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 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 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 ball bat includes a barrel wall with perforations positioned within a ball striking area of the bat. Perforations may extend through all or part of the barrel wall. In some embodiments, a filler material may be positioned in the perforations, or a cover element may be positioned over the perforations, to form a generally flush surface between the filler material and a surface of the barrel wall. Filler material may be less dense than material forming the remainder of the barrel wall. In some embodiments, a barrel wall may include a plurality of layers of composite laminate material. One or more of the layers may have perforations positioned radially between the other layers. In some embodiments, the perforations in the composite laminate material may be generally aligned to form a larger perforation extending through all or part of the barrel wall.

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 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: 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 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: 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 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 ball bat includes a first bat portion (such as a barrel portion) and a second bat portion (such as a handle). The portions may be spaced apart along the bat's longitudinal axis. A joint connects the first and second bat portions. The joint may be positioned at or near, or centered about, a location of maximum vibration, such as an antinode of the bat. The joint may include a filler material (such as an elastomeric material) at least partially surrounding a rod element. The filler material and the rod element may span a gap between the first and second bat portions. The filler material and the rod element may extend into the first bat portion or the second bat portion. A cover material may be positioned around the filler material. The joint may form a structural link between the bat portions and it may be configured to absorb vibration.

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 sporting good implement, such as a hockey stick or ball bat, includes a main body. The main body may be formed from multiple layers of a structural material, such as a fiber-reinforced composite material. One or more microlattice structures may be positioned between layers of the structural material. One or more microlattice structures may additionally or alternatively be used to form the core of a sporting good implement, such as a hockey-stick blade. The microlattice structures improve the performance, strength, or feel of the sporting good implement.

Abstract: A sporting good implement, such as a hockey stick or ball bat, includes a main body. The main body may be formed from multiple layers of a structural material, such as a fiber-reinforced composite material. One or more microlattice structures may be positioned between layers of the structural material. One or more microlattice structures may additionally or alternatively be used to form the core of a sporting good implement, such as a hockey-stick blade. The microlattice structures improve the performance, strength, or feel of the sporting good implement.

Abstract: A sporting good implement, such as a hockey stick or ball bat, includes a main body. The main body may be formed from multiple layers of a structural material, such as a fiber-reinforced composite material. One or more microlattice structures may be positioned between layers of the structural material. One or more microlattice structures may additionally or alternatively be used to form the core of a sporting good implement, such as a hockey-stick blade. The microlattice structures improve the performance, strength, or feel of the sporting good implement.

Abstract: A ball bat includes a first bat portion (such as a barrel portion) and a second bat portion (such as a handle). The portions may be spaced apart along the bat's longitudinal axis. A joint connects the first and second bat portions. The joint may be positioned at or near, or centered about, a location of maximum vibration, such as an antinode of the bat. The joint may include a filler material (such as an elastomeric material) at least partially surrounding a rod element. The filler material and the rod element may span a gap between the first and second bat portions. The filler material and the rod element may extend into the first bat portion or the second bat portion. A cover material may be positioned around the filler material. The joint may form a structural link between the bat portions and it may be configured to absorb vibration.

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 ball bat includes a first bat portion (such as a barrel portion) and a second bat portion (such as a handle). The portions may be spaced apart along the bat's longitudinal axis. A joint connects the first and second bat portions. The joint may be positioned at or near, or centered about, a location of maximum vibration, such as an antinode of the bat. The joint may include a filler material (such as an elastomeric material) at least partially surrounding a rod element. The filler material and the rod element may span a gap between the first and second bat portions. The filler material and the rod element may extend into the first bat portion or the second bat portion. A cover material may be positioned around the filler material. The joint may form a structural link between the bat portions and it may be configured to absorb vibration.

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 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.