Bat with handle having internal core member and method of making same

Abstract

A bat is provided including a handle portion, a barrel portion and a core member. The barrel portion has an interior cavity with an interior surface. The core member is disposed in the interior cavity of the barrel portion. The core member has an exterior surface engaged with the interior surface of the barrel portion. The handle portion extends into the interior cavity of the barrel portion and is coupled to the core member. The coupling of the core member to the handle allows the impact of the barrel portion on a ball to be transmitted to the user through the core member and the handle portion. The bat may thereby provide the user with an increased sense of the quality of the contact with the ball.

1 . A bat comprising:
 a handle portion;   a barrel portion having an interior cavity with an interior surface; and   a core member disposed in said interior cavity, said core member having an exterior surface engaged with said interior surface of said barrel portion,   wherein said handle portion extends into said interior cavity of said barrel portion and is coupled to said core member.   
     
     
         2 . The bat of  claim 1 , wherein said core member resists radial deformation and locally supports said barrel portion from radial deformation when striking an object. 
     
     
         3 . The bat of  claim 1 , wherein said handle portion includes a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end being a free end and said distal end being coupled to said core member in said cavity. 
     
     
         4 . The bat of  claim 1 , wherein said core member includes a central cavity and said handle portion extends into said central cavity. 
     
     
         5 . The bat of  claim 4 , wherein said core member has axially opposite first and second ends and said handle portion includes a flared end and extends through said central cavity with said flared end engaged with said second end of said core member. 
     
     
         6 . The bat of  claim 5 , wherein said flared end is conical in shape and said second end of said core member tapers axially toward said first end as said second end extends radially inwardly toward said central cavity. 
     
     
         7 . The bat of  claim 1 , wherein said barrel portion has a first axial length, said core member has a second axial length, and said second axial length is less than said first axial length. 
     
     
         8 . The bat of  claim 1 , wherein said core member is located within said cavity at a center of percussion. 
     
     
         9 . The bat of  claim 1 , wherein substantially an entirety of said exterior surface of said core member is engaged with said interior surface of said barrel portion. 
     
     
         10 . The bat of  claim 1 , wherein said core member is secured in said barrel portion with an interference fit. 
     
     
         11 . The bat of  claim 10 , wherein said core member is secured in said barrel portion with a bonded interference fit. 
     
     
         12 . The bat of  claim 1 , wherein said barrel portion includes an engaging feature that engages against said core member and limits and axial position of said core member in said cavity. 
     
     
         13 . The bat of  claim 12 , wherein said engaging feature includes a reduced diameter section of said cavity. 
     
     
         14 . The bat of  claim 12 , wherein said core member axially positioned in said cavity between said engaging feature and a flared end portion of said handle portion. 
     
     
         15 . The bat of  claim 1 , wherein said handle portion is coupled to said core member with an interference fit. 
     
     
         16 . The bat of  claim 15 , wherein said handle portion is coupled to said core member with a bonded interference fit. 
     
     
         17 . The bat of  claim 1 , further comprising a damping member disposed on said handle portion and separating said handle portion from said barrel portion. 
     
     
         18 . The bat of  claim 17 , wherein said damping member is molded between said handle portion and said barrel portion. 
     
     
         19 . The bat of  claim 17 , wherein said damping member centers said handle portion relative to said barrel portion.