Abstract: Embodiments of golf clubs head sets with varying characteristics are disclosed herein. Other examples and related methods are also generally described herein.

Abstract: A golf club may include a front surface, a rear surface having a recess, and an insert at least partially disposed in the recess. The insert may comprise a durometer hardness of less than about 95 Shore A and a cavity having a reinforcement member disposed therein. Preferably, the durometer hardness of the reinforcement member is also less than about 95 Shore A. The insert may further comprise an anterior perimetric boundary having a first length and a posterior perimetric boundary having a second length. The ratio of the first length to the second length may be less than 1 and greater than 0.5. In one example, the insert may have a triangular front profile and a triangular side profile.

Abstract: An iron type golf club head includes a body part that is provided with a face surface and a sole surface; and a hosel part that is connected to the body part. A lower part of a back surface of the body part is an expansion part that expands rearward, a slit is disposed, which penetrates the expansion part from an upper surface to a lower surface of the expansion part, an elastic body is arranged in the vicinity of an upper part of the slit.

Abstract: Iron-type golf club heads are disclosed having a heel portion, a sole portion, a toe portion, a top-line portion, a front portion, a rear portion, and a striking face. The iron-type golf club heads include a flexible boundary structure (“FBS”) that is provided at one or more locations on the club head. The flexible boundary structure may comprise, in several embodiments, a slot, a channel, a gap, a thinned or weakened region, or other structure that enhances the capability of an adjacent or related portion of the golf club head to flex or deflect and to thereby provide a desired improvement in the performance of the golf club head.

Abstract: In general, aspects of this invention relate to blade-type iron golf clubs or golf club heads. The blade-type golf club head may comprise a body forged of a metal material. The body may include a hosel, a top surface, a sole, a heel, a toe, a ball striking surface, and a rear surface opposite the ball striking surface. The rear surface may have an upper blade portion and a lower muscle portion with the upper blade portion separated from the lower muscle portion by a blade interface. An average height of the lower muscle portion from the ball striking centerline to the toe-side boundary line may be approximately twice an average height of the lower muscle portion from the heel-side boundary line to the ball striking centerline. The mass distribution of the lower muscle portion moves the center of gravity of the club head closer to the face center location.

Abstract: Golf clubs, and more particularly to a golf putter and a club head for a putter are disclosed. In one embodiment, the club head has a body having a club face, a first extension portion at the first end of the club face extending in a direction either outwardly, or rearwardly and outwardly away from the center of the club face; and a second extension portion at the second end of the club face extending in a direction either outwardly, or rearwardly and outwardly away from the center of the club face. In this embodiment, at least one of the first and second extension portions forms an angle of greater than or equal to about 40°, 45°, or some other suitable angle, and less than or equal to about 90° from an imaginary line oriented perpendicular to the club face and passing through at least one of the outermost portion of the club face at the heel or the toe of the club face.

Abstract: A golf club head with means for adjusting a center of gravity location along more than one axis is disclosed herein. The golf club head comprises one or more adjustable features, including a weight arm for receiving removable weights, e.g., slidable weights, weight screws, and invertible weight cartridges, and one or more invertible weight cartridges that fit within a tube extending between the golf club head's crown and sole via an interior cavity. The weight arm fits within a rectangular, elongated cutout in the sole and permits the golfer to adjust the location of one or more removable weights along its length.

Abstract: A system for providing loaner clubs to novice golfers includes a coding scheme for golf club holders, which can be provided at a golf range having targets, in order to facilitate play by people entirely new to the game of golf. In general, one innovative aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can include a golf club stand including holders for golf clubs of different types, and visual indicators associated with the holders for the golf clubs of different types, where the visual indicators correspond to targets of different distances within a golf range.

Abstract: A thrower includes an elongate arm. A handle is attached to one end of the arm. A retaining device has a base attached to an opposite end of the arm and at least one gripping member extending from the base to define a retention volume together with the base. The, or each, gripping member is resiliently displaceable with respect to the base to permit the retaining device to be urged on to the object to be thrown such that the, or each, gripping member is displaced to permit the object to be received in the retention volume, with the, or each, gripping member subsequently retaining the object in the retention volume.

Abstract: A golf club head cover for releasable connection to a shaft and head of a golf club includes a cover body for detachably covering the club head, the cover body having a head portion with a top surface that has a flexible longitudinal portion formed therein adapted to separate the head portion into two half-head portions adapted to articulate about the flexible portion. A front facing surface of the head portion includes a slit separating it into two wings. A shank portion of the cover body extends downwardly to enclose a portion of the shaft of the golf club. The cover body further includes a fastening means composed of a first part secured within each half-head portion for selectively affixing the cover body in an open position, and a second part secured within each wing for selectively affixing the cover body in a closed position about the golf club head.

Abstract: An athletic training net for receiving projectiles. The training net has a storage sleeve affixed to an upper end, wherein the storage sleeve includes a plurality of upper grommets at an upper end and a plurality of lower grommets at a lower end. The training net further includes a plurality of hook and strap fasteners, with each comprising of a strap secured to a structural member of a garage door and a hook for catching the plurality of upper and lower grommets. The training net has a training configuration and a storage configuration. In the training configuration, the hooks are received by the plurality of upper grommets and the net is vertically suspended form the garage door. In the storage configuration, the plurality of upper grommets remains suspended from the hooks, the net is enfolded in the storage sleeve, and the plurality of lower grommets is secured by the hooks.

Abstract: A game kit, including an elongated rectangular box portion defining a recess, first and second elongated rectangular panel members hingedly connected to the box portion, a first central and a pair of ancillary pipes operationally connected to the first elongated rectangular panel portion, wherein each ancillary pipe is equidistant from the first pipe, a slot formed in the first elongated panel member opposite the first and ancillary pipes for receiving the proximal edge, and a plurality of bean bags. When the box portion placed on a generally flat surface, pivoting the first elongated rectangular panel member into a generally vertical orientation and pivoting the second elongated rectangular portion to engage the proximal edge with the slot deploys the first and ancillary pipes in a generally vertical orientation for receiving tossed bags.

Abstract: Hitting training devices having a structural base, a vertical member extending upward from the structural base, a horizontal carriage having a horizontal carriage weight, a ball attached to the horizontal carriage, and a force balancing member arranged and configured to counteract the horizontal carriage weight are disclosed. The hitting training devices may be configured such that the horizontal carriage is attached to the vertical member, the horizontal carriage is configured to move horizontally with respect to the vertical member, the horizontal carriage is configured to move vertically with respect to the vertical member, the circumference of the ball is less than 13 inches, the horizontal carriage has a horizontal carriage range of horizontal motion of at least fourteen inches; and the horizontal carriage has a horizontal carriage range of vertical motion of at least sixteen inches.

Abstract: An integrated training system for articles of footwear is disclosed. Each article of footwear includes a set of physical characteristics associated with an athletic skill. A customized training program is provided with each article of footwear to provide custom tailored training for improving the particular athletic skill associated with the selected article of footwear.

Abstract: An easily assembled and disassembled portable golf swing training device includes plural interconnected elongated, linear rods and arms for the development of proper golf club takeaway, backswing and downswing mechanics. The position of the golf club during the swing is compared with generally accepted swing parameters, and club positions not within acceptable limits are evidenced by easily detected golf club contact with one or more of the device's arms which are all adjustable in length and position depending upon individual golfer characteristics, and which are pivotally mounted, padded and flexible to avoid injury as well as damage to the inventive device or to a golf club. The configuration of the various rods and arms is established to provide the golfer an inside-to-out club head path during the downswing to provide for a draw of the ball, or to shape the shot from right to left for a right hand golfer.

Abstract: An apparatus including a data acquisition device, a processing unit, a memory and an output device. The data acquisition device obtains at least one attribute of a shot of a basketball towards a basket. The at least one attribute is sensed by at least one sensor carried by the basketball or derived from signal output by the at least one sensor. The memory contains instructions to direct the processing unit to determine whether the shot is a made basket shot or a missed basket shot by comparing the at least one attribute of the shot to one or more predetermined signature characteristics of a made basket, and to present on the output device to a person an output based on the determination of whether the shot is a made basket shot or a missed basket shot, and other information regarding the shot.

Abstract: A tennis teaching aid comprises a stand and a ball (10) and a guide (12) mounted on the stand for rotation about an axis. The guide (12) extends around the ball (10) and defines a planar guide plane that is parallel to but spaced from a required path of a tennis racquet to hit the ball (10) with topspin. The majority of the ball (10) projects above the guide plane for contact with a tennis racquet so that a correct contact with the ball (10) is achieved when the racquet moves parallel to, but not in contact with, the guide (12) and the ball (10) is spinning about its rotational axis.

Abstract: A system and method for pitching balls, particularly round balls such as volleyballs. The system and method are flexibly designed to simulate different types of pitches including but not limited to setting, blocking, bumping, shooting, dinking, passing, tipping, digging, serving, killing and spiking. A stable base frame is configured with an integrated operator stand. A rack bar is affixed to a front portion of the frame at an inclined angle. Three wheels are mounted on an adjustable throwing head, each wheel being powered by a motor that is adjusted independently so that the relative speed of the wheels imparts different spin to a ball that is launched from the throwing head. The throwing head can be adjusted up and down on the rack bar to be as high as a jump serve release point or as low as a at floor level to simulate a dig. The apparatus is portable and fits through standard gymnasium doors.

Abstract: A ball collection system for a tennis court (1), configured to be provided along an edge (2a) of a tennis court, comprising: a first slope (11), extending along said edge of the tennis court, and configured such that the height of the first slope decreases in a first direction away from said edge of the tennis court; a second slope 12), arranged adjacent to the first slope on the opposite side of the first slope from the edge of the tennis court, and configured such that the height of the second slope decreases in a second direction, perpendicular to the first direction, from a first end that is no higher than the lowest part of the first slope to a second end; and a ball collector (14), arranged at the second end of the second slope and configured to receive balls that roll down the second slope.

Abstract: Athletic performance sensing and/or tracking systems include components for measuring or sensing athletic performance data and/or for storing and/or displaying desired information associated with the athletic performance to the user (or others). Such systems can allow users a wide variety of options in creating workouts, selecting and presenting media content during the athletic performance, etc., e.g., to help keep users entertained and motivated. In some instances, user feedback may be used, optionally in combination with objective data relating to a workout, to control features of the workout routine, to control the music or other media content selected and/or presented, and/or to control features of future workout routines and/or the presented media content.

Abstract: A universal athleticism rating system and related athletic performance measuring systems for accurately detecting and recording athletic performance are disclosed. The athleticism rating system evaluates individual athletes against a common, standardized, set of athletic performance tests. Each athlete performs the athletic tests and his or her scores in the individual tests are entered into a standardized calculation to produce a single athletic performance score. The related performance measuring system is preferably a timing system that ensures quick, easy, and accurate collection of athletic event timing related data without the need for the athlete to wear any special detection devices or the like. In a preferred embodiment, the performance measuring system integrates with the rating system to provide seamless athletic data collection and rating of athletes.

Abstract: A playing card handling device is disclosed. The device includes a first side and a second opposite side. Components of the device include a card infeed tray, a card output tray and a card handling zone. The card infeed tray and card output tray are on the same first side of the device and an upper surface of the card infeed tray and an upper surface of the card output tray are in the same plane. Card handling devices of the present invention also include a touch screen display, as well as a movable card gate.

Abstract: An icy table relating to a field of movable refrigerated containers includes a base, a support column, an ice bucket, and an amusement table, the base is connected to a lower end of the support column, the amusement table is configured on an upper end of the support column, and the amusement table includes a drinks holder and a game table. The icy table includes an ice bucket and an amusement table, which not only has a function of cooling drinks, but also has amusement function, and the multifunctional icy table can broaden the application areas, improve the practicality and lasting appeal, and promote the use thereof.

Abstract: A robotic gaming system is provided that includes at least one sensor placed on a playing surface. At least one robot is controlled by a player to navigate on the playing surface and manipulate at least one target towards a gate. The sensor is operative for identifying when the target is moved to a scoring region of the playing surface.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is technology for providing in-game bonuses to a user's in game persona. The technology involves virtual items that provide quality-based bonuses and level based bonuses. The technology provides systems and methods for upgrading an item's level and enhancing the item's quality. If an upgrade or enhancement is unsuccessful, the item may be broken and the quality bonuses and level bonuses may be decreased until the item is repaired.

Abstract: A gaming system including one or more group event eligibility sequences. Each group event eligibility sequence is associated with a set duration. In these embodiments, if one or more players at one or more gaming machines collectively satisfy a group event eligibility threshold within the set duration of an initiated or triggered group event eligibility sequence, the gaming system determines that such players are eligible to participate in a group event. For the group event, the gaming system provides one or more group event awards to such participating players.

Abstract: A virtual space is provided to users via client computing devices. Device information related to a client computing platform used by a user to interact with the virtual space may be obtained. Customized in-game capabilities available for the user may be determined based on the device information, which may include a description of or otherwise identify the client computing platform. The device information may include or otherwise by used to obtain device capabilities such as hardware, software, network, and/or other specifications. Different users using different client computing platforms may be provided with different in-game capabilities such as user roles, content items, levels, and/or other content or actions available for the user in the virtual space based on the client computing platform used by the users to access the virtual space. The device information may be used to facilitate enhanced party formation between users of the virtual space.

Abstract: Individual participants in a multi-participant collaborative computing application may be sent intermittent updates of actions taken by other participants. These updates need not be sent to a participant's device until the participant has interacted with a specified object in the application. The participant's device may then be sent an update including object interactions of the other participants occurring since the participant's previous object interaction. The update may be used to periodically inform the participant of the actions taken by the other participants during the period between the participant's interactions.

Abstract: New types of controllers allow a player to make inputs to a video game or simulation by moving the entire controller itself or by gesturing or by moving the player's body in whole or in part. This capability is typically accomplished using a wireless input device having accelerometers, gyroscopes, and a camera. The present invention exploits these wireless motion-sensing technologies to modulate the player's movement inputs to the videogame based upon physiological signals. Such biofeedback-modulated video games train valuable mental skills beyond eye-hand coordination. These psychophysiological training technologies enhance personal improvement, not just the diversion, of the user.

Abstract: One or more first devices may determine a first content file associated with viewing history information of a particular user account; determine one or more second content files that are related to the particular content file; generate a game that includes elements from the particular content file and the one or more second content files; provide the game for display on a second device within a user interface associated with a gaming application; and provide information associated with the particular content file based on providing the game for display on the second device.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a server that generates a stream of streaming interactive video and/or audio. Means for multicasting the stream to a plurality of client devices accommodating different device video, audio and/or network characteristics, and means for allowing input from one or more of the client devices to control the streaming interactive video.

Abstract: Game inputs are delivered to an emulator computing device. Data generated by the emulator computing device during emulation of a legacy game is received. The emulated data comprising at least a set of data from a first state and a set of emulated data from a second state. A change in the emulated that corresponds to the occurrence of a trigger event is identified. The trigger event signals generation of an additional output that is not generated by execution of original code of a legacy game upon occurrence of the trigger event. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A system for controlling a display screen using manually generated movement of a user. The system includes a first and a second sensor arrangement being different from each other and used for forming a combined and correlated set of sensor data. The correlated parameters are matched to a code book and thereafter used for controlling the display screen. A method and computer program are also disclosed for controlling a display screen.

Abstract: In an example information processing apparatus including a screen on which one or more objects are displayed and a pointing device for designating a given position on the screen, at least one object is designated by the pointing device. Further, an input state regarding the designation of the at least one object is detected, and the number of the at least one selected object is changed in accordance with the input state. Then, a predetermined process is performed on the at least one selected object.

Abstract: A computer readable storage medium having stored thereon an information processing program executable by a computer of an information processing device which presents information corresponding to a biological signal acquired from a user, is provided. The information processing program causes the computer to function as biological signal acquiring means, motion/attitude information acquiring means, and presentation means. The biological signal acquiring means acquires the biological signal from the user. The motion/attitude information acquiring means acquires information about a motion or an attitude of the user from detecting means, in association with the biological signal acquired by the biological signal acquiring means. The presentation means performs predetermined presentation based on both the biological signal acquired by the biological signal acquiring means and the information acquired by the motion/attitude information acquiring means.

Abstract: A method for providing a game replay includes: receiving information related to a replay reinforcement character from the user terminal; obtaining game play data in a process in which the game play is completed or performed; detecting a visual reinforcement element for the replay reinforcement character; and providing the detected visual reinforcement element when a replay requirement related to the game play is received from the user terminal. The present invention provides the visual reinforcement element to the user terminal thereby increasing the game satisfaction of the user.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an operation method for executing games on mobile camera enabled terminal devices and to devices capable of executing the method. The method is based on hiding augmented reality messages in pictures by taking an image of an object, providing symbols; linking the symbols to the image, such that the symbols are not visible when displaying the image, and sending the image and the linked invisible symbols via a wireless connection as a first image to a mobile camera terminal device. The invention also provides a second component to re-visualize the hidden message by receiving the first image, taking a second image with a camera of the mobile camera terminal device, displaying the second image, comparing the first and second images to determine a matching measure, and visibly displaying the linked invisible symbols on the display, if the comparison fulfills at least one predetermined condition.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved approach to implement gamification of applications and activities. The approach can be used to create gamification for any application/activity. In some approaches, gamification is provided such that an application is not modified to include the game features. Instead, an external stand-alone gamification mechanism is provided to include the game features, where the external gamification mechanism is used in conjunction with the activity/application.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed that involve mobile augmented reality (MAR) applications in which users (e.g., players) may experience augmented reality (e.g., altered video or audio based on a real environment). Such augmented reality may include various alterations. For example, particular objects may be altered to appear differently. Such alterations may be based on stored profiles and/or user selections. Further features may also be employed. For example, in embodiments, characters and/or other objects may be sent (or caused to appear) to other users in other locations. Also, a user may leave a character at another location and receive an alert when another user/player encounters this character. Also, characteristics of output audio may be affected based on events of the MAR application.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system and methodology for obtaining information associated with spend history of a first user in connection with playing an online game and processing the information associated with the spend history to assign the user spend parameter value to the first user which may be further used to provide selective access to an exclusive virtual section associated with an online game when the user spend parameter value meets the spend threshold.

Abstract: A system and method of creating affinity groups of portable communication device users, and distributing targeted content to said users is disclosed. The user affinity groups may be formed by comparing user profiles with each other or with a predefined affinity group profile definition.

Abstract: A proximity threshold of an avatar is defined with respect to proximity to an artifact located within a virtual universe domain. Activity by the avatar within the virtual universe domain is tracked, with activity data generated from the tracking. The activity data is analyzed to determine proximity of the avatar to the artifact within the proximity threshold, and a report is generated from the analyzing, the report noting a determined proximity of the avatar to the artifact within the proximity threshold. In one aspect, the report is provided to a supervisory entity.

Abstract: Affiliated players in an online game often coordinate activity and communication in the online game. Affiliated players may want to coordinate activities and/or communicate with each even when one or more affiliated players may not be logged into the online game. Further, persons of higher status in an affiliation may want to control the extent to which other players in the affiliation are sent messages external to the game. As such, one aspect of the disclosure relates to facilitating communication to a group of related players of an online game outside of communication mediums available via the game, where the ability to communicate and the type of communication may depend upon permissions associated with a player in a group of affiliated players.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting a rider comprising a vehicle adapted to support the rider wherein vehicle has a driven portion disposed along a bottom surface thereof and a track having a path sized to slidably receive the vehicle therein and a plurality of water jets disposed along the track along a path of travel of the driven portion. Each of the plurality of water jets is adapted to sequentially discharge a portion of water in a desired direction of travel of the vehicle there through when aligned with the driven portion such that the portion of water engages the driven portion.

Abstract: Systems and related methods related to structures with large-scale rotatable elements. Some of the present systems comprise: a tower; a tower hub coupled to the tower and having a transverse dimension of at least 50 feet; an observation wheel rotatably coupled to the tower and having a central wheel hub; a plurality of roller bearings disposed between the tower hub and the wheel hub to rotatably support the observation wheel relative to the structure, the roller bearings each having a diameter that is less than one quarter of the transverse dimension of the wheel hub.

Abstract: A water teeter-totter system is a teeter totter that uses the inertia developed while in use to operate water pumps to pump water through a plurality of spray nozzles to combine water amusement with the fun of gliding on the device. The downward motion of each side of the teeter totter actuates a different pump to spray water alternately at one user and then at the other user. A centrally located tube is able to be coupled to various ornamentally designed appurtenances that perform an action from spraying water through the appurtenance to blowing up balloons.

Abstract: Track assemblies and track assembly kits for children's ride-on vehicles, as well as children's ride-on vehicle systems, according to the present disclosure are configured for assembly and disassembly of a track assembly. Track assemblies may include elongate rail members, couplers that are configured to couple together two elongate rail members, and optionally tie members that include one or more couplers. Generally, track assemblies comprise a left rail (including longitudinally aligned elongate rail members) and a right rail (including longitudinally aligned elongate rail members) in a spaced-apart and parallel relationship. Elongate rail members, couplers, and/or tie members are configured to releasably and repeatedly couple together. In the disassembled state, the component parts may be stored and/or shipped compactly. In the assembled state, the track assembly may define a track path, and the track assembly may be configured to guide the children's ride-on vehicle along the track path.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a toy vehicle play set with a chamber, a moveable platform, a resilient stencil, and an airbrush. The platform is configured to move from within the chamber to the top surface of the chamber. Moreover, the resilient stencil is configured to be placed over the platform, and any object on the platform, when the platform has been raised. The resilient stencil is configured to be pliable and contain a series of apertures that create a design. The airbrush is then configured to spray ink onto the stencil and object beneath the stencil, coloring the design of the stencil onto the object.

Abstract: A tent or covering with a pyramid-shaped structure, with an inner dark-colored sheet and an outer transparent sheet, installed on a supporting base anchored to the ground or on floats on the surface of the sea, wherein in the apex of the pyramid there are included vaporizers with micronebulizers for nebulizing the water to be treated, a device for capturing humid air through a continuous or sectioned condensation column and for subsoil distillation and heat dissipation in the smaller, water-collecting tank and recirculation of the air devoid of humidity into the enclosure. In addition, it includes a computerized control system of the processes includes controls of the air and nebulized water flow rates and of the working regime of the facility.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process which comprises mixing an alkylated aromatic acid with a mixture comprising a first liquid and a second liquid, thereby causing formation of an organogel comprising the alkylated aromatic acid and the first liquid.