US20050125955A1

US20050125955A1 - Auxiliary grip for an object

Info

Publication number: US20050125955A1
Application number: US10/737,001
Authority: US
Inventors: Wayne Lewis
Original assignee: New Mexico Tech Research Foundation
Current assignee: New Mexico Tech Research Foundation
Priority date: 2003-12-16
Filing date: 2003-12-16
Publication date: 2005-06-16

Abstract

An auxiliary grip for an object is provided. The auxiliary grip has an oversized member that fits over the existing handle or shaft of an object and forms a handle for the object. The oversized member has an oval or elliptical cross-sectional shape.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an auxiliary grip for an object.
There is a real need to provide a handle or grip for an object that makes it easier to hold and/or use the object.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved, oversized grip for objects that provides a firmer grip, and facilitates a consistent hand position and better control.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

This object, and other objects and advantages of the present invention, will appear more clearly from the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying schematic drawing, in which:
FIG. 1 is an isometric view showing one exemplary embodiment of an auxiliary grip; and
FIG. 2 shows one half of a second exemplary embodiment of an auxiliary grip.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The auxiliary grip of the present application comprises an oversized member that fits over the existing handle or shaft of an object, and forms a handle for the object; the oversized member has an oval or elliptical cross-sectional shape.
The oversized member can be a monolithic part, or can comprise at least two parts that are each provided with a recess and that fit together such that the recesses accommodate the existing handle or shaft of an object.
The auxiliary grip of the present application has a multitude of uses. By way of example only, the auxiliary grip can be used for sports equipment, for example for racquet sports, golf, baseball or softball, for cooking utensils such as pots and pans, for brooms, vacuum sweepers and the like, for hand and garden tools, for ski poles, for fishing rods, etc., in other words, for anything that has a handle or shaft.
For certain applications, the auxiliary grip also has an insulating function, for example with pots and pans. In addition, the auxiliary grip can provide cushioning or shock absorption, such as with a bat or with tools.
Further specific features of the present application will be provided in detail subsequently.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawing in detail, FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of applicant's auxiliary grip, which is indicated generally by the reference numeral 20.
The auxiliary grip 20 comprises an oversized member 21, whereby the term oversized means that the member 21 is of a size that is larger than the size of a standard handle. In particular, the oversized member 21 is adapted to be placed over an existing handle of an object, or over a shaft 22 of an object, to thereby form a new, oversized handle for the object. The member 21 is provided with an appropriately sized bore 23, either a through bore or a blind hole, and can be press fit onto a shaft or existing handle of the object, and furthermore can be glued to the shaft or handle to prevent the member 21 from sliding or shifting on the shaft or handle.
The oversized member 21 has an oval or elliptical cross-sectional shape. That end 24 of the member 21 that is remote from the object on which the auxiliary grip 20 is provided has a greater cross-sectional area than does the remainder of the member 21, with this enlarged portion being designated with the reference numeral 25. The enlarged portion 25 expediently tapers from the end 24 toward the remainder of the member 21. This enlarged portion 25 provides a convenient resting place or stop for one of the hands of a user of the object.
The auxiliary grip 20, i.e. the oversized member 21, is expediently made of cork, balsa, foam, such as polyurethane foam, rubber or some other elastomeric material. The use of such materials allows the auxiliary grip 20 to retain/maintain its shape.
The oversized member 21 can be at least partially wrapped with an additional material, especially a grip-enhancing material. By way of example only, such material can be a rubberized friction tape or any other commercially available grip wrap or tape.
Although in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 the oversized member 21 is shown as a monolithic component, it would also be possible to make the member 21 in two or more parts. Therefore, a further embodiment of applicant's auxiliary grip is shown in FIG. 2, and is indicated generally by the reference numeral 20A.
In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 2, the oversized member 21A is comprised of two essentially identical halves, only one of which is shown. In particular, the half member 27 is provided with a recess 28 that fits over a portion of an existing handle or shaft of an object. The same is true of the complementary, non-illustrated member of the oversized member 21. The two half members 27 can be glued to one another and/or to the existing handle or shaft of the object. The size of the recess 28 will, of course, vary, as was the case with the bore 23 of the member 21 of the embodiment of FIG. 1, depending upon the size of the existing handle or shaft of the object. The oversized member could also comprise more than two parts.
The surface of the oversized members 21 and 21A can be a non uniform surface; for example, the surface can be provided with projections and/or grooves to enhance the gripping capability of the auxiliary grip 20, 20A.
The present invention is, of course, in no way restricted to the specific disclosure of the specification and drawing, but also encompasses any modifications within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An auxiliary grip for an object, comprising:

an oversized member that fits over an existing handle or shaft of an object, and forms a handle for the object, wherein said member has an oval or elliptical cross-sectional shape.

2. A grip according to claim 1, wherein said member is a monolithic part.

3. A grip according to claim 2, wherein said part has a bore for accommodating the existing handle or shaft of the object.

4. A grip according to claim 3, wherein said part is glued to the existing handle or shaft of the object.

5. A grip according to claim 1, wherein said member comprises at least two parts that are each provided with a recess and that fit together such that said recesses accommodate the existing handle or shaft of the object.

6. A grip according to claim 5, wherein said two parts are glued together and/or to the handle or shaft of the object.

7. A grip according to claim 1, wherein said member is made of cork, balsa, foam, rubber or other elastomeric material.

8. A grip according to claim 1, wherein said member is wrapped with material.

9. A grip according to claim 8, wherein said material is a grip-enhancing material.

10. A grip according to claim 8, wherein said material is a rubberized friction tape.

11. A grip according to claim 1, wherein said member has two ends, one of which has a greater cross-sectional area than does the remainder of said member.

12. A grip according to claim 11, wherein said larger end tapers down toward the remainder of said member.