GB2397771A

GB2397771A - A golf grip

Info

Publication number: GB2397771A
Application number: GB0228834A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Douglas Boyd Buchanan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-12-11
Filing date: 2002-12-11
Publication date: 2004-08-04
Also published as: WO2004052470A3; WO2004052470A2; AU2003295097A1; AU2003295097A8; GB0228834D0

Abstract

A grip assembly for a golf club is provided. The grip assembly includes an elongate, thin walled, tubular parallel-sided grip member 12 having a sufficiently large diameter such that a shaft 11 will fit within the grip member. First and second support insert members 17, 18 support and space the shaft form the grip member such that a void 19 is formed within the grip member. The grip member is provided with holes 20 such that air is allowed to circulate within the void thereby providing a cooling effect for the grip. The holes also provide a frictional effect for the grip. The inside surfaces of the support members are chamfered to assist in draining any moisture that may enter the void. The inserts are made of elastomeric material of differing shore hardness.

Description

239777 1 GRIPS:FOR GOLF CLUBS This invention relates to grips for golf

clubs. More particularly the invention is concerned with a design of grip assembly that can be used on woods, so-called metal In my published UKpatent application NosGB2361873A; GB 2361874A and GB 2356351 A there are disclosed golf clubs comprising a head, a grip and a shaft connecting the head and the grip wherein the grip comprises an elongate, thin walled, tubular, hollow grip member having a cross-sectional dimension substantially greater than the shaft and wherein first and second support members space the grip member from the shaft whereby a void is formed between the grip member and the n shaft. The present invention provides an improved grip over those disclosed in the above mentioned published patent applications.

According to the present invention there is provided a grip for a golf club, the golf club having a head and a shaft connected to the head, the grip comprising an elongate, thin-walled, tubular, hollow grip member having a cross-sectional dimension substantially greater than the shaft such that the shaft will fit within the grip member, first and second support members spacing the shaft from the grip member whereby a void is formed within the grip wherein the grip member is provided with a plurality of holes such that air may circulate within the void and contact the hands of a golfer when gripping the club.

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure I illustrates a golf club using the grip of the invention.

Figure 2 illustrates a part cross-sectional view of a grip according to the invention.

Figure 3 represents a perspective view of thin-walled, tubular grip member.

Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of the two halves making up the thin-walled, tubular grip member.

Figure 5 is a part cross-sectional view of the interlocking halves of the thin-walled, tubular, grip member. 2.

Figure 6 illustrates a patterned configuration of the holes of the invention.

In Figure I there is shown a golf club 10 having a shaft 11 connected to a grip 12 and head 13. Grip 12 is in accordance with the present invention and is shown in greater detail in Figure 2. In Figure 2 grip or grip assembly 12 is seen to comprise an elongate thin-walled 7 tubular, parallel sided hollow grip member 14 having a club head end 15 and shaft head end 16. Grip member 14 has a sufficiently large cross sectional dimension such that shaft 11 can be supported within grip member 14 at the club head end 15 by a first support member or insert 17 and at the shaft head end 16 by a second support member or insert 18. Support members 17 and 18 space the shaft n from the grip member such that a void 19 is fonned within grip 12. In accordance with an important part of the present invention grip member 14 is formed with a plurality of holes or perforations 20. Holes 20 perform the important function of allowing air to enter void 19 which may circulate particularly due to the swinging of club 10 and contact the hands of a golfer using the club and thus provide a cooling effect on the hands. This can be very important in hot climates or when a golfer is prone to perspire easily. It should be noted that US patent 5575473 ( Turner ) discloses a grip having a vent hole 22 in the grip wall. However, it is believed that a single hole such as disclosed in Turner would not allow sufficient circulation of air within the grip member to provide a cooling action, nor would a single hole provide 2n any frictional effect for gripping the club. In addition to supporting shaft 11 within the grip member 14 first and second support members 17, 18 have a number of important functions. Firstly they act as seals between the shaft 11 and the grip member 14 so that any water or moisture entering void 19 must drain through holes 20. First support member 17 is stepped at 22 to form a somewhat T-shaped section with a vertical wall or shoulder 23. The inner end 24 has an inwardly directed chamfer 25 sloping towards shaft head end 16 and down to a shoulder 26 prior to contacting shaft 11. Outer end 27 has an outwardly directed chamfer 28 sloping down to a shoulder 29 and acts as a transition piece between the large cross-sectional dimension grip member 14 and 3.

shaft 11. Inwardly directed V-shaped spurs 30 formed on the inside 31 of grip member 14 are a snap fit into annular depressions moulded into the elastomeric material of which first support member 17 is made and assist in locking grip member 14 securely thereto. Second support member 18 likewise is stepped at 32 to form a somewhat T-shape with a head 33 having a vertical wall or shoulder 34 and an annular outer ring or surface 35. Inwardly directed V- shaped spurs 36 are a snap fit in annular depressions moulded into second elastomeric support member 18 and assist in locking grip member 14 thereto. Grip member 14 is also constrained between the shoulders 23 and 34 acting as restraining walls. Inner end 37 has an inwardly n directed chamfer 38 sloping towards clubhead end 15 and down to shaft 11.

Chamfers 25, 38 serve to assist in draining any water that may have entered void 19.

First and second support members 17, 18 are fixed relative to grip member 14 and shaft 11 by suitable adhesive or double sided tape. With the exception of chamfered surface 28 on insert 17 and the visible surface 35 on insert 18 all surfaces on the inserts 17, ] 8 will be subjected to sandblasting ( as opposed to shot blasting ? or the like. This treatment ensures that the surfaces of the inserts will have a textured finish which assists the inserts in sliding relative to the shaft and grip member and enhances the f xing effect of the adhesive.

Because tapered outer end 27 of first support member 17 is not constrained within grip member 14 it will be free to deform under impact to a greater or lesser extent and thus will tend to absorb a certain amount of impact energy. This can be assisted by the selection of a particular Shore hardness for the elastomeric material forming the support members 17, 18. Shore hardnesses used can range *om 30-35; 40-45; 50-55; 60-65; 70-75 and 80-90 depending on the properties desired. For example, a 60 shore hardness material will be used on a club when distance is required and an shore hardness will be used on a club being used for accuracy. 'I'he material Neoprene is particularly useful when shock absorbency is desired, for example, in the case of golfers with such conditions as golfers elbow or tennis elbow or arthritic 4.

conditions. In this connection the outer annular surface 35 on the T shaped head 33 of second support member 18 can be used to provide the very useful feature of a colour coding for a particular function, for example, the surface can be coloured green for distance, yellow or gold for accuracy and red for shock absorbency. A mechanical locking assembly 39 is arranged at shaft head end 16 of the grip member 14 providing a safety feature for the grip. This comprises an outer end cap 40, made of a stable polymer material, such as ABS, an intermediate expanding cylindrical bush member 41, locking nut 42 and a small diameter locking screw 43 of high tensile material, eg, SS. A light weight material such as Titanium may also be used for the screw 43. End cap 40 has a curved outer portion 44 and a parallel stem which fits within shaft 11 with a neat sliding or push fit. Expanding bush 41 is of suitable elastomeric material and tapers inwardly and upwardly towards the inside of shaft 11. A locking screw 43 (not shown) will extend through the clearance holes in the end cap 40 and bush 41 to engage locking nut 42. The turning of locking screw 43 causes the locking nut 42 to move towards the end cap 40 and compresses expanding bush 41 thereby locking it against the inside of shaft 1 l.The locking arrangement can be released by reversing the operation. thus the grip of the invention can be assembled to a new shaft 11 or retro-fitted to a golf club with an existing grip provided the existing grip is first removed. The grip of the invention is also useful if it is desired, say, to change the golf club from one designed for distance to one designed for accuracy. Grip member 14 as best seen in Figure 3 can be made in two halves by moulding as illustrated in Figure 4. In this case the holes 20 will be formed in-situ by the moulding tool and two internal locking seams 46, flush with the outside diameter of grip member 14 as illustrated in Figure 5 will be provided, also to assist the moulding process the grip member instead of being parallel sided may have a slight taper or draft. Alternatively grip member 14 can be made by drilling the holes in a flat sheet of suitable material eg, GRP and thereafter rolling it into the circular shape of grip member 14. 5.

Holes 20 may be parallel as shown in sectioned wall 2 l, Figure 2, but may vary in shape and in section. For example, they may be square, triangular, slotted,even trapezoidal and may have a patterned configuration as shown in Figure 6. The holes will extend along the length of the grip member 14, as shown in Figure 3 with the exception of a plain band at each end just where the grip member will encircle the inserts l 7, l 8. In a preferred embodiment of the invention grip member 14 complete with holes 20 will be made from ABS or similar high impact mouldable material. Grip member 14 has a diameter of approximately l inch ( 25.4mm) with a wall thickness of 1 mm. whilst the diameter of holes 20 can be as large as can comfortably be accommodated on grip member 14 but will probably range from 1.5 mm to 12mm, preferably Smm. Hole centre locations can vary dependent on size and tube material. The material for the inserts or support members can be of various polymers Generally it has been found that the better the material memory the faster the response time. A slower memory is more shock absorbent. A length of 1 5mm for the resilient inserts is believed the minimum for adequate gluing and also appears to distort adequately. Inserts longer than this will have more resistance to movement.

The materials for the respective inserts need not be the same and a mixture of same may be used. A length of 11 inches ( 280mm) is envisaged for grip member 14. 6.

Claims

1. A grip for a golf club, the golf club having a head and a shaft connected to the head, the grip comprising an elongate, thin-walled, tubular, hollow grip member having a cross-sectional dimension substantially greater than the shaft such that the shaft will fit within the grip member, first and second support members spacing the shaft from the grip member whereby a void is formed within the grip wherein the grip member is provided with a plurality of holes such that air may circulate within the void and contact the hands of a golfer when gripping the club.

2. A grip according to claim 1 wherein locking members are formed on the inside of the grip member to lock against the support members.

n

3. A grip according to claim 2 wherein the locking members are V-shaped spurs.

4. A grip according to claim I wherein the holes in the grip member range from 1.5 to 7mm.

5. A grip according to claim I wherein the grip member is moulded.

6. A grip according to claim I wherein the grip member is rolled lrom flat material.

7 A grip according to claim I wherein the support members are chamfered to assist any water that has entered the void to drain therefrom.

8. A grip according to claim 7 wherein the chamfer on a first support member slopes dowrwardly and inwardly towards the shaft head end of the grip member.

9. A grip according to claim 7 wherein the chamfer on a a second support member slopes downwardly and inwardly towards the club head end of the grip member

10. A grip according to claim I wherein a portion of one of the support members is used to provide a visible indication of the function of the support member.

11. A grip according to claim 10 wherein the portion of the support member is coloured.

12. A grip according to claim I wherein the support members are made of elastomeric material having a Shore hardness selected from the range 3035; 40-45; 50-55; 60-65; 70-75 and80-90. 7.

13. A grip according to claim I wherein one of the support members is made from an elastomeric material having a slow memory for shock absorbency.

14. A grip for a golf club according to claim l 3 wherein the material is Neoprene.

15. A grip according to claim l including a mechanical locking assembly engageable against a shaft to which the grip is to be fitted.

16. A grip according to claim 15 including an expanding elastomeric bush.

17. A grip according to claim 16 wherein the expanding bush tapers outwardly and inwardly towards the shaft.

18. A grip for a golf club substantially as herein defined with reference to any one of 1 i! the accompanying figures 1 to 6.

19. A grip for a golf club, the golf club having a head and a shaft connected to the head, the grip comprising an elongate, thin-walled, tubular, hollow grip member having a cross-sectional dimension substantially greater than the shaft such that the shaft will fit within the grip member, first and second support members spacing the shaft from the grip member whereby a void is formed within the grip, the first and second support members being adhesively fixed between the shaft and the grip member, the support members being treated to thereby enhance the fixing effect of the adhesive.

20. A grip for a golf club according to claim 19 wherein selected areas of the support 2n members are provided with a textured finish.

21. A grip for a golf club according to claim 20 wherein the selected areas are sandblasted.

22. A grip for a golf club according to claim 19 wherein the grip member includes means to assist the locking of the grip member to the support members.

23. A grip according to claim 22 wherein said means comprises V-shaped spurs formed on the inside of the grip member.