Abstract: The present invention is a system useful in returning a basketball to an individual by recognizing the individual's location relative to the basketball hoop. The system may further adjust its position to deliver the basketball to a person's location or the location to which the individual is moving by further recognizing the trajectory and pace of the individual, such as with the use of GPS devices.

Abstract: Bamboo lacrosse shafts and methods for manufacturing bamboo lacrosse shafts are disclosed.

Abstract: A training apparatus for use in training football basic technique is disclosed, comprising one opening on each side of the apparatus being adapted to entrance angles for at least one rail guiding a ball in a loop from one opening to the other, and a wall adjustable in height as well as sideways is fixed between said openings, where both openings for the ball can be used as entrance/exit and vice versa.

Abstract: The inventive lacrosse stick has a head with a distal end which features a pivotable distal plate. The distal edge of the distal plate is recessed proximally of the distal end of the head so that movements of the plate do not in any way change the fixed length of the stick defined by portions of the head distal of the distal edge of the plate. The distal plate may be made in one of two ways. First, the plate may be made of a separate piece coupled to the lacrosse head and pivotable with respect thereto. In this embodiment, a spring is provided that acts to pivot the distal plate downwardly and to be restored to that orientation whenever it is pivoted upwardly. In a second embodiment, the plate is integrally molded with the head to include a living hinge pivoted upwardly.

Abstract: The Frisbee disc golf practice tower includes a plurality of vertically stacked baskets that collect Frisbee discs that are thrown into a front opening of each basket, and which are used as a means of practicing Frisbee golf putting or in connection with a game. The baskets are formed from a plurality of tubular components that connect, and from which netting spans along each basket at a rear surface, side surfaces, and a bottom surface. A top basket includes a backboard that enables a bank shot to be made therein. The tubular construction of the practice tower can collapse between uses, and arise from base members that secure the practice tower upon different ground surfaces.

Abstract: A sheath for an article of athletic equipment having a shaft, which includes a cap and a rolled sheath. The cap is mounted on the free end of the athletic equipment and the sheath is unrolled onto the shaft to the desired length or the entire length of the shaft. The cap and sheath are preferably made from injection molded rubber, neoprene of other polymers that permit production in various thickness, colors and lengths. The elasticity of the material preferably gives it memory and durability. The diameter of the sheath is preferably smaller than the diameter of the shaft of the athletic equipment so that it stretches to a tight fit. After the sheath is unrolled to the desired length, excess material may be cut off, if desired.

Abstract: A basketball hoop has a stationary panel, a first pivoting seat, a rim assembly, a second pivoting seat and a torsion assembly. The torsion assembly has at least one torsion spring and a pivoting rod. The pivoting rod is mounted through the first pivoting seat and the second pivoting seat to pivotally mount the stationary panel around the rim assembly. The torsion springs offer a resilient force to resist the force of bending the rim assembly. With the torsion springs mounted around the pivoting rod, the basketball hoop in accordance with the present invention reduces the amount of the components. With the decrease of the amount of the components, the installation is easier and faster, and the cost is reduced therefore.

Abstract: Bamboo lacrosse shafts and methods of manufacturing bamboo lacrosse shafts are disclosed.

Abstract: The bowl-shaped receptacle and ball-based game for use there with includes the bowl-based receptacle being comprised of an annular ring member that encircles a bowl appendage. The bowl appendage consists of a concaved ring having a plurality of fingers that extend inwardly as well as downwardly forming a central opening. A ball landing into the bowl appendage is engaged by the fingers around a circumference, and temporarily holds the ball thereon, until subsequently hurled back towards an opposing player. The annular ring member includes diametrically opposed handles along a bottom surface, which are grabbed via hands of a player. The player shall hold the bowl-shaped receptacle with arms in a fully or partially extended manner, and shall catch and bounce back a ball upon a cradling action and consequential flinging action defined by lowering and raising movement of the arms in concert.

Abstract: A target having at least one plate that includes a first side, a second side, and a peripheral edge that has a top and a bottom, through which a rotational shaft projects along a vertical rotational axis. The first side of the plate is visually distinct from the second side of the plate. A frame rotationally captures each plate at both a bottom shaft receiver and a top shaft receiver. A ramp projects away from a rear side of the frame proximate each bottom shaft receiver, such that with the first side of the plate facing in a forward direction, a projectile striking the plate not along the rotational axis causes the plate rotate to contact the ramp, lifting the plate and the rotational shaft within the shaft receivers to flip the plate so that the second side of the plate is facing in the forward direction.

Abstract: A folding sports goal includes a U-shaped front frame which defines the goal opening, a U-shaped base frame with legs pivotally connected with the uprights in the front frame, and a pair of C-shaped side frames with opposite ends pivotally connected with the uprights of the front frame. The erected goal is shifted to a folded storage position by pivoting the side frames inwardly against the front frame, and then folding the base frame upwardly against the side frames and engaging locks which positively retain the goal in a folded storage position.

Abstract: An energy absorbing termination post padding for hockey rinks includes energy absorbing foam pads configured to absorb impacts from sports play such as hockey. Energy absorbing foam panels may include a rigid foam alone or in combination with a relatively softer foam or impact layer.

Abstract: A Soccer Goal Retainer includes a bar rotatably mounted in an enclosure. A clamp plate includes a lower member attachable to the bar. A vertical member extends at right angles from the lower member and an upper member extends from the vertical member generally at right angles. A lip extends generally at right angles from the upper member. With the vertical member generally positioned vertically, the lip, the upper member and vertical member are placed over the rear rail of a soccer goal and the clamp plate is secured to the bar. The clamp plate is released from the rear rail by loosening the clamp plate from the bar. The clamp plate and the bar are then rotated in a forward manner and downwardly into the enclosure. A cover is placed over the enclosure both when the clamp plate is in use and when it is being stored.

Abstract: A game-playing set including a striking device and a ball, and games for playing therewith, are disclosed. The ball includes a hollow spherical translucent outer shell and a smaller inner object loosely disposed within the outer shell. The inner object includes a first illumination element and a first inertia switch. The striking device includes a hollow translucent tube, a second illumination device rigidly disposed within the tube, and a second inertia switch. The first inertia switch is triggered by impact of the inner object against the outer shell to cause illumination of the first illumination element and the second inertia switch is triggered by an externally-applied impact against the tube to cause illumination of the second illumination element.

Abstract: A portable and collapsible goal post including a tubular base defining a T-shape perpendicularly and vertically affixed to an upright. A post is pivotably attached to the upright, and pivots between a position parallel to the base and a position perpendicular to the base. The goal post further includes a tubular cross bar perpendicularly affixed to the post in opposing relation to the upright with a pair of tubular arms pivotably attached in opposing relation to different ones of the cross bar ends, each of the arms defining an L-shape and a cup, each of the cups defining a square cross-section. The goal post also includes a pair of poles, wherein the poles are inserted into different ones of the cups and the post is pivoted into a vertical position in line with the upright. A method of using the goal post is also included.

Abstract: A reinforced object of the invention comprises: at least one structural layer; and at least one reinforcing rod positioned on or within the at least one structural layer, wherein the object is an elongated object, with the at least one reinforcing rod longitudinally positioned essentially parallel to a central axis thereof. A method of manufacturing the reinforced object comprises steps of: providing a mold; and positioning the at least one reinforcing rod such that it is positioned on or within the at least one structural layer in the reinforced object formed in the mold.

Abstract: A dough forming apparatus comprising a lower support frame, a lower pressing platen coupled to the lower support frame, and an upper pressing platen assembly positioned above the lower pressing platen. The upper pressing platen assembly further comprises a backing structure, an upper backing platen coupled to the backing structure, and a pressing plate removably coupled to the upper backing platen by vacuum or electromagnetic means. Means for heating the pressing plate, and shims for adjusting the flatness of the pressing surface are provided. A conveyor supported by the lower support frame is positioned to pass between the lower pressing platen and the upper pressing platen assembly. A method of adjusting the apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A training device for use with a regulation discus includes a glove body sized and shaped for receiving at least a portion of a hand of a discus thrower therein and an attachment for securing the regulation discus to the glove body at a front of the glove body such that the discus thrower can grasp the regulation discus and practice throwing the discus without releasing the regulation discus from the glove body. The glove body has a wrist opening, at least one thumb opening, and at least one finger opening. Thus, even if the discus thrower inadvertently lets go of the regulation discus, the regulation discus is not thrown because it is secured to the glove body worn by the discus thrower. The attachment can be straps that are secured about the regulation discus.

Abstract: A lacrosse stick for reducing the rebound of a ball caught therein. The head of the lacrosse stick is affixed to a tubular shaft in which a portion of the shaft wall at the top end is omitted on the front side and another portion is omitted on the backside below the first omitted portion. A resilient member is inserted within the shaft extending past the lower omitted portion of the shaft wall. The resilient member fills the omitted areas to seat flush therein. A head having a socket and throat is affixed to top end of the shaft. The socket engages the resilient insert via the omitted portions. When a force is applied, for example, by a ball caught in the pocket, the socket compresses the resilient member from the front and the throat from the back allowing the head to rotate backward, dissipating some of the energy and reducing rebound.

Abstract: A lacrosse head pocket includes an elongated single layer runner with multiple cross pieces. The single layer runner can be constructed from a material, such as a polymeric material, molded over the cross pieces. The cross pieces and/or runner can include speed lace loops with which a net lace can be joined. A related method includes providing cross pieces, overmolding a polymeric material over the cross pieces to form a single layer runner, where the overmolded material is the only structure extending between and connecting the cross pieces, and where the cross pieces are transverse to the runners. Another method includes providing a pocket base overmolding the base with a polymeric material to cover portions of it, and forming connection elements between different portions independently of any other components of the pocket base.