Baseball / softball bat with radially deflectable inner barrel

Abstract

A baseball or softball bat includes an elongated handle having a proximal end and a distal end, and an elongated barrel having a proximal tapered section and a distal generally cylindrical section, wherein the distal end of the handle is disposed within the tapered section of the barrel and extends proximally therefrom. A vibration absorbing member is disposed at a connection of the handle to the barrel. A dual tube assembly is disposed entirely within the cylindrical section of the barrel. The dual tube assembly includes coaxial first and second cylindrical inner tubes disposed in fixed radial relation to one another, wherein the second inner tube is attached to the cylindrical section of the barrel by an elastomeric foam spacer to permit limited linear displacement of the dual tube assembly relative to the barrel.

Description

BASEBALL / SOFTBALL BAT WITH RADIALLY DEFLECTABLE INNER BARRELBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention generally relates to baseball and softball bats. More particularly, the present invention relates to composite and metallic non-linear bats.

[0002] Baseball and softball are very popular sports in many 20 countries, including the United States, Mexico, Japan and elsewhere. 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] Typically, wooden bats are used at professional levels, while metal, such as aluminum alloy, and composite material bats are used extensively in other leagues and levels, and particularly in baseball amateur play from Little League to college levels and also in slow- and fast-pitch softball. Metal and composite 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. Metal and composite bats also have a larger optimal hitting area or power zone than wood bats.

[0004] High performance baseball and softball bats are primarily made from aluminum alloys, composite materials, or some combination thereof. These bats are tubular (hollow inside) so as to optimize their weight and they consist of three sections: a relatively narrow handle portion for gripping, a relatively wider distal portion for hitting, and a tapered mid-section connecting the handle and hitting portions. Original aluminum bats were fabricated as a single piece in that they solely consisted of a frame with nothing occupying the space within the frame. It was found that these bats outperformed traditional wooden bats because of a "rebound" effect present in aluminum / composite bats. As the ball impacted the bat, the bat wall would absorb the energy from the impact by elastically deforming the wall at the point of impact. As the ball began to leave the bat the energy absorbed by the elastic deformation would be released by the wall returning to its original structure, in effect giving the ball an extra 1PCTApp VANNG-62092"push", thus the rebound effect. Another name given to this effect is the "trampoline" effect. Manufacturers of bats found that by making the wall thinner the rebound effect would be magnified. However thinner walls also decreased the life of the bat as the wall would fatigue and no longer return to its original position, leaving dents or dings on the bat. As a result, manufacturers begin to look at ways of utilizing the cavity within the hitting portion of the bat to increase the rebound effect and reduce fatigue.

[0005] Several designs were introduced to take advantage of the space available in the cavity of the bat's hitting portion with the goal of strengthening the hitting portion while maintaining or improving the rebound effect. Some designs would decrease the width of the cavity to add an outer tubular sleeve while other designs would add tubular inserts within the cavity of the bat's hitting portion. These designs became to be known as multi-walled bats. Still other designs added composites to the outer wall or disks within the cavity to strengthen the wall while maintaining its flexing properties.

[0006] Baseball and softball bats, particularly composite ball bats, have been designed with various stiffness properties to meet the preferences of various players. Many players prefer the feel and performance of ball bats having barrels that exhibit high compliance (for example, high radial deflection) and low stiffness. There are challenges, however, in making an effective, durable ball bat having these properties. In addition, there are challenges in making a ball bat with high compliance that can meet league or association rules, such as rules associated with the Bat-Ball Coefficient of Restitution ("BBCOR"), the Batted-Ball Speed ("BBS") value, or other rules associated with collision efficiency of a bat and a ball.

[0007] Accordingly, there is a continuing need for multi-walled and composite bats which may be manufactured to meet the rules associated with the Bat-Ball Coefficient of Restitution ("BBCOR") and the Batted-Ball Speed ("BBS") values, which meets the desires and needs of the players, such as by limiting handle vibration and providing a desirable sound when contact with a ball is made, and which may be manufactured in an economical manner. The present invention meets these needs and provides other related advantages.2PCTApp VANNG-62092SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The baseball or softball bat of the present invention includes an outer shell of the bat barrel and an insert positioned in a ball striking area of the outer shell. The insert comprises a dual tube assembly and spacers positioned to form a gap between the dual tube assembly and the outer shell along at least a portion of a length of the bat barrel. Preferably, the gap extends along only the length of the ball striking area of the bat barrel. The outer shell provides some compliance during a hit to create a trampoline effect, while the insert provides a backstop to limit radial deflection of the outer shell.

[0009] More particularly, the baseball or softball bat of the present invention comprises an elongated handle having a proximal end and a distal end, and an elongated barrel having a proximal tapered section and a distal generally cylindrical section, wherein the distal end of the handle is disposed within the tapered section of the barrel and extends proximally therefrom. A vibration absorbing member is disposed at a connection of the handle to the barrel.

[0010] The dual tube assembly is disposed entirely within the cylindrical section of the barrel. The dual tube assembly comprises coaxial first and second cylindrical inner tubes disposed in fixed radial relation to one another, wherein the second inner tube is attached to the cylindrical section of the barrel by an elastomeric-like vibrationabsorbing foam spacer to permit limited linear displacement of the dual tube assembly relative to the barrel.

[0011] When the barrel is elastically deformed at the point of contact with a ball when the bat is swung in normal use, the barrel may contact the first cylindrical inner tube to limit the elastic deformation of the barrel. In this case, the dual tube assembly moves linearly as a unit within the barrel in response to contact with an elastically deformed portion of the barrel. In other words, when a ball contacts a bat, the outer shell with lower stiffness deforms. It continues to deform until it contacts the first cylindrical inner tube and dislocates the entire dual tube assembly linearly as a unit within the barrel and creates a double gap within the barrel. These movements increase stiffness.

[0012] The result is a non-linear bat that has two stiffnesses: a weaker stiffness from the outer shell and a stronger stiffness from the inner shell. The advantage of the dual3PCTApp VANNG-62092tube assembly linearly displaceable as a unit within the barrel is to provide a hitter with slower swing speed additional distance for a ball.

[0013] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings:

[0015] Figure 1 is a plan view of a baseball or softball bat embodying the present invention;

[0016] Figure 2 is enlarged view of the barrel portion of the bat showing two distinct sections, namely a proximal tapered section and a distal cylindrical section, wherein the dual tube assembly of the present invention within the distal barrel section shown by dotted lines;

[0017] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the various components of the baseball or softball bat of Figs. 1 and 2;

[0018] Figure 4 is a sectional view of the barrel portion of the bat and its connection to the handle, illustrating components of the dual tube assembly within the distal portion of the bat barrel;

[0019] Figure 5 is a sectional view of the bat barrel illustrating the components comprising the dual tube assembly;

[0020] Figures 6-9 illustrate how the dual tube assembly disposed entirely within the cylindrical section of the barrel, acts as a backstop to the outer tube of the barrel when the ball comes in contact with the bat and deforms the outer tube to come in contact with the first inner tube of the dual tube assembly; wherein,

[0021] Figure 6 illustrates deformation of the outer cylindrical section of the barrel to come into initial contact with outer tube of the dual tube assembly as the bat strikes a ball;4PCTApp VANNG-62092

[0022] Figure 7 illustrates how further deformation of the outer cylindrical section of the barrel moves the entire dual tube assembly linearly within the barrel until the opposite sides of the outer cylindrical section of the barrel and the outer tube of the dual tube assembly may come into contact;

[0023] Figure 8 illustrates how such contact between the outer tube and the first inner tube causes the dual tube assembly to be displaced radially within the barrel; and

[0024] Figure 9 illustrates how the dual tube assembly returns to its normal position within the outer tube of the barrel as the ball travels away from the bat.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0025] As shown in the accompanying drawings for purposes of illustration, the present invention resides in a multi-component baseball or softball bat generally referred to by the reference No. 10. The bat 10 has vibration absorbing and shock dissipating characteristics, such that shockwaves and other energy generated by a barrel of the bat hitting an object, such as a ball, are absorbed or muted so that they are not fully transferred to the handle of the bat and the user’s hands. The bat also includes means for rigidly securing the barrel to the handle. With reference to Figures 1 and 2, a bat 10 embodying the present invention is illustrated. The bat 10 is generally comprised of a barrel 12 and a handle 14 attachable to barrel 12. The barrel 12 and handle 14 may be comprised of any suitable material, including metal such as aluminum or aluminum alloy, or a laminate composite material, such as composite fibers or sheets which may be pre-impregnated resins and the like.

[0026] Typically, the barrel 12 is generally hollow. During assembly, the handle 14 is inserted through an opening 16 of a distal end 18 of the barrel 12 and through an open proximal end 20 of the barrel 12. A first end segment 22 of the handle 14 defines a grip portion of the bat 10. A grip material may be placed over the first end segment of grip portion 22 of the handle and is typically comprised of a material which is comfortable to the user while providing a degree of flexion or grip ability so as to securely hold and swing the bat 10 in use. A knob 24 may be attached to the end of the handle 14 to prevent user’s hands from slipping off of the end of the bat when it is being swung.5PCTApp VANNG-62092

[0027] A second end segment 26 of the handle 14, generally opposite the first end segment 22, is at least partially disposed within the proximal end 20 of the barrel 12. A vibration absorber 28 is affixed to the second end segment of the handle 26 and a portion thereof is configured so as to generally conform to and mate with the inner surface of the proximal end 20 of the barrel 12. As can be seen in the various figures, the proximal end 20 of the barrel 30 is generally frustoconical in configuration to slope from a cylindrical portion of the barrel 32 towards the handle 14.

[0028] The vibration absorber 28 is that shown and described in US10,252,127B2, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Generally, the vibration absorber 28, which is comprised of a shock absorbing material, such as an elastomeric material, is attached to the second end 26 of the handle 14 and to the proximal end of the barrel 12.

[0029] With reference now specifically to figures 3-5, a novel dual tube assembly 34 is shown which is disposed entirely within the cylindrical portion 32 of the barrel 12. The dual tube assembly 34 comprises coaxial first and second cylindrical inner tubes 36 and 38 which are disposed in fixed radial relation to one another by rigid spacers 40. The second inner tube 38 is attached at each end to the cylindrical portion 32 of the barrel 12 by a pair of elastomeric-like vibration-absorbing foam spacers 42. These discshaped foam spacers 42 prevent or limit longitudinal movement of the inner tubes 36 and 38 and also permit the limited linear displacement of the entire dual tube assembly 34 within the barrel 12 when acted upon by deformation in the outer tube portion 44 in response to the bat 10 striking a ball.

[0030] Following assembly of the bat 10, an end cap 46 is placed over the distal end 18 of the barrel 12 to enclose the dual tube assembly 34 entirely within the cylindrical portion 32 of the barrel 12.

[0031] Figures 6-9 illustrate the manner in which the outer tube 44 of the barrel 12 deflects and interacts with the dual tube assembly 34 in response to the bat making contact with a ball 48. Figure 6 illustrates when a ball 48 traveling in the direction of arrow 50 contacts the outer tube 44 of the barrel 12, the outer tube will deflect radially toward the center line of bat. If the ball is traveling fast enough relative to the bat, the6PCTApp VANNG-62092outer tube 44 will make contact with the first inner tube 36 of the dual tube assembly 34 and create a double gap within the barrel.

[0032] As best seen in Figure 7, the force applied by the outer tube 44 against the first inner tube 36 may cause the entire dual tube assembly 34 to move radially as a unit within the barrel 12 for a limited distance shown by the dashed lines 54. In the instance shown, deflection of the outer tube 44 may also cause a deflection of an adjacent portion of the first inner tube 36 to move the entire dual tube assembly linearly within the bat barrel 12 until the opposite sides of the outer tube 44 and the first inner tube 36 come into contact which limits the linear movement of the dual tube assembly 34 within the bat barrel 12 and increases the stiffness of the bat.

[0033] As the energy of the ball 48 against the bat 10 in the direction shown by arrow 50 is dissipated by resistance to deformation of the outer tube 44 and movement of the dual tube assembly 34, the direction of the ball is reversed as shown by arrow 56 in Fig.8. As the ball leaves the bat, the shape of the outer tube 44 of the barrel returns to its normal cylindrical shape as well as the location of the dual tube assembly 34 within the barrel to provide a trampoline affect against the ball 48. Accordingly, as illustrated in Figure 9, as the ball 48 travels away from the bat 10, the components of the barrel in the dual tube assembly return back to the same position they were situated in before the bat struck the ball.

[0034] Although a particular embodiment has been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited, except as by the appended claims.7PCTApp VANNG-62092

Claims

CLAIMS1. A baseball or softball bat, comprising:an elongated handle having a proximal end and a distal end;an elongated barrel having a proximal tapered section and a distal generally cylindrical section, wherein the distal end of the handle is disposed within the tapered section of the barrel and extends proximally therefrom; anda dual tube assembly disposed entirely within the cylindrical section of the barrel, the dual tube assembly comprising coaxial first and second cylindrical inner tubes disposed in fixed radial relation to one another, wherein the second inner tube is attached to the cylindrical section of the barrel by an elastomeric-like spacer to permit limited linear displacement of the dual tube assembly relative to the barrel.

2. The baseball or softball bat of claim 1 , including a vibration absorbing member at a connection of the handle to the barrel.

3. The baseball or softball bat of claim 1 , including a rigid spacer disposed between and connecting the coaxial first and second cylindrical inner tubes.

4. The baseball or softball bat of claim 1 , wherein the elastomeric-like spacer comprises a foam ring disposed at each end of the second inner tube.

5. The baseball or softball bat of claim 1 , including an end cap closing the distal end of the barrel.

6. A baseball or softball bat, comprising:8PCTApp VANNG-62092an elongated handle having a proximal end and a distal end;an elongated barrel having a proximal tapered section and a distal generally cylindrical section, wherein the distal end of the handle is disposed within the tapered section of the barrel and extends proximally therefrom;a vibration absorbing member at a connection of the handle to the barrel; and a dual tube assembly disposed entirely within the cylindrical section of the barrel, the dual tube assembly comprising coaxial first and second cylindrical inner tubes disposed in fixed radial relation to one another, wherein the second inner tube is attached to the cylindrical section of the barrel by an elastomeric-like foam spacer to permit limited linear displacement of the dual tube assembly relative to the barrel.

7. The baseball or softball bat of claim 6, including a rigid spacer disposed between and connecting the coaxial first and second cylindrical inner tubes.

8. The baseball or softball bat of claim 6, including an end cap closing the distal end of the barrel.

9. A baseball or softball bat, comprising:an elongated handle having a proximal end and a distal end;an elongated barrel having a proximal tapered section and a distal generally cylindrical section, wherein the distal end of the handle is disposed within the tapered section of the barrel and extends proximally therefrom;a vibration absorbing member at a connection of the handle to the barrel; and a dual tube assembly disposed entirely within the cylindrical section of the barrel, the dual tube assembly comprising coaxial first and second cylindrical inner tubes disposed in fixed radial relation to one another, wherein the second inner tube is attached to the 9PCTApp VANNG-62092cylindrical section of the barrel by an elastomeric-like vibration-absorbing spacer to permit limited linear displacement of the dual tube assembly relative to the barrel; wherein when the barrel is elastically deformed at the point of contact with a ball when the bat is swung in normal use, the barrel may contact the first cylindrical inner tube to limit the elastic deformation of the barrel.

10. The baseball or softball bat of claim 10, wherein the dual tube assembly moves linearly as a unit within the barrel in response to contact with an elastically deformed portion of the barrel.

11. The baseball or softball bat of claim 10, including a rigid spacer disposed between and connecting the coaxial first and second cylindrical inner tubes.

12. The baseball or softball bat of claim 10, wherein the elastomeric-like vibrationabsorbing spacer comprises a foam ring disposed at each end of the second inner tube.

13. The baseball or softball bat of claim 10, including a vibration absorbing member at a connection of the handle to the barrel.

14. A baseball or softball bat, comprising:an elongated handle having a proximal end and a distal end;an elongated barrel having a proximal tapered section and a distal generally cylindrical section, wherein the distal end of the handle is disposed within the tapered section of the barrel and extends proximally therefrom;a vibration absorbing member at a connection of the handle to the barrel; and10PCTApp VANNG-62092a dual tube assembly disposed entirely within the cylindrical section of the barrel, the dual tube assembly comprising coaxial first and second cylindrical inner tubes disposed in fixed radial relation to one another, wherein the second inner tube is attached to the cylindrical section of the barrel by an elastomeric spacer to permit limited linear displacement of the dual tube assembly relative to the barrel;wherein when the barrel is elastically deformed at the point of contact with a ball when the bat is swung in normal use, the barrel may contact the first cylindrical inner tube to limit the elastic deformation of the barrel; andwherein the dual tube assembly moves linearly as a unit within the barrel in response to contact with an elastically deformed portion of the barrel.11PCTApp VANNG-62092

Images