Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B60/00—Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like
  • A63B60/06—Handles
  • A63B60/22—Adjustable handles
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B59/00—Bats, rackets, or the like, not covered by groups A63B49/00 - A63B57/00
  • A63B59/20—Bats, rackets, or the like, not covered by groups A63B49/00 - A63B57/00 having means, e.g. pockets, netting or adhesive type surfaces, for catching or holding a ball, e.g. for lacrosse or pelota
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B59/00—Bats, rackets, or the like, not covered by groups A63B49/00 - A63B57/00
  • A63B59/50—Substantially rod-shaped bats for hitting a ball in the air, e.g. for baseball
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B60/00—Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like
  • A63B60/06—Handles
  • A63B60/32—Handles with means for changing the angular position of the handle about its longitudinal axis
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B2102/00—Application of clubs, bats, rackets or the like to the sporting activity ; particular sports involving the use of balls and clubs, bats, rackets, or the like
  • A63B2102/18—Baseball, rounders or similar games
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B2102/00—Application of clubs, bats, rackets or the like to the sporting activity ; particular sports involving the use of balls and clubs, bats, rackets, or the like
  • A63B2102/18—Baseball, rounders or similar games
  • A63B2102/182—Softball
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B2209/00—Characteristics of used materials
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B60/00—Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like
  • A63B60/06—Handles
  • A63B60/08—Handles characterised by the material
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B60/00—Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like
  • A63B60/06—Handles
  • A63B60/10—Handles with means for indicating correct holding positions

Definitions

• a sporting-good implement such as a ball bat or a lacrosse stick, includes a first handle section rotatably connected to a second handle section.
• the second handle section may be attached to or integral with a tapered region or barrel region of a ball bat, or with a shaft section or head of a lacrosse stick, or with another sporting-good feature.
• This rotatable engagement allows the relative position of the user's hands to change during the course of a swing, shot, or pass, ideally placing the user's hands in a position to generate improved power or control.
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a ball bat including a rotatable handle, according to one embodiment.
• FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the rotatable handle region of a ball bat, according to one embodiment.
• FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the rotatable handle region of a ball bat, according to another embodiment.
• FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the rotatable handle region of a ball bat, according to another embodiment.
• FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the rotatable handle region of a ball bat, according to another embodiment.
• Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the rotatable handle region of a ball bat, according to another embodiment.
• Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the rotatable handle region of a ball bat, according to another embodiment.
• Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the rotatable handle region of a lacrosse shaft, according to one embodiment.
• Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the rotatable handle region of a ball bat, according to another embodiment.
• Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the rotatable handle region of a ball bat, according to another embodiment.
• Fig. 1 1 is a cross-sectional view of the rotatable handle region of a ball bat, according to another embodiment.
• Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the rotatable handle region of a ball bat, according to another embodiment.
• a baseball or softball bat 10 hereinafter collectively referred to as a "ball bat” or “bat,” includes a first handle section 12 rotatably engaged with a second handle section 13.
• a grip made of rubber, tape, foam, or of another suitable material may be positioned over one or both of the first and second handle sections 12, 13. In one embodiment, separate grips are positioned on the first and second handle sections 12, 13 so that they do not hinder relative rotation between the handle sections 12, 13.
• a tapered section 16 of the bat 10 joins the second handle section 13 to a barrel 14.
• a radially outer surface of the tapered section 16 preferably is flush and continuous with the radially outer surfaces of the second handle section 13 and the barrel 14.
• the second handle section 13, the tapered section 16, and the barrel 14 may be integral or may include two or more separate pieces attached to each other, as described, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 5,593,158, which is incorporated herein by reference.
• the free end of the first handle section 12 includes a knob 18 or similar structure.
• the barrel 14 is preferably closed off by a suitable cap 20 or plug.
• the interior of the bat 10 is preferably substantially hollow, allowing the bat 10 to be relatively lightweight so that ball players may generate substantial bat speed when
• the bat barrel 14 preferably is constructed from one or more metal, plastic, or composite materials that are co-cured during the barrel molding process.
• suitable materials include aluminum, titanium, ABS plastic, carbon, glass, graphite, boron, aramid, ceramic, Kevlar, or Astroquartz®.
• the handle sections 12, 13 may be constructed from the same material as, or different materials than, the barrel 14.
• the handle sections 12, 13 may be constructed from a composite material, a plastic material, a metal material, or any other suitable material.
• the first handle section 12 may be made of a different material than the second handle section 13.
• the bat barrel 14 may include a single-wall or multi-wall construction.
• a multi-wall barrel may include, for example, barrel walls that are separated from one another by one or more interface shear control zones ("ISCZs"), as described in detail in U.S. Patent No. 7,1 15,054, which is incorporated herein by reference.
• An ISCZ may include, for example, a disbonding layer or other element, mechanism, or space suitable for preventing transfer of shear stresses between neighboring barrel walls.
• a disbonding layer or other ISCZ preferably further prevents neighboring barrel walls from bonding to each other during curing of, and throughout the life of, the ball bat 10.
• the ball bat 10 may have any suitable dimensions.
• the ball bat 10 may have an overall length of 20 to 40 inches, or 26 to 34 inches.
• the overall barrel diameter may be 2.0 to 3.0 inches, or 2.25 to 2.75 inches.
• Typical ball bats have diameters of 2.25, 2.625, or 2.75 inches. Bats having various combinations of these overall lengths and barrel diameters, or any other suitable dimensions, are contemplated herein.
• the specific preferred combination of bat dimensions is generally dictated by the user of the bat 10, and may vary greatly between users.
• the first handle section 12 of the ball bat 10 may be attached to the second handle section 13 in any manner that securely connects— and provides relative rotation between— the two handle sections.
• the first handle section 12 is generally intended to be gripped by a user's bottom or non-dominant hand, while the second handle section 13 is generally intended to be gripped by the user's upper or dominant hand.
• the first handle section 12 extends approximately three to six inches from the knob 18, and the second handle section 13 extends approximately three to ten inches from the first handle section 12, or the second handle section 13 is integral with the tapered section 16 (if included) or the barrel 14. Any other suitable handle-section lengths may alternatively be used. Examples of suitable connections between the first and second handle sections 12, 13 in a ball bat 10 are shown in Figs. 2-7 (with different reference numbers used to identify the handle sections to reflect the differences between the illustrated embodiments).
• the first handle section 22 is connected to the second handle section 23 via a bolt 24 or other threaded connector.
• the bolt 24 is inserted through a plate 27 or similar mounting structure at the lower end of the first handle section 22.
• the external threads 26 of the bolt engage matching internal threads of the second handle section 23 to secure the first and second handle sections 12, 13 to each other.
• the internal threads may be part of the second handle section 23 itself, or may be included in a separate insert, such as a threaded metal insert that is molded with— or otherwise affixed to— the radially inner surface of the second handle section 23.
• the bolt 24 passes through a first spacer or bearing member 28 positioned in or near the knob 18 of the ball bat 10, and a second spacer or bearing member 29 positioned between the first and second handle sections 22, 23.
• the first and second bearing members 28, 29 optionally include grooves or other bearing tracks along which the handle sections may rotate. This bearing arrangement provides full 360-degree rotation between the first and second handle sections 22, 23.
• the first and second bearing members 28, 29 may be made of a metal material, such as aluminum, or of a composite material, such as glass-reinforced polycarbonate, or of another suitable material. While two bearing members are shown in the illustrated embodiment, any other suitable number of bearing members— arranged to provide relative rotation between the first and second handle sections 22, 23— may be utilized. In one embodiment, for example, a single bearing
• the first handle section 32 is positioned over the second handle section 33, including over the knob region 34 of the second handle section 33.
• the knob region 34 prevents longitudinal slippage of the first handle section 32.
• the first handle section 32 is made of a composite or plastic material, while the second handle section 33 is made of a composite or metal material.
• the outer diameter of the portion of the second handle section 33 that resides within the first handle section 32 is reduced relative to the diameter of the portion of the second handle section 23 that extends away from the first handle section 22.
• the outer diameter of this extending region of the second handle section 33 preferably is equal to, or substantially equal to, the outer diameter of the first handle section 32 so that the longitudinally neighboring outer surfaces of the first and second handle sections 32, 33 are continuous and flush with each other.
• a low-friction release ply 36 such as a layer of polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon®) or another ISCZ, is positioned between the first and second handle sections 32, 33 to facilitate rotation between them.
• the release ply alternatively may be made of a higher-friction material if a greater resistance to rotation is desired.
• the release ply preferably has a thickness of approximately 0.002 to 0.010 inches. Any other suitable thickness may alternatively be utilized.
• the release ply 36 completely isolates the first and second handle sections 32 from each other such that they are free to rotate a full 360 degrees about the release ply 36.
• the first and second handle sections 32, 33 may be molded together as a unitary construction or may otherwise be connected or merged at a longitudinal interface region 38, or at another suitable region, in a manner that allows for only limited relative rotation between them.
• one or more composite plies including fibers oriented at zero degrees relative to the longitudinal axis of the ball bat may be used to construct both the first and second handle sections 32, 33 (or portions thereof). Plies oriented in this manner would act essentially as a composite torsion spring that facilitates a limited amount of rotation between the first and second handle sections 32, 33 during a swinging motion, while "snapping" the bat back into its initial alignment after the swing is completed.
• a bearing 48 is included in addition to a release ply 46 to provide rotation between the first and second handle sections 42, 43.
• One or more additional bearings optionally may be included, as well. Depending on the materials used, including one or more bearings may facilitate less restricted rotation relative to a ball bat including only a release ply between the first and second handle sections.
• the first handle section 52 extends inside of the second handle section 53.
• the first handle section 52 includes one or more radially outward projections 54 that engage an interior region of the second handle section 53 to prevent, or substantially prevent, the first handle section 52 from pulling out of the second handle section 53. Two of these projections are included in the illustrated embodiment but any other suitable number may be used.
• the first and second handle sections 52, 53 are preferably made of composite materials or other moldable materials that may be laid up together and co-molded into a hardened configuration.
• One or more release plies 56, bearings 58, or both, are included between the first and second handle sections 52, 53 to facilitate rotation between them.
• the second handle section 53 may include one or more radially inward projections that engage an exterior region of the first handle section 52 to prevent, or substantially prevent, the first handle section 52 from pulling out of the second handle section 53.
• the embodiment shown in Fig. 6 is similar to the embodiment shown in Fig. 5 except that the bearing is omitted and a third radially outward projection 64 is included between the first and second handle sections 62, 63.
• a release ply 66 is included between the first and second handle sections 62, 63 to facilitate rotation between them.
• a bolt 74 is inserted into the first handle section 72 and threaded into receiving threads in the second handle section 73, similar to the configuration shown in Fig. 2.
• One or more pins 76 may be used to provide additional strength to the connection between the bolt 74 and the second handle section 73.
• the pins 76 pass through openings in the second handle section 73 and the bolt 74 to further secure them together.
• At least one bushing 78 is positioned between the bolt 74 and the first handle section 72 to provide rotation of the first handle section 72 around the bolt 74 (and, thus, relative rotation between the first and second handle sections 72, 73).
• the first handle section 92 includes a knob 91 or similar end-closure element.
• the inner surface of the first handle section 92 is positioned over the outer surface of the second handle section 93 and is attached to the second handle section 93 via a bolt 94 or other suitable connector.
• One or more bushings 98, bearings, or low-friction materials, such as a release ply, may be positioned between the first and second handle sections 92, 93 to provide rotation between them, as described above.
• This configuration could be applied to existing bats by cutting off a portion of the handle including the knob, drilling away material from the inner surface of the handle and the knob, then sliding the newly created "handle-knob," or first handle section 92, over the outer diameter of the second handle section 93.
• the knob could be cut off of an existing bat and a first handle section
• the first handle section 92 having an inner diameter large enough to slide over the outer diameter of the second handle section 93 may be positioned over the second handle section 93.
• the first handle section 92 may then be secured to the second handle section 93 via a bolt 94 or other suitable connector.
• first and second handle sections 92, 93 will have different outer diameters in this embodiment, a uniform outer diameter may be achieved by using multiple grips having different thicknesses. For example, if the outer diameter of the first handle section 92 is 0.25 inches greater than that of the second handle section 93, a first grip 97 could be positioned on the first handle section 92 and a second grip 99— having a thickness that is approximately 0.25 inches greater than that of the first grip— could be positioned on the second handle section 93. Alternatively, a single grip having a uniform thickness, or multiple grips having the same thickness, may be positioned on the first and second handle sections 92, 93 if varying grip diameters are desired.
• the embodiment shown in Fig. 10 is similar to the embodiment shown in Fig. 9 except that the second handle section 103 includes a reduced diameter region 105 over which the first handle section 102 is positioned. This allows the external outer diameters of the first and section handle sections 102, 103 to be equal, such that a single grip of uniform thickness may be positioned over the first and second handle sections 102, 103.
• the bat handle 1 12 does not include multiple handle sections.
• the sleeve 1 18 may be made of Teflon® or of a similar low-friction material to provide rotation of the sleeve relative to the bat handle 1 12.
• the sleeve 1 18 may be made of a plastic, metal, or composite material and may include a low-friction coating, such as Teflon®, or a lubricant, such as grease, on an inner surface of the sleeve 1 18.
• a low-friction coating such as Teflon®
• a lubricant such as grease
• the outer diameter of the sleeve 1 18 optionally is equal to, or substantially equal to, the outer diameter of the one or more neighboring handle regions.
• the recess 1 15 and sleeve 1 18 may be sized and positioned to provide rotation for the user's upper hand, lower hand, or both.
• the reduced diameter region 1 15 and the sleeve 1 18 may extend all the way to the knob 1 1 1 to provide rotation for both of the user's hands.
• the sleeve 1 18 may include a slit to facilitate its placement over the handle 1 12.
• the sleeve 1 18 may be formed of two or more pieces that are connected to each other— via bonding, stitching, welding, or another suitable method— after they are positioned in the recess 1 15.
• a flexible grip may be positioned over the handle, including the sleeve 1 18, such that the portion of the grip positioned over the sleeve 1 18 may rotate with the sleeve 1 18.
• the second handle section 123 includes a reduced diameter region or recess 125 to which the first handle section 122 is fixed via bonding, pins, or other suitable connectors.
• the first handle section 122 includes a knob 121 or similar end-closure element.
• a one-piece tube or sleeve—which does not include a slit or opening— may be used, since it can be positioned over the recess 125 before the first handle section 122 is attached to the recessed end of the second handle section 123.
• a multi-piece sleeve, or a sleeve with a slit may be used and installed before or after the first handle section 122 is attached to the second handle section 123.
• the second handle section includes a reduced diameter region over which the first handle section is positioned
• these configurations could be reversed such that the first handle section includes a reduced-diameter region over which the second handle section is positioned.
• the illustrated embodiments are only exemplary in nature.
• the first handle section may include a portion with a reduced or tapered diameter that is inserted into a separate second handle section.
• the second handle section may have a portion with a reduced or tapered diameter that is inserted into a separate first handle section.
• a similar bearing system, or one or more release plies, may be provided between the first and second handle sections to facilitate rotation up to 360 degrees between the two handle sections.
• the first handle section is connected to the second handle section via a rotatable sleeve.
• the sleeve may provide the only connection between the first and second handle sections, or one or more additional connection mechanisms may be used.
• the sleeve may be connected inside the first and second handle sections, or outside both of them, or inside one of them and outside the other.
• the sleeve may be made of a rubbery or otherwise elastic material that allows it to recoil to its original, pre-swing position after a swing.
• the torque rate required to induce rotational motion between the first and second handle sections may be adjustable to meet a given user's needs.
• the required torque may be adjusted by tightening or loosening a bolt that connects the two handle sections, for example, via an Allen wrench or other tool.
• the torque rate required to induce rotation may be adjusted so high that the first and second handle sections do not rotate at all during a typical swing, thus effectively deactivating the rotation feature.
• the torque rate required to induce rotation may be adjusted so low that the first and second handle sections will rotate in response to minimal force.
• a torsion spring or rotary spring may be attached to or integrally molded with interior portions of the first and second handle sections to control the amount of rotation between them. While including a separate spring adds some weight to the bat, such a self-realigning feature also provides a degree of rotational resistance that is felt by the user. This resistance may provide useful feedback to the user regarding proper hand alignment. For example, if a user experiences an extreme amount of resistance, he or she may determine that it would be advantageous to alter the initial hand positions on the ball bat.
• a "contact hitter” such as a typical leadoff hitter, may exhibit a controlled swing in which his or her hands rotate approximately 15-30° during a typical swing. More powerful hitters, conversely, may rotate their hands approximately 30-90° during a typical swing, or even 90-180° degrees during a particularly powerful swing.
• a ball bat constructed according to the above embodiments facilitates a level swing that keeps the hitting surface of the bat in the hitting zone for an extended period of time. Because the bat itself rotates, the user's hands do not need to rotate relative to the bat, thus allowing the user's hands to exert increased force in a shorter path in the direction of the swing. Put another way, when the
• the margin of error for the timing of a swing at a pitched ball also may be increased due to inclusion of rotating handle sections.
• the bat barrel generally is able to arrive in the plane of the pitch more quickly because the hitter's hands do not need to rotate around the handle.
• the barrel remains in the hitting plane for a longer period of time and faster bat speed may be generated.
• fewer unintended ground balls may be hit because the user is able to keep the bat in the hitting zone longer without rolling over the hands, particularly when swinging at a low pitch or an off-speed pitch.
• the user can get the barrel of the bat into the hitting zone more quickly when swinging late on a difficult to hit inside pitch.
• the hitter is more likely to make solid contact on various pitches.
• the concepts described herein may be applied to other sporting-good implements, as well.
• the various rotatable handle features described above may be used, for example, in a lacrosse-stick shaft, a hockey-stick shaft, and so forth. Additional or alternative features may also be included in these types of items. For ease of description, a lacrosse-stick shaft will be described below with regard to these additional features.
• a first handle section or shaft section 82 of a lacrosse stick is connected to a second handle section or shaft section 83 of the lacrosse stick via a bolt 84 or other suitable connector.
• the bolt is inserted into the first shaft section 82 and threaded into receiving threads in the second handle section 83.
• the receiving threads may be located in the interior surface of the second shaft section 83, or a separate insert or receiving element 85 including internal threads, such as urethane potting or another suitable component, may be positioned within the second shaft section 83 for receiving the bolt 84.
• a bearing 88 or similar spacer is positioned between the first and second shaft sections 82, 82 to provide rotation between them.
• a washer 87 or similar element may be included between the head of the bolt 84 and the bearing 88 to provide a secure connection and to prevent the bolt from damaging the bearing 88.
• a quick-release mechanism which allows a player to rotate the lacrosse-stick shaft between a ball-cradling position and a shooting position— may be included in the lacrosse shaft.
• the quick-release mechanism may be operated via a button, switch, or similar actuator positioned on or in the shaft that facilitates relative rotation of the first and second handle sections when actuated.
• first and second handle or shaft sections of the lacrosse-stick shaft may have differing external shapes, thus allowing a user
• the first shaft section may have a circular or elliptical cross section, while the second shaft section may have an octagonal cross section. Any other suitable shapes or combinations of shapes may alternatively be used.
• the first or lower shaft section in the lacrosse-stick shaft may have a variety of lengths, depending on the preferences of a given user.
• the connection point between the first and second shaft sections may be located near the bottom of the shaft away from the lacrosse head, or approximately at the midpoint of the shaft, or near the top of the shaft adjacent to the head, and so forth.
• the rotation-facilitating mechanism may also provide increased or varied shaft flexion, such as when an elastic connector is used to provide rotation.
• the lower and upper shaft sections may have differing stiffness properties or flexion profiles.
• the lower shaft section may be stiffer than the upper shaft section to provide enhanced performance or "whip" when shooting or passing a lacrosse ball.

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• 2013
  • 2013-08-02 US US13/958,309 patent/US9586111B2/en active Active
• 2014
  • 2014-03-10 WO PCT/US2014/022802 patent/WO2014164559A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 2014-03-10 CN CN201480014867.0A patent/CN105120967A/zh active Pending
  • 2014-03-10 JP JP2016501073A patent/JP2016515013A/ja not_active Withdrawn
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• 2017
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