Abstract:
A knob simulating device that can be affixed to a sporting good, such as a baseball bat. The knob simulating device encircles the shaft of the baseball bat and is made up of a plurality of components that mate together to surround and encase the entire periphery of the bat shaft. Each of the component parts has a hard exterior portion and a resilient interior portion for contacting and conforming to the circular outer surface of the baseball bat. The resilient interior portion is generally cylindrical and may have one or more deformable projections that retain the device along the circular outer surface of the baseball bat. There may be a plurality of deformable projections in the form of annular rings that can be angled so as to securely retain the knob simulating device in the desired location along the shaft of the baseball bat.

Description:
RELATED CASES 
       [0001]    The present patent application is based upon and hereby claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/582,844, filed Jan. 4, 2012 and entitled “A HAND POSITIONING DEVICE”. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The field of the invention relates to sporting goods and, in particular, to sporting goods when a players hands grip an element having a circular cross section, such as a baseball bat or golf club. 
         [0003]    A baseball bat has a barrel, a shaft, and a knob. The barrel is the portion of the bat that contacts the ball when the payer hits the ball. The shaft is the portion of the bat that is gripped by the player and the knob is a bulbous terminus to the shaft. 
         [0004]    The knob provides the batter with a location to position his hands, and it also provides support for his grip. 
         [0005]    In the game of baseball, a batter&#39;s success depends upon control of the bat and bat speed. One method of increasing the bat speed and improving bat control is to reposition the user&#39;s hands higher on the shaft of the bat. This process is known as choking up. 
         [0006]    When children are learning how to bat, their coaches frequently instruct them to choke up on the bat. When the child chokes up, he no longer has the knob as a guide to position his hands and provide support for his grip. Not surprisingly, the child frequently moves his hands back down to rest on the knob. Also, not surprisingly, the next time he bats he may not recall where he placed his hands the last time he choked up, and may choke up to a different position, or not at all. 
         [0007]    There is, currently, a device on the market by Easton-Bell Sports that comprises a thick rubber loop that fits around the bat shaft that produces a “Bat Choke”, however, that product has a disadvantage in that it must be stretched over the knob of the bat. Because the rubber loop is thick it requires considerable force to stretch the device to allow the rubber loop to pass by the knob in installing the rubber loop on the shaft of the bat. That product also has an additional disadvantage in that it is not adjustably positionable along the shalt of the bat and it does not fit different bat shaft diameters. 
         [0008]    Accordingly, there is a need for a better device and a method to assist baseball players to choke up on a bat that enables a player to position his hands repeatedly at the same position, to provide support for the players grip at a choked up position, to provide a simulation of a bat knob at an adjustable position on the bat shaft and to provide a device that will fit many different shaft diameters. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    With the present invention, there is a device that encircles a shaft of a sporting good having a generally cylindrical outer surface. The device is comprised of a plurality of component parts that mate together to form a device that encircles the shaft with each component part having a hard exterior portion and a resilient interior portion for contacting and conforming to the generally cylindrical outer surface of the sporting good. There is a plurality of deformable projections that retain the device along the generally cylindrical outer surface of the sporting good. 
         [0010]    These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent during the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings herein. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating one component part of the knob simulating device of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of another, mating component part of the knob simulating device of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a side view illustrating the interior of one of the components of the knob simulating device of  FIG. 1  or  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the completed knob simulating device of the present invention with a securing device in the unsecured orientation; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the completed knob simulating device of the present invention with a securing device in the secured orientation; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a front view of a knob simulating device of the present invention affixed to a baseball bat. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0017]    Turning first to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , there is shown perspective views of component parts  10 ,  12  that make up the completed knob simulating device of the present invention. Since most of the features of the component parts are the same, like identification numbers are used for the same features of the component parts  10 ,  12 . The component parts  10 ,  12  both have a generally cylindrical, hard exterior portion  14 , that may be made of a hard plastic such as nylon and a resilient interior portion  16  that may be comprised of an elastomeric material. 
         [0018]    As shown in the exemplary embodiment, the present invention is described in terms of a baseball bat, however, it will be seen that the present invention can be applicable to other sporting goods, such as golf clubs, lacrosse sticks and the like. 
         [0019]    Accordingly, taking first the exterior portion  14 , the purpose of the exterior portion  14  is to contain the soft, resilient inner portion  16  as well as to provide the shape and feel of a simulated bat knob. Because the normal knob of a baseball bat is hard, the knob simulating device must also be hard, if it is to simulate the knob of a bat. Ideally, it will be made from a hard, tough, thermoplastic material such as an impact resistant Nylon. The exterior portion  14  can be manufactured by the injection molding process. 
         [0020]    In the exemplary embodiment, the exterior portion  14  is semi-cylindrical and resembles a can cut in half along its long axis, however, as explained, there may be more than two component parts that make up the knob simulating device that add up to 360 degrees around the outer, generally cylindrical surface of a baseball bat. 
         [0021]    Each of the component parts  10 ,  12  has a proximal end  18  that faces the normal bat knob, when installed on a baseball bat, and a distal end  20  that faces the barrel of the bat. The exterior surfaces  22  of the component parts  10 ,  12  are rounded with a common radius that is close to that of a typical knob of a baseball bat. 
         [0022]    In order to provide an alignment of the component parts  10 ,  12  when assembled together, there may be one or more protrusions  26  formed on each component part  10 ,  12  that interfit into one or more recesses  28  formed on the other component part  10 ,  12 . The protrusions  26  each have a tip  30  that is narrower than the base  32  of the protrusions  26  and serve to guide the protrusions  26  into the mating recesses  28 . The recesses  28  include an entrance  34  that is wider than the rest of the recess  28  such that the entrance  34  serves to guide a mating tip  30  into a recess  28 . 
         [0023]    The inner diameter  36  of the exterior portion  14  is sized so that it will not interfere with the largest typical baseball bat shaft size. Because the exterior portions  14  are so sized, the complete knob simulating device can be assembled around a typical baseball bat shaft. 
         [0024]    Taking then, the interior portion  16  of a component part  10 ,  12 , the interior portion  16  is a cylindrical configuration that surrounds the exterior of the bat shaft so as to retain the component parts  10 ,  12  to the bat shaft. While the interior portion  16  may simply be cylindrical, in the exemplary embodiment, the inner portion  16  may be comprised of at least one deformable projection  38  that extends inwardly, and, there may be a plurality of deformable projections  38  extending inwardly, generally radially, on each of the component parts  10 ,  12 . 
         [0025]    In the exemplary embodiment, the deformable projections  38  are concentric, annular rings. Each of annular rings is preferable triangular in cross sectional shape, having a base  40  that is thicker that the tip  42 . The rings are angled when compared to a line perpendicular to the ring axis such that when a force is applied along the line that is perpendicular to the ring axis, the deformable projections  38  will deflect in a predetermined direction and perform the function of a cantilevered spring. As shown, about one half of the deformable projections  38  are angled towards the proximal end  18  of the component part and the other half of the deformable projections  38  are angled toward the distal end  20  of the component parts  10 ,  12 . 
         [0026]    Turning then to  FIG. 3 , taken along with  FIGS. 1 and 2 , there can be seen the angular orientation of the deformable projections  38  such that one half of the angular projections  38  are angled toward the proximal end  18  and the other half are angled toward the distal end  20  of the component part  10 . As can be seen, it is preferred that the particular half of the annular projections  38  be angled in the direction of the closest end of the component part  10 . 
         [0027]    The deformable projections  28  serve several purposes. One such purpose is to serve as springs and maintain pressure on a variety of different diameter shafts when the knob simulating device is assembled around the shaft of a baseball bat and which is later explained. 
         [0028]    Because the deformable projections  38  will interfere with the larger bat shaft when the device is assembled around that shaft, there will be a pressure and force that develops between the deformable projections  38  and the bat shaft. That pressure and force will tend to hold the knob simulating device in place along the shaft of the baseball bat. 
         [0029]    Another purpose is to resist movement up and down the shaft of the baseball bat and provide support for the batter&#39;s hands, again, as will be later explained. Preferably, the deformable projections  38  are made from a soft thermoplastic elastomer such as a soft santoprene. The deformable projections  38  may be over-molded onto the inner surfaces of the exterior portion  14 . 
         [0030]    The inner diameters of the deformable projections  38  are sized so that the deformable projections  38  will interfere with the smallest typical bat shaft size, when the knob simulating device is assembled around that shaft. Because the deformable projections  38  will interfere with the smallest typical bat shaft size, and because they perform the function of a cantilevered spring, they will deflect, and maintain a pressure and force on the shaft of the smallest typical bat shaft size. That pressure and force will tend to hold the knob simulating device in place upon the bat shaft. Because the deformable projections  38  are angled when compared to a line perpendicular to the ring axis, they are biased to resist movement of the knob simulating device in one direction more than in another, and provide increased resistance to movement of the knob simulating device along the shaft. 
         [0031]    The outermost (top and bottom) deformable projections  39  terminate at a larger diameter than the other deformable projections  38 . This prevents the outermost (top and bottom) deformable projections  39  from extending upwards iii an unsightly manner and, instead, presents an aesthetic, clean appearance, when pressed against a bat shaft. 
         [0032]    The pressure and force against the bat shaft can also be developed in other manners, such as an inflatable bladder that takes the place of the elastomeric material, or the use of “memory foam” or removable sleeves, etc. 
         [0033]    Turning then to  FIG. 4 , taken along with  FIGS. 1-3 , the two component parts  10 ,  12 , as can be seen, are affixed together to make up a completed knob simulating device  44 , however, there may more than two component parts and still be within the scope of the present invention. The exterior surfaces  22  are complementary and shaped so as to simulate the bat knob normally formed at the proximal end of a baseball bat. 
         [0034]    At least one of the two mating component parts  10 ,  12  can have a securing device  46  that enhances the attachment or affixation between the component parts  10 ,  12 . In  FIG. 4 , the securing device  46  is shown on the component part  12  in the form of a fabric strap  48  with hook and loop system  47  on the fabric strap  48 . 
         [0035]    The fabric strap  48  is affixed to the component part  12  and is secured therein. One means of such affixation is to pass the fabric strap  48  through a channel  50  formed in one of the component parts, such as component part  12  such that the fabric strap  48  is secured therein. There is a D-ring  54  affixed to one end  52  of the fabric strap  48 . 
         [0036]    As such, the other end  53  of the fabric strap  48  can be looped through the D-ring  54  and attached to itself by means of the hook and loop system  47  to secure one component part  10  to the other component part  12  by having the fabric strap  48  attached to component  12  encircle the component part  10 , pass through the D-ring  54  and attach to itself by means of the hook and loop system. 
         [0037]    Other securing devices or methods may be used to aid in the attachment of the component parts  10 ,  12 . That attachment device may be any one of the following: two fabric straps, a hook(s) with a mating recess, a latch(s) with a mating protrusion, an adhesive, a snap, a friction fit, a magnet, an elastic band, a threaded member and mating threaded hole, a rigid or semi rigid collar or any combination of the above means of attachments or other attachment device. 
         [0038]    Turning to  FIG. 5 , the completed simulated bat knob  44  is shown where the two components  10 ,  12  have been secured together and the securing means is in the secured orientation where the fabric strap  48  has passed through the D-ring  54  and has been secured to itself by means of a hook and loop system along its length or portion thereof. 
         [0039]    Turning finally to  FIG. 6 , there is shown a perspective view of a baseball bat  56  to which a knob simulating device  44  has been attached. 
         [0040]    As can be seen in  FIG. 6 , the baseball bat  56  includes a barrel  58 , a shaft  60  and a knob  62 . The player&#39;s hands  64  are grasping the shaft  60  of the baseball bat  56  such that the lower hand is contacting the knob simulating device  44  and thus has the familiar feeling to the player gripping the bat against the knob  62  but, as can be seen, the knob simulating device  44  allows the player to choke up on the bat and still have the comfortable feel of contacting the knob simulating device knob  44 . In addition, as explained, the player can consistently choke up to the same position of the baseball bat  56  by retaining the knob simulating device  44  at the same position. Obviously, however, for different players or to enable a player to change his choked up location, the knob simulating device  44  can be removed and replaced at some other location along the bat shaft  60 . 
         [0041]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1-6 , to use the device, the two components  10 ,  12  are assembled around the shaft  60  of the bat  56 , at the location that the user desires the knob simulating device  44  to be positioned. While assembling the components  10 ,  12 , protrusions  26  enter recesses  28  and register the two components  10 ,  12  to each other. To secure the two components  10 ,  12  together the fabric strap  48  is passed through the ‘D’ ring  54  and folded back on itself, such that the hook and loop system prevents the strap  48  from becoming insecure. 
         [0042]    The securing device can also take any other means of attachment, such as a living hinge to join the two components  10 ,  12  together and plastic snaps to hold them closed, to each other, to form a cylinder. Once in place, the knob simulating device  44  provides a fixed location for the user to consistently position his hands in the same location. Furthermore, the knob simulating device  44  will provide the batter with support, during his swing. 
         [0043]    Alternately, the two components  10 ,  12  could be connected together and made as one part, joined by a plastic “living hinge”, or another type of hinging device, that assists assembly around the bat shaft. 
         [0044]    Those skilled in the art will readily recognize numerous adaptations and modifications which can be made to the knob simulating device of the present invention which will result in an improved batting performance utilizing the same, yet all of which will fall within the scope and spirit of the present invention as defined in the following claims. Accordingly, the invention is to be limited only by the following claims and their equivalents.