US4979743A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Golf club grip
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1989-12-05
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Granted: 1990-12-25
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Expires: 2009-12-05
Abstract
Abstract An improved golf putter is provided utilizing a golf grip connected to the shaft at a single point away from the vibrational nodes on the shaft within the grip. The grip is hollow and bell shaped so that both by shape and by composition of the matter of the grip, resonance or ringing of the grip is enhanced. A lower portion of the grip flares outwardly in the open bell shape not only to enchance resonance but also to provide a hard surface of enlarged diameter in contact with the fingers and plams of the player. This bell shaped portion is the dominant portion which controls the stroke of the putter and therefore allows an improved sense of feel to the player from the impact of the ball. In addition, any disturbing torques which are applied to the players's hands are more easily resisted by means of the enlarged ball shaped grip diamter.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerard A. Sears
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 04:53
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B53/00; A63B53/007; A63B53/14; A63B60/00; A63B60/002; A63B60/06; A63B60/08; A63B69/00; A63B69/36; A63B69/3676; A63B69/3685; A63B71/00; A63B71/06; A63B71/0619; A63B2071/0655; A63B2102/00; A63B2102/22; A63B59/00; A63B59/70; A63B60/10; A63B60/12; A63B71/0622
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
234 words
An improved golf club putter for impacting a golf ball and having a shaft with a handle portion extending axially inward from a first end and a club head attached to a second end opposite of said first end, said improvement comprising: connection means for connecting a grip member to a region of said shaft on said handle portion proximate a nodal point, said nodal point attained through the concentration of minimal vibration energy near said nodal point, said vibrational energy created by the transmission of complex frequencies along said shaft when said club head impacts said golf ball; wherein said grip member has an upper portion and a lower portion, said upper portion being generally hollow and having a generally uniform exterior first diameter and extending generally axially inward from said first end to said connection means, said lower portion being generally hollow and extending generally axially from said connection means toward said club head to lowermost end and being cantilevered from said shaft below said region of said connection means, said lower portion having an exterior second diameter larger than said first diameter which gradually and smoothly tapers into said upper portion to provide an outwardly flared opening at the lowermost end of said lower portion; wherein said grip member and shaft are each formed of resonant material, whereby an acoustic feedback is provided when said club head strikes said golf ball.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
234 words
An improved golf club putter for impacting a golf ball and having a shaft with a handle portion extending axially inward from a first end and a club head attached to a second end opposite of said first end, said improvement comprising: connection means for connecting a grip member to a region of said shaft on said handle portion proximate a nodal point, said nodal point attained through the concentration of minimal vibration energy near said nodal point, said vibrational energy created by the transmission of complex frequencies along said shaft when said club head impacts said golf ball; wherein said grip member has an upper portion and a lower portion, said upper portion being generally hollow and having a generally uniform exterior first diameter and extending generally axially inward from said first end to said connection means, said lower portion being generally hollow and extending generally axially from said connection means toward said club head to lowermost end and being cantilevered from said shaft below said region of said connection means, said lower portion having an exterior second diameter larger than said first diameter which gradually and smoothly tapers into said upper portion to provide an outwardly flared opening at the lowermost end of said lower portion; wherein said grip member and shaft are each formed of resonant material, whereby an acoustic feedback is provided when said club head strikes said golf ball.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein said lower portion comprises means for resisting disturbing torques transmitted through said grip member during stroke impact of said golf ball by said golf club, which disturbing torques tend to twist said shaft off-line and result in misdirected impact of said golf ball.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein said grip member provides control of the stroke of said golf putter by providing a lower portion of enlarged diameter adapted to provide a larger surface for enhanced tactile fingertip contact.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein said grip member is hollow.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-12-24 | 1994-06-25 | 1994-12-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-12-24 | 1998-06-25 | 1998-12-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-12-24 | 2002-06-25 | 2002-12-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |