Bat customization system

• US 9,731,179 B2
• Filed: 07/30/2014
• Issued: 08/15/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wilson Sporting Goods Company (Anta International Group Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Wilson Sporting Goods Company (Anta International Group Holdings Ltd.)
• Inventors: Gaff, Bradley L., Flood, Jeffrey A., Thurman, Robert T., Goodwin, Ty B., Stenzler, Joshua S., Fritzke, Mark A., Epling, Sean S.
• Primary Examiner(s): GRAHAM, MARK S
• Application Number:
  US14/447,584
• Publication Number:
  US 20140342853A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,112 Days
• Field of Search: 473457, 473519, 473520, 473564-568
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/18 Baseball, rounders or similar games
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/00 Characteristics of used materials
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/50 Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/833 Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/09 Adjustable dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 59/50 Substantially rod-shaped bats for hitting a ball in the air, e.g. for baseball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 59/54 made of plastic
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/04 Movable ballast means A63B15/005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/16 Caps; Ferrules
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/42 Devices for measuring, verifying, correcting or customising the inherent characteristics of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like, e.g. measuring the maximum torque a batting shaft can withstand
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/52 with slits
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/54 with means for damping vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0045 specially adapted for games played with rackets or bats A63B60/56 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0621 Item configuration or customization

Abstract

An apparatus for engagement with a barrel of a bat includes a cup and at least one cover. The cup is secured for securement to a distal end of the barrel of the bat. The cup defines a cavity and includes a first connector portion. The at least one cover has a second connector portion cooperating with the first connector portion to releasably secure the cover to the cup over the cavity.

Claims

1. An apparatus for engagement with a tubular barrel of a bat having an internal bore, the apparatus comprising:

a cup fixedly secured to a distal end of the barrel of the bat, the cup having a sidewall and a planar floor, the cup sized such that the sidewall engages an inner surface of the tubular barrel, the entire floor being transparent, translucent, semi-transparent or semi-translucent to facilitate viewing of the internal bore through the floor, the cup defining a cavity and including a first connector portion; and

at least one cover having a second connector portion cooperating with the first connector portion to releasably secure the cover to the cup over the cavity, the cover, when releasably secured to the cup, occluding view of the floor.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first connector portion and the second connector portion comprise a first bayonet connector and a second bayonet connector, respectively.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a secondary locking mechanism to retain the cover in a locked position over the cavity.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the secondary locking mechanism is a fastener releasably coupling the cover to the cup.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a plug extending from the cover and insertable into the cavity while the cover is releasably secured to the cup over the cavity.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a first plug releasably connected to the cover and extending from the cover so as to be received by the cavity while the cover is releasably secured to the cup over the cavity, the first plug having a first weight; and

a second plug interchangeable with the first plug, the second plug being releasably connectable to the cover so as to extend from the cover into the cavity while the cover is releasably secured to the cup over the cavity, the second plug having a second weight different than the first weight.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one cover includes at least a first cover and a second cover, and wherein the apparatus further comprises:

a first plug coupled to the first cover and extending from the first cover so as to be received by the cavity while the first cover is releasably secured to the cup over the cavity, the first plug having a first weight; and

a second plug coupled to the second cover, the second plug being releasably connectable to the second cover so as to extend from the second cover into the cavity while the second cover is releasably secured to the cup over the cavity, the second plug having a second weight different than the first weight.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a second cover interchangeable with the first cover, the second cover having a third connector portion cooperating with the first connector portion to releasably secure the second cover to the cup over the cavity, the first cover having a first weight and the second cover having a second weight different than the first weight.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one cover includes at least a first cover and a second cover, further comprising a first plug extending from the first cover and a second plug extending from the second cover, wherein the first plug has a first weight and the second plug has a second weight different from the first weight, and wherein second cover is interchangeable with the first cover, and wherein the second cover has a third connector portion to cooperate with the first connector portion to releasably secure the second cover to the cup over the cavity.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first plug is formed from a first material and wherein the second plug is formed from a second material different than the first material.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first plug has a first length and wherein the second plug has a second length different than the first length.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cover extends about an axis to coincide with a centerline of the barrel and wherein the apparatus further comprises:

an assembly tool comprising a body for releasably locking to the cover asymmetric the axis.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the cover comprises an asymmetric bore and wherein the body comprises a pin to project into the asymmetric bore.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cavity defines a depth measured along an axis coinciding with a centerline of the barrel that is at least 1.0 inch.

15. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the at least first and second covers includes at least the first cover, the second cover and a third cover, and wherein the apparatus further comprises:

a third plug coupled to the third cover and extending from the third cover so as to be received by the cavity while the third cover is releasably secured to the cup over the cavity, the third plug having a third weight, and Wherein the third weight is different from the first and second weights.

16. An apparatus for engagement with a barrel of a bat, the apparatus comprising:

a cup secured for securement to a distal end of the barrel of the bat, the cup defining a cavity and including a first connector portion;

at least one cover having a second connector portion cooperating with the first connector portion to releasably secure the cover to the cup over the cavity, the first connector portion and the second connector portion comprising a first bayonet connector and a second bayonet connector, respectively; and

a secondary locking mechanism to retain the cover in a locked position over the cavity, the secondary locking mechanism comprising;

a locking member; and

a resiliently biased push button operably coupled to the locking member and depressible to release the locking member.

17. An apparatus for engagement with a barrel of a bat, the apparatus comprising:

a cup secured for securement to a distal end of the barrel of the bat, the cup defining a cavity and including a first connector portion; and

at least one cover having a second connector portion cooperating with the first connector portion to releasably secure the cover to the cup over the cavity; and

a wireless transmitter received within the cup and covered by the cover.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 further comprising at least one sensor received within the cup and in communication with the wireless transmitter.

19. An apparatus for engagement with a barrel of a bat, the apparatus comprising:

a cup secured for securement to a distal end of the barrel of the bat, the cup defining a cavity and including a first connector portion;

at least one cover having a second connector portion cooperating with the first connector portion to releasably secure the cover to the cup over the cavity;

a plug extending from the cover and insertable into the cavity, the cover being releasably securable to the cup over the cavity; and

a wireless transmitter and at least one sensor coupled to the cover.