Grip for apparatus handle and paddle assembly and method of making the same

Abstract

A grip material comprising a first material and a second material thermochemical bonded to form a unitary structure having a first surface and a second surface. The first surface can have a first set of properties, and the second surface can have a second set of properties. The first set of properties can be different than the second set of properties. The first material can be formed as a first layer providing the first surface of the unitary structure. The first material can be a TPV material containing a foaming agent. The second material can be formed as a second layer providing a second surface of the unitary structure of the grip material. The second layer can be a TPE material.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A grip material for an apparatus, comprising:
 a first layer having a first side and a second side, wherein the first layer is comprised of a first thermoplastic material having; and   a second layer having a first side and a second side, wherein the first layer is comprised of a second thermoplastic material,
 wherein the second side of the first layer is thermochemically bonded to the first side of the second layer to form a unitary structure. 
   
     
     
         2 . The grip material of  claim 1 , wherein the first thermoplastic material has vibration reducing properties with little to no rebound. 
     
     
         3 . The grip material of  claim 2 , wherein the second thermoplastic material is a hydrophobic material. 
     
     
         4 . The grip material of  claim 3 , wherein the first layer has a durometer between 10 ShoreA -50 ShoreA. 
     
     
         5 . The grip material of  claim 4 , wherein the second layer has a durometer between 30 ShoreA-60 ShoreA. 
     
     
         6 . The grip material of  claim 2 , wherein the first layer is extruded from a thermoplastic elastomer. 
     
     
         7 . The grip material of  claim 3 , wherein the first and second layer are co-extruded in a unitary structure. 
     
     
         8 . The grip material of  claim 4 , wherein the first layer has a tackiness configured to couple a first portion of the first layer to the apparatus and the couple to a second portion of the first layer. 
     
     
         9 . The grip material of  claim 5 , wherein the second layer is comprised of a 40 ShoreA durometer material. 
     
     
         10 . The grip material of  claim 6 , wherein the second layer is comprised of a thermoplastic elastomer. 
     
     
         11 . The grip material of  claim 10 , wherein the first layer is comprised of a thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV). 
     
     
         12 . The grip material of  claim 11 , wherein the TPV includes a foam component. 
     
     
         13 . The grip material of  claim 12 , wherein the second side of the second layer has a textured pattern configured to provide one or more channels to wick away water and allow for airflow through the channels. 
     
     
         14 . The grip material of  claim 13 , wherein the first side of the first layer has a first width, and the second side of the second layer has a second width. 
     
     
         15 . The grip material of  claim 14 , wherein the first width and second width are equal. 
     
     
         16 . The grip material of  claim 13 , wherein the first width is less than the second width forming a chamfered edge between along a length of the grip material. 
     
     
         17 . The grip material of  claim 1 , wherein the first layer is a viscoelastic open cell foam material. 
     
     
         18 . A method of producing a grip material with a first surface and a second surface wherein the first surface and second surface have two distinctive properties comprising:
 providing a first material layer having a first set of properties;   providing a second material layer having a second set of properties; and   coextruding the first material layer and second material layer simultaneously thermochemically bonding the first material layer and second material layer together to form a unitary structure.