A bat for playing ball games

Abstract

A bat 10 for playing ball games comprises a handle 12 and a ball-striking head 14 having a monolithic structure comprising a pair of spaced apart outer lattices 16 which define rigid, unstressed ball-striking surfaces and a plurality of discrete internal struts 26 which are integrally moulded with the lattices so as to extend between the lattices. Each lattice includes a distributed and connected network of alternating nodal areas 22 and unobstructed openings 24. Each nodal area comprises a web having an irregular outer surface provided by perforations in the web which reduce an unpleasant high-pitched noise generated when a resilient ball having a smooth outer surface is struck by the bat.

1 . A bat including a handle and a ball-striking head for striking resilient balls having smooth outer surfaces, the ball-striking head comprising a pair of spaced apart outer lattices which define rigid, unstressed ball-striking surfaces of the bat, each lattice including a distributed and connected network of alternating nodal areas and relatively larger unobstructed openings, wherein the lattices are interconnected by a plurality of discrete internal struts spanning the lattices, the bat being characterised in that each nodal area comprises a web having an irregular outer surface. 
     
     
         2 . The bat as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the web of each nodal area has an irregular outer surface provided by at least one perforation. 
     
     
         3 . The bat as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the surface area of the perforation comprises between 10% and 60% of the total surface area of the web when viewed in plan view. 
     
     
         4 . The bat as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the web of each nodal area includes two or more equi-shaped perforations arranged in a symmetrical pattern. 
     
     
         5 . The bat as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the web of each nodal area has an irregular outer surface including at least one raised protuberance. 
     
     
         6 . The bat as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the web of each nodal area has an irregular outer surface including at least one depression. 
     
     
         7 . The bat as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the depression has a surface area comprising between 10% and 60% of the total surface area of the web when viewed in plan view.