Patent Application
20110256950
The present invention generally concerns handles and more particularly relates to grips for handles.
According to one aspect of the present invention, a method of making a grip for a handle is provided. The method includes forming a substantially cylindrical body portion from a material at least partially comprised of cork and forming an elongate cavity through the substantially cylindrical body portion. The method also includes separating the substantially cylindrical body portion into a plurality of ring segments each having an inner surface area, first side surface area, second side surface area, and an outer surface area, applying an adhesive to the inner surface area, first side surface area, and second side surface area and applying the ring segments to a handle, such that each of the plurality of ring segments securely adheres to the handle and to an adjacent ring segment. The method further includes pressing each of the plurality of ring segments onto the handle to form the grip and customizing the geometrical configuration of the grip to conform to the preference of a user.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of manufacturing a grip for a golf club is provided. The method includes providing a golf club including a shaft, providing a plurality of grip segments formed at least partially from a cork material, and forming a cavity in each of the grip segments, the cavity having a diameter that is slightly larger than a diameter of the shaft. The method further includes applying an adhesive to each of the grip segments, placing the grip segments over the shaft, adhering each of the plurality of grip segments to the shaft and to each adjacent grip segment, pressing each of the plurality of grip segments onto the shaft to form the grip, customizing an outer surface of the grip to suit the preferences of a user, and applying a top cap to the shaft proximate the grip, and applying a sealant to the outer surface of the grip.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a golf club is provided that includes a shaft having a first end and a second end, a clubhead located proximate the first end of the shaft, and a grip located proximate the second end of the shaft. The grip includes a plurality of cork segments longitudinally stacked into abutting engagement along an outer diameter of the shaft, wherein at least one of the cork segments includes a rubber material.
These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.
The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Reference will now be made in detail to present embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.
For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “top,” “bottom,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as shown in the drawings. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific device illustrated in the attached drawings and described in the following specification is simply an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions, proportions, and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiment disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.
The reference numeral 10 (
The plurality of cork segments 22 may comprise more than one type of cork and is not limited to a rubber cork material. The cork segments 22 may assume various geometric shapes, with each having a height of typically 1/32″ to 1.75″.
A method of manufacturing the grip 20 for the handle or shaft 12 is also provided. Using the example of a golf club 10, a golf shaft 12 is taken and measured for grip size and length. A raw piece of cork material is manufactured into a substantially cylindrical body portion and is then hollowed out in such a way to form an elongate cavity through the substantially cylindrical body portion. The cylindrical body portion is then separated, such as by cutting, into a plurality of ring segments 22, each having an inner surface area 24, a first side surface area 26, a second side surface area 28, and an outer surface area 30. The individual ring segments 22 are then glued to the shaft 12 and to each other at the same time period. This is accomplished by applying adhesive to the inner surface area 24 of each ring segment 22, the first side surface area 26 of each ring segment 22, and the second side surface area 28 of each ring segment 22, then placing the shaft 12 and the individual ring segments 22 into contact with each other.
In order to finally secure the individual ring segments 22 to the shaft 12, each cork ring segment 22 is pressed with a cork press at approximately 10-50 pounds of pressure. A settling and drying time of typically approximately 24 hours (depending on glue drying speed) is then provided. After this period, the shaft 12 may then be placed on a mechanical device, such as a lathe and/or belt sander, then shaped to a user's preference and specifications. Such preferences may include the outer diameter of the grip, grooves or indentations to accommodate for fingers and/or thumbs, manipulation into various geometric shapes (
The process of shaping the grip 20 is done with the aforementioned tools, as well as sand paper and other shaping tools. After the club grip 20 is fit to the hand-size and mocked to the user's specifications, the cork is sealed with cork seal or banana oil in order to keep the colors bright and maintain the integrity of the cork.
Modifications of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art and to those who make or use the invention. Therefore, it is understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above are merely for illustrative purposes and not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the following claims as interpreted according to the principles of patent law, including the doctrine of equivalents.
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/342,632, filed on Apr. 19, 2010, by James Claire, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61342632 | Apr 2010 | US |
