GOLF GRIP AID

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to, and incorporates by reference, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/196,323 filed on Jun. 3, 2021.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a golf grip aid. In particular, the invention relates to a device that can be used to clean and enhance the texture of a golf grip, comprising a hollow tube storing a liquid into which a golf grip can be inserted. Of course, a person of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the invention is not necessarily so limited.

Background

Golf is an extremely popular recreational activity as well as a competitive sport. Golf is played with clubs of various types that all have a club head connected to a shaft. The end of the shaft is covered with some type of a grip.

The grip serves a number of purposes. It increases the diameter around the shaft to better fit the size of the golfer's hands, and it provides a textured surface for the golfer to grip during the swing to prevent movement of the club in the hands. Ideally, the grip should provide a tacky feel that allows the golfer to stably grip the club with a minimum amount of force applied to the grip. Excess grip pressure can damage a golfer's hands over time causing blisters and skin abrasions, and can interfere with the fluidity of the swing.

Because of the environment in which golf is played, the grips are exposed to a number of elements that rapidly degraded the grip. The grips are exposed to the elements, such as sun and rain that create wear. The grips get dirty from use and particularly from repeated contact with the golfer's hands.

As a result, grips quickly loss their tackiness, wear out, become cracked, become slick/slippery, or otherwise become less ideally suited for the purpose to which they are intended.

The prior art includes examples of various solutions to these problems; however, they all suffer from a number of drawbacks. In particular, there are devices that clean or restore golf grips but they are not suitable for use during actual play. Other devices, are intended to be used during play, but are merely for cleaning the golf grip but do not restore the tackiness of the grip—and in fact can make the grip even more slippery. Still other devices apply various solutions to the grips such as cleaning solutions, surfactants, or solvents, where the solutions are poured directly into the device. The rules of golf however, prohibit the application of any substance to the grip of a golf club except water. Such devices therefore violate the rules of golf, and their use in competition would result in penalties.

Examples of such prior art devices can be found in the following patents/publications: US20030096660A1, WO2004016518A1, US20030140518A1, US20070068612A1, US20210060395A1, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,203,390A, 7,886,787B1, and 6,385,817B1.

Accordingly, a need exists for a device that can restore the texture of a golf grip during play that overcomes the difficulties of the prior art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the hollow cylindrical shaped tube, including a fabric interior lining and a fabric overlap at an end of the tube.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the tube with an interior reservoir that runs the length of the tube.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a hollow cylindrical shaped tube. The tube can be of various dimensions, but is generally sized so that the dominant portion of the grip of a golf club can be inserted therein. The inside of the tube is lined with an absorbent material that can retain moisture. The material can be fabric, like terry cloth, or other suitable material, or material allowed or approved by the PGA or other rule making organizations. The material can overlap the edge of the tube as well.

FIG. 2 shows that the tube includes a reset internal insert, or reservoir that runs the length of the tube. A sponge or other moisture absorbent material can be inserted into the insert to provide a source of moisture for the fabric liner. In this manner, the liner can maintain sufficient moisture levels for the long periods of time required for a round of golf, which will usually exceed 4 hours.

The tube can be made of hard or flexible material, one advantage of using flexible material is that the tube can be wrong out to release excess moisture from the absorbent material either after use, or during use if the material has absorbed too much moisture.

Preferably, the liquid used is water as this is the only substance that is allowed to be applied to the surface of a golf grip per the rules of golf.

The tube can include a clip (or other securement device) attached to the tube at any convenient location which would allow securing the tube to a golf bag, or golf cart for ease of use.

In practice, before a round of golf the sponge would be inserted into the insert, moisture is then applied to the sponge and the tube is attached to the bag or cart. Then before each club is used, the grip is inserted into the tube for a sufficient time to moisten the grip to restore the desired level or tackiness. Additionally, encapsulating the absorbent liner in the tube keeps it free from containments that towels are commonly exposed to when used by themselves. For example, a towel is often used to clean the club face after each shot, and quickly becomes dirty and is then unsuitable for use on the grip as it adds dirt to the grip, which interferes with the grip and can violated the rules of golf that restrict what can be applied to the grip. In this manner, the present invention substantially eliminates the problems of the prior art.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materials similar to or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods, and materials are described below. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety to the extent allowed by applicable law and regulations. In case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being made to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art that have the disclosure before them will be able to make modifications and variations therein without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the invention can be used without adding moisture to the reservoir to dry the golf grip rather than apply moisture to it. This could be used on wet or rainy rounds of golf.