i think i've seen some of those, they are sort of Y framed as well but rather than the more isometric look the Princes have, these ones were more roundish. is that what you're talking about?
Yeah maybe, kind of teardrop shaped. Like this: http://www.badmintonforum.com/vb/showthread.php?p=788007 ...but without the long shaft, if I remember right. And blue. I guess they wouldn't be allowed under the current rules.
If Prince hasn't got that patented anymore (I'm supposing it was in the first place, but I'm going to have to check on that later), why has Isometric rackets taken over the market? Maybe it suggests that it is a more efficient way of providing the benefits of the larger sweetspot. Whether it provides any of the other benefits that the Y-frame does, someone else would know better than me.
Perhaps Prince was trying to bring back that style that Kennex had introduced... Edit: Sorry for being ignorant, but why would it not be allowed? Are you only allowed the traditional Oval and Isometric shaped heads in tournament play?
made from the same material as most, carbon graphite. none of that fancy yonex nano technology. i've heard a rumour that one of the reasons they stopped making them was because they were against the rules due to the size of the racquet head. i don't know how far that's true though.
"4.2.2.2 the overall length of the stringed area does not then exceed 330 mm." The Prince and Kennex rackets would be allowed. The ones I'm thinking of, the stringed area might be too long. Not sure though, they might have had a cross-piece at the bottom of the frame, like a tennis racket does, I don't remember. I could just be imagining it all of course - it was about 7 years ago. Prince actually own the patents on both Y-Joint and the original Teardrop shaped rackets: http://www.google.com/patents?id=iREjAAAAEBAJ&dq=y-joint+badminton http://www.google.com/patents?id=suUlAAAAEBAJ&dq=y-joint+badminton
Y-frames are nothing new. They existed even in the 1920s. In the All England in 1923 winners of two titles played with a Slazengers "GAT" badminton racquet which looked similar to the Y-frame racquet. Later in 1936 there was a racquet called Hazell's 'Streamlined', with thin shaft but 'supports' on each side of it from frame to shaft. It looked more like a long Y-frame racquet with another thin shaft in the middle. Looked wierd, like a 3-shaft racquet.
It seems like Prince had relaunch it's Y-Joint series racket. Not sure whether the new version had any improvement over the last model. But based on the description its looks very promising Maybe will get one and try. Will share more hehe... Prince Phoenix Y badminton racket
Wilson Dimension. I had one, and my cousin has one still I think (doesn't play any more) I tried flexing it a while back when I discovered it at his - it's stiff as a plank of wood because the shaft is so short! Unfortunately I cant find a picture online.
Wow, I've just tried my friend's new Prince y joint racket, feels good. Initially, with the wrong stringing method, it felt a little strange, but then he strung again with the recommended method, it was great!, Effortless game without vibration. I think badmintonbay.com is selling...i'll post the link later..
Scientific article by 2017 says that Y-rackets have their advantages. Simulation of a Badminton Racket A parametric study of racket design parameters using Finite Element Analysis. Master’s thesis in Applied Mechanics ELIAS BLOMSTRAND MIKE DEMANT Why it disappeared? Because of Yonex I guess, marketing wins, not technologies and researches. People like to play with marketing promises. And it is ok for them as long as all others play with the same sh*t.
