VARIABLE DENSITY GOLF CLUB GRIPS
Embodiments of golf club grips and methods to manufacture such golf club grips are generally described herein. In some embodiments, the golf club grip may include a hollow grip body associated with a longitudinal axis and a density that smoothly varies along the longitudinal axis to achieve a predetermined swing weight when a golf club shaft is received within the hollow grip body. In other embodiments, golf club grips comprise a hollow grip body including no more than two sections along the longitudinal axis. A first section is associated with a first density, a second section is associated with a second density, and the first density is less than the second density to achieve a predetermined swing weight when the golf club shaft is received within the hollow grip body.
This is a non-provisional of U.S. Patent Application No. 61/755,200, filed on Jan. 22, 2013, the contents of which are fully incorporated herein by reference.
FIELDThe present disclosure relates to grips, and in particular grips for sport equipment.
BACKGROUNDIn several types of sports, such as golf, hockey, baseball, softball, tee ball, and cricket, an individual may use a club with a striking face to strike an object such as a ball. For each sport, a variety of clubs may be used. In particular, golf clubs may include a driver-type golf club, a fairway wood-type golf club, a hybrid-type golf club, an iron-type golf club, a wedge-type golf club, and a putter-type golf club. For such golf clubs, grips made of a molded rubber material or synthetic polymeric materials may be used. The grips may be available in various sizes, which may affect the weight of the grips, which, in turn, may affect the swing weight and/or center of gravity of the golf club.
In some golf clubs, an end cap may be placed in an abutting relationship with a butt end of a grip. Compared to the grip, the end cap may be made of a firmer and/or harder material to give more strength and prevent the shaft from poking through the end of the grip. The end cap may be pre-formed and then coupled to or assembled with the grip. For manufacturing of the grip, particularly for a large volume or batch of grips, repeatedly forming the end cap separately from or before forming the grip and assembling them together can be time-consuming, cumbersome, and cost-prohibitive.
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding elements among the various views of the drawings. The headings used in the figures should not be interpreted to limit the scope of the claims.
DESCRIPTIONAs described herein, golf club grips in some embodiments comprise a hollow grip body associated with a longitudinal axis and a density that smoothly (e.g., linearly) varies along the longitudinal axis to achieve a predetermined swing weight when a golf club shaft is received within the hollow grip body. In other embodiments, golf club grips comprise a hollow grip body including no more than two sections along the longitudinal axis. A first section is associated with a first density, a second section is associated with a second density, and the first density is less than the second density to achieve a predetermined swing weight when the golf club shaft is received within the hollow grip body. The predetermined swing weight may assist in enhancing the performance of the golf club. For example, a center of gravity may be advantageously positioned at a desired location of the golf club to potentially improve the balance, stability, and performance. The disclosed golf club grips can make the manufacturing thereof less cumbersome and more efficient.
Referring to
Referring also
It should be noted that some embodiments disclosed herein may conform to rules and/or standards of golf defined by various golf standard organizations, governing bodies, and/or rule establishing entities such as the United States Golf Associations (USGA) and the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews (R&A), but the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.
For some golf club grips, the mass or swing weight may change by up to 6 points depending on the dimensions, shapes, and volumes of the golf club grips. For instance, a family of grip sizes can have a mass that varies by approximately 26 grams from the smallest size to the largest size. A large golf club grip, for example, may weigh more than a smaller golf club grip, thereby slanting the center of gravity or balance point for the golf club from the golf club head toward the butt end. On the other hand, a small golf club grip, for example, may weigh less than a larger golf club grip, thereby slanting the center of gravity or balance point for the golf club from the butt end toward the golf club head. Accordingly, for some golf club grips, the center of gravity or balance point may not be stable when the dimension, shape, and volume changes.
One benefit of the disclosed golf clubs and manufacturing method thereof is that the disclosed golf clubs are capable of achieving or maintaining substantially the same mass, swing weight, and/or center of gravity regardless of the dimension, shape, and volume of the golf club grips 9, 10, 11. Accordingly, the performance of the club may potentially be maximized. In some embodiments, the mass of all golf club grips 10 is within 5 grams (including all values to within 1 gram or within the known tolerance/error of the particular weight value). That is, the dimension or volume of the golf club grips 9, 10, 11 may be increased without significantly increasing the mass or swing weight. Accordingly, the golf club grips 9, 10, 11 may be associated with the same mass, which may be predetermined depending on the use requirements or preferences for the particular golf club grips 9, 10, 11. To this end, in some embodiments the hollow grip body 12 of the respective golf club grip 9, 10, 11 is associated with a density or specific gravity that smoothly varies along the longitudinal axis 14, as explained below. The golf club grips 9, 10, 11 can thus achieve a predetermined mass or swing weight regardless of their dimensions, shapes, and volumes, which can potentially improve the balance, stability, and performance of the golf clubs when the golf club shaft 13 is received within the hollow grip body 12.
In some embodiments, the hollow grip body 12 is associated with a density or specific gravity that increases along the longitudinal axis 14 from the shaft-receiving end 16 toward the butt end 18. Density refers to an object's mass per unit volume, and specific gravity refers to a ratio of the object's density to the density of water at 4° C. Referring also to
(GripCG)=0.47×(Grip Weight)−14.773 [1]
Thus, the predetermined mass or grip weight achieved with the varying density of the hollow grip body 12 may assist in advantageously positioning the center of gravity at a desired location of the golf club. In other embodiments, the density or specific gravity may decrease along the longitudinal axis 14 from the shaft-receiving end 16 toward the butt end 18. In still other embodiments, the hollow grip body 12 may contain sections or portions with different densities or specific gravities, as explained below.
In some embodiments, the density may vary substantially linearly along the longitudinal axis 14. “Substantially linear” variation as used herein includes values within 15% (including all values to within 1%) of the particular density according to a linear gradient or progression along the longitudinal axis 14. In other embodiments, the density may vary linearly along the longitudinal axis 14. A “linear” variation typically includes values within 1% of the particular density according to a linear gradient or progression along the longitudinal axis 14, or alternatively within the known tolerance/error of the particular density value. The density or specific gravity of the hollow grip body 12 may thus vary along the longitudinal axis 14 proportional to a distance from the shaft-receiving end 16 or the butt end 18.
In some embodiments, the density or specific gravity of the hollow grip body 12 may smoothly vary along the longitudinal axis 14 according to a linear, exponential, or other gradient or progression, excluding a stepped gradient or progression. The hollow grip body 12 may be associated with a specific gravity that smoothly varies from approximately 0.1 to approximately 20.0. In further embodiments, the hollow grip body 12 may be associated with a specific gravity that smoothly varies from 0.1, from 0.2, from 0.3, from 0.4, from 0.5, from 0.6, from 0.7, from 0.8, from 0.9, from 1.0, from 2.0, from 3.0, from 4.0, from 5.0, from 6.0, from 7.0, from 8.0, from 9.0, from 10.0, from 11.0, from 12.0, from 13.0, from 14.0, from 15.0, from 16.0, from 17.0, from 18.0, or from 19.0, to 20.0, to 19.0, to 18.0, to 17.0, to 16.0, to 15.0, to 14.0, to 13.0, to 12.0, to 11.0, to 10.0, to 9.0, to 8.0, to 7.0, to 6.0, to 5.0, to 4.0, to 3.0, to 2.0, to 1.0, to 0.9, to 0.8, to 0.7, to 0.6, to 0.5, to 0.4, to 0.3, or to 0.2. The smoothly varying density can facilitate achieving a predetermined swing weight when a golf club shaft is received within the hollow grip body 12. The predetermined swing weight may assist in enhancing the performance of the golf club. For example, a center of gravity may be advantageously positioned at a desired location of the golf club to potentially improve the balance, stability, and performance. Depending on the use requirements or preferences for the particular golf club grip 10, a hollow grip body 12 that is associated with a density or specific gravity varying along the longitudinal axis 14 according to a stepped gradient or progression may not provide the balance, stability, and performance of the golf club.
Referring also to
The hollow grip body 12 may comprise a plurality of synthetic resins or elastomers, such as butyl rubber, chloroprene rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM) rubber, ethylene-vinyl acetate, halogenated butyl rubber, nitrile rubber, chloroprene rubber, polypropylene, polyurethane, and styrene-butadiene rubber, or a combination thereof, or can be made from other man-made and naturally occurring materials. For example, a golf grip can be comprised of wrapped leather, full cord material, a combination of elastomeric rubber and cord, or strictly rubber. In some embodiments, the plurality of synthetic resins or elastomers is associated with a mix ratio, which may smoothly vary along the longitudinal axis 14. In some embodiments, the mix ratio may vary substantially linearly along the longitudinal axis 14. In other embodiments, the mix ratio may vary linearly along the longitudinal axis 14. As explained below, in still other embodiments, the hollow grip body 12 may contain sections or portions with different densities.
In some embodiments, the hollow grip body 12 may be formed by injection molding, compression molding, or blow molding the plurality of synthetic resins, smoothly varying the density along the longitudinal axis 14 to achieve a predetermined swing weight when the golf club shaft 13 is received within the hollow grip body 12. In particular, for injection molding the hollow grip body 12, a two-piece outer shell may form the external shape of the hollow grip body 12 and a core bar such as a steel mandrel may establish the internal dimensions of the hollow grip body 12. Once molded the shell can be separated and the core bar can be removed. Parting lines may be removed from the hollow grip body 12 and final grip dimensions may be achieved through buffing to final shape. In other embodiments, the hollow grip body 12 may be molded or formed by any suitable manners.
In some embodiments, an end cap 22 is integrally formed (e.g., molded or otherwise formed as one piece) with the butt end 18. In further embodiments, the hollow grip body 12 is substantially seamless. In still further embodiments, the hollow grip body 12 and the end cap 22 may be integrally formed during the same molding process (e.g., injection molding process). This is a departure from known golf club grip production procedures, in case of which the end cap is pre-molded, and the injection-molding steps, on the one hand, and assembly steps, on the other hand, are kept very much separate. In contrast, the hollow grip body 12 and end cap 22 may be formed throughout the course or duration of the same molding process, which can make the manufacturing of the golf club grip 10 less cumbersome and more efficient. Other configurations are possible depending on the use requirements or preferences for the particular golf club, including configurations where the hollow grip body 12 is molded or otherwise formed separately with the butt end 18, or including seams.
In some embodiments, the end cap 22 may include an infill material or disc-like weight 24. The infill material or weight 24 may be associated with a density that varies from the densities of the hollow grip body 12. In some embodiments, the infill material or weight 24 may be associated with a density or specific gravity that is higher than the densities or specific gravities of the hollow grip body 12. The higher density or specific gravity of the infill material or weight 24 may assist in positioning a center of gravity of the golf club at a desired location to improve the balance, stability, and performance. For example, the golf club grip 9 may be associated with an outer diameter of approximately 1.8 cm and co-molded with an end cap 22 including an infill material or weight 24 weighing up to approximately 3 grams more compared to the larger golf club grip 10, so as to weigh approximately the same in aggregate. A further smaller golf club grip 9 associated with an outer diameter of approximate 1.7 cm may be co-molded with an end cap 22 including an infill material or weight 24 weighing from approximately 5 grams to approximately 10 grams more compared to the larger golf club grip 10, so as to weigh approximately the same in aggregate.
In some embodiments, the infill material or weight 24 may be associated with a density or specific gravity that is lower than the densities or specific gravities of the hollow grip body 12. In other embodiments, the infill material or weight 24 may be associated with a density or specific gravity that overlaps with the densities or specific gravities of the hollow grip body 12. In still other embodiments, the end cap 22 may be made of the same material as the butt end 18 and may not include the infill material or weight 24.
The golf club grip 100 in this embodiment comprises a hollow grip body 112 that includes no more than two sections 114, 116 along the longitudinal axis 14. A first section 114 is associated with a first density, a second section 116 is associated with a second density, and the first density is less than the second density to achieve a predetermined swing weight when the golf club shaft is received within the hollow grip body 112. Depending on the use requirements or preferences for the particular golf club grip 100, a hollow grip body that includes three or more sections along the longitudinal axis 14 may not provide the requisite efficiency in manufacturing. In contrast, the methods, apparatus, etc. described herein provide methods to manufacture a single molded golf club grip.
Rather than pre-forming each section 114, 116 and then assembling the two sections 114, 116 together, the two sections 114, 116 may be formed throughout the course or duration of the same molding process. Single molding the two sections 114, 116 can make the manufacturing of the golf club grip 100 less cumbersome and more efficient. Moreover, single molding the two sections 114, 116 may require a single molding machine or equipment without requiring further parts for assembling the two sections 114, 116 together, and thus may be cost-effective. In some embodiments, an end cap 22 may be integrally formed (e.g., molded or otherwise formed as one piece) with the second section 116 during the same molding process (e.g., injection molding process).
The hollow grip body 112 defines a first end, shaft-receiving end, or open tip end 118 and a second end or a butt end 120 positioned distal to the shaft-receiving end 118. In some embodiments, the first section 114 extends from the shaft-receiving end 118 up to a position spaced approximately 0.1 cm to approximately 15.0 cm from the butt end 120. In some embodiments, the first section 114 extends from the shaft-receiving end 118 up to a position spaced 0.1 cm or more, 0.2 cm or more, 0.3 cm or more, 0.4 cm or more, 0.5 cm or more, 0.6 cm or more, 0.7 cm or more, 0.8 cm or more, 0.9 cm or more, 1.0 cm or more, 2.0 cm or more, 3.0 cm or more, 4.0 cm or more, 5.0 cm or more, 6.0 cm or more, 7.0 cm or more, 8.0 cm or more, 9.0 cm or more, 10.0 cm or more, 11.0 cm or more, 12.0 cm or more, 13.0 cm or more, or 14.0 cm or more from the butt end 120. In other embodiments, the first section 114 extends from the shaft-receiving end 118 up to a position spaced 15.0 cm or less, 14.0 cm or less, 13.0 cm or less, 12.0 cm or less, 11.0 cm or less, 10.0 cm or less, 9.0 cm or less, 8.0 cm or less, 7.0 cm or less, 6.0 cm or less, 5.0 cm or less, 4.0 cm or less, 3.0 cm or less, 2.0 cm or less, 1.0 cm or less, 0.9 cm or less, 0.8 cm or less, 0.7 cm or less, 0.6 cm or less, 0.5 cm or less, 0.4 cm or less, 0.3 cm or less, or 0.2 cm or less from the butt end 120.
In some embodiments, the first section 114 is associated with a specific gravity of approximately 0.1 to approximately 2.0, and the second section 116 is associated with a specific gravity of approximately 2.0 to approximately 20.0. In some embodiments, the first section 114 is associated with a specific gravity of 0.1 or more, 0.2 or more, 0.3 or more, 0.4 or more, 0.5 or more, 0.6 or more, 0.7 or more, 0.8 or more, 0.9 or more, 1.0 or more, 1.1 or more, 1.2 or more, approximately 1.3 or more, 1.4 or more, 1.5 or more, 1.6 or more, 1.7 or more, 1.8 or more, or 1.9 or more. In further embodiments, the first section 114 is associated with a specific gravity of 2.0 or less, 1.9 or less, 1.8 or less, 1.7 or less, 1.6 or less, 1.5 or less, 1.4 or less, 1.3 or less, 1.2 or less, 1.1 or less, 1.0 or less, 0.9 or less, 0.8 or less, 0.7 or less, 0.6 or less, 0.5 or less, 0.4 or less, 0.3 or less, or 0.2 or less. In some embodiments, the second section 116 is associated with a specific gravity of 2.0 or more, 3.0 or more, 4.0 or more, 5.0 or more, 6.0 or more, 7.0 or more, 8.0 or more, 9.0 or more, 10.0 or more, 11.0 or more, 12.0 or more, 13.0 or more, 14.0 or more, 15.0 or more, 16.0 or more, 17.0 or more, 18.0 or more, or 19.0 or more. In further embodiments, the second section 116 is associated with a specific gravity of 20.0 or less, 19.0 or less, 18.0 or less, 17.0 or less, 16.0 or less, 15.0 or less, 14.0 or less, 13.0 or less, 12.0 or less, 11.0 or less, 10.0 or less, 9.0 or less, 8.0 or less, 7.0 or less, 6.0 or less, 5.0 or less, 4.0 or less, 3.0 or less, or 2.0 or less.
The specific gravities of the first and second sections 114, 116 can facilitate achieving a predetermined swing weight when a golf club shaft is received within the hollow grip body 112. The predetermined swing weight may assist in enhancing the performance of the golf club. For example, a center of gravity may be advantageously positioned at a desired location of the golf club to potentially improve the balance, stability, and performance.
In some embodiments, the hollow grip body 112 comprises a plurality of synthetic resins or elastomers. In further embodiments, the first section 114 comprises a first synthetic resin or elastomer, and the second section 116 comprises a second synthetic resin or elastomer. In some embodiments, the first and second sections 114, 116 comprise a plurality of synthetic resins or elastomers mixed at respective ratios. In some embodiments, the hollow grip body 112 may be formed by compression molding or blow molding the plurality of synthetic resins. In other embodiments, the hollow grip body 112 may be molded or formed by any suitable manners.
Referring also to
It should be understood from the foregoing that, while particular embodiments have been illustrated and described, various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are within the scope and teachings of this disclosure as defined in the claims appended hereto.
Claims
1. A golf club grip comprising:
- a first end configured to receive a golf club shaft;
- a second end opposite of the first end; and
- a hollow grip body associated with a longitudinal axis and a density that smoothly varies along the longitudinal axis to achieve a predetermined swing weight when a golf club shaft is received within the hollow grip body.
2. The golf club grip of claim 1, wherein the density varies substantially linearly along the longitudinal axis.
3. The golf club grip of claim 1 further comprising an end cap integrally formed with the second end.
4. The golf club grip of claim 1, wherein the density increases along the longitudinal axis from the first end toward the second end.
5. The golf club grip of claim 1, wherein the hollow grip body is associated with a cross section substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and wherein the cross section tapers along the longitudinal axis.
6. The golf club grip of claim 1, wherein the hollow grip body comprises a plurality of synthetic resins.
7. The golf club grip of claim 1, wherein the hollow grip body comprises a plurality of synthetic resins, wherein the plurality of synthetic resins is associated with a mix ratio, and wherein the mix ratio smoothly varies along the longitudinal axis.
8. The golf club grip of claim 1, wherein the hollow grip body comprises a plurality of synthetic resins, wherein the plurality of synthetic resins is associated with a mix ratio, and wherein the mix ratio varies substantially linearly along the longitudinal axis.
9. The golf club grip of claim 1, wherein the hollow grip body is dimensioned to fittingly receive the golf club shaft.
10. A golf club grip comprising:
- a first end configured to receive a golf club shaft;
- a second end opposite of the first end; and
- a hollow grip body associated with a longitudinal axis and including no more than two sections along the longitudinal axis, wherein a first section is associated with a first density, wherein a second section is associated with a second density, and wherein the first density is less than the second density to achieve a predetermined swing weight when a golf club shaft is received within the hollow grip body.
11. The golf club grip of claim 10 further comprising an end cap integrally formed with the second end.
12. The golf club grip of claim 10, wherein the first section extends from the first end up to a position spaced approximately 0.1 cm to approximately 15.0 cm from the second end.
13. The golf club grip of claim 10, wherein the first section is associated with a specific gravity of approximately 0.1 to approximately 2.0, and wherein the second section is associated with a specific gravity of approximately 2.0 to approximately 20.0.
14. The golf club grip of claim 10, wherein the hollow grip body is associated with a cross section substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and wherein the cross section tapers along the longitudinal axis.
15. The golf club grip of claim 10, wherein the hollow grip body comprises a plurality of synthetic resins.
16. The golf club grip of claim 10, wherein the first section comprises a first synthetic resin, and wherein the second section comprises a second synthetic resin.
17. The golf club grip of claim 10, wherein the first and second sections comprise a plurality of synthetic resins mixed at respective ratios.
18. The golf club grip of claim 10, wherein the hollow grip body is dimensioned to fittingly receive the golf club shaft.
19. A method of manufacturing a golf club grip, comprising:
- molding a hollow grip body associated with a longitudinal axis and a density, wherein the density is smoothly varied along the longitudinal axis to achieve a predetermined swing weight when a golf club shaft is received within the hollow grip body.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the hollow grip body includes no more than two sections along the longitudinal axis, wherein a first section is associated with a first density, wherein a second section is associated with a second density, wherein the first density is less than the second density to achieve a predetermined swing weight when a golf club shaft is received within the hollow grip body, and wherein the first and second sections are formed during the same molding process.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 14, 2014
Publication Date: Jul 24, 2014
Inventors: Martin R. Jertson (Phoenix, AZ), Ryan M. Stokke (Phoenix, AZ), Michael R. Nicolette (Scottsdale, AZ)
Application Number: 14/154,694
International Classification: A63B 53/14 (20060101);