Self-adhesive wrap-on grip for sports racquets and other equipment handles

A self-adhesive wrap-on handle grip for elongated handles such as those used in various types of implements such as sports racquets, baseball bats, handle bars, and the like includes an elongated preferably resilient material strip having a leading edge and a trailing edge and defining an undersurface and an outer surface. An elongated adhesive strip is formed upon the outer surface of the material strip in a narrow band adjacent the leading edge portion thereof. A peel-off protective strip is removably secured to the adhesive strip to facilitate handling and storage. During the wrapping process, the handle grip is helically wrapped upon the handle portion of a sports racquet such that the trailing edge of each wrapping layer overlies and is aligned with the underlying adhesive strip of the previous layer. In one embodiment, a resilient center bead is supported at or near the center portion of the undersurface of the material strip to form a spiral raised rib within the handle grip when the handle grip is helically wrapped upon the equipment handle.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates generally to equipment handles and to sports 
racquets and particularly to the handle grips used thereon. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Many sports and game activities utilize a racquet implement in the game 
play. For example, the structures used for tennis racquets as well as the 
racquets used in the popular game of racquetball are familiar to most 
sports enthusiasts. While the structures of such racquets vary 
substantially, all generally comprise a circular or elliptical frame or 
the like within which a highly tensioned net or webbing is strung to 
provide a high energy resilient ball striking surface. The frame further 
supports an elongated handle which facilitates the user's manipulation of 
the racquet and which is provided with a gripping area. Most handle grips 
supplied with the racquet by the manufacturer are formed of a solid 
material over which materials such as leather, plastic or other synthetic 
materials are laid. The use of such sports racquets subjects the handle 
gripping material to substantial wear, stress and perspiration. As a 
result, the users of such racquets soon discovered the useful life of the 
racquet could be greatly extended if a protective element was provided to 
over-wrap the original grip. In addition, early practitioners determined 
that the quality or certainty of a handle grip itself could be improved by 
use of materials having a "tacky" characteristic. Early wrap-on over-wrap 
grip protectors were provided using a woven gauze material having an 
impregnated gummy or tacky substance within the material. Such wraps were 
applied in a helical progressive wrap usually starting at the extreme end 
or butt end of the racquet in a pattern providing several overlapping butt 
end wraps to secure one end and an upward progression of overlapping 
spiral or helical wraps terminating at the upper end close to the racquet 
frame. The tackiness of the impregnated gauze was such that no finishing 
adhesive strip was required to anchor the final wrap. The objective of 
such wraps is to improve grip and provide a disposable outer material 
covering which may readily be discarded and replaced. 
While the use of such gauze material wraps improved the player's grip, they 
frequently created undesired residue upon the user's hands and the 
underlying original grip material of the racquet handle. In addition, 
these woven gauze material wraps were found to be abrasive and too rough 
upon the player's skin. To improve the quality of such wrap-on over-wrap 
handle grips, practitioners provided improved materials in the form of 
long narrow strips of softer, smoother, moisture absorbent material with 
built-in tackiness which did not leave a residue on the hands or the 
underlying original grip. These new over-wraps were made of plastics or 
other synthetic materials, leather, or rubber. These materials are 
over-wrapped upon the original underlying handle grip in a similar manner 
to the gauze materials. However, due to the absence of adhesive 
attachment, the over wrapping technique is more carefully undertaken to 
provide a secure over wrap. To avoid undesired damage to the original 
underlying handle grip material, the use of adhesives is avoided and the 
attachment of the over-grip over-wrap depend entirely upon the manner in 
which the grip is wrapped upon the handle. 
These newly developed over-wrap grips were subsequently manufactured in 
thicker strips to be used to replace the original factory installed basic 
grip if the racquet user or the original equipment manufacturer so 
desired. 
While the later developed and presently used wrap-on over-wrap handle grips 
have provided substantial improvement over the earlier woven gauze 
adhesive based wraps, they have been subject to several problems and 
limitations. For example, the exposed edges of the wrap material tend to 
become distorted and curled as the racquet is used. In addition, the 
ability of the spiral wrap layers to slide upon each other permits the 
shifting of the handle wrap-on during play and creates an insecure grip 
feeling for the user. Also, it was difficult to gauge the amount of 
desirable edge overlap of layers during the process of spirally installing 
the over-grip, and without an adhesive to hold the over-grip in place 
during wrapping, it was difficult to hold the wraps in place with respect 
to each other while installing. 
As a result, a continuing need exists in the art for evermore improved 
wrap-on handle grips for sports racquets and other sports equipment 
handles which improve the grip quality while extending racquet life 
without the limitations of the present devices. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide an 
improved wrap-on handle grip for sports racquets and other sports 
equipment handles. Such other sports equipment include, for example but 
not limited to, baseball bats, squash racquets, badminton racquets, 
racquetball racquets, handlebars, golf clubs and the like. It is a more 
particular object of the present invention to provide an improved wrap-on 
over-grip or basic replacement grip which more securely attaches to the 
substructure over which it is wrapped and which is resistant to edge 
curling and shifting tendencies of the wrap-on material during use. 
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided for use in 
combination with an implement having an elongated handle, a wrap-on grip 
comprises: an elongated material strip defining first and second surfaces, 
a leading edge and a trailing edge; and an elongated adhesive strip 
substantially more narrow than the material strip supported upon the first 
surface adjacent the leading edge, the handle grip being wrappable upon a 
handle in a helical wrap such that the second surface defines an 
undersurface against the handle and the first surface defines an outer 
surface and such that the adhesive strip secures the trailing edge.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
FIG. 1 sets forth a perspective view of a conventional sports racquet 11 
shown in dashed line representation having a handle grip generally 
referenced by numeral 10 being wrapped in accordance with the present 
invention. Racquet 11 in accordance with conventional fabrication 
techniques includes a handle grip 12 fabricated and secured to racquet 11 
and defining an upper end 14. Racquet 11 also includes an end plate 15 
forming the butt end 13 of racquet 11. 
In accordance with the present invention, handle grip 10 is shown being 
wrapped upon original handle grip 12 in accordance with the spiral 
wrapping operation. Thus, handle grip 10 includes an elongated material 
strip 20 formed of a somewhat resilient gripping material such as leather, 
plastic or other synthetic material which provides suitable gripping 
texture and perspiration absorption characteristics. Material strip 20 
defines an undersurface 21 and an outer surface 22 as well as a leading 
edge 23 and a trailing edge 24. In accordance with the preferred 
embodiment of the present invention, a resilient generally rectangular 
cross-sectioned center bead 25 is secured to the center portion of 
undersurface 21 and is generally coextensive with material strip 20. 
Center bead 25 may be fabricated to be slightly shorter than material 
strip 20 at the end portions thereof to facilitate the wrapping process as 
shown in FIG. 1. In further accordance with the present invention, handle 
grip 10 further includes an elongated narrow adhesive material strip 30 
formed adjacent leading edge 23 upon outer surface 22 of material strip 
20. In its preferred form, adhesive strip 30 is generally coextensive with 
material strip 20. However, once again, to facilitate certain wrapping 
operations, adhesive strip 30 may, if desired, be slightly shorter at the 
end portions of material strip 20. 
In accordance with the present invention, handle grip 10 is secured to 
original handle grip 12 in a spiral wrapping operation similar to that 
carried forward in the attachment of the above-described prior art handle 
wraps. Thus, handle grip 10 is initially wrapped from end plate 15 by 
positioning undersurface 21 against original handle 12 such that center 
bead 25 and undersurface 21 are brought into contact with original handle 
grip 12. The material strip (such as strip 20) may be trimmed as shown by 
dashed line representation in FIG. 2 to provide an angled starting edge 86 
which becomes generally parallel to end plate 15, and as the first wrap is 
spiraled onto the handle the second wrap secures the first into position 
at the bottom of the handle. Once the bottom end is secured adjacent end 
plate 15, the spiral wrapping process is undertaken in which successive 
layers of handle grip 10 are helically wound upon original handle grip 12 
in the manner shown in FIG. 1. In further accordance with the present 
invention, each leading edge portion of handle grip 10 exposes adhesive 
strip 30 upon outer surface 22. Care is taken during the wrapping process 
to carefully align trailing edge 24 and adhesive strip 30 such that 
trailing edge 24 is generally aligned with or extends slightly beyond 
adhesive strip 30 upon the underlying portion of outer surface 22 on the 
previous wrap layer. Thus, as each spiral is wrapped upon original handle 
grip 12, trailing edge 24 thereof is adhesively secured by adhesive strip 
30 to the portion of outer surface 22 along the line of overlap. As a 
result, trailing edge 24 is maintained in a secure attachment which 
precludes the above-described problem of edge curling encountered in 
non-adhesive prior art devices. The spiral wrapping process continues 
until handle grip 10 has generally covered the entire surface of original 
handle grip 12. At this point, the upper end 26 of material strip 20 is 
secured in place by a top strip 40. Top strip 40 is preferably formed of a 
conventional adhesive tape material having an adhesive coating 41 on the 
interior side thereof. Once handle grip 10 has been securely spiral 
wrapped in the manner described, end portion 26 is secured as top strip 40 
is wrapped about upper end 14 of handle grip 12 in the manner indicated by 
arrows 51 and 52. 
As will be apparent from examination of FIG. 1, the provision of center 
bead 25 upon undersurface 21 of material strip 20 produces a plurality of 
spiral raised rib portions 31 for handle grip 10. These raised ribs 
provide improved gripping action and substantially improve the user's 
manipulation of racquet 11. The cooperation of adhesive strip 30 and 
material strip 20 within handle grip 10 not only avoids the undesired edge 
curling which prior art handle grips are subject to but also tends to 
maintain a secure attachment between respective layers of the handle grip 
and thus reduces or minimizes the undesired tendency of grip layers to 
shift during use. As a result, the perception of grip imparted to the user 
is substantially more secure than that provided by prior art devices. 
The material selected for center bead 25 may be varied somewhat in 
accordance with the design choice of fabricators. However, it has been 
found advantageous to utilize a center bead material formed of a foam 
plastic or the like to provide a resilient rib for raised ribs 31. It will 
be recognized, however, that different materials may be used for both 
material strip 20 and center bead 25 to provide the desired handle 
characteristics. 
FIG. 2 sets forth a top perspective view of a portion of handle grip 10 
prior to assembly to racquet 11 in the manner shown in FIG. 1. As 
described above, handle grip 10 includes an elongated generally 
rectangular material strip 20 defining an outer surface 22 and an 
undersurface 21. Material strip 20 further defines a leading edge 23 and a 
generally parallel trailing edge 24. In further accordance with the 
embodiment of the present invention set forth above in FIG. 1, handle grip 
10 includes a generally rectangular cross section center bead 25 secured 
to the center portion of undersurface 21 of material strip 20. This 
attachment may be carried forward using conventional fabrication 
techniques such as adhesive bonding or the like. In accordance with an 
important aspect of the present invention, an elongated adhesive strip 30 
is formed upon a portion of outer surface 22 adjacent leading edge 23. The 
width of adhesive strip 30 is, to some extent, variable in accordance with 
the characteristics of material strip 20. It has been found in its 
preferred form to fabricate strip 30 of a double-sided tape and to 
maintain adhesive strip 30 in a relatively narrow portion of outer surface 
22. Adhesive strip 30 may, however, be formed of a deposited adhesive. To 
facilitate the convenient handling and storage of handle grip 10, a 
protective peel-off strip 35 is secured to adhesive strip 30 in an 
overlying relationship and is removed prior to or during the 
above-described wrapping process. Protective peel-off strip 35 may be 
fabricated using a thin plastic or plastic impregnated paper material in 
accordance with general peel-off adhesive techniques. In addition, strip 
30 may be interrupted by interruptions 32 to accommodate extension of 
strip 20. 
FIG. 3 sets forth a perspective of a portion of handle grip 10 reversed 
from that shown in FIG. 2. Thus, as described above, handle grip 10 
includes a material strip 20 having a leading edge 23, a trailing edge 24, 
an undersurface 21 and an outer surface 22. Handle grip 20 further 
includes the above-described center bead 25 supported upon the center 
portion of undersurface 21. 
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of FIGS. 
1, 2 and 3 that in accordance with an important aspect of the present 
invention, adhesive attachment between successive layers of handle grip 10 
is provided by the present invention structure without the undesired 
adhesive attachment to original handle grip 12. Thus, the handle grip of 
the present invention is secure without raising the potential for damage 
or undesired adhesive deposit upon the original handle grip. It will also 
be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention handle 
grip may be wrapped without undue difficulty by practitioners accustomed 
to the above-described prior art handle wraps and thus may be easily 
accommodated. Once the present invention handle grip has been used 
successfully and is to be replaced, it is removed in the same manner as 
prior art handle grips by initially removing top strip 40 and thereafter 
simply unwinding the handle grip. 
FIG. 4 sets forth a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the 
present invention handle grip generally referenced by numeral 60. Handle 
grip 60 generally corresponds to handle grip 10 with the exception of its 
elimination of center bead 25. Thus, handle grip 60 includes an elongated 
material strip 70 generally corresponding to material strip 20 in the 
embodiment set forth above. Thus, material strip 70 defines an 
undersurface 71 and an outer surface 72 together with a leading edge 73 
and a trailing edge 74. In further accordance with the above-described 
embodiment of the present invention, an adhesive strip 80 is formed upon 
outer surface 72 adjacent leading edge 73. A peel-off protective strip 85 
is removably secured to adhesive strip 80 to protect the adhesive material 
during storage handling and application of handle grip 60. 
In use, handle grip 60 is secured to a conventional racquet handle in 
virtually the same manner described above in FIG. 1 in a wrapping process 
in which adhesive strip 80 cooperates with material strip 70 to secure 
trailing edge 74 and provide the advantages described above. The absence 
of center bead 25 provides a smoother handle wrap in which raised ribs 
(seen in FIG. 1) are not present. Nonetheless, the above-described 
attachment between handle grip layers is maintained with its significant 
advantage over prior art handle wraps. 
FIG. 5 sets forth a perspective view of handle grip 60 wrapped in an 
alternative or "reversed" manner from that described for handle grip 10 in 
FIG. 1. Thus, a handle 90 which may be virtually any implement handle 
receives handle grip 60 with material strip 70 reversed such that surface 
72 forms the undersurface while surface 71 forms the outer surface. 
Correspondingly, edge 74 becomes the leading edge while edge 73 becomes 
the trailing edge. Adhesive strip 80 overlaps edge 74 on the underlying 
previous wrap as handle grip 70 is helically wrapped upon handle 90. 
What has been shown is an improved self-adhesive wrap on handle grip for 
sports racquets and/or for other equipment which provides the ease and low 
cost of prior art handle grips while substantially improving the security 
and durability of the handle grips. The additional security and durability 
as well as edge curling avoidance is maintained without the need for 
undesired adhesive bonding and deposit between the wrap-on handle and the 
original handle grip of the host racquet. The present invention handle 
grip may be fabricated using a wide variety of wrapping material to 
provide virtually any gripping characteristic and perspiration absorption 
characteristic desired by the user. 
While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and 
described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and 
modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its 
broader aspects. Therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all 
such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of 
the invention.