U.S. patent application number 12/563630 was filed with the patent office on 2010-01-14 for bat with flexible handle.
This patent application is currently assigned to RAWLINGS SPORTING GOODS COMPANY, INC. Invention is credited to Biju Mathew, Matthew V. Vacek.
Application Number | 20100009787 12/563630 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38620142 |
Filed Date | 2010-01-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100009787 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Vacek; Matthew V. ; et
al. |
January 14, 2010 |
Bat With Flexible Handle
Abstract
Included herein is a bat for striking a ball. The bat comprises
a barrel portion, transition portion attached to the barrel
portion, and a handle portion attached to the transition portion.
The handle portion includes a longitudinal axis and a plurality of
planes substantially parallel to the axis. The adjacent planes of
the plurality of planes are positioned to define apertures
substantially parallel to the axis. The planes and apertures are
positioned to vary the flexibility of the handle and improve bat
performance for a given swing speeds.
Inventors: |
Vacek; Matthew V.; (La
Crosse, WI) ; Mathew; Biju; (St. Charles,
MO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WADDEY & PATTERSON, P.C.
1600 DIVISION STREET, SUITE 500
NASHVILLE
TN
37203
US
|
Assignee: |
RAWLINGS SPORTING GOODS COMPANY,
INC
St. Louis
MO
|
Family ID: |
38620142 |
Appl. No.: |
12/563630 |
Filed: |
September 21, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12107452 |
Apr 22, 2008 |
7611428 |
|
|
12563630 |
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|
11549776 |
Oct 16, 2006 |
7377868 |
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12107452 |
|
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|
60745309 |
Apr 21, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
473/568 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 60/0081 20200801;
A63B 60/06 20151001; A63B 60/48 20151001; A63B 60/52 20151001; A63B
60/08 20151001; A63B 60/10 20151001; A63B 59/50 20151001; A63B
2102/18 20151001 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/568 |
International
Class: |
A63B 59/06 20060101
A63B059/06 |
Claims
1. A bat for striking a ball, the bat comprising: a barrel portion;
a transition portion attached to the barrel portion; and a handle
portion attached to the transition portion, the handle portion
including: a circumference; a longitudinal axis; a plurality of
planes substantially parallel to the axis, each plane including a
distal end, and adjacent planes are positioned to define apertures
substantially parallel to the axis with each aperture including a
proximate end; a cross piece positioned substantially perpendicular
to the plurality of planes and intersecting the axis, the
cross-piece including a thickness and a length; and wherein the
apertures, planes, and cross piece in the handle are positioned to
provide a response to a force substantially parallel to the planes
and substantially perpendicular to the cross piece that is flexible
relative to a stiffer response to a force substantially
perpendicular to the planes and substantially planer to the cross
piece.
2. The bat of claim 1, wherein the thickness is substantially
uniform along the length.
3. The bat of claim 1, wherein the proximate ends are aligned.
4. The bat of claim 1, wherein at least two of the proximate ends
are offset.
5. The bat of claim 1, wherein the distal ends are rounded.
6. The bat of claim 1, wherein the distal ends conform to the shape
of the circumference.
7. The bat of claim 1, the handle including a deflection
characteristic responsive to a force substantially perpendicular to
the longitudinal axis, wherein the deflection characteristic is
increased by the apertures defined in the handle.
8. The bat of claim 1, further including at least one externally
positioned support positioned on the handle to regulate the
flexibility of the handle.
9. The bat of claim 8, wherein the externally positioned support is
positioned substantially parallel to the axis of the handle.
10. The bat of claim 8, wherein the externally positioned support
is spirally shaped.
11. A bat for striking a ball, the bat comprising: a barrel; a
taper attached to the barrel; and a handle attached to the taper,
the handle including: a circumference; a central axis; a plurality
of longitudinal planes of material substantially parallel to the
axis with adjacent longitudinal planes positioned to define
longitudinal apertures substantially parallel to the axis, each
longitudinal plane including a distal end, each longitudinal
aperture including a proximate end and at least two of the
proximate ends are offset; a connecting piece substantially
perpendicular to the plurality of longitudinal planes and
intersecting the axis and including a width and a length.
12. The bat of claim 11, wherein the handle further includes a
deflection characteristic responsive to a force substantially
perpendicular to the central axis, the deflection characteristic
increased by the apertures defined in the handle.
13. The bat of claim 11, wherein the width is substantially uniform
along the length.
14. The bat of claim 11, wherein the distal ends are rounded.
15. The bat of claim 11, wherein the distal ends conform to the
shape of the circumference.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/107,452 entitled "Bat With Flexible Handle"
filed Apr. 22, 2008, which is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/549,776 entitled "Bat With Flexible Handle"
filed Oct. 16, 2006 and issued on May 27, 2008 as U.S. Pat. No.
7,377,868, which is a non-provisional claiming priority to U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/745,309 entitled "Bat
With Flexible Handle" filed Apr. 21, 2006.
[0002] All applications and patents previously or subsequently
mentioned are hereby expressly incorporated by reference in their
entireties.
[0003] We, Matthew V. Vacek, a citizen of the United States,
residing at P.O. Box 18, Brownsville, Minn. 55919; Biju Mathew, a
citizen of India, residing at 4128 Stonecroft Drive, St. Charles,
Mo. 63304; have invented a new and useful "Bat With Flexible
Handle."
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The current invention relates long handled sports equipment,
such as softball or baseball bats, for striking balls. More
particularly, the current invention pertains to designs for bats
that yield a particular cross-sectional shape to improve the
hitting characteristics thereof.
[0005] It can be appreciated that numerous attempts have been made
to improve the performance of a bat. These prior attempts have
included the addition of various shells, inserts, materials, and
shapes of the bat in order to improve its performance or usage. For
example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,761,653, 6,733,404, 6,497,631, 6,425,836,
6,176,795, 6,022,282, 4,930,772, 4,331,330, and 3,990,699, U.S.
Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0016230, and Japanese
Patent No. JP5023407 disclose various attempts to improve the
performance or use of a bat.
[0006] The performance of a bat is generally based upon the weight
of the bat, length of the bat, and the impact response of the bat
at and during impact with a ball. The weight and length
characteristics of bats have practical, as well as batter
preference, limitations. As such, most prior art attempts to
improve bat technology have been focused on the impact response of
the bat at and during impact with a ball.
[0007] For example, studies have been made to measure the
coefficient of restitution (COR) between a ball and a bat. The
research has shown that the COR was dependent on both the flexural
stiffness, with reference to the axis of a bat, and the
circumferential stiffness, or elasticity, of the bat. The research
found that the COR rose with increasing bending stiffness and
decreasing circumferential stiffness.
[0008] Other research has shown that the elasticity of the bat is a
greater factor in determining the COR of the bat. For example,
research has shown that when the contact time between the ball and
the bat match the time required for the bat to deflect and return
to its original position, the COR increases because some of the
vibrational energy in the bat was returned to the ball. This has
been referred to an isoharmonic impact.
[0009] It is known that as the weight of a bat is reduced, the
batter can swing the bat with additional speed thereby parting more
force on the ball during impact. Bat performance therefore varies
with the individual player's swing speed. Additionally, other
research has shown that the performance factors of a bat can be
increased when the bending momentum in the bat is increased.
[0010] It is theorized that the speed of the bat, and more
particularly the speed of the hitting area of the bat, through the
hitting zone can be affected by the relative flexibility between
the handle and the barrel, or flexibility in the attachment between
the handle and barrel depending on the overall swing speed of the
bat. An important location for the actual measurement of overall
bat swing speed is in the hitting zone--roughly defined by the
strike zone for each individual batter. In essence, it is theorized
that handle flexibility and can affect the relative speed of the
barrel through the hitting zone even if the overall speed of the
bat is substantially consistent. For example, it is theorized that
a player with high swing speed can get a better performance with a
stiff handle bat, where as a player with lower swing speed will
perform better with a flexible handle bat provided all the
parameters remains the same. For example, a professional player
should perform better with a stiff handle bat compared to a high
school player, who should perform better with a flexible handle
bat
[0011] What is needed is an improved bat that provides increased
performance. This improved bat preferably has a design that alters
flexibility characteristics such that it has an improved batted
ball performance. This needed bat is lacking in the art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] Included herein is a bat for striking a ball. The bat
comprises a barrel portion, transition portion attached to the
barrel portion, and a handle portion attached to the transition
portion. The handle portion includes a longitudinal axis and a
plurality of planes substantially parallel to the axis. The
adjacent planes of the plurality of planes are positioned to define
apertures substantially parallel to the axis.
[0013] The bat further includes a cross piece which is
perpendicular to the plurality to the planes that intersects the
axis. The cross piece further includes a thickness and a length
wherein the thickness is substantially uniform along the length.
Each aperture further includes a proximate end. In one embodiment,
the proximate ends are aligned. In an alternate embodiment, at
least two of the proximate ends are off set.
[0014] Each plane can further include a distal end with each end
substantially round in shape. Additionally, the handle can include
a circumference wherein the distal ends conform to the shape of the
circumference. A layer of material can be positioned around the
handle to enclose the apertures and planes.
[0015] The handle can further include a deflection characteristic
responsive to a force positioned substantially perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis. The deflection characteristic is increased by
the apertures defined in the handle such that the apertures
increase the deflection characteristic in the handle during
operation of the bat when it strikes a ball.
[0016] It is therefore a general object of the present invention to
provide an improved bat for striking a ball.
[0017] Another object of the present invention is to provide a bat
having a handle portion that includes a plurality of planes
positioned substantially parallel to the axis of a handle.
[0018] Another object of the present invention is to provide a bat
with an improved deflection characteristic in the handle of the
bat.
[0019] Other further objects and features of the current invention
will be readily apparent upon a reading of the detailed disclosure
and a view of the figures included herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 is a side view of a bat made in accordance with the
current disclosure.
[0021] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a prior art bat taken
generally along line AA as shown in FIG. 1.
[0022] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a bat
made in accordance with the current disclosure taken generally
along AA of FIG. 1.
[0023] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a bat
made in accordance with the current disclosure taken generally
along AA of FIG. 1.
[0024] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a bat
made in accordance with the current disclosure taken generally
along AA of FIG. 1.
[0025] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a bat
made in accordance with the current disclosure taken generally
along AA of FIG. 1.
[0026] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a bat
made in accordance with the current disclosure taken generally
along AA of FIG. 1.
[0027] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a bat
made in accordance with the current disclosure taken generally
along AA of FIG. 1.
[0028] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a bat
made in accordance with the current disclosure taken generally
along AA of FIG. 1.
[0029] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a bat
made in accordance with the current disclosure taken generally
along AA of FIG. 1.
[0030] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a bat
made in accordance with the current disclosure taken generally
along AA of FIG. 1. FIG. 11 shows an example of a handle with three
types of flexibility depending on the orientation of the impact
between the ball and bat in view of the orientation of the planes
of the handle.
[0031] FIG. 12 is graph showing the comparison of swing speed and
performance for three types of flexibility in handles.
[0032] FIG. 13A is a partial side view of a handle made in
accordance with the current disclosure. FIG. 13A shows an example
of a handle have external supports varying flexibility of the
handle.
[0033] FIG. 13B is a partial side view of a handle made in
accordance with the current disclosure. FIG. 13B shows an example
of a handle have alternate external supports varying flexibility of
the handle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0034] Referring generally now to FIGS. 1-13B, a bat is shown
generally designated by the numeral 10. The bat 10 is for striking
a ball 12 and comprises a barrel portion 14, a transition portion
16, and a handle portion 18. The transition portion 16, which can
also be described as a taper 16, is attached to the barrel portion
14, which can also be described as a barrel 14, while the handle
portion 18, which can also be described as a handle 18, is attached
to the transition portion 16. The bat also includes a knob 20 and a
cap end 22.
[0035] The handle portion 18 includes a longitudinal axis 24, which
can also be described as a central axis 24, and a plurality of
planes 26, which can be described as a plurality of second planes
26, positioned substantially parallel to the axis 24. The plurality
of planes 26 are positioned such that adjacent planes define
apertures 28 wherein the apertures 28 are substantially parallel to
the axis 24. Each aperture 28 includes a proximate end 30, while
each plane 26 includes a distal end 32.
[0036] In one embodiment, each proximate end 30 is aligned with one
of the adjacent proximate ends 30, while in another embodiment at
least two of the proximate ends 30 are offset. In another
embodiment, each distal end 32 is rounded. These rounded distal
ends 32 can be generally described as tapering to a curved point.
In another embodiment, the distal ends 32 conform to the shape of
the circumference 34 of the handle 18.
[0037] The handle 18 can also include a cross piece 36, which can
also be described as a first plane of material 36, that is
positioned substantially perpendicular to the planes 26 and
substantially intersecting the axis 24. The cross piece 36 can
further include a thickness 38 and a length 40. In one embodiment,
the thickness 38, which can be described as a width 38, is
substantially uniform along the length 40. In an alternate
embodiment, the width 38 varies along the length 40.
[0038] The bat 10 can further include a layer of material 42 that
surrounds the handle 18. The layer of material 42 can be used to
enclose the handle 18 and protect the handle 18 without altering
the characteristics of the bat 10.
[0039] The handle 18 further includes a deflection characteristic
which is responsive to a force 44 applied substantially
perpendicular to the axis 24. The deflection characteristic of the
handle 18 is increased by the apertures 28 defined in the handle 14
by the planes 26 and cross piece 36. Part of this increased
deflection characteristic is due to the fact that the apertures 28
open to the circumference 34 of the handle 18. This allows
deflection between the planes 26 when the force 44 is applied to
the bat 10. As such, due to the positioning of the planes 26 to
create the apertures 28, the planes 26 have additional room in
which to deflect during the application of the force 24. This
additional deflection allows for an increased overall elasticity of
the bat 10 and a return of energy to the ball 12.
[0040] As illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, the performance of
various embodiments of the current invention can vary depending on
the orientation of the handle 14 in relation to the impact
direction of the ball and the bat. For example impact of ball in a
direction substantially perpendicular to the planes 26 and
substantially planer to the cross piece 36 provides a stiff
response from the handle 14. Impact of ball in a direction
substantially parallel to the planes 26 and substantially
perpendicular to the cross piece 36 provides a flexible response
from the handle 14. Additionally, impact of ball in a direction
obtuse to both to the planes 26 and cross piece 36 provides an
intermediate response from the handle 14. FIG. 12 provides test
data of the various responses charted against swing speed of the
bat and performance of the bat.
[0041] Additionally, the cylindrical nature of the handle 18
further facilitates the same integration of the current inventive
bat 10 into the market. A layer 42 can substantially cover the
handle 18 such that a user of the bat 10 would not necessarily know
of the unique design feature of the handle 18.
[0042] As exampled in FIGS. 13A-B, in an alternate embodiment of
the bat 10 the handle 18 includes externally positioned supports 50
positioned on the handle 18 to regulate the flexibility of the
handle 18. The supports 50, or ribs 50, can be positioned in
several configurations including substantially parallel to the axis
of the handle and circumferentially positioned on the circumference
of the handle 18. Alternately, the ribs 50 can be spirally shaped
along the length of the bat.
[0043] The supports 50 are preferably positioned to regulate the
flexibility, or define the stiffness characteristics, of the handle
18. This can be accomplished by connecting adjacent planes 26 to
inhibit independent movement there between. The ribs 50 can run
longitudinally (parallel to the main axis of the bat 10) and be
used to efficiently increase stiffness. Alternately, the ribs 50
can spiral or angle down the handle 18 to provide varying degrees
of stiffness in the handle 18. Adding the ribs 50 to the outside of
the handle 18 facilitates the controlled stiffness of the handle 18
due to the fact that the reinforcement characteristics of the ribs
50 are space from the neutral axis of bending of the bat 10.
[0044] Thus, although there have been described particular
embodiments of the present invention of a new and useful Bat With
Flexible Handle, it is not intended that such references be
construed as limitations upon the scope of this invention except as
set forth in the following claims.
* * * * *