Patent ID: 9457247
Filing Date: 2016-10-04
CPC Classification: A63B

Claim Text:
1. A tubular bat for striking a ball, the bat comprising: a handle portion configured to be held by a player; a tubular barrel portion configured to strike the ball, the tubular barrel portion having a bat wall having an inner surface and an outer surface and defining an internal cavity with an internal diameter; a tubular taper portion connecting the handle portion and the barrel portion; and at least one diaphragm located within the internal cavity, the at least one diaphragm having a peripheral edge mounted to the inner surface of the bat wall, thereby dividing the internal cavity into at least two cavities, the at least one diaphragm comprising an outer U-shaped ring portion and an inner disc portion, the U-shaped ring portion forming an annular gap located between the inner surface of the barrel and the inner disc portion; wherein, in use, upon contact with the ball, the at least one diaphragm is configured to deform by a predetermined amount before an outer wall of the U-shaped ring portion contacts the inner disc portion for providing a limited trampoline effect to the bat.