Training bat and method

Abstract

The training bat of the present invention has a length and weight substantially equivalent to that of a conventional bat. It furthermore has vibration-dampening properties to reduce vibration resulting from swinging motion of the bat and especially from contact between the bat and ball. The training bat is comprised of a barrel section, a handle, and a transition section intermediate to the barrel section and the handle section. The barrel section has a diameter, which is smaller than that of a conventional bat. However, the barrel section also includes a weighted member such that the training bat has a weight, which is substantially equivalent to that of a conventional bat. In addition, the training bat of the present invention provides true ball compression/ball flight and game-like exit speeds.

1 . A training bat comprising: 
 a barrel section having a diameter, said diameter being smaller than that of a conventional bat; and    a handle section operatively connected to said barrel section;    wherein said training bat has a length and a weight which are substantially equivalent to the length and weight of a conventional bat; and    wherein said barrel and handle sections are adapted to dampen vibration, provide true ball compression, and game-like ball exit speeds.    
   
   
       2 . The training bat of  claim 1 , further wherein said barrel section includes a weighted member such that the weight of the training bat is substantially equivalent to that of a conventional bat having a length substantially equivalent to the length of said training bat.  
   
   
       3 . The training bat of  claim 1 , said barrel section made from a material selected from the group consisting of wood, aluminum, aluminum-titanium alloys, beryllium, scandium and plastic composite.  
   
   
       4 . A training bat comprising: 
 a barrel section having a diameter, said diameter being smaller than the diameters of the barrel sections of respective conventional Little League, baseball, and softball bats, where the diameters of said respective conventional bats range between about 2¼ inches and about 2¾ inches; and    a handle section operatively connected to said barrel section;    wherein said training bat has a length and a weight which are substantially equivalent to the length and weight of said respective conventional bats; and    wherein said barrel and handle sections are adapted to dampen vibration, provide true ball compression, and game-like ball exit speeds.    
   
   
       5 . The training bat of  claim 4 , further wherein said barrel section includes a weighted member such that the weight of the training bat is substantially equivalent to that of said respective conventional bats having a length substantially equivalent to the length of said training bat.  
   
   
       6 . The training bat of  claim 4 , said barrel section made from a material selected from the group consisting of wood, aluminum, aluminum-titanium alloys, beryllium, scandium and plastic composite.  
   
   
       7 . A training bat comprising: 
 a barrel section having a diameter in the range between about 1½ inches and about 1¾ inches; and    a handle section operatively connected to said barrel section;    wherein said training bat has a length and a weight which are substantially equivalent to the length and weight of a respective conventional Little League, baseball, or softball bat; and    wherein at least one of said barrel and handle sections is adapted to dampen vibration, provide true ball compression, and game-like ball exit speeds.    
   
   
       8 . The training bar of  claim 1 , wherein said barrel section diameter is about 1⅝ inches.  
   
   
       9 . The training bat of  claim 7 , further wherein said barrel section includes a weighted member such that the weight of the training bat is substantially equivalent to that of said respective conventional bats having a length substantially equivalent to the length of said training bat.  
   
   
       10 . The training bat of  claim 7 , said barrel section made from a material selected from the group consisting of wood, aluminum, aluminum-titanium alloys, beryllium, scandium and plastic composite.  
   
   
       11 . The training bat of  claim 1 , wherein a filler material in one of said barrel section and said handle section is rubber.  
   
   
       12 . The training bat of  claim 11 , wherein said filler material is two-ply rubber.  
   
   
       13 . The training bat of  claim 11 , wherein said filler material has a density of 17 grams per linear inch.  
   
   
       14 . The training bat of  claim 1 , wherein a silicone-based hot melt is a filler material in said handle section.  
   
   
       15 . The training bat of  claim 1 , wherein an end section in said barrel section contains a silicone-based hot melt in an amount ranging from about 1 ounce to about 2 ounces.  
   
   
       16 . The training bat of  claim 1 , wherein said handle section includes a rubber grip.  
   
   
       17 . The training bat of  claim 16 , wherein said said handle section includes a two-ply rubber grip.