Patents Examined by Marks S. Graham
  • Patent number: 10537779
    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: May 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: TRIAD SPORTS GROUP, LLC
    Inventors: David Nelson, John Lucas
  • Patent number: 10539402
    Abstract: A target system includes a blocking plate with one or more openings through which bullets are fired and one or more targets for being struck by the bullets disposed behind the blocking plate and generally in line with the one or more openings. The target system includes a slotted bracket which limits the range of movement of the target after it has been struck by a projectile. The slotted bracket also provides for tool-less attachment and removal of the targets from the blocking plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Action Target Inc.
    Inventors: Devin Anderson, Christopher Hess
  • Patent number: 10539401
    Abstract: A disclosed hanging target may include a hanging bracket and a plurality of suspension lines coupled to the hanging bracket. The hanging target may also include a plurality of target holders. A destructible target may be disposed above and carried by a target holder allowing a portion of each suspension line to extend outward around the destructible target. When the destructible target is destroyed by a projectile that hits the destructible target, the portion of each suspension line may rebound to the generally vertical orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Chute Targets, LLC
    Inventors: Maribeth Jezek, Kyle Lane Albrecht
  • Patent number: 10533829
    Abstract: An automatically resetting target device includes a target arm having a target end, a pivot end and a length therebetween, a target support member for pivotally supporting the pivot end of the target arm, and an automatically resetting mechanism. The automatically resetting mechanism includes a center support member attached to the target support member and biasing member having a first end and a second end, the first end attached to a point along the length of the target arm and the second end attached to an attachment member spaced apart from the pivot end of the target arm, wherein the biasing member passes across the pivot end of the target arm and causes the target arm to move from a first ready position to a second ready position when an outside force from a projectile is applied to the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Outdoor Gear Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven C. Holmberg, Stephen W. Cass, Randal P. Stuart
  • Patent number: 10533828
    Abstract: A quick change target system including a frame, a target mounted to the frame, and a retainer movable between a first position retaining the target within the frame and a second position permitting removal of the target from the frame. The target is formed from a plurality of individual members that have markings, which collectively define aiming points on the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Backyard Intellectual Property Holdings LLC
    Inventor: Mark Oliphant
  • Patent number: 10525317
    Abstract: A multi-target ball toss game and method of playing is played by players on opposing teams standing behind their respective elongated boxes. The boxes are subdivided into a number of discrete target areas. Each target area has a lid that covers and uncovers the target, depending on whether the ball hits the target area. In play, the players take turns tossing balls towards the opposing targets. If the balls fall into the target area, the corresponding lid is closed over the target area. The winning player or team of players is the first player or team that closes all of the lids over the intended targets. The game provides an overtime feature in which both front lids are opened for overtime, and if double overtime both second lids are opened, and if third overtime, third lids are opened, and so forth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Inventor: Brett Esch
  • Patent number: 10520283
    Abstract: Honeycomb reusable rifle, pistol and shotgun target consists of a composite of three distinct materials for shooter convenience. A structural honeycomb kraft cardboard target provides a strong base support with a permanent stick adhesive backer for ease of target field use. Four sided die cut honeycomb perimeter boundary provides ample fastening surface for pin, staple or spring clip attachment to backer surface. A 12?×12? center raised honeycomb pad surface provides a smooth, flat but rigid surface for the vinyl preprinted target. Vinyl target surface is renewed with a peel & stick application of up five fresh vinyl targets for multiple range visits. Honeycomb target pad is the first reusable range target for use in all weather and temperature conditions. Honeycomb target pads holds up to hundreds of rounds of bullet impact offering exceptional durability and value for long term use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Inventor: Ronald C. Behnk, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10520285
    Abstract: The invention relates to a slat arrangement for redirecting the trajectory of a bullet. The slat arrangement has a plurality of elongated steel slats, and each elongated steel slat has a longitudinal front edge and a longitudinal back edge stretching between a first end and a second end. The slat arrangement also has a support structure for supporting the plurality of steel slats. The steel slats are positioned in a louver-like fashion for changing the direction of a bullet following a trajectory along the normal of the slat arrangement. The support structure is connected to each steel slat at the back edge of the steel slat and between the first end and the second end of the steel slat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: ODIN TARGET AB
    Inventor: Peter Norman
  • Patent number: 10508890
    Abstract: A toy may include a target having a target magnet and a first color configured to become a second color when the target is activated. The toy also may include a backing having a backing magnet configured to be mounted to an interior of a garment. The backing may be magnetically attracted to the target magnet through the garment when the target is on an exterior of the garment. The target may be configured to be retained on the garment only via magnetic force between the target magnet and the backing magnet. The target and the backing may be configured to be readily removed from the garment and have numerous re-uses for future play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Inventors: Anthony C. Shurman, Jennifer L. Shurman, Jackson C. Shurman, Maxwell A. Shurman
  • Patent number: 10500476
    Abstract: A weight system for a cue stick includes a housing and a set of weighted elements enclosed within the housing. The housing is enclosed within a cavity of the cue stick, the housing having a first end and a second end. The weighted elements are sized to enable the set of weighted elements to move between the first and second ends of the housing during movement of the cue stick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Inventor: Glen Farr
  • Patent number: 10502535
    Abstract: A system and method for a modular target. The modular target system has a target coupled to at least one target support. The target support is coupled to a base. The target support has notches on the upper distal end. The modular target system has separate components which can be assembled and disassembled without coupling devices such as bolts, screws, etc. This allows the modular target to be stored in more compact locations and configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Inventor: Ting Sun
  • Patent number: 10500461
    Abstract: The application relates to a foldable rebound net frame includes a surface frame and supporting stands. The surface frame includes a frame structure and a rebound net mounted on the frame structure, the frame structure comprises a plurality of supporting rods and connecting mechanisms, the plurality of supporting rods are connected in a head-to-tail manner by the connecting mechanisms, and two ends of each of the plurality of supporting rods are rotatably mounted on corresponding ones of the connecting mechanisms respectively. The supporting stands are adjustably mounted on corresponding ones of the plurality of supporting rods. The foldable rebound net frame of the disclosure has a simple structure and a low production cost, also has a small size and is convenient to carry in a folded state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: TRI-GREAT INTERNATIONAL LTD.
    Inventor: Chunfang Luo
  • Patent number: 10500460
    Abstract: A collapsible catch assembly includes a box having a front wall, a rear wall, a left sidewall, a right sidewall, a bottom wall, and a lid collectively defining a hollow interior, wherein the lid is movable between an open position for allowing access to the hollow interior and a closed position for limiting access to the hollow interior; at least two support poles pivotably mounted within the hollow interior of the box; and a catch device supported on and extending between the at least two support poles. The at least two support poles and the catch device are collapsible to fit within the hollow interior of the box and extensible to extend out of the hollow interior of the box and define a catch area extending upwardly from the box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Terra Sports LLC
    Inventors: Walter Ali, Christian Kelker, Ken Eckert, Andy Zook
  • Patent number: 10500470
    Abstract: Systems and methods to practice putting are provided. In one embodiment, the system includes a framework, actuators mounted to the framework, a control system, a computing device, and an artificial green. The control system is coupled to the actuators and controls actuation of the actuators. The computing device includes a display for viewing mapped green profiles and is configured to communicate with the control system. The artificial green includes a putting surface with a cup defined therein, wherein the artificial green is positioned over the actuators. With this arrangement, a user can select a putting region, after which, the computing device can translate and transfer the mapped data of the putting region to the controllers to actuate the actuators to, therefore, adjust the putting surface of the artificial green to correspond to the mapped green profile of an actual green.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: DERON, LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey G. Flammer
  • Patent number: 10493343
    Abstract: An apparatus for playing a game includes a plurality of channels, each of the plurality of channels configured to hold and display a column of spherical game-pieces, each of the plurality of channels having an upper end and a lower end, each upper end configured to individually receive at least one of the spherical game-pieces, each lower end configured to support a respective column of spherical game-pieces by preventing passage of a bottom game-piece from a respective channel; a funnel affixed to the plurality of channels and configured to receive a thrown spherical game-piece and to direct the thrown spherical game-piece into the upper end of one of the plurality of channels; and a base stand operably connected to the plurality of channels and configured to rest upon a horizontal surface and to retain the plurality of channels at an acute angle relative to the horizontal surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Inventors: Russell James Horner, Deborah Lee Horner
  • Patent number: 10488161
    Abstract: A walking target may include a plurality of target impact areas which are oriented in at least two different planes so that a plurality of target impact areas rest on a surface and hold one target impact area generally upright. The walking target may be formed from a single piece of metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Aciton Target Inc.
    Inventors: Devin Anderson, Christopher Hess
  • Patent number: 10488160
    Abstract: A target system is provided which allows a user to visually identify from a distance if the intended target has been hit. The target uses a base with at least one target disc held to the base. Upon hitting the target disc with a projectile, the disc is dislodged and, being larger than the projectile, leaves an opening in the base that can be visually identified from a distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Inventors: Joseph D. La Scola, Paul Hetzel
  • Patent number: 10488159
    Abstract: A computerized shooting target system comprising a pivotal target, electromagnet, sensors, optional portable power supply and transceiver. Sensors on the target register a hit and transmit data to a computer. The computer processes hit information and sends instructions back to the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: ADVANCED TARGET TECHNOLOGIES IP HOLDINGS INC
    Inventors: Mark D. Campbell, Michael P. Campbell
  • Patent number: 10478695
    Abstract: An instrumented batting system measures a bat speed and an exit velocity as a batter swings a bat and initiates contact between the bat and a ball positioned on a batting tee assembly. The batting tee assembly includes a bat speed radar device and an exit velocity radar device each in communication with a computing device. The bat speed radar device emits a radar beam that intersects a swing plane of the batter in a direction generally toward an expected position of the batter. The exit velocity radar device emits another radar beam that intersects a flight path of the ball in another direction generally away from the expected position of the batter. The system determines the bat speed and exit velocity using the radar beams, calculates a batting metric based on the bat speed and exit velocity, and displays the swing metric using a computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Sports Sensors, Inc.
    Inventor: Albert E. Dilz, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10478688
    Abstract: A knob sleeve for a ball bat extending along a longitudinal axis and having a tubular handle portion and a knob attached to the handle portion. The knob sleeve includes a tubular body having a distal end and a proximal end. The body defines a central bore for receiving the handle portion. The body includes at least first and second regions positioned adjacent the distal and proximal ends of the body, respectively. The first and second regions have first and second maximum outside diameters, respectively. The second maximum outside diameter is greater than the first maximum outside diameter. Each of the first and second regions has a height measured with respect to the longitudinal axis of at least 0.4 inch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Wilson Sporting Goods Co
    Inventors: Ryan D. Stevens, Adam G. Gray, James M. Earley