Patent ID: 8313397

Claim:
A batting tool comprising: a handle having a handle joint; a barrel having a barrel joint and a barrel joint opening at an end of the barrel joint; and a connector connecting the handle joint and barrel joint together, the barrel joint being formed as a cylindrical body that defines a terminal end face at the barrel joint opening and having: a first support hole formed proximal to the barrel joint opening; a second support hole formed distal to the barrel joint opening and having a larger diameter than the first support hole; and a receiver formed between the first and second support holes, and the connector defining a connector body disposed in the barrel joint and having: a handle connection connected to the handle joint; a first barrel connection formed on an outer periphery of the connector body and engaging with the first support hole; a second barrel connection formed on the outer periphery of the connector body and engaging with the second support hole; a stopper formed between the first and second barrel connections; a connector body extension formed as a one-piece construction with the connector body, the connector body extension being continuous to the first barrel connection so as to axially protrude beyond a terminal end face of the barrel joint; and an outer fastener including an external threading formed on an outer periphery of the connector body extension and a lock nut fastened to the external threading so that the lock nut is pressed into engagement with the terminal end face of the barrel joint, said engagement providing a direct connection of the connector body with the barrel joint and drawing the stopper toward and against the receiver so that the handle joint and barrel joint are connected.