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US3811596A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Ball bat construction
Assignee: Alcoa Corp
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Filing: 1972-05-22
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Granted: 1974-05-21
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Expires: 1992-05-22
Abstract
Abstract An end plug for a hollow ball bat. The end plug has a substantially rigid inner plug member and a resiliently compressible outer plug member secured to the inner member. The outer plug member has a periphery provided with a generally cylindrical lower portion and an upper portion separated from the lower portion by an outwardly open annular recess. The inner plug member has a generally radially outwardly directed stabilizer portion which extends radially outwardly at least to a position adjacent to the periphery of the outer plug member. The outwardly directed stabilizer portion of the inner plug member may be divided into a plurality of individual stabilizer segments and may be provided with underlying reinforcing members. A hollow ball bat having a generally cylindrical barrel portion and a generally cylindrical handle portion. At least one of the barrel and handle portions terminating in an open end provided with a transversely inwardly directed flange which is engaged within the annular recess of the end plug to provide an effective mechanical joint between the bat and the end plug. The composite end plug serves to provide both sound and vibration deadening means and integral structural reinforcing means resisting relative axial movement between the end plug and the ball bat.
Inventors
- 👤 R Wilson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 11:56
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B59/00; A63B59/50; A63B59/51; A63B60/00; A63B60/54; A63B2102/00; A63B2102/18; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S220/00; Y10S220/19
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
198 words
An end plug for a hollow ball bat, comprising a substantially rigid inner plug member, a resiliently compressible outer plug member secured to said inner plug member, said outer plug member having a lower portion and an upper portion separated from said lower portion by an outwardly open annular recess formed solely within said outer plug member, said recess being disposed closer to the upper extremity of said outer plug member than to the lower extremity of said outer plug member, said upper portion of said outer plug member substantially completely covering the upper surface of said inner plug member, said lower portion of said outer plug member having a generally cylindrical peripheral configuration, said lower portion of said outer plug member having a greater average diameter than said upper portion of said outer plug member, and said inner plug member having a generally radially outwardly directed stabilizer portion extending radially outwardly at least to a position adjacent to the periphery of said outer plug member, whereby said end plug may be mechanically secured to a tubular ball bat body to establish a permanent joint therebetween and provide improved sound and vibration dampening characteristics for said ball bat.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
198 words
An end plug for a hollow ball bat, comprising a substantially rigid inner plug member, a resiliently compressible outer plug member secured to said inner plug member, said outer plug member having a lower portion and an upper portion separated from said lower portion by an outwardly open annular recess formed solely within said outer plug member, said recess being disposed closer to the upper extremity of said outer plug member than to the lower extremity of said outer plug member, said upper portion of said outer plug member substantially completely covering the upper surface of said inner plug member, said lower portion of said outer plug member having a generally cylindrical peripheral configuration, said lower portion of said outer plug member having a greater average diameter than said upper portion of said outer plug member, and said inner plug member having a generally radially outwardly directed stabilizer portion extending radially outwardly at least to a position adjacent to the periphery of said outer plug member, whereby said end plug may be mechanically secured to a tubular ball bat body to establish a permanent joint therebetween and provide improved sound and vibration dampening characteristics for said ball bat.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The end plug of claim 1, wherein said generally radially outwardly directed stabilizer portion of said inner plug member is divided into at least four individual segments, and said stabilizer segments extend angularly upwardly and radially outwardly from said inner plug member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The end plug of claim 1, wherein said generally radially outwardly directed stabilizer portion of said inner plug member has a circumferentially substantially continuous circular outer periphery.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The end plug of claim 3, wherein said stabilizer portion has a plurality of openings disposed intermediate said outer periphery and the radially innermost extremity thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
97 words
The end plug of claim 2, wherein said annular recess in said outer plug member is defined by an upper annular recess defining surface which is upwardly and radially outwardly directed and a lower annular recess defining surface which is downwardly and radially outwardly directed, said radially outwardly directed stabilizer segments of said innner plug member have outer extremities terminating at a position not higher than said lower annular recess defining surface, and said radially outwardly directed stabilizer portion extending radially outwardly at least to a position closely adjacent to the periphery of said outer plug member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The end plug of claim 5, wherein said inner plug member is a unitary molded element, and said outer plug member is a unitary molded element molded around said inner plug member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
The end plug of claim 6, wherein said inner plug member is composed of material selected from the group consisting of impact styrene, brass, steel and aluminum and said outer plug member is composed of a material selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene and rubber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
64 words
The end plug of claim 5, wherein said inner plug member has an inner tubular core having a closed upper end, said inner plug member has a generally cylindrical body portion spaced radially outwardly from said tubular core, connecting means securing said inner tubular coRe to said cylindrical body portion, and said radially outwardly directed stabilizer portion extending outwardly from said cylindrical body portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
66 words
The end plug of claim 8, including said radially outwardly directed stabilizer portion extending circumferentially around said cylindrical body portion at a position spaced upwardly from the bottom of said cylindrical body portion, and a plurality of integral reinforcing elements extending radially outwardly from said cylindrical body portion in underlying supporting contact with respect to said radially outwardly directed stabilizer portion of said inner plug member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-05-20 | 1977-11-19 | 1978-05-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-05-20 | 1981-11-19 | 1982-05-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-05-20 | 1985-11-19 | 1986-05-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |