Games using tangible projectile – Golf – Hand on grip positioning aid or grip indicator
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-12
2001-04-03
Chapman, Jeanette (Department: 3711)
Games using tangible projectile
Golf
Hand on grip positioning aid or grip indicator
C473S206000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06210289
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention pertains to a golf grip hand alignment device. More specifically, it pertains to a hand alignment structure that may be applied as an overlay to a standard golf club grip.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
Various golf club teaching aids and other devices have been used to help the golfer position his hands on the golf club grip properly. Correct hand position is known to be an important element in executing a golf shot properly. Prior hand alignment devices include special grips provided as replacements for standard golf club grips. While these grips may be effective in ensuring proper hand alignment, it is expensive to re-grip an entire set of golf clubs. This expense is doubled when one wishes to convert their set of golf clubs back to standard grips from the hand alignment training grips.
An example of prior art hand alignment golf club grip is that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,480,146 issued to Comer on Jan. 2, 1996. Other patent prior art of which the applicant is aware includes the following: U.S. Pat. No. D395,477, entitled Golf Grip, issued on Jun. 23, 1998; U.S. Pat. No. 4,012,039, entitled Permanent Form-Fitting, Non-Slip Cover For Handgripping Portion Of Baseball Bats, Golf Clubs And The Like, issued on Mar. 15, 1977; U.S. Pat. No. D399,90, entitled Golf Putter Grip, issued on Oct. 20, 1998; U.S. Pat. No. 5,868,631, entitled Golf Putter With Improved Handle, issued on Feb. 9, 1999; U.S. Pat. No. 5,830,081, entitled Golf Putters And Grips For Putters, issued on Nov. 3, 1998; U.S. Pat. No. 5,374,064, entitled Golf Club Training Apparatus, issued on Dec. 20, 1994; U.S. Pat. No. 5,167,416, entitled Golf Club With Perceptor Device, issued on Dec. 1, 1992; U.S. Pat. No. 5,143,375, entitled Golf Club Finger Support Device, issued on Sep. 1, 1992; U.S. Pat. No. 5,125,130, entitled Ergonomic Handle For Tools And Sporting Equipment, issued on Jun. 30 1992; U.S. Pat. No. 4,183,528, entitled Natural Physiological Grip For Game Rackets, issued on Jan. 15, 1980.
However, none of these references teach a simple means of ensuring proper golf grip hand alignment which is inexpensive, easily adaptable to an existing golf club, and readily removable without adversely effecting the golf club as originally gripped. There is, therefore, a need in art to fulfill these objectives.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In order to fulfill the needs in the art described above, the present invention has been devised that applies a rib of material along the outside of a standard golf club grip which guides the golfer's hands into proper alignment. The means of applying the rib may take various forms such as shown in the embodiments described herein, however, in each case the alignment rib is easily applied and removed, thus, saving the expense of re-gripping the golf clubs to achieve a hand aligning golf club grip.
In one embodiment, the alignment rib is in the form of a continuous metal wire which wraps around the surface of the golf club grip. The wire has a shape and sufficient resilience such that it readily clutches itself firmly to the golf club grip material by means of its torsional spring force. Being a continuous piece of resilient metal wire, it is extremely inexpensive to manufacture. In another embodiment, the rib may be a flaccid material whose position and affixation to the golf club grip is provided by a highly elastic sleeve into which it is embedded. The sleeve is applied to the golf grip as a pull-on cover which holds itself firmly to the golf club grip by the elastic constriction of the sleeve.
In either embodiment the objects of the present invention have been achieved whereby a hand alignment device for a golf club grip provides economy of manufacture, ease of use, and may be applied and removed to a standard golf club grip without affecting it. The present invention also provides a much more comfortable grip for the golfer. Greater detail of the present invention and other of its advantages will be apparent from the following drawings and description of the preferred embodiment.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1638454 (1927-08-01), Papin
patent: 2780464 (1957-02-01), Ashley
patent: 156538 (1954-05-01), None
patent: 17338 (1910-08-01), None
Blau Stephen L.
Chapman Jeanette
Gore Gregory J.
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