Bat customization system
AssigneeWilson Sporting Goods Co.
InventorsRobert T. Thurman, Ty B. Goodwin, Joshua S. Stenzler, Mark A. Fritzke, Bradley L. Gaff, Jeffrey A. Flood, Sean S. Epling
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for releasable attachment to a handle of a ball bat includes a base fixedly coupled to a proximal end of the handle of the bat, and at least one knob releasably coupled to the base. The base includes knob-engaging structure. The knob includes base-engaging structure to cooperate with the knob engaging structure to inhibit rotation of the knob with respect to the longitudinal axis of the bat.
Claims23
An apparatus for releasable attachment to a handle of a ball bat having a longitudinal axis, the handle having a proximal end with a proximal end surface, the apparatus comprising:
- a base fixedly coupled to the proximal end of the handle of the bat, the base including knob-engaging structure;
- and
- at least first and second knobs releasably and selectably coupled to the base, each of the at least first and second knobs including base-engaging structure to cooperate with the knob engaging structure to inhibit rotation of the knob with respect to the longitudinal axis of the bat, the first knob including a first head having a first top surface, the second knob including a neck and a second head having a second top surface, the neck portion extending from the proximal end surface and along the outer surface of the proximal end of the handle and supporting the second head, the first and second top surfaces having first and second axial positions about the longitudinal axis of the bat, respectively, the second axial position being positioned further from the proximal end surface of the bat than the first axial position by a predetermined distance, the entire head of the second knob being spaced apart from the proximal end surface of the bat.
An apparatus for releasable attachment to a handle of a ball bat having a longitudinal axis, the apparatus comprising:
- a base fixedly coupled to a proximal end of the handle of the bat, the base including knob-engaging structure;
- and
- at least one knob releasably coupled to the base, the knob including base-engaging structure to cooperate with the knob engaging structure to inhibit rotation of the knob with respect to the longitudinal axis of the bat, the knob having an axis to coincide with a centerline of the handle, the knob being shaped to asymmetrically extend about the axis, the knob comprising a first perimeter portion radially spaced from the axis by a one or more first radial distances and a second perimeter portion radially spaced from the axis by one or more second radial distances, each of the one or more first radial distances being less than each of the one or more second radial distances, wherein the one or more first radial distances comprises a plurality of varying distances, and wherein the one or more second radial distances comprise a single radial distance.
An apparatus for releasable attachment to a tubular handle of a ball bat having a longitudinal axis and a proximal end surface, the apparatus comprising:
- a base fixedly coupled to a proximal end of the handle of the bat, the base including a plug positioned entirely within the tubular handle, a head including a handle surface engaging the proximal of the handle, and knob-engaging structure;
- at least one knob releasably coupled to the base, the knob including base-engaging structure to cooperate with the knob engaging structure to inhibit rotation of the knob with respect to the longitudinal axis of the bat, the knob defining a through-bore, wherein the base defines a base bore;
- and
- a fastener extending through the through-bore to axially and removably secure the knob to the base.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.