Patent ID: 6344007
Filing Date: 2002-02-05
Classification: A63B

Abstract:
A method of fabricating a softball bat with a handle, a barrel and an intermediate zone comprising, in combination:providing at least one interior layer of a composite material extending the full length of the bat; providing at least one additional layer of a composite material in the barrel area; providing a plurality of plies of composite material of varying lengths for the entire handle and various portions of the intermediate zone; providing a plurality of plies of composite material of varying lengths for the entire handle and entire intermediate zone and portions of the barrel; positioning an exterior-most ply of an adhesive material over the composites in the barrel area to thereby form an inside surface and an outside surface of the composite structure in the barrel area; adhering a metal tube onto one surface of the barrel area, the tube having a thickness of between about 0.025 and 0.070 inches; and molding the plies and metal tube together whereby the lightweight shell is finished and end loaded to create a moment of inertia to weight ratio of between about 370 and 420 oz-in2 and an overall weight less than 28.5 ounces.