Lightweight Hand Grip With Foam Spacer

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flexible hand grips for implements like golf clubs and tennis racquets require sufficient thickness for comfort and grip retention, leading to increased material usage and weight, which raises manufacturing costs and user discomfort.

Innovation Solution

A flexible hand grip design featuring an inner tubular core and outer tubular member with a spacer of lower bulk density, filled with injectable curable foam material, providing a lightweight and cushioned surface while maintaining grip retention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If sufficient material thickness is provided in the grip to provide a soft resilient surface for the user's hand, then grip comfort and retention are improved, but the weight of the implement increases and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrip comfortVSAvoidimplement weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The grip is divided into three distinct zones with different material properties: a dense inner core for structural integrity, a low-density foam spacer for weight reduction, and a flexible outer member for comfort. Each zone serves a specific function, allowing the grip to be soft where needed while minimizing overall material usage and weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The grip combines three different materials with complementary properties: a flexible elastomeric material for the inner core and outer member, and a low bulk density foam material for the spacer. This composite structure achieves both comfort and weight reduction by leveraging the strengths of each material in its appropriate location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of operation

If sufficient material thickness is provided in the grip to provide a soft resilient surface for the user's hand, then grip comfort and retention are improved, but the quantity of material required increases and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrip comfortVSAvoidmaterial quantity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The grip is divided into three distinct zones with different material properties: a dense inner core for structural integrity, a low-density foam spacer for weight reduction, and a flexible outer member for comfort. Each zone serves a specific function, allowing the grip to be soft where needed while minimizing overall material usage and weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The grip combines three different materials with complementary properties: a flexible elastomeric material for the inner core and outer member, and a low bulk density foam material for the spacer. This composite structure achieves both comfort and weight reduction by leveraging the strengths of each material in its appropriate location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of operation

If the grip material is made softer and more pliable to prevent user discomfort, then grip comfort is improved, but the weight and material usage increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser comfortVSAvoidgrip weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The grip is divided into three distinct zones with different material properties: a dense inner core for structural integrity, a low-density foam spacer for weight reduction, and a flexible outer member for comfort. Each zone serves a specific function, allowing the grip to be soft where needed while minimizing overall material usage and weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The grip combines three different materials with complementary properties: a flexible elastomeric material for the inner core and outer member, and a low bulk density foam material for the spacer. This composite structure achieves both comfort and weight reduction by leveraging the strengths of each material in its appropriate location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The design achieves a lightweight, comfortable, and effective grip that minimizes material usage while ensuring adequate retention and cushioning during forceful movements, reducing manufacturing costs and user discomfort.

Implementation Method 1

injectable curable foam material for forming a lightweight filler or spacer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFoam expansion: Foam

Implementation Method 2

injectable curable foam material for forming a lightweight filler or spacer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCuring: Phase Change

Data Source

PatentUS8006349B2Lightweight grip and method of making same

Publication Date: 2011.08.30 EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LTD

AI summary

A light flexible hand grip and method of making with an inner tubular core of flexible rubber with apertures formed therein and an outer tubular cover disposed over the core with a lighter weight annular flexible foam spacer between the core and outer cover. The spacer may be formed by injecting curable material through the apertures. The apertures may be formed by inserting a mandrel in the core, punching the holes and removing the mandrel.