Abstract:
The devices described herein assist the player of a sport involving a bat (e.g., baseball or softball) or club (e.g., golf) to correctly position his or her hands on the bat or club to enhance the power and accuracy of the player&#39;s swing.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Sports utilizing clubs or bats, like baseball and golf, have been played for centuries. Proper technique for gripping the shaft of a club/bat is an important aspect in being successful, but learning and mastering this technique is very difficult. Proper gripping technique fosters better swing mechanics, which improves power, distance and control. 
     SUMMARY 
     In general, devices are disclosed herein which assist the player of a sport involving a bat e.g., baseball or softball) or club e.g., golf) to correctly position his or her hands on the bat or club to enhance the power and accuracy of the player&#39;s swing. The device clips easily and securely onto the shaft of the bat or club, and allows the user to easily grasp the device and then quickly let go of the device after hitting the ball. 
     In one aspect, the invention features a device comprising a body having a semi-cylindrical portion that defines an open area and that is configured to be snapped onto the shaft of a bat or golf club; and a helical rib extending radially from an outer surface of the body. 
     Some implementations may include one or more of the following features. The rib and body of the device may together define channels on either side of the rib that are configured to receive the first digit of one of a user&#39;s hands and the fifth digit of the other. The rib may be configured to cause the user to hold the bat so that the knuckles of both hands form a straight line that is parallel to the long axis of the bat. In some cases, a portion of a long axis of the rib extends at an angle of 9°-16° with respect to the transverse axis of the device. 
     In some implementations, the rib has a thickness of less than about 6 mm, e.g., from about 3 to 4 mm. The rib may, in some implementations, protrude from the outer surface of the body a distance of from about 7 to 20 mm. 
     In some implementations, the body is configured to be used on a baseball bat, and the body has an inner diameter of from about 20 to 32 mm. Some implementations are configured to be used on a softball bat, in which case the body may have an inner diameter of from about 15 to 22 mm. In another implementation, the body is configured to be used on a golf club, and the body has an inner conical diameter of from about 22 to 18 mm. 
     In another aspect, the invention features methods which comprise a) positioning, on the shaft of a bat or golf club, a device including a body having a semi-cylindrical portion that defines an open area, and a helical rib extending radially from an outer surface of the body; b) utilizing the device to grip the shaft; and c) hitting a ball with the bat or golf club. 
     The methods may further comprise removing the device from the shaft after use. In some implementations, positioning the device may include clipping the body onto the shaft. The method may also include dropping the bat after hitting the ball by letting go of the device. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a device according to one implementation. 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of the device. 
         FIG. 3  is an alternate perspective view of the device. 
         FIG. 4  is another perspective view of the device. 
         FIG. 5  is a font view of the device attached to the shaft of a bat. 
         FIG. 6  is a view of the device attached to the shaft of a bat while being properly gripped by two hands. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In preferred embodiments, the devices described herein are configured to be removably attached to the shaft of a baseball bat. 
       FIG. 1  shows a device  10 , which includes a hollow semi-cylindrical body  12  having a central opening  15  that is configured to receive the shaft of a baseball bat, and a rib  20  which extends outward from the body  12  in a radial direction. The device  10 , when attached to the shaft of a baseball bat  FIG. 5 ), requires the user to grip the shaft in a manner so that the palmar digital creases of the fingers of both of the user&#39;s hands are aligned with the shaft of the bat. This grip increases power and fosters proper swing technique. Alignment occurs because rib  20  causes the user to hold the bat so that the knuckles proximal interphalangeal joints) of both hands form a straight line that is parallel to the long axis of the bat, shown in  FIG. 6 . Together, the rib  20  and body  12  define channels on either side of the rib. These channels are configured so that the little finger of the user&#39;s hand that is closest to the distal end of the bat rests on one side of the rib, and the index finger of the user&#39;s other hand contacts the other side of the rib. In the implementation shown, the channels are open at the top rather than being tubes that would receive the fingers), allowing the player to easily grasp the bat, and then easily let it go after batting simply by opening the fingers to release the device from his or her hand. 
     The rib  20  extends along the length of the body  12 , while also wrapping around the body. The rib  20  includes an angled center portion and a pair of generally vertical end portions  25  and  27 , which are configured to correctly position the little and index fingers relative to the long axis of the bat, causing the rest of the user&#39;s fingers to also assume a correct position. The end portions  25 ,  27 , have generally convex curved surfaces, and are designed not only to position the user&#39;s fingers correctly, but also to stop finger rotation, with respect to the shaft, during backswing. The angle of the center portion of the rib  20  with respect to the transverse axis of the device may be from about 7° to 18°, for example 10°-15°. The angling of the rib helps properly align the proximal interphalangeal joints of the hands so that the grip is proper, comfortable, and ergonomically correct. 
     The device is designed to be thin, so that it is unobtrusive in the user&#39;s hand and lightweight. For example, in some implementations the rib may have a thickness of less than about 6 mm, e.g., from about 2 to 5 mm, but preferably 3.5 mm. The rib  20  is generally thick enough to be sufficiently rigid so as to resist distortion during application, while being thin enough to minimize the weight of the device. Preferably, the rib  20  protrudes from the body  12  a sufficient distance to securely position the fingers, while being small enough to minimize weight and not be in the player&#39;s way. For example, the rib may protrude from about 7 to 20 mm, e.g., from about 10 to 15 mm. Generally, the taller the rib, i.e. the more the rib protrudes from the body, the stiffer the device and therefore the more it resists distortion. In some implementations the body  12  may have a wall thickness of, for example, from about 2 to 5 mm, for example 3 to 4 mm. Preferably, the body  12  is flexible enough to allow sufficient expansion to receive the shaft, while also being rigid enough so that the device will not fly off when the bat is dropped or thrown. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the central opening  15  is cylindrical and is designed to clip onto the shaft of a baseball bat  FIG. 5 ), conforming to the exact shape of the shaft  40 . Advantageously, the device clips on easily and stays securely on the shaft without the need for any straps or other securing devices. 
     When configured for use on the shaft of a baseball bat, the inner diameter of the body  12  may be, for example, 20 to 30 mm, e.g., 22 to 25 mm. When configured for use on the shaft of a softball bat, the inner diameter of the device is preferably 22 mm, but can range from 15 to 24 mm. When configured for use on the shaft of a wooden baseball bat, the inner diameter of the device is preferably 26 mm-31 mm, but can range from 24 nun to 32 mm. The body  12  is sufficiently long so that it will not twist off of the shaft of the bat during use or when the bat is dropped or thrown, without being so long as to add unnecessary weight. 
     The device  10  may be constructed, for example, of molded plastic. Any desired plastic may be used that provides the desired device characteristics. Most injection moldable thermoplastics are suitable, such as polypropylene, polyurethane, or high density polyethylene. The plastic is generally selected so that the body will have the desired combination of flexibility to clip onto the shaft) with rigidity and structural integrity as discussed above. 
     Other Embodiments 
     A number of embodiments have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. 
     For example, in alternative implementations the device is configured to be applied to the shaft of a golf club. In this case, the inner diameter of the opening  15  is conical in shape such that it is sized to receive the golf club shaft. For example, the inner diameter of the opening may be from about 22 mm at the distal end of the shafts narrowing to about 18 mm at the proximal end in relation to the club head. Generally the other features of the device remain the same. 
     In some implementations, the device may be made of a thermoplastic that is heat formable to allow the user to custom form the device to the user&#39;s hands. Preferably the activation or softening temperature of the material would be higher than the temperatures that would be encountered during use of the device, but relatively low, for example 140-160 degrees Fahrenheit, so that the user could utilize a common heat source, for example, a household oven, to allow customization. 
     Another embodiment could feature custom coloring of the device. 
     Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.