A customised grip for sporting equipment and methods of use thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to a customised grip for handles of sporting equipment, such as, e.g., cricket bats, tennis racquets, hockey sticks and the like. In one form, the customised grip includes: a conduit body formed from a heat-shrinkable polymer material having a mounting end for at least partially receiving a handle of the sporting equipment therein, said body configured to radially shrink about and cover the handle when heat is applied; and a customised pattern or indicia printed on an outer surface of the conduit body.

Description

A CUSTOMISED GRIP FOR SPORTING EQUIPMENT AND METHODS OF USE THEREOFTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a customised grip for handles of sporting equipment, such as, e.g., cricket bats, tennis racquets, hockey sticks and the like.BACKGROUND

[0002] Most sporting equipment comprising a club, stick, bat or racquet has a handle with a sports grip applied thereon. The sports grip is generally made from a resilient polymer material, such as, e.g., rubber or polyurethane, and is configured to enhance a player’s grip of the club, stick, bat or racquet.

[0003] A problem in general with sports grips is that they are difficult to correctly fit to the handle of sporting equipment. For example, the fitting of a new cricket bat grip to the handle of a cricket bat involves significant effort and the use of additional materials, such as, e.g., a slip grip or plastic bag, to fit the grip over the handle and roll it into place. Similarly, the fitting of a new overgrip to the handle of a racquet involves the diagonal wrapping of the overgrip around and about the handle in a diagonal fashion and is often diminished by an uneven wrapping or wrapping that slips.

[0004] A further problem in general with sports grips is the inability to customise the grips. Generally, sports grips are provided in a single colour shade and devoid of any pattern and / or indicia. Many athletes and budding athletes desire to customise their sporting equipment with a customised pattern and / or indicia.

[0005] Earlier grip systems have been developed to provide grip customisation.

[0006] For example, International Patent Publication No. WO 2008 / 002289 discloses a two- part system for customising a handle of sporting equipment including a customised vinyl decal to be applied to the handle and a protective clear tubing to be applied over the decal on the handle. While the disclosed system represents an effective solution for customising a handle of sporting equipment, it is reliant on the use of the protective clear tubing to protect the applied decal, which is prone to slippage relative to the handle and the protective clear tubing.

[0007] It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country.SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0008] Embodiments of the present invention provide a customised grip and methods of printing thereon and fitting to sporting equipment, which may at least partially address one or more of the problems or deficiencies mentioned above or which may provide the public with a useful or commercial choice.

[0009] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a customised grip for sporting equipment including: a conduit body formed from a heat-shrinkable polymer material having a mounting end for at least partially receiving a handle of the sporting equipment therein, said body configured to radially shrink about and cover the handle when heat is applied; and a customised pattern and / or indicia printed on an outer surface of the conduit body.

[0010] Advantageously, the present invention provides a customised grip for sporting equipment and methods of printing a customised pattern and / or indicia on the grip and fitting it to a handle of sporting equipment. The grip and methods of use offer a convenient approach to ensure that a customised design appears in the correct position once installed. Furthermore, the use of a heat-shrinkable polymer material in the conduit body allows for easy installation, and a precise and snug fit about the handle. Moreover, the customised grip once fitted provides a useful and / or aesthetically pleasing grip that is more durable and longer lasting than conventional sporting grip handle materials, such as, e.g., rubber-based materials that are prone to perishing.

[0011] As indicated, the present invention provides a customised grip for use with handles of sporting equipment, such, as, e.g., clubs, bats, sticks or racquets. It will therefore be convenient to describe the grip with reference to this example application. However, a person skilled in the art will appreciate that the grip is capable of broader applications and may be applied to other equipment, such as, e.g., to the handles of bicycles, scooters and other riding apparatus having handles.

[0012] The conduit body may be of any suitable size, shape and construction and may be formed from any suitable heat-shrinkable polymer material or materials.

[0013] The conduit body may include a pair of opposed ends and at least one sidewall extending longitudinally therebetween, preferably linearly.

[0014] The opposed ends may include the mounting end and an opposed outer end.

[0015] In some embodiments, the mounting end may define a receiving opening for at leastpartially receiving the handle of the sporting equipment therein. The receiving opening may be centrally defined.

[0016] In other embodiments, the mounting end may be an open end configured to at least partially receive the handle of the sporting equipment therein.

[0017] In some embodiments, the opposed outer end may be closed.

[0018] In other embodiments, the opposed outer end may be open.

[0019] The at least one sidewall may have the outer surface and an opposed inner surface. The at least one sidewall may be curved or rounded. The at least one sidewall may preferably be of uniform thickness, as measured between the inner and the outer surfaces.

[0020] The conduit body may have any suitable profile shape. For example, the body may have a circular, oval-shaped, triangular or rectangular profile shape, preferably substantially circular.

[0021] The conduit body may define an internal void extending from the mounting end at least partially towards the opposed outer end, preferably extending an entire length of the body. The internal void may be adapted to at least partially accommodate the handle of the sporting equipment.

[0022] In some embodiments, the internal void of the conduit body may be of uniform width or diameter.

[0023] In other embodiments, the internal void may narrow or increase in width or diameter at one or more locations along its longitudinal length. For example, in some such embodiments, the internal void may gradually narrow or taper in width or diameter form the mounting end to the opposed outer end.

[0024] As indicated, the conduit body is formed from a heat-shrinkable polymer materials or material. Any suitable heat-shrinkable polymer materials or material may be used.

[0025] The heat-shrinkable polymer may include any suitable thermoplastic material, such as, e.g., polyolefin, fluoropolymer (such as, e.g., fluorinated ethylene propylene (“FEP”), polytetrafluoroethylene (“PTFE”) or polyvinylidene difluoride (“PVDF”)), polyvinyl chloride (“PVC”), polychloroprene, silicone elastomer or Viton™.

[0026] Preferably, the heat-shrinkable polymer material may be polyolefin. Advantageously, polyolefin may shrink radially but not longitudinally when heated therebyremoving the need to cater for longitudinal shrinkage when fitting the conduit body to a handle of sporting equipment. Additionally, the heat-shrinkable polymer material may be durable and resiliently deformable so as to provide a comfortable grip for a user.

[0027] The conduit body may be formed from the heat-shrinkable polymer material by any suitable process.

[0028] For example, in some embodiments the conduit body may be formed by an extrusion process.

[0029] In other embodiments, the conduit body may be formed by a moulding process, such as, e.g., compression moulding, injection moulding, blow moulding or rotational moulding.

[0030] As indicated, the heat-shrinkable polymer material may preferably shrink radially but not longitudinally when heat is applied. Typically, the material may radially shrink about 2:1 , about 3:1 , about 4:1 , about 5:1 or even about 6:1 diametrically.

[0031] Preferably, the conduit body may radially shrink in a uniform and controlled manner to provide a precise and snug fit about the handle of the sporting equipment.

[0032] In use, heat may be applied to the conduit body so as to cause the body to radially shrink. The heat may be obtained from a source of heat, such as, e.g., a heat gun, an oven, hot water or another controlled heating mechanism. Preferably, the heat applied may have a temperate of 90°C or higher.

[0033] Prior to the application of heat, the conduit body may be provided with a suitably sized mounting end and internal void for at least partially receiving the handle of the sporting equipment therethrough or therein.

[0034] For example, the internal void may have an internal diameter of about 40mm, about 45mm, about 50mm, about 55mm, about 60mm, about 65mm, about 70mm, about 75mm, about 80mm, about 85mm, about 90mm, about 95mm, about 100mm, about 105mm, about 110mm, about 115mm, about 120mm, about 125mm, about 130mm, about 135mm, about 140mm, about 145mm, about 150mm or more.

[0035] Likewise, the conduit body may be provided in any suitable length to fit the handle of the sporting equipment.

[0036] For example, in some embodiments the conduit body may have a discrete length, as defined between the opposed ends, of about 50mm, about 55mm, about 60mm, about 65mm,about 70mm. about 75mm. about 80mm. about 85mm. about 90mm. about 95mm. about100mm, about 105mm, about 110mm, about 115mm, about 120mm, about 125mm, about 130mm, about 135mm, about 140mm, about 145mm, about 150mm, about 155mm, about 160mm, about 165mm, about 170mm, about 175mm, about 180mm, about 185mm, about 190mm, about 195mm, about 200mm, about 205mm, about 210mm, about 215mm, about 220mm, about 225mm, about 230mm, about 235mm, about 240mm, about 245mm, about 250mm, about 255mm, about 260mm, about 265mm, about 270mm, about 275mm, about 280mm, about 285mm, about 290mm, about 295mm, about 300mm, about 305mm, about 310mm, about 315mm, about 320mm, about 325mm, about 330mm, about 335mm, about 340mm, about 345mm, about 350mm, about 355mm, about 360mm, about 365mm, about370mm, about 375mm, about 380mm, about 385mm, about 390mm, about 395mm or even about 400mm or more.

[0037] In other embodiments, the conduit body may be provided as a roll or continuous source and may be cut to a desired length. For example, the conduit body may be provided as a roll having a length of about 1 ,000mm, about 2,000mm, about 3,000mm, about 4,000mm, about 5,000mm or more and a portion may be measured and cut to a desired length.

[0038] As indicated, the customised grip includes a customised pattern and / or indicia printed on an outer surface of the conduit body. Any type of customised pattern and / or indicia may be printed on the outer surface.

[0039] For example, in some embodiments, the customised pattern and / or indicia may include an aesthetically pleasing pattern or image, for example.

[0040] In other embodiments, the customised pattern and / or indicia may include information, such as, e.g., grip position.

[0041] For example, in some such embodiments, the grip position may include one or more hands or parts thereof printed on the outer surface of the conduit body.

[0042] The one or more hands or parts thereof may indicate correct hand placement when holding or using the sporting equipment.

[0043] The one or more hands or parts thereof may include a silhouette, an outline or parts thereof and / or one or more reference points (such as, e.g., a marker for correct thumb position and one or more other markers indicating placement of other parts of a hand).

[0044] In embodiments in which the sporting equipment is a racquet, the customised pattern and / or indicia may include a hand silhouette indicating a correct grip or hand or hands placementwhen using the racquet.

[0045] In embodiments in which the sporting equipment is a bat, the customised pattern and / or indicia may include hand silhouettes indicating a correct grip or hands placement when using the bat.

[0046] In some embodiments, the outer surface of the conduit body may be textured to further enhance its ability to be gripped.

[0047] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of printing a customised pattern and / or indicia on an outer surface of a conduit body of a grip for sporting equipment, said method including: inputting image data corresponding to the customised pattern and / or indicia into at least one processing device operatively connected to a printer; mounting the conduit body on at least a pair of mounting rods operatively associated with the at least one processing device and the printer; actuating the mounting rods to stretch the conduit body and present a planar surface for printing; and consecutively printing at least part of the customised pattern and / or indicia on the planar surface with the printer and rotating the mounting rods to rotate the conduit body about the mounting rods to present a further planar surface for printing until the customised pattern and / or indicia is entirely printed on the outer surface of the conduit body of the grip.

[0048] The method may include one or more features or characteristics of the customised sporting grip as hereinbefore described.

[0049] The at least one processing device may include one or more processors and one or more memory units containing executable instructions / software to be executed by the one or more processors, such as, e.g., a computer or microcomputer.

[0050] The executable instructions / software may include a communication module to receive user instructions and image data for the customised pattern and / or indicia, editing software for image manipulation (e.g., Adobe™ Photoshop™, Adobe™ Illustrator™, Canva™ or other image editors), delivery of image data to the printer for printing, and monitoring software to oversee the connected printer's operational parameters during the printing process.

[0051] Importantly, the image manipulation software may determine an alignment and fit of the customised image and / or indicia relative to the outer surface of the conduit body. Moreover, the software may instruct the printing of the customised image and / or indicia on a stretchedconduit body so as to recreate the customised pattern and / or indicia on the conduit body when no longer stretched.

[0052] The executable instructions / software may further include operating software for operation of the at least a pair of mounting rods, including for actuating the rods to stretch the conduit body and for consecutively rotating the rods while a printer head of the printer prints at least part of the customised pattern and / or indicia onto the conduit body, preferably the planar surface of the conduit body presented by the actuated mounting rods.

[0053] The mounting includes mounting the conduit body via the mounting end over the at least a pair of mounting rods, preferably such the conduit body is entirely mounted over the mounting rods.

[0054] For example, in embodiments in which the conduit body has a closed outer end, the mounting may include mounting the conduit body such that distal ends of the mounting rods are abutting against an inner surface of the closed outer end.

[0055] Conversely, in embodiments in which the conduit body has an open outer end, the mounting may include mounting the conduit body such that the mounting rods extend entirely through both the mounting end and the outer end.

[0056] The mounting rods may be operatively associated with the printer, particularly a print head of the printer, and may be adjacently positioned thereto for presenting the planar surface relative to the print head.

[0057] The actuating may include moving the at least a pair of mounting rods apart from each other such that the mounted conduit body is stretched about the separated mounting rods and at least a portion of the conduit body may be deformed (i.e., stretched) so as to present the planar surface for printing.

[0058] Movement of the mounting rods together and apart from each other may be linear or angular. The at least a pair of mounting rods may include an actuating mechanism for moving the mounting rods together and apart from each other. The actuating mechanism may be manually actuated or by using a drive.

[0059] If manually actuated, the actuating mechanism may include a one or more of a lever, ram, operable handle, sliding arrangement, hinged arrangement or pivoting arrangement for moving the rods together and apart. The actuating mechanism may include one or more biasing mechanisms.

[0060] In some embodiments, movement of the rods together may work against a force of the biasing mechanism, so that movement of the rods apart may work under the force of the biasing mechanism.

[0061] Conversely, in other embodiments, movement of the rods apart may work against a force of the biasing mechanism, so that movement of the rods together may work under the force of the biasing mechanism.

[0062] If using a drive, the actuating mechanism may include one or more linear actuators, a servomotor or stepper motor, a solenoid or a hydraulically, pneumatically or electrically powered screw jack or screw motor.

[0063] In some embodiments, the mounting rods may be movably mounted to a mount positioned adjacent to the printer head of the printer. The mounting rods may be movably mounted so that they may be able to move together and apart relative to each other and so that each rod may rotate relative to the mount about its longitudinal axis.

[0064] Rotational movement of the rods may be driven by an actuating mechanism, preferably an electric motor.

[0065] Preferably, the at least a pair of mounting rods may be intricately linked to the at least one processing device establishing a connection with the hardware components involved in the printing. As such, the at least one processing device may include one or more sensors and actuators that communicate with the mounting rods allowing real-time control and adjustment of the conduit body relative to the print head of the printer.

[0066] As indicated, the consecutively printing and rotating of the mounting rods may enable at least part of the customised pattern and / or indicia to be printed on the presented planar surface.

[0067] The printer may be an inkjet printer or other digital printer capable of printing on the conduit body.

[0068] The printing may include one or more sources of ink and the print head configured to be moved back-and-forth across the presented planar surface while one or more nozzles of the print head distribute ink on the presented planar surface to recreate at least part of the customised pattern and / or indicia on the presented planar surface.

[0069] When the at least part of the customised pattern and / or indicia has been recreated on the presented planar surface, the mounting rods may rotate relative to the mount to presenta new planar surface for printing on.

[0070] The consecutively printing and rotating may be carried out until the customised pattern and / or indicia is entirely printed on the outer surface of the conduit body.

[0071] In some embodiments, the method may further include curing the printed outer surface of the conduit body.

[0072] The curing may include exposing the outer surface of the conduit body to microwave, infrared, ultraviolet or electromagnetic radiation, preferably ultraviolet radiation.

[0073] The curing may preferably be carried out while the conduit body is stretched over the mounting rods and able to be rotated by the mounting rods relative to a curing source, such as, e.g., one or more ultraviolet lamps mounted on or adjacent the print head.

[0074] The method may include a final step of actuating the mounting rods to move the rods together so that the conduit body may be removed from the mounting rods.

[0075] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of fitting a customised grip to a handle of sporting equipment, said method including: fitting a mounting end of a conduit body of the customised grip over the handle until the handle is at least partially received in the conduit body; and applying heat to the conduit body so as to cause the conduit body to radially shrink about and cover the handle.

[0076] The method may include one or more features or characteristics of the customised sporting grip and method of printing as hereinbefore described.

[0077] The fitting may include orientating and aligning the conduit body relative to the handle and then sliding the conduit body over the handle until the conduit body is correctly positioned relative to the handle, preferably such that the handle is entirely received in the conduit body.

[0078] The fitting may additionally include orientating and aligning the customised pattern and / or indicia printed on the conduit body relative to the handle of the sporting equipment. For example, such that in some embodiments in which the customised pattern and / or indicia are printed hand positions, the hand positions are correctly positioned on the handle of the sporting equipment.

[0079] The applying heat may include applying heat from a heat source, such as, e.g., aheat gun, an oven, hot water, or another controlled heating mechanism, to the conduit body so as to cause the conduit body to radially shrink about the handle of the sporting equipment. The heat applied may have a temperate of 90°C or higher.

[0080] The heat may be applied in a careful and controlled manner so as to ensure uniform radial shrinkage and to avoid any damage to the conduit body.

[0081] Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention.

[0082] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0083] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

[0084] Figure 1 is a line drawing showing a perspective view of a customised grip according to an embodiment of the present invention being fitted to a handle of sporting equipment;

[0085] Figure 2 is a line drawing showing the customised grip fitted to the handle of the sporting equipment shown in Figure 1 ;

[0086] Figure 3 is a schematic showing the radial shrinkage of the customised grip as shown in Figures 1 and 2;

[0087] Figures 4A to 4D are photographs respectively showing customised grips as shown in Figures 1 and 2 for respectively fitting to tennis racquets and cricket bats;

[0088] Figure 5 is a photograph of the customised pattern and / or indicia being printed on a customised grip as shown in Figures 1 and 2;

[0089] Figure 6 is a flow chart showing steps in a method of printing a customised pattern and / or indicia on a grip for sporting equipment according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0090] Figure 7 is a flow chart showing steps in a method of fitting a customised grip to a handle of sporting equipment according to an embodiment of the present invention.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0091] Figure 1 to 3 and 4A to 4D show a customised grip (100) for sporting equipment (900; shown in Figures 1 , 2 and 4A to 4D only) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0092] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the customised grip (100) includes a conduit body (1 10) formed from a heat-shrinkable polymer material having a mounting end (1 12) for at least partially receiving a handle (910) of sporting equipment (900; i.e., a cricket bat) therein. The conduit body (110) is configured to radially shrink about and cover the handle (910) when heat is applied as shown in Figure 2.

[0093] The customised grip (100) includes a customised pattern and / or indicia (120) printed on an outer surface of the conduit body (110). In this instance, the customised pattern and / / or indicia are hand silhouettes indicating correct hand placement when using the cricket bat (900).

[0094] Referring to Figure 3, the conduit body (1 10) includes a pair of opposed ends and a curved sidewall (1 16) extending longitudinally therebetween in a linear direction.

[0095] The opposed ends include the mounting end (1 12) and an opposed outer end (114).

[0096] The mounting end (1 12) is an open end configured to receive the handle (910; not shown) of the sporting equipment (900; not shown) therein.

[0097] The outer end (1 14) is also an open end configured to receive the handle (910; not shown) of the sporting equipment (900; not shown) therethrough.

[0098] The curved sidewall (1 16) has an outer surface (117) and an opposed inner surface (1 18). The sidewall (1 16) is of uniform thickness.

[0099] As shown, the conduit body (110) has a substantially circular profile shape.

[0100] The conduit body (110) defines an internal void (119) extending between and through the mounting end (1 12) and the opposed outer end (114) to accommodate the handle (910; not shown) of sporting equipment (900; not shown) being received therethrough.

[0101] The internal void (1 19) of the conduit body (110) is of uniform width or diameter (D). However, the conduit body (110) is configured to radially shrink in diameter to (d) when heat isapplied, which is what is indicated in Figure 3.

[0102] The heat-shrinkable polymer material used to form the conduit body (110) is polyolefin. Advantageously, polyolefin shrinks radially but not longitudinally when heated thereby removing the need to cater for longitudinal shrinkage when fitting the conduit body (110) to a handle (910; not shown) of sporting equipment (900; not shown). Additionally, the heat- shrinkable polymer material is durable and resiliently deformable so as to provide a comfortable grip (100) for a user.

[0103] The conduit body (110) is formed by an extrusion process.

[0104] As shown, the conduit body (110) radially shrinks about 2:1 diametrically when heat is applied as indicated by the (D) to (d) measurements at the respective ends of the conduit body (1 10).

[0105] Generally, heat is applied to the conduit body (110) by a heat source, such as, e.g., a heat gun, an oven, hot water or another controlled heating mechanism. The heat applied has a temperate of 90°C or higher.

[0106] Prior to the application of heat, the conduit body (110) has a suitably sized mounting end (1 12) and internal void (1 19) for receiving the handle (910; not shown) of the sporting equipment (900; not shown) therethrough.

[0107] Referring to Figures 4A to 4D, the customised grip (100) includes a customised pattern and / or indicia (120) printed on an outer surface (117) of the conduit body (1 10).

[0108] As shown in Figures 4A and 4D, the customised pattern and / or indicia (120) can include an aesthetically pleasing pattern.

[0109] Alternatively, and as shown in Figures 4B and 4C, the customised pattern and / or indicia (120) can include a grip position for correct gripping of the sporting equipment (900).

[0110] For example, and with reference to Figure 4B, the customised pattern and / or indicia (120) comprises a hand silhouette for correct gripping of a tennis racquet (900; i.e., sporting equipment).[0011 1] Similarly, and with reference to Figures 4C, the customised pattern and / or indicia (120) comprises a pair of hand silhouettes for correct gripping of a cricket bat (900; i.e., sporting equipment).

[0112] Referring to Figure 6, a method (600) of printing a customised pattern and / or indicia(120) on an outer surface (117) of a conduit body (110) of a grip (100) for sporting equipment (900) will now be described in detail with reference to Figure 5.

[0113] At step 610, the method (600) includes inputting image data corresponding to the customised pattern and / or indicia (120) into a computer operatively connected to a printer (800).

[0114] The inputting includes manipulating the image data with software on the computer, delivery of the image data to the printer (800) for printing and monitoring to oversee the connected printer’s operational parameters during the printing process.

[0115] The manipulating includes aligning and fitting the customised image and / or indicia (120) relative to the outer surface (1 17) of the conduit body (1 10).

[0116] At step 620, the mounting includes mounting the conduit body (1 10) via the mounting end (112) over a pair of mounting rods (810).

[0117] The mounting rods (810) are operatively associated with the printer (800), particularly a print head of the printer (800), and are adjacently positioned thereto.

[0118] At step 630, the actuating includes moving the mounting rods (810) apart from each other to stretch the conduit body (110) about the mounting rods (810) and present a planar surface (510) for printing.

[0119] Movement of the mounting rods (810) together and apart from each other is linear movement driven by a linear actuating mechanism controlled by the computer.

[0120] Apart from movement together and apart, the mounting rods (810) are individually rotatably mounted to a mount positioned adjacent the printer (800) for rotational movement about their respective longitudinal axes. Rotational movement of the rods (810) is driven by an electric motor.

[0121] At step 640, the customised pattern and / or indicia (120) is printed on the planar surface (510) of the conduit body (1 10) in a consecutive manner with rotation of the mounting rods (810) to enable the customised pattern and / or indicia (120) to be entirely printed on the outer surface (117) of the conduit body (110).

[0122] The printer (800) is an inkjet printer including one or more sources of ink and a print head configured to be moved back-and-forth across the presented planar surface while one or more nozzles of the print head distribute ink on the presented planar surface (510) to recreate at least part of the customised pattern and / or indicia (120) on the presented planar surface (510).

[0123] When the at least part of the customised pattern and / or indicia (120) has been recreated on the presented planar surface (510), the mounting rods (810) rotate relative to the mount to present a new planar surface for printing on.

[0124] The consecutive printing and rotating is carried out until the customised pattern and / or indicia (120) is entirely printed on the outer surface (117) of the conduit body (110).

[0125] The method (600) includes a further step of curing the printer outer surface (1 17) of the conduit body (110).

[0126] The curing includes exposing the outer surface of the conduit body (1 10) to ultraviolet radiation.

[0127] The curing is carried out while the conduit body (110) is stretched over the mounting rods (810) and able to be rotated by the mounting rods (810) relative to a curing source (i.e., one or more ultraviolet lamps mounted on or adjacent the print head).

[0128] Referring to Figure 7, a method (700) of fitting the customised grip (100) to a handle (910) of sporting equipment (900) will now be described in detail with reference to Figures 1 and 2.

[0129] At step 710, the fitting includes orientating and aligning the conduit body (1 10), including the customised pattern and / or indicia (120) printed thereon, relative to the handle (910) of the sporting equipment (900).

[0130] The fitting includes fitting the mounting end (112) of the conduit body (1 10) over the handle (910) of the sporting equipment (900) and then sliding the conduit body (110) over the handle (910) until the conduit body (1 10) is correctly positioned relative to the handle (910).

[0131] At step 720, the applying heat includes applying heat from a heat source, such as, e.g., a heat gun, an oven, hot water, or another controlled heating mechanism, to the conduit body (110) so as to cause the conduit body (110) to radially shrink about the handle (910).

[0132] The heat is applied in a careful and controlled manner so as to ensure uniform radial shrinkage and to avoid any damage to the conduit body (110).

[0133] In the present specification and claims (if any), the word ‘comprising’ and its derivatives including ‘comprises’ and ‘comprise’ include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

[0134] Reference throughout this specification to ‘one embodiment’ or ‘an embodiment’means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases ‘in one embodiment’ or ‘in an embodiment’ in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

[0135] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A customised grip for sporting equipment including: a conduit body formed from a heat-shrinkable polymer material having a mounting end for at least partially receiving a handle of the sporting equipment therein, said body configured to radially shrink about and cover the handle when heat is applied; and a customised pattern and / or indicia printed on an outer surface of the conduit body.

2. The grip of claim 1 , wherein the mounting end is an open end configured for at least partially receiving the handle of the sporting equipment therein.

3. The grip of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the conduit body include an opposed outer end and at least one sidewall extending longitudinally between the mounting end and the opposed outer end.

4. The grip of claim 3, wherein the opposed outer end is closed.

5. The grip of claim 3, wherein the opposed outer end is open.

6. The grip of any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the conduit body defines an internal void extending from the mounting end at least partially towards the opposed outer end for at least partially accommodating the handle of the sporting equipment.

7. The grip of claim 6, wherein the internal void is of uniform width or diameter.

8. The grip of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the heat-shrinkable polymer material is selected from any one of polyolefin, fluorinated ethylene propylene (“FEP”), polytetrafluoroethylene (“PTFE”), polyvinylidene difluoride (“PVDF”), polyvinyl chloride (“PVC”), polychloroprene and silicone elastomer.

9. The grip of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the heat-shrinkable polymer material is polyolefin.

10. The grip of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein conduit body radially shrinks at least about 2:1 diametrically when heat is applied.

11. The grip of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the pattern and / or indicia includes an aesthetically pleasing pattern or image.

12. The grip of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the pattern and / or indicia includes grip positioning information.

13. The grip of claim 12, wherein the grip positioning information includes one or more hands or parts thereof indicating correct hand placement when holding or using the sporting equipment.

14. The grip of claim 13, wherein the one or more hands or parts thereof include a silhouette or an outline of the one or more hands or parts thereof.

15. The grip of claim 12, wherein the grip positioning information include one or more markers for correct hand placement.

16. A method of printing a customised pattern and / or indicia on an outer surface of a conduit body of a grip for sporting equipment, said method including: inputting image data corresponding to the customised pattern and / or indicia into at least one processing device operatively connected to a printer; mounting the conduit body on at least a pair of mounting rods operatively associated with the at least one processing device and the printer; actuating the mounting rods to stretch the conduit body and present a planar surface for printing; and consecutively printing at least part of the customised pattern and / or indicia on the planar surface with the printer and rotating the mounting rods to rotate the conduit body about the mounting rods to present a further planar surface for printing until the customised pattern and / or indicia is entirely printed on the outer surface of the conduit body of the grip.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the actuating includes moving the mounting rods apart from each other to stretch the conduit body about the mounting rods and temporarily deform at least a portion of the conduit body to form the planar surface for printing thereon.

18. The method of claim 16 or claim 17, wherein the consecutively printing and rotating includes printing at least part of the customised pattern and / or indicia on the planar surface and rotating the mounting rods to present the further planar surface for printing a remainder of the customised pattern and / or indicia.

19. The method of any one of claims 16 to 18, further including curing the customised pattern and / or indicia once printed by exposing the outer surface of the conduit body to any one of microwave, infrared, ultraviolet and electromagnetic radiation.

20. A method of fitting a customised grip to a handle of sporting equipment, said method including: fitting a mounting end of a conduit body of the customised grip over the handle until the handle is at least partially received in the conduit body; andapplying heat to the conduit body so as to cause the conduit body to radially shrink about and cover the handle.

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