Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments of basketball goal systems. One embodiment, among others, comprises a rim connection assembly coupled to a support structure, the rim connection assembly comprising a support plate coupled to a backboard frame, a rim, and a plurality of tubular members through which portions of the rim are inserted and from which the rim is secured to the support plate, wherein the plurality of tubular members are configured to maintain a gap between the goal rim and a substrate corresponding to the backboard frame.

Abstract: A card game apparatus includes a deck of game cards that includes a plurality of sets of suited cards. The set of suited cards includes 5 suits. Sets of bonus point cards are included. The deck is placed face down in a random order an in a loose pile. One game card is drawn by each of the players in turn from the loose pile so that each player has a personal set of cards. The players follow the directions on the game cards. The directions include positioning the suited cards face up in the personal set of cards and attempting to form suited runs of 5 of the suited cards. The bonus point cards are also placed face up in the personal set of cards. A player having a required number of points in their personal set of cards wins the game.

Abstract: Embodiments of toy dolls and doll stands are disclosed, in which a user input applied to the doll or stand may generate motion in the stand and/or doll to animate the doll and/or stand. In some embodiments, a users' input motion may be stored in a compression or expansion member, such as a spring, and gradually released to actuate motion of one or more parts of the stand and/or doll. In some embodiments, the dolls and stands can be separate or for use with each other, the same stand usable for multiple dolls. In some embodiments, the doll may be powered to move independent of the stand.

Abstract: A model car with a simple mechanism for adjusting its look and feel is provided. The model car has a means for adjusting a height between a base of the model and a surface. In addition, the model car also has a means for adjusting an angle between the base of the model and at least one wheel.

Abstract: A card game machine using plural cards on front surface sides of which distinctive information for identifying itself from others is displayed and designs of back sides of which have a commonality is provide. The card game comprises a holding unit for holding the plural cards with a same shape in a stacked state, a distribution unit for distributing the plural cards held by the holding unit one by one in a state where the card is placed face down, a tilt surface for sliding the card distributed by the distribution unit, a stop unit for stopping the card sliding on the tilt surface at a specified position of the tilt surface and a card reversing unit for forcibly reversing the card stopped by the stop unit so that the front surface side is exposed and display contents depicted on the surface of the card can be visually seen, wherein a specified profit is given to a player on the basis of the distinctive information of the reversed card.

Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention provide a method of playing wagering games with dice, or other gaming indicia. According to a first embodiment of the present invention, a shooter places a wager and rolls a pair of standard six-sided dice. The shooter then rolls the dice repeatedly until either the sum of the two dice is less than, or equal to, the previous sum rolled, or the number of rolls qualifies for a maximum game payout. Once the shooter stops rolling, the total number of rolls is compared with a pay table and the wager is resolved. The embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in a live table game version or electronic version.

Abstract: The present invention is a basketball rebound training apparatus including a rebound unit and an installation tool. The rebound unit includes a dome portion as well as a rim mount structure including a rim catch tab and a latch mechanism. The dome portion is shaped to deflect a basketball shot in a direction that will generally correspond to the likely path and direction of a similar missed shot. The rim catch tab projects under the basketball goal rim while the latch mechanism engages the opposite side of the rim. The installation tool is used to raise the rebound unit for installation on a basketball goal rim.

Abstract: Outer and inner inflatable members and a motor assembly including a fan are disposed on a base member. Air provided under pressure by the motor assembly including the fan passes through vents in the base member to inflate the inflatable members. Flakes are disposed in the space between the inflatable members. One vent, larger than the others, provides for the flakes to be lifted upwardly from the base member by the pressurized air. At least another vent in the base member provides for a movement of the flakes by the pressurized air in an annular direction in the space between the inflatable members. A permeable cap disposed on the outer inflatable member limits the pressure in the outer and inner inflatable members to a particular value.

Abstract: A multi-player automated casino table card game platform enables play of casino table baccarat-type games according to rules effected through a processor. Rules may include games similar to Baccarat or Mini Baccarat with an optional side bet on a point spread between the player and bank hands.

Abstract: Laterally extending upper and lower backboard bracing members are coupled to a vertically movable framework, the bracing members including ends coupled to corner brackets of a peripheral frame surrounding a backboard. A yoke member has a central plate coupled to a back face of the backboard in alignment with a basket assembly. The yoke member includes horizontal webs fixed to the central plate defining outwardly extending arms having terminal ends including rearwardly extending tabs coupled to the lower backboard bracing member at locations laterally outward spaced from the central plate.

Abstract: A golf club head and a method of making a golf club head includes a framework that is applied to the rear portion of the club head. A heat shrinkable membrane is mounted to the framework, by either mechanical means or by application of a bonding agent, creating a hollow golf club wherein the membrane material at the center of the rear portion is taut and exposed. The membrane is made from a conformable heat shrinkable fabric having a high tensile strength and negligible compressive strength. The fabric comprises thin, relative flexible, long interwoven fibers such as Kevlar, canvas, sailcloth and fabrics used in the skins of airplanes.

Abstract: A hollow golf club head comprises: a face portion whose front face defines a club face for hitting a ball; a crown portion intersecting the club face at the upper edge thereof; and a sole portion intersecting the club face at the lower edge thereof, wherein at least one of the sole portion and the crown portion is provided along the front edge thereof with a face-backing zone in which the rigidity is gradually increased from its toe-side end and heel-side end toward the center thereof.

Abstract: A shock-absorbing golf club head has a head body, an inner cap, a faceplate and a shock-absorbing core. The head body has an open front, an air cavity and a core cavity. The core cavity has a cavity shoulder. The inner cap is mounted securely on the cavity shoulder of the core cavity. The faceplate is mounted in the open front of the head body and is separated from the inner cap. The shock-absorbing golf club head effectively absorbs shock and generates a sound when striking a golfball.

Abstract: A golf club head made of metal includes a face surface, a back surface, and an elastic body. Plural hollow portions are defined between the face surface and the back surface and are arranged in an upper and lower direction. The elastic body is filled in the lowermost hollow portion. The plural hollow portions are defined in a lower portion of the golf club head.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention there is provided a hoop having an inner circumference that generally forms a circle with an inner diameter sufficient to receive portion of a human body therethrough. A weighted member is slidably secured onto the hoop to increase a centrifugal force of the hoop when in use. The weighted member has a central body with two ends diametrically opposed and has a hollow channel aligned with the two ends. The two ends being sized to slide over the hoop. Bushings may be inserted into the two ends to reduce friction.

Abstract: Tools and techniques are provided for creating nonrandom notable patterns in elements of games of chance which are traditionally random and hence lack such patterns. Players are notified of the existence of such patterns. When a player detects a pattern, the player may act on it to the player's advantage. Play may be monitored to determine whether a pattern has been detected by a player. Player rewards may be limited by a reward threshold, based on amounts wagered by the individual player and possibly other players. Play may be monitored to detect undesired play by software bots.

Abstract: A smoke generating device for a model train that includes a smoke generating element supported by a support member. The smoke generating element can be wound around the support member is a generally helical pattern. The number of turns and the distance between turns can be varied to enhance the smoke generating properties of the device. The support member can be braided fiberglass. A length and cross-section of the support member can be varied to support smoke generating elements of different lengths. The length of the smoke generating element can be varied to produce smoke generating devices having different resistive values.

Abstract: A hollow golf club head which is composed of a metal part made of at least one kind of metal material and a FRP part made of a fiber reinforced resin, the metal part having a first lap joint part, and the FRP part having a second lap joint part being lap-jointed with the first lap joint part, wherein one of the first lap joint part and second lap joint part is provided with at least one securing hole, and the other is provided with at least one protrusion engaging with said at least one securing hole.

Abstract: A putter head having a face and a sole, the putter head comprising a front segment of the sole angled downward and rearward from the face, the front segment fading into two approximately ninety (90) degree angles and forming a radius that flattens through the approximate center of the sole then flares outward from the radius and curves upward toward the back of the sole; a first side segment of the sole angled upward from the flattened portion of the radius and blended with the front segment of the sole and the outward flaring segment of the sole; and a second side segment of the sole angled upward from the flattened portion of the radius and blended with the front segment of the sole and the outward flaring segment of the sole.

Abstract: A circular planform wing includes a contiguous thin central plate having top and bottom surfaces. An outer annular rim encompasses the central plate. The rim has a lower edge defining a lower plane of the wing, and the central plate has an upper zone defining an upper plane of the wing. The rim has a cross-section with a lower rounded corner forming the lower edge, an outer rounded corner, and an upper corner merging with the central plate, the outer corner being located between the upper plane and the lower plane. The rim cross-section has a convex upper curve joining the outer rounded corner to the upper corner, an inside rim surface joining the lower rounded corner to the upper corner, and a convex lower curve joining the outer rounded corner to the lower rounded corner.