Hillerich Bradsby Company

Other

Wilson Sporting Goods Co.

Hillerich & Bradsby

George W Burger

James M Earley

Adam G Gray

Robert A Lairmore

Robert L Calmes

John A Hillerich, Iii

Jeremy H Yim

James M Early

A variable stiffness striking implement, such as, for example, a ball bat typically used in baseball, softball, or rubber ball. The striking implement, preferably has a separate barrel and handle. A wedge and joint attached directly to the handle or indirectly to the handle using an interface portion engage the interior surface of the barrel. Most preferably, the wedge and joint are molded about the interface portion and a handle preform is then inserted into the intention of the interface portion and the handle is then molded. Wedge hardness is selectable and a stiffness member may also be employed. Stiffness member hardness may be selectable or may be adjustable by varied adjustment of a cap in relation to the barrel. Alternatively, the cap may not be adjustable in relation to the barrel so that a selected stiffness member hardness is fixed.

Variable stiffness striking implement

An endcap assembly for a bat may include a body across an open end of a bat barrel and a core received by the body. In one implementation, the body and the core may be retained relative to one another by a bayonet connector radially spaced from interior sides of the bat barrel by at least 0.3 inch. In one implementation, the body may include a cup having a mouth and receiving the core. In one implementation, the cup is to be radially spaced from interior sides of the bat barrel by at least 0.3 inch. In one implementation, the mouth is axially recessed. In one implementation, the cup and the core are joined by a bayonet connector having a U-shaped slot facing away from a mouth of the cup.

Bat end cap assembly

A variable stiffness striking implement, such as, for example, a ball bat typically used in baseball, softball, or rubber ball. The striking implement, preferably has a separate barrel and handle and includes a variable stiffness assembly which results in the user being able to adjust stiffness. This is accomplished by the user selecting a stiffness member having a desired hardness and inserting the selected stiffness around the handle and abutting the end of the barrel closest to the handle end and using a cap to hold the stiffness member in place, or, if desired by the user, the striking implement may be used without a stiffness member.

A tamper-resistant ball bat may include a barrel having a tamper-resistant layer and a handle coupled to the barrel. The tamper-resistant layer may include a plurality of composite strips. The composite strips may be layered such that each composite strip radiates outward from the longitudinal axis of the barrel. Each composite strip may include a plurality of longitudinal edges. The longitudinal edges may be disposed at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the barrel.

Tamper-resistant ball bat

A treadmill having a belt assembly allows a user the walk or run in any direction. A single helically wound belt over a flattened torus is powered by two independent drive systems. The drive systems are controlled by a combination of infrared cameras and a physical harness system.

Single belt omni directional treadmill

A bat is created using efficient and automated techniques to apply layers of composite materials onto a mandrel. The system includes a plurality of rotating wrapping mechanisms binding stages. Each wrapping mechanism rotates along a central axis while a mandrel is driven through the axis. The rotational motion allows each wrapping mechanism to wrap one or more material strips along the outer surface of the mandrel. Between each wrapping layer, a binding material such as fusible thread may be applied to fuse wrapping layers together. The wrapping may be performed for the bat barrel and bat handle. Each mandrel may form two bats, and multiple mandrels can be connected together to maximize wrapping efficiency. The wrapped mandrels are separated into bat units, a resin transfer molding is performed, and the bats are completed.

Bat fabrication system and method

Industry regulatory organizations have created performance restrictions for ball bats. The present invention relates to a ball bat with an internal impact dampening means. More particularly, the present invention relates to a ball bat with a handle, a barrel, and a central tube positioned coaxially within the barrel. The central tube includes at least one restriction member capable of limiting the deformation experienced by the ball bat upon impact of a ball. Precisely limiting the deformation of the ball bat allows the present invention to achieve, but not exceed, performance substantially equal to the maximum performance allowed by industry regulatory organizations and maintain that level of performance over a substantial length of the ball bat.

Ball bat with internal impact dampening means

A self-closing hinge comprises a stationary assembly comprising a hollow cylindrical tube having a first end and a second end having a clutch stationary assembly secured thereto. The hinge further includes a first torsional spring positioned within said tube and secured at the first end thereof, and has a pin secured at a second end of said first torsional spring whereby said spring biases said pin in a first direction and whereby said pin rotates to engage said clutch assembly at a at least one point. A rotating intermediate tube assembly comprises a generally hollow cylinder having a first end positioned over said stationary assembly, and a second end having a clutch rotating assembly, whereby said pin of said torsional spring engages said clutch rotating assembly at a point. The invention further comprise an exterior tube assembly comprising a generally hollow cylinder having a first open end positioned over said intermediate tube assembly and a second closed end, and a second torsional spring positioned between and secured to said intermediate tube assembly and said exterior tube assembly.

Slow closing hinge apparatus

The lift is attachable to a foot end of a bed beneath a mattress. Elongate arms extend up from a base portion of the lift. A rod can join the upper ends of the arms, sheets or other bed covers supported above an upper end of the elongate arms and the rod to define a clearance space beneath the upper ends of the elongate arms and the rod. The arms are moved from a lowered position to a raised position by action of a driver. The driver preferably is powered by an electric motor. When the arms are raised the clearance space keeps the bed covers off of feet of a user resting on the bed.

Bed cover lift

The present invention relates to a ball bat with improved shock and vibration dampening. More particularly, the present invention relates to a ball bat with a handle, a barrel, and a socket assembly interposed between the handle and barrel. The socket assembly allows the barrel and handle to move relative to each other, which dampens shock and vibration.

Vibration dampening ball bat

A method of fabricating a composite tubular member includes providing a mandrel having a central longitudinal axis and wrapping a plurality of composite fiber layers around said mandrel wherein the longitudinal axis thereof is oriented at a first angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of said mandrel. The composite tubular member produced does not have any longitudinal seams and is thus considerably stronger and more durable than prior art composite tubes.

Composite tubes and method of manufacturing same

The present invention relates to an apparatus for playing ball sports including softball. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus for deterring the modification of ball bats. The bat comprises a barrel, a sweet spot, a transition area, a handle, and an end knob. Within the barrel are found supports used to reinforce the structural integrity of the bat to deter users from crushing the bat, causing the bat to fall outside the legal classification of bats allowed by the Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA). The supports are made out of a lightweight durable composition. The supports are held in place by a retaining member. Multiple supports and retaining members may be used.

Apparatus for deterring modification of sports equipment

The lift is attachable to a foot end of a bed beneath a mattress. Elongate arms extend up from a base portion of the lift. Sheets or other bed covers are supported above an upper end of the elongate arms to define a clearance space beneath the upper ends of the elongate arms. The elongate arms are preferably provided as a pair of first arms and a pair of second arms which can be moved from a lowered position to a raised position by action of a driver. When the arms are raised the clearance space keeps the bed covers off of feet of a user resting on the bed.

Growing community of inventors

Rocklin, CA, United States of America

George W Burger