Bat with filled exterior grooves

Abstract

A barrel of a ball bat for striking a ball. The bat itself may comprise a longitudinal axis, a handle, and the barrel. The barrel includes a ball impact area formed by a barrel portion and a transition section. A point of maximum performance is located within the ball impact area along the barrel. The barrel may also include an end cap. The barrel portion has a first outer diameter, with the diameter tapering from the barrel portion towards the attachment end of the transition section. There is at least one annular ring, formed from a material having a density lower than that of aluminum, which is positioned along the ball impact area. The annular ring has a third diameter that is flush with the first outer diameter.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A barrel for a ball bat, the barrel comprising:
 a barrel portion and a transition section, the barrel portion having a first outer diameter and the transition section having a tapering outer diameter that tapers from the barrel portion toward an attachment end of the transition section;   a ball impact area extending from an end-cap end of the barrel portion along the barrel portion and extending along at least a portion of the transition section, wherein the ball impact area has a first thickness measured between a first final surface and an inner surface of the ball impact area;   at least one exterior groove positioned along the ball impact area, said at least one exterior groove having a second thickness measured between a first step surface and the inner surface of the ball impact area, wherein the second thickness is less than the first thickness, thereby creating a first step;   wherein at least one exterior groove is filled with a material having a density lower than that of aluminum.   
     
     
         2 . The barrel of  claim 1  wherein a depth of the exterior groove is between about 0.01 and 0.11 inches. 
     
     
         3 . The barrel of  claim 1  wherein a width of the exterior groove is between about 0.25 and 3 inches. 
     
     
         4 . The barrel of  claim 1  wherein there are two exterior grooves. 
     
     
         5 . The barrel of  claim 1  wherein at least two opposing side walls of the exterior groove are perpendicular to the first final surface. 
     
     
         6 . The barrel of  claim 1  wherein the exterior groove includes at least a second step;
 wherein the second step has a third thickness measured between a second step surface and the inner surface of the ball impact area, wherein the third thickness is less than the second thickness. 
 
     
     
         7 . The barrel of  claim 1  wherein the material having a density lower than that of aluminum is a composite material selected from the group consisting of carbon fiber, glass fiber, thermoplastic, surlyn, and polyethylene. 
     
     
         8 . The barrel of  claim 2  wherein the width of the exterior groove is between about 0.25 and 3 inches. 
     
     
         9 . The barrel of  claim 1  wherein the first thickness varies over the ball impact area, and wherein the second thickness of a said exterior groove is less than the first thickness of the ball impact area immediately adjacent the said exterior groove. 
     
     
         10 . A barrel for a ball bat, the barrel comprising:
 a barrel portion, a transition section, and a longitudinal axis extending through said barrel portion and said transition section;   said barrel portion having a first outer diameter and the transition section having a tapering outer diameter from the barrel portion toward an attachment end of the transition section;   a ball impact area extending from an end-cap end of the barrel portion along the barrel portion and extending along at least a portion of the transition section, wherein the ball impact area has a first final surface;   at least two opposing side walls extending radially inwards towards the longitudinal axis;   a first step surface extending between said opposing side walls;   said opposing side walls each having a proximal end and a distal end;
 wherein the distal end of each side wall extends from the first final surface; 
 wherein the proximal end of each side wall extends from the first step surface; 
   wherein a material having a density lower than that of aluminum is positioned between said opposing side walls above the first step surface;   wherein said material forms a second final surface that is flush with first final surface of the barrel portion.   
     
     
         11 . The barrel of  claim 10  wherein the opposing side walls have a length between about 0.01 and 0.11 inches. 
     
     
         12 . The barrel of  claim 10  wherein the first step surface has a length between about 0.25 and 3 inches. 
     
     
         13 . The barrel of  claim 10  wherein the opposing side walls form a first groove;
 wherein a second groove is also provided. 
 
     
     
         14 . A barrel for a ball bat, the barrel comprising:
 a barrel portion and a transition section, the barrel portion having a first outer diameter and the transition section tapering from the barrel portion toward an attachment end of the transition section;   a ball impact area extending from an end-cap end of the barrel portion along the barrel portion and extending along at least a portion of the transition section;   at least one annular ring, formed from a material having a density lower than that of aluminum, positioned along the ball impact area;   wherein said at least one annular ring having a third outer diameter;   wherein said third outer diameter is flush with the first outer diameter.   
     
     
         15 . The barrel of  claim 14  wherein there are two annular rings. 
     
     
         16 . The barrel of  claim 14  wherein the annular ring has a width between about 0.25 and 3 inches. 
     
     
         17 . The barrel of  claim 14  wherein the annular ring has a depth between about 0.01 and 0.11 inches. 
     
     
         18 . The barrel of  claim 14  wherein the annular ring is made out of carbon fiber. 
     
     
         19 . The barrel of  claim 14  wherein the annular ring is made out of glass fiber. 
     
     
         20 . The barrel of  claim 16  wherein the annular ring has a depth between about 0.01 and 0.11 inches.