Abstract: A method and apparatus for mounting accessories onto a bow. Accessories are mounted onto a bow in a precise, repeatable manner so that an archer need only to position and calibrate or adjust a particular accessory for a particular bow once. Therefore, when the calibrated accessory is removed from the bow it can later be reattached to the archery bow in the precise previous location thereby eliminating the need for the archer to recalibrate the accessory. Likewise, the present invention requires only one mounting hole in the handle riser to minimize the negative structural ramifications of drilling multiple holes.

Abstract: The invention involves an arrow system having a shaft having a first end and an insert receptive of a standard point, the insert being disposed completely within the first end of the shaft. An insert installation tool may be used as part of the invention to facilitate insertion of the insert into the first end of the shaft. The invention further includes a reduced diameter hunting arrow shaft that maintains sufficient spine and weight characteristics. The reduced diameter hunting arrow shaft is receptive of standard or non-standard internal components for increasing arrow penetration and shot accuracy. Still further, the invention includes an arrow tip assembly including a male insert and a female point to assist in aligning points with arrow shafts.

Abstract: A golf club head incorporating at least one interior port adapted to receive a weighted rod which is introduced into the head and the port through an opening and cavity defined in the hosel junction. The weight and density of the rod determines the location of the head center of gravity. In one embodiment, the head includes two elongate arcuate ports adapted to receive respective elongate flexible rods adapted to conform to the shape of the port. An associated tuning package allows an individual to identify and select a recommended rod combination depending upon the desired weight and center of gravity location.

Abstract: Metal articles having a durable visible marking on a smooth Type III hard anodized surface particularly useful for shock absorber tubes are produced by applying an alkaline solution to the anodized surface for not less than about 15 seconds at temperature of 100°-140° F.; applying a pattern of lacquer based solvent ink to said surface; and sealing the applied pattern by applying a liquid selected from the group consisting of nickel acetate, cobalt acetate and boiling water to said pattern.

Abstract: A ball bat includes a barrel having a substantially cylindrical outer wall including a first material located radially outwardly from a neutral axis of the outer wall, and a second material located radially inwardly from the neutral axis of the outer wall. The barrel further includes a substantially cylindrical inner wall located within the outer wall and including a third material located radially outwardly from a neutral axis of the inner wall, and a fourth material located radially inwardly from the neutral axis of the inner wall. The first and third materials each have a specific energy storage in compression of at least 2000 psi, and the second and fourth materials each have a tensile modulus of at least 18 million psi. The ball bat exhibits excellent performance and durability characteristics.

Abstract: A process of coloring an anodized layer on a metal article comprising laser marking an area to be colored to a desired depth and applying a polymerizable ink to color the area to the desired depth. The ink may optionally include a volatile aqueous or non-aqueous solvent, a curing catalyst and various performance enhancing additives.

Abstract: A composite hockey stick having a tubular hollow rectangular shaft and a blade is disclosed. The shaft comprises an inner layer and an outer layer, each of the inner and outer layers are formed of uni-directional substantially continuous fibers disposed in a hardened resin matrix and wrapped and molded around a middle elastomer layer. A new manufacturing method is also disclosed in which a cured hollow tubular composite hockey stick shaft is inserted between the front and back faces of an un-cured composite hockey stick blade and the blade is then cured in a mold around the hockey stick shaft to form a unitary composite hockey stick.

Abstract: A glove that includes a glove closure apparatus in the form of a closure channel that allows the glove to be more easily closed or compressed without requiring extensive breaking-in procedures. In one embodiment the glove includes one or more closure channels near the palm portion of the front side of the glove. The closure channels are U-shaped closure channels or gaps that allow the glove to be compressed significantly easier than if the material were otherwise in the channel area. A plurality of closure channels may be formed at specific locations on the front side of the glove to reduce the amount of force that is required to close and open the glove. In addition, the one or more closure channels may include a cover material to prevent debris from entering into an interior region of the glove.

Abstract: Vibrations in the tubular handle of an object striking implement such as a hand tool or ball bat are damped by a vibration damper having a support portion positioned in and engaged with the handle. The vibration damper also has a resilient second portion which cushions contact of the damper with the handle wall and which moves inwardly of the handle in a direction generally transverse to a longitudinal axis of the handle.

Abstract: A ball bat includes a barrel, a handle, and a tapered section joining the barrel to the handle. The barrel includes an outer wall and an interface section located within the outer wall. The interface section includes one or more layers of non-resin-impregnated fabric sandwiched between a plurality of resin-impregnated composite layers. A method of constructing a ball bat includes the steps of placing a substantially cylindrical layer of fabric between a plurality of resin-impregnated layers to form an interface section. The interface section is placed between a plurality of substantially cylindrical outer wall sections made up of a plurality of composite plies. Heat and pressure are applied to the interface section and the composite plies to induce a flow of resin from the resin-impregnated layers into the fabric layer, and to form an integral bat barrel. The interface section provides added durability and “trampoline effect” to bat.

Abstract: An ice skate comprising a blade and a blade holder. The blade holder providing decreasing, non rigid, and/or no lateral support in a rearward region of the blade so that it may facilitate increased or freer flexibility of the blade and improved maneuverability. The blade is rigidly laterally supported at a front end section of the blade holder and preferably also at a back end section of the blade holder so that it may facilitate efficient transfer of force between the skater and the blade. One or more non-rigid support members may be employed to control, absorb and/or cushion the flexing of the blade. The ice skate may be tuned to reflect the desired performance requirements of the individual skater and/or use.

Abstract: A thin wall tubular bat, particularly for softball, has a constant barrel diameter and an internal tubular insert spaced from the barrel with a shear stress transmitting elastomeric layer sandwiched between the barrel and insert so that the insert reinforces the barrel to reduce denting which would otherwise occur as the elastomer efficiently transfers stress to the insert and stores and releases energy during impact of the bat with a ball.

Abstract: An ice skate comprising a blade and a blade holder. The blade holder providing decreasing, non rigid, and/or no lateral support in a rearward region of the blade so that it may facilitate increased or freer flexibility of the blade and improved maneuverability. The blade is rigidly laterally supported at a front end section of the blade holder and preferably also at a back end section of the blade holder so that it may facilitate efficient transfer of force between the skater and the blade. One or more non-rigid support members may be employed to control, absorb and/or cushion the flexing of the blade. The ice skate may be tuned to reflect the desired performance requirements of the individual skater and/or use.

Abstract: An ice skate comprising a blade and a blade holder. The blade holder providing decreasing, non rigid, and/or no lateral support in a rearward region of the blade so that it may facilitate increased or freer flexibility of the blade and improved maneuverability. The blade is rigidly laterally supported at a front end section of the blade holder and preferably also at a back end section of the blade holder so that it may facilitate efficient transfer of force between the skater and the blade. One or more non-rigid support members may be employed to control, absorb and/or cushion the flexing of the blade. The ice skate may be tuned to reflect the desired performance requirements of the individual skater and/or use.

Abstract: A governed performance hard shell bat designed to ensure ball exit speed approximating and not exceeding that of a wood bat of comparable weight and geometry is comprised of a thin wall hard shell such as reinforced resin composite or of metal such as aluminum or titanium or alloys thereof filled with light weight semi-rigid material such as a syntactic foam in the hitting area, the bat having longitudinal flexibility approximating that of a similarly shaped wood bat. The filler material has a sectional density and hardness correlated with the thickness of the metal shell wall in the hitting area and may be cast in the thin wall hard shell or it may be pre-formed and subsequently inserted into the shell. The filler has a sectional density in the range of from 10-30 lbs./cu. ft.

Abstract: A multi-part lightweight easily extruded or molded wheel rim and wheel particularly for cycling with joined flanges which extend radially inwardly toward the center of the rim and wheel provides strength not found in conventional channel shaped rims. The radially extending flanges are provided with apertures for receiving bent ends of spokes for assembling the rim and a hub to form a wheel which receives an inflatable tubeless or tube tire which need not be dismounted from the rim when repairing or replacing spokes.

Abstract: The bat of the present invention has a barrel with a thinner outer shell in compressive and/or adhesive engagement with an insert laminate comprised of one or more pieces of a thin metallic (preferably titanium) sheet (or foil) and one or more sheets of a composite material. The titanium portion of the insert laminate may be on the inner-most portion of the insert, may be on the outer-most portion of the laminate, or may be in the interior of the laminate (that is, with one or more sheets of composite material on either side of it). Alternatively, the bat may simply be provided with only a titanium insert. In yet another set of embodiments, the titanium sheet may be replaced by another suitable metallic sheet. In all embodiments, the reinforcing sleeve allows the barrel portion to deflect farther when impacted by an object such as a ball without detrimental yielding (denting) and increases the rate of return of the barrel wall.