Baseball bat choke-up device

Abstract

A Baseball Bat Choke-Up Device is provided which includes C-shaped ring with a hollow center cavity that runs longitudinally through the device. The C-shaped ring has both interior and exterior wall surfaces, and wherein the interior wall surface encircles and engages the handle portion of a baseball bat. The C-shaped ring can be separated longitudinally, allowing the Baseball Bat Choke-Up Device to be placed tightly into the desired position around the handle portion of a baseball bat. The C-shaped ring may be secured firmly in place with a Velcro-type fastener which extends from one side of the longitudinal split to the other.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to baseball bats. More specifically, the present invention pertains to baseball bat choke-up devices that allow baseball players to achieve a desired grip on the baseball bat. The present invention is particularly, though not exclusively, useful for assisting a batter to grip a baseball bat at a desired distance from its physical end.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] A customary practice among baseball players is to grip a baseball bat at a desired distance from its physical end, or knob. This convention, known as “choking up,” facilitates improved swing control and accuracy. As a batter “chokes-up,” he or she grips a bat closer to its center of gravity, creating a moment of inertia that is less than what it would be were a batter to grip a bat at its physical end. As a result of “choking up,” a batter achieves greater accuracy and control with a resulting heavier and broader bat. Moreover, a batter is able to swing a “choked-up” bat with a greater angular velocity than a bat held at its physical end. More importantly, “choking up” makes it far easier for a child or novice batter to swing an often heavy bat with greater swing velocity.

[0003] As a batter “chokes-up” on a baseball bat, the batter slides his or her hands from the narrow physical end of a bat towards its broader hitting portion. In this new grip position, the physical end of the bat no longer supports the batter's hands. The result is a weakened grip on the bat. Consequently, “choking up” may cause a batter's hands to slip under the often extreme forces exerted by a batter when following through and completing a swing. In addition, a batter may be unable to “choke-up” to the same preferred position each time he or she grips a bat, thus preventing development of a consistent swing. Due to their lack of physical strength, a child or novice batter may be even less able to correctly locate his or her hands in a proper “choke-up” position. Finally, a batter who “chokes up” with an insecure grip may twist his or her wrists to avoid contact between his or her forearm and the physical end of a bat during a swing.

[0004] In response to the above challenges, a variety of batting aids have been developed. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,469,839 that issued in 1969 to Pietronuto for an invention entitled “Baseball Bat Choke-Up Device” (the “'839” patent) discloses a Baseball Bat Choke-Up Device that attaches to the handle portion of a bat to simulate the physical end of a bat. The Baseball Bat Choke-Up device of the '839 patent is designed to assist a batter in gripping a bat at a desired distance from its physical end.

[0005] The Baseball Bat Choke-Up Device in the '839 patent, however, relies solely upon the frictional force exerted by the device against the handle portion of a bat to keep the device in the desired position. Consequently, the device of the '839 patent may not maintain its proper position on the bat during the often extreme forces exerted by a player when following through and completing a swing. The device of the '839 patent is therefore unlikely to provide effective support for a batter's hands.

[0006] As a consequence, using a currently available baseball bat choke up device may allow a batter's hands to slip under the often excessive forces exerted by a batter during the swing. Further, after extended periods of using a traditional baseball bat choke up device, a batter may find that the device has shifted from its proper position. The result is greater difficulty in maintaining a consistent “choke-up” grip position. More importantly, a child or novice batter may be even less able to maintain a consistent position.

[0007] Finally, the Baseball Bat Choke-Up Device of the '839 patent is affixed to a bat and held in place with a spring clip mechanism. Consequently, attachment of the device of the '839 patent requires significant physical strength, and may be too difficult for a child batter to attach to a bat.

[0008] As a result of the above problems, there is a need for a baseball bat choke-up device that does not rely solely upon frictional force to keep it in proper position. This device must readily withstand the often extreme forces exerted by a player when following through and completing a swing. Accordingly, there is a need for a baseball bat choke-up device that will permit adjacent placement of multiple devices along the handle portion of a bat. In this aggregate configuration, the Baseball Bat Choke-Up Devices are stabilized in place with the bottom-most device fitted firmly against the physical end of a bat. Further, this device must foster consistent positioning of a batter's hands during “choking up.” More importantly, this device must assist a child or novice batter in maintaining consistent hand placement. Also, this device must allow a child batter to easily attach and remove the baseball bat choke up device to a bat. Finally, this device must minimize the potential risk of injury.

[0009] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a baseball bat choke up device that readily withstands the often extreme forces exerted by a batter during a swing. It is another object of the present invention to provide a baseball bat choke-up device that fosters consistent positioning of a batter's hands during a swing. It is another object of the present invention to provide a baseball bat choke-up device that minimizes the potential risk of injury. It is another object of the present invention to provide a baseball bat choke-up device that allows a child batter to easily attach the baseball bat choke-up device to a bat. It is another object of the present invention to provide a baseball bat choke up device that is made from a material that provides for maximum comfort. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a baseball bat choke-up device that is easy to manufacture, easy to use, easy to maintain and relatively inexpensive. Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0010] In accordance with the present invention, a Baseball Bat Choke-Up Device is provided which includes a detachable bat choke ring that attaches to the handle portion of a baseball bat. The Baseball Bat Choke-Up Device includes a pliable, C-shaped ring formed with a longitudinal split and having a hollow center cavity that runs axially through the device. The device has both interior and exterior wall surfaces in which the interior wall surface encircles the handle portion of a baseball bat.

[0011] The device can be separated longitudinally, allowing access to the hollow center cavity. In use, the Baseball Bat Choke-Up Device may be opened along its longitudinal split and placed in the desired position around the handle portion of a baseball bat. The device is secured firmly in place with a Velcro-type fastener which extends from one side of the longitudinal split to the other.

[0012] In an alternate configuration, multiple Baseball Bat Choke-Up Devices may be placed adjacent to each other along the handle portion of a bat. In this configuration, the top wall of each Baseball Bat Choke-Up Device is positioned firmly against the bottom wall of each adjacent device. The bottom-most Baseball Bat Choke-Up Device of this configuration is positioned firmly against the physical end of a bat. In this manner, a Baseball Bat Choke-up Device having a greater height may be created.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which:

[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the Baseball Bat Choke-Up Device of the present invention;

[0015] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the Baseball Bat Choke-Up Device of the present invention;

[0016] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the Baseball Bat Choke-Up Device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 showing the fastening mechanism in position to secure the Baseball Bat Choke-Up Device in place on a baseball bat (shown in phantom); and

[0017] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternative, aggregate configuration of the two Baseball Bat Choke-Up Devices to create a device having a greater height;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0018] Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2 for an overview, a Baseball Bat Choke-Up Device in accordance with the present invention is shown and generally designated 10. The Baseball Bat Choke-Up Device 10 includes a C-shaped ring 12 having an exterior wall surface 14 and an interior wall surface 16. In a preferred embodiment, the Baseball Bat Choke Up Device has a flat bottom wall surface 18 and a flat top wall surface 20.

[0019] The C-shaped ring 12 is formed to define a longitudinal split 22 disposed through the exterior and interior wall surfaces 14,16. The longitudinal split 22 extends along the width of the C-shaped ring 12. The C-shaped ring 12 may be urged apart along the longitudinal split 22 to place the C-shaped ring 12 around the handle portion of a baseball bat.

[0020] FIGS. 1 and 2 show that the Baseball Bat Choke-Up Device 10 includes a fastener 28 which connects the first end 24 of longitudinal split 22 to the second end 26 of longitudinal split 22. In a preferred embodiment, the first end 24 of the longitudinal split 22 includes a fastener 28 which fastens to the exterior wall end 30 of the longitudinal split 22. The fastener 28 and the exterior wall end 30 of the longitudinal split 22 may be covered with a hook-and-loop material 32 and 34, such as Velcro.

[0021] The longitudinal split 22 of the C-shaped ring 12 in FIGS. 1 and 2 may be formed to have a longitudinal split width 40 between the first end 24 of the longitudinal split 22 and the second end 26 of the longitudinal split 22. Longitudinal split width 40 is merely exemplary of a preferred embodiment, and it can be appreciated that longitudinal split width 40 may be increased or decreased to accommodate the various diameters along the handle portion of a bat, or for use on different bats having different handle diameters.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, the C-shaped ring 12 may be made of a pliable material, such as high density foam rubber, or other suitable material known in the art. The material should have adequate resilience to ensure proper and consistent hand placement, while providing maximum comfort against a user's hands. It is also preferable that the material be sufficiently inflexible to withstand the forces exerted by a player, thereby assisting a batter to maintain his or her grip of the bat at a desired distance from its physical end. High density foam rubber is preferred because of its low cost and ease of manufacture. Moreover, high density foam rubber provides maximum comfort to a batter's hands. However, this discussion of high density foam rubber is merely exemplary of a preferred embodiment, and it is to be appreciated that any other material well known in the art may be used.

[0023] While hook-and-loop fasteners, such as Velcro brand fasteners, have been discussed as a preferred device for securing the present invention in place on a baseball bat, it should be appreciated that any fastener well known in the art may be used. For example, the hook-and-loop fasteners may be replaced with a snap, magnet, or any other fastening mechanism well known in the art.

[0024] Referring back to FIG. 1, the C-shaped ring 12 may be formed with a height 36 between bottom wall surface 18 and top wall surface 20. Height 36 is approximately one-half inch (½″) in a preferred embodiment. However, it can be appreciated that height 36 may be increased or decreased to nearly any other width while not departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0025] FIGS. 1 and 2 show that bottom wall surface 18 and top wall surface 20 may be formed with a circular hollow center cavity 37 having a diameter 38. The cavity diameter 38 may be approximately the diameter 39 of the handle portion 50 of a standard baseball bat 52.

[0026] Referring now to FIG. 3, the interior wall surface 16 of C-shaped ring 12 firmly encircles and engages the handle portion 50 of a baseball bat 52. Fastener 28 may be used to cinch the C-shaped ring 12 about the handle portion 50, thereby having the capacity to accommodate the various widths along the handle portion of a bat, or to accommodate different bats having different handle diameters.

[0027] The hook-and-loop material 32 on the fastener 28 and the hook-and-loop material 34 on the exterior wall end 30 of longitudinal split 22 engage each other and hold the Baseball Choke-Up Device 10 firmly against the outer surface of the handle portion 50 of baseball bat 52. Fastener 28 may include a tab 31 to facilitate disengagement of the fastener 28 from the exterior wall end 30 of the longitudinal split 22.

[0028] Referring now to FIG. 4, an alternative configuration of the Baseball Bat Choke-Up Device in accordance with the present invention is shown and generally designated 100. This configuration of the Baseball Bat Choke-Up Device of the present invention includes an aggregate configuration 102 having adjacent C-shaped rings 12. The bottom wall surface 104 is positioned firmly against the physical end of baseball bat 54. Multiple C-shaped rings may be used to make an aggregate configuration 102 having additional height 103, greater than the height 36 of a single C-shaped ring wherein the bottom-most C-shaped ring is fitted firmly against the physical end of a bat 54, and each other Baseball Bat Choke-Up Device is stabilized firmly against an adjacent Baseball Bat Choke-Up Device without the use of frictional force. This aggregate configuration is therefore designed to provide a Baseball Bat Choke-Up Device that does not rely upon frictional force to keep it in proper position as well as to provide for a proper grip anywhere along the grip portion of the Baseball Bat.

[0029] While the particular Baseball Bat Choke-Up Device as herein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capable of achieving the objects and providing the benefits herein before described, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown other than as described in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A baseball bat choke-up device for use on a baseball bat having a grip portion, said device comprising:

a pliable C-shaped ring having an exterior wall surface and an interior wall surface wherein said interior wall surface defines a hollow center cavity sized to receive the handle portion of a baseball bat; and

a means for fastening said C-shaped ring about said grip portion of said baseball bat.

2. The baseball bat choke-up device in

claim 1 wherein said means for fastening said C-shaped ring about said grip portion of said baseball bat further comprises a fastener extending from said C-shaped ring, said fastener having a proximal end fixedly attached to said C-shaped ring, and a distal end attachable to said exterior wall surface to secure said C-shaped ring about said grip portion of said baseball bat.

3. The baseball bat choke-Up device in

claim 2 further comprising:

a hook-and-loop material attached to said distal end of said fastener; and

a corresponding hook-and-loop material attached to said exterior wall surface for engaging said hook-and-loop material.

4. The Baseball Bat Choke-Up Device in

claim 3, wherein said distal end of said fastener is formed with a tab.

5. The baseball bat choke-Up device of

claim 1 wherein said C-shaped ring has a square cross section.

6. The baseball bat choke-Up device of

claim 1 wherein said C-shaped ring has a round cross section.

7. A baseball bat choke-up device for use on a baseball bat having a grip portion, said device comprising:

a pliable C-shaped ring having an exterior wall surface having a first end and a second end, and an interior wall surface wherein said interior wall surface defines a hollow center cavity sized to receive the handle portion of a baseball bat; and

a means for fastening said C-shaped ring about said baseball bat.

8. The baseball bat choke-up device of

claim 7, wherein said means for fastening further comprises a fastener attached to said first end of said exterior wall surface and attachable to said second end of said exterior wall surface.

9. A method of facilitating the gripping of a baseball bat having a grip portion with a choke-up grip comprising:

positioning a baseball bat choke-up device comprising a pliable C-shaped ring having an exterior wall surface and an interior wall surface wherein said interior wall surface defines a hollow center cavity sized to receive the handle portion of a baseball bat; and

fastening said C-shaped ring about said grip portion of said baseball bat.

10. The method of

claim 9, wherein said baseball bat choke-up device further comprises a fastener extending from said C-shaped ring, said fastener having a proximal end fixedly attached to said C-shaped ring, and a distal end attachable to said exterior wall surface to secure said C-shaped ring about said grip portion of said baseball bat, and attaching said distal end to said exterior wall surface of said C-shaped ring.