Abstract: A system to determine a product to be offered to a casino player based on player data and on an approximate maximum price for which the product may be sold through a retail channel. Advantageously, a potential increase in a casino's profit due to a product offer can be determined using the player data, and an approximate maximum profit attainable through sale of the product through a retail channel can be determined based on the determined price. As a result, a product to offer can be determined in a manner which maximizes casino profit.

Abstract: A method for playing an improved game of cards which includes a target value, such as Blackjack, is set forth. Prior to the dealing of a hand of play, a player makes a side wager, which proposition, is won or lost, based upon the (1) the dealer's hand exceeding the target value and (2) various parameters involving the dealer's hand or the dealer's and player's hand. One parameter is based upon the total number of cards in the dealer's hand. Another is based upon the sum value of the dealer's first two cards alone or in conjunction with the player's hand.

Abstract: A golf putter having a pair of parallel linear edge members disposed on its top surface separated by a top surface opening and a pair of parallel linear indicator members disposed on the upper surface of the sole and visible to the golfer through said top surface opening, whereby visual alignment of said linear edge members with said linear indicator members indicates to the golfer that the putter head is properly positioned and that the golfer's eyes are vertically disposed above target putting line.

Abstract: A portable practice hockey device for practicing hockey on any smooth surface has a carrying handle and puck support cups for supporting a plurality of hockey pucks during practice. The device may be used on a driveway or the street for slapping a puck into a net. The device is made of synthetic ice and has chamfered edges such that a puck exits the surface at high speed and into the net. The practice device further provides a testing surface for hockey sticks prior to play on ice.

Abstract: A sports training device with a breakaway feature, includes a first yoke for removable attachment to a first wrist of a user and a second yoke for removable attachment to a second wrist of the user, and a breakaway connecting strap. The first yoke and second yoke are made of flexible material, being elongated, with a middle portion and two opposing ends. The opposing ends have complementary attachment mechanisms for removably attaching them to one another. The second yoke has a temporary attachment breakaway feature to connect to the strap at the middle portion of the second yoke. The connecting strap has a first end permanently attached to the middle portion of the first yoke, and a second end temporary yoke attachment for attachment to the second yoke, creating a predetermined breakaway resistance when connected to one another.

Abstract: A game is played using a target unit that has at least two target holes defined therein and a plurality of protrusions thereon. A game ball is thrown at the target unit and either enters a target hole, rebounds from the target unit, or misses the target unit. Players are divided into teams and each team is awarded points if a player from that team successfully tosses the game ball into a target hole. Time limits can be imposed for the overall game, the time allotted for a team to throw a ball, or the like. A player is charged with fouls for leaving a designated player area, contacting another player or the like, and can be disqualified from the game if that player accumulates too many fouls. The target can be modular and can be rotated during play.

Abstract: A golf club swinging guide releasably attachable to a lower end of a golf club shaft. The guide includes a stationary member having an alignment surface which, when adjustably aligned parallel to the striking face of the golf club head, automatically orients the visual intended line of flight perpendicular to the club face. A movable member is connected for free rotation to the stationary member about an upright axis of rotation which passes centrally through an enlarged clearance aperture through the stationary and movable members to facilitate installation over the grip area of the shaft. A wind vane extends laterally from one end of the movable member whereby the movable member is responsive to movement of air to visually align itself in a direction that the golf club is swung. Visual misalignment between the intended line of flight and the actual direction of golf club swing is viewable during a golf swing. Temporary securement of the alignment at the instant of golf ball impact is also provided.

Abstract: A basketball apparatus is provided that teaches basketball players to make the perfect basketball shot when shooting backboard shots from any location on the basketball court. The basketball apparatus consists of a backboard, a basketball hoop, a supporting bracket located in front of the backboard providing a reflective surface, and a member attached to the supporting bracket and having a target affixed thereon. The member and the supporting bracket coacting to reflect the target and produce a reflective target bulls eye. Upon shooting, if the user aims towards the centerpoint of the reflective target bulls eye and shoots the basketball in the proper trajectory to engage that centerpoint, the basketball, on this trajectory toward the centerpoint, would engage the backboard at a perfect reflection point and, thereby, bounce off the backboard towards the basketball hoop to obtain the perfect basketball shot.

Abstract: An aiming device for a golf club. The device includes a fixing seat with a long body, and one side of the body is thicker than the other side and the fixing seat has a wedgy shape. A clamping portion with a C-shape in cross view sets beside the long body thereof for clamping on a club or a grip of the golf. There is a connect portion on the other side of the long body. A main body in a long shape has a connect portion at one side thereof and connects with the connect portion of the fixing seat. A laser member pivots on the main body and towards the head. A switch sets on the main body for controlling on and off of the laser member.

Abstract: An alignment guide for practice putting has a base with perpendicular target and putter face lines. An unobstructed gap extends away from the putter face line along the target line. A pair of guide rails are secured to the base in parallel relationship to and on opposite sides of the target line and spaced apart by a distance slightly greater than the distance from the toe to the heel of the putter head. The putter head can, therefore, move freely between, but be guided by, the rails. An adjustable stop limits the backswing of the putter head to allow comparison of the length of the backswing with the travel distance of the ball. An adjustable pair of stops simultaneously limiting travel of the toe and the heel of the putter head in the follow through confirm that the putter face has remained square to the target line.

Abstract: A height adjustable basketball standard, including a fixed support pole configured to support a backboard assembly above a playing surface. A lifting link is provided which includes a base end, a traveling end, and a hollow section therebetween. The base end of the lifting link is pivotally coupled to the fixed support pole while the traveling end is pivotally coupled to the backboard assembly. A parallel link is also included and positioned within at least a portion of the hollow section of the lifting link, the parallel link including a parallel base end pivotally coupled to the fixed support pole and a parallel traveling end pivotally coupled to the backboard assembly. A drive mechanism, coupled to the support pole and engaging the lifting link is configured to provide a force which is sufficient to pivot the lifting link relative to the fixed support pole, thereby adjusting the height of the backboard assembly relative to the playing surface.

Abstract: An upper hemisphere (2) of a golf ball can be divided into five units (7) by five circular arcs (6) extending from a pole (4) to a great circle zone (5). Similarly, a lower hemisphere can be divided into five units (7). The dimple patterns of the respective units (7) are equivalent to each other. Each unit (7) has four first predetermined polygons (8) whose entirety is included therein and two first predetermined polygons (8) whose half is included therein. The number of the first predetermined polygons (8) that can be formed on the surface of the golf ball is 50. The golf ball has 50 large flat portions present in a region other than a region proximate to a great circle zone (5).

Abstract: A putting stroke training device having a housing with serrations on the bottom for engagement with a carpet or rug and an elongated top opening. A simulated club head is slidable in a straight line along the inside of the housing parallel to the top opening in such a manner that it cannot move upward significantly. A manually operable elongated shaft extends up from the housing at the top opening and has its lower end coupled to the simulated club head by a universal joint.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf ball with a core and a polymeric layer reinforced with fillers. Such layer can be the cover, a portion of the cover, an intermediate layer, a portion of the intermediate layer, or any layer in the golf ball. The fillers are selected to provide efficient increases in flexural modulus as a function of weight percentage of filler in the polymeric layer. A preferred filler is barium sulfate.

Abstract: An improved baseball swing trainer is presented where a standard wooden bat is modified with an embedded magnetic speed indicator based on a ball bearing and a magnet. The distance between the magnet and the ball bearing can be adjusted to adjust the amount of swing force necessary to break the ball bearing free. The device is mechanically simple and easy to install in any wooden bat.

Abstract: A device (10) for training a sequence of movements for ball hitting implements (18), especially golf clubs and baseball bats, permits monitoring the observance of the correct sequence of movements. The monitoring device acts upon the implement (18) and the user. The device permits the individual user to be in a position to check whether a sequence of movement is being correctly performed, while he or she is executing the sequence of movements and to correct it if necessary.

Abstract: A billiard training air for promoting accuracy and consistency in contacting an object ball with a cue ball to effect and desired path for the object ball and a resultant path and position for the cue ball includes an alignment body supported above the object ball, an object ball laser projecting a forward beams that is positioned on the desired path along a longitudinal axis, a impact indicating laser downwardly projecting a contact line along the object ball for indicating a contact point for the cue ball, a light unit for projecting a ghost ball image on the longitudinal axis at the contact point for indicating the impact position for the cue ball, and a pair of transverse lasers for projecting lateral beam to indicate and reference post impact cue ball position.

Abstract: A golf training device includes an arcuate track and a support frame for supporting the arcuate track at an angle on a surface to facilitate the training of the ball-hitting posture of a golfer.

Abstract: An apparatus for making hollow bodies, preferably components made from blanks, includes a press table, a slide movable upwardly and downwardly relative to the press table, a tool upper part connected to the upwardly and downwardly movable slide for joint movement therewith; a two-part tool lower part fixed on the press table, and additional tools integrated in the apparatus.

Abstract: A portable basketball unit with a base, moveable support frame members rotatably connected to the base for movement between an upper position and a lower transport position, a beam supporting a backboard and rim member moveably connected to the support frame members, forward wheels with a means for retracting the wheels when the support frame members are in an upper position, and a means for moving the wheels downwardly when the support frame members are in a lower transport position.