U.S. patent application number 11/482078 was filed with the patent office on 2008-01-10 for weighted grip assembly for a golf club.
Invention is credited to Sean Solodovnick.
Application Number | 20080009363 11/482078 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38919720 |
Filed Date | 2008-01-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080009363 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Solodovnick; Sean |
January 10, 2008 |
Weighted grip assembly for a golf club
Abstract
A grip assembly for a golf club comprising a body composed of a
material which is structured to facilitate gripping, and a weighted
assembly comprising any variety of dense and/or heavy substance(s),
including, but not limited to, metal and/or metal alloy composite
in various structural or physical forms. The the body and the
weighted assembly are at least partially integrated to form the
grip assembly for a golf club. The body and the weighted assembly
may be integrated using any of a variety of techniques, methods,
and/or modes such as interweaving, melting, heating, bonding,
and/or interfusing.
Inventors: |
Solodovnick; Sean;
(Gainesville, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MALLOY & MALLOY, P.A.
2800 S.W. Third Avenue
Historic Coral Way
Miami
FL
33129
US
|
Family ID: |
38919720 |
Appl. No.: |
11/482078 |
Filed: |
July 6, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/297 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 60/24 20151001 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/297 |
International
Class: |
A63B 53/14 20060101
A63B053/14 |
Claims
1. A grip assembly for a golf club having a club shaft and a club
head, said grip assembly comprising: a body having a proximal end,
a distal end, and a length extending from said proximal end to said
distal end, said body connected to said club shaft and comprising a
weighted assembly, said weighted assembly comprising at least one
weighted element integrated throughout at least a majority of said
body, said weighted assembly structured and disposed to at least
partially define a grip of sufficient weight, relative to said club
head, to accomplish a substantially balanced characteristic of the
golf club.
2. A grip assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said weighted
assembly comprises a plurality of weighted elements disposed
substantially evenly throughout said body.
3. A grip assembly as recited in claim 2 wherein said body is
substantially balanced.
4. A grip assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said weighted
assembly comprises a plurality of weighted elements disposed
substantially unevenly throughout said body.
5. A grip assembly as recited in claim 4 wherein said body is
substantially un-balanced.
6. A grip assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one
weighted element comprises a pellet structure.
7. A grip assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one
weighted element comprises a rod structure.
8. A grip assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one
weighted element comprises a plate structure.
9. A grip assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one
weighted element comprises a fiber structure.
10. A grip assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said body further
comprises an open bore having a hollow interior extending along at
least a portion of said length of said body.
11. A grip assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said body
comprises a flexible material.
12. A grip assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said body
comprises a resilient material.
13. A grip assembly for a golf club having a club shaft and a club
head, said grip assembly comprising: a body having a proximal end,
a distal end, and a length extending from said proximal end to said
distal end, said body connected to said club shaft and comprising a
weighted assembly, said weighted assembly comprising a plurality of
weighted elements integrated throughout at least a predetermined
portion of said body, said weighted assembly structured and
disposed to at least partially define a grip of sufficient weight,
relative to said club head, to accomplish a substantially balanced
characteristic of said golf club.
14. A grip assembly as recited in claim 13 wherein said plurality
of weighted elements are disposed substantially evenly throughout
said body.
15. A grip assembly as recited in claim 14 wherein said body is
substantially balanced.
16. A grip assembly as recited in claim 13 wherein said plurality
of weighted elements are disposed substantially unevenly throughout
said body.
17. A grip assembly as recited in claim 16 wherein said body is
substantially unbalanced.
18. A grip assembly as recited in claim 13 wherein said plurality
of weighted elements comprises pellet structures.
19. A grip assembly as recited in claim 13 wherein said plurality
of weighted elements comprises rod structures.
20. A grip assembly as recited in claim 13 wherein said plurality
of weighted elements comprises plate structures.
21. A grip assembly as recited in claim 13 wherein said plurality
of weighted elements comprises fiber structures.
22. A grip assembly as recited in claim 13 wherein said body
further comprises an open bore having a hollow interior extending
along at least a portion of said length of said body.
23. A grip assembly as recited in claim 13 wherein said body
comprises a flexible material.
24. A grip assembly as recited in claim 13 wherein said body
comprises a resilient material.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to a grip assembly for a golf club
structured to balance and counteract the weight typically produced
by the head of an athletic instrument, such as a golf club. The
grip assembly for a golf club comprises a body being composed of a
material structured to facilitate gripping, and a weighted assembly
at least partially integrated with at least a majority of the body.
The body of the grip assembly and the weighted assembly may be
integrated, incorporating any of a variety of techniques,
including, but not limited to, interweaving, melting, heating,
bonding, and/or interfusing.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] The utilization and/or swinging of an elongate instrument,
such as a golf club, in an athletic or sporting event is rather
common. Furthermore, a controlled, precise swing of such an
elongate instrument is a generally sought after and desired goal,
especially in the sport of golf. More specifically, the precision
and/or control of the user's swing is highly dependent upon the
actual speed of the instrument as the user moves the instrument
through the swing. If the user fails to accurately and/or precisely
control the instrument through the swing, even the slightest error
in the swing may cause a drastic change in the overall success of
the game. As such there have been numerous attempts to control
and/or allow the user to control the precision of such a swing.
[0005] There have been numerous attempts to provide a balanced
and/or weighted golf club such that the precision of the user's
swing is increased, however, many of the previous attempts present
structure(s) which include one or more centralized weight(s). The
centralized weight(s) present unnecessary bulk and/or complexity
for both the user and the manufacturer of the golf clubs and/or
grip assemblies.
[0006] As such, there is a present need in the field of golf
equipment for a grip assembly for a golf club having a weighted
assembly wherein the weighted assembly is at least partially
integrated with the material of the body. The weighted assembly of
the proposed grip assembly may either be substantially evenly
distributed or substantially unevenly distributed throughout the
body, however, the grip assembly is preferably sufficiently heavy
to counteract the normally heavier weight of the club head thereby
giving the entire golf club a more balanced "feel" overall.
Further, it would be beneficial if the body of such a proposed grip
assembly is composed of a material structured to facilitate
gripping, including, but not limited to, a flexible and/or
resilient material. Such a proposed grip assembly would eliminate
or significantly reduce the disadvantages and problems relating to
the bulk and/or complexity of known golf clubs and/or golf club
grip assemblies comprising one or more centralized weights, of the
type generally described above.
[0007] Further, it would be beneficial if such a proposed grip
assembly would provide a simple, integrated grip that may be easily
manufactured and adapted for use with various types and shapes of
athletic instruments.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention is directed to a grip assembly for a
golf club which is structured and operative to overcome the various
disadvantages and problems of the type prevalent with known or
conventional grip and/or weighting structures typically associated
with elongate athletic instruments, such as golf clubs. Further,
the grip assembly of the present invention is specifically
structured to be adaptable to various elongate athletic
instruments, including, but not limited to, golf clubs.
[0009] More specifically, the various preferred embodiments of the
present invention are directed to a grip assembly for a golf club
having a body and a weighted assembly. The body of the present
invention may be composed of any material structured to facilitate
gripping including, but not limited to, a flexible and/or resilient
material. Additionally, the body of the present invention includes
a length extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the body,
wherein the length of the body is preferably between five (5) to
fifteen (15) inches, however, the length of the body of the present
invention is in no manner confined to such dimensions.
[0010] Further, in at least one embodiment of the present
invention, the body may include an open bore having a hollow
interior and extending along at least a portion of the length of
the body, whereby the open bore is structured and disposed to at
least partially accept a portion of a golf club shaft. However, the
grip assembly of the present invention may be attached to the golf
club shaft by incorporating any of a variety of techniques,
methods, devices, and/or manners, including, but not limited to,
adhesion and/or friction.
[0011] In addition, the body of the present invention may further
include a cap disposed at the proximal end of the body. The cap may
be integrally or otherwise fixedly connected to the body, or
removably connected thereto.
[0012] Further, the weighted assembly in at least one of the
plurality of preferred embodiments of the present invention may be
composed of any structurally dense and/or heavy material,
including, but not limited to, metal and/or metal alloy composites.
Additionally, in at least one of the plurality of preferred
embodiments of the present invention, the weighted assembly may
include at least one, or a plurality of weighted element(s),
wherein the weighted element(s) include, but are not limited to,
pellets, rods, plates, and/or any similar structure.
[0013] Moreover, the weighted assembly is at least partially
integrated and substantially distributed throughout at least a
predetermined portion, a majority or substantially the entire body
to form the grip assembly for a golf club of the present invention.
More specifically, the material of the body and the weighted
assembly may be integrated by incorporating any of a variety of
techniques, methods, and/or modes including, but not limited to,
weaving, melting, heating, bonding, and/or fusing. More in
particular, the grip assembly of the present invention provides a
more balanced golf club such that the weight is not substantially
concentrated in the club head, nor does the grip assembly of the
present invention have a substantially centralized weight. Rather,
the weighted assembly is at least partially integrated and
substantially distributed throughout at least a predetermined
portion or a majority of the body of the grip assembly.
[0014] In addition, in at least one of the preferred embodiments of
the present invention, the grip assembly includes a combined or
total weight having the sum of a first weight, being the weight of
the body, and a second weight, being the weight of, the weighted
assembly. In at least one preferred embodiment of the present
invention, the combined weight of the grip assembly may range
between 100 grams to 500 grams; however, the combined weight is in
no manner confined to such weight parameters.
[0015] Additionally, the grip assembly for a golf club of the
present invention may be structured to comprise any preferred
shape, including, but not limited to, a rounded, elliptical,
triangular, hexagonal, or a "D" cross-sectional configuration
shape.
[0016] In a most preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
weighted assembly may either be distributed substantially evenly
throughout the body, or substantially unevenly throughout the body,
wherein a common structural and operative feature comprises the
combined weight of the grip assembly being structured to
substantially counteract the weight of the club head of the golf
club and thereby provide an overall balanced "feel" or
characteristic of the golf club as a whole. Moreover when the
weighted assembly is distributed and/or dispersed substantially
evenly throughout the body, the combined weight of the grip
assembly of the present invention may be substantially balanced
over the length of the body. However, when the weighted assembly is
distributed and/or dispersed substantially unevenly throughout the
body, the combined weight of the grip assembly of the present
invention may be substantially unbalanced over the length of the
body. Accordingly, whether the weighted assembly is substantially
evenly or substantially unevenly distributed and/or dispersed
throughout the body, the grip assembly of the present invention is
structured to provide an overall balanced "feel" or characteristic
of the golf club as a whole, by virtue of it substantially or at
least partially counteracting the normally concentrated weight in
the club head.
[0017] In at least one preferred embodiment of the present
invention the weighted element(s) of the weighted assembly may
include one or a plurality of small structures resembling a pellet
at least partially integrated with the gripping material of the
body of the grip assembly. More specifically, the weighted assembly
of this preferred embodiment may be integrated with the gripping
material of the body by incorporating any of a variety of
techniques, including, but not limited to weaving, melting,
heating, bonding, and/or fusing to form the grip assembly of the
present invention. In addition, the weighted assembly may be
substantially evenly dispersed throughout the body to form a
substantially balanced grip assembly, or the weighted assembly may
be substantially unevenly dispersed throughout the body whereby the
grip assembly of the present invention may be substantially
unbalanced. Moreover, the weighted assembly may be at least
partially dispersed in a cap disposed at the proximal end of the
body, whereby the cap may include a portion of the total weight of
the grip assembly.
[0018] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention the
weighted assembly may include at least one or a plurality of thin
rods dispersed throughout the gripping material of the body. The
one or more thin rods may be structured of various lengths, wherein
any one rod does not exceed the overall length of the body.
Furthermore, the weighted assembly may be substantially evenly
dispersed throughout the body to form a substantially balanced grip
assembly, or the weighted assembly may be substantially unevenly
dispersed throughout the body to form a substantially unbalanced
grip assembly.
[0019] Further, in yet another preferred embodiment, the weighted
element(s) of the weighted assembly may include one or more thin
fibers and/or strips, which may be similarly integrated in the
manner described in detail herein with the gripping material of the
body to form the grip assembly of the present invention.
[0020] In yet another preferred embodiment of the present
invention, the weighted assembly may include at least one or a
plurality of plates, or similar structures, dispersed throughout
the gripping material of the body. The plate(s) may be structured
in various dimensions, limited only by the confines of the body.
Similar to the other preferred embodiments of the present
invention, the weighted element(s), or plate(s), may be
substantially evenly or substantially unevenly distributed and/or
dispersed throughout the gripping material of the body. Whether the
weighted assembly is substantially evenly or substantially unevenly
dispersed and/or distributed throughout the body, the total weight
of the grip assembly of the present invention is sufficient to at
least partially or substantially counteract the weight of the club
head of the golf club and thereby provide an overall balanced
"feel" and/or characteristic of the golf club as a whole.
[0021] An additional structural feature of the weighted assembly of
the present invention comprises one or more of the various weighted
elements, as set forth in the above described embodiments, being
associated with a cap disposed at the proximal end of the body. As
such, the one or more weighted elements may be connected to,
mounted on and/or dispersed or integrated within the cap.
Therefore, the cap may comprise a portion of the combined weight of
the grip assembly of the present invention.
[0022] These and other objects, features and advantages of the
present invention will become clearer when the drawings as well as
the detailed description are taken into consideration.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present
invention, reference should be had to the following detailed
description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in
which:
[0024] FIG. 1 is a side exterior view in partial phantom of one
preferred embodiment of the grip assembly for a golf club.
[0025] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of one preferred embodiment of
the grip assembly for a golf club in an operative position with a
golf club.
[0026] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one preferred embodiment of
the grip assembly for a golf club of the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 3a is a cross-sectional view of one of the preferred
embodiments of the grip assembly for a golf club of the present
invention.
[0028] FIG. 3b is a cross-sectional view of another preferred
embodiment of the grip assembly for a golf club of the present
invention.
[0029] FIG. 3c is a cross-sectional view of yet another preferred
embodiment of the grip assembly for a golf club of the present
invention.
[0030] Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the
several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0031] As shown in the accompanying drawings, the present invention
is directed to a grip assembly for a golf club generally indicated
as 10 and shown in detail in FIGS. 1 through 3. More specifically,
the grip assembly 10 includes a body 20 and a weighted assembly 30.
Depending at least on the style, design and overall structure of
the grip assembly 10, the body 20 may also comprise an open bore
28, to facilitate attachment of the body 20 to a shaft of a club,
and a cap 26.
[0032] Furthermore, the weighted assembly 30 may comprise at least
one or a plurality of weighted element(s) at least partially
integrated throughout the body 20. In the various preferred
embodiments of the present invention, the body 20 of the grip
assembly 10 may be composed of any substantially resilient,
flexible, semi-rigid, and/or rigid material which facilitates
gripping of the club, while meeting the specific preferences of the
user. Additionally, the weighted assembly 30 may comprise any of a
variety of dense and/or heavy substance(s), including, but not
limited to, metal and/or metal alloy composite in various
structural or physical forms. The cap 26 may either be integrally
or otherwise fixedly secured or removably connected to the body 20
of the present invention.
[0033] Furthermore, in at least one of the various preferred
embodiments of the present invention, the weighted assembly 30 is
at least partially integrated throughout the body 20 to form the
grip assembly 10 for a golf club 40 of the present invention. More
specifically, the term "integrated" is meant to describe an
intended combining of the material of the body 20 and the weighted
assembly 30 by incorporating any of a variety of techniques.,
methods, and/or modes including, but not limited to, weaving,
melting, heating, bonding, and/or fusing. More in particular, the
grip assembly 10 of the present invention may provide a more
balanced golf club 40 such that the weight is not substantially
concentrated in the club head 44. Further, the grip assembly 10 of
the present invention does not have a substantially centralized or
concentrated location of the weight. Rather, the weighted assembly
30 is at least partially integrated and substantially distributed
throughout at least a predetermined portion and/or a majority of
the body 20 of the grip assembly 10.
[0034] In a most preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
weighted assembly 30 may either be distributed substantially evenly
throughout the body 20, or substantially unevenly throughout the
body 20, wherein the total weight of the grip assembly 10 of each
of these complimentary structures of the present invention serves
to at least partially and/or substantially counteract the weight of
the club head 44 of a golf club 40 and thereby provide an overall
balanced "feel" or characteristic of the golf club 40 as a whole.
Moreover, in the preferred embodiment wherein the weighted assembly
30 is distributed and/or dispersed substantially evenly throughout
the body, the total weight of the grip assembly 10 may be
substantially balanced throughout the length of the body 20.
Additionally, in the preferred embodiment, wherein the weighted
assembly 30 is distributed substantially unevenly throughout the
body 20, the total weight of the grip assembly 10 may be
substantially unbalanced throughout the body 20.
[0035] Referring to FIG. 2, in at least one preferred embodiment of
the present invention, the open bore 28 is structured and disposed
to at least partially accept a shaft 42 of a golf club 40. As such,
the grip assembly 10 may be attached to the golf club shaft 42 by
incorporating any of a variety of techniques, including, but not
limited to, the use of adhesives and/or friction. Furthermore, the
open bore 28 may extend along a length of the body 20 beginning at
the distal end 24 of the body 20.
[0036] The grip assembly 10 for a golf club 40 of the present
invention may be structured in any preferred shape, including, but
not limited to, a rounded, elliptical, triangular, hexagonal, or a
"D" cross-sectional shape as shown in FIG. 3. Accordingly, while
the "D" shape is primarily represented in the various Figures, any
of appropriate shape may be incorporated in the various embodiments
of the present invention.
[0037] In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, shown
in FIG. 3a, the weighted assembly 30 includes at least one or a
plurality of weighted element(s) 31 structured to resemble a pellet
or like structure, wherein the weighted assembly 30 is at least
partially integrated with the body 20 in the manner described in
detail herein. Furthermore, in the preferred embodiment shown in
FIG. 3a, the weighted assembly 30 may either be substantially
evenly distributed and/or dispersed throughout the body 20, to form
a substantially balanced grip assembly 10, or the weighted assembly
30 may be substantially unevenly distributed and/or dispersed
throughout the body 20, to form a substantially unbalanced grip
assembly 10. Additionally, the weighted assembly 30 may be at least
partially dispersed within, connected to, mounted on or otherwise
associated with a cap 26 disposed at the proximal end 22 of the
body 20 such that the cap 26 includes a portion of the total weight
of the grip assembly 10 of the present invention.
[0038] Another preferred embodiment of the present invention is
shown in detail in FIG. 3b. Specifically, the weighted element(s)
32 of the weighted assembly 30 includes at least one or a plurality
of thin rods, and/or like structures which may be integrated
throughout the body 20 to provide the grip assembly 10 of the
present invention, being of sufficiently increased weight to at
least partially or substantially counteract the normally
concentrated weight of the club head. Furthermore, the one or more
weighted element(s) 32 as shown in FIG. 3b may be of any length,
wherein any one rod or like structure does not exceed the overall
length of the body 20 of the grip assembly 10.
[0039] Similar to the preferred embodiment of FIG. 3a, in the
preferred embodiment of FIG. 3b the body 20 and the weighted
assembly 30 may be integrated to form the grip assembly 10 of the
present invention. Additionally, the weighted assembly 30 shown in
FIG. 3b may be substantially evenly distributed and/or dispersed
throughout the body 20 of the grip assembly 10 and thereby form a
substantially balanced grip assembly 10. On the other hand, the
weighted assembly 30 may be substantially unevenly dispersed
throughout the body 20 of the grip assembly 10 to form a
substantially unbalanced grip assembly 10. Additionally, the
weighted assembly 30 may be dispersed throughout a cap 26 disposed
at the proximal end of the body 20 of the present invention such
that the cap 26 comprises a portion of the total weight of the grip
assembly 10 of the present invention.
[0040] Further, the weighted element(s) 32 of the weighted assembly
30 may include one or more fibers and/or strips which may be
similarly integrated in the manner described in detail herein with
the gripping material of the body 20 to form the grip assembly 10
of the present invention.
[0041] Another preferred embodiment of the present invention is
shown in detail in FIG. 3c. Specifically, the weighted assembly 30
includes one or more weighted element(s) 33 comprising a plate, or
like structure dispersed throughout the material of the body 20.
Similar to the preferred embodiments of FIGS. 3a and 3b, in the
preferred embodiment of FIG. 3c the body 20 and the weighted
assembly 30 are at least partially integrated to form the grip
assembly 10 of the present invention. Additionally, the weighted
assembly 30 shown in FIG. 3c may be substantially evenly
distributed and/or dispersed throughout the body 20 of the grip
assembly 10 to form a substantially balanced grip assembly 10, or
the weighted assembly 30 may be substantially unevenly distributed
and/or dispersed throughout the body 20 of the grip assembly 10 to
form a substantially unbalanced grip assembly 10. Additionally, the
weighted assembly 30 may be dispersed throughout a cap 26 disposed
at the proximal end of the body 20 of the present invention such
that the cap 26 comprises a portion of the total weight of the grip
assembly 10 of the present invention.
[0042] Since many modifications, variations and changes in detail
can be made to the described preferred embodiment of the invention,
it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and
shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative
and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention
should be determined by the appended claims and their legal
equivalents.
[0043] Now that the invention has been described,
* * * * *