Patent Publication Number: US-7909705-B2

Title: Variable mass grip

Description:
This application is a divisional application of patent application Ser. No. 11/607,707 filed on Dec. 1, 2006 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,399,235. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates in general to a hand grip or a sports grip, and more particularly to a new and improved variable mass grip particularly suited as a grip for shock imparting implements. 
     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 invention is particularly suited as a golf club grip and described with reference thereto, it should be immediately apparent that the present invention is not intended to be limited only to golf grips 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 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 leather or synthetic leather wrap spirally wrapped around the underlisting for a softer hand feel. Grips are made today from a wide variety and combination of materials. 
     There still exists a need for an improved variable mass grip that imparts or receives shock or force to or from a shock imparting implement that can provide vibration dampening. The grip should provide a firm grasp with little or no slippage, good resistance to torque as well as good shock absorbing qualities. At the same time there is a need to enhance the swing weight control of the implement for a more effective control with that implement. 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 variable mass to the grip provides a user with multiple options on improving one&#39;s game in sports, or making work easier with a tool that handles and performs better. 
     Thus, it is desirable to have a variable mass 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 an improved cap for a variable mass grip. 
     The cap includes a substantially cylindrical element on one end that forms an upper portion of the cap. A tubular portion connected to one side of the cylindrical element tapers in a direction away from the cylindrical element. The tubular portion has a first annular groove on its outer surface near the cylindrical element, and a second annular groove on its inner surface near the first annular groove. The tubular portion is constructed to receive a selected mass, and to be positioned within a hollow body sized and shaped to fit on a handle of an implement. The present disclosure further describes how the improved variable mass cap produces cost savings in manufacturing and styles for grips as well as reduced inventory expenses. 
     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 and its operating advantages attained with its use, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, and descriptive matter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an elevated perspective view of a golf club; 
         FIG. 2  is an elevated perspective view of an improved cap according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is an elevated view of an improved cap according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is a partial sectional view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a hollow body for the variable mass grip according to one embodiment of the present disclosure with the cap being omitted for the sake of clarity; 
         FIG. 6  is a partial sectional view of a portion of the body shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded view depicting the variable mass grip according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 8  is a view similar to  FIG. 3  but of another embodiment; 
         FIG. 9  is a view similar to  FIG. 6  of the embodiment of  FIG. 8 ; and 
         FIG. 10  is a partial sectional view depicting the outer and inner surfaces of a grip according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     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 to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a golf club generally designated  10 . Golf club  10  includes a golf club grip  12 , a shaft or handle  14 , and a club head  16 , and is one example of a shock imparting implement. 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, 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 that are envisionable within the scope of the present disclosure. The term “shock imparting implements” is also meant to include but not be limited to tool handles such as a hammer handle or a screwdriver handle. 
     Returning to  FIG. 1 , golf club grip  10  is what is known in the art as a slip-on style golf club grip. The term “slip-on” as employed herein is intended to refer to a grip that is designed to slide onto a handle or shaft  12  and be secured thereto. The grip slides onto a golf club shaft or handle and is secured thereon by an adhesive, tape, or combination thereof. The manner in which these grips are made and held in place on a golf club shaft are well known in the art and require no further explanation here. It is known in the art that slip-on golf club grips are available in many shapes, forms, and materials widely used in the industry. Current golf club grips are made of an elastomeric material like a rubber compound, a synthetic plastic or rubber, thermoplastic material, and can contain fibers or cords imbedded therein. Even though the present disclosure is particularly suited for use as a golf club grip, and described for that purpose, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited simply to golf grips as mentioned previously, and may be used for many other types of hand grips for shock imparting implements 
     Referring next to  FIG. 2 , there is shown an improved design for a cap generally designated  20  for a variable mass grip according to the present disclosure. Cap  20  has a butt element  22  at one end also referred to as the butt end for the grip. Butt element  22  forms the upper portion of cap  20 . Butt element  22  is preferably a substantially cylindrical element in shape, but it is envisionable that the butt element  22  can have other forms including but not limited to oval, hexagonal, octagonal, square, or various other shapes used for grips. Cap  20  further includes a tubular portion  24  connected to one side of the butt element  22  that forms a lower portion of the cap  20 . The tubular portion  24  tapers towards the club head  16  in a direction away from the butt element  22 . Tubular portion  24  is hollow and in one embodiment has a diameter that decreases away from the butt element  22 . It should be understood that tubular portion  24  may be made up of more than one diameter in other embodiments. At least a first annular groove  30  is positioned on an outer surface of the tubular portion  24  near the butt element  22 . Other embodiments provide a plurality of annular grooves  30 . In still another embodiment as shown in  FIG. 8 , tubular portion  24  may be threaded with the threaded male portion  31  being adjacent the butt element  22  and extending a desired length. As seen in  FIG. 2 , the tubular portion  24  is constructed to receive a selected mass which can be an anti-vibration plug  26  as seen in  FIG. 2 , a predetermined weight  28  as seen in dashed lines in  FIG. 3  or in solid line in  FIG. 4 , or a combination of both in a manner that will be described in greater detail later herein. 
     In  FIGS. 5 and 6 , there is shown a hollow body portion  32  that forms the remainder of the grip. Body  32  is sized to fit on one end of a shaft or handle  14 . At a distal end intended to be the butt end of the grip, body  32  has a tapered recess  34  corresponding in size and shape to the tubular portion  24 , and constructed to receive tubular portion  24  therein. The tubular portion  24  is adapted to fit tightly within recess  34 . Recess  34  further includes at least an annular ridge  36  for engaging the first annular groove  30  mentioned above to secure the cap  20  on to the body  32  with a mechanically locking engagement. Other embodiments can include two or more ridges  36  engaging two or more annular grooves  30 . In still another embodiment as shown in  FIG. 9 , a female threaded portion  33  may be employed instead of ridge  36  to engage the threaded male portion  31  of the alternate embodiment in the tubular portion  24  of cap  20 . 
     Turning back to  FIG. 4 , weight  28  is shown positioned within cap  20  in a manner where the weight extends from the tubular portion  24  into a hollowed portion of the butt element  22 . Channel  29  is provided through the center of the butt element  22  and continues through weight  28  for use in placing and holding the weight  28  during molding of the cap  20 . Weight  28  is preferably a tungsten material with a weight that can range from approximately one to approximately fifteen hundred (1500) grams depending upon the user and the application. More preferably, the weight will range from approximately ten grams to approximately forty grams. The weight  28  is encapsulated within cap  20  through the molding of cap  20 . An O-ring  38  engages a second annular groove  40  located on an inner surface of the tubular portion  24  near the first annular groove  30 , but on an opposite side (that is the inner surface) of the tubular portion  24  for providing a secondary locking feature for the cap  20  to the shaft  14 . 
     As mentioned previously, an advantage of the design of the improved cap  20  in the instant disclosure is the option of using an anti-vibration plug  26  as shown in  FIG. 2  in conjunction with the weight  28 , or alternatively alone without the weight  28 . As should be immediately apparent, anti-vibration plug  26  may have its own weight contained therein if desired, and be of any length providing it fits within the hollow shaft  14 . By adjusting the length of the anti-vibration plug  26 , the user can select the amount of vibration dampening desired. The advantage of using the anti-vibration plug  26  with a separate weight  28  is the ability to make the anti-vibration plug  26  of more elastomeric material for absorbing shock and dampening vibration. Anti-vibration plug  26  is preferably cylindrical in form and has at least one O-ring  42 , preferably two O-rings  42 ,  44 , positioned at an opposite end away from cap  20 . O-rings  42 ,  44  are sized to fit snugly within shaft  14  and function to dampen the vibration and absorb shock as it is transferred through wave propagation to the remainder of anti-vibration plug  26 . Cap  20 , body  32 , and anti-vibration plug  26  along with the O-rings  38 ,  42 ,  44  are preferably manufactured of an elastomeric or thermoplastic material optimally suited for this purpose. 
     The body  32  can comprise one or more layers of a rubber, elastomeric or thermoplastic material, or combinations of such materials in an arrangement that provides 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  46  of the body  32  that fits securely on the shaft  14  has a hardness value ranging from approximately 25 to approximately 50 Shore A hardness. The outer surface  48  of body  32  can have a durometer value preferably ranging from approximately 25 to approximately 90 Shore A, or any combination of values for providing an outer surface grip feel with good frictional qualities and tactile feel coupled with a firmer inner section. 
     Replacement golf grips are quite common in the golfing industry and the procedure for replacing golf grips is well known. The improved cap  20  and body  32  of the present disclosure allows the user to select the optimum weight, anti-vibration plug, and the total mass for a given application. The ability to remove and replace the cap  20  to add more or less weight, more or less anti-vibration plug, or both allows for ease in making adjustments even after the body  32  is secured on the shaft  14 . This flexibility allows the user to tune the implement to their particular feel. Advantageously, body  32  can be placed on the shaft  14  in the known manner for grip replacement, or alternatively the cap  20  and body  32 , as a unitary grip, can be placed on the shaft  14  first, and then later if desired cap  20  may be replaced. If the grip does not have the proper feel, the user has the option to change caps even after the grip has been installed on the shaft. 
     As a result, the amount of inventory is greatly reduced due to the an interchangeable cap  20  with body  32 , and the manufacturing costs are significantly reduced as well since there is a smaller inventory. 
     While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.