Abstract: A protective apparatus for covering bolts and gussets of a mounting base of an in-ground anchoring system for a basketball goal post includes a shell formed of a resiliently deformable material. The shell includes a top wall defining a post opening configured to receive the goal post therethrough and at least one side wall integral with the top wall. The top wall and side walls define a cavity for enclosing the protruding features of the mounting base when the post is received in the opening of the top wall. An access opening is provided through which the goal post is maneuvered into the post opening. The access opening can be in the form of a slot or a closeable slit in the shell. In certain embodiments, a retention element is provided that attaches to the bolts of the mounting base to hold the protective apparatus in position.

Abstract: A putting instructor includes two rails each having a curved upper surface corresponding to a curved moving pathway of a golf club head while swinging the golf club head relative to the rails, and a link coupled the rails together, to maintain a gap formed between the rails. The curved upper surfaces of the rails are used to guide users to practice putting exercises. Each of the rails includes a graduation disposed on the curved upper surface. Each of the rails includes an outer bulge higher than an inner bar, to form a shoulder between the inner bar and the outer bulge, and having a graduation disposed on a curved upper surface.

Abstract: A lacrosse head (10) with a substantially narrow pocket and lower manufacturing costs is provided. In one embodiment, this lacrosse head (10) includes a one-piece integral frame element (18) comprised of a base portion (24), a pair of sidewalls (20) diverging from the base portion (24), and a scoop portion (22) connecting the sidewalls (20) opposite the base portion (24). This lacrosse head (10) further includes a pair of flaps (12) coupled to the sidewalls (20) by an overmolding process. These flaps (12) extend inwardly and rearwardly from their respective sidewalls (20) toward a centerline (26) of the lacrosse head (10). Each flap (12) has a series of holes (28) formed therein for receiving a netting (14) and attaching the netting (14) thereto. As a result, these flaps (12) narrow the width of the pocket and decrease lateral ball movement within the lacrosse head (10).

Abstract: A method for increasing adhesion between golf ball layers comprising the steps of providing a golf ball layer having a first surface; preparing the first surface for treatment; exposing the first layer to a silane; providing a second golf ball layer; and adhering the second layer to the first via the silane. Additionally, a golf ball including an inner component, a molecular monolayer, and at least one cover layer, wherein the inner component and the at least one cover layer have differing surface energies and the cover layer is adhered to inner component with the molecular monolayer.

Abstract: A ball server apparatus for conducting batting practice wherein the apparatus ejects a ball into the air and the user swings a bat in order to hit the ejected ball. The ball server apparatus includes a base member connected to a server seat member, the base member for stabilizing the server seat member on a playing surface. The server seat member includes an interior section having a vertical channel extending therethrough; the interior section of the server seat member includes an upper seat section, a middle seat section and a bottom seat section. The ball server apparatus further includes a movable rod having a proximal end and a distal end; the proximal end of the movable rod is within the bottom seat section of the server seat member; the proximal end of the movable rod has an ejection assembly connected thereto; the distal end of the movable rod has a ball seat member connected thereto; and the ball seat member is used for holding a portion of the ball therein.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining compliance of a lacrosse stick head with dimensional specifications that require a minimum allowable width between the two sidewalls of the head as measured at a designated distance from the stop member of the head. The apparatus has a width equal to the minimum allowable width of the lacrosse stick head, and a length perpendicular to the width. The length is equal to the designated distance. The apparatus is adapted to simultaneously measure the designated distance and the minimum allowable width. In a specific implementation, the apparatus has an upper rectangular portion connected to a lower triangular portion.

Abstract: A hockey practice system for improving a hockey player's shooting skills in an entertaining manner. The hockey practice system includes a panel having a plurality of openings, a first support and a second support pivotally attached to the sides of the panel, and a plurality of targets removably positionable within the openings. The targets are preferably comprised of a resilient material for frictionally engaging within the openings of the panel. A goalie member may be attached to the front of the panel.

Abstract: This is a card game with an object of reaching a count of nine. In this card game, the player completes playing his/her hand before knowing the count value of the dealer's hand. The player makes all the decision on the play of his/her hand while the dealer has limited or no option in the play of his hand. The game allows for additional rules or features that can increase the excitement in playing the game or swing the odds of winning either for the player or the dealer such as splitting or giving special payouts on certain hands.

Abstract: A golf club (40) having a club head (42) with a face component (60) and an interchangeable aft body (61) is disclosed herein. The face component (60) has a striking plate portion (72) and a return portion (74). The aft-body (61), which is attached to the return portion (74) of the face component (60), is selected from a plurality of aft-bodies, each having a different center of gravity location. Each of the aft-bodies (61) is composed of a crown portion (62), a sole portion (64), and at least one weight member (122) for adjusting location of the center of gravity. An aft-body (61) is selected from the plurality of aft-bodies (61) based on its center of gravity location, so as to provide the club head (40) with a center of gravity location suited to a particular golfer.

Abstract: A lacrosse head for use with a lacrosse handle includes a frame element including an arcuate wall, a scoop opposing the arcuate wall, and a pair of opposing sidewalls. The sidewalls generally extend between the arcuate wall and the scoop. The frame element has a socket extending rearwardly therefrom for receipt of a handle therein. The lacrosse head has a plurality of net attachment means formed therein for attachment of lacrosse net thereto. The lacrosse head has a pocket area defined by a lower portion of the arcuate wall, the scoop, and a lower portion of each of the pair of opposing sidewalls. The lacrosse head also has a catching area defined by an upper portion of the arcuate wall, the scoop, and an upper portion of each of the pair of opposing sidewalls. The catching area of the head is larger than the pocket area.

Abstract: A golf club head incorporating at least one interior port adapted to receive a weighted rod which is introduced into the head and the port through an opening and cavity defined in the hosel junction. The weight and density of the rod determines the location of the head center of gravity. In one embodiment, the head includes two elongate arcuate ports adapted to receive respective elongate flexible rods adapted to conform to the shape of the port. An associated tuning package allows an individual to identify and select a recommended rod combination depending upon the desired weight and center of gravity location.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a training aid which may be used with a playing device such as a golf club or baseball bat. Embodiments of the present invention may be temporarily attached to a playing device and modify how a person holds, or grips, the playing device. The present invention comprises a first portion that may be temporarily attached to part of the playing device that is gripped by a person. When the present invention is temporarily attached to a playing device and a person grips the present invention, a second portion extends at least part of one finger of the person a distance from the playing device.

Abstract: A lacrosse head having protrusions on its top and/or bottom edges, which improve ball control. Preferably, the protrusions on the top edge protrude toward the interior of the lacrosse head and the protrusions on the bottom edge protrude away from the interior of the lacrosse head. In a further embodiment, the lacrosse head has a top protrusion disposed on the top edge of a sidewall, and a bottom protrusion on disposed on the bottom edge of the sidewall, such that any height of the lacrosse head frame, inclusive of the top protrusion and the bottom protrusion, does not exceed a specified sidewall height, even though the sum of the height of the sidewall, the height of the top protrusion, and the height of the bottom protrusion, measured separately and nonlinearly, exceed the specified sidewall height.

Abstract: A golf club face impact alignment device includes a light emitting unit and a light sensing unit. The light emitting unit includes a first light emitting device, a second light emitting device, a power source and an emitting case. The first and second light emitting devices and the power source are retained in the emitting housing. The light emitting unit is attached to the club face of a golf club. The light sensing unit includes a first sensing unit, a second sensing unit and a base. The first and second sensing units are secured to the base. Each sensing unit preferably includes at least one photocell and a sensing case. The golf club is swung between the first and second sensing units. Light emitting from each end of the light emitting unit must be detected by the first and second light sensing units to activate an indication device.

Abstract: A putting stroke training device has two adjustable arms, each joined to an elevated arch at the “closed end” of the device. Preferably, the elevated arch is of sufficient dimensions to allow a golf ball to travel underneath and through the arch. Each arm may be connected to the elevated arch by a wing nut and screw which can be locked down to set each arm at adjustable angles. A guide ball is affixed to the opposite end of each arm at its “open end.” One of the arms is also connected to a vertical marker which shows the user where the golf ball is in the user's stance. The arms may be rotated to open the device to accommodate the width of a putter swinging through the distance between each guide ball on the open ends of the arms. A method of using the device is also included.

Abstract: A lacrosse goalie stick head (10) for attachment to a lacrosse stick. The lacrosse goalie stick head (10) comprises a traverse top wall (12) connected to a first sidewall (14) and a second sidewall (16). The first sidewall (14) has a first flange (36) and the second sidewall (16) has a second extending flange (38). The first and second sidewalls extend away from the top traverse wall (12), converge toward a base (19), and connect to the base (19). The base (19) has a throat portion 18 having a female end socket (23) for attachment to the lacrosse stick. The top traverse wall (12), the first sidewall (14), the second sidewall (16), and the base (19) form the lacrosse goalie stick head (10). The lacrosse goalie stick head (10) increases a goaltender's control in the deflection and receiving of lacrosse balls.

Abstract: A low cost, gaslift assisted golf swing platform is invented. The platform is easy to operate and capable of providing plurality of lie conditions such as uphill, downhill, sidehill up and sidehill down lies which usually are provided only by complicated inclination and rotation mechanisms in other inventions of similar purpose. The low cost golf swing platform needs no power to operate so that it is also portable to anywhere. It is easily affordable for driving range stations and individual golfers.

Abstract: A putting training aid and putter calibration device for use on a putting surface is disclosed which includes a horizontal calibrated bar with a linear centered scale and a parallel calibration block having an orthogonal face and set on the practice putting surface below and offset from the horizontal calibrated bar. Also provided is a linear scale decal which is applied to a putter shaft. The device is designed to align the putter head to proper lie and neutral loft so that the face is square to the intended target line and to teach the golfer the proper grip, stance, alignment of the golfer, alignment of the club and proper putting stroke.

Abstract: A golf club head having a cavity back arrangement and a sandwich construction is disclosed. The club head contains a thin strike face, a metal back flange and a light weight insert located between the strike face and the back flange to provide structural support to the strike face. The insert is in contact with at least a portion of the strike face and is made from light weight materials including magnesium and titanium. The club head is constructed to move the center of gravity lower and toward the back of the club head and to increase the moment of inertia. The insert provides the necessary support with adversely affecting either the center of gravity or the moment of inertia.

Abstract: The inflatable basketball structure includes an inflatable basketball backboard, an inflatable basketball rim, a basketball net, an inflatable supporting pole, and an inflatable safety enclosure. The inflatable basketball structure on a trampoline allows height challenged users the opportunity to slam-dunk and otherwise fulfill athletic basketball fantasies in a safe environment.