Abstract: A game played on either an indoor/outdoor court. The game includes a bat, a game ball and two sets of balls which are of different colors. The bat has a substantially round drive head with which to bat balls. A game ball is hit up the court. Then one player hits their ball up the court and as close to the game ball as possible. The game continues until all the balls are hit. Then the person or team with the ball(s) closest to the game ball scores a point for each ball that rests closer to the game ball than the closest ball of the opposite side or team.

Abstract: A children's basketball backboard and hoop assembly includes a backboard, and a hoop having a rim which is pivotably attached to the backboard, and a net attached to the rim. The assembly further includes an enlarged secondary training rim pivotably attached to the backboard for movement between an operative position wherein the secondary rim is located above the hoop rim in substantially parallel relation to the hoop rim, and a storage position generally parallel to the backboard. The hoop rim is pivotably attached to the backboard for movement between an operative position wherein the rim extends substantially perpendicular to the backboard and a storage position wherein the rim is positioned in closely spaced parallel relation to the backboard. When the secondary training rim is moved to the storage position it is received within a recess extending along an upper peripheral edge of the backboard.

Abstract: An apparatus of a portable volleyball practice net positioned between two vertical supports above the height of a volleyball net, supported on a playing surface, to catch a propelled volleyball and drop the ball to a playing surface. The apparatus is an accessory for practice drills for improving the skills of passing, serving, setting, or attacking.

Abstract: The golf game system of the present invention includes at least two magnetic induction coil sensors to simulate the speed and the direction of a golf swing by a golfer. A magnetic strip adhesively attached to the end of the golf club locates the position of the golf club with respect to the sensors. An electronic circuitry panel translates the information provided by the magnetic induction coil sensors into information that is acceptable to the customized software package. The magnetic sensing system interfaces with standard software packages for a personal computer to allow a user to swing a real golf club and have the results entered and displayed by the software package. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the magnetic sensing system and electronic circuitry panel interfacing with the personal computer are integrated into a golf mat. The magnetic induction coil sensors may be flat induction coils built into the mat to minimize mat thickness.

Abstract: A mock battle game for children in which each player in the role of a shooter is provided with a toy water gun which projects when triggered, a beam of water in the direction in which the gun is aimed. Each player who acts as a target wears a T-shirt or a similar garment having an outer layer lined by an inner layer. The outer layer is formed of a normally opaque white fabric which when a portion thereof is made wet by the beam is then rendered translucent. The inner layer is formed by a red-colored fabric which when an overlying portion of the outer layer is rendered translucent then exhibits a blood-like effect to indicate a hit.

Abstract: An object is assembled by interconnecting a plurality of puzzle pieces. The object includes first and second puzzle pieces, each having a joint positioned along a first outer side edge and having a substantially U-shaped mortise comprising a bottom edge, and first and second inner side edges extending from the bottom edge. The bodies of the first and second puzzle pieces are transverse to each other when the joint of the first puzzle piece is interconnected with the joint of the second puzzle piece.

Abstract: A device for attaching a roller hockey net to a desired location. The device includes a body structure having a concave shoe member on one end and a concave shoe member on the other end which the quick ties are installed through and a plate member there between, the plate member having on its bottom surface male VELCRO thereon which engages with the female VELCRO which is attached to the roller surface. The body structure may be made of a metalic material, the VELCRO is of the industrial type and the quick ties are the plastic type.

Abstract: Improved perimeter weighted golf clubs are disclosed. The perimeter weighted golf clubs of the present invention are provided with improved structures for distributing the weight at the perimeter of the club head. In at least one embodiment, the club head has a region of reduced thickness outboard of the center of percussion. In this or other embodiments, the club head may also have a plurality of ribs disposed on the back face of the club head. The ribs may extend generally radially relative to the back face of the club head from their inner end to their outer end. The region of reduced thickness may comprise a curvilinear channel. In embodiments where there is a region of reduced thickness, at least a portion of at least some of the ribs may span the region of reduced thickness.

Abstract: A basketball device for improving a player's shooting accuracy and concentration. The device comprises a removable rim that is placed over a regulation rim to decrease the inside diameter of the regulation rim. The device can easily be installed and removed from the regulation rim. By using the device having a smaller inside diameter, the device may also be used to handicap a player or team with a higher skill level than another player or team to facilitate competition between the two players or teams.

Abstract: A martial arts game method includes the steps of selecting a predetermined playing field marked off in a predetermined manner and having a goal pole at each end thereof. Each goal pole has a removably attached kick scoring member attached in a predetermined position. A baton is selected along with a plurality of martial arts players to form two teams. One team is given possession of the selected baton for the players to move the baton down the selected field to the goal pole to kick the kick scoring member on the goal pole to one side over the defense of the other martial arts team using martial arts techniques to defend the goal pole at one end of the selected playing field.

Abstract: A backboard assembly for basketball including a backboard being provided with an elongate slot in the lower middle portion. The back surface of the backboard is provided with a pair of projected sockets which are spaced apart from each other and each of the sockets is adjacent to the end portion of the elongate slot. Each of the sockets is provided with a shaft hole which is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongate slot. The elongate slot is further provided with a pair of cutouts which are spaced apart from each other and each of the cutouts is adjacent to the end portion of the elongate slot. A rim hoop ring defines an opening thereof. The opening is provided with a pair of mounting legs directed outward. Each of the mounting legs is further provided with a pin shaft which is pivotally received within the shaft hole of the socket of the backboard.

Abstract: An athletic training apparatus includes a support frame with a plurality of detachable frame segments. The support frame is supported by removable anchor pins affixing side members of the support frame to set the position of the side members on a surface and supported by taut lines connected to an upper portion of the side members and connected to anchors. The athletic training apparatus is easy to assemble and transport has a sturdy frame that connects quickly and securely. The apparatus includes a suspended ball, such as a regulation soccer ball, which is easily adjusted in height to support desired training techniques. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a support frame having a plurality of detachable firm frame segments including a first side segment, a second side segment, and a top segment. The apparatus also includes a first anchor pin affixing the position of the first side segment on a surface and a second anchor pin affixing the position of the second side segment on the surface.

Abstract: A backstop or target particularly suited for use in athletic applications such as baseball or golf, and which includes a frame from which a flexible net is suspended at its corners and connected to a plurality of linear displacement sensors. As the net is displaced due to the impact of a projectile such as a ball, tension is applied to the cords which in turn move the axially-moveable components of each linear displacement sensor. In one embodiment, the linear displacement sensors utilize a light beam and photoelectric detector to plot the time intervals at which equally-spaced indices on the axially-moveable component pass a predetermined point. This data is used to determine position, velocity, or trajectory of the projectile relative to the initial plane of the net using direct geometric and trigonometric calculations.

Abstract: A training ball for use by a pitcher in practicing throwing a curve ball and a method for using the training ball as described. The training ball has a first ball having approximately the size, weight, and surface of a regulation baseball, for being held and thrown by the pitcher, and a counterweight connected to the first ball at a fixed distance and position, to provide a mass balancing the mass of the first ball at a balance point approximately at the surface of the sphere defined by the surface of the first ball. The first ball may be a modified regulation baseball. The counterweight may be a second ball approximately identical in size and weight to the first ball. The method for using a training ball includes gripping and throwing the first ball as a curve ball, whereby the training ball will fly with a 12-6 spin toward the pitcher's target if the training ball is properly thrown.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for training a basketball player to properly shoot a basketball. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes a series of sleeves that are attached to the player's shooting arm and guide arm. A connecting member maintains the player's arms in close proximity and a tension member biases the player's wrist in a cocked position using a disk that is placed over the shooting hand. A player may repeatedly perform a shooting motion while using the device so that the player's muscles memorize and grow accustomed to the proper shooting technique.

Abstract: A marksmanship and weapons training mannequin is disclosed which employs a lifesize mannequin torso in place of the traditional paper targets. The mannequin torso provides more realistic training and provides anatomically correct aiming references. The mannequin is made from an outer skin filled with a flexible interior foam. The outer skin is formed from a flexible material which returns to its original shape even after a projectile passes through it. This resilience allows the mannequin to absorb thousands of rounds and still remain useful as a training tool. Further, the three dimensional nature of the mannequin allows training in realistic circumstances and from angles not possible with paper or hard plastic targets.

Abstract: A mechanism for flexibly mounting a basketball goal to a backboard to permit the goal to retractably break away from the backboard if a force exceeding a threshold force is applied to the goal. The mechanism has at least one flexible mount disposed near the lower portion of the mounting plate of the goal which secures the lower portion of the mounting plate in flexible connection to the backboard. This flexible mount permits pivoting of the goal away from the backboard about a point near the lower portion of the mounting plate. The mechanism also has a biased mounting assembly disposed near the upper portion of the mounting plate and securing the upper portion of the mounting plate in biased abutment to the backboard. This biased mounting assembly is connected to the backboard in pivotal engagement to permit the upper portion of the mounting plate to separate from the backboard along a substantially arc-shaped path as the goal pivots about the point near the lower portion of the mounting plate.

Abstract: An arcade roping game and roping training apparatus having a mechanically movable steer that moves around a track on a game table. The game includes an automatic timer arrangement to measure the length of time from when the steer rounds a corner of the game table to when a player successfully ropes the steer and wraps the rope around a dally horn at the player's corner of the table. The dally horn has an electric switch which is triggered to stop the timer when the player's rope is wrapped around the dally horn. A dally horn is supported over the track at each corner of the game table by an arch structure. The arch structure prevents a player from roping the steer before the player's timer starts. The shape of the game table and the arch structures at each corner simulate a popular roping competition where a steer is turned 90 degrees just before its rear legs are roped.

Abstract: A signaling apparatus which can be readily attached to any hockey goal proximate the hockey net in a manner so as to positively indicate by means of the energization of a light siren when a playing piece passes through the goal opening and impacts the net. The apparatus is useable either with an ice hockey goal or alternatively, is useable with a goal of the character found in the game of street hockey, or in a smaller form for indoor use.

Abstract: Collapsible structures are disclosed having a central panel, a first support panel disengageably connected to the left side of the central panel, and a second support panel disengageably connected to the right side of the central panel. Each of the central panel and support panels includes a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, and a fabric material substantially covering the frame member.