VARIABLE STIFFNESS STRIKING IMPLEMENT

摘要

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.

主权项

1. A striking implement, comprising:
a barrel, the barrel having a barrel end cap end and a barrel handle end and a barrel interior surface, the barrel having an internal joint receiving portion toward the barrel handle end; a handle, the handle having a handle knob end and a handle barrel end; an interface portion, the interface portion having an interface portion barrel end and an interface portion handle end, the interface portion having a joint receptacle and an interface portion stiffness member receiving portion and an interface portion coupling portion, the interface portion coupling portion being located closer to the interface portion handle end than the joint receptacle and the interface portion stiffness member receiving portion being located between the joint receptacle and the interface portion coupling portion; the interface portion being received over the handle and secured thereto, the interface portion handle end being orientated toward the handle knob end; the interface portion joint receptacle receiving a joint therein, the interface portion receiving at least a portion of a wedge thereover, the wedge being located closer to the interface portion barrel end than the joint receptacle; the handle with the interface portion being received into the barrel with at least a portion of an exterior surface of the wedge engaging the barrel interior surface, the joint received in the interface portion joint receptacle also being received in the barrel internal joint receiving portion, the interface portion stiffness member receiving portion and the interface portion coupling portion extending external of the barrel from the barrel handle end; a cap having a cap barrel end and a cap knob end, the cap having a cap coupling portion; and, the cap being inserted over the handle with the cap barrel end oriented toward the barrel and the cap coupling portion engageable with the interface portion coupling portion.