U.S. patent application number 11/542435 was filed with the patent office on 2007-04-12 for web micropattern grip surface.
This patent application is currently assigned to Grip Surface Technologies, Inc.. Invention is credited to Timothy Rose.
Application Number | 20070082750 11/542435 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37911628 |
Filed Date | 2007-04-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070082750 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rose; Timothy |
April 12, 2007 |
Web micropattern grip surface
Abstract
A web micropattern grip surface for use on a grip, and
particularly a grip for a golf club, wherein the pattern is defined
by upstanding ridges. The ridges have components of extension that
extend both longitudinally on the grip and circumferentially around
the grip. In one embodiment, neighboring ridges may be parallel.
Ridges are oriented to intersect forming a web pattern. The density
of ridge elements and the width and height of the ridge elements is
selected to provide drag on the hand or object gripping the grip,
preferably in both the longitudinal and circumferential directions,
and to give the grip a velvety feel. Various shape web pattern are
defined by intersecting webs that surround and define geometric
shape areas including parallelogram, polygon, honeycomb and rounded
shapes.
Inventors: |
Rose; Timothy; (Brea,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OSTROLENK FABER GERB & SOFFEN
1180 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS
NEW YORK
NY
100368403
US
|
Assignee: |
Grip Surface Technologies,
Inc.
|
Family ID: |
37911628 |
Appl. No.: |
11/542435 |
Filed: |
October 3, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60810505 |
Jun 2, 2006 |
|
|
|
60726074 |
Oct 12, 2005 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
473/300 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 60/14 20151001;
A63B 60/10 20151001; A63B 60/08 20151001; A63B 53/14 20130101; A63B
60/06 20151001 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/300 |
International
Class: |
A63B 53/14 20060101
A63B053/14 |
Claims
1. A micropattern grip surface for use on a grip, comprising: the
grip having a longitudinal axis; a plurality of ridges arrayed on
the grip surface, wherein the ridges of the plurality each have a
generally longitudinal direction component of extension along the
grip and generally along the direction of the axis and also each
have a generally circumferential direction component of extension
around the grip and around the axis of the grip; the ridges being
oriented such that each ridge intersects a plurality of others of
the ridges forming a web of the ridges over the grip surface; the
ridges each being so shaped, of such height off the surface of the
grip and of such width that the ridges cooperate with a hand or
object gripping the grip to resist both torque around the axis of
the grip and longitudinal movement of the grip with reference to
the hand or gripping object.
2. The micropattern grip surface of claim 1, wherein the ridges
include a first group of adjacent ridges which are so shaped and
oriented as to extend generally parallel and a second group of
adjacent ridges which are also so shaped and oriented as to extend
generally parallel, and the ridges extend in directions such that
some of the ridges of the first group intersect some of the ridges
of the second group.
3. The micropattern grip surface of claim 2, wherein intersecting
first and second group ridges surround and define geometric shape
areas of the grip surface.
4. The micropattern grip surface of claim 1, wherein intersecting
ridges cooperate to define geometric shape areas of the grip
surface.
5. The micropattern grip surface of claim 1, wherein the ridges
have a height in the range of about 0.005 inch to about 0.040 inch,
a width in the range of about 0.003 to about 0.040 inch.
6. The micropattern grip surface of claim 5, wherein at an area of
their nearest spacing apart, there is a distance of at most about
0.080 inch between a ridge and the neighboring ones of the
ridges.
7. The micropattern grip surface of claim 5, wherein the density of
repeats of the intersecting of the ridges is about 5,000 details
per square inch or fewer details per square inch.
8. The micropattern grip surface of claim 7, wherein at an area of
their nearest spacing apart, there is a distance of at most about
0.080 inch between a ridge and the neighboring ones of the
ridges.
9. The micropattern grip surface of claim 1, wherein the density of
repeats of the intersecting of the ridges is about 5,000 details
per square inch or fewer details per square inch.
10. The micropattern grip surface of claim 1, wherein at an area of
their nearest spacing apart, there is a distance of at most about
0.080 inch between a ridge and the neighboring ones of the
ridges.
11. The micropattern grip surface of claim 1, wherein each of the
ridges has a height and a width and a spacing apart of neighboring
ridges which are dimensions selected for providing drag against a
hand or other gripping object and a velvety feel to the hand or the
gripping object.
12. The micropattern grip surface of claim 1, wherein the ridges
extend continuously in the longitudinal direction over the
longitudinal length of the micropattern grip pattern, being
interrupted in areas where the micropattern grip pattern is not
present.
13. The micropattern grip surface of claim 1, wherein the ridge
pattern is upraised or is engraved in the surface.
14. The micropattern grip surface of claim 1, wherein the ridges
are comprised of a slightly elastic, yieldable material.
15. The micropattern grip surface of claim 1, wherein the ridges
are comprised of rubber or an elastomer.
16. The micropattern grip surface of claim 3, wherein the ridges
are straight lines.
17. The micropattern grip surface of claim 3, wherein the ridges
are shaped to define a honeycomb design of the geometric shape
areas.
18. The micropattern grip surface of claim 1, wherein the ridges
are not of uniform width along their length.
19. The micropattern grip surface of claim 1, wherein the ridges
are of uniform width along their length.
20. The micropattern grip surface of claim 1, wherein the ridges
surround and define rounded shape areas.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is based upon and claims benefit of U.S.
Provisional Application No. 60/726,074, filed Oct. 12, 2005, to
which a claim of priority is hereby made, and U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/810,505, filed Jun. 1, 2006, to which a claim of
priority is hereby made.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention herein is to produce a microsurface grip
pattern with similar functional characteristics to the grip pattern
in U.S. application Ser. No. 11/332,993, which is incorporated
herein by reference.
[0003] Hand grips on golf clubs and other objects have a
circumference which is grasped in a user's hand. Typically, the
circumferential surface is at least in part rounded or curved, and
may also include flat areas.
[0004] Gripping the grip tightly enough should prevent movement of
the grip longitudinally along a long axis and/or circumferentially
around the axis. The grip surface should be comfortable for the
person holding the grip. Further, it would be beneficial for the
grip surface to enable removal of moisture, oil, perspiration, etc.
from the person's hand when holding the grip, and have a surface
which allows the grip to be held with the least amount of hand
pressure.
[0005] There are various designs of hand grips, of which golf grips
are an example, which are designed to accomplish at least some of
these functions. Some grips have a smooth surface, which is
difficult to hold when force is applied to the grip or to the
object including the grip, including force applied either around
the axis of the grip, that is torsional force, or force applied
longitudinally along the axis. A smooth grip must be held more
tightly than a roughened grip, thus compromising the performance of
a golf club or like products. The surface of the grip may be
roughened, for example due to the inherent roughness of a
particular material used or due to some treatment of the grip
surface.
[0006] In most golf grips, the surface is engraved with a pattern
that is of a format much larger than the pattern embodiments of the
present invention. Such surfaces create a bite or an ability for a
golfer's hand to grip against the grip surface with some degree of
success. Yet, the engraving patterns do not provide a "drag",
"friction", or "resistance" against the skin when lightly grasped
and the grip is rotated, or pulled from the user's hand as when the
golf club is swung.
[0007] As another example, ribs or grooves may be formed at spaced
intervals on the grip and may be oriented either circumferentially,
longitudinally, obliquely or spirally on the grip; and parallel,
oblique to each other or intersecting; or in combinations of all of
these.
[0008] In another example, there may be molded or otherwise formed
protrusions as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,800,234 and U.S.
Application Publication No. 2003/0088946A1.
[0009] Arranging elements on the grip to resist slippage in the
longitudinal direction may provide good feel and drag
circumferentially, but not longitudinally. Arranging the elements
circumferentially may provide good feel and drag longitudinally,
but not circumferentially.
[0010] The micropattern invention concerns surface pattern
characteristics that provide multidirectional feel and drag against
the hand gripping the grip due to the web style patterns. Such
patterns provide a desirable feel because of the connected webbing
mesh. The gaps or depressions in the pattern allow the pattern
ridges to somewhat flex back and forth against the skin to create
the drag. Patterns as shown in FIG. 5 hereof, wherein the thickness
of the ridges are not consistent, but rather vary and have wider
areas, minimize the flexing of the ridges, as that web is more
structural and strong. This type of pattern still provides a
similar feel and drag to other micropatterns, which is caused by
the skin of the user's hand dipping slightly in and out of the fine
depressions of the pattern as the hand moves across the surface of
the grip. This more structural type of web pattern allows surface
moisture on the grip or on the user's hand, like perspiration to be
trapped in the depressions which keeps the grip surface moisture
minimized and the grip from becoming too slick during play.
[0011] An objective of the designer of a golf grip surface, and
other grips, is to have the grip create a "drag" on the gripping
hand, so that when the grip is securely gripped, and torsion is
thereafter applied to the grip by use of the object to which the
grip is attached, as occurs when a golf club is swung and a golf
ball is hit for example, the drag resists the torsion and also
prevents the grip from slipping from the hand along the axis
direction. With light gripping hand pressure (which is made
possible by the invention), a golfer will yield the best
performance of the golf club and improve his game. As taught by
golf professionals, the habit of gripping a golf club grip with
light, yet secure hand pressure, largely contributes to the
consistency, and accuracy of a golfer's swing, thus allowing the
golfer to maximize the performance of his game. In contrast, if a
grip surface does not create resistance or drag against the skin
like the present invention, a golfer would naturally squeeze the
grip harder, thus preventing his swing from being fluid, or
natural, which would negatively impact his swing, and ultimately
his game. Golfers also like a "velvety" feel on the grip, which
provides a comfortable feel, not too slick and not too coarse or
rough, which restricts how a grip surface is to be formed for
achieving desirable drag.
[0012] The majority of golf grips currently being sold are buffed
grips. This means that they have a surface that has been sanded.
This buffed grip provides a velvety feel or "drag" similar to the
effect of the invention to the user. However, particularly when a
rubber material grip is sanded, the sealed surface skin of the
rubber of the grip is removed and the pores of the rubber are
exposed to air, sweat, moisture, and oil from the hands. The grip
actually absorbs elements from the environment and from the hand,
eventually making the originally velvety feel grip later feel hard
or slick, and the velvety feel is lost. In most cases, by the time
a golf club is purchased from a retailer and a golfer has begun
playing with it, the grip has lost most of its velvety feel before
it first goes into play. If a purchaser wants a velvety feel of the
grip at least when he purchases the clubs, the loss of the velvety
feel of the grip of one club can negatively impact the sale of the
golf club and even of a set of golf clubs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The invention concerns a surface pattern on a grip,
particularly a golf grip, that is quite fine and which is called a
micropattern. A general definition of micropattern follows the
description below of elements and features of such a pattern.
[0014] The microsurface gripping pattern or micropattern may be
defined as an array of upstanding ridges in the grip material, and
in the versions here, the ribs may be comprised of
multi-directional lines, arches, enclosing geometric shapes, like
polygons, circles, ovals or the like, and the ridges form a
web-like pattern of intersecting ribs. No matter what are the
shapes of the ridges in the micropattern, the ridges include ridge
sections or elements that extend at least somewhat longitudinally,
that is, these ridge element components extend longitudinally, and
other sections that extend at least somewhat circumferentially,
that is, these ridge element components extend
circumferentially.
[0015] The grip is preferably of rubber, TPE (thermo plastic
elastomer), or another elastomeric material.
[0016] In one preferred embodiment, the micropattern is a
continuous pattern of sets of intersecting ridge elements, which
define a series of closed polygons. The polygons are of almost any
shape, which is determined by the orientations of the ridges. The
polygons may be square, rectangular, parallelepiped, more than four
sided, like hexagonal, rounded, or circular or oval, etc. The ridge
patterns and the polygons they define may be uniform or non-uniform
in shape, so long as they satisfy the above stated characteristics
and dimensions. Ridge elements may extend longitudinally along the
length direction of the grip, or circumferentially around the grip,
or in an oblique direction between longitudinal and
circumferential, and wrap spirally around the grip, including
combinations of some of these, and the elements may have the
directional components noted above.
[0017] The pattern of ridges features individual upraised or
protruding ridge elements of a height of about 0.005-0.040 inch and
for linear ridges, a line width of the ridge sections of about
0.003 to 0.040 inch. For non-linear or non-uniformly thick ridges,
the widths vary, but they are preferably not thinner than about
0.003 to 0.040 inch, and are thicker than that along some elements
of the ridge.
[0018] The web micropattern includes ridge elements that are spaced
apart to define gaps between neighboring, but spaced apart ridge
elements. The distance from a ridge to the nearest neighboring
ridge would not be greater than about 0.080 inch. A gap width of
greater size might cause the preferred feel of the grip to be
lost.
[0019] Dimensions and shapes of a fine micropattern of ridges are
described above. The above stated numerical values are examples and
provide a sense of the fineness of the micropattern. Any of the
dimensions can be varied within the concept of the invention to
affect the performance criteria.
[0020] Although there is no single required shape or orientation of
the ridge elements, their shapes and orientations are selected so
that the web micropattern produces drag both in the circumferential
and longitudinal directions. To achieve this, the micropattern has
ridges extending with a component along the longitudinal direction
of the grip and ridges extending with a component along
circumferential direction thereof. Preferably, at least some or
even all of ridges run obliquely to both those directions. In
addition, one set of the ridges intersects another set of the
ridges.
[0021] The number of ridge elements and pattern repeats over a
particular area of the grip surface is not as significant as the
fineness and density of the pattern and the height of the ridge
elements and/or the depths of the polygons or other geometric
shapes between the ridge elements. The micropattern may extend over
and cover all of the grip or only a part, depending on the grip
designer's preference.
[0022] In a preferred embodiment, the micropattern is preferably
formed in a mold cavity tool which forms the grip product. This
micro pattern may be formed in the mold cavity tool using a laser
engraving process. The inventor has discovered the ability to
produce those surface patterns in microdetail by laser engraving.
He has found that the micropattern is not so easily produced by
other currently available tool manufacturing, engraving or chemical
texturing methods.
[0023] The pattern can be comprised of upstanding ridges having
continuous length or can be made up of sections or ridge elements,
whereby the pattern would be segmented, but preferably providing a
density of details of up to about 5,000 details per square inch for
example or fewer details, but preferably not less than 100 details
per square inch to maintain the desired grip and feel.
[0024] A common characteristic of all micropatterns disclosed
herein and others within the invention is that the ridges thereof
are long enough and are so shaped and oriented that each ridge
intersects others of the ridges and the ridges and their
intersections surround and define geometric shape areas on the grip
surface.
[0025] The gripping surface micropattern may be made of rubber or
another elastomeric material like TPE. The elastomeric ridge
elements yield slightly when gripped, which causes a velvety feel
for the grip. The intersections of the ridge elements of the web
micropattern support the ridge elements upright at the ridge
intersections and avoid the ridges flopping over. Forming the ridge
elements of a too rigid material would cause the grip to lose its
velvety feel, because the ridge elements would not flex when
squeezed by the user's hand.
[0026] The ridge elements provide a multidirectional feel in a
golfer's hand under torque and under longitudinal force and
movement. The web pattern also wipes away perspiration from the
user's hand.
[0027] Considering all of the elements and features of the
micropattern in this disclosure, a general definition thereof,
which of necessity does not recite every element and feature, is a
pattern on the grippable surface of a grip that is formed of
outwardly projecting, elastomeric ridges, that are shaped and
positioned to define neighboring grooves or depressions in the
surface. Each groove and depression has ridges along its sides and
the depressions may be open areas surrounded by the ridges. The
ridges have a preferred height, above the bottom of the neighboring
grooves or depressions of about 0.005 to about 0.040 inch and a
width, at their thinnest part or a uniform width of about 0.003 to
about 0.040 inch. There is a distance of about at most 0.080 inch
between each ridge and each of the neighboring ridges no matter how
the geometric areas are shaped. There is a density of details in
the pattern of up to about 5,000 details per square inch or fewer
up to at least 100 details per square inch. The foregoing numerical
values are not intended to be precise limits and if other similar
numerical ranges satisfy the grip and feel characteristics herein,
they may be micropatterns as well.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] FIG. 1 is an edge view of a surface, that may be the surface
of a golf grip or any other object, provided with one of the
preferred embodiments of the invention, viewed in the direction of
arrows 1 in FIG. 2;
[0029] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the surface of a grip provided with
a first preferred embodiment of the invention;
[0030] FIG. 3 is an enlargement in cross-section of the grip
surface along line 3-3 in FIG. 2;
[0031] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the surface of the grip provided
with a second preferred embodiment of the invention; and
[0032] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the surface of the grip provided
with a third preferred embodiment of the invention.
[0033] FIG. 6 shows a portion of a golf club grip with the
micropattern of the invention and an enlargement of part of the
surface.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0034] One preferred embodiment illustrating the present invention
concerns a grip surface 10, which carries a micropattern 12 that is
seen in plan in FIG. 2 and in section in FIGS. 1 and 3. The grip 8
in FIG. 6 is shown as a golf grip, which is a preferred use. The
invention may be used on or for any grip or grippable surface for
which a user needs or would benefit from the performance
characteristics of the invention, as were described above.
[0035] The micropattern 12 is shown considerably enlarged in FIGS.
1-3 and 6 to show its features. Being a micropattern with the
dimensions described above, the unmagnified pattern is visible to
the eye, but its details may not be discerned, and it appears
mostly as a texturing of the surface of the grip.
[0036] The micropattern 12 shown enlarged in FIG. 2 comprises
continuous lines of first parallel ridges or ribs 14, 15, et al.
extending with a component extending longitudinally, arrow 16,
along the length or along an axis of the grip 8, and with a
component extending circumferentially around, arrow 18, the
longitudinal axis or axes of the grip. U.S. Pat. No. 6,800,234
shows a golf club grip adaptable to receive a micropattern of the
present invention, and the disclosure of the patent is incorporated
by reference to show such a club grip. This is one application or
use for the invention.
[0037] In FIG. 2, the micropattern also includes continuous lines
of second parallel ridges or ribs 17, 19, et al. also extending
with components extending in the longitudinal and circumferential
directions, but extending in a different direction than the first
group of ridges 14, 15, et al. The first ridges 14, 15, et al. and
the second ridges 16, 17, et al. intersect at numerous
intersections 21 across the surface and thereby define a fine web
pattern on the grip surface. Neighboring first ridges 14, 15, et
al. are so spaced apart and neighboring second ridges 16, 17, et
al. are also so spaced apart that the ridges and their
intersections surround and define a large number of geometric shape
areas 20, which, in this embodiment of straight line ridges
intersecting at right angles, are square in shape. The ridges
include ridge elements, each of which here is at and defines a side
of a geometric shape area.
[0038] The spacing between the neighboring ridges 14, 15, et al.,
on one hand, and the neighboring ridges 16, 17, et al., on the
other hand, need not be identical as shown, but may be differently
spaced. The orientations of the ridges 14, 15, et al. with respect
to ridges 16, 17, et al. are illustrated as right angle
intersections. But other respective oblique orientations may be
provided producing other parallelogram shape area 20 besides the
squares. Both groups of ridges are shown as oblique to the
longitudinal and circumferential directions 16, 18, which gives
rise to the components of directions noted. Exemplary height,
width, separation spacing, and density of ridges and density of
pattern details are disclosed above.
[0039] Adjacent non-intersecting ridges are preferably parallel.
Yet, the adjacent ridges may not be precisely parallel, may be
oblique to each other or even intersecting.
[0040] The polygonal or other geometric shape areas 20 defined by
ridges are recessed below the ridges. They trap moisture like
perspiration to allow skin contact against the usually dry upper
surfaces of the ridges. Further, the numerous ridges and ridge
elements on the gripping surface press into the skin and produce
drag and resist torque and longitudinal motion.
[0041] Other ridge arrangements are contemplated by the invention.
In FIG. 4, the micropattern 30 on the grip surface comprises a
honeycomb, wherein the geometric shapes 32 defined by the ridges 34
in the pattern are hexagonal cells separated by and defined by the
ridge elements. In this case the ridges are not straight lines.
Rather, there is a honeycomb forming shape of the ridges 34. There
are intersections 36 at the corners between adjacent honeycomb
cells 32. With the ridges 34 extending over the surface of the grip
micropattern and the honeycomb shape inherently defining a ridge
component of extension extending longitudinally and a ridge
component of extension extending circumferentially, a complete web
micropattern is defined on the grip surface, which achieves the
benefits and objectives disclosed herein. In addition, adjacent
ridge elements extending in the same direction are parallel, with
their paths zigging and zagging in parallel. This illustrates that
the web pattern invention need not include straight line ridges.
The dimensions, spacing and density of details of the ridges
discussed above may apply to this embodiment as well.
[0042] FIG. 5 illustrates a micropattern 40 according to the
invention but with several characteristics that are different than
those in the embodiments in FIGS. 2 and 4, which show constant
width ridges. In FIG. 5, the microsurface pattern includes a
plurality of enclosed geometric shape areas 42 which are shown as
circular in shape. More broadly, the shape of an area 42 is not a
parallelogram, and it does not have sharp angled comers. Rather,
the shape of the areas is rounded, at least somewhat, ranging from
oval, egg shape, partial rounding to a circle illustrated. Those
regions are defined by a ridge array 44 that has the height
dimension noted above, but that does not have the width
characteristic, due to the width variation that is needed to
produce rounded and circular areas 42. Here the ridges are of
non-uniform width along any direction ranging from 0.003 to 0.040
at the thinnest region of the ridge elements at a rounded area to a
thickest region where adjacent ridge elements meet. The ridges
illustrated have direction components longitudinally in the
direction 16 and direction components circumferentially in
direction 18. In fact, the ridge array shown in FIG. 5 includes
ridges that extend perpendicular to each other and obliquely to the
circumferential direction 18, from both the left and the right in
FIG. 5. There may be no discrete ridges illustrated in FIG. 5, but
rather a complete ridge web or matrix micropattern is shown with
intersections of ridge elements at 46 where three circular regions
42 approach each other, and the ridge elements or matrix of ridges
therefore define the enclosed areas 42. This micropattern structure
provides a different feel to the user's hand than the micropattern
structures in FIGS. 2 and 4, because the circular shaped areas 42
cause the ridge material to be more resistant to hand pressure
where the ridge elements become wider between circular areas.
[0043] Other geometric designs with upraised ridges in the
micropattern on the grip surface are contemplated.
[0044] Designs with upstanding protrusions on a golf grip surface
are known in the art e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,800,234 and U.S.
publication No. 2003/0088946A1. The micropattern structure of the
present invention does not have protrusions, but has ridges that
define and enclose geometric areas.
[0045] The material of the ridges in the micropattern and usually
of the entire grip is rubber or another elastomer like TPE. It is
not a rigid material, but has slight elasticity and will therefore
yield or bend slightly as user's hand pressure is applied, for
providing a soft, velvety feel, rather than a hard, slick surface
feel.
[0046] As has been noted, the micropattern grip may be used on any
grip surface. The micropattern may be formed in a layer of
material, as shown in FIG. 1, that is laminated on a
circumferential base or in the outer surface of the base itself,
e.g., by laser engraving or molding it into the layer.
Alternatively, the micropattern may be formed in the surface of the
circumferential base or grip itself using a molding process, where
the mold contains the micropattern, which pattern was formed in the
mold, e.g. in a laser engraving process. Other techniques may be
used for forming the ridges.
[0047] For appearance purposes or certain functional purposes, only
a part or parts of the entire circumferential surface of the grip
may be provided with the micropattern, such as the part likely to
be grasped. The placement of the micropattern on the surface is a
matter of choice of a designer.
[0048] Although the present invention has been described in
relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations
and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those
skilled in the art. It is preferred, therefore, that the present
invention be limited not by the specific disclosure herein, but
only by the appended claims.
* * * * *