Antimicrobial grips for sports equipment

Abstract

Aspects of the present invention relate to an antimicrobial grip for handles on equipment. More particularly, in preferred aspects, the present invention relates to a shock-absorbing grip for handles on sports and exercise equipment, wherein the grip is further adapted to inhibit microbial growth by incorporation of a long-lasting, non-toxic inorganic antimicrobial agent.

1 . An antimicrobial grip, comprising an elongated strip comprising an elastomer layer bonded to a textile layer, wherein said elastomer layer further comprises an inorganic antimicrobial agent.  
     
     
         2 . The antimicrobial grip of  claim 1 , wherein said elastomer layer comprises polyurethane.  
     
     
         3 . The antimicrobial grip of  claim 2 , wherein said polyurethane has a plurality of closed pores that extend vertically in a direction normal to a longitudinal axis of the elongated strip.  
     
     
         4 . The antimicrobial grip of  claim 1 , wherein said textile layer comprises felt.  
     
     
         5 . The antimicrobial grip of  claim 1 , wherein said textile layer further comprises an adhesive layer and a protective quick-release tape, such that upon release of the tape, the elongated strip can be adhered to a handle.  
     
     
         6 . The antimicrobial grip of  claim 1 , wherein said inorganic antimicrobial agent comprises an antimicrobial metal, selected from the group consisting of silver, copper, zinc, tin, mercury, lead, iron, cobalt, nickel, manganese, arsenic, antimony, bismuth, barium, cadmium and chromium.  
     
     
         7 . The antimicrobial grip of  claim 6 , wherein the antimicrobial metal is silver or zinc.  
     
     
         8 . The antimicrobial grip of  claim 6 , wherein the antimicrobial metal is silver.  
     
     
         9 . The antimicrobial grip of  claim 6 , wherein said antimicrobial agent further comprises a porous mineral-based carrier.  
     
     
         10 . The antimicrobial grip of  claim 9 , wherein the porous mineral-based carrier is selected from the group consisting of a silica-alumina carrier, a zeolite carrier, or a zirconium phosphate carrier.  
     
     
         11 . The antimicrobial grip of  claim 10 , wherein the porous mineral based carrier is a silica-alumina carrier.  
     
     
         12 . The antimicrobial grip of  claim 11 , wherein the silica-alumina carrier is montmorillonite, having a chemical formula: Na 0.7 Al 3.3 Mg 0.7 Si 8 O 20 (OH) 4 ·nH 2 O.  
     
     
         13 . The antimicrobial grip of  claim 1 , wherein said inorganic antimicrobial agent is present at a concentration by weight in a range of about 0. 1% to 20%.  
     
     
         14 . The antimicrobial grip of  claim 13 , wherein the concentration by weight of said inorganic antimicrobial agent is in a range of about 1% to 10%.  
     
     
         15 . The antimicrobial grip of  claim 14 , wherein the concentration by weight of said inorganic antimicrobial agent is about 2%.  
     
     
         16 . A golf club, comprising an antimicrobial grip comprising a layer of polyurethane bonded to a layer of felt, said layers of polyurethane and felt being configured so as to reduce impact-related shock, wherein said polyurethane layer further comprises a silver-based inorganic antimicrobial agent dispersed therein.  
     
     
         17 . The golf club of  claim 16 , wherein said silver-based inorganic antimicrobial agent comprises montmorillonite containing silver at a concentration of about 1% to 15% by weight.  
     
     
         18 . The golf club of  claim 16 , wherein said silver-based inorganic antimicrobial agent comprises montmorillonite containing silver at a concentration of about 2% by weight.  
     
     
         19 . A racquet, comprising an antimicrobial grip comprising a layer of polyurethane bonded to a layer of felt, said layers of polyurethane and felt being configured so as to reduce impact-related shock, wherein said polyurethane layer further comprises a silver-based inorganic antimicrobial agent dispersed therein.  
     
     
         20 . The racquet of  claim 19 , wherein said silver-based inorganic antimicrobial agent comprises montmorillonite containing silver at a concentration of about 1% to 15% by weight.  
     
     
         21 . The racquet of  claim 19 , wherein said silver-based inorganic antimicrobial agent comprises montmorillonite containing silver at a concentration of about 2% by weight.  
     
     
         22 . An exercise device, comprising an antimicrobial grip comprising a layer of polyurethane bonded to a layer of felt, said layers of polyurethane and felt being configured so as to reduce impact-related shock, wherein said polyurethane layer further comprises a silver-based inorganic antimicrobial agent dispersed therein.  
     
     
         23 . The exercise device of  claim 22 , wherein said silver-based inorganic antimicrobial agent comprises montmorillonite containing silver at a concentration of about 1% to 15% by weight.  
     
     
         24 . The exercise device of  claim 22 , wherein said silver-based inorganic antimicrobial agent comprises montmorillonite containing silver at a concentration of about 2% by weight.