Games using tangible projectile – Golf – Club or club support
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-27
2001-07-17
Zirker, Daniel (Department: 1771)
Games using tangible projectile
Golf
Club or club support
C473S300000, C473S303000, C473S301000, C428S130000, C428S167000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06261191
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates in general to an improved grip tape for a handle, and more specifically to a grip tape having a top gripping surface comprised of a plurality of materials; each material having an associated area of the top gripping surfaces.
2. Background of the Invention
Grip tape for wrapping a racquet handle to enhance grip and/or to reduce shock is well-known. A common conventional grip tape of polyurethane comprises a layer of grip material backed with a layer of felt. The felt layer provides part of the elasticity, strength, cushioning and shock resistance. The bottom of the tape may be skived (beveled) such that the tape can be spiral wrapped with overlapping edges. Other common grip materials for grip tapes are leather, rubber and plastic.
A problem with conventional grip tapes is that each grip material has characteristics which make it desirable and characteristics that make it undesirable. Desirable characteristics include durability and abrasion resistance, shock absorption or cushiness, tackiness, traction when wet, and dryness. For example, polyurethane provides greater shock absorption than leather, but leather is more durable. Thus, each grip material is a compromise.
Prior attempts to improve grips have focused mainly on physically modifying the grip surface. For example, a resin or tackifying agent has been applied to leather, and surface projections have been added to polyurethane. Pores have been added to reduce wetness. These attempts generally enhance only one desirable characteristic of a grip.
Therefore, there has been a need for an improved grip tape that is superior to existing tapes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A grip tape for wrapping a handle for enhancing the shock absorption and traction of the handle comprises an elongate tape having a bottom, a left side, a right side, and a top having an outer surface for gripping. The top of the tape includes a first material having a top comprising a part of the outer surface and a second material, different from the first material, having a top also comprising a part of the outer surface. Preferably, the first material is a more cushioning material than the second material, and the top of the first material is higher than the top of the second material. In another embodiment, in lateral cross section, the first material is central and the second material is disposed to both sides. Typical materials, listed in order of first material to second material, include: thermoplastic rubber, polyurethane (synthetic leather), leather, synthetic cork, and sandpaper. Three or more materials can be used.
In another embodiment, the first material traverses the tape such that it presents traction enhancing edges for resisting torque.
Preferably, the tape is spiral wrapped around a handle such that the right side overlies the top of the left side of the previous turn.
Other features and many attendant advantages of the invention will become more apparent upon a reading of the following detailed description together with the drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3028283 (1962-04-01), Lundgren et al.
patent: 4174109 (1979-11-01), Gaiser
patent: 4476742 (1984-10-01), Midgley
patent: 5055340 (1991-10-01), Matsumura et al.
patent: 5158287 (1992-10-01), Janes
patent: 5397123 (1995-03-01), Huang
patent: 5435549 (1995-07-01), Chen
patent: 5851632 (1998-12-01), Chen et al.
Tervo Calif
Zirker Daniel
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