JP2024063413A - Bats and Parts - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a bat and parts that can be firmly gripped with the little finger and ring finger on the grip end side. [Solution] The bat 1 comprises a handle portion 10 including a grip end 11 and a grip portion 12, a tapered portion 20 connected to the grip portion 12 of the handle portion 10, and a barrel portion 30 connected to the tapered portion 20. The grip portion 12 includes a gripping portion 12a that is gripped with the hand on the grip end 11 side, and a protrusion 12b that protrudes outward beyond the gripping portion 12a in the radial direction of the grip portion 12. The protrusion 12b is located closer to the barrel portion 30 than the gripping portion 12a, and is configured to be gripped with the hand on the barrel portion 30 side. [Selected Figure] Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to bats and parts.

Handle parts for hitting tools have been proposed in the past with the aim of optimizing the grip of a hitting tool that is held and swung with both hands. For example, JP 2015-084964 A (Patent Document 1) describes a grip aid that uses a protrusion on the rear end of the grip to make it easier to learn how to use the wrist correctly.

JP 2015-084964 A

When operating a hitting tool that is held and swung with both hands, it is effective from the perspective of the kinetic chain to grip it firmly with the little finger and ring finger of the hand that are located on the grip end side. However, the gripping aid described in the above publication has a protrusion at the rear end of the grip, making it difficult to grip it firmly with the little finger and ring finger of the hand that are located on the grip end side.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above problems, and its purpose is to provide a bat and parts that can be firmly gripped with the little finger and ring finger of the hand, which are located on the grip end side.

The bat of the present invention comprises a handle portion including a grip end and a grip portion, a tapered portion connected to the grip portion of the handle portion, and a barrel portion connected to the tapered portion. The grip portion includes a gripping portion that is held by the hand on the grip end side, and a protrusion that protrudes radially outward from the gripping portion. The protrusion is located closer to the barrel portion than the gripping portion, and is configured to be held by the hand on the barrel portion side.

According to the present invention, the little finger and ring finger of the hand, which are positioned on the grip end side, can be gripped firmly.

1 is a schematic front view of a bat in a first embodiment. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a handle portion of the bat in the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a schematic front view of parts attached to a bat in embodiment 2. FIG. FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view of a part according to a second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a schematic partially enlarged side view of a bat or part in a third embodiment. FIG. 23 is a schematic partial enlarged side view of a bat or part in a first modified example of the third embodiment. FIG. 13 is a schematic partially enlarged side view of a bat or part in a second modified example of the third embodiment. FIG. 23 is a schematic partially enlarged side view of a bat or part in a third variation of the third embodiment. FIG. 13 is a schematic partially enlarged side view of a bat or part in a fourth modified example of the third embodiment. 1 is a graph showing the relationship between the score and the width of increase in thickness in an embodiment.

The following describes an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings. Unless otherwise specified, the same or corresponding parts in the following drawings are given the same reference symbols and their description will not be repeated.

(Embodiment 1)
The configuration of a bat 1 in a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Bat 1 is a baseball or softball bat. Bat 1 includes a handle portion 10, a tapered portion 20, and a barrel portion 30. Handle portion 10, tapered portion 20, and barrel portion 30 are arranged side by side in the extension direction of bat 1. Handle portion 10, tapered portion 20, and barrel portion 30 are integrally configured. Handle portion 10, tapered portion 20, and barrel portion 30 are made of a material such as an aluminum alloy.

The handle portion 10 is a portion with which the batter grips the bat 1. The handle portion 10 includes a grip end 11 and a grip portion 12. The grip end 11 is provided at the end of the bat 1 on the base side. The grip end 11 is configured so that the diameter first becomes larger from the end of the bat 1 on the base side, and then becomes smaller toward the grip portion 12 side. The point where the diameter becomes the most rapidly smaller from the end of the bat 1 on the base side toward the grip portion 12 side is considered to be the end of the grip end 11 (the boundary between the grip end 11 and the grip portion 12). The grip portion 12 is connected to the grip end 11. The grip portion 12 is provided on the tip side of the bat 1 relative to the grip end 11.

The tapered portion 20 is connected to the grip portion 12 of the handle portion 10. The tapered portion 20 is also connected to the barrel portion 30. The tapered portion 20 is provided between the handle portion 10 and the barrel portion 30. The diameter of the tapered portion 20 gradually increases from the grip portion 12 of the handle portion 10 toward the barrel portion 30.

The barrel portion 30 is the part used to hit the ball. The barrel portion 30 is connected to the tapered portion 20. The barrel portion 30 is located on the opposite side of the tapered portion 20 from the handle portion 10.

The grip portion 12 includes a gripping portion 12a and a protrusion 12b. The gripping portion 12a is gripped by the hand on the grip end 11 side. The protrusion 12b protrudes outward from the gripping portion 12a in the radial direction of the grip portion 12. The protrusion 12b is disposed closer to the barrel portion 30 than the gripping portion 12a. The protrusion 12b is configured to be gripped by the hand on the barrel portion 30 side. In the case of a right-handed batter, the gripping portion 12a is gripped by the left hand, and the protrusion 12b is gripped by the right hand. On the other hand, in the case of a left-handed batter, the gripping portion 12a is gripped by the right hand, and the protrusion 12b is gripped by the left hand.

The maximum outer diameter of the protrusion 12b is preferably 4 mm to 20 mm larger than the maximum outer diameter of the gripping portion 12a. In this embodiment, the diameter of the protrusion 12b is 4 mm to 20 mm larger than the diameter of the gripping portion 12a.

The protrusion 12b is positioned along the grip portion 12a away from the grip end 11 at a distance equal to or greater than the width of the hand on the grip end side. The end of the protrusion 12b on the grip end 11 side is preferably positioned at a distance of 50 mm to 200 mm from the grip end 11 along the grip portion 12a. The protrusion 12b is preferably positioned at a distance of 50 mm to 200 mm from the grip end 11 along the extension direction of the grip portion 12.

It is preferable that the protrusion 12b includes a cylindrical shape extending along the extension direction of the grip portion 12. In this embodiment, the protrusion 12b is configured to have a cylindrical shape as a whole. Therefore, in this embodiment, the protrusion 12b has a uniform diameter along the extension direction of the grip portion 12.

It is preferable that the protrusion 12b has a length along the extension direction of the grip portion 12 that is equal to or greater than the width of the hand on the barrel portion 30 side. It is preferable that the protrusion 12b has a length along the extension direction of the grip portion 12 that is equal to or greater than 50 mm and equal to or less than 200 mm.

Next, we will explain the effects of the bat 1 in embodiment 1.

According to the bat 1 in the first embodiment, the protrusion 12b that protrudes radially outward from the grip portion 12a of the grip portion 12 is configured to be gripped by the hand on the barrel portion 30 side. Therefore, the protrusion 12b makes it difficult to grip the hand on the barrel portion 30 side, so that the hand on the barrel portion 30 side can be relaxed. By relaxing the hand on the barrel portion 30 side, the little finger and ring finger of the hand positioned on the grip end 11 side can firmly grip the grip portion 12a.

According to the bat 1 in the first embodiment, the maximum outer diameter of the protrusion 12b is 4 mm to 20 mm larger than the maximum outer diameter of the gripping portion 12a. This improves the feeling of actively moving the hand on the grip end 11 side while suppressing discomfort.

According to the bat 1 in the first embodiment, the end of the protrusion 12b on the grip end 11 side is positioned along the grip portion 12a at a distance of 50 mm to 200 mm from the grip end 11. When the positioning of the protrusion 12b was considered based on data on the hand width sizes of adults and children, it was found that it is preferable that the end of the protrusion 12b on the grip end 11 side is positioned along the grip portion 12a at a distance of 50 mm to 200 mm from the grip end 11.

According to the bat 1 in the first embodiment, the protrusion 12b includes a cylindrical shape that extends along the extension direction of the grip portion 12. Therefore, the protrusion 12b can be gripped by the hand on the barrel portion 30 side in the same manner from either circumferential direction of the cylindrical shape. In addition, by making the diameter of the protrusion 12b gripped by the hand on the barrel portion 30 side thicker, it is possible to make it difficult to grip with the hand on the barrel portion 30 side and to make it easier to grip firmly with the hand located on the grip end 11 side. In addition, by extending the thick part not only to the part where the hand on the barrel portion 30 side is located but also to the part where the thumb to the middle finger of the hand on the grip end 11 side is located, it is possible to emphasize a more firm grip with the ring finger and little finger of the hand on the grip end 11 side.

(Embodiment 2)
Unless otherwise specified, the second embodiment has the same configuration and the same effects as the first embodiment. Therefore, the same components as the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and will not be described repeatedly.

The configuration of part 100 in embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. Part 100 is attached to grip portion 12 of bat 1. Part 100 may be configured to be detachable from grip portion 12 of bat 1. Part 100 is preferably softer than grip portion 12 of bat 1. Bat 1 includes handle portion 10 including grip end 11 and grip portion 12, tapered portion 20 connected to grip portion 12 of handle portion 10, and barrel portion 30 connected to tapered portion 20.

Part 100 protrudes outward in the radial direction of grip portion 12 beyond grip portion 12a, which is held by the hand on the grip end 11 side of grip portion 12. Part 100 is positioned closer to barrel portion 30 than grip portion 12a. Part 100 is configured to be held by the hand on the barrel portion 30 side. In the case of a right-handed batter, grip portion 12a is held in the left hand, and part 100 is held in the right hand. On the other hand, in the case of a left-handed batter, grip portion 12a is held in the right hand, and part 100 is held in the left hand.

The maximum outer diameter of the part 100 is preferably at least 4 mm and no more than 20 mm larger than the maximum outer diameter of the gripping portion 12a.

The end of the part 100 on the grip end 11 side is preferably positioned 50 mm to 200 mm away from the grip end 11 along the gripping portion 12a.

The part 100 preferably includes a cylindrical shape extending along the extension direction of the grip portion 12. In this embodiment, the part 100 is configured to have a cylindrical shape as a whole. A hole 100a is provided that penetrates the cylindrical shape in the axial direction of the cylindrical shape. The grip portion 12 is inserted into the hole 100a. The part 100 may also be configured to have a structure that makes it easy to wrap around the grip portion 12. For example, the part 100 is configured to be openable and closable. With the part 100 open, the grip portion 12 is inserted inside the part 100. With the grip portion 12 inserted inside the part 100, the part 100 is closed, causing the part 100 to wrap around the grip portion 12.

Next, the effects of part 100 in embodiment 2 will be described.

Part 100 in embodiment 2 protrudes outward from grip portion 12a in the radial direction of grip portion 12, and is configured to be held by the hand on the barrel portion 30 side. Therefore, part 100 makes it difficult to grip the hand on the barrel portion 30 side, so that the hand on the barrel portion 30 side can be relaxed. By relaxing the hand on the barrel portion 30 side, the little finger and ring finger of the hand on the grip end 11 side can firmly grip grip portion 12a.

The maximum outer diameter of the part 100 in the first embodiment is 4 mm to 20 mm larger than the maximum outer diameter of the gripping portion 12a. This improves the feeling of actively moving the hand on the grip end 11 side while suppressing discomfort.

In the first embodiment, the end of part 100 on the grip end 11 side is positioned along grip portion 12a at a distance of 50 mm to 200 mm from grip end 11. When the positioning of part 100 was considered based on data on the hand width sizes of adults and children, it was found that it is preferable that the end of part 100 on the grip end 11 side is positioned along grip portion 12a at a distance of 50 mm to 200 mm from grip end 11.

The part 100 in the first embodiment includes a cylindrical shape that extends along the extension direction of the grip portion 12. Therefore, the part 100 can be grasped by the hand on the barrel portion side in the same manner from either circumferential direction of the cylindrical shape.

(Embodiment 3)
Unless otherwise specified, the third embodiment has the same configuration and the same operational effects as the first and second embodiments. Therefore, the same components as the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference characters and will not be described repeatedly.

Referring to FIG. 5, the protrusion 12b in the third embodiment includes an inclined portion SP that inclines toward the center of the grip portion 12 along the extension direction of the grip portion 12. The inclined portions SP are provided at both ends of the protrusion 12b along the extension direction of the grip portion 12. The central portion of the protrusion 12b sandwiched between the inclined portions SP is configured in a cylindrical shape. Furthermore, the part 100 in the third embodiment includes an inclined portion SP that inclines toward the center of the grip portion 12 along the extension direction of the grip portion 12. The inclined portions SP are provided at both ends of the part 100 along the extension direction of the grip portion 12. The central portion of the part 100 sandwiched between the inclined portions SP is configured in a cylindrical shape.

Referring to FIG. 6, in the protrusion 12b or part 100 in variant 1 of embodiment 3, the inclined portion SP is inclined from the center of the protrusion 12b or part 100 toward both ends toward the center of the grip portion 12 along the extension direction of the grip portion 12.

Referring to FIG. 7, in the protrusion 12b or part 100 in variant example 2 of embodiment 3, the inclined portion SP is inclined so as to approach the center of the grip portion 12 as it approaches the grip end 11.

Referring to FIG. 8, in the protrusion 12b or part 100 in variant 3 of embodiment 3, the inclined portion SP is inclined so as to approach the center of the grip portion 12 as it moves away from the grip end 11.

Referring to FIG. 9, in the protrusion 12b or part 100 in the fourth variation of the third embodiment, a wavy uneven portion BP is provided in the center of the protrusion 12b or part 100 sandwiched between the inclined portions SP.

Next, we will explain the effects of the third embodiment.

According to the bat 1 of the third embodiment, the protrusion 12b includes an inclined portion SP that is inclined toward the center of the grip portion 12 along the extension direction of the grip portion 12. Therefore, the inclined portion SP can thicken the part of the barrel portion 30 that corresponds to the fingers where the user wants to relax the hand.

The part 100 in the third embodiment includes a sloping portion SP that slopes toward the center of the grip portion 12 along the extension direction of the grip portion 12. Therefore, the sloping portion SP can thicken the part of the barrel portion 30 that corresponds to the fingers where you want to relax your hand.

In addition, since the inclined portion SP is provided on both ends of the protrusion 12b or part 100, it is easy to grip the barrel portion 30 with the fingers of the hand on the barrel portion 30 by placing them on the inclined portion SP.

In addition, the uneven portion BP makes it difficult for the hand on the barrel portion 30 side to slip.

We will explain the sensory test that takes place when hitting a ball with a bat to which the parts are attached.

The subjects were four experienced baseball players (all right-handed batters). Tee hitting was carried out using seven different types of softball bats with different grip structures. The base bat was a Mizuno Softball Bat X (83 cm, 680 g, grip diameter 22 mm). The parts were attached to an area 100 mm to 200 mm from the top end of the grip end (head side). The parts increased the thickness in seven steps: 0 mm (no increase), 4 mm, 8 mm, 12 mm, 16 mm, 20 mm, and 24 mm. Measurements were taken in a different order for each subject to avoid any order effects.

As an evaluation method, subjects performed a subjective evaluation of the following two items for each bat. The score is the average score obtained by evaluating each bat twice. Discomfort refers to the discomfort of the grip part of the bat. Very uncomfortable was rated as 1 point, slightly uncomfortable was rated as 2 points, neutral was rated as 3 points, almost no discomfort was rated as 4 points, and no discomfort at all was rated as 5 points. Sense of initiative refers to the feeling that the hand at the grip end is actively moving. Not at all was rated as 1 point, very little was rated as 2 points, neutral was rated as 3 points, somewhat was rated as 4 points, and very much was rated as 5 points. The overall evaluation is the sum of the scores for discomfort and initiative.

Figure 10 shows the relationship between overall evaluation and the increase in thickness. As shown in Figure 10, the overall evaluation increased significantly when the increase in thickness was 4 mm, and dropped sharply when it exceeded 20 mm. Therefore, the overall evaluation was high when the increase in thickness was between 4 mm and 20 mm. As a result, when the increase in thickness was between 4 mm and 20 mm, it was possible to suppress discomfort while improving the feeling of actively moving the hand on the grip end side.

The embodiments and examples disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, not the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

1 Bat, 10 Handle portion, 11 Grip end, 12 Grip portion, 12a Holding portion, 12b Protrusion portion, 20 Tapered portion, 30 Barrel portion, 100 Parts, SP Slope portion.

Claims (10)

A handle portion including a grip end and a grip portion;
a tapered portion connected to the grip portion of the handle portion;
a barrel portion connected to the tapered portion,
The grip portion includes a grip portion to be gripped by a hand on the grip end side, and a protrusion portion that protrudes outward from the grip portion in a radial direction of the grip portion,
The bat, wherein the protrusion is disposed closer to the barrel portion than the grip portion and is configured to be gripped by the hand on the barrel portion side. The bat of claim 1, wherein the maximum outer diameter of the protrusion is 4 mm to 20 mm greater than the maximum outer diameter of the gripping portion. The bat of claim 1, wherein the end of the protrusion on the grip end side is located 50 mm to 200 mm away from the grip end along the gripping portion. The bat of claim 1, wherein the protrusion includes a cylindrical shape that extends along the extension direction of the grip portion. The bat of claim 1, wherein the protrusion includes an inclined portion that is inclined toward the center of the grip portion along the extension direction of the grip portion. A part to be attached to the grip portion of a bat, the part comprising a handle portion including a grip end and a grip portion, a tapered portion connected to the grip portion of the handle portion, and a barrel portion connected to the tapered portion,
The part protrudes outward in the radial direction of the grip portion further outward than the gripping portion that is held by the hand on the grip end side of the grip portion, is positioned closer to the barrel portion than the gripping portion, and is configured to be held by the hand on the barrel portion side. The part according to claim 6, wherein the maximum outer diameter of the part is greater than the maximum outer diameter of the gripping portion by 4 mm or more and 20 mm or less. The part according to claim 6, wherein the end of the part on the grip end side is located 50 mm to 200 mm away from the grip end along the gripping portion. The part according to claim 6, wherein the part includes a cylindrical shape extending along the extension direction of the grip portion. The part according to claim 6, wherein the part includes an inclined portion that is inclined toward the center of the grip part along the extension direction of the grip part.

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