CA2210815A1 - Non-circular handle for a baseball bat or golf club - Google Patents
Non-circular handle for a baseball bat or golf clubInfo
- Publication number
- CA2210815A1 CA2210815A1 CA 2210815 CA2210815A CA2210815A1 CA 2210815 A1 CA2210815 A1 CA 2210815A1 CA 2210815 CA2210815 CA 2210815 CA 2210815 A CA2210815 A CA 2210815A CA 2210815 A1 CA2210815 A1 CA 2210815A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- handle
- section
- cross
- baseball bat
- handle portion
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Abstract
A handle for a baseball bat or for a golf club is modified relative to the conventional handle in that it is shaped generally in the form of an ellipsewith flattened sides so that a line from the top to the bottom of the handle is longer than a dimension at right angles to that line. The handle is used in the hands of the player so that the longer dimension is generally vertical and the bottom of the handle intersecting with the longer dimension is cupped within the fingers of the player at or adjacent the first joint of the fingers of the player.
Description
CA 0221081~ 1997-07-18 NON-CIRCULAR HANDLE FOR A BASEBALL BAT OR GOLF CLUB
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a non-circular handle for a baseball bat or golf club.
Baseball bats are conventionally of a shape which defines a circular cross section at all points along its length so that it has no orientation around its periphery which is preferred over any other orientation. The bat has a generally cylindrical impact portion for impacting the ball, a handle at one end of the bat and an intervening tapered portion which extends from the handle which is of a smaller cross section to the impact portion which is a increased cross section.
It is of course essential that the ball impact portion be of circular cross section since it is fundamental to the game. However the handle is also of circular cross section.
According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a new improved baseball bat having a handle which allows the user to grasp the handle in a manner which enhances or improves the grip of the hands of the user on the bat.
According to the invention, it is therefore, provided a baseball bat comprising a elongate body having a ball impact portion which is generally of cylindrical shape having a circular cross section, a handle portion at one end of the bat and intervening tapered portion interconnecting the handle portion and the impact portion, the handle portion being shaped such that it has a length sufficient to receive both hands of a player and such that in cross section it is CA 0221081~ 1997-07-18 non-circular with a first dimension in one direction which is longer than a second dimension at right angle to the first dimension.
Preferably the cross section has an outer surface which is smoothly curved.
Preferably the cross section is generally elliptical.
Preferably the handle portion is of substantially constant cross section along its length.
Preferably the handle is formed by a basic cylindrical portion which is covered by a pair of insert members each on a respective side of the handle 1 0 portion.
Preferably the handle is formed by a basic cylindrical portion which is covered by a single insert member on one side of the handle portion, the insert member having an inner surface which is cylindrical and an outer surface which is generally part elliptical in cross-section so that the raised section projects only out to one side of the cylindrical handle.
Preferably the insert portions are adhesively attached to the handle portion and are covered by an adhesive wrapping.
Preferably the insert portions are formed of a resilient foam material.
Golf clubs also generally provide a cylindrical handle.
The golf club has a fixed orientation, that is, a specific orientation of the club face of the club head which requires to be maintained in a particular orientation as the stroke is effected.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved golf club handle which enables the user to more effectively grasp and locate the handle for effecting a controlled shot.
- CA 0221081~ 1997-07-18 According to a second aspect of the invention it is provided a golf club comprising an elongate shaft having a club head at one end of the shaft and a handle portion at an opposed end of the shaft, the handle portion being shaped such that it has a length sufficient to receive both hands of a player and such that in cross section it is non-circular with a first dimension in one direction which is longer than a second dimension at right angle to the first dimension .
One embodiment of the invention will now be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a baseball bat according to the present invention.
Figure 2 is a cross sectional view along the lines of 2-2 of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a cross sectional view along the lines of 3-3 of Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a cross sectional view similar to that of Figure 2 showing a modified arrangement including two inserts to provide the required outer shape.
Figure 5 is a cross sectional view similar to that of Figure 2 showing a modified arrangement including a single insert so that the shape iS
distorted only to one side.
Figure 6 is a front elevational view of a golf club according to the present invention.
Figure 7 is a cross sectional view along the lines 5-5 of Figure 4.
' CA 0221081~ 1997-07-18 In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In Figure 1 is shown a baseball which is of generally conventional 5 shape and includes a circular cylindrical impact section 10, a handle 11 and tapered intervening section 12. At the end of the handle is provided a stopper 14 of increased diameter rotated to the handle. The stopper is of circular crosssection as shown in Figure 2. The impact section 10 is of circular cross section as shown in Figure 3. The handle section 11 includes a length L which 10 is sufficient to receive both hands of the player engaged onto the handle oneabove the other and wrapped around the handle with the knuckles aligned.
According to the invention, the handle is shaped that instead of being of circular cross section of the conventional type it is of a cross section which is shaped as shown in Figures 2 and 3 so it has a first dimension D1 15 which is longer than a second dimension D2 so the handle has a pre-determined orientation. The handle is of constant cross sectional along its length between the sections lines 2 and 3. The increased dimension D1 causes the player to align the bat so that it sits in the hands with the dimension D1 facing toward the eyes of the player. This orientation and shape tends to 20 cause the player to locate the knuckles of the hands directly underneath the bottom of the handle that is at the lower end of the dimension D 1 thus automatically aligning the knuckles. Furthermore the shape of the handle tends to cause the player to move the handle further out toward the fingers rather than into the palm of the hands so that the handle sits cupped in the fingers 25 with the first knuckle of the fingers effectively on the plane containing thedimensional line D1. This location of the lower curvature of the handle cupped CA 0221081~ 1997-07-18 within the fingers of the player provides an improved action in that the player has a better control over the twisting or turning of the bat as the stroke is played and a more possibility to increase the speed of the bat by adding to the motion the action provided by the hands and fingers of the player.
The bat therefore provides an enhanced training tool and also can provide an enhanced action in play.
In Figure 4 is shown a modified arrangement by which the improved handle shape can be obtained by attaching inserts onto an existing bat handle. Thus an existing cylindrical handle 15 is modified by attaching two 10 inserts 16 which carry an adhesive layer 17 on the inside surface 18 which ispart cylindrical to follow the outside of the handle. Each insert has a part elliptical outer surface 19. The whole outer surface including the surfaces 19 and the exposed parts of the handle between the inserts is covered by a grip 19A with an inner layer of adhesive 19B. The inserts 16 are preferably formed 15 of a resilient foam material so as to have some resilience to the hands of the player.
In Figure 5 is a similar arrangement in which a single insert 30 is used. Such an arrangement is more likely to be used in a game situation while the double insert could be used in practice. The single insert sits in the fingers 20 of the player to provide an improved grip and to better locate the bat in thehands of the player. The single insert extends around 180 degrees of the handle 15 or slightly more when the insert is used on a smaller diameter bat.
The insert has an adhesive layer 31 on the inside surface attaching it to the handle 15. This can be supplied with a peelable covering layer for removal to 25 attach the insert to an existing bat. The insert may or may not be covered by a tape covering. In the example shown, the insert is not covered. The insert has CA 0221081~ 1997-07-18 a central groove 32 formed in the inner surface 33 extending along the full length of the insert. This groove enables the insert to better accommodate bats of different diameter and also provides a spring shock absorbing effect.
The insert is formed of an extruded rubber.
In Figures 6 and 7 is shown the same improvement used in a golf club. The golf club comprises a shaft 20 and a club head 22. The shaft tapers to a circular cross section at the lower end where it enters the club head. The shaft is formed at its upper end with a handle section H longer to receive the hands of the player which is again of the same cross section as set forth in 10 Figures 2 and 3 and indicated at C in Figure 6. The club head 22 includes a club face 24 which is aligned on a line F which is parallel to or aligned with the long dimension D1 of the cross sectional shape of the shaft at the handle area.
The cross section of the handle is shaped as shown in Figures 2 and 3 so that it is generally elliptical with a smooth curvature. The shape does15 not have to be directly elliptical in the mathematical calculation of an ellipse but is smoothly curved so that it provides a readily graspable element without sharp corners for engaging into the fingers and hands of the player and yet provides the increase in dimension D1 relative to the shorter dimension D2.
This is achieved therefor by flattening the sides S1 and S2 relative to the top T
20 and bottom B of the handle. The club handle may be modified by the use of inserts as shown in Figures 4 and 5.
Since various modifications can be made in my invention as herein above described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made within the spirit and scope of the claims without departing from such 25 spirit and scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a non-circular handle for a baseball bat or golf club.
Baseball bats are conventionally of a shape which defines a circular cross section at all points along its length so that it has no orientation around its periphery which is preferred over any other orientation. The bat has a generally cylindrical impact portion for impacting the ball, a handle at one end of the bat and an intervening tapered portion which extends from the handle which is of a smaller cross section to the impact portion which is a increased cross section.
It is of course essential that the ball impact portion be of circular cross section since it is fundamental to the game. However the handle is also of circular cross section.
According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a new improved baseball bat having a handle which allows the user to grasp the handle in a manner which enhances or improves the grip of the hands of the user on the bat.
According to the invention, it is therefore, provided a baseball bat comprising a elongate body having a ball impact portion which is generally of cylindrical shape having a circular cross section, a handle portion at one end of the bat and intervening tapered portion interconnecting the handle portion and the impact portion, the handle portion being shaped such that it has a length sufficient to receive both hands of a player and such that in cross section it is CA 0221081~ 1997-07-18 non-circular with a first dimension in one direction which is longer than a second dimension at right angle to the first dimension.
Preferably the cross section has an outer surface which is smoothly curved.
Preferably the cross section is generally elliptical.
Preferably the handle portion is of substantially constant cross section along its length.
Preferably the handle is formed by a basic cylindrical portion which is covered by a pair of insert members each on a respective side of the handle 1 0 portion.
Preferably the handle is formed by a basic cylindrical portion which is covered by a single insert member on one side of the handle portion, the insert member having an inner surface which is cylindrical and an outer surface which is generally part elliptical in cross-section so that the raised section projects only out to one side of the cylindrical handle.
Preferably the insert portions are adhesively attached to the handle portion and are covered by an adhesive wrapping.
Preferably the insert portions are formed of a resilient foam material.
Golf clubs also generally provide a cylindrical handle.
The golf club has a fixed orientation, that is, a specific orientation of the club face of the club head which requires to be maintained in a particular orientation as the stroke is effected.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved golf club handle which enables the user to more effectively grasp and locate the handle for effecting a controlled shot.
- CA 0221081~ 1997-07-18 According to a second aspect of the invention it is provided a golf club comprising an elongate shaft having a club head at one end of the shaft and a handle portion at an opposed end of the shaft, the handle portion being shaped such that it has a length sufficient to receive both hands of a player and such that in cross section it is non-circular with a first dimension in one direction which is longer than a second dimension at right angle to the first dimension .
One embodiment of the invention will now be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a baseball bat according to the present invention.
Figure 2 is a cross sectional view along the lines of 2-2 of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a cross sectional view along the lines of 3-3 of Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a cross sectional view similar to that of Figure 2 showing a modified arrangement including two inserts to provide the required outer shape.
Figure 5 is a cross sectional view similar to that of Figure 2 showing a modified arrangement including a single insert so that the shape iS
distorted only to one side.
Figure 6 is a front elevational view of a golf club according to the present invention.
Figure 7 is a cross sectional view along the lines 5-5 of Figure 4.
' CA 0221081~ 1997-07-18 In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In Figure 1 is shown a baseball which is of generally conventional 5 shape and includes a circular cylindrical impact section 10, a handle 11 and tapered intervening section 12. At the end of the handle is provided a stopper 14 of increased diameter rotated to the handle. The stopper is of circular crosssection as shown in Figure 2. The impact section 10 is of circular cross section as shown in Figure 3. The handle section 11 includes a length L which 10 is sufficient to receive both hands of the player engaged onto the handle oneabove the other and wrapped around the handle with the knuckles aligned.
According to the invention, the handle is shaped that instead of being of circular cross section of the conventional type it is of a cross section which is shaped as shown in Figures 2 and 3 so it has a first dimension D1 15 which is longer than a second dimension D2 so the handle has a pre-determined orientation. The handle is of constant cross sectional along its length between the sections lines 2 and 3. The increased dimension D1 causes the player to align the bat so that it sits in the hands with the dimension D1 facing toward the eyes of the player. This orientation and shape tends to 20 cause the player to locate the knuckles of the hands directly underneath the bottom of the handle that is at the lower end of the dimension D 1 thus automatically aligning the knuckles. Furthermore the shape of the handle tends to cause the player to move the handle further out toward the fingers rather than into the palm of the hands so that the handle sits cupped in the fingers 25 with the first knuckle of the fingers effectively on the plane containing thedimensional line D1. This location of the lower curvature of the handle cupped CA 0221081~ 1997-07-18 within the fingers of the player provides an improved action in that the player has a better control over the twisting or turning of the bat as the stroke is played and a more possibility to increase the speed of the bat by adding to the motion the action provided by the hands and fingers of the player.
The bat therefore provides an enhanced training tool and also can provide an enhanced action in play.
In Figure 4 is shown a modified arrangement by which the improved handle shape can be obtained by attaching inserts onto an existing bat handle. Thus an existing cylindrical handle 15 is modified by attaching two 10 inserts 16 which carry an adhesive layer 17 on the inside surface 18 which ispart cylindrical to follow the outside of the handle. Each insert has a part elliptical outer surface 19. The whole outer surface including the surfaces 19 and the exposed parts of the handle between the inserts is covered by a grip 19A with an inner layer of adhesive 19B. The inserts 16 are preferably formed 15 of a resilient foam material so as to have some resilience to the hands of the player.
In Figure 5 is a similar arrangement in which a single insert 30 is used. Such an arrangement is more likely to be used in a game situation while the double insert could be used in practice. The single insert sits in the fingers 20 of the player to provide an improved grip and to better locate the bat in thehands of the player. The single insert extends around 180 degrees of the handle 15 or slightly more when the insert is used on a smaller diameter bat.
The insert has an adhesive layer 31 on the inside surface attaching it to the handle 15. This can be supplied with a peelable covering layer for removal to 25 attach the insert to an existing bat. The insert may or may not be covered by a tape covering. In the example shown, the insert is not covered. The insert has CA 0221081~ 1997-07-18 a central groove 32 formed in the inner surface 33 extending along the full length of the insert. This groove enables the insert to better accommodate bats of different diameter and also provides a spring shock absorbing effect.
The insert is formed of an extruded rubber.
In Figures 6 and 7 is shown the same improvement used in a golf club. The golf club comprises a shaft 20 and a club head 22. The shaft tapers to a circular cross section at the lower end where it enters the club head. The shaft is formed at its upper end with a handle section H longer to receive the hands of the player which is again of the same cross section as set forth in 10 Figures 2 and 3 and indicated at C in Figure 6. The club head 22 includes a club face 24 which is aligned on a line F which is parallel to or aligned with the long dimension D1 of the cross sectional shape of the shaft at the handle area.
The cross section of the handle is shaped as shown in Figures 2 and 3 so that it is generally elliptical with a smooth curvature. The shape does15 not have to be directly elliptical in the mathematical calculation of an ellipse but is smoothly curved so that it provides a readily graspable element without sharp corners for engaging into the fingers and hands of the player and yet provides the increase in dimension D1 relative to the shorter dimension D2.
This is achieved therefor by flattening the sides S1 and S2 relative to the top T
20 and bottom B of the handle. The club handle may be modified by the use of inserts as shown in Figures 4 and 5.
Since various modifications can be made in my invention as herein above described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made within the spirit and scope of the claims without departing from such 25 spirit and scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.
Claims (7)
1. A baseball bat comprising a elongate body having a ball impact portion which is generally of cylindrical shape having a circular cross section, a handle portion at one end of the bat and intervening tapered portion interconnecting the handle portion and the impact portion, the handle portion being shaped such that it has a length sufficient to receive both hands of a player and such that in cross section it is non-circular with a first dimension in one direction which is longer than a second dimension at right angle to the first dimension.
2. The baseball bat according to Claim 1 wherein the cross section has an outer surface which is smoothly curved.
3. The baseball bat according to Claim 1 wherein the cross section is generally elliptical.
4. The baseball bat according to Claim 1 wherein the handle portion is of substantially constant cross section along its length.
5. The baseball bat according to Claim 1 wherein the handle is formed by a basic cylindrical portion which is covered by a pair of insert members each on a respective side of the handle portion.
6. The baseball bat according to Claim 5 wherein the insert portions are adhesively attached to the handle portion and are covered by an adhesive wrapping.
7. The baseball bat according to Claim 5 wherein the insert portions are formed of a resilient foam material.
9. The baseball bat according to Claim 1 wherein the handle is formed by a basic cylindrical portion which is covered by a single insert member on one side of the handle portion, the insert member having an inner surface which follows the bat handle and an outer surface which is generally part elliptical in cross-section.
10. The baseball bat according to Claim 9 wherein the insert member is adhesively attached to the handle portion.
11. The baseball bat according to Claim 9 wherein the insert member is formed of a resilient material.
12. The baseball bat according to Claim 9 wherein the insert member has a central groove on the inside surface.
13. A golf club comprising an elongate shaft having a club head at one end of the shaft and a handle portion at an opposed end of the shaft, the handle portion being shaped such that it has a length sufficient to receive both hands of a player and such that in cross section it is non-circular with a first dimension in one direction which is longer than a second dimension at right angle to the first dimension.
14. The golf club according to Claim 13 wherein the cross section has an outer surface which is smoothly curved.
15. The golf club according to Claim 13 wherein the cross section is generally elliptical.
16. The golf club according to Claim 13 wherein the handle portion is of substantially constant cross section along its length.
17. The golf club according to Claim 13 wherein the club head has a club face which is substantially aligned with the first dimension of the handle portion.
9. The baseball bat according to Claim 1 wherein the handle is formed by a basic cylindrical portion which is covered by a single insert member on one side of the handle portion, the insert member having an inner surface which follows the bat handle and an outer surface which is generally part elliptical in cross-section.
10. The baseball bat according to Claim 9 wherein the insert member is adhesively attached to the handle portion.
11. The baseball bat according to Claim 9 wherein the insert member is formed of a resilient material.
12. The baseball bat according to Claim 9 wherein the insert member has a central groove on the inside surface.
13. A golf club comprising an elongate shaft having a club head at one end of the shaft and a handle portion at an opposed end of the shaft, the handle portion being shaped such that it has a length sufficient to receive both hands of a player and such that in cross section it is non-circular with a first dimension in one direction which is longer than a second dimension at right angle to the first dimension.
14. The golf club according to Claim 13 wherein the cross section has an outer surface which is smoothly curved.
15. The golf club according to Claim 13 wherein the cross section is generally elliptical.
16. The golf club according to Claim 13 wherein the handle portion is of substantially constant cross section along its length.
17. The golf club according to Claim 13 wherein the club head has a club face which is substantially aligned with the first dimension of the handle portion.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US85234897A | 1997-05-07 | 1997-05-07 | |
| US08/852,348 | 1997-05-07 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2210815A1 true CA2210815A1 (en) | 1998-11-07 |
Family
ID=25313094
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2210815 Abandoned CA2210815A1 (en) | 1997-05-07 | 1997-07-18 | Non-circular handle for a baseball bat or golf club |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2210815A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2541211A (en) * | 2015-08-12 | 2017-02-15 | Gammell Kevin | A golf club |
-
1997
- 1997-07-18 CA CA 2210815 patent/CA2210815A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2541211A (en) * | 2015-08-12 | 2017-02-15 | Gammell Kevin | A golf club |
| GB2541211B (en) * | 2015-08-12 | 2019-05-08 | Gammell Kevin | A golf club |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |