US5674138A — Baseball bat and practice device combination

Claim 1

Independent Claim 262 words

A baseball bat sized and configured for use in a baseball game by itself and in combination with a practice device for use in training, comprising in combination: the baseball bat having a knob end disposed at one end of the bat adjacent to a cylindrically shaped handle portion of the bat, the knob end having a socket hole in axial alignment with the bat, the practice device including a weight structure having a weight sized for positioning in coaxial engagement with the knob end of the baseball bat, the weight having a mass in the range of one to forty-eight ounces, the weight structure having connecting means projecting outwardly from the weight structure for disengageable connection within the socket hole to secure the practice device in fixed position with the knob end of the baseball bat for use in training, the connecting means including a bolt having external threads in threaded engagement with internal threads of the socket hole, the weight having an upper surface, and gripping means attached to the upper surface for engagement against the knob end of the bat to securely hold the weight in coaxial engagement with the knob end of the baseball bat when the weight is manually rotated to cause the external threads to move axially of the socket hole to tighten the engagement of the weight against the knob end, the knob end including a cylindrical end portion of the bat extending axially therethrough, the end portion having an interior cylindrical surface in fixed engagement with an insert, the insert defining the socket hole.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 262 words

A baseball bat sized and configured for use in a baseball game by itself and in combination with a practice device for use in training, comprising in combination: the baseball bat having a knob end disposed at one end of the bat adjacent to a cylindrically shaped handle portion of the bat, the knob end having a socket hole in axial alignment with the bat, the practice device including a weight structure having a weight sized for positioning in coaxial engagement with the knob end of the baseball bat, the weight having a mass in the range of one to forty-eight ounces, the weight structure having connecting means projecting outwardly from the weight structure for disengageable connection within the socket hole to secure the practice device in fixed position with the knob end of the baseball bat for use in training, the connecting means including a bolt having external threads in threaded engagement with internal threads of the socket hole, the weight having an upper surface, and gripping means attached to the upper surface for engagement against the knob end of the bat to securely hold the weight in coaxial engagement with the knob end of the baseball bat when the weight is manually rotated to cause the external threads to move axially of the socket hole to tighten the engagement of the weight against the knob end, the knob end including a cylindrical end portion of the bat extending axially therethrough, the end portion having an interior cylindrical surface in fixed engagement with an insert, the insert defining the socket hole.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 245 words

A baseball bat sized and configured for use in a baseball game by itself and in combination with a practice device for use in training, comprising in combination: the baseball bat having a knob end disposed at one end of the bat adjacent to a cylindrically shaped handle portion of the bat, the knob end having a socket hole in axial alignment with the bat, the practice device including a weight structure having a weight sized for positioning in coaxial engagement with the knob end of the baseball bat, the weight having a mass in the range of one to forty-eight ounces, the weight structure having connecting means projecting outwardly from the weight structure for disengageable connection Within the socket hole to secure the practice device in fixed position with the knob end of the baseball bat for use in training, the connecting means including a bolt having external threads in threaded engagement with internal threads of the socket hole, the weight having an upper surface, and gripping means attached to the upper surface for engagement against the knob end of the bat to securely hold the weight in coaxial engagement with the knob end of the baseball bat when the weight is manually rotated to cause the external threads to move axially of the socket hole to tighten the engagement of the weight against the knob end, the knob end being formed of wood and includes a cylindrical metal insert defining the socket hole.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 245 words

A baseball bat sized and configured for use in a baseball game by itself and in combination with a practice device for use in training, comprising in combination: the baseball bat having a knob end disposed at one end of the bat adjacent to a cylindrically shaped handle portion of the bat, the knob end having a socket hole in axial alignment with the bat, the practice device including a weight structure having a weight sized for positioning in coaxial engagement with the knob end of the baseball bat, the weight having a mass in the range of one to forty-eight ounces, the weight structure having connecting means projecting outwardly from the weight structure for disengageable connection Within the socket hole to secure the practice device in fixed position with the knob end of the baseball bat for use in training, the connecting means including a bolt having external threads in threaded engagement with internal threads of the socket hole, the weight having an upper surface, and gripping means attached to the upper surface for engagement against the knob end of the bat to securely hold the weight in coaxial engagement with the knob end of the baseball bat when the weight is manually rotated to cause the external threads to move axially of the socket hole to tighten the engagement of the weight against the knob end, the knob end being formed of wood and includes a cylindrical metal insert defining the socket hole.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 173 words

A baseball bat sized and configured for use in a baseball game by itself and in combination with a practice device for use in training, comprising in combination: the baseball bat having a knob end disposed at one end of the bat adjacent to a cylindrically shaped handle portion of the bat, the knob end having a socket hole in axial alignment with the bat, the practice device including a weight structure having a weight sized for positioning in coaxial engagement with the knob end of the baseball bat, the weight having a mass in the range of one to forty-eight ounces, the weight structure having connecting means projecting outwardly from the weight structure for disengageable connection within the socket hole to secure the practice device in fixed position with the knob end of the baseball bat for use in training, actuation means operatively connected with the connecting means for controlling engagement of the connecting means with the socket hole, the actuation means including a lever and biasing means for moving the lever.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 173 words

A baseball bat sized and configured for use in a baseball game by itself and in combination with a practice device for use in training, comprising in combination: the baseball bat having a knob end disposed at one end of the bat adjacent to a cylindrically shaped handle portion of the bat, the knob end having a socket hole in axial alignment with the bat, the practice device including a weight structure having a weight sized for positioning in coaxial engagement with the knob end of the baseball bat, the weight having a mass in the range of one to forty-eight ounces, the weight structure having connecting means projecting outwardly from the weight structure for disengageable connection within the socket hole to secure the practice device in fixed position with the knob end of the baseball bat for use in training, actuation means operatively connected with the connecting means for controlling engagement of the connecting means with the socket hole, the actuation means including a lever and biasing means for moving the lever.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 66 words

The combination of claim 3, wherein the connecting means includes means for disengageably projecting a member outwardly from a side wall of the connecting means in a lateral movement perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the bat, the socket hole having an outwardly sloped portion adapted to receive the projected member to secure the practice device in fixed position with the knob end of the bat.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 92 words

The combination of claim 3, wherein the connecting means includes a flexible rubber housing, the housing being stretchable into an elongated position when the lever is manually moved in a disengaging position for inserting and removal of the connecting means in the socket hole, the rubber housing being compressible when the lever is moved by the biasing means in an engaging position causing sides of the housing to bulge outward in pressing engagement with the socket hole to secure the practice device in fixed position with the knob end of the bat.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 184 words

A baseball bat sized and configured for use in a baseball game by itself and in combination with a practice device for use in training, comprising in combination: the baseball bat having a knob end disposed at one end of the bat adjacent to a cylindrically shaped handle portion of the bat, the knob end having a socket hole in axial alignment with the bat, the socket hole having internal threads and a bottom, the practice device including a weight structure having a weight sized for positioning in coaxial engagement with the knob end of the baseball bat, the weight having a mass in the range of one to forty-eight Ounces, the weight structure having a bolt with external threads threadingly engageable with the internal threads of the socket hole to secure the practice device in fixed assembly with the knob end of the baseball bat for use in training, the knob end including a cylindrical end portion of the bat extending axially therethrough, the end portion having an interior cylindrical surface in fixed engagement with an insert, the insert defining the socket hole.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 184 words

A baseball bat sized and configured for use in a baseball game by itself and in combination with a practice device for use in training, comprising in combination: the baseball bat having a knob end disposed at one end of the bat adjacent to a cylindrically shaped handle portion of the bat, the knob end having a socket hole in axial alignment with the bat, the socket hole having internal threads and a bottom, the practice device including a weight structure having a weight sized for positioning in coaxial engagement with the knob end of the baseball bat, the weight having a mass in the range of one to forty-eight Ounces, the weight structure having a bolt with external threads threadingly engageable with the internal threads of the socket hole to secure the practice device in fixed assembly with the knob end of the baseball bat for use in training, the knob end including a cylindrical end portion of the bat extending axially therethrough, the end portion having an interior cylindrical surface in fixed engagement with an insert, the insert defining the socket hole.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 21 words

The combination of claim 6, wherein the interior cylindrical surface has threads in threaded engagement with external threads of the insert.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 167 words

A baseball bat sized and configured for use in a baseball game by itself and in combination with a practice device for use in training, comprising in combination: the baseball bat having a knob end disposed at one end of the bat adjacent to a cylindrically shaped handle portion of the bat, the knob end having a socket hole in axial alignment with the bat, the socket hole having internal threads and a bottom, the practice device including a weight structure having a weight sized for positioning in coaxial engagement with the knob end of the baseball bat, the weight having a mass in the range of one to forty-eight ounces, the weight structure having a bolt with external threads threadingly engageable with the internal threads of the socket hole to secure the practice device in fixed assembly with the knob end of the baseball bat for use in training, the knob end being formed of wood and includes a cylindrical metal insert defining the socket hole.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 167 words

A baseball bat sized and configured for use in a baseball game by itself and in combination with a practice device for use in training, comprising in combination: the baseball bat having a knob end disposed at one end of the bat adjacent to a cylindrically shaped handle portion of the bat, the knob end having a socket hole in axial alignment with the bat, the socket hole having internal threads and a bottom, the practice device including a weight structure having a weight sized for positioning in coaxial engagement with the knob end of the baseball bat, the weight having a mass in the range of one to forty-eight ounces, the weight structure having a bolt with external threads threadingly engageable with the internal threads of the socket hole to secure the practice device in fixed assembly with the knob end of the baseball bat for use in training, the knob end being formed of wood and includes a cylindrical metal insert defining the socket hole.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 25 words

The combination of claim 8, wherein a bottom of the socket hole has epoxy means applied thereto for securing the insert to the knob end.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 47 words

The combination of claim 9, wherein the insert has external threads in threaded engagement with threads of an axial bore of the knob end, the insert having edges extending about an open bottom end of the insert, the edges having indented portions secured with the epoxy means.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 168 words

A baseball bat sized and configured for use in a baseball game by itself and in combination with a practice device for use in training, comprising in combination: the baseball bat having a knob end disposed at one end of the bat adjacent to a cylindrically shaped handle portion of the bat, the knob end having a socket hole, the practice device including a weight structure having a weight sized for positioning in coaxial engagement with the knob end of the baseball bat, the weight having a mass in the range of one to forty-eight ounces, the weight structure having connecting means projecting outwardly from the weight structure for disengageable connection within the socket hole to secure the practice device in fixed position with the knob end of the baseball bat for use in training, and actuation means operatively connected with the connecting means for controlling engagement of the connecting means with the socket hole, the actuation means including a lever and biasing means for moving the lever.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 168 words

A baseball bat sized and configured for use in a baseball game by itself and in combination with a practice device for use in training, comprising in combination: the baseball bat having a knob end disposed at one end of the bat adjacent to a cylindrically shaped handle portion of the bat, the knob end having a socket hole, the practice device including a weight structure having a weight sized for positioning in coaxial engagement with the knob end of the baseball bat, the weight having a mass in the range of one to forty-eight ounces, the weight structure having connecting means projecting outwardly from the weight structure for disengageable connection within the socket hole to secure the practice device in fixed position with the knob end of the baseball bat for use in training, and actuation means operatively connected with the connecting means for controlling engagement of the connecting means with the socket hole, the actuation means including a lever and biasing means for moving the lever.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 215 words

A baseball bat sized and configured for use in a baseball game by itself and in combination with a practice device for use in training, comprising in combination: the baseball bat having a knob end disposed at one end of the bat adjacent to a cylindrically shaped handle portion of the bat, the knob end having a socket hole, the practice device including a weight structure having a weight sized for positioning in coaxial engagement with the knob end of the baseball bat, the weight having a mass in the range of one to forty-eight ounces, the weight structure having connecting means projecting outwardly from the weight structure for disengageable connection within the socket hole to secure the practice device in fixed position with the knob end of the baseball bat for use in training, and actuation means operatively connected with the connecting means for controlling engagement of the connecting means with the socket hole, the connecting means including means for disengageably projecting a member outwardly from a side wall of the connecting means in a lateral movement perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the bat, the socket hole having an outwardly sloped portion adapted to receive the projected member to secure the practice device in fixed position with the knob end of the bat.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 215 words

A baseball bat sized and configured for use in a baseball game by itself and in combination with a practice device for use in training, comprising in combination: the baseball bat having a knob end disposed at one end of the bat adjacent to a cylindrically shaped handle portion of the bat, the knob end having a socket hole, the practice device including a weight structure having a weight sized for positioning in coaxial engagement with the knob end of the baseball bat, the weight having a mass in the range of one to forty-eight ounces, the weight structure having connecting means projecting outwardly from the weight structure for disengageable connection within the socket hole to secure the practice device in fixed position with the knob end of the baseball bat for use in training, and actuation means operatively connected with the connecting means for controlling engagement of the connecting means with the socket hole, the connecting means including means for disengageably projecting a member outwardly from a side wall of the connecting means in a lateral movement perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the bat, the socket hole having an outwardly sloped portion adapted to receive the projected member to secure the practice device in fixed position with the knob end of the bat.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 92 words

The combination of claim 12, wherein the connecting means includes a flexible rubber housing, the housing being stretchable into an elongated position when the lever is manually moved in a disengaging position for inserting and removal of the connecting means in the socket hole, the rubber housing being compressible when the lever is moved by the biasing means in an engaging position causing sides of the housing to bulge outward in pressing engagement with the socket hole to secure the practice device in fixed position with the knob end of the bat.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 164 words

A baseball bat and practice device, comprising in combination: the baseball bat having a knob end disposed at one end of the bat adjacent to a cylindrically shaped handle portion of the bat, the knob end having a socket hole, the practice device including a weight structure having a weight sized for positioning in coaxial engagement with the knob end of the baseball bat, the weight having a mass in the range of one to forty-eight ounces, the weight structure having connecting means projecting outwardly from the weight structure for disengageable connection within the socket hole to secure the practice device in fixed position with the knob end of the baseball bat for use in training, and actuation means operatively connected with the connecting means for controlling engagement of the connecting means with the socket hole, the actuation means including a lever adapted for movement by a user to a disengaging position to provide for disengagement of the connecting means with the socket hole.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 164 words

A baseball bat and practice device, comprising in combination: the baseball bat having a knob end disposed at one end of the bat adjacent to a cylindrically shaped handle portion of the bat, the knob end having a socket hole, the practice device including a weight structure having a weight sized for positioning in coaxial engagement with the knob end of the baseball bat, the weight having a mass in the range of one to forty-eight ounces, the weight structure having connecting means projecting outwardly from the weight structure for disengageable connection within the socket hole to secure the practice device in fixed position with the knob end of the baseball bat for use in training, and actuation means operatively connected with the connecting means for controlling engagement of the connecting means with the socket hole, the actuation means including a lever adapted for movement by a user to a disengaging position to provide for disengagement of the connecting means with the socket hole.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2000-10-06	2001-04-07	2001-10-07	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2004-10-06	2005-04-07	2005-10-07	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2008-10-06	2009-04-07	2009-10-07	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Baseball bat and practice device combination

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