Abstract: A pneumatic ball gathering system that clears tennis balls from a tennis court using air supplied to at least one discharge nozzle with optional intervening valves forming a structure that is typically disposed underground and selectively raised to clear balls. In one implementation, the structure is located along one side edge of the tennis court. In an alternate implementation, the structure may be located under the net and be configured with at least one nozzle disposed to direct air in both directions away from the net. A collection trough formed with a slope to cause collated balls to roll downward therein is disposed opposite the at least one nozzle. An optional mechanical conveyor system is placed in the trough to move collected balls to a predetermined location. A vertical conveyor raises balls for discharge into an appropriate container. The system may be used to facilitate drying the court after rain.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for launching shuttlecocks at different frequencies, trajectories, speeds, spins, and shot types, thereby providing simulated shots for use in practice for badminton players and trainers. The shuttlecock launching apparatus having a dual pivoting launch assembly for providing various launch paths and trajectories, first and second launching wheels for imparting a forward motion to a shuttlecock, and a shuttlecock holding and transfer assembly for transferring a single shuttlecock from a holding area to a launch point near the first and second launching wheels in a controlled and consistent manner.

Abstract: A toy projectile launching device. The device preferably includes a handle, barrel, muzzle, trigger, cocking shaft, and cocking handle. The device uses a spring loaded shaft in order to launch an orb. In addition, the launching mechanism of the device imparts rotation upon the orb, which stabilizes the orb in flight—thereby achieving an increase in sustained velocity and an increase in the distance traveled.

Abstract: A grip guard may be used with a crossbow that has a main beam including a stock and a barrel. The grip guard may have a first wall that is positioned between the stock and the barrel and a second wall that extends outwardly from the main beam. The first wall may have dampening properties to attenuate sounds and vibrations caused by firing the crossbow and the second wall may prevent a user's fingers from inadvertently extending from the handle toward the barrel.

Abstract: A bow having a firing assembly that allows multiple projectiles in a clip to be selectively fired by a bow string, the bow having a bow string to produce the launching force to launch the projectiles along a projectile track, a firing assembly partially contained in the clip, the clip having an outer shell with a clip opening and a biased projectile follower to urge the projectiles toward the clip opening, the bow further including a receiver having a receiver opening to selectively operably receive the clip, the clip having a firing portion with at least one projection configured to support the bow string to fire the bow, the firing assembly further including a trigger assembly joined relative to the receiver and having a firing finger configured to urge the bow string off of the at least one projection and launch a projectile.

Abstract: A convertible walker/rider includes a frame and a seat assembly, and is convertible between a riding mode and a walking mode. The frame includes a pair of substantially horizontally oriented base legs and an upright portion coupled to and extending generally upwardly from the base legs. The seat assembly is pivotally mounted to the upright portion and includes a seat platform, a pair of seat support legs generally extending from the seat platform, and a seat handle extending between the seat support legs. The seat assembly is positionable in either a seated position for operating the convertible walker in a riding mode or in an upright position for operating the convertible walker in a walking mode. The base legs can be selectively adjustable to widen or lessen the distance therebetween.

Abstract: A trigger mechanism for use in a crossbow having a bowstring, the trigger mechanism comprising a housing having a slot formed therein, a trigger lever pivotally mounted in the housing and having a trigger that extends partially outside the housing, a catch pivotally mounted in the housing, and a disarm mechanism received in the housing that is moveable between a neutral first position and a disarm second position. The catch has a first end configured to retain the bowstring in a cocked position and a second end configured to operatively engage the trigger lever. When the disarm mechanism is in the disarm second position and the user draws the bowstring further into the housing slot, the trigger mechanism is configured to allow the catch to move from the catch first position into the catch second position without requiring the user to engage the trigger (e.g., squeezing or pulling the trigger).

Abstract: A trigger mechanism for use in a crossbow comprises a housing having a first slot formed in a first side and a second slot formed in a second side opposite the first side. A trigger lever, a bowstring catch and a disarm mechanism are all moveably mounted in the housing. The catch has a first end configured to engage the trigger lever and a second end configured to retain the bowstring in a cocked position. The disarm mechanism is partially positioned in the second slot and is moveable between a fixed first position proximate the housing second slot toward a second disarm position toward the housing first slot. As the disarm mechanism moves from the first position into the second position, it engages the trigger lever causing it to move out of engagement with the catch first end allowing the user to release the bowstring using the bowstring cocking device from the trigger mechanism without having to engage the trigger.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a crossbow crank comprises a housing and a shaft rotatable with respect to the housing. A one-way mechanism is arranged to prevent rotation of the shaft in a first rotational direction, but allow rotation in a second direction. A release mechanism is arranged to disengage the one-way mechanism from the shaft. The release mechanism has a first position and a second position, wherein the release mechanism moves along a length of the shaft between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: Provided is a self-tunable compound bow including: a bow main body including a pair of limbs that are respectively coupled to both ends of a handle; upper and lower pulley assemblies that are respectively coupled to the rear end of each limb; a bowstring; and first and second cam cables that are wound around a cam of each of the upper and lower pulley assemblies as the bowstring is pulled. A contact pin is formed in one of the pulley assemblies, in which the contact pin is in contact with one limb when the bowstring is pulled, and an indicator is formed in the other of the pulley assemblies, in which the indicator is in contact with the other limb and moves when the bowstring is pulled in a guide hole formed in the pulley of the other of the pulley assemblies.

Abstract: A projectile launcher includes a body having a rearward end, and a forward end. A pair of arms is pivotally coupled to the body and a bowstring extends between the ends of the pair of arms and is movable between a cocked position and a released position. Tubular torsion bars are coupled to the pair arms to store and release mechanical energy. A mechanical energy delivery system couples the tubular torsion bars to the pair arms. The mechanical energy delivery system transfers mechanical energy to the tubular torsion bars when the bowstring is moved from the released position to the cocked position, and transfers mechanical energy from the tubular torsion bars to the pair arms to move the bowstring from the cocked position to the released position.

Abstract: A paintball drive system of a paintball loader and includes a board having a hole with which a driving ring is engaged. A gear ring is connected to the driving ring. A friction ring is located at the inside of the gear ring. A base is located beneath the board and has a cone which has an outlet and an entrance. A power unit is connected to one end of the loader and rotates the gear ring. The paintballs are received in the paintball loader and is moved by the friction ring which is driven by the gear ring to guide the paintballs to move through the entrance and be fed into the paintball gun via the outlet.

Abstract: A variety of swing training devices that are arranged to support a ball to be struck are described. At least one moveable object is positioned within a chamber located adjacent the ball support. The moveable object is arranged such that it can be seen by a hitter after the ball is struck when the hitter is looking at a point of contact where the ball is struck. The moveable objects are arranged to move when the ball is stuck and a variety of challenge games can be played that require the batter to identify something that happened to the moveable objects—thereby providing motivation to encourage the batter to focus his or her eyes on the region of contact.

Abstract: A crossbow with rotating limb pockets has a rifle-like frame with forward, outward limb arch supports which support pivot pins at their distal ends. Rotating limb pockets are pivotally and rearwardly secured to the arch support pivot pins. Limbs with distal cams supporting cables and bow string are suitably fixed to the limb pockets such as by screws. Forwardly the limb pockets are pivotally secured to links which are pivotally joined to a forward and rearward moving actuator controlled by a crank mechanism. Extending the actuator rotates the limb pockets outwardly and the limb cams inwardly to a low poundage state for easy cocking of the string and loading a bolt or arrow. Retracting the actuator rotates the limb pockets inwardly and the limb cams outwardly to a high poundage state ready for shooting.

Abstract: A net includes lower fixed and upper vertically adjustable parts. The net parts extend across a playing area. Ends of the net parts are fastened to posts at sides of the playing area. The lower net part is fixedly mounted at a lower post part. The upper net part is doubly folded along a line along a longitudinal direction, forming a fold along the line. The upper net part exhibits a downwardly-hanging portion on each side of the fold. The ends of the upper net part are fastened to a vertically adjustable upper post part. The fold of the upper net part is arranged across the lower net part in a longitudinal direction with a portion hanging down on each side of the lower net part, so that the upper net part at least between a lower part of the hanging portions encloses an upper part of the lower net part.

Abstract: Provided is a self-tunable compound bow including: a bow main body including a pair of limbs that are respectively coupled to both ends of a handle; upper and lower pulley assemblies that are respectively coupled to the rear end of each limb; a bowstring; and first and second cam cables that are wound around a cam of each of the upper and lower pulley assemblies as the bowstring is pulled. A contact pin is formed in one of the pulley assemblies, in which the contact pin is in contact with the first cam cable when the bowstring is pulled, and an indicator is formed in the other of the pulley assemblies, in which the indicator is in contact with the second cam cable and moves when the bowstring is pulled in a guide hole formed in the pulley of the other of the pulley assemblies.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a crossbow operable for shooting missiles. The crossbow comprises: (a) a left-side bowhead and a right-side bowhead; (b) a left-side bow limb and a right-side bow limb; (c) a cam wheel affixed to the anterior end and the posterior end of each of the left-side and right-side bowheads and the left-side and right-side bow limbs; (d) a left-side bowhead string and a right-side bowhead string; (e) a connecting string; (f) a retention base affixed to the connecting string; and (h) a tiller capable of cocking and firing the crossbow.

Abstract: An adapter for modifying a cornhole platform. The adapter may include an insert that may fit within the opening of the cornhole platform. Attached to the insert may be at least one barrier including sidewalls that may rest on the surface of the cornhole platform when the insert is within the opening. The barrier may include multiple rings attached to the insert.

Abstract: A wrist strap for connection to a plurality of different bowstring release mechanisms via a plurality of different connecting members, includes a flexible base member adapted to fit around the wrist of a user and a mounting assembly connected to the wrist strap. The flexible base member has first and second arms that converge towards an apex area. The mounting assembly is connected to the apex area and is adapted to receive and retain the plurality of different connecting members. The mounting assembly includes a lower mounting portion having a first feature for retaining at least a first of the plurality of extension members and a second feature for retaining a second of the plurality of extension members. The upper and lower mounting portions cooperate to releasably lock one of the extension members in one of two locking positions.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a pitching machine comprising a ball path having ball entry point and a ball exit point; a pitching arm rotatably attached to the frame comprising a first end and a second end having an arcuate hand wherein the pitching arm rotates the pitching hand; and an elastic strap connected to a first end of the pitching arm and connected to the frame wherein the elastic strap activates the pitching and wherein the pitching arm is manually rotated to a first position defined by a stop such that a ball inserted at the entry point to the ball path will interact with the pitching arm and wherein the elastic strap biases the pitching arm from the first position to the second position propelling the ball along the ball path toward the ball exit.