Abstract: Embodiments provide a lacrosse stick having a continuous juncture-handle portion and a flexible head portion molded to the juncture-handle portion, and a method for making the lacrosse stick. The juncture-handle portion may include first and second fork members extending from a throat member in a forward direction, a handle portion extending from the throat member in a rearward direction, and a first tab reinforcing member extending from the handle portion, through the throat member, and to the first fork member, and defining a first tab protruding beyond a distal forward end of the first fork member. The throat member, first and second fork members, and handle portion may be integrally formed of a first composite layup material, with the first tab reinforcing member formed of a stiffer second composite layup material. The head portion may include a first sidewall portion molded over the first tab reinforcing member.

Abstract: A toy vehicle suspension operable to lift and lower the vehicle chassis of the toy vehicle. In particular embodiments, the vehicle suspension transmits sufficient forces to the wheels of the toy vehicle to enable the wheels to hop off the ground.

Abstract: A modular quiver system and method of use may include, first, a base portion configured to be attachable to a bow and configured to removably hold a first arrow, and second, a detachable portion configured to removably hold a plurality of second arrows and configured to be removably attachable with the base portion by hand without the use of any tools, regardless whether or not the base portion is attached to the bow, and regardless whether arrows are in the quiver. A quick-release bracket system allows the modular quiver system to be removed from and attached with a bow in different predetermined positions without the use of any tools.

Abstract: A mechanical apparatus for human balance training includes a cross bar whose center is attached to a pivotable protrusion extending from a leg having a base. The apparatus also includes a slidable sheath surrounding a portion of the leg proximate to the pivotable protrusion. The slidable sheath has a plurality of allowed positions relative to the leg, each position limiting tilt of the cross bar to a respective angular range. In some embodiments, each allowed position limits tilt of the cross bar by controlling an extent by which the pivotable protrusion extends out from the sheath. In some embodiments, the sheath is threaded relative to the leg and the allowed positions are a continuous range adjusted by twisting the sheath relative to the leg. In some embodiments, the allowed positions are predefined locking positions. Each locking position limits tilt of the cross bar to a respective predefined angular range.

Abstract: A bat handle weight includes a body having a transverse hole with a bat end opening sized to allow a bat handle end to be inserted into the transverse hole. The transverse hole tapers inward at an opposite end from the bat end opening to be narrower than the bat handle end, but wider than the bat handle. The bat handle weight is placed on the bat by placing the bat handle end into the bat end opening, and then rotating the body of the bat handle weight relative to the bat, where the inward tapered portion of the transverse hole bears against the top of the bat handle end, and the user's hand will bear against the outside of the bat handle weight when grasping the bat by the handle, thereby securing the bat handle weight on the bat so that the bat can be swung without the bat handle weight coming off the bat.

Abstract: A hockey puck is disclosed including an internal signal transmitter enabling instantaneous identification of its position as it moves around. The puck includes two molded subcomponents, which encapsulate the signal transmitter. The signal transmitter includes driver electronics and a number of signal transmitters which together generate and emit an electromagnetic signal. The electromagnetic signal is emitted by a plurality of diodes mounted in light pipes enclosed within cavities in the subcomponents that extend to outer surfaces of the hockey puck components. The puck includes two subcomponents that are attached via complimentary sets of concentrically arranged wedges.

Abstract: Adaptive basketball shooting devices are disclosed that allow a person with limited use of his or her arms to shoot a basket from a seated position in a wheelchair. In preferred implementations, the device allows a person with limited mobility to pick up, carry, and shoot a basketball. Some devices include a frame, a conveyor configured to retrieve a ball from a surface on which the wheelchair is positioned, e.g., a floor or a paved basketball court, and in cooperation with the frame convey the ball vertically relative to the frame, and a driven wheel mounted on the frame and configured to eject the ball upward from the device.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pool rack for grouping pool balls tightly on a pool table. The frame has walls that may be disassembled and may move between, and exist alternatively in, an extended position that loosely group a set of billiard balls, wherein the rack walls are substantially upstanding and, or a closed position that tightly groups the balls, wherein the rack walls are angled and the frame sits atop the billiard balls.

Abstract: A system and process for installing in-ground base and basketball systems allows the systems to be installed without needing to wait for concrete to cure. During installation, concrete is poured and anchor bolts are positioned in the wet concrete, a brace is placed over the upper face of the concrete base and the protruding anchor bolt ends. The brace includes a plurality of outwardly extending lateral legs. The legs extend horizontally beyond the edges of the concrete base and into/over the adjacent ground. A stake is placed through each leg. The basketball goal system is then mounted to the anchor bolts and brace. The brace assists in holding the basketball goal system in the correct position while the concrete cures.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method that provides a helmet cap with an embedded visor on the inside of said helmet cap to train a wearer of a football helmet to correctly position the head in an up position when tacking and blocking during sports play. The cap can be detachably but securely attached to a football helmet and upper facemask in a position where it does not obstruct the view of the helmet wearer to a position where it does obstruct the helmet wearer's view and thus forces the helmet wearer to look up.

Abstract: An athletic skill training apparatus includes a generally horizontal upper ring that defines an upper opening, preferably circular and the same diameter as a traditional basketball hoop, made from a strong, lightweight material. Three lower rings are attached to the upper ring and extend downwardly and inwardly to attach to a base plate. A shock absorbing base member is elastically suspended from the lower rings and absorbs a portion of the force from a ball shot through the upper ring. The base member includes vertically spaced concentric rings of different diameters to redirect the ball out of the lower rings. The rings, the shock absorbing base member and the base plate form a goal assembly that can be positioned on a support above a playing surface.

Abstract: Connection systems for toy construction pieces, toy construction pieces, and toy construction kits. A connection system includes a male connection element and a female connection element. The male connection element includes a peg unit with a connector peg. The female connection element includes at least a portion of a connector core that defines a receiver cavity configured to receive at least a portion of the connector peg and at least a portion of a core shell. A toy construction kit for assembling a constructed assembly includes a plurality of toy construction pieces that collectively embody the connection system. A first construction piece includes the male connection element and a second construction piece includes the female connection element. The connection system is configured to selectively and repeatedly couple the first construction piece and the second construction piece to one another.

Abstract: A modular block toy and kit that includes a male cubic unit piece having a plurality of faces with a male node extending from each respective face of the plurality of faces, and a female piece having a plurality of faces and corners formed by three intersecting faces, the female piece having a female component formed on a respective face of each of the plurality of faces that is sized and shaped to receive a respective male node enabling connection using any side of the female piece and any side of the male piece, and in which all sides of the female pieces and the male cubic unit pieces with a snapping and interlock design are identical, enabling the pieces to be snapped together using any side of the female or male piece to achieve build out indefinitely in any direction.

Abstract: When a semi-automatic rifle is live fired, it is ready to be fired again. The shooter's hands remain in the firing position, and just the trigger finger and trigger are employed. But with dry fire practice, the shooter must cycle the rifle's bolt to reset the firing pin. The shooter must move one hand from the shooting position on the rifle, the rifle's long bolt is pulled back to reset the firing pin, the rifle repositioned, a new sight picture acquired, and then the next trigger press can be accomplished. This invention replaces the rifle's bolt carrier group and provides realistic muscle memory training by duplicating the action of the trigger, the feel and the sound of the release of the firing pin, and the resetting of the trigger for additional trigger activations. The invention does not interact with the rifle's firing pin.

Abstract: A mobile trampoline basketball game device includes a collapsible top frame component with lateral support members that secure collapsible backboards in place. The lateral support members are secured in a playable configuration via lateral support posts releasably affixed to door frame posts. The lateral support members collapse down with the collapsible backboards in a transport configuration to fit within a size suitable for transport as a trailer.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a lacrosse head having a pocket stringing system that includes attachment members that allow for rapid, direct attachment of a pocket to the head. A lacrosse head may include cleats protruding from the sidewalls at a rearward portion of the pocket area nearest the juncture, sidewall hooks protruding from the sidewalls at a forward portion of the pocket area forward of the rearward portion, and scoop hooks protruding in the forward direction from the front face of the scoop. Each cleat may have a rearwardly-projecting arm and a forwardly-projecting arm. Each sidewall hook may have a rearwardly-projecting arm. A first scoop hook may tension a pocket toward a first sidewall hook on a first sidewall, and a second scoop hook may tension the pocket toward a second sidewall hook on a second sidewall, so as to form a ball channel in the pocket.

Abstract: A basketball training system includes a user interface and a ball delivery machine. The user interface presents a visual representation of a portion of a basketball court that is free of indicia representing predetermined ball delivery locations on the basketball court. The user interface receives user inputs relative to the visual representation that identify selected ball delivery locations desired by the user. The ball delivery machine is responsive to the user interface for delivering basketballs to the selected ball delivery locations.

Abstract: Systems and methods of converting a cornhole game to a horseshoe game are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a horseshoe apparatus that is operable to be disposed in a bag receiving hole in an inclined platform of a cornhole apparatus comprises inner and outer bases with each base having upper and lower surfaces. The apparatus further includes a coupling mechanism having first and second ends, wherein the coupling mechanism is coupled to the lower surface of the inner base such that the first end is positioned to extend outside a perimeter of the inner base and the second end is positioned within the perimeter of the inner base. The apparatus also includes a stem disposed through and at a center of the outer base. The stem is operable to deflect or catch an object tossed towards the stem.

Abstract: An apparatus is described that is operable between a raised and lowered position for lifting an object without pivot or rotational joints. The apparatus may include an arrow rest for use with an archery bow, wherein the arrow rest has arrow support members operable to form a v-shaped arrow supporting notch, wherein the support members slide in a non-pivotal, non-rotational manner to vary a depth of the v-shaped notch. The support members are oriented to slide between a raised and lowered position. The arrow rest is suitable for coupling to the bow in a manner so that as the bow string is drawn the support members raise the arrow into a shooting position, and when the bow string is released the support members slide away from the arrow to avoid contact between the arrow and support members. Further, the arrow rest is adjustable to accommodate various diameter arrow shafts and to adjust the lateral and vertical orientation of the arrow shaft relative to the riser.

Abstract: A reduced length crossbow with a trigger located near a midpoint of the crossbow and a small included angle of the draw string when in the drawing configuration that creates a space between the draw string and the user's face. The included angle of the draw string when in the drawing configuration may be less than about 25 degrees. The trigger is typically located proximate the midpoint within about 10% of the overall length of the crossbow.