# US 2014/0207607 A1 · System for customizing a ball bat

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- Number: US 2014/0207607 A1
- Document ID: US20140207607A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 14/041,707
- Filed: 2013-09-30
- Published: 2014-07-24
- Earliest claimed: 2013-01-24
- Assignees: Wilson Sporting Goods Co.
- Applicants: Wilson Sporting Goods Co.
- Inventors: Ty B. Goodwin; Jeffrey A. Flood; Mark A. Fritzke
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140207607A1

## CPC

- A63B 59/50: Substantially rod-shaped bats for hitting a ball in the air, e.g. for baseball
- A63B 60/08: characterised by the material
- A63B 60/10: with means for indicating correct holding positions (A63B60/12 takes precedence)
- 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
- G06Q 30/0621: {by configuring or customising goods or services}
- A63B 2102/18: Baseball, rounders or similar games
- A63B 2102/182: {Softball}
- A63B 2209/00: Characteristics of used materials
- A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H)
- G06Q: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

## Abstract

A system for customizing a ball bat for a user includes a processor, a display operably coupled to the processor, an input mechanism, and a memory operably coupled to the processor. The ball bat includes a handle portion, a barrel portion and an element. The electronic device is configured to provide first, second third and fourth user interfaces to the user. The first, second and third user interfaces include a representation of at least one handle portion, one barrel portion and one element, respectively. The first, second and third user interfaces are configured to enable the user to select at least one characteristic of the handle portion, the barrel portion and the element, respectively. The fourth user interface includes a representation of the bat including the handle portion, the barrel portion and the element. The input mechanism is configured to enable the user to confirm the selected combination.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for enabling a user to customize a ball bat using an electronic device having a processor, a display operably coupled to the processor, an input mechanism, and a memory operably coupled to the processor, the method comprising:
presenting to the user on the display of the electronic device representations of a plurality of handle portions of the ball bat, the plurality of handle portions varying from one another according to at least one handle portion characteristic, the handle portion characteristic selected from the group consisting of length, outer diameter, weight, color, resistance to bending, strength, wall thickness, material, and combinations thereof;
receiving user input through the input mechanism selecting the one of the plurality of handle portions;
presenting to the user on the display of the electronic device representations of a plurality of barrel portions of the ball bat, each of the barrel portions having an outer diameter and a length, the plurality of barrel portions varying from one another according to at least one barrel portion characteristic, the barrel portion characteristic selected from the group consisting of length, weight, weight distribution, nominal outer diameter, maximum outer diameter, wall thickness, strength, model name, color, stiffness, material, and combinations thereof;
receiving user input through the input mechanism selecting the one of the plurality of barrel portions;
presenting to the user on the display of the electronic device representations of a plurality of elements, the elements configured to fixedly engage to the handle portion and to fixedly engage to the barrel portion, the plurality of elements varying from one another according to at least one element characteristic, the element characteristic selected from the group consisting of length, weight, color, color pattern, texture, tactile feel, material, material hardness, and combinations thereof;
receiving user input through the input mechanism selecting the one of the plurality of elements;
presenting a representation of the ball bat in an assembled state on the display with the selected handle portion, barrel portion and element included in the representation; and
receiving user input through the input mechanism confirming the selection of the handle portion, the barrel portion and the element.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:
providing representations of a plurality of end caps of the ball bat, wherein each of the end caps is configured for fixedly engaging to a distal end of the selected barrel portion, wherein the plurality of end caps varies from one another according to at least one end cap characteristic, wherein the end cap characteristic is selected from the group consisting of size, weight, color, color pattern, style, price, material, and combinations thereof, and receiving user input through the input mechanism selecting the one of the plurality of end caps.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:
providing representations of a plurality of knobs of the ball bat, wherein each of the knobs is configured for fixedly engaging to a proximal end of the selected handle portion, wherein the plurality of knobs varies from one another according to at least one knob characteristic, wherein the knob characteristic is selected from the group consisting of size, weight, color, color pattern, style, price, material, and combinations thereof, and receiving user input through the input mechanism selecting the one of the plurality of knobs.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:
providing representations of a plurality of grips of the ball bat, wherein each of the grips is configured for application to the selected handle portion, wherein the plurality of grips varies from one another according to at least one grip characteristic, wherein the grip characteristic is selected from the group consisting of width, thickness, color, color pattern, price, material, and combinations thereof, and receiving user input through the input mechanism selecting the one of the plurality of grips.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:
providing representations of a plurality of tubular inserts of the ball bat, wherein each of the tubular insert is configured for extending within the barrel portion and fixedly engaging to at least one of the element and the end cap, wherein the plurality of tubular inserts varies from one another according to at least one insert characteristic, the insert characteristic selected from the group consisting of size, weight, length, weight distribution, thickness, material, and combinations thereof, and receiving user input through the input mechanism selecting the one of the plurality of inserts.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of receiving user input selecting one or more graphical and/or alphanumeric indicia for placement onto one or more of the barrel portion, the handle portion and the element.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of following the presentation of the representation of the ball bat in an assembled state on the display with the selected handle portion, barrel portion and element included in the representation, enabling the user to edit one or more of the prior selections to alter the configuration of the representation of the ball bat.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:
communicating the plurality of user inputs to a remote computing system, the remote computing device; and
assembling the ball bat in accordance with the user inputs received by the remote computing system.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the ball bat is configured for organized, competitive play.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein each of the handle portions has an outer diameter and a length, and wherein the outer diameter being substantially uniform along the length of the handle portion.

### Claim 11

A system for customizing a ball bat for a user, the ball bat including a handle portion, a barrel portion and an element, the system comprising:
an electronic device including a processor, a display operably coupled to the processor, an input mechanism, and a memory operably coupled to the processor, the electronic device configured to provide at least first, second third and fourth user interfaces to the user;
the first user interface including a representation of at least one handle portion of the ball bat, the first user interface configured to enable the user to select or vary at least one handle portion characteristic, the handle portion characteristic selected from the group consisting of length, outer diameter, weight, color, resistance to bending, strength, wall thickness, material, and combinations thereof;
the second user interface including a representation of at least one barrel portion of the ball bat, the second user interface configured to enable the user to select or vary at least one barrel portion characteristic of the barrel portion of the ball bat, the barrel portion characteristic is selected from the group consisting of length, weight, weight distribution, nominal outer diameter, maximum outer diameter, wall thickness, strength, model name, color, stiffness, material, and combinations thereof;
the third user interface including a representation of at least one element of the ball bat, the element being configured to fixedly engage to the handle portion and to fixedly engage to the barrel portion, the third user interface configured to enable the user to select or vary at least one element characteristic of the element of the ball bat, the element characteristic is selected from the group consisting of length, weight, color, color pattern, texture, tactile feel, material, material hardness, and combinations thereof; and
the fourth user interface including a representation of the ball bat including the handle portion, the barrel portion and the element, the input mechanism configured to enable the user to confirm the selected combination of the handle portion, the barrel portion and the element.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The system of claim 11, wherein the ball bat further includes an end cap, wherein the at least first, second third and fourth user interfaces to the user includes a fifth user interface, wherein the fifth user interface includes a representation of at least one end cap of the ball bat, wherein the end cap is configured for fixedly engage a distal end of the barrel portion, wherein the fifth user interface is configured to enable the user to select or vary at least one element characteristic of the end cap of the ball bat, and wherein the end cap characteristic is selected from the group consisting of size, weight, color, color pattern, style, price, material, and combinations thereof.

### Claim 13 (depends on 11)

The system of claim 11, wherein the ball bat further includes a knob, wherein the at least first, second third and fourth user interfaces to the user includes a sixth user interface, wherein the sixth user interface includes a representation of at least one knob of the ball bat, wherein the knob is configured to fixedly engage a proximal end of the selected handle portion, wherein the sixth user interface is configured to enable the user to select or vary at least one element characteristic of the knob of the ball bat, and wherein the end cap characteristic is selected from the group consisting of size, weight, color, color pattern, style, price, material, and combinations thereof.

### Claim 14 (depends on 11)

The system of claim 11, wherein the ball bat further includes a grip attached to the handle portion of the bat, wherein the at least first, second third and fourth user interfaces to the user includes a seventh user interface, wherein the seventh user interface includes a representation of at least one grip, wherein the seventh user interface is configured to enable the user to select or vary at least one element characteristic of the grip, and wherein the grip characteristic is selected from the group consisting of width, thickness, color, color pattern, price, material, and combinations thereof.

### Claim 15 (depends on 11)

The system of claim 11, wherein at least one of the first, second, third and fourth user interfaces is configured to enable the user to select one or more graphical and/or alphanumeric indicia for placement onto one or more of the barrel portion, the handle portion and the element.

### Claim 16 (depends on 11)

The system of claim 11, wherein at least one of the first, second, third and fourth user interfaces includes a representation of the ball bat in an assembled state on the display with the selected handle portion, barrel portion and element included in the representation, and wherein the system is configured to enable the user to edit one or more of the prior selections to alter the configuration of the representation of the ball bat.

### Claim 17 (depends on 11)

The system of claim 11, further including a remote computing system in communication with the electronic device, wherein the electronic device further includes an interface device configured to send signals representative of the selected combination of the handle portion, the barrel portion and the element to the remote computing system.