Sports Implement Having Slip-On Grip

Abstract

A sports implement includes a main body portion having a first contact surface, a second contact surface, and a sidewall positioned about a perimeter of each of the first and the second contact surfaces, a handle portion extending from the main body portion, and an attachable grip member. The handle portion has a handle axis and a distal end, wherein the main body portion and the handle portion cooperate to define an implement dimension value. The attachable grip member includes a grip body portion and a grip end portion. The grip body portion is removably coupled with the distal end of the handle portion. When the attachable grip member is coupled with the handle portion, the attachable grip member, the handle portion, and the main body portion cooperate to define a grip dimension value.

1 . A sports implement comprising:
 a main body portion having a first contact surface, a second contact surface, and a sidewall positioned about a perimeter of each of the first and the second contact surfaces;   a handle portion extending from the main body portion, the handle portion having a handle axis and a distal end, wherein the main body portion and the handle portion cooperate to define an implement dimension value; and   an attachable grip member including a grip body portion and a grip end portion, the grip body portion being removably coupled with the distal end of the handle portion, wherein when the attachable grip member is coupled with the handle portion, the attachable grip member, the handle portion, and the main body portion cooperate to define a grip dimension value.   
     
     
         2 . The sports implement of  claim 1 , wherein the grip body portion includes a central cavity dimensioned to slidably receive a portion of the handle portion. 
     
     
         3 . The sports implement of  claim 2 , wherein the grip body portion includes a plurality of ribs positioned around the central cavity. 
     
     
         4 . The sports implement of  claim 2 , wherein the grip body portion includes a generally solid member around the central cavity. 
     
     
         5 . The sports implement of  claim 2 , wherein the central cavity extends through the grip end portion of the attachable grip member. 
     
     
         6 . The sports implement of  claim 5 , wherein the distal end of the handle portion protrudes outwardly from the grip end portion of the attachable grip member. 
     
     
         7 . The sports implement of  claim 2 , wherein the grip end portion cooperates with the distal end of the handle to define a secondary finger grip. 
     
     
         8 . The sports implement of  claim 1 , wherein the grip dimension value is equal to the implement dimension value. 
     
     
         9 . The sports implement of  claim 1 , wherein the attachable grip member is constructed from a resilient material. 
     
     
         10 . The sports implement of  claim 1 , wherein the main body portion, the handle portion, and the grip member have a combined length of less than 18″. 
     
     
         11 . The sports implement of  claim 1 , wherein the grip body includes an elongated portion and an angled ridge extending obliquely along a plane relative to the handle axis. 
     
     
         12 . The sports implement of  claim 11 , wherein the grip body further includes a grip butt disposed between the angled ridge and the grip end portion, wherein the grip end portion is arranged generally perpendicularly to the handle axis. 
     
     
         13 . The sports implement of  claim 1 , wherein the grip dimension value is less than 0.5% more than the implement dimension value. 
     
     
         14 . An attachable grip member for a sports implement, the grip member comprising:
 a grip body portion defining a central cavity adapted to removably receive a handle portion of a sports implement; and   a grip end portion operably coupled with the grip body portion, wherein the grip end portion does not protrude a distance beyond an end of the handle portion of the sports implement when coupled therewith.   
     
     
         15 . The attachable grip member of  claim 14 , wherein the grip body portion includes a plurality of hollow ribs positioned around the central cavity. 
     
     
         16 . The attachable grip member of  claim 14 , wherein the grip body portion includes a generally solid member around the central cavity. 
     
     
         17 . The attachable grip member of claim  17 , wherein the central cavity extends through the grip end portion of the attachable grip member. 
     
     
         18 . The attachable grip member of  claim 17 , wherein the grip body includes an elongated portion and an angled ridge extending obliquely along a plane relative to the elongated portion. 
     
     
         19 . The attachable grip member of  claim 18 , further including a grip butt disposed between the angled ridge and the grip end portion, wherein the grip end portion is arranged generally perpendicularly to the handle axis. 
     
     
         20 . A grip wrap for a sports implement, the wrap comprising:
 an elongated sheet having a first end, a second end, an upper portion, and a lower portion;   a gripping protrusion extending a length of the elongated sheet near the second end thereof, the gripping protrusion including an angled ridge;   wherein upon wrapping the grip wrap around a handle of the sports implement, the angled ridge is adapted to extend obliquely along a plane relative to the handle of the sports implement.   
     
     
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