U.S. patent application number 16/842580 was filed with the patent office on 2020-07-23 for golf club grip.
The applicant listed for this patent is Richard D. Ferris. Invention is credited to Richard D. Ferris.
Application Number | 20200230472 16/842580 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 71608643 |
Filed Date | 2020-07-23 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200230472 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ferris; Richard D. |
July 23, 2020 |
Golf Club Grip
Abstract
A golf club grip structured to create simultaneous closing and
impaction of the fingers of the golfer's upper hand during the
execution of a full swing golf shot. The grip includes a constant
diameter lower hand area and an upper hand section including an
upper constant diameter section to accommodate the golfer's little
finger and a second lower section having a gradually increasing
diameter to accommodate the remaining three fingers of the golfer's
upper hand.
Inventors: |
Ferris; Richard D.;
(Fairfax, VA) |
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Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Ferris; Richard D. |
Fairfax |
VA |
US |
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Family ID: |
71608643 |
Appl. No.: |
16/842580 |
Filed: |
April 7, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14285701 |
May 23, 2014 |
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16842580 |
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13317233 |
Oct 13, 2011 |
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14285701 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 60/06 20151001;
A63B 2102/32 20151001; A63B 53/14 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63B 53/14 20060101
A63B053/14; A63B 60/06 20060101 A63B060/06 |
Claims
1. A golf club grip for attachment to a golf club shaft formed of
lower and upper hand areas wherein the improvement comprises: said
lower hand area of said grip having a generally cylindrical shape
to accommodate all the fingers of a golfer's lower hand; said upper
hand area of said grip formed in two sections including an upper
section and a lower section; said upper section of said upper hand
area having an outer diameter being constant along the entire
length thereof; said lower section of said upper hand area being a
tapered transitional section connecting said lower hand area and
said upper section of said upper hand area; said upper section of
said upper hand area characterized by having a size providing
sufficient gripping space to accommodate only the little finger of
the upper hand of a golfer; said lower section of said upper hand
area characterized by having a size providing sufficient gripping
space to accommodate the remaining three fingers of the upper hand;
and, said upper section of said upper hand area having a length of
approximately 1.25 inches and said lower section of said upper hand
area having a length of approximately 3.0 inches.
2. The golf grip of claim 1 wherein said lower hand area has a
first outer, constant diameter; and, said upper section of said
upper hand area has a second constant diameter smaller than said
first outer constant diameter of said lower hand area.
3. A golf club grip for attachment to a golf club shaft wherein the
improvement comprises: a lower hand area of said grip having a
first outer diameter; an upper hand area of said grip having an
upper section and a lower section; said upper section of said upper
hand area having a second outer diameter smaller than said first
outer diameter of said lower hand area; said second outer diameter
being constant along the entire length thereof; said lower section
of said upper hand area being a tapered transitional section
connecting said lower hand area and said upper section of said
upper hand area; said upper section of said upper hand area
characterized by having a size providing sufficient gripping space
to accommodate the little finger of the upper hand of a golfer;
said lower section of said upper hand area characterized by having
a size providing sufficient gripping space to accommodate the
remaining three fingers of the upper hand; said lower hand area
having a size providing sufficient gripping space to accommodate
all the fingers of the lower hand; and, said upper section of said
upper hand area having a length of approximately 30 percent of the
length of the upper hand area; said lower section of said upper
hand area having a length of approximately 70 percent of the length
of the upper hand area.
4. The golf grip of claim 3 wherein the length of said upper
section of said upper hand area is no greater than approximately 42
percent of the length of the lower section of said upper hand area.
Description
RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present invention is a continuation in part of
application application. Ser. No. 13/317,233 filed Oct. 13, 2011
titled GOLF CLUB GRIP and application. Ser. No. 14/285,701 filed
May 23, 2014 also titled GOLF CLUB GRIP.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] During the execution of a normal full swing golf shot, a
golf club is gripped by a golfer with both hands with the
uppermost, non-dominant hand being placed at the upper end of a
golf grip attached to the upper end of the golf club shaft. Most
conventional golf grips are made with either a constant diameter or
with a tapering outside diameter that is progressively smaller away
from the uppermost part of the grip at the butt end of the golf
club. Typically, the uppermost or butt end of golf grips are formed
with a larger diameter to prevent the club from slipping out of the
hands of the golfer particularly during adverse weather conditions.
Historically few attempts have been made to ergonomically fit a
USGA conforming golf grip to the normal physical structure of the
human hand and fingers in order to increase golf swing efficiency
that results in more successful play by the golfer.
[0003] Conventional golf grips, having an non-ergonomic larger
diameter at the upper butt-end surface, automatically create
undesirable static forearm tension during swing address and an
unintentional mid-swing inefficient club levering which must be
compensated for by semi-conscious timed manipulations during the
kinetic phase of every golf swing using these grips.
[0004] Applicant has a history of developing improved golf grip
structures as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,723,001, D 355,011, D
605,241, D 532,857.
[0005] It has generally agreed among golf teachers that a golf club
be held more firmly at the set up or address position of the golf
swing by using the little and ring fingers of the non-dominant hand
because it was traditionally thought these fingers acted together,
that is, in unison to close and impact on the surface of the grip.
Conversely, the index and middle fingers were traditionally placed
more loosely in a less firm manner on the grip. Because of the
kinetic forces generated during the golf swing, a resistance to the
centrifugal force created naturally tightens all the fingers
against the grip surface. However, it is now known that only three
fingers move against the grip surface to lever the golf club
against the unmoving fulcrum created by the little finger.
[0006] For this reason, Applicant was initially led to create an
improved golf grip addressing the position of these two upper
fingers. This ultimately led to the grip structure disclosed in the
Ferris (applicant) U.S. Pat. No. 7,658,764. It was felt that this
patented grip shape would allow the fingers of the upper hand to
have a stronger grip on the club during the execution of golf shots
thereby preventing the premature release of the lower dominant hand
while providing separate feel with each hand as it grips the golf
club.
[0007] The U.S. Pat. No. 7,658,864 describes a three-section golf
grip wherein the uppermost section accommodates the little and ring
fingers of the upper hand, the middle section accommodates the
middle and the index fingers of the upper hand and the lower
section that accommodates all the fingers of the lower hand. This
patent describes a relationship between the uppermost section and
the intermediate section having a ratio of 3:4 wherein the
uppermost section is approximately 75% of the length of the
intermediate section. This structure is designed to allow only two
fingers, the little finger and ring finger, of the upper hand to be
positioned on the upper section of the golf grip during the golf
swing.
[0008] Whereas the patented grip of Ferris did provide greater
stability and increased performance when striking a golf ball using
a golf club employing the patented grip, it became apparent that
additional increased performance may be possible based upon a study
reported subsequent to the U.S. Pat. No. 7,658,864 patent by
reliable and expert authority published as MEASUREMENT and ANALYSIS
of GRIP FORCE DURING a GOLF SHOT by E. R. KOMI et al, from the
Wolfson School of Mechanical Engineering, Loughborough University,
UK, Aug. 28, 2008. This published research study concluded the
dynamics of the closing and impacting moments of all the fingers of
a normal human grasping hand were chronologically independent and
further that such movements and impactions are sequentially
predictable as each finger independently approaches the palm and/or
the surface of an object in the palm. The conclusions of the above
referenced study have resulted in the new and improved structure of
the golf grip of this invention that has been found to create a
result superior to the patented grip.
[0009] Other prior art patents include U.S. Pat. No. D 504,928 to
Miller showing a golf grip that is tapered upwardly toward the
upper end of the golf club; U.S. Pat. No. 3,295,850 to Garrity
showing a golf grip having a tapered upper end of reduced diameter;
and, U.S. Pat. No. 6,817,956 to Dagenais showing a putter grip
including a lower grip portion having a greater diameter than a
separate, detached upper section.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The golf grip of the present invention has a new and novel
shape having an upper hand area and a lower hand area. The upper
hand area is further divided into two sections; an uppermost
section to accommodate only the uppermost, little finger of the
upper hand and a lower section of the upper hand area designed to
position and accommodate the remaining three fingers of the upper
hand, that is the ring finger, middle finger and the index finger.
The lower hand area is designed to position and accommodate all the
fingers of the golfer's lower hand.
[0011] To the extent that a golf grip supports and facilitates
natural hand and finger action, it is said to be "ergonomically"
shaped. The novel structural features of the golf grip of the
present invention, in contrast to all other golf grip shapes,
provides an ergonomic shape that better allows the natural movement
of the closing fingers of the grasping, non-dominant upper hand's
to uniformly and simultaneously grip the golf club in an easier,
more beneficial ergonomic way. The golf club grip of the present
invention is shaped to avoid the creation of the fulcrum/trigger
effects of the sequential tightening that is exerted on the
surfaces of the grip while swinging the club by changing the
otherwise normal sequential impaction of the closing fingers on the
grip surfaces of the non-dominant hand to a simultaneous movement
of all the fingers. This is accomplished with a grip design that
reflects the normal grasping physiology of the fingers of the upper
non-dominant hand as expressed in the previously referenced
hand/finger study.
[0012] The grip of the present invention is installed at the upper
end of a golf shaft and is employed in the regular process of the
customary and accepted mechanics of an efficient golf swing by
providing a gripping area for a conventional golf club. The upper
hand area of the grip includes an uppermost section that is the
grip's smallest constant circumferential dimension and sized
exclusively for the impaction of the only the little finger. The
upper hand area of the grip further includes a lower section
structured with an increasing larger circumferential diameter for
the proximate grasping impaction areas, in turn, of the
non-dominant ring finger, second middle finger and index finger.
The lower hand area has the grip's largest constant circumferential
diameter in order to accommodate all the fingers of the player's
dominant lower hand.
[0013] The golf grip of the subject invention has an ergonomically
better shape that conforms to the actual normal physiological
movements of the fingers of a normal grasping human hand as that
movement is detailed and described in the physiology of the
referenced independent study. The conclusions cited portend to its
superiority in the performance of a more efficient golf swing in
comparison to the grip embodiments described in U.S. Pat. No.
7,658,864. Because the golf grip of the subject invention is a more
ergonomically shaped golf grip, it creates a new and improved
result. As the golf club is swung wrist flex is automatically
increased to reduce forearm tension at address and the extraneous
mid-swing levering manipulations otherwise occasioned in a normal
golf swing event by finger grip fulcrum/trigger action created
between the non-dominant little and ring fingers impacting
sequentially on the same constant diameter, as occurs with the
upper grip structure of U.S. Pat. No. 7,658,864.
[0014] Because the present invention recognizes that the distance
each finger moves toward the palm of a grasping hand is different,
the golf grip is shaped to more completely reconcile the anatomical
differences between each of the fingers of a normal human hand and
the areas of the palm where they impact, whereby the grasping
fingers simultaneously impact the grip against the palm to increase
the efficiency and consistency of a golf swing.
[0015] Structurally this is achieved with the grip configured to
have a lower hand area of constant diameter to engage all the
fingers of the lower dominant hand. Preferably the lower hand area
of the grip is approximately 5 inches and that provides ample room
for all the fingers of the golfer's lower hand. The upper hand area
is formed with two sections. The uppermost section of the upper
hand area is cylindrical in structure having a constant outer
diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the lower hand area
and sized with a length no greater than 1.25 inches in order to
accommodate only the little finger of the upper, non-dominant hand.
The lowermost section of the upper hand area is structured with a
gradually increasing conical, tapered shape away from the upper end
of the golf grip. This section provides a gripping surface for the
first three fingers of the upper non-dominant hand. Preferably this
lowermost section of the upper hand area has a length no greater
than three inches. Since each finger of the human hand has
different lengths, the configuration of the upper hand area of the
golf grip allows the fingers of the upper hand to simultaneously
close against the configuration of the two upper hand grip sections
and acts to greatly reduce or eliminate the fulcrum effect and
resulting trigger action of the little finger relative to the ring
finger.
[0016] The resulting size of the sections of the upper hand area
are that the upper section of the upper hand area is approximately
30% and the lower section of the upper hand area is approximately
70% of the total length of the entire length of the upper hand
area. Stated in other words, the length of the upper section of the
upper hand area is no greater than 42% of the length of the lower
section of the upper hand area.
[0017] More specifically, the equalization of the rate of closure
of all fingers of the upper hand is achieved by producing a reduced
diameter gripping surface for the little finger relative to the
increasing larger diameter gripping surface of the adjacent ring
finger. The length of the upper section of the upper hand area that
is reduced in diameter and circumference permits grasping by only
the non-dominant hand's little finger when the grip is used in a
normal full swing mode by the golfer. It follows the remaining
fingers of the golfer's upper hand are placed on the tapered lower
section of the upper hand area that has a greater diameter than the
grip smaller diameter impaction area of the little finger resulting
in a beneficial simultaneous grip impaction of the little and ring
finger with no inefficient sequential fulcrum/trigger grip surface
impactions otherwise present between the fingers should they impact
upon a gripping surface with the same diameter and circumference.
The result is all three of the larger fingers of the non-dominant
upper hand engage to close simultaneously on the intermediate
section of the golf grip along with the simultaneous closing of the
little finger on the upper section of upper hand area.
[0018] The golf grip of the present invention is an ergonomic
design, particularly for the upper non-dominant hand with an
uppermost circular section of constant diameter, with a measured
incrementally progressive circumference increase section that
merges into the circular constant diameter grasping area of the
lower dominant hand area. This grip structure allows the consistent
and efficient prosecution diameter of the golf swing. Intrinsic to
the ergonomic characteristics of the subject grip are the resultant
desirable qualities of increased control, power, consistency,
efficiency and outcome relative to a planned, purposeful,
goal-oriented golf swing action.
[0019] Another aspect of the novel more efficient full finger
simultaneous impaction design of the subject grip is the creation
of a measurably increased, non-dominant forearm tension-free wrist
flex. This important faculty increases tension-free extension at
address to reduce the set-up wrist/shaft angle and facilitate the
easier execution of a true "one plane golf swing"; a swing protocol
desirable for its consistent accuracy but elusive with the
employment with less ergonomically shaped grip forms, including the
grip disclosed in my U.S. Pat. No. 7,658,684. The ability of the
subject grip to increase non-dominant wrist flex also facilitates
increased overall swing extension resulting in smoother club head
release, more powerful impact and higher swing speed with reduced
effort. In tests comparing the subject grip against the patented
grip, it has been found that the grip of the present invention
provides preferred ulna positioning, as well as more favorable
pelvis and thorax positioning and movement during the swing as
compared to the same variables when tested with the structure of
the patented grip. In addition, the subject grip provided increased
shot carry distance and less deviation from the intended target as
compared to the same parameters when the patented grip was tested.
These and other beneficial outcomes are attributable to the novel
ergonomic design of the subject grip and serve to actually create a
substantially more natural and confident feel in the hands, and
mind, of the golfer preparing, and subsequently executing, a golf
swing.
[0020] No matter what the overall grip size, the grip's uppermost
section is the grip's smallest circumferential section with the
smallest constant diameter and is sized as such to provide a
surface only for the placement and impaction of the little finger
in the execution of a full golf swing utilizing the full club
length and swing weight designed and pre-engineered into each
individual golf club for that purpose.
[0021] The subject grip is specifically sized to provide a landing
space in the subject grip's uppermost section only and exclusively
for placement to receive the impaction of the non-dominant hand's
little finger in the execution of a full golf swing. This
embodiment is a real and significant difference to the golf grip
shown and described in my U.S. Pat. No. 7,658,684 which
specifically designed an uppermost circular area of constant
diameter for a length that must absolutely accommodate the
placement of both the little and ring fingers of the non-dominant
hand since at the time of U.S. Pat. No. 7,658,684 was filed it was
traditionally taught in golf that these fingers acted "together" in
the normal execution of a golf swing.
[0022] It is appreciated that various golfers have different sized
hands/fingers and the subject grips are sized in differing sections
length to the general small, medium and large classes of hand size
roughly comparable to the general physical criteria that
distinguishes such hand/finger sizing differences in the
consideration of the sizing of golf gloves. For every golfer using
any on the aforementioned sizes the overriding sizing principal is
a grip size having an uppermost gripping section that permits only
the placement of the little finger thereon. Therefore, no matter
how large or small the overall grip size may be, the uppermost
section of the grip accommodates only the little finger; the
intermediate section accommodates the remaining three fingers; the
ringer, the middle finger and the index finger of the golfer's
upper hand. Similarly, the lowermost section of the grip is sized
to accommodate all the fingers of the golfer's lower hand no matter
how large or small the golfer's hands may be. With grips that are
smaller or larger to accommodate golfers having different sized
hands. It will be appreciated that the length measurements of each
of the three sections of the golf grip, in inches, will vary either
larger or smaller while maintaining the relative length of each
section in the same proportion to allow the placement of the
fingers in the manner described above.
[0023] A primary object of the present invention is the provision
of an ergonomic golf grip to facilitate efficiency, ease and
consistency of the of the golf swing.
[0024] Another object of the present invention is the provision of
a golf club grip having an improved ergonomic shape allowing the
fingers of the golfer's upper non-dominant hand on a golf grip to
close, tighten and impact on the improved ergonomic grip surface
simultaneously during the execution of a full swing golf
stroke.
[0025] These and other objects will become apparent with reference
to the following specification and drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a golf grip in accordance
with the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along lines 2-2 of FIG.
1.
[0028] FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along lines 3-3 of FIG.
1.
[0029] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the golf grip of FIG. 1.
[0030] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the golf grip attached to
the upper end of a full-length golf club.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0031] Referring to FIGS. 1-5, a full swing golf grip 100 in
accordance with the present invention is shown attached to a golf
club 102 on the upper end of a shaft 104 at the opposite end of a
club head 106. The grip 100 is preferably a single, unitary, molded
member made of rubber or a similar flexible composite material. The
grip 100 is generally cylindrical in shape and has a hollow
interior. An opening 108 at a lower end of the grip 100 enables the
grip 100 to be placed over and secured to the shaft 104 using
adhesive or suitable tape. A cap 110 at the top end of the grip 100
covers the upper end of the shaft 104.
[0032] The grip 100 is formed in two parts including an upper hand
area 111 and a lower hand area 114. The lower hand area 114 is
cylindrical in shape and is formed with a constant outer diameter
along the entire length of the lower hand area 114 as seen in the
drawings.
[0033] The upper hand area 111 is formed with a generally
cylindrical, upper section 112 having a non-tapered, constant
diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the lower hand area
114. The upper hand area 111 further includes a lower section 116
that is tapered with a gradually increasing diameter from the
smaller diameter of the upper section 112 toward the larger
diameter of the lower hand area 114. A suitable cap 110 provides a
closure for the upper hand area 111 of the grip 100.
[0034] When the golf club 102 is used in a normal way to strike a
golf ball, the upper section 112 of the upper hand area 111 is
structured to accommodate only the uppermost, little finger of the
golfer's upper hand. It follows that the lower section 116 of the
upper hand area 111 is structured to receive and accommodate the
remaining three fingers of the golfer's upper hand, namely the ring
finger, the middle finger and the index finger. The lower hand
section 114 of the golf grip 100 accommodates all the fingers of
the golfer's lower hand during the execution of a full swing golf
shot.
[0035] The upper hand area 111 is sized to accomplish the
aforementioned finger placement whereby the upper section 112 of
the upper hand area 111 is no larger than 1.25 inches in length and
the lower section 116 of the upper hand area 111 is approximately
three inches. Thus, the upper section 112 of the upper hand area
111 is approximately 30% of the total length of the upper hand area
111 and the lower section 116 of the upper hand area 111 is
approximately 70% of the total length of the upper hand area 111.
Stated in other terms, the length of the upper section 112 of the
upper hand area 111 is approximately no larger than 42% than the
length of the adjoining lower section 116 of the upper hand area
111 creating an approximate length ratio of 5:12 between the upper
section 112 and the lower section 116 of the upper hand area
111.
[0036] The placement of the golfer's fingers on the above described
grip 100 provides an ergonomic connection between the golfer's
hands and the golf club 102 and allows the fingers to close and
tighten on the grip 100 in a sequential manner, reducing tension
and permitting a smooth movement of the golf club during the swing
to achieve precise and consistent contact with the golf ball.
[0037] Whereas the present embodiment has been described in terms
of conventional grip sizes, it will be appreciated that the grip
may be made smaller or larger to accommodate different hand sizes
of various golfers as long as the relative size of the grip
sections are maintained. Other modifications may be made in keeping
within the spirit and scope of the following claims.
* * * * *