U.S. patent application number 10/594129 was filed with the patent office on 2007-09-20 for golf club grip.
Invention is credited to Philip Howard Gazeley.
Application Number | 20070219015 10/594129 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32188743 |
Filed Date | 2007-09-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070219015 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gazeley; Philip Howard |
September 20, 2007 |
Golf club grip
Abstract
A grip for a golf club, the grip including a wide portion (8) of
substantially uniform, substantially rectangular cross-section,
said wide portion having a front face (14), a rear face (12) and
two side faces (13a, 13b), wherein the wide portion (8) is of
sufficient width to allow the club to be gripped by a golfer with
both hands at the same height and both thumbs side-by-side on the
front face (14) of the wide portion, and the width (W) to depth (D)
ratio of the wide portion (8) is in the range 1.3 to 2.0:1. The
grip also includes a separate end cap (4) for attachment to the
upper end of the grip.
Inventors: |
Gazeley; Philip Howard;
(Milton Keynes, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LAW OFFICE OF LEO ZUCKER
25 BANK STREET, SUITE 212-K
PO BOX 1194
WHITE PLAINS
NY
10602-1194
US
|
Family ID: |
32188743 |
Appl. No.: |
10/594129 |
Filed: |
March 24, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
March 24, 2005 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/GB05/01201 |
371 Date: |
April 9, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/300 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 53/14 20130101;
A63B 60/22 20151001; A63B 53/007 20130101; A63B 60/00 20151001 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/300 |
International
Class: |
A63B 53/14 20060101
A63B053/14 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 26, 2004 |
GB |
0406820.1 |
Claims
1. A grip for a golf club, the grip including a wide portion of
substantially uniform, substantially rectangular cross-section,
said wide portion having a front face, a rear face and two side
faces, wherein the wide portion is of sufficient width to allow the
club to be gripped by a golfer with both hands at the same height
and both thumbs side-by-side on the front face of the wide portion,
and the width to depth ratio of the wide portion is in the range
1.3 to 2.0:1.
2. A grip according to claim 1, in which the front face is
convex.
3. A grip for a golf club, the grip including a wide portion of
substantially uniform, substantially rectangular cross-section,
said wide portion having a front face, a rear face and two side
faces, wherein the wide portion is of sufficient width to allow the
club to be gripped by a golfer with both hands at the same height
and both thumbs side-by-side on the front face of the wide portion,
and wherein the front surface is convex and the rear and side
surfaces are substantially planar.
4. A grip according to claim 3 in which the width to depth ratio of
the grip is in the range 1.3 to 2.0:1.
5. A grip according to claim 4, in which the width to depth ratio
is in the range 1.4 to 1.8:1.
6. A grip according to claim 1 or claim 3, wherein the front face
is arcuate, having a radius of curvature in the range 50-65 mm.
7. A grip according to claim 1 or claim 3, in which the
intersections of the front face and the rear face with each side
face are rounded.
8. A grip according to claim 1 or claim 3, in which the wide
portion of the grip has a width at the widest point thereof in the
range 30-60 mm.
9. A grip according to claim 1 or claim 3, in which the wide
portion has a length in the range 150-300 mm.
10. A grip according to claim 1 or claim 3, in which the grip has a
tapered portion at its lower end.
11. A grip according to claim 1 or claim 3, wherein the overall
length of the grip is in the range 200-400 mm.
12. A grip according to claim 1 or claim 3, in which the grip
includes an elongate body member and a separate end cap for
attachment to the upper end of the body member.
13. A grip according to claim 12, in which the end cap includes
locating formations for engagement with the body member.
14. A grip according to claim 13, in which the end cap includes
lugs for engagement with elongate bores in the body member.
15. A grip for a golf club, wherein the gulp includes an elongate
body member and a separate end cap for attachment to the upper end
of the body member.
16. A grip according to claim 15, in which the body member has a
portion of uniform cross-section at its upper end.
17. A grip according to claim 15, in which the end cap includes
locating formations for engagement with the body member.
18. A grip according to claim 17, in which the end cap includes
lugs for engagement with elongate bores in the body member.
19. A grip according to claim 18, in which the elongate bores
extend along a substantial part of the length of the grip, and
preferably at least 20% percent of the length of the grip.
20. A golf club including a grip according to claims 1, 3 or
15.
21. A golf club according to claim 20, in which the golf club is a
putter.
22. A method of adjusting the length of a golf club grip, wherein
the grip includes a body member and a separate end cap attached
thereto, said method including detaching the separate end cap from
the body member, removing part of the body member, end reattaching
the separate end cap to the remainder of the body member.
23. A method according to claim 22, in which the body member
includes elongate bores formed in the body member and the separate
end cap includes formations for engaging the elongate bores.
24. A method according to claim 22, wherein the grip is as claimed
in claims 1, 3 or 15.
25. A grip according to claim 5, in which the width to depth ratio
is in the range 1.4 to 1.6:1.
26. A grip according to claim 25, in which the width to depth ratio
is about 1.5:.
27. A grip according to claim 8, in which the wide portion of the
grip has a width at the widest point thereof in the range 40-50
mm.
28. A grip according to claim 9, in which the wide portion has a
length in the range 180-250 mm.
29. A grip according to claim 11, wherein the overall length of the
grip is in the range 250-300 mm.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a grip for a golf club and
in particular, but not exclusively, for a putter. The invention
also relates to a golf club that includes the grip.
[0002] Most modern putters are fitted with a grip that is made from
a rubber or latex material and is typically approximately 10'' (260
mm) long and tapers from a width of 0.8'' (20 mm) and a depth of
1'' (25 mm) at its upper end to a width of 0.6'' (15 mm) and a
depth of 0.6'' (15 mm) at its lower end. The grip is hollow,
allowing it to be fitted over the steel shaft of a golf club.
[0003] The putter is normally held with one hand slightly above the
other and the thumbs on top of the grip, with the fingers
underneath. The hands may be partially overlapping. With an
orthodox grip, a right-handed player will place the left hand
towards the upper end of the grip, and right hand below.
Alternatively, a reverse grip may be adopted with the positions of
the hands reversed. In either case, because the hands are at
different heights, the player's shoulders will not be level when
addressing the ball. This can make it more difficult to strike the
ball in the intended direction.
[0004] This problem has been addressed by U.S. Pat. No. 4,067,573
which provides a golf putter grip arranged such that the hands can
be placed level with one another, with the two thumbs side-by-side
on top of the grip. This allows the player to address the ball with
the shoulders level, which may result in an improved putting
stroke. However, the shape of the grip is very unusual to golfers
and it has not proved popular. It has also been found that the
rounded shape of the club tends to cause the golfer to swing the
club along a curved path which is detrimental to the accuracy of
the shot played.
[0005] Another disadvantage of most existing putter grips is that
the length of the grip cannot be adjusted. If a golfer wants to
adjust the length of a club he removes the grip and trims the
length of the shaft and reapplies the grip.
[0006] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is
provided a grip for a golf club, the grip including a wide portion
of substantially uniform, substantially rectangular cross-section,
said wide portion having a front face, a rear face and two side
faces, wherein the wide portion is of sufficient width to allow the
club to be gripped by a golfer with both hands at he same height
and both thumbs side-by-side on the front face of the wide portion,
and the width to depth ratio of the wide portion is in the range
1.3 to 2.0:1.
[0007] The width to depth ratio is the ratio of the maximum width
between the two side faces to the maximum depth between the front
and rear faces of the wide portion. It has been found that this
grip shape is easier for golfers to use and has the effect that
some golfers swing the golf club more squarely which consequently
leads to improved putting performance.
[0008] Preferably the front face is convex, the rear face and side
faces are substantially planar, and the side faces are arranged
substantially perpendicular to the rear face.
[0009] According to a second aspect of the invention there is
provided a grip for a golf club, the grip including a wide portion
of substantially uniform, substantially rectangular cross-section,
said wide portion having a front face, a rear face and two side
faces, wherein the wide portion is of sufficient width to allow the
club to be gripped by a golfer with both hands at the same height
and both thumbs side-by-side on the front face of the wide portion,
and wherein the front surface is convex, the rear face and side
faces are substantially planar, and the side faces are arranged
substantially perpendicular to the rear face,
[0010] Preferably the width to depth ratio of the grip is in the
range 1.3 to 2.0:1.
[0011] The following paragraphs describe features of the invention
that are applicable to the first and second aspects of the
invention.
[0012] The width to depth ratio is preferably in the range 1.4 to
1.8:1, and more preferably in the range 1.4 to 1.6:1, and more
preferably still is approximately 1.5:1. It has been found that
grips having width to depth ratios in these narrower ranges are the
most comfortable for golfers to use.
[0013] Preferably the wide portion of the grip has a width at the
widest point thereof in the range 30-60 mm, and more preferably in
the range 40-50 mm. The wide portion may have a length in the range
150-300 mm, and is preferably in the range 180-250 mm. The overall
length of the grip may be in the range 200-400 mm, and is
preferably in the range 250-300 mm
[0014] The front face can be arcuate, having a radius of curvature
in the range 50-65 mm. This provides a more comfortable grip for
the golfer since the hands are turned slightly outwards which
provides a more natural and less strained grip. Preferably the
intersections of the front face and the rear face with each side
face are preferably rounded. The rounded edges provide a more
comfortable grip for the golfer.
[0015] Advantageously the grip may include a tapered portion at its
lower end.
[0016] The grip may include an elongate body member and a separate
end cap for attachment to the upper end of the body member. This
enables the length of the grip to be trimmed to the correct length
to suit a user. The end cap is reattached to the grip after the
trimming operation so that the aesthetic appearance of the grip is
not spoilt. Preferably the end cap includes locating formations for
engagement with the body member, for example the end cap may
include lugs for engagement with elongate bores in the body member.
The bores may extend along a substantial part of the length of the
grip, for example the bores may extend along substantially the full
length of the wide portion, and preferably extend along 20-90% of
the length of the wide portion.
[0017] According to a third aspect of the invention there is
provided a grip for a golf club, wherein the grip includes an
elongate body member and a separate end cap for attachment to the
upper end of the body member. This enables the length of the grip
to be trimmed to the correct length to suit a user. The end cap is
reattached to the grip after the trimming operation so that the
aesthetic appearance of the grip is not spoilt.
[0018] Preferably the body member has a portion of uniform
cross-section at its upper end.
[0019] Advantageously the end cap includes locating formations for
engagement with the body member, for example the end cap includes
lugs for engagement with elongate bores in the body member.
Preferably the elongate bores extend along a substantial part of
the length of the grip, and more preferably at least 20% percent of
the length of the grip. For example, the elongate bores may extend
along 25 to 90% of the length of the grip, and preferably between
30% to 80% of the length of the grip.
[0020] The grips described above can be applied to any type of golf
club, but are most applicable to golf putters.
[0021] According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is
provided a method of adjusting the length of a golf club grip,
wherein the grip includes a body member and a separate end cap
attached thereto, said method including detaching the separate end
cap from the body member, removing part of the body member, and
reattaching the separate end cap to the remainder of the body
member. This is a more satisfactory method of reducing the length
of a golf club than be reducing the length of the shaft.
[0022] The end cap is applied to an upper end of the body member
and the grip is trimmed such that material is removed from the
upper end. The end cap is reattached to the upper end of the body
member.
[0023] The method may include using a body member having elongate
bores formed in the body member and a separate end cap that
includes formations for engaging the elongate bores.
[0024] The method may be applied to any configuration of the grip
is as described above.
[0025] An embodiment of the invention will be now be described, by
way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0026] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a golf club grip;
[0027] FIG. 2 is an end view of the lower end of the grip;
[0028] FIG. 3 is a side view of the grip;
[0029] FIG. 4 is an end view of the upper end of the grip;
[0030] FIG. 5 is a front view of the grip;
[0031] FIG. 6 is a front view of the main body member of the grip,
showing its internal structure;
[0032] FIG. 7 is a side view of the body member, showing its
internal structure;
[0033] FIG. 8 is an end view of the upper end of the body member;
and
[0034] FIG. 9 is an isometric view of the end cap.
[0035] The grip is made of a suitable elastomeric or resilient
material such as rubber, latex or a plastics material and includes
an elongate body member 2 that fits over the shaft of the golf club
(not shown) and an end cap 4, which is subsequently attached to the
upper end 6 of the body member 2, for example by gluing. In the
example, the grip has an overall length of 282 mm, the body member
2 having a length of 270 mm and the end cap 4 having a thickness of
12 mm.
[0036] The body member 2 includes an upper portion 8 of uniform
cross-section, which extends from the upper end 6 of the body
member for a length of 195 mm, and a lower portion 10 which tapers
to a diameter of approximately 15 mm at its lower end 11. The
cross-section of the upper portion 8 is approximately rectangular,
having a width of 42 mm and a depth of 28 mm, i.e. the
cross-section has a width "W" to depth "D" ratio (W:D) of
approximately 3:2 (see FIG. 2). The width to depth ratio is the
ratio of the maximum width to the maximum depth of the upper
portion 8.
[0037] The front face 14 is slightly convex and the rear face 12 is
flat. The radius of curvature of the front face is 57 mm and
extends through an arc of 34 degrees. The grip is held with the
hands level and the two thumbs side-by-side on the front face 14 of
the grip. The slightly convex surface of the front face 14 enables
a more natural grip since the golfer's hands are rotated slightly
outwards. Alternatively, the front face 14 can be planar, however a
planar front face 14 strains the thumbs and wrists slightly as the
hands are turned inwards thereby providing a less comfortable grip.
The rear face 12 is flat since a flat face does not force the hands
to turn outwards when the grip is held. Furthermore, having a flat
rear face 12 is advantageous since it enables the user to attach
the grip to a golf club such that the club face is substantially
perpendicular to the front face 14 of the grip. This is achieved by
the user looking down the rear face 12 of the grip when applied to
the shaft and rotating the grip until it is properly aligned with
the club face. If the grip is applied to the shaft such that it is
rotated relative to the club face by only a few degrees, the golfer
will not strike the ball squarely which can make a significant
difference for medium and long shots.
[0038] The side faces 13a, 13b are flat and are substantially
perpendicular to the rear face 12. The four edges formed at the
intersections of the front face 14 and the rear face 12 and the
side faces 13a, 13b are rounded.
[0039] A cylindrical bore 16 having a diameter of 14.5 mm extends
through the body member 2 to receive the shaft of the golf club. In
addition, two parallel smaller secondary bores 18, each having a
diameter of 5 mm, extend from the upper end of the body member 2 to
a depth of 130 mm, the secondary bores being provided on either
side of the main bore 16.
[0040] The end cap 4 is of similar cross-sectional shape to the
upper end of the body member 2 and includes on its lower face 20
two cylindrical lugs 22, which are positioned for engagement in the
secondary bores 18 of the body member 2.
[0041] The length of the grip can be adjusted by cutting off a
portion of the grip from the upper end of the body member 2 and
then attaching the end cap to the cut end and gluing it in lace.
Because the secondary bores 18 extend for a considerable depth into
the body ember 2, the end cap 4 can be correctly positioned by
engaging the locating lugs 22 in the secondary bores 18, even if
quite a large portion of the grip is removed. If necessary, the
secondary bores 18 can extend along substantially the full length
of the wide part, or any part thereof.
[0042] Since most grips are tapered, if a golfer tries to adjust
the grip by removing material from its lower end, this can leave an
unsightly step at the point where the shaft enters the grip. Thus
the invention provides a more satisfactory method of adjusting the
length of the grip than simply removing a portion from the lower
end of the grip, or by shortening the length of a club by reducing
the length of the shaft.
[0043] In use, the grip is held with the hands level and the two
thumbs side-by-side on the front face 14 of the grip, with the
fingers curling around the rear face 14 or with the finger tips
resting thereon. This allows the golfer to adopt a stance with the
shoulders completely level and square with the hips and feet, which
helps to produce a smooth and accurate stroke. Furthermore, it has
been found that the shape of the grip assists the golfer to swing
the club more squarely, thereby increasing the likelihood of
striking the ball more accurately. With rounded grips, there is a
tendency for golfers to swing putters along a shallow arc.
[0044] Various modifications of the grip are of course possible
that fall within the scope of the invention. For example, the grip
may have a width of between 30-60 mm, but is preferably between
40-50 mm. The width to depth ratio is preferably in the range 1.3
to 2.0:1. For example, the width to depth ratio may be in the range
1.4 to 1.8:1, and is preferably in the range 1.4 to 1.6:1. It has
been found that grips having a width to depth ratio in the latter
range are more comfortable for golfers. The overall length of the
grip can be in the range 200-400 mm, and is preferably in the range
250-300 mm. The upper portion of the grip, which has a uniform
cross-section, may be between 150-300 mm in length, and is
preferably between 180-250 mm in length.
[0045] The separate end cap can omit the lugs 22 and the secondary
bores 18 can be omitted from the body member 2. When adjusting the
length of the grip, the end cap is first removed, the cutting
operation performed and the end cap is then reattached to the
shortened body member.
* * * * *