Abstract: Systems and methods for selectively enhancing the weight and aerodynamics of sporting equipment are provided. A system may include a piece of sporting equipment having openings extending through the sporting equipment. The system may include a plug operable to be secured within one of the openings extending through the sporting equipment. The plug may include a first end portion, a second end portion, and an attachment mechanism. The first end portion may include a first outer flange and a first body. The first outer flange may have a larger diameter than the first body. The second end portion may include a second outer flange and a second body. The second outer flange may have a larger diameter than the second body. The attachment mechanism may be configured to connect the first end portion to the second end portion to secure the plug within the one of the openings.

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 golf club head includes a forward section and a body section to define a closed internal volume. The forward section has a strike face, a frame that surrounds the strike face, and a flange extending from the frame. The body section is formed from a molded polymeric material, and includes a forward edge that defines a receiving portion adapted to receive the flange and a weight receiving feature spaced apart from the forward edge. The body section further includes a reinforcing structure protruding into the internal volume and extending between the weight receiving feature and the forward edge. The reinforcing structure is operative to transfer impact loads between the weight receiving feature and the metallic forward section.

Abstract: A sports field marking assembly and method of marking creates a boundary reference point and field lines on a field or for coaching. The assembly provides a marker anchoring device that is loaded with field markers. The marker anchoring device comprises a translatable handle coupled to a spring-loaded piston that discharge the field markers into the surface of the sports field. Bristles couple to a rear end of the marker body for visibility above the surface of the field. A tape canister couples to the marker anchoring device to dispense a measuring tape. The measuring tape couples to the field markers, serving to delineate the boundaries and lines on the field. Multiple aligners anchor into the sports field to retain the measuring tape in the formed patterns. The aligners have collapsible and moveable guide posts that can be selectively raised to guide the measuring tape though the chosen guide posts.

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 swing lag training device having a latching mechanism for reversible attachment to a shaft near a golf club head; a means for allowing a connection point to rotate relative to the attached latching mechanism; an arm band for attachment above an elbow of an arm of a user; a spooling device attached to the arm band with a cord that connects the spooling device to an connection point near the golf club head; the spooling device adapted to: 1) retract cord into the spooling device during a back swing; and 2) provide a set of audible sounds as cord is unwound as the golf club head is moved in a forward swing so that a user can train to concentrate the set of audible sounds in a late portion of in the forward swing and thus maintain swing lag during an early portion of the forward swing.

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: An identification carrier for a toy for replaying music or a spoken story, includes a standing surface, a magnet and an identification, wherein the identification changes a property of an external magnetic field when it enters the magnetic field, and the magnet is arranged closer than the identification to the standing surface and/or at least one surface normal to the standing surface passes only through the magnet or only through the identification.

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: The present invention relates to a new and inventive combination game combining aspects of ball and/or bowling games. The invention further relates to a game set comprising all elements necessary to perform the game and to a method of playing a combined game.