Composite bat with varying barrel thicknesses

Abstract

A baseball or softball bat includes a composite bat body having a handle and a barrel extending from the handle. The bat body is of a variable thickness along a length thereof. A generally tubular, resilient sleeve is disposed adjacent to an exterior of the barrel intermediate ends of the bat body. The bat body and sleeve are interconnected with one another such that the sleeve and bat body provide a generally continuous exterior surface of the bat.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention generally relates to baseball and softball bats. More particularly, the present invention relates to a bat having a composite bat body of variable thickness and a sleeve.[0002]Baseball and softball are very popular sports in the United States and many other countries. Due to the competitive nature of these sports, players are constantly seeking ways of improving their performance. An important aspect of baseball and softball is the ability to effectively hit the ball.[0003]Metal (aluminum) bats are allowed in baseball amateur play from Little League to College levels. Metal bats are also typically used in slow and fast pitch softball. Metal bats are advantageous over wood bats in that they do not break and splinter like wood bats and thus can be used repeatedly with consequent cost savings.[0004]However, metal bats have certain disadvantages, including vibrating upon impact and sending painful vibrations into the hands and arms ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is a baseball or softball bat that meets requirements relating to BBCOR (Batted-Ball Coefficient of Restitution). The bat has a varying barrel thickness and a sleeve placed over at least a portion of the barrel. The sleeve is made of metal or composite material with greater impact absorption and resistance characteristics than the composite bat body. The bat body is interconnected with the sleeve through an annular recess and end taper, providing a continuous exterior surface of the bat. The invention improves the bat's performance and durability while still meeting the requirements of BBCOR.

Problems solved by technology

However, metal bats have certain disadvantages, including vibrating upon impact and sending painful vibrations into the hands and arms of the batter if the ball is not hit within the “sweet spot” of the bat.

Metal bats, particularly aluminum bats, may also dent or otherwise deform due to forceful impacts with the ball.

Metal bats also emit an undesirable high-pitched metallic sound, as opposed to the traditional sound heard when a wood bat contacts the ball.

However, while providing benefits, these designs also have drawbacks in that they can be expensive to manufacture and are prone to structural failure.

Furthermore, the ball comes off a metal bat faster than a wood bat, resulting in longer hits.

In fact, over the years there have been many injuries and near misses attributed to the speed from which the ball comes off a metal and / or composite bat.

A pitched ball holds a lot of energy, and with solid wood bats much of that energy is lost as the ball compresses on impact.

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