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.

Abstract: A laser targeting apparatus rests on a surface and moves, such as by vibrating, wobbling, or shaking, when struck by laser light of sufficient intensity. The apparatus is designed not to fall over, so a user does not have to move to the apparatus and pick it up after a strike. The apparatus has a body that includes a structure, which is preferably one or more printed circuit boards including light sensors, for detecting strikes of laser light, and a motor. When a strike of laser light is detected, power is provided to the motor, which vibrates and causes the apparatus to move.

Abstract: A disc throwing game including a receptacle including: an open top, an open bottom connected to the open top, and at least one aperture arranged between the open top and the open bottom, and an illumination means securable only to an inside surface of the receptacle a distance from the at least one aperture, the illumination means operatively arranged to transmit light through the at least one aperture and the open top. A disc throwing game assembly including two such receptacles and a disc shaped gliding object. A method of playing the disc throwing game.

Abstract: A variable stiffness striking implement, such as, for example, a ball bat typically used in baseball, softball, or rubber ball. The striking implement, preferably has a separate barrel and handle and includes a variable stiffness assembly which results in the user being able to adjust stiffness. This is accomplished by the user selecting a stiffness member having a desired hardness and inserting the selected stiffness around the handle and abutting the end of the barrel closest to the handle end and using a cap to hold the stiffness member in place, or, if desired by the user, the striking implement may be used without a stiffness member.

Abstract: A tiered beverage pong game system comprising a plurality of tiered platforms, each having at least one of a width and a length that is greater than any higher tiered platform and a plurality of beverage container placement markers located on the tiered platforms, each configured to seat a beverage container thereon, the beverage container placement markers comprising a plurality of colors indicating which direction a beverage container seated on beverage container placement marker is passed when a player bounces a ball into the corresponding beverage container. A top tiered platform comprises a single beverage container placement marker and each tiered platform comprises a greater number of beverage container placement markers than any higher tiered platform. Each side of each tiered platform comprises a different color along a vertical or horizontal side that corresponds with a color among the plurality of colors of the beverage container placement markers.

Abstract: A mechanical roping steer apparatus for practicing roping of a steer may comprise a support assembly for resting on a ground surface, a rotatable wheel configured to contact the ground surface such that movement of the support assembly across the ground rotates the wheel, and a steer assembly connected to the support assembly. The steer assembly may comprise a frame having a spine structure, a hip structure movably mounted on the frame to move between first and second positions, and a leg structure movably mounted on the hip structure to move between forward and rearward positions, and including at least one leg member. The steer assembly may include an actuation assembly may be configured to move the leg member downwardly toward the ground surface during rearward movement of the leg member and move the leg member upwardly during forward movement of the leg member.

Abstract: A device that is configured to be usable to assist a user in moving a cue member (e.g. a pool cue or cue stick) that is sized and configured to strike a ball for a game of pool or billiards can include a stabilizer element, a ring element attached to the stabilizer element, and a rest defining a first aperture along which a cue stick or other cue member is slideable. A method of using the device is configured so that the device can be used for hitting a ball in a game of pool or billiards by sliding a cue member along an aperture defined by the rest.

Abstract: Long-lasting targets that can be repeatedly used (e.g., shot with a firearm) are disclosed. In some embodiments, the target includes a base that optionally has wheels, at least one post assembly comprising a bottom end connected to the base and a top end, and a target body connected to the at least one post assembly. Optionally, the target body is comprised of a polyurethane. Optionally, the target includes two post assemblies and the target has an expanded position for use and a collapsed position for storage. Methods of preparing targets using a mold are also described herein.

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.

Abstract: A ball net structure arranged to be portable, collapsible, and provide the required structural support to receive or capture a projectile, such as but not limited to a soccer ball or baseball. The ball net structure comprises a support portion, first and second extensions, a first bracket pivotally coupling the first extension to the support portion, a second bracket pivotally coupling the second extension to the support portion, first and second flexible rods removably coupled to the support portion, and a net received by at least the first and second extensions and received by at least the first and second 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.

Abstract: An accelerated water removal low maintenance multi-hole golfing facility a plurality of golf holes and a plurality of water permeable and water shuttling sand bunkers. Each sand bunker has continuous bunker edge, a drain assembly, a synthetic tufted surface, a continuous integral edge overlapping polymer mesh, a non-woven dual smooth surfaced geo-textile, and a sand layer. Water flows from the continuous bunker edge over the synthetic tufted surface through sod the non-woven dual smooth surfaced geo-textile to the drain assembly preventing the drain assembly from clogging, thereby maintaining an unclogged drain assembly for the water permeable and water shuttling sand bunker.

Abstract: A target game including at least one target and at least one projectile. The at least one target is constructed of a flexible and self-supporting material. The at least one target is able to be configured in a first orientation and a second orientation. In the first orientation, the at least one target is generally planar. In the second orientation, the at least one target is generally conical.

Abstract: A stimulant target unit including: a housing, at least one stimulation source configured to provide a stimulus to stimulate a user, a contact sensor configured to detect an impact to the stimulant target unit and triggered by an impact that is within a selected range of impact forces, a feedback system configured to inform the user the stimulant target unit has been actuated in response to the stimulus, a controller programmed to register triggering of the contact sensor, a protective cover configured to retain the stimulant target unit and a mounting structure configured to connect the stimulant target unit to a support structure. The mounting structure includes a vibration isolator configured to, over the selected range of impact forces, inhibit transmission of force from an impact within the selected range of impact forces on the support structure to the contact sensor sufficiently to prevent the triggering of the contact sensor.

Abstract: A reactive target retention device preferably includes a flat sheet with at least one cutout pattern. The cutout pattern includes a target opening, two opposing tabs and an inner tab is formed in each opposing tab. An alternative reactive target retention device preferably includes a flat sheet with at least one cutout pattern. The cutout pattern includes a target opening, at least two partial cutouts and at least two projection tabs. A final reactive target retention device includes a flat sheet, a target opening and at least two retention clips. A target sheet support device includes a pair of post members and two horizontal support members. An alternative target sheet support device includes the pair of post members and at least one horizontal support wire. Another target sheet support device includes flat sheet having an outer shape of an animal and a pair of support posts.

Abstract: A high caliber target includes a target plate and a stand. The target plate may be mounted on and removed from the stand. In accordance with one embodiment, the target plate can be mounted and removed without tools. In accordance with one embodiment, the target plate is presented to the shooter without joints or edges which could promote ricochets back toward the shooter. In accordance with another embodiment, the target plate can pivot on impact relative to the stand.

Abstract: A golf putting apparatus that is portable and designed to enhance a golfer's skill level is presented. The apparatus includes a strip made of a flexible material and a carrier unit configured to detachably couple with the strip, the carrier unit having a first wall around which the strip is wound for storage, the first wall defining a cavity that is configured to hold a ball.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides an ice hockey stick handle providing improved grip and tactile feel to a player, and having a cross-section symmetric about one centerline and asymmetric about another orthogonal centerline, a section line parallel and offset from said second centerline dividing said cross-section into a bottom profile comprising an irregular convex polygon with or without rounded and/or beveled edges, and a top rectangular profile with or without rounded and/or beveled edges. The sides of the cross-section may be linear or slightly concave.

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.

Abstract: A training device and method for teaching a user the proper execution of various elements of an athletic swing. The swing training device incorporates a sliding member that simulates the impact of striking an object providing audible, visual and tactile feedback to the user pertaining to the proper execution of the swing, and displaces a force capture member a distance proportional to the force generated by the swing, and maintains this position until reset by the user. This allows the swing training device to quantify the force generated by the swing at the critical moment of impact. Further, the swing training device incorporates a movable stop that allows the device to be configured to provide for training methods that focus on the proper execution of specific swing elements, and it provides a means of quickly resetting the device for the execution of subsequent swing, thus maximizing training time.

Abstract: A device for storing and dispensing hockey pucks includes a box defining an interior capable of receiving a plurality of the hockey pucks, wherein the box comprises a first door opening and a second door opening disposed approximately perpendicular to the first door opening, a first door pivotably attached to the box within the first door opening, wherein, when closed, the first door encloses the interior when closed, and wherein, when open, the first door forms a ramp for receiving the hockey pucks through the first door opening and into the interior, and a second door pivotably attached to the box within the second door opening, wherein, when closed, the second door encloses the interior, and wherein, when open, the second door dispenses the hockey pucks from the interior through the second opening.