Patent Law

An Inflatable Air Bladder for Under Your Golf Grips?. Necessary?

By David Dawsey PE Esq

I was just starting to think that there were enough golf grip variations to make everyone happy. Apparently David Cera does not agree. He is the inventor listed on a recently issued golf grip related patent; namely USPN 7407444 titled ?Method for Cushioning the Grip of a Golf Club, and Apparatus for Practicing the Method.? The patent describes the invention as:

A method is provided for cushioning the grip of a striking instrument which generally includes the steps of providing a striking instrument having an elongated shaft, placing a pneumatically actuated cushioning apparatus over the distal end of the shaft, the pneumatically actuated cushioning apparatus having a bladder configured to surround the proximal end of the shaft along a desired length and a valve for receiving a volume of air; inserting the nozzle of a pump into the valve of the cushioning apparatus, and operating the pump in order to inject a volume of air into the bladder, thereby cushioning the grip of the striking instrument. Preferably, the striking instrument is a golf club. A cushioning apparatus is also provided, which includes an inner layer and an outer layer defining a bladder, and a valve for receiving air and delivering it into the bladder so that the grip may be pumped up.

And, the patent contains the following drawings:

Interesting? I would have to see it and feel it to believe it. The design looks rather difficult to manufacture, but I suppose virtually anything can be done if the price is right.

Dave Dawsey  - Keeping an Eye on Golf Grip Inventions

PS ? check out other golf grip patent related posts here  

Full post as published by Golf Patents on August 31, 2008 (boomark / email).