Golf club grip with device housing

• US 8,517,850 B1
• Filed: 12/11/2012
• Issued: 08/27/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cobra Golf Company (Puma SE)
• Original Assignee: Cobra Golf Company (Puma SE)
• Inventors: Beno, Tim A., Curtis, Andrew, McDonnell, Michael T., Yagley, Michael S., Moreira, Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): Chiu, Raleigh W
• Application Number:
  US13/711,097
• Time in Patent Office: 259 Days
• Field of Search: 473/131, 473/219, 473/221, 473/282, 473/300, 473/303
• US Class Current: 473/221
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0204 Standing on the feet
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/10 with adhesive type surfaces, i.e. hook and loop-type fastener
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/17 Counting, e.g. counting periodical movements, revolutions or cycles, or including further data processing to determine distances or speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/833 Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/54 Transponders, e.g. RFID
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0062 Monitoring athletic performances, e.g. for determining the work of a user on an exercise apparatus, the completed jogging or cycling distance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/00 Golf clubs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/14 Handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/002 Resonance frequency related characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/08 characterised by the material
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/14 Coverings specially adapted for handles, e.g. sleeves or ribbons
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/42 Devices for measuring, verifying, correcting or customising the inherent characteristics of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like, e.g. measuring the maximum torque a batting shaft can withstand
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/46 Measurement devices associated with golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like for measuring physical parameters relating to sporting activity, e.g. baseball bats with impact indicators or bracelets for measuring the golf swing
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/54 with means for damping vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3632 Clubs or attachments on clubs, e.g. for measuring, aligning A63B69/3614 takes precedence; clubs for swinging exercises in general A63B15/00

Abstract

The invention relates to golf clubs, more particularly to mechanisms for fastening accessories to clubs. The invention provides a golf club configured to house an electronic device such as an RFID tag within a recess within the grip, thereby protecting the device from the stress, shock, and exposure that arises when a golf club is used.

Claims

1. A golf club comprising:

a head;

a shaft extending from the head;

a grip disposed at an end of the shaft distal from the head, wherein the grip comprises a recess dimensioned to receive an RFID tag, wherein the recess comprises a substantially rectangular perimeter, further wherein the recess is curved co-axially with the shaft; and

an RFID tag disposed within the recess.

2. A golf club comprising:

a head;

a shaft extending from the head;

a grip disposed at an end of the shaft distal from the head, wherein the grip comprises a recess dimensioned to receive an RFID tag, wherein the recess comprises a substantially rectangular perimeter, further wherein the recess is curved co-axially with the shaft; and

an RFID tag disposed within the recess, wherein the RFID tag comprises a flexible sheet of material having a rectangular shape.

3. A golf club comprising:

a head;

a shaft extending from the head;

a grip disposed at an end of the shaft distal from the head, wherein the grip comprises a recess dimensioned to receive an RFID tag; and

an RFID tag disposed within the recess, wherein the recess comprises a slot extending through an outer surface of the grip and into a material of the grip and the RFID tag is disposed within the slot.

4. A golf club comprising:

a head;

a shaft extending from the head;

a grip disposed at an end of the shaft distal from the head, wherein the grip comprises a recess dimensioned to receive an RFID tag; and

an RFID tag disposed within the recess, wherein a wire extends from the grip and into an interior of the club.