Apparatus and methods for optimizing the performance of swinging implements

Abstract

A method of optimizing a swinging implement, such as a bat, includes receiving an initial location of a sweet spot of the implement; receiving a contact point distribution for real-world usage of the implement; and performing at least one iteration of an optimization process to improve alignment between the sweet spot of the swinging implement and the contact point distribution. The optimization process involves adjusting one or more attributes of the implement (such as dimensions, shape / profile, and / or material properties) and computing an adjusted location of the sweet spot of the implement. The optimization process can iterate until alignment between the sweet spot and the contact point distribution is maximized. Attributes may be adjusted manually (e.g., by a user) or automatically (e.g., via mathematical optimization techniques executed in a processor). A design file for the optimized design may be output and used to manufacture optimized swinging implements.

Description

Attorney Docket No. BDNA-0002APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR OPTIMIZING THE PERFORMANCE OF SWINGING IMPLEMENTSCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims the benefit of United States provisional application no. 63 / 682,818, filed 14 August 2024, which is hereby incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein.FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to optimization of sports equipment. In particular, the present disclosure relates to optimizing the performance of swinging implements for use in sports such as baseball, softball, and cricket bats.BACKGROUND

[0003] Various optical tracking systems are known for use in various sports to collect realtime data on, inter alia, the movement of players and their equipment and other on-field objects such as balls. For example, tracking systems from Hawk-Eye Innovations Ltd. have been used in a number of sports, including baseball, basketball, golf, soccer, and tennis.

[0004] In the case of baseball and softball, these tracking systems make it possible to track where on the bat a player makes contact with a ball. By collecting this contact point data over hundreds, or even thousands, of swings, it is possible to develop a contact point distribution for that specific player using that specific bat (or model of bat, as the case may be).

[0005] The optimal position on the bat to make contact with a ball is known as the sweet spot - a region along the length of the bat within which the ball will release with the maximum amount of energy transfer. The sweet spot is generally about 2 inches long. Thus, a bat performs optimally only within a relatively small fraction of its overall length.

[0006] The location of the sweet spot can, however, vary from one model of bat to another, even if the models are of identical length and weight. Indeed, there can be performance variations even within the sweet spot of a given bat.Attorney Docket No. BDNA-0002BRIEF SUMMARY

[0007] The instant disclosure provides a method of optimizing a swinging implement. The method includes: receiving, in an optimization processor, an initial location of a sweet spot of the swinging implement; receiving, in the optimization processor, a contact point distribution for real- world usage of the swinging implement; and performing, via the optimization processor, at least one iteration of adjusting one or more attributes of the swinging implement and computing an adjusted location of the sweet spot of the swinging implement, to improve alignment between the sweet spot of the swinging implement and the contact point distribution. Iterations can be performed until alignment between the sweet spot of the swinging implement and the contact point distribution is maximized.

[0008] The attributes of the swinging implement may be adjusted by: generating a graphical user interface for adjustment of the one or more attributes of the swinging implement; and receiving user input comprising adjustment of the one or more attributes of the swinging implement through the graphical user interface. Alternatively, attributes may be adjusted automatically under control of the optimization processor (e.g., mathematical optimization).

[0009] The contact point distribution is determined using data from an individual’s use of the swinging implement to strike a ball.

[0010] The one or more attributes of the swinging implement may be selected from the group consisting of length of the swinging implement, diameter of the swinging implement, profile of the swinging implement, and weight of the swinging implement.

[0011] The swinging implement may be a bat.

[0012] The method can also include outputting, via the optimization processor and after the at least one iteration, a design file for manufacture of an optimized swinging implement.

[0013] Also disclosed herein is a system for optimizing a swinging implement. The system includes an optimization processor configured to: receive an initial location of a sweet spot of the swinging implement; receive a contact point distribution for real-world usage of the swinging implement; and perform at least one iteration of an optimization process to improve alignment between the sweet spot of the swinging implement and the contact point distribution data. The optimization process includes: adjusting one or more attributes of the swinging implement; and computing an adjusted location of the sweet spot of the swinging implement.Attorney Docket No. BDNA-0002

[0014] The optimization processor may be configured to iterate the optimization process until alignment between the sweet spot of the swinging implement and the contact point distribution is maximized.

[0015] The one or more attributes of the swinging implement may be adjusted by: generating a graphical user interface for adjustment of the one or more attributes of the swinging implement; and receiving user input comprising adjustment of the one or more attributes of the swinging implement through the graphical user interface. Alternatively, the one or more attributes of the swinging implement may be adjusted automatically under control of the optimization processor (e.g., mathematical optimization).

[0016] The contact point distribution may be determined using data from an individual’s use of the swinging implement to strike a ball.

[0017] The one or more attributes of the swinging implement may be selected from the group consisting of length of the swinging implement, diameter of the swinging implement, profile of the swinging implement, and weight of the swinging implement.

[0018] The swinging implement may be a bat.

[0019] The optimization processor may also be configured to output, after the at least one iteration of the optimization process, a design file for manufacture of an optimized swinging implement.

[0020] The instant disclosure also provides a method of manufacturing an optimized swinging implement. The method includes: receiving, in an optimization processor, a contact point distribution for real-world usage of a swinging implement by a user; and establishing, via the optimization processor, an initial swinging implement design having a sweet spot; performing, via the optimization processor, at least one iteration of: creating an adjusted swinging implement design by adjusting one or more attributes of the initial swinging implement design; and computing a location of the sweet spot of the adjusted swinging implement design, until a desired alignment between the location of the sweet spot of the adjusted swinging implement design and the contact point distribution is achieved; and manufacturing a swinging implement according to the adjusted swinging implement design that exhibits the desired alignment.Attorney Docket No. BDNA-0002

[0021] The one or more attributes of the swinging implement design are selected from the group consisting of a length of the swinging implement design, a diameter of the swinging implement design, a profile of the swinging implement design, a material of the swinging implement design, a density of the material of the swinging implement design, and a density gradient of the material of the swinging implement design.

[0022] The foregoing and other aspects, features, details, utilities, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from reading the following description and claims, and from reviewing the accompanying drawings.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 illustrates an apparatus for measuring an object having a central axis according to an aspect of the instant disclosure.

[0024] Figure 2 is a close-up view of the scanning volume defined by the apparatus of Figure 1. For clarity, the scanner and portions of the drive assembly are not shown.

[0025] Figure 3 is a front view of the support frame, scanner, and drive assembly of the apparatus of Figure 1.

[0026] Figure 4 is a top view of the support frame, scanner, and drive assembly of the apparatus of Figure 1.

[0027] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the scanner assembly of the apparatus of Figure 1.

[0028] Figure 6 depicts a representative swinging implement with its sweet spot annotated thereon.

[0029] Figure 7 depicts the representative swinging implement of Figure 6 with a representative player’s contact point distribution annotated thereon.

[0030] Figure 8A shows the representative swinging implement of Figure 6 with both its sweet spot and the representative player’s contact point distribution (Figure 7) annotated thereon to illustrate their initial mis-alignment.

[0031] Figures 8B and 8C show how adjustments to attributes of the representative swinging implement of Figure 6 can move the position of the sweet spot of the representative swinging implement to improve its alignment with the representative player’s contact pointAttorney Docket No. BDNA-0002 distribution to thereby optimize the representative swinging implement for use by the representative player.

[0032] Figure 9A is a close-up view of the barrel of the representative swinging implement of Figure 6.

[0033] Figures 9B and 9C are a close-up views of the barrel of the representative swinging implement of Figure 6 to illustrate how adjustments to attributes of the swinging implement, shown in phantom, result in adjustments to the position, size, and / or shape of the sweet spot.

[0034] While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative embodiments. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The instant disclosure provides apparatus and methods for precisely measuring objects having central longitudinal axes, and particularly elongate, cylindrical objects, with high precision, speed, and reliability. Also disclosed are methods and systems for optimizing the performance of such objects (e.g., altering the physical characteristics, such as dimensions and weights, of such objects, so that they are optimally suited for a particular user’s characteristics, such as swing path and technique).

[0036] For purposes of illustration, aspects of the disclosure will be described below with reference to a baseball or softball bat (or, more generally, a “swinging implement”). Those of ordinary skill in the art, however, will understand how to apply the teachings herein to good advantage in other contexts and / or with respect to other objects such as billets, balusters, handheld implements (e.g., tools, medical devices), and so forth.

[0037] As used herein, the term “cylindrical” is not limited to right circular cylinders, but rather is intended to encompass other shapes, such as objects that taper, flare, or otherwise vary in cross-sectional dimension along their height (or, if oriented horizontally, along their length), objects where the end faces and / or cross-sectional dimensions are non-circular, and / or objects where the end faces are not parallel to each other.Attorney Docket No. BDNA-0002

[0038] Similarly, the term “central longitudinal axis” is not limited to straight lines and can accommodate a curved axis that would be associated with certain shapes included within the foregoing definition of “cylindrical.”

[0039] The term “diameter” will be used herein to refer to cross-sectional dimensions of the object, regardless of whether the cross-section is circular or some other (non-circular) shape.

[0040] As used herein, the term “elongate” refers to an object having a height (or length, if oriented horizontally) that is substantially greater than its diameter. For instance, baseball bats may have a length (e.g., about 33 inches) that is greater than ten times the diameter of the barrel (e.g., about 2.6 inches) and greater than thirty times the diameter of the handle.

[0041] Figure 1 depicts an apparatus 10 for measuring an object having a central longitudinal axis, such as swinging implement 12 (e.g., a baseball or softball bat), according to an embodiment of the disclosure. As shown in Figure 1, apparatus 10 is implemented in a cabinet 14. Cabinet 14 may be made portable, such as by placing it on casters 16. It should be understood, however, that this implementation is merely exemplary; apparatus 10 may be implemented as a fixed installation, with or without cabinet 14, without departing from the scope of the present teachings.

[0042] Apparatus 10 defines a scanning volume 18, shown in close-up in Figure 2. When apparatus 10 is in use, swinging implement 12 is immobilized within scanning volume 18. For example, a support frame 20 (shown in detail in Figure 3) can include opposing first and second clamping elements 22a, 22b to clamp against opposing first and second longitudinal ends of swinging implement 12 (as shown in Figure 2).

[0043] Either or both of clamping elements 22a, 22b may be movable. In one configuration, certain advantages of which will be described below, second clamping element 22b may be stationary relative to support frame 20, while first clamping element 22a may be movable relative to support frame 20 (and thus relative to second clamping element 22b).

[0044] Figures 2 through 5 also illustrate a scanner 24 and a drive assembly 26. Scanner 24 operates to detect swinging implement 12 within scanning volume 18. In embodiments of the disclosure, therefore, scanner 24 may be an optical scanner that uses light to detect swinging implement 12. For instance, scanner 24 may include a through beam sensor, such as a laser through beam sensor. As those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, in a through beamAttorney Docket No. BDNA-0002 sensor, an emitter 28 and detector 30 are mounted opposite each other (as shown in Figure 4), with light (e.g., laser light) being sent from emitter 28 and received at detector 30. The output changes state when a target (e.g., swinging implement 12) interrupts the output beam from emitter 28 and starves detector 30 of light. Alternatively, scanner 24 may include a lidar sensor.

[0045] In other embodiments of the disclosure, scanner 24 may utilize a contact sensor, such as a pressure transducer, to detect swinging implement 12.

[0046] Drive assembly 26 operates to move scanner 24 throughout scanning volume 18 in two orthogonal directions. For ease of reference, these orthogonal directions have been labeled as the z-direction, which is oriented generally parallel to the central longitudinal axis of swinging implement 12, and the y-direction, perpendicular thereto.

[0047] As shown to good advantage in Figures 2, 3, and 5, drive assembly 26 includes a first track 32, a first carriage 34 mounted on first track 32 and movable relative to first track 32, and a first motor 36 operable to cause first carriage 34 to traverse first track 32 (e.g., to move in the z- direction). First track 32 may also have a fixed relationship relative to support frame 20 during operation of apparatus 10.

[0048] As shown to good advantage in Figures 4 and 5, drive assembly 26 also includes a second track 38 (orthogonal to first track 32), a second carriage 40 mounted on second track 38 and movable relative to second track 38, and a second motor 42 operable to cause second carriage 40 to traverse second track 38 (e.g., to move in the y-direction). Scanner 24 is mounted to second carriage 40. Thus, by a combination of actuations of first motor 36 to move first carriage 34 in the z-direction and second motor 42 to move second carriage 40 in the y-direction, scanner 24 may be moved throughout scanning volume 18 to detect the full extent of swinging implement 12.

[0049] Either or both of first track 32 and second track 38 may incorporate a screw drive.

[0050] Either or both of first track 32 and second track 38 may incorporate a belt drive.

[0051] Either or both of first track 32 and second track 38 may incorporate a worm drive.

[0052] Either or both of first motor 36 and second motor 42 may be a stepper motor.Alternatively, either or both of first motor 36 and second motor 42 may be a servomotor.

[0053] Apparatus 10 further includes a controller operably coupled to scanner 24 and drive assembly 26. The controller may be implemented as part of a computing device 44, shown inAttorney Docket No. BDNA-0002Figure 1, such as a programmable microprocessor or microcontroller (e.g, as a set of machine- readable instructions comprised within a computer-readable medium or record carrier, or within a computer program product, such that, when the instructions are executed by a computer or processor, the computer or processor performs the methods described herein), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), and / or solid state electronics.

[0054] Computing device 44 may be any suitable computing device, such as a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a tablet computer, a handheld computer, and so forth. Such a computing device 44 may include one or more central processing units (CPUs) to execute instructions to cause apparatus 10 to perform the methods described herein. Computing device 44 may also include input and output interfaces through which computing device 14 may receive inputs and / or provide outputs as described herein. Computing device 44 may communicate with scanner 24 and / or drive assembly 26 using any suitable wired or wireless communications protocol or a combination of such protocols.

[0055] In operation, the controller (implemented, for example, in hardware and / or software as part of computing device 44) can command first motor 36 to cause first carriage 34 to traverse first track 32 in the z direction and can command second motor 42 to cause second carriage 40 to traverse second track 38 in the y direction. As explained above, this causes scanner 24 to move through scanning volume 18 (e.g. , fully along the y-direction at each z-position before proceeding to the next z-position, raster-style), and the controller can receive output signals from scanner 24 that correspond to the detection of swinging implement 12 as scanner 24 moves through scanning volume 18 (that is, at given positions of scanner 24 in the y- and z-directions).

[0056] By combining the output signals from scanner 24 that correspond to the detection of swinging implement 12 with the positions of first carriage 34 and second carriage 40 relative to first track 32 and second track 38 (e.g., via knowledge of the positions of first motor 36 and second motor 42) respectively, the controller can determine the dimensions of swinging implement 12.

[0057] For instance, for a given z-position (e.g, a position along the length of swinging implement 12) of a through beam sensor in scanner 24, the y-dimension (e.g, the diameter along the y-axis) of swinging implement 12 can be determined by the y-positions of scanner 24 whereAttorney Docket No. BDNA-0002 it first and last detects the presence of swinging implement 12. In essence, therefore, the controller can acquire a series of x-y plane “slices” of swinging implement 12 using the output of scanner 24 and the position of second carriage 40 (assuming, for any given “slice,” circular symmetry in the x-y plane) and “stack” those x-y plane “slices” along the z-direction according to the corresponding position of first carriage 34.

[0058] As another example, for a given z-position (e.g. , a position along the length of swinging implement 12) of a single lidar sensor in scanner 24, both the y-dimension of swinging implement 12 can be determined by the y-positions of scanner 24 where it first and last detects the presence of swinging implement 12 and the x-dimensions can be determined from ranging data. In essence, therefore, the controller can acquire a series of x-y plane “slices” of swinging implement 12 using the output of scanner 24 and the position of second carriage 40 (assuming, for any given “slice,” symmetry about the y-axis) and “stack” those x-y plane “slices” along the z-direction according to the corresponding position of first carriage 34. An analogous approach could be used for a single contact sensor in scanner 24.

[0059] As yet another example, for a given z-position (e.g. , a position along the length of swinging implement 12) of opposing lidar sensors in scanner 24, both the y-dimension of swinging implement 12 can be determined by the y-positions of scanner 24 where it first and last detects the presence of swinging implement 12 and the x-dimensions can be determined from ranging data. In essence, therefore, the controller can acquire a series of x-y plane “slices” of swinging implement 12 using the output of scanner 24 and the position of second carriage 40, with the use of opposing sensors providing a full “slice” perimeter at a given z-position, and “stack” those x-y plane “slices” along the z-direction according to the corresponding position of first carriage 34. An analogous approach could be used for opposing contact sensors in scanner 24.

[0060] Thus, not only do the teachings herein allow apparatus 10 to determine the dimensions of swinging implement 12, it also permits the construction of an overall three- dimensional geometry of swinging implement 12 from which additional features thereof, such as volume, can be determined.

[0061] It is also contemplated that apparatus 10 can include a weight sensor 46, such as a load cell (e.g., a strain gauge). As shown in Figure 2, weight sensor 46 may be integrated intoAttorney Docket No. BDNA-0002 support frame 20 (e.g., incorporated into second clamping element 22b). Weight sensor 46 may be calibrated to disregard the weight of first clamping element 22a (e.g., to disregard the clamping force arising when first clamping element 22a is brought into contact with the corresponding first end of swinging implement 12). The output signal of the weight sensor can also be received by the controller, allowing the controller to output (e.g., via the display of computing device 44) the weight of swinging implement 12.

[0062] With both dimensional information and weight information as described above, the controller can output additional desirable information about swinging implement 12. For instance, the controller can compute and output the balance point of swinging implement 12, an identification of the central longitudinal axis of swinging implement 12, a swing weight of the swinging implement 12, and / or the location of a sweet spot of the swinging implement 12. Relevant mathematical models will be familiar to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0063] Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the precision with which the controller can determine the dimensions, profile, and other characteristics of swinging implement 12 will depend upon various factors, including the resolution and sampling rate of scanner 24, the resolution of weight sensor 46, the speeds of first carriage 34 and second carriage 40 relative to first track 32 and second track 38, respectively, and so forth. Thus, it is contemplated that a user may be able to adjust some or all of these variables, such through a graphical user interface (GUI) output to a display of computing device 44, in order to increase or decrease the precision of the dimensional measurements. It is also contemplated that some or all of these variables may be preset to change at different z-positions along the length of swinging implement 12 (e.g., with greater resolution near where a player would grip swinging implement 12 in use and / or proximate the location on swinging implement 12 where a player would hope to make contact with the ball when in use).

[0064] Those of skill in the art will also appreciate that baseball bats (particularly wood bats) often have cupped ends (e.g., where material is removed from the barrel end of the bat). It is contemplated that apparatus 10 may also be capable of measuring the depth of the cup. For instance, first clamping element 22a may be shaped to fit within the cup (e.g., it may be tapered as shown in the Figures) and to clamp swinging implement in place at the bottom of the cup.Attorney Docket No. BDNA-0002Then, the depth of the cup may be determined by comparing the position of first clamping element 22a with the maximum z-position of swinging implement 12 as measured by scanner 24.

[0065] Additional aspects of the disclosure relate to optimization of swinging implement 12 for a particular user (e.g., optimizing a baseball or softball bat to a particular athlete). To this end, apparatus 10 (e.g., computing device 44) can include an optimization processor. As with the controller described above, the optimization processor may be implemented in hardware (e.g., as an ASIC, an FPGA, or solid state electronics), in software (e.g., as a set of machine- readable instructions for execution by one or more CPUs), or in a combination of hardware and software.

[0066] Figure 6 represents an output 60 of the scanning process described above in the nature of a geometric model (that is, a profile) of swinging implement 12. Output 60 may be provided on the display of computing device 44 via the GUI discussed above. The representative output 60 of Figure 6 also indicates the position of the sweet spot 62 of swinging implement 12. Output 60 may also indicate any or all of the additional characteristics of sweet spot 62 discussed herein, though these are omitted from Figure 6 for clarity of illustration.

[0067] Figure 7 represents a contact point distribution 70 for an individual athlete’s real- world usage of swinging implement 12. As mentioned above, such a contact point distribution can be determined from data collected from an particular athlete’s real -world usage of swinging implement 12 to strike a ball (e.g., optical and / or other data collected using a tracking and / or instrumentation system to measure a baseball player’s performance in batting practice and / or game situations, or from simply observing contact points, such as ball marks, on swinging implement 12). Contact point distribution 70 may be presented as an undiscriminated region (e.g., a simple outline of the points along the length of swinging implement 12 where the athlete makes contact with the ball, perhaps excluding outliers that result from mis-hits) or can include frequency information (e.g., in a color-, pattern-, or grey-scale that not only shows the extent of the region where the athlete makes contact with the ball, but also shows the frequency with which the athlete makes contact with the ball at different spots within the region).

[0068] Figure 8A shows both sweet spot 62 of Figure 6 and contact point distribution 70 of Figure 7 superimposed on the representation of swinging implement 12. Figure 9A is aAttorney Docket No. BDNA-0002 corresponding close-up of the barrel of swinging implement 12 showing the position of sweet spot 62.

[0069] As shown in Figure 8A, most of contact point distribution 70 does not overlap sweet spot 62, but rather is closer to the handle end of swinging implement 12. This is an indication that the player is generally not hitting the ball squarely with the sweet spot of swinging implement 12, which can be interpreted as sub-optimal hitting performance.

[0070] To improve hitting performance, it is desirable to maximize alignment between contact point distribution 70 and the position of sweet spot 62. While perfect (e.g., center-to- center) alignment between contact point distribution 70 and the position of sweet spot 62 is theoretically possible, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that it may be impractical. For example, under current Major League Baseball rules, the maximum length of a bat is 42 inches and the maximum diameter of the bat (e.g., the diameter at its thickest point) cannot exceed 2.61 inches, and perfect alignment may not be possible within these constraints.

[0071] Similarly, the properties of the material from which swinging implement 12 is constructed may prevent perfect alignment because the attributes required to achieve perfect alignment may structurally compromise swinging implement 12 or render it unsuitable for its intended use. Said bluntly, a bat with perfect alignment between its sweet spot and a player’s contact point distribution is not optimized if it has been weakened by dimensional adjustments to the point that it breaks upon contact with the ball.

[0072] Thus, as used herein, the phrase “maximize alignment” (and its variants) means to achieve as much alignment as is possible between sweet spot 62 and contact point distribution 70 within applicable constraints, such as rule sets and physical limitations.

[0073] While contact point distribution 70 can be altered by modifying the player’s swing mechanics, it may be more efficient to alter the position of sweet spot 62. This can be accomplished by altering various attributes e.g., dimensions, profile, and so forth) of swinging implement 12.

[0074] To this end, one or more iterations of an optimization process can be performed within the optimization processor. In each iteration, one or more attributes of swinging implement 12, such as its length, its diameter, its profile, its weight, its material (e.g., woodAttorney Docket No. BDNA-0002 species), its material density, its material density gradient, and / or its distribution of mass, may be adjusted.

[0075] It is contemplated that these adjustments may be made manually, such as via user inputs received through a GUI presented on the display of computing device 44. Alternatively, the optimization processor may include one or more mathematical optimization algorithms to solve a particular optimization problem (e.g., how to achieve substantial alignment between sweet spot 62 and contact point distribution 70 by varying attributes of swinging implement 12). Those of ordinary skill in the art will be familiar with various suitable mathematical optimization algorithms.

[0076] After desired adjustments are made, the optimization processor can compute an adjusted location of the sweet spot 62 of swinging implement 12. As mentioned above, relevant mathematical models to compute the location of the sweet spot 62 of a swinging implement 12, given its attributes, will be familiar to those of ordinary skill in the art. The adjusted location of the sweet spot can be updated on the display of computing device 44.

[0077] Additional adjustment iterations can be performed until a desired (e.g., maximized) alignment between contact point distribution 70 and the adjusted location of the sweet spot 62 is reached.

[0078] For example, in some embodiments of the disclosure, it is contemplated that adjustments may be made until the centroid of contact point distribution 70 and the longitudinal midpoint of the sweet spot coincide. As another example, adjustments may be made until the highest-frequency portion of contact point distribution 70 and the longitudinal midpoint of the sweet spot coincide. Of course, other alignments are contemplated and are regarded as within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0079] Figures 9B and 9C illustrate how alterations to the attributes of swinging implement 12, such as its dimensions, can alter the position, size, and / or shape of sweet spot 62. In Figures 9B and 9C, the original configuration of swinging implement 12 is shown in solid line and an altered configuration is shown in phantom line. It should be understood that the adjustments illustrated in Figures 9B and 9C are merely exemplary and that different and / or additional attributes may be adjusted as part of an optimization process according to the instant teachings.Attorney Docket No. BDNA-0002

[0080] Figures 8B and 8C illustrate successive iterations of the optimization process. As shown in Figures 8B and 8C, gradual modifications to the characteristics of swinging implement 12 cause sweet spot 62 to move incrementally closer to the knob end of swinging implement 12 (Figure 8B) until sweet spot 62 and contact point distribution 70 are substantially aligned (e.g. with the longitudinal midpoint of sweet spot 62 coincident with the highest-frequency portion of contact point distribution 70, as shown in Figure 8C). Of course, it is also possible to move sweet spot 62 incrementally closer to the barrel end of swinging implement 12 in the event that sweet spot 62 is initially too close to the handle end (that is, the opposite case of what is illustrated in Figure 8A).

[0081] As alluded to above, it is contemplated that the optimization processor may also verify any potential adjustments to the attributes of swinging implement 12 against applicable rule sets and / or physical constraints. Thus, if a user proposes an adjustment that would exceed these limits, the optimization processor can provide a warning (e.g., a visual indicator on the display of computing device 44 and / or an audible alert), and optionally may affirmatively prevent the user from making such adjustments to the attributes of swinging implement 12.

[0082] Similarly, if the optimization process is occurring automatically under control of the optimization processor (e.g., mathematical optimization), the optimization process can halt when a rule limit or physical constraint is reached, even if perfect alignment between the sweet spot and the contact point distribution has not yet been achieved.

[0083] In addition to modifying the design of existing swinging implements 12, the teachings herein can also be applied to good advantage in the initial design of swinging implements 12. For instance, the process to manufacture a baseball bat for a specific player can start with a generic bat design (e.g., 33 inch length, 30 ounce weight, maple), and the user can alter that generic design to maximize alignment between the sweet spot and the player’s contact point distribution. The optimized design can then be manufactured, using the resulting alignment data for that player’s use.

[0084] It is also contemplated that the optimization process described above can be applied not only to optimize swinging implements to particular players, but also to particular situations those players may find themselves in. For instance, by using contact point distribution data for specific situations (e.g., only against right-handed pitchers, only against left-handed pitchers,Attorney Docket No. BDNA-0002 only against pitchers that throw predominantly fastballs, only against pitchers that throw predominantly off-speed and / or breaking pitches, only late in the season when fatigue and / or injuries have altered the player’s mechanics, or combinations of the foregoing), swinging implements can be optimized to specific game conditions.

[0085] Although several embodiments have been described above with a certain degree of particularity, those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention.

[0086] For instance, an apparatus according to the foregoing teachings may be used to measure a bat made of any material commonly used in the manufacture of bats, such as wood, metal, and / or composite.

[0087] As another example, although certain embodiments are shown and described as having a generally vertical orientation, those of ordinary skill in the art would understand how to adapt the present teachings to an apparatus having a generally horizontal orientation.

[0088] As a further example, the foregoing teachings can also inform selection of an appropriate billet for manufacture of a wooden bat.

[0089] In another example, the foregoing teachings can be used to optimize other swinging implements, such as golf clubs, for use by particular individuals.

[0090] As yet another example, the outputs described herein (e.g., dimensions, profile, volume, swing weight, optimized designs, etc.) may be provided in a format usable for manufacture of additional swinging implements 12 (e.g., as a design file for a lathe that may be used to manufacture a wood bat, for CNC milling and / or additive manufacturing equipment that may be used to manufacture a metal or composite bat, or other applicable tooling).

[0091] All directional references (e.g., upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, leftward, rightward, top, bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal, clockwise, and counterclockwise) are only used for identification purposes to aid the reader’s understanding of the present invention, and do not create limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use of the invention. Joinder references (e.g, attached, coupled, connected, and the like) are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate members between a connection of elements and relative movement between elements. As such, joinder references do not necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected and in fixed relation to each other.Attorney Docket No. BDNA-0002

[0092] It is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not limiting. Changes in detail or structure may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

Attorney Docket No. BDNA-0002CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A method of optimizing a swinging implement, the method comprising: receiving, in an optimization processor, an initial location of a sweet spot of the swinging implement; receiving, in the optimization processor, a contact point distribution for real-world usage of the swinging implement; and performing, via the optimization processor, at least one iteration of: adjusting one or more attributes of the swinging implement; and computing an adjusted location of the sweet spot of the swinging implement, to improve alignment between the sweet spot of the swinging implement and the contact point distribution.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the performing is iterated until alignment between the sweet spot of the swinging implement and the contact point distribution is maximized.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein adjusting one or more attributes of the swinging implement comprises: generating a graphical user interface for adjustment of the one or more attributes of the swinging implement; and receiving user input comprising adjustment of the one or more attributes of the swinging implement through the graphical user interface.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein adjusting one or more attributes of the swinging implement occurs automatically under control of the optimization processor.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the contact point distribution is determined using data from an individual’s use of the swinging implement to strike a ball.Attorney Docket No. BDNA-00026. The method according to claim 1, wherein the one or more attributes of the swinging implement are selected from the group consisting of length of the swinging implement, diameter of the swinging implement, profile of the swinging implement, and weight of the swinging implement.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the swinging implement comprises a bat.

8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising outputting, via the optimization processor and after the at least one iteration, a design file for manufacture of an optimized swinging implement.

9. A system for optimizing a swinging implement, the system comprising: an optimization processor configured to: receive an initial location of a sweet spot of the swinging implement; receive a contact point distribution for real-world usage of the swinging implement; and perform at least one iteration of an optimization process comprising: adjusting one or more attributes of the swinging implement; and computing an adjusted location of the sweet spot of the swinging implement, to improve alignment between the sweet spot of the swinging implement and the contact point distribution data.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the optimization processor is configured to perform iterations of the optimization process until alignment between the sweet spot of the swinging implement and the contact point distribution is maximized.

11. The system according to claim 9, wherein adjusting one or more attributes of the swinging implement comprises: generating a graphical user interface for adjustment of the one or more attributes of the swinging implement; andAttorney Docket No. BDNA-0002 receiving user input comprising adjustment of the one or more attributes of the swinging implement through the graphical user interface.

12. The system according to claim 9, wherein adjusting one or more attributes of the swinging implement occurs automatically under control of the optimization processor.

13. The system according to claim 9, wherein the contact point distribution is determined using data from an individual’s use of the swinging implement to strike a ball.

14. The system according to claim 9, wherein the one or more attributes of the swinging implement are selected from the group consisting of length of the swinging implement, diameter of the swinging implement, profile of the swinging implement, and weight of the swinging implement.

15. The system according to claim 9, wherein the swinging implement comprises a bat.

16. The system according to claim 8, wherein the optimization processor is further configured to output, after the at least one iteration of the optimization process, a design file for manufacture of an optimized swinging implement.

17. A method of manufacturing an optimized swinging implement, the method comprising: receiving, in an optimization processor, a contact point distribution for real-world usage of a swinging implement by a user; and establishing, via the optimization processor, an initial swinging implement design having a sweet spot; performing, via the optimization processor, at least one iteration of creating an adjusted swinging implement design by adjusting one or more attributes of the initial swinging implement design; and computing a location of the sweet spot of the adjusted swinging implement design, until a desired alignment between the location of the sweet spot of the adjusted swinging implement design and the contact point distribution is achieved; andAttorney Docket No. BDNA-0002 manufacturing a swinging implement according to the adjusted swinging implement design that exhibits the desired alignment.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the one or more attributes of the swinging implement design are selected from the group consisting of a length of the swinging implement design, a diameter of the swinging implement design, a profile of the swinging implement design, a material of the swinging implement design, a density of the material of the swinging implement design, and a density gradient of the material of the swinging implement design.

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