Patents Issued in April 24, 2018
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Patent number: 9950205Abstract: A permanently affixed and travelling selector pin, car and weight plate selection mechanism for use with physical fitness equipment is disclosed including a segmented track and/or cut out cavern within the plate body for the car to travel within in either vertically or horizontally in order to select a different weight plate or cumulatively, more or less weight for an exercise. The selector pin and car mechanism features a selector pin which is not removable from the car and is inserted through the car which is contained by the track and or plate body shape and into a throughbore in the weight plate in order to engage with the selector stem.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2016Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: Bronze Fist Design, Inc.Inventor: Dominic A. Simonetti
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Patent number: 9950206Abstract: An embodiment apparatus includes a crossbar including a surface with holes arranged along a portion of the crossbar and a handle including a surface with a hole. The crossbar may be configured to allow the handle to positionally adjust along the portion of the crossbar such that the hole in the surface of the handle aligns with one of the holes in the surface of the crossbar when the handle is located at a position along the portion. Alternatively or in addition, the handle may include a head which defines a plurality of holes in the handle. In this arrangement, a first connector is configured to slidably engage one of the plurality of holes in the handle and the hole in the crossbar, each of the plurality of holes in the first handle defining an orientation of the first handle.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2016Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: SARGE FITT LLCInventor: Juan Biddix, Jr.
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Patent number: 9950207Abstract: An exercise device includes a frame having a width and a length and defining a first opening extending in a direction perpendicular to the width and the length. The first opening is sized to retain at least a portion of a weighted object therein such that the width and the length of the frame extends along at least a portion of a width and a length of the weighted object, respectively, and externally thereto when the frame is connected to the weighted object. A handle member is connected to the frame to be gripped by a user.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2016Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: CageUp, LLCInventors: Philip Haddad, Joseph Haddad
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Patent number: 9950208Abstract: A system comprising a yoga mat, storage compartment and carrying case and associated methods for use.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2017Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Inventor: Michael Allen Willis
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Patent number: 9950209Abstract: Described herein are embodiments of stationary exercise machines having reciprocating foot and/or hand members, such as foot pedals that move in a closed loop path. Some embodiments can include reciprocating foot pedals that cause a user's feet to move along a closed loop path that is substantially inclined, such that the foot motion simulates a climbing motion more than a flat walking or running motion. Some embodiments can further include reciprocating handles that are configured to move in coordination with the foot via a linkage to a crank wheel also coupled to the foot pedals. Variable resistance can be provided via a rotating air-resistance based mechanism, via a magnetism based mechanism, and/or via other mechanisms, one or more of which can be rapidly adjustable while the user is using the machine.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2015Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: Nautilus, Inc.Inventors: Rasmey Yim, Marcus L. Marjama, Kevin M. Hendricks, Thomas H. Moran
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Patent number: 9950210Abstract: An exercise machine for performing prone leg curl exercises, including a moving support platform or frame that allows a user to perform prone leg curl exercises without excessively arching his or her lower back.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2015Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: HOIST FITNESS SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Jeffrey O. Meredith, Bruce Hockridge, Thao V. Doan
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Patent number: 9950211Abstract: An exercise machine is provided for developing the chest muscles while maintaining correct biomechanical posture and joint movement for the user, thereby maximizing efficiency and safety. The exercise machine includes a track on which two platforms independently slide. The platforms are each interconnected to a weight stack unit or other vertical resistance unit that provide resistance to the inward movement of the platforms. Each platform may also be connected to a tension element or resistance band that is configured to provide gradual and progressively increased resistance as the platforms are moved inwardly towards the center or center stop of the track.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2016Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Inventor: Ronald Williams
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Patent number: 9950212Abstract: Athletic performance monitoring and tracking may provide multiple ways in which to track athletic movement and activity. In one example, an athletic monitoring device may include or be associated with multiple types of movement sensors and switch between the sensors or use both depending on various factors including type of workout. Workouts may also be tagged with various parameters including mood, weather, terrain, athletic equipment used and the like. In one or more examples, the parameters may be automatically determined based on location. User workouts and accomplishments may also be celebrated through messages from celebrities, family, friends and other users. In some cases, the messages may be triggered by various conditions. Coaching may also be provided to the user to help improve workouts and overall athletic performance. Running routes may also be automatically tracked, stored and shared.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2016Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Michael T. Hoffman, Kwamina Crankson, Jason Nims, Michael L. Orenstein, Kristen L. White
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Patent number: 9950213Abstract: A stretch stride system comprising a mat having a first stride pattern and a second stride pattern positioned thereon. The first stride pattern may include two or more step patterns spaced at a first interval. The second stride pattern may include two or more step pattern spaced at a second interval. The first interval and the second interval may be determined using different extended step lengths.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2014Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Inventor: Robert Albert Skulman
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Patent number: 9950214Abstract: A multi-piece solid golf ball having a core, at least one intermediate layer encasing the core and at least one outer layer encasing the intermediate layer is characterized in that the intermediate layer is formed of a resin composition containing a specific acid-containing polymer or ionomer resin, and the outer layer is formed of primarily a polyurethane or a polyurea. The ball also has, between the intermediate layer and the outer layer, a bonding layer made of a polycarbonate and/or polyether-type aqueous polyurethane dispersion composition which includes a specific aqueous polycarbodiimide.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2016Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.Inventor: Takashi Ohira
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Patent number: 9950215Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf ball having a non-planar parting line about non-circular dimples on its spherical surface. The parting line comprises non-concentric arcs having straight connecting line segments between the arcs. Each arc maintains a tangency with its connecting lines and a relief distance greater than or equal to 0.003 inches when measured from an average non-circular dimple diameter to one of the non-concentric arcs and an absolute relief distance of at least 0.001 inches when measured from all points on the non-circular dimple perimeter to one of the non-concentric arcs. The sum of the lengths of the non-concentric arcs relates to the sum of the straight connecting line segments according to the equation: (0.15)?LARCS??LLINES?(0.50)?LARCS.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2017Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Nicholas M. Nardacci, Michael R. Madson, David P. Hunt
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Patent number: 9950216Abstract: A golf ball comprising: (a) a core; (b) at least one mantle layer adjacent to the core; (c) an inner cover layer adjacent to the mantle layer; and (d) an outer cover layer adjacent to the inner cover layer, wherein the inner cover layer has a material Shore D hardness that is at least 3 less than the material Shore D hardness of the outer cover layer, and the inner cover layer has a thickness of less than 0.050 in.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2014Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.Inventors: Dean A. Snell, Eric Michael Loper
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Patent number: 9950217Abstract: The utility model discloses a multilayer composite high-elastic environmentally-friendly ball structure which comprises a base layer, a first coating layer, a second coating layer, a third coating layer and a fourth coating layer, wherein both the base layer and the first coating layer are formed by splicing a number of pieces into a hollow spherical structure, and a contact surface of two adjacent spliced pieces is a stepped surface in a āZā shape or a concave-convex fitting surface in a āUā shape. The utility model have the advantages of simple manufacturing process, novel design, high stability, high reliability, high elasticity and long service life.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2017Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Inventor: Cheng-Ming Chuang
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Patent number: 9950218Abstract: A head for a ball striking device, such as a golf club head, includes a face member having a face with a striking surface configured for striking a ball and a rear surface opposite the striking surface, a weight member connected to the face member behind the rear surface of the face member, and a resilient member positioned between the weight member and the face member. The resilient member is connected to the rear surface of the face member to connect the weight member to the face member. The resilient member is compressible to permit energy and/or momentum to be transferred between the weight member and the face member through the resilient member during impact, including an off-center impact on the striking surface. Momentum transferred from the weight member to the face member during an off-center impact may reduce energy loss and twisting of the face on impact.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2014Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: David N. Franklin, Jeremy N. Snyder, John T. Stites, Robert Boyd
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Patent number: 9950219Abstract: A golf club head has a body defining a ball striking face. The body further has a first leg extending away from the ball striking face and a second leg extending away from the ball striking face wherein a void is defined between the first leg and the second leg. The body further defines a crown that extends over the void.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2015Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing CorporationInventors: Eric A. Larson, Robert Boyd, Kenneth W. Brown, Sherry L. Jones, John T. Stites
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Patent number: 9950220Abstract: A golf club head includes a strike face, a crown, and a sole, and is formed from a forward section and a body section that are coupled together. The forward section includes the strike face, and the body section includes an upper shell defining a portion of the crown, a lower shell defining a portion of the sole, and an internal wall extending between the upper shell and the lower shell. The internal wall is molded from a polymeric material and is integrally formed with one of the upper shell and the lower shell. At least one of the upper shell and the lower shell defines an opening that is in communication with a cavity provided between the upper shell and the lower shell and at least partially defined by the internal wall.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2015Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing CorporationInventors: Eric Larson, Randy Garrido
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Patent number: 9950221Abstract: An aerodynamic golf club head producing reduced aerodynamic drag forces via the curvature of a crown section. At least a portion of the crown section may be composed of low density materials, including nonmetallic materials.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2016Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: TAYLOR MADE GOLF COMPANY, INC.Inventors: Jeffrey J. Albertsen, Michael Scott Burnett
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Patent number: 9950222Abstract: A golf club incorporating a club head having a stress reducing feature located at least partially on the sole.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2016Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: TAYLOR MADE GOLF COMPANY, INC.Inventors: Jeffrey J. Albertsen, Michael Scott Burnett
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Patent number: 9950223Abstract: A golf club incorporating a stress reducing feature, including an aperture, located at least partially on the sole of the club head. The location and size of the stress reducing feature and aperture, and their relationship to one another, play a significant role in selectively improving the performance of the golf club.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2017Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: TAYLOR MADE GOLF COMPANY, INC.Inventors: Michael Scott Burnett, Bryan Seon, Jeffrey T. Halstead, Justin Girard
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Patent number: 9950224Abstract: An aerodynamic golf club head with a low center of gravity and producing reduced aerodynamic drag forces. The club head has crown section attributes that impart beneficial aerodynamic properties.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2017Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: TAYLOR MADE GOLF COMPANY, INCInventors: Kraig Alan Willett, Jeffrey J. Albertsen, Michael Scott Burnett
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Patent number: 9950225Abstract: A golf club head includes a heel portion, a toe portion, a hosel, and a striking face. The striking face includes a plurality of scorelines each having an average depth no less than about 0.10 mm, a plurality of micro-grooves each having an average depth no greater than about 0.010 mm, and a plurality of textured surface treatment regions superimposed on the micro-grooves so as to at least partially intersect the micro-grooves.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2016Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: DUNLOP SPORTS CO. LTD.Inventors: Roberto Aguayo, Matthew R. Daraskavich, Sharon J. Park, Jeffrey D. Brunski
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Patent number: 9950226Abstract: A small golf bag assembly having a small golf bag detachably connected to a main golf bag with connection devices, where the small golf bag has an opening with an interior cavity and a strap attached to its exterior. The small golf bag has a stake and one or more legs for stabilization.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2015Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Inventor: Steve Meyer
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Patent number: 9950227Abstract: A device is disclosed for setting a golf ball and tee in the ground and then for retrieving the golf ball and tee. The device has a handle end for being held in the hand of a user along with a ball pick-up end which engages a golf ball and tee so that the golf ball and the tee can be placed in the ground and then picked up. The handle end also has a trigger which is used to operate arms located at the pickup end which arms engage the ball and tee wherein a first rod connects the trigger to the arms of the pickup end. The first rod passes through a shaft and connects the trigger to the arms. An adjuster in the handle end operates a second rod which also passes through the shaft which controls a ball cup which is used to set the ball onto the tee which tee is then placed in the ground. Additionally, a stand is provided for insertion into the ground so that the device can be held in an upright position for being easily grasped by a user.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2017Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Inventor: Timothy K Faircloth
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Patent number: 9950228Abstract: A tool for golf course's sand bunkers that almost eliminate lines in the sand comprising a metal golf sand bunker spring rake having an elongated handle, a pair of metal tubular housings that are fastened to the handle configured to receive respective attachments, a protective shield plate assembly, a rubber cushion pad, and a sand bunker probe device. The attachments that can be connected to the tool include a roller attachment, a push tube assembly attachment, a plastic sand bunker rake attachment, and/or a drag brush.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2016Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Inventor: Joseph Lo'Vel Steele
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Patent number: 9950229Abstract: A golf club head cover including a head portion that defines a compartment that receives a golf club head and a sleeve portion that extends from the head portion and defines a sleeve conduit having an open end. The sleeve conduit is in communication with the compartment and the open end is positioned opposite the compartment. The sleeve portion is constructed from a first material and a second material. The second material is more elastic than the first material.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2015Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing CorporationInventors: Daniel K. Lee, Brian McGuire, James Chen
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Patent number: 9950230Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a chair with game features. A foldable chair includes a foldable structure having a back canvas structure, a bottom canvas secured to the foldable structure and having a through-hole, a cover flap removably connected to the bottom canvas covering the through-hole, and a back canvas removably secured to the back canvas structure. A field goal includes a plurality of pipes connected with a plurality of connection fittings. The back canvas can be removed so that the field goal can be removably connected to the back canvas structure. The cover flap can be moved from a first position covering the through-hole, and a second position where the through-hole is exposed. In some embodiments a foldable backboard can be removably connected to the back canvas structure.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2017Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Inventors: Michael Silva, Frank Silva
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Patent number: 9950231Abstract: A hockey skills training system comprising a high density polymer game board surface; a pair of nested goals disposed on one side of the shooting surface; a handle attached to the shooting surface; and at least one puck.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2016Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Inventor: Courtney John Bulloch
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Patent number: 9950232Abstract: A device for resisting and guiding a movement of a player's leading fore-arm during a sporting action. The device comprises a sleeve made of stretchable material configured to removably cover the player's forearm and upper arm, and a secondary patch of stretchable material attached to the posterior side of the sleeve. The secondary patch comprises at least two channels extending substantially along the length of the sleeve one either side of the elbow point, and which are adapted to house biasing means therein. The biasing means provide adjustable tension to resist the flexion movements of the player's fore-arm during the sporting action and maintaining the forearm in a straight, fully-extended position relative to the upper arm when the user relaxes the musculature in the forearm encased by the sleeve.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2015Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: STRAIGHTSHOOTER, LLCInventor: Michael Ross Middleton
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Patent number: 9950233Abstract: A method and device are provided that allow a competent skier to train and/or assist a trainee downhill skier with the acquisition of basic downhill skiing techniques. The trainee skier is tethered to an uphill instructing skier by a pair of reins attached to the trainee at the ankles, ski tips, or to the ski tips via ski tip handles. The instructing skier has substantially independent control over each tethering point to assist or train the novice skier to execute turns, control speed, and promote proper balance and stance for the maneuver and terrain at hand. The method and device may also comprise the use of adjustable ski tip couplers that limit divergence, and optionally convergence, of the trainee's ski tips. Handicapped skiers may be assisted and guided in downhill skiing using this method and device.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2013Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Inventor: Sebastian Bilbao
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Patent number: 9950234Abstract: The present invention relates to a sound generator for golf practice and includes: a main body having a sound generating portion from which sound is generated and a curved portion for supporting a golf club; and gripping means for keeping the golf club fixed to the curved portion. This sound generator has a structure from which sound is varied according to the speed of a swing as air enters in the direction in which a golf club is swung. Thus, a user can listen to the sound and increase or reduce the speed of a swing to conveniently practice golf.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2015Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Inventor: Chan-Jae Park
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Patent number: 9950235Abstract: A portable tennis playing apparatus allows players to play the game of tennis in various indoor environments. The portable tennis playing apparatus can be assembled and disassembled easily, and provides the opportunity for the players to not only enjoy the game of tennis but also to improve and hone their skills.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2016Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Inventor: Albert Williams
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Patent number: 9950236Abstract: A wearable device described herein includes a housing and a mount configured to mount the housing to an external surface of a wearer. The wearable device further includes one or more sensors configured to measure at least one physiological parameter of the wearer. The wearable device may obtain an activity metric that is based on at least one physiological parameter of the wearer measured by the one or more sensors and demographical data specific to the wearer. In some examples, the wearable may be configured to calculate the activity metric or a preliminary activity metric and to indicate the activity metric and/or preliminary activity metric to the wearer. In some examples, the wearable device may transmit the physiological parameter measurement to an external device and receive an indication of the activity metric from the external device.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2014Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: Verily Life Sciences LLCInventors: Sarel Kobus Jooste, David Andrew Gibson, Mark Murphy
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Patent number: 9950237Abstract: A system may comprise one or more monitoring devices that may communicate with a mobile device or a wearable device worn by a user of a sporting apparatus. The system may enable motion data specific to motion of the sporting apparatus to be conveniently captured and transmitted, and displayed on the wearable device. The system may include functionality to permit disablement of the motion detecting, transmission, and/or displaying functions at times when such functions are not permitted to be used, and to record the date, time, and location when such functions have been disabled to permit verification thereof by a governing body or sporting organization. The system may further include a learning module enabling monitored motion of the object to be correlated to monitored motion of the user such that predictive motion of the sporting object based only on monitored motion of the user may be obtained and displayed.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2015Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: DUNLOP SPORTS CO., LTD.Inventors: Michael J. Kline, John Rae, Scott Carlyle, Kirk Bacon, Patrick Ripp, Jeff Brunski, Jay Vogler, Dustin Brekke
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Patent number: 9950238Abstract: Systems, methods and software products optimize installation and operation of an object tracking system. Performance of the athlete tracking system is continually monitored and optimized based upon one or more of: statically positioned tags, grouping tags within two or more tag sets to assign ping rates, selecting receiver configuration and aim dynamically based upon environmental and situational conditions. Tracking tags are improved to facilitate coupling of the tag to an athlete and may be self-configurable. A trackable protection pad allows a tracking tag to be positioned substantially horizontal when the athlete is competing. A data replay tool replays location tracking information in chronological order and visually plots location of tracking tags and errors in the determined location. A tag manager automatically configures the tracking tags. A robotic vehicle automated installation of the object tracking system.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2015Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: ISOLYNX, LLCInventors: Douglas J. DeAngelis, Edward G. Evansen, Gerard M. Reilly, Brian D. Rhodes, Joseph M. Gaudreau, Kirk M. Sigel, Alexander T. Farkas
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Patent number: 9950239Abstract: The hitting training device is a training device used for practicing a swing by an athlete. The hitting training device is an earbud that contains a level sensor. The earbud is worn during the practice of a swing. The level sensor detects if the head of the athlete tilts off level off during the swing. In this circumstance, the level sensor activates a buzzer that audibly and physically indicates that the head tilted inappropriately. The hitting training device comprises an earbud, a level sensor, a signaling unit and a power system. The level sensor, signaling unit and the power system are contained within the earbud. The earbud is worn in the ear of the athlete much like a Bluetooth earbud commonly used with cellular phones.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2016Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Inventor: Kevin Harvey
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Patent number: 9950240Abstract: According to the various features characteristics and embodiments of the present invention which will become apparent as the description thereof proceeds, the present invention provides partially fingered gloves intended to increase the overall performance in sports activities including golf. The glove includes a palmar portion and a dorsal portion that cover the palm and back of a user's hand. The glove may include multiple digital segments that entirely cover some of the fingers and may be without a digital segment for a forefinger. In one example, the glove may include enhanced grip capabilities along the glove palmar portion. Primarily because of its unique finger configurations and grip enhancers, the instant invention makes a glove more operable in various sports activities, including for those who play Golf using the conventional interlocking grip.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2015Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Inventor: John Ramirez
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Patent number: 9950241Abstract: A snow ski assembly is provided for use by an individual to slide across a snow covered surface, for example, under the force of gravity. The assembly includes a ski having a bottom wall for engaging a snow covered surface and an upturned peripheral region extending around a perimeter of the bottom wall to help facilitate sliding movement of the ski across a snow covered surface in any direction, without preference to a particular direction, and to help inhibit the ski from digging into the snow covered surface when sliding across the snow covered surface. The assembly also includes a mounting feature for coupling a binding to the bottom wall of the ski, such that an individual can position a foot in the binding and use the ski to slide across the snow covered surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2014Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Inventors: John Pfeifer, Michael C. Marner
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Patent number: 9950242Abstract: A ski for use on ice or snow is disclosed. The ski includes a ski body having a tip portion, a tail portion, and a longitudinal running length extending between the tip portion and the tail portion and a substantially flat bottom surface for sliding on snow or ice. The ski also includes a suspension system comprised of a substantially rigid support structure secured to the longitudinally central region of the said ski body at two attachment locations separated by a distance of at least 5 inches along the longitudinal axis of the ski body, and at least one resilient element configured to exert an opposing force between the support structure and the ski body in the area between the two attachment locations.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2016Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Inventor: Anton F. Wilson
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Patent number: 9950243Abstract: A powered skateboard having a powered wheel. The powered wheel formed of a motor within tire of the wheel. The powered wheel fixed to a truck of the powered skateboard. The powered skateboard including at least one onboard battery to provide electrical power to the powered wheel.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2016Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: Inboard Technology, Inc.Inventors: Ryan Evans, Theodore Cerboneschi
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Patent number: 9950244Abstract: A motorized wheel assembly adaptable to skateboards provides drive motor and power sources and controls for the directed control of forward or backward propulsion of the skateboard using throttle and braking controls, the motorized wheel, and all skateboard wheels. Weight transfer assemblies for the motorized wheel transfer a portion of a skateboard rider's weight through the front mounted motorized wheel to the ground surface creating sufficient traction for the motorized wheel to propel the skateboard. One weight transfer assembly embodiment provides a pivoting, compression based mounting bracket. Separate embodiments of the weight transfer assemblies include single or dual shock absorbers.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2017Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Inventor: Raman Sargis
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Patent number: 9950245Abstract: A new game and the methods thereof are disclosed. The game comprises utilizing new devices, rules, methods, well-defined terms, and a plurality of playing cards designed with special markings and performing alternative actions within a conditional loop to tactically and strategically form the cards on-hand as required melds/pair with bonus-earning patterns. The structure, format, rules, and playing methods of the present invention are designed to provide a great mental workout, and the purpose of the present invention is to engage people and create a friendly and gregarious environment that allows everyone to enjoy the company of others.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2014Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Inventor: Lee Yang
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Patent number: 9950246Abstract: A method, gaming machine, and online gaming system for playing a game of baccarat with a color side bet that the number of cards of a selected suit color in either the Player hand or the Banker hand will exceed the number of similarly colored cards in the other hand. After the regular baccarat hand is played, the Banker hand and the Player hand are compared with respect to the number of cards of the selected color and the outcome of the color side bet is determined based on which hand contains more cards of the selected color. A gaming table is configured the specific areas for receiving the color side bet.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2016Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: CEASARS ENTERPRISE SERVICES, LLCInventors: John Lysowski, Nathan Ronald Armogan
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Patent number: 9950247Abstract: Pinball machines are described. 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 has first and second playfield portions. In response to the event, a playfield reducer located between the first and second portions is electronically activated in a manner sufficient to prevent a pinball from traveling between the first and second playfield portions. A pinball machine includes a playfield reducer that is operable to be in and transition between first and second positions during normal gameplay. When the playfield reducer is in the first position, the pinball is capable of rolling into and out of a portion of the playfield surface, and when the playfield reducer is in the second position, the playfield reducer prevents the pinball from accessing or from leaving the portion of the playfield surface.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2016Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: Multimorphic, Inc.Inventor: Gerald Stellenberg
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Patent number: 9950248Abstract: A computing system of an electronic puzzle includes a memory, an electronically controlled lock, and a plurality of sensors to generate sensor data. The computing system controls the electronically controlled lock to regulate access to an inner chamber of the electronic puzzle and monitors the sensor data generated by the plurality of sensors. The computing system generates an input password based on the monitored sensor data, compares the input password to a puzzle password stored in the memory, and unlocks the electronically controlled lock to permit access to the inner chamber in response to a determination that the input password matches the puzzle password.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2015Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: David I. Poisner, Yuri I. Krimon
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Patent number: 9950249Abstract: An electronic device includes a display unit, an input unit, a memory unit, a sensor unit, a communication unit, and a control unit. The display unit is configured to display a question and answers corresponding to the question. The input unit is configured to allow user selection of one of the answers. The sensor unit is configured to detect movement of the electronic device. The control unit is configured to control the memory unit to record the one of the answers and to determine whether the movement meets a predetermined condition of shaking after the user selection is received by the input unit, and to control the communication unit to transmit the one of the answers when it is determined that the movement meets the predetermined condition.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2016Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: NATIONAL TAIWAN NORMAL UNIVERSITYInventors: Jon-Chao Hong, Ming-Yueh Hwang, Kai-Wen Tai, Chi-Ruei Tsai, Kai-Hsin Tai
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Patent number: 9950250Abstract: The present invention is directed to an arcade game with a rotating playing field and a radially projecting mechanism for moving targets located on the spinning mechanism board. Having the mechanism be radially projecting allows for more players by reducing the playing area that each player occupies. In a first embodiment, the player uses a vacuum mechanism. In another embodiment, the player uses a pusher to direct targets or prizes off the playing field in the radial direction. The pusher mechanism can push the targets toward the player (into a retrieval bin) or off the playing field at the center of the game. In a preferred embodiment, the game automatically replaces each displaced target with a new target so that the game always maintains the same number of targets on the playing field.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2016Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Inventor: Stephen P. Shoemaker, Jr.
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Patent number: 9950251Abstract: In some embodiments, a system comprises an interface, a set of compilation rules, a trigger indication selection module, and a compilation reel generation module. The interface may be configured to receive metadata corresponding to gameplay on a digital device. The metadata may include a set of trigger indicators associated with a set of gameplay events occurring during the gameplay. The set of trigger indicators may be based on a set of trigger conditions occurring during the gameplay. The trigger indicator selection module may be configured to select a subset of the set of trigger indicators based on the set of compilation reel rules. The compilation reel generation module may be configured to generate a compilation reel based on the subset of trigger indicators selected by the trigger indicator selection module, the compilation reel including video of the gameplay events corresponding to the subset of trigger indicators.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2017Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: ELECTRONIC ARTS INC.Inventors: Michael Lewis, Hans Van Veenendaal, Jonathan Back, Thomas Bruckschlegel
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Patent number: 9950252Abstract: A system, machine-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for providing reciprocation of game asset gifts from a player is provided. A notification of a game asset of a first player that is available to a plurality of players is sent from a game server to the plurality of players. The notification is sent through a web feed in a game user interface of each player of the plurality of players. A first response requesting the game asset of the first player is received from a second web feed in a second game user interface of a second player in response to the notification. The game asset is provided to a second account of the second player in response to the first response.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2013Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: Zynga Inc.Inventors: Shane Hall, Dylan Sproule, Ben Hall, Timothy J. O. Catlin, Jason Paul Allen, Clayton Rhodes Stark
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Patent number: 9950254Abstract: A non-limiting example information processing apparatus includes an operating device including an analog stick that also functions as a depressible push button. Processing circuitry of the apparatus is configured to receive inclination information indicative of an inclination of a stick portion of the analog stick; use the received inclination information as an input for a first information processing operation; receive depression information indicative of a depressing of the stick portion of the analog stick; use the received depression information as an input for a second information processing operation different from the first information processing operation; and invalidate received depression information when inclination information indicative of inclination greater than a predetermined inclination is currently received.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2014Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.Inventor: Keizo Ohta
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Patent number: 9950255Abstract: A method, implemented as computer code being executed by one or more processors, in which computer game graphics for a casual, social game are shown on a display of a computing device and in which one or more of the processors are programmed to show: a virtual path or other virtual world that indicates the level reached by the player and some of that player's social network friends; a score board that displays the score of a player once he has completed a level successfully, together with the highest scores of some of its social network friends' for that level; and in which each level of the game can be failed and, if the processor determines that the player is running out of moves or time, then the processor causes the game to automatically display a message offering extra moves and/or time for the player to purchase, to carry on playing the game, or other in-game assistance.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2016Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: KING.COM LTD.Inventors: Sebastian Knutsson, Niklas Malmqvist, Jonas Magnusson, Tobias Nyblom