Golf club grip with device housing

• US 9,968,826 B2
• Filed: 07/07/2016
• Issued: 05/15/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cobra Golf Company (Puma SE)
• Original Assignee: Cobra Golf Company (Puma SE)
• Inventors: McDonnell, Mike, Moreira, Scott, Yagley, Mike
• Primary Examiner(s): Chiu, Raleigh W
• Application Number:
  US15/204,179
• Publication Number:
  US 20160354634A1
• Time in Patent Office: 677 Days
• 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 grip for a golf club, the grip comprising:

a sleeve member comprising a gripping surface, a first end providing an elongated opening with an internal bore configured to receive a shaft of a golf club, and an opposed butt-end of the grip;

a recess into a material of the grip;

a plastic insert within the recess; and

an electronic device tag housed within the plastic insert, wherein when the grip is installed on the golf club, the plastic insert makes contact with the grip and does not make contact with the shaft.

2. The grip of claim 1, wherein the electronic device comprises a microchip connected to an antenna.

3. The grip of claim 2, wherein the recess is at the butt-end of the grip.

4. The grip of claim 3, wherein the plastic shell comprises a base portion and a lid portion.

5. The grip of claim 4, wherein the base portion and the lid portion define a hard plastic case.

6. The grip of claim 5, wherein the grip is formed of rubber.

7. The grip of claim 6, wherein grip comprises indicia showing a functionality of the grip with the electronic device.

8. The grip of claim 6, wherein the insert is accessible via a part of the grip.