US20140274493A1 - Adjustable Moment of Inertia Bat - Google Patents
Adjustable Moment of Inertia Bat Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20140274493A1 US20140274493A1 US13/839,772 US201313839772A US2014274493A1 US 20140274493 A1 US20140274493 A1 US 20140274493A1 US 201313839772 A US201313839772 A US 201313839772A US 2014274493 A1 US2014274493 A1 US 2014274493A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- bat
- weight
- central shaft
- game play
- inertia
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- A63B59/0096—
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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
- A63B60/00—Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like
- A63B60/42—Devices for measuring, verifying, correcting or customising the inherent characteristics of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like, e.g. measuring the maximum torque a batting shaft can withstand
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- A63B59/0074—
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- A63B59/06—
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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
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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
- A63B60/00—Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like
- A63B60/02—Ballast means for adjusting the centre of mass
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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
- A63B60/00—Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like
- A63B60/02—Ballast means for adjusting the centre of mass
- A63B60/04—Movable ballast means
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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
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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
- A63B60/00—Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like
- A63B60/54—Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like with means for damping vibrations
Definitions
- This invention relates generally to ball sports bats, more particularly to providing ball sports bats with an adjustable Moment of Inertia (MOI), and specifically embodiments of adjustable MOI game play bats.
- MOI Moment of Inertia
- a high percentage of non-professional baseball and softball players use non-wooden bats, such as those constructed of aluminum or resin composites.
- a number of references propose various methods of adding weights to ball bats and/or providing an adjustable weight in a practice bat or the like.
- Dribble, U.S. Pat. No. 64,081 discloses a hollow club, with weights mounted on a central threaded rod, where the weights can be adjusted to adjust the balance of the club.
- Brock, U.S. Pat. No. 7,056,240 discloses a training bat having a weight mounted on a central threaded support, wherein the position of the weight can be adjusted by rotation of the support to affect balance of the bat.
- 6,767,299 discloses a wooden bat having a central threaded core, into which a weight is threaded to adjust the center of gravity of the bat, which would not be legal for game play in baseball.
- the prior art fails to disclose an adjustable MOI bat usable for game play.
- the present invention is directed to systems and methods, which provide an adjustable MOI game play ball bat having a hollow outer ball bat shell that defines an interior cavity with an open distal end, and that further includes a central shaft disposed in the interior cavity.
- a weight is disposed on the central shaft and the central shaft passes through and operatively engages the weight.
- An interior support secures an inner end of the central shaft.
- a bat end cap is adapted to be fitted into the open distal end of the ball bat shell, and the weight is moved in the ball bat shell on the central shaft to operatively adjust a MOI of the game play bat.
- a ball sport bat such as a baseball bat, softball bat, or cricket bat that, while being as light as possible and meeting established testing standards, provides a degree of flexibility to move weight along the length of the barrel of the bat, such that this movable weight allows a user to adjust the MOI of the bat, thereby giving the player an ability to customize the MOI of the bat to his or her personal tastes.
- FIG. 1 is a fragmented view of the present adjustable MOI bat, according to one embodiment
- FIG. 2 is an exploded view of an insert such as may be used in the adjustable MOI bat of FIG. 1 , according to one embodiment
- FIG. 3 is a fragmented view of an adjustable MOI bat, according to another embodiment.
- the present bat is an adjustable MOI bat, which is preferably fully functional for game play and is preferably capable of being certified for such by the appropriate governing bodies.
- Various embodiments of the present bat may be used in a ball game, such as baseball, softball, cricket, or the like, at all levels of play.
- the present adjustable MOI game play ball bat has a hollow outer ball bat shell that defines an interior cavity, which in turn includes an open distal end.
- the adjustable MOI features of the bat may include a central shaft disposed in this interior cavity. At least one weight may be operatively disposed on the central shaft. This central shaft may pass through and operatively engage the weight according to various embodiments.
- An interior support may retain an inner end of the central shaft.
- a bat end cap may be adapted to be fitted into the open distal end of the ball bat shell, through which adjustment of the position of the weight may be carried out in accordance with various embodiments.
- the weight may be moved in the ball bat shell, on the central shaft to operatively adjust an MOI of the game play bat.
- an end cap with a rotating element may allow a user to move the weight up and down the barrel of the bat.
- the bottom and/or top of the central tube may be secured to the barrel of the bat with shock absorbing material that reduces vibration and shock to a batter's hands.
- the weight is moved by an implement or tool applied at the end-cap as a means to adjust the weight along the length of the barrel of the bat.
- the central insert with weight may be fitted to a bat end-cap and then press fitted into the bat as a single unit.
- the end cap may define a mechanism that enables movement of the weight.
- FIG. 1 a fragmented view of the present adjustable MOI bat according to one embodiment, shows adjustable MOI game play bat 100 .
- Adjustable MOI insert 102 is provided for game play ball bat 100 .
- hollow outer ball bat shell 104 defines interior cavity 106 having open distal end 108 .
- Bat shell 104 may be a more-or-less conventional game play ball bat shell made of aluminum, a composite material, or the like.
- FIG. 2 is an exploded view of insert 102 , such as may be used in adjustable MOI bat 100 of FIG. 1 , according to one embodiment, such as to provide MOI adjustment.
- insert 102 may include cylindrical tubular housing 110 defining internal threads 112 .
- Housing 110 may be made of a resilient material, such as plastic (i.e. polyvinyl chloride, or the like) and housing 110 may be secured in interior cavity 106 of bat 100 by vibration dampening material 114 , or the like.
- such dampening material may include a resilient material such as plastic, rubber, silicone, or the like, and may be disposed about an interior end of the cylindrical tubular housing.
- Externally threaded weight 116 which may be at least partially cylindrical, is disposed in cylindrical tubular housing 110 . External threads 118 of weight 116 operatively engage internal threads 112 of cylindrical tubular housing 110 , as may be best seen in FIG. 1 .
- Weight 116 may be made of one or more materials, such as lead, steel, titanium, aluminum, tungsten, and/or the like.
- Central shaft 120 passes through and longitudinally, slideably engages weight 116 , for rotation of weight 116 . That is, such that weight 116 may slide along central shaft 120 , yet be rotated by central shaft 120 .
- central shaft 120 may be square in cross-section, and weight 116 may define central, square keyway 202 through its center (see FIG. 2 ).
- central shaft 120 may pass tightly through keyway 202 , yet longitudinally slideably engaging weight 116 for rotation of weight 116 in housing 110 , cooperatively on threads 112 and 118 for MOI adjustment.
- Interior support 122 may be in the form of a plug or cap and may be disposed in interior end 124 of cylindrical tubular housing 110 .
- interior support 122 may be fixed in or on housing interior end 124 , and interior support 122 may rotatably secure inner end 126 of central shaft 120 , such as through interior support orifice 204 (see FIG. 2 ), using clip 128 .
- an embodiment of interior support 122 fixedly secures inner end 126 of central shaft 120 such as in an embodiment of interior support orifice 204 , which defines a square keyway, again using clip 128 .
- interior support 122 may rotate with respect to housing 110 , such as within interior end 124 of housing 110 .
- interior support 126 may in accordance with various embodiments engage the interior of bat shell 104 , and may frictionally engage bat shell 104 .
- bat end cap 130 is adapted to be fitted into outer end 132 of cylindrical tubular housing 110 and concurrently into open end 108 of a hollow ball play bat shell 104 .
- Bat end cap 130 and/or open distal end 108 of ball bat shell 104 may be sized such that bat end cap 130 may be press-fitted into ball bat shell open distal end 108 , thereby securing insert 102 in the bat in accordance with various embodiments.
- Adjustment plug 134 may be rotatably disposed in central orifice 206 (see FIG. 2 ) defined in bat end cap 130 and may be fixed, and/or otherwise mate, to outer end 136 of central shaft 120 .
- plug 134 may define external slot 138 in its outer surface to receive an implement such as a coin, medallion or the like, to rotate plug 134 .
- plug 134 may define slot 134 , with the illustrated curved bottom, thereby adapted to receive the edge of a coin to rotate plug 134 .
- plug 134 may define an external socket in its outer surface, in place of slot 138 , to receive a tool, such as a screw driver, allen wrench, TORX® driver, to rotate plug 134 .
- plug may define, internal socket 208 (see FIG. 2 ) to mate with outer end 136 of central shaft 120 .
- plug 134 may be replaced with a head defined by central shaft 120 . This head may define the aforementioned external slot and/or socket, which may be used to rotate central shaft 120 to adjust the MOI of bat 100 .
- the MOI of game play ball bat 100 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 may be adjusted by rotating central shaft 120 in ball bat insert 102 , thereby rotating externally threaded weight 116 in cylindrical tubular housing 110 of insert 102 on internal threads 112 defined in an inner wall of housing 110 .
- This moves weight 116 in housing 110 and in ball bat shell 104 , along central shaft 120 to operatively adjust an MOI of the bat.
- rotation of central shaft 120 may be carried out using an implement such as a coin, or a tool such as an allen wrench or TORX® driver, indexing with plug 134 , disposed in bat end cap 130 and mated with outer end 136 of central shaft 120 .
- such adjustments may be made during the course of game play, such as between at-bats, or even during an at-bat.
- FIG. 3 is a fragmented view of adjustable MOI bat 300 , another adjustable MOI bat embodiment.
- Adjustable MOI game play bat embodiment 300 shown in FIG. 3 employs alternative adjustable MOI insert 302 .
- Adjustable MOI game play ball bat 300 also includes a hollow outer ball bat shell ( 304 ) that defines an interior cavity ( 306 ) having an open distal end ( 308 ).
- Bat shell 304 may also be a more-or-less conventional game play ball bat shell made of aluminum, a composite material, or the like.
- Insert 302 may include weight 316 , disposed on tubular central shaft 320 .
- weight 316 may be made of one or more materials, such as lead, steel, titanium, aluminum, tungsten, and/or the like.
- Central shaft 320 passes through and longitudinally, slideably engages weight 316 , for maintaining position of weight 316 . That is, such that weight 316 may slide along central shaft 320 , yet be held in selected positions at indents 324 defined in central shaft 320 for MOI adjustment.
- Interior support 326 is disposed at interior end of central shaft 320 and in accordance with various embodiments engages the interior of bat shell 304 .
- interior support 326 may be fixed on central shaft 320 and frictionally engage bat shell 304 to possibly assist in maintaining central shaft 320 in position.
- Insert 302 may be supported in the interior cavity by vibration dampening material (not shown), such as dampening material disposed about interior support 326 , for example between bat shell 304 and inner support 326 .
- bat end cap 330 is adapted to be fitted onto an outer end of central shaft 320 and into open end 308 of hollow ball play bat shell 304 .
- Bat end cap 330 and/or open distal end 308 of ball bat shell 304 may be sized such that bat end cap 330 may be to be press-fitted into ball bat shell open distal end 308 , thereby securing insert 302 in the bat and against rotation relative to bat shell 304 , in accordance with various embodiments.
- An adjustment tool opening may be defined in bat end cap 330 for receiving a tool, such as an elongated push rod, allen wrench, TORX® driver, slotted screwdriver, Phillips screwdriver, or the like to engage weight 316 and disengage weight 316 from one indent 324 for movement along central shaft 320 to another indent 324 position, to thereby adjust the MOI of bat 300 .
- a tool such as an elongated push rod, allen wrench, TORX® driver, slotted screwdriver, Phillips screwdriver, or the like to engage weight 316 and disengage weight 316 from one indent 324 for movement along central shaft 320 to another indent 324 position, to thereby adjust the MOI of bat 300 .
- weight 316 may be slideably mounted on central shaft 320 , and, by way of example, indexed to slot 340 by pin 342 and retained in place by pin 344 indexing with one of indents 324 , under tension from spring 346 , imparted via sleeve 348 .
- disengagement of weight 316 from one indent 324 and movement along central shaft 320 to another indent 324 , to thereby adjust the MOI of bat 300 under tension from spring 346 may be made during the course of game play, such as between at-bats, or even during an at-bat.
Abstract
An adjustable moment of inertia ball bat has a hollow outer ball bat shell defining an interior cavity having an open distal end. A central shaft is disposed in the interior cavity and a weight is disposed on the central shaft. The central shaft passes through and operatively engages the weight. An interior support secures an inner end of the central shaft and a bat end cap is adapted to be fitted into the open distal end of the ball bat shell. The weight moves in the ball bat shell on the central shaft to operatively adjust a moment of inertia of the ball bat.
Description
- 1. Field of the Invention
- This invention relates generally to ball sports bats, more particularly to providing ball sports bats with an adjustable Moment of Inertia (MOI), and specifically embodiments of adjustable MOI game play bats.
- 2. Description of the Prior Art
- A high percentage of non-professional baseball and softball players use non-wooden bats, such as those constructed of aluminum or resin composites. A number of references propose various methods of adding weights to ball bats and/or providing an adjustable weight in a practice bat or the like. For example, Dribble, U.S. Pat. No. 64,081 discloses a hollow club, with weights mounted on a central threaded rod, where the weights can be adjusted to adjust the balance of the club. Similarly, Brock, U.S. Pat. No. 7,056,240 discloses a training bat having a weight mounted on a central threaded support, wherein the position of the weight can be adjusted by rotation of the support to affect balance of the bat. Chang, U.S. Pat. No. 6,767,299 discloses a wooden bat having a central threaded core, into which a weight is threaded to adjust the center of gravity of the bat, which would not be legal for game play in baseball. Thus, the prior art fails to disclose an adjustable MOI bat usable for game play.
- The present invention is directed to systems and methods, which provide an adjustable MOI game play ball bat having a hollow outer ball bat shell that defines an interior cavity with an open distal end, and that further includes a central shaft disposed in the interior cavity. A weight is disposed on the central shaft and the central shaft passes through and operatively engages the weight. An interior support secures an inner end of the central shaft. A bat end cap is adapted to be fitted into the open distal end of the ball bat shell, and the weight is moved in the ball bat shell on the central shaft to operatively adjust a MOI of the game play bat.
- Hence, it is an object of the present invention to provide a ball sport bat, such as a baseball bat, softball bat, or cricket bat that, while being as light as possible and meeting established testing standards, provides a degree of flexibility to move weight along the length of the barrel of the bat, such that this movable weight allows a user to adjust the MOI of the bat, thereby giving the player an ability to customize the MOI of the bat to his or her personal tastes.
- The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter, which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present invention.
- The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of the specification in which like numerals designate like parts, illustrate embodiments of the present invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:
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FIG. 1 is a fragmented view of the present adjustable MOI bat, according to one embodiment; -
FIG. 2 is an exploded view of an insert such as may be used in the adjustable MOI bat ofFIG. 1 , according to one embodiment; and -
FIG. 3 is a fragmented view of an adjustable MOI bat, according to another embodiment. - The present bat is an adjustable MOI bat, which is preferably fully functional for game play and is preferably capable of being certified for such by the appropriate governing bodies. Various embodiments of the present bat may be used in a ball game, such as baseball, softball, cricket, or the like, at all levels of play. In accordance with various embodiments, the present adjustable MOI game play ball bat has a hollow outer ball bat shell that defines an interior cavity, which in turn includes an open distal end. The adjustable MOI features of the bat may include a central shaft disposed in this interior cavity. At least one weight may be operatively disposed on the central shaft. This central shaft may pass through and operatively engage the weight according to various embodiments. An interior support may retain an inner end of the central shaft. A bat end cap may be adapted to be fitted into the open distal end of the ball bat shell, through which adjustment of the position of the weight may be carried out in accordance with various embodiments. Hence, the weight may be moved in the ball bat shell, on the central shaft to operatively adjust an MOI of the game play bat.
- In accordance with various embodiments it may be desirable to thread an interior of an insert tube and make corresponding threads in one or more moveable weights inside this central tube. An end cap with a rotating element may allow a user to move the weight up and down the barrel of the bat. The bottom and/or top of the central tube may be secured to the barrel of the bat with shock absorbing material that reduces vibration and shock to a batter's hands. In accordance with such embodiments, the weight is moved by an implement or tool applied at the end-cap as a means to adjust the weight along the length of the barrel of the bat. The central insert with weight may be fitted to a bat end-cap and then press fitted into the bat as a single unit. The end cap may define a mechanism that enables movement of the weight.
- Thus, with attention directed to the drawings,
FIG. 1 , a fragmented view of the present adjustable MOI bat according to one embodiment, shows adjustable MOIgame play bat 100.Adjustable MOI insert 102 is provided for gameplay ball bat 100. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment of adjustable MOI gameplay ball bat 100, hollow outerball bat shell 104 definesinterior cavity 106 having opendistal end 108.Bat shell 104 may be a more-or-less conventional game play ball bat shell made of aluminum, a composite material, or the like. -
FIG. 2 is an exploded view ofinsert 102, such as may be used inadjustable MOI bat 100 ofFIG. 1 , according to one embodiment, such as to provide MOI adjustment. Hence, with attention directed variously toFIGS. 1 and 2 ,insert 102 may include cylindricaltubular housing 110 defininginternal threads 112.Housing 110 may be made of a resilient material, such as plastic (i.e. polyvinyl chloride, or the like) andhousing 110 may be secured ininterior cavity 106 ofbat 100 byvibration dampening material 114, or the like. By way of example, such dampening material may include a resilient material such as plastic, rubber, silicone, or the like, and may be disposed about an interior end of the cylindrical tubular housing. Externally threadedweight 116, which may be at least partially cylindrical, is disposed in cylindricaltubular housing 110.External threads 118 ofweight 116 operatively engageinternal threads 112 of cylindricaltubular housing 110, as may be best seen inFIG. 1 .Weight 116 may be made of one or more materials, such as lead, steel, titanium, aluminum, tungsten, and/or the like.Central shaft 120 passes through and longitudinally, slideably engagesweight 116, for rotation ofweight 116. That is, such thatweight 116 may slide alongcentral shaft 120, yet be rotated bycentral shaft 120. By way of example, such as illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2 ,central shaft 120 may be square in cross-section, andweight 116 may define central,square keyway 202 through its center (seeFIG. 2 ). Thus,central shaft 120 may pass tightly throughkeyway 202, yet longitudinally slideably engagingweight 116 for rotation ofweight 116 inhousing 110, cooperatively onthreads -
Interior support 122 may be in the form of a plug or cap and may be disposed ininterior end 124 of cylindricaltubular housing 110. In accordance with various embodiments,interior support 122 may be fixed in or on housinginterior end 124, andinterior support 122 may rotatably secureinner end 126 ofcentral shaft 120, such as through interior support orifice 204 (seeFIG. 2 ), usingclip 128. In accordance with other possible embodiments, an embodiment ofinterior support 122 fixedly securesinner end 126 ofcentral shaft 120 such as in an embodiment ofinterior support orifice 204, which defines a square keyway, again usingclip 128. In such an embodimentinterior support 122 may rotate with respect tohousing 110, such as withininterior end 124 ofhousing 110. As a further alternative,interior support 126 may in accordance with various embodiments engage the interior ofbat shell 104, and may frictionally engagebat shell 104. - In accordance with the illustrated embodiments of
FIGS. 1 and 2 ,bat end cap 130 is adapted to be fitted intoouter end 132 of cylindricaltubular housing 110 and concurrently intoopen end 108 of a hollow ballplay bat shell 104.Bat end cap 130 and/or opendistal end 108 ofball bat shell 104 may be sized such thatbat end cap 130 may be press-fitted into ball bat shell opendistal end 108, thereby securinginsert 102 in the bat in accordance with various embodiments.Adjustment plug 134 may be rotatably disposed in central orifice 206 (seeFIG. 2 ) defined inbat end cap 130 and may be fixed, and/or otherwise mate, toouter end 136 ofcentral shaft 120. Thereby, rotation ofplug 134 rotatescentral shaft 120, rotating externally threadedweight 116 in cylindricaltubular housing 110, on theinternal threads 112, to moveweight 116 inhousing 110. To this end, plug 134 may defineexternal slot 138 in its outer surface to receive an implement such as a coin, medallion or the like, to rotateplug 134. For example, in accordance with various embodiments plug 134 may defineslot 134, with the illustrated curved bottom, thereby adapted to receive the edge of a coin to rotateplug 134. Alternatively or additionally, plug 134 may define an external socket in its outer surface, in place ofslot 138, to receive a tool, such as a screw driver, allen wrench, TORX® driver, to rotateplug 134. Further to this end, plug may define, internal socket 208 (seeFIG. 2 ) to mate withouter end 136 ofcentral shaft 120. As a further alternative, plug 134 may be replaced with a head defined bycentral shaft 120. This head may define the aforementioned external slot and/or socket, which may be used to rotatecentral shaft 120 to adjust the MOI ofbat 100. - Thus, in accordance with various embodiments of operation, the MOI of game play
ball bat 100 illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2 may be adjusted by rotatingcentral shaft 120 inball bat insert 102, thereby rotating externally threadedweight 116 in cylindricaltubular housing 110 ofinsert 102 oninternal threads 112 defined in an inner wall ofhousing 110. This movesweight 116 inhousing 110 and inball bat shell 104, alongcentral shaft 120 to operatively adjust an MOI of the bat. As described above, rotation ofcentral shaft 120 may be carried out using an implement such as a coin, or a tool such as an allen wrench or TORX® driver, indexing withplug 134, disposed inbat end cap 130 and mated withouter end 136 ofcentral shaft 120. Hence, in accordance, with various embodiments such adjustments may be made during the course of game play, such as between at-bats, or even during an at-bat. -
FIG. 3 is a fragmented view ofadjustable MOI bat 300, another adjustable MOI bat embodiment. Adjustable MOI gameplay bat embodiment 300 shown inFIG. 3 employs alternativeadjustable MOI insert 302. Adjustable MOI game playball bat 300 also includes a hollow outer ball bat shell (304) that defines an interior cavity (306) having an open distal end (308).Bat shell 304 may also be a more-or-less conventional game play ball bat shell made of aluminum, a composite material, or the like. -
Insert 302 may includeweight 316, disposed on tubularcentral shaft 320. Again,weight 316 may be made of one or more materials, such as lead, steel, titanium, aluminum, tungsten, and/or the like.Central shaft 320 passes through and longitudinally, slideably engagesweight 316, for maintaining position ofweight 316. That is, such thatweight 316 may slide alongcentral shaft 320, yet be held in selected positions atindents 324 defined incentral shaft 320 for MOI adjustment. -
Interior support 326 is disposed at interior end ofcentral shaft 320 and in accordance with various embodiments engages the interior ofbat shell 304. In accordance with various embodiments,interior support 326 may be fixed oncentral shaft 320 and frictionally engagebat shell 304 to possibly assist in maintainingcentral shaft 320 in position.Insert 302 may be supported in the interior cavity by vibration dampening material (not shown), such as dampening material disposed aboutinterior support 326, for example betweenbat shell 304 andinner support 326. - In accordance with illustrated
embodiment 300 ofFIG. 3 ,bat end cap 330 is adapted to be fitted onto an outer end ofcentral shaft 320 and intoopen end 308 of hollow ballplay bat shell 304.Bat end cap 330 and/or opendistal end 308 ofball bat shell 304 may be sized such thatbat end cap 330 may be to be press-fitted into ball bat shell opendistal end 308, thereby securinginsert 302 in the bat and against rotation relative tobat shell 304, in accordance with various embodiments. An adjustment tool opening may be defined inbat end cap 330 for receiving a tool, such as an elongated push rod, allen wrench, TORX® driver, slotted screwdriver, Phillips screwdriver, or the like to engageweight 316 and disengageweight 316 from oneindent 324 for movement alongcentral shaft 320 to anotherindent 324 position, to thereby adjust the MOI ofbat 300. - In accordance with
embodiment 300, as illustrated inFIG. 3 ,weight 316 may be slideably mounted oncentral shaft 320, and, by way of example, indexed to slot 340 bypin 342 and retained in place bypin 344 indexing with one ofindents 324, under tension fromspring 346, imparted viasleeve 348. - In accordance with various embodiments of ball
game play bat 300, disengagement ofweight 316 from oneindent 324 and movement alongcentral shaft 320 to anotherindent 324, to thereby adjust the MOI ofbat 300 under tension fromspring 346, may be made during the course of game play, such as between at-bats, or even during an at-bat. - Although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure of the present invention, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according to the present invention. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.
Claims (22)
1. An adjustable moment of inertia ball bat comprising:
a hollow outer ball bat shell defining an interior cavity having an open distal end;
a central shaft disposed in said interior cavity;
a weight disposed on said central shaft, said central shaft, passing through and operatively engaging said weight;
an interior support securing an inner end of said central shaft;
a bat end cap adapted to be fitted into said open distal end of said ball bat shell; and
means for moving said weight in said ball bat shell on said central shaft to operatively adjust a moment of inertia of said ball bat.
2. An adjustable moment of inertia insert for a ball bat, said insert comprising:
a cylindrical tubular housing defining internal threads;
an externally threaded, at least partially cylindrical weight disposed in said cylindrical tubular housing, external threads of said weight operatively engaging said internal threads of said cylindrical tubular housing;
a central shaft passing through and longitudinally slideably, rotationally engaging said weight;
an interior support disposed in an interior end of said cylindrical tubular housing, said interior support rotatably securing an inner end of said central shaft; and
a bat end cap adapted to be fitted into an outer end of said cylindrical tubular housing and a open distal end of a hollow ball play bat.
3. The adjustable moment of inertia insert of claim 2 , wherein rotation of said central shaft, rotates said externally threaded weight in said cylindrical tubular housing on said internal threads to move said weight in said housing and in a ball bat wherein said insert is disposed to operatively adjust a moment of inertia of said ball bat.
4. The adjustable moment of inertia insert of claim 2 , wherein said cylindrical tubular housing is made of a resilient material.
5. The adjustable moment of inertia insert of claim 4 , wherein said resilient material is polyvinyl chloride plastic.
6. The adjustable moment of inertia insert of claim 2 , wherein said weight is comprised of one or more of lead, steel, titanium, aluminum and tungsten.
7. The adjustable moment of inertia insert of claim 2 , wherein said central shaft is a shaft that is square in cross-section and said weight defines a square keyway through its center, said central shaft passing through said keyway, longitudinally slideably engaging said weight.
8. The adjustable moment of inertia insert of claim 2 , wherein said interior support secures said inner end of said central shaft and said interior support rotates with respect to said housing.
9. The adjustable moment of inertia insert of claim 2 , wherein said bat end cap is adapted to be press fitted into said open distal end of said ball bat.
10. An adjustable moment of inertia game play ball bat comprising:
a hollow outer ball bat shell defining an interior cavity having an open distal end;
a cylindrical tubular housing defining internal threads disposed in said interior cavity;
an externally threaded cylindrical weight disposed in said cylindrical tubular housing, external threads of said cylindrical weight operatively engaging, said internal threads of said cylindrical tubular housing;
a central shaft passing through and longitudinally slideably and rotationally engaging said cylindrical weight;
an interior support disposed in an interior end of said cylindrical tubular housing, said interior support rotatably securing an inner end of said central shaft; and
a bat end cap adapted to be fitted into an outer end of said cylindrical tubular housing and said open distal end of said ball bat shell.
11. The game play bat of claim 10 , wherein rotation of said central shaft rotates said externally threaded weight in said cylindrical tubular housing on said internal threads to move said weight in said housing and in said ball bat shell to operatively adjust a moment of inertia of said game play bat.
12. The game play bat of claim 10 , wherein said bat shell is made of aluminum or a composite material.
13. The game play bat of claim 10 , wherein said cylindrical tubular housing is made of a resilient material.
14. The game play ball bat of claim 13 , wherein said resilient material is polyvinyl chloride plastic.
15. The game play ball bat of claim 10 , wherein said cylindrical tubular housing is secured in said interior cavity by vibration dampening material.
16. The game play ball bat of claim 15 , wherein said dampening material is disposed about said interior end of said cylindrical tubular housing.
17. The game play bat of claim 10 , wherein said weight is comprised of one or more of lead, steel, titanium, aluminum, and tungsten.
18. The game play bat of claim 10 , wherein said central shaft is shaft that is square in cross-section and said cylindrical weight defines a square keyway through its center, said central shaft passing through said keyway, longitudinally slideably, rotationally engaging said cylindrical weight.
19. The game play bat of claim 10 , wherein said interior support secures said inner end of said central shaft and said interior support rotates with respect to said housing.
20. The game play bat of claim 10 , wherein said bat end cap is adapted to be press fitted into said open distal end of said ball bat shell.
21. A method comprising:
rotating a weight of a game play ball bat insert, moving said weight along a central shaft to a second position, thereby operatively adjusting a moment of inertia of said game play bat.
22. A method comprising:
rotating a central shaft of a game play ball bat insert, thereby rotating an externally threaded weight, in a cylindrical tubular housing of said insert on internal threads defined in an inner wall of said housing, moving said weight in said housing and in said ball bat shell, along said central shaft to operatively adjust a moment of inertia of said game play bat.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US13/839,772 US20140274493A1 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2013-03-15 | Adjustable Moment of Inertia Bat |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US13/839,772 US20140274493A1 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2013-03-15 | Adjustable Moment of Inertia Bat |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20140274493A1 true US20140274493A1 (en) | 2014-09-18 |
Family
ID=51529654
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US13/839,772 Abandoned US20140274493A1 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2013-03-15 | Adjustable Moment of Inertia Bat |
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Country | Link |
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US (1) | US20140274493A1 (en) |
Cited By (15)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2015103200A1 (en) * | 2013-12-30 | 2015-07-09 | Sillik Francisco J | Training bat |
US9433812B2 (en) | 2013-12-30 | 2016-09-06 | Francisco J. Sillik | Sports or exercise training device for hand-swung implements |
ES2598730A1 (en) * | 2015-07-30 | 2017-01-30 | Universidad De Cádiz | Adjustable modifier dynamic effects of vibro-rotational nature of elongated objects subject to impact and/or any force (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) |
US20170165549A1 (en) * | 2013-01-24 | 2017-06-15 | Wilson Sporting Goods Co. | Adjustbale knob assembly for a ball bat |
US20180127050A1 (en) * | 2015-04-01 | 2018-05-10 | Zephyros, Inc. | Vibration damping insert |
US20180169491A1 (en) * | 2016-12-16 | 2018-06-21 | Wilson Sporting Goods Co. | Bat with barrel inner tube weight |
US20190111352A1 (en) * | 2017-10-17 | 2019-04-18 | Tomy Company, Ltd. | Toy top |
US10486041B2 (en) | 2015-10-07 | 2019-11-26 | Easton Diamond Sports, Llc | Ball bat with adjustable-weight end cap |
WO2019226880A1 (en) * | 2018-05-24 | 2019-11-28 | Aaron Chamberlain | A moment of inertia ball bat structure fitting device |
US10507367B2 (en) | 2016-05-27 | 2019-12-17 | Wilson Sporting Goods Co. | Bat with barrel pivot joint |
US10987556B2 (en) | 2016-05-27 | 2021-04-27 | Wilson Sporting Goods Co. | Bat with barrel pivot joint |
US11058934B2 (en) | 2019-04-22 | 2021-07-13 | Wilson Sporting Goods Co. | Ball bat with cantilevered insert |
US11224788B2 (en) | 2019-10-29 | 2022-01-18 | Easton Diamond Sports, Llc | Vibration-damping end caps for ball bats |
US11325327B2 (en) | 2020-08-10 | 2022-05-10 | Wilson Sporting Goods Co. | Ball bat with one-piece multi-wall barrel portion |
US11890517B2 (en) | 2020-08-10 | 2024-02-06 | Wilson Sporting Goods Co. | Ball bat with one-piece multi-wall barrel portion |
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Cited By (19)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US10625128B2 (en) * | 2013-01-24 | 2020-04-21 | Wilson Sporting Goods Co. | Adjustable knob assembly for a ball bat |
US20170165549A1 (en) * | 2013-01-24 | 2017-06-15 | Wilson Sporting Goods Co. | Adjustbale knob assembly for a ball bat |
US9433812B2 (en) | 2013-12-30 | 2016-09-06 | Francisco J. Sillik | Sports or exercise training device for hand-swung implements |
WO2015103200A1 (en) * | 2013-12-30 | 2015-07-09 | Sillik Francisco J | Training bat |
US20180127050A1 (en) * | 2015-04-01 | 2018-05-10 | Zephyros, Inc. | Vibration damping insert |
US10745076B2 (en) * | 2015-04-01 | 2020-08-18 | Zephyros, Inc. | Vibration damping insert |
ES2598730A1 (en) * | 2015-07-30 | 2017-01-30 | Universidad De Cádiz | Adjustable modifier dynamic effects of vibro-rotational nature of elongated objects subject to impact and/or any force (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) |
US11167191B2 (en) | 2015-10-07 | 2021-11-09 | Easton Diamond Sports, Llc | Ball bat with adjustable-weight end cap |
US10486041B2 (en) | 2015-10-07 | 2019-11-26 | Easton Diamond Sports, Llc | Ball bat with adjustable-weight end cap |
US10987556B2 (en) | 2016-05-27 | 2021-04-27 | Wilson Sporting Goods Co. | Bat with barrel pivot joint |
US10507367B2 (en) | 2016-05-27 | 2019-12-17 | Wilson Sporting Goods Co. | Bat with barrel pivot joint |
US11633652B2 (en) | 2016-05-27 | 2023-04-25 | Wilson Sporting Goods Co. | Bat with barrel pivot joint |
US20180169491A1 (en) * | 2016-12-16 | 2018-06-21 | Wilson Sporting Goods Co. | Bat with barrel inner tube weight |
US20190111352A1 (en) * | 2017-10-17 | 2019-04-18 | Tomy Company, Ltd. | Toy top |
WO2019226880A1 (en) * | 2018-05-24 | 2019-11-28 | Aaron Chamberlain | A moment of inertia ball bat structure fitting device |
US11058934B2 (en) | 2019-04-22 | 2021-07-13 | Wilson Sporting Goods Co. | Ball bat with cantilevered insert |
US11224788B2 (en) | 2019-10-29 | 2022-01-18 | Easton Diamond Sports, Llc | Vibration-damping end caps for ball bats |
US11325327B2 (en) | 2020-08-10 | 2022-05-10 | Wilson Sporting Goods Co. | Ball bat with one-piece multi-wall barrel portion |
US11890517B2 (en) | 2020-08-10 | 2024-02-06 | Wilson Sporting Goods Co. | Ball bat with one-piece multi-wall barrel portion |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: MIH SPORTS, LLC, COLORADO Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:HEUSSNER, TODD A;REEL/FRAME:030607/0319 Effective date: 20130602 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |