Adjustable Putter Grip

Abstract

The most important part of any golfer's game is the ability to make putts accurately and consistently. Typically, original equipment manufactured grips need to be removed in a labor-intensive process, which is an expensive, time consuming, process which permanently alters the grip and the dynamics of the putter. An adjustable putter grip comprises a body is configured to fit over a conventional putter grip of a golf putter providing a larger outer diameter, the body comprises a first section and a second section. A locking mechanism holds the first section and the second section together, while a release mechanism is manually engageable for releasing the locking mechanism. A plurality of inserts spaced along the first section and/or the second section may be provided for frictionally engaging the conventional putter grip and holding the adjustable putter grip on the conventional putter grip.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates to a golf putter grip, and in particular to an adjustable golf putter grip designed to constrain a putter from twisting during the putting stroke or to otherwise facilitate or improve the golfer's ability to both grip the putter as well as index the putter's orientation through the putting stroke.

BACKGROUND

Arguably, the most important part of any golfer's game is the ability to make putts accurately and consistently. In most circumstances, the total number of putting strokes typically accounts for one-half or more of a golfer's total strokes during any round of play. As such, golfers and golf equipment manufacturers have dedicated significant resources towards the perfection of activities designed to facilitate the putting stroke. Producing putters along with other golf aids which improve the golfer's ability to consistently strike the golf ball on the intended line, with the intended force is a substantive task. Most putter club designs have tended to focus on the composition or configuration of the putter head. For that reason, the golf industry has focused much of their inquiries and development of: (i) oversized putter heads, (ii) distinctive, or idiosyncratic shaped putter heads, and (iii) putter heads of varying weight, composition, and size, all designed to improve the “feel” or orientation of the putter through the putting stroke.

Beyond such, there have been various attempts to facilitate the putting stroke by means of varying the design, composition, and length of the putter shaft and the putter grip. Grip design, and composition are generally focused on restricting potential rotational misgivings during the putting stroke as well as to advance the golfer's ability to both grip the putter as well maintain the putter's orientation through the putting stroke.

Of note, many golfers, particularly those new to the sport, or those with some level of physical impediment or limiting impairment, tend to have various issues which limit their ability to hit the ball squarely on the face of the putter. In the off-chance that these golfers manage to produce a stroke which correspondingly aligns the face of the putter with the ball, there is still the predisposition to lose the intended putter orientation and line through the putting stroke largely because of rotating the club face either in or out during the putting stroke all of which causes the ball to swerve away from its intended line after impact with the ball.

Another problem with the introduction of oversized putter grips resides in the application or installation to any existing putter club. Typically, original equipment manufactured grips need to be removed in a labor-intensive process often involving the engagement of third-party equipment potentially rendering the club out of commission for several weeks. Not only is this an expensive, time consuming process, it permanently alters the grip and the dynamics of the putter to which it is attached. This is somewhat unappealing to many golfers as the permanency of this installation may limit or detract from continued putter usage.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, a first apparatus includes an adjustable putter grip comprising:

a body configured to fit over a conventional putter grip of a golf putter, the body comprising a first section and a second section;

a locking mechanism for holding the first section and the second section together; and

a release mechanism for releasing the locking mechanism.

In the above embodiment, the first apparatus may also include a plurality of inserts spaced along the first section and/or the second section for frictionally engaging the conventional putter grip.

In any of the above embodiments, the first apparatus may also include a plurality of pockets in the first section or the second section, each of the plurality of pockets adjacent to at least one of the plurality of inserts.

In any of the above embodiments, the first apparatus may also include a plurality of weights, each weight configured for positioning in one or more selected pockets of the plurality of pockets for adjusting a weight distribution of the putter.

In any of the above embodiments, the first apparatus may also include that each tapered insert comprises a U-shaped structure comprised of a resilient material, extending from one edge of the first section, down to the bottom of the first section, and back up to an opposite edge of the first section forming a first clamp into which the conventional grip is inserted and held in position; and that each side of each tapered insert expands from a first thinner width to provide an opening to facilitate insertion of the conventional grip therebetween, to a second wider width configured to engage the conventional grip.

In any of the above embodiments, the first apparatus may also include that the locking mechanism comprises: teeth extending from the second section, a carriage for supporting the teeth configured to reciprocate in the second section, spring loaded by a spring force into a closed position; and detents extending from the first section configured to engage the teeth when in the closed position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some example embodiments will be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a putter including the adjustable putter grip in a closed position in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the putter of FIG. 1 including the adjustable putter grip, in an open position;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the adjustable putter grip of FIGS. 1 and 2, in the open position;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the adjustable putter grip of FIGS. 1 and 2, in the closed position;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the adjustable putter grip of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 6 is a front view of the adjustable putter grip of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the adjustable putter grip of FIGS. 1 and 2 in the open position;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the adjustable putter grip of FIGS. 1 and 2 with no conventional putter grip taken along the laterally extending line of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the adjustable putter grip of FIGS. 1 and 2 with an example conventional putter grip taken along the laterally extending line of FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the adjustable putter grip of FIGS. 1 and 2 with another example conventional putter grip taken along the laterally extending line of FIG. 6;

FIG. 11 is an assembly view of the adjustable putter grip of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the adjustable putter grip of FIGS. 1 and 2 taken along the longitudinally extending line of FIG. 6;

FIG. 13 is magnified view of a first portion of the adjustable putter grip of FIGS. 1 and 2 taken from FIG. 12 in the closed and locked position;

FIG. 14 is magnified view of the first portion of the adjustable putter grip of FIGS. 1 and 2 taken from FIG. 12 in the closed and unlocked position;

FIG. 15 is magnified view of a second portion of the adjustable putter grip of FIGS. 1 and 2 taken from FIG. 12 in the closed and locked position;

FIG. 16 is magnified view of the second portion of the adjustable putter grip of FIGS. 1 and 2 taken from FIG. 12 in the closed and unlocked position;

FIG. 17 is an assembly view of another example adjustable putter grip of the present disclosure;

FIG. 18 is an isometric view of the adjustable putter grip of FIG. 17 in the open position;

FIG. 19A is a top view of the second section of the adjustable putter grip of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19B is a top view of the first section of the adjustable putter grip of FIG. 17;

FIG. 20 is an isometric view of a weight from the adjustable putter grip of FIG. 17;

FIG. 21 is a side view of another example adjustable putter grip of the present disclosure in an open position;

FIG. 22 is a side view of the adjustable putter grip of FIG. 21 in a closed position;

FIG. 23 is a side view of the adjustable putter grip of FIG. 21 in a closed and locked position;

FIG. 24 is a side view of the bottom of adjustable putter grip of FIG. 21 in an open position;

FIG. 25 is a side view of the bottom of the adjustable putter grip of FIG. 21 in a closed position; and

FIG. 26 is a side view of the bottom of the adjustable putter grip of FIG. 21 in a closed and locked position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the present teachings are described in conjunction with various embodiments and examples, it is not intended that the present teachings be limited to such embodiments. On the contrary, the present teachings encompass various alternatives and equivalents, as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, a golf putter 10, which may be conventional in construction, may include a putter head 12, a shaft 14, and a conventional grip 15. The putter head 12, mounted at a lower end of the shaft 14, may be any commercially available putter head comprising aluminum, brass, or any other material commonly used in putter heads. As is conventional, the putter head 12 includes a front toe 18, a rear heel 20, a flat striking face 22 designed to engage a golf ball. While a golf putter 10 is the preferred athletic instrument, other golf clubs and athletic racquets, rods and bats, etc., e.g. tennis racquets, fishing rods, baseball bats, are within the scope of the invention.

The shaft 14 may also be a conventional putter shaft, and may comprise a steel tube, graphite or any other material commonly used in putter shafts. The shaft 14 includes an upper end, which may be covered by the conventional grip 15. One or both of the shaft 14 and the conventional grip 15 may be substantially cylindrical and, therefore, each include a longitudinal axis.

Pursuant to an embodiment, an adjustable putter grip 16 may be mounted over and completely enclosing the conventional putter grip 15 providing a gripping diameter larger than the conventional putter grip 15 and giving the appearance of uniformity between the adjustable putter grip 16 and the putter 10. In a closed position (FIGS. 1 and 4), the adjustable putter grip 16 may be configured to form a body 30, e.g. substantially cylindrical, at least partially semicylindrical or partially cylindrical/partially rectangular, extending from a bottom end 26 surrounding a portion of the shaft 14 and enclosing a lower end of the conventional putter grip 15 to a top end 27 enclosing the upper end 25 of the conventional putter grip 15, substantially completely covering and enclosing the conventional putter grip 15. The body 30 may be overly wide compared to the conventional putter grip 15, and may have little or no taper, which thereby forms a step 35 between the bottom end 26 of the adjustable putter grip 16 and the shaft 14. The step 35 may be suitable for receiving a golfer's index and middle fingers on opposite sides of the shaft 14 to help ensure that the putter 10 will not twist or turn during a putting stroke and thus enhance the ability of the golfer to strike the ball squarely, directing the ball along the intended line of travel.

The adjustable putter grip 16 may be cylindrical with a substantially constant diameter extending from the bottom end 26 to the top end 27. In some embodiments, the adjustable putter grip 16 may include a first, e.g. top, segment with a first, e.g. larger, diameter, and a second, e.g. bottom, section with a second, e.g. smaller, diameter, with a tapering segment therebetween. In some embodiments, the adjustable putter grip 16 may include one or more elongated flat surfaces 41-43, e.g. extending along one or both of a leading side (parallel to the putter striking face 22) or a trailing side (opposite the leading side) of the adjustable grip 16 and/or extending along a front or rear side thereof. The one or more other sides, e.g. the rear surface, may comprise partially cylindrical surfaces 44. The elongated flat surfaces, e.g. flat surfaces 41-43, and the partially cylindrical surfaces, e.g. cylindrical surface 44, may extend from the bottom end 26 of the adjustable putter grip 16 to the top end 27 or at least some portion thereof. Each elongated flat surface 41-43 and the cylindrical surface 44 is intended to be configured within the golfer's grip to further stabilize the putter 10 during the putting stroke.

For the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1-6, it is contemplated that the user will engage the flat surface 41 with the palm of his or her forward hand and will engage opposing flat surface 42 with his or her two fingers of the trailing hand on opposite sides of the shaft 14. The flat surface 41 therefore is aligned generally parallel with the flat striking face 22. The user's trailing hand then will engage the adjustable putter grip 16 generally around the partially cylindrical surface 44. The adjustable putter grip 16 is thus designed to be used by both left and right-handed golfers based on the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-6 or similarly by rotating such 180° around the shaft 14; however, users can essentially apply the adjustable putter grip 16 on any side subject to user preference while still enhancing the over contact with the ball through the putting stroke.

The adjustable putter grip 16 may comprise a first (base) section 31 and a second (cover) section 32, which may be pivotally connected to each other, and which interlock with each other forming the cylindrical body 30 covering and/or enclosing the conventional putter grip 15. Each of the first section 31 and the second section 32 may be molded from a single material, such as natural rubber, silicon rubber, plastic, or any other material commonly used in putter grips. Alternatively, each of the first section 31 and the second section 32 may be molded from a plurality of materials, such as an inner shell of plastic, and an outer surface of natural rubber, silicon rubber, plastic, or any other material commonly used in putter grips. The adjustable putter grip 16 may be constructed such that the maximum diameter thereof is formed by the first section 31 and the second section 32, whereby the oversized adjustable putter grip 16 decreases flexing of the user's wrists during use.

The first section 31 and the second section 32 may be pivotally connected to each other by a hinge 38, which may be positioned at the top end 27 of the cylindrical body 30 or along adjacent edges of the first section 31 and the second section 32. The elongated flat surfaces 41-43 may extend along one or both of the first section 31 and the second section 32 from the bottom end 26 of the adjustable grip 16 to the top end 27 or some portion thereof. In some embodiments, the first section 31 comprises a semicylindrical shape forming the cylindrical outer surface 44, while the second section 32 comprises a rectangular shape forming the flat outer surfaces 41-43.

With reference to FIGS. 7 to 10, to facilitate insertion of the conventional grip 15, and provide pockets for additional features, the inner walls of the first section 31 and/or the second section 32 do not form a tight fit with the outer surface of the conventional grip 15. Accordingly, one or more, e.g. two to four, tapered inserts 46, each comprising a resilient material, such as flexible rubber or other similar polymeric material, spaced apart along one or both of the first section 31 and the second section 32, may be used to minimize any potential gap between the adjustable putter grip 16 and the conventional grip 15. The gap is typically insignificant; however, to further lock the grip 16 in place over the shaft 14, one or more additional wedges 48 comprising a resilient material, such as rubber or other such polymeric material, may also be inserted into the first section 31 and/or the second section 32. The tapered inserts 46 may be spaced apart along the first section 31 (or the second section 32) providing spaced pockets therebetween for mounting additional structures, such as one or more of: weights, movement sensors, communication devices, and controller chips, as hereinafter described in greater detail.

In the illustrated embodiment, each of the tapered inserts 46 comprises a U-shaped structure, which may extend from one edge of the first section 31 (and/or second section 32), down to the bottom of the first section 31 (and/or second section 32), and back up to the opposite edge of the first section 31 (and/or second section 32) forming a first clamp 49a into which the conventional grip 15 is inserted and held in position. The sides of each tapered insert 46 may be tapered, e.g. start out at a first thinner width to provide a wide opening to facilitate insertion of the conventional grip 15 therebetween, and gradually expand in width to a second wider width to provide a first clamp 49a with a tapering width, enabling conventional grips 15 with varying diameters to all fit and be frictionally held therein. The bottom of the tapered insert 46 may taper down to an even thinner third width extending along the bottom of the first clamp 49a, facilitating bending of the tapered inserts 46 during insertion of the tapered inserts 46 into the first section, during assembly. Each of the wedges 48 may be positioned along each side of the second section 32. In some embodiments, instead of a second tapered insert 46, a pair of wedges 48 may be positioned opposite each other forming a second clamp 49b, and configured to be positioned adjacent one of the tapered inserts 46 extending the first clamp 49a into the second clamp 49b of the first section 31 for receiving the front face of the conventional grip 15. Each wedge 48 may also taper from a first width, e.g. the same as the first width of the tapered insert 46, to a second wider with, e.g. approximately the same as the second width of the tapered insert 46. Additional tapered inserts 46 and/or wedges 48, which may replace the original tapered inserts 46 and/or wedges 48, may be provided with different widths to accommodate conventional putter grips 14 with various sizes.

The first section 31 may be taller than the second section 32, whereby the first clamp 49a in the first section 31 is deeper than the second clamp 49b in the second section 32. Accordingly, during initial installation, the back part of the conventional grip 15 may be initially inserted into the first clamp 49a in the first section 31, compressing the tapered inserts 46, whereby the conventional grip 15 is frictionally held in place. Then the second section 32 is rotated into place parallel to the first section 31, compressing the wedges 48 with the front part of the conventional grip 15 in the second clamp 49b, further stabilizing and frictionally holding the conventional grip 15 in place.

With reference to FIGS. 11 to 16, the first section 31 and the second section 32 may be held together in the closed position by first and second locking features, such as one or more teeth 52 extending from one of the first section 31 or the second section 32 into locking engagement with one or more detents 53 on the other of the first section 31 or the second section 32. The teeth 52 may be disengaged from the detents 53 by axially or laterally moving the teeth 52 out of engagement with the detents 53, e.g. by providing flexible, spring loaded and/or reciprocating teeth 52 and/or detents 53.

In some embodiments, the locking features for the first section 31 or the second section 32 may include one or more spring biased teeth 52 or detents 53 biased into engagement with each other in a locked position. In order to unlock the second section 32 from the first section 31, a “push” button 50 may be provided, e.g. at the bottom end 26 of the second section 32, to overcome the spring bias and reciprocate the teeth 52 relative to the second section 34, for releasing the teeth 52 from the detents 53, thereby enabling the user to rotate the first section 34 or the second section 36 relative to the other and remove the adjustable putter grip 16 from the putter 10.

In the illustrated embodiment, the teeth 52 may extend from a carriage 55 connected to the button 50 and may be configured to reciprocate in the second section 32 (or the first section 31) in the longitudinal direction. The carriage 55, the button 50 and the teeth 52 may be spring biased via springs 54, which may extend between the carriage 55 and a fixed structure 56 on the second section 32. The springs 54 may be coiled springs, as illustrated, or any other suitable type of spring, e.g. leaf spring, integral with the second section 32 or mounted thereon. The fixed structure 56 may be an integral part of the second section 32 or fixed to the second section 32 via fasteners 57. The detents 53 may be integral with the first section 31 or extend from a mounting bracket 58 fixed in the first section 31 via fasteners 59.

A second set of teeth 52′ may be provided configured to extend from the carriage 55 for engagement with a second set of detents 53′ configured to extend from the first section 31 or from a second mounting bracket 58′ fixed to the first section 31 via fasteners 59′. A guide 61 may be provided for guiding the rear end of the carriage 55 during translation of the carriage 55. The guide 61 may be integral with the second section 32 or fixed to the second section 32 via fasteners 62. The carriage 55 may include two side beams 63 extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the second section 32, and a cross beam 64 extending between the two side beams. The two side beams 63 may reciprocate between an outer wall of the second section 32 and an inner wall of the second section 32 with the teeth 52 extending outwardly from between the inner and outer walls. The guide 61 may comprise two support arms 65 for supporting the cross beam 64, and two mounting arms 66 for connecting with the second section 32. The first set of teeth 52 may be provided at the bottom end 26, while the second set of teeth 52′ may be provided proximate the middle of the section 32 providing a stronger and more evenly distributed latching.

With reference to FIGS. 13-16, during installation, the second section 32 may be rotated almost parallel to the first section 31, whereby the teeth 52 may contact the detents 53. To enable full rotation of the second section 32 and ensure proper engagement of the teeth 52 and the detents 53, the button 50 may be pushed to slide the teeth 52 away from the detents 53, enabling the second section 32 to be rotated into position, whereby releasing the button 50 results in the teeth 52 to slide back into engagement with the detents 53. Alternatively, the teeth 52 may be provided with an angled leading edge forming a camming surface, whereby the action of the teeth 52 contacting the detents 53 applies a lateral force to the teeth 52, overcoming the spring force and sliding the teeth 52 until the teeth 52 are clear of the detents 53, at which time the teeth 52 slide back into engagement with the detents 53 under the force of the spring force.

When a user applies a force, e.g. pushes in the longitudinal direction, on the button 50, with enough force to overcome the spring force of the spring 54, the carriage 55 reciprocates in the adjustable putter grip 16, thereby disengaging the teeth 52 (and 52′) from the detents 53 (and 53′), enabling the first section 31 and/or the second section 32 to rotate relative to the other, and enabling the adjustable putter grip 16 to be removed from the conventional putter grip 15 of the golf putter 10.

With reference to FIGS. 17-20, pockets 71 may be provided spaced apart along the length of the adjustable putter grip 16, e.g. between and/or on either side of the tapered inserts 46, in the first section 31 and/or the second section 32 for supporting weights 72. The pockets 71 may also be positioned in the bottom of the first section 31 and/or the second section 32. The plurality of pockets 71 spaced along the adjustable putter grip 16 enable a variety of different sizes and shapes of the weights 72 to be positioned at different positions along the longitudinal axis of the adjustable putter grip 16, thereby adjusting the weight distribution of the adjustable putter grip 16. For example, extra (heavier) weights 72 may be positioned at the top end 27, i.e. increasing the weight at the top end 27 relative to the bottom end 26. Alternatively, extra (heavier) weights 72 may be positioned at the bottom end 26, i.e. increasing the weight at the bottom end 26 relative to the top end 27. Extra (heavier) weights 72 may be added all along the adjustable putter grip 16, simply to provide a heavier feel. The weights 72 and 73 may be added, removed, or relocated within the adjustable putter grip 16 at any time, e.g. before, during and after each round, to adjust for conditions and/or personal preference.

The weights 72 (See FIG. 20) may comprise elongated, flat rectangular bars, which slide into the pockets 71, and are held therein by friction, by the abutment of the second section 32 when rotated into position, or by any other suitable means, such as mating connectors. The weights 72 may include notches 75, e.g. at each end thereof, to facilitate insertion of the weights 72 into the pockets 71, which may include corresponding extensions configured to extend into the notches 75. Additional weights 73 may also be mounted inside, e.g. against the bottom wall of, the first section 31 or the second section 32, e.g. in the pockets 71 in the bottom of the first section 31 and/or the second section 32. The weights 73 may be semicylindrical in shape to fit parallel to the semicylindrical wall of the first section 31. The weights 72 and 73 may include a first connector, e.g. snap fit, for mating with a second connector in the first section 31 and/or the second section 32.

One of the weights 72 and/or 73 or the pockets 71 (or wall of the first section 31 or the second section 32) may include a magnet, and the other of the weights 72 and/or 73 or the pockets 71 (or wall) may include a magnetic material, which is attracted to the magnet, thereby facilitating the mounting and the securing of the weights 72 and/or 73 in the adjustable putter grip 16, e.g. in the first section 31 or the second section 32. The weights 72 and/or 73 may range in size, e.g. from 4 cm to 10 cm in length, 1 cm to 2 cm in width, and 1 mm to 1 cm in thickness, and in magnitude of weight, e.g. 2 g to 100 g. Each adjustable grip 16 may come with a set of weights 72 and/or 73 in various sizes, shapes, and weights to suit a wide variety of golfers.

One or more motion sensors 80 may be disposed inside the first section 31 and/or the second section 32, e.g. in the pockets 71 instead of or in addition to the weights 72 or 73, and/or other suitable locations. The motion sensors 80 may communicate with an internal controller also located inside the first section 31 or the second section 32 or an external controller located in the user's smart phone device 81 or computer device 82 via any suitable form or communication, e.g. blue tooth or WIFI. For example, the user may download a corresponding computer software application onto their smart phone non-transitory memory, which is configured to communicate with the one or more motion sensors 80. The motion sensors 80 may measure, detect and/or record speed/velocity of the putter during the putting stroke and/or rotational position of the adjustable putter grip 16 and therefore the putter head 12 and the putter face 22 during the putting stroke.

With reference to FIGS. 21-26, the hinge 38 may comprise a hinge pin 39 mounted and slidable in an elongated groove 40 enabling the first section 31 and the second section 32 to reciprocated relative to each other. Accordingly, the first section 31 and the second section 32 may be locked into place by rotating the second section 32 to a position parallel to the first section 31 (FIGS. 22 and 25), and then sliding the second section 32 relative to the first section 31 (FIGS. 23 and 26) until the first locking features engage the second locking features, e.g. the one or more teeth 52 on the second section 32 engage the one or more detents 53 on the first section 31, in a locked position. A latch 91 may be provided, on the first section 31 or the second section 32, which slides into place against a keeper 92 on the other of the first section 32 or the second section 32, as the second section 32 reciprocates relative to the first section 31, preventing the second section 32 from sliding backwards, thereby disengaging the one or more teeth 52 from the one or more detents 53.

A release mechanism may be provided for releasing the latch 91 from the keeper 92, enabling the second section 32 to move, e.g. slide backwards, relative to the first section 31, into an unlocked position, thereby releasing the first locking feature from the second locking feature, e.g. disengaging the one or more teeth 52 on the second section 32 from the one or more detents 53 on the first section 31. The release mechanism may comprise a push button 50′ spring biased into the locked position, which is actuated to disengage the latch 91 from the keeper 92. In some embodiments, the push button 50′ is positioned at and in the bottom end 26 of the cylindrical body 30, each in a bottom end of the second section 34, so that the push button 50′ is hidden from view and not accidently engaged during normal use. In this embodiment, the release mechanism may also include a linkage 95 extending from the push button 50′ including a camming surface for engaging the latch 91, whereby pushing the push button 50 in one direction, e.g. parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft 14, moves the latch 91 in a perpendicular direction, e.g. perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft 14 and the adjustable putter grip 16. Accordingly, the push button 51 may have to be depressed initially to retract the latch 91 out of engagement or potential engagement with the keeper 92, and thereby enable the second section 32 to come to rest parallel to the first section 31.

The process of depressing the push button 51 for a second time releases the teeth from the adjustable putter grip 16 thereby enabling the user to remove the adjustable putter grip 16 from the conventional putter grip 15 of the golf putter 10. The process of pressing the button 50′ to lock the first section 31 and the second section 32 of the adjustable putter grip 16, as well as to release the first section 31 and the second section 32 of the adjustable putter grip 16 from shaft 14 that makes the adjustable putter grip 16 both easy to apply, easy to remove and which facilitates the golfer's ability to use the putter club as intended by the original equipment manufacturer or as afforded embodiment of this invention. This process as per the prior resolves what is often an expensive, time consuming, process of permanently altering a putter grip and the dynamics of the putter to which is attached by the original equipment manufacturer.

The foregoing description of one or more example embodiments has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of the disclosure be limited not by this detailed description.

Claims

1. An adjustable putter grip comprising:

a body configured to fit over a conventional putter grip of a golf putter, the body comprising a first section and a second section, each of the first section and the second section having opposite sides and a bottom surface, therebetween;

a locking mechanism for holding the first section and the second section together;

a release mechanism for releasing the locking mechanism;

a plurality of inserts spaced along the first section and/or the second section for frictionally engaging the conventional putter grip;

a plurality of pockets in the first section and/or the second section, each of the plurality of pockets adjacent to at least one of the plurality of inserts; and

a plurality of weights, each weight configured for positioning in one or more selected pockets of the plurality of pockets for adjusting a weight distribution of the golf putter;

wherein the plurality of pockets comprises a first set of pockets along at least one of the opposite sides of the first section and/or the second section, and a second set of pockets along the bottom surface of the first section and/or the second section; and

wherein the plurality of weights comprises a first set of weights configured to fit in the first set of pockets, and a second set of weights with a different shape than the first set of weights configured to fit in the second set of pockets.

2. The adjustable putter grip according to claim 1, further comprising magnets mounted in the plurality of pockets; wherein at least some of the plurality of weights comprise a magnetic material configured to be held in place by the magnets.

3. The adjustable putter grip according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of pockets each include a magnetic material; and wherein each weight comprises a magnet configured to be held in place by magnetic attraction to the magnetic material.

4. The adjustable putter grip according to claim 1, further comprising a first connector on each of the plurality of weights; and at least one second connector on the first section and/or the second section configured to mate with the first connectors.

5. The adjustable putter grip according to claim 1, wherein the first set of weights include some with different magnitudes of weight and wherein the second set of weights include some with different magnitudes of weight.

6. The adjustable putter grip according to claim 1, wherein the first set of weights includes some with different sizes, and wherein the second set of weights includes some with different sizes.

7. The adjustable putter grip according to claim 6, wherein the first set of weights includes rectangular shaped weights configured for positioning along the sides of the first section and/or the second section; and wherein the second set of weights includes semicylindrical shaped weights configured for positioning along the bottom surface of the first section and/or the second section.

8. The adjustable putter grip according to claim 6, wherein the pockets comprises a first set of pockets along the sides of the first and/or second sections, wherein some of the first plurality of pockets have different sizes; and a second set of pockets along the bottom surface of the first and/or second section, wherein some of the second set of pockets have different sizes.

9. The adjustable putter grip according to claim 1,

wherein each insert comprises a U-shaped structure comprised of a resilient material, extending from one edge of the first section, down to a bottom of the first section, and back up to an opposite edge of the first section forming a first clamp into which the conventional grip is inserted and held in position; and

wherein each side of each insert expands from a first thinner width to provide an opening to facilitate insertion of the conventional grip therebetween, to a second wider width configured to engage the conventional grip.

10. The adjustable putter grip according to claim 9, wherein a middle of each insert tapers down to a third width, thinner than the second width, extending along the bottom of the first section, thereby facilitating bending of each insert during mounting into the first section.

11. The adjustable putter grip according to claim 1, further comprising a hinge pivotally connecting the first section to the second section.

12. The adjustable putter grip according to claim 11, wherein the hinge is positioned at a top end of the first and second sections.

13. The adjustable putter grip according to claim 11, wherein the hinge comprises an elongated groove, and a hinge pin slidable in the elongated groove enabling the second section to rotate and reciprocate relative to the first section into a locked position.

14. The adjustable putter grip according to claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism comprises:

teeth extending from the second section,

a carriage for supporting the teeth configured to reciprocate in the second section, spring loaded by a spring force into a closed position; and

detents extending from the first section configured to engage the teeth when in the closed position.

15. The adjustable putter grip according to claim 14, wherein the release mechanism comprises a push button extending from the carriage configured to be pushed by a user to overcome the spring force, thereby disengaging the teeth from the detents, unlocking the first section from the second section.

16. The adjustable putter grip according to claim 14, wherein the teeth comprise a first set of teeth extending from a bottom end of the second section, and a second set of teeth extending proximate a middle of the second section.

17. The adjustable putter grip according to claim 1, further comprising sensors disposed inside the first section and/or the second section configured for detecting and transmitting signals relating to movement of the golf putter.

18. The adjustable putter grip according to claim 17, wherein the sensors are configured for detecting and transmitting signals relating to rotation of the golf putter.

19. An kit for configuring a putter grip comprising:

an adjustable putter grip comprising: a body configured to fit over a conventional putter grip of a golf putter, the body comprising a first section and a second section, each of the first section and the second section having opposite sides and a bottom surface, therebetween; a locking mechanism for holding the first section and the second section together; a release mechanism for releasing the locking mechanism; a plurality of inserts spaced along the first section and/or the second section for frictionally engaging the conventional putter grip; and a plurality of pockets in the first section or the second section, each of the plurality of pockets adjacent to at least one of the plurality of inserts, the plurality of pockets comprises a first set of pockets along the opposite sides of the first section and/or the second section, and a second set of pockets along the bottom surface of the first section and/or the second section;

a first set of weights, including some with different sizes and some with different magnitudes of weight, configured to fit in the first set of pockets for adjusting a weight distribution of the golf putter; and

a second set of weights, including some with different sizes and some with different magnitudes of weight, configured to fit in the second set of pockets for adjusting the weight distribution of the golf putter.

20. The adjustable putter grip according to claim 19, wherein the first set of weights includes rectangular shaped weights configured for positioning along the sides of the first section and/or the second section; and wherein the second set of weights includes semicylindrical shaped weights configured for positioning along the bottom surface of the first section and/or the second section.