| Means and method for producing improved strength in objects that may have extremely durable, water repellent, sure-grip gripping surfaces, and the objects so improved -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
 
Means and method for producing improved strength in objects that may have extremely durable, water repellent, sure-grip gripping surfaces, and the objects so improvedRelated Patent Categories: Games Using Tangible Projectile, Player Held And Powered, Nonmechanical Projector, Per Se, For Projecting Aerial Projectile By Striking; Part Thereof Or Accessory Therefor, Bat (e.g., Baseball Bat, Etc.)Means and method for producing improved strength in objects that may have extremely durable, water repellent, sure-grip gripping surfaces, and the objects so improved description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060194657, Means and method for producing improved strength in objects that may have extremely durable, water repellent, sure-grip gripping surfaces, and the objects so improved. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] Not Applicable STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002] Not Applicable REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX [0003] Not Applicable BACKGROUND [0004] The present invention relates generally to objects requiring strengthening and a gripping surface, and more particularly to objects such as wooden baseball bats. Such objects may also require extremely durable, water repellent, non-slip gripping surfaces, where the means and method for strengthening and for providing for improved gripping surfaces are functionally valuable for use with any object, benefiting from increased strength and/or a sure-grip gripping surface area, such as walkers, canes, ladder rungs, hammers, shovels, barbells, other sports equipment including aluminum baseball and softball bats, and the like. [0005] The background information discussed below is presented to better illustrate the novelty and usefulness of the present invention. Wooden bats for playing baseball and softball along with other items are used throughout the document as examples to facilitate the full, clear, and concise description of the invention so as to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. Thus, this background information is not admitted prior art and it is to be understood that the teachings are not confined to the examples used. [0006] Baseball and softball have been traditionally played with a wood bat; however, for reasons discussed below there has been an increased use of aluminum bats by many players. Although major baseball teams still only use wooden bats, professional and amateur softball leagues, baseball and softball college leagues, high school baseball and softball leagues, and little league baseball and softball teams mostly use aluminum bats. Concern regarding the hazards of using aluminum bats in the game of baseball, however, is growing. [0007] Baseball bat manufacturers, through advances in technology, are making aluminum bats that meet the required measurement and size standards of typical wooden baseball bats, but are much stronger and lighter in weight than their wooden counterparts. Lighter bats allow for faster bat speeds during swings that result in hit-ball velocities that can present lethal hazards to players due to the high velocities imparted from the bat to a ball as the bat strikes the ball. This is prompting some athletic committees and baseball leagues to ban the use of these bats. In fact, in 2003 the baseball committee of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Committee voted 9-6 to ban aluminum bats and recommended that only wooden bats be used at all levels of play beginning in 2004. [0008] Although potential risks of injury, including fatal injuries, to both players and spectators are the most important concern, there are other reasons for using wooden bats. Studies show that when using an aluminum bat, a hitter can make contact between the ball and the: bat at almost any point on the bat and achieve the same result as if he or she had hit the ball with the very restricted "sweet spot" area of a wooden bat. In fact, over the last few years, it has been reported that batting averages, scoring, and home runs have all increased in NCAA baseball, and that aluminum bats are being credited with distorting the development of college pitchers who have to use drastically different strategies when: pitching against players using aluminum bats than they would if they were pitching against players using wooden bats. Thus, the transition from college-level pitching to professional-level pitching, where only wooden bats are allowed, becomes extremely difficult. It is felt by many that banning aluminum bats in the NCAA at the Division I level would help college baseball players become better prepared for a future in professional baseball [0009] While many ball players welcome a ban on the use of aluminum bats, others do not want to ban the use of aluminum bats because of the lack of strength of wooden bats. Wooden bats are known to have a weak area located just above the gripping area. It is here that wooden bats tend to break as the bat hits a ball when the bat's swinging speed reaches about 72-75 mph. When a wooden bat breaks, perhaps precipitated by an unseen flaw or weakness in the wood grain, the section that breaks away becomes a projectile that may hit and injure a player or spectator. Moreover, many splinters can form from the break, and these, too, may also result in injuries. It is believed that when bats break upon impact, it is because wood does not have the strength exhibited by an aluminum bat when a ball impacts the bat. [0010] Some of those involved in the game argue that even though aluminum bats pose serious risks to players and spectators, it is just too costly to use wooden bats. Aluminum bats generally last from three to five seasons, while wooden bats often do not last even one season. It is not unusual for professional players to go through several dozen wooden bats each season. Similarly, college teams that use wooden bats often break more than two dozen bats during a season. Wooden bats, partly due to the amount of breakage and replacement required because of the breakage, and to the increasing shortages of quality wood, generally cost considerably more per season than aluminum bats. It is estimated that, on average, a college team might use twelve aluminum bats per season, compared to more than five dozen wooden bats. The cost of wooden bats added to the fact that wooden bats need frequent replacement because of their relatively lower strength as compared to an aluminum bat, makes the use of risk-posing aluminum bats instead of safer to use wooden bats somewhat understandable. [0011] Regardless of the type of bat used, aluminum or wood, a related problem that is faced by ball players is the too frequent loss of the batter's grip on the bat during a game. A sure grip on the bat increases the accuracy of the play. A surer grip allows the player to hold the bat less tightly, thus, increasing the player's efficiency of movement making it less likely that the player will strain his muscles. In addition, a sure-grip decreases the danger of having the bat slip out of the player's hands. And, of course, smooth metal bats are extremely slippery, as are wooden bats that have a highly polished surface. [0012] A sure grip is important, not only for baseball and softball bats, but is important for any gripping surface. Gripping surfaces are found on a multitude of objects, such as on the handles of hand tools, such as hammers, screw drivers, hatchets, as well as on ladder rungs, on sports equipment, such as golf clubs, baseball bats and tennis, and on medical devices, such as walkers and canes. It is easy then to appreciate how desirable it is to provide for a sure-grip surface on such handles. [0013] It is known that one's grip can be improved by adding a layer of a malleable material to a hard handle, for example by wrapping the handle with fabric or leather tape or by encasing the handle in a molded rubber or plastic grip. Alternatively, it is known to improve ones grip by wearing a glove made of relatively soft material, such as a glove made of fabric, leather, rubber or plastic. Ball players often use batting gloves to increase their gripping control. Further attempts to improve grip have coated the contact surface of a handle, grip and/or a glove with a soft, elastomeric polymer. Aluminum bat gripping surfaces can be found made of leather or a synthetic, wrapping grip that tends to become slippery, especially from the sweaty hands of batters or from rain. When players use wooden bats, a gripping additive, such as pine tar is often used in conjunction with batting gloves in order to achieve a better grip on the wooden bat. The use of tar however often results in the player's hand's being left with tar residue. Alternatively, ball players often use tape as a bat grip, but the tape quickly becomes worn out and requires frequent replacement. [0014] Therefore, it is clear that there is a critical need for a means and a method to strengthen objects that would benefit from such strengthening as well as for providing a means and method to make it easier to form a sure-grip about such strengthened objects. For example, wooden bats improved by such means and methods are less likely to present lethal hazards to players due to the high velocities imparted from the bat to a ball as occurs when an aluminum bat strikes the ball. Moreover, such an improved bat would possess greater strength in the area that is generally affected upon impact by a ball, so that the bat is less likely to break or splinter when struck. Thus, such an improved bat would reduce the lethal hazards presently posed to players and spectators by the high velocities imparted from the striking bat to the hit ball, while providing the strength and durability required for a bat not to break upon impact with the ball, and would additionally offer a non-slip, extremely durable gripping surface for the gripping part of the handle. Moreover, such means and methods should offer all of these improvements in a cost effective manner. What is more, the means and method of providing for increased strength to an object that would benefit from an increase in strength and a sure-grip gripping surface should be applicable for a multiple of devices that are different from bats, but also require improved body strength and improved grip-ability on their gripping surfaces. Such devices include any hand-held tools, such as a hammer or the rungs of a ladder, for example; other sport equipment, such as tennis rackets, bar bell-type lifting weights, and golf clubs, health and safety devices, such as walkers and canes, and medical devices that require a sure grip, to name just a few. SUMMARY [0015] Accordingly, the present invention overcomes all of the above described disadvantages and more by providing for a means and a method of strengthening objects that require strengthening and a means and a method of providing for a sure-grip gripping surface on objects that require such a sure-grip gripping surface. Examples of objects that require strengthening and an extremely durable sure-grip gripping surface as provided by the invention herein are bats that are used for playing baseball or softball. Wooden bats, strengthened by the means and method provided by the present invention may now be used to avoid the high risk of serious injury that currently plagues both players and spectators due to the high velocities imparted from an aluminum bat to a ball as the bat strikes the ball. Moreover, the strengthened wood bats break and splinter far less frequently, if at all, compared to un-strengthened bats when hit with a high speed ball. The strengthened bat made according to the principles of the present invention additionally may offer a sure-grip, water repellent, gripping surface on the gripping part of the bat handle, which gripping surface is made extremely durable by the application and curing of a UV-curable coating-applied over the sure-grip gripping surface of the gripping part of the bat handle, and offers these improvements while being cost effective. [0016] What is more, the means and method of providing for increased strength to an object according to the principles of the present invention described herein is available for use with any object that would benefit from an increase in strength. Additionally, a means and a method of providing for a sure-grip gripping surface for any object that would benefit from such a surface is described herein. Such surfaces are now available for devices that are different from bats, but also require improved gripability on their gripping surfaces. Such devices include any hand-held tools, such as hammers or the rungs of a ladder; other sport equipment, such as tennis rackets, bar bell-type lifting weights, and golf clubs, health and safety devices, such as walkers and canes, and medical devices that require a sure grip, to name just a few. [0017] A first preferred form of the present invention provides for a way to strengthen objects that will benefit from an addition of increased strength and the objects so strengthened. The way to strengthen objects involves metallicizing such objects by applying a metal powder containing paint to such objects as, for example, a wooden baseball bat, where the coating that metallicizes the bat imparts strength to the bat, reducing breakage and splintering upon impact by a ball. If the object that is strengthened is an object other than a bat, the method of the present invention provides for a reduction in breakage and/or splintering in that object, as well. In addition to increasing the strength of a wooden bat, metallicizing a wooden bat according to the principles of the present: invention, reduces or eliminates the potentially lethal hazards suffered by ball players from the high velocities imparted to a ball from a metal bat when the aluminum bat produces a high-velocity ball. The present invention offers the added benefit of producing objects that are stronger and safer while maintaining general affordability. [0018] A second preferred form of the present invention as taught herein provides for means and methods of providing a sure-grip gripping surface over the gripping area of such a strengthened object. For example, a metallicized bat may be provided with an extremely durable, sure-grip, water repellent, gripping surface on the gripping part of the bat handle, which gripping surface is made extremely durable by the application and curing of a UV-curable coating applied over the sure-grip gripping surface of the gripping part of the bat handle. The water repellent surface is not affected by moisture such as the perspiration on a user's hands. A wooden bat made according to the principles of the present invention provides ball players with a strengthened bat having a sure-grip gripping surface. [0019] A third preferred form of the present invention is any object to which the extremely durable, water repellent, sure-grip gripping surface is applied to such object's gripping surface area, which gripping surface is made extremely durable by the application and curing of a UV-curable coating applied over the sure-grip gripping surface of the gripping part of the bat handle, where such an object is customarily a hand-held object, and, moreover, wherein the sure-grip gripping surface is easy, fast, and economical to apply. Such surfaces would be found on any type of handle including handles on sports equipment, work equipment, household equipment, medical equipment, or the like, ladder rungs, bar bell gripping surfaces, and even on aluminum bats, for example. Continue reading about Means and method for producing improved strength in objects that may have extremely durable, water repellent, sure-grip gripping surfaces, and the objects so improved... Full patent description for Means and method for producing improved strength in objects that may have extremely durable, water repellent, sure-grip gripping surfaces, and the objects so improved Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Means and method for producing improved strength in objects that may have extremely durable, water repellent, sure-grip gripping surfaces, and the objects so improved patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Means and method for producing improved strength in objects that may have extremely durable, water repellent, sure-grip gripping surfaces, and the objects so improved or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Field hockey stick having an edge configured to minimize ball loft Next Patent Application: Broadhead arrowhead Industry Class: Games using tangible projectile ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Means and method for producing improved strength in objects that may have extremely durable, water repellent, sure-grip gripping surfaces, and the objects so improved patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.14077 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Qualcomm , Schering-Plough , Schlumberger , Seagate , Siemens , Texas Instruments , 174 |
 * Protect your Inventions * US Patent Office filing 
PATENT INFO |
|
