US4871168A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ball bat
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1988-10-20
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Granted: 1989-10-03
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Expires: 2008-10-20
Abstract
Abstract A hollow plastic ball bat has an internally mounted swing metering device that provides a visual indication of swing velocity. The bat is defined by inner and outer members that are coupled to one another to define a recess that receives a transparent annular barrel. A bore in this barrel has a weighted piston that moves in the bore, as a result of its inertia, During a swinging or other movement of the bat itself.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph A. Autorino
- 👤 Jeffrey P. Crouch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 14:57
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B69/00; A63B69/36; A63B69/3623; A63B69/3632; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S482/00; Y10S482/909
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
167 words
An elongated ball bat comprising a first member defining a handle end of the bat and having an enlarged outer end portion opposite said handle end, a second member defining an outer end of the bat, said second member having an inner end portion corresponding in size and shape to said first member outer end portion, means coupling said inner and outer end portions, said coupling means defining an elongated cavity of constant cross section, said cavity containing a fluid and said cavity closed at one end by said first member and closed at its opposite end by said second member, a weighted piston slidably received in said cavity, said piston defining an opening for passing said fluid therethrough as a result of sliding movement of said piston in said cavity, means on said piston for impeding movement thereof from said one cavity end toward said opposite cavity end, said coupling means defining a transparent window adjacent said elongated cavity to permit observation of said piston position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
167 words
An elongated ball bat comprising a first member defining a handle end of the bat and having an enlarged outer end portion opposite said handle end, a second member defining an outer end of the bat, said second member having an inner end portion corresponding in size and shape to said first member outer end portion, means coupling said inner and outer end portions, said coupling means defining an elongated cavity of constant cross section, said cavity containing a fluid and said cavity closed at one end by said first member and closed at its opposite end by said second member, a weighted piston slidably received in said cavity, said piston defining an opening for passing said fluid therethrough as a result of sliding movement of said piston in said cavity, means on said piston for impeding movement thereof from said one cavity end toward said opposite cavity end, said coupling means defining a transparent window adjacent said elongated cavity to permit observation of said piston position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
68 words
The ball bat of claim 1 wherein said coupling means further includes a generally annular barrel, said cavity defined in said barrel, and said first and second members defining an intermediate bat portion provided at least in part within said annular barrel, said intermediate bat portion including coengaging locking surfaces defined in part by first and second members for holding said members and said barrel in assembled relationship.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The ball bat of claim 2 wherein said barrel is molded from a transparent plastic to permit observation of said piston position in said cavity.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The ball bat of claim 3 wherein coengaging locking surfaces comprise male and female threaded portions of said members.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The ball bat of claim 4 wherein said first and second members are molded from plastic and are hollow to provide a light weight ball bat suitable for striking a hollow plastic ball.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-10-02 | 1993-04-03 | 1993-10-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-10-02 | 1997-04-03 | 1997-10-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-10-02 | 2001-04-03 | 2001-10-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |