Having Means To Deliver Spent Projectile To Easily Accessible Location Patents (Class 273/394)
  • Patent number: 10907941
    Abstract: A firearm target is formed from a cardboard substrate. A first target is printed on the cardboard substrate. The cardboard substrate is folded into a box shape. The cardboard substrate is cut to form a first flap and a second flap on a first side of the cardboard substrate. The first flap and second flap include notches. The first flap and second flap are folded over with the notches interlocked. The flaps can be oriented to the bottom of the box shape and weighted for stability. A second target can be mounted to the box shape over the first target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Inventor: Michael A. Dodd
  • Patent number: 10835796
    Abstract: An athletic training net for receiving projectiles. The training net has a storage sleeve affixed to an upper end, wherein the storage sleeve includes a plurality of upper grommets at an upper end and a plurality of lower grommets at a lower end. The training net further includes a plurality of hook and strap fasteners, with each comprising of a strap secured to a structural member of a garage door and a hook for catching the plurality of upper and lower grommets. The training net has a training configuration and a storage configuration. In the training configuration, the hooks are received by the plurality of upper grommets and the net is vertically suspended form the garage door. In the storage configuration, the plurality of upper grommets remains suspended from the hooks, the net is enfolded in the storage sleeve, and the plurality of lower grommets is secured by the hooks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Walker Sports Innovations, LLC
    Inventor: John David Walker
  • Patent number: 10569160
    Abstract: A device is provided for receiving projectiles and creating a pattern. The device includes a plurality of hoops arranged in parallel and configured to receive the projectiles. A two-dimensional grid could be provided—across a plurality of channels of the device, or on a display of the device—in order to display the projectiles received by the plurality of hoops. In some examples, projectiles may be received by a plurality of channels, and the pattern is created within the channels and is viewable through apertures across the channels. In other examples, sensors may be used to determine when a projectile has passed through one of the hoops, and indicators may be displayed in corresponding vertical columns of a two-dimensional grid on a display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Peel Enterprises Inc.
    Inventor: John Peel
  • Patent number: 10520285
    Abstract: The invention relates to a slat arrangement for redirecting the trajectory of a bullet. The slat arrangement has a plurality of elongated steel slats, and each elongated steel slat has a longitudinal front edge and a longitudinal back edge stretching between a first end and a second end. The slat arrangement also has a support structure for supporting the plurality of steel slats. The steel slats are positioned in a louver-like fashion for changing the direction of a bullet following a trajectory along the normal of the slat arrangement. The support structure is connected to each steel slat at the back edge of the steel slat and between the first end and the second end of the steel slat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: ODIN TARGET AB
    Inventor: Peter Norman
  • Patent number: 10258852
    Abstract: An athletic training net for receiving projectiles. The training net has a storage sleeve affixed to an upper end, wherein the storage sleeve includes a plurality of upper grommets at an upper end and a plurality of lower grommets at a lower end. The training net further includes a plurality of hook and strap fasteners, with each comprising of a strap secured to a structural member of a garage door and a hook for catching the plurality of upper and lower grommets. The training net has a training configuration and a storage configuration. In the training configuration, the hooks are received by the plurality of upper grommets and the net is vertically suspended form the garage door. In the storage configuration, the plurality of upper grommets remains suspended from the hooks, the net is enfolded in the storage sleeve, and the plurality of lower grommets is secured by the hooks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Walker Sports Innovations, LLC
    Inventor: John David Walker
  • Patent number: 10240904
    Abstract: Bullet trap systems receive projectiles fired thereinto and allow for the recovery of the projectiles. Specifically, the bullet trap systems include strategically-placed support structures for ensuring that the projectile entry path remains unblocked and further includes sidewalls in the projectile containment units to prevent traveling of projectiles within the projectile containment units to prevent or minimize damage within the projectile containment units. Moreover, one or more accessibility hatches may be provided to allow individuals to gain access to the interior of the bullet trap systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: D5 Iron Works, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Lindner
  • Patent number: 10071295
    Abstract: An outdoor game comprises a pair of game assemblies each having a pair of hinged legs, a plurality of scoring devices and a plurality of cuboid cubby holes disposed upon a first face. There is at least one (1) open cubby hole. Each cubby hole has a point value denoted above a back wall of each cubby hole. The open cubby hole is assigned a point value. A score is generated when at least one (1) scoring device is pitched into or through one (1) cubby hole. Along the front edge on both the top and bottom is a hasp enabling the assemblies to be joined to another board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Inventors: Josh J. Palmer, Kenny Alterie
  • Patent number: 9623306
    Abstract: An athletic training net for receiving projectiles. The training net has a storage sleeve affixed to an upper end, wherein the storage sleeve includes a plurality of upper grommets at an upper end and a plurality of lower grommets at a lower end. The training net further includes a plurality of hook and strap fasteners, with each comprising of a strap secured to a structural member of a garage door and a hook for catching the plurality of upper and lower grommets. The training net has a training configuration and a storage configuration. In the training configuration, the hooks are received by the plurality of upper grommets and the net is vertically suspended form the garage door. In the storage configuration, the plurality of upper grommets remains suspended from the hooks, the net is enfolded in the storage sleeve, and the plurality of lower grommets is secured by the hooks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: WALKER SPORTS INNOVATIONS, LLC
    Inventor: John David Walker
  • Patent number: 9168451
    Abstract: This game-piece launching toy, which is a toy used while playing games in which game-pieces such as marbles are launched, includes a toy body; a flipping member installed on the toy body; a pushing member configured to move a game-piece placed on the toy body toward a tip of the flipping member; and a restriction member installed on the toy body to be movable with respect to the toy body and operated by a user to restrict the flipping member. The game-piece loaded into the toy body is launched from the toy body using a restriction force acting on the flipping member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: TOMY COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Akira Horikawa
  • Patent number: 8894511
    Abstract: A portable and easily foldable sport net 50 includes a ball return system wherein balls 930 or other projectiles are stopped and gently rolled back to the user. A frame system 200 may include spring steel or fiberglass and may further includes front frame members 210, rear frame members 220 and lower lateral frame members 230. An inside net 100 is attached or integrated into the front frame members 210 and the inside net 100 has little contact or attachment to the rear frame members 220. The judicious use of netting material and other components result in a lightweight and easy to assemble sport net. Embodiments feature two lateral voids 250 and a rear void 240 which provide an economy of construction and efficiency of use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Inventors: Renan Lore, Huaimian Zhang
  • Patent number: 8866613
    Abstract: A ball separation device for a golf range target system is described. The ball separation device comprises a golf range target having a golf ball delivery shaft. A ball isolation system within the golf ball delivery shaft is configured to temporarily trap the ball within the shaft. A gate is configured to control the routing of a golf ball released from the ball isolation system. A control system queries the RFID reader while a ball is trapped in the ball isolation system. If the RFID reader receives a signal that identifies the golf ball as an RFID golf ball, the ball separation control system routes the ball to an RFID ball collector, otherwise, the ball is routed to a secondary location. After the determination is made as to where the trapped golf ball is to be routed, the ball isolation system releases the ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: FS/SG IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Robert Luciano, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20140070492
    Abstract: A projectile collection system that includes slanted and vertical surfaces made of coated mesh fiberglass materials to decelerate projectiles in a manner where the projectile material suffers no deformation, allowing for reuse or recycling of the projectile material. Six impact deflection element panels are situated to deflect, decelerate, reflect, suppress and collect the projectile material as it travels into the opening of the system and finally rests at the bottom using only gravity. A continuous scrolling paper target system with each successive target face being scrolled remotely by the shooter may be attached to the top entry area of the system for use. The target faces may be printed on rolls of paper that scroll to the next target image on the paper roll to allow the shooter to shoot continuously without having to return to the target area to manually replace flesh individual targets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Inventor: Brian Sean Murphy
  • Patent number: 8262473
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an amusement device, the amusement device having: a display device rotatably mounted to a structure, the display device being configured to create a plurality of images via a persistence of vision effect; a device for rotating the display device; a sensor for determining whether an object has hit one of the plurality of images; a microcontroller in operable communication with the sensor and the display device, the microcontroller changing the appearance of at least one of the plurality of images when the sensor determines that an object has hit at least one of the plurality of images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Civettini, Douglas P. Snook, Luke J. Orland, Todd M. Bailey, Christopher Hardouin
  • Publication number: 20120225739
    Abstract: A flying disc toy of a size to be held between a user's bent finger and thumb. Said flying disc toy to be projected through the air when the user rapidly extends the bent finger. The flying disc toy generally has a hollow cavity on the underside between a top wall joined at a joining edge to a descending wall. The flying disc toy may be combined with various accessories such as gloves, targets, and bats to play one or more games.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Inventors: Michael Cheshire, Thomas Aiezza
  • Patent number: 7900928
    Abstract: A target game to receive tokens into apertures having associated scores is provided. The target game includes a first playing surface, a second playing surface and a plurality of scoring bins. The first playing surface includes a plurality of first apertures. The second playing surface intersects the first playing surface and extends above from the first playing surface. The second playing surface includes a plurality of second apertures. The plurality of scoring bins is disposed below the first playing surface and in communication with the first apertures and the second apertures. Each of the scoring bins is in communication with a respective aperture of the first apertures and the second apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Sapo U.S.A. Corp.
    Inventors: Harry D. Held, Juan C. Ceron, John E. Ceron
  • Publication number: 20100062880
    Abstract: The present invention provides a device designed to increase the accuracy of both the throwing, bouncing, propelling by stick and kicking of a baseball, football, lacrosse ball or soccer ball. The apparatus is constructed of a frame, for example of aluminum tubing. A net is attached to or hung over the aluminum tubing to provide a series of pouches aligned horizontally at various heights. These pouches provide target areas for a ball. The pouches may be designed to allow the ball to drop from a pouch it enters into a second pouch or to the bottom of the device for easy removal. The device is held by a base that may have wheels and may be steadied by one or more transverse supports running across the bottom or the back of the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Inventor: Bernard Hayes
  • Patent number: 7673881
    Abstract: There is provided a target game adapted to receive tokens into apertures having associated scores. The target game includes a horizontal playing surface having a plurality of apertures, and a vertical playing surface disposed at a back edge of and atop the horizontal playing surface. The vertical playing surface includes a plurality of apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Sapo U.S.A. Corp.
    Inventors: Harry D. Held, Juan C. Ceron, John E. Ceron
  • Patent number: 7494128
    Abstract: A paintball target holder includes a frame having plural parts that are movable relative to one another in order to fold the frame and thereby reduce a volume encompassed by the frame. The plural parts include a front part, a back part, and a bottom part. The paintball target holder includes a target mounted to the front part, layers of material mounted between the target and the back part, where the layers of material receive a paintball through the target, and a paintball loader mounted to the bottom part. The paintball loader receives the paintball from the layers of material via the bottom part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Inventors: George Byram, Brad Garvey
  • Publication number: 20080258395
    Abstract: Disclosed is a modular, expandable, and portable shooting range system. The system can include one or more shooting modules that mount together to provide different numbers of shooting lanes with various lengths. The shooting modules are pre-engineered with removable panels in permit additional shooting modules to be added on as customer orders. This configuration also permits adding to the length of the shooting range to accommodate firing of different weapons. The shooting range system can further include a control booth which is divided from the shooting lanes. The control booth can be integrally formed with the shooting modules, or can be separate. The control booth can include a module control which allows a person to control lighting, air, and target control systems of the shooting range system, and can further provide a safe location to view the range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: SHOOTING RANGES INTERNATIONAL, INC
    Inventor: Michael D. Halverson
  • Publication number: 20080023916
    Abstract: A paintball apparatus is provided and includes an enclosure having a floor, a pair of upstanding side walls, an upstanding rear wall and a top wall resting on the upstanding walls. The enclosure further includes a curtain suspended from within the enclosure. The enclosure has a collection bin coupled thereto. A support structure supports the enclosure. The enclosure entraps discharged or propelled paintball pellets. The curtain absorbs the energy and impact of the pellets and prevents the damage or breakage of the pellets, thereby facilitating the ability to recycle the individual pellets for continued target practice and/or for subsequent use in competition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventor: Martin E. Remillard
  • Patent number: 6375192
    Abstract: A moving object restorer is provided with a connecting cord having one end held at a fixed position and the other end connected with a moving object, a guiding member fixedly provided between the moving object and the fixed position for guiding the connecting cord, a regulator movably provided between the guiding member and the fixed position and having a holder portion for holding the connecting cord slidably. The regulator is movable between a first position for allowing the moving object to be moved and a second position for holding the moving object in a restored position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Konami Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Uchiyama, Hideki Kotani, Tomohisa Tanaka, Atsushi Yamazaki, Yoshikazu Matsui, Masakazu Shibamiya, Takashi Honda
  • Patent number: 6264202
    Abstract: An interactive play system and structure is provided in which a plurality of interactive play elements are provided for creating various desired effects utilizing soft foam balls or other suitable “dry” play media. In one embodiment the interactive play system comprises a multi-level support structure on which the interactive play elements are disposed. These allow play participants to create desired play effects using a fun and familiar dry play media. Some of the play elements may be multi-order play elements in that they receive play media from a first effect to create yet another effect. Various automated and/or play-participant-operated conveyers and play media collection and return mechanisms are provided throughout the structure for collecting and transporting play media from a source, such as a collection basin, to the various interactive play elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Inventor: Rick A. Briggs
  • Patent number: 6210287
    Abstract: An interactive arena play structure is provided incorporating a plurality of water and non-water play elements for creating various desired water effects. The interactive arena play structure incorporates a centrally disposed target tower which controls various water effects located within or around the play structure. Play participants are encouraged to compete against one another to actuate various water effects such that they stay dry while their opponents get wet. In addition, play participants are encouraged to cooperate to actuate a special progressive water effect located in a centrally disposed region of the play arena.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Koala Corporation
    Inventor: Rick A. Briggs
  • Patent number: 6179295
    Abstract: A frog target game including a housing having a top wall, a bottom wall, an open front face, a rear wall, and opposed side walls. The top wall has a plurality of apertures therethrough in a spaced relationship. The plurality of apertures include a central aperture. The central aperture has a frog disposed thereover. The frog has an open mouth aligned with the central aperture. A plurality of chips are provided that are dimensioned for being received within the plurality of apertures of the top wall of the housing. A drawer is provided that is dimensioned for being received within the open front face of the housing. The drawer is comprised of a front wall, a back wall, opposed side walls, a bottom wall, and an open top. The bottom wall has a plurality of compartments formed therein corresponding with the plurality of apertures of the housing. Each of the compartments have an assigned point value. The plurality of compartments include a central compartment corresponding with the central aperture of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Inventor: Carlos Lanza
  • Patent number: 6142890
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in a round ball rebounding game played on a circular court consisting of a spherical structure supported by a single pole and having a plurality of goals placed at equidistant intervals about the maximum horizontal diameter of the sphere and parallel to the playing surface. The apparatus further comprising a plurality of discharge tubes inserted into the bottom of the sphere, said number of tubes corresponding to the number of goals. Openings are further cut into the sphere relative to the position of each goal such that a net attached to the bottom of each goal can direct a round ball into the interior of the sphere with the ball eventually departing the bottom of the sphere through one of the discharge tubes which then deposit the ball at the base of the structure along the playing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Inventor: Gregory Alan Craig
  • Patent number: 6074313
    Abstract: A basketball return net assembly attachable to a basketball hoop support behind a basketball hoop carried thereby has a flexible foldable return net having an upper end with an upper sleeve portion extending therealong, an elongated rigid net-carrying member removably insertable into the upper sleeve portion to enable the net to be suspended in a laterally-extended configuration from the net-carrying member, and at least one attachment member for securing the net-carrying member to an upper portion of the hoop support behind the hoop. The net also has a lower end portion for receiving ballast to retain the lower end of the net in a laterally extended configuration at a selected location on the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Dicon Rose Inc.
    Inventor: Malcolm Pearson
  • Patent number: 5836837
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in a round ball rebounding game played on a circular court consisting of a spherical structure supported by a single pole and having a plurality of goals placed at equidistant intervals about the maximum horizontal diameter of the sphere and parallel to the playing surface. The apparatus further comprising a plurality of discharge tubes inserted into the bottom of the sphere, said number of tubes corresponding to the number of goals. Openings are further cut into the sphere relative to the position of each goal such that a net attached to the bottom of each goal can direct a round ball into the interior of the sphere with the ball eventually departing the bottom of the sphere through one of the discharge tubes which then deposit the ball at the base of the structure along the playing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Archworks, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory Alan Craig
  • Patent number: 5811718
    Abstract: A bullet stop and containment chamber for stopping the forward momentum of projectiles traveling in a generally horizontal zone of projectile travel and for containing the projectiles and fragments thereof. The bullet enters the chamber in which the inertial momentum of the bullet is arrested resulting in airborne particulate matter, bullets and fragments of bullets. The bullets and fragments settle out by gravity and the particulate matter are removed by a negative air pressure exerted on the chamber by means of a fan and ducting. The particulate matter is removed from the air by filtration means and the air is exhausted. The fragments and bullets drop from an egress in the bottom of the chamber into a removeably attached canister which is sealed and used to transport the emissions to recycling or disposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Inventor: Kyle E. Bateman
  • Patent number: 5788242
    Abstract: A game that allows one player to win by scoring goals at a faster rate than the opposing player. The game includes a vertical wall that has a first goal attached to a first side and a second goal attached to a second opposite side of the wall. The game also has a first launcher that can project a ball toward the first goal and a second launcher that can project a ball toward the second goal. The goals may be coupled to openings in the wall by chutes that guide the balls into the court of the opposing player when a player makes a basket. The game can be played by having each player project balls into their basket so that the balls roll into the court of the opposing player. The first player to run out balls wins the game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: Elliot A. Rudell
    Inventors: Elliot Rudell, George T. Foster
  • Patent number: 5611531
    Abstract: A pro pitching device (10) comprising a backboard target (12) having a bull's-eye central aperture (14). An assembly (16) is for elevating the backboard target (12) in an adjustable vertical position above the ground (18). A person (20) can stand at a distance away from the backboard target (12) and throw a ball (22) towards the backboard target (12) and into the bull's-eye central aperture (14). A facility (24) is for stopping the ball (22) after entering the bull's-eye central aperture (14) and allowing the ball (22) to fall gently to the ground (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Inventor: Jim Skerlan
  • Patent number: 5535662
    Abstract: A bullet stop and containment chamber for stopping the forward momentum of projectiles traveling in a generally horizontal zone of projectile travel. The bullet enters the wide end of a channel having plates which guide the bullet into a narrow opening which leads into a containment chamber. The containment chamber has a series of plates arranged with increasing angles of incidence such that the sequential impacts are increasingly direct. There are also side plates on the chamber which combine with the other structure to confine bullets, fragments and particulate matter to the chamber until inertial momentum is arrested and the bullet drops out of an egress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Inventor: Kyle E. Bateman
  • Patent number: 5501466
    Abstract: A game apparatus is provided comprising a cabinet defining a playing area including a plurality of shelves mounted therein where each of the shelves has disposed thereon a plurality of game pieces. A receiving mechanism is attached to the cabinet for accepting a playing piece. A player aimable, launching mechanism is linked to the receiving mechanism for launching the playing piece towards the aimed at location for the purpose of dislodging some of the game pieces. A redemption mechanism may be provided for accepting any dislodged game pieces to provide a reward in exchange therefor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: Capcom Coin-op, Inc.
    Inventors: Wallace W. Welch, Python V. Anghelo, William F. Triplett, Katherine A. Adams
  • Patent number: 5499821
    Abstract: A basketball game amusement device includes a base and a partition to divide the base into a first court and a second court. A first basket is positioned on a first side of the partition facing the first court. A second basket is positioned on a second side of the partition facing the second court. Competitive interest is maintained by positioning a conduit immediately below each basket. When a projectile passes through the basket it is directed by the conduit onto the opponents court. The number of projectiles on the court provides an objective indication to the player as to whether he is winning or losing. A winner is declared when one of the players disposes of all of his projectiles onto the opponent's court.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Inventor: Vance Rycroft
  • Patent number: 5403018
    Abstract: A water toy includes a basket for receiving a ball therein, and a water mechanism for ejecting the ball from the basket. The water mechanism is operative in a first position for emitting a fine spray of water, and in a second position for emitting an upwardly directed high pressure stream of water for ejecting the ball from the basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1995
    Assignee: Playskool, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph P. Sejnowski, Douglas Schultheis
  • Patent number: 5368293
    Abstract: A housing is provided having multiple openings in its front wall each opened and closed by a closure positioned by a pneumatic cylinder. Each closure, when retracted from its opening, provides a target for the pitcher. A programmable controller in the housing permits the preselection and dwell time of the cylinders to be actuated and for the presentation of an array of targets in and out of a strike zone. A thrown ball impacting a retracted closure momentarily closes a switch to provide a signal to a counter. A ball return mechanism provides a partial vacuum in a ball receptacle at the pitcher's mound to retrieve balls from the interior of the housing. A remote control is provided to permit operation of the apparatus remote from the apparatus housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Inventor: E. Leon Waugh
  • Patent number: 5271616
    Abstract: A pitching device for training pitchers including a pitching target suspended within a retaining chamber with a collecting means located in the lower portion of the retaining chamber and a gravity return from the collecting means back to the pitchers. The retaining chamber includes a floor panel which slopes both to one side of the pitching device and forward to an outlet connected to the gravity return.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1993
    Inventor: Anthony J. Grimaldi
  • Patent number: 5197738
    Abstract: A miniature golf course wherein an obstacle is positioned between the tee area and the putting cup hole. The obstacle includes a transparent housing containing a solenoid-controlled plunger which is actuated by a switch responsive to a putted golf ball. When actuated, the plunger propels a golf ball upwardly to a retrieving device which directs the golf ball to the putting surface in a predetermined direction relative to the putting cup hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Inventor: David C. Hartman, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5085765
    Abstract: A conveying and separation assembly for the impact material of a ballistic projectile arrester for indoor firing grounds, of the type that comprises a heap of granulated material as the impact material, and a pneumatic conveyor for sending the granulated material once it has been separated from the exploded projectiles up to the top of said heap. The assembly comprises a variable-diameter worm screw or helical screw, that rotates about a horizontal axis and is arranged within a half cylinder which is open at its upper portion, the worm screw lying in a direction substantially parallel to that from which the projectiles come; a motor for the worm screw; and gravity separation of the exploded projectiles from the granulated material; the half cylinder being connected, at its rear terminal part, with the worm screw or pneumatic conveyor which are employed for sending the material to the top of the heap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1992
    Assignee: Impresa Costruzioni Soc. Fra. S.a.r.l.
    Inventors: Mario Salabe, Adelio Rossi
  • Patent number: 5062646
    Abstract: A pair of spaced, wall-mounted frames support an abbreviated volleyball net and a no-rebound ball barrier which catches and returns a ball struck over the net. The frames are pivotably mounted and may be folded toward one another whereby the net and ball barrier collapse downwardly. A protective screen may then be drawn upwardly over the net, the ball barrier and a greater portion of the folded frames. The frames include vertically movable members to which the net is attached; and, these members may be adjusted to vary the net height as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1991
    Inventor: Michael A. Crist
  • Patent number: 4961584
    Abstract: An apparatus is set forth including a planar board game formed with a clock-wise path thereabout. The path includes a plurality of "safe" zones positioned intermediate "action" positions. The "action" positions include directions per each symbolic position to alternatively draw a card from a central card deck and require the drawing player to draw a gun in coordination with an opposing player whose position corresponds to a coloration of card drawn. Sequentially, the individuals fire a spherical projectile into designated conduits of a target, and the first sphere to appear at a lower end portion of a chute associated with the target is the winner of that draw. The winning player is the first to successfully have fired all of a predetermined number of projectiles awarded each player at the outset of the game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Inventor: Grayling B. Day, Sr.
  • Patent number: 4824120
    Abstract: A toy gun target board device mainly comprises a box body, a movable plate disposed inside the box body and a spring provided between the movable plate and bottom plate of the box body. A score board with holes equally and properly spaced is disposed on the surface of the box body. The movable plate has extensions to form ejection portions that extend out through openings at the upper part of both sides of the box body. A plurality of sticks corresponding in number and position to the holes on the score board are disposed on the movable plate, and individually extend out through the holes toward the users. A receiving tray is formed at the lower part of the box body for collecting soft projectiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1989
    Inventor: Hsieh Y. Wang
  • Patent number: 4592547
    Abstract: An apparatus for practicing tennis has a ball receiving bin whose back wall extends upwardly to serve as a target, and whose front wall is net high. Balls entering a central hole in the target area are returned through a chute into the bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1986
    Inventor: George K. Thaxton
  • Patent number: 4247116
    Abstract: A target system for use with spring, air, and CO.sub.2 operated pistols and rifles and with slingshots. The target system prevents ricochets by use of a flexible backstop suspended within a housing while permitting the shooter and spectators to easily discern where the projectiles have penetrated a target which is disposed across the front of this housing. The system utilizes supports incorporated into the housing to receive tubes upon which the target is wound for easy movement and removal of used targets and installation of a new roll of targets to replace a used roll. Each individual target on the roll is indexed to a display position by hand winding of the tubes. A locking mechanism incorporated into the supports cooperates with the tubes and wound target material to tautly position each target in the target opening. A chamber in the base of the apparatus entraps projectiles, permitting collection and removal without damage for reuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1981
    Inventor: Kenneth L. McQuary