DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0051] It will be understood, as respects the following descriptions, that the contents of my copending application Ser. No. 10/159,826 are incorporated herein, by reference.

[0052] Referring to FIGS. 1 - 4 , a weight holder device is shown at 10 , for use on a ball striker such as a baseball bat 100 as during warm-up swinging of the bat. It includes a receptacle 11 having an elongated opening or slit 12 via which, or through which, a ball striking portion 13 of the striker is received. Portion 13 may also be referred to herein as a “head”. The receptacle has a front side 11 a , a rear side 11 b , a distal end 11 c , and a proximal end at 11 d . In this example, the opening 12 extends from the proximal end lid to a convergence 11 e in the front side 11 a , and may have a long dimension indicated at 14 in FIG. 2 . That dimension is typically sufficient to allow entry of the head 13 endwise, sidewise through the opening, and endwise into the receptacle forward sleeve portion 11 f , as well as easy removal from the receptacle. The receptacle typically consists of flexible fabric or other material which is tough and durable, as for example synthetic resinous (plastic) material.

[0053] The elongated receptacle preferably has wall portions, and typically at least two of the following:

[0054] i) an elongated front side or first wall portion 16 to extend adjacent, or proximate a side of the head 13 of the bat 100 ;

[0055] ii) a rear side or second wall portion 17 to extend adjacent or proximate the head rear side;

[0056] iii) a forward or third wall portion 19 to extend forwardly of or adjacent the distal end of the bat head;

[0057] iv) a rearward or fourth wall portion 20 at the proximal end of the receptacle, and at the narrowed end 10 c of the bat, near handle 100 a of the bat.

[0058] The receptacle further defines an interior cavity or slot 22 receiving the head, and wall 16 is slit as at 18 , along part of the receptacle length, the slit intersecting proximal end 11 d . Proximal end opening 100 d of the receptacle intersects the slit 18 to form an enlarged opening 102 , for ease of bat reception. The narrowed portion of the bat “lays into” opening 100 d.

[0059] As will be seen, a retainer is carried on the receptacle to extend and to be fastened in a position for retaining the receptacle in close fitting relation to the bat shank.

[0060] In the example, a retainer in the form of a strap 25 is shown in open position in FIG. 4 ; and in closed position in FIG. 1 . The strap is or may be integral with the proximal end wall portion 11 d of the receptacle. The receptacle extents 18 a and 18 b turned open in FIG. 4 , define a flap or flaps, that have forward and rearward angled edges 25 a and 25 b , convergent and intersecting at 11 e . When flap 18 a is folded at fold zone 25 d , edge 25 a folds over edge 25 b and over the side of the received bat, in close fitting relation. The flap 25 a inner surface 25 f may be retained to outer surface 25 q of flap 18 b , as by hook and pile attachment, after spiral winding of one flap over the other, enabling easy opening and closing of the flap 18 a and its adjustable firm closing of the described enlarged opening 102 , as well as tightening to closely fit the receptacle to the bat ball striking portion, while at the same time providing very firm attachment of the device to the bat, preventing loosening and/or detachment, as during club swinging. See FIG. 5 . Strap 25 may be wound about the closed flaps, at the proximal end of the receptacle, to effect at least part closing of proximal end opening 102 , and VELCRO 25 b on the strap surfaces holds it closed. Hook and pile structure preferably extends over a wide inner extent of folded back flap 18 a , and a wide outer extent of flap 18 b , as shown, so that the flap 18 a can be adjustably attached in selected positions (tightened and loosened), considering the different cross sectional sizes of different bats to be protectively confined. Therefore, versatility of the device is enhanced. The majority of opening 102 is covered by the flap, as in FIG. 5 . The closed flaps have taper toward handle 100 a , as seen in FIG. 5 , due to bat shank taper, locking the receptacle to the bat against endwise separation as during practice swinging.

[0061] Further in accordance with the invention, weighting structure is carried by the receptacle to add substantial weight to the head weight, for use in bat swinging; and it may typically be carried by a receptacle inner sleeve 40 that fits endwise into receptacle outer sleeve 41 . See FIGS. 2 and 3 .

[0062] The weighting structure is so carried that it is located at or proximate one of the following:

[0063] i) at least one of such wall portions on at least one sleeve;

[0064] ii) at least two of such wall portions on at least one sleeve;

[0065] iii) at least three of such wall portions, on at least one sleeve;

[0066] iv) at least four such wall portions on at least one sleeve.

[0067] In FIGS. 1 - 4 , the weighting structure includes two metallic weights 35 and 36 located in pockets 35 a and 36 a at or near the distal end of sleeve 40 . Such pockets may be formed by receptacle or sleeve material. The thickness of each weight is typically less than its length and less than its width, as shown. The pockets may be closed to hold the weights in positions, as described. The weights are retained in selected position or positions as by the sleeve or sleeves as shown, and the pockets may be selectively attached (for example sewn) to sleeve wall fabric, as by hook and pile elements, or other structure. The pockets can be adjustably or permanently attached to sleeve 40 .

[0068] Weight material may alternatively consist of metallic granules or non-metallic pebbles or particulates.

[0069] FIGS. 1 - 4 show a preferred example of the invention.

[0070] FIG. 5 is generally like FIGS. 1 - 4 , except that a zipper 200 is used to close the flaps 18 a and 18 b , along their edges. The zipper extends from 11 e to 100 d , as shown and as described above, and it closes in the direction toward 100 d , to allow bat entry into the receptacle in zipper open position. Strap 25 wraps about the closed end of the receptacle, and about the zipper handle 202 , for securing the zipper in closed condition. The strap may extend through a buckle loop 203 , to turn back and fasten VELCRO 25 b to corresponding VELCRO on the strap surface, thereby providing a firm lock, which is releasable when desired.

[0071] The weights 204 and 205 may be carried in a pocket 206 that is fastened in a selected position in the receptacle, as by VELCRO 207 . Multiple such weighted pockets may be used, and selectively positioned along or about the bat axis.

[0072] FIG. 6 shows a version generally like FIGS. 1 - 4 , but employing a cushion 210 such as foamed plastic, at the distal end 211 of the receptacle 11 ′, which may be like receptacle 11 . Note taper of the receptacle toward the bat handle 10 a , which ‘locks’ the receptacle to the tapered bat, preventing detachment of the receptacle or weights 235 from the bat. The weight 235 may be attached to the receptacle as described in FIG. 3 .

[0073] FIG. 7 is generally like FIGS. 1 - 4 , except that slip resistant material 218 may be applied in a local zone between the bat surface and the inner surface 219 of the receptacle or protector flap 18 a folded against the bat surfaces, and then to overlap flap 18 b , as described above. This prevents centrifugal sliding of the receptacle 11 along the bat, during swinging.

[0074] FIG. 8 shows a receptacle 11 ″ of the type described above, but consisting of resiliently stretchable material, such as NEOPRENE. This allows stretching of the receptacle to fit about larger diameter bats 224 . Weights are provided internally at 225 at the distal end of the receptacle. A security strap 227 is wrapped about the proximate end of the receptacle, and may be held in place with VELCRO or a buckle.

[0075] In FIG. 9 , weights 228 are provided in one location near the distal end of receptacle 229 that receives the bat 230 , and not distributed about the bat or receptacle axis. This enables development of angular momentum about the bat axis as the bat is swung, promoting wrist roll training of the user, during a practice swing. The weights may be located at the upper side of the receptacle as the user holds the bat forwardly before swinging. Wrist roll is toward the pitcher. A weight indicator is provided at 228 a.

[0076] In FIGS. 10 and 11 , weights are provided as at 35 and 36 in FIG. 3 , at the distal end of the receptacle 11 , and also at the knob end of the bat 13 , i.e. at the end of the handle 100 . A small receptacle 235 holding weights 236 fits over the knob 237 , and is held in place by a strap 238 carried by 235 and tightened about the handle 100 adjacent the knob. This provides some weight balance at opposite ends of the bat, during swinging. See also strap buckle 239 .

[0077] The form of the invention seen in FIG. 12 is like FIGS. 1 - 4 , except that no separate weights are provided, whereby bat protection is provided by the receptacle 11 . Elements are numbered the same as in FIGS. 1 - 4 . FIG. 13 is like FIG. 5 , employing a zipper 200 , but, again, no separate weights are provided. FIG. 14 is like FIG. 12 , except that a drawstring 25 d is provided, instead of a strap 25 , and tightens the receptacle proximal end about the bat, when pulled. In FIG. 15 , the flexible protector or receptacle 241 is like receptacle 11 , but extends lengthwise about the entire bat 242 . The narrowed open end 241 a of the receptacle extends beyond the knob end 242 a of the bat, and may be tightened or closed, as by a draw-type strap or string 243 like 25 d . The protector protects against nicking or scratching of the bat surface. The enlarged distal end of the protector may be weighted, as at end zone 241 b , for swing-weight purposes as described above.

[0078] FIG. 16 shows a receptacle 11 , as in FIGS. 1 - 4 , with strap 25 suspended by a chain link fence mesh 255 . A clip may be connected to 25 to hang from the mesh.

[0079] FIGS. 17 and 18 show an enlarged receptacle 265 enveloping the ball striking portion of a tennis racket 266 , having projecting handle 266 a . VELCRO on folds 267 and 268 (like 18 a and 18 b ) is adapted to retain the slitted receptacle in closed condition. Weights 269 and 270 are located at opposite sides of the receptacle, for racket balance, during swinging. FIG. 19 is like FIGS. 17 and 18 , except that a peripheral zipper 275 is used to close folds 276 and 277 . The receptacle can be line with protective material to prevent damage to the racket frame and straps. FIG. 21 shows use of a security strap 279 that wraps about the zipper handle 275 a , for added security against unzipping.

[0080] In FIG. 22 , the receptacle 285 is of bag type and size, adapted for enclosing a square or racket ball racket 286 . It has a larger end opening at 287 , to be closed by drawstring strap 288 . Weights 290 are located at the distal end of the receptacle, as shown.

[0081] In FIGS. 23 and 24 , a lacrosse stick 300 has a handle 300 a and a looping frame 300 b carrying net 300 c . A flap-type receptacle 301 is sized to extend about the frame, and the collapsed net, as in FIG. 24 . A receptacle flap 303 folds back over a side 301 a of the receptacle, for VELCRO closure of contact surfaces 304 and 305 . Weights 306 are carried by the distal end of the receptacle. Similarly, in FIGS. 25 - 27 a cricket bat 310 has a handle 310 a and a ball striker or paddle 310 b . A receptacle 311 is sized to receive the paddle enclosure, via its opened proximal end, and a flap 312 on 311 folds at 312 a to engage the VELCRO surfaces at the inner side of the flap, and at 313 on the front of 311 , closing the opening and tightly connecting the receptacle to the bat, at narrowed region 310 c . Weights 314 are carried at the distal end of 311 . FIG. 27 shows use of a strap 25 to close the open end of receptacle 311 , in the manner of the strap 25 in FIGS. 1 - 4 .

[0082] FIG. 28 shows a polo stick 320 , and head 321 to be enclosed by receptacle 322 . A flap 323 closes the receptacle, by VELCRO, at the lower end of the stick 320 , to retain it against dislodgement. Weights 324 are carried by the receptacle.

[0083] In FIGS. 29 and 30 , hockey stick 330 carries a head 331 to be enveloped by receptacle 332 . A flap 333 closes the receptacle, by contact of VELCRO surfaces 333 a and 333 b at the narrowed neck end 330 a of the stick to retain it. See folded flap in FIG. 29 . Weight or weights 335 are carried by the receptacle at its distal end.