FLEXIBLE GOLF GRIP WITH FULL THICKNESS RIB SECTION AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME

Abstract

A flexible elastomeric grip for a golf club has an elastomeric insert extending fully through the wall of the tubular grip and exposed on its exterior surface. The insert is comprised of a material having greater stiffness than the body material for enhancing gripability.

Claims

1. In the manufacturing of a tubular flexible grip for a golf club, the improvement comprising: (a) forming an elongated insert of elastomeric material; having transverse height of at least that of the thickness of the grip in a radial direction; (b) disposing a core bar in a mold cavity having a configuration for forming the exterior of the grip and at least one sprue communicating with the cavity and disposing the insert in a groove in one of (a) the cavity and (b) the core bar, and between the core bar and the cavity; (c) injecting elastomer through the at least one sprue into the cavity and about the insert; and, (d) removing the molded grip from the cavity and the core bar from the grip.

2. The improvement of claim 1, further comprising: injecting elastomer having a durometer hardness in range of 30 to 60 on the Shore A scale.

3. The improvement of claim 1, further comprising: forming ridges in the cavity and a groove in the core bar and disposing the opposite sides of the rib in the groove and between the ridges.

4. The improvement of claim 1, further comprising: injecting elastomer on opposite sides of the insert.

5. The improvement of claim 1, wherein injecting elastomer includes injecting elastomer of a durometer hardness not less than that of the insert.

6. The improvement of claim 1, wherein forming an insert of elastomer includes forming an insert having a side thereof positioned for exposure on the exterior of the flexible grip with the side being formed with textured surfaces.

7. The improvement of claim 1, wherein forming an elongated insert includes forming an insert having a durometer hardness in the range of 65 to 80 on the Shore A scale.

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Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a finished flexible grip in accordance with the present disclosure as installed on the shaft of a golf club;

[0009] FIG. 2 is a cross-section of the grip of the present disclosure as it appears upon removal from the mold;

[0010] FIG. 3 is a cross-section of the mold with the insert and core bar in place before injection molding;

[0011] FIG. 4 is a cross-section taken along section indicating lines 4-4 of FIG. 1; and,

[0012] FIG. 5 is a cross-section of a prior art grip with an inlaid rib assembled onto a club shaft.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] Referring to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a finished flexible grip for a golf club is illustrated generally at 10 and has a tubular body 14 with a substantially closed end 12 and an open end 16 indicated by dashed line which has received therein the end of a club shaft 17. An elongated insert indicated generally at 18 is formed in the grip during molding as will hereinafter be described in greater detail.

[0014] Referring to FIG. 4, one version of the golf grip of the present disclosure is shown in cross section as assembled onto a club shaft, with the insert 18 shown as extending completely through the wall thickness of the tubular grip body 14 from the interior thereof to the exterior. The exterior surface of the insert has been slightly deformed to provide a raised rib configuration. In the present practice, the exterior surface 20 of the rib 18 may extend outwardly from the exterior surface of the tubular body 14 by about 1 mm. This is effected by deflection or deformation of the inner surface of the insert upon assembly over the club shaft 17.

[0015] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, an upper section of a compression mold 30 is shown assembled on a lower section 32 along a parting line indicated PL in FIG. 3. The upper section 30 of the mold has a molding cavity 34 formed therein which may have the surface thereof configured to provide graphic design or texture to the exterior surface of the grip body 14. The lower section of the mold 32 has a corresponding mold cavity 36, which may also be configured to provide graphic design or texture to the exterior surface of the grip body 14; and, cavity 36 has formed therein spaced ridges 38, 39 formed at the bottom thereof which have disposed therebetween the outer surface 20 of the elastomeric insert 18.

[0016] A core bar 40 is disposed centrally in the cavities 34, 36; and, the core bar 40 has a groove 41 formed on the lower portion thereof which has received therein the inner surface 22 of the insert 18 for aiding in positioning and maintaining the insert in place during molding.

[0017] The upper mold section 30 has a pair of downwardly extending molding sprues 42, 44 formed therein disposed respectively on opposite sides of the insert 18. Each the sprues 42, 44 communicates respectively with a cross passage 46, 48 respectively, which cross passages 46, 48 communicate with opposite sides of the molding cavities 34, 36. In the present practice, with the core bar 40 and insert 18 in place, elastomeric material (not shown) is injected downwardly through sprues 42, 44 and passages 46, 48 into the molding cavities 34, 36 and fills these cavities and the elastomeric material (not shown) contacts and bonds to the sides 50, 52 of the insert 18 upon molding. Alternatively, a single central molding sprue 54, shown in dashed outline, may be provided in the upper mold section 30 to permit injection molding of elastomer downwardly into the upper surface of cavity 34 such that the elastomer flows about the core bar and onto the sides 50, 52 of the insert 18.

[0018] Referring to FIG. 2, the cured grip with the insert 18 integrally molded therein is shown as it appears upon removal from the mold and removal of the core bar with the lower surface of the rib 22 shown extending slightly into the inner periphery of the body 14. The upper surface 20 of the rib has a groove 56, 58, respectively, adjacent each of the sides 50, 52 as formed by the ridges 38, 39 in the lower mold section 32.

[0019] The present disclosure thus describes a unique flexible grip for a golf club having an integrated full thickness rib formed of elastomeric material having greater stiffness than the grip body. The insert extends fully through the wall thickness of the grip and has the upper or outer surface of the insert exposed to the exterior of the tubular grip for facilitating orientation of the grip in the user's hands and enhancing gripability. As shown in FIG. 4, upon assembly of the cured grip to the club shaft, the inner periphery of the tubular member 14 closely inter-fits and is in direct contact with the outer surface of the club shaft, and portions of the upper surface of the insert may extend outwardly an amount of about 1 mm. In the present practice, it has been found satisfactory to form the insert 18 of elastomeric material having a stiffness at least ten percent (10%) greater than that of material of the tubular body 14. The increased stiffness may also be accomplished by fiber reinforcement locally or generally. The insert 18 may also be formed of elastomeric material having a different feel or tactile perception upon being gripped. This may be accomplished by incorporating particulate matter such as glass or sand in the material to give the surface a different discernable roughness for enhanced gripability. In the present practice, the elastomeric rib has a durometer hardness in the range of 65 to 80 on the Shore A scale; and, the material of the body of the tubular grip has a hardness in the range of 30-60 on the Shore A scale. In the practice of the method of the present disclosure, the insert is assembled into a mold with the core bar; and, elastomeric material is injected into the mold cavity surrounding the core bar wherein the injected elastomer is bonded to the sides of the insert during molding. In the present practice, the insert 18 may be formed of pre-cured elastomer, may be of different elastomeric material than that of the body of the tubular grip; and, the insert may be of a different color, and of a different texture.

[0020] The exemplary embodiment has been described and illustrated with reference to the drawings. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the exemplary embodiment be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.