Apparatus and method for determining the center of percussion ("sweet spot") for baseball bats and other objects
First Claim
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1. Apparatus for determining the center of percussion or "sweet spot" of a baseball bat including:
- means for mounting a baseball bat about an axis of rotation, said baseball bat rotates about said axis of rotation through a cycle of oscillation;
said axis of rotation of said baseball bat being located approximately at one end thereof;
measurement member positioned about said other end of said baseball bat; and
a timing circuit positioned in said measurement member and in a calculation network for measuring the period of oscillation of said baseball bat;
said means for mounting including;
a frame assembly including a base and a vertically extending frame;
a clamp assembly for gripping said one end of said baseball bat; and
a shaft mounted onto said vertically extending frame for rotation with respect thereto, said shaft supporting said clamp assembly such that said baseball bat is mounted for rotation in a substantially vertical plane.
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Abstract
Apparatus and method is provided for determining the subjective sweet spot of a baseball bat, softball bat or other object of percussion. The subjective sweet spot is determined by first measuring the period of oscillation of the baseball bat or other object of percussion through an angular displacement of five degrees or less. Thereafter, a particular formula is utilized for determining the subjective sweet spot and the sweet spot is marked on the baseball bat for use by the hitter. The principles of this invention may be utilized on other objects of percussion such as softball bats, golf clubs and the like.
22 Citations
6 Claims
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1. Apparatus for determining the center of percussion or "sweet spot" of a baseball bat including:
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means for mounting a baseball bat about an axis of rotation, said baseball bat rotates about said axis of rotation through a cycle of oscillation; said axis of rotation of said baseball bat being located approximately at one end thereof; measurement member positioned about said other end of said baseball bat; and
a timing circuit positioned in said measurement member and in a calculation network for measuring the period of oscillation of said baseball bat;said means for mounting including; a frame assembly including a base and a vertically extending frame; a clamp assembly for gripping said one end of said baseball bat; and a shaft mounted onto said vertically extending frame for rotation with respect thereto, said shaft supporting said clamp assembly such that said baseball bat is mounted for rotation in a substantially vertical plane. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A method of determining the sweet spot for a baseball bat comprising the steps of:
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locating the area for gripping said baseball bat to determine the center of rotation; mounting said baseball bat for oscillation in a vertical plane; measuring the period of oscillation of said baseball bat through an angular displacement of five degrees or less to obtain a value; applying said value for the period of rotation T in the following formula;
space="preserve" listing-type="equation">L=24.81 T.sup.2marking said baseball bat a distance L from said center of rotation, which marking indicates the subjective sweet spot or center of percussion. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6)
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Specification