Power gap adjustable flex bat

Abstract

The invention describes a bat for baseball or softball having a composite or metallic outer barrel and an insert assembly formed from composite or metallic materials and soft foam materials. The invention describes a number of embodiments of the insert assembly which may include adjustable floating or fixed power cones and adjustable sleeves, as well as a dual wall construction with the radially outer wall having an annular gap to allow limited directional flex of the radially outer wall of the insert assembly upon impact with a ball.

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         19 ) A bat comprising: a frame having a handle, a hollow barrel and an end cap enclosing an adjustable, variable dimension, power sleeve assembly and means for adjusting at least one dimension of the power sleeve assembly inside the barrel of the bat without removing the end cap. 
     
     
         20 ) The bat of  claim 19  wherein said means for adjusting comprises:
 an insert assembly placed within the hollow barrel, the insert assembly including a sleeve and axially spaced power components at opposing ends of said sleeve; and 
 means for changing the spacing of said axially spaced power components by rotation of said axially spaced power components about said sleeve. 
 
     
     
         21 ) The bat of  claim 19  wherein said means for adjusting comprises:
 an insert assembly placed within the hollow barrel, the insert assembly including a sleeve and axially spaced power components at opposing ends of said sleeve; and 
 means for allowing a user to adjust the spacing of said axially spaced power components of said insert by rotating a shaft extending from said end cap to said sleeve. 
 
     
     
         22 ) The bat of  claim 21  wherein said shaft includes a drive slot on its distal end within said end cap, said drive slot including one of an Allen head, star drive, Phillips head or flat head shaped indentation. 
     
     
         23 ) The bat of  claim 19  wherein said means for adjusting comprises:
 an insert assembly placed within the hollow barrel, the insert assembly including a sleeve and axially spaced power components at opposing ends of said sleeve, said sleeve and axially spaced power components further including means to allow the spacing of said axially spaced power components to be adjusted; and 
 a foam insert through and extending from the ends of said sleeve of said insert assembly to position and center said insert assembly within said hollow barrel.