Device for hitting a ball

Abstract

A strung bat for use in playing cricket includes an elongate handle for a user to hold and a blade elongated in the direction of the handle. The blade includes a perimeter defining an internal space that is strung with an array of strings for hitting a ball. The perimeter frame has a leading edge and an opposing trailing edge, and the array of strings lies in a plane that may be substantially aligned with the leading edge of the frame or is closely adjacent to the leading edge of the frame. An apparatus for playing the game using the strung bat is also disclosed.

1 .- 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A device for hitting a ball, comprising:
 an elongate handle for a user to hold the device;   a blade extending from the handle,   the blade comprising a perimeter frame defining an internal space that is strung with an array of strings for hitting a ball.   
     
     
         15 . The device for hitting a ball according to  claim 14 , wherein the blade is elongated in the direction of the handle and has a substantially rectangular outline sized and configured to resemble a blade of a cricket bat. 
     
     
         16 . The device for hitting a ball according to  claim 14 , wherein the perimeter frame has a leading edge that leads when the device is used to hit a ball and an opposing trailing edge that trails when the device is used to hit a ball, and the array of strings extends in a plane that is substantially aligned with the leading edge of the frame or be closely adjacent to the leading edge of the frame. 
     
     
         17 . The device for hitting a ball according to  claim 14 , wherein the array of strings comprises a first plurality of spaced parallel strings extending longitudinally along the blade, and a second plurality of spaced parallel strings extending transversely to the first plurality across the face of the blade. 
     
     
         18 . The device for hitting a ball according to  claim 16 , wherein the perimeter frame further includes a plurality of ribs extending from one side to the other side that is integrally formed with the perimeter frame. 
     
     
         19 . The device for hitting a ball according to  claim 18 , wherein the plurality of ribs is positioned at or adjacent to the trailing edge of the frame and wherein each rib curves outward away from the face of the blade intermediate its ends to resemble the back of a conventional cricket bat. 
     
     
         20 . The device for hitting a ball according to  claim 14 , including an end cap removably mounted on a base end of the blade and forming a wear surface that engages with a support surface on which the device is used. 
     
     
         21 . The device for hitting a ball according to  claim 20 , wherein the end cap is mechanically connected to the blade by at least one mechanical fastener passing through the frame and into the end cap. 
     
     
         22 . The device for hitting a ball according to  claim 14 , wherein the handle and blade are formed integrally of a composite material. 
     
     
         23 . A strung bat for use in playing cricket, the bat comprising:
 an elongate handle for a user to hold the device;   a blade elongated in the direction of the handle extending from the handle,   the blade comprising a perimeter defining an internal space that is strung with an array of strings for hitting a ball,   wherein the perimeter frame has a leading edge and an opposing trailing edge, and the array of strings lies in a plane that is substantially aligned with the leading edge of the frame or is closely adjacent to the leading edge of the frame.   
     
     
         24 . The strung bat for use in playing cricket according to  claim 23 , including an end cap removably mounted on a base end of the blade and forming a wear surface that engages with a support surface on which the device is used. 
     
     
         25 . The strung bat for use in playing cricket according to  claim 23 , including a plurality of ribs at spaced intervals along the blade, each rib extending across the blade and forming a back of the blade. 
     
     
         26 . An apparatus for playing a game including a device for hitting a ball, comprising:
 an elongate handle for a user to hold the device;   a blade extending from the handle,   the blade comprising a perimeter frame defining an internal space that is strung with an array of strings for hitting a ball.