Electric heating – Microwave heating – With heat exchange
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-29
2001-05-08
Hoang, Tu Ba (Department: 3742)
Electric heating
Microwave heating
With heat exchange
C126S263010
Reexamination Certificate
active
06229132
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention is a warmer device for sporting equipment having a microwaveable heat source. More particularly, the present invention is a warmer for raising the temperature of a piece of sporting equipment that imparts or receives energy to or from an object, such as a baseball or softball bat, a baseball, a softball, a golf club head, or a golf ball, through conductive and convective heat transfer from a rechargeable, microwaveable heat source.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Ambient air temperature can have a significant effect on the performance of pieces of sporting equipment that impart or receive energy transfer through contact with an object, such as another piece of sporting equipment. For example, in northern climates where temperatures are often cool during the early portion of a baseball or a softball season, or during evening games, cool ambient air can reduce the temperature of a softball bat, a baseball bat, a softball, or a baseball, which will have a negative impact on both the longevity and the performance of softball and baseball equipment. In particular, in aluminum bats, denting of the aluminum bats often occurs when temperatures are cool. Moreover, cold bats are more prone to stinging of a user's hands, and cold bats absorb energy as the bat strikes the softball or baseball, thereby negatively impacting the performance of the bat. Similarly, a cool softball or baseball will absorb more energy from the bat contacting the ball as compared to softballs or baseballs having a higher temperature, and thus will travel less distance in cool temperatures.
As another example, cool temperatures can negatively impact the performance of a golf club or a golf ball. During early morning or late evening hours, or generally during the spring or fall in northern climates, the cool air temperature can have a negative impact on the distance a golf ball can be struck due to the cool temperature of the golf club and/or golf ball. With respect to a golf ball, the distance a golf ball will fly and the amount of spin that a golfer can impart to the ball is generally reduced as the temperature of the ball is reduced, because the cool golf ball absorbs more energy than a warm golf ball. With respect to a golf club, again the distance a golf ball will fly and the amount of spin a golfer can impart to the ball is generally reduced as the temperature of the head of the golf club that strikes the ball is reduced.
While attempts have been made to provide warming devices that raise the temperature of certain pieces of sporting equipment, there is a continuing need for improved sporting equipment warming devices. A warming device that is portable and that permits continuous use as the piece of sporting equipment is used is desirable, as is a warming device that utilizes a rechargeable heat source. Moreover, the warmer must be effective, and must be efficient to manufacture and to use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a sporting equipment warmer for raising the temperature of a first piece of sporting equipment that imparts or receives energy transfer to or from a second piece of sporting equipment. The warmer is comprised of a warming shell having an interior chamber adapted to receive at least a portion of the first piece of sporting equipment. A rechargeable, microwaveable heat pack is positioned within the interior chamber of the warming shell. The heat pack raises the temperature of the portion of the first piece of sporting equipment that is received into the interior chamber of the warming shell. The heat pack is arranged for conductive contact with the portion of the first piece of sporting equipment received by the interior chamber of the warming shell. The interior chamber can be shaped to substantially conform with the shape of the portion of the first piece of sporting equipment received by the warming shell. In one such embodiment, the warming shell is shaped and sized to accommodate the barrel of a baseball or softball bat. In another embodiment, the warming shell is shaped and sized to receive a golf club head. In a third embodiment, the warming shell is shaped and sized to accommodate one or more sports balls, such as golf balls, baseball, or softballs. The warming shell can be comprised of a first layer of nylon material, a second layer of insulating material attached to the first layer of material, and a third layer of material attached to the second layer of material.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 370706 (1996-06-01), Mulvey
patent: 2802091 (1957-08-01), MacKendrick
patent: 3091681 (1963-05-01), Mayer
patent: 3683155 (1972-08-01), Loofbourow
patent: 3707279 (1972-12-01), Kaiser
patent: 4049949 (1977-09-01), Fitzsimons
patent: 4155002 (1979-05-01), Cohen
patent: 4420681 (1983-12-01), Arnold
patent: 4537313 (1985-08-01), Workman
patent: 4545362 (1985-10-01), Hendricks
patent: 4880953 (1989-11-01), Manker
patent: 4927015 (1990-05-01), Jones
patent: 5062528 (1991-11-01), Whitaker, Jr.
patent: 5070223 (1991-12-01), Colasante
patent: 5094238 (1992-03-01), Gibbon
patent: 5137011 (1992-08-01), Roth
patent: 5172683 (1992-12-01), West
patent: 5187814 (1993-02-01), Gold
patent: 5205278 (1993-04-01), Wang
patent: 5341927 (1994-08-01), Coyner
patent: 5424519 (1995-06-01), Salee
patent: 5436429 (1995-07-01), Cline
patent: 5460160 (1995-10-01), Parrott
patent: 5478988 (1995-12-01), Hughes et al.
patent: 5484316 (1996-01-01), McConnell
patent: 5494598 (1996-02-01), Hughes
patent: 5615769 (1997-04-01), Stephenson
patent: 5620621 (1997-04-01), Sontag
patent: 5630961 (1997-05-01), Salee
patent: 5645749 (1997-07-01), Wang
patent: 5655328 (1997-08-01), Childs et al.
patent: 5687705 (1997-11-01), Blair
patent: 5786574 (1998-07-01), Garnett
patent: 5834738 (1998-11-01), Wilson
patent: 5843145 (1998-12-01), Brink
patent: 5871527 (1999-02-01), Gubernick
Advertising flyer for “Hot Bat”.
Faegre & Benson LLP
Hoang Tu Ba
Pwu Jeffrey
LandOfFree
Sporting equipment warmer having a microwaveable heat source does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Sporting equipment warmer having a microwaveable heat source, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Sporting equipment warmer having a microwaveable heat source will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2553580