Counterweighted sports bat

Abstract

A sports bat having a knob assembly with an integrated weight designed to provide a counterbalance to the weight of the barrel is disclosed. By moving the bat's center of mass closer to the batter's hands, the functional moment-of-inertia is reduced without requiring a reduction in the bat's overall weight or length. This allows the batter to maximize swing speed while minimizing negative side effects of MOI reduction on ball exit speed. The sports bat can include a knob assembly, a handle, and a barrel. The handle interconnects the knob assembly to the barrel. The knob housing may comprise a body and a stem, with the main body configured to enclose a counterweight and an anti-vibration insert, and with the stem configured to extend into the proximate end of the handle to secure the knob assembly to the handle.

Description

COUNTERWEIGHTED SPORTS BAT Inventors: Ryder Toce Dupuis & Liam Scot Mucklow BACKGROUND

[0001] Rotational inertia is a measure of how difficult it is to change the rotational velocity of an object around a given rotational axis. The rotational inertia of an object depends on both the object’s mass and the distribution of the mass relative to the axis of rotation. When the mass moves further from the axis of rotation, the rotational inertia—also commonly referred to as the moment-of-inertia (MOI)—increases, making it more difficult to change the rotational velocity of the object.

[0002] MOI is an important consideration in designing and purchasing baseball and softball bats due to its impact on the force required to change the rotational velocity of the equipment. From the player’s standpoint, MOI is a characteristic that plays a critical role in matching equipment to a player’s subjective “feel” preferences as well as player performance, since increased swing speed is typically a desired outcome for players using swing-class sports equipment such as baseball and softball bats. In baseball and softball, several field studies of players swinging both softball bats and baseball bats have conclusively demonstrated that the speed with which a player can swing a bat depends very strongly on the MOI of the bat. However, while a lower MOI bat may be swung with greater speed and greater control, it comes with the trade-off of producing a lower ball speed when compared to a higher MOI bat swung at the same velocity.

[0003] In the United States, MOI of baseball and softball bats are measured in accordance with the testing methods set forth in ASTM F2398. ASTM F2398 provides the following formulas for calculating MOI:1#102673053v1The MOI measured in accordance with ASTM F2398 (hereinafter the “measured MOI”) assumes the axis of rotation—or pivot point—to be at a location six (6) inches from the end of the knob.

[0004] In the United States, baseball and softball bats must satisfy certain dimensional and performance requirements set forth by regulatory bodies, such as the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). For example, NCAA regulations require that all non-wood baseball bats used in NCAA competition comply with bat-ball coefficient of restitution (BBCOR) restrictions in order to be certified for NCAA competition. Notably, a BBCOR- compliant bat must have a length-to-weight ratio of -3 or less (e.g., a 34 in. bat must weigh at least 31 oz.). A sports bat’s length and weight are variables that heavily influence the bat’s2#102673053v1MOI. Accordingly, the length and weight restrictions imposed by governing bodies restricts the ability of baseball bat manufacturers to optimize the MOI of conventional baseball and softball bats. SUMMARY

[0005] The invention disclosed herein is directed to a sports bat having an elongated knob assembly with an integrated weight designed to provide a counterbalance to the weight of the barrel. By elongating the bat’s knob and including an integrated weight, the bat’s center of mass is moved closer to the batter’s hands, thereby decreasing the functional MOI of the bat without increasing the bat’s length-to-weight ratio. This allows the batter to maximize swing speed while avoiding the negative side effects of MOI reduction on ball exit speed.

[0006] In a particular embodiment exemplifying the principles of the invention, the sports bat can comprise a knob assembly, a handle, and a barrel. The handle interconnects the knob assembly to the barrel. The knob assembly may comprise a knob housing, an anti- vibration insert, and a counterweight. The knob housing may comprise a body and a stem, with the main body configured to enclose the counterweight and the anti-vibration insert and the stem configured to extend into the proximate end of the handle to secure the knob assembly to the handle. A radial slot may be formed between the body and stem of the knob housing, with the radial slot adapted to receive the proximate end of the handle. The counterweight is preferably located in a central aperture of the knob housing below the anti-vibration insert. The anti-vibration insert may comprise a chamber at least partially filled with a liquid or gel for dissipating vibrations created when the bat strikes an object. In other embodiments, the anti- vibration insert may comprise a solid elastomer.

[0007] In another embodiment exemplifying the principles of the invention, the knob assembly may comprise a pin extending through the stem of the knob housing in order to3#102673053v1apply a radial force to the stem for securing the knob assembly to the handle. In yet another embodiment, the stem of the knob housing may comprise on or more projections configured to extend through one or more holes formed in the sidewall of the handle to aide in securing the knob assembly to the handle.

[0008] The above summary is not intended to describe each illustrated embodiment or every possible implementation. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views, which are not true to scale, and which, together with the detailed description below, are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to illustrate further various embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages in accordance with the present invention: Fig.1 is a side view of a prior art sports bat; Fig. 2 is a side view of an embodiment of a counterweighted sports bat exemplifying the principles of the present invention; Fig.3 is a side view of the embodiment of the counterweighted sports bat shown in Fig. 2 wherein the knob assembly is shown in a sectional view; Fig.4 is a sectional view of the knob assembly shown in Fig.2; Fig.5 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the counterweighted sports bat shown in Fig.2; Fig.6 is an exploded view of the embodiment of the counterweighted sports bat shown in Fig.2; Fig.7 is an exploded view of the embodiment of the knob assembly shown in Fig.2;4#102673053v1Fig.8 is a cutaway view of the embodiment of the knob assembly shown in Fig.2; Fig. 9 is an exploded view of an alternative embodiment of the knob assembly of the counterweighted sports bat; Fig.10 is a sectional view of the knob assembly shown in Fig.9; Fig. 11 is an exploded view of another alternative embodiment of the knob assembly of the counterweighted sports bat; and Fig.12 is a sectional view of the knob assembly shown in Fig.11. Fig.13 is a sectional view of another alternative embodiment of the knob assembly of the counterweighted sports bat. Fig.14 is a sectional view of another alternative embodiment of the knob assembly of the counterweighted sports bat. Fig.15 is a sectional view of another alternative embodiment of the knob assembly of the counterweighted sports bat. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the spirit or the scope of the invention. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting; but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention. While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be5#102673053v1better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward.

[0011] As used herein, the terms “a” or “an” are defined as one or more than one. The term “plurality,” as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements, but may include, other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element. The terms “including,” “having,” or “featuring,” as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled,” as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. As used herein, the term “about” or “approximately” applies to all numeric values, whether or not explicitly indicated. These terms generally refer to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited values (i.e., having the same function or result). In many instances these terms may include numbers that are rounded to the nearest significant figure. Relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, right and left, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions.

[0012] The invention disclosed herein is directed to a sports bat having an elongated knob assembly with an integrated weight designed to provide a counterbalance to the weight of the barrel. By elongating the bat’s knob and including an integrated weight, the bat’s measured MOI—i.e., the MOI calculated pursuant to the testing protocols of ASTM F2398—6#102673053v1will necessarily increase since ASTM F2398 assumes the axis of rotation—or pivot point—to be at a location six (6) inches from the end of the knob. Although the measured MOI of a sports bat embodying features of the present invention will increase, paradoxically the functional MOI will decrease since the center of mass is moved closer to the batter’s hands, which will be positioned at a location more than six (6) inches from the end of the knob. Accordingly, the present invention provides a means to decrease the functional MOI of a sports bat without reducing the bat’s overall weight, shortening its length, or otherwise increasing the bat’s length-to-weight ratio. This allows the batter to maximize swing speed while minimizing negative side effects of MOI reduction on ball exit speed.

[0013] Herein various embodiments of the present invention are described. To avoid redundancy, repetitive description of similar features may not be made in some circumstances.

[0014] An embodiment of a sports bat embodying the principles of the present invention is depicted in Figures 2-8. The sports bat 100 can comprise a knob assembly 100, a handle 200, and a barrel 300. The handle 200 interconnects the knob assembly 100 to the barrel 300. The barrel 300 may comprise an end cap 310.

[0015] The knob assembly 100 may comprise a knob housing 110, an anti-vibration insert 160, and a counterweight 140. The knob housing 110 may comprise a body 118 and a stem 112. The body 118 is configured to enclose the counterweight 140 and the anti-vibration insert 160. The stem 112 is configured to extend into the proximate end of the handle 200 to secure the knob assembly 100 to the handle 200. In preferred embodiments, an adhesive is also utilized to secure the knob assembly 100 to the handle 200. A radial slot 116 may be formed between the body 118 and the stem 112 of the knob housing 110, with the radial slot 116 adapted to receive the proximate end of the handle 200. In this arrangement, the lip of the body 118 will be adjacent to the exterior wall of the handle 200, while the projection of stem 112 will be adjacent to the interior wall of the handle 200, thereby providing additional lateral7#102673053v1support for the joinder of the knob assembly 100 to the handle 200 to prevent accidental detachment.

[0016] The counterweight 140 is preferably located in a central aperture of the knob housing 110 below the anti-vibration insert 160. The anti-vibration insert 160 may comprise a chamber at least partially filled with a liquid or gel 164 for dissipating vibrations created when the bat strikes an object. In other embodiments, the anti-vibration insert may comprise a solid elastomer. The anti-vibration insert 160 can have external screw threads 162, with the central aperture of the knob housing 110 having internal threads 119. The threads 162 of the anti- vibration insert 160 can be mated to the internal threads 119 of the knob housing 110 to secure the anti-vibration insert 160 within the aperture of the knob housing 110.

[0017] In preferred embodiments, the knob housing 110 is between 50-80 mm in length and 40-60 mm in width, with the knob housing 110 being most preferably 65-70 mm in length and 45-50 mm in width. The body portion 118 of the knob housing 110 is preferably between 30-50 mm, resulting in the knob assembly 100 adding approximately 1 – 2 inches in total length to the handle 200. In preferred embodiments, the counterweight 140 weighs between 30 and 60 grams. In preferred embodiments, the total weight of the knob assembly 100 is between 70 and 110 grams. The knob housing 110 is preferably made from injection-molded plastic.

[0018] Referring now to Figs. 9-10, an alternative embodiment of the knob assembly 400 of the present invention is depicted. The knob assembly 400 may comprise a knob housing 410, a pin 402, an anti-vibration insert 460, and a counterweight 440. The knob housing 410 may comprise a body 418 and a stem 412. As with the embodiment depicted in Figs.2-8, the body 418 is configured to enclose the counterweight 440 and the anti-vibration insert 460. The stem 412 is configured to extend into the proximate end of the handle 200 to secure the knob assembly 400 to the handle 200. The pin 402 is configured to extend through the stem 412 of the knob housing 410 in order to apply a radial force to the sidewalls of the stem 412. In this8#102673053v1arrangement, the pin 402 aids in forming a press-fit or interference fit of the knob assembly 400 to the handle 200. In preferred embodiments, an adhesive is still utilized to secure the knob assembly 400 to the handle 200.

[0019] Referring now to Figs.11-12, an alternative embodiment of the knob assembly 500 of the present invention is depicted. The knob assembly 500 may comprise a knob housing 510, a pin 502, an anti-vibration insert 560, and a counterweight 540. The knob housing 510 may comprise a body 518 and a stem 512. As with the embodiments depicted in Figs. 2-10, the stem 512 is configured to extend into the proximate end of the handle 200 to secure the knob assembly 500 to the handle 200. However, in the embodiment depicted in Figs. 11-12, the stem 512 features on or more projections 506 configured to extend through one or more holes 204 formed in the sidewall of the handle 200 to aide in securing the knob assembly 500 to the handle 200.

[0020] Referring now to Fig.13, another alternative embodiment of the knob assembly 600 of the present invention is depicted. The knob assembly 600 may comprise a knob housing 610, a pin 602, an anti-vibration insert 660, and a counterweight 640. The knob housing 610 may comprise a body 618 and a stem 612, with the body portion 618 having an upper section adapted to house the anti-vibration insert 600 and an annular lower section adapted to house the counterweight 640 and pin 602. As with the embodiments depicted in Figs.2-12, the stem 612 is configured to extend into the proximate end of the handle 200 to secure the knob assembly 400 to the handle 200. A radial slot 616 may be formed between the body 618 and the stem 612 of the knob housing 610, with the radial slot 616 adapted to receive the proximate end of the handle 200. In contrast to the embodiments depicted in Figs. 2-12, the radial slot 616 has a greater length. In this arrangement, the annular lower section of the knob housing’s body 618 will extend at least partially around the bat’s handle 200 when assembled, with the counterweight 640 being positioned laterally adjacent to the exterior wall of the handle 200 to9#102673053v1provide increased lateral support for the joinder of the knob assembly 600 to the handle 200 to prevent accidental detachment.

[0021] Referring now to Fig.14, another alternative embodiment of the knob assembly 700 of the present invention is depicted. The knob assembly 700 may be similar in all respects to knob assembly 600 depicted in Fig. 13, except that knob assembly 700 might not include pin 602. Instead, a cavity 702 may be disposed within stem 612.

[0022] Referring now to Fig.15, another alternative embodiment of the knob assembly 800 of the present invention is depicted. The knob assembly 800 may be similar in all respects to knob assemblies 600 and 700 depicted in Figs. 13 and 14, respectively, except that knob assembly 800 might not include pin 602 and / or anti-vibration insert 660. Instead, a cavity 802 is disposed within stem 612. Similarly, an empty cavity 804 defines the upper section of body 806. That is, cavity 804 might not include a liquid, a gel, or a solid elastomer. Instead, an inner portion of the upper section of body 806 may be hollow and defined by cavity 804. The top end of the body 806 may utilize a cap to enclose the cavity 804. Alternatively, the top end of the body 806 may be integrally formed as part of the overall housing 610.

[0023] Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art having the benefit of the teaching presented in the foregoing description and associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.10#102673053v1

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A sports bat comprising: a) a handle having a proximate end and a distal end; b) a barrel extending from the distal end of the handle; and c) a knob assembly connected to the proximate end of the handle, the knob assembly comprising: i) a knob housing comprising a body and a stem, wherein the stem extends into the proximate end of the handle; ii) a counterweight positioned within the body of the knob housing.

2. The sports bat of claim 1, wherein the sports bat further comprises an anti-vibration insert positioned within the knob housing.

3. The sports bat of any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein with the body of the knob housing encloses the counterweight and the anti-vibration insert.

4. The sports bat of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the knob housing comprises a radial slot formed between the body and the stem of the knob housing.

5. The sports bat of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the body of the knob housing defines a central aperture, and wherein the counterweight is located in the central aperture between the anti-vibration insert and a proximate end of the stem.

6. The sports bat of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the anti-vibration insert comprises a chamber at least partially filled with a liquid or gel for dissipating vibrations created when the bat strikes an object.

7. The sports bat of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the anti-vibration insert comprises a solid elastomer.

8. The sports bat of claim 1, wherein the body of the knob housing extends at least partially over the proximate end of the handle.

9. The sports bat of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the counterweight is disposed laterally adjacent to an exterior wall of the proximate end of the handle.11#102673053v110. A sports bat comprising: a) a handle having a proximate end and a distal end; b) a barrel extending from the distal end of the handle; and c) a knob assembly connected to the proximate end of the handle, the knob assembly comprising: i) a knob housing comprising a body and a stem, wherein the stem extends into the proximate end of the handle; and ii) a counterweight positioned within the body of the knob housing and configured to provide lateral support for the connection between the knob assembly and the proximate end of the handle.

11. The sports bat of claim 10, wherein an interior portion of the stem is hollow.

12. A knob assembly for a sports bat comprising: a) a knob housing comprising a body; and b) a counterweight positioned within the body of the knob housing.

13. The knob assembly of claim 12, further comprising an anti-vibration insert positioned within the knob housing.

14. The knob assembly of claim 13, wherein the anti-vibration insert comprises a chamber at least partially filled with at least one of the group consisting of: a liquid, gel, or solid elastomer.

15. The knob assembly of claim 12, wherein the body of the knob housing is configured to extend at least partially over a handle of the sports bat.

16. The knob assembly of any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein with the body of the knob housing encloses the counterweight and the anti-vibration insert.

17. The knob assembly of any one of claims 12 to 16, wherein the body of the knob housing defines a central aperture, and wherein the counterweight is located in the central aperture below the anti-vibration insert.

18. The knob assembly of any one of claims 12 to 16, wherein the knob assembly further comprises a radial slot formed in the body of the knob housing, wherein the counterweight is disposed laterally adjacent to the radial slot.12#102673053v1

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