GB2169839A

GB2169839A - Handgrip

Info

Publication number: GB2169839A
Application number: GB08601335A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael John Stuart
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1985-01-23
Filing date: 1986-01-21
Publication date: 1986-07-23
Also published as: GB8601335D0; GB8501665D0

Abstract

An article, e.g. a cricket bat, is provided with a personalised handgrip 16-34 by applying a mouldable composition 12 to a handle portion 10, and gripping it as for use (preferably through a protective layer e.g. of talc or a flexible film). The composition 12 may then set hard, e.g. being a two- part synthetic rubber, and be given a conventional coating. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Handgrip The present invention relates to handgrips, e.g. for sports equipment and tools. It particularly relates to a method of producing a handgrip, and to articles provided with handgrips by such a method.

In many sports and other activities, a person has to grasp an implement firmly and surely. The nature of the grip may be very important. It is known, for example, that the way in which a player of cricket or golf grips a bat or club can make a considerable difference to his or her stroke. Indeed, sports pro fessionals and other coaches devote much time to teaching players to adopt more correct grips.

The present invention provides a method of producing a handgrip comprising the step of manually gripping a mouldable article, which is thereby moulded into an impression of the grip. Preferably the article is a substantially finished article (e.g. a sports bat, club or racket, or a tool) having a handle portion at least part of which is mouldable, e.g. having a coating. Thus the intended user of the finished article can grip it in a manner which is correct for its final use, and thus imprint on it his personal grip.

Preferably the mouldable portion of the article is provided by a settable material, so that once it has been moulded it can be caused or allowed to set hard to produce a permanent grip. (Alternatively the material could be labiie, e.g. being thermoplastic, so that the grip could subsequently be refashioned.) Particularly when the invention is applied to striking implements for sports, such as cricket bats, it is desirable that the material of the grip should not significantly affect the handling properties of the article. For example, a cricket bat flexes slightly in use. Thus if the grip employs a settable composition, this preferably has sufficient flexibility in its set state to permit normal flexing of the article. In addition to preserving the article's characteristics, this reduces the risk of the material breaking up.

The material of the grip may be a plastics or other composition containing a filler. The filler material is preferably lightweight, so as not to influence the handling of the article.

A method embodying the invention may involve preparing a settable material, e.g. by mixing two components of a two-pot resin or putty, and applying the composition to a handle portion of an article.

In another aspect the invention provides a kit of parts for preparing an article with a handgrip, comprising an article having a handgrip portion, and mouldable material (or components thereof) for application thereto.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which the sole figure is a schematic view of a handgrip portion of a bat.

A wooden bat has a shaft 10 which provides a handle portion. A thin layer of mouldable composition 12 was applied to this evenly, the initial boundary of the layer being indicated by the dash-dotted line 14. The composition 12 is a "two-pot rubber" putty material, whose two components were mixed shortly before the application to the shaft 10.

Next, a protective layer of plastics film (as sold under the Trade Mark "CLINGFILM") was applied over the composition 12. The intended user of the bat then grasped the shaft in the region of the composition 12 and coating. He held this firmly, wielding the bat as if in normal use. (In practice, expert advice would be desirable at this stage, to ensure that the grip was correct.) The firm grip squeezed the composition 12, and deformed it to produce an impression of the grip. It will be seen that the figure corresponds to a rear view of a bat, probably of a left-handed player. Thus in an upper region there are impressions 16-22 of the fifth to second fingers of a right hand.

Approximately diametrically opposite these there is a longitudinal impression 24 produced by the thumb of the right hand. Lower can be seen the starts of impressions 26-32 produced by the fifth to second fingers of the left hand (adjacent the palm), and the depression 34 due to the left thumb.

It will be seen that, in the regions of strongest grip, the composition is squeezed out to expose the shaft 10. A fairly thin coating of composition 12 (which can thus be quite light) can produce quite a complex "sculpturing".

Once the moulding of the grip is complete, the protective film may be removed. The composition 12 is then allowed to cure and harden to its full extent. Subsequently,a conventional outer coating may be added if desired.

However, if the composition 12 is a rubbery material, this may not be necessary.

It will be appreciated that the shape of the handgrip produced by this method is very complex but it is, by the present method, extremely simple to produce. It can enable the user of the article to grip it very firmly and confidently. Furthermore, he can be forced to grip it "correctly", particularly if the initial, impression-forming grip was effected under the guidance of an expert. A rubber putty composition with a lightweight filler can give a very comfortable grip which seems entirely rigid, but which has sufficient inherent flexibility to allow normal bending of the article, e.g. if it is a cricket bat.

In some cases, the method may be applied to a shaft portion which is only subsequently incorporated into a complete article. However, it is much preferred to apply the method to a complete article, since this ensures that the grip can be correct. It will be appreciated that the method can be applied to existing articles, e.g. to a player's favourite old bat.

A mouldable composition which is at present preferred is a two-part synthetic rubber sold under the trade name RALLIE BONDITE 033.

Whereas the use of plastics film in the moulding step has been described, different release agents may be used (or in suitable cases none at all). Talcum powder has been found very suitable, e.g. with BONDITE 033 referred to above.

Claims

1. A method of producing a handgrip comprising the step of manually gripping a mouldable portion of an article, which is thereby moulded into an impression of the grip.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the mouldable portion comprises a non-mouldable handle portion having a coating of mouldable material; and the method includes a preliminary step of applying said coating.

3. A method according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the mouldable portion of the article comprises a settable material, which, after it has been moulded, is caused or allowed to set hard to produce a permanent grip.

4. A method according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the mouldable portion of the article comprises a settable material, which is labile so that the grip could subsequently be refashioned.

5. A method according to claim 4 wherein the material is thermoplastic.

6. A method according to any preceding claim wherein a coating is applied to the mouldable portion prior to the gripping thereof.

7. A method according to claim 6 wherein the coating is a flexible film.

8. A method according to claim 6 wherein the coating is talcum powder.

9. A method according to any preceding claim wherein, after moulding, a conventional handgrip coating is applied to the moulded portion.

10. A method according to any preceding claim when applied to a complete striking implement for a sport.

11. A method of producing a handgrip substantially as any described and exemplified herein.

12. A kit of parts for producing a handgrip by a method according to any preceding claim, comprising an article having a handgrip portion, and mouldable material (or components thereof) for application thereto.

13. A kit according to claim 12 further including coating material for use in a method according to claim 6, 7 or 8.

14. A kit of parts for producing a handgrip substantially as any described and exemplified herein.

15. An article with a handgrip produced by means of a method or kit according to any preceding claim.