Games using tangible projectile – Playing field or court game; game element or accessory... – Practice or training device
Patent
1994-05-11
1998-11-24
Weiss, John G.
Games using tangible projectile
Playing field or court game; game element or accessory...
Practice or training device
473463, 473518, 473524, 473527, A63B 4900
Patent
active
058399798
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This application is a 371 of PCT/FR93/00874 filed Sep. 13, 1993.
The present invention relates to a bat for ball game, comprising two striking surfaces on opposite sides and provided in a sleeve to receive a player's open hand.
Such a bat is in particular designed to make it possible to play a ball game with or without the ball bouncing on the ground, similar to the way tennis is played, but on any surface whatsoever, generally smaller than tennis courts or in places where the ball can not bounce. With this aim in mind, there are already numerous types of bats forming rackets without a shaft or with a shortened shaft which, on one or both sides of the hand, have a striking plate provided with a handle or a fastener connecting it to the player's hand. These devices have not been a commercial success, which can be attributed to shortcomings in terms of their efficiency, comfort and ability to adjust to the player's hand.
An example of prior art, described in patent application FR-A-2 437 848, is a bat comprising a sleeve in the external shape of an open hand, with two striking plates on its opposite sides, which converge slightly in the direction of the end of the fingers. It is difficult for the hand, inserted in the gap in the shape of a dihedron between the two flat plates, to be both comfortable and held properly. The document describes another embodiment where the sleeve is an actual glove with each side having several striking plates spread out facing the fingers, palm and back of the hand. The result is a discontinuous striking surface, the shape of which can vary considerably with the movements of the hand which does not therefore make it possible to direct the ball accurately.
The present invention aims to create a bat which to a great extent avoids the drawbacks mentioned above and which holds the hand and keeps it in position, relieving it of any gripping effort.
With this aim in mind, the invention relates to a bat of the type mentioned above, characterised in that the sleeve is formed by two generally flat shaped elements, which are joined to one another along their periphery with the exception of the opening for inserting the hand, and in that each element of the sleeve is more rigid in a flat central portion, where it forms a virtually flat striking surface, than close to its periphery.
In that way, the elasticity of the peripheral parts of the bat allow the latter to envelop the player's hand providing both enough comfort and sensitivity for striking the ball. At the same time, the rigidity of the central portion serving as a striking surface makes it possible to direct the ball accurately.
In a preferred form of embodiment of the bat according to the invention, at least one of the sleeve elements comprises airholes in the area of its striking surface. The airholes are preferably defined by a grid of rigid ribs covering at least a part of the striking surface. The said grid can have an irregular layout forming a decorative figure.
The bat is preferably made of an elastic material which allows it to fit the shape of the hand. At least the sleeve element situated on the palm side of the hand may have retaining means on the surface on the inside to keep it in position on the hand, with the said retaining means comprising at least one hollow to hold the palm on the side of the said opening. The said retaining means can also have protuberances between the fingers of the hand.
In a special form of embodiment, at least one of the two sleeve elements can have two folds located on both sides of the position of the hand and converging in the direction of the said opening, along with closure devices provided outside the folds and provided to join both the elements together in such a way that they can be released on both sides of a user's wrist.
Preferably, along the said opening, each sleeve element comprises a free edge with a rounded, convex profile on the hand side. Each sleeve element or both the elements can be a moulded piece in synthetic material.
Other features and advantages of the present inve
REFERENCES:
patent: 5027439 (1991-07-01), Spector
patent: 5150896 (1992-09-01), Holmes
patent: 5236191 (1993-08-01), Capriati
Deane, Jr. William J.
Weiss John G.
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