# US 7,607,990 B1 · Yip grip squeeze pressure-indicating golf club grip

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- Number: US 7,607,990 B1
- Document ID: US7607990B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 12/286,522
- Filed: 2008-10-01
- Granted: 2009-10-27
- Earliest claimed: 2008-10-01
- Inventors: Michael Dominick Slane
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7607990B1

## CPC

- A63B 53/14: Handles
- A63B 60/16: Caps; Ferrules
- A63B 69/36: for golf
- A63B 60/22: Adjustable handles
- A63B 2060/464: {Means for indicating or measuring the pressure on the grip}
- A63B 2071/0655: {Tactile feedback}
- A63B 2220/56: Pressure
- A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H)

## Abstract

A method is provided for gauging the squeeze pressure of a golf club which generally includes the steps of providing a golf club having an elongated shaft, placing a pneumatically actuated, internally ribbed cushioning device over the distal end of the shaft, the pneumatically actuated, internally ribbed cushioning device having a bladder configured to surround the proximal end of the shaft along a desired length and a finger actuated pump with pressure relief valve for receiving and releasing a volume of air to and from the bladder in order to achieve internal air pressure desired for maximum control of golf strokes. A cushioning and training apparatus is also provided, which includes a ribbed inner layer and an outer layer defining a bladder, and a finger actuated pump with pressure relief valve for receiving and releasing air into and out of the bladder so that it may be pumped up or deflated as desired by the user.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of training a golfer to apply appropriate grip squeeze pressure comprising the steps of: providing a golf club having an elongated shaft, the elongated shaft having a proximal end to be grasped by a user; placing a grip consisting of a pneumatically actuated cushioning and training apparatus over the proximal end of the shaft, the pneumatically actuated cushioning and training apparatus comprising a bladder configured to surround the proximal end of the shaft along a desired length, and a finger actuated pump and pressure relief valve for receiving and releasing a volume of air and operating the pump in order to inject a specific volume of air into the bladder, thereby providing the desired internal air pressure to cushion the grip and train the golfer to apply optimum squeeze pressure for maximum control of a stroke; wherein the cushioning apparatus further comprises an elongated inner wall comprising ringed protrusions and elongated outer wall having an upper and lower ends; wherein the lower end of the inner wall and the lower end of the outer wall are sealed such that the bladder is defined between the inner wall and the outer wall; and wherein the ringed protrusions of the inner wall are felt by the golfer through the outer layer when the bladder is optimally pressurized for a given stroke.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the inner wall and the outer wall each defines a thin skin.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: removing a conventional golf club grip from the shaft of the golf club and replacing with a grip consisting of a pneumatically actuated cushioning and training apparatus.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the outer wall defines a golf grip to be engaged by the hands of a golfer.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein golf club has a butt, wherein the finger actuated pump with pressure relief valve is aligned with the through-opening in the butt.

### Claim 6

An improved golf club, comprising: an elongated shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, the proximal end to be grasped by a user; a head at the distal end of the shaft; a butt at the end of the proximal end of the shaft, the butt having a through-opening; and a pneumatically actuated cushioning and training apparatus placed over the proximal end of the shaft, the pneumatically actuated cushioning and training apparatus comprising a single elongated bladder configured to surround the proximal end of the shaft along a desired length, a finger actuated pump with pressure relief valve for receiving and releasing a volume of air, the finger actuated pump with pressure relief valve being aligned with the through-opening in the butt; and wherein the cushioning apparatus further comprises an elongated inner wall comprising ringed protrusions and elongated outer wall having an upper and lower ends; wherein the lower end of the inner wall and the lower end of the outer wall are sealed such that the bladder is defined between the inner wall and the outer wall; and wherein the ringed protrusions of the inner wall are felt by the golfer through the outer layer when the bladder is optimally pressurized for a given stroke.