Abstract: A method for playing a modified blackjack game between a dealer and at least one player. Each player places a first wager, the outcome of which is determined by conventional rules of blackjack play. Players may optionally place an additional wager or side bet corresponding to a five-card poker hand made up of two cards dealt to the player and three community cards. A predetermined multiple of an amount of the additional wager is paid out or collected based on the rank of the poker hand. Players may also place additional wagers corresponding to a predicted color of their initial two card hand.

Abstract: A casino-adapted wagering game that employs a Pinochle deck of eighty cards in conjunction with a gaming table, finalist board, and statistically derived payout schedules. The game as envisioned here is typically played by at least nine players in groups of three, who tally melt and card points to score at least as many points as the amount of the bid tabled by the highest bidder.

Abstract: A system and method for teaching basic mathematical operations and facts; and more particularly it is an apparatus for development of accurate conceptual models for small children in learning certain math facts for the first time. The present invention takes into account that a true conceptual model must consistently and accurately reflect the target system and consider the characteristics of the children learners. In this invention, every digit of any number gets a familiar yet consistent name; that name can be weaved into story and rhyme throughout the learning process in both the math questions and in the math answers. The consistent “name for a digit” advancement over the prior art is better because it creates a conceptual model to which children can indeed relate. Digit consistency throughout the system, series, or television program, helps teachers create relevant meaningful application activities or associative modus operandi.

Abstract: A heart model provides a simulative environment for lead implantation and affixation. In one embodiment, removable silicone plugs are provided at appropriate locations so that an inserted lead can be affixed to the plugs with a helical tip. A simulative venous structure is provided that has increased lubricity to facilitate the insertion and manipulation of the lead.

Abstract: Pitching practice targets teach a pitcher to deliver accurate pitches. A tripod assembly is attached to one end of a body. The height of the pitching practice target can be adjusted by telescoping first and second body extensions inserted into the body's opposing end and telescoping lower legs inserted into the upper legs of the tripod assembly. The upper legs are hingedly attached to the body so that they can be folded up when not in use. An arm collar attaches one end of an arm to the second body extension. A target is suspended from the arm by chains hung from chain hooks. A target retainer connects the bottom edge of the target to the body's opposing end. The opposing end of the arm is bent at an angle and forms a triangular structure in conjunction with an arm support.

Abstract: A gaming machine includes a liquid crystal display having a liquid crystal panel and a light guiding plate placed at the rear of the liquid crystal panel and formed with a light deflection pattern for guiding light emitted from illumination means into the liquid crystal panel, and a variable display device placed at the rear of the liquid crystal display and having a plurality of reels provided in a row. Parts of the light guiding plate to which the reels are opposed are made light transmission areas. The light guiding plate is formed with a first light deflection pattern on the periphery of the light transmission areas and is formed with a second light deflection pattern in a portion more distant from the light transmission areas than the first light deflection pattern. The first light deflection pattern is denser than the second light deflection pattern.

Abstract: A sports training apparatus having a substantially resilient elongated arm support coupled to straps adapted to surround an athlete's shoulders to hold the arm support securely against the athlete's chest and under the athlete's arms to facilitate the proper training position for a variety of sports activities. Methods of using the training apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: A head of a lacrosse stick including a frame defining a back stop wall at one end, a scoop wall at an opposite end and side walls therebetween. A plurality of fingers are spaced along the interior face of the back wall and side walls respectively. Each of the fingers protrude outwardly from the interior face of the back wall and side walls respectively and include an outer sloped surface adapted to guide and direct a lacrosse ball into the pocket of the head. Each of the fingers also include a lower sloped shoulder adapted to hold the lacrosse ball in the head and guide and direct the ball between the back wall and the scoop wall. In one embodiment, the length of the fingers increases between the back wall and the side walls to define a pocket for the ball and then decreases along the side walls in the direction of the scoop wall to define a ball ramp.

Abstract: A practice batting training apparatus is disclosed, which can accurately and consistently deliver balls to a desired location at a desired speed. The apparatus includes a base with a removable a post, and at least one feeder hingedly attached to the post for delivering various size balls to a desired location at a desired speed. The feeder can be adjusted to achieve different heights and speeds helping batters develop timing and hitting skills.

Abstract: A lacrosse head comprising a frame, a pocket attached to the frame, and at least one energy absorbing element engaging the frame to absorb energy from an impact to the pocket. Preferably, the frame, which includes a scoop, a throat, and sidewalls, includes energy absorbing elements positioned proximate to the throat and along the sidewalls of the frame. The energy absorbing elements can be positioned on an external surface of the perimeter of the frame. The frame includes pocket attachment apertures and the energy absorbing elements include apertures, wherein the apertures on the energy absorbing elements are substantially aligned with the pocket attachment apertures to secure the energy absorbing elements to the frame.

Abstract: A golf club head (20) having a body (22) with a front wall (30) with an opening (32) and a striking plate insert (40) is disclosed herein. The striking plate insert (40) has a substrate base layer (40a) and a second layer (40b). The second layer (40b) is preferably composed of a nickel-iron alloy material. The golf club head (20) preferably has a volume between 200 cubic centimeters and 600 cubic centimeters. The golf club head (20) preferably has a mass between 140 grams and 215 grams.

Abstract: A lacrosse head having a netting with a shallow pocket is provided for improving the handling and the retention of a lacrosse ball. The lacrosse head includes a frame element comprised of a pair of opposing sidewalls that each have a top end and a bottom end, a scoop portion connecting the top ends of the sidewalls, and a base portion connecting the bottom ends of the sidewalls. Furthermore, the lacrosse head includes a netting that is coupled to the opposing sidewalls. This netting has one or more partitions coupled thereto for substantially defining a ball retention region and one or more peripheral regions of the netting. These partitions protrude outwardly from the netting and are adapted for contacting a lacrosse ball and retaining the lacrosse ball within the ball retention region.

Abstract: A golf club head comprises a main body and a coating film covering a metallic surface of the main body, wherein the coating film comprises a clear foundation layer formed on the metallic surface and containing acid-modified polyolefin based resin as its base resin, and a colored clear second layer formed outside the foundation layer so that said metallic surface is visible through the coating film.

Abstract: A collapsible basketball return device including pairs of front and rear vertical telescoping posts. Lower and upper horizontal telescoping side support arms extend between a lower portion of each of the front and rear posts. Lower and upper horizontal telescoping end support arms extend between the lower portions of each of the front posts and each of the rear posts, respectively. A net is suspended from the telescoping posts and forms a tunnel in its lower portion that slopes toward and beyond the front of the device when in its fully erected mode. The net is open at its top and the outer end of the tunnel is attached to a discharge chute aimed at the user. The discharge chute is attached to the front telescoping posts by telescoping and rotatable chute support arms.

Abstract: An interactive game system for providing a spoons related game that promotes education of the United States. The interactive game system includes providing a card deck, a plurality of data cards, a plurality of playing spoons, and a data spoon. The data cards and the data spoon preferably include information regarding a subject such as the United States or a specific state. Based upon the number of players (N) present, N-1 data cards are inserted into the card deck and N-2 playing spoons along with the data spoon are placed in the center of the playing table. Each player is dealt five cards and the dealer then draws a card from the card deck. The dealer then may retain or pass the card to the player to their left. Play is continued until a player has four matching playing cards and a data card in their hand.

Abstract: A golf club head having a head body, a face plate fixedly attached to the front surface of the head body, a weight fixedly attached to the front surface of the sole portion of the head body, and an elastic body charged into a first recess portion of the golf club head. The elastic body is compressed to stick fast to the rear surface of the face plate. The lower portion of the head body having first and second recess portions is formed as a bulging portion bulging at the rear of the head body. The JIS C hardness of the elastic body is preferably 15–80, more preferably 18–70, most preferably 20–60.

Abstract: An equipment for playing a game using a racquet and ball is provided having a substantially horizontal playing surface with first and second ends. A plurality of playing walls, disposed at the first end of the horizontal playing surface, extends perpendicularly away from the playing surface. A first playing wall among the plurality of playing walls is disposed centrally between a second and a third playing wall among the plurality of playing walls. The second playing wall and the third playing wall are angled relative to the first playing wall.

Abstract: A handle for sports equipment such as a lacrosse or hockey stick including cushioning and grip ribs. In one embodiment, the shaft of the handle defines one or more regions of reduced diameter or thickness such as, in one embodiment, a plurality of elongate longitudinal grooves extending around the periphery thereof in spaced-apart relationship. Interior cushioning ribs are defined in the region of the grooves by a layer of cover or coating material which is applied to the surface of the shaft and fills the grooves. In another embodiment, the shaft includes tapered regions in the shaft and the layer of cover or coating material fills the tapered regions to define cushioning ribs.

Abstract: A multi-piece solid golf ball comprising a solid core and a cover of two inner and outer layers surrounding the core. The outer cover layer has a surface formed with a plurality of three types of dimples such that a product of the Shore D hardness of the inner cover layer multiplied by the Shore D hardness of the outer cover layer and a proportion VR (%) of the total of the volumes of dimple spaces satisfy one of: (1) 1,500 to less than 2,000 VR: 0.8 to 1.1% (2) 2,000 to less than 2,500 VR: 0.75 to 1.05% (3) 2,500 to less than 3,000 VR: 0.7 to 1% (4) 3,000 to less than 3,500 VR: 0.65 to 0.95% (5) 3,500 to 4,000 VR: 0.6 to 0.9%.

Abstract: A displayable inflatable figure has a main hollow body that is of a soft and air-permeable fabric. An extended part at the bottom includes a fan assembly to force air flow into the main body. An internally attached lighting system is fastened to provide illumination without external lighting. When connected with power, the fan continuously pumps air into the body. When air is filled in the body, excessive air leaks out from the fabric so that the figure can keep a good shape.