U.S. patent application number 09/180085 was filed with the patent office on 2002-01-31 for application of grips to handles.
Invention is credited to CAREY, JOHN PATRICK, HOOD, OLIVER.
Application Number | 20020010992 09/180085 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 11041155 |
Filed Date | 2002-01-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020010992 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
CAREY, JOHN PATRICK ; et
al. |
January 31, 2002 |
APPLICATION OF GRIPS TO HANDLES
Abstract
A grip such as a golf club grip (2) is applied to a handle (3)
by initially engaging it with a guide (10) which embraces the
handle (3). The guide (10) is pushed down over the handle (3),
causing teeth (I ) to be pushed outwardly and engage the mouth of
the grip (2) and its inner bore. Air is injected into the grip (2)
by a pump (27) via a cap hole valve to cause the grip (2) to
expand. The grip (2) is simultaneously pulled onto the handle (3)
by pulling the guide (10) down the shaft. The guide (10) is then
removed by pulling a tab (15) which causes a part to be torn
off.
Inventors: |
CAREY, JOHN PATRICK;
(ROSCREA, IE) ; HOOD, OLIVER; (BALLSBRIDGE,
IE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JACOBSON PRICE HOLMAN & STERN
400 SEVENTH STREET NW
WASHINGTON
DC
20004
|
Family ID: |
11041155 |
Appl. No.: |
09/180085 |
Filed: |
December 10, 1998 |
PCT Filed: |
May 2, 1997 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IE97/00036 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
29/235 ;
29/450 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 29/53657 20150115;
A63B 60/10 20151001; Y10T 29/4987 20150115; B29L 2031/463 20130101;
Y10T 29/53952 20150115; A63B 60/08 20151001; B29C 63/20 20130101;
B25G 3/00 20130101; A63B 60/06 20151001 |
Class at
Publication: |
29/235 ;
29/450 |
International
Class: |
B23P 011/02; B23P
019/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 2, 1996 |
IE |
S96 0326 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for applying a tubular grip to a handle, the
apparatus comprising: a gas pump having a valve for connection to a
cap hole of a grip, and a grip guide comprising: a guide body
having a through-hole for receiving a handle, and means for
engaging the mouth of a grip.
2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said engagement
means comprises at least one pair of opposed teeth mounted for
engaging the inner bore of the mouth of a grip.
3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the teeth are
resiliently mounted for radial movement outwardly to engage the
grip mouth.
4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the teeth are
mounted whereby longitudinal movement of the handle through the
guide causes outer radial movement of the teeth.
5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the teeth are
mounted on cantilevered supports having bevelled inner
surfaces.
6. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the
guide has a line of weakness to allow it to be broken off the
handle after application of the grip.
7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the guide has a pair
lines of weakness between which there is a tear-off portion, and a
tab connected to the tear-off portion to allow it to be torn
off.
8. An apparatus as claimed in claims 6 or 7, wherein the line of
weakness extends in the longitudinal direction along the guide.
9. An apparatus as claimed in claims 6 or 7, wherein the line of
weakness extends circumferentially around the guide.
10. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the
guide comprises a flange which may be gripped by the user to pull
the guide and grip along the shaft.
11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the flange is
splayed out for easy engagement of the guide with the shaft.
12. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the gas
pump is an air pump.
13. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, further
comprising a cap hole valve having a circumferential notch for
snap-fitting engagement with the grip.
14. An apparatus for applying a tubular grip to a handle, the
apparatus comprising: a grip guide comprising: a guide body having
a through-hole for receiving a handle, and means for engaging the
mouth of a grip.
15. An apparatus as claimed in claim 14, further comprising a valve
means for connection of the grip to a pump means at an aperture in
the grip, such as a cap hole.
16. An apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with
reference to and as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6.
17. An apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with
reference to and is illustrated in FIGS. 7 to
18. An apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with
reference to and is illustrated in FIGS. 11 to 14.
19. An apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with
reference to and is illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16.
20. A method of applying a tubular grip to a handle, the method
comprising the steps of: presenting the mouth of the grip to the
end of the handle and engaging the mouth with a guide which
embraces the handle, expanding the grip by injection of a gas into
the grip and simultaneously causing the guide to pull the grip
along the handle until the grip is in position on the handle, and
removing the guide.
21. A method as claimed in claim 20, wherein the guide comprises
teeth which are pushed outwardly to engage the grip mouth at its
inner bore as the guide is pushed onto the handle.
22. A method as claimed in claim 21, wherein the teeth are pushed
outwardly by action of the leading end of the handle pushing
against bevelled inner surfaces of teeth supports.
23. A method as claimed in claims 20 to 22, wherein the guide is
removed after application of the grip by breaking it.
24. A method as claimed in claim 23, wherein the guide is broken
along a line of weakness.
25. A method as claimed in claim 24, wherein the guide is broken by
pulling a tab to remove a tear-off portion between a pair of lines
of weakness.
26. A method as claimed in any of claims 20 to 25, wherein the grip
is expanded by injection of air from a pump.
27. A method as claimed in claim 25, wherein the grip is aligned on
the handle during application by alignment of the tab on the guide
with a datum.
28. A method substantially as hereinbefore described with reference
to and illustrated to FIGS. 1 to 3.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to the application of grips to
handles, such as to a golf club shaft. However, the invention also
relates to application of any type of tubular grip such as a
baseball bat grip.
[0002] Conventionally, a grip is applied to a golf club handle by
placing the golf club shaft in a vice at a particular orientation.
The grip is then lubricated by applying solvent such as white
spirits into the grip and on the area of the shaft. The shaft may
be covered with tape which provides the adhesive. Alternatively,
the adhesive may be provided by a liquid adhesive applied directly
to the shaft. While the shaft is clamped in the vice, the grip is
pushed down over the shaft. This task must be carried out very
quickly, before the lubricating effect of the solvent diminishes.
It must also be carried out very carefully to ensure that the grip
does not twist or distort locally at any location. Further, it is
also important to ensure that the grip maintains a correct
alignment by visually aligning markings on the grip with a datum
such as a part of the clamp. After the grip has been pushed down
over the shaft, a final check is made to ensure that it is in
correct alignment and is not distorted.
[0003] Variations of this basic method are described in U.S. Pat.
No. 5,407,026 (Karsten) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,429,706 (Cresse). It is
also known to use large items of equipment which automate to
application of a grip in manufacturing environments, as described
in Japanese Specification No. JP 07233603 (Nichigo). The system
described in the latter specification has four aligned stations,
one of which supports the end of a grip and allows injection of air
so that the grip is expanded as it is pushed onto the shaft.
[0004] At the other end of the system, there is a support which
supports the end of the shaft. The system also has a pair of
compression mechanisms which compress the grip intermediate the
ends. The various stations of the system are relatively movable to
cause the grip to be pushed over the shaft.
[0005] While the equipment described in the above specifications
are generally suitable for manufacturers or professionals, they do
not allow grips to be applied by the end user. This leads to the
major disadvantage of users being slow to replace grips as they
become worn because of the inconvenience of giving the item to
specialists. Taking the example of golf, this can result in players
using clubs which have poor grips, which affects enjoyment of the
game.
[0006] Attempts have been made to facilitate easier application of
grips by the end user. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,419,031
(McLendon) describes a grip which is rolled down onto the shaft.
While this does allow application of a grip by an end user, it
appears that the requirement for high material flexibility limits
the choice of grip material which may be used. U.S. Pat. No.
4,313,250 (Sokolowski) describes a hand tool which extends along
the length of the shaft and between the shaft and the grip to allow
easier pushing of the grip onto the shaft. However, it appears that
application of the grip to achieve the desired alignment would
still be quite difficult for the end user.
[0007] The invention is therefore directed towards providing an
apparatus and a method for application of a grip to a handle which
provide for very simple and quick application of a grip by end
users.
[0008] According to the invention, there is provided an apparatus
for applying a tubular grip to a handle, the apparatus
comprising:
[0009] a gas pump having a valve for connection to a cap hole of a
grip, and
[0010] a grip guide comprising:
[0011] a guide body having a through-hole for receiving a handle,
and
[0012] means for engaging the mouth of a grip.
[0013] Preferably, said engagement means comprises at least one
pair of opposed teeth mounted for engaging the inner bore of the
mouth of a grip.
[0014] In one embodiment, the teeth are resiliently mounted for
radial movement outwardly to engage the grip mouth.
[0015] Preferably, the teeth are mounted whereby longitudinal
movement of the handle through the guide causes outer radial
movement of the teeth.
[0016] Ideally, the teeth are mounted on cantilevered supports
having bevelled inner surfaces.
[0017] In one embodiment, the guide has a line of weakness to allow
it to be broken off the handle after application of the grip.
[0018] In another embodiment, the guide has a pair lines of
weakness between which there is a tear-off portion, and a tab
connected to the tear-off portion to allow it to be torn off.
Preferably, the line of weakness extends in the longitudinal
direction along the guide.
[0019] In another embodiment, the line of weakness extends
circumferentially around the guide.
[0020] In one embodiment, the guide comprises a flange which may be
gripped by the user to pull the guide and grip along the shaft.
[0021] Preferably, the flange is splayed out for easy engagement of
the guide with the shaft.
[0022] Preferably, the gas pump is an air pump.
[0023] In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a cap
hole valve having a circumferential notch for snap-fitting
engagement with the grip.
[0024] According to another aspect, the invention provides an
apparatus for applying a tubular grip to a handle, the apparatus
comprising:
[0025] a grip guide comprising:
[0026] a guide body having a through-hole for receiving a handle,
and
[0027] means for engaging the mouth of a grip.
[0028] In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a valve
means for connection of the grip to a pump means at an aperture in
the grip, such as a cap hole.
[0029] According to another aspect, the invention provides a method
of applying a tubular grip to a handle, the method comprising the
steps of:
[0030] presenting the mouth of the grip to the end of the handle
and engaging the mouth with a guide which embraces the handle,
[0031] expanding the grip by injection of a gas into the grip and
simultaneously causing the guide to pull the grip along the handle
until the grip is in position on the handle, and
[0032] removing the guide.
[0033] Preferably, the guide comprises teeth which are pushed
outwardly to engage the grip mouth at its inner bore as the guide
is pushed onto the handle.
[0034] In one embodiments the teeth are pushed outwardly by action
of the leading end of the handle pushing against bevelled inner
surfaces of teeth supports.
[0035] Ideally, the guide is removed after application of the grip
by breaking it. Ideally, the guide is broken along a line of
weakness.
[0036] In one embodiment, the guide is broken by pulling a tab to
remove a tear-off portion between a pair of lines of weakness.
[0037] Preferably, the grip is expanded by injection of air from a
pump.
[0038] In one embodiment, the grip is aligned on the handle during
application by alignment of the tab on the guide with a datum.
[0039] The invention will be more clearly understood from the
following description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of
example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in
which:
[0040] FIGS. 1 to 3 are diagrammatic views showing the three major
steps in application of a golf grip to a shaft;
[0041] FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 are perspective, cross-sectional side, and
end views respectively of a guide of a grip application apparatus
of the invention;
[0042] FIGS. 7 and 8 are side views of an alternative guide, and
FIGS. 9 and 10 are diagrammatic views illustrating the manner in
which the guide of FIGS. 7 and 8 is removed from a shaft;
[0043] FIGS. 11 to 13 inclusive are perspective views showing
application of a grip using an alternative apparatus of the
invention and FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic view showing part of an air
pump of the apparatus; and
[0044] FIGS. 15 and 16 are diagrammatic side views showing
application of a grip using a further apparatus of the
invention.
[0045] Referring to the drawings, and initially to FIGS. 1 to 6
there is shown a grip application apparatus 1 of the invention and
the manner in which it is used. The apparatus 1 is shown in FIGS. 1
to 3 being used applying a golf club grip 2 to a golf club shaft
3.
[0046] Referring particularly to FIG. 4, the apparatus 1 comprises
a guide 10 which has four teeth 11 which are integral on
longitudinal resilient fingers 12 cantilevered on a tubular body 13
of the guide 10. At the other end of the guide 10, the body 13 is
splayed out to form a flange 14. A tab 15 is connected to a
tear-off part 16 of the guide 10 between a pair of lines of
weakness 17.
[0047] The apparatus 1 also comprises a one-way cap hole valve 20
having a circumferential notch 21. The valve 20 is connected to a
flexible tube 25 which terminates in a valve 26 which connects it
to an air pump 27 which in this embodiment is a "bicycle pump".
[0048] The apparatus 1 may be used in a very simple manner to apply
the grip to the shaft 3. An adhesive is applied to the end of the
shaft 3 according to the grip manufacturer's specifications. The
guide 10 is then partly pushed over the end of the shaft 3, flange
first. The mouth of the grip 2 is pushed over the teeth 11, which
at this stage are at their innermost positions. The cap hole valve
20 is pushed into a cap hole 22 of the grip 2 until it snap-fits in
position at the notch 21.
[0049] As shown in FIG. 2, the guide 10 is pushed downwardly on the
shaft 3. Because the teeth fingers 12 have an inner curved and
generally bevelled configuration, the leading end of the shaft 3
pushes the teeth outwardly as shown in FIG. 2 so that the teeth 11
engage the inner bore of the mouth of the grip 2. At this stage,
air is pumped into the grip 2 by the pump 27 and the guide 10 is
simultaneously pushed down along the shaft 3 preferably with the
assistance of a second person. The injection of air causes the grip
to expand as shown in FIG. 2 and allows it to be very easily pulled
down on the shaft by the guide 10. This action is continued until
the position of FIG. 3 is reached when the grip in place. It is no
longer necessary to inject air and the grip 2 relaxes back to its
original position engaged tightly around the shaft 3. The guide 10
is then disengaged from the grip 2 and is removed by the user
pulling the tab 15 as shown by the arrow A in FIG. 3, thus tearing
away the tear-off portion 16 between the lines of weakness 17. The
guide 10 is thus disposable.
[0050] The adhesive is then allowed to cure to secure the grip in
position. The cured adhesive is indicated by the numeral 18 in FIG.
3.
[0051] It would be appreciated that the invention provides for very
simple and quick application of a grip to a handle by end users. It
is only necessary to engage the grip on the guide, pump air into
the grip using a conventional pump such as a bicycle pump, and push
the guide down along the handle The tab 15 on the guide may be used
for alignment of the grip, thus ensuring that it is easily aligned.
In the event that the grip is misaligned, it is very easy to
re-expand the grip and adjust the position before disengaging the
guide 10.
[0052] The invention is not limited to the embodiment illustrated.
For example, the guide may have a tear-off portion which extends
circumferentially around the guide body. Such an arrangement is
shown in FIGS. 7 to 10 in a guide 30 having a series of parallel
teeth 31 an four resilient supports. The guide 30 has a body 32
connected to a tab 33 and connected by lines of weakness 34 and 35
to the teeth supports and a flange 37 having a notch 38. The guide
30 is removed after application of the grip by pulling the tab 33
to peel away the main body between the flange 37 and the teeth 31
as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.
[0053] Referring now to FIGS. 11 to 14 inclusive, a still further
apparatus 40 of the invention is illustrated. The apparatus 40
comprises a bellows air pump 41 and a guide 42. The pump 41
comprises a bellows 43 (best shown in FIG. 14) which has a one-way
valve 44. The bellows 43 is mounted within a flexible sleeve 44.
The flexible sleeve may, however, be dispensed with. The guide 42
has two sets of opposed teeth 45 mounted directly on a flange 46
which has a line of weakness 47 on one side. To apply a grip using
the apparatus 40, the small hand pump 41 is used to inject air into
the grip. Thus, the apparatus may be provided as a complete
self-contained assembly comprising the pump and the guide as there
is no need to provide an auxiliary pump such as a bicycle pump. In
this embodiment, the guide 42 is simply broken off along the line
of weakness 47 without the need for a tab.
[0054] Referring now to FIGS. 15 and 16, there is illustrated a
still further construction of apparatus 50 comprising a two-part
guide 51. The guide 51 comprises two identical parts which have a
generally semi-circular inner surface so that when they meet the
shaft can be pushed in-between. The inner side edges are curved so
that when they engage at the outer end they can pushed into the
mouth of the grip and then as the parts are pushed towards each
other at the inner end they push outwardly against the inner bore
of the mouth of the grip. The grip is then applied as described
above for the other guides. The outer ends of the two parts may
have teeth for engaging the mouth of the grip.
[0055] The pump and cap hole valve may be used for non-destructive
removal of a grip. This is achieved by inserting the cap hole valve
into the mouth of the grip when in position, covering the cap hole,
and injecting air. This separates the grip from the handle, upon
which the grip may be easily removed.
[0056] It will be appreciated that the invention provides for
application of a grip in an extremely simple and inexpensive
manner. There is no need for expensive equipment.
[0057] The apparatus may be provided in an inexpensive package in
which there is one guide for each grip to be applied. For example,
the invention may be provided as a set of grips with one guide per
grip. The package may or may not include a pump because a
conventional pump may be used. For example, the package may include
guides and one or more cap hole valves for fitting to a
conventional pump.
[0058] The invention allows for a large expansion of the grip
markets by allowing much easier re-gripping of handles such as golf
club shafts--both benefiting the end user and the
manufacturers.
[0059] The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore
described but may be varied within the scope of the claims in
construction and detail.
* * * * *