Golf Club Grips with Reminder Ribs

Abstract

A golf club grip with reminder ribs is provided having a hollow body with an inner diameter configured to fit over a shaft, the hollow body including a protruding feature extending along the length of the hollow body. The protruding feature protrudes from an outer surface of the hollow body without the need for the shaft to be inserted into the hollow body. By not requiring the golf grip to be on the shaft to create a protrusion above the outer surface of the body, the reminder rib formed by the protrusion can be ensured to be approximately 0.040 inches, thus complying with current golf rules.

Description

[Background technology]

[0001] There are many forms of grips available for gripping devices, including tools such as hammers and shovels, and sporting equipment such as tennis racquets, squash racquets, racquetball racquets, and golf clubs. Grips provide shock absorbing properties, provide resistance to torque, and make it easy for the user to maintain control of the device, including a firm grip with little or no slippage.

[0002] The more consistently and repeatedly a golfer can position his hands on the grip of the golf club, the more consistent his alignment with the golf club head and therefore the more consistent his impact on the golf ball. Golf grips may incorporate various technologies that aid the golfer in positioning his hands. For example, golf grips may have lines or other markings on the grip surface to guide hand placement. The Professional Golf Association (PGA) rules allow for raised ribs called reminder ribs. The reminder ribs can be used to assist golfers in stably positioning their hands, promoting increased control and the potential for lower scores. Thus, there is a continuing need for improved reminder ribs that allow golfers to more easily align their golf grips to better repeat their golf game. Summary of the Invention

[0003] A golf club grip with reminder ribs is provided. The described golf club grip design provides improved reminder ribs that protrude without having to be inserted onto the shaft of a golf club. The non-circular nature of the protruding reminder ribs can provide an easily detectable hand alignment mechanism even when not on the shaft of a golf club.

[0004] The reminder ribbed golf club grip can include a hollow body having an inner diameter configured to fit over a shaft, the hollow body including a protruding feature extending along a length of the hollow body, the protruding feature protruding from an outer surface of the hollow body without the need for inserting a shaft into the hollow body. In fact, the hollow body can directly engage the shaft, and the area having the protruding feature can be flush with the surrounding grip core within the hollow body.

[0005] This Summary is provided to introduce some concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] Figures 1A-1D show a golf club grip with reminder ribs: Figure 1A is a side view of the golf club grip; Figure 1B is a top view of the golf club grip; Figure 1C is a cross-sectional view of the side view of the golf club grip with the shaft shown separately; and Figure 1D is a cross-sectional view bisecting line AA' of Figure 1A. [Diagram 2] 2A and 2B show an example implementation of a protruding feature within the body of a grip. [Diagram 3] 3A and 3B show an example implementation of a protruding feature that is integral with the body of the grip. [Figure 4] 4A-4C are perspective and cross-sectional views of rounded protruding features for gripping. [Diagram 5] 5A-5C are perspective and cross-sectional views of a triangular protruding feature for gripping. [Figure 6] 6A and 6B are perspective and cross-sectional views of a trapezoidal protruding feature for a grip. [Figure 7] 7A-7C are perspective and cross-sectional views of a square protruding feature for a grip. [Figure 8] 8A-8C are perspective and cross-sectional views of thin rounded protruding features for gripping. [Figure 9] 9A-9C are perspective and cross-sectional views of a two-tiered rounded protruding feature for gripping. [Figure 10] 10A-10C are perspective and cross-sectional views of a two-tiered box-shaped protruding feature for a grip. [Figure 11] 13 shows multiple beaded grips for the second stage of protruding features. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] A golf club grip with reminder ribs is provided. The described golf club grip design provides improved reminder ribs that protrude without having to be inserted onto the shaft of a golf club. The non-circular nature of the protruding reminder ribs can provide an easily detectable hand alignment mechanism even when not on the shaft of a golf club.

[0008] Current reminder rib designs tend to have inconsistencies in rib height depending on shaft size, tape layers, etc. As a result, such designs have limited effectiveness in a player's hands. Some players may not feel the reminder at all. Advantageously, the reminder ribs presented herein measure consistently regardless of shaft size and tape layers, providing a more pronounced feel while meeting PGA and United States Golf Association (USGA) requirements.

[0009] Figures 1A-1D show a golf club grip with reminder ribs: Figure 1A is a side view of the golf club grip; Figure 1B is a top view of the golf club grip; Figure 1C is a cross-sectional view of the side view of the golf club grip with the shaft shown separately; and Figure 1D is a cross-sectional view bisecting line AA' of Figure 1A.

[0010] 1A-1C, flexible grip 100 includes a body 110 and an end cap 120 at a distal end of body 110. Body 110 may have a slight frusto-conical shape. The body has a protruding feature 115 that extends along the length of body 110 to provide a reminder rib. End cap 120 may include through holes 125 to allow air to escape during installation.

[0011] Body 110 may also be referred to as a hollow body, since it has a hollow core with an inner surface 130 that mates with golf club shaft 140. The inner diameter of body 110 is configured to fit over golf club shaft 140 such that when grip 100 is attached to the butt end 145 of golf club shaft 140, the core diameter (inner diameter) of grip 100 is sized (either by intentionally matching or by being oversized or undersized) to correspond to the butt diameter of shaft 140.

[0012] Advantageously, according to the embodiments described herein, the protruding feature 115 protrudes from the outer surface 150 of the body 110 without the need for the shaft 140 to be inserted into the body 110 .

[0013] The protruding feature 115 may extend longitudinally in a substantially straight line a desired distance outside the body 110, for example, in the range of about 7 to 8¾ inches, which for a standard grip may be substantially the entire length of the body of the grip 100. To maintain compliance with the PGA rules, the protruding feature 115 protrudes about 0.040 inches (e.g., about 1 mm) beyond the outer diameter of the body 110. The protruding feature 115 is a distinct region within the body 110 (see, e.g., FIGS. 2A and 2B). However, in some cases, the protruding feature 115 may be integral with the remainder of the body 110 (see, e.g., FIGS. 3A and 3B).

[0014] The outer surface of the grip area may include a design, color, and / or texture on all or a portion of the protruding feature 115, which may be similar to or distinct from the remainder of the outer surface adjacent the protruding feature 115. In some cases, the outer surface 150 of the body 110 may include a groove (see, for example, groove 410 shown in FIG. 4B) around the protruding feature 115. The groove may be of any length, width, or depth as desired. By way of example, the groove may have a depth ranging from about 0.3 mm to about 2.0 mm. The groove may run the entire perimeter, a portion of the perimeter, or only the length of the protruding feature 115. For example, the grip may include a first groove (not shown) on the outer surface of the body 110 adjacent a first side of the protruding feature 115 and a second groove (not shown) on the outer surface of the body 110 adjacent a second side of the protruding feature 115. The groove may be used to help the protruding feature 115 stand out more on the outer surface of the grip 100.

[0015] The protruding features 115 can have a variety of geometries, configurations, or shapes that may vary or be constant along the length of the body 110. Indeed, the protruding features 115 can have a variety of cross-sectional shapes. Examples of various designs are shown in Figures 4A-4C, 5A-5C, 6A, 6B, 7A-7C, 8A-8C, 9A-9C, 10A-10C, and 11.

[0016] In some cases, the protruding feature 115 is formed of an elastomeric material having a greater durometer hardness than the rest of the hollow body 110. In the present situation, it has been found satisfactory to form the region of the protruding feature 115 of an elastomeric material having a durometer hardness of 45 Shore A to 90 Shore A. In some cases, the protruding feature 115 is formed of an elastomeric material having a durometer hardness of 60 Shore A to 90 Shore A. In some cases, the protruding feature 115 is formed of an elastomeric material having a durometer hardness of at least 80 Shore A. In the present situation, it has been found satisfactory to form the rest of the body 110 of an elastomeric material having a durometer hardness in the range of 30 to 60 on the Shore A scale. In some cases, the rest of the body 110 is formed of an elastomeric material having a durometer hardness in the range of 34 to 35 Shore A.

[0017] In some cases, the entire body 110 (including the protruding features 115) is formed of the same elastomeric material (and hardness) and a wrap of a material different from the body 110 is applied that fits around the outer surface 150 of the body 110.

[0018] As discussed above, the protruding feature 115 may be a distinct region within the body 110. Figures 2A and 2B show an exemplary implementation of a protruding feature within the body of a grip. With reference to Figure 2A, a region 210 (of the body 220) of the protruding feature 230 is formed of an elastomeric material having a higher durometer hardness than the remainder of the hollow body 220. The elastomeric material of the region 210 of the protruding feature extends to the inner diameter (ID) of the hollow body 220 and forms a rib section of the hollow body 220. In the illustrated embodiment, the protruding feature 230 includes a two-tier structure having a first step 232 that protrudes a first height from the outer surface 225 of the body 220 and a second step 234 that protrudes a second height from the first step 232, where the first height and the second height may be 0.040 inches or less to comply with regulations. The illustrated embodiment also includes grooves 236 (e.g., providing first and second grooves) adjacent the sides of the protruding features 230. Thus, although the cross sections shown in Figures 4C, 5C, 6C, 7C, 8C, 9C, 10C, and 11 do not explicitly depict separate regions corresponding to region 210, these protruding features can be implemented similarly to that shown in Figure 2A, with the protruding features being part of separate regions within the body that extend to the inner diameter of the hollow body.

[0019] Advantageously, according to certain implementations, the rib section (region 210) is flush with the circumferential inner diameter (e.g., peripheral surface 240) of the hollow body 220. The flush configuration allows for greater control over the protruding height. In an alternative implementation, as shown in FIG. 2B, the rib section 250 includes an inward protrusion 260 that protrudes from the circumferential inner diameter (e.g., peripheral surface 240) of the hollow body 220. The inward protrusion 260 can be used to provide additional height to the protruding feature after the grip is mated to a shaft.

[0020] Also, as discussed above with respect to Figures 1A-1D, in some cases the projecting feature 115 may be integral with the remainder of the body 110. Figures 3A and 3B show an example implementation of a projecting feature that is integral with the body of the grip. Such a golf grip may further include a wrap of a different material than the body that fits around the exterior surface of the body. Of course, it should be understood that a wrap may be applied to the projecting feature implementation of a different elastomeric material, for example, as discussed with respect to Figure 2A.

[0021] 3A, grip 300 can include a wrap 310 that abuts a protruding feature 320 of a body 330 such that the protruding feature 320 extends above an outer surface 315 of the wrap 310. In implementations having such a wrap, the original height of the protruding feature can be greater than 0.040 inches, so long as the difference in height between the outer surface of the wrap and the top of the protruding feature is about 0.040 inches to ensure the grip complies with regulations.

[0022] 3B, grip 340 can include a wrap 350 that covers the projecting feature 320 of body 330. When the wrap covers the projecting feature, a seam (not shown) of the wrap can be aligned at the projecting feature 320 such that the seam provides additional texture and / or height. For implementations having such a wrap, the combined height of the seam and projecting feature can be kept 0.040 inches or less from an outer surface (e.g., outer surface 355) of the wrap (e.g., wrap 350).

[0023] As discussed above, the protruding features can have a variety of geometries, configurations, or shapes. Figures 4A-4C are perspective and cross-sectional views of rounded protruding features for a grip. Referring to Figure 4C, grip 400 with protruding feature 405 can have a rounded cross-section that is a perfect circle. Grip 400 can also include grooves 410.

[0024] 5A-5C are perspective and cross-sectional views of a triangular protruding feature for a grip. Referring to FIG 5C, a grip 500 with a protruding feature 505 can have a triangular cross section, forming a V-shape.

[0025] 6A and 6B are perspective and cross-sectional views of a trapezoidal protruding feature for a grip. Referring to FIG. 6B, a grip 600 with a protruding feature 605 can have a trapezoidal cross-section. The draft angle can be, for example, 25 degrees. In some cases, the corners of the trapezoid can be softened to reduce sharp edges.

[0026] 7A-7C are perspective and cross-sectional views of a square protruding feature for a grip. Referring to FIG 7C, grip 700 with protruding feature 705 can have a full box cross section.

[0027] 8A-8C are perspective and cross-sectional views of thin rounded protruding features for a grip. Referring to FIG. 8C, a grip 800 with protruding features 805 can have a cross-section with a perfect bead shape.

[0028] In some cases, the protruding feature has a two-stage protrusion, a second stage of the two-stage protrusion protruding from a first stage of the two-stage protrusion, and both the first stage and the second stage protruding from an outer surface of the hollow body without the need for inserting a shaft into the hollow body, where the combined height of the first stage and the second stage protrudes about 0.040 inches above the outer diameter of the surrounding grip body.

[0029] 9A-9C are perspective and cross-sectional views of a two-tiered rounded protruding feature for a grip. Referring to FIG. 9C, a grip 900 can have a two-tiered protrusion 910, where a first tier 912 has a rounded cross-section forming a rounded box and a second tier 914 is a bead line.

[0030] 10A-10C are perspective and cross-sectional views of a two-tiered box-shaped protrusion feature for a grip. Referring to FIG. 10C, a grip 1000 can have a two-tiered protrusion 1010, where a first tier 1012 has a box-shaped cross section forming a sharp box and a second tier 1014 is a bead line.

[0031] As seen in Figures 9A-9C and 10A-10C, the second step can be a single bead along the length of the first step. However, in some cases, the second step is formed of at least two beads along the length of the first step. Figure 11 shows a multiple beaded grip for the second step of the projecting feature. Referring to Figure 11, two beads 1100 are shown on a box-shaped projecting feature 1110 for a grip 1120.

[0032] Although the present subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and / or acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example embodiments of implementing the claims, and other equivalent features and acts are intended to be within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. a hollow body having an inner diameter configured to fit over a shaft; the hollow body comprising a protruding feature extending along a length of the hollow body; the protruding feature protrudes outwardly relative to an outer surface of the hollow body above an outer diameter defined by the hollow body without the need for inserting the shaft into the hollow body; the entirety of the protruding feature is formed of a different elastomeric material having a greater durometer than the remainder of the hollow body; the elastomeric material of the projecting feature extends to the inner diameter defined by the hollow body and forms a rib section of the hollow body that is separate from the hollow body; the rib section is generally coplanar with a peripheral inner diameter defined by the hollow body along an entire length of the rib section extending along a length of the hollow body; Golf club grips with reminder ribs.

2. 2. The golf club grip with reminder ribs of claim 1, wherein said protruding feature protrudes approximately 0.040 inches beyond said outer diameter of said hollow body.

3. 2. The golf club grip with reminder ribs of claim 1, wherein the elastomeric material of the raised features has a durometer hardness of 60 Shore A to 90 Shore A.

4. 10. The golf club grip with reminder ribs of claim 1 further comprising a wrap of a different material than said hollow body fitted around said exterior surface of said hollow body.

5. 5. The golf club grip with reminder ribs of claim 4, wherein said wrap abuts said projecting feature such that said projecting feature extends above an outer surface of said wrap.

6. The reminder ribbed golf club grip of claim 4 , wherein the wrap covers the protruding feature.

7. a first groove in the exterior surface of the hollow body adjacent a first side of the projecting feature; a second groove in the exterior surface of the hollow body adjacent a second side of the projecting feature; and 10. The golf club grip with reminder ribs of claim 1 further comprising:

8. The reminder ribbed golf club grip of claim 1 , wherein said protruding features have a rounded cross-section.

9. The reminder ribbed golf club grip of claim 1 , wherein said protruding feature has a triangular cross-section.

10. The reminder ribbed golf club grip of claim 1 , wherein said protruding feature has a trapezoidal cross section.

11. the protruding feature has two protruding tiers; a second step of the two-step projection projects from a first step of the two-step projection; both the first step and the second step protrude from the exterior surface of the hollow body without the need for inserting the shaft into the hollow body.

2. The golf club grip with reminder ribs according to claim 1.

12. 12. The reminder ribbed golf club grip of claim 11, wherein the first stage has a rounded cross-section.

13. The reminder ribbed golf club grip of claim 11 , wherein the first stage has a box cross-section.

14. 12. The reminder ribbed golf club grip of claim 11, wherein the first stage has a trapezoidal cross section.

15. 12. The reminder ribbed golf club grip of claim 11, wherein the second stage is a single bead along the length of the first stage.

16. 12. The reminder ribbed golf club grip of claim 11, wherein the second stage comprises at least two beads along the length of the first stage.

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