Adjustably weighted training device and method of manufacture

Abstract

The present application is direct to an adjustably weighted baseball bat for use when striking a ball and includes a cylindrical contacting region having a transverse dimension of D out and defining one or more receiving channels having a transverse dimension of D int , wherein D int is less than D out , a gripping region in communication with the cylindrical contacting region, and one or more weight body assemblies configured to be positioned within the receiving channels and secured therein, the body assemblies defining a passage having a transverse dimension of D int2 approximately equal to D int , the body assemblies having an exterior transverse dimension D out2 approximately equal to D out .

1 . A weighted training device, comprising:
 a contacting region configured to strike a ball having a transverse dimension of D out  and defining one or more receiving channels having a transverse dimension of D int , wherein D int  is less than D out ;   a gripping region in communication with the contacting region; and   one or more weight body assemblies configured to be positioned within the receiving channels and secured therein, the body assemblies defining a passage having a transverse dimension of D int2  approximately equal to D int , the body assemblies having an exterior transverse dimension D out2  approximately equal to D out .   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the weighted training device comprises a baseball bat. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the weighted training device comprises a softball bat. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the contacting region is manufactured from wood. 
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the contacting region is manufactured from at least one material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, titanium, magnesium, alloys, ceramics, composite materials, fiberglass, polymers, and elastomers. 
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the body assembly further comprises:
 a first body member having a body defining an interior surface and an exterior surface; and   at least a second body member having a body defining an interior surface and an exterior surface, the first and second body members cooperatively forming a toroidal body assembly.   
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 6  further comprising at least one receiving orifice formed on at least one body member and configured to receive at least one fastener therein, the fastener configured to securely couple the second body member to the first body member. 
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 6  wherein at least one of the body members is manufactured from at least one material selected from the group consisting of steel, iron, titanium, aluminum, magnesium, copper, tungsten, alloys, polymers, ceramics, elastomers, wood, and composite materials. 
   
   
       9 . An adjustably weighted baseball bat for use when striking a ball, comprising:
 a cylindrical contacting region having a transverse dimension of D out  and defining one or more receiving channels having a transverse dimension of D int , wherein D int  is less than D out ;   a gripping region in communication with the cylindrical contacting region; and   one or more weight body assemblies configured to be positioned within the receiving channels and secured therein, the body assemblies defining a passage having a transverse dimension of D int2  approximately equal to D int , the body assemblies having an exterior transverse dimension D out2  approximately equal to D out .   
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 9  wherein the cylindrical contacting region is manufactured from wood. 
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 9  wherein the body assembly further comprises:
 a first body member having a body defining an interior surface and an exterior surface; and   at least a second body member having a body defining an interior surface and an exterior surface, the first and second body members cooperatively forming a toroidal body assembly.   
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 11  further comprising at least one receiving orifice formed on at least one body member and configured to receive at least one fastener therein, the fastener configured to securely couple the second body member to the first body member. 
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 11  wherein at least one of the body members is manufactured from at least one material selected from the group consisting of steel, iron, titanium, aluminum, magnesium, copper, tungsten, alloys, polymers, ceramics, elastomers, wood, and composite materials. 
   
   
       14 . An adjustably weighted baseball training device, comprising:
 a cylindrical contacting region configured to engage spherical ball, the contact region having a transverse dimension of D out  and defining one or more receiving channels having a transverse dimension of D int , wherein D int  is less than D out ;   a gripping region in communication with the cylindrical contacting region; and   one or more weight body assemblies configured to be positioned within the receiving channels and secured therein, the body assemblies defining a passage having a transverse dimension of D int2  approximately equal to D int , the body assemblies having an exterior transverse dimension D out2  approximately equal to D out .   
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 14  wherein the cylindrical contacting region is manufactured from wood. 
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 14  wherein the body assembly further comprises:
 a first body member having a body defining an interior surface and an exterior surface; and   at least a second body member having a body defining an interior surface and an exterior surface, the first and second body members cooperatively forming a toroidal body assembly.   
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 16  further comprising at least one receiving orifice formed on at least one body member and configured to receive at least one fastener therein, the fastener configured to securely couple the second body member to the first body member. 
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 16  wherein at least one of the body members is manufactured from at least one material selected from the group consisting of steel, iron, titanium, aluminum, magnesium, copper, tungsten, alloys, polymers, ceramics, elastomers, wood, and composite materials.