Adjustable Bat

Abstract

A method is provided. A center of mass of the bat is calculated based at least in part on the physical characteristics, the length, and the drop. A first and second mass distribution for an insert having a central axis and a length is calculated based at least in part on the calculated center of mass. The first mass distribution is symmetric about the central axis along the entire length, and the second mass distribution includes a first density for at least one low mass region and a second density for a high mass region with the second density is greater than the first density. Then, the insert is 3D printing based at least in part on the first and second mass distributions.

1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a generally hollow bat core having:
 a knob; 
 a handle that extends from the knob, wherein the handle is generally coaxial with the knob; 
 a joint that extends from the handle, wherein the joint is generally coaxial with the handle; 
 a barrel core having a first end and a second end, wherein the barrel core extends from the joint at its first end, wherein the joint is generally coaxial with the joint, and wherein the second end of the barrel core includes threads; 
   a shell having an inner portion and an outer portion that are generally coaxial with one another and joined with one another at a junction, wherein the shell has an inner recess that is dimensioned to engage the barrel core, and wherein there is an outer recess between the inner portion and the outer portion, and wherein the inner portion is secured to the barrel core along at least a portion of its length;   an insert that is dimensioned to be received into the outer recess of the shell, wherein the insert is secured to the shell, and wherein the insert is generally coaxial with the shell along its central axis, and wherein the insert has a symmetric mass distribution about its central axis along its entire length, and wherein the insert has a non-linear mass distribution along its length with a high mass region and a low mass region, and wherein the high mass region has a density that is larger than a density of the low mass region; and   a barrel body having a first end and a second end, wherein the barrel body includes a receptacle at the first end that is adapted to engage the joint of the bat core, and wherein the barrel body is generally hollow and dimensioned to engage the outer portion of the shell, and wherein the receptacle is secured to the joint.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the barrel core includes a threaded portion along at least a portion of the that is configured to engage the inner portion of the shell. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the joint is threaded. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the bat core and barrel body are comprised of aluminum. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the shell is comprised of a polymer. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the insert is comprised of a 3D printed polymer. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the density of the high mass region that is between 1.5 and 10 times larger than the density of the low mass region. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle is brazed or glued to the joint. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle and the joint are secured by threads. 
     
     
         10 . A method for making a bat for a player with physical characteristics, wherein the bat has a drop and length, the method comprising:
 calculating a center of mass of the bat based at least in part on the physical characteristics, the length, and the drop, wherein the physical characteristics include height and weight;   calculating a first and second mass distribution for an insert having a central axis and a length based at least in part on the calculated center of mass, wherein the first mass distribution is symmetric about the central axis along the entire length, and wherein the second mass distribution includes a first density for at least one low mass region and a second density for a high mass region, wherein the second density is greater than the first density; and   3D printing the insert based at least in part on the first and second mass distributions.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein 3D printing further comprises stereolithography. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the second density is between 1.5 and 10 times greater than the first density. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the steps of calculating the center of mass and calculating the first and second mass distributions are calculated by a station that is in communication with a 3D printer, where performs the step of 3D printing, and wherein the method further comprises:
 generating a geometry for the insert based at least in part on the first and second mass distributions by the station;   generating a 3D print file based at least in part on the geometry by the station; and   transmitting the 3D print file from the station to the 3D printer.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the station is a server. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the server is a first server, and wherein the 3D printer includes a second server.