Patents Issued in October 18, 2016
  • Patent number: 9468798
    Abstract: An exercise machine includes a first foot pedal and a second foot pedal movably attached to a frame and arranged to travel along reciprocating paths. A pedal resistance mechanism is integrated into the exercise machine and arranged to resist movement of the first foot pedal and the second foot pedal along the reciprocating paths. A first arm support and a second arm support are movably attached to the frame where the first arm support and the second arm support are mechanically independent of the first foot pedal and the second foot pedal. Further, a dampening assembly is arranged to resist movement of the first arm support and the second arm support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: ICON Health & Fitness, Inc.
    Inventor: William T. Dalebout
  • Patent number: 9468799
    Abstract: An orthopedic support and exercise device may be used to help patients regain strength and mobility during lower limb rehabilitative exercises. An orthopedic support and exercise device may include a foot support body; a rotation restraint wall extending vertically upward on one side of the foot support; a divider wall extending vertically upward from the support body and extending transversely from an opposing side of the foot support body; an ankle bed rest defined by a space between the rotation restraint wall and the divider wall such that a foot placed on the orthopedic support and exercise device with ankle in the ankle bed rest is prevented from rotational movements during extension and flexion of a leg; and a weighted slider with a smooth bottom surface that is attached at a base of the foot support body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: PIPECONTROL LLC
    Inventor: Arthur Nelson Ware
  • Patent number: 9468800
    Abstract: A neck support apparatus for performing abdominal exercises without causing or exacerbating neck discomfort. The neck support apparatus comprises an hourglass shaped body having three distinct sections and a removable handle portion. The body includes an upper portion adapted to receive and support the back of a user's head, a middle portion adapted to receive and support the back of a user's neck, and a lower portion adapted to receive and support the back of a user's shoulders. The handle portion is removably attachable to the back side of the body through the use of corresponding aspects of a hook and loop fastener system and includes a slidable grip disposed thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Inventor: Regina De Leon Guerrero
  • Patent number: 9468801
    Abstract: The facial muscle exercising device (20) is provided with an elastically deformable bending portion (21) and a mouth-held portion (24), which is installed at the center of the bending portion (21) and held by the lips. The mouth-held portion (24) is located outside an edge portion of the bending portion (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: MTG CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Matsushita
  • Patent number: 9468802
    Abstract: The present invention is an exercise device that provides resistance training to both lower and upper body muscle groups. While the device is capable of working both the lower and upper body at the same time, the lower and upper body portions of the device work independently. The lower body section features two spirals wound in opposite directions that maintain a constant force throughout the exercise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Inventor: Alyssa Gutierrez
  • Patent number: 9468803
    Abstract: A training ladder has a first chain and a second chain arranged parallel to each other, a plurality of strings arranged parallel to each other and disposed between the first and second chains, and a plurality of hollow bars made of a rigid material turnably disposed over each of the plurality of strings. The plurality of hollow bars is arranged to have a play for absorbing a change of a joint direction of the bar and the chain at each of joint portions of the bars and the chains by turning the bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Inventor: Shinichiro Tani
  • Patent number: 9468804
    Abstract: The present invention is a gimbled push-up bar assembly mounted upon a rotatable hinge, thereby providing instability in three dimensions for which a user will have to compensate in use. The bar may be locked into two dimensions by the use of a lock pin, or may freely move in all three dimensions. Handgrips are provided which are bent downwards to provide guards for a user's hands when in the free-motion configuration. The bar itself is removable from the hinge and stand assembly and may be used as a stable push-up bar assembly, resting on the guards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Inventor: Talan A. Knox
  • Patent number: 9468805
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device for finger and grip strength exercise. The finger strengthening device comprises a molded shape with ledges and cavity's suitable for gripping by a human hand with a connector ring or u-bolt mounted therein whereby connector ring can be attached to resistance training device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Inventor: Michael Robert White
  • Patent number: 9468806
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a device which increases the functionality of standard exercise rings. This device allows the user to maintain a better grip on the rings with decreased strain on joints and muscles. It can be used in a multitude of upper body, lower body and mid-body functional exercises. This device is used in conjunction with exercise rings or other exercise bars use in sports such as cross-fit, and gymnastics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Inventor: David R. Newman
  • Patent number: 9468807
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an automated system comprises one or more biometric sensors, an interactive screen, and an exercise routine generation application communicable with a mobile application. In some embodiments, the mobile application receives data from an automated station and displays exercise routines, other exercise information, or both. In some embodiments, the mobile application includes a scanner to scan labels, other indicia, or physical or other features of an exercise machine or other exercise apparatus to identify the machine or apparatus. In some embodiments, the mobile application communicates with one or more local or remote databases identifying differing exercise facility locations within a geographic area and identifying exercise apparatus available in each of the differing facilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Fit Intuition, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan M. Krueger, Lee Huber, Ralph Krueger
  • Patent number: 9468808
    Abstract: Activities, actions and events during user performance of physical activity may be detected using various algorithms and templates. Templates may include an arrangement of one or more states that may identify particular event types and timing between events. Templates may be specific to a particular type of activity (e.g., types of sports, drills, events, etc.), user, terrain, time of day and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Santoshkumar Balakrishnan, Jordan M. Rice, Steven H. Walker, Adam S. Carroll, Corey C. Dow-Hygelund, Aaron K. Goodwin, James M. Mullin, Tye L. Rattenbury, Joshua M. Rooke-Ley, John M. Schmitt
  • Patent number: 9468809
    Abstract: An attachment device for attaching two mechanical connectors includes a strap and a protective enclosure. The strap includes opposite first and second ends folded so as to define first and second loops separated by a central part to which the first and second ends are secured, each loop being configured to allow a connector to pass. The protective enclosure includes main flanges and side flanges connected in a permanent manner, the main flanges covering main surfaces of the strap and the side flanges covering lateral surfaces of the central part so as to define a first closed loop forming a first opening around the first loop and a second closed loop forming a second opening around the second loop. Each opening is configured to allow passage of a connector, and at least one of the openings is configured to enable the strap to be inserted in the protective enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: ZEDEL
    Inventor: Antoine Coursimault
  • Patent number: 9468810
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for arranging dimples on a golf ball surface in which the dimples are arranged in a pattern derived from at least one irregular domain generated from a regular or non-regular polyhedron. The method includes choosing control points of a polyhedron, generating an irregular domain based on those control points, packing the irregular domain with dimples, and tessellating the irregular domain to cover the surface of the golf ball. The control points include the center of a polyhedral face, a vertex of the polyhedron, a midpoint or other point on an edge of the polyhedron and others. The method ensures that the symmetry of the underlying polyhedron is preserved while minimizing or eliminating great circles due to parting lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Madson, Nicholas M. Nardacci
  • Patent number: 9468811
    Abstract: A golf ball includes a unitary core having an outer surface, a geometric center, and a soft transition region adjacent to the outer surface, and is formed from a substantially homogenous composition. The ball further includes an outer cover layer. The soft transition region has a thickness of up to 4 mm, has about 8 to 20 percent trans-polybutadiene isomer, and has a negative hardness gradient of up to 15 Shore C. The core has an overall negative hardness gradient of up to 20 Shore C and has a gradient quotient, GQ, defined by the equation: G + T 10 × COR ? 7 where G is the overall negative hardness gradient in Shore C, T is the percent of trans-polybutadiene isomer at the core outer surface, and COR is the coefficient of restitution measured at an incoming velocity of 125 ft/s.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Brian Comeau, Mark L. Binette
  • Patent number: 9468812
    Abstract: Multi-layered golf ball core sub-assemblies and the resulting golf balls are provided. The core structure includes an inner core (center) comprising a foam composition, preferably foamed polyurethane. The intermediate and outer core layers are preferably formed from non-foamed thermoset compositions such as polybutadiene rubber. The core layers have different hardness and specific gravity levels. The core assembly preferably has a positive hardness gradient extending across the entire assembly. The core structure and resulting ball have relatively good resiliency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Mark L. Binette, Brian Comeau, Douglas S. Goguen, Michael Michalewich, Shawn Ricci
  • Patent number: 9468813
    Abstract: A golf ball 2 includes a core 4, a mid layer 6, a cover 8 and a paint layer 10. The core 4 includes a center 12 and an envelope layer 14. The golf ball 2 satisfies the following mathematical formulas. In the mathematical formulas, Hm represents a Shore D hardness of the mid layer, Hc represents a Shore D hardness of the cover, and Hb represents a Shore D hardness of the surface of the golf ball. The golf ball 2 has a large number of dimples 16 on a surface thereof. The number of planes that can divide a pattern of the dimples so that divided patterns are mirror symmetry to each other is one.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: DUNLOP SPORTS CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Kosuke Tachibana, Kazuya Kamino, Takahiro Sajima
  • Patent number: 9468814
    Abstract: A multi-layer golf ball includes a core, and intermediate layer, and a cover. The core has an outer surface that includes a plurality of depressions extending from a spherical land portion. Each depression has a maximum depth relative to the spherical land portion of between 0.15 mm and 2.0 mm. The intermediate layer surrounds the core and has a radially inward surface that is flush with the outer surface of the core. The cover layer surrounds the intermediate layer and defines an outermost portion of ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Hideyuki Ishii, Aaron Bender, Nicholas Yontz, Jun Ichinose, Chien-Hsin Chou, Chen-Tai Liu
  • Patent number: 9468815
    Abstract: A sport ball may incorporate a casing that includes a plurality of joined panels. At least one of the panels may have a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer. The casing defines at least one indentation in the exterior surface, and the first layer is bonded to the third layer adjacent to the indentation. In some configurations, the casing may also define at least one indentations in a surface of the third layer, which may correspond in location with the indentation in the exterior surface. Additionally, the sport ball may include an intermediate structure and a bladder located within the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott R. Berggren, Tal Cohen, Vincent F. White, Gary W. Glahn
  • Patent number: 9468816
    Abstract: A golf club head connection assembly having a non-metallic component possessing unique relationships that offer increased durability, weight savings, and reduced manufacturing costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: TAYLOR MADE GOLF COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel R. Barelmann, Joseph Yu
  • Patent number: 9468817
    Abstract: Golf club heads include white diffusing top surfaces to aid in club head alignment. Wood type club heads also include a dark diffusing club face so that a crown/face border is emphasized. Scorelines in wood type clubs can be provided with an intermediate contrast surface, and can be displaced from club face center to accommodate player perception when confronted with a white diffusing crown. Putter heads can include dark diffusing alignment lines, and iron-type club heads can include white diffusing surfaces at a sole portion of a club face, at a top line, or a top portion of a club face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: TAYLOR MADE GOLF COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Todd P. Beach, David Anderson, Bill Price, Kevin Harper, Benoit Vincent, Bret H. Wahl
  • Patent number: 9468818
    Abstract: A wood golf club head, which is provided therein with a hollow section and for which a crown section that forms the upper surface of the head is formed from a metal material. The crown section includes a heel portion; a toe portion with a smaller thickness than the heel portion; and a thickness transition section provided between the heel portion and the toe portion, the thickness of which decreases gradually from the heel portion to the toe portion. In the top view of a reference state in which the head is placed on a horizontal plane with a specified lie angle and loft angle, the thickness transition section extends as a smooth curve that protrudes towards the toe side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: DUNLOP SPORTS CO. LTD.
    Inventor: Hirotaka Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9468819
    Abstract: A golf club providing improved golf ball launch conditions is disclosed herein. The golf club includes a face component and a sole comprising an elongated recess disposed proximate the face component. The elongated recess preferably is tube shaped, and preferably has an opening with a smaller width than an innermost surface of the elongated recess. The elongated recess may be a separate piece that is permanently affixed within an opening in the sole. Some embodiments of the golf club also comprise a cover affixed to the sole and at least partially covering the opening of the elongated recess, while other embodiments comprise a filler material disposed within the elongated recess or between the elongated recess and an internal surface of the face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Bradley C. Rice, William C. Watson, Patrick Dawson, Irina Ivanova, Brandon D. DeMille
  • Patent number: 9468820
    Abstract: A hollow golf club head comprises a face portion with a face for hitting a ball on its front and a crown portion forming a top surface of the head, wherein the head comprises a face member including the face portion and made of a metallic material and a crown member attached to the face member to form the crown portion at least partially, the crown member includes a first member made of a metal material and a second member made of a fiber reinforced resin for supporting the first member so that the first member does not directly contact with the face member, the head has a primary natural frequency of from 3800 to 6500 Hz and an antinode when the head vibrates in the primary natural mode appears in the first member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: DUNLOP SPORTS CO. LTD.
    Inventor: Yasushi Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 9468821
    Abstract: Embodiments of golf club heads and methods to manufacture golf club heads are generally described herein. In one example, a golf club head may include a body portion with a toe portion, a heel portion, a top portion, a sole portion, a back portion, and a front portion. The golf club head may include an interior cavity. The interior cavity may be filled with an elastic polymer material. Other examples and embodiments may be described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Parsons Xtreme Golf, LLC
    Inventors: Robert R. Parsons, Michael R. Nicolette, Bradley D. Schweigert
  • Patent number: 9468822
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for ergonomically carrying golf clubs. The method and apparatus entails dual shoulder straps to securely support a golf bag between the user's shoulder blades in an upright vertical orientation. A lifting loop provides a means for safely lifting the vertical golf bag onto the user's back with minimal arm strength by using leg and core muscles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Inventors: Kirk Mashburn, Glenn Mashburn
  • Patent number: 9468823
    Abstract: A butt-end device or knob for a sports implement with a handle for holding the sports implement. The butt-end device or knob has an inner member or inner surface mountable adjacent to a longitudinal end of the handle and a hand-engaging surface to engage a user's hand when holding the handle, the hand-engaging surface being movable relative to the handle in order to follow movement of the user's hand when the user swings the sports implement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: BPS DIAMOND SPORTS CORP.
    Inventors: Ralph Edward Mitton, Frederic St-Laurent, Stephen Fitzgerald
  • Patent number: 9468824
    Abstract: An improved lacrosse mesh is made of polypropylene. Polypropylene fibers are among the lightest weight of all commercially produced plastic fibers. Typical polypropylene has a density of 0.9 g/cm3, much lower than that of polyester (1.38), cotton (1.54), or nylon (1.15). Additionally, polypropylene is known to outperform other dyeable fibers in low moisture absorption tests. Preferably a polypropylene-based material known as INNEGRA S is employed. It has a tenacity greater than 5 grams/denier, elongation prior to breakage of about 11%, density of 0.84 g/cm3, 93% of unprocessed polypropylene and a surface texture bearing striations that enhance its grippability to a degree desirable for use in netting for lacrosse mesh. The INNEGRA S material is much more difficult to stretch to any degree as compared to the more easily stretchable NYLON material and, as such, ideally maintains pocket shape in a wide variety of conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Inventor: James Miceli
  • Patent number: 9468825
    Abstract: A ladder-like shooting/catching section for a lacrosse stick pocket defined by at least two elongate runners (flat strips) extending from proximate the scoop of the head toward the throat, and a plurality of generally V-shaped chevrons straddling the runners and overmolded thereto. Alternately, the chevrons and runners are formed from a single material. The chevrons have a three-dimensional profile and each is slightly concave along its length, such that the chevrons collectively define a passing/catching chute. The chute increases surface contact with the ball and improves feel. This in combination with the shock-absorbing living hinge function provided by the chevrons makes throwing and catching smoother as well as more consistent, generally improving playability of the lacrosse stick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: WM. T. BURNETT IP, LLC
    Inventor: John Vajda
  • Patent number: 9468826
    Abstract: A basketball net device for mounting on a raised basketball hoop or ring from a position well below the basketball hoop. The basketball net device comprises an annular member or hoop ring having a hoop ring section for coupling to the basketball ring. The annular member includes an annular skirt section configured to extend and be positioned inside the basketball ring and support a net. According to an embodiment, the net is connected to the annular skirt section utilizing fasteners configured to secure the net and allow the net to pivot or rotate relative to the annular skirt section to emulate the game play of a conventional net mounted on the basketball hoop. According to another embodiment, the net comprises cords made from a tightly weaved material resulting in a net that is stiffer than a conventional net.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Inventor: Jason Paul Smith
  • Patent number: 9468827
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in an American football type game includes an elongate structure defining a generally tubular body having a length extending between two opposing ends, a width, and a handgrip portion located between the ends. The width of the tubular body is generally uniform along the entire length of the body. An attachment mechanism removably receives the elongate structure at an attachment point and limits movement of substantially the entire elongate structure to that of the attachment mechanism at the attachment point. The attachment mechanism is configured to release the elongate structure therefrom when a force that overcomes an attachment force provided by the attachment mechanism is applied to the handgrip portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Depingo, LLC
    Inventor: Jeremy J. Ling
  • Patent number: 9468828
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method of golf-related leisure game. One or more targets is/are placed on an open playing field. Each target comprises a frame, a landing area, a lighting unit and a golf ball receptacle unit that contains a push solenoid and an illuminating photoelectric color sensor. Players of the game use standard golf clubs to strike the balls towards the target, wherein each player is assigned golf balls of distinct color. Players earn points by landing golf balls in the targets. Upon landing in the landing area of the target, the player's ball is fed into the receptacle unit. A color sensor within illuminates the received golf ball and measures the characteristics of the light reflected from its surface across three frequencies. The data from the color sensor is processed and, used for score keeping amongst the players.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Inventor: Shane Bush
  • Patent number: 9468829
    Abstract: Generally provided herein are devices to assist swing training in various sports. In some specific embodiments, the device is a baseball/softball, tennis and/or golf swing training system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Inventor: Francis Jarvis
  • Patent number: 9468830
    Abstract: A golf swing training club for training a golfer has a shaft, a club head with a club face and a gripping area. The club head has a club face for striking a ball. The club head extends out from the shaft in a first direction and the club face facing in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction. There is a training grip to be gripped by the dominant hand. The training grip is carried by the shaft and is positioned below the gripping area relative to the club head. The training grip is positioned above the shaft in the direction of the club head and, relative to a direction from the gripping area to the club head, the training grip being angled toward a point that is spaced from the first end of the shaft in each of the first and second directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Inventor: Michael Paulson
  • Patent number: 9468831
    Abstract: A golf swing apparatus including a rotating drum that houses a swivel and an optical sensor to detecting a change in swivel angle; an elongated cord hanging from the drum and secured to a golf ball; a base member having an impact layer that is switchable between two orientations, the first being planar and the second being raised to stop or slow a rotating golf ball; a frame holding the rotating drum over the impact layer; a means for measuring rotation speed of the rotating drum; and a processor for generating swing data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Inventor: David E. Brantingham
  • Patent number: 9468832
    Abstract: A foot mountable golfing aid is operable to provide a reference path for a swing of a golfer, indicate a swing path, indicate a proper width of stance of a golfer, and/or aid in alignment of a golfer's body in relation to a target when the foot mountable golfing aid is mounted on the foot of a golfer. The foot mountable golfing aid includes a foot attachment component that is configured to be attached to a foot of a golfer, and a vertically adjustable reference component. The vertically adjustable reference component is supported by the foot attachment component. The vertically adjustable reference component is operable to provide a reference path for a swing of a golfer, indicate a swing path, indicate a proper width of stance of a golfer, and/or aid in alignment of a body of a golfer in relation to a target when the foot mountable golfing aid is attached to the foot of a golfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: FIGHTING GOLF, LLC
    Inventor: Tiffany Faucette
  • Patent number: 9468833
    Abstract: A golf training aid for putting has a retainer that is received in a regulation-size golf hole to position a fence against the putting surface. The fence extends away from opposite sides of the golf hole and is curved to bounce golf balls that impact the fence towards the golf hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Inventor: William F. Foos
  • Patent number: 9468834
    Abstract: In one example, an apparatus, such as a support pole of a basketball system for example, is provided that includes an elongate member with an unswaged portion that has a perimeter length, and also includes a swaged portion that is attached to the unswaged portion and has a perimeter whose effective length is shorter than the perimeter length of the unswaged portion. The swaged portion includes walls that cooperate to define part of the perimeter of the swaged portion, where two of the walls are straight and terminate at a common point, and the swaged portion further includes a local deformation defined in one of the walls. As well, a tapered portion is provided that is configured to receive the swaged portion such that when the swaged portion is received in the tapered portion, the wall of the swaged portion that includes the local deformation substantially contacts the tapered portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: LIFETIME PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventor: Daniel G. Maisey
  • Patent number: 9468835
    Abstract: The invention relates to a communication module, monitoring unit and method of monitoring a physical performance. The module has a receiving unit, processing unit and wireless communications unit. With these units the module continuously receives sensor signals from a sensor connected to the communication module, processes the sensor signals to form a plurality of successive data messages containing data at least partly derived from the sensor signals, and transmits the formed data messages to an external wireless receiver device at a plurality of successive transmission time slots using a wireless communication protocol. The processing unit is adapted to add information to the data messages regarding the difference between first time points based on predefined characteristics of the sensor signals and second times points corresponding to transmission slots. The invention allows for relating the individual signals temporally with each other for better overall analysis of the performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Suunto Oy
    Inventors: Mikko Martikka, Kimmo Pernu, Erik Lindman
  • Patent number: 9468836
    Abstract: A boxing device is provided with two glove assemblies each including a through hole at either side; a tube having both ends secured to the through holes respectively; a handle formed on the tube between two sides of the glove assembly; two bushing members each including an annular flange at an end, the bushing members are fastened in both ends of the tube respectively with the flanges exposed; two caps each including an arc and a hollow cylinder fastened in one bushing member; an interconnection including two projections at both ends respectively, and openings through one projection; two cord assemblies each including two ring members at either end, each of the ring members being secured to either the arc or the opening; and two retainers each for holding an end portion of the cord assembly adjacent to the projection in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Inventor: Ming-Hsiung Huang
  • Patent number: 9468837
    Abstract: A glove for enhancing a wearer's grip and control of a golf club or sports device. The glove may include a palmar portion and a dorsal portion having multiple digital segments that entirely enclose each of a wearer's five digital segments. The dorsal segment may include a high friction surface only along the forefinger digital segment or middle finger digital segment, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Inventor: John C. Ramirez
  • Patent number: 9468838
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present invention would provide a rotatable footplate integrated with a corresponding bearing and well assembly that is imbedded into, screwed into, or otherwise, integrally a part of, a single-board sports board, such as a snowboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Inventor: Charles D. Cole, III
  • Patent number: 9468839
    Abstract: A game board and game apparatus is provided with the game board including a network of paths that originate at a starting point and which lead to a performing stage. The network of paths is specifically designed to be a tool utilized functionally by the players in conjunction with the other structural elements of the invention to stop opposing players from achieving the object of the game, thus affecting the length of the game. The overall theme of the game revolves around a touring band and the object of the game is to arrive on the performing stage with a certain number of band members and with band equipment. Forming a part of the game is a series of tokens that are moved along the network of paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Inventor: Paul J. Bryan
  • Patent number: 9468840
    Abstract: A two-sided table game has a game board having a first game playing surface on a first side and a second game playing surface on a second side. Rotatable leg assemblies support the game board above a support surface. When it is desired to play the game on the second side, the rotatable leg assemblies are rotated and the game table is flipped or rotated so that the second game playing surface faces up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Eastpoint Sports Ltd., LLC
    Inventor: Michael Nally
  • Patent number: 9468841
    Abstract: Pinball machines with configurable playfields. A method includes detecting an event during a game played at least in part over a surface of a playfield in a pinball machine, the playfield having a first and a second playfield portions with two outermost lateral edges between which the game takes place, and, in response to the event, electronically activating a playfield reducer located between the first and second portions, the playfield reducer configured to extend between the two outermost lateral edges of the playfield portions in a manner sufficient to prevent the pinball from traveling between the first and second playfield portions. A machine includes a main playfield portion having a set pinball components disposed therein, the components configured to interact with a pinball during a game, the main playfield portion further configured to receive any of a plurality of modular playfields, each of the modular playfields having different sets components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Multimorphic, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald Stellenberg
  • Patent number: 9468842
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include systems and methods for instituting a metagame point system that may be integrated into an online video game network for one or more video game platforms. The metagame points system may increase or decrease a user's point total based upon user performance across a plurality of different video game titles. In some implementations, the points may be transferable between users based upon user performance during multiplayer video game play. In further implementations, the points earned by a user may be redeemable for various rewards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: SONY NETWORK ENTERTAINMENT INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventors: Eric Lempel, Dawn Cindy De Guzman, Taryn Hadfield
  • Patent number: 9468843
    Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method are disclosed in which a gaming machine provides both a base game and a feature game which may be triggered by the base game. The feature game includes a player selectable set of symbols, where the symbols include one or more high and low value incrementing symbols and one or more terminator symbols; such that, when a player selects one of the incrementing symbols, the player's position on a ladder or other graduated sequence increments to a higher value award, all the symbols in the set are shown and then recovered and shuffled with one of the remaining high value incrementing symbols being replaced by a terminator symbol. The process iterating until the player selects a terminator symbol or achieves the jackpot (highest) award on the ladder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Everi Games Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Jason Wabschall, Michael Casey
  • Patent number: 9468844
    Abstract: A method for transmitting signals between wearable motion capture units and a video game engine enables user body movement to be captured and inputted into a video game engine. The user wears a plurality of inertial measurement units (IMUs) as well as a plurality of vibration motors and a plurality of LEDs. The video game engine is able to provide haptic and visual feedback to the user via the plurality of vibration motors and the plurality of LEDs. Captured user body movement data is received through a plurality of slave microcontrollers and transmitted to a master microcontroller. The master microcontroller converts the user body movement data to video game engine-ready data. The video game engine-ready data is then converted by the video game engine to haptic and visual feedback response data and transmitted back to the master microcontroller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Inventor: Chun Hung Yu
  • Patent number: 9468845
    Abstract: Methods and computer programs include associating a three-dimensional collider component and a rigid body component to a two-dimensional game object used in the game play. The three-dimensional collider component and the rigid body component define a plurality of physics attributes to enable control of physical behavior of the game object. A second three-dimensional collider component is associated with a game cursor that is used for providing user input to the gameplay. The game cursor is defined as a two-dimensional object with at least a portion of the game cursor having a spherical contour. User input is detected at a touch screen interface of a computing device that is rendering the gameplay. The user input causes the spherical contour of the game cursor to control movement of the game object within the game scene of the gameplay, the movement being adjusted in accordance to physics attributes of the game object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Sumit Mehra, Shivendra Dayal, Moolchand Kuri, Robert Bates
  • Patent number: 9468846
    Abstract: The present invention provides apparatuses and methods for a tactile feedback instrument, and more specifically, some embodiments are directed toward methods and apparatuses for a tactile feedback stylus. Some embodiments of the invention provide a stylus used in conjunction with mobile devices. Further embodiments of the invention provide a game system, comprising a game console and a stylus. Within such embodiments, the stylus comprises an electric motor and a control circuit coupled to the electric motor that is in communication with the game console and controls the electric motor. Within some of these embodiments, the stylus can vibrate or rumble when the electric motor is activated in response to gaming activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Performance Designed Products LLC
    Inventors: Scott Michael Terrell, Antonio Meneses Ortega, Thomas John Roberts
  • Patent number: 9468847
    Abstract: The tactile feedback glove incorporates a plurality of pin actuators disposed inside the glove. Actuator pins point towards bottom surfaces of a user's hand inside the glove. A plurality of pivotally attached joint members is disposed inside the glove. The joint members are arranged proximately above top surfaces of a user's hand inside the glove. The pin actuators have a rectangular actuator body with bores sunk through a parallelepiped actuator body surface and arranged in a row-by-column matrix formation of solenoid cores in the bores. The pins slide up and down inside sleeves extending from the solenoid cores. The extent of each pin outside its respective bore is responsive to current flow in the solenoid core. The joint members are arranged above a user's intermediate, proximal, and distal phalanges. Motor control of the joint members determines the angular displacement of the joints directing and limiting hand motion inside the glove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: UMM AL-QURA UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Mohammed Siraj Mohammed Bekri