Shock and Vibration Reduction Grip for Sports Equipment

Background Users of conventional impact instruments (e.g., golf clubs, baseball bats, hammers) tend to experience shock and vibration due to impact. This causes pain, fatigue, and repetitive stress disorders such as medial epicondylitis (golfer's elbow) or lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow). Traditional methods to address this add mass to the system and dampening components, which make the instrument heavier and give it a sluggish feel. This reduces performance.

Invention Description This technology places air pockets or foamed members at strategic regions in the grip of the instrument. It has the dual effect of isolating the user from the intense shock felt during impact, while enhancing the vibration dissipation after impact. This tuned dampening system is formed by removing weight, and thus has the additional effect of increasing its overall performance.

Benefits

Significantly reduces harmful shock and vibration
􀂃 Reduces the risk of repetitive stress injury (RSI) and fatigue Provides less expensive alternative to other anti-vibration solutions Easy, non-invasive installation Versatile and durable Lighter weight than traditional rubber grips Potential to increase productivity in its users Greater sense of control during impact

Features

Dramatically decreased shock and vibration Decreased weight Can be manufactured with different levels of vibration reduction Can be manufactured in virtually any style or material

Market Potential/Applications Applies to any handheld instrument that is ordinarily swung by a human to deliver an impulse to an object; includes racquet sports, baseball bats, hockey sticks, golf clubs, hammers, axes, etc.

Development Stage Commercial product

IP Status Two foreign patent application filed

UT Researcher Kurt A. Schroder, Ph.D., Nanotechnologies Inc.

Type of Offer: Licensing



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