BAT WITH FILLED EXTERIOR GROOVES
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.
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.