A Provisional patent was filed for this same invention. It can be found under application No. 60/645,065. The provisional patent application date of filing was Jan. 19, 2005 and the confirmation number is 1879. A Design patent application was also filed for the design of a heart shape on the ends of the enhanced performance twirling baton and can be found under application number Ser. No. 29/225,859. It was filed on Mar. 21, 2005. The unit art number assigned was 2912 and the confirmation number is 6313.
Not applicable
The field of endeavor for this invention is a baton used for twirling. This is related to music or Class 84 in that twirling is most often done with music accompaniment and in the early days of the use of the baton, the baton was used to help keep time with the beat of the music such as in a marching band. This invention relates to batons used for twirling purposes, which is subclass 477B of the USPTO classification system.
Batons were invented in the 1800 period and have evolved in size and shape to the present day baton, which is a steel shaft that has been plated with a material that reduces corrosion. Drum majors in front of a band first used them so that the band could watch the motion of the baton or mace and keep time with the music. Research shows that bands and military formations have been using a device such as a shaft, mace, or rifle for years in Europe dating as far back as the 1700's. The present day baton has gone through a transformation over the past century. A rubber ball and tip evolved on each end of the wand and the baton became shorter and smaller in diameter as it matured. Records were found showing that a wooden baton was used as far back as 1921 and rubber balls were added to each end to make it resilient. Present day batons generally range in length from 22 to 30 inches. The shaft is typically made of a metallic material such as carbon steel or stainless steel tubing and generally ranges in thickness from ⅜ to 7/16 inches in diameter. There are batons on the market that have plastic shafts, lighted shafts and ends, hoops around the shaft and shafts with flags attached. Several inventions have been found with a handle or knob to hold while the twirler is spinning the baton. Batons are also twirled with fire on the ends accomplished by adding an absorbent material to the ends of the shaft and soaking them in a flammable material.
As the baton evolved, the two equal sized balls on the end became configured so that one end was larger than the other. Because of the larger size of the ball end, counterbalance weights are generally added to the baton shaft to keep the baton balanced about the geometric center. Research shows that while several patents have been filed regarding baton design, numerous sizes and shapes are on the open market that have not been protected by a patent. Our search has revealed over 40 patents dating back to as early as 1920 involving batons, but it is estimated that hundreds of designs are on the market today that have never been patented. Where this was discovered, care was taken not to attempt to patent what could be called prior art. The sport of baton twirling has reached monumental proportions and participation is likely in the hundreds of thousands when considering high school bands, twirling organizations and the general public. Supporters are even petitioning Olympic officials there to have inclusion as an event for future games.
The primary inventor of this enhanced performance baton has been in the baton twirling field for over 35 years as a twirler, coach and judge and has observed that there are several reasons some perform better than others when twirling the baton. While there is no substitute for practice and hard work on the part of the twirler, one issue is that the baton when dropped has potential energy stored that is converted to kinetic energy when it hits the ground or surface. To dissipate that energy, the baton usually bounces or rolls a great distance depending on the speed and angle it comes in contact with the surface as well as the amount of angular momentum of the spinning baton. The twirler is momentarily stopped from performing and must retrieve the baton in order to restart the routine. In the event of a contest, a dropped and lost baton deducts points, or in the event of a show performance, it detracts from the routine. A way to diminish the rolling or bouncing effect of a dropped baton is one of the claims that this invention will address. Another problem for the twirler while performing the routine is that the twirler often develops sweaty hands or has to twirl in the rain. Most of the shafts on a typical baton are slick and have a smooth finish, which prevents the performer or twirler from maintaining a good grip, thus resulting in a dropped baton. This invention also will address that issue in a way that will reduce the chance of dropping a baton due to the inability keep the baton secure while twirling in wet conditions. Our design addresses the center of the shaft and the creation of a surface that significantly improves the twirlers ability keep a grip and maintain control in wet conditions. As previously mentioned when the baton was first invented, the idea was to create a stick that would bounce and work as an entertainment toy for the user. Since this has now become a refined art and sport, the idea is not to bounce or drop the baton, but to keep it in the twirlers control at all times. The baton bounce is a problem, which causes the twirler to have to chase after and retrieve the baton in order to restart the routine. Claims are made in this invention to reduce bounce, which also improves the performance of the baton twirler as well as a claim made in regards to a non-slip surface in the center of the baton shaft.
As a result of the three specific problems experienced in the field of baton twirling, this patent was created i.e. the baton rolls away, is slippery when wet & bounces excessively when dropped.
As a result of the problems that a baton twirler faces when performing, this invention was created. Its intent is to enhance the performance of the twirler by reducing drops, reducing the distance that a baton rolls away when dropped and reducing the amount of bounce when the baton hits the surface. In short, this is accomplished by creating a modified tetrahedronal shape on the ends of the baton that are timed so that they are oriented in the same angular position about the baton shaft with respect to each other. When viewed looking down the shaft of the baton a triangular shape is created which creates flat surfaces for the baton ends. This makes it much more difficult for the baton to roll since it has the effect of an axle with triangular shaped wheels that do not roll as easily as round shapes. This claim is one of the primary claims of the invention. The next major claim is the non-slip center section of the baton shaft. This new feature has been created to allow the twirler to twirl even though the surface of the baton is wet or the twirlers hands are wet. Creating an abrasive surface that has microscopic roughness that allows the twirler to maintain a firm grip does this. The non-slip surface created is a result of experimentation and testing to develop a surface that will not injure the twirlers fingers yet still allow the twirler to maintain a controlled grip on the baton.
The third primary claim is the innovation of utilizing a rubber material that has been researched to produce a diminished bounce when compared to rubber being utilized by other baton manufacturers. This also reduces the baton twirlers effort required to retrieve the baton and proceed with the performance.
The other claims are associated with how to lock the triangular ends into a timed position, how to utilize a counter balance weight design that facilitates the timing of the baton rubber ends and coatings that keep the non-slip surface from wearing out during the life cycle of the baton as well as adding an aesthetic effect.
Not only is baton twirling a competitive sport; it is also done for show and entertainment. One of the baton twirlers fears is dropping the baton or having it roll away during a performance. The inventor, and expert in the field, has determined that by creating a baton that diminishes the possibility of a drop or reduces the distance that a baton rolls when dropped, will enhance the baton twirler's performance. To that end, this baton's shape and characteristics have been invented. In the past, batons have typically had ends that are called the ball (large end) and the tip (small end) that are concentric about the centerline of the shaft such as a circular end or multifaceted end. This invention creates a ball and tip with three equal sides on the ball and tip forming a triangular shape when viewed form the end of the baton. There have been batons with star shapes on the end, which tend to roll less than an oval shape. There has never been a baton that has three equal sides on each end and are timed with each other. By having three flat surfaces that are in a plane parallel to the centerline of the shaft of the baton, the flat surfaces act as frictional breaks when in contact with the surface. It is also apparent that a three-sided figure will not roll as readily as a round configuration on the end of the baton. In order for the three-sided system to work, the baton ends (tip and ball) must be timed so that the flats stay in the same plane. This is accomplished by securing the ball and tip to the shaft so it will not slip and lose its timing. The features required to accomplish this are claimed in this invention.
The next feature, which is another claim, is the creation of a surface in the center of the baton approximately eight inches in length that has been conditioned to create a surface that significantly reduces slippage due to moisture such as sweat or rain. Other manufacturers of batons in the past have attempted to solve this problem by such techniques as knurling, machining grooves in the center of the shaft, and by dimpling. Present day twirlers wrap tape around the baton to reduce slippage. Baton twirlers have complained that grooves and knurled surfaces cut or fray the fingers and are not effective when wet. In this patent the surface in the center of the baton produces a satin type of finish that allows the fingers to grip when moisture or liquid is present. It has even been tested with soapy water applied to the hands and the twirler can still grip and maintain control of the baton.
The next significant feature that enhances the baton twirler's performance is the reduction of bounce when the baton is dropped. Tests were conducted with various rubber and vinyl compounds and the one selected (to the best of our knowledge) has never been used to produce the ball and tips for twirling batons. The rubber compound, while commercially available, has been mixed to a specific formula for the baton ends that significantly reduces the bounce of the baton when compared to the rubber currently being used in baton manufacturing.
The final result of this invention is that the baton twirler has in her hands a product that will reduce the mistakes and distractions caused by the baton rolling or bouncing away or slipping out of her hands. Since the provisional patent was filed, this baton has been put in the field and tested and the results show that it does indeed enhance the performance of the baton twirler and will likely become the baton of the future for serious twirlers.
a is an enlarged sectional view of the baton ball end showing the ball, an alternative counterbalance weight design and part of the baton shaft.
b is an enlarged sectional view of the ball end showing the cast cavity for the baton shaft in the rubber material.
a is an end view of the baton tip end viewed from the tip end toward the ball end of the baton.
a is an enlarged sectional view of the performance baton tip end showing the tip, an alternative counterbalance weight design and part of the baton shaft.
a shows an enlarged sectional view of the ball end with an alternatively designed counterbalance weight.
a shows an enlarged sectional view of the tip end with an alternatively designed counterbalance weight.
b shows where sectional view 19b was taken.
a shows a sectional view of alternatively designed ball end counterbalance weight.
a shows where sectional view 22a was taken of the alternatively designed counter balance weight.
a shows a sectional view of an alternatively designed tip end counterbalance weight.
a perspective view of and alternatively designed tip end counterbalance weight.
Detail 24 rubber ball end of baton.
Detail 24a flat surface of rubber ball end of the baton.
Detail 24b flat surface of rubber ball end of the baton.
Detail 24c flat surface of rubber ball end of the baton.
Detail 25 ball end counterbalance weight.
Detail 25a alternatively designed ball end counterbalance weight.
Detail 26 grit blasted ball end of the baton shaft designed to accommodate bonding.
Detail 27 baton shaft.
Detail 27a nickel plating on the baton shaft.
Detail 27b chrome plating on the baton shaft.
Detail 28 non-slip surface of the baton shaft.
Detail 29 grit blasted tip end of the baton shaft designed to accommodate bonding.
Detail 30 tip end counterbalance weight.
Detail 30a alternatively designed tip end counterbalance weight.
Detail 31 rubber tip end of the baton.
Detail 31a flat surface of rubber tip end of the baton.
Detail 31b flat surface of rubber tip end of the baton.
Detail 31c flat surface of rubber tip end of the baton.
Detail 32 frustum of cone of rubber ball end of baton.
Detail 33 epoxy between the baton shaft and rubber ball end on the baton.
Detail 34 epoxy between counterbalance weight and shaft of the baton on the ball end.
Detail 35 frustum of cone of rubber tip end of baton.
Detail 36 epoxy between counterbalance weight and rubber tip end on the baton.
Detail 37 epoxy between counterbalance weight and shaft of the baton on the tip end.
Detail 38 is the cast section of the ball end that is designed to accept the baton shaft and counterbalance weights.
Plane Q shows a plan representing a flat surface such as the ground that the baton rests when dropped.
It should be noted that detail number 24, the ball end is approximately 20% larger than detail 31, the tip end. Other than size, the ball and tip ends are the same in design. Likewise, the counter balance weights, detail number 25, the ball end counterbalance weight and detail number 30 are also the same in shape but only differ in size to act as weights to properly balance the baton about its geometric center.
Detail 24 is produced from a white synthetic rubber polymer that has been designed and tested to reduce the bouncing motion of the baton when it is dropped. Detail 27 is the baton shaft that has been produced using 4150 carbon steel tubing that has been hardened and tempered to a hardness of RC 50 to provide strength and durability and it has been polished to create a smooth surface for chrome plating and a bright finish. Nickel has been plated over the steel shaft to allow adherence to of the chrome and to create a hard surface. Detail 28 is an anti-slip surface created by utilizing a grit blast method to create a surface rough enough to reduce slippage when wet, but not so abrasive as to harm the skin on the twirler's fingers when performing. Detail 31 is the tip end of the baton and is identical on the outside to detail 24 except it has been scaled down to 20% of the size of detail 24. The internal section of the tip end has been made to accommodate a larger counterweight, which is Detail 30. Other than being larger, Detail 30 is identical to Detail 25, which is the counterbalance weight for the ball end.
This figure supports and illustrates claims numbers 1, 2, 3 and 8.
This figure supports and illustrates claim numbers 1, 2 and 3.
This figure supports and illustrates claim numbers 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7.
a is identical to
b is a sectional view of the rubber ball end of the baton. This rubber part is injection molded by heating rubber and hydraulically forcing it into a steel cavity. It shows how the rubber material is cast to leave an opening for the baton shaft and counterbalance weights. Detail 31 represents this surface in
This figure supports and illustrates claim numbers 2, 3, 4, and 5.
This figure supports and illustrates claim numbers 1 and 2.
It can also be seen in this view that detail number 31 or the tip end is approximately 20% the size of detail number 24 or the ball end of the baton.
This figure supports and illustrates claim numbers 1, 2 and 3.
This figure supports and illustrates claim numbers 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7.
a is identical to
The counter balance weight for the tip end is larger than the one for the ball end in order to properly balance the baton about its geometric center.
This figure supports and illustrates claim numbers 3, 4, 5 and 6.
This drawing illustrates and supports claim numbers 1, 2 and 3.
This figure supports and illustrates claim numbers 1, 2 and 3.
This figure supports claim number 8.
This figure supports claim numbers 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7.
a shows the same sectional view as
This figure supports and illustrates claim numbers 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.
This figure supports claim numbers 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7.
a shows the same sectional view as
This figure supports claim numbers 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.
a shows where sectional view number 19a was taken through alternatively designed ball end counter balance weight, detail number 25a.
This drawing illustrates and supports claim numbers 3, 4, 6 and 7.
a is a section view of an alternatively designed counter balance weight that has been designed purely for economical purposes to support cost reduction for the consumer. While not considered quite as strong as the square design, it has been tested and performs sufficiently to provide a solid bond and counter balance effect for keeping the baton balanced about its geometric center.
This drawing supports and illustrates claim number 3, 4 and 6.
This drawing is shown as additional support to understand claim number 7.
a is a perspective view of an alternate design of the tip end counter balance weight, detail number 30a.
a shows where sectional view number 22a was taken through alternatively designed tip end counter balance weight, detail number 30a.
This drawing illustrates and supports claim numbers 3, 4, 6 and 7.
a is a sectional of an alternatively designed counter balance weight that has been designed purely for economical purposes to support cost reduction for the consumer. While not considered quite as strong as the square design, it has been tested and performs sufficiently to provide a solid bond and counter balance effect for keeping the baton balanced about its geometric center.
This drawing supports and illustrates claim number 3, 4, and 6.
This drawing is shown as additional support to understand claim number 7.
a is a perspective view of an alternate design of the tip end counter balance weight, detail number 30a.
Process of Manufacturing
The enhanced performance twirling baton is produced by cutting 4150 shaft material into lengths that can be polished, cleaned and plated with nickel and chrome. Next, the shaft material is cut to various baton lengths utilizing a cut off wheel. The ends are next blasted with grit that roughs up the surface so that rubber ends can be securely attached. Next, the center of the baton shaft is blasted to create a non-slip surface. Utilizing a specified and sized blast medium, controlled air pressure and blasting from specified distance from the shaft so that a required micro-finish can be maintained closely controls the non-slip surface. The rubber ends are produced from an injection molding process utilizing a poly isobutylene rubber material. The material is heated prior to injection and is baked for a specified time to cure the synthetic rubber material. Molding flash is removed and the internal section of the baton ends (the ball and tip) are sanded with a coarse sanding sleeve which prepares that surface to be bonded to the steel baton shaft. Counter balance weights are manufactured from bar stock by turning the bar stock down to fit the internal diameter of the baton shaft and they are pressed into the baton shaft. The counter balance weighs are next blasted to prepare the surface to bond to the shaft by utilizing and epoxy adhesive. Epoxy is applied to the shaft and the internal portion of the rubber ends and they are held in position while the epoxy cures leaving the rubber ends properly timed with each other to prevent the baton from rolling. Finally, the completed baton is tested for bond adherence and balance, cleaned and is then packaged into a plastic sleeve for shipping. Labels are placed on the baton that denotes the baton shaft diameter size and length. Batons are produced in two standard sizes. One is ⅜ inch shaft material and the other is 7116 inch shaft material.
Process of Using and Distinguishing Factors
Baton twirlers all over the world use batons. They are an instrument that creates a flashy routine typically performed in front of a marching band either in parades or during halftime shows. The twirler usually starts at an early age, many as young as four years old. The typical successful baton twirler is not self-taught but grows up under the tutelage of a professional baton teacher. By the time the champion baton twirler reached peak performance, they will have experience hundreds of baton contests and public performances. This baton will be utilized exactly the way all other batons are used. The distinguishing features are the shape of the ends, the non-slip finish of the center and the rubber material utilized to reduce the bounce effect when dropped. While it is not our claim to improve the twirler's skills, it is our claim the some of the reasons for poor performance can be reduced by the utilization of this invention. When, for whatever reason, a baton is dropped, it will roll depending on how much energy it has in it when dropped. Because the ends are typically round the baton rolls quickly away from the twirler causing a delay in the performance in order to retrieve the baton. This newly invented baton will not roll as far away, thus allowing the performance to proceed at a smoother and more graceful pace. Many of the drops are a result of sweaty hands or rainy weather. The non-slip surface of our invention will again improve performance by allowing the baton twirler to keep better control and a good grip on the baton. This product has been successfully tested in rainy conditions and with wet hands and has demonstrated that it does in fact distinguish itself from other baton designs. When dropped the baton also has a tendency to bounce away from the twirler. This invention utilized a synthetic rubber that has a reduced bounce affect when compared to other typically produced batons. The polymer used in this baton has a high loss factor or high internal dampening characteristic of which the net result is reduced bounce or better performance for the baton twirler.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60645065 | Jan 2005 | US |