WO2023159097A1

WO2023159097A1 - Weighted swing device

Info

Publication number: WO2023159097A1
Application number: PCT/US2023/062702
Authority: WO
Inventors: Richard R. HUTH, III
Original assignee: Implus Footcare, Llc
Priority date: 2022-02-16
Filing date: 2023-02-16
Publication date: 2023-08-24

Abstract

A weighted swing device adapted to be positioned and retained on a knob of a bat. The swing device includes a body and a weight positioned within the body. The body has an exterior upper surface in which is defined an opening, an exterior lower surface, an exterior side wall extending between and connecting the exterior upper surface and the exterior lower surface, and a bat-receiving compartment defined within the body and in communication with the opening. The bat-receiving compartment is configured to receive a knob of a bat through the opening and retain the weighted swing device on the knob of the bat.

Description

WEIGHTED SWING DEVICE

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 63/310,882, filed February 16, 2022, the entire contents of which is incorporated here in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to an athletic training device formed as a weighted swing device. Embodiments find particular use in connection with baseball and/or softball bats. The training device is a weighted swing device that can be attached to the bottom knob of most baseball bats by a device opening that stretches over the bottom knob of the bat.

BACKGROUND

[0003] The training device industry for athletics is large. Athletes are continuously trying to improve their strength and skill. In baseball and softball, athletes seek to improve their grip and may use different bat sizes, weights, and/or lengths as they progress. Training aids for use in connection with baseball and/or softball bats are desirable.

BRIEF SUMMARY

[0004] The terms “invention,” “the invention,” “this invention” and “the present invention” used in this patent are intended to refer broadly to all of the subject matter of this patent and the patent claims below. Statements containing these terms should be understood not to limit the subject matter described therein or to limit the meaning or scope of the patent claims below. Embodiments of the invention covered by this patent are defined by the below, not this summary. This summary is a high-level overview of various aspects of the invention and introduces some of the concepts that are further described in the Detailed Description section below. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. The subject matter should be understood by reference to appropriate portions of the entire specification of this patent, any or all drawings and each claim.

[0005] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a weighted swing device including a body having an exterior upper surface in which is defined an opening, an exterior lower surface, an exterior side wall extending between and connecting the exterior upper surface and the exterior lower surface, and a bat-receiving compartment defined within the body and in communication with the opening. The device further includes a weight positioned within the body. The bat-receiving compartment is configured to receive a knob of a bat through the opening and retain the weighted swing device on the knob of the bat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] The disclosure will be readily understood by following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0007] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a weighted swing device according to this disclosure.

[0008] FIG. 2. shows a front elevation view of the weighted swing device of FIG. 1.

[0009] FIG. 3 shows a side elevation view of the weighted swing device of FIG. 1.

[0010] FIG. 4 shows a top plan view of the weighted swing device of FIG. 1.

[0011] FIG. 5 shows a bottom plan view of the weighted swing device of FIG. 1.

[0012] FIG. 6 shows a side cross-sectional view of the weighted swing device of FIG.

1.

[0013] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the weighted swing device of FIG. 1 in position at the bottom knob of a baseball or softball bat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] The subject matter of embodiments of the present invention is described here with specificity to meet statutory requirements, but this description is not intended to limit the scope of the claims. The claimed subject matter may be embodied in other ways, may include different elements or steps, and may be used in conjunction with other existing or future technologies. This description should not be interpreted as implying any particular order or arrangement among or between various steps or elements except when the order of individual steps or arrangement of elements is explicitly described. Each example is provided by way of illustration and/or explanation, and not as a limitation. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used on another embodiment to yield a further embodiment. Upon reading and comprehending the present disclosure, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily conceive many equivalents, extensions, and alternatives to the specific, disclosed luminaire types, all of which are within the scope of embodiments herein.

[0015] In the following description, positional terms like “above,” “below,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “bottom,” “top,” and the like are sometimes used to aid in explaining and specifying features illustrated in the figures as presented, that is, in the orientation in which labels of the figures are read normally.

[0016] This disclosure relates to an athletic training device in the form of a weighted swing device for attachment to a baseball and/or softball bat. (To the extent that the term “bat” is used in the specification, it is intended to refer to either a baseball bat or a softball bat.) The weighted swing device may have a weight- carrying portion and a batreceiving portion. The weight received/enclosed/supported by the weight-carrying portion may be a metal weight, or any other appropriate formed weight. The weight carried by the weight-carrying portion can be surrounded by an over-molded casing (e.g., of rubber) or an otherwise flexible portion that forms the bat-receiving portion. The batreceiving portion defines a flexible/resilient bat-receiving opening, into which a bat knob is inserted in use.

[0017] As depicted in FIGS. 1 - 5, the weighted swing device 100 may be generally formed in the shape of a “puck” having an upper surface 102 and a lower surface 104. A bat-receiving opening 106 is defined in the upper surface 102 of the device 100 and is configured to receive the knob of the bat to secure the device 100 to the bat. The lower surface 104 of the device 100 may be generally flat as to prevent interference with the athlete’s swing. However, any shape of the lower surface 104 is possible and considered within the scope of the disclosure. In some embodiments, the bat-receiving opening 106 may be flexible such that it can be stretched to allow for a bat knob to securely fit inside the weighted swing device 100. The bat-receiving opening 106 may be made of a variety of materials that are both flexible/stretchable and resilient such that the bat-receiving opening 106 may retract back to its original shape to secure the weighted swing device 100 to the bat. In some embodiments, the bat- receiving opening 106 will be in the form of a smooth, continuous circle but such is not required. Rather the bat-receiving opening 106 may assume other shapes and may not be smooth and continuous.

[0018] In the examples shown, the upper surface 102 of the device defines a first horizontal plane (A), and the lower surface 104 of the device defines a second horizontal plane (B). These horizontal planes (A, B) are generally parallel to one another. This is illustrated by FIG. 2. Note that the bat-receiving opening 106 may have a slight upward lip 108 which can help secure and enclose a bat in use. The upper surface 102 extends laterally or radially outwardly from the bat-receiving opening 106 to a curved outer upper perimeter 110. The curved outer upper perimeter 110 extends/leads to a substantially vertical outer sidewall 112, as shown by the top and bottom views of FIGS. 4 and 5. The vertical outer sidewall 112 defines a substantially circular perimeter 114 for the device 100. The vertical outer sidewall 112 then extends/leads to a curved outer lower perimeter 116 at the lower surface 104 of the device 100.

[0019] In order to define the “puck-like” shape of the device, dimensions with respect to the front elevation view of FIG. 2 are now described. In this view, horizontal planes (A) and (B) are shown extending out from the upper surface 102 and the lower surface 104. Opposite points along the vertical outer sidewall 112 further define a first vertical plane (C) and a second vertical plane (D). These two vertical planes (C, D) are generally parallel to one another. These two vertical planes (C, D) are also generally perpendicular to the first and second horizontal planes (A, B). This configuration results in a rectangular “puck-like” shape depicted in the figures. Note that while the device 100 is shown as having a substantially cylindrical “puck-like” shape, it could assume other geometrical shapes, including, but not limited to, that of a sphere, cube, cone, pyramid, etc.

[0020] As shown by the cross-sectional view of FIG. 6, the weighted swing device 100 may be provided with a bat-receiving portion 118 in which is defined a bat- receiving compartment 122 and a weight-carrying portion 120 in which a weight 126 is supported. In some embodiments, the bat-receiving portion 118 and the weight-carrying portion 120 may be separate components that are attached to each other. Such attachment may be accomplished via threads, magnetic features, straps, snaps, or any other appropriate attachment system. However, in other embodiments, the bat-receiving portion 118 and the weight-carrying portion 120 are formed integrally. For example, in one specific, nonlimiting embodiment, the bat-receiving portion 118 and the weight-carrying portion 120 are molded as one piece from a material, and the weight 126 may be over-molded by that material.

[0021] Referring now more specifically to FIG. 6, the bat-receiving compartment 122 is generally defined as having the shape of a bat knob. In the example shown, the batreceiving compartment 122 is bounded by a lower interior base surface 130, a rounded interior side surface 132, and the bat-receiving opening 106. In use, as is shown by FIG. 7, a knob of a bat 300 is inserted through the bat-receiving opening 106 and into the batreceiving compartment 122 such that a lower surface of the knob is adjacent or lies flush with the lower interior base surface 130 and the curved sides of the knob are adjacent or abut the rounded interior side surface 132. In this way, the entirety of the bat knob is enclosed within the device 100, and the neck of the bat 300 extends out of the batreceiving opening 106.

[0022] The weight- carrying portion 120 supports a weight 126. As shown, the weight 126 may be a rectangular weight 126 positioned within a lower compartment 124 of the weight-carrying portion 120. The weight 126 to be a solid weight, such as a metal (e.g., steel) weight. Alternatively, the weight 126 may be formed of granules/pellets, such as from metal shavings or heavy sand or other weighted material that will make impart the desired amount of weight to the weighted swing device 100. It is also possible to provide removable weights so that a user can interchange the weight within the lower compartment 124. This can be achieved via the weight-carrying portion 120 being removably attached to the bat-receiving portion 118. Alternatively, means for accessing the lower compartment 124 can be provided to permit removal and/or exchange of the weight inserts.

[0023] In an alternate embodiment, the bat-receiving portion 118 and the weightcarrying portion 120 are formed integrally with one another. In this example (and in the examples shown by the figures), a weight 126 is over- molded with an exterior casing 128 (which forms the remainder of the device 100). In some embodiments, the exterior casing 128 is formed of an elastomeric material, such as, but not limited to, rubber, and silicone. Providing such an exterior casing 128 helps prevent rusting of the weight 126, helps prevent damage to the weighted swing device 100 if dropped, and/or imparts flexibility for installing of the weighted swing device 100 to the bat 300 itself.

[0024] The weighted swing device 100 may be provided in various weights. In some embodiments, the weighted swing device 100 (or the weight 126 contained therein) weighs anywhere from about 4 ounces up to about 120 ounces, such as 4 ounces, 6 ounces, 8 ounces, 10 ounces, 12 ounces, 16 ounces, 18, ounces, 20 ounces, 22 ounces, 24 ounces, 26 ounces, and 28 ounces, etc. These weight options may be visibly marked on the exterior casing 128. However, these examples are provided for illustrative purposes only, and it should be understood that the weighted swing device 100 may be provided in any appropriate weight.

[0025] While the geometry of the weighted swing device 100 (and its component parts) have been described in detail, it will be understood that the device (and its component parts) may be provided in different sizes and shapes than those specifically illustrated and described herein.

[0026] It is believed that the training aid described in the form of a weighted swing device can be used to help train athletes to improve their swing strength and technique. The weighted feel of the device can help reinforce the technique of keeping your “hands inside the ball” when hitting.

[0027] The subject matter of certain embodiments of this disclosure is described with specificity to meet statutory requirements, but this description is not necessarily intended to limit the scope of the claims. The claimed subject matter may be embodied in other ways, may include different elements or steps, and may be used in conjunction with other existing or future technologies. This description should not be interpreted as implying any particular order or arrangement among or between various steps or elements except when the order of individual steps or arrangement of elements is explicitly described.

[0028] The various aspects, embodiments, implementations, or features of the described embodiments can be used separately or in any combination. In particular, it should be appreciated that the various elements of concepts from FIGS. 1 - 7 may be combined without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

[0029] A collection of exemplary embodiments, including at least some explicitly enumerated as “Examples” providing additional description of a variety of example types in accordance with the concepts described herein are provided below. These examples are not meant to be mutually exclusive, exhaustive, or restrictive; and the invention is not limited to these examples but rather encompasses all possible modifications and variations within the scope of the issued claims and their equivalents.

[0030] Example 1. A weighted swing device, including: a body including: an exterior upper surface in which is defined an opening; an exterior lower surface; an exterior side wall extending between and connecting the exterior upper surface and the exterior lower surface; and a bat-receiving compartment defined within the body and in communication with the opening; and a weight positioned within the body, wherein the bat-receiving compartment is configured to receive a knob of a bat through the opening and retain the weighted swing device on the knob of the bat. [0031] Example 2. The device of any of the preceding or subsequent examples or combination of examples, wherein the bat-receiving compartment is bounded by a lower interior base surface and at least one rounded interior side surface.

[0032] Example 3. The device of any of the preceding or subsequent examples or combination of examples, wherein the knob of the bat lies substantially flush with the lower interior base surface when the knob is received within the bat-receiving compartment.

[0033] Example 4. The device of any of the preceding or subsequent examples or combination of examples, wherein the weight includes a metal weight.

[0034] Example 5. The device of any of the preceding or subsequent examples or combination of examples, wherein the body comprises an elastomeric material.

[0035] Example 6. The device of any of the preceding or subsequent examples or combination of examples, wherein the weight is over-molded with the elastomeric material.

[0036] Example 7. The device of any of the preceding or subsequent examples or combination of examples, wherein the weight is positioned within the body external to the bat-receiving compartment.

[0037] Example 8. The device of any of the preceding or subsequent examples or combination of examples, wherein the weight weighs between 8 ounces and 16 ounces.

[0038] Example 9. The device of any of the preceding or subsequent examples or combination of examples, wherein the weight is removably positioned within the body.

[0039] Example 10. The device of any of the preceding or subsequent examples or combination of examples, wherein the body includes a bat-receiving portion that includes the bat-receiving compartment and a weight-carrying portion in which the weight is positioned, wherein the weight-carrying portion is detachable from the bat-receiving portion. [0040] Example 11. The device of any of the preceding or subsequent examples or combination of examples, wherein the opening is a substantially continuous circle.

[0041] Example 12. The device of any of the preceding or subsequent examples or combination of examples, wherein an upraised lip extends outwardly from the ex at least partially around the opening.

[0042] Example 13. The device of any of the preceding or subsequent examples or combination of examples, wherein the opening includes a shape and wherein the opening is adapted to stretch around the knob of the bat and return to the shape.

[0043] Example 14. The device of any of the preceding or subsequent examples or combination of examples, wherein the exterior side wall defines a circular perimeter.

[0044] Example 15. The device of any of the preceding or subsequent examples or combination of examples, wherein the exterior upper surface defines a first plane and the exterior lower surface defines a second plane substantially perpendicular to the first plane.

[0045] Example 16. The device of any of the preceding or subsequent examples or combination of examples, wherein the exterior side wall extends along a third plane that is substantially perpendicular to the first plane and the second plane.

[0046] Example 17. A weighted swing assembly, including: a weighted swing device, including: a body including: an exterior upper surface in which is defined an opening; an exterior lower surface; an exterior side wall extending between and connecting the exterior upper surface and the exterior lower surface; and a bat-receiving compartment defined within the body and in communication with the opening; and a weight positioned within the body; a weight positioned within the lower compartment; and a bat including a bat knob, wherein the bat knob is positioned within the bat-receiving compartment; wherein the bat-receiving compartment retains the weighted swing device on the knob of the bat. [0047] Example 18. The device of any of the preceding or subsequent examples or combination of examples, wherein an upraised lip extends outwardly from the exterior upper surface at least partially around the opening.

[0048] Example 19. The device of any of the preceding or subsequent examples or combination of examples, wherein the exterior upper surface defines a first plane and the exterior lower surface defines a second plane substantially perpendicular to the first plane, and wherein the exterior side wall extends along a third plane that is substantially perpendicular to the first plane and the second plane.

[0049] Example 20. The device of any of the preceding or subsequent examples or combination of examples, wherein the weighted swing device is selectively removable from the bat.

[0050] The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, or gradients thereof, unless otherwise indicated herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

[0051] As used herein, the term “substantially” refers to the complete or nearly complete extent or degree of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. For example, an object that is “substantially” enclosed would mean that the object is either completely enclosed or nearly completely enclosed. The exact allowable degree of deviation from absolute completeness may in some cases depend on the specific context. However, generally speaking the nearness of completion will be so as to have the same overall results as if absolute and total completion were obtained.

[0052] Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. The invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, and certain shown exemplary embodiments there are shown in the drawings and have been described above in detail. Variations of those preferred embodiments, within the spirit of the present invention, may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, it should be understood that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form or forms disclosed, but on the contrary, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claim appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the described embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the specific details are not required in order to practice the described embodiments. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the described embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A weighted swing device, comprising: a. a body comprising: an exterior upper surface in which is defined an opening; an exterior lower surface; an exterior side wall extending between and connecting the exterior upper surface and the exterior lower surface; and a bat-receiving compartment defined within the body and in communication with the opening; and b. a weight positioned within the body, wherein the bat-receiving compartment is configured to receive a knob of a bat through the opening and retain the weighted swing device on the knob of the bat.

2. The weighted swing device of claim 1, wherein the bat-receiving compartment is bounded by a lower interior base surface and at least one rounded interior side surface.

3. The weighted swing device of claim 2, wherein the knob of the bat lies substantially flush with the lower interior base surface when the knob is received within the batreceiving compartment.

4. The weighted swing device of claim 1, wherein the weight comprises a metal weight.

5. The weighted swing device of claim 1, wherein the body comprises an elastomeric material.

6. The weighted swing device of claim 5, wherein the weight is over-molded with the elastomeric material.

7. The weighted swing device of claim 1, wherein the weight is positioned within the body external to the bat-receiving compartment.

8. The weighted swing device of claim 1, wherein the weight weighs between 8 ounces and 16 ounces.

9. The weighted swing device of claim 1, wherein the weight is removably positioned within the body.

10. The weighted swing device of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a bat- receiving portion that comprises the bat-receiving compartment and a weight-carrying portion in which the weight is positioned, wherein the weight-carrying portion is detachable from the bat-receiving portion.

11. The weighted swing device of claim 1, wherein the opening is a substantially continuous circle.

12. The weighted swing device of claim 11, wherein an upraised lip extends outwardly from the exterior upper surface at least partially around the opening.

13. The weighted swing device of claim 1, wherein the opening comprises a shape and wherein the opening is adapted to stretch around the knob of the bat and return to the shape.

14. The weighted swing device of claim 1, wherein the exterior side wall defines a circular perimeter.

15. The weighted swing device of claim 1, wherein the exterior upper surface defines a first plane and the exterior lower surface defines a second plane substantially perpendicular to the first plane.

16. The weighted swing device of claim 15, wherein the exterior side wall extends along a third plane that is substantially perpendicular to the first plane and the second plane.

17. A weighted swing device, comprising: a. a body comprising: an exterior upper surface in which is defined an opening; an exterior lower surface; an exterior side wall extending between and connecting the exterior upper surface and the exterior lower surface; and a bat-receiving compartment defined within the body and in communication with the opening; and b. a weight positioned within the body external to the bat-receiving compartment; wherein the bat-receiving compartment is configured to receive a knob of a bat through the opening and retain the weighted swing device on the knob of the bat, wherein the body further comprises an elastomeric material, and wherein the opening comprises a shape and wherein the opening is adapted to stretch around the knob of the bat and return to the shape.

18. The weighted swing device of claim 17, wherein an upraised lip extends outwardly from the exterior upper surface at least partially around the opening.

19. The weighted swing device of claim 17, wherein the exterior upper surface defines a first plane and the exterior lower surface defines a second plane substantially perpendicular to the first plane, and wherein the exterior side wall extends along a third plane that is substantially perpendicular to the first plane and the second plane.

20. The weighted swing assembly of claim 19, wherein the weighted swing device is selectively removable from the bat.