Grip pad

Abstract

To provide a grip pad that can improve support property for hitting.SOLUTION: A grip pad 1 includes a cylindrical body part 15 which is fitted to a grip 5 including a grip end 11 swelling in a radial direction, through which the grip 5 is inserted, and which is disposed while being adjacent to the grip end 11. The body part 15 is made of a resin foam. The body part 15 has a C hardness of 60-75 in a position 20 mm axially apart from a base end part that is adjacent to the grip end 11.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a grip pad that is attached to a bat for ball games. [Background technology]

[0002] An example of a conventional grip pad is the assisting device disclosed in Patent Document 1.

[0003] The assisting device is cylindrical and fits axially through the grip of the bat and is positioned adjacent to the grip end. The assisting device is made of metal, wood, or resin, which fits comfortably in the batter's hand, allowing the batter's hands to be firmly and stably held in place.

[0004] However, because such assistive devices are designed to support batting by stabilizing the batter's grip, they are unable to directly support batting, and there are limitations to the support they can provide. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Registered Utility Model No. 3204584 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The problem to be solved is the limited support for hitting. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention provides a grip pad that is attached to a grip having a radially bulging grip end, and that includes a cylindrical main body that is inserted axially through the grip and is positioned adjacent to the grip end, the main body being made of foamed resin and having a C hardness of 60 to 75 at a position 20 mm axially away from one end adjacent to the grip end. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The present invention can improve the supportability of hitting. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a bat to which a grip pad according to a first embodiment of the present invention is attached. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the periphery of the grip end of the bat in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the grip pad of FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. [Figure 6] 6(A) to 6(C) are plan views showing the motion of the bat in FIG. 1 during hitting. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a chart showing the relationship between the C hardness and properties of the main body of Examples 1-1 to 1-4 and Comparative Examples 1-1 to 1-3. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a graph showing the C hardness distribution and thickness of the grip pads of Examples 1-1 to 1-4 and Comparative Examples 1-1 and 1-2. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the periphery of the grip end of a bat to which a grip pad according to a second embodiment of the present invention is attached. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The goal of improving support for hitting was achieved by using foam resin as the material for the grip pad and adjusting the C hardness.

[0011] The grip pad 1 is attached to a grip 5 having a grip end 11 that bulges in the radial direction. The grip pad 1 has a cylindrical main body 15 that is inserted through the grip 5 in the axial direction and is disposed adjacent to the grip end 11. The main body 15 is made of foamed resin, and has a C hardness of 60 to 75 at a position 20 mm axially away from one end adjacent to the grip end 11.

[0012] In one embodiment, the foamed resin may be urethane foam.

[0013] The C hardness of the main body 15 can be set appropriately within the range of 60-75, but is preferably set to 61-73.

[0014] In one embodiment, the thickness of the main body 15 may be 5 mm or more at a position 20 mm away from one end in the axial direction, and 16.5 mm or less at the thickest portion.

[0015] The outer diameter of the outer peripheral surface 19 of the main body 15 may gradually increase toward one end. In this case, the outer peripheral surface 19 of the main body 15 may be tapered overall, or may be partially straight or otherwise non-tapered.

[0016] In one embodiment, the catheter may have a first tapered portion 19a at one axial end distally and a second tapered portion 19b at one axial end proximally, where the first tapered portion 19a and the second tapered portion 19b have different taper rates, and the taper rate of the first tapered portion 19a may be smaller than the taper rate of the second tapered portion 19b. [Example]

[0017] [bat] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a bat to which a grip pad according to a first embodiment of the present invention is attached.

[0018] The bat 3 of this embodiment is used for ball games such as baseball and softball, and has a grip pad 1 attached to it. The bat 3 is configured by attaching a grip end 11 and a head 13 to the base and tip ends, respectively, of a bat body 9 having a grip 5 and a ball-hitting portion 7. The material of the bat 3 is not limited, but can be metal, FRP, wood, or the like. Note that the end of each part of the grip pad 1 and the bat 3 closest to the grip end 11 is referred to as the base end, and the end closest to the head 13 is referred to as the tip end.

[0019] Bat body 9 is formed as a hollow cylinder overall, with a circular cross section. However, the cross section of bat body 9 can also be other shapes, such as an ellipse. The ball-hitting portion 7 of bat body 9 is the portion that hits ball B (see Figure 6), and its outer diameter gradually increases from grip 5 toward the tip and then becomes approximately constant. Grip 5 of bat body 9 has an approximately constant outer diameter and is designed to be held by the batter.

[0020] The grip end 11 is located at the base end of the grip 5 and has a shape that bulges out in the radial direction relative to the grip 5. The grip end 11 of this embodiment is formed in an elliptical shape with a major axis in the radial direction in a vertical cross section (see FIG. 3).

[0021] The grip end 11 has an integral transition portion 11a that is inclined so that the diameter gradually decreases toward the base end of the grip 5. A male thread portion 11b is integrally formed at the tip of the transition portion 11a. The male thread portion 11b is screwed into the female thread portion 5a inside the grip 5.

[0022] A grip pad 1 is attached to the grip 5 having such a grip end 11. It is preferable that the grip pad 1 is attached to the grip 5 before a grip tape (not shown) is wound around it, but it may also be attached to the grip 5 after the grip tape has been wound around it.

[0023] [Grip pad structure] Fig. 2 is a plan view showing the periphery of grip end 11 of bat 3 in Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a plan view showing grip pad 1 in Fig. 2, and Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in Fig. 4.

[0024] The grip pad 1 is configured with a cylindrical main body 15. The main body 15 is made of a foamed resin, particularly urethane foam, and is flexible. However, the main body 15 can also be made of other foamed resins, such as foamed rubber.

[0025] The grip 5 is inserted through the main body 15 in the axial direction and is disposed adjacent to the grip end 11. In this embodiment, the base end of the main body 15 abuts against the grip end 11 in the axial direction and is elastically deformed to engage with it. Note that the base end of the main body 15 may abut against the grip end 11 without elastically deforming.

[0026] The inner peripheral surface 17 of the main body 15 defines a hole through which the grip 5 is inserted. The inner peripheral surface 17 has a constant inner diameter and extends straight along the axial direction of the main body 15. However, the inner diameter of the inner peripheral surface 17 may vary. The base end of the inner peripheral surface 17 is provided with an inner tapered portion 17a.

[0027] The inner diameter of the inner circumferential surface 17 of the inner tapered portion 17a gradually increases toward the base end of the main body portion 15. The inner tapered portion 17a, together with the base end of the main body portion 15, is elastically deformed and engaged with the grip end 11.

[0028] The outer peripheral surface 19 of the main body 15 is tapered so that the outer diameter gradually increases from the tip to the base end. As a result, the outer diameter of the outer peripheral surface 19 gradually increases toward the base end, which is one end adjacent to the grip end 11.

[0029] The base end portion, which is one end portion of the main body portion 15 adjacent to the grip end 11, refers to the portion of the main body portion 15 that corresponds in the axial direction to the boundary I between the grip end 11 and the grip 5. However, the base end portion of the main body portion 15 may be aligned with the base end of the main body portion 15.

[0030] In this embodiment, the outer circumferential surface 19 is composed of a first tapered portion 19a, a second tapered portion 19b, and a curved portion 19c. The first tapered portion 19a is located distal to the base end in the axial direction, the second tapered portion 19b is located proximal to the base end in the axial direction, and the curved portion 19c is interposed between the first tapered portion 19a and the second tapered portion 19b.

[0031] The first tapered portion 19a and the second tapered portion 19b have different taper rates. In this embodiment, the taper rate of the first tapered portion 19a is smaller than the taper rate of the second tapered portion 19b. The curved portion 19c connects the first tapered portion 19a and the second tapered portion 19b with a curved surface, providing a smooth transition.

[0032] The body portion 15 has almost no thickness at the tip and gradually increases in thickness toward the base end, depending on the shape of the outer peripheral surface 19 and the inner peripheral surface 17. In this embodiment, the body portion 15 has a thickness of 5.4 mm at a position P20 axially 20 mm away from the base end adjacent to the grip end 11, which is 5 mm or more. However, the body portion 15 has a maximum thickness of 16.5 mm or less, more preferably about 10 mm. The total length of the body portion 15 is set to 75 mm.

[0033] In this embodiment, the thickness of the main body 15 is 7 mm at position P10, 10 mm away from the base end, 5.4 mm at position P20, 20 mm away, 4.4 mm at position P30, 30 mm away, 3.4 mm at position P40, 40 mm away, 2.5 mm at position P50, 50 mm away, and 1.5 mm at position P60, 60 mm away.

[0034] Furthermore, the C hardness of the main body 15 is set to 60 to 75, more preferably 61 to 73, at a position P20 20 mm axially away from the base end adjacent to the grip end 11. As an example, the C hardness of the main body 15 can be 60 at a position P10 10 mm away from the base end, 61 at a position P20 20 mm away, 62 at a position P30 30 mm away, 63 at a position P40 40 mm away, 65 at a position P50 50 mm away, and 68 at a position P60 60 mm away.

[0035] [Function of the grip pad] 6(A) to 6(C) are plan views showing the motion of the bat of FIG. 1 when hitting a ball B. FIG.

[0036] When using the bat 3, the batter grips the grip 5 of the bat 3. For example, a right-handed batter would grip the grip pad 1 with his left hand and the part of the bat closer to the tip than the left hand with his right hand. In this case, the outer circumferential surface 19 of the main body 15 of the grip pad 1 is tapered, making it easier to grip the grip 5. Furthermore, the grip pad 1 is flexible and deforms to fit the gripping hand, making it easier to grip the grip 5.

[0037] In this state, when the batter swings bat 3 and hits ball B with hitting part 7, as shown in Figure 6(A), when ball B hits hitting part 7, hitting part 7 is pushed in the direction of ball B's movement, causing bat 3 to rotate clockwise around center O near the right hand, as shown in Figure 6(A). This rotation is permitted by the flexure of grip pad 1 held with the left hand.

[0038] That is, the inner circumferential surface 17 of the grip pad 1 is pressed into the grip 5 of the rotating bat 3. Therefore, the grip pad 1 is deformed between the left hand and the grip 5. As a result, excessive deformation of the ball B is suppressed and a repulsive force accumulates in the grip pad 1. Furthermore, the influence of the behavior of the bat 3 on the left hand when hit by the ball B is reduced, stabilizing the swing of the bat 3.

[0039] Next, as shown in Figure 6(B), the bent grip pad 1 returns to its original position as the swing progresses. When the grip pad 1 returns to its original position, the inner peripheral surface 17 of the grip pad 1 pushes the grip 5 back to its original position, in the opposite direction to when the grip pad 1 was bent. This pushback causes the bat 3 to rotate counterclockwise about the center O as shown in Figure 6(B), accelerating the head 13. In this way, the grip pad 1 can accelerate the head 13 by the accumulated repulsive force.

[0040] 6(C), ball B is pushed out toward bat 3. At this time, the acceleration of head 13 by grip pad 1 increases the pushing speed of ball B. Therefore, grip pad 1 can directly support the hit, improving the supportability of the hit.

[0041] Fig. 7 is a chart showing the relationship between the C hardness and properties of the main body of Examples 1-1 to 1-4 and Comparative Examples 1-1 to 1-3. Fig. 7 shows the average results of three batters hitting the ball.

[0042] 7, the C hardness is the C hardness of the main body 15 at a position P20 that is 20 mm axially away from the base end adjacent to the grip end. Since a strong compressive force acts on the grip pad 1 at this position, the C hardness at this position was used as a representative value to compare the example and comparative example.

[0043] Also, in Figure 7, the amount of deflection is the degree of deflection that occurs in the grip pad 1 when hitting, the rebound is the degree of rebound force against the ball B, the strength is the strength of the grip pad 1 when hitting, the rebound feeling is the rebound feeling that occurs in the ball B felt by the batter when hitting, the ease of gripping is the ease of gripping the grip 5 felt by the batter, and the durability is the durability until wear or damage occurs.

[0044] Examples 1-1 to 1-4 had the same shape as the grip pad 1 of this example, but were made of urethane foam. In Examples 1-1 and 1-2, the weight of the grip pad 1 was 10 g, and the C hardness was 61 and 69, respectively. In Examples 1-3 and 1-4, the weight of the grip pad 1 was 15 g, and the C hardness was 69 and 73, respectively.

[0045] Comparative Examples 1-1 and 1-2 have the same shape as the grip pad 1 of this example, and are made of urethane foam. These comparative examples 1-1 and 1-2 have weights of 10 g and 15 g, and C hardnesses of 58 and 78, respectively.

[0046] In Examples 1-1 to 1-4 and Comparative Examples 1-1 and 1-2, the difference in weight was set by the density, and the difference in C hardness was set by the density, the blending ratio of the materials, and the like.

[0047] Comparative Example 1-3 has almost the same shape as the grip pad 1 of the example, but differs in thickness and is made of solid rubber. Comparative Example 1-3 weighs 20 g and is 3 mm thick at position P20, 20 mm axially away from the base end adjacent to the grip end. The C hardness at this position is 84.

[0048] 7, Examples 1-1 to 1-4 had a C hardness in the range of 60 to 75, and did not receive a rating of x in any of the deflection, resilience, strength, resilience, ease of grip, and durability, thereby improving the support for impact. In particular, Example 1-1 had excellent resilience and resilience, as well as good strength and ease of grip, and provided high support for impact.

[0049] On the other hand, Comparative Example 1-1 had a C hardness of 58, outside the range of 60 to 75, and although it provided resilience and a resilient feel, it was too soft and difficult to grip. Comparative Example 1-2 had a C hardness of 78, outside the range of 60 to 75, and had no deflection and insufficient resilience. Comparative Example 1-3 weighed 20 g, making it difficult to swing the bat. Furthermore, Comparative Example 1-3 had a C hardness of 84, outside the range of 60 to 75, and did not provide resilience or a resilient feel.

[0050] FIG. 8 is a graph showing the C hardness distribution and thickness of the grip pads of Examples 1-1 to 1-4 and Comparative Examples 1-1 and 1-2.

[0051] As explained in Fig. 7, the range in which there was improvement in supportability for hitting was between Example 1-1 and Example 1-4 in Fig. 8. Comparative Examples 1-1 and 1-2 were outside the range in which there was improvement in supportability.

[0052] As described above, the grip pad 1 of this embodiment has a cylindrical main body 15 through which the grip 5 is inserted in the axial direction and which is positioned adjacent to the grip end 11, the main body 15 is made of foamed resin, and the C hardness of the main body 15 is 60 to 75 at position P20, which is 20 mm axially away from the base end adjacent to the grip end 11.

[0053] Therefore, the grip pad 1 can directly support the hit with its repulsive force, improving the supportability of the hit. In addition, the grip pad 1 of this embodiment can improve the ease of gripping and the repulsive feeling given to the batter, thereby more reliably improving the supportability of the hit. Furthermore, if the C hardness of the grip pad 1 is 61 to 73, the supportability of the hit can be more reliably improved.

[0054] Since the foam resin used in the grip pad 1 is urethane foam, it is easy to improve the support for hitting.

[0055] The thickness of the main body 15 is 5 mm or more at a position 20 mm away from the base end in the axial direction, and is 16.5 mm or less at its thickest part.

[0056] Therefore, the grip pad 1 of this embodiment can generate a repulsive force more reliably and directly support the impact due to the relationship between the thickness of the main body portion 15 and the C hardness.

[0057] The outer diameter of the outer peripheral surface 19 of the main body 15 gradually increases toward the base end, which, combined with the C hardness setting, makes it easier to grip and improves support for impact.

[0058] The outer surface 19 of the main body 15 has a first tapered portion 19a distal to the base end and a second tapered portion 19b proximal to the base end, the first tapered portion 19a and the second tapered portion 19b having different taper rates.

[0059] Therefore, by adjusting the taper rate, it is possible to meet the needs of various batters and improve hitting support. If the taper rate of first tapered portion 19a is smaller than that of second tapered portion 19b, it is possible to make the club easier to grip while also ensuring a sufficient thickness to generate a repulsive force at position P20, which is 20 mm axially away from the base end. [Example]

[0060] Fig. 9 is a plan view showing the periphery of the grip end of a bat to which a grip pad according to Example 2 of the present invention is attached. Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the periphery of the grip end of Fig. 9. Note that Example 2 has a basic configuration in common with Example 1, and therefore, the same reference numerals are used for corresponding configurations and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0061] The grip pad 1 of Example 2 has a straight portion 19d between the first tapered portion 19a and the second tapered portion 19b. The straight portion 19d is a portion of the outer peripheral surface 19 where the outer diameter is constant. Furthermore, the straight portion 19d and the first tapered portion 19a, and the straight portion 19d and the second tapered portion 19b, are smoothly transitioned by curved portions 19e and 19c, respectively. The rest is the same as Example 1.

[0062] In Example 2, the same effects as those of Example 1 can be achieved. Note that it is also possible to divide one or all of the first tapered portion 19a, the straight portion 19d, and the second tapered portion 19b, and to make the divided portions different in hardness or weight. The same applies to Example 1. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 1 Grip Pad 3 Bat 5 Grip 11 Grip end 15 Main body 19 Outer surface 19a First tapered section 19b Second tapered section

Claims

1. A grip pad attached to a grip having a radially bulging grip end, a cylindrical main body portion that is inserted through the grip in the axial direction and is disposed adjacent to the grip end; The main body is made of foamed resin and has a C hardness of 60 to 75 at a position 20 mm away from one end adjacent to the grip end in the axial direction. Grip pad.

2. The grip pad of claim 1, The foamed resin is urethane foam. Grip pad.

3. The grip pad of claim 1 or 2, The C hardness is 61 to 73. Grip pad.

4. The grip pad of claim 1 or 2, The thickness of the main body is 5 mm or more at a position 20 mm away from the one end in the axial direction, and is 16.5 mm or less at its thickest portion. Grip pad.

5. The grip pad of claim 1, The outer diameter of the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion gradually increases toward the one end portion. Grip pad.

6. The grip pad of claim 5, an outer circumferential surface of the body portion having a first tapered portion distal to the one end and a second tapered portion axially proximal to the one end; The first tapered portion and the second tapered portion have different taper rates. Grip pad.

7. The grip pad of claim 6, The taper rate of the first tapered portion is smaller than the taper rate of the second tapered portion. Grip pad.

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