System and method of compressing and shaping a barrel of a wooden baseball bat

Abstract

The technology provides a device that modifies features of a baseball bat, including a compressing tool that compresses a surface of the baseball bat in a latitudinal direction. The compressing tool includes an implement that pivots along a lengthwise dimension to allow the implement to substantially match a surface angle of an underlying bat barrel. The implement includes a roller that contacts selected portions the baseball bat during a compressing operation. The roller may be sized in a lengthwise dimension to correspond to a surface shape of the underlying bat barrel. The roller may include a surface having any desired surface contour such a convex surface contour, a concave surface contour, or the like. The compressed surface of the baseball bat may substantially assume the shape of the roller surface contour. The barrel may assume a substantially round cross-sectional shape when compressed in the latitudinal direction.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device that modifies features of a baseball bat, comprising:
 a compressing tool that compresses a surface of the baseball bat in a latitudinal direction;   a bat support that contacts the baseball bat; and   a rotator that rotates the baseball bat.   
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the compressing tool includes an implement that pivots in a lengthwise direction. 
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein a lengthwise axis of the implement is oriented in substantially a same direction and as a lengthwise axis of the baseball bat. 
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 2 , wherein the implement includes a roller that contacts a surface of the baseball bat. 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 4 , wherein the roller includes a surface having at least one of a convex surface contour or a concave surface contour. 
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 4 , wherein the roller is constructed of a material that compresses a wooden surface. 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the compressing tool applies controlled pressure to the surface of the baseball bat. 
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the rotator provides different increments or amounts of rotation. 
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the bat support contacts the baseball bat along a lengthwise axis of the baseball bat, the bat support being positioned beneath the compressing tool. 
     
     
         10 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a dial indicator that measures a diameter of the baseball bat. 
     
     
         11 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a clamp that secures the baseball bat. 
     
     
         12 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising an air cylinder that depresses the compressing tool against the baseball bat. 
     
     
         13 . A device that measures features of a baseball bat, comprising:
 a compressive strength measurement tool that determines material strength properties of the baseball bat; and   an air cylinder that depresses the compressive strength measurement tool against the baseball bat.   
     
     
         14 . The device according to  claim 13 , wherein the compressive strength measurement tool is a rebound hammer. 
     
     
         15 . The device according to  claim 14 , wherein the rebound hammer is oriented substantially perpendicular to a surface of the baseball bat. 
     
     
         16 . The device according to  claim 13 , further comprising a v-block tool that is mechanically coupled to the compressive strength measurement tool. 
     
     
         17 . The device according to  claim 16 , wherein the v-block tool dissipates an impact force of the compressive strength measurement tool against the baseball bat. 
     
     
         18 . The device according to  claim 13 , further comprising a carriage that mounts the compressive strength measurement tool, wherein the carriage positions the compressive strength measurement tool at locations along a lengthwise axis of the baseball bat. 
     
     
         19 . The device according to  claim 18 , further comprising tracks that guide the carriage along the lengthwise axis of the baseball bat. 
     
     
         20 . The device according to  claim 18 , further comprising a bat support that contacts the baseball bat along the lengthwise axis of the baseball bat, the bat support being positioned beneath the compressive strength measurement tool.