Patents Examined by Mark Graham
  • Patent number: 10238940
    Abstract: An ice hockey practice target is provided, the target comprising a first substantially tubular portion, including a first end attached to a base and a second end constructed and arranged to engage an upper horizontal goal crossbar, and a second tubular portion attached to the base, the second tubular portion constructed and arranged to engage and secure a lower end of a vertical goal post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Inventor: Rodney Olsen
  • Patent number: 10240903
    Abstract: A lead collection system and method for reducing the incidence of equipment failures, equipment breakages, and/or safety hazards is provided. The lead collection system may include one or more augers that carry lead to a lead containment barrel. The auger(s) may be equipped with a specialized shear coupling designed such that the shear coupling breaks and stops auger movement before the auger may break. The auger(s) may also be equipped with one or more rotational sensors to detect actual shaft speed and compare it to the inputted speed, and cause a system error if a difference is detected. A lead containment barrel may also be provided, with an ultrasonic sensor for detecting lead fill in the barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Action Target Inc.
    Inventors: Walter Coe, Darren Wall, Tim Hakala, Kevin Tomaszewski
  • Patent number: 10238943
    Abstract: A system and method for tracking the flight of golf balls at driving range. The system includes a plurality of hitting stations, a plurality of sensors, a computer, and a range surface. Each hitting station in the plurality of hitting stations includes a golf ball, a golf club, a monitor, and a sensor. At least one other sensor in the plurality of sensors is placed outside a hitting station. The flight path of the golf balls being calculated by the computer using parameters by the plurality of sensors. The method includes steps for determining whether a first sensor detected a first parameter and a second parameter, whether a second sensor detected a first and a second parameter, whether a third sensor detected a third parameter, and depicting the flight path of the golf balls using the first parameter, the second parameter, and the third parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: FLYINGTEE TECH, LLC
    Inventors: James Vollbrecht, John Vollbrecht, Ryan Tawwater
  • Patent number: 10240902
    Abstract: The Stackable Archery Target Having Replaceable Cube Cores includes a plurality of replaceable cube cores, one or more core receivers. and a base. The base is formed with one or more core receivers, which receive one of more replaceable cube core. The replaceable cube core provides a visual target display for archers to aim and shoot The base ensures that the cube cores are firmly held within the confines of the core receiver to prevent the replaceable cube core from shifting or moving under impact from the arrows. The replaceable cube core is formed as a cube having three (3) useable target surfaces. Each target surface provides a consistent penetration depth on each surface for predictable results, regardless of the face that is used for the target surface. When one face has been sufficiently used, the user rotates the cube to show a fresh target display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Inventor: Jacob Schlangen
  • Patent number: 10232238
    Abstract: A construct for a hockey stick blade and paddle structure having a spine that protrudes from a back face and provides structural rigidity, as well as recessed areas that reduce the mass of the paddle structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Bauer Hockey, LLC
    Inventors: Dominique Plante, Martin Chambert
  • Patent number: 10226679
    Abstract: A training apparatus arranged to be portable, collapsible, and able to be configured into different arrangements for different nets and/or different sports-related activities. The training apparatus comprises a support portion, base poles pivotally coupled to the support portion, base brackets coupled to the base poles opposite the support portion, extensions coupled to the base brackets, first and second flexible rods removably coupled to the support portion, and a net configured to be received by the flexible rods. The net is configured to bend the first and second flexible rods from a linear state to an arcuate state, such that a net tension holds the net upright.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Triad Sports Group, LLC
    Inventors: David Nelson, John Lucas
  • Patent number: 10226677
    Abstract: An enclosed disc-golf court (10) with multiple holes (24). Each hole has a disc throwing lane (32) between a tee-off area (26) and a target basket (30). Boundary walls (36) on each side of the lane extend from a floor (14) to or near a roof (16). At least one hole has an obstacle (52A-M) partially blocking the lane. A player attempts to manually throw a disc (28) through an unblocked area (56, 60) in or beside the obstacle to hit the target basket. At least one target basket may have a sheath (62) that blocks entry of the disc except through a disc-access hole (66) in the sheath. A player can try repeatedly from where the disc lands after each throw until it enters the target basket up to a maximum number of tries per hole. The lowest score among multiple players wins a round.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Inventor: Kevin Parsons
  • Patent number: 10228220
    Abstract: A throwing game target having a back plate and multiple blades extending outwardly from the back plate. The blades may be comprised of horizontal and vertical blades. In such embodiments, the blades may be arranged in multiple groupings of three blades with at least one horizontal blade and one vertical blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Inventor: Dustin Berk
  • Patent number: 10228219
    Abstract: Before a person can use any weapon, such as a gun or a rifle, effectively, the sight must be aligned to the barrel through a zeroing process. An improved zero target is developed which is inexpensive and applicable to many different weapon sight scenarios. By making a universal zero target, users need only a single target eliminating the need for procuring and storing various targets. Additionally, the multi-sight target eliminates the need for field expedient zeroing solutions. The product saves both time and money and improves the results for weapon users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Inventors: Thomas R. Boyer, Isabel C. Fleckenstein
  • Patent number: 10220281
    Abstract: The present invention provides a portable basketball arcade, including a backboard, two basketball rims, two telescopic support upright rods, two telescopic support bottom rods, two telescopic reinforcing rods and a support bottom rod. The above portable basketball arcade is simple in structure, by pivoting connection of a plurality of telescopic rods, the angles among respective rods and the height of the basketball arcade are convenient to adjust, such that different heights and distances are provided for users to practice, the portable basketball arcade can be simply and rapidly folded and stored without a need of tools, and the folded basketball arcade is small in occupied space, and convenient to carry and lift; and the basketball arcade is equipped with the ball receiving plate and the side nets, which are convenient for the users to pick up the ball for practice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: TRI-GREAT INTERNATIONAL LTD.
    Inventors: Chunfang Luo, Ming Li
  • Patent number: 10220277
    Abstract: A method of making a ball bat may include forming a bat frame with a handle and an inner barrel structure, providing spacer elements extending radially outwardly from the inner barrel structure, and forming a barrel shell having a main barrel and a tapered section. An inner diameter in the tapered section may be equal to an outer diameter of a first one of the spacer elements. The method may include mechanically locking the barrel shell to the bat frame by passing the handle through the barrel shell and moving the barrel shell toward the inner barrel structure until the barrel shell contacts the first one of the spacer elements. A gap is maintained between an outer diameter of the inner barrel structure and the barrel shell. The barrel shell may deflect during a hit to create a trampoline effect, while the inner barrel structure limits the deflection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: EASTON DIAMOND SPORTS, LLC
    Inventors: Linda Hunt, Grant Douglas, Dewey Chauvin, Ian Montgomery
  • Patent number: 10215541
    Abstract: A target is described that includes a plurality of clay targets and a clay target connector having a plurality of clamping ends. Each clamping end is releasably connected to a clay target. A target support structure is described that includes a tension line and a first and second support leg. The tension line is suspended between the first and second support leg with a horizontal tension. First and second guy lines are connected to first and second support legs. A target is suspended from the tension line. The target includes a plurality of clay targets and a clay target connector. The clay target connector includes a plurality of clamping ends. Each clamping end of the plurality of clamping ends is releasably connected to a clay target of the plurality of clay targets. A method to suspend a target is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Inventor: Bret David Nicholson
  • Patent number: 10195507
    Abstract: A training device and method of training for a lacrosse stick assembly are provided. The training device can include a band including a front portion and a back portion. The band can be configured such that a point on the back portion of the band is arranged a distance higher than a point on the front portion. When the band is secured to the head of the lacrosse stick assembly, the back portion of the band is arranged closer to the lip of the head. A weight can be arranged on the back portion of the band and on an exterior side thereof. The weight is configured to be held below the sidewalls of the head at a location in the pocket where a lacrosse ball would sit during actual play when the band is secured to the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Inventor: Alfred Craig Tillmann, Sr.
  • Patent number: 10195505
    Abstract: A hockey-stick includes a blade and a shaft. The blade includes a heel region, a toe region spaced longitudinally from the heel region, and a mid-region located between the heel region and the toe region. The blade optionally also includes a hosel to which the shaft is attached. One or more tuning rods or similar structures are positioned in the blade to increase the blade's stiffness to substantially match the stiffness of the shaft. The tuning rods are optionally located in the mid-region of the blade and may extend into the hosel and, in some cases, into the shaft or the toe region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Bauer Hockey, LLC
    Inventors: Robert T. Pearson, Michael Lloyd Snow, Michael Mountain
  • Patent number: 10195504
    Abstract: A softball or baseball bat with modified restitution characteristic is provided. The bat can comprise a substantially rigid core coupled with a single or multi-piece sleeve. The core can comprise a tip end, a barrel taper, a handle taper, and a handle. The sleeve can slide over the handle portion and can be pressed, molded, or adhered to the barrel taper. The resilient sleeve can be sized and shaped such that the sleeve portion is substantially the same diameter as the tip end. The sleeve can comprise a material capable of impact absorption. The sleeve can have a composite structure with inner and outer sleeve components. The sleeve can further comprise a cone to taper the sleeve in the handle taper portion of the bat. The material and thickness of the sleeve and the core can be varied to meet applicable restitution requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: MIZUNO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michiharu Tsukamoto, Yohei Yamashita, Toshiaki Kida, Kazuhiko Shindome
  • Patent number: 10195509
    Abstract: A basketball training apparatus to provide user feedback on shooting form is provided. The basketball training apparatus includes a strut assembly coupled to a user's upper arm and forearm, the strut assembly having an upper strut pivotably mounted to a lower strut, a Hall Effect sensor disposed within the junction of the upper and lower struts, a pair of magnets coupled to the strut assembly's junction, a controller disposed within the strut assembly and electrically coupled to the Hall Effect sensor, and an alert mechanism disposed within the strut assembly and electrically coupled to the controller. Pivotable movement of the upper strut relative to the lower strut to either a first optimal angle or second optimal angle enables the alert mechanism to generate a notification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Inventor: John Nicholas Naro
  • Patent number: 10188925
    Abstract: A ball rebounder has inelastic netting that is pulled taught and held in place within a frame using tension rods, inelastic fasteners, and a tensioning mechanism between the frame and the tension rods. The tension rods are connected to the cells of the netting and positioned in the interior space. The tensioning mechanism pulls the tension rods toward the corresponding sides of the frame, drawing the net taught within the frame. With the netting pulled taught, the fasteners hold the tension rods in place next to the sides of the frame. The frame can be rigid or may have flexibility and act like a spring, but there are no intermediate springs between the tension rods and the frame or between the tension rod and the netting. The invention can be used in producing new rebounders and in retrofitting existing rebounder frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: SPORTWORX, LLC
    Inventor: Kurt T. Freund
  • Patent number: 10188920
    Abstract: A scoring device for scoring a snowball fight. The device worn by a person has a target portion and a scoring chamber portion. The target portion includes a target, and the scoring chamber portion is coupled below the target portion and is arranged to accumulate and store snow falling from the target portion. In some embodiments the target portion also includes a permeable layer coupled to the target in a spaced apart construction to form an interior region between the permeable layer and the target, the permeable layer configured to allow snow from snowballs to pass through the permeable layer and into the interior region before falling into the scoring chamber portion. In some embodiments a stopper element at least partially separates the target portion from the scoring chamber portion, to limit the amount of snow that exits the scoring chamber portion when the person bends over.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Inventor: Peter Moloney
  • Patent number: 10183206
    Abstract: A ball net structure arranged to be portable, collapsible, and able to be configured into different arrangements for different nets and/or different sports-related activities. The ball net structure comprising a base structure including at least one support portion, at least one base extension, and at least one base extension hinge, wherein the at least one support portion and the at least one base extension are coupled to the at least one base extension hinge. At least one rod is removably coupled to the base structure and received by a net, wherein the net is adapted to exert a force on the at least one rod causing the at least one rod to exert a force onto said base structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Triad Sports Group, LLC
    Inventors: David Nelson, John Lucas
  • Patent number: 10173118
    Abstract: A foldable target game having a circular foldable target having a lip and a pocket continuously disposed on an outer perimeter. A flexible wire ring is disposed within the pocket. The circular foldable target has an open configuration having a first diameter of at least six feet and an alternate folded configuration having a second diameter of most three feet. An inner circle design and a middle circle design are disposed on the circular foldable target. A plurality of tear shaped apertures, a plurality of ovular apertures, a plurality of pie shaped apertures, and a circular aperture are disposed through the circular foldable target. A webbing is disposed on the bottom side of the circular foldable target across each aperture. A telescopable flag pole is planted within the circular aperture. A projectile such as a golf ball is shot onto the target to score points in a game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Inventor: Gerard Lawrence