AU2012101376A4 - Hand grip sleeve for golf putter - Google Patents

Abstract

HAND GRIP SLEEVE FOR GOLF PUTTER A hand grip sleeve for wrapping about a grip (201) of a golf putter (20) includes a flexible sleeve (1) defining a sleeve hole (11) extending from the front end (12) to the rear end (13) and a longitudinal opening (14) cut through the peripheral wall, and a fastener (15) provided at the flexible sleeve (1) at two opposite sides of the longitudinal opening (14) and operable to open or close the longitudinal opening (14). The fastener may be a hook and loop fastener, a zipper or snaps. Thus, the hand grip sleeve can be directly and conveniently attached to the grip (201) of a golf putter (20) to increase the diameter of the grip (20 1) area of the golf putter (20) for gripping tightly and comfortably. By means of the design of the longitudinal opening (14) and the fastener (15), a user can easily install the hand grip sleeve on the grip (20 1) of a golf putter (20). -10

Description

S&F Ref: P046736 AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1990 INNOVATION PATENT SPECIFICATION Name and Address Yung-Shen Chen, of Applicant: of 2F., No. 93, Alley 186, Lane 75, Sec. 3, Kang Ning Rd., Nei Hu District, Taipei, Taiwan Actual Inventor(s): Yung-Shen Chen Address for Service: Spruson & Ferguson St Martins Tower Level 35 31 Market Street Sydney NSW 2000 (CCN 3710000177) Invention Title: Hand grip sleeve for golf putter The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: 5843c(6683263_[) I HAND GRIP SLEEVE FOR GOLF PUTTER Technical Field [0001] The present invention relates to hand grip sleeves and more particularly to a hand grip sleeve for wrapping about the grip of a golf putter to increase the diameter of the grip area of the golf putter for gripping tightly and comfortably. Background of the Invention [0002] Golf is a game that requires intense concentration and a positive mental attitude on the part of the player. In order to achieve excellent results, golf players not only require skill and techniques, but also need to fully understand and use their clubs. In a golf game, wood clubs, iron clubs and putters will be used. The putter is used about 40% of the time in each round of the game. Putting technique requires high stability of the player's body and hands. However, due to lack of stability, a golf player may twist the wrist during putting, leading to inaccurate hitting and poor score. Therefore, club manufacturers are all trying hard to make putters in accordance with the rules of golf that are easier for players to achieve hitting stability. [0003] According to existing studies, most people believe that the diameter of the plastic grip at the end of the putter has a great concern with wrist stability. The smaller the grip diameter is, the easier the turn of the wrist during putting will be. On the contrary, increasing the diameter of the grip can enhance wrist stability during putting. This condition is more obvious in amateur players. Therefore, many golf accessories manufacturers provide large size hand grips for golf players to replace thin hand grips of their putters, for the purpose of preventing wrist vibration during putting and enhancing putting accuracy. [0004] However, a large size hand grip simply uses a relatively lighter material and provides a large diameter. The mounting structure remains unchanged. During installation, the original hand grip is detached from the putter, and then the large size hand grip is slipped onto the rear end of the handle of the putter, and then a screw is driven into the rear end of the large size hand 2 grip and the rear end of the handle of the putter to affix the large size hand grip to the handle of the putter. This installation procedure is complicated. [0005] Therefore, it is desirable to provide a hand grip sleeve for golf putter that can easily and detachably be wrapped about the hand grip of a golf putter by a user to increase the diameter of the hand grip without removing the hand grip from the golf putter. Object of the Invention [0006] It is the object of the present invention to substantially overcome or at least ameliorate one or more of the above disadvantages. Summary of the Invention [0007] The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. A preferred embodiment provides a hand grip sleeve for a golf putter, which provides a longitudinal opening and a fastener for closing and opening the longitudinal opening so that a user can easily and detachably wrap the hand grip sleeve about the grip of a golf putter to increase the diameter of the grip area of the golf putter for gripping tightly and comfortably. [0008] There is disclosed herein a hand grip sleeve for wrapping about a grip of a golf putter, comprising: a flexible sleeve, characteristics: said flexible sleeve comprising a front end, a rear end, a peripheral wall connected between said front end and said rear end, a sleeve hole extending from said front end to said rear end and surrounded by said peripheral wall, and a longitudinal opening cut through said peripheral wall; and a fastener provided at said flexible sleeve at two opposite sides of said longitudinal opening and operable to open and close said longitudinal opening. [0009] Further, in one embodiment, the fastener comprises a strip of hook material and a strip of loop material respectively affixed to the flexible sleeve at two opposite sides of the longitudinal opening. In another embodiment, the fastener comprises a zipper affixed to the flexible sleeve 3 at the two opposite sides of the longitudinal opening and operable to open and close the longitudinal opening. In still another embodiment, the fastener comprises a plurality of male snap members and female snap members respectively affixed to the flexible sleeve and arranged at the two opposite sides of the longitudinal opening. [0010] Further, the flexible sleeve may be made of a foam plastic, having a surface layer bonded to an outer perimeter of the flexible sleeve. Further, the surface layer can be made of plastic sheet, leather or synthetic leather. [0011] Further, an end cap may be capped on the rear end of the flexible sleeve. [0012] Further, an anti-slip structure may be provided at the inner surface of the peripheral wall of the flexible sleeve inside the sleeve hole. In one example, the anti-slip structure may comprise a plurality of raised dots/strips formed on the inner surface of the peripheral wall of the flexible sleeve. In another example, the anti-slip structure may comprise an anti-slip skin adhered to the inner surface of the peripheral wall of the flexible sleeve. [0013] Thus, by means of the longitudinal opening of the flexible sleeve, the hand grip sleeve can be directly and easily attached to the grip of the golf putter. Thereafter, the fastener can be fastened up to close the longitudinal opening. This installation procedure is easy and simple. Thus, the hand grip sleeve greatly increases the diameter of the grip area of the golf putter, and a player can tightly grip the hand grip sleeve to swing the golf putter steadily with the two hands. In conclusion, the hand grip sleeve has the characteristics of ease of mounting and dismounting. Brief Description of the Drawings [0014] FIG. I is a sectional view of a golf putter hand grip sleeve in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. [0015] FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded view of the first embodiment of the present invention. [0016] FIG. 3 is a schematic drawing illustrating a mounting operation of the hand grip sleeve in 4 accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention. [0017] FIG. 4 illustrates the hand grip sleeve when fastened to the grip of a golf putter. [0018] FIG. 5 is a schematic drawing illustrating a mounting operation of a hand grip sleeve in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention (I). [0019] FIG. 6 is a schematic drawing illustrating a mounting operation of a hand grip sleeve in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention (II). [0020] FIG. 7 is a schematic drawing illustrating a mounting operation of a hand grip sleeve in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. [0021] FIG. 8 is a schematic sectional view of the present invention, illustrating an end cap capped on the rear end of the flexible sleeve of the hand grip sleeve. [0022] FIG. 9 illustrates an anti-slip structure provided inside the flexible sleeve. [0023] FIG. 10 corresponds to FIG. 9, illustrating an alternate form of the anti-slip structure. [0024] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention, illustrating an alternate form of the flexible sleeve of the hand grip sleeve. [0025] FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view of the present invention, illustrating another alternate form of the flexible sleeve. [0026] FIG. 13 is a schematic drawing illustrating the use of the hand grip sleeve of the present invention. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments [0027] Referring to FIGS. I and 2, a hand grip sleeve for a golf putter in accordance with the present invention is shown surrounding a grip 201 of a golf putter 20 to increase its diameter for enabling a player to grip the golf putter tightly. The hand grip sleeve 10 comprises a flexible 5 sleeve 1 made of a foam plastic having a proper weight for gripping comfortably. The flexible sleeve 1 defines therein a sleeve hole I1 extending from a front end 12 of the flexible sleeve 1 to a rear end 13 of the flexible sleeve 1. The sleeve hole 11 can be a through hole, or a blind hole closed at its rear end. The flexible sleeve I further defines a longitudinal opening 14 cut through the peripheral wall thereof and extending from the front end 12 toward the rear end 13. A fastener 15 is provided at two sides of the longitudinal opening 14 for closing or opening the longitudinal opening 14, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. By means of the fastener 15, the flexible sleeve 1 can be conveniently wrapped about the grip 201 of the golf putter 20. [0028] Referring to FIGS. 2-4, the fastener 15 comprises a strip of hook material 151 fixedly provided at one side of the longitudinal opening 14, and a strip of loop material 152 fixedly provided at the other side of the longitudinal opening 14. The strip of hook material 151 and the strip of loop material 152 can be fastened together or separated by the user to close or open the longitudinal opening 14, facilitating wrapping the flexible sleeve 1 about the grip 201 of the golf putter 20. In an alternate form as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the fastener 15 is a zipper 153 secured to the flexible sleeve 1 at the two opposite sides of the longitudinal opening 14 and operable to close/open the longitudinal opening 14. In another alternate form as shown in FIG. 7, the fastener 15 comprises a plurality of male snap members (studs) 154 arranged in a line along one side of the longitudinal opening 14, and a plurality of female snap members (sockets) 155 arranged in a line along the opposite side of the longitudinal opening 14. By means of fastening up the male snap members (studs) 154 and the female snap members (sockets) 155 or unfastening them, the longitudinal opening 14 can be closed or opened. [0029] Referring to FIG. 2, FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, a surface layer 2 is bonded to the outer perimeter wall of the flexible sleeve 1. The surface layer 2 can be prepared from plastic sheet, leather, synthetic leather, or any other suitable material. Through the design of the surface layer 2, the invention gives an enhanced grip feel and improves the quality of the grip. Further, text, graphics and/or patterns can be printed on the surface layer 2. [0030] Referring to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, in the case when the sleeve hole II is a through hole 6 extending from the front end 12 of the flexible sleeve I to the rear end 13, a rear end cap 16 is capped on the rear end 13 of the flexible sleeve 1 to enhance the positioning stability and quality of the hand grip sleeve 10 and to prohibits the hand grip sleeve 10 from a forward movement relative to the grip 201 of the golf putter 20. [0031] Referring to FIG. 9, an anti-slip structure 17 can be provided at the inner perimeter wall of the flexible sleeve 1 inside the sleeve hole 11. In one example, the anti-slip structure 17 comprises a plurality of raised dots 171 (or raised strips) on the inner perimeter wall of the flexible sleeve 1 inside the sleeve hole 11. In another example, the anti-slip structure 17 comprises an anti-slip skin 172 adhered to the inner perimeter wall of the flexible sleeve I inside the sleeve hole 11. When wrapping the flexible sleeve 1 about the grip 201 of the golf putter 20, the anti-slip structure 17 enhances the friction between the periphery of the sleeve hole 11 and the surface of the grip 201, thereby enhancing the wrapping quality and non-slip stability. [0032] Further, it is understood that, according to golf game rules, the grip of a golf putter is not limited to a circular shape. Thus, the cross-sectional shape of the flexible sleeve I can be changed subject to substantial requirements. For example, the flexible sleeve I can be made a circular sleeve as shown in FIG. 2, or a circular sleeve with at least one plane 18 at the outer perimeter as shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, or a rectangular sleeve as shown in FIG. 12. [0033] When using the hand grip sleeve 10, as shown in FIGS. 2-4, the flexible sleeve 1 of the hand grip sleeve 10 can be directly attached to the grip 201 of the golf putter 20 by means of the longitudinal opening 14. After the flexible sleeve 1 of the hand grip sleeve 10 is attached to the grip 201 of the golf putter 20, the fastener 15 is then fastened up to close the longitudinal opening 14. This installation procedure is easy and simple. Thus, as shown in FIG. 13, the hand grip sleeve 10 greatly increases the diameter of the grip area of the golf putter 20, and a player can tightly grip the hand grip sleeve 10 to swing the golf putter 20 steadily with the two hands.

Claims (6)

1. A hand grip sleeve for wrapping about a grip of a golf putter, comprising: a flexible sleeve, characteristics: said flexible sleeve comprising a front end, a rear end, a peripheral wall connected between said front end and said rear end, a sleeve hole extending from said front end to said rear end and surrounded by said peripheral wall, and a longitudinal opening cut through said peripheral wall; and a fastener provided at said flexible sleeve at two opposite sides of said longitudinal opening and operable to open and close said longitudinal opening.

2. The hand grip sleeve as claimed in claim 1, wherein said fastener comprises a strip of hook material affixed to said flexible sleeve at one side of said longitudinal opening, and a strip of loop material affixed to said flexible sleeve at the other side of said longitudinal opening and detachably fastenable to said strip of hook material.

3. The hand grip sleeve as claimed in claim 1, wherein said fastener comprises a zipper affixed to said flexible sleeve at the two opposite sides of said longitudinal opening and operable to open and close said longitudinal opening.

4. The hand grip sleeve as claimed in claim 1, wherein said fastener comprises a plurality of male snap members affixed to said flexible sleeve and arranged in a line at one side of said longitudinal opening, and a plurality of female snap members affixed to said flexible sleeve and arranged in a line at the other side of said longitudinal opening and respectively detachably fastenable to said male snap members. 8

5. The hand grip sleeve as claimed in claim 1, wherein said flexible sleeve is made of a foam plastic, having a surface layer bonded to an outer perimeter thereof; said surface layer is made of plastic sheet, leather and synthetic leather. Dated

6 September, 2012 Yung-Shen Chen Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON & FERGUSON