Patents Examined by Mark Graham
  • Soccer training device
    Patent number: 9283458
    Abstract: A soccer training device is disclosed to improve the accuracy of a sport participant in the kicking of a soccer ball. The invention develops a soccer player's ball control using all parts of the foot including: first touch, striking, dribbling, trapping, rolling, and passing. The invention is made up of 5 main parts: Tethered Soccer Ball, Adjustable Rope, X-Y Rotation device, Base Plate and a Digital Counter/Timer which keeps track of the rotations. The training device comprises a weighted ground level base plate that supports the X-Y rotation device. The horizontal and vertical rotating axis apparatus extends upward and outward attaching to a tethered soccer ball. The ball attachment is connected to the apparatus with a rope. When kicked, the device allows for the ball to move across the floor in an uniform 360° motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Inventor: Michael Allan Achkar
  • Archery target with coated liner
    Patent number: 9273938
    Abstract: An archery target includes an impact-absorbing core configured to arrest an incoming projectile and a multilayered bag enveloping the impact-absorbing core and defining an outer surface of the target. The multilayered bag includes a flexible fabric layer comprising a plurality of interwoven fibers and a polyurethane coating layer applied to the flexible fabric layer and at least partially overlapping the flexible fabric layer such that the polyurethane coating layer at least partially fills spaces between the plurality of interwoven fibers. The fabric layer may be a woven polyester fabric having a denier rating of at least one thousand. The archery target may further include a marking defining a target area. The marking may be applied to the multilayered bag using a dye sublimation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: J&L TARGETS, INC.
    Inventor: Matthew McCarty
  • Hoverball archery training and entertainment shooting gallery and kit
    Patent number: 9273936
    Abstract: In one illustrative form a shooting gallery kit is disclosed that includes a shooting gallery. The shooting gallery comprises an inflatable structure having a base that includes an upper floor; at least one air vent located in said upper floor operable to generate an air stream; at least one target configured to be placed in said air stream such that said target hovers in said air stream; and a blower operable to inflate said inflatable structure and cause said air stream to be emitted from said at least one air vent. A bow and a non-lethal arrow are also included in the kit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Inventor: John Jackson
  • Football fan officiating system
    Patent number: 9272201
    Abstract: A sports novelty to help football fans increase their enjoyment of watching televised professional football games. The football fan officiating system is a hollow football containing football penalty flags and game instructions comprising football rules and regulations allow users to view a football game and use the penalty flags to call a penalty on one or more players during play of the game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Inventor: Garry Ormsby
  • Horizontal stand assembly
    Patent number: 9267769
    Abstract: A horizontal stand assembly enables a user to mount a target for shooting which can be easily repaired, relocated or stored. The horizontal stand assembly includes a first bracket connected to a second bracket where each bracket has an offset trapezoidal shape with a front angled cavity which angles backward and is offset from a rear angled cavity which angles frontward such that each bracket can accommodate a front post in the front angled cavity and a rear post in the rear angled cavity. Each bracket further comprises a horizontal cavity such that horizontal posts can be placed through each horizontal cavity connecting the first bracket to the second bracket such that the target can be hung from the horizontal posts without deflecting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Inventor: Gregory Allan Gempler
  • Quick release archery target
    Patent number: 9267771
    Abstract: An archery target includes a clamping assembly having at least two conditions wherein a first condition applies compressing force to a target material and a second condition releases at least a portion of the compressing force from the target material such that arrow removal is easier. The clamping assembly allows the user of the target to readily change the clamping assembly between the two conditions. The clamping assembly may be manual, powered, or a combination of the two. The clamping assembly may include a mechanical lever, a winder, a crank, a hydraulic device, or a pneumatic device. The clamping compressing force may be applied from the top, bottom, or sides of the target material. In some configurations, a strap is disposed around the target material and is tightened and loosened to apply and release the compressing force from the target material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Inventor: Daniel N. Reed
  • Portable golf training system
    Patent number: 9259635
    Abstract: A golf training system includes at least one target/connecting member having a top wall defining a central opening and a perimeter wall defining a plurality of openings spaced apart from each other about the circumference of the perimeter wall. The target/connecting member is configured to be used as a target by fastening the target/connecting member to the ground using a golf tee or to other surfaces using an integrated anchoring system. Alignment rods are configured to be inserted through the openings in the perimeter wall. Target/connecting members can attach multiple alignment rods together in predetermined configurations for use as golf training aids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: SDGI, LLC
    Inventor: Scott J. Downing
  • Target holder
    Patent number: 9255773
    Abstract: A target holder comprising a frame including a vertical frame assembly and a horizontal frame assembly connected to a bottom portion of the vertical frame assembly. The target holder includes a supply roll assembly disposed along a top portion of the vertical frame assembly, a motor support disposed on the vertical frame assembly below the supply roll assembly and a motor having a rotatable drive shaft, the motor fastened to the motor support assembly. The target holder includes a take-up roll assembly rotatingly engaged with the drive shaft and target roll rotatingly disposed on the supply roll assembly, the target roll including a plurality of targets. The target holder may include a motor control circuit for controlling the operation of the motor, remote receiver in communication with the motor control circuit and a remote transmitter for transmitting a signal to the remote receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Inventor: Thomas Hall
  • Sporting-good implement with rotatable handle
    Patent number: 9248355
    Abstract: A sporting-good implement, such as a ball bat or a lacrosse stick, includes a first handle section rotatably connected to a second handle section. The second handle section may be attached to or integral with a tapered region or barrel region of a ball bat, or with a shaft section or head of a lacrosse stick, or with another sporting-good feature. This rotatable engagement allows the relative position of the user's hands to change during the course of a swing, shot, or pass, ideally placing the user's hands in a position to generate improved power or control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: EASTON BASEBALL/SOFTBALL INC.
    Inventors: Keenan Long, Dewey Chauvin, Michael Lloyd Snow, Ian Montgomery
  • Hockey-stick blade with tailored performance regions
    Patent number: 9248356
    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: August 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: EASTON HOCKEY, INC.
    Inventors: Robert T. Pearson, Michael L. Snow, Michael Mountain
  • Barrel for a bat assembly and ball bat
    Patent number: 9242155
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a barrel comprising cast metal, composite or plastic for use in a bat assembly; a bat assembly comprising a barrel portion, an end cap and a handle; and a ball bat. The barrel may have uniform wall thickness or may include structural elements disposed on an inner surface to improve stiffness and reduce weight. The barrel and bat may further comprise a weighted insert for an asymmetrical center of gravity, allowing controlled spin to be imparted on a struck ball based on the angular orientation of the bat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Vyatek Sports, Inc.
    Inventors: Howard Alvin Lindsay, Richard S. Meitz, III
  • Ball bat including a fiber composite component having high angle discontinuous fibers
    Patent number: 9238163
    Abstract: A ball bat extending about a longitudinal axis. The bat includes a barrel portion defining a primary tubular ball impact region. The barrel portion is formed of a fiber composite material. The fiber composite material includes at least first and second plies. The first and second plies include first and second pluralities first and second resins, respectively. Substantially all of the first and second pluralities of fibers of the first and second plies are generally aligned to define first and second angles with respect to the axis, respectively. The angles are each within the range of 45 to 90 degrees. Each of the plies is sized to extend about the full circumference of the barrel portion. The first and second pluralities of fibers are sectioned such that the fibers do not continuously extend about the full circumference of the impact region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Wilson Sporting Goods Co.
    Inventors: Brent R. Slater, Brian S. Hayes, Richard E. Moritz, Sean S. Epling
  • Firearm target
    Patent number: 9234726
    Abstract: Feedback is provided to a marksman by placing a target graphic over a sensitive layer. As a result of a bullet penetrating the sensitive layer, the appearance of regions of the sensitive layer immediately around a bullet hole gradually change appearance. The regions first appear to have a first color and then gradually change to a second color within a predetermined length of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Inventor: Robert Z. Sharrock
  • Kaveman golfe systems
    Patent number: 9233288
    Abstract: Kaveman Golfe Systems is a golf-like game incorporating the use of a newly designed baseball-style club in addition to newly designed golf clubs for advancing a game ball about a golf-style course. The golf and baseball hybrid game may be played using newly designed golf balls which are larger in size than a standard sized golf ball. The game may further include a newly designed baseball tee for vertically supporting the golf and baseball hybrid game ball to be struck by a player using a baseball-style swing. The clubs, balls, and tees may be stored in a specially designed golf bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Inventor: Michael Cox
  • Ball rebound device
    Patent number: 9227126
    Abstract: A ball rebound device for ball games comprising: a frame structure, a sheet being detachably attached to the front of the frame structure and adjusting means connected to the frame structure, the adjusting means being able to move part of the frame structure, whereby the tension of the sheet can increase or decrease. By stretching the sheet, it is possible to increase the rebound force of the sheet by ball impact. Similarly, the rebound force can be decreased when the sheet is slackened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Munin APS
    Inventors: Joachim Christgau, Nikolai Thomassen
  • Game system and method for hitting a ball through a playing field
    Patent number: 9227122
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a game, and more specifically to an outdoor game designed for two or more players that requires navigating a large playing field containing a variety of objects and obstacles. The players navigate the course by hitting a ball with a bat over, through or around the objects while avoiding the obstacles. The starting line, the end line, the game course, the rules for the game and the point system to decide the winner are determined and communicated to the players prior to the game. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the player reaching the end line with the fewest strokes is awarded the win. The preferred playing field is a golf course.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Inventor: Jeffrey L. Jakubowski
  • Bullet trap
    Patent number: 9228810
    Abstract: A bullet trap is disclosed which is formed without intervening sidewalls to enable cross-shooting and the like with reduced risk or ricochet or damage to the bullet trap. Furthermore, the bullet trap can be configured in a variety of ways to eliminate the need for facing plates while providing a removable attachment mechanism, to enable repair on the trap, to reduce bullet adhesion to the trap and to provide improved containment of lead and improved access to the trap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Action Target Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle Bateman, David Bassett, Thomas Marshall
  • Double wall bat and process for manufacturing same
    Patent number: 9220962
    Abstract: A multi-section ball bat includes a barrel, a handle and an end cap. The handle has a first end defining a grip portion and a generally opposite second end attached to the barrel. The end cap has a first end attached to an opposite end of the barrel. At least a portion of the handle may have a multi-wall configuration defined by a gap. Similarly, at least a portion of the end cap may have a multi-wall configuration defined by a gap. The gap in a wall of the handle or the end cap may be formed between layers of a multi-layer composite material forming the handle or end cap. The presence of the gap in the handle or end cap extends the sweet spot of the bat from the barrel into the handle and/or the end cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Inventors: Thu Van Nguyen, Chi-Hung Lee, Renqin Zhang
  • Portable target apparatus
    Patent number: 9222760
    Abstract: A portable target apparatus is disclosed that includes a main body and a first target plate adjacent the main body. The first target plate is operable to move independent of the main body when struck by at least one projectile. A support member is coupled to the first target plate and is operable to retain the main body in an upright position when the main body is struck by at least one projectile and move the main body from the upright position to a non-upright position when the first target plate is struck by at least one projectile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Inventor: James Bliehall
  • Bullet deflecting baffle system
    Patent number: 9217623
    Abstract: The present invention provides a releasable clamp assembly for supporting one or more bullet deflecting plates, comprising: a first plate holder having a channel for receiving an outer lateral edge of a first deflecting plate; a second plate holder having a channel for receiving an outer lateral edge of a second deflecting plate; and a bridge comprising a bridge connecting the first plate holder and the second plate holder and one or more releasable clamp integral with the bridge, wherein the one or more releasable clamp is adapted to apply a clamping force in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first plate holder channel and second plate holder channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Action Target Inc.
    Inventors: James Sovine, Addison Sovine