초록 ▼

The present invention provides elastomeric sleeves, such as, for example, grips for hand tools or sports equipment such as golf clubs, tennis racquets, baseball bats and the like, or sleeves for covering joints and/or splices in conduits or electrical devices. The invention also relates to swelling

The present invention provides elastomeric sleeves, such as, for example, grips for hand tools or sports equipment such as golf clubs, tennis racquets, baseball bats and the like, or sleeves for covering joints and/or splices in conduits or electrical devices. The invention also relates to swelling solvents and the use of swelling solvents to expand such a sleeve. In accordance with the invention, the expanded sleeve may be fitted over an elongate article, such as a grip-receiving portion of a golf club shaft or a tool, and contracted by evaporating the swelling solvent therefrom to bring the sleeve into tight contact with the elongate article.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A method for attaching a preformed elastomeric sleeve directly onto an elongate article, comprising:providing an elongate article having predetermined outside dimensions;providing a generally tubular elastomeric sleeve having a substantially open first end; the first en

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A method for attaching a preformed elastomeric sleeve directly onto an elongate article, comprising:providing an elongate article having predetermined outside dimensions;providing a generally tubular elastomeric sleeve having a substantially open first end; the first end thereby providing access to a recess within the sleeve, the recess being formed to receive the article; the recess having inside dimensions at least as large as the outside dimensions of the article; wherein the elastomeric sleeve has absorbed therein a liquid swelling solvent comprising a fluorocarbon and a member selected from the group consisting of (i) a cyclic hydrocarbon, (ii) a trifluoride hydrocarbon, and (iii) a mixture of an isoparaffin and a polybutene;positioning the sleeve to have an orientation with respect to the article whereby the article resides in the recess; andmaintaining the orientation for a period of time which enables the solvent to evaporate from the sleeve, the evaporating causing the sleeve to contract, thereby causing the sleeve to come into intimate contact with the article and to become attached to the article by friction between the sleeve and the article. [20.]20. A method for making a preformed elastomeric sleeve for being attached onto an elongate article, comprising:providing a generally tubular elastomeric sleeve having a substantially open first end; the first end providing access to a recess within the sleeve, the recess being formed to receive the article; and,contacting the sleeve with a liquid swelling solvent comprising a fluorocarbon and a member selected from the group consisting of (i) a cyclic hydrocarbon, (ii) a trifluoride hydrocarbon, and (iii) a mixture of an isoparaffin and a polybutene, to provide an expanded sleeve.