Portable Transferable Grip Overlay

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a grip. More specifically, the present invention is a portable, transferable device that is overlayed and wrapped around an underlying structure or grip to increase the underlying grip size or shape.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Within the golf industry there are three main sizes of golf club grips: standard, mid-size and jumbo. Over 50% of golfers use midsize or jumbo grip size for their golf clubs. However, every golf club rental set around the world comes with only the standard size grips. Therefore, over 50% of golfers are not able to use their correct grip size when they are traveling and using a rental set of golf clubs. This will affect the feel of the golf club to the golfer when using a rental set of golf clubs, ultimately affecting their performance on the course.

An objective of the present invention is to provide players, as well as golf clubhouses that offer rental clubs to their guests, with an option that allows them to golf with the comfort and familiarity of their own grips without traveling with their clubs. The present invention allows traveling golfers to easily use the standard grip size rental golf club set and be able to transform it to their preferred/correct grip size. In order to accomplish that, a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a grip body that further comprises a terminal end and proximal end. Thus, the present invention is a golf club grip that wraps around an existing golf club grip, altering the standard grip size of the golf club grip found on rental golf clubs. Furthermore, the present invention may be utilized along any cylindrical or slender object, altering the circumference of the object.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top front right perspective view of the present invention in a closed configuration.

FIG. 2 is a bottom rear left perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of the present invention in an open configuration releasing from an underlying structure.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the present invention in a closed configuration attaching to an underlying structure.

FIG. 5 is a bottom rear left perspective view of the present invention in a closed configuration attached to an underlying structure.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a rear view of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a right-side view of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a left-side view of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a top view of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention taken along line 11-11 shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

The present invention is a grip that adjusts the size of an underlying structure 4 as seen in FIG. 1-14. For example, the present invention may adjust the circumference of a standard golf club grip found on rental golf clubs. Preferably, the present invention seeks to provide users with a device that wraps around an existing golf club grip. In order to accomplish this the present invention comprises a grip body 1 that flexes and wraps around the golf club grip. Thus, the present invention is a golf club grip that wraps around an existing golf club grip, altering the standard grip size of the golf club grip found on rental golf clubs.

The present invention comprises a grip body 1 that provides user with a grip that wraps around an underlying structure 4 such as an existing rental golf club grip, in order to adjust the golf club grip to the user's preferred and correct size as seen in FIG. 5. The grip body 1 attaches to an underlying structure 4 while in a closed configuration 3. Accordingly, the grip body 1 surrounds a portion of the underlying structure 4. Furthering the previous example, the grip body 1 interlocks around a golf club grip ensuring easy attachment and detachment to any golf club. The grip body 1 forms a C-shape wherein the grip body 1 increases the circumference of the underlying structure 4. The grip body 1 provides an ergonomic surface for a user to grip. Consequently, the grip body 1 enables a user to have a tactile grip that surrounds a portion of the underlying structure 4. The grip body 1 detaches from an underlying structure 4 while in an open configuration 2. As a result, the user may apply a slight force to the grip body 1 to remove it from the underlying structure 4 and transfer the grip body 1 to another underlying structure 4 as needed. The grip body 1 comprises an outer grip layer 11, a structural layer 12, an inner layer 13, a first end 14, a second end 15, a top portion 16 and a bottom portion 17. The outer grip layer 11 is a rubber material. Thus, the outer grip layer 11 may bend and flex to wrap around the underlying structure 4. The outer grip layer 11 is the surface that is held by the user. The inner layer 13 is a rubber material that contacts the underlying structure 4. So, the inner layer 13 may bend and flex to wrap around the underlying structure 4. The structural layer 12 is encompassed and positioned between the outer grip layer 11 and the inner layer 13. As a result, the structural layer 12 is fully covered with the rubber material of the outer grip layer 11 and the inner rubber layer 13. The outer grip layer 11, structural layer 12, and inner layer 13 form one singular grip body 1. The outer grip layer 11 is bonded with the inner layer 13 along the first end 14, the second end 15, the top of the top portion 16, and the bottom of the bottom portion 17. Essentially, the outer grip layer 11 is bonded with the inner grip layer adjacent to each edge of the structural layer 12. In an alternative embodiment the first end 14 and the second end 15 may taper down to a flat edge, as seen in FIG. 14, to provide a continuous feeling with the contacted underlying structure 4.

Further, as seen in FIG. 10, the outer grip layer 11 comprises an outer grip circumference 111. Consequently, the outer grip circumference 111 is the distance between the first end 14 and the second end 15 traveling along the surface of the outer grip layer 11. The outer grip circumference 111 encompasses a portion of the circumference of the underlying structure 4. Accordingly, the size of the underlying structure 4 that is then gripped by the user is increased due to the increase in the circumference of the underlying structure 4.

Furthermore, the outer grip layer 11 comprises a plurality of outer grip grooves 112 in an alternative embodiment. The plurality of outer grip grooves 112 is a slender cavity. The plurality of outer grip grooves 112 is integrated along the surface of the outer grip layer 11. Thus, the outer grip layer 11 provides a surface that feels flat and smooth to the grip of the user while actually providing an uneven surface to provide additional grip. The plurality of outer grip grooves 112 traverses along the length and or circumference of the outer grip layer 11. So, the plurality of outer grip grooves 112 may traverse vertically, horizontally or in both directions simultaneously, such as in a spiral manner. The outer grip circumference 111 encompasses at least 60% of the circumference of the underlying structure 4. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention the outer grip circumference 111 covers at least 60% of the circumference of the underlying structure 4 to ensure that the grip body 1 stays properly secured along the underlying structure 4.

In reference to FIG. 1, the top portion 16 comprises a flared ridge 161. The bottom portion 17 comprises a tapered ridge 171. Both the flared ridge 161 and the tapered ridge 171 are integrated into the grip body 1 to ensure a seamless feel. The flared ridge 161 gradually increases the outer grip circumference 111 towards the top of the outer grip layer 11. As a result, the size of the grip body 1 expands slightly outwards closer to the top of the grip body 1. The tapered ridge 171 gradually decreases the outer grip circumference 111 towards the bottom of the outer grip layer 11. Consequently, the grip body 1 contacts slightly inwards closer to the bottom of the grip body 1.

In reference to FIG. 12, the structural layer 12 is a flexible hard plastic material. Accordingly, the structural layer 12 enables the grip body 1 to return to its original shape, the closed configuration 3, after an external force has been applied, pulling the first end 14 and second end 15 outwards. The structural layer 12 holds the grip body 1 in a closed configuration 3 when no external force is applied to the grip body 1. This allows the grip body 1 to stay attached to an underlying structure 4 without the need for fasteners or adhesive. The structural layer 12 enables the grip body 1 to bend into an open configuration 2 when an external force is applied. Thus, when an external force is applied to the grip body 1, pulling the first end 14 and second end 15 outwards, the grip body 1 may easily be removed from the underlying structure 4.

In reference to FIG. 12, the inner layer 13 bends in tandem with the structural layer 12 and outer grip layer 11. So, the entire grip body 1 bends and flexes as one when an external force is applied. The inner layer 13 creates a frictional force between the inner layer 13 and the underlying structure 4. As a result, the inner layer 13 contacts and grips the underlaying structure. The frictional force holds the grip body 1 in place along the underlying structure 4 while in a closed configuration 3. The grip body 1 may be transferred between underlying structures 4. The grip body 1 may increase the circumference of the underlying structure 4 by up to 200%. Furthermore, the grip body 1 may adjust the shape of the underlying structure 4.

In another alternative embodiment the grip body 1 may wrap around the entirety of the circumference of the underlying structure 4 and form a hollow cylindrical shape. Furthermore, the first end 14 and the second end 15 may engage to each other to form the hollow cylindrical shape. The first end 14 comprises a top clasp and a bottom clasp. The second end 15 comprising a top clasp receiver, a bottom clasp receiver, and a button. The top clasp is positioned along the first end 14 along the upper portion of the grip body 1. The bottom clasp is positioned along the first end 14 along the lower portion of the grip body 1. The top clasp and bottom clasp are both designed with an identical C-shaped clasp as seen in FIG. 13. The top clasp receiver further comprising a receiving cavity. The bottom clasp receiver further comprises a receiving cavity. The top clasp receiver is positioned along the second end 15 along the upper portion of the grip body 1 in line with the top clasp. The bottom clasp receiver is positioned along the second end 15 along the bottom portion 17 of the grip body 1 in line with the bottom clasp. The top clasp receiver and bottom clasp receiver are designed with a receiving cavity that enables the top clasp and bottom clasp to be secured, with a mechanical force, within the top clasp receiver and the bottom clasp receiver respectively. As the top clasp and bottom clasp are secured within the top clasp receiver and bottom clasp receiver respectively, the proximal end and terminal end sit flush to each other. The top clasp aligns and engages with the top clasp receiver. The bottom clasp aligns and engages with the bottom clasp receiver. The button further comprises an arm and a plurality of hinges. In this alternative embodiment the button is also positioned along the bottom side of the first end 14 adjacent to the bottom clasp receiver. The button is mechanically coupled to the top clasp receiver and the bottom clasp receiver via the arm and plurality of hinges, integrated within the grip body 1. As the button is pressed, the top clasp and bottom clasp are released from the top clasp receiver and the bottom clasp receiver respectively. This enables the user to easily remove the grip body 1 from an underlying structure 4 after playing a round. It should be further noted that the grip body 1 may be created in various shapes and sizes while still staying within the scope of the present invention.

In yet another alternative embodiment, along the second end 15 is a plurality of grooves wherein a plurality of corresponding groove receiver is positioned along the first end 14, in place of the top clasp, bottom clasp, top clasp receiver, bottom clasp receiver, and button. In this alternative embodiment, the first end 14 and second end 15 interlock together with a puzzle piece like design, forming a hollow cylindrical shape around the underlying structure 4 such as a golf club grip.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.