Games using tangible projectile – Player held and powered – nonmechanical projector – per se,... – Bat
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-24
2001-08-21
Graham, Mark S. (Department: 3711)
Games using tangible projectile
Player held and powered, nonmechanical projector, per se,...
Bat
C473S457000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06277040
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a grip which cushions a ball bat holder's palm, heel of the hand, and fingertips. The grip also enables the ball bat holder to hang the lower portion of his hand off the knob of the ball bat. In multiples of two, the invention can be used as a “choke up” method.
A ball bat has a cylindrically-shaped barrel that tapers to a narrower handle section, to which is attached an enlarged disk-shaped knob, which acts as a resting point for the heel of the bat holder's lower hand as it grips the handle.
Forces created when a swung bat hits a ball can cause severe discomfort to the bat holder's palm, heel of the hand and fingertips. This “bat sting” is felt at the knob end of the bat, which generally is made of wood or aluminum. Bat holders have tried wrapping tape around the knob end (sometimes attempting to form a tapered configuration) to increase its “give” and thereby reduce discomfort. However, taping a bat, which requires patience and dexterity, is time-consuming and expensive; in addition, it must be redone on a regular basis. Further, taping a bat does not create a dependable, tapered grip for superior performance.
Numerous after-market devices have been developed to diminish “bat sting” and/or improve grip comfort. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,624,114 (Kelsey) discloses a shock-dampening sleeve which covers all or part of the knob. However, the product cushions only the heel of the hand and does not produce a tapered grip. An unpatented product by Easton® is comprised of a thin tube of flexible material (which may tear when pulled over the knob) which must be wrapped with lengths of synthetic grip material.
In addition, bat manufacturers themselves have fabricated bats with special handles to provide more comfortable gripping. Worth® makes a bat with a smaller-than-average knob for players who use the lower portion of the knob for a gripping reference or the “double-fisted” grip. Mizuno® used to make a bat with an enlarged knob having a tapered region from the knob to the handle. However, a ball player must purchase the whole bat to obtain the desired gripping reference.
A need exists for a tapered gripping reference which is easy to install on and remove from any standard ball bat.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides comfort for the hand of a bat holder while gripping a ball bat. The “tapered” effect produced by the cylindrical, cone-shaped device acts as a cushion for the palm, heel of the hand, and fingertips of the ball bat holder. The invention is shaped to produce a taper from the knob to the handle. It can be used without any additional grip tape which bat holders ordinarily apply.
The taper grip enables the bat holder to position his lower hand farther down on the ball bat: the bat holder can hang the lower portion of his hand off the knob of the bat without experiencing pressure on his fingertips, heel of his hand, and palm caused when the ball bat is swung in the standard motion. Gripping a ball bat with part of the hand below the knob enables the bat holder to increase his bat speed, which increases the amount of energy transferred to the ball on contact with the bat. The present invention can also be used by batters who want to use a double-fisted grip.
The present invention can also be used as a “choke up” method when used in multiples of two, inverting the direction of the taper in the lowermost device and alternating the direction of the taper of the additional device(s).
Made from flexible material, the cone-shaped device has a cylindrical opening extending through its length to accommodate its being pulled over the bat knob and positioned tightly around the bat handle.
Using the device in multiples of two, alternating the direction of the taper, allows a ballplayer to have a tapered gripping reference while “choking up” on the bat.
The main object of the invention is to provide a firm, stable, cushioned, tapered grip for the ball player.
Another object of the invention is to provide a tapered grip which is easy to install and remove.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a gripping reference at a lower point on the bat, permitting the player to hang one or more fingers off the knob without the associated blistering, pinching, or bruising of the hand and fingertips.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a “choke-up” reference on a ball bat, attained by alternating the direction of the taper of at least two of the devices, in multiples of two, with the narrow part of one of the devices at the lowermost part of the handle.
Another object of the invention is to provide a device which is usable on all types of ball bats, whether wooden or aluminum.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2031161 (1936-02-01), Hamel
patent: 2091458 (1937-08-01), Sleight
patent: 3469839 (1969-09-01), Pietronuto et al.
patent: 4940247 (1990-07-01), Magadini
patent: 5342046 (1994-08-01), Erb
patent: 5577722 (1996-11-01), Glassberg
patent: 5624114 (1997-04-01), Kelsey
patent: 5839983 (1998-11-01), Kramer
Gaskin Mary J.
Graham Mark S.
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