Abstract: Articles for automotive, manufacturing and industrial applications including shafts or tubes used, for example, as golf club shafts, ski and hiking poles, fishing rods or bicycle frames, skate blades and snowboards are at least partially electroplated with fine-grained layers of selected metallic materials. Parts with complex geometry can be coated as well. Alternatively, articles such as conical or cylindrical golf club shafts, hiking pole shafts or fishing pole sections, plates or foils and the like can also be electroformed of fine-grained metallic materials on a suitable mandrel or temporary substrate to produce strong, ductile, lightweight components exhibiting a high coefficient of restitution and a high stiffness for use in numerous applications including sporting goods.

Abstract: A composite baseball bat includes a handle, which has a tapered portion formed on one end of the handle body thereof and gradually increased in diameter in direction away from the handle body, a spacer member formed of a soft material having a uniformly distributed predetermined thickness and covered on the periphery of the tapered portion of the handle, and a barrel, which is sleeved onto the handle, having a first opening ad a second opening respectively located on two distal ends thereof for the passing of the handle body of the handle and a tapered portion located on one end around the first opening and pressed on the spacer member against the tapered portion of the handle.

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 ball training apparatus comprising: a ball; a ball-holding net to wrap around the ball; a tether cord that is connected to the net; a cord handle and cord length adjuster that is connected to one end of the cord; a spinning connector structure which is installed on the ball-holding net to connect the ball-holding net to the cord and allows the ball to spin relative to the cord. Thus the ball inside the net can rotate freely without intertwining with the tether. The handle of this ball training apparatus can either be attached to the user's waist belt or be held in hand and therefore the user can achieve various training outcomes.

Abstract: A hockey stick having a composite blade and a shaft is disclosed. The composite blade includes a heel section that is recessed relative to the front and back faces of the blade. The recessed heel section is configured to be received by a hockey stick shaft or an adapter member configured to connect the blade to the shaft. The composite blade preferably comprise a foam inner core overlaid preferably with substantially continuous fibers disposed in a matrix material and may include an internal bridge structure extending from one side of the blade to the other. The blade may also be preferably comprised of a core comprising non-continuous fibers disposed within a matrix material. In another aspect, processes for manufacturing the previously described hockey stick blade(s) are described.

Abstract: A roping practice apparatus includes a base and at least one wheel rotatably mounted to the base about a horizontal wheel axis oriented transverse to the base and below the top surface of the base, the wheel defiling at least one slot extending from a rim of the wheel toward the wheel axis. The rim of the wheel extends above the top surface of the base. An upper portion defines a wheel well on a bottom surface thereof, and is configured such that the wheel extends upward into the wheel well. The upper portion is supported above the base such that a gap is formed between the upper portion and the base. The wheel is configured such that a selected object drawn through the gap enters the at least one slot on the wheel and causes the wheel to rotate. A retainer mechanism is operative to prevent the upper portion from moving upward away from the base.

Abstract: A foldable toss game assembly includes two toss surfaces. Each toss surface has a memory ring on the border, and each toss surface includes at least a hollow toss target area surrounded by a surrounding net. The two toss surfaces are connected by a plurality of connection parts with different sizes to form a three-dimensional structure with a slanted surface. The connection parts can be engaged or disengaged so that the foldable toss game can be easily set up for play or folded for carrying and storage.

Abstract: A leather billiard cue tip has an insert embedded in the surface of the cue tip having a higher coefficient of friction relative to the cue ball than that of the leather tip itself. The insert has a mechanical compliance compatible with that of the leather tip, and is contoured to form a continuous smooth surface at the apex of the leather tip. The leather tip has a hardness that is not less than, i.e., that is equal to or greater than, the hardness of the insert. The composite of leather and insert provide a cue tip having enhanced friction when contacting the cue ball, diminishing sliding between the cue tip and cue ball during an off center billiard shot that significantly reduces the risk of miscuing while optimum hardness of the leather tip insures substantial maintenance of the structural geometry of the tip during and after a billiard shot.

Abstract: A golf swing practice target panel or impact device is provided. The impact device may be or may include a panel made of a type of material such that there will be a temporary mark where a standard or non-standard golf ball impacted the panel. An aiming reference point may be provided on a lower portion of the panel. In addition, lines may be printed on the panel to depict launch or elevation angles and off-center deviation angles. A golfer can examine how accurate the strike was after the swing. Also, the panel material may possess proper friction that enables the spinning direction of a golf ball to be determined when a golf ball bounces off from the panel. Judging from where the ball landed relative to the temporary ball mark on the panel, the golfer is able to know how the ball was spinning after striking.

Abstract: A ball trap comprises a carrier about which is spaced a number of suspended flaps so as to be positioned, in use, about the surface on which the ball travels and which are configured, so that when a—or the—flap is impacted by a ball, the flap is pushed aside to a position where, provided the impact force is sufficient, the ball passes underneath the flap and the flap falls back to its position of rest to prevent the ball from escaping; characterised by the feature that the flap region which the ball pushes aside on impact is spaced sufficiently, radially outward from the carrier that the same region can subsequently come down behind the ball and act as the escape-preventing means.

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 baseball bat has a core section formed exclusively of bamboo fibers fused together and an outer section substantially surrounding the core section. In a method for fabricating a blank from which a baseball bat is fabricated, a core section is fabricated through harvesting elongated bamboo pieces, removing the epidermis or skin from the bamboo pieces, cutting the bamboo pieces into a predetermined length, fiberizing the bamboo pieces, fusing the bamboo fibers to form a solid and unitary core blank, and processing the solid core blank to provide a core section have a substantially square cross section having opposite front and rear sides and opposite top and bottom sides.

Abstract: Targets, a target range system, and methods for economical operation of a target range. A preferred method includes providing a target range site; providing a target resembling a conventional target in dimension and appearing, yet having a weight that is substantially less than the weight of the conventional target. The target has a plurality of interconnecting plates made of recyclable material and is devoid of hazards comprising munitions, fuels, and radioactive materials. The ingress and egress routes for the target are reduced as compared to routes for conventional targets and enable cost savings. The targets are also readily recycled, enabling additional economic advantage.

Abstract: A truncated bat training device provides for training of the muscles and muscular strengthening of certain parts of the trainee's body. The bat has a 45 degree angle portion with a rotatable D-ring for attaching the bat to a fixed point. The angle portion projects to the backside of the upper body of the trainee and is turned toward the fixed point when the trainee swings the bat in a backward motion of a swing cycle in a resistance training mode. The angle portion provides a transition zone in which the D-ring rotates as the bat crosses perpendicular to the upper body allowing the trainee's wrist to accelerate with a ball at a simulated impact point where the trainee normally makes contact with the ball upon completion of the swing cycle. A ridge line teaches proper hand alignment, and several training techniques can be used with the training device.

Abstract: A golf driving range platform (20) having: a base plate (22) having a lower surface (21) and an upper surface (23), the base plate lower surface (21) being provided to rest on a ground; a lower wedge (26) having a lower surface (27) and an upper surface (28) inclined relative to each other by a first predetermined angle (29), the lower wedge lower surface (27) being disposed above said base plate upper surface (23) and supported thereon, the lower wedge (26) being rotatable relative to said base plate (22) about a first rotation axis (40) extending substantially perpendicular to the base plate upper surface (23); an upper wedge (30) having a lower surface (31) and an upper surface (32) inclined relative to each other by a second predetermined angle (33), the upper wedge lower surface (31) being disposed above said lower wedge upper surface (28) and supported thereon, the upper wedge (30) being rotatable relative to said base plate (22) and said lower wedge (26); a top plate (34) having a lower surface (35) an

Abstract: A shaft of a billiard cue includes a first section and a second section connected to the first section. The first section is made of natural wood and has a front end to be a top end of the shaft and a rear connecting end to connect to the second section. The second section is not made of natural wood but of a material with a hardness being greater than that of the first section. The second section has a front connecting end to connect with the rear connecting end of the first section and a rear end to be a bottom end of the shaft.

Abstract: A device for practice putting of golf balls is provided comprising a platform covered by a synthetic matting simulating a putting surface 2, a standing area 1 for the golfer with first 16 and second 19 foot operated electrical on/off switches for operating an electromagnetic return means such that the golfers can retrieve each golf ball without ever changing their putting position.

Abstract: A bat has a barrel with a multi-wall construction. The handle can be formed integrally with the inner wall. A damping device can be installed between the handle and the outer wall of the barrel. The damping device can dampen vibrations transmitted from the outer wall to the handle. The damping device can also separate the outer wall from the inner wall adjacent the handle section. The inner and outer walls can be bonded together adjacent the end of the bat. Alternatively, the inner and outer walls can be entirely free of bonding to one another. Additionally, a damping device can separate the outer wall from the inner wall adjacent the end of the bat. Furthermore, the bat can include a pair of damping devices that separate the inner wall from the outer wall both adjacent the handle section and at the end of the bat.

Abstract: A bat having a handle portion, a transition portion attached to the handle portion, and a barrel portion attached to the transition portion. The area(s) adjacent to the central portion of the barrel have an increased performance with respect to the central portion of the barrel to effectively enlarge the sweet spot, or preferred hitting area. At least one tubular member of the barrel is circumferential aligned and axially spaced from another tubular member.

Abstract: A three dimensional, animal-shaped archery target molded of polyurethane foam in two members consisting of a body member and a head member. The body member having a cavity therein for containing a replaceable target insert retained in place by a replaceable, sliding foam panel conforming externally to the shape of the animal located on one or both sides of the target insert thereby fully concealing the insert. A repairable clay core insert or various replaceable target inserts may be used including foam or packed cotton.