Abstract: A holder for a detachable blade has a handle part and a blade retaining part formed by a pair of body sections pivotally connected for movement between open and closed positions. A latch member supported within the hollow handle part, and which retains the body sections in closed position, is released by manually operating an associated push button disposed in an aperture in the handle part. Coengageable clamping surfaces on the blade retaining part cooperate in clamping engagement to retain a blade in the holder when the holder is closed. A thumb rest on the blade retaining part reduces risk of accidental contact with a blade secured in the holder.

Abstract: A foam filled die cast metal baseball and softball bat has an all metal skin welded into a unit. The bat is formed by die casting the cylindrical handle and barrel of the bat in one piece and by welding an end cap to the cylindrical barrel to form the unitary skin structure of the bat. A foaming, sound-deadening and strengthening plastic material is then introduced into the hollow interior of the bat through an opening in the handle portion of the bat. The added material foams to fill the interior with a reinforcing semi-rigid foam. The bat has a steel safety rod embedded in the foam center of the bat. The end cap structure is formed of a roughly hemispherical cap and has a sleeve which fits into the interior of the barrel end of the bat. A shoulder on the cap abuts the bat end and extends outwardly radially past the periphery of the bat. The cap is joined to the barrel portion by resistance welding in a rotating lathe under an inert gas atmosphere.

Abstract: A foam filled die cast metal baseball and softball bat has an all metal skin welded into a unit. The bat is formed by die casting the cylindrical handle and barrel of the bat in one piece and by welding an end cap to the cylindrical barrel to form the unitary skin structure of the bat. A foaming, sound-deadening and strengthening plastic material is then introduced into the hollow interior of the bat through an opening in the handle portion of the bat. The added material foams to fill the interior with a reinforcing semi-rigid foam. The bat has a steel safety rod embedded in the foam center of the bat. The end cap structure is formed of a roughly hemispherical cap and has a sleeve which fits into the interior of the barrel end of the bat. A shoulder on the cap abuts the bat end and extends outwardly radially past the periphery of the bat. The cap is joined to the barrel portion by resistance welding in a rotating lathe under an inert gas atmosphere.