Importance

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Abstract

A handle pallet for a tennis racquet includes an elongated rigid underlayment member formed integrally with the racquet head in a one-step compression molding operation, to form a one-piece racquet head/handle pallet underlayment member article. The underlayment member generally is octagonal-shaped, and includes sides having a concave-shaped exterior surface and sides having a flat exterior surface, with the widths of the sides being generally uniform. Spaced elongated edges of the sides form prominent, outwardly directed ridges at each interface of pairs of said edges for indexing of the racquet orientation by the player. An elongated soft overlayment member also is octagonal-shaped and is disposed on the underlayment member for shock absorption. The sides of the overlayment member each have a flat exterior surface, and the interior surface of the overlayment member is complementary in shape to the exterior surface of the underlayment member. The width of the overlayment member is variable due to the concave-shaped sides of the underlayment member, so that the handle pallet is lightweight and maintains the indexing function of the underlayment member, yet provides excellent shock absorbency for the player.

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First Claim