Reinforced baseball bat

Abstract

A baseball bat is provided that includes a wooden structure having a barrel portion at a first end, a knob at a second end opposite the first end, and a grip portion disposed between the first and second ends; a first reinforcing collar disposed over the wooden structure a first distance from the second end; and a second reinforcing collar disposed over the wooden structure a second distance from the second end. The first distance is preferably greater than the second distance sufficient to create a separation between the first and second collars.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to reinforced baseball bats and similar types of sporting goods.[0002]Wooden baseball bats are known to have a limited life span, especially when used by major league ball players. The nature of the wood and the tapered profile of the bat impart a tendency for the wooden bat to split and splinter unpredictably when struck by or striking a baseball at high velocity. As a result, baseball players and bystanders risk serious injury from debris that may be expelled from a broken wooden bat every time it is used.[0003]Aluminum bats have been used for some time as an alternative to wooden bats. Although aluminum bats do not have a tendency to break in comparison to its wooden counterpart, aluminum bats are not without their own other problems. For example, balls hit with aluminum bats have a higher exit velocity than those hit with a wooden bat. As a result, serious and even grave injuries have been seen in players struck with...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]In at least one embodiment, a baseball bat is provided that includes a wooden structure having a barrel portion at a first end, a knob at a second end opposite the first end, and a grip portion disposed between the first and second ends; a first reinforcing collar disposed over the wood

Problems solved by technology

Wooden baseball bats are known to have a limited life span, especially when used by major league ball players.

The nature of the wood and the tapered profile of the bat impart a tendency for the wooden bat to split and splinter unpredictably when struck by or striking a baseball at high velocity.

As a result, baseball players and bystanders risk serious injury from debris that may be expelled from a broken wooden bat every time it is used.

Although aluminum bats do not have a tendency to break in comparison to its wooden counterpart, aluminum bats are not without their own other problems.

As a result, serious and even grave injuries have been seen in players struck with baseballs hit using aluminum bats.

Moreover, aluminum bats were never accepted by the major leagues.

These composites, however, may crack or delaminate thereby reducing the lifespan of the reinforced wooden bat for at least visual if not for performance reasons.

Moreover, reinforcing the entire tapered portion of the wooden back necessarily stiffens the wooden bat thereby changing the feel of the wooden bat to the player.

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