US20240058667A1

US20240058667A1 - Putter grip

Info

Publication number: US20240058667A1
Application number: US18/235,144
Authority: US
Inventors: Jon T. Rustek; Marc S. Bayram
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2022-08-18
Filing date: 2023-08-17
Publication date: 2024-02-22

Abstract

A grip (e.g., a golf putter grip) includes an elongated body that extends from a first axial body end to a second axial body end along a longitudinal axis. The body includes a first section and a second section. The first section has a cavity therein for receiving a shaft that extends at least partially therethrough. The second section is adjacent the first section such that the second section is offset from the shaft when the shaft is received in the cavity of the first section.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a non-provisional application of and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/398,967, filed on Aug. 18, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a golf grip, and more particularly to a golf putter grip that is configured to minimize the effect of a user's dominant hand during a putting stroke.

BACKGROUND

A problem among golfers is having their dominant hand (e.g., right hand for a right-handed golfer) guide or power their putting strokes, which commonly causes misaligned and/or overpowered putts. The standard golf grip position places the dominant hand below the off hand (e.g., left hand for a right-handed golfer) such that the dominant hand can power the stroke. While this is beneficial for strokes with other golf clubs (e.g., woods, irons, wedges), it has been determined that the more delicate putting stroke is better guided and powered by the off hand.
Some golfers attempt to increase their putting accuracy by using alternative hand grip positions (e.g., cross-handed grip position). However, these alternative hand grip positions feel uncomfortable and unnatural and do not fully minimize the effects of the dominant hand during the putting stroke. For example, golfers that suffer from involuntary wrist spams (e.g., the yips) are still at risk of their dominant hand twitching during the stroke and misaligning and/or overpowering the putt.
Thus, there is a need for an improved golf putter grip that overcomes the foregoing problems.

SUMMARY

According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a grip (e.g., a golf putter grip). The grip includes an elongated body that extends from a first axial body end to a second axial body end along a longitudinal axis. The body includes a first section and a second section. The first section has a cavity therein for receiving a shaft that extends at least partially therethrough. The second section is adjacent the first section such that the second section is offset from the shaft when the shaft is received in the cavity of the first section.
In some embodiments, the body has a first width at the first axial body end and a second width at the second axial body end. The second section tapers from the first axial body end to the second axial body end such that the first width is greater in magnitude than the second width.
In some embodiments, the body has a cross-sectional shape of a rectangle with rounded ends.
In some embodiments, the first section and the second section are integrally formed.
In some embodiments, the first section and the second section are separate components that are attached to one another.
In some embodiments, the body has an exterior gripping surface that extends therearound.
In some embodiments, the second section is formed of a shock-absorbing material.
Any of the foregoing embodiments may be combined.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Referring now to the Figures, which are exemplary embodiments, and wherein the like elements are numbered alike:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a golf putter grip according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the golf putter grip of FIG. 1 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As shown in FIG. 1 , a grip 10 (e.g., a golf putter grip) is provided. The grip 10 includes an elongated body 12 that extends from a first axial body end 12A to a second axial body end 12B along a longitudinal axis L. The body 12 has a first section 14 and a second section 16. The first section 14 has a cavity 14C therein for receiving a shaft 20 that extends at least partially therethrough. The second section 16 is positioned adjacent the first section 14 such that the second section 16 is offset from the shaft 20 when the shaft 20 is received in the cavity 14C of the first section 14. In some embodiments, the second section 16 is formed of a cushioning or shock-absorbing material, such as foam, polyurethane, silicone, etc. Thus, when a user putts with their dominant hand on the second section 16 that is offset from the shaft 20, the second section 16 significantly absorbs force applied to the shaft 20 by the dominant hand to minimize the effect of the dominant hand on the putting stroke.
In some embodiments, the first section 14 and the second section 16 are integrally formed. In some embodiments, the first section 14 and the second section 16 are separate components that are attached to one another. The body 12 has an exterior gripping surface 12E that extends therearound. In some embodiments, the exterior gripping surface 12E is formed of rubber, plastic, cord, leather, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the exterior gripping surface 12E is provided by an adhesive (e.g., tape wrapping around the body 12) used to attach the first section 14 and the second section 16. In some embodiments, the exterior gripping surface 12E is a sleeve secured over the first section 14 and the second section 16.
As shown in FIG. 1 , the second section 16 tapers from the first axial body end 12A to the second axial body end 12B such that a first width W1 of the body 12 at the first axial body end 12A is greater in magnitude than a second width W2 of the body 12 at the second axial body end 12B. In some embodiments, the first section 14 tapers from the first axial body end 12A to the second axial body end 12B and the second section 16 does not taper. In some embodiments, both the first section 14 and the second section 16 taper from the first axial body end 12A to the second axial body end 12B. In some embodiments, neither the first section 14 not the second section 16 tapers such that the body 12 has a uniform width along the longitudinal axis L.
As shown in FIG. 2 , the body 12 has a cross-sectional shape of a rectangle with rounded ends. However, the present invention is not limited thereto and contemplates embodiments where the body 12 has a different cross-sectional shape, such as rectangular, rectangular with rounded corners, elliptical, etc.
While the present disclosure has been described with reference to various exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof.
Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A grip comprising:

an elongated body extending from a first axial body end to a second axial body end along a longitudinal axis, the body comprising:

a first section having a cavity therein for receiving a shaft extending at least partially therethrough; and

a second section adjacent the first section such that the second section is offset from the shaft when the shaft is received in the cavity of the first section.

2. The grip of claim 1, wherein the body has a first width at the first axial body end and a second width at the second axial body end, and the second section tapers from the first axial body end to the second axial body end such that the first width is greater in magnitude than the second width.

3. The grip of claim 1, wherein the body has a cross-sectional shape of a rectangle with rounded ends.

4. The grip of claim 1, wherein the first section and the second section are integrally formed.

5. The grip of claim 1, wherein the first section and the second section are separate components attached to one another.

6. The grip of claim 1, wherein the body further comprises an exterior gripping surface extending therearound.

7. The grip of claim 1, wherein the second section is formed of a shock-absorbing material.