US6497631B1 — Ball bat — Luxuse Patents

Claim 1

Independent Claim 137 words

A multi-wall bat comprising: a metal substantially tubular body having a handle portion and an impact portion, the impact portion having an internal surface facing inwardly toward a center axis of the body; a generally tubular metal insert located coaxially within the tubular body, the insert having a first length measured in a direction substantially parallel to the axis, and an outer surface, the insert being retained adjacent to the impact portion, and at least a portion of the insert capable of moving substantially independently relative to the impact portion during bat-ball contact; and a composite member disposed between the internal surface of the body and the outer surface of the insert, the composite member having a second length measured in a direction substantially parallel to the axis, the first length being greater than the second length.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 137 words

A multi-wall bat comprising: a metal substantially tubular body having a handle portion and an impact portion, the impact portion having an internal surface facing inwardly toward a center axis of the body; a generally tubular metal insert located coaxially within the tubular body, the insert having a first length measured in a direction substantially parallel to the axis, and an outer surface, the insert being retained adjacent to the impact portion, and at least a portion of the insert capable of moving substantially independently relative to the impact portion during bat-ball contact; and a composite member disposed between the internal surface of the body and the outer surface of the insert, the composite member having a second length measured in a direction substantially parallel to the axis, the first length being greater than the second length.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 45 words

A bat according to claim 1 wherein the outer surface of the insert and internal surface of the impact portion are disposed relative to one another such that minimal shear loads can be transferred from one of the insert and impact portion to the other.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 49 words

A bat according to claim 1 wherein a space is defined between the outer surface of the insert and internal surface of the impact portion, the space effectively defining at least a zero clearance, whereby the insert can be inserted into the tubular body without use of significant force.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 20 words

A bat according to claim 1 wherein the composite member has greater strength in the circumferential direction than axial direction.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 24 words

A bat according to claim 4 wherein the composite member contains fibers oriented substantially at ninety degrees relative a longitudinal axis of the insert.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 25 words

A bat according to claim 1 wherein the composite member includes at least one layer bonded to at least a portion of the outer surface.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 29 words

A bat according to claim 1 wherein the composite member includes at least one layer bonded to at least a portion of the internal surface of the impact portion.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 19 words

A bat according to claim 1 wherein the composite member has a thickness of about 0.003 to 0.015 inch.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 32 words

A bat according to claim 1 wherein the composite member includes at least one first layer bonded to the internal surface and at least one second layer bonded to the external surface.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 20 words

A bat according to claim 7 wherein each layer has greater strength in the circumferential direction than the axial direction.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 23 words

A bat according to claim 10 wherein each layer contains fibers oriented substantially at a ninety degree angle relative to the center axis.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 18 words

A bat according to claim 11 wherein each layer has a thickness of about 0.003 to 0.015 inch.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 32 words

The bat of claim 1 wherein the composite member is a substantially tubular and is bonded to one of the outer surface of the insert and the internal surface of the body.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 34 words

The bat of claim 1 wherein the body includes an intermediate tapering portion and an end portion, and wherein the insert engages at least one of the intermediate tapering portion and the end portion.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 16 words

The bat of claim 1 wherein the second length is approximately 60% of the first length.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 30 words

The bat of claim 1 wherein the first length is within the range of 8-20 inches and wherein the second length is within the range of 3 to 16 inches.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 45 words

The bat of claim 1 wherein the insert includes a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the composite member includes a distal and proximal end, and wherein the distal end of the insert is spaced apart from the distal end of the composite member.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 45 words

The bat of claim 1 wherein the insert includes a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the composite member includes a distal and proximal end, and wherein the proximal end of the insert is spaced apart from the proximal end of the composite member.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 23 words

The bat of claim 17 wherein the proximal end of the insert is spaced apart from the proximal end of the composite member.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 151 words

A bat comprising: a handle portion; a substantially tubular impact portion; a tapered transition portion interconnecting the handle portion and impact portion; and a composite member supported by a substantially tubular metal carrier, the composite member having fibers oriented to give the metal carrier greater strength in a circumferential direction, the composite member being formed of at least one layer of composite material and having a total thickness less than about 0.015 inch, the composite member being supported in proximate coaxial relationship to the impact portion, the metal carrier having a first longitudinal dimension and the composite member having a second longitudinal dimension, the first longitudinal dimension being greater than the second longitudinal dimension; wherein the metal carrier is a substantially tubular support member separate from the impact portion, the support member being in coaxial proximate relationship to the impact portion so as to reinforce the impact portion during ball impact.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 151 words

A bat comprising: a handle portion; a substantially tubular impact portion; a tapered transition portion interconnecting the handle portion and impact portion; and a composite member supported by a substantially tubular metal carrier, the composite member having fibers oriented to give the metal carrier greater strength in a circumferential direction, the composite member being formed of at least one layer of composite material and having a total thickness less than about 0.015 inch, the composite member being supported in proximate coaxial relationship to the impact portion, the metal carrier having a first longitudinal dimension and the composite member having a second longitudinal dimension, the first longitudinal dimension being greater than the second longitudinal dimension; wherein the metal carrier is a substantially tubular support member separate from the impact portion, the support member being in coaxial proximate relationship to the impact portion so as to reinforce the impact portion during ball impact.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 25 words

The bat of claim 20 wherein metal carrier engages at least portion of at least one of the tapered transition portion and the impact portion.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 16 words

The bat of claim 20 wherein the second dimension is approximately 60% of the first dimension.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 30 words

The bat of claim 20 wherein the first dimension is within the range of 8-20 inches and wherein the second dimension is within the range of 3 to 16 inches.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 133 words

A multi-wall bat for impacting a ball, the bat comprising: a first generally tubular member extending along a longitudinal axis, the first member having a handle portion, an intermediate tapered portion and a barrel portion; a second generally tubular member positioned coaxially with the first member, the second member being retained adjacent to the barrel portion and at least a portion of the second member being capable of moving substantially independently relative to the barrel portion during contact with the ball, the second member having a first length measured in a direction substantially parallel to the axis; and a composite member disposed between the first and second members, the composite member having a second length measured in a direction substantially parallel to the axis, the first length being greater than the second length.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 133 words

A multi-wall bat for impacting a ball, the bat comprising: a first generally tubular member extending along a longitudinal axis, the first member having a handle portion, an intermediate tapered portion and a barrel portion; a second generally tubular member positioned coaxially with the first member, the second member being retained adjacent to the barrel portion and at least a portion of the second member being capable of moving substantially independently relative to the barrel portion during contact with the ball, the second member having a first length measured in a direction substantially parallel to the axis; and a composite member disposed between the first and second members, the composite member having a second length measured in a direction substantially parallel to the axis, the first length being greater than the second length.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 13 words

The bat of claim 24 , wherein the first member comprises a metal.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 13 words

The bat of claim 24 , wherein the second member comprises a metal.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 24 words

The bat of claim 24 wherein the composite member is connected to at least a portion of one of the first and second members.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 12 words

The bat of claim 24 wherein the second member is an insert.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 13 words

The bat of claim 24 wherein the second member is an outer sleeve.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 22 words

The bat of claim 24 wherein the second member engages at least one of the intermediate tapered portion and the barrel portion.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 16 words

The bat of claim 24 wherein the second length is approximately 60% of the first length.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 30 words

The bat of claim 24 wherein the first length is within the range of 8-20 inches and wherein the second length is within the range of 3 to 16 inches.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 47 words

The bat of claim 24 wherein the second member includes a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the composite member includes a distal and proximal end, and wherein the distal end of the second member is spaced apart from the distal end of the composite member.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 47 words

The bat of claim 24 wherein the second member includes a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the composite member includes a distal and proximal end, and wherein the proximal end of the second member is spaced apart from the proximal end of the composite member.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 24 words

The bat of claim 33 wherein the proximal end of the second member is spaced apart from the proximal end of the composite member.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2005-12-23	2006-06-24	2006-12-24	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2009-12-23	2010-06-24	2010-12-24	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2013-12-23	2014-06-24	2014-12-24	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Ball bat

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