SPORTS GRIP

Abstract

Provided is a sports grip, comprising: a main body comprising: a flap extending in a longitudinal direction, at least two lobes extending in opposite transverse directions, and an elevated portion extending from the main body, the elevated portion comprising an opening for receiving a player's finger.

Description

FIELD

The present embodiments are generally directed to sports equipment, and specifically to sports grips for a player when batting.

BACKGROUND

Different kinds of sports require the use of a bat, a racquet, or a stick to play. For example, baseball, softball, ice hockey, field hockey, ball hockey, cricket, tennis, squash, and badminton. Safety equipment is commonly worn by players of these sports in order to protect their hands and improve grip.

Conventional safety equipment includes gloves or other hand coverings for a player to wear when holding the bat, racquet or stick. Other conventional safety equipment can include grips that are applied to the bat, racquet or stick directly, i.e. by applying grip tape, or foam tape. In some cases a grip may be used in combination with a glove or other hand covering.

In baseball, the pitcher throws a ball to a waiting batter at speeds of up to 100 mph (and some pitchers who can pitch over 100 mph). The batter swings the bat that may contact the ball. When the bat hits the ball, the resulting impact can reach 5,000 to 10,000 pounds of force.

This impact causes a bending mode of the bat, and the resulting vibrations are transmitted from the impact site on the bat to the player's hands. These vibrations can negatively affect a player's grip on the bat, and can be very painful (known colloquially as “bat sting”). These vibrations can be exacerbated when the ball is hit off the end of the bat, or when an inside pitch hits the bat close to the batter's hands. These vibrations may cause the player to lose grip on the bat, or may result in sub-optimal energy transfer from the bat to the ball during contact.

In hockey, a player may swing their stick for a slapshot, or may receive a slash on the stick that may similarly transmit vibrations to the player's hands because of contact with a puck, the ice surface or boards, the metal portion of the hockey net, etc.

In racquet sports, a player may swing a racket to hit a ball, birdie, or another playing device. The contact may similarly transmit vibrations to the player's hands.

Conventional safety equipment has been found inadequate for protecting player's from these contact vibrations and improvements are desired in such safety equipment in order to improve player comfort, improve the energy transfer, and improve grip.

SUMMARY

In a first aspect, there is provided a sports grip, comprising: a main body comprising: a flap extending in a longitudinal direction, at least two lobes extending in opposite transverse directions, and an elevated portion extending from the main body, the elevated portion comprising an opening for receiving a player's finger.

In one or more embodiments, the elevated portion may be a step portion.

In one or more embodiments, the elevated portion may be a convex portion.

In one or more embodiments, the convex portion may be an elliptical convex surface.

In one or more embodiments, the main body may have uniform thickness.

In one or more embodiments, a first thickness of the main body at the flap may be less than a second thickness of the main body at the elevated portion.

In one or more embodiments, the main body may be made from a resiliently deformable material.

In one or more embodiments, the resiliently deformable material may be selected to absorb vibration.

In one or more embodiments, the resiliently deformable material may increase friction between the player's hand and a bat.

In one or more embodiments, the resiliently deformable material may be one of silicone, synthetic rubber, natural rubber, and thermoplastic elastomer.

In one or more embodiments, the opening may receive a player's thumb finger.

In one or more embodiments, the main body may be arranged in a first position with the elevated portion proximate a base of the player's thumb finger.

In one or more embodiments, the main body may be arranged in a second position with the elevated portion proximate a tip of the player's thumb finger.

In one or more embodiments, the opening may receive a player's index finger.

In one or more embodiments, the main body may be arranged in a first position with the elevated portion proximate a base of the player's index finger.

In one or more embodiments, the main body may be arranged in a second position with the elevated portion proximate a tip of the player's index finger.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an example sports grip for a hitter, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 2 shows a front plan view of the sports grip from FIG. 1, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 3 shows a rear plan view of the sports grip from FIG. 1, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 4 shows a right side view of the sports grip from FIG. 1, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 5 shows a left side view of the sports grip from FIG. 1, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 6 shows a top view of the sports grip from FIG. 1 in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 7 shows a bottom view of the sports grip from FIG. 1 in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the sports grip from FIG. 1 applied to the thumb finger of a batter's hand in a first position in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the sports grip from FIG. 1 applied to the thumb finger of a batter's hand in a second position in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of a batter wearing the sports grip in the first position shown in FIG. 8 gripping a bat, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 11 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the of batter's grip from FIG. 10 including the sports grip in a first position on the batter's hand and the bat, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of a batter wearing the sports grip from FIG. 1 applied to the index finger of a batter's hand in a first position in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of a batter wearing the sports grip from FIG. 1 applied to the index finger of a batter's hand in a second position in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of a batter wearing the sports grip in the first position on the index finger shown in FIG. 12 gripping a bat, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 15 shows a cross-section view of the of batter's grip from FIG. 14 including the sports grip in a first position on the index finger of the batter's hand and the bat, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of another example sports grip for a hitter, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 17 shows a perspective view of another example sports grip for a hitter, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 18 shows a perspective view of another example sports grip for a hitter, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

Various apparatuses or methods will be described below to provide an example of the claimed subject matter. No example described below limits any claimed subject matter and any claimed subject matter may cover methods or apparatuses that differ from those described below. The claimed subject matter is not limited to apparatuses or methods having all of the features of any one apparatus or methods described below or to features common to multiple or all of the apparatuses or methods described below. It is possible that an apparatus or methods described below is not an example that is recited in any claimed subject matter. Any subject matter disclosed in an apparatus or methods described below that is not claimed in this document may be the subject matter of another protective instrument, for example, a continuing patent application, and the applicants, inventors or owners do not intend to abandon, disclaim or dedicate to the public any such invention by its disclosure in this document.

Furthermore, it will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the examples described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the examples described herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the examples described herein. Also, the description is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the examples described herein.

It should also be noted that the terms “coupled” or “coupling” as used herein can have several different meanings depending on the context in which these terms are used. For example, the terms “coupled”, or “coupling” can have a mechanical, electrical or communicative connotation. For example, as used herein, the terms “coupled”, or “coupling” can indicate that two elements or devices can be directly connected to one another or connected to one another through one or more intermediate elements or devices via an electrical element, electrical signal or a mechanical element depending on the particular context. Furthermore, the term “communicative coupling” indicates that an element or device can electrically, optically, or wirelessly send data to another element or device as well as receive data from another element or device.

It should also be noted that, as used herein, the wording “and/or” is intended to represent an inclusive-or. That is, “X and/or Y” is intended to mean X or Y or both, for example. As a further example, “X, Y, and/or Z” is intended to mean X or Y or Z or any combination thereof.

It should be noted that terms of degree such as “substantially”, “about” and “approximately” as used herein mean a reasonable amount of deviation of the modified term such that the end result is not significantly changed. These terms of degree may also be construed as including a deviation of the modified term if this deviation would not negate the meaning of the term it modifies.

Furthermore, the recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints herein includes all numbers and fractions subsumed within that range (e.g., 1 to 5 includes 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.90, 4, and 5). It is also to be understood that all numbers and fractions thereof are presumed to be modified by the term “about” which means a variation of up to a certain amount of the number to which reference is being made if the end result is not significantly changed.

Some elements herein may be identified by a part number, which is composed of a base number followed by an alphabetical or subscript-numerical suffix (e.g., 112a, or 112₁). Multiple elements herein may be identified by part numbers that share a base number in common and that differ by their suffixes (e.g., 112₁, 112₂, and 112₃). All elements with a common base number may be referred to collectively or generically using the base number without a suffix (e.g., 112).

Referring first to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view 100 of an example sports grip 150 for a hitter, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

The sports grip 150 includes a main body 102 and an elevated portion 108. The sports grip 150 may be worn on a player's right hand or left hand as required, and may be worn on the thumb, or another non-thumb finger. The sports grip 150 may be worn in a first position, or a second (inverted) position.

The main body 102 includes a flap 104 extending in a longitudinal direction and at least two lobes 106 extending in opposite transverse directions. The flap 104 may be rounded as shown, or may be square.

The elevated portion 108 extends from the main body 102 as shown, and includes an opening 110 for receiving a player's finger. The elevated portion 108 may be an elliptical convex shape as shown, or may be alternatively shaped as shown in FIGS. 16-18, including a step portion such as a stepped rectangular, circular or oval portion, a circular convex portion, or another shaped portion. The elevated portion 108 extends from the main body 102 to provide for a raised engagement surface with a players hand, or a bat, when the bat is gripped by the player.

The lobes 106 may include a left side lob 106a and a right side lobe 106b

The opening 110 of the elevated portion 108 may be sized for a player's finger. The opening 110 may be sized such that the elevated portion 108 is stretches as the player's finger is inserted in order to provide a secure fit of the sports grip 150 on the player's hand.

The sports grip 150 may be made from a resiliently deformable material such as silicone. The resiliently deformable material may be one of platinum silicone, synthetic rubber, natural rubber, thermoplastic elastomers, etc. The resiliently deformable material may have a 20 durometer hardness. The resiliently deformable material may be selected to absorb vibration of from a bat to the player's hand when contact is made with a ball. The resiliently deformable material may increase friction between the player's hand and a bat in order to improve the player's grip.

Referring next to FIGS. 2 and 3 together, there is shown a front plan view 200 and a rear plan view 300 of the sports grip 150 from FIG. 1, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

The sports grip 150 has a front side 212 and a rear side 314.

In one embodiment, the sports grip 150 engages the player's hand in a first position (see e.g. FIG. 8) where the rear side 314 engages the player's hand 804 and the front side 212 and elevated portion 108 engage the bat held by the player. This first position may include where the player's thumb finger 806 is inserted into opening 810 (see e.g. FIG. 8), or where the index finger 1202 (or another non-thumb finger) is inserted into opening 1210 (see e.g. FIG. 12).

In another embodiment, the sports grip 150 engages the player's hand in a second position (see e.g. FIG. 9) where the front side 212 and the elevated portion 108 engages the player's hand 904 and the rear side 314 engages the bat held by the player. The second position may include where the player's thumb finger 906 is inserted into opening 910 (see e.g. FIG. 9), or where the index finger 1302 (or another non-thumb finger) is inserted into opening 1310 (see e.g. FIG. 13).

Referring next to FIGS. 4-7 together, there is shown a left side view 400, a right side view 500, a top view 600, and a bottom view 700 of the sports grip 150 from FIG. 1, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

The sports grip 150 may include a circumferential top side surface 408 circumscribing the elevated portion 108, a left lobe side surface 406 circumscribing a left lobe, a right lobe side surface 506 circumscribing a right lobe extending in an opposite transverse direction from the left lobe, and a flap side surface 404 circumscribing the flap that extends in a longitudinal direction.

As shown, the thickness L1 of the main body at the flap 104 may be less than the thickness L2 of the main body generally at the elevated portion 108. In an alternate embodiment, the thickness of the main body is uniform and thickness L1 and thickness L2 are generally the same. The elevated portion 108 extends a distance L3 from the main body in order to provide improved engagement with the bat in the players hand (in a first position), or the player's hand itself (in a second position).

Referring next to FIG. 8, there is shown a perspective view 800 of the sports grip from FIG. 1 applied to the thumb finger 806 of a batter's hand 804 in a first position in accordance with one or more embodiments. The player's thumb 806 may be inserted into opening 810 of the elevated portion 108 from the rear side in order to position the sports grip on the hand 804. A player who is involved in an at-bat may wear the sports grip in the first position on their thumb 806 in order to improve their grip on the bat, and in order to minimize the vibrations transferred to their hand if their swing results in contact with a ball.

In the first position, the rear side of the sports grip engages the player's hand 804, and the front side 212 engages the bat held by the player. The flap is positioned between the player's thumb 806 and their index finger 802. The left side lobe 106a extends outward from the player's hand 804, and the right side lobe 106b extends inward to the palm of the player's hand 804.

Referring next to FIG. 9, there is shown a perspective view 900 of the sports grip from FIG. 1 applied to the thumb finger of a batter's hand in a second position in accordance with one or more embodiments. The player's thumb 906 may be inserted into the opening 910 of the elevated portion on the front side in order to position the sports grip on the hand 904. A player who is involved in an at-bat may wear the sports grip in the second position on their thumb 906 in order to improve their grip on the bat, and in order to minimize the vibrations transferred to their hand if their swing results in contact with a ball.

In the second position, the front side of the sports grip engages the player's hand 904, and the rear side 314 engages the bat held by the player. The flap is positioned between the player's thumb 906 and their index finger 902. The right side lobe 106b extends outward from the player's hand 904, and the left side lobe 106a extends inward to the palm of the player's hand 904.

Referring next to FIGS. 10 and 11, there is shown a perspective view 1000 and a cross-sectional view 1100 of a batter wearing the sports grip 150 in the first position shown in FIG. 8 gripping a bat 1002, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

As noted above in FIG. 8, the player may position the sports grip 150 on their hand 804 in a first position with their thumb 806 inserted in the opening. The left side lobe 106a of the sports grip 150 extends upwards in the direction of the bat 1002, and may provide additional cushioning as the bat 1002 moves during the player's swing. The batter holds the bat in their hand 804 with their thumb 806 and non-thumb fingers 802 gripping the handle of the bat. The sports grip 150 fits between the player's hand 804 and the bat 1002 and provides improved grip and cushioning of vibrations.

Referring next to FIG. 12, there is shown a perspective view 1200 of a batter wearing the sports grip from FIG. 1 applied to the index finger 1202 of a batter's hand 1204 in a first position in accordance with one or more embodiments.

The player's index finger 806 (or another non-thumb finger) may be inserted into opening 1210 of the elevated portion 108 from the rear side in order to position the sports grip on the hand 1204. A player who is involved in an at-bat may wear the sports grip in the first position on their index finger 1202 in order to improve their grip on the bat, and in order to minimize the vibrations transferred to their hand if their swing results in contact with a ball.

In the first position, the rear side of the sports grip engages the player's hand 1204, and the front side 212 engages the bat held by the player. The flap is positioned between the thumb 1206 and the palm of the hand 1204. The right side lobe 106b extends outward from the player's hand 1204, and the left side lobe 106a extends inward towards the palm of the player's hand 1204.

Referring next to FIG. 13, there is shown a perspective view 1300 of a batter wearing the sports grip from FIG. 1 applied to the index finger 1302 of a batter's hand 1304 in a second position in accordance with one or more embodiments.

The player's index finger 1302 (or other non-thumb finger) may be inserted into the opening 1310 of the elevated portion on the front side in order to position the sports grip on the hand 1304. A player who is involved in an at-bat may wear the sports grip in the second position on their index finger 1302 in order to improve their grip on the bat, and in order to minimize the vibrations transferred to their hand if their swing results in contact with a ball.

In the second position, the front side of the sports grip engages the player's hand 1304, and the rear side 314 engages the bat held by the player. The flap is positioned between the player's thumb 1306 and the palm. The left side lobe 106a extends outward from the player's hand 1304, and the right side lobe 106b extends inward to the palm of the player's hand 1304.

Referring next to FIGS. 14 and 15, which show a perspective view 1400 and a cross-sectional view 1500 of a batter wearing the sports grip 150 in the first position on the index finger shown in FIG. 12 gripping a bat 1402, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

As noted above in FIG. 12, the player may position the sports grip 150 on their hand 1204 in a first position with their index finger 1202 (or other non-thumb finger) inserted in the opening. The right side lobe 106b of the sports grip 150 extends upwards in the direction of the bat 1402, and may provide additional cushioning as the bat 1002 moves during the player's swing. The batter holds the bat in their hand 1204 with their thumb 1206 and non-thumb fingers 1202 gripping the handle of the bat. The sports grip 150 fits between the player's hand 1204 and the bat 1402 and provides improved grip and cushioning of vibrations.

Referring next to FIGS. 16, 17, and 18 together there are shown perspective views 1600, 1700, and 1800 of other example sports grips for a hitter, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

The elevated portion of the sports grip may have different shapes and forms. The elevated portion may be a step portion 1608 including an opening 1610 for a player's finger. The elevated portion may be an elliptical shaped step portion 1708 with an opening 1710. The elevated portion may be a circular convex portion 1808 with an opening 1810.

The present invention has been described here by way of example only. Various modification and variations may be made to these exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, which is limited only by the appended claims.

All publications, patents and patent applications are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Claims

1. A sports grip, comprising:

a main body comprising: a flap extending in a longitudinal direction, at least two lobes extending in opposite transverse directions, and

an elevated portion extending from the main body, the elevated portion comprising an opening for receiving a player's finger.

2. The sports grip of claim 1, wherein the elevated portion is a step portion.

3. The sports grip of claim 1, wherein the elevated portion is a convex portion.

4. The sports grip of claim 3, wherein the convex portion is an elliptical convex surface.

5. The sports grip of claim 1, wherein the main body has uniform thickness.

6. The sports grip of claim 1, wherein a first thickness of the main body at the flap is less than a second thickness of the main body at the elevated portion.

7. The sports grip of claim 1, wherein the main body is made from a resiliently deformable material.

8. The sports grip of claim 7, wherein the resiliently deformable material is selected to absorb vibration.

9. The sports grip of claim 8, wherein the resiliently deformable material increases friction between the player's hand and a bat.

10. The sports grip of claim 9, wherein the resiliently deformable material is one of one of silicone, synthetic rubber, natural rubber, and thermoplastic elastomer.

11. The sports grip of claim 1, wherein the opening receives a player's thumb finger.

12. The sports grip of claim 11, wherein the main body is arranged in a first position with the elevated portion proximate a tip of the player's thumb finger.

13. The sports grip of claim 11, wherein the main body is arranged in a second position with the elevated portion proximate a base of the player's thumb finger.

14. The sports grip of claim 1, wherein the opening receives a player's index finger.

15. The sports grip of claim 14, wherein the main body is arranged in a first position with the elevated portion proximate a base of the player's index finger.

16. The sports grip of claim 14, wherein the main body is arranged in a second position with the elevated portion proximate a tip of the player's index finger.