U.S. patent application number 14/524253 was filed with the patent office on 2015-02-12 for golf grip.
The applicant listed for this patent is Heavy Putter, LLC. Invention is credited to Stephen BOCCIERI.
Application Number | 20150045136 14/524253 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47219595 |
Filed Date | 2015-02-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150045136 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
BOCCIERI; Stephen |
February 12, 2015 |
GOLF GRIP
Abstract
A weighted grip for a golf club is disclosed. The weight is
preferably a metal, such as iron and its alloys, especially steel,
copper and its alloys, such as brass and bronze, tungsten and its
alloys, especially tungsten, aluminum and its alloys, ceramics,
including cermets, and can take the form of a cylindric shape
concentric with the grip, and embedded in the moldable composition
forming the grip. In other embodiments the weight can be at, or
near, the extreme end of the grip. Other shapes, forms and
locations of the weight are disclosed, as well as combinations of
the weight with a grip formed of a moldable composition having a
heavy filler therein. The combination of the grip and a golf club
are also disclosed.
Inventors: |
BOCCIERI; Stephen;
(Scottsdale, AZ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Heavy Putter, LLC |
Scottsdale |
AZ |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
47219595 |
Appl. No.: |
14/524253 |
Filed: |
October 27, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13443415 |
Apr 10, 2012 |
8888606 |
|
|
14524253 |
|
|
|
|
61490455 |
May 26, 2011 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/297 ;
473/300 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2071/0694 20130101;
A63B 53/14 20130101; A63B 2209/00 20130101; A63B 60/14 20151001;
A63B 60/50 20151001; A63B 60/24 20151001; A63B 60/16 20151001 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/297 ;
473/300 |
International
Class: |
A63B 53/14 20060101
A63B053/14 |
Claims
1. A golf club grip comprising: a moldable composition; and
metallic weight selected from at least one member selected from the
group consisting of iron and its alloys, tungsten and its alloys,
copper and its alloys, aluminum and its alloys, ceramics and
cermets; the moldable composition being molded about the metallic
weight at least partially encapsulated at the end of the grip by
the moldable composition, and surrounding a portion of a
longitudinal axis of the grip; wherein the grip defines a shaft
cavity for insertion therein of a golf club shaft, the metallic
weight overlying but spaced from an end of the shaft cavity, and
not abutting any portion of the shaft cavity, wherein the metallic
weight does not extend beyond the moldable composition.
2. The grip of claim 1, wherein the moldable composition comprises
a natural or synthetic rubber or elastomeric polymer and the
composition extends through the metallic weight.
3. The grip of claim 1, wherein the metallic weight is cylindric in
shape.
4. The grip of claim 3, wherein the metallic weight is formed as
two opposed halves.
5. The grip of claim 1, wherein the metallic weight is at the
extreme end of the grip.
6. The grip of claim 1, wherein the metallic weight comprises
filler particles within the moldable composition.
7. The grip of claim 3, wherein the weight is in the form of one
selected from the group consisting of grid and lattice.
8. The grip of claim 2, wherein the moldable composition has a
density in the range of 1.1-1.8 g/cc.
9. The grip of claim 1 weighing at least 89 grams.
10. A golf club in combination with the grip of claim 8.
11. A golf club grip comprising: a moldable composition; and
tungsten or tungsten alloy incorporated within the end of the grip,
to be encapsulated by the moldable composition and surround a
portion of the longitudinal axis of the grip; wherein the grip
defines a shaft cavity for insertion therein of a golf club shaft,
the entire tungsten or tungsten alloy overlying the end of the
shaft cavity, wherein the tungsten or tungsten alloy does not
extend beyond the moldable composition.
12. The grip of claim 11, wherein the moldable composition has a
density in the range of 1.1-1.8 g/cc.
13. The grip of claim 1, wherein the weight has at least one
aperture therethrough and the molding composition extends through
said aperture.
14. The grip of claim 1, wherein the weight has at least two
apertures through which the molding composition extends.
15. The grip of claim 1, wherein the weight has at least four
apertures through which the molding composition extends.
16. The grip of claim 15, wherein the apertures are uniformly
placed about the axis of the weight.
17. The grip of claim 13, wherein the weight has a flange and the
flange is captured by the moldable composition.
18. The grip of claim 12, wherein the grip weighs at least 89
grams.
19. A golf club in combination with the grip of claim 18.
20. A golf club grip comprising: a moldable composition having a
density in the range of 1.1-1.8 g/cc; and metallic weight selected
from at least one member selected from the group consisting of iron
and its alloys, tungsten and its alloys, copper and its alloys,
aluminum and its alloys, ceramics and cermets incorporated within
the end of the grip and surround a portion of the longitudinal axis
of the grip encapsulated by the moldable composition; the grip
weighing at least 89 grams; wherein the grip defines a shaft cavity
for insertion therein of a golf club shaft, the entire metallic
weight overlying the end of the shaft cavity, wherein the metallic
weight does not extend beyond the moldable composition.
21. The grip of claim 20, wherein the metallic weight is at, or
near, the extreme end of the grip, the metallic weight being formed
of a metal selected from tungsten and its alloys.
22. The grip of claim 1, wherein the metallic weight has a density
of at least 17 grams/cc.
23. The grip of claim 1, wherein the weight is a circular disc
shaped weight having a lower portion of a first diameter and a
central upper portion of a second diameter, the first diameter
being greater than the second diameter such that the lower portion
defines a circular flange extending radially from the central upper
portion.
24. The grip of claim 1, further having at least one element to
orient the weight relative to at least one of the grip or
shaft.
25. The grip of claim 1, wherein the at least one element is
selected from the group consisting of a slot in the weight, a flat
sided aperture in the weight, and a keyhole aperture in the
weight.
26. The grip of claim 1, having at least one element on the
external surface of the grip to align the grip relative to the
shaft.
27. The grip of claim 26, wherein the at least one element is an
arrowhead.
28. The grip of claim 1, wherein the metallic weight consists of
tungsten or tungsten alloy incorporated at the extreme end of the
grip, overlying but spaced from the end of the shaft and the weight
is completely covered by the moldable compound such that the weight
is not visible.
29. The grip of claim 11, wherein the tungsten or tungsten alloy is
incorporated at the end of the grip, overlying but spaced from the
end of the shaft cavity, and not surrounding any portion of the
shaft cavity.
30. The grip of claim 1, wherein the moldable composition defines
the shaft cavity.
31. The grip of claim 30, wherein the moldable composition of the
grip is one piece.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a non-provisional application claiming
the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.
61/490,455, filed May 26, 2011, the entire disclosure of which is
hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention is directed to balance compensating
golf grips and golf clubs incorporating the balance compensating
golf grip.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] The game of golf requires, among other things, the use of
golf clubs to strike the golf ball.
[0006] Golf clubs are formed by the head, or striking element, of
the club, intended to impact the golf ball. The head can take many
shapes and be formed of differing materials, thereby causing the
head to have differing weights. The head is connected to a shaft
for imparting the swing to the head. The shafts themselves may also
be formed of differing materials, such as wood, metal, and
composites such as graphite fiber filled polymer. The length of the
shafts are also variable to the player, depending on height and
physical ability of the player. All these variations introduce
balance variability to the club and head combination.
[0007] At the end of the shaft opposite the head is the golf grip.
The grip is intended to be grasped by the golfer in order to swing
the club. The present rules of golf require that the grip not
contain any contour that would assist in placement of the golfer's
hands on the grip (an exception is made for the putter).
[0008] Therefore, most exising golf grips are circular in
cross-section and concentric with the axis of the shaft, (though
the cross-section generally diminishes in size from the end of the
grip in a direction towards the exposed portion of the shaft).
[0009] Until the present invention, there has not been taken into
account the fact that the imbalance caused by the variabilities in
the club head and shaft combination could be counterbalanced by the
golf grip, and the present invention discloses various ways in
which the golf grip can be modified to compensate for this
imbalance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] In one embodiment, the present invention applies weight
within the golf grip to compensate for the imbalance caused by the
club head and shaft.
[0011] In another embodiment, weight is applied to the composition
of which the grip is formed by incorporating a heavy filler into
the composition to increase the weight of the grip.
[0012] In another embodiment, a metal weight is incorporated into
the grip such that it surrounds, but is spaced from the shaft, and
concentric with the axis of the shaft.
[0013] In another embodiment of the invention, a metal weight is
incorporated near the end of the grip, overlying but spaced from
the end of the shaft, and not surrounding any portion of the
shaft.
[0014] The weight is preferably a metal, such as iron and its
alloys, especially steel, copper and its alloys, such as brass and
bronze, tungsten and its alloys, aluminum and its alloys, ceramics,
including cermets.
[0015] In a still further embodiment, the metal weight, which is
incorporated near the end of the grip, can at least extend into an
interior space formed by the end of a hollow shaft. In such an
embodiment, the metal weight extending into the space in the end of
the shaft can be exposed, or alternatively be covered by the
composition of the grip. In either of these embodiments, it is
important that the exterior surface of either the metal weight, or
the composition covering the metal weight, never contacts the
interior circumference of the shaft.
[0016] In a further embodiment, a grid or lattice of metal, may be
impregnated by the material forming the grip, with the grid or
lattice being formed into a split cylinder.
[0017] In a still further embodiment, more than one, or all, of the
foregoing embodiments may be used in combination to form the golf
grip of the invention.
[0018] These, and other embodiments of the invention, will be
better understood when read in conjunction with the appended
drawings and the detailed description of the preferred
embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-section of a golf grip according
to one embodiment of the invention in which a metal weight is
incorporated concentrically about the end of the shaft of a golf
club;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation along line A-A of FIG.
1;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a schematic representation, in a perspective view,
of one form of the weight used in the golf grip of FIG. 1;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a schematic representation along a top view of the
weight of FIG. 3;
[0023] FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of a golf grip
according to another embodiment of the invention in which a weight
is incorporated near the end of the grip, overlying, but spaced,
from the end of the shaft;
[0024] FIG. 6 is a schematic, cross-section, of the grip shown in
FIG. 5;
[0025] FIG. 7 is a schematic of the exterior shape of the grip of
FIG. 5;
[0026] FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of the weight shown in
FIG. 5;
[0027] FIG. 9 is a schematic, perspective view of another
embodiment of the weight shown in FIG. 8;
[0028] FIG. 10 is a schematic, cross-sectioned view along line A-A
of the weight of FIG. 9;
[0029] FIG. 11 is a schematic top view of the weight of FIG. 9,
showing that indicia may be placed thereon;
[0030] FIG. 12 is a schematic representation of a further
embodiment of the invention in which a weight is provided with
several through holes, or apertures, through which can flow the
moldable material of the grip;
[0031] FIG. 13 is a schematic, partially sectioned view, of a grip
incorporating the weight of FIG. 12;
[0032] FIG. 14 is a schematic, perspective view of a grip
incorporating the weight of FIG. 12;
[0033] FIG. 15 is a schematic view of an alternative embodiment of
the central aperture in the weight illustrating a square
cross-section to assist in aligning the weight relative to the
grip;
[0034] FIG. 16 is an alternative embodiment to the shape of the
aperture shown in FIG. 15; and,
[0035] FIG. 17 is a schematic, partially cross-sectioned view
through the finished grip illustrating an extension of the weight
into the end of a hollow shaft.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0036] FIG. 1 illustrates a golf club shaft 10, one end of which is
attached to the head (not shown) and the other end of which is
attached to golf grip 12. The materials of construction of golf
grip 12 can be any moldable materials, such as natural or synthetic
rubbers or polymers possessing the elastomeric and shock absorbing
properties of, or similar to, rubbers. Such materials are usually
compounded with a filler, to reduce the volume of the more
expensive rubbers or polymers. The invention contemplates that
heavy fillers are also incorporated into the materials of
construction of grip 12 to raise the weight of the grip. It is
desirable to mold the grip from a composition having a density of
from 1.1-1.8 g/cc, preferably 1.4-1.8 g/cc. We have found that a
composition employing fillers of barium sulphate and white carbon
in rubber will achieve the desired density of 1.4-1.8 g/cc.
However, the provision of fillers in particulate form is at best,
random, and does not concentrate the weight in the grip where
desired to achieve the counterbalancing function of this invention.
It is also preferrable that the exterior surface of the grip does
not slip from the golfer's hands during the swing and so the
exterior surface of the grip is sometimes provided with a textured
surface 13 (FIGS. 5, 7) providing better hand feel and aiding in
the grip by the golfer.
[0037] When assembled on the golf club shaft 10, the golf grip 12
extends about the circumference of hollow shaft 10 with the golf
grip overlying the end 14 of shaft 10 as shown at 16 in FIG. 1.
Although we have illustrated a hollow metal shaft, it is well
within the skill of one in the golf club art to provide hollow or
solid shafts depending on the nature of the material used for the
shaft, e.g., wood, metal, composites, such a graphite-filled
polymers, etc.
[0038] In one embodiment of the invention, a weight 18 is placed in
a mold so as to be at least partially, or alternatively, fully
encapsulated by the materials of construction of golf grip 12 as
shown in FIG. 1. This weight may take the form of a cylindric tube
as shown in FIG. 1, or preferably, can be formed of two halves 20,
21 (FIG. 3) to facilitate placement of the weight in the mold and
the final position in the molded grip. The thickness of the
cylindric half 20 may be on the order of 0.039 inches and may be 2
and 3/4 inches long. These values are given for a weight formed of
mild steel. When the metal used is denser, such as tungsten, these
thicknesses and lengths will result in a greater weight per volume.
It is within the scope of the invention to raise the weight of a
golf grip to 92 +/-3 grams, preferably to at least 95 grams, or
more, if one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein are used
in combination. The inner diameter of the weight should be greater
than the outer diameter of golf club shaft 10 such that the
interior walls of the weight 18 (or the interior of asembled halves
20, 21) has a coating of the grip material of construction thereon
as shown at 17 in FIG. 1. This makes the grip 12 easier to install
on shaft 10, does not bring the surface of weight 18 into direct
contact with shaft 10 and cushions the grip 12. The mass of weight
18 can be varied to counterbalance the variabilities introduced to
the balance of the golf club by the size and weight of the golf
club head (not shown) and the golf club shaft 10.
[0039] In other embodiments, weight 18 (or halves 20, 21) can be
provided with apertures therein to permit the materials of
construction of grip 12 to permeate the weight. These apertures can
be single or numerous througholes of any shape (e.g., round,
elongated, quadrilateral, hexagonal, etc.) but referably are either
round or quadrilateral. In some aspects the holes are so numerous
that the weight 18 begins to resemble a grid or lattice and thus
many layers of weighted material can be positioned or wound to form
the final weight. This provision of apertures, or grid/lattice
structure, assures intimate contact of the materials of
construction with weight 18. Of course, bonding agents, surface
roughness and other aids to assure intimate bonding of the weight
to the materials of construction of grip 12 can also be employed in
combination.
[0040] The weights described herein are preferable formed of a
metal, and suitable metals include iron and its alloys, including
steel, and other dense metals. While lead and gold would have the
density to make them viable candidates, the cost of gold and the
environmental disposal of lead reduce their likelihood as suitable
metals. We particularly prefer tungsten and its alloys for use as
the material of choice for the weighted golf grip of the invention.
Tungsten has a high density of 17 grams per cubic centimeter. When
used in the embodiments discussed herein, the weighted golf grip of
the invention may be made 40% to 90% heavier than the conventional
golf grip. This additional weight aids in counterbalancing the golf
club on which it is installed. While we have mentioned tunsten
alone, or with its alloys, as the preferred metals, it is within
the scope of the invention to use equivalent weight of non-tungsten
containing metals. In such cases, the volume of the non-tunsten
containing metals would be larger in order to approach the
equivalent weight of a tungsten, or tunsten alloy weight.
[0041] Such metals include copper and its alloys, examples of which
are brass and bronze, iron and its alloys, including different
grades of steel, aluminum and its alloys, ceramics and cermets.
[0042] In an alternate embodiment, a weight may be placed at the
extreme end of a golf club, thereby providing the most significant
counterbalance per unit weight during the swing of the golf club.
In this embodiment, shown in FIG. 5, a weight 30 is placed at the
exteme end of the grip 12 and may be at least partially visible at
its upper surface. It is also within the scope of the invention to
have the weight 30 completely covered at the end of the grip so
that it is not visible. The covering could be the molding
composition itself, or a separate piece placed over the weight 30,
which separate piece is joined to, or captured by, the grip
composition. This weight could also made of the same materials as
discussed herein, but preferable is made of tungsten alone, or
tunsten and its alloys. A single cubic centimeter of tungsten would
introduce 17 grams of weight at the extreme end of the grip 12. The
weight 30 can take several forms, including the provision of an
aperture 32 (FIG. 9) into which the grip material 33 can flow as
well as the provision of stud 39 which can extend into the material
of grip 12. Not only does aperture 32 and stud 39 assure a bond of
the weight 30 to grip 12, but as shown in FIG. 6, a flange 34 can
be formed into weight 30 such that it is captured by the grip 12,
as shown in the partially cross-sectioned view of FIG. 6. As shown
in FIG. 6, a boundary 35 of grip material extends between the end
of shaft 10 and weight 30.
[0043] FIGS. 5 and 6 show a longitudinal axis L of the grip 12.
FIG. 9 shows a longitudinal axis L1 of the weight 30. The weight 30
has a disc shaped portion 31 and a stud 39. The longitudinal axis
L1 of the weight 30 embedded in the end of the grip 12 aligns and
overlaps with the longitudinal axis L of the grip 12 as shown in
FIG. 5. The weight 30 is transverse to the longitudinal axis L to
surround the longitudinal axis L of the grip 12.
[0044] FIG. 12 shows an alternative disc-shaped weight 130. In the
alternative embodiment to the weight 30 as shown in FIG. 5 is that
shown in FIG. 12. FIG. 12 illustrates a further embodiment of a
weight 130, which weight 130 has a plurality of apertures or holes.
These apertures 131, 132, 133, 134, are present such that the
moldable material of the grip can penetrate though weight 130
during molding of the grip to securely maintain the weight 130 in
the desired position in the grip. The apertures 131, 132, 133, and
134 can have a non-circular configuration, or they may be circular
in cross-section. Although we have illustrated four apertures, they
may be more, or less than four, e.g., two, three, five, or more. It
is preferable that the apertures are uniformly placed about the
axis of the weight 130 to avoid introducing unintended variations
into the weight distribution. However, it is also within the scope
of the invention to intentionally introduce weights having a
non-uniform distribution of mass. One or more of the apertures
could contain an indicator, such as slot 144 (FIG. 12) so as to
assist in orientation of the weight 130 in a certain location in
the mold. Alternatively, or in addition to slot 144, there could be
various shapes of the central aperture itself (FIG. 15, where
central aperture 160 is square; FIG. 16, where central aperture 170
is triangular) which may act as an orienting element of the weight
relative to the moldable material of the grip, and/or relative to
the position of the grip on the shaft. This is especially desirable
when indicia or a design are carried on the exposed portion of the
weight and it is desired to orient such indicia or design. It may
also be useful when the mass of the weight is not uniformly
distributed and it is desired to orient the non-uniform mass in a
particular orientation to the grip and/or shaft.
[0045] While we have illustrated several shapes, it is to be
expressly understood that any shape which can act as an orienting
element can be used. Non-limiting examples of such shapes include
quadrilaterals, such as rectangles, trapezoids and rhomboids,
pentagonal, hexagonal, septagonal, octagonal, etc. as well as part
circular with a flat portion, or circular with an extending slot,
e.g., keyhole shaped. During the molding of the moldable grip
composition, a mandrel may cooperate with the orienting element to
orient the weight relative to the grip.
[0046] As shown in the partially cross-sectional view of FIG. 13,
the moldable material of the grip extends through the apertures to
securely hold and position weight 130 relative to the grip. A
central aperture or vent hole 140 is also contained in this weight,
which vent can be extended through the moldable material 141 to aid
in installing the grip on a shaft of the golf club. The vent 140
and vent 141 act in cooperation to let any trapped air escape from
the grip. This is especially desirable when the shaft is solid in
cross section, or where the shaft is already fitted to the club
head, or in any situation in which air is trapped during
installation of the grip, whether in newly manufacturing golf clubs
or in replacing existing grips on the clubs.
[0047] As shown in the partial cross sectional view of FIG. 13, and
in the perspective view of FIG. 14, the exterior, exposed surface
136 of weight 130 is substantially smaller than that shown in the
embodiment of FIG. 5. This is due to the stepped nature of weight
130, as compared to the weight 30. This permits more of the
moldable compound to show at the distal end of the grip (opposite
the club head) and itself may form a location for the placement of
indicia, such as the grip maker's name, the golf club maker, or
even a particular country club or organization.
[0048] However, as stated above, the weight 30, or 130, may be
completely covered by the moldable compound, or an insert placed
over the weight, such that the weight is not visible art all.
[0049] Indicia 150 can also be placed on or in the moldable
composition of the grip itself as shown in FIG. 14. The indicia 150
can be the grip maker's name, a trademark, a design, the golf club
maker's name, etc.
[0050] Furthermore the outer surface of the grip can be provided
with distinctive, or ornamental, markings as shown at 151, 152 in
FIG. 14. Furthermore, these distinctive marking can serve a
functional purpose, e.g., an arrowhead 153, or other indicator, can
be used to assist in aligning the grip upon installing the same on
the shaft of the golf club. As shown in FIG. 7, a second marking,
i.e., an arrowhead is shown at the lower end of grip 13, which can
also be of use to the grip installer, in combination with arrowhead
153, to assure that the grip is not twisted when the grip 13 is
installed on the shaft 10. Alternatively, or in addition to
markings 153, 154, additional arrowheads, or indicators, (not
shown) may exist spaced 180.degree. from markings 153, 154, to also
assist in aligning the grip 13 on the shaft 10. When purely
ornamental, the markings have no functional purpose.
[0051] Nonetheless, in each of these embodiments it is preferable
to employ a weight at, or near, the extreme end of the grip to
produce a significant counterbalancing value. The weight can also
provide a place for indicia, such as the owner's initial(s), a
club's logo, etc, as shown in FIG. 11. However, as compared to
conventional monogramming caps, weight 30 (or 130) is 850% heavier
than such monogramming caps.
[0052] When the weight is made of a less dense material, such as
aluminum or its alloys, it may be necessary to increase the mass of
such lighter material to the extent that the total mass cannot
occupy a space between the end of the shaft and the end of the
grip. In such a case, the weight 30 (or 130) may be forced to
extend into the space surrounded by the shaft when the grip is
mounted on the shaft. In such an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17, a
tail of the weight will extend into the end of the shaft. The tail
may be bare metal, or may be covered by the molding composition,
which is unitary with the remainder of the grip. However, in either
embodiment, it is important that neither the bare metal of the
tail, or the molding composition covering the tail, contact the
interior surface of the shaft as such would introduce undesirable
vibrations from the club striking a ball to the shaft and then
directly to the weight in the grip. Thus, it is always desirable to
have a clearance between the weight and the shaft.
[0053] While I have disclosed the invention with regard to several
embodiments, these embodiments are to be considered as exemplary
only, and not limiting, as it will be apparent to those skilled in
the art, upon reading this disclosure, that various modifications
may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention.
* * * * *