DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 show a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The novel umpire tool 20 generally comprises a plate 22 of durable material, the plate 22 defining a hole 26 therethrough. The umpire tool 20 can be used for determining a bat's diameter in relation to an upper limit, typically set by a governing association or rule promulgator. Therefore the diameter D of hole 26 (see FIG. 3 ) defined within the durable plate 22 is closely sized to the upper limit. A plate brush 28 may be integrally provided so that the umpire tool can also be used to clean home plate. Further, a scraper may also be integrally provided to remove mud and debris from home plate. An insert may also be provided for reducing the diameter D of the hole 26 and for measuring a bat's diameter is relation to a second different upper limit.

[0025] Due to the rugged nature of baseball and softball, it is essential for an umpire to have durable umpiring tools. The present invention provides, among other things, a bat diameter measuring device that is very durable. To accomplish this goal, the plate 22 is typically constructed of a resilient plastic having the ductility to withstand and absorb induced stresses and loads typical to the sport of baseball or softball, such as being dropped from a height or struck by a thrown or batted ball. The plastic material is also sufficiently resilient to maintain the specific size of hole 26 and hence the ability of the tool to measure bat diameter. These benefits are not found in known paper-based devices.

[0026] Referring to FIG. 3 , the preferred embodiment of the device 20 includes a plate 22 having a thickness T in the range of approximately 0.2 to 2 inches, preferably about 0.25 to 0.75 inches, although larger or smaller thicknesses outside of these ranges may be used. Ideally, approximately a ¼ inch to ½ inch of plate material is left between the edge 32 of the hole 26 and the edge 30 of the plate 22 to provide structural rigidity and maintain the shape and accuracy of the hole 26 as a measuring device. A metal support ring or several bars may be integrally provided on or within the tool to provide rigidity. The overall dimensions of the preferred embodiment is therefore about 2.5 to 4 inches in width by about 2.5 to 5.0 inches in length (2.5 to 6.25 inches including brush). The preferred embodiment illustrated has a width of 3.50 inches and a length of 4.75 inches, including the handle portion 24 . More plate material may be provided as necessary for a different handle, for a brush or for a scraper. These ranges of size provide the durability and accuracy desired in an umpire tool, yet allow the tool to be easily worn or pocketed during a ball game.

[0027] Further, the outer peripheral edges 30 of the plate 22 , best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3 , are filleted or rounded. Additionally, the corners 34 of plate 22 are chamfered or filleted. By minimizing the sharp edges found at the corners, the umpire tool 20 does not chip or crack easily as with the thin plastic cut-outs, and provides a smooth outer surface to be grasped by an umpire's hand. Similarly, the peripheral edges 32 of the plate which define hole 26 are rounded to not only increase the durability of the umpire tool 20 , but to also guide and direct a bat into and through the hole 26 . Rounding the hole's edges 32 also helps to prevent the tool from scraping the markings off the bat as happens with known metal bat rings.

[0028] The plate further includes a bell shaped handle portion 24 that conforms to the human hand for easy gripping and use while measuring, sweeping or scraping.

[0029] Turning to the regulating associations, The NFHS has made it mandatory that bats used for the 2000 high school softball season do not exceed 2¼ inches in diameter. Similarly, for the 2001 high school baseball season, the maximum bat diameter will be reduced from 2¾ inches to 2⅝ inches. Likewise, the NCAA has set the maximum bat diameter for college baseball to 2⅝ inches. Another governing body with which the applicants are also aware is the Amateur Softball Association (ASA), which has set a limit of bat diameter at 2¼ inches. Major league baseball also has a diameter limitation of 2¾ inches. Thus the holes 26 of the present invention are sized to have a diameter of between approximately 1 and 4 inches, typically sized between about 2 inches and 3 inches, although the hole 26 may be adapted to have any size that closely corresponds with any particular bat size regulation by a governing association.

[0030] As previously mentioned, the diameter of hole 26 provided in the plate 22 is closely sized to the upper limit of the particular standard. If the hole 26 is sized too small, a legal sized bat may become stuck within the hole 26 due to friction between the surfaces. If the hole 26 is sized too large, an illegal bat (i.e. unacceptably large) may fit within the hole 26 and be allowed for use in the game, even though it is actually illegally sized. Therefore, it is preferable to size the diameter of hole 26 to a diameter D not smaller than the upper limit, and up to ⅛ inch larger than the upper limit. Some governing associations do regulate the tolerances of measuring devices as well. For example, the NCAA has set a tolerance limit of minus 0 plus {fraction (1/32)} inch. Thus the largest diameter D of the hole 26 for college baseball according to the NCAA is 2⅝ inch plus {fraction (1/32)} inch, or 2.65625 inches. The NFHS has not set such a measuring tolerance, and the ASA has given a tolerance of plus {fraction (1/32)} inch. Thus the diameter D of the hole 26 for softball under the ASA is 2¼ inches plus {fraction (1/32)} inch, or 2.28125 inches.

[0031] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a plate brush 28 may also be provided in conjunction with the bat measuring or gauging device 20 of the present invention. The brush portion 28 includes a plurality of bristles 40 attached to an end of plate 22 . The bristles may be attached by drilling holes in the plate 22 or molding the plate with the holes therein. The holes are plugged with the bristles 40 by any conventional plugging process well known in the art. The bristles 40 may also be attached by using an adhesive well known in the art. FIG. 4 is an end view of an embodiment of the umpire tool showing the holes 42 without bristles 40 inserted therein. While the bristles of brush 28 may be plugged or adhered to the plate 22 , the brush 28 may also be provided as a replacement part. The brush 28 may thus include a base attached to the bristles 40 , the base securely and removably fitting within a recess in the plate. In this manner, as the bristles 40 wear out, a replacement brush 28 having the appropriately sized base may be provided without replacing the entire umpire tool 20 .

[0032] As shown in FIG. 4 , the preferred pattern of the holes includes two horizontal rows of holes 42 , the rows being vertically displaced. Each of the holes has a diameter of about 0.15 inches although larger or smaller holes may clearly be used. The holes 42 in each row are also horizontally offset from the holes in the other row. The holes in each row are horizontally separated by approximately 0.25 inches. The overall width of the series of holes is approximately 2.5 inches while the height is approximately 0.34 inches. Again, these dimensions merely represent a preferred embodiment of the invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

[0033] By providing a brush 28 attached to the plate 22 , the umpire tool can also be used to clean debris, preferably light debris, from home plate. Since umpires must already carry a plate brush, the umpire tool of the present invention does not significantly add to the amount of equipment an umpire must carry on his/her person during a game. Therefore, an umpire can carry a durable bat diameter measuring tool that can be used throughout many baseball or softball seasons, while not adding to the overall equipment required to be carried. Furthermore, it is very common for an umpire to sweep the plate clean while in-between batters, i.e. as a new batter steps into the batting box. This is also the time where an umpire may choose to measure a particular bat's diameter to determine if the diameter is within the upper limit. Therefore the umpire tool of the present invention does not interrupt or interfere with the normal course of umpiring.

[0034] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a scraper 60 may be provided with the umpire tool 20 of the present invention to clean heavier debris. Preferably, the scraper 60 is integrally provided, wherein one side of the umpire tool 20 is molded to contain a beveled edge to define the scraper. It will be readily understood that the beveled edge may be machined into the tool 20 by conventional techniques. For example, the edge denoted by numeral 50 in FIG. 1 may be used, as well as the opposing side or even the side including the handle 24 . In any event, such an embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 6 a and 6 c, the tool 20 having a tapered or beveled side 50 to form a long straight edge 62 defined by two sloped surfaces 64 , 66 . The edge 62 can be used to scrape mud and other debris from home plate especially that which the plate brush cannot handle. The long straight scraping edge 62 formed by the bevel is shown positioned along the middle of the side 50 as defined by the two angled surfaces 64 and 66 . However, the scraping edge 62 may be vertically positioned in alignment with the top surface, the bottom surface, or any point therebetween including the mid point of the thickness T as depicted in the figures. Another method of providing a scraper 60 ′, is shown in FIG. 6 b, having a metal plate 70 attached to the umpire tool adjacent a lateral side. The metal plate 70 projects laterally from the plate 22 and provides a long straight edge 72 for scraping the plate. A longitudinal slot 74 is also provided in the plate 22 , either during injection molding or by milling, to receive the metal plate 70 and retain it therein. Such a plate would also serve to reinforce the plate 22 and preserve the structural integrity of hole 26 . As with the plate brush described above, the present invention provides an umpire tool having the ability to clean home plate no matter what the conditions, yet does not add to the number of tools an umpire must carry and does not interfere with normal course of umpiring.

[0035] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, an insert is provided to reduce the diameter D of the hole 26 . As illustrated in FIG. 5 , an insert in the shape of a ring may be employed by the measuring device 20 of the present invention. The ringed insert 80 includes a smaller sized central hole that corresponds to the upper limit of a second standard that is smaller than the first. For example, the upper limit for baseball is 2⅝ inches and for softball is 2¼ inches, according to the NFHS. Thus a ringed insert having a central hole sized closely to 2¼ inches in diameter can fit within the hole 26 sized closely to 2⅝ inches in diameter. The insert 80 can be securely and removably retained within hole 26 by friction fit, deformable tab and notch, latches, pins, or other well known retaining means. As illustrated, the insert 80 includes a series of notches 82 sized and disposed to engage a corresponding series of tabs 84 in the inner surface 38 of the hole.

[0036] An alternate embodiment of the device could include a U-shaped channel, wherein the opposing side walls of the channel are stepped or telescoping. Thus the width of the channel (i.e. the distance between the side walls) will vary as they approach the third or connecting wall, the different widths closely sized to correspond with two or more different upper limit standards. Another embodiment employs a shutter mechanism built into the plate 22 , to selectively regulate the size of hole 26 .

[0037] The preferred method of manufacturing the present invention is by injection molding. A suitable plastic material may be utilized, i.e. one that meets the durability, resiliency and ductility requirements discussed above. For example, the applicants presently have devised a tool as described above using a nylon product for injection molding the plate. The holes for the brush are drilled and a side is beveled to provide an integral scraper. The plastic may be formed into a predefined shape as shown in the drawings. The molded shape may include holes for plugging the bristles of the brush, a slot for receiving and retaining a replacement part brush, or a slot on one side for a scraper blade. However, these holes and/or slots may easily be provided after the mold has been set by drilling or milling the tool. The bristles are plugged into the small holes after the mold has cooled by conventional plugging techniques. The bristles are preferably of black level polypropylene of 0.014 inches in diameter although any common bristle material may be used. Similarly, inserts for varying the hole diameter may also be manufactured by injection molding.

[0038] Therefore, one of ordinary skill in the art can readily see from the foregoing description that the umpire tool of the present invention provides a novel umpire tool for measuring and determining whether a bat's diameter meets certain requirements. The tool can withstand the environment of baseball and softball and remains accurate over time. A plate brush may be integrally provided so that the umpire tool can also be used to clean home plate, and as such does not significantly add to the amount of equipment an umpire must carry on his/her person during a game. Moreover, the umpire tool can be capable of measuring two or more different requirements, such as for baseball and softball. The umpire tool of the present invention provides all of these features yet is highly durable, simple and low cost.