Silicone grips for golf clubs and methods of making same

Abstract

Golf grips for golf clubs are provided. The grip comprises an elongated flexible sleeve that slips onto the shaft of a golf club, silicone ink applied to the sleeve surface to form printed indicia thereon, and an elongated flexible panel of silicone material wrapped around and integrally bonded to the sleeve, wherein the printed indicia is visible through the panel.

1 . A grip for a golf club, comprising:
 an elongated flexible sleeve that slips onto the shaft of a golf club;   silicone ink applied to the sleeve surface to form printed indicia thereon; and   an elongated flexible panel of silicone material wrapped around and integrally bonded to the sleeve, wherein the printed indicia is visible through the panel.   
     
     
         2 . The grip of  claim 1 , wherein the panel comprises opposite first and second edge portions joined together to define a longitudinal seam. 
     
     
         3 . The grip of  claim 2 , wherein the panel first and second edges are joined together in mating relationship. 
     
     
         4 . The grip of  claim 3 , wherein the panel first and second edges are joined together to form a lap joint. 
     
     
         5 . The grip of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve comprises silicone material. 
     
     
         6 . The grip of  claim 1 , further comprising a nipple at a proximal end of the sleeve, wherein the nipple comprises an upwardly facing circumferential slot, and wherein a proximal end of the panel is received within the slot. 
     
     
         7 . The grip of  claim 1 , further comprising a cap at a distal end of the sleeve, wherein the cap comprises a downwardly facing circumferential slot, and wherein a distal end of the panel is received within the slot. 
     
     
         8 . A method of forming a grip for a golf club, the method comprising:
 applying silicone ink to a surface of a flexible sleeve configured to slip onto the shaft of a golf club, wherein the silicone ink forms printed indicia on the sleeve surface;   wrapping a flexible panel of silicone material around the sleeve, wherein the printed indicia is visible through the panel; and   subjecting the panel and sleeve to conditions sufficient to integrally bond the panel to the sleeve without the use of adhesive material.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising applying a primer material to a surface of the panel that contacts the sleeve prior to wrapping the sleeve therearound. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the sleeve comprises silicone material. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the panel first and second edges are joined together in mating relationship. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the panel first and second edges are joined together to form a lap joint. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the sleeve comprises a proximal end and an opposite distal end, wherein the panel comprises a proximal end and an opposite distal end, wherein a nipple is located at the sleeve proximal end and comprises an upwardly facing circumferential slot, and wherein wrapping the panel around the sleeve comprises inserting the panel proximal end within the slot. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the sleeve comprises a proximal end and an opposite distal end, wherein the panel comprises a proximal end and an opposite distal end, wherein a cap is located at the sleeve distal end and comprises a downwardly facing circumferential slot, and wherein wrapping the panel around the sleeve comprises inserting the panel distal end within the slot. 
     
     
         15 . A method of forming a grip for a golf club, the method comprising:
 applying silicone ink to a surface of a pattern of flexible material, wherein the silicone ink forms printed indicia thereon; and   forming the pattern of flexible material into a grip configured to slip onto the shaft of a golf club.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 wrapping a flexible panel of silicone material around the grip, wherein the printed indicia is visible through the panel; and   subjecting the panel and grip to conditions sufficient to integrally bond the panel to the grip without the use of adhesive material.   
     
     
         17 . A method of forming a grip for a golf club, the method comprising:
 applying silicone ink to a surface of a flexible sleeve configured to slip onto the shaft of a golf club, wherein the silicone ink forms printed indicia on the sleeve surface.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising applying a coating of silicone material to the sleeve surface. 
     
     
         19 . A grip for a golf club, comprising:
 an elongated flexible sleeve that slips onto the shaft of a golf club; and   silicone ink applied to the sleeve surface to form printed indicia thereon.   
     
     
         20 . The grip of  claim 19 , wherein the sleeve comprises silicone material.