Weighting system for sports balls and hitting implements

Abstract

Closure members are provided at the opposite ends of a hollow casing. Shock absorbers are confined within the casing by the closure members. A weight is disposed within the casing between the shock absorbers. The weight may be defined by a plurality of granules confined within an enclosure in the casing between the shock absorbers. Alternatively, the weight may be defined by a solid member. The casing may be in the shape of a baseball bat. Alternatively, a tube may be disposed within the casing and may be closed by the end caps. The shock absorbers and the weight may be confined within the tube by the end caps. The arrangement described above may also be provided in different types of balls. For example, end caps may be provided at the opposite ends of a hollow main body shaped to define the central portion of a football. Shock absorbers may be disposed with the hollow main body at positions interior to the end caps. A weight may be disposed within the hollow main body between the shock absorbers. The weight may be solid or formed from granules. Stoppers may be disposed in the hollow main body between the shock absorbers and the end caps. The stoppers may be glued at first ends to the shock absorbers and at second ends to the end caps.

1 . In combination to form an athletic accessory, 
 a hollow casing,    closure members at the opposite ends of the casing,    shock absorbers within the hollow casing at the opposite ends of the hollow casing in contiguous relationship to the closure members, the shock absorbers being confined within the casing by the closure members, and    a weight disposed within the casing between the shock absorbers.    
     
     
         3 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 1  wherein 
 the hollow casing is in the shape of a baseball bat.  
 
     
     
         4 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 1  wherein 
 the weight is defined by a plurality of granules confined within an enclosure in the casing between the shock absorbers.  
 
     
     
         5 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 1 , 
 a tube made from a flexible material for holding the closure members and the shock absorbers,    the shock absorbers being made from a resilient material, and    a hitting section made from a flexible material and enveloping the tube.    
     
     
         6 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 5 , 
 the weight constituting a solid member.    
     
     
         7 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the athletic accessory is a baseball bat, 
 the hollow casing including a tube made from a flexible material and holding the shock absorbers and the closure members, and  
 a hitting section made from a flexible material and enveloping the tube and shaped to define a section where the bat normally meets a ball thrown toward the bat,  
 the weight being defined by a plurality of granules confined within the tube.  
 
     
     
         8 . In combination in a baseball bat having inner and outer ends, 
 a hollow casing shaped to provide a first outer diameter at the inner end of the bat and to provide a second outer diameter at the outer end of the bat, the second outer diameter being greater than the first outer diameter,    first and second closure members for respectively closing the opposite ends of the bat,    a first shock absorber within the hollow casing at the inner end of the bat,    a second shock absorber within the hollow casing at the outer end of the bat, and    a weight within the hollow casing at the outer end of the bat, the weight being disposed within the casing between the first and second shock absorbers.    
     
     
         9 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 8 , 
 a hollow tube made from a flexible material,    the first and second shock absorbers and the weight being disposed within the hollow tube, and    a hitting section enveloping the tube at the outer end of the tube,    the hollow tube and the hitting section defining the casing.    
     
     
         10 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 9 , 
 the first and second shock absorbers being made from a resilient material, and    the weight being formed from granules and being confined within the tube against movement, and    the first and second shock absorbers being disposed at the opposite ends of the bat in contiguous relationship with the first and second closure members.    
     
     
         11 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 9 , 
 the first and second closure members being force fitted within the tube, and    the first and second shock absorbers being force fitted within the tube.    
     
     
         12 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 10 , 
 the first and second closure members means being force fitted within the tube, and    the first and second shock absorbers being force fitted within the tube.    
     
     
         13 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 8 , 
 the casing constituting a unitary member made from a flexible material and the first and second shock absorbers and the weight being disposed within the unitary member and the casing being made from a flexible material.    
     
     
         14 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 13 , 
 the first and second shock absorbers being made from a resilient material, and    the weight being formed from granules and being confined within the casing against movement.    
     
     
         15 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 14 , 
 the first and second closure members being force fitted within the tube, and    the first and second shock absorbers being force fitted within the tube.    
     
     
         21 . In combination to form an athletic accessory, 
 a pair of flexible closure members,    a hollow casing closed at opposite ends by the flexible closure members, and    a weight disposed within the casing at a particular position within the casing,    the closure member at one of the ends being initially separated from the casing, and    flexible shock absorbers at the opposite ends of the hollow casing in contiguous relationship to the closure members.    
     
     
         22 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 21 , 
 the weight being formed by a plurality of granules confined within the casing to provide flexible properties, and the casing including a flexible tube disposed within the casing,    the weight and the closure members and the shock absorbers being disposed within the tube,    the shock absorbers being disposed in contiguous relationship to the closure members.    
     
     
         23 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 21 , 
 the weight being provided by a solid material.    
     
     
         24 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 21 , 
 the hollow casing including a tube made from a flexible material,    the casing enveloping the tube and shaped to define a hitting section of a baseball bat, the casing being made from a flexible material,    the shock absorbers being disposed in contiguous relationship to the closure members.    
     
     
         25 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 5  wherein, 
 the hollow casing is in the shape of a baseball bat,  
 the weight is defined by a plurality of granules confined within an enclosure in the casing between the shock absorbers,  
 the hollow casing includes a flexible tube, and  
 a flexible hitting section envelopes the tube and is shaped to define a section where the bat normally meets a ball thrown toward the bat.  
 
     
     
         26 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 5 , 
 the shock absorbers being made from a resilient material and the tube being made from a resilient material,    the hollow casing being in the shape of a baseball bat,    the weight [is] being defined by a plurality of granules confined within an enclosure in the casing between the shock absorbers, [and]   the hollow casing including a tube made from a flexible material, and    a hitting section made from a flexible material and enveloping the tube and disposed within the casing and shaped to define a section where the bat normally meets a ball thrown toward the bat.    
     
     
         27 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 9 , 
 the casing constituting a unitary member and the first and second shock absorbers and the weight being disposed within the unitary member constituting the casing,    the shock absorbers being made from a resilient material and the tube being made from a resilient material.    
     
     
         28 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 12 , 
 the shock absorbers being made from a resilient material and the tube being made from a resilient material.