JP2018531650A - Golf club grip - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a golf club grip and a method of manufacturing the same. The grip is a grip member, a base extending longitudinally along a portion of the grip member adapted to engage one or more palms when held by one or more hands of a user And a gripping member having at least two side portions extending from the base portion, the at least two side portions when the base portion is engaged by one or more palms of the user during holding. Each hand or one or more fingers thereof are guided to be placed on at least two inclined sides, thereby tilting relative to each other to reduce or limit joint mobility in the user's hand and arm doing. [Selection] Figure 3

Description

Technical field
The present invention relates to the field of sports equipment, and although not particularly limited to grips for use in sports equipment such as golf clubs.

Background art
Like many sports, golf sports require accuracy in a series of events that rely heavily on fine coordination and coordination between the player and the golf club. Traditional golf clubs, such as putter clubs, also commonly referred to as “putters”, often improve hand feel, help hold more firmly, and provide smoother movement of the user's hands and arms. It has a handgrip that aims to make it easier. For example, most traditional putter grips are designed to promote the mobility of hand and arm joints. One exemplary design provides a substantially cylindrical body for the putter grip, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and optionally a flat top surface for locating the user's thumb ridge. This configuration is known to allow good mobility of the joints in the hands and arms, allowing full range of movement, ensuring that the user's palms face each other on the opposite side of the grip during the holding action. to enable. Nonetheless, such mobility also encourages discrepancies during adjustment, resulting in an undesirable rotation of the putter during holding, and thus can lead to misalignment to the target and deviation of the intended ball path There is sex. This is especially difficult for golfers suffering from “Ips”, a movement disorder known to be a relatively common movement disorder leading to involuntary joint movement of the hands and arms, known to prevent putting .

Disclosure of the present invention
Answer to a question
Technical solution
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved grip for a golf club.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a golf club having a novel grip configured to reduce joint mobility in a user's hand and arm during use.

  A further object of the present invention is to mitigate or eliminate to some extent one or more of the problems associated with known grips of golf clubs.

  The above object is met by a combination of the features of the main claim, and the dependent claims disclose further advantageous embodiments of the invention.

  Those skilled in the art will derive other objects of the invention from the following description. Accordingly, the foregoing description of objectives is not exhaustive and merely illustrates some of the many objectives 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 putt club or a putter. Specifically, the grip is configured to guide the user to a specific holding posture that reduces or limits the degree of movement available with the user's hand and arm when held by the user's hand during use. Has been. In particular, the present invention provides a grip that includes a grip member that extends longitudinally along at least a portion of the grip. The grip member includes a longitudinal base portion and at least two inclined side portions extending from the base portion. When the base is engaged with the inside or center of the user's palm when the grip is held, the user's fingers are guided and directed to naturally ride on each base of the grip member. In this particular holding position, the mobility of the joints in the user's hand and arm is substantial in order to allow adjustment and coordination for the sequence of movements required during play, especially during putting and / or swinging. Reduced or limited. Limiting joint movement is particularly beneficial for players who experience involuntary hand and arm movement, such as those who suffer from Yip. Furthermore, the holding posture results in both palms of the user facing forward from the back side of the gripping member, i.e. the palms are not opposite to each other as in a typical putter holding posture, both are oriented in the same direction.

  In a first main aspect, the present invention provides a golf club grip. The grip is a grip member, a base extending longitudinally along a portion of the grip member adapted to engage one or more palms when held by one or more hands of a user And a gripping member having at least two side portions extending from the base portion, the at least two side portions when the base portion is engaged by one or more palms of the user during holding. Each hand or one or more fingers thereof are guided to be placed on at least two inclined sides, thereby tilting relative to each other to reduce or limit joint mobility in the user's hand and arm doing.

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

  In a third main aspect, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing a grip for a golf club. The method includes providing a grip body and providing a grip member. A base member extending longitudinally along a portion of the grip member and adapted to engage one or more palms when held by one or more hands of the user, and the base portion At least two side portions extending from each of the user's hands or one or more of the user's hands when the base portion is engaged by the user's one or more palms during holding. The fingers are guided relative to each other so as to be placed on at least two inclined side portions, thereby reducing or limiting joint mobility in the user's hand and arm.

  The summary of the invention does not necessarily disclose all features essential to the definition of the invention. The invention may reside in sub-combinations of the disclosed features.

Description of drawings
The foregoing and further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments, which is provided by way of example only in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the retention in a conventional putter grip in the prior art. FIG. 2 shows the retention in another conventional putter grip in the prior art. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a putter grip according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a bottom view showing a base portion of the grip shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing two side portions and a tip of the grip shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a side view showing the grip of FIG. FIG. 7 is a front view showing a shaft housing portion of the grip of FIG. FIG. 8 is a rear view of the grip of FIG. FIG. 9 shows the holding of the grip of FIG. 3 by the user. 10 is a full body view of FIG. 9 showing the positions of the user's hand and wrist joint.

Form of the present invention
Form of invention
The following description is not intended to be limited to the combination of features required to practice the invention, but merely as a preferred embodiment by way of example.

  In this specification, "one embodiment" or "one embodiment" means that an individual feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. Means. The phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification is not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, and is not a separate or alternative embodiment that is mutually exclusive with other embodiments. Furthermore, various features are described that may be exhibited by some embodiments and that may be exhibited by other embodiments. Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirements of some embodiments but not other embodiments.

  The present invention relates to a hand grip or grip for use in a golf club. While specific embodiments of putter grips have been described and described herein, the present invention is generally applicable to known types of golf clubs such as wood, irons and putters, and thus the scope of the present invention Is not limited to grips used for putting clubs, but it is a preferred application. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the grips of the present invention are applicable to other types of sports equipment that the user needs to grip by hand, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

  In the context of this description, any description regarding the dimensions of grips, grips and / or golf club components in one or more embodiments is generally suitable for use by users having average palm size and height. It relates to exemplary dimensions of one or more such articles at an average standard size. Including any proportional change based on the dimensions described, for example, a reduction in the overall dimensions of the grip and / or golf club to accommodate users smaller than the average palm size, such as children and teens Will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

  Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown an embodiment of a grip 10 for use in a golf club such as a putting club according to the present invention. The grip 10 may, for example, have one hand on the back of the other hand along the longitudinal axis of the grip member 20 or a hand overlapping or partially overlapping the grip member 20 so that the user can 20 includes a grip member 20 extending along at least a portion of the grip 10 at a distance sufficient to longitudinally align two hands. In one embodiment, the grip member 20 extends a distance of at least about 14 inches along at least a portion of the grip 10.

  The grip member 20 includes, but is not limited to, rubber, leather, wood, cork, and synthetic polymers such as polyurethane (PU), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and poly (ethylene-vinyl acetate) (PEVA). Preferably, it is made from a lightweight material such as one or more of the above. While not limited to the specific materials described above, those skilled in the art will appreciate that many other materials that are considered suitable and applicable to the present invention should also be included. .

  As shown in FIGS. 3-6, the gripping member 20 is held in one or more palms of the user during golf play, more specifically inside or center of the palm of the user. Preferably, it includes a base portion 22 extending longitudinally along a portion of the grip member 20 adapted to engage the portion, and at least two side portions 24 extending from the base portion 22. The at least two side portions 24 are configured so that each of the user's hands or one or more fingers thereof has at least two opposing slopes when the base portion 22 is engaged by one or more palms of the user while the base portion 22 is held. Are configured to be tilted with respect to each other so as to be guided to be placed on the side portions 24, thereby reducing or limiting joint mobility in the user's hand and / or arm.

  In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the base portion 22 in the longitudinal direction of the grip member 20 is located behind or on the bottom side of the grip with respect to the extending direction of the ball striking surface of the golf club or putter head. In addition, the at least two side portions 24 are inclined sides to which one or more finger pads of each of the user's hands face each other when the inner or middle portion of the user's palm is engaged with the base portion 22 during holding. Each is configured to extend a sufficient distance from the base portion 22 so that it can be engaged with the portion 22. More specifically, the two side portions 24 have one or more thumb ridges on each user's hand when the base portion 22 is engaged by the inner or middle portion of the user's palm while holding. In a state where the thumbs are substantially aligned in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the grip member 20, they are arranged so that the opposite side portions on the side where the wrist joints are located can be engaged. . In one embodiment, the inner or central portion of the user's palm that engages the longitudinal base portion 22 of the grip member 20 has a user's thumb protuberance on each side of the grip member 20 on the same side as each wrist joint. In an engaged state with the inclined side portion 24, it is arranged substantially in the longitudinal direction.

  Specifically, the two side portions 24 are substantially flat and are inclined with respect to each other so as to meet at the tip 25 facing the base portion 22 of the grip member 20. In one particular embodiment, each of the side portions is about 1 inch wide extending from the base portion 22 to the tip 25. The two side portions 24 may define an acute angle between them that may range from about 20 degrees to about 80 degrees, but preferably 25 degrees to 50 degrees, more preferably 35 degrees to 45 degrees.

  Base portion 22 is configured with a width ranging from about 1.0 inches to about 1.5 inches, but is preferably about 1.25 inches. Preferably, the base portion 22 includes a curved surface having a substantially semi-cylindrical surface that matches the shape of the palm of the user. The semi-cylindrical surface can be configured with a radius of curvature of about 0.5 inches to about 0.75 inches, and the curved surface is disposed substantially symmetrically about a longitudinal central axis or plane of the grip member 20. . In one preferred embodiment, the base 22 defines a curved, arcuate cross section having a chord that is approximately 1.25 inches in length. In a further embodiment, the gripping member 20 includes a substantially constant cross section defined by the base portion 22 and two side portions 24 along its length, the cross section height of the base portion 22 being about 0.75. Inches, total height from about 1.2 inches up to 1.75 inches, more preferably 1.75 inches along the central vertical plane. The central axis of the curved base 22 is preferably coincident with or substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the golf club shaft. These particular dimensions and configurations are such that when a user with an average size hand closes his palm and holds it on the gripping member 20, the thumb and other fingers are on different sides of the opposite inclined side 24. Can be placed naturally, and at the same time maintain the inner or middle portion of the palm facing upward when the club is in a horizontal position and can be substantially aligned with the tip 25 of the grip member 20, for example. . This guided holding posture reduces the rotational movement of the user's hand and / or arm about the central axis of the grip 10 resulting in a reduction or limitation of joint mobility in the user's hand and / or arm. This is in contrast to the holding effect provided by conventional golf grips, where the user's palm is directed to flip or rotate sideways to face each other to allow maximum potential at the joint. is there.

  In one embodiment, the grip 10 may further include an elongated grip body 12 having a shaft receiving portion 30 shown in FIG. 7 adapted to receive a golf club shaft. The shaft housing 30 may include a hole 32 that extends longitudinally and at least partially along the grip 10. Preferably, the hole 32 is off-center with respect to at least one of the central vertical plane (v-v) and the central horizontal plane (h-h) of the grip 10, as clearly shown by the figure (FIG. 7). When placed and held in the hand, it allows for a better weight sensation and thus allows better recognition of the rotation of the golf shaft.

  In one embodiment, the grip member 20 can be provided in the form of a sleeve that can be removably or removably accommodated or slipped on the grip body. Alternatively, the grip member 20 can be manufactured integrally with the grip body 12 that can be connected to the shaft of the golf club. In a further embodiment, the grip member 20, the grip body 12, and the golf club shaft are also grouped with the grip member 20 positioned to extend in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the golf club shaft. May be formed integrally.

  The grip member 20 may be formed from one or more anti-slip materials and / or may be provided with one or more anti-slip patterns on the grip surface. In one preferred embodiment, the grip 10 can weigh no more than about 100 grams. In a further embodiment, a counterweight can be placed and positioned at the free end of the grip body 12 distal to the golf club head. FIG. 8 further shows the rear portion 14 of the grip body 12. The accommodating portion 30 of the grip body 12 can accommodate the shaft of the golf club up to the rear portion 14. Alternatively, the shaft may be stopped a few inches before reaching the rear portion 14, thereby ensuring space for positioning the counterweight.

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

  As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, when the inner or middle portion of the palm of the user engages the base portion of the grip member during holding of the golf grip, the user's finger can identify the grip. This configuration is advantageous in that it can be guided, directed, and comfortably placed on each inclined base portion of the gripping member. FIG. 9 shows a holding posture when the golf club is in a horizontal posture, and FIG. 10 shows a holding posture when the club is in a posture in use, for example, a putting posture. Thus, palm and finger positions and corresponding holding postures are naturally guided by the specific configuration of the grip, as shown in FIG. 9, and the user's palm is kept upward when the club is horizontal. I.e. towards the tip of the gripping member during gripping and substantially aligned. The thumb and other fingers of one hand are directed to be placed on two respective side portions. That is, the thumb on one side and the other finger on the other side are substantially aligned and arranged in the same side and direction together with the thumb and wrist joint of the same hand as shown in FIG. The specific dimensions of the grip further assist in reducing the rotational movement of the user's palm relative to the longitudinal axis of the grip. This holding posture allowed by the particular configuration of the grip of the present invention substantially reduces or reduces joint mobility in the user's hand and arm during a putting and / or swinging motion or series of motions during golf play. Restrict. Limiting joint movement is particularly beneficial for players who experience involuntary movements in the hands and / or arms, such as those who suffer from Yip.

  This description explains the principles of the invention. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will appreciate that although not explicitly described or illustrated herein, various configurations can be devised that embody the principles of the invention and fall within its spirit and scope. Let's go.

  Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects and embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both their structural and functional equivalents. Furthermore, such equivalents are intended to include both currently known equivalents as well as future developed equivalents, ie, any developed element that performs the same function regardless of structure.

  Although the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, it is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive and only exemplary embodiments are shown. And is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. It will be understood that any of the features described herein can be used with any embodiment. The exemplary embodiments are not mutually exclusive, nor are they exclusive forms of other embodiments not described herein. Accordingly, the present invention also provides embodiments that include a combination of one or more of the exemplary embodiments described above. Modifications and variations of the invention described herein may be made without departing from its spirit and scope, and therefore, such limitations should be imposed as indicated by the appended claims. It is.

  In the claims hereof any element expressed as a means for performing a particular function is intended to encompass any way of performing that function. The invention defined by such claims resides in the fact that the functions provided by the various recited means are combined and grouped in the manner required by the claims. It is thus regarded that any means that can provide those functionalities are equivalent to those shown herein.

  Unless the context requires for an explicit language or a required meaning, in the following claims and in the preceding description of the invention, the terms “include” or “include” or “include” Variations are used in an exhaustive sense, ie identify the presence of the described feature, but do not exclude the presence or addition of additional features in various embodiments of the invention.

Claims (29)

A grip member,
A base portion extending longitudinally along a portion of the gripping member and adapted to engage one or more palms when held by one or more hands of the user, and at least two extending from the base portion Including the grip member having two side portions;
The at least two side portions are configured so that each of the user's hands or one or more fingers thereof is the at least two when the base portion is engaged by the one or more palms of the user during holding. A golf club grip that is guided relative to each other so as to be placed on inclined sides, thereby reducing or limiting joint mobility in the user's hand and arm.   The grip of claim 1, wherein the at least two side portions define an acute angle therebetween.   The grip of claim 2, wherein the acute angle ranges from about 20 degrees to about 80 degrees.   The grip according to claim 1, wherein the at least two side portions intersect with the base portion at a tip end of the grip member.   The grip of claim 1, wherein the base is about 1.0 inches to about 1.5 inches wide.   The grip according to claim 1, wherein the base portion includes a curved surface.   The grip of claim 6, wherein the curved surface includes a substantially semi-cylindrical surface having a radius of curvature of about 0.5 inches to about 0.75 inches.   The at least two side portions are inclined side portions to which one or more finger pads of each hand of the user face each other when one or more palms of the user engage with the base portion during holding. The grip of claim 1, extending a sufficient distance from the base so that it can engage with the base.   When the base portion is engaged by one or more palms of the user while the base portion is held, one or more thumb ridges of each of the user's hands may be located at each wrist joint. The grip according to claim 1, which is arranged so that the side portions can be engaged with each other.   The grip of claim 1, wherein the at least two side portions are substantially flat.   The at least two side portions are inclined with respect to a central vertical surface of the grip member, the grip member being about 1.2 inches to about 1.75 inches high along the central vertical surface. Item 2. The grip according to Item 1.   The grip of claim 1, wherein the grip member includes a substantially constant cross-section along its length.   The grip according to claim 1, wherein the grip member is configured substantially symmetrically along a central plane in a longitudinal direction.   The grip of claim 1, wherein the grip member is formed from one or more anti-slip materials and / or comprises one or more anti-slip patterns.   The grip of claim 1, wherein the grip member is at least about 14 inches long.   The grip of claim 1, further comprising a shaft receiving portion adapted to receive a shaft of a golf club.   The grip of claim 16, wherein the shaft housing includes a hole extending longitudinally and at least partially along the grip.   The grip according to claim 17, wherein the hole is arranged off the center from at least one of a central vertical plane and a central horizontal plane of the grip.   The grip of claim 18, further comprising an elongated body including the shaft receiving portion and the grip member.   The grip according to claim 19, wherein the elongated body, the shaft accommodating portion, and the grip member are integrally formed.   The grip according to claim 1, wherein the grip member is disposed so as to extend in a direction substantially parallel to an axis of a shaft of the golf club.   The grip of claim 1, wherein the grip has a weight of about 100 grams or less.   The grip of claim 1, further comprising a counterweight located at a distal end of the golf club head.   A golf club comprising the grip according to any one of the preceding claims.   25. The golf club according to claim 24, wherein the grip is formed integrally with a shaft of the golf club.   25. The golf club according to claim 24, wherein the grip member is formed integrally with the grip and a shaft of the golf club.   25. The golf club according to claim 24, wherein the base portion of the grip member of the grip is located behind the grip with respect to an extending direction of a ball striking surface of a head of the golf club.   25. The golf club according to claim 24, wherein the base portion includes a curved surface having a central axis substantially parallel to an axis in a longitudinal direction of the shaft of the golf club. Providing a grip body,
A grip member,
A base portion extending longitudinally along a portion of the gripping member and adapted to engage one or more palms when held by one or more hands of the user, and at least two extending from the base portion Providing the grip member having two side portions,
The at least two side portions are configured so that each of the user's hands or one or more fingers thereof is the at least two when the base portion is engaged by the one or more palms of the user during holding. A method of manufacturing a grip for a golf club that is guided relative to each other so as to be placed on an inclined side, thereby reducing or limiting joint mobility in the user's hand and arm.

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