Abstract: A gripping device for use with a hand of a user. The gripping device includes a body portion having a hollow interior portion adapted to be secured to a shaft. The gripping device also includes a thumb receiving member and a fingers receiving member connected to the body portion, the fingers receiving member generally opposite the thumb receiving member. The thumb receiving member and fingers receiving member allow the user to secure a hand to the shaft. The shaft is located on a golf club in one embodiment.

Abstract: An articulated football goal post can be raised to a high position and a low position relative to the game position, for safety and security, and to facilitate the attachment of television cameras and the like. The crossbar and uprights are supported on the end of a boom pivoted on a vertical column and powered by a hydraulic jack, which may be operated remotely. Through either a parallel linkage or a separate hydraulic jack, the uprights are held in a substantially vertical orientation throughout the pivoting motion.

Abstract: A portable combination timer/calculator for basketball players and coaches that is used for indicating the elapse of selected time periods and recording the number of attempted baskets, made baskets, and shot percentages. The device includes a belt worn around a player's waist that contains a “made” basket button, and a “missed” basket button, mounted on opposite ends of the belt. Mounted centrally on the belt is an outer housing with a main on/off button, a timer, a calculator, a plurality of programmed timer buttons, and a speaker. Also mounted on the surface of the outer housing is a game select button that enables the device to be used to play various basketball related games or to be used as a recording device for “made” or “missed” baskets. The player presses the “made” or “missed” basket buttons when a shot is made or missed. Also, when the selected time period has elapsed, an audio signal is broadcast through the speaker.

Abstract: A golf ball includes a core, an intermediate layer and a cover. The core is formed of a first composition, the intermediate layer is formed of a second composition, and the cover is formed of a third composition. The specific gravity of each of the first, second and third compositions are generally equal to each other. The first, second, and third compositions are each sufficiently mixed such that the ball exhibits random orientation when floated in a solution of sufficient density to support the ball.

Abstract: A golf club head includes a body having a cavity in a rear side thereof, a striking plate provided on a front side of the body, and a vibration-absorbing plate fixed in the cavity of the body and not in contact with the striking plate. The damping effect of the golf club head and gripping comfort are improved.

Abstract: The present invention 10 discloses a training aid for golfers. The device 10 is designed to generate a collimated beam of red light 20 from a device 10 that is selectively attached to the brim 16 of a hat 18. Once attached to the hat 18, the golfer 12 positions their head to a desired point whereupon the light-emitting apparatus 14 is hingedly 24 adjusted to project the laser light onto the golf ball 22 thereby enabling the golfer 12 to easily ascertain whether there is unwanted head movement during the golf swing. The device 10 is comprised of a laser beam emitter 14 having an on/off switch 28 and a clip 26 for attaching the device to the brim of a hat and a hinge 24 positioned between the emitter and hat attachment means providing pivotal adjustment of the emitter.

Abstract: A top loop fits around the neck of a golfer. A bottom loop fits around the mid-section of the golfer. An intermediate section containing a breakaway unit connects the top loop to the bottom loop. If the golfer projects an acceptable swing, the breakaway unit does not disengage until the golfer reaches the follow through mode. If the breakaway unit disengages during the downward or ball contact mode, then the swing has not been satisfactory.

Abstract: A universal role playing game elevation indicator system for efficiently indicating elevation measurements of playing pieces used in role playing games. The universal role playing game elevation indicator system includes a support member having a lower end and an upper end, a plurality of multiplication indicia and elevation indicia positioned upon the support member, a first band movably positioned about the support member for indicating the multiplication rate of a character's elevation number, and a second band movably positioned about the support member for indicating the elevation of a character. The support member is comprised of an elongated and straight structure. The upper end is flat and level for receiving a figurine representing the character. The support member has a cross sectional size small enough to fit within a space upon a game board.

Abstract: A multi-piece golf ball includes a core having a diameter of 30 to 40 mm, at least one intermediate layer including the outermost layer having a thickness of 0.5 to 2.0 mm, and a cover having a thickness of 1.0 to 3.0 mm. The cover is made from a material obtained by dispersedly blending at least one kind of silicone powder selected from a silicone rubber powder, a silicon resin powder, and a composite powder thereof, in a main resin component containing an ionomer resin in an amount of 50% by weight or more. Dimples of the number of 300 to 550 pieces are formed in the surface of the golf ball in such a manner that a dimple total volume ratio VR is in a range of 0.85% or less. The multi-piece golf ball is excellent in resilience, flight distance characteristic, and feel of hitting.

Abstract: A board game including game pieces and rules for playing a game for a plurality of players, the goal of which is to defeat an opponent through battle of game pieces. The invention provides a board, multiple tile-like pieces, and at least one die. The tile-like pieces are used to block or challenge an opponent through the use of indicia on the outer periphery of each piece. Several levels of play are provided through the use of several game piece sets, which may be obtained independently.

Abstract: The invention is a device included with a golf club that plays an audible, musical sound file during performance of a golf swing for the benefit of learning a repeatable, rhythmic motion. A sensor detects the first movement of a golf swing and automatically begins the playing of a sound file selected from a library of files stored on the device. The sound files contain musical notes and the recorded sound of a golf club striking a golf ball. The timing of the notes and recorded sounds contained in the sound file has been synchronized to the study of the timing and rhythm of proficient golfers. The sound emits from the head of the golf shaft, distal to the grip end, for the benefit of listening to where the club is located with respect to the timing of the melody played.

Abstract: A breakaway basketball rim assembly in which the mounting bracket and rim are operably interconnected by a torsion rod which twists resiliently in response to an impact or other downward load on the rim. The torsion rod may extend parallel to the backboard, with one end being mounted to the mounting bracket and the other end being mounted to the rim, so that the torsion rod allows the rim to deflect downwardly about an axis that extends parallel to the backboard. The torsion rod may be mounted to overlapping flanges on the mounting bracket and the rim. There may also be a longitudinal torsion rod that extends perpendicular to the transverse torsion rod, so as to permit the rim to deflect downwardly about axes that extend both parallel and perpendicular to the backboard.

Abstract: A basketball hoop cover that is somewhat tubular and circular in shape with a slit along its length to allow a fitting over an existing basketball rim to provide a player protection and increased hoop visibility. The device also provides a way of reducing the ball entry area and includes particular targeting features that may assist in improving the skill level and enjoyment for the basketball shooter. The single piece tubular cover is contoured similar to an existing rim diameter and installs, without any tools or additional fasteners to a variety of existing rims and permits an easy way of custom fitting and trimming to satisfy unforeseen or unusual applications.

Abstract: A tossing game preferably includes an even number of tossing discs, a target disc, a retaining wire, a disc retrieval wand and a portable play surface. The tossing discs come in at least two colors and the target disc is a different color than any of the tossing discs. The retaining wire retains the discs and is also used to measure the distance between the tossing discs and the target disc. The disc retrieval wand includes a rod, a scoop and a magnetic ring. The magnetic ring is slidably engaged with the rod. The scoop is attached adjacent one end of the rod. Sand is preferably placed in the portable play surface. The portable play surface is preferably raised to accommodate play and removal of discs by the physically challenged. Each disc may be retrieved from the play surface with the magnetic ring and dropped into the scoop.

Abstract: A deformable basketball goal support structure configured to selectively engage a rigid upright member and allow for adjustment of the height of a basketball goal above a playing surface. The basketball goal support structure has a backboard and an attachment member configured to selectively connect the goal support structure to the upright member. At least one support arm pivotally attaches between the attachment member and the backboard. Preferably, a pair of first support arms and a pair of second support arms pivotally attach between the attachment member and the backboard. The backboard includes a support frame having an internal periphery sufficient for receiving at least a portion of the attachment member and the support arms.

Abstract: A golf ball with at least one moisture vapor barrier layer is disclosed. The moisture vapor barrier layer comprises an elastomer, and has a moisture vapor transmission rate of less than about 0.6 grams·mm/m2·day.

Abstract: One or more payout indicia cards are randomly interspersed throughout a conventional deck of cards. A base game begins with players wagering and receiving a player hand. During game play of the base game, players receiving a payout indicia card are rewarded as indicated by the payout indicia card rather than the payout under the base rules. Outcome indicia cards may also be included in the deck of cards. The outcome for players receiving outcome is changed to the outcome indicated on the outcome indicia card rather than the outcome under the base rules. The method may also be applied to games utilizing electronic representations of playing cards.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a golf club head comprises: making a billet of a titanium alloy Ti-6Al-4V by machining an ingot of the titanium alloy; forging the billet into a face plate within a temperature range of from (the beta transformation temperature ?150 degrees C.) to (the beta transformation temperature ?20 degrees C.); and jointing the face plate and a head main body, whereby the golf club head comprise a face portion for hitting a ball, at least part of which is made of an alpha and beta type titanium alloy Ti-6Al-4V including alpha phase crystal structure whose average grain size is not less than 20 micrometers but less than 70 micrometers.

Abstract: A golf putting teaching device includes a path with two side walls and each side walls has a plurality of first sensors on an inside thereof. An end piece has a top board and two side portions. The end piece is mounted across two sides of the path and a plurality of second sensors are located on an underside of the top board. The first sensors in the side walls are electronically connected to the second sensors of the top board. A controlling device is connected to one of the tow side portions and electronically connected to the first and the second sensors so as to process the data collected from the first and the second sensors to display the direction, speed, distance, and other necessary information for each putting.

Abstract: A system for a predicting golfer's performance is disclosed herein. The system inputs the pre-impact swing properties of a golfer, a plurality of mass properties of a first golf club, and a plurality of mass properties of a first golf ball into a rigid body code. Ball launch parameters are generated from the rigid body. The ball launch parameters, a plurality of atmospheric conditions and lift and drag properties of the golf ball are inputted into a trajectory code. This trajectory code is used to predict the performance of a golf ball if struck by the golfer with the golf club under the atmospheric conditions. The system can then predict the performance of the golf ball if struck by the golfer with a different golf club. The system of the present invention predicts the performance of the golf ball without the golfer actually striking the golf ball.