Abstract: A ball bat includes one or more low-durability regions fortified by one or more reinforcing elements, such as a structural patch. If the reinforcing element is altered or removed, the durability of the ball bat is significantly reduced. For example, if the ball bat is subjected to internal shaving or external rolling in an attempt to increase the bat's performance, the reinforcing element would be removed or damaged such that the durability of the bat is reduced to the point that the ball bat's performance remains below a specified limit.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a hockey goalie stick having a gripping aid that protrudes above the first major surface only in a handgrip area of the paddle. The hockey goalie stick includes a blade, a shaft having a width and a thickness, a paddle that extends between the blade and the shaft. The paddle has a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface with a maximum thickness equal to approximately the thickness of the shaft. The paddle includes a handgrip area having shoulders in which a width of the first major surface and the second major surface transitions to the width of the shaft. The gripping aid protrudes above the first major surface only in the handgrip area of the paddle.

Abstract: A device is provided with an obtaining unit, a specifying unit, and a determination unit. The obtaining unit obtains measurement data in which the golfer has performed a test-hit of at least one number of a golf club for each type of golf club from among the multiple types of golf clubs. The specifying unit specifies a relationship of correspondence between a loft angle and a flight-distance for each type of golf club based on the measurement data. The determination unit determines, based on the relationship of correspondence, a type of golf club having a large flight-distance with respect to a loft angle as a best-match type, which is a type of golf club best matched to the golfer.

Abstract: A goal apparatus for soccer (football) and the like has a frame, a first pliable goalpost member, a second pliable goalpost member and a pliable crossbar member. The frame presents net connection points and is configured to support each of the pliable goal members in tension between two net connection points such that the goal apparatus presents a substantially rectangular goal mouth.

Abstract: An illumination management device intended for an artificial climbing wall having at least one emission loop arranged so as to be fixed to the rear of the wall and able to emit an electromagnetic field through the wall, at least one luminous grip arranged so as to be fixed to the front of the wall and being able to receive an electronic card includes at least one light source and a reception loop able to receive said electromagnetic field emitted by the associated emission loop so as to convert it into electric current in order to power the light source, and a control housing for the light source being arranged so as to be connected to an electrical network so as to power the emission loop with electric current and able to send commands to manage the illumination of the light source.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a gymnastic accessory including a twisting ring with an external ring and an internal ring, wherein the two rings are concentrically connected and rotatable in relation to each other about a common axis, wherein the external ring typically includes two connecting devices that are arranged symmetrically at the outer periphery and adapted for joining with an unyielding or elastic rope. The second ring include connecting means at the periphery, the connecting means adapted for mounting of connecting elements for a twisting belt. The invention further concerns a method for reconfiguring such a gymnastic accessory.

Abstract: An improved ski binding heel unit comprising a lateral heel release mechanism to release the heel of a ski boot from a ski is disclosed. The ski binding heel unit typically includes an independent vertical heel release mechanism, an independent lateral heel release mechanism, and a longitudinal pressure compensator. The improved ski binding heel unit allows a reduction in the height of the heel pad. This reduction in heel pad height is generally achieved by eccentrically positioning two or more of the springs within the heel unit while superpositioning the resultant centroid of the forces of friction between the lower housing and mating heel track structures that house at least one of the eccentrically positioned springs to foster smooth longitudinal displacement of the lower heel housing when the ski flexes and counterflexes.

Abstract: A ski hold-down clamp is comprised of a clamp head assembly, a clamping device, a cable and the actuation pedal. A pair of counterpoised clamp plates retains the orientation of an engaged ski by actively engaging the ski side walls. The clamp head assembly is comprised of clamp plates, a clamp ski support, a plurality of spring assemblies, a cable, and a vertical support bolt. The clamp head assembly is connected to the clamping device by the vertical support bolt. The ski clamp support is transversely bisected by a pair of through-bolts are a fulcrum for the movement of the clamp plates. The cable passes through the clamp plates and is retained by cable retainer. When the foot pedal is actuated, the cable is retracted. This movement causes a force to be applied to clamp plate, creating a compression of the clamp plate against a spring assembly.

Abstract: A system for displaying information on a basketball court, boxing ring or other athletic surface. The system includes: a plurality of light arrays configured to be embedded in a top layer of the athletic surface and oriented to emit light upwards through the athletic surface; and a control system for selectively controlling activation of the light arrays to display advertising and other information in the athletic surface.

Abstract: A system for pre-fabricating a plurality of synthetic turf strips at an indoor facility. The indoor facility is separate from an installation facility for assembling the plurality of strips into a synthetic field. The system includes a plurality of strips for creating the synthetic field and equipment at the indoor facility for prefabricating the plurality of strips. The indoor facility is capable of storing the equipment performing the prefabrication. A floor at the indoor facility is provided, the floor including dimensions that correspond to locations on a field at the installation facility. The dimensions correspond to markings on an underside of each of the plurality of strips.

Abstract: A casino gaming table having interchangeable layouts includes a table base and a planar tabletop supported on the base. The tabletop has an upper surface and a peripheral edge, at least a portion of which is arcuately shaped. An arcuately shaped rail is mounted to the tabletop adjacent the arcuately shaped peripheral edge but is spaced from the upper surface of the table. A plurality of game layout pads are provided with arcuate peripheral edges. The pads are adapted to rest on the tabletop with their arcuate peripheral edges fitting under the rail in the space between the rail and the table surface. The game layout pads are rigid enough to substantially maintain their planar shape when being moved into and out of position but can be flexed in order to insert their arcuate peripheral edges into the space between said lower surface of the rail and the upper surface of the tabletop.

Abstract: Pinball machines with modular components. In some cases, a method may include providing a cabinet having a first lateral portion and a second lateral portion; and assembling a pinball machine, at least in part, by sliding a physical object into or onto: (a) a support element of the first lateral portion, and (b) a support element of the second lateral portion. A pinball machine may include a cabinet having a first lateral portion and a second lateral portion, and a user-replaceable module coupled to an outside surface of the first or second lateral portions, where the user-replaceable module includes one or more controls or terminals configured to communicate with the machine via an interface. Moreover, the pinball machine may also include a user-replaceable magnetic decal coupled to a metallic outside surface of the first or second lateral portions.

Abstract: A system and method for temporarily altering the determination of gameplay metric values in a game space, and distributing awards based on the relative change in gameplay metric values during the temporary time.

Abstract: Player predictions may be received from one or more player devices. The player predictions may relate to an epoch of a contemporaneously-occurring, real-time gaming event, and may be received within a first time period. After receiving the player predictions, one or more referee reports may be received from referee devices. The referee reports may include assessed outcomes of the epoch of the contemporaneously-occurring, real-time gaming event, and may be received within a second time period. Based on the player predictions and the referee reports, player accuracies of the player predictions and player rankings of the player devices may be determined. Representations of the player accuracies and the player rankings may be transmitted to the player devices.

Abstract: A server for providing a tactic hot key service includes: a communicator connected to a plurality of terminals in a wired or wireless manner, receiving manipulation of each terminal, and transmitting data that are appropriate for the terminal; a controller for controlling respective constituent elements, simultaneously being an input/output path of the data, and outputting data to the communicator so that data may be displayed to the terminals based on the data that are input through the communicator; and a storage unit for storing a unique identity code for identifying the terminal, a hot key for tactics used for a soccer game, and tactics data matching the hot key.

Abstract: A unique combination of amusement park attraction ride vehicles with gesture-based game controllers to create a new form of interactive amusement ride, where on-board game displays, cameras and gesture recognition software for each of a plurality of riders, capture rider gestures and convert those gestures into signals that are inputs to, and affect, the interactive experience or game elements of the attraction.

Abstract: An interactive treasure hunt game is provided. Game participants receive a card, map and/or identification badge configured with an RFID tag, bar-code or a magnetic “swipe” strip or the like. The RFID tag or other identifying device is used to store certain information identifying each play participant and/or describing certain powers or abilities possessed by an imaginary character that the card may represent. Players advance in the game by finding clues and solving various puzzles presented by the game. Players may also gain (or lose) certain attributes, such as magic skills, magic strength, fighting ability, various spell-casting abilities, etc. All of this information is preferably stored on the RFID tag or card so that the character attributes may be easily and conveniently transported to other similarly-equipped play facilities, computer games, video games, home game consoles, hand-held game units, and the like.

Abstract: A game apparatus includes a CPU, and the CPU executes game processing of a golf game, and displays a guide path of a circle a part of which is erased in a hitting operation. When the player performs a sliding operation in a clockwise direction so as to trace the guide path, and then inverts the sliding operation in a counterclockwise direction, the player character performs a swing motion according thereto. As to each of backswing, downswing and follow-through, precision, a speed, smoothness of the sliding operation are determined, and in accordance with the results, the movement of a ball is controlled.

Abstract: A gaming system is provided with a monitor for displaying and outputting a gaming screen, a touch panel superposed upon the monitor, and an external storage device for storing sequence data in which an operational period of the touch panel has been described. In addition, the gaming system displays upon the monitor a gaming area whereupon two reference units disposed apart from each other and a specific reference unit disposed in the vicinity of the reference units are set. Also, an object for instructing operations for each of the reference units is displayed while being caused to move within the gaming area, and in the case of a mis-operation of a specific object heading toward the specific reference unit, the specific object is destroyed, and the path which had been set as the object appearance area is used as the path of movement for the next object.

Abstract: A computer system creates, stores, transmits, modifies, and enables users to exchange units of social currency, referred to as “social currency events” (SCEs). Each SCE represents social approval and/or disapproval of a behavior of one or more users by the same user or one or more other users. The users who send and receive an SCE may each assign their own distinct values to it. The computer system may generate various metrics based on one or more SCEs. For example, the computer system may generate a single SCE score for a user based on variables such as the number and value of SCEs the user has sent and received. SCEs may be used to recognize positive and/or negative social behaviors by users of the system, to encourage such users to engage in additional positive social behaviors, and to discourage such users from engaging in additional negative social behaviors.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products bookmark gaming applications. When a player wishes to pause a gaming application, a bookmark may be created. The bookmark identifies a location in the gaming application at which play is paused. Play may then be resumed from the bookmark, whether at a same device or at a different device.

Abstract: An object control device includes an action control unit configured to control an action of a first object, an action of a second object, and an action of an item, in a virtual space. The object control device also includes an item/object storing unit configured to store first object identification information and item identification information in association with each other, when the action control unit controls the first object to possess the item. The object control device also includes a collision determining unit configured to determine whether the item and the second object have collided. When the collision determining unit determines that the item and the second object have collided, the action control unit acquires the first object identification information stored in association with the item identification information and controls the second object to perform a first action based on the first object identification information.

Abstract: A gaming environment may be established, by executing a game engine module to provide an interactive game instance, and instantiating a state machine instance using one or both of a state machine client module or a state machine server module. In an example, during execution of the game engine module, scripting commands within a state machine definition may be parsed and executed to obtain information indicative of one or more of a state of an in-game object or a state transition of an in-game object. An in-game object may be controlled within the game instance via the state machine using at least a portion of the information obtained from parsing and executing the scripting commands. Use of the state machine definitions in conjunction with the scripting commands may enable representation of complex scenarios for virtual objects and events in the gaming environment in a simplified format.

Abstract: A system for detecting inappropriate content in a virtual world environment has, and a corresponding method utilizes, a rating unit for rating each of one or more virtual objects based upon its content. The system has, and the method utilizes, a tagging unit for tagging each of the one or more virtual objects with its respective rating, an object tagging database for storing ratings of the one or more virtual objects, and a policy database for storing policies associated with the ratings and the regions. Further the system has, and the method utilizes, an object monitor for monitoring the movement of each of the one or more virtual objects, a security scanner for scanning each of the one or more virtual objects to determine the rating of each of the one or more virtual objects, and an enforcement module to enforce the policies of the policy database based upon the rating and the respective region.

Abstract: Techniques for fantasy sport score reporting include progressively updating an estimated score for a team of fantasy players. A fantasy football team includes athletes that play for professional football teams. Performance of the athletes in their real life games earns each athlete points, which aid the fantasy teams with which they are associated. In a game between the two fantasy teams, an initial estimated score is provided, based on information about the athletes' past performances. As real life games are played by the athletes, how well certain athletes performed, and therefore portions of the estimated score, become known. As the information becomes known, the estimated score is refined. Thus, as real life games progress, estimated fantasy point information becomes a progressively better estimate of the actual/eventual fantasy game score. Ultimately, the estimated score is completely replaced with an actual score.

Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for obtaining game asset value is provided. One or more requests to add one or more first game assets to a game user interface of a player is received from a client device of the player. The first game assets are provided in response to the first requests. A second request to obtain a value associated with the second game asset on the game user interface is received, where the second game asset is different than the first game assets. It is determined whether a predetermined amount of time has elapsed, where the predetermined amount of time is based on a number of the first game assets. The value associated with the second game asset is provided to a game account of the player if the predetermined amount of time has elapsed.

Abstract: A water or other amusement attraction that includes an inflatable portion or material. A cavity of the attraction is located underneath an upper surface, the upper surface configured to support a flow of water and at least one rider thereon. A volume of water is configured to be disposed within the cavity, the upper surface floating upon the volume of water while connected to at least one side wall, floor, and/or nozzle structure. A pump and nozzle assembly, positioned outside of the cavity, communicates with the water within the cavity for flowing a portion of the water over the upper surface. A drainage portion, adjacent to the upper surface, drains the flowing water back into the cavity for recirculation. Support components, such as a plurality of beams or an inflatable grid structure help maintain stability for the attraction.

Abstract: A motion base, comprising a pivot structure having a pivot point near the center of gravity of the pivot structure; a platform support by the pivot structure, the platform having a generally horizontal position and a generally vertical position; and, a drive for rotating of the pivot structure at the pivot point to move the platform from the generally horizontal position to the generally vertical position.

Abstract: The playing figure of the invention, consists in a body of small dimensions which is the likeness of a puppet, an object or any other geometrical form as well as support means for lying on the ground or on a surface, permitting the stable arrangement of the figure in predetermined positions, particularly in an upright position and in predetermined tumbled positions.

Abstract: In one embodiment there is provided a mechanical device capable of mimicking a serpentine motion. The mechanical device includes a plurality of segmented portions interconnected consecutively at pivoted junctions. A rotational motor and an eccentric weight are secured about one segmented portion and at least one pair of legs extends from a segmented portion towards a contact surface and causes the segmented portion to move in a direction defined as the rotational motor rotates the eccentric weight. The additional segmented portions following the segmented leg portion follow in a serpentine motion as these portions rock and pivot to counter-balance the undulation caused by the segmented leg portion.

Abstract: A visual movement display system including a first annular member; a first coupling element coupled to the first annular member, the first coupling element rotatably coupling the first annular member to a support element, the first coupling element defining a first rotation axis about which the first annular member rotates; a second annular member disposed within the first annular member; a second coupling element coupled to the second annular member, the second coupling element rotatably coupling the second annular member to the first annular member, the second coupling element defining a second rotation axis about which the second annular member rotates; whereby the second rotation axis can be offset in relation to the first rotation axis by a first angle; and a first weight element coupled to the second annular member, whereby the first weight element can be offset in relation to the second rotation axis by a second angle.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of making polymeric swords and sparring instruments having improved mechanical properties. In one embodiment, a method of making a polyurethane sword includes centering a flexible support member on either a first half of a sword mold or on a second half of the sword mold; spraying a base coat paint on either the first half of the sword mold or on the second half of the sword mold; pouring a machine perfused polyurethane mixture into the first half the sword mold and into the second half of the sword mold and closing the sword mold by clasping the first half of the sword mold to the second half of the sword mold; heating the sword mold comprising the machine perfused polyurethane mixture in a heating apparatus; and removing the polyurethane sword from the sword mold.

Abstract: A system for transferring heat from an ethanol and water vapor stream is disclosed as having a first heat exchanger, a valve system coupled to first heat exchanger and a first tank, a second tank coupled to the valve system, a second heat exchanger coupled to first tank and second tank, and a pipe line connecting the second tank to the first heat exchanger. A method for transferring heat is provided and involves intermittently cooling a first media, transferring heat from the first media to a second media, and directing the second media to a valve system. The valve system directs a flow of the second media to the first tank when a temperature of second media is above a temperature set point and directs the flow of the second media to the second tank when the temperature of second media is below the temperature set point.

Abstract: A liquid flow distributor for positioning above one or more packing sections in a packed exchange tower includes a plurality of troughs. At least one trough in the plurality of troughs has along a side thereto a deflecting member The deflecting member is angulated to generally follow a shape of the at least one trough. A diffuser side of the deflecting member is positioned to deposit the liquid into a discharge region. A plurality of break bars are disposed on the diffuser side of the deflecting member. A deflector side of the deflecting member is positioned for deflecting ascending vapor away from the discharge region.

Abstract: A bubble removal method removes a bubble from liquid whose viscosity is reduced when shear occurs. A vessel whose volumetric capacity is variable is used. The interior of the vessel is depressurized and pressurized by increasing and decreasing the volumetric capacity of the vessel from a plurality of locations. As a result, the volume of the bubble is increased and decreased and the bubble is caused to move and be removed.

Abstract: A liquid filter construction comprising a filter housing is disclosed. The filter housing contains a filter element for filtration of liquids using a urea aqueous solution. A compressible element is positioned within the filter housing, the compressible element comprising an enclosure containing a gas-filled volume. This compressible element compresses in response to the generation of pressure from freezing of liquid within the filtration housing. The compression of the compressible element thereby avoids damage to the filter element, the filter housing, and adjacent equipment.

Abstract: A filtration apparatus for removing solids and particulates from a liquid stream flowing through a filter media. A magnet is located adjacent to the filter media and the liquid steam to attract metal particles in the liquid stream to the filter media. The magnet may be a rare earth magnet. A variable speed drive motor is coupled to a carrier supporting the filter media to advance the filter media through the liquid stream.

Abstract: An apparatus having a threaded bottom assembly for interfacing to connect the bottom assembly to a second structure with threads, having a bi-stable element that, when sufficient force is applied via the process of threading the bottom assembly to the second structure, and at an appropriate torque value, passes from its first minima state, through its maxima state, and to its second minima state, creating a tactile or audible indication that the apparatus has been properly installed.

Abstract: A method of detecting clogging of a fluid filter is disclosed. The method includes measuring, at successive sampling instants, the pressure difference ?P from upstream to downstream across the filter, calculating the first time derivative {?P}? of the pressure difference ?P at different instants, and sending a clogging signal Sc representative of the filter being clogged when the first derivative {?P}? is equal to zero.

Abstract: The oil mist separator includes a cylinder head cover made of a resin and having a form in which the bottom face is opened; and a baffle plate made of a resin and arranged so as to block the bottom face of the cylinder head cover. An introduction port which introduces the blow-by-gas, a circumferential wall extending upward from the circumference of the introduction port, and an oil inflow preventive board arranged on the lower side of the introduction port are formed in the baffle plate. The circumferential wall is welded, at its upper end part, with the cylinder head cover. Also, a nozzle hole through which the blow-by gas flows is formed in the circumferential wall. A separating member which separates the oil component from the blow-by gas having passed through the nozzle hole is provided on the downstream side of the nozzle hole.

Abstract: Disclosed is an air filter element (200) for insertion into an air filter housing, comprising an intake surface (275), a discharge surface (285), a filter medium (210), and a filter element-retaining device (240) which extends along at least a section of the periphery of the filter medium (210), between the intake surface (275) and the discharge surface (285), and which includes a retaining arrangement (270) that radially projects from the filter medium (210).

Abstract: A filter element has a filter medium with a first end and a second end in an axial direction of the filter medium. A first end disk is connected to the first end and has an outflow opening. A second end disk is connected to the second end and has an engaging section, wherein the engaging section engages a counter engaging section of a filter housing of the filter element such that the filter element is received, secured against rotation, in the filter housing. The second end disk is provided with an aperture.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring reduced fluid flow through a filter. A filter, more particularly a fluid flow filter or an air filter when contaminated can suffer from a reduced fluid flow, which will often deform to match the fluid flow or more particularly in the case of an air filter—the air flow.

Abstract: A honeycomb structure including a honeycomb structure body that includes porous partition walls defining a plurality of cells each to function as a through channel for fluid extending from a first end face to a second end face, in which, in a cross-section perpendicular a direction in which cells of the honeycomb structure body extend, portions at which the partition walls intersect to each other are intersecting portions, and in sets of the intersecting portions corresponding to 10% or more of the total number of sets of two adjacent intersecting portions, a ratio of a thickness X2 of the partition wall in the intersecting portion to a maximum thickness X1 of the partition wall between the two adjacent intersecting portions is 0.1 to 0.8.

Abstract: A filter assembly for a vehicle can be configured to be in fluid communication with a source of compressed natural gas and coolant for an engine. The filter assembly, when so arranged, filters the compressed natural gas and routes the coolant there through to warm the filter assembly.

Abstract: An oil mist filter is fixed on an air intake of an oil mist collector and contains: a top cover, a bottom cover, and a conical filtering assembly. The top cover includes a collection portion formed on a central position thereof and a plurality of guiding portions radially extending outward from the collection portion. The bottom cover is hollow and includes a through orifice defined on a central position thereof, and an outer diameter of the bottom cover is greater than the top cover. The filtering assembly is disposed between the top cover and the bottom cover. Thereby, oily substances from the top cover are guided by the plurality of guiding portions to flow through and to be filtered by the filtering assembly, and then the oily substances are guided out of the through orifice of the bottom cover.

Abstract: A system (1) for removing carbon dioxide (CO2) from a gas stream by bringing the gas stream into contact with a circulating ammoniated solution stream such that CO2 is absorbed in said ammoniated solution, characterized in that the system comprises a membrane purifier (17), said membrane purifier having a first compartment (18) and a second compartment (19), wherein said first and second compartment are separated by a semipermeable membrane (20), a method for removing carbon dioxide (CO2) from a gas stream by bringing the gas stream into contact with a circulating ammoniated solution stream such that CO2 is absorbed in said ammoniated solution, said method comprising the step of separating trace components from a circulating solution using a semipermeable membrane, and the use of a membrane purifier having a first and a second compartment, wherein said first and a second compartments are separated by a semipermeable membrane, for reducing the trace component and/or water content of a circulating solution stre

Abstract: An exhaust gas treatment system comprising: a CO2 chemical absorption equipment comprising an absorption column which absorbs carbon dioxide (CO2) in a combustion exhaust gas discharged from a combustion device with the use of an absorbing solution comprising an amine compound as a main component and a regeneration column which regenerates the absorbing solution by desorbing CO2 from the absorbing solution which absorbed CO2; a flash tank which depressurizes the absorbing solution withdrawn from a lower part of the regeneration column to flash-evaporate the absorbing solution; a vapor recompression equipment which compresses the vapor generated by the flash tank; a temperature control device which adjusts the vapor compressed by the vapor recompression equipment to be within a predetermined temperature; and a piping for feeding the vapor adjusted to the predetermined temperature by the temperature control device to the regeneration column.

Abstract: A dispensing device provides improved security and risk management through the inclusion of a security lock. The security lock may require authentication of a user as a condition for dispensing a dispensable included in a container of the dispensing device. The dispensable may include a consumable unit.

Abstract: A hollow fiber adsorbent compressed dry air system including an intake unit, a first adsorption/regeneration unit, a second adsorption/regeneration unit, a switch unit and an exhaust unit is disclosed. The first adsorption/regeneration unit has a hollow fiber adsorbent housing and a heating device disposed in the surrounding of the adsorbent housing. The second adsorption/regeneration unit has another hollow fiber adsorbent housing and another heating device disposed in the surrounding of the another adsorbent housing. One of the hollow fiber adsorbent housings performs drying procedure to the compressed air in the room temperature, and the other hollow fiber adsorbent housing, when heated by the heating device thereof, performs a desorption regeneration procedure in a high temperature condition. The switch unit alternately switches the drying procedure and the desorption regeneration procedure to the first adsorption/regeneration unit and the second adsorption/regeneration unit.