Abstract: A toy includes a body, a motor within the body, an appendage coupled to the body of the toy, a tail device coupled to the body of the toy, and a neck device coupled to the body of the toy. The appendage is actuated by the motor to move along a first path. The tail device is actuated by the motor to move along a second path. The neck device is actuated by the motor to move along a third path.

Abstract: A method of a house apportionment of a bonus value is used to pay during play of a bonus game. Entry of the bonus game is achieved during play of an underlying game of chance. The method of house apportionment includes steps of awarding the player a portion of the bonus value for the bonus game and adding the remainder of the bonus value to at least one escrow account available to reward the player or subsequent players. The awarding step is based on bonus games including the step of knowledge-based playing. The awarding step of the knowledge-based bonus game includes the step of knowledge-based playing by answering, selecting or guessing the appropriate responses to questions. The step of knowledge-based playing includes the step of selecting or guessing the appropriate answers to multiple choice questions. The step of knowledge-based playing by answering, selecting or guessing includes the step of challenging the player with questions having a common theme.

Abstract: A non-battery operated rotating light and/or noise making toy apparatus is disclosed. The system includes a handle to which is connected an electro-mechanical LED power generation chamber. One or more LEDs are electronically connected to the power generation chamber. The power generation chamber contains a series of gears that drive a magnet through a rotational frequency dependent on the gear ratio. The magnet, in turn, induces a current into an induction coil with each rotation of the magnet as it rotates in a circular fashion via its positive and negative poles. The induced current consists of a positive and negative current. Current is fed into one or more LEDs or any type module such as a noisemaker, creating a standing pattern lighting effect and/or noisemaker. The frequency of the lighting of one LED is a function of the gear ratio with respect to the primary gear rotation to magnet rotation.

Abstract: A gaming machine having spinning reels and methods for operating the gaming machine use a reel controller that controls motion of the spinning reels according to spin profiles for each reel. Each spin profile may be provided by the game play design and may be realized using curve fitting techniques, such as Bezier curves, splines, or approximations with line segments.

Abstract: A portable pitching mound having a plurality of shell pieces that when placed in side by side relation form an arcuate shell member. Each individual shell piece has an interlocking means so that each shell is attached to an adjacent shell. Once all of the shell pieces are in side by side relation, a centrally located supporting cap is attached to the rearward end of each of the plurality of shell pieces to provide additional support.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sports support pole, and more particularly to a reinforced support structure for supporting a pole such as a basketball pole or the like. The support structure may include a support bar positioned substantially in the center of the sports pole and may be held in position by one or more spacers. Cement may then be poured into the sports pole, with the spacers holding the support bar in position. Once the cement is cured, the support bar provides reinforcement to the sports pole against tension and shearing forces and the cement provides reinforcement against compression forces. An alternative embodiment provides for three or more support bars positioned at substantially equivalent intervals adjacent to the inner diameter of the sports pole.

Abstract: Lacrosse-stick heads are described. In one embodiment, a lacrosse-stick head includes a throat, a transverse wall, and two sidewalls extending outward from the throat and connected by the transverse wall. The throat includes two side surfaces. At least one of the sidewalls and an adjacent side surface of the throat are sized, shaped, and positioned for stably rolling a lacrosse ball throughout at least a portion of the length of the at least one of the sidewalls and onto the adjacent side surface. The portion includes more than one half of the length of the at least one of the sidewalls.

Abstract: A gaming system (1) comprises a primary wagering facility (6) which is usable by a player to place an initial wager on a turn of a game of blackjack, and a secondary wagering facility (7) which automatically places a side wager on the same turn of the game of blackjack. The system provides for two blackjack hands, a first one for the player and a second one for a dealer. The system includes an accumulation facility (10) which accumulates a fixed portion of the side wager in a pooled jackpot. The side wager relates to an outcome of a first three cards dealt in the player's hand. In particular, the side wager is deemed to be successful if one or more of the first three cards dealt in the player's hand is of a predetermined rank, or is of a particular suite, or both.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for teaching a user how to hit a ball with a bat. The apparatus includes a telescopically adjustable tee assembly that is magnetically secured to an underlying base. A user can easily make adjustments to both the vertical height of the tee and its location upon the base in order to simulate different pitch types.

Abstract: A holder for efficiently and cleanly affixing a stuffed toy animal in standing position adjacent a container for a plant or floral arrangement. The holder includes a rod and first and second ribbons. The first ribbon interconnects the head of the stuffed animal and the rod, while the second ribbon is wound around the rod to secure the first ribbon and then spirals downwardly as a covering. A third ribbon may be formed into a bow and attached to the holder as decoration.

Abstract: A box-type turkey call has not only a pin that pivotally interconnects the call's base to the call's paddle-like actuator but also a fastener that allows endless disconnection and re-connection of the actuator-to-base connection. That way, the actuator can be rolled over a half a roll to present the opposite broad side thereof for production of calls. The actuator's handle is bored through with a lock hole, which allows insertion of a locking fastener through it that is then tightened into a socket therefor in the call base. This optionally locks the turkey call from squawking when not wanted. Moreover, the call actuator can be disconnected from the original end of the call base and re-connected to the opposite end by virtue of the socket for the locking fastener. Hence, the call actuator can be operatively connected to either end of the call base.

Abstract: The toy vehicle is characterized in that a rear excavator is fastened to the toy vehicle, that a seat boom is rotatably arranged on a receiving block which is fastened to the toy vehicle, that a support leg is mounted on the receiving block and is pivotable between a raised position and a lowered position in which the support leg rests on the ground, and that the receiving block has mounted thereon a securing hook means which in a first position locks the support leg in the raised position and, at the same time, locks the seat boom in a predetermined angular position and which in a second position secures the support leg in the lowered position and, moreover, releases the seat boom for rotation. The toy vehicle can also be operated by small children and meets high safety standards.

Abstract: A golf club is manufactured by machining away a portion of the rear surface of a club face blank to form an elliptical central thickened region that tapers through a transition region to a thinner peripheral region. The elliptical central thickened region, transition region and the portion of the peripheral region surrounding the raised portion are formed in a single elliptical pass with a special cutting tool. The cutting tool, or “form cutter” has a conical lateral cutting surface, which forms the sloped transition region and the peripheral region surrounding it in a single operation.

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: An operation control system for an electrically powered and remotely controlled vehicle to be occupied by a child with a steering mechanism to be engaged and disengaged for either local or remote control. A remote control device for selectively controlling the direction and speed of the vehicle. A remote control receiver in the vehicle for receiving control signals from the remote control device and generating steering mechanism and speed control signals. A drive motor for driving the wheels of the vehicle and responsive to the speed control signals; and a steering motor for controlling the direction of movement of the vehicle and responsive to the steering mechanism control signals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to play poker or blackjack games that include novel playing cards that do not have non-descriptive backs and novel card arrangements with multiple hands sharing a common card. When the novel cards are initially dealt, either the suit or rank of the cards, but not both, is displayed. If the player selects the card, both the suit and rank are displayed.

Abstract: The present invention relates a board game that utilizes a game board that has constructed thereon a field grid accommodating two players. The field grid is further defined to removably receive designations for position, roll amount and score for each player. The rounds of play are facilitated by utilizing a random number generator with the game consisting of sixteen rounds. The game further includes a position coin that is used to commence the game and determine that starting position for the players.

Abstract: An animated toy effectively mimics human dance steps such as the Hokey Pokey with upper and lower halves of the torso pivoting about a diagonal waist laterally upwardly sloping to the left so that a left arm may be put forward and back. A spin/shake drive mechanism in a left leg selectively rotates the toy about a spin disk when activated in one direction and rotating a shake cam against the upper half of the torso when activated in another direction, thereby achieving each portion of the dance.

Abstract: Included herein is a pocket for a lacrosse head. The lacrosse head includes a scoop, a throat, first and second sides, a front and a back. The pocket comprises a mesh material preformed to a desired shape so that when the pocket is placed on a stick, the location of the deepest or bulbous portion will be at an optimal location and a channel may also be formed. The mesh material is preformed using a mold and/or a heat source. A package is provided to maintain the shape of the pocket during shipment and inventory.

Abstract: An improved head for a lacrosse stick having ridges extending along the exterior surface of the lip and depressions extending inwardly from the interior surface of the lip adapted to protect the lacings from abrasive contact with the ground and the ball. The ridges flank each aperture on the lip through which the lacings are thread. The depressions abut each aperture on the lip and are recessed from the apertures to the backlip portion. Ball retaining ridges extend along the interior surface of the sidewalls and serve to direct and retain the ball within the ball pocket.