Bunt training bat

• US 9,138,627 B1
• Filed: 03/11/2013
• Issued: 09/22/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Greg Layton
• Original Assignee: Greg Layton
• Inventors: Layton, Greg
• Primary Examiner(s): Aryanpour, Mitra
• Application Number:
  US13/793,295
• Time in Patent Office: 925 Days
• Field of Search: 473/422, 473/44, 473/241, 473/453, 473/457
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 15/00 Clubs for gymnastics or the like , e.g. for swinging exercises
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/0008 for batting
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0694 Visual indication, e.g. Indicia
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/50 Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/18 Inclination, slope or curvature
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/833 Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 59/54 made of plastic
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 59/56 characterised by the head
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/46 Measurement devices associated with golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like for measuring physical parameters relating to sporting activity, e.g. baseball bats with impact indicators or bracelets for measuring the golf swing
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0002 for baseball

Abstract

A bat useable for training bunting in baseball or softball includes a leveling device located within the barrel of the bat indicative of the angle between the axis of the bat and horizontal. A batter may use the bat and view the leveling device to determine whether the bat is held at a proper angle for bunting a baseball or softball. The leveling device may indicate the bat being held at different angles such as 0 degrees, 15 degrees, and 45 degrees from horizontal.

Claims

1. A bat for use in bunting a baseball or softball, the bat comprising:

a baseball or softball bat having a barrel thereof; and

a leveling device within said barrel, said leveling device configured to indicate information relating to angles between an axis of the bat and horizontal, and said leveling device comprising a plurality of inclinometers, said plurality of inclinometers oriented at different angle positions relative to said axis of said bat.

2. The bat of claim 1 wherein an inclinometer of said plurality of inclinometers comprises a vial of fluid, wherein the inclinometer contains markings thereon indicative of angle magnitudes.

3. The bat of claim 1 wherein the leveling device is configured to indicate the bat being held at a predetermined angle.

4. The bat of claim 1 wherein the barrel having said leveling device therein is made of a clear material wherein said leveling device within said barrel can be viewed through said barrel.

5. The bat of claim 1 in which a plurality of operative elements of the plurality of inclinometers are of colorations that contrast with each other.

7. The bat of claim 3 wherein the leveling device is removable and replaceable from said barrel.

8. The bat of claim 1 further comprising a mark located at a position indicative of where a hand should be placed so as to properly execute a bunt, said mark being located near the handle of said bat.

6. A method comprising:

obtaining a baseball or softball bat having a barrel thereof, said bat for use in bunting a baseball or softball; and

disposing a leveling device at least partially within said barrel of said bat, wherein said leveling device indicates information relating to an angle between an axis of the bat and horizontal, wherein said leveling device comprises a plurality of inclinometers, said plurality of inclinometers oriented at different angle positions relative to said axis of said bat.

9. The method of claim 6 wherein an inclinometer of said plurality of inclinometers comprises a vial of fluid.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein said inclinometer of said plurality of inclinometers contains markings thereon indicative of angle magnitudes.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the barrel having said leveling device disposed at least partially therein is made of a clear material wherein said leveling device disposed at least partially within said barrel can be viewed through said barrel.

12. The method of claim 6 wherein the leveling device is configured to indicate the bat being held at a predetermined angle.

13. The method of claim 6 wherein the leveling device is removable and replaceable from said barrel.

14. The method of claim 6, wherein the bat further comprises a mark located at a position indicative of where a hand should be placed so as to properly execute a bunt, said mark being located near a handle of said bat.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the bat further comprises a grip material on the handle of said bat.

16. The method of claim 6 wherein a plurality of operative elements of the plurality of inclinometers are of colorations that contrast with each other.