Abstract: A combined snowball forming and launching device is described. The device includes a portion for gathering snow, a mechanism for compacting the snow, and a handle to swing the scoop and launch a snowball. In one embodiment the compacting mechanism is a press at one end of an elongated portion. In another embodiment, the elongated portion is a curved channel that may be used for gathering and launching a snowball. A method for forming and launching snowballs is also described.

Abstract: A waterboard with externally adjustable stiffness includes a stringer assembly having a rotatable beam to modulate the stiffness of the beam in a selected direction to impart a desired stiffness to the waterboard.

Abstract: A waterboard with externally adjustable stiffness includes a stringer assembly having a rotatable beam to modulate the stiffness of the beam in a selected direction to impart a desired stiffness to the waterboard.

Abstract: A combined snowball forming and launching device is described. The device includes a portion for gathering snow, a mechanism for compacting the snow, and a handle to swing the scoop and launch a snowball. In one embodiment the compacting mechanism is a press at one end of an elongated portion. In another embodiment, the elongated portion is a curved channel that may be used for gathering and launching a snowball. A method for forming and launching snowballs is also described.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for tethering a person to a sports board are disclosed herein. An article of manufacture provides a flexible, shock-absorbing tether, having an integrated timekeeping device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a slider and a method of making the same. The slider comprises a bottom plate, an inner core, and a skin plate. The inner core has a bottom surface and a top surface, and is made of a foamed plastic. The bottom plate and the skin plate are bonded to the bottom surface and the top surface of the inner core, respectively, to form a laminate, and thus the inner core is sandwiched between the bottom plate and the skin plate. The bottom plate is a multi-layer structure, comprising a foamed plastic layer, an adhesive layer, a fabric layer, an ink layer, and a composite casting layer, which are laminated downward in order from the bottom surface of the inner core. The skin plate is also a multi-layer structure, comprising a foamed plastic layer, an adhesive layer, a film layer, a corona treatment layer and an ink layer, which are laminated upward in order from the top surface of the inner core.

Abstract: A snow sled for use by a seated rider includes a body section, a seat section having an underside for engaging the snow and a top side for receiving the seated rider, the seat section attached to the body section, a foot section having an underside for engaging the snow and positioned forward of the seat section when the snow sled is deployed in the riding configuration and positioned adjacent the seat section when the snow sled is retracted into the stowable configuration, and a handlebar arrangement connecting the body section to the foot section.

Abstract: The invention features a soft foam sled board for use by a sitting or kneeling rider to slide over a snow or ice covered surface. The sled is prepared from a shaped polyethylene foam core, and at least the bottom surface of the core is covered by a slick, polyethylene film/polyethylene foam sheet laminate which provides little frictional resistance between the sled board and sliding surface, and provides an impervious outer surface to the board so as to resist puncture and water infiltrate. The sled board has one or more rails, ribs, or fins embedded below the body weight of the rider so as to either protrude from, or jut into, the board. The fins enhance the ability of the sled board to travel down the hill in a straight, forward direction.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus for propelling a fluid in a spiral stream. The apparatus includes a housing, and a cap member connected to the housing and discharges a stream of fluid in a spiral stream. A large gear member is coupled to the cap member for causing the cap member to rotate when the large gear member rotates. A gear assembly transfers rotation of an impeller to the large gear member when the impeller is contacted by fluid passing through an impeller opening in am impeller support. An embodiment of the present invention also provides a method for propelling a fluid in a spiral stream.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for inlaying a design into a laminate sheet and bonding the inlaid laminate sheet to a core structure or core substrate. The method of the present invention includes the steps of die cutting a preselected inlay design out of a laminate sheet, die cutting a congruent insert to be placed in the aperture left by the die cut design, securing the insert into the die cut design aperture, laminating with heat and pressure the laminate sheet to a core material, and conducting a finishing operation such as trimming to clean the excess laminate sheet from around the edges of the core material.

Abstract: A slide is provided with a sliding surface along which a person may slide. The slide includes a bridging structure spanning the sliding surface and a valve mounted to the bridging structure and coupled to a source of water. A spray nozzle is selectively coupled through the valve to the water source. The spray nozzle is mounted to the bridging structure to spray water toward the sliding surface when the valve couples the nozzle to the water source. A trigger hangs from the bridging structure adjacent the sliding surface and controls the valve to direct water to the spray nozzle when the trigger is contacted and displaced by the user. The nozzle sprays water onto the user as the user activates the trigger by sliding under the bridging structure.

Abstract: A water board for use by a child or young person for play in the water includes a board-mounted spray mechanism manually-operable for enabling the rider to selectively spray metered amounts of water outwardly from a barrel mounted on the spray mechanism.

Abstract: A sports board with an expanded foam core that has a density adapted so the core will receive a solid sheet skin laminated directly thereto without an adhesive layer. The sports board includes a bottom solid sheet skin laminated directly to a bottom surface of the expanded foam core, and a foam top skin laminated to a top surface and heeled to side surfaces of the expanded foam core.

Abstract: A sports board that includes an expanded-polystyrene sports board core. A composite top skin is heat bonded to the top surface of the expanded polystyrene sports board core. Composite side rail skins are heat bonded to side rails of the expanded polystyrene sports board core. A composite slick bottom skin is heat bonded to a bottom surface of the expanded polystyrene sports board core.

Abstract: A snow sled having a body with a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the top surface is configured to receive a rider in at least one of a prone position and a seated position. The snow sled further including a brake mechanism pivotally mounted to the body for hand actuation to impede the speed of the snow sled, wherein the brake mechanism includes a handle end and a barbed end and wherein the brake mechanism has a first orientation for actuation when the rider is in a prone position and a second orientation for actuation when the rider is in a seated position.

Abstract: A tabletop game for simulating basketball including a game court supported by a base and bounded by a containment net, designed for head-to-head competition. The game includes a court floor having ball traps configured to retain a game ball. The game further includes a set of keys configured to actuate shooter mechanisms for ejecting the game ball from the ball traps toward one of a pair of hoops that are sized to receive the ball. The game includes a movable defender configured to obstruct the ejected game ball from entering on of the pair of game hoops.