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.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the disclosure combine an insulated cooler and toss game kit, such as a washer toss game. Two insulated halves form a pair of target portions when separated or can be combined to form a case. Game playing pieces, such as washers, and target cylinders are stored within the case. The two halves are configured to allow contents, such as beverages, food and/or temperature control materials to be stored in the interior volume.

Abstract: A firearm target is specially adapted for the purpose of sighting in a scoped firearm. The scope has a reticle with horizontal and vertical lines forming crosshairs. The target has a cross pattern in contrasting colors with a cross shaped gap. The gap is highly visible and may even be in a reflective color. The gap size is selected to match the crosshair thickness and the targeting distance. Aligning the crosshairs to the gap significantly or completely hides the gap. Misaligning the crosshairs to the gap causes the gap to become more visible because of the gap's highly noticeable and contrasting colors. The target thereby provides a lock-on functionality for a marksman.

Abstract: A ball striking apparatus comprises a ball strike member arranged on a free end of a resiliently flexible arm(s). The free end of the arm(s) can be drawn back manually and subsequently released to drive the bail strike member through a primary impact zone so that the ball strike member can strike a ball in the primary impact zone. The resiliently flexible arm is mounted at one end to a support structure with the opposite, free end adjacent the primary impact zone. The support structure is fastened to an edge of a table that defines a playing surface. A bail support arrangement is configured to support the ball in the primary impact zone such that the ball can be struck by the ball strike member and driven away from the primary impact zone.

Abstract: A system and method for tracking the flight of golf balls at driving range. The invention 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 the hitting station. The flight path of the golf ball is 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.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to training a user how to correctly throw a ball, and more specifically, a training, physical, or occupational therapy aid that can be used to strengthen and rehabilitate a user's muscles and joints.

Abstract: A scoring device and methods of 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.

Abstract: A bullet fragment collection tray is disclosed that is mounted to a bullet trap by means of hinge at a first end and a releasable latch at a second end, to facilitate removal and collection of bullet fragments that drop into the collection tray from the bullet trap during target practice.

Abstract: A ball bat includes a barrel in which one or more stiffening elements are located. The stiffening element may be positioned at a variety of locations, and may have a variety of configurations, for selectively limiting the barrel's performance without appreciably increasing the bat's moment of inertia. In one configuration, the stiffening element includes two radially outer flanges, a radially inner flange, and two web members connecting the outer flanges to the inner flange. The radially outer surfaces of the radially outer flanges contact, and may be affixed to, the inner surface of the barrel wall.

Abstract: The embodied invention is a method and equipment suitable for a shooting game with dynamic shot recognition and automatic scoring among multiple players firing at the same target. Each player's shot is scored based on a difference in the target's image from a prior image as viewed by a camera. The scoring target is aligned with the camera, and the output of the score change is displayed to the multiple shooters.

Abstract: A target has a body with an internal indicia and external indicia and a top portion which is opposite from the target base and surrounds one or more apertures. The internal indicia provide the target with a visual indicator upon impact and adaptable uses. The external indicia aid in identifying the target for use in cognitive shooting drills. The aperture has an axis that is perpendicular to the centerline of the body, and the target base and apertures opposite from the target base allow the marksman to stand the target on its own, secure it to an object, or suspend the target from an object.

Abstract: A biodegradable target disk device for hunters which breaks apart into edible pieces of food for small and larger animals in the hunting zone when struck by a shell from a shotgun.

Abstract: A portable, moving target system that generates variable movements and mimics movements of prey. Movement of the target system may be varied in speed and pattern.

Abstract: A hockey-stick 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 toe region includes one or more reinforcing elements, optionally of different lengths, located at different vertical positions within the toe region. The blade further includes a hosel that optionally is tailored to substantially match the strength and stiffness characteristics of an attached or integral hockey-stick shaft. The mid-region of the blade exhibits improved feel and flexibility characteristics due to the increased stiffness in the toe region.

Abstract: A butt-end device or knob for a sports implement with a handle for holding the sports implement. The butt-end device or knob has an inner member or inner surface mountable adjacent to a longitudinal end of the handle and a hand-engaging surface to engage a user's hand when holding the handle, the hand-engaging surface being movable relative to the handle in order to follow movement of the user's hand when the user swings the sports implement.

Abstract: A target device and method of manufacture includes providing a substrate with a printing surface upon which multiple coatings are deposited so as to provide a target image that allows for improved capacity for visually determining impact or penetration locations on the target image. The coatings include a first coating which defines target areas, with uncoated areas forming borderlines between and around the target areas. A transparent laminate of adhesive and a low dyne surface material is applied over the initial coating. Multiple layers of additional coatings having a variety of colorants are placed over the low dyne surface layer of the second coating to form the final target image. A projectile passing through the resulting target device will leave a halo of material around the impact site comprised of the first coating or the visible surface of the printing layer.

Abstract: Target for helice target shooting comprising a helical body and a center piece that are snap-coupled together; the helical body comprising a cylindrical annular portion that extends according to a central axis (A) and is provided, peripherally, of at least one pair of mushroom-shaped projections so configured as to couple with the center piece in correspondence of respective peripheral seats; the annular portion having crack nucleation means suitable to facilitate the fracture, in use, by at least one shot.

Abstract: A fluid lubricated projectile trap includes a substantially cylindrical chamber defined by a forward concave wall and a rearward concave wall. A bullet funnel extending forwardly therefrom. The funnel having a lower panel connecting to the forward concave wall in conjunction with an end plate defines a pressurized fluid containment with discharge outlets directed to the rearward concave wall. All plumbing may be secured below the ramp and forward of the chamber.

Abstract: To improve throwing accuracy an athlete can makes use of a collapsible target training device that can be easily stored, transported, and deployed. The collapsible target training device includes multiple collapsible frames, multiple ball catching nets, a base, and a frame adjustment mechanism. The multiple collapsible frames are articulated frames that are connected in a series to form a scissors mechanism. This enables the series of collapsible frames to be extended into a tower or collapsed toward the base. The base is a rigid platform that prevents the series of collapsible frames from toppling over while extended. The series of collapsible frames is mounted onto the base so that the base is able to provide structural support and stability to the series of collapsible frames when extended to form a tower. The multiple ball-catching nets are attached to the series of collapsible frame.

Abstract: A goalkeeper's hockey stick with an angled shaft is disclosed. The goalkeeper stick is comprised of a shaft, paddle and blade. The shaft connects to the paddle which connects to the blade. The portion of the shaft where it connects to the paddle is beveled to provide a grip portion of the shaft where the goalkeeper's gloved hand can grip the stick in a way that provides a more ergonomic position for the goalkeeper's hand.