Abstract: A ball bat includes outer shell segments longitudinally spaced apart from each other to form a gap between them. A joint connects the segments. A first outer shell segment may include a barrel portion of the ball bat and at least part of a tapered portion of the ball bat. A second outer shell segment may include at least part of the tapered portion. The joint may include a tubular element having a first portion positioned within the first outer shell segment and at least partially overlapping an interior surface of the first outer shell segment, and a second portion positioned within the second outer shell segment and at least partially overlapping an interior surface of the second outer shell segment. The tubular element may include an elastomeric material. In some embodiments, the joint may be formed by an elastomeric material connecting the outer shell segments in the gap.

Abstract: A batting helmet system includes sockets facing the interior region of the helmet shell to receive clip elements for holding a chin strap or to receive plate elements for supporting a face protector. A clip element includes a base portion, a hook portion extending from the base portion, and a projection positioned on an end of the hook portion and extending toward the base portion. The base portion may include a strap retainer. When the clip element is installed, the clip element extends from the interior of the helmet to the exterior of the helmet through an opening in the helmet shell, so that the strap retainer is positioned outside the helmet shell. A face protector may include plate elements for positioning in one or more of the sockets. Plate elements and sockets may have corresponding geometries that limit rotation of the face protector relative to the helmet shell.

Abstract: Gear hooks may be attached to the exterior of a bag, such as a sports bag, to carry gear outside of the bag. In some embodiments, a gear hook may include a base portion, an attachment portion extending from the base portion, a neck portion extending transversely from the base portion, and an arm portion extending transversely from the neck portion. The arm portion may be spaced apart from the base portion to form a gap configured to receive one or more objects (gear) for carrying the one or more objects on the outside of the bag. The attachment portion may be stitched into or onto the bag. In some embodiments, the attachment portion may include a flange extending outwardly from the base portion and generally parallel to the base portion. In some embodiments, the attachment portion may include a spine extending transversely from the base portion.

Abstract: A ball bat includes a barrel portion, a handle portion, and a joint connecting the handle portion to the barrel portion. In some embodiments, the joint includes a releasable connector configured to releasably connect the barrel portion to the handle portion. In some embodiments, the joint includes two releasable connectors to releasably connect the barrel portion to the handle portion. The ball bat may include a flexible rod element positioned between the two releasable connectors. The rod element may include an elastomeric material. In some embodiments, the ball bat may further include a safety connector between the barrel portion and the handle portion or a releasable connector may include a threaded connection to resist release of the releasable connector. In some embodiments, the joint may include a rotatable element for adjusting flex.

Abstract: A method of making a ball bat may include forming a bat frame with a handle and an inner barrel structure, providing spacer elements extending radially outwardly from the inner barrel structure, and forming a barrel shell having a main barrel and a tapered section. An inner diameter in the tapered section may be equal to an outer diameter of a first one of the spacer elements. The method may include mechanically locking the barrel shell to the bat frame by passing the handle through the barrel shell and moving the barrel shell toward the inner barrel structure until the barrel shell contacts the first one of the spacer elements. A gap is maintained between an outer diameter of the inner barrel structure and the barrel shell. The barrel shell may deflect during a hit to create a trampoline effect, while the inner barrel structure limits the deflection.

Abstract: A chest protector includes a protective vest portion and a harness portion to hold the vest portion on a user. The harness portion includes a first side strap and a second side strap, each of the first and second side straps being connected to the vest portion on opposing sides of the vest portion; a first slide connected to the first side strap; a second slide connected to the second side strap; a central strap passing through the first slide and the second slide and forming a loop connecting the first and second slides; a vertical strap connected to the central strap; and a strap adjuster connecting the vest portion and the vertical strap. The vertical strap passes through the strap adjuster and a free end of the vertical strap can be pulled to tighten the harness portion around a user. The vertical strap may be the only adjustable strap.

Abstract: A batting helmet system includes sockets facing the interior region of the helmet shell to receive clip elements for holding a chin strap or to receive plate elements for supporting a face protector. A clip element includes a base portion, a hook portion extending from the base portion, and a projection positioned on an end of the hook portion and extending toward the base portion. The base portion may include a strap retainer. When the clip element is installed, the clip element extends from the interior of the helmet to the exterior of the helmet through an opening in the helmet shell, so that the strap retainer is positioned outside the helmet shell. A face protector may include plate elements for positioning in one or more of the sockets. Plate elements and sockets may have corresponding geometries that limit rotation of the face protector relative to the helmet shell.

Abstract: An end-cap assembly is configured to be attached to a distal end of a barrel of a ball bat. In some embodiments, the end-cap assembly includes a sprung-mass portion, a base portion, and one or more flexible members connecting the sprung-mass portion to the base portion. The sprung-mass portion is movable relative to the base portion along one or more directions, such as one or more directions transverse to the longitudinal axis of the ball bat. A ball bat may include a handle, a barrel attached to the handle, and an end-cap assembly attached to the barrel. The end-cap assembly may include a sprung-mass portion, a base portion, and one or more flexible members connecting the sprung-mass portion to the base portion to allow the sprung-mass portion to move relative to the distal end of the ball bat.

Abstract: Representative embodiments of the present technology may include a ball bat with a handle, a barrel attached to or continuous with the handle along a longitudinal axis of the bat, and a reduced-durability region positioned in the barrel. The reduced-durability region may include two adjacent stacks of composite laminate plies, wherein the stacks are spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal axis to form a first gap therebetween. A separation ply may be positioned in the first gap between the stacks. The separation ply may include a non-woven mat material. At least one cap ply element may be positioned around an end of one of the stacks. In some embodiments, an axis of the first gap is oriented at an oblique angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the bat.

Abstract: An end-cap assembly for a ball bat or other sporting-good implement includes one or more removable weights, so that the weight of the end cap—and of the ball bat—may be adjusted. The one or more weights may reside in a receiving space or recess in an end-cap cup of the end-cap assembly. A fastener removably attaches the one or more weights to the end-cap cup. In some embodiments, the fastener may include threads that engage threads in a bore in the end-cap cup.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing a shell for a batting helmet includes interchangeable mold-core portions configured to form a cavity for receiving molding material. The mold-core portions include a first base mold-core portion and a plurality of inner side mold-core portions configured to form an interior contour of the shell. The mold-core portions further include a second base mold-core portion and a plurality of outer mold-core portions configured to form an exterior contour of the shell. Mold-core portions are interchangeable, removable, and replaceable from an interlocked position relative to other mold-core portions. A method of manufacturing batting helmet shells includes selecting mold-core portions corresponding to various helmet shell configurations having various protective features, assembling the mold-core portions into a mold assembly, and providing molding material into a cavity in the mold assembly.

Abstract: A ball bat includes a barrel portion, a handle portion, and a joint connecting the handle portion to the barrel portion. In some embodiments, the joint includes a releasable connector configured to releasably connect the barrel portion to the handle portion. In some embodiments, the joint includes two releasable connectors to releasably connect the barrel portion to the handle portion. The ball bat may include a flexible rod element positioned between the two releasable connectors. The rod element may include an elastomeric material. In some embodiments, the ball bat may further include a safety connector between the barrel portion and the handle portion or a releasable connector may include a threaded connection to resist release of the releasable connector. In some embodiments, the joint may include a rotatable element for adjusting flex.

Abstract: A ball bat includes a barrel wall with a composite laminate structure that includes an outwardly facing skin, an inwardly facing skin, a stack of composite laminate plies positioned between the outwardly facing skin and the inwardly facing skin, and a discontinuity in the stack forming a gap along a longitudinal axis of the bat. A rigid or semi-rigid appliance may be positioned in the gap. The appliance may be a ring element, which may have a cross-section that traverses the composite laminate plies in the stack in a direction that is perpendicular or oblique to the longitudinal axis of the bat. The cross-section of the ring element may be triangular. A second ring element may be positioned in the barrel wall. The second ring element may be connected to the other ring element with an adhesive bond or a connecting element.

Abstract: A chest protector includes a structure for protecting at least a portion of a cardiac silhouette of a user. The structure may include a base assembly, a pivot plate assembly, and a fulcrum block positioned between the pivot plate assembly and the base assembly. The pivot plate assembly is positioned to pivot on the fulcrum block. In some embodiments, the pivot plate assembly and the fulcrum block may include compressible and resilient material. The structure may be shaped, sized, and positioned to coextend with a region of the user's cardiac silhouette. In some embodiments, the pivot plate assembly includes two pivot plate portions oriented at an angle relative to one another. The pivot plate portions may be connected with a flexible hinge, such as a living hinge.

Abstract: A ball bat may include a barrel wall formed at least in part by a plurality of concentric first composite laminate layers and a plurality of second composite laminate layers oriented transverse to the first composite laminate layers. In some embodiments, a ball bat may include composite material with a plurality of fibers oriented along a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the bat.

Abstract: A barrel of a ball bat may include a composite laminate with a plurality of composite plies. One or more translaminar elements may pass through the composite plies and around a circumference of the barrel to reduce relative movement between the plies. The translaminar elements may include a first line of stitching, which may include aramid fiber. In some embodiments, the first line of stitching forms two or more coils around the barrel. Lines of stitching may be positioned on opposing sides of a center of percussion of the ball bat. In some embodiments, the translaminar elements may include a line of staples distributed around the circumference of the barrel. A method of making a ball bat may include arranging plies of composite material to form a cylinder, passing a first translaminar element through the plies, and curing the assembly of plies to form a barrel of the ball bat.

Abstract: A ball bat includes outer shell segments longitudinally spaced apart from each other to form a gap between them. A joint connects the segments. A first outer shell segment may include a barrel portion of the ball bat and at least part of a tapered portion of the ball bat. A second outer shell segment may include at least part of the tapered portion. The joint may include a tubular element having a first portion positioned within the first outer shell segment and at least partially overlapping an interior surface of the first outer shell segment, and a second portion positioned within the second outer shell segment and at least partially overlapping an interior surface of the second outer shell segment. The tubular element may include an elastomeric material. In some embodiments, the joint may be formed by an elastomeric material connecting the outer shell segments in the gap.

Abstract: A nano-enhanced matrix material includes a matrix film carrying one or more nano-additives. The nano-additives may be oriented transversely relative to the matrix film. A composite structure includes a plurality of composite laminate plies and one or more matrix films carrying one or more nano-additive materials, the matrix films being positioned between composite laminate plies. Composite structures may include ball bats, and the matrix films with nano-additive materials may be positioned in selected portions of ball bats, such as wherever improved strength or resistance to fatigue is desired.

Abstract: A method of making a ball bat may include forming a bat frame with a handle and an inner barrel structure, providing spacer elements extending radially outwardly from the inner barrel structure, and forming a barrel shell having a main barrel and a tapered section. An inner diameter in the tapered section may be equal to an outer diameter of a first one of the spacer elements. The method may include mechanically locking the barrel shell to the bat frame by passing the handle through the barrel shell and moving the barrel shell toward the inner barrel structure until the barrel shell contacts the first one of the spacer elements. A gap is maintained between an outer diameter of the inner barrel structure and the barrel shell. The barrel shell may deflect during a hit to create a trampoline effect, while the inner barrel structure limits the deflection.