Protective bat cover

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

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This Application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 687,875, filed Oct. 20, 2003 (status pending), which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 664,537, filed Sep. 18, 2000 (and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,681,821 B1 on Jan. 27, 2004).BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The field of this invention relates to a protective cover for a bat, such as a baseball or softball bat. [0004] 2. Description of Related Art [0005] 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 allow...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009] 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.

[0015] 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.

Problems solved by technology

Accordingly, prolonged exposure to sunlight, heat, moisture, and general inclement weather may result in damage to a 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.

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.

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