Golf club grip with device housing

• US 9,227,118 B2
• Filed: 09/25/2014
• Issued: 01/05/2016
• 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:
  US14/496,460
• Publication Number:
  US 20150011324A1
• Time in Patent Office: 467 Days
• Field of Search: 473/131, 473/219, 473/221, 473/282, 473/300, 473/303
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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; and

a grip disposed at an end of the shaft; and

an electronic device comprising an RFID tag housed within a recess within the grip.

2. The golf club of claim 1, wherein a portion of the grip is configured like a flap that is openable to reveal the contents of the recess.

3. The golf club of claim 1, wherein the grip comprises a butt cap formed with a flap of material of the grip.

4. The golf club of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is surrounded in all directions by a material of the grip.

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

12 mm wide×

0.3 mm thick and includes a UHF RFID integrated circuit.

6. The golf club of claim 5, further comprising an additional device disposed at the grip.

7. A golf club comprising:

a head;

a shaft;

a grip dimensioned to receive an insert; and

a device disposed within the grip, the device comprising an RFID microchip, further wherein the device comprises a major axis that is perpendicular to an axis of the shaft.

8. The golf club of claim 7, wherein the device comprises a plastic shell.

9. The golf club of claim 8, wherein the plastic shell defines a case housing the RFID microchip.

10. The golf club of claim 9, wherein the case houses an additional electronic device.

11. The golf club of claim 7, wherein the device is accessible via a flap forming part of the grip.

12. 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 affixed within the grip by an adhesive, wherein the RFID tag is smaller than 5 cm in every dimension.

13. The golf club of claim 12, wherein the RFID tag has a hole through it.

14. The golf club of claim 12, wherein the RFID tag is within a recess with the grip and the recess is an accessible compartment and further wherein a portion of the grip is configured as a flap that is openable to reveal the contents of the recess.

15. The golf club of claim 12, wherein the RFID tag comprises an antenna with a squiggle design.