Abstract

A method for producing a reinforced composite racket frame having an outer shell made of a fiber reinforced thermosetting plastic material and a foam core comprising the steps of: (a) placing an open-ended tubular shell of fiber reinforced thermosetting plastic material in a racket frame mold with two valve members respectively provided at an outlet and an inlet of the mold; (b) heating the mold to a first predetermined temperature for curing the tubular shell; (c) causing one of the valve members to be open and the other valve to be closed; (d) applying compressed air through the open valve to force the shell into intimate contact with an inner surface of the mold, the shell thereby assuming the shape of the mold; (e) cooling the mold to a second predetermined temperature at which the tubular shell becomes set to the mold shape; (f) opening the closed valve; (g) introducing a predetermined amount of a foamable material through at least one of the valves and into the shell; and (h) closing both of the valve members to allow the forming of a foam material at the second predetermined temperature within the tubular shell to form a core of the racket.