US20030153416A1 - Multiple wall metal bat having independent outer wall and textured inner wall - Google Patents
Multiple wall metal bat having independent outer wall and textured inner wall Download PDFInfo
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- US20030153416A1 US20030153416A1 US10/072,151 US7215102A US2003153416A1 US 20030153416 A1 US20030153416 A1 US 20030153416A1 US 7215102 A US7215102 A US 7215102A US 2003153416 A1 US2003153416 A1 US 2003153416A1
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- bat
- barrel
- end cap
- hollow
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B59/00—Bats, rackets, or the like, not covered by groups A63B49/00 - A63B57/00
- A63B59/50—Substantially rod-shaped bats for hitting a ball in the air, e.g. for baseball
- A63B59/51—Substantially rod-shaped bats for hitting a ball in the air, e.g. for baseball made of metal
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B59/00—Bats, rackets, or the like, not covered by groups A63B49/00 - A63B57/00
- A63B59/50—Substantially rod-shaped bats for hitting a ball in the air, e.g. for baseball
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B60/00—Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like
- A63B60/0081—Substantially flexible shafts; Hinged shafts
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B2102/00—Application of clubs, bats, rackets or the like to the sporting activity ; particular sports involving the use of balls and clubs, bats, rackets, or the like
- A63B2102/18—Baseball, rounders or similar games
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B2102/00—Application of clubs, bats, rackets or the like to the sporting activity ; particular sports involving the use of balls and clubs, bats, rackets, or the like
- A63B2102/18—Baseball, rounders or similar games
- A63B2102/182—Softball
Definitions
- This invention relates to a metallic multi-wall baseball or softball bat that is characterized by an increased elasticity and hitting performance by virtue of a textured inner wall that is located in minimum but constant face-to-face contact with an outer wall such that the inner and outer walls of the bat are adapted to flex both independently of and simultaneously with one another.
- Metal bats have long been used to play baseball and softball.
- some metal bats In order to increase the power that is generated during a batter's swing for driving a ball a greater distance, some metal bats have a double walled barrel. That is to say, the barrel area of the bat is formed by inner and outer metal shells that cooperate to maximize the impact force between the bat and the ball.
- the inner and outer barrel shells of the conventional multi-wall metal bats are typically fixed to one another such that one shell cannot move relative to the other. Consequently, the inner and outer shells do not flex independently of one another in response to a ball striking the barrel, whereby to limit the hitting performance of the bat. More particularly, to generate maximum power using a conventional multi-wall bat, the ball must strike the heart of the sweet spot, typically at the center of the barrel. In cases where the ball strikes the barrel at a location other than the sweet spot, energy will be lost such that the travel of the ball following impact will be reduced. Therefore, such conventional multi-wall metal bats having a limited hitting area have proven to be inefficient whenever the ball is struck off-center.
- the inner and outer barrel walls of the conventional multi-wall bats do not flex both independently and simultaneously relative to one another.
- the inner and outer barrel walls of these bats either flex independently (e.g. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,415,398 and 5,899,823) because of a continuous gap between the walls or simultaneously (e.g. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,053,828 and 6,159,116) because of a uniformly continuous contact between the walls.
- a multi-wall, metal bat is disclosed herein which is of the kind to be used for playing baseball or softball.
- the bat includes a hollow metallic outer shell having a relatively wide barrel at one end thereof, a relatively narrow handle at the opposite end, and a tapered intermediate portion running between the barrel and the handle.
- Located inside the hollow outer shell in opposing facing alignment with the barrel is a metallic tubular sleeve insert having a textured exterior surface.
- a high density elastomeric center core at the end of the tubular sleeve insert is surrounded by and mechanically locked to a ring-like metallic end cap.
- the textured tubular sleeve insert includes a set of preformed spirals that are formed by swaging and pulling an aluminum tube.
- the tubular sleeve insert maximizes the strength of the barrel while the set of spirals of the tubular sleeve insert limit the points of contact between the insert and the barrel.
- the tubular sleeve insert will move a limited distance in a forward direction through the hollow outer shell relative to the barrel and towards the end cap, whereby the hitting area of the bat is effectively extended to any location along the barrel.
- a set of spring-like positioning pins fixedly connect the barrel, the end cap and the center core to one another.
- the tubular sleeve insert has a corresponding set of oversized pin holes that receive respective ones of the positioning pins so that the tubular sleeve insert is free to slide through the hollow outer shell relative to the aforementioned connection of the barrel, the end cap and center core. Accordingly, the bat of this invention offers improved elasticity and hitting performance over conventional multi-wall metal bats having inner and outer walls that either are fixedly connected together or separated from one another by a continuous gap.
- a multi-wall metal bat including an inner shell having a wide barrel at one end thereof, a narrow handle at the opposite end, and a tapered intermediate portion running between the barrel and the handle.
- the barrel of the inner shell has a textured (e.g. preformed spirals) exterior surface that is surrounded by an outer sleeve.
- a high density elastomeric center core at the end of the barrel of the inner shell is surrounded by and mechanically locked to a ring-like metallic end cap.
- the opposite facing textured barrel of the inner shell and the outer sleeve lie in limited contact with one another, whereby the outer sleeve and the inner barrel are adapted to flex both independently of and simultaneously with one another in response to an impact force.
- the outer sleeve, end cap and elastomeric center core are all connected together by a set of spring-like positioning pins that are received through oversized pin holes in the barrel. Accordingly, the combination of the outer sleeve, end cap and center core are free to slide a limited distance in a forward direction relative to the barrel of the inner shell.
- FIG. 1 shows the multi-wall metal baseball bat which forms a first embodiment of the present invention having a textured tubular sleeve insert lying in opposing facing alignment with an outer shell of the bat;
- FIG. 2 illustrates the textured tubular sleeve insert that is located in opposing facing alignment with the outer shell of the bat of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 3 is a cross-section of the multi-wall baseball bat while at rest taken along lines 3 - 3 of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 4 shows an enlarged detail of the interface between the textured tubular sleeve insert and the oppositely facing outer shell of the baseball bat of FIG. 3;
- FIG. 5 shows an enlarged detail of the baseball bat of FIG. 3
- FIG. 6 is a cross-section of a multi-wall baseball bat which forms a second embodiment of the present invention having an outer sleeve lying in opposing facing alignment with a textured inner shell of the bat;
- FIGS. 7 a and 7 b show the multi-wall baseball bats of FIGS. 1 and 6 with the barrels thereof at rest and at maximum flex in response to an impact force generated by a baseball or a softball.
- the multi-wall baseball bat 1 which forms a first embodiment of the present invention is described while initially referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings.
- the multi-wall bat 1 has a hollow outer shell 2 that is preferably manufactured from aluminum or any other suitable metal.
- the bat 1 will be described herein as a baseball bat, it is to be understood that the bat can also be used for playing softball.
- the bat 1 shown FIG. 1 includes a relatively wide tubular barrel 3 at one end thereof for striking a baseball or a softball, a narrow tubular handle 5 at the opposite end at which to grip the bat, and a tapered intermediate portion 7 running between the barrel 3 and the handle 5 .
- the end of the hollow outer shell 2 of baseball bat 1 at which the barrel 3 is formed is closed by the receipt of a high density elastomeric (e.g. polyurethane) center core 8 that is surrounded by a ring-like end cap 10 to add weight to the barrel.
- the center core 8 and the end cap 10 are manufactured as a sub-assembly that is fitted to the barrel 3 by a light interference fit. Means by which the center core 8 and the end cap 10 sub-assembly are attached to one another at the end of the barrel 3 will be described in greater detail hereinafter when referring to FIGS. 3 and 5.
- a hollow tubular sleeve insert 12 is located within and moveable through the hollow outer shell 2 . More particularly, and turning to FIGS. 2 - 4 of the drawings, the tubular sleeve insert 12 is of sufficient length to lie in opposing facing alignment with the barrel 3 of bat 1 . At least the exterior surface of the tubular sleeve insert 12 includes a set of preformed spirals 14 running longitudinally therealong.
- the set of preformed spirals 14 may be formed by any suitable manufacturing process such as, for example, subjecting an aluminum tube to a swaging and pulling technique. Because of the swaging and pulling process, spirals 14 can be formed at opposite faces of the tubular sleeve insert 12 , whereby the opposing arch geometry advantageously strengthens insert 12 and improves the elastic characteristics thereof.
- the set of spirals 14 provide the tubular sleeve insert 12 with a textured surface.
- the spiral wrapped tubular sleeve insert 12 will not lie uniformly flush against the opposing barrel 3 of baseball bat 1 . That is, the only contact points between the tubular sleeve insert 12 and the tubular barrel 3 will occur at the peaks of the spirals 14 .
- the spiral wrapped tubular sleeve insert 12 reinforces the barrel 3 in order to provide maximum strength but minimum contact with the outer shell 2 of baseball bat 1 .
- the spiral wrapped tubular sleeve insert 12 is adapted to flex both independently of and simultaneously with the opposing barrel 3 .
- the spiral wrap can be replaced by other textures (e.g. independent, parallel aligned rings) which provide minimum contact between the outer barrel 3 and inner sleeve insert 12 to preserve the ability of the inner sleeve insert 12 to flex independently of and simultaneously with the outer barrel 3 of the multi-walled bat 1 .
- the multi-wall bat configuration disclosed herein provides a controlled breach of contact of the outer barrel 3 and the inner sleeve insert 12 at prescribed intervals (i.e. the empty valleys located between the peaks of spiral textured insert 12 ).
- This allows the inner and outer walls 12 and 3 to flex independently by providing an area of the inner wall 12 within which the outer wall will be displaced.
- the inner and outer walls 12 and 3 are also forced to flex simultaneously as a result of the precise and unbroken contact at the spaced interface established between the peaks of the spiral textured inner wall 12 against the outer wall 3 .
- the inner and outer walls 12 and 3 respond sequentially, nor can they converge to make new contact points during impact with a ball.
- a preformed annular buttress 16 projects radially inward from the outer shell 2 at the intersection of the barrel 3 with the intermediate portion 7 .
- the preformed annular buttress 16 is a thick wall area that reinforces the outer shell 2 at the transition of the intermediate portion 7 to the multi-wall barrel 3 .
- the tubular sleeve insert 12 is seated against the annular buttress 16 to facilitate the assembly of end cap 10 and center core 8 .
- the spiral wrapped tubular sleeve insert 12 is provided with a preformed rounded or rolled over lip 18 .
- the rounded lip 18 projects radially inward from the sleeve insert 12 to establish an area of increased structural strength that is shaped so as to be received against the radially inward projecting buttress 16 of outer shell 2 , whereby the barrel 3 and tubular sleeve insert 12 will be aligned during manufacture of the baseball bat 1 .
- the tubular sleeve insert 12 is able to move a short distance in a forward direction through the hollow outer shell 2 away from buttress 16 and towards the end cap 10 .
- the barrel end of the hollow outer shell 2 of baseball bat 1 is closed by the receipt therewithin of a sub-assembly comprising a weighted elastomeric center core 8 that is surrounded by a ring-like end cap 10 .
- a sub-assembly comprising a weighted elastomeric center core 8 that is surrounded by a ring-like end cap 10 .
- means are provided for attaching the outer shell 2 , the end cap 10 and the center core 8 to one another while permitting the tubular sleeve insert 12 to be capable of limited free movement in the forward direction through the outer shell 2 and relative to the barrel 3 of bat 1 .
- the inner tubular sleeve insert 12 is slightly longer than the barrel portion 3 of outer shell 2 .
- the end cap 10 is preferably a rigid structural ring-like member that is manufactured from machined aluminum, or the like.
- End cap 10 has a generally U-shaped cross-section formed by inner and outer walls 20 and 22 that are spaced from one another by a gap 24 located therebetween.
- a circumferentially extending seat 23 (best shown in FIG. 5) is formed in the inner wall 20 of end cap 10 .
- the center core 8 is surrounded by and mechanically locked in place at the inner wall 20 of the end cap 10 by filling the circumferentially extending seat 23 thereof.
- the tubular sleeve insert 12 is initially positioned so as to partially fill the gap 24 between the inner and outer walls 20 and 22 of the end cap 10 .
- the outer wall 22 of end cap 10 is positioned against the butt end of the barrel 3 of outer shell 2 .
- a set of (e.g. three) positioning pins (e.g. flexible spring steel roll pins) 26 are spaced from one another at equal distances (e.g. at 120 degree intervals) around the outer shell 2 of baseball 1 so as to extend through each of the barrel 3 , the spiral wrapped tubular sleeve insert 12 , the inner wall 20 of the end cap 10 , and the center core 8 .
- the positioning pins 26 are also received through respective oversized pin holes 30 that are formed in the tubular sleeve insert 12 .
- the tubular sleeve insert 12 is adapted to float within the hollow outer shell 2 so as to move a short distance and thereby completely fill the gap 24 of end cap 10 .
- FIGS. 3 and 5 show the baseball bat 1 in the at-rest position with no impact force being applied to the barrel 3 .
- the spiral wrapped tubular sleeve insert 12 is located rearwardly within the hollow outer shell 2 , whereby the rolled lip 18 of tubular sleeve insert 12 is seated against the radially inward extending buttress 16 .
- the spring-like positioning pins 26 extend through first ends of the pinholes 30 so that the aforementioned gap 24 between the end of the tubular sleeve insert 12 and the end cap 10 remains partially empty.
- FIGS. 1 - 5 show a baseball bat 1 wherein an inner spiral wound tubular sleeve insert 12 is located inside the hollow outer shell 2 to form a multi-wall barrel 3 .
- a multi-wall baseball bat 31 having improved hitting characteristics is described wherein an aluminum outer sleeve 42 lies in opposing facing alignment with a hollow inner aluminum shell 32 .
- a wide tubular barrel 33 is located at one end of the inner shell 32 so as to lie adjacent the outer sleeve 42
- a narrow tubular handle 35 is located at the opposite end of the shell
- a tapered intermediate portion 37 runs between the barrel 33 and the handle 35 .
- the barrel end of the bat 31 is closed by an elastomeric center core 38 that is surrounded by and mechanically locked to a ring-like end cap 40 .
- the center core 38 and end cap 40 are manufactured as a sub-assembly that is fitted to the end of the barrel 33 by a light interference fit.
- the barrel 33 of hollow inner shell 32 is provided with a textured surface by means of a swaging and pulling process, or any other suitable technique. Therefore, like the tubular sleeve insert 12 of baseball bat 1 , the hollow shell 32 is wrapped by a set of preformed spirals 44 on opposite faces thereof. As earlier described, spirals 44 are formed at opposite faces of the hollow shell 42 following the swaging process to take advantage of the opposing arch geometry as a result thereof. Moreover, the spirals 44 which wrap the barrel 33 of hollow shell 32 can be replaced by other textures so long as a uniformly spaced, point-to-point contact is maintained between raised peaks of the textured surface of the inner hollow shell 32 and the opposing outer sleeve 42 .
- the outer sleeve 42 of baseball bat 1 is a hollow tube that is manufactured from aluminum, or any other suitable light weight metal.
- the outer sleeve 42 has a diameter by which to surround the spiral wrapped barrel 33 of the hollow shell 32 .
- a protective elastomeric seal 48 is located around the seam at the interface of the spiral textured inner shell 32 with one end of the outer sleeve 42 .
- the elastomeric seal 48 also keeps moisture and dirt from entering the seam between the inner shell 32 and outer sleeve 42 .
- the sub-assembly comprising the center core 38 and the end cap 40 is attached to the other end of the outer sleeve 42 .
- the outer sleeve 42 and the inner shell 32 are capable of flexing both independently of one another (as the outer sleeve 42 is forced into the valleys of the spirals 44 of inner shell 32 ) and simultaneously with one another (at the unbroken contact points where the raised peaks of spirals 44 continuously engage the outer sleeve 42 ) to achieve the same advantages that were also achieved by the baseball bat 1 of FIGS. 1 - 5 .
- the end cap 40 of bat 31 is a rigid metal ring-like member having a U-shaped cross-section formed by inner and outer walls 50 and 52 that are spaced from one another by a gap 54 .
- a circumferentially extending seat 53 is formed in the inner wall 50 of end cap 40 .
- the center core 38 is surrounded by and mechanically locked in place at the inner wall 50 of end cap 10 by filling the circumferentially extending seat 53 thereof.
- the hollow inner shell 32 is positioned relative to the end cap 40 so as to be slidably received in the gap 54 between the inner and outer walls 50 and 52 .
- a set of (e.g. three) flexible, spring steel positioning pins 56 are equally spaced from one another around the bat 31 so as to extend through the outer sleeve 42 , the inner wall 50 of end cap 40 and the center core 38 .
- the positioning pins 56 are also received through respective oversized pin holes 60 that are formed in the spiral textured inner shell 32 .
- the positioning pins 56 fix the position of the outer sleeve 42 and the sub-assembly comprising the end cap 40 surrounding the center core 38 , the aforementioned combination is capable of limited free movement relative to the inner shell 32 .
- the end cap 40 initially lies in close surrounding engagement with the barrel end of the spiral wrapped inner shell 32 such that inner shell 32 completely fills the gap 54 between the inner and outer walls 50 and 52 of end cap 40 .
- the flexible positioning pins 56 located at first ends of the oversized pin holes 60 .
- the gap 54 between the inner and outer walls 50 and 52 of end cap 40 will be partially empty (not shown) as the end cap 40 slides forwardly and away from the barrel 33 of inner shell 32 .
- the spring-like nature of the positioning pins 56 causes the combination of center core 38 , end cap 40 and outer sleeve 42 to automatically recover to their at-rest position shown in FIG. 6.
- FIG. 7 a shows the inner and outer barrel walls of the bats 1 and 31 at equilibrium prior to an impact force (e.g. a ball) striking the outer barrel walls 3 or 42 thereof.
- an impact force e.g. a ball
- the bats 1 and 31 of this invention are stronger and lighter than conventional multiple wall metal baseball bats wherein the walls thereof are either fixedly retained or substantially inflexible relative to one another. Accordingly the baseball bats 1 and 31 of this invention advantageously offer improved elasticity and hitting performance over such conventional bats.
Abstract
A multi-wall bat of the type used for playing baseball or softball. The bat includes a hollow metallic inner wall having a spiral textured surface and a hollow metallic outer wall surrounding the inner wall. The outer wall lies against the spiral textured surface of the inner wall, whereby the area of contact between the inner and outer walls of the bat is minimized. By virtue of the precise and constant contact between the outer wall and the raised peaks of the textured surface of the inner wall, the inner and outer walls are adapted to flex both independently of and simultaneously with each other in response to a ball striking the bat. One of the inner or outer walls is capable of being slidably displaced relative to the other wall in response to a ball striking the bat.
Description
- 1. Field of the Invention
- This invention relates to a metallic multi-wall baseball or softball bat that is characterized by an increased elasticity and hitting performance by virtue of a textured inner wall that is located in minimum but constant face-to-face contact with an outer wall such that the inner and outer walls of the bat are adapted to flex both independently of and simultaneously with one another.
- 2. Background Art
- Metal bats have long been used to play baseball and softball. In order to increase the power that is generated during a batter's swing for driving a ball a greater distance, some metal bats have a double walled barrel. That is to say, the barrel area of the bat is formed by inner and outer metal shells that cooperate to maximize the impact force between the bat and the ball.
- However, the inner and outer barrel shells of the conventional multi-wall metal bats are typically fixed to one another such that one shell cannot move relative to the other. Consequently, the inner and outer shells do not flex independently of one another in response to a ball striking the barrel, whereby to limit the hitting performance of the bat. More particularly, to generate maximum power using a conventional multi-wall bat, the ball must strike the heart of the sweet spot, typically at the center of the barrel. In cases where the ball strikes the barrel at a location other than the sweet spot, energy will be lost such that the travel of the ball following impact will be reduced. Therefore, such conventional multi-wall metal bats having a limited hitting area have proven to be inefficient whenever the ball is struck off-center.
- Examples of multi-wall metal bats having a barrel configuration with inner and outer walls are available by referring to the following United States patents:
5,415,398 Eggiman May 16, 1995 5,722,908 Feeney Mar. 3, 1998 5,899,823 Eggiman May 4, 1999 6,053,828 Pitsenberger Apr. 25, 2000 6,159,116 Pitsenberger Dec. 12, 2000 - However, it may be appreciated that the inner and outer barrel walls of the conventional multi-wall bats do not flex both independently and simultaneously relative to one another. As a result of their confining configurations, the inner and outer barrel walls of these bats either flex independently (e.g. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,415,398 and 5,899,823) because of a continuous gap between the walls or simultaneously (e.g. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,053,828 and 6,159,116) because of a uniformly continuous contact between the walls.
- A multi-wall, metal bat is disclosed herein which is of the kind to be used for playing baseball or softball. According to a first embodiment, the bat includes a hollow metallic outer shell having a relatively wide barrel at one end thereof, a relatively narrow handle at the opposite end, and a tapered intermediate portion running between the barrel and the handle. Located inside the hollow outer shell in opposing facing alignment with the barrel is a metallic tubular sleeve insert having a textured exterior surface. A high density elastomeric center core at the end of the tubular sleeve insert is surrounded by and mechanically locked to a ring-like metallic end cap. The textured tubular sleeve insert includes a set of preformed spirals that are formed by swaging and pulling an aluminum tube. The tubular sleeve insert maximizes the strength of the barrel while the set of spirals of the tubular sleeve insert limit the points of contact between the insert and the barrel. By virtue of the foregoing, the tubular sleeve insert and the outer shell are adapted to flex both independently of and simultaneously with one another in response to an impact force created when a ball strikes the bat.
- In addition, the tubular sleeve insert will move a limited distance in a forward direction through the hollow outer shell relative to the barrel and towards the end cap, whereby the hitting area of the bat is effectively extended to any location along the barrel. In this regard, a set of spring-like positioning pins fixedly connect the barrel, the end cap and the center core to one another. However, the tubular sleeve insert has a corresponding set of oversized pin holes that receive respective ones of the positioning pins so that the tubular sleeve insert is free to slide through the hollow outer shell relative to the aforementioned connection of the barrel, the end cap and center core. Accordingly, the bat of this invention offers improved elasticity and hitting performance over conventional multi-wall metal bats having inner and outer walls that either are fixedly connected together or separated from one another by a continuous gap.
- According to a second embodiment of this invention a multi-wall metal bat is disclosed including an inner shell having a wide barrel at one end thereof, a narrow handle at the opposite end, and a tapered intermediate portion running between the barrel and the handle. The barrel of the inner shell has a textured (e.g. preformed spirals) exterior surface that is surrounded by an outer sleeve. A high density elastomeric center core at the end of the barrel of the inner shell is surrounded by and mechanically locked to a ring-like metallic end cap. The opposite facing textured barrel of the inner shell and the outer sleeve lie in limited contact with one another, whereby the outer sleeve and the inner barrel are adapted to flex both independently of and simultaneously with one another in response to an impact force. The outer sleeve, end cap and elastomeric center core are all connected together by a set of spring-like positioning pins that are received through oversized pin holes in the barrel. Accordingly, the combination of the outer sleeve, end cap and center core are free to slide a limited distance in a forward direction relative to the barrel of the inner shell.
- FIG. 1 shows the multi-wall metal baseball bat which forms a first embodiment of the present invention having a textured tubular sleeve insert lying in opposing facing alignment with an outer shell of the bat;
- FIG. 2 illustrates the textured tubular sleeve insert that is located in opposing facing alignment with the outer shell of the bat of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 3 is a cross-section of the multi-wall baseball bat while at rest taken along lines3-3 of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 4 shows an enlarged detail of the interface between the textured tubular sleeve insert and the oppositely facing outer shell of the baseball bat of FIG. 3;
- FIG. 5 shows an enlarged detail of the baseball bat of FIG. 3;
- FIG. 6 is a cross-section of a multi-wall baseball bat which forms a second embodiment of the present invention having an outer sleeve lying in opposing facing alignment with a textured inner shell of the bat; and
- FIGS. 7a and 7 b show the multi-wall baseball bats of FIGS. 1 and 6 with the barrels thereof at rest and at maximum flex in response to an impact force generated by a baseball or a softball.
- The
multi-wall baseball bat 1 which forms a first embodiment of the present invention is described while initially referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings. Themulti-wall bat 1 has a hollowouter shell 2 that is preferably manufactured from aluminum or any other suitable metal. Although thebat 1 will be described herein as a baseball bat, it is to be understood that the bat can also be used for playing softball. Like conventional baseball bats, thebat 1 shown FIG. 1 includes a relatively widetubular barrel 3 at one end thereof for striking a baseball or a softball, a narrowtubular handle 5 at the opposite end at which to grip the bat, and a taperedintermediate portion 7 running between thebarrel 3 and thehandle 5. The end of the hollowouter shell 2 ofbaseball bat 1 at which thebarrel 3 is formed is closed by the receipt of a high density elastomeric (e.g. polyurethane)center core 8 that is surrounded by a ring-like end cap 10 to add weight to the barrel. Thecenter core 8 and theend cap 10 are manufactured as a sub-assembly that is fitted to thebarrel 3 by a light interference fit. Means by which thecenter core 8 and theend cap 10 sub-assembly are attached to one another at the end of thebarrel 3 will be described in greater detail hereinafter when referring to FIGS. 3 and 5. - In accordance with the improvement to the first embodiment of this invention which enhances the hitting performance of the
baseball bat 1, a hollowtubular sleeve insert 12 is located within and moveable through the hollowouter shell 2. More particularly, and turning to FIGS. 2-4 of the drawings, the tubular sleeve insert 12 is of sufficient length to lie in opposing facing alignment with thebarrel 3 ofbat 1. At least the exterior surface of thetubular sleeve insert 12 includes a set of preformedspirals 14 running longitudinally therealong. The set ofpreformed spirals 14 may be formed by any suitable manufacturing process such as, for example, subjecting an aluminum tube to a swaging and pulling technique. Because of the swaging and pulling process,spirals 14 can be formed at opposite faces of the tubular sleeve insert 12, whereby the opposing arch geometry advantageously strengthensinsert 12 and improves the elastic characteristics thereof. - The set of
spirals 14 provide the tubular sleeve insert 12 with a textured surface. Thus, and as is best shown in FIG. 4, the spiral wrappedtubular sleeve insert 12 will not lie uniformly flush against theopposing barrel 3 ofbaseball bat 1. That is, the only contact points between the tubular sleeve insert 12 and thetubular barrel 3 will occur at the peaks of thespirals 14. Hence, it may be appreciated that the spiral wrappedtubular sleeve insert 12 reinforces thebarrel 3 in order to provide maximum strength but minimum contact with theouter shell 2 ofbaseball bat 1. What is even more, and as an important advantage of the improved multi-wall bat configuration of this invention over conventional multi-walled bat configurations, the spiral wrappedtubular sleeve insert 12 is adapted to flex both independently of and simultaneously with theopposing barrel 3. In this regard, the spiral wrap can be replaced by other textures (e.g. independent, parallel aligned rings) which provide minimum contact between theouter barrel 3 andinner sleeve insert 12 to preserve the ability of the inner sleeve insert 12 to flex independently of and simultaneously with theouter barrel 3 of themulti-walled bat 1. - In other words, the multi-wall bat configuration disclosed herein provides a controlled breach of contact of the
outer barrel 3 and theinner sleeve insert 12 at prescribed intervals (i.e. the empty valleys located between the peaks of spiral textured insert 12). This allows the inner andouter walls inner wall 12 within which the outer wall will be displaced. At the same time, the inner andouter walls inner wall 12 against theouter wall 3. At no time will the inner andouter walls - A preformed annular buttress16 projects radially inward from the
outer shell 2 at the intersection of thebarrel 3 with theintermediate portion 7. As is best shown in FIG. 3, the preformed annular buttress 16 is a thick wall area that reinforces theouter shell 2 at the transition of theintermediate portion 7 to themulti-wall barrel 3. In the assembled bat configuration, thetubular sleeve insert 12 is seated against the annular buttress 16 to facilitate the assembly ofend cap 10 andcenter core 8. - To this end, the spiral wrapped
tubular sleeve insert 12 is provided with a preformed rounded or rolled over lip 18. The rounded lip 18 projects radially inward from thesleeve insert 12 to establish an area of increased structural strength that is shaped so as to be received against the radially inward projecting buttress 16 ofouter shell 2, whereby thebarrel 3 andtubular sleeve insert 12 will be aligned during manufacture of thebaseball bat 1. However, and as will now be described, thetubular sleeve insert 12 is able to move a short distance in a forward direction through the hollowouter shell 2 away from buttress 16 and towards theend cap 10. - As previously disclosed, the barrel end of the hollow
outer shell 2 ofbaseball bat 1 is closed by the receipt therewithin of a sub-assembly comprising a weightedelastomeric center core 8 that is surrounded by a ring-like end cap 10. As is best shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 of the drawings, means are provided for attaching theouter shell 2, theend cap 10 and thecenter core 8 to one another while permitting thetubular sleeve insert 12 to be capable of limited free movement in the forward direction through theouter shell 2 and relative to thebarrel 3 ofbat 1. To accommodate the foregoing, the innertubular sleeve insert 12 is slightly longer than thebarrel portion 3 ofouter shell 2. - More particularly, and referring concurrently to FIGS. 3 and 5, the
end cap 10 is preferably a rigid structural ring-like member that is manufactured from machined aluminum, or the like.End cap 10 has a generally U-shaped cross-section formed by inner andouter walls gap 24 located therebetween. A circumferentially extending seat 23 (best shown in FIG. 5) is formed in theinner wall 20 ofend cap 10. To complete the sub-assembly, thecenter core 8 is surrounded by and mechanically locked in place at theinner wall 20 of theend cap 10 by filling thecircumferentially extending seat 23 thereof. Thetubular sleeve insert 12 is initially positioned so as to partially fill thegap 24 between the inner andouter walls end cap 10. During assembly of thebat 1, theouter wall 22 ofend cap 10 is positioned against the butt end of thebarrel 3 ofouter shell 2. - A set of (e.g. three) positioning pins (e.g. flexible spring steel roll pins)26 are spaced from one another at equal distances (e.g. at 120 degree intervals) around the
outer shell 2 ofbaseball 1 so as to extend through each of thebarrel 3, the spiral wrappedtubular sleeve insert 12, theinner wall 20 of theend cap 10, and thecenter core 8. However, the positioning pins 26 are also received through respective oversized pin holes 30 that are formed in thetubular sleeve insert 12. Thus, while the positioning pins 26 fix the positions of thebarrel 3, theend cap 10 and thecenter core 8 ofbaseball bat 1 relative to one another, thetubular sleeve insert 12 is adapted to float within the hollowouter shell 2 so as to move a short distance and thereby completely fill thegap 24 ofend cap 10. - FIGS. 3 and 5 show the
baseball bat 1 in the at-rest position with no impact force being applied to thebarrel 3. In this case, the spiral wrappedtubular sleeve insert 12 is located rearwardly within the hollowouter shell 2, whereby the rolled lip 18 oftubular sleeve insert 12 is seated against the radially inward extending buttress 16. Correspondingly, the spring-like positioning pins 26 extend through first ends of thepinholes 30 so that theaforementioned gap 24 between the end of thetubular sleeve insert 12 and theend cap 10 remains partially empty. - When an impact force (e.g. a baseball) strikes the
barrel 3 ofbaseball bat 1, thebarrel 3 and the spiral wrappedtubular sleeve insert 12 will flex independently and simultaneously as previously described. In addition, the spiral wrappedtubular sleeve insert 12 will move momentarily off the buttress 16 so as to slide forwardly through the hollowouter shell 2 by approximately 0.002 inches towardsend cap 10. The positioning pins 26 are now located at the opposite ends of the oversized pin holes 30, and thegap 24 is completely filled (not shown) by the forward movingtubular sleeve insert 12, whereby to limit the movement ofinsert 12. When the impact force dissipates, the resilient nature of the positioning pins 26 causes thetubular sleeve insert 12 to automatically recover to its at-rest position of FIGS. 3 and 5. - FIGS.1-5 show a
baseball bat 1 wherein an inner spiral woundtubular sleeve insert 12 is located inside the hollowouter shell 2 to form amulti-wall barrel 3. In accordance with a second embodiment of this invention, and turning to FIG. 6 of the drawings, amulti-wall baseball bat 31 having improved hitting characteristics is described wherein an aluminumouter sleeve 42 lies in opposing facing alignment with a hollowinner aluminum shell 32. A widetubular barrel 33 is located at one end of theinner shell 32 so as to lie adjacent theouter sleeve 42, a narrowtubular handle 35 is located at the opposite end of the shell, and a taperedintermediate portion 37 runs between thebarrel 33 and thehandle 35. The barrel end of thebat 31 is closed by anelastomeric center core 38 that is surrounded by and mechanically locked to a ring-like end cap 40. Thecenter core 38 andend cap 40 are manufactured as a sub-assembly that is fitted to the end of thebarrel 33 by a light interference fit. - The
barrel 33 of hollowinner shell 32 is provided with a textured surface by means of a swaging and pulling process, or any other suitable technique. Therefore, like thetubular sleeve insert 12 ofbaseball bat 1, thehollow shell 32 is wrapped by a set of preformed spirals 44 on opposite faces thereof. As earlier described, spirals 44 are formed at opposite faces of thehollow shell 42 following the swaging process to take advantage of the opposing arch geometry as a result thereof. Moreover, thespirals 44 which wrap thebarrel 33 ofhollow shell 32 can be replaced by other textures so long as a uniformly spaced, point-to-point contact is maintained between raised peaks of the textured surface of the innerhollow shell 32 and the opposingouter sleeve 42. - The
outer sleeve 42 ofbaseball bat 1 is a hollow tube that is manufactured from aluminum, or any other suitable light weight metal. Theouter sleeve 42 has a diameter by which to surround the spiral wrappedbarrel 33 of thehollow shell 32. A protectiveelastomeric seal 48 is located around the seam at the interface of the spiral texturedinner shell 32 with one end of theouter sleeve 42. Theelastomeric seal 48 also keeps moisture and dirt from entering the seam between theinner shell 32 andouter sleeve 42. As will soon be described, the sub-assembly comprising thecenter core 38 and theend cap 40 is attached to the other end of theouter sleeve 42. - By virtue of the
outer sleeve 42 surrounding the spiral texturedbarrel 33 ofinner shell 32 so as to lie in a precise and unvarying contact therewith at the peaks ofspirals 44, theouter sleeve 42 and theinner shell 32 are capable of flexing both independently of one another (as theouter sleeve 42 is forced into the valleys of thespirals 44 of inner shell 32) and simultaneously with one another (at the unbroken contact points where the raised peaks ofspirals 44 continuously engage the outer sleeve 42) to achieve the same advantages that were also achieved by thebaseball bat 1 of FIGS. 1-5. - Like the
end cap 10 ofbaseball bat 1, theend cap 40 ofbat 31 is a rigid metal ring-like member having a U-shaped cross-section formed by inner andouter walls gap 54. Acircumferentially extending seat 53 is formed in theinner wall 50 ofend cap 40. To complete the end cap sub-assembly, thecenter core 38 is surrounded by and mechanically locked in place at theinner wall 50 ofend cap 10 by filling thecircumferentially extending seat 53 thereof. In this second embodiment, the hollowinner shell 32 is positioned relative to theend cap 40 so as to be slidably received in thegap 54 between the inner andouter walls - A set of (e.g. three) flexible, spring steel positioning pins56 are equally spaced from one another around the
bat 31 so as to extend through theouter sleeve 42, theinner wall 50 ofend cap 40 and thecenter core 38. The positioning pins 56 are also received through respective oversized pin holes 60 that are formed in the spiral texturedinner shell 32. Thus, while the positioning pins 56 fix the position of theouter sleeve 42 and the sub-assembly comprising theend cap 40 surrounding thecenter core 38, the aforementioned combination is capable of limited free movement relative to theinner shell 32. - More particularly, with the
baseball bat 31 at rest, as shown in FIG. 6, and with no impact forces being applied to thebarrel 33, theend cap 40 initially lies in close surrounding engagement with the barrel end of the spiral wrappedinner shell 32 such thatinner shell 32 completely fills thegap 54 between the inner andouter walls end cap 40. The flexible positioning pins 56 located at first ends of the oversized pin holes 60. - When an impact force (e.g. a baseball) strikes the
outer sleeve 42, theinner shell 32 and theouter sleeve 42 will flex independently and simultaneously, as previously described. In addition, thecenter core 38,end cap 40 and outer sleeve 42 (which are fastened together by means of positioning pins 56) will momentarily slide together over the spiral wrappedinner shell 32 for a distance of approximately 0.002 inches in a forward direction away from thehandle 35 ofshell 32. The positioning pins 56 will now be located at opposite ends of thepinholes 30 so as to limit the forward sliding movement ofcenter core 38,end cap 40 andouter sleeve 42 overinner shell 32. Thegap 54 between the inner andouter walls end cap 40 will be partially empty (not shown) as theend cap 40 slides forwardly and away from thebarrel 33 ofinner shell 32. When the impact force dissipates, the spring-like nature of the positioning pins 56 causes the combination ofcenter core 38,end cap 40 andouter sleeve 42 to automatically recover to their at-rest position shown in FIG. 6. - By virtue of the
outer walls inner walls baseball bats bats outer barrel walls outer barrel wall bats inner barrel walls outer barrel walls bats baseball bats
Claims (20)
1. A bat for playing baseball or softball and comprising:
a hollow metallic outer shell having a relatively wide barrel at which to strike a ball, a relatively narrow handle at which to grip the bat, and an intermediate portion running between the barrel and the handle; and
a tubular metallic sleeve insert located inside said hollow outer shell and lying against the barrel thereof, said tubular sleeve insert and the barrel adapted to flex independently of and simultaneously with one another in response to an impact force that is generated when a ball strikes the bat at the barrel of said outer shell.
2. The bat recited in claim 1 , wherein said tubular sleeve insert includes a textured exterior surface by which to minimize the area of contact between said tubular sleeve insert and the barrel of said hollow outer shell.
3. The bat recited in claim 2 , wherein the textured exterior surface of said tubular sleeve insert is a spiral wrap.
4. The bat recited in claim 3 , wherein said spiral wrapped tubular sleeve insert is manufactured by subjecting a hollow metal tube to a swaging and pulling process, the length of said metal tube being longer than the length of the barrel of said hollow outer shell.
5. The bat recited in claim 1 , further comprising an end cap attached to said hollow outer shell at the barrel thereof, said tubular sleeve insert adapted to move through said hollow outer shell and relative to the barrel in a direction towards said end cap in response to a ball striking the bat.
6. The bat recited in claim 5 , further comprising an elastomeric core attached to said end cap so as to extend across the tubular sleeve insert, said end cap comprising a ring for surrounding said elastomeric core and having a recess extending circumferentially therearound within which said elastomeric core is seated to attaché said elastomeric core to said ring.
7. The bat recited in claim 5 , further comprising a buttress projecting inwardly from said hollow outer shell so as to engage said tubular sleeve insert and thereby position said tubular sleeve insert for movement through said hollow outer shell.
8. The bat recited in claim 7 , wherein said tubular sleeve insert has a radially inward projecting lip formed at one end thereof to be engaged by said inwardly projecting buttress so as to position said tubular sleeve insert for movement through said hollow outer shell.
9. The bat recited in claim 5 , wherein said end cap includes an inner wall, an outer wall and a gap located between said inner and outer walls, said tubular sleeve insert adapted to move through said hollow outer shell and relative to the barrel thereof, so as to slide through the gap between said inner and outer walls.
10. The bat recited in claim 5 , further comprising at least one fastener by which to fixedly connect the end cap and the barrel of said hollow outer shell to one another so that said tubular sleeve insert is moveable relative thereto.
11. The bat recited in claim 10 , wherein said tubular sleeve insert has a hole formed therein through which said at least one fastener is received to connect the end cap and the barrel of said hollow outer shell to one another, said hole being of sufficiently large size to permit said tubular sleeve insert to move relative to said fastener and to the connection of the end cap to the barrel of said hollow outer shell.
12. The bat recited in claim 10 , wherein said at least one fastener is a flexible pin having a spring characteristic.
13. A bat for playing baseball or softball and comprising:
a hollow metallic inner shell having a relatively wide barrel, a relatively narrow handle at which the bat is gripped and a tapered intermediate portion running between the barrel and the handle, the barrel of said inner shell having a textured surface; and
a metallic outer sleeve surrounding said inner shell and lying against the textured surface of said barrel, the textured surface minimizing the area of contact between said outer sleeve and said barrel, such that said outer sleeve and said barrel are adapted to flex independently of and simultaneously with one another in response to an impact force that is generated when a ball strikes the bat at said outer sleeve thereof.
14. The bat recited in claim 13 , wherein the textured surface of the barrel of said hollow inner shell is a spiral wrap.
15. The bat recited in claim 13 , further comprising an end cap attached to said hollow inner shell at the barrel thereof and an elastomeric core attached to said end cap so as to extend across the barrel, said end cap comprising a ring for surrounding said elastomeric core and having a recess extending circumferentially therearound within which said elastomeric core is seated to attach said elastomeric core to said ring.
16. The bat recited in claim 15 , wherein said end cap includes an inner wall, an outer wall and a gap located between said inner and outer walls, the barrel of said hollow inner shell received within said gap between the inner and outer walls of said end cap.
17. The bat recited in claim 15 , further comprising at least one fastener by which to fixedly connect the end cap, the elastomeric core and the outer sleeve to one another.
18. The bat recited in claim 17 , wherein said hollow inner shell has a hole formed therein through which said at least one fastener is received to connect the end cap, the elastomeric core and the other sleeve to one another, said hole being of sufficiently large size to permit the connection of said end cap, said elastomeric core and said outer sleeve to move relative to said hollow inner shell.
19. The bat recited in claim 17 , wherein said at least one fastener is a flexible pin having a spring characteristic.
20. The bat recited in claim 19 , wherein said flexible pin received through the hole formed in said hollow inner shell enables the connection of said end cap, said elastomeric core and said outer sleeve to slide back and forth over the barrel of said hollow inner shell.
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US10/072,151 US6612945B1 (en) | 2002-02-11 | 2002-02-11 | Multiple wall metal bat having independent outer wall and textured inner wall |
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US10/072,151 US6612945B1 (en) | 2002-02-11 | 2002-02-11 | Multiple wall metal bat having independent outer wall and textured inner wall |
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US6612945B1 US6612945B1 (en) | 2003-09-02 |
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US10/072,151 Expired - Fee Related US6612945B1 (en) | 2002-02-11 | 2002-02-11 | Multiple wall metal bat having independent outer wall and textured inner wall |
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