U.S. patent application number 10/097287 was filed with the patent office on 2003-09-18 for putter grip.
This patent application is currently assigned to Wilson Sporting Goods Co.. Invention is credited to Hulock, Richard P., Sheets, Jeffrey D., Vrska, Michael D. JR..
Application Number | 20030176234 10/097287 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 28039150 |
Filed Date | 2003-09-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030176234 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sheets, Jeffrey D. ; et
al. |
September 18, 2003 |
Putter grip
Abstract
A grip for mounting to a butt end of a golf putter shaft. The
grip includes an elongate tubular body having a bore extending
along a longitudinal axis and an open distal end. The body has a
front face, a back face, and first and second side faces. The body
also has a distal portion, a butt end portion, and a central
portion positioned between the distal and butt end portions. The
front face and the rear face have front and rear transverse
thicknesses, respectively. The front and rear transverse
thicknesses are measured at the central portion of the body along a
first longitudinal plane extending through a forward most region of
the front face, the longitudinal axis and a rearward region of the
back face. The ratio of the rear transverse thickness to the front
transverse thickness is at least five to one.
Inventors: |
Sheets, Jeffrey D.; (Aurora,
IL) ; Hulock, Richard P.; (Naperville, IL) ;
Vrska, Michael D. JR.; (Rolling Meadows, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Terence P. O'Brien
Wilson Sporting Goods Co.
8700 W. Bryn Mawr Avenue
Chicago
IL
60631
US
|
Assignee: |
Wilson Sporting Goods Co.
|
Family ID: |
28039150 |
Appl. No.: |
10/097287 |
Filed: |
March 14, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/300 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 60/14 20151001;
A63B 60/16 20151001; A63B 53/007 20130101; A63B 60/00 20151001;
A63B 53/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/300 |
International
Class: |
A63B 053/14 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A grip for mounting to a butt end of a golf putter shaft, the
grip configured for grasping by a golfer during putting, the grip
comprising: an elongate tubular body having a bore extending along
a longitudinal axis and an open distal end for receiving the butt
end of the golf putter shaft, the body having a front face, a back
face, and first and second side faces, the body further having a
distal portion, a butt end portion, and a central portion
positioned between the distal and butt end portions; the front face
and the rear face having front and rear transverse thicknesses,
respectively, the front and rear transverse thicknesses being
measured at the central portion of the body along a first
longitudinal plane extending through a forward most region of the
front face, the longitudinal axis and a rearward region of the back
face, the ratio of the rear transverse thickness to the front
transverse thickness being at least five to one.
2. The grip of claim 1, wherein the ratio of the rear transverse
thickness to the front transverse thickness is at least seven to
one.
3. The grip of claim 1, wherein the ratio of the rear transverse
thickness to the front transverse thickness is at least ten to
one.
4. The grip of claim 1, wherein the front transverse thickness is
no greater than 0.050 inches.
5. The grip of claim 1, wherein the first and second side faces
have first and second side transverse thicknesses, wherein the
first and second side transverse thicknesses are measured at a
central portion of the body along a second longitudinal plane
perpendicular to the first longitudinal plane, and wherein the
ratio of either of the first and second side transverse thicknesses
to the front transverse thickness is at least three to one.
6. The grip of claim 5 wherein the ratio of either of the first and
second side transverse thicknesses to the front transverse
thickness is at least four to one.
7. The grip of claim 1 wherein the front face is made of a first
material, and wherein at least one of the first side face, the
second side face and the rear face are made of a second
material.
8. The grip of claim 7 wherein the first material has a first
durometer and wherein the second material has a second
durometer.
9. The grip of claim 8 wherein the first material has a durometer
on the Shore A hardness scale, wherein the second material has a
durometer on the Shore A hardness scale.
10. The grip of claim 9 wherein the durometer of the first material
on the Shore A hardness scale is at least 10 scale increments
higher than the durometer of the second material on the Shore A
hardness scale.
11. The grip of claim 9 wherein the durometer of the first material
on the Shore A hardness scale is at least 10 scale increments lower
than the durometer of the second material on the Shore A hardness
scale.
12. A grip for mounting to a butt end of a golf putter shaft, the
grip configured for grasping by a golfer during putting, the grip
comprising: an elongate tubular body having a bore extending along
a longitudinal axis and an open distal end for receiving the butt
end of the golf putter shaft, the body having a front face, a back
face, and first and second side faces, the body further having a
distal portion, a butt end portion, and a central portion
positioned between the distal and butt end portions; the front face
and the rear face having front and rear transverse thicknesses,
respectively, the front and rear transverse thicknesses being
measured at the central portion of the body along a first
longitudinal plane extending through a forward most region of the
front face, the longitudinal axis and a rearward region of the back
face, the ratio of the rear transverse thickness to the front
transverse thickness being at least three to one, and the front
transverse thickness being no greater than 0.070 inches.
13. The grip of claim 12, wherein the ratio of the rear transverse
thickness to the front transverse thickness is at least seven to
one.
14. The grip of claim 12, wherein the ratio of the rear transverse
thickness to the front transverse thickness is at least ten to
one.
15. The grip of claim 12, wherein the front transverse thickness is
no greater than 0.050 inches.
16. The grip of claim 12 wherein the front face is made of a first
material having a first durometer, and wherein at least one of the
first side face, the second side face and the rear face are made of
a second material having a second durometer.
17. The grip of claim 16 wherein the first material has a durometer
on the Shore A hardness scale, wherein the second material has a
durometer on the Shore A hardness scale.
18. The grip of claim 17 wherein the durometer of the first
material on the Shore A hardness scale is at least 10 scale
increments higher than the durometer of the second material on the
Shore A hardness scale.
19. The grip of claim 17 wherein the durometer of the first
material on the Shore A hardness scale is at least 10 scale
increments lower than the durometer of the second material on the
Shore A hardness scale.
20. A grip for mounting to a butt end of a golf putter shaft, the
grip configured for grasping by a golfer during putting, the grip
comprising: an elongate tubular body including a distal portion, a
butt end portion, and a central portion positioned between the
distal and butt end portions, the body having a bore extending
along a longitudinal axis and an open distal end for receiving the
butt end of the golf putter shaft, the central portion of the body
having a front face, a back face, and first and second side faces,
the front face being made of a first material, and at least one of
the first side face, the second side face and the rear face being
made of a second material.
21. The grip of claim 20 wherein the first material has a first
durometer and wherein the second material has a second
durometer.
22. The grip of claim 20 wherein the first and second materials
each have a durometer on the Shore A hardness scale.
23. The grip of claim 21 wherein the durometer of the first
material on the Shore A hardness scale is at least 10 scale
increments higher than the durometer of the second material on the
Shore A hardness scale.
24. The grip of claim 23 wherein the durometer of the first
material is at least 30 on the Shore A hardness scale and the
durometer of the second material is at least 20 on a Shore A
hardness scale.
25. The grip of claim 23 wherein the durometer of the first
material is between 45 and 80 on the Shore A hardness scale and the
durometer of the second material is between 35 and 60 on a Shore A
hardness scale.
26. The grip of claim 21 wherein the durometer of the first
material on the Shore A hardness scale is at least 10 scale
increments lower than the durometer of the second material on the
Shore A hardness scale.
27. The grip of claim 26 wherein the durometer of the first
material is at least 20 on the Shore A hardness scale and the
durometer of the second material is at least 30 on a Shore A
hardness scale.
28. The grip of claim 23 wherein the durometer of the first
material is between 35 and 60 on the Shore A hardness scale and the
durometer of the second material is between 45 and 80 on a Shore A
hardness scale.
29. A grip for mounting to a butt end of a golf club shaft, the
grip configured for grasping by a golfer, the grip comprising: an
elongate tubular body including a distal portion, a butt end
portion, and a central portion positioned between the distal and
butt end portions, the body having a bore extending along a
longitudinal axis and an open distal end for receiving the butt end
of the golf club shaft, the central portion of the body having a
front face, a back face, and first and second side faces, at least
one of the front face, the rear face the first side face, the
second side face, the distal end portion and the butt end portion
being formed of a first material, the first material selected from
the group consisting of a translucent material, a semi-translucent
material, a transparent material, and a semi-transparent material,
and at least one of the front face, the rear face the first side
face, the second side face, the distal end portion and the butt end
portion being formed of a non-translucent, non-transparent
material.
30. The grip of claim 29 wherein at least the front face and the
distal end portion are formed of the first material.
31. The grip of claim 29, wherein the first material includes
indicia selected from the group consisting of graphical indicia,
alphanumeric indicia, and combinations thereof.
32. The grip of claim 29, wherein the front face and the rear face
have front and rear transverse thicknesses, respectively, wherein
the front and rear transverse thicknesses are measured at the
central portion of the body along a first longitudinal plane
extending through a forward most region of the front face, the
longitudinal axis and a rearward region of the back face, and
wherein the ratio of the rear transverse thickness to the front
transverse thickness being at least three to one, and the front
transverse thickness being no greater than 0.070 inches.
33. The grip of claim 29, wherein the first material has a
durometer on the Shore A hardness scale, wherein the second
material has a durometer on the Shore A hardness scale.
34. The grip of claim 29, wherein the durometer of the first
material on the Shore A hardness scale is at least 10 scale
increments higher than the durometer of the second material on the
Shore A hardness scale.
35. The grip of claim 29, wherein the durometer of the first
material on the Shore A hardness scale is at least 10 scale
increments lower than the durometer of the second material on the
Shore A hardness scale.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to golf putters. In
particular, the present invention relates to a grip for a golf
putter that includes a first portion configured to improve the feel
of the putter and a second portion configured to provide a secure
and comfortable grip.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In the game of golf, putting is often considered an art in
which the golfer substantially relies on a sense of feel to stroke
the golf ball with the proper speed and in the desired direction.
Many golfers rely on feedback or sensory information from the
putter in order to determine whether a proper stroke has been made
and in order to adjust, hone or tune their putting stroke. The
feedback is felt primarily as vibration, which is generated by the
impact between the face of the putter and the golf ball. This
vibration travels up from the club head along the shaft of the
putter and through the grip of the putter to the golfer's hands.
Such feedback is important to many golfers in order to determine
how well the ball was struck or the position of impact on the club
face.
[0003] Golf club grips are generally constructed to provide the
user with a sure, comfortable grip to the club. The gripability and
comfort of golf club grips, including putter grips, has generally
increased and improved over the past several years. However, a
comfortable, easily gripable grip also often serves to isolate the
user's hands from the shaft thereby reducing, dampening, or
deadening the feel of the putter to the user. Therefore, the desire
or need for a comfortable, gripable golf club grip can conflict
with the need to sense feedback or the feel of the golf club,
particularly a putter.
[0004] Thus, there is continuing need to produce a golf grip that
maximizes comfort and gripability without sacrificing the feel of
the club. What is needed is a putter grip that includes a portion
configured to maximize the feedback transmitted to the user from
the shaft and a portion configured to optimize the comfort,
softness and tactility of the grip.
[0005] Additionally, many golf club grips include indicia, which
can be applied as a separate coating, or take the form of
depressions or raised surfaces formed into the grip. The indicia
can be graphical, alphanumeric or combinations thereof. In some
cases the coating, depressions or raised surfaces forming the
indicia on the grip can negatively affect the gripability, softness
or comfort level of the grip. In other cases the applied coatings,
depressions or raised surfaces can provide the grip with an
unappealing aesthetic.
[0006] Thus, there also is a continuing need for a golf grip that
includes the desired amount of indicia without negatively affecting
the feel or gripability of the grip. It would be advantageous to
provide a golf grip that enables indicia to be formed within or
under the grip without negatively affecting the appearance or
aesthetics of the golf club. What is needed is a grip that enables
indicia, even indicia placed on the butt end of a golf shaft to be
seen by the user and others.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention provides a grip for mounting to a butt
end of a golf putter shaft. The grip is configured for grasping by
a golfer during putting. The grip includes an elongate tubular body
having a bore extending along a longitudinal axis and an open
distal end for receiving the butt end of the golf putter shaft. The
body has a front face, a back face, and first and second side
faces. The body also has a distal portion, a butt end portion, and
a central portion positioned between the distal and butt end
portions. The front face and the rear face have front and rear
transverse thicknesses, respectively. The front and rear transverse
thicknesses are measured at the central portion of the body along a
first longitudinal plane extending through a forward most region of
the front face, the longitudinal axis and a rearward region of the
back face. The ratio of the rear transverse thickness to the front
transverse thickness is at least five to one.
[0008] According to a principal aspect of a preferred form of the
invention, a grip is configured for mounting to a butt end of a
golf putter shaft and for grasping by a golfer during putting. The
grip includes an elongate tubular body having a bore extending
along a longitudinal axis and an open distal end for receiving the
butt end of the golf putter shaft. The body has a front face, a
back face, and first and second side faces. The body also has a
distal portion, a butt end portion, and a central portion
positioned between the distal and butt end portions. The front face
and the rear face have front and rear transverse thicknesses,
respectively. The front and rear transverse thicknesses are
measured at the central portion of the body along a first
longitudinal plane extending through a forward most region of the
front face, the longitudinal axis and a rearward region of the back
face. The ratio of the rear transverse thickness to the front
transverse thickness is at least three to one, and the front
transverse thickness is no greater than 0.070 inches.
[0009] According to another preferred aspect of the invention a
grip is configured for mounting to a butt end of a golf putter
shaft and for grasping by a golfer during putting. The grip
includes an elongate tubular body. The body includes a distal
portion, a butt end portion, and a central portion positioned
between the distal and butt end portions. The body has a bore
extending along a longitudinal axis and an open distal end for
receiving the butt end of the golf putter shaft. The central
portion of the body has a front face, a back face, and first and
second side faces. The front face is made of a first material, and
at least one of the first side face, the second side face and the
rear face being made of a second material.
[0010] According to another preferred aspect of the invention a
grip is configured for mounting to a butt end of a golf club shaft
and for grasping by a golfer during use. The grip includes an
elongate tubular body. The body includes a distal portion, a butt
end portion, and a central portion positioned between the distal
and butt end portions. The body has a bore extending along a
longitudinal axis and an open distal end for receiving the butt end
of the golf club shaft. The central portion of the body has a front
face, a back face, and first and second side faces. At least one of
the front face, the rear face the first side face, the second side
face, the distal end portion and the butt end portion is formed of
a first material. The first material is translucent,
semi-translucent, transparent or semi-transparent. At least one of
the front face, the rear face the first side face, the second side
face, the distal end portion and the butt end portion is formed of
a non-translucent, non-transparent material.
[0011] This invention will become more fully understood from the
following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings described herein below, and wherein like
reference numerals refer to like parts.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is rear view of a putter in accordance with a
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a front view of the front face of a putter
grip.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a side view, partially broken away of the putter
grip of FIG. 2.
[0015] FIG. 4 is an end view of the putter grip of FIG. 2.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the putter
grip taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a sectional front view of the putter of FIG. 1
illustrating the grip.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0018] Referring to FIG. 1, a putter is indicated generally at 10.
The putter 10 includes a club head 12, an elongated shaft 14 and a
grip 16. The shaft 14 includes a tip end portion 18, which is
connected to the club head 12 and a butt end portion, which is
inserted into the grip 16. The grip 16 is shown in FIG. 1 attached
to a putter, however, the grip 16 of the present invention can also
be used with other types of golf clubs.
[0019] Referring to FIGS. 2-5, the grip 16 is an elongate tubular
body having an axial or longitudinal bore 22 extending along a
longitudinal axis 24. The grip 16 slidably receives and ensleeves
the butt end of the shaft 14. Preferably, the grip 16 is adhesively
connected to the butt end of the shaft 14. The grip 16 has a
central portion 26 positioned between a distal portion 28 and a
butt end portion 30.
[0020] The central portion 26 of the grip 16 connects the distal
portion 28 and the butt end portion 30 of the grip 16. In a
preferred embodiment, the central, distal and butt end portions 26,
28 and 30 are integrally connected to form the grip 16. The central
portion 26 includes a front wall or face 34, a rear wall or face
36, and first and second side walls or faces 38 and 40, which
collective ensleeve a length of the shaft 14. The front face 34
faces toward the toe end of the club head 12. The axially extending
bore 22 of the grip 16 is preferably positioned adjacent to the
front face 34 thereby reducing its thickness. In a preferred
embodiment, the front face 34 has an inner surface contacting the
outer surface of the shaft 14 and a generally flat outer surface
that is well-suited for supporting the golfer's thumbs or other
portions of the golfer's hands during putting. Typically, when a
golfer grips the putter using a normal grip, the golfer's thumbs
extend downwardly along the generally flat front face 34 of the
grip 16. The front face 34 extends in a plane that is perpendicular
to the plane of the striking face of the putter. The remaining
fingers of the golfer's hands extend around the first and second
side faces 38 and 40 and the rear face 36 of the grip 16.
[0021] The rear face 36 and the first and second side faces 38 and
40 each have curved inner surfaces in contact with, and
corresponding to, the outer surface of the shaft 14. The rear face
36, and the first and second side faces 38 and 40 are preferably
thicker than the front face 36. The rear face 36 is also preferably
thicker than the first and second side faces 38 and 40. The rear
face 36 preferably has an arcuate outer surface. In alternative
embodiments, the outer surface of the rear face 36 can be generally
flat, grooved, slotted, angled or any other conventional shape. The
outer surfaces of the first and second faces 38 and 40 are
preferably generally flat. In alternative embodiments, the outer
surfaces of the first and second faces 38 and 40 can form other
shapes, such as, for example, arcuate, grooved, slotted or any
other conventional shape.
[0022] The front face 34 provides the golfer with a direct
connection to, or feel of, the shaft 14. This more direct feel is
achieved by: making the front face 34 thinner than the remaining
faces of the central portion 26; forming the front face 34 of a
harder material than the remaining faces; or a combination thereof.
In a preferred embodiment, the front face 34 is thinner than the
remaining faces of the central portion 26. In particular, referring
to FIG. 5 when measured along a first longitudinal plane 42
extending through a forward most region of the front face 34 and
the axis 24, the front face 34 has a thickness T1 of 0.070 inches
or less. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the front face 34
has a thickness between 0.020 to 0.050 inches. When the putter
impacts the golf ball, the thin front face 34 facilitates
transmission of vibrations from the club head 12, up the shaft 14
through the the front face 34 of the grip 16 to the golfer's
thumbs, or other portion of the golfer's hands in contact with the
front face 34.
[0023] The thickness T1 of the front face 34 can also be selected
as a ratio of the thickness of the rear face 36 (T2) to the
thickness T1 and/or as a ratio of the thicknesses of the first and
second side faces 38 and 40 (T3 and T4), respectively, to the
thickness T1. The thickness T2 is also measured along the first
longitudinal plane 42 while the thicknesses T3 and T4 are measured
along a second longitudinal plane 44 extending through the
lateral-most regions of the first and second side faces 38 and 40,
and the axis 24. The ratio of the thickness T2 to the thickness T1
is preferably greater than or equal to 3.0. In one particularly
preferred embodiment, the ratio of thickness T2 to thickness T1 was
greater than or equal to 7.0. In another particularly preferred
embodiment, the ratio of thickness T2 to thickness T1 was greater
than or equal to 10.0. In another preferred embodiment, the ratio
of the thicknesses T3 or T4 to the thickness T1 is greater than or
equal to 3.0.
[0024] The front face 34 can also be formed of a material that is
harder than the material forming one or more of the remaining faces
of the central portion 26. The front face 34 is formed of a first
material having a first durometer and one or more of the remaining
faces of the central portion 26 are formed of a second material
having a second durometer. The first durometer is preferably at
least 10 increments higher on a Shore A hardness scale than the
second durometer. In a preferred embodiment, the first material has
a durometer of at least 30 on the Shore A hardness scale, and the
second material has a durometer of at least 20 on the Shore A
hardness scale. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the first
material has a durometer between 45 and 80 on the Shore A hardness
scale, and the second material has a durometer between 35 and 60 on
a Shore A hardness scale.
[0025] The first and second materials of the central portion are
made of a flexible, resilient, generally tactile material,
preferably a thermoplastic rubber. In alternative embodiments, the
first and second materials can be formed of other materials, such
as, for example, other elastomers, natural rubber, other synthetic
rubbers, a micro-cellular foam, or other thermoplastic
materials.
[0026] In an alternative preferred embodiment, the first material
can have a durometer on the Shore A hardness scale that is at least
10 increments lower than the durometer of the second material. In
this alternative embodiment, the front face is formed of a softer
material than one or more of the remaining faces.
[0027] The first and second materials can also be transparent,
formed in one or more colors, or in different color combinations.
In a preferred embodiment, the first or the second material is
transparent, semi-transparent, translucent or semi-translucent, and
the other of the first and second material is colored. In an
alternative preferred embodiment, both the first and second
materials are formed of a transparent, semi-transparent,
translucent or semi-translucent material. The material can be also
be opaque or tinted in one or more colors.
[0028] Referring to FIG. 6, in a preferred embodiment, a portion of
the outer surface of the shaft 14 that is covered by the generally
transparent first material includes indicia 46. The indicia 46 can
include alphanumeric characters, graphics, specification
information, advertising information, source data, trademarks,
certification marks and combinations thereof. Specification
information may include information such as installation
instructions, dimensions, warnings, bar codes, test results and
design features. Advertising information may include information
such as slogans, product ratings, product attributes and
information on related products. The indicia 46 may be single or
multi-colored. In another alternative preferred embodiment, the
indicia 46 can be placed on the inner surface of the front face 38
of the grip 16, or as a layer within the front face 38 of the grip
16.
[0029] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the distal portion 28 of the
grip 16 includes an open distal end 26 for receiving the butt end
of the shaft 16 and connects with the central portion 26 at an
opposite end. In a preferred embodiment, a front region of the
distal portion 28, facing the toe of the club head, is generally
flat and generally conforms with the shape of the front face 34 of
the central portion 26. First and second side regions and a rear
region of the distal portion 28 each outwardly taper from the
distal end 26 to the respective first and second side faces 38 and
40 and rear face 36 of the central portion 26. The rear region of
the distal portion 28 is tapered to a greater degree than the first
and second side regions to merge with the thicker rear face 36 of
the central portion 26. In alternative embodiments, the distal
portion 28 can take other shapes, such as, for example, a
cylindrical shape or a frusto-conical shape. The distal portion 28
can be made of one of the first and second materials of the central
portion 26 described above, or a combination thereof. The distal
portion 28, or a portion thereof, may also be transparent,
translucent, semi-transparent or semi-translucent.
[0030] The butt end portion 30 includes a generally closed butt end
32 and is connected, preferably integrally, to the central portion
26 at an opposite end. Referriing to FIGS. 3 and 4, the butt end 32
of the grip 16 includes a small aperture 48 for facilitating
installation of the grip 16 onto the shaft 14. In a preferred
embodiment, a rear region of the butt end portion 30 flares or
outwardly tapers toward the butt end 32. The front and first and
second side regions of the butt end portion 30 preferably generally
conform with the front face 34 and the first and second side faces
38 and 40 of the central portion 26. In alternative embodiments,
the butt end portion 30 can take other shapes, such as, for
example, a cylindrical or frusto-conical shape. The butt end
portion 30 can be made of one of the first and second materials of
the central portion 26 described above, or a combination thereof.
The butt end portion 30, or a portion thereof, may also be
transparent, translucent, semi-transparent or semi-translucent.
[0031] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the distal end
portion 28 and at least a majority of the front face 34 of the
central portion 26 are formed of the first material, wherein the
first material is generally clear and transparent. The remaining
portions of the grip 16 are formed of a second material, such as a
black thermoplastic material, which is softer than the first
material. In alternative preferred embodiments, the grip 16 can be
formed in any combination of at least the first and second
materials described above.
[0032] Also, in a particularly preferred embodiment, the diameter
of the bore 22 is approximately 0.560 inches at the distal end 26
and 0.580 inches at the butt end 32. Additionally, the dimension of
the grip 16 between the first and second side faces 38 and 40 at
one point of the central portion is approximately 1.05 inches, and
the dimension between the front face 34 and the rear face 36 of the
central portion 24 is approximately 1.20. In alternative preferred
embodiments, the grip 16 and the bore 22 can have other
dimensions.
[0033] By varying the thickness and/or the hardness of different
portions of the grip 16, the grip 16 enables the golfer to directly
receive or detect the impact of the club head with the ball,
without sacrificing the comfort or gripability of the grip 16. The
generally flat front face 34 of the central portion 26 and the
generally flat front region of the distal portion 26 provide a
secure, comfortable surface for the thumb(s) or other portions of
the golfer's hands in contact with the front face 34, as well as a
direct connection to, or feel of, vibrations transmitted through
the club 10. The use of transparent, translucent, semi-transparent
and semi-translucent materials for at least a portion of the grip
16, enables indicia 46 on the ensleeved portion of the shaft 14, or
as a layer of the grip 16, to be seen from outside of the grip 16.
The indicia 46 increases the surface area of the shaft 14 available
for displaying indicia. The indicia 46 also eliminates the need to
form indentations or raised surfaces on the outer surface of the
grip to define indicia, and the potentially negative impact that
such raised or indented surfaces can have on the gripability or the
feel of the club. The use of these materials also significantly
improves the aesthetics of the club.
[0034] While the preferred embodiments of the present invention
have been described and illustrated, numerous departures therefrom
can be contemplated by persons skilled in the art, for example, the
grips can be removably and interchangeably connected to the butt
end of the shaft, enabling the user to apply different colored,
tinted or shaped grips to a single club. Therefore, the present
invention is not limited to the foregoing description but only by
the scope and spirit of the appended claims.
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