Bat with reinforcing wrap
a technology of reinforcing wrap and bat, which is applied in the field of bats, can solve the problems of current demand outstripping the ability to regrow hardwood forests, hardwoods to be hard, and slow growth of hardwood trees
Inactive Publication Date: 2013-10-03
MIZUNO USA
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- Summary
- Abstract
- Description
- Claims
- Application Information
AI Technical Summary
Benefits of technology
The present invention relates to a baseball or softball bat with a wooden core and a reinforcing wrap. The bat can be made from a renewable material such as bamboo, which can be shaped and formed into a bat blank using a lathe or CNC machine. The reinforcing sleeve can be adhered to the bat blank using epoxy resin and can comprise nylon, plastic, fiberglass, or other suitable fibers. The bat can also have a knob and a handle. The invention also includes a method of manufacturing the bat and a system comprising a bat blank and a reinforcing sleeve. The technical effects of the invention include improved durability, flexibility, and a smooth surface.
Problems solved by technology
Unfortunately, a significant factor that causes hardwoods to be hard is that hardwood trees grow slowly.
Unfortunately, this slow growth means that current demand is outstripping the ability to regrow hardwood forests.
In addition, hardwood trees can only be harvested once.
The overharvesting of hardwoods around the world results in deforestation, loss of species, loss of habitat, and other environmental issues.
Aluminum bats are banned from professional baseball, however, for a number of reasons.
High bat speeds, combined with the improved restitution of an aluminum bat, creates dangerously high ball speeds.
This can not only result in injury to players (especially the pitcher), but is also thought to take some of the skill out of the game.
Method used
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Embodiment Construction
[0023]Embodiments of the present invention relate to a baseball or softball bat, and more specifically to a baseball or softball bat assembly comprising a renewable wooden core and a reinforcing sleeve. In some embodiments, the core can comprise a substantially rigid, renewable wood material such as, for example and not limitation, bamboo. The core can have a barrel portion, a transition portion, and a handle portion. In some embodiments, the handle portion can further comprise a knob.
[0024]The bat assembly can further comprise a reinforcing sleeve. The sleeve can comprise, for example, nylon, polypropylene, cotton, or fiberglass. In some embodiments, the sleeve can be adhered to the transition portion, the handle portion, or both. In some embodiments, the sleeve can comprise a composite material with a matrix and a reinforcing fiber, such as fiberglass. The materials, dimensions, and thicknesses, among other things, of the sleeve and the core, can be manipulated to change the chara...
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Abstract
A softball or baseball bat comprising a plurality of strips of wood assembled to form a solid material is disclosed. The bat can comprise bamboo, or other suitable material, that provides the necessary hardness, while using a more economical and renewable resource than conventional hardwoods. The plurality of strips can be assembled to form a solid block, which can be shaped into a bat blank. Then blank can comprise a handle portion, a transition portion, and a barrel portion. The bat can further comprise a reinforcing sleeve disposed proximate the handle portion and the transition portion. The finished bat can further comprise a protective and decorative coating.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This Application claims priority to and benefit under 35 USC §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 616,956, of the same title, filed Mar. 28, 2012, which is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth below.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates generally to bats for use in baseball and softball and specifically to bats comprising renewable woods with reinforcing components.[0004]2. Background of Related Art[0005]Conventionally, bats have been made out of hardwoods such as, for example, maple, birch, and ash. These woods provide good durability and reasonable cost of manufacture. The hardness of the wood also provides good restitution characteristics (e.g., the bat is able to impart a significant amount of energy to the ball rather than that the energy simply being absorbed by the bat).[0006]Because of their hardness, however, hardwoods are used in a wi...
Claims
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Patent Timeline
Login to View More IPC IPC(8): A63B59/06
CPCA63B59/0014A63B2059/065Y10T29/49982A63B59/06A63B2209/023A63B60/10A63B60/06A63B60/08A63B2059/581A63B2102/18A63B59/50
Inventor KUWABARA, HIROAKIMATSUI, YASUSHI
Owner MIZUNO USA