Golf club grip with device housing

• US 8,870,673 B2
• Filed: 07/19/2013
• Issued: 10/28/2014
• 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., Moreira, Scott H., Yagley, Michael S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chiu, Raleigh W
• Application Number:
  US13/946,543
• Publication Number:
  US 20140162802A1
• Time in Patent Office: 466 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 comprising a body with a ball striking face and a hosel;

a shaft extending from the hosel;

a grip disposed at an end of the shaft; and

an RFID tag molded into the grip.

2. The golf club of claim 1, wherein the RFID tag is surrounded in all directions by a material of the grip.

3. The golf club of claim 1, wherein the grip comprises an underlisting and an outer grip, and the RFID tag is molded into a material of the underlisting.

4. The golf club of claim 1, wherein the grip further comprises a recess, and the recess comprises an insert disposed therein, and the RFID tag is disposed within the insert.

5. The golf club of claim 1, wherein the RFID tag is about 100 mm long×

12 mm wide×

0.3 mm thick and includes a UHF RFID integrated circuit and the golf club further comprises an additional device disposed at the grip.

6. A golf club comprising:

a head;

a shaft;

a grip comprising a recess dimensioned to receive an insert; and

an insert disposed within the recess of the grip and dimensioned to house an electronic device.

7. The golf club of claim 6, wherein the electronic device that the insert is dimensioned to house is an RFID tag.

8. The golf club of claim 6, wherein the insert is a case.

9. The golf club of claim 8, wherein the case is dimensioned to house the electronic device and at least one additional electronic device.

10. The golf club of claim 6, wherein the insert comprises a dampening material.

11. The golf club of claim 6, wherein the insert comprises hard plastic and further includes a dampening material.

12. The golf club of claim 6, wherein the insert comprises a plastic box.

13. The golf club of claim 12, wherein the box comprises a base and a separate lid.

14. The golf club of claim 6, further comprising an electronic device housed by the insert and a wire connected to the electronic device and extending through a hole in the insert and the shaft.

15. A golf club comprising:

a head having a ball-striking face and a hosel;

a shaft connected to the head via the hosel;

a grip covering a distal portion of the shaft; and

an RFID tag with an adhesive backing affixed to the golf club within the grip via the adhesive backing of the RFID tag.

16. The golf club of claim 15, wherein the RFID tag is adhered to the shaft.

17. The golf club of claim 15, wherein the RFID tag comprises an antenna with a squiggle design.

18. The golf club of claim 15, wherein the RFID tag comprises a poly-vinyl chloride sleeve.