Golf club grip with device housing

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9789361-B2
Application number	US-201514957126-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 2, 2015
Priority date	Dec 11, 2012
Publication date	Oct 17, 2017
Grant date	Oct 17, 2017

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;
a shaft extending from the head;
a grip disposed at an end of the shaft distal from the head, wherein the grip comprises a recess dimensioned to receive an electronic device, wherein the recess comprises a substantially rectangular perimeter, further wherein the recess is curved co-axially with the shaft; and
an electronic device disposed within the recess.

2. The golf club of claim 1 , wherein the electronic device comprises an RFID tag comprising a flexible sheet of material.

3. A golf club comprising:
a head;
a shaft extending from the head;
a grip disposed at an end of the shaft distal from the head, wherein the grip comprises a recess dimensioned to receive an electronic device, wherein the recess comprises a slot extending through an outer surface of the grip and into a material of the grip; and
an electronic device disposed within the slot.

4. A golf club comprising:
a head;
a shaft extending from the head;
a grip disposed at an end of the shaft distal from the head, wherein the grip comprises a recess dimensioned to receive an electronic device; and
an electronic device disposed within the recess, wherein the electronic device comprises an antenna and an integrated circuit.

5. A golf club comprising:
a head comprising a body with a ball striking face and a hosel;
a shaft extending from the hosel;
a grip disposed at an end of the shaft; and
an electronic device molded into the grip.

6. The golf club of claim 5 , wherein the electronic device is surrounded in all directions by a material of the grip.

7. The golf club of claim 5 , wherein the grip further comprises a recess, and the recess comprises an insert disposed therein, and the electronic device is disposed within the insert.

8. The golf club of claim 5 , wherein the electronic device comprises an RFID tag about 100 mm long×12 mm wide×0.3 mm thick with a UHF RFID integrated circuit.

9. A golf club comprising:
a head;
a shaft;
a grip comprising a recess dimensioned to receive an insert;
an insert disposed within the recess of the grip; and
an electronic device housed within the insert.

10. The golf club of claim 9 , wherein the electronic device comprises an antenna and an integrated circuit.

11. The golf club of claim 9 , wherein the insert is a case.

12. The golf club of claim 9 , wherein the electronic device comprises once selected from the group consisting of a battery, an accelerometer, a light detector, and a processor.

13. 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 housed within a recess within the grip.

14. The golf club of claim 13 , wherein the electronic device comprises an antenna or an integrated circuit.

15. The golf club of claim 14 , wherein a portion of the grip is openable to reveal the contents of the recess.

16. The golf club of claim 14 , wherein the electronic device is surrounded in all directions by a material of the grip.

17. The golf club of claim 13 , wherein the electronic device consists of an RFID tag and is about 100 mm long×12 mm wide×0.3 mm thick and includes a UHF RFID integrated circuit.

18. A golf club comprising:
a head;
a shaft;
a grip dimensioned to receive a device; and
a device disposed within the grip, the device comprising a microchip and an antenna.

19. The golf club of claim 18 , wherein the device comprises a plastic shell.

20. The golf club of claim 19 , wherein the plastic shell defines a case housing the microchip.

21. The golf club of claim 20 , wherein the case houses an additional electronic device.

22. The golf club of claim 18 , wherein the device is accessible via a part of the grip.

23. 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 electronic device comprising an antenna and a microchip affixed within the grip, wherein the electronic device is smaller than 5 cm in every dimension.

24. The golf club of claim 23 , wherein the electronic device is an RFID tag.

25. The golf club of claim 24 , wherein the RFID tag comprises an antenna with a squiggle design.

26. The golf club of claim 23 , wherein the electronic device is within a recess within the grip and the recess is an accessible compartment and further wherein a portion of the grip is openable to reveal the contents of the recess.

Assignees

• Cobra Golf Inc

Inventors

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

Classifications

• A63B24/0062 Primary

  Monitoring athletic performances, e.g. for determining the work of a user on an exercise apparatus, the completed jogging or cycling distance · CPC title

• A63B60/08

  characterised by the material · CPC title

• A63B69/36

  for golf · CPC title

• A63B60/42

  Devices for measuring, verifying, correcting or customising the inherent characteristics of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like, e.g. measuring the maximum torque a batting shaft can withstand · CPC title

• A63B60/14

  Coverings specially adapted for handles, e.g. sleeves or ribbons · CPC title