Hand grip and method of making same

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a multicompound hand grip for an implement, like a golf club grip, that has varying hardness in selected areas. The grip has an inner sleeve and an outer panel. The inner sleeve is made of a first elastomeric material and includes selected raised portions that provide a reinforcement ridge in some embodiments to provide varying hardness at selected locations or areas. The sleeve is made of a material having a durometer value that differs from the material and the durometer value of the outer panel to provide a grip with good tactile feel and gripping qualities.

1 . A golf grip, comprising:
 an elongated flexible sleeve constructed to slip onto a shaft, said entire flexible sleeve being injection molded and formed from at least a first elastomeric material, said flexible sleeve having a cap portion at an upper end, a nipple portion at a lower end, and a ridge extending from said cap portion to said nipple portion, and being connected thereto, said cap portion, said nipple portion and said ridge defining raised portions of said flexible sleeve; and   a single elongated flexible panel of at least a second elastomeric material constructed to wrap entirely around a lower surface portion of said flexible sleeve, said flexible panel being compression molded and integrally bonded to said flexible sleeve for forming a grip with varying hardness.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The grip of  claim 1 , wherein said flexible panel comprises a material with a durometer value different from a durometer value of said flexible sleeve. 
     
     
         4 . The grip of  claim 3 , wherein said flexible panel comprises a durometer value ranging from approximately 30 to approximately 45 Shore A. 
     
     
         5 . The grip of  claim 4 , wherein said flexible sleeve comprises a rubber material with a durometer value ranging from approximately 50 to approximately 65 Shore A. 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . The grip of  claim 1 , further comprising grooves selectively arranged in the outer surface of said flexible panel. 
     
     
         16 . A method of forming a grip, the method comprising the steps of:
 injection molding a flexible sleeve of at least a first elastomeric material configured to slip onto a shaft of an implement;   wrapping a flexible panel of at least a second elastomeric material around a selected portion of the sleeve; and   subjecting the flexible panel and flexible sleeve to sufficient compressive force and heat to integrally bond the flexible panel to the flexible sleeve in a manner that forms a grip with varying hardness at selected locations on the grip.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the step of subjecting comprises the step of compression molding the flexible panel to the flexible sleeve. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the grip comprises a golf club grip. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the sleeve is injection molded with elevated portions thereon and an axially extending ridge.