Abstract:
A method is provided for cushioning the grip of a striking instrument which generally includes the steps of providing a striking instrument having an elongated shaft, placing a pneumatically actuated cushioning apparatus over the distal end of the shaft, the pneumatically actuated cushioning apparatus having a bladder configured to surround the proximal end of the shaft along a desired length and a valve for receiving a volume of air; inserting the nozzle of a pump into the valve of the cushioning apparatus, and operating the pump in order to inject a volume of air into the bladder, thereby cushioning the grip of the striking instrument. Preferably, the striking instrument is a golf club. A cushioning apparatus is also provided, which includes an inner layer and an outer layer defining a bladder, and a valve for receiving air and delivering it into the bladder so that the grip may be pumped up.

Description:
STATEMENT OF RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   The present application is related to and claims priority to Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/660,891, entitled “Method for Cushioning the Grip of a Striking Instrument, and Apparatus for Practicing the Method.” That application has a filing date at least as early as Apr. 5, 2005. Both the Provisional Patent Application submitted Mar. 11, 2005 and the drawings tendered at least as of Apr. 5, 2005 are incorporated herein by reference, in their entireties. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention generally relates to grips. More particularly, the present invention relates to a pneumatically cushioned grip for a golf club or other striking implement. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Shock generated by a striking instrument impacting an object can adversely affect muscle tissue and arm joints. For example, shock generated when the head of a golf club strikes a golf ball generates a high frequency, short duration energy wave that can adversely affect muscle tissue and joints in and around the fingers, wrists, elbows and shoulders of the user. The energy generated by such shock is sometimes referred to as “impact shock.” 
   Tight grasping of a golf club grip causes impact shock to the muscle tissue and joints of golfers. Early golf club grips were generally made by wrapping a leather strap about the proximal end of the golf club. The leather grips provided little shock resistance or cushioning. Subsequently, molded rubber materials were provided for golf grips. More recently, golf club grips have been fabricated from a synthetic rubber made to look like leather. While these materials have greater shock absorbency than leather, rubber and synthetic rubber can also degrade over time and become hard, thus losing their shock absorbing ability. The problems associated with hard grips become even more pronounced when a golfer strikes hundreds of golf balls at a driving range. 
   Recent attempts have been made to improve golfer comfort by providing conformable grips. In one instance, a grip has included a shell which is shaped and dimensioned to fit about the proximal end of a golf club shaft. The shell may be constructed from a variety of soft elastomers such as rubber or synthetic rubber-like materials. The shell receives a viscoelastic surface which is gripped by the user. The viscoelastic hand surface is a viscoelastic solid-phase polymer material such as styrenic thermoplastic elastomer; alternatively, it may be a gelatinous material. In one arrangement, the hand surface is fabricated from KEVLAR-reinforced thermoplastics. 
   In another instance, a golf club grip has been provided having a polyurethane layer bonded to a felt layer. The outer polyurethane layer may be embossed with a friction-enhancing pattern. 
   While the above developments represent an advance in the cushioning of golf club grips, these materials can also degrade over time or become worn. In such instances, the conformable nature of the grips is reduced. 
   Therefore, there is a need for a gripping apparatus that provides a greater cushion for golfers. Further, there is a need for a grip that is pneumatic, thereby providing an air cushion for the golfer around the shaft of the club. Further, there is a need for a grip having a degree of cushioning that is selectable and renewable. Further, there is a need for a method of cushioning the grip of a striking instrument such as a golf club that includes pneumatic actuation. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A method is provided for cushioning the grip of a striking instrument. In one aspect, the method includes the steps of providing a striking instrument having an elongated shaft, the elongated shaft having a proximal end to be grasped by a user; placing a pneumatically actuated cushioning apparatus over the distal end of the shaft, the pneumatically actuated cushioning apparatus comprising a single elongated bladder configured to surround the proximal end of the shaft along a desired length, and a valve for receiving air; inserting the nozzle of a pump into the valve of the pneumatically actuated cushioning apparatus; and, operating the pump in order to inject a volume of air into the bladder, thereby cushioning the grip of the striking instrument. 
   The striking instrument may be any of a number of hand-operated implements. Non-exclusive examples include a hand tool, a racquet and a golf club. The golf club may be any club from a driver to any iron to a putter. 
   A cushioning apparatus for a striking instrument is also provided. Preferably, the striking instrument is a golf club. The cushioning apparatus, in one aspect, includes an elongated inner layer having an upper end and a lower end; an elongated outer layer also having an upper end and a lower end, with the lower end of the outer layer being sealed with the lower end of the inner layer such that the bladder is defined between the inner layer and the outer layer; and a valve, the valve being configured to receive the nozzle of a pump so as to selectively place the bladder in fluid communication with the nozzle. In one embodiment, the inner layer and the outer layer of the cushioning apparatus each defines a thin skin. In this arrangement, the apparatus will receive a conventional outer grip (such as a golf club grip) over the outer skin before the cushioning apparatus is inflated. 
   In an alternate embodiment, the outer layer defines a golf grip to be engaged by the hands of a golfer. This means that the lower ends of the outer golf grip and the inner layer are sealed to contain air. This grip may be original equipment from the manufacturer. Alternatively, a pre-existing, conventional golf club grip is removed from the shaft of the golf club before the pneumatically actuated cushioning apparatus is placed over the distal end of the shaft. In either instance, a nozzle from a pump is inserted into the valve to “air up” the grip. 
   An improved golf club is also provided. In one embodiment the golf club includes an elongated shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, the proximal end to be grasped by a user; a head at the distal end of the shaft; a butt at the end of the proximal end of the shaft, the butt having a through-opening; and a pneumatically actuated cushioning apparatus placed over the distal end of the shaft, the pneumatically actuated cushioning apparatus comprising a single elongated bladder configured to surround the proximal end of the shaft along a desired length, and a valve for receiving a volume of air, the valve being aligned with the through-opening in the butt. The cushioning apparatus preferably further includes an elongated inner layer having an upper end and a lower end; an elongated outer layer also having an upper and a lower end, with the lower end of the outer layer being sealed with the lower end of the inner layer such that the bladder is defined between the inner layer and the outer layer; and the valve, with the valve being configured to receive a nozzle of a pump so as to selectively place the bladder in fluid communication with the nozzle of the pump. 
   In one embodiment, the inner layer and the outer layer each defines a thin skin. Alternatively, the outer layer defines a golf grip to be engaged by the hands of a golfer. 
   In another aspect of the invention, a method of playing golf is provided. The method includes the steps of taking a bag of golf clubs to a golf playing area; selecting a golf club from a bag in which the selected golf club has a cushioning apparatus as described above; inserting a nozzle of a pump into the valve of the pneumatically actuated cushioning apparatus; and operating the pump in order to inject a volume of air into the bladder, thereby cushioning the grip of the selected golf club. An additional step of inserting a golf tee into the through-opening of the butt so as to release at least some of the air from the bladder may be employed. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present invention can be better understood, certain drawings or flow charts are appended hereto. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only selected embodiments of the inventions and are therefore not to be considered limiting of scope, for the inventions may admit to other equally effective embodiments and applications. 
       FIG. 1  presents a perspective view of a striking instrument. The striking instrument depicted is a known golf club. In this view, the grip is exploded away from the shaft of the golf club. 
       FIG. 2  presents an enlarged view of the prior art golf club of  FIG. 1 . In this view, the grip is again exploded away from the shaft. 
       FIG. 3  presents a side cross-sectional view of a cushioned grip of the present invention, in one embodiment. 
       FIG. 4  presents a perspective view of a valve as might be used with the cushioned grip of  FIG. 3 , in one embodiment. A ball is shown exploded off of a seat in the valve. 
       FIG. 5  presents an alternate arrangement for a cushioned grip of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Definitions 
   As used herein, the term “conventional golf club grip” refers to any grip for use as a golf club grip. 
   The term “head” refers to any striking object. Non-limiting examples include a string bed for a tennis racquet or racquetball racquet, a hammer head, or a blade or driver head at the end of a golf club. 
   The term “golf playing area” refers to any place where a golf club is used. Non-limiting examples include a driving range, a golf course and a golfing instructional facility. 
   Description of Specific Embodiments 
     FIG. 1  presents a known golf club  10 . The golf club  10  has a head  12  for striking a golf ball (not shown). The golf club  10  further has an elongated shaft  16 . The head  12  is connected to the shaft  16  at a distal end. Finally, the golf club  10  has a removable grip  14 . The grip  14  is shown exploded away from the shaft  16 . The grip  14  is configured to be slidably received over a proximal end  13  of the shaft  16 . The grip  14  may be any conventional golf club grip as described above. 
   It is understood at the outset that the golf club  10  is intended to be an example of a striking instrument. Such an instrument may alternatively be a tennis racquet, a hammer or any other striking instrument having an elongated shaft and a striking head. In the context of golf clubs, the golf club  10  is again merely illustrative; the club may also be a putter, a wedge, any type of “wood” or any type of “iron.” 
     FIG. 2  shows an enlarged perspective view of the shaft  16  and grip  14  of the exemplary golf club  10  of  FIG. 1 . The proximal end  13  of the shaft  16  is more clearly seen. It is also noted that the shaft  16  defines a hollow body having a bore  15  therealong. A distal end  19  of the grip  14  elastically fits over the proximal end  13  of the hollow shaft  16 . 
   Also visible in  FIG. 2  is a proximal end of the grip  14 . The proximal end defines a butt  17 . The butt  17  may aid in securing layers of the grip  14  and also serves an aesthetic purpose and a safety purpose in covering the end  13  of the shaft  16 . The butt  17  may be integral to the grip  14 . The grip  14  includes a through opening  11  through the butt  17 . The through opening provides fluid communication into the bore  15  of the hollow shaft  16 . 
   In practice, golf club grips may be placed on the proximal end  13  of the golf club shaft  16  by the club manufacturer. Such “factory” grips may be replaced by the consumer before use or after use. The golf club shaft  16  may be manually wrapped with a double-sided tape at its proximal end  13 . A solvent or lubricant is sprayed into the hollow interior of the grip  14 . The solvent or lubricant allows the grip  14  to be placed over the shaft  16  without deterring from the adhesiveness of the tape. The grip  14  is urged over the shaft  16  until the closed proximal end of the grip  14  is flush with the proximal or butt end  13  of the shaft  16 . The solvent eventually evaporates allowing for the tape to adhere to the surface of the hollow interior of the grip  14 . In some instances, the adhesive is heat-activated, with heat being applied by a hot air gun, a torch or even a cigarette lighter. 
   Once a grip  14  is placed over a shaft  16 , the golfer is left with no cushion except as might be inherent in the material of the grip. Even more recent grip materials do not completely eliminate impact shock. This is of particular concern for senior golfers and for golfers prone to joint or muscle tissue injuries. Therefore, and as noted above, there is a need for a grip that provides a greater cushion for golfers. Further, there is a need for a grip that is pneumatic, thereby providing an air cushion for the golfer around the shaft of the club. Further, there is a need for a grip having a degree of cushioning that is selectable and renewable. Further, there is a need for a method of providing a cushioned grip onto the shaft of a striking instrument such as a golf club that employs a pneumatically actuated bladder.” 
     FIG. 3  provides a cross-sectional view of a cushioned grip  100  of the present invention, in one embodiment. The grip  100  is shown disposed around an elongated shaft  112 , such as a golf club shaft. The upper end of the shaft is shown at  113 . The proximal tip is shown at  113 ′. 
   The grip first comprises an outer sleeve  142 . The outer sleeve  142  defines an elongated, pliable body configured to elastically slide over the shaft  112 . In the embodiment shown, the outer sleeve  142  represents a golf club grip to be engaged by a golfer. The sleeve  142  has a lower (distal) end  149  and an upper (proximal) end  147 . 
   The grip also includes an inner layer  141 . The inner layer  141  defines a pliable thin skin designed to be placed around the shaft  112  when the grip  100  is installed. At the same time, an annular region  144  is formed between the outer sleeve  142  and the inner skin  141 . This annular area is sealed off at the lower end  149  of the sleeve  142 ; however, the upper end  147  of the outer sleeve  142  is not sealed to the inner skin  141 . In this way, the annular area  144  defines a bladder. As will be described below, the bladder  144  receives air in order to create a greater cushion for the grip  100 . 
   The grip  100  next includes a butt  117 . The butt is at the proximal end of the shaft  112 . Preferably, the butt  117  is integral to the outer sleeve  142 . Alternatively, the butt  117  is a separate member from the outer sleeve  142 , but provides a sealed connection so as to hold air when the bladder  144  is filled. 
   The butt  117  includes a through opening  125 . The through opening  125  provides fluid communication to a valve  150 . The valve  150  may be any type of one-way valve. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , the valve  150  is a ball-and-seat valve. A ball  130  and a seat  159  for the valve  150  are seen in  FIG. 3 . 
     FIG. 4  presents a perspective view of the valve  150  of  FIG. 3 . The ball  130  is seen exploded away from the seat  159 . As shown more fully in  FIG. 4 , the valve  150  includes a cylindrical body  152  having has one or more air passages  156 . The body  152  is affixed to the bottom of the butt  117 . An inner surface of the body  152  contains a ball-retention ring  158 . The ring  158  helps to position the ball  130  over the seat  159  during assembly and use. The body  152  also contains a seal member  154  around its outer diameter. The seal member  154  serves to provide a fluid seal between the outer surface of the body  152  and the inner diameter of the shaft  112  upon installation. 
   During installation, the outer sleeve  142  is urged down over the shaft  112 . Preferably, the butt  117  and connected valve  150  are secured to the outer sleeve  142 . This way, the outer sleeve  142  will be in place when the butt  117  contacts the proximal tip  113 ′ of the shaft  112 . Alternatively, the butt  117  and connected valve  150  are separate from the outer sleeve  142 , and are inserted into the tip  113 ′ of the shaft  112  once the outer sleeve  142  is in place. 
   As the outer sleeve  142  is urged down over the shaft  112 , the inner sleeve  141  is also pulled down over the shaft  112 . Preferably, stitching (not shown) is provided to connect the inner sleeve  141  to the outer sleeve  142  in spaced-apart locations to ensure that the shape of the inner sleeve  141  is maintained along the shaft  112  and does not become crimped. Such incremental stitching further helps to maintain the position of the inner sleeve  141  and the shape of the bladder  144  when air is later urged into the bladder  144 . It is understood that such stitching cannot be circumferential at any point along the inner sleeve  141  to allow the longitudinal passage of air into the bladder  144 . 
   When the outer sleeve  142  is fully received over the shaft  112 , the butt  117  will contact the top end  113 ′ of the shaft  112 . Spacers are preferably provided under the butt  117  to preserve an air passage over the shaft  112 . One spacer is seen in  FIG. 3  at  126 . 
   As the butt  117  contacts the end  113 ′ of the shaft  112 , the seat  159  and surrounding seal ring  154  are received within the bore  115  of the shaft  112 . The seal ring  154  again provides a sealed relationship between the valve  150  and the surrounding shaft  112  when the grip  100  is inserted onto the shaft  112 . Air may then be urged through the through opening  125  of the butt  117 . As additional pressure is applied through the through opening  125 , the ball  130  is urged downwardly against the seat  159 . The seat  159  is fabricated from a deformable material to permit limited downward movement of the seat  159 . Alternatively, a biasing member such as a spring (not shown) may be placed below the ball  130  to bias the ball  130  in an upward position. In one aspect, and as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the seat  159  may include a raised portion. This helps to further raise the ball  130  up to the through-opening  125  when air is not being forced downwardly into the valve  150 . 
   As air is forced across the ball  130  and into the valve  150 , the air passes through the air passages  156  in the cylindrical body  152 . From there, air travels under the butt  117 , through the spacers  126 , over and around the proximal end  113 ′ of the shaft  112 , and into the bladder  144 . As noted, the lower seal end  149  of the outer sleeve  142  retains air pressure in the bladder  144  as air is driven into the valve  150 . 
   The body  152  of the valve  150  is configured to provide a close and frictional fit within the inner diameter of the shaft  112 . Because the shaft  112  also defines an inverted frusto-conical body, downward movement of the valve  150  during application of air pressure helps prevent the valve  150  from moving downward through the shaft  112 . The external seal ring  154  further aids in preventing downward slippage of the valve body  152 . The frusto-conical cross-section also acts to further seal the seat  150  and external seal ring  154  when air is moved across the ball  130 . 
   Once air pressure is no longer being urged into the through-opening  125 , air pressure residing within the bladder  144  will act upwardly against the ball  130 . This will cause the ball to seat upwardly in the through-opening  125  of the butt  117 . To this end, the through-opening  125  in the butt  117  defines inwardly sloped walls to assist in seating. An optional seating ring (not shown) may also be employed within the through-opening  125  for seating the ball  130 . 
   At some point, the golfer may desire to release air pressure from the bladder  144 . This would be particularly true when the golfer desires to replace the grip  100 . In order to release air pressure from the bladder  144 , the golfer may insert a golf tee or other pointed object (even the needle of the pump) into the through-opening  125  of the butt  117 . This will cause the ball  130  to unseat against the through-opening  125 , thereby releasing air from the bladder  144 . 
   In the cushioned grip  100  of  FIG. 3 , the bladder  144  is integral with the grip  100 . In this respect, the outer sleeve  142  and the inner skin  141  are connected at the lower end  149 . However, a separate membrane may be utilized as the bladder. 
     FIG. 5  presents an alternate arrangement for a cushioned grip  510  of the present invention In this side view, a grip  14  and an inflatable apparatus  510  are shown separately and in exploded-apart relation. The grip  14  has a butt  17 , a bottom end  19  and an elongated hollow inner bore (not seen). The butt  17  includes a through-opening  125 . 
   The grip  14  is a conventional golf grip that would otherwise be placed over the shaft of a golf club. A shaft is shown in  FIG. 5  at  16 . The shaft  16  is likewise exploded apart from the inflatable apparatus  510 . 
   Referring to the inflatable apparatus  510 , the apparatus  510  defines a thin inner skin  541  and a thin outer skin  544  that together form a circumferential chamber, or bladder  542 . The inner skin, or inner layer  541 , is shown in broken lines to indicate its position within the inflatable apparatus  510 . The inner  541  and outer  544  layers are in sealed connection at a lower end  549 . An inner bore  515  is defined between the opposing inner layers  541 . The inner bore  515  is open at the bottom to slidably receive the shaft  16  of a golf club. 
   The inner  541  and outer  544  layers are in fluid communication at a top  559  of the inflatable apparatus  510 . The top of the apparatus  510  also includes a small valve  550 . The valve  550  is preferably of the diaphragm type; though it may be of any type. 
   In operation, the bottom  549  of the inflatable apparatus  510  is placed over the top, or proximal end  13 , of the shaft  16 . The inflatable apparatus  510  is preferable pulled down over the shaft  16  until the top  559  of the apparatus  510  is adjacent the tip  13 ′ of the proximal end  13  of the shaft  16 . Thereafter, the grip  14  is slipped over the separate inflatable apparatus  510 . Stated another way, the proximal end  13  and surrounding inflatable apparatus  510  are concentrically received within the bore of the grip  14 . The grip  14  is pulled down over the shaft  16  until the butt  17  engages the top  559  of the inflatable apparatus  510 . The through-opening  125  and the valve  550  will then be aligned and ready to jointly receive a pump. At the same time, the valve  550  is preferably received at least in part into the hollow inner bore of the shaft  16  at the tip  13 ′. 
     FIG. 5  also shows a pump. The pump is shown schematically at P. The pump P will include a nozzle that is inserted into the through-opening  125  and the valve  550 . The pump P is then actuated in order to push air into the bladder  542 . Inflation of the inflatable apparatus  510  will create a cushioning apparatus  500  by which a golfer&#39;s comfort is improved. 
   The disclosed grips  100 ,  500  reduce hand fatigue associated with gripping a hard hand surface. By providing a pneumatically adjustable grip, substantial shock absorption is provided. It is understood that any pump can be used in order to “air up” the cushioned grips  100 ,  500 . Preferably, the pump will be small enough to be transported in a golf bag. An example would be the type of hand activated pump used for airing cushions within a football helmet. The through-opening  125  would be sized to receive a nozzle of such a pump. Other types of pump and valve arrangements may be used, and the present inventions are not restricted as to the type of pump or valve used. For example, the valve might be a diaphragm-type valve such as is used for water flotation devices. 
   It should again be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the inventions, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, the details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as the basis for the claims and as a basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to make and/or use the invention. In addition, while the present grip technology was developed with the needs of golfers in mind, the present grip technology may be used with other hand implements such as tennis racquets, baseball bats, hand tools, power tools and other industrial equipment.