Patents Examined by M. Chambers
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Patent number: 9468826Abstract: A basketball net device for mounting on a raised basketball hoop or ring from a position well below the basketball hoop. The basketball net device comprises an annular member or hoop ring having a hoop ring section for coupling to the basketball ring. The annular member includes an annular skirt section configured to extend and be positioned inside the basketball ring and support a net. According to an embodiment, the net is connected to the annular skirt section utilizing fasteners configured to secure the net and allow the net to pivot or rotate relative to the annular skirt section to emulate the game play of a conventional net mounted on the basketball hoop. According to another embodiment, the net comprises cords made from a tightly weaved material resulting in a net that is stiffer than a conventional net.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2014Date of Patent: October 18, 2016Inventor: Jason Paul Smith
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Patent number: 9468825Abstract: A ladder-like shooting/catching section for a lacrosse stick pocket defined by at least two elongate runners (flat strips) extending from proximate the scoop of the head toward the throat, and a plurality of generally V-shaped chevrons straddling the runners and overmolded thereto. Alternately, the chevrons and runners are formed from a single material. The chevrons have a three-dimensional profile and each is slightly concave along its length, such that the chevrons collectively define a passing/catching chute. The chute increases surface contact with the ball and improves feel. This in combination with the shock-absorbing living hinge function provided by the chevrons makes throwing and catching smoother as well as more consistent, generally improving playability of the lacrosse stick.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2014Date of Patent: October 18, 2016Assignee: WM. T. BURNETT IP, LLCInventor: John Vajda
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Patent number: 9468834Abstract: In one example, an apparatus, such as a support pole of a basketball system for example, is provided that includes an elongate member with an unswaged portion that has a perimeter length, and also includes a swaged portion that is attached to the unswaged portion and has a perimeter whose effective length is shorter than the perimeter length of the unswaged portion. The swaged portion includes walls that cooperate to define part of the perimeter of the swaged portion, where two of the walls are straight and terminate at a common point, and the swaged portion further includes a local deformation defined in one of the walls. As well, a tapered portion is provided that is configured to receive the swaged portion such that when the swaged portion is received in the tapered portion, the wall of the swaged portion that includes the local deformation substantially contacts the tapered portion.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2014Date of Patent: October 18, 2016Assignee: LIFETIME PRODUCTS, INC.Inventor: Daniel G. Maisey
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Patent number: 9452334Abstract: A modular basketball backboard with a rim contains: a backboard, a rim, and three fixing ropes. The backboard includes a first front face and a first back face, and the first back face has a longitudinal adjusting rope secured thereon. The rim is mounted on the first front face of the backboard. Two ends of two of the three fixing ropes are inserted and tied on two sides of the backboard, and one end of another of the three fixing ropes is tied on the longitudinal adjusting rope of the first back face of the backboard. The backboard and the rim are fixed and suspended by tying the three fixing ropes for shooting a basketball into the rim. Thereby, the backboard and the rim are fixed, removed, and height adjustable easily. Preferably, the modular basketball backboard with the rim cooperates with a bouncer to enhance convenience and entertainment.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2014Date of Patent: September 27, 2016Inventor: Ching Ho Ko
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Patent number: 9427643Abstract: A game for at least 2 players wherein one of the players attempts to score points by hurling a plastic ball with the aid of a scoop racket into one of three scoring areas of their opponents “goal”. Opposing players stand at opposite ends of a playing field with said goal(s) positioned in front of each player. Goals are situated a certain distance apart from each other, the three scoring areas are mounted at adjustable heights above the playing surface and can be positioned in a common plane (or not). Said scoring areas are of various diameters and point values. Said scoring areas are distinctly apart from each other (not abutted) and are attached to a fixed post (standard). Points are awarded to players for hurling the ball into one of their opponent's scoring areas with point values inversely proportional to the diameter of the scoring area scored upon.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2014Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Inventors: William F. Kidd, III, Andrew E. Matthews
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Patent number: 9427648Abstract: A dynamic training apparatus includes a platform, a first motor, a moving assembly, and a rebound wall. The moving assembly is coupled to the platform and the first motor and is movable in response to an actuation of the first motor. The rebound wall is coupled to the moving assembly and is pivotable relative to the platform in response to movement of the moving assembly.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2014Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Inventor: James Cingone
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Patent number: 9409072Abstract: A blocking sled includes a sled frame, an arm mounted to said sled frame and a blocking pad having at least one handhold mounted to the arm.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2011Date of Patent: August 9, 2016Assignee: Rogers Athletic Company, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth E. Staten, Grant Rogers, Jacob Rogers, Kyle R. Camp
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Patent number: 9370701Abstract: The invention disclosed is a foldable basketball goal apparatus that is usable as a basketball goal for playing the game of basketball in the active position. When in the folded, home position, the apparatus is usable as a sports table or for other activities requiring a table. The apparatus is made of a base, a frame assembly, and a basketball goal assembly. The basketball goal assembly is rotatable and slidable with respect to the frame assembly. The frame assembly is pivotally attached to the base. In the home position, the frame assembly is lowered to rest on the base and the basketball goal assembly is rotated 180 degrees and retracted beneath the table surface. A frame assembly partial table surface forms a complete table surface when in the home position, mated with base table surface portions. The rim is protected within the base structural frame when in the home position.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2012Date of Patent: June 21, 2016Inventors: Lawrence Shepherd, Lillian Jean Shepherd
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Patent number: 9370700Abstract: A lacrosse stick head with a quickly adjustable pocket.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2014Date of Patent: June 21, 2016Assignee: Cool Stick, LLCInventor: Robert K Regan
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Patent number: 9352201Abstract: A rotatable football goalpost is provided comprising a mounting structure; a gooseneck, the gooseneck comprising an outer tubular member having first and second portions, each of the first and second portions of the outer tubular member having first and second ends, the first end of the first portion of the outer tubular member being secured to the mounting structure, the second end of the first portion of the outer tubular member releasably engaging the first end of the second portion of the outer tubular member such that the second portion of the outer tubular member is structured to rotate relative to the first portion of the outer tubular member; a cross bar attached to the second end of the second portion of the outer tubular member; and a pair of upright members extending from the cross bar.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2011Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: ABT, INC.Inventors: William Kress Query, Jr., Larry Theodore Tucker, Timothy Harold Wallace, Christopher Charles Cucchiara, Christopher Edward Brafford, Frank Sherrill
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Patent number: 9352203Abstract: Disclosed is a tension basketball shooting motor skill acquisition apparatus, comprising a horizontal-shaft, a rotating-arm, a sphere and a ball-axle passing through the sphere, wherein the horizontal-shaft and the ball-axle are connected via the rotating-arm, the sphere rotates around the ball-axle, the sphere, and the ball-axle and the rotating-arm rotate around the horizontal-shaft together, there is at least one device or spring between the sphere (or a fixed part of the sphere) and the rotating-arm which limits or releases the rotation of the sphere around the ball-axle; a hinge fixed on the sphere, a fingers-plate with a laser transmitter going though it connected to the hinge, wherein the fingers-plate rotates around the hinge. By means of the fingers-plate, the hinge, the sphere and the ball-axle rotating together around the horizontal-shaft and under extreme tension and guide of laser beam, the whole process of shooting at the basket is simulated orientationally.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2013Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Inventor: Yingfeng Huang
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Patent number: 9295889Abstract: A disc throwing game assembly allows for play of a disc throwing game combining aspects of disc golf, soccer and lacrosse. The game assembly includes a disc and a pair of goals. Each of the goals comprises a pair of straight sides and a pair of bases. Each of the bases is coupled to and extends from a distal end of an associated one of the straight sides relative to a junction of the straight sides. A net is coupled to a first end of an elongated staff. A scoop is coupled to a second end of the staff.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2014Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Inventor: Rory Conway
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Patent number: 9227121Abstract: A self-supporting pocket molding device for lacrosse sticks includes a weight ballasted hollow base, a support portion atop the base, and at least a hemisphere approximately the size of lacrosse ball at the top distal end. The base is preferably of a conical shape and the end sphere is attached up from the ground for ergonomic considerations of ease of use in a standing or sitting position. The shape of the self-supporting pocket molding device insures totally unencumbered access to the top surface of the sphere where the netting is easily forced down at the desired location to stretch the net forming a pocket. Both hands of the user are free to be used to hold the lacrosse stick or head; which also affords the ability to tilt the head as desired to stretch the netting in any sideways direction to correct any local deformation of the netting.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2013Date of Patent: January 5, 2016Assignee: Robert Laurie, Joseph Gabrysiak and Roy Ragusa, a partnershipInventors: Robert Laurie, Joseph Gabrysiak
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Patent number: 9227125Abstract: A basketball return apparatus comprising a frame, an attachment section, one or more flaps, and a basketball return mechanism. The attachment section, which is no smaller than a basketball hoop, is connected to the frame and configured to attach to a basketball hoop. The attachment section includes one or more sensors that detect and record the number of basketball shots passing through the basketball hoop. The one or more flaps are connected to the attachment section, and are configured to tilt downwardly and inwardly towards the attachment section. The one or more flaps, which are connected to and positioned around the attachment section, are flexible to absorb the momentum of an incoming basketball and are capable of directing the basketball towards the attachment section. The one or more flaps include one or more sensors that detect and record the data generated by the contacts caused by incoming basketballs contacting the one or more flaps.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2014Date of Patent: January 5, 2016Inventor: Anthony Y. Le
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Patent number: 9227123Abstract: A lacrosse training device that has a frame and target material therein. The flexibility of the target material may be adjustable. The device is adapted to be suspended within a lacrosse goal. The device may have means for adjusting the tension of the target material. The target material may slip on over the frame like a sleeve. The device may have wheels, which may be located on a track. The device may have a motor that moves it to different sides of a goal. The device may move in response to a wireless controller.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2012Date of Patent: January 5, 2016Inventors: Patrick DeBolt, Robert DeBolt
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Patent number: 9220964Abstract: Disclosed herein is a throwing trainer comprising first and second bands configured to be removably attached to right and left forearms of a user, and an elongated, flexible, adjustable-length connector mounted to the first and second bands, the length of the connector being configured to limit the separation distance between the forearms of the user during wind-up for an overhand throw. A device assembly including a measuring tool and a method of practicing throwing also are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2014Date of Patent: December 29, 2015Inventor: John Skinner
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Patent number: 9220963Abstract: A head includes front surfaces and rear surfaces. The front surfaces are uncurved. A proximal portion of the front surfaces slopes gradually downwardly and a distal end of the front surfaces slope more dramatically toward the axis of elongation of the socket. The rear surfaces of the head slope downwardly until at approximately 60% of the distance in the proximal to distal direction, a deep pocket is provided, the rear surfaces curving back upwardly to converge toward the front surfaces and then curve back downwardly to meet at the arcuate distal scooping end of the head. A series of spaced holes are provided to facilitate stringing of a webbing about the rear surfaces of the head to provide a mid/high pocket.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2013Date of Patent: December 29, 2015Inventors: James Miceli, Philip Naumburg
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Patent number: 9221301Abstract: A removable wheel device which slides onto the base of a sports field goal. The wheel device allows one person to move a goal across a field without using excessive force by sliding one wheel device onto the base of each goalpost and using leverage to tilt the goal and push or pull it for a distance. When inserted onto the base of the goal, the wheel device does not require any type of fastening to remain in place, but rather uses its own unique shape to hold onto the goal. Because field goals vary in structure, so too do each of the embodiments of the removable wheel device. Some of these variances include the angle of the axle, the location and structure of the notch, the use of a protrusion, and the use of a removable pin to secure the goalpost in place.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2014Date of Patent: December 29, 2015Inventor: Joseph Pastore
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Patent number: 9220967Abstract: A method for enhancing tennis practice by disposing a freely movable tennis court practice target mat so as to lie horizontally within marked playing areas of a tennis court playing surface, the target mat having a plurality of areas each of which generates a signal when impacted by a descending tennis ball. An upright counter-display is also provide responsive to signals from each target area to numerically display the number of hits to each area. Lights and/or speakers may be included to provide an indication when each target area is impacted.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2014Date of Patent: December 29, 2015Inventor: Edward M. Kaleel
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Patent number: 9221300Abstract: A removable wheel device which slides onto the base of a sports field goal. The wheel device allows one person to move a goal across a field without using excessive force by sliding one wheel device onto the base of each goalpost and using leverage to tilt the goal and push or pull it for a distance. When inserted onto the base of the goal, the wheel device does not require any type of fastening to remain in place, but rather uses its own unique shape to hold onto the goal. Because field goals vary in structure, so too do each of the embodiments of the removable wheel device. Some of these variances include the angle of the axle, the location and structure of the notch, and the use of a protrusion.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2013Date of Patent: December 29, 2015Inventor: Joseph Pastore