Multi-polymer grip member
View Patent ↗A grip member and a method of making such a grip member including at least a polymerized region with two or more polymers. The first and second polymers cooperate to each form a portion of the top surface of the region. The region may be combined with a substrate to form a sheet. The sheet may be formed into a grip interface having any of a number of shapes including a panel shape. In the case of a panel shaped grip interface, the panel can then be attached to an underlisting sleeve to form the grip. Some versions of such a grip reduce impact shock and provide a feeling of tackiness in the manner of a spirally wrapped polyurethane-felt grip while allowing the use of multiple colors being polymerized together. The grip may be easily installed onto a golf club shaft and may further accommodate the use of polymers including various different characteristics including level of tackiness or durometer.
1. A method of making a single layer of polymer for use with a grip, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a substrate;
providing a first liquid polymer;
applying the first liquid polymer onto the substrate;
providing a second liquid polymer;
applying the second liquid polymer in a pattern onto the first liquid polymer before said first liquid polymer is polymerized; and
polymerizing the first and second liquid polymers by immersing the first and second polymers in a bath to form a single layer of polymerized polymer having a top surface opposite the substrate, wherein the top surface of the single layer of polymerized polymer includes at least a portion of both the first and second polymers polymerized together side by side.
2. A method as in claim 1 , wherein the step of providing the first liquid polymer further comprises providing a first liquid polymer having a first color and the step of providing the second liquid polymer further comprises providing a second liquid polymer having a second color different than the first color of the first liquid polymer.
3. A method as in claim 1 , wherein the step of providing the first liquid polymer further comprises providing a first liquid polymer having a first level of tackiness and the step of providing the second liquid polymer further comprises providing a second liquid polymer having a second level of tackiness different than the first level of tackiness of the first liquid polymer.
4. A method as in claim 1 , wherein the step of providing the substrate further comprises providing a substrate comprising fabric and the polymerization step bonds the single layer of polymerized polymer to the fabric to form a sheet.
5. A method as in claim 4 , further comprising the step of forming a panel from the sheet.
6. A method as in claim 4 , further comprising the step of forming a strip from the sheet.
7. A method as in claim 1 , wherein the step of applying the second liquid polymer further comprises spraying the second liquid polymer from a spraying apparatus.
8. A method as in claim 7 , wherein the step of spraying the second liquid polymer further comprises the step of moving the spraying apparatus relative to the first liquid polymer during the application of the second liquid polymer.
9. A method as in claim 8 , wherein the step of moving the spraying apparatus further comprises moving the apparatus in a pattern generally corresponding to the pattern created by the application of the second liquid polymer and onto the first liquid polymer.
10. A method as in claim 1 , further comprising the step of removing the substrate from the single layer of polymerized polymers.
11. A method as in claim 10 , further comprising the step of bonding the single layer of polymerized polymer to a layer of EVA to form a sheet.
12. A method as in claim 11 , further comprising the step of forming a panel from the sheet.
13. A method as in claim 11 , further comprising the step of forming a strip from the sheet.