JP2006263141A - Bat for ball games - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate use and to realize a long flying distance by providing high repulsion characteristics and improving a hitting feeling or the like. <P>SOLUTION: This bat for ball games is provided with a ball hitting part D composed by providing an elastic body 4 around the attaching part 3 of a bat main body 2, and the attaching part 3 of the bat main body 2 around which the elastic body is provided has double inner and outer peripheral walls 5 and 6. A low elastic layer 7 composed of a soft foamed synthetic resin material is provided between the inner and outer peripheral walls 5 and 6, a high elastic layer 8 composed of a semi-hard foamed synthetic resin material is provided on the outer side of the peripheral wall 6 on the outer side, and a 4-layer structure is formed as a whole. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a ball game bat used for baseball and softball, and more particularly to a ball game bat provided with a ball hitting portion in which an elastic body is provided around a bat body.

  Ball game bats used for baseball and softball are generally made of wood or aluminum alloy, and those made of a composite material such as CFRP (carbon fiber reinforced plastic) are also widely used.

On the other hand, for the purpose of improving safety and rebound characteristics, a ball hitting portion in which an elastic body made of a foamed synthetic resin material is provided around a bat body made of a composite material such as wood, metal material or CFRP. There is known a ball game bat provided with the following (see Patent Documents 1 to 9).
JP-A 62-106784 Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 63-156667 JP 2000-153013 A JP 2002-126144 A JP 2004-275742 A JP 2004-242738 A Japanese Patent No. 3003829 Japanese Patent No. 3607257 Utility Model Registration No. 3100730

  However, in the ball bat, it is easy to use and realizes a large flight distance by appropriately setting the characteristics such as the rebound characteristics of the ball, the hit feeling at the time of impact of the ball, and the swing-out characteristics at the time of swing. Even in ball game bats using the elastic body as described above, not only simply improves the rebound characteristics of the ball, but also gives a hit feeling by comprehensively considering the impact absorbability at the time of impact of the ball, etc. However, in the conventional ball game bat, there is a limit in optimizing each of these characteristics, which is not satisfactory.

  The present invention has been devised to solve such problems of the prior art, and its main purpose is to obtain a high resilience characteristic and to improve the hit feeling, so that it is easy to use and has a large flight distance. It is an object to provide a ball game bat configured to be able to realize the above.

  In order to solve such a problem, in the present invention, as shown in claim 1, in the ball game bat provided with a hitting ball portion in which an elastic body is provided around the bat body, the elastic body is provided around the ball. The mounting portion of the bat main body has inner and outer double peripheral walls, a low elastic layer made of a soft foam synthetic resin material is provided between the inner and outer peripheral walls, and a semi-rigid foam synthetic material is formed outside the outer peripheral wall. A highly elastic layer made of a resin material was provided, and the entire structure had at least a four-layer structure.

  According to this, a high resilience characteristic is obtained by the high elastic layer, and further, the impact at the time of impact of the ball is mitigated by the low elastic layer, and further, this low elastic layer is inside the outer peripheral wall, so that the bat body substantially Since a large core diameter can be secured, the hit feeling can be improved and the swing-out performance can be improved.

  In the ball game bat, as shown in claim 2, the outer peripheral wall is formed of a main body member extending over substantially the entire length of the bat main body, and the inner peripheral wall is inserted into the main body member. The inner cylinder member can be used. According to this, the inner and outer peripheral walls can be firmly integrated with a small number of manufacturing steps.

  In the ball game bat, as shown in claim 3, the low elastic layer may be provided in a compressed state. According to this, the damping property of the impact vibration by the low elastic layer is improved, and the hit feeling can be further improved.

  The main body member is preferably made of a metal material such as an aluminum alloy material, but a composite material such as CFRP (carbon fiber reinforced plastic) or GFRP (glass fiber reinforced plastic) is also possible. Further, the inner cylinder member also needs a required strength because it bears flat strength, and may be made of a composite material such as CFRP or GFRP in addition to a metal material such as an aluminum alloy material.

  Further, in the present invention, as shown in claim 4, in a ball game bat provided with a hitting ball portion in which an elastic body is provided around the bat main body, the elastic body is a low elasticity made of an inner soft foam synthetic resin material. At least a two-layer structure including a layer and a highly elastic layer made of an outer semi-rigid foamed synthetic resin material was formed.

  According to this, since the inner low elastic layer is deformed flexibly, a large amount of deformation of the high elastic layer can be ensured at the time of impact of the ball, so that high resilience characteristics can be obtained. In addition, since the directionality of the ball is improved by the outer high elastic layer, occurrence of hitting can be suppressed. Moreover, durability can be enhanced by the outer high elastic layer. Further, since the impact at the time of impact of the ball is relieved by the inner low elastic layer, the hit feeling can be improved and the swing-out property can be improved.

  Further, in the present invention, as shown in claim 5, in a ball game bat provided with a hitting ball part formed by surrounding an elastic body on the bat body, the mounting part of the bat body around which the elastic body is provided, A diameter-expanded portion bulging outward in the radial direction is provided, and the elastic body made of the foamed synthetic resin material is provided so as to cover the outer peripheral surface of the diameter-expanded portion.

  According to this, a high resilience characteristic is obtained by the elastic body, and the core diameter of the bat main body is increased by the enlarged diameter portion, so that the hit feeling can be improved. Further, the elastic body is prevented from being detached by the enlarged diameter portion, and the elastic body can be reliably and easily fixed to the bat body.

  In addition, the enlarged diameter portion may be provided with a plurality of convex portions that are convex on the outer surface side in the region of the mounting portion, or a plurality of the enlarged diameter portions may have a corrugated sectional shape. According to this, it is possible to prevent the elastic body from being partially displaced with respect to the bat body at the time of impact of the ball. Moreover, the cross-sectional shape of a convex part can take various forms, such as trapezoid shape, circular arc shape, square shape, and mountain shape.

  The ball game bat may further include a surface layer made of a self-skin layer formed by molding on the surface of the outer high-elasticity layer. According to this, a hard surface layer can be formed at low cost. Moreover, it is good also as a structure which covers the outer peripheral surface of a highly elastic layer with a film material.

  As described above, according to the present invention, a structure having at least a four-layer structure including the inner and outer double peripheral walls, the low elastic layer, and the high elastic layer provides a high resilience characteristic, and the impact upon impact of the ball. Therefore, it is easy to use and a large flight distance can be realized. In addition, by having a configuration having an inner low elastic layer and an outer high elastic layer, high resilience characteristics can be obtained and the directionality of the ball can be improved, so that the occurrence of hitting can be suppressed. It is easy to use and can realize a large flight distance. Furthermore, by providing a diameter-enlarged portion at the attachment portion of the bat body around which the elastic body is provided, high resilience characteristics can be obtained, and the core diameter of the bat body can be increased, thereby improving the hit feeling. Therefore, it is easy to use and a large flight distance can be realized.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a ball game bat according to the present invention. This ball game bat 1 is used for soft baseball and softball, and has a substantially straight part A, a taper part B, and a grip part C having substantially the same outer diameter, and the entire length of the bat from the tip. On the other hand, a region having a length of about 1/3, specifically, a substantially straight portion A and a part of the taper portion B constitute a hitting ball portion D. In this figure, the dimensions in the radial direction are enlarged and shown so that the features become clear.

  This ball game bat 1 is provided with a hitting ball portion D in which an elastic body 4 is provided around a mounting portion 3 of a bat main body 2, and the mounting portion 3 of the bat main body 2 includes inner and outer double peripheral walls 5 and 6. A low elastic layer 7 made of a soft foam synthetic resin material is provided between the inner and outer peripheral walls 5 and 6, and a high elastic layer 8 made of a semi-rigid foam synthetic resin material is provided outside the outer peripheral wall 6. And has a four-layer structure as a whole.

  The outer peripheral wall 6 is composed of a main body member 11 extending over substantially the entire length of the bat main body 2, and the inner peripheral wall 5 is composed of an inner cylinder member 12 inserted into the main body member 11. The main body member 11 is made of a metal material, for example, an aluminum alloy material, and the thickness of the attachment portion 3 is preferably 0.6 mm to 2.0 mm. The inner cylinder member 12 is made of a cylindrical pipe material, and is formed of a metal material, for example, an aluminum alloy material, similarly to the main body member 11, and the thickness may be 0.6 mm to 1.5 mm.

  The inner cylinder member 12 may be formed of a composite material such as CFRP (carbon fiber reinforced plastic) or GFRP (glass fiber reinforced plastic). In this case, the thickness is preferably 1 mm to 2 mm. The main body member 11 can also be formed of a composite material such as CFRP or GFRP.

  In particular, in this case, in the attachment portion 3, the main body member 11 serving as the outer peripheral wall 6 is formed with the enlarged diameter portion 16 bulging outward in the radial direction, and covers the outer peripheral surface of the enlarged diameter portion 16. A highly elastic layer 8 is provided around. The enlarged diameter portion 16 includes a gradually enlarged portion and a gradually reduced portion on the distal end side and the grip portion side, and has a substantially trapezoidal cross section. The diameter-enlarged portion 16 may have a protrusion height (diameter-direction expanded width) with respect to the base 17 of 0.5 mm to 5 mm.

  The soft foamed synthetic resin material forming the low elastic layer 7 is preferably polyurethane, and in particular, a soft foam (for example, Super Seal SB manufactured by Nihon Hojo Co., Ltd.) used for water-stopping purposes is preferable.

  The low elastic layer 7 is sandwiched between the inner and outer peripheral walls 5 and 6 and is provided in a compressed state, and the compression rate is preferably 50% to 80%. The thickness of the low elastic layer 7 is preferably 4 mm to 6 mm in the finished state.

  Polyurethane is suitable for the semi-rigid foamed synthetic resin material forming the highly elastic layer 8. The high elastic layer 8 is preferably set to be lower than the spring constant of the ball, and the hardness thereof is preferably 30 to 50 in terms of C hardness. The thickness of the high elastic layer 8 is preferably 3 mm to 6 mm. A surface layer 14 made of a self-skin layer formed by molding is formed on the surface of the highly elastic layer 8. The self-skin layer may have a C hardness of 60-80.

  In order to manufacture the ball game bat 1, the pipe member that becomes the main body member 11 is formed by the swaging process and the tapering process to form the tapered part B and the grip part C, and the substantially straight part A is used as the enlarged diameter part 16. Preliminarily forming to a corresponding diameter, and then performing a process of expanding the opening of the pipe material located on the distal end side of the main body member 11 by a pipe expansion process.

  On the other hand, the low elastic layer 7 is integrally formed around the inner cylinder member 12 by integral molding, and the inner cylinder member 12 in which the low elastic layer 7 is integrally formed is used as a pipe member that becomes the main body member 11. A main body member in which the inner cylinder member 12 is integrated by being inserted into the pipe material from the opening located on the distal end side, and shaped so as to narrow down the distal end portion of the pipe material by head spinning processing (squeezing with a spatula). 11 is obtained.

  Next, a high-elastic layer 8 is integrally formed around the mounting portion 3 of the bat main body 2 by integral molding using a mold manufactured from a matrix corresponding to the completed product, whereby a completed product of the bat 1 is obtained.

  Note that the low elastic layer 7 may be formed in a separate process and then fixed to the inner cylinder member 12 with an adhesive. Similarly, after the high elastic layer 8 is molded in a separate process, it may be fixed to the attachment portion 3 of the bat body 2 with an adhesive.

  In molding, the low pressure foaming method (conventional method) that mixes with a stirring stirrer in the mixing chamber and injects into the mold, and R solution (polyol component) and T solution (isocyanate component) are sent to the mixing head at high pressure. The RIM molding method (high pressure foaming method) in which the mixture is uniformly mixed and injected into the mold may be used. In particular, the RIM molding method (high pressure foaming method) is preferable in order to make the surface layer 14 made of a self-skin layer made of a foamed synthetic resin material forming the highly elastic layer 8 dense and thick.

  In addition, the surface layer 14 can also be comprised with the film material by a synthetic resin material or a synthetic rubber material. The material of the film material is preferably an ether-based polyurethane elastomer, and can improve wear resistance. The thickness of the film material is preferably 0.2 mm to 0.5 mm.

  In this case, when the film material is placed on the cavity surface of the mold and the material for forming the high elastic layer 8 is injected into the cavity and cured by reaction, the surface layer 14 firmly fixed to the surface of the high elastic layer 8 is formed. can get. At this time, it is preferable to print characters and designs on the back surface of the transparent film material. Further, a sheet on which a three-dimensional modeled object or characters are displayed may be arranged in a mold and integrated with the high elastic layer 8.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the ball game bat shown in FIG. In the ball game bat 21, the inner and outer double peripheral walls 5 and 6 are respectively constituted by the inner cylindrical member 25 and the main body member 24 in the attachment portion 23 of the bat main body 22, and the outer peripheral wall 6 and the like. The main body member 24 is formed with an enlarged diameter portion 26 bulging outward in the radial direction. Unlike the above example, the enlarged diameter portion 26 has a cross-sectional shape curved in an arc shape. .

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the ball game bat shown in FIG. In the ball game bat 31, the inner and outer double peripheral walls 5 and 6 are respectively constituted by the inner cylindrical member 35 and the main body member 34 in the attachment portion 33 of the bat main body 32, and the outer peripheral wall 6 and the like. In the main body member 34, an enlarged diameter portion 36 bulging outward in the radial direction is formed. Unlike the above example, the enlarged diameter portion 36 is an annular convex portion having a different chevron cross-sectional shape. A plurality of 37, 38, and 39 are formed in the axial direction to form a wave-shaped cross section. In particular, here, compared to the annular convex portions 37 and 39 on the front end side and the grip portion C side, the annular convex portion 38 between them is formed with a small diameter.

  4 is a cross-sectional view showing a modification of the ball game bat shown in FIG. In the ball game bat 41, the inner and outer double peripheral walls 5 and 6 are respectively constituted by the inner cylindrical member 45 and the main body member 44 in the attachment portion 43 of the bat main body 42 as in the above example. Unlike the example, the main body member 44 serving as the outer peripheral wall 6 does not have a particularly enlarged diameter portion bulging outward in the radial direction, and a gradually expanding portion 47 having a cross-sectional shape continuous from the exposed portion of the tapered portion B; It has a straight portion 48 having the same cross section up to the tip.

  FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the ball game bat shown in FIG. In the ball game bat 51, the inner and outer double peripheral walls 5 and 6 are respectively constituted by an inner cylindrical member 55 and a main body member 54 in the attachment portion 53 of the bat main body 52, as in the above example. The main body member 54 is formed with an enlarged diameter portion 56 bulging outward in the radial direction. In particular, here, a cap 57 is provided at the tip. The cap 57 is fitted into an attachment hole 58 provided on the distal end surface of the main body member 54.

  The cap 57 is made of a synthetic resin material, and is elastically engaged with an annular groove formed by internal machining on the inner peripheral surface of the mounting hole 58 at the distal end portion of the main body member 54 so as to be attached to the main body member 54. It should be fixed.

  1 to 4, the synthetic resin cap shown in the example of FIG. 5 may be provided at the tip. In this case, the head drawing process as described in the example of FIG. 1 is not performed, and the cap may be fitted and fixed to the main body member. In each of the above examples, the grip end is integrally formed with the main body member made of a metal material (for example, an aluminum alloy material). However, the grip end is formed separately from a synthetic resin material or a composite material, and screwed. It is also possible to have a configuration in which the main body member is integrated by fastening with or bonding with an adhesive.

  FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of a ball game bat according to the present invention. This ball game bat 61 includes a hitting ball portion D in which an elastic body 64 is provided around an attachment portion 63 of a bat main body 62, and the elastic body 64 is a low elastic layer 65 made of an inner soft foam synthetic resin material. And a high-elastic layer 66 made of an outer semi-rigid foamed synthetic resin material. The low elastic layer 65 is provided in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall of the mounting portion 63 of the bat main body 62, and the high elastic layer 66 is provided so as to entirely cover the outer peripheral surface of the low elastic layer 65.

  The soft foamed synthetic resin material forming the low elastic layer 65 is preferably polyurethane, as in the above example, and is preferably a soft foam (for example, Super Seal SB manufactured by Nihon Hojo Co., Ltd.) used for water-stopping. The thickness of the low elastic layer 65 is preferably 4 to 6 mm.

  The semi-rigid foamed synthetic resin material forming the highly elastic layer 66 is preferably made of polyurethane as in the above example. The hardness of the highly elastic layer 66 is preferably 30 to 50 in terms of C hardness. The thickness of the highly elastic layer 66 is preferably 3 to 6 mm.

  The soft foam synthetic resin material forming the low elastic layer 65 and the semi-rigid foam synthetic resin material forming the high elastic layer 66 are preferably polyurethane.

  The bat main body 62 may be formed of an appropriate material. For example, the bat main body 62 may be formed of a composite material such as a metal material (such as an aluminum alloy), CFRP (carbon fiber reinforced plastic), or GFRP (glass fiber reinforced plastic). Is preferred.

  In order to manufacture the ball game bat 61, the low elastic layer 65 and the high elastic layer 66 may be integrally formed around the bat main body 62 stepwise by integral molding. That is, the low elastic layer 65 is formed around the mounting portion 63 of the bat main body 62 using a die manufactured from a mother die in which the low elastic layer 65 is added to the bat main body 62, and then from the mother die of the entire bat. Using the manufactured mold, a high elastic layer 66 is formed around the low elastic layer 65 to obtain a finished product of the bat 61.

  In addition, after the elastic body 64 is molded in a separate process, it may be fixed to the attachment portion 63 of the bat main body 62 with an adhesive. In this case, the low elastic layer 65 and the high elastic layer 66 may be integrally formed by integral molding, or may be integrated by an adhesive after being molded in a separate process.

  FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a modification of the ball game bat shown in FIG. In this ball game bat 71, as in the above example, the elastic body 74 provided around the mounting portion 73 of the bat main body 72 includes a low elastic layer 75 made of an inner soft foam synthetic resin material and an outer semi-rigid. Although it has a two-layer structure provided with a highly elastic layer 76 made of a foamed synthetic resin material, in particular, here, the attachment portion 73 is formed with an enlarged diameter portion 77 bulging outward in the radial direction, An elastic body 74 is provided so as to cover the outer peripheral surface of the enlarged diameter portion 77.

  Here, the enlarged-diameter portion 77 has a trapezoidal cross section, but in addition to this, as in the example shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cross-sectional shape curved in an arc or the cross-sectional shape of a wave shape. Various forms are possible.

  The ball game bat according to the present invention has an effect of obtaining a high resilience characteristic and improving the hit feeling, and is easy to use and can realize a large flight distance, and is used for a soft baseball or a soft ball. Useful for bats.

It is sectional drawing which shows an example of the ball game bat by this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the modification of the ball game bat shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the modification of the ball game bat shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the modification of the ball game bat shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the modification of the ball game bat shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows another example of the ball game bat by this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the modification of the ball game bat shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71 Ball game bat 2, 22, 32, 42, 52, 62, 72 Bat body 3, 23, 33, 43, 53, 63, 73 Mounting part 4, 64, 74 Elastic body 5 Inner peripheral wall 6 Outer peripheral wall 7, 65, 75 Low elastic layer 8, 66, 76 High elastic layer 11, 24, 34, 44, 54 Body member 12, 25, 35, 45, 55 Inner cylinder member 16, 26, 36, 56, 77 Expanded diameter part A Straight part B Taper part C Grip part D Hitting part

Claims (5)

A ball game bat provided with a ball hitting portion formed by surrounding an elastic body in the bat body,
The mounting portion of the bat body around which the elastic body is provided has double inner and outer peripheral walls, and a low elastic layer made of a soft foam synthetic resin material is provided between the inner and outer peripheral walls, and the outer peripheral wall The ball game bat is characterized in that a high-elastic layer made of a semi-rigid foam synthetic resin material is provided on the outside of the bat and has a structure of at least four layers as a whole.   2. The outer peripheral wall is made of a main body member extending over substantially the entire length of the bat main body, and the inner peripheral wall is made of an inner cylinder member inserted into the main body member. A ball bat described in 1.   The ball game bat according to claim 1, wherein the low elastic layer is provided in a compressed state. A ball game bat provided with a ball hitting portion formed by surrounding an elastic body in the bat body,
A ball game bat characterized in that the elastic body has at least a two-layer structure including a low elastic layer made of an inner soft foam synthetic resin material and a high elastic layer made of an outer semi-rigid foam synthetic resin material. . A ball game bat provided with a ball hitting portion formed by surrounding an elastic body in the bat body,
The elastic body made of a foamed synthetic resin material so that the attaching portion of the bat main body around which the elastic body is provided has an enlarged diameter portion that bulges radially outward, and covers the outer peripheral surface of the enlarged diameter portion. A ball bat characterized in that the

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