JP2002282404A - Grip for golf club and golf club - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a grip 1 which is excellent in anti-slipping performance in a wet state. SOLUTION: The grip 1 is molded by crosslinking a rubber composition. This rubber composition essentially consists of styrene-butadiene rubber of -35 to -10 deg.C in glass transition point. The ratio at which this styrene-butadiene rubber occupies in a base material polymer is >=50 mass%. The anti-slipping performance of the grip 1 in the wet state is improved by this styrene-butadiene rubber. The rubber composition contains the butadiene rubber as well. The ratio at which the butadiene rubber occupies in the base material polymer is 5 to 50 mass%. The butadiene rubber of >=70% in the ratio of the cis-1,4 bond occupying in the microstructure is more preferable. The wear resistance of the grip 1 is improved by this butadiene rubber.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a golf club grip (hereinafter, also simply referred to as "grip") and a golf club to which the grip is attached.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A golf club includes a shaft, a head mounted near a front end of the shaft, and a grip into which a vicinity of a rear end of the shaft is fitted. The grip is a part that a golfer swinging the golf club grasps by hand, and plays a very important role when the movement of the golfer is transmitted to the golf club.

[0003] An important required performance of the grip is that slippage between the golfer's hand and the grip during the swing (when the golfer wears gloves, slippage with the gloves) is suppressed, that is, the slip resistance is high. No. In general, the grip is formed from a flexible material such as rubber or synthetic resin, thereby imparting anti-slip performance.

[0004] In golf in rainy weather, hands (including gloves; the same applies hereinafter) and grips may be wet with rainwater. Also,
In summer golf, sweat and hands can wet hands and grips. In a wet state of the hand and the grip, that is, in a wet state, even if the grip is formed of a flexible material, slippage between the two is likely to occur due to a water film interposed between the hand and the grip. If slippage occurs, the swing will be disturbed, leading to a missed shot. Many golfers want a grip that is not slippery even when wet.

[0005] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-314352 discloses a non-slip material. This anti-slip material is interposed between the hand and the grip to prevent the two from slipping. However, this technique is not intended to improve the anti-slip performance of the grip itself. Carrying the non-slip material is a burden on the golfer, and the presence of the non-slip material also disturbs the golfer's swing.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a grip for a golf club which is excellent in anti-slip performance, especially in a wet state. It is.

[0007]

Means for Solving the Problems The present inventor completed the present invention as a result of intensive studies on the premise that styrene-butadiene rubber having a good balance of various physical properties is compounded. That is, the invention made to achieve the above object is formed by crosslinking a rubber composition, and the base polymer of the rubber composition has a glass transition point of −35 ° C. or more and −10 ° C. or less. Of styrene-butadiene rubber
A golf club grip that contains at least 30% by mass.

[0008] Since the styrene-butadiene rubber having a relatively high glass transition point is used as a main component in this grip, the grip has excellent anti-slip performance in a wet state. A golf club equipped with this grip is easy for a golfer to swing even in a wet state.

Preferably, the base polymer contains 5% by mass to 50% by mass of butadiene rubber. This allows
The wear resistance of the grip is improved. In a golf club equipped with this grip, the frequency of grip replacement is reduced. In particular, a butadiene rubber in which the ratio of cis-1,4 bonds in the microstructure is 70% or more is preferable from the viewpoint of improving abrasion resistance.

[0010]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.
The present invention will be described in detail based on preferred embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a golf club grip 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The grip 1 has a cylindrical shape with its rear end closed, and its outer diameter gradually increases from the front end to the rear end.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a golf club 2 using the grip 1 of FIG. As shown in this figure, the grip 1 has the vicinity of the rear end of the shaft 3 fitted therein. A head 4 is mounted near the front end of the shaft 3. The shaft 3 may be made of stainless steel or carbon fiber reinforced resin. The head 4 may be a wood type head 4 or an iron type head 4. Examples of the material of the head 4 include stainless steel, aluminum alloy, titanium alloy, magnesium alloy, fiber-reinforced synthetic resin, and persimmon.

The grip 1 is formed by crosslinking a rubber composition. The base polymer of the rubber composition contains styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) as a main component. In general, a formed article of styrene-butadiene rubber is excellent in mechanical properties such as tensile strength and tear strength. By using the styrene-butadiene rubber, the grip 1 has a long life.

The base polymer of the rubber composition is styrene-
Among butadiene rubbers, the glass transition point (Tg) is -3.
The main component is 5 ° C or higher and -10 ° C or lower.
This styrene-butadiene rubber has a higher glass transition point than versatile styrene-butadiene rubber (having a glass transition point of −55 ° C. to −45 ° C.) commonly used for grips. Such a styrene-butadiene rubber (having a glass transition point of −35 ° C. or more and −10 ° C. or less) allows the grip 1 to exhibit anti-slip performance in a wet state.

In the present specification, the glass transition point is defined as a differential scanning calorimeter (Differential Scanning Calorimeter).
g According to Calorimeter, trade name “DSC-2910” of TA Instruments), 10 ° C./m
It is measured at a rate of temperature increase in.

Styrene having a glass transition point of less than -35 ° C.
With butadiene rubber, the anti-slip performance of the grip 1 in a wet state is hardly exhibited. In this respect, a styrene-butadiene rubber having a glass transition point of −33 ° C. or more is particularly preferable. On the other hand, even with a styrene-butadiene rubber having a glass transition point exceeding −10 ° C., the anti-slip performance of the grip 1 in a wet state is hardly exhibited. In this respect, a styrene-butadiene rubber having a glass transition point of -12 ° C or lower is more preferable, and a styrene-butadiene rubber having a glass transition point of -15 ° C or lower is particularly preferable.

The base polymer has a glass transition point of -35.
Only a styrene-butadiene rubber having a temperature of from -10 ° C to -10 ° C may be used alone, or another polymer may be used in combination. Even when another polymer is used in combination, the proportion of the styrene-butadiene rubber having a glass transition point of −35 ° C. or more and −10 ° C. or less in the total amount of the base polymer is 50% by mass from the viewpoint of the slip resistance in a wet state. It is necessary to set the above, and it is more preferable that the amount be 55% by mass or more, particularly 60% by mass or more. From the viewpoint of anti-slip performance in a wet state, this ratio is preferably 100% by mass, but from the viewpoint of imparting various properties, it is preferable to use another polymer in combination.

As the rubber used in combination, styrene having a glass transition point outside the range of −35 ° C. or more and −10 ° C. or less is used.
Butadiene rubber, butadiene rubber, acrylonitrile
Examples include butadiene rubber, isoprene rubber, ethylene-propylene-diene rubber, chloroprene rubber, butyl rubber, acrylic rubber, urethane rubber, and natural rubber. These rubbers may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Further, a synthetic resin or a thermoplastic elastomer having a soft segment and a hard segment may be used in combination.

A preferred polymer to be used in combination is butadiene rubber (BR). The abrasion resistance of the grip 1 is improved by blending the butadiene rubber. Butadiene rubber accounts for 5% by mass or more and 50% by mass of the total amount of the base polymer.
The following is preferred. If the ratio is less than 5% by mass, the wear resistance of the grip 1 may be insufficient. In this respect, the ratio is particularly preferably equal to or greater than 10% by mass. When the ratio exceeds 50% by mass, the ratio of the styrene-butadiene rubber decreases as a result.
The anti-slip performance of the vehicle is reduced. In this respect, the ratio of butadiene rubber is more preferably equal to or less than 40% by mass, and particularly preferably equal to or less than 25% by mass.

Among the butadiene rubbers, those having a cis-1,4 bond ratio of at least 70% in the microstructure are preferred. As the ratio of the cis-1,4 bond increases, the wear resistance of the grip 1 improves. From this point of view, cis-1,
The ratio of four bonds is more preferably 80% or more, further preferably 85% or more, and particularly preferably 94% or more. In addition,
The ratio of cis-1,4 bonds in the normally obtained butadiene rubber is 98% or less.

The crosslinking form of the rubber composition is not particularly limited, and for example, crosslinking agents such as sulfur, organic sulfur-containing compounds, organic peroxides and quinone dioximes can be used. Normally,
Sulfur vulcanization is adopted. The compounding amount of sulfur is 10
About 1 to 3 parts for 0 part. An inorganic or organic vulcanization accelerator may be used together with the sulfur or organic sulfur-containing compound. As the inorganic vulcanization accelerator, slaked lime,
Magnesia (MgO), litharge (PbO) and the like. Examples of the organic vulcanization accelerator include a thiazole vulcanization accelerator, a sulfenamide vulcanization accelerator, a thiuram vulcanization accelerator, and a dicarbamate vulcanization accelerator. The compounding amount of these vulcanization accelerators is about 0.5 to 4 parts based on 100 parts of the base rubber. Further, fatty acids such as stearic acid, oleic acid, and cottonseed fatty acids, and metal compounds such as zinc oxide may be used as a crosslinking aid. In addition, in this specification, the numerical value shown by "part" means a ratio based on mass.

The rubber composition may contain a filler such as silica, carbon black, calcium carbonate, clay and the like. The addition of the filler improves the wear resistance, anti-slip performance and strength of the grip 1. Examples of the filler having an excellent reinforcing effect include silica having a primary particle diameter of 5 nm or more and 30 nm or less. Although the amount of the filler varies depending on the type, it is usually 5 parts or more and 50 parts or less, especially 10 parts or more and 40 parts or less based on 100 parts of the base polymer.

The rubber composition preferably contains a silane coupling agent or a silylating agent. Both the silane coupling agent and the silylating agent have a hydrophobic group in the molecule. The silane coupling agent and the silylating agent impart water repellency to the grip 1 by the action of the hydrophobic group. Therefore, the formation of a water film between the golfer's hand and the grip 1 is suppressed, and the anti-slip performance of the grip 1 in a wet state is enhanced. The total blending amount of the silane coupling agent and the silylating agent is 1 part or more and 10 parts or less, particularly 1.5 parts or more and 5 parts or less based on 100 parts of the base polymer.

The rubber composition may optionally contain a softening agent. As a softener, paraffin oil,
Mineral oils such as naphthenic oil and aromatic oil; and plasticizers such as dioctyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate, dioctyl sepate, and dioctyl adipate.

The rubber composition may optionally contain an appropriate amount of an antioxidant, a coloring agent, a processing aid, and the like.

Although not shown in FIG. 1, a predetermined pattern of grooves is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the grip 1.
Due to this groove, formation of a water film between the golfer's hand and the grip 1 is suppressed, and the anti-slip performance of the grip 1 in a wet state is enhanced. Further, a reinforcing cord may be provided on the grip 1 from the viewpoint of anti-slip performance and wear resistance.

[0027]

EXAMPLES Hereinafter, the effects of the present invention will be clarified based on examples, but the present invention should not be construed as being limited based on the description of the examples.

Example 1 75 parts of solution-polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber having a glass transition point of -25 ° C. (trade name “NS116” of Nippon Zeon Co., Ltd.), butadiene having a cis 1,4-bond ratio of 98% 25 parts of rubber (trade name “BR60” of Unichem), 25 parts of silica (trade name “Ultrasil VN3” of Degussa), bis- (3-triethoxysilylpropyl) tetrasulfen (silane as a silane coupling agent) Degussa product name "Si69") 2.0
Part, paraffin oil as softener (trade name "PW380" of Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd.) 3.0 parts, antioxidant (trade name "Sannok N" of Ouchi Shinko Chemical Co., Ltd.) 0.5 part, other aging 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4 as inhibitor
-2.0 parts of methylphenol (trade name "Nocrack 200" of Ouchi Shinko Chemical Co., Ltd.), 3.0 parts of zinc oxide, 1.0 part of stearic acid, 0.5 part of sulfur and N as a vulcanization accelerator 1.0 part of -tert-butyl-2-benzothiazolylsulfenamide (trade name "Noxeller NS" of Ouchi Shinko Chemical Co., Ltd.) was kneaded with a Banbury mixer to obtain a rubber composition. This rubber composition was charged into a mold having a known groove pattern on the cavity surface. And 160
A crosslinking reaction was caused in the rubber composition at a temperature of 10 ° C. for 10 minutes to obtain the grip of Example 1.

Example 2, Examples 6 to 8 and Comparative Example 1 The same procedure as in Example 1 was carried out except that the amounts of styrene-butadiene rubber and butadiene rubber were varied as shown in Table 1 below. The grips of Example 2, Examples 6 to 8 and Comparative Example 1 were obtained.

Example 3 Same as Example 1 except that the amounts of styrene-butadiene rubber and butadiene rubber were varied as shown in Table 1 below, and that 5 parts of natural rubber (RSS No. 3) was compounded. Thus, the grip of Example 3 was obtained.

Examples 4 and 5 The procedure of Example 1 was repeated, except that a butadiene rubber having a cis-1,4 bond ratio of 94% (trade name "BR02" of Nippon Synthetic Rubber Co., Ltd.) was used. I got a grip of 4. A grip of Example 5 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that butadiene rubber having a cis-1,4 bond ratio of 35% (trade name “BR71” of Nippon Synthetic Rubber Co., Ltd.) was used.

Examples 9 and 10 and Comparative Example 3 The same as Example 1 except that an emulsion-polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber having a glass transition point of -55 ° C. (trade name “SBR1502” of Nippon Synthetic Rubber Co., Ltd.) was used. Thus, a grip of Comparative Example 3 was obtained. Further, a solution-polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber having a glass transition point of −33 ° C. (trade name “NS42 by Zeon Corporation”)
0 "), except that a grip of Example 9 was obtained. Further, a grip of Example 10 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that a solution-polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber having a glass transition point of -15 ° C (trade name “NS412” manufactured by Zeon Corporation) was used.

Comparative Examples 2, 4 and 5 As base polymers, 70 parts of an emulsion-polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber having a glass transition point of -55 ° C. (the above-mentioned trade name “SBR1502”) and natural rubber (RSS3) 30 The grip of Comparative Example 2 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except for using the parts. Further, as a base polymer, an emulsion-polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber having a glass transition point of −55 ° C. (the above-mentioned trade name “SBR150
2 ") A grip of Comparative Example 4 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that 100 parts were used. Example 1 was repeated except that 100 parts of natural rubber (RSS3) was used as the base polymer.
In the same manner as in the above, a grip of Comparative Example 5 was obtained.

[Evaluation of abrasion resistance] A test piece was cross-linked and molded using the same rubber composition as that used for molding each grip, and this test piece was subjected to Akron wear according to JIS-K-6264. Tested. The measured wear capacity is
It is shown in Tables 1 and 2 below.

[Evaluation of Anti-Slip Performance] A golf club was manufactured by attaching each grip to a shaft. The grip is dipped in water to make the golf club wet.
It was used by 0 golfers, and the anti-slip performance was evaluated on a 5-point scale from "1" to "5". The one that caused the least slippage was “5”, and the one that easily caused the slippage was “1”. 10
The average of the evaluation values of the first-name golfers is shown in Tables 1 and 2 below.
Is shown in

[0036]

[Table 1]

[0037]

[Table 2]

As shown in Tables 1 and 2, the grips of the examples have excellent anti-slip performance in a wet state.
From the evaluation results, the superiority of the present invention is apparent.

[0039]

As described above, the grip of the present invention has excellent anti-slip performance. A golf club equipped with this grip is easy for a golfer to swing.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a golf club grip according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a golf club using the grip of FIG. 1;

[Description of Signs] 1 ... Grip 2 ... Golf Club 3 ... Shaft 4 ... Head

Claims (4)

[Claims] The rubber composition is formed by crosslinking a rubber composition, and the base polymer of the rubber composition is 50% by mass of a styrene-butadiene rubber having a glass transition point of −35 ° C. or more and −10 ° C. or less. Grip for golf clubs including above. 2. The grip according to claim 1, wherein the base polymer contains 5% by mass to 50% by mass of butadiene rubber. 3. The grip according to claim 2, wherein the butadiene rubber has a cis-1,4 bond ratio of 70% or more in its microstructure. 4. A shaft, a head mounted near a front end of the shaft, and a grip into which a vicinity of a rear end of the shaft is fitted. The grip is formed by crosslinking a rubber composition. The base polymer of the rubber composition is a styrene-butadiene rubber having a glass transition point of −35 ° C. or more and −10 ° C. or less.
Golf clubs containing more than mass%.