U.S. patent application number 11/237297 was filed with the patent office on 2006-02-09 for bamboo bat and method of manufacture.
This patent application is currently assigned to Pinnacle Sports Equipment Co., Inc.. Invention is credited to Lilan Bao, Yi Bao, Roger Curylo, Yanshen Hsu, Thomas M. Verrengia.
Application Number | 20060030437 11/237297 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34079739 |
Filed Date | 2006-02-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060030437 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bao; Lilan ; et al. |
February 9, 2006 |
Bamboo bat and method of manufacture
Abstract
A baseball bat including: a core section comprising a plurality
of wood strips adhered to each other; and an outer section at least
partially surrounding the core section, the outer section
comprising a plurality of wood strips adhered to each other and to
the central core section, wherein the direction of at least some of
the plurality of wood strips comprising the core section are offset
from the direction of at least some of the plurality of wood strips
comprising the outer section. Preferably, at least some of the wood
strips are bamboo.
Inventors: |
Bao; Lilan; (Nanping,
CN) ; Bao; Yi; (Bronx, NY) ; Hsu; Yanshen;
(Staten Island, NY) ; Curylo; Roger; (Staten
Island, NY) ; Verrengia; Thomas M.; (Staten Island,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SCULLY SCOTT MURPHY & PRESSER, PC
400 GARDEN CITY PLAZA
SUITE 300
GARDEN CITY
NY
11530
US
|
Assignee: |
Pinnacle Sports Equipment Co.,
Inc.
Staten Island
NY
|
Family ID: |
34079739 |
Appl. No.: |
11/237297 |
Filed: |
September 28, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10621291 |
Jul 17, 2003 |
|
|
|
11237297 |
Sep 28, 2005 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
473/564 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 60/00 20151001;
A63B 59/52 20151001; B27M 3/0053 20130101; A63B 2102/18 20151001;
A63B 59/50 20151001; B27M 3/22 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/564 |
International
Class: |
A63B 59/06 20060101
A63B059/06 |
Claims
1. A baseball bat comprising: a core section comprising a plurality
of wood strips adhered to each other; and an outer section at least
partially surrounding the core section, the outer section
comprising a plurality of wood strips adhered to each other and to
the central core section, wherein the direction of at least some of
the plurality of wood strips comprising the core section are offset
from the direction of at least some of the plurality of wood strips
comprising the outer section.
2. The baseball bat of claim 1, wherein at least one of the
plurality of wood strips comprising the core section and the
plurality of wood strips comprising the outer section are
bamboo.
3. The baseball bat of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of
wood strips comprising the core section and the plurality of wood
strips comprising the outer section are bamboo.
4. The baseball bat of claim 1, wherein at least some of the
plurality of wood strips comprising the core section are
bamboo.
5. The baseball bat of claim 1, where at least some of the
plurality of wood strips comprising the outer section are
bamboo.
6. The baseball bat of claim 1, wherein the core section comprises
an alternating pattern of the plurality of wood strips.
7. The baseball bat of claim 6, wherein the alternating pattern
comprises at least some of the plurality of wood strips arranged in
a first direction and at least some of the plurality of wood strips
in a direction orthogonal to the first direction.
8. The baseball bat of claim 7, wherein the core section comprises
four blocks of wood strips, each of the four blocks having two wood
strips adhered together, two of the blocks being in the first
direction and two of the wood blocks being in the direction
orthogonal to the first direction.
9. The baseball bat of claim 8, wherein each of the plurality of
wood strips of the core section have a cross sectional dimension of
about 5 mm by 10 mm, each block having a cross sectional dimension
of about 10 mm by 10 mm, and the central core section having a
cross sectional dimension of about 20 mm by 20 mm.
10. The baseball bat of claim 1, wherein the core section has a
cross sectional dimension of about 20 mm by 20 mm.
11. The baseball bat of claim 1, wherein the outer section
comprises four subsections, two of the subsections having some of
the plurality of wood strips arranged in a first direction and two
of the subsections having some of the plurality of wood strips
arranged in a direction orthogonal to the first direction.
12. A method for fabricating a blank from which a baseball bat is
fabricated, the method comprising: constructing a core section
comprising a plurality of wood strips adhered to each other; and
constructing an outer section at least partially surrounding the
core section, the outer section comprising a plurality of wood
strips adhered to each other and to the central core section,
wherein the direction of at least some of the plurality of wood
strips comprising the core section are offset from the direction of
at least some of the plurality of wood strips comprising the outer
section.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the constructing of the core
section comprises alternating a pattern of the plurality of wood
strips.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the alternating comprises
arranging at least some of the plurality of wood strips in a first
direction and at least some of the plurality of wood strips in a
direction orthogonal to the first direction.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the arranging comprises
arranging four blocks of wood strips, each of the four blocks
having two wood strips adhered together, two of the blocks being in
the first direction and two of the blocks being in the direction
orthogonal to the first direction.
16. The method of claim 12, wherein the constructing of the outer
section comprises providing four subsections, two of the
subsections having some of the plurality of wood strips arranged in
a first direction and two of the subsections having some of the
plurality of wood strips arranged in a direction orthogonal to the
first direction.
17. A method for fabrication of a baseball bat, the method
comprising: constructing a blank, wherein the constructing of the
blank comprises, constructing a core section comprising a plurality
of wood strips adhered to each other and constructing an outer
section at least partially surrounding the core section, the outer
section comprising a plurality of wood strips adhered to each other
and to the central core section, wherein the direction of at least
some of the plurality of wood strips comprising the core section
are offset from the direction of at least some of the plurality of
wood strips comprising the outer section; and processing the blank
into a form of a baseball bat.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the processing comprises
shaping the blank into the form of a baseball bat.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the processing comprises
polishing the baseball bat resulting from the shaping.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the processing comprises
finishing the baseball bat resulting from the polishing.
21. A blank from which a baseball bat is manufactured, the blank
comprising: a core section comprising a plurality of wood strips
adhered to each other; and an outer section at least partially
surrounding the core section, the outer section comprising a
plurality of wood strips adhered to each other and to the central
core section, wherein the direction of at least some of the
plurality of wood strips comprising the core section are offset
from the direction of at least some of the plurality of wood strips
comprising the outer section.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to baseball bats,
and more particularly, to baseball bats fabricated from bamboo.
[0003] 2. Prior Art
[0004] Presently, bamboo baseball bats employ a traditional
technique for their fabrication. Such a traditional technique is
shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. FIG. 1A illustrates a bamboo baseball bat
blank 100 and FIG. 1B illustrates a sectional view of the blank 100
taken about line 1B-1B in FIG. 1A. The blank 100 consists of a
plurality of bamboo strips 102, each of which is typically about 10
mm thick by 900 mm long. The bamboo strips 102 are glued together
in the same direction (direction A) to form the blank 100, which is
typically about 70 mm by 70 mm in cross-section. As shown in FIG.
1B, the strips 102 are typically adhered in a staggered pattern.
The blank 100 is then processed to form a finished baseball bat.
However, this traditional technique results in an unbalanced bamboo
bat that has an uneven weight shift within the bat, which makes it
prone to breakage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Therefore it is an object of the present invention to
provide a baseball bat, in particular, a bamboo baseball bat that
overcomes the disadvantages of baseball bats and other types of
bamboo bats of the prior art.
[0006] Accordingly, a baseball bat is provided. The baseball bat
comprising: a core section comprising a plurality of wood strips
adhered to each other; and an outer section at least partially
surrounding the core section, the outer section comprising a
plurality of wood strips adhered to each other and to the central
core section, wherein the direction of at least some of the
plurality of wood strips comprising the core section are offset
from the direction of at least some of the plurality of wood strips
comprising the outer section.
[0007] In a first configuration, at least one of the plurality of
wood strips comprising the core section and the plurality of wood
strips comprising the outer section are bamboo.
[0008] In another configuration, each of the plurality of wood
strips comprising the core section and the plurality of wood strips
comprising the outer section are bamboo.
[0009] In another configuration, at least some of the plurality of
wood strips comprising the core section are bamboo.
[0010] In yet another configuration, at least some of the plurality
of wood strips comprising the outer section are bamboo.
[0011] Preferably, the core section has a cross sectional dimension
of about 20 mm by 20 mm.
[0012] Preferably, the core section comprises an alternating
pattern of the plurality of wood strips. The alternating pattern
preferably comprises at least some of the plurality of wood strips
arranged in a first direction and at least some of the plurality of
wood strips in a direction orthogonal to the first direction.
Preferably, the core section comprises four blocks of wood strips,
each of the four blocks having two wood strips adhered together,
two of the blocks being in the first direction and two of the wood
blocks being in the direction orthogonal to the first direction.
Each of the plurality of wood strips of the core section preferably
have a cross sectional dimension of about 5 mm by 10 mm, each block
preferably has a cross sectional dimension of about 10 mm by 10 mm,
and the central core section preferably has a cross sectional
dimension of about 20 mm by 20 mm.
[0013] Preferably, the outer section comprises four subsections,
two of the subsections having some of the plurality of wood strips
arranged in a first direction and two of the subsections having
some of the plurality of wood strips arranged in a direction
orthogonal to the first direction.
[0014] Also provided is a method for fabricating a blank from which
a baseball bat is fabricated. The method comprising: constructing a
core section comprising a plurality of wood strips adhered to each
other; and constructing an outer section at least partially
surrounding the core section, the outer section comprising a
plurality of wood strips adhered to each other and to the central
core section, wherein the direction of at least some of the
plurality of wood strips comprising the core section are offset
from the direction of at least some of the plurality of wood strips
comprising the outer section.
[0015] Preferably, the constructing of the core section comprises
alternating a pattern of the plurality of wood strips. Preferably,
the alternating comprises arranging at least some of the plurality
of wood strips in a first direction and at least some of the
plurality of wood strips in a direction orthogonal to the first
direction. The arranging preferably comprises arranging four blocks
of wood strips, each of the four blocks having two wood strips
adhered together, two of the blocks being in the first direction
and two of the blocks being in the direction orthogonal to the
first direction.
[0016] Preferably, the constructing of the outer section comprises
providing four subsections, two of the subsections having some of
the plurality of wood strips arranged in a first direction and two
of the subsections having some of the plurality of wood strips
arranged in a direction orthogonal to the first direction.
[0017] Still provided is a method for fabrication of a baseball
bat. The method comprising: constructing a blank, wherein the
constructing of the blank comprises, constructing a core section
comprising a plurality of wood strips adhered to each other and
constructing an outer section at least partially surrounding the
core section, the outer section comprising a plurality of wood
strips adhered to each other and to the central core section,
wherein the direction of at least some of the plurality of wood
strips comprising the core section are offset from the direction of
at least some of the plurality of wood strips comprising the outer
section; and processing the blank into a form of a baseball
bat.
[0018] The processing preferably comprises shaping the blank into
the form of a baseball bat. The processing preferably further
comprises polishing the baseball bat resulting from the shaping.
The processing also preferably further comprises finishing the
baseball bat resulting from the polishing.
[0019] Still yet provided is a blank from which a baseball bat is
manufactured. The blank comprising: a core section comprising a
plurality of wood strips adhered to each other; and an outer
section at least partially surrounding the core section, the outer
section comprising a plurality of wood strips adhered to each other
and to the central core section, wherein the direction of at least
some of the plurality of wood strips comprising the core section
are offset from the direction of at least some of the plurality of
wood strips comprising the outer section.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the
apparatus and methods of the present invention will become better
understood with regard to the following description, appended
claims, and accompanying drawings where:
[0021] FIG. 1A illustrates an isometric view of a blank of the
prior art from which a bamboo bat is fabricated.
[0022] FIG. 1B is a sectional view of the blank of FIG. 1A as taken
along line 1B-1B in FIG. 1A.
[0023] FIG. 2A is an isometric view of a blank from which a
baseball bat is fabricated according to a preferred implementation
of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 2B is a sectional view of the blank of FIG. 2A as taken
along line 2B-2B of FIG. 2A.
[0025] FIG. 2C is a detailed sectional view of a central portion of
the blank of FIGS. 2A and 2B.
[0026] FIG. 3 shows a finished baseball bat manufactured according
to methods of the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 4A illustrates a sectional view of the baseball bat of
FIG. 3 as taken along line 4A-4A in FIG. 3.
[0028] FIG. 4B illustrates a sectional view of the baseball bat of
FIG. 3 as taken along line 4B-4B in FIG. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0029] Although this invention is applicable to numerous and
various types of woods for use in baseball bats, it has been found
particularly useful in the environment of bamboo. Therefore,
without limiting the applicability of the invention to bamboo, the
invention will be described in such environment.
[0030] Referring now to FIG. 2A, therein is shown a preferred
implementation of a blank from which is fabricated a baseball bat,
the blank being referred to generally by reference numeral 200. The
blank 200 having a core section 202 comprising a plurality of wood
strips 204 adhered to each other. The blank 200 also comprises an
outer section 206 at least partially surrounding the core section
202. The outer section 206 preferably completely surrounds the core
section 202 and comprises a plurality of wood strips 208 adhered to
each other and to the central core section 202. The direction of at
least some of the plurality of wood strips 204 comprising the core
section 202 are offset from the direction of at least some of the
plurality of wood strips 208 comprising the outer section 206.
[0031] As discussed previously, at least one of the plurality of
wood strips 204 comprising the core section 202 and/or the
plurality of wood strips 208 comprising the outer section 206 are
bamboo. However, other typical wood materials known in the art for
use in baseball bats are also possible. Thus, each of the plurality
of wood strips 204 comprising the core section 202 and the
plurality of wood strips 208 comprising the outer section 206 can
be bamboo. Alternatively, at least some of the plurality of wood
strips 204 comprising the core section 202 can be bamboo and/or at
least some of the plurality of wood strips 208 comprising the outer
section 206 can be bamboo.
[0032] The core section 202 can comprise an alternating pattern of
the plurality of wood strips 204. The alternating pattern can
comprises at least some of the plurality of wood strips 204
arranged in a first direction A and at least some of the plurality
of wood strips 204 in a direction B orthogonal to the first
direction A. An example of such a configuration is shown in FIGS.
2A-2C, in which the core section 202 comprises four blocks 202a of
wood strips 204. Each of the four blocks 202a have two wood strips
204 adhered together where two of the blocks 202a are arranged in
the first direction A and two of the wood blocks 202a are arranged
in the direction B orthogonal to the first direction A.
Furthermore, the blocks 202a are arranged such that those arranged
in the first direction A abut those blocks 202a arranged in the
second direction B and vice versa. Each of the plurality of wood
strips 204 of the core section 202 can have a cross sectional
dimension of about 5 mm by 10 mm, giving each block 202a a cross
sectional dimension of about 10 mm by 10 mm and the central core
section 202 a cross sectional dimension of about 20 mm by 20
mm.
[0033] The wood strips 208 of the outer section 206 can all be
aligned in the same direction, or in a plurality of directions. The
outer section 206 can also comprise two or more subsections 206a
and 206b. The subsections can be substantially equivalent in terms
of configuration and size or they can differ from subsection to
subsection. Preferably, the outer section 206 has four subsections
206a, 206b as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. Two of the subsections 206a
have some of the plurality of wood strips 208 arranged in a first
direction A and two of the subsections 206b have some of the
plurality of wood strips 208 arranged in a direction B orthogonal
to the first direction A.
[0034] The construction of a finished baseball bat will now be
described with reference to FIGS. 2A-2C and 3, the finished
baseball bat being referred to generally by reference number
300.
[0035] If bamboo is utilized for at least a portion of the wood
strips 204, 208 of the blank 200, it is harvested when
approximately four to five years old and when the diameter of the
head of the bamboo is approximately 10-12 cm. After being
harvested, the bamboo should be processed as discussed below within
three days. The harvested bamboo is cut to size depending on the
required different lengths and diameters for the particular
baseball bat 300 being fabricated. For example, the bamboo can be
cut into 3 cm wide strips. Next, the surface of the 3 cm wide
bamboo strips are polished and an inner layer of the bamboo are
planed with a planer machine. The cut bamboo strip is submerged in
oxygenated liquid at 100 degree Celsius and boiled for 3 hours.
After boiling, the boiled bamboo strips are transferred into a
drying room and dried at 60-70 degrees Celsius for 1-3 days, and
30-40 degrees Celsius for an additional 4 days to keep the moisture
content of the bamboo below about 9%. The boiling and drying of the
bamboo removes all or most traces of sugar and moisture. Any strips
of poor quality or wrong size are eliminated.
[0036] The blank 200 is then fabricated from the strips. Each
bamboo piece is then cut to 900 mm.times.10 mm.times.5 mm bamboo
strips. These pieces are then glued together with a heat pressure
machine (HPM) to make 900 mm.times.10 mm.times.10 mm blocks 202a.
Four such blocks 202a are glued and compressed together by HPM to
fabricate the core section 202 having an approximate dimension of
900 mm.times.20 mm.times.20 mm. Around these core pieces, more
bamboo pieces are glued together with HPM to form the outer section
206, until the new dimensions are 900 mm.times.70 mm.times.70 mm to
form the blank 200. As discussed above, the core section 202 is
preferably fabricated from four 10 mm.times.10 mm blocks 202a of
bamboo or other wood. Two of the blocks 202a are arranged in
direction A and two of the blocks 202a are arranged in direction B
which is orthogonal to direction A. Each of the blocks 202a are
made from two 10 mm.times.5 mm wood strips 204 that are adhered
together using any industry standard glue known in the art. The
blocks 202a are also adhered to each other with industry standard
glue as is the wood strips 208 of the outer section 206. An example
of such a glue is DYNEA AEROLTE (made in Norway) in which the
strips are adhered while heating to 90 degrees Celsius with the HPM
for 10-50 min depending on the thickness of the bamboo strips being
adhered.
[0037] The blank 200 is then passed between shaping and polishing
stations for rough polishing, fine polishing and very fine
polishing to craft the blank 200 into the shape of a baseball bat
300. The baseball bat 300 can be shaped such that the core section
202 and at least a portion of the outer section 206 remain in all
cross sections of the baseball bat along its length. Typically, the
barrel 302 of the bat 300 has the largest cross section while the
handle 304 has the smallest cross section. As can be seen in FIG.
4A, a large portion of the outer section 206 remains after shaping
of the barrel 302 of the bat. As can be seen in FIG. 4B, a smaller
portion of the outer section 206 remains after shaping of the
handle 304. Since the core section 202 is surrounded by at least a
portion of the outer section 206, the resulting baseball bat 300
will be stronger and less prone to breakage than a bat in which
only the core section remains after shaping. After shaping and
polishing, the baseball bat 300 is finished, preferably with one or
more, and preferably two coats of lacquer paint. However, other
finishes, such as stains can also be applied to the baseball bat
300.
[0038] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the dimensions
for the wood strips 204, 208, for the blocks 202a, 206a, and the
overall dimensions of the blank 200 and bat 300 are given by way of
example only and not to limit the scope or spirit of the present
invention. Those skilled in the art of baseball bat manufacturing
will appreciate that bat sizes can differ greatly between bats
intended for different age groups and also within any particular
age group.
[0039] The baseball bats of the present invention enable the bat to
have a balanced weight through out its entire length that not only
makes the entire bat practically a "sweet-spot", but also makes the
bat less prone to breakage.
[0040] While there has been shown and described what is considered
to be preferred embodiments of the invention, it will, of course,
be understood that various modifications and changes in form or
detail could readily be made without departing from the spirit of
the invention. It is therefore intended that the invention be not
limited to the exact forms described and illustrated, but should be
constructed to cover all modifications that may fall within the
scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *