Abstract: A basketball training apparatus that is operable to simulate a defensive player for a user that is practicing their offensive skillset. The basketball training apparatus further includes a housing assembly having a lower portion and an upper portion that are perpendicularly secured. The housing assembly is moveably secured to a mounting block wherein the mounting block is disposed within the lower portion of the housing assembly. The housing assembly is operable to tiltably move from a first upright position to a second position wherein the upper portion is tilted towards the ground. A plurality of blocking members are releasably secured to the upper portion of the housing assembly extending outward therefrom. A visual inhibitor is movably coupled to the upper portion of the housing assembly and extends upwards therefrom. A frame is integrally secured to the mounting block and further includes a base having a wheel assembly.

Abstract: This invention provides paired structures that can be combined in sets of three pairs in an assemblage exhibiting a three-dimensional coordinated motion during assembly and disassembly. The assemblage can be used as an entertaining puzzle providing challenging assembly and unexpected coordinated expansion of all parts on disassembly. The puzzle includes six pieces shaped such that when completely assembled all pieces form an interlocking assembly that can only be assembled or disassembled when all six pieces aligned correctly and moved simultaneously in a specific coordinated motion.

Abstract: A synthetic putting green includes a crown, skirt and trough. The putting green includes a support surface shaped to define a crown, a skirt circumferentially positioned about the crown and a trough circumferentially positioned about the skirt. Landscape edging is applied to the support surface about a perimeter of the crown so as to define an interior space functioning as a putting surface. A containment layer is applied upon the support surface within the interior space and an open cell foam material applied over the containment layer within the interior space. A layer of synthetic turf is then applied to cover the containment layer and the open cell foam material within the interior space. A method for making the synthetic putting green is also disclosed.

Abstract: A novelty golf club in the form of a putter is disclosed. A conventional putter is adapted to include a battery assembly disposed in the grip end of a club shaft. The battery assembly includes a set of batteries arranged end to end. A pair of terminals are configured at the battery assembly adjacent a first coupling element. A powered accessory has a second coupling element which cooperates with the first coupling element to releasably secure the powered accessory to the battery assembly. A variety of powered accessories, such as a fan assembly, a mixer assembly, a string trimmer assembly, a vibrating massager, a flashlight, and a charging unit are configured for the novelty golf club.

Abstract: A vibration dampening crossbow comprising a stirrup disposed on the distal end of the body, the stirrup including a foot-receiving portion for securing the distal and of the body to the ground with a foot applying pressure on the stirrup toward the ground when cocking the string of the crossbow, wherein the foot-receiving portion of the stirrup is configured to damp vibrations.

Abstract: The present invention is a self-aligning archery bow that has upper and lower risers and a grip intermediate the risers. A U-shaped handle overlying the grip is pivotally attached to the grip whereby the handle pivots about vertical axes in response to torque on the bow produced by force on the draw string, thus compensating for the tendency of the bow and the grip to twist in the hand of the archer. The pivotal movement of the handle is accommodated through a plurality of ball bearings that operatively engage the grip and the handle, and a pivotal bolt that connects the handle to the grip.

Abstract: A sports swing training apparatus having a clip assembly for attaching the apparatus to an article of clothing of a user. Attached to the clip by a rod is a square shaped paddle arm. The paddle arm rotates about the rod in a forward or backward direction as a means for positioning the paddle arm.

Abstract: In one example, a basketball system a goal attached to a backboard assembly. A connecting structure connects the backboard assembly to a support structure. A height adjustment mechanism includes a handle assembly that is directly connected to the support structure, and the handle assembly is operable to change a height of the goal and backboard assembly. As well, a shock absorbing element is provided that includes a first portion directly connected to the handle assembly, and the shock absorbing element has a second portion directly connected to the support structure of the basketball system, and the shock absorbing element enables temporary displacement of the goal and the backboard in response to imposition of a load or force on the goal. Finally, a structure is provided that is directly connected to the handle assembly and directly connected to the connecting structure.

Abstract: A game ball feeder for delivering balls to a game ball throwing machine. The game ball feeder includes a base, a support frame attached to the base, a drive mechanism attached to the support frame, and a support rod attached to the support frame. A rotatable ball housing operatively engages the support rod, is mounted in a substantially horizontal configuration, and includes a plurality of cylindrical shaped ball holding sections. Each ball holding section can include a wall defining an entry opening and an exit opening with the entry opening positioned vertically higher than the exit opening. A transfer path can be operatively attached to a support frame and aligned to accept a ball from one of the exit openings. Further, a ball indexing element can be shaped and positioned to control the movement of the balls within at least one of the ball holding sections.

Abstract: An apparatus for improving the accuracy of a basketball shooter is disclosed. Rim attachments can have either a regulation 18? diameter mounted thereon or rims having smaller diameters such as 16?. By practicing with smaller diameter rims a shooter must increase the ball trajectory to put the ball through the smaller diameter rims. As his accuracy improves with the smaller diameter rims, his accuracy improves even more with a full size rim. Rim attachments must be easy to interchange and must be very secure over prolonged usage. An adapter is provided for engaging and securing rim attachments with rim diameters of standard size or smaller. An adapter has a flat base plate which is secured to a basketball backboard. It is provided with a sleeve at the bottom. A pair of opposing locking pins is each mounted at the top of the adapter. The locking pins are withdrawn to allow a rim attachment bracket to be lodged within the sleeve and the pins are extended to lock in the attachment bracket when in place.

Abstract: A batting tee includes a base and an attachment portion attached to the base. A first rod is optionally releasably connected to the attachment portion. A second rod having an outer diameter less than an inner diameter of the first rod is positioned at least partially in the first rod. One or more O-rings are positioned on the second rod within the first rod. A collar is attached to the first rod and positioned to allow the second rod to pass through the collar while resisting passage of the O-ring out of the first rod. A rod cap is attached to an end of the second rod and positioned to resist removal of the O-ring from the second rod. A ball holder is attached to the other end of the second rod. The second rod is movable telescopically within the first rod to raise and lower the ball holder.

Abstract: A hockey training device is provided. The training device includes a substantially flat sheet with a smooth upper surface. The present invention includes a plurality of elastic band suspended to the upper surface. A first vertical post and a second vertical post may be attached to the flat sheet so that the elastic band is secured about the first and second vertical posts. The elastic band includes a front surface facing towards a center portion of the flat sheet. Therefore, a puck may be passed towards the elastic band and the elastic band rebounds the puck towards the user.

Abstract: A thrower includes an elongate arm. A handle is attached to one end of the arm. A retaining device has a base attached to an opposite end of the arm and at least one gripping member extending from the base to define a retention volume together with the base. The, or each, gripping member is resiliently displaceable with respect to the base to permit the retaining device to be urged on to the object to be thrown such that the, or each, gripping member is displaced to permit the object to be received in the retention volume, with the, or each, gripping member subsequently retaining the object in the retention volume.

Abstract: A batting aid apparatus and methods for using same with a bat (e.g., baseball or softball bat) to increase batting power, bat speed, and swing path is provided. The batting aid apparatus can include an annular body adapted to surround a bat and having a bore formed therethrough, a plurality of annular ribs disposed on a surface of an inner diameter of the annular body and located within the bore of the annular body, and an annular sleeve adjacent and extending from one or more outer surfaces of the annular body, such that the annular sleeve can be concentric with the bore of the annular body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for throwing targets for shooting sports, with instant projection of the target. The device is characterized in that it comprises means for blocking the movement of the arm in abutment, enabling the arm, to go beyond the “zero point”, by the action of the driving means, while keeping the throwing means in tension, with these blocking means being carried by the driving means and engaging with complementary blocking means carried by the arm, and wherein the throwing arm comprises a rotating shaft, with said shaft carrying a pinion driven by a second drive pinion connected to the output pin of the driving means comprising a geared motor, with the means for blocking in abutment having a stop carried on the periphery of a crank pin rotating about the output pin of the geared motor. Applications in the field of shooting sports, both rifle shooting or revolver shooting and in archery.

Abstract: A racquet grip teaching device including a top clasp having five faces shaped and orientated to mate with a tennis racquet handle. The top clasp includes exactly five faces. The racquet grip teaching device includes a finger connector extending downwardly from the top clasp at a first end region of the top clasp. The device includes a finger guide disposed at an end of the finger connector, opposite of the top clasp, and shaped to receive a finger. The racquet grip teaching device includes a thumb connector extending downwardly from the top clasp at a second end region, opposite of the first end region. The teaching device includes a thumb guide disposed at an end of the thumb connector, opposite the top clasp, and shaped to receive a thumb.

Abstract: A crossbow track assembly includes a crossbow track having a top surface and a side surface. The top surface includes an arrow track. The side surface includes a longitudinal passage leading to a longitudinal cavity. The side surface forms an upper shoulder and a lower shoulder of the longitudinal cavity. A second side surface may include a second longitudinal passage leading to a second longitudinal cavity. The second side surface may form an upper shoulder and a lower shoulder of the second longitudinal cavity. The crossbow track assembly may further include a crossbow accessory including an accessory body operatively connected to a plug, which is dimensioned to fit within the longitudinal cavity of the crossbow track for securing the accessory body to the crossbow track. The accessory body may be adjustably connected to the plug with a fastener. Alternatively, the plug may be in sliding engagement with the longitudinal cavity.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a bowfishing slide arrangement for use with an archery bow. In certain embodiments, the arrangement includes a slide having a slide body configured to slide along an arrow shaft. The arrangement further includes a stop used in cooperation with the slide. The stop is arrangeable on the arrow shaft in a manner to prevent the slide from sliding off of the arrow shaft. A dampening material is secured to the rear of the slide and arranged between the slide and the stop.

Abstract: A hollow golf club head includes a metallic body, a club face, and a polymeric insert that cooperate to at least partially define a closed internal cavity. The metallic body includes a sole, a topline, and a rear wall defining an opening, with the rear wall being disposed between the topline and the sole. The club face is disposed between the topline and the sole, and on an opposite side of the sole from the rear wall. A strut extends across the opening and is secured to the body, and a polymeric insert covers the opening and is secured both to the body and to the strut.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a rolling target device. In particular, the present invention relates to a target comprising two L-shaped halves that are selectively joined together via complimentary slots, wherein the complementary slots comprise reinforcing buttresses that provide stability and increased rigidity to the arms of each L-shaped half. The buttresses of each L-shaped half further comprise one or more channels which are configured to receive a securement strap, such as a zip tie. When the complementary slots of the L-shaped halves are fully joined together, the one or more channels on each respective half are aligned, thereby providing a single, annular channel through which the securement strap may be inserted and secured. The present invention further includes a rolling target device comprising a lightweight polymer material that is self-healing.