Silicone Golf Club Grip Printing with Silicone Ink

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods face difficulties in printing slip-on golf club grips, particularly those made of silicone, due to their irregular shapes and materials, leading to damaged prints from wear and weather exposure.

Innovation Solution

A flexible silicone panel with printed indicia using silicone ink is wrapped around and integrally bonded to a sleeve that slips onto the golf club shaft, allowing for secure and durable printing without adhesives, using techniques like screen printing and additional silicone layers for protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional printing methods are used on silicone grips, then the grip can be manufactured with basic functionality, but the printed indicia is damaged by wear and weather

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedurability of printed indiciaVSAvoiddamage from wear and weather

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses silicone ink that is chemically compatible with the silicone grip material, creating a homogeneous bonding interface. This compatibility ensures the printed indicia becomes an integral part of the grip surface rather than a separate layer that can peel or flake off under wear and weather exposure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #33Homogeneity

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite structure where silicone ink is applied to and bonded with the silicone grip material. This composite approach combines the durability of the silicone base material with the visual functionality of the printed indicia, resulting in a weather-resistant and wear-resistant finished product.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional printing methods are used on slip-on grips, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the irregular shapes and configurations make printing difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting process simplicityVSAvoidirregular grip shape

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs screen printing technology which allows for flexible adaptation to irregular surfaces. By adjusting the screen mesh tension, printing pressure, and ink viscosity parameters, the process can accommodate various grip shapes and configurations while maintaining print quality and manufacturing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This method enables effective and long-lasting printing on silicone golf club grips, resisting wear and weather while maintaining grip functionality and appearance.

Implementation Method 1

printed indicia on the panel first surface, wherein the printed indicia comprises silicone ink

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectScreen printing:

Implementation Method 2

an elongated flexible panel of silicone material wrapped around and integrally bonded to the sleeve

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIntegral bonding:

Data Source

PatentUS8491409B2Silicone grips for golf clubs

Publication Date: 2013.07.23 EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LTD

AI summary

A grip for a golf club is provided. The grip comprises an elongated flexible sleeve that slips onto the shaft of a golf club and an elongated flexible panel of silicone material wrapped around and integrally bonded to the sleeve. The flexible panel comprises opposite first and second surfaces, opposite first and second edge portions joined together to define a longitudinal seam, and printed indicia on the panel first surface, wherein the printed indicia comprises silicone ink.