Abstract:
Disclosed is a golf putter grip having proximal and distal ends, the distal end being open and the proximal end being closed and including a bore therethrough for installation of a golf putter. The putter grip of the present invention further comprises a main grip area having a forward facing surface with a cross section comprised of three substantially flat sides arranged in a half-hexagonal shape. The intersections of the left and right sides with the center side create dual frontal vertex lines. The rear facing surface forms a arcuate cross section which is convex when viewed from the rear direction.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/834,154 filed on Mar. 15, 2013, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/358,248 filed on Mar. 24, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. D681,758. a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/368,718 filed on Aug. 27, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. D680,604, and a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/393,644 filed on Jun. 7, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. D680,605, the contents of which are incorporated, herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to equipment used to play the sport of golf. More particularly, the present invention relates to a hand grip (“grip”) for a golf putting club (“putter”) which forces the player to place his hands in a position which is conducive to greater balance and control of the club. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Unlike many other facets of the game of golf which rely on power and strength, putting relies, for the most part, on finesse. Specifically, a solid, smooth and balanced putting stroke is essential to achieve good results within the greens. For this reason, many golf experts believe that putting is the hardest aspect of the game of golf to master. 
         [0004]    Successful putting requires a chain of events to occur in a specific order starting with the body and ending with the putter face striking the ball. The interface between body and putter occurs at the grip which is significant because this is the point where the “chain” can he broken due to a poor interaction which disrupts the body&#39;s muscular recruitment sequence for an efficient putting stroke. 
         [0005]    Traditional putter grips are designed without a clear understanding of how hand position affect&#39;s the body&#39;s natural ability to perform a smooth, efficient and repeatable putting stroke. This fact is evident as seen by the increasing popularity of “fat” putter grips, belly and long putters which try to tap into the body&#39;s efficient muscular recruitment pattern. 
         [0006]    Golfers at all levels are always looking to maximize optimal club and body interaction in order to make them perform as one. When this occurs, the movement sequence produces a smooth and accurate stroke more often. 
         [0007]    Previous attempts at putter grips that optimize the interaction between the golfer and the club have failed to achieve good results. 
         [0008]    Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a golf putter grip that creates a desirable interaction between body and putter that automatically turns on the correct upper body muscular recruitment sequence resulting in an efficient putting movement. 
         [0009]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a golf putter grip that automatically places the golfer&#39;s hands in a position so that their palms face each other and the wrists are in a neutral position. 
         [0010]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a golf putter grip that teaches and encourages a repeatable and correct putter stroke 
         [0011]    These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention may be more clearly understood and appreciated from a review of ensuing detailed description of the preferred and alternate embodiments and by reference to the accompanying drawings and claims. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    In one embodiment of the present invention, provided is a golf putter grip having proximal and distal ends, the distal end being open and the proximal end being closed and including a bore therethrough for installation of a golf putter. The putter grip of the present invention further comprises a main grip area having a forward facing surface and a rear facing surface. The forward facing surface of the main grip area having a cross section which is “V” shaped with the vertex, of the “V” pointing away from the golfer, and resulting in a vertex line running longitudinal along the entire front of the main grip area. The rear-facing surface of the main grip area having an arcuate or “C” shaped cross section which is convex from the viewpoint of the rear of the grip. The rear facing and front facing contours meet along the sides of the main grip area to create a cross section that is substantially teardrop shaped. The entire length of the main grip area of the grip tapers gradually in the proximal-to-distal direction. 
         [0013]    In a second embodiment of the present invention, provided is a golf putter grip having proximal and distal ends, the distal end being open and the proximal end being closed and including a bore therethrough for installation of a golf putter. The putter grip of the present invention further comprises a main grip area having a forward facing surface and a rear facing surface. The forward facing surface of the main grip area having a cross section which is comprised of three substantially flat sides, namely a left, a right and a center side. The left and right sides form diagonal converging planes which converge in the direction that is a way from the golfer. The center side is the most forward facing and is substantially horizontal with respect to the left and right sides. In combination, the cross section formed by the left, right and center sides of the forward facing surface of the main grip forms a half-hexagon in which the hexagon has been cut by a line running from one of its vertices to the opposite vertex. The rear-facing surface of the main grip area having an arcuate or “C” shaped cross section which is convex from the viewpoint of the rear of the grip. The rear facing and front facing surfaces meet along the sides of the main grip area. The entire length of the main grip area of the grip tapers gradually in the proximal-to-distal direction. 
         [0014]    In a third embodiment of the present invention, provided is a golf putter grip having proximal and distal ends, the distal end being open and the proximal end being closed and including a bore therethrough for installation of a golf putter. The putter grip of the present invention further comprises a main grip area having a forward facing surface and a rear facing surface. The forward facing surface of the main grip area having a cross section which is “V” shaped with the vertex, of the “V” pointing away from the golfer, and resulting in a vertex line running longitudinal along the entire front of the main grip area. The rear facing surface of the main grip area also having a cross section which is “V” shaped with the vertex of the “V” pointing towards the golfer, and resulting in a vertex line running longitudinal along the entire rear of the main grip area. The rear facing and front facing contours are optionally substantially symmetrical and meet along the sides of the main grip area to create a cross section that is substantially diamond shaped. The entire length of the main grip area of the grip tapers gradually in the proximal-to-distal direction. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail, wherein like reference numerals refer to identical or similar components or steps, with reference to the following figures. Likewise, some of the figures herein depict minimal line-work for ease of understanding. 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a golf putter grip in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a front elevation view of a golf putter grip in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a rear elevation view of a golf putter grip in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a right elevation view of a golf putter grip in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a top elevation view of a golf putter grip in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a bottom elevation view of a golf putter grip in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a cross sectional view of the main grip area a golf putter grip in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  illustrates a golf putter grip in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention installed on the shaft of a putter. 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  illustrates a golfer gripping a golf putter with a golf putter grip in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  is a cross sectional view of the main grip area a golf putter grip in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 11  is a cross sectional view of the main grip area a golf putter grip in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0027]    While the present invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which a number of embodiments of the present invention are shown, it is to be understood at the outset of the description which follows that persons of skill in the appropriate arts may modify the invention herein described while still achieving the favorable results of this invention. Accordingly, the description which follows is to be understood as being a broad, reaching disclosure directed to persons of skill in the appropriate arts, and not as limiting upon the present invention. 
         [0028]    Referring first to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3  and  4 , in a first embodiment of the present invention, provided is a putter grip ( 100 ) having a distal ( 1 ) and proximal ( 2 ) end, a main grip area ( 3 ), a bore opening ( 4 ) on the distal end insertion of a putter ( 801 ) (not shown), and a closed surface ( 5 ) on the proximal end ( 2 ). 
         [0029]    The bore through the grip extends substantially from the distal end ( 1 ) to the proximal end ( 2 ) where it is capped by closed surface ( 5 ). The bore opening ( 4 ) is more clearly illustrated in  FIG. 6  where it is shown as having a circular shape. Opening ( 4 ), however, can be any shape that substantially matches the cross section of the upper shaft of a putter where the grip is to be installed. Closed surface ( 5 ) is more clearly illustrated in  FIG. 5  where it is shown as having a generally oval or ovoid shape. Closed surface ( 5 ), however, can have any shape that is aesthetically pleasing to the golfer. 
         [0030]    The main grip area ( 3 ) has a forward facing surface ( 6 ) and a rear facing surface ( 7 ) which meet at lateral vertex lines ( 8 ) and ( 9 ). The front facing surface ( 6 ) of the main grip area ( 3 ) is divided into left ( 10 ) and right ( 11 ) surfaces which converge at a forward vertex line ( 12 ). The main grip area ( 3 ) also has a rear facing surface ( 7 ) which has a convex, generally “C” shaped rounded surface. 
         [0031]    The disposition and shapes of forward facing surface ( 6 ) and rear facing surface ( 7 ) can be better seen in  FIG. 7  which represents an upward-looking cross sectional view of golf grip ( 100 ). The cross sectional view is taken approximately midway down the main grip area ( 3 ) but is substantially proportional cross sections taken along the entire length of the main grip area ( 3 ). 
         [0032]    As can be seen in  FIG. 7 , left ( 10 ) and right ( 11 ) surfaces of the front facing surface ( 6 ) form a substantially a “V” shaped cross section with a vertex ( 12 ) formed in the forward facing direction. Rear facing surface ( 7 ), in turn, forms a “C” shaped cross section which is convex when viewed from the rear direction. The front facing ( 6 ) and rear facing ( 7 ) surfaces of the main grip area ( 3 ) intersect at right ( 9 ) and left ( 8 ) lateral vertex lines. 
         [0033]    As can be best seen in  FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  4 , the entire grip ( 100 ) tapers substantially uniformly from the distal end ( 1 ) to the proximal end ( 2 ). 
         [0034]    Additional embodiments of the present invention are shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . The embodiments shown in these figures are substantially identical to the previously described embodiment, except that they have different features in the forward ( 6   a,    6   b ) and rear ( 7   a,    7   b ) facing surfaces of the main grip area ( 3 ). 
         [0035]      FIG. 10  illustrates represents an upward-looking cross sectional view of golf grip ( 100 ) in an embodiment in which the forward facing surface ( 6   a ) of the main grip area ( 3 ) has a cross section which is comprised of three substantially fiat sides, namely a left ( 10   a ), a right ( 11   a ) and a center ( 21 ) side. The left ( 10   a ) and right ( 11   a ) sides form diagonal converging planes which converge in the direction away from the golfer. The center side ( 21 ) is the most forward facing and is substantially horizontal with respect to the left ( 10   a ) and right ( 11   a ) sides. In combination, the cross section formed by the left ( 10   a ), right ( 11   a ) and center sides of the forward facing surface of the main grip forms a half-hexagon in which the hexagon has been cut by a line running from one of its vertices to the opposite vertex. The intersections of the left ( 10   a ) and right ( 11   a ) sides with the center ( 21 ) side create dual frontal vertex lines ( 20 ,  22 ) which are similar to forward vertex line ( 12 ) in the first embodiment disclosed. Rear facing surface ( 7   a ), in turn, forms a “C” shaped cross section which is convex when viewed from the rear direction. The left ( 10   a ) and right ( 11   a ) sides of front facing surface ( 6   a ) surface intersect rear facing surface ( 7   a ) of the main grip area ( 3 ) intersect at right ( 9   a ) and left ( 8   a ) lateral vertex lines. 
         [0036]      FIG. 11  illustrates represents an upward-looking cross sectional view of golf grip ( 100 ) in an embodiment in which the cross section is substantially diamond shaped. Left ( 10   b ) and right ( 11   b ) surfaces of the front facing surface ( 6   b ) form a substantially a “V” shaped cross section with a vertex ( 12   b ) formed in the forward facing direction. Left ( 32 ) and right ( 31 ) surfaces of the rear facing surface ( 7   b ) form a substantially a “V” shaped cross section with a vertex ( 30 ) formed in the rear facing direction. The left ( 10   b ) and right ( 11   b ) sides of front facing surface ( 6   b ) intersect the left ( 32 ) and right ( 31 ) sides of rear facing surface ( 7   b ) of the main grip area ( 3 ) intersect at right ( 9   b ) and left ( 8   b ) lateral vertex lines. 
         [0037]    Shown in  FIG. 8  is an illustration of a grip according to the present invention installed on the shaft of a putter. It should be pointed that when properly installed, forward vertex line ( 12 ) is aligned with the shaft of the putter so that an imaginary line ( 13 ) bisecting the grip from rear to front (see  FIG. 7 ) is parallel to the face of the putter. 
         [0038]    In use, the grip ( 100 ) of the present invention creates a desirable interaction between body and putter that automatically turns on the correct upper body muscular recruitment sequence resulting in an efficient putting movement. This is accomplished by placing the hands in a position so the palms face each other and the wrists are neutral. This small change to hand and wrist position, on the grip makes a fundamental change to muscular recruitment and interaction between body and putter. 
         [0039]    Shown in  FIG. 9  is an illustration of a golfer holding a putter with the disclosed grip in a typical golf grip. As can be seen, left ( 10 ) and right ( 11 ) forward facing surfaces of the main grip area ( 3 ) direct the golfer&#39;s palms to face each other and place the wrists in a neutral position. With the palms facing each other and wrists neutral, the new position naturally places the arms next to the body without arm or shoulder tension. With the arms in this position, the body will recruit larger muscles of the trunk needed for torso and shoulder rotation instead of recruiting forearm or arm muscles which cause hand, wrist or elbow involvement during the stroke. Specifically, the external aid internal oblique muscles (located in anterior lower/mid trunk) in conjunction with the lower trapezius muscles (located in posterior upper trunk) generate a fluid rotation of the torso and shoulders with simultaneous smooth putter movement. 
         [0040]    The design of the disclosed putter grip adapts to the body&#39;s natural muscular recruitment pattern for efficient movement of body and putter as one during the stroke increases a golfer&#39;s chance of success on the putting green more often unlike traditional grips. 
         [0041]    In an independent study conducted by the inventor of the disclosed grip, fifty golfers who used traditional grips were given the grip of the present invention to place on their putter. In an indoor training facility located in Miami Beach, Fla., each golfer was given 20 putts using the new grip. After putting, the golfer was given a standard questionnaire to provide feedback. Overwhelmingly, 92% of the golfers responded that the grip helped produce a more relaxed putting stroke, eliminated hand or wrist involvement during the stroke, gained more confidence putting with the Garsen grip and will be kept on the putter. 
         [0042]    Finally, from a medical standpoint, the disclosed putter grip also allows players with arthritis to hold and use the putter without creating additional stress across the joints of the hands and wrists due to their neutral position during movement. 
         [0043]    Accordingly, it will be understood that several embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed by way of example and that other modifications and alterations may occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the appended claims.