US3854316A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of making a hollow metal bat with a uniform wall thickness
Assignee: Alcoa Corp
•
Filing: 1973-01-22
•
Granted: 1974-12-17
•
Expires: 1993-01-22
Abstract
Abstract A method of making a hollow metal ball bat having a wall thickness along the length thereof that is substantially uniform thereby providing a weight ratio for the handle and barrel portions of the bat that approximates the diameters of the handle and barrel portions. The handle portion of the bat is formed by a swaging process which reduces the diameter of a portion of a metal tube blank, having generally a uniform diameter and wall thickness, on a mandrel having a substantially uniform diameter. The mandrel is effective to maintain the uniform wall thickness of the blank by forcing the metal thereof to flow longitudinally from the end of the blank forming the handle portion of the bat.
Inventors
- 👤 R Wilson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 02:41
CPC Classifications
B; B21; B21K; B21K17/00; B21K21/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
A method of making a hollow metal bat having a non-uniform weight per unit length characteristic, said bat comprising an elongated hollow metal body having a cylindrical barrel portion of one diameter tapering through a transition portion to a cylindrical handle portion of reduced diameter, the method comprising the steps of placing a longitudinal portion of a hollow metal tube blank having a substantially uniform wall thickness and diameter on a fixed mandrel having a constant outer diameter corresponding to the inner diameter of the cylindrical handle portion to be formed on the mandrel, maintaining a longitudinally fixed relative relationship between the mandrel and the tube blank, reducing the inner and outer diameters of the longitudinal portion of the tube placed on the mandrel to form the handle and transition portions of the bat body, and to provide the longitudinal tube portion with a wall thickness substantially the same as that of the hollow tube blank.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
156 words
A method of making a hollow metal bat having a non-uniform weight per unit length characteristic, said bat comprising an elongated hollow metal body having a cylindrical barrel portion of one diameter tapering through a transition portion to a cylindrical handle portion of reduced diameter, the method comprising the steps of placing a longitudinal portion of a hollow metal tube blank having a substantially uniform wall thickness and diameter on a fixed mandrel having a constant outer diameter corresponding to the inner diameter of the cylindrical handle portion to be formed on the mandrel, maintaining a longitudinally fixed relative relationship between the mandrel and the tube blank, reducing the inner and outer diameters of the longitudinal portion of the tube placed on the mandrel to form the handle and transition portions of the bat body, and to provide the longitudinal tube portion with a wall thickness substantially the same as that of the hollow tube blank.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 in which the metal of the hollow tube is reduced in diameter in an annealed condition followed by heat treating and aging to provide the metal with a T6 temper.
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) | 1977-12-16 | 1978-06-17 | 1978-12-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-16 | 1982-06-17 | 1982-12-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-16 | 1986-06-17 | 1986-12-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |