastener 13 may be made from a resilient material and may be coupled together by pressing the male fastener 12 into the aperture 15 until portions of the flange 16, such as the lip 18, exit the aperture 15. In some embodiments, portions of the flange 16, such as the lip 18, may be compressed as it passes through the aperture 15 and then returned to original size and shape upon exiting the aperture 15. In further

embodiments, portions of the aperture 15 may be expanded as portions of the flange 16, such as the lip 18, pass through the aperture 15 and then the aperture 15 may return to original size and shape upon portions of the flange 16 exiting the aperture 15.

In alternative embodiments, the fastener element 11 may comprise any other type of male fastener 12 and female fastener 13 which may be coupled or removably coupled together. In further embodiments, the flange 16 and lip 18 may be configured as a barb which may flex to engage with a female fastener 13 to couple or removably coupled the male fastener 12 and female fastener 13 together. In further alternative embodiments, a male fastener 12 and/or female fastener 13 may be configured as hook and loop type or Velcro® fasteners, magnetic type fasteners, rivet fasteners, threaded type fasteners, sealable tongue and groove fasteners, snap fasteners, clip type fasteners, clasp type fasteners, ratchet type fasteners, a push-to-lock type connection method, a turn-to-lock type connection method, slide-to-lock type connection method or any other suitable connection method as one reasonably skilled in the art could envision to serve the same function to allow a male fastener 12 and female fastener 13 to be coupled or removably coupled together.

The hinge 14 provides a pivotal coupling which allows portions of the first arm 21 to be pivoted towards and away from the second arm 31. Generally, the hinge 14 allows the first arm interior surface 22 to be pivoted towards and away from the second arm interior surface 32 and the male fastener 12 to be pivoted towards and away from the female fastener 13. In some embodiments, a hinge 14 may be a so-called "living" hinge, which typically comprises a linear, relatively flexible area between two relatively more rigid components, such as a line of thin plastic between thicker plastic portions, as is well known in the art. In other embodiments, a hinge 14 may comprise a butt hinge, barrel hinge, butt/Mortise hinge, case hinge, flag hinge, strap hinge, H hinge, HL hinge, piano hinge, butterfly hinge, flush hinge, barrel hinge, concealed hinge, continuous hinge, T-hinge, strap hinge, double-acting hinge, Soss hinge, counterflap hinge, flush hinge, coach hinge, rising butt hinge, double action spring hinge, tee hinge, friction hinge, security hinge, cranked hinge or stormproof hinge, lift-off hinge, self closing or self positioning hinge, flexible material hinge, or any other type or style of hinge suitable for pivotally coupling a first arm 21 to a second arm 31.

Turning now to FIGS. 6 - 8, examples of a vibration dampening devices 100 secured to strings 201 of a racket 200 according to various embodiments described herein are depicted. In preferred embodiments, a device 100 may be secured to two or more parallel strings 201 of a racket 200 by pivoting the first arm 21 away from the second arm 31. The parallel strings 201 may then be placed between the first arm interior surface 22 of the first arm 21 and the second arm interior surface 32 of the second arm 31. The first arm 21 may be pivoted towards the second arm 31 so that the strings 201 are embraced between the first arm interior surface 22 and second arm interior surface 32 as perhaps best shown in FIG. 7 and the male fastener 12 and the female fastener 13 may be coupled together. When the strings 201 are embraced between the first arm interior surface 22 and second arm interior surface 32, the first arm interior surface 22 and second arm interior surface 32 directly contact the strings 201 thereby to reducing the vibration of the strings 201 when struck.

In preferred embodiments, the fastener element 11 may be positioned on a first end 51 of the device 100 and the hinge 14 may be positioned on a second end 52 of the device 100 opposite to the fastener element 11. Generally, the first arm interior surface 22 and the second arm interior surface 32 may form the middle of the device 100 and may separate the fastener element 11 from the hinge 14 which may be positioned on opposing ends 51, 52, of the device 100. This positioning provides a reduced likelihood of the fastening element 11 disengaging on a direct hit than if the fastening element 11 was positioned in the middle of the device 100 and therefore in the middle of two strings 201.

In this example, the female fastener 13 may comprise an aperture 15 and the male fastener 12 may comprise a flange 16 coupled to a shaft 17 which protrudes away from the arm, in this example the second arm 31, to which the male fastener 12 is coupled. In some embodiments, an aperture 15 may be generally complementary in shape to the shape of a shaft 17 so that the shaft 17 may be received within the aperture 15 as shown in FIG. 7. The male fastener 12 and/or the female fastener 13 may be made from a resilient material and may be coupled together by pressing the male fastener 12 into the aperture 15 until portions of the flange 16, such as the lip 18, exit the aperture 15. Since the flange 16 and lip 18 are greater in size that the size of the aperture, in some embodiments, portions of the flange 16, such as the lip 18, may be compressed as it passes through the aperture 15 and then returned to original size and shape upon exiting the aperture 15, while in further embodiments, portions of the aperture 15 may be expanded as portions of the flange 16, such as the lip 18, pass through the aperture 15 and then the aperture 15 may return to original size and shape upon portions of the flange 16 exiting the aperture 15.

Once portions of the flange 16, such as the lip 18, have exited the aperture 15 the male fastener 12 may be coupled to the female fastener 13 as the lip 18 catches on the exterior surface 23 of the first arm 21 around the aperture 15. In this manner, the lip 18 and flange 16 may function as a barb to facilitate entry of the male fastener 12 into the female fastener 13 and to hinder the withdrawal of the male fastener 12 from the female fastener 13. In some embodiments, the male 12 and female fastener 13 may be made from a resilient material which may be compressed to allow the male fastener 12 to be withdrawn from the female fastener 13 thereby providing a removable coupling. In further embodiments, the flange 16 may comprise a lip 18 which may extend out and away from the shaft 17 and which may continuously extend around the entire perimeter of the shaft 17. In alternative embodiments, the lip 18 and flange 16 may not extend continuously around the entire perimeter of the shaft 17. In still further embodiments, the male fastener 12 may comprise two or more lips 18 and/or flanges 16 which may not extend continuously around the entire perimeter of the shaft 17.

The fastener element 11 may be positioned a distance from the hinge 14 to allow two or more parallel strings 201 to be received between the first arm interior surface 22 and the second arm interior surface 32 when in the male fastener 12 is coupled to the female fastener 13. In preferred embodiments, the fastener element 11 may be positioned a distance from the hinge 14 that is preferably less than the distance between two or more strings 201 so that the strings 201 may be tensioned towards each other between the hinge 14 and portions of the male fastener 12, such as the shaft 17, when the male fastener 12 is coupled to the female fastener 13. In further embodiments, the distance between the hinge 14 and the fastener element, such as a shaft 17 of a male fastener 12, may be between 80% and 99% of the distance between the two extreme parallel strings 201 which are to be received between the first arm interior surface 22 and the second arm interior surface 32. For example, if two parallel strings are to be received between the first arm interior surface 22 and the second arm interior surface 32, the distance between the hinge 14 and the fastener element 11, such as a shaft 17 of a male fastener 12, may be between 25% and 99% of the distance between the two parallel strings 201. In another example, if four parallel strings are to be received between the first arm interior surface 22 and the second arm interior surface 32, the distance between the hinge 14 and the fastener element 11, such as a shaft 17 of a male fastener 12, may be between 80% and 99% of the distance between the first and fourth parallel strings 201. In this manner, a first string 201 may be tensioned or drawn towards a second string 201 between the hinge 14 and the fastener element 11, such as a shaft 17 of a male fastener 12.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of an example of a racket 200 with vibration dampening devices 100 secured to some of its strings 201 forming a vibration dampening system 300 according to various embodiments described herein. One or more devices 100 may be coupled or affixed to any of the strings 201 and anywhere on the strings 201 of a racket 200, including different areas of the same strings 201. The devices 100 may form a vibration dampening system 300 in which each dampener 100 can be re-positioned on a point-to-point basis to tune the performance characteristics of the racquet 200 in an infinite number of ways. The vibration dampening system 300 provides the user of the racket with variability to adjust to physical factors such as the weather, ball type, or court surface, and play factors such as the style of an opponent which is unattainable with prior art devices. In this example, the racket 200 may comprise a tennis type racket. In other embodiments, the device 100 may be used with any other type of sporting racket or racquet having a strung striking surface including, but not limited to, racketball rackets, squash rackets, badminton rackets, qianball rackets, and the like. Because the device 100 can effectively be applied to the side and top string beds outside the primary string area or striking surface of a racket, they can greatly increase the ability to tension or reduce the playable length of any two strings 201 compared to the prior art.

As perhaps best shown by FIGS. 8 and 9, in preferred embodiments, a device 100 of the system 300 may be repositioned on strings 201 while the male fastener element 12 is coupled to the female fastener element 13 allowing the device 100 to be repositioned on the same strings 201 by sliding the device 100 across the strings 201. For example, the devices 100 of FIG. 8 may be moved to different positions as illustrated in FIG. 9 on strings 201 by the hand or finger of a user pressing on the device 100 while the male fastener element 12 is coupled to the female fastener element 13 allowing the device 100 to be repositioned on the same strings 201 by sliding the device 100 across the strings 201. In some embodiments, the first arm interior surface 22 and the second arm interior surface 32 may be made from a resilient material. When the strings 201 are embraced between the first arm 21 and the second arm 31 while the male fastener element 12 is coupled to the female fastener element 13, the first arm interior surface 22 and the second arm interior surface 32 may contact the strings 201 and frictionally resist the movement of the strings 201 between the arm interior surfaces 22, 23. In preferred embodiments, the friction between the resilient material of the arm interior surfaces 22, 32, and the strings 201 may be such that while the strings are embraced between the arms 21, 31, and while the fastener elements 12, 13, are coupled, the device 100 may be repositioned on the strings 201 by the user sliding the device 100 to a different position on the same strings 201. Furthermore, the friction between the resilient material of the arm interior surfaces 22, 32, and the strings 201 may be such that while the strings are embraced between the arms 21, 31, and while the fastener elements 12, 13, are coupled, the device 100 may remain in position on the strings 201 throughout play. In this manner the device 100 may be repositioned on the strings 201 without requiring the fastener elements 12, 13, to be uncoupled, and the device 100 may also remain in position during play.

While some materials have been provided, in other embodiments, the elements that comprise the device 100 such as the fastener element 11, first arm 21, second arm 31, and/or hinge 14 may be made from durable materials such as aluminum, steel, other metals and metal alloys, wood, hard rubbers, hard plastics, fiber reinforced plastics, carbon fiber, fiber glass, resins, polymers or any other suitable materials including combinations of materials. Additionally, one or more elements may be made from or comprise durable and slightly flexible materials such as soft plastics, silicone, soft rubbers, or any other suitable materials including combinations of materials. In some embodiments, one or more of the elements that comprise the device 100 may be coupled or connected together with heat bonding, chemical bonding, adhesives, clasp type fasteners, clip type fasteners, rivet type fasteners, threaded type fasteners, other types of fasteners, or any other suitable joining method. In other embodiments, one or more of the elements that comprise the device 100 may be coupled or removably connected by being press fit or snap fit together, by one or more fasteners such as hook and loop type or Velcro® fasteners, magnetic type fasteners, threaded type fasteners, sealable tongue and groove fasteners, snap fasteners, clip type fasteners, clasp type fasteners, ratchet type fasteners, a push-to-lock type connection method, a turn-to-lock type connection method, slide-to-lock type connection method or any other suitable temporary connection method as one reasonably skilled in the art could envision to serve the same function. In further embodiments, one or more of the elements that comprise the device 100 may be coupled by being one of connected to and integrally formed with another element of the device 100.

Although the present invention has been illustrated and described herein with reference to preferred embodiments and specific examples thereof, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and examples may perform similar functions and/or achieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit and scope of the present invention, are contemplated thereby, and are intended to be covered by the following claims.