Adjustable Knob Assembly for Ball Bat Handle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current baseball and softball bats face challenges with high production costs, complex construction processes, and long lead times, while also providing excessive shock and vibration to players, especially on off-center impacts, due to the variety of materials and configurations available, making it difficult for players and retailers to select suitable bats.
Innovation Solution
A modular bat design featuring a handle, barrel, and intermediate tapered element made from different materials, allowing for customization and reduced vibration through a pultrusion process and injection molding, along with a bat customization system that guides users in selecting optimal components based on their needs, skills, and preferences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a variety of materials and configurations are used in ball bats, then performance and durability are improved, but production costs and construction complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ball bat is divided into separate handle and barrel portions that can be independently manufactured and then assembled. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized with different materials and construction techniques while simplifying the overall production process and reducing complexity.
2Reliability
If a variety of materials and configurations are used in ball bats, then performance and durability are improved, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the bat into handle and barrel portions, each component can be manufactured using cost-effective processes tailored to its specific requirements, then assembled together. This reduces overall manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining high performance through material optimization in each segment.
3Strength
If traditional bat construction methods are used, then structural integrity is maintained, but shock and vibration are excessive
Solution Approach 1:
A vibration damping element is introduced as an intermediary component between the handle and barrel portions. This mediator absorbs and reduces shock and vibration while maintaining the structural integrity of the overall bat construction.
4Adaptability or versatility
If extensive customization options are provided, then player needs are better met, but selection difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The customization system is segmented into independent selectable components (handle materials, barrel materials, lengths, weights, etc.), allowing players to make a series of simple choices rather than overwhelming them with unlimited combinations. This modular selection approach maintains versatility while improving ease of decision-making.
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable knob assembly for a ball bat having a tubular handle portion extending about a longitudinal axis. The assembly includes a base and an annular knob. The base includes an end wall and a cylindrical outer wall extending from the end wall. The outer wall is configured to be fixedly coupled to a proximal end of the handle portion of the bat. The outer wall includes a first set of interlocking structure. The annular knob includes an inner radial surface defining a central opening. The inner radial surface includes a second set of interlocking structure. The first and second sets of interlocking structure are positionable between at least a first locked knob position and a second locked knob position.