Abstract: A multi-piece ball bat includes a first section including a hitting portion, and a second section including a handle portion. A flexible joint connects the first section to the second section. The flexible joint may be a structural joint, such as a spring member, a mechanical locking joint, or a pneumatic or hydraulic joint, or it may be a non-uniform and/or non-continuous elastomeric joint.

Abstract: A ball bat exhibits improved barrel performance in regions located away from the “sweet spot” of the bat barrel, as a result of strategic placement of interface shear control zones (“ISCZs”) in the barrel. The ball bat includes a barrel having a first region adjacent to the tapered section of the ball bat, a second region adjacent to the free end of the barrel, and a third region located between the first and second regions, that includes the sweet spot of the barrel. The first and second regions each include at least one interface shear control zone. The third region includes at least one fewer interface shear control zone than at least one of the first and second regions. ISCZs may also be strategically placed in the bat handle and/or the tapered section of the ball bat to improve the compliance and overall performance of the ball bat.

Abstract: A composite ball bat includes an exposed region of transparent or translucent material, which provides a visual indication of whether delamination has occurred in the ball bat. As a result, an observer can determine, via visual inspection, whether delamination has occurred, and, if it has, can remove the bat from regulated play.

Abstract: A ball bat exhibits improved barrel performance in regions located away from the “sweet spot” of the bat barrel, as a result of strategic placement of interface shear control zones (“ISCZs”) in the barrel. The ball bat includes a barrel having a first region adjacent to the tapered section of the ball bat, a second region adjacent to the free end of the barrel, and a third region located between the first and second regions, that includes the sweet spot of the barrel. The first and second regions each include at least one interface shear control zone. The third region includes at least one fewer interface shear control zone than at least one of the first and second regions. ISCZs may also be strategically placed in the bat handle and/or the tapered section of the ball bat to improve the compliance and overall performance of the ball bat.

Abstract: A ball bat exhibits improved barrel performance in regions located away from the “sweet spot” of the bat barrel, as a result of strategic placement of interface shear control zones (“ISCZs”) in the barrel. The ball bat includes a barrel having a first region adjacent to the tapered section of the ball bat, a second region adjacent to the free end of the barrel, and a third region located between the first and second regions, that includes the sweet spot of the barrel. The first and second regions each include at least one interface shear control zone. The third region includes at least one fewer interface shear control zone than at least one of the first and second regions. ISCZs may also be strategically placed in the bat handle and/or the tapered section of the ball bat to improve the compliance and overall performance of the ball bat.

Abstract: A ball bat exhibits improved barrel performance in regions located away from the “sweet spot” of the bat barrel, as a result of strategic placement of interface shear control zones (“ISCZs”) in the barrel. The ball bat includes a barrel having a first region adjacent to the tapered section of the ball bat, a second region adjacent to the free end of the barrel, and a third region located between the first and second regions, that includes the sweet spot of the barrel. The first and second regions each include at least one interface shear control zone. The third region includes at least one fewer interface shear control zone than at least one of the first and second regions. ISCZs may also be strategically placed in the bat handle and/or the tapered section of the ball bat to improve the compliance and overall performance of the ball bat.

Abstract: A multi-piece ball bat includes a first section including a hitting portion, and a second section including a handle portion. A flexible joint connects the first section to the second section. The flexible joint may be a structural joint, such as a spring member, a mechanical locking joint, or a pneumatic or hydraulic joint, or it may be a non-uniform and/or non-continuous elastomeric joint.

Abstract: A ball bat exhibits improved barrel performance in regions located away from the “sweet spot” of the bat barrel, as a result of strategic placement of interface shear control zones (“ISCZs”) in the barrel. The ball bat includes a barrel having a first region adjacent to the tapered section of the ball bat, a second region adjacent to the free end of the barrel, and a third region located between the first and second regions, that includes the sweet spot of the barrel. The first and second regions each include at least one interface shear control zone. The third region includes at least one fewer interface shear control zone than at least one of the first and second regions. ISCZs may also be strategically placed in the bat handle and/or the tapered section of the ball bat to improve the compliance and overall performance of the ball bat.

Abstract: A ball bat exhibits improved barrel performance in regions located away from the “sweet spot” of the bat barrel, as a result of strategic placement of interface shear control zones (“ISCZs”) in the barrel. The ball bat includes a barrel having a first region adjacent to the tapered section of the ball bat, a second region adjacent to the free end of the barrel, and a third region located between the first and second regions, that includes the sweet spot of the barrel. The first and second regions each include at least one interface shear control zone. The third region includes at least one fewer interface shear control zone than at least one of the first and second regions. ISCZs may also be strategically placed in the bat handle and/or the tapered section of the ball bat to improve the compliance and overall performance of the ball bat.

Abstract: A composite ball bat includes one or more dampening elements located primarily at or near one or more vibration anti-nodes of the ball bat to provide vibration dampening and improved bat “feel.” The dampening elements may be made of viscoelastic and/or elastomeric materials, and/or other vibration-attenuating materials, and may be located in the barrel, the handle, and/or the tapered or transition region of the ball bat.

Abstract: A ball bat exhibits improved barrel performance in regions located away from the “sweet spot” of the bat barrel, as a result of strategic placement of interface shear control zones (“ISCZs”) in the barrel. The ball bat includes a barrel having a first region adjacent to the tapered section of the ball bat, a second region adjacent to the free end of the barrel, and a third region located between the first and second regions, that includes the sweet spot of the barrel. The first and second regions each include at least one interface shear control zone. The third region includes at least one fewer interface shear control zone than at least one of the first and second regions. ISCZs may also be strategically placed in the bat handle and/or the tapered section of the ball bat to improve the compliance and overall performance of the ball bat.

Abstract: A ball bat exhibits minimal strain energy losses associated with bat-ball collisions by employing one or more integral interface shear control zones (ISCZs) in the bat barrel, and/or by the selection and placement of specific composite materials with respect to the neutral axes in the barrel walls.

Abstract: A ball bat includes a barrel having a substantially cylindrical outer wall including a first material located radially outwardly from a neutral axis of the outer wall, and a second material located radially inwardly from the neutral axis of the outer wall. The barrel further includes a substantially cylindrical inner wall located within the outer wall and including a third material located radially outwardly from a neutral axis of the inner wall, and a fourth material located radially inwardly from the neutral axis of the inner wall. The first and third materials each have a specific energy storage in compression of at least 2000 psi, and the second and fourth materials each have a tensile modulus of at least 18 million psi. The ball bat exhibits excellent performance and durability characteristics.

Abstract: A ball bat includes a barrel, a handle, and a tapered section joining the barrel to the handle. The barrel includes an outer wall and an interface section located within the outer wall. The interface section includes one or more layers of non-resin-impregnated fabric sandwiched between a plurality of resin-impregnated composite layers. A method of constructing a ball bat includes the steps of placing a substantially cylindrical layer of fabric between a plurality of resin-impregnated layers to form an interface section. The interface section is placed between a plurality of substantially cylindrical outer wall sections made up of a plurality of composite plies. Heat and pressure are applied to the interface section and the composite plies to induce a flow of resin from the resin-impregnated layers into the fabric layer, and to form an integral bat barrel. The interface section provides added durability and “trampoline effect” to bat.

Abstract: A ball bat includes a barrel, a handle, and a tapered section joining the barrel to the handle. The barrel includes an outer wall and an interface section located within the outer wall. The interface section includes one or more layers of non-resin-impregnated fabric sandwiched between a plurality of resin-impregnated composite layers. A method of constructing a ball bat includes the steps of placing a substantially cylindrical layer of fabric between a plurality of resin-impregnated layers to form an interface section. The interface section is placed between a plurality of substantially cylindrical outer wall sections made up of a plurality of composite plies. Heat and pressure are applied to the interface section and the composite plies to induce a flow of resin from the resin-impregnated layers into the fabric layer, and to form an integral bat barrel. The interface section provides added durability and “trampoline effect” to the bat.

Abstract: A ball bat includes a barrel having a substantially cylindrical outer wall including a first material located radially outwardly from a neutral axis of the outer wall, and a second material located radially inwardly from the neutral axis of the outer wall. The barrel further includes a substantially cylindrical inner wall located within the outer wall and including a third material located radially outwardly from a neutral axis of the inner wall, and a fourth material located radially inwardly from the neutral axis of the inner wall. The first and third materials each have a specific energy storage in compression of at east 2000 psi, and the second and fourth materials each have a tensile modulus of at least 18 million psi. The ball bat exhibits excellent performance and durability characteristics.