WO2020060592A1

WO2020060592A1 - Baseball/softball bat with outer locking system having shock dissipation characteristics

Info

Publication number: WO2020060592A1
Application number: PCT/US2019/031680
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thu Van Nguyen; Renqin Zhang; Chi-Hung Lee
Original assignee: Xiamen Pheasant Hi-Tech Alminum Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2018-09-17
Filing date: 2019-05-10
Publication date: 2020-03-26
Also published as: CN112739431B; CN112739431A

Abstract

A multi-component baseball or softball bat has a vibration absorber affixed to an end of the handle. The vibration absorber has a first section disposed within an end of the barrel of the bat and a second section disposed outside of the barrel. An outer locking sleeve has a first portion disposed over an end of the barrel and a second portion disposed over the second section of the vibration absorber. A vibration sleeve may be disposed between the outer surface of the barrel and an inner surface of the first portion of the outer locking sleeve.

Description

BASEBALL/SOFTBALL BAT WITH OUTER LOCKING SYSTEM HAVING SHOCK

DISSIPATION CHARACTERISTICS

D ESC RI PTI ON

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[Para 1 ] The present invention generally relates to baseball and softball bats. More particularly, the present invention relates to a multi-component bat having shock dissipation characteristics and an outer locking sleeve to create a rigid connection between the barrel and handle of the bat.

[Para 2] Baseball and softball are very popular sports in many countries, including the United States, Mexico, Japan and elsewhere. Due to the

competitive nature of these 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.

[Para B] Typically, wooden bats are used at the professional levels, while metal, such as aluminum alloy, and composite material bats are used extensively in other leagues and levels, and particularly in baseball amateur play from Little League to college levels and also in slow- and fast-pitch softball. Metal and composite bats are advantageous over wood bats in that they do not break and splinter like wood bats and thus can be used repeatedly with consequent cost savings. Metal and composite bats also have a larger optimal hitting area or power zone than wood bats. [Para 4] However, these bats have certain disadvantages. Bats comprised of metal or composite materials or combinations thereof vibrate upon impact.

The shock caused by the bat hitting the ball may send painful vibrations into the hands and arms of the batter if the ball is not hit at the sweet spot of the bat.

[Para 5] Attempts to create multi-component bats, particularly those having vibration dissipating or absorbing characteristics, have often been complicated in nature and assembly and formation. The interconnection point between the various components of the bat, such as the handle and the barrel, are prone to failure as the bat is used repeatedly, causing connection points and internal devices to break over time. The joint or connection between the handle and the bat barrel is especially prone to failure. It is preferable that there be

dampening of vibrations between the barrel and the handle while still

maintaining a substantially rigid connection between the barrel and handle. [Para 6] Accordingly, there is a continuing need for a bat which is not complex in design and is not expensive to manufacture or assemble and which is not prone to structural failure. Moreover, a bat is needed which effectively dissipates vibrations and shock caused when hitting an object, such as a baseball or softball, while still maintaining a rigid and durable connection between the handle and barrel. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides other related advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [Para 7] The present invention generally resides in a baseball or softball bat which is multi-component in nature, has shock dissipating properties and characteristics, as well as a rigid connection between the handle and the barrel of the bat. The multi-component bat is relative simple in design and not expensive to manufacture or assemble.

[Para 8] The baseball or softball bat generally comprises a barrel having a distal end and a proximal end. A handle comprising a first end segment defines a grip. A second end segment of the handle is at least partially disposed within the proximal end of the barrel.

[Para 9] A vibration absorber is affixed to the second end segment of the handle and comprised of a shock absorbing material. The vibration absorber may comprise an elastomeric material. The vibration absorber may be molded onto the second end of the handle.

[Para 10] The vibration absorber has a first section disposed within the proximal end of the barrel so as to contact an inner surface thereof. A second section of the vibration absorber is disposed outside of the barrel and has projections or depressions on an external surface thereof. An outer surface of the first section of the vibration absorber may be configured so as to

substantially mate with an inner surface of the proximal end of the barrel.

Typically, an inner surface of the proximal end of the barrel is generally frustoconical and the outer surface of the first section of the vibration absorber is frustoconical so as to substantially contact the inner surface of the proximal end of the barrel. [Para 1 1 ] The inner surface of the proximal end of the barrel and the first section of the vibration absorber may include one or more corresponding projections and depressions so as to lockingly engage one another. The projection and depression may be annular, such as an annular ring extending from the vibration absorber and insertable into an annular depression of the barrel.

[Para 1 2] An outer locking sleeve has a first portion disposed over the proximal end of the barrel and a second portion disposed over the second section of the vibration absorber. The outer locking sleeve typically comprises a rigid material. A first portion of the outer locking sleeve has projections or depressions, such as threads, formed on an inner surface thereof that engage corresponding projections or depressions of an outer surface of the proximal end of the barrel. The second portion of the outer locking sleeve has

projections or depressions, such as threads, formed on an inner surface thereof that engage the corresponding projections or depressions, which may be threads, of the vibration absorber. Engaging the threads or other projections or depressions of the outer locking sleeve to the proximal end of the barrel and the vibration absorber securely locks the barrel to the handle.

[Para 1 B] The outer locking sleeve may include a plurality of slots formed therethrough between the first and second ends of the outer locking sleeve. A sensor may be disposed within a slot of the outer locking sleeve.

[Para 14] A vibration dampening sleeve may be disposed between an outer surface of the proximal end of the barrel and an inner surface of the first portion of the locking sleeve. The vibration dampening sleeve may have external threads that engage internal threads of the first portion of the locking sleeve. A flexible adhesive may be disposed between inner surfaces of the outer locking sleeve and outer surfaces of the vibration absorber, vibration dampening sleeve, and proximal end of the barrel.

[Para 1 5] 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

[Para 1 6] The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings:

[Para 1 7] FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of a bat embodying the present invention;

[Para 1 8] FIGURE 2 is an exploded perspective view of components of the bat of FIG. 1 ;

[Para 1 9] FIGURE B is a cross-sectional view taken generally along lines B-B of FIG. 1 , illustrating a barrel and handle of the bat securely connected to one another, in accordance with the present invention;

[Para 20] FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of an outer locking sleeve

embodying the present invention;

[Para 21 ] FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 4; [Para 22] FIGURE 6 is a diagrammatic view illustrating molding of a vibration absorber onto an end of the bat handle, in accordance with the present invention;

[Para 2B] FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of another vibration absorber affixed to the bat handle;

[Para 24] FIGURE 8 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 7;

[Para 25] FIGURE 9 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a bat

incorporating the vibration dampener of FIG. 7, in accordance with the present invention;

[Para 26] FIGURE 1 0 is a perspective view of another vibration absorber affixed to the end of the handle, in accordance with the present invention;

[Para 27] FIGURE 1 1 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 10;

[Para 28] FIGURE 1 2 is a cross-sectional view of a bat embodying the present invention, illustrating incorporation of the vibration absorber of FIG. 1 0;

[Para 29] FIGURE 1 B is a partially fragmented and exploded perspective view of components of a bat embodying the present invention incorporating a vibration dampening sleeve;

[Para 30] FIGURE 1 4 is a perspective view of a vibration dampening sleeve embodying the present invention;

[Para 31 ] FIGURE 1 5 is a cross-sectional view of an outer locking sleeve used in connection with the vibration dampening sleeve of FIG. 1 4; and [Para 32] FIGURE 1 6 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a bat embodying the present invention and incorporating the vibration dampening sleeve and outer locking sleeve of FIGS. 1 4 and 1 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[Para BB] As shown in the accompanying drawings, for purposes of

illustration, the present invention resides in a multi-component baseball or softball bat, generally referred to by the reference number 10. The bat 1 0 has vibration absorbing and shock dissipating characteristics, such that shockwaves and other energy generated by a barrel of the bat hitting an object, such as a ball, are absorbed or muted so that they are not fully transferred to the handle of the bat and the user’s hands. The bat also includes means for rigidly securing the barrel to the handle, as will be more fully described below.

[Para 34] With reference now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a bat 10 embodying the present invention is illustrated. The bat 10 is generally comprised of a barrel 1 2 and a handle 14 attachable to the barrel 1 2. The barrel 1 2 and handle 14 may be comprised of any suitable material, including metal such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy, a laminate composite material, such as composite fibers or sheets which may be pre-impregnated with resins and the like.

[Para 35] Typically, the barrel 1 2 is generally hollow. The handle 14 is inserted through an opening 1 8 of a distal end 20 of the barrel 1 2 and through an open proximal end 22 of the barrel 1 2. A first end segment 24 of the handle 1 4 defines a grip portion of the bat 1 0. A grip 26 may be placed over the first end segment or grip portion 24 of the handle 1 4. The grip 26 is typically comprised of a material which is comfortable to the user while providing a degree of friction or gripability so as to securely hold and swing the bat 1 0 in use. A knob 28 may be attached to the end of the handle 14, adjacent the grip 26, to prevent the user’s hands from slipping off of the end of the bat 10 when swinging the bat 1 0.

[Para 36] A second end segment 30 of the handle 1 4, generally opposite the first end segment 24, is at least partially disposed within the proximal end 22 of the barrel 1 2. A vibration absorber 1 6 is affixed to the second end segment of the handle 30 and a portion thereof is configured so as to generally conform to and mate with the inner surface of the proximal end 22 of the barrel 1 2. As can be shown in the various figures, the proximal end 22 of the barrel 1 2 is generally frustoconical in configuration, so as to slope or taper inwardly, as shown. Typically, as illustrated, the outer surface of the proximal end 22 of the barrel 1 2 includes projections or depressions, such as threads 23. An outer locking sleeve 32 is configured so as to be disposed over the proximal end 22 of the barrel 1 2 and a portion of the vibration absorber 1 6 so as to securely connect and lock the handle 1 4 and the barrel 1 2 to one another. A cap 34 may be attached to the distal end 20 of the barrel 1 2 so as to cover opening 1 8 as part of the assembly of the bat 1 0.

[Para 37] With reference now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the vibration absorber 1 6, which is comprised of a shock absorbing material, such as an elastomeric material, is attached to the second end 30 of the handle 1 4. The vibration absorber 1 6 includes a first section B6 which is disposed within the proximal end 22 of the barrel 1 2, so as to contact an inner surface thereof. A second section B8 of the vibration absorber 16 is disposed outside of the barrel 1 2.

The second section 38 of the vibration absorber 1 6 includes projections or depressions 40, such as threads, formed on an external surface thereof.

[Para 38] With reference now to FIGS. 4 and 5, a perspective and cross- sectional view of an outer locking sleeve 32 are shown. The outer locking sleeve 32 is typically comprised of a rigid material, which may be comprised of a metal or non-metal material, such as a rigid plastic or the like. The outer locking sleeve 32 is generally hollow and includes an aperture or opening 42 at a first end thereof as well as an aperture or opening 44 at a second end thereof which are generally aligned with one another such that the outer locking sleeve 32 can be slid over the handle 14 during assembly. As mentioned above, the outer locking sleeve 32 is disposed over the proximal end 22 of the barrel 1 2 and the second section 38 of the vibration absorber 1 6, which is attached to the end 30 of the handle 1 4, so as to securely lock the barrel 1 2 to the handle 14 and eliminate weakness and flexion at the joint or junction of the handle 1 4 and barrel 1 2.

[Para 39] The outer locking sleeve 32 includes a first portion 46 which is disposed over the proximal end 22 of the barrel 1 2. The inner surface of the first portion 46 of the outer locking sleeve 32 may conform to the outer surface of the proximal end 22 of the barrel 1 2, such as being tapered and including projections or depressions, such as threads 48, which are configured to be attached to the outer threads 2 B of the proximal end 22 of the barrel 1 2. The outer locking sleeve B2 may include an internal ledge 50 against which the end of the barrel 1 2 engages or rests so as to serve as a stop. A central section 52 of the outer locking sleeve 32 is hollow and may have a configuration

substantially matching that of a central portion of the vibration absorber 1 6 and/or handle 1 4. Typically, the outer surface of a central portion of the vibration absorber 1 6 is in contact with the inner surfaces of the central section 52 of the outer locking sleeve 32.

[Para 40] A second portion 54 of the outer locking sleeve 32 , generally opposite the first portion 46, is configured to be placed over the second section of the vibration absorber 1 6, which extends from the barrel 1 2 of the bat 1 0. Projections or depressions 56, such as threads, are formed on an inner surface of the second portion 54 which engage the corresponding threads or other projections or depressions of the exposed second section 54 of the vibration absorber so as to securely lock the barrel 1 2 to the handle 1 4. A ledge or stop 58 may be formed on an inner surface of the outer locking sleeve 32 to engage an end of the vibration absorber 1 6. Preferably, as the outer locking sleeve 32 is fully threadedly connected to the vibration absorber 1 6, the end of the barrel 1 2 will come into contact with ledge or stop 50 as the end of the vibration absorber comes into contact with ledge or stop 58.

[Para 41 ] As shown in FIG. 4, slots 60 may be formed in the outer locking sleeve 32, such as in a central portion thereof. This may be done in order to reduce the total weight of the outer locking sleeve 32 depending upon the weight-to-length ratio requirement for the bat 1 0. One or more sensors 62 may be placed within the one or more slots 60 which may be utilized to monitor aspects of the use of the bat, such as for bad swing, etc. which can be

monitored through a wireless connection.

[Para 42] With reference now to FIG. 6, the vibration absorber 1 6 can be attached to the handle 1 4 by various means. Although a separate vibration absorber 1 6 could be created and attached, such as by adhesive connection, to the end of the handle 1 4, this would present several drawbacks. For example, this approach would entail additional manufacturing and assembly steps.

Moreover, the connection points between the handle 14 and the vibration absorber 1 6 could be prone to failure as the adhesive or mechanical

attachments break over time due to repeated hitting of a ball or other object by the bat 10. Accordingly, in a preferred embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 6, in the invention the vibration absorber 1 6 is molded onto the handle 14. Mold members 64 and 66 cooperatively define an inner cavity 68 defining the configuration of the vibration absorber 1 6. An aperture 70 may receive an injection needle 72 for injecting the material forming the vibration absorber 1 6 into the joined mold members 64 and 66, which surround the end 30 of the handle 1 4 so as to mold the vibration absorber 16 onto the handle 14. The vibration absorber 16 is comprised of a shock absorbing material, such as an elastomeric material.

[Para 43] As mentioned above, the vibration absorber 1 6 includes a first section 36 which is disposed within the proximal end 22 of the barrel 1 2, so as to contact an inner surface thereof. Preferably, the first section B6 of the vibration absorber 16 is configured so as to substantially mate with or conform to an inner surface of the proximal end of the barrel. In this manner, the shockwaves and other energy are more effectively transmitted from the barrel 1 2, upon hitting an object, to the vibration absorber 16. In the case illustrated in FIG. 6, the first section B6 of the vibration absorber 16 includes projections and depressions, such as threads, which could be threadedly connected to corresponding threads formed on an internal surface of the proximal end 22 of the barrel 1 2. Such an arrangement would facilitate connection of the handle 14 to the barrel 1 2.

[Para 44] The shock absorber 1 6 also includes a central section 74 which typically has a smooth outer configuration. The second section 38 of the vibration absorber 16 includes projections or depressions, such as threads, formed on an outer surface thereof and which engage the corresponding projections or depressions, such as threads, on the inner surface 56 of the outer locking sleeve 32.

[Para 45] With reference now to FIGS. 7-9, the vibration absorber 1 6 may be configured such so as to have a projection or depression which corresponds with a projection or depression formed on an inner surface of the proximal end 22 of the barrel 1 2. For example, as illustrated, a single annular ring 76 is formed in the first section 36 of the vibration absorber 1 6 which is insertable into a corresponding single annular depression 78 of the barrel 1 2, as illustrated in FIG. 9. The ring 76 may be snap-fit into place and locking engagement with the annular depression or groove 78. This serves to secure the handle 14 to the barrel 1 2 and provide positive engaging surfaces therebetween so that vibrations and other energy is imparted from the barrel 1 2 to the vibration absorber 16.

[Para 46] As can be seen in FIG. 9, and other figures, the vibration absorber 16 is disposed between the barrel 1 2 and the handle 14, such that the handle 14 does not come into contact with the barrel 1 2 and instead all vibrations and other energy from the barrel 1 2 is diverted into the vibration absorber 1 6 such that the vibrations and energy are dissipated so as to prevent the painful vibrations from being transmitted in full force to the hands of the user who is holding the grip portion of the handle 1 4 during use of the bat 1 0. It can also be seen in these figures that the outer locking sleeve 32 extends over the exterior of the proximal end 22 of the barrel 1 2 as well as the first end 30 of the handle 14 and provides a rigid connection between the barrel 1 2 and the handle 1 4 to reduce or eliminate weakness at the joint between the barrel 1 2 and handle 1 4 and reduce or eliminate flexion at the junction between the barrel 1 2 and handle 1 4. Disposing the outer locking sleeve 32 on the outside of the barrel 1 2 and handle 14 also creates vibration dampening outside of these structures.

[Para 47] With reference now to FIGS. 10-1 2, the vibration absorber 16 may be molded without any projections or depressions on the first section 36 thereof. Instead, the first section 36 of the vibration absorber 16 may be generally smooth and tapered, so as to substantially mate with the inner smooth tapered surface of the proximal end 22 of the barrel 1 2. In this manner, there is a full contact of surfaces between the outer surface of the first section B6 of the vibration absorber 16 and the inner surface of the proximal end 22 of the barrel 1 2, as illustrated in FIG. 1 2. Attachment of the outer locking sleeve B2 to the second section 38 of the vibration absorber 1 6 as well as the proximal end 22 of the barrel increasingly pulls the handle 14

downwardly and into the proximal end 22 of the barrel 1 2 and also brings the barrel 1 2 and handle 1 4 toward one another and forms a tight connection therebetween.

[Para 48] With reference now to FIGS. 1 3-16, a vibration dampening sleeve 80 may be incorporated into the present invention and disposed between an outer surface of the proximal end 22 of the barrel 1 2 and an inner surface of the first portion 46 of the outer locking sleeve 32. This is illustrated in FIG. 16. Incorporation of the vibration dampening sleeve 80, which is comprised of a vibration dampening material such as an elastomeric material or the like, provides a double vibration dampening arrangement around the proximal end 22 of the barrel 1 2, in that the proximal end 22 of the barrel 1 2 is sandwiched between the vibration dampener 16 and the vibration dampening sleeve 80. This provides additional vibration dampening characteristics, including dampening vibrations on the outer surface of the barrel 1 2.

[Para 49] In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 3-1 6, the inner surface of the first portion 46 of the outer locking sleeve 32 is configured so as to extend over the vibration dampening sleeve 80. In a particularly preferred embodiment, as illustrated, the outer surface of the vibration dampening sleeve includes projections and depressions, such as in the form of threads 82, which are engaged by internal threads 48 of the outer locking sleeve 32.

[Para 50] The vibration dampening sleeve 80 is generally cylindrical in configuration and hollow with apertures 84 and 86 so that the vibration dampening sleeve 80 may be disposed over the proximal end 22 of the barrel 1 2. The inner surface of the vibration dampening sleeve 80 is in contact with the outer surface of the proximal end 22 of the barrel 1 2. Typically, these surfaces will substantially mate and conform with one another. For example, the inner surface of the vibration dampening sleeve 80 may be generally smooth and tapered, or it may have internal threads which engage with the external threads 23 of the proximal end 22 of the barrel 1 2.

[Para 51 ] With reference to FIG. 1 6, once the handle 1 2 has been inserted through the barrel 1 2 until the vibration absorber 16 is lodged within the proximal end 22 of the barrel, and the vibration dampening sleeve 80 is disposed over the outer surface of the proximal end 22 of the barrel 1 2, the outer locking sleeve 32 is slid over the handle 1 2 until it comes into contact with the vibration dampening sleeve 80, at which point it is rotated, causing the threads 48 of the upper portion 46 of the outer locking sleeve 32 to be increasingly threadedly engaged with the external threads 82 of the vibration dampening sleeve while the internal threads 56 of the lower portion 54 of the outer locking sleeve 32 are engaged with the outer threads 40 of the second section of the vibration absorber 16. The outer locking sleeve 32 is rotated until a full connection is made between these components, which essentially locks the barrel 1 2 to the handle 14 and sandwiches the proximal end 22 of the barrel 1 2 between the vibration absorber 1 6 and the vibration dampening sleeve 80, and creates a rigid sleeve and connection over the joint between the barrel 1 2 and handle 1 4.

[Para 52] The joinder of the components mentioned above enables the barrel 1 2 to be connected to the handle 1 4 and provide shock absorbing

characteristics, so as to prevent or reduce shockwaves and vibrations from travelling from the barrel 1 2 to the grip portion of the handle 1 4 and thus the hands of the user. These connections are sufficiently secure so as not to require adhesive. However, a polymeric gel or silicone-rubber lubricant or elastomeric adhesive or other flexible adhesive which does not harden, shown by the darker black line in FIGS. 9, 1 2 and 16, may be disposed between the engaged surfaces of the vibration absorber 16 and barrel 1 2 and outer locking sleeve 32, and the engaging surfaces of the vibration dampening sleeve 80 and the barrel 1 2 and outer locking sleeve 32, and particularly the threaded connections of the outer locking sleeve 32, to further fix these components in place and prevent disassembly. Use of flexible or non-hardening gels or adhesives overcomes the drawback of the prior art where hardening adhesives will crack and break over time as the bat is used in hitting objects. Coating the contacting surfaces of the invention with the gel or rubber forms of silicone avoids gaps and provides a tighter fitting between these components. [Para 5B] 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.

Claims

What is clai med is :

[Claim 1 ] A baseball or softball bat, comprising:

a barrel having a distal end and a proximal end;

a handle comprising a first end segment defining a grip and a second end segment at least partially disposed within the proximal end of the barrel;

a vibration absorber affixed to the second end segment of the handle and comprised of a shock absorbing material, the vibration absorber having a first section disposed within the proximal end of the barrel so as to contact an inner surface thereof, and a second section disposed outside of the barrel and having projections or depressions on an external surface thereof; and

an outer locking sleeve having a first portion disposed over the proximal end of the barrel and a second portion disposed over the second section of the vibration absorber, the second portion of the outer locking sleeve having projections or depressions formed on an inner surface thereof that engage the corresponding projections or depressions of the vibration absorber so as to securely lock the barrel to the handle.

[Claim 2] The bat of claim 1 , wherein the outer locking sleeve comprises a rigid material.

[Claim B] The bat of claim 1 , wherein the vibration absorber comprises an elastomeric material.

[Clai m 4] The bat of claim 1 , wherein the vibration absorber is molded onto the second end segment of the handle.

[Clai m 5] The bat of claim 1 , wherein the second portion of the locking sleeve and the second section of the vibration absorber are threadedly connected to one another.

[Clai m 6] The bat of claim 1 , wherein an outer surface of the first section of the vibration absorber is configured so as to substantially mate with an inner surface of the proximal end of the barrel.

[Clai m 7] The bat of claim 6, wherein an inner surface of the proximal end of the barrel is generally frustoconical and the outer surface of the first section of the vibration absorber is frustoconical so as to substantially contact the inner surface of the proximal end of the barrel.

[Clai m 8] The bat of claim 1 , wherein the inner surface of the proximal end of the barrel and the first section of the vibration absorber include a

corresponding projection and depression so as to lockingly engage one another.

[Clai m 9] The bat of claim 8, wherein the projection and depression are annular.

[Claim 1 0] The bat of claim 1 , wherein the outer locking sleeve includes a plurality of slots formed therethrough between the first and second ends of the outer locking sleeve.

[Claim 1 1 ] The bat of claim 1 0, including a sensor disposed within a slot of the outer locking sleeve.

[Claim 1 2] The bat of claim 1 , including a vibration dampening sleeve disposed between an outer surface of the proximal end of the barrel and an inner surface of the first portion of the outer locking sleeve.

[Claim 1 B] The bat of claim 1 2, wherein the vibration dampening sleeve has external threads that engage internal threads of the first portion of the locking sleeve.

[Claim 1 4] The bat of claim 1 , including a flexible adhesive disposed between inner surfaces of the outer locking sleeve and outer surfaces of the vibration absorber and proximal end of the barrel.

[Claim 1 5] The bat of claim 1 , wherein an inner surface of the first portion of the outer locking sleeve has projections or depressions formed therein which engage corresponding projections or depressions on an outer surface of the proximal end of the barrel.

[Claim 1 6] A baseball or softball bat, comprising:

a barrel having a distal end and a proximal end;

a vibration absorber affixed to the second end segment of the handle and comprised of a shock elastomeric absorbing material, the vibration absorber having a first section disposed within the proximal end of the barrel so as to substantially mate with an inner surface of the proximal end of the barrel, and a second section disposed outside of the barrel and having threads on an external surface thereof;

an outer locking sleeve comprised of a rigid material having a first portion disposed over the proximal end of the barrel and a second portion disposed over the second section of the vibration absorber, the first portion of the outer locking sleeve having threads formed on an inner surface thereof that threadedly engage corresponding threads on an exterior surface of the proximal end of the barrel, and the second portion of the outer locking sleeve having threads formed on an inner surface thereof that threadedly engage the corresponding threads of the vibration absorber so as to securely lock the barrel to the handle; and a vibration dampening sleeve disposed between an outer surface of the proximal end of the barrel and an inner surface of the first portion of the locking sleeve.

[Claim 1 7] The bat of claim 1 6, wherein the vibration absorber is molded onto the second end segment of the handle.

[Claim 1 8] The bat of claim 1 6, wherein an inner surface of the proximal end of the barrel is generally frustoconical and the outer surface of the first section of the vibration absorber is frustoconical so as to substantially contact the inner surface of the proximal end of the barrel.

[Claim 1 9] The bat of claim 1 6, wherein the inner surface of the proximal end of the barrel and the first section of the vibration absorber include a corresponding projection and depression so as to lockingly engage one another.

[Claim 20] The bat of claim 1 9, wherein the projection and depression are annular.

[Claim 21 ] The bat of claim 1 6, wherein the outer locking sleeve includes a plurality of slots formed therethrough between the first and second ends of the outer locking sleeve.

[Claim 22] The bat of claim 21 , including a sensor disposed within a slot of the outer locking sleeve.

[Claim 2 B] The bat of claim 1 6, wherein the vibration dampening sleeve has external threads that engage internal threads of the first portion of the locking sleeve.

[Claim 24] The bat of claim 1 6, including a flexible adhesive disposed between inner surfaces of the outer locking sleeve and outer surfaces of the vibration absorber and proximal end of the barrel.