Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02456264 2004-O1-26
IMPROVED GOLF CLUB SHAFT AND GRIP AND
METHOD FOR GRIPPING GOLF CLUB
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001 ] The present invention relates to an improved golf club shaft and .
grip and an
improved method of gripping a golf club.
BACKGROUND
(0002] Golf is a recreational and competitive sport that is a popular with
large numbers of
people of all ages. One of the skills necessary to play the sport well is the
ability to
maintain control of the golf club before, during, and after swinging the club
to contact the
golf ball. This skill is particularly important when putting. Many golfers;
however,
struggle to maintain the proper attitude of the golf club during the swing
when using a
conventional grip. Thus, the golf club strikes the golf ball at an incorrect
angle, causing
the golf ball to travel in an undesirable direction.
(0003] Attempts to prevent such extraneous motion of a golf club during a'
golf swing
P
have included wrist braces intended to prevent movement of the wrist, thereby
preventing
corresponding movement of the golf club.
(0004] For putters, in particular, various means to better control the golf
club during a
golf swing have been put forth. For example, U.S. Patent No. 3,679,207,
discloses the
construction of a golf putter that allows the golfer to use a type of croquet
stance instead
of the conventional golf stance. The shaft of the patented club is
considerably longer than
a conventional putter and is used by gripping the club at the end of the shaft
with one
hand while gripping the shaft at the center of balance with the other hand,
thus creating a
type of fulcrum effect to prevent extraneous motion of the club. Other
inventions, such as
U.S. Patent Nos. 4,592,,552, and D201,250, disclose extending the shaft of a
golf club
above a central grip, resulting in the club having approximately the same
weight above as
below the grip position. Such counter-weighting is also thought to control
extraneous
motion of the club during a swing.
(0005] While these approaches may be effective, they do not address a very
important
aspect of controlling extraneous motion of a golf club being swung: the manner
in which
the golf club is gripped by a golfer. There is a desire, then, for a golf club
providing an
improved grip and method for gripping a golf club that controls such undesired
motion.
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SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0006] The improved golf club shaft and grip and method for gripping a golf
club of the
present invention proposes to provide golfer with golf club having a club head
attached to
a shaft via a hosel, wherein the shaft comprises a plurality of alternating
circular and
rectangular cross-sections extending from the top end of the shaft (opposite
the hosel). A
grip covering a portion of the shaft, closely follows the alternating cross-
sectional contour
of the shaft. The rectangular cross-sections allow the shaft of the golf club
to fit between
chosen fingers on either hand of a golfer, thus stiffening the golfer's grip
on the club
without creating additional tension in , the golfer's arms, which can cause
extraneous
motion. Further, such a grip allows the golfer's wrists to remain aligned with
the hands,
again providing a more controlled grip and, subsequently, swing of the gaff
club.
[0007] The present invention also provides different grip configurations that
can be
mounted on conventional golf club shafts. These grip configurations provide
various
locations at which a golfer may grip the golf club shaft during a golf swing.
[.fl008] The present invention also teaches a method for holding a golf club
on which a
preferred embodiment of the shaft and/or. grip are used, the method providing
additional
stability during the swing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0009] Further features, embodiments, and advantages of the present invention
will
become apparent from the following detailed description with reference to the
drawings;
wherein:
[0010) Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a golf club according to one of the
preferred
embodiments of the present invention, illustrating a golfer with the golf'
club in
preparation of swinging the golf club;
[0011] Fig: 2 is a side elevation illustrating the shape of a preferred
embodiment of the
golf club shaft and grip;
[0012] Fig. 3 is a magnification of an area of Fig. 2, illustrating the
transition between
club shaft and grip profiles;
(0013] Fig. 4 is a cross-section of the golf club of Fig. 2, taken along the
line 4-4,
illustrating one profile of the club shaft and grip;
[0014) Fig. 5 is a cross-section of the golf club of Fig. 2, taken along the
line 5-5,
illustrating a second profile of the club shaft and grip;
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[0015) Fig. 6 is a front elevation of the golf club .of Fig. 2, illustrating
the profiles of the
club shaft and grip;
[0016) Fig. 7 is a side elevation, illustrating a golf club having
conventional shaft and
grip profiles;
[0017) Fig. 8 shows a golf club shaft similar to that in Fig. ?, illustrating
an embodiment
of a grip of the present invention surrounding the club shaft;
[OOIB] Fig: 9 shows a golf club shaft similar to that in Fig. 7, illustrating
another
embodiment of a grip of the present invention surrounding the club shaft;
(0019) Fig. 10 shows a golf club shaft similar to that in Fig. 7, illustrating
another
embodiment of a grip of the present invention surrounding the club shaft;
(0020] Fig. 11 shows a golf club shaft similar to that in Fig. 7, illustrating
another
embodiment of a grip- of the present invention surrounding the club shaft;
(0021) Fig. 12 shows a golf club shaft similar to that in Fig. ?, illustrating
another
embodiment of a grip of the present invention surrounding the club shaft;
~Q022) Figs. 13-16 are a series of partial perspective views of a golf club
shaft according
to one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, illustrating a
method of
gripping a golf club shaft according to one of the preferred embodiments of
the present
invention;
(0023) Fig. 17 shows a golf club shaft similar to that in Fig. 13,
illustrating another
embodiment of a method a gripping a golf club shaft;
[0024) Fig. 18 shows a golf club shaft similar to that in Fig. 13,
illustrating another
embodiment of a method a gripping a golf club shaft;
[0025) Fig. 19 shows a golf club shaft similar to that in Fig. 13,
illustrating another
embodiment of a method a gripping a golf club shaft;
(0026] Figs. 20-21 are a series of partial perspective views of a golf club
shaft according
to one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, illustrating a
method of
gripping a golf club shaft according to . one of the preferred embodiments of
the present
invention;
[0027) Figs. 22-24 are a series of partial perspective views of a conventional
golf club
shaft, illustrating a method of gripping a golf club shaft according to one of
the preferred
embodiments of the present invention; and
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[0028) Fig. 2S is a cross-section of the golf club similar to that in Fig. S,
illustrating
placement of angers about a golf club shaft using a method of gripping a golf
club shaft
according to one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
[0029] Refernng now to the drawings, wherein like components are identified by
similar
numbers, a preferred embodiment of the improved golf club shaft and grip are
shown in
Figures 1-12. As illustrated in Fig. 7; a typical golf club 7S comprises a
head 45, a hosel
55 and.a shaft 65. The shaft 65 has a top end 67 and a bottom end 69. The
bottom end 69
of the shaft 65 is attached to the hosel S5. The club head 4S is attached to
the hosel SS
opposite the shaft 65. A grip 85 surrounds a portion of the shaft 65,
generally starting at
the top end 67 of the shaft 65 and extending along the shaft 65 to a position
intermediate
the top end 67 and the bottom end 69 of the shaft 65. As shown in Fig. 1, a
golfer 25
typically holds the golf club 75 by grasping the golf club 75 at the grip 185.
[0030] The club shaft 165 shown in Figures I-6 comprises three parts: an upper
part U, a
lower part B and a middle part M intermediate that upper and lower parts U, B.
The
upper and lower parts U, B camprise cylinders having circular cross-sections
of a defined
and uniform diameter. The middle part M of the shaft 165 comprises a plurality
of
alternating rectangular 165b and circular 165a and cross-sectional areas. The
circular
cross-sections l6Sa are uniformly cylindrical and have the same diameter as
that of the
upper and lower parts U, B of the shaft 165. The rectangular cross-sections
l6Sb have a
length L, a width W and a height H. As seen in Figures 4 and S, the length L
of the
rectangular cross-sections 165b is approximately the same as the diameter of
the circular
cross-sections 165a; The width W of the rectangular cross-sections l6Sb is
less than the
length L. Further, the width W and the height H of the rectangular cross-
sections 165b
are of a size to allow a golfer to easily position the rectangular cross-
sections 165b
between two fingers, as shown in Fig: 25. The grip 185 covers the upper part
U, the
middle part M, and a portion of the lower part B of the shaft 165, as shown in
Figures 2-6.
Within the middle part M of the shaft.l65, the grip 185 has a convex profile
relative to
the circular cross-sectional areas 165a. Such a profile allows the portions of
the grip 185
covering the circular cross-sectional areas l6Sa in the middle part M of the
shaft 16S to
have the same outer diameter as the portions of the grip 185 covering the
upper part U
and the portion of the lower part B, hence providing a familiar gripping area
for the
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golfer. As illustrated in Figs. 4 and S, the portions of the grip 18S covering
the
rectangular cross-sectional areas l6Sb of the middle part M of the shaft 16S
are less dense
than those portions of the grip 18S covering the circular cross-sectional
areas l6Sa. This
lack of density provides a level of comfort and security to the golfer without
impeding the
placement of the rectangular cross-sectional areas l6Sb between two fingers of
the
golfer's hand, as shown in Fig. 2S.
[0031] In a preferred embodiment, transitions between the circular cross-
sectional areas
l6Sa and the rectangular cross-sectional areas l6Sb of the middle part M and
the
transitions between the upper IJ and lower B parts with the middle part M may
be conical
shaped to prevent excessive wear or abrasion at the transitions.
[0032] Fig. 7, as discussed above, illustrates and typical golf club 7S with a
shaft 6S and
grip 8S. In other preferred embodiments, as illustrated in Figs. 8-11, the
shaft 6S (as
shown in Fig. 7} maintains a uniform, cylindrical, shape from the top end 67.
to the
bottom end 69 while the grip 8S changes contour. In Figs. 8-lI, the grip 285,
385, 485,
$8S comprises a first part 287, 387, 487, S87 and a second part 289, 389, 489,
589. The
first parts 287, 387, 487, S87 of each grip 285, 385, 485, S8S comprise a
contour similar
to a conventional grip of a golf club 7S, as shown in Fig. 7. The second parts
289, 389,
489, S89 of each grip 285, 385, 485, S8S comprises at least one contoured area
having a
profile different than that of a conventional grip.
[0033] As shown in Fig. 8, the first part 287 of the grip 28S covers the shaft
6S starting at
the top end 67 and extending to abut the second part 289 of the grip 285. The
second part
289.of the grip 28S extends between the abutting first part 287 and the bottom
end 69 of
the shaft 6S. The second part 289 of the grip is convex. .
[0034] Figs. 9 and 10 illustrate grips 385, 48S in which the second parts
.389; 4$9 each
has a conventional portion 3$9a, 489a and a protruding portion 389b, 489b. In
Fig. 9, the
conventional portion 389a of the second part 389 is located intermediate the
first part 3$7
of the grip 38S and the protruding portion 389b of the second part 389 of-the
grip 385.
The protruding portion 389b surrounds the shaft 6S in a uniform, geometric
shape. In
Fig. 9, the protruding portion 389b resembles a vertical hexagonal.
[0035] In Fig. 10, the protruding portiow 489b is intermediate the
conventional portion
489a of the second part 489 and the first part 487 of the grip 485. The
protruding portion
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489b surrounds the shaft 65 in a uniform, geometric shape. In Fig. 10, the
protruding
portion 489b is convex.
[0036] As shown in Fig. 11, the second part 589b of the grip 585 may include
multiple
contours. The first part 587 of the grip 585 extends from the top end 67 of
the shaft 65 to
abutting proximity to the second part 589: The second part 589 extends from a
terminus
of the first part 587 toward the bottom end G9 of the shaft G5. The second
part comprises
protruding portions 589b connected by a short conventional portion 589a. The
protruding
portions 589b may be the same or different shapes. In Fig. 11, the protruding
portions
S89b are the same shape. Further, the protruding portions 583b rnay.be of any
geometric
shape. In Fig. 11, the protruding portions 589b are barrel shaped.
[0037] Fig. 12 illustrates a preferred embodiment combining elements of the
contoured
golf club shaft 665 as shown in Figs. 1-6, and of the contoured grip 685, as
shown in Fig.
8. The shaft 665 comprises three sections: an upper section U and a lower
section B, both
of which have a conventionally cylindrical shape; and a middle section M
intermediate
the upper and Iower sections U, B of the shaft 665. The middle section M of is
cylindrically shaped with a circular cross-section having a diameter between
about 0.25
and 0.5 that of the diameter of the upper and lower sections U, B. Transitions
between
the sections may be abrupt or gradual. As illustrated in Fig. 12, the
transition between the
upper section U and the middle section M is substantially an abrupt, square-
edged
demarcation, while the transition between the middle section M and the lower
section B is
a gradual, comically shaped transition. The grip 685 comprises a first part
687 and a
second part 689. The first part 687 comprises a contour similar to a
conventional grip of
a golf club 75, as shown in Fig. 7. The second part 689 of the grip 685
comprises at least
one contoured area having a profile different than that of a conventional
grip. ' As .shown
in Fig. 12, the first part 687 of the grip 685 covers the shaft 665 starting
at the,top end 667
and extending to abutting engagement with the second part 689. The second part
689 of
the grip 685 extends between the abutting first part 687 and the bottom end
669 of the
shaft 665. The second part 689 of the grip 665 may have any geometric shape.
The
second part 689 of the grip 665 shown in Fig. 12 is convex.
[0038] Figs. 13-18 illustrate a preferred method for gripping the golf club 75
shown in
Figs. 1-6. The golfer 25 first positions the golf club 75 with the head 45 of
the golf club
75 adjacent to a striking surface {e.g., a greens area on a golf course) and a
golf ball 35
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and perpendicular to the golfer 25, as shown m Fig. I. The golfer 25 positions
a first
hand 27 in proximity to the golf club 75, fingers of the first hand 27
oriented toward one
of the rectangular cross-sectional areas 165b of the shaft covered by and
identified by the
corresponding grip 185b, as illustrated in Fig. 13. The golfer then inserts
the rectangular
cross-sectional area l8Sb of the shaft 165 between two fingers of the .first
hand 27, as
illustrated in Figs. 14 and 25. As shown in Figs. 14, 16 and 17, the
rectangular cross-
sectional area 185b of the shaft 16S is insertable between any two forgers of
the first
hand: between index and middle forgers (Fig. 14); between middle and ring
fingers (Fig.
16); and between ring and little fingers (Fig. 17).
[0039] Once the shaft 165 is properly positioned between fingers of the first
hand 27, the
fingers of the first hand are closed about the shaft 165, enclosing the shaft
1 GS within a
fist made of the first hand 27, as shown in Fig. 14. Fingers of a second hand
29 are
wrapped around the shaft 165, at least partially overlapping the first hand
27: A thumb of
the first hand 27 may be covered by the second hand 29 or situated atop the
second hand
29 after the second hand 29 is wrapped around the shaft, as illustrated in
Figs. 1 a and 18.
Once the first and second hands 27, 29 are properly pasitianed, the golfer 25
may address
the golf ball 35, as shown in Fig. 1, and prepare for swinging the golf club
7S.
[0040] Another embodiment of the method described above is shown in Fig. 19,
wherein
the shaft 165 is positioned between fingers of the first hand 27 and of the
second hand 29.
The first and second hands 27, 29 may either utilize the same rectangular
cross-sectional
area 185b (illustrated' in Fig. 19}, or different rectangular cross-sectional
areas 185b.
After properly positioning the shaft between forgers of both hands, the first
and second
hands 27, 29 are closed about the shaft 165.; completing the gripping method.
[0041] Another embodiment of the method of gripping a golf club is illustrated
iri Figs.
20 and 21, wherein the first hand 27 is positioned as discussed above and
illustrated in
Figs. 13-18. The second hand 29 is closed about the shaft 165 at a position
spaced apart
from the first hand 27. Preferably, the second hand 29 is positioned
intermediate the first
hand 27 and the top end 67 of the shaft 165.
[0042] A feature of the method as described above is illustrated in Figs. 22-
24, wherein
any of the above grips is employed with a conventional golf club (shown in
Fig: 7).
[0043] It will therefore be readily understood by those persons skilled in the
art that the
present invention is susceptible of broad utility and application. Many
embodiments and
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adaptations of the present invention other than those herein described, as
well as many
variations, modifications anal equivalent arrangements, will be apparent from
or
reasonably suggested by the present invention and the foregoing description
thereof,
without departing from the substance or scope of the present invention.
Accordingly,
while the present invention has been described herein in detail in relation to
its preferred
embodiment, it is to be understood that this disclosure is only illustrative
and exemplary
of the present invention and is made merely far purposes of providing a full
and enabling
disclosure of the invention. The foregoing disclosure is not intended or to be
construed to
limit the present invention or otherwise to exclude any such other
embodiments,
adaptations, variations, modifications and equivalent arrangements, the
present invention
being limited only by the claims appended hereto and the equivalents thereof.
.
