Abstract: An automatic golf ball lifting device is inside the cylindrical cup; when switched-on can remotely, accurately and instinctively know the presence of a “on a hole” golf ball, hence a golf ball on its receiving plate situated approximately 4 inches ground depth, is mechanically raised on the ground level, lifting the golf ball continuously, for faster and easier access; wherein removal of the golf ball prompts the system to automatically lower the top receiving plate to its original position, in preparation for the next ball to be sensed and elevated.

Abstract: A lacrosse head configured to form a pocket channel, the lacrosse head having a stop member, first and second sidewalls extending from the stop member in a forward direction, and a scoop connecting the first sidewall and the second sidewall opposite to the stop member, with the scoop having a forward edge and a rearward edge, with the rearward edge of the scoop defining generally an arc shape except for a recessed portion disposed at a longitudinal centerline of the lacrosse head, and with the scoop defining at least one stringing hole disposed forward of the recessed portion. Alternatively, a lacrosse head may have a scoop that defines a plurality of lateral stringing holes disposed generally along an arc, and that defines a forwardly offset stringing hole disposed along a longitudinal centerline of the lacrosse head and forward of the arc.

Abstract: An edging block for miniature golf courses includes a top section that has a top surface that has a trapezoidal shape and four substantially rectangular walls depending down and at substantially right angles to the top surface. Each edging block has a bottom section with a congruent trapezoidal shape. There are two non-parallel sides, each of which has a protrusion and a receiver situated such that when one of the non-parallel sides aligns with a second non-parallel side of a second edging block, the protrusion of the one of the non-parallel sides inserts into the receiver of the second parallel side of the second edging block and, a protrusion of the second parallel side of the second edging block inserts into the receiver of the one of the non-parallel sides. There is also a feature for holding the top section to the bottom section.

Abstract: A throwing system for throwing and catching a ball of a first diameter. A scoop is provided that has a basket and a handle. The basket has a first end, a second end, a bottom surface and an open top, wherein the handle extends from the second end of the basket. A loading hole is disposed through the bottom surface of the basket. A flap or other obstruction is provided that at least partially obstructs the loading hole. The obstruction prevents the ball from passing through the loading hole in one direction. The ball is loaded into the scoop by simply pressing the scoop over the ball so that the ball passes through the loading hole and into the basket. Once in the basket, the ball can be thrown from the scoop in a traditional manner.

Abstract: A construct for a hockey stick that includes a shaft having with variable cross-sectional geometry. The shaft may include one or more portions with pentagonal and heptagonal cross-sections that increase the bending stiffness of the hockey stick shaft.

Abstract: A target training apparatus includes an axle shaft, and the axle shaft includes three rebounding portions. Each one of the rebounding portions can be rotated relative to the axle shaft in order adjust angles among each one of the rebounding portions. In addition, each one of the rebounding portions can be positioned onto the axle shaft after the position thereof are set completely. The present invention utilizes three rebounding portions arranged at different angles as different ball striking targets, and the diversity of the ball bouncing direction is increased in order to improve the athlete training effect.

Abstract: Baseball bats described herein may have handle, throat and/or barrel portions that include non-circular cross-sections.

Abstract: A basketball net cover comprising; a sheet of fabric having a first end, a second end, a first edge, and a second edge, wherein the first end corresponding to a first radius and the second end corresponding to a second radius, at the first end a plurality of openings are positioned a predetermined distance from one another and are of a predetermined length, wherein the first edge and the second edge are secured together a frustum of a cone is formed wherein the top edge has a first circumference and the bottom edge has a second circumference.

Abstract: A target system includes a lower rod configured to be removably inserted, at a lower end, into the ground; and an upper rod assembly. The upper rod assembly includes an upper rod configured to be coupled, at a lower end, to an upper end of the lower rod. The upper rod assembly also includes a mounting assembly coupled to an upper end of the upper rod and configured to hold a target.

Abstract: A basketball training device that helps a basketball player learn where to aim when taking a shot including one or more targets that are secured to a basketball rim by an attachment mechanism.

Abstract: A construct for a hockey stick blade and paddle structure having a spine that protrudes from a back face and provides structural rigidity, as well as recessed areas that reduce the mass of the paddle structure.

Abstract: Gravity resetting range targets include rotatable target plates that rotate around a rotation axis extending through a fixed target body. The rotatable target plates rotate 360 degrees around the rotation axis and through a target plate aperture of the fixed target body, resetting to a ready position using gravity forces acting on the weight of the rotatable target plates. High visibility hit indicators include long-range hit indicators rotatably mounted to the fixed target body opposite the rotatable target plate such that the long-range hit indicator rotates around the rotation axis substantially 180 degrees from the rotatable target plate. The rotatable target plates are cut from the fixed target bodies within a single piece of material and remain connected via tabs until assembly is desired.

Abstract: An impact marking target includes a base. A transitional target image carried by a front surface of the base includes a halo-defining portion having a highly visible first color. Transitional target indicia formed against the halo-defining portion have a second color that contrasts with the first color for marking discrete regions of the transitional target image. The transitional target image includes an ink that is permanently bonded to and not dislodgeable from the front surface of the base. An exterior target image is applied over the base covering the transitional target image. The exterior target image includes a dislodgeable ink having a third color that contrasts with the first color. The exterior target image also includes exterior target indicia that positionally correspond with the transitional target indicia. A transparent film is interposed between the halo-defining portion and the exterior target image.

Abstract: A heading and heeling roping practice sled apparatus having a heeling practice sled and a heading practice dummy, where the heeling sled has a single mainframe bar, a tow arm with an open-faced front tow hook as well as a closed or closeable ring for towing, a wheel assembly attached to the tow arm below the horns of the heading practice dummy, support legs configured to provide support for the mainframe and dummy, dummy mounting brackets attached to the support legs, securing straps and a quick release latch attached to the dummy mounting brackets, the dummy having a flanged base for securing the dummy to the sled within the dummy brackets, and a roping leg apparatus attached to the rear of the mainframe. The roping leg apparatus has a hip assembly with a coupling attached thereto which are non-linear axles, and hinges positioned about the axles to which roping legs are mounted.

Abstract: Protective covers for preventing damage to ball bats during batting practice are comprised of an impact force absorbing elastic sleeve which has through its length bore and a V-shaped notch extending forward from a rear transverse edge of the sleeve, dividing a rear length of the sleeve into opposed flaps, thus providing an enlarged entrance opening which facilitates insertion of a bat into the sleeve bore. A strap extending radially from one flap is releasably attachable by a closure fastener to the other flap, enabling the flaps to be cinched around and secured to a bat inserted into the sleeve bore. The protective covers may optionally have weights and/or friction strips positioned within the sleeve, and may optionally include an inertial sensor or impact force sensor and radio transmitter for transmitting signals representative of bat motions or impact forces exerted on the bat.

Abstract: An improved shooting target having a printed front face sheet mounted to a core sheet which has an integral cutout area positioned directly behind the aim point of the printed target face. Dye-filled packets positioned within the cutout area are held in place with the glue of an adhesive faced backer sheet which covers the back side of the cutout area of the core sheet and is held in place by adhering to the back face of the core sheet. The result is an improved target having the qualities of providing the marksman or recreational shooter with immediate enhanced visual identification as to the impact area of their shot as the projectile bursts a dye packet leaving a colorful or contrasting mark on the printed target face.

Abstract: A tossing game using a gaming assembly with a central hub and a number of outwardly extending downwardly sloped gaming platforms connected to the central hub, each of the platforms having a hole in its playing surface, where a number of gaming pieces suitable for tossing are configured to be tossed toward the gaming assembly, the score of the tossing game being dependent upon what landing position on, in, or near the gaming assembly the various gaming pieces fall.

Abstract: A hockey training apparatus features an elongated track, a practice puck carried atop said elongated track and displaceable back and forth therealong on a longitudinal travel path, and at least one rebound mechanism mounted to the track adjacent a respective end of the longitudinal travel path for rebounding of said practice puck back toward an opposing end of the longitudinal travel path upon impact with said rebound mechanism. Each rebound mechanism comprises a resiliently stretchable member spanning laterally cross-wise to the longitudinal travel path in a taut condition thereacross at a location thereabove for impact by the practice puck.

Abstract: A gun-clearing box, which has: a box-body having a gun-clearing space inside, a cover opening and an assembly opening connecting the gun-clearing space to the outside; a cover-body; a gun-placing barrel having an placing entrance, a shot exit, and a barrel wall connected between, such that the diameter of the placing entrance is larger than which of the shot exit; such that the gun-placing barrel is fixed in the assembly opening, and the placing entrance is faced toward the outside of the box-body, and the shot exit is inclined to face toward the gun-clearing space; and a sliding-sleeve abutting assembly set in the gun-placing barrel, such that the sliding-sleeve abutting assembly has two adjacent abutting surfaces with a gap between; such that the gap is inclined and reduced along the direction from the placing entrance to the shot exit; thereby improving the convenience and safety of the use.

Abstract: A construct for a hockey blade that includes a foam core. The foam core includes a first core face, a second core face, and a bottom core edge and a top core edge. Multiple pins are injected into the foam core, and one or more layers of resin preimpregnated tape are wrapped around the foam before forming a hockey blade structure in a heated mold.