Bunt aid

Abstract

The present invention includes a bunt aid. The bunt aid can be a cup or removably coupled or integral with a bat for aiding in the instruction of bunting.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A bunt aid for use with a bat, the bat having a handle and a barrel, the bunt aid comprising: 
 at least one cup;    at least one strap attached to the cup; and    the strap adapted to secure the cup to the bat.    
     
     
         2 . The bunt aid of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one strap further comprises: 
 at least one end detachably coupled to the at least one cup; and    a length sufficient to wrap around the barrel.    
     
     
         3 . The bunt aid of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one detachably coupled end couples to the at least one cup using a mechanism comprising at least one of a snap, a Velcro strip, an adhesive, a buckle, or suction cup.  
     
     
         4 . The bunt aid of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one cup is positionable along the bat.  
     
     
         5 . The bunt aid of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one cup comprises: 
 a seating surface adapted to be secured adjacent to the bat; and    sidewalls having a rim, the sidewalls attached to the seating surface and extending outward from the seating surface to terminate at the rim,    such that the rim defines a first opening.    
     
     
         6 . The bunt aid of  claim 5 , wherein the sidewalls generally taper outward between the seating surface and the rim.  
     
     
         7 . The bunt aid of  claim 5 , wherein the seating surface, sidewalls and rim have substantially a funnel shape.  
     
     
         8 . The bunt aid of  5 , wherein the opening defines a geometrical shape.  
     
     
         9 . The bunt aid of  claim 8 , wherein the geometrical shape comprises one of a circle, an ellipse, a rectangle, a square, a triangle, an oblong, a semi-circle, a semi-ellipse, or a trapezoid.  
     
     
         10 . The bunt aid of  claim 5 , wherein the seating surface comprises at least a second opening to expose the bat surface.  
     
     
         11 . The bunt aid of  claim 5 , wherein the rim comprises: 
 a lip,    the lip having an outer portion, a transition portion, and an inner portion; and    the lip being generally parallel to the bat surface at the outer portion and generally parallel to the sidewalls at the inner portion.    
     
     
         12 . The bunt aid of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one cup is constructed from at least one of rubber, foam, leather, synthetic leather, polymers, composites, metals, or woods.  
     
     
         13 . A bunt aid for use with a bat, the bat having a handle and a barrel, the bunt aid comprising: 
 means for simulating the catching of a ball with the bat; and    means for attaching the simulating means to the bat.    
     
     
         14 . The bunt aid of  claim 13 , wherein the means for simulating is a means for guiding the bat to the ball.  
     
     
         15 . The bunt aid of  claim 14 , wherein the means for simulating is a cup.  
     
     
         16 . The bunt aid of  claim 13 , wherein the means for simulating is a means for deadening the impact of the ball on the bat.  
     
     
         17 . The bunt aid of  claim 16 , wherein the means for deadening is at least one of a foam sleeve, a rubber sleeve, and a spring.  
     
     
         18 . A bat adapted for use as a bunt training aid, the training aid comprising: 
 a handle portion;    a barrel portion;    an intermediate portion between the handle portion and the barrel portion; and a bunt aid attached to the barrel portion.    
     
     
         19 . The bat of  claim 18 , wherein the bunt aid is integral to the bat.  
     
     
         20 . The bat of  claim 18 , wherein the bunt aid is detachable from the bat.  
     
     
         21 . The bat of  claim 18 , wherein the bat is constructed from one of a metal, a wood, or a polymer.  
     
     
         22 . The bat of  claim 18 , wherein a spring couples the handle portion and the barrel portion of the bat.  
     
     
         23 . The bat of  claim 22 , wherein a tension on the spring is controllable by twisting a knob on the handle.  
     
     
         24 . The bat of  claim 22 , wherein a tension of the spring is controllable by twisting a cap on the barrel.