GRIP ELEMENT AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE THEREOF

摘要

A grip element (10) having a soft, compressible and deformable outer layer (20) supported by an underlying support structure (30) sufficiently rigid to maintain a receiving channel (12) of the grip element (10) in an open configuration. The support structure (30) facilitates manipulation of the gr ip element (10) and assembly of the grip element (10) onto a hand-held article without having the outer layer (20) collapse on itself as would occur withou t the support structure (30) as a result of the soft, deformable nature of the outer layer (20). The grip element (10) may be formed separately from the ha nd- held article on which it is to be assembled, and then positioned thereon suc h that the hand-held aritcle is sold with the grip element (10) pre-assembled thereon. If desired, the grip element (10) may be provided separate from the hand-held article, the outer layer (20) providing a readily compressible and deformable soft cushioning surface and the support structure (30) facilitati ng insertion of the outer layer (20) over at least a portion of the hand-held article. The outer layer (20) and support structure (30) may be co-molded su ch that the materials thereof are permanently and directly bonded together. If desired, a pattern (50) may be formed on the outer layer (20), such as grooves, dimples, ribs, bumps, a lattice patern, or a honeycomb pattern.