Ball bat including a fiber composite barrel having an accelerated break-in fuse region

Abstract

A ball bat extending about a longitudinal axis and configured for testing under an accelerated break-in test. The bat includes a barrel portion including a proximal region and a distal region. The barrel portion is formed of a fiber composite material having wall thickness of at least 0.100 inch. The fiber composite material includes at least first and second plies. The first ply includes a first plurality of fibers aligned adjacent to one another and a first resin, and the second ply includes a second plurality of fibers aligned adjacent to one another and a second resin. The first ply includes a first fiber discontinuity and the second ply includes a second fiber discontinuity. The first and second fiber discontinuities are generally aligned with each other such that one of the first and second fiber discontinuities substantially overlies the other of the first and second fiber discontinuities creating an ABI fuse region of the barrel portion. The ABI fuse region forms a crack initiation location when the bat is subjected to the accelerated break-in test.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to a ball bat including a fiber composite barrel portion having an accelerated break-in (ABI) fuse region.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Baseball and softball organizations periodically publish and update equipment standards and / or requirements including performance limitations for ball bats. One recently issued standard is the Bat-Ball Coefficient of Restitution (“BBCOR”) Standard adopted by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (“NCAA”) on May 21, 2009. The BBCOR Standard, which became effective on Jan. 1, 2011 for NCAA baseball, is a principal part of the NCAA's effort, using available scientific data, to maintain as nearly as possible wood-like baseball bat performance in non-wood baseball bats. Although wood ball bats provide many beneficial features, they are prone to failure, and because wooden ball bats are typically solid (not hollow), wooden bats can be too heavy for younger players even at reduced bat leng...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is about a baseball bat that has a barrel portion made of a special fiber composite material. This material has layers of fibers and resin that create a strong and durable bat. The bat has a groove on its inner surface that forms a crack initiation location when the bat is subjected to an accelerated break-in test. This helps evaluate the quality of the bat and ensures it is ready for use. The technical effect of this invention is the creation of a strong and durable baseball bat that meets quality standards for use in games.

Problems solved by technology

Although wood ball bats provide many beneficial features, they are prone to failure, and because wooden ball bats are typically solid (not hollow), wooden bats can be too heavy for younger players even at reduced bat lengths.

Wood ball bats also provide little or no flexibility in the design of the hitting or barrel region of the bat.

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