GB2527032A

GB2527032A - A bat

Info

Publication number: GB2527032A
Application number: GB1409666.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Crossman
Original assignee: EZEESPORT Ltd
Current assignee: EZEESPORT Ltd
Priority date: 2014-05-30
Filing date: 2014-05-30
Publication date: 2015-12-16
Also published as: WO2015181569A1; GB201409666D0

Abstract

A bat 1 comprises: first and second hitting panels 2; each panel includes a substantially rigid first layer 3 and a padded second layer 4; the hitting panels 2 are arranged in a face-to face relationship with the padded second layers 4 facing one another; the first and second hitting panels 2 are fastened together at a plurality of locations around the periphery of the hitting panels using a plurality of elasticated straps 5; each strap 5 passes through a corresponding slot 7 formed in each of the facing hitting panels 2; in use, the bat 1 is worn on a users hand by inserting the hand between the first and second hitting panels 2 and the users hand is clamped under a resilient bias of the elasticated straps 5 to secure the bat 1 to the user's hand. The elasticated straps 5 are preferably adjustable and may include hook and loop fastening; the bat 1 may extend to cover the wrist of a user when worn on the hand.

Description

Field of invention

The present invention relates to a bat for use in a variety of ball games and especially as a substitute for a conventional racket.

Background to the invention

Two of the greatest difficulties experienced by young children learning to use a hand held racket are, firstly, in the high level of hand-eye coordination required to accurately hit and direct a moving ball and, secondly, in the degree of strength required to hold the racket in an orientation that encourages correct technique.

Both of these difficulties are exacerbated by the design of conventional rackets, in which the hitting surface is at a significant distance from the hand grip. As well making the ball difficult to control, this distance generates a large moment of force on the user's wrist due to the weight of the racket.

The inability of young children to overcome these difficulties can lead to bad habits of technique becoming ingrained, such as incorrect wrist, elbow and shoulder position. It can also lead to the children becoming frustrated with their lack of progress and abandoning the sport altogether.

One solution to these problems has been for children to use smaller rackets with shorter handles. VVbile these offer some improvement over the use of an adult sized racket, the inherent difficulties in having a displaced hitting surface remain.

Another solution has been to develop a bat that fits around the hand of the user, thus bringing the hitting surface as close to the hand as possible. While this solution would, in principle, overcome the above problems, these bats have suffered from a number of further problems. The most significant problem has been due to a combination of the weight of the bat and inadequate fastening mechanisms, which leads to the bat becoming detached from the child's hand when it gains sufficient momentum. Previous attempts to overcome this problem have resulted in additional fastening mechanisms being incorporated, which themselves increase the overall mass of the bat and, thus, compound the original problem by increasing the bat's momentum when swung.

It is the aim of the present invention to provide a bat that is suitable for use by young children learning racket sports and will encourage correct technique.

Summary of invention

The present invention provides a bat comprising a first hitting panel and a second hitting panel, each hitting panel having a laminate structure comprising a substantially rigid first layer and a padded second layer, with the hitting panels arranged in a face-to face relationship with the padded second layers facing one another, wherein the first and second hitting panels are fastened together at a plurality of locations around the periphery of the hitting panels using a plurality of elasticated straps, each of which passes through a corresponding slot formed in each of the facing hitting panels, and wherein, in use, a userTh hand inserted between the first and second hitting panels is clamped under a resilient bias of the elasticated straps to secure the bat to the user's hand.

Brief description of figures

An example of the present invention will now be described in detail, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a bat in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 shows a cross section through the bat of Figure 1; and Figure 3 shows a plan view of one of the hitting panels of the bat of Figure 1.

Detailed description

Figures 1, 2 and 3 show a bat 1, comprising two hitting panels 2, each of which comprises a rigid first layer 3 and a padded second layer 4; and a plurality of elasticated straps 5, each of which pass through slots 7 in the rigid outer layers 3. Figure 1 also shows a dotted outline of a users hand inserted into the bat as a demonstration of how the invention is used, although this is not a feature of the invention itself.

As can be seen in all of the Figures, and most clearly in Figure 2, the two hitting panels 2 are identical and disposed in a face to face relationship, with the rigid layers 3 facing outwardly and the padded layers 4 facing inwardly. The space between the two hitting panels 2 into which the user would insert his hand when in use can be clearly seen.

As can also be seen in all of the Figures, the panels 2 are not connected by any sod of hinge, which would otherwise impose a fixed distance between the panels at a certain point and would cause the bat to fit loosely around any hand which is not of the ideal proportions for that specific bat. Advantageously, the bat 1 shown in the Figures has no fixed contact points between the two hitting panels 2, allowing the bat Ito fit closely around a variety of hand shapes and sizes.

When a hand is inserted between the two hitting panels 2 the elastic straps 5 are stretched, causing a resilient force to pull the two panels 2 together around the user's hand. This produces a clamping force which secures the panels 2 to the user's hand such that it will remain in a fixed position relative to the hand when swung. By using a number of elasticated straps 5, the panels 2 are able to be brought together to form a secure fit around a range of sizes and shapes of hand.

In each of the hitting panels 2, the rigid first layer 3 is substantially planar and may be formed of a plastic such as a mixture of polypropylene and high impact polystyrene resin, or of another suitably rigid and lightweight material. Its front and back surfaces have an area which is sufficient to entirely cover a child's hand and wrist. The rigid layer 3 also comprises a number of elongated slots 7 disposed around the periphery of the bay and which extend through the thickness of the rigid layer and are suitably shaped to allow an elasticated strap to be passed through it. An advantage of this arrangement is that, in the event of an individual strap 5 breaking, the strap 5 may be easily replaced without requiring specialist tools. Another advantage is that the straps 5 may be removed and replaced with straps 5 of a different length in order to fit a different hand size.

The rigid layer 3 also comprises a number of openings 6 across its extent, which pass through its entire thickness. These openings 6 allow the overall mass of the bat 1 to be reduced without compromising its rigidity and may be arranged in a pattern so as to improve the overall aesthetic appearance of the bat 1.

The padded second layer 4 is substantially planar and is formed from a pliable material, such as super soft semi closed cell EPDM sponge rubber foam, or another similar material. The padded second layer 4 is adhered to the rigid first layer 3, with both layers being substantially parallel. As shown in Figure 3, the footprint of the padded layer 4 is smaller than the rigid layer 3, leaving a gap around the periphery of the rigid layer 3 on the side that it is joined to the padded second layer 4. As the padded layer 4 is used to protect the user and provide comfort, it does not need to be significantly larger than a child's hand. In contrast, a larger rigid layer 3 provides a larger hitting surface which improves the ease with which a ball can be struck. By using a smaller second layer 4 than first layer 3, the mass of the bat I may again be reduced without losing any functionality.

The padded layer 4 extends to the periphery of the rigid layer at a neck portion.

This provides protection to the wrist at the point where the hand is inserted into the bat 1. As the padding 4 is clamped around the wrist and hand, relative movement between the forearm and hand, also known as "floppy wrist syndrome", is prevented, forcing the children to produce power using the shoulder and elbow joints. In this way, the correct orientation of the upper body is encouraged and will feel natural for the children as they progress to conventional rackets.

It can also be seen most clearly in Figure 3 that the padded layer 4 does not extend to the periphery of the rigid layer 3 around the entire hitting panel 2, allowing space for the straps 5 which pass through the slots 7 in the rigid layer to pass the padded layer 4 without obstruction. This reduction in the size of the padded layer 4 also serves to decrease the overall mass of the bat 1.

In other embodiments, the padded second layer 4 may have the same sized footprint as the rigid outer layer 3, or extend to the periphery of the rigid outer layer 3 at more than one location.

In the embodiment shown in the Figures, four elasticated straps 5, which are passed through elongated slots 7 in each of the hitting panels 2, bias each of the hitting panels 2 towards one another. Three of the four elasticated straps 5 pass through one slot 7 in each of the hitting panels 2. One of the elasticated straps is longer than the other three and passes through two slots 7 in each of the hitting panels 2.

Each elasticated strap 5 may comprise hook and loop fastening portions of the type made by VELCRO, which allows the strap 5 to be reversibly fastened to itself to form a closed loop. The straps 5 may be unfastened, allowing them to be easily removed and replaced. By unfastening the straps 5, the two hitting panels 2 may be entirely separated from one another, which allows the bat 1 to be easily cleaned.

The length of straps 5 may be adjusted by varying the position at which the hook portion of the strap engages with the loop portion of the strap 5. By varying the unstretched length of the straps 5, hands of different sizes may be inserted into the bat I without the elastic becoming overstretched or being too loose.

Furthermore, the inclusion of detachable hook and loop fasteners on the straps 5 means that, should a user attempt to force his hand into the bat while the straps are at not at a suitable length, the straps 5 will unfasten from themselves rather than causing irreversible damage to the bat 1.

In other embodiments there may be a different number of straps 5 and not all of the straps 5 may be elasticated.

Claims

Claims 1. A bat comprising: a first hitting panel and a second hitting panel, each hitting panel having a laminate structure comprising a substantially rigid first layer and a padded second layer, with the hitting panels arranged in a face-to face relationship with the padded second layers facing one another, wherein the first and second hitting panels are fastened together at a plurality of locations around the periphery of the hitting panels using a plurality of elasticated straps, each of which passes through a corresponding slot formed in each of the facing hitting panels, and wherein, in use, a user's hand inserted between the first and second hitting panels is clamped under a resilient bias of the elasticated straps to secure the bat to the user's hand.
2. The bat of claim 1, wherein the elasticated straps comprise hook and loop fastening portions, allowing the elasticated straps to be reversibly fastened to themselves so as to form a closed loop.
3. The bat of any preceding claim, wherein the elasticated straps are adjustable, such that their lengths may be changed by the user.
4. The bat of any previous claim, wherein on each hitting panel the padded second layer extends to the periphery of the rigid first layer at a wrist area.
5. The bat of any previous claim, wherein the rigid first layers of each panel comprise a plurality of holes extending through its width.
6. The bat of any previous claim, wherein the first and second hitting panels are shaped such that when in use they extend over the entire hand and wrist of a child.
7. The bat of any previous claim, wherein the rigid first layer comprises polypropylene and high impact polystyrene resin.
8. The ball game of any preceding claim, wherein the padded second layer comprises super soft semi closed cell EPDM sponge rubber foam.