Method for coupling a sensor to a piece of equipment, such as a golf club, baseball bat, or tennis racket, that ensures that the sensor is in a known position and orientation relative to the equipment. Compensates and calibrates for degrees of freedom introduced in manufacturing and installation. The method may include manufacturing a sensor receiver that aligns with equipment in a fixed orientation, and that holds a sensor housing in a fixed orientation relative to the receiver. Remaining uncertainties in sensor position and orientation may be addressed using post-installation calibration. Calibration may include performing specific calibration movements with the equipment and analyzing the sensor data collected during these calibration movements.

A ball bat extending about a longitudinal axis and includes a handle portion, a barrel portion, an injection molded element, and a tubular insert. The handle portion has a generally uniform outer diameter. The barrel portion has proximal and distal regions spaced apart by a central region. The element includes a tubular inner wall defining a longitudinal bore. The element is non-removably attached to the handle member. The element includes a tapered proximal region, a barrel engaging region, and an insert engaging region for engaging the insert. The insert engaging region includes a stop for inhibiting longitudinal movement of the insert. The barrel engaging region non-removably engages the proximal region. The bat having a total length measured from a proximal end of the handle portion to a distal end of the barrel portion. The handle portion has a length that is less than 70 percent of the total length.

A ball bat extending about a longitudinal axis and includes a handle portion, a barrel portion, an injection molded element, and a tubular insert. The handle portion has a generally uniform outer diameter. The barrel portion has proximal and distal regions spaced apart by a central region. The element includes a tubular inner wall defining a longitudinal bore. The element is non-removably attached to the handle member. The element includes a tapered proximal region, a barrel engaging region, and an insert engaging region for engaging the insert. The insert engaging region includes a stop for inhibiting longitudinal movement of the insert. The barrel engaging region non-removably engages the proximal region. The bat having a total length measured from a proximal end of the handle portion to a distal end of the barrel portion. The handle portion has a length that is less than 70 percent of the total length.

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.

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.

A ball bat includes a barrel portion and a tapered transition portion. An elastomeric coupler is positioned around a distal portion of a handle. A rigid sleeve is positioned around the elastomeric coupler and the handle is passed through the barrel and transition portion until the distal portion, elastomeric coupler, and rigid sleeve are positioned within the transition portion. The elastomeric coupler may be compressed by the rigid sleeve and may be stretched to be positioned around the distal portion. The distal portion may be flared. Adhesive may be used to secure the distal portion, elastomeric coupler, rigid sleeve, and transition portion to one another. Ridges on the elastomeric coupler may engage grooves in the rigid sleeve to resist rotation.

A ball bat includes a barrel portion and a tapered transition portion. An elastomeric coupler is positioned around a distal portion of a handle. A rigid sleeve is positioned around the elastomeric coupler and the handle is passed through the barrel and transition portion until the distal portion, elastomeric coupler, and rigid sleeve are positioned within the transition portion. The elastomeric coupler may be compressed by the rigid sleeve and may be stretched to be positioned around the distal portion. The distal portion may be flared. Adhesive may be used to secure the distal portion, elastomeric coupler, rigid sleeve, and transition portion to one another. Ridges on the elastomeric coupler may engage grooves in the rigid sleeve to resist rotation.

The present disclosure generally relates to virtual reality simulation, and more specifically, in some implementations, to devices, systems, and methods for use in a virtual reality sports simulation. A system for virtual reality simulation may include an accessory (e.g., one or more of a bat, a glove, or a helmet) for interacting with a virtual reality environment. The accessory may provide the user with haptic feedback that emulates sensations that the user would experience when playing a live-action sport to provide the user with a more meaningful and realistic experience when playing a virtual reality game. Further, virtual reality simulations disclosed herein may include incorporating data from a live-action event (e.g., a live-action sporting event) into a virtual reality environment to provide a user with a realistic experience.

Training equipment includes a hollow shaft having a sidewall defining an internal cavity and at least one polymer material filling at least a portion of the internal cavity. The polymer material may fill the entire internal cavity of the hollow shaft. The polymer material may be a visco-elastic polymer material or polyurethane. A spacer or a filler may fill at least a portion of the internal cavity. A method of making weighted training equipment with a hollow shaft having a sidewall defining an internal cavity may include injecting a curable composition into at least a portion of the internal cavity. The method may further include curing the curable composition into a polymer material.

Training equipment includes a hollow shaft having a sidewall defining an internal cavity and at least one polymer material filling at least a portion of the internal cavity. The polymer material may fill the entire internal cavity of the hollow shaft. The polymer material may be a visco-elastic polymer material or polyurethane. A spacer or a filler may fill at least a portion of the internal cavity. A method of making weighted training equipment with a hollow shaft having a sidewall defining an internal cavity may include injecting a curable composition into at least a portion of the internal cavity. The method may further include curing the curable composition into a polymer material.