Feb. 12 1924., 9483,595
L. G. READ GOLF CLUB GRIPPING DEVICE Original Filed Aug. l0. 1922 Patented Felle. l2, E024.
,naar stars masas rar LINUS G. READ, F BRIDGEORT, CONNECTICUT.
GOLF-CLUB-GRIPPING- DEVICE.
Application led August 10, 1922, Serial No. 580,904. Renewed November 28, 1923.
To all whom t may concer/nf:
Be it known that LiNUs G. READ, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Bridgeport, in the county of Fairfield and State of`\.
Connecticut, has invented certain new and useful Improvements in Golf-Glub-Gripping Devices, of which the following is a specification.
A My invention relates to an improved form of .golf club grippin device for use upon the index finger an thumb of either the right or left or both hands of a golf player to enable himto grip a golf club more advantageously than with the bare hands.
The game of game, the more essential feat of which is to properly drive and control the ball. This means that the ball must be struck with great care, so the direction of flight will be accurate and so that the distance which the ball travels is reasonably reat.
From the drawings it will be noted that, briefly speaking, the device includes a'separate finger and thumb covering which are `connected together by a strap, the end portions of which are attached to the two said covering members.
I find that the portion of the huma-n hand between the index finger and thumb of the average amateur player does not fill in closely around a golf stick and thus forms a pocket; therefore such a player meets with difficulty in gripping a club and swinging it to the best advantage and so that the required force may be imparted to the ball and it controlled as desired, the control of the ball being the essential requisite to success.
With these and other objects in View the invention resides and consists in the construction and novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in the claims hereto appended, it being understood that various changes in the form, proportion, size and minor details of construction within the scope of the claims may be resorted to without departure from the spirit or sacricing any of the advantages of the invention.
Similar characters of reference denote like or corresponding parts through the several figures of the accompanying drawings formgolf is obviously a scientific ing a part of this specification, and upon which,
Fig. 1 shows anelevational View of a hand upon the forefinger and thumb of which one of my improved golfclub gripping devlces is shown applied in the act of gripping a golf club.
Fig. 2 is a further elevational view of a human hand upon the thumb and forefinger of which my improved gripping device 1s shown in a slightly different position from that shown in Fig. 1; and
Fig. 3 shows a detached view of the invention.
Referring in detail to the characters of reference mar ed upon the drawing, it will be seen that the finger covering A comprises a sheath and the thumb covering B is somewhat similarly made to also form a sheath. These sheaths ma be formed of leather, canvas or other suitable material as will be noted and each are cut, assembled and stitched to include a single stitched seam a thus formlng a covering of proper size and proport1on that may readily be slipped on the fiuger 1n one instance and thumb in the other, similar to that .of a leather glove.
These two sheaths are connected together by a strip C, one end portion d of which may be secured as by stitching to the finger member A and the other end portion c of which preferably encircles and is secured to the thumb piece B. In this respect it will further be noted that one end of the strap C' is attached at a point slightly beyond the seco-nd joint of the forefinger and the other end is secured outside of the first joint of the thumb, and obviously form a bridge which when the forefinger and thumb are gripping a club, better serves to support the club and prevent it from turning in the hand. It will be further noted that the end d of this strap attached to the finger sheath is disposed substantially lengthwise thereon while the other end portion c is secured cross. wise and extended around the thumb sheath B. It will thus be seen that when the two sheaths are positioned on the hand and the hand is in the act of gripping a golf club the face of the strap will be disposed flat against and around the side of the shaft of the club in a manner to bridge across and. firmly sup ort the same in the upper part of the hand).
In practice this cross strap or bridge froiii the forefinger to the thumb establishes a definite and well supported axis of motion in the swinging of the club, acting as it were as a pivotal point, consequently the club can be swung with a greater feeling of confidence as well as increased degree of accuracy, thereby adding very materially to theproficiency of the player.
lt will further be apparent that the bridge applied in this manner supports the club away from the inner upper portions of the hand so that the saine will not become distorted, sore or calloused as is usual and objectionable with the majority of players.
Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is l. A golf club gripping device comprising n pair of finger sheaths, a golf club embrac ing and positioning strap, one fiat end portion of which is secured against one sheath and the other end portion secured fiat against the other sheath in a manner to connect the adjacent faces of the finger sheatlis together, and to embrace the club intermediately the ends of said other sheath and with the club in parallel relation to said other sheath.
2. A golf club gripping device comprising a linger sheath and a thumb sheath, a strap connecting the two, one end portion of the said strap being connected to the ripping face of one end portion of one of sai sheaths Leashes and the other connected to the inner face of the other sheath in a manner to also forni a reinforced Wearing portion.
3. A golf club gripping device comprising a pair of finger slieatlis and a connecting strap, one end of which i's disposed and se cured to and lengthwise ot the finger sheath and the other end secured crossvvise of the thumb sheath.
4. In a golf club gripping device of the class described the combination With a finger sheath and a tliunib sheath, of a strap, the end portions of which are respectively connected to each and in a manner so that its flat side will engage and encircle the surface of a olf stick when gripped.
5. A go f club gripping device comprising a linger sheath and a thumb sheath, a strap connecting the two, one end portion of the said strap being attached to the finger sheath at a point substantially coinciding with the position of the second joint of the finger and the other end of said strap being connected to the thumb sheath at a point substantially coinciding With the position of the first joint of the thumb.
Signed at Bridgeport, in the county of Fairfield and State of Connecticut, this 8th day of August, A. D. 1922.
LINUS G. READ.
Witnesses:
C. M. NEWMAN, LILLIAN M. ALLING.