Length Compatible In-Game Bat Protection Case

Abstract

A length compatible in-game protection case and method for affixed positional storage of a bat stores a baseball bat in an affixed axial position inside an elongated housing, such that a handle end of the bat is accessible from an open end of the housing without requiring the housing to be fully opened. The housing has an outer surface, inner surface, an open end, and a closed end. The housing has a pliable panel to protect the bat from damage. A cap detachably attaches to the open end. Spaced-apart ridges extend along the length of the panel to indicate discrete lengths that correlate to the bat. A spacer fits into one of the ridges and engages a top end of the bat to fixedly position the bat at an appropriate length in relation to the housing such that the handle end is accessible from open end of the housing.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A length compatible in-game protection case, the case comprising:
 an elongated housing defined by a tubular configuration, a hinge side, and a pair of cooperating longitudinal edges that detachably couple together through a male fastener and a female fastener, the housing further defined by an outer surface, an inner surface, a closed end, and an opposite open end;   a hinge disposed lengthwise along the hinge side, whereby the housing hingedly opens and closes in a lengthwise direction;   a cap configured to detachably attach to the open end of the housing;   a pliable panel configured to overlay the inner surface of the housing;   a series of spaced-apart ridges extending along the length of the panel, each ridge defined by an indicia indicating a discrete length; and   a spacer detachably fitted into one of the series of spaced-apart ridges.   
     
     
         2 . The case of  claim 1 , wherein the housing is defined by a clamshell design. 
     
     
         3 . The case of  claim 1 , wherein the housing is at least 35 inches long. 
     
     
         4 . The case of  claim 1 , wherein the housing is rigid. 
     
     
         5 . The case of  claim 1 , wherein the housing is dimensioned to encase a bat. 
     
     
         6 . The case of  claim 1 , wherein the male fastener is a snap closure. 
     
     
         7 . The case of  claim 6 , wherein the female fastener is a slot that detachably couples to the snap closure. 
     
     
         8 . The case of  claim 1 , wherein the pliable panel is a felt cloth or foam. 
     
     
         9 . The case of  claim 1 , wherein the spacer is disc-shaped. 
     
     
         10 . The case of  claim 1 , wherein the spacer comprises a felt lining. 
     
     
         11 . The case of  claim 1 , wherein the series of spaced-apart ridges are spaced apart about one inch. 
     
     
         12 . The case of  claim 1 , further comprising a shoulder strap. 
     
     
         13 . The case of  claim 12 , further comprising a pair of carabiners, the carabiners attachable to the outer surface of the housing and the shoulder strap. 
     
     
         14 . A length compatible in-game protection case, the case consisting of:
 an elongated housing defined by a tubular configuration a clamshell design, a hinge side, and a pair of cooperating longitudinal edges that detachably couple together through a snap closure and a slot, the housing further defined by an outer surface, an inner surface, a closed end, and an opposite open end,   whereby the housing is dimensioned to encase a bat;   a hinge disposed lengthwise along the hinge side, whereby the housing hingedly opens and closes in a lengthwise direction;   a cap configured to detachably attach to the open end of the housing;   a pliable panel configured to overlay the inner surface of the housing;   a series of spaced-apart ridges extending along the length of the panel, each ridge defined by an indicia indicating a discrete length of the bat;   a spacer detachably fitted into one of the series of spaced-apart ridges;   a shoulder strap; and   a pair of carabiners, the carabiners attachable to the outer surface of the housing and the shoulder strap.   
     
     
         15 . The case of  claim 1 , wherein the housing is at least 35 inches long. 
     
     
         16 . The case of  claim 1 , wherein the housing is rigid. 
     
     
         17 . The case of  claim 1 , wherein the pliable panel is a felt cloth or foam. 
     
     
         18 . The case of  claim 1 , wherein the spacer is disc-shaped and comprises a felt lining. 
     
     
         19 . The case of  claim 1 , wherein the series of spaced-apart ridges are spaced apart about one inch. 
     
     
         20 . A method for affixed positional storage of a bat, the method comprising:
 providing a case defined by an elongated housing having a clamshell design, a hinge side, and a pair of cooperating longitudinal edges that detachably couple together through a male fastener and a female fastener, the housing further defined by an outer surface, an inner surface, a closed end, and an opposite open end;   hingedly opening the housing along the hinge side;   positioning a bat inside the housing oriented such that a top end of the bat faces the closed end of the housing, and a handle end of the bat faces the open end of the housing;   axially displacing the bat along a series of spaced-apart ridges extending along the length of the inner surface of the housing;   fitting a spacer at one of the spacers in alignment with the top end of the bat, such that the handle end of the bat is accessible from the open end of the housing without requiring the housing to be fully opened;   closing the housing along the hinge side, whereby the male fastener and the female fastener of the longitudinal edges engage;   affixing a cap on the open end of the housing, whereby the bat is stored and carried;   removing the cap from the open end of the housing; and   pulling the handle end of the bat, so as to remove the bat from the housing, whereby the spacer positons the handle end of the bat to be accessible through the open end of the housing without opening the housing along the hinge side.