Handle with changeable grip

A handle 14 with a changeable grip 12 for a shock imparting implement has a gripping sleeve 18 positioned on an end 24 of a handle 14 abutting a ledge 28 integrally formed in the handle 14. A threaded cap 20 compresses the gripping sleeve 18 against the ledge 28 to secure the grip 12 to the handle 14. Optional splines 40 on an outer surface of the handle 14 meshing with channels 42 in the gripping sleeve 18 function to prevent slippage or rotation during use.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates in general to a handle with a changeable grip particularly suited for shock imparting implements, and more particularly to a new and improved golf club shaft with a changeable grip.

BACKGROUND

There are many forms of grips available on the market today for a wide variety of implements. These implements can range from hammer handles or other hand tools to sports implements like tennis, squash, or racquetball rackets, or golf clubs. While the present disclosure is particularly suited for a golf club shaft with a changeable grip and described with particular reference thereto, it should be immediately apparent that the present disclosure is not intended to be limited only to golf and extends to any sports grip or hand grip for a shock imparting implement.

Originally, golf club grips consisted primarily of a leather wrap around a handle. Later, molded rubber slip-on grips became available and are still in wide use today. A recent variation on the molded rubber grip is the concept of using a rubber sleeve or underlisting on the handle with a leather or synthetic leather wrap spirally wrapped around the underlisting, or alternatively a single panel cover over the underlisting. Grips are made today from a wide variety in construction and combinations of materials.

As the market demands a wider range of grips with different colors, weights, and sizes, producing a cost effective grip that meets a wide range of customer requirements is becoming very difficult. There still exists a need for an improved changeable grip that imparts or receives shock or force to or from a shock imparting implement. A changeable grip provides greater flexibility in selecting a specific grip for a given application or for use under a wide variety of conditions. It allows the user to select exactly the type of grip needed under the given conditions for the desired application. It is also desirable for the grip to be constructed in a manner that provides a firm grasp with little or no slippage and with good resistance to torque as well as exhibiting good shock absorbing qualities.

A changeable grip further allows for a wide variety of enhancing features to the grip such as designing the grip weight for swing weight control, or even still multiple types of gripping surfaces with interchangeable gripping sleeves of combinations of various materials. Swing weight control, handle stiffness, flex control, shock absorption are just some of the important factors in improving the impact from the implement. The concept of tailoring a grip to provide the user with multiple options minimizes the need for multiple grips and multiple implements.

Thus, it is desirable to have a changeable grip that allows the user to select the right fit and feel for the handle or shaft of a shock imparting implement or tool to meet the needs of the user in a given application.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure describes a handle with a changeable grip for a shock imparting implement that offers a wide variety of features.

The handle with the changeable grip according to the present disclosure includes an elongated tubular member having an initial diameter with two ends. A first end is constructed for attachment to a working head. The second end terminates in a butt end with a threaded indentation. The second end further includes a bell shaped section spaced from the butt end towards the first end. The bell shaped section has a diameter larger in size than the initial diameter which then reduces in size to form a ledge. The lower end of a gripping sleeve is slidably received on the second end of the elongated tubular member where it abuts the ledge. A cap with a threaded fastener meshes with the threaded indentation in the butt end of the handle to compress the gripping sleeve up against the ledge.

The handle with changeable grip is particularly suited for use as a golf club shaft with a changeable golf club grip. The design of the present disclosure accommodates the U.S. Golf Association (“USGA”) rules requirement for the shaft to extend the full length of the shaft as well as provides a structure that has a simple configuration with reduced parts.

The various features of novelty which characterize the present disclosure are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the present disclosure and its operating advantages attained with its use, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, and descriptive matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

Referring to the figures, which are not intended to limit the present disclosure, and where like numerals designate like or similar features throughout the several views, and first in particular toFIG. 1, there is shown a golf club generally designated10. Golf club10includes a golf club grip12, a shaft or handle14, and a club head16. A golf club is but one example of a shock imparting implement that the handle and changeable grip of the present disclosure finds utility. There are many other examples of shock imparting implements known in the art. The term “shock imparting implement” as used herein is meant to include sporting implements and tools that are used to strike, impact, or apply a force to an object or an implement, or conversely receive an impact or force from the implement. Tennis racquets, squash racquets, racquetball racquets, lacrosse grips, fishing rod handles, bicycle handles, motorcycle handles, gear shift levers, and baseball grips are but only a few examples meant to be included in the term “shock imparting implements”.

Naturally there are many others, and even possibly more sport items that may still be developed. While particular reference is being made to a golf club handle with a changeable grip in the subject disclosure, it should be understood that the subject disclosure is applicable to any shock imparting implement including but not limited to other sporting implements and tool handles such as a hammer handle or a screwdriver handle.

Referring toFIG. 2, there is shown in exploded view a portion of the shaft14and changeable grip12according to the present disclosure. The changeable grip12basically comprises two parts or elements: a gripping sleeve18, and a cap20which will be described in greater detail later herein.

Turning now toFIG. 3, shaft14in one embodiment is an elongated tubular member made with an initial diameter (d1). The term “tubular” as used herein is meant to not only include a cylindrical shape or form, but also oval and other fairly cylindrically-shaped forms like polygons. The elongated tubular member14has a first and a second end22,24. A working head, like the club head16, may be attached to the first end22. The second end24of the handle14receives the gripping sleeve18. In the present disclosure, the second end24of the handle14includes a bell shaped section26having a diameter (d2) larger than the initial diameter (d1) of shaft14. Bell shaped section26provides a ledge28integrally formed in handle14. In one embodiment, ledge28is formed in the shaft14by a sharp reduction in the diameter of the bell shaped section26to a diameter (d3) which may be equal in size to that of the initial diameter (d1), but does not have to be equal in size. When the gripping sleeve18is slid on to handle14, the lower end30abuts the ledge28to hold the lower end30of the gripping sleeve18in place. The bell shaped section26and ledge28are spaced at a distance from a butt end32of the handle14to fairly match the desired length of the gripping sleeve18.

Next referring toFIG. 4, the butt end32of handle14has a threaded indentation34which may be a threaded aperture or simply an indentation with threads constructed to receive and mesh with a threaded fastener36. Threaded fastener36may be an integral part of cap20. Alternatively, fastener36may be separate from cap20simply passing through an opening37in cap20for securing the cap20to the handle14. As cap20is tightened on to the handle14through fastener36, the cap20can engage an upper end38of the gripping sleeve18to compress the gripping sleeve18against the ledge28.

As seen inFIGS. 5 and 6, handle14may contain splines or ribs40that extend longitudinally along the outer surface of the second end24of the handle14. The splines40may also extend radially in the second end24of the handle in an alternate embodiment. The splines40mesh with channels42in the gripping sleeve18to serve as guides for slidably receiving the gripping sleeve18and prevent torsional slippage or rotation of the gripping sleeve18during use.

In still another embodiment, an optional elongated rod44which may be a metal wire, rod, or an elastomeric line or rod is positioned fairly centrally in a slot45on one of the ridges46in the gripping sleeve18between the splines40to form a reminder rib48in the gripping sleeve18for a golfer. A reminder rib48is a device known and used by some golfers for facilitating their hand placement on the grip12. The United States Golf Association rules require a reminder rib48not to be greater than about 0.04 inches or about 1 millimeter. The diameter of the rod44should be equal to or less than the 0.04 inches or 1 millimeter in order to comply with the golf rules. The location of the reminder rib48is adjustable by positioning the rod44in one of the slots45as seen inFIG. 6in a range of approximately five degrees to approximately fifteen degrees on either side of the center position of the ridge46.FIG. 6depicts this feature with the rod positioned on either side of the center position at approximately five degrees, but it should be understood that this range can extend as much as approximately fifteen degrees.

Handle14may be constructed from steel, aluminum, titanium or some other metal or metal alloy, fiberglass or graphite, and can be reinforced with carbon or other material fibers if desired.

The gripping sleeve18and cap20may be made from natural or synthetic rubber, an elastomeric material like a rubber compound, a synthetic plastic, thermoplastic material, silicone material, or mixtures thereof, and may contain fibers or cords imbedded therein for a better gripping. Gripping sleeve18may contain on its outer surface indicia for decorative purposes, and/or grooves or notches for gripping purposes.

The gripping sleeve18can further comprise one or more layers of a rubber, elastomeric, or thermoplastic material, or combinations of such materials. These layers can be arranged to provide varying durometer values. A durometer value or rating is an international standard for the hardness measurement of rubber, plastic and other non-metallic materials. Durometer values and ratings are described in the American Society for Testing and Material specification ASTM D2240. For example in one embodiment, an inner surface of the sleeve18may have a hardness value ranging from approximately twenty-five to approximately fifty Shore A hardness. The outer surface or layer of the sleeve18can have a durometer value preferably ranging from approximately twenty-five to approximately ninety Shore A. Any combination of durometer values may be used depending upon the user's desire for a surface grip feel with good frictional qualities and tactile feel coupled with a firmer inner section.

The improved changeable grip12of the present disclosure allows the user to select and change grips rapidly based on the optimum weight, feel, look, and moisture absorbency for a given application.

While specific embodiments of the disclosure have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of this disclosure, it will be understood that there may be other embodiments based on this without departing from such principles.