JPH11114115A - Golf grip for shaft having handle end tapered or increased in size - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a flexible molded golf grip and a attaching method of the grip to the tapered handle part of a golf shaft. SOLUTION: A grip 20 has two differently sized open ends 22 and a tapered inner passage extending between the two open ends, the tapered inner passage allowing the grip 20 to be placed on a shaft by inserting the smaller end of the shaft into the larger open end of the grip 20 and sliding the shaft an into a position where the grip 20 is automatically placed over the handle part abutting to the at-hand end of the shaft. The work of attaching the grip 20 to the handle part is complete by fitting the grip snugly into the at-hand end of the shaft 20, and mounting an end cap 30 made of an elastomer which becomes coplanar with the outer surface of the grip 20.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to golf grips applied to golf shafts having a non-conventional hand end configuration, and more particularly to a tapered or standard straight golf club. The present invention relates to a golf grip larger than a conventional hand end structure which cannot accommodate a grip having an inner diameter.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, there has been a strong demand for manufacturing lightweight shafts for golf clubs using various materials such as graphite, aluminum, and metal matrix composites. To produce a very lightweight golf shaft, shaft designers had to consider the best form of the shaft that would provide lighter weight and enhanced structural integrity. One common means of accomplishing this is to increase the handle or proximal end cross section of the shaft beyond conventional cylindrical shapes and dimensions. While the invention is particularly concerned with applying the grip to a uniformly tapered profile shaft proximal end, the teachings of the invention teach a stepped taper, a convexly bent taper, and a concavely bent (trumpet-like). And other non-conventional handles or proximal end cross-sectional shapes, including, but not limited to, tapers. The concept of a large hand end structure applies to all types of golf shafts, including wood shafts, iron shafts, and putter shafts.

[0003]

To accommodate the new proximal end structure, golf club manufacturers have been forced to use wrap-on grips. While grips of this type are very lightweight, weighing about 6-10 grams, the durability of these grips is less than desirable. More importantly, mounting the wrap-on grip is cumbersome and very costly for golf club manufacturers.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A widely improved type of grip, made of a flexible, preferably elastomeric material, satisfies both minimum weight requirements and rapid, low cost assembly means. I found what I could do. The improved grip is preferably a one-piece injection molded grip having a through passage and two open ends, rather than having a single open end as in most conventional grips. One of the open ends of the grip has an inner diameter greater than the inner diameter of the other open end of the grip, and the internal passageway of the grip gradually increases along the length of the grip from the smaller open end to the larger open end. Sliding the grip onto the shaft from the larger end, as is conventional when incorporating the grip on a shaft with a cylindrical proximal end rather than a tapered or oversized proximal end or handle end By sliding the grip from the smaller end of the shaft onto the shaft instead of making it, the grip can be integrated into the tapered or larger hand end or handle of the shaft. I have. Before sliding the grip into the final setting area, by conventional means such as a double-sided adhesive tape wetted with a solvent applied to the hand, or before sliding the grip into the final setting area,
By applying permanent curing adhesive to the hand part,
I can attach a grip well. Finally, an end cap, preferably made of the same material as the grip, can be inserted into the proximal end of the shaft and secured using a fast setting permanent adhesive, thus completing the assembly.

[0005]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other features of the present invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG.

[0006] It should be noted that in the drawings, the same reference numerals are used to denote the same parts throughout the drawings.

A typical golf grip of the prior art has a cylindrical internal passage that houses a parallel, straight (cylindrical) proximal end shaft. The grip of the present invention is designed for a golf club shaft having a tapered proximal end, rather than a cylindrical proximal end. The outer or surface profile of the grip has a slightly larger proximal end than the conventional grip and has a tapered shape that comfortably fits the golfer's palm like a conventional grip.
FIG. 1 shows a tapered intermediate section 12 and a tapered intermediate section 1.
Tapered hand portion 1 having a different taper rate from 2
4 shows a tapered golf shaft with a 4 and a straight parallel tip 10. As shown in FIG.
The shaft has a parallel tip 10 which may instead be a tapered continuation of the intermediate section 12.

The tapered hand portion 14 (enlarged compared to a conventional cylindrical hand portion) precludes the use of a standard golf grip having a parallel inside diameter. Typically, the shaft handle or wrist 14 has about 1.
00 inches in diameter and about 0.625 inches in diameter at the lower end of the portion 14 about 9-11 inches below the shaft. Obviously, a standard grip having a cylindrical shaft receiving passage cannot be attached to the tapered or expanded wrist of the golf shaft. Because the standard grip cannot extend over the largest part of the shaft, it cannot fit snugly at the bottom of the grip, and the standard grip has one opening that prevents it from slipping from the tip into the shaft. Because it only has an edge.

A presently preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG.
As shown, a cylindrical tapered, flexible and, preferably, slightly stretchable or elastomeric grip 20 is provided. Since the grip is designed to fit in place on the shaft by a supplementary outer shaft structure and the internal structure of the through passage of the grip, stretchability of the grip is not absolutely necessary. The grip 20 preferably comprises a one-piece member manufactured using a typical injection molding process from various known synthetic materials, such as a rubber compound or a silicon-based compound, and attached to the shaft. To form a single seamless sleeve, which is then attached to the golf shaft. However, the grip according to the invention need not be a single molded part. Alternatively, the grip may consist of a flat workpiece that is rolled and seamed, as long as the required outline structure described below is provided. The sleeve has a non-cylindrical internal passage sized to fit snugly over the proximal or handle end of the tapered proximal end shaft to which the grip is attached. The cooperating structure of the shaft handle and the internal passage of the grip prevents the grip from slipping over the shaft from the tip beyond a predetermined position on the handle portion of the shaft. Thus, the gripping material is preferably only slightly elastic. The preferred embodiment of the grip is designed for a constant tapered handle or proximal end of a golf shaft having a circular cross section. However, the handle portion of the shaft covered by the grip has the largest cross-sectional dimension at or near the proximal end of the shaft, and the cross-section covered by the grip has a larger cross-section at or near the proximal end of the shaft. As long as there is no surface, the grip according to the present invention may be configured for golf shafts having a non-circular cross section and golf club shafts that do not have a constant or straight taper in the handle portion. For a shaft proximal portion 14 having a constant taper, preferably the wall thickness of the grip 20 will be constant along the substantial length of the grip portion.

To mount the grip on the shaft, first, the shaft hand portion 14 is attached to the shaft of the hand portion 14 by attaching a double-sided tape to the shaft and moistened with a solvent (mineral spirit); or 2) the grip is settled. A liquid adhesive is applied to the hand portion 14 of the shaft to be formed. Next, the tip of the shaft is connected to the two open ends 22 of the grip 20.
Into the larger one. Next, the grip is slid into the shaft until the grip touches the end 42 of the shaft and covers the portion where the adhesive (or double-sided tape) 48 is applied.

Next, a molded end cap 30 having a cavity 36 is attached to the end of the grip and the end 42 of the shaft to reduce weight, and the proximal end of the shaft is closed, as is conventional. The installation of the grip is then completed by wrapping tape around the lower end 46 of the grip or by using a shaft collar at 46 to secure the end of the grip.

Preferably, the cap is made of the same material as the grip 20 (Creton Thermo Plastic Rubber).
(Creaton Thermo Plastic Rubber)). This is because this material is known to enhance the feel of the golf club by reducing the amount of vibration transmitted to the golfer's hand, as compared to conventional thin wrap-on grips. Further, the end cap made of an elastomer is more durable than the end cap made of a plastic, and does not damage other golf clubs when a club is inserted into or removed from a golf bag.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a reduced scale view of a golf shaft having a tapered proximal portion, a tapered intermediate portion, and a parallel (cylindrical) tip portion.

FIG. 2 is a reduced scale view of a golf shaft having a tapered proximal portion and a secondary tapered portion extending down to the tip of the shaft.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a tubular grip having two open ends.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of an end cap.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a golf shaft and a grip mounted thereon.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference numeral 10: parallel tip, 12: tapered intermediate portion, 14: hand portion, 20: grip, 22: open end, 30: molded end cap, 36: hollow, 42: end of shaft, 46: lower end of grip, 48 ... adhesive

Claims (20)

[Claims] 1. A golf club grip for a non-cylindrical handle portion of a golf club shaft, wherein the shaft has a maximum cross-sectional dimension at or near a proximal end of the shaft, wherein the grip has a second grip therein. Extending between a first end having a maximum cross-sectional dimension of one and a shaft receiving proximal end having a second maximum cross-sectional dimension;
An elongate body of flexible gripping material having a shaft receiving passage, wherein the first largest dimension is less than the second largest dimension, and wherein the passage is a largest cross-sectional dimension from the first end to the proximal end. The golf club grip characterized by gradually increasing. 2. The golf grip according to claim 1, wherein the passage has a circular cross section. 3. The golf grip of claim 2, wherein the diameter of the passage increases progressively from the first end toward the proximal end. 4. The golf grip according to claim 3, wherein the passage has a constant taper from the first end to the proximal end. 5. The golf grip according to claim 4, wherein said body has a constant wall thickness along a substantial length of a gripping region. 6. The golf grip according to claim 5, wherein said grip body is formed of an elastomeric material. 7. The golf grip of claim 1, wherein said first maximum dimension is about 0.625 inches and said second maximum dimension is about 1.00 inches. 8. The golf grip according to claim 3, wherein said grip is a molded seamless member. 9. A golf club shaft having a non-cylindrical handle portion and a grip attached to the handle portion of the shaft, the grip having a first maximum cross-sectional dimension therein. And an elongate body of flexible gripping material having a shaft receiving passage extending between the end of the shaft and a shaft receiving proximal end having a second maximum cross-sectional dimension, wherein the first maximum dimension is the second maximum cross-sectional dimension. Being smaller than the largest dimension of the passage, the passage has a gradually increasing maximum cross-sectional dimension from the first end toward the proximal end, the shaft handle portion is snugly received within the passage, and the shaft is A golf club shaft and a grip having a hand end close to the hand end. 10. The golf shaft and grip of claim 9, wherein said shaft and said passage each have a circular cross section. 11. The golf of claim 10, wherein the diameter of the shaft and the passage of the handle portion progressively increases from the first end of the grip toward the shaft and the proximal end of the grip. Shaft and grip. 12. The handle of claim 11, wherein the shaft and the passage of the handle portion each have a constant taper from the first end of the grip toward the shaft and the proximal end of the grip. Golf shafts and grips. 13. The golf shaft and grip of claim 12, wherein said grip body has a constant wall thickness along a substantial length of a gripping area. 14. The golf shaft and grip of claim 13, wherein said grip body is formed of an elastomeric material. 15. The golf shaft and grip of claim 11, wherein the first maximum dimension is about 0.625 inches and the second maximum dimension is about 1.00 inches. 16. The golf shaft and grip of claim 15, further comprising a cap attached to said shaft for closing said opening in said grip at said proximal end. 17. The golf shaft and grip of claim 16, wherein said cap is formed of an elastomeric material. 18. A method of manufacturing a shaft and grip combination for an exercise equipment, comprising providing a shaft having a first end and a second end, wherein the shaft is higher than the first end. The second
Providing a grip having a larger perimeter at an end thereof and being adapted to be secured on the shaft adjacent the second end;
The grip has a first end and a second end, wherein the grip defines, from the first end to the second end, an internal opening having an inner periphery defining an internal hollow passage; The inner hollow passage formed by the inner opening has a larger circumference at the second end than at the first end; and the inner end has a larger circumference from the first end toward the second end. Sliding the grip onto a shaft, wherein the structure of the internal hollow passage cooperates with the structure of the shaft to provide mechanical interference between the shaft and the grip, whereby the grip is mounted on the shaft. Preventing slipping beyond a predetermined position of the grip. 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising first applying an adhesive to an area of the shaft covered by the grip. 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising: providing a cap configured to close the internal hollow passage at the second end; and closing the internal hollow passage with the cap. Method.