Abstract: A racket having a handle, a frame attached to the handle, and strings with two perpendicular strings stretched in the frame, running back and forth in the frame. The system also includes: for each string, a piezoelectric sheath coating said string along most of its length, said sheath being divided along its length into at least three piezoelectric areas capable of each generating an independent voltage according to mechanical stress exerted on the strings; and an electronic circuit connected to the piezoelectric areas of the strings to identify a portion of the strings submitted to the highest mechanical stress according to the voltages generated by the piezoelectric areas of the strings.

Abstract: A motion analyzing apparatus includes a first calculation unit that calculates a position of a first line segment representing a direction in which a rod-like part of a sporting tool extends in a stationary state, a second calculation unit that calculates the position of the first line segment at hitting, and a third calculation unit that specifies a virtual plane formed by the first line segment in the stationary state and a second line segment representing a ball hitting direction, wherein a relation between the virtual plane and the first line segment at the hitting is compared.

Abstract: An oscillating target includes a base, a stand, and a pendulum. The base includes an electromagnetic coil and a power source. The stand is fixedly coupled to the base and the pendulum is rotatably supported by the stand. The pendulum includes a permanent magnet arranged opposite a target face. The permanent magnet is arranged on the pendulum at a position nearest to the base. The power source is configured to selectively operate the electromagnetic coil to generate a magnetic field to affect the permanent magnet to rotate the pendulum and thereby move the target face.

Abstract: A retractable basketball goal and methods of use are described. Embodiments of the retractable goal are configured to alternately retract into a garage for storage and to extend out of the garage through a garage door opening for use. Embodiments typically include an anchor assembly, a goal assembly including a backboard and rim, and a support boom linking the anchor assembly to the goal assembly. The anchor assembly typically anchors the retractable goal in a garage, where the anchor assembly resides just inside a garage door opening proximate a garage parking space. The retractable basketball goal typically includes a retracted configuration wherein the retractable goal resides entirely within a garage with the backboard disposed substantially horizontally, and an operational configuration, wherein the goal assembly resides outside the garage, with the backboard disposed vertically.

Abstract: A two-part hockey stick having a hockey stick blade and a hockey stick shaft joined together at a joint. The hockey stick has a blade with a neck, a heel, and a toe. The joint has a male joint portion on an end of the shaft, which has heel and opposed toe walls, each of which extend away from a distal surface of the shaft and terminate at a mating surface. The heel wall is disposed on a side of the joint adjacent to a heel of the blade, and is longer than the toe wall. The mating surface extends between the heel and toe walls. The joint also has a hollow female joint portion disposed in a neck of the blade. The male joint portion mates with the female joint portion, thereby joining the shaft to the blade and forming the hockey stick.

Abstract: An exemplary gaming system, in one implementation, provides active interaction between one or more players and the gaming system. Such an exemplary gaming system includes a receptacle with one or more holes to receive first gaming objects thrown at it. Chambers attached to a rigid member on the receptacle receive and store second gaming objects that are later released into one or more different spatial directions. An intermediate surface operably connected to a mechanical or an electrical triggering mechanism is included in the receptacle. When the first gaming object falls into the receptacle and hits the intermediate surface, the intermediate surface causes activation of the triggering mechanism to directly or indirectly propel the second gaming objects, through the chambers, into one or more different spatial directions. A hand or foot lever allows players to reset the triggering mechanism for the next game.

Abstract: A module structured for use with a toy is provided. The module includes a light emitting assembly. The light emitting assembly has a circuit board and a battery assembly. The battery assembly includes an attachment portion coupled to the circuit board and an end portion opposite the attachment portion. The module further includes a housing, the housing having a containing portion and a stabilizing portion extending from the containing portion at a junction. The stabilizing portion is structured to engage the toy and the containing portion is located on the light emitting assembly. The end portion is located between the junction and the circuit board.

Abstract: The crank-n-foam is a toy gun that is able to propel bubbles and a foamy water mixture from the barrel after rapidly cranking a handle on the reservoir shell, which builds foam and pressure within the reservoir, and then releasing the foam and bubbles by opening a manual switch on the barrel shell. The toy provides safe entertainment for the user.

Abstract: A device for bursting an amusement balloon, and that includes a housing having sides that define an open bottom leading into an internal chamber; tape or the like for securing the housing to an outer surface of the balloon in an orientation so that the open bottom of the housing is directed at the outer surface of the balloon; and an electro-mechanical member supported in the internal chamber of the housing. The electro-mechanical member includes a movable plunger having respective rest and extended positions. A puncture pin is carried by the plunger. The electro-mechanical member is activated so as to move the plunger from the rest position to the extended position thereof so as to move the puncture pin against the outer surface of the balloon to puncture the balloon. The activation can be either hard wired or wireless.

Abstract: A hand-held interactive entertainment device which winds and unwinds a lighter-than-air balloon on a tether by applying pressure to the device.

Abstract: A ball bat includes a handle portion having a generally uniform outer diameter with respect to a longitudinal axis, a barrel portion and an element coupled to the handle member. The barrel portion has a proximal and distal regions spaced apart by a central region. The element has a tapered proximal region and barrel engaging region. The element has a tubular wall defining a bore for receiving the handle member, and an outer wall extending over a portion of its length. The outer wall is spaced apart from the tubular wall by at least one rib. The barrel engaging region non-removably engages the proximal region of the barrel portion. The bat has a total length measured from a proximal end of the handle portion to a distal end of the barrel portion. The handle portion has a length that is less than 70 percent of the total length.

Abstract: The present invention provides a portable pitching mat having a first side with a first end and a second end, wherein the first side is substantially flat and has a weight attached proximal to the first end; a second side, wherein the second side engages an artificial turf substrate with a plurality of anchors; and a pitching rubber on the first side proximal to the first end. Also provided is a portable mat having a first side with a first end and a second end, wherein the first side is substantially flat; a second side, wherein the second side has a plurality of recessed regions; and a plurality of substrates, wherein each of the plurality of substrates comprises a first face that reversibly engages one of the plurality of recessed regions on the second side; and a second face that engages an artificial turf surface with a plurality of anchors.

Abstract: To provide a game device capable of sending air into a bag-shaped elastic sheet, even if distance is required between a blower or other air sending means and the elastic sheet. The present invention is a game device comprising a game device main body, an air flowpath that receives air sent by an air sending means, and an elastic sheet. The game device is characterized by the elastic sheet being formed in a bag shape that is expanded by air that is sent in from the air flowpath, and the elastic sheet being supported by the air flowpath formed using part of the frame of the game device main body.

Abstract: A ball net structure includes: a base; two tilted metallic pipes flanking the base and having front ends receiving two resilient rods, respectively, with the tilted metallic pipes longer than the resilient rods, allowing the resilient rods to bend and achieve optimal curvature and produce the evenest and largest tensile force; a net body stretched by and between the resilient rods to keep being flat and tight; a plastic sheet edge-binder disposed at each of four edges of the net body; clamping elements for clamping first and second edges of the net body; two net-clamping shells for clamping the clamping elements, the plastic sheet edge-binder, and the first and second edges of the net body; and at least two nails disposed on each of the net-clamping shells to fix the net-clamping shells in place, achieving uniform distribution of stress and extending the service life of the net body.