Patent ID: 7141197
Filing Date: 2006-11-28
Classification: A63B,B25G,B32B,B43K,B62K,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of providing a soft, compressible and deformable grip element on a gripping portion of an article manipulatable by only the fingers, said method comprising: providing a soft, compressible and deformable material over a rigid support structure to form a soft outer layer over said rigid support structure said outer layer being softer than said rigid support structure and being readily compressible and deformable in response to application of finger gripping pressure thereto, said soft, compressible and deformable layer being formed such that said soft, compressible and deformable layer alone, without the support of said support structure, would collapse on itself, and said support structure, having a receiving channel defined therein, sized, shaped and configured for receiving a portion of said article securely, and being sufficiently rigid and having a sufficient wall thickness to maintain said receiving channel in an open configuration, said wall thickness being as thin as possible and simple in shape so as to not add undue bulk to said grip element, wherein said outer layer is sufficiently deformable and thick to permit shifting in a direction other than a radial direction in response to application of finger gripping pressure thereto; and placing said support structure with said soft, compressible and deformable material thereon over the gripping portion of the article, thereby providing a soft, compressible and deformable layer over the gripping portion of the article.