Abstract: In a multi-piece solid golf ball comprising a solid core, an inner cover layer and an outer cover layer, the solid core is molded from a rubber composition comprising a base rubber composed of (a) 20-100 wt % of a polybutadiene having a high cis-1,4 content, a minimal 1,2 vinyl content and a viscosity &eegr; of up to 600 mpa·s at 25° C. as a 5 wt % toluene solution, and satisfying a certain relationship between Mooney viscosity and polydispersity index in combination with (b) 0-80 wt % of another diene rubber, (c) an unsaturated carboxylic acid, (d) an organosulfur compound, (e) an inorganic filler, and (f) an organic peroxide; and the outer cover layer and the inner cover layer have a hardness difference of up to 5 Shore D hardness units. This combination of features gives the ball a good feel upon impact, durability and improved flight performance.

Abstract: A band saw shielding device is linked with an elevation guiding set of a band sawing machine comprising a wheel on which the band saw runs, and a stop portion. The shielding device comprises a main housing fastened with the elevation guiding set and having a front plate with a hollowed portion, a position confining portion disposed longitudinally and a band replacing slot, a receiving space formed in the center thereof for receiving the band saw; a movable cover having a slide plate disposed slidably at the position confining portion of the main housing, a stop edge connected with the slide plate and stopped by the stop portion of the band sawing machine. The shielding device cooperates with the elevation guiding set to surround the band saw, so as to prevent the band saw from being a safety hazard. The wheel is still received in the hollowed portion without interference when the main housing is raised.

Abstract: A golf putting training apparatus for a golfer to develop a pendulum stroke including a rigid, upright support and a shoulder engaging guide rotatably attached to the support. The shoulder guide is connected to a rotatable bearing positioned perpendicular to the ground, whereby the golfer's shoulders may only move in a vertical plane, ensuring that a pendulum stroke is achieved.

Abstract: A billiards ball rack includes a frame having a plurality of side walls forming an opening. A plate is attached to a top surface of the frame, and includes inwardly and downwardly directed inclined surfaces for engaging an outer periphery of a group of billiards balls to compact the billiards balls into a desired configuration. The inclined surfaces define a cut-out portion of the plate, typically a triangle or diamond. The rack includes lifting levers pivotally attached to two side walls of the triangular frame. When a handle segment of the lever is grasped and pulled upward, a lower foot segment pivots and extends below a base of the frame to lift the frame from the playing surface, leaving the compacted billiards balls in the desired configuration on the billiard table.

Abstract: The power swing training device of the invention is a tethered, truncated, training device attached by flexible elastic to a fixed anchor point, or to a pulley and weight system. A swivel attachment is attached to the distal end of the training device and a flexible yoke is attached to the swivel attachment, and an elastic cord is attached to the yoke at one end and to a fixed point at the other. In a second embodiment, a cord is hung on a pulley attached to an anchor and a weight is placed at the other end.

Abstract: In a golf ball comprising a solid core, a mantle, and a cover, the mantle is formed of a thermoplastic elastomer having a Shore D hardness of 30-52, the cover is formed of a thermoplastic resin loaded with a particulate inorganic filler, the solid core has a surface JIS C hardness 10-22 units greater than a center JIS C hardness, and the golf ball has an inertia moment of 82.5-85.5 kg·cm2. The ball is improved in durability and feel when hit with clubs of different types.

Abstract: Golf club heads and sets of golf club heads are provided with a thin front face for striking a golf ball and a peripheral weighting surrounding the back of the front face and defining a cavity. An insert is formed in the cavity behind at least a portion of the front face. The golf club heads may also include a weight member which is locked onto the club head by the insert.

Abstract: The card game of the present invention uses at least one or preferably one standard deck of 52 cards plus at least one or preferably four Jokers. Each Player, along with the Banker, is dealt seven cards, and plays against a Banker. In any given hand, Players have the option to make from one and up to eight different types of bets on the value of their own hand. A Player's wager wins if the Player's best five-card poker hand selected from the Player's seven dealt cards is one of the winning hands of the bet the Player makes, and the Player's wager loses if the Player's best five-card poker hand is neither one of the winning hands nor one of the pushing hand(s). If a Player makes more than one bet, the Player may win all bets made, the Player may win some bet(s) and lose the other(s), or the Player may lose all bets made. The eight types of bets do not require skill; Players win their wagers based on the strength of the hands as dealt.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for moving playing cards from a first group of cards into a second group of cards, wherein the second group of cards is randomly arranged or shuffled. The apparatus comprises a card receiver for receiving the first group of cards, a single stack of card-receiving compartments generally adjacent to the card receiver, the stack generally vertically movable, an elevator for moving the stack, a card-moving mechanism between the card receiver and the stack for moving cards one at a time into a selected one of the compartments, another card moving mechanism for moving cards from one of the compartments to a second card receiver and a microprocessor that controls the card-moving mechanisms and the elevator. A count of cards within specified areas of the card handling system is maintained and card handling is halted and all cards counted by adding a count of all cards not within the specified areas to the total of cards counted within the specified areas.

Abstract: A casino board game method comprised of providing a board, a plurality of playing chips, dice, playing pieces, HOTEL CARDS, CASINOS CARDS, and playing money. A roulette wheel is located within the center of the board with rectangular spaces extending around the periphery of the board for movement of the playing pieces of the players.

Abstract: This invention is for someone who wants to exercise, self-teach or teach the golf swing. The object is to make contact with the “sweet spot” portion center of the club head. Using this will tone the rhythm of his or her body to a consistent swing posture. The results will lead to straighter, longer drives. This unit can be used as a warm up prior to the golf course or driving range. What helps make this a reality is the ball will project a material that will leave a mark on the club head, indicating the area of impact. This will be wiped away before each swing. The user can adjust standing spot or hands or what they feel was the reason for not making contact in the sweet spot. Once you show a person how to hold the club, they can swing at this flowable ball and your lesson to them has begun. When they can become somewhat consistent at making contact, going to the driving range is there next step. After someone takes a lesson, they may want this invention to use at home to practice.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for training a trainee to achieve or maintain proper throwing technique by attaining proper form, position, and movement of the legs, hips, torso, and shoulders of the trainee and without the use of the throwing arm of the trainee. An apparatus in accordance with the present invention includes a harness to be worn about the torso of the trainee, wherein the harness is configured to releasably support thereon a training projectile which is configured to be launched from is supported position on the harness as a result of a training maneuver which does not involve the throwing arm of trainee. A method in accordance with the present invention includes providing a training projectile, releasably supporting the projectile proximate a throwing shoulder of the trainee, executing a training maneuver and launching the projectile as a result of the execution of the training maneuver.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process to increase adhesion between two adjacent layers. The process comprises roughening the surface of one layer followed by chlorination of the roughened surface and joining of the layers, or treating the surface of one layer with a silicone-based adhesion promoter and joining the layers. In one preferred embodiment the process comprises roughening the surface of one layer, followed by chlorination of the roughened surface, joining of the layers and post-treatment of the molded layers at an elevated temperature for a predetermined time.

Abstract: A portable stoopball playing device comprising a playing panel and a support panel connected to said playing panel. The playing panel and the support panel are moveable relative to each other between at least one open deployed position and a closed storage position. The playing panel includes a plurality of sheer surfaces and protrusions on its playing surface, which allow for random and unpredictable rebounding of a ball thrown at the playing panel. The playing panel further includes a vertical curvature and a horizontal curvature, which may be convex, thereby increasing the rebounding angle of the thrown ball, thereby increasing the number of players able to participate in a single game. The horizontal curvature alternatively may be concave, thereby permitting the player to control and direct the rebounding angle of the thrown ball. The playing panel also includes a weighting channel which may be filled with a ballast substance.

Abstract: A golf club having a club head with a striking plate having a thickness in the range of 0.010 to 0.250 inch is disclosed herein. The club head may be composed of three pieces, a face, a sole and a crown. Each of the pieces may be composed of a titanium material. The striking plate of the club head may have an aspect ratio less than 1.7. The striking plate may also have concentric regions of thickness with the thickness portion in the center. The club head may be composed of a titanium material, have a volume in the range of 175 cubic centimeters to 400 cubic centimeters, a weight in the range of 165 grams to 300 grams, and a striking plate surface area in the range of 4.00 square inches to 7.50 square inches. The golf club head may also have a coefficient of restitution greater than 0.8 under test conditions such as the USGA test conditions specified pursuant to Rule 4-1e, Appendix II, of the Rules of Golf for 1998-1999.

Abstract: A golf club (40) having a club head (42) with a face component (60) and an aft body (61) is disclosed herein. The face component (60) has a striking plate portion (72) and a return portion (74). The aft-body (61) is composed of a crown portion (62), a sole portion (64) and optionally a ribbon section (90). The face component (60) is composed of a metal material, and the aft-body (61) is composed of a non-metal material such as a composite material or a thermoplastic material. The striking plate portion (72) preferably has an aspect ratio less than 1.7. The striking plate portion (72) preferably has concentric regions of thickness with the thickness portion in the center (102). The club head (42) has a volume in the range of 290 cubic centimeters to 600 cubic centimeters, a weight in the range of 165 grams to 300 grams, and a striking plate portion (72) surface area in the range of 4.00 square inches to 7.50 square inches. The golf club head (42) has a coefficient of restitution greater than 0.

Abstract: A solid golf ball has a solid core and a cover formed of a resin composition comprising the reaction product of a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer with dicyclohexylmethane-4, 4″-diisocyanate. The ball is efficiently moldable and meets such requirements as a pleasant feel, ease of control, high resilience, and minimized scuffs by iron shots.

Abstract: A hoop for indicating when a basketball passes therethrough that includes a ring and first and second apparatuses. In a first embodiment, the first apparatus includes a momentary microswitch, a lever that closes the microswitch when contacted by the basketball, and a timer that activates when the momentary switch is closed. In a second embodiment, the first apparatus includes a light source and a photo electric cell that receives a beam of light from the light source. When the beam of light is broken by the basketball, the photo electric cell activates and activates the timer. The second apparatus includes an internal ring, a plurality of bulbs removably mounted in, and illuminating through, the internal ring when the timer is activated, a plurality of tube assemblies that depend from, and visually communicate with, the internal ring, a speaker, and an annunciator that audiblizes through the speaker when the timer is activated.

Abstract: An accuracy development device is disclosed, including a simulated projectile coupled to a feedback mechanism. The feedback mechanism provides feedback indicating whether a desired impact point on the simulated projectile has been hit by a free projectile propelled toward it. In one embodiment, the desired impact point may be a sensor that is coupled to the feedback mechanism. The simulated projectile may be fixed to a contact location on a base such that the simulated projectile may not be moved in a translational sense but so that it may be rotated about an axis that extends through the contact location and the simulated projectile and is substantially perpendicular to the base. The desired impact point may thus be moved to a variety of different positions with respect to the free projectile, allowing the invention to be used for accuracy development from setups having a wide variety of initial conditions.

Abstract: The invention provides a golf ball having a cover, intermediate layers and/or a core comprising in whole or in part of water resistant polyurethane elastomers. The polyurethane elastomers may be blended with conventional materials employed to form golf balls, covers and intermediate layers.