Barrel for a bat assembly and ball bat

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to a barrel comprising cast metal, composite or plastic for use in a bat assembly; a bat assembly comprising a barrel portion, an end cap and a handle; and a ball bat. The barrel may have uniform wall thickness or may include structural elements disposed on an inner surface to improve stiffness and reduce weight. The barrel and bat may further comprise a weighted insert for an asymmetrical center of gravity, allowing controlled spin to be imparted on a struck ball based on the angular orientation of the bat.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bat comprising:
 a one piece handle and barrel, the barrel having a wall with a receiving aperture at one end;   the barrel having a longitudinally non-uniform wall thickness with an asymmetric center of gravity position localized in a barrel impact region; and   an end cap affixed to the barrel by extending through the at least one receiving aperture proximate the second open end.   
     
     
         2 . The bat of  claim 1 , further comprising an off-center weight encapsulated within the barrel impact region of the wall of the barrel. 
     
     
         3 . The bat of  claim 1 , wherein the off-center weight has a density different than the wall of the barrel that creates 
     
     
         4 . The bat of  claim 1 , further comprising structural elements disposed on an inner surface of the barrel. 
     
     
         5 . The bat of  claim 4 , wherein the structural elements comprise non-longitudinal raised ribs and recessed interstices. 
     
     
         6 . The bat of  claim 1 , wherein the barrel comprises at least one of a non-metal and a metal. 
     
     
         7 . The bat of  claim 1 , further comprising several first end apertures disposed circumferentially around the barrel proximate to the receiving aperture. 
     
     
         8 . The bat of  claim 1 , wherein the barrel comprises at least one of aluminum, magnesium, titanium, composite and plastic. 
     
     
         9 . The bat of  claim 5 , wherein the recessed interstices have a uniform wall thickness. 
     
     
         10 . The bat of  claim 1 , further comprising an end knob disposed on said handle. 
     
     
         11 . The bat of  claim 10 , wherein the end knob is contiguous with said handle. 
     
     
         12 . The bat of  claim 10 , wherein the end knob is fabricated to said handle. 
     
     
         13 . The bat of  claim 1 , wherein the handle and barrel comprise a hollow monolithic cast metal material. 
     
     
         14 . The bat of  claim 1 , wherein the handle and barrel comprise a hollow non-metal material. 
     
     
         15 . The bat of  claim 1 , wherein the handle and barrel comprise a hollow composite material. 
     
     
         16 . A bat comprising a one piece handle and barrel and end cap, the barrel having a longitudinally non-uniform wall thickness with an asymmetric center of gravity position localized in a barrel impact region. 
     
     
         17 . The bat of  claim 16 , further comprising an off-center weight encapsulated within the barrel impact region of the wall of the barrel. 
     
     
         18 . The bat of  claim 16 , wherein the off-center weight has a density different than the wall of the barrel that creates 
     
     
         19 . The bat of  claim 16 , further comprising structural elements disposed on an inner surface of the barrel. 
     
     
         20 . The bat of  claim 19 , wherein the structural elements comprise non-longitudinal raised ribs and recessed interstices.