U.S. patent application number 10/054170 was filed with the patent office on 2003-07-24 for wrap style hand grip.
This patent application is currently assigned to Eaton Corporation. Invention is credited to Ulrich, James Jay, Wyckoff, Dennis Chester.
Application Number | 20030139223 10/054170 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 21989201 |
Filed Date | 2003-07-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030139223 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ulrich, James Jay ; et
al. |
July 24, 2003 |
Wrap style hand grip
Abstract
A wrap style hand grip (8) with a multiple material surface
throughout the length of the grip has an elastomeric body (10) with
a spiral formed channel 12 therein. A strip (18) of alternative
material is disposed within the spiral formed channel (12) and in
combination with the exposed upper surface (17) thereon forms the
wrap style hand grip which is particularly suited for use as a golf
club grip.
Inventors: |
Ulrich, James Jay;
(Laurinburg, NC) ; Wyckoff, Dennis Chester;
(Laurinburg, NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
EATON CORPORATION
EATON CENTER
1111 SUPERIOR AVENUE
CLEVELAND
OH
44114
|
Assignee: |
Eaton Corporation
Cleveland
OH
|
Family ID: |
21989201 |
Appl. No.: |
10/054170 |
Filed: |
January 22, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/301 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 49/08 20130101;
A63B 60/10 20151001; A63B 60/06 20151001; A63B 60/14 20151001; A63B
60/08 20151001; A63B 53/14 20130101; A63B 60/00 20151001 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/301 |
International
Class: |
A63B 053/14 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A wrap style hand grip, comprising: an elastomeric body having a
generally cylindrical shape, said elastomeric body further having a
bore constructed to be slidably received on a workpiece, said
elastomeric body having a spiral formed channel extending from an
upper portion of said elastomeric body to a lower portion thereof;
and a strip of alternative material disposed within said spiral
formed channel in combination forming the wrap style hand grip with
a multiple material surface.
2. A wrap style hand grip according to claim 1, wherein said strip
comprises a material being a member selected from the group
consisting of leather, polyurethane, natural fabric, synthetic
fabric, natural textile, synthetic cork, thermoplastic material,
thermoset material, foamed rubber, and combinations thereof.
3. A wrap style hand grip according to claim 1, wherein said strip
comprises a foamed rubber layer bonded to a polyurethane layer.
4. A wrap style hand grip according to claim 1, wherein said strip
comprises a polyurethane layer of material.
5. A wrap style hand grip according to claim 1, wherein said
elastomeric body comprises an integrally formed cap.
6. A wrap style hand grip according to claim 1, wherein said
elastomeric body further comprises a slot at an upper portion of
said elastomeric body for receiving one end of said strip.
7. A wrap style hand grip according to claim 6, wherein said strip
comprises a tapered starting end constructed to be slidably
received within said slot.
8. A wrap style hand grip according to claim 7, wherein said strip
further comprises a tapered trailing end constructed to conform
with said spiral formed channel at the lower portion of said hand
grip.
9. In a slip-on golf club grip fabricated from an elastomer, the
improvement comprises a spiral channel extending from an upper
portion of the golf club grip to a lower portion of the golf club
grip, said spiral channel being constructed to receive a strip of
an alternative material for providing a wrap style golf club
grip.
10. The slip-on golf club grip as recited in claim 9, wherein said
golf club grip further comprises an integrally formed cap.
11. The slip-on golf club grip as recited in claim 9, wherein said
golf club grip further comprises a slot in an upper portion of said
golf club grip for receiving one end of said strip.
12. A method for making a wrap style hand grip, comprising the
steps of: providing a generally cylindrical body portion made from
an elastomer; forming a spiral channel therein, the spiral channel
extending from an upper portion of the body to a lower portion of
the body, the body portion having a bore therein adapted to slide
onto an end of a workpiece; and disposing a strip of material
within said channel and retaining it therein for making the wrap
style hand grip.
13. A method as recited in claim 12, further comprising the step of
providing a slot on the upper portion of the hand grip for
receiving one end of the strip.
14. A method for making a wrap style hand grip according to claim
13, further comprising the step of forming the strip of material
with a foamed polyurethane layer of material.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates in general to a hand grip, and
more particularly to a slip-on hand grip with a multiple material
surface suitable for use with many tools or items such as a wrap
style golf club grip.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] There are many different types of hand grips used today for
a wide variety of items, including without limitation, tools
(hammer handles, etc.), racquets (hand ball, badminton, or tennis
racquets), bats (baseball or softball), pool cues, umbrellas,
fishing rods, or the like. As employed herein, the term "hand grip"
is meant to include all of these items as well as others even
though the present invention is particularly suited for use as a
golf club grip and reference is made specifically thereto. It
should be immediately apparent that the present invention is
applicable to any of the aforementioned applications among other
applications for a hand grip.
[0005] Slip-on golf club grips made of a molded rubber material or
synthetic plastic are well known in the golf industry. The term
"slip-on" as employed herein refers to a grip made of one type of
material that slides on to a shaft or handle and is secured by way
of an adhesive or the like. Slip-on grips are available in many
shapes and forms. They can be buffed to leave some cord through the
rubber compound to provide a variety of grip styles and feel.
[0006] Wrap style golf grips are also known in the industry. In the
past, golf club grips were simply leather or cloth wraps around the
golf club shaft. Then, synthetic materials were employed to replace
the leather or the cloth. More recently, the wraps are made from
various resilient materials that are spirally wrapped about the
shaft of the golf club, or alternatively about a sleeve positioned
on the golf club shaft as described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No.
Re. 35,673.
[0007] Existing wrap styles of hand grips heretofore have all been
constructed of a single surface material throughout the grip, and
particularly where the hands grip the hand grip. By "single surface
material", it is meant that the surface of the grip is the same
material. These existing single surface material wrap style hand
grips are lacking in terms of variation in cosmetic or aesthetic
appearance and feel throughout the functional length of gripping
surface of the hand grip.
[0008] There still exists a need for an improved hand grip which
can offer the economic and durability advantages of a slip-on hand
grip with the styling and hand feel of a wrap style hand grip. Such
a hand club grip would offer a multiple material surface for
improved appearance, and a more positive grip in all types of
weather and/or playing conditions. The hand grip would be easy on
the hands and provide a superior grip with a longer life.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to
provide an improved wrap style hand grip with a multiple material
surface.
[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a wrap
style grip that offers the durability of a slip-on hand grip, and
yet provides a good grip in all weather and/or playing
conditions.
[0011] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
a wrap style golf club grip with a multiple material surface that
has a distinctive and pleasant appearance as well as the
convenience and economy of a one-piece slip-on golf grip.
[0012] The above and other objects of the present invention are
accomplished with a wrap style hand grip comprising an elastomeric
body having a generally cylindrical shape. The elastomeric body
includes a bore constructed to be slidably received on a workpiece.
The elastomeric body further includes a spiral formed channel
extending from an upper portion of the elastomeric body to a lower
portion thereof. A strip of an alternative material to the
elastomeric body is constructed to be disposed within the spiral
formed channel for forming the wrap style hand grip with a multiple
material surface. The strip may be made of a material that includes
without limitation polyurethane, leather, a natural fabric or
textile, a synthetic fabric or textile, a synthetic plastic or
rubber material, a thermoplastic or thermoset material, or any
combination thereof.
[0013] The present invention is also directed to a method for
making a wrap style hand grip which includes the steps of providing
a generally cylindrical body portion made from an elastomer,
forming a spiral channel in the elastomeric body from an upper
portion of the body to a lower portion of the body, and disposing a
strip of an alternative material within the spiral channel to make
the wrap style hand grip.
[0014] The various features of novelty which characterize the
invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed
to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better
understanding of the invention, its operating advantages, and
specific objects attained by its uses, reference is made to the
accompanying drawings, and descriptive matter in which a preferred
embodiment of the invention is illustrated.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the wrap style hand
grip as a golf club grip in accordance with the present
invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view showing the elastomeric
body as a golf club grip in accordance with the present
invention;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the golf club grip;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the golf club grip;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of a portion of the strip
in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
[0020] FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of a portion of the strip
in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present
invention; and
[0021] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a portion of the wrap style
golf club grip.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022] Referring to the figures, which are not intended to limit
the present invention thereto, and where like numerals designate
like or similar features throughout the several views, and first in
particular to FIG. 1, there is shown a wrap style hand grip as a
golf club grip generally designated 8 in accordance with the
present invention. As mentioned previously, the present invention
is applicable to any item employing a slip-on hand grip and is not
intended to be limited to only golf grips. Slip-on golf grips are
widely used in the industry and may even be considered
"conventional golf grips". These grips are typically made of an
elastomeric material like a rubber compound or a synthetic plastic.
The terms "elastomer", "rubber compound", "synthetic plastic",
"thermoplastic", "thermoset material", or simply "rubber" are used
herein interchangeably and are intended to refer to the same
material. There are many rubber compounds known in the industry for
making a wide variety of slip-on hand grips. These materials offer
convenience, economy, and durability. Additionally, the rubber
compounds provide good hand feel or grip characteristics desirable
in the industry. The material is easy on the hands and yet can
provide a positive grip in all types of weather and playing
conditions.
[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, the body portion 10 of the golf grip is
made of rubber and has a generally cylindrical shape. The body 10
of grip 8 includes a bore 11 therein as seen only in FIG. 4. Bore
11 has a diameter that conforms to the diameter of a shaft or
handle, also referred to as a workpiece herein. Bore 11 is adapted
to allow the hand grip 8 to be slidably received on the workpiece.
Preferably, body 10 further includes a taper that conforms to the
workpiece, in this illustrative example, a golf shaft (a portion
shown in dashed lines in FIG. 2) on which the golf grip readily
slips on and is adhered thereto with a known adhesive. FIGS. 3 and
4 show top and bottom plan views of the tapered golf club grip. The
maintenance and installation of slip-on golf grips is well known
and requires no detailed explanation here. Grip replacement is a
relatively quick and inexpensive process and is performed by most
golf professionals and/or professional club makers.
[0024] The elastomeric body 10 has a spiral formed channel 12 that
extends from an upper portion 14 of the elastomeric body 10 down to
a lower portion 16. An exposed upper surface 17 remains on the
elastomeric body 10 as a result of the spiral channel 12. This
exposed upper surface 17 is the first part of the multiple material
surface of the grip 8. The term "multiple material surface" as
employed herein is meant to refer to the surface of the grip being
made of different types of materials. It should be understood that
the terms "upper portion" and "lower portion" as employed herein
are with reference to the golf club grip 8 in its normal
orientation. The "upper portion" for a hand grip is that portion
nearest the end of the shaft or handle of the workpiece. The "lower
portion" is the opposite end of the grip.
[0025] Spiral formed channel 12 is constructed of a width (w1) and
a depth (d) that is sized to accommodate a strip 18 (also referred
to as a wrap) of alternative material which is positioned within
the spiral formed channel 12. The term "alternative material" as
used herein is meant to refer to a second or different type of
material from the elastomeric body 10. In FIG. 1, the strip 18 is
shown in dashed lines and in combination with body 10 forms the
wrap style golf club grip 8 according to the present invention. The
elastomer body 10 and channel 12 may be formed preferably with a
two piece mold and core bar, or alternatively any other suitable
molding process. Channel 12 may even be cut into a molded
elastomeric body 10.
[0026] As seen in FIG. 1, spiral channel 12 preferably includes a
slot 20 adapted to receive a tapered starting end 22 of strip 18 as
shown in FIG. 5. Preferably, the tapered starting end 22 of strip
18 is inserted within slot 20 and strip 18 is positioned within the
uppermost end of channel 12 and wound around body 10 by placing
strip 18 within channel 12 all the way down to the lower portion 16
of the body 10. Strip 18 is secured in channel 12 with an adhesive
known in the art or alternatively, strip 18 may have the adhesive
supplied to the bottom thereof prior to application and covered
with a removable protective tape known in the art with respect to
wrap style golf club grips. The trailing end of strip 18 may also
be tapered in a similar manner to the tapered starting end 22 so
that the strip conforms to the lower most end of the channel in the
lower portion 16 of the body 10. Alternatively, strip 18 may simply
be cut to fit, and is preferably secured at the bottom of the body
10 with a piece of tape similar to a wrap style golf grip.
[0027] Strip 18 in accordance with the present invention is made of
a second or alternative material which is different from the
elastomer exposed upper surface 17 that includes, but is not
limited to, a thermoplastic material, a thermoset material, a
rubber material such as a foamed rubber material, polyurethane, a
synthetic leather, leather, synthetic cork, a textile or fabric
material like felt, other synthetic materials or fabrics, or
combinations thereof. FIG. 6 depicts a side view of the strip 18
which includes a polyurethane layer 24 adhered to a foam rubber
layer 26. While strip 18 is depicted as having straight edges, it
should be understood that strip 18 may have edges that are skived
or beveled. In addition, even though spiral formed channel 12 is
shown with straight walls, it should be understood that spiral
formed channel 12 may also have beveled walls that conform with the
skiving of strip 18. The width (w2) of channel 12 and strip 18 are
selected to conform within normal molding tolerances with each
other so that strip 18 can be readily placed and secured within
channel 12. For illustrative purposes only, the width of strip 18
is between about 1 and 2 centimeters (cm) wide, and is preferably
about 1.5 cm. The thickness (t) of strip 18 can be selected as any
desired thickness to provide a comfortable hand feel or grip. An
example of a suitable thickness, again for illustrative purposes
only, is between approximately one and two millimeters thick (t)
and the depth (d) of channel 12 is selected to conform with the
thickness (t) of the strip 18 if it is desired that the wrap lays
even with the exposed upper surface 17 formed in the elastomeric
body 10 by channel 12. An example of the wrap 18 laying even with
the exposed upper surface 17 is shown in FIG. 7. As is shown in
FIG. 1, the exposed upper surface 17 spirals in an alternating
arrangement with strip 18 to provide the multiple material surface
along the full length of the grip. The hand grip has at least two
different types of material on the surface thereof in an
alternating arrangement over the full length of the hand grip.
[0028] Alternate embodiments include having the thickness (t) of
the strip 18 selected to be greater than the depth (d) of the
channel 12 so that the wrap 18 is higher than the exposed upper
surface 17. Similarly, strip 18 may have a thickness less than the
depth of the channel 12 so that the exposed upper surface 17 is
higher. It should be immediately apparent that changes in the
thickness, depth, and width of the strip 18 and/or channel 12 can
be readily made for a custom feel and design to the wrap style golf
grip in accordance with the present invention. As mentioned
previously, strip 18 may further include an adhesive covered with a
removable protective tape to allow strip 18 to be firmly positioned
within channel 12. Alternatively, a separate adhesive may be
applied to secure strip 18 within channel 12.
[0029] Another feature of the present invention is that it allows
strip 18 to be of any selected color or texture to provide for an
aesthetically pleasing color and feel combination in addition to
providing a multiple material surface. In addition, the exposed
upper surface 17 on body 10 may include depressions 30, as seen in
FIG. 2, that are painted to provide even more of a custom design
for the golf club grip. In this manner, the wrap style golf club
grip according to the present invention provides broad variation in
the cosmetics of the grip as well as feel throughout the full
functional length of the grip. This allows for a unique and
pleasingly different appearance and feel characteristic in wrap
style handgrips based on surface construction of multiple materials
throughout the length of the grip.
[0030] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a method for making a wrap style hand grip which
comprises the steps of providing a generally cylindrical body 10
made from an elastomer, forming a spiral channel 12 in the body 10
so that the channel 12 extends from an upper portion 14 of the body
10 to a lower portion 16 of the body 10, the body 10 further
including a bore 11 therein adapted to slide onto an end of a
workpiece, and disposing a strip 18 of a different material within
the channel 12, and securing the strip 18 within the channel 12.
Strip 18 can be pre-wrapped on the body 10 to form a one piece,
slip-on unit, or alternatively, strip 18 may be wrapped on body 10
after body 10 is installed on the golf club shaft.
[0031] The elastomeric body 10 preferably includes an integrally
formed cap 32 therewith which includes a central aperture 34.
Alternate embodiments may include providing for a separate end cap
that is constructed to be placed over the elastomeric body 10 and
adhered thereto through either an interference type fit, or an
adhesive, or a combination thereof.
[0032] While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown
and described in detail to illustrate the application of the
principles of the invention, it will be understood that the
invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such
principles.
* * * * *