초록 ▼

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, a

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.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 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 t

What is claimed is: 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. 2. The method of claim 1, including disposing the design on an underside of the substantially transparent top layer. 3. 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. 4. The method of claim 3, further including the step of applying at least one pigment to the at least one groove, channel, or ridge. 5. The method of claim 1, including disposing the design on a surface of the base layer opposed to the gripping end. 6. 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. 7. The method of claim 6, further including the step of applying at least one pigment to the at least one groove, channel, or ridge. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the sides are fused by applying a predetermined temperature and pressure. 9. 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. 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. 11. 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. 12. 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. 13. The grip of claim 10, wherein the design includes at least one pigment applied to the at least one groove, channel, or ridge.