Background to Invention The ability to securely grasp an object is of critical importance when using sporting equipment or when working with tools. The ability to securely grasp sporting equipment or tools so that they do not slip out of a person's hand helps ensure that the equipment or tools are properly used. Specifically, the ability to hold sporting equipment securely will ensure that the equipment can be used to compete successfully, such as by achieving a level swing of a golf club.

Similarly, the ability to securely grasp a tool will ensure that the task for which the tool is being used is properly performed, such as hammering a nail straight into a piece of wood. In addition, the ability to securely hold sporting equipment or tools helps prevent injuries which might occur if the equipment or tools slip out of a person's hands.

At present, persons must use gloves or substances such as chalk, resins or adhesives to help them securely grasp sporting equipment or tools. However, gloves, chalk, resins and adhesives suffer from several drawbacks. First, gloves

sometimes impede rather than aid a person's ability to securely grasp an object because the thickness of the glove sometimes interferes with the person's ability to feel and thus control the object being held. Second, chalk, resins and adhesives, such as pine tar, can be messy to apply and can stain tools, equipment and clothing. Accordingly, there exists a need for a substance which can be easily and neatly applied to tools and equipment and which will improve a person's ability to grasp such objects. It is an object of this invention to provide such a substance and a method of applying the same, wherein said substance is comprised of granules.

At present, granular-based compositions are used to prevent persons from falling while walking on slippery surfaces, and in manufacturing processes.

Examples of such compositions can be found in the following patents: U. S. Patent No. 4,528,231 to Lund discloses a slip and wear resistant flooring and composition and method for producing the same. This composition includes coarse metallic particles which are applied to a sub-floor to prevent persons from slipping thereon; U. S. Patent No. 5,395,673 to Hunt discloses a non-slip composition and method of applying the same to a ground surface where lighting conditions are poor. The composition includes an aluminum oxide aggregate which is applied to a ground surface to prevent persons from slipping thereon; and a phosphorescent pigment to illuminate the ground surface;

U. S. Patent No.. 5,451,446 to Kincaid discloses a thermosetting binder for an abrasive article. The binder includes a cured epoxy used to bond abrasive grades together to form a shaped mass, or alternatively to hold and support abrasive grains on a sheet; and U. S. Patent No. 5, 654,078 to Feronato discloses an abrasive member used for dry-grinding and polishing. The abrasive member includes metal deposits in which abrasive particles have been imbedded.

The foregoing compositions are directed towards anti-slip or manufacturing processes. As none of them are directed towards helping improve a person's ability to securely grasp an object, it is an object of this invention to provide a composition for such purpose and a method of applying the same.

Summary of Invention A composition including an aggregate of aluminum oxide or silicon carbide granules which are applied to the handle of hand-held sporting equipment and tools to enhance a person's ability to securely grasp such objects.

The composition is secured to these hand-held items by means of a cured epoxy.

Brief Description of the Drawings.

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a golf club grip to which the composition which is the subject of the present invention is applied; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a hammer to which the composition of the present invention is applied; and FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a glove to which the composition of the subject invention is applied.

Detailed Description of the Invention Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown golf club 10 having grip 11. Aggregate 12 is applied to grip 11 in order to enable a person to more securely grasp golf club 10 so that the club will not slip out of the person's hands while it is being swung. Aggregate 12 is preferably comprised of granules of aluminum oxide, although it can be comprised of any other granular material such as silicon carbide, silica or sand. The coarseness of these granules, which can be of any desired grit, enable a person to feel the granules and thus more securely grip the object to which the granules are applied. Aggregate 12 can be applied to leather, vinyl, rubber, plastic, or any similar material which is wrapped onto or around club 10 for enhancing a person's ability to grasp the club.

It is preferable to use an aggregate including aluminum oxide rather than an aggregate including silicon carbide because aluminum oxide granules are rounded whereas silicon carbide granules are jagged. The aluminum oxide granules will therefore provide a more pleasing sensation when a person holds an object to which aggregate 12 is applied. To apply aggregate 12, an epoxy or similar adhesive such as urethane is first applied to grip 11. The epoxy or other adhesive used can be, but need not be, a multi-part adhesive. Aggregate 12 is then applied to grip 11. A brush or roller can then be used to remove excess granules of aggregate 12. The epoxy is then cured either by drying in the ambient air or by heating, as for example under an ultra-violet lamp, to ensure that the remaining granules are securely adhered to grip 11. Alternatively, aggregate 12 can be impregnated into grip 11 when grip 11 is manufactured.

Aggregate 12 can be of any desired grit which in turn determines the thickness of the coating of aggregate 12 applied to grip 11.

Aggregate 12 can be applied to other sporting equipment including, but not limited to, baseball bats, hockey sticks, fishing rods and weight lifting bars.

Referring to FIG. 2 there is shown hammer 20 having grip 21 to which aggregate 12 is applied in same manner as described above in the description of FIG. 1. Aggregate 12 can be applied to other tools including, but not limited to, wrenches, drills, paint brushes, medical instruments and dental instruments.

Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown glove 30 having palm area 31 to which aggregate 12 is applied in the same manner as described above in the

descriptions of FIGS. 1 and 2. Glove 30 to which aggregate 12 is applied can be used by football players to more securely grasp a football, or by soccer goalies to more securely grasp a soccer ball, as well as by persons to more securely grasp other sporting equipment or tools.

Numerous modifications to and alternative embodiments of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the best mode of carrying out the invention. Details of the structure may be varied substantially without departing from the spirit of the invention and the exclusive use of all modifications which come within the scope of the appended claims is reserved.