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US20180056159A1 - Baseball bat - Google Patents

Baseball bat Download PDF

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Publication number
US20180056159A1
US20180056159A1 US15/689,973 US201715689973A US2018056159A1 US 20180056159 A1 US20180056159 A1 US 20180056159A1 US 201715689973 A US201715689973 A US 201715689973A US 2018056159 A1 US2018056159 A1 US 2018056159A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
length
tube
bat
weights
spacers
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US15/689,973
Inventor
Frank Franco
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Power Slugger LLC
Original Assignee
Power Slugger LLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Power Slugger LLC filed Critical Power Slugger LLC
Priority to US15/689,973 priority Critical patent/US20180056159A1/en
Assigned to THE POWER SLUGGER, LLC reassignment THE POWER SLUGGER, LLC ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: FRANCO, FRANK
Publication of US20180056159A1 publication Critical patent/US20180056159A1/en
Priority to US16/207,399 priority patent/US20190126117A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63BAPPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B69/00Training appliances or apparatus for special sports
    • A63B69/0002Training appliances or apparatus for special sports for baseball
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63BAPPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B21/00Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices
    • A63B21/0004Exercising devices moving as a whole during exercise
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63BAPPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B21/00Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices
    • A63B21/00058Mechanical means for varying the resistance
    • A63B21/00061Replaceable resistance units of different strengths, e.g. for swapping
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63BAPPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B21/00Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices
    • A63B21/00058Mechanical means for varying the resistance
    • A63B21/00065Mechanical means for varying the resistance by increasing or reducing the number of resistance units
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63BAPPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B21/00Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices
    • A63B21/06User-manipulated weights
    • A63B21/0601Special physical structures of used masses
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63BAPPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B21/00Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices
    • A63B21/40Interfaces with the user related to strength training; Details thereof
    • A63B21/4027Specific exercise interfaces
    • A63B21/4033Handles, pedals, bars or platforms
    • A63B21/4035Handles, pedals, bars or platforms for operation by hand
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63BAPPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B21/00Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices
    • A63B21/40Interfaces with the user related to strength training; Details thereof
    • A63B21/4041Interfaces with the user related to strength training; Details thereof characterised by the movements of the interface
    • A63B21/4043Free movement, i.e. the only restriction coming from the resistance
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63BAPPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B23/00Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body
    • A63B23/035Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body for limbs, i.e. upper or lower limbs, e.g. simultaneously
    • A63B23/12Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body for limbs, i.e. upper or lower limbs, e.g. simultaneously for upper limbs or related muscles, e.g. chest, upper back or shoulder muscles
    • A63B23/1209Involving a bending of elbow and shoulder joints simultaneously
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63BAPPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B59/00Bats, rackets, or the like, not covered by groups A63B49/00 - A63B57/00
    • A63B59/50Substantially rod-shaped bats for hitting a ball in the air, e.g. for baseball
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63BAPPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B59/00Bats, rackets, or the like, not covered by groups A63B49/00 - A63B57/00
    • A63B59/50Substantially rod-shaped bats for hitting a ball in the air, e.g. for baseball
    • A63B59/51Substantially rod-shaped bats for hitting a ball in the air, e.g. for baseball made of metal
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63BAPPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B60/00Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like
    • A63B60/06Handles
    • A63B60/16Caps; Ferrules
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63BAPPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B60/00Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like
    • A63B60/06Handles
    • A63B60/22Adjustable handles
    • A63B60/24Weighted handles
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63BAPPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B60/00Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like
    • A63B60/42Devices for measuring, verifying, correcting or customising the inherent characteristics of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like, e.g. measuring the maximum torque a batting shaft can withstand
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63BAPPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B69/00Training appliances or apparatus for special sports
    • A63B69/0002Training appliances or apparatus for special sports for baseball
    • A63B2069/0004Training appliances or apparatus for special sports for baseball specially adapted for particular training aspects
    • A63B2069/0008Training appliances or apparatus for special sports for baseball specially adapted for particular training aspects for batting
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63BAPPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2102/00Application of clubs, bats, rackets or the like to the sporting activity ; particular sports involving the use of balls and clubs, bats, rackets, or the like
    • A63B2102/18Baseball, rounders or similar games
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63BAPPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2214/00Training methods

Definitions

  • This disclosure relates generally to baseball bats and, more particularly, training or practice bats and kits.
  • the sport of baseball is a bat and ball game which has existed in its current form for nearly two centuries.
  • Bats used for baseball are typically a smooth wooden or metal club.
  • a baseball bat may be no more than 2.75 inches in diameter at its barrel, the thickest portion of the bat, and no more than 42 inches long.
  • the end of the bat proximate to the barrel may be referred to as the cap or the top of the bat, while the opposite end of the bat is a handle, to be gripped by a user of the bat, and a knob, which is a wider piece designed to keep the bat from slipping from the user's hands.
  • Training devices have been developed to assist players in practicing their swinging. For instance, cylindrical weights may be added around a standard, regulation bat in order to increase torque and provide greater resistance for a user practicing with the weighted bat. These cylindrical weights are sometimes referred to as donuts. A weighted bat can, accordingly, allow a user to develop additional strength leading to greater bat swing speed when the user removes the weights.
  • a baseball training kit may include a baseball bat having a handle, a barrel, and a tube extending through the interior of the bat along a longitudinal axis of the bat, with the tube having a tube length.
  • a plurality of weights may be insertable within the tube, the plurality of weights including at least a first weight having a first length and a second weight having a second length.
  • a plurality of spacers may also be insertable within the tube, the plurality of spacers including at least a first spacer having the first length and a second spacer having the second length.
  • the kit may also include a removable cap proximate to the handle of the bat for sealing the tube.
  • a method of baseball training may include providing a baseball bat having a handle and a barrel, with the bat including a tube having a tube length and extending through the interior of the bat along a longitudinal axis of the bat and a removable cap proximate the handle and dimensioned to seal the tube.
  • the method may further include selecting at least one of a plurality of weights with each weight having a first length or a second length, optionally selecting at least one of a plurality of spacers with each spacer having either the first length or the second length and the selected weights and optionally selected spacers having a collective length equal to or less than the tube length.
  • the method may include inserting the selected weights and optionally selected spacers into the tube through the handle of the bat, sealing the tube by attaching the removable cap, and repeatedly swinging the baseball bat.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a cross sectional review of an embodiment of a training bat.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of a removable knob in an embodiment of a training bat.
  • a baseball training kit may include a baseball bat having a handle, a barrel, and a tube extending through the interior of the bat along a longitudinal axis of the bat, with the tube having a tube length.
  • a plurality of weights may be insertable within the tube, the plurality of weights including at least a first weight having a first length and a second weight having a second length.
  • a plurality of spacers may also be insertable within the tube, the plurality of spacers including at least a first spacer having the first length and a second spacer having the second length.
  • the kit may also include a removable cap proximate to the handle of the bat for sealing the tube.
  • the kit may further include a resilient member attached to the removable cap and insertable into a portion of the tube.
  • the first length may be between 5 to 9 times the second length.
  • the plurality of weights may include one first weight and one to three second weights, and the plurality of spacers may include one first spacer and one to three second spacers.
  • the tube length may be equal to the resilient member in a compressed state plus the first length and one to three second lengths.
  • the tube may be composed of aluminum.
  • a method of baseball training may include providing a baseball bat having a handle and a barrel, with the bat including a tube having a tube length and extending through the interior of the bat along a longitudinal axis of the bat and a removable cap proximate the handle and dimensioned to seal the tube.
  • the method may further include selecting at least one of a plurality of weights with each weight having a first length or a second length, optionally selecting at least one of a plurality of spacers with each spacer having either the first length or the second length and the selected weights and optionally selected spacers having a collective length equal to or less than the tube length.
  • the method may include inserting the selected weights and optionally selected spacers into the tube through the handle of the bat, sealing the tube by attaching the removable cap, and repeatedly swinging the baseball bat.
  • the first length may be between 5 to 9 times the second length.
  • the first length may be greater than half the tube length.
  • At least one of the weights or spacers may have a first length.
  • a maximum of three weights or spacers may have a second length.
  • a training baseball bat 100 may include a barrel 110 , a handle 120 , and a knob 130 .
  • the interior of bat 100 may be composed of a hard rubber or plastic composite including an interior tube or passage 10 extending along a longitudinal axis through bat 100 .
  • tube 10 may be integrally formed into the material from which bat 100 is constructed.
  • Tube 10 may also be formed by a separate component inserted into bat 100 , and tube 10 may be formed from aluminum, plastic, or another durable material.
  • Composite materials particularly suited for supporting tube 10 are further contemplated within the disclosure. Any suitable material known to a person of skill in the art may be used for the supporting tube 10 .
  • Tube 10 may be cylindrical with a circular cross-section, as depicted, or alternatively may have other cross-sections such as square or triangular.
  • Tube 10 may accommodate a plurality of weights 20 / 20 A, which may have dimensions conformed to tube 10 .
  • the tube 10 is cylindrical, and the weights 20 / 20 A are cylinders sized to fit within tube 10 .
  • Weights 20 / 20 A may be significantly denser than the material bat 100 is made from.
  • a plurality of sizes for weights are contemplated in accordance with the disclosure.
  • a first weight 20 may be significantly longer than a second weight 20 A.
  • First weight 20 may be approximately 5 to 9 times the length of second weight 20 A.
  • first weight 20 may have a length of about 20.5′′ while three second weights may have a length of about 3′′.
  • Tube 10 may be accessible by a removable cap 40 provided on knob 130 .
  • Cap 40 and knob 130 may have complementary threading in order to releaseably secure cap 40 to knob 130 . Threading may alternatively be provided on tube 10 rather than knob 130 in order to secure cap 40 .
  • a spring or other resilient member 50 may be connected to cap 40 and insertable into a portion of tube 10 . Spring 50 may press against an end weight 20 / 20 A or spacer 30 / 30 a provided in tube 10 , thereby securing the weights and/or spacers within tube 10 and preventing longitudinal movement within tube 10 .
  • FIG. 3 illustrates components of bat 100 as a baseball training kit, which may include bat 100 , a removable cap 40 , a plurality of weights 20 / 20 A and a plurality of spacers 30 / 30 A.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
  • Orthopedic Medicine & Surgery (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Biophysics (AREA)
  • Toys (AREA)

Abstract

A baseball bat may be provided as part of a baseball training kit and a method of training a baseball player. The bat may include an internal tube sized to accommodate a plurality of cylindrical weights. Similarly sized cylindrical spacers, having significantly less mass than the weights, may also be inserted into the internal tube. Players can select different weight resistances by selecting which of a plurality of spacers and weights should be inserted, and in which order. A cap may be provided proximate the handle in order to secure the weights and spacers within the internal tube.

Description

    CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
  • This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/380,693 filed on Aug. 29, 2016, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
  • FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
  • This disclosure relates generally to baseball bats and, more particularly, training or practice bats and kits.
  • BACKGROUND
  • The sport of baseball is a bat and ball game which has existed in its current form for nearly two centuries. Bats used for baseball are typically a smooth wooden or metal club. By regulation, a baseball bat may be no more than 2.75 inches in diameter at its barrel, the thickest portion of the bat, and no more than 42 inches long. The end of the bat proximate to the barrel may be referred to as the cap or the top of the bat, while the opposite end of the bat is a handle, to be gripped by a user of the bat, and a knob, which is a wider piece designed to keep the bat from slipping from the user's hands.
  • Training devices have been developed to assist players in practicing their swinging. For instance, cylindrical weights may be added around a standard, regulation bat in order to increase torque and provide greater resistance for a user practicing with the weighted bat. These cylindrical weights are sometimes referred to as donuts. A weighted bat can, accordingly, allow a user to develop additional strength leading to greater bat swing speed when the user removes the weights.
  • Special training bats have also been developed to allow a player to adjust the weight of the bat. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 4,898,386, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference, discloses a training bat that is hollow with a disk positioned in the interior of the bat at substantially the center of the plate, a plate positioned in the interior of the bat at substantially the end of the striking end of the bat, and an object positioned in the interior of the bat and moveable between the disk and the plate.
  • BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
  • The following presents a simplified summary of the disclosure in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of every embodiment disclosed herein. It is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of the various embodiments nor delineate the scope of the disclosure. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of the disclosure, in accordance with the various embodiments disclosed herein, in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
  • In one embodiment of the disclosure, a baseball training kit may include a baseball bat having a handle, a barrel, and a tube extending through the interior of the bat along a longitudinal axis of the bat, with the tube having a tube length. A plurality of weights may be insertable within the tube, the plurality of weights including at least a first weight having a first length and a second weight having a second length. A plurality of spacers may also be insertable within the tube, the plurality of spacers including at least a first spacer having the first length and a second spacer having the second length. The kit may also include a removable cap proximate to the handle of the bat for sealing the tube.
  • In another embodiment of the disclosure, a method of baseball training may include providing a baseball bat having a handle and a barrel, with the bat including a tube having a tube length and extending through the interior of the bat along a longitudinal axis of the bat and a removable cap proximate the handle and dimensioned to seal the tube. The method may further include selecting at least one of a plurality of weights with each weight having a first length or a second length, optionally selecting at least one of a plurality of spacers with each spacer having either the first length or the second length and the selected weights and optionally selected spacers having a collective length equal to or less than the tube length. The method may include inserting the selected weights and optionally selected spacers into the tube through the handle of the bat, sealing the tube by attaching the removable cap, and repeatedly swinging the baseball bat.
  • The following description and the annexed drawings set forth certain illustrative aspects of the embodiments of the disclosure. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the disclosure may be employed and the various embodiments are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
  • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a cross sectional review of an embodiment of a training bat.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of a removable knob in an embodiment of a training bat.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates a baseball training kit.
  • DETAILED DESCRIPTION
  • The following detailed description and the appended drawings describe and illustrate some embodiments of the disclosure for the purpose of enabling one of ordinary skill in the relevant art to make and use these embodiments. As such, the detailed description and illustration of these embodiments are purely illustrative in nature and are in no way intended to limit the scope of the disclosure in any manner. It should also be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale and in certain instances details may have been omitted, which are not necessary for an understanding of the embodiments, such as details of fabrication and assembly. In the accompanying drawings, like numerals represent like components.
  • In one embodiment of the disclosure, a baseball training kit may include a baseball bat having a handle, a barrel, and a tube extending through the interior of the bat along a longitudinal axis of the bat, with the tube having a tube length. A plurality of weights may be insertable within the tube, the plurality of weights including at least a first weight having a first length and a second weight having a second length. A plurality of spacers may also be insertable within the tube, the plurality of spacers including at least a first spacer having the first length and a second spacer having the second length. The kit may also include a removable cap proximate to the handle of the bat for sealing the tube.
  • In further embodiments, the kit may further include a resilient member attached to the removable cap and insertable into a portion of the tube. The first length may be between 5 to 9 times the second length. The plurality of weights may include one first weight and one to three second weights, and the plurality of spacers may include one first spacer and one to three second spacers. The tube length may be equal to the resilient member in a compressed state plus the first length and one to three second lengths. The tube may be composed of aluminum.
  • In another embodiment of the disclosure, a method of baseball training may include providing a baseball bat having a handle and a barrel, with the bat including a tube having a tube length and extending through the interior of the bat along a longitudinal axis of the bat and a removable cap proximate the handle and dimensioned to seal the tube. The method may further include selecting at least one of a plurality of weights with each weight having a first length or a second length, optionally selecting at least one of a plurality of spacers with each spacer having either the first length or the second length and the selected weights and optionally selected spacers having a collective length equal to or less than the tube length. The method may include inserting the selected weights and optionally selected spacers into the tube through the handle of the bat, sealing the tube by attaching the removable cap, and repeatedly swinging the baseball bat.
  • In further embodiments of the method, the first length may be between 5 to 9 times the second length. The first length may be greater than half the tube length. At least one of the weights or spacers may have a first length. A maximum of three weights or spacers may have a second length.
  • With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a training baseball bat 100 may include a barrel 110, a handle 120, and a knob 130. The interior of bat 100 may be composed of a hard rubber or plastic composite including an interior tube or passage 10 extending along a longitudinal axis through bat 100. In some embodiments, tube 10 may be integrally formed into the material from which bat 100 is constructed. Tube 10 may also be formed by a separate component inserted into bat 100, and tube 10 may be formed from aluminum, plastic, or another durable material. Composite materials particularly suited for supporting tube 10 are further contemplated within the disclosure. Any suitable material known to a person of skill in the art may be used for the supporting tube 10. Tube 10 may be cylindrical with a circular cross-section, as depicted, or alternatively may have other cross-sections such as square or triangular.
  • Tube 10 may accommodate a plurality of weights 20/20A, which may have dimensions conformed to tube 10. For example, in the case of the illustrated embodiment the tube 10 is cylindrical, and the weights 20/20A are cylinders sized to fit within tube 10. Weights 20/20A may be significantly denser than the material bat 100 is made from. A plurality of sizes for weights are contemplated in accordance with the disclosure. A first weight 20 may be significantly longer than a second weight 20A. First weight 20 may be approximately 5 to 9 times the length of second weight 20A. For example, in a practice bat 100 measuring a length of 31″, first weight 20 may have a length of about 20.5″ while three second weights may have a length of about 3″. Tube 10 may also accommodate a plurality of spacers 30/30A, which may have dimensions conformed to tube 10. Longer, first spacers 30 may have substantially similar dimensions to long, first weights 20, while shorter, second spacers 30A may have substantially similar dimensions with shorter, second weights 20A. In this respect, a player using bat 100 may interchange spacers 30/30A and weights 20/20A as so desired to adjust the weight and balance of the bat. Spacers 30/30A may be significantly lighter than weights 20/20A. In one embodiment, the weights 20/20A may be made from stainless steel or another metal similar to material used for exercise free weights, while spacers 30/30A may be made from a translucent or semi-translucent plastic.
  • Tube 10 may be accessible by a removable cap 40 provided on knob 130. Cap 40 and knob 130 may have complementary threading in order to releaseably secure cap 40 to knob 130. Threading may alternatively be provided on tube 10 rather than knob 130 in order to secure cap 40. A spring or other resilient member 50 may be connected to cap 40 and insertable into a portion of tube 10. Spring 50 may press against an end weight 20/20A or spacer 30/30 a provided in tube 10, thereby securing the weights and/or spacers within tube 10 and preventing longitudinal movement within tube 10.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates components of bat 100 as a baseball training kit, which may include bat 100, a removable cap 40, a plurality of weights 20/20A and a plurality of spacers 30/30A.
  • The descriptions set forth above are meant to be illustrative and not limiting. Various modifications of the embodiments, in addition to those described herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description. Such modifications are also intended to fall within the scope of the concepts described herein. Each patent, patent application and publication cited or described in this document are hereby incorporated herein by reference, in their entireties.
  • The foregoing description of possible implementations consistent with the present disclosure does not represent a comprehensive list of all such implementations or all variations of the implementations described. The description of some implementation should not be construed as an intent to exclude other implementations. For example, artisans will understand how to implement the embodiments in many other ways, using equivalents and alternatives that do not depart from the scope of the disclosure. Moreover, unless indicated to the contrary in the preceding description, none of the components described in the implementations are essential to the embodiments disclosed. It is thus intended that the embodiments be considered as illustrative, with a true scope and spirit of the disclosure being indicated by the following claims.

Claims (12)

What is claimed:
1. A baseball training kit comprising:
a baseball bat having a handle and a barrel, the bat including a tube extending through the interior of the bat along a longitudinal axis of the bat, the tube having a tube length;
a plurality of weights insertable within the tube, the plurality of weights including at least a first weight having a first length and a second weight having a second length;
a plurality of spacers insertable within the tube, the plurality of spacers including at least a first spacer having the first length and a second spacer having the second length; and
a removable cap proximate to the handle of the bat for sealing the tube.
2. The kit of claim 1 further comprising a resilient member attached to the removable cap and insertable into a portion of the tube.
3. The kit of claim 1, wherein the first length is between 5 to 9 times the second length.
4. The kit of claim 1, wherein the plurality of weights includes one first weight and one to three second weights, and the plurality of spacers includes one first spacer and one to three second spacers.
5. The kit of claim 4 further comprising a resilient member attached to the removable cap and insertable into a portion of the tube, and
wherein the tube length is equal to the resilient member in a compressed state plus the first length and one to three second lengths.
6. The kit of claim 1, wherein the tube is composed of aluminum.
7. A method of baseball training comprising:
providing a baseball bat having a handle and a barrel, the bat including
a tube having a tube length and extending through the interior of the bat along a longitudinal axis of the bat, and
a removable cap proximate the handle and dimensioned to seal the tube;
selecting at least one of a plurality of weights, each weight having either a first length or a second length;
optionally selecting at least one of a plurality of spacers, each spacer having either the first length or the second length, the selected weights and the optionally selected spacers having a collective length equal to or less than the tube length;
inserting the selected weights and optionally selected spacers into the tube through the handle of the bat;
sealing the tube by attaching the removable cap; and
repeatedly swinging the baseball bat.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein the cap further includes a resilient member insertable into the tube, and
wherein a collective length resilient member in a compressed state plus the selected weights and optionally selected spacers are equal to the tube length.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the first length is between 5 to 9 times the second length.
10. The method of claim 8, wherein the first length is greater than half the tube length.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein at least one weight or spacer having a first length is selected.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein a maximum of three weights or three spacers having a second length are included in the plurality of weights and spacers.
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Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20180169491A1 (en) * 2016-12-16 2018-06-21 Wilson Sporting Goods Co. Bat with barrel inner tube weight
US11285350B2 (en) * 2018-10-30 2022-03-29 Kurt William Edeker Adjustable Indian club/long handle mace device and method

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2379006A (en) * 1943-08-30 1945-06-26 Theodore L Johnson Construction of striking implements
US3116926A (en) * 1962-04-16 1964-01-07 Charles W Owens Weighted baseball bat
US6682447B1 (en) * 2002-07-02 2004-01-27 Donald E. Black Training bat system
US20090023510A1 (en) * 2007-07-16 2009-01-22 Kelly Curry Golf swing training apparatus
US8864608B2 (en) * 2011-02-22 2014-10-21 HeavySwing, LLC. Unbalanced weighted apparatus with a heavy end and a light end

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2379006A (en) * 1943-08-30 1945-06-26 Theodore L Johnson Construction of striking implements
US3116926A (en) * 1962-04-16 1964-01-07 Charles W Owens Weighted baseball bat
US6682447B1 (en) * 2002-07-02 2004-01-27 Donald E. Black Training bat system
US7198581B1 (en) * 2002-07-02 2007-04-03 Black Donald E Training bat system
US20090023510A1 (en) * 2007-07-16 2009-01-22 Kelly Curry Golf swing training apparatus
US8864608B2 (en) * 2011-02-22 2014-10-21 HeavySwing, LLC. Unbalanced weighted apparatus with a heavy end and a light end

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20180169491A1 (en) * 2016-12-16 2018-06-21 Wilson Sporting Goods Co. Bat with barrel inner tube weight
US11285350B2 (en) * 2018-10-30 2022-03-29 Kurt William Edeker Adjustable Indian club/long handle mace device and method

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