Patents Examined by Marks S. Graham
  • Ball game apparatus and method
    Patent number: 7935010
    Abstract: A method of playing a team sport in which two teams attempt to score goals at opposite ends of a court, the method includes providing a court and rules determining the layout of the court, the length of time for a game and various plays during the game, and penalties. The game is started on the court with a game ball and two teams and either of the two teams upon gaining possession of the game ball becomes the possessing team and the other of the two teams becomes the opposing team. The possessing team must pass the ball between the possessing team's players a minimum number of times before an attempted shot on the opposing team's goal is made, and any player on the possessing team must not possess the ball for a time greater than a time specified by the rules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Inventor: Michael Cerpok
  • Ice hockey stick
    Patent number: 7931549
    Abstract: An ice hockey stick has a shaft and an adjoining blade. The shaft has a proximal end proximate the blade, a distal end opposite the proximal end, and an outer surface. The outer surface has a generally rectangular cross-sectional shape transitioning towards the proximal end to one of a generally hexagonal, octagonal, decagonal, or dodecagonal cross-sectional shape, and a front shaft face and an opposing rear shaft face. A width of a portion of the shaft, as measured between the front shaft face and the rear shaft face, tapers towards the proximal end. The blade has a front blade face flush with the front shaft face and a rear blade face opposing the front blade face. The rear blade face is flush with the rear shaft face. The blade also has a heel and a neck affixed to the proximal end of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Sport Maska Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Timothy Pearson, Vincent Drouin
  • Apparatus, system and method for training overhand throwing mechanics
    Patent number: 7927238
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for training the overhand throwing motion. The apparatus comprises a first end having a first altitude relative to a throwing surface; an opposing second end having a second altitude relative to the throwing surface; and an unobstructed guiding surface interconnecting the first end to the second end and defining a slope there between.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Inventor: Cesar Emilio Mejia Perez
  • Adjustable putting green for golf practice
    Patent number: 7918743
    Abstract: A practice putting green that is adjustable to provide a playing surface having a variety of contours. The assembly is formed of a plurality of narrow transverse support members that are arranged as segments in side-to-side relationship to define an elongate playing path. Carpet, artificial turf or other flexible material is placed atop the support members to form the playing surface. Inwardly facing wedges are mounted under the ends of the support members and are slid from side-to-side so as to selectively tilt the members and adjust the contour of the playing surface. The wedges on each segment are joined by a transverse rod so that both will move simultaneously in response to pressure on one of the wedges. The support members have a tray-shaped configuration with upwardly extending end walls, so that in combination they define an elongate channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Inventor: David J. Martens
  • Hockey stick
    Patent number: 7914403
    Abstract: A composite hockey stick having a tubular hollow shaft and a blade is disclosed. The shaft includes a region of focused weight in the form of an overlay coating that is applied on top if the internal surfaces of the cured shaft using a coating plug. The blade includes a focused weight region that is inserted into a cavity within the cured composite blade. Methods and suitable materials for constructions of the various components of the blade and shaft are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Easton Sports, Inc.
    Inventor: Citra A. Ie
  • Ball bat including visual indication of whether internal structural tampering with the ball bat has occurred
    Patent number: 7914404
    Abstract: A ball bat includes a barrel having a radially inner surface. Graphics, or an indicator layer including graphics, that provide a visual indication of whether tampering, such as shaving, has occurred to the radially inner surface of the barrel are affixed to, applied to, or integral with the radially inner surface of the barrel. A transparent or translucent cap, or a cap including a window, is optionally attached to an end of the barrel to provide visual inspection of the internal graphics. The cap itself may additionally or alternatively include internal observable features, or external engraved or etched features, that make the cap difficult to replicate or counterfeit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Easton Sports, Inc.
    Inventors: William B. Giannetti, Dewey Chauvin, Hsing-Yen Chuang
  • Method for using a multifunction target actuator
    Patent number: 7914004
    Abstract: A multifunction target actuator allows a bullet target to be selectively presented to a shooter such that a first side may be presented, a second side opposite the first side may be presented, and the target may be oriented so as not to be presented to the shooter. The actuator allows for quick and accurate movement of the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Action Target Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Wright, Thomas Marshall, Kyle Bateman
  • Soccer training aid
    Patent number: 7909330
    Abstract: A rebound wall (10) for a ball game includes a base unit (12) and a wall unit (14). The wall unit may be located in at least two different positions relative to the base unit to change how the ball rebounds from the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Inventor: Peter A. Domjen
  • Modular shooting range
    Patent number: 7909331
    Abstract: Disclosed is a modular, expandable, and portable shooting range system. The system can include one or more shooting modules that mount together to provide different numbers of shooting lanes with various lengths. The shooting modules are pre-engineered with removable panels to permit additional shooting modules to be added on as customer orders. This configuration also permits adding to the length of the shooting range to accommodate firing of different weapons. The shooting range system can further include a control booth which is divided from the shooting lanes. The control booth can be integrally formed with the shooting modules, or can be separate. The control booth can include a module control which allows a person to control lighting, air, and target control systems of the shooting range system, and can further provide a safe location to view the range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: SRI Aquisition Corp.
    Inventor: Michael D. Halverson
  • Shaft for a sports stick such as a hockey stick
    Patent number: 7909713
    Abstract: A handle is adapted to be held by a player and a striking end is adapted to contact and propel an object A structure for a hockey stick is described by using multiple composite tubes bonded to one another, wherein apertures, or “ports,” are molded between the tubes to improve the stiffness, strength, aerodynamics and comfort of the hockey stick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Prince Sports, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen J. Davis, Roberto Gazzara, Mauro Pinaffo, Michele Pozzobon, Mauro Pezzato
  • Catching machine
    Patent number: 7901305
    Abstract: A catching machine 5 that enables a pitcher to pitch a ball toward a predetermined target includes a ball collecting portion 20 for catching a ball pitched toward the target 11 and a ball returning portion 30 for returning the ball caught by the ball collecting portion 20 to the pitcher. The ball returning portion 30 includes a ball-return-distance setting device 32 for changeably setting a ball return distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Inventor: Kohachiro Maeda
  • Portable, carriage driven, moving target system for training in marksmanship and target identification
    Patent number: 7900927
    Abstract: A small arms training target system including a portable, battery powered, rail guided, motor driven carriage, with stationary and moving targets connected thereto. A target-rotate control device operatively connects an electric motor and rotational arm assembly to rotate and position the target into and out of a field of view. The position is selectable by a remote control, pre-selected program, or when a sensor attached to the target is struck by a sensor. Additionally an obscuring medium is attached to the rotational arm, with a target, having on it an image of a weapon mounted behind the obscuring medium. The position of the obscuring medium is selectable to be in front of the image of a weapon, making the target a no-threat, or not in front of the target, making it a threat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Inventor: James Bliehall
  • Ball bat exhibiting optimized performance via selective placement of interlaminar shear control zones
    Patent number: 7896763
    Abstract: A ball bat exhibits improved barrel performance in regions located away from the “sweet spot” of the bat barrel, as a result of strategic placement of interface shear control zones (“ISCZs”) in the barrel. The ball bat includes a barrel having a first region adjacent to the tapered section of the ball bat, a second region adjacent to the free end of the barrel, and a third region located between the first and second regions, that includes the sweet spot of the barrel. The first and second regions each include at least one interface shear control zone. The third region includes at least one fewer interface shear control zone than at least one of the first and second regions. ISCZs may also be strategically placed in the bat handle and/or the tapered section of the ball bat to improve the compliance and overall performance of the ball bat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Easton Sports, Inc.
    Inventors: William B. Giannetti, Dewey Chauvin, Hsing-Yen Chuang
  • Collapsible ball game basket and apparatus for playing a ball game
    Patent number: 7896350
    Abstract: A collapsible ball game basket comprising an entrance hoop and three or more legs, a device for holding the legs together at a predetermined position on each leg, a device for detachably connecting the upper end of each leg to said hoop and a device for locating the lower end of each leg on a ground sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Inventor: Jonathan Harries
  • Archery target and method of making the same
    Patent number: 7891668
    Abstract: An archery target configured to absorb an impact of an associated arrow. The target having a stand having a top side and a bottom side and the bottom side including a support structure for supporting the archery target on an associated surface. The top side including a target rest shaped to receive a portion of an outer perimeter of a cylindrical target portion in shaped engagement. The target portion having a front side and a back side which extend between the outer perimeter and define a target depth and including a central core extending between front and back sides of the target. The core defining a target axis coaxial with the outer perimeter and the target portion further including at least one general planar sheet having side edges defining a sheet width that is generally equal to the target depth and a sheet surface between the side edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Inventor: Joe G. Box
  • Facility for playing a ball game
    Patent number: 7887442
    Abstract: A facility for playing a ball game includes a playing surface, as well as a net which divides the playing surface into two halves. The halves are each at least partly formed by a water basin filled with water. The halves each include a vertical rear wall, which is in each case provided on the side of that half which is remote from the net.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Ketball International B.V.
    Inventor: Diederik Van Huystee
  • Bat for baseball or softball
    Patent number: 7883433
    Abstract: A bat for baseball or softball of the present invention includes a first tube having an impact part, a step part and a stopper part, a cylindrical second tube, a fixing component being inserted between the first tube and second tube, the step part having an exterior diameter larger than that of the impact part and smaller than an interior diameter of the second tube, the stopper part having an exterior diameter larger than that of the step part and large than the interior diameter of the second tube, the second tube is held of an exterior periphery of the impact part, one end of the second tube is fixed between the stopper part and the step part by an adhesive and the other end is fixed by an adhesive on the fixing component, and a crevice is formed between the first tube and the second tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Nippon Shaft Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Makoto Watari, Katsumi Shimohira, Shuichi Nagashima
  • Composite bat having a multiple tube structure
    Patent number: 7883434
    Abstract: A structure for a bat is described by using multiple composite tubes bonded to one another, wherein apertures, or “ports,” are molded between the tubes to improve the stiffness, strength, aerodynamics and comfort of the bat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Prince Sports, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen J. Davis, Roberto Gazzara, Mauro Pinaffo, Michele Pozzobon, Mauro Pezzato
  • Baseball bat
    Patent number: 7878930
    Abstract: Baseball bats described herein may have handle, throat and/or barrel portions that include non-circular cross-sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Inventor: Bruce R. Leinert
  • Baseball bat with multiple reinforcing beams
    Patent number: 7874946
    Abstract: A bat for limiting the maximum barrel response at high impact speeds while minimizing the dampening performance at low impact speeds includes a plurality of separate longitudinal beams extending from the end of the bat to the tapered portion of the bat. These beams, as well as the tapered portion and a handle, are constructed from a composite material, such as fiber reinforced plastic. An external sleeve is then provided around the barrel portion of the bat. The external sleeve is secured around the barrel of the bat using a snap-fit end cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Mattingly Hitting Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Chuck Smith