Patent ID: 6743127
Filing Date: 2004-06-01
Classification: A63B,B29C,B29L

Abstract:
An elongate bat having a longitudinal axis comprising:an elongate one-piece tubular striking member having a first length, a distal end, a proximal end, a striking region intermediate said distal and proximal ends, and a first juncture section adjacent said proximal end conversing toward said axis on progressing toward said proximal end, said striking member having a first effective mass; and an elongate one-piece handle member shorter than said first length composed of a material having a second effective mass which is different from said first effective mass, said handle member having a distal end, a second juncture section adjacent the distal end of the handle member, a proximal end, and a gripping portion between the second juncture section and the proximal end of the handle member, the second juncture section having an outer diameter that is greater than the outer diameter of the gripping portion, the second juncture section being firmly joined to the first juncture section of said striking member, such that at least a portion of the first juncture section directly contacts at least a portion of the second juncture section, to provide a rigid interconnection there between to permit substantially complete striking energy transfer between said handle member and said striking member, the striking member being formed of a fiber composite material comprising a plurality of tubular layers, each layer comprises a matrix including structural fibers supported by the matrix, the plurality of tubular layers including fiber layer configurations selected from the group consisting of a layer of longitudinally extending fibers, a layer of circumferentially extending fibers, a layer of helically extending fibers, a layer of braided fibers, and combinations thereof, and the length of the second juncture section, which is overlapped by the first juncture section, being less than thirty percent of the total length of the handle member.