Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core and a cover layer. The core defines at least one depression along its outer surface. The cover layer provides at least one aperture that extends through the cover layer to the core. The aperture of the cover is aligned with the depression of the core. The cover may be a single layer or it may include multiple layers. The aperture(s) may be spherical or non-spherical, and the portion of the aperture that extends to the next inner layer may be the same or different shape as the outer portion of the aperture.

Abstract: An adjustable basketball goal system wherein a basketball goal is mounted to a moveable sleeve slidable a post. A ring is attached to the sleeve and connected to a cable. The cable runs through a pulley at the top of the post, then back through the ring and down to a winch. The winch functions to draw in cable thereby raising the sleeve and the attached goal, to release cable and thereby lower the goal, and to hold the cable in position and thereby fix the position of the goal.

Abstract: A leather pitching target simulates the sound of a pitched ball hitting a catcher's mitt and forms a visual indentation where the ball strikes the target. An air-filled layer of padding may be sandwiched between a leather target sheet and a durable backing material. A square or rectangular quilted pattern of stitching may bind the layers together. A differently colored block U-shaped pattern of squares forms the inside, outside, and bottom of the strike zone. Each time the ball hits the target, pressure from the impact levels out the previous impression and creates a new one where the new pitch hit the target.

Abstract: A method for a predicting golfer's performance is disclosed herein. The method inputs the pre-impact swing properties of a golfer, a plurality of mass properties of a first golf club, and a plurality of mass properties of a first golf ball into a rigid body code. Ball launch parameters are generated from the rigid body. The ball launch parameters, a plurality of atmospheric conditions and lift and drag properties of the golf ball are inputted into a trajectory code. This trajectory code is used to predict the performance of a golf ball if struck by the golfer with the golf club under the atmospheric conditions. The method can then predict the performance of the golf ball if struck by the golfer with a different golf club. The method and system of the present invention predict the performance of the golf ball without the golfer actually striking the golf ball.

Abstract: A basketball practicing and collecting device includes a base, a first tube, a lift tube, a second tube, a third tube, a lower support rack, a backboard, a reduction motor, a drive roller, a driven roller, a frame tube, two opposite pulley members, two opposite slide seats, a pull handle, and a pull cord. Thus, the frame tube can be turned horizontally, while the ball inlet opening and the collection channel are moved and directed toward the same direction, so that the basketball falling into the elastic net from the ball inlet opening can be collected and introduced outward through the collection channel, thereby facilitating the user practicing the free throw in a determined direction.

Abstract: A golf swing training apparatus, for creating proper head-to-body alignment, assists a user thereof in acquiring muscle memory of a correct golf swing, while remaining substantially out of the user's field of vision. The training apparatus provides a support section and an engagement arm movably connected to the support section. The engagement arm terminates at an adjustably positionable pad, provided for comfortable contact with a dorsal surface of the user's neck during the process of swinging a golf club. The apparatus provides for accurate feedback of the correctness of the user's swing, while affording the user the freedom of movement, substantially without restriction.

Abstract: A volleyball practice system that includes a generally rectangular first flexible panel supported from a pair of vertical supports, and at least one connector of adjustable length extending from at least one of the lower opposing corners of the first flexible panel. A second flexible panel that is smaller than the first flexible panel is supported in a generally parallel fashion from the first flexible panel. The first flexible panel extends below the second flexible panel, so that a trough area is created below the lower edge of the volleyball net when at least one of the lower opposing corners is suppported from the vertical supports.

Abstract: A laser guided putting aid to enable a golfer to practice and perfect his putting stroke. The laser guided putting aid includes a combination laser and clamp by which the laser is detachably connected to the shaft of the putter without having to make any changes thereto. The laster emits a pattern of light that fans out in a vertical plane so as to cast a vertical reference line against a target that is located at the end of a putting surface. The golfer practices his putting stroke while attempting to maintain the position of the vertical reference line against the target. If the golfer's putting strokes becomes non-linear, the reference line will move off the target to immediately provide the golfer with a visual indication that his stroke is off-line.

Abstract: An apparatus for removably securing a sports net to a supporting frame includes a flexible cord that can be wrapped around the supporting frame and through the sports net. The device also includes a fastener with a central portion attached at a central section of the cord and at least one wing extending from the central portion of the fastener. After the cord has been wrapped around the supporting frame and through the sports net, it can be removably secured by wrapping the cord around the fastener so that the cord is held between the fastener wing(s) and the central section of the cord.

Abstract: A trial golf club and golf fitting system for determining at least one custom fitted golf club. The trial club includes a golf club head having a sole defined by a radius of curvature. The sole of the golf club head includes graduated indicia for identifying an optimal lie angle for the fitted club. When the golfer swings the trial golf club, the optimal lie angle of the fitted club is identified by locating the point of impact on the sole of the head of the trial golf club.

Abstract: A portable and adjustable basketball hoop apparatus includes a backboard with a hoop connected to a front thereof. An elongate clamping arm is pivotally coupled to a back of the backboard for pivoting between clamped and released configurations. A rear support member of the clamping arm and the back of the backboard are capable of sandwiching an upstanding structure therebetween in the clamped configuration. A lower end of the clamping arm may be releasably coupled to the upstanding structure with a ratcheted strap assembly whereby to secure the backboard thereto in the clamped configuration. The clamping arm may be released from the upstanding structure in the released configuration whereby to adjust the backboard longitudinally along the upstanding structure.

Abstract: A golf ball having a multi-layered core comprising at least three core layers and a dimpled cover is disclosed. The core may have three layers, A, B and C, four layers, A, B, C and D, five layers, A, B, C, D and E or up to six layers, A, B, C, D, E and F. In accordance to the present invention, the radius or thickness of each core layer is at least twice as much as the adjacent outer core layer. One outer core layer can be a water vapor barrier layer to protect the ball from water vapor encroachment, which reduces the performance of the ball. Another outer core layer can be a thin dense layer with high specific gravity to increase the rotational moment of inertia to reduce the spin of the ball during flight. Another outer core layer can be a perforated spherical shell to increase the resilience and/or coefficient of restitution of the ball. Another outer core layer could be a cushioning layer to act as a shock absorber. The core layers may also have increasing or decreasing hardness.

Abstract: A golfing aid comprising a guide structure in the form of a base member with a plurality of swing deviation indicators pivotally mounted thereon with the indicators positioned on opposite sides of a desired area defining an intended club head swing path, the deviation indicators are each yieldably mounted in a manner to allow a responding rotation upon being struck by a club head deviating from the intended club head swing path.

Abstract: A hand-held ball hitting training device includes a resilient semi-flexible rod bendable upon impact by a bat, a handle component attached on one opposite end of the rod, a ball simulation component attached on the other opposite end of the rod, a hand grip-defining sleeve disposed about the handle component and captured between outer and inner annular collars formed thereon, a securement element fitted over the rod and adjacent to the inner collar of the handle component and having a longitudinal split in a side thereof, and an anchor strap having a first loop portion fitted about the handle component adjacent to the inner collar and seated in an annular recess in the handle component and under the securement element and a second loop portion attached to the first loop portion and extending outwardly therefrom through the split in the securement element.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for permanently mounting a basketball goal assembly is provided. The mounting assembly may include a base plate with holes configured to fit over retaining members, which may take the form of J-bolts. The mounting assembly preferably has a shorter span of base plate material located between holes on the front side of the base plate, so that bending of the base plate is reduced and vibration of the backboard is not sufficient to disturb game play. The span may be shortened by providing an intermediate support member underneath the base plate, positioned between the front holes, by making the front holes closer together, by affixing the pole toward the front end of the base plate, or any combination thereof. Preferably, the front holes are elongated to form slots so that the front end of the base plate can rest on the ground while the basketball goal assembly is pivoted into position over the retaining members.

Abstract: A frame supports as a base a plurality of goals rotatably. The goals are arranged asymmetrically with respect to the vertical axix from the view point of a player. Some goals hide others. When a ball shot by a player hits the frame of a goal. Then the goal rotates to guide the ball out of the goal. Unless a ball is directed to the central portion of the frame of the goal without hitting the frame, the possibility is low that the ball drops in the goal.

Abstract: A golf training device to help a golfer improve a golf swing. The device includes a base member, a mast member, and at least one swing indicator. The mast member is coupled with the base member and has opposite ends and a plurality of holes. The swing indicator(s) are insertable into at least one of said plurality of holes.

Abstract: A game apparatus (10) adapted for use in conjunction with a standard billiard table (16), the game apparatus (10) comprising a sheet of flexible material (12) and at least one target apparatus (14), wherein the or each target apparatus (14) is releasably engageable with the sheet of flexible material (12) and is adapted to releasably receive a ball member (not shown), said game apparatus (10) being adapted to enable the playing of the game in which one or more billiard balls interact with the ball member, the target apparatus (14) and the billiard table (16), in particular cushions and pockets thereof.

Abstract: A tennis training simulation system is disclosed that improves both reaction time and ground stroke techniques within a limited physical training environment. This training system combines simulated service of a tennis ball from a service line over a virtual net, and delivery of real tennis ball to an awaiting tennis student. In the system of this invention, the tennis ball delivery system includes an automatic tennis ball machine equipped with an array of lights or LED's that simulate the service of a tennis ball from a service line, a simulated trajectory of the tennis ball over a virtual net, and a simulated first bounce of a tennis ball coupled immediately thereafter with real in-flight delivery of an actual tennis ball to an awaiting tennis student.

Abstract: An anchoring assembly for a portable basketball goal assembly is disclosed. The anchoring assembly enables the basketball goal assembly to be rigidly attached to a playing surface to stabilize the basketball goal assembly during game play. Each anchoring assembly may include an anchor fitted within an anchoring hole of the playing surface and an anchoring attachment extending through a hole in the base of the basketball goal assembly to engage the anchor. The anchoring attachment can be gripped and rotated by a user to engage or disengage the anchoring assembly. Various bracket arrangements may be used in conjunction with oversized holes in the base to permit significant variation in the positioning and orientation of the anchoring holes. Furthermore, support struts may be attached directly to such brackets to transmit force through a pathway constructed exclusively of high strength material.