Abstract:
A cover for protecting the barrel portion of a baseball bat, or other structure is disclosed. The cover is preferably formed from an elastic rubber material such as neoprene. The flexible cover has the ability to adapt its shape upon insertion of a bat, enabling use with bats of various sizes. The cover is water resistant and is adapted for maximizing the visibility of printed matter thereon.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/664,537, filed Sep. 18, 2000 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,681,821 entitled “Protective Bat Cover.” 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The field of this invention relates to a protective cover for a bat, such as a baseball or softball bat. 
   2. Description of Related Art 
   Bats used for baseball, softball, and the like are generally constructed from metal or wood. Accordingly, prolonged exposure to sunlight, heat, moisture, and general inclement weather may result in damage to a bat. The life-span of a bat can also be reduced by careless handling on the part of those individuals using the bat. Gouges, knicks, splinters (with wooden bats), and scrapes, for example, may result when bats are improperly stored together, or allowed to bang into various other objects. 
   Several protective articles for bats are known. These articles, however, typically comprise cumbersome carrying cases and bags, many of which are designed to house several bats at one time. Bat bags in particular may be disadvantageous, as damage may result from multiple stored bats banging into one another. Additionally, such articles may be undesirable for those individuals who seek a protective cover that is lightweight, flexible, and that can be attached to, and removed from a single bat in a quick and convenient manner. 
   These and other drawbacks exist. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention solving these and other problems in the art relates to a protective cover for a bat, or other structure. The cover is preferably formed from an elastic rubber material such as neoprene. 
   One advantage provided by the protective bat cover is that it is lightweight, flexible, and easy to use, allowing for attachment to and removal from a bat or similar object in a quick and convenient manner. 
   Another advantage of the protective bat cover over other known bat covers, is an increased life span due to construction from a material having a greater resistance to harmful environmental elements. 
   Yet another advantage of the protective bat cover is its ability to protect the barrel of a bat from harmful environmental conditions, as well as damage resulting from inadvertent contact with various other objects. 
   Yet another advantage of the protective bat cover is its ability to increase the range of temperatures in which the bat may be used without being damaged. Metal baseball bats, in particular, are known to experience a change in properties, often becoming harder in colder temperatures and softer in warmer temperatures. Use of the bat during these periods of hot and cold temperatures may make the bat more susceptible to dings and knocks, among other types of damage. A protective bat cover made of neoprene possesses insulative properties that serve to keep a bat warmer in colder temperatures, and vice versa. 
   Still yet another advantage of the protective bat cover is its ability to adapt its shape upon insertion of a bat, enabling use with various sized bats. The ability of neoprene to stretch, as well as its “memory-specific” nature, enables the protective bat cover to be easily secured to, and removed from bats with a diameter that is slightly larger than that of the cover. 
   An additional advantage of the protective bat cover is the provision of a fastening mechanism thereon, which facilitates the placement of the cover on the bat, while enabling a relatively secure attachment to the bat. 
   Another advantage of the protective cover is its adaptability for maximizing the visibility of various logos or graphics printed thereon. The surface area of the protective cover facilitates the prominent display of a team name, company name, team logo, graphic, or other design, especially in instances when the protective cover is being viewed from a distance. 
   These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent through the detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the drawings attached hereto. It is also to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and not restrictive of the scope of the invention. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be described with respect to the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are referenced with like numbers. 
       FIG. 1  is a plan view of a protective bat cover encasing the barrel of a bat, according to one embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates the shapes of the pieces comprising a protective bat cover during assembly, according to one embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a plan view of a protective bat cover, according to one embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a plan view of a protective bat cover, according to another embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 5  is a plan view of a protective bat cover, according to yet another embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 6  is a plan view of a protective bat cover, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 7  is a plan view of a protective bat cover encasing a bat, according to yet another embodiment of the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   As used herein, the term “bat” includes a baseball bat, softball bat, or any other article having a similar structure, used in either a recreational or non-recreational setting, or otherwise. In general, a bat may be said to include a handle portion and a barrel portion, with embodiments of the invention directed toward protecting either one or both of the handle and barrel portions. 
     FIG. 1  illustrates a protective bat cover  10  secured to the barrel portion  8  of a bat  6 . According to one aspect of the invention, the cover  10  permits the rapid and easy connection and disconnection to and from the barrel portion  8  of the bat  6  (or other structure). Preferably, the cover  10  is made of an elastic rubber material such as neoprene. One advantage of neoprene is its ability to conform to the shape of the barrel, which enables the cover  10  to be used with various sized bats, and which ensures a secure fit when placed over a bat. The ability of neoprene to flex, as well as its ability to retain the “memory” of a barrel shape, allows the protective bat cover to be easily secured to, and removed from bats with a diameter that may even be slightly larger than that of the cover. 
   Neoprene also exhibits greater weather resistance than less elastic materials such as plastics, leather, nylon, and the like, which tend to be more susceptible to cracking, expansion, and other undesirable effects. This allows the protective bat cover to increase the range of temperatures in which a bat may be used without being damaged. Metal baseball bats, for example, are known to experience a change in properties, often becoming harder in colder temperatures and softer in warmer temperatures. When a bat is used during these periods of hot and cold temperatures, it is likely to be more susceptible to dings and knocks, among other types of damage. A protective bat cover made of neoprene possesses insulative properties that serve to keep a bat warmer in colder temperatures, and vice versa. While neoprene is the preferred material for implementing the present invention, it should be recognized that any similar materials having the desired properties may be used. 
   According to one embodiment of the invention, protective cover  10  may be assembled by cutting a piece of material into the two general shapes illustrated in  FIG. 2 . A first material piece  12  is preferably cut into a generally rectangular shape, having a substantially first straight edge  12   a  and a substantially second straight edge  12   b . The first and second edges ( 12   a ,  12   b ) may be folded toward one another in the general direction illustrated by arrows A and B. First and second edges ( 12   a ,  12   b ) are stitched or otherwise fastened together to form a seam  14 , with first material piece  12  now forming a hollow, tubular casing having two open ends. A second material piece  16 , preferably cut into the shape of a circle, may then be stitched or otherwise fastened to an open end  13  of the first material piece  12 , forming a protective cover  10  having one closed end and one open end  18 . Such a cover is illustrated in  FIG. 3 . The shapes of first material piece  12  and second material piece  16 , as seen in  FIG. 2 , are representative of a family of shapes that may be joined to form protective cover  10 . Any orientation, geometric description or configurations of the material pieces described or shown are illustrative only, and accordingly should not be viewed as limiting. Similarly, protective cover  10  may be manufactured using only one piece of material, or any number of pieces of material using any known manufacturing techniques or methods. Those skilled in the art will understand that one or more material pieces may be stitched, glued, or seamed together in a number of different ways to achieve a protective bat cover as described and illustrated herein. 
   While a material such as neoprene is ideal because of its ability to conform to the shape of the barrel, it may also be desirable to include a fastening mechanism with the cover  10 , such as a hook and loop fastener (more commonly known as VELCRO™). As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , a strip  22  of either hook or loop material may be stitched or otherwise fastened to first material piece  12 . A strap  20  may be fastened to an edge of the first material piece, containing either hook or loop material, depending on the type of material provided on strip  22 . If strip  22  contains hook material, for example, the strap  20  preferably comprises loop material, and vice versa.  FIGS. 1 , and  4 – 6  illustrate embodiments of the invention in which hook and loop fasteners are utilized. In alternative embodiments (not shown), strips having button-snaps or other fastening mechanisms may also be used. 
   In order to use the protective cover  10 , the user merely slips the barrel portion  8  of the bat  6  into the opening  18  of the cover, and then pulls the cover down over the barrel of the bat, preferably as far as possible. Strap  20  may then be fastened to strip  22  in order to further secure the cover to the bat. As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , ample area exists on cover  10  for prominently displaying a logo or graphic. 
   In the foregoing embodiments, the first and second edges ( 12   a ,  12   b ) of first material piece  12  have been stitched or otherwise fastened together to form a seam  14  that extends the entire length of the cover. In another embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the first and second edges ( 12   a , 12   b ) may be fastened together to form a seam  14  that extends only partially along the length of the cover  10 , leaving a split that extends downward to opening  18 . The provision of a split at the bottom of cover  10  facilitates the process of placing the cover on the bat. A user, for example, can grab either one or both of the two edges ( 12   a ,  12   b ) of the split and pull on them to provide assistance in getting the cover on to the bat. Also, a split enables the two edges ( 12   a ,  12   b ) to overlap each other when pulled tight and fastened, creating a relatively secure attachment of the cover  10  to a bat. 
     FIG. 6  illustrates an additional embodiment of the invention wherein the first material piece  12  may be cut into a shape having a first rounded or otherwise shaped tab  24  extending from second edge  12   b , and a second rounded or otherwise shaped tab  26  (shown in dashed lines in  FIG. 6 ) extending from first edge  12   a . Similar to the previous embodiment, the first and second edges ( 12   a , 12   b ) may be fastened together to form a seam  14  that extends only partially along the length of the cover  10 , leaving a split that extends down to opening  18 . The VELCRO™ fastening strap  20  is attached to tab  24 , allowing the two tabs to overlap one another in a bias position when pulled tight and fastened, creating a more secure attachment of cover  10  to a bat. In an alternative embodiment, either one or both of tabs  24  and  26  may be present. 
   While preferred embodiments of protective cover  10  are illustrated in  FIGS. 1–6 , various alternatives may exist. In  FIG. 7 , for example, a protective cover  10  is shown extending along the entire length of a bat  6 . Although illustrated with a zipper closure  28 , various closure mechanisms including, but not limited to, a series of VELCRO™ straps or button-snaps may be used. 
   Other embodiments, uses and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. The specification should be considered exemplary only, and the scope of the invention is accordingly intended to be limited only to the following claims.