Patent Publication Number: US-7214141-B2

Title: Air cushion type sleeve of a handle of a golf club

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a sleeve of a handle of a golf club, more particularly one, which is made in such a way as to function like an air cushion with softer touch and increased capability to absorb reaction force from hitting a golf ball. 
   2. Brief Description of the Prior Art 
   Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a conventional golf club  3  has a soft rubber sleeve  31  securely fitted around a handle portion thereof. The sleeve  31  has a fitting room  11 , in which the handle portion is held, and a slip-prevention outer side  312 . Because the sleeve  31  is made of soft rubber, it can reduce the reaction force against the user&#39;s hands when the golf club hits a ball. And, the slip-prevention outer side  312  of the sleeve  31  will prevent slip of the golf club while the club is being swung. 
   However, it is found that the sleeve has a limited shock absorbing capability, and the user&#39;s hands will hurt when the golf club hits a ball. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is a main object of the invention to provide an improvement on a sleeve of a golf club handle to overcome the above disadvantage. 
   The sleeve of the present invention includes an inner sleeve part securely fitted on a handle end portion of a golf club, and two outer sleeve parts. The inner sleeve part has circular concavities spaced apart on an outer side thereof. The outer sleeve parts are positioned around the inner sleeve part, and each stuck to the inner sleeve part at two ends thereof in a sealing manner such that an air containing sealed room is formed between it and the inner sleeve part, making the sleeve capable of functioning like an air cushion with a softer touch and increased capability to absorb reaction force from hitting a golf ball. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention will be better understood by referring to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of the golf club according to the present invention, 
       FIG. 2  is a partial vertical section of the golf club according to the present invention, 
       FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the conventional golf club, and 
       FIG. 4  is partial vertical section of the conventional golf club. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a preferred embodiment 1 of a air cushion type sleeve of a handle of a golf club includes an inner sleeve part, and two outer sleeve parts  15 . 
   The inner sleeve part has two annular connecting recesses  11  on an outer side, an annular protrusion  12  between the connecting recesses  11 , spaced circular concavities  13  on the connecting recesses  11 , annular fitting trenches  14  on two ends of each of the connecting recesses  11 , and a fitting room  18 . The inner sleeve part tapers towards a lower end, and the circular concavities  13  have different diameters and depths, which vary according to the diameter of the inner sleeve part. Preferably, those of the circular concavities  13  that are on a thicker portion of the inner sleeve part have a greater diameter and depth than those that are on a thinner portion of the inner sleeve part; in other words, diameters and depths of the circular concavities  13  decrease as the diameter of the inner sleeve part decreases. 
   Each of the outer sleeve parts  15  has annular fitting protrusions  16  on two ends of an inner side thereof, and has an outer side  17  formed in such a way as to prevent slip. 
   The outer sleeve part is securely fitted onto a handle end portion of a golf club from the fitting room  18 . And, the outer sleeve parts  15  are positioned around respective ones of the annular connecting recesses  11  of the outer sleeve part with the annular protrusions  16  being fitted in the corresponding annular trenches  14 . In addition, the annular protrusions  16  are stuck to the inner sleeve part by means of adhesive such that sealed rooms are formed between the inner sleeve part and the outer sleeve parts  15 , in which rooms air is contained. 
   Thus, the sleeve can function like an air cushion with a soft touch, capable of making a user of the club feel comfortable and effectively absorbing the violent reaction force against the hands in hitting a golf ball. When using the golf club, one can hold the sleeve with a thumb and an index finger being pressed against the annular protrusion  12  of the inner sleeve part. And, the slip-prevention outer side of the outer sleeve parts  15  can effectively prevent slip of the golf club. 
   From the above description, it can be understood that with the sealed rooms between the inner sleeve part and the outer sleeve parts, the present sleeve of a golf club handle can more effectively reduce discomfort to the user&#39;s hands in fitting a ball than the conventional one described in Background.