Bat with patterned handle

Abstract

A bat for use in the game of baseball or softball with a pattern burnt, etched or carved into the bat's handle. The pattern creates a tactile frictional contact between the player's hands and the handle in order to enhance the grip on the bat, which replaces and eliminates the need for the application of materials that enhance grip, such as pine tar. The device enhances either left or right handed players' grips; and can be used by both children as well as adults of both genders. The invention's pattern can be made of aesthetically pleasing patterns of varying shapes and sizes.

1 . A bat for use in the game of baseball or softball comprising: a handle, a knob, a barrel and a tip; said handle further comprising a continuous and unbroken pattern lacking free space or sharp edges consisting of a plurality of channels positioned a predetermined distance apart from each other and having a predetermined width and recessed a predetermined depth into the curvilinear surface of said handle; and positioned in the remaining spaces in between said channels are a plurality of curvilinear surface structures; wherein when a user swings said bat, said pattern creates a tactile frictional contact between the hands of said user and said handle, wherein said tactile frictional contact enhances the grip on said handle by maximizing choice of where to grip said handle, comfort and control, without the need for means to enhance grip, such as pine tar application. 
     
     
         2 . A bat as described in  claim 1 , said channels having a predetermined width of a range from 0.049 to 0.469 inches and depth of a range from 0.034 to 0.332 inches into said curvilinear surface of said handle; said width and depth of said channels corresponding to said pattern. 
     
     
         3 . A bat as described in  claim 1 , wherein said pattern consists of said channels and said curvilinear surface structures of varying shapes and sizes, such as repeated geometric designs, logos, or fanciful shapes, in order to be aesthetically pleasing. 
     
     
         4 . A bat as described in  claim 1 , wherein said channels are manufactured by conventional application means, such as burning, carving or etching. 
     
     
         5 . A bat as described in  claim 1 , wherein said bat is manufactured of conventional materials, such as wood or metal. 
     
     
         6 . A method for using a bat with a knob, handle, barrel, and tip, in the game of baseball or softball; said handle further comprising a continuous and unbroken pattern lacking free space or sharp edges consisting of a plurality of channels positioned a predetermined distance apart from each other and having a predetermined width and recessed a predetermined depth into the curvilinear surface of said handle, and positioned in the remaining spaces in between said channels are a plurality of curvilinear surface structures; said method comprising the following steps: (i) a user grips said handle with its hands, while (ii) simultaneously swinging said bat, whereby (iii) said pattern creates a tactile frictional contact between the hands of said user and said handle, wherein said tactile frictional contact enhances grip on said handle by maximizing choice of where to grip said handle, comfort and control, without the need for means to enhance grip, such as pine tar application. 
     
     
         7 . A bat as described in  claim 6  said channels having a predetermined width of a range from 0.049 to 0.469 inches and depth of a range from 0.034 to 0.332 inches into said curvilinear surface of said handle; said width and depth of said channels corresponding to said pattern. 
     
     
         8 . A method as described in  claim 6 , wherein said pattern consists of said channels and said curvilinear surface structures of varying shapes and sizes, such as repeated geometric designs, logos, or fanciful shapes, in order to be aesthetically pleasing. 
     
     
         9 . A method as described in  claim 6 , wherein said channels are manufactured by conventional application means, such as burning, carving or etching. 
     
     
         10 . A method as described in  claim 6 , wherein said bat is manufactured of conventional materials, such as wood or metal.