Adjustable Bat
A method is provided. A center of mass of the bat is calculated based at least in part on the physical characteristics, the length, and the drop. A first and second mass distribution for an insert having a central axis and a length is calculated based at least in part on the calculated center of mass. The first mass distribution is symmetric about the central axis along the entire length, and the second mass distribution includes a first density for at least one low mass region and a second density for a high mass region with the second density is greater than the first density. Then, the insert is 3D printing based at least in part on the first and second mass distributions.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/131,463, which is entitled “ADJUSTABLE BAT,” which was filed on Dec. 29, 2020, and which is incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe invention relates generally to a bat and, more particularly, to an adjustable bat.
BACKGROUNDTo date, choices among baseball bats for players has been a matter of speculation. Oftentimes, players or parents would pose the question of: “which bat should I buy?” And, there was no good answer. However, that is no long true with the advent of the WHICHBAT® engine. As a result of this leap forward, there is a need for bats that can more precisely match the player.
SUMMARYAn embodiment of the present disclosure, accordingly, provides an apparatus. The apparatus comprising: a generally hollow bat core having: a knob; a handle that extends from the knob, wherein the handle is generally coaxial with the knob; a joint that extends from the handle, wherein the joint is generally coaxial with the handle; a barrel core having a first end and a second end, wherein the barrel core extends from the joint at its first end, wherein the joint is generally coaxial with the joint, and wherein the second end of the barrel core includes threads; a shell having an inner portion and an outer portion that are generally coaxial with one another and joined with one another at a junction, wherein the shell has an inner recess that is dimensioned to engage the barrel core, and wherein there is an outer recess between the inner portion and the outer portion, and wherein the inner portion is secured to the barrel core along at least a portion of its length; an insert that is dimensioned to be received into the outer recess of the shell, wherein the insert is secured to the shell, and wherein the insert is generally coaxial with the shell along its central axis, and wherein the insert has a symmetric mass distribution about its central axis along its entire length, and wherein the insert has a non-linear mass distribution along its length with a high mass region and a low mass region, and wherein the high mass region has a density that is larger than a density of the low mass region; and a barrel body having a first end and a second end, wherein the barrel body includes a receptacle at the first end that is adapted to engage the joint of the bat core, and wherein the barrel body is generally hollow and dimensioned to engage the outer portion of the shell, and wherein the receptacle is secured to the joint.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the barrel core includes a threaded portion along at least a portion of the that is configured to engage the inner portion of the shell.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the joint is threaded.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the bat core and barrel body are comprised of aluminum.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the shell is comprised of a polymer.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the insert is comprised of a 3D printed polymer.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the density of the high mass region that is between 1.5 and 10 times larger than the density of the low mass region.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the receptacle is brazed or glued to the joint.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the receptacle and the joint are secured by threads.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method is provided. The method for making a bat for a player with physical characteristics, wherein the bat has a drop and length, the method comprising: calculating a center of mass of the bat based at least in part on the physical characteristics, the length, and the drop, wherein the physical characteristics include height and weight; calculating a first and second mass distribution for an insert having a central axis and a length based at least in part on the calculated center of mass, wherein the first mass distribution is symmetric about the central axis along the entire length, and wherein the second mass distribution includes a first density for at least one low mass region and a second density for a high mass region, wherein the second density is greater than the first density; and 3D printing the insert based at least in part on the first and second mass distributions.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, 3D printing further comprises stereolithography.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the second density is between 1.5 and 10 times greater than the first density.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the steps of calculating the center of mass and calculating the first and second mass distributions are calculated by a station that is in communication with a 3D printer, where performs the step of 3D printing, and wherein the method further comprises: generating a geometry for the insert based at least in part on the first and second mass distributions by the station; generating a 3D print file based at least in part on the geometry by the station; and transmitting the 3D print file from the station to the 3D printer.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the station is a server.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the server is a first server, and wherein the 3D printer includes a second server.
For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Refer now to the drawings wherein depicted elements are, for the sake of clarity, not necessarily shown to scale and wherein like or similar elements are designated by the same reference numeral through the several views.
In
Turning now to the bat core 102, examples can be seen in
In
Now turning to
The positioning high and low mass region(s)—as well as their respective densities—can be a function of the batter. Each batter is different and should require a slightly different bat to achieve performance approaching optimal. Determining the configuration of the shell 106 can be achieve through a manufacturing system—an example of which can be seen in
Finally, turning to
Having thus described the present disclosure by reference to certain of its preferred embodiments, it is noted that the embodiments disclosed are illustrative rather than limiting in nature and that a wide range of variations, modifications, changes, and substitutions are contemplated in the foregoing disclosure and, in some instances, some features of the present disclosure may be employed without a corresponding use of the other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the invention.
Claims
1. An apparatus comprising:
- a generally hollow bat core having: a knob; a handle that extends from the knob, wherein the handle is generally coaxial with the knob; a joint that extends from the handle, wherein the joint is generally coaxial with the handle; a barrel core having a first end and a second end, wherein the barrel core extends from the joint at its first end, wherein the joint is generally coaxial with the joint, and wherein the second end of the barrel core includes threads;
- a shell having an inner portion and an outer portion that are generally coaxial with one another and joined with one another at a junction, wherein the shell has an inner recess that is dimensioned to engage the barrel core, and wherein there is an outer recess between the inner portion and the outer portion, and wherein the inner portion is secured to the barrel core along at least a portion of its length;
- an insert that is dimensioned to be received into the outer recess of the shell, wherein the insert is secured to the shell, and wherein the insert is generally coaxial with the shell along its central axis, and wherein the insert has a symmetric mass distribution about its central axis along its entire length, and wherein the insert has a non-linear mass distribution along its length with a high mass region and a low mass region, and wherein the high mass region has a density that is larger than a density of the low mass region; and
- a barrel body having a first end and a second end, wherein the barrel body includes a receptacle at the first end that is adapted to engage the joint of the bat core, and wherein the barrel body is generally hollow and dimensioned to engage the outer portion of the shell, and wherein the receptacle is secured to the joint.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the barrel core includes a threaded portion along at least a portion of the that is configured to engage the inner portion of the shell.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the joint is threaded.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bat core and barrel body are comprised of aluminum.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the shell is comprised of a polymer.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the insert is comprised of a 3D printed polymer.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the density of the high mass region that is between 1.5 and 10 times larger than the density of the low mass region.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the receptacle is brazed or glued to the joint.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the receptacle and the joint are secured by threads.
10. A method for making a bat for a player with physical characteristics, wherein the bat has a drop and length, the method comprising:
- calculating a center of mass of the bat based at least in part on the physical characteristics, the length, and the drop, wherein the physical characteristics include height and weight;
- calculating a first and second mass distribution for an insert having a central axis and a length based at least in part on the calculated center of mass, wherein the first mass distribution is symmetric about the central axis along the entire length, and wherein the second mass distribution includes a first density for at least one low mass region and a second density for a high mass region, wherein the second density is greater than the first density; and
- 3D printing the insert based at least in part on the first and second mass distributions.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein 3D printing further comprises stereolithography.
12. The method of claim 10, wherein the second density is between 1.5 and 10 times greater than the first density.
13. The method of claim 10, wherein the steps of calculating the center of mass and calculating the first and second mass distributions are calculated by a station that is in communication with a 3D printer, where performs the step of 3D printing, and wherein the method further comprises:
- generating a geometry for the insert based at least in part on the first and second mass distributions by the station;
- generating a 3D print file based at least in part on the geometry by the station; and
- transmitting the 3D print file from the station to the 3D printer.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the station is a server.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the server is a first server, and wherein the 3D printer includes a second server.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 29, 2021
Publication Date: Jun 30, 2022
Inventors: John Jeffery Patti (College Station, TX), Steven Scott Pershern (Missouri City, TX)
Application Number: 17/564,963