Patents Issued in July 3, 2018
  • Patent number: 10010749
    Abstract: The invention provides an exercise device for strengthening muscles in the scapula-thoracic region. The device enables simulated weight-bearing action for the upper limb while maintaining good postural form. The device can also be used to provide feedback on good postural form. The exercise device comprises a spine contact member (26) to be positioned at the thoracic curve of a person (10), and two rigid planar members (28) which extend laterally from the spine contact member (26). The rigid planar members (28) are positioned over the scapulae of the person (10). The spine contact member (26) and associated rigid planar members (28) are held in position by straps (30) which pass over and under the shoulders of the person (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignees: Gravity Fitness Australia Pty Ltd
    Inventors: David Alexander Richardson, Carolyn Anne Richardson
  • Patent number: 10010750
    Abstract: An activity tracking device is defined to detect and record movement of a person to which the activity tracking device is affixed. A secondary electronic device is defined separate from the activity tracking device. The secondary electronic device is defined to receive data from the activity tracking device regarding the detected and recorded movement of the person. A website is defined to communicate with connected devices including the secondary electronic device. The website is defined to provide a user account for the person. The website is defined to convey information regarding the detected and recorded movement of the person through the user account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Fitbit, Inc.
    Inventors: Seth A. Tropper, Amado Batour
  • Patent number: 10010751
    Abstract: A variable-color region (106) of a football-playing or baseball/softball-playing structure of an information-presentation structure extends to an exposed surface (102) at a surface zone (112) and normally appears along it as a principal color. An impact-dependent portion (138) of the variable-color region responds to an object (104) impacting the zone at an object-contact area (116) by temporarily appearing along a closely matching print area (118) of the zone as changed color materially different from the principal color. For football, the zone typically adjoins an end or side line (1446 or 1448) to help determine whether the object, typically a person's shoe, impacted the surface “in” or “out”. For baseball/softball, the zone typically adjoins a foul line (1506) to help determine whether the object, a baseball/softball, impacted the surface “fair” or “foul”.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Inventor: Ronald J. Meetin
  • Patent number: 10010752
    Abstract: An athletic parameter measurement device worn by an athlete during an athletic activity session includes a housing which attaches to the athlete, a display, a processor associated with the display, and an athletic parameter measurement sensor. During the athletic activity, the device detects, using the sensor, a vertical jump height of the athlete, and displays, during the performance of the athletic activity session, a representation of the vertical jump height on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: James Meschter, James Molyneux, Aaron B. Weast
  • Patent number: 10010753
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving, from one or more sensors, biomechanical data of a first user performing a plurality of actions of a first action-type and outcome data of a plurality of outcomes corresponding to the respective plurality of actions. A plurality of sets of action-parameter values may be determined based on the received biomechanical data, where each of the sets of action-parameter values corresponds to a respective action of the plurality of actions. An athletic-performance model of the first user may be generated based on the plurality of sets of action-parameter values. The athletic-performance model may be a statistical model including probabilities computed with respect to the sets of action-parameter values and the outcome data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: IAM Sports & Entertainment
    Inventors: Raymond Joseph Brothers, Eleftherios E. Gdoutos, Adam Mulliken, John Pye
  • Patent number: 10010754
    Abstract: A computing system is described that determines one or more of modes of transportation available to a user of a computing device to travel from a current location of the computing device to a particular destination such that the user is predicted to arrive at the particular destination by a particular future time. The computing system determines, based at least in part on a fitness goal associated with the user of the computing device, a recommended mode of transportation from the one or more modes of transportation, the recommended mode of transportation being a particular mode of transportation predicted to aid the user in achieving the fitness goal. The computing system outputs, for transmission to the computing device, an indication of the recommended mode of transportation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventor: Benjamin Albert Azose
  • Patent number: 10010755
    Abstract: An exercise machine includes a frame, a movable element movably attached to the frame that is movable in the performance of an exercise, and a magnetic assembly attached to the frame. The magnetic assembly has a magnetic unit movably positioned adjacent to a non-ferromagnetic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: ICON Health & Fitness, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Watterson
  • Patent number: 10010756
    Abstract: An exercise machine includes a frame and a movable element movably attached to the frame that is movable in a performance of an exercise. The exercise machine also includes a friction reducing assembly with a first part attached to the movable element and a second part attached elsewhere on the exercise machine. The friction reducing assembly includes a non-ferromagnetic material and a magnet that moves relative to the non-ferromagnetic material as the movable element moves. The relative movement of the non-ferromagnetic material and the magnet generate a force that reduces friction between the non-ferromagnetic material and the magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: ICON Health & Fitness, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric S. Watterson
  • Patent number: 10010757
    Abstract: The invention discloses an equipment for improving physical fitness, whose primary aspect is muscle strengthening. Another objective of the invention, besides maximizing muscle development, is to minimize the risk of injury during and after practices. The invention has a comfortable, tailor-made design shell (1), filled with filling material. The shell (1) of the filler can be filled or emptied during exercises (in-situ method). The shell (1) does not have any strips or handles on its outer surface. The shell (1) size is designed in a way that its size matches the shoulder width of the user. In addition, the device is equipped with a scale (3), which indicates the charge status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Sparrowbag Hungary Kft.
    Inventors: József Miklósi, Péter Soldos, Károly Füles
  • Patent number: 10010758
    Abstract: A device for moving the back and core muscles while sitting includes a rocking assembly that sits atop a base assembly, and optionally a height adjustment mechanism between the rocking assembly and the base assembly. The rocking assembly further includes a rocking mechanism that sits between a base plate or platform and a seat. The rocking mechanism can be, for example, a hollow or solid hemispheric- or dome-shaped rocking mechanism, an eccentric bicylinder rocking mechanism, and/or a rocking mechanism based on an arrangement of halfpipe members. The rocking mechanisms of the exercise chair allow to the seat to rock, wobble, and/or swivel with a side-to-side rocking motion, a front-to-back rocking motion, or both a side-to-side rocking motion and a front-to-back rocking motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Kinetic Furniture of Vermont, LLC
    Inventors: Turner Osler, Alexis Osler
  • Patent number: 10010759
    Abstract: An apparatus for receiving one or more activity attachments including a deck having one or more openings along a long axis of the deck and between the top surface and the bottom surface of the deck. Each of the one or more openings having a circular aperture for receiving an accessory of a set of accessories. Each accessory of the set of accessories providing an activity for a user of the activity. Each accessory having an attachment platform configured to attach the accessory to the board. The attachment platform having a locking mechanism to engaging with a complementary locking mechanism of the board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: MORF, LLC
    Inventors: Eitan Kramer, Frank Bleck, Eric Michael Bergman
  • Patent number: 10010760
    Abstract: A golf ball with an aerodynamic design is disclosed herein. The aerodynamic design has a protrusion at a center of a hex geometry representing an increase in ball radius greater than 0.0005 inches from a minimum ball radius. The minimum ball radius is located between 0.01 and 0.04 inch (11%-46%) from the center of the hex geometry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Grady C. Crahan, Craig Schnell
  • Patent number: 10010761
    Abstract: A golf ball has, on a surface thereof, a rugged pattern composed of a land and a large number of dimples. A method for designing the rugged pattern includes the steps of: (1) assuming a large number of circles on a surface of a phantom sphere; (2) assuming a large number of generating points 16 based on positions of the large number of circles; (3) assuming a large number of Voronoi regions 18 on the surface of the phantom sphere by a Voronoi tessellation based on the large number of generating points 16; and (4) assigning a dimple and a land to the surface of the phantom sphere based on contours of the large number of Voronoi regions 18.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Hyoungchol Kim, Masahide Onuki, Takahiro Sajima, Kohei Mimura
  • Patent number: 10010762
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball showing an increased spin rate on approach shots under a wet condition while maintaining a spin rate on approach shots under a dry condition. The present invention provides a golf ball comprising a golf ball body and a paint film formed on a surface of the golf ball body, wherein the paint film has a multi-layered construction composed of two or more layers, and a difference (Min?Mout) between a 10% elastic modulus (Min) of an innermost layer of the paint film and a 10% elastic modulus (Mout) of an outermost layer of the paint film is 25 kgf/cm2 or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Tarao, Hidetaka Inoue, Kazuya Kamino, Kosuke Tachibana
  • Patent number: 10010763
    Abstract: A golf ball with a clay coating disposed an interior surface of the golf ball and a method is disclosed herein. The clay coating is preferably a nano-clay coating which is deposited on a core surface or a mantle surface of the golf ball. The nano-clay coating is preferably dispersed into the interior layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Callaway Gold Company
    Inventor: Hong G. Jeon
  • Patent number: 10010764
    Abstract: Multi-layered, golf balls having a core made of a foamed composition are provided. The core preferably has a foam inner core (center) and surrounding thermoset or thermoplastic outer core layer. The core also includes a structural insert such as, for example, a solid shell, perforated shell, a lattice or mesh, or a central hub with extending arms, and the like. The core layers have different hardness gradients and specific gravity values. The ball further includes a cover having at least one layer. By adjusting the respective specific gravity values of the core layers, the Moment of Inertia (MOI) of the ball can be increased or decreased. In one embodiment, the ball has generally good flight distance and low spin rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Mark L. Binette, Brian Comeau, Michael Michalewich, Douglas S. Goguen
  • Patent number: 10010765
    Abstract: Multi-layered golf balls having a dual-layered core and cover of at least one layer are provided. The dual-core construction includes a non-foamed inner core (center) made of a thermoplastic or thermoset composition such as polybutadiene rubber. An outer core layer comprising a foamed composition, such as polyurethane foam, is disposed about the inner core. In one version, the foamed outer core layer is made of a relatively soft foam composition having low flex modulus and density. The foamed outer core layer may specific gravity gradient within the layer, wherein the outer surface specific gravity is greater than the midpoint specific gravity. A cover may be disposed about the core structure. For example, an inner cover made of ethylene acid copolymer ionomer and outer cover made of polyurethane may be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Mark L. Binette, Brian Comeau, Michael Michalewich, Douglas S. Goguen, Shawn Ricci
  • Patent number: 10010766
    Abstract: In a method and related system of the invention, each golf ball component is progressed while being coated, without contacting another surface until after curing, and without the margin for error created in prior systems/methods using physical or air stream up-take supports. In one embodiment, a method of the invention comprises the steps of: progressing a golf ball component within an enclosed chamber for a controlled duration of time; at least partially covering the golf ball component with a coating material while the ball is progressed within the enclosed chamber; and at least partially curing the coating material on golf ball component in the chamber. The golf ball component may be in a state of free fall while progressed within the enclosed chamber, and in some embodiments, also during the step of curing the coating material on the golf ball component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventor: Michael R. Madson
  • Patent number: 10010767
    Abstract: A baseball holder for an autograph seeker includes a hollow housing having a bottom wall, a planar top wall, a pair of sidewalls and a pair of end walls. The bottom wall includes a pair of spaced slots that allow a celebrity to more easily grasp the housing when signing a baseball. On the top wall is a circular opening in communication with an interior chamber having a pair of reciprocal gripping members therein for securing a baseball to the housing. Accordingly, when a baseball is secured within the opening, the planar top wall provides a comfortable support surface for the celebrity's writing hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Inventor: David W Stach
  • Patent number: 10010768
    Abstract: Provided is a golf club enabling the rotation position of an adapter to be viewed without disassembling a coupling structure for coupling a shaft and a golf club head. This golf club includes a shaft, a golf club head having a hosel portion, a first adapter that is accommodated in the interior space of the hosel portion through a shaft attachment hole in the hosel portion, a second adapter that has a through-hole through which the first adapter passes, and at least a portion arranged outside the attachment hole, and a fixing member detachably fixing the first adapter in the interior space of the hosel portion. The shaft is coupled with an inclination relative to the first adapter, the first adapter is coupled with an inclination relative to the second adapter, and the first adapter and the second adapter are coupled so as to be capable of axial rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Naruhiro Mizutani, Kiyofumi Matsunaga
  • Patent number: 10010769
    Abstract: An exemplary golf club head having an increased amount of discretionary mass may be realized by utilizing improved drop angles, an improved average crown height, and/or articulation points. The discretionary mass may be placed low and deep in the club head to improve the location of the center of gravity as well as the inertial properties. A preferred break length may also be utilized to further improve the depth of the center of gravity. In one example, the center of gravity may be positioned to substantially align the sweet spot with the face center of the club head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: SRI SPORTS LIMITED
    Inventors: John J. Rae, Nathaniel J. Radcliffe, Daniel J. Stone, Trent E. Garner, Brad S. Hooley, Robert J. Horacek, Sam G. Lacey, Jeff D. Brunski, Kevin Schaeffer, Scott A. Carlyle, Stephen C. Chien, Craig R. Schnell, Douglas E. Roberts, Dan S. Nivanh, Michael J. Wallans
  • Patent number: 10010770
    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 hollow body portion having a front portion, a rear portion, a toe portion, a heel portion, a bottom portion, a top portion, a plurality of ports on the bottom portion and a plurality of inner support portions in the hollow body portion. Other examples and embodiments may be described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: PARSONS XTREME GOLF, LLC
    Inventors: Robert R. Parsons, Bradley D. Schweigert, Michael R. Nicolette
  • Patent number: 10010771
    Abstract: A golf club head comprising a body, an elevated weight bar, and at least one stiffening member is disclosed herein. The elevated weight bar is disposed within a hollow cavity portion of the body and bridges at least a portion of a bottom section of the body, and the at least one stiffening member is also disposed within the hollow cavity portion, extending from a top line section to bottom section of the body and passing through the elevated weight bar without making contact with the elevated weight bar. The elevated weight bar, which is preferably composed of a higher density material than that of the body, may be formed separately from the rest of the body and then affixed to the body by welding or a mechanical fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: James A. Seluga, Matthew Myers, Irina Ivanova, Bradley C. Rice, William C. Watson
  • Patent number: 10010772
    Abstract: The present invention is direct to a set of golf clubs comprising long irons, mid-irons and short irons. The invention contemplates the use of titanium or steel for the main body portion and significant tungsten weight members at the heel and toe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Marni Ines, Jonathan Hebreo, Michael E. Franz, Joshua C. Stokes
  • Patent number: 10010773
    Abstract: Presently disclosed grip assemblies provide for a selectively removable and replaceable grip for a shaft. Such grip assemblies include a grip sleeve and a grip liner at least partially fixed to an inner grip surface of the grip sleeve. The grip liner is configured to expand between a resting conformation and an expanded conformation as the grip sleeve and grip liner are positioned on the shaft. The grip liner includes a liner feature that engages a shaft feature, which may be integrally formed on the shaft, or may be formed on a shaft sheath on the shaft. Engagement of the liner feature with the shaft feature may substantially prevent rotation of the grip sleeve with respect to the shaft once the grip sleeve is on the shaft. Presently disclosed grip sleeves may be selectively removed from the shaft without damaging the grip sleeve, and without requiring solvents or specialized tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Inventor: Scott J. Pugliese
  • Patent number: 10010774
    Abstract: A golf club has within the grip a main device, a connector, a wireless module, an antenna, a light emitting element, and an optical fiber. The main device is a device that includes a sensor such as a motion sensor, a circuit such as a CPU, and a battery. The light emitting element is an indicating means that emits light in accordance with the state of a component mounted in the golf club. The light emitted by the light emitting element is guided to the grip end by the optical fiber and emitted to the outside of the grip via the grip end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: YAMAHA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takahiro Terada, Koji Yataka
  • Patent number: 10010775
    Abstract: An easily assembled and disassembled frame for a net game includes a rigid multi-part frame with a cross-member that is non-sagging. Sections of the multi-part frame have an elliptical profile. A net stabilizer includes a tensioning member coupled at one end to a retention member of the frame, and having the other end of the tensioning member inserted into a center sleeve of the net, and, a center sleeve with a securing member for fastening securely at one end to the cross-member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Inventor: Joe Dinoffer
  • Patent number: 10010776
    Abstract: An improved auxiliary weighted roller assembly attachable to a sports goal ground crossbar to stabilize the goal and to facilitate temporary or long term relocation for field maintenance, alternative field use, or storage consisting of a framework attachable to the crossbar and a pair of weighted rollers attached to the framework one each disposed on the front and rear of the crossbar of sufficient diameter to raise the crossbar above the ground, the improvement comprising devices to increase the strength of the clamping mechanism employed to attach the roller assembly and the goal ground crossbar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Inventors: James H. Gravel, James Ritchie, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10010777
    Abstract: A system for swing training with a bat, the system includes a training device, having a bat spacer attached to a sweet spot position on the bat about a barrel portion of the bat, the bat spacer having a body with a top surface and a bottom surface; the bottom surface is contoured to snugly fit against an outer surface of the barrel portion; the bottom surface is secured against the outer surface via an adhesion material; and the bottom surface wraps partially around the outer surface; a flexible energy absorbing cover attached to the top surface of the bat spacer, the flexible energy absorbing cover having an interior cavity; an electronic faceplate secured within the interior cavity to sense data associated with the bat coming into contact with a ball; and an electronic device in wireless communication with the electronic faceplate; the electronic device is to record data sensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Inventor: Jim Schwanke
  • Patent number: 10010778
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for tracking a dribbling and/or passing motion associated with a person engaged in either a training session for a sporting event or the live play of the sporting event. In sporting events, a dribbling motion can be associated with a repetitive movement or a short trajectory sequence between changes of direction of a ball, puck or other object used in the sporting event. A passing motion can be associated with the movement of the ball, puck or other object between two people during the sporting event. The system can use one or more sensors to capture information about a person dribbling and/or passing an object and at least one processor to analyze the information to determine and evaluate one or more characteristics associated with the dribbling, the passing motion, or a transition from dribbling to passing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Pillar Vision, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan W. Marty, John Carter
  • Patent number: 10010779
    Abstract: The invention is an exercise apparatus providing an advanced level of surfboard paddling simulation and muscle development. The design includes a specialized platform, unique hand harnesses, and cable systems with mechanical advantage and mass moment of inertia mechanisms, piston pumps, cable spools, and elastic elements. They allow the user to simulate paddling in an alternating or simultaneous sequence at any speed while strong elastic tension resists the user's thrust strokes, but during paddling return strokes the user feels no elastic tension or resistance. The design also prompts the user to engage and strengthen all dorsal muscles to maintain an appropriately arched body position while paddling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Inventor: James Jordan Goldberg
  • Patent number: 10010780
    Abstract: A modular head engaging assembly for use with a golf swing training device, the assembly including a U-shaped back-of-the-head positioning element including axially aligned inner and outer coupling pieces, the U-shaped back-of-the-head positioning element extending from a position adjacent the forehead of a golfer across the top of the head to a position overlying a portion of the rear of the head, a U-shaped collar element including axially aligned inner and outer coupling pieces, the U-shaped collar element being extending from a position adjacent the forehead of the golfer around each side of the head with a free end positioned above each of the ears, and a front head-positioning element including an inner coupling piece, the front head-positioning element being positioned adjacent the forehead. The three elements being coupled by the coupling pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Inventor: Kerry Potter
  • Patent number: 10010781
    Abstract: An adjustable laser sight for a putter is configured to displays a visible line of sight from the putter to a hole. The adjustable laser sight includes a housing that is generally hollow. The housing further comprises a module first slot, a first leg, a second leg, and a first slot. A laser line module is inserted into the module first slot. A lower plate is connected to the housing. A back plate is fit against the lower plate. The back plate is along the lower plate relative to the housing. The adjustable laser sight is configured to be held to the putter between the first leg, the second leg and a spring loaded lower plate third leg such that the laser line module produces a projected line of sight which makes the visible line of sight from the putter to the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Inventor: Mark Wreford Tiernan
  • Patent number: 10010782
    Abstract: The invention relates to a heel-piece for binding a boot on a gliding board that includes a frame including a vertical extension; a body rotatably mounted about the extension; at least two rods supported by the body, extending on respective sides of the vertical extension, the two rods each having a free end to cooperate with a housing in the heel of the boot; and a holding mechanism for maintaining a spacing between the free ends of the rods. The vertical extension supports at least one contact zone fixed in relation to the frame. Each rod cooperates with a respective portion of the contact zone, specific to each rod. The contact zone is arranged such that a rotation of the body about the extension, from a descent configuration, causes an increased spacing between the two rods. The invention also relates to a binding system and a gliding board equipped with such a binding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: SALOMON S.A.S.
    Inventor: Laurent Damiani
  • Patent number: 10010783
    Abstract: A snowboard binding that eliminates the ratchet-type connection used in conventional snowboard bindings. Instead, the snowboard binding incorporates a connection mechanism that is somewhat similar to a ski-boot style connector, and that uses only two straps on each binding compared to the traditional four straps. In addition, the connection mechanism can be pre-adjusted by the user to the desired connection pressure. Once the desired pre-adjustment is reached, the user can simply step into the binding and connect the connection mechanism without needing to adjust the connection pressure or tightness during mounting the user's foot or boot to the board as with conventional snowboard bindings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Inventor: Kelly Reinarz
  • Patent number: 10010784
    Abstract: A self-balancing electric vehicle may include a board having a frame, and a suspension system including at least one four-bar linkage coupling opposing end portions of a hub motor axle to the first end portion of the frame. The four-bar linkage(s) may have a first fixed link connected to the axle, a second fixed link comprising the frame, and two pivotable links joining the first fixed link to the second fixed link, such that the board is configured to be movable up and down relative to the axle. A shock absorber may be coupled to the four-bar linkage(s) and to the first end portion of the frame, such that the shock absorber is configured to damp up and down movement of the board relative to the axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Future Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle Jonathan Doerksen, Matthew Michael O'Brien
  • Patent number: 10010785
    Abstract: A gaming ticket and method for providing the same includes foil applied to the gaming ticket surface such that the foil covers less than the entire surface of any surface of the gaming ticket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Muncie Novelty Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Overholt
  • Patent number: 10010786
    Abstract: A rolling toy to be rolled on a horizontal support surface, for instance, on a floor, having a primary roller and a secondary roller. The primary roller having a tubular-like member extending along a longitudinal axis and at least one annular flange fixedly attached to the tubular-like member and extending outwardly therefrom. The secondary roller is adapted a for rolling motion upon an interior surface of the tubular-like member when the primary roller rotates about the longitudinal axis due to the rolling motion of the rolling toy on the horizontal support surface. At least one of the following includes a helical guiding means: (i) the tubular-like member and (ii) the secondary roller. Thereby, when the secondary roller is disposed on the interior surface of the tubular-like member and the primary roller is set in a rolling motion on the horizontal support surface in a predetermined direction, the rolling motion of the primary roller results in a tilting of the latter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Inventor: Simon Basyuk
  • Patent number: 10010787
    Abstract: A three-dimensional maze structure contains: at least one body and at least one ball. Each body includes a central shaft, multiple partitions, and multiple paths. Each path is defined between any two adjacent partitions, among each path and any two adjacent partitions is formed a trapezoidal oblique surface, and each partitions is distributed by multiple semi-trapezoidal stop pieces, the stop piece has two peripheral ribs horizontally extending outward from two sides of each path to prevent the ball rolling out respectively, and between two facing peripheral ribs of any two adjacent stop pieces is defined a window. Each path has multiple fences and plural passages arranged in an irregular manner. Each ball rolls in each path of each body and a point with the trapezoidal oblique surface, hence each ball rolls and is stopped by the stop piece and then moves through horizontal path of any two adjacent partitions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Inventor: Kuo-Ming Tsai
  • Patent number: 10010788
    Abstract: A system and method of tracking a user input device such as a game controller includes emitting light from multiple light sources in the user input device. The multiple light sources having a known spacing relative to each other on the user input device and at least some of the multiple light sources are capable of emitting light through a inside surface and an outside surface of the user input device. The multiple light sources can define a plane of the user input device that can be used to track the movement, location and orientation of the user input device. The user device is tracked using image data from a camera. The image data is communicated to a computer where the image data is processed to identify the movement, location and orientation of the user input device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
    Inventor: Ennin Huang
  • Patent number: 10010789
    Abstract: An example information processing system includes a computer device comprising a housing, a first display on the front surface of the housing, user controls, and processing circuitry configured to generate images; and a cradle configured for selective connection to the computer device and including an output for connection to a second display. The information processing system is operable in a portable mode in which the computer device is not connected to the cradle and the generated images are displayed on the first display and in a console mode in which the computer device is connected to the cradle and the generated images are output by the computer device to the cradle for display on a second display, but are not displayed on the first display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Koizumi, Yui Ehara, Munetaka Nishikawa, Kochi Kawai, Kenichi Mae
  • Patent number: 10010790
    Abstract: An interactive treasure hunt game is provided. Game participants receive a card, map and/or identification badge configured with an RFID tag, bar-code or a magnetic “swipe” strip or the like. The RFID tag or other identifying device is used to store certain information identifying each play participant and/or describing certain powers or abilities possessed by an imaginary character that the card may represent. Players advance in the game by finding clues and solving various puzzles presented by the game. Players may also gain (or lose) certain attributes, such as magic skills, magic strength, fighting ability, various spell-casting abilities, etc. All of this information is preferably stored on the RFID tag or card so that the character attributes may be easily and conveniently transported to other similarly-equipped play facilities, computer games, video games, home game consoles, hand-held game units, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: MQ Gaming, LLC
    Inventors: Denise Chapman Weston, Jonathan A. Barney
  • Patent number: 10010791
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing customized camera views and customized objects within virtualized environments are provided herein. In one embodiment a method includes detecting a gameplay event of interest within a virtual gaming environment and displaying a customized camera view of the gameplay event of interest based on user input receiving during traversal of a projectile from a weapon to a target. The customized camera view has a focal point of the projectile. In some embodiments the projectile has a virtual wrapper that can include a user-provided image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Hothead Games Inc.
    Inventors: James Paul Ceraldi, Brad Steeves, Bryan Brandt
  • Patent number: 10010792
    Abstract: Systems and methods for executing content to be rendered on a screen of a head mounted display (HMD) are provided. One method includes executing the content to render interactive scenes on the screen and tracking an orientation direction of the HMD when worn on a head of a user and the interactive scenes are being rendered on the screen. The method includes changing view directions into the interactive scenes based on changes in the orientation direction of the HMD, such that movements of the head of the user causes the changes in the view directions into the interactive scenes. The method further includes receiving images of a real world space using a camera of the HMD. The camera of the HMD is configured to capture a location of real world objects in the real world space relative to the user of the HMD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Osman, Xiaodong Mao
  • Patent number: 10010793
    Abstract: User interface approaches to providing help to players by playing back previously recorded inputs. Certain exemplary embodiments involve displaying, with the recorded playback, an input device icon to show where the inputs are occurring and/or where the inputs should occur if the player were to make them. Modifications are made to the previously recorded input to improve the user's ability to see what is happening, as well as making the playback seem more consistent, mechanical, and automatic. The help makes the computer application seem like the user interface is operating itself in a way that is easy to follow, rather than giving the impression that a previously recorded user input stream simply is being played back in accordance with the more organic and potentially idiosyncratic behaviors of the recorded person. The modifications may in certain exemplary embodiments include, for example, path smoothing/correction, automatic snapping, delay periods, speed normalization, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jonathan Johnson, Yukimi Shimura
  • Patent number: 10010794
    Abstract: Rendering an image of a game board on a display comprising a plurality of tiles and a tumbler object abutting at least one tile; recording in a memory the position of the tumbler object in a physical world; detecting a user input to insert a new tile; detecting if the new tile creates a match with two adjacent existing tiles and if so rendering a new image of the game board on the display wherein the new and two existing tiles are removed; detecting in the physical world if the tile abutting the tumbler object has been removed and if so rendering an image of the tumbler object falling down the display under a simulated gravity imposed by a physics engine; and monitoring the position of the falling tumbler object and on determination that one of its edges abuts another tile, preventing it from falling further.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: KING.COM LTD.
    Inventor: Andrei Dancau
  • Patent number: 10010795
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to methods and systems involving an enhanced social expression card that comprises machine-readable storage for data relating to one or more virtual goods. The one or more virtual goods may be, for example, redeemable in a virtual environment such as a videogame or an online virtual world.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Activision Publishing, Inc.
    Inventor: John Coyne
  • Patent number: 10010796
    Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure relates to providing dynamic and static contest prize allocation based on in-game achievement of a user in an online game in order to encourage players to continue to purchase items to improve their tournament metrics even if they may be unable to improve their tournament rank. For example, calculation of a dynamic prize may comprise for rank x, the player may gain 1 prize unit for every y Glory gained (when Glory may be the measured by the tournament). The y value may increase for lower ranks achieved in the tournament.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Kabam, Inc.
    Inventor: Luc Pieron
  • Patent number: 10010797
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for at least partially automating content generation of blog entries chronicling an entity's interaction with a multiuser environment. The same may combine automatic data generation with user-generated and/or user-edited or created narrative. The systems and methods may be employed for automatically generating and publishing descriptions, such as posting blog articles. In one implementation, a system automatically posts blog articles with automatic screenshots and automatically-generated descriptive copy of events that occur within a video game, such as in a massive multiplayer online role-playing game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT AMERICA LLC
    Inventor: Nathan Pearce
  • Patent number: 10010798
    Abstract: A canopy tour system may include multiple track lines extending between associated upper and lower stations for loading, launching, receiving, and unclipping, respectively, riders of trolleys on the zip lines. A system of mechanical and electronic interlocks provides safety for users in remote locations, enabling individual riders to operate trolleys, including attaching and dis-attaching the trolleys from various track lines, unattended by other workers or employees of the canopy tour operation. Mechanical interlocks assure that a trolley cannot be properly engaged with a launch block on a track line until all such interlocks are properly closed. A master computer may communicate through a network, with all stations to verify and identify times and locations of users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: ZIP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: Eric S. Cylvick