US20210154546A1

US20210154546A1 - Grips for a Handle on a Hockey Stick

Info

Publication number: US20210154546A1
Application number: US16/789,211
Authority: US
Inventors: Joseph M. Sliepka
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-11-25
Filing date: 2020-02-12
Publication date: 2021-05-27
Also published as: CA3075127A1

Abstract

Provided herein are grip devices, grip members and a set of grip devices for the handle of a hockey stick. The grips generally are a hollow member with a substantially cuboidal body adapted to receive the handle therein. The devices have an outer surface and a bore defining a cuboidal inner surface therein with proximal and distal open ends. A slit is formed into the bore between the open ends through which the handle is securely and removably received. The outer diameter of the grip is uniform along the length. The grip may have a stop member formed within the bore.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of sports and sports equipment. Specifically, the present invention relates to a grip for handled sports equipment, for example, a baseball bat, a golf club and a hockey stick, that facilitates strength development through the natural movements of the sport.

Description of the Related Art

Exercise grips for strength training of the hands and muscles in the arms are known in the art. For example, one can exercise and strengthen the hands with a compressible hand-grip strengthener, or spring-loaded compressible grips designed for a weightlifting bar to improve stability in the grip and strengthen the grip during a weightlifting session or designed to be placed on the handles of sports equipment during practice or training sessions. However, particularly, training for a sport that requires swinging handled equipment requires a high level of awareness or concentration in their use, including proper grip, stance, movement of the equipment and safety when in use, to develop one's strength and overall skill via the correct repetition of an action or activity. The requirement of having to physically compress the grip in order to secure it to the handle or weightlifting bar focuses the concentration of the user onto compressing the grip and not to the actual motion the user is trying to replicate during a practice or training session and creates an added step or requirement for the grip to be functional. This is neither practical nor, more importantly, effective in developing strength during the normal repetition of an activity in a training exercise as it does not permit replication of the actual activity as normally required.
Such a situation can occur when using a spring-actuated jawed or sleeve-like grip designed to encircle the handle on sports equipment designed to be swung. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,128,542 B2 and U.S. Publication No. 2010/0197470 A1 both disclose an exercise grip device that is a tube-like member with a lengthwise opening and a spring preformed to an open relaxed position. The exercise grip device is designed for use with a single hand and when placed around the handle, a user must compress and maintain compression in the closed position to keep the handle in place to strengthen the hand and arm. To exercise the other hand, a user must reposition the grip device so that the hand naturally grips it when properly placed on the handle.
Therefore, the prior art is deficient in a grip device for handled sports equipment that improve and strengthen the grip thereon. Particularly, the art is deficient in a grip that strengthens the grip of both hands simultaneously and strengthens the fingers, wrists, forearm, and upper arm muscles when the grip is placed on the handle without the necessity of constantly squeezing the grip beyond its relaxed configuration while swinging or otherwise moving the equipment. The present invention fulfills this longstanding need and desire in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a grip device for a shaft on a hockey stick. The grip device comprises a hollow member with a substantially cuboidal body, a proximal open end and a distal open end. The hollow member comprises an outer surface, a bore that defines a cuboidal inner surface therein and a length extending between the proximal open end and the distal open end and a slit disposed through the outer surface to the bore along the length of the hollow member. The outer surface and the inner surface each have a uniform perimeter along the length of the hollow member from the proximal open end to the distal open end to securely and removably receive the shaft of the hockey stick therein.
The present invention is directed to a related grip device further comprising a plurality of nub-like protuberances disposed on the cuboidal inner surface of the bore adapted to grip the shaft of the hockey stick when placed thereon. The present invention is directed to another related device further comprising a texture formed on the outer surface of the hollow member.
The present invention also is directed to a grip device for a stick handle on a hockey stick. The grip member comprises a hollow member with a substantially cuboidal body, a proximal open end and a distal open end. The hollow member comprises an outer surface with a uniform perimeter along a length of the hollow member from the proximal open end to the distal open end and a bore that defines a cuboidal inner surface therein and comprises a stop member with an opening therethrough that is formed from the inner surface that defines a pocket within the bore nearer to the proximal open end and a length extending between the proximal open end and the distal open end equal to the length along the outer surface of the hollow member. A slit is disposed through to the bore along the length of the hollow member to securely and removably receive the stick handle of the hockey stick therein.
The present invention is directed to a related grip device further comprising a plurality of nub-like protuberances disposed on the cuboidal inner surface distal to the pocket adapted to grip the stick handle when placed thereon. The present invention is directed to another related device further comprising a texture formed on the outer surface of the hollow member.
The present invention is directed further to a set of grip devices for a hockey stick. The set comprises a first grip member and a second grip member each comprising a substantially cuboidal hollow body with an outer surface and having a length extending between a proximal open end and a distal open end thereon and having a uniform perimeter along the length thereof and a bore that defines a cuboidal inner surface therein with a length extending between the proximal open end and the distal open end equal to the length extending along the outer surface. A slit is disposed through the outer surface to the bore along the length of the hollow body. The second grip member further comprises a stop member with an opening therethrough that is formed from the cuboidal inner surface and defines a pocket within the bore.
The present invention is directed to a related grip device further comprising a plurality of nub-like protuberances disposed on the cuboidal inner surface of the first grip member adapted to grip the shaft of the hockey stick when placed thereon. The present invention is directed to a related grip device further comprising a plurality of nub-like protuberances disposed on the cuboidal inner surface of the second grip member distal to the pocket adapted to grip the stick handle of the hockey stick when placed thereon. The present invention is directed to yet another related device further comprising a texture independently formed on the outer surface of the first grip member and the outer surface of the second grip member.
Other and further aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention given for the purpose of disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the matter in which the above-recited features, advantages and objects of the invention, as well as others that will become clear, are attained and can be understood in detail, more particular descriptions of the invention briefly summarized above may be had by reference to certain embodiments thereof that are illustrated in the appended drawings. These drawings form a part of the specification. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and therefore are not to be considered limiting in their scope.

FIGS. 1A-1C show a front view (FIG. 1A), a back view (FIG. 1B) and a perspective view (FIG. 1C) of a grip device for a handle on a baseball bat.

FIGS. 2A-2C show FIGS. 1A-1C, respectively, with a textured pattern formed on the outer surface.

FIGS. 3A-3D are cross-sections of FIG. 1A showing alternate configurations (FIGS. 3A-3B) of the bore and alternate configurations of the open ends (FIGS. 3C-3D) of the grip device.

FIG. 4 illustrates how the grip device is positioned on the handle of the baseball bat.

FIGS. 5A-5F show different views of a handle grip for a golf club and the textured pattern formed on the outer surface (FIGS. 5A-5C) and a cross-section showing the configuration of the bore (FIG. 5D) and alternate configurations of the open ends (FIGS. 5E-5F) of the handle grip.

FIGS. 6A-6E are different views of a first grip device for the shaft of hockey stick showing a perspective view (FIG. 6A), proximal and distal open ends (FIG. 6A-6B), the textured pattern formed on the top and bottom surfaces (FIGS. 6A, 6C), a cross-section showing the slit enabling the first grip device to flex open (FIG. 6D), and a cross-section illustrating the smooth inner surface (FIG. 6E).

FIGS. 6F-6J show different views of a second grip device for the stick handle and knob on a hockey stick showing a perspective view of the grip with stop member and pocket (FIG. 6F), proximal and distal open ends (FIG. 6G-6H), a cross-section showing the first slit enabling the second grip device to flex open (FIG. 6I), and a cross-section illustrating the location of the pocket in the bore (FIG. 6J).

FIGS. 6K-6M are different views of the second grip member illustrating the disposition of a plurality of nub-like protuberances on the cuboidal inner surface.

FIGS. 6N-6O illustrate how the first grip device and the second grip device are positioned on the shaft and on the stick handle and knob of a hockey stick.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As used herein in the specification, “a” or “an” may mean one or more. As used herein in the claim(s), when used in conjunction with the word “comprising”, the words “a” or “an” may mean one or more than one.
As used herein, the articles “a” and “an” when used in conjunction with the term “comprising” in the claims and/or the specification, may refer to “one”, but it is also consistent with the meaning of “one or more”, “at least one”, and “one or more than one”. Some embodiments of the invention may consist of or consist essentially of one or more elements, components, method steps, and/or methods of the invention.
As used herein, the term “or” in the claims refers to “and/or” unless explicitly indicated to refer to alternatives only or the alternatives are mutually exclusive, although the disclosure supports a definition that refers to only alternatives and “and/or”.
As used herein, terms “comprise” and “comprising” are used in the inclusive, open sense, meaning that additional elements may be included.
As used herein, term “including” is used herein to mean “including, but not limited to”. “Including” and “including but not limited to” are used interchangeably.
As used herein, the term “about” refers to a numeric value, including, for example, whole numbers, fractions, and percentages, whether or not explicitly indicated. The term “about” generally refers to a range of numerical values (e.g., ±5-10% of the recited value) that one of ordinary skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited value (e.g., having the same function or result). In some instances, the term “about” may include numerical values that are rounded to the nearest significant figure. In a non-limiting example, when referring to the bore of the grip device or handle grip for a baseball bat, a diameter of 0.82 inches or 26/32 inches or 0.91 inches or 29/32 inches or 0.97 inches or 31/32 is within the scope of about 0.80 inches to about 1 inch as is 0.75 inches or 24/32 inches. When referring to the length of the grip device or handle grip, a length of 8.67 inches is within the scope of a length of about 8.5 inches for a baseball bat grip. In other non-limiting examples, when referring to the grip device for a hockey stick, a length of 4.1 inches or 7.43 inches is within the scope of about 4.5 inches to about 6.75 inches and, when referring to the proximal open end of the grip device, a diameter of 1.1 inches or 2.8, as rounded, is within the scope of 1.2 inches to about 2.6 inches.
As used herein, the terms “grip device”, “handle grip”, “grip member, and “device” are used interchangeably and refer to a device or object, for example, but not limited to, a hollow member placed on, around, or over a handle on sports equipment.
As used herein, the term “sports equipment” refers to handled equipment, for example, but not limited to, a baseball bat, a golf club, a hockey stick, or a tennis racquet.
As used herein, the terms “proximal” and “distal” in reference to the grip devices, grip members and handle grips disclosed herein refer to those components, features, parts and aspects thereof that are nearer or nearest to or farther or farthest from the parts or portions of the sports equipment that are hand held, respectively.
As used herein, the terms “front” and “back” in reference to the grip device, grip member and handle grip disclosed herein refer to the part, portion or side thereof comprising the slit through which the handle on the sports equipment is inserted and the part, portion or side opposite the front, respectively.
As used herein, the term “nub-like protuberances” refers to a plurality of small rounded knobs formed on the inner surface, as defined by the bore, of the grip device, grip member and handle grip. Each of the nub-like protuberances when in contact with the handle on sports equipment maintain the position of the grip device, grip member and handle grip via friction or a gripping force.
As used herein, the term “cuboidal” refers to a solid or rectangular prism that has six rectangular faces at substantially right angles to each other.
In one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a grip device for a handle on sports equipment, comprising a hollow member with a substantially cylindrical body having an outer surface and a bore that defines an inner surface therein, a proximal open end and a distal open end, where the outer surface comprises a slit therethrough to the bore disposed lengthwise from the open proximal end to the open distal end, where the bore is sized and shaped to securely and removably receive the handle on the sports equipment.
Further to this embodiment the grip device comprises a plurality of nub-like protuberances disposed on the inner surface adapted to grip the handle when placed thereon. In another further embodiment, the grip device comprises a texture formed on the outer surface of the hollow member.
In all embodiments the sports equipment is a baseball bat. Also, the bore may have a uniform diameter from the proximal open end to the distal open end. Particularly, the uniform diameter is about 0.80 inches to about 1 inch. Also, the bore may comprise a proximal portion and a distal portion formed therefrom such that a diameter of the bore at the proximal open end is greater than the diameter of the distal portion of the bore, where the diameter at the proximal open end tapers to equal the diameter of the distal portion. Particularly, the diameter at the proximal open end of the bore may be greater than 1 inch to about 1.5 inches and the diameter of the distal portion of the bore may be about 0.80 inches to about 1 inch. In addition the proximal open end and the distal open end of the hollow member each may be substantially flat across an outer surface thereof. Furthermore either the proximal open end or the distal open end, each at an outer surface thereof, may be beveled inwardly to the bore.
Also in all embodiments, the hollow member may have a length and an outer diameter sufficient to accommodate both hands of a user gripped thereon when the grip device is placed on the handle of the sports equipment. Particularly, the length is about 8.5 inches and the outer diameter is about 1.5 inches to about 2.5 inches. In addition the hollow member is designed to conform to a shape of the handle on the sports equipment in a non-slipping relationship when the handle is received therein.
In another embodiment of the present invention there is provided a handle grip for a baseball bat, comprising a tubular sleeve having a proximal open end and a distal open end each with an outer diameter, a textured outer surface and a bore defining an inner surface from the proximal open end to the distal open end and with a plurality of nub-like protuberances disposed on the inner surface, where the bore has a uniform diameter from the proximal open end to the distal open end less than the outer diameter, where the tubular sleeve has a slit disposed lengthwise from the proximal open end to the distal open end through to the bore.
In this embodiment the outer diameter may be about 2.5 inches and the uniform diameter along the bore may be about 0.80 inches to about 1 inch. Also the tubular sleeve may have a length and an outer diameter sufficient to accommodate simultaneously both hands of a user gripped thereon when the tubular sleeve is placed on the handle of the baseball bat. Particularly, the length is about 8.5 inches and the outer diameter is about 1.5 inches to about 2.5 inches. In addition, the proximal open end and the distal open end of the tubular sleeve each may be substantially flat across an outer surface thereof. Furthermore, either the proximal open end or the distal open end, each at an outer surface thereof, may be beveled inwardly to the bore.
Also in this embodiment the tubular member is designed to conform to a shape of the handle on the baseball bat in a non-slipping relationship when the handle is received therein. In addition, the plurality of nub-like protuberances disposed on the inner surface engage the handle of the baseball bat in a gripping relationship when the tubular sleeve is placed thereon.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention there is provided a handle grip for a baseball bat, comprising a tubular sleeve having a proximal portion with a proximal open end and a distal portion with a distal open end formed therefrom, a textured outer surface and a bore defining an inner surface from the proximal open end to the distal open end and with a plurality of nub-like protuberances disposed on the inner surface, where the bore has a diameter at the proximal open end that is greater than a diameter of the bore along the distal portion, where the diameter at the proximal open end tapers to equal the diameter along the distal portion, where the tubular sleeve has a slit disposed lengthwise from the open proximal end to the open distal end through to the bore.
In this embodiment the distal open end is substantially flat across an outer surface thereof or the distal open end at the outer surface is beveled inwardly to the bore. Particularly, the diameter of the bore at the proximal open end is greater than 1 inch to about 1.5 inches and the diameter of the distal portion of the bore is about 0.80 inches to about 1 inch. Also, the tubular sleeve may have a length and an outer diameter sufficient to accommodate simultaneously both hands of a user gripped thereon when the tubular sleeve is placed on the handle of the sports equipment. Particularly, the length is about 8.5 inches and the outer diameter is about 1.5 inches to about 2.5 inches. In addition, the tubular sleeve is designed to conform to a shape of the handle on the baseball bat in a non-slipping relationship when the handle is received therein. Furthermore, the plurality of nub-like protuberances disposed on the inner surface engage the handle of the baseball bat in a gripping relationship when the tubular sleeve is placed thereon.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention there is provided a grip device for a shaft of a hockey stick, comprising a hollow member with a substantially cuboidal body, a proximal open end and a distal open end, comprising an outer surface; a bore that defines a cuboidal inner surface therein and a length extending between the proximal open end and the distal open end; and a slit disposed through the outer surface to the bore along the length of the hollow member; the outer surface and said cuboidal inner surface each having a uniform perimeter along the length of the hollow member from the proximal open end to the distal open end to securely and removably receive the shaft of the hockey stick therein.
Further to this embodiment the grip device comprises a plurality of nub-like protuberances disposed on the cuboidal inner surface of the bore adapted to grip the shaft of the hockey stick when placed thereon. In another further embodiment a texture formed on the outer surface of the hollow member.
In all embodiments the cuboidal inner surface may be smooth. Also in all embodiments the hollow member has a length sufficient to accommodate one hand of a user gripped thereon when the grip device is placed on the shaft of hockey stick. Particularly, the length may be about 4 inches to about 6 inches. Also in all embodiments the proximal open end may have an outer diameter of about 1.2 inches to about 2.6 inches and may have an inner diameter across the bore of about 0.65 inches to about 1.4 inches. In addition the hollow member is designed to conform to a shape of the shaft of the hockey stick in a non-slipping relationship when the shaft is received therein.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention there is provided a grip device for a stick handle on a hockey stick, comprising a hollow member with a substantially cuboidal body, a proximal open end and a distal open end, comprising an outer surface with a uniform perimeter along a length of the hollow member from the proximal open end to the distal open end; a bore that defines a cuboidal inner surface therein and comprises a stop member with an opening therethrough that is formed from the cuboidal inner surface that defines a pocket within the bore nearer to the proximal open end and a length extending between the proximal open end and the distal open end equal to the length along the outer surface of the hollow member; and a slit disposed through to the bore along the length of the hollow member to securely and removably receive the stick handle of the hockey stick therein.
Further to this embodiment the grip device comprises a plurality of nub-like protuberances disposed on the cuboidal inner surface distal to the pocket adapted to grip the stick handle when placed thereon. In another further embodiment the grip device comprises a texture formed on the outer surface of the hollow member.
In all embodiments the cuboidal inner surface may be smooth. Also in all embodiments the hollow member may have a length about 4.5 inches to about 6.75 inches to accommodate one hand of a user gripped thereon when the grip device is placed on the stick handle of the hockey stick. Also in all embodiments the proximal open end and the distal open end may have equal outer diameters of about 1.2 inches to about 2.6 inches. In addition the proximal open end and the distal open end independently may have an inner diameter across the bore of about 0.65 inches to about 1.75 inches, the inner diameter of the proximal open end at least equal to the inner diameter of the distal open end. Furthermore the hollow member is designed to conform to a shape of the stick handle in a non-slipping relationship such that a knob on the stick handle of the hockey stick is disposed within the pocket when the stick handle is received therein.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention there is provided a set of grip devices for a hockey stick, comprising a first grip member and a second grip member each comprising a substantially cuboidal hollow body with an outer surface and having a length extending between a proximal open end and a distal open end thereon and having a uniform perimeter along the length thereof, a bore that defines a cuboidal inner surface therein with a length extending between the proximal open end and the distal open end equal to the length extending along the outer surface, and a slit disposed through the outer surface to the bore along the length of the hollow body; the second grip member further comprising a stop member with an opening therethrough that is formed from the cuboidal inner surface and defines a pocket within the bore.
Further to this embodiment the set of grip devices comprises a plurality of nub-like protuberances disposed on the cuboidal inner surface of the first grip member adapted to grip a shaft of the hockey stick when placed thereon. In another further embodiment the set of grip devices comprises a plurality of nub-like protuberances disposed on the cuboidal inner surface of the second grip member distal to the pocket adapted to grip the stick handle of the hockey stick when placed thereon. In yet another further embodiment the set of grip devices comprises a texture independently formed on the outer surface of the first grip member and the outer surface of the second grip member.
In all embodiments the cuboidal inner surface may be smooth. Also in all embodiments the stop member may be formed from the inner surface within the bore of the second grip member nearer to the proximal open end. In addition the proximal open end of both the first grip member and the second grip member may have an outer diameter of about 1.2 inches to about 2.6 inches, the proximal open end of the first grip member may have an inner diameter across the bore of about 0.65 inches to about 1.4 inches and the proximal open end of the second grip member may have an inner diameter across the bore of about 0.65 inches to about 1.75 inches. Furthermore the first grip member and the second grip member each may have a length sufficient to accommodate one hand of a user gripped thereon when the first grip member and the second grip member may be independently placed on the hockey stick handle. Particularly, the length of the first grip member may be about 4 inches to about 6 inches and the length of the second grip member may be about 4.5 inches to about 6.75 inches.
Also in all embodiments the first grip member and the second grip member may be designed to independently conform to a different portion of the hockey stick, each in a non-slipping relationship when the hockey stick is received therein. Particularly, the first grip member conforms to a portion of the shaft of the hockey stick and the second grip member conforms to a stick handle of the hockey stick such that a knob on a proximal end of the stick handle is disposed within the pocket when the stick handle is received therein.
Provided herein are grips, grip devices, grip members, and handle grips adapted to be placed, affixed, applied or otherwise brought into contact with the handles of sports equipment, for example, but not limited to, those handles for which both hands are required to grip to play the sport or for which both hands may be utilized at some point while playing, for example, a tennis racquet. These grips are form-fitting and constructed or customized to firmly contact and engage the handle with the inner surface of the grip without a user having to apply an additional compressing force or squeezing force to the grip device to maintain its position and/or to obtain the benefit of strengthening the hands, fingers, wrists, forearms, and upper arms. The increase in diameter and, optionally, length of the handle and concomitant increase in weight from the grip device or handle grip along its length requires a user to automatically grip the handle harder with both hands during practice of the sport to develop strength through the natural swing motions of the sport.
The grip devices and handle grips may have a length and outer diameter that, when disposed on or engaged with the handle, is sufficient to accommodate one or both hands in a grip appropriate for holding, swinging or otherwise moving the particular sports equipment required to connect with, for example, a baseball, a golf ball, a tennis ball, or a hockey puck. This is an improvement over and lessens or removes complexity from any grip strengthening device or system which requires separate devices for each hand. Alternatively, the grip devices and handle grips may be customized for a specific pair of hands.
The grips, grip devices and handle grips are designed or customized to conform to the varied and unique shapes of the handles on the sports equipment in a non-slipping relationship when the handle is received therein. This eliminates problems from a “one size fits all” approach. The grips, grip devices and handle grips are made from a material that does not compress when strongly gripped by a user. Such materials are known in the art.
The inner surface of the grip may be smooth. The friction between the entire surface area of the inner surface of the grips and the outer surface of the handle keeps the grip positioned on the handle. Alternatively, the inner surface may be rough, for example, but not limited to, a plurality of nub-like protuberances or nubs are disposed on the inner surface which keep the grip in position via friction. Although each nub has a smaller surface area with which to contact the handle, the evenly distributed nubs over the inner surface provides a plurality of dedicated areas of friction to keep the grip in position. The outer surface of the grip may have a textured pattern formed thereon that provides for a more secure grip for a user. A non-limiting example of a textured pattern or texture is a diamond pattern.
The grips have proximal and distal open ends. The surfaces across one or both of the open ends of the grip may be flat, inwardly beveled or flared depending on the shape of the handle and/or the shape of the proximal end of the handle. For example, a golf club flares toward the grip end of the handle and a baseball bat and a hockey stick have a knob at the handle end.
The grip device or handle grip may be adapted or configured for the handle of a baseball bat. Generally, the grip device may be a hollow member with a substantially cylindrical body or may be a tubular sleeve a bore therein which defines or outlines an inner surface in the device. A slit is formed into the bore and along its length for easier insertion of the handle into the bore. The grip device may flex open along the slit to receive the handle, however, once positioned around the handle, the grip becomes form-fitting, is not compressible and is stabilized on the handle by friction. The grip device or handle grip may comprise a plurality of nub-like protuberances formed on or disposed over the inner surface. The nub-like protuberances increase the friction between the inner surface and the handle.
The device generally has a uniform outer diameter along the length. For example, the outer diameter may be about 1.5 inches to about 2.5 inches, or alternatively, 1.75 inches to 2.2 inches. The bore may a uniform diameter or inner diameter along its length. For example, the bore diameter may be about 0.8 inches to about 1 inch, for example, 0.82 inches or 26/32 inches, 0.91 inches or 29/32 inches or 0.97 inches or 31/32. Alternatively, the bore may comprise a proximal portion and a distal portion. The proximal portion has a larger diameter at the open end that tapers to a diameter equal to a uniform diameter in the distal portion. The larger diameter of the proximal portion is sufficient to accommodate the wider knob of the baseball bat handle. For example, at its widest, the proximal portion may have a diameter of greater than 1 inch to about 1.5 inches and the distal portion may have a uniform diameter of about 1 inch, for example, the 0.82 inches or 26/32 inches, 0.91 inches or 29/32 inches or 0.97 inches or 31/32 described herein.
The grip device or handle grip may be adapted for the handle of a golf club. The device has a structure similar to that adapted for a baseball bat. The handle grip generally may be a hollow member with a cylindrical body or a tubular sleeve each comprising a textured pattern thereon and a bore therein which defines or outlines an inner surface in the device. The handle grip has a length sufficient to accommodate the hands in any of the ways in which a golf club may be held. One end of the handle grip has a diameter greater than the opposite end to accommodate the shape of the grip end of the golf club. The handle grip also may optionally comprise a slit disposed thereon and open to the bore as for the baseball bat handle grip. The handle grip when placed over the golf club grip is form-fitting and is held in place by friction as with the baseball handle grip and comprises a non-compressible material. The outer dimensions, inner dimensions and length of the handle grip are adjustable and/or customizable depending on the size and configuration of the golf club.
The grip member or grip device may be adapted for the shaft of the hockey stick and for the stick handle with the knob of a hockey stick. Since a player's hands are spaced apart when gripping a hockey stick, there are two places on the hockey stick around which a grip member may be placed. A first grip member receives the shaft of the hockey stick at a point distal to the stick handle on the hockey stick where the player would naturally grip the shaft with one hand. A second grip member receives the stick handle and knob on the hockey stick where the player would naturally grip with the other hand. During training the first grip member and the second grip member may be used separately or may be a set used together.
Both the first grip member and the second grip member generally may be a hollow member or hollow body with a substantially cuboidal body or shape with at least the top and bottom surfaces comprising a textured pattern thereon and a bore therein that defines or outlines an inner surface, for example, a cuboidal inner surface. The inner surface or cuboidal inner surface defined by the bore may be smooth or may comprise a plurality of nub-like protuberances disposed thereon. In both of the grips the outer surface of the hollow member each have a uniform perimeter along the entire lengths thereof from the proximal open end to the distal open end. The grips comprise a slit disposed through to the bore along the length of the grip from the proximal open end to the distal open end as for the baseball bat handle grip.
The second grip member has a stop member or stop formed from the inner surface or cuboidal inner surface or disposed within the bore that forms a pocket in the proximal end of the bore. The stop member may be substantially rectangular in shape and has an opening formed therethrough. In the second grip member the slit extends through the outer surface and through the stop member to the bore. The second grip is placed over the stick handle of the hockey stick such that the knob on the stick handle is positioned within the pocket formed by the stop member. This provides additional securement of the second grip member on the hockey stick.
The grips when placed over the shaft on the hockey stick and/or the stick handle and knob are form-fitting and are held in place by friction with or without the nub-like protuberances as with the baseball handle grip and comprise a non-compressible material. Examples of such materials are, but not limited to, silicone, rubber, polyurethane, neoprene, or nitrile, or a combination thereof. The outer dimensions, inner or bore dimensions and the length of the grips are generally sized for one hand, but are adjustable and/or customizable depending on the size and configuration of the hockey stick. For example the hollow member or first grip member may have a length of about 4 inches to about 6 inches or about 100 mm to about 150 mm. The proximal open end may have an outer diameter of about 1.2 inches to about 2.6 inches or about 30 mm to about 65 mm and may have an inner diameter across the bore of about 0.65 inches to about 1.4 inches or about 16 mm to about 35 mm. The second grip member may have a length of about 4.5 inches to about 6.75 inches or about 115 mm to about 170 mm. The proximal open end may have an outer diameter of about 1.2 inches to about 2.6 inches or about 30 mm to about 65 mm and may have an inner diameter across the bore of about 0.65 inches to about 1.75 inches or about 16 mm to about 45 mm. Particularly, embodiments of the present invention are better illustrated with reference to the Figure(s), however, such reference is not meant to limit the present invention in any fashion. The embodiments and variations described in detail herein are to be interpreted by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.
FIG. 1A is front view of the grip device 1. The view is a general depiction of the front surface 2 a of the grip device. The grip device generally comprises an outer surface 2 with an open end 3 a and an open end 3 b. A slit 4 is disposed therethrough to the bore 5 (see FIG. 1C) and extends lengthwise along the front surface from the open end at 2 a to the open end at 2 b.
With continued reference to FIG. 1A, FIG. 1B is back view of the grip device 1. The view is a general depiction of the back surface 2 b of grip device 1. The back of the grip device is a uniform surface disposed oppositely to the front surface between the open end 3 a and the open end 3 b.
With continued reference to FIG. 1A, FIG. 1C is a perspective view of the grip device 1. The view shows open end 3 a opening into one end of the bore 5. The bore defines the inner surface 6 of the grip device and shows some of the plurality of nub-like protuberances or nubs represented by 7 (see FIG. 3A) disposed thereon. The slit 4 is shown extended through to the inner surface of the open end 3 a at 4 a and at 3 b (not shown) such that the slit will flex to receive the handle of a baseball bat therein against the nubs (see FIG. 4).
With continued reference to FIGS. 1A-1C, FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate the pattern of texturing on the grip device 1. FIG. 2A corresponds to the front view shown in FIG. 1A showing the texture 8 formed on the outer surface 2 of the grip device such that area 2 c is not textured and is smooth. FIG. 2B corresponds to the back view shown in FIG. 1B better illustrating the area 2 c. It is contemplated that text may be formed on or disposed on the smooth area. FIG. 2C corresponds to the perspective view of the grip device shown in FIG. 1C illustrating the texture on the outer surface 2 with respect to the area 2 c and the slit 4. The texture as formed well enables a user of the sports equipment to position the palms and fingers of both hands on the textured surface to securely grip the device. The grip device may also be textured over the entirety of the outer surface.
FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the grip device 1 depicted in FIG. 1A. The bore 5 is shown with the plurality of nub-like protruberances represented by 7 disposed on the inner surface 6. The diameter d1 of the bore is uniform from the open end 3 a to the open end 3 b. The outer diameter d2 is uniform across the grip device.
With continued reference to FIG. 3A, FIG. 3B is an alternate cross-sectional view of the grip device 1 depicted in FIG. 1A. The bore 5 comprises a proximal portion 5 a and a distal portion 5B with the plurality of nub-like protruberances represented by 7 disposed on the inner surface 6 across the proximal and distal portions. The diameter d3 across the bore at the open end 3 a at the proximal portion is greater than the diameter d1 across the bore at the open end 3 b at the distal portion. The diameter d3 tapers along the bore until it equals the diameter d1 of the bore along the distal portion. The outer diameter d2 is uniform across the grip device. The greater diameter d3 enables the grip device to flex apart sufficiently to accommodate the knob on the handle of the bat when the handle is inserted into the device along the bore.
FIG. 3C depicts one configuration for the open ends 3 a and/or 3 b on the grip device. The open end 3 a,3 b is beveled at 9 to the bore 5. The plurality of nub-like protuberances 7 are shown on the inner surface defined by the bore and the slit 4 is shown through from the outer surface 2 to the bore.
With continued reference to FIG. 3C, FIG. 3D depicts another configuration for the open ends 3 a and/or 3 b on the grip device. The open end 3 a,3 b is level across 9 from the outer surface 2 to the bore 5.
FIG. 4 illustrates the grip device 1 on the handle of a baseball bat 10. The device is flexed apart along the slit 4 so that the handle 10 a is inserted with the proximal open end 3 a at the knob 10 b. When inserted, the nubs along the inner surface of the bore (see FIGS. 3A and 3B) contact the surface of the handle such that the friction between each of them and the handle keeps the grip device in place without sliding.
FIGS. 5A-5C depict different views of a handle grip for a golf club 15. FIG. 5A is a view of the handle grip showing a tubular sleeve with an outer surface 16 with open ends 17 a,17 b. Open end 17 a has an outer diameter greater than the outer diameter of open end 17 b. An optional slit 18 is disposed through the outer surface to the bore 19 which defines an inner surface 20 (see FIG. 5C) and extends lengthwise from the open end at 17 a to the open end at 17 b. The handle grip may be slid over the grip end of the shaft of a golf club or, alternatively, with the slit may be flexed open along the slit to insert the grip end of the shaft therein. A textured pattern 21 to enhance grip is formed on the outer surface of the handle grip such that area 16 a is not textured and is smooth. FIG. 5B is a view better illustrating the area 16 a in relation to the textured pattern. FIG. 5C is a perspective view of the handle grip showing the open end 17 b opening into one end of the bore 19. The slit 18 is shown extended through to the inner surface of the open end 17 b at 18 b and at 17 a (not shown). The relationship of the textured pattern on the outer surface with respect to the area 16 a and the slit 18 is illustrated.
FIGS. 5D-5F are cross-sectional views of the handle grip. FIG. 5D shows inner surface 20, as defined by the bore 19, extending from open end 17 a to open end 17 b. The outer diameter d4 at open end 17 a is larger than outer diameter d5 at open end 17 b. The diameter d6 of the bore at open end 17 a is larger than the diameter d7 of the bore at open end 17 b but less than diameter d5. FIGS. 5E-5D are views of the open ends 17 a and/or 17 b on the handle grip showing the optional slit 18 through from the outer surface 16 to the bore 19.
FIGS. 6A-6H depict different views of the first grip member for a hockey stick 25 a. FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the first grip device showing a hollow member with a substantially cuboidal body with open proximal end 26 a and open distal end 26 b (see FIG. 6B), a top 26 c, a bottom 26 d (see FIG. 6C) both with a textured pattern 27 disposed thereon and sides 26 e and 26 f (see FIG. 6D) which forms a bore 28 therein that defines an inner surface 28 a, for example a cuboidal inner surface A slit 29 is disposed through side 26 f (see FIG. 6D) to the bore and extends lengthwise from the open end at 26 a to the open end at 26 b. The grip device may be flexed open along the slit to insert the shaft of the hockey stick therein. FIG. 6B depicts the open end 26 b and slit 29 from the perspective of viewing the bore along its longitudinal axis. FIG. 6C depicts bottom 26 d with the textured pattern 27 as on the top 26 c. FIG. 6D is a cross-sectional view through top 26 c and bottom 26 d showing side 26 f and slit 29 disposed lengthwise along side 26 f from open end 26 a to open end 26 b. FIG. 6E is a cross-sectional view through top 26 c and bottom 26 d showing illustrating that the inner surface 28 a of bore 28 is smooth. The inner surface may comprise a plurality of nub-like protuberances disposed thereon such as shown in FIG. 3A.
With continued reference to FIGS. 6A-6E, FIG. 6F depicts the second grip member or second grip device 25 b. The second grip member comprises the features shown in FIG. 6A and a stop or stop member 30 formed within the bore 28 to form a pocket 31 proximate to proximal open end 26 a. Stop member 30 has an opening 30 a therethrough. Slit 29 (see FIG. 6G) extends through the stop member to the opening 30 a to access the bore 28 so when flexed to receive the stick handle and knob of the hockey stick therein, the grip flexes open to the bore along the entirety of the length. FIG. 6G depicts the proximal open end 26 a and slit 29 through stop member 30 from the perspective of viewing the bore through the opening 30 a along its longitudinal axis. FIG. 6H depicts the distal open end 26 b and slit 29 as in FIG. 6B. FIG. 6I is a cross-sectional view as in FIG. 6D showing side 26 f and slit 29 disposed lengthwise along side 26 f from open end 26 a to open end 26 b and showing where stop member 30 is positioned. FIG. 6J is a cross-sectional view through sides 26 e and 26 f of the second grip member illustrating how the pocket 31 is formed by stop member 30. When positioned on the stick handle of the hockey stick the pocket receives the knob on end of the stick handle (see FIGS. 6N-6O).
With continued reference to FIGS. 6G-6J, FIGS. 6K-6M show the nub-like protuberances represented by 32 on the inner surface of the second grip member. FIG. 6K shows the nub-like protuberances 32 disposed on the inner surface 28 a through stop member 30 from the perspective of viewing the bore 28 through the proximal open end 26 a and the opening 30 a along its longitudinal axis (see FIG. 6G). FIG. 6L is the cross-sectional view of FIG. 6I showing the nub-like protuberances 32 disposed on the inner surface 28 a distal to the stop member 30. The textured pattern 27 is seen on the outer surface. FIG. 6M is the cross-sectional view of FIG. 6J showing the disposition of the nub-like protuberances 32 on the inner surface 28 a distal to the stop member 30 from another perspective.
FIGS. 6N-6O illustrate how the first grip member 25 a and the second grip member 25 b are positioned on the shaft 35 a of the hockey stick and on the stick handle with knob 35 b of a hockey stick 35. In FIG. 6N the first grip device and the second grip device are each flexed apart along the slit 29 to open the bore 28 and the pocket 31. The shaft 35 a of the hockey stick is inserted into the first grip member with the proximal open end 26 a distal to the stick handle 35 b of the hockey stick. The stick handle and knob 35 b are inserted into the second grip member so the knob is secured within the pocket. When inserted, the friction between the inner surfaces or the nub-like protuberances of the first grip member and the second grip member in contact with the shaft of the hockey stick and the stick handle with knob, respectively, keeps the first and second grip members in place without sliding. FIG. 6O shows the first grip member 25 a and the second grip member 25 b completely encasing the shaft and stick handle and knob on the hockey stick 35 along slit 29. The first grip member and the second grip member both may receive the hockey stick from the right or left side or may receive the hockey stick from opposite sides.

Claims

1. A grip device for a shaft of a hockey stick, comprising:

a hollow member with a substantially cuboidal body, a proximal open end and a distal open end, comprising:

an outer surface;

a bore that defines a cuboidal inner surface therein and a length extending between the proximal open end and the distal open end;

a slit disposed through the outer surface to the bore along the length of the hollow member; and

a plurality of nub-like protuberances disposed on the inner surface of the bore adapted to grip the shaft of the hockey stick when placed thereon;

said outer surface and said inner surface each having a uniform perimeter along the length of the hollow member from the proximal open end to the distal open end to securely and removably receive and to conform to the shaft of the hockey stick in a non-slipping relationship.

2. (canceled)

3. The grip device of claim 1, further comprising a texture formed on the outer surface of the hollow member.

4. (canceled)

5. The grip device of claim 1, wherein the hollow member has a length sufficient to accommodate one hand of a user gripped thereon when the grip device is placed on the shaft of hockey stick.

6. The grip device of claim 5, wherein the length is about 4 inches to about 6 inches.

7. The grip device of claim 1, wherein the proximal open end has an outer diameter of about 1.2 inches to about 2.6 inches and has an inner diameter across the bore of about 0.65 inches to about 1.4 inches.

8. (canceled)

9. A grip device for a stick handle on a hockey stick, comprising:

an outer surface with a uniform perimeter along a length of the hollow member from the proximal open end to the distal open end;

a bore that defines a cuboidal inner surface therein and comprises a stop member with an opening therethrough that is formed from the inner surface to extend interiorally into the bore and that defines a pocket within the bore nearer to the proximal open end and a length extending between the proximal open end and the distal open end equal to the length along the outer surface of the hollow member; a plurality of nub-like protuberances disposed on the cuboidal inner surface distal to the pocket adapted to grip the shaft of the hockey stick when placed thereon; and

a slit disposed through to the bore along the length of the hollow member to securely and removably receive and to conform to the stick handle of the hockey stick in a non-slipping relationship.

10. (canceled)

11. The grip device of claim 9, further comprising a texture formed on the outer surface of the hollow member.

12. (canceled)

13. The grip device of claim 9, wherein the hollow member has a length about 4.5 inches to about 6.75 inches to accommodate one hand of a user gripped thereon when the grip device is placed on the stick handle of the hockey stick.

14. The grip device of claim 9, wherein the proximal open end and the distal open end have equal outer diameters of about 1.2 inches to about 2.6 inches

15. The grip device of claim 9, wherein the proximal open end and the distal open end independently have an inner diameter across the bore of about 0.65 inches to about 1.75 inches, said inner diameter of the proximal open end at least equal to the inner diameter of the distal open end.

16. (canceled)

17. A set of grip devices for a hockey stick, comprising:

a first grip member and a second grip member comprising:

a substantially cuboidal hollow body with an outer surface and having a length extending between a proximal open end and a distal open end thereon and having a uniform perimeter along the length thereof, a bore that defines a cuboidal inner surface therein with a length extending between the proximal open end and the distal open end equal to the length extending along the outer surface, and a slit disposed through the outer surface to the bore along the length of the hollow body; said second grip member further comprising a stop member with an opening therethrough that is formed from the cuboidal inner surface to extend interiorally into the bore and defines a pocket within the bore nearer to the proximal open end and with an inner diameter greater than an inner diameter of the bore; and

a plurality of nub-like protuberances disposed on the cuboidal inner surface of the first grip member and on the cuboidal inner surface of the second grip member distal to the pocket adapted to grip a shaft and a stick handle of the hockey stick, respectively, when said shaft and stick handle are received therein;

said first member and said second member designed to securely and removably receive and to conform to the shaft and the stick handle of the hockey stick in a non-slipping relationship.

18-19. (canceled)

20. The set of grip devices of claim 17, further comprising a texture independently formed on the outer surface of the first grip member and the outer surface of the second grip member.

21-22. (canceled)

23. The set of grip devices of claim 17, wherein the proximal open end of both the first grip member and the second grip member have an outer diameter of about 1.2 inches to about 2.6 inches, the proximal open end of the first grip member has an inner diameter across the bore of about 0.65 inches to about 1.4 inches and the proximal open end of the second grip member has an inner diameter across the bore of about 0.65 inches to about 1.75 inches.

24. The set of grip devices of claim 17, wherein the first grip member and the second grip member each have a length sufficient to accommodate one hand of a user gripped thereon when the first grip member and the second grip member are independently placed on the hockey stick handle.

25. The set of grip devices of claim 24, wherein the length of the first grip member is about 4 inches to about 6 inches and the length of the second grip member is about 4.5 inches to about 6.75 inches.

26. (canceled)

27. The set of grip devices of claim 17, wherein a knob on a proximal end of the stick handle is disposed within the pocket when the stick handle is received therein.