CN106999755B

CN106999755B - Handle of golf club

Info

Publication number: CN106999755B
Application number: CN201680003377.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 傅汉·梅森
Original assignee: Bjm Putter Grips Ltd
Current assignee: Bjm Putter Grips Ltd
Priority date: 2015-09-21
Filing date: 2016-07-13
Publication date: 2020-06-30
Anticipated expiration: 2036-07-13
Also published as: EP3352864A2; EP3352864B1; AU2016327234A1; TW201711729A; WO2017049993A2; CA2996224A1; EP3352864A4; JP2018531650A; CN106999755A; MX2018003346A; ZA201801023B; KR20180055812A; WO2017049993A3

Abstract

The invention provides a grip of a golf club and a manufacturing method thereof. The grip includes a gripping member having: a base portion extending longitudinally along a portion of the gripping member adapted to engage one or more palms of the hands when held by one or more hands of a user, and at least two side portions extending from the base portion; wherein the at least two side portions are inclined towards each other such that, during gripping, when the base portion is engaged by the palm or palms of the user, one or more fingers of the or each hand of the user are guided to rest on the at least two inclined side portions, thereby reducing or limiting mobility of the joints at the hand and arm of the user.

Description

Handle of golf club

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of sports equipment, and in particular, but not exclusively, to grips for use in sports equipment such as golf clubs.

Background

As with many sports, golf requires precision in the occurrence of a series of events, which relies heavily on precise control and coordination between the player and the golf club. Conventional golf clubs (e.g., putting clubs, which are also commonly referred to as "putters") are often equipped with handles that are intended to improve the feel, help grip tighter, and facilitate smoother movement of the user's hands and arms. For example, most conventional putter grips are designed to encourage mobility of the joints in the hand and arm. One typical design is to provide the putter grip with a generally cylindrical body and optionally a flat top surface for the user to position their thumb pad, such as the design shown in fig. 1 and 2. This configuration enables the user's palms to face each other on opposite sides of the grip during a gripping action, which, as is well known, will allow good mobility of the joints at the hand and arm for full motion. Nonetheless, such mobility may contribute to inconsistencies in control that may lead to undesirable rotation of the putter during gripping, and thus misalignment to the target and deviation from the intended ball path. This is particularly difficult for golfers who experience "volitional disorder" (a movement disorder known as disturbance in putting), which is known to be a relatively common movement disorder that results in involuntary joint movement in the hands and arms.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved grip for a golf club.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a golf club with a novel grip configured to reduce the mobility of the joints at the user's hands and arms when in use.

It is a further object of this invention to mitigate or eliminate to some extent one or more of the problems associated with known golf club grips.

The above objects are met by combinations of features of the main claims; the subclaims disclose further advantageous embodiments of the invention.

Other objects of the present invention will be obtained by those skilled in the art from the following description. Accordingly, the above statements of the invention are not exhaustive and are merely intended to illustrate many of the objects of the present invention.

In general, the present invention provides a grip for use in a golf club (such as, but not limited to, a putter or a putter). In particular, the grip is configured such that, when held in use by a user's hand, it guides the user to a particular holding posture so as to reduce or limit the degree of movement available at the user's hand and arm. In particular, the present invention provides a grip including a gripping member extending longitudinally along at least a portion of the grip. The gripping member includes a longitudinal base portion and at least two angled side portions extending from the base portion. When the base portion engages the inside or central portion of the user's palm when the grip is being held, the user's fingers are directed and encouraged to naturally rest on the corresponding base portion of the gripping member. With this particular gripping position, the mobility of the joints at the user's hands and arms (particularly during a putting and/or swing) will be greatly reduced or limited to allow control and consistency of the sequence of motions required during play. The limitation of joint movement is particularly beneficial for players who experience involuntary hand and arm movements, such as players who experience a spectrum of conditions. Further, the holding posture causes the two palms of the user to face forward from the back surface of the holding member, i.e., the palms are not opposed to each other as in a typical putter holding posture, but both face in the same direction.

In a first broad aspect, the present invention provides a grip for a golf club. The grip includes a gripping member having: a base portion extending longitudinally along a portion of the gripping member adapted to engage one or more palms of the hands when held by one or more hands of a user, and at least two side portions extending from the base portion; wherein the at least two side portions are inclined towards each other such that when the base portion is engaged by the palm or palms of the user during gripping, one or more fingers of the or each hand of the user are guided to rest on the at least two inclined side portions, thereby reducing or limiting mobility of the joints at the user's hand and arm.

In a second main aspect, the present invention provides a golf club including a grip according to the first aspect.

In a third broad aspect, the present invention provides a method of making a grip for a golf club. The method includes the steps of providing a grip body and providing a gripping member. The holding member has: a base portion extending longitudinally along a portion of the gripping member adapted to engage one or more palms of the hands when held by one or more hands of a user, and at least two side portions extending from the base portion; wherein the at least two side portions are inclined towards each other such that when the base portion is engaged by one or more palms of the user's hands during gripping, one or more fingers of the or each hand of the user are guided to rest on the at least two inclined side portions, thereby reducing or limiting mobility of the joints at the user's hands and arms.

The subject matter of the invention does not necessarily disclose all features necessary to define the invention; the invention may reside in subcombinations of the disclosed features.

Drawings

The foregoing and further features of the invention will be apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments, provided by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a gripping condition at a conventional putter grip of the prior art;

FIG. 2 illustrates a gripping condition at another conventional putter grip of the prior art;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a putter grip shown in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view showing the base portion of the grip of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a top view showing two side portions and a front edge of the grip of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the grip of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a front view showing the shaft receiving portion of the grip of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a rear view of the grip of FIG. 3;

FIG. 9 shows the grip of FIG. 3 being held by a user; and

fig. 10 is a full body view of fig. 9 showing the position of the user's hand and wrist.

Detailed Description

The following description of the preferred embodiments is by way of example only and is not limited to the combination of features necessary for carrying out the invention.

Reference in the specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase "in one embodiment" in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. In addition, various features are described which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others. Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirements for some embodiments but not other embodiments.

The present invention relates to a handle or grip for use in a golf club. While particular embodiments of putter grips have been described and illustrated in this description, the present invention is generally applicable to any known type of golf club (e.g., woods, irons, putters, etc.), and thus the scope of the present invention is not limited to grips used in putter clubs, although this is the preferred application thereof. In addition, those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the grip of the present invention will be applicable to other types of athletic equipment that require gripping by a user's hand, so long as such applications do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

In the context of the present invention, any description of the dimensions of the grip, grip and/or components of the golf club in one or more embodiments is generally related to exemplary dimensions of one or more such articles, the dimensions of which are suitable for an average, standard size for use by users having average palm dimensions and height. It will be apparent to the skilled person that any proportional variation based on the dimensions, such as a reduction in the overall dimensions of the grip and/or golf club, in order to accommodate users with palm sizes less than average (e.g. children or teenagers) is also contemplated.

Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown an embodiment of a grip 10 for use in a golf club (e.g., a putter) according to the present invention. Grip 10 includes a gripping member 20 that extends a distance along at least a portion of grip 10 to enable a user to place two hands on gripping member 20 in longitudinal alignment, such as one hand behind the other along the longitudinal axis of gripping member 20, or alternatively, the hands overlap or partially overlap gripping member 20. In one embodiment, gripping member 20 extends along at least a portion of grip 10 a distance of at least about 14 inches.

Preferably, gripping member 20 is fabricated from a lightweight material such as, but not limited to, one or more of rubber, leather, wood, cork, and synthetic polymers (e.g., Polyurethane (PU), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and poly (ethylene-vinyl acetate) (PEVA), among others). Without being limited to the specific materials described above, those skilled in the art will appreciate that many other materials are also contemplated as being suitable and applicable to the present invention.

As shown in fig. 3 to 6, the grip member 20 preferably includes: a base portion 22 extending longitudinally along a portion of the gripping member 20 adapted to engage one or more palms of the hands (and more particularly, an inner or central portion of the palms of the user) when held by one or more hands of the user during golf, and at least two side portions 24 extending from the base portion 22. The at least two side portions 24 are configured to be inclined towards each other such that when the base portion 22 is engaged by one or more palms of a user's hands during gripping, one or more fingers of the or each hand of the user are guided to rest on the at least two oppositely inclined side portions 24, thereby reducing or limiting mobility of the joints at the user's hands and/or arms.

In the embodiment as shown in the figures, the longitudinal base portion 22 of the gripping member 20 is disposed at the rear or bottom side of the grip 10 with respect to the direction of extension of the striking surface of the golf club or putter head. Additionally, each of the at least two side portions 24 is configured to extend away from the base portion 22 a sufficient distance to allow one or more finger pads of a respective hand of a user to engage a respective opposing angled side portion 22 in the event that the medial or central portion of the palm of the user engages the base portion 22 during gripping. More specifically, the two inclined side portions 24 are arranged so as to allow one or more thumb pads of a respective hand of a user to engage a respective opposite side portion on the side of the respective wrist thereof when the base portion 22 is engaged by the inner or central portion of the palm of the user's hand during gripping, with the thumb generally aligned in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the gripping member 20. In one embodiment, the inner or central portion of the user's palm that engages the longitudinal base portion 22 of the gripping member 20 is generally longitudinally aligned with the user's thumb pad engaging the respective inclined side portion 24 on the same side of the gripping member 20 as its respective wrist.

Specifically, the two side portions 24 are generally flat and angled toward each other so as to meet at a front edge 25 opposite the base portion 22 of the gripping member 20. In one particular embodiment, the width of each side portion (extending from base portion 22 toward front edge 25) is about 1 inch. The two side portions 24 define an acute included angle therebetween, which may range from about 20 degrees to about 80 degrees, but is preferably 25 degrees to 50 degrees and even more preferably 35 degrees to 45 degrees.

The base portion 22 is configured with a width ranging from about 1.0 inch to about 1.5 inches, but preferably about 1.25 inches. Preferably, the base portion 22 includes a curved surface having a generally semi-cylindrical surface conforming to the shape of the user's palm. The semi-cylindrical surface may be configured with a radius of curvature of about 0.5 inches to about 0.75 inches, wherein the curved surface is positioned substantially symmetrically about a central longitudinal axis or plane of the gripping member 20. In a preferred embodiment, base portion 22 defines a curved, segmented cross-section having a chord of about 1.25 inches in length. In a further embodiment, the gripping member 20 includes a substantially constant cross-section as defined by the base portion 22 and the two side portions 24 along their length, with a cross-sectional height for the base portion 22 of about 0.75 inches, and an overall height of about 1.2 inches to a maximum of 1.75 inches, and more preferably 1.75 inches along a central vertical plane. The central axis of the curved base portion 22 is preferably coincident with or substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the golf club shaft. These particular dimensions and configurations allow a user with an average sized hand to naturally rest the thumb and fingers on the respective different sides of the opposed inclined side portions 24 when closing his or her palm to hold the gripping member 20, while maintaining the medial or central portion of the palm facing upward and generally aligned with, for example, the front edge 25 of the gripping member 20 when the club is in a horizontal orientation. This guided gripping posture reduces rotational movement of the user's hand and/or arm about the central axis of the grip 10, resulting in reduced or limited mobility of the joints at the user's hand and/or arm. This is in contrast to the gripping effect provided by conventional golf grips, which encourage the user's hands to flip over or rotate to one side to face each other in order to allow maximum mobility at the joints.

In one embodiment, the grip 10 may further include an elongated grip body 12 having an axle receiving portion 30 adapted to receive a golf club shaft as shown in FIG. 7. The shaft receiving portion 30 may include an aperture 32 extending longitudinally and at least partially along the grip 10. Preferably, the aperture 32 is located offset from at least one of the central vertical plane (v-v) and the central horizontal plane (h-h) of the grip 10, as more clearly shown in the drawings (FIG. 7), thereby allowing for better perception of weight and therefore better recognition of the rotation of the golf shaft when held in the hand.

In one embodiment, the gripping member 20 may be provided in the form of a sleeve that is capable of permanently or releasably receiving or sliding over the grip body 12. Alternatively, the gripping member 20 may be made integral with the grip body 12, which may be connected to a golf club shaft. In further embodiments, the gripping member 20, the grip body 12, and the golf club shaft may also be integrally formed as a unitary body, with the gripping member 20 arranged to extend in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the golf club shaft.

Grip member 20 may be formed from one or more non-slip materials and/or provided with one or more non-slip patterns on the gripping surface. In a preferred embodiment, grip 10 may have a weight of less than or equal to about 100 grams. In further embodiments, a weight may be arranged and positioned at the free end of the grip body 12, which is distal to the head of the golf club. FIG. 8 further illustrates the rear end 14 of the grip body 12. The receiving portion 30 of the grip body 12 may receive the golf club shaft all the way to the rear end 14. Alternatively, the shaft may stop a few inches away from reaching the rear end 14, thereby leaving room for positioning the weight.

The present invention further relates to a method of manufacturing a golf club grip 10 as described above. The method includes the step of providing the grip body 12 by any known manufacturing method, such as, but not limited to, molding, three-dimensional printing, engraving, sculpting, and the like. The method further comprises the step of providing a gripping member 20 as described above.

The present invention is advantageous because it allows for guiding and encouraging a user's fingers to comfortably rest on correspondingly inclined base portions of the gripping member by a particular configuration of the grip when the inner or central portion of the user's palm engages the base portions of the gripping member during gripping at the golf grip, as shown in fig. 9 and 10. Fig. 9 illustrates a holding position when the golf club is in a horizontal orientation, and fig. 10 illustrates a holding position when the club is in a user orientation (e.g., a putting orientation). The positioning of the palm and fingers, and thus the corresponding gripping posture, is naturally guided by the particular configuration of the grip, keeping the user's palm facing up when the club is horizontal (i.e., generally aligned and facing the front edge of the gripping member during gripping, as shown in fig. 9). Encouraging the thumb or fingers of one hand to rest on both respective side portions (i.e., thumb on one side and fingers on the other side), as shown in fig. 10, wherein the thumb and wrist of the same hand are generally aligned and disposed on the same side and in the same direction. The particular dimensions of the grip further help to reduce rotational movement of the user's palm about the longitudinal axis of the grip. This gripping posture, as permitted by the particular configuration of the grip of the present invention, substantially reduces or limits the mobility of the joints at the user's hands and/or arms during the series of motions that occur during a putting and/or swinging motion or golfing. The limitation of joint movement is particularly beneficial for players who experience involuntary movements at the hands and/or arms, such as players who are prone to spectrum disorders.

The present description illustrates the principles of the present invention. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the invention and are included within its spirit and scope.

Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future (i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure).

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only exemplary embodiments have been shown and described and do not limit the scope of the invention in any way. It is to be understood that any feature described herein may be used with any embodiment. The illustrative embodiments are not mutually exclusive or mutually exclusive of other embodiments not described herein. Accordingly, the present invention also provides embodiments that include combinations of one or more of the above illustrative embodiments. Modifications and variations may be made to the present invention as set forth herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and therefore, only such limitations should be imposed as are indicated by the appended claims.

In the claims hereof, any element expressed as a means for performing a specified function is intended to encompass any way of performing that function. The invention as defined by such claims resides in the fact that: the functionalities provided by the various recited means are combined and brought together in the manner which the claims call for. Thus, it is contemplated that any means that can provide the described functionality is equivalent to those shown herein.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, unless the context requires otherwise (due to express language or necessary implication), the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Claims

1. A grip for a golf club, comprising:

a gripping member having a substantially uniform cross-section along its length, said gripping member having:

a base portion extending longitudinally along a portion of the gripping member adapted to engage two palms of a user's hands when held by the two hands, the base portion having a width of 1.0 inch to 1.5 inches, an

At least two substantially planar side portions extending from the base portion;

wherein the base portion comprises a curved surface and wherein the at least two generally planar side portions are inclined towards each other to define an acute angle of 20 to 80 degrees therebetween, such that when the base portion is engaged by the two palms of the user during gripping, the fingers of the two hands of the user are directed to rest on the at least two inclined and generally planar side portions and the two palms of the user are directed to face upward and are longitudinally spaced and aligned along the length of the gripping member, thereby reducing or limiting mobility of the joints at the hands and arms of the user.

2. The grip of claim 1, wherein at least two side portions meet at a front edge of the gripping member relative to the base portion.

3. The grip of claim 1, wherein the curved surface comprises a generally semi-cylindrical surface having a radius of curvature of 0.5 inches to 0.75 inches.

4. The grip of claim 1, wherein at least two side portions extend a sufficient distance from the base portion to allow a plurality of finger pads of a respective hand of a user to engage respective opposing angled side portions when the base portion is engaged by two palms of the user during gripping.

5. The grip of claim 1, wherein at least two side portions are arranged so as to allow multiple thumb pads of a respective hand of a user to engage respective side portions on the same side as their respective wrists when the base portion is engaged by both palms of the user during gripping.

6. The grip of claim 1, wherein at least two side portions are inclined toward a central vertical plane of the gripping member, the gripping member having a height along the central vertical plane of 1.2 inches to 1.75 inches.

7. The grip of claim 1, wherein the gripping member is configured to be substantially symmetrical along a longitudinal center plane.

8. The grip of claim 1, wherein the gripping member is formed of one or more non-slip materials and/or is provided with one or more non-slip patterns.

9. The grip of claim 1, wherein the gripping member has a length of at least 14 inches.

10. The grip of claim 1, further comprising an axle receiving portion adapted to receive a golf club shaft.

11. The grip of claim 10, wherein the shaft receiving portion includes an aperture extending longitudinally and at least partially along the grip.

12. The grip of claim 11, wherein the aperture is arranged offset from at least one of a central vertical plane and a central horizontal plane of the grip.

13. The grip of claim 12, further comprising an elongated body comprising the shaft receiving portion and the gripping member.

14. The grip of claim 13, where the elongated body, the shaft receiving portion, and the gripping member are integrally formed.

15. The grip of claim 1, wherein the gripping member is arranged to extend in a direction generally parallel to an axis of a shaft of the golf club.

16. The grip of claim 1, wherein the grip has a weight of less than or equal to 100 grams.

17. The grip of claim 1, further comprising a weight positioned at the distal end of the head of the golf club.

18. A golf club, comprising: the grip of claim 1.

19. The golf club of claim 18, wherein the grip is integrally formed with a shaft of the golf club.

20. The golf club of claim 18, wherein the gripping member is integrally formed with the grip and a shaft of the golf club.

21. The golf club of claim 18, wherein a base portion of the gripping member of the grip is positioned at a rear side of the grip relative to a direction of extension of a striking surface of a head of the golf club.

22. The golf club of claim 18, wherein the base portion has a central axis that is generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of a shaft of the golf club.

23. A method of making a grip for a golf club, comprising the steps of:

1) providing a grip main body;

2) providing a gripping member having a substantially uniform cross-section along its length, the gripping member having:

3) At least two substantially planar side portions extending from the base portion;

wherein the base portion comprises a curved surface and wherein the at least two generally planar side portions are inclined towards each other to define an acute angle of 20 to 80 degrees therebetween, such that when the base portion is engaged by two palms of a user during gripping, a plurality of fingers of the two hands of the user are directed to rest on the at least two inclined and generally planar side portions and the two palms of the user are directed upwardly and longitudinally spaced and aligned along the length of the gripping member, thereby reducing or limiting mobility of joints at the hands and arms of the user.