Bat structure having double-nested-tube construction

Abstract

A bat structure having a double-nested-tube construction includes an outer tube, an inner tube, and an elastic material. The outer tube has a hitting section and a tapered section having a gradually reduced outer diameter. The inner tube is integrally formed of a carbon fiber material and has an end provided with a handle section. The handle section has an end provided with a connection section having a gradually increased outer diameter. The connection section has an end provided with an insertion section having a uniform outer diameter. The insertion section is peripherally provided with an annular raised portion, and the annular raised portion has a greater outer diameter than the insertion section of the inner tube. The elastic material is provided on the inner tube and is located on one side of the annular raised portion.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a bat and more particularly to a bat structure that has a double-nested-tube construction capable of reducing the sound produced by a bat hitting a ball.2. Description of Related Art

[0002] The market has been supplied with a great variety of bat structures designed to deliver enhanced ball-hitting performance and meet their respective functional requirements. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,014,580, 8,632,428, and 10,220,277 disclose different structural designs that provide different functional improvements.BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a bat structure having a double-nested-tube construction that can enhance a bat's control of ball hitting and reduce the sound produced by the bat hitting a ball.

[0004] To achieve the aforesaid primary objective, the bat structure having a double-nested-tube construction according to the present invention includes an outer tube, an inner tube, and an elastic material. The outer tube has a hitting section having a uniform outer diameter. The hitting section has one end provided with an end cover and the opposite end provided with a tapered section having a gradually reduced outer diameter. The inner tube is integrally formed of a carbon fiber material, and the inner tube has one end provided with a handle section. The handle section has one end provided with a connection section having a gradually increased outer diameter. The connection section has one end provided with an insertion section having a uniform outer diameter. The insertion section is peripherally provided with an annular raised portion, and the outer diameter of the annular raised portion is greater than the outer diameter of the insertion section of the inner tube. The elastic material is provided on the inner tube and is located on one side of the annular raised portion.

[0005] According to the foregoing structure of the present invention, the relatively soft outer tube can enhance a bat's control of ball hitting while the relatively hard annular raised portion provided on the inner tube can increase the force with which the bat hits a ball. In addition, the elastic material can absorb the sound produced by the bat hitting a ball. Thus, in comparison with the prior art, a bat having the structure of the invention is enhanced in its control of ball hitting and produces a reduced level of noise.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention.

[0007] FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the inner tube in the present invention.

[0008] FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 1.

[0009] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 3.

[0010] FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 4 and shows another way in which the elastic material can be provided.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] To begin with, the applicant would like to point out that, throughout this specification, which includes the description of the following embodiment and the appended claims, all the direction-related terms make reference to the directions shown in the accompanying drawings; that identical or similar elements or structural features in the following embodiment and in the drawings are designated by the same reference numeral; and that although the directions stated in the specification are the directions in the drawings to facilitate description, the stated directions are not limited to those illustrated in the drawings.

[0012] Referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 5, the bat structure having a double-nested-tube construction according to the present invention includes an outer tube 10, an inner tube 20, and an elastic material 30.

[0013] The outer tube 10 is made of a carbon fiber material. The outer tube 10 has a hitting section 11 having a uniform outer diameter. One end of the hitting section 11 is provided with an end cover 12. The other end of the hitting section 11 is provided with a tapered section 13 having a gradually reduced outer diameter.

[0014] The inner tube 20 is integrally formed of a carbon fiber material. One end of the inner tube 20 is provided with a handle section 21. One end of the handle section 21 is provided with a connection section 22 having a gradually increased outer diameter, and one end of the connection section 22 is provided with an insertion section 23 having a uniform outer diameter. The insertion section 23 is peripherally provided with an annular raised portion 24, and the outer diameter of the annular raised portion 24 is greater than the outer diameter of the insertion section 23 of the inner tube 20. The insertion section 23 of the inner tube 20 is inserted in the outer tube 10, and the connection section 22 of the inner tube 20 is connected to the tapered section 13 of the outer tube 10 such that the annular raised portion 24 corresponds in position to the hitting section 11 of the outer tube 10, preferably to a middle portion of the hitting section 11, i.e., the portion generally known as the sweet spot in terms of ball hitting. There is a gap between the insertion section 23 and the outer tube 10, meaning the insertion section 23 and the outer tube 10 are separate from, and not in contact with, each other.

[0015] The elastic material 30 is provided on the inner tube 20 and is located on one side of the annular raised portion 24. The elastic material 30 may be a foamed material such as a polyurethane foam or a foamed plastic; rubber; or another material that is elastic and capable of acoustic absorption. The elastic material 30 may have an annular shape, an arc shape, or a block shape and may be provided on the side of the annular raised portion 24 that is close to the handle section 21 or the side of the annular raised portion 24 that is far from the handle section 21.

[0016] The structure of the present invention is such that the hardness of the outer tube 10 is lower than the hardness of the inner tube 20 and the hardness of the annular raised portion 24; therefore, the outer tube 10 is relatively pliable and is deformable when hitting a ball. This technical feature provides a significant improvement in ball control and shock absorption over the prior art. In addition, when a bat using the structure of the invention hits a ball, the annular raised portion 24 can effectively limit the rebound of the bat so that the speed of the hit ball will not exceed the upper limit specified by baseball associations. Besides, the sound produced by the bat hitting a ball will be effectively reduced thanks to the gap between the inner tube 20 and the outer tube 10 and the provision of the elastic material 30.

[0017] The elastic material 30 in the present invention may be provided in two pieces, and in that case, each of the two pieces of elastic material 30 is provided on one of two opposite sides of the annular raised portion 24, i.e., with the annular raised portion 24 located between the two pieces of elastic material 30, as shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 4. This two-piece configuration works better in noise reduction and shock absorption than when only one piece of elastic material 30 is provided.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0011]To begin with, the applicant would like to point out that, throughout this specification, which includes the description of the following embodiment and the appended claims, all the direction-related terms make reference to the directions shown in the accompanying drawings; that identical or similar elements or structural features in the following embodiment and in the drawings are designated by the same reference numeral; and that although the directions stated in the specification are the directions in the drawings to facilitate description, the stated directions are not limited to those illustrated in the drawings.

[0012]Referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 5, the bat structure having a double-nested-tube construction according to the present invention includes an outer tube 10, an inner tube 20, and an elastic material 30.

[0013]The outer tube 10 is made of a carbon fiber material. The outer tube 10 has a hitting section 11 having a uniform outer diameter. One end of the hitting sect...

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a bat and more particularly to a bat structure that has a double-nested-tube construction capable of reducing the sound produced by a bat hitting a ball.2. Description of Related Art

[0002] The market has been supplied with a great variety of bat structures designed to deliver enhanced ball-hitting performance and meet their respective functional requirements. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,014,580, 8,632,428, and 10,220,277 disclose different structural designs that provide different functional improvements.BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a bat structure having a double-nested-tube construction that can enhance a bat's control of ball hitting and reduce the sound produced by the bat hitting a ball.

[0004] To achieve the aforesaid primary objective, the bat structure having a double-nested-tube construction according to the present invention includes an outer tube, an inner tube, and an elastic material. The outer tube has a hitting section having a uniform outer diameter. The hitting section has one end provided with an end cover and the opposite end provided with a tapered section having a gradually reduced outer diameter. The inner tube is integrally formed of a carbon fiber material, and the inner tube has one end provided with a handle section. The handle section has one end provided with a connection section having a gradually increased outer diameter. The connection section has one end provided with an insertion section having a uniform outer diameter. The insertion section is peripherally provided with an annular raised portion, and the outer diameter of the annular raised portion is greater than the outer diameter of the insertion section of the inner tube. The elastic material is provided on the inner tube and is located on one side of the annular raised portion.

[0005] According to the foregoing structure of the present invention, the relatively soft outer tube can enhance a bat's control of ball hitting while the relatively hard annular raised portion provided on the inner tube can increase the force with which the bat hits a ball. In addition, the elastic material can absorb the sound produced by the bat hitting a ball. Thus, in comparison with the prior art, a bat having the structure of the invention is enhanced in its control of ball hitting and produces a reduced level of noise.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention.

[0007] FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the inner tube in the present invention.

[0008] FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 1.

[0009] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 3.

[0010] FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 4 and shows another way in which the elastic material can be provided.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] To begin with, the applicant would like to point out that, throughout this specification, which includes the description of the following embodiment and the appended claims, all the direction-related terms make reference to the directions shown in the accompanying drawings; that identical or similar elements or structural features in the following embodiment and in the drawings are designated by the same reference numeral; and that although the directions stated in the specification are the directions in the drawings to facilitate description, the stated directions are not limited to those illustrated in the drawings.

[0012] Referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 5, the bat structure having a double-nested-tube construction according to the present invention includes an outer tube 10, an inner tube 20, and an elastic material 30.

[0013] The outer tube 10 is made of a carbon fiber material. The outer tube 10 has a hitting section 11 having a uniform outer diameter. One end of the hitting section 11 is provided with an end cover 12. The other end of the hitting section 11 is provided with a tapered section 13 having a gradually reduced outer diameter.

[0014] The inner tube 20 is integrally formed of a carbon fiber material. One end of the inner tube 20 is provided with a handle section 21. One end of the handle section 21 is provided with a connection section 22 having a gradually increased outer diameter, and one end of the connection section 22 is provided with an insertion section 23 having a uniform outer diameter. The insertion section 23 is peripherally provided with an annular raised portion 24, and the outer diameter of the annular raised portion 24 is greater than the outer diameter of the insertion section 23 of the inner tube 20. The insertion section 23 of the inner tube 20 is inserted in the outer tube 10, and the connection section 22 of the inner tube 20 is connected to the tapered section 13 of the outer tube 10 such that the annular raised portion 24 corresponds in position to the hitting section 11 of the outer tube 10, preferably to a middle portion of the hitting section 11, i.e., the portion generally known as the sweet spot in terms of ball hitting. There is a gap between the insertion section 23 and the outer tube 10, meaning the insertion section 23 and the outer tube 10 are separate from, and not in contact with, each other.

[0015] The elastic material 30 is provided on the inner tube 20 and is located on one side of the annular raised portion 24. The elastic material 30 may be a foamed material such as a polyurethane foam or a foamed plastic; rubber; or another material that is elastic and capable of acoustic absorption. The elastic material 30 may have an annular shape, an arc shape, or a block shape and may be provided on the side of the annular raised portion 24 that is close to the handle section 21 or the side of the annular raised portion 24 that is far from the handle section 21.

[0016] The structure of the present invention is such that the hardness of the outer tube 10 is lower than the hardness of the inner tube 20 and the hardness of the annular raised portion 24; therefore, the outer tube 10 is relatively pliable and is deformable when hitting a ball. This technical feature provides a significant improvement in ball control and shock absorption over the prior art. In addition, when a bat using the structure of the invention hits a ball, the annular raised portion 24 can effectively limit the rebound of the bat so that the speed of the hit ball will not exceed the upper limit specified by baseball associations. Besides, the sound produced by the bat hitting a ball will be effectively reduced thanks to the gap between the inner tube 20 and the outer tube 10 and the provision of the elastic material 30.

[0017] The elastic material 30 in the present invention may be provided in two pieces, and in that case, each of the two pieces of elastic material 30 is provided on one of two opposite sides of the annular raised portion 24, i.e., with the annular raised portion 24 located between the two pieces of elastic material 30, as shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 4. This two-piece configuration works better in noise reduction and shock absorption than when only one piece of elastic material 30 is provided.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0011]To begin with, the applicant would like to point out that, throughout this specification, which includes the description of the following embodiment and the appended claims, all the direction-related terms make reference to the directions shown in the accompanying drawings; that identical or similar elements or structural features in the following embodiment and in the drawings are designated by the same reference numeral; and that although the directions stated in the specification are the directions in the drawings to facilitate description, the stated directions are not limited to those illustrated in the drawings.

[0012]Referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 5, the bat structure having a double-nested-tube construction according to the present invention includes an outer tube 10, an inner tube 20, and an elastic material 30.

[0013]The outer tube 10 is made of a carbon fiber material. The outer tube 10 has a hitting section 11 having a uniform outer diameter. One end of the hitting sect...

Claims

1. A bat structure having a double-nested-tube construction, comprising:an outer tube having a hitting section with a uniform outer diameter, wherein the hitting section has an end provided with an end cover and an opposite end provided with a tapered section having a gradually reduced outer diameter; andan inner tube integrally formed of a carbon fiber material, wherein the inner tube has an end provided with a handle section, the handle section has an end provided with a connection section having a gradually increased outer diameter, the connection section has an end provided with an insertion section having a uniform outer diameter, the inner tube is inserted in the outer tube, the connection section of the inner tube is connected to the tapered section of the out tube, the insertion section is peripherally provided with an annular raised portion, and the annular raised portion has an outer diameter greater than the outer diameter of the insertion section of the inner tube.

2. The bat structure having a double-nested-tube construction as claimed in claim 1, wherein the annular raised portion has a higher hardness than the hitting section of the outer tube.

3. The bat structure having a double-nested-tube construction as claimed in claim 1, wherein the annular raised portion corresponds in position to the hitting section of the outer tube.

4. The bat structure having a double-nested-tube construction as claimed in claim 3, further comprising an elastic material, wherein the elastic material is provided on the inner tube and is located on one side of the annular raised portion.

5. The bat structure having a double-nested-tube construction as claimed in4. wherein the elastic material is located on a said side of the annular raised portion that is close to the handle section.

6. The bat structure having a double-nested-tube construction as claimed in claim 4, wherein the elastic material is located on a said side of the annular raised portion that is far from the handle section.

7. The bat structure having a double-nested-tube construction as claimed in claim 1, further comprising two pieces of elastic material, wherein the two pieces of elastic material are provided on the inner tube and are each located on one of two opposite sides of the annular raised portion such that the annular raised portion is located between the two pieces of elastic material.

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