초록 ▼

A bat has an elongate tubular striking member of a first material, and an elongate handle member of a second material. The handle may be of composite material laid up in selected layers and orientation to produce selected weight distribution, strength, and stiffness and improved batting capabilities

A bat has an elongate tubular striking member of a first material, and an elongate handle member of a second material. The handle may be of composite material laid up in selected layers and orientation to produce selected weight distribution, strength, and stiffness and improved batting capabilities. The striking member and handle member may have juncture sections which are substantially rigidly interconnected through mating configurations.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A bat having a longitudinal axis and capable of being tested with a three-point bend stiffness test device having first and second supports, the bat comprising: an elongate tubular striking member having a distal end, a proximal end, and a striking region intermediate the dis

What is claimed is: 1. A bat having a longitudinal axis and capable of being tested with a three-point bend stiffness test device having first and second supports, the bat comprising: an elongate tubular striking member having a distal end, a proximal end, and a striking region intermediate the distal and proximal ends; and a separate handle member having a distal end and a proximal end, the handle member coupled to the striking member, the handle member having a resistance to bending along the longitudinal axis in the range of 10-850 lbs/in in a three-point bend stiffness test wherein the handle member is transversely supported in a first direction by the first and second supports spaced apart a selected distance, with the first support adjacent the distal end of the handle member and the second support adjacent the proximal end of the handle member, and the handle member is transversely loaded in a second direction, opposite the first direction, at a location on the handle member in a region between 30% and 40% of the selected distance from the distal end of the handle member, the bat configured to optimize batting performance and to satisfy the performance requirements of at least one level of conventional youth or adult, softball or baseball organized competition. 2. The bat of claim 1, the handle member has a resistance to bending along the longitudinal axis in the range of 800-850 lbs/in. 3. The bat of claim 1, the handle member has a resistance to bending along the longitudinal axis in the range of 700-800 lbs/in. 4. The bat of claim 1, the handle member has a resistance to bending along the longitudinal axis in the range of 600-700 lbs/in. 5. The bat of claim 1, the handle member has a resistance to bending along the longitudinal axis in the range of 500-600 lbs/in. 6. The bat of claim 1, the handle member has a resistance to bending along the longitudinal axis in the range of 400-500 lbs/in. 7. The bat of claim 1, the handle member has a resistance to bending along the longitudinal axis in the range of 300-400 lbs/in. 8. The bat of claim 1, the handle member has a resistance to bending along the longitudinal axis in the range of 200-300 lbs/in. 9. The bat of claim 1, the handle member has a resistance to bending along the longitudinal axis in the range of 100-200 lbs/in. 10. The bat of claim 1, the handle member has a resistance to bending along the longitudinal axis in the range of 10-100 lbs/in. 11. The bat of claim 1, wherein the handle member is firmly joined adjacent its distal end to the proximal end of the striking member to provide a rigid interconnection therebetween to permit substantially complete striking energy transfer between the handle member and the striking member. 12. The bat of claim 1, wherein the striking member is formed of a material having a first effective mass, and wherein the handle member is formed of a material having a second effective mass which is less than the first effective mass. 13. The bat of claim 1, wherein the bat has an overall first length, wherein the striking member has a second length, wherein the handle member has a third length, and wherein the second and third lengths are each shorter than the first length. 14. The bat of claim 1, wherein the striking member includes a first juncture section positioned adjacent the proximal end of the striking member, wherein the handle member includes a second juncture section positioned adjacent the distal end of the handle member, and wherein the first junction section is engaged with the second junction section. 15. The bat of claim 14, wherein the first juncture section is integrally formed to the striking member, and wherein the second juncture section is integrally formed to the handle member. 16. The bat of claim 14, wherein the bat has an overall first length, and wherein the first juncture section has a length no greater than 25% of the first length. 17. The bat of claim 14, wherein the bat has an overall first length, and wherein the second juncture section has a length no greater than 25% of the first length. 18. The bat of claim 14, wherein the first and second juncture sections of the striking member and handle member are substantially frusto-conical, each having a major diameter section and a minor diameter portion, with the major diameter portion of the juncture section of the handle member being greater than a minor diameter portion of the juncture section of the striking member. 19. The bat of claim 15, wherein the striking region of the striking member has a first diameter, wherein the handle member has a gripping portion positioned toward its proximal end, wherein the gripping portion having a second diameter which is less than the first diameter, and wherein the second juncture section is captured in first juncture section. 20. The bat of claim 14, which further comprises adhesive material interposed between the first and second juncture sections. 21. The bat of claim 1, wherein the striking member is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of a metal, wood, a fiber composite material, and a non-metallic material. 22. The bat of claim 1, wherein the striking member is formed of a material having a first specific gravity, wherein the handle member is formed of a material having a second specific gravity, and wherein the specific gravity of the handle member is less than the specific gravity of the striking member. 23. The bat of claim 1, wherein the handle member is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of a metal, wood, a fiber composite material, and a non-metallic material. 24. The bat of claim 1, which further comprises a second tubular member concentric with the striking region of the striking member. 25. The bat of claim 24, wherein the second tubular member is configured to move independently of the striking member upon impact with a ball. 26. The bat of claim 1, wherein the striking member is a one-piece integrally formed tubular member. 27. The bat of claim 26, wherein the handle member is a one-piece integrally formed tubular unit, and wherein the striking member is directly connected to the handle member. 28. The bat of claim 26, wherein the handle member is a one-piece integrally formed tubular unit, and wherein the striking member is coupled to the handle member by a non-metallic substance. 29. The bat of claim 28, wherein the non-metallic substance is selected from the group consisting of an adhesive, an epoxy, an elastomer, a chemical bonding agent and a combination thereof. 30. The bat of claim 26, wherein the handle member is a one-piece integrally formed tubular unit, and wherein at least a portion of the one-piece striking member overlaps at least a portion of the handle member. 31. The bat of claim 1, wherein the striking member is swaged at and near the proximal end of the striking member such that the shape of the proximal end of the striking member generally conforms to the shape of the distal end of the handle member. 32. A bat having a longitudinal axis and capable of being tested with a three-point bend stiffness test device having first and second supports, the bat comprising: a non-wooden, one-piece bat frame including a distal end, a proximal end, an elongate tubular striking portion, and a handle portion, one of the handle portion and the striking portion including a tapered region, the frame having a resistance to bending along the longitudinal axis in the range of 10-850 lbs/in in three-point bend stiffness test wherein the frame is transversely supported in a first direction by the first and second supports, wherein the first support is positioned at a first predetermined position, the first predetermined position being the location where the tapered region has a first predetermined outer diameter, the second support positioned a first predetermined distance from the first predetermined position, and wherein the frame is transversely loaded in a second direction, opposite the first direction, on the handle member at a second predetermined position that is located on the handle portion a second predetermined distance from the first predetermined position, the second predetermined distance being between 30% and 40% of the first predetermined distance, the bat configured to optimize batting performance and to satisfy the performance requirements of at least one level of conventional youth or adult, softball or baseball organized competition. 33. The bat of claim 32, wherein the first predetermined outer diameter is within the range of 2.1 to 2.25 inches. 34. The bat of claim 33, wherein the first predetermined distance is approximately 19 inches from the first predetermined position. 35. The bat of claim 34, wherein the second predetermined distance is approximately 7 inches. 36. The bat of claim 32, the frame has a resistance to bending along the longitudinal axis in the range of 800-850 lbs/in. 37. The bat of claim 32, the handle member has a resistance to bending along the longitudinal axis in the range of 700-800 lbs/in. 38. The bat of claim 32, the handle member has a resistance to bending along the longitudinal axis in the range of 600-700 lbs/in. 39. The bat of claim 32, the handle member has a resistance to bending along the longitudinal axis in the range of 500-600 lbs/in. 40. The bat of claim 32, the handle member has a resistance to bending along the longitudinal axis in the range of 400-500 lbs/in. 41. The bat of claim 32, the handle member has a resistance to bending along the longitudinal axis in the range of 300-400 lbs/in. 42. The bat of claim 32, the handle member has a resistance to bending along the longitudinal axis in the range of 200-300 lbs/in. 43. The bat of claim 32, the handle member has a resistance to bending along the longitudinal axis in the range of 100-200 lbs/in. 44. The bat of claim 32, the handle member has a resistance to bending along the longitudinal axis in the range of 10-100 lbs/in. 45. The bat of claim 32, wherein the frame is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of a metal, a metallic alloy, a composite material, and combinations thereof. 46. The bat of claim 32, further comprising a second tubular member concentric with the striking portion of the frame. 47. The bat of claim 46, wherein the second tubular member is configured to move independently of the striking portion upon impact with a ball.