Golf grip with integral stand

Abstract

The invention provides an assembly for propping a golf club up so that the grip end of the club is elevated above the ground. The assembly is composed of a club stand hingeably mounted within the grip so as to be flush with the grip surface. The grip has the same circumferential shape as golf grips lacking the assembly so that the golf feels no or little difference between the two grip types.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A golf grip and stand assembly comprising:
 a grip for mounting on the handle end of a golf club, the grip being symmetrical in cross section and having a distal end and a proximal end in relation to the club face, and the grip having an opening at the proximal end formed to receive the shaft of the golf club and a longitudinal recess in the length of the grip; and   a club stand hingeably mounted at one end in the longitudinal recess in the grip, the stand having an interior surface and an exterior surface, the stand being formed and arranged such its exterior surface is flush with the grip surface when the stand is in a closed position and the stand is able to rotatably extend from the recess of the grip to an open position.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly according to  claim 1  where the grip has the same circumferential shape as golf grips lacking the assembly. 
     
     
         2 . The assembly according to  claim 1  additionally comprising a stand cover mounted on the exterior surface of the stand and being formed of the same material as the remainder of the grip. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly according to  claim 2  additionally comprising means for releasably retaining the stand in a closed position. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly according to  claim 3  wherein the retaining means comprises a magnet mounted on the interior surface of the stand near the unhinged end of the stand. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly according to  claim 2  wherein the stand cover extends beyond the length of the stand to form a shelf end for grasping to rotate the stand to its open position. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly according to claim additionally comprising a hinge stop for preventing extension of the stand beyond ninety degrees in its open position. 
     
     
         7 . A golf grip and stand assembly comprising:
 a grip for mounting on the handle end of a golf club, the grip being symmetrical in cross section and having a distal end and a proximal end in relation to the club face, and the grip having an opening at the proximal end formed to receive the shaft of the golf club and a longitudinal recess in the length of the grip;   a club stand hingeably mounted at one end in the longitudinal recess in the grip, the stand having an interior surface and an exterior surface, the stand being formed and arranged such its exterior surface is flush with the grip surface when the stand is in its closed position and the stand is able to rotatably extend from the recess of the grip to an open position; and   a stand cover mounted on the exterior surface of the stand and being formed of the same material as the remainder of the grip.   
     
     
         8 . The assembly according to  claim 2  additionally comprising means for releasably retaining the stand in a closed position. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly according to  claim 3  wherein the retaining means comprises a magnet mounted on the interior surface of the stand near the unhinged end of the stand. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly according to  claim 2  wherein the stand cover extends beyond the length of the stand to form a shelf end for grasping to rotate the stand to its open position. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly according to claim additionally comprising a hinge stop for preventing extension of the stand beyond ninety degrees in its open position. 
     
     
         12 . A golf grip and stand assembly comprising:
 a grip for mounting on the handle end of a golf club, the grip being symmetrical in cross section and having a distal end and a proximal end in relation to the club face, and the grip having an opening at the proximal end formed to receive the shaft of the golf club and a longitudinal recess in the length of the grip;   a club stand hingeably mounted at one end in the longitudinal recess in the grip, the stand having an interior surface and an exterior surface, the stand being formed and arranged such its exterior surface is flush with the grip surface when the stand is in its closed position and the stand is able to rotatably extend from the recess of the grip to an open position;   a stand cover mounted on the exterior surface of the stand and being formed of the same material as the remainder of the grip;   a magnet mounted on the interior surface of the stand near the unhinged end of the stand; and   a hinge stop for preventing extension of the stand beyond ninety degrees in its open position.