Abstract: A sport training device which has a pair of straps which are secured around the user's ankles. The straps are connected by a resilient band and the straps have a tab which folds over the strap to secure the straps and prevent accidental disengagement of the straps.

Abstract: An applique is disclosed for placement on a hockey stick for improving the engagement of the stick with a game piece. The applique includes a base member having a first surface and a second surface. An adhesive is provided on a second surface for adhesively attaching the second surface to the stick. An ordered array of substantially non-deforming protrusions or recesses are formed on the first surface for engaging a surface of a game piece, such as a hockey puck. The protrusions are designed to maximize the frictional engagement between the applique and the puck, to increase the user's ability to control the puck. In an alternate embodiment, an applique is disclosed having a series of direction influencing protrusions formed on the first surface for influencing the direction of deflection of the hockey puck off the first surface toward a predetermined direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved batting machine which presents a batter with a ball which is swung around in a generally circular path. The invention was designed to swing the ball in either a horizontal path or a path which is offset from horizontal. The ball is connected to an extended arm via a tether. The extended arm is also connected to a vertical shaft. The shaft is rotated by an electric motor means, along with a centrifugal clutch. The motor is able to rotate the shaft in either clockwise or counterclockwise direction, thus giving the batter the opportunity to bat right and/or left handed. The shaft motor assembly is supported by a plurality of adjustable supports.

Abstract: Disclosed is a knockdown golf training site in the form of a billiard table formed from a plurality of frame members assembled with a plurality of side and corner ball cavities and a ground carpet onto which the assembled frame members and ball cavities are detachably attached. The knockdown golf training site can be easily disassembled and packed in the ground carpet to be conveniently stored on a car, so that it can be carried to be assembled for use outdoors at any time either for practicing putting golf balls into holes or for conducting a billiard game with golf balls and clubs.

Abstract: A table tennis table includes a main panel having a main table length and a pair of opposing major edges. A frame is connected to the main panel to supporting the main panel in a horizontal orientation. A pair of auxiliary panels are provided with a length substantially equal to the main table length. Adjustable mounting elements on the auxiliary panels and coupled to the frame mount the auxiliary panels to the frame along the major edges. The auxiliary panels have a first orientation extending substantially perpendicularly relative to the main panel and upwardly from the main panel to form rebound surfaces. The auxiliary panels additionally have a second orientation substantially coplanar with the main panel to laterally extend a playing surface of the main panel. Braces are connected the auxiliary panels to bracing the auxiliary panels alternately in the first orientation and the second orientation.

Abstract: A rebound apparatus used to deflect a thrown ball back in the general direction from which the ball was thrown. The fabric support frame angle is adjustably positioned and the polymeric woven fabric supported by the fabric support frame is adjustably tensioned to provide the desired rebound angle and distance, to simulate ground balls, line drives and fly balls. The fabric support frame has lower brackets which are pivotally secured to the distal ends of a U-shaped brace member. Upper brackets on the fabric support frame pivotally secure telescoping members on one end, with the other end releasably secured to a selected aperture on the U-shaped brace member. Bottom portions of the fabric support frame and the telescoping members provide ground engaging feet to support the rebound apparatus during use.

Abstract: A ball practice device including a base secured with a plurality of cushioning pads on the base, a telescopic post erected on the base having an elbow tube telescopically held on the post, and a practice ball and a counterweight ball having a weight slightly heavier than that of the practice ball with the two balls generally symmetrically disposed on opposite ends of a T-shaped connector which is rotatably engageable with a horizontal tube portion of the elbow tube, with the practice ball and the counterweight ball linearly aligned to be perpendicular to the horizontal tube portion of the elbow tube, whereby upon hitting of the practice ball, the practice ball and the counter weight ball will be rotated about the horizontal tube portion, and when stopped, the practice ball will be automatically restored upwardly ready for next hitting while the counterweight ball is gravitationally pendent downwardy.

Abstract: The present invention includes a training aid for providing an audible indication of a properly thrown sports ball. The device includes an elongated hollow, tubular member with closed ends and an inner dowel which is freely moveable longitudinally within the hollow tube. The ends of the tubes can alternatively include plugs, weights, magnets, or bolts, thereby allowing the device to be adjusted or changed for varying levels of sound, weight, resistance, release points or other training needs. One end of the tubular member includes an upwardly curving handle replicating the lower end of a sports ball, and an upper curved handle is located at a predetermined distance from the lower handle, replicating the top of the sports ball. The upper curved handle is preferably adjustable along the length of the tubular member, thereby allowing with the same device, the distance between the handles to be increased or decreased to replicate various sized sports balls, namely a baseball, softball, football, and/or the like.

Abstract: A removable pitching rubber comprising a pitching pad and a rigid metal plate removably connected to the pad, and at least two metal posts extending downwardly from the plate for insertion into prearranged ground anchors embedded in the ground so as to provide a stationary mount for the pitching rubber. The removable connection between the plate and the pad permits the pad to be separated from the plate and replaced when worn. The plate is formed with a downwardly turned lip at each longitudinal edge, the lips penetrating the ground when the pitching rubber is installed to stabilize the rubber.

Abstract: In a two piece hockey stick, or some other tool or sporting apparatus including a handle and a blade or implement portion, the handle is secured to the blade by means of inserting a tapered screw into an aperture in the shaft of the blade and tightening the screw, which causes the shaft of the blade to enlarge and fit snugly within the hollow handle.

Abstract: Apparatus for propelling balls smaller than a baseball, such as a golf whiffle ball, at timed intervals from a storage bin. The bin contains a plate with a single hole that rotates at timed intervals and permits one ball to be delivered to a continuous air source to propel the ball to a batter. This small ball is then hit with a bat that is smaller and lighter in weight, than an ordinary baseball bat. By design, the storage bin has a mix unit in it to prevent the balls from forming a gridlock or jamming, thereby preventing normal timed operation.

Abstract: A batting cage frame is constructed of two end subframes, each having a beam and two legs inclined with respect to the ground, and one midpoint subframe. The beam and legs of each subframe are composed of lengths of metal tubing held together with sleeve couplings and elbows. Edge cables for supporting an enclosure made of netting attach between eyebolts on the end subframes. The center section of each edge cable is a short length of chain that attaches to an eyebolt on the midpoint subframe. Each frame pivotably attaches to a foot that is secured to the ground with stakes. The end subframes incline away from each other. Anchor cables attached to the end subframes run down to a tie down ring. A tie down chain has a stake attached at each end. The tie down chain also attaches at its center to the tie down ring. Tension is created in the anchor cables and the edge cables by securing the stakes attached to the tie down chain into the ground.

Abstract: A new Golf Ball Locating System for allowing golfers to easily find their golf balls. The inventive device includes a golf ball which includes a core that is surrounded by concave metal plates and a remote control device.

Abstract: An improved main joint and/or A joint for a billiard cue stick of the type having at least two detachable sections. The joints include mating tenons extending from opposing sections of the cue stick, and a threaded screw anchored in one of the two sections and extending axially outward through the respective tenon for screw insertion into the mating tenon of the second section. A single or dual-ring collar is also provided for encircling the mating tenons of the two sections. The collar encircles the tenons when the two sections are fully screwed together, and confines the tenons as the screw force causes them to expand. Both the A joint and main joint give an improved self-aligning compression fit. A billiard cue incorporating one or both of said joints will have an increased level of structural integrity in order to reduce deflection and resonance when the billiard cue strikes a cue ball. This helps to give the feel of a solid one-piece cue stick and increases the accuracy and life expectancy thereof.

Abstract: A hockey training device comprising a leader having a swivel attached to one end thereto permit rotation of leader without twisting of the leader and a stop attached to second end of the leader for securing the leader to a hockey puck to enable a person to practice puck handling, a looped member connected to the swivel, a strap having a hook and loop type fastener for releasably securing the strap to a hockey stick and an elastic member having a first end secured to the strap and a second end secured to the split ring for absorbing shocks.

Abstract: A collapsible tennis table having first and second table portions and a lower pair of parallel frame members having wheels or casters thereon. The parallel members are connected together by a elongated member, the elongated member being connected to the parallel frame members by wing nuts and bolts. Also mounted to the outside edge of both frame members are bracket members having shortened tubular members extending therefrom at a predetermined angle. Each table portion has a pair of leg extensions attached to the bottom surface thereof and a pair of brackets supporting a U-shaped tubular member. A pair of clip members are fastened to the bottom surface of each table portion and the leg portions of the U-shaped tubular member are positioned therein. In order to assemble the collapsible table of the present invention, the ends of the U-shaped tubular members are positioned in their corresponding shortened tubular members extending from the frame member brackets.

Abstract: An "isoharmonic" sports bat, for example a baseball bat or cricket bat, includes a hitting surface for impact with a ball, wherein the duration of a half cycle of a selected mode of vibration of the hitting surface when in contact with the ball is approximately equal to the contact time between the hitting surface and the ball during an average impact. This allows the vibrational energy of the bat to be returned efficiently to the ball, which improves the coefficient of restitution, and the peak contact force between the bat and the ball may be reduced. The hitting surface may be formed by a plate attached to the bat.

Abstract: A net support structure is disclosed which provides for easy assembly and disassembly at any location for enabling games such as tennis and volleyball to be played as well as providing a rebound net or safety net for use in other sporting games or for the practice of sporting games. The net support structure includes a plurality of modules (12, 22, 24 and 26) which are joined together by an elastic cord (50) or springs (100) and which when connected together tension the modules to form a net support structure and which can be collapsed by disconnecting the modules and allowing the modules to be folded whilst at the same time keeping the modules joined by the tensioning means. Elbows (30) are provided which form corners and which are permanently or releasably joined by the cord (50). If releasably joined the elbows (30) can be repositioned to alter the configuration of the net support structure.

Abstract: An apparatus (20) for practicing sliding into a baseball base (502) includes a first baseball (22) connected by a first tether (24) to a support structure (30). The length (L) of first tether (24) is adjusted so that first baseball (22) is suspended between approximately one and six inches above the ground (500). First baseball (22) is swung in pendulum fashion, and a sliding player attempts to touch a baseball base (502) without being hit by the swinging first baseball (22). In another embodiment, a second swinging baseball (42) is added.

Abstract: A ball member and a flexible elastic strap with two loops secured together at a connected portion are provided for maintaining the fingers of a baseball glove in a cupped position. The ball member is placed in the pocket of the glove and the fingers of the glove are inserted through one loop and the opposite base end of the glove is inserted through the other loop with the connected portion located against the ball member. In the embodiment disclosed, the ball member is hollow and has a relative stiff outer wall with an opening formed through the wall such that the strap may be inserted through the opening into the interior of the ball member for storage purposes. In one embodiment, the ball member is a spherical ball. In another embodiment the ball member is formed by larger and smaller partially spherical members joined together.