Protective bat cover

Abstract

A cover for protecting the barrel portion of a baseball bat, or other structure is disclosed. The cover is preferably formed from an elastic rubber material such as neoprene. The flexible cover has the ability to adapt its shape upon insertion of a bat, enabling use with bats of various sizes. The cover is water resistant and is adapted for maximizing the visibility of printed matter thereon.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A protective cover for a baseball or softball bat, comprising: 
 a substantially tubular casing, formed of elastic rubber material, having an open end for receiving a barrel portion of a bat and a closed end adapted to abut an end of the barrel portion of the bat when the bat is inserted into the substantially tubular casing; and    a seam extending from the closed end of the substantially tubular casing partially along the length of the substantially tubular casing and separating to form a split that begins nearest to and extends into the open end of the substantially tubular casing.    
     
     
         2 . The protective cover of  claim 1 , wherein the elastic rubber material comprise neoprene.  
     
     
         3 . The protective cover of  claim 1 , further comprising fastening means mounted on the substantially tubular casing adjacent to the open end adapted to secure the protective cover to the barrel portion of the bat.  
     
     
         4 . The protective cover of  claim 1 , further comprising a finger strap having two ends secured to the substantially tubular casing to form a loop.  
     
     
         5 . The protective cover of  claim 4 , further comprising an attachment mechanism secured to the finger strap.  
     
     
         6 . The protective cover of  claim 1 , further comprising a finger strap having two ends secured to the closed end of the substantially tubular casing to form a loop.  
     
     
         7 . The protective cover of  claim 6 , further comprising an attachment mechanism secured to the finger strap.  
     
     
         8 . The protective cover of  claim 1 , further comprising an attachment mechanism secured to the substantially tubular casing at a position near the closed end of the substantially tubular casing.  
     
     
         9 . The protective cover of  claim 1 , further comprising an attachment mechanism secured to a strap that is secured to the substantially tubular casing at a position near the closed end of the substantially tubular casing.  
     
     
         10 . The protective cover of  claim 8 , wherein the attachment mechanism further comprises at least one of a clip, ring, or clasp.  
     
     
         11 . The protective cover of  claim 1 , further comprising a shoulder strap that is adjustable in length, the shoulder strap comprising a first end that is secured to the substantially tubular casing at a position near the closed end of the substantially tubular casing, and a second end that is secured to the substantially tubular casing at a position near the open end of the substantially tubular casing.  
     
     
         12 . The protective cover of  claim 1 , further comprising a shoulder strap that is adjustable in length, the shoulder strap comprising a first end that is secured to the substantially tubular casing at a position near the closed end of the substantially tubular casing, and a second end that is secured to a handle attachment adapted to be secured to a handle portion of a bat.  
     
     
         13 . The protective cover of  claim 12 , wherein the handle attachment comprises a strip of material adapted to be wrapped around and secured to the handle portion of the bat, the strip of material having a first end and a second end that mate via hook and loop fastener.  
     
     
         14 . The protective cover of  claim 1 , further comprising a resistance device secured to the substantially tubular casing for simulating resistance during training swings.  
     
     
         15 . The protective cover of  claim 14 , wherein the resistance device comprises a retention strap secured to the substantially tubular casing substantially along the length of the substantially tubular casing, the retention strap adapted to house and secure one of a plurality of interchangeable weights.  
     
     
         16 . The protective cover of  claim 15 , wherein the interchangeable weights comprise weighted rods.  
     
     
         17 . The protective cover of  claim 14 , wherein the resistance device comprises a retention pouch secured to the substantially tubular casing, the retention pouch adapted to house and secure one of a plurality of interchangeable weights.  
     
     
         18 . The protective cover of  claim 1 , further comprising a drawstring closure positioned near the open end of the substantially tubular casing to assist in securing the protective cover to a bat.  
     
     
         19 . The protective cover of  claim 18 , wherein the drawstring closure comprises a drawstring threaded through a drawstring channel formed along the circumference of the open end of the substantially tubular casing.