Ball Scooping, Flicking, and Hitting Device

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention disclose apparatuses and a method for hitting a ball. According to an embodiment, the apparatus includes an elongated barrel having a longitudinal axis and opposite ends, as well as a pocket formed within a side of the elongated barrel at a first end of the opposite ends. According to another embodiment, the apparatus includes a fastener attached to a second end of the opposite ends. According to yet another embodiment, the method includes scooping a ball into the pocket while holding a second end of the elongated barrel and sufficiently swinging in an upward, circular path, thereby causing the ball to be released from the pocket and lobbed into the air. The method may further include swinging the elongated barrel in a horizontal, circular path while holding the second end, thereby causing the elongated barrel to hit the lobbed ball out of the air.

Claims

1. A ball hitting apparatus comprising: an elongated barrel having a longitudinal axis and opposite ends; and a pocket formed within a side of the elongated barrel at a first end of the opposite ends.

2. The ball hitting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pocket loosely contours to a ball.

3. The ball hitting apparatus of claim 2, wherein a portion of the pocket forms a ramp that allows the ball to exit the pocket.

4. The ball hitting apparatus of claim 3, wherein the ramp is capable of lobbing the ball vertically into the air when the elongated barrel is held near a second end of the opposite ends and swung in an upward, circular path.

5. The ball hitting apparatus of claim 3, wherein the ramp has an exit trajectory of 90-150 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis.

6. The ball hitting apparatus of claim 1, wherein material is removed from the first end to form an angle that undermines the pocket.

7. The ball hitting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first end is angled to undermine the pocket at 90-150 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis.

8. The ball hitting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the elongated barrel is capable of hitting a ball when held near a second end of the opposite ends and swung in a horizontal, circular path.

9. The ball hitting apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a handle connected to the barrel at a second end of the opposite ends.

10. The ball hitting apparatus of claim 9, wherein the handle is connected to the barrel by a fastener.

11. The ball hitting apparatus of claim 9, wherein the handle telescopes into and out from the elongated barrel.

12. The ball hitting apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a knob connected to the handle opposite the elongated barrel.

13. The ball hitting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the elongated barrel is pressurized.

14. The ball hitting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the elongated barrel is hollow.

15. The ball hitting apparatus of claim 14, wherein the pocket is mode of a mesh netting.

16. The ball hitting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pocket is made of an elastic material.

17. A ball hitting apparatus comprising: an elongated barrel having a longitudinal axis and opposite ends; a pocket formed within a side of the elongated barrel near a first end of the opposite ends; and a fastener attached to a second end of the opposite ends.

18. The ball hitting apparatus of claim 17, wherein the fastener fastens the elongated barrel to a barrel of a bat.

19. The ball hitting apparatus of claim 17, wherein the fastener is detachable from the elongated barrel, and wherein the fastener slides up a bat from a knob end to reattach to and fasten the elongated barrel to a barrel of the bat.

20. A method for using a ball hitting apparatus comprising: selecting an elongated barrel having a longitudinal axis and opposite ends, the elongated barrel further having a pocket formed within a side of the elongated barrel at a first end of the opposite ends; scooping a ball into the pocket while holding a second end of the elongated barrel; sufficiently swinging the the elongated barrel in an upward, circular path while holding the second end of the elongated barrel, thereby causing the ball to be released from the pocket and lobbed into the air; and swinging the elongated barrel in a horizontal, circular path while holding the second end of the elongated barrel, thereby causing the elongated barrel to hit the lobbed ball out of the air.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0004] FIG. 1 illustrates a structure 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0005] FIG. 2A illustrates the structure 100 from a side view, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0006] FIG. 2B illustrates the structure 100 from a side and top cross-sectional view, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0007] FIG. 2C illustrates the structure 100 from a side top and top cross-sectional view, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0008] FIG. 2D illustrates the structure 100 from a side and top cross-sectional view, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0009] FIG. 2E illustrates the structure 100 from a front view, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0010] FIG. 3A illustrates a structure 300 from a side view, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0011] FIG. 3B illustrates the structure 300 from a front view, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0012] FIG. 3C illustrates the structure 300 from a back view, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0013] FIG. 3D illustrates the structure 300 from a bottom view, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0014] FIG. 4A illustrates a structure 400 from a side view, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0015] FIG. 4B illustrates the structure 400 from a front view, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0016] FIG. 4C illustrates the structure 400 from a back view, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0017] FIG. 4D illustrates the structure 400 from a quarter-turn view of the attachment portion in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0018] FIG. 5 illustrates a structure 500 from a side view, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 6A illustrates a scoop motion using the structure 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0020] FIG. 6B illustrates a flick motion using the structure 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0021] FIG. 6C illustrates a backswing motion using the structure 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0022] FIG. 6D illustrates a hitting motion using the structure 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0023] FIG. 6E illustrates a follow through motion using the structure 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0024] FIG. 7A illustrates use of the structure 300, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0025] FIG. 7B illustrates use of the structure 300, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0026] FIG. 8A illustrates use of the structure 400, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0027] FIG. 8B illustrates use of the structure 400, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0028] FIG. 9A illustrates use of the structure 500, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0029] FIG. 9B illustrates use of the structure 500, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] FIG. 1 illustrates the structure 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0031] The structure 100 may comprise a barrel 110, a pocket 120, an end cap 130, a handle 140, and a knob 150. FIG. 1 additionally illustrates a ball 160 that may be scooped, flicked, and hit by the structure 100. More specifically, a user may use the structure 100 to scoop the ball 160 off of a surface and into the pocket 120, from which the user may flick the ball 160 out from the pocket 120 vertically into the air. Lastly, the user may hit the airborne ball 160 using the barrel 110 of the structure 100. It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the scoop, flick, and hit motions may be performed in substantially the same motion. In some embodiments, the pocket 120 may be used to store the ball 160 for storage or travel. In some embodiments, the structure 100 may be designed to telescope or disconnect into a smaller size for storage/travel. The structure 100 is described in greater detail with respect to FIG. 2-5 while use of the structure 100 is described in greater detail with respect to FIG. 6.

[0032] For purposes of illustration, FIG. 1-5 include a graph formed by X, Y, and Z coordinate planes. As used herein, the X coordinate plane is parallel to a lengthwise centerline of the structures (i.e., structure 100, 300, 400, and 500) and additionally used to illustrate a length of the structures. The Y coordinate plane is used to illustrate a width of the structures and is perpendicular to the X coordinate plane. The Z coordinate plane is used to illustrate a height of the structures and is perpendicular to both the X and Y directional planes. As further used herein, dimensions along the Y and Z coordinate planes may be referred to as a cross-section of the structures. Moreover, from a given point within the graph, the X, Y, and Z coordinate planes have a positive directionality in the direction of their respective arrows and a negative directionality in the direction of the graph origin. Lastly, angles within the drawings are provided in degrees with positive angles measured counterclockwise (anticlockwise) from the positive X directional plane (axis) and negative angles measured in the clockwise direction from the positive X directional plane.

[0033] FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, and 2E respectively illustrate the structure 100 from a side view, a side and top cross-sectional view, and a front view, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0034] As noted, the structure 100 may include the barrel 110, the pocket 120, the end cap 130, the handle 140, and the knob 150. As illustrated by FIG. 2A-2E, the barrel 110 is concentrically connected at longitudinal ends to the end cap 130 in the negative X direction and the handle 140 in the positive X direction. Opposite the connection to the barrel 110, the handle 140 is concentrically connected in the positive X direction to the knob 150. The pocket 120 is formed into a surface (and interior) of the barrel 110 located in the negative X direction near/adjacent to the end cap 130. As illustrated, the end cap 130 terminates the structure 100 in the negative X direction in a rounded, squared, sloped, etc., end. The knob 150 may terminate the structure 100 in the positive X direction in a rounded, squared, sloped, etc., end.

[0035] In embodiments, the barrel 110, the pocket 120, the end cap 130, the handle 140, and/or the knob 150 may be formed as one component or multiple interconnected components. The interconnected components may be fastened together via techniques described herein and other known techniques.

[0036] In embodiments, the barrel 110 may have a cylindrical and/or ovular cross-sectional shape (i.e., along the Y and Z coordinate planes) that may be extended along the length in the X direction. A diameter of the barrel 110 (i.e., of the cross-section) may be uniform and/or tapered along the X direction. For example, the entirety of the barrel 110 may be uniform in diameter. Conversely, the entirety of the barrel 110 may be tapered in diameter, for example gradually increasing in diameter from the handle 140 up to the end cap 130. In other embodiments, and that depicted by FIG. 2A-2E, portions of the barrel 110 may be uniform in diameter while other portions may be tapered in diameter. For example, a central portion of the barrel 110 (known as the sweet spot) may have uniform diameter while portions outside of the sweet spot may be non-uniform, such as a tapered portion of the barrel 110 connected to the handle 140.

[0037] The barrel 110 may be solid, hollow, pressurized, or a combination thereof. The barrel 110 may be made of materials that are rigid/semi-rigid and/or flexible/semi-flexible. Accordingly, the barrel 110 may be made of woods, plastics, foams, metals (e.g., aluminum), rubbers, PVC, recycled materials, silicone, EVA foam, cork, bamboo, HDPE, carbon fiber, resin, composites, graphite, polycarbonate, fiberglass, or any suitable material(s) known in the art. The barrel 110 may be fabricated by means such as mold injection, blow molding, vacuum casting, die casting, printing, casting, turning, sculpting, or any other suitable means.

[0038] Different portions of the barrel 110 may be made of different materials. For example, portions experiencing increased stress may be reinforced through material selection, design, and/or manufacture. In addition, areas intended to experience repeated, sudden impacts may be designed to have a high elasticity, high durability, and low strain. For example, most of the barrel 110 may be solid and rigid except for the sweet spot, which may be hollow, pressurized, and elastic. In another example, most of the barrel 110 may be hollow but for the tapered portion connecting to the handle 140.

[0039] In embodiments, the barrel 110 (and/or other portions of the structure 100) may be colored, e.g., via dye, painting, powder coating, etc. In addition, the barrel 110 (and/or other portions of the structure 100) may be coated (e.g., by a film). The coating may serve to further a property or characteristic of the barrel 110, for example to increase/decrease friction, reflection, strength, durability, elasticity, etc.

[0040] The barrel 110 may have a maximum diameter (i.e., along the Y and Z coordinate planes) that is, for example, 1-3 a diameter of the ball 160. For example, if the ball 160 is 2.5 (63.5 mm) in diameter, the barrel 110 may have a maximum diameter of 2.5-7.5, for instance a 3 maximum diameter. The barrel 110 may have a minimum diameter no less than that of a maximum diameter of the handle 140, for instance a 2 minimum diameter where the barrel 110 meets the handle 140. In other embodiments, however, the maximum and minimum diameters of the barrel 110 may differ.

[0041] The barrel 110 may have a length (i.e., along the X coordinate plane) that is, for example, 2-10 the diameter of the ball 160. Thus, assuming a 2.5 ball 160, the barrel 110 may have a length of 5-25, for instance a length of 18. It should be noted that, in embodiments, the length of the barrel 110 may be overall in that it includes both a sweet spot designed to hit the ball 160 and a tapered portion designed to connect to the handle 140. For example, as illustrated by FIG. 2A-2E, the roughly uniform sweet spot portion of the barrel 110 may comprise roughly two-thirds to three-quarters of the overall length of the barrel 110 and exclude a tapered connecting portion of the barrel 110 in the positive X direction. Accordingly, for an 18 barrel 110, the sweet spot may account for roughly 12-13.5 of its overall length. In other embodiments, the ratio of the barrel 110 to the sweet spot may vary, or the sweet spot and/or tapered connecting portion of the barrel 110 may be omitted entirely.

[0042] The pocket 120 may be formed within the barrel 110 and have an opening in the shape of an oval, circle, oblong, teardrop, rectangle, square, etc. when viewed from the front in FIG. 2E (and taking into account curvature of the barrel 110). The pocket 120 may have an interior surface that is rounded (see, e.g., 242 in FIG. 2C), squared (see 240 of FIG. 2B), straight, concave, convex, a combination thereof (see 244 of FIG. 2D), etc., that loosely conforms to contours of the ball 160. The interior surface may have a bottom opposite the opening at a depth 212 that may similarly be rounded (see, e.g., 242 in FIG. 2C), squared (see 240 of FIG. 2B), straight, concave, convex, a combination thereof (see 244 of FIG. 2D), etc. The pocket 120 may have a lateral width 202 along the Y direction (widthwise) and a longitudinal width 214 along the X direction (lengthwise) (see FIG. 2E).

[0043] The lateral width 202 and/or the longitudinal width 214 of the pocket 120 may be uniform and/or non-uniform along the negative Z direction from the opening down to the bottom at the depth 212. In other words, the pocket 120 may stay the same width with depth or get bigger and/or smaller with depth. For example, the pocket 120 may be uniform throughout its depth as illustrated by 240 (bottom) of FIG. 2B where the lateral width 202 forms a cross-sectional square in the negative Z direction. Alternatively, 242 (top) of FIG. 2C illustrates a non-uniform longitudinal width 214 that narrows to form a cross-sectional semi-circle/-oval in the negative Z direction.

[0044] In addition to uniformity/non-uniformity in the Z direction, the lateral width 202 and/or the longitudinal width 214 of the pocket 120 may be uniform and/or non-uniform along the X direction (i.e., along the length of the structure 100). In other words, the pocket 120 may stay the same width along the barrel 110 or get thinner/wider along the barrel 110. For example, although not illustrated, the pocket 120 may have a greater lateral width 202 in the negative X direction than in the positive X direction, forming the shape of an oblong/trapezoid/egg/teardrop when viewed from the front in FIG. 2E. In some embodiments, the lateral width 202 may narrow in the positive X direction from a width greater than the diameter of the ball 160 to a width equal to or less the diameter of the ball 160, thereby only allowing entry/exit of the ball 160 at portions of the pocket 120 in the negative-most X direction.

[0045] Overall, provided that the pocket 120 can scoop, store, and flick the ball 160 (described in greater detail forthcoming), the dimensions of the pocket 120 may be uniform and/or vary in size in both the Z and X directions.

[0046] The interior of the pocket 120 may be designed to form a ramp that increases elevation in the positive Z direction as the X direction is decreased (see FIGS. 2A and 2B and 2C and 2D). A slope of the ramp may be linear, exponential, etc. As illustrated by 240 of FIG. 2B, the ramp may have a slope of roughly 90 degrees. Alternatively, as illustrated by 242 of FIG. 2C, the ramp may have a slope of roughly 150 degrees. Overall, the ramp may have any slope of roughly 90-150 degrees relative to the X coordinate plane. The slope of the ramp is designed such that when flicking the structure 100 while the ball 160 is in the pocket 120, the ball 160 may roll up the slope, out of the pocket 120, and into the air with a trajectory similar to a lob thrown by hand. This allows a user to then strike the ball with the barrel 110 in a continuous motion and without the need to reach down nor handle the ball 160, as will be described in greater detail forthcoming.

[0047] In some embodiments, the ramp may have an extension that protrudes out of the opening of the pocket 120 in the positive Z (and, in embodiments, negative X) direction(s). In embodiments, the slope of the extension may be the same as that of the ramp or of a different linear, exponential, etc., slope. In yet further embodiments, the extension may incorporate one or two prongs/tines to assist in scooping and flicking the ball 160. The prongs/tines may be particularly advantageous for scooping the ball 160 from surfaces with debris and/or obstacles such as grass, dirt, mud, sand, water, etc. The extension may be permanently or temporarily affixed to the pocket 120 and/or barrel 110, and may, for example, telescope, hinge, etc. In further embodiments still, the extension may be capable of folding in to block the opening of the pocket 120 when closed, e.g., to secure the ball 160 for storage or travel.

[0048] As illustrated, the pocket 120 is positioned at a longitudinal end of the barrel 110 in the negative X direction near/adjacent to the end cap 130 and opposite the handle 140. The positioning of the pocket 120 is designed such that very little of the barrel 110 and/or end cap 130 will interfere with the pocket 120 scooping the ball 160 off of a surface such as the ground when the structure 100 is swept along a ground in a roughly vertical into horizontal direction (semi-circular path).

[0049] The lateral width 202 of the pocket 120 may be a size less than a diameter of the barrel 110 but greater than that of the ball 160. For example, the lateral width 202 may be 1.1 the diameter of the ball 160 (e.g., 2.75). The longitudinal width 214 of the pocket 120 may be greater than that of the ball 160 but no greater than the length of the barrel 110 (or, e.g., the length of the sweet spot). In embodiments, the longitudinal width 214 may be selected as multiple diameters of the ball 160 in order to allow the ball 160 to roll longitudinally within and out of the pocket 120 using the aforementioned ramp. For example, the pocket 120 may have a longitudinal length 214 of 3-6. In embodiments, the depth 212 of the pocket 120 ranges in size from a fraction of the diameter of the ball 160 to a diameter of the barrel 110, for example a depth of 2.75.

[0050] As noted above, the lateral width 202 and the longitudinal width 214 of the pocket 120 may vary in the Z and the X directions. Accordingly, dimensions corresponding to portions of the pocket 120 may vary according to the implementation and embodiment.

[0051] In embodiments, the pocket 120 may be a cutout of the material forming the barrel 110 and may thus comprise negative space. In such embodiments, the pocket 120 and a surface thereof may be defined by portions of the barrel 110 surrounding the pocket 120. Accordingly, the pocket 120 may comprise and be lined by the material with which the barrel 110 (and/or an interior of the barrel 110) comprises. In such embodiments, the pocket 120 may be formed as part of forming the barrel 110.

[0052] In other embodiments, the pocket 120 may be subsequently formed within or added to the barrel 110. In such embodiments, the pocket 120 may be made of, for example, a mesh, netting, sailcloth, parachute, paraglide, balloon fabrics, leather, plastics, rubber, composites, silicone, cloth, etc. For example, in embodiments, the barrel 110 may be hollow and the pocket 120 comprises the mesh netting fastened to the barrel 110 around a perimeter of the pocket 120 opening.

[0053] The material chosen for the pocket 120 may be selected based on material properties as they relate to interacting with the ball 160. For example, the pocket 120 may be made or lined by a material having a high friction coefficient to better retain the ball 160 or, conversely, a material with a low friction coefficient to better facilitate the scoop and flick of the ball 160. In embodiments, the opening of the pocket (or portions thereof, e.g., the extension) may be a material with low friction for scooping and flicking of the ball 160. For example, the pocket 120 may include a low friction ring/lip along the opening of the pocket 120. The pocket 120 may comprise more than one material in different portions thereof. For example, the bottom of the pocket 120 may comprise a high friction material while the opening of the pocket may comprise the low friction ring.

[0054] In embodiments, the pocket 120 may be made from or incorporate material that provides elastic properties, e.g., elastomers. For example, an elastic material may be used to assist in flicking the ball 160 out of the pocket 120. In yet further embodiments, the pocket 120 may incorporate springs or other mechanical devices used to assist in flicking the ball 160.

[0055] The pocket 120 may be lined with a liner (not shown), and achieving the desired material properties and/or other characteristics of the pocket 120 may be accomplished with the use of a liner in addition to/instead of the use of particular materials.

[0056] In embodiments, the end cap 130 is attached to the barrel 110 and forms an end to the structure 100 in the negative X direction. As illustrated by FIGS. 2B, 2C, and 2D, when capping the structure 100, the end cap 130 may form a rounded, sloped, squared, etc., end. In embodiments, the end cap 130 may be formed to interfere as little as possible with the scooping of the ball 160 by the pocket 120, and therefore be both minimized in length along the X direction and optimized in shape. For example, the end cap 130 may only be up to 1 in length and have the same cross-sectional shape and diameter/width as the sweet spot of the barrel 110. In another example, and with additional reference to FIG. 2B-D, the end cap 130 may be tapered/angled to form an angle of 90-150 degrees relative to the X coordinate plane, thereby eliminating material that may otherwise inhibit the structure 100 from scooping under and flicking the ball 160. To further the effect of eliminating material prohibitive of scooping and flicking, in some embodiments, the structure 100 may omit the use of the end cap 130.

[0057] The end cap 130 may be made of any material detailed herein to manufacture the barrel 110, and may in fact be the same material. In other embodiments, the end cap 130 may be a different material, for example one having increased durability to withstand repeatedly scooping and scraping against surfaces. In embodiments, the end cap 130 may be made of a low friction material or coated with a non-stick film/liner to facilitate said scooping. In embodiments, the end cap 130 and the extension of the pocket 120 may be integrated or the same component.

[0058] In embodiments, the handle 140 is positioned in the positive X direction at an end of the barrel 110 opposite the end cap 130. In embodiments, the handle 140 may be a separate, interconnected component from the barrel 110 while, in other embodiments, the handle 140 and the barrel 110 may be manufactured as one component. In some embodiments, the handle 140 may wrap around the positive X directional end of the barrel 110.

[0059] The handle 140 may have a maximum diameter (along the Z and Y coordinate planes) no greater than the minimum diameter/width of the barrel 110, for instance 2, and a minimum diameter sufficient to grasp comfortably with the hand(s), for instance 1. The handle 140 may have a length (i.e., along the X coordinate plane) sufficient for grasping with at least one, but preferably two, hands, for example roughly 6-12.

[0060] The handle 130 may be made of a high friction material in order to increase a user's grip of the structure 100. The handle 130 may be made of any of the materials disclosed for manufacturing of the barrel 110, as well as other non-slip materials such as leather, rubber, etc.

[0061] The knob 150 connects to the handle 140 and terminates the structure 100 in the positive X direction. The knob 150 may have a maximum diameter greater than that of the handle 140 (to increase a grip on the handle 140) but no greater than, for example, the maximum diameter of the barrel 110. The knob 150 may end the structure 100 in a rounded, flared, textured or grooved, squared, tapered, diamond, asymmetric ax-shaped knob, ergonomic, counter-balanced knob, oval, vibration dampening knob, palm swell, padded, weighted, disc, cone, pyramid, etc. shape. In embodiments, the knob 150 may be designed to improve ergonomics and comfort of the handle 140 when angling the structure 100 for scooping, flicking, and hitting. Similar to the design of the end cap 130, the knob 150 may be designed to interfere as little as possible with the scooping and flicking motions, albeit here from an opposite end, and may therefore omit material where a wrist of the user may otherwise make contact with the knob 150. For example, material may be removed from the knob on a side opposite a side of the barrel 110 having the pocket 120. In yet further embodiments, the knob 150 may incorporate a tether or leash for wrapping around a wrist of the user.

[0062] The knob 150 may be made of any material disclosed in the manufacture of the barrel 110, and may be a same or different material as that selected for the barrel 110.

[0063] As noted previously, the barrel 110, the pocket 120, the end cap 130, the barrel handle 140, and the knob 150 may all be formed as a single component, and any components thereof may be made of the same material. In other embodiments, the components may be individual interconnected components.

[0064] FIG. 3 illustrates the structure 300 in a four-angle view, with FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D respectively illustrating the structure 100 from a side, front, a back, and a bottom view, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0065] Structure 300 includes an adapter 310 that functions to add the pocket 120 and end cap 130 (and, in embodiments, the barrel 110) to an apparatus having a barrel, such as a traditional bat 390, which allows for the scoop and flick functionality described with respect to structure 100 to be performed on the traditional bat 390 or other hitting apparatus. More specifically, provided the traditional bat 390 (or any apparatus with a barrel), a user may recreate the structure 100 by fastening the structure 300 to the traditional bat 390. Structure 300 is substantially similar to structure 100 with the exception of the adapter 310 that replaces at least one of the handle 140, the knob 150, and the barrel 110. Here, the adapter 310 is manufactured to attach the structure 300 to the barrel of the traditional bat 390, which may itself additionally provide a handle and/or knob.

[0066] The structure 300 may be fastened to the barrel of the traditional bat 390 using several means. For example, the structure 300 (or parts thereof) may include a hollow 320, allowing for the structure 300 (or at least parts thereof) to slide around the traditional bat 390 (or at least parts thereof). For example, as noted by 320 of FIG. 3D, the hollow 320 of the adapter 310 may allow for insertion of the traditional bat 390 at least partially into the structure 300. For example, the adapter 310 may wrap around an end cap and/or barrel of the traditional bat 390.

[0067] The adapter 310 may further incorporate a fastening mechanism 330 for further securing the structure 300 to the traditional bat 390. The fastener 330 may implement press fits, friction, clamps, straps, threads, adhesives, magnets, velcros, and other known techniques to secure the structure 300 to the traditional bat 390. For example, the fastener 330 may integrate a worm gear-driven tightening collar.

[0068] The adapter 310 may vary in length in order to dictate a depth to which the traditional bat 390 is inserted. In embodiments, the adapter 310 may be designed relatively short to only encompass an end cap of the traditional bat 390 and thereby avoid hits of the ball 160 on the fastener 330 and/or structure 300-to-traditional bat 390 interface. For example, the adapter 310 may be (and have a hollow depth of) 0.5-2.

[0069] Conversely, in other embodiments, the adapter 310 may be configured to a length that encompasses the sweet spot of the traditional bat 390 barrel. For example, the adapter 310 may be 5-12. In such embodiments where the adapter 310 surrounds the sweet spot of the traditional bat 390 barrel, the adapter 310 (or portions thereof) may be designed to act as the sweet spot of the barrel.

[0070] By designing the length of the adapter 310 to place the interface and/or fastener 330 away from the sweet spot, the use of the structure 300 is intended to interfere as little as possible with the functioning of the traditional bat 390. Generally, however, and through the use of the fastener 330, the structure 300 is configured to be fastened onto any suitable area of the traditional bat 390 (or other apparatus).

[0071] Though not shown, the structure 300 may further incorporate means for centering and stabilizing the traditional bat 390 within the structure 300. The centering means is designed to maintain the straight longitudinal axis between the structure 300 and the traditional bat 390 while the stabilizing means is designed to remove any rattling of the traditional bat 390 within the structure 300 (e.g., due to a slightly loose fit). The centering and stabilizing means may include inward-facing standoff components such as bristles, buffers, guides, etc. The centering and stabilizing means may be semirigid in order to deflect (e.g., rubber/plastic), and thereby fit various diameters of the traditional bat 390.

[0072] In embodiments, the structure 300 may be slid onto, and optionally subsequently fastened using the fastener 330, the traditional bat 390 from a knob-end (bottom) or an end cap end (top).

[0073] In yet further embodiments, the entirety of the structure 300 may be slid onto the traditional bat 390 from the bottom (i.e., knob) end. In such embodiments, the end cap 130 may be drilled out/omitted and the structure 300 may be entirely hollow but for the pocket 120, which in such embodiments may comprise one of the flexible materials disclosed such that it is capable of clearing way for inserting the traditional bat 390. The adapter 310 may be conical or have conical portions in order to make at least partial contact with portions of the traditional bat 390. For example, the structure 300 may have an inner diameter that is greater than an outer diameter of both a handle and a knob of the traditional bat 390, allowing the latters to pass freely through the former. However, the inner diameter of the structure 300 may be less than/equal to the outer diameter of the barrel portion of the traditional bat 390. Therefore, while the handle and knob of the traditional bat 390 are able to pass freely through the structure 300, the barrel of the traditional bat 390 is unable to freely pass through the structure 300. Subsequently, the traditional bat 390 may be used in conjunction with the structure 300, optionally engaging the fastener 330.

[0074] FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D illustrate the structure 400, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0075] Similar to structure 300, structure 400 includes an adapter 450 that functions to add at least one of the barrel 110, the pocket 120, and the end cap 130 to an apparatus having a barrel, such as the traditional bat 390, which allows for the scoop and flick functionality described with respect to structure 100 to be performed on the traditional bat 390 or other hitting apparatus.

[0076] In some embodiments, the adapter 450 may be disconnectable from the structure 400 (e.g., via means described with respect to the fastener 330), which allows the structure 400 to be secured to the traditional bat 390 from both ends. For example, the adapter 450 may be disconnected from the structure 400, slid onto the bottom end of the traditional bat 390, and reconnected to the structure 400 at the top of the traditional bat 390, thereby locking the structure 400 together at the top of the traditional bat 390 from both the bottom and top.

[0077] The adapter 450 may be fastened to the structure 400 using, for example, a press fit. As illustrated by 410 of FIG. 4, the adapter 450 may include a female end 430 capable of receiving a male end 420. Alternatively, the structure 400 may thread into the adapter 450 via the female end 430 and the male end 420, or vice versa. In general, the adapter 450 may fasten to the structure 400 using any known means, including those disclosed with respect to the fastener 330.

[0078] FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which the handle 140 (and, in embodiments, the barrel 110 and/or knob 150) may telescope into and out from the barrel 110, e.g., for storage and travel. The structure 500 is substantially similar to the structure 100 but for including a telescoping mechanism 560. In embodiments, the telescoping mechanism 560 allows the handle 140 to be secured to the barrel 110 in a contracted/closed position, in which the handle 140 is fastened to the barrel 110 within the barrel 110, or an extended/open position, in which the handle 140 is fastened to the barrel 110 outside of the barrel 110. The telescoping mechanism 560 may include any number of components. For example, as illustrated by FIG. 5, the structure 500 may include two of the telescoping mechanisms 560, and therefore may be broken down into three sections. More specifically, the three sections include the handle 140, a lower portion of the barrel 110 (e.g., the tapered portion), and an upper portion of the barrel 110 (e.g., the sweet spot). The handle 140 telescopes into the lower portion of the barrel 110. The lower portion of the barrel 110 telescopes into the upper portion of the barrel 110. The telescoping mechanism 410 may be achieved using any techniques known in the art, for example the components may snap or press fit into one another when fully extended and/or contracted. Moreover, the telescoping mechanism 560 may further incorporate aspects of the aforementioned fastener 330 to secure the structure 500 in a particular extension.

[0079] In some embodiments, the handle 140 may be fully detachable from and attachable to the barrel 110, e.g., to facilitate travel or storage. In such embodiments, the barrel 110 may connect to the handle 130 using one of the aforementioned fastening means described with respect to the fastener 330. For example, the handle 140 may thread into the barrel 110 when the structure 500 is in use, then unthread from the barrel 110 when not in use. When not in use, the handle 140 and the knob 150 may be rotated one hundred and eighty degrees along the X direction to slide (and secure) into a hollow of the barrel 110 knob 150 first.

[0080] FIG. 6A-6E illustrates use of the structure 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. It will be appreciated that although the proceeding use is described with respect to the structure 100, the use is equally applicable to the structure 300, the structure 400, and the structure 500.

[0081] FIG. 6A depicts a scoop 610 of the ball 160 using the structure 100 in a horizontal sweeping motion. As illustrated, the pocket 120 is designed to scoop the ball 160 off of a roughly horizontal surface (e.g., the ground) with a horizontal, sweeping motion as seen in FIG. 6A (though the present invention is not limited solely to horizontal surfaces). More specifically, the pocket 120 and the end cap 130 are designed to slide under the ball 160 and lift the ball 160 by acting as a wedge, allowing the ball to roll further into the pocket 120 as the scoop motion progresses.

[0082] As illustrated, when held in a hand of the user hand, the structure 100 is designed at a length sufficient for a user of average height to retrieve the ball 160 from ground level. In embodiments featuring telescoping and/or attaching components previously described herein, the length of the structure 100 may be customizable to a height of the user. The structure 100 may be designed such that a user may scoop the ball 160 off of a roughly horizontal surface when held in a roughly vertical orientation and performing a sweeping motion. As further noted by FIG. 2B-D, the end cap 130 may be angled to recess towards/under (i.e., undermine) the pocket 120 (e.g., 90-150 degrees relative to the X coordinate plane). This design functions to thin the end cap 130, preferably at an angle similar to the ramp within the pocket 120, and facilitate sliding underneath the ball 160.

[0083] In embodiments, the pocket 120 is designed to contain the ball 160 until the user performs a flicking motion. In embodiments, the ball 160 may be kept in the pocket 120 for storage/travel and, in embodiments implementing a telescoping mechanism, detachable components, and/or extensions to the pocket 120, the structure 100 may further secure the ball 160 within the pocket 120.

[0084] FIG. 6B illustrates a flick 620 of the structure 100. While the ball 160 is within the pocket 120, and preferable immediately following the scooping motion described with respect to FIG. 6A, a user may then flick the structure 100 in order to lob the ball into the air. More specifically, and during an upswing of the scooping motion, a user may strategically stop motion of the structure 100 as the structure 100 approaches a horizontal positioning. As the ball 160 continues to roll within the now-stationary pocket 120, the ball 160 rolls up and out of the pocket 120 via the ramp described with respect to FIG. 2B-D. As illustrated, the resulting motion of the ball 160 is a roughly vertical lob in front of the user.

[0085] FIG. 6C illustrates a backswing 630 of the structure 100. While the ball 160 is lobbed in the air, a user has sufficient hangtime to perform a backswing of the structure 100. This backswing is in preparation for a foreswing that is intended to strike the lobbed ball 160. The backswing motion may be performed in a one-handed or two-handed motion by the user. In embodiments, and depending on a use by the user, the backswing motion may be omitted.

[0086] FIG. 6D illustrates a hit 640 of the structure 100. Following the backswing 630, the user proceeds to foreswing the structure 100 in a similar motion to swinging a traditional bat in order to strike the ball 160.

[0087] FIG. 6E illustrates a swing followthrough 650 after the hit 640.

[0088] FIG. 7A illustrates use of the structure 300. The use begins with step 710 in which the user slides the structure 300 onto the traditional bat 390 starting at the end cap (top) end.

[0089] At step 720 in FIG. 7B, the structure 300 is positioned at the top of the traditional bat 390 and the user fastens the structure 300 to the traditional bat 390 using the fastener 330.

[0090] FIG. 8A illustrates use of the structure 400. As illustrated by step 810, the adapter 450, when disconnected from the structure 400, is slid onto the traditional bat 390 from a knob end and up to the end cap of the traditional bat 390.

[0091] As illustrated by 820 of FIG. 8B, the structure 400 is then slid onto an end cap end of the traditional bat 390 to meet the adapter 450, where they may be fastened together via the fastener 330. Application of the fastener 330 may further fasten the structure 400 to the traditional bat 390.

[0092] FIG. 9A illustrates use of the structure 500. Beginning with the structure 500 in a contracted position, step 910 involves sufficiently swinging the structure 500 (e.g., to overcome friction/press fit, etc.) while grasping the handle 140 to induce telescoping of the barrel 110 via the telescoping mechanism 560.

[0093] Step 920 of FIG. 9B illustrates full extension of the structure 500. In particular, and as a result of step 910, the handle 140 snap fits into the lower portion of the barrel 110 and the lower portion of the barrel 110 snap fits into the upper portion of the barrel 110.