US Patent 8449411 Racquet handle assembly including a plurality of support members

A sports racquet including a handle assembly coupled to and longitudinally extending from a head portion. The handle assembly includes an elongate tubular shaft, a pallet positioned over the shaft, and a plurality of generally planar support members. The pallet is positioned over the shaft and has an outer surface that defines a plurality of longitudinally extending flats. Each of the flats has a length and a width. At least two of the flats define respective elongate recesses. Each of the recesses having a maximum recess width that is less than the width of the respective flat. The support members are positioned within the respective recesses.