WEIGHTED GOLF CLUB GRIP

Abstract

A weighted end cap 30 for a golf club grip has a butt end 34 and an inner end 32 connected to a tubular portion 20. The butt end 34 has a weighted element 38 for movement of the center of gravity of the golf club grip.

Description

FIELD

The present disclosure relates in general to a hand grip or a sports grip for shock imparting implements, and more particularly to a new and improved golf club grip with a weighted end.

BACKGROUND

There are many forms of grips available on the market today for a wide variety of implements. These implements can range from hammer handles or other hand tools to sports implements like tennis, squash, or racquetball rackets, or golf clubs. While the present invention is particularly suited as a golf club grip and described with reference thereto, it should be immediately apparent that the present invention is not intended to be limited only to golf grips and extends to any sports grip or hand grip for a shock imparting implement.

Originally, golf club grips consisted primarily of a leather wrap around a handle. Later, molded rubber grips became available and are still in wide use today. A recent variation on the molded rubber grip is the concept of using a rubber sleeve or underlisting on the handle with leather or synthetic leather wrap spirally wrapped around the underlisting for a softer hand feel. Grips are made today from a wide variety and combination of materials.

There still exists a need for an improved grip that imparts or receives shock or force to or from a shock imparting implement that can provide swing control capability for more effective control. The grip should provide a firm grasp with little or no slippage, good resistance to torque as well as good shock absorbing qualities. At the same time it should enhance the swing weight control of the implement for more effective control with that implement. Swing weight control, handle stiffness, flex control, shock absorption are just some of the important factors in improving the impact from the implement.

Thus, it is desirable to have a weighted grip that allows the user to select the right fit and feel for the handle or shaft of a shock imparting implement or tool to meet the needs of the user in a given application.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure describes an improved weighted end cap for a golf club grip that allows for a shift of the center of gravity of the grip towards the end of the grip for improved golfer swing stability and control.

In an exemplary embodiment, the weighted golf club grip includes a tubular portion formed of an elastomeric material constructed to receive a golf club shaft. The tubular portion has a gradually decreasing diameter with one end constructed to receive a golf club shaft. The tubular portion is constructed to receive an end cap at an opposite end. The end cap has an inner end for engaging said tubular portion and a butt end, said butt end having a weight element disposed at a distal end of said butt end. In another embodiment, the weighted golf club grip comprises a tubular portion formed of an elastomeric material constructed to receive a golf club shaft. The tubular portion has a gradually decreasing diameter with one end constructed to receive a golf club shaft. The tubular portion is constructed to receive an end cap at an opposite end. The end cap has an inner end for engaging said tubular portion and a butt end. The end cap has a cut portion at the butt end with a weight element disposed therein.

The various features of novelty which characterize the present disclosure are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding and its operating advantages attained with its use, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, and descriptive matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevated perspective view of a golf club;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a hollow tubular body for the grip according to the present disclosure with the cap being omitted for the sake of clarity;

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view of an improved end cap according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view of an improved end cap according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view of an improved end cap according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view of an improved end cap according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view of an improved end cap according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is an elevated perspective view of an end cap according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a partial sectional view of the upper end of the tubular portion of the golf club grip according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 10 is a partial sectional view of the tubular portion of the golf club grip according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the figures, which are not intended to limit the present disclosure and where like numerals designate like or similar features throughout the several views, and first in particular to FIG. 1, there is shown a golf club generally designated 10. Golf club 10 includes a golf club grip 12, a shaft or handle 14, and a club head 16, and is one example of a shock imparting implement. The term “shock imparting implement” as used herein is meant to include sporting implements and tools that are used to strike, impact, or apply a force to an object or an implement, or conversely receive an impact or force from the implement. Tennis racquets, squash racquets, racquetball racquets, lacrosse grips, fishing rod handles, bicycle handles, motorcycle handles, and baseball grips are but only a few examples meant to be included in the term “shock imparting implements”. Naturally there are many others, and even possibly more sport items that may still be developed that are envisionable within the scope of the present disclosure. The term “shock imparting implements” is also meant to include but not be limited to tool handles such as a hammer handle or a screwdriver handle.

Returning to FIG. 1, golf club grip 10 is what is known in the art as a slip-on style golf club grip. The term “slip-on” as employed herein is intended to refer to a grip that is constructed to slide onto a handle or shaft 12 and be secured thereto. The grip slides onto a golf club shaft or handle and is secured thereon by an adhesive, tape, or combination thereof. The manner in which these grips are made and held in place on a golf club shaft are well known in the art and require no further explanation here. It is known in the art that slip-on golf club grips are available in many shapes, forms, and materials widely used in the industry. Current golf club grips are made of an elastomeric material like a rubber compound, a synthetic plastic or rubber, thermoplastic material, elastomeric material, and can contain fibers or cords imbedded therein. Even though the present disclosure is particularly suited for use as a golf club grip, and described for that purpose, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited simply to golf grips as mentioned previously, and may be used for many other types of hand grips for shock imparting implements.

Referring next to FIG. 2, there is shown a hollow tubular or body portion 20 that forms the body of the grip. One end 22 is sized to fit on an end of a shaft or handle 14. The other end 24 of the tubular portion 20 is constructed for attachment to the end cap 30. The tubular portion as seen in FIG. 2 has a gradually decreasing diameter in the direction of the shaft 14 as is typical for a swing type golf club grip. The end cap 30 may be attached or joined to the tubular portion in many different ways. In one embodiment as seen in FIG. 8, tubular end 24 may have a tapered recess 26 with threads 28 for receiving and engaging an end cap 30 with threads 31 as seen in FIG. 9. End cap 30 can be attached to the tubular portion in many other different ways other than the threaded engagement as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. Other examples of how the tubular portion 20 may be joined or attached to the end cap 30 include without limitation an interference type fit joint with or without adhesive, attachment with only adhesive , or more typically joined or molded to the tubular portion or even integrally molded with the tubular portion 20 as is known in this art. The tubular portion 20 of the golf club grip may be made from an elastomeric material like a rubber compound, a synthetic plastic or rubber, thermoplastic material, other types of elastomeric materials, and can contain fibers or cords imbedded therein.

End cap 30 has an inner end 32 and a butt end 34 at the end of the golf club grip. Butt end 34 makes up the upper portion of end cap 30. The inner end 32 which is referred to herein as the lower or innermost portion of the end cap 30 is the portion joined to the tubular portion 20 of the grip. The inner end 32 of end cap 30 is typically cylindrical in shape to conform with the tubular portion 20 shape for the attachment. As should be apparent, the end cap 30 and inner end 32 may have other forms to allow for attachment to the tubular portion 20. Butt end 34 is often substantially cylindrical in shape, but may have other forms including without limitation an oval, hexagonal, octagonal, square, or other shape. Referring now to FIG. 3 the distal end 36 of end cap 30 which is the very end of the end cap 30 and the outermost portion of the grip contains the weight element 38, which in this embodiment is constructed of a metal, like a tungsten weight for example, and is strategically positioned on the outer surface of the distal end 36 of end cap 30. The weight element 38 may also consist of a high specific gravity elastomer or other similar material. The weight element 38 may be a portion or even all of the entire butt end 34 of the end cap 30 as depicted in FIG. 3. The weight element 38 preferably has a weight that is selected from a range of approximately 5 grams to approximately 20 grams for shifting the center of gravity of the grip towards the butt end 34 dependent upon the golf club grip weight and user. Doing so assists the golfer with swing stability and provides the capability for a controlled swing . The option of selecting different weights for the weight element 38 in the end cap 30 allows the golf club designer to not only adjust the swing weight of the golf clubs with modifying the club head and shaft weight, but now the golf club grip weight can be used as well in the design of the golf club . When the golf club is re-gripped, it further allows the user to modify or change weighted grips with the selection of the optimum weighted golf club grip for the user at that time and for that club. The weight element 38 is affixed to the butt end 34 of the end cap 30 by way of an adhesive, fastener, or similar manner. The weight element 38 alternatively may be molded within an annular cavity 40 in the distal end 36 of the end cap 30 as seen in FIG. 4.

FIGS. 5 through 7 depict other embodiments of the weighted golf club grip of the present disclosure. In FIG. 5 there is a U-shaped cut portion 42 made in the butt end 34 of end cap 30. The weight element 38 is positioned within the cut 42. As noted previously, the weight element 38 in this embodiment may consist of a high specific gravity rubber material inserted in the cut 42 prior to attachment of the end cap 30 to the tubular portion 20 when forming the weighted golf club grip.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 6 depicts the weight element 38 forming the entire butt end 34 of the end cap 30. As described earlier, the weight element may be attached by any suitable means and be manufactured from either a metal or elastomeric weight element.

FIG. 7 depicts still another embodiment of the present disclosure. The annular cut 44 in this embodiment is positioned adjacent the distal end 36. The weighted element 38 is placed within the annular cut 44 and as before may be a metal or elastomeric weight element.

The tubular portion 20 as depicted in FIG. 10 can comprise one or more layers of a rubber, elastomeric or thermoplastic material, or combinations of such materials in an arrangement that provides varying durometer values. Preferably, the tubular portion 20 is made from a material that has a light weight design to take advantage of the weighted end cap 30 and to allow the shift in the center of gravity of the grip towards the end of the club. A durometer value or rating is an international standard for the hardness measurement of rubber, plastic and other non-metallic materials. Durometer values and ratings are described in the American Society for Testing and Material specification ASTM D2240. For example in one embodiment, an inner surface 25 of the tubular portion 20 that fits securely on the shaft 14 has a hardness value ranging from approximately 25 to approximately 50 Shore A hardness. The outer surface 27 of the tubular portion 20 can have a durometer value preferably ranging from approximately 25 to approximately 90 Shore A, or any combination of values for providing an outer surface grip feel with good frictional qualities and tactile feel coupled with a firmer inner section.

Replacement golf grips are quite common in the golfing industry and the procedure for replacing golf grips is well known. The weighted end cap 30 and tubular portion 20 of the present disclosure allows the user to select the optimum weight and the center of gravity for a given application. The ability to remove and replace the end cap 30 to add more or less weight allows for ease in making adjustments even after the tubular portion 20 is secured on the shaft 14. This flexibility allows the user to tune the implement to their particular feel. Advantageously, tubular portion 20 can be placed on the shaft 14 in the known manner for grip replacement, or alternatively the end cap 30 and tubular portion 20, as a unitary grip, can be placed on the shaft 14 first, and then later if desired end cap 30 may be replaced. If the grip does not have the proper feel, the user has the option to change end caps even after the grip has been installed on the shaft.

As a result, the amount of inventory is greatly reduced and the manufacturing costs are significantly reduced as well with a smaller inventory.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the disclosure, it will be understood that the disclosure may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

Claims

1. A weighted golf club grip, comprising:

a tubular portion formed of an elastomeric material constructed to receive a golf club shaft, said tubular portion having a gradually decreasing diameter with one end being constructed to receive a golf club shaft, said tubular portion being constructed to receive an end cap at an opposite end of said tubular portion from said end for receiving the golf club shaft; and

said end cap having an inner end for engaging said tubular portion and a butt end, said butt end having a weight element disposed at a distal end of said butt end.

2. A weighted golf club grip as defined in claim 1, wherein said weight element comprises a metal element.

3. A weighted golf club grip as defined in claim 1, wherein said butt end of said end cap further comprises an annular cavity at the distal end of said butt end, and the weight element is disposed within said cavity.

4. A weighted golf club grip as defined in claim 1, wherein said weight element has a weight ranging from approximately 5 grams to approximately 20 grams.

5. A weighted golf club grip, comprising:

a tubular portion formed of an elastomeric material constructed to receive a golf club shaft, said tubular portion having a gradually decreasing diameter with one end being constructed to receive a golf club shaft, said tubular portion being constructed to receive an end cap at an opposite end of said tubular portion from said end for receiving the golf club shaft; and

said end cap having an inner end for engaging said tubular portion and a butt end, said end cap having a cut portion at the butt end with a weight element disposed therein.

6. A weighted golf club grip as defined in claim 5, wherein said cut portion in said end cap has a U-shape with a selected depth for the weight element.

7. A weighted golf club grip as defined in claim 5, wherein said cut portion in said end cap comprises an annular channel having a selected width and depth.

8. A weighted golf club grip as defined in claim 5, wherein said weight element comprises a high specific gravity elastomeric material.

9. A weighted golf club grip as defined in claim 6, wherein said weight element comprises a high specific gravity elastomeric material.

10. A weighted golf club grip as defined in claim 7, wherein said weight element comprises a high specific gravity elastomeric material.

11. A weighted golf club grip, comprising:

a tubular portion formed of a first elastomeric material constructed to receive a golf club shaft, said tubular portion having a gradually decreasing diameter with one end being constructed to receive a golf club shaft, said tubular portion being constructed to receive an end cap at an opposite end of said tubular portion from said end for receiving the golf club shaft; and

said end cap formed of a second elastomeric material having an inner end for engaging said tubular portion and a butt end, said second elastomeric material having a higher specific gravity than said first elastomeric material for adding weight to the end cap and shifting the grip center of gravity towards the end cap.

12. A weighted golf club grip as defined in claim 1 wherein said weight element is a tungsten weight.

13. A weighted golf club grip as defined in claim 3, wherein said weight comprises a tungsten weight.