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.

Abstract: The portable shooting range comprises two telescoping poles, two lines, and two clips. The telescoping poles are T-shaped and each pole provides a pulley hanging off of each end of a crossbar. The bottom of each telescoping pole is pointed for insertion into the ground and an upright provides a pair of foot braces located just above the point for pressing the pole into the ground. The telescoping poles are pressed into the ground separated by a pole separation distance and with their crossbars parallel to each other. The two lines are strung between a pulley on each pole such that each line forms a loop and the loops are parallel to each other. A clip is coupled to each line. Each clip may be used to couple a target to the line and the target may be moved downrange by pulling on the line.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, a training device for hockey players is disclosed herein. The training device includes a puck sorting system for holding and orienting hockey pucks. The puck sorting system includes a puck drum having bottom and side portions and configured to hold therein a plurality of hockey pucks. The bottom portion of the puck drum has rotatably mounted thereon a conical puck agitation device configured to orient the plurality of hockey pucks into a predefined position. The training device further includes a puck launching system attached to the puck sorting system. The puck launching system includes a sloped tube operable to receive oriented hockey pucks and convey hockey pucks to a puck launcher. The puck launcher is configured to shoot hockey pucks via a spinning launching wheel driven by a launching motor.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an improved foam dart that operates with improved accuracy. The shaft of the foam dart is shaped with indentions that direct airflow around the dart to improve its accuracy. The dart tip is also connected through a rigid neck portion that further improves the accuracy of the dart during use. An alternative embodiment allows the user to place a pop cap within the dart tip that will explode to cause a loud bang when the dart contacts a hard object at the end of its flight.

Abstract: A batting practice stand has a length-adjustable post that has a ball-receiving cone at one end and L-shaped slots through its sidewall at its opposite end. By axially sliding the post into an opening of the base and rotating, the L-shaped slots engage a bar within the base opening to secure the post to the base. A compressible washer or stopper is provided in the bottom portion of the base to facilitate connection between L-shaped slots of the post and bar within the base. Legs extend outwardly from between flanges of the sidewall of the base. Between the flanges, the base defines socket openings that receive curved detent buttons extending from the proximal ends of each of the legs. Pins extend across the flanges and through the legs, and are engaged by slots defined in the curved detent buttons. The legs are rotatably moved from a storage position aligned with the legs substantially parallel to one another to a stand support position with the legs at angles to one another.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a scorekeeping device for a beanbag game. The device provides a forked lower body and a cylindrical upper body. The fork points of the lower body may be inserted into mounting brackets on the bottom surface of the frame of a beanbag goal. The upper body provides scorekeeping discs which are movably mounted on two semicircular rings, and two cup holders which may be used to hold the users' drinks while the users throw beanbags at a goal. The lower body easily folds upward on the upper body for storage.

Abstract: A target system for projectiles comprises a support system, a primary target, and a secondary target. The support system defines a support portion. The primary target comprises a target portion defining a front side and a rear side, a hanging portion, and a clip arranged on a rear side of the target portion. The clip is adapted to engage the secondary target to secure a secondary target relative to the primary target. The hanging portion is adapted to engage the support portion of the support system to support the primary target at a desired location.

Abstract: A target for skeet shooting which comprises a hub associated with a rotor that has at least two blades. The hub is associated with an elastic membrane, which in turn is associated with a valve and is designed to be inflated, in order to obtain a substantially spherical surface, before launching the target. Each blade extends longitudinally in a substantially crescent shape and has a geometric keying angle that is variable as a function of the rotation speed of the rotor about its own axis.

Abstract: A bat customization method includes the steps of capturing images of a batter's swing, determining a swing plane angle of the batter's swing at ball impact at a middle elevation of a strike zone of the batter based upon the captured images, and providing a bat for the batter. The bat has circumferentially spaced launch angle boosters. Each of the launch angle boosters extends along the axis at an angle based upon the determined swing plane angle.

Abstract: Sports equipment include a frame with an outer telescoping member including a row of a plurality of openings along its length and a rotation-limiting slot at a first end. An inner telescoping member includes a push button that engages one of the plurality of openings of the outer telescoping member to secure the inner telescoping member to the outer telescoping member. A stub includes a pin that engages the rotation-limiting slot of the outer telescoping member to limit rotation of the outer telescoping member relative to the inner telescoping member. The outer telescoping member may rotate relative to the stub and the inner telescoping member to change a length of at least one member of the sports equipment frame.

Abstract: A target system has a splatter pack attached to a target panel. The splatter pack acts as a receptacle for a fluid that provides visual confirmation that the target has been hit as the pack bursts upon impact by a projectile. The splatter pack is formed by an array of chambers that are arranged in a staggered pattern. As the pack bursts, the fluid explodes out and leaves a splatter pattern on or about the target panel. The burst and residual splatter allow the marksman to see whether or not an accurate shot was delivered without having to closely examine the target. The splatter pack is removably secured to the target panel by one or more fasteners. Each one of the chambers in the interior portion of the splatter pack are intersected by at least one of the channels that are formed between adjacent chambers.

Abstract: A ball bat includes a first bat portion (such as a barrel portion) and a second bat portion (such as a handle). The portions may be spaced apart along the bat's longitudinal axis. A joint connects the first and second bat portions. The joint may be positioned at or near, or centered about, a location of maximum vibration, such as an antinode of the bat. The joint may include a filler material (such as an elastomeric material) at least partially surrounding a rod element. The filler material and the rod element may span a gap between the first and second bat portions. The filler material and the rod element may extend into the first bat portion or the second bat portion. A cover material may be positioned around the filler material. The joint may form a structural link between the bat portions and it may be configured to absorb vibration.

Abstract: An outdoor dart tossing game includes a target board that is positionable on a support surface. The target board has a plurality of target spaces therein. A plurality of canisters is included and each of the canisters contains a pressurized fluid. Each of the canisters is inserted into a respective one of the target spaces and each of the canisters is comprised of a rigid material. A plurality of darts is included and each of the darts is assigned to a respective player. Each of the darts is thrown towards the target board in the attempt of striking one of the canisters with the dart. Additionally, each of the canisters is pierced by the dart when the dart strikes the canister thereby releasing the pressurized fluid from the canister. In this way each of the canisters communicates a visual alert to the players that one of the canisters has been struck.

Abstract: A bullet trap is disclosed which comprises a vibration dampening gasket disposed between the impact plates and support frame.

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: A ball bat including one of a left-hand configuration designated for a left-handed batter and a right hand configuration designated for a right-handed batter. The left hand configuration is different than the right hand configuration. The ball bat further includes one of a left-hand indicia indicating the left hand configuration and a right hand indicia indicating the right hand configuration.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates an improved laterally reinforced billiard cue tip. One or more lateral reinforcing layers, internal or external to the tip, may be provided to limit lateral expansion of the tip and provide a tip that has the playing characteristics of both hard, and soft, traditional tips, as well as improved shape and playing characteristics.

Abstract: A frame of a lacrosse head includes a ball stop, a scoop, a left sidewall, and a right sidewall. Each of the left and right sidewalls includes a top rail, a bottom rail, a first cross-strut extending between the top and bottom rails thereof, and a second cross-strut extending between the top and bottom rails thereof. The second cross-struts are disposed closer to the ball stop than the first cross-struts. The second cross-strut of the left sidewall is longer than the first cross-strut of the left sidewall and extends from the top rail to the bottom rail in the direction of the scoop to the ball stop. The second cross-strut of the right sidewall is longer than the first cross-strut of the right sidewall and extends from the bottom rail to the top rail in the direction of the scoop to the ball stop.

Abstract: A target shooting base can have a shape that generally defines a triangular prism. The base can have a first end member, a second end member, a first side extending between the first and second end members, a second side extending between the first and second end members, a top member extending between a top portion of first end member and a top portion of the second end member, and a lower support member extending between an intermediate portion of first end member and an intermediate portion of the second end member. The top member and the lower support member can include a plurality of openings that can receive portions of a shooting target.

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.