Grip for a golf club

Abstract

A grip for a golf club includes a unitary inner layer tube with a butt cap and a tip ring, made of a resilient polymeric material, and adapted to be disposed around one end of the golf club. An outer layer is disposed around and is adhered to the inner layer tube, and includes a flexible sheet member having two opposite longitudinal ends along an axial direction of the inner layer tube. The sheet member is adhered to the inner layer tube by wrapping the sheet member, in a flat form, around the inner layer tube solely along a circumferential direction relative to an axis of the inner layer tube until one of the longitudinal ends reaches the other one of the longitudinal ends between the butt cap and the tip ring of the inner layer tube. The outer layer includes a plurality of anti-slip stitches thereon.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority of Taiwanese Patent Application No. 091206941, filed on May 15, 2002.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The invention relates to a grip for a golf club, more particularly to a layered composite grip having an anti-slip outer layer with stitches so as to provide the comfortable feel of a single whole-sheet fabric, leather, or leather-like material, an anti-slip effect, and better hem finishing.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] Conventional molded golf grips can be classified into four main types, namely, buffed rubber, unbuffed rubber, cord and plastic grips. The buffed rubber grip has a broken, scaly and porous surface to simulate the feel of leather. The unbuffed rubber grip has an unbroken smooth surface and is made to simulate the look of leather. The cord grip is a combination of the scaly surface of the buffed rubber grip and the cotton fibers of woven fabric. The plastic grip has a surface resembling the unbroken surface of the unbuffed rubber grip. On the whole, golfers prefer grips with the feel and appearance of fabric and leather.

[0006] Other conventional grips are of the strip type. In the strip type, a strip of natural leather or polyurethane-coated synthetic leather is wrapped spirally around an underlying tube or a shaft of a golf club. This type of grip suffers from the drawbacks that installation is difficult and that the strip tends to unravel through use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Therefore, the main object of the present invention is to provide a layered composite grip for a golf club which has an outer layer formed from a single sheet of leather, synthetic leather or fabric, and having stitches thereon so as to provide a new surface texture.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a layered composite grip for a golf club which provides the comfortable feel of a single whole-sheet fabric, leather or leather-like material, an anti-slip effect, and better hem finishing.

[0009] A further object of the present invention is to provide a layered composite grip for a golf club which has an outer layer formed from a plurality of sheets of different materials and provided with different stitch patterns so as to enhance the appearance of the grip and provide greater flexibility in the design of the grip.

[0010] Accordingly, a layered composite grip for a golf club of the invention includes a unitary inner layer tube and an outer layer. The inner layer tube is formed with a butt cap and a tip ring, is made of a resilient polymeric material, and is adapted to be disposed around one end of the golf club. The outer layer is disposed around and is adhered to the inner layer tube. The outer layer includes a flexible sheet member having two opposite longitudinal ends along an axial direction of the inner layer tube, and two opposite transverse ends extending between the longitudinal ends. The sheet member is adhered to the inner layer tube by using a cementing material and by wrapping the sheet member, in a flat form, around the inner layer tube solely along a circumferential direction relative to an axis of the inner layer tube until one of the longitudinal ends reaches the other one of the longitudinal ends between the butt cap and the tip ring of the inner layer tube. The outer layer includes a plurality of anti-slip stitches thereon for purposes of hem finishing, enhanced appearance, and interconnection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the first preferred embodiment of a layered composite grip for a golf club according to the present invention when installed on a shaft of a golf club that is shown in part;

[0013] FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view of the first preferred embodiment taken along line A-A of FIG. 1;

[0014] FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing an outer layer of the first preferred embodiment;

[0015] FIG. 2A is a schematic view showing an inner layer tube of the first preferred embodiment;

[0016] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a modified form of the first preferred embodiment;

[0017] FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of another modified form of the first preferred embodiment;

[0018] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a modified form of the outer layer of the first preferred embodiment;

[0019] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of another modified form of the outer layer of the first preferred embodiment;

[0020] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the second preferred embodiment of a layered composite grip for a golf club according to the present invention when installed on a shaft of a golf club that is shown in part;

[0021] FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view of a modified form of the second preferred embodiment;

[0022] FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view of another modified form of the second preferred embodiment;

[0023] FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a modified outer layer of the second preferred embodiment; and

[0024] FIG. 11 is a schematic view of another modified outer layer of the second preferred embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] Before the present invention is described in greater detail, it should be noted that like elements are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the disclosure.

[0026] Referring to FIGS. 1, 1A, 2 and 2A, the first preferred embodiment of a layered composite grip 1 for a golf club according to the present invention is shown to include an inner layer tube 3 and an outer layer 4. The inner layer tube 3 is disposed around one end of a shaft 20 of the golf club adjacent to a butt end thereof. In this embodiment, the inner layer tube 3 has an inner surface 30 adhered to the shaft 20 using a double-sided adhesive tape 21 and a solvent. The inner layer tube 3 is a unitary molded body with a butt cap 33 at the top and a tip ring 34 at the bottom, and is made of a resilient polymeric material, such as a rubber material or an elastomer. Examples of the resilient polymeric material include natural rubber, rubber composites, thermoplastic rubber (TPR), thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), and polyurethane (PU). The inner layer tube 3 may be a molded or milled foam body, such as a close-celled foam.

[0027] The outer layer 4 is disposed around and is cohesively bonded to an outer surface 31 of the inner layer tube 3 using a cementing material 6, such as chloroprene rubber, resin, etc. The outer layer 4 includes a single flexible sheet member formed from a material selected from the group consisting of natural and synthetic leathers, PU coated leather, and fabric materials, and having two opposite longitudinal ends 4a along an axial direction of the golf club, and two opposite transverse ends 4b extending between the longitudinal ends 4a. The outer layer 4 further has an outermost surface 40 and an inner surface 41 opposite to the outermost surface 40. It is noted that the outer layer 4 has a surface area substantially equivalent to that of the inner layer tube 3 between the butt cap 33 and the tip ring 34. The outer layer 4 includes a plurality of anti-slip stitches 5 thereon. The anti-slip stitches 5 in this embodiment include transverse stitch lines 51 extending along the transverse ends 4b, and longitudinal stitch lines 52 extending along the longitudinal ends 4a. The anti-slip stitches 5 further include a plurality of zigzag stitch lines 53 intersecting each other and extending across the outermost surface 40 so as to further reduce slippage and to form a desired decorative pattern on the outermost surface 40.

[0028] Referring further to FIGS. 3 and 4, in alternative forms, the anti-slip stitches 5 include multi-thread embroidery stitches 50, 50′ formed by single thread stitching or multiple thread stitching. The stitches 50′ are pick stitches that extend into the outer layer 4 to a level shallower than that of the stitches 50. The anti-slip stitches 5 can be made by hand sewing or machine sewing using threads of cotton, polyester, rayon, nylon or other suitable materials. The threads can be treated in a conventional manner to resist water, abrasion, mildew, perspiration stains, and ultraviolet rays, and to strengthen elasticity thereof, thereby enhancing the anti-slip characteristic of the outer layer 4 and the adaptability of the outer layer 4 to outdoor environments.

[0029] During manufacture of the grip 1, the anti-slip stitches 5 can be formed on the outer layer 4 before or after the outer layer 4 is cohesively bonded to the inner layer tube 3 depending on the stitching methods used to form the anti-slip stitches 5. In this embodiment, the anti-slip stitches 5 are formed on the outer layer 4 prior to bonding the outer layer 4 to the inner layer tube 3. It is noted that the outer layer 4 is cohesively bonded to the inner layer tube 3 by cementing and by wrapping the outer layer 4, in a flat form, around the inner layer tube 3 solely along a circumferential direction relative to the shaft 20 of the golf club until one of the longitudinal ends 4a reaches the other one of the longitudinal ends 4a between the butt cap 33 and the tip ring 34 of the inner layer tube 3.

[0030] Alternatively, referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the outer layer 4 can be formed by two or more sheet segments 42. The anti-slip stitches 5 include one or more stitch lines 54 provided between and interconnecting adjacent sheet segments 42 such that one or more seams 7 are formed between adjacent sheet segments 42 and extend from one of the transverse ends 4b to the other one of the transverse ends 4b. In this embodiment, the stitch lines 54 are zigzag stitch lines, and can include elastic stitches, link stitches and the like.

[0031] In the present invention, the arrangement of the anti-slip stitches 5 provides various advantages in addition to contributing to the single-sheet fabric, leather or leather-like feel and anti-slip characteristic of the grip 1. For instance, the transverse and longitudinal stitch lines 51, 52, which are provided along the edges of the outer layer 4, serve to trim, hem-finish, and prevent fraying of the edges of the sheet material. The intersecting stitch lines 53, which can be in any desirable form of stitches, can be used to form decorative stitch patterns on the outer layer 4. The stitch lines 54 permit joining of sheet segments 42 of the same or different materials to give a new appearance and texture to the grip 1 and to enhance the comfortable feel of the grip 1. In addition, different forms of stitches, such as feather stitches and scallop stitches, can be used to form the transverse and longitudinal stitch lines 51, 52 along the transverse and longitudinal ends 4b, 4a of the sheet member of the outer layer 4 to further enhance the single-sheet fabric, leather, or leather-like comfortable feel of the outer layer 4 and the anti-slip characteristic of the outer layer 4, and to improve traction.

[0032] FIG. 7 illustrates the second preferred embodiment of the grip 1 of the present invention. This embodiment differs from the previous embodiment mainly in that the outer layer 4 of the grip 1 further includes a plurality of ventilation elements 43 formed in the outer layer 4. The ventilation elements 43 can be formed by cutting, embossing or hot pressing the flexible sheet material of the outer layer 4, and can be in the form of holes and/or grooves. With reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, which show modified forms of the second preferred embodiment, the ventilation elements 43 include through holes 431 extending through the outermost surface 40 and the inner surface 41, and blind holes 432 extending solely through the outermost surface 40. The through holes 431 and the blind holes 432 can have varying widths, depths and shapes, and are formed in the outer layer 4 by cutting or hot pressing prior to bonding the outer layer 4 to the inner layer tube 3. The ventilation elements 43 further include reticulating grooves 434 formed by hot pressing the outer layer 4 to create any desirable design, or reticulating grooves 434 with pores 433 formed by embossing the outer layer 4 to resemble the grain of an animal skin or hide, as shown in FIG. 11. Preferably, the outer layer 4 in this embodiment is formed from an air-permeable material 44 with capillary holes (see FIG. 8), such as natural leather or a porous material 45 coated with a polyurethane membrane 46 (see FIG. 9) such that, with the provision of the ventilation elements 43, the outer layer 4 has a substantially spongy structure. The spongy structure permits squeezing of the outer layer 4 to help remove water that are channeled into the ventilation elements 43 when the grip 1 becomes wet from perspiration or when the golfer plays in the rain, thereby facilitating quick drying of the outer layer 4. In addition, the ventilation elements 43 on the outer layer 4 create a relatively rugged surface on the outer layer 4 to further improve traction and reduce slippage. The ventilation elements 43 can be arranged in floral patterns for embellishment purposes, as shown in FIG. 10.

[0033] In sum, the present invention has the following advantages:

[0034] 1. As the outer layer includes the anti-slip stitch lines and the ventilation elements, the grip of this invention has the comfortable feel of fabric, leather, and leather-like material, a good anti-slip effect, and provides better traction and better hem finishing.

[0035] 2. As the outer layer is made of a flexible sheet material, pieces of different materials can be joined together by stitch lines to form an integral outer layer. Besides, different stitch patterns can be formed on the outer layer to provide a variety of visual effects.

[0036] 3. Given the above, there is greater flexibility in the manufacture and design of grips for golf clubs.

[0037] While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.

Claims

1. A layered composite grip for a golf club, comprising:

a unitary inner layer tube with a butt cap and a tip ring, made of a resilient polymeric material, and adapted to be disposed around one end of the golf club; and

an outer layer disposed around and adhered to said inner layer tube, said outer layer including a flexible sheet member having two opposite longitudinal ends along an axial direction of said inner layer tube, and two opposite transverse ends extending between said longitudinal ends, said sheet member being adhered to said inner layer tube by using a cementing material and by wrapping said sheet member, in a flat form, around said inner layer tube solely along a circumferential direction relative to an axis of said inner layer tube until one of said longitudinal ends reaches the other one of said longitudinal ends between said butt cap and said tip ring of said inner layer tube, said outer layer including a plurality of anti-slip stitches thereon.

2. The grip as claimed in claim 1, wherein said resilient polymeric material is selected from a group consisting of rubbers and elastomers, said inner layer tube being a molded body.

3. The grip as claimed in claim 2, wherein said molded body is a close-celled foam.

4. The grip as claimed in claim 1, wherein said flexible sheet member is made of a material which is selected from a group consisting of natural leathers, synthetic leathers, polyurethane-coated material, and fabric materials.

5. The grip as claimed in claim 1, wherein said anti-slip stitches include embroidery stitches.

6. The grip as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sheet member includes a plurality of sheet segments which are connected to each other, and at least one seam between said sheet segments, said anti-slip stitches being disposed along said seam.

7. The grip as claimed in claim 6, wherein said seam extends from one of said transverse ends to the other one of said transverse ends.

8. The grip as claimed in claim 1, wherein said anti-slip stitches include a plurality of stitch lines intersecting each other.

9. The grip as claimed in claim 1, wherein said outer layer further includes a plurality of ventilation elements formed therein.

10. The grip as claimed in claim 9, wherein said ventilation elements are formed by embossing said sheet member.

11. The grip as claimed in claim 9, wherein said ventilation elements are formed by cutting said sheet member.

12. The grip as claimed in claim 9, wherein said ventilation elements are formed by hot pressing said sheet member.

13. The grip as claimed in claim 9, wherein said outer layer has an outermost surface and an inner surface opposite to said outermost surface, said ventilation elements including through holes extending through said outermost surface and said inner surface.

14. The grip as claimed in claim 13, wherein said ventilation elements further include blind holes extending solely through said outermost surface.

15. The grip as claimed in claim 9, wherein said outer layer has an outermost surface and an inner surface opposite to said outermost surface, said ventilation elements including grooves extending in said outermost surface.