Patent Publication Number: US-6656054-B2

Title: Golf grip with hand placement guide

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates in general to a golf grip, and more specifically to a golf grip having an integral hand placement guide thereon. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Hand placement or hand grip on a golf club grip is an important factor in a golf swing for influencing the distance and direction of the golf ball. Proper hand placement allows the golf club swing to be properly executed in a consistent manner which drives the golf ball in a fairly predictable fashion. 
     There are many items being offered today as teaching aids for the golfer to guide the golfer&#39;s hands into proper alignment. Many of these devices are external devices that attach to or slip over the grip, such as the tongue shaped lever disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,142,831 which is placed on the grip end, or the rib guide that wraps around the surface of the golf club grip described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,210,289. 
     Another approach to proper hand positioning is the use of separate recesses for the fingers formed in the golf club grip as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,480,146. 
     While these teaching aids may be useful for golf beginners, golfers who have played the game for some time also take into account appearance and “regulation play”, that is, what is allowed in a golf tournament or a certain golf course according to set rules. 
     Moreover, the prior art devices tend to align the hands in what is termed the “neutral position”. In this hand position, one hand grips the golf club grip and the other hand (top hand) clasps the grip slightly overlapping the first hand in a position where the thumb of the top hand points down the center of the grip towards the golf club head. This neutral position can cause a golfer to strike the golf ball in a way that prevents square contact with the face of the golf club head. This results in a weaker shot in that the ball does not travel as far as it could have if there had been square contact. In addition, the golf ball may veer away or hook either to the right or left of the intended target. 
     Thus, there is still a need for a golf club grip with an integral hand placement guide that allows for proper hand placement preferably in what is known as the traditional three-knuckle power or strong position, also referred to herein as simply the power or strong position. In this position, the thumb of the top hand is across the center of the golf club grip slightly to one side of the grip. Three knuckles of the top hand are usually visible to the golfer. This hand position facilitates a golf swing that strikes the golf ball squarely with the face of the golf club resulting in a straighter shot with more distance. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a golf club grip with an integral hand placement indicator. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a golf club grip with visual guidance for hand placement in a strong position. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a golf club grip with a pleasant appearance that also functions as a guide for proper hand placement. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a slip-on golf club grip that has a distinctive and pleasant appearance as well as the convenience, economy, and reliability of a one-piece, slip-on molded rubber golf club grip. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a method for hand placement on a golf club grip that encourages use of the power position. 
     The above and other objects of the present invention are accomplished with a golf club grip with an integral hand placement indicator comprising an elastomeric body having a generally cylindrical shape. The elastomeric body further includes a bore constructed to be slidably received on a golf club shaft. A predetermined sinuous surface pattern is provided on at least the front side of the elastomeric body. The predetermined sinuous surface pattern extends from an upper region of the elastomeric body to a lower region. The predetermined sinuous surface pattern is constructed to indicate hand placement for a power position on the golf club grip. 
     Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a method for hand placement on a golf club grip, comprising the steps of: providing an elastomeric body having a generally cylindrical shape with a bore to be slidably received on a golf club shaft, forming a predetermined sinuous surface pattern on at least a front side of the elastomeric body, the predetermined sinuous surface pattern extending from an upper region of the elastomeric body to the lower region thereof, and indicating hand placement on the elastomeric body with the predetermined sinuous surface pattern. 
    
    
     The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages, and specific objects attained by its uses, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, and descriptive matter in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a front view of a golf club with a golf club grip in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the golf club grip in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the golf club grip; 
     FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the golf club grip; 
     FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the golf club grip in accordance with the present invention showing the first hand position; and 
     FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the golf club grip in accordance with the present invention showing the second hand position. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to the figures, which are not intended to limit the present invention thereto, 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 grip generally designated  10  in accordance with the present invention. Golf club grip  10  is preferably a slip-on golf club grip. The term “slip-on” as employed herein is intended to refer to a golf club grip that is designed to slide onto a golf club shaft or handle and be secured thereto by an adhesive, tape, or combination thereof. Slip-on golf club grips are available in many shapes and forms, and are widely used in the industry. The manner in which they are made and held in place on a golf club shaft is also well known. These types of grips may even be considered “conventional golf club grips”. Typically, slip-on golf club grips are made of an elastomeric material like a rubber compound or a synthetic plastic and can contain fibers or cords embedded therein. These styles of grips usually have some of the rubber compound buffed to leave some cord on the surface to provide more grip in wet weather or due to hand perspiration. 
     The terms “elastomer”, “rubber compound”, “synthetic plastic”, “thermoplastic”, “thermoset material”, or simply “rubber” are used herein interchangeably and are intended to refer to the same type of material. There are many rubber compounds known in the industry used for molding a wide variety of slip-on golf club grips. These materials offer convenience, economy, and durability as well as providing a good hand feel or grip. The rubber material is easy on the hands and provides a good grip in all types of weather and playing conditions. 
     In FIG. 1, golf club grip  10  in accordance with the present invention comprises an elastomeric body  12  having a generally cylindrical shape. The elastomeric body  12  includes a bore  14  seen in FIG. 3 which is constructed to be slidably received on a golf club shaft  16 . Grip  10  further includes preferably an end cap  18  with aperture  19  integrally molded thereon. Golf club grip  10  is preferably tapered to a similar shape as golf club shaft  16  as depicted in the bottom and top plan views of FIGS. 3 and 4, respectively. As mentioned previously, golf club grip  10  is secured on golf shaft  16  as is known in the industry with an adhesive. 
     Elastomeric body  12  includes a predetermined sinuous surface pattern  20  on at least the front side  22  of grip  10 . The term “front side” as employed herein is intended to refer to the side of the golf grip  10  a golfer would see looking down on the grip when the golfer is preparing to swing the golf club. The predetermined sinuous surface pattern  20  is in substantial axial alignment with the golf club shaft  16  and the golf club face  17 . The opposite side or back side of grip  10  may have any ornamental pattern, if desired, or none at all. The opposite side of grip  10  may even include the predetermined sinuous surface pattern identical to the front side  22 . 
     Turning next to FIG. 2, the predetermined sinuous surface pattern  20  extends from an upper portion  24  of grip  10  to a lower portion  26 , and essentially divides the front side  22  of the golf grip  10  into two halves  28 ,  30 . The terms “upper” and “lower” as used herein are meant to refer to portions of elastomeric body  12  as situated on the golf shaft as seen in FIG.  1 . The upper portion  24  of body  12  is closest to the end of the golf shaft  16 , and the lower portion  26  of body  12  is closest to the club face  17 . 
     The two halves  28 ,  30  are also referred to herein as a “right” half or side, and a “left” half or side. The terms “right” and “left” refer to the golf grip  10  as the golfer views the grip looking down on it. 
     The predetermined sinuous surface pattern  20  forms a plurality of opposed arcs generally designated  32 ,  32 ′. The plurality of opposed arcs generally designated  32 ,  32 ′ form at least a first pair of opposed arcs  34 ,  34 ′, a second pair of opposed arcs  36 ,  36 ′, and a third pair of opposed arcs  38 ,  38 ′. The pairs of opposed arcs  32 ,  32 ′ in accordance with the present invention are indicative of proper hand placement for the power position as will be described herein in more detail later. As seen in FIG. 2, the arcs  32 ,  32 ′ are formed by the predetermined sinuous surface pattern on each half  28 ,  30  on the front side  22  of grip  10 . Surface pattern  20  may be molded into grip  10  as a depression or groove and then painted, or surface pattern  20  may be simply painted thereon. The preferred color for surface pattern  20  is gold, but any color may be used with the present invention. 
     The predetermined sinuous surface pattern  20 , may also be described as being a series of diamond shapes  21  that progressively increase in size from the lower portion  26  to the upper portion  24  of elastomeric body  12  eventually terminating with an incomplete diamond shape. The length (L) of a diamond shape  21  is selected to provide an arrangement on the grip  10  that has at least three opposed pairs of arcs  32 ,  32 ′, and preferably four pairs. The width (W) of each diamond shape  21  extends substantially across the front side  22  of grip  10 . Even though the surface pattern  20  is shown with a crosshatching pattern inside the diamond shape  21 , as seen in FIG. 2, it should be understood that any ornamental pattern, or even no pattern at all, may be placed inside the diamond shapes  21 . 
     Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a method for using the golf grip  10  with integral hand placement indicator. Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, there are shown the first hand and second hand positions  40 ,  42  on the golf club grip  10  in accordance with the method of the present invention. The first hand position may also be referred to as the “bottom” hand position; and the second hand position may also be referred to as the “top” hand position. These hand positions  40 ,  42  are illustrative for a right-handed golfer. The hand position would simply be opposite for a left-handed golfer. The first hand position  40  includes placing an inner edge of thumb  44  along the curvature of arc  36  and an inner edge of the index finger  46  along the curvature of the opposed arc  36 ′ while grasping the golf club grip  10  firmly with the fingers of the hand. Even though FIG. 5 depicts three knuckles shown on the bottom hand, it must be understood that the number of knuckles shown refers to the knuckles of the top hand as seen in FIG.  6 . 
     In the second hand position  42 , the inner edge of thumb  48  is aligned with the curvature of arc  38 ′ and the inner edge of the index finger  50  is aligned with the curvature of arc  38 . The hand then firmly grasps the golf club grip  10  in an orientation where the second hand  42  is slightly on top of and overlaps the first hand  40  with both hands firmly grasping the golf club grip  10 . If desired, the golfer may interlock one or more fingers between the hands. As seen in FIG. 6, the first  52 , the second  53 , and third knuckles  54  of the hand are positioned in a manner that helps place the golf club face  17  square with the golf ball during a golf swing. It should be understood that the term “three knuckle power position” simply means that often three knuckles of the hand are shown as in FIG. 6, but it is possible to properly position the hand in the power position with only one or two knuckles shown. In this manner, golf club grip  10  in accordance with the present invention has provided a visual indicator to the golfer for proper hand placement in the three-knuckle power or strong position. For the left handed golfer, the right hand would be placed in the first hand position  40  and the left hand in the second hand position  42 . 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for hand placement on a golf club grip  10 , comprising the steps of: providing an elastomeric body  12  having a generally cylindrical shape with a bore  14  to be slidably received on a golf club shaft  16 , forming a predetermined sinuous surface pattern  20  on at least a front side  22  of the elastomeric body  12 , the predetermined sinuous surface pattern  20  extending from an upper region  24  of the body  12  to a lower region  26  thereof, and indicating hand placement  40 ,  42  on the body  12  with the predetermined sinuous surface pattern  20 . The method further includes utilizing a selected plurality of opposed arcs  36 ,  36 ′,  38 ,  38 ′ for indicating first hand position  40  and the second hand position  42 . 
     It should be further apparent that slight modifications may be made to the method of the present invention. As an example, a right handed golfer may choose to simply grasp the upper portion  24  of the golf grip  10  with his left hand in a manner where the thumb is placed substantially on the center of the grip similar to the neutral position. Then, the right hand is placed in the second hand position  42 . A left handed golfer could do likewise by simply reversing hands. 
     Furthermore, the golf club grip  10  according to the present invention will allow the golfer to use the neutral position for hand placement, if desired. The diamond shapes  21  assist in thumb alignment on the center of the grip  10 . 
     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.