USOO6964624B2

(12) United States Patent (10) Patent No.: US 6,964,624 B2

Shen et al. (45) Date of Patent: Nov. 15, 2005
(54) BUMPER GUARD FOR A SPORTS RACQUET 5,102,132 A 4/1992 Chen
5,165,687 A 11/1992 Soong
(75) Inventors: Walter W. C. Shen, Taichung (TW); 5,280.907 A 1/1994 Liu
David W. Repetto, Chicago, IL (US); 5. A
2 : -Y- : E. Eth I OWell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 473/534
Fin Cheng, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 5,944,625 A 8/1999 Janes et al.
6,336,877 B1 1/2002 Arroyo et al.
6,503,161 B2 1/2003 Bothwell
(73) Assignee: Wilson Sporting Goods Co., Chicago, 6,530,851 B2 3/2003 Munster
IL (US)
* cited by examiner
(*) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
patent is extended or adjusted under 35 Primary Examiner—Raleigh W. Chiu
U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days (74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Terence P. O'Brien
(21) Appl. No.: 10/715,068 (57) ABSTRACT
(22) Filed: Nov. 17, 2003 A bumper guard for attachment to a Sports racquet. The
Sports racquet includes a frame having a head portion with
(65) Prior Publication Data an Outer peripheral Surface and a plurality of grommet holes
US 2005/O159253 A1 Jul. 21, 2005 formed into the head portion for Supporting a String bed. The
bumper guard includes an elongate body having a first
(51) Int. Cl." ............................................... A63B 51/00 length, an inner Surface and an outer Surface. The body
(52) U.S. Cl 473/521; 473/539; 473/548 includes a central region and first and Second Wings. The
central region, when installed on the racquet, is generally
(58) Field of Search ............................17:46: centered about a plane defined by the String bed. The first
and Second Wings extend from the central region. The inner
Surface of the body configured to generally conform with the
(56) References Cited peripheral outer Surface of the head portion. Each of the first
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS and second wings has an inner wall and an outer wall
4,496,152 A 1/1985 Mott
defining at least one elongate hollow cavity.
4.889,337 A 12/1989 Todd .......................... 473/522
5,029,859 A 7/1991 Davis 20 Claims, 7 Drawing Sheets
U.S. Patent Nov. 15, 2005 Sheet 1 of 7 US 6,964,624 B2

FIG.1 12 42

2
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26
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14

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V- \\ III | FN
N \ \\ III / /

L/
N \VIII M
NWHILITI M

18
N/ 16
U.S. Patent Nov. 15, 2005 Sheet 2 of 7 US 6,964,624 B2

FIG.2

40
U.S. Patent Nov. 15, 2005 Sheet 3 of 7 US 6,964,624 B2

FIG.3 FIG.4

38

48

46

34

52

4- )
U.S. Patent Nov. 15, 2005 Sheet 4 of 7 US 6,964,624 B2

FIG.5

FIG.11

238
U.S. Patent Nov. 15, 2005 Sheet 5 of 7 US 6,964,624 B2

FG.6 FIG.7
U.S. Patent Nov. 15, 2005 Sheet 6 of 7 US 6,964,624 B2

FIG.8

F.G. 12
U.S. Patent Nov. 15, 2005 Sheet 7 of 7 US 6,964,624 B2

FIG.9 FG.O
136

50

58

144

54

58
 US 6,964,624 B2
1 2
BUMPER GUARD FOR A SPORTS RACQUET bumper guard and can provide additional shock absorption,
upon impact, the outer Surface of the bumper guard and/or
FOREIGN APPLICATION PRIORITY DATA the elastomeric material placed into the openings can be
compressed against the head portion of the racquet frame
Jun. 20, 2003 CN China . . . 03247635.3 leading to mechanical abrasion and wear against the outer
Surface of the racquet frame. In yet another attempt to
FIELD OF THE INVENTION improve a bumper guard, a lumen is installed into each
opening between the wings of the bumper guard and the
The present invention relates generally to a Sports racquet. head portion of the racquet frame. The lumens can be hollow
In particular, the present invention relates to an improved or filled with an elastomeric material. The lumens due not fill
bumper guard for protecting a frame of a Sports racquet. the entire opening between the wings and the racquet frame
and are compressible and capable of moving relative to the
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION racquet frame. As a result, the lumens and/or the Wings of
the bumper guard can also rub or wear against the racquet
Sport racquets, Such as tennis, racquetball, Squash and 15 frame during impact potentially resulting in damage or wear
badminton racquets, are well known and typically include a to the racquet frame.
frame having a head portion coupled to a handle assembly. Thus, there is a continuing need for an improved bumper
The head portion forms a hoop having inner and outer guard that can provide proper protection to the racquet frame
Surfaces and a number of grommet holes, which are typically without adding excessive or unnecesary weight to the rac
drilled through the inner and outer Surfaces of the head quet. There is also a continuing need for an improved
portion. A bumper guard is often placed on at least a portion bumper guard that reduces the amount of Shock and vibra
of the outer Surface of the head portion of the racquet in tion felt by the user from impact with a ball. What is also
order to protect the head portion of the racquet from damage needed is an improved bumper guard that does not enable a
resulting from impacts with the ground, walls, and other deflectable outer wing of the bumper guard to deflect, rub or
Structures during play. These impacts between the head 25 otherwise wear against the head portion of the racquet
portion of the racquet frame and the ground, walls and/or frame.
other hard objects often occur frequently during play. The
bumper guard are typically formed of a wear and impact SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
resistant material to inhibit damage to the head portion of the
racquet frame including abrasions, cracking and wear. Exist The present invention provides a bumper guard for attach
ing bumper guards typically are configured to generally ment to a Sports racquet. The Sports racquet includes a frame
conform to the outer Surface of the head portion of the having a head portion with an outer peripheral Surface and
racquet frame including a centrally extending receSS for a plurality of grommet holes formed into the head portion for
receiving racquet String. Existing bumper guards also typi Supporting a String bed. The bumper guard includes an
cally include String holes and/or grommets for enabling 35 elongate body having a first length, an inner Surface and an
racquet String to be routed over and through the bumper outer Surface. The body includes a central region and first
guard and the racquet frame. and Second Wings. The central region, when installed on the
Existing bumper guards have drawbacks. In order to racquet, is generally centered about a plane defined by the
provide Sufficient protection to the racquet frame, bumper String bed. The first and Second Wings extend from the
guards typically must be formed of hard, tough, durable 40 central region. The inner Surface of the body configured to
material having Sufficient thickness to absorb the frequent generally conform with the peripheral outer Surface of the
impacts with hard Surfaces and objects. The bumper guard head portion. Each of the first and Second Wings has an inner
cannot be formed of a material So hard that it becomes wall and an Outer wall defining at least one elongate hollow
brittle. AS Such, the material thickness often determines the cavity. The inner wall of each of the first and Second Wings
Service life of a bumper guard. In order to provide a Service 45 extends from the central region and is configured to contact
life of Sufficient duration, bumper guards are often formed of the outer peripheral Surface of the racquet.
materials having considerable thickness. Although the According to a principal aspect of the invention, a Sports
increased thickneSS can increase the Service life of the racquet includes a frame, a bumper guard and a String bed.
bumper guard, it also results in increased, and often unde The frame has a head portion with an outer peripheral
Sirable, extra weight added to the head portion of the 50 Surface and a plurality of grommet holes formed into the
racquet. head portion for Supporting the String bed. The bumper
Existing bumper guards typically also do little to reduce guard is removably engaged with the frame. The bumper
or dampen the shock and vibration, resulting from impacts guard includes an elongate body having a first length, an
with hard Surfaces and objects, that is passed onto the inner Surface and an Outer Surface. The body includes a
racquet frame and ultimately is felt by the user. 55 central region, which is generally centered about a plane
In an attempt to address these drawbacks, Some existing defined by the String bed, and first and Second Wings
bumper guard configurations include a pair of opposing extending from the central region. The inner Surface of the
wings or flanges outwardly extending from the longitudinal body generally conforming with the peripheral Outer Surface
centerline of the bumper guard, wherein a portion of each of the head portion. Each of the first and Second Wings
wing or flange is Spaced apart or floating over the head 60 having an inner wall and an outer wall defining at least one
portion of the racquet frame to form a plurality of openings. elongate hollow cavity. The inner wall of each of the first
The openings can be unfilled, or filled with an elastomeric and Second Wings extends from the central region and
material. The Spaced apart configuration of a portion of the contacts the outer peripheral Surface of the racquet.
wings from the head portion of the racquet frame provide a This invention will become more fully understood from
cushion of air or elastomeric material between the bumper 65 the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with
guard and the head portion of the racquet frame. Although the accompanying drawings described herein below, and
these types of configurations can reduce the weight of the wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts.
 US 6,964,624 B2
3 4
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS roughened edges of the hoop portion 14 at the grommet
holes 28. The bumper assembly 12 preferably includes a
FIG. 1 is a front view of a racquet in accordance with a plurality of grommet members 34. In a preferred embodi
preferred embodiment of the present invention. ment, the bumper assembly 12 is comprised of a central
FIG. 2 is a front, top exploded perspective view of an 5 guard portion 36 positioned between first and Second end
upper portion of the racquet including a bumper guard of guard portions 38 and 40. In one particularly preferred
FIG. 1. embodiment, the first and Second end guard portions 38 and
FIG. 3 is a side view of a first end guard portion of the 40 are positioned at approximately the ten and two o'clock
bumper guard of FIG. 2. positions on the head portion 14 of the racquet 10, when
FIG. 4 is a top view of the first end guard portion of FIG. viewing the racquet 10 from the front side with the opening
3. 20 in full view and the handle assembly 18 downwardly
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the first end guard extending from approximately the Six o'clock position of the
portion taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4. head portion 14. In other alternative preferred embodiments,
FIG. 6 is a side view of a central guard portion of the the size and position of the three guide portions 36, 38 and
bumper guard of FIG. 2. 15 40 can vary with respect to each other and with respect to the
FIG. 7 is a top view of the central guard portion of FIG. head portion 14. In another alternative preferred embodi
3. ment, the bumper guard 12 can be formed entirely of a Single
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the central guard piece, two Separate pieces, or four or more Separate pieces.
portion of FIGS. 6 and 7. The multi-piece configurations of the bumper guard, Such as
FIG. 9 is a side view of a central guard portion of a the embodiment of FIG. 2, enables the user, if desired, to
bumper guard in accordance with an alternative preferred replace only a portion of the bumper guard without neces
embodiment of the present invention. Sarily having to replace the entire bumper guard.
FIG. 10 a top view of the central guard portion of FIG. 9. Referring to FIGS. 3-5, the first end guard portion 38 is
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a bumper guard taken shown in greater detail. The first and Second end guard
in accordance with another alternative preferred embodi 25 portions 38 and 40 are preferably substantially the same and
ment of the present invention. are Symmetrically positioned about a longitudinal axis 42 of
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a bumper guard taken the racquet 10. Accordingly, the following description of the
in accordance with another alternative preferred embodi first end guard portion 38 is directly applicable to the Second
ment of the present invention. end guard portion 40. The first end guard portion 38 has an
elongate body 44 having a first length, an inner Surface 46
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE and an outer surface 48. The body 44 is configured to
PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS generally conform to the outer surface 24 of the head portion
14 (FIG. 2).
Referring to FIG. 1, a Sports racquet is indicated generally The body 44 further includes a central region 50, centrally
at 10. The racquet 10 of FIG. 1 is configured as a tennis 35 and longitudinally extending along the body 44 of the end
racquet, however, the invention can also be formed as other guard portion 38, and first and second wings 52 and 54,
types of Sports racquets, Such as, for example, a racquetball attached to and, extending away from the central region 50.
racquet, a Squash racquet, or a badminton racquet. The When the end guard portion 38 is installed onto the racquet
racquet 10 includes a frame and a bumper guard 12. The 10, the central region 50 is generally centered about the
frame defines a head portion 14, a throat region 16 and a 40 plane defined by the String bed 22. A Second elongate receSS
handle assembly 18. The head portion 14 is a tubular 56 is defined into the outer surface of the central region 50.
Structure defining a generally oval shaped opening 20 for The second recess 56 is configured to correspond with the
Supporting a latticework of Strings in tension (a string bed first recess 30 (also FIG. 2) in the head portion 14 of the
22) defining a string plane. racquet 10. The central region 50 further includes a plurality
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the head portion 14 has an 45 of bumper String holes 58 Spaced apart along the central
outwardly facing Surface 24, an inwardly facing Surface 26, region 50, and aligned with, and extending through, the
and a plurality of grommet holes 28 extending through the grommet members 34, which inwardly extend from the
inwardly and outwardly facing Surfaces 26 and 24. A first inner surface of the central region 50. The string holes 58
elongate receSS30 is preferably formed into at least a portion can be sized to receive a single String Segment, or two or
of the outer surface 24 of the head portion 14. The first 50 more String Segments. The grommet members 34 are posi
receSS 30 is sized to receive at least a portion of at least one tioned and sized to correspond with, and extend through, the
racquet String 32, and, optionally a portion of the bumper grommet holes 28 (FIG. 2) of the head portion 14. Referring
guard 12 or a portion of a grommet assembly (not shown), to FIG. 3, in a particularly preferred embodiment, the end
Such that the racquet String 32 can extend about a portion of guard portion 38 includes five inwardly extending grommet
the outer periphery of the racquet 10 without outwardly 55 members 34. In alternative preferred embodiment, the end
projecting farther than the head portion 14, the bumper guard portion can include other numbers of grommet mem
guard 12 or the grommet assembly. The throat region 16 bers.
includes a pair of tubular shafts outwardly extending from Referring to FIG. 5, each wing 52 and 54 includes an
the head portion 14 and converging at the handle assembly inner wall 60 and an outer wall 62, which are spaced apart
18. The handle assembly 18 connects to and outwardly 60 to form an elongate hollow cavity 64. The inner wall 60
extends from the throat region 16. extends over, and preferably contacts, the outer Surface 24 of
Referring to FIG. 2, the bumper guard 12 is a flexible the head portion 14. The hollow cavity 64 has a second
elongate Structure removably attached to at least a portion of length that is less than the first length of the body 44 of the
the head portion 14. The bumper guard 12 is preferably first end guard portion 38. The hollow cavities 64 in the
configured to receive, and to facilitate Support of, the at least 65 wings of the end guard portion 38 are configured to enable
one racquet String 32 (see FIG. 1), and to prevent direct the outer wall 62 to deflect inward during impact with a hard
contact between the racquet String 32 and the generally Surface, Such as the playing Surface, walls or other hard
 US 6,964,624 B2
S 6
objects, thereby absorbing and dissipating Some of the force adhesive or a combination thereof. Each of the first and
asSociated with the impact. More Severe impacts may lead to Second end guard portions 38 and 40 and the central guard
compression of the outer wall 62 into the hollow cavity 64 portion 36 is preferably formed as an integral molded
to Such a degree that it closes a portion of the cavity 64 and component. In an alternative preferred embodiment, the
contact results between the inner and outer walls 60 and 62 body of the first end portion, Second end guard portion or
of one or both of the wings 52 and 54. The inner wall 62 central guard portion can be formed as an extrusion with the
Serves as a Second protective layer of material further grommet members attached to an inner Surface of the
helping to absorb the impact and preventing abrasive or extrusion.
rubbing contact between the outer wall 62 and the outer Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, an alternative preferred
surface 24 of the head portion 14 (FIG. 2). embodiment of a central guard portion 136 is illustrated. In
This configuration of the end bumper guard 38 helps to this embodiment, the central guard portion 136 is configured
reduce the amount of shock and Vibration applied to the head with the hollow cavities 64 extending along the entire length
portion of the racquet and ultimately to the user. The cavities of a body 144 of the central guard portion 136 within each
64 within the end bumper guard 38 also allow for weight to of the wings 52 and 54. The central guard portion 136
be removed from the bumper guard without negatively 15 therefore has a cross-sectional configuration, which is Sub
affecting performance of the bumper guard 12. Accordingly, stantially the same as that shown in FIG. 5. Accordingly, the
the present invention enables unnecessary or undesirable central guard portion 136 includes substantially all the
weight to be removed from the bumper guard 12. The inner features of the first and second end guard portions 38 and 40.
and outer walls 60 and 62 provide a double layer of In alternative preferred embodiments, the each of the wings
protection and inhibit undesirable rubbing or abrasions of the central guard portion 136 can include two or more
between the outer wall of the bumper guard, or from any hollow cavities in a Spaced apart configuration along the
material that may be present within the cavities 64. length of the body 144 of the central guard portion 136.
In alternative preferred embodiments, each wing can have Referring to FIG. 11, a cross-sectional view of an alter
two or more hollow cavities positioned in a Spaced apart native preferred embodiment of an end guard portion 238 is
manner along the length of the end bumper guard. In another 25 illustrated. In this embodiment, the end guard portion 238
alternative preferred embodiment, the hollow cavity can includes a body 244, which is formed of an inner layer 270
extend the entire length of the end bumper Section. and an outer layer 272. A portion of the inner and outer
Referring to FIGS. 6 through 8, one preferred embodi layers 270 and 272 are separated to define a cavity 264. The
ment of the central guard portion 36 is shown in greater inner and Outer layers are firmly joined to each other,
detail. The central guard portion 36 is configured to be very preferably bonded together. Alternatively, the inner and
similar to the first and second end portions 38 and 40, outer layers can be joined through an adhesive or through
including the central region 50, the first and second wings 52 other conventional mechanical connections, such as, for
and 54, the second recess 56, and the grommet members 34. example, Snap-fit interlocking connections. The two piece
The central guard portion 36 differs from the first and second body of the end guard portion 238 can also be used for the
end portions 38 and 40 in that the wings of the central guard 35 Second guard portion or for the central guard portion.
portion 36 do not include inner and Outer walls defining one Preferably, the inner layer 270 spaces apart and separates the
or more hollow cavities. This configuration illustrates one outer layer 272 from the head portion 14 of the racquet 10.
embodiment of the present invention, wherein certain por Referring to FIG. 12, in another alternative preferred
tions of the periphery of the head portion of the racquet are embodiment, the hollow cavities 64 can be filled with a gas,
covered by a guard portion (e.g., first and Second end 40 a fluid or an elastomeric material 66. The added material can
portions), which have hollow cavities in the wings for be used to vary the dampening and impact resistance char
providing additional wear, and shock and vibration absorp acteristics of the bumper guard.
tion protection, and other portions of the periphery of the While the preferred embodiments of the present invention
head portion receive a more conventional bumper guard have been described and illustrated, numerous departures
configuration. This enables those regions of the periphery of 45 therefrom can be contemplated by perSons skilled in the art.
the head portion most Susceptible to impacts with hard Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the fore
Surfaces or objects to receive the added benefit and protec going description but only by the Scope and Spirit of the
tion of the hollow cavities and other portions to include more appended claims.
conventional bumper guard protection. What is claimed is:
The bumper guard 12, including the first and Second end 50 1. A bumper guard for attachment to a Sports racquet, the
guard portions 38 and 40 and the central guard portion 36, Sports racquet including a frame having a head portion with
is formed of a lightweight, wear resistant, durable material, an Outer peripheral Surface and a plurality of grommet holes
preferably a nylon. Alternatively, other materials can be formed into the head portion for Supporting a String bed, the
used, Such as other a polyamide, a generally rigid polymer, bumper guard comprising:
other polymeric materials and combinations thereof. In a 55 an elongate body having a first length, an inner Surface
preferred embodiment, the body has a durometer of greater and an outer Surface, the body including a central
than 95 on the Shore A hardness Scale. In alternative region, which when installed on the racquet is generally
preferred embodiments, the body can be formed of a mate centered about a plane defined by the String bed, and
rial having a durometer that is less than 95 on the Shore A first and Second Wings extending from the central
hardneSS Scale. In a preferred embodiment, the bumper 60 region, the inner Surface of the body configured to
guard 12 is attached to the outer Surface 24 of the head generally conform with the peripheral outer Surface of
portion 14 by the grommet members 34 engagement with the head portion, each of the first and Second Wings
the grommet holes 28 and by the racquet String 32 extending having an inner wall and an outer wall defining at least
through the grommet members 34 and along portions of the one elongate hollow cavity, the inner wall of each of the
bumper guard 12. In other alternative preferred embodi 65 first and Second Wings extending from the central
ments, the bumper guard can also be attached by one or more region and being configured to contact the outer periph
Snap fit or interlocking connection with the head guard, an eral Surface of the racquet.
 US 6,964,624 B2
7 8
2. The bumper guard of claim 1, wherein the elongate a bumper guard removably engaged with the frame, the
body includes a Second elongate receSS extending along the bumper guard including,
central region of the body, and wherein the Second receSS is an elongate body having a first length, an inner Surface
configured to correspond with a first elongate receSS formed and an outer Surface, the body including a central
into the outer peripheral Surface of the racquet. region generally centered about a plane defined by
3. The bumper guard of claim 1, further comprising at the String bed, and first and Second Wings extending
least two spaced apart generally cylindrical grommet mem from the central region, the inner Surface of the body
bers attached to and extending generally perpendicular from generally conforming with the peripheral Outer Sur
the inner Surface, and at the central region, of the body, and face of the head portion, each of the first and Second
wherein the grommet members are configured to extend into wings having an inner wall and an outer wall defin
the grommet holes of the head portion. ing at least one elongate hollow cavity, the inner wall
4. The bumper guard of claim 1, wherein the bumper of each of the first and Second Wings extending from
guard includes a central guard portion and first and Second the central region and contacting the outer peripheral
end guard portions. Surface of the racquet.
5. The bumper guard of claim 4, wherein the first and 15 14. The racquet of claim 13, wherein the racquet includes
Second guard portions are positioned at opposite ends of the a first elongate receSS formed into the outer peripheral
central guard portion. Surface elongate body, and wherein the bumper guard
6. The bumper guard of claim 5, wherein only the first and includes a Second elongate receSS extending along the cen
Second end guard portions of the bumper guard include the tral region of the bumper guard, and wherein the first receSS
first and Second Wings having inner and outer walls which is configured to correspond with the Second receSS.
define the elongate hollow cavity. 15. The racquet of claim 13, further comprising at least
7. The bumper guard of claim 1, wherein at least one of two spaced apart generally cylindrical grommet members
the elongate cavities is filled with a material Selected from attached to and extending generally perpendicular from the
the group consisting of a fluid, a gas, an elastomeric mate inner Surface, and at the central region, of the body, and
rial, and combinations thereof. 25
wherein the grommet members are configured to extend into
8. The bumper guard of claim 1, wherein each of the first the grommet holes of the head portion.
and Second Wings defines at least two Spaced apart elongate 16. The racquet of claim 13, wherein the bumper guard
hollow cavities.
9. The bumper guard of claim 1, wherein the body is includes a central guard portion and first and Second end
guard portions.
formed of an inner layer and an outer layer, and wherein the 17. The racquet of claim 16, wherein the first and second
outer layer is configured to be free from contact with the guard portions are positioned at opposite ends of the central
head portion. guard portion.
10. The bumper guard of claim 1, wherein the cavity has
a Second length that is less than the first length of the body. 18. The racquet of claim 17, wherein only the first and
11. The bumper guard of claim 1, wherein the body is 35 Second end guard portions of the bumper guard include the
formed of a material Selected from the group consisting of first and Second Wings having inner and Outer walls which
nylon, a generally rigid polymer, a polyamide and combi define the elongate hollow cavity.
nations thereof. 19. The racquet of claim 13, wherein at least one of the
12. The bumper guard of claim 11, wherein the material elongate cavities is filled with a material Selected from the
of the body has a durometer of greater than 95 on the Shore 40 group consisting of a fluid, a gas, an elastomeric material,
A hardneSS Scale. and combinations thereof.
13. A Sports racquet including: 20. The racquet of claim 13, wherein each of the first and
a frame having a head portion with an outer peripheral Second Wings defines at least two spaced apart elongate
Surface and a plurality of grommet holes formed into hollow cavities.
the head portion; 45
a String bed Supported by the head portion; and