Bat with tunable insert

A tunable insert is provided that may be placed within a baseball/softball bat at or near its sweet spot. The insert may allow for fine tuning of the bat's compressive strength, and thus the bat's performance. Two opposing inner sleeves may be received within a tapered inner core and may be drawn together with a threaded fastening member. When the inner sleeves are pulled together, the insert segments are pushed outward. The segmented outer piece of the insert may be directly in contact with a ring member or inner barrel that is positioned between the barrel and the tunable insert. When torque is applied to the threaded fastener, the segmented outer piece expands, thus also expanding the ring member. As the ring member expands, it gets nearer to the bat's inner surface. The relative distance of the ring member to the bat's inner surface tunes the stiffness of the bat.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a bat for use in batted ball sports like baseball or softball, and more particularly, an insert for the bat's barrel that is tunable to achieve a desired compressive strength.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Numerous attempts have been made to improve the performance of a bat used in diamond sports like baseball and softball. The performance of a bat is generally based upon the weight of the bat, length of the bat, and the impact response of the bat at and during impact with a ball. Lighter weight bats typically allow a hitter to generate a greater bat speed, thus allowing for a greater batted ball speed when a player strikes a ball. As a result, much of the focus for improvements in bat technology has been on reducing the weight of a bat.

Often bat manufacturers attempt to decrease bat weight by utilizing lightweight metal structures. Because those bats use metal, the overall weight of the bat is still not dramatically affected.

The sweet spot of a bat may be many inches in length, depending on the construction of the bat. The sweet spot generally includes a point of maximum performance, at which a batted ball leaves the bat with the highest exit velocity compared to the rest of the sweet spot of the bat. The point of maximum performance is often approximately four to eight inches, and usually five to seven inches, from the end cap end of the bat barrel.

As the prior art bats have increased the performance in this area, many sports regulatory agencies have placed performance and/or configuration restrictions on the bats. For example, most regulatory bodies set a maximum performance level of a bat when a ball impacts the point of maximum performance of that bat, even as the bat “breaks in” during use. Typically, this impact performance level is measured by the exit velocity of the ball off the bat right after impact.

To create bats that meet the reduced performance level requirements, many bat makers have added stiffer materials within bat barrels. Some bats may have variable wall bat shells or inserts to limit performance. Generally, metal rings are inserted into the barrel to help offset some of the trampoline effect of the barrel of a bat during a ball strike. Foam is sometimes inserted into the barrel as well, so as to help position such metal rings within the barrel. However, such stiffening materials are not adjustable for various degrees of stiffness. Because certain players may prefer a certain degree of stiffness, a bat that has adjustable or tunable stiffness is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an insert that may be placed within a baseball/softball bat at or near its sweet spot that can apply a variable outward pressure against the bat wall. The insert may allow for fine tuning of the bat's compressive strength, and thus the bat's performance.

In a first embodiment, the invention utilizes a segmented insert having a tapered inner core. Two opposing inner sleeves may be received within the tapered inner core and may be drawn together with a threaded fastener. When these inner sleeves are pulled together, the insert segments are pushed outward. The outward force is proportional to the amount of torque applied to the inner threaded fastener. The segmented outer piece of the insert may be directly in contact with a ring member or inner barrel that is positioned between the barrel and the tunable insert. For example, a polymer material can be compressed between the bat barrel and insert for improved energy return.

Thus, when torque is applied to the inner threaded fastener, the segmented outer piece expands, thus also expanding the ring member. As the ring member expands, it gets nearer to the bat's inner surface until it eventually abuts it. The relative distance of the ring member to the bat's inner surface may affect the stiffness of the bat. More particularly, as the ring member gets farther from the barrel's inner wall, the barrel's sweet spot is less stiff. The invention thus allows for fine tuning or varying the compressive strength of a bat barrel.

A second embodiment may also be provided where the inner sleeves are replaced with a rotatable cam member. The cam member may be rotated by a shaft in mechanical connection with the cam member. Because the cam member has a variable circumference, depending on the relative position on the cam member relative to the variable inner walls of the insert segments, the segments may be expanded or contracted to expand or contract the ring member and adjust the bat's stiffness. In this alternative embodiment, the ring member and the bat itself may be substantially the same as in the embodiment described above including the sleeves drawn to one another to fine tune the bat.

While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, a specific embodiment thereof is shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description presented herein are not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular embodiment disclosed, but to the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings,FIGS. 1 and 2illustrate a tunable insert1that is constructed to be provided within a bat5. InFIG. 1, various components of the insert1are illustrated in exploded form so as to be more clearly illustrated, and inFIG. 2the insert1is shown as assembled. A distal portion10of a bat shell15is illustrated in the drawings, and like most bats, the bat5includes an opening20at its distal portion10. Like other openings, the opening20may receive and secure various stiffening elements therein that act as a regulator of the performance for the bat5.

When the insert1is assembled in the manner illustrated inFIG. 2, its diameter may be expanded or contracted so as to increase or decrease, respectively, the distance of the insert1from the inner wall of the bat5. When the insert1is farther from the inner wall of the bat5, the bat shell15is permitted greater deflection, and bat performance is increased. On the other hand, when the insert1is positioned nearer to the inner wall of the bat5, the bat shell15is permitted less deflection, and bat performance is decreased. As will be described in greater detail below, the expansion or contraction of the insert1is driven principally by the movement of insert segments25.

In the embodiments illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2, the insert1includes four insert segments25. Each insert segment25includes an inner surface30, an outer surface35and side portions40that together form the perimeter of an individual segment25. The inner surface30may include opposing tapered portions45that decrease in circumference as the tapered portions45approach a center line50of the inner surface30. In other words, the cross-sectional area of each of the tapered portions45is greater at outer edges52of each tapered portion45than at its center line50. The tapered portions45are sized and shaped so that tapered sleeve members55,60(described below) may be adjustably secured therein and to one another. The process of securing the sleeve members55,60closer to one another expands the insert1. Meanwhile, the process of distancing the sleeve members from one another contracts the insert1.

Outer portions35of the insert segments25are preferably rounded such that when the four segments25abut one another, a substantially circular perimeter is formed by the abutting segments25. Side portions40of the segments25are preferably flat so that they may abut side portions40of adjacent insert segments25. In the preferred embodiments illustrated herein, the segments25include hollow, tunneled portions65so as to reduce the weight of the segments25. However, in alternative embodiments, the segments25may not include the hollow, tunneled portions65.

When the insert1is assembled, the tapered sleeve members55,60are preferably received within an aperture (not illustrated) formed between the inner surfaces30of the segments25. As illustrated, the tapered sleeve members55,60may have substantially circular cross-sections that decrease in circumference approaching the center line50of the inserts25. This tapering for each of the sleeve members55,60toward the center line50substantially corresponds to the tapering of the tapered portions45of the inner surface30of the segments25. As such, when the tapered sleeve members are received within the segments25, the sleeve members55,60may substantially abut the tapered surfaces45of the inner surfaces30of the various segments25.

When a fastening member70is inserted through apertures75,80of the tapered sleeve members55,60, respectively, the fastening member70may be screwed or otherwise torqued to cause the tapered sleeve members55,60to move closer to one another. This mechanism is carried out by threads85of the fastening member engaging threads within at least one of the tapered sleeve members55,60, as torque is applied to the fastening member70, or the fastening member70is otherwise rotated, for example by a screwdriver, wrench, or by hand.

When the segments25are retained and engaged in the sleeve members55,60, a circumferential ring member90may also be provided that circumscribes the segments25. The ring member90may secure the segments25therein. The ring member90may be made of a variety of materials, though in a preferred embodiment, it is made of a compressible polymer material. As such, it applies an inward elastic force on the segments25and sleeve members55,60. In alternative embodiments, the ring member90may be provided as a rubber, neoprene, or other elastic or semi-elastic materials.

When the segments25, tapered sleeve members55,60, and ring member90are assembled to form the insert1, the insert1may be placed within the opening20of the bat5as illustrated inFIG. 2. Though not illustrated, in a preferred embodiment, when the insert1is received within a bat such as the bat5, it may be placed at or near the bat's barrel portion. In an example embodiment, the insert1may be positioned at a point of maximum performance of the bat5, as measured prior to insertion of the insert1. Preferably, when in place, friction secures the insert1within the bat5, though other means for securing the insert1are foreseeable.

In operation, an operator may adjust the fastening member70, which may be provided as a bolt, to increase or decrease radially outward pressure applied to the ring member90. More particularly, when more pressure is provided outwardly on the ring member90, its circumference may increase, thus causing it to approach and/or contact the inner surface of the barrel of the bat5. When the ring member90is closer to the inner surface of the barrel of the bat5(or even abutting the inner surface of the barrel), deflection of the barrel is reduced, thus reducing the bat's performance. On the other hand, when less pressure is applied to the ring member90, the circumference of the ring member90may decrease. It may therefore be positioned farther from the inner surface of the bat's barrel, thereby increasing the trampoline effect of the barrel to increase performance.

To adjust the distance of the ring member90from the inner surface of the bat's barrel, a user may simply apply torque to the fastening member70. More particularly, a user may remove an end cap (not illustrated) known and understood in the art that is often used at the distal portion10of a bat5. After removing the cap, the operator may use a screwdriver, wrench, or other known or foreseeable tool to tighten or loosen the fastening member70. When the fastening member70is tightened, it may drive the sleeve members55,60closer to one another so that more surface area of the tapered inner portions45and sleeve members55,60abut one another. As this happens, increased outward force is applied on the segments25. In turn, outward force may be applied to the elastic ring member90, thus causing the insert1to become nearer to the inner wall of the bat.

On the other hand, to reduce the overall circumference of the insert1by reducing the circumference of the elastic ring member90, a user may loosen the fastening member70, thus causing the tapered sleeve members55,60to be distanced from one another. As the sleeve members55,60are distanced from one another, they may slide outwardly away from the center line50, and allow for increased space at the center of the segments25. The ring member90may thus contract, thus causing the circumference of the ring insert1to decrease. This increases the distance between the insert1and the bat's inner wall. With an increased distance between the insert1and the bat's inner wall, performance of the bat5may be increased. It will also be understood that such adjustment may occur without removal of the end cap.

Turning toFIGS. 3 and 4, a second, alternative embodiment of the above described tunable insert1, tunable insert95, is illustrated. The tunable insert95is illustrated as used with the bat5and the bat shell15from the above-described embodiment. It should be noted that, like the insert1, the insert95is designed to function with a variety of bats and/or bat shells. The insert95is also illustrated as used with the ring member90shown and illustrated with the insert1, though other alternative embodiments are contemplated herein. The insert95serves the same purpose as the insert1, namely to fine tune the stiffness of a bat such as the bat5. Preferably, like the insert1, the insert95is retained with the bat5by friction, though other means for securing the insert95within the bat5are foreseeable. The insert95uses somewhat different components and a somewhat different mechanism than the insert1.

Unlike the insert1, the insert95includes a cam member100and shaft member105in mechanical connection therewith. It also may include a number of insert segments110that are somewhat different in shape and structure than the insert segments25. More particularly, the segments110preferably include inner walls115that abut the cam member100when the insert95is assembled. The inner wall115of each segment110preferably includes two outer grooves120and a central groove125. The outer grooves120preferably are somewhat deeper than the central groove125. This is to allow the grooves120and125to align with certain portions of the cam member100as the cam member100is rotated, as described below.

The cam member100preferably includes extension members130around its circumference. The extension members130are preferably formed as rounded “knob-like” protrusions that protrude outwardly from the cam member100. At the extension members130, the cam members100have an increased diameter as compared to valleys135between adjacent extension members130. In the illustrated embodiment, the cam member100includes four extension members130and four valleys135. In alternative embodiments, the cam member100may include more or fewer extension members130and/or valleys135. The cam member100may be similar to other cam members in size or shape, as known or foreseeable in the art.

In operation, the cam member100is driven by the shaft105, which may be driven by, for example, a screwdriver or Allen wrench. The shaft105may be integrally formed with the cam member100, or it may be semi-permanently or permanently connected thereto. Thus, when the shaft105is rotated, so too is the cam member100. As illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4, the cam member100is positioned so that its extension members130are in substantial alignment with adjacent outer grooves120in segments110that are next to one another. In this position, the extension members130may be substantially and snugly retained within the grooves120of adjacent segments110. In this configuration, the extension members130place little to no outward pressure on the segments110. As a result, little to no force is applied to the ring member90that affects the stiffness of the bat5, as described above when detailing the structure and operation of the insert1. In this first position, the relative stiffness of the bat is low.

As a user rotates the shaft105and thus the cam member100from the first position toward a second position with increased stiffness, the relative position of the extension members130changes. More particularly, the extension members130rotate away from the grooves120having a larger diameter, and toward the grooves125having a smaller diameter. As the extension members130rotate toward the grooves125, they apply an outward force to the segments110in their circumferential portions having a smaller diameter than where the grooves120are located. This causes the segments110and thus the ring member95to expand outwardly, thus increasing the stiffness of the bat5. To alternate between the first and second positions herein, a user may simply rotate the shaft105and the cam member100in either direction to guide its extension members130from the groove125to the groove120, or vice versa.

When the extension members130reach the grooves125, the extension members130may be retained in the grooves125in a manner similar to how they are retained in the grooves120in the illustrated embodiment. In this second position, the stiffness of the bat5is increased relative to when the extension members130are retained in the adjacent grooves120. While only two groove sizes (those associated with the grooves120,125) are illustrated, in alternative embodiments, more grooves may be provided. Those grooves would allow the extension members130to be secured in a number of variable positions between the above described first and second positions.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the various embodiments of the present invention are well adapted to attain all the objectives and advantages hereinabove set forth together with still other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the present structures. It will be understood that certain features and sub-combinations of the present embodiments are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and sub-combinations. Since many possible embodiments of the present invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, it is also to be understood that all disclosures herein set forth or illustrated in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted as illustrative only and not limiting. The various constructions described above and illustrated in the drawings are presented by way of example only and are not intended to limit the concepts, principles and scope of the present invention.

As is evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the present invention are not limited by the particular details of the examples illustrated herein, and it is therefore contemplated that other modifications and applications, or equivalents thereof, will occur to those skilled in the art. The terms “having” and “including” and similar terms as used in the foregoing specification are used in the sense of “optional” or “may include” and not as “required.”

Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the present constructions will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and the accompanying drawings. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention which is limited only by the claims which follow.