Patents Examined by Raleigh W. Chiu
  • Patent number: 9950235
    Abstract: A portable tennis playing apparatus allows players to play the game of tennis in various indoor environments. The portable tennis playing apparatus can be assembled and disassembled easily, and provides the opportunity for the players to not only enjoy the game of tennis but also to improve and hone their skills.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Inventor: Albert Williams
  • Patent number: 9931558
    Abstract: A thoracic isolation and training system is provided to stabilize radial deviation of the wrist and horizontal abduction of the humerus. As such, use of the system effectively rotates the thoracic spine so that horizontal abduction and radial deviation are locked in a proper and desirable position. The system can include one or more extension portions, one or more bracing portions, and one or more connection portions. One or more adjustment portions can be operably connected to the extension and bracing portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: True Turn, LLC
    Inventor: Carl Horne
  • Patent number: 9925441
    Abstract: Provided is a handheld dexterity training technology. In one example a handheld dexterity training device comprises two portions that are rotatable relative to one another about the axis of rotation of a twisting joint that connects them together. One portion comprises a handle while the other portion comprises a panel having a playing surface that can be used to strike a ball to make it bounce. A stopper prevents rotation beyond a certain angular range. The rotatability of the handle relative to the playing surface poses a particular challenge. A releasable lock can bind the two portions together. Other features and components are possible. A method of dexterity training is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Inventor: Maury Simms
  • Patent number: 9919193
    Abstract: A ping pong table for playing ping pong on a variably configurable table includes a center panel that is rectangularly shaped. A pair of side panels is hingedly coupled singly to and extends from opposing sides of the center panel. The side panels extend between opposing ends of the center panel. A plurality of legs is coupled to and extends perpendicularly from a bottom of the center panel. The legs are positioned on the center panel such that the center panel is supportable on a substantially horizontal surface. The side panels are configured to be positioned in angled positions relative to the center panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Inventor: Jared De Santis
  • Patent number: 9908040
    Abstract: A game controller is provided. In one embodiment, the game controller includes a main body, a trigger device, and a first adjustment mechanism. The trigger device has a trigger body coupled to the main body and that pivots along a pivotal axis relative to the main body. The first adjustment device has a first surface that contacts a second surface of the main body at a first point of contact when the trigger body is moved. The first adjustment device is movable along a first axis such that the first point of contact is adjusted along the first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: CINCH GAMING EQUIPMENT LLC
    Inventor: James Hackney
  • Patent number: 9908009
    Abstract: A string clamping device of a threading machine for a racket contains: a clamp unit, a tightening unit, an adjustment disc, a connection column, and a fixing structure. The clamp unit includes a body, a locking seat, and two first springs. The body has multiple first paws, the locking seat has multiple second paws, and among the multiple first and second paws is defined a gap of the clamp unit. The tightening unit includes an abutting block and an operation handle, the body has a first protrusion with a first through orifice, and the adjustment disc includes multiple teeth, wherein between any two adjacent teeth is defined a recess. The fixing structure includes an affix member, a coupling shaft, a second spring, a screwing element, and a support part, wherein the affix member has a retaining portion, and the second spring contacts with a drive tab of the support part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Inventor: Min Wei Lee
  • Patent number: 9884228
    Abstract: A device is provided for stringing a racket having a racket frame with holes in the racket frame. The device includes a frame and a cradle rotationally coupled to the frame and configured to mechanically secure the racket via the racket frame. The device also includes multiple elements coupled to at least one of the frame and cradle, including a grasping element configured to engage a string and modify the position and/or tension of the string, a clamp configured to engage the string and maintain the position and tension of the string, an imagining device, and a processor, the processor capable of receiving information from the imaging device indicative of a racket position, hole position, and/or string position, and providing instructions for operating the grasping element, clamp, and/or cradle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Inventor: Chethan Yadav
  • Patent number: 9878215
    Abstract: A tennis ball retrieval apparatus with enhanced ball retention capability coupled to a frame of a tennis racket is provided. The tennis ball retrieval apparatus includes a scoop assembly with an upper receptacle coupled to a base member, the base member having a generally U-shaped member coupled to the frame of the tennis racket, the upper receptacle having a generally spherical scoop with a front opening and an inner concave surface designed to conform to contours of the tennis ball. The tennis racket is maneuvered in a sweeping motion to permit the generally spherical scoop of the upper receptacle to scoop the tennis ball through the front opening. This permits the inner concave surface of the upper receptacle to conform to the tennis ball, thereby permitting the upper receptacle to retain the tennis ball therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Inventor: David Lee Stanford
  • Patent number: 9861874
    Abstract: A tennis swing training apparatus is provided, which is a spherical spacer with a strap with a fastening device to hold the strap on the arms, to prevent the spherical spacer from switching position or falling out during the process of the swing, which when put in between a limb from a body part or strategically placed on the body it separates or holds the arm and swing into position to maintain proper position by having the player squeeze or feel the feedback of the apparatus. The apparatus can be used to help fix most of swings and shots used in tennis including one handed forehand, two-handed backhand, forehand and backhand volley, forehand slice, one-handed backhand slice, overhead, and the serve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Inventor: Sky Kim
  • Patent number: 9855492
    Abstract: The invention relates to a machine (1) for pinball-type recreational games, characterized in that it comprises a module for the monitoring and storage (2) of operative variables of the machine (1), comprising means for communication with remote storage and control equipment (9), where said monitoring and storage module (2) also comprises the following elements: at least one CPU (4) connected to a plurality of sensor elements; at least one data-receiving and data-encoding device (3) connected to said CPU (4); at least one multimedia support unit (5); at least one electronic purse (6); and an electromechanical counting device (7) for counting the number and amplitude of the electric pulses received from said electronic purse (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Inventor: Antonio Ortiz Mezquita
  • Patent number: 9839816
    Abstract: A ball pickup device is provided, comprising a ball collector and a pull rod connected to the ball connector. The ball collector has ball inlets formed at the bottom of the ball collector and formed by transverse rods arranged at the bottom of the ball collector in parallel at intervals, and one ball outlet is formed by the interval between every two adjacent transverse rods. Each interval is smaller than the diameter of a ball. One end of each transverse rod is fixedly connected to the ball collector, and the other end is a movable end and located in the corresponding receding groove. When a ball is pressed, movable ends move along receding grooves to recede under the pressure of the ball, and the ball enters the ball collector. After the ball enters the ball inlet, movable ends move along receding grooves to gradually return.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Inventor: Ping Qiu
  • Patent number: 9839829
    Abstract: A tennis training system is provided that includes a track assembly and a handle assembly. The track assembly includes a track coupled to a base, the track having a plurality of interlocking tubular sections that mimics a preferred tennis swing. Then handle assembly includes a racket handle and a clip pivotally attached to the handle. The clip is removably attachable to the track in a sliding engagement along the length of the track to develop muscle memory as the user guides the handle assemble along the length of the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Inventor: Angelo Loucareas
  • Patent number: 9821197
    Abstract: The present invention provides a game racquet including an integrated circuit capable of supporting a low-voltage energy current. An embodiment of the invention provides a game racquet including one or more enhancements attached or integrated on the racquet frame. These enhancements may include but are not limited to: one or more LEDs, a sound amplification device, and an electromagnetic vibration emitter. In a further embodiment, the game racquet responds electronically to ball impact on at least one of the strings, and subsequently performs and action or actions including but not limited to making a sound or sounds, triggering lights, triggering LEDs, triggering another type of automation on the racquet such as a vibration emitter within the handle. The game racquet frame comprising at least one string channel in the frame head, bridge, or other area, which houses an actuator responds mechanically to a string movement triggering electronic connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Inventor: Brett Bothwell
  • Patent number: 9818265
    Abstract: An arcade game with that allows a player to control the game using a video feedback plus a tactile response is provided. A player must use the video feed for controlling the game, and the video feed can be altered to vary the difficulty of the game. The tactile response can also be controlled to provide a more realistic game experience to the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Inventor: Stephen P. Shoemaker, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9795867
    Abstract: A board game is disclosed that includes at least two remote-controlled figures moving on a game board. Each of at least two remote-controlled figures moves to knock over an opponent's building models situated at predetermined build sites on the game board. A method of playing the game is also disclosed that includes: each player selecting a remote-controlled figure and a plurality of building models; situating each remote-controlled figure at a predetermined start site on the game board; situating the building models at the plurality of predetermined build sites on the game board; and moving each remote-controlled figure to knock down an opponent's plurality of building models.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Inventor: Greg Hughes
  • Patent number: 9795852
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided various embodiments of a golf swing training device which is uniquely configured to maintain a desirable bent wrist condition through the entirety of the downswing (including golf ball impact) and follow-though or finish of the golf swing. More particularly, the training device constructed in accordance with the present invention allows the wearer/user to start the golf swing with the right wrist in its natural, generally flattened condition at address. Once the backswing of the golf stroke is initiated, the training device of the present invention allows the wearer/user to bend the right wrist back naturally, and at different amounts so as to represent the different amounts of right wrist bend a golfer may employ for shorter and longer strokes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Kyron, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Scott Shew, Lance Gordon Hussey, Ravi Kumar Sawhney
  • Patent number: 9789361
    Abstract: The invention relates to golf clubs, more particularly to mechanisms for fastening accessories to clubs. The invention provides a golf club configured to house an electronic device such as an RFID tag within a recess within the grip, thereby protecting the device from the stress, shock, and exposure that arises when a golf club is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Cobra Golf Incorporated
    Inventors: Tim A. Beno, Andrew Curtis, Michael T. McDonnell, Scott H. Moreira, Michael S. Yagley
  • Patent number: 9770631
    Abstract: A dual tension racket string tensioning system and methods for implementing the same are disclosed. Embodiments of the disclosure include a tensioner equipped with two or more receptacles to releasably grip two or more portions of string simultaneously, and simultaneously apply a force at each portion of the string held in the receptacles. Embodiments of the present disclosure include a turntable rotatably coupled to a base structure, a mounting support adjustably coupled to the turntable (the mounting support configured to receive and hold a racket), and a dual tensioner, as disclosed herein, coupled with the base and operable to apply force (1) at a first portion of the string via the first receptacle; and (2) at a second portion of the string via the second receptacle. Some embodiments further include a stationary dual-string clamp. Further embodiments include a gear dial for fine tuning the force applied to the string portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Inventor: John C. Tarrant
  • Patent number: 9770641
    Abstract: A tennis analysis system analyzes tennis game play and generates game statistics for one or more players involved in a tennis session including match play. The system involves electronic portable devices that may be in a form of a dampener device. The portable devices can be mounted on tennis rackets for capturing stroke and other game related data during tennis play. Further, supplemental data may also be captured using personal devices such as mobile phones. The data generated by the electronic portable devices and personal devices can be used in combination by the tennis analysis system to perform game analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: COURTMATICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bhanu Nagendra Pisupati, Andrey Reznik, Vadim Blank
  • Patent number: 9770640
    Abstract: A net deployment system is adapted to deploying a net around a desired area having a wall adjacent to a floor. The net deployment system has a first swing arm, pivotally attached to the wall and further attached to the wall with a first support cable. A second swing arm is pivotally attached to the wall and further attached to the wall with a second support cable. A plurality of net support cables join the first swing arm and the second swing arm. A net storage bag is attached to the first swing arm with a first frame cable. A second frame cable is attached to the first frame cable and further attached to the wall between the first frame cable and the second frame cable. A net is housed in the bag and connected to the plurality of set support cables. Pulling the first swing arm away from the wall by rotating the second swing arm lowers the net storage bag toward the floor and deploys the net.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Inventor: Donald Reed Kurz