Patent Publication Number: US-2017368431-A1

Title: Handgrip for sporting equipment and method of use

Description:
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present invention relates to handgrips for placement on an elongated member and, more particularly, to detachable handgrips for placement on sporting equipment having elongated handles whereby the detachable handgrips are retained by a user after releasing the sporting equipment&#39;s elongated handle. 
     In certain illustrative aspects, the present disclosure provides a unique handgrip that can effectively be applied to and removed from an elongated member. In accordance with some forms of the disclosure, such a handgrip is configured to be retained on the hand of a user after the elongated member is released. Accordingly, in one illustrative embodiment, the present disclosure provides a handgrip for use on an elongated member having an outer surface. The handgrip includes a resilient body member having inner and outer surfaces. The outer surface is substantially defined by a plurality of outwardly extending curvilinear projections adapted to conform to a shape of a hand of a user. The plurality of curvilinear projections defines a longitudinal axis of the resilient body member. The handgrip also includes an arcuate gripping surface defined by the inner surface of the resilient body member and which extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the resilient body. The arcuate gripping surface extends between first and second ends of the resilient body member. Moreover, the arcuate gripping surface is configured to conform to and releasably engage the outer surface of the elongated member. The handgrip also includes a finger engaging member coupled to and outwardly extending from the outer surface of the resilient body member. The finger engaging member is positioned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the resilient body member in spaced relation to the outwardly extending curvilinear projections. In another illustrative embodiment, the finger engaging member is positioned intermediate the first and second ends of the resilient body member. In one illustrative aspect, the finger engaging member is elastically deformable such that the finger engaging member is extendable at least along the longitudinal axis of the resilient body member, and/or the resilient body member and the finger engaging member comprise integrally molded thermoplastic elastomer. 
     In another illustrative embodiment, the finger engaging member includes first and second coupling arms which are coupled to the outer surface of the resilient body member. Moreover, a width of the finger engaging member is wider than a width of each of the coupling arms. In one illustrative aspect, the first and second coupling arms of the finger engaging member are coupled to at least one of the plurality of curvilinear projections. In another illustrative form, the first coupling arm of the finger engaging member is coupled to a first one of the plurality of curvilinear projections and the second coupling arm of the finger engaging member is coupled to a second one of the plurality of curvilinear projections, wherein the second one of the plurality of curvilinear projections is independent of the first one of the plurality of curvilinear projections. Certain illustrative variants include a third one of the plurality of curvilinear projections positioned intermediate the first and second ones of the plurality of curvilinear projections, wherein the third one of the plurality of curvilinear projections is independent of each of the first and second ones of the plurality of curvilinear projections. 
     In another illustrative embodiment, a first one of the plurality of curvilinear projections is juxtaposed with the first end of the resilient body member and a lower finger recess is juxtaposed with the second end of the resilient body member and adjacent a second one of the plurality of curvilinear projections. In one illustrative form, an orientation indicator is coupled to the outer surface of the resilient body member and positioned proximate the second end of the resilient body member. The orientation indicator is configured to aid the user in orientating the second end of the resilient body member of the handgrip on the hand of the user, wherein the orientation of the second end of the resilient body member depends on a type of the elongated member and associated user gripping configuration. 
     In certain illustrative aspects, the present disclosure provides a unique method of using a handgrip that can effectively be applied to and removed from an elongated member. In accordance with some illustrative forms of the disclosure, such a method of using a handgrip is configured to orientate the handgrip on the elongated member depending on its type and retain the handgrip on a hand of the user after the elongated member is released. Accordingly, in one illustrative embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method of using a handgrip on an elongated member having an outer surface. The method includes providing an elongated member having an arcuate outer surface, the hand of a user having at least one digit, and a handgrip. The handgrip includes a resilient body member and a finger engaging member. The resilient body member includes an arcuate gripping surface defined by an inner surface of the resilient body member, and the finger engaging member is coupled to and extends outwardly from an outer surface of the resilient body member. Additionally, the outer surface of the resilient body member is configured to receive the hand of the user. The method also includes placing the at least one digit of the hand of the user intermediate the finger engaging member and resilient body member of the handgrip whereby the handgrip is retained on the hand of the user. The method also includes the steps of placing the handgrip on the outer surface of the elongated member whereby the arcuate gripping surface of the resilient body member of the handgrip releasably engages the outer surface of the elongated member, swinging the elongated member, removing the handgrip from the outer surface of the elongated member, and retaining the handgrip on the hand of the user, wherein the finger engaging member retains the handgrip on the hand of the user. 
     In another illustrative embodiment, the method also includes the step of providing a second handgrip. The second handgrip includes a resilient body member and a finger engaging member. The resilient body member includes an arcuate gripping surface defined by an inner surface of the resilient body member, and the finger engaging member is coupled to and outwardly extends from an outer surface of the resilient body member. Additionally, the outer surface of the resilient body member is configured to receive the hand of the user. Also included are the steps of providing a second hand of the user having at least one digit, placing the at least one digit of the second hand of the user intermediate the finger engaging member and the resilient body member of the second handgrip whereby the second handgrip is retained on the second hand of the user, placing the second handgrip on the outer surface of the elongated member whereby the arcuate gripping surface of the resilient body member of the second handgrip releasably engages the outer surface of the elongated member, and positioning the second handgrip on the outer surface of the elongated member proximate the first handgrip. 
     In one illustrative form, the first and second handgrips include an orientation indicator coupled to the outer surface of the resilient body member and positioned proximate a second end of the resilient body member. The orientation indicator is configured to aid the user in orientating the second end of the resilient body member of the handgrip on each of the first and second hands of the user. Therefore, in one illustrative embodiment, the positioning step of the method also includes determining a type of the elongated member, orientating the first and second handgrips in a first position upon determining that the elongated member is of a first type, and orientating the first and second handgrips in a second position upon determining that the elongated member is of a second type, whereby the second position of the first and second handgrip is independent of the first position of the first and second handgrips and the second type of elongated member is independent of the first type of elongated member. 
     In another illustrative embodiment, the step of orientating the first and second handgrips in a first position upon determining the elongated member is of a first type includes placing the second of the first handgrip adjacent an end of the elongated member of the first type, wherein the orientation indicator of the first handgrip is juxtaposed with the end of the elongated member of the first type, and placing the second end of the second handgrip adjacent a first end of the first handgrip, wherein the orientation indicator of the second handgrip is juxtaposed with the first end of the first handgrip. 
     In another illustrative embodiment, the step of orientating the first and second handgrips in a second position upon determining the elongated member is of a second type includes placing a first end of the first handgrip adjacent an end of the elongated member of a second type, and placing the second end of the second handgrip adjacent the second end of the first handgrip. In this embodiment, the orientation indicator of the second handgrip is juxtaposed with the orientation indicator of the first handgrip. 
     In certain illustrative aspects, the present disclosure provides a unique grip assembly that can effectively be applied to and removed from an elongated member. In accordance with some forms of the disclosure, such a grip assembly is configured to utilize two handgrips that are capable of being retained on the hands of the user after the elongated member is released. Accordingly, in one illustrative embodiment, the present disclosure provides a grip assembly including two handgrips juxtaposed with each other for use on an elongated member. Each handgrip includes a resilient body member comprising inner and outer surfaces, wherein the outer surface is substantially defined by a plurality of outwardly extending curvilinear projections adapted to conform to a shape of a hand of a user. The plurality of curvilinear projections defines a longitudinal axis of the resilient body member. Each handgrip also includes a lower finger recess juxtaposed with a second end of the resilient body member and an orientation indicator coupled to the outer surface of the resilient body member and positioned proximate the second end of the resilient body member, wherein the orientation indicator is configured to aid the user in orientating the second end of the resilient body member of the each handgrip on each hand of the user. Each handgrip also includes a finger engaging member coupled to and outwardly extending from the outer surface of the resilient body member. The finger engaging member is positioned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the resilient body member. Each handgrip also includes an arcuate gripping surface defined by the inner surface of the resilient body member and extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the resilient body member. The arcuate gripping surface of the resilient body member is configured to frictionally engage and grip the outer surface of the elongated member thereby reducing rotational or axial movement of the each handgrip relative to the elongated member. 
     Certain illustrative variants of the grip assembly include the second end of the resilient body member of the second handgrip positioned adjacent the first end of the resilient body member of the first handgrip and a lower finger recess of the second handgrip positioned intermediate one of the plurality of curvilinear projections proximate the second end of the second handgrip and one of the plurality of curvilinear projections proximate the first end of the first handgrip. In another embodiment, the grip assembly includes the lower finger recess of the first handgrip positioned intermediate one of the plurality of curvilinear projections proximate the second end of the resilient body member of the first handgrip and the second end of the resilient body member of the first handgrip, the second end of the resilient body member of the second handgrip is positioned adjacent the second end of the resilient body member of the first handgrip, and the lower finger recess of the second handgrip is positioned intermediate one of the plurality of curvilinear projections proximate the second end of the resilient body member of the second handgrip and the lower finger recess of the first handgrip. 
     In one illustrative embodiment, the grip assembly includes the orientation indicator of the first handgrip including an arrow pointing towards the second of the first handgrip and the orientation indicator of the second handgrip including an arrow pointing towards the second end of the second handgrip. In one illustrative form, the grip assembly includes the resilient body member and finger engaging member of the first handgrip including integrally molded thermoplastic elastomer, and the resilient body member and finger engaging member of the second handgrip including integrally molded thermoplastic elastomer. 
     Other objects, advantages, and embodiments of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       A detailed description of the drawings particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an illustrative handgrip of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of the illustrative handgrip of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a rear view of the illustrative handgrip of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an end view of the illustrative handgrip of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5A  is a left side view of the illustrative handgrip of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5B  is a right side view of the illustrative handgrip of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-section view taken along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a grip assembly of the present disclosure installed on a golf club; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a grip assembly of the present disclosure installed on a baseball bat; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the handgrip of the present disclosure orientated upright on the hand of a user; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the handgrip of the present disclosure inverted on the hand of a user; and 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of an illustrative handgrip of the present disclosure coupled to a batting glove. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The embodiments of the invention described herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Rather, the embodiments selective for description have been chosen to enable one skilled in the art to practice the invention. 
     Referring initially to  FIGS. 1-6 , an illustrative embodiment handgrip  10  of the present disclosure is illustrated as including a resilient body member  12 . The body member  12  includes both an inner surface  14  and an outer surface  16  wherein the inner surface  14  defines an arcuate gripping surface  18  extending axially from a first end  20  to a second end  22  of the resilient body member  12 . The arcuate gripping surface  18  is configured to conform to and releasably engage, through friction, an arcuate outer surface of an elongated member. The outer surface  16  is adapted to conform to the shape of a user&#39;s hand to facilitate gripping thereof. More particularly, a plurality of alternating finger recesses  24  and curvilinear projections  26  are formed within the outer surface  16  of the body member  12 , which respectively conform to the fingers and spaces between the fingers of a user&#39;s hand. Thus, the fingers of a user&#39;s hand may comfortably rest within the finger recesses  24 , while the curvilinear projections  26  generally conform to and are positioned in the spaces between the fingers of a user&#39;s hand. 
     The curvilinear projections  26  include individual curvilinear projections  26   a ,  26   b ,  26   c  and  26   d  which are axially aligned along a longitudinal axis  28  ( FIGS. 2 &amp; 3 ). Likewise, the finger recesses  24  include individual finger recesses  24   a ,  24   b ,  24   c  and  24   d  which are aligned along longitudinal axis  28  ( FIGS. 2 &amp; 3 ). It should be noted that projection  26   d  is spaced axially farther from the second end  22  of the resilient body member  12  than projection  26   a  is spaced axially from the first end  20  of the resilient body member  12 . The additional spacing between the projection  26   d  and second end  22  provides for an extended finger recess  24   d  for accommodating a finger of the user&#39;s hand. 
     Orientation indicator  40  is illustratively supported by the outer surface  16  of the resilient body member  12  at lower finger recess  24   d  and aids a user in orienting second end  22  of resilient body member  12  on her hand. Because orientation indicator  40  is configured to visually indicate second end  22 , orientation indicator  40  illustratively comprises an indicating arrow  41  in  FIGS. 1, 2, and 7-10 . Nonetheless, orientation indicator  40  could embody a variety of visual or textual indicators such as indentations, raised surfaces, color schemes, or some combination thereof. While the curvilinear projections  26  and finger recesses  24  are shown in  FIGS. 1, 2, and 5A-10  as being four in number, it is to be understood that this is for illustrative purposes only and in no way limits the scope of the invention. 
     A finger engaging member or strap  30  couples to and extends from the outer surface  16  of the resilient body member  12 . In the illustrative embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-6 , finger engaging member  30  couples to the plurality of curvilinear projections  26 . A first coupling arm  32  and a second coupling arm  34  of the finger engaging member each couple to curvilinear projections  26 . Illustratively, first coupling arm  32  couples to curvilinear projection  26   b  and second coupling arm  34  couples to curvilinear projection  26   d . In this way, finger engaging member  30  extends along only a portion of resilient body member  12  rather than the entirety of it. As a result, first coupling arm  32  and second coupling arm  34  will be positioned in the spaces between the fingers of a user&#39;s hand. Additionally, this coupling configuration substantially reduces the deflection of resilient body member  12  along longitudinal axis  28 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , a width  37  of finger engaging member  30  is wider relative to a width  38  of either of the first or second coupling arms  32  and  34 . In  FIG. 4 , the wider width  37  is formed from a flat portion  36  of finger engaging member  30 . Moreover, as shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , flat portion  36  stabilizes handgrip  10  on the fingers of a user&#39;s hand and prevents the finger engaging member from rolling about an axial axis during use. 
     Illustratively, first and second coupling arms  32  and  34  are integrally formed with flat portion  36  and resilient body member  12  from a resilient, yet non-slip, material. For example, resilient body member  12  and finger engaging member  30  may be integrally molded from a thermoplastic elastomer, for example, Dynaflex™ thermoplastic elastomers available from PolyOne Corporation of Avon Lake, Ohio, USA. As such, finger engaging member  30  elastically deforms along longitudinal axis  28 . In this way, finger engaging member  30  can adjust to fingers of various sizes. Moreover, while handgrip  10  appears to be of the same size in  FIGS. 1-6 , it is to be understood that different sizes of handgrip  10  may be available depending on the size of the user&#39;s hand. Additionally, resilient body member  12  can deform and bias the arcuate gripping surface  18  into engagement with the arcuate outer surface of the elongated member to enhance coupling therewith. 
     The embodiments shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10  illustrate a user placing a handgrip on her hand  50  in one of two primary configurations: (1) upright; and (2) inverted, respectively. In  FIG. 9 , upright handgrip  80  is shown, and inverted handgrip  90  is depicted in  FIG. 10 . Each of the handgrips  80  and  90  has the identical structure described above with respect to handgrip  10  of  FIGS. 1-6 . 
     Turning first to  FIG. 9 , the upright handgrip  80  is defined by the placement of the user&#39;s index finger  52  into finger recess  24   a  and the placement of her little finger  58  into lower finger recess  24   d . Therefore, indicating arrow  41  points away from the user&#39;s little finger  58 . The user&#39;s middle and ring fingers  54 ,  56  are then placed intermediate finger engaging member  30  and resilient body member  12 . That is, the user&#39;s middle finger  54  is positioned in finger recess  24   b  and her ring finger  56  is positioned in finger recess  24   c . In this way, finger engaging member  30  retains the handgrip  80  on the user&#39;s hand  50 . Additionally,  FIG. 9  illustrates a user placing the upright handgrip  80  on her hand  50 . The act of grasping, i.e. curling her fingers  52 ,  54 ,  56 ,  58  around the handgrip, will position the flat portion  36  of the finger engaging member  30  between the first knuckles  53 ,  57  and second knuckles  55 ,  59  of her middle and ring fingers  54 ,  56 . As such, upright handgrip  80  will be stabilized on the user&#39;s fingers  52 ,  54 ,  56 ,  58 , and coupling arms  32  and  34 , positioned in the space between the user&#39;s index and middle fingers  52 ,  54  and between her ring and little fingers  56 ,  58 , will prevent the handgrip  80  from sliding over her hand  50 . 
     Inverted handgrip  90 , illustrated in  FIG. 10 , is defined by the placement of the user&#39;s index finger  52  into lower finger recess  24   d  and the placement of her little finger  58  into finger recess  24   a . Therefore, indicating arrow  41  points away from the user&#39;s index finger  52 . The user&#39;s middle and ring fingers  54 ,  56  are then positioned intermediate finger engaging member  30  and resilient body member  12 . That is, the user&#39;s middle finger  54  is positioned in finger recess  24   c  and her ring finger  56  is positioned in finger recess  24   b . Again, finger engaging member  30  retains the handgrip  90  on the user&#39;s hand  50 . Additionally,  FIG. 10  illustrates a user placing the inverted handgrip  90  on her hand  50 . The act of grasping, i.e. curling her fingers  52 ,  54 ,  56 ,  58  around inverted handgrip  90 , will position the flat portion  36  of the finger engaging member  30  between the first knuckles  53 ,  57  and second knuckles  55 ,  59  of her middle and ring fingers  54 ,  56 . As such, inverted handgrip  90  will be stabilized on the user&#39;s fingers  52 ,  54 ,  56 ,  58 , and coupling arms  32  and  34 , positioned in the space between the user&#39;s ring and little fingers  56 ,  58  and between her index and middle fingers  52 ,  54 , will prevent the grip from sliding over her hand  50 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 7 , a grip assembly  60  comprising first and second handgrips  62   a  and  62   b  is shown installed around the grip or handle portion  63  of a golf club  61 . Conversely in  FIG. 8 , a grip assembly  70  comprising first and second handgrips  72   a  and  72   b  is shown installed around the handle portion  73  of baseball bat  71 . Each of the handgrips  62   a ,  62   b ,  72   a , and  72   b  has the identical structure described above with respect to handgrip  10  of  FIGS. 1-6 . Moreover, the installation of handgrips  62   a ,  62   b  and  72   a ,  72   b  are independent of the user&#39;s dominant hand. In this sense, the orientation of the handgrips on the sporting equipment is exclusive of whether the user swings the sporting equipment left- or right-handed. A golf club  61  and baseball bat  71  are used in the following descriptions for illustrative purposes only and it should be readily apparent that handgrips  62   a  and  62   b  and  72   a  and  72   b  of the present disclosure would find equal applicability with any instrument having an elongated member, particularly tools and/or sporting equipment. 
     In operation with the baseball bat  71 , the arcuate gripping surface  18   a  of the first handgrip  72   a  is placed in contact with the outer surface  74  of the handle portion  73  of the baseball bat  71 . Lower finger recess  24   da  is positioned adjacent the knob  75  of the baseball bat  71  such that a finger of a user placed within recess  24   da  is secured between curvilinear projection  26   da  and the knob  75  ( FIG. 8 ). In this configuration, indicating arrow  41   a  of handgrip  72   a  points toward the knob  75  of baseball bat  71 , and lower finger recess  24   da  defines the lower extremity of handgrip  72   a.    
     Next, a user places the second handgrip  72   b  in contact with the outer surface  74  of the handle portion  73  of baseball bat  71  adjacent to the first end  20   a  of the first handgrip  72   a . The arcuate gripping surface  18   b  of the second handgrip  72   b  engages the outer surface  74  of the handle portion  73 . The second end  22   b  of the second handgrip  72   b  is placed adjacent to the first end  20   a  of the first handgrip  72   a . Once again, indicating arrow  41   b  of handgrip  72   b  is oriented downwardly such that the lower finger recess  24   db  of the second handgrip  72   b  defines the lower extremity of the second handgrip  72   b . As a result, a finger of the user&#39;s second hand may reside in lower finger recess  24   db  of the second handgrip  72   b  and intermediate curvilinear projection  26   db  of the second handgrip  72   b  and curvilinear projection  26   aa  of the first handgrip  72   a.    
     In operation with the golf club  61 , the arcuate gripping surface  18   a  of the first handgrip  62   a  is placed in contact with the outer surface  64  of the grip  63  of golf club  61 . The first end  20   a  is positioned proximate an end  65  of the grip  63  such that curvilinear projection  26   aa  is positioned intermediate a finger of the user&#39;s hand and the end  65  of the grip  63  ( FIG. 7 ). In this configuration, indicating arrow  41   a  of the first handgrip  62   a  points away from the end  65  and towards the middle of the grip  63 . As a result, the lower finger recess  24   da  defines an upper extremity of the first handgrip  62   a.    
     Next, a user places the second handgrip  62   b  in contact with the outer surface  64  of the grip  63  of golf club  61  adjacent the second end  22   a  of the first handgrip  62   a . More specifically, the second end  22   b  of the second handgrip  62   b  is juxtaposed with the second end  22   a  of the first handgrip  62   a . And so indicating arrow  41   b  of the second handgrip  62   b  points toward indicating arrow  41   a  of the first handgrip  62   a  such that lower finger recess  24   db  of the second handgrip  62   b  defines a lower extremity of the second handgrip  62   b . Accordingly, lower finger recess  24   da  of the first handgrip  62   a  (forming an upper extremity) and lower finger recess  24   db  of the second handgrip  62   b  (forming a lower extremity) define a recess that facilitates a variety of golf club grips, e.g. baseball or ten finger, overlock, or interlock. Again, the arcuate gripping surface  18   b  of the second handgrip  62   b  engages the outer surface  64  of grip  63 . 
     Once each handgrip has been properly oriented on the user&#39;s hands and positioned on the elongated member, the user is free to swing the elongated member. Because handgrip  10  preferably comprises a resilient, yet non-slip, material, shocks from contact with a sport ball are at least partially absorbed and the abrasiveness on the user&#39;s hand is reduced. Additionally, the position of handgrip  10  on the user&#39;s hand, described previously, facilitates holding the elongated member on the user&#39;s fingers as opposed to back in the palm. This is particularly important when using handgrip  10  on a baseball bat. To this end, the use of handgrip  10  on a baseball bat may supplement the need for batting gloves. 
     Alternatively, handgrip  10  may be easily used with a batting glove in accordance with some users&#39; personal preferences. Moreover, a handgrip  10 ′ could be modified and coupled to a batting glove  102 , as illustrated by handgrip assembly  100  in  FIG. 11 . In the illustrative embodiment shown in  FIG. 11 , handgrip  10 ′ has substantially similar structure as described above with respect to handgrip  10 , except where otherwise indicated, and is illustratively coupled to baseball glove  102  in the orientation of upright handgrip  80  of  FIG. 9 . Depending upon the illustrative coupling means, the finger engaging member  30  may be eliminated. 
     Illustratively, handgrip  10 ′ could be coupled to batting glove  102  in a number of ways, including binding (e.g., stitching), permanent or transitory adhering (e.g., glue), or integrally molding with the batting glove  102 . While the resilient body member  12  of handgrip  10 ′ is preferably coupled to the batting glove  102  at the intersection of finger slots  106 ,  107 ,  108 ,  109  and palm  104  of the batting glove  102 , resilient body member  12  of handgrip  10 ′ could be coupled to baseball glove  102  at a number of locations, for example, further towards a distal end of finger slots  106 ,  107 ,  108 ,  109 . Further, finger engaging member  30  is shown in phantom in  FIG. 11  to illustrate that handgrip  10 ′ may or may not include finger engaging member  30  when handgrip  10 ′ is coupled to baseball glove  102 . Additionally, while shown as having a unitary body in  FIG. 11 , handgrip  10 ′ could be segmented with the finger slots  106 ,  107 ,  108 , and  109  of the batting glove  102  in such a way, for example, as to facilitate ease in adjustability on the elongated member, increase the flexibility of the batting glove  102 , or both. 
     After swinging, the user is free to release the elongated member. As illustrated in  FIGS. 9 and 10  and apparent from the above descriptions, the finger engaging member  30  retains handgrip  10  on user&#39;s hand even after the elongated member has been released. In this way, the grips are easily transferred to another elongated member or easily repositioned on the same or different elongated member. Such versatility is particularly useful in a situation in which multiple users may be using the same elongated member, for example, baseball, or, conversely, in which a single user is using multiple elongated members in a short period of time, for example, golf. Finally, the handgrip is able to support the user&#39;s fingers during vigorous physically activity such as when the batter slides head-first into a base. 
     From the above descriptions, it should be appreciated that the present disclosure provides a handgrip that is easily installed upon and removed from an elongated member. Further, the present disclosure provides a handgrip that can be easily retained on the user&#39;s hand after the elongated member is released. Additionally, the handgrip of the present disclosure facilitates proper orientation on the user&#39;s hand depending on the type of elongated member. 
     While the form of apparatus herein described and the method of operation thereof constitute preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this precise form of apparatus and method, and that changes may be made in either without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined in the appended claims.