Sports utility belt

A sports utility belt includes a belt adapted to be worn around the waste of a player, and a bat holder attached to the belt and adapted to hold either a baseball or softball bat. The bat holder has an inner surface contoured to fit a portion of the bat and hold the bat in a substantially horizontal position behind the player. The bat holder is preferably made from two sections separated by a living hinge that allows the bat holder to open and close. The sports utility belt may also include a pouch attached to the belt to hold a baseball or softball and a strap adapted to secure a baseball or softball glove to the belt.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
 1. Field of the Invention
 The present invention relates to sports accessories. More particularly,
 though not exclusively, the present invention relates to a sports utility
 belt for use in the transport of a baseball bat and like articles.
 2. Problems in the Art
 Each year hundreds of thousands of people participate in recreational
 baseball and softball leagues. The young adults and children that
 participate often rely on bicycles, mopeds, and skateboards as means of
 transportation to and from games and practices. It is a common site, for
 example, to see Little League baseball players ride their bikes to the
 baseball field, carrying a baseball bat and glove. Typically, a player
 will hold the bat in one hand and steer the bike with the other. Because
 both hands of the player are not free, this makes the player more
 susceptible to a traffic accident. In addition, the bat or glove may drop
 from the player's hand and actually cause the accident. Thus, there is a
 need in the art for a device that provides for a safer means of
 transporting baseball and softball equipment.
 Another problem in the art is that baseball and softball equipment is not
 inexpensive and can easily become damaged during transport. Unless
 securely attached to either the player or the bicycle, for example, the
 equipment may impact against the bicycle or the road, scratching and
 marring the equipment. Thus, there is also a need in the art for a device
 that protects baseball and softball equipment from damage during
 transport.
 Yet another problem in the art is the need for a device to use in the
 transport of baseball and softball equipment that is both comfortable and
 esthetically pleasing to the user. An apparatus or device to be worn by a
 player that is either uncomfortable or unsightly will simply not get used.
 FEATURES OF THE INVENTION
 A general feature of the present invention is the provision of a method and
 means for transporting baseball and softball equipment which overcomes the
 problems found in the prior art.
 A further feature of the present invention is the provision of a sports
 utility belt that holds the baseball and softball equipment, freeing the
 hands of the wearer during transport using a bicycle or similar means.
 A further feature of the present invention is the provision of a sports
 utility belt that adequately secures the baseball and softball equipment
 to ensure that the equipment does not become damaged during transport.
 A still further feature of the present invention is the provision of a
 sports utility belt that is comfortable to wear.
 A further feature of the present invention is the provision of a sports
 utility belt that is esthetically pleasing to the wearer.
 A further feature of the present invention is the provision of a sports
 utility belt that is efficient in operation and durable in use.
 These as well as other features and advantages of the present invention
 will become apparent from the following specification and claims.
 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
 The sports utility belt of the present invention includes a belt adapted to
 be worn around the waste of the player, and a bat holder attached to the
 belt and adapted to hold either a baseball or softball bat. In its
 preferred form, the bat holder of the sports utility belt has an inner
 surface contoured to fit a portion of the bat and hold the bat in a
 substantially horizontal position behind the player. The bat holder is
 preferably made from two sections separated by a living hinge that allows
 the bat holder to open and close. The sports utility belt may also include
 a pouch attached to the belt to hold a baseball or softball and a strap
 adapted to secure a baseball or softball glove to the belt.
 The present invention also includes a method of transporting a baseball or
 softball bat having the advantage of freeing the hands of the player to
 operate a vehicle, such as a bicycle, moped or skateboard. The method
 generally includes the steps of providing a sports utility belt as
 described above, inserting the bat into the bat holder, fastening the belt
 around the waste of the player, and driving the vehicle to the desired
 destination.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
 The present invention will be described as it applies to its preferred
 embodiment. It is not intended that the present invention be limited to
 the described embodiment. It is intended that the invention cover all
 modifications and alternatives which may be included within the spirit and
 scope of the invention.
 Now referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a baseball or softball player
 10 wearing a sports utility belt 12 of the present invention while riding
 a bicycle 14. The sports utility belt 12, shown in more detail in FIG. 2,
 includes a belt 16 with fasteners (not shown) for securing the belt 16
 around the waste of the player or wearer 10. The belt 16 may be made from
 a variety of different flexible materials. Nylon belting has been found
 durable and suitable for use.
 The sports utility belt 12 also includes a bat holder 18 sized to
 accommodate either a baseball or softball bat 20. As best shown in FIGS. 2
 through 4, the bat holder 18 includes a first section 22 and a second
 section 24 forming a circular cylinder around the bat 20. The first and
 second sections are joined by a living hinge 26 that allows the bat holder
 18 to hinge between an open position, shown in FIG. 4, and a closed
 position, shown in FIG. 3. The bat holder 18 has an inner surface 28 and
 an outer surface 30. The inner surface 28 of the bat holder 18 is
 contoured to fit a portion of the bat 20 and secure the bat in a
 compression fit when in the closed position. The bat holder 18 should have
 a rigid construction and is preferably made of a hard plastic material or
 lightweight aluminum.
 A flexible gripping member 31 is disposed between the inner surface 28 of
 the bat holder 18 and the bat 20. The gripping member 31 helps to maintain
 a tight fit around the bat 20. Although the gripping member 31 may be made
 from a variety of materials, high density foam has been found most
 effective. The gripping member 31 may be glued and/or recessed into the
 inner surface 28 of the bat holder 18.
 A strap 34 having loop and hook fasteners 36 is provided to wrap around the
 bat holder 18 to maintain the bat 20 in a compression fit while in the
 closed position. The strap 34 is held in place on the outer surface 30 of
 the bat holder 18 by screws 38. It can be appreciated that various other
 fastening means could be used to hold the first and second sections 22 and
 24 together in the closed position around the bat 20.
 A mounting plate 40 attaches the bat holder 18 to the belt 16. As best
 shown in FIG. 2, the bat holder 18 when attached to the belt 16 maintains
 the bat 20 in a substantially horizontal position. This helps to ensure
 that bat 20 will not interfere with the bicycle 14 or other vehicle during
 transport.
 The mounting plate is formed of a plastic or lightweight aluminum plate and
 is fixed to the bat holder by means of one or more rivets 42. The mounting
 plate 40 is detachably mounted to the belt 16 using plastic clasps. A pair
 of male clasps 44 are fixed to the belt 16 and are received in two female
 clasp receivers 46 attached to the mounting plate 40 with screws 48. It
 can be appreciated that such a construction allows the bat holder 18 to be
 interchanged with other holders for attachment to the belt 16. For
 example, another holder could be provided for a tennis racquet, and
 another for a lacrosse club.
 The male clasps 44 are positioned along the belt 16 such that bat 20 is
 held behind the wearer 12. In this position, the bat 20 is less likely to
 interfere in the operation of the bicycle 14 or other vehicle.
 The sports utility belt 12 also includes a pouch 50 attached the belt 16
 and sized to hold either a baseball or softball. A strap 52 is provided on
 the belt 16. The strap 52 may be looped through the handle of a baseball
 or softball glove 54 to secure the glove to the belt 16.
 In light of the prior description of the sports utility belt 12, its
 operation and method of use can be easily understood. The bat 20 is
 inserted into the bat holder 18 while in the open position. The first and
 second sections 22 and 24 of the bat holder 18 are then closed around the
 bat 20. The strap 34 is wrapped around the bat holder 18 and secured to
 maintain the bat holder 18 in a compression fit around the bat 20. Next,
 the male clasps 44 on the belt 16 are inserted into the female receivers
 46 on the mounting plate 40. At this point, the sports utility belt 12 may
 be fastened around the waist of the wearer 12 for transport.
 From the foregoing, it can be seen that the present invention accomplishes
 at least all of its stated objectives and includes the aforementioned
 features.