WO2017007498A1 - Interchangeable golf club grip system - Google Patents

Abstract

Interchangeable grip systems for golf clubs are disclosed to provide interchangeable grips adapted for universal removable installation. The look and/or feel of the golf club may be changed by simply removing a grip sleeve and replacing it with an alternate grip sleeve. A threaded fastener secures the grip sleeve, and may further function to permit weight adjustment. A plurality of weighted fasteners is provided to allow for the overall weight of the club to be adjusted. Each fastener is provided with a keyed head that requires a compatible tool or wrench for tightening and removal. A hand-tool is provided to allow for quick and easy removal of the fastener, and further functions to store various weighted fasteners to allow for weight adjustment.

Description

INTERCHANGEABLE GOLF CLUB GRIP SYSTEM

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14/253,267, filed on April 15, 2014, which claims the benefit of provisional U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 61/927,567, filed on January 15, 2014, and provisional U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 61/833,745, filed on June 11, 2013.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT N/A

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark

Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to golf equipment, and more particularly to an interchangeable grip system for golf clubs.

2. Description of Related Art

Golf has experienced a significant increase in popularity in recent years which has driven demand for a number of advances and innovations in golf club design. One golf club, however, has been the subject of more innovative efforts than the others, that golf club is the putter. One reason why the putter has been the subject of so much innovation efforts is that its use can account for over half of the strokes allotted for a regulation round at par. Simply put, in a typical round of golf, the putter is used more often than any other club in the bag. Golf courses are typically designed for a "par" score of 72, with layouts that allow for two putts per hole, or 36 putts per round. Thus, a golfer shooting a "par" score of 72 may use his/her putter for half of the shots. The remaining shots are taken using any one of the remaining clubs in the bag including the driver, fairway woods/metals, irons, and wedges.

With respect to the putter, golfers are known to have strong preferences as to the putter's look and feel, and often desire to modify certain characteristics. For example, it is not uncommon for a golfer to change the putter's grip, weighting, and even appearance in an effort to improve putting performance. Further, some golfers desire to adjust the feel of the putter depending on the conditions of the green, the type of grass, degree of undulations, speed of the green, etc. Other times, the golfer may simply wish to tailor the look of the putter by altering the color or appearance of the grip. Similarly, the golfer may wish to tailor the look and/or feel of the other clubs in the bag by alternating the appearance and/or characteristics of the grip.

Conventional golf club grips are affixed to the butt end of the shaft by a process that involves the application of grip tape and solvent to adhesively secure the grip to the shaft. Removal of the grip typically requires slicing the grip with a sharp blade and peeling the grip off of the shaft, a time consuming process that destroys the grip and can potentially damage the shaft. Grip removal and replacement typically requires sending the putter to the "shop" or seeking the assistance of a golf equipment technician.

Accordingly, there exists a need for advancements in the art of golf that allow for quick and easy modification of the golf club. There further exists a need for an interchangeable grip system for golf clubs to allow for customized modification.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the limitations and shortcomings in the art by providing an interchangeable grip system for golf putters and for golf clubs (hat allows for quick and easy grip changes using a variety of interchangeable pre-manufactured grips. An interchangeable grip system for use with golf putters in accordance with the present invention includes an inner sleeve installed on the butt end of a putter shaft, and a plurality of pre-manufactured outer grip sleeves adapted for universal removable installation on the inner sleeve. The golfer thus has the option of changing the look and/or feel of the putter by simply removing the outer sleeve and replacing it with an alternate outer sleeve. A threaded fastener secures the outer sleeve to the inner sleeve, and may further function to permit weight adjustment. A plurality of weighted fasteners is provided to allow for the overall weight of the putter to be adjusted. Each fastener is provided with a keyed head that requires a compatible tool or wrench for tightening and removal. A hand- tool is provided to allow for quick and easy removal of the fastener, and further functions to store various weighted fasteners to allow for weight adjustment. The outer grip sleeve may be wrapped with any of a variety of materials, including natural or synthetic materials fabricated with specific color schemes and patterns thereby allowing the user to customize his/her putter. The interchangeable grip system of the present invention complies with the Rules relating to the design and manufacture of golf clubs established by the United States Golf Association ("USGA"). There is a significant difference between golf putter grips and grips used for the remaining clubs, namely, that many golfers prefer oversized (e.g. radially enlarged putter grips) which are generally not considered suitable for use with the remaining clubs in the bag. As a result, the present invention provides an alternate interchangeable grip system primarily intended for use with non-putter clubs, such as the driver, fairway woods/metals, irons, and wedges. In accordance with this embodiment, the butt end portion of the golf shaft is modified with one or more cutout channels which function as a keyway and keyseat to receive radially inwardly projecting pins disposed on a tubular grip sleeve having an outer surface formed by selected grip material (e.g. learner, rubber, etc.) whereby a bayonet joint is formed to secure the grip sleeve to the shaft. The butt end of the shaft is adapted with a plug, having an axially disposed threaded aperture, to reinforce the shaft wall which has been structurally modified by the channel cutouts. A threaded fastener is removably axially disposed to secure the tubular grip sleeve to the shaft by engaging the threaded plug aperture fixed at the butt end of the shaft whereby the sleeve pin(s) are urged into and maintained in the keyseat(s). Removal of the fastener allows for the removal of the tubular grip sleeve thereby enabling interchangablity. The tubular grip sleeve may include any suitable wrap or outer coating, such as leather, rubberized material etc.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide advancements in the art of golf equipment.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a system of interchangeable grips for golf clubs.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an interchangeable golf club grip system that allows the user to quickly and easily change the look and or feel of the grip while remaining in conformance with the USGA rules relating to the design and manufacture of golf clubs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a golf putter equipped with an interchangeable grip system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a golf putter equipped with an interchangeable grip in accordance with the present invention;

FIG.2A is a detailed view thereof,

FIG. 3 is an exploded side view of an interchangeable golf club system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG 4. is an exploded side sectional view thereof;

FIG. 5 is a top end view of the inner sleeve;

FIG.6 is a bottom end view thereof;

FIG.7 is a side sectional view of the inner sleeve taken along line 6-6 of FIG.5;

FIG.8 is a perspective view of the inner sleeve component;

FIG.9 is a top end view of the outer sleeve;

FIG. 10 is a bottom end view thereof;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the outer sleeve taken along line 11 - 11 of FIG.9;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the outer sleeve component;

FIGS. 13A - 13E are exploded illustrations showing installation of the outer sleeve on the inner sleeve;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of golf putters illustrating various grip sizes installed thereon; FIGS. 15A - 15E illustrate various grip sizes for interchangeable grips in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a top view of a hand tool assembly for tightening and loosening grip weights in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a side sectional view thereof taken along line 17- 17 of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a side view thereof,

FIG. 19 is a top perspective view thereof,

FIG. 20 is an exploded top perspective view (hereof illustrating removal of the tightening tool removed from its stowed configuration;

FIG. 21 is an exploded top perspective view thereof illustrating use of the tightening tool to remove stored weights from the handle;

FIG.22 illustrates various screw-in handle weights in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 23 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an alternate embodiment interchangeable grip system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 24 is a side sectional view of a tubular grip sleeve for use with the alternate embodiment grip system; and

FIG. 25 is an exploded side view of the butt-end portion of a golf shaft adapted with a bayonet joint keyway in accordance with the alternate embodiment grip system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing figures, which form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific devices, methods, conditions or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed invention. Any and all patents and other publications identified in this specification are incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein.

Also, as used in the specification including the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include the plural, and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from "about" or "approximately" one particular value and/or to "about" or "approximately" another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent "about," it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment.

Turning now to the drawings, FIGS. 1 - 22 depict a preferred embodiment of an interchangeable putter grip system, generally referenced as 10, in accordance with the present invention. Grip system 10 is illustrated as being installed on a typical golf putter, generally referenced as 1, which includes a putter head 2 and a shaft 3. FIGS 2 and 2A provide a detailed view of grip system 10 installed on putter 1, and particularly reveal the outer sleeve member, generally referenced as 30, including a main body 31, a bottom cover 32 and a top cover 33. FIG. 12 depicts grip material 36 (shown in partial view) disposed on main body 30. Grip material 36 may comprise any suitable material such as such as leather, rubberized material, or natural or synthetic grip material. Grip material may comprise the form of a wrap, a sleeve, or any other suitable structure. FIGS. 3 and 4 provide exploded illustrations of the interchangeable putter grip system 10 in accordance with the present invention. A butt end of the putter shaft 3 receives a suitable number of wraps of grip tape 4 to build up the outer diameter of the putter shaft to a sufficient degree to receive an inner sleeve, generally referenced as 20 inserted thereon. Grip tape 4 may comprise double sided tape, solvent activated golf grip tape, or any other suitable adhesive material or substance. Inner sleeve 20 is then slidably installed onto the butt end of the shaft 3 so as to become generally permanently affixed to the putter shaft It should be noted, however, that inner sleeve 20 may be removed and transferred to another putter shaft if desired. Once inner sleeve 20 is installed, outer sleeve 30 is installed by receiving inner sleeve 20 concentrically disposed therein. A screw-in weight 40 is axially inserted through the top end of outer sleeve 30 and placed in threaded engagement with a threaded aperture formed in the top end of inner sleeve 20 thereby fixing the outer sleeve 30 relative to the inner sleeve 20.

With reference to FIGS. 5 - 8, there are provided detailed illustrations of inner sleeve 20. Inner sleeve 20 comprises a generally tubular structure which is preferably fabricated from suitable injection molded plastic, however, any suitable material may be used. Inner sleeve 20 includes a generally tubular main sleeve body 21 having a generally open bottom end 22 and a top end 23. Main body 22 defines a shaft receiving inner chamber bounded by an inner surface. A plurality of longitudinal radially inwardly projecting ribs 24 extend from said inner surface. Ribs 24 function as inner sleeve 20 is slid over the putter shaft to locally displace or dig into the grip tape 4 thereby anchoring sleeve 20 relative to putter shaft 3. It should be noted at this juncture that inner sleeve 20 may function as a golf putter grip without use of outer sleeve 30. Bottom end 22 includes a radially enlarged collar 25 defining a recessed groove 26 which includes a longitudinal inlet 26A, a circumferential extension 26B extending from inlet 26A, and a bayonet detent 26C which functions to lock in outer sleeve 30 as more fully discussed herein. The specific configuration of groove 26 may vary or be non-existent provided a suitable bayonet detent 26C or other suitable engaging structure is provided for securing the outer sleeve. Collar 25 may be integrally formed with sleeve 20, or alternately formed by affixation of a separate annular member. The top end 23 of inner sleeve 20 includes an axially disposed centering projection or bumper 27 which functions to ensure that, upon installation, outer sleeve 30 is concentrically disposed about inner sleeve 20.

FIGS. 9 -12 provide various detailed illustrations of outer sleeve 30 which functions as the grip. Cmter sleeve 30 comprises a generally tubular rigid structure which is preferably fabricated from suitable injection molded plastic; however, any suitable material may be used. Outer sleeve 30 further includes a bottom end cap 32 and a top end cap 33. End caps 32 and 33 are preferably separate attachable members, however, forming end caps 32 and 33 integrally with outer sleeve 30. At least outer sleeve 30, and preferably bottom cap 32 and top cap 33, define an irregular outer surface which allows for an enhanced ergonomic putting grip. With reference to the end view of top cap 33 as seen in FIG. 9, the irregular outer surfaces include an arcuate rear segment 33A, a generally planar front segment 33B with planar lateral segments, each referenced 33C, connecting the front and rear segments. The outer surface 31 of outer sleeve 30 has corresponding segments as best illustrated in FIG. 12 wherein actuate rear surface segment 31 A, planar top surface segment 3 IB, and one of the planar lateral segments 31C are seen. Bottom end cap 32 conceals a bayonet pin ring 34 having a pair of bayonet pins 35 projecting radially inward therefrom. Bayonet pins 35 are received within recessed groove 26 on inner sleeve 20 and function to retain outer sleeve 30 relative to inner sleeve 20. Top end cap 33 defines an internally threaded aperture 36 for receiving an externally threaded weight 40 as more fully discussed below. Finally, the interior of sleeve 30 defines a chamber for receiving the inner sleeve inserted therein, and a plurality of longitudinal radially inwardly projecting ribs 38 project from the inner surface of sleeve 30. Ribs 38 function to engage the outer surface of inner sleeve 20 to align and center the outer sleeve upon installation.

FIGS. 13A - 13E illustrate mating engagement of outer sleeve 30 with inner sleeve 20 with the putter shaft omitted for the purpose of this illustration. Outer sleeve 30 is positioned to slide onto inner sleeve 20 as illustrated in FIG. 13 A. Next, outer sleeve 30 is slidably installed in concentric, axially aligned relation with inner sleeve 20 as illustrated in FIG. 13, whereby bayonet pins 34 are received within bayonet groove 26 through inlet 26A. A small axial force is applied such that bayonet pins 35 reach the end of grove inlet 26A at circumferential groove extension 26B. As illustrated in FIG. 13C, the outer sleeve is then rotated approximately a quarter-turn whereby bayonet pins 35 travel along circumferential groove extension 26B to detent 26C. Next a screw 40 (which may be weighted) is inserted within internally threaded aperture 36 in top end cap 33 and tightened using a hand tool 50 thereby ensuring that the outer sleeve retracts such that the pin is seated within the detent whereby the assembly is precisely centered relative to inner sleeve 20 and fixed relative thereto. As noted above, groove 26 may be of any suitable configuration and/or may be eliminated in favor of an alternate structure defining at least one or more bayonet detents to rectivepins 34.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15A - 15E, the interchangeable grip assembly of the present invention allows the user to quickly and easily install various grips. FIG. 14 illustrates a putter having grips of varying sizes, namely small 30S, medium 30M, large 30L, X-large 30XL, and XX-large 30XXL. As noted above, the grips may be adapted with logos or other indicia molded, stamped, printed, or embossed on or into the grip material. FIGS. 15A - 15B provide further illustrations of various grip sizes with end views illustrating the screw-in weights, referenced as 40A - 40E. Weights 40A - 40E may vary in mass as further discussed below thereby allowing the user to add or subtract weight from the putter. Each weight 40 defines an axial keyed recess which receives the mating end of tool 50.

FIGS. 16 - 21 illustrate a hand tool, generally referenced as 50, for use in installing and removing outer sleeve 30 from inner sleeve 20 in accordance with the present invention. Hand tool 50 includes a generally T-shaped main body 52 having an upper portion 53 and a lower portion 54. Main body 52 defines a generally inverted L-shaped through bore 55 which terminates at an axial opening in the bottom of main body 52. Through bore 55 receives a generally L-shaped wrench 56 having an end defining a male TORX® head. TORX® is a trademark for a type of screw head characterized by a 6-point star pattern, hi addition, bom opposing ends of wrench 56 may be adapted with the TORX® head. Wrench 56 is employed in installing and removing screw-in weights 40, which are each also adapted with a female TORX® head. While the preferred embodiment of the present invention, and particularly wrench 56 and screw-in weights 40 are disclosed as incorporating the TORX technology, any suitable threaded fastener and wrench configuration are considered within the scope of the present invention. A magnet 57 is affixed to main body 52 within aperture 55 and functions to maintain wrench 56 removably magnetically attached thereto. The main body 52 of tool 50 is further adapted with female threaded apertures which function to removably receive a screw-in weights 40 as best illustrated in FIGS. 18 - 21. By simply removing wrench 56 from main body 50, the user is able to remove one of the four screen-in weights stored on the tool body to alter the weight of the putter as illustrated in FIG. 22. As noted above, weights 40A - 40E are provided with varying mass including a weight increments that range from a 0-gram screw in weight 40 A, 5-gram screw-in weight 40B, 10-gram screw-in weight 40C, 15-gram screw in weight 40D, and a 20-gram screw-in weight 40E. Each weight preferably includes an indicator that informs the user exactly how much the weight weighs. Alternate Embodiment

FIGS. 23 - 25 depict and alternate interchangeable grip system, generally referenced as 60, in accordance with the present invention. The alternate embodiment differs from the preferred embodiment disclosed above, by using a single tubular grip sleeve in lieu of the inner and outer sleeve combination of the preferred embodiment Use of a single tubular grip sleeve allows the system to provide an interchangeable grip mat is sized similar to a conventional grip (i.e. not oversized) thereby allowing for improved use with non-putter golf clubs, such as a driver, irons, fairway woods/metals, and wedges.

In accordance with the alternate embodiment, a generally tubular golf club shaft, generally referenced as 4, has a butt end portion S which modified with one or more cutout channels, referenced as 62 which function as a keyway and keyseat for the formation of a bayonet joint. It is preferred (but not required) that a pair of channels 62 are defined in the butt end portion of shaft 4, and angularly spaced 180-degrees. Each channel 62 originates at the extreme end 5a of the butt end portion 5 and extends longitudinally down the shaft. Each channel 62 further includes a pair of generally J-shaped keyseat portions, including a first keyseat 62a formed at the distal end of channel 62, and a second keyseat 62b formed at an intermediate location. Since the formation of channels 62 lessen the structural integrity of the butt-end 5 of the shaft, a reinforcing insert or plug 65 is provided and insertedly received and fixed within the butt-end 5 of the shaft. Plug 65 is preferably generally cylindrical or disk- shaped, and has a diameter sized for concentric insertion into the otherwise open end 5a of shaft 4. While plug 65 is disclosed a being cylindrical or disk-shaped any suitable reinforcing structure is considered within the scope of the present invention. Plug 65 may be affixed to within or to shaft 4 by adhesive (e.g. epoxy), welding, or any other suitable means of affixation. Plug 65 includes an axially disposed threaded aperture 66, and a peripheral edge defining grooves 67 which are angularly spaced 180-degrees to allow for alignment of grooves 67 with channels 62 in the butt-end 5 of shaft 4 for reasons more fully discussed below.

A tubular grip sleeve 70 is provided for installation on the butt-end 5 of shaft 4. Tubular grip sleeve 70 includes a bottom end 72, and top end 74, and a side wall 76 extending between the top and bottom ends. Bottom end 72 defines an opening for receiving the butt-end portion 5 of the shaft therein. Top end 74 is generally closed, but defines an axial aperture 74a. Grip sleeve 70 and particularly side wall 74 defines an interior volume for receiving the butt-end portion 5 of shaft 4. A plurality of pins, referenced as 78, project radially inward from side wall 74 into the interior of grip sleeve 70. Pins 78 are sized and aligned and positioned and angularly spaced to be received within channels 62 and keyseats 62a and 62b. Thus, grip sleeve 70 may be removably installed on shaft 4 by aligning pins 78 with channels 62 and sliding the sleeve onto the butt-end 5 of the shaft whereby pins 78 ride within channel keyway. Once the pins 78 reach keyseats 62a and 62b, grip sleeve 70 is rotated and retracted such that pins 78 rest in the keyseats thereby forming a bayonet joint. As should be apparent, alternate keyseat structures suitable for receiving pins 78, such as alternate configuration keyways, slotted apertures, circular apertures, and configurations wherein pins 78 are retractable and extendable into keyseat apertures, and/or alternate pin configurations may be substituted for the removably engaging pin and keyway configuration disclosed in the preferred embodiment, and such alternate embodiments are thus considered within the scope of the present invention. It is important that pins 78 engage the club shaft so as to securely anchor the grip relative thereto. Grip sleeve 70 is secured using a threaded fastener 80 inserted through aperture 74a on grip sleeve 70 and into threaded engagement with threaded aperture 66 on plug 65 at the end 5a of end portion 5 of shaft 4 whereby pins 78 are urged into and maintained locked in keyseats 62a and 62b of channel(s) 60 by bayonet joint connection. As should be apparent, grip sleeve 70 may be removed by removal of fastener 80 and twisting disengagement of pins 78 from keyseats 62a and 62b whereby grip sleeve is allowed to slide off of shaft 4. Removal of fastener 80 thus allows for the removal of the tubular grip sleeve thereby enabling interchangablity. The tubular grip sleeve may include any suitable wrap or outer coating, such as leather, rubberized material etc.

While the present invention has been disclosed in its preferred embodiment as an interchangeable grip system for golf putters, the advances discloses herein may be adapted for use on other golf clubs, such as irons, metal woods, and drivers. In addition, the system interchangeable grip system herein may further be adapted for use with a wide variety of goods having grips, including without limitation, billiard/pool cue sticks, lacrosse sticks, tennis racquets, etc. Finally, the interchangeable grip system is further suitable for use with non-sports related goods, such as umbrellas.

The instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art

Claims

What I claim is: 1. An interchangeable golf grip system for use with a golf club having a shaft, said system comprising:

a golf club shaft;

a grip sleeve having an open bottom end for receiving said golf club shaft;

a keyway having a keyway seat;

a pin received within said keyway seat securing said grip sleeve relative to said shaft.

2. The interchangeable golf grip system according to claim 1 , wherein said keyway is disposed on said shaft and said pin is disposed on said grip sleeve.

3. The interchangeable golf grip system according to claim 1 wherein said keyway is disposed on said grip sleeve and said pin is disposed on said shaft.

4. An interchangeable golf grip system for use with a golf club having a shaft, said system comprising:

a golf club shaft having a butt-end portion terminating at an upper end, said butt-end portion defining at least one longitudinal cutout channel originating at said upper end and extending longitudinally along said butt-end, said cutout channel forming a keyway having at least one keyseat; a reinforcing insert affixed in proximity to said upper end, said insert defining an axially disposed threaded aperture;

a grip sleeve having an a top end, a bottom end, and a side wall extending between said top and bottom ends, said top end defining an axially disposed aperture;

at least one pin projecting radially inward from said side wall;

said grip sleeve removably affixable to said shaft by slidable insertion of said shaft within said sleeve such that said at least one pin travels along said keyway and is secured within said keyseat;

a threaded fastener inserted through the aperture on the top end of said grip sleeve and placed into threaded engagement with the threaded aperture on said reinforcing insert;

whereby said grip sleeve is fixed relative to said shaft with said at least one pin retained in said keyseat.