Field of the Invention

[001 ] The present invention relates to a cricket bat hand protector.

Background to the Invention

[002] The hands of a person holding a cricket bat can often be struck by the ball during play. Due to the hardness of a cricket ball and the pace at which it can be bowled, the force applied to the hands in such an impact can be significant. Batters will generally wear padded gloves in order to protect the hands from such impacts. A blow to the hands can however still lead to injury, even when gloves are worn.

[003] The present invention relates to a device aimed at protecting the hands of a person holding a cricket bat from impact during play. The devices is aimed at being relatively easy to install and remove while providing useful protection and allowing sufficient space for the hands to hold and manoeuvre the bat.

Summary of the Invention

[004] According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a cricket bat hand protector comprising:

a first end portion engageable with a cricket bat adjacent a distal end of a handle of the bat;

a second end portion engageable with a face of a blade of the bat adjacent a proximal end of the handle; and

a shield extending from the first end portion to the second end portion;

wherein the first end portion comprises an arm extending transversely away from a first end of the shield and a cap member secured to a distal end of the arm, the cap member including in a recess therein for receiving the distal end of the handle.

[005] Preferably, the cap member comprises a cylindrical member secured to the arm such that a central longitudinal axis of the cylindrical member is oriented parallel to the handle of the bat in use, the cylindrical member including a closed upper end secured to the distal end of the arm and a circular recess in an opposite lower end thereof.

[006] Preferably the cylindrical member includes a plurality of slots extending along the sides from the lower end thereof towards the upper end thereof such that the slots allow widening of the recess as the distal end of the handle is inserted.

[007] In a preferred embodiment, the arm comprises a planar member extending transversely to the shield from a midpoint of the first end thereof.

[008] Preferably the shield comprises an elongate sheet having a curved transverse cross section such that the elongate sheet curves around the hands of the person holding the cricket bat.

[009] In a preferred embodiment, the second end portion comprises an engaging portion extending along the second end of the shield provided to engage with the face of the blade of the bat.

[010] Preferably the engaging portion is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bat in use.

[01 1 ] In a preferred embodiment, the engaging portion includes a relatively planar first side surface provided to engage against the face of the bat below the handle.

[012] Preferably the engaging portion includes a second side surface opposite the first side surface including openings adjacent opposite ends thereof such that each of the openings is provided for receiving a securing strap to extend around the blade and thereby secure the second end portion to the blade. [013] The second side surface is preferably provided with a recessed portion extending between the openings such that the securing strap is received within the recessed portion.

[014] In one embodiment, a padding member is provided to be secured to the face of the blade at the point of contact between the engaging portion and the blade to restrict slipping of the engaging portion relatively to the blade.

[015] The shield may include a plurality of ribs extending longitudinally down the shield.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[016] The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the following drawings, in which:

[017] Figure 1 a is an upper perspective view of a cricket bat hand protector in accordance with the present invention;

[018] Figure 1 b is a front view of the cricket bat hand protector of Figure 1 a;

[019] Figure 2a is a first side view of the cricket bat hand protector of Figure

1 ;

[020] Figure 2b is a second side view of the cricket bat hand protector of Figure 1 ;

[021 ] Figure 2c is a bottom view of the cricket bat hand protector of Figure 1 ;

[022] Figure 2d is a top view of the cricket bat hand protector of Figure 1 ;

[023] Figure 3 is an exploded view of the cricket bat hand protector of Figure

1 ;

[024] Figure 4a is a front view of the cricket bat hand protector of Figure 1 ;

[025] Figure 4b is a side cross sectional view of the cricket bat hand protector of Figure 4a through the line B-B;

[026] Figure 5a is a front view of the cricket bat hand protector of Figure 1 engaged with a cricket bat;

[027] Figure 5b is a side view of the cricket bat hand protector of Figure 1 engaged with the cricket bat;

[028] Figure 6a is a side cross sectional view through line the C-C of the cricket bat hand protector of Figure 5 engaged with the cricket bat; [029] Figure 6b is a close up view of Detail D of Figure 6a; and

[030] Figure 6c is a close up view of Detail E of Figure 6a.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

[031 ] Referring to Figures, there is shown a cricket bat hand protector 10 for engagement with a cricket bat 12. The cricket bat 12 is of a standard construction comprising a blade 14 and a handle 16. The blade 14 includes a face 18 for striking a cricket ball and the handle 16 extends parallel to and away from a first end of the blade 14.

[032] The cricket bat hand protector 10 comprises generally a first end portion 20, a second end portion 22 and a shield 24 extending from the first end portion 20 to the second end portion 22. The first end portion 20 is to be engaged with the cricket bat 12 adjacent a distal end 23 of the handle 16. The second end portion 22 is to be engaged with the handle 16 adjacent a proximal end 21 thereof. That is, the second end portion 22 engages adjacent the connection between the handle 16 and the blade 14.

[033] The shield 24 extends between the first end portion 20 and the second end portion 22. The shield 24 is provided to be secured in front of the hands of a person holding the bat 12 to deflect a cricket ball during use of the bat. The shield 24 is therefore oriented on a side of the handle 16 adjacent the face 18 of the bat 12 such that when the face 18 of the bat 12 is directed towards the approaching cricket ball, the shield 24 extends in front of the hands of the person holding the bat 12.

[034] The shield 24 comprises a sheet of material of suitable strength to survive the impact of a cricket ball delivered at a speed likely to be encountered during play. The shield 24 comprises an elongate sheet 26 having a first and second longitudinal sides 28 and 29, and first and second ends 30 and 32. The elongate sheet 26 has a curved transverse cross section such that the elongate sheet 26 curves around the hands of the person holding the cricket bat 12. The shield 24 may include a plurality of ribs 35 extending longitudinally down the shield 24 to provide additional strength. [035] The first end portion 20 comprises an arm 36 extending transversely away from the shield 24 towards the handle 16. The arm 26 comprises a planar member extending transversely to the shield 24 from a midpoint of the first end 32 thereof. The arm 26 is therefore oriented in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle 16.

[036] A cap member 38 is provided at a distal end of the arm portion 36. The cap 38 comprises a cylindrical member 39 secured to the arm such that a central longitudinal axis of the cylindrical member 39 is oriented parallel to the handle 16 of the bat 12 in use. The cylindrical member 39 includes a closed upper end which is secured to the distal end of the arm 36 and a circular recess in an opposite lower end thereof. The recess is sized to receive the distal end 23 of the handle 16 therein.

[037] The cylindrical member 39 includes a plurality of slots 40 therein extending along the sides therefrom from the lower end towards the upper end thereof. The slots 40 are provided to allow widening of the recess in the lower end of the cylindrical member 39 as the distal end 23 of the handle 16 is inserted. The cylindrical member 39 may therefore expand to receive the handle 16 and flex back to grip against the handle 16.

[038] The second end portion 22 of the cricket bat hand protector 10 comprises an engaging portion 42 provided to engage with the face 18 of the blade 14. The engaging portion 42 is elongate and extends along the second end 32 of the shield 24. That is, the engaging portion 42 is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bat 12 in use.

[039] The engaging portion 42 includes a relatively planar first side surface 44. The first side surface 44 is provided to engage against the face 18 of the bat 12 just below the handle 16. The engaging portion 42 includes a second side surface 46 opposite the first side surface 44. The engaging portion 42 also includes openings 48 adjacent opposite ends thereof such that each of the openings 48 is located adjacent a longitudinal side of the blade 14 of the bat 12. The openings 48 are provided for receiving a securing strap 50. [040] The securing strap 50 is provided to extend along the second side surface 46 of the engaging portion 42, through the openings 48 and around the rear side of the blade 14. The securing strap 50 is secured around the blade 14 and tightened such that the securing strap 50 holds the first side surface 44 of the engaging portion 42 to the face 18 of the blade 14. A padding member 52 is provided to be secured to the face 18 of the blade 14 at the point of contact between the engaging portion 42 and the blade 14 such that tightening of the securing strap 50 compresses the padding member 52. The padding member 52 thereby prevents slipping of the engaging portion 42 relative to the blade 14. The padding member 52 also absorbs some of the shock created by impact of a ball on the shield 24.

[041 ] The second side surface 46 is also provided with a recessed portion 54 extending between the openings 48 such that the securing strap 50 is received within the recessed portion 54.

[042] The cricket bat hand protector 10 is secured in place by receiving the distal end 23 of the handle 16 in the recess in the cap member 38 with the shield 24 located on a side of the handle 16 adjacent the face 18 of the blade 14. The first side surface 44 of the engaging portion 42 rests against the face 18 below the handle 16 and is secured in place by the securing strap 50.

[043] The arrangement of the connection of the cricket bat hand protector 10 to the bat 12 means that clear space is provided around the handle 16 along the entire length of the handle 16. The batter can therefore place their hands in any desired position on the handle 16 of the bat 12 during use without interference from the cricket bat hand protector 10. The shield 24 of the cricket bat hand protector 10 is located in a manner to protect the hands of the batter from impact during play.

[044] It will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the relevant arts that various modifications and improvements may be made to the foregoing embodiments, in addition to those already described, without departing from the basic inventive concepts of the present invention.