Abstract: A basketball practice system for providing a portable assembly positionable between the shooter and the basketball hoop for teaching proper arcing when shooting a basketball. The basketball practice system includes a base assembly, a support assembly, and a frame assembly having an opening positionable at a predetermined height between a shooter and a basketball hoop given a pre-determined shooting distance between the shooter and the basketball hoop.

Abstract: A practice golf ball and its associated method of manufacture is claimed. The practice golf ball includes a hollow inner shell made of inexpensive molded plastic. The inner shell is molded so that the outer surface of the inner shell contains a dimple pattern. A first coating covers the inner shell. The first coating is applied as a liquid, wherein the first coating conforms to the dimple pattern on the inner shell. The first coating has a degree of elasticity greater than that of the plastic inner shell. A second coating covers the first coating. The second coating is also applied as a liquid, wherein the second coating conforms to the dimple pattern of the inner shell and the intervening first coating. The second coating has a degree of tear resistance greater than that of the plastic inner shell.

Abstract: A method of playing a multi-level board game provides at least three playing levels with each playing level constituting a separate playing surface. The playing surfaces are divided into a plurality of rows, wherein each row has a plurality of alternating playing and non-playing squares. The adjacent rows have their playing and non-playing squares offset from one another forming a diagonal between the playing squares of adjacent rows. Each playing surface has an identical arrangement of playing and non-playing squares. Two sets of game pieces are provided and arranged at opposite ends of the playing surfaces so that each playing surface has an identical arrangement of game pieces. The game pieces have non-capturing and capturing movement provisions within a playing level restricting each game piece to moving diagonally from a playing square to another playing square within the playing level.

Abstract: The present invention provides ink for golf ball that can be used in printing a mark directly on a cover made from ionomer resin, without the need for a primer coat, while ensuring high durability. The printing ink comprises an acrylic resin and a coloring agent. A golf ball having a durable mark printed thereon and a method of printing a mark efficiently on a surface of a ball body by using the ink are also provided.

Abstract: A device for properly positioning and constraining the grip of a golfer on a golf club handle and, particularly, for preventing the thumb from rotating to the right or to the left during the golf stroke.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of playing a card game such as Blackjack provides a player with at least one additional option for playing the card game. For example, a Blackjack player who has made an initial bet and was dealt an unfavorable starting hand may be provided with at least one additional option, such as making a bust insurance bet or mortgaging a round of play. If the player makes a bust insurance bet, he will receive a payout if he then busts upon drawing an additional card. If the player selects a mortgaging option, he agrees to play the current round of play or at least one future round of play in accordance with a revised rule that is unfavorable for the player in exchange for receiving an advantage during the current round of play.

Abstract: An adjustable structure wherein the rim is mounted directly to a center bracket and a slide through or under the backboard. A support bracket having vertical and horizontal walls with apertures in each wall to receive fasteners to mount the adjustable structure to single or dual, horizontal or vertical support struts and systems.

Abstract: A hand-held amusement device comprising an aerial projectile and a U-shaped conduit having opposite open ends so that one open end can discharge the aerial projectile therefrom and the other open end can receive the aerial projectile therein. Proper manipulation of the U-shaped curved conduit in a clockwise/counterclockwise movement by a player will keep the aerial projectile in a continuous play mode.

Abstract: Novel set up racks and games for billiards. The racks set up object balls in arrays wherein the object balls are spaced apart from one another. The arrays are straight, circular, and cruciform. Games played employing the novel arrays may be generally conventional, but add novel steps. One step is that of avoiding touching object balls with the cue ball other than that object ball being projected into a table pocket. Another novel step is that of requiring that the cue ball not cross over a line of object balls. An alternative novel step requires that the cue ball touch opposite sides of the line of object balls on alternate shots. Novel steps employing the circular array include maintaining the cue ball selectively inside or outside the circular array, or alternatively requiring that the cue ball alternate between coming to rest inside and outside the circular array.

Abstract: An intelligent basketball game assembly has a main body including a driving mechanism provided with a first moving member for moving a goal support rightward and leftward, a second moving member for moving the goal support forward and rearward, and a rotating member for rotating an upper portion of the goal support; an auxiliary body provided with operation buttons including a start button and a difficulty mode setting button, a coin insertion, a premium discharge opening through which a premium is provided, a ball stopper, a pair of ball stop supports having vertical rails along which the ball stopper is moved upward or downward.

Abstract: A training device for facilitating an orientation of a performer's hands prior to a performing of a task and includes a pair of bracelets adapted to be worn on the left and right wrists of the performer. Each bracelet includes an annular band and a plurality of tubular rollers rotatable about an axis of the respective annular band to facilitate a movement of the bracelets over the performer's hands while moving onto and off from the performer's wrists. The two bracelets also include a tethering device coupling the bracelets to one another. The invention also relates to the method of performing a task which requires the hands of the performer to be oriented close together so that they can be used in concert followed shortly thereafter by moving one hand independently of the other.

Abstract: A portable basketball return apparatus adapted to be attached to a rim attached to a backboard by a bracket, comprising, a holding clamp for attachment of the apparatus to the bracket, a spine attached to said holding clamp, a return panel attached to said spine, said holding clamp comprising an upper plate and a lower plate adapted to fit over said bracket, a screw passing through said lower plate, pole means to lift the apparatus, from the ground onto the bracket and to rotate the screw to tighten the holding clamp onto the bracket.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a paper sheet cutting apparatus which cuts the front end portion opposite to the fold, where both the leading edge and trailing edge get together by center folding, and an image forming apparatus equipped with the paper sheet cutting apparatus. The sheet cutting apparatus includes a conveying device for conveying a booklet; a stopping device for stopping the booklet at a predetermined position; a cutting device for cutting the front end portion of the booklet; and a controlling section to control each of the conveying device, the stopping device and the cutting device. The controlling section controls the stopping device so as to variably determine a stopping position of the booklet stopped by the stopping device, based on a number of sheets included in the booklet conveyed to the cutting device by the conveying device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a golf putter that has an interchangeable striking face, while maintaining the same head, shaft and grip. The various striking faces are made of different materials such that the golfer can change the rebound characteristics and resulting distance the golf ball travels from the putter face, while maintaining the exact same golf swing, by selecting an appropriate striking face as dictated by the current conditions of the putting surface.

Abstract: A bat weight and protector which is a removable soft-sided weight and protector for the attachment to a baseball or softball bat for the purpose of warming up a batter in the on-deck circle, prior to entering the batter's box and facing the pitcher. The bat weight and protector is comprised of a soft weighted cylindrical portion made of rubber or other suitable material, a retainer ring and webbing straps, which at one end are equally spaced around a retainer ring and stitched thereto, and at the opposite end are looped around the cylindrical portion and stitched thereto. A knob end of a bat is passed through the cylindrical portion of the bat weight and protector and further through the retainer ring until the tapered portion of the bat prevents further travel. In this position, the cylindrical portion of the bat weight and protector is over and about a barrel of the bat. This position maximizes the batter's swing resistance during warm-ups and protects the striking surface of the bat.

Abstract: A golf club head, wherein the head comprises a front striking face, a back plate, a toe wall, a heel wall, and a sole plate, configured to form an interior cavity; a hosel and a bore for receiving a shaft; at least one chamber formed inside the interior cavity by a plurality of wall members and one of the front striking face, back plate, toe wall, heel wall, and sole plate; a weight member disposed within the chamber; and a filler material juxtaposed the weight member and the wall members forming the cavity such that the weight member is isolated from the wall members and is securely held within the chamber.

Abstract: A game having a bonus feature and a gaming apparatus for presenting the game are disclosed. One embodiment of the method comprises the steps of a player placing a wager, spinning a plurality of first reels having indicia thereon, determining if indicia displayed by the plurality of first reels associated with a first pay line comprises a predetermined winning combination, and if so, paying a first award and then associating that first award with at least one bonus game, permitting at one or more times the player to participate in the bonus event, and determining if the outcome of the bonus event is a winning outcome and if so, paying a bonus award. In one embodiment, the gaming device includes three first mechanical or video-generated reels for playing the first game, one second mechanical or video-generated reel for playing the bonus event, and associated mechanisms for accepting wagers, paying winnings, and associating win amounts from the first game with the at least one bonus reel.

Abstract: An improved golf putter is provided with an upper brace member portion extending above the grip of the putter. The upper brace member portion has a lower arm brace, an upper arm brace and an anchor that are all oriented to follow the underside of a golfer's forward arm from the wrists to the armpit to brace the golfer's arm in a triangulated position in order that the golfer may utilize a pendular stroke.

Abstract: A lace system for a lacrosse stick that restrains thongs from sliding, maintains desired thong tension, enables convenient adjustment of thong length (in the pocket) and thong tension, provides a pocket that enhances ball control, and allows players to cut excess thong lengths to minimize their flapping around during play. The lace system includes specially shaped, sized, and positioned thong holes in the stop member of a lacrosse head, and a lace lock attached to the lacrosse stick below the thong holes. The thong holes in the stop member are not lined up in a straight line, are non-circular in shape, and are slightly smaller than the size of the thongs. The lace lock includes channeling holes and/or channels that align and compress the thongs, ridges that grip the thongs, a compression strap that locks the thongs tightly against the ridges, and a means for attaching the lace lock to the lacrosse stick.

Abstract: A shape cutting apparatus for stamping a variety of shapes from thin sheet material. The shape cutting apparatus includes a body member having a cavity with a plurality of die bores, a plurality of die plugs designed to be inserted into the die bores, and a plunger cap designed for depressing the die plugs through a sheet member for producing shaped cutouts.