Bat with performance governing barrel and vibration dampening connection

Abstract

A bat for striking a ball comprises an axis, a handle, and a barrel. The handle includes a knob end, an attachment end, and a length separating the knob end from the attachment end. The barrel includes an end cap end, a barrel portion, a barrel length, and a transition section. The transition section is operatively attached to the attachment end of the handle. The bat can include a joint connecting the transition section to the attachment end while separating the barrel from the handle. Further, the bat can include an internal tubular member operatively attached to the end cap end and positioned within the barrel. A knob can be attached to the knob end of the handle while an end cap can be attached to the end cap end of the barrel. A grip can be attached to the handle adjacent the knob.

Claims

1. A bat for striking a ball comprising: an axis; a handle having a knob end, an attachment end, and a handle length separating the knob end from the attachment end, the handle being a continuous structural member from the knob end to the attachment end; a barrel having an end cap end, a barrel portion, and a transition section, the transition section defining a handle opening opposite the end cap end, the barrel having a barrel length from the handle opening to the end cap end; wherein the attachment end of the handle is received through the handle opening of the transition section of the barrel such that the handle length overlaps with the barrel length by an overlap, and a gap is defined between the handle and the transition section of the barrel along the overlap; a joint connecting the transition section to the handle adjacent the attachment end and separating the barrel from the handle, the joint including: a collar attached to the handle and the transition section of the barrel, the collar including: an annular collar ring portion having an inner bore attached to the handle between the attachment end and the knob end; a tapered collar sleeve portion extending from the collar ring portion toward the end cap end of the barrel, the tapered collar sleeve portion including an outer surface attached to the transition section of the barrel; and the tapered collar sleeve portion is longer along the axis than the annular collar ring portion; and a continuous, homogenous, elastomeric spacer ring extending along the entire length of the tapered collar sleeve portion, said spacer ring including a substantially constant radial thickness at all points around any transverse cross-sectional circumference of the spacer ring, the spacer ring attached to the handle and the collar, and received in the gap along the overlap.

2. The bat of claim 1 further comprising: a securing device attached to the handle proximate to the collar and opposite the knob end; and wherein the securing device is annular in shape and includes an outside diameter that is larger than the handle opening.

3. The bat of claim 2, wherein the collar includes an internal diameter that is smaller than the outside diameter of the securing device and the securing device is longitudinally spaced from the collar.

4. The bat of claim 1, wherein the elastomeric spacer ring is a polyurethane spacer ring having a hardness of between approximately 40-60 shore A.

5. The bat of claim 4, wherein the polyurethane spacer ring has a hardness of between approximately 45-55 shore A.

6. The bat of claim 1, further including an internal support positioned in the attachment end of the handle.

7. The bat of claim 6, wherein the internal support is positioned along the axis and extends past the transition section toward the knob end.

8. The bat of claim 1, further including an external covering positioned on the collar proximate to the transition section, the external covering substantially flush with the transition section and engaging the handle and collar.

9. The bat of claim 1, where the handle and barrel are each comprised of a composite material.

10. The bat of claim 1, wherein: the tapered collar sleeve portion extends into the gap between the handle and the transition section of the barrel along the overlap; and the spacer ring is received between the tapered collar sleeve portion and the handle.

11. The bat of claim 1, further comprising a securing device attached to the handle proximate to the collar.

12. The bat of claim 11, wherein the securing device is embedded in the spacer ring.

13. A bat for striking a ball comprising: an axis; a handle having an internal diameter, a knob end, an attachment end, and a handle length separating the knob end from the attachment end, the handle being a continuous tubular member from the knob end to the attachment end; an internal support including a support length and having a substantially constant outer diameter along the support length, the internal support positioned inside the internal diameter of the handle adjacent the attachment end of the handle along the axis; a barrel having an end cap end, a barrel portion, a barrel length, and a transition section, the transition section defining a handle opening opposite the end cap end and operatively attached to the handle; wherein the attachment end of the handle is received through the handle opening of the transition section of the barrel such that the handle length overlaps with the barrel length by an overlap, and a gap is defined between the handle and the transition section of the barrel along the overlap; a joint connecting the transition section to the handle and separating the barrel from the handle, the joint including: a collar including an internal diameter and attached to the handle at a distal end of the collar thereby forming a space between a remainder of the collar and the handle, and attached to the transition section of the barrel; an annular shaped securing device attached to the handle proximate to the collar and opposite the knob end; and a continuous, homogenous, elastomeric spacer extending along the length of the collar in the space between the remainder of the collar and the handle, attached to the handle and the collar, the spacer received in the gap along the overlap and positioned to separate the remainder of the collar from the handle, said spacer including a substantially constant radial thickness at all points around any transverse cross-sectional circumference of the spacer; and an external covering positioned on the handle proximate to the transition section, the external covering substantially flush with the transition section.

14. A bat for striking a ball comprising: a handle having a knob end and an attachment end, the handle extending continuously along a handle length from the knob end to the attachment end; a barrel having an end cap end, a barrel portion, and a transition section, the transition section defining a handle opening opposite the end cap end, the barrel having a barrel length from the handle opening to the end cap end; wherein the attachment end of the handle is received through the handle opening of the transition section of the barrel such that the handle length overlaps with the barrel length by an overlap, and a gap is defined between the handle and the transition section of the barrel along the overlap; and a joint connecting the transition section to the handle, the joint including: a collar attached to the handle and the transition section of the barrel, the collar including: an annular collar ring portion having an annular collar ring outer diameter and an inner bore, the inner bore being attached to the handle between the attachment end and the knob end; a tapered collar sleeve portion extending from the collar ring portion toward the end cap end of the barrel, the tapered collar sleeve portion including an outer surface, the outer surface attached to the transition section of the barrel, and the outer surface having a tapered collar sleeve outer diameter greater than the annular collar ring outer diameter; and a continuous, homogenous, elastomeric spacer extending along the entire length of the tapered collar sleeve portion, the spacer including a substantially uniform radial thickness at all points around any transverse cross-sectional circumference of the spacer, the spacer received in the gap along the overlap and configured to allow some movement of the handle at the attachment end in relation to the transition section of the barrel.

15. The bat of claim 14, wherein: the tapered collar sleeve portion extends into the gap between the handle and the transition section of the barrel along at least a part of the overlap; and the spacer is received between the tapered collar sleeve portion and the handle.

16. The bat of claim 14, wherein: the transition section of the barrel is frusto-conical in shape; and the tapered collar sleeve portion is frusto-conical in shape and is nested inside of the transition section of the barrel.

17. The bat of claim 14, further comprising an internal support received in the attachment end of the handle and extending toward the knob end past the annular collar ring portion.

18. The bat of claim 14, further comprising a securing device attached to the handle and embedded in the elastomeric spacer.

19. The bat of claim 14, wherein an overall radial thickness of the spacer varies along the overlap.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a side view of a bat made in accordance with the current disclosure.

(2) FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the bat shown in FIG. 1.

(3) FIG. 3 is a detailed view of a portion of the bat shown in FIG. 2.

(4) FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the joint area of the bat shown in FIGS. 2-3.

(5) FIG. 5 is a detailed cross sectional view of the joint area of a bat made in accordance with current disclosure.

(6) FIG. 6 is a detailed cross sectional view of the joint area of a bat made in accordance with current disclosure.

(7) FIG. 7 is a detailed cross sectional view of the joint area of a bat made in accordance with current disclosure.

(8) FIG. 8 is a detailed cross sectional view of the barrel of a bat made in accordance with current disclosure.

(9) FIG. 9 is a detailed cross sectional view of the barrel of the bat shown in FIG. 2.

(10) FIG. 10 is a chart of test data showing the batted ball speed of two test bats and a bat made in accordance with current disclosure.

(11) FIG. 11 is a graph of the test data of FIG. 10 between test bat 2 and a bat made in accordance with current disclosure.

(12) FIG. 12 is a graph of frequency data between a test bat and a bat made in accordance with current disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

(13) Referring generally now to FIGS. 1-10, shown and generally designated by the numeral 10 is an embodiment of a bat of the present disclosure. The bat 10 is for hitting a ball 12 in a game, such as a diamond sport game, like baseball or softball. The bat 10 includes an axis 24 and a barrel 14 having a transition section 16. A handle 18 is operatively attached to the transition section 16 and can have a knob end 26 that attaches to a knob 20 the transition section 16. An attachment end 28 of the handle 18 can operatively engage the transition section 16 of the barrel 14. The handle 18 can have an overall length 30 that can separate the knob end 26 from the attachment end 28. Preferably that length 30 of the handle 18 positions the attachment end 28 such that it terminates proximate to the transition section 16. Alternately, the handle 18 can end within the transition section 16.

(14) The barrel 14 can have an end cap end 22 and a barrel portion 32 that is sized and positioned for contact with the ball 12. An end cap 42 can be secured to the end cap end 22 of the barrel 14. In the barrel portion 32, a preferred hitting area 34 can be positioned. This preferred hitting area 34 is spaced between the end cap end 22 and the transition section 16. The preferred hitting area is typically located approximately 4-8 inches, and usually between 5-7 inches, from the end cap end 22 of the barrel 14. This location of the preferred hitting area 34 can be described as having an axial length 36. Alternately described, the preferred hitting area 34 can have a starting location 38 spaced from the end cap end 22 and an ending location 40 positioned between the starting location 38 and the transition section 16. It is the preferred hitting area 34 that conventionally produces the largest batted ball performance when a ball 12 is affected by a force 44 to the bat 10.

(15) In an embodiment of the bat 10, an internal tubular member 46 is positioned within the barrel 14 and is operatively attached to the end cap end 22. This internal tubular member 46 can be attached to the end cap 42 by a mechanical fixture or adhesion. Other methods of attachment between the internal tubular member 46 and the end cap 42 or the end cap end 22 will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art.

(16) For example, the internal tubular member 46 can be friction fit onto the end cap 42 and then that assembly can be placed into the end cap end 22 of the barrel 14. The end cap and internal tubular member assembly can then be fixed to the end cap end 22, such as by adhesion. For example, polyurethane can be used to secure the end cap and internal tubular member assembly in place. Additional mechanical locking elements, such as tongue and groove configurations, can also be used to facilities securement of the end cap and internal tubular member assembly into the barrel 14. For example, one or more pins 56 can be used to secure the internal tubular member 46 to the end cap 42, and adhesive can further reinforce the connection of the end cap and internal tubular member assembly into the barrel 14.

(17) In an embodiment, the internal tubular member 46 extends toward the transition section 16 from the end cap end 22. The internal tubular member 46 can include a consistent internal diameter 48, an increasing outside diameter 50, and a length 52. The outside diameter 50 increases at a location proximate to the preferred hitting area 34 of the bell portion 32 as best seen in FIGS. 8-9.

(18) The outside diameter 50 of the internal tubular member 46 can be described as expanding proximate to the starting location 38 of the preferred hitting area 34 and extending to the ending location 40 of the preferred hitting area 34. In this embodiment, the internal tubular member 46 has a substantially consistent outside diameter 50 from its engagement to the end cap 42 at the end cap end 22. This outside diameter 50 can remain spaced from the barrel portion 32 as the internal tubular member 46 extends along the axis. As the internal tubular member extends along the axis 24 of the bat 10, the outside diameter 50 can begin to expand towards the barrel portion 32 proximate to the starting location 38 of the preferred hitting area 34. This expanded portion of the outside diameter 50 can continue to approximately the ending location 40 of the preferred hitting area 30. In this configuration, the outside diameter 50 is closer to the barrel portion 34 along the axial length 36 of the preferred hitting area 34 than other locations along the length 52 of the internal tubular member 46.

(19) This configuration of the internal tubular member facilitates engagement between the barrel portion 32 and the internal tubular member 46. More specifically, this configuration facilitates engagement of the outside diameter 50 of internal tubular member 46 and the preferred hitting area 34 of the barrel portion 32 when a ball 12 strikes the preferred hitting area 34 of the bat 10. This engagement can reduce the performance, such as the batted ball speed, of a ball 12 struck from the preferred hitting area 34. This allows the bat 10 to have a modified performance level.

(20) In this configuration, the areas adjacent to the preferred hitting area 34 can have a higher performance level then conventionally possible. In a conventional bat, the performance curve is generally bell shaped with the highest performance at the sweet spot. Since the sweet spot is the location tested by most regulatory bodies, the top of the bell curved performance must be below the performance restrictions. This necessitates the rest of the performance is decidedly below that performance level also.

(21) The current barrel configuration allows a bat to be constructed that has a hitting section with a performance that meets, or approximates, the top regulated performance level over a greater length of the barrel sectiona section extending longer than just the sweet spot. For example, a bat can be configured such that the performance level at the preferred hitting area would exceed regulatory restrictions. In this bat, the areas adjacent to the preferred hitting area would meet or approximate the maximum performance level. Once the internal tubular member 46 is positioned within the barrel 14, the force applied to the preferred hitting area 34 will facilitate the engagement of the outside diameter 50 and the internal surface of the preferred hitting area 34. This will reduce the overall performance of that preferred hitting area 34, thus bringing the bat within the performance limitations of the regulatory bodies. The resulting bat performance level that departs from the traditional bell curved shaped performance and has more of a plateaued shaped performance with a larger portion of the bat at the maximum performance level.

(22) In another embodiment of a bat made in accordance with the current disclosure, a joint 60 is included. The joint 60 can connect the transition section 16 of the barrel 14 to the attachment end 28 of the handle 18. This joint 60 can separate the barrel 14 from the handle 18. The joint can include a collar 62 attached to the portion of the handle adjacent the attachment end 28 and attached to the transition section 16. A securing device 64 can attach to the handle 18 proximate to the collar 62 and opposite the knob end 26. A polyurethane spacer 66 can attach to the handle 18 and collar 62. The polyurethane spacer 66 can be positioned to separate at least a portion of the collar 62 from the attachment end 28 of the handle 18.

(23) The transition section 16 of the barrel 14 can define a handle opening 54 positioned opposite the end cap end 22. A portion of the handle 18 adjacent the attachment end 28 is received in the handle opening, and the barrel 14 overlaps with the handle 18 along an overlap 78. The securing device 64 can have an annular shape and include an outside diameter that is larger than the handle opening 54. Further, the collar 62 can include an internal diameter 68 that is smaller than the outside diameter 65 of the securing device 64. This securing device 64 can maintain the connection between the handle 18 and barrel 14 if part of the connection in the joint 60 is lost.

(24) Collar 62 includes an annular collar ring portion 80 having an inner bore 82, and the collar 62 includes a tapered collar sleeve portion 84 extending from the collar ring portion 80 toward the barrel end cap 42. The tapered collar sleeve portion 84 has an inner surface 86 and an outer surface 88. The inner bore 82 of the ring portion 80 of collar 62 can be adhered to the attachment end 28 of the handle 18. The securing device 64, which can be a ring like structure, can be press fit onto the attachment end 28 of the handle 18. This securing device 64 can be spaced from the inner surface 86 of the tapered collar sleeve portion 84 of the collar 62. Next, a polyurethane spacer 66 can be filled within the gap 90 between the tapered collar sleeve portion 84 of the collar 62 and the attachment end 28. The handle 18 and joint assembly with the collar 62, securing device 64, and polyurethane spacer 66 can be adhered to the transition section 16 of the barrel 14. More specifically, the outsidc portion outer surface 88 of the collar 62 can be adhered to the internal portion surface of the transition section 16.

(25) The polyurethane spacer 66 can be applied in liquid form and allowed to harden. When hardened, the polyurethane spacer can have a hardness of between approximately 40-60 Shore A. Alternately, the polyurethane spacer 66 can have a hardness of between approximately 45-55 Shore A. Alternately. the polyurethane spacer 66 can have a hardness of approximately 50 Shore A. This level of hardness allows some flexibility and movement of the handle 18 at the attachment end 28 in relation to the transition section 16 of the barrel 14. This is represented by line 74. The polyurethane spacer 66 can also absorb vibrational energy transmitted along the barrel 14 from an impact of a ball 12 before that energy is transferred to the handle 18 and onto the hands of a user.

(26) The collar can be shaped such that an extension portion 61 extends past the handle opening 54 of the transition section 16, as best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6. Alternately, the collar 62 can end proximate the end of the transition section 16 at the handle opening 54, as best seen in FIGS. 4 and 7. An external covering 72 can be positioned proximate to the collar 62. This external covering 72 can provide additional support to the joint 60. The external covering 72 can be cosmetic in nature and allow for a smooth transition from the transition section 16 to the handle 18. This is best seen in FIGS. 4, 6, and 7. This external covering 72 can be substantially flush with the transition section 16 and can engage the handle 18 and the collar 62.

(27) An internal support 70 can be positioned in the attachment end 28 of the handle 18. The internal support 70 is preferably friction fit within the attachment end 28 of the handle 18 and can provide additional strength to the attachment end 28. The internal support 70 can extend to the end of the attachment end 28 and be substantially even with or extend past the end of the collar 62 as seen in FIGS. 4 and 7. In a preferred embodiment, the internal support 70 is comprised of metal, such as aluminum, while the handle 18, barrel 14, and internal tubular member 46 are composed of composite.

(28) In testing, a bat made in accordance with the current disclosure has shown improved performance and better feel as compared to other conventional bats. For example, FIG. 10 shows test data from two test bats and the current inventive bat. Those results are charted in FIG. 11. In all cases, an improvement in bat performance was seen at six testing speeds ranging from 60 mph to 110 mph. Further, FIG. 12 charts the vibrational energy between one of the conventional test bats and the current inventive bat. This chart shows that the current inventive bat has approximately a 60% lower amplitude of vibration at the second nodeapproximately at the 600 frequency locationwhich corresponds to the current theory of the location of vibration frequency that most affects the stinging sensation to a batter. Please see the world wide web at acs.psu.edu/drussell/bats/sting-damp.html for further explanation.

(29) Thus, although there have been described particular embodiments of the present disclosure of a new and useful Bat with Performance Governing Barrel and Vibration Dampening Connection, it is not intended that such references be construed as limitations upon the scope of this disclosure except as set forth in the following claims.