Golf Club Grip Having Integral Butt-End Protrusion

Abstract

A golf club grip includes a grip body configured for mounting on a shaft of a golf club and an integral protrusion formed at a butt end of the grip body. The protrusion extends axially beyond a terminal end of the grip body and extends radially beyond an outer surface of the grip body. The protrusion may take various shapes and profiles and is formed as a continuous structure with the grip body. The grip body may include any suitable taper, diameter, material composition, or surface texture. The protrusion provides a structural variation at the butt end of the grip independent of internal bore configuration.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 781,394, filed Apr. 21, 2025, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to golf equipment and, more particularly, to a golf club grip including an integral protrusion formed at a butt end of the grip.BACKGROUND

[0003] Conventional golf club grips terminate in a generally flat or slightly rounded butt end that is substantially flush with the outer diameter of the grip body. Traditional designs do not include a structure that extends radially and axially beyond the terminal end of the grip body.

[0004] There exists a need for alternative grip geometries that provide structural variation at the butt end of the grip while remaining compatible with standard golf club shafts.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention provides a golf club grip comprising a grip body configured to mount onto a golf club shaft and an integral protrusion formed at a butt end of the grip body.

[0006] The protrusion extends radially outward and axially beyond the terminal end of the grip body. The protrusion may take various shapes including a rounded knob, flange, lip, cap, disc-like enlargement, or other outwardly extending structure.

[0007] The grip body may include any suitable taper, diameter, surface texture, or material composition. The presence of the butt-end protrusion forms the primary structural feature of the invention.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of a golf club grip including an integral butt-end protrusion.

[0009] FIG. 2 illustrates a detailed view of the protrusion region.

[0010] FIG. 3 illustrates a side elevation view of the grip.

[0011] FIG. 4 illustrates a longitudinal sectional view of the grip.

[0012] FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of the protrusion.

[0013] FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the grip body and protrusion.DETAILED DESCRIPTIONGrip Body

[0014] The grip includes a tubular grip body configured to be mounted onto a shaft of a golf club. The grip body defines a longitudinal axis and extends between a lower end and a terminal butt end.

[0015] The grip body may have:

[0016] A pronounced taper,

[0017] A mild taper,

[0018] A minimal taper,

[0019] A substantially uniform diameter,

[0020] Or any other suitable profile.

[0021] The grip body may be formed from elastomeric materials including rubber compounds, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), silicone-based materials, or combinations thereof.

[0022] Surface textures may be included and may comprise ridges, cross-hatching, micro-patterning, directional features, smooth regions, or combinations thereof.Integral Butt-End Protrusion

[0023] An integral protrusion is formed at the butt end of the grip body. The protrusion is molded as part of the grip body and forms a continuous structure therewith.

[0024] The protrusion extends radially outward beyond an adjacent outer diameter of the grip body. The protrusion further extends axially beyond the terminal butt end of the grip body.

[0025] The protrusion may take various geometries including but not limited to:

[0026] A generally cylindrical knob

[0027] A rounded cap

[0028] A flared lip

[0029] A mushroom-shaped enlargement

[0030] A disc-like flange

[0031] A tapered enlargement

[0032] Any outwardly extending profile

[0033] The underside of the protrusion may include any curvature, transition geometry, slope, or shoulder configuration relative to the grip body.Internal Bore

[0034] The grip body includes an internal bore configured to receive a golf club shaft.

[0035] The bore may be:

[0036] Straight,

[0037] Tapered,

[0038] Stepped,

[0039] Ribbed,

[0040] Smooth,

[0041] Or otherwise configured to accommodate conventional shaft geometries.

[0042] In certain embodiments, the bore may extend into the protrusion. In other embodiments, the bore may terminate within the protrusion or below it. The bore configuration does not limit the protrusion geometry.Manufacturing

[0043] The grip may be manufactured through injection molding, compression molding, or other elastomeric forming processes.

[0044] The protrusion and grip body are formed as a single, integral unit during molding.

[0045] Post-molding operations may include trimming, finishing, and inspection to ensure dimensional consistency and material properties.Embodiments and Variations

[0046] The invention encompasses variations including:

[0047] Different protrusion diameters and heights

[0048] Different grip tapers and thicknesses

[0049] Different material compositions

[0050] Different surface textures

[0051] Different shaft compatibility profiles

[0052] All embodiments share the structural characteristic of an integral protrusion extending radially and axially beyond the butt end of the grip body.Best Mode

[0053] In one preferred embodiment:

[0054] Protrusion diameter: approximately 50 mm

[0055] Grip body diameter near protrusion: approximately 36 mm

[0056] Taper transitioning to approximately 22 mm

[0057] Overall length: approximately 255-270 mm

[0058] Material: TPU elastomer in the range of approximately 70-85 A durometer

[0059] These dimensions represent one example and do not limit the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A golf club grip, comprising:a grip body configured to be mounted on a shaft of a golf club, the grip body having a longitudinal axis and a terminal butt end; andan integral butt-end protrusion formed at the butt end of the grip body,wherein the butt-end protrusion extends axially beyond the terminal butt end of the grip body, andwherein the butt-end protrusion extends radially beyond an outer surface of the grip body.

2. The golf club grip of claim 1, wherein the protrusion is generally cylindrical.

3. The golf club grip of claim 1, wherein the protrusion includes a rounded upper surface.

4. The golf club grip of claim 1, wherein the protrusion includes a flared outer edge.

5. The golf club grip of claim 1, wherein a maximum outer diameter of the protrusion is at least 1.35 times a diameter of the grip body adjacent the butt end.

6. The golf club grip of claim 1, wherein the grip body includes a tapered outer profile.

7. The golf club grip of claim 1, wherein the grip body has a substantially uniform outer diameter along a majority of its length.

8. The golf club grip of claim 1, wherein the protrusion is non-removable and formed as a single molded structure with the grip body.

9. The golf club grip of claim 1, wherein the grip body includes a textured outer surface configured to increase friction.

10. The golf club grip of claim 1, wherein the internal bore extends into the protrusion.

11. The golf club grip of claim 1, wherein the internal bore terminates within the protrusion.

12. The golf club grip of claim 1, wherein the protrusion includes an underside transition surface forming a shoulder relative to the grip body.

13. The golf club grip of claim 1, wherein the protrusion extends axially at least 3 mm beyond the terminal butt end.

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