System for adapting a sports implement

Abstract

The present invention is a sports implement for hitting a pitched object. The sports implement includes attachments for a contact end of the implement allowing variation of the weight and/or length of the sports implement.

1 . A sports implement for hitting a pitched ball, said sports implement having a grip end and a contacting end and an axis extending between said grip end and said contacting end, said contacting end having a tip end located distally from said grip end, said sports implement further comprising: 
 an engagement feature located on said contacting end;    at least one weight, wherein said at least one weight engages said engagement feature; and    a cap, wherein said cap is removably secured to said at least one weight.    
   
   
       2 . A sports implement according to  claim 1 , wherein said engagement feature comprises a substantially cylindrical bore in said contacting end of said sports implement, said bore having an opening at said tip end and a sidewall extending for a depth into said sports implement, said bore having at least one retention channel formed in said sidewall, and wherein said at least one weight comprises a substantially cylindrical body and at least one retention pin extending from said body, said cylindrical body having an outer diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the bore.  
   
   
       3 . A sports implement according to  claim 2 , wherein said retention channel has an engaged end, said sports implement further comprising an elastic element, said elastic element biasing said retention pin to said engaged end of said retention channel when said at least one weight is engaged to said engagement feature.  
   
   
       4 . A sports implement according to  claim 3 , wherein said at least one weight each being individually engageable with said engagement feature, said weights having varying masses.  
   
   
       5 . A sports implement according to  claim 1 , wherein said engagement feature further comprises first engagement face, said at least one weight having a second attachment face, said first engagement face contacting said second engagement face when said at least one weight is engaged to said sports implement, said first and second engagement faces having serrated surfaces.  
   
   
       6 . A sports implement according to  claim 2 , wherein said engagement feature comprises a bore in said contacting end of said sports implement, said bore having an opening at said tip end and a sidewall extending for a depth into said sports implement, said bore having a female thread formed along at least a portion of said sidewall, and wherein said at least one weight comprises a substantially cylindrical body, said cylindrical body having a male thread formed on at least a portion of said cylindrical body, said male thread engageable with said female thread.  
   
   
       7 . A sports implement according to  claim 2 , wherein said engagement feature comprises a post extending from said tip end of said sports implement, said post having a substantially cylindrical shape, said post having at least one retention pin extending from a sidewall of said post, and wherein said at least on e weight comprises a bore, said bore having an opening, a diameter, and a long axis and a sidewall extending for a depth along said long axis into said at least one weight, said bore having at least one retention trough formed in said sidewall, wherein said post has an outer diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the bore.  
   
   
       8 . A sports implement for hitting a pitched object, said sports implement having a grip adjacent a first end, a barrel, and a barrel end located opposite said first end, said sports implement further comprising: 
 a weight attaching means located adjacent said barrel end, said weight attaching means for selectively attaching a weight;    at least one weight means, said weight means for adjusting the weight of the barrel of said sports implement, said weight means further being engageable in said weight attaching means; and    a cap, wherein said cap is removably secured to said at least one weight means.    
   
   
       9 . A sports implement for hitting a pitched object according to  claim 8 , wherein said weight attaching means further comprises an engagement biasing means.  
   
   
       10 . A sports implement according to  claim 9 , wherein said biasing means comprises a spring located to exert force against said weight means when said weight means is engaged in said weight attaching means.  
   
   
       11 . A sports implement according to  claim 8 , wherein said weight means further comprises an engagement biasing means.  
   
   
       12 . A sports implement according to  claim 11 , wherein said engagement biasing means comprises a spring located to exert force against said sports implement when said weight means is engaged in said weight attaching means.  
   
   
       13 . A sports implement for hitting a pitched object, said sports implement having a first end and a second end and a center axis extending from said first end to said second end, said sports implement further comprising: 
 an attachment engagement for receiving an attachment located adjacent said first end;    at least one attachment, said at least one attachment adapted to engage said attachment engagement;    wherein said attachment engagement comprises a socket, said socket having a floor, a depth, an opening adjacent said first end, and at least one retention pin channel, said retention pin channel having at least a first leg and a second leg, said first leg extending from said opening adjacent said first end and extending for at least a portion of said depth, said second leg joining said first leg and forming an angle with said first leg, said second leg not extending to said opening, wherein said at least one attachment further comprises at least one retention pin, said retention pin having a length adapted to engage said retention pin channel; and    a cap, wherein said cap is removably secured to said at least one attachment.    
   
   
       14 . A sports implement according to  claim 13 , wherein said attachment engagement comprises a socket, said socket having a floor, a depth, an opening adjacent said first end, and at least one retention pin channel, said retention pin channel having at least a first leg and a second leg, said first leg extending from said opening adjacent said first end and extending for at least a portion of said depth, said second leg joining said first leg and forming an angle with said first leg, said second leg not extending to said opening, and wherein said at least one weight further comprises at least one retention pin, said retention pin having a length adapted to engage said retention pin trough.  
   
   
       15 . A sports implement according to  claim 14 , wherein said attachment further comprises an elastic element, said elastic element contacting said floor when said attachment is engaged in said attachment engagement.  
   
   
       16 . A sports implement according to  claim 15 , wherein said elastic element is a spring.  
   
   
       17 . A sports implement according to  claim 14 , wherein said attachment engagement further comprises an elastic element attached to said floor, said elastic element engaging said at least one attachment when said at least one attachment is engaged in said attachment engagement.  
   
   
       18 . A sports implement according to  claim 17 , wherein said elastic element comprises a spring.  
   
   
       19 . A sports implement according to  claim 13 , wherein said attachment engagement comprises at least one female thread, and said at least one attachment comprises at least one male thread, said at least one attachment being threadably engageable into said attachment engagement.  
   
   
       20 . A sports implement according to  claim 19 , wherein said attachment engagement further comprises an elastic element, said elastic element engaging said at least one attachment when said at least one attachment is threadedly engaged in said attachment engagement.  
   
   
       21 . A sports implement according to  claim 19 , wherein said at least one attachment further comprises an elastic element, said elastic element engaging said floor when said at least one attachment is threadedly engaged in said attachment engagement.