Abstract: A personal aid including a handheld housing sized to be readily carried by a user. The housing includes a storage compartment comprising an enclosure shaped and dimensioned for the selective placement of an article therein and a closure positioned adjacent the enclosure for selectively covering the enclosure so as to maintain an article therein. An electronic assistant is integrated with the housing. The electronic assistant is linked to a smart card holder in which a smart card is positioned to provide functionality to the electronic assistant.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic compass adapted for providing users with an audible indication of direction. The compass includes a housing assembly having a speaker for providing a user with information concerning the orientation of the housing assembly relative to the earth's magnetic field. The compass further includes a Hall Effect detector for determining the orientation of the housing assembly relative to the Earth's magnetic field and a translator for translating the orientation data relating to the position of the housing assembly relative to the earth's magnetic field into an auditory signal which is transmitted to the speaker assembly for translation into an audible signal providing a user with audible instructions regarding the orientation of the housing assembly.

Abstract: A golf club head having a force absorbing mass located behind the ball striking face and a force transmitting arcuate member connected between the mass and a rear surface of the club head. Impact forces are transmitted through the arcuate member into the force absorbing mass where they are dissipated.

Abstract: A method of making a truly balanced golf putter that is normally swung in a parabolic path during the execution of a putting stroke. The putter shaft is attached to a golf putter head. The exact center of gravity of the putter head is determined and the golf putter is dynamically swung in a parabolic path. The amount of rotation of the putter head is determined relative to a straight line along the parabolic path and the putter head and putter shaft are adjusted relative to each other by rotating the shaft with respect to the putter head until a perfect balance is achieved.

Abstract: A modular apparatus is provided for imparting movement and selected sound to an ornament. The apparatus includes an electronic and melody module, a mechanic transmission and power module, a base module, a power supply module, a visual module, and a melody tune integrated circuit (IC) module. The apparatus also includes a motor safety device which protects the motor from overheating and burning out when the movement of the apparatus is prohibited. The electronic and melody module includes a sound generator, a printed circuit board (PCB) assembly for controlling the output of the apparatus, and a slot receptacle for the melody tune IC card module. The mechanic transmission and power module includes a motor, a motor drive shaft, a transmission gear set connected to the motor drive shaft, and at least one axial action rod connected to the transmission gear set. The detachably connected modules provide versatility to the configuration of the apparatus.

Abstract: The vehicle safety system produces a supplemental warning signal when a braking system of an associated vehicle is actuated. The system includes a warning signal coupled to a wire loop and a flux generator adapted to be coupled to the braking system of the vehicle. When the braking system of the vehicle is actuated the flux generator draws current from the vehicle and the flux generator creates flux when the braking system is actuated to power the warning signal.

Abstract: A hosel-less shaft connection for a golf club including an airfoil shaped ledge located at the heel portion of the golf club head which is generally parallel to and below an upper surface of the club head and an upright airfoil shaped wall connecting the ledge and the upper surface. A shaft is connected to a shaft bore opening located on the airfoil shaped ledge whereby the shaft enters the club head at a point below the top surface of the club head.

Abstract: A method of forming a customized golf club head having a selected ground engaging soleplate is disclosed. A conventional club head body having a heel, toe, upper surface, rear surface and ball striking face is formed with a cavity in the bottom surface. One of a plurality of ground engaging soleplates is selected to be permanently or removably attached to the club head body. A manufacturer may pre-produce club heads with a cavity in the bottom and at a later time select a particular ground engaging soleplate depending upon customer demands. The invention also allows a golfer to select one of a wide variety of ground engaging soleplates in order to customize a golf club suitable for selected playing conditions.

Abstract: A golf ball is provided including a body having a cover with a generally spherical outer surface. A plurality of dimples are disposed on the cover. Each dimple includes a sidewall and a bottom wall. A plurality of scales project inwardly from the sidewall of each dimple.

Abstract: A head for a golf club includes a body shell, a face plate held on the body shell for striking the golf ball and an internal element mounted in the body shell for reinforcing the face plate. More specifically, the face plate is deflectable from a static position to a striking position as a result of stress produced when striking the golf ball. Further, a mechanism is provided for maintaining a gap between the reinforcing element and the face plate when the face plate is in a static position so as to provide a cushioning effect immediately upon striking the golf ball.

Abstract: A modular apparatus is provided for imparting movement and selected sound to an ornament. The apparatus includes a mechanical movement module and a melody/voice module. The mechanical movement module includes a drive motor, gear assembly and cooperating power transmission rod all operatively connected together and a sound generating element in the form of a piezoelectric buzzer. The melody/voice module includes an electronic controller for controlling the generation of sound. The apparatus also includes a battery compartment for receiving and engaging a battery, a circuit for operatively electrically connecting the battery, drive motor and electronic controller and a connector for selectively connecting/disconnecting the two modules.

Abstract: A golf club includes a flexible shaft, a grip at a proximal end of the shaft and a club head at a distal end of the shaft. The club head includes a body portion and a weight. The weight furnishes at least twenty to twenty-five percent (20-25%) of the total club head mass and is mounted to the body portion so as to allow limited relative movement therebetween. Specifically, the weight is mounted directly behind the golf ball striking face of the body portion of the club head. The weight is preferably formed from at least two wedge-shaped blocks that may be oriented to shift weight toward the toe or heel as desired. When striking a golf ball, the golf ball striking face of the club head is interdisposed between the weight and the golf ball so as to prevent direct contact between the weight and ball thereby reducing the potential for spin application to the ball.

Abstract: An electronic sound generating apparatus includes a housing having a closed end and a sidewall defining a cavity. The sidewall also includes a series of radially arrayed sound radiating ports. A circuit board with power source, a sound generating element electronically connected to the circuit board and a sound reflector are all received in the cavity. The sound reflector includes a substantially conical face axially aligned within the cavity and directed toward the sound generating element. This face serves to radially reflect the sound from the sound generating element through the series of sound radiating ports. A touch plate and normally open switch are also housed in the cavity with all the components maintained in position by means of a retaining ring. The switch may include a pair of spaced, relatively stationary contacts mounted to the sound reflector as well as a collapsible or compressible trigger member with a relatively displaceable contact.

Abstract: A golf club is provided including a club head having a toe portion, a heel portion including a shaft receiving bore, a face for striking a golf ball, a center of gravity and a sole. The shaft includes a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end is received in the shaft receiving bore of the heel portion of the club head. A grip is connected to the proximal end of the shaft. The connection of the shaft and club head is characterized by the shaft having a distal end or tip that is cut at an angle of between 5.degree. and 85.degree. and more preferably 30.degree. and 45.degree. relative to a longitudinal axis of the shaft. Similarly, the shaft receiving bore is blind and includes a bottom wall adjacent the sole of the club head. This bottom wall extends at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the bore matching the distal end or cut angle of the shaft.

Abstract: A head for a golf club includes a body shell, a face plate held on the body shell for striking the golf ball and an internal element mounted in the body shell for reinforcing the face plate. More specifically, the face plate is deflectable from a static position to a striking position as a result of stress produced when striking the golf ball. Further, a mechanism is provided for maintaining a gap between the reinforcing element and the face plate when the face plate is in a static position so as to provide a cushioning effect immediately upon striking the golf ball. .Iadd.The club head having a face plate mounting assembly in the form of a channel on the body shell, a cooperating lug on the face plate for receipt in the channel and a mounting flange on the body shell for capturing the lug within the channel..Iaddend.