# US 7,461,474 B1 · Display grip for sports equipment

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- Number: US 7,461,474 B1
- Document ID: US7461474B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 11/204,890
- Filed: 2005-08-16
- Granted: 2008-12-09
- Earliest claimed: 2003-10-02
- Assignees: Clive S. Lu
- Inventors: Clive S. Lu; Andy A. Lu
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7461474B1

## CPC

- G09F 23/0066: {on sports articles, e.g. golf clubs}
- G09F 3/20: for adjustable, removable, or interchangeable labels
- G09F: DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS

## Abstract

A method is provided for protecting and displaying a design on sports equipment having a gripping end, comprising overlaying the design and the gripping end with a substantially seamless, substantially transparent top layer. Grips for sporting equipment, manufactured in accordance with the method, are provided also.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for protecting and displaying a design on sports equipment having a gripping end, comprising overlaying the design and substantially an entirety of an exterior periphery of the gripping end with a substantially seamless, substantially transparent top layer, wherein the substantially transparent top layer is rendered seamless after the step of overlaying on the design and the gripping end; and
providing at least one cushioning base layer overlaying the gripping end, wherein the design and the substantially transparent top layer overlay the at least one base layer;
wherein the substantially transparent top layer is rendered substantially seamless by overlaying the design and gripping end with the substantially transparent planar sheet whereby a first side thereof contacts an opposed second side thereof, and fusing at least a portion of the first side and the second side together.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, including disposing the design on an underside of the substantially transparent top layer.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2, wherein the design is disposed on an underside of the substantially transparent top layer by the step of defining at least one groove, channel, or ridge on said underside.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3, further including the step of applying at least one pigment to the at least one groove, channel, or ridge.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, including disposing the design on a surface of the base layer opposed to the gripping end.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The method of claim 5, wherein the design is disposed on a surface of the base layer opposed to the gripping end by the step of defining at least one groove, channel, or ridge on said surface.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The method of claim 6, further including the step of applying at least one pigment to the at least one groove, channel, or ridge.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the sides are fused by applying a predetermined temperature and pressure.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further including the step of fusing at least a portion of the substantially transparent top layer to at least a portion of the at least one base layer and/or to the gripping end to substantially prevent fluid communication between an exterior and an interior of the substantially transparent top layer.

### Claim 10

A grip for protecting and displaying a design on sports equipment having a gripping end, comprising a substantially seamless, substantially transparent top layer overlaying a design and the gripping end, said design comprising at least one groove, channel, or ridge disposed on an underside of the substantially transparent top layer, wherein the substantially transparent top layer is rendered seamless after the step of overlaying on the design and the gripping end, and further wherein at least a portion of the substantially transparent top layer is fused to at least a portion of the at least one base layer and/or to the gripping end to substantially prevent fluid communication between an exterior and an interior of the substantially transparent top layer.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The grip of claim 10, further including at least one base layer disposed on the gripping end, whereby the design and the substantially transparent top layer overlay the at least one base layer.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The grip of claim 10, wherein the substantially transparent top layer is a planar sheet having at least a first side and an opposed second side.

### Claim 13 (depends on 10)

The grip of claim 10, wherein the design includes at least one pigment applied to the at least one groove, channel, or ridge.