Patents Examined by Paul E. Shapiro
-
Patent number: 5570881Abstract: Scoring equipment particularly adaptable to a sword combat sport, includes a limb target and a helmet. The limb target has a base configured to be worn by a user at a location near a joint of the user's limb. A lever is pivotally mounted on the base and extends to a lever terminal end. The lever terminal end is fastened to the user on a side of the user's joint opposite the base. A locking mechanism is connected between the base and the lever. The locking mechanism has a set condition in which articulation of the user's joint is unencumbered by the scoring equipment. The locking mechanism also has a tripped condition in which the locking mechanism restricts the rotation of the lever relative to the base and thereby restricts the articulation of the user's joint. The locking mechanism is responsive to a force applied to the locking mechanism to place the locking mechanism in the tripped condition from the set condition.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 1994Date of Patent: November 5, 1996Inventor: Anthony Lau
-
Patent number: 5566953Abstract: A low-rebound, impact-deformable footbag includes plural panels having peripheral edges which are connected together to define an impact-deformable, semi-collapsible chamber which permits the footbag to assume an arbitrarily-changing, random shape in response to an externally-applied deformation force, such as kicking. The footbag includes at least one panel, a portion of which is formed from an apertured material for providing a view internally of the chamber. Plural lightweight, impact-damping filler members are disposed in the chamber, some of which being viewable through the apertured material. Such filler members are positioned within the chamber for interacting with other such filler members for damping such applied deformation force.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 1995Date of Patent: October 22, 1996Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: Martin F. Arriola, Daniel M. Roddick
-
Patent number: 5564712Abstract: In a bullet trap for indoor shooting with small arms, which bullet trap, behind the targets, includes a vertically suspended curtain (1) made of rubber, and a vertically supported impact plate (3) made of steel and being spaced behind the curtain, the space between the curtain and the impact plate is enclosed by cover plates (4, 4', 5, 6) extending forwards from the side, upper and lower margins of the impact plate, covering the space between the impact plate and the curtain, whereby the latter is sealingly attached to the front edges of the cover plates through steel profiles (9), attached to the cover plates by screwing through the curtain. The enclosed space is continuously evacuated by connected fan means (10) and an interconnected filter (12) to prevent that lead containing dust, which is set free upon the impact of the bullets in the bullet trap, is distributed to the air and the shooting premises.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 1996Date of Patent: October 15, 1996Inventor: Torsten Werner
-
Patent number: 5564694Abstract: A basketball ring incorporating a U-shaped flat spring steel component between the mount and the ring in order to protect the ring from deformation; the rate of the spring being less than that required for deformation of the ring under the influence of a downwardly directed force.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 1994Date of Patent: October 15, 1996Inventor: Trevor Bowman
-
Patent number: 5564713Abstract: A blade-opening arrowhead wherein at least one blade, preferably two blades, are pivotally mounted with respect to a blade carrying body. A bias force is used to urge an engagement member against a corresponding blade. The bias force is preferably selected so that each blade remains in a normally closed position during flight or during handling of the arrowhead, but yet responsively and quickly moves to a fully open position upon impact or when a sufficient opening force is applied to the blade.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 1995Date of Patent: October 15, 1996Assignee: New Archery Products Corp.Inventors: Robert S. Mizek, Miroslav A. Simo
-
Patent number: 5562290Abstract: A shuttlecock including a feathers unit having a front coupling neck, and a light-permeable base snuggly receiving the front coupling neck of the feathers unit and defining a water-tight space, an alkaline solution filled in the water-tight space, and a film-covered luminol ball disposed in the alkaline solution, the luminol of the luminol ball is activated by the alkaline solution to produce a brilliant bluish luminescence when the luminol ball is broken by an external force being applied to the base.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 1995Date of Patent: October 8, 1996Inventor: Tsung-Lu Wei
-
Patent number: 5562291Abstract: An arrow tip for shooting wooden targets with an archery arrow and retrieving said arrow and said arrow tip from said wooden target. The arrow tip having, a penetrating point forward of, a cylindrical shank forward or aft of, a circular cutting edge forward or aft of, a left-handed extraction thread forward of, a post extraction tip removal hole forward of, a circular curing edge as large or larger than an arrow shaft. The arrow tip is removed by rotating and pulling same.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 1995Date of Patent: October 8, 1996Assignee: Daniel D. GarciaInventor: Daniel D. Garcia
-
Patent number: 5560605Abstract: A strategy game (10) that incorporates a stationary platform (12) that includes a set of three peg cavities (26) into which are inserted a set of three pegs (40), and a set of seven disks (52) each having a different diameter. The game is initially started by stacking the set of seven disks (52) on one of the pegs (40) with the largest diameter disk on the bottom and the smallest diameter disk on the top. The object of the game (10) is to move the stack of disks (52) from the one peg to another peg in the least amount of strategy moves and/or time. All moves must be accomplished without placing a disk having a larger diameter over a disk of smaller diameter.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 1995Date of Patent: October 1, 1996Inventors: Filadelfo Garcia, Lazaro R. Sanchez
-
Patent number: 5560616Abstract: A game for use with more than one marbles. The game comprises a housing having first and second sides, a bottom surface and a return area. The bottom surface is sloped such that when the marbles are placed upon the bottom surface the marbles tend under the force of gravity to roll to the return area. The device also comprises a support member disposed above the bottom surface having a plurality of indentations to support one of the marbles. The device further comprises a casing connected to said housing to substantially enclose the same and a first handle member extending through the casing. The handle member comprises a first end which may be grasped by the person and a second end which may be used to grasp the marbles. The handle member being movable along the casing so that the marbles may be picked up from the return area and placed upon the support member.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 1995Date of Patent: October 1, 1996Inventor: John Van Hessen
-
Patent number: 5560611Abstract: A mathematical game is comprised of a game board with holes arranged in a regular array and playing pieces bearing integer numbers. Players compete to combine the playing pieces and mathematical operations to form a mathematical expression which equals a given answer. Playing pieces used in these mathematical expressions are placed on the game board on the holes. After all holes are filled with playing pieces, playing pieces are stacked on top of the previous layer of pieces by putting the playing pieces into gaps created by the playing pieces of the lower level. More levels of playing pieces are assembled as the game progresses, creating a three-dimensional pyramid shape.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 1995Date of Patent: October 1, 1996Inventor: Yoobong Kim
-
Patent number: 5558340Abstract: A game machine includes a housing; a grip mechanism including two hands for gripping articles mounted on a rear wall of the housing; a drive mechanism for moving the grip mechanism vertically and/or horizontally, and depthwise in the housing; a control mechanism for controlling starting and stopping of the drive mechanism; and an input mechanism manually controlled by a game user for sending signals to the control mechanism to start and stop vertical and/or horizontal movement of the grip mechanism. Depthwise movement of the grip mechanism is actuated by the control mechanism after horizontal and vertical movement is stopped. A sensor mechanism on the grip mechanism senses the presence of a prize between the two hands and sends a signal to the control mechanism to close the hands to grip the article whereupon the grip mechanism is returned to a home position, the hands are released and the prize is delivered to the user.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 1995Date of Patent: September 24, 1996Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha BanprestoInventors: Takaya Ibe, Kazuyoshi Tanaka, Kaname Ota, Goujun Yamamoto, Toshihiro Okabe
-
Patent number: 5558323Abstract: A basketball practice device wherein an auxiliary target ring is supported above a standard horizontal basketball hoop or ring in a plane that is disposed at an acute angle from the plane of the supporting ring. An adjustment mechanism as provided for selectively adjusting and maintaining this acute angle between the auxiliary target ring and the standard basketball hoop.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 1995Date of Patent: September 24, 1996Inventor: Samuel J. LoFaso, Sr.
-
Patent number: 5556088Abstract: A portable basketball system that in a preassembled state is capable of disposition within an outer relatively flat container to assist in shipping. The basketball system comprises a pole, a backboard, a basketball goal, and a hollow ballast-receiving base. The pole has a proximate end and a distal end and comprises a plurality of pole sections. The backboard may be connected to the pole near the distal end of the pole. The basketball goal may be connected to the backboard. The hollow ballast-receiving base supports the pole in a stationary, substantially upward disposition when connected to the pole near the proximate end of the pole. This provides a pole upon which the basketball goal may be suspended at an elevation above a playing surface and the base.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 1994Date of Patent: September 17, 1996Assignee: Lifetime Products, Inc.Inventors: Barry D. Mower, Lonny R. Matherne
-
Patent number: 5553865Abstract: An improved rotary push arcade game including a turntable having a central aperture. Prize objects which are positioned on the surface of the turntable are moved by a pivoting arm member positioned above the turntable. An improved tip of the arm member is engaged with the surface of the turntable and is used to engage an object and push the object into a collection pocket. The collection pocket detects the presence of the object and provides the object to the player. An object dispenser which is positioned in the central aperture of the turntable is used for dispensing additional objects onto the surface of the turntable as required. A wheel mechanism coupled to the turntable near the edge of the turntable causes the turntable to rotate.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 1994Date of Patent: September 10, 1996Assignee: Stephen P. ShoemakerInventors: Stephen P. Shoemaker, Jr., Joseph L. Tallerico, Todd Schricker, Matthew F. Kelly, Bryan M. Kelly
-
Patent number: 5547200Abstract: A nock system including an insert and a nock. The insert having an introduction end, a receiving end located opposite the introduction end, a substantially cylindrical body extending from the receiving end to the introduction end, and a receiving chamber having an opening at the receiving end and extending a distance into the cylindrical body. The receiving chamber is axially aligned and communicates with a threaded duct which extends farther through the cylindrical body toward the introduction end. The nock comprises a string receiving end for receiving a bow string and an engaging shank located opposite the string receiving end. The engagement shank has a shape and size permitting self-tapping, threaded engagement between the engaging shank and the threaded duct. A compression shank extends between the furrowed end and the engaging shank. The compression shank has a shape and size to produce a friction fit within the receiving chamber as the engaging shank is positioned within the threaded duct.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 1995Date of Patent: August 20, 1996Inventor: Louis Rangel
-
Patent number: 5547185Abstract: A basketball goal and pole is provided of the type permitting the height of the basketball goal above a playing surface to be adjusted. The adjustable basketball goal comprises: a vertical pole having a plurality of rails formed on the outside thereof running along the longitudinal axis of the pole, a crank assembly having a rotatable reel fastened to the pole beneath the rails, a pulley assembly having a grooved wheel fastened to the pole atop the rails, a collar having an interior surface forming trackways slidably mounted on the rails and movable between the crank assembly and the pulley assembly, a basketball goal extending upwardly and outwardly from the collar, and a cable connected to the reel and threaded over the grooved wheel and connected to the collar for moving the collar between the crank assembly and the pulley assembly.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 1995Date of Patent: August 20, 1996Inventors: Glenn Wagner, Anita Wagner
-
Patent number: 5544877Abstract: A basketball shooting training aid with braces attached to the upper arm and forearm of a user and an interconnecting adjustable control strap. The control strap is adjusted by a user to restrict the angle to which the elbow can be bent on the backward movement of the arm to about 90 degrees. Forward movement of the arm during a shot is not restricted.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 1995Date of Patent: August 13, 1996Inventor: Neal G. Brownell
-
Patent number: 5540439Abstract: A game apparatus includes a game board surrounded by a fence, a plurality of pawns which are advanceable along the fence and an action character figure which is moveable on the game board. The action character figure is adapted to randomly move about on the game board surface, and each of the pawns includes an ejectable component which is ejected when the pawn is engaged by the action character figure.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 1995Date of Patent: July 30, 1996Assignees: Howard Kamentsky Design, Stephen Schwartz DesignInventor: Howard Kamentsky
-
Patent number: 5540428Abstract: A basketball retrieval and return apparatus is used in combination with a pole-supported basketball backboard to collect shot basketballs that either ricochet off the backboard or fall through a rim attached to the backboard for returning the basketballs to the practicing player or players. The apparatus includes a bracket removably mountable to the lowest portion of the backboard, an elongated support bar pivotally mounted to the bracket, and a U-shaped ring bar attached to the support bar and which extends outwardly from and perpendicular to the backboard when the ring bar is pivoted from a non-use to a use position. In order to maintain the ring bar in its use position, a U-shaped support member is attached to the ring bar and pivots downward toward the level surface or ground so that a pole brace attached to the support member can have one end mounted to a pole bracket which is secured generally to the mid-point of the pole.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 1995Date of Patent: July 30, 1996Inventor: John G. Joseph
-
Patent number: 5540429Abstract: An adjustable height basketball standard includes a lower tube secured to a ground surface. An upper tube engages the lower tube. A raising and lowering mechanism includes a friction element and engages a handle that may be turned by the user. The friction element substantially resists downward movement of the upper tube unless the friction element is overridden through movement of the handle by the user. The friction element may be a wrap spring, a friction cone clutch, brake plates or shoes, or a similar device. In one embodiment, the upper tube includes a series of notches. A drive mechanism includes a drive housing with a gear that engages successive ones of the notches as the drive housing is turned. When the drive housing is turned clockwise, the upper tube raises with respect to the lower tube, and when the drive housing is turned in counter-clockwise, the upper tube lowers with respect to the lower tube. A spring is wrapped around the drive housing.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 1993Date of Patent: July 30, 1996Assignee: Icon Health & Fitness, Inc.Inventors: William T. Dalebout, Jon Jensen