Patent Publication Number: US-2013248066-A1

Title: Bat covering with hand warmer pockets to keep the bat barrel warm

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 61/615,833, filed Mar. 26, 2012, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to baseball/softball accessories and, more particularly, to a baseball/softball bat covering with hand warmer pockets to keep the barrel warm. 
     Cold baseball and softball bat barrels have reduced flexibility and cause vibration on the hands while impeding the ball from traveling as far as would be achieved with a warmer bat. Moreover, cold bats with reduced flexibility can make the bat brittle and can cause the bat to crack or break with striking a baseball or softball. 
     Conventional coverings use large white pads that are put into a microwave, which can be difficult to find on a ball field, to attempt to keep a bat warm all day. Also, other coverings are way too large to fit in a bat bag, requiring players to carry two bags. 
     As can be seen, there is a need for an improved device for keeping baseball and softball bats warm for play. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect of the present invention, a bat covering comprises an insulated sleeve fitting about a bat; and a plurality of pockets formed in the insulated sleeve, the pockets adapted to hold an instant warming pouch therewithin. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, a bat covering comprises an insulated sleeve having an open end and a closed end, the insulated sleeve operable to fit about a bat; a plurality of pockets formed on an interior of the insulated sleeve, the pockets adapted to hold an instant warming pouch therewithin; a strap disposed on an open end of the insulated sleeve, the strap adapted for wrapping about an end portion of the bat disposed in the insulated sleeve; and a closable opening formed from an open end of the insulated sleeve toward a closed end of the insulated sleeve. 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a bat covering, securing a bat therein, having pockets for holding a warming element, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the bat covering of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of the bat covering of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a bat removed from the bat covering of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view taken along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 1 , omitting the bat for illustrative clarity. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
     Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides an insulated covering that includes strategically placed hand warmer pockets in which hand warmers can be inserted to heat the bat barrel. The heat from the hand warmers can eliminate vibration on the hands and allow the ball to travel further. In addition, the covering protects the bat barrel from dents and scratches. The covering will also fit in a bat bag which will eliminate the need to carry two different bags. A user can open a pack of conventional hand warmers, slide them into the pockets on the bat covering, and place their bat inside. The pockets may be made of a breathable fabric, such as mesh. The pockets may be formed in strategic positions inside the insulated bat covering. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 through 6 , a bat  10  can fit inside a bat cover body  12  that can fit about the exterior of the bat  10 . The bat cover body  12  can include an opening, such as a zipper  18  can allow access to place the bat  10  in and out of the bat cover body  12 . The zipper  18  can be optional, but can permit easy access to pockets  14  formed inside the cover body  12 . The zipper  18  can be replaced by various fasteners, such as buttons, snaps, hook and loop fastener, or the like. The bat cover body  12  can be designed as an insulated sleeve that fits over the bat  10 . 
     A plurality of pockets  14  can be formed inside the bat cover body  12 , typically in a breathable fabric, such as a mesh fabric. The pockets  14  can be strategically placed so that heat from hand warmers  16  placed in the pockets  14  can eliminate vibration on the hands caused from a cold bat. While the Figures show four pockets  14  formed in the bat cover body  12 , any number of pockets  14  can be disposed in the bat cover body to provide sufficient heating of the bat  10  when needed. 
     A strap  24  may be formed to cinch around the end of the bat cover body  12 . The strap  24  may be, for example, a hook and loop, such as Velcro®, strap designed to hold the bat  20  in the bat cover body  12 . 
     A clip strap  22 , having a snap hook  20 , may be disposed at the open end of the bat cover body  12 . Another clip strap  22 , having another snap hook  20 , can be disposed at the opposite, closed end of the bat cover body  12 . This clip strap  22  may be an elastic strap, for example. 
     The bat cover body  12  can be made in various sizes to accommodate various sized bats. While the Figures shows a particular pocket configuration, other configurations of pockets, including their placement and number of pockets, can vary within the scope of the present invention. 
     It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.