Abstract: A shooting string apparatus used in playing the sport of lacrosse. The apparatus is located in the head of a lacrosse stick during the play of the game of lacrosse. During lacrosse play, a player may find it advantageous to use this invention in the making of easy and rapid adjustments to the tensions of the webbing in the area of shooting string apparatus. There may be one or several shooting string apparatus in use simultaneously. In this invention, the shooting string apparatus is constructed with a flat central piece called the shooting string section. Affixed to the shooting section are a series of flaps or opposed flaps that fold over and hold the shooting string in place within the stick head. A tension string may be encompassed by but does not attach to and does not extend internally through the shooting string section. The shooting string section does not itself exert tension on the webbing.

Abstract: A frame for a ball catching and delivery head for use in, for example, the sport of lacrosse comprising a frame having a scoop, a base and spaced lateral sidewalls therebetween defining the periphery of a ball receiving and delivery face. Each of the lateral sidewalls includes a flex region which is more elastically compliant and resilient than the remainder of the frame. In one embodiment, the flex regions define regions of the sidewalls comprised of a material which is more flexible than the material comprising the remainder of the frame. In another embodiment, the flex regions are defined by springs incorporated into the sidewalls. In a further embodiment, the flex regions are defined by regions of the sidewalls of reduced height and cross-section. In a further embodiment, the sidewalls comprise separate, pivotable aft and fore frame/sidewall members.

Abstract: A limited contact boxing game and apparatus for playing the game includes a platform having an upper surface for supporting two individuals in a standing or crouched position. A platform is preferably in the shape of a square boxing ring and may be elevated and/or include a set of ropes surrounding the platform. The upper surface of the platform includes two or more spaced apart designated boundary areas of equal size and a tethered ball disposed in the space between the two designated areas. The tethered ball is adapted to be struck by each of the individuals toward the other in order to obtain a score by striking the individuals head or body or by causing the individual to step out of their designated boundary area.

Abstract: A toy vehicle including at least an on-board power supply, a plurality of wheels supporting the vehicle for itinerant movement, at least one motor operably coupled to at least one of the wheels to provide at least part of an itinerant movement, at least one light and a controller circuit configured to selectively supply power from the power supply to the motor(s) in response to commands from a transmitter remote from the toy vehicle and to selectively supply power to the at least one light in response to a signal indicating the vehicle is performing a particular maneuver, for example, either a special stunt or a transformation or both.

Abstract: A diving game assembly and method includes a non-buoyant housing. A digital timer is mounted in the housing and is configured to count down from a selected number of minutes and seconds down to zero seconds. A power supply is electrically coupled to the timer. The timer includes a digital display for displaying the number of minutes and seconds remaining on the timer. To use the assembly, the timer is set, started, and then the housing is thrown into a pool of water. Players then attempt to bring the housing to the surface of the water before the timer reaches zero seconds.

Abstract: An artificial eye for use in animated plush toys has a one-piece eyeball and lid that are integrally molded. The eye further includes a shaped member and a retaining post. A crossplate of the shaped member is preferably curved to correspond to the curvature of the eye, and is operative to animate a portion of plush contiguous to the eye. The portion of plush to be animated has an attached elongated flap which includes a forked free end wherein each branch of the forked end includes a hole. The elongated flap is inserted into the doll's body or head cavity, and each branch is tucked under the curved crossplate of the shaped member. The retaining post engages the holes near the ends of each branch, thereby fixedly retaining the flap to the eye. When the eye is rotated the plush portion also moves thereby simulating movement of an eyelid.

Abstract: A card game designed to simulate movements and activities between two combatants. The object of the game is to force all the other players to lose their game points before the winner does. The game uses a unique set of playing cards each containing one of three possible main color codes, and up to three out of four possible activity symbols. Each activity symbol is associated or linked to a second color code that matches one of the three main color codes. The game is presented herein as a sword fighting game between combatants. The activity symbols represent various offensive and defensive activities performed by opposing players during a sword fight. During the game, an offensive player selects an opposing player to attack after reviewing his or her holding cards and the top card in the discard pile of the other player. The defender must either dodge, parry or riposte the attack.

Abstract: A method for a knowledge-based casino game. A first embodiment provides the knowledge-based casino game as a bonus game for an underlying casino game. A second embodiment provides a stand-alone knowledge-based casino game and a third embodiment provides back-and-forth play between a casino game and a knowledge-based casino game.

Abstract: A putter effective for use in both conventional strokes and side saddle strokes. The putter includes a shaft having a grip portion at one end and a putter head at an opposite end. The shaft includes a lower forward offset portion and a straight portion. The straight portion defines a majority of the length of the putter and is disposed at an upright lie angle allowing effective use of the putter in the side saddle approach. The forward offset portion allows effective use of the putter with a conventional putting stroke.

Abstract: A perimeter weighted golf ball with a low compression core is provided. The core preferably comprises a diene polymer that has low cross-link density or not cross-linked with a reactive co-agent. This core has low compression and low specific gravity. The low specific gravity core is encased within a thin dense layer positioned outside of the centroid radius to provide the ball with a high moment of inertia. The same core can be encased within a plurality of intermediate layers having either increasing hardness or decreasing hardness to provide selective golf balls for either low swing speed players or advanced players. Alternatively, a thin layer of diene polymer highly cross-linked with reactive a co-agent may be incorporated into the ball to increase the hardness of the ball.

Abstract: The present invention provides a three-piece solid golf ball having long flight distance by accomplishing low spin amount and high launch angle at the time of hitting, while maintaining good shot feel. The present invention relates to a three-piece solid golf ball comprising a core composed of a center and an intermediate layer formed on the center, and a cover covering the core and having many dimples on the surface thereof, wherein the center has a diameter of 10 to 20 mm and a central point hardness in JIS-A hardness of 20 to 90, the intermediate layer has a surface hardness in Shore D hardness of 50 to 65, and the cover has a Shore D hardness of 55 to 70, a flexural modulus of not less than 280 MPa and a thickness of 0.5 to 2.5 mm.

Abstract: A golf ball having a plurality of dimples arranged on its surface is provided wherein the ball surface is free of a great circle that does not intersect with dimples, at least 7% of the total number of dimples are non-circular dimples, and some non-circular dimples lie across the equator of the ball corresponding to a parting plane of a mold. The ball is improved in flight distance and aerodynamic uniformity.

Abstract: A multi-lobed golf ball dimple is provided. The dimple comprises a plurality of lobes positioned radially around the center of the dimple, wherein each lobe is defined by a circumferential segment and may be further defined by spoke-like ridges. Each lobe comprises a first curved profile extending from the circumferential segment toward the center of the dimple and the first curved profile of each lobe abuts each other in an uninterrupted manner. The multi-lobed dimple may include uniform and non-uniform dimples. The curvature of the circumferential segments can be defined by a ratio of an inside radius to an outside radius. Each dimple also includes a slightly convex floor that is continuous and smooth. The curvature may match that of the outer surface of the golf ball. Further, a sloped wall interrupted by spoke-like ridges may connect the convex floor with the outer surface of the golf ball.

Abstract: A basketball practice device is for use with a basketball rim having a diameter. The practice device includes an annular body, the body having a diameter substantially lesser than the rim diameter, and at least one and preferably a plurality of supports. Each support is connected with the annular body and has a mount disposeable upon a portion of the rim. At least one and preferably a plurality of retainers each have a first end connected with the support, a second end releasably connected with the support, and a central section. Each central section is extendable at least partially about the rim portion such that the rim portion is retained between the support mount and the retainer to connect the practice device with the rim. Further, each retainer includes a generally elastic loop providing the ends and central portion and is extendable to engage with and disengage from the support.

Abstract: A blackjack card game method includes an optional hedge bet to the player, wherein the player may win the hedge bet if the dealer has a card count of 19 or better, or the player may lose the hedge bet if the dealer has a card count of 18 or less or busts.

Abstract: A golf club (40) having a club head (42) with a face component (60), an aft body (61) and a gasket (300) is disclosed herein. The face component (60) has a striking plate portion (72) and a return portion (74). The aft-body (61) is preferably composed of a crown portion (62), a sole portion (64) and optionally a ribbon section (90). The gasket (300) provides an interface between the face (60) and the aft-body (61) that reduces corrosion and improves manufacturing costs of the club head. The club head (42) preferably has a volume in the range of 290 cubic centimeters to 600 cubic centimeters, a weight in the range of 165 grams to 300 grams, and a striking plate portion (72) surface area in the range of 4.00 square inches to 7.50 square inches.

Abstract: A lacrosse head with improved weight and handling characteristics includes a frame element having a base portion, a scoop portion, and a pair of opposing sidewall portions extending between the base portion and the scoop portion. The frame element includes one or more cavities integrally formed within one or more of the sidewall portions, the base portion, and the scoop portion. In addition, the lacrosse head includes a no-skid surface integrated with a portion of the frame element. This surface is intended to create friction between the no-skid surface and a lacrosse ball, as well as to absorb kinetic energy of the lacrosse ball preventing the ball from inadvertently bouncing out of the lacrosse head or rattling therein.

Abstract: A hide-behind bunker system and kit for enabling a user to take cover behind at least one stand-alone, impact dampening structure. The system comprises at least one inflatable hide-behind structure cooperatively associated with an impact dampening anchor system. The hide-behind structure comprises an inferior bunker end, an opaque outer bunker surface, a matter-retaining inner bunker surface, and air inlet-outlet structure. The inner bunker surface defines an inner structure volume for receiving and retaining structure-erecting air. The impact dampening anchor system or assembly is attached to and extends outwardly from the outer bunker surface adjacent the inferior bunker end. The anchor system comprises at least three elastic link anchor assemblies, which assemblies each comprise a looped elastic member. The elastic member functions to absorb certain bodily impact when users collide therewith. The system and kit thus enable a user to take cover behind at least one stand-alone, impact dampening structure.

Abstract: A frameless portable suspension system includes a tensional two-dimensional material having a frameless perimeter, opposite upper corners, and a bottom secured to ground, the tensional two-dimensional material located in a vertical plane perpendicular to the ground; a pair of adjustable spring mechanisms coupled to the upper corners and providing the upper corners in tension in an upward vertical direction and a outward horizontal direction, and wherein the tension in the tensional two-dimensional material is adjustable with the adjustable spring mechanisms while the tensional two-dimensional material is under tension and the tensional two-dimensional material is positionable in a vertical plane perpendicular to the ground upon adjustment of the tension in the tensional two-dimensional material with the adjustable spring mechanism.

Abstract: Provided may be a wind propelled rolling vehicle with a self-adjusting sail that may be substantially formed in a relatively small, single sheet of material, or assembled onto a standard chassis. The exemplary embodiments may utilize bushings to spread dynamic loads so as to allow the use of very light structural material such as thin sheet foam thereby forming a safe, low-mass toy vehicle capable of achieving good acceleration and rolling speed relative to a given wind force, and configurable into many themes.