Shock attenuating ball bat

A shock attenuating bat adapted to reduce shock transmitted to the hands of a user resulting from striking a ball with a bat, comprising:

• a barrel having proximal and distal ends, having a barrel taper segment adjacent the proximal end thereof having an inner tapered surface, the barrel taper segment having a proximal end, and a distal end, said barrel having a first inner diameter at the distal end of the barrel taper segment and a second inner diameter smaller than said first inner diameter at said proximal end of the barrel taper segment;
• a handle having proximal and distal ends, having a handle taper segment adjacent the distal end thereof having an outer tapered surface configured to fit within the inner tapered surface of the barrel taper segment, the handle taper segment having a distal end and a proximal end, said handle having a first outer diameter at the distal end of the handle taper segment and a second outer diameter smaller than said first outer diameter at said proximal end of the handle taper segment, said handle taper segment being positioned within said barrel taper segment;
• an elastomeric isolation union disposed between said inner tapered surface of said barrel taper segment and said outer tapered surface of said handle taper segment, separating said barrel from said handle, and said elastomeric isolation union being the only connection between said handle and said barrel, said elastomeric isolation union allowing relative movement between said barrel and said handle so as to reduce shock transmitted from said handle to the hands of a user in hitting a ball with the bat.

A method for making a hollow barrel bat, comprising the steps of:

• providing a hollow barrel having open proximal and distal ends, having a barrel taper segment adjacent said proximal end thereof having an inner tapered surface, the barrel taper segment having a proximal end and a distal end, said barrel having a first inner diameter at the distal end of the barrel taper segment and a second inner diameter smaller than said first inner diameter at said proximal end of the barrel taper segment;
• providing a handle having proximal and distal ends, having a handle taper segment adjacent the distal end thereof having an outer tapered surface configured to fit within the tapered inner surface of the barrel taper segment, the handle taper segment having a distal end and a proximal end, said handle having a first outer diameter at the distal end of the handle taper segment and a second outer diameter smaller than said first outer diameter at said proximal end of the handle taper segment, said first outer diameter being greater than said second inner diameter of said barrel taper segment and said second outer diameter being less than said second inner diameter of said barrel taper segment;
• providing an elastomeric isolation union adapted to be disposed between and adhere to said inner tapered surface of said barrel taper segment and said outer tapered surface of said handle taper segment, said elastomeric isolation union being adapted to allow relative flexure between said barrel and said handle so as to reduce shock transmitted from said handle to the hands of a user in connection with an off-center hit;
• inserting said handle through said hollow barrel in a direction from the distal end of said barrel toward the proximal end thereof, said proximal end of the handle protruding through the open proximal end of said barrel;
• positioning said handle taper segment within said barrel taper segment;
• disposing said elastomeric union between said outer tapered surface of said handle taper segment and said inner tapered surface of said barrel taper segment.