Golf club overgrip

Abstract

An overgrip for a golf club is provided that includes a shell defining an interior and an open end, with a soft material disposed within the interior of the shell and capable of conforming to the shape of a club inserted into the interior through the at least one open end to engage the club. The shell can be formed with a pair of halves joined by a hinge to assist in the positioning of the club within the overgrip and can additionally include a locking mechanism to selectively hold the shell in engagement with the club positioned therein.

Claims

1. A method of placing an overgrip on a golf club, the golf club having a shaft with a head at one end and a grip opposite the head, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing an overgrip for a golf club comprising a shell defining an interior and at least one open end and an inner layer disposed within the interior of the shell and capable of conforming to the shape of a club inserted into the interior through the at least one open end to engage the club, wherein the inner layer is formed of a memory shape material that has a concave shape and provides a secure frictional engagement with the grip, thereby avoiding slippage between the inner layer and the grip but without damaging the grip; b) inserting the grip into the at least one open end of the overgrip; and c) swinging the golf club while grasping the overgrip to strike a golf ball, wherein the overgrip shell includes a pair of opposed halves joined at a pair of opposed ends by a locking mechanism, and wherein the step of inserting the grip into the overgrip comprises the steps of: i) disengaging the locking mechanism to separate the opposed halves; ii) placing the grip within the interior of the between the opposed halves; and iii) re-engaging the locking mechanism to secure the opposed halves to one another.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: a) disengaging the locking mechanism after re-engaging the locking mechanism; and b) removing the grip from the interior of the shell.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The drawings illustrate the best mode currently contemplated of practicing the present invention.

(2) In the drawings:

(3) FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a one embodiment of a grip constructed according to the present disclosure;

(4) FIG. 2 is a partially broken away side plan view of the locking mechanism of the grip of FIG. 1;

(5) FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the grip in a closed position on a club; and

(6) FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view along line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(7) Referring now in detail to the drawing figures, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the several views, one exemplary embodiment of an overgrip constricted according to the present disclosure is illustrated generally at 10 in FIG. 1. The overgrip 10 includes an outer shell 12 formed to be generally tubular in shape, e.g., cylindrical in cross-section though other cross-sectional configurations are also contemplated, and from a generally rigid material, such as a plastic material, that can be formed in any desired manner, such as by molding or extrusion into the desired shape. The outer shell 12 includes a pair of halves 14,16 that are joined to one another by a hinge 18 or similar structure disposed along and connecting adjacent ends or edges 20,22 of each half 14,16. The hinge 18 can be formed as a part of the halves 14,16 of the outer shell 12, i.e., as a living hinge from of the material forming each half 14,16, or as a separate component that is operably secured to each of the halves 14,16.

(8) Looking now at FIGS. 1 and 2, in the illustrated exemplary embodiment opposite the hinge 18, each half 14,16 includes one portion of a locking mechanism 24 disposed opposite the respective ends 20,22 to releasably hold the halves 14,16 in engagement with one another. The locking mechanism 24 can have any suitable form or structure, and in the illustrated embodiment is formed of a first set of hooks 26 disposed on one half 14 that are engagable with a set of latches 28 disposed in complementary positions on the opposite half 16. The hooks 26 and latches 28 can be attached to the halves 14,16 in any suitable manner, such as by adhesive or mechanical fasteners, or can be formed integrally with the respective halves 14,16.

(9) To engage the locking mechanism 24, when the halves 14,16 of the outer shell 12 are moved towards one another, the hooks 26 are deflected inwardly by the latches 28 until the hooks 26 are aligned with recesses 30 defined on the latches 28 that can receive the hooks 26 to securely engage the hooks 26 with the latches 28. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, in the engaged position, the locking mechanism 24 allows the opposite halves 14,16 of the shell 122 generally abut one another in the engaged position of the locking mechanism 24, thereby providing a generally seamless appearance to the overgrip 10 which also enhances the utility of the overgrip 10.

(10) To disengage the locking mechanism 24, the half 14 of the outer shell 12 including the hooks 26 is pressed inwardly to misalign the hooks 26 from within the recesses 30, allowing the hooks 26 and the latches 28, and correspondingly the halves 14,16, to move apart from one another via the hinge 18.

(11) Looking now at FIGS. 1 and 4, in the illustrated exemplary embodiment the outer shell 12 defines a pair of open ends 31 and an interior 32 in which is disposed an inner soft, shape-conforming material layer 34 that secured to the inner surface of each half 14,16 of the outer shell 12 in any suitable manner, such as by an adhesive. The inner layer 34 can be formed from any suitable material, e.g., a gel, or open or closed cell foam material, among others, and is capable of conforming to the shape of any grip 100 for a club 102 that is positioned within the interior 32 of the overgrip 10. The material layer 34 is compressed by the grip 100 positioned within the interior 32 of the overgrip 10 against the inner layer 34 to provide a secure and close frictional engagement with the grip 100, thereby avoiding slippage between the inner layer 34 and the grip 100, but without damaging the grip 100. Also, the material forming the inner layer 34 is compressible but resilient such that when the grip 100 is removed from the interior 32 of the overgrip 10, the inner layer 34 can return to its original shape to be able to readily compressed to conform to the shape of any other alternate shape grip 100 to be placed within the interior 32 of the overgrip 10.

(12) Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3, in the illustrated exemplary embodiment opposite the inner layer 34 the outer shell 12 includes an outer grip layer 36. The outer grip layer 36 can be formed of any suitable material, such as those commonly used for conventional grips 100, among others, and is secured to the exterior surface of each half 14, 16 of the outer shell 12 opposite the inner layer 34 in any suitable manner, such as by an adhesive. The outer grip layer 36 provides the feel for the overgrip 10 to enhance the use of the club 102 including the overgrip 10.

(13) In an alternative embodiment, the overgrip 10 can include a closed end (not shown) formed by panels (not shown) on the halves 14,16 of the shell 12 that are positioned in an abutting position on one end 31 of the overgrip 10 when the overgrip 10 is in the closed position. Further, the overgrip 10 can be formed without the hinge IS and either with two locking mechanisms 24 on each side of the respective halves 14,16, or with the shell 12 as a unitary structure such that the grip 100 is axially inserted and withdrawn from interior 32 of the overgrip 10. Additionally, in another alternative embodiment the locking mechanism 24 can be formed such that that the locking mechanism 24 requires a special tool or device (not shown) to disengage the locking mechanism 24, thereby preventing the overgrip 10 from being inadvertently removed from the grip 100, such as during play.

(14) Various other embodiments of the present disclosure are contemplated as being within the scope of the filed claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter regarded as the invention.