US20170106261A1

US20170106261A1 - Baseball Bat Handle Grip

Info

Publication number: US20170106261A1
Application number: US15/298,193
Authority: US
Inventors: Raymond L. DePaoli; T. Jared Stonecash
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-10-20
Filing date: 2016-10-19
Publication date: 2017-04-20
Also published as: USD828884S1

Abstract

A baseball bat handle grip has an inside surface and an outside surface configured into a tubular body. A top portion houses a plurality of finger channels and finger ridges. A back end of the grip is concave and covers convex interior surfaces of a baseball bat knob when the grip is mounted onto the bat. Two longitudinal edges are parallel to each other and are positioned on a bottom portion of the grip to expose a portion of the baseball bat handle when mounted on the bat. The longitudinal edges are tapered to conform to the curved aspects of the bat handle. To remove the grip, a user's thumbs are inserted into two opposing cut-out grooves on a front end of the grip and pushes the grip up and off the bat handle.

Description

BACKGROUND

This disclosure relates to sports equipment and more specifically to baseball bats and softball bats.
Currently, baseball bat handle grips, and sports equipment handle grips in general, are disclosed that encourage athletes to grip a handle for more efficient striking of game balls. The current grips ignore the fact that children and young adults who lack lower arm and hand strength are not able to utilize these grips because the current grips are designed for mature athletes with well-developed arm muscles. Several currently used devices permit the user to actually move the grips, rotating their hands to slide the device into a more comfortable position. Unfortunately, a more comfortable position causes the hitter to resume the same bad habits that these grips are designed to remedy.
Thus, an unaddressed need exists in the industry to address these deficiencies and inadequacies.

SUMMARY

The present invention meets this need by producing a baseball bat handle grip that is easily mounted and removed from a baseball bat handle on bats designed for youth and young adults. The grip does not rotate once installed nor does it slip or slide on the bat. The baseball bat handle grip disclosed herein, unlike other devices, is mountable by locating a terminal end portion of the grip and positioning it flush with an interior surface of a knob of the bat. Removal of the grip from the baseball bat handle occurs by inserting one's thumbs along thumb grooves located at a front end of the device, applying pressure in an upward direction, and allowing the device to release from the baseball bat handle. The result is a stable, reproducible, effective grip to assure the most consistent effective ball striking.
In one embodiment, the device is configured as a tubular body to enclose a portion of a handle of a baseball bat. The device has a top portion and a bottom portion. An inside surface conforms to a handle of the baseball bat when mounted on the handle. An outside surface covers the inside surface. A top portion of the outside surface houses a plurality of finger channels and a plurality of finger ridges. A front end of the device has an indentation with at least one cut-out portion. The cut-out portion is configured to receive a batter's thumb. The front end may show two cut-out portions located on opposing areas of the front end to receive both thumbs. When a user applies pressure on one or both of the cut-out portions, the baseball bat grip releases from the bat. A back end of the baseball bat handle grip has a planar surface that is configured in a concave direction to correspond to the convex shape of inside surfaces along a knob of the bat. A first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge are parallel to each other and are positioned on a bottom portion of the bat when the device is mounted onto the bat. In a preferred embodiment the first and second longitudinal edges are configured to expose a portion of the baseball bat handle.
Other systems, devices, methods, features, and advantages are or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages included within this description be within the scope of the present invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a top plan view of an exemplary device assembled onto a baseball bat having features of the present invention.

FIG. 1B is an expanded side elevational view of the device assembled onto the baseball bat.

FIG. 1C is an expanded side elevational view of a back portion of the device assembled onto the baseball bat.

FIG. 2A is a front perspective view of the device.

FIG. 2B is a rear perspective view of the device.

FIG. 2C is a side elevational view of the device mounted onto the device.

FIG. 3A is a top plan view of the device.

FIG. 3B is a side elevational view of the device.

FIG. 3C is an cross sectional end view of a front end of the device.

FIG. 4A is a side elevational view of the device.

FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of a back end of the device.

FIG. 5A is a top plan view of the device on the baseball bat.

FIG. 5B is a top plan view of a batter holding a baseball bat with the device mounted on the baseball bat.

FIG. 6A is a back perspective view of a preferred embodiment showing aspects of two layers.

FIG. 6B is a front perspective view of a preferred embodiment showing aspects of two layers.

DESCRIPTION

Reference is now made in detail to the description of the embodiments as illustrated in the drawings. While several embodiments are described in connection with these drawings, there is no intent to limit the disclosure to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed herein. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents.
As noted above, various sports' handle grips have been proposed. However, these grips suffer from various drawbacks. The disclosed methods provide alternative approaches that remedy the various drawbacks existent in those methods that have been proposed previously.
The present invention is directed to a baseball bat handle grip that guides the batter's hands to assume a proper, reproducible position on the bat handle by lining up the knuckles of both hands when holding a bat with the device mounted thereon. The outer surface of the device is made from a soft material with a cushion effect that enhances the absorption of sting pain that occurs when the ball strikes the bat. The device can easily be mounted and removed from the bat.
As defined herein, the term “device” and the term “grip” are used interchangeably with “base ball bat handle grip.”
As defined herein, the term “palmar” means “of, in, or corresponding to the palm of the hand.”
As defined herein, the term “planar” means “of or relating to a plane, a two dimensional quality.”
All dimensions specified in this disclosure are by way of example only and are not intended to be limiting. Further, the proportions shown in these Figures are not necessarily to scale. As will be understood by those with skill in the art with reference to this disclosure, the actual dimensions and proportions of any system, any device or part of a device disclosed in this disclosure will be determined by its intended use.

The Device

Referring to FIG. 1C and FIG. 2B, this invention is directed to a baseball bat handle grip 10 with a concave planar end 44 that fits snuggly against the interior surface 20 of a bat knob 18 to prevent the device from slipping. The grip 10 has at least one thumb groove 34 a for easy removal of the device 10 from the bat handle.
Referring to FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, the device 10 is a tubular body with an inside surface 38 and an outside surface 40. In one embodiment, the inside surface 38 is made from a hard material that provides structure and gives shape to the device. The outside surface 40 is made by adding a coating to portions of the inside surface 38. When the outside surface 40 is made from a soft material that has some give to it, the fingers may conform to the material to provide a more comfortable grip. When the grip is removed from the bat, the outside surface 40 material typically resumes its original shape, allowing a second batter the opportunity to conform his or her hands to the outside surface 40 similarly. In another embodiment, prophetically, the inside surface 38 and outside surface 40 may be formed from the same material.
The inside surface 38 is a hard surface that may include a nylon based material. The material is sufficiently hard to maintain the shape of the device and sufficiently pliable to withstand a number of uses when mounted and removed from bats of various sizes by various users. Nylon 6, polycarbonate, ABS, Nylon 6/6, polypropylene, and acrylic are some of the materials that may be used for the inside surface 38, but this list is not exhaustive.
The outside surface 40 is a soft surface made from materials that may include a durable foam rubber. The outside surface has sufficient give to allow the user to slightly embed the fingers into the material, but resilient enough to spring back to its original shape after use. The material can also withstand multiple uses without decomposing or peeling away. A list of possible materials for the outside surface 40 includes Elvax® (E.I. DuPont, U.S. Pat. No. 7,210,8118, Nov. 9, 1960), thermoplastic polyurethane, ethylene vinyl acetate, polyurethane foam, Tango Black and low density polyethylene. This list is not exhaustive of all possible materials, however.
The inside surface 38 and outside surface 40 are configured in various thicknesses in various combinations with respect to each other. Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, in the two-layered preferred embodiment, the layer corresponding to the inside surface 52 as shown is about 0.25 inches thick and the layer corresponding to the outside surface 54 as shown is about 0.05 inches thick.
Referring to FIG. 2B, in a preferred embodiment, a top portion 42 of the baseball bat grip has eight finger channels 24 and eight finger ridges 26. The finger channels 24 provide a resting place for the palmar portions of the fingers and the finger ridges 26 prevent the fingers from moving once the user's fingers grasp the baseball bat 12. Referring to FIG. 2A, in one embodiment, the front end of the top of the grip 42 may be higher than the highest points (peaks) of the finger ridges 26.
Referring to FIG. 3B, the finger ridges 26 have peaks corresponding to the highest points located on the finger ridges 26. In various embodiments, the distance between two adjacent peaks is from about 0.5 inches to about 0.7 inches. In an embodiment for young children, the distance between two adjacent peaks is about 0.57 inches. In an embodiment for older children and young adults the distance between two adjacent peaks is about 0.69 inches.
In one embodiment and referring to the top view in FIG. 3A and the side elevational view in FIG. 3B, the width W of the top portion 42 at its widest point is about 1.33 inches. The length L1 of the portion that houses the back surface 44 of the device is about 0.26 inches. The length L2 of the portion of the top of the device 42 that contains the cut out portions 34 a, 34 b is about 0.94 inches. In an embodiment used for young children, the length L3 of the device 10 is about 5.5 inches. In an embodiment for use with older children and young adults the length L3 of the device is about 6.5 inches.
Referring to FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C, the front end 28 of the baseball bat grip 10 has a first connecting portion 34 a that originates at a point 32 a on the front end 28 of the device and terminates at an origin 36 a on a first longitudinal edge 36 c. A second connecting portion 34 b originates at a point 32 b on the front end 28 of the device and terminates at an origin 36 b on a second longitudinal edge 36 d. In a preferred embodiment the connecting portions 34 a, 34 b are two cut-out portions that are configured to receive a user's thumbs. When the thumbs are inserted into the grooves and pressure is applied to the device 10 in an upward direction, the device 10 is easily removed from the bat handle 12. In one embodiment and referring to FIG. 3C, the perpendicular height H of the cut out portions 34 a, 34 b for the thumb grooves is about 0.19 inches.
Referring to FIG. 1C and FIG. 2B, the back end 46 a, 46 b of the baseball bat grip 10 has a concave curved planar surface 44. Referring to FIG. 4B, the cross-sectional view shows a portion of the concave curved planar surface 44 that conforms to the shape of the convex aspects of the interior surface 20 of the knob 18 of the bat 12.
Referring to FIG. 2C, a first longitudinal edge 36 c and a second longitudinal edge 36 d are parallel to each other and in one preferred embodiment will mount onto the baseball bat handle 16, creating a gap between the first and second parallel edges 36 c, 36 d so that a portion of the baseball bat handle 16 is visible. The longitudinal edges 36 c, 36 d are curved and tapered to conform to the bat handle 16. The tapered longitudinal edges blend into the circular contours of the bat handle 16. Thus, the user does not experience the longitudinal edges are rubbing or abrading any portion of the hands or skin.
Referring to FIG. 2A, thumb grooves are located within the connecting pieces 34 a, 34 b at the front end 28 of the device 10. The thumb grooves 34 a, 34 b are curved and are configured to allow the user to insert the thumbs along the curved portions 34 a, 34 b of the connecting pieces when the device 10 is mounted on the baseball bat 12, for ease of removal.

How to Make the Device

Referring to FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B, in one embodiment, an injection molding process is used to make the inside and outside surfaces 52, 54 as shown. Although the various edges, lines and surfaces of the device 10 are identified herein, the device itself is made as one contiguous piece. In the current injection mold process, there is a male (core) and female (cavity) piece to the mold. The device can be made using either a single shot injection molding process or a dual shot injection mold process. In the single shot injection shot process there are two molds: one for the inside surface 52 material and one for the outside surface 54 material. The dual shot process requires only one mold. The inner layer is poured first, a sleeve within the dual shot machine retracts and the outer layer is added.
The preferred embodiment employs Nylon 6/6 available from DuPont® for the inside surface 52. This material provides support and structure for repeated uses. Elvax® 34 a, 34 b, an ethylene vinyl acetate available from DuPont® is a soft, spongy, yet sturdy material selected to coat the outside surface 54. Nylon 6/6 for the inside surface 52 is poured to an approximate uniform thickness of 0.25 inches and Elvax® is poured to an approximate uniform thickness of 0.05 inches for the outside surface 54.

Uses and Benefits:

Once a ball-striking device makes contact with a ball, success is measured by the distance and direction a ball travels. Optimum ball striking occurs when an athlete's hands are correctly aligned along a handle of a piece of sports' equipment designed to hit the ball. In baseball, a successful swing starts with a proper grip around a baseball bat handle. The proper grip exists when the hands are correctly aligned on the bat in an arrangement known as “knocking knuckles”. Referring to FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, the phenomenon of knocking knuckles is seen in the straight-line arrangement of the knuckles 48 of both hands when a batter holds the bat. Correct alignment of the hands throughout the swing depends on the hitter being able to maintain contact between the palmar portions of the fingers and hands and the baseball bat handle. More consistent results are seen when an athlete maintains a proper grip from the initiation of the backswing through contact with the ball. Young children and some adults do not have sufficient lower arm strength and hand strength to maintain the proper grip and pressure on the baseball bat handle throughout the entire swing. Inadequate lower arm strength and hand muscle strength do not permit the user to maintain contact between the palm-side portions of the hands and fingers along the entire surface area of the grip. Unlike other devices, enhanced performance occurs when a grip with channels and ridges of sufficient thicknesses allow direct contact between the palm-side portions of the finger surfaces and the grip.
Referring to FIG. 5, the correct grip consists of aligning the knocking knuckles 48 of both hands in a straight line while applying a firm but loose grip. The removal and mountable baseball bat grip 10 is placed onto the baseball bat handle 16 by first aligning the back surface 44 located at the terminal portions of the back end 46 a, 46 b with the interior surface 20 of the knob 18 of the bat 12. By mounting the baseball bat handle grip 10 so that the back surface 44 is in direct, contiguous contact with the knob 18 of the bat 12, the device will not slip and slide, providing stability to ensure consistent swing patterns by the user. Further, the back surface 44 of the device 10 is configured so that the device 10 is flush with the knob 18.
The baseball bat handle grip 10 solves many problems. It allows young hitters to instantly align their hands properly while applying the correct amount of pressure to create the ideal grip. It also helps to create muscle memory for the hitter allowing them to develop the proper grip for future success. The baseball bat handle grip 10 also significantly reduces bat sting, allowing the hitter the confidence to continue swinging the bat without fear of hurting their hands. The present device enhances the reduction of bat sting due to the soft cushion effect of a number of the materials in preferred embodiments that are selected for the outer surface 40.
The baseball bat handle grip 10 will increase the likelihood that the young batter will make contact more often. This increases confidence and this keeps the young player more engaged with the sport. Giving young hitters more confidence to keep swinging the bat allows them to improve faster by increasing their repetitions in practice.
The baseball bat handle grip 10 will significantly free up time for the coach allowing them to spend more time on the other nuances of hitting instruction like proper weight transfer and hip rotation. This will allow more players to improve at greater rates. The baseball bat handle grip 10 can also be used as a training aid or warm up tool for older, more experienced players. Older players can quickly get back up to speed after long layoffs from playing other sports. By simply using the device it will help bring back the muscle memory quickly, getting them up to speed quickly eliminating extra time figuring out their swing. As a warm up tool it will reinforce the muscle memory, increasing their chances of making contact.
The baseball bat handle grip 10 is universal. It fits on all youth baseball and softball bats and over bat handles to which tape has been added. When players change bats they simply remove the baseball bat handle grip 10 from their old bat and put it on their new bat. The baseball bat handle grip may be used by right or left hand hitters with no need to adjust the device.
Very importantly, the baseball bat handle grip 10 is personalized for each player. Out of the package the device is pre channeled, allowing the player to instantly know where to place their fingers. The rubber material has some give to it allowing the batter to personalize their grip imprint, making each baseball bat handle grip 10 specific to that batter.
The uses and benefits disclosed herein have previously not been appreciated with the grip devices currently in the marketplace. Although the device is used here in relation to a baseball bat, aspects of this device may be modified for use on handles in additional sports including golf, tennis, and lacrosse.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A baseball bat handle grip for aligning a batter's hands, the baseball bat handle grip comprising:

an inside surface and an outside surface, wherein the inside surface and outside surface are configured as a tubular body to enclose a portion of a handle of a baseball bat;

a top portion and a bottom portion;

finger channels and corresponding ridges wherein the finger channels and corresponding ridges are located on the top portion and are configured to receive palmar surfaces of a user's fingers;

a first longitudinal edge located on the bottom portion of the device and a second longitudinal edge located on the bottom portion of the device, wherein the first longitudinal edge is arranged to be located parallel to the second longitudinal edge and the second longitudinal edge is arranged to be located parallel to the first longitudinal edge;

a gap located between the first longitudinal edge and the second longitudinal edge wherein the gap exposes portions of the handle of the baseball bat when the baseball bat handle grip is mounted onto the baseball bat handle;

a front end and a back end, the front end and the back end configured as opposing ends;

at least one indentation located along a surface of the front end, the at least one indentation configured to receive a thumb; and

a curved planar surface located at the back end, wherein the curved planar surface is concave and conforms to the shape of an interior surface of a knob of the bat.

2. The baseball bat handle grip in claim 1, wherein the inside surface is made from a nylon based material.

3. The baseball bat handle grip in claim 1, wherein the outside surface is made of a soft material including a durable foam rubber, the soft material receiving an imprint of a batter's fingers and absorbing sting felt by a batter when a bat strikes a ball.

4. The baseball bat handle grip in claim 1, wherein a single material is used for the inside surface and the outside surface.

5. The baseball bat grip in claim 1 wherein the front end is configured with two indentations configured to receive two thumbs.

6. The baseball bat grip in claim 1, wherein the grip is from about 5.5 inches to about 6.5 inches long.

7. The baseball bat grip in claim 1, further comprising finger ridges with corresponding peaks, wherein the peaks are located at midpoints on the finger ridges, the peak to peak distances ranging from about 0.5 inches to about 0.7 inches.

8. A handle grip for aligning an athlete's hands on a handle, the handle grip comprising:

a tubular body;

a top portion and a bottom portion;

a plurality of finger channels and corresponding finger ridges located on the top portion;

a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge, wherein the first and second longitudinal edges are parallel to each other, are located between the front end and the back end;

a gap on a surface of the handle grip created by a distance between the first and second parallel longitudinal edges when the handle grip is mounted on the handle;

at least one indentation at a location on the front end; and

a surface located at the back end, wherein the surface is in contact with portions of a an end of the handle.

9. The handle grip in claim 8 wherein the first longitudinal edge is in contact with the second longitudinal edge when mounted onto the handle.

10. A method for aligning an athlete's hands on a baseball bat comprising:

procuring the baseball bat, the baseball bat comprising a flanged end portion, a handle and a knob wherein the knob is located at an opposing end of the bat from the flanged end portion of the bat;

procuring a device, the device comprising a tubular body, a top portion having a plurality of finger channels and a plurality of finger ridges, a bottom portion having two opposing parallel longitudinal edges, a front end having two grooves to accommodate a user's thumbs and a back end that conforms to the interior surface of the knob;

placing the device on the baseball bat by aligning the back end of the device against the interior surface of the knob of the baseball bat and applying pressure on the top portion of the device until the device snaps onto the baseball bat;

pointing the knob of the bat towards the torso of the athlete's body;

selecting the athlete's non-dominant hand and directing the athlete to place four fingers of an athlete's non-dominant hand into four finger channels closest to the knob of the bat;

selecting the athlete's dominant hand and placing four fingers of an athlete's dominant hand into the finger channels adjacent to those occupied by the fingers of the athlete's non-dominant hand;

aligning a user's knuckles while the fingers are located within the plurality of finger channels;

directing the athlete to enclose each side of the device with palmar surfaces of the athlete's non-dominant and dominant hands and tighten the grasp on the device; and

after using the device, removing the device from the baseball bat by inserting the thumbs in the two grooves and applying pressure in an upward direction to remove the device.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the front end has one thumb groove and the athlete initiates the removal of the device from the baseball bat by inserting one thumb in the one thumb groove and applying pressure in an upward direction to remove the device.