Golf club grip with device housing

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9227118-B2
Application number	US-201414496460-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 25, 2014
Priority date	Dec 11, 2012
Publication date	Jan 5, 2016
Grant date	Jan 5, 2016

Abstract

The invention relates to golf clubs, more particularly to mechanisms for fastening accessories to clubs. The invention provides a golf club configured to house an electronic device such as an RFID tag within a recess within the grip, thereby protecting the device from the stress, shock, and exposure that arises when a golf club is used.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A golf club comprising:
a head comprising a body with a ball striking face and a hosel;
a shaft extending from the hosel; and
a grip disposed at an end of the shaft; and
an electronic device comprising an RFID tag housed within a recess within the grip.

2. The golf club of claim 1 , wherein a portion of the grip is configured like a flap that is openable to reveal the contents of the recess.

3. The golf club of claim 1 , wherein the grip comprises a butt cap formed with a flap of material of the grip.

4. The golf club of claim 1 , wherein the electronic device is surrounded in all directions by a material of the grip.

5. The golf club of claim 1 , wherein the electronic device consists of the RFID tag and is about 100 mm long×12 mm wide×0.3 mm thick and includes a UHF RFID integrated circuit.

6. The golf club of claim 5 , further comprising an additional device disposed at the grip.

7. A golf club comprising:
a head;
a shaft;
a grip dimensioned to receive an insert; and
a device disposed within the grip, the device comprising an RFID microchip, further wherein the device comprises a major axis that is perpendicular to an axis of the shaft.

8. The golf club of claim 7 , wherein the device comprises a plastic shell.

9. The golf club of claim 8 , wherein the plastic shell defines a case housing the RFID microchip.

10. The golf club of claim 9 , wherein the case houses an additional electronic device.

11. The golf club of claim 7 , wherein the device is accessible via a flap forming part of the grip.

12. A golf club comprising:
a head having a ball-striking face and a hosel;
a shaft connected to the head via the hosel;
a grip covering a distal portion of the shaft; and
an RFID tag affixed within the grip by an adhesive, wherein the RFID tag is smaller than 5 cm in every dimension.

13. The golf club of claim 12 , wherein the RFID tag has a hole through it.

14. The golf club of claim 12 , wherein the RFID tag is within a recess with the grip and the recess is an accessible compartment and further wherein a portion of the grip is configured as a flap that is openable to reveal the contents of the recess.

15. The golf club of claim 12 , wherein the RFID tag comprises an antenna with a squiggle design.

Assignees

• Cobra Golf Inc

Inventors

• Beno Tim A
• Curtis Andrew
• Mcdonnell Michael T
• Moreira Scott H
• Yagley Michael S

Classifications

• A63B59/0092

  Human Necessities · mapped topic

• A63B2220/833

  Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement · CPC title

• A63B53/14 Primary

  Handles · CPC title

• A63B2209/10

  with adhesive type surfaces, i.e. hook and loop-type fastener · CPC title

• A63B53/00

  Golf clubs · CPC title