METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY INSTALLING A GRIP ON A GOLF CLUB SHAFT

摘要

An automated process and apparatus (30) for installation of a handgrip (42) on a golf club shaft (40) is disclosed herein. The handgrip (42) is installed on the golf club shaft (40) in a dry state. The present invention does not utilize solvents, lubricants or the like for the installation of the handgrip (42) onto the golf club shaft (40). The apparatus (30) has a taping mechanism (36) for automatically wrapping a double-sided tape (70) onto the butt end (64) of the golf club shaft (40). The apparatus (30) also has a gripping mechanism (38) for preparing a grip (42) for automated installation on a shaft (40) while in a dry state. The apparatus (30) also has a shaft shuttle mechanism (34) for transferring the golf club shaft (40) from the taping mechanism (36) to the gripping mechanism (38). The gripping (38) has means for expanding the handgrip (42) prior to placement on the butt end (64) of the golf club shaft (40).