Ball bat with thinner handle than barrell

Abstract

A tubular metal bat, such as a baseball bat or softball bat, which includes a handle knob to aid in gripping of the bat, a small diameter handle portion, an intermediate tapering portion, a large diameter impact portion, and an end cap. The tubular metal bat having a wall thickness in the handle area that is significantly less than the wall thickness in the impact portion of the bat.

What is claimed:  
     
         1 . A bat, comprising: 
 (a) A tubular metal bat shell having a cylindrical handle portion, a cylindrical hitting portion, and a tapered portion coupled to, and extending between the handle and hitting portions. The diameter of the hitting portion being larger than the handle portion.    (b) Said bat shell having a wall thickness in the handle area that is significantly less than the wall thickness in the impact portion of the bat.    
     
     
         2 . The bat of  claim 1 , wherein the ratio of the wall thickness in the handle area of the shell to the wall thickness in the impact portion of the shell is less than 0.95.  
     
     
         3 . The bat of  claim 1 , wherein the ratio of the wall thickness in the handle area of the shell to the wall thickness in the impact portion of the shell is less than 0.75.  
     
     
         4 . The bat of  claim 1 , wherein the ratio of the wall thickness in the handle area of the to the wall thickness in the impact portion of the shell is less than 0.6.  
     
     
         5 . The bat of  claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the handle is less than 0.040 inches.  
     
     
         6 . The bat of  claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the handle is less than 0.030 inches.  
     
     
         7 . The bat of  claim 1 , wherein the bat shell is made of a metal with a yield strength greater than 220 ksi.  
     
     
         8 . The bat of  claim 1 , wherein the bat shell is made of a metal with a yield strength greater than 260 ksi.  
     
     
         9 . A bat comprising: 
 (a) A tubular metal bat shell having a cylindrical handle portion, a cylindrical hitting portion, and a tapered portion coupled to, and extending between the handle and hitting portions.    (b) A handle area wall thickness of said bat shell being less than 0.040 inches.    (c) The bat shell constructed of a metal with a yield strength greater than 250 ksi.    
     
     
         10 . A bat, comprising: 
 (d) A tubular metal bat shell having a cylindrical handle portion, a cylindrical hitting portion, and a tapered portion coupled to, and extending between the handle and hitting portions. The diameter of the hitting portion being larger than the handle portion.    (e) A handle area wall thickness of said bat shell being less than 0.040 inches.    (f) The bat shell fabricated such that the ratio of the wall thickness in the handle area of the bat shell to wall thickness in the impact portion of the bat shell is less than 0.075.    (g) The bat shell is constructed of a maraging steel alloy with a yield strength greater than 250 ksi.