Multi-segment single panel grip

Abstract

A grip for the handle of a golf club having multiple two layer panels that are wrapped about an underlisting sleeve. The edges of the panels are adhesively sealed together. The grip reduces impact shock and provides a feeling of tackiness in the manner of a spirally wrapped polyurethane-felt grip while allowing the use of multiple color panels and easy installation onto a golf club shaft.

Description

[0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 746,764, filed Dec. 23, 2003. This application relates to an improved grip for golf clubs.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] Applicant has previously developed resilient grips which successfully reduce impact shock to the muscle and arm joints of the user's of golf clubs and also provide a feeling of tackiness between a player's hands and the grip. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,797,813 granted to Applicant on Aug. 25, 1998 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 392480 filed by Applicant on Mar. 18, 2003. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] The earliest of these grips utilize a polyurethane-felt strip which is spirally wrapped around an underlisting sleeve that is slipped onto and adhered to a golf club handle. The sides of the strips are formed with overlapping heat depressed recessed reinforcement edges. While such grips have proven satisfactory ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] Embodiments of the golf club grip of the present invention overcome the aforementioned disadvantages of the existing spirally wrapped grips and the single panel grips while providing the same resistance to shock afforded by such grips, as well as providing tackiness. Desirably, a structurally integral grip is formed from multiple, initially distinct, two-layer panels.

[0015] Embodiments of the present invention may be manufactured at considerably less cost than existing spirally wrapped grips since it eliminates the intensive labor of spirally wrapping a strip around an underlisting sleeve within specific pressure parameters. Additionally, embodiments of the multi-segment single panel grip will not twist either during manufacture or after it is adhered to an underlisting sleeve. My new grip desirably has an appearance similar to conventional molded rubber grips so as to appeal to professional golfers and low-handicap amateurs, and also provides a greater area for the application of decorative designs. Further, embodiments of the present invention can also accommodate multiple color combinations that would not have been possible with the single panel grips, thus appealing to golfers and college programs who wish to display their school colors while playing the sport they love. Embodiments of the present invention are very easy to install.

Problems solved by technology

While such grips have proven satisfactory in reducing impact shock, their fabrication is labor intensive, particularly since the strip must be wrapped manually about the underlisting sleeve within specific pressure parameters.

Additionally, it is difficult to accurately align the adjoining side edges of the strip as such strip is being spirally wrapped about the underlisting sleeve.

These wrapped grips can become twisted during the wrapping process, allow for only limited display of decorative designs and allow for only a limited placement of colors.

While this design removes the twisting problems associated with the wrapping process and offers more area to display decorative designs, it is limited in its ability to accommodate multiple color schemes which are so popular in today's modern world of golf.

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