Patent ID: 6508731
Filing Date: 2003-01-21
Classification: A63B

Abstract:
A method of fabricating a ball bat comprising the steps of:providing a hollow bat frame in a generally cylindrical configuration having an essentially cylindrical enlarged area and having a handle area remote from the enlarged area and with a tapering transition zone intermediate the enlarged area and the handle area, the bat frame being fabricated of a composite material of fibers in a matrix binder and with an internal surface and an external surface; providing a hollow annular sleeve, the sleeve being fabricated of metal with an interior cylindrical surface and with radially extending parallel end faces and having a cylindrical exterior surface; positioning the sleeve in contact with the frame in the enlarged area; positioning the bat frame and sleeve into a mold having an internal configuration corresponding to the exterior configuration of the bat to be fabricated; applying heat and internal pressure to the bat frame and sleeve, the heat and pressure being sufficient whereby a recess is formed in the enlarged area, the recess being in a cylindrical configuration having an annular face in contact with one surface of the sleeve, the heat and pressure also being sufficient to cure the bat frame; and removing the bat frame and sleeve from the mold to thereby provide a unitary ball bat with a metal sleeve in the enlarged area.