Golf grip with advanced texture

Abstract

A flexible grip for a golf club having in one version a groove with an acute angle undercut grove in either or both the inner and outer surface to improve gripability. In another version, either or both of the inner and outer surface may be textured with peaks and valleys with radius less than 0.2 mm. In another version, either or both of the inner and outer surfaces may have a textured surface with raised portions having a height less than 0.3 mm. In another version, either or both the inner and outer surface may have a microtexture with raised portions having a transverse section width not greater than 0.3 mm with a height about 2 multiples of the transverse section width. In another version, the wall of the grip has voids or hollow spaces for improved cushioning for the user's grip.

1 . A flexible grip for the handle of an implement to be moved manually with speed and force comprising:
 (a) a tubular member formed of elastomeric material having an open end and a substantially closed end distal the open end;   (b) at least one textured portion formed on a surface of the tubular member intermediate the open end and the substantially closed end, the textured portion having an undercut at an acute angle.   
     
     
         2 . The grip of  claim 1 , wherein the textured portion includes a depression having a cross-shaped configuration. 
     
     
         3 . The grip of  claim 1 , wherein the textured portion includes a spiral groove. 
     
     
         4 . The grip of  claim 1 , further comprising undercut grooves formed on one of (i) the inner periphery and (ii) the outer periphery of the tubular member. 
     
     
         5 . The grip of  claim 1 , wherein the textured portion is formed on one of (i) the interior surface, (ii) the outer surface and (iii) the interior surface and the outer surface. 
     
     
         6 . The grip of  claim 1 , wherein the textured portion has a plurality of raised peaks and valleys having a radius in the range 0.02 mm to 0.2 mm. 
     
     
         7 . The grip of  claim 1 , wherein the textured portion has a plurality of raised peaks and valleys having a radius less than 0.3 mm. 
     
     
         8 . A flexible grip for the shaft of a golf club comprising:
 (a) a tubular member formed of elastomeric material having an open end and a substantially closed end distal the open end;   (b) a microtexture formed on one of (i) the exterior surface, (ii) the interior surface, and (iii) the interior and exterior surfaces having raised portions not greater than 0.3 mm in transverse section width with a height in the range 2-5 multiples of the width.   
     
     
         9 . The grip of  claim 8 , wherein the raised portions are spaced a distance in the range 2-5 multiples of the transverse section width. 
     
     
         10 . A flexible grip for the shaft of a golf club comprising:
 (a) a tubular member formed of elastomeric material having an open end and a substantially closed end distal the open end;   (b) a closed void formed in the tubular member intermediate the inner and outer periphery thereof for providing cushioning upon gripping by the user.   
     
     
         11 . The grip of  claim 10 , further comprising a plurality of axially spaced voids.