Patent Publication Number: US-7914404-B2

Title: Ball bat including visual indication of whether internal structural tampering with the ball bat has occurred

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     One area of concern in the ball bat industry is the purposeful tampering with, or “doctoring” of, the barrel structure by players. Doctoring typically refers to a method by which a player structurally alters a ball bat, such as a composite or aluminum bat, in a manner that increases the bat&#39;s performance, often beyond the limits of association-approved play. One common method of doctoring includes removing, via sanding or shaving, internal layers of the bat barrel. Doing so reduces the barrel&#39;s thickness, which lessens the weight of the bat and increases the radial compliance of the barrel. This increase in radial barrel compliance generally leads to an increase in the velocity of a batted ball, often beyond approved association limits. Unfortunately, it is typically very difficult to detect such internal doctoring. 
     SUMMARY 
     A ball bat includes a barrel having a radially inner surface. Graphics, or an indicator layer including graphics, that provide a visual indication of whether tampering, such as shaving, has occurred to the radially inner surface of the barrel are affixed to, applied to, or integral with the radially inner surface of the barrel. A transparent or translucent cap, or a cap including a window, is optionally attached to an end of the barrel to provide visual inspection of the internal graphics. The cap itself may additionally or alternatively include internal observable features, or external engraved or etched features, that make the cap difficult to replicate or counterfeit. Other features and advantages will appear hereinafter. The features described above can be used alone or in various combinations with one another. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings, wherein the same reference number indicates the same element throughout each of the views: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a ball bat showing a tamper-indicating layer located in the barrel of the ball bat, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a partial top-perspective view of a ball bat with the cap removed to reveal an indicator layer to which discrete tampering has occurred, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is perspective view of a ball bat including a cap with a window for providing visual inspection of a tamper-indicating layer in the ball bat, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is a top-perspective view of a tamper-resistant cap, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 4A  is a side-sectional view, taken along line A-A, of the tamper-resistant cap shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 5  is a partial-side view of bat barrel including an engraved or etched cap. 
         FIG. 5A  is a partial-side exploded view of the bat barrel and engraved or etched cap shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Various embodiments of the invention will now be described. The following description provides specific details for a thorough understanding and enabling description of these embodiments. One skilled in the art will understand, however, that the invention may be practiced without many of these details. Additionally, some well-known structures or functions may not be shown or described in detail so as to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the relevant description of the various embodiments. 
     The terminology used in the description and claims presented below is intended to be interpreted in its broadest reasonable manner, even though it is being used in conjunction with a detailed description of certain specific embodiments of the invention. Certain terms may even be emphasized below; however, any terminology intended to be interpreted in any restricted manner will be overtly and specifically defined as such in this detailed description section. 
     Where the context permits, singular or plural terms may also include the plural or singular term, respectively. Moreover, unless the word “or” is expressly limited to mean only a single item exclusive from the other items in a list of two or more items, then the use of “or” in such a list is to be interpreted as including (a) any single item in the list, (b) all of the items in the list, or (c) any combination of items in the list. 
     Turning in detail to the drawings, as shown in  FIG. 1 , a baseball or softball bat  10 , hereinafter collectively referred to as a “ball bat” or “bat,” includes a handle  12 , a barrel  14 , and a tapered section  16  joining the handle  12  to the barrel  14 . The handle  12  and barrel  14  may be separate pieces or may be integrally joined to each other via the tapered section  16 . The free end of the handle  12  includes a knob  18  or a similar structure. The barrel  14  is preferably closed off by a suitable cap  20  or plug, as shown in  FIG. 3 , for example. The interior of the bat  10  is hollow, which allows the bat  10  to be relatively lightweight so that ball players may generate substantial bat speed when swinging the bat  10 . 
     The ball bat  10  preferably has an overall length of 20 to 40 inches, more preferably 26 to 34 inches. The overall barrel diameter is preferably 2.0 to 3.0 inches, more preferably 2.25 to 2.75 inches. Typical ball bats have diameters of 2.25, 2.625, or 2.75 inches. Bats having various combinations of these overall lengths and barrel diameters, as well as any other suitable dimensions, are contemplated herein. The specific preferred combination of bat dimensions is generally dictated by the user of the bat  10 , and may vary greatly between users. 
     The ball bat  10  is preferably constructed from one or more composite or metallic materials. Some examples of suitable composite materials include fiber-reinforced glass, graphite, boron, carbon, aramid, ceramic, Kevlar, or Astroquartz®. Aluminum or another suitable metallic material may also be used to construct the ball bat  10 . A ball bat including a combination of metallic and composite materials may also be constructed. For example, a ball bat having a metal barrel and a composite handle, or a composite barrel and a metal handle, may be used in the embodiments described herein. Additionally, the ball bat  10  may include a single-wall or multi-wall barrel, as described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 7,115,054, for example, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     As schematically shown in  FIG. 1 , an indicator layer  22  including graphics is affixed to, or integral with, a radially inner surface of the barrel  14 . The graphics on the indicator layer  22  may include words, numbers, colors or any other visual elements that differ in appearance from the radially inner surface of the barrel  14  itself. As a result, removal of a portion of the indicator layer  22  provides a visual indication that tampering with the indicator layer  22 , and most likely with the radially inner surface of the barrel  14 , has occurred. If a user shaves or sands away radially inner regions of the barrel  14 , for example, portions of the indicator layer  22  that previously covered those regions of the barrel  14  will be shaved away, as well. As a result, a person viewing the radially inner surface of the barrel  14  will readily be able to observe that portions of the indicator layer  22 , and most likely portions of the barrel  14 , have been removed. 
     An example of such tampering is shown in  FIG. 2 , in which a discrete portion  24  of an instance of the term “Any Image” has been removed from the indicator layer  22  in a bat  10  from which the cap has been removed. As is clear in  FIG. 2 , a viewer can readily observe that tampering with the indicator layer  22 , and most likely with the radially inner surface of the barrel  14 , has occurred, due to the absence of the portion  24  of the term “Any Image” from the indicator layer  22 . 
     While a user who shaves or sands the radially inner surface of a bat barrel  14  to gain a performance advantage would typically remove a much greater portion of the inner surface of the barrel  14  than that which is shown in  FIG. 2 , it is preferable that the words or other graphics on the indicator layer  22  are located in close proximity to one another so that they occupy most of the surface area of the indicator layer  22 . Words such as “Do Not Remove,” “Do Not Disturb,” or “Official,” for example, may be repeatedly printed on the indicator layer  22  in close proximity to one another to provide an indication of tampering at almost any region of the indicator layer  22 . Accordingly, a user cannot easily shave or sand away barrel regions located between the words or graphics. Any suitable text or image could be used for this purpose. 
     Alternatively (or additionally), the entire indicator layer  22  may be dyed or otherwise colored in one or more hues that differ, preferably substantially, from the color of the radially inner surface of the bat barrel  14 . In this scenario, removal of any portion of the indicator layer  22  would be readily observable by a viewer, due to the stark contrast between the colors of the indicator layer  22  and the radially inner surface of the bat barrel  14 . 
     In one embodiment of a composite ball bat  10 , the indicator layer  22  is made from a porous, printable material that may be co-molded with the composite layers of the bat barrel  14 . In this embodiment, the indicator layer  22  becomes integral with the barrel structure after molding of the ball bat  10 . The porous, printable material may optionally be made of the same fiber-reinforced, composite materials used to construct the ball bat  10  such that the indicator layer  22  becomes substantially or completely homogeneous with the composite barrel  14  after the molding process. The indicator layer  22  may, for example, be a ply of fiberglass or of another fiber-reinforced material with graphics or colors applied thereon. The indicator layer  22  may alternatively be a spunbond nylon, nonwoven material, or any other material suitable for displaying words or other graphics over the radially inner surface of the bat barrel  14 . 
     The indicator layer  22  may alternatively be affixed or otherwise attached to the radially inner surface of the bat barrel  14  after the bat has been molded or formed. A sheet or sleeve of plastic, nylon, paper, or another suitable material, including printed or otherwise applied graphics, may be adhered with a strong epoxy, or otherwise affixed, to the radially inner surface of the bat barrel  14 . If epoxy or glue is used to affix the indicator sheet or sleeve to the barrel  14 , it is preferably applied over substantially the entire surface area of the sheet or sleeve to form a strong, complete bond between the sheet or sleeve and the inner barrel surface. Accordingly, a player would be effectively prevented from removing the sheet or sleeve from the barrel  14 , then shaving or sanding away portions of the barrel  14 , then replacing the sheet or sleeve over the shaved or sanded regions to hide those regions. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the indicator words or other graphics may be directly painted on or otherwise applied to the radially inner surface of the bat barrel  14 , as opposed to being embodied in or on a separate layer of material. For example, the radially inner surface of the barrel  14  may be painted or dyed one or more colors different from that of the barrel material itself. Alternatively, “non-barrel colored” words or other graphics may be written, painted, or otherwise applied to the radially inner surface of the barrel  14 . For example, the instances of “Any Text” and “Any Image” shown in  FIG. 2  may be embodied in a separate indicator layer  22 , as described above, or may be painted on or otherwise directly applied to the radially inner surface of the bat barrel  14 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , in one embodiment, the ball bat  10  includes a cap  20  that allows for visual inspection of the indicator layer  22  (or directly applied graphics) by a viewer without requiring removal of the cap  20 . In one embodiment, all or some of the cap  20  itself is transparent or translucent so that a user can view the indicator layer  22  through the cap  20 . In another embodiment, the cap may include an opening  26  through which the indicator layer  22  may be viewed. A plastic window or other transparent or translucent element is preferably positioned in, or otherwise covers, the opening  26  to prevent dust or debris from entering the interior of the ball bat  10 . 
     Additionally or alternatively, the cap  20  may be readily removable so that an umpire or other game official, for example, may quickly remove the cap  20  to inspect the integrity of the indicator layer  22  or directly applied graphics. Such a cap  20  may include threads that are threadable into corresponding threads in the free end of the barrel  14 , or may be configured to be snap-fit into a receiving element molded into the barrel  14 , or may be removably attached via any other suitable mechanism. 
     In one embodiment, an indicator layer or directly applied graphics may additionally or alternatively be included on a radially inner surface of the handle  12  of the ball bat  10 . In this scenario, the knob  18  may be transparent or translucent, or may include a window, as described above with respect to the cap  20 , to provide visual inspection of the indicator layer or directly applied graphics in the handle  12 . Alternatively or additionally, the knob may be readily removable, and may be attached in any suitable manner, such as via the mechanisms described above with respect to the cap  20 , to allow for visual inspection of the indicator layer or directly applied graphics in the handle  12 . 
     Turning to  FIGS. 4 and 4A , in another embodiment, a transparent or translucent cap  30  includes internal observable features, such as raised or embossed letters  32  or recessed letters  34 , on or in an inner section  36  of the cap  30 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , the letters of the word “Official” are embossed on and engraved into the upper and lower surfaces of the inner section  36  of the cap  30 . The observable features may alternatively include any texture, text, or image embossed on or engraved into the upper or lower surfaces of the inner section  36  such that they are visible when the cap  30  is installed in the bat  10 . 
     While the observable features may be located on or in only one of the upper and lower surfaces of the inner section  36 , it is preferable to locate the observable features on or in both the upper and lower surfaces, since such a configuration is more difficult to replicate or counterfeit. When the observable features are positioned in this manner, an observer will see the upper and lower features separate and then align as the viewing angle changes. 
     Barrel caps are often loaded with material to add weight to the end of the bat to provide a desired moment of inertia (swing weight) for a given bat model. This end load material is typically an epoxy or urethane that is poured into the cap or bat and allowed to cure in place. The end load material may be opaque or, if translucent, may have a different index of refraction than that of the transparent or translucent cap  30 , thereby allowing a viewer to readily see the observable features on or in the inner section  36  of the cap  30 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, the observable features are of a nature that is very difficult to replicate. The observable features could, for example, include very fine details, such as fine gratings or images. Text that is both engraved and embossed would also be difficult to replicate. Micro or nano-text letters, or images smaller than 0.020″ high, for example, may also be combined into macro-scale text or images. Micro or nano-text would be very difficult to replicate. Its presence, therefore, suggests that an image is authentic. 
     The ability to achieve these micro and nano features is a function of the methods used to mold (typically injection molding) the original bat caps and the melt viscosity of the material used to mold the cap. Typical materials used to mold caps, for example, polycarbonate, lexan, urethane, and nylon, can include molded features that are 0.003 inches or smaller. Casting features this small can be difficult due to the relatively high viscosity of the material and the low pressure at which the molding process occurs. Accordingly, replicating or counterfeiting caps made according to these methods, without bubble entrapment in the translucent material, is much more difficult to achieve than are current methods of making counterfeit caps in an opaque material. Indeed, casting a counterfeit cap in a transparent or translucent material, in general, is very challenging. Casting flaws, such as bubbles, striations, and sink marks, are likely to occur. Such flaws are readily observable indicators that a cap may not be a manufacturer&#39;s original cap. 
     The translucent or transparent cap  30  may alternatively include a security feature or image molded within the cap  30  between the inner section  36  and the outer section  38 . A label, decal, medallion, fibers, netting, or graphic image, for example, may be injection molded within the walls of the translucent cap  30 . A cap including such a security feature would be very difficult to replicate or counterfeit. Placement of a security hologram within the walls of the cap is also possible, though the three-dimensional effect of the hologram could be diminished due to the optical index of refraction of the cap material, which could alter the virtual position of the image. 
     To make counterfeiting of the cap  30  even more difficult, the translucent cap  30  may include alternating materials or colors. Mixing materials or textures, especially hard and soft textures, for example, would make counterfeiting very difficult. 
     Turning to  FIGS. 5 and 5A , in another embodiment, a cap  40  including engraved or etched portions  42  is attached to the bat barrel  14 . The barrel  14  includes complementary or corresponding engraved or etched portions  44 . The engraving or etching is preferably performed after the cap  40  is attached to the barrel  14  to assure proper alignment of the image details between the barrel  14  and the cap  40 . The fine detail in the image or text traversing the seam or parting line  46  between the cap  40  and the barrel  14  makes it very difficult for someone to remove the cap  40  from the barrel  14  without disturbing the alignment of the image or text. Thus, a misalignment in the image or text is an indication that the bat  10  may have been tampered with or modified. In a preferred embodiment, an attachment portion  48  of the cap  40  is adhesively bonded to a receiving element inside the barrel  14 , or directly to the radially inner surface of the barrel  14 , to prevent possible rotation or axial movement of the cap  40  during normal use. 
     The engraved or etched cap  40  may be transparent, translucent, or opaque. The cap  40  may be made of any suitable material, such as a thermoplastic or thermoset material. Some examples of suitable cap materials are urethane, acrylic, ABS, polycarbonate, PVC, nylon, or alloys of these materials. 
     The engraving or etching may be performed using one or more lasers, a machined engraving pen, a stylus, a chemical etchant, a sand blaster with a stencil that includes bead blasting, or another suitable device. The engraving or etching is preferably sufficiently deep that normal wear and tear will not remove the engraved or etched image. While the necessary depth may vary based on the specific materials used in the cap  40  and the barrel  14 , a depth of at least 0.005 inches is generally preferred. 
     The engraved regions may optionally be filled with a contrastingly colored resin or similar material for aesthetic purposes or to reduce wear. Filling the engraved regions with a contrasting color material would also make it more difficult for a counterfeiter to cast a mold to replicate the engraving. 
     Any of the above-described embodiments may be used alone or in combination with one another. For example, a ball bat  10  may include an indicator layer  22  or directly applied graphics on the radially inner surface of the barrel  14 , and may further include a transparent or translucent cap  30  including internal observable features. The cap  30  may optionally further include an opening  26  covered by a window. Such an opening  26  would preferably provide a large enough field of view for an observer to be able to see past the internal observable features into the interior of the bat  10 , thereby allowing the observer to view the indicator layer  22  or directly applied graphics through the opening  26 . The cap may also include engraved or etched portions that align with corresponding engraved or etched portions in the barrel  14 . Any combination of these features may be included in the ball bat  10 . 
     Any of the tamper-indicating caps  30  or  40  described herein are preferably made of a substantially rigid or brittle material, such as a polycarbon or other high modulus material, such that it is difficult to remove the cap  30  or  40  without damaging or breaking the cap  30  or  40 . The caps  30  or  40  are preferably attached to the barrel  14  via a snap-fit or an adhesive, such as a strong epoxy. Thus, if a player removes the rigid or brittle cap (with the intention of shaving or sanding the internal barrel surface, for example), the cap  30  or  40  will crack or break, and the player will not be able to effectively replace the cap in the barrel  14 . Furthermore, because the observable or etched features of the cap  30  or  40  are difficult to replicate or counterfeit, the player will likely not be able to attain a suitable counterfeit cap to replace the original cap  30  or  40 . Accordingly, the presence of an unoriginal or “unofficial” cap in a bat barrel  14  will provide evidence that tampering with the inner surface of the barrel  14  may have occurred. 
     The ball bats described herein provide an observable indication of whether tampering has occurred with the internal bat structure or the barrel cap. As a result, users of the ball bats should be deterred from shaving or sanding away internal layers of the bats, thus helping to maintain the bats within association performance limits. 
     While several embodiments have been shown and described, various changes and substitutions may of course be made, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The invention, therefore, should not be limited, except by the following claims and their equivalents.