Baseball or softball bat with modified restitution characteristics

Abstract

A softball or baseball bat with modified restitution characteristics is provided. The bat can comprise a substantially rigid shell coupled with a single or multi-piece insert. The shell can comprise a tip end, a barrel, a handle taper, and a handle. The insert can be press-fit or adhered to the inside of the barrel of the shell. The insert can be a single or multi-piece design and can be single or multi-layered. The insert can comprise a material capable of impact absorption. Portions of the insert can be separated from the shell with a separation layer to improve restitution in certain areas of the bat. The insert can also comprise multiple layers that are separated from each other with a separation layer to improve restitution in certain areas of the bat. The material and thickness of the insert and the shell can be varied to meet applicable restitution requirements.

1 . A method for manufacturing a batting system comprising:
 forming a substantially rigid shell comprising a barrel portion, a handle taper, and a handle portion, the barrel portion and the handle portion being substantially cylindrical in shape, the handle taper connecting the barrel portion and the handle portion;   placing an insert over an inflatable tube;   introducing the inflatable tube into the shell;   inflating the inflatable tube such that at least a portion of the insert substantially takes the shape and dimensions of at least of a portion of the inside of the shell; and   allowing the insert to harden inside the shell.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 placing a separation layer on at least a portion of the insert or at least a portion of the inside of the shell so that at least a portion of the insert does not directly contact the inside of the shell. 
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 placing one or more separation layers between two or more layers of the insert to prevent at least a portion of the two or more layers from contacting each other. 
 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the insert directly contacts the inside of the shell. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 placing an adhesive on at least a portion of the insert, at least a portion of the inside of the shell, or both, so that at least a portion of the insert is adhered to the inside of the shell by the adhesive. 
 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the adhesive is a glue sheet, and
 wherein the glue sheet is between approximately 0.10 mm and 0.12 mm thick.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable tube is shaped to vary the thickness of the insert along the length of the insert. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 heating the insert to enable at least a portion of the insert to substantially take the shape and dimensions of at least of a portion of the inside of the shell.   
     
     
         9 . A method for manufacturing a batting system comprising:
 forming a substantially rigid shell comprising a barrel portion, a handle taper, and a handle portion, the barrel portion and the handle portion being substantially cylindrical in shape, the handle taper connecting the barrel portion and the handle portion;   placing an insert over an inflatable tube;   placing a separation layer over at least a portion of the insert;   introducing the inflatable tube into the shell;   inflating the inflatable tube such that at least a portion of the insert substantially takes the shape and dimensions of at least of a portion of the inside of the shell;   wherein the separation layer separates at least a portion of the insert from contacting the shell.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 placing an adhesive on at least a portion of the insert, at least a portion of the inside of the shell, or both;   wherein at least a portion of the insert is adhered to the inside of the shell by the adhesive.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein at least a portion of the insert is in direct contact with the shell. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the barrel portion comprises a first zone, a second zone, and a third zone, the first zone disposed proximate the tip portion, the third zone disposed proximate the handle taper, and the second zone disposed between the first zone and the third zone; and
 wherein the insert is separated from the barrel by a separation film only in the third zone.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the barrel portion comprises a first zone, a second zone, and a third zone, the first zone disposed proximate the tip portion, the third zone disposed proximate the handle taper, and the second zone disposed between the first zone and the third zone; and
 wherein the insert is adhered to the shell in the first zone;   wherein the insert is in direct contact with the shell in the second zone; and   wherein the insert is separated by a separation film only in the third zone.   
     
     
         14 . A method for manufacturing a batting system comprising:
 forming a substantially rigid shell comprising a barrel portion, a handle taper, and a handle portion, the barrel portion and the handle portion being substantially cylindrical in shape, the handle taper connecting the barrel portion and the handle portion;   placing an inner insert over an inflatable tube;   placing a first separation layer over at least a portion of the inner insert;   placing an outer insert over the inner insert;   placing a second separation layer over at least a portion of the outer insert;   introducing the inflatable tube into the shell;   inflating the inflatable tube such that at least a portion of the inner and outer insert substantially take the shape and dimensions of at least of a portion of the inside of the shell;   wherein the first separation layer separates at least a portion of the inner insert from contacting the outer insert;   wherein the second separation layer separates at least a portion of the outer insert from contacting the shell.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the first separation layer separates the inner insert from the outer insert only in the third zone. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the first separation layer is disposed proximate one of the first zone, the second zone, and the third zone; and
 wherein the second separation layer is disposed proximate another one of the first zone, the second zone, and the third zone.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 placing a first adhesive layer over at least a portion of the inner insert; and   placing a second adhesive layer over at least a portion of the outer insert.