Golf club grip for retaining an insert

Abstract

There are disclosed systems and methods for making golf clubs unique and in some cases personalized. A gripping system includes a grip for a golf club that is either completely clear or a portion thereof is clear, and an insert, to be maintained in the grip in contact with the shaft of the club. Typically, the inset is positioned with respect to the grip for maximum viewability. Methods for placing this gripping system onto golf clubs and the like are also disclosed.

1 . A gripping system, comprising: 
 a golf club having a cylindrical shaft;    at least one flexible, sheet-like insert having a thickness of approximately 2 millimeters, a length and first and second sides, said first side containing visible matter and said second side including an adhesive material, said insert being curved about its length such that said insert conforms to said shaft of said golf club with said adhesive material forming a bond between said insert and said shaft; and    a clear gripping member formed entirely from a spongy, tacky thermoplastic elastomer and having an arched rearward surface to accommodate the palms and fingers of a user and a flat outer surface to accommodate the thumbs of a user, and further including an inner cylindrical bore portion configured for enveloping and frictionally engaging said shaft of said golf club and said insert, and thereby retaining said insert intermediate said inner cylindrical bore portion and said shaft of said golf club and retain said gripping member upon said shaft.    
   
   
       2 . The gripping system of  claim 1 , wherein said inner cylindrical bore portion extends from an open end in said gripping member to a closed end of said gripping member.  
   
   
       3 . The gripping system of  claim 1 , wherein the insert includes a film with a holographic image.  
   
   
       4 . The gripping system of  claim 1 , wherein the insert includes a film with a series of repeating frenzel lens patterns.  
   
   
       5 . The gripping system of  claim 1 , wherein the grip is curved about its length so as to magnify any visible images on the sheet-like insert.  
   
   
       6 . A method for positioning a gripping system comprising: 
 providing a golf club having a cylindrical shaft;    providing an insert, said insert taking the form of a flexible two sided sheet, a first side of the sheet containing visible material and a second side containing an adhesive material, said insert being curved;    providing a clear gripping member formed entirely from a spongy, tacky thermoplastic elastomer and having an arched rearward surface and a flat outer surface, said gripping member having an inner portion configured for fitting along the shaft of a golf club;    placing said second side of said curved insert into contact with the shaft of said golf club such that said adhesive bonds thereto; and    placing said gripping member along said shaft of said golf club in a position to frictionally retain at least a portion of said insert in contact with said shaft of said golf club.    
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said placing said gripping member along the shaft of the golf club includes placing the gripping member over the shaft of the golf club to a point where said gripping member envelopes said insert.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said placing said gripping member along the shaft includes aligning said clear portion with respect to said insert.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said placing said insert into contact with the shaft of the golf club includes attaching said insert to the shaft.