Patents by Inventor Kyle L. Hodge

Kyle L. Hodge has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Vibration damping coupler for a ball bat
    Patent number: 12157045
    Abstract: A ball bat includes a barrel portion and a tapered transition portion. An elastomeric coupler is positioned around a distal portion of a handle. A rigid sleeve is positioned around the elastomeric coupler and the handle is passed through the barrel and transition portion until the distal portion, elastomeric coupler, and rigid sleeve are positioned within the transition portion. The elastomeric coupler may be compressed by the rigid sleeve and may be stretched to be positioned around the distal portion. The distal portion may be flared. Adhesive may be used to secure the distal portion, elastomeric coupler, rigid sleeve, and transition portion to one another. Ridges on the elastomeric coupler may engage grooves in the rigid sleeve to resist rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2024
    Assignee: Baden Sports, Inc.
    Inventors: Blair J. Ellington, Grant Farrell Douglas, Kyle L. Hodge, Kaitlin Shreffler, Brent Weidenbach, Liangzheng Zhou
  • Ball bat with handle having lightening structures
    Patent number: 11602680
    Abstract: A ball bat includes a handle portion with a handle secured in a sleeve in the handle portion. A void is defined within the knob and is not occupied by nor positioned within handle. The void may be defined by a gap between an end of the handle and a base of a sleeve. The gap may be defined by a smaller diameter opening, ribs (integral or separate insert), or protrusions. A void may be defined between an end of the knob and a base of the sleeve and may be occupied by stiffening ribs. The knob may be formed of two parts aligned using one or both of a pin and a locking tab. Parts of the knob extending outwardly from the sleeve may also include a void.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Baden Sports, Inc.
    Inventors: Blair J. Ellington, Kyle L. Hodge, Kaitlin Shreffler, Brent Weidenbach
  • VIBRATION DAMPING COUPLER FOR A BALL BAT
    Publication number: 20220226708
    Abstract: A ball bat includes a barrel portion and a tapered transition portion. An elastomeric coupler is positioned around a distal portion of a handle. A rigid sleeve is positioned around the elastomeric coupler and the handle is passed through the barrel and transition portion until the distal portion, elastomeric coupler, and rigid sleeve are positioned within the transition portion. The elastomeric coupler may be compressed by the rigid sleeve and may be stretched to be positioned around the distal portion. The distal portion may be flared. Adhesive may be used to secure the distal portion, elastomeric coupler, rigid sleeve, and transition portion to one another. Ridges on the elastomeric coupler may engage grooves in the rigid sleeve to resist rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2022
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Inventors: Blair J. Ellington, Grant Farrell Douglas, Kyle L. Hodge, Kaitlin Shreffler, Brent Weidenbach, Liangzheng Zhou