U.S. patent application number 15/643824 was filed with the patent office on 2018-12-20 for shock and vibration absorbing system for baseball and softball bats.
This patent application is currently assigned to Xiamen Pheasant Hi-Tech Aluminum Co., Ltd.. The applicant listed for this patent is Chi-Hung Lee, Thu Van Nguyen, Renqin Zhang. Invention is credited to Chi-Hung Lee, Thu Van Nguyen, Renqin Zhang.
Application Number | 20180361215 15/643824 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 64657067 |
Filed Date | 2018-12-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180361215 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Van Nguyen; Thu ; et
al. |
December 20, 2018 |
SHOCK AND VIBRATION ABSORBING SYSTEM FOR BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL
BATS
Abstract
A shock and vibration absorbing system includes a shock and
vibration dampener disposed within a handle or tapered section of a
bat. The dampener includes at least one elastomeric dampening
element for supporting a mass in suspension within the bat without
the mass contacting an inner surface of the bat. The dampening
elements include a body having the mass extending therethrough and
a plurality of spaced apart projections having distal ends in
contact with an inner surface of the bat.
Inventors: |
Van Nguyen; Thu; (West
Hills, CA) ; Zhang; Renqin; (Houxi, CN) ; Lee;
Chi-Hung; (Houxi, CN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Van Nguyen; Thu
Zhang; Renqin
Lee; Chi-Hung |
West Hills
Houxi
Houxi |
CA |
US
CN
CN |
|
|
Assignee: |
Xiamen Pheasant Hi-Tech Aluminum
Co., Ltd.
Xiamen
CN
|
Family ID: |
64657067 |
Appl. No.: |
15/643824 |
Filed: |
July 7, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
15623116 |
Jun 14, 2017 |
|
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15643824 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 60/54 20151001;
A63B 59/54 20151001; A63B 2102/182 20151001; A63B 60/002 20200801;
A63B 2209/00 20130101; A63B 59/58 20151001; A63B 60/24 20151001;
A63B 59/51 20151001; A63B 2102/18 20151001 |
International
Class: |
A63B 60/54 20060101
A63B060/54; A63B 59/51 20060101 A63B059/51 |
Claims
1. A shock and vibration absorbing system for baseball and softball
bats, comprising: a bat having a handle at a first end thereof and
a barrel at a generally opposite end thereof and a tapered section
intermediate the handle and barrel; and a shock and vibration
dampener disposed within the handle or tapered section, the
dampener including: a mass; and at least one dampening element for
supporting the mass in suspension within the bat without the mass
contacting an inner surface of the bat; wherein the at least one
elastomeric dampening element comprises a body having the mass
extending therethrough and a plurality of spaced apart projections
having distal ends thereof in contact with an inner surface of the
bat.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the bat is comprised of a metal
or composite material.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the dampener is disposed within
the handle between an end of the handle and the tapered
section.
4. The system of claim 3, wherein the dampener is disposed within
ten inches of the end of the handle.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the mass is between 0.5 and 3.5
inches in length.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the mass comprises a rod
extending longitudinally within the bat.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the body of the dampening element
comprises a generally cylindrical disc and the projections comprise
a plurality of spaced apart teeth extending radially outward from
the disc.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein the mass weighs 0.5% to 10% of a
total weight of the bat.
9. The system of claim 1, including a retainer disposed adjacent at
least one end of the dampener for maintaining the location of the
dampener within the bat.
10. A shock and vibration absorbing system for baseball and
softball bats, comprising: a bat having a handle at a first end
thereof and a barrel at a generally opposite end thereof and a
tapered section intermediate the handle and barrel; and a shock and
vibration dampener disposed within the handle or tapered section,
the dampener including: an elongated mass extending longitudinally
within the bat; and a plurality of elastomeric dampening elements
for supporting the mass in suspension within the bat without the
mass contacting an inner surface of the bat in spaced relation to
one another along a length of the mass; wherein the elastomeric
dampening elements comprise a body having the mass extending
therethrough and a plurality of spaced apart projections having
distal ends thereof in contact with an inner surface of the bat;
wherein the bat is comprised of a metal or composite material; and
wherein the mass weighs 0.5% to 10% of a total weight of the
bat.
11. The system of claim 10, wherein the dampener is disposed within
the handle between an end of the handle and the tapered
section.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein the dampener is disposed within
six inches of the end of the handle.
13. The system of claim 10, wherein the mass is between 0.5 and 3.5
inches in length.
14. The system of claim 10, wherein the body of the dampening
element comprises a generally cylindrical disc and the projections
comprise a plurality of spaced apart teeth extending radially
outward from the disc.
15. The system of claim 10, including a retainer disposed adjacent
to at least one end of the dampener for maintaining the location of
the dampener within the bat.
16. A shock and vibration absorbing system for baseball and
softball bats, comprising: a bat comprised of metal or composite
material having a handle at a first end thereof and a barrel at a
generally opposite end thereof and a tapered section intermediate
the handle and barrel; and a shock and vibration dampener disposed
within the handle, the dampener including: a mass between 0.5 and
3.5 inches in length extending longitudinally within the bat; and
at least two elastomeric dampening elements spaced apart from
another along a length of the mass for supporting the mass in
suspension within the bat without the mass contacting an inner
surface of the bat; wherein the elastomeric dampening elements
comprise a generally disc-shaped body having the mass extending
therethrough and a plurality of spaced apart teeth extending
radially outward therefrom and having distal ends thereof in
contact with an inner surface of the bat; and wherein the mass
weighs 0.5% to 10% of a total weight of the bat.
17. The system of claim 16, wherein the dampener is disposed within
six inches of the end of the handle.
18. The system of claim 16, including a retainer disposed adjacent
to at least one end of the dampener for maintaining the location of
the dampener within the bat.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S.
application Ser. No. 15/623,116, filed on Jun. 14, 2017.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention generally relates to baseball and
softball bats. More particularly, the present invention relates to
a bat having a shock and vibration absorbing system disposed
therein.
[0003] Baseball and softball are very popular sports in a variety
of countries, including the United States, Mexico, Cuba, Japan and
elsewhere. Due to the competitive nature of the sports, players are
constantly seeking ways of improving their performance. An
important aspect of baseball and softball is the ability to
effectively hit the ball.
[0004] Bats made of wood have been used since the beginnings of the
sport in the 1800s. While still in use, particularly at the highest
levels of baseball, metal bats, and more recently composite bats
have been widely used. These non-wooden bats are allowed in
baseball amateur play from Little League to college levels. These
bats are also typically used in slow and fast pitch softball.
Non-wooden bats are advantageous over wood bats in that they do not
break and splinter like wood bats, and thus can be repeatedly used
with consequent cost savings. Moreover, non-wooden bats have a
larger optimal hitting area or power zone, commonly referred to as
the "sweet spot" than wood bats. Furthermore, the ball comes off a
metal or composite bat faster than a wood bat, resulting in longer
hits.
[0005] Although non-wooden bats have many advantages over wooden
bats, they also have certain disadvantages. Non-wooden bats, and
particularly metal bats, emit an undesirable high-pitched metallic
sound, as opposed to the traditional sound heard when a wood bat
contacts a ball. Composite material, and particularly metal, bats
vibrate upon impact and may send painful vibrations into the hands
and arms of the batter if the ball is not hit in the sweet spot of
the bat. These vibrations can become so severe that after striking
a baseball many individuals develop hand and wrist injuries. These
injuries are the result of the user's hands and wrists absorbing
vibrational forces of the bat from the vibrating hand grip end of
the bat as they swing the bat and strike a baseball or softball. As
these severe vibrations are such a problem, many attempts have been
made to lessen or remove the vibrations. However, while some of
these have worked to one degree or another, they have not worked
sufficiently well to become accepted by bat manufacturers due to
being complicated and expensive to manufacture and generally
ineffective.
[0006] Accordingly, there is a continuing need for a shock and
vibration absorption system for baseball and softball bats which is
effective in reducing the shock and vibrations that enter a
player's hands and wrists when striking a baseball or softball.
Such a system should be relatively simple and inexpensive to
manufacture and incorporate into baseball and softball bats.
Furthermore, such a system should be capable of reducing or
eliminating the undesirable high-pitched sound generated by the
non-wooden bat upon striking a ball. The present invention fulfills
these needs, and provides other related advantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention resides in a shock and vibration
absorbing system for non-wooden baseball and softball bats, such as
those comprised of a metal or composite material or combinations
thereof. The shock and vibration absorbing system of the present
invention is particularly useful in connection with metal bats. The
shock and vibration absorbing system of the present invention
significantly attenuates vibrations from the barrel striking
portion of the bat so as to nearly eliminate such vibrational
forces and shock which the player would otherwise feel in his or
her hands or arms upon the bat striking an object, such as a ball,
particularly if the ball was struck outside of the sweet spot of
the barrel.
[0008] The shock and vibration dampener of the present invention is
disposed within the handle or tapered section of the bat. The
dampener includes a mass and at least one elastomeric dampening
element for supporting the mass in suspension within the bat
without the mass contacting the inner surface of the bat. The
elastomeric dampening element comprises a body having the mass
extending therethrough, and a plurality of spaced-apart projections
having distal ends thereof in contact with an inner surface of the
bat. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the at least one
elastomeric dampening element comprises a plurality of elastomeric
dampening elements in spaced relation along a length of the
mass.
[0009] Typically, the dampener is disposed within the handle
between an end of the handle and the tapered section. Preferably,
the dampener is disposed within ten inches, and more preferably
within six inches, of the end of the handle or knob of the bat.
[0010] Preferably, the mass weighs 0.5% to 10% of a total weight of
the bat. The mass is typically between 0.5 and 3.5 inches in
length. The mass may comprise a rod extending longitudinally within
the bat.
[0011] The body of the dampening element typically comprises a
generally cylindrical disc through which the rod or mass extends
into. The projections comprise a plurality of spaced-apart teeth
extending radially outward from the disc. Distal ends of the teeth
contact an inner surface of the bat.
[0012] A retainer may be disposed adjacent to at least one end of
the dampener for maintaining the location of the dampener within
the bat. A second retainer may be disposed a generally opposite end
of the dampener.
[0013] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken
in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by
way of example, the principles of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such
drawings:
[0015] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a baseball or
softball bat incorporating a shock and vibration absorbing system
of the present invention therein;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of a shock
and vibration dampener embodying the present invention, with an
elastomeric dampening element exploded away from the rod
thereof;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a bat incorporating the
shock and vibration absorbing system of the present invention in a
handle section of the bat;
[0018] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of area "4" of FIG. 3; and
[0019] FIG. 5 is a partially fragmented bat incorporating a shock
and vibration dampener embodying the present invention therein, in
accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0020] As shown in the accompanying drawings, for purposes of
illustration, the present invention resides in a shock and
vibration absorbing system for non-wooden baseball and softball
bats, such as those comprised of metal or a composite material or
combinations thereof. The present invention is particularly useful
in connection with metal bats which traditionally can impart
painful shockwaves and vibrations into the players' hands and arms
when hitting the ball, and particularly when mishitting the ball
outside of the sweet spot of the bat.
[0021] With reference now to FIG. 1, a baseball or softball bat 10
embodying the present invention is shown. The bat 10 includes a
handle 12 at a first end thereof, a tapered section 14 at the
boundary between the handle 12 and a barrel 16 portion of the bat
10 which is used to strike the ball. Typically, the bat 10 is
generally tubular and hollow. In particular, in accordance with the
present invention, the handle section 12 near an end thereof is
generally tubular and hollow. As is common practice, a knob 18 is
attached to the open end of the handle section 12 and an end cap 20
attached to an open end of the barrel section 16 so as to enclose
the bat. The knob 18 is typically enlarged in diameter as compared
to an adjacent section of the handle 12 so as to prevent the
player's hand from slipping off of the bat 10 when swinging the
bat.
[0022] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, a shock and vibration
dampener 22 is disposed within the bat 10, such as in the handle
section 12 and/or the tapered section 14. While the dampener 22 may
be disposed in either the handle 12 or the tapered section 14, or
even extending between the handle 12 and the tapered section 14, it
has been found that the dampener 22 is particularly effective when
placed within ten inches of the end 24 of the handle 12. Typically,
however, the dampener 22 is placed within six inches of the end 24
of the handle 12 or knob 18 of the bat 10. As illustrated in FIGS.
3-5, the shock and vibration dampener 22 may be placed near the end
of the handle section 12, immediately adjacent to the knob 18.
[0023] With continuing reference to FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, a retainer
26, such as a generally disc-shaped insert, such as a foam insert
or the like, may be disposed adjacent to at least one end of the
dampener 22 for maintaining the desired location of the dampener 22
within the bat 10. A layer of adhesive 28 may be used to maintain
the retainer 26 in place. A second retainer 30 may be disposed
adjacent to the opposite end of the dampener 22 to maintain the
location of the dampener 22 within the bat 10, as illustrated.
[0024] With reference now to FIG. 2, the shock and vibration
dampener 22 comprises a mass 32, illustrated in the form of an
elongated rod, which is suspended within the bat 10, typically in
the handle section 12 as described above, by at least one
elastomeric dampening element 34. While the mass 32 is illustrated
as an elongated rod, as this configuration is particularly
convenient for insertion within the straight handle section of the
bat 12, it will be understood that the geometry of the mass 32,
also referred to herein as a suspension element, is secondary to
its size, and particularly its weight, as will be more fully
described herein. For example, the mass can comprise a solid rod, a
hollow cylinder, or a solid or hollow polygon bar or the like.
Typically, however, the mass is generally elongated so as to fit
within the handle section 12 of the bat 10 and be in spaced
relation to the inner surface of the handle due to the dampening
elements 34 extending between the elongated mass 32 and the handle
12. The term "rod" or "mass" or "elongated mass" as used herein
refers to any of these geometries, including solid rod, hollow
cylinder, solid polygon bar, or hollow polygon bar, or the
like.
[0025] In a particularly preferred embodiment, there are a
plurality of elastomeric dampening elements 34 spaced apart from
one another along a length of the mass 32. The elastomeric
dampening elements serve to suspend the mass 32 within the bat 10,
such as within the handle 12 or tapered section 14 of the bat 10,
so as to prevent the mass or rod 32 from contacting the inner
surface or wall of the bat 10. With continuing reference to FIG. 2,
the dampening elements 34 include a body 36 which may be of a
generally cylindrical disc configuration, as illustrated. An
aperture 38 enables the mass 32 to be inserted into or through the
body 36. A plurality of projections 40 extend outwardly from the
body 36, such as in a radial fashion as illustrated. The
projections 40 may be in the form of spaced-apart teeth having
recesses 42 between adjacent projections or teeth 40. The teeth or
projections preferably include an inner wall engaging outer surface
44. Thus, instead of projecting to a generally sharp point, more
preferably the teeth or projections 40 terminate to a generally
flat or curved face 44 which is configured to engage an inner
surface of the bat 10, typically an inner wall of the handle
section 12. It has been found by the inventors that having spaced
apart projections or teeth 40, instead of a generally smooth and
continuous outer surface, enhances the dampening effect of the
dampener 22. This may be due to the ability of the projections or
teeth 40 to flex and bend to a degree when shockwave and
vibrational forces are applied thereto when the bat 10 strikes a
ball and these forces are transmitted to the mass 32.
[0026] The dampening elements 34 are comprised of an elastomeric
material, such as rubber, foam, silicone or the like. It has been
found that a dampening element 34 comprised of rubber has a very
good damping effect as it can attenuate or eliminate the vibration
ripple completely. While a dampening element 34 comprised of a foam
material may be used, it has been found that at certain positions
within the bat and certain weights of the mass 32 the foam
dampening element does not completely attenuate or remove the
vibration ripple. However, at a proper placement within the bat and
at a heavier weight of the mass 32 both the rubber and foam
material can completely remove and attenuate the vibration ripples.
Thus, in a particularly preferred embodiment, the dampener 22 is
placed within ten inches of the end 24 of the handle section 12,
and more preferably within six inches of the end 24 of the handle
section 12 so as to optimize the dampening effect.
[0027] The mass 32 may be comprised of any suitable material,
including metal, plastic, composite, etc. The mass 32 typically has
a length between 0.5 to 3.5 inches. A metal rod may be utilized,
such as illustrated herein, although the geometry of the mass 32 is
a secondary consideration as to the weight of the mass 32. As
mentioned above, the mass can be of different geometric shapes,
such as a solid rod, a hollow cylinder, or a polygon bar which may
be solid or hollow, or even other geometric shapes. The mass weighs
0.5% to 10% of the total weight of the bat, depending upon the bat
type and model. The bat type and bat model will also dictate the
preferred length of the mass 32, which can vary between 0.5 inches
to 3.5 inches depending upon the bat model. Placement of the mass
32 and the dampener 22 within the bat can also be optimized and
vary between bat types and models.
[0028] The inventors have found the key parameters of the
effectiveness of the dampener 22 are the stiffness of the
elastomeric dampening elements 34, damping ratio, and weight of the
mass or rod 32. The impact force between the bat 10 and an object,
such as a ball, will create a very wide band of frequency, and the
bat will respond a high energy level on its natural frequencies,
especially for lower natural frequencies. The parameters of mass
ratio, damping ratio, static deflection, force frequency ratio, and
natural frequency ratio may be calculated in order to calculate and
optimize the stiffness factor of the elastomeric dampening elements
34 and weight or mass of the suspended element or mass 32 to most
effectively attenuate and eliminate the shock and vibrations which
are created when the bat 10 strikes a ball or other object.
[0029] The static deflection (u.sub.st) of the bat 10 upon striking
an object, such as a ball, is calculated as follows:
u st = F 0 K , ##EQU00001##
wherein F.sub.0 is the force of impact between the bat and the
object and K is the stiffness factor of the bat handle.
[0030] The natural frequency ratio (X) is calculated as
follows:
.lamda. = .omega. n .OMEGA. n , ##EQU00002##
wherein .omega..sub.n is the natural frequency of the elastomeric
dampening element 34 or dampener 22 and .OMEGA..sub.n is the
natural frequency of the bat.
[0031] The force frequency ratio (r) is calculated as follows:
r = .omega. .OMEGA. n , ##EQU00003##
wherein .omega. is the force frequency and .OMEGA..sub.n is the
natural frequency of the bat.
[0032] The mass ratio (.mu.) is calculated as follows:
.mu. = m M , ##EQU00004##
wherein m is the weight or more particularly the mass of the rod or
suspended element or mass 32 and M is the mass of the bat 10.
[0033] The dampening ratio (.zeta.) is calculated as follows:
.zeta. = c mk 2 = c 2 m .omega. n , ##EQU00005##
wherein c is the dampening coefficient of the dampener 22, k is the
stiffness factor of the dampener 22, m is the mass of the suspended
element, rod or mass 32, and .omega..sub.n is the natural frequency
of the dampener 22, and more particularly the suspended mass
32.
[0034] A calculation of these parameters will indicate the
appropriate mass, or weight, of the suspended mass or element 32 to
be used within a particular type and model of bat. As mentioned
above, the weight of the suspension rod or mass 32 is from 0.5%-10%
of the weight of the bat. It has been found that the weight of the
suspended mass 32 is preferably approximately 1.0 ounce or greater.
Weights of the suspended element or mass 32 which are much less,
such as 0.2 ounce-0.6 ounce have been known to retain some ripple
vibration, whereas when the suspended mass 32 weighs at least 1.0
ounce the vibration ripple can be attenuated or eliminated
completely within a very short period of time, such as a fraction
of a second.
[0035] Bats tested without the dampener 22 of the present invention
have been found to have vibration ripples lasting greater than five
seconds. However, depending upon the selected parameters and
location of the dampener 22, the decay time can be between 1/5 to
1/20 of this time so that the vibration ripple is completely
attenuated in less than a second, and more typically in a fraction
of a second. Furthermore, the dampener 22 of the present invention
dampens the otherwise loud metallic ping sound of a hollow metallic
bat significantly. Thus, the dampener 22 of the present invention
dampens the vibrational motion of the bat at its natural frequency
when forced vibration is created by the impact between the bat 10
and a ball or other object. This is done in an extremely effective
manner utilizing the dampener 22 which is relatively easy to
manufacture and install within the bat 10. Furthermore, the
parameters of the dampener 22 and its location within the bat 10
can be adjusted depending upon the type of bat to optimize the
dampening effects for each bat type 10.
[0036] With reference to FIG. 5, it will be appreciated that the
length of the suspended mass 32 can vary as needed and the number
of spaced-apart elastomeric dampening elements 34 increased as
needed or desired. Having at least two spaced-apart elastomeric
dampening elements has been found to be particularly effective,
although additional elastomeric dampening elements 34 may be
incorporated, such as to accommodate the length of the suspended
mass 32.
[0037] Although several embodiments have been described in detail
for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made
without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.
Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited, except as by the
appended claims.
* * * * *