Abstract: A set of iron type golf club heads comprising a plurality of iron type golf club heads, the plurality of iron type golf club heads comprising a long iron, a mid iron, and a short iron; wherein each of the plurality of iron type golf club heads comprise a striking face, and wherein each of the plurality of iron type golf club heads comprise a plurality of grooves formed in the striking face extending generally from a heel side of the striking face towards a toe side of the striking face; wherein the plurality of grooves of each of the plurality of iron type golf club heads comprise a groove pitch measurement, wherein the groove pitch of the plurality of grooves of the long iron is greater than the groove pitch of the plurality of grooves of the short iron.

Abstract: A lacrosse stick head with a quickly adjustable pocket.

Abstract: The invention disclosed is a foldable basketball goal apparatus that is usable as a basketball goal for playing the game of basketball in the active position. When in the folded, home position, the apparatus is usable as a sports table or for other activities requiring a table. The apparatus is made of a base, a frame assembly, and a basketball goal assembly. The basketball goal assembly is rotatable and slidable with respect to the frame assembly. The frame assembly is pivotally attached to the base. In the home position, the frame assembly is lowered to rest on the base and the basketball goal assembly is rotated 180 degrees and retracted beneath the table surface. A frame assembly partial table surface forms a complete table surface when in the home position, mated with base table surface portions. The rim is protected within the base structural frame when in the home position.

Abstract: A sports training aid for attaching a free end of a shaft of an article of athletic equipment to a resistance source, including at least one coupling member having two opposite ends. The first end is coupled to the free end of the shaft of the athletic equipment and the second end is coupled to the resistance source.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a golf swing correction apparatus using the moment of inertia in which a shoulder turn is improved by the moment of inertia of a swing which is not scattered and concentrated on the shoulder by the correction apparatus of a weight made to restrict a motion of a preceding arm during a swing of golf, accuracy of the impact is improved by preventing the preceding arm from bending to the follow-through for making a constant swing arc, and the carrying distance is increased by a muscular strength properly developed from the weight training, thereby properly correct a swing motion of golf.

Abstract: A system for capturing and analyzing a trajectory of a tennis ball or other object associated with a play of a game of tennis and providing feedback is described. The system may be designed to capture and analyze a trajectory of a tennis ball during various activities related to the play of a game of tennis. The system may be configured to provide immediate feedback that may be utilized by a player to improve their performance as well as provide entertainment value above and beyond what is normally associated with the play of a game of tennis. Further, the system may be operable for use in an area where tennis is normally played during normal playing activities, such as player playing a game or practicing on an outdoor tennis court. The system may be operable to account for factors associated with its ambient environment, such as wind, temperature and humidity.

Abstract: A proprioceptive device for improving proprioceptive balance in a person is provided. The proprioceptive device includes an elastic band which is expandable for releasably engaging and fitting snugly around a shoe. The proprioceptive device also includes a pair of instability inducing proprioception features which are carried by the band. The proprioceptive features are spaced from one another in a longitudinal direction for inducing lateral and longitudinal instability while allowing the person to walk with a heel to toe gait.

Abstract: The invention relates to a training device, which can comprise a drive that can be configured for the locomotion of the training device and a control circuit that can comprise an interface configured for receiving a physiological parameter of a user of the training device. The control circuit can be configured to specify a speed of the drive based on the received physiological parameter.

Abstract: A dental appliance is disclosed designed to protect a wearer's dentitions against injury from impacts suffered in sports or other activities that can cause chipping, fracturing, dislodging or evulsion of teeth. The appliance may be custom-fittable with at least one pocket having an energy absorbing fluid. The energy absorbing fluid be nanosuspensions of small particles in viscous fluids that can undergo shear thickening when the dental appliance is struck by an object. The appliance dampens and diffuses horizontal and axial forces and directs them away from dentitions thereby reducing the risk for dental injuries.

Abstract: A safety component for a skating rink. The safety component comprises a body portion connectable to a transparent barrier located above dasher boards of the skating rink, wherein upon impact the body portion is capable of at least partially absorbing impact forces. The safety component further comprises a curved rink-facing surface that provides a substantially convex curved surface facing the skating rink. The curved rink-facing surface has a radius of curvature suitable for redirecting the impact forces away from the convex curved surface.

Abstract: The Applicants are proliferating a progressively modified process for playing blackjack. The use and display of standard or modified decks of cards, including the use of Joker cards is applied. This process engages an electronic gaming apparatus or “live action” table games, as accommodated for. Players initiate play via standardized Blackjack rules for “Primary & Secondary ‘Base’ play action(s).” As such, all customarily engaged wagers of variable risks are in play against the Dealer's hand. However, Players can now move into an Alternative Bypassing Strategy, and Secondary Decision-Propositions' process, where Proposition wagers are won or lost before the Dealer reveals their “Hole” card! Secondary Decision-Propositions' events, can be regularly rebooked as an alternate strategy for reaching a winning 20 or 21 outcome for the Player's hand.

Abstract: Card-handling devices include a card-holding area and a card output shoe. The card output shoe includes a card-way for passage of cards from the card-holding area into a dealing-ready area. A movable gate is positioned between the card-way and the dealing-ready area to prevent cards in the dealing-ready area from re-entering the card-way. Card shufflers include a gate mounted to allow movement of randomized groups of cards from card-receiving compartments to proximate a terminal end plate of a card output shoe and to block movement of cards in an opposite direction. In related methods of moving cards, card movement through the card-way to the dealing-ready position is allowed by a movable gate and card movement from the dealing-ready position into the card-way is prevented by the movable gate.

Abstract: Displayed on a screen are: a game field having a plurality of squares; and panels which are respectively associated with a plurality of players and each of which is provided with one or more connecting portions for forming a combined state with another panel. A panel is selected in accordance with an operation performed by each player. In accordance with the operation performed by each player, square selection selects, from the game field, a square on which the panel is to be placed. Panel placing places, on the square selected by the square selection, the panel selected by the panel selection. Combined state determination determines whether or not panels, associated with a same player, among a plurality of panels placed on the game field have formed a predetermined combined state via the connecting portions. Evaluation evaluates the predetermined combined state which the combined state determination has determined to have been formed.

Abstract: An action of a first object placed in a virtual world is controlled on the basis of body state data output from a portable display apparatus. An action of a second object placed in the virtual world is controlled on the basis of touch position data based on a touch position on a touch panel provided on a surface of a display screen of the portable display apparatus. Then, a first image including at least a part of the first object and at least a part of the second object is generated, and the first image is displayed on the portable display apparatus.

Abstract: A game device includes: a screen generation unit configured to read data for a character and an object located in a three-dimensional game field from a storage device, generate images of the character and the object, and display the images on a displace device; a character control unit configured to control the movement of the character landing on the object; a gravitational direction control unit configured to change the direction of gravitational force exerted on the character in accordance with a command input from a player acknowledged by an input device; and a fall control unit configured to cause the character to fall in the changed direction of the gravitational force. The gravitational direction control unit displays a marker indicating a position where the character would land after falling.

Abstract: Systems and methods for communicating information between user devices and physical objects which are separate from the user devices. The physical objects may store information related to one or more online games associated with the physical objects. The user devices may obtain the information stored by the physical objects via light communication. The user devices may use the obtained information in order to effectuate presentation of a virtual character and/or virtual object in an online game corresponding to the information.

Abstract: A game system including a plurality of mobile game apparatuses, and a mobile game apparatus that can communicate with another game apparatus that exists within a communicable range by use of a radio communications unit. When a communicated state is established, exchanging conditions for exchanging game data are received and transmitted, and in a case the exchange conditions are coincident with each other, the game data are exchanged.

Abstract: A gaming machine includes a control lever that is gripped by a player, a display configured to display an effect image, and a controller programmed to execute a predetermined process. The control lever includes a rotation axis, a reel handle configured to rotate the rotation axis, a rotation sensor configured to detect the number of rotation of the rotation axis, and a rotation resistance imparting unit configured to impart resistance to the rotation axis such that the torque increases in accordance with the rotational speed in one direction of the rotation axis. In accordance with the game status of the game, the controller causes the rotation sensor to detect the number of rotation of the rotation axis which is rotated as the reel handle of the control lever is rotated, and changes the content of the effect image displayed on the display in accordance with the detected number of rotation.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, determining first and second stimulus signals from first and second input functions of first and second gaming equipment devices used by first and second users to control a video game. A first contest between the first and second users is based on first and second game action results determined based on the first and second stimulus signals. A relative performance between the first and second users is determined from a comparison of first and second measures of the first and second stimulus signals. A second contest between the first user and the second user is based on the relative performance. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for delivering media from a server to a client device over a network is disclosed. An Virtual-Reality (VR) scene application running on the server generates a virtual VR 3D environment containing 3D models. The server checks the status of each 3D model in a predetermined order, and then, only those 3D models which are not pre-stored in the client device will all be rendered by the server into a left eye frame and a right eye frame of 2D video stream. The server then sends to the client device the frames and meta data of the 3D models which are pre-stored in the client device via the network. The client device uses a combined VR frame of these frames as a background for rendering the 3D models which are pre-stored in the client device so as to generate a mixed VR frame of video stream for output.

Abstract: In a computer-implemented method for executing plot instructions for electronic games to show complex plots, creating a plot object and a plot script in a current scenario based on plot data, by a processor, wherein the plot script comprises a plot instruction with a blockage parameter; reading the plot script to obtain the plot instruction by a processor; analyzing the plot instruction to obtain the plot parameter by a processor; determining a blockage type of the plot instruction, by a processor, according to the blockage parameter of the plot instruction; and the plot object executing the plot instruction, by a processor, according to the blockage type.

Abstract: A gaming system includes a central server linked to gaming zones each defined by a group of user stations. The server identifies exception sound signatures with respect to each of the plurality of zones, and disables local suppression of ambient sounds associated with the exception sound signatures. The stations each include a gaming terminal, and sound receiving and emitting devices. The stations sample ambient sounds and generate representative audio data. The stations collectively compile audio data representative of zone-specific ambient sounds, and individually emit sound waves effective to locally suppress ambient sounds for which local suppression is not disabled. The stations extract user station-specific sound signatures from a combination of the local audio data and the zone-specific audio data, and locally amplify sounds associated with the extracted user station-specific sound signatures.

Abstract: Systems and methods for creating a playable video game, or playable video game levels, from a model, typically a two-dimensional work of hand-drawn art. A set of software modules processes a digital image of the static model to translate its component elements into video game elements in a level file, which may then be played using a game driver.

Abstract: A method for detecting suspicious behavior in an online gaming application is provided. The method initiates with providing an online gaming application to a user. Current gaming activity and social network activity of the user is analyzed. Prior gaming activity and social network activity of the user is also analyzed. A suspicious activity is detected based on the analyzed current gaming activity and social network activity and the analyzed prior gaming activity and social network activity. A constraint of service order is generated which defines an action to be taken in response to the detected suspicious activity.

Abstract: A squeezable face-covering toy includes a toy figure having a face, left and right arms and a squeeze mechanism mounted inside the toy figure. The squeeze mechanism includes four curved panels connected end-to-end by four hinges, and left and right arm supports configured to support the left and right arms respectively. A spring is fastened between two opposite hinges whereby squeezing the squeeze mechanism moves the arms from an initial face-covering position to a face-revealing position.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing, a rotational motor situated within the housing, an eccentric load adapted to be rotated by the rotational motor, and a plurality of legs each having a leg base and a leg tip at a distal end relative to the leg base. The legs are coupled to the housing at the leg base and include at least one driving leg constructed from a flexible material and configured to cause the apparatus to move in a direction generally defined by an offset between the leg base and the leg tip as the rotational motor rotates the eccentric load.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transformer toy car that automatically transforms the shape to turn a card over to provide the information on the card, if the card is attached to the transformer toy car. The transformer toy car includes: a separable toy car body; and cards adapted to be attached to the underside of the toy car body, wherein if one of the cards is attached to the underside of the toy car body, a portion of the separable toy car body is separated, and a portion of the separated toy car body pressurizes a floor surface, thereby making the toy car body stand up or turn over and thus allowing the underside surface of the card attached to the underside of the toy car body to be exposed to the outside.

Abstract: Air cone flyers are aerial toys that consist of a cone for the upper surface and an annular ring or disc for their base. They have a unique three dimensional shape for their upper surface and this convexity gives the units a large amount of airfoil lift. The outer part of the thin flat rim extends radially outward past the cone's base and gives the air cone low drag and this leads to longer fights. The air cones when thrown with spin are designed to achieve straight flights by balancing out the rolls of the two component parts. The flyers can experience buoyant flights due to their light weight, their three-dimensionality, and their associated airfoil lift. The light weight, soft and compressible foam rim which has rotational inertia is easy to throw and catch and is ideal for both indoor and outdoor areas.

Abstract: A hoop containing lights (LEDs or EL wires) that vary output, based on, for example, movement of the user, through the use of electromechanical and electronic sensors and switches is disclosed. Different movements, circuits or programs cause the lights to respond differently to the same signals. The signals generated by the onboard sensors also are sent by radio signal to a receiver and through a computer and modulate volume, pitch, pan and tempo and also create distinct sounds and combinations of sounds. The coherent pattern of sounds and lights coming from the movements of the body creates a synergy of perception. The interactive synthesizer hoop is an instrument that allows one to paint pictures of feelings, and hear sounds associated with the whole range of human movement and can function as an audio-visual-kinesthetic mirror and communication tool.

Abstract: Apparatuses and systems for removing heavy hydrocarbons from a solvent stream are disclosed herein. The apparatuses extract heavy hydrocarbons into light hydrocarbons and provide a solvent stream having the heavy hydrocarbons removed. Two water washing steps are used to remove residual solvent from the heavy hydrocarbon solution in light hydrocarbons. In some embodiments, the second water wash is used for processing subsequent batches of the solvent stream. The heavy hydrocarbons and solvent can be recovered and processed further. Methods for removing heavy hydrocarbons from a solvent stream are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A method for controlling the flow of liquid in a high performance liquid chromatography apparatus. The method includes operating a pump, measuring the liquid pressure downstream of the pump, measuring the liquid flow rate downstream of the pump, and controlling the operation of the pump. In the method, it is automatically determined whether the pump is controlled to achieve a desired pressure or controlled to achieve a desired flow rate. Fuzzy logic can be applied in the method to determine the switch between the control modes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a chromatographic separation process for recovering a polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) product, from a feed mixture, which process comprises introducing the feed mixture to a simulated or actual moving bed chromatography apparatus having a plurality of linked chromatography columns containing, as eluent, an aqueous organic solvent, wherein the apparatus has a plurality of zones comprising at least a first zone and second zone, each zone having an extract stream and a raffinate stream from which liquid can be collected from said plurality of linked chromatography columns, and wherein (a) a raffinate stream containing the PUFA product together with more polar components is collected from a column in the first zone and introduced to a nonadjacent column in the second zone, and/or (b) an extract stream containing the PUFA product together with less polar components is collected from a column in the second zone and introduced to a nonadjacent column in the first zone, said PUFA prod

Abstract: This application discloses porous self-sealing media comprising a sintered mixture of an absorbent material and a thermoplastic. The self-sealing media block passage of organic solvents or organic solvents in aqueous mixtures, wherein the organic solvents are at concentrations greater than about 40%. The self-sealing media also block acidic solutions. The self-sealing media are useful in a variety of applications such as a pipette tip filter, in line filter, vent, non-mechanical check valve, safety valve, and suction canister.

Abstract: This invention relates to devices and methods for purifying biological cells. For example, viable tumor, stem, immune and sperm cells can be purified from a complex biological sample using a pipette tip column. Methods of the invention can aid research, diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a batch chromatography process the purification of (per)fluoropolyether (PFPE) carboxylates, in particular to a process for increasing the average functionality of PFPE carboxylates mixtures.

Abstract: A degassing module is adapted for degassing a liquidous fluid at relatively high throughput flow rates. The degassing module includes a tubular separation membrane that is helically wound within an interior chamber of a degassing module housing. The helically wound tubular separation membrane is disposed in an axial flow gap of predetermined proportions that maximizes fluid flow dynamics in reducing the gas transport resistance from the liquid phase across the membrane. Typically, the helically wound tubular separation membrane is positioned in the gap with radial spacings to surfaces bounding the gap, thereby forming axial flow channels circumaxially inwardly and/or outwardly of the wound tubular membrane.

Abstract: A composition comprising a mesoporous silica having grafted therewith an ionic liquid to form a mesoporous silica composition offers desirable levels of functionality, sorption, specific surface functionalization, and selectivity for polar gas/non-polar gas and olefin/paraffin separations. One particular embodiment employs silylated 3,3?-(2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)propane-1,3-diyl)bis(1-methyl-1H-imidazol-3-ium)bis-((trifluoromethyl-sulfonyl)amide as the ionic liquid. The mesoporous silica composition may be configured as, for example, a membrane.

Abstract: A filtering device includes a housing and one or more flexible filter arrays. The flexible filter arrays can be coupled to the housing. Each flexible filter array can include a plurality of members and one or more support members. The plurality of members each can have a proximal and a distal end, the plurality of members being spaced apart by a predetermined distance. The one or more support members can be coupled to one or more of the plurality of members. Each of the plurality of members can be configured to deflect relative to the one or more support members.

Abstract: A water filter assembly is provided including a body defining a body cavity, a spool slidably positioned in the body cavity between an extended position and a retracted position, and a locking mechanism. The body cavity is also configured to receive a filter cartridge, which once fully inserted is configured to hold the spool in the retracted position. Additionally, when spool is in the retracted position, a body inlet of the body is in flow communication with a body outlet of the body through the spool and through the filter cartridge. The locking mechanism is provided to hold the filter cartridge in the fully inserted position.

Abstract: Described are filter cartridges having an inlet opening and an outlet opening on the stem of the filter cartridges, which permit the permit the entry and exit, respectively, of a fluid in one or more radial directions perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the stem. These filter cartridges are suitable for use in filtration systems that allow users to install the filter cartridges by a straight line push motion and remove the filter cartridges by a straight line pull motion.

Abstract: The present invention describes a jet engine with at least one oil separator, through which an air-oil volume flow can be guided out of at least one area supplied with oil for separating the oil. In accordance with the invention the air-oil volume flow from the area supplied with oil can be introduced into the oil separator via an interior of an accessory gearbox casing. The air can be discharged from the oil separator via an air outlet and the oil via an oil outlet.

Abstract: A stacking modular filter arrangement may be employed as a final filter for the dust collector for woodshop or other environment in which dust in an air stream is separated out and the exhausted air is filtered in the final filter to return to the ambient. The filter arrangement employs at least first and second filter modules of similar section, and a number of clamp members to hold facing end plates of the filter modules and pull the end plates against one another with one or more gasket members compressed between them. This arrangement permits the available filter area of the final filter to be customized to the customer's needs.

Abstract: A filter recognition system for use with an air purifier is provided. The air filter assembly or filter clip includes identification pins/taps which are read by the air purifier to determine the filter type. The filter recognition system adjusts the motor parameter based on the filter type. Additionally, the filter recognition system adjusts the filter timer to automatically communicate to a user the recommended time to change the filter based on the identified filter type.

Abstract: A filter element for filtering a fluid flowing through the filter element. The filter element includes a pleat pack that extends about an axis and that has an internal volume. The pleat pack includes a filter media for filtering out particulate from the fluid. The filter media is pleated. The pleats extend out along planes that are transverse to the axis. An associated method of providing a filter element that filters a fluid flowing through the filter element is provided.

Abstract: A carbon dioxide adsorbent may include a complex oxide including barium and titanium, wherein the complex oxide has a perovskite crystalline structure and is represented by the general formula BaxTiyOz, and an atomic ratio of Ba/Ti ranges from about 0.95 to about 1.7. The carbon dioxide adsorbent may be included in a carbon dioxide capture module. The carbon dioxide adsorbent may also be used in a method of separating carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A particulate form carbon pyrolyzate adsorbent, having the following characteristics: (a) CO2 capacity greater than 105 cc/gram at one bar pressure and temperature of 273° Kelvin; (b) CO2 Working Capacity greater than 7.0 weight percent; (c) CO2 heats of adsorption and desorption each of which is in a range of from 10 to 50 kJ/mole; and (d) a CO2/N2 Henry's Law Separation Factor greater than 5. The carbon pyrolyzate material can be formed from a polyvinylidene chloride-based polymer or copolymer, or other suitable resin material, to provide an adsorbent that is useful for carbon dioxide capture applications, e.g., in treatment of flue gases from coal-fired power generation plants.

Abstract: A flue gas-treating method for treating acid tail gas by using an ammonia process, comprising the following steps of: 1) controlling the concentration of sulfur dioxide in an acid tail gas entering an absorber to be ?30,000 mg/Nm3; 2) spraying and cooling with a process water or/and an ammonium sulfate solution in the inlet duct of the absorber or inside the absorber; 3) providing an oxidation section in the absorber, wherein the oxidation section is provided with oxidation distributors for oxidizing the desulfurization absorption solution; 4) providing an absorption section in the absorber wherein the absorption section achieves desulfurization spray absorption by using absorption solution distributors via an absorption solution containing ammonia; the absorption solution containing ammonia is supplied by an ammonia storage tank; 5) providing a water washing layer above the absorption section in the absorber, wherein the water washing layer washes the absorption solution in the tail gas to reduce the slip of

Abstract: A reverse osmosis membrane separation device includes: a reverse osmosis membrane module; a flow rate detecting unit configured to detect a flow rate of permeate water to output a detected flow rate value corresponding to the flow rate; a pressure pump configured to be driven at a rotation speed corresponding to an input drive frequency and to feed supply water to the reverse osmosis membrane module; an inverter configured to output a drive frequency corresponding to an input current value signal to the pressure pump; and a control unit configured to calculate a drive frequency of the pressure pump by a velocity type digital PID algorithm, such that a detected flow rate value output from the flow rate detecting unit becomes a target flow rate value that is set in advance to output a current value signal corresponding to a calculation value of the drive frequency to the inverter.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for reducing the total dissolved solids of a solution, a feed solution is conveyed to at least one first chamber of a unit, and a draw solution is conveyed to at least one second chamber thereof. A semi-permeable member arrangement is disposed between the chambers. The draw solution has a greater molar concentration than does the feed solution. Solvent from the feed solution is drawn through the membrane arrangement into the draw solution, reducing the solute concentration of the draw solution and increasing the solid concentration of the feed solution. Paddles provide continuous sweeping of opposite external surfaces of the membranes to reduce solute depositions on the surface facing the feed solution chamber, and to remove liquid permeate molecules from that external surface of the membranes that faces a draw solution chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a recess plate for a membrane filter device, the filter device having a stack of essentially identical recess plates, the recess plates having recesses, and the recesses forming filter chambers between adjacent recess plates of the stack, into which filter chambers a suspension can be supplied on a cake side of the filter cloth, and the suspension can permeate the filter cloth to a filtrate side thereof, such that a solid content of the suspension deposits on the filter cloth as a filter cake, each filter chamber having a moveable membrane, the membrane and the recess plate enclosing a squeezing chamber, the recess plate having an inlet duct for inserting a pressurizing medium into the squeezing chamber, for mechanical pressing out the respective filter cake. The invention further relates to a method for detecting membrane leakage in such membrane filter device.