Bat Barrel Internal Supports Prevent Rolling Modification

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Solution Overview

Problem

In softball, players modify ball bats by rolling them to increase their elasticity and speed, exceeding regulatory limits, with no prior solutions to deter this modification.

Innovation Solution

A bat design featuring internal supports and retaining members made of resilient materials like graphite or magnesium, positioned transverse to the bat's axis, to prevent fiber fracturing and maintain structural integrity, thereby discouraging rolling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the bat is made more elastic through fiber fracturing (rolling), then the ball exit speed increases, but the bat violates regulatory limits

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveball exit speedVSAvoidcompliance with regulatory limits

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by incorporating internal supports and retaining members before the bat can be modified. These structural elements are pre-installed to resist the rolling process that would otherwise increase ball exit speed beyond legal limits, thereby preventing the harmful effect while maintaining legitimate performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Strength

If internal supports are added to prevent rolling, then the bat's structural integrity is improved, but the bat's elasticity may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidball exit speed

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by placing supports and retaining members at specific locations within the bat barrel rather than making the entire bat rigid. This localized reinforcement prevents rolling at critical points while preserving elasticity in the barrel sections that need to flex during ball contact, thus balancing structural integrity with performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite materials by combining the original bat material (fiberglass, graphite, or composite) with resilient materials for the supports and retaining members. This composite construction allows different parts of the bat to have different mechanical properties - the supports provide rigidity to prevent rolling while the resilient materials and overall composite structure maintain necessary elasticity for ball contact

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS8062154B2Apparatus for deterring modification of sports equipment

Publication Date: 2011.11.22 WILSON SPORTING GOODS CO(US)

AI summary

The present invention relates to an apparatus for playing ball sports including softball. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus for deterring the modification of ball bats. The bat comprises a barrel, a sweet spot, a transition area, a handle, and an end knob. Within the barrel are found supports used to reinforce the structural integrity of the bat to deter users from crushing the bat, causing the bat to fall outside the legal classification of bats allowed by the Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA). The supports are made out of a lightweight durable composition. The supports are held in place by a retaining member. Multiple supports and retaining members may be used.