Removable Grip Sleeve with Expandable Liner for Tapered Shafts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional grip assemblies for sports and recreational equipment are difficult to remove and replace without specialized tools and solvents, often requiring destructive processes and failing to fit properly on tapered shafts, leading to weight addition and poor fitment.
Innovation Solution
A grip assembly comprising a resilient grip sleeve with a radially expandable liner feature that mates with a shaft feature, allowing for quick and easy installation and removal without tools or solvents, and a shaft sheath for retrofitting to fit tapered shapes, ensuring minimal weight and proper alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional grips are wrapped around the handle and glued in place, then the grip is securely attached, but the grip becomes difficult and time-consuming to remove, often requiring specialized equipment and destructive processes
Solution Approach 1:
The grip assembly is divided into separate components: a grip portion and a handle portion with a distinct interface. The interface includes engagement features (protrusions and recesses) that allow the grip to be segmented into removable sections, enabling easy detachment while maintaining secure attachment during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The grip assembly transitions from a static, permanently bonded state to a dynamic, selectively removable state. The interface features allow the grip to be securely engaged during operation but can be easily disengaged when needed, providing dynamic adaptability between secure attachment and easy removal.
2Reliability
If molded grips are installed using tapes and solvents, then the grip adheres to the handle, but the installation process requires user skill and the removal process is difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The grip assembly features self-aligning engagement features (protrusions and recesses) that automatically guide and secure the grip to the handle without requiring user skill for alignment. The interface design ensures proper positioning through mechanical interlocking, eliminating the need for skilled installation techniques.
3Productivity
If previous attempts at removable grips are made, then grip replacement may be quicker, but they are too large to fit the golf club shaft properly, do not conform to the taper, add significant weight, or still require specialized tools
Solution Approach 1:
The grip assembly has different properties in different regions: the interface portion features precise geometric engagement features for accurate positioning, while the grip portion maintains appropriate size and weight. The tapered interface region conforms to the shaft taper locally, ensuring precise fitment without making the entire grip oversized or heavy.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface features utilize geometric parameter changes (tapered angles, protrusion dimensions) to achieve precise fitment on the tapered shaft. The engagement features are designed with specific dimensional parameters that match the shaft taper, enabling accurate positioning and secure attachment without requiring the grip to be uniformly large or heavy throughout.
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
Enables quick, tool-free, and solvent-free replacement of grips on tapered shafts, maintaining the original shape and minimizing weight, while ensuring secure and aligned fitment, thus improving handling and durability.
Implementation Method 1
The grip liner is configured to radially expand, in response to an outward radial force exerted on the grip liner, from a resting conformation to an expanded conformation
Data Source
AI summary
Presently disclosed grip assemblies provide for a selectively removable and replaceable grip for a shaft. Such grip assemblies include a grip sleeve and a grip liner at least partially fixed to an inner grip surface of the grip sleeve. The grip liner is configured to expand as the grip sleeve and grip liner are positioned on the shaft. The grip liner includes a liner feature that engages a shaft feature, which may be integrally formed on the shaft, or may be formed on a shaft sheath on the shaft. Engagement of the liner feature with the shaft feature may align the grip sleeve to the shaft and may substantially prevent rotation of the grip sleeve with respect to the shaft once the grip sleeve is on the shaft. Presently disclosed grip sleeves may be selectively removed from the shaft without damaging the grip sleeve, and without requiring solvents or specialized tools.